THE SETAGAYA AREA WITH KIDS

This post covers a considerably larger area than my other “area with kids” posts so make sure you google distances before venturing between these different places on foot.

This is a section of the Komazawa Olympic Park called the Pig Park. It’s full of small pig statues, a giant pig slide, swings, slides and a sandpit. Lots of shade and there is a toilet block right next to the playground.

This park is also lovely in cherry and plum blossom season.

PIG PARK (ぶた公園) AT KOMAZAWA OLYMPIC PARK
1-1 KOMAZAWAKOEN, SETAGAYA
世田谷区駒沢公園1-1

The rest of the park also has lots of open space for play and hide’n’seek.

And at the entrance to this park is a really yummy restaurant called Mr. Farmer (there are other Mr Farmers in Roppongi, Yoyogi & Shibuya too but this one is my favourite.).
It’s still relatively new and it is such a cool, vibey space (with a beautiful outdoor terrace.)

We arrived last Sunday at 9:30am and no-one was there! It was us an about 2 other people in the whole restaurant! By 10:30 it was almost full though – with lots of joggers, cyclists and other people with young families.
They have high chairs and a change table too so it’s very easy to dine here with small kidlets.

I am still thinking about my egg white and mushroom omelette. It was huge!
My fussy little guy loved my Zenbi smoothie too. I may have shed a tear as he is running away from anything healthy right now.
MR FARMER, KOMAZAWA OLYMPIC PARK
世田谷区駒沢公園1−1−2
1-1-2 KOMAZAWAKOEN, SETAGAYA
OPEN EVERYDAY 7AM-8PM
MR FARMER KOMAZAWA OLYMPIC PARK

Have you seen those waving cats in the entrance ways of many traditional stores in Japan? In Japan they are called maneki neko (the welcoming /lucky cat.) The story of this cat began at this temple and, as the story tells it, that very cat is buried within the temple grounds. These cats are a symbol of luck.

I was so lucky when I visited as my kiddies were both in a fantastic mood but, if I was to visit again, I don’t think I’d take them. Firstly, because there really isn’t much else in the immediate vicinity except for the temple and some lovely old Japanese houses, secondly, because the bathroom facilities were a bit rustic ( Japanese style portaloos) and thirdly, because those cats are almost all made of plaster and I was terrified my little boy was going to try and start a smashing party.

As for me, the gardens are sooooo quiet and serene. I found the whole visit very peaceful.

After seeing all of the cats, the “done” thing is to purchase your own cat figure (smallest options are 300 and 500 yen), make a wish and then return your figurine to the collection of cats perched at the shrine.
When you purchase a cat, the staff give you a printed out copy of the original story of the maneki neko (in English or Japanese.) I won’t spoil the story for you. * We purchased extra cats so we had some to take home too. …. bribery in it’s finest form for little people.

GOTOKUJI (THE LUCKY CAT TEMPLE)
東京都世田谷区豪徳寺2-24-7
2-24-7 GOTOKUJI, SETAGAYA, TOKYO
OPEN: 6AM-6PM
PRICE: FREE
ACCESS: CLOSEST STATIONS ARE MIYANOSHITA & GOTOKUJI

Setagaya park has a mini steam train on Wednesdays, Weekends and Public Holidays(10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm). Kids under 6 are free and others just 70 yen! The park has some other play equipment and a children’s tool area and shanty town. There is also a skateboard park.

SETAGAYA PARK
1-5-2 IKEJIRI, SETAGAYA
世田谷区池尻1-5-2

Ookura Undou Koen (Tokura Athletic Park)
This park is on the outskirts of Kinuta Park in Setagaya.

Even though we visited on a really hot day, there was so much shade that it didn’t really matter.
The highlight for my kiddies is the giant steam train.
There are public toilets here too.

OOKURA UNDOU KOEN
世田谷区大蔵4-6-1
4-6-1 OOKURA, SETAGAYA-KU