Planning a memorable day trip from Tokyo to Tokorozawa? If you are searching for the best things to do in Saitama with kids (especially things to do in Tokorozawa), look no further than Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park (所沢航空記念公園). Spanning a massive 50 hectares of lush green space, this vibrant park is built directly on the historical grounds of Japan’s first airfield. While the indoor Tokorozawa Aviation Museum is currently fully closed for extensive renovations until late March 2027, the expansive outdoor park remains completely open and ready to welcome families. From the children’s playground to spotting historic retired aircraft nestled among cherry blossoms, it is a fantastic budget-friendly escape from the city. In this updated guide, we will share the absolute best open-air park features to explore right now, essential travel logistics for family travelers, and the top local vegetarian and vegan food options nearby to keep you fueled all day.
What to Do at Tokorozawa Aviation Park
- Tokorozawa Aviation Museum (所沢航空発祥記念館)
- Teahouse Saishōtei (彩翔亭)
- Other Things to Do at Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park
- Kodomo Hiroba (子供広場): Massive Children’s Playground
- Water Play Stream (Seseragi, せせらぎ)
- Events at Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park
- Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park’s Flower Calendar
- How to Get to Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park: Essential Travel Logistics
- Vegetarian & Vegan Food Options Near Tokorozawa Aviation Park
Important: Tokorozawa Aviation Museum is fully closed for renovations until March 2027.
Refer to the Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park Map for the locations of the attractions in the massive park.
Tokorozawa Aviation Museum (所沢航空発祥記念館)
Because the park was the first site in Japan where airplanes were produced and pilots were trained, it is known as the Birthplace of Japanese Aviation (日本の航空発祥の地). In 1993, the Tokorozawa Aviation Museum was completed to commemorate the history and to provide locals with a place to peek into the aviation industry.
The YS-11, close to the museum’s entrance, was the first domestically produced passenger aircraft after the war.
Soon after you enter the museum, the military jets and helicopters hanging in the air create an illusion that they are flying above your head. The first one is a replica of Japan’s first military jet, completed in 1911. It was created by modeling the 1909 Henry Farman biplane.
The exciting news is that you can also enter aircraft into the dome. For example, you can sit in the cockpit of the Cessna T310Q!
Flight and helicopter simulators are also there for you to experience what it is like working as a pilot!
Moreover, there is a low-gravity simulator where visitors can experience what it is like to walk on the moon.
We also found a weight that tells you how many balloons you need to fly!
Tip: Pilots and air attendants’ costume rentals are available for photography on weekends and public holidays!
Tokorozawa Aviation Museum’s second floor is transformed into an airport control tower. The control panels there were used by the Tokyo Area Air Traffic Control Center (国土交通省東京航空交通管制部) at the park’s east. Feel free to press the buttons on the control panels.
Videos of the activities at Narita Airport and communication between pilots and air traffic controllers are also shown there.
Tokorozawa Aviation Museum’s Opening Hours and Admission Fee
- Tokorozawa Aviation Museum is open from 9:30 am to 5 pm from Tuesday to Sunday.
- If Monday is a public holiday, it closes on the next business day.
- The last admission is at 4:30 pm.
- The admission fee to the Exhibition Hall is:
- 520 yen for adults
- 100 yen for elementary and junior high school students
- The admission fee for the theater is:
- 630 yen for adults
- 260 yen for elementary and junior high school students
- The set ticket for admission to the Exhibition Hall and the theater costs:
- 840 yen for adults
- 320 yen for elementary and junior high school students
Tip: Show the Internet Coupon (インターネット割引券) to the staff at the ticket office for a discount on admission!
Teahouse Saishōtei (彩翔亭)
When you need a break, visit the park’s teahouse, Saishōtei. Order a cup of matcha tea and enjoy it with a traditional sweet. The cafe has a small Japanese garden, making the entire experience more authentic. It is the best setting for an afternoon tea in Japan.
The best news is that cold matcha is on the menu. The freshly made match with ice is the best drink to order in summer.
- Saishōtei is open from 10 am to 4 pm.
- The last order is taken at 3:30 pm.
- If you can read Japanese, you can refer to Saishōtei’s menu.
Other Things to Do at Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park
1. Explore the Massive Children’s Playground (Kodomo Hiroba)
If you are traveling with family, the Kodomo Hiroba (子供広場) is one of the best free playgrounds in Saitama Prefecture. Tucked away on the south side of the park, it is divided into three distinct zones based on age groups, ranging from toddlers to older kids.
- Highlights: The playground features giant roller slides, climbing nets, Tarzan ropes (zip lines), and a large wooden pirate ship structure.
- Getting There: The playground isn’t heavily signposted from the main entrance. From Kōkū-kōen Station, walk past the massive broadcasting tower and cross the large pedestrian bridge to find it.
- Tip for Parents: The South Parking Lot (南駐車場) is the closest lot to the playground if you are driving.
2. Cool Off at the Musashino River (むさしの川) Water Play Stream (Seseragi, せせらぎ)
Perfect for summer travelers, the park features an artificial, shallow stream known as the Seseragi that winds through the trees near the playground. It is completely free and incredibly safe for toddlers and children to splash around in.
- Important Seasonal Note: The water stream only operates from early June through late September. If you visit during the spring, autumn, or winter, it remains a dry, stone riverbed. Bring a small towel if you visit during the summer months!
3. Check Out the Outdoor Aircraft Exhibits
You don’t have to go inside a museum to see the history of Japanese aviation. Several historic aircraft are stationed permanently outdoors across the lawns and are completely free to view up close at any time.
- The YS-11 Passenger Plane: Located immediately outside the East Exit of Kōkū-kōen Station, this iconic postwar passenger plane serves as the ultimate park landmark.
- The C-46 Cargo Transport Aircraft: Positioned on the grassy fields near the center of the park, this massive, silver military transport plane offers fantastic photo opportunities against the backdrop of cherry blossoms or autumn leaves.
Events at Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park
Hot Air Balloon Session
From March to December, you can board a hot air balloon at Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park. The 360-degree panoramic view from about 20 meters above the ground attracts the locals to the park on the day. When the sky is clear, Mt. Fuji and Tokyo Sky Tree can be seen!
Just note that the balloon is stationed in the park. It won’t carry you anywhere else.
For the hot balloon session’s schedule, refer to the official website and use Google Chrome’s translation feature at the top right of the address bar.
Flea Market at Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park
A flea market is held at Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park twice a month. The scale of this market is big, with as many as 200 stalls set up for the day. As you can imagine, various items are on sale, including clothes, miscellaneous goods, handmade accessories, and baby items. So, how about having a treasure hunt if the event date fits your itinerary?
You can refer to the official website and use Google Chrome’s translation feature at the top right of the address bar for the event date.
Klook.comTokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park’s Flower Calendar
In spring, visit the park for the cherry blossoms. The 500 cherry trees create a breathtaking view when the flowers reach full bloom. The locals also visit the park for the hydrangea from late May to early June and the ginkgo in November.
- Plum blossom: February
- Cherry blossom: Late March to the beginning of April
- Sakura Gyoiko (御衣黄桜): mid to late April
- Gyoiko is a type of cherry blossom that has green flowers.
- Autumn foliage: early November to early December
How to Get to Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park: Essential Travel Logistics
Planning your journey from Tokyo to Tokorozawa is incredibly straightforward. Use the breakdown below to plan your transit, costs, and arrival entry points seamlessly.
| Attribute | Detail |
| Park Admission | Free (The outdoor lawns, playground, and trails have no entry fee) |
| Opening Hours | Open 24 hours, 365 days a year |
| Best Travel Pass | SEIBU 1-Day Pass (approx. 1,000 yen; covers all Seibu lines) |
By Train (From Central Tokyo)
The train ride from central Tokyo takes roughly 35 to 50 minutes, depending on your starting station.
- From Shinjuku: Go to Seibu-Shinjuku Station and take the Seibu-Shinjuku Line Express northbound. Ride directly to Kōkū-kōen Station (航空公園駅).
- From Ikebukuro: Take the Seibu-Ikebukuro Line Express to Tokorozawa Station, then cross the platform to switch to the Seibu-Shinjuku Line for just one stop to Kōkū-kōen Station.
Station Exit Tip: Take the East Exit out of Kōkū-kōen Station. You will immediately see the historic giant YS-11 passenger plane parked right outside, marking the literal entrance to the park grounds.
By Car & Parking Logistics
If you are renting a car or driving from Tokyo, the park is approximately 6 kilometers from the Tokorozawa Interchange via the Kan-etsu Expressway (along Route 463).
There are 580 total parking spaces divided into four distinct lots across the park perimeter. Because the park gets incredibly busy with local families on weekends, picking the right parking lot is essential:
- For Families / Playgrounds: Park in the South Parking Lot (南駐車場). This puts you directly adjacent to the Kodomo Hiroba playground and the summer water play stream.
- For the Tea House / Japanese Gardens: Park in the North or East Parking Lots, which offer the fastest pedestrian access to the traditional gardens.
- Parking Costs: The first 2 hours of parking are completely free. After the initial two hours, it is incredibly cheap at just 100 yen per hour.
(Note: The parking ticket machines only accept cash; credit cards and IC cards like Suica/Pasmo are not supported.)
Vegetarian & Vegan Food Options Near Tokorozawa Aviation Park
Finding plant-based meals while exploring outside central Tokyo can sometimes be a challenge. While Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park doesn’t have dedicated vegan restaurants right inside its gates, you have excellent options within walking distance or just a short train stop away.
The Top Local Pick: Brown Rice Vegetarian Dan (玄米菜食 団)
For an authentic, completely plant-based dining experience close to your route, make Brown Rice Vegetarian Dan your top priority lunch stop. Located just a short distance from the park area, this cozy, peaceful oasis is highly rated by the global plant-based community on HappyCow.
- The Concept: Operating out of a warm, welcoming home-style space, this restaurant specializes in macrobiotic, traditional Japanese whole foods.
- The Menu: They serve beautiful, multi-dish set meals centered around perfectly cooked organic brown rice (genmai), deeply flavorful seasonal vegetable dishes, and traditional miso soup.
- Why It’s Perfect After the Park: The dishes are clean, nourishing, completely free of animal products, and showcase the best of Saitama’s local agricultural produce. It’s an incredibly authentic look at regional Japanese home cooking.
Smart Park-Picnic Tips (Convenience Store Backups)
If you prefer to stay at the park and enjoy a picnic on the expansive lawns, stop by the convenience stores right outside Kōkū-kōen Station before you enter the park grounds.
- Look for standard vegan-friendly staples like Umeboshi (pickled plum) or Kombu (salted kelp) Onigiri (rice balls). Just double-check the ingredient list for hidden fish broth (dashi).
- Refer to Is it Vegan’s Website for a list of vegan food you can get at convenience stores.
- On weekends, keep an eye out for the local food trucks mentioned above; while menus change, you can sometimes find vendors selling plain salted french fries or shaved ice (kakigori) with fresh fruit during the warmer summer months.
Explore Other Attractions in Tokorozawa
Make it a Full Day Trip: Want to make the absolute most of your time in Saitama? Tokorozawa Aviation Park is just one of many incredible highlights in the area.
To easily combine your park visit with giant anime shrines, museum hubs, and hidden cultural gems nearby, check out our ultimate companion post: The Best Guide to Tokorozawa City’s Tourist Attractions. It will help you effortlessly map out a seamless morning-to-night itinerary!
Combine Your Visit With the “Little Edo”, Kawagoe
Extend Your Saitama Adventure: If you love exploring historic landmarks and want to dive deeper into Saitama’s rich history, consider pairing your trip with a visit to “Little Edo”!
Located just a short train ride away, Kawagoe is famous for its beautifully preserved warehouse district, ancient shrines, and incredible traditional street foods. Plan your next stop with our comprehensive guide to The Best Guide to the Little Edo, Kawagoe, to build the ultimate day trip itinerary!
