Tobacco and Salt Museum

Compact enough for little kids, with a big penguin pool and jellyfish displays you can pair with the tower upstairs.

Earthquake, storm and smoke simulations make this free center much more exciting than the phrase safety museum suggests.

The elevators are part of the thrill, then you get enormous views plus plenty of food and indoor stops downstairs.

The plates are ridiculously cute and much better executed than most character cafes, but getting a reservation is the hard part.

A good Kinshicho base with suites that can fit up to six, plus a playground and useful everyday shopping within an easy walk.

The roomy apartment setup is the draw here, especially if naps, snacks and early bedtimes are still part of your day.