Babies "R" Us

Quick Facts

Last checked against official information: 2026-11-14.

What it is

Babies "R" Us (ベビーザらス) sells baby, maternity and nursery supplies in both dedicated shops and co-located Toys "R" Us / Babies "R" Us stores. The former Japanese operator was Toys "R" Us - Japan, Ltd.; on October 30, 2026, the 154-store Toys "R" Us / Babies "R" Us network was transferred into the PPIH group. That 154 total covers both retail brands and formats and should not be read as the count of baby-only stores.

At a combined branch, families can browse feeding supplies, diapers and stroller models while also looking at Anpanman toys, Tomica cars, Plarail train sets and LEGO products for older siblings. Product ranges and the checkout arrangement differ by branch. Aqua City Odaiba and Sunshine City in Ikebukuro are examples to look up in the official directory; notably, Aqua City Odaiba currently lists tax-free processing for its Toys "R" Us / Babies "R" Us tenant as temporarily suspended.

How to order

Step 1: Visiting Mall & Inbound-Friendly Locations

Babies "R" Us stores are heavily anchored inside major Japanese shopping malls:

• Key Tourist Locations: Official directories list a Toys "R" Us / Babies "R" Us store at Aqua City Odaiba and another in the Ikebukuro Sunshine City shopping complex. Verify the exact shop floor, business hours and current services in the directory before traveling; the Aqua City tenant has temporarily suspended tax-free processing.
• Look for the combined Toys "R" Us / Babies "R" Us signage when entering the mall floor.
• Operating hours typically match host mall schedules, generally 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM (varies by store).

Step 2: Navigating Baby Care & Co-Located Toy Zones

• Grab a large two-level shopping cart at the main entrance.
• The Baby & Maternity Zone: Browse leading Japanese baby brands (Pigeon, Combi, Aprica, Richell) alongside familiar global names. Explore compact folding travel strollers, breathable summer mesh baby carriers, and Japanese infant skincare.
• The Co-Located Toy Zone: Walk straight across to the Toys "R" Us side to pick up Japanese exclusive character merchandise (Anpanman educational toys, Takara Tomy Plarail trains, Pokémon plushies, and Sylvanian Families).
• Baby Planner Consultation: Some larger branches advertise baby-gear advice. Ask staff whether stroller folding demonstrations and child-seat information are offered at that location; check each product manual and the vehicle fitment list before buying a car seat.

Step 3: Family Restrooms & Nursing Facilities

• Nursing rooms, diaper-changing areas and formula-preparation facilities may be located in the shopping mall rather than inside the store. Check the mall floor plan, access conditions and available equipment for the specific branch.

Step 4: Cashier Checkout & 2026 Tax-Free Refund Procedure

• Check the actual store's tax-free status before payment. At Aqua City Odaiba, the mall currently lists tax-free processing for the Toys "R" Us / Babies "R" Us tenant as temporarily suspended; do not assume refunds are available there. Look for the registered tax-free service notice or confirm with the cashier. A purchase from an ordinary store does not become tax-free merely by keeping its receipt.
• If the store offers this service, present the original passport and the immigration-status evidence required by the tax-free procedure. Ask where the purchase record is registered; the desk may be operated by the store or its host department store. An eligible temporary visitor must not assume that every foreign passport qualifies.
• Refund-based system in force from November 1, 2026:
  1. Pay the tax-inclusive price at the participating shop. The general/consumables distinction and special consumables packaging requirement of the previous system have been abolished. The qualifying same-day purchase total is generally at least ¥5,000 before tax at the same licensed store, subject to eligibility and any store-specific restrictions.
  2. Have the required identity details and purchase record registered electronically by the participating store. Merchant service fees, if any, are separate from the statutory consumption tax calculation.
  3. Export the registered purchase within 90 days of the purchase. Do not consume or dispose of goods that you intend to export under a tax-free purchase. Keep every registered item available for verification at departure; missing items can invalidate the record containing them. Mailing purchases from Japan yourself does not qualify as a substitute for carrying them through departure customs.
  4. At the departure airport or seaport, complete the customs export-verification procedure with the registered passport. The passport kiosk or supported online departure procedure gives a green/no-inspection or red/inspection decision; present the goods to customs if directed. Complete verification before handing over any checked baggage containing the registered goods.
  5. Customs verifies export but does not hand you a retail tax refund. After confirmed export, the shop or its authorized refund provider pays the refund using the method and timetable that provider specifies; a credit-card refund is not guaranteed.
• Flying with baby liquids: Carry-on liquid limits and infant-feeding exceptions are airline, airport and security-rule matters, separate from the tax-free procedure. Check your flight's rules before deciding what to check in. A large bottle is not automatically required to be checked if a documented infant-feeding exception applies.

What to order first

The price ranges in this Top 5 are illustrative shopping estimates, not verified November 2026 shelf prices or model-specific offers. Please confirm the actual product, size, color, applicable tax, and current price with the selling store.

1. Japanese Character Educational Toys (Anpanman & Sylvanian Families)

• What it is: Bath toys, musical keyboards, and stacking blocks featuring Japan's beloved toddler hero Anpanman, alongside intricate Sylvanian Families miniature sets.
• Why buy it: Anpanman items are uniquely Japanese cultural staples; Sylvanian Families sets manufactured for the domestic market often feature exclusive figurines unavailable abroad.
• Price expectation: Approximately ¥1,200 to ¥6,500.

2. Ultra-Lightweight Japanese Travel Strollers (Aprica / Combi)

• What it is: Select compact or lightweight Aprica and Combi strollers suitable for different age ranges; weight, folding method and transit usability depend on the exact model. Check the manufacturer's age/weight limits, dimensions and directions before purchase.
• Why buy it: Makes navigating Japanese subways and stairs dramatically easier than hauling heavy Western travel systems.
• Price expectation: Approximately ¥22,000 to ¥55,000.

3. Richell Straw Training Cups & Silicone Meal Sets

• What it is: Spill-proof clear training straw mugs (Aqulea) and suction-base infant dining plates from Japanese brand Richell.
• Why buy it: Celebrated for leak-proof valve engineering and easy-to-clean parts; compact and durable to pack in suitcases.
• Price expectation: Approximately ¥950 to ¥2,400.

4. Japanese Baby Skincare & UV Protection Gels

• What it is: Gentle, fragrance-free foaming baby soaps (Pigeon, Arau Baby) and water-soluble SPF baby sunscreens.
• Why buy it: Compare available infant-care products by the manufacturer's stated age range, ingredients, usage directions and any individual skin sensitivities; "dermatologically tested" is not a store-wide certification.
• Price expectation: Approximately ¥650 to ¥1,800.

5. Takara Tomy Tomica Die-Cast Vehicles & Plarail Trains

• What it is: Miniature metal replicas of Japanese taxis, Shinkansen bullet trains, and motorized blue-track railway sets.
• Why buy it: Easily combined on the same checkout receipt at combo stores; iconic, affordable souvenirs for older siblings.
• Price expectation: Single Tomica cars ~¥550; Plarail train sets ~¥2,500–¥6,500.

Payment & practical info

Prices and details checked: November 2026.

• Accepted Payment Modes: Cash in yen; check accepted card networks, overseas-issued cards, electronic money and QR-payment applications at the individual branch or department-store counter. These methods are not uniform across locations.
• Tax-Free Refund Rules (in force from November 1, 2026):
  • At a currently participating shop, the general threshold is a same-day purchase of ¥5,000 or more excluding tax at the same licensed store. Tax-free eligibility depends on residence/immigration status and goods exported, not on a blanket promise for every branch.
  • Pay the tax-inclusive amount, register the qualifying purchase, and have the export confirmed by departure customs within 90 days. Plan to present the registered goods before checking any baggage that contains them.
  • The previous system's general-goods/consumables distinction and special sealed-bag requirement no longer apply. Exported goods cannot be consumed in Japan. Refund timing, channel and any shop handling charge are set by the participating retailer or provider; customs does not pay shoppers.
  • Local status: At Aqua City Odaiba, the mall currently lists tax-free processing for the Toys "R" Us / Babies "R" Us tenant as temporarily suspended; do not assume refunds are available there.
  • Returns, overseas delivery and warranty: Do not assume the store accepts international returns, exports oversized goods, or honors a Japan-only product warranty abroad. Check the exact purchased item, destination country, transport and store policy before paying.
• Operating Hours: Hours vary by store (varies by store), generally 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM at major shopping malls.

Good to know / Common mistakes

Safety and product fit: For strollers, car seats and baby carriers, check the precise model's age/weight/height limits, mounting or fit instructions, recall notices and transport compatibility; buy suitable goods, not a generic guarantee of compliance.

1. Separating Immediate-Use Diapers from Tax-Free Packs

If you plan to use diapers, wipes, or baby food during your stay in Japan, check out those items in a separate standard receipt so you do not invalidate your Tax-Free export declaration for the registered goods listed on that purchase record.

2. Promotional Discount Coupons

Promotional discount coupons may be distributed during specific promotional campaigns or Star Card seasonal events. Terms, validity periods, exclusions, and minimum purchase conditions apply.

3. Checking Lithium Batteries in Electronic Toys

If purchasing battery-operated Japanese toys, note whether they use dry-cell AA/AAA batteries or rechargeable lithium batteries. Toys containing lithium batteries should follow airline battery transport rules (carry-on vs. checked baggage guidelines).

Sources

• Japan Tourism Agency — current tax-free refund-system information (Checked: 2026-11-13; rule effective from 2026-11-01)
• Japan Tourism Agency — eligibility and discontinued product categories (Checked: 2026-11-13)
• Toys R Us / Babies R Us official store directory (Checked: 2026-11-13; see date/scope in title)
• PPIH transfer notice, dated 2026-11-02 (Checked: 2026-11-13; see date/scope in title)
• Aqua City Odaiba tax-free store status (Checked: 2026-11-13; see date/scope in title)