Tokyo mall to convert an entire floor into children’s indoor playground

Tokyo’s Solamachi mall at the foot of Tokyo Skytree in Sumida Ward plans to convert its entire fifth floor into an indoor playground for children with a target opening date of spring 2023.

The playground, Chikyu no Niwa (Garden of the Earth), will feature wooden toys and a sand pit, and be used to teach children the value of the Earth.

The playground will be divied into zones according to Aeon Fantasy Co., the Chiba City-based operator of the planned indoor facility.

The kid’s zone — mainly intended for young children up to around eight years of age — will offer large playground equipment. Special staff will be allocated to the zone to allow children to experience educational toys carefully selected from around the world.

The infant zone - for children ages 0 to three - there will be a nursing space for those wishing to nurse their babies. Additionally, there will also be a space with wooden design elements where families and couples alike will be able to relax.

The fifth floor of Tokyo Solamachi has mainly been used for the exhibition and sale of traditional local handicrafts to tourists, as well as by businesses for promotional activities. However, 10 years after the mall first opened, Tobu has now decided to turn the floor into a space that people of all ages can enjoy. The company has also been trying to attract other stores that will allow people of all ages to have a learning experience.

“We hope many people will visit [the playground] as it will offer the sort of enjoyable experience rarely found at other malls,” said a Tokyo Solamachi representative.

Image: Concept for proposed indoor playground. Supplied