Japans Under 17’s Curfew

We’ve found Japan to be an incredibly kid friendly destination, there’s priority lines at the airports to rush through travelers with children, accommodations are made with priority seating and space for prams on public transport. as well as priority elevators to ensure you aren’t left waiting with baby in tow. The specialty play spaces are next level, changing and nursing rooms are around every corner and many restaurants will bring a basket of brand-new toys to the table for your kids to play with while you dine. But even still, there are some things that you should know before traveling Japan with young children.

One of those things is that 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟕'𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐰.

Many prefectures in Japan have a curfew for those under 17 and meaning under 17's aren't supposed to be out on the town between the hours of around 10:00pm or 11:00pm and 4:00am.

It’s rarely enforced, however with the tourism boom in full swing in Japan, more travelers are reporting having been turned away from restaurants if they're opting to dine later in the afternoon with their kids. Although this is still a rarity, it's always a good idea to check the specific regulations of the area you are in, and as a general rule, if you’re eating out with the kids, eat early.