BEST AMUSEMENT PARKS BEPPU

Kijima Kogen Park is a highland resort and amusement park set on a scenic plateau roughly 15 minutes by car from both Beppu and Yufuin in Oita Prefecture, Kyushu. The expansive park offers more than 40 rides and attractions spanning thrilling and family-friendly experiences, including Japan's first wooden roller coaster, Jupiter, which reaches speeds of around 90 kilometers per hour on its winding wooden track, as well as the Newton drop tower, the Poseidon water splash, and cutting-edge VR experiences. Younger visitors can enjoy a merry-go-round, Ferris wheel, kiddy rides, and a putting golf course. Seasonal highlights include cherry blossom viewing in spring, water play at Chapu-Cha in summer, and Kyushu's largest outdoor ice-skating rink in winter. A complimentary onsen-fed foot bath lets parents rest while children play nearby. Multiple dining venues, including a yakiniku buffet, complete the day out. With a hotel and golf club also on site, Kijima Kogen Park offers a full resort experience above the hot spring city of Beppu.

Beppu Rakutenchi is a beloved retro amusement park perched on a scenic hillside in Beppu, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu, offering sweeping panoramic views of the city and Beppu Bay. Founded in 1929, it holds the distinction of being the oldest amusement park in Kyushu and continues to delight visitors with an eclectic mix of classic and modern attractions. Signature rides include Japan's only double-decker Ferris wheel, a roller coaster racing 470 meters through the trees, a merry-go-round, and recently returned go-karts. The Animal Zone houses more than 20 species of small animals including capybaras and penguins, while a duck race event adds a unique and entertaining flourish. A steep cable car, a 150-meter suspension bridge, and terraced viewing platforms make the most of the elevated setting. What truly sets Beppu Rakutenchi apart is its integration of authentic hot spring bathing: admission includes access to day-use onsen baths and foot baths, and a summer pool fed by natural spring water features slides and water play, blending amusement park excitement with Beppu's celebrated hot spring culture.

Forest Adventure Beppu is an eco-friendly treetop adventure park nestled within the lush forests of Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, offering exhilarating outdoor experiences for participants from age three and up. The park features a purpose-built canopy course suspended high in the trees, where participants gear up with professional safety harnesses before navigating suspended bridges, tightropes, zip lines, and aerial challenges set at varying heights. The main adventure course, recommended for children in fourth grade and above or those over 140 centimeters tall, reaches an average height of 10 meters and takes approximately two hours to complete, providing a dynamic and memorable physical challenge. A gentler canopy course with a minimum height of 110 centimeters opens the treetop experience to younger children, and junior high school students and under may participate with an accompanying adult. Located just 10 minutes by car from Beppu IC and 20 minutes from the Yufuin sightseeing area, the park sits within the same forested area as a campsite, making it an ideal base for an outdoor adventure getaway in the mountains above Beppu Bay.