It rains a lot in Japan. Aside from the fact that we're not really used to it as Israelis, the reality is that it rains here for about a third of the year. I'm always looking for activities for my daughter, because it's hard for me to stay home with her for too long—she gets bored quickly. We have lots of cute spots near our home, but sometimes we take her to stations a bit farther away in Tokyo and try something new.

Here are a few of our recommendations for activities with young kids in Tokyo when the weather isn't ideal:

1. Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbou – Seeing Tokyo from Above

I love this place because it's the kind of spot I'd visit with friends even if I didn't have kids. It's conveniently located and offers an incredible view of the city from above. It's close to a major train station and has easy stroller access inside. There's a cute café with photogenic (and tasty) menu items—especially the drinks. For Israeli kids who aren't used to Japanese food, it might be a good idea to bring something from home, since there aren't many kid-friendly options.

So what do you actually do there with kids? For younger children, there's a sweet play corner with space to crawl, along with books and toys. For slightly older kids, there's an area with artificial grass where they can run around. What's especially cool is that the design of this area changes with the seasons, so every few months the place looks different. I've been there twice and saw many people bringing blankets and having indoor picnics.

Afterwards, you can walk around the mall downstairs—there's a huge Pokémon store and lots of shops with brands kids love. Sometimes there are performances on the main stage. When I was there, there was a kids' character show I didn't recognize, but occasionally there are also more random performances or shows that aren't really suited for kids.

Location: Ikebukuro, Tokyo

Price: ¥700–¥1,200 per adult / Free for children under 4

Website: https://sunshinecity.jp/observatory/

2. Beruberu Park – A Kids' Activity in an Unexpected Place

Last year I got stuck in Shibuya for two hours due to bad weather, so I looked for a place to take Maika. Google Maps sent me to a karaoke building. I didn't really get it, but I decided to check it out anyway—even though I'd been there before and knew it was an adult karaoke place with alcohol.

It turns out that during the daytime, when they don't have many adult customers, they offer activities for kids—which is actually really nice. It's honestly pretty funny: they cover the bar and set up snacks and drinks that are included in the entrance fee (including baby bottles, I swear). There are seating areas and a corner with a small inflatable and lots of toys. It's super random, but it totally saved the day with my kid.

They have several branches that do this. At the Shibuya location, you can also rent a private room, order from the kids' menu, eat, and sing a few songs together. There's space to park strollers and store your stuff, and the staff are friendly—and a bit bored, since this doesn't seem to be a very popular attraction. When I was there, someone even helped me so I wouldn't have to carry everything myself.

Location: Shibuya, Tokyo

Price: ¥1,000–¥1,500 per hour per child (accompanying adult included)

Website: https://en.pasela.co.jp/mamakai/beruberu-park/

3. Play! Park Eric Carle – A Magical World of The Very Hungry Caterpillar

When I first moved to Japan, I lived a few stations away from Futako Tamagawa, and Shogo and I used to go there all the time because it's less crowded than Shibuya and there's so much to do. When my family came to visit us, I was looking for a place to take them and remembered this area—and discovered that there's a play space based on the books of The Very Hungry Caterpillar author, Eric Carle.

It's an indoor space filled with colorful and original activities, including a large maze and lots of structures kids can climb on. There's also a creative corner and an activity area with games inspired by the books. At the entrance, you receive a cute reusable cup that we still use to this day, which you can use for hot or cold drinks inside.

There are lockers at the entrance, so you can leave your belongings and let the kids play freely. I do recommend booking in advance through the website if possible. Either way, there's plenty to do in the area—lots of shops, a cinema, and if the weather isn't too bad, you can take a walk along the river nearby.

Location: Futako Tamagawa, Tokyo

Price: ¥1,500–¥2,000 per child / ¥1,000–¥1,500 per adult

Website: https://playec.jp/