Part of our Things to Do with Kids in Tokyo series. Prices last checked: November 2026.
Which Tokyo museums are best for kids? For hands-on fun at low cost, try the National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno (free for high school students and under), the Edo-Tokyo Museum (reopened in March 2026; free for junior high and under), the Subway Museum in Kasai (¥100 for children) and the Science Museum in Kitanomaru Park. The Tokyo Fire Museum, the Toei Animation Museum and the NHK Museum of Broadcasting are free for everyone. Note that Miraikan, Tokyo’s best-known science museum, is closed for renovation until April 23, 2027.
Prices are marked official where confirmed on the museum’s own website, and reported where they come from guides and listings.
At a glance
| Museum | Area | Children | Adults | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Museum of Nature and Science | Ueno | Free (high school and under) | ¥630 | Official |
| Edo-Tokyo Museum | Ryogoku | Free (junior high and under); high school ¥300 | ¥800 | Official |
| Subway Museum | Kasai | ¥100 (age 4 to junior high) | ¥220 | Official |
| Science Museum (Kagaku Gijutsukan) | Kitanomaru Park | ¥500 (age 4+); junior/senior high ¥600 | ¥950 | Reported |
| Tama Rokuto Science Center | Nishitokyo | ¥210 (age 4 to high school) | ¥520 | Reported |
| Ghibli Museum | Mitaka | ¥100 (age 4+), ¥400 (elementary), ¥700 (junior high/high school) | ¥1,000 | Official |
| Tokyo Toy Museum | Yotsuya | ¥800 | ¥1,100 | Reported |
| Japan Olympic Museum | Gaienmae | Free (high school and under) | ¥500 | Reported |
| Tokyo Fire Museum | Yotsuya | Free | Free | Official |
| Toei Animation Museum | Oizumi, Nerima | Free | Free | Official |
| NHK Museum of Broadcasting | Atagoyama, Minato | Free | Free | Reported |
| Honjo Life Safety Learning Center | Sumida | Free (booking needed) | Free | Official |
1. National Museum of Nature and Science (Ueno)
Japan’s national natural history and science museum, with dinosaurs, animals, space and hands-on science. Official: adults ¥630; high school students and under, and over-65s, free. 9:00–17:00, closed Mondays (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday). No reservation needed. A special exhibition marking 150 years since Hideyo Noguchi’s birth runs until February 28, 2027, included in regular admission.
2. Edo-Tokyo Museum (Ryogoku)
Reopened on March 31, 2026, after renovation, with full-size reconstructions of old Tokyo. Official: adults ¥800, university students ¥480, high school students ¥300, junior high and under free. On Family Day (the third Saturday and following Sunday), up to two guardians of children under 18 living in Tokyo pay half price.
3. Subway Museum (Kasai)
Real subway cars, driving simulators and a model railway, under the Tozai Line at Kasai Station. Official: adults ¥220; children aged 4 to junior high ¥100. 10:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30); closed Mondays.
4. Science Museum (Kagaku Gijutsukan, Kitanomaru Park)
A long-running hands-on science and technology museum near the Imperial Palace. Reported: adults ¥950; junior and senior high ¥600; children aged 4 and over ¥500; 3 and under free. 9:30–16:50.
5. Tama Rokuto Science Center (Nishitokyo)
Hands-on exhibition rooms and a well-known planetarium. Reported: exhibitions only, adults ¥520 and children (4 to high school) ¥210; with the planetarium or large-screen film, ¥1,040 / ¥420.
6. Ghibli Museum (Mitaka)
Studio Ghibli’s museum, with exhibits, a short film and play spaces. Official: adults ¥1,000; high school and junior high ¥700; elementary ¥400; children 4 and over ¥100; under 4 free. Tickets are sold only in advance through Lawson Ticket, released on the 10th of the month before. See where to buy tickets for kids’ attractions.
7. Tokyo Toy Museum (Yotsuya)
Hands-on wooden and traditional toys in a former school, with a baby room. Reported: adults ¥1,100; children (6 months to elementary) ¥800. 10:00–16:00; closed Thursdays.
8. Japan Olympic Museum (Gaienmae)
Olympic history with interactive sports challenges, next to the National Stadium. Reported: adults ¥500; high school students and under free (bring student ID).
9. Tokyo Fire Museum (Yotsuya)
Historic fire engines and firefighting equipment, connected to Yotsuya-sanchome Station. Official: free; 9:30–17:00; closed Mondays.
10. Toei Animation Museum (Oizumi, Nerima)
The museum of the studio behind many famous anime series. Official: free; 11:00–16:00 (last entry 15:30); closed Wednesdays and some other days.
11. NHK Museum of Broadcasting (Atagoyama)
The history of Japanese broadcasting, with a studio where children can try being a newsreader. Reported: free; closed Mondays. Check the official site for hours.
12. Honjo Life Safety Learning Center (Sumida)
A Tokyo Fire Department centre with an earthquake simulator (age 3+), storm and fire experiences and VR. Official: free, but tours must be booked online or by phone (03-3621-0119). Closed Wednesdays and the third Thursday.
Closed or changed
- Miraikan (Odaiba) is closed for renovation and plans to reopen on April 23, 2027.
- Gas Science Museum (Toyosu) was scheduled to close on September 23, 2026.
Tips
- Many national and Tokyo museums are free for children, so the adult ticket is often the only cost.
- Combine nearby museums: the Tokyo Fire Museum and Tokyo Toy Museum are both in Yotsuya.
- Monday is the most common closing day; check before you go.
- For more wet-weather ideas, see our rainy-day booking guide and nine indoor play areas.
Sources and official information
- National Museum of Nature and Science — Admission
- Edo-Tokyo Museum — Tickets and admission
- Subway Museum — Hours and admission (Japanese)
- Ghibli Museum — Tickets (Japanese)
- Toei Animation Museum — Official site (Japanese)
- Tokyo Fire Department — Tokyo Fire Museum and Honjo Life Safety Learning Center (Japanese)
- Miraikan — Official site
Prices and hours change. Check each museum’s official website before visiting. TokyoParents has no commercial relationship with any museum listed. See our editorial policy.
Featured image: Butterfly exhibit at Tokyo National Museum of Nature and Science by GiveMeMollusks, dedicated to the public domain (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons.
