National Children's Castle (Kidomo No Shiro)

Savananh was in all her glory today when we went to the National Children's Castle. It is a five story children's haven with so much to do. It also houses a restaurant and child centered hotel and a theater, but all Savannah cared about was the fun, fun, fun! She especially loved the rooftop playground complete with a ballpit. It was in the Shibuya area, so we just hopped on the bus and headed down there, but first had our mandatory stop at Starbucks.

Kidoma No Shiro was built in commemoration of the International Year of the Child in 1979, the Castle officially opened on November 1, 1985. The purpose of the Castle is to offer a place where children can develop healthy, happy, energetic, sound minds and body. To meet these goals, theCastle endeavors to provide artistic, athletic, healthy, inventive, imaginative and cultural opportunities that challenge and encourage the individual potentials in each child. It certainly does. There is so much to do and see. If we lived here or had something like this, we would be there all the time. They offer wonderful classes in music, art, swimming, and gymnastics. They also have a theater, a gym, and everything you could imagine to interest and enlight a child. First we went to the indoor play port. This is a huge room with a matted area with blocks, a kitchen, books, building, a small climbing and area, mats, games, puzzles, etc. Across the way was a climbing structure with nets and slides called Waku, Waku. In the back there were balls, rings, and bowling. Then for school aged children they had ping pong, knock hockey, pool, billiards and a computer room. Then we went upstairs to art and music. They had one art project going on to make a tree, in honor of the cherry blossoms. The music room was amazing with many different types of drums, 3 pianos, an old-fashioned harp, a bandstand, and every insturment you could think of and then some. Even the baby enjoyed the music all the kids were making. After that we went up to the roof where they had different size trikes and bikes and a large area to ride and roof top play area with two ball pits. Savannah was in seventh heaven. When they were about to close and we had been there for two hours, the only way we got Savannah to leave was to say we were going to get spaghetti.

We walked around Shibuya a bit more and went by the largest Tower Records in the world and then walked the cute streets and shops. We ended up eating at TGIFridays since we couldn't read the menu anywhere else. It again was better than at home. Savannah had spaghetti. All was right with the world. We came back "home" and Savannah played and now everyone is sleeping, but me, but that is about to change. I am sure Savannah is dreaming of her day today. She actually told the person at the front desk here at the Oakwood that she went in the ball pit. She is starting to combine 3 and 4 words together. I think she will be speaking in sentences by the time we get home. It is incredible how much this experience is helping her growth and development. We are so proud of her. Good night!

Savannah at the BIG Shibuya Starbucks. It was packed. Another member of the family enjoying Starbucks at this young age.

Awwwwwwww!!!!

Savannah building

She loves playing with these toys and they are everywhere in Tokyo

Magnet Toy

Puzzles

All done--very easy.

Loves to build.

Don't know why but she loved this baby slide

Building More

Climbing in Waku Waku Land

Having a ball at the Children's Castle

Music Room--Play the drum

Got the beat

They had so many different types of drums and instruments.

Turning the crank on the harp

Back to the drums

Found one I like

Pom Pom music shakers

Shake, shake, shake

Future pianist

Trikes and Bikes on the roof

Just my size

Go, go, go

Daddy and Seth taking in the roof top playground views as Savannah and Mommy play.

I guess the view is what the parents pay for since it costs more for adults than children to get in, but kids can't go alone.

Another nice view

Where's Savannah?

In the ball pit

There's our happy girl

Having Fun

Chillin' out

Walking around

Running around and releasing toddler energy on the rooftop play port

Getting ready to jump in

Swinging with Daddy

More Swinging--Little Monkey

Walking to Dinner

Largest Tower Records in the world is in Shibuya in Tokyo