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An indoor play facility that opened in the spring of this year (2022) in Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture is attracting attention.
Currently, it is only open to Yamagata City residents, but the overview of the facility is wonderful, so I wanted as many people as possible to know about it, so I decided to feature it.
Please also take a look at the ingenious shape of the entire facility, which is unique to a snowy country.
Indoor play facilities unique to the snowy country
Yamagata Prefecture is known nationwide for its heavy snowfall. Among them, Yamagata City has one of the fewest snowfalls, but as of February 2022, the snowfall exceeded 80cm for the first time in 10 years.
In winter, there are almost no places for children to play, and of course outdoor parks cannot be used due to snow.
Meanwhile, the long-awaited indoor play facility Copal opened in the southern part of Yamagata City on April 18, 2022 . We would like to be able to use it from outside the city, but due to infectious disease prevention measures, it will only be open to city residents for the time being.
The goal of copal is that it can be played by everyone from infants to adults (parents) . Best of all, a barrier-free , all-weather indoor play facility that all children can enjoy.
It is a facility where children with disabilities can play together, and there are various types of swings that can be ridden by everyone from infants to older children.
It makes me so happy to see him riding the swing and feeling the breeze and seeing his big smile on his face.
Can you let your baby play while watching your child play?
This play space was conceived from the feedback that ``It would be nice if the younger children could play while watching the older children play.''
The ceiling is high and the space is spacious, with benches carefully dividing the area to protect the play area for young children . an ideal playground, as you can watch your children play actively while sitting on the bench, and you can even let your little ones play right in front of you .
The children's eyes sparkled and they were fascinated by the hands-on play equipment, which had images that changed in response to voices and sounds. Her mother was also happily participating. Some fees may apply, so please check in advance!
The book corner has approximately 1,400 picture books, including books in Braille that you can touch and enjoy.
The chairs are also box-shaped, and depending on the direction you place them, the height of the seat changes, allowing you to sit at a height that best suits your height. I want a chair like this at home! That's what you think.
Barrier-free, everyone together! were also abundant in the library corner.
It's a pool-like playground filled with wooden balls.
Natural wood is used throughout the facility, and even the air is purified by the power of nature. That's what I think. In fact, we also pay close attention to the air conditioning. Furthermore, the ceilings are high throughout and the visibility is good, giving a sense of freedom.
xylophone? bench? Although it is a bench created with a sense of fun, it is also an excellent item that can be used as a xylophone. Even adults will want to try playing the music.
Summer fun! Water play has also begun. Although it's outdoors, it's a plaza that only those who have entered can play in, so I'm jealous of all the children living in Yamagata City.
summary
Yamagata City has opened an all-weather indoor play facility (COPAL), which is the first in Japan to be introduced and features barrier-free facilities such as swings that can be ridden while in a wheelchair. It had been a hot topic before it opened, but unfortunately it is only open to city residents, and there is also a limit on the number of people allowed in to avoid crowds.
It's a wonderful space, so if you're in the city and haven't been there yet, why not give it a try?
I sincerely hope that spaces like Copal, where even adults can get excited, where anyone can play, and where everyone can play together, will spread across the country!
I'm originally from Tokyo, but I've lived in Yamagata Prefecture for 30 years. Nowadays, I am able to speak the dialect and become a local. He goes to the nearby prefectures of Miyagi and Fukushima about two to three days a month to gather information. I belong to the middle-aged group who loves cats, local sake, and side dishes. (The icon is a beloved cat)
![Mogami safflower](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAJYAAACWAQAAAAAUekxPAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAaSURBVEjH7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tDQ+gAACAdwMLuAABXZHjmQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg== ""Mogami safflower" certified as a Japanese heritage and Japanese agricultural heritage [Yamagata Prefecture]")
![Mogami safflower](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/30121446_m-1-150x150.jpg.webp ""Mogami safflower" certified as a Japanese heritage and Japanese agricultural heritage [Yamagata Prefecture]")
