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| Tokyo-to Jido Kaikan: Shibuya | |||
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As you may have noticed, things in Tokyo frequently come in pairs. Whether you're looking for a department store, record store or convenience store, there's often something similar-looking not far away.
The same could be said about the Tokyo-to Jido Kaikan. Like the National Children's Castle less than five minutes away, the Jido Kaikan play center offers multiple floors of fun for kids. Each location has toys, indoor playgrounds and music rooms stocked with drums and xylophones. As for differences, there are several significant ones. First of all, the Jido Kaikan is free, and seems more centered on the younger set; there are activities and games for teenagers here, but those in elementary school or younger will get the most out of it. The teens and 'tweens will probably migrate to the ping-pong tables in the basement, or the roller-blades, unicycles and basketball half-court on the sixth-floor courtyard. Unlike Children's Castle, Jido Kaikan does not have a pool, but it does have much more theatrical entertainment. There are lots of live performances each month that are free to the public, such as brass bands, taiko drummers, magicians and children's comedy troupes (see their monthly schedule). Seating is limited in the main hall (680 people, 100 in the secondary hall), so it's worth going early to see if someone should wait in line. There is a regular schedule of storytellers in their well-stocked library, and even a mini-theater, with a projection screen playing kid-friendly movies (the talking-animal flick "Babe" was playing the last time I was there). Another detail I find important is that instead of diaper-changing rooms, the first and second floors have baby beds right there in the hall, so you don't have to maneuver unwieldy strollers into a confined space with other kids in tow (men's rooms do not have diaper-changing facilities). Both rooms also have large windows where you can rest and eat lunch. There are drink machines, but no restaurant, so bring your own grub. The arts and crafts area seemed as impressive as Children's Castle, with around five or six staff visible during my last visit. Several projects were going on at once, so everyone seemed quite busy. With the Children's Castle and Jido Kaikan so close together, it's worth checking both one afternoon and comparing for yourself. Your kids will thank you for it. by Jason Jenkins |
Tokyo-to Jido Kaikan
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