**BY AREA**, Ageo, Asaka, Fujimi, Fujimino, Hanyu, Higashimatsuyama, Kawagoe, Kawaguchi, Konosu, Koshigaya, Kuki, Kumagaya, Misato, Niiza, Okegawa, Omiya, PLAY / FUN CENTRES, Saitama 埼玉市, Satte, Sayama, Soka, Toda, Tsurugashima, Urawa, Wako

>60 Privately Run Indoor Play / Fun / Amusement Centers in Saitama

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A list of 64 of the Play / Fun / Amusement Centers (excluding Jidokan community play centers) in the prefecture of Saitama.

**I have no affiliation to any of these companies, nor do I receive any reward or benefit for sharing their information. Insaitama.com is a not-for-profit blog. The ads you see on the blog are there in an effort to contribute to the cost of self-hosting. To date they have covered less than 1% of the cost! A click on an ad "earns" about one yen (to the best of my knowledge.) **
  1. Saitama City
  2. Seibu (Western) Saitama
  3. Tobu Tojo Line
  4. Ageo City
  5. Kawaguchi City
  6. Koshigaya City
  7. Misato City
  8. Kasukabe City
  9. Other Areas in Saitama

SAITAMA CITY

Molly Fantasy’s Kidzoona in Omiya

Molly Fantasy’s Kidzooona (English) – Omiya Aeon, Omiya

Kid-O-Kid in Cocoon 2 Saitama Shintoshin

Bornelund Play World Kid-O-Kid (English)  – Cocoon 2, Saitama Shintoshin, Omiya

The Railway Museum in Omiya

Saitama Railway Museum (English) – Omiya

Ofura Cafe Utatane (Japanese) – Kita Ward

Taiko Athletic (Japanese) – Namco, Stellar Town, Kita Ward

Ultra Athletic** (Japanese) – Namco, Stellar Town, Kita Ward
** Pop up play center available until June 11th

Molly Fantasy (Japanese) – Aeon Mall Urawa Misono, Urawa

Molly Fantasy (Japanese) – Aeon Yono, Aeon

Kid’s US Land (Japanese) – Seiyu Yono branch, Yono

SEIBU (WESTERN) SAITAMA

Kid’s Spocha (Japanese) – Round 1 Stadium, Iruma

Wai Wai Park (Japanese) – Aeon Mall, Iruma

Cats Eye Sayama

Cats Eye (English) – Sayama

Wai Wai Park Sayama

Wai Wai Park (English) – Aeon Mall, Sayama

Tobu Tojo Line

&Nursery (Japanese) – Wako

Kid’s Spocha (Japanese) – Round 1 Stadium, Asaka

Trampoland (English & Japanese) – Niiza

Kid’s US Land (Japanese) – Marui Family, Shiki

Studio Cafe Zoo Adventure

Studio Cafe Zoo Adventure (English) – Lalaport, Fujimi

Team Lab Islands

Team Lab Islands (English) – Lalaport, Fujimi

Kid’s US Land Kamifukuoka

Kid’s US Land (English) – Seiyu, Kamifukuoka, Fujimino

Wanpaku Land (English) – Maruhiro, Kawagoe

Hoppe Kawagoe

Hoppe (English) – Kawagoe

Kid’s US Land (English) – Modi, Kawagoe

Shidax (English) – Shingashi, Kawagoe

Halos Garden (English) – Tsurugashima

Shidax Tsurugashima

Shidax (English) – Tsurugashima

Kid’s US Land in Higashimatsuyama

Kid’s US Land (English) – Seiyu, Higashimatsuyama

Aruzo Land

Aruzo Land (English) – Aruzo Net / Matsubori Real Estate, Higashimatsuyama

Sweet Fantasy Pacc’n

Sweet Pacc’n Fantasy (English) – Peony Walk Mall, Higashimatsuyama

Children’s castle slide

Children’s Castle (English) – Saitama Children’s Zoo, Higashimatsuyama

Shidax, Higashimatsuyama

Shidax (English) – Higashimatsuyama

AGEO CITY

Kids Spocha

Kid’s Spocha (English) – Round 1 Stadium, Ageo

Niko Niko Garden

Niko Niko Garden (English) – Festa, Ageo

Saitama Ice Arena (Japanese) – Ageo

Maneki Neko (Japanese) – Ageo

 

KAWAGUCHI CITY

Molly Fantasy (Japanese) – Aeon Mall Kawaguchi Maekawa

Yu Kids Island (Japanese) – Aeon Mall Kawaguchi Maekawa

Rainbow Coloured Train (Niji Iro Train) (Japanese) – Kawaguchi Station

Wai Wai Park (Japanese) –  Aeon Mall Kawaguchi

Kid’s US Land (Japanese) – The Price Kawaguchi

Kid’s US Land (Japanese) – Aeon Mall Kawaguchi

KOSHIGAYA CITY

Kid is... (Japanese) – Aeon Lake Town

Molly Fantasy Skid’s Garden (Japanese) – Aeon Lake Town

Bornelund Tot Garden (Japanese) – Aeon Lake Town

Asobi Park Plus  (Japanese) – Namco, Aeon Lake Town

Flystation (English) – near Aeon Lake Town

Kid’s US Land  – Rakuen Town

MISATO CITY

Thomas Town (Japanese) – Lalaport, Shin Misato

Smaland (English) – Ikea, Shin Misato

Graffiti Kingdom (Japanese) – Ito Yokado

Kid’s Castle Misato (Japanese) – Piala City

Kid’s Spo-cha Round 1 Stadium (Japanese on a personal blog) – Lalaport Shinmisato {Spo-cha information in English}

KASUKABE CITY

Kasukabe Yumoto Hot Spring (English) – Kasukabe

Wai Wai Park (Japanese) – Aeon Mall, Kasukabe

OTHER AREAS IN SAITAMA

Wai Wai Park (Japanese) – Kumagaya

Soyu Himitsu No Mori

Soyuu Himitsu No Mori (English) – Mallage, Kuki

Kids Spocha (Japanese) – Round 1 Kurihashi, Kuki

Nicopa Soka Toneri  (Japanese) – Shimachu Homes Soka Toneri, Soka

Nicopa Satte (Japanese) – Maruetsu, Satte

Sweet Fantasy Pacc’n (English) – Benibana Walk, Okegawa

Kid’s Park

Kid’s Park  – Elumi, Konosu

Molly Fantasy Skids Garden (Japanese) – Aeon Kita Toda, Toda

Molly Fantasy Skids Garden (Japanese) – Aeon Mall Hanyu

Play Kingdom Peekaboo (Japanese) – Aeon Mall Hanyu

Wai Wai Park (Japanese) – Aeon Town, Kamisato
All information was correct, to the best of my knowledge, at the time of publishing; May 31st 2017. Please do check with the official site for up-dates.  If you know of any other indoor play center (excluding jidokan community play centers) please do leave a comment or send a private message through the Saitama With Kids Facebook page. Thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**BY AREA**, 5 Star ★★★★★, Family friendly Japan, Higashimatsuyama, PLAY / FUN CENTRES, RELAXATION, SHOPPING

Fun for kids of all ages at Kid’s US Land | HIGASHIMATSUYAMA

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We are largely an outdoor family, but there are times of the year that we relish indoor play. By and large, summer is spent indoors, first to avoid the rain, then to escape the heat.  As my eldest son (7) and daughter (6) get older it gets harder and harder to find a play center that engages them as much as their younger siblings. Kid’s US Land is one of the few play centers that we can still go to for an extended period as a family. The other is Spocha in Ageo. And like Spocha it has something for everyone in the family. However, I will say that Spocha has more for parents, is much better value for money and five times the size.

Membership details for Kid’s US Land Higashimatsuyama

Kid’s US Land is part of a franchise with over 120 stores throughout Japan. This branch is Seiyu Higashimatsuyama branch, located on the 2nd floor of Seiyu shopping center. Once you become member of one, you can use any branch with the same membership card. The membership card costs 300 yen *each*, but it is an once off payment. You do not have to pay an annual renewal fee like so many other play centers. It is also quick and easy to make the card; they do not require you to fill out any form. You simply have to sign your name to the back of the card you are given. However, each family member must make a card and if you forget a card on a day that you visit, it costs 100 yen to receive a temporary membership card. If you can’t read Japanese, they have information in English at the reception desk.

All rides and games included in the price. My 2 year old and 4 year old’s two favourites in the one photo: whack a mole, only you whack Ishi-chan! And a small train ride on rails that you can ride as often as you like.

The first and best known branch of Kid’s US land in Saitama opened in Koshigaya in February 2013. It was the one of the first of this type of play center to open in Saitama, but many have popped up since. It became particularly well known only months after opening as it was featured on NHK television. It has enjoyed great success since. I remember hearing about it and wishing we could visit, but it would take us two hours one way and so we never did. Now we have not just one, but FOUR Kid’s US Land in the West area of Saitama. This branch in Higashimatsuyama opened mid-September 2016.

Not just for kids: parents can relax as US Land too. You can use Massage chairs freely as they are included in the price for adults.

Kid’s US Land is not as suave or charming as nearby Sole or Omiya’s Kid-o-kid or Kidzooona, which have wooden and educational toys. Kid’s US Land is for the most part plastic and so it looks ‘cheaper’, for want of a better word. But it is great fun for kids of all ages and relaxing for parents.  The branch in Higashimatsuyama is not as big as the flagship branch in Koshigaya, but it has plenty for this family of six. It is split into three areas. One large area with most of the play equipment, video arcade games and massage chairs. There is a medium sized area beside the reception counter and a small area beside Seiyu’s branch of Libro Store. Here’s what the areas combined have to offer for children (click on the photo for description):

And for older children (or indeed younger children and parents) there is a good choice of video arcade and coin operated games, which you don’t actually need a coin for as they are included in the price! There is also air hockey and a small billiard table (the latter is not pictured):

For adults:

There are also lots of chairs and tables and you are allowed bring food and drink in from outside. They have convenience food in the Seiyu store downstairs, as well as a couple of take aways in the food court, also on the first floor. Kid’s US Land has a couple of highchairs for babies and toddlers. They also have a buggy that can be used to put a sleeping child. The play area is beside Seiyu’s nursery with changing mats and a nursing room. It is also beside toilets. There is an event space in the medium sized area that has the trampolines and push along rides.  Their events are listed on the branch’s blog. Currently, they have a pin ball event as well as a colouring events where kids can get a sweet in exchange for colouring a picture. The pictures are displayed on one of the walls.

Although the Seiyu Higashimatsuyama Branch of Kid’s US Land might not look as impressive as other play centers and is lacking in “educational” toys, it is tons of fun for kids. I have rated it high as it is suited to children of all ages and has some nice add on’s for parents too. It is suited to families or a group of friends or a Mother (or Father) and child date. The equipment is clean and for the most part well kept (there was one coin operated machine that wasn’t working).  I was also very impressed by the staff member on reception today, she was about the nicest and most helpful staff member I have ever met in any play center ever! (**I have no affiliation to Kid’s US Land and /or Seiyu, I do not get anything in exchange for my endorsements, all opinions expressed are my own honest observations, the information provided was true {to the best of my knowledge} at the time of publishing).

Cost and Other Information

Everything listed and / or mentioned above is included in the price. It costs 100 yen (before tax) for 15 minutes of play. That is 100 yen for a child older than two (children under two are FREE) and another 100 yen for an adult. If you are planning to stay longer than an hour and 45 minutes on a weekday, it works out cheaper to get the “one day passport”. It is 800 yen per child and 480 yen per adult. On the weekend they don’t have an one day passport for children, just a three hour pack for 980 yen. With all packages and fees you are given a neck strap to wear to identify you have paid in. With the basic price system you pay as you leave the premises and give back the neck strap then.  With the day passport, you pay in advance and you are free to go and come as you please. You can even go home and come back if you like! If you are planning to leave Seiyu though, you can give in your neck strap and hold onto your receipt. The receipt allows you to come back at any time during the same day.

They have discounts for groups. If you have a caretaker notebook you, the adult, can enter for free.

Hours: They are open from 9 am to 8 pm, seven days a week.

URL:
Official US Land website: http://www.kidsusland.com/store/view/65
Official blog: http://ameblo.jp/usland-higashimatsuyama

Access

Parking: In the Seiyu car park and is free.

By train: the nearest train station is Higashimatsuyama Station on the Tobu Tojo Line. Unfortunately, it is a bit far taking at least 20 minutes.  You can take a My Town Meguri 「マイタウン巡回」 bus from the station or a bus bound for Kumagaya 「熊谷」and alight at Kaminuma 「上沼」bus stop. It is about a 3 minute walk from the bus stop.

Another Kid’s US Land opened recently in Kawagoe:
Kid’s US Land opens in Modi | KAWAGOE

Kid’s US Land in Marui Shiki:
http://ameblo.jp/usland-maruishiki/

Kid’s US Land in Seiyu Kamifukuoka:
http://ameblo.jp/usland-kamifukuoka/

 

 

**BY AREA**, 3 Star ★★★☆☆, Konosu, PLAY / FUN CENTRES, SHOPPING

Preschooler play area Kids Park in Elumi | KOUNOSU

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Another day, another play area! We are on a seek and find quest for even more new (to us) play areas in Saitama. Call it a hobby, or an obsession, it keeps munchkin #4 highly entertained and keeps me on my toes. My overall impression of Kid’s Park is that it is mediocre, however, DD3 LOVED it, so I would recommend it for anyone with a preschooler. I am erring on the side of caution and giving it three (out of five) stars, because while DD3 loved it, it was because it has toys, outlined below, that she is really into right now.

Kids Park is small, so when I first saw it I was quite disappointed by the look of it. However, on further inspection I realised they use the space really well and they have toys that are ideal for toddlers and preschoolers. That includes (please click on the photo for more information);

DD3’s favourite was definitely the fake food in the play kitchen. The majority of it is the type you cut in two; velcro keeps the two pieces together and you can cut through it with a play knife. She loves this type of play food more than anything else right now and that is why she was so excited by this play center. She also really enjoyed the ball pool, kinetic sand and bouncing castle.

“It is okay to bring food and drink into okay”

Like so many of the play centers these days the pricing system is a little convoluted and their advertising is misleading. They currently advertise that you can play for “one coin”, i.e 500 yen, on a weekday. It is misleading because it is 500 yen for the child and another 500 yen for the adult and it is only if you stay longer than an hour and a half. However, that is for the full day and you can come and go as you please. Which is just as well as there are no toilets in the play center! There are toilets in the mall right next door though. You can bring food in and eat in the play area too, but they only have two small tables for eating at.  They also have lockers so you can store your handbag and/or belongings. The general system is 100 yen for 15 minutes, but if you have a Mama and Papa’s card for Saitama you can get 15 minutes free. Children under 1 years old are free. You have to fill out a form to become a member, with your name, address and age and that of the child’s the first time you visit and once a year after that.  It is currently 324 yen to become a member, but iko-yo.net have a coupon you can download that is valid until May 31st that waives this charge. They validate a parking ticket for Dai Ichi car park for THREE hours no matter whether you spend 15 minutes or all day at the play area.

Lockers and little table for eating at

I found Kids Park through Iko-yo.net. I previously wrote, circa 2012, that I didn’t find iko-yo a good source of information. That was because they didn’t list many of the play centers and attractions I had visited with DS and DD1 as it was. Even big ones such as Kidzoona (which they do list now). And I never got “new” information from the site. Since then though they have greatly improved their information for Saitama, particularly in the last year. They are still missing a few places, for example Kid’s US Land, Aruzo Net’s great free play area or Sweets Fantasy Pacc’n all in Higashimatsuyama. However,  in the last year, I have found a couple of locations I had never heard of before; for example this play center Kids Park and Niko Niko Garden in Ageo. It was also where I learned that the kids center, (now) Wai Wai, in Aeon Sayama had been revamped and reopened.

 

Official site URL: http://www.amuseum.jp/store/konosu_kp.html

Access

Kids Park Konosu is located on the 3rd floor of Elumi Shopping Mall right beside Takasaki Line Konosu Station. It is a section in “Amuseum” amusement center. The nearest car park to the play center is the third floor parking.  Amuseum is on the far wall in the far corner to the entrance from the car park.

Elumi is an old mall that is quite average in style and layout, but what it lacks in decor it makes up for in events. Elumi is the shopping center that displays Japan’s tallest hina doll pyramid in Spring. And in December they have a really good Lapland Santa. To name, but a few.

**BY AREA**, 4 Star ★★★★☆, Omiya, PLAY / FUN CENTRES, Saitama 埼玉市, SHOPPING, Takasaki Line

Preschooler fun at Bornelund Kid-o-Kid in Cocoon 2 | OMIYA

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Concealed in the back corner of the third floor of Cocoon 2 is a veritable preschooler’s paradise.  Bornelund’s Kid-o-kid recently celebrated its one year anniversary. It still looks like it was only opened in the last few weeks.  The equipment is very well kept, pristine, bright, colourful and educational to boot. It isn’t particularly large, but it is very well laid out. There is a wonderful selection of fun and clever play areas to challenge a growing mind and body.  Great entertainment for children younger than school going age guaranteed!

This post contains external links to Amazon.co.jp under the Amazon affiliate program. **

As a huge fan of Bornelund toys and a regular customer of their Maruhiro branch, I was so excited when I heard Kid-O-Kid was opening last year. I certainly wasn’t disappointed and I love bringing my two year old there even though it is an hour from our house. The atmosphere is soothing with a very relaxed ambiance and the equipment is diverse and ingenious (click on photo for description / details);

However, I haven’t brought my older children there, because  there
really isn’t much to entertain a child older than six for more than half an hour. Children up to 12 years old can enter, but I don’t think children of school going age would find the center engaging enough. I know that with my 7 year old and 6 year old girl they find the much larger Kidzooona‘s play equipment less riveting in the last two years, but at least it has a game corner that they will happily play in while their younger siblings use the more physically challenging equipment. And seen as I am comparing; Kid-o-kid only has a small dress up area called “Play Stage” whereas Kidzooona has a great choice of make-believe play with costumes. What it does have that my 7 year old boy would enjoy is a mechanical building area and both he and his 6 year old sister would also enjoy the trampolines, zorbs and climbing wall.

 

Another thing it is missing is a rest or seating area. They have a couple of vending machines with two miserly seats in front of them. You are not allowed eat in the center either. I like that in Niko Niko Garden  and Kids Spocha in Ageo you can bring in your lunch and eat it in the rest area that also has free tea, coffee and water. Kidzoona also has a rest area with a Mini Stop convenience store selling a selection of bento and sandwiches as well as some hot food.  However, Kid-o-Kid in Saitama Shintoshin has a “parent room” and “milk bar” (facilities for parents with babies) in their “baby garden”; an area for children under 18 months old. You can change nappies in that area, but please note that Kid-o-kid does not have toilets so it is advisable to visit the rest rooms before you enter the center.

 

All that being said, it is very much high on my list of Saitama’s best,  not quite top ten but not far off it either! If we lived closer I would invest in the monthly pass (prices outlined below), but it is a little too far and not ideally suited to my two older children to justify more than an occasional visit.  It is certainly very popular with locals and there is always a long line of folded up buggies in the stroller storage area on weekdays.  I have no hesitation in recommending this as a place to visit with a child younger than six, especially if you are in the area. I would advise visiting on a weekday though as although it is popular and busy, it never feels packed and there is less chance of you being turned away for the center being at capacity.

Bornelund toys on Amazon.co.jp**:

One of Bornelund’s signature toys: Magformers

Bornelund Bosch Toy Tool Box

Full list of Bornelund toys on Amazon.co.jp:

Amazon Affiliate link to Bornelund toy list.

 

Information / Details

Hours

Open 10 am to 7 pm with last entry at 6.30 pm, seven days a week.

Cost

It costs 600 yen for children and 500 yen for adults for a half hour of play. For every ten minutes you go over your time you are charged a 100 yen per child. They do not charge extra for an adult in this situation. If you have a Bornelund or Kid-o-kid point card you get a 100 yen off the child’s admission fee. Children from the age of 6 months are charged.

On weekdays they have two different packages you can avail of for a full day of play. The one day free pass costs 1,700 yen for an adult and one child. The weekday free pass is basically a month’s pass, that can be used on weekdays only. It costs 4,400 yen for one adult and one child, and 3,700 yen for every subsequent child. It is interchangeable among family members.  You need to have a Bornelund or Kid-o-kid member card if you want to buy the weekday free pass. Please note, they have a limit on the number of passes they sell daily / monthly and you cannot purchase them on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday.

You can also buy a book of entry tickets for 5000 yen that allows a child (only) enter eleven times, saving you 500 yen, if you have either or the afore mentioned point / member’s cards.

If you sign up for a Kid-O-Kid point card, which costs 100 yen a year, you can earn point each time you visit. You can then exchange points for play time. For 2000 points up to three children can get 30 minutes free play time; 3,200 points allows an hour free play time for up to three children; and 4500 points can be exchanged for a book of tickets. If you visit on your child’s birthday they gift you a half hour free play time, if you are entering on the half hour package.

Other Bornelund in Saitama

Kid-o-Kid in Saitama Shintoshin is the only Bornelund play center of this type in Saitama. There are however other Bornelund stores, some of which have free play areas. Maruhiro in Kawagoe has a decent sized Bornelund store and they have lots of sample toys out for the kids to play with. Tsutaya in Honjo has a small Bornelund corner.  There are Bornelund shops in Isetan Urawa, Sougo Omiya and Lake Town Outlet. The latter has a play center called a Tot Garden, another signature play area of Bornelund. They are typically smaller than a Kid-O-Kid and they are limited to children under school going age (under seven years old).

Contact

Address: 〒330-0843 Saitama-ken, Saitama-shi, Ōmiya-ku, Kishikichō, 4 Chome−4−263-1 Cocoon 2

Phone: 048-782-6207

URL: https://kidokid.bornelund.co.jp/saitamashintoshin/

Access

Approximately a seven minute walk from JR Keihin Tohoku, Takasaki  and Utsunomiya Line’s Saitama Shintoshin Station.

Located very close to the Saitama Shintoshin exit of the Metropolitan Expressway Saitama Shintoshin Route.  Cocoon 2 has parking on its roof as well as in an adjacent car park, Cocoon City parking number 3. Parking is charged at 200 yen per 30 minutes. However, if you spend between a 1000 and 2000 yen in Cocoon city on the same day you get one hour free parking, or two hours free for over 2000 yen. You get three hours free if you are using the cinema.

 

**As of June 9th 2017 Insaitama.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.co.jp

**BY AREA**, 4 Star ★★★★☆, Hiking, OUTDOOR, PARKS & PLAYGROUNDS

Saitama’s longest roller slide at Miharashi no Oka Park | OGAWA

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Nestled in the lush woods near the top of the 291 meter high Sengenyama, is the entrance to Saitama’s longest roller slide. The roller slide in Miharashi no Oka Park in the washi paper making town of Ogawa is 203 meters long.  And if you can manage to slow yourself down long enough to enjoy it, gives a birds eye view of Ogawa Machi and surrounding towns below.

Sengenyama Miharashi No Oka Park was quite far down my list of places I wanted to visit in Saitama. We only ended up visiting the park, because our planned trip on the Steam Locomotive Paleo Express to the family friendly camping site in Nagatoro didn’t work out. When we found ourselves passing through Ogawa we decided to try it out rather than the more enticingly advertised Ogawa Craft Center, as it was a fine day that warranted outdoor play.  When I had previously read about Sengenyama I hadn’t quite grasped its lure. It is pitched as a long roller slide on top of a hill, but that description does it little justice and falls short of identifying the two main appeals of this remote attraction.

For one, it is for all intents and purposes a mountain rather than a hill.  It might not be quite high enough to officially make the classification of a mountain, but it certainly isn’t a hill by the popular definition. To put it into perspective we had to drive a long winding country road with a steep decline on one side to get to the park. The incline at the start of the road was steep enough to concern us that we might not make it to the top. It was reminiscent of a previous adventure to the Gojyou Falls in Hidaka where our car conked out in defiance of the gradient. Secondly, the roller slide is thrilling as much for the speed you gain as to the height above ground you are. The slide is built high enough to pass above the road entrance to the park which at one point is about five meters off the ground.

The slide isn’t the only thing in the park. There are a couple of other things to offer a few hours of fun to a family in the area or passing by on the way to Nagatoro and / or Chichibu as we were. There is a small athletic playground hidden in the woods near the entrance to the slide. Near the bottom of the slide where you get off there is a smaller play area suited to toddlers. The look out tower perched on the clear patch on the hill affords a fantastic unspoiled view of the towns below. Even if you don’t climb the four staircases to the top deck,  you can enjoy a clear view from the foot of the hill. See also facilities below ↓.

Information

Cost

The slide costs money to ride, but it is worth it in my opinion, especially as parking is free. One ride costs 100 yen or you can buy a book of twelve tickets for 1,000 yen. I had read that the cost was 200 yen per adult and 100 yen for children, but on the day we were there they just took a 100 yen ticket when us adults ride. I don’t know if it was a special promotion or a discount for buying a book of tickets, but please note it might cost you 200 yen for an adult riding. My four year old and two year old were not charged for riding with us. Children under six are not allowed ride on their own or with another older child. An adult must accompany them. Children over six can ride on their own. You can buy a specially designed wooden sleigh for 100 yen to use when you ride the slide. We bought two between our family of six and took turns using it. When we were buying the tickets and the cardboard seat the kids were given a chance to rotate a lottery drum. They didn’t get one of the coloured balls that represent a prize, but every child gets a small treat (snack) as a sort of booby prize.

Opening Hours

It is opened Tuesday to Sundays (closed Mondays) from 9.45 am to 4.30 pm from March to May and September to November, from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm between June and August, and from 10 am to 3.30 pm from December to February. It closes from the 29th December to the 3rd of January annually.

Contact

Phone: 0493-73-1000

Website: http://www.town.ogawa.saitama.jp/0000000385.html

Facilities

There is a little shop selling ice-cream on the grounds with some outdoor seating and you can also set up a picnic blanket on the green area around the look out tower. There are toilets and vending machines on site.

Trivia

Sengenyama Miharashi no Oka Park’s roller slide is listed at the 7th longest in the Kanto region. The two longest in the whole of Japan are both in the neighbouring prefecture of Ibaraki.

Access

The area also has some hiking routes and if you are coming by public transport the hike up and down is quite nice and manageable for even young children. It takes about 30 minutes. You can get a bus to and from the trail from Ogawa Machi station on the Tobu Tojo Line and the JR East Hachiko Line.  

 

Map:

**BY AREA**, Chichibu, DAYTRIP / DRIVE

Steam Locomotive Paleo Express | KUMAGAYA TO CHICHIBU

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【Information Share】

Featured photo of Steam Locomotive with Cherry blossoms by アラツク is used with permission.

The Steam Locomotive (SL) Paleo Express that runs between Kumagaya and Chichibu is the closest steam locomotive ride to Tokyo. Thanks to the Shinkansen from Tokyo and Ueno stations, it takes less than 40 minutes to get to the Kumagaya station. Shortly after you set off from Kumagaya you are in enveloped in stunning rural scenery. With the hypnotic chug of a steam train on tracks, the feel of the raw power of the engine, the unparalleled scent of SL smoke and the distinctive sound of a SL whistle you will surely never forget this rare opportunity to experience a train journey from bygone years.

by ウツだー。From Wiki Media Commons

On our recent camping trip to Chichibu to see the Moss Phlox, the plan had been that I would take the four kids on the SL from Kumagaya to Nagatoro. The train goes all the way to Mitsumine Station, but Nagatoro is the nearest station to Nagatoro Autocamp where we were glamping. My husband was going to drive to Nagatoro station with the camping goods, after dropping us at Kumagaya. In theory we would have arrived at roughly the same time; the train might be slightly quicker. Things didn’t quite go as planned. We were too late leaving the house to catch the very punctual SL in Kumagaya. Once again, a long awaited ride on a SL has evaded me. I have wanted to ride this particular SL since I first saw it in Nagatoro in 2006. It will happen someday! I want to share the information I collated about the SL ride in the hope it is of interest to others.

Photo by RSA, from Wikimedia Commons Media

The SL train operates on weekends, holidays and for seasonal events, from March to December annually. This year the last run will be Sunday December 10th. It runs once a day; a round trip from Kumagaya Station to Mitsumine Station. It departs from Kumagaya promptly at 10.10 am on a weekend, 10.12 am on a weekday. Please note it only operates on weekdays for holidays and special events. Dates are provided below in the timetable section. On the return leg, the SL leaves Mitsumine Station at 2.03 pm on weekends, 2 pm on weekdays.

The full trip (71.7 Kilometers) takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes one way as it stops for almost 10 minutes at a few different stations. Between the scenery and the unique experience of riding a Steam Locomotive the journey flies by. There are toilets in two of the carriages. You can buy original bento and goods on the SL. The SL Bento is 800 yen. You can keep the bento cover which is an image of the SL train with the train’s mascots on it. The Pork Miso Bento also comes with a keepsake cover, that costs 850 yen.  Some of the original goods include a train with chocolate in it, Paleo cookies, a SL train and mobile phone straps of the SL’s mascots Paleo-kun and Paleo-chan.

Cost, availability, access, special dates and more details below the timetables:

TIMETABLES FOR 2017

Weekend Timetable for the SL PALEO EXPRESS 2017

From Kumagaya

SL Station

To Kumagaya
10.10 am KUMAGAYA 4.18 pm
10.33 am TAKEKAWA 3.58 pm
Arrives 10.51 am YORII
Departs 11.00 am 3.39 pm
Arrives 11.26 am NAGATORO Arrives 3.05 pm
Departs 11.37 am Departs 3.13 pm
11.50 am MINANO 2.55 pm
Arrives 12.07 pm CHICHIBU
Departs 12.15 pm 2.36 pm
12.19 pm OHANABATAKE 2.31 pm
12.50 pm MITSUMINEGUCHI 2.03 pm

Weekday* Timetable SL PALEO EXPRESS 2017

**It only operates on weekdays for public holidays and special occasions

From Kumagaya

SL station

To Kumagaya
10.12 am KUMAGAYA 4.20 pm
10.34 am TAKEKAWA 4.00 pm
Arrives 10.52 am YORII Arrives 3.34 pm
Departs 10.59 am Departs 3.41 pm
Arrives 11.25 am NAGATORO Arrives 3.00 pm
Departs 11.32 am Departs 3.10 pm
11.45 am MINANO 2.50 pm
Arrives 12.03 pm CHICHIBU 
Departs 12.11 pm 2.32 pm
12.15 pm OHANABATAKE 2.27 pm
12.45 pm MITSUMINEGUCHI 2.00 pm

The next weekday operations for 2017 are

  • July 17th, 21st and 28th,
  • August 3rd, 4th, 11th, 14th, 15th 18th, 24th and 25th,
  • September 18th,
  • October 9th,
  • November 14th (Saitama Day),
  • November 23rd and 24th.

Special events are scheduled for May 27th, July 22nd and 23rd, and October 21st and 22nd.

The SL will stop running for 2017 on December 10th.

Cost

The price is the same for adults and children. It costs 720 yen one way for a reserved seat, 510 yen for an unreserved seat on the SL train itself, plus you need to have your base ticket for the section of the line travelled. The base ticket from Kumagaya to Mitsumineguchi costs 950 yen.  The ticket for the SL train is a nice keepsake with a scenic photo of the SL on front.

You can buy a ticket from one month in advance for both reserved and unreserved seats. You can purchase on the day if they are not at full capacity. Only people with a reserved seat are guaranted passage. The passenger cars are made up of 4 people box seats. You can buy a ticket from any station on the line or from JR East Ticket Offices (Higashi Midori no Madoguchi)or at Travel service centers (View Plazas) as well as from JTB, Tobu Travel, Seibu Travel and Kinki Nihon Tourist offices. You can check availability here: http://www.chichibu-railway.co.jp/slreservation/

Contact

URL: http://www.chichibu-railway.co.jp/

Phone: 048-523-3317

 

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Another place you can take a Steam Locomotive ride in the Kanto area is in Annaka in Gunma. The SL stops beside Usui Touge Tetsudo Bunka Mura aka Poppo Town.

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**BY AREA**, 4 Star ★★★★☆, Chichibu, Flowers, Seasonal

Stunning Shibazakura Moss Phlox at Hitsujiyama Park | CHICHIBU

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The renowned Shibazakura or Moss Phlox of Chichibu’s Hitsujiyama Park are currently in full bloom. Since the 400,000 moss phlox of nine different varieties were planted in 2000 the shibazakura festival of Chichibu has enjoyed increasing seasonal traffic and become one of Saitama’s most famous spring scenes. We visited on Sunday, a couple of days short of full bloom, but standing in the middle of the fields and taking a shot facing Mt Buko you could trick your camera into thinking they are in full bloom!…

If you look closely you can see some of the bare patches, but not enough to leave disappointed. Even though the left side of the center point (photo below), with Mt Buko at your back, is still noticeably short of full bloom. Despite this the kids who were initially more interested in our hike of an old and unused hiking trail in Hinoda, were awed by the splashes of pink, purple and white back dropped by Chichibu’s unusually shaped Mt Buko.

We were lucky that we were staying relatively nearby (Nagatoro Autocamp)  and missed some of the traffic coming into Chichibu. We also used an unknown car park and took an unused hiking trail to get to the top of the plateau. The regular route and car park are frustratingly busy at this time and year and not for the impatient. We passed the overflow of the overflow car park before 10 am and already there was a queue to get in AND to get out. The traffic around the area was at a standstill and there was just people everywhere. Some coming from the station, some from this 500 yen for the day car park. The second overflow car park is so far from the park that they offer a free shuttle bus from the location to the shibazakura end of the park. However, if you come from the station the distance is just as far and on foot.

I got an overwhelming impression that park management just aren’t able for the thousands that descend on the otherwise quiet park. The whole area was a mess. Apart from having to queue to park and then to get the bus, you then have to queue for facilities such as toilets and eateries. The eating area which is full of stands of festival food is significantly short on seating. We thought we would escape the crowds by eating at 11 am, but there wasn’t a seat to be found, until we met a kind server at an ice-cream stand. He gave us a loan of the chairs he had for his staff to rest.

The shibazakura are truly spectacular and worth enduring the pandemonium, but if you visit during Golden Week it is very difficult to get a photo without people in it. In fact, as people line up along the side of the flower beds, you even have to wait to get a photo at all. Tomorrow sees the start of the second part of Golden Week and the flowers will be in their prime. The crowds will be just as bad, if not worse, than Sunday gone. However, in my opinion, it is totally worth the trip and the waiting game to witness the flowers first hand. If it all possible come by train and arrive for 8 am. (See access below).

The park itself has a lot to offer and is family friendly. Apart from the moss phlox there are other flowers in the park, including tulips which are also currently in bloom. Beside the moss phlox fields, and included in the cover charge, is the small sheep farm. Hitsujiyama means sheep mountain and was named as you would expect for the sheep in the area. Before World War II the area was a prime prefectural sheep breeding ground. If you are visiting outside of Moss Phlox season all of the park is free in. There is also a riding school in the park and a great athletic playground.

Information

The park is open 24 hours, but the car parks and facilities are open from 8 am to 5 pm. If you are using a hiking trail, please note that the area is known for bears.

Entry fee (Peak season only):

300 yen for adults, free for children. 250 yen per person for a group of over twenty.

Address:

〒368-0023 Saitama-ken, Chichibu-shi, Ōmiya, 6360

Phone:

0494-21-2277

URL:

chichibuji.gr.jp

Access:

Approximately 15 minute walk from Seibu-Chichibu Station, serviced by the Chichibu Tetsudo, Redarrow (Ikebukuro line) and Seibu-Chichibu lines. The Redarrow is the quickest from Tokyo (Ikebukuro station) taking 1 hour and 28 minutes.

Approximately 20 minutes from Seibu-Chichibu and Chichibu Tetsudo line’s Ohanabatake Station. You can take the acclaimed Steam Locomotive Paleo Express.  From Kumagaya it takes 1 hour and 20 minutes to Ohanabatake station on the Chichibu Tetsudo line.

Approximately 25 minute walk from Seibu-chichibu line and redarrow (Ikebukuro) line’s Yokoze station.

Approximately 20 minutes drive from Minano-Yorii Toll Road. Parking is 500 yen per day during peak season.

 

Camping ground mentioned in this article (about 30 minute drive from the park):

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**BY AREA**, Children's Day, Events, Festivals, Seasonal, Spring Festivals

Events and Freebies Golden Week 2017 | SAITAMA

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Its that wonderful time of the year again when we can live without either heating or air conditioning. When spring is in the air, but summer is just around the corner. Golden Week is very aptly named ; between the weather and the events it really is a golden time of the year!

The entire population may very well get out and about at some point during Golden Week. And while traffic is bad and queues are inevitable, there is so much to make an outing worthwhile during this celebratory period. Here is a round up of some of the events and free entry locations available in Saitama this Golden Week 2017.

Free In Locations

(mapped below list)

Special Events

 

Kids Events at the Center for Environmental Science in Saitama (CESS)

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Please see the event section for even more events over Golden Week. 

**BY AREA**, 5 Star ★★★★★, Kawagoe, SPORTS

Monolith: Bouldering gym with kids wall | KAWAGOE

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“Great indoor location for a half day of climbing fun for the family”

Bouldering in Kawagoe

Located on the border of Kawajima Town on route 254, Monolith, Kawagoe’s newest bouldering gym, opened about 18 months ago. It has enjoyed a regular trade since the very beginning. One of the appeals of this gym for me is that the staff are very friendly and helpful. I meet the same people there over and over again and there is a sense of community among the users.

Indeed, one of the reasons I think people frequently go back to Monolith, is because the staff are so approachable and chatty.  They are willing and able to give guidance to new climbers without additional charge. They provide tips and encouragement in tackling a climbing route.  The climbing routes are colour co-ordinated. You can start with the simplest route and work your way up to more and more difficult ones. You use grips of the same colour for both your hands and feet to climb the wall. You can of course climb freely too, using any of the grips to monkey your way up the wall, but for a first timer it is actually easier to use the coloured system to climb safely. The easiest route can usually be conquered after one or two visits. As the routes get harder so does the time it takes to successfully clear them. Only the very advanced climbers can tackle the more awkwardly shaped walls with curves and over hangs.  I am in awe of the long term climbers who can use their balance and strength to climb upside down with only the smallest grips to keep them in place.

The staff are also great for keeping an eye on and helping young climbers in their kids section. Children over 4 years old are able to climb.  The kids wall is cornered off behind a low wall with flapping doors and can be seen from the adult climbing walls. So you can climb in the adult’s section while your kids are climbing in the kids section.  If your kids are capable they can also use the adult walls. However, adults cannot use the kid’s walls.  The walls for children aren’t too high and only sloping very slightly on one wall. They have safety mats down making it a safe place for young children to try their hand at bouldering.  They offer children’s climbing courses and club, at an extra charge, on Saturdays.

The whole gym still looks brand spanking new. It is reminiscent of a warehouse from both the outside and in. All the walls are in the one space on the first floor. They don’t go particularly high; if you want high the bouldering gym near Kawagoe station is where you want to go. However, what they lack in height they make up for in complexity and diversity. They change the courses frequently to keep things interesting for regular customers. There is a changing room on the 2nd floor of the premises. There is a rest spot on the first floor with vending machines. There is also a rest area outside with ashtrays. The toilets are pristine and they have a foot bath for washing your feet.

The first time you visit you need to sign up to become a member. It is a one off payment of 2,800 yen; 1800 yen for becoming a member and 1000 yen for the membership card. After that the cost per visit depends on the length you want to climb and the day of the week. Generally speaking it is 1,600 yen for about 3 hours or 2,000 yen for a full day. Children using the kids area are charged 1000 yen for the whole day, or you can pay extra for them to use the regular climbing walls. You need to rent climbing shoes and chalk too. It costs 300 yen per visit. If you plan to use the gym regularly a month pass will probably work out cheaper for you. If you bouldering for a full day you can come and go as you please.

If you are just looking for somewhere for children to climb I recommend the free climbing wall in Kitamoto’s Children Center.

Access

Located on route 254 near the old Toysrus which has since closed. It is about 6 minutes by car from the Kawajima Interchange of the Ken-O expressway. There is plenty of parking and it is free.

By public transport you would need to take a bus bound for “Hachimandanshi” from Kawagoe Station east exit bus terminal. The buses are quite infrequent.  Please see map below URL.

URL: http://boulderinggym.jp/

**BY AREA**, 4 Star ★★★★☆, Cherry Blossoms, Higashimatsuyama, SPORTS

Cherry blossoms and Swimming School | HIGASHIMATSUYAMA

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Beautiful cherry trees + cleanest pool water in Saitama

Price: Approximately 5150 yen per month

When we were starting our oldest in swimming classes we looked at a number of pools in the Ageo – Kawagoe – Hiki district – Higashimatsuyama area of Saitama. We settled on one of the swimming schools in Higashimatsuyama. There are two with the same name: “Higashimatsuyama Swimming School”. The one we attended is easy to recognise from its brightly coloured detached building with a rainbow motif.

The reason we chose this school over the others is threefold:

  1. The building is a bright, airy building with lots of windows and natural light. The high ceilings and glass walls on 2 sides with the large rainbow motif in the center wall do a lot to calm the most nervous of children and creates a comfortable setting for them. The changing rooms are also colourful . There is a sauna in the women’s changing rooms so that the kids can keep warm while they change. There are lockers with keys and open lockers for storing your belongings. There is a sauna in the women’s changing room. There are ports for a hair dryer, but you need to bring your own. The school buses are also brightly painted with a rainbow on the side.
  2. They claim the water is the cleanest in Saitama and it is not disputed. In our experience it is very clean and the kids never picked up any water related skin conditions. The changing rooms, the upstairs viewing area and toilets on both floors are very clean and well maintained.
  3. My kids really loved it here, whereas other swimming pools we went to they weren’t keen. The front desk staff aren’t overly friendly, but they are courteous and professional. Most of the coaches are very nice, helpful and personable. None of the front desk staff speak English and everything is conducted in Japanese, but one of the coaches speaks a little English.  There is a higher number of administration staff here than in other schools we’ve been too.

Other things that I personally liked about this school is that it is reasonably priced and they often have campaigns for zero yen entry fee (without this campaign it costs a month’s fee to sign up). You can watch your children swimming from the 2nd floor or through the windows from the main car park. There are vending machines selling drinks and ice-cream on the 2nd floor in the spacious viewing area.   They decorate the school for seasonal holidays such as Christmas and Halloween. Santa visits for Christmas and gives the kids presents. Once a year they take professional photos under water and poolside that you can opt to buy.

My main complaint about this swimming school, is (that bar the very 1st level) there are 8 kids to 1 teacher in the preschool class, which I think is too much for young beginners. For the very first level there is 4 or 5 to a teacher. In the elementary school age group there are even more. It averages about 12 to one instructor. Depending on the instructor sometimes kids spend almost as much time out of water as they do in it.

The pool opens Monday to Saturday for classes. The classes are at set times depending on age group. There are 2 periods for preschoolers and 2 for primary school aged children. Children of school going age can sign up to use the swimming school bus, for a fee. There is no public bus stop near the school. By car: it is off route 407. There is plenty of free parking. One of the car parks is beside the school’s lake with beautiful cherry blossom trees.

Cherry Blossoms at Higashimatsuyama Swimming School

There is a lake beside the swimming school with stunning cherry trees on all four sides. The trees are quite mature and really magnificent. One of my all time favourite cherry trees is in this small lake area beside the school.  The swimming school’s car park is right by one side of the lake. You often see people parking there just to roam around the lake and admire the cherry blossoms. While the area might not be worth a trip to all by itself, it is a nice place to stop off on your way to or from Yakyu Inari which is 5 minutes up the road in the car.

The most beautiful cherry blossom tree I have seen to date. The photo doesn’t do it justice.

 Nearby:

Yakyu Inari Shrine, the Baseball Shrine| Higashimatsuyama

Yakyu Inari Shrine is located in Higashimatsuyama, Saitama, just 1 hour and 10 minutes from Ikebukuro on the Tobu Tojo line.  It is one of many shrines to the God Inari. However, what makes it spec…

Source: insaitama.com/yakyu-inari-shrine-the-baseball-shrine-higashimatsuyama/

The abbreviated version of this review appears on City-Cost.com

LocalGuide showcasing the Greater Tokyo Area of Saitama

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