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Raising children in Japan—especially if you’re new to the country—can feel overwhelming at times.
But if you live along the Odakyu Line in Kanagawa, you’re in luck.
Odakyu Railway offers a wide range of family‑friendly services designed to make life easier for parents, pregnant women, and caregivers.
This guide highlights the family‑friendly services available along the Odakyu Line, so you can make the most of these helpful resources during your life in Kanagawa.
How Odakyu Supports Families
Odakyu actively promotes a safe and comfortable environment for families. Their initiatives focus on:
- Making transportation easier for parents with babies or toddlers
- Providing safe spaces for breastfeeding and diaper changing
- Offering helpful tools and characters that make outings more enjoyable
- Supporting pregnant women with visible badges and priority seating
These services are available across many Odakyu stations and facilities, especially in Kanagawa.
Useful Family-Friendly Services Along the Odakyu Line
Below are the main family‑friendly services Odakyu provides and where you can find them.
Official Odakyu Facilities Guide (Japanese) →
https://www.odakyu.jp/oyako/facilities/
Baby Seats and Child Chairs in Station Restrooms
Out of all 70 Odakyu stations, 69 stations have restrooms equipped with baby changing seats and child‑safety chairs.
These make it easier for parents to change diapers or safely seat their child while using the facilities.
Barrier‑Free Access for Strollers
All 70 Odakyu stations are accessible from the ticket gates to the platforms without steps.
Elevators and slopes allow parents to move with strollers smoothly throughout the station.
Child Fares
Child fares apply to children aged 6 to under 12 (children who are 6 but not yet in elementary school are considered “infants”).
Child fares are half of the adult fare.
When using an IC card, the child fare on the Odakyu Line is a flat 50 yen.
Up to two infants (1–5 years old) can ride for free when accompanied by an adult or a child with a valid ticket. A third infant requires a child fare.
Babies under 1 year old ride for free.
Family-Friendly Restrooms
In addition to baby seats and child chairs at 69 stations, Odakyu also provides:
- Family restrooms (Higashi‑Kitazawa Station, Setagaya‑Daita Station)
- Children’s toilets (Shinjuku, Shimokitazawa, Sagami‑Ono)
These facilities are designed to make restroom use easier for families with young children.
Private Baby Care Rooms “mamaro™”
Fourteen stations have a Trim “mamaro™” baby care room.
This is a fully private 1.28 m² space with a sofa, stool, and power outlet.
Any parent or caregiver can use it for diaper changing, breastfeeding, or taking a quiet break with their child.
Stroller Sharing Service “ShareBuggy”
Odakyu partners with Babydoor Inc. to offer a stroller‑sharing service called ShareBuggy at five stations:
Shinjuku, Shin‑Yurigaoka, Sagami‑Ono, Ebina, and Hon‑Atsugi (as of March 2025).
You can borrow and return strollers at dedicated ports near the ticket gates.
Rental starts at 220 yen per hour, paid by credit card through the app.
Child-Friendly Car on Romancecar (Car No. 3)
During daytime hours, Car No. 3 on most Romancecar trains operates as a child‑friendly car.
It is located near the restroom with a baby bed, making it convenient for families.
Anyone can ride in this car, but it is especially designed for parents traveling with young children.
Preschool children need a child ticket only if they occupy their own seat.
If they sit on a caregiver’s lap, no ticket is required.
All Romancecar trains have restrooms with baby beds.
Baby Product Vending Machines
Some stations have vending machines that sell baby essentials such as diapers and wipes—helpful for emergencies during outings.
Child-Friendly Cars on Odakyu Trains
On regular Odakyu trains, Car No. 3 is designated as a child‑friendly car (with some exceptions).
These cars include stroller‑priority spaces and are designed to make travel easier for families.
Meet Mokoron: Odakyu’s Adorable Mascot
If you’ve traveled on the Odakyu Line, you may have seen a cute blue creature with round eyes—that’s Mokoron, Odakyu’s official child‑friendly mascot.
Mokoron appears on posters, signs, and goods designed to make stations more welcoming for kids.
Children love spotting Mokoron during their trips, and the character helps create a friendly, approachable atmosphere for families.
How to Buy Mokoron Goods
If your child becomes interested in Mokoron goods, you can find official merchandise at:
Romancecar Museum Shop “TRAINS” (Ebina Station)
Inside the Romancecar Museum at Ebina Station, the official Odakyu goods shop “TRAINS” sells a variety of items, including Mokoron merchandise. You can also browse their online shop.
Please note that the shop is only accessible to museum visitors.
Capsule Toy Machines Inside Stations
Mokoron capsule toys (gacha) are available inside the ticket gates at several stations.
Each try costs 500 yen. Instead of using a 500‑yen coin, the machines require five 100‑yen coins.
You can find these machines at:
- Shinjuku
- Shimokitazawa
- Shin‑Yurigaoka
- Ebina
- Odawara
Odakyu’s Official Online Shop
Some Mokoron items are also available online, though stock may vary.
Odakyu’s Official Online Shop →
For Parents Living Along the Odakyu Line
Parenting in a foreign country can be challenging, but you’re not alone.
Odakyu’s family‑friendly services are here to support you, and Kanagawa is a wonderful place to raise children—full of parks, nature, and welcoming communities.
I hope this guide helps you feel more confident and comfortable as you navigate life in Japan with your little ones.
May your parenting journey in Kanagawa be safe, joyful, and full of warm memories.
