Well, we're deep into winter now. Though warm Spring weather is still a bit far off, you don't have to hibernate! There are still plenty of opportunities for your family to have fun in Tokyo. As always, if you need help with the kids while exploring the city, CareFinder is here to help!

 

 

Don't have time to visit every town in Japan? The Furusato Matsuri at the Tokyo Dome has you covered! This massive event hosts food, drink and craft vendors from all over the country, representing their "hometowns" all in one place.

 

If you haven't already gone, be sure to head to this Harry Potter-palooza at Tokyo Station before it closes up at the end of the month. You can pick up a wand or a robe for the HP lover in your household.

 

Broadway comes to Tokyo! If you have any music and musical fans in your family, you won't want to miss this show. It's based on the story of the "Dreamettes" and is filled with the sounds of the '60s.

 

 

The CareFinder team took a sweets-making class once and we loved it! Be sure to check out this opportunity for the whole family to learn how, from scratch.

 

This eco-friendly festival has a dedicated children's area, so you know it'll be good, green fun for the whole family. Check it out if you're on the hunt for goods and goodies that are also good for the planet.

 

Interested in seeing recent Coming of Age Day honorees pour freezing cold water on themselves? Or a traditional ceremony featuring sliced carp? The very unique Daikoku Matsuri in Kanda is worth checking out then.

 

 

We always love a free admission day at one of Tokyo's incredible museums and the National Museum of Western Art is no exception! It's a wonderful opportunity to expose your kids to classics from Monet and Renoir (on the cheap!).

 

With firecrackers, dragon puppets and dance troupes, this Chinese New Year Parade in Yokohama's Chinatown is a can't miss.

 

Wintertime is Yaki Imo (grilled sweet potato) time and nowhere is that clearer than at this week-long event in Shinagawa. You can find any type of sweet potato - or sweet potato adjacent treat- you could ever imagine, so come hungry!

 

 

Kintsugi is the craft of mending broken pottery and ceramics with golden lacquer, making something more beautiful for having been broken. It's a lovely traditional Japanese craft and saves you from having to buy new plates!

 

If you loved Western Art, be sure to give the Museum of Modern Art's free admission day a shot, as well!

 

Sensoji in Asakusa is a beautiful temple to visit on a regular day; you're definitely going to want to take the family there for this combo Setsubun/Seven Lucky Gods event. Show up by noon for the bean throwing!

 

 

Head toward Tokyo Tower if you'd like even more bean-throwing experience! The annual event held at Zojoji Temple features bean throwers wearing kimono specific to their birth year.

 

Or, if you'd like to get out of the city for a bit to celebrate Setsubun, Mt. Takao's ceremony is an option. Some famous faces may also be in the crowd - sumo wrestlers, singers and actors are also known to attend.

 

Make a trip to Yokohama for this photogenic festival. Each lantern represents a hope or dream for the year ahead and the festival itself marks the end of the Spring Festival.