We’d navigate Tokyo’s busy train stations like most; hurrying through entry points, while moving with the flow of foot traffic. A well-oiled machine of its own that we mastered quickly–and with a stroller, too.
It honestly wasn’t as horrific as it sounds. Strollers were everywhere–despite mixed feedback prior to trekking Tokyo with a toddler. Some said bring it, while others said don't bother. We were in limbo–with a child too heavy to wear and too young to walk long distances. And then, where would she nap? In the end, we welcomed the added luggage over a sleep-deprived child.
Selecting a stroller
While online stroller shopping, we had imagined a stroller we'd fold up quickly–with one hand–before navigating stairs and boarding trains; the stroller could fully recline and included a canopy for blocking nap-time distractions (and rain). This eliminated umbrella strollers, with minimal coverage and reclining ability. We eventually found our dream stroller–the cutest Dourxi model that was so amazing (10 lbs. amazing), we'd questioned ever owning that gigantic jogging stroller we'd been using, and taking with us on previous trips.
Turns out, Japan was the land of similarly cute strollers. Cute, as in, you'd rarely see a double stroller at a station. Parents with more than one child would push one in a small stroller and wear the other in a carrier.
Navigating during naps
We occasionally took the escalator (tipping back the stroller) or elevator, but they weren't always available or easy to locate. Finding one, or both, took up too much time and effort; we were all about getting to our destination ASAP. If you are traveling solo and can't hoist a stroller alone, however, look for elevators at the opposite ends of the track. The busier stations, like Tokyo or Shibuya, usually have elevators in central areas.
Racing the rush hour
Oh yes, we did. We braved peak morning commute times–with a stroller–because, Mickey was calling! Getting to the Tokyo Disney parks early meant there was no other way; we didn't stay at the nearby resorts. Our strategy? Politely pummeling through packed trains with our stroller, choosing the car with the "least" commuters. This meant waiting it out until we spotted a sliver of space. "Sumimasen," or "excuse me," was the magic word that–whether luck or kindness–somehow helped pave a tiny path for us.
Rush hour is generally between 7 to 9 a.m. and then 5 to 7 p.m. Other than Disney days, our itineraries centered around not being at a train station during rush hour. However, there were a few instances when we teetered along these forbidden timeframes–forcing us to weave through streams of people or to walk on the side, as train-goers whizzed by. This happened at the busier hubs. To quell the chaos, we spent time exploring the stations, which were gateways for shopping and sightseeing.
You can expect a train to arrive every few minutes, as swarms of people rhythmically come and go. And whether big or small, conquering some kind of crowd is a given. Waiting in the middle of the platform, next to a bench or a pillar, kept us out of the chaos when exiting a train. We'd slip out and up the stairs before the next wave arrived.
Trekking the trains
After maneuvering the maze of commuters, getting on the train was the easy part. The first and last cars were always stroller and wheelchair friendly, but we honestly just jumped on whichever car stopped in front of us. We never had issues finding stroller space, as most cars have seats reserved for the elderly, the disabled or mothers who were expecting. When the trains were empty, we parked the stroller at a seat of our choosing.
Typically, though, we stayed near the doors whenever possible, as they didn't always open on the same side. They could open on either the left or right of the train. Listening to the announcement while approaching a station helped. As far as getting in the way, people usually filled in the space around us.
Because we didn't collapse the stroller, we carefully hopped over the small gap between the platform and the train–with the tracks about a 6-foot drop below. Eek! Some stations had larger gaps, so we moved extra carefully. It's comforting to know a conductor keeps watch before manually closing and opening train doors.
Overall, our experience trekking Tokyo's train stations with a toddler was pleasant–enjoyable, actually. Liv loved greeting the arriving trains–just as much as we loved eating the yummy vending machine snacks! On the train, if she wasn't asleep, Liv's laughter would light up the train and break the norm of a typically quiet commute.
Here's a video capturing a typical commute in and around Tokyo's busy train stations–with a toddler!
VIDEO: Taking a toddler on the Tokyo train system, even during rush hour.
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