It is Summer. My eldest son is out of school, which means I have to entertain him for two months. I am a very lazy mother. I prefer to stay inside, blog and watch TV instead of running out in this heat with two kids under 5 (who most of the time do not listen.) I know some very courageous mothers who have something planned for their kids every single day of the week. Based on their plans and on mine (I did make an plan, I just have to follow it), I am introducing 10 places to have fun in Kanagawa area for nothing or almost nothing.
Anpanman Museum:
I visited the Anpanman Museum last week with my kids and they love it. Anpanman is a famous animated character in Japan. He is the Mickey Mouse of Japan. My kids love him. I knew about the museum- which is more an amusement park- a long time ago but never visited it because a Japanese friend of mine said that it was a parents trap (in other words, it was a place you go to spend money on silly things that make your kid happy). I stayed away as much as I could until another Japanese friend of mine told me that there was a free space where the kids could play. The free place is a tiny playground inside the shop where old Anpanman toys are available for kids along with Anpanman TV. My kids played there for a long time until I decided to take them out. The Anpanman summer festival was starting. For 30 minutes Anpanman and other characters entertain the kids outside on the free space for a Japanese inspired festival. My kids were dancing and singing along with Anpanman. At the end of the 30 minutes Anpanman comes and greats every child who is there. I did not spend much expect some books, puzzles for my kids and a character bread (stay away from the bakery: the goods are overpriced).
http://www.yokohama-anpanman.jp/main.html
Hakejima Sea Paradise:
My husband took us to this place which is like a small amusement park. It has a big aquarium and other fun attractions such as carousels and roller coasters. It is overpriced to get a pass to enjoy all the attractions. But you can enjoy the place for nothing. We just used the ride area for the kids with characters such as Thomas and Anpanman that cost about 200Yen to 300Yen a ride. My sons did not want to leave. Then as we were leaving the area, we realised that we could take a peak at some whales inside the aquarium from small windows. The kids were really surprised and a bit frightened by the whales. Nevertheless they were excited.
http://www.seaparadise.co.jp/english/
Kashiwaba Park Log house
I live next door to this great park with a log house. Inside they are many toys, books and slides. Outside the log house, there is a big park with more slides. The place is so near by but I almost never go there. I do not like the fact that the big kids who play there do not pay much attention to the small kids. Whenever I go there, I am always worried that my kids may get hurt. Apart from that, it is a great place to have fun. Just do not go there when it is crowded.
http://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/naka/english/nwtn/backnumber/nwtn2011/116.pdf
Negishi Park
I also live very close to one of Yokohama's greatest park. It is very beautiful with big trees, ponds, jogging path and playgrounds for kids. We usually go there on Sundays to take a stroll or play soccer. It takes a full hour to walk all around the park. My kids are always exhausted after a walk there. Another great thing about the park is that it has ponies that you could feed and ride on the 3rd Sunday of every month for a small fee.
http://www.welcome.city.yokohama.jp/eng/tourism/spot/spot1080.html
Nissan showroom
I just visited the showroom yesterday with the kids. The place is air conditioned and has many nice sofas to relax. Plus you can always check all the cars on display. I tried the GTR with the kids. The leather seats were very comfortable, plus it had TV inside. Before we were leaving we discovered that there were some computer games. Obviously we spent another hour there just playing the fun car game. They even have a space where kids can read books. It was just unreal being there. And everything was for free.
http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/COMPANY/HQ/
Nogeyama Zoo
The first and last time I was in the zoo was last Summer. They had a special event when you could check the animals at night. It was fun but most of the animals were asleep or tired because of the heat. The zoo is free so I will be going with the kids. I am just waiting for a less hot day.
http://www.yokohamaliving.com/2008/07/13/yokohama-nogeyama-zoo/
Mitsubishi Minato Mirai Industrial Museum
For 300 Yen for adults, and less than 200Y for kids, you and your kids can experience things like being in a helicopter or drive a train among others. You can also learn about ecology, the history of boats and so much more. Moreover their shop has interesting things like the food eaten in space. The best part of the museum is at the entrance when you are greeting with this tiny but arrogant robot who only speaks Japanese.
http://www.mhi.co.jp/en/museum/
Sankeien Park
I visited the Sankeien Park with the kids and a Japanese friend of mine. The park is beautiful if you appreciate old Japanese gardens. It feels like you are in another planet when you walk around there. But the fun part for the kids is to give food to the Koi and turtles in the pond. You can buy some food at the garden's shop for 80Yen or you could bring your own pet food. The fishes and turtles will fight each other to devour the food you hand them. It is so exciting and fun for the kids to watch. It is also a bit dangerous because some eager fish will try to jump up; so ask your kids to be careful while they feed the animals. As a grown up, the park is a great place to just relax and take good pictures. Plus if you are lucky you can find some newly wed Japanese couples in traditional Japanese wedding attire like we did. Snap a few pictures.
http://www.sankeien.or.jp/pdf/guidemap_english.pdf
USA Land
My kids love this place. It is an indoor park located on Gobangai building opposite Eaon Honmoku department (ex Saty). Young children can play all day long for less than 500Y. And adult can also enjoy the place for around 980Y with karaoke booths (Foreign songs provided), massage chairs, magazines (mostly in Japanese). You can easily spend an entire day there because it is allowed to go out, and to bring food in. They have trampolines, bicycles, slides, video games, costumes and more. It is just an addictive place.
Yamashita Park
Another gorgeous park located next to Chinatown. It has a view of the harbor that is not bad. It is freezing in Winter but refreshing in Summer. But what I love about the park is that on weekends acrobats and clowns perform for free (or just a small fee of a 100Y that you are nice enough to give them after their performances). They are very entertaining and they interact with the crowd. My kids could watch them for hours. Yamashita is also known for hosting international festivals such as the Word Festa and Diwali festival in Fall. Finishing your walk of Yamashita park with Osanbashi is also great. Osabanshi is a small harbor for cruise ships at the end of Yamashita park. But is also has a great view of Minato mirai particularly at night.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3204.html
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