Tokyo in 24 Hours: Digital Art, Ninjas & Vintage Finds

Back in March, myself and the family visited Japan for a skiing trip and tacked on two nights in Tokyo at the end. After a week in the mountains, Tokyo felt like stepping onto another planet. Unfortunately, our plans got slightly derailed when Lulu came down with a brutal gastro bug (RIP to our booking at the Capybara Café and the first day was spent in the hotel room), but we still managed to squeeze in an insane one-day itinerary.

The First Night: 7-Eleven Saves the Day

After arriving in Tokyo and checking into MONday Apart Premium Hamamatsucho, exhaustion—and hunger—hit hard. With Lulu still recovering, we opted for the ultimate lazy-but-brilliant Japanese travel hack: a convenience store feast.

Forget limp sandwiches and stale chips—Japan’s konbini (convenience stores) are an entirely different universe. We stocked up on steaming-hot karaage fried chicken, sushi rolls that rival what you’d get at a proper restaurant, onigiri (rice balls stuffed with everything from spicy tuna to marinated kombu), and the most dizzying array of dinner options you’ll ever see under fluorescent lights.

japanese-convenience-store-cherry-blossoms

The smoothies and fresh juices? Surprisingly great. The desserts? Dangerous. And let’s not forget the hot vending machines serving up creamy royal milk tea and canned coffee that somehow tastes barista-made.

Tokyo travel tip: If you find yourself too exhausted to venture out, don’t underestimate the power of a 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, or Lawson haul. You’ll eat ridiculously well without leaving your hotel room.

TeamLab Planets: Walking Through a Dream

First stop the next morning? TeamLab Planets. This immersive, multi-sensory digital art exhibition felt like stepping into an alternate universe.

We wandered barefoot through soft, pillowy tunnels into an infinite galaxy of shimmering LED lights, lay on the floor beneath a canopy of blooming psychedelic 3D flowers, and waded knee-deep through warm water filled with digital koi fish that scattered at our feet.

It’s a blend of tech, art, and pure magic, and every single person in our family—yes, even the pre-teen—was completely mesmerized.

Harajuku: Vintage Gold & Sneaker Heaven

Next up: Harajuku. If you’re into vintage shopping, sneakers, or just a good people-watching session, this is where Tokyo gets really fun.

Max, always on the hunt for the ultimate vintage find, cleaned up at Chicago and 2nd Street, scoring a Ralph Lauren polo and vintage Nike track pants that he declared his best purchases of the trip.

Meanwhile, we hit up:

✔️ Chicago – One of the best for vintage Americana, band tees, and kimono-style pieces.

✔️ 2nd Street – The holy grail for designer second-hand fashion at amazing prices.

✔️ RAGTAG – A goldmine of pre-loved luxury brands like Chanel, Prada, and Comme des Garçons.

✔️ Kicks Lab & Atmos – For the sneakerheads, these are must-visit spots with rare and limited-edition drops.

I mentally tried to Marie Kondo my suitcase so I could justify another pair of second-hand Levi’s. Max was fully in his element, and honestly, if you have a teen into fashion, this is one of the best ways to experience Tokyo.

Cuddling Hedgehogs & Holding Otters’ Hands

Tokyo doesn’t just do cafés—it reinvents them. We made a last-minute detour to Harry Harajuku Terrace, where we got to cuddle baby hedgehogs, stroke a chinchilla, and hold an otter’s tiny hand.

Even Max, who was initially unimpressed, left declaring that otters are the best animals on earth.

Tokyo travel tip: Many of these cafés require reservations, so book ahead if you’re set on visiting one.

Ninjas, Kids’ Beer & Wagyu Steak

For our last dinner in Japan, we went full-theatrics at Ninja Tokyo, a secret, trapdoor-filled restaurant where every meal comes with a side of ninja theatre.

It starts before you even enter—the waitstaff open a hidden door in the wall, and suddenly, you’re winding through an underground tunnel. The restaurant itself is candlelit, mysterious, with koi ponds and dripping with ancient Japan-meets-magic energy.

The menu? Ridiculously good. The wagyu steak? Melt-in-your-mouth perfection. The magic tricks between courses? So slick, even the adults were losing their minds.

Max ordered a kids’ beer, which comes in a real beer glass and looks (and almost tastes) like the real thing. He was thrilled.

The Best Place to Stay with Kids in Tokyo?

We only had two nights in Tokyo, so location, space, and comfort were everything—which is why I cannot rave enough about MONday Apart Premium Hamamatsucho.

Finding a spacious hotel room in Tokyo is rare, let alone one that sleeps five with actual beds and a proper living space. The kids had their own little sofas that transformed into beds, while Damien and I had a separate bedroom we could actually close off (parents, you know how good this is).

It also had:

✔️ A kitchen (grill, microwave, stovetop).

✔️ A washer/dryer (because, gastro).

✔️ A deep bath (which became my best friend).

✔️ A short train ride to all the major attractions.

It’s not smack-bang in the centre of the city, but it’s perfectly positioned for an early flight out of Haneda—and honestly, I’d stay here again in a heartbeat.

Final Thoughts: Japan, You Win

Japan is wildly fun, deeply cultural, and effortlessly cool—but above all, it’s perfect for families. It strikes the ultimate balance between action-packed adventure, delicious food, and kid-friendly experiences.

Whether it’s skiing in Madarao, hunting vintage Ralph Lauren in Harajuku, or watching a snow monkey have a better onsen experience than you ever will, Japan just gets it right.

Tokyo travel tip: If you only have 24 hours in Tokyo with kids or teens, this is the itinerary to steal.