TochigiLeisure

Bell Mall Shopping Center (ショッピングモールベルモール)

Flow of the course

Previous stop: Get a feel for Meiji-era Utsunomiya life at a merchant house of Oya stone and black plaster

About 30 min from the previous stop

About 120 min here

About 30 min to the next stop

Next stop: Play in the fountain spray until evening, just 7 minutes on foot from the station

About this spot

A large shopping mall on the east side of Utsunomiya Station. With a food court and restaurants, it's easy for everyone to be satisfied even if the kids' tastes differ. The interior is air-conditioned, making it a reliable place to cool off before playing outside. Stocking up here on anything you're missing for water play — towels, a change of clothes, sunscreen, drinks — sets you up for a worry-free afternoon. There's also a baby care room, making it an easy base for lunchtime even with an infant along.

Tips

The food court gets crowded around noon on weekends and holidays, so shifting to late 11am or after 1pm makes it easier to find a seat. The parking lot is large, but parking near an exit that leads easily toward the park makes the trip back easier. Buying extra plastic bags means you won't be stuck for a way to carry home wet clothes.