(MUSIC AND MOVIES ETC.)

Please refer to the Kansai Time Out magazine, or a newspaper for information in English for Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto. There are places where you can buy tickets in bulk for a small discount. Ask around for your nearest kinken shop. One is located at the Senri Chuo train station, near the central wicket. You can even buy some tickets at Lawson stores.

SWIMMING POOLS

Lessons. Selcy Dolphin Club and Yomiuri Swimming Club in Senri Chuo.

For Fun. Outdoors. Kita Senri Pool – open July and August. Pay by the hour.

Daini Pool – off Route 171 opposite school.

Indoors. Banpaku Koen (Expo Land)/Sun Palace – gym/spa/pool and 1 waterslide for children. On the loop road around expo park.

ICE SKATING

Outdoor skating is available over the winter months in Mino. Indoor skating is available at the Oh Two Plaza on the 171 past the Meishin Ibaraki entrance.

TEN PIN BOWLING

Look for the big pin on the top of buildings. You’ll find ten pin bowling on Route 171 towards Kyoto (walkable from school), on the side of Route 423 near Esaka (take the Senriyama exit off Route 423 if Umeda bound), and in the Selcy building in Senri Chuo.

PARKS

Kita Senri Park. Large grassed areas with some play equipment. One toilet block.

Senri Chuo Park. Good for a short cycle. Some jungle-gym equipment and two great slides. The locals tend to play soccer and practice baseball here. Lovely cherry blossom area in April. Small water fountain in summer. Has two toilet blocks. Parking at the Observation Tower for about 20 cars. Other parking is available for a small fee beside the Senri Chuo gym.

Nobatake Koen. In Toyonaka and not far from Dr. Sono’s. Great play equipment, has a small field, swings, basketball hoops but bikes, scooters and skateboards are not permitted. Has a toilet block and drinking fountain. You can also paddle in the Senri River, directly behind the park in summer. Great for smaller kids. Has parking for about 12 cars.

Mino Park. Fabulous walking tracks. Wonderful in Autumn, especially at the Mino Falls area. Car parking is available for about 40 cars, but the area is terribly busy on major holiday weekends and during Autumn. Get there early in the morning!

Expo Park (Banpaku Koen). This is a fabulous garden with large grassed areas, cherry tree garden, lake with paddleboats for hire, a small area with children’s play equipment and a few food stalls. There is also a very large Japanese Garden (nominal entrance fee), which has been designed to be attractive through the seasons. Take the monorail from Senri Chuo. Ample car parking is also available at numerous car parks. There is a small entrance fee for the park.

Hitorri Park. Located near Ryokuchi Koen train station on the Midosuji Line. Fabulous play equipment for younger children, a small water slide area operates in summer, grassed areas, historic houses (entrance fee required) and horse riding.

GYMS

Near the pool at Kita Senri. United Sports Club located on the 7th floor of the Vivre building at Kita Senri Shopping Centre.

Senri Chuo Park Gym, and Nissay Refine in the Life Science Building in Senri Chuo.

There are also numerous prefectual gyms around.

AMUSEMENT PARKS

Expo Land. More advanced rides, but does have a fun fountain area in summer.

Family Land in Takarazuka. Suitable for children of all ages, and include a small zoo and indoor ice-skating.

Universal Studios. Take the special train off the loop line in Umeda.

Hirakata Park. Suitable for young and little children. Has outdoor ice-skating and snowboarding. Phone: 072-844-3475.

SPORTING

(TENNIS, BASKETBALL, BADMINTON ETC.)

Numerous sporting clubs are available to you, but not necessarily in our immediate area. Some sports are played at a more social level at school on weeknights, so check with the PE Department. Many other sports clubs can be found listed in the Kansai Time Out magazine. Also, ask around, someone is bound to know someone else who knows where a sport is played!