Diaper-Changing Stations

On Church Premises

In addition to the nursing stations cited above, there are diaper-changing stations (or a baby bed for such use) in these locations.

Multi-use Bathroom located in Foundress Hall 3 (see map for location, west of Memorial Hall). Located on the corridor level, this bathroom is directly accessible from the West Corridor. You don't need to put your shoes back on if you are making the rounds to Foundress' Sanctuary and Memorial Hall. It's right near the place where the corridor-cleaning hinokishin begins during the Children's Pilgrimage. 

Most bathrooms inside the sanctuary building also have baby beds where you can change diapers. 

---TIP---: No trash bins!

"One thing to keep in mind is that there is no trash bins in the nursing rooms and restrooms inside main sanctuary, so you’ll need to bring a bag and take your trash home with you. " In fact, there are no trash bins in general, anywhere. This is the case not only in Tenri but also throughout Japan. "You’ll probably notice once you arrive in Japan that there are very few trash bins. In Tenri, there are even fewer trash bins than before, and they can be difficult to find. It’s a good idea to carry a small trash bag with you in case you generate trash while moving around. Basically, taking your trash home is the standard practice. You can dispose of it all together when you return to your accommodation." K.N.

"When it comes to disposing of diapers, I remember carrying a small bag with me, like the odor-blocking diaper bags sold at Daiso. I would flush the waste down the toilet and put the soiled diaper in these bags so that I could throw it away later. These small bags aren’t just for diapers; in Japan, where trash cans are scarce, they’re incredibly handy for tossing snack wrappers, storing clothes soiled by children, and all sorts of other uses. I’d say they’re a must-have." KOG staff    [probably referring to these bags available at Daiso in Japan]

Near Tenri Station

CoFuFun Tenri has a "Baby Cofun" section that includes a nursing station and a diaper-changing facility. Hours: 9 AM - 7 PM.

Places to Rest

On Church Premises

Tea Service Center (map link)

---TIP--- "At the Tea Service Center, in addition to drinks and nursing rooms, there is also an indoor space where small children can play. There is air conditioning and it is open to anyone, so it’s very helpful when families want to take a break. " K.N.

Children's Pilgrimage indoor venues: During the Children's Pilgrimage, indoor activity areas are also a good place to rest in an air conditioned space, although it may not be quiet. One good example is the "Athletics Box," located in Tenri University's gym (map link). 

---TIP--- "At the venue for Chopin’s Miracle Adventure, there was also an indoor space where small children could play while waiting. However, this area seemed to be just a waiting space for very small children who couldn’t enter the attraction, and there were no nursing rooms there. Also, the restrooms at this venue did not have baby beds. Please note that some venues may have restrooms without baby beds." K.N.

Near Tenri Station

CoFuFun Tenri has an indoor waiting area, which has free Wifi.  Hours: 8 AM - 7 PM. Please note: This location may be closed on certain days to serve as an assembly area for large groups. Their telephone # is 080-3119-5220 (during 8:30 AM- 5:15 PM).

Where to Buy Diapers and Other Baby Supplies?

Convenience stores generally do not carry baby supplies. 

There are small drugstores along Tenri Hondori (Hondori arcade street). These may (?) have some but will be limited in stock and variety.

Better option is to look for the bigger drugstores and supermarkets, although these will be further away from Church Headquarters and 38 Moya. 

Kokokarafine Tenri (map link). This is most likely the closest one to Church Headquarters. It is located in a small mall south of Tenri City Hall. It is also a supermarket, and you should be able to find other infant supplies and much more. There is a Japanese fast food, coffeeshop, and a laundry mat in the mall. 

Sugi Drugstore (map link) and Aoki Drugstore (map link).  These are larger drugstores that also carries food items as well. These are located along Kita-Oji Street and behind (west of) Tenri Station. 

Supermarkets are a reliable source. Price Cut (map link) is closest to 38 Moya (1 mile, 21 minutes), across the street from a McDonalds. There is also Mandai (map link), which is close to Sugi Drugstore and Aoki Drugstore, above. Also, Don Quijote (map link) is a nationwide discount chain store that sells all sorts of things. 

Aeon Town Tenri (map link), also known as "BIG" (when asking a Japanese person, ask for "Big-gu"),  is akin to Walmart and Target stores in the United States; you could shop for a lot of other things too. There is also a small food court. A nice option if you have access to a car; however, it is definitely not in walking distance during the summer. 

---TIP--- "The stores offering cheaper prices are Aoki, Sugi Drugstore, and BIG. Diapers are usually sold in packets of about 30-40, regardless of the brand. Personally, I recommend Pampers for both diapers and wipes. They’re soft, breathable, and less likely to leak—really excellent in terms of comfort and usability. Baby food appropriate for different age stages is also available, and you can even find ice packs in many of these store." K.N.

Laundromat

Snow Laundry (map link): next to Kokokarafine Tenri, south of Tenri City Hall. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. See their webpage for prices (note: the map on their webpage is wrong): https://snow-laundry.com/shop/tenri/

Baluko Laundry Place (map link): 400 yards south of Tenri Station. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. See their webpage to see which machines are being used: https://www.coin-laundry.co.jp/userp/shop_detail/11001316. 

Araiinuikobo Tenrikitamise (map link): Close to Price Cut supermarket. Open 6 AM to 12 AM. https://tosei.shop/sk_tenrikita

Transportation: Using Strollers on Church Headquarters Ground, Riding Taxis with Infants

The grounds near the main sanctuary and the Besseki Lecture Hall are covered with gravel. Strollers with small wheels can get stuck and make it difficult to push. There are paved paths for strollers and wheelchairs, but they may require a detour. A stroller with relatively large wheels is more convenient.

In Japan, when riding in a taxi with a baby, a child seat is not legally required. Here, parental judgment applies. For safety, it is recommended that, at the least, an adult wear a seatbelt and hold the baby in a personal carrier. DO NOT place the seat belt over both parent and baby!!!

However, child seats are required in Uber rides and regular private cars.

Recently, it has become possible to arrange taxis through apps, but just in case, here are phone numbers for taxis available in Tenri.

Nara Kintetsu Taxi 0743-63-1131

Tenri Taxi　0743-65-4450

A Word of Advice on Breastfeeding in Japan and Staying Hydrated

---A big thank you to K.N. for sharing this thought.---

I received a question about whether it’s okay to breastfeed in public places in Japan.

I think there are different opinions on this, but I’ll share my personal view. If there’s a nursing room nearby, it’s best to use it—it’s cool and quiet. However, there may be times when the nursing room is crowded, far away, or you simply can’t wait. In those situations, you can’t really worry about etiquette. Especially if you are participating in the Children’s Pilgrimage, both the baby and the mother may be in quite a tough situation due to the heat and group activities.

During the hot summer, it is extremely important to keep your baby well hydrated. If you are indoors and it’s cool, using a nursing cover should be fine. If it’s too hot to use a cover, you might try to move slightly away from others or be a bit considerate of your surroundings, but please prioritize your baby’s needs.

It’s also very important for the mother to stay hydrated. Breastfeeding and hydration are both essential, so please don’t miss the opportunity just because you’re worried about what others might think.

In addition, it’s important to monitor your baby’s condition—make sure they are urinating properly, that the urine isn’t too dark, and that they’re not lethargic. Don’t push too hard. If you notice anything unusual with either the baby or yourself, please contact the group staff as soon as possible.

Last year, I attended with an infant and was breastfeeding, so I made an effort to stay well hydrated. Even so, I started to feel a mild headache. I thought I was still okay, but a staff member recommended an oral rehydration solution, and after taking a break, I was able to get through the event without any problems.

--For more information about how to survive the summer in Tenri, we encourage you to watch the following video by Tenri Creatives--