The Best Japanese Toys for Kids
Last Updated on October 10, 2024 by Kay
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Whether you’re living in Japan or just visiting, you might be wondering about what kind of toys kids play with in Japan.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the quality of Japanese toys for kids is excellent and there’s a huge variety, so you can likely find something for everyone.
In this article, I’ll share must-buy toys for kids in Japan. Many of these are popular with my daughter and her friends, and I think would make great gifts or souvenirs for kids in preschool or elementary school.
Many of these toys can be found at major children’s stores in Japan and toy stores in Japan.
Table of Contents
Licca-chan Doll
Made by Takara Tommy, a toy company in Japan, Licca-chan is Japan’s version of Barbie. The doll is smaller than Barbies and personally, I think it’s far better quality.
Just like Barbie, you can get various kinds of Licca-chan dolls, including some that allow kids to decorate her hair or put makeup on her face using water. There is even an Oshi no Ko Licca-chan doll!
Check it out on Amazon Japan.
This toy is recommended for children ages three and up.
Sylvanian Families
This isn’t necessarily a Japanese toy but it’s extremely popular with kids in Japan. So much so that there are small Sylvanian Family theme parks near Tokyo and in Osaka!
Kids love how small and cute these little forest families are, and love to play with the dolls in various places such as the adorable and classic house with a red roof. My daughter has a few of these dolls as well as an underwater amusement park and a castle in a magical forest playset.
You can get Japan-exclusive Sylvanian Families toys here so it’s worth looking into if you or your child is a fan.
Check it out on Amazon.com and Amazon Japan.
This toy is recommended for children ages three and up.
Tomica
Tomica is hugely popular with kids in Japan. Think of them as Japan’s Hot Wheels.
There is a huge variety of cars to choose from, including unique ones such as a truck hauling a whale shark in a tank, as well as track sets.
Check it out on Amazon.com and Amazon Japan.
This toy is recommended for children ages three and up.
Plarail
It’s no surprise that kids in Japan are obsessed with trains, and the ultimate train toy is Plarail. In fact, Plarail has been in the business for more than fifty years!
They offer a variety of trains, including Shinkansen and Thomas the Engine, as well as tracks so kids can create their own routes.
Check it out on Amazon.com and Amazon Japan.
This toy is recommended for children ages three and up.
BEYBLADE
These spinning battle tops have remained a hit with kids throughout the years. Some parts are interchangeable so kids can enjoy customizing their BEYBLADE to create one that wins.
Check it out on Amazon.com and Amazon Japan.
This toy is recommended for children ages six and up.
Tamagochi Uni
Tamagochi is something I loved playing with as a kid so I’m pleased to see that it’s still going strong, and now in a colorful watch form! These watches allow kids to do a variety of things such as play games and link to another person’s Tamagochi Uni to have their Tamagochi play together.
Check it out on Amazon.com and Amazon Japan.
Another version is Tamagochi Smart, which allows kids to interact with the Tamagochi by petting it. However, I’ve heard that Tamagochi Uni is more fun to play with.
This toy is recommended for children ages six and up.
Nanoblocks
Nanoblocks are like tiny Lego pieces and come in a huge variety featuring popular characters from shows like Pokemon and Disney.
There’s a store in Tokyo Solamachi (Tokyo Skytree) so if you or a kid you know likes Lego or building things, definitely check it out.
Check it out on Amazon.com and Amazon Japan.
This toy is recommended for children ages 12 and up.
ZOIDS
Part robot, part animal, this is another popular toy with kids who like building things. This toy has its own anime as well, which I remember being aired in North America when I was growing up.
Check it out on Amazon.com and Amazon Japan.
This toy is recommended for children ages 6 and up.
Yubidase Cubitsu
This is a digital pet that kids can directly touch. They evolve as well, which helps kids feel motivated to continue playing with it, and you can unlock other characters.
This toy is recommended for children ages six and up.
Check it out on Amazon Japan.
Sumikko Gurashi Kaleidoscope
Summiko Gurashi is huge in Japan and you’re likely to find stuffed animals and other goods almost everywhere you look.
One recently popular toy for kids is a kaleidoscope where kids can place beads inside to make different projections on the wall.
Check it out on Amazon Japan.
This toy is recommended for children ages six and up.
Punirunzu
This is another virtual pet that kids can touch, take care of, and interact with. There are games where you can earn coins to buy items for your punirunzu and you can mix ingredients to create different characters.
Check it out on Amazon Japan.
This toy is recommended for children ages six and up.
Bath Balls
Now this isn’t exactly entirely a toy but it does contain one, which is why I thought I would put it on the list.
My daughter is obsessed with bath balls and collecting the cute toys inside. There are so many kinds in Japan, such as Pokemon, Sanrio, and Tomica. It can be hard to choose! (This is why we end up with more than one whenever we go to stores!)
Check it out on Amazon Japan.
This toy is recommended for children ages three and up.
Wrap-Up: The Best Toys for Kids in Japan
As you can see, there are many different unique toys in Japan to choose from, and this is just the tip of the iceberg!
I’ll be honest here, although I’m an adult, one of the things I love most about being a parent in Japan is checking out all the fun toys they have and playing with them with my daughter!