Experience playing at Miekodomonoshiro! Introducing planetariums and experience corners

Miekodomonoshiro is a large prefectural children's center located in MatsusakaCity 's Chubudai Sports Park, and there are many ways to enjoy it, such as a planetarium, craft experiences, and a play equipment corner! In this article, we will introduce recommended experience corners for parents and children.

What is Miekodomonoshiro?

Mie Prefectural Miekodomonoshiro is a large children's center located in Chubudai Sports Park in MatsusakaCity.

Although it has the name "castle," it actually looks like a science museum, with the huge dome at the main entrance being its symbol.

The museum has a play equipment corner, a craft space, a state-of-the-art planetarium, and more, so there are many ways to enjoy it!

Events are held regularly, so you might discover something new every time you visit.

Miekodomonoshiro opened in 1989, was completely renovated in 2003, and the dome theater planetarium was renovated on April 23, 2020, making it an evolving children's center.

If you visitedFugamaru when you were a child, you might be surprised by the new interior and Dome Theater Planetarium.

In this article, we will introduce the latest information and experience space at Miekodomonoshiro.

About business hours

Miekodomonoshiro 's Castle business hours are 9:30-17:00, and winter business hours are 9:30-16:30.

The museum is closed on Mondays (or the next weekday if Monday is a holiday), the year-end and New Year holidays (12/29-1/3), and will also be closed on special inspection days.

The schedule for temporary inspections will be announced on the official website.

In the Fugamarusecond parking lot, there is a signboard with today's opening hours written on it, and if it is an opening day, it will say ``Opening today.''

Where is the parking lot?

If you are traveling by car, you can use the Chubudai Sports Park parking lot for free.

The parking lots closest to Miekodomonoshiro are Parking Lot 1 and Parking Lot 2, which have a total of about 560 parking spaces.

It's a 7-minute walk Miekodomonoshiro, and there are guide signs in the parking lot and park, so you won't have to get lost.

Please note that the first and second parking lots are open from 7:00 to 19:00, and the entrances and exits will be locked outside of these hours.

Click here for a map of Parking Lot 1 (Opens Google Maps)
Click here for a map of the second parking lot (Google Maps will open)

If parking lot 1 and parking lot 2 are full, parking lot 3 is the next closest parking lot.

Click here for a map of Parking Lot 3 (Google Maps will open)

The parking lot at Chubudai Sports Park is explained in the article below👇

About measures against infectious diseases

Miekodomonoshiro has implemented infectious disease prevention measures unique to a children's center, and is a certified facility under the Mie Safe Hospitality Facility Certification System (Mie Ria), so you can spend your time with peace of mind.

Here, we will introduce some measures taken at Miekodomonoshiro to prevent infectious diseases.

Automatic temperature measurement using thermal camera

At the 1st floor entrance, we are conducting automatic temperature checks of visitors using thermal cameras, and our policy is to refrain from visiting if you have cold symptoms (fever, cough, etc.).

An environment where even children can easily disinfect their hands

Disinfectants are installed in each corner, making it easy for children to disinfect their hands.

For example, at the front entrance there is a pedal-operated disinfectant stand at a height that is easy for small children to use.

Regular cleaning and disinfection of equipment and play equipment

The play equipment, floors, mats, blocks, etc. inside the facility are coated with anti-virus coating.

In the picture book corner, there is a sterilization device specifically for books, which is convenient because you can sterilize the books without getting them wet.

Dome theater seats with wide seat spacing

The Dome Theater Planetarium on the 3rd floor was renovated in April 2020, and all seats have been completely redesigned.

To prevent infectious diseases, we have reduced the number of seats and widened the distance between them, front, back, left and right, as well as anti-virus coatings on the seats and floors, so you can enjoy your time with peace of mind.

FugamaruThe seats are wider than before! It can also be reclined, so you can enjoy it comfortably♪

Can I have lunch?

There is no restaurant in the building, but there are food trucks available mainly on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

At the time of our interview, sandwiches from Chimney Cafe were being sold at the 1st floor entrance.

You can check the store opening schedule on the official website.

There is a dining area on the 1st floor, and you can bring in food and drinks purchased from the kitchen car or lunch boxes.

As a precaution against infectious diseases, the tables are spaced widely apart, and some tables are separated by partitions.

The Fugamarueating and drinking space is also outside, so you can enjoy a picnic atmosphere♪

Corners that require a usage fee

Admission to Miekodomonoshiro 's Castle is free, but some experiences require a fee.

Payment is made at a ticket vending machine, and the ticket vending machines for the planetarium and craft experiences are located at the 1st floor entrance.

Below are some corners that require a usage fee.

SWS West Japan Kids Theater (Dome Theater Planetarium)

On the 3rd floor is the SWS West Japan Kids Theater, one of the largest dome screen facilities in the prefecture, with planetarium equipment that has the highest performance in the world.

In addition to the planetarium and movie screenings, we also hold various events such as astronomy classes.

There is also a stroller storage area and a nursing room at the entrance of the SWS West Japan Kids Theater, making it a comfortable environment for those with small children.

There is also a parent-child seat that can accommodate two people, so even children who are not good at dark can enjoy the show with peace of mind.

Additionally, a wheelchair stair lift is installed, so you can go up to a seat where you can easily see the stars while in your wheelchair, creating a barrier-free environment.

SWS West Japan Kids Theater usage fee

Admission to the SWS West Japan Kids Theater is 400 yen for adults, 200 yen for elementary school to high school students, 100 yen for children over 3 years old, and free for children 0 to 2 years old. *Price per work per person

Screening dates are Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, and during long school holidays (spring, summer, and winter vacations), movies are shown on weekdays as well.

For more information, please see the screening schedule on the official website.

Highlights of the planetarium

The number of stars that can be projected has evolved from 15,000 before the renewal to 100 million, allowing you to enjoy a deep and beautiful starry sky and powerful images.

This is a projection of the starry sky, giving you the feeling of looking at a real starry sky.

You can clearly see stars that are normally invisible due to the city lights, so you might be impressed by the star-filled sky.

The projection of constellation lines and constellation pictures was also spectacular, and it was a strange feeling to be able to see tonight's starry sky even though it was daytime.

If you would like to see this screening, you can watch it under ``Tonight's Starry Sky Guide by Staff.''

Depending on the starry sky that day, you may be able to see enlarged images of the solar system planets or listen to the latest astronomical information.

When I interviewed Fugamaru, it was winter, so the staff explained the positional relationship of the "Winter Triangle" in an easy-to-understand manner.

Sales of space goods

The museum shop on the 1st floor has a lot of space-related goods, so it's a must-see for space lovers.

One of our most popular products is the ``Space Food'' series, which is made using the same ``freeze-drying method'' as space food for astronauts.

The flavors range from snacks to sweets, such as takoyaki, shrimp gratin, almond tofu, rare cheesecake, and pudding.

This is an unpacked version of the space food "Takoyaki", and there were four pieces of golden brown Takoyaki inside.

Since it is freeze-dried, the surface is very hard and all moisture is completely removed.

When I actually ate it, it tasted exactly like takoyaki, and I could really taste the ginger.

The crunchy texture is surprisingly delicious, and the fact that there's octopus inside is also a great feature!

The FugamaruMuseum Shop has other space goods that will excite both adults and children, so be sure to stop by.

Playland (play equipment corner/climbing)

The playland on the 2nd floor has a playground equipment corner and a climbing corner, and is full of play equipment and equipment that you can enjoy while moving your body!

It's indoors so you can play to your heart's content even on rainy days!

Playland price

The fee for the play equipment corner is 200 yen per person, and children from 0 years old can use it.

*One parent/guardian is free for each child.

The climbing corner fee is 400 yen for adults (18 years and older), 200 yen for elementary school to high school students, and children under elementary school age are not allowed. *Elementary school students must be accompanied by a guardian.

Ticket vending machines are located near the entrance to the playland, and there are also coin lockers, making it convenient for you to store your luggage.

Playland usage hours

Each time can be used for 45 minutes, and tickets for each time period are purchased from a ticket vending machine.

Tickets for each time slot will no longer be issued once the capacity is reached, so be sure to purchase them before your scheduled time.

The capacity for the climbing corner on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays varies depending on the time of day, so please see the schedule on the official website for details.

Highlights of the playground equipment corner

The play equipment corner is stocked with play equipment that parents and children can enjoy, such as slides, vaulting boxes, and cushion blocks.

There is also a tunnel net, so children who want to keep their bodies moving might be very happy!

There is a staircase that goes up to the height of the second floor, and if you go up it...

A huge playground equipment modeled after an airplane catches your eye! The size is close to the life-size of a small airplane, so it has a big impact!

This giant playground equipment is called Sky Ring, and it is a playground equipment that you can go inside and play with.

This is the view inside, and there are countless rings hanging from the ceiling.

The entire wall is painted in blue sky color, so if you hang from the ring, you might feel like you're flying in the sky!

There is a slide with a height of about 2 meters near the Sky Ring, where you can enjoy a fast slide.

The speed is very fast, so it is safe for small children to skate with an adult.

Highlights of the climbing corner

The climbing corner has a climbing wall that is 7m high and 14m wide, making it one of the largest in Japan among children's facilities.

You can also try climbing using a rope. Lectures by instructors and climbing championships are sometimes held.

On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, there are beginner, intermediate, and advanced participation slots, so you can have fun depending on your level.

FugamaruSomepeople practice here before going to the climbing gym.

Shoes are required in the climbing corner, but if you forget, you can purchase them at the museum shop on the 1st floor.

We have foot sizes ranging from 18cm to 27cm, and we also sell socks.

Participants under the age of 18 must have a consent form signed by a parent or guardian, and other requirements vary depending on age, so please see the official website for details.

Art/Science Space (craft experience)

You can enjoy hands-on craft experiences in the art and science space on the 3rd floor.

The experience menu includes a wide variety of activities, including paper crafts, electronic crafts, pottery, woodworking, and science experiments.

Also, the experience menu changes weekly, so you can have a different experience every time you visit!

How to participate in the craft experience

The price for the craft experience varies depending on the experience menu, and you can apply for participation at the ticket vending machine at the 1F entrance.

Some craft experiences require advance registration, so please check the event information on the official website for details.

Corner where you can play for free

Here we will introduce in detail the experience facilities and corners where you can play for free.

outdoor space

In the outdoor space at the main entrance, play equipment such as diabolo and hula hoops can be rented out free of charge.

The outdoor space is spacious, so you can enjoy playing Diavolo to your heart's content.

On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, volunteer staff will teach you how to use diabolo, so the main entrance was crowded with children playing diabolo.

If you want to practice diabolo at home, we sell diabolo at the museum shop on the 1st floor.

Stage space (block corner)

The stage space on the second floor is where events such as music, dance, and magic shows are held, and is usually a free block play area.

There are mats that can seat about 5 to 6 people, and each mat has a basket full of blocks.

Each mat has been treated with anti-virus treatment and is regularly disinfected, so it's nice to have a safe environment to play on.

Furthermore, as a measure to prevent crowds, only one group (one family) can play on each mat, and the mats are spaced widely apart.

Disinfectants are installed inside the facility, so be sure to disinfect your hands before playing.

Capra's room (picture book corner)

The "Capra Room" on the 1st floor is a corner where you can enjoy the French block "Capra".

Each mat has a box full of couplers. (Up to 3 to 6 people per group (one family) can play on each mat)

Kapla is a block that is played using a single board of the same size and shape, and the range of expression is limitless, such as one person concentrating on stacking them, or everyone working together to create a large piece!

It is a famous block in Japan, so much so that there is a Cupra competition in which children's centers from all over the country participate.

In past FugamaruKapla competitions, works by Miekodomonoshiro users and staff won prizes.

Capra rooms are free of charge, but you will need a Capra usage tag to use them.

These tags are distributed at the Kapura reception desk at the 1st floor entrance, and are available to the first 6 groups.

You can use the card for 60 minutes at a time, and please return the tag to its original position after use.

There is a picture book corner next to Capra's room, which you can use freely without a ticket.

There are many books by picture book authors from Mie Prefecture, so adults are also welcome to check them out.

What did you think

We have brought you plenty of the latest information about Miekodomonoshiro.

The last time I used this place was when I was in elementary school, and this interview was my first visit in about 25 years.

There are more play areas than before, and I was shocked at how beautiful the planetarium was!

I've put together some points that I think are useful from a parent's perspective, so I hope you find them useful as information for outings with your child.

Fugamaru-chan icon

Fugamaru-chan (photography/article production)

He is a member of Mie Tourism's Mie Travel Camera Club and is active mainly on Twitter and Instagram as a photographer who takes pictures of Mie. We operate the Mie Photo Gallery, which distributes Mie's scenery for free, and the Mie Eetoko Tour, which disseminates Mie's latest information.

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