Local amusement/water park fun

Toshima-en is an amusement/water park near us (read about 20 minutes by train, and only two trains). It is somewhat ancient, about 80 years old, we believe. But of course the rides aren't 80 years old. We're wondering about a couple of the pools, however.

They have a pretty good deal going for season passes for families (equal to about 2 1/2 visits), so we've taken it up and already been three times in the last month. 

It really is the best place to go swimming locally. More expensive than the local pool, but with many less rules and much more exciting. At our local pool you have to be very serious. You cannot jump, splash or act like you are having fun (so it seems). And because of the rules, no one has fun, especially not the parents trying to keep the boys in line. The local pool also doesn't have a wave pool or water slides or a current pool.

Just caught our 6 y.o. hands-free on this ride.

The local pool doesn't have an amusement park attached to it either. Roller coasters (fairly tame, mind you) and other vestibular-disturbing rides at varying levels. Our boys have had a ball. In fact I believe our middle son has lost sleep as he thinks about the next time he gets to go on the thrilling rides (read "adrenalin junkie").

Pool section layout. The dressing rooms/locker area is in yellow and pictured below. Apparently it turns into an ice rink in the winter. Don't know anything about it, but we're keen to find out.

We introduced the boys to water slides yesterday. This complex has oodles of them, though they weren't all open yesterday, a Friday and relatively low attendance day. The boys couldn't get enough of the slides, though when they tried a high speed slide, that about did them in! The nasty thing about the slides was that there was no shade while waiting for your turn. We got a bit pink yesterday, despite two applications of sunscreen.

The first time we came on a Sunday and you couldn't see the ground for people. Yesterday was much better.

The bizarre thing about swimming in Japan, is that these outside pools are shut for most of the year. Not at all related to the temperature, this large swimming complex shuts after the first weekend in September. Last year we had 30+ temperatures till almost the end of September! But at least they don't prevent you from wearing sunscreen or shirts or hats or sunglasses – all rules we've come across at other Japanese swimming pools.

Typical for our family, the third time we visited was the best. We seem to do better on repeat visits. The first and even second time we do something is usually fraught with emotional pain. Once they've gotten used to it (particularly our middle and oldest boys) things are much more settled and we can play "happy families" a lot more easily.

We're looking forward to at least one more visit before school starts again. It's been a fun way to *enjoy* a Tokyo summer.

Must finish with some nice Japanese English!