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I visited Gallery Heizaemon & Cafe SAWA in mid-February 2025. It was just the beginning of the plum blossom season.

Plum blossoms tend to bloom earlier these days… The 200-year-old plum tree was already about 70% in bloom!!

The enchantment of Gallery Heizaemon & Cafe SAWA

A 200-year-old plum tree and a lush garden

The vigor of the 200-year-old tree in the garden of Gallery Heizaemon & Cafe SAWA and the atmosphere it creates are truly impressive.

Bathed in the soft light streaming in through the large, shiny windows, we gazed out the window at the plum petals falling from the large tree. It was a relaxing, luxurious and soothing plum blossom viewing time.

After dinner, we took a short walk in the garden. Fatsia and fruit-bearing yuzu trees came naturally into my view. The wintersweet trees still had their cute flowers.

Among them were several large hydrangeas that had lost their leaves. We can’t wait for them to grow lush green leaves and bloom in June with their vibrant flowers.

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There are also other plum trees, some of which are just about to bloom. They’ll make us enjoy the plum blossom viewing a little longer.

Terrace seating overlooking the garden and little bamboo forest

Gallery Heizaemon & Cafe SAWA has one table on the terrace. You can enjoy the view of the bamboo forest and the garden at the same time.

On the day, a customer with a cute little child and a dog was enjoying themselves

Someone was just tending to the bamboo forest. I have heard from many people that it is very hard to manage a bamboo forest and maintain the scenery. I am grateful for this.

I think it will be a wonderful space in the summer with sunlight filtering through the bamboo trees.

Delicious sweets in a cozy space

It is still cold and dry in February. When I entered the cafe, the soft, warm air welcomed me…

Then I noticed that a convection stove had been installed.

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That’s one of the reasons I love Gallery Heizaemon & Cafe SAWA.

And…these are what I had!

Everything was delicious and I was able to spend a luxurious coffee time relaxing both my body and mind.

I was especially happy to be able to enjoy the mashed chestnuts with whipped cream, which I had wanted to have for a long time! It went in perfect harmony with the carefully brewed coffee… Also, the homemade marmalade and cream that came with the scone were exquisite.

They also have a light meal menu, so you can have lunch here if you like.

Some of the popular menu items at Cafe SAWA

• Set of coffee or tea and scones (with fresh cream and seasonal homemade jam)
• Toast set with choice of filling
• Keema curry
• Shiratama oshiruko
• Mashed chestnuts with whipped cream
• Today’s cake

The history of Nagareyama and the Japanese seasonal atmosphere

When you enter the entrance first you’ll find cute hanging dolls and a beautiful Hina doll on display, which were so impressive.

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It reminded me, “That’s right, Hinamatsuri is coming up soon! lol”

On the right is a 130-year-old storehouse. The beams supporting the storehouse are thick and impressive! It is an open space that can be visited, so if you take a peek inside, you’ll feel like you’re on an adventure in its history.

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The storehouse, including the bamboo forest, can be rented for use. Concerts and other events are also held here. For more information, please contact Gallery Heizaemon & Cafe SAWA directly.

They were selling plum-dyed handkerchiefs dyed with plum branches from 200-year-old trees. The unique light texture is lovely, isn’t it?

Take a break during or after walking along the Tone Canal

Gallery Heizaemon & Cafe SAWA is located along the Tone Canal, a three-minute walk from Unga Station.

If you stop by for lunch or a cup of coffee while you’re out for a walk, your happiness level is sure to skyrocket for the day!

Gallery Heizaemon & Cafe SAWA information

Summary

Thank you for reading to the end.

I hope this article will convey the enchantment of Gallery Heizaemon & Cafe SAWA. And it would be great if it could inspire you to go and check it out.

At TSUNAGU Nagareyama, we hope to play a part as a hub between Nagareyama and those who live in or near Nagareyama, as well as those who are interested in Nagareyama. If you would like to add or correct any information, please contact us via the inquiry form.

[The barrier of first grade] What to do about mommie’s work after your kids’ graduating from nursery school or kindergarten?

We’ve been able to continue working thanks to the extended childcare at nursery school or kindergarten but…

when our children graduate… can we really continue working? Or not?!

Do we need to relay on after-school care at a school? Or a private after-school care center?

About 10 years ago, I attended an information session of private after-school care centers but which were still few and far between.

At that time, private after-school care center did not offer pick-up services from the school, so I chose an after-school care center on the school grounds.

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Between the school and the private after-school care center was quite far…likemy kids could have just gone home.

However, it is now common for private after-school care centers to provide pick-up services!!

In the Minami Nagareyama area, there are not as many options as there are around Nagareyama Otakanomori, but there are some that will come to pick up your child from schools, so if you can’t find a private after-school care center you like in the neighborhood, you might be able to consider one around Nagareyama Otakanomori.

Comparison of private and school-based after-school care centers

The differences between private after-school care centers and those at schools are summarized in the table below. There are exceptions, but the following conditions generally apply.

As for the curriculum, each private after-school care center has its own unique features, so you can choose one that suits your child’s personality and future goals.

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Private after-school care centers are expensive, but they are wonderful because they provide everything you need. It’s totally a relief for working parents. Incidentally, Minami Nagareyama Second After-School Center is run by a private company called GAKKEN, and the fee is 9,500 yen!!

Be sure to attend an information session or trial session in fall!

Popular private after-school programs are often fully booked even at the autumn information session.

For families who are still deciding, if there is even the slightest possibility, it would be a good idea to organize your autumn schedule and gather information such as reviews of private after-school programs during the summer vacation. We also recommend that you will be ready to apply as soon as the dates for autumn trial sessions are announced.

List of private after-school care facilities around Minami Nagareyama

We are not posting details about classes, curriculum, or fees here as they may change. Please contact them directly to confirm.

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All private after-school care centers have set aside time for homework and their staffs will check it for your children, so mommies must be so relieved!

Clicking on the address will take you to Google Maps, and clicking on the facility name will take you to a phone number to contact the center.

If you would like more information, please click on the HP link button to visit the facility’s website.

I am Minami-Nagareyama Kodomo Academy

Here, “I am” is meant to encourage mom, dad, and children to live their lives with themselves as the subject.

We operate in small classes, valuing each child’s individuality and fostering gratitude, independence, and sociability.

流山学童・科学・造形教室　アイアム南流山こどもアカデミー – 流山市・少人数制で「個」を大切にする学童・科学・造形教室

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It’s rare to find a private after-school program that includes an art class!

If you would like to compare art classes with others, please refer to “[Learn painting, crafts, and art in Nagareyama] Summary of art classes – Minami Nagareyama / Nagareyama Otakanomori and others”.

Waku-Supo

A new type of after-school care that gets children excited about sports and improves their “brain power”

【習い事・送迎付き学童】流山・松戸で運動、学習するならわくスポ

Starting in April 2025, they will also be offering the much talked about parkour class!

Not only will they be training in parkour, but in a variety of other body movements, so if your children attend Waku-Spo, they’ll be sure to be a hero in their PE class!?!?

Nanakara

Homework is supervised by study professionals! In addition to after-school care, you can also add extracurricular activities. For lunch, your children can eat a healthy and delicious freshly prepared lunch cooked by Kay Munchies at Nanakara.

WAKUWAKU Science and other extracurricular activities are optional services that can be added as extracurricular activities at an additional cost.

千葉県流山市南流山2丁目23-10 ラソンプレ南流山1・2F

Nanakara

3 minutes walk from Minami Nagareyama Station on the Tsukuba Express Line and Musashino Line

Curriculum: WAKUWAKU science, calligraphy, programming

Nanakara HP

Mama Support

We call Mama Support “Mama-Sapo” for short.

The children at MamaSapo are fully committed to both their studies and outdoor play! In addition to homework, they also spend 1-1.5 hours working on study assignments, and most children are independently learning content at or above their grade level.

Engaged

There is always an English speaker on-site, so English is always spoken in the classroom. The enthusiastic and warm staff also provide support for various other extracurricular activities, so working mothers can rest assured.

It is also a secondary venue for the Eiken examinations, so there is no need to travel to the main venue, and the fees are also reasonable.

Summary

Have you found a private after-school program that interests you?

Minami Nagareyama is right next to Shin-Matsudo, so most of the facilities also accept students from Matsudo. One benefit of attending a private after-school program is that your child can make friends from outside the school district early on.

At TSUNAGU Nagareyama, we hope to play a part as a hub between Nagareyama and those who live in or near Nagareyama, as well as those who are interested in Nagareyama.

If you would like to add or correct any information, please contact us using the inquiry form.

Art is self-expression. Not about being good at it.

“Human eyes are black and mouths are red.”

Who decided that when you express them in art?

For example, if the artist is at the peak of joy or happiness, his world will appear to shine with various colors. Or it may appear in a different shape than it actually is.

You could say it’s expressing what you see with your mind’s eye. What you draw can change depending on your state of mind. What and how people draw and express is fundamentally free.

Art is self-expression.

It is said that artistic activities, which express a worldview based on one’s own sensibility by drawing/creating, activate the brain.

I hope that children who will lead the future will continue to do creative activities like this.

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When it comes to drawing the same picture multiple times like photographs, no one can match a robot.

There are no limits to art

As AI becomes more widespread, many people know that it can create high-quality art in an instant.

However, art created by AI is made by complexly combining the vast amounts of information stored in the AI. In other words, it is made from what already exists.

On the other hand, art created by humans is created by expressing the complex emotions that only humans have, either as they are or by combining them with information.

It is a genuine work of art that can never be created twice.

Furthermore, the fact that only humans can sense it makes us feel the reality that AI cannot replace all artists.

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Now that we live in an age where we coexist with AI, it’s important to hone your ability to express yourself and create things that don’t exist!!

Summary of painting and craft classes in Nagareyama

In this article, we have summarized art-related lessons where children can learn painting and crafts for those who want to learn art and improve their self-expression.

We have not listed the days of the week, times, and detailed classes here, as they may change. Please contact us directly to confirm.

Some classes are currently fully booked and cannot be expanded.

If you are even slightly considering it, we recommend that you contact us as soon as possible.

Atelier Tentoumushi – Nagareyama Otakanomori

Atelier Tentoumushi is where preschool to elementary school children can learn drawing and crafting.

When we check the information of this atelier, it’s always full, so anyone who happens to come when there’s an empty spot is extremely lucky! You can apply for a trial lesson on their website.

流山市おおたかの森西１丁目

Atelier Tentoumushi

5min walk from “Nagareyama-Otakanomori″ Stn.

monthly：starting from 5000 yen

Atelier Tentoumushi

cosmic art mira – Nagareyama Otakanomori

We provide full-scale instruction in painting and clay modeling. As we are called an “experience-based art facility,” we have an attractive classroom with a wide variety of experience-based programs, including various art events and art camps.

千葉県流山市おおたかの森北1-2-1 スターツおおたかの森ホール会議室1or2／スタジオ2

cosmic art mira

Immediately after getting off at “Nagareyama Otakanomori” station

target：Preschool to elementary school

ticket fee：starting from 3500 yen / lesson

cosmic art mira HP

Zuko Land – Nagareyama Otakanomori

The course offers in-depth instruction in two courses: a regular course covering all aspects of creative activities, and a painting course.

This is a bottom-up class that develops students’ ability to come up with their own ideas and put them into shape.

This will likely help them survive in a future where there are no right answers.

千葉県流山市おおたかの森東1-5-2　大聖ビル5Ｆ

Zuko Land

Target: Elementary school students to junior high school students

Monthly：starting from 13200 yen

Zuko Land HP

SORAKUMO Atelier SORA – Minami Nagareyama

This is an atelier that just opened in May 2024 where preschoolers to elementary school students can learn painting and sculpture.

There is also a gallery that exhibits a variety of works.

千葉県流山市鰭ケ崎8-3 シナプス南流山ビル

SORAKUMO

15 minutes walk from “Minami Nagareyama” Station, 3 minutes walk from “Higasaki” Station

Monthly：starting from 6300 yen～

SORAKUMO HP

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In the Minami Nagareyama area, there is also “Atelier Mikuchi” modeling class in “I Am Minami Nagareyama Children’s Academy (private after-school care)”.

For more information, please refer to ….”Private after-school programs in Minami Nagareyama Area – Here, the barrier for the working mommies to entering first grade is quite low!?“!

Art Club Nagareyama – Nagareyama Central Park

You can receive instruction from talented instructors, including Yoko Otomo, an active painter and illustrator.

In addition to general painting, we can also teach watercolor painting and crafts.

千葉県流山市中１１０ 生涯学習センター

Art Club Nagareyama

Target：five years old to junior high school students

Monthly：3000 yen / 3 lessons in a month

Art club Nagareyama HP

Edogawadai Painting School – Edogawadai

The aim of our classes is to develop students into better people through drawing and making things.

http://sonokoubou.com/kaiga/feature.html

Not only will they teach you painting while guiding you in the methods of self-expression, but they can also provide guidance for those considering going on to an art high school.

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It’s very reassuring to know that they can also offer advice on my future career path.

千葉県流山市江戸川台西1-168

Edogawadai Painting School

5 minutes walk from the west exit of Edogawadai Station

target：Preschool to junior high school students

monthly：Starting from 4000 yen

Edogawadai Painting School HP

Summary of other art classes in Nagareyama

Onoresho Hananowa Dojo – Various locations in Nagareyama City

A fusion of calligraphy and art! If you want to put your thoughts into shape with brushes and colors, head to the Onoresho Hananowa Dojo brush pen art class.

The class is taught by a master of the Japan Onoresho Association, a graduate of the 10th class of the Nagareyama City Startup School.

Small children are welcome, so it’s an easy art class for mothers to attend.

流山市内福祉会館やカフェ等にて

Onoresho Hananowa Dojo

target：Upper elementary school students to adults

monthly：Need to contact

Onoresho Hananowa Dojo Instagram

Art Club School Alma – Various locations in Nagareyama City

Certified instructors from the Japan Culture Association hold a variety of courses, from fireless candle-making workshops that even preschoolers can do, to herbarium-making certification courses for adults.

There are lots of candles that are so cute, you’ll want to eat them! Girls in particular will be thrilled by them.

This is an art class that parents and children can enjoy together.

千葉県流山市野々下1丁目40-1 キッコーマンアリーナ

Art Club School Alma

target：Preschoolers to adults

monthly：Need to contact

Alma Instagram

Summary

Have you found an art class that interests you?

I would be very happy if this article could be even a part of the reason why someone decided to start.

At “TSUNAGU” Nagareyama, we would be happy if we could play a part as a hub between Nagareyama and those who live in or near Nagareyama, as well as those who are interested in Nagareyama. If you would like to add or correct any information, please contact us via the inquiry form.