Kids will love it too! Recommended spots for family trips in Fukuoka Prefecture

Fukuoka Prefecture is one of the best places in Japan for traveling with children. We have compiled a list of places, based on various themes, that both children and adults can enjoy!

Places to enjoy athletics and large playground equipment
Recommended for animal lovers
Find "KAWAII" characters
The exciting experience of admiring the scenery while taking a unique ride
Children's play areas with hot springs

Places to enjoy athletics and large playground equipment

This section features some recommended places for energetic children who love to be active and are always jumping and bouncing.

Uminonakamichi Seaside Park

This vast park is filled with playground equipment and attractions that are sure to get the children excited. These include roller slides, large dolphin-shaped playground equipment, water athletics, go-karts, and mini steam locomotives. They may even have a difficult time trying to decide what to play. An outdoor pool is also open in summer, so how about braving the impressive water slide? You can also get around the park by bus or rental bicycle, so explore every nook and cranny.

Nokonoshima Island Park

Nokonoshima Island Park is a natural park on Nokonoshima Island floating in Hakata Bay. Here, you can have fun with the children against the backdrop of fields of flowers and the sea. Adults can also use the buggies, flying swings, and wooden athletic equipment! Parents can feel like they are little kids again, and simply have a good with time their children. If you are visiting in the summer, we recommend visiting the adjacent Nokonoshima Campground and Beach, which offer a laidback resort feel.

Kitakyushu Municipal Hibikinada Green and Green Park

Kitakyushu's largest urban park, centred on the Tonda Reservoir, with green areas extending all the way to the north coast of Wakamatsu. The park, which has been selected as one of the 100 best urban parks in Japan, has many attractions, including a large, beautiful lawn, a tropical ecological garden, a pony square where you can ride horses and an outdoor stage. There are also athletic facilities and a jabu-jabu pond for water play, making it a popular spot for families with children. A campsite is scheduled to open in spring 2023.
The park offers seasonal flowers and a rose garden with 2,700 roses of around 450 varieties, which attracts many visitors from within and outside the prefecture during the Rose Fair held in spring and autumn. It is also a popular cherry blossom viewing spot, with approximately 200 cherry trees in full bloom here and there from mid-February to mid-April. In addition to someiyoshino cherry trees, other highlights include the colourful yohkoh blooming on the large lawn square. There is a cycling course, so it is recommended to enjoy looking for different types of cherry blossom, such as yamazakura and kawazu sakura.

SOLA LAND HIRAODAI (Hiraodai Countryside Park)

Hiraodai is one of three major karst plateaus in Japan. Over many years, the limestone geology has created art forms from the natural landscape, such as the "Yogunbaru" (sheep flock plains) with limestone formations that resemble a flock of sheep on the grassland, and underground limestone caves. SORA LAND HIRAODAI is a place where you can spend the whole day playing, learning, and experiencing within this environment. In addition to large playground equipment such as roller slides and trampolines, you can also play on as many as 50 athletic facilities designed in a way that takes advantage of the natural terrain.

Forest Adventure SOEDA

This is an outdoor park situated within a forest, where both children and adults can let themselves go and have fun.Old railway tracks make up the promenade that leads from the administration building, renovated from the former station building that was damaged in heavy rains, to the park. Simply walking along the railway tracks is a rare experience that you will not get to experience in daily life. Set off on the course after putting on a safety harness. Even adults will find it thrilling to cross from tree to tree using stepping boards and climbing ropes! Choose a suitable course from among courses with different levels of difficulty, and enjoy tackling the challenge.
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Chikushino Sogo Park

Located at the foot of Mt. Tenpaizan in Chikushino city, Chikushino Sogo Park is a place with play facilities and a scenic view that includes Tenpai Lake. Surrounded by nature, there is a unique piece of playground equipment that incorporates a 50m long giant boat called the Tenpai Boat. On it are athletic structures and various slides made for different ages. The long Roller Slide and the Free-Fall Slide located at the end of the boat are especially popular. As the park can be enjoyed by children and adults alike, many families visit on weekends. A grass lawn on the outskirts is great for picnics. Enjoy the quality park facilities while connecting with nature.
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YASU KOGEN KINEN NO MORI

Be soothed and healed by the clean air and rich colors of the four seasons at this forest park, where you can experience the importance and wonder of nature.
The large lawn area features large-scale dinosaur-shaped playground equipment that is very popular with children. There is also a sandbox and slide for younger children. Adults should have a go at finding their way out of the green maze made from trimmed hedges. Ad-hoc events such as traditional game experiences and woodworking classes are also held here from time to time.
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Recommended for animal lovers

Among the standard places for those who are traveling with children, the first to come to mind would probably be a zoo or aquarium. The sight of adorable animals and children having fun also brings a smile to the face of a grownup.

Fukuoka Zoo and Botanical Garden

This zoo cares for and cultivates about 100 species of animals and 2,600 species of plants.
The zoo is also home to some rare animals, providing a learning opportunity for children. Children will also be charmed by the petting corner, where they can interact with guinea pigs, and by the sight of the red pandas and otters. Switch things up by taking a ride on the merry-go-round or ferris wheel.
The botanical garden is also a must-see during cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons. It is a lively area, with families sitting around with their lunchboxes.
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Marine World Uminonakamichi

Marine World has achieved a number of firsts: it was the first aquarium in Japan to display a sand tiger shark in its Large Panoramic Tank and the first in the world to display a preserved specimen of female megamouth shark! The aquarium houses 20,000 fishes of 350 varieties. The Large Panoramic Tank, see-through elevator, educational (and fun!) Marine Science Lab, and sea otter pool are just a few of its attractions! In addition to the ever popular dolphin and sea lion show, don’t miss the Aqua Live show, where guests get an up-close look at marine life.
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ITOZU NO MORI Zoological Park

This zoological park is home to about 470 animals of 80 different species. It aims to be a forest where both animals and people are happy, and provides a relaxing space for local residents.
In the petting corner, children can have a great time with horse riding and animal feeding experiences. There are also athletic facilities and ride-based attractions.
The park is also filled with trees and flower, so visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery all year round, including cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, Japanese maples, and camellias.
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Find "KAWAII" characters

Did you know that many of the anime, games, and adorable ("kawaii") characters that are loved by children all over the world actually originated in Japan? If your children are interested in unique Japanese popular culture, be sure to create memories at places that are associated with such contents!

teamLab Forest Fukuoka -SBI Securities

BOSS E・ZO FUKUOKA

Welcome to an entertainment spot packed with innovative content, including spectacular attractions and a museum that offers hands-on experiences.
teamLab Forest Fukuoka -SBI Securities is an art space that harnesses digital technology, which is sure to look amazing on social media!
At V-World AREA Crédit Agricole, enjoy a variety of VR-based contents in a space designed with a Japanese atmosphere.
Sanrio characters Dream!ng Park brings together all the popular characters, including Hello Kitty and My Melody. Be sure to get your hands on some adorable merchandise.

LaLaport FUKUOKA

This shopping mall comes with a wide range of facilities including fashion, gourmet food, and entertainment.
There are also plenty of attractions for children to enjoy, such as the children's theme park KidZania Fukuoka, where children can get into the spirit and try out various jobs such as astronaut, police officer, and sushi chef.
The massive statue towering over the entrance to Forest Park is "Gundam," the hero of the world-renowned robot anime. There is also a shop offering an extensive selection of plastic models and merchandise on the 4th floor. Be sure to check out "VS PARK WITH G," where you can enjoy a wide range of games and sports.

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Tradition is "cool" too! Let's go to Kokura Castle

If you have children who are interested in Japanese history, such as samurai and ninjas, take them to Kokura Castle in Kitakyushu City. They can experience the game of "Yabusame," a form of horseback archery, and also try on helmets and kimonos in the dress-up corner and imagine becoming a military general or princess. It is also fun to interact with the "Kokura Castle Bushotai" who are reenactors dressed in period costumes. If you want to take a break, how about having a tea ceremony experience in the garden?

The exciting experience of admiring the scenery while taking a unique ride

This is a must for children who love vehicles! Here are three recommended sightseeing spots in Fukuoka Prefecture where you can have fun on rides.

Mt. Sarakura Cable Car and Slope Car

Mount Sarakura is a spectacular spot where you can admire the night views of Kitakyushu City, ranked first as one of the cities for the "New Three Most Spectacular Night Views in Japan.
" You can reach the observation deck at the peak of the mountain by taking a cable car followed by a slope car (a small monorail). The ride takes about 10 minutes each way, but the grand panorama overlooking the city and the Kanmon Straits is an impressive sight that is worth the journey. You will not want to miss any of it.

Mojiko Port Retro sightseeing train "Shiokaze-go"

Board the cool marine-blue trolley train and depart from Kyushu Railway History Museum Station!
Enjoy the views of the fashionable streets in the Mojiko Retro district and the majestic Kanmon Straits through the windows as the train goes past. This is an exhilarating but short 10-minute trip, rattling along in a leisurely manner and passing through a thrilling tunnel on the way. After having fun with the family, don't forget to take a commemorative photo next to the train.

River cruise of the Yanagawa

Yanagawa, the medieval town that prospered in the vicinity of Yanagawa Castle, is famous as the hometown of modern poet Hakushu Kitahara. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of this water town by boarding a punt (donko-bune) to be carried downstream and through the canals that criss-cross the town.
The name “donko-bune” may have derived from a type of small goby fish named “donko.” These punts also appear in winter months as “kotatsu-bune,” or boats for tourists with seating heated by a charcoal brazier.
River punting, or kawa-kudari, is an hour-long experience covering around 4km, guided by a boatman regaling passengers with folk songs. In spring the banks of the canals are a riot of peach and cherry blossoms, while in summer, a major attraction is the Kabashima Iris Garden, where some 30,000 flowers bloom. Autumn brings the changing foliage while in winter, in the heated kotatsu-bune, you gaze upon the picturesque snowy landscape passing by.

Children's play areas with hot springs

A trip to Japan is not complete without a visit to a hot spring. In Fukuoka Prefecture, there are hot spring facilities that come with children's play areas. Mums and dads can also refresh themselves with a dip in the hot springs!

Bayside Place Hakata

Have you heard of Bayside Place Hakata, a complex facility located in Hakata Port where you can enjoy leisure activities and gourmet food?
The facility comes with a large aquarium (free of charge) where you can see about 3,000 sea creatures, including sea turtles, colorful fish, and leopard sharks, swimming around. We recommend the "Asobi Taiken! Milky Way" section for children under 12 years of age. There are many large play equipment and educational toys, and since it is an indoor playground, there is no need to worry about the weather.
When the children get tired of playing, head to the natural hot spring "Namiha-no-Yu," something the adults have long been waiting for! Relax and wash away your travel fatigue in the open-air bath and bedrock sauna.

Michi-no-Eki Oto Sakura Kaido Roadside Station

If you are going on a road trip in Fukuoka, Michi-no-Eki Oto Sakura Kaido Roadside Station, one of the largest roadside stations in western Japan, is a place that you must visit. The children's plaza is popular among travelers with children, where kids can play on large-scale playground equipment, electric vehicles, go-karts, and more. After sweating it out in the play area, refresh yourself in the natural hot springs of Sakurakan. The open-air baths offer a liberating sense of openness, along with enjoyment of the seasonal nature. Finally, head to Momijikan for a meal or to look for souvenirs. Be sure to try the local specialties.

Bengala Village

Bengala Village in Yame City is a complex facility where you can enjoy local beer, cuisine made with local ingredients, hot springs, and more. There are also trampolines and hammocks that will delight the young ones. After working up a sweat in the open-air baths and sauna, fill your stomach in the beer restaurant with its extensive menu. Be sure to try the craft beer from the neighboring Yame Brewery. If you are on a road trip, you can also spend the night in your car by booking a space in the RV Park.

【Fukuoka Prefecture is working to eliminate drunk driving】

Don't drink and drive! Don't allow it, don't forgive it, and don't overlook it!
Even a single sip of alcohol counts as drinking. We must make sure to take steps to prevent drunk driving, such as using public transportation or deciding on a designated driver when going to a drinking party.