Babysitting for foreign tourists is booming in Japan, allowing parents to enjoy sushi as kids learn Zen

Instead of skipping bucket-list experiences, families are increasingly choosing to leave their children with trained, English-speaking babysitters, freeing up parents to slip into omakase counters, wander museums, or simply enjoy a quiet evening. Their kids get their own adventure: making crafts, visiting nursery schools, or even practicing calm breathing in a Zen temple, Kyodo News reported.

In late November, Kelvin Young from California tried the service during a family trip to Tokyo. He and his wife booked a nanny through Synk, a Kamakura-based company, and left their two daughters, five and two years old, at their hotel for four hours. The couple enjoyed a high-end sushi meal during that time while their daughters learn to make crafts, which they showcased the next morning.

Synk, founded in April, has already handled over 50 requests from foreign tourists. The company employs nine nationally certified childcare workers who speak English, as well as a nurse, and prices start from ¥54,000 (US$345) for three hours. Beyond hotel-based care, Synk organizes outings like gentle nature walks, play sessions, temple visits and hands-on cultural activities.

“By providing children with specialized experiences, we want parents to enjoy their time without hesitation,” said company president Saya Sugahara, The Straits Times reported.

Other businesses are also moving to capture demand. Poppins, a Tokyo childcare provider, has stepped up recruitment of babysitters who can communicate in English or other languages. Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel has begun offering an online reservation system so foreign guests can secure a babysitter before arrival.

Japan welcomed about 36.8 million foreign visitors in 2024, according to government data, and roughly 690,000 of them were children aged four or younger.