On exploring the area surrounding the Oakhouse in Kamata I came across this unique children’s park roughly ten minutes away. The park is comprised of sculptures made from recycled tyres from cars and trucks. The sculptures consist of what I guess to be two rubbery versions of Godzilla and a robot. These sculptures are impressively tall and masterfully constructed out of tyres and a few extra materials. It really made me feel warm inside thinking about how some people went through so much effort to make these sculptures for the children to play on.
I have always seen old truck tyres in children’s parks put there as something to play on, and surprisingly generating hours of fun. Nishi Rokugo Park seems to have taken this concept a step further by creating sculptures, and most of a playground out of using only tyres. It really is amazing how an everyday object such as a tyre can be used to make an activities park for children.
On visiting the park I noticed that it was not only used by children as many other elderly people sat in shaded areas to enjoy the atmosphere and look at the sculptures. The park has other facilities for children to play on as well such as swings, a jungle gym, a slide and piles of tyres to bounce around on. You will also find a big concrete slope used for tire tubing for the more adventurous children. The park is surrounded by beautiful flower beds that are well maintained.
To visit the park is free and it is always open. It is an eight minute walk from Zoshiki Station and about a fifteen minute walk from JR Kamata Station. From Zoshiki Station you will walk down a quaint shopping street with a lot of interesting little shops. I would suggest buying some things for a picnic before walking through to the park. You may have to eat your lunch under the shaded area though as there is no grassy area at the park. The facilities at the park will provide your children with hours of fun. This is a relaxed and inexpensive activity to do in Tokyo when traveling with your children.
