Tokyo With Grandparents: Low-Walking Days From Nerima

Tokyo with elderly parents works best with three habits: stay a few minutes from a station, plan one main outing a day, and pick sights you can reach with no transfer or see from a seat. From a house in Ekoda or Nerima, that means direct trains to Ikebukuro, Tokyo Station and west Shinjuku, an open-top sightseeing bus, and taxis for the last stretch.

We host multi-generation families in our houses, and grandparents are often the reason a family picks a house over hotel rooms. Here is how to set up the stay, plus three low-walking days we suggest to our own guests.

Where should you stay with grandparents in Tokyo?

The base matters more than the itinerary. Every extra minute of walking to the station is repeated twice a day. Look for three things:

• A short walk to the station. Under 5 minutes is ideal.
• A bedroom and toilet on the ground floor. Many Tokyo houses have all bedrooms upstairs, with steep stairs.
• Direct trains. One train to a big hub is easier than two changes in a crowded station.

Of our houses, Nana House Sakaecho fits best. It is 3 minutes on foot from Ekoda Station, and the ground floor has two bedrooms with double beds, a shower room, a washbasin and a toilet, so grandparents can sleep downstairs and never take the stairs at night. The kitchen, living room and a second toilet are upstairs, and the house sleeps up to 9, so the whole family fits. At Nana House Ekoda and Nana House Nerima, all bedrooms are on the second floor, which is fine for most active older travelers but not for anyone who struggles with stairs.

How do you get from the airport without dragging luggage?

Trains with three changes and big suitcases are the hardest part of the trip for many older travelers. Two easier options:

• Airport Limousine bus to Ikebukuro. Buses run from Haneda and Narita to Sunshine City Prince Hotel in Ikebukuro, about 60–70 minutes from Haneda and 90–120 minutes from Narita according to the operator. Book on limousinebus.co.jp, then take a taxi from Ikebukuro to the house.
• Private hire car. We can introduce an airport transfer service that drives you to the door.

Day 1: Tokyo highlights from a bus seat

The Sky Hop Bus is an open-top double-decker that loops past major sights. All three routes start at the Marunouchi Mitsubishi Building near Tokyo Station:

• Red route: Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree, Ryogoku, Ueno and Akihabara.
• Blue route: Tokyo Tower, Ginza, Tsukiji and Odaiba over the Rainbow Bridge.
• Green route: Shinjuku, Shibuya and the Meiji Jingu area.

At the time of writing, a 1-day ticket is ¥4,800 (about US$32) for adults and ¥2,400 (about US$16) for children, and a 2-day ticket ¥7,000 (about US$47) and ¥3,500 (about US$23). Check skyhopbus.com before you go. You can stay seated for the whole loop. Note that seat belts are required while moving, the upper deck is reached by stairs, and in rain you get a poncho rather than a roof.

Getting there: from Ekoda, ride the Seibu Ikebukuro Line to Ikebukuro (about 6–8 minutes), then the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line runs directly to Tokyo Station with no further change.

Day 2: A free view over Shinjuku, no transfer

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building has two free observation decks 202 meters up. From Nerima Station, the Toei Oedo Line runs straight to Tochomae Station, which sits next to the building, so there is no change of train and very little walking.

• South deck: 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., closed the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.
• North deck: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., closed the 2nd and 4th Monday.
• Both close December 29–31 and January 2–3.

Hours were current at the time of writing; check the Tokyo Metropolitan Government website before you go. Go back to the house for an afternoon rest, and save dinner for the neighborhood.

Day 3: Asakusa at an easy pace

Senso-ji in Asakusa is the classic old-Tokyo sight, and the approach is flat, with cafes and benches along the way. To keep walking short, take a taxi to the Kaminarimon gate rather than walking from a distant station exit, and go on a weekday morning before the crowds. If the Sky Hop Bus red route is on your plan, it also stops in Asakusa.

For the least walking of all, book a private sightseeing taxi or hire car by the hour. The driver drops you at each entrance and waits. Prices vary by company and vehicle size, so ask for a quote.

Practical tips for older travelers in Tokyo

• Avoid rush hour. Trains toward Ikebukuro are packed from roughly 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. on weekdays. Start the day after 10:00.
• Use priority seats. Train cars have priority seats, usually near the doors, for older passengers.
• Find the elevator first. Station maps on the operator's website show elevator locations; the right exit can save several staircases.
• Taxis take four passengers. A family of eight needs two cars.
• Plan rest. One outing a day, back at the house by mid-afternoon, is a pace most grandparents can keep for a week.
• A hot spring nearby. Toshimaen Niwa no Yu, a day spa with natural hot spring baths, is a short walk from Toshimaen Station, one stop from Nerima. It admits junior high school age and up, so it works for grandparents and older kids. Check niwanoyu.jp for current hours and prices.

For more on booking a house for the whole family, see Tokyo house rental for a large group, our Tokyo vacation rental rules checklist, and the main guide to where to stay in Ekoda and Nerima.

FAQ

Is Tokyo easy to visit with elderly parents?

Yes, with planning. Trains are punctual and most major stations have elevators, but stations are large. Staying close to a station and choosing direct routes removes most of the walking.

Which of your houses is best for grandparents?

Nana House Sakaecho. It is 3 minutes from Ekoda Station and has two bedrooms, a shower room and a toilet on the ground floor.

Is the Sky Hop Bus good for seniors?

For seeing a lot with little walking, yes. Keep in mind the open top, the stairs to the upper deck and that it runs in light rain with ponchos.

Can we get a taxi from the house?

Yes. Taxis can be called to the door, and we can introduce a private hire car for airport transfers.

Plan a stay that suits every generation

Check dates for a house with ground-floor bedrooms 3 minutes from Ekoda Station. Tell us who is traveling, and we will help you plan arrivals and room assignments.

Dollar figures use ¥150 = US$1.