So now I have a post for kids who love robots (here) , those who love everything transport related (here) , dino & godzilla fans (here) and now …randomly enough….. Elephants! But… of course!!!
The Elephant Slide at Akagi Children’s Park (18 mins from Tokyo Station if you travel by train to Kagurazuka Station) is a little hidden treasure. It is quite well hidden so you’ll need to keep your eyes open for a small alleyway entrance to the park itself. It is tucked away in the residential area in Kagurazaka (3 mins walk from Kagurazaka Station.)
The park has the large elephant slide a few small animal statues to climb on. There is one restroom but no change table (however the park is tucked away so you could find a sneaky corner of the park to change a nappy.)
21 , AKAGI SHITAMACHI, SHIBUYA-KU
新宿区赤城下町21番地
OPEN 8AM-6PM (CLOSES AT 5PM NOVEMBER – MARCH)
Asukayama Park has a beautiful Elephant slide too.
The park is approximately 18 mins from Tokyo Station if you travel by train to Oji Station.
The playground is incredible (although the slides are steep so, while my 4 year old was fine, I chose to ride with my 2 year old for safety reasons.) There is a “toddler” playground if you prefer to avoid the big slides.
There is an old tram and steam engine for kids to explore too. The park is particularly spectacular in Cherry Blossom season and I can imagine Autumn is also breath-taking.
There are plenty of restrooms and change tables and ramps around the park, which makes it really easy with strollers.
This park also has a splash pool during Summer so you might want to bring a towel and extra clothing etc.
1-1-3 OJI, KITA-KU
北区王子1-1-3
*If you like this kind of park, see here for my other retro park suggestions.
To mix it up a little bit and if you happen to find yourself in Yokohama. Why not go for an elephant ice-cream?
There is a cafe on the docks in Yokohama that is actually called “Zou no Hana” which means “Elephant’s trunk”. There is lots and lots of open space for wriggly kids (some small elephant sculptures to climb on) and a few trendy cafes.
Oh and Elephant-shaped ice-cream.
ZOU NO HANA TERRACE
横浜市中区海岸通1丁目
1 WANGAN-DORI, CHUO-KU, YOKOHAMA
OPEN: 10AM-6PM
WEBSITE
And this is a truly “clutching at straws” recommendation but …this is a friendly reminder that there is Dumbo at Disneyland and more “real” elephants on the jungle safari ride. See my full post on Tokyo Disneyland tips here.
How about venturing out a bit further and going to Zoorasia to see the real deal. The real, live elephants and then some cuddles with some big, beautiful elephant statues too?
I usually steer clear of Zoos in Japan – but Zoorasia is a good one. Lots of open space for people and for animals. There are also large playgrounds throughout the zoo and not far from the exit are a whole lot of animal statues that my two love to climb all over as well.
Sorry.. I have lots of pictures of this place. We’ve been here 4 times in 2 years!
In Summer, keep an eye out for their Night Zoo events.
Admission is free for who are not of school age are free. Elementary students are 200 yen. Junior High & High School students are 300 yen. Adults are 800 yen.
横浜市旭区上白根町1175-10
OPEN: 9:30AM-4:30PM
CLOSED: TUESDAYS (OR THE FOLLOWING DAY IF TUESDAY IS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY) AND FOR NEW YEARS HOLIDAYS. OPEN EVERYDAY IN MAY & OCTOBER.
ACCESS FROM YOKOHAMA: 20 MINS ON TRAIN + 20 MINS BY BUS OR 20 MINS BY CAR
WEBSITE
There are restrooms, food stalls and even a small outdoor equipment store that stocks balls, bubbles, frisbees etc. It is open everyday of the year (although I have been turned away one winter day when there was a little bit of snow.)
I find this place a little tricky when I’m alone with the two kids as it is such a big space with lots of different things for kids to do – but, still, at least they are both “contained” at all times….phew.
MEIJI JINGU GAIEN NIKO NIKO PARK
港区北青山1-7-5
1-7-5 KITA-AOYAMA, MINATO-KU
OPEN 10AM-5PM (CLOSES AT 4:30PM NOV-FEB)
WEBSITE
