Welcome to Minamata Kinoomocha-kan Kirara

Hello travelers! Kanao here, writing for Sarukuma.

Today, I’d love to introduce you to a wonderful spot in Tsukiura, Minamata City:
Minamata Kinoomocha-kan Kirara (Minamata Wooden Toy Museum Kirara) (^^)

This cozy indoor facility is tucked inside Eco Park Minamata, right next to the local roadside station (Michi-no-Eki).

It’s a brand-new facility that opened in April 2022 😉
Plus, there’s plenty of free parking available 🚗

The welcome sign right at the entrance is also crafted from wood — adorable, isn’t it? ♪

Once inside, your temperature is checked and you pay the admission fee (cash only).

Here’s a look at the admission rates!

[Minamata City Residents]

・Adults (junior high school and up): 200 yen ・Children (elementary school and under): 100 yen

[Non-Residents]

・Adults (junior high school and up): 300 yen ・Children (elementary school and under): 100 yen

Adult prices differ slightly between Minamata residents and visitors from outside the city, but children’s prices are a flat 100 yen across the board ☺️

If you purchase a coupon book, you’ll get two free entries — a sweet deal for repeat visitors ✨

On busier days such as weekends, there may be time limits on play, but in general there’s no set time limit ♪

Behind the reception desk, you’ll find handcrafted wooden toys for sale,

so if you fall in love with one of the toys you’ve played with, you can take it home as a souvenir 🥰

Near the entrance, there’s a fully equipped nursing room 🍼 The wide bench makes nursing comfortable and easy (^^)

Both the women’s restroom and the multipurpose restroom are equipped with diaper-changing stations ◎

Inside Minamata Kinoomocha-kan Kirara

Kirara’s play spaces are divided by age group ♪

This is the “Yochi-yochi Zone” (Toddler Zone) — a play area designed for infants up to age 3 😚

Just look at how adorable this is — absolutely charming!

Because this area is built for little ones, there are no choking-hazard sized toys, and the floor uses naturally non-slip wood, so you can let your child play with total peace of mind ♡

There’s a hide-and-seek tunnel, toys where acorns roll along making gentle clinking sounds — every detail sparks wonder and excitement!

There’s even a special box where you can drop toys that your baby has put in their mouth — the staff will clean them, so it’s perfectly hygienic ◎

This is the “Wooden Ball Pool”. It comes with low steps, which are great for wobbly toddlers practicing climbing (^^)

My son’s favorite way to play here is to toss the balls outside the pool ^^;

This is the “Ladybug Ride”.

Kids zoom along by pushing with their own feet 🐞 There’s also a Honeybee Ride to enjoy 🐝

Next up! The “Zoki no Hiroba Zone” (Woodland Plaza Zone)

This space is designed for children aged 3 through the early elementary school years ☆

※Babies and toddlers are also welcome in the Zoki no Hiroba Zone ♪ However, since some smaller toys are placed here, please keep an eye on younger children to make sure they don’t swallow any pieces 💦

This one is a huge hit!! The “Wooden Bug Hunt”.

Kids use a magnetic wooden stick to catch tiny bug figurines ♪ Apparently, there are 100 little bugs in total! Bug-catching baskets are provided, so why not gather the family and try a bug hunt together?

And here’s the “Wooden Slide Ball Pool”

The corners of the slide are nicely rounded, so kids can play safely ◎

My son absolutely loves this one 😝 He climbs up the slide backwards to slide down, or rolls balls down from the top 😙

Toward the back, there’s a pretend Café area and a play Kitchen!

Not just play ingredients — there are also seasonings and cooking utensils,

so girls and boys alike can enjoy cooking up imaginary meals with the whole family 🍅

Weekdays are a real hidden gem here, so if you’d like a relaxed, less crowded experience, weekday visits are highly recommended ☆

The staff are incredibly kind and warm (some are wonderfully chatty, too ♡), so please come and visit Minamata Kinoomocha-kan Kirara for yourself! 💓

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Frequently Asked Questions

※Information is current as of the time of reporting. Prices and opening hours are subject to change. Please confirm before your visit.