Society Babysitting services for foreign tourists gain traction in Japan

I have always wondered why the idea of babysitting is so frowned upon in Japan. It seems to be quite lucrative when dealing with "inbounds:"

Foreign-language babysitting services for overseas visitors are becoming more common in Japan, as more well-off families look for ways to enjoy cultural activities that are difficult to manage with young children. Many services now offer more than just basic childcare, providing activities to keep children occupied while parents pursue their own plans.

In late November, Kelvin Young, who was visiting Japan from California with his family, left his 5-year-old and 2-year-old daughters with a nanny at their hotel. For about four hours, he and his wife enjoyed a visit to a high-end sushi restaurant in Tokyo that is not well suited to families with young children. The next morning, their daughters excitedly showed them the crafts they had made during that time. The childcare service was provided by Synk Inc., a company based in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, that employs nine English-speaking nationally certified childcare workers and one nurse.

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Beyond hotel babysitting and walks, Synk arranges activities such as temple-based Zen meditation and visits to local nursery schools, giving children their own programmes while parents explore independently. Similar services are spreading. Tokyo-based Poppins Corp. has stepped up recruitment of foreign-language babysitters since spring 2025, and Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel now offers online booking for such services. Government data show that Japan welcomed about 36.8 million foreign visitors in 2024, including roughly 690,000 children aged four or younger, underscoring growing demand from travelling families.

Is it really frowned upon? Or just not getting any traction?

It gets no traction because it's frowned upon. It's frowned upon because it's considered an intrusion into sacrosanct privacy.

I don't necessarily agree with everything stated below, but it gives you an idea.

I didn't realize by "babysitting" you were specifically referring to childcare within the home since babysitting for overseas visitors would naturally not be within a home setting.

mdchachi said:

I didn't realize by "babysitting" you were specifically referring to childcare within the home since babysitting for overseas visitors would naturally not be within a home setting.

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Sorry, I was referring to home babysitting, which is relatively common in most countries. Having a neighbourhood teenager come over to look after your kids is unheard of in Japan—institutionalised babysitting in nurseries, etc., is not. Many Japanese daycares even accept newborns.

thomas said:

Sorry, I was referring to home babysitting, which is relatively common in most countries. Having a neighbourhood teenager come over to look after your kids is unheard of in Japan—institutionalised babysitting in nurseries, etc., is not. Many Japanese daycares even accept newborns.

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I guess traditionally that task would go to extended family or grandparents. I'm sure there's a need for this these days. Maybe the overseas visitor babysitting will influence the home market.