Things to do with a toddler in Yokohama
The summer holidays were approaching and we knew we weren’t going to travel. I still wanted to offer my kids some (new) experiences so I started my research for things to do with a toddler in Yokohama and Tokyo. Neither place is shy of things to do but we all know the requirements are somewhat different when traveling with a toddler.
My challenge to prepare a fun summer vacation was elevated to 10 days of solo parenting #3under4 as my husband had to travel. This experience taught me how different the experience of an activity is whether you know what you are getting yourself into or not. Therefore, I want to share our tried and tested activities with baby and toddlers so that you have an idea of what you are getting yourself into and how you can best prepare for it for more fun and less tantrums.
Zoorasia
This zoo was such a pleasant surprise. After having been to a few zoos in Japan this one really stood out for me. The layout is great with spacious paths that are surrounded by a lot of greenery. The whole zoo is easy to navigate with a stroller. The shade from the many trees allows you to enjoy the zoo even on a hot summer day and they protect you a little when it is raining. Each cage has different viewing points so that it doesn’t get too crowded or difficult to get your turn.
There are many facilities in terms of drinks, food, trash cans and bathrooms that are well placed throughout the zoo. This being said, do bring some snacks as the walking and observing might make the little ones hungry before you reach the first restaurant. Besides the animals there are other activities such as playgrounds and horse riding (check the website for the time schedule before you go). You can easily spend a whole day there.
It is easy to get there from Yokohama Station by public transport in about 45 min or 25 min by car. The parking lot is huge and the zoo bus takes you from one entrance of the zoo to the other so that you don’t have to worry about getting back to your car or bus stop.
You can find more information here (works great with google translate): https://www.hama-midorinokyokai.or.jp/zoo/zoorasia/#
Yokohama Tram Museum
The Tram Museum is an easy, entertaining and interactive visit for small children. Compared to a lot of other kid activities that are loud and flashy this was very calm – a welcome and pleasant change.
It is located about 30-40 min by public transport from Yokohama Station or a 19 min car ride. There is parking right in front of the museum.
There are basically 3 parts in the museum. The first hall has about 6 old train wagons that you can enter (climb into), walk around and sit in. A lot of fun and interactive for little kids. In the back there is an exhibition explaining the history show casing a lot of different train and tram models. Lastly, there are some smaller simulations in the last part of the museum. A small model Yokohama where you can let trams, trains, Shinkansen, etc. drive for 100 yen each. The operation of the model trains is limited to certain hours. Make sure to check at the entrance. Besides there is also a video game to play tram conductor.
You can easily navigate the museum with a stroller (except for entering the train cabins). There are drink machines, a place to sit with snacks, toilets and a confine right next door.
You can find more information here: https://www.shiden.yokohama
Air Cabin
The Air Cabin takes you from Unga Park to Sakuragicho Station or the other way round in less than 10 minutes. The ride can save you walking the 800m. However, getting on the air cabin might take you 30-45 minutes on a busy day so that walking might be the faster option. This being said the views from the Air Cabin are quite nice.
The ride is very easy with toddlers and babies. We took it with our 3, 1.5 and few months old kids and it was a smooth experience including the getting on and off. We brought our Bugaboo Bee 5 with a basinet unfolded and the Cybex Libelle folded into the cabin without a problem. Our kids enjoyed the view and have been requesting to take the Air Cabin again a few times already.
You can find all the information about the Air Cabin here: https://yokohama-air-cabin.jp/en/
Petting Zoo
Every now and then it still happens that my frame of reference from Germany kicks in. We were debating with friends where to meet up and what to do when they mentioned there was a petting zoo. I thought “What a lovely idea! It’s outdoors, they can see ducks, touch sheep or the like. Let’s do it!” I forgot we are in Japan.
The petting zoo was inside the World Porters mall, at the outside corner of it, but still. It basically has two big rooms. One room was dedicated to capybaras, toucans and monkeys. You can buy gras and feed them and pet them while they roam the room or chill in their bath tubs. The other room was busy. Lots of small cages with little animals: baby chicken, guinnea pigs, owls, rabbits, hedgehogs, mice, etc. You can pick up some of the animals and pet them, others you can feed and yet others you can only view through the window.
You cannot enter the zoo with a stroller but there was not age restriction. There are toilets around the corner of the mall but not in a very good condition. The nice toilets and baby care room are on the other side of the floor. Inside the zoo there is a vending machine for drinks.
At 2 years old, Globy was scared of the capybaras and didn’t want to touch them. At 3 years old she was ready to feed and touch them. The business of the other room with so many animals close to each other and people all trying to get a look or pick them up at the same time, the experience felt like a bit too much for a toddler (or maybe just me still being in my postpartum phase?). This being said, it is very doable from 0 years old and an activity and experience with animals.
You can find more information here: https://www.anitouch.jp
Hamagin Space Science Center
I was looking up museums in Yokohama and found the Space Science Center on the list. It is definitely not a museum but a very interactive center focused on all things Space and Science.
There are 6 floors that all feature a different aspect of going to space. On the first floor there is a planetarium which we didn’t visit.
The star viewing followed a 30 minute manga video showing which I didn’t deem appropriate for Globy. Therefore, we didn’t see it. The second floor is called Space Discovery Room and teaches about physics related aspects. The third floor might be the best floor. Once could describe it as a space and science jungle gym. Many stations to run around and play with to learn about different concepts of going to space. The fourth floor was mainly a viewing window of the third floor with a computer game in one corner. On the fifth floor presentations are held and exhibitions are shown. It was all in Japanese so that the enjoyment would depend on your language level. The B1 Floor had further games and a playground disguised as a big robot to offer.
The center is accessible with a stroller. On the third floor you’re recommended to leave it in one corner as the floor gets very busy. There is a small restaurant, drink vending machines and other necessary amenities around so that it was easy to visit with Globy and Baby. It is not the newest space but everything is in good condition.
Globy did enjoy visiting the center but I think a visit from 5-6 years old might be more worth it.
The official website of the Space Science Center is https://www.yokohama-kagakukan.jp/ (only in Japanese)
Yokohama Anpanman Children’s Museum
The Anpanman Museum is rather an Anpanman play ground and shopping center. On the first floor you can find restaurants and shops that are Anpanman themed as much as possible. They carry goods you don’t find in other places. On one floor there is a stage with an Anpanman show. To me the show felt very Japanese. It was very loud and lively. The audience area connected to an outside area where kids could play in water fountains. We visited in summer when it was very hot.
Then there are many play areas similar to the ones you can find in other indoor playgrounds in Japan – just Anpanman themed. Kids can also engage in other activities like arts and crafts but there were also bouncy castles and climbing frames.
To visit the Museum, you have to get your tickets online before. It will tell you the date and time when you can enter. Don’t go there without having booked a ticket in advance to avoid being turned away.
The facilities were great. Small toilets made for kids, nursing rooms and stations and as said before many options to eat. Even the seating area to eat has lots of chairs and tables in kids size. I don’t think you were allowed to bring strollers inside so prepare accordingly with a baby carrier.
It’s a very fun place for kids with activities for all ages starting from 0. The only negative I found, which shouldn’t be a surprise in Japan, was that it was very busy and very loud. I might have perceived it more so as I was 8 months pregnant at the time.
You can find all the important information about visiting here: https://www.yokohama-anpanman.jp/en/#event
NYK Hikawa Maru Historic Ship
The NYK Hikawa Maru is a cargo-passenger liner ship that was built in 1930. It also served as a hospital ship and for the repatriation of Japanese Citizens. After being restored to its state before World War II and deemed an Important Cultural Property by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Since 2008 it is open to the public.
You can visit it from Yamashita Park at the Seabees Route Terminal. The entrance fee is very low with just a few hundred yen. Inside the ship there are many stairs and the hallways are quite narrow so that you cannot bring your stroller onto the ship. There is a small area where you can leave it and pick it up after your visit. There are toilets and 2 diaper changing stations on the ship. A sign even indicates the last toilet on the tour. There are drink machines at the entrance gate but not on the ship.
You can see a variety of different rooms with furniture as well as necessary aspects of a ship like the turbines and the captains deck. It is nice to be by the water and to introduce children to the idea of a ship, its inside and outside.
The visit is fun and at the same time it was not very exciting. It is a nice activity if you combine it with a visit of the Yamashita Koen park and possibly getting lunch or an ice cream at The Wharf House Yamashita Koen.
You can find more information about the ship here: https://hikawamaru.nyk.com/en/
Shin-Yokohama Park Playground
This park in Kohoku Ward, Yokohama includes the Nissan Stadium, several sporting fields, a running track, a playground, dog parks, bird watching area and an open lawn.
The playground consists of a big jungle gym, a few smaller climbing equipments, a sand pit, and some water sprayers. The jungle gym is great with climbing areas of different
difficulties for different age categories. The sand pit has two areas with a window and is great for every kid that enjoys playing super market or restaurant.
The path is in the park which is lined by a running track is very well maintained and easy to walk. Different sporting fields such as for tennis, soccer, basketball, skateboarding are lining the path. So while you’re walking you can look at all the different sports and teach your kids about them. It was fun to be in such an active atmosphere.
The park is a 12-minute walk from JR Yokohama Line, Kozukue Station. There is a Time’s Parking close to where the playground is. The parking assistant guided us to the closest parking spot to get to the playground. There were two toilet houses in different areas of the park and plenty of drink machines as well as ice cream.
You can find more information about the park here: https://www.nissan-stadium.jp/english/leaflet2018.pdf
Other activities
Kid-o-Kid Tama Plaza
We haven’t been there yet but I saw it recommended so I am adding it to my own list for the next time I am looking for something to do with the kids.
Fantasy Resort
There are two locations in Yokohama: in Kohoku and in Ebina. For more information click here: https://fantasyresort.jp/ (Use Google Chrome for Translation)
What activities did you do with your toddlers in Yokohama? Let me know in the comments!
