PLAY! PARK ERIC CARLE, a kids park themed around the picture book world of Eric Carle, author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, will celebrate its fifth anniversary on Thursday, November 12, 2026. Annual visitors have surpassed 140,000. To thank the many families who have visited so far, the park is holding a series of commemorative events.
Ahead of the anniversary, on November 2 (Mon) and 3 (Tue, holiday), cardboard artist Tomotatsu Gima (儀間朝龍) will join children in a public creation event to make a Very Hungry Caterpillar about 4 m long and a "sun" about 3 m in diameter. On November 12 (Thu), a new photo spot recreating a scene from the picture book will appear. Workshops themed on the five senses will also run throughout the year, and the neighboring shop HUNGRY MARKET plans to sell goods available only for the 5th anniversary.
Note: The annual visitor count is the actual figure for the fiscal year (July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026).
Anniversary Event Overview
- Public creation event of large-scale art: November 2 (Mon) and 3 (Tue, holiday), 2026
- Photo spot renewal: From November 12 (Thu), 2026
- 5th anniversary special workshops themed on the five senses: From December 1 (Tue), 2026
Location: PLAY! PARK ERIC CARLE (Futako-Tamagawa, Tokyo)
Special Website: https://5th.playec.jp/
A New Photo Spot Lets You Pose in a Scene from the Picture Book
On Thursday, November 12, 2026, the photo spot at the entrance will be renewed. Inspired by the story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, in which a small caterpillar grows into a beautiful butterfly, the new photo spot symbolizes a new step for PLAY! PARK ERIC CARLE as it marks its fifth anniversary.
Visitors can take photos that feel like stepping into the world of the picture book, adding a scene to their family memories.
Note: Costumes are not available for rental.
Public Creation Event "Join the Artist in Making Art! Let's Create The Very Hungry Caterpillar and the Sun Together"
Cardboard artist Tomotatsu Gima (儀間朝龍) joins as a guest for a two-day public creation event on November 2 (Mon) and 3 (Tue, holiday). The monuments to be made are a Very Hungry Caterpillar about 4 m long and a "sun" about 3 m in diameter. Children paint on sheets of paper that will become part of the artwork, making colorful pieces of paper. From November 2 (Mon) to 7 (Sat), Gima glues the finished sheets together to complete the large artwork. The finished work will be displayed inside the park from November 8 (Sun).
Each sheet made by the children comes together to become one large artwork. The work they helped make stays in the park for later visitors to enjoy, making this a special art experience.
Dates and Times:
- November 2 (Mon): 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM / 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (the artist's public creation is scheduled to start at 1:00 PM)
- November 3 (Tue, holiday): (1) 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM / (2) 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM / (3) 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Participation: No reservation required, open to all (you may have to wait when it is crowded)
Location: Atelier at PLAY! PARK ERIC CARLE
Age: 0 years and up
Fee: Free (separate admission fee required)
Artist's Comment
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is one of the picture books I have loved since I was little. When I was a student, through a connection, I had the chance to meet Eric Carle himself, and I have a memory of him signing a picture book for me. I usually create my work alone, so I am very excited to work surrounded by the lively voices of the children.
The colorful sheets of paper everyone makes will come together to become a big Very Hungry Caterpillar and a "sun." I hope everyone will take part with excitement, wondering what their sheets will turn into. I would also be happy if the children who see the finished work can feel that many small efforts together can create something big, and that "maybe I can do it too."
Artist Profile
Tomotatsu Gima (儀間 朝龍)
Cardboard artist / Representative of rubodan
Born in Okinawa in 1976. After graduating from Nagoya University of the Arts, he worked in Tokyo and New York before basing himself in Okinawa. Using waste cardboard as his material, he creates collage works (POP COLLAGE) based on the concept of "distribution and consumption." In 2011, he founded rubodan, a brand that collaborates with welfare workshops. His activities are wide-ranging, including corporate collaborations with GUCCI, adidas, A BATHING APE, le coq sportif, HUF, and Orion Beer, participation in the Nontan (ノンタン) 50th anniversary exhibition, and teaching at universities and various workshops.
Workshops Themed on the Five Senses Throughout the Year
To mark the 5th anniversary, workshops themed on the five senses will be held throughout the year. Through play that uses a variety of senses, they offer experiences that nurture children's curiosity and imagination. Some workshops will include programs themed on Eric Carle's picture books. Details for each theme will be announced on the website as they become available.
Schedule:
- Seeing and Hearing (みる・きく): December 2026 to April 2027
- Smelling and Touching (かぐ・さわる): April to August 2027
- Tasting and Feeling (たべる・かんじる): August to November 2027
Some of the Workshops and Exhibits
1. Have You Seen My Cat? (ぼくのねこみなかった？)
Parents and children enjoy interactive play that focuses on the movements and characteristics of the cat-family animals that appear in the picture book Have You Seen My Cat?
Visitors can also wear headbands with cat ears and take photos.
Participation: Same-day reservation at the venue (first-come, first-served)
Age: 0 to 2 years
2. Exhibition of "Tissue Paper" Painted by Eric Carle
Eric Carle is sometimes called a "magician of color." The secret lies in colorful "tissue paper," thin paper colored with a variety of tools such as sponges and brushes.
This time, genuine "tissue paper" painted by Eric Carle will be on display, offering a glimpse of the precious works that have colored the world of his picture books.
Participation: Open to all
Age: 0 years and up
3. PLAY! ENGLISH!
Part of "PLAY! ENGLISH!," a workshop where children enjoy the rhythm of English through various activities such as music and dance, is being renewed. In line with the 5th anniversary workshop theme "Seeing and Hearing" (みる・きく), participants enjoy the Eric Carle picture book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (くまさん くまさん なにみてるの) in English.
Participation: Same-day reservation at the venue (first-come, first-served)
Age: 0 to 2 years
Other 5th Anniversary Initiatives
Original Badge Presented for the 5th Anniversary
Children who take part in the public creation on November 2 (Mon) and 3 (Tue, holiday) will receive an original BIG pin-back badge with the 5th anniversary logo.
On the anniversary day itself, November 12 (Thu), visitors to the park will also receive one as thanks for their everyday support.
Note: Quantities are limited, and the badges will end once they run out.
Original Goods Available Only for the 5th Anniversary
HUNGRY MARKET, the shop next to PLAY! PARK ERIC CARLE, plans to sell original limited-edition goods commemorating the 5th anniversary.
Note: The image is for illustration purposes.
Note: Product details and the on-sale date will be announced later.
About PLAY! PARK ERIC CARLE
PLAY! PARK ERIC CARLE opened in November 2021 as a kids park themed around the picture book world of Eric Carle, author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The park is filled with the colorful palette characteristic of Eric Carle's works, and visitors can move freely among nine areas, including a green maze, athletic play equipment, and an atelier.
Following Eric Carle's belief in valuing learning through play, the park offers a variety of experiences that serve as a "bridge" for children's growth. Workshops in a wide range of genres, including art and exercise, for families from babies up, are also held every day on a rotating schedule. For workshop details and schedules, please check the website.
Facility Information
Facility Name: PLAY! PARK ERIC CARLE
Address: 8F Town Front, Futako-Tamagawa Rise Shopping Center, 2-21-1 Tamagawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
Website: https://playec.jp/
Opening Hours
- Weekdays: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Weekends and holidays: Three timed sessions
- Session 1: 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
- Session 2: 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
- Session 3: 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Ticket Sales
Both online tickets (advance payment) and same-day tickets (on-site payment) are available. Online ticket purchase is recommended for guaranteed admission.
Online Ticket Purchase Site: https://www.asoview.com/channel/tickets/mLZb2mYdXt/
Pricing
Same price for adults and children (free for 0-year-olds). Tax included.
| Admission | Drink Bar Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday day pass | ¥2,600 | ¥300 |
| Weekends and holidays, Sessions 1 and 2 | ¥2,800 | ¥300 |
| Weekends and holidays, Session 3 | ¥2,500 | ¥300 |
| High season | ¥3,000 | ¥300 |
