Planning a weekend trip from Tokyo with kids? Tsukuba, located in Ibaraki Prefecture just 1.5–2 hours away, is the perfect destination for families. This 2-day itinerary covers museums, shrines, local food, and a family-friendly hotel — everything you need for a stress-free trip with children.
We traveled here with our 1-year-old son, and he had a great time exploring dinosaurs, rockets, and even enjoying kid-friendly meals.
How to Access Tsukuba from Tokyo
- By train + bus: Around 2 hours from Tokyo Station
- By car: About 1.5 hours via the Joban Expressway
Trip to Tsukuba Day 1: Family-Friendly Sightseeing
Ibaraki Nature Museum (Museum Park Ibaraki)
Dinosaurs, hands-on science exhibits, and a huge outdoor area with playgrounds — this museum is fun for kids and adults alike. Our 1-year-old was fascinated by the dinosaur skeletons 🦖 and loved watching the fish swim in the tanks 🐟.
Since he often switched between walking and wanting to be carried, a hip-seat baby carrier was very helpful.
Michi-no-Eki Roadside Station Joso
A perfect stop for local food and fresh produce. Try specialties like lotus root croquettes. On the second floor, there’s a play area for kids, plus an outdoor slide.
TSUTAYA Bookstore Joso Interchange
👉 Next door is TSUTAYA Bookstore Joso, which has a kids’ reading space, picture books, and even indoor slides. There’s also a paid kids’ play area produced by BørneLund.
Our son loved running around the kids’ area and sliding down the slides. It was a perfect spot for him to burn off energy while we enjoyed local snacks.
Tsukuba-san Shrine
A historic shrine at the base of Mt. Tsukuba, known for blessings such as family safety and marital harmony. We visited as a family and prayed for health and safety.
The atmosphere was peaceful, but since there are many stairs and uneven paths, we found a baby carrier more practical than a stroller.
Stay around Mt. Tsukuba : Kamenoi Hotel Tsukuba-san
We stayed in the Family Deluxe Room, which was spacious and perfect for a family with a toddler. The Japanese-Western style room gave us plenty of space to relax.
One highlight was the indoor kids’ playroom — great for keeping our son entertained even when the weather wasn’t ideal.
My son enjoyed dinner and breakfast, too.
👉 Check Price on Booking.com
Tsukuba Trip Day 2 : Science & Local Food in Tsukuba
JAXA Tsukuba Space Center
A highlight of the trip! You can see real rockets, space suits, and exhibits for free. It’s not a huge museum, but perfect for curious kids (and adults).
At the gift shop, we bought a space-themed picture book, which has become one of our son’s favorites.
Bando Taro Family Restaurant : Local Restaurant
This family restaurant chain started in Ibaraki and is very child-friendly. They have tatami seating, kids’ menus, and even give kids a toy after finishing their meal.
Our son enjoyed the kids’ udon 🍜 and later received a small toy, which made him so happy.
The restaurant also had a small play area near the entrance, where he spent time after he finished eating.
Return to Tokyo from Tsukuba, Ibaraki
If you’re driving, try leaving before evening to avoid heavy traffic on the expressway. We left a bit early, and it helped us avoid the rush.
Conclusion
Tsukuba is one of the best weekend getaways from Tokyo for families with kids. With easy access, family-friendly museums, shrines, restaurants, and hotels, it’s a perfect 2-day trip combining nature, science, and history. Our toddler enjoyed every stop, and we found it to be both fun and relaxing as parents.
💡 Save this itinerary for your next family weekend trip from Tokyo!
