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Growing restrictions make for frustrated park users

55 Comments

Public parks in Japan's urban areas are not the fun places they used to be, reports Shukan Post (Sept 12). Now instead of kids kicking around a ball, you're just as likely to see them sitting on a bench, poking the keys on a cell phone, while they play a video game.

"Somebody complained we're a nuisance, and that if we want to keep using the park, to find some quieter game to play," a youngster explains.

The main reason for the growing number of prohibited activities is said to be complaints from people residing adjacent to the parks. For example, the happy shouts of children playing around a water fountain at a park in Nishi-Tokyo City were adjudged to be "noise," leading to the fountain being turned off. It's come to the point where people have initiated legal action to get their way.

Even the revered Japanese early morning institution of "rajio taiso" (radio calisthenics) is being challenged, with growing numbers of local governments now requiring applications be submitted in advance for practically any park activity.

A city employee in the parks and greenery department of Nishinomiya City in Hyogo Prefecture, says, "In cases where more than 10 people wish to engage in radio calisthenics, we require them to file an application. This is to facilitate adjustments to ensure there is no conflict for space with other park users. If they bring a radio we instruct them to notify nearby residents."

Some gripes may be legitimate. One such resident, in Nishi-Tokyo City, is under treatment for arrhythmia. She complained to the city that the noise was causing her to feel discomfort, and the city acceded to her request.

The aforementioned official in Nishinomiya City remarked, "In response to complaints, we have been posting more signs prohibiting various activities in parks. When residents see the signs, it makes it easier for them to come forward with their own complaints."

Another thing Shukan Post doesn't like is the excessive preoccupation with safety. Due to a series of injury-causing falls, moves to remove swings from parks accelerated from around 2000. Directives from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism have seen swings being phased out; parks are also being instructed to remove jungle gyms and swings made from a log suspended from ropes.

Park swings are said to have decreased to one-seventh of their former number and jungle gyms reduced by about half.

The ultimate affront to fun are nerdy slides measuring only one meter in length.

"The kids sit down on the slide, and before they know it, their feet are already on the ground," complains Takashi Komiyama, a member of the Nakano Ward assembly. "How do they expect kids to play on something like that?

"Sure, it's important to secure safety," Komiyama continues. "But the older playground fixtures helped boost children's physical condition and nurtured their awareness of possible dangers. All these rules aren't doing anything to help them."

In the background of all these prohibitions is the bureaucrat's mentality of always playing it safe. In the event something bad happens, what they fear more than anything else is being saddled with responsibility. So more than encouraging utilization by the residents, their first concern is potential complaints.

The end result is that even for such mundane activities as playing catch or kicking a soccer ball back and forth, more local governments, such as Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, are either requiring that supervisors be present, or placing restrictions on the hours such activities can be performed.

Ban this and prohibit that, concludes Shukan Post, and the end result is an open space where practically nothing is allowed. And one certainly unworthy of being called a park.

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


55 Comments
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And pray tell why haven't people gotten action against the "noisy" bosozoku?

This is just one more thing that is going to continue to happen with an aging population. Where is the omotei-nashi?

That's right, omotei-nashi (hospitality) only counts when it's not in YOUR neighborhood!

16 ( +18 / -2 )

Thankfully my kids have outgrown the local park. In the last 10 years or so playing catch has been banned, soccer balls are banned, the jungle gym has been retired along with the flying fox, the swings have been removed, playing in the fountain is now banned, etc.

14 ( +15 / -1 )

Hahaha. I agree with the oyajis that the laughter of young children cuts through you like a knife.

-28 ( +7 / -35 )

Another reporter who thinks Tokyo is the whole of Japan.

This is just yet another symptom of the chronic overcrowding in Tokyo. The reason the parks are being downgraded is simply because the land is so expensive and once they've made them unusable and kids stop coming they'll say, "Oh, look, no-one is using the park, let's close it!" and make a ton of money.

17 ( +21 / -4 )

For example, the happy shouts of children playing around a water fountain at a park in Nishi-Tokyo City were adjudged to be “noise,” leading to the fountain being turned off.

And then people wonder why Japan's population is falling.

Japan is becoming much too adult oriented at the expense of children and families. This sort of killjoy mentality is a sad symptom of an increasingly geriatric society.

25 ( +26 / -1 )

In certain areas ball games are prohibited for a reason - safety. Will not forget the time I was rushed to hospital when some JHS kids kicking around a soccer ball in a little kids play area wellied it right into my heavily pregnant belly and I started bleeding. Most terrifying experience of my life. They were very apologetic and looked even more terrified than me, bless them, but still.....not good.

People whining about noise need to get over themselves though. It`s not as if its happening late at night.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

You have to make it a campaign.

Redefine it Lets take the word P.A.R.K

Public Area (of) Recreation (for) Kids

Capitalism is Japan's main religion. It is this religion that is encroaching on kids habitat. EVERYTHING is a business now. If it's still free then we have to make a buck off it. You want to have a good time? You want a place to sit? I'm making a company to buy all bench space in the city. Like 24 Times I'll add one of those gizmos that raises up or locks you in after you sit-down. Then you need to use your PASMO to pay after you have rested.

Japan will do it. Japan will do it under Abe's administration cause this country has decided that bottom-feeding is a good thing.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

Some of the culture are being lost as well. Like the 'kamishibai' (paper drama) when local parks used to fill up with children on Sundays (ages ago). And the local 'bon maturi' which used to run 'til late at night blasting their music and drums are being restricted due to 'outsiders' moving in the neighborhood not being able to tolerate several hours out of the two days in a year with the local 'fuushuu' (custom).

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Sad people spreading their anxiety and darkness to the next generation. These people need some sense slapped into them. What is better than the noise of children laughing and playing? Falling off a slide is a great learning experience too. Just stating the obvious though, but somehow common sense aint so common anymore. Lame.

18 ( +19 / -1 )

The complainers are mainly elderly self centered folk. They probably enjoyed open spaces as kids but they begrudge that same enjoyment to children now. I know as we get older we grow less tolerant of nuisances.... I am already making a mental note to myself to try to not be like them at that age.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

I'm with the poster above. Why is the afternoon laughter of children unbearable, but nobody's raising petitions to stop the pathetic roaring of bosozoku engines?

Surely it can't be because children are safer targets to pick on than young men who might try to fight back? Because that would mean the complainers are not only joyless curmudgeons, but cowards and bullies also.

Anyone who decides to make a scene about children enjoying a park is a sad, miserable twott.

12 ( +15 / -3 )

I think a large part of the problem is that parks here are so freaken small. None of the parks near my house would be safe in terms of having a bunch of kids kick or throw a ball around. Far too close to houses as well so I can understand people being upset with having to listen to screaming kids, let alone worrying that a ball is going to come through their window at any time.

The elderly are a pain in the butt when it comes to complaining about everything but I don't blame them when it comes to some things. Why not allow kids to use the school grounds to play in during the weekends instead of locking them up when classes are out? Why can't the public use the grounds that they are paying for with their tax money? I get having gates and fences to keep the kids safe during the day but why not open them when classes are out?

We have a few parks near my house and they are clearly NOT safe - the grass is never cut, the swings are rusty and scary, the ropes look like they could break at any point. If cities are going to have parks, why not maintain them? It's like city planning here doesn't think about long term costs for such things and it reminds me of people who buy a house and let it fall down. There are about six parks within walking distance to my house and I would use ONE of them - that is new and taken care of by the neighbourhood I live in. Heck, I won't even let my dog run in the others because I worry about broken glass and whatelse could be in the overgrown grass.

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

Too many old people that don't care for children

4 ( +6 / -2 )

People buy houses around parks, they should not complain about the goings on in them. Ball playing in a tight space, I understand, having been hit by a foul ball while walking through a park, but kids playing in genaeral or radio calisthenics?

3 ( +6 / -3 )

These kind of complainers really annoy me. Most of these people moved close to a park or school, so their complaints should not be entertained. If the park moved next to you then it is a slightly different matter.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

The complainers are mainly elderly self centered folk. They probably enjoyed open spaces as kids but they begrudge that same enjoyment to children now. I know as we get older we grow less tolerant of nuisances.... I am already making a mental note to myself to try to not be like them at that age.

Now I'm starting to understand why Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso said that "old forks should hurry up and die"!

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Adults that totally forgot what was to be younger. Respect me the older generation and screw you younger ones. Just like the senpai > kohai いじわる.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

It's interesting that these Japanese typically complain about children playing noisily in a nearby park but when a Haihin Kaishuu mini truck blares by five times a day, that's perfectly acceptable.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

I have been told by city employees--and by a couple of Buddhist priests who got complaints about kids making noise in the temple grounds-- that, although there are indeed some older folks complaining, a surprisingly high number of complaints come from young (as in 20s and 30s) single people and childless couples, a few from young women with infants. A figure of "over 70%" was quoted in one area.

I have heard of cases in which the early morning raijio taiso was well attended by both kids and elderly pensioners (for many of whom it's a popular way of socializing and getting a little exercise), but complaints were received from young adults.

Many if not most of the elderly folks out in the country where I live profess to enjoy the sound of laughing and shouting kids, and bemoan its lack as the average age goes up. Some of them purposely go to parks and playgrounds where kids congregate just to watch happy kids, to relieve loneliness and maybe recall their own happier early lives. And, no, I'm not talking about old pervs here, either.

Yeah, there are old curmudgeons around. There are also young ones whose sense of entitlement makes it hard on kids and the elderly alike.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

"Danger: Stay away from the trees." That's what one sign says in a park I went to in western Tokyo. TIJ (this is Japan)

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Glad I live in Kumamoto. They recently replaced the playground equipment which had been around since my kids were born almost 20 years ago - and it includes a climbing wall! People who don't like kids should get what they deserve: No support during their "golden years."

4 ( +4 / -0 )

@Balefire

You are absolutely right ! I have noticed the same thing ! It's not the "oldies" who complain, it's the younger people who seem to find children playing, laughing and enjoying themselves."unbearable" - for as strange as that may seem...

4 ( +5 / -1 )

We don't have this problem where I live. There were three local parks about 10 years ago, but they've all been sold off and houses have been built on the sites. Now the kids just play in the streets and I have never seen a sign banning football on any of the roads near my house.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

@Balefire, @FightingViking Well said. Intolerant, infertile urbanites exist elsewhere, too. Try finding a chid-friendly place to eat (apart from junk food) in London, for example.

Childless Tokyoites probably fear their diabetic dachshunds falling from their prams at the sound of fun.

@Yubaru, @Harald, Perhaps someone could make a decibel comparison between children's laughter and the bastard bosozoku who tear down our street at 3am, or @CGB Spender's Haihin Kaishuu trucks that punctuate so many conference calls.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

In Higashikurume, there is a nice park across the street from my place. The city has gardeners mow the grass and trim the bushes ad trees often. There are four nice large picknick tables and a toilet with sinks. Great place to look at but hardly used. There is a large sign with many restrictions on it. One says, "no fires permitted". Once I took my BBQ set to enjoy an outdoor picnick. Someone contacted the city office. Soon some office workers arrived telling me and friends to put out the charcoal. My belief was no fires on the ground that a BBQ grill was ok. I was wrong. But that's Japan for you. Just bring your obentos.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

downside of an aging population that now fears children

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Are there no adverbs in Japan?

Instead of "No Playing", how about "Please do not play recklessly/noisily/discourteously"?

Instead of "No Music", how about "Do not play music loudly"?

Instead of "No Cycling", how about "Please ride bicycles slowly and carefully"? etc etc.

Guess it`s easier to just ban everything outright.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I have heard of cases in which the early morning raijio taiso was well attended by both kids and elderly pensioners (for many of whom it's a popular way of socializing and getting a little exercise), but complaints were received from young adults.

Exercise and socializing are wonderful, but the timing of rajio taiso is just plain horrible for working adults: it starts at 6:30 AM.

Imagine you're a young sleep-deprived salaryman stuck at the office until 10 or 11 every night. You want to sleep until the latest possible moment in the morning, and you can't because of this. The oldsters have all day to socialize in the park -- how about in the afternoon when the grandkids get home from school?

My apartment building is situated above a park, and every morning (unless we get rain), a cadre of 20 to 30 people, all elderly, go out to do rajio taiso. Their chatter is loud. Their radio is loud. The clapping that you do while exercizsing can wake the dead. And because every participant is old, their hearing is starting to go, so the volume gets turned to the max.

I'll be the first to admit that in most cases it's the curmudgeonly seniors making things miserable for everyone else, but with rajio taiso it's the elderly who are torturing the rest of us. Loud music at 6:30 AM in the middle of a densely-populated residential district? Only in the gerontocracy that Japan is becoming would this go unopposed.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

The other problem is (of course) the terrible low-quality of much of the housing. Most of the houses and apartments here look like they're built out of old packing crates that have been stapled together and wrapped in vinyl. They're baking hot in the summer, freezing cold in the winter and the noise comes through all year round.

I also think a lot of the complaining is from younger people, especially the type of men and woman in their thirties who decide to sit at their desk 14 hours a day Monday to Friday and then want to devote the weekend to their main stated hobby, which is sleeping. They tend to live in low-quality housing and are probably more annoyed when they get woken up by the sound of children enjoying themselves, which is something they have made a deliberate decision to never do. Of course they won't complain about the noise from bosozoku or vans selling anything from kerosene to bamboo washing lines, because that would mean openly confronting someone who might be tough. They prefer to make cowardly phone calls to city halls complaining about children enjoying themselves, which says it all about them really.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Too many grumpy old people.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

@Samuel_kb_Ampong

Just as we thought, it's the "younger generation" complaining... Ever hear of "ear plugs" ?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Really hard for me to understand because i feel the opposite to the older people who complain. You'd think they'd welcome the noise of kids playing. After reading the news about beheadings and bombings and global warming and economic woes I go past a park and see kids being kids and being noisy as they play and think that the world isn't going to end after all - because there are still kids who don't care or know about Isis or Abenomics or the next Presidential election because they're too busy having fun.

And there are kids for whom their own own isn't such a wonderful place perhaps because of depressed or fighting parents or maybe even parents that abuse them. How terrible to take away their fun at the local park - maybe their only escape.

Not to mention then when you get old and realise that you don't have forever left, that kids playing should make you remember your own childhood.

Really can't understand it. The noise of kids playing in a park is one of the few sounds in this modern world that I don't want to see disappear.

As for the danger of swings - I fell off a jungle gym when I was 6. It hurt. But guess what - I got better at climbing and was forever more careful to this day because I learned a little about gravity!

A park full of kids playing on their iPhones? I'm the biggest apple fan out there but the day a park if full of kids playing on iPhones instead of climbing, running, kicking a ball, and even occasionally calling another kid baka and then making up later will be the day the music died.

And radio taiso - I've never really been into it, but I like getting a kick out of seeing old people in the park doing that.

If they want to ban anything, ban the senkyo cars!

oh, what irony. Just as I was writing this I could hear the city office car going passed with a recording of a lady telling people that it was wrong to throw cigarette butts on the road.

Probably the old guys ignorant and stupid enough to still be smoking and throwing their butts on the ground are the same ones complaining about kids playing onigoko.

I think I'll go to the park this afternoon and tell the kids to play louder!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

They tend to live in low-quality housing and are probably more annoyed when they get woken up by the sound of children enjoying themselves

And this is based on your research? Fascinating. When does your book come out?

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

First off... who actually... under normal circumstances, is likely to complain. Younger couples... come on, they're either at work or going somewhere over the weekend. Middle aged couples... they have kids... Single people... there is an argument there... agreed they would complain but on a whole... most of them are working too. That leaves the ever present retired elderly and I've seen them. An intolerant bunch that thinks the new generations are the end of the world. Can't fault them for thinking like that... heck all old people think that way.... but they're taking all the fun out of being a kid. In a time where there are so many distractions with online gaming and computers they want to force the ones that want the outdoors back inside. Add to that a bunch of bureaucrats than only want to avoid extra work and you have a very sad recipe for atrophy in the young.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Banning any activities in parks leads children to undesirable physical ability.

Because of the decreasing of playground, their physical ability have been worth than ever before.

It's one of Japanese social problem.

Government should make more playground. In addition, people around the park allow children to make "happy noise" as it is future noise.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

My apartment building is situated above a park, and every morning (unless we get rain), a cadre of 20 to 30 people, all elderly, go out to do rajio taiso.

Why don't you move? They were there first. It apparently does not bother the MAJORITY of the residents.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The aging demographic is becoming more numerous and therefore more powerful as a force in society. Society's priorities will get less and less focused on the needs of the young and more and more on the old.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

When I resided in China and Oman for a few years I would often go to the parks and throw the ball or frisbee for fun. I never heard a whimper from anyone. In some cases, strangers would join in and ask me to teach them how to do it. No restrictions, no hassles no problems. Now jump to Japan, you cant do this or that blah blah blah. Are they not park? Just like other western nations, Japan is becoming a land of 'permits' and 'you cant do that here.' Freedom? Really? So many 'sticks in the mud' these days. I guess the local governments pick and chose which taxpayer is the top dog.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I live next to a park with kids and adults using the park for soccer games and baseball games. I love hearing the noise of happy people doing what they enjoy. If it bothers me i just shut my window and noise is gone. What do they expect kids to do at the park? Sit down and be quiet? Some Japanese people especially the ones in tokyo need to learn how it was like to be a kid. Having fun and enjoying the day. Just because they are miserable. Why should the kids suffer too.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

You'd think they'd welcome the noise of kids playing.

Why? Not everyone like kids. Kids in parks aren't always happy and playing. There are often tears and plenty of fights between the kids over toys and the like. I'm not saying kids shouldn't be able to play in the parks but the idea that everyone should "welcome" the sounds of kids playing is a joke. It's like suggesting everyone should enjoy hearing the seniors play their "tajio" exercise music or that I should enjoy the songs of the black vans because others do.

I think it is insane that parks are banning things - no idea why I got the thumbs down for pointing out the issues with the parks in my area but anyway... But let's be honest, people are far more stressed out these days, parks are too small, parents don't do a great job in raising kids to think about those around them, many old folks don't think about anyone but themselves... It adds up to a society being less than thrilled to deal with strangers and put up with things they aren't interested in.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

This article make me mad, stop this, stop that ,ban this, when do children ever get chance to have a bit of fun? burn off some steam, ban swings! why? teach your children all about safety, educate them, get them to look after them selfs, its alabout life skills,that would be better, are we not pampering to a small minority of grumpy people? if you don't like the noise, F.O. to the country side! once you have built on a green field/park with a multi tower you aint getting it back! so if your in a over crowded area/town value the green space, its precious

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Why? Not everyone like kids. Kids in parks aren't always happy and playing. There are often tears and plenty of fights between the kids over toys and the like. I'm not saying kids shouldn't be able to play in the parks but the idea that everyone should "welcome" the sounds of kids playing is a joke.

tmarie - perhaps not everyone does like it, but I have never met anyone who does not. The sound of carefree children playing is as old as humankind and something that reminds us of the continuiing cycle of life and optimism for the futre.

I do not understand what kind of bitter people want to stop children playing outdoors. I would consider it a human right for children - they must play and can only do it noisely. If you do not like it, do not live near a park or even in a City.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Apparently everything must be highly regulated except for those noisy loudspeakers and bullhorns that constantly destroy the peace. I say let the kids play in the park and let (strictly) un-amplified free speech reign.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

tmarie - perhaps not everyone does like it, but I have never met anyone who does not. The sound of carefree children playing is as old as humankind and something that reminds us of the continuiing cycle of life and optimism for the futre.

Perhaps you haven't asked them about it because clearly many are not happy with it or this article wouldn't have been written and there wouldn't be a problem. You see the sounds of children as positive and such, others don't. Clearly or there would be no complaints. All I'm pointing out.

I don't think anyone has demanded that kids stop playing outside. I think people just wish there were better areas for them. As I pointed out in my first post, most parks here are pretty poor and I wouldn't allow kids to play in them due to safety concerns. Kids don't have to be noisey - the kids in my area play in the park less than 50 meters from my house and I have zero complaints about the noise they make because they are not noisey. Just beause someone points out that not everyone agrees with your opinions doesn't mean they do not like something. And one might turn around and sugggest that a city isn't the best place to raise kids as clearly, they need open spaces to play...

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

ahso, some people just like complaining about things.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Ain't that the truth Kick! Some like to complain about people complaining!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Thank you all, After reading the article and everyones comments I have realized that subconsciously we as parents were forcing all these rules on our child just so that her playfulness doesn't bother anyone. Well from now on I will not stop my kid from behaving like a kid and let her 'meiwaku kakeru' as much as she wants, because as the ratio of older people increases, the suppression on childhood will increase and I cannot be a part of that.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

This is sad. There is a tiny park near my place and hearing laughing kids there on Sunday afternoons makes me feel all is right with the world. Ban the noisy trucks and pachinko and bosozoku for quieter neighborhoods, not something as natural as kids' voices!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

i live next to a primary school. there's several recess breaks for the individual grades per day. naturally, they are noisy. we shut our windows and deal with it. complaining would be the wrong thing to do. we knew the school was there when we moved in. you wouldn't move near a football stadium and tell them they have to ban sport events or pick a quieter game because you don't like the noise.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

This is especially absurd and saddening considering that one of the most iconic directors of all time, Japan's own Hayao Miyazaki, has left the industry - a man who was an avid advocate for conservation and the environment. Now, those few, green spaces will be turned into shopping malls or more businesses where people work late hours and forget what it means to "have fun" (and, no, alcohol consumption and drunkeness are not considered "fun"- that's escapism when it's done on a regular basis and in copious amounts).

It is understood that you are elderly or have work the next day, but if it's 6 or 7 o'clock in the evening and kids are being just that, kids, on a playground (ie: being loud and rambunctious, getting scraped-up knees, playing sports or games), you need to get over yourself. It isn't logical to forget that your elders were tolerant of you at that age while you were being loud at a park, and went a step forward to find joy in the fact that your generation could play outside, that it had a place to make friends and get messy that wasn't destroying anything and that it had things which it could climb all over that were maintained and helped in its physicality.

What makes you think you deserve special treatment? Simply believing you are more important than the generations that follow you is incredibly selfish and rude. As sad as it is to say, in just a few years from now, you will have passed away and these children you are seeing as a nuisance will be the individuals in charge of this world- those same children who can't live healthily without that physical activity and fresh air you're working to take away.

Do you want them to have an appreciation for Mother Nature? Do you want them to have a place that they can go and play while not having to spend anything extra out of your or your children's pockets? Do you want them to know the thrill of making that perfect goal in soccer or hitting their first home run ball? Do you not want them to understand that bumps and bruises build character in the ideal that if one falls down, one gets back and tries again?

By causing the enforcement of all of these outlandish restrictions in parks because of your self-centered complaints and agendas, you are hurting your society as a whole- the family, community and personal growth aspects, specifically, just to name a few.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Thank GOD I didn't grow up in Japan & glad I have no kids, I feel sorry for kids/young in Japan, they grow up in a crappy environment for the most part & the future is pretty dim, poor buggers

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I play tennis with my so in a park north of my home-that is what a park is for to play in......

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I live next to a junior high school which is a wonderful. (not sarcasm) As a musician and a foreigner, I enjoy all of the great sounds that come out of it. Brass band (makes me think about my high school brass band days), chorus, baseball practice, PE class, soccer practice. Lots of noise but it's not even that loud. My apartment building is only separated by a small man-made rain drain river. Actually, I'm really glad that I live there because my neighbors won't complain about me playing my electronic drums. (not loud just sound like rubber tapping)

You don't like the sound of a park, why did you move next to one?

These rules are getting crazy! I went to Bampaku park here in Osaka which is a gigantic place and they wouldn't allow my (almost) 3 year old son to bring in his strider. A strider is a pedaless bike that teaches kids how to balance. There are tons of roads and paths that has absolutely no one on, even on Sunday!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Sadly, another slap to the youth environment and their right to enjoy outdoor recreation. The old rapidly forgets that they once had that great sense of adventure and training with nature. Just wonder how grandparents or grand aunts and uncles behave when the youth is forced to restrict the physical mobility into electronic gadgetry.... Then complain why kids to chat with adults !!!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Someone needs to re-cover this. It's time. Get people outside on their feet.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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