× Expand Photo: Cathy Cruz-George shirokiya-kids-toys Keiki are all smiles at Shirokiya Japan Village Walk.

What: Shirokiya Japan Village Walk

Who: Four girls, ages 5 to 8, and four parents

When: A Friday evening, 5:30 to 8 p.m.

During the B.C. Era (Before Children), my husband and I had Friday date nights at Ala Moana Center. Pau hana. Fine dining. Open-air shopping. We even bought our engagement ring at the mall.

Now that we’re in the A.D. Era (After Daughter), my family’s evening jaunts to Ala Moana Center look like this: Scarf down a budget-friendly dinner for three at The Lānaʻi food court, say hello to the plush toys at Claire’s, watch the giant TV in the Disney Store, buy school snacks on sale at Target then race home to put our kiddo to bed. Ahhh … the pleasures of parenting.

On a recent Friday, my trio met up with a family of five for a playdate at Shirokiya Japan Village Walk, a retail and restaurant concept on the street level of Ala Moana’s ʻewa wing.

× Expand Photo: Cathy Cruz-George shirokiya_exterior_sidealk Shirokiya Japan Village Walk is in the ʻEwa Wing of the Ala Moana Center.

Shirokiya is quite the keiki-friendly venue! Not only does the Japan-themed store give free balloons to children, but the tables and chairs are low enough for short legs. Collectible toys fill display cases along the walls, and there are 32 yataimura food stalls serving everything from musubi and pasta to yakisoba and bubble drinks. I grew up in Tokyo, so I’m always excited to introduce my daughter to the food and snacks of my childhood.

However, she had zero interest in eating and made a beeline with her friends to the back of the store to see Gachapon (toy capsule) vending machines filled with toys inside plastic balls.

× Expand Photo: Cathy Cruz-George shirokiya-machines Hundreds of Gachapon machines occupy the Keiki Corner in the back of the store.

The kids pawed at the machines like cats at a fish tank. “I want that!” “That’s cuuuuute!” “I want 10 of them!”

The toys were adorable—and quirky. For $1, you can buy plastic insects and dessert-shaped erasers. Two dollars get jewelry and action figures. And for $3, kids can walk away with squishy foam sushi, pots of slime and so much more. Customers first must buy Shirokiya tokens at the booth located about 30 feet to the left of the machines. Insert tokens into a machine, spin the knob and extract toy. (Note: Don’t put regular coins into a Gachapon, which might jam.)

It was close to 6 p.m., so we made a pact with the children: Eat first, then return to the machines. At the yataimura, they each chose Spam musubi and drinks, which came out to less than $25.

After their express dinner, the girls ran to the booth to exchange dollar bills for tokens. There wasn’t a line at the booth, but there was a constant stream of customers, and the sole employee did her best to accommodate everyone's requests.

Quite frankly, this was the longest part of the playdate for us parents — waiting for our children to select toys. Not only did they walk up and down every row, but they analyzed and cost-compared every toy they could see through the machines’ windows.

× Expand Photo: Cathy Cruz-George shirokiya-kids-machines Gachapon toys cost between $1 and $3 each.

As the kids shopped, we parents propped ourselves up near the pink and blue Keiki Corner sign and talked about work, parenting, family life, whatever. Call it "double dating in the A.D. Era."

The kids returned 20 minutes later, proud owners of Weeble Wobble-type toys, pink jewelry, squishy erasers and a panda pencil topper that one child misplaced and never saw again that evening.

She was not that disappointed. After all, Shirokiya gives away free balloons!

Photo: Cathy Cruz-George shirokiya_balloons_kids Free balloons for kids every day!

Our Tips:

1. Park in the ʻEwa Wing. That way, your family can reach Shirokiya faster. Enter from Pi’ikoi or Kona streets to park in the street level of the ʻewa wing, and walk to the store. If you park in the upstairs ʻewa wing, take the escalators or elevators down to the street level, where Shirokiya is located.

2. Go on Sunday Kid’s Day. On Sundays, families with keiki ages 12 and younger receive 10 percent off all items at the store. Each child also receives one free token for Gachapon machines. Free balloons for children are available daily.

3. Circle the food stalls. When you arrive, walk around the yataimura food section to see what's available. Note the quantity of foods and their costs. Knowing prices ahead of time might help your family budget for meals and gachapon toys. For dining details, see Shirokiya’s online directory

4. Designate a driver. Shirokiya had on-tap specials when we visited on a Friday evening, and the store had a “beer-hall” vibe after 7:30 p.m. Parent-to-parent advice: If you do drink, please designate a driver for your precious keiki in the back seats.

5. Take the playdate outdoors. To burn off energy, take your children to the fake “grass hills” on the first floor of the ‘ewa wing, directly above Shirokiya and outside of Bloomingdale’s. Kids love to play on the faux turf while parents relax. The Disney Store is on the same level. Upstairs are the LEGO store and Claire's.

Shirokiya Japan Village Walk is in the ‘ewa wing, ground floor, of Ala Moana Center. 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Ste. 1360. Open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 808-973-9111. shirokiya.com