places for boys

Jon wanted to make sure that we did things that would be interesting for the boys, so he researched and planned visits to some great museums.  The first museum here is the Railway Museum.  It is a huge museum with examples of trains throughout the history of Japan.  There are many interactive activities and a great train store.  Unfortunately, it took a lot longer to get here than we planned, so we only had a little bit of time before it closed.  We ran around quickly and saw as much as we could!

They had a miniature train that the kids could go on.  We were here a little too late for that, but it was cute to see.

This is an interactive exhibit where you drive the train through the different little stations.

It was a neat place and one I think we could have spent a lot of time there.

As we were late for the train station, we were extra late for our next event - the Urawa Reds professional soccer game.  It took us so long to get there, that everyone was a little hot, tired and grumpy (or was that just me?).  We figured we would just get some dinner and enjoy the game.  Interestingly, there was no food to be found in the whole stadium.  There were a few concession stands, but they all had signs across the food items that said "sold out".  Luckily, I found a few cups of edamame to buy and we scrounged our bags for granola bars.  With a little food in our stomachs, we enjoyed watching the energetic crowds and some good soccer.

I have videos of the crowds chanting, but can't figure out how to put them in my blog.

I took the girls shopping while Jon took the boys to a place called "Kidzania."  What a cool place!  It started in Mexico and there are Kidzanias all over the world (except in the U.S.) (Although they are building one in 2014).  It is a huge place modeled after a city where kids actually go through training in various jobs and are able to perform those jobs.  There are 80 different areas of work (some with waiting lines of over an hour) where you can explore occupations.  

Their first job was as a car designer.  They were able to create models out of clay and see how their cars would turn out.  By the way, each "job" came with an appropriate uniform.

Next, they worked in research and development for a food company.  They put together fried rice with various ingredients and then were able to eat it.

Here they are in the freeze dried area.

Next, they were excited to open a bank account.  It comes with an actual ATM card which you put money into and they can use at the various job areas.

Andrew felt pretty big.

I think Matthew did also.

They then got their drivers licenses so they could rent a car and drive.

Here is Matthew filling out his rental car form.

Although the cars were reportedly very slow, they had fun driving around town.

Here is a picture of what part of the town looked like.

With a construction suit on, they were set for their next job - to build a skyscraper.

They used various construction vehicles to lift and build a tall skyscraper.

They wished they had more time and could have visited all of the areas.  I thought the whole idea of the place was amazing.  I can't wait to see where they open one in America!