Hakuhinkan Toy Park

On Mother's Day we headed for the Odaiba Toys R Us, still in search of those Kumon videos. Andrew and Daddy played on a pink stuffed elephant/cat thing, while Mommy found a cool stuffed toy. It's a white piece of stuffed coral and comes with tons of fish (including a "nemo" and "dori" fish) that stick to the coral with velcro.


After Odaiba, we had to pass through Ginza at the Shimbashi station. Without help of a map or address, Mr. Engineer lead us right to the Hakuhinkan Toy Park. We've visited before, and as always it's a site to see. Five floors of toys upon toys upon toys. This time, WE were lucky, as Mr. Andrew fell asleep on the train ride. He slept through all five floors of wanderings, and awoke just as we crossed the street after leaving. What luck! :0


When we arrived at the toy store, the street was blocked off (I think this is a regular weekend "thing" in Ginza and Akihabara "Electric Town"), while kids played jumbo sized games in the street. Two girls were playing jumbo Jenga, and there on the other side was the Pop Up Pirate game, also jumbo-sized.


One of my favorite signs in Japan is the "clash" sign hanging at the Hakuhinkan Toy Park. Last year when we visited, the sign was warning about a huge globe hanging from the ceiling. This time, it is cautioning onlookers that a big 3D puzzle of a World Cup soccer ball may come "clashing" down from the ceiling.


Now THAT'S a train table for playing...


I apologize, I truly do, if this is offensive. It was somewhat offensive to me in the store, but I just had to show how different the Japanese society is from American society. If you sold something like this in a normal toy store, you'd be sued by someone, I'm sure. Believe it or not, this is pudding. *sigh*


Same goes for advertising the kodomo biiru (children's beer) here in Japanese society. Okay so kids want to be like adults. And yes what is inside that bottle is NOT beer. But do they have to advertise it so much like beer? This one doesn't settle so well with me. It is actually a non-alcoholic drink which contains guarana and tastes like cola, sold in brown glass bottles and has a frothy, lager like head when poured. It's even served at restaurants across the city. More details here. Lovely.


Late for a date? Forgot her birthday? Too busy at the office to go shopping? Head to the local toy store and purchase a ready made gift (complete with wrapping paper or shopping bag) from the toy vending machines located outside.


Build-a-Bear is international! Went searching for a kimono or jinbei for Momma Chicken. Found several here, of course, but they were 2750Yen each (over $25). That's as much as Momma Chicken cost from Build-a-Bear a couple of years ago!