Full-Scale Water Play! Spending the Summer at Yokohama Shiki-no-Mori Park's "Splash Pond"

On a summer holiday, we visited Yokohama's "Shiki-no-Mori Park / Splash Pond" with the aim of water play. Based on personal experiences, we introduce tips for thoroughly enjoying a comfortable day, from items brought along, lunch, to tips for avoiding crowds.

Shiki no Mori Park - Have a full day at the splash pond

"Shiki no Mori Park," located in Midori Ward, Yokohama City, is about a 15-minute walk from Nakayama Station on the JR Yokohama Line. It has good access from the Kanto region and is a spacious park with a variety of giant slides and large playground equipment, set in a naturally rich environment.

Among its attractions, the water play spot "Jabujabu Pond" draws particular attention in the summer. It is especially popular among families with small children, and even on this day, they played with all their might throughout the day from morning.

The refreshing time spent playing with water in nature is a moment that both parents and children can enjoy to recharge. Preparing for a full day of play here will make your time even more fulfilling.

Packing list for spending a day at Shiki no Mori Park

Sandals (sports sandals)
Swimsuit
Hat
Towel
Easy tent
Change of clothes (quick-dry T-shirt, etc.)
Cooler bag & ice packs
Lunch & drinks
Bug-catching net

To comfortably play in the splash pool, it's important to prepare in advance. Among the items that were particularly useful this time, the standout was the non-slip and secure sports sandals. Not just for the children, adults also brought sandals with the expectation of getting wet.

Swimsuits, hats to avoid the sun, and towels are also essential items. Additionally, a simple tent served well as a resting space.

Even in areas with few shade trees, being able to create your own shade makes a big difference in comfort. Moving with the mindset of getting wet, dirty, and changing clothes minimizes stress in any situation.

By packing the lunch in a cooler bag with ice packs, the food stayed just the right temperature when it was time to eat, and the children happily reached for it. We spread out the lunch inside the tent and enjoyed a leisurely lunch time outside.

The best time to enter the pond is around 9 AM.

The splash pool is a popular spot, so the level of congestion changes greatly depending on the time of day. After 10 AM, the number of visitors begins to increase, and by 11 AM, the best positions around the pool tend to be filled. If you want to spend a comfortable time, arriving in the 9 AM hour is ideal.

Once you arrive on site, the first step is to secure a base for your belongings. After that, changing the kids’ clothes and starting water play immediately makes for a smooth flow. There are also restrooms and handwashing areas near the pool, which is a convenient point for breaks and mobility.

Adults should also wear clothes that are easy to move in and can get wet! Quick-drying T-shirts, shorts, and sandals.

At the splash pool, adults accompanying children will get wet without exception. To ensure safety by the water, it’s a must for parents to wear clothes that allow for easy movement and that they don’t mind getting wet. This time, I used a quick-drying T-shirt and shorts, and waterproof sandals. Of course, having a hat and sunscreen is essential, and sunglasses can offer even more comfort. A relaxed attitude of “it’s okay to get wet” is more important than style when it comes to the satisfaction of water play.

It was definitely a good idea to prepare and bring a bento.

Around the splash pool in Shiki no Mori Park, there seem to be no stands in sight as far as the eye can see, making it difficult to obtain drinks and food on-site. This time, I prepared a bento in advance, which turned out to be a great decision.

You can also enjoy fireflies in Shiki no Mori

In fact, Shiki no Mori Park is famous as a firefly viewing spot in June. Genji fireflies appear in mid-June, while Heike fireflies can be seen from early July to early August.

This year as well, I visited the park at night with the children in early summer, spending time enveloped by the gentle light of the fireflies.

These seasonal pleasures and memories unique to summer make me want to enjoy all day long, not just at the splash pool, until it gets dark.

With just a bit of preparation, summer can become even more comfortable for the family.

This time, we headed to Shiki-no-Mori Park with the purpose of "water play." In the spacious grounds and rich nature, children played with smiles and adults were able to relax, making it a fulfilling day.

With a little ingenuity in items brought along and by choosing the right times to visit, you can skillfully navigate the heat and crowds. When you're unsure how to spend a summer holiday with your family, the splash pond, where you can play wholeheartedly and return feeling refreshed, is undoubtedly one of the best options.

Kanagawa Prefectural Shiki-no-Mori Park
Location: 291 Terayama-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Access: About 15 minutes from the south exit of JR Yokohama Line or the No. 2 exit of Yokohama City Subway Green Line to the park's north entrance; parking for 165 standard cars
Hours of operation: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (8:30 AM - 6:00 PM from May 1 to September 30)

Coverage & Text by SYURI

Search Cooler on Amazon