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)

Children's Creative Learning Center and Ikutopia Shoku Hana Park

The Children's Creative Learning Center, in the Ikutopia Shoku Hana Park (close to Big Swan Stadium), is a beautiful new facility full of things to do and see with kids.  It's also free!

The first floor has an arts and crafts studio where you can draw, paint, and make all kinds of projects with the supplies and tools that the Center provides.  The second and third floors have books, toys, and several large play areas designated for various ages.  The big slide and the climbing wall (the wall is only available at specific hours) are especially popular.  The top floor has a large room with kid-size tables and chairs for lunch/snack time, and also outside spaces for enjoying nice weather.

The animal center, right next to the Learning Center, is also a lot of fun.  Kids can pet and (at certain times of the day) feed sheep, goats, and alpacas, as well as see dogs, cats, rabbits, and capybaras.

On the other side of the Learning Center is the food and flower center, which has some interesting exhibits about our food and where it comes from.  Kids are mostly interested in the balanced meal "game", in which you grab a tray and put some items from shelves full of realistic plastic food on it.  When the tray is placed in front of the screen, it analyzes your selection and gives feedback about your choices (in Japanese).

Ikutopia Shoku Hana Park also has a farmer's market, a garden supplies store, and very nice buffet restaurant, called Kira Kira Restaurant.  Parking by the Learning Center is free for the first 30 minutes, but if you park on the other side of Ikutopia (a very short walk to the Learning Center), by the market and restaurant, you can get 90 minutes for free.

Ikutopia Shoku Hana map: http://www.ikutopia.com/access/