Keeping the kids happy in Tokyo Part2

Keeping the kids happy in Tokyo - part 2

There is lots and lots to do with the kids in Tokyo, many of them free or if not very cheap -
the entrance fees for most of the museums is around the 600 to 700 Yen mark for adults (£3.50)
and half that for kids. We have made use of the Grutt pass which you can get for 2000Yen and will get you in most(over 60) of the museums, art galleries and zoos in Tokyo for free or if not at a discount- (good value if you have time to do more than 4 or 5 places - and it is valid for 2 months).
So after doing DisneySea, we could now do some more semi-educational fun things with the kids. So our next trips were to the Museum of Maritime Science, Tama zoo and Ueno's Museum of Nature and Science.

The museum of Maritime Science, this was more fun than we expected - the kids loved it.
It is on the reclaimed land at Odaiba in Tokyo bay and is housed in a building which looks like an ocean liner.
There were loads of hands on things for the kids, such as a fully kitted out bridge with controls, a simulator to pilot a ship around the bay, and lots of big models and displays. They loved the fact that thay could go on real ships too which are moored alongside the museum. A good half a day we spent, and the kids enjoyed going over on the Yurikamome (monorail) across the rainbow bridge to Odaiba and the surrounding area.

Tama zoo, we think this is the best zoo in Tokyo by far and well worth the trip out to it (about an hour from the centre of Tokyo)by train.
This zoo is more of an open habitat zoo rather than lots of cages (as at Ueno), so the animals seem visibly happier and the photos we take look more natural too !
We were lucky to see the orangutans with babies and also some baby snow leopards - Kawaii !!(cute), the part we all enjoyed the most was the 'safari' bus ride through the large lion enclosure - the keepers put small scraps of meat along the outside of the bus and stop at regular spots around the area (the lions look well used to this) , so the lions jump up and nibble the scraps off giving everyone inside the bus an amazing view of the animals - there must have been 20 or so lions in all.
There is also a Savanna type area where the zebras, giraffes and lots of other animals all roam around, with the buildings behind made to look part of the savanna - a nice touch. Another bonus was that the restaurant overlooked this area - and try the blueberry beer !
The kids loved seeing koalas, red pandas and the chimps (a really fun area they have - Joe wanted to go and join them !).
It was another full day out, and everyone slept well that night - ok so some of us may have gone to sleep still clutching cuddly animals bought from the shop!

Ueno National Museum of Nature and Science - probably better for the older kids, Emi at 9yrs old got more out of it than Joe at 6, but still plenty of hands on stuff especially at the science area. I particularly enjoyed it as there was a gadget to take around that sensed the area I was in and gave me the english version of the information.
The museum itself was very up to date with lots of technology used to impart information so it gave a good mix of input. Though oddly enough I did enjoy the somewhat spooky stuffed animal area ! very interesting to see the sizes of the animals together, and also the previous favourites of Ueno zoo - their Panda's !
There was so much to do we did not get around it all, but I have to say the food in the restaurant was very good - great kids meals.
The shop also deserves a mention as it was great - full of all manner of fun and interesting stuff ! I did my best not to get carried away.

Next on the list - Sony explora, Panasonic risupia, Kasai aquarium and Miraikan (National Museum of emerging science and innovation)- supposed to be excellent.

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