Local Guide
8 recommended spots to enjoy Yamaguchi Prefecture with children

If you are planning a family trip, you want to make sure the children are satisfied! If you know in advance which spots will pique your children's curiosity, you will have a wider choice of destinations on your trip. Here are 8 recommended spots in Yamaguchi Prefecture that are fun for adults and great fun for children, making a trip to Yamaguchi Prefecture enjoyable for the whole family.

Lots of wooden toys for parents and children to play with

The distinctive exterior of the roadside station is a landmark. Feel free to stop by while dining or checking out souvenirs!
The distinctive exterior of the roadside station is a landmark. Feel free to stop by while dining or checking out souvenirs!

Located on the grounds of Senzaki "Roadside Station Senza Kitchen" in Nagato City, this is a place where parents and children can enjoy themselves. The centerpiece of the Property is wooden toys made from lumber produced in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The wooden flooring made of cypress, Japanese cedar, and Japanese cypress is softly fragrant and full of puzzles, building blocks, and other toys that will tickle children's curiosity.
There is also a "Baby Plaza," a dedicated space for children up to 2 years old, so that visitors with small children can use the museum with peace of mind.

Depart on a kids' cruise from the museum pier to Senzaki Bay

You can enjoy mini cruising on the sea around the museum. Even the Sea of Japan is a bay, so the waves are calm.
You can enjoy mini cruising on the sea around the museum. Even the Sea of Japan is a bay, so the waves are calm.

Umino-no-Hiroba, a wooden deck facing the harbor, is a private space where only museum visitors can relax. Visitors can enjoy the harbor scenery with their children while spotting fish, watching the arrival and departure of the cruise boats to Omijima, and enjoying the pleasant sea breeze.
We also recommend boarding the "Benten," a cruise ship operated by the Property. During the 15-minute cruise along the Senzaki Bay, you can play with wooden toys loaded on the ship, experience being a captain in the children's wheelhouse, and have a lot of other unforgettable fun. A commemorative photo in a captain's costume is also available.

Local Guide Comment
Wooden toys that can be played with freely in the museum can be purchased at the museum store. There are many cute puzzles and building blocks with animal motifs that even adults can enjoy. They are also very stylish as interior decorations.
Nagato Toy Museum
  • Address 4297-1 Senzaki, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approximately 45 minutes from the Mine IC of the Chugoku Expressway
  • Bus Direction Take a bus from JR Nagato City Station and get off at Senza Kitchen.
  • Business hours 10:00-16:00 (last admission at 15:30)
  • Closed Thursdays from April to November, Wednesdays and Thursdays from December to March
    *Open during spring break, summer break, winter break, and national holidays
    May 10-12, September 1-3, December 29-January 2, and other irregular closing days
  • TEL 0837-27-0337
  • Parking Free of charge
  • Memo Kids' cruise may be suspended depending on weather and wave conditions.

Elegant hot spring town stretching along a river in the mountains

The entire hot spring town will be renovated in 2020. Strolling around the town has become even more enjoyable!
The entire hot spring town will be renovated in 2020. Strolling around the town has become even more enjoyable!

Nagato Yumoto hot spring boasts a history of approximately 600 years. The quiet hot spring resort town, located along the clear Otoshigawa River, has been renovated by 2020 to create a modern space in harmony with nature while retaining the atmosphere of the good old days.
The town's symbolic "drop-in hot spring (ontou)" and the birth of a stylish old private house café are just a few of the highlights. Families can enjoy the slow pace of the hot spring town by playing in the river with their children along the stepping stones of the Ondonokawa River, or enjoying take-out sweets on the river terrace.

Photojournalistic spots can be found all over the hot spring resort area.

Many beautiful scenic spots, such as the
Many beautiful scenic spots, such as the "Bamboo Staircase," which is beautiful even at night, and "Miharashiza," which overlooks the hot spring resort area.

The photogenic scenic spots that were created everywhere with the renovation are the new specialties of the hot spring resort. The "Bamboo Staircase" that connects the Yumoto hot spring parking lot along the national highway to the hot spring resort area along the Otoshin River creates a fantastic atmosphere at night with its lantern-like lights and illumination.
The "Onyu Street" and promenade along the river, as well as the "Autumn Leaves Staircase" where visitors can fully enjoy the fiery scene in autumn, make strolling through the hot spring district even more enjoyable. If you walk with your children, you will be able to take many family photos of your trip.

Local Guide Comment
The Onshin River is designated as a national natural treasure as a place where genji botaru (fireflies) occur, and from late May to mid-June, fireflies can be seen flitting about at night. During the season, the lights in the hot spring resort are dimmed to one-tenth their normal intensity to accompany the fireflies' glow.
Nagato Yumoto Hot Spring Resort
  • Address Fukagawa-Yumoto, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approximately 45 minutes from the Mine IC of the Chugoku Expressway
  • Bus Direction Take a shared-ride jumbo cab bus from JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station and get off at Nagato Yumoto Hot Spring.
  • TEL 0837-25-3611
  • Parking Charged

The excitement of seeing the animals in their own cars and on a feeding bus.

Enjoying the sight of animals acting vividly in their natural habitat! A little nervous when you are near the car
Enjoying the sight of animals acting vividly in their natural habitat! A little nervous when you are near the car

Located north of Akiyoshidai in Mine City, it is a popular holiday destination for families with children in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Visitors can enter the "Safari Zone" via a drive-through while still in their own cars, and can observe herbivorous animals such as elephants and zebras, and carnivorous animals such as lions and cheetahs up close.
The "feeding bus" is also recommended, and in addition to feeding the animals directly, you can take your time while listening to the live commentary of the park staff. Even through the wire netting, you can see the animals coming right in front of you, which is a very powerful experience.

Children will be delighted! Experience to interact with animals!

There are many ways to have fun, such as interacting with kangaroos, capybaras, and hedgehogs, or playing on the playground equipment that allows you to experience animal life.
There are many ways to have fun, such as interacting with kangaroos, capybaras, and hedgehogs, or playing on the playground equipment that allows you to experience animal life.

The "Animal Petting Plaza" is home to 500 animals of about 50 species, including the popular white tigers, giraffes, and red pandas, as well as kangaroos, capybaras, and tortoises that you can touch directly. Feeding experiences are always available, so be sure to check the event information on the Property's website. Pony riding experience is also available.
The "Kids Safari" is especially recommended for children. Children can feel like meerkats in their burrows, look through telescopes that allow them to see as well as hawks, and experience animal life on the playground equipment.

Local Guide Comment
The Property's official social networking service provides information on the unique daily gestures of the animals, baby information, and recommendations for the park from the staff/staff member's point of view, making your visit even more enjoyable if you take a look before you come.
Akiyoshidai Wildlife Park Safari Land
  • Address 1212 Aka, Mito Town, Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approximately 3 minutes from the Edo IC of the Ogori Hagi Road
  • Direction Take a bus from JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station and get off at "Safari Land".
  • Business hours Car rental: 9:30-16:15 (15:45 from Oct. to Mar.)
    Feeding bus course: 9:00 - 15:30 (first bus leaves at 9:30)
    Restaurant 11:00-16:00 (L.O. 15:30), Shop 9:30-17:00 (16:30 from Oct. to Mar.)
  • Closed No holidays
  • Admission fee Admission by car
    Adults 2,500 yen (junior high school students and older), 3 years old and older 1,500 yen, seniors 2,200 yen (70 years old and older)
    Tablet guide 600 yen per car (required for all cars, 100 yen when re-entering the park on the same day)
    Convertible cars, cars with a canopy ceiling, and motorcycles are not allowed to enter the park.
    Pets are not allowed in the park (there is a petting station).
    Admission by feeding bus
    Adults 3,600 yen (junior high school students and older), 3 years old and older 2,600 yen, seniors 3,300 yen (70 years old and older)
    Admission by car is available on the same day with no additional charge.
  • TEL 08396-2-1000
  • Parking Free of charge

Parents and children will be excited to see charming dolphins and a variety of fish!

Enjoy a dolphin and sea lion show and much more!
Enjoy a dolphin and sea lion show and much more!

Located in the Karato area along the Kanmon Straits in downtown Shimonoseki, where popular tourist properties are located. There are many attractions for parents and children to enjoy, including a dolphin and sea lion show, an underwater tunnel, a giant sunfish, and a touching pool. Don't miss the pufferfish exhibit, which boasts the world's largest number of pufferfish species on display.
For lunch and café time, we recommend the "Dolphin View Restaurant" inside the museum. The dolphins swim right in front of you, and if you are lucky, they will come close to you when you look into the tank, much to the delight of the children.

Enjoy the sight of penguins swimming in the huge aquarium tank.

At the Penguin Village, visitors can meet five species of penguins living in the subantarctic and temperate zones. The Penguin Village is one of the largest Penguin Exhibit Properties in Japan.
At the Penguin Village, visitors can meet five species of penguins living in the subantarctic and temperate zones. The Penguin Village is one of the largest Penguin Exhibit Properties in Japan.

The "Penguin Village" is one of the most popular areas in the Property. There are two zones: "Subantarctic" where four species of penguins including gentoo penguins and king penguins live, and "Temperate" where Humboldt penguins live, and visitors can enjoy watching them walk and swim.
The temperate zone is modeled after an island in South America, the actual habitat of the Humboldt penguins, and reproduces an environment that is as close as possible to that of the actual habitat, as indicated by the sign "Humboldt Penguin Special Reserve. Visitors can see the penguins in the wild as they warm their eggs and raise their chicks. Check out the information on events where you can meet the penguins.

Local Guide Comment
Whales also have a special place in Shimonoseki, which has long been a whaling base. The blue whale skeleton on display in the hall is the only one of its kind in Japan and is very rare and precious in the world. The size of the whale, which was approximately 26 meters long when alive, is a sight to behold.
Shimomiseki Aquarium Kaiyokan
  • Address 6-1 Arukaport, Shimonoseki-shi, Yamaguchi MAP
  • Direction Approx. 15 min. from Shimonoseki IC on Chugoku Expressway
  • Direction Take a bus from JR Shimonoseki Station and get off at "Kaikyokan-mae" bus stop.
  • Business hours 9:30-17:30 (last admission 17:00)
  • Closed No holidays
  • Admission fee Adults (high school students and older): 2,090 yen, elementary/junior high school students: 940 yen, infants (3 years and older): 410 yen
  • TEL 083-228-1100
  • Parking No parking *Pay parking is available in the vicinity.

Dotted with outdoor sculptures, the park also has an amusement park, a botanical garden, and a variety of other attractions.

Tokiwa Park, a vast site the size of 40 Tokyo Domes, is spread out around the man-made lake
Tokiwa Park, a vast site the size of 40 Tokyo Domes, is spread out around the man-made lake "Tokiwa Lake. Seasonal flowers are one of the highlights.

Tokiwa Park is a popular spot in Ube City, located in southwestern Yamaguchi Prefecture. The vast grounds surrounding the lake are home to an amusement park and a zoo featuring a variety of monkeys from around the world, which attracts many families on holidays.
The zoo features "habitat exhibits" that recreate the environment in which the animals live, with zones such as "Waterfront of Central and South America," "Forest of Asia," and "Hilly Madagascar of Africa" that offer many exploratory elements for children. Adults will be soothed by the cuteness of the white rhesus macaques and ring-tailed lemurs.

Experience a simulated trip around the world at the Botanical Museum in the Tokiwa Museum

Giant cactus, baobab, parabolaccio (photo), and other rare plants from around the world are all here.
Giant cactus, baobab, parabolaccio (photo), and other rare plants from around the world are all here.

Tokiwa Museum is located on a hill overlooking Lake Tokiwa. The outdoor "Sculpture Hill" is a photogenic scene with works from the UBE Biennial (Contemporary Japanese Sculpture Exhibition).
The indoor "World Traveling Botanical Museum" is divided into eight zones around the world, including "Tropical Asia," "Tropical America," and "Africa," which visitors can visit as if enjoying a trip. The environment is reproduced even in the air conditioning, and in the tropical zone, the humidity is solid, just like a jungle. The exhibit is full of rare plants that can be enjoyed by parents and children alike.

Local Guide Comment
The park is home to 100 open-air sculptures, including previous winners of the UBE Biennale. There are many photogenic spots where "the sight of children" can be seen, such as a work in the shape of a bus.
Tokiwa Park
  • Address 3-4-1 Norisada, Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 5 minutes from Ube Minami Interchange on Yamaguchi-Ube Road
  • Direction Take a bus from JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station and get off at "Tokiwa Koen Iriguchi".
  • Business hours Tokiwa Amusement Park 10:00-17:00
    Tokiwa Museum 9:00-17:00 (World Traveling Botanical Museum 9:30-17:00 *entry by 16:30)
    Tokiwa Zoo 9:30-17:00
    Tokiwa Park is always open to visitors.
  • Closed Park is open all year round; amusement park, museum, and zoo are open on Tuesdays (or the following day if the day falls on a national holiday).
  • Admission fee Tokiwa Park: Free
    For information on Tokiwa Amusement Park, Museum, and Zoo, please refer to the website.
  • TEL 0836-54-0551
  • Parking Charged

Families can enjoy a meadow on a hilltop with a spectacular view.

The meadow spreading out on a plateau at an elevation of 333 meters above sea level is a spectacular spot known even to those in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
The meadow spreading out on a plateau at an elevation of 333 meters above sea level is a spectacular spot known even to those in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Located in the Hioki area in the western part of Nagato City, it is a popular spot with spectacular views along with the nearby Motonosumi Shrine and Higashi Ushirobata Tanada (Higashi Ushirobata Rice Terraces). Located on a 333-meter-high hill overlooking the Sea of Japan, it offers a panoramic view of the horizon when the weather is fine, and the night view in summer, when countless fishing fires appear offshore, is also a must-see beauty.
For those with children, the vast grasslands are the most attractive. Adults can also refresh themselves by playing ball, running around, and playing with their children while enjoying the panoramic view of nature. Public restrooms are also available, making it safe for visitors with small children.

Camping is also an option for outdoor enthusiasts. No reservation is required.

While enjoying day camping at Senjidashiki, you can also enjoy touring the surrounding scenic spots.
While enjoying day camping at Senjidashiki, you can also enjoy touring the surrounding scenic spots.

The greatest appeal of "Senjidashiki Kogen Campsite" is that you can enjoy the spectacular local scenery to your heart's content: the blue ocean and sky during the day, sunset, the stars in the sky, sunrise, and so on. Since the campground can be easily used without reservations, many families enjoy day-trip day camping as well as overnight stays.
There are also many points of interest for children, such as athletic playground equipment, free binoculars at the observation deck, and a huge windmill for wind power generation. Nearby is Sugemuta Park, famous for its azaleas, and a walk from the campground is recommended in late April, when the azaleas are at their best.

Local Guide Comment
The popular cafe "Country Kitchen" in Senjidashiki is one of the attractions of visiting the area, along with the spectacular scenery. The menu includes hamburgers and curry for lunch, crepes and waffles for sweets, and many other items that children will enjoy.
Sentatamijiki (Thousand Tatami mats)
  • Address 1138-1 Hiokinaka, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approximately 60 min. from Mine IC on Chugoku Expressway
  • Admission Fee Free of charge
  • TEL 0837-27-0074（Nagato City Tourism & Convention Association)
  • Parking Free of charge
  • Memo Country Kitchen 11:00-17:00, closed on Thursdays
    *Recommended car navigation setting to Senjojiki: TEL0837-37-3824 (Country Kitchen)

Both adults and children will be very satisfied! A day at a farm on the plateau

Heidi's Swing
Heidi's Swing" is popular not only with children but also with adults. You can enjoy the exhilaration of feeling the highland wind with your whole body.

Located on a highland plateau in the northern part of Yamaguchi City, this farm is a place where you can enjoy the outdoors to the fullest, and is crowded with families, especially on holidays. There are many ways to enjoy the farm, such as running around in the grassland at the foot of the mountain, or feeding the rabbits and goats. Visitors can also freely use the playground equipment, including Yibikes (pedal-less tricycles).
The pure white "Heidi Swing" stands out in the grassy field at a height of about 6 m. The exhilarating feeling of swinging toward the sky on the plateau is irresistible. It is also a very popular photogenic spot.

Enjoy gourmet farm food in a stylish space on a wooden deck

At
At "CAFE & BBQ," visitors can enjoy a meal in an open space with a natural breeze blowing through.

CAFE & BBQ is a café space on a wooden deck. Visitors can enjoy a meal on a comfortable sofa while enjoying nature. Milk, cheese, beef (Funakata beef), and other ingredients are produced on the farm and can only be enjoyed here.
We recommend the "Chaco Grill Burger," which is slow-cooked on a charcoal grill. The burger is a satisfying dish, both in terms of volume and taste. The barbecue corner (reservation required), where you can taste Funakata beef and Funakata sausage, is also popular. The great attraction is that there is no need to prepare dishes or charcoal, so you can use the barbecue area empty-handed.

Local Guide Comment
In terms of food safety, we highly recommend this spot for children. Don't miss the Funakata Farm Farm Cheesecake, ice cream, bacon, sausages, and other original products available at the store.
Funakata Farm
  • Address 11450-39, Ato Tokusashita, Yamaguchi-shi, Yamaguchi MAP
  • Direction Approximately 45 minutes from the Yamaguchi IC on the Chugoku Expressway
  • Business hours CAFE & BBQ 10:00-16:30 (BBQ L.O.15:30, CAFE L.O.16:00)
    SHOP 10:00-16:00
  • Closed Refer to the business calendar on the Funakata Farm website.
  • TEL 083-957-0369
    BBQ reservation 083-957-0808
  • Parking Free of charge

The vast flower fields are decorated with seasonal flowers, and the seasonal sweets are exquisite!

A vast field of flowers such as sunflowers, nemophilas, cosmos, and rapeseed blossoms is displayed in every season.
A vast field of flowers such as sunflowers, nemophilas, cosmos, and rapeseed blossoms is displayed in every season.

Located along the Seto Inland Sea in Sanyo Onoda City, this is one of the largest system farms in western Japan. In one corner of the 16-hectare site where flower and vegetable seedlings are cultivated, visitors can admire a vast flower garden each season, including nemophila (mid-April to mid-May), sunflowers (late July to mid-August), and cosmos (mid-October to mid-November).
The store sells a wide variety of seedlings as well as locally grown vegetables, and the "Itairian Restaurant" is popular for its pizza and pasta dishes that use many of these vegetables. Seasonal sweets using farm-grown fruits are also recommended.

Strawberry picking, blueberry picking, and other family-friendly harvest experiences

A single greenhouse for strawberry picking is the size of a soccer court!
A single greenhouse for strawberry picking is the size of a soccer court!

In addition to strawberry picking in winter and spring and blueberry picking in early summer, visitors can enjoy the experience of harvesting sweet corn, sweet potatoes, fresh peanuts, and potatoes with their children.
Thorough attention is paid to all aspects of cultivation, from soil preparation and seedling cultivation to overall cultivation, resulting in excellent taste as well as food safety. The popularity of the farm, which attracts many visitors not only from Yamaguchi Prefecture but also from the Kyushu area, is a testament to the quality of the food. Experience schedules are posted on the Property's website, and prior confirmation is recommended before visiting.

Local Guide Comment
The flower garden can be viewed not only from the outer perimeter, but also from various perspectives, including a pathway through the field and a foundation built for photography, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the beautiful flowers. Check the Property website for blooming conditions!
Hana no Umi
  • Address 3392 Haniu, Sanyo-Onoda-shi, Yamaguchi MAP
  • Direction 5 minutes from Haniu IC on Sanyo Expressway
  • Direction Take a bus from JR Kozuki Station and get off at "Seinen no Ie-mae" bus stop.
  • Business hours Shop/Harvest Experience 10:00-17:00 (9:30 on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
    Iri-Arian Restaurant 11:00-15:00
  • Regular holiday New Year's Day
  • Admission fee For information on strawberry picking, blueberry picking, and harvest experience, please refer to the website.
  • TEL 0836-79-0092
  • Parking Free of charge
The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.