The life size Totoro and the House of Kurosuke were closed to the public from the start of the pandemic until May 2022. They did have a few special events at the house during that period. They reopened to the public in June 2022. However, there have been some majorRead More →
This is the third part of a four part series about the rather unusual and entertaining Santome Village (Santome Community) in Miyoshi Town, Saitama. It is also referred to as Konjaku Mura. In this segment, I introduce the Kunugi no Mori Environmental School and what Ishizaka has called an “AmusementRead More →
Santome Group Environmental and Educational Factory Tour (Plant tour) After 8.5 years of touring the many attractions of Saitama prefecture, it is always refreshing to find something different that engages all the family. I previously wrote how the Santome village was our favourite find of 2017 for just that reason.Read More →
Santome Konjaku Village (Santome Konjyamura Kouryu Plaza) for something completely different in Saitama. Part I of a 4 part series about this unique outdoor theme / eco park. We had so many adventures in 2017 and enjoyed each in different ways. However, in terms of new locations for families inRead More →
Currently under construction This guide is currently undergoing a remake, please bear with me until it is finished. I have some of the information live so that people can get some ideas of what to do when visiting Kawagoe. And the full list of all the Kawagoe posts on thisRead More →
Kawaguchi, Saitama. A national holiday that falls on a Saturday usually equates full car parking lots, queues for entry, crowds and general pandemonium. So when we arrived at Skip City without encountering a traffic jam, secured a parking spot in a half empty parking lot, with no entry queues norRead More →
School Lunch Japan – The School Lunch History Hall in Kitamoto although small is a surprisingly interesting history hall chronicling the evolution of school lunch in Japan. The building is just one floor, which only requires about half an hour to visit for an adult. With children you could spendRead More →
JAXA Earth Observation Center is located in Hatoyama Town in the Hiki District of Saitama Prefecture. The town is probably the most famous place in Hatoyama, apart from the golf courses! To be upfront: my kids were too young the time we visited, so we ended up spending less thanRead More →
Information on the free Glico Pia East tour where you can make your own Pocky on the Pocky tourRead More →
Libro Books a great bookstore in Lalaport, Fujimi Libro Bookstore Lalaport Fujimi I love the kids space in the Libro Books in Lalaport, Fujimi. It is bright and colourful, with a high ceiling made from mirrors. There is a little archway entrance on one side, only big enough for smallRead More →