adventure experience

Copal, a children's playground in Yamagata City, is an all-weather playground perfect for snowy regions! You can have fun all year round.

  • ikoke ikoke
  • Last updated: 2025.08.19

Shelter Inclusive Place Copal (a children's play facility in the southern part of Yamagata City) opened in spring 2022 in Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture .

The facility has a wonderful overview, so we wanted to share it with as many people as possible. Please also take a look at the overall design of the facility, which is unique to snow country

Indoor play facilities perfect for a snowy country

Shelter Inclusive Place Copal (a children's play facility in southern Yamagata City), which opened in April 2022, is a facility based on the concept of an "inclusive" space where all children can play together and have fun, regardless of gender, age, nationality, or whether they have a disability.

The facility features a cloud-like curved roof that echoes the Zao mountain range behind it, and its design creates a natural connection from the site to the interior

The wooden dome of the gymnasium, the large playground, and the continuous sloped space are not just barrier-free, but also designed to encourage learning and awareness through play. The architecture itself is a plaything, and the space is attracting attention as a place that truly embodies the idea of ​​"inclusiveness."

Yamagata Prefecture is known nationwide for its heavy snowfall. Yamagata City is one of the areas that receives less snow, but as of February 2022, the city saw over 80 cm of snow for the first time in 10 years

In winter, there are almost no places for children to play, and of course outdoor parks are unusable due to accumulated snow. In this environment, a long-awaited indoor play facility has been born

A facility where children with disabilities can play together

Copal aims to be an all-weather indoor play facility that can be enjoyed by everyone from infants to adults (parents).More importantly, it is barrier-free and can be enjoyed by all children

This facility is also suitable for children with disabilities, and there are various types of swings available for everyone from toddlers to older children, including swings that can be ridden in wheelchairs and swings that provide firm support for the body with belts

Seeing them on the swing, feeling the breeze and smiling broadly makes me happy too

Can I let my baby play while I watch my children play?

This play space was conceived in response to a request to "watch over older children while younger children play."

The high ceilings and spacious space are gently separated by benches to protect the play area for young children. It's the ideal play area, where you can sit on a bench and keep an eye on your children playing actively, or let them play right in front of you

Theater and reading corner

The children's eyes sparkled as they were engrossed in the interactive play equipment, which changed images in response to voices and sounds. Their mothers were nearby and seemed to be enjoying themselves as well. Please note that some attractions require a fee, so please check in advance!

The library corner has around 1,400 picture books, including braille books that you can touch and enjoy

The chairs are also box-shaped, and the seat height changes depending on how you place them, allowing you to sit at a height that suits your height as much as possible. You'll probably find yourself thinking, "I want a chair like this in my home!"

The book section was also overflowing with messages like "Barrier-free, everyone together!"

Pool? Ball? Play with a wooden ball!

It's a pool-like play area filled with wooden balls

Natural wood is used throughout the building, to the point that it feels as though even the air is purified by the power of nature. In fact, careful consideration has been given to the air conditioning. Furthermore, the ceilings are high throughout, and the view is good, giving a sense of openness

A playful wooden bench that doubles as a xylophone

Xylophone? Bench? This bench was created with a playful spirit, but it's also a great item that can be used as a xylophone. Even adults will want to try making sounds with it

It's also great fun outside!

Summer fun! There is also a space where you can enjoy splashing around in water. It is outdoors, but it is an open space that only visitors can use

summary

Copal, an all-weather indoor play facility that focuses on barrier-free access, including the first "swing that wheelchair users can ride" in the country, has been the talk of the town even before it opened.It is a wonderful space that lives up to the rumors, so if you haven't been there yet, why not go and check it out?

I sincerely hope that spaces like Copal, where anyone can play and everyone can play together, and where even adults can get excited, will spread all over the country!

Yamagata City Southern Children's Play Facility (copal) <Information>

  • Name: Shelter Inclusive Place Copal (children's play facility in southern Yamagata City)
  • Address: 580-1 Katayachi, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, 990-2316, Copal
  • Phone number: 023-676-9876
  • Official URL: https://copal-kids.jp/

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