Babysitter Fluent in Foreign Languages, a New Service in Japan for Rich Tourists

JAKARTA - Foreign language babysitting is starting to grow in Japan amid the increasing number of foreign tourists visiting the country.

The service is very popular with wealthy families who want to enjoy Japanese culture without having to worry about bringing small children.

Interestingly, the service is not just taking care of children. Some service providers offer interactive programs for children, so parents and children can enjoy their vacation time in their own way.

Kelvin Young from California, for example, used a nanny while on vacation in Tokyo last November. He left his two daughters, aged 5 and 2, at the hotel for four hours.

During that time, Kelvin and his wife were able to enjoy dinner at an upscale sushi restaurant that is usually not friendly for small children. The next morning, their children enthusiastically showed off the handicrafts they made with the nanny.

One of the service providers is Synk Inc., a company from Kamakura that has a team of national certified caregivers and fluent in English. Since its launch in April 2025, they have served more than 50 orders.

The price offered is quite premium, starting from 54,000 yen (about Rp5.6 million) for a three-hour duration.

In addition to taking care of the children at the hotel, the caregivers also invite them to do unique activities such as Zen meditation at the temple or visiting the local kindergarten.

"We want to provide valuable experiences for children, so that parents can enjoy their own time without hesitation," said Saya Sugahara, President of Synk, as reported by ANTARA from Kyodo, Monday, December 29.

Tokyo-based Poppins Corp. has also started aggressively recruiting nannies who master foreign languages. In fact, prestigious hotels such as the Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel are now providing an online nanny booking system for their guests.

Government data shows that of the 36.8 million foreign tourists who came to Japan in 2024, about 690,000 of them were children under four years old.

Akane Kakishima, a senior researcher at the Japan Travel Bureau Foundation, said the service not only helps parents, but also has the potential to boost the "nighttime economy" because traveling with children tends to limit adult spending.