Part of our Things to Do with Kids in Tokyo series. Prices last checked: November 2026.
What are the best museums made for children in Tokyo? Tokyo has several museums designed specifically for children: the Chihiro Art Museum Tokyo (picture-book art; free for 18 and under), the International Library of Children’s Literature in Ueno (free), the Tokyo Toy Museum in Yotsuya, PLAY! MUSEUM in Tachikawa (picture-book exhibitions; preschoolers free), the Konica Minolta Science Dome (Hachioji’s children’s science museum; ¥100 for children), the Suginami Animation Museum and the Ghibli Museum. Most cost under ¥1,000 per child, and several are free.
Prices are marked official or reported depending on the source. For science and history museums, see our guide to 12 interactive museums in Tokyo.
Compare admission fees
| Museum | Area | Child | Adult | Best ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Library of Children’s Literature | Ueno | Free | Free | 0–12 |
| Chihiro Art Museum Tokyo | Nerima | Free (18 and under) | ¥1,200 (reported) | 3–12 |
| Tokyo Toy Museum | Yotsuya | ¥800 (reported) | ¥1,100 (reported) | 0–8 |
| PLAY! MUSEUM | Tachikawa | Preschoolers free; school-age prices vary by exhibition | Varies by exhibition | 3–12 |
| Konica Minolta Science Dome (Hachioji Children’s Science Museum) | Hachioji | ¥100 (free on Saturdays; reported) | ¥200 (reported) | 4–12 |
| Suginami Animation Museum | Ogikubo, Suginami | Free (reported) | Free (reported) | 6+ |
| Ghibli Museum | Mitaka | ¥100–¥700 by age (official) | ¥1,000 (official) | 4+ |
International Library of Children’s Literature (Ueno)
Part of the National Diet Library, with a children’s reading room and picture books from around the world, including English titles. Free. Closed Mondays and the third Wednesday of each month. A quiet option for babies and toddlers, and easy to combine with Ueno Park and the National Museum of Nature and Science.
Chihiro Art Museum Tokyo (Nerima)
A museum of picture-book art, dedicated to illustrator Chihiro Iwasaki and picture-book artists from around the world, with a children’s room and garden. Reported: adults ¥1,200; students and over-65s ¥900; high school students and 18 and under free. 10:00–17:00; closed Mondays (open on holiday Mondays, closed the next weekday). The exhibition “Chihiro: The Joy of Travel” runs from October 30, 2026, to January 31, 2027.
Tokyo Toy Museum (Yotsuya)
Wooden and traditional toys to play with, in a former elementary school, plus a baby room. Reported: adults ¥1,100; children (6 months to elementary school) ¥800; under 6 months free. 10:00–16:00; closed Thursdays.
PLAY! MUSEUM (Tachikawa)
A museum of picture books and illustration with changing exhibitions, alongside the PLAY! PARK indoor playground. Admission is set for each exhibition; past exhibitions have been free for preschoolers, with school-age children paying a few hundred yen. Check the current exhibition on the official site. PLAY! PARK tickets are separate (official: children 3–12 from ¥2,200 on weekdays).
Konica Minolta Science Dome (Hachioji)
Hachioji’s children’s science museum, with hands-on science play and a planetarium. Reported: adults ¥200, children ¥100, and children free on Saturdays and Children’s Day; the planetarium costs extra. Closed Mondays.
Suginami Animation Museum (Ogikubo)
A museum about how Japanese animation is made, run with Tokyo Polytechnic University, with changing exhibitions. Reported: free. 10:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30); closed Mondays. An exhibition marking 50 years of Shin-Ei Animation (the studio behind Doraemon and Crayon Shin-chan anime) runs until November 29, 2026.
Ghibli Museum (Mitaka)
Studio Ghibli’s museum. Official: adults ¥1,000; junior and senior high ¥700; elementary ¥400; age 4 and over ¥100; under 4 free. Tickets are sold only in advance through Lawson Ticket. See where to buy tickets.
How to choose
- Babies and toddlers: the Tokyo Toy Museum’s baby room and the International Library of Children’s Literature.
- Picture-book lovers (3–8): Chihiro Art Museum and PLAY! MUSEUM.
- Curious school-age kids: the Konica Minolta Science Dome; for bigger science museums, see our interactive museums guide.
- Anime fans: the Suginami Animation Museum and the Ghibli Museum (and the free Toei Animation Museum in Nerima).
FAQ
Which children’s museums in Tokyo are free?
The International Library of Children’s Literature is free, the Chihiro Art Museum is free for 18 and under, and the Suginami Animation Museum is reported to be free.
Are these museums in English?
Mostly in Japanese, but the hands-on and picture-book content works for young children whatever their language. The Children’s Literature library has English picture books.
Sources and official information
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government tourism site — International Library of Children’s Literature
- Chihiro Art Museum — Chihiro Art Museum Tokyo
- PLAY! MUSEUM — Official site (Japanese)
- Suginami City — Suginami Animation Museum exhibition (Japanese)
- Ghibli Museum — Tickets (Japanese)
- Each museum’s official website for current prices and hours
Prices and hours change. Check official websites before visiting. TokyoParents has no commercial relationship with any museum listed. See our editorial policy.
Featured image: Chihiro Art Museum Tokyo by Asanagi, dedicated to the public domain (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons.
