Toyota commemorative museum of industry and technology in Nagoya, Aichi

Last saterday, we went to Toyota museum, so I want to introduce it today.

Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
Best for: 2years old to adults:
Admission: 500yen for over 18 years old, 300yen for 13-17years olf, 200yen for 6-12 years old. over 65 and under 6 years old are free.
Access:3 minutes walk from Sako staion on the Nagoya Line(train)
Adress:1-35, Noritake Shinmachi 4-chome, Nishi-ku, Nagoya 451-0051 Japan
Tel. (052)551-6115 – Fax. (052)551-6199
English website:http://www.tcmit.org/english/


This museum used to be a real factory of Toyota, especially had made fabric products for inside of cars. Now, it have changed into the museum now.
You can learn Toyota's history, fabric machines, and also historical cars desplayed in the museum.
It also has a big kids playroom for children. Your children would not get bored,playing and learning!

My children loved here!

However, on busy days they have a time limit of 50 minutes to play.

The day when we went was also on weekend,so we had to get out in 50 minutes.

 

They have huge adventure play failities.

If you are more than 3.93feet/120 cm, you can play this auto car.

They have a interesting place where you can experient how strong typhoon wind is.(wind velociy 25m)

My daughter could not see front, because the wind was too hard.

 

In the museum, you can listen to the stuff explaing and see actually the machine working.

 

Here, we listened to the stuff practically melt iron and make parts of cars.

We were so lucky to get the part he made. Not all guests get the parts.

Maybe the reason he gave us the part was we took little children and my son was very serious to listen to him in front of the stuff.

 

Can you see the very old cars behind my daughter?

I love them better than modern cars because they are so cool.

In the museum, they have handmaking service for children.

You can make the cars and the car keychain, get the memory medal.

The cars can move straight ahead if they are pulled backward on a flat table or flour.

 

 

The museum's admission is not expensive, but it has so many interesting facilities to play and learn.

Toyota is our japanese important company.

Near the museum, there is Noritake museum nearby.

After you visit the Toyota museum, you should drop by Noritake museum,too.

Noritake is also a famous japanese company with a long history, which has made beautiful plates,cups,dishes,etc.

 

 

Tokyo Disney Land and Sea 3, the restaurants where you can meet Desney's characters

If you take little children to Tokyo Disney Resorts, you might not want to walk all day and get tired of carring them all over the park.
There are some restaurants where you can meet Disney's characters. Especially children LOVE to meet them and enjoy eating and watching them singing and dancing.
You can also take dreamful family photos with Disney's characters without a long line or fight with other guests to achieve a chance to get a photo taken with them.

My daughter with Minnie Mouse. Just like this, characters come to each table and give us a big hug.

My daughter was sooo excited to see Mickey Mouse! So was I!!!

After Seeing them, children were invited to the stage to dance and sing with the characters!

 

 

 

 

In Disney Resort, there are some restaurants where you can meet characters.

The restrant we visited, need a reservation to visit.

If you really want to go to those restaurant, IN ADVANCE you should look for certain information to avoid regrets.

I introduce some information about those kind of restaurant!

 

 

 

 

The restaurants you need to reserve in advance

You can resetve from 1 month before the date when you visit.

http://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/reservation/showres/index.html

I could not find reservation pages written in English.

They might not have them in English, I will ask them later and up load the info here!

 

 

1.Crystal palace restaurant'' Disney Character Breakfast''

Crystal palace restaurant has ''Priority Seating system''

http://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/reservation/ps/

Here, you can make a reservation, but I could not find English pages.

The official Tokyo disney resort has English site, but as far as I check, there might not be English pages for Priority Seating Reservation.

This restaurant used to require no reservation in the past, but the system has changed.

Now, you have to make a reservation in advane.

 

 

2.Polynesian Restaurant'' Lunch show Lilo's Luau and Fun'' ''Dinner show Mickey's rainbow Luau''

This was the restaurant that my family and I visited before!

If you take little children with you, I recommend the Lunch show is the best! because it includes character greeting and dance lesson for children.

Dinner show, you can also watch characters dancing and singing, while eating delicious polynesian dinner!

 

3.Diamond Horse Shoe''Lunch show Horse show round up'' ''Dinner show Mickey and companies''

Lunch show, you can see Toy Story's characters!

Dinner Time, you can also enjoy spectacular show, having wonderful dinner with your important people.

 

 

4.Horizon Bay restaurant in Disney Sea '' Character Dining''

Same as No.1, the restaurant requires '' Piority Seating'' reservation.
You can hear the sound of wave and wind close to the sea, at the same time you can also have fun with Disney characters!



If I don't have a reservation, couldn't I see Disney characters at restaurants??
Answer is......
You CAN STILL do!

Unfortunately, All the restaurant in Disney Land requre ''Kinds of Reservation'', but in Disney Sea, there is a very casual restaurant where you can see characters without any reservations!

the restaurant is....


!CapeCod CookOff!


Here, the character show is held everyday, anytime of the restaurant's open time.
The restaurant dinning is spacious enough for many guests, so the waiting time is not too long. (but on holiday and lunch time, the terrible long line might be waiting for you...)

First, you enter the restaurant, you buy foods at the counter (self service!)
You can buy American foods just like humbergers here.
Just buying Coffee or deserts is also OK to watch the show!
The restaurant stuff put a time card on your tray. You can stay at the restaurant until the time.

After you buy foods, you carry the tray to the Big Dinning Space. The restaurant stuffs would help you to find a table for you!

The important thing you need to know is the restraunt has two space for guests.
One is for people who just want to eat. The other is for guests who want to eat and watch the show. If you want to watch the show, be careful to wait in the line for the show.


Everytime I go to Disney Resort with my family, I always visit ''CookOff restaurant'' to watch this show.
You don't need reservations, Anytime you can go! This is the most convinient restaurant where you can see Disney characters!



 

 

Japanese websites of Tours and Hotels written in English

If you are now thinking of trip to Japan, Do visit these Japanese websites of Hotels and Tours.
Japanese companies know the best hotels and Tours in Japan, of course.
In Japan, we have so many types of accomodation. For example, normal hotels you see all over the world, Ryokan (japanese tradittional accomodation), Minshuku ( Japanese motel), Onsen Ryokan(especially Ryokan with hot spring bath) etc.

If you come to Japane, I really REally reaLLy recommend you should stay at Ryokan, especially Onsen Ryokan. The important thing you need to know is NOT all Ryokan have Onsen(Hot Spring).
Mostly, Ryokan have big bath, however, it is not always hot spring. That is to say, they have only tap water bath instead of real hot spring.

Unfortunately, most foreigners don't know about it, and they just reserve wrong ryokan  on the internet without certain knowledge about what japanese ryokan is.

Beside accomodation, Japanese tour companies know what is best for all. What is best for ryokan, what is best for foods, what is best for siteseeing, what is best for traffic.
Moreover, japanese companies are very responsible of time and schedule, treating guests, great hospitality.
If you want to know in depth, enjoy more, make your trip worthier, please CHECK ONCE japanese tour and hotel companies that I (japanese born,growing, living in Japan) recommend.

Japanese website of Ryokan and Hotels


Japanese website of Tour



I hope you could enjoy the BEST family trip to Japan and make an unforgettable good memory!!

Tokyo Desney Land and Sea 2

The last time, I wrote about the famous attractions in Desney land, so I want to write about Desney Sea this time.
Desney sea also has the fast pass system. if you don't know about it, please check ''Tokyo Desney Land and Sea 1''

Here, I also introduce about the famous attractions of Desney Sea at which you can also get a fast pass.

1.Tower of Terror

In New York 1912, the owner of the tower disappered suddenly. You ride the elevator of the cursed tower and experient the BIG FALL!
Only more than 3 years old can ride. But it might be too scary for little children even if they are more then 3.


2.Toy Story Mannia

Though the big gate of Woody's mouth, you will be as tiny as toys??? You can enjoy the shooting game in Toy Story's world.
Good for little children and adults!


3.Indiana Jones adventure

You can take part in the tour of Indiana Jones, but the crystal skull would get hurious about the guests who are not expected to do.
Only more than 117cm/3feet10 can ride. Even if your children are more than that hight, they might get frightened because this attraction includes scary and dark scenes.


4.Mermaid Lagoon

This is a huge world of Little Mermaid. In the lagoon, little children can enjoy some attractions and a big theater of Little Mermaid. In the theater, you can see real Ariel dancing with colorful fish under the sea.
Both little children and adults can have fun at the same time!


5.Center of the earth

You ride a train, and explore the underworld. You see many mysterious creatures in the underworld. and at the last, a big fall is waiting for you!
Only more than 117cm/3 feet10 can ride.



Compare to Desney Land, Desney Sea is more adultish, because it has beatiful sceneries, and cool attractions for adults.
Of course, it also has fun attraction and events for children, but compare to Desney Land, I think Land has more childish attraction than Sea.

Here in Desney Sea, children would love seeing Duffy!!
Land has seeing Mikey attraction, on the other hand, Sea has seeing Duffy attraction. Duffy is a cute teddy bear that Minnie mouse made for Mickey.


Special Imformation 2!
Do you know about guest assistant card?
This card is for guests with difficulties to wait in line for attractions.
If you have any difficulties just like sickness, pregnancy, or any other reason, you can ask Disney Resort to give a guest assistant card.
If you have it, you don't have to wait IN LINE for a long time.
You would wait somewhere else, and come back to the attraction after the time you should wait in line for the attraction.
It does not mean, you don't have to wait and ride without waiting.
It just give a chance to wait at another place just like a restaurant, bench, etc...


I recomend that you visit both Desney Land and Desney Sea.
If you buy 2 days passpot, it is more reasonable than normal passport!
Both parks have different fun points and different attractive attractions and events!
You would not be able to ride all attraction for 1 day!!


To be continued to ''Tokyo Desney Land and Sea 3''

TOKYO Desney Land and Sea 1

Tokyo Disney Land and Sea are the most famous amusement park in Japan.
When you come to Japan, Do visit there! You will fully get satisfied for sure!
Especially, with your family, both children and adults can enjoy here.

Because this amusement park inludes TOKYO in the name, many people misunderstand that Disney land is located in Tokyo. However, it is actually located in Maihama in Chiba that is next to Tokyo.
Although it is located in Chiba, it is still convinient to access from Tokyo station, so you don't need to worry.

Tokyo Disney Land and Sea
Best for : 0 to adults
Admission: 1 day passport(7400yen for over 18 years old, 6400 yen for 12 to 17 years old, 4800 yen for over 4 years old, 6700 yen for over 65 years old). After 3 o'clock passport (5400 yen, 4700 yen,3500yen), after 6 passport(4200 yen for all ages),2 days passport (13200yen,11600yen,8600yen),
3 days passport(17800yen,15500yen,11500yen), 4 days passport(22400yen,19400yen,14400yen)etc...
Access:From Tokyo station, you can take a direct bus to Tokyo Disney Resort about 35 minutes.
 You can also take a train JR Keyo Line or Musashino Line from Tokyo station to disney resort about 15 minutes.


!Special imformation!
Fast Pass system: This system is that you would not need to wait for a long time in line if you get a fast pass. In order to get a fast pass, please go to a fast pass machine in front of the attraction you want to ride. To get a fast pass, you only need the addmission passport, which means everyone has the same right to get a fast pass without extra money. But, not all attractions have this fast pass system, ONLY famous attractions with an always ling line have this system. After you get a fast pass, you will have a time-out until you can get another attraction's fast pass. For example, when you get a fast pass once, you would have to wait 2 hour to get another fast pass.


Here, I introduce the most famous attractions with the fast pass system. And also I recommend you should ride at least these attractions!!

1. Winnie the pooh's honey hunt

©Disney. Based on the“Winnie the Pooh”works by A.A.Milne and E.H.Shepard.


You ride the BIG honey pots just like the pictures above, and explore the Pooh's world to find honey!
This is a cute attraction and good for all ages!!
The attraction is close to the parade route, so before and after parade time, it might be better to avoid the time.



2. Haunted mansion

©Disney

The 999 ghosts live in this mansion are looking for 1000th member of them. Do you want to be the 1000th?????  You will see the ghosts' scary and fun world by ride.
Pay attension at the last miror of the attraction, some ghosts will get into your car!!



3. Splash Mountain

©Disney

You ride the Log ship just like the picture, and experient a BIG FALL and HUGE SPLASH!
This ride takes about 10 minutes that is longer compare to other rides.
You can see many cute amimals in the attraction, which make your children happy!
In the fall,your picture will be taken automatically, keep smiling even if you are scared! You can buy the picture later if you want.


4.Big Thunder Mountain

©Disney


After the goldrush, now, noboy in the mountain. You can ride the mine train and enjoy rushing though the mine mountain!
You can feel the thrill that you almost hit your head right before tunnels.( No worries!)
The train goes to left than right, so you can feel more thrill if you ride the right side of the train!


5. Stitch encounter ( 2015, 7, 17 new open)

©Disney

I have not experient this attraction yet, so I really really want to visit here.
This attraction is a theater type, not a ride. Great for all ages!



The attractions I wrote above are the most famous with a big scale! You can also get a fast pass for the attractions.
You had better take the fast pass advantage because Desney Resort is always terribly crowded even weekday. However, that means Desney resort attracts many people from all over the world!!


to be continued to ''TOKYO Desney Land and Sea 2''

HUIS TEN BOSH in Nagasaki

HUIS TEN BOSH is the most famous and largest amusement park in Kyushu area.
As you can see from the name, it is full of atmosphere of Nether land's stuff, just like houses, flowers, foods, etc.
Every season, you can enjoy different flowers, even in winter, they have a huge illumination all over the park.
They have so many kinds of attractions for babies to adults to enjoy.

This year 2016, they will open a dinamic '' water and adventure kingdom'' in summer.

HUIS TEN BOSH
Best for: 0~adults
Admission: They have different kinds of tickets.
                    Normal 1 day pass is 6700 yen for 18 years old and up, 5700 yen for 13-17 years old,
                   4300 yen for 4-12 years old, 6500 yen for 65 years old and up.
                   the late ticket from 16:00~ is 5100 yen, 4300 yen, 3400 yen, 4600 for each classification
                   above. The ticket without any attractions is 4200,3200,1900,4200 yen.(If you want to ride
                   an attraction, you need to buy another ticket.
                   Besides the ticket above, they have other types of tickets, matching to your way to enjoy.
Access: From Nagasaki airport, please take a bus or ship to HUIS TEN BOSH (about 50 minutes)
             From Fukuoka airport, take a train to Hakata station(5 minutes) and take a express train to
             HUIS TEN BOSH( about 1 and half hour)

They have an official homepage in English, please access it if you want to know more details.
http://english.huistenbosch.co.jp/


HUIS TEN BOSH is as huge as Disney land plus Disney sea of Japan.
It is so tough for both perents and little children to walk all day in the park.
So, if you take children with you, I recomend you rent a bicycle in the park.

We also rent the bicycle. They have lots of types of bicycle.

They have normal bicycles, family bicycle just like the picture, pair bicycle for two people, etc.

The bicycle in the picture was 3500 yen for 3 hours, which was expensive, but I think it is worth.

When I go to an amusement park, I always get so tired, taking my children. But, this time I did not

get so tired because of this bicycle.

You can park the bicycle in front of attractions, and also you can borrow a key for the bicycle, so don't need to worry about a thief.

 

 

 

 

Here, I introduce BEST attractions for families!

1. Everyone's dinasaurs ( Minna no kyoryu)

This attraction has a big screan, on which you can see dinasaurs visitors draw.

When you enter the attraction, you take a paper with a dinasaur, and after you color the dinasaur, they scan your own dinasaur onto the big screen.

It is so cute to see children smile when they find their own dinasaur on the screen!!

 

2. Fishing adventure ( Turi adventure)

This adventure, just like amusement arcades in shopping malls, they have a screen with so many kinds of fish. The only difference is the screen is much huger than amusement arcades.

Visitors compete the size of fish in the game.

My husband was a winner and my children were so excited about it.

 

3.Real monster battle

You put on a virtual computer glass, and actually fight virtual monsters.

If you like Dragon Ball, you will like it for sure! because in this game, you can shoot fire balls.

It is Best for family, all of you make a adventure party, and fight monsters together!!

Unfortunately, only more than 8 years old children can play the attraction.

 

4.Owls forest ( Fukurou no mori)

You need to pay extra fee even if you have a passport.

In this attraction, you can look close, touch, and also get pictures taken with owls.

You can relax and have fun in this lovely forest.

 

5. Adventure park

In this park, they have huge athletics buildings. They also have kids park for little children, a huge maze, dinasaur forest, etc.

Here, you will never get bored and BEST for family!

 

6. One piece Ride cruise

Do you know One Piece? It is one of most famous manga in Japan and also in the world.

The manga is about pirates exploring the ocean and trying to find a tresure of one piece.

You can ride a ship in this attraction and experient the world of pirates, one piece.

If you like one piece, you should ride this!! This attraction includes a shooting game and you can get special characters' cards of one piece for your points you get in the shooting game.

 

 

 

 

An attraction has lots of pictures you can take funny photos just like the picture above.

Go and Find the attraction!!

 

We went to the park in June, which was a rainy sesason in Japan.

This umbrera street was sooooo lovely!

I don't know they still have it in other seasons.

 

 

 

HUIS TEN BOSH is a marvelous amusement park!

In Nagasaki, there are so many interesting sites including the park, world heritage sights.

Do visit Nagasaki if you come to Japan!!

 

 



                   

Japanese Map in English

I have thought probably most foreign people don't know the posision of japanese prefectures.
I put a japanese english map.
Please make good use of this map for your family trip to Japan!

Tateshina teddy bear museum in Nagano

 

Tateshina Teddy Bear Museum 　蓼科テディベア美術館

Best for:0-12 years old

Access: Please take a bus from Chino station and get off at Nishishirakabako bus stop. I highly recomend you rent a car and sightsee around Nagano, which is more convenient.

Admission: 1400 yen for adults, 800 yen for 7 to 15years old, 300 yen for 3-6 years old

Adress:1522 ashidahatukano tateshina-machi kitasaku-gun Nagano prefecture Japan

Tel: 0267-55-7755

 

 

 

In Japan, we have a big holiday week in May.

We call it ''golden week''

In golden week, So many japanese people are off, and everywhere is so crowded.

 

My family and I went to Nagano which has great nature and a wonderful ski field.

I wanted to get relaxed in nature,escaping from the crowd.

 

Nagano, especially around Shirakaba lake, there are some attracttive spots for family.

Teddy bear museum is one of them.

If you  take children with you, you should visit.

 

In the museum, they have so many picture spots, where you can take pictures freely.

 

Like the picture above, they have your own birth month's big teddy bear you can take a picture with.
September( my daughter's birth month) was a cute brown bear. each month has different colored teddy. and also, you can see the cute teddy shop behind her. you can buy lovely souvenirs of teddy motifs.

Motercycle with a white big bear!!

You can ride, but it doesn't work!

 

 

 They have a sweet space where little children can play with the teddy.

 

 

In the teddy museum, you can see teddy's world of many different countries.

For example, like the picture above, bears wear the country's clothes and pretend to do what the country's people likely to do.

In japanese world, bears wearing Kimono play eat sushi, for example.

 

They also has a game, that you try to find a special bear hiding in the countries' world. If you could find all hiding bear, you can get a prize. Sticker or Pen with three colours.

 

SPECIAL IMFORMATION!

In the museum, they have a special photo studio where you can wear Bear costume and take a picture.

!You should take a camera with you!

I think It would be a good memory of your family~~

It is sooooo cute, isn't it???

 

 

It is not an exciting place like a amusement park, but you can enjoy this cute place with your children.

And also, you can take many cute pictures here.