If you are planning a visit to Chiikawa Park Tokyo and want to win a special souvenir, do not miss the game area.
The park has two paid mini games where successful players can win a large, park-exclusive character cushion. I tried both games during my visit and managed to win at the Kumonosu Catcher, also known as the Spiderweb Catcher.
In this Chiikawa Park Tokyo review, I will explain how each game works, the tips that helped me win, what prizes were available when I visited, and which game I think is easier for first-time players.
Important: Game rules, prize characters and availability may change. The details about my attempts and prize selection below are based on my own visit. Check the official Chiikawa Park website for the latest information before you go.
- Chiikawa Park Tokyo Game Area: Quick Guide
- What Can You Win at the Chiikawa Park Games?
- Is There a Prize If You Lose?
- Kumonosu Catcher Rules
- How I Won the Kumonosu Catcher
- Meatball Rolling Rules
- Which Chiikawa Park Game Is Easier?
- Is the ¥700 Game Price Worth It?
- Tips for International Visitors
- Chiikawa Park Tokyo Tickets, Address and Opening Hours
- Final Review: Choose the Kumonosu Catcher If You Want a Cushion
- Related Articles
Chiikawa Park Tokyo Game Area: Quick Guide
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Games | Kumonosu Catcher and Meatball Rolling |
| Game price | ¥700 per play |
| Main prize | Large character cushion |
| If you do not win | A small consolation charm |
| Park admission | Required separately |
| Payment | Cashless only |
The two games are:
- Kumonosu Catcher (くものすキャッチャー): Launch a small Chiikawa character plush into a spiderweb-shaped target.
- Meatball Rolling (ミートボールころがし): Guide a ball across a moving platform and try to roll it into the hole.
Both games look simple, but they are more difficult than they appear. I saw many visitors trying more than once because the exclusive prizes are so cute.
What Can You Win at the Chiikawa Park Games?
If you clear a game, you can receive a large die-cut character cushion.
When I visited, the available cushions were:
- Hachiware
- Usagi
I was able to choose between them. However, the prize characters rotate, and some designs may only be available for a limited period. The official game-area notice also warns that prizes may end when stock runs out.
These cushions are game prizes, so they are different from the regular Chiikawa Park goods and merchandise sold in the shop.
Is There a Prize If You Lose?
Yes. Even if you do not clear the game, you still receive a small participation prize.
The consolation prize was a character charm when I visited. It was much cuter than I expected, so losing did not feel like walking away empty-handed.
The charm design may be random, and the available designs can change.
Kumonosu Catcher Rules
The Kumonosu Catcher is a launching game. You place a small character plush on the launcher, pull it back, and try to send the plush into the spiderweb-shaped target.
When I played, the available plush characters included:
- Chiikawa
- Hachiware
- Usagi
At the time of my visit, one ¥700 round gave me three attempts. Rules may change, so listen to the staff’s explanation before playing.
How I Won the Kumonosu Catcher
I successfully landed the plush in the web and won a large cushion. Of course, there is no guaranteed way to win, but these three adjustments made the biggest difference for me.
Tip 1: Face Hachiware Toward You
I used the Hachiware plush and positioned it with its face pointing toward me.
The direction of the plush affects how it flies. When Hachiware faced me, the launch felt straighter and more stable than when the plush was turned another way.
If you choose a different character, pay attention to how its head and body affect the balance.
Tip 2: Position the Head Upward
Place the plush so that its head is angled upward rather than lying completely flat.
This position seemed to keep the weight more centered and made the flight distance easier to predict. A small change in the starting angle can make a surprisingly big difference.
Tip 3: Pull the Launcher Back Fully and Release It Quickly
This was the most important tip for me.
Instead of trying to carefully reduce the power, I pulled the launcher all the way back and released it in one quick movement.
Think full power and straight ahead. A hesitant release or sideways movement can make the plush lose distance or fly off course.
My Winning Setup
To summarize, this was the setup that worked for me:
- Hachiware’s face was pointing toward me.
- The head was angled upward.
- I pulled the launcher back as far as possible.
- I released it quickly without adding sideways force.
The setup and direction seemed more important than trying to use delicate power control.
Meatball Rolling Rules
The other Chiikawa Park game is Meatball Rolling.
You place the ball on a platform, move the swaying platform from side to side, and try to guide the ball into the target hole.
When I visited, the basic rules were:
- Place the ball on the platform.
- Control the platform as it moves from side to side.
- Guide the ball toward the hole.
- Clear the game by getting the ball into the hole.
I had three chances during my round. As with the Kumonosu Catcher, the current number of attempts may differ, so check the instructions on the day of your visit.
Which Chiikawa Park Game Is Easier?
In my experience, the Kumonosu Catcher was easier to understand and more likely to improve with each attempt.
Here is how the two games felt to me:
| Game | Difficulty | My impression |
| Kumonosu Catcher | Challenging but easier to adjust | The plush position, angle and release can be repeated |
| Meatball Rolling | More difficult for a first-time player | Timing and small left-to-right movements take practice |
The Kumonosu Catcher felt less dependent on luck because I could change the plush position after seeing how it flew. Once I found a stable setup, the result became more predictable.
Meatball Rolling required finer control. The moving platform made it difficult to correct the ball’s path, especially on a first attempt.
If your main goal is to win a cushion, I would choose the Kumonosu Catcher.
Is the ¥700 Game Price Worth It?
¥700 for one game is not especially cheap, particularly because the game fee is separate from your Chiikawa Park admission ticket.
However, I still thought it was worth trying because:
- The large cushion is very cute.
- The prizes feel special and exclusive to the park.
- You still receive a consolation charm if you do not win.
- The game itself becomes a fun memory from your visit.
For a Chiikawa fan, I think it is worth budgeting for at least one game. If you plan to play several times, remember that each additional play costs another ¥700 and may require lining up again.
Tips for International Visitors
Bring a Cashless Payment Method
Chiikawa Park is cashless. The official visitor information says that credit cards, digital payments and transportation IC cards are accepted. A Japanese IC card such as Suica can therefore be convenient for paying inside the park.
Leave Space in Your Luggage
The winning cushions are large, so they can be awkward to carry during the rest of your day in Tokyo. If winning a cushion is one of your goals, bring a foldable shopping bag or leave room in your suitcase.
There are no coin lockers inside Chiikawa Park. Visitors with large luggage should use lockers or baggage storage elsewhere in Sunshine City or near the station.
Check the Current Prize Before Playing
The available cushion characters can change, and prizes are limited. Check the latest news on the official website before your visit, especially if you want a particular character.
Remember the Japanese Game Names
The official Japanese names are useful when asking staff for directions:
- Kumonosu Catcher: くものすキャッチャー
- Meatball Rolling: ミートボールころがし
The park notes that interpreting services are not available, although the rules are visual and fairly easy to follow.
Chiikawa Park Tokyo Tickets, Address and Opening Hours
Chiikawa Park is located in Ikebukuro, inside the Sunshine City Annex building.
Address: 3-3-5 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0013
Building: Sunshine City Annex B1F and 1F
Opening hours: 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Last entry: 7:00 p.m.
The park is approximately:
- An 8-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station, East Exit No. 35
- A 3-minute walk from Higashi-Ikebukuro Station via the underground passage from Exit 6 or 7
- A 4-minute walk from Higashi-Ikebukuro-Yonchome tram stop
Current general admission prices listed by the official website are:
| Ticket | Price |
| Adult, age 12 and over | ¥3,500 |
| Child, age 4–11 | ¥1,800 |
| Student | ¥2,800 |
Tickets must be purchased in advance. Although some travelers search for Chiikawa Park Tokyo tickets on Klook, the official English website currently directs visitors to Asoview! for ticket purchases. Tickets are sold for a specific entry date and time and may sell out.
Opening hours, admission prices and ticket rules can change. Always confirm the latest details on the official Chiikawa Park English website before making your plans.
▶︎ Book your Chiikawa Park tickets on Asoview!
Final Review: Choose the Kumonosu Catcher If You Want a Cushion
The Chiikawa Park Tokyo games were more challenging than I expected, but winning a large character cushion made the experience even more memorable.
My most useful Kumonosu Catcher tips are:
- Face the Hachiware plush toward you.
- Angle the head upward.
- Pull the launcher back fully.
- Release it quickly and aim straight.
For first-time visitors, I recommend the Kumonosu Catcher over Meatball Rolling because the setup is easier to adjust and repeat. Even if you do not win, the consolation charm is a cute souvenir.
If a Chiikawa Park prize cushion is high on your wish list, try the Kumonosu Catcher—and remember that the exact rules and available characters may be different on the day you visit.
▶︎ Book your Chiikawa Park tickets on Asoview!
