Drop- Kohoku playgroup.

There is a great "jidoukan" (children's public play space) in Okurayama that is not too far from the station. On foot and carrying a little one (we know that takes twice the time as just doing anything by yourself), it takes about 5-10 minutes. I really like this place as there are parking spaces nearby. I used to pay for parking, but these days I park at Life Supermarket which is about a 5 minute walk away, and then go shopping at Life afterwards. Usually I only stay for an hour or so.

This play room is very large, larger than the Tsurumi Jidoukan (here is the post). It has a big back yard (though, it is often filled with mud most of the year) with a sandpit, and in summer they have minipools and buckets and hoses for the kids to have fun in.

Inside is very large, and filled with hand-made toys. There is a table for "mama goto" (playing house), dress up and book area. Lots of blocks and balls, wooden trains, a little wooden slide. It also has a piano (a big one) that the kids love to bash the hell out of (and are allowed to). There are all sorts of big foam blocks. At the very back in a sectioned off area is a play space for babies younger than 1 year old.

They also have a craft corner with crayons, glue, scissors and origami. Near that, they have a few fish tanks. They often let the kids feed the fish too. Pi loves watching the goldfish. They used to have turtles (terrapins) there, but they have since moved to the new satellite Drop which has opened up in Tsunashima. I haven't been there yet, as so far I haven't found parking, but I would like to go,

Drop is really multicultural. They print their event calendar in English, and once a month they have a "Multicultural Support Meeting". I have been there once, but it was conducted in Japanese- which is understandable, but I didn't find it super useful.

The mums at Drop are friendly. I have met quite a few that speak English too. One of the workers speaks a bit of English, and they are all really friendly.

This link has information about Drop: http://www.kohoku-drop.jp/publics/index/10/

From that link, download the PDF Guide under English for more information.

I highly recommend this play space if you are near.


 Okurayama station to the '*' is Drop


You can see the entrance to Drop, between the parking lot and the dry cleaners. Walk through the gate to get the the building behind. There is space the park your bicycle, or pram inside the gate.



The layout has changed since this photo was taken, but it gives an idea. It is larger than what you see here.