Spending time in nature with your children will create irreplaceable memories.
Interacting with familiar creatures and deepening your knowledge will greatly foster your child’s curiosity to learn more.
The theme of this event is the rooftop green space at Tamagawa Takashimaya S.C., where you can feel close to a rich natural environment despite being located in the urban area of Futako Tamagawa.
This green space is a space that condenses the natural surroundings of the surrounding area, such as the Tama River and the Kokubunji Cliff Line, and is packed with ideas throughout to allow children to have a safe and fun “authentic experience.”
“My child loves living things!” If you’re a parent with a child like that, we’d love to hear about the Tamagawa Takashimaya Shopping Center rooftop garden.
Did you know that there’s a place in the middle of the city where you can easily and safely enjoy observing nature and interacting with living things?
Directly connected to Futako Tamagawa Station, the rooftop of Tamagawa Takashimaya Shopping Center is home to a relaxing space that feels like an oasis in the city.
With lush greenery and a small stream, it’s a recommended spot for families with children and animal lovers.
This article will thoroughly explain the appeal of the Tamagawa Takashimaya S.C. rooftop garden, especially the points that will captivate children who love animals.
It is sure to be full of useful information for parents who want to give their children an “authentic experience” while in the city!
Tamagawa Takashimaya S.C. Rooftop Garden: A microcosm of nature in the heart of the city
1. A green space that condenses the blessings of the Tama River
The green space on the rooftop of Tamagawa Takashimaya Shopping Center is truly an oasis in the city.
The space is a compact reproduction of the rich natural environment of the neighboring Tama River and Kokubunji Cliff Line , making it a sort of “miniature version of nature.”
With lush greenery and a pleasant breeze, this is the perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
Not only can children explore freely, but adults can also relax.
It’s rare to find a place in the middle of a city where you can experience such abundant nature.
This rooftop green space is not just filled with plants, but also features a small stream.
The sound of trickling water is soothing and makes you feel as if you are in a real satoyama (satoyama) village.
This flowing water is also an important element that attracts living creatures.
2. Observe Tama River creatures up close!
One of the great attractions of this rooftop green space is that fish and crabs that actually live in the nearby Tama River are kept and displayed in aquariums.
By peering into the tank, you can observe fish swimming in the Tama River and crabs hiding in the shade of rocks up close.
These creatures have been selected to be species that actually live in the Tamagawa area, making this a great opportunity for children to deepen their understanding of the natural environment around them.
Seeing them in action, rather than just looking at them in an illustrated book, will give your child a deeper learning experience and a deeper sense of wonder.
The animal exhibits change with the seasons, so
every visit there will be new discoveries that will continue to stimulate your child’s sense of inquiry.
3. Observe every detail with exquisite insect resin specimens!
Unfortunately, insect collecting is not permitted on this rooftop green space.
Furthermore, there are no insects that live there, but the park has been designed to keep insect-loving children entertained.
This is the display of elaborate insect specimens set in resin.
The insects trapped inside the transparent crystal look like jewels.
They are safe to touch, so little hands can observe them closely.
The resin specimens on display include grasshoppers, dragonflies, and various butterflies that can actually be seen on the nearby Tamagawa riverbed (a large area of land next to the river), making them ideal for learning about the natural environment of the area.
These resin specimens are beautiful to look at, and their greatest appeal is that they allow you to observe the structure of insect bodies up close in 360 degrees, something that is normally hard to see.
You can even clearly see the veins in the wings, which is sure to deepen your child’s questions of “why?” and “how?” and stimulate their curiosity about insects.
What’s even more fascinating is the wide variety of insects on display.
Some specimens feature males and females displayed side by side, allowing visitors to compare and learn about the differences in their bodies. For
example, male Colias butterflies often have yellow wings, while females often have yellow or white wings, and these subtle differences can be understood by looking at the real thing.
Connecting the knowledge they’ve seen in picture books with the specimens in front of them will instantly deepen your child’s insect learning.
It’s a rare opportunity to learn about insect ecology so easily, even in the middle of town.
4. Encountering wild birds: Small lives flying in the urban sky
This rooftop green space is rich in vegetation and has a stream, so wild birds often come to rest their wings.
Although there are no nesting sites (where birds build nests, lay eggs, and raise their young), you may have an unexpected encounter with some birds.
One way to enjoy this park is to listen to the birdsong and follow them as they fly through the trees. This
may spark an interest in not only insects but also the ecology of birds.
You will surely be surprised to learn that such a diverse ecosystem can exist in the city.
Tips for learning and discovery: How to enjoy the rooftop garden of Tamagawa Takashimaya S.C. 100 times more
1. Feeling connected to the surrounding nature
The rooftop garden at Tamagawa Takashimaya Shopping Center is not just a place that exists on its own.
This green space is closely connected to the rich natural environment of the nearby Tama River and the Kokubunji Cliff Line.
For example, many of the resin insect specimens on display were actually collected from the Tama River riverbed.
This is proof that the insects on display actually live in the natural environment of this area.
After carefully observing the resin specimens, it would be a fantastic experience to go searching for the same insects on the actual Tama River riverbed depending on the season.
The Tama River riverbed is home to an abundance of aquatic creatures as well as insects.
If you look along the riverside, you can encounter a variety of creatures, including fish, aquatic insects, and birds.
Learning in the rooftop garden can lead to a trip to the Tama River, broadening your child’s interest from land creatures to aquatic creatures, allowing them to come into contact with diverse ecosystems and feel the interconnectedness of the natural world firsthand.
This is a valuable experience that will broaden your interest from the small introduction of insects to the larger workings of nature.
2. Develop your powers of observation! How to spend time in the rooftop garden
Now, let’s finally introduce how to enjoy the rooftop garden.
(1) Let’s observe nature in a realistic way using resin specimens!
First, let’s take a look at the resin specimens on display and take a look at the small creatures and plants that might be living in the rooftop garden.
Remembering the characteristics of insects learned from the resin specimens, parents and children can spend time searching together, asking questions like, “What kind of insects come to this plant?” and “What kind of creatures live around water?” This is a wonderful learning experience.
(2) Relaxing in the greenery with a picnic
If you get tired of observing insects and plants, we recommend spreading out a picnic blanket and enjoying a picnic-like time.
Eating lunch and snacks in a spacious area will be a special memory that is different from your usual park experience. It’s rare to find
such an open space to relax in the middle of the city. You
‘ll surely feel that by coming into contact with insects and nature, your children’s sensibilities will be sharpened and their minds will be enriched.
Summary: Foster your child’s learning and curiosity in an urban oasis
The Tamagawa Takashimaya S.C. rooftop garden is more than just a shopping center rooftop.
It is a valuable learning field where city-dwelling children can expand their interest from familiar creatures to plants, birds, and the rich ecosystem of the Tama River.
From detailed observations of aquarium creatures and resin specimens to exploring the local natural environment, there are a wide range of learning opportunities here. This is a wonderful opportunity to stimulate your child’s intellectual curiosity and deepen their understanding of nature and living things in the city.
So, why not take your kids to the rooftop garden at Tamagawa Takashimaya Shopping Center next weekend? We’re sure you’ll have wonderful memories and an invaluable learning experience.