In the Area

• Gimmicky dentist ideal for a kid's first visit

  Fujimi-shi

  If you want your child to fall in love with the dentist, this place is about as appealing as they come for small children. However, I regret to say that in my experience the dentists are lacking in skill and experience. The reception and support staff though are very friendly and helpful. The dental clinic is located in Lalaport in Fujimi, which makes it convenient if you want to combine shopping and/or an outing to the cinema or play centres. The clinic is very bright and colourful, with bold murals of children's characters on the wall. The furnishings in the dentist's rooms are also brightly coloured. They have a nice, but small play area in reception with a flat screen TV showing cartoons. There is also a screen in the dentist’s room. The space is very relaxing for small children. The children are given a small book in the same print as the murals on the wall, to keep a record of their visits and any work they have had done. They are also given a gachapon coin after each visit, which they can use in the dentist's gachapon. A gachapon is a vending machine dispensing capsule toys. The gachapon in this dentist usually has erasers in the shape of animals or food in it. The biggest turn off of this dental clinic is that they push you to visit regularly, even when there is nothing wrong with your teeth. This has not been my experience with other dentists in Saitama. This dental clinic is open 10 am to 8 pm, seven days a week. The parking is the same as Lalaport parking, which is free. The closest parking is the 3rd floor of number 6 and number 7 car parks. The clinic is located on the 2nd floor beside Akachan Honpo.

  

• Unique play area using projection mapping

  Fujimi-shi

  Team Lab Islands is a unique play area using modern technology such as projection mapping to create a stimulating and interactive space for young children. On weekends it is particularly busy and it is not unusual to have to queue to get in. The queue generally moves quite quickly. My kids enjoyed it, but half an hour was enough for them. Due to the use of light and projection mapping, the play centre is set in darkness, which I think we all found a bit tiring. Still they have some unique activities that are worth checking out. My younger children enjoyed pushing the large balls around, that change colour when you interact with them or when they hit of something. My 3 year old loved playing on the computer generated stepping stones, which my 6 year old enthusiastically designed on the touch screen computer used for this purpose. The projection mapping art aquarium was a big hit with them all. You colour in fish, provided by the centre, then the staff project it into a large, full wall sized, aquarium. They open 10 am to 6 pm seven days a week, but last entry is at 5.30 pm. They have 2 systems: pay by the half hour or pay for a day pass. Children under 2 are free. It is located on the 2nd floor of Lalaport. Car parks 6 and 7 are closest. Parking is free. By train it is a bit of a journey that requires a bus trip too and the buses aren't that frequent, so if at all possible I advise going by car.

  

• Take a break while the kids play

  Fujimi-shi

  This is my go-to cafe for a bit of break from the kids, while with the kids.  It is one of the few places I know that allow children play unsupervised, unless they are 3 years old or under. The play area is sectioned off from the cafe area, but it is clearly visible. You can sit facing the area and watch your kids while you enjoy a coffee and cake.  You have to pay per child to use the play centre.The menu isn't very extensive, but its really only a place for a light snack or treat. The cakes are quite nice and they change the options periodically. Despite having a play area, it doesn't have much in the line of children's food or drinks. They do lay out a jug of water that you can help yourself to for free. It is also one of the few places I know with a dedicated work space, with laptop connections, chargers and wide desk space. The cafe area has large stuffed animals dotted all over the seating area of the cafe. Among there is a large giraffe, elephant, pig, horse and cow. The ambiance of the cafe is quite nice. The staff are friendly enough, but as far as I know none of them speak English. It opens 10 am to 9 pm seven days a week. The nearest parking is car parks number six and seven. Both are indoors. All parking in Lalaport is free. By train you would also need to get a bus and the buses are not very frequent so when possible coming by car is much more convenient.

  

• Japan's 1st lego school

  Fujimi-shi

  Japan’s 1st lego school, an after school education programme, opened in Lalaport, Fujimi in April 2015. Others have opened since. Next door, is the lego store. The lego store is open to the public, but you need to make a booking for the lego school.The lego school has trial classes you can book. They work to a schedule and the next round of trial lessons start next week and run until April 1st. The classes are also worked to a schedule. You can see the schedule on their website. They do the classes by age group. Other schools offer classes from 1 year old up, but the Fujimi Lalaport school's youngest class is for two year olds up. The lego store sells lego sets as well as individual pieces by a pick and mix option, a bit like the click and brick stores in Tokyo. It is a nice bright and colourful shop. There are two small play tables and a wall area that kids can use and play with lego for free. To be honest, I find the lego here more expensive than online or in toy stores. The lego store is located on the second floor of Lalaport. It is open from 10 am to 9 pm, seven days a week. The school is open from 10 am to 6 pm from Wednesday to Sunday, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. You can use Lalaport's parking and it is free. The nearest car parks are parking six and seven, which are indoor parking and they have a trolley point with trolleys that babies and toddlers can sit in.. 

  

• Colourful and fun Character arcade and shop with goods and games

  Fujimi-shi

  Cocoro Base is a hybrid character goods and video arcade store. It is not particularly big and it is not noisy and crowded like a regular video arcade. Located on the 2nd floor of Lalaport where there is a concentration of children's shops, Cocoro Base is most popular with children aged between about 5 and 10 years old. At the front of the store is a giant display like a page from a manga. They have a blank spot to stand in as if you were in the manga. It is a popular spot for families to take photos, which you are free to take. In the store they have some games that you can play with for free and a couple that are charged. It is here that I saw the funniest game I've ever seen in Japan (pictured). The game involves directing the rear end of bent over ojiisan (old men) at poo, and releasing a fart to attack the poo. Very much an only in Japan moment. Crazy fun all the same. As you can imagine there was a long line of young boys waiting to play. There are some interactive screen activities in the store too. The shop also sells manga related goods. They have yokai watch, Dragonball and some other manga and computer game character goods. The store is really bright, spacious and comfortable. They change their displays, games and goods quite often which keeps it interesting for kids and parents alike.The store is open from 10 am to 9 pm seven days a week. Parking is shared with Lalaport mall and is free. The nearest indoor car parking is car parking lots six and seven.