Local Guide
Kagoshima City and Kirishima are the best places to play in Kagoshima City and Kirishima. 6 recommended sightseeing spots with children

Kagoshima Prefecture is famous for Sakurajima, an active volcano, and is dotted with tourist spots and parks that blend in with nature. These include the only zoo in Kyushu where you can meet koalas, and an aquarium that exhibits the creatures of Kagoshima, which is surrounded by three oceans (Pacific Ocean, East China Sea, and Kinko Bay), a rarity in Japan. All of these spots offer valuable learning and experience, and are filled with attractions that can only be experienced in Kagoshima, including spectacular scenery. This article introduces six sightseeing spots in Kagoshima City and Kirishima that are perfect for families with children.

An attractive sightseeing farm where you can interact with animals while enjoying the view of the Kirishima mountain range

The popular milk-squeezing experience (free of charge) is available only on Sundays and holidays. Numbered tickets are distributed at the Information Desk to the first 30 visitors.
The popular milk-squeezing experience (free of charge) is available only on Sundays and holidays. Numbered tickets are distributed at the Information Desk to the first 30 visitors.

This sightseeing ranch is located at the foot of the Kirishima mountain range, on the border with Miyazaki Prefecture. The vast 42-hectare site is full of exciting Experiences that can be enjoyed throughout the day. Visitors can tour the cattle barn and sheep barn, as well as directly interact with cute, fuzzy sheep at "Animal Petting Land.
There are also four different horseback riding courses that can be experienced by visitors as young as 3 years old, ranging from a pulling course to a photography course, depending on age and level of experience.

Enjoy the spectacular view and gourmet ranch food

The
The "Genghis Khan Hot Pot Set" can be ordered from two people (2,000 yen per person).

After an energetic day of fun, you can fill up at Makiba's Restaurant or the food court. Children's menus and the ranch's popular soft-serve ice cream are also available.
Recommended at the Restaurant are the authentic yakiniku (beef ribs) and Genghis Khan. The jingisukan, in particular, is grilled on a dome-shaped iron plate, a rarity in Kyushu, and the special sauce is well mixed with the meat to give it an authentic flavor without any odor. Recommended at the food court are the pizza filled with mozzarella cheese and dice steak, which are popular with both adults and children. Both restaurants have extensive menus, so parents and children will be very satisfied.

Local Guide Comment
It is also a popular cherry blossom viewing spot during the blooming season, and is recommended for picnics. Parents and children will be able to refresh their minds and bodies while enjoying the spectacular view.
Takachiho Farm
  • Address 5265-103 Yoshinomoto-cho, Miyaki-shi, Miyazaki MAP
  • Direction 10 minutes from JR Kirishima Jingu Station by car
  • Direction Take a bus from JR Kirishima Jingu Station, change at Kirishima Jingu (bus bound for Kirishima Jingu - Miyakonojo Station), and get off at Takachiho Farm.
  • Business hours April-October 9:00-17:30, November-March 9:00-17:00
  • Closed Closed irregularly (*Check the official website for details)
  • Admission Fee Admission free
  • TEL 0986-33-2102
  • Parking Free of charge

The only zoo in Kyushu where you can meet koalas

The
The "African Grassland Zone," where Sakurajima is likened to Mount Kilimanjaro. Zebras, rhinos and giraffes living in the savanna can be seen.

Located about 35 minutes by car from Kagoshima Chuo Station, this zoo is surrounded by lush greenery. The African grassland zone has no fences to block your view, so you can observe the animals up close, which is very powerful.
It is also the only zoo in Kyushu where visitors can see koalas, and the number of koalas kept here is the largest in Japan. There are no glass windows or other barriers between you and the koalas, so you can observe them closely while smelling the eucalyptus scent. The best time to visit is at 11:00 a.m., when the koalas are eating. Other highlights include the tokiro condor, the only animal that can be seen in Japan, and the "World Crane Zone," which has the largest number of cranes in Japan, with 11 species on display.

There is also an amusement park where you can see animals and Sakurajima from a Ferris wheel.

A variety of playground equipment for parents and children to enjoy together, with rides available for 100 yen per ticket.
A variety of playground equipment for parents and children to enjoy together, with rides available for 100 yen per ticket.

The park also has an amusement park that is very popular with parents and children. The carousel and flying tower are so popular that about 100,000 people use them each year. From the Ferris wheel, visitors can see giraffes and zebras in the African grassland zone, and on a clear day, Sakurajima, Kinko Bay, and the Kirishima mountain range can be seen.
In addition, there are diaper changing areas, nursing rooms, rest areas, and stores throughout the zoo, making it safe for visitors with small children. We recommend taking the park bus, which runs every 15 minutes, to get around the zoo. Baby strollers can also ride with you.

Local Guide Comment
There are also keeper talks (on the fourth Sunday of every month) and an event to observe omnivorous and carnivorous animals eating (on the 29th of every month). The "Touching Corner," where you can touch the animals while listening to the keeper's detailed explanation, is also recommended. (For details, please check the official website.)
Kagoshima City Hirakawa Animal Park
  • Address 5669-1 Hirakawa-cho, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approx. 35 min. by car from JR Kagoshima Chuo Station
  • Direction Take a bus from JR Goshiono Station (in front of Fukuhira Noko-mae) and get off at Hirakawa Animal Park.
  • Business hours 9:00-17:00 (admission until 16:30)
  • Closed December 29 - January 1
  • Admission Fee Adults ¥500, Elementary/Junior high school students ¥100 *Free for preschool children
  • TEL 099-261-2326
  • Parking Large cars and buses: 400 yen per visit, standard cars and light cars: 200 yen per visit

The powerful Kuroshio Aquarium, where whale sharks swim in comfort

The Kuroshio Aquarium, with a water capacity of 1,500 tons, is a powerful sight. The world's largest fish, the whale shark, is the only fish on display in Kyushu.
The Kuroshio Aquarium, with a water capacity of 1,500 tons, is a powerful sight. The world's largest fish, the whale shark, is the only fish on display in Kyushu.

The aquarium overlooking Sakurajima is about a 15-minute walk from Kagoshima Station. The aquarium exhibits about 800 species and 10,000 living creatures from Kinko Bay to the Nansei Islands. Visitors can see creatures that live in the sea around the Kagoshima mainland, as well as coral and tropical fish living in the southwestern islands that extend south of the mainland, and the precious "Satuma Haorimushi" found in Kinko Bay.
In addition, the Sea Slug Laboratory, Japan's first permanent nudibranch exhibit Property, is a must-see. You will be healed by the colorful and cute appearance of the sea slugs.

Dolphin shows and petting zoo for unforgettable memories

The
The "Dolphin Time" corner, which introduces dolphins' abilities and body mechanisms, is held daily (may be cancelled due to dolphins' physical condition).

In addition to the aquarium, there is a "touch pool" (an outdoor Property) where you can actually touch the creatures, as well as events with detailed explanations by the zookeepers, which are fun and educational for both parents and children.
Events such as "Blue Sky Dolphin Watching," where you can watch seals eating and electric eels catching food, are held every day. The powerful meal of a pirarucu, said to be one of the world's largest freshwater fish, can be seen only on Saturdays. Depending on the health condition of the creatures, the event may not be held, so check the information on the day of the event.

Local Guide Comment
The Kuroshio Aquarium is an impressive scale! Part of the tank is a tunnel, so you can see the fish from various angles. The world view of the sea of Kagoshima is spread out, and you will be absorbed by it, so it is recommended to stop by with plenty of time to spare.
Io World Kagoshima Aquarium
  • Address 3-1 Honminatomachi, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 10 minutes by car from JR Kagoshima Chuo Station
  • Direction Take a bus from JR Kagoshima Chuo Station and get off at "Kagoshima Aquarium-mae" bus stop.
  • Business hours 9:30-18:00 (admission until 17:00) *Closed at 21:00 during GW, summer vacation Saturdays and Sundays, national holidays, and Bon vacation period
  • Closed 4 days from the first Monday in December
  • Admission Fee Adults: 1,500 yen, Elementary/junior high school students: 750 yen, toddlers (4 years old and up): 350 yen
  • TEL 099-226-2233
  • Parking Free for up to 1 hour

A nature park where you can play with life-size dinosaurs

A park rich in nature where visitors can play with Sakurajima right in front of them
A park rich in nature where visitors can play with Sakurajima right in front of them

The park is located on a hill about 2 minutes by car from the Sakurajima Port Ferry Terminal. The park has seven life-size dinosaur models, including an Allosaurus, a Brontosaurus, and a Diplodocus, to match the primitive image of rough Sakurajima. Some of the dinosaurs have slides and small tunnels that are very popular with children. Near the models, visitors can also gain a little knowledge by reading detailed descriptions of their body length, the period in which they lived, and their characteristics.
Visitors can also enjoy beautiful views of Kagoshima City and Kinko Bay from the observation deck, as well as a panoramic view of Sakurajima.

Athletic facilities, including a 50-meter long slide

Slide of about 12.5 meters, equivalent to the height of a building's fourth floor
Slide of about 12.5 meters, equivalent to the height of a building's fourth floor

In addition to the dinosaur models, the park also has field athletic facilities and a 50-meter-long roller slide. From the top of the slide, visitors can see Sakurajima as well as the Kagoshima city area.
There are 14 types of playground equipment, including a jungle gym, a paddle board, a Tarzan rope, and swings. In spring, the park is popular as a cherry blossom viewing spot, attracting many children. It is also a spot where adults can enjoy outdoor activities such as forest bathing and enjoying the scenery.

Local Guide Comment
The vast park is also equipped with restrooms, water fountains, and foot-washing facilities. When visiting with parents and children, we recommend bringing leisure sheets and enjoying a picnic in the shade of the trees.
Sakurajima Dinosaur Nature Park
  • Address 79 Yokoyama-cho, Sakurajima, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 10 min. walk from Sakurajima Port Ferry Terminal
  • Business hours Open daily
  • Admission Fee Free of charge
  • TEL 099-216-1366（Kagoshima City Parks and Greenery Division)
  • Parking Free of charge

Learn about Jomon culture at the Uenohara Ruins, a national historic site

Exhibits of artifacts excavated from the early Jomon period are on display.
Exhibits of artifacts excavated from the early Jomon period are on display.

This Property preserves and utilizes the "Uenohara Ruins," located at an elevation of 250 meters above sea level, surrounded by Sakurajima, Kinko Bay, and the Kirishima mountain range. The Uenohara Ruins are a nationally designated historic site and have been confirmed to be the largest and oldest settled settlement site in Japan. In addition, 767 artifacts excavated from the site, including jar-shaped earthenware, clay figurines, and earrings, have been designated as national important cultural properties.
The vast park, which recreates a prehistoric forest, is divided into two areas: in the tour area, visitors can see the excavated artifacts and the village as it was approximately 10,600 years ago, and in the experience area, visitors can experience the Jomon period and enjoy athletic activities.

Parents and children can enjoy the Experience of making a fire together.

Experience of making a fire (50 yen) is available at the reception desk on the day of the tour (4th graders and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian).
Experience of making a fire (50 yen) is available at the reception desk on the day of the tour (4th graders and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian).

The experience area offers a variety of Jomon-era experiences and athletic activities. In the Experience Area, there are many hands-on activities that children will enjoy, such as making fire, bows and arrows, and accessories.
The "Fire Making Experience" is highly recommended. Using a mai-giri (a tool for starting a fire), a fire starter, and a board, visitors can start a fire in about 30 minutes. Other experiences that even adults can't help but get absorbed in include making accessories by shaving a stone called "Nameshi," and making "Mimi Pearls" by polishing luminous shells. This is a great way to create memories of your trip with your family.

Local Guide Comment
Don't miss the valuable exhibits that can only be seen here, such as Jomon pottery with different patterns and earrings. A diorama depicting the Jomon period and a mini-theater are also available for adults and children alike to enjoy learning about the Jomon period.
Uenohara Jomon no Mori
  • address (e.g. of house) 1-1 Uenohara Jomon no mori, Kokubu, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approx. 20 min. by car from JR Kokubu Stn.
  • Business hours 9:00-17:00 (admission until 16:30)
  • Closed Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday), December 30 - January 1, and five days in mid-February
    For more information, please check the official website.
  • Admission Fee Adults 320 yen, High school and university students 210 yen, Elementary and junior high school students 150 yen, Infants free
  • TEL 0995-48-5701
  • Parking Free of charge

Slide on a super slider while enjoying the view of the Kirishima mountain range.

Super Slider
Super Slider" (600 yen including lift fee), an exhilarating slide from the observation plaza.

The park is attached to "Roadside Station Kirishima," located about 5 minutes by car from Kirishima Jingu Shrine. There are a wide variety of Property and playground equipment for parents and children, including putting golf, sledding, and a ride called "Pokkar" that takes visitors down a grass slope.
A must-visit is the observation plaza at an elevation of 670 meters, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Kirishima's natural beauty. Visitors can either walk or take the road train to the lift station and take the scenic lift. There is a photo spot at the observation plaza, so don't forget to take a picture. On the way back to the park, you can enjoy the exhilarating ride down the 390-meter-long Super Slider.

Panorama Park overlooking the great nature of Kirishima

Magnificent views of the Kirishima mountain range, Sakurajima and Kinko Bay
Magnificent views of the Kirishima mountain range, Sakurajima and Kinko Bay

After a long day of fun, go to the Restaurant "Michi no Eki Kirishima Hot Kirishima Kan" (Roadside Station Kirishima Hot Kirishima Kan). In addition to local dishes such as "Saigodon Gozen" (limited to 10 servings a day) and "Kurobuta Shabu Shabu Nabe Set Meal" filled with Kagoshima gourmet foods, a wide variety of dishes such as curry, udon, and soba are available.
For an after-meal dessert, we recommend the "Soft Kiri-Mu" blueberry soft serve ice cream from the Yokamon Market on the premises. It is handmade using blueberries grown on the park's own farm, and has a refreshing taste with a hint of sweetness and sourness.

Local Guide Comment
There are about 500 cherry trees, making it a popular cherry blossom viewing spot. Visitors can also experience blueberry picking from mid-July to late August. This park is a place where parents and children can enjoy playing together while taking great pleasure in the nature of Kirishima in each of the four seasons.
Kirishima Mythological Village Park (Roadside Station Kirishima)
  • Address 2583-22 Taguchi, Kirishima, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approx. 15 min. from JR Kirishima Jingu Station by car.
  • Direction Take a bus from JR Kirishima Jingu Station and get off at Kirishima Mythology Park Entrance.
  • Business hours 9:00-17:00
  • Closed Open all year round (*Playground properties are closed for one week in June for periodic inspections)
  • Admission Fee Lift (round-trip): 600 yen (4 years old and up)
    Super Slider: 600 yen (ages 4 and up; children under 6 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)
    Road train (one-way): 200 yen (ages 4 and up)
    *For other details, please check the official website.
  • TEL 0995-57-1711
  • Parking Yes (free of charge)

MAP

Hoshino Resorts facilities nearby
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The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.