[FREE!]Yokohama City Playground Guide｜Yokohama City Public Facilities for Babies Children and more

I want to go out with my child, but I don't know where to go! For those who are looking for a place to play with their children, we will introduce facilities in Yokohama City where you can play together with your children. Moreover, they are all free (or inexpensive) facilities, so they are easy on your wallet!
This article will surely make your time with your children more enjoyable!

Playgrounds for Babies & Children｜Public Facilities in Yokohama City

First, let us briefly introduce the facilities in Yokohama City.
There are "Chiiki-Kosodate-Shien-Kyoten(Local child rearing support centers)" "Oyato-kono-Tsudoino-Hiroba(Parent and Child Gathering Plaza)" "Chiku-Center(District Center)" and "Children's Log Houses" that parents and children can use.

●Chiiki-Kosodate-Shien-Kyoten 地域子育て支援拠点: Child Raising Support Center
Ages: 0-6 years old
An indoor facility where parents and children can play together.
They have a wealth of information on child-rearing and offer child-rearing consultation services.
There is one (or two) in each ward in Yokohama City.

●Oyato-kono-Tsudoino-Hiroba 親と子の集いのひろば: Parent and Child Gathering Plaza
Ages: 0-3 years old
You can play in a relaxed, homey atmosphere.
Some places offer temporary care.

●Chiku-Center 地区センター: District centers
There is a playroom and a library where children can borrow picture books.

●Chiiki-Care-Plaza 地域ケアプラザ: Community care plazas
They hold events for preschoolers.

●Community houses コミュニティハウス
They have a playroom and hold events to support childcare.

●Sports centers スポーツセンター
Easy access to exercise. Exercise classes are held.
There is one location in each ward in Yokohama City.

●Public swimming pools 市営プール
There are indoor and outdoor pools.

●Libraries 図書館
They have a wide variety of picture story shows and picture books. They hold story-telling sessions. There is one in each ward in Yokohama City.

●Children's log houses こどもログハウス
Ages: Elementary and junior high school students (preschool children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)
Indoor athletic-like playground.

Recommended Facilities and Playgrounds by Concern｜Yokohama City

Where should we go for our first outing? Where should I go for childcare advice? We have compiled a list of recommended facilities and playgrounds according to your concerns.

１．Recommended for outing debut!

Introducing the perfect playground for your first outing with your baby!
This is a playground for parents and children where you can have a friendly chat with the staff in a homey atmosphere. We also hold events where you can meet other children around the same age or make friends with moms and dads.
There is always a nursing space and diaper changing station, so it is a strong ally of babies & moms and dads! Please visit us when you feel like "taking the baby out with you.

Local child rearing support centers 地域子育て支援拠点

Ages: 0-6 years old (preschool age)

◆Features
There are one or two indoor playgrounds in each ward in Yokohama City. Many of them are relatively spacious.
The staff is very kind and welcoming, so you can feel safe even if it is your first time visiting.
There are many toys for children.
The staff and other mothers are very friendly and welcoming, which makes me feel at ease even on my first visit.
There is no charge to use the center.

Here is an example.

■Click here for a list of childcare support bases that we "Kodomoto" have covered.

■List of Child Rearing Support Centers (Yokohama City Official Website *English)
https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/lang/residents/en/child/20200325105507586.html

Oyato-kono-Tsudoino-Hiroba 親と子の集いのひろば: Parent and Child Gathering Plazas

Ages: 0-3 years old

◆Features
- There are more than 70 locations in Yokohama City.
- Some of them offer temporary childcare services.
- There are events for parents and children.
- There are places where you can borrow books.
- The staff is friendly and easy to talk to.
- I can meet other mothers with children of the same age.
- Fees vary depending on the facility. Free/charged/membership registration only charged, etc.

Here is an example.

■Click here for a list of Parent and Child Gathering Plazas that we "Kodomoto" have covered.

■List of Parent and Child Gathering Plazas （Yokohama City Official Website *Japanese）
https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/kurashi/kosodate-kyoiku/kosodateshien/tsudoi/tsudoinohiroba.html

２．Counseling on childcare.

Local child rearing support centers 地域子育て支援拠点

◆Features
- There are one or two indoor playgrounds in each ward in Yokohama City.
- They have events for parents and children in the neighborhood and information on Yokohama City's child-care support system.
- Information sessions are held to explain the registration of the childcare support system.
- Consultation days with a concierge for childcare and education are available.
- There are events where you can consult with midwives, nutritionists, and other specialists.
- Consultation is available even during pregnancy.
- There is no fee to use the system.

Here is an example.

■Click here for a list of childcare support bases that we "Kodomoto" have covered.

■List of Child Rearing Support Centers (Yokohama City Official Website *English)
https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/lang/residents/en/child/20200325105507586.html

Oyato-kono-Tsudoino-Hiroba 親と子の集いのひろば: Parent and Child Gathering Plazas

◆Features
Information on local events for parents and children is gathered here.
There are more than 70 locations in Yokohama City.
Fees vary depending on the facility. Free of charge, charged, membership registration only charged, etc.

Here is an example.

■Click here for a list of Parent and Child Gathering Plazas that we "Kodomoto" have covered.

■List of Parent and Child Gathering Plazas （Yokohama City Official Website *Japanese）
https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/kurashi/kosodate-kyoiku/kosodateshien/tsudoi/tsudoinohiroba.html

Parenting supporters plazas

◆Features
You can consult with Parenting Supporters about your childcare needs.
Public facilities are used as venues. Dates vary depending on the venue.
Free of charge.

■List of Parenting supporters plazas(Yokohama city official website)
https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/kurashi/kosodate-kyoiku/kosodateshien/sodan/kosodate.html

３．Facilities and playgrounds for physical activity

Sports centers

◆Features
- They offer a variety of exercise classes.
- The hall can be rented by registering as a group.
- There are basketball classes, dance classes, karate classes, etc. for children.
- Gymnastics classes for parents and children are available.
- Sports classes (yoga, etc.) for adults with babysitting services are also available.
- Inexpensive fees are available (e.g., one time badminton). (e.g., one time of badminton: 120 yen for adults and 30 yen for children)

Here is an example.

■List of Sports Centers in Yokohama City (Yokohama City Official Website)
https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/kanko-bunka/sports/shinko/kanriunei/shisetsu.html

Public swimming pools 市営プール

●Outdoor swimming pool
◆Features
Outdoor pools are open during the summer vacation period (July-August). Many of them have plastic pools for babies.
Fees are inexpensive (e.g., 400 yen for adults and 50 yen for children). (e.g., 400 yen for adults and 50 yen for children)

●Indoor swimming pool
◆Features
There is one in each ward. Some pools are open all year round.
There are some swimming pools exclusively for toddlers.
Low fees (e.g., 400 yen for adults and 50 yen for children). (e.g., 400 yen for adults and 50 yen for children)

Here is an example.

■List of Municipal Swimming Pools (Yokohama City Official Website)
https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/kanko-bunka/sports/shinko/kanriunei/shisetsu.html

Children's log house

◆Features
A dynamic indoor playground. There is one in each ward in Yokohama.
Preschoolers need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
There is no charge to use the playground.

Here is an example.

■Click here for a list of Log houses that we "Kodomoto" have covered.

■List of Children's Log Houses (Yokohama City Official Website)
https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/kurashi/machizukuri-kankyo/midori-koen/koen/koen/log.html

４．Facilities and playgrounds where you can borrow picture books

Libraries

◆Features
- Ten books per person can be borrowed for two weeks.
- There are also books for babies.
- There is one in each ward.
- There is no charge to use the library.
- They have English or some other languages picture books too.

Here is an example.

■List of City Libraries (Yokohama City Official Website)
https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/kurashi/kyodo-manabi/library/

Chiku-Center 地区センター: District centers

◆Features
- They lends books.
- Picture books and picture story shows are also available.
- There is one in each ward.

Here is an example.

■List of District centers (Yokohama City Official Website)
https://cgi.city.yokohama.lg.jp/shimin/chikucenter/all.php

Gender Equality Center

◆Features
Facilities in Yokohama, Minami-Ota, and Yokohama-Kita (Art Forum Azamino).
There is a library. Picture books can be checked out.
There is no charge to use.

Here is an example.

■Gender Equality Centers (Yokohama City Official Website)
https://www.women.city.yokohama.jp/

５．Facilities and playgrounds where you can meet friends

Opening of nursery schools and kindergartens to the public

◆Features
- For 1~3 year olds.
- Many of the children participating are about the same age, so they can play with children of the same age.
- The playground equipment is small and easy to play with because it is designed for toddlers only.
- The size of the playground equipment is smaller and easier for children to play with because it is designed for infants.
- The children's playground is always open to the public, so you can talk to the nursery staff easily.
- Some preschools lend out picture books and books on child-rearing.
- You can also visit nursery schools and kindergartens.
- There is no charge to use the center.

Here is an example.

Toy libraries

◆Features
- A place where people with or without disabilities can play.
- There are many toys.
- Free of charge.

Here is an example.

■Click here for a list of Toy libraries that we "Kodomoto" have covered.

Play Parks

◆Features
- Play parks' principle is "play freely at your own risk,". Allowing children to freely play on rope swings, build fires, use carpentry tools, and so on. There are play-leaders.
- Some parks hold events for preschoolers and their parents.
- There is no charge for use.

▼An article about how to play at play park(Japanese)
https://www.kodomoto.info/articles/gumyoji_playpark_aki

Child-rearing plaza

◆Features
- The program is held at certified kindergartens and nursery schools in Yokohama City.
- The schedule differs depending on the facility.
- There is no charge to use the service.

■List of Childcare Plaza Permanent Establishments (Yokohama City Official Website)
https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/kurashi/kosodate-kyoiku/kosodateshien/kosodate-hiroba/kosodatehiroba.html

Art Forum Azamino

(Gender Equality Center Yokohama North, Yokohama Civic Gallery Azamino)
◆Features
- They hold events for children.
- There is a children's playground.
- There is no charge for use.

Park Play Group

◆Features
- Volunteers from the community, such as community welfare volunteers, will come to the park.
- Children can play in the park with other children of the same age.
- There is no charge for use.

Parenting circle

◆Features
- Group of mothers who meet regularly to play with children of about the same age.
- The activities differ depending on the circle. (Singing circle, play in the park, etc.)

６．Facilities available for group use

Every facility has one location in the community. If you register as a group, you can rent a room in the facility. If you register a group of good friends, you and your child can play together in a relaxed atmosphere.
In many cases, there is no charge to use the facility, but there is a fee to rent a room.

Chiku-Center 地区センター: District centers

◆Features
- There are playrooms for preschool children.
- There is no charge for use. However, there is a fee to rent a room.

Here is an example.

■List of District centers(Yokohama City Official Website)
https://cgi.city.yokohama.lg.jp/shimin/chikucenter/all.php

hiiki-Care-Plaza 地域ケアプラザ: Community care plazas

◆Features
- They regularly hold events to support child-raising.
- There is no charge for use. However, there is a fee to rent a room.

Here is an example.

■List of Community care plazas(Yokohama City Official Website)
https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/kurashi/fukushi-kaigo/chiikifukushi/shisetsu/careplaza/shoukai.html

Community houses

◆Features
- Some facilities have play spaces.
- There is no charge for use or for the room.
- Reservation procedures differ from facility to facility, so we recommend that you first contact the community house you wish to use.

Here is an example.

■List of Community houses(Yokohama City Official Website)
https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/kurashi/kyodo-manabi/shogaigakushu/gakushu/commu.html

Facilities offering temporary care

Some facilities offer temporary childcare at playgrounds. We plan to introduce facilities that offer temporary childcare in Yokohama City in a separate article.