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Take your kids horseback riding in Tokyo for free

By on May 27, 2017
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Apart from being known as a sport, did you know that horseback riding can also improve your child’s motor skills and intelligence?

Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture discovered that when you’re on the saddle, vibrations are produced by horses. This vibration activates the part of the child’s brain known as the sympathetic nervous system which boosts the child’s cognitive ability.

It’s a common perception that horseback riding in Tokyo is expensive. False. These child-friendly parks are run by Tokyo wards and the use of facilities including horseback riding is free. Forever, that is, if you know where to look. Find the one nearest you from the list we have compiled below.

Itabashi Ku Ritsu Kodomo Doubutsu-en Itabashi Ku Children’s Park Located in a quiet residential area, this petting park houses ponies, guinea pigs, sheeps, including flamingos, etc. Here, children can ride ponies at only designated hours.
Open: 10 am - 4:30 pm everyday except Monday
Nearest station: Itabashi Kuyakusho Mae station by Toei subway line (10-min walk to the park)
Address: Higashi Itabashi Koen Nai (inside the park)
Ages (Pony ride) 3-11 years old (kids age 5 and below should be accompanied by an adult)
Pony ride schedule: 10-11:30 am & 1:30 − 3:30 pm
Pony carriage ride is also available for just 20 pairs (adult & kid) a day. There are 2 rides in a day. Day ride starts at 11 am and one at 2 pm but you need a ticket. Reservation is required by 10:30 am (day ride) and 1:30 pm (afternoon ride). Tel. 03-3963-8003 http://www.city.itabashi.tokyo.jp/c_kurashi/000/000168.html

Yoyogi Pony Koen (Yoyogi Pony Park)
Just a quick 2-min walk from the Sangubashi station, this petting park has great views of the Meiji Jingu Park and tall Shinjuku buildings. This place is convenient for those who live around Aoyama, Omotesando, Shibuya, Roppongi areas. But if you prefer to take the car, don’t worry - there are parking spaces nearby.
Open: 9 am - 5 pm (closed Mondays)
Nearest station: Sangubashi by Odakyu line (2 mins walk)
By bus: Take Keio bus no. Juku 51 and get off at Sangubashi stop. (2 mins walk)
Address: Yoyogi Misonomachi 4-1, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Tel. 03-3379-9996
http://www.city.shibuya.tokyo.jp/est/ponypark.html

Himonya Park
On weekends and holidays, Tokyo families flock to the lake by the park for rowboat games.
Take the kids too to the Benten Pond located in the center of the park called ‘kodomo hiroba’ (children’s square) where they can pet dogs, rabbits, marmots, guinea pigs, etc. Quite a charming place, if you ask us.
Open: 6 am - 9 pm everyday
Doubutsu Hiroba (animal square) closed on public holidays and the day after a holiday that falls on a weekend. Closed too on Jan. 1st and Dec. 31st.
Nearest station: Gakugei Daigaku station by Tokyu Toyoko line (6 mins walk)
Address: Himonya 6-9-11, Meguro-ku, Tokyo Tel. 03-5722-9741
https://www.city.meguro.tokyo.jp/shisetsu/shisetsu/koen/himonya.html
Bajikoen
Bajikoen means a horse park in English. The park has well manicured lawns and is an ideal place to chill out with a baby on a sunny day. The other side is a horse race track. There are a number of horses at any time of the day. Bring drinks and snacks because if your kids are old enough to manage on their own, you can just sit and relax in a corner and enjoy the green wide space.
Open 9 am - 5 pm. everyday except from Nov. - Feb. when it closes at 4 pm.
Nearest stations:
Yoga station by Tokyu Denentoshi line from Shibuya
Chitose funabashi station by Odakyu line then take a bus until Nodai mae stop. The park is a 3-min. walk from the stop.
Address Kami Yoga 2-1-1, Setagaya-ku Tel. 03-3429-5101
Note: Ask for the free horse ride for children.
http://company.jra.jp/bajikouen/
Sogo Recreation Koen
A huge recreational park in Edogawa-ku, Sogo Recreation Koen has 10 parks and plazas all under one roof. There are flower beds and gardens, a fountain and slides, and a pony zone located opposite the barbecue park. Admission is free but if you want to take a tour of the park which you will no doubt need, a shuttle bus ride costs ¥150 for the day or ¥100 a ride (kids). Adults pay ¥200 for a ride or ¥250 for the day. Ride is free for people 65 years and up.
Open: everyday
Nearest station: Nishi Kasai by Tozai line (3 mins walk)
Address: Nishi Kasai 6-11, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo Tel. 03-3675-5030
http://www.city.edogawa.tokyo.jp/shisetsuguide/bunya/koendobutsuen/c_recreation/
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