Taipei
Travel, through a family lens: where street food is a ritual, hot springs hide in the hills, and tradition and tech share the same block.
Family Travel Journal
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-Kristin, Cofounder
Quick insights before you dive into planning…
Perfect for: ???
Ages: ???
When to Visit: Fall and spring are the best times to visit, with comfortable weather perfect for exploring night markets and nearby hikes, while winter is also mild and pleasant.
Trip Length: 4+ nights for a first-time visit, and any amount of time for quick layovers en route to another destination.
Combine with: Any other destination in Asia. Taipei is one of the easiest gateways to Asia, with major airlines including EVA Air, China Airlines, and Starlux Airlines operating extensive regional networks.
Destination Fit
At a glance
what are some important things for people to know about taipei?
Our Favorite Things
Traveled, loved, and chosen for you through our family lens.
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what is there to know about stays in taipei? something about it being affortable to stay at big name hotels?
Kimpton Da’An(Da’an) - modern, boutique hotel with spacious rooms and playful touches that make it fun for families. Located in a lively neighborhood, it’s steps from cafes, boutiques, and easy MRT access to the rest of the city.
Shangri-La Far Eastern (Xinyi) - classic luxury hotel in Taipei’s shopping and dining hub. Families will appreciate large rooms, attentive service, and a central location within walking distance of malls, restaurants, and night markets.
Mandarin Oriental (Songshan) - top-tier choice for those seeking refined luxury. Its elegant rooms, exceptional service, and thoughtful family-friendly touches make it a serene city retreat while keeping shopping, dining, and attractions within easy reach.
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Taipei is a food city, and you come here to eat and taste. From bustling night markets to small family-run restaurants, eating is the activity. It’s hard to choose where to start, but these are a few of our favorites.
Night Markets - Taipei’s night markets are legendary for families who love to graze. Favorites include Shilin for carnival-like eats, Raohe for traditional snacks, and Ningxia for bite-sized Taiwanese street food.
Addiction Aquatic Development - a playful seafood market and restaurant where families can wander, choose fresh catches, and enjoy sushi, grilled seafood, and snacks in a lively, hands-on environment.
Da’an Yonghe Soy Milk King - must-stop for Taiwanese breakfast, serving fresh soy milk, warm buns, and savory breakfast bites in a lively, local setting.
3927 - modern Taiwanese fare with bold flavors and a family-friendly atmosphere, perfect for sharing plates and trying something new.
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While food is at the heart of Taipei, from bustling night markets to hidden neighborhood eats, there is plenty more to enjoy, from cultural landmarks and museums to hiking trails just outside the city. These are a few of our family favorites.
Pineapple Cake Workshop - learn to make Taiwan’s iconic pineapple cakes in a hands-on workshop. Kids can join in the fun, shaping and baking their own treats.
Taipei Zoo & Tea Hills - take the Maokong Gondola up to the tea-growing hills, enjoying tea-flavored ice cream and panoramic views, before heading down to explore one of Asia’s largest zoos.
Da’an Forest Park - Taipei’s “Central Park,” a green oasis in the city. Kids can run, play, and explore ponds and playgrounds, while parents enjoy shaded paths, gardens, and a peaceful spot to relax.
Dadaocheng to Tamsui Ferry - enjoy a short boat ride from the historic Dadaocheng riverside to Tamsui Old Street. It’s a scenic, fun way to see the city from the water while sampling local snacks along the way.
There are also many easy day trips from the city to explore mountains, hot springs, waterfalls, and coastal landscapes, offering a refreshing contrast to urban Taipei.
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Shopping in Taipei is as much about discovery as it is about buying. From creative hubs and beautiful bookstores to lively neighborhoods, there’s something for every age and interest.
Huashan 1914 Creative Park -revitalized arts and culture space with galleries, shops, and workshops. Wooderful Life is a highlight, offering beautifully crafted wooden toys and hands-on workshops that kids and adults both enjoy.
Eslite Spectrum - stunning department bookstore with a wide selection of books for adults and kids, plus stationery and curated gifts. The surrounding area is packed with shops worth exploring, making it a great spot to wander.
Ximending - vibrant shopping neighborhood that’s fun for kids, full of small trinkets, baubles, and trendy items like Labubus.
Sunny Hills - famous for pineapple cakes made with 100% Taiwanese pineapple and high-quality ingredients. The Minsheng location offers a calm space to relax, enjoy a sample cake with tea, and take in the serene setting next to Minsheng Park.
There's so much more to explore. Reach out for a comprehensive list of our favorite spots (including more hidden gems we discovered) or book a bespoke full-trip planner.
Tips
transport/how to get around??
Getting around Japan used to be a real challenge if you didn’t speak the language. These days, for better or worse, Google Translate, especially the camera feature, makes things a lot easier. You can just point your phone at a menu and instantly get an idea of what everything is.
best neighborhoods??
Public transportation in Tokyo is a good option as the network of trains is well-connected. We also found Uber to be pretty reliable. Wait times were reasonable, prices were fair, and there was no stress about language since everything was handled through the app. We also met some really kind drivers who shared interesting insights about the city and changes in tourism (all through Google Translate!).
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Finding a hotel room that fits more than three people can be tricky in Tokyo, especially if you’re trying to stay in a specific part of the city. It’s a good idea to book early or look into Airbnb if you want a bit more space and flexibility.
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There’s no doubt the Tokyo Disney parks are well designed, more affordable than those in the U.S., and it’s definitely a unique experience seeing Disney with a Japanese twist. However, Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea are very popular, yet things don’t always run as smoothly as at Disneyland or Disney World (think 2+ hour waits for food and rides, no fast passes after 10am if you go on the wrong day). The best way to decide is to ask yourself two things: Are you really into Disney? And are Japanese kids in school on the day you want to go? If the answer to both is no, then skip it.
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Western holidays like Christmas are not widely observed in Japan. However, Japanese New Year (Shogatsu, January 1–3) and Golden Week (late April to early May) are major holidays when many businesses close for several days. If visiting during these times, plan activities accordingly and make sure you're staying long enough to visit places on the days they’re open.
something about navigating night markets?
Google Maps reviews can often be misleading, especially since many are written by travelers rather than locals. For more reliable recommendations on authentic cuisine, try using Tabelog. The interface isn’t the easiest to navigate, but the reviews are trustworthy. Friends who frequently visit suggest that anything rated above 3.5 stars is very good, and anything over 4 stars is coming up on Michelin-level quality.
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Japan isn’t the easiest place to dine out with kids. We rarely saw children in restaurants, and some places wouldn’t allow kids under 10 or 12. On top of that, many popular casual spots had complicated queuing systems that didn’t work well with little ones. If you have specific places you want to try, it’s definitely worth planning ahead. That said, Tokyo has no shortage of great food, especially if you’re flexible and open to going with the flow.
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Right now, the exchange rate is favorable, making Tokyo a very affordable destination. Hotel prices are similar to what you’d find in major U.S. cities, but dining and activities like skiing, theme parks, and museums cost a lot less. And if you’re lucky enough to be based near an airport that ZIPAIR services, you can get to Tokyo at a fraction of the price you’d expect.
Trusted Family Voices…
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Penny, age 10
“Tokyo was the best!!! There was lots of cute stationery and Sanrio stuff everywhere. I also really liked TeamLab Borderless!”
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![Liv deer]()
Liv, at age 2.5
From her memory, Mimi’s daughter:
“I remember lots of deer!”
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Watch on Instagram
"✈️ We flew in Tokyo-Haneda Airport, spent 3 days in Tokyo, 3 days in Kyoto, 1 night in Tokyo before"
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Watch on Instagram
“We spent 8days in Japan with our 18month old and we had a blast. This country is super baby friendly and a great pick for traveling with little ones.”
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Watch on Tik Tok
“10 days in Tokyo was too short. Everyone’s been asking about itinerary so here are highlights to consider if you’re heading to Tokyo with kids…”
Family Travel Journal 2
Tokyo is the first place I recommend to all my friends with kids. It’s easy, affordable, fun, and different. We recently visited during spring break and were lucky enough to catch the cherry blossoms in full bloom. Tokyo in the spring really is as beautiful as people say, with streets lined with blooming trees. One of the best parts of the trip was walking along the Meguro River, trying street food and taking in the cherry blossoms. The girls were most excited about all things kawaii leading up to the trip, but by the time we left, they were fully into Sanrio and Pokémon. Shopping became its own activity, and they loved picking out souvenirs for each and every one of their friends. The biggest standout of the trip however was TeamLabs, an immersive digital art experience that completely blew us away. Nothing else we’ve seen since has come close.
Aside from the big attractions, what really stuck with us was showing the girls a place that’s just as developed and modern as what we’re used to, but built on totally different ways of doing things. It wasn’t like traveling in Europe or North America, which often feels more familiar, or in developing countries, which are still evolving in their own way and catching up on certain things. And no place we’ve ever visited has felt safer than Japan. We even felt comfortable letting the girls go into shops on their own or have a bit more freedom at DisneySea, something we’d probably be more cautious about back in the U.S. What we loved most was that this experience wasn’t just a vacation but a glimpse into another way of life.
-Annie, Cofounder
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