The popular day-trip destination from Tokyo among those who have children: 3 best facilities in “IKUTA RYOKUCHI PARK” to relieve your stress through art, history and nature

Spreading out for about 20 km between the foot of Mt. Takao and Kanagawa prefecture, “IKUTA RYOKUCHI PARK (生田緑地)” is the largest greenery park at Kawasaki city in Kanagawa prefecture. It has so rich nature that endangered species and plants live here and is famous for ‘ FUJIKO・F・FUJIO MUSEUM’ where you can meet Doraemon. This time, we selected 3 facilities in this park, which are perfect for a family trip with children and when you want to feel refreshed. Why not enjoy art, learn Japanese history or delve into the mysteries of nature?

IKUTA RYOKUCHI PARK is a 17-minute walk from Noborito Station which is 5 stations away from JR Tachikawa Station by rapid train on the Nambu line.

Let’s get inside the head of the artist famous for The Tower of the Sun! -“Taro Okamoto Museum of Art, Kawasaki” with more than 1,500 artworks of him

o you know ‘Taro Okamoto (岡本太郎)’ who is one of the artists leading Japan and created The Tower of the Sun, the symbol of Expo ’70? Because he was born in Kawasaki city, “Taro Okamoto Museum of Art, Kawasaki” was opened here in 1999. 1,799 artworks of him are displayed or stored. The artworks are classified by genres, features or creation years and exhibited in special space bringing out their charms. There are also ones which you can touch, such as a chair refuse to be sat and a hand-shaped chair. You’re sure to feel his unique worldview through them. It’s better to check a booth whose exhibits are changed a few times in a year before visiting here. When walking in park space outside, you can come across this museum’s symbol ‘The tower of the mother’ with the theme of mother’s kindness, eternal life and the toughness of a big tree. It’s said that this tower looks toward the spot having his mother’s literature monument.

Opening Hours	9:30AM – 5:00PM (Last admission 30 minutes before closing) Closed on Monday, the day after a public holiday and New Year’s Holidays
Address	7-1-5 Masugata, Tama-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture
URL	https://www.taromuseum.jp/index_english.html

About 15 million stars projected by the world’s highest-quality projection system look like the real – “Planetarium” in Kawasaki Municipal Science Museum

“Kawasaki Municipal Science Museum” allows you to experience 3 themes of nature, astronomy and science. Especially, the planetarium offering astronomy experiences is must-visit. It installs ‘MEGASTAR-III FUSION’ which is said to be the world’s highest-quality projection system made by a planetarium creator born in Kawasaki city. Apparently, he used to visit this science museum again and again in his childhood. The next-generation projection system was newly developed for this science museum and projects about 15 million stars including ones invisible to the naked eye. Moreover, the way to enjoy it is also a new style: viewing dynamic and superb night sky while using binoculars. There are a great variety of programs from contents changed every month to ones for kids or seniors. By the way, on the 3rd floor, you can observe real stars by an astronomical telescope.

Opening Hours	9:30AM – 5:00PM (Last admission 30 minutes before closing) Closed on Monday, the day after a public holiday and New Year’s Holidays
Address	7-1-2 Masugata, Tama-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture
URL	https://www.nature-kawasaki.jp/index_english.html

25 cultural properties including old Japanese folk houses in East Japan gather -“Japan Open-air Folk House Museum” allowing you to enjoy viewing, eating and experiencing the ancient times

The old Japanese folk houses with about 300 years of history, such as thatched roof houses and inns built in the 1800s, are now rapidly decreasing. “Kawasaki City Japanese Folk House Garden” was opened with the desire to preserve them in the future. It consists of several areas: the area reproducing on the old inn town in East Japan, the one reproducing lost villages by dividing it into regions and so on. Traditional buildings telling us their history fill areas and scenery surrounding them create a nostalgic atmosphere. A total of 25 buildings including old folk houses, watermills and Kabuki stage were relocated from all over Japan, and they’re designated as national, prefectural or city cultural assets. In addition, there are also a traditional cafe and a soba shop that use an old folk house used to be located in Shirakawa-go, so why not stop by them when you’re tired of walking? Moreover, you can try various experiences such as indigo dyeing (required reservation), making folk tools and listening to folktale.

Opening Hours	March to October 9:30AM – 5:00PM／November to February 9:30AM – 4:30PM  (Last admission 30 minutes before closing) Closed on Monday, the day after a public holiday and New Year’s Holidays
Address	7-1-1 Masugata, Tama-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture
URL	https://www.nihonminkaen.jp/index_english.html