After 30 years, Kodomo-no-shiro (National Children's Castle), the venerable children's arts and sports complex in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward, is set to shut its doors.

"I'm really sad it's closing," Hiroko Ogura from neighboring Setagaya Ward said last Friday as she and her 2-year-old daughter Hanaki took part in a music session at the state-run complex.

With a grieved look on her face, she said it would be their last visit to the giant facility, which occupies a 13-story building and a five-story annex. It closes for good on Sunday.