---

There is a place in Mie that offers entertainment and nice activities, mainly for children.

This place is called “MAP Mie Kodomo no Shiro”. Mie Kodomo no Shiro is located in the city of Matsusaka and offers many options of leisure for all the family.

In this video we will introduce activities and attractions that you can find on MAP. Learn a little more about Mie Kodomo no Shiro.

The Art Science and the Dome Theater are located on the 3rd floor.

Art Science Space

In this area children can learn manual work like pottery and science workshop. Activities are monitored by staff that will help them  to develop their talent.

On the reception desk located on the 1st floor visitors can have information on the activities available on the day. To participate in some activities, it is necessary to pay a fee for materials at the automatic machine next to the reception desk. Children can take all they produce with them! It is a very interesting space.

At Art Science Space there is also an area for works using play dough, and it is free of charge! Any person can enjoy this activity!

Dome Theater (Planetarium)

The Dome Theater, maybe,  is the mainly attraction at Mie Kodomo no Shiro. Here visitors can watch movies that are projected at planetarium’s dome and learn more about stars, constellation and the universe.

This dome is the greatest in Mie and it can host about 220 people. Admission fee for each session is 400 yen for adults, 200 yen for students from shogakko to koko and 100 yen for children above the age of 3.

A very affordable activity since it is cheap and nice!

The play land and an area with a stage are located on the 2nd floor.

Play Land (Space for permanent toys and area for climbing)

The space for permanent toys is an environment that offers several playground equipments, where children can enjoy a lot. It costs 200 yen for 45 minutes of leisure.

For each paid fee, 1 children and 1 adult can join in.

In the area for climbing, school children of shogakko and adults can have fun by climbing the specific wall for this activity. They can also level up to get higher points. In order to use this area it is necessary to bring  sneakers  for climbing or other shoes with the bottom clean.

Area with stage ( area for play: Asobou Corner)

In this area several musical and dance events are performed. In specific events, besides watching them, it is possible to join them.

When there is no event, this area is used as an “area for play”, where there are many toys for children to play freely. The space  is also used as a resting area.

Mie Kodomo no Shiro only offers automated vending machines that sell ice-cream, beverage and sandwich, and for those who intend to spend all day long  in the area, it is recommended to take a “bento” (packed lunch).

The event hall and the play room are located on the 1st floor.

Event Hall (Exhibition Area)

The event hall is an area where events and exhibitions are performed according to the season.

Events and interactive activities for children are also performed, and on Christmas there is a special decoration and Christmas lighting.

It is possible to enjoy the decoration during the day, ideal for families who have small children.

Play Room and Kaplaroom

In this area, children and adults use their imagination and enjoy by using “kapla”. Kapla is a kind of pedagogical toy composed by small pieces of wood, in which children build bridges, buildings, towers and everything  imagination allows.

It is an activity that helps to enhance the imagination and even the intellect. Books showing examples of structures that can be built are available. It is free of charge!

Today we will introduce Mie Kodomo no Shiro. The translation is something like “Castle for children who reside in Mie Prefecture”. It is a special place for children, where they spend a day with different and nice activities, acquiring knowledge through manual work, movies and with content about the planetarium universe.

We interviewed the person in charge of Mie Kodomo no Shiro

[Interview with Ms. Noda Miyuki]

“We have a planetarium with the largest dome in Mie Prefecture, measuring 22 meters long, where it is possible to see huge and intense images of the starry sky.

Here everyone can enjoy several manual activities that changes every week, in addition to the science workshops, as well as the 7-meters tall wall for climbing.”

Could you please leave a message to foreigner residents?

– Yes. Here at Mie Kodomo no Shiro we have many activities as well as staff in every area to give all the support, so come  to meet the place.”

For more information, access Mie Kodomo no Shiro website: http://www.mie-cc.or.jp/map/