Ice skating, amusement park, Toys R Us, followed by an Onsen! Toshimaenamusement park in Tokyo.

Toshimaen is a place for everyone... And their dogs!

If you value rides more than parades, you shouldn't go to Disneyland.

I have to write about the most perfect day we had the other day at Toshimaen. We went ice skating, rode rides and then went Christmas shopping at a giant Toys R Us located next door.

Toshimaen is a classic amusement park in Tokyo (Nerima), with all the rides you can imagine. It's our amusement park of choice for several reasons:

When driving, the roads aren't prone to heavy traffic on weekends, by train, it's located right next to a convenient station, the ride lines require little wait time, the price is right, and there's a variety of attractions.

I loved the ice skating because it was very child friendly. 

For the small kids, the rental skates have double blades so its easier for small ones to keep their balance on the slippery ice. Plus there are helmets and pads for added safety. The workers give kids advice on skating and tips to improve.

There are also chairs with handles you can rent for 500 yen to push around the rink. Our kids had a blast getting pushed around the rink in the chair and it helped us from falling on our bums. Win-win!

In the winter, there's an ice skating rink and in the summer, there's a water slide park. There is a small petting zoo year round, beetle museum where you can hold giant beetles, outdoor and indoor playground, fishing, large dog park... (By the way, dogs are very welcome to enter the park)

It's a place for those who like Japanese anime and manga characters. There is a costume play club locatedon premises, so anyone who wants to dress up, can easily dress up as their favorite anime character or superhero and blend right in. It's also great for photos.

There are many shows on special dates, including Ultramen, Purecure, Kamen Riders, Doraimon and more.

Anyways, we frequent it regularly, so hope to see you there one weekend!

There's also an Onsen next door for persons 8 years and up.

Toshimaen Amusement Park (a quick 20-30 minute drive from central Tokyo)

So, we bought an annual pass to Toshimaen Amusement park.

When my daughter went to Disneyland for the first time, I thought she'd be more excited. Instead, she ended up being a bit grumpy. She didn't like the lines.

Well, Toshimaen is not as glamorous as Disneyland to look at, but it more than serves the purpose.

There's no Minnie or Mickey but since there is a costume enthusiasts club in the park, there are people dressed as Kamem riders and Anime characters.

Also, even on a bright and sunny weekend, it is not very crowded. They have every kind of ride from rollercoasters, bumper cars to water logs and tea cups.... haunted house ride, pirates ship...

They even have two versions of most rides: A small kiddie version and a 120 centimeter plus version.

Aside from the rides, my younger kids enjoy the bouncy land, which has 5 huge bouncy tents. My 2 year old loves the balloon room, where balloons are flying everywhere. There is also a massive outdoor sports and jungle playground, as well as a big indoor jungle gym.

The little ones under 3 can enjoy the Anpanman ride and balloon room.

There is a fish farm (small) and a beetle museum, which has a beetle petting area! The beetles are the size of mice and children can hold them in an open play zone...

My kids love the mini petting zoo, with dogs, mice, chicks in spring, a big lizard, ducks...

In the summer, there is a HUGE swimming pool and waterslide park. At night, in the summer, there are illuminations. Also, there are various character shows (for example: we are going to see the Purikyua show today), two days ago, there was an Ultraman show and this weekend there is Doraemon and Kamen Riders.

General admission is 3,900 yen for adults, 2,900 yen for kids. Admission only (pay by the ride) is 1000 yen for adults and 500 yen for kids 3 and up. The kids ride admission is 2500 yen for adults and 2000 yen for kids.

Note that the special booths charge additionally to park admission fee (most 300 yen). If your child is under 110 cm, it's best to pay by the ride (300-400 yen per ride) since a lot of the little kid attractions are not included in general admission. There are a few rides designated for 90 cm. plus.

The beetle zone (300 yen), petting zoo (500 yen), balloon room (300 yen), fishing (600 yen/30 min), bouncy area (500 yen/30 min.), and giant slide zone (300 yen/6 minutes) are not included in general admission.

There's a special now for half off admission on Mondays.

If you will go three times or more a year, I recommend an annual pass.

An annual family pass for 4 is 33,000 yen, which we will get good use from at the big water park in summer.

In short, if you want to avoid the crowds and are in the mood for a classic type of fun-park, visit Toshimaen.

Access: Toshimaen station (located right next to it)

Oh, and bring the dog. Dogs are welcome and there is a large dog play park area as well.