Saitama Museum of Rivers is an inexpensive and fun way to enjoy the hot summer. Since the exhibitions of the museum are only in Japanese, I would recommend just paying for the Waku Waku land, which is a water obstacle park.
It is not a pool, so you don’t have to wear swimsuits, (most people just got wet in their clothes), but it might be easier for your little ones to have swimsuits and water shoes on. Shoes must be worn at all times and no food is allowed in the area, but there is a Japanese restaurant on site. If you walk down a little ways the river is right there for you to play in. We didn’t have time to go down there but definitely will come back to do that.
Taking the toll road makes it only 1 hour away, and costs Y1610 each way. –Amanda Lynn, June 2016
PRICE
Parking: Y300
Admission to the museum: Y410 for adult, Y200 for high school and above, free for middle school and under
Waku Waku Land: Y 200 for high school and above, Y100 for 4 years old to junior high school
Adventure Theater: High school and above Y430 , Y210 for 4 years old to junior high school
Hours: Tue-Sun 9-5 PM (Mondays are open during the summer time, closed on Golden week )
Summer time hours (July 21-August 31 2016): Weekdays 9-5:30pm, Weekends and Holidays, August 11th-August 15th 9-6pm
Website: http://river-museum.jp/english/index.html
http://river-museum.jp/index.html (Japanese)
Address: 39 Kozono, Yorii, Osato District, Saitama Prefecture 369-1217
Phone: 048-581-7333