Anpanman

Japanese children everywhere love Anpanman - a cartoon character whose head is made of bread. He and his cohorts fight the evil Baikinman in every episode. With Ariana off from school this week, I told her I had a surprise for her and we took the train down to Yokohama to visit the Anpanman museum. We found the museum with no problem as we just followed the parade of excited little children and their parents down the street. Ariana was very excited when she realized where we were going and ran right up to Anpanman and wouldn't leave until I took her picture.

These are just some of the characters that make an appearance in the show....
As most children's "museums" here, it is basically a big shopping arcade with a play space thrown in; so the children can play with all the toys they will then bug their parents to buy them. You are then starving, so you end up in a theme restaurant eating kawai ("cute") food
You then visit the stores, buy a lot of stuff your child may or may not play with, wear, eat, etc.

You return to your stroller, which has been parked in the "lot" along with all of the others and make your way home.
In the end, it is all worth it, as right before she falls asleep in her stroller, your child looks up at you and says "mama, I liked my surprise"