I was suitably impressed with Ario mall in Ageo when it first opened. However, over the years the mall has gone completely downhill and lost most of the attractions that once made it one of Saitama’s most family friendly malls. Ario Ageo The only thing that really remains that isRead More →
Sakado Play Centre and Planetarium In the spirit of play-a-day, or basically trying something new everyday, I brought my daughters to a different prefectural paid and run Children’s Community Centre today. It had lots of fun things for the kids to do, but 2yo was most excited by the giant inflatableRead More →
Yesterday, we went to Miyoshino Jidose children’s centre to participate in a free event for toddlers. Half way through the hour long event, DD1 decided she’d had enough. It is very relaxed at these events for preschoolers, so there is no problem leaving the room during the event to doRead More →
Information for the small, but affordable Chikozan Park Zoo in Sayama City, Saitama Prefecture. Also included: information for the animal onsen – monkeys and capybaras – each winter at the zoo. In addition, new (on this post) in 2023: the Hina Dolls Display, Guinea Pig version! With the excellent SaitamaRead More →
Enomoto Dairy Farm – family run, amiable dairy farm in rural Ageo, Saitama, but close to big cities and even Tokyo itself. The Enomoto Dairy Farm reminds me of the farms at home in Ireland. Its most famous acclaim is its delicious ice-cream, or as they call it ‘gelato’, which hasRead More →
The Saitama Children’s Zoo is called the Saitama Children’s Animal Nature Park in Japanese. The zoo is in Takasaka, Higashimatsuyama on the Tobu Tojo line from Ikebukuro, Tokyo. It is fantastic value for money, but furthermore it is one of the best days out for children in Saitama prefecture. AsRead More →
February 1st 2013, Okegawa Children’s Park, 桶川市子ども公園わんぱく村 Today’s play-a-day was a new park for us, but I’m guessing Okegawa Children’s Park has been around a long time. The “monster” in the center of the park is a giveaway; it could do with a lick of paint. I don’t think itsRead More →
Saiboku Ham and Hot spring, in Hidaka City on the border of Kawagoe in Saitama, near Tokyo. This food centered leisure village (with hot springs and play areas) is located very close to the Kasumigaseki 2021 Olympic golf course. Saiboku hot spring near Tokyo is often described as a food themeRead More →
Ageo Maruyama park is frequently listed in Saitama’s top 3 list of family parks. It is personally one of my favorites. I love that although the park is big, it isn’t massive. Furthermore, there is so much to do and see that you can spend a full day there. Moreover, it isRead More →
Grape picking Sayama, Saitama. Sayama Grape season generally starts in August. What week in August depends largely on the fruit picking farm. Moreover, initially these farms only open for grape sales, picking doesn’t start until a couple of weeks after. The grape picking season is one of the shortest fruitRead More →