Over the course of my adult life, I've made — and forsaken — countless New Year's resolutions. So many that by my mid-30s I had stopped making them altogether. Then a few years ago, I began using Jan. 1 to commit myself to small parental self-improvements that were feasible enough that even I could pull them off.
My first successful resolution was this: to provide my kids with at least one "cultural experience" a month, a vow just vague and ambitious enough to work. Tokyo is brimming with cultural experiences, and by making such an open-ended resolution, I began to see opportunities everywhere. Temples, festivals and museums were easy, but I also wanted my brood interacting with the arts, and since Yoyogi Park is one of our main stomping grounds, the Omotesando area near the park's Harajuku entrance became one of our first places to explore. Known best for high-end shopping and the pulsing youth culture of Takeshita-dori next door, Omotesando is not usually considered a place for child-centered fun, but look beyond the boutiques and you'll find a handful of interesting places for kids and adults alike. And if the kids don't respond, then the park is just a 10-minute stroll away. Here are just a few places within walking distance.
Let's start with some books and food. On a side street near Exit A1 of Omotesando Station you'll find family-centered shopping at Crayon House (www.crayonhouse.co.jp). The first floor has a good selection of kids' books in both English and Japanese, while the third floor has an impressive array of imported and domestic toys. Much of what's here is pricey and packaged to sell, but there are several sample play centers, usually showcasing the creative wooden sets that the Scandinavians craft so well.