Kids Dome Sorai

Though it's not located in Niigata, Kids Dome Sorai is definitely worth a day trip into Yamagata.  Located in Tsuruoka city, Sorai is a beautiful space for kids to explore, play, and create in.

The building itself is split into two areas, with the upper half being a playground with nets, ropes, climbing holds, and slopes for sliding.  Built into it is a small library corner with hammocks and books, as well as another space for babies and toddlers to play in.  When we went there, the entire place was perfectly clean, and Sorai staff were always on hand to watch out for the kids' safety.

The second area is a workshop for arts and crafts.  It is stocked amazingly well, with any and every kind of material and medium available.  We made some Christmas cards and pin badges, but there were also kids building with wood and using a 3D printer (the 3D printer requires a separate reservation).  Like the play area, there are plenty of staff to assist with any questions or help the kids might need.

If you have visited the Children's Creative Center in Ikutopia, Sorai is like that but on a grander scale.  It's perfect for a short road trip, and both kids and adults can have a lot of fun there.

Children from 0-12 are welcome at Sorai, and prices can be found on their homepage below.  If you're visiting on a weekend, reservations are required, and can be made online here.

Kids Dome Sorai homepage (No English)

Joetsu Aquarium Umigatari

Joetsu Aquarium Umigatari is a spacious and interestingly designed place to visit with your family and make some penguin friends.

Built in 2018, the building is quite modern and clean, and has a unique layout starting you up on the top floor with a view of the Joetsu coastline, and then working its way back down to the 1st floor.

Along the way, you'll see not only fish, dolphins, beluga whales, and jellyfish, but also a projection mapping of the four seasons, and the biggest population of Magellanic penguins in Japan.

Like most aquariums, there is a dolphin show, but I found it to be cramped in comparison to Marinepia's stadium area.  Instead, I'd recommend trying to catch the feeding time for the beluga whales, when you can see the staff doing some up close training with them.

The penguin enclosure is impressive, as you'll be walking among the birds (just be careful not to get too close), and there are several areas below their enclosure where you can watch them swim.  The penguin area, as well as the carp pond and the touch pool, are all outside, so your experience may depend on the weather.

Joetsu Aquarium Umigatari (limited English-language page)

Shirone Kite Museum

Shirone, in the southern ward of Niigata City, is well-known for its giant kite festival, held annually in June.  If you can't make it to the festival itself, the Shirone Kite Museum is a fun place to spend an afternoon and learn about the history of the festival and the amazing kites that fly there.

The museum is filled with beautiful kites, big and small, with designs ranging from the traditional samurai and dragons to modern cartoon characters and realistic birds and insects.

On the second floor there is a workshop where you can build and color your own kite (for 300 yen) and then fly it in a wind tunnel!

In addition to the kites, there are also many displays about traditional crafts and life in Shirone over the past century.

The Shirone Kite Museum is open on most days from 9am to 5pm.  Entry is 400 yen for adults and 200 yen for children (elementary up to high school), but on weekends children are free.

Shirone Kite Museum homepage (No English): http://www.shiteikanrisha.jp/ootako/index.html

Yuzawa Nakazato Forest Adventure

Yuzawa is famous throughout Japan for winter sports, but even in the off-season there are fun things to do there!

At Yuzawa Nakazato Forest Adventure you can climb wooden and rope bridges high up in the trees before zip-lining back down to the ground.  Everyone wears a harness with a belay system, so you're safe at all times, and the staff give a comprehensive explanation of how everything works.  At the start of the course there's also a practice area where you can get comfortable with how to move from tree to tree.

Forest Adventure has a beginner course (Canopy Course), which is for anyone over 110cm, and an advanced course (Adventure Course), which requires children to be at least in the 4th grade and over 140cm.  We tried the Canopy Course, which has 4 different routes, and spent about an hour and a half there.  We had a great time, and though at first it is a little scary to be up so high above the ground, the harness makes you feel so safe that you'll quickly stop worrying and just have fun!  The website below (no English) has additional photos and few video clips.

The Forest Adventure operates from the end of April until early November.  Reservations are required in advance (phone number is on the homepage).  The price for the Canopy Course (kids and adults) is 2,800 yen.

Yuzawa Nakazato Forest Adventure homepage: https://www.yuzawa-nakazato.com/summer/forest-adventure/

Lotte Arai Resort Playground

The Lotte Arai Ski Resort, in Myoko City, is well known for its slopes in the winter, but there is also a great time to be had in the off-season!  Renovated in 2017, the hotel has a brand new facility with climbing walls and a large trampoline area.  We spent about 2 hours there, which was more than enough time to try the 4 different play areas.

There is a large bouldering wall with beginner and advanced routes, and a "wonder wall" that uses projection mapping for a handful of games.

We played one game that has you climb around the wall touching colored circles to make fireworks.

The "fun wall" area has 8 themed walls with a harness system so it's easy and safe for young kids (4 years and older) to descend from the top.

Finally, there's a big space full of trampolines to bounce around and try some of the special jumps that are posted on the walls.  The entire resort is beautiful, clean, and the staff are very friendly.  In addition, many of them speak English, and all signage in the area is in multiple languages.  Outside of the hotel there is also a zip-line, a tubing area, and an athletic play area up in the trees.  We didn't have a chance to try those, but I'm sure we'll be back again soon to check them out!

Here's a photo of their pricing information, which can also be found on their website below.

Lotte Arai Resort (in English): https://www.lottehotel.com/arai-resort/en/activities/playground.html

Cafe Quasta

Board games and card games are some of our favorite activities as a family, especially when it's too hot or too cold to be outside.  I've written here before about several shops in Niigata where you can buy games, but it can be hard to know which games will be the best for you and your kids.  Also, sometimes games can take up a lot of space, both on the table and on your shelves.  That's where Cafe Quasta comes in.

(photo from Cafe Quasta website)

Cafe Quasta is a board game cafe in the Chuo ward of Niigata City, which serves drinks and has an impressive collection of board and card games.  Like a karaoke box, you pay by the amount of time you spend there, during which you can try out any of the games there (or bring your own from home).  All of the cafe's games are well organized and in perfect condition, and if you have any questions the owner is happy to explain the rules and walk you through a few rounds.

Drinks must be purchased at the cafe, but you're free to bring your own food and snacks.  Cafe Quasta is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, open from 3:00pm to 9:00pm on weekdays, and from 1:00pm to 9:00pm on weekends.  Weekdays prices are from 300 yen (1 hour) to 1400 yen (all day), and weekends start at 400 yen (1 hour) to 2200 yen (all day).

The cafe has a really friendly and relaxing atmosphere, and I definitely recommend it for a rainy (or hot summer) day.

Cafe Quasta website: http://quasta.jp/

Stand up paddle boarding in Kashiwazaki

At Arahama Beach in Kashiwazaki City, you can find "Go Surf Daigo", where you can try stand up paddle boarding.  Stand up paddle boarding is a bit like surfing, but it's much easier and slower paced.  You can sit, kneel, or stand on the wide board, and row with a paddle.

For 4000 yen per person, you get a board, a paddle, a lifejacket, and 2 hours to use them.  The first hour is a lesson, during which Daigo (I think that's his name) will accompany you into the water and show you everything you need to know.  He was really friendly, and he took many photos for us with his waterproof camera, which he sent to me at the end of the lesson.  It's really relaxing and my son had a lot of fun!

Go Surf Daigo Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DAIGOSURF/

Kanga's Blueberry Farm

When summer starts heating up in Niigata, we know that it's time to go blueberry picking!  Kanga's Blueberry Farm is located in Tainai City, right along the coastline.

For 500 yen per adult (elementary school students are free!) you get a bucket and 40 minutes to wander among hundreds of blueberry bushes.

You can pick and eat as many as you like, and if you fill up the bucket you can pay 200 yen per 100 grams to take the blueberries home.

The staff are always very friendly, and there's a covered seating area with free barley tea where you can take a rest.  Parking is free, and when you see the giant Buddhist monk statue, you'll know you're in the right place.

Kanga's Blueberry Farm website (no English): http://www.niigata-blueberry.com/

Waku Waku Hills

Waku Waku Hills is an amazing indoor play-space for kids up to 13 years of age.  Located in Agano City, it's part of a new collection of buildings that includes a kindergarten and an elder care facility.

Waku Waku Hills opens for 90 minutes at a time, during which kids can play in the giant ball pit, run and jump on a massive inflatable trampoline, climb on the climbing wall, and enjoy a number of other areas.  After the 90 minutes, the building is closed while they set up for the next group of kids.  On weekdays there are 3 sessions a day, 10:00 to 11:30, 1:00 to 2:30, and 3:00 to 4:30, and on weekends there are 4 sessions, 9:00 to 10:30, 11:00 to 12:30, 1:00 to 2:30, and 3:00 to 4:30.

The first time you visit, it costs 200 yen per child for the membership fee, and 300 yen to play for 90 minutes.  After that it is always 300 yen, and adults are free.  There is a small area for babies to play in, and adults are welcome to join their children in the ball pit and on the climbing wall and trampoline.

When we visited, my son loved using the foam blocks to build his own "Super Mario" level on the trampoline, and my wife and I had a great time jumping in the ball pit.  This is one playground where I can say that adults will have as much fun as their kids!

Waku Waku Hills website (no English): http://www.fukushi-kagayaki.jp/hills#a1

Cafe Paradiso

Summer has definitely begun here in Niigata, so it's time to go to the beach and cool down!  Many of the beach areas in Niigata have restaurants, but most of them seem kind of dirty and don't offer much in the way of food selection and family atmosphere.  However, Cafe Paradiso is well maintained, kid-friendly, has great food, and is just steps away from the water.

Cafe Paradiso is located on Fujitsukahama beach, in Shibata City.  There's a lot of space for parking, and it's easy to find the restaurant with its colorful sign.  Inside there are tables and couches, as well as a cute kid-sized table with smaller chairs.  Outside there are long tables where you can eat in the shade of the raised deck areas.  These all have a view of the sea, and kids can run down to the water to play while you're waiting for your meal.

The menu is simple but the food is delicious.  All the pizzas are hand-made, and you can get a set with salad and a drink for a little extra.  There are also a number of pastas, curry-rice, and desserts that look pretty good.

Cafe Paradiso is a nice place to have a meal while visiting the beach.  The layout, atmosphere, and friendly staff all made me feel like I was back in Southern California, which is a big plus in my book!  They also offer rentals for paddleboards, banana boats, water hoverboards, and surfing lessons.

Cafe Paradiso map:

Camp4

I wrote in a recent post about Hut Wall, a bouldering gym that I and my son have been going to.  It's a great facility, but it's also a little far if you are coming from Niigata City.  Yesterday we checked out another climbing gym that might be more convenient for those of you who live south of Shibata and Murakami.

Camp4 is a really large and impressive gym located in Higashi-ku, close to Toki Messe and the Sado Ferry Terminal.  This gym features both bouldering (climbing without ropes) and top rope climbing (climbing with ropes).  There are many bouldering walls with a lot of interesting rock shapes and paths, and though Camp4 seems to get pretty busy at times, it's a large enough space that it doesn't feel crowded.

For first-time climbers the price is 1900 yen for adults and 1100 yen for young children, along with shoe rental for 200 yen, and you will have a lesson about how to climb and stay safe.  After the initial time, it's 1400 yen per day for adults and 600 yen for children.  Shoe rental is a flat fee of 200 yen.  Camp4's operating hours are 2pm to 11pm on weekdays and 11am to 8pm on weekends.

Camp4's website (no English): http://www.camp4-climbing.jp/index.html

Hut Wall

I was recently introduced to bouldering by a colleague of mine, and found it to be a really fun, non-competitive way to get some exercise, especially for someone like me who isn't super into sports.  Two weeks ago I took my five year old son, and he loved it!

Bouldering is a type of rock-climbing that uses walls that are only a couple of meters high, covered with colorful "rocks" that you use for hand and foot-holds.  There are no ropes involved, but the floor is covered by a soft mattress so you can't get hurt by falling.  All of the man-made rocks are labeled with colored tape, which indicate the level of difficulty for the climb to the top.

The place we go to is a new facility called Hut Wall, located in Tainai City.  It costs 1000 yen for the member's card and first time, which also includes rental of climbing shoes.  Subsequent visits are 1200 yen per day for adults, and 600 yen for children of elementary school age and younger.  Shoe rental is 300 yen.

The owner of Hut Wall is very nice and helpful, and will give a short lesson and explanation of the rules.  It's a great activity for kids, especially those who love to climb all over the furniture at home, and can be enjoyed in any weather!

Hut Wall website (no English): http://hutwall.com/

Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - 2:00pm to 10:00pm
Wednesday - 6:00pm to 12:00am
Saturday - 10:00am to 10:00pm
Sunday - 10:00am to 8:00pm

(on the map Hut Wall is listed as 坂上こんにゃく店)

Niigata Furusato Village

I've often thought that Niigata is a great place to live, with so many interesting places to see and things to do, but sometimes it's not easy to find out about these places and events.  Niigata Furusato Village brings all the information about the prefecture's history and culture to one place!

There are two buildings to explore, the first being the Bazaar Hall, where you can try all sorts of local Niigata delicacies (I recommend the sauce katsudon) and do some shopping for souvenirs like rice crackers, sake, or cutlery from Tsubame-Sanjo.

The second building is the Appeal Hall, which is a combination tourism center and history museum.  You can find posters and flyers here from all points of interest throughout Niigata prefecture.  If you take an elevator up to the top floor, there is a theater and a path that winds back down to the ground floor, taking you on historical tour of Niigata with photographs and hands-on exhibits.  There is one area where you can experience falling snow, which is a nice way to cool off in the summer.  Also, it's all free!

Attached to the Appeal Hall is a large playground, and right outside of that is a beautiful pond full of carp, which you can feed with a bag of pellets for 100 yen.  When the weather is nice, it's a perfect place to enjoy some Yasuda Dairy Farm ice cream.

If you want to make a day of it, I recommend the Shinanogawa Water Shuttle, which travels back and forth between Furusato Village and the Toki Messe building, with a few stops along the way.  The ride is scenic and very smooth, and the entire journey takes about 1 hour and costs 1000 yen each way (half price for small children).

Niigata Furusato Village (English website): http://furusatomura.pref.niigata.jp/eng/

Shinanogawa Water Shuttle website: http://www.watershuttle.co.jp/

Shirone Grape Garden

Japan has a lot of delicious fruit that can be eaten during its four seasons, and Shirone Grape Garden is a great place to find some of them.  There are separate areas for strawberries, kiwis, mikans, blueberries, grapes, cherries, peaches, and pears, and a few options for buying by weight or all-you-can-eat ("tabehodai" in Japanese).

In addition to the fruits, there is a large area for barbecuing plates of meat that can be purchased at the garden, and a gelato stand.  Finally, there are goats and rabbits in several areas for kids to pet and feed (lettuce and carrots are available for a small price).

The website does not have any English information, but there is useful chart that shows the annual timetable for each kind of fruit.

Shirone Grape Garden: http://www.kudamonogari.com/

Echigo Hillside Park

Echigo Hillside Park is one of my favorite parks to visit, especially on hot and humid days.  The park itself is massive and has lots to do, but what really makes it special for me is the water area.  One corner of the park is a large space with shallow (ankle-deep) water, fountains, bridges, and many other structures to play on.  It's the perfect place for kids (and adults) to cool off.

After having fun in the water, you can explore the rest of the park, which has many playgrounds with slides, zip-lines, trampolines, and climbing structures.  There is also a hill with sleds to slide down on, pedal-powered cars for rent, a large flower garden, and some hiking paths.  In the winter the park is beautifully decorated and illuminated for Christmas, and there are events all throughout the year, so it's always a good time to visit.

I was surprised when I found that you have to pay to enter the park (410 yen for adults, 80 yen for children, and you also pay to use the parking lot), but it's clear that the fee is used to keep the park spotless and perfectly maintained.

Echigo Hillside Park (English page): https://echigo-park.jp/en/