
Shonandai Culture Center Children's Museum
A charming museum featuring a global collection of antique toys, instruments, and interactive exhibits, perfect for family fun.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more space to explore

Shonandai Culture Center Children's Museum
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more space to explore
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A charming museum featuring a global collection of antique toys, instruments, and interactive exhibits, perfect for family fun.
"Kids could have stayed here all day; it's worth the drive for the antique toys and games!"

🚗 Arrive Early for Parking
Parking can fill up quickly on busy days. Arriving early ensures a spot and often includes free parking for the first 2 hours with a ticket.
💰 Budget-Friendly Entry
Entrance fees are very affordable, especially for children. Consider the planetarium for an additional fee.

Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4 · 757 reviews
Type
Museum
Website
kodomokan.jpHighlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Antique Toy Collection
Exhibition Hall
Explore a charming collection of vintage toys, instruments, and games from around the world.
Interactive Exhibits
Exhibition Hall
Engage with hands-on stations, including a popular face-painting booth.
Planetarium Shows
Planetarium
Enjoy well-presented planetarium shows, offering an educational and entertaining experience.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Beat the Weekend Crowds
Affordable Family Fun
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Arrive Early for Parking
Parking can fill up quickly on busy days. Arriving early ensures a spot and often includes free parking for the first 2 hours with a ticket.
💰 Budget-Friendly Entry
Entrance fees are very affordable, especially for children. Consider the planetarium for an additional fee.
☔ Perfect Rainy Day Activity
This museum is an excellent indoor option for families when the weather isn't cooperating.
🕰️ Allow Ample Time
Kids can easily spend hours here! Plan for at least 2-3 hours to fully enjoy the exhibits.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Arrive Early for Parking
Parking can fill up quickly on busy days. Arriving early ensures a spot and often includes free parking for the first 2 hours with a ticket.
💰 Budget-Friendly Entry
Entrance fees are very affordable, especially for children. Consider the planetarium for an additional fee.
☔ Perfect Rainy Day Activity
This museum is an excellent indoor option for families when the weather isn't cooperating.
🕰️ Allow Ample Time
Kids can easily spend hours here! Plan for at least 2-3 hours to fully enjoy the exhibits.
👂 Be Prepared for Noise
It's a children's museum, so expect it to be lively and a bit noisy, but it's part of the fun!
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the Shonandai Culture Center Children's Museum for its affordable entry fees, charming antique toy collection, and interactive exhibits that delight children of all ages. The convenient location near Shonandai Station and available parking are also highlighted as positives. While the museum can be noisy on busy days and the architecture reflects its older construction, the overall experience is highly recommended for families seeking engaging and budget-friendly fun.
"Staff are helpful. There are clear indications for tickets, QR-codes for exhibits, and facilities are generally clean. Workshops and planetarium shows have good presentation.
On weekends, holidays and during special times (mornings or just after opening) you’ll see more people. Still, even on busy days, many report you can move around and enjoy the exhibits without feeling overwhelmed. Parking can be full, so arriving early helps.
Very reasonable. Entrance fees are about ¥300 for adults, ¥100 for children for the exhibition hall; planetarium costs more (¥500/¥200 for adult/child).
Very convenient. ~5 minutes walk from Shonandai Station (Odakyu Enoshima Line / Sotetsu Izumino Line / Yokohama Blue Line) to east exit. Parking available (underground), and parking fees are partially waived/free for first 2 hours if showing museum ticket."
ハナさん
"If you're looking for a place to take the kids when it's raining this is the place! It would also be nice to explore the outside on nicer days.
My kids could have stayed here all day. I have a 6, 3 and 1 year old. The facility had a 70's vibe with antique toys, instruments and games the kids could play with from around the world. There were multiple stations they could explore. The face painting station was also a hit among many others. It's definitely worth the drive!
We were there for 2 hours and parking was free, not sure if they start charging after a certain amount of time. It's 300 yen per Adult and my 6 year old cost 100 yen. The others were free."
Cecilia Campbell
"The visit to the museum was a lot of fun for us (even as adults). You should be prepared for the museum to be a bit noisy, but it was worth looking at the toys, clothes, books, and musical instruments. If you have children or are interested in these topics yourself, you should visit this museum if you are nearby. I was also able to see a sumikko gurashi movie there and I had a lot of fun."
Rose Hieke
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The museum is conveniently located about a 5-minute walk from Shonandai Station, accessible via the Odakyu Enoshima Line, Sotetsu Izumino Line, and Yokohama Blue Line.
Yes, there is underground parking available. Parking fees are often partially waived or free for the first 2 hours when you show your museum ticket.
You can reach Shonandai Station using the Odakyu Enoshima Line, Sotetsu Izumino Line, or the Yokohama Blue Line.
Absolutely! Its proximity to Shonandai Station makes it very accessible by various train lines.
Yes, it's a short and easy walk of about 5 minutes from the east exit of Shonandai Station.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entrance fees are very reasonable. The exhibition hall is approximately ¥300 for adults and ¥100 for children. Planetarium shows have separate fees, around ¥500 for adults and ¥200 for children.
Yes, children have significantly lower entry fees. While not explicitly mentioned for seniors, the overall pricing is very affordable for all ages.
Advance booking is generally not required for the exhibition hall, but it's always a good idea to check their official website for any special events or planetarium show schedules that might require reservations.
Operating hours can vary, especially for the planetarium. It's best to check the official Shonandai Culture Center website for the most up-to-date information on opening times and show schedules.
Yes, the planetarium shows have a separate admission fee, which is typically higher than the exhibition hall entrance fee.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You'll find a delightful mix of antique toys, musical instruments, games from around the world, and interactive stations. There's also a popular face-painting station.
Yes, the museum is great for a wide age range, including toddlers. The variety of exhibits ensures there's something engaging for different age groups.
The museum often hosts workshops and planetarium shows with good presentations. It's advisable to check their schedule for any ongoing events during your visit.
The museum has a charming '70s vibe with its antique collections. It can be a bit noisy due to the nature of a children's museum, but it's generally a fun and lively atmosphere.
Reviews indicate that the facilities are generally clean and well-maintained, contributing to a pleasant visitor experience.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Information on on-site dining is limited, but it's common for such cultural centers to have vending machines or a small cafe. It's recommended to check their official website or inquire upon arrival.
While not explicitly stated, many Japanese cultural facilities allow visitors to bring their own snacks and drinks to consume in designated areas. It's best to confirm this policy beforehand.
Given its location near Shonandai Station, you'll likely find various dining options in the surrounding area, from casual eateries to more formal restaurants.
The area around Shonandai Station typically offers a range of Japanese cuisine, fast food, and cafes to suit different tastes and budgets.
While the museum itself might not have extensive dining, the vicinity offers plenty of family-friendly restaurants.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography is generally allowed in most areas, especially for personal use. However, always be mindful of other visitors and any specific signage regarding photography restrictions in certain exhibits or shows.
While not explicitly detailed, it's common practice in museums to prohibit flash photography to protect exhibits and avoid disturbing others. Check for any posted rules.
The unique antique toy collection and the impressive architecture of the building itself offer great photo opportunities. The planetarium dome can also be visually striking.
Even on busy days, visitors report being able to move around and enjoy the exhibits. Patience and strategic timing can help capture good shots.
The diverse collection of international toys and instruments, along with the retro aesthetic of the museum, provides many visually interesting subjects for photography.




Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit