Introducing Nanbu Children’s Center

Hello, this is Aikero, writer for [Sarukuma].

Today I’d like to introduce [Nanbu Children’s Center], located in Minamitakae, Minami Ward, Kumamoto City.《Nanbu Children’s Center Opening Hours》
Morning: 9:15 AM – 11:30 AM (priority for infants and toddlers)
Afternoon: 1:00 PM – 4:20 PM (priority for elementary school children)

★ These are priority times only — it doesn’t mean you can’t visit outside of them.
★ The center is completely closed from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM.
★ Open to everyone, whether you live inside or outside Kumamoto City.

Nanbu Children’s Center is housed inside the Nanbu Community Center (Nanbu Machizukuri Center).The parking lot is right next to the main entrance.There’s a ramp too, so strollers can roll right in (^○^)
Walk past the bicycle parking from the main lot, and you’ll find [Minamitakae Icchobata Park] tucked behind the building (^^)/

[Minamitakae Icchobata Park – Minamitakae, Minami Ward, Kumamoto City] A Neighborhood Park with a Tarzan Rope

We’ve also covered this park on Sarukuma, so feel free to read about it together with this article ♪
Once you step inside the community center, look for the Kumamon sign on your left and head that way ♪
Strollers can be parked in the area at the back of the photo.You’ll take your shoes off here before going inside (a classic Japanese custom!).
Inside, you’ll see a low table.
First-time visitors can fill out the registration form here (^^)/
If you’ve been before, your card is stored here — just grab it.
Place your card on the designated spot at the counter (^^)Restrooms are available inside Nanbu Children’s Center.
There’s a boys’ restroom tucked behind the shoe lockers.Diaper changes and breastfeeding can be done inside the library room within the children’s center.
A diaper-changing mat is provided, but please take used diapers home with you (^^)When breastfeeding, hang this card on the library door and lock it from the inside for privacy.

Newsletters from various children’s centers and parenting support centers across Kumamoto City are posted on the wall.

For info on craft activities and events, check the Nanbu Children’s Center Newsletter (toddler edition and elementary edition) (^^)/
Just search [Nanbu Jidoukan Kumamoto] online and you’ll find it ♪

Can I attend just the events even if I don’t normally come?
Absolutely, yes!

On Body Measurement Card Making Day, you can take your child’s hand and footprints to make an original keepsake card ♪
Some families head home right after the measurement, and it’s totally fine to come for the event as your first visit ♪
The actual body measurement is held the week after card-making, but anyone can join even if they didn’t attend the card-making session, so don’t worry (^^)/

Highlights of Nanbu Children’s Center

Here’s the main hall!
It has slides and a cute little playhouse that kids will love (●＾o＾●)Right by the entrance is a tatami-mat baby zone — a lovely, soft Japanese-style space.
Baby cots are available in this baby corner and inside the library room.Next to the baby corner are larger building blocks.
There’s also Plarail (Japan’s beloved toy train sets).
There are two sizes of vaulting boxes!
A larger slide takes center stage in the middle of the hall.It wasn’t here on the day I came to report, but a new piece of play equipment was installed by the time I came back!
I forgot to take a wide shot, but it’s an arch-shaped climbing structure made of net-like rope.
Even my one-year-old son was able to climb up and play on his own (^^) ♪

The wooden kitchen play area sits on tatami too, so you can settle in and relax (#^.^#)The shelf next to the kitchen holds wooden building blocks and toys.Here’s a notice about the wooden toys.
If your child puts a toy in their mouth, please bring it to the front desk (^^)/
A bit further away, near the playhouse, you’ll find a pretend-play kitchen set.And get this — the doorbell on this little playhouse actually rings!!Pull this and a baby comes along behind you (●＾o＾●) heheThere are baby-friendly toys near the kitchen too ♪Puzzle toys are also available.Here are the rules for the library room.Manga and children’s books line the shelves.
Baby toys are available inside the library room as well.Apparently this was once given out as a craft kit at a previous event!

Toys are also available to borrow at the front counter.
The selection rotates between toddler-friendly toys in the morning and elementary-school-friendly toys in the afternoon.

Pictured here is the toddler toy lineup.When I visited on a Sunday afternoon, we borrowed Jenga from the elementary-school toy selection and played together ♪
These elementary-school-aged toys are available for loan starting at 1:00 PM.
These are separate from the counter-loan toys and are mostly designed for outdoor play.Step outside the children’s center and you’ll find a small playground area.
There’s a fairly challenging set of monkey bars, andsome quirky animal-shaped play equipment ♪
Tables and benches are available too.
There’s outdoor play equipment near the entrance to Nanbu Children’s Center, too.
Ah, the unicycle — what a nostalgic sight!
I never did learn how to ride a unicycle and ended up an adult who still can’t…(￣▽￣;)

The first time I took my child to a children’s center, I was honestly nervous because I had no idea what to expect.
If you’ve felt the same way, I hope this article gives you a little glimpse — “Oh, so this is what Nanbu Children’s Center is like!” or “I’ve been curious about it… maybe I’ll give it a try!” That would make me so happy (●＾o＾●)

[Minamitakae Icchobata Park – Minamitakae, Minami Ward, Kumamoto City] A Neighborhood Park with a Tarzan Rope

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Frequently Asked Questions

※Information is current as of the time of reporting. Prices and opening hours may change. Please verify before visiting.