CONTRIBUTED BY CLAIRE BRAY-COLLINS

Mihama Front
Mihama Front

Tot and I love a good quarter mile roller slide over a freeway, like the one at Urasoe Park, a not-so-miniature “Navy S.E.A.L.’s” training site or a hair-raising ride on a “tilt-and-hurl” spinner like those at the Okinawa Convention Center, or even a vaguely supported free fall down those wicked drop slides we happen upon in the strangest places. In short, we really dig the ample and most entertaining playgrounds here on Okinawa. But sometimes an excursion to the park is just not an option; like when the weather’s not cooperating, Mommy’s bum knee is acting up, or Newt (our latest addition), has chosen to forgo her morning snooze for some family fun…Enter Oki’s other awesome post-naptime venue: The indoor play place.

Mihama Inside
Mihama Inside

I’m happy to report there’s a new such venue open in American Village: Mihama Kid’s Park! Despite the name, this IS an indoor facility. I am not certain (my limited language skills may have hampered this particular interaction), but I believe this new kid-spot may be owned/operated by the same folks who opened Xystus Kid’s Land a few months ago. In any case, M.K.P. although smaller, is as clean and as engaging for my kiddos as its larger counterpart (for those who have yet to venture down route 85 in Uruma to Xystus, it’s really clean and loads of fun).

Mihama Blocks
Mihama Blocks

Tot had a blast running, romping, sliding, bouncing and climbing throughout the labyrinth of raised tunnels, slides, ball pits, trampolines, zip lines, swings and bouncy balls. There’s a smaller ball pit for wee ones, which Newt thoroughly enjoyed; as well as big blocks for building and a few play houses and several rocking horses and “Rody” (inflatable) horses around accessible to all ages.

Mihama Toddler
Mihama Toddler
Mihama Seating
Mihama Seating
Mihama Nursing
Mihama Nursing

M.K.P. offers a full service café offering fried chicken, curry, spaghetti with meat sauce, loco-moco and various sides (regular plates average about 500-600 yen, 300-400 yen for kids’ plates) as well ice cream and beverages. There is a large seating area in front of the play structures, as well as a semi-separate café area in the front. They have kid-friendly bathrooms and a small nursing/feeding room equipped with a changing crib. I asked about WiFi, and was told it was coming soon.

They are happy to accommodate birthday parties, and have an area of seating they will rope off (but no private rooms), the cost for parties is the regular admission fee and they ask that no outside food be brought in other than birthday cake.  

One *minor* drawback for us was that this place does not have elevators! It’s on the 2nd floor of the building which makes for some great ocean views out the back windows, but we had to carry our strollers up. Not such a big deal for us, but if anyone in your group needs wheelchair access, be prepared to lift.

Mihama Ball Pit
Mihama Ball Pit
Mihama Tix Machine
Mihama Tix Machine

Payment: Entrance fees are per 3 hours (MORE than enough time to wear out my 2 ½ yr. old who can out-play a litter of Dalmatian puppies), payment is by ticket machine, in YEN and are as follows:

0-18 months: 200 yen (every day)
19 months- 6yrs: 750 yen weekdays, 950 yen weekends
Adults/guardian: 200 yen (every day)

Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Directions:  Mihama Kid’s Park is located in the building behind the Sega building/Mihama Seaside Bowl in American Village. You can park anywhere in American Village and walk; go through the breezeway (1st floor of the Sega bldg) and you’ll see the play land is directly behind, across the street on the 2nd floor.  From 58 North or South turn at Lester main gate (Starbuck’s on the corner), left and the 2nd intersection (Aeon), park at Aeon or go left at the next intersection (before Dragon Palace) and right into the large lot shared by the village shops and the Sega building (Makeman will be on your right). For reference, look for the giant bowling pin atop the Sega building roof.

12 COMMENTS

  1. Went to Mihama Kids Park today. My kids (3yrs and 1 1/2 yrs) loved it and had a great time. They ate the mini pancakes with some kind of syrup or caramel inside with orange juice. They have popcorn, shaved ice, ice cream for the kids and more. They set aside cold water for the kids and guardians, which is free. They have lockers for your shoes and slippers for the adults. They have food for adults and he kids. I will definitely go back. My kids played and fell asleep before we could even gey home.

  2. I went there this past weekend & my 5yro & 1yro had a great time. Update: I had to pay 350yen for the 1yro not 200. Oh & I think they’re letting more outside food for b-day parties, call them for updated info. Have fun!

  3. The facility is very nice and clean, but you need to be extremely vigilant of your children because there are no gates at the entrance and any child can just wander to the front door (which opens automatically) and then they are on the second floor with a huge set of concrete steps that leads right to the parking lot.

  4. Just a heads up, we went with a large party and several kids were injured on the equipment. There were minor scrapes and bumps but there was also a large goose egg on one head and another ended up needing stitches. It’s a fun places with a great atmosphere and tasty food. Some of the equipment is at awkward heights for older, taller kids (8+) and I think this led to the mishaps.

  5. We love it there! We go 2 times a week sometimes. I just held my son’s 4th birthday party there…THEY WERE AWESOME about everything helping and let us bring in Cake and Juice ( Organic ) and gave us a deal on their chips for the kids. super friendly!

  6. Fun place and it only costs us 600 yen for 2 adults and 1 child for 2 hours (no food just drinks from vending machine) .A perfect place for my hubby and my little boy while i’m shopping at the Village House. 🙂

  7. We took our 4 yr old last weekend and it was ok. We went on a sunday and it cost 13,50 yen for him and 2 adults. The view is nice, hubby and I sat in the food part and read books while our son played. It is clean and organized. We did not eat there but the food looked good. Will be back since its close to home.