A Symphony of Play: Kids Experience Sound Through Full-Body Vibration at PLAY! PARK
Tokyo’s innovative indoor kids’ park, PLAY! PARK, in partnership with renowned audio manufacturer Audio-Technica, is set to launch its fourth collaborative event, “Sound in Motion! Let’s! PLAY! SOUND with Audio-Technica.” Running for three months from January 26 to April 26, 2026, this event invites children to discover the fundamental nature of sound through engaging, full-body experiences, focusing on the often-unseen world of vibrations.
Since 2022, PLAY! PARK and Audio-Technica have continuously offered children opportunities to interact with analog sound through creative play equipment and workshops. This latest installment delves into the concept of “vibration,” allowing young explorers to instinctively grasp that sound is, at its core, movement.
Dive into the World of Sound: Featured Attractions
The event showcases five distinct experiences, each designed to make the invisible world of sound tangible and fun:
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Turn the Table!
Imagine a record player so big, you can actually step onto it! This approximately 2-meter-wide turntable-shaped play equipment invites children to manipulate a handmade tone arm, switch records, and even lift and spin the record with friends. It’s a joyful way to experience the mechanics of a record player while singing or playing instruments right on the record itself.
Participation: No reservation required. Target: Children aged 0-12 and their guardians. -
Swirling Baby Records
Even the youngest visitors can safely explore sound. These smaller, soft record-shaped toys feature a rotating base with a built-in xylophone that chimes with movement. Babies can feel the “sound motion” throughout their bodies, making it a perfect sensory experience for infants.Participation: No reservation required. Target: Children aged 0-2 and their guardians.
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Everybody Dance with Sound
This workshop transforms sound vibrations into a visual spectacle. Participants attach their photos, beads, and straws to pipe cleaners, then place them on instruments like taiko drums, regular drums, cymbals, or tambourines. As the instruments are played, the creations appear to dance, offering a captivating way to see how different sounds create varied movements.
Participation: On-site application required. Target: Children aged 3-12 and their guardians. -
PLAY! RECORD
This booth offers an authentic analog sound experience using actual turntables. Visitors can explore various record sizes, from small donut records to large 12-inch LPs. With both headphone and speaker options, both adults familiar with records and children encountering them for the first time can enjoy the warm, rich sound together.
Participation: No reservation required. Target: Children aged 0-12 and their guardians. -
“Record Spin Top” Gift
To commemorate the event, all visitors who complete an on-site questionnaire will receive an original “Record Spin Top.” Featuring designs inspired by the record-shaped play equipment, these tops can be customized with pens, creating unique color mixes when spun.
Distribution: One per person upon showing the questionnaire completion screen. (While supplies last.)
Event Details
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Name: Sound in Motion! Let’s! PLAY! SOUND with Audio-Technica
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Dates: January 26, 2026 (Monday) – April 26, 2026 (Sunday)
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Location: PLAY! PARK (GREEN SPRINGS W3 Building 3F, 3-1 Midoricho, Tachikawa City, Tokyo)
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Admission: Free (PLAY! PARK admission fee required separately)
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Official Website: https://play2020.jp/article/lets-play-sound-4/
About Audio-Technica
Audio-Technica, a leading Japanese audio manufacturer founded in 1962, has consistently innovated in acoustic technology. Guided by the philosophy that human sensibility is the source of richness, their product range spans from analog cartridges to headphones, microphones, turntables, and wireless earphones. Their high-quality products are cherished by audiophiles and professionals globally. Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2022, Audio-Technica continues to champion the charm of analog sound with its brand message, “Becoming more analog.”
About PLAY! PARK
PLAY! PARK is a dynamic indoor space spanning approximately 1,000 square meters, designed to foster children’s free-form play. At its heart lies the “Big Plate,” an oval field where original play equipment is developed and produced collaboratively with architects, creators, and students every six months. Past installations have utilized everyday materials like flat tape, newspaper, bubble wrap, and balloons.
In addition to the sound-focused event, PLAY! PARK will also feature the large-scale play equipment “Tulle Cloud” from January 17, made from sheer tulle fabric and stretchy rubber. This installation creates a cloud-like landscape where children can pull and swing through what feels like floating clouds, inventing their own ways to play.
A related workshop, “Pattern Float,” will run from January 14. Here, children can create unique patterns by weaving colorful pipe cleaners and attaching color films to mesh tulle fabric. Lifting their creations, they can enjoy the sensation of floating patterns and the shadows they cast when held against the light.
PLAY! PARK encourages open-ended play, believing that children should discover their own unique ways to interact with the installations. It’s a rare chance for children to not just hear sound, but to truly feel its essence, sparking a deeper appreciation for the world around them.
Admission and Facility Information
Tickets for PLAY! PARK can be reserved online up to three weeks in advance or purchased at the reception counter on the day of your visit. Discounts are available for Tachikawa residents and groups.
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Facility Name: PLAY! PARK
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Address: 3-1 Midoricho, Tachikawa City, Tokyo 190-0014 (GREEN SPRINGS W3 Building 3F)
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Phone: 042-518-9627
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Operating Hours: Weekdays 10:00-17:00 / Weekends 10:00-18:00 (Last entry one hour before closing)
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Closed: Generally open daily (except for private events, maintenance days, and New Year’s Day)
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Official Website: https://play2020.jp/park/
This fusion of play and audio technology exemplifies Japan’s innovative approach to child development, offering immersive sensory experiences that transcend traditional learning. Such initiatives contribute to a global understanding of ‘kawaii’ not just as an aesthetic, but as a gateway to joyful, enriching, and deeply engaging cultural experiences for families worldwide.
