In the Army Now: A morning at the Self Defence Force Public Information Center

Summary

JGSDF Public Information Center: Tanks, helicopters, underground command post, flight simulator, tank simulator, 3D movie, battle dress and survival food.

**Has parking**West Tokyo**For Elementary School Kids**Half day Activity**Admission free**10:00-17:00**Closed Monday and every 4th Tuesday**

Rating: 7/10 - Fun activities but not enough to last a whole day


Website

JGSDF Public Information Center (Japanese Only)

Location/Access

東京都練馬区大泉学園町
Tokyo, Nerima-Ku, OizumiGakuen-cho
048-460 1711


大きな地図で見る

By Train: 1.5km (15min. on foot) from Wako-shi Sta. (和光市駅), Tobutojo line/Yuraku-cho line (東武東上線・有楽町線).

By Car: 1.5km (3min) from Wako I.C. (和光インター）, Tokyo GAIKAN Expressway. （東京外環自動車道）


Activities

Exhibitions
The place is more museum-like than anything, so most of the activities center around the various military exhibitions. Inside the building, there is a real life tank and helicopter; and you are able to climb up some stairs set up at the side of the vehicles to get a better look inside the cockpits. If one tank isn't enough, rest assured there are several other full size tanks waiting in the outside area.

Other exhibitions include SDF backpacks, jackets, guns, underground bunkers, parachutes etc. All the kind of things you would expect from a military themed museum. One note: don't expect to see anything from during or before WWII: remember the Self Defense Force was created after the end of America's post WWII occupation of Japan.

Dressing up
One nice feature was a corner allowing children to change into battle dress for the duration of their time in the center. They have sizes ranging from the smallest child to the biggest parent, so there's no need for Dad to by shy of living out his childhood "GI Joe" fantasy.

Simulators
There are a number of game console like simulators dotted around the center. You manipulate a joystick to operate either a tank or helicopter, and move around blowing things up. It's marvelously politically incorrect, as you get to actually blow up computer images of moving tanks, rather than sterile targets, but how long these games will keep the "playstation generation" entertained is a matter of debate, indeed.

There is one large sized flight simulator in the building, but as the requirements for this ride were children of 6 years or older, my young family and I had to give this one a miss.


3D Movie
There is a 3D theater running movies on a regular schedule; and the effects work quite well with the standard 3D plastic specs. However, the entire thing is Japanese only. In addition, it's quite the propaganda movie, so those sensitive to a rather one sided portrayal of Japan's military activities post WWII should maybe give this one a miss.

Food

There are no restaurants on site, only a few vending machines dishing out snacks near the outside entrance. One suggestion: There are a number of "Survival foods" available in the shop. My family and I purchased a couple of packs, and had a "mock SDF soldier's meal" for our dinner later that evening.

Cost

This is a really low cost day out: The entrance and all attractions are completely free. The goods in the shop are a little on the dear side, however, with a box of survival food and a toy tank costing our family around 3000 yen.

Rating

The activities are fun, but a little short lived. If you took a picnic, it's feasible you could stretch the day out over lunch by sitting on the benches in the outside area, surrounded by tanks. Also, older kids would soon get pretty bored, so I'd say 3-6 years would be the ideal age.

Pros: It's free, the shop is interesting, there is a lot of interactivity.

Cons: Not enough for a whole day, no restaurant on-site, a little small.


Rating: 7/10