Kodomonokuni Theme Park

Kodomonokuni Theme Park, whose name means “Children's Country,” is a large family recreation park in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, in the Tama Hills near Tokyo. It is designed primarily for young children and families rather than teenagers or thrill-seeking visitors. The site covers approximately 240 acres, or about 97 hectares, and combines amusement-park attractions with open landscapes, play areas, farm facilities, water activities, seasonal recreation, and venues for group use. The park originated as a commemorative project associated with the royal marriage of Crown Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko in 1959. It was formally opened on May 5, 1965, a Japanese national holiday celebrated as Children's Day. Its commemorative origins remain visible in the park's memorial architecture, although the facility operates primarily as a public-oriented family leisure destination rather than as a royal attraction. Kodomonokuni makes extensive use of its natural setting. Major facilities include a children's petting zoo, a dairy farm and milk plant, a boating lake known as Hakuchōko or Swan Lake, barbecue areas, playgrounds, a camellia grove, an outdoor swimming complex, a seasonal ice-skating rink, and group accommodation at the Nature Training Center. The park also provides transport and sightseeing rides within the grounds, including the Akapoppo-go Park Bus and the electrically powered mini steam locomotive Taiyo. These attractions emphasize accessible, low-intensity recreation and exploration of the park's landscape rather than large-scale roller coasters or high-adrenaline rides. Food and agricultural products form an important part of the visitor experience. Milk from cows raised at the park's farm is used in locally recognized products including soft-serve ice cream and Sun Green, a specialty non-homogenized milk product. The farm is operated under commission by Snow Brand Kodomonokuni Farm Co., Ltd., an affiliate of Megmilk Snow Brand. The milk plant was donated by Snow Brand Milk Products, linking the park's agricultural facilities with the dairy-industry history of its site. The park also contains facilities with historical and cultural significance. A memorial hall built in 1972 was originally known as the Crown Prince's Wedding Memorial Hall. After substantial renovation, it was renamed the Heisei Memorial Hall in May 2021. The renovated building provides an open interior and reservable space, replacing the former auditorium configuration. The Tsubaki no Mori camellia grove incorporates a collection originally assembled by Chōka Adachi and later donated to the park by Shiseido. Kodomonokuni is accessible by the Tokyu Kodomonokuni Line through Kodomonokuni Station, as well as by bus from Aobadai Station and Tsurukawa Station. Its combination of nature, animals, farm products, playgrounds, and seasonal facilities gives it a distinctive position within Japan's family-entertainment sector. The available reference material does not identify a standalone listed parent company, public ticker, or a separate commercial corporate owner for the park.

Kodomonokuni was conceived in connection with the 1959 marriage of Crown Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko. The project commemorated the royal marriage and established a substantial recreational site intended for children and families. Rather than being developed solely as a conventional amusement park, the facility incorporated the natural terrain of the Tama Hills and a broad range of outdoor activities. The park officially opened on May 5, 1965, coinciding with Children's Day, a national holiday in Japan. From its opening, its identity centered on children, families, and access to nature. The approximately 97-hectare site allowed the park to include large open spaces alongside structured attractions, making it distinct from compact urban amusement facilities. Its facilities have included playgrounds, animal areas, a farm, boating, barbecue areas, swimming pools, and venues for group use. Agriculture and dairy production became notable elements of the park's operating identity. Snow Brand Milk Products donated the farm and milk plant, while Snow Brand Kodomonokuni Farm Co., Ltd., an affiliate of Megmilk Snow Brand, later managed and operated the farm under commission from the Kodomonokuni Association. Milk produced from cows raised at the park is used for products such as soft-serve ice cream and Sun Green, a specialty non-homogenized milk product associated with the venue. A memorial facility was added in 1972. Originally called the Crown Prince's Wedding Memorial Hall, it contained a 420-seat hall beneath a large roof and was used for recitals, ceremonies, and other events. After major renovation, the building's interior was substantially reconfigured. In May 2021, its official name changed to the Crown Prince Akihito Wedding Memorial Hall, commonly referred to as the Heisei Memorial Hall. The renovated first floor no longer used the former auditorium arrangement and instead provided a spacious open area, with some portions available for private reservation. Other elements of the park reflect partnerships and donations. The Tsubaki no Mori camellia grove contains a collection first assembled by Chōka Adachi, subsequently acquired by Shiseido, and donated to Kodomonokuni. Much of the playground equipment was donated by the Japan Lottery Association. These contributions helped build a park model based on public-oriented recreation and community-supported facilities. The park's attractions have continued to combine transport rides with landscape access. The Akapoppo-go Park Bus uses three locomotive-style trailer cars and serves several points within the grounds. The mini steam locomotive Taiyo operates from the Mini Steam Locomotive station, traveling at approximately 6 km/h on a short circuit. Its operation uses electricity generated primarily by a solar-power installation near the station, with supplemental grid power; surplus solar electricity can be used by other park facilities when the ride is not operating. Today, Kodomonokuni remains a Yokohama family destination accessible by the Tokyu Kodomonokuni Line and by bus from nearby stations. Its enduring identity is based less on a single signature thrill ride than on the combination of natural scenery, child-scaled recreation, animals, dairy products, seasonal facilities, and commemorative history.

1. 2021Memorial hall renamed after renovation

   Following major renovation, the memorial hall was renamed the Heisei Memorial Hall in May 2021.

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2. 1972Memorial hall constructed

   A memorial hall was constructed and originally named the Crown Prince's Wedding Memorial Hall.

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3. 1965Official opening

   The park officially opened on May 5, Children's Day in Japan.

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4. 1959Commemorative project established

   Kodomonokuni was founded as a project commemorating the marriage of Crown Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko.

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A nature-rich, child-focused family recreation park that combines amusement facilities, farm experiences, seasonal sports, and open-air leisure in the Tama Hills.

• Sun GreenDairy product

  A specialty non-homogenized milk product produced at the park's milk plant using milk from dairy cows raised on the park farm. Sun Green is one of Kodomonokuni's recognized local food offerings and connects the visitor experience with the site's agricultural facilities.

• Soft-serve ice creamFood and beverage

  Soft-serve ice cream made from milk obtained from cows raised at the park's farm. It is presented as one of Kodomonokuni's well-known visitor refreshments.

• Mini Steam Locomotive TaiyoAmusement ride

  A steam-locomotive-style ride carrying up to 30 passengers. It runs at approximately 6 km/h on a roughly five-minute circuit from the Mini Steam Locomotive station and uses electricity generated primarily by a nearby solar-power system.

• Akapoppo-go Park BusPark transport

  A three-car, locomotive-themed trailer bus serving the Mini Steam Locomotive station, the pool and skating-rink area, Seseragi Square near Swan Lake, and the farm entrance. The train-like vehicle has capacity for 56 passengers and completes its route in approximately 25 minutes.

• Hakuchōko (Swan Lake)Water recreation

  The park's boating lake, where visitors can rent rowboats and rafts. It is integrated into the park's broader nature-oriented recreation offer.

1. Kodomonokuni Theme Park
2. Kodomonokuni official website