Best of Saitama: Kodomo No Shiro | AGEO

Kodomo no Shiro Ageo – Saitama has a large number of superb free children’s (community/ play) centres, called jidokan or jido centre “jidose” (児童館・児童センター）. Many mothers agree that Ageo’s kodomo-no-shiro, “children’s castle”, is among the best.

Ageo Kodomo No Shiro

In terms of size, equipment and diversity, I would personally rank it as number 1. My children go regularly and they have never tired of it. There is plenty of play equipment, toys and games as well as various rooms including a library, a gym hall and a workshop.

Each floor has a rest area with vending machines and toilets. There is a dedicated baby room on the ground floor with free guidance on scheduled days. Also on the ground floor there is a play area restricted to babies and toddlers two and under. There is a large space outside to play as well as a playground in the adjacent park.

Room by room

As you come in from reception the ground floor boasts lots of climbing equipment and slides.

Off to the right of this is a rest area where there are vending machines and bathrooms, including a family bathroom. There is also a space to play games that you can borrow from reception.

The baby room with consultancy is located beside the game and rest area. The baby and toddler play room is at the back of the ground floor on the left handside.

Also, on the ground floor is a gym hall (not pictured) and the exit to the outdoor play area. The outdoor play area has a sandpit.

One of the rooms upstairs changes toys periodically. For example, one week they might have “mamagoto” (playing house) toys, another they might have baskets of blocks and foam jigsaw.

There are other rooms including a library and a workshop upstairs that are not pictured.

Kodomonoshiro Park

There is a small park adjacent to the car park for the play center. It also has a playground. It is separate to the outdoor play area of the center and you can’t get to it from there; you actually have to go out of the center and walk to the car park to get to that public playground.

Also, Ario Mall is only a short walk away if you go through the park. It takes longer by car as you have to go a much longer way.

FURTHER DETAILS

Official website.

ADDRESS: Japan, 〒362-0047 埼玉県上尾市今泉272
272 Imaizumi, Ageo City, Saitama 362-0047

PHONE NUMBER: 048-783-0888

ACCESS: The Ageo Children’s Center is located near the Ario in Ageo. There is free parking.  By public transport; you can get a bus from JR Takasaki line West exit for 西上尾第二団地 (Nishi Ageo dai ni danchi) and alight at the “Kodomo no shiro mae” bus stop.

Even more play centers in Saitama.