Hiratsuka Sogo Park

Back to the Golden Week. I did not have time to report all the places I visited.
The Hiratsuka Sogo Koen is a huge park with different sport facilities such as a Ballpark, a Stadium or a Swimming pool. But we went there for the kids, let them enjoy the playground and the mini-zoo.

The place is easy to reach from Morinosato, almost a straight line, about 20km. Once we parked, we went trough an athletics ground for adults to keep a healthy body. We had a picnic in the middle of the playground. Many impressive games like this kind of tree that kids can climb, more than 12m for sure.

The mini-zoo shows further kind of birds, monkeys and farm animals. We started by a pony ride. You need a 100Y ticket that you get in a vending machine. 3 sessions a day. For his first time, my boy did two rides of 2min, maybe less.
Then we went to carry the hamsters, mice, rabbits... I guess you can buy some food to feed the animals but we did not look for it. This was also the first time. really cute and they enjoyed it so much. The place is not impressive but just good enough to let small child play with the animals.

Kids a bit tired, kids in the baby car so we walked around to check the place. Will we be back there or not? The park includes a little Japanese garden. Cute and calm (and free). If you just want to have look, it might not take more than 10min. Not far, an artificial rocky river for kids to play with water during the hot summer.

Then we walked back to the main playground. There is a separated place with games for little kids so you are not afraid for them to brake something. To conclude, I would say it is a really nice place to bring kids or anybody to do sports. The playground itself is not better then the Bousai no Oka Park but a bit different. The good point will be the mini-zoo.

Sogo Park Official HP with map (jp)
Zoo page with hours and fees (entrance free, pony 100Y/ride) (jp)

Hiratsuka Sogo Park