Aoba No Mori Water Square

Summer water fun!

One of our favorite places this summer has been here, the Aoba no Mori Water Square (青葉の森公園水広場). Open during the summer from about mid-July to late August, it is a large artificial pond/wading pool for people of all ages to play and splash around in. There are wide ponds and a path through the water between them, with rocks that spout water and a large shower that stops and starts, a particular hit for my younger child. There is something so very summer about being able to splash about in the water. My kids love it, and I’ve enjoyed walking/wading through the water myself. The square itself is very open, but there is plenty of shade nearby; While there is no escaping the heat entirely if you are outdoors, I must stress that it is noticeably cooler under the trees than in other places. This year, it will be open every day until August 24th, so there’s still time to visit! Website (Japanese): https://www.cue-net.or.jp/kouen/aoba/news/news_20250705.html Notes: * There are toilets and change rooms available in the nearby Tsukushinbo House, an open community center for kids. * A “lifeguard” (member of the park staff) supervises the water square * There is a ten minute break at the end of each hour (e.g. 2:50 - 3:00) where it is mandatory to get out of the pool There is a schedule of “kitchen cats” visiting near the water square, though not every day and there doesn’t seem to be a pattern as to which car visits when. * It doesn’t really matter if you go in fully clothed or wearing a swimsuit, BUT there are no shoes allowed in the water and children are supposed to be toilet trained before they are allowed to play there (i.e. no water nappies). * Aoba no Mori is accessible by bus from JR Chiba, JR Soga and Keisei Chibadera or, if you’re really keen, on foot from Chibadera. If you’re coming by car, use the southern car park for easiest access. * It hasn’t been super crowded when we visit in the mid/late afternoon, but there are definitely more people there on the weekend.