Enter Kitty Castle and feed black bears by hand yourself – 6 must-visit family-friendly theme parks in Oita, Japan

2. Shirataniyama Highland Park
Shirataniyama Highland Park is one of Beppu’s long-established amusement parks, combining hot springs, a driving school, golf, and a theme park to offer fun for all ages. The park’s biggest highlight is Japan’s first wooden roller coaster, “Jupiter,” built with 60,000 fir wood tracks. As the train speeds up and down the track, the irregular and intense vibrations caused by the wooden structure make for an exhilarating ride.

Address: 123, Shirataniyama Highland, Beppu City, Oita

▲Rakutenchi Rokkatei.

3. Rakutenchi Rokkatei
Rakutenchi Rokkatei is also a mountainous family-friendly amusement park located in Beppu City, with nearly 90 years of history since it opened in 1929, accompanying many locals through their childhoods. The park combines a zoo with various rides. Visitors can take an animal-shaped cable car from the entrance and reach this world of fun in just five minutes.

▲The entrance cable car to Rakutenchi Rokkatei.

▲The large suspension bridge offers views over Beppu City.

Rakutenchi gained fame in Taiwan recently because the world’s first “onsen theme park” was created here by integrating the park’s rides with hot spring elements—resulting in attractions like an onsen roller coaster, onsen Ferris wheel, and carousel, attracting many international visitors.

Although the park has now returned to its original form, visitors can still watch duck races, ride a high-speed roller coaster that soars halfway up the mountainside, and walk across the large suspension bridge for panoramic views of Beppu. In spring, it’s also one of the best cherry blossom spots in Beppu.

Address: 18, Nagaregawa-dori, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture

▲Kyushu Natural Zoological Park lets you feed lions by hand.

4. Kyushu Natural Zoological Park
Kyushu Natural Zoological Park is one of Japan’s two major wildlife safari parks, where dozens of animals roam freely across vast mountain forests as if they were in the African savanna. Visitors can take a special safari bus through the woods, getting up close to lions, tigers, elephants, and more—and even feed them, making it a popular destination for family trips.

▲Animal-shaped jungle buses.

▲You can also feed bears.

The biggest highlight here is boarding a “jungle bus shaped like an animal” equipped with various feed boxes. Following the guide’s instructions, you use the feeding tongs provided inside the bus to feed animals through the wire windows—including goats, elephants, lions, and black bears—allowing you to get up close and observe their various expressions.

Address: 2-1755-1 Minamikata, Anou, Usa City, Oita Prefecture

▲Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Park lets you observe monkeys’ daily lives up close.

5. Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Park
Rather than being just a zoo, it’s more like a “monkey park.” Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Park is home to nearly a thousand monkeys living in the mountains. Visitors can hike among the monkeys and get up close to their daily lives in a natural, fence-free environment, including the spectacular sight of monkeys being fed. It’s a must-visit spot in Oita Prefecture.

▲You can see numerous monkeys during feeding time.

▲Monkeys move freely among visitors.

▲The entire mountain is the monkeys’ playground.

The biggest highlight at Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Park is the monkey feeding. At set times, staff scatter barley in designated areas, and the usually lazy and scattered monkeys quickly rush to the feeding ground along cliffs, tree branches, or even right past visitors’ feet. The spectacular sight of a large gathering is truly breathtaking.

Address: 3098-1, Kanzaki, Oita City, Oita Prefecture

▲Umi no Tamago Aquarium is home to over 1,500 marine species.

6. Umi no Tamago Aquarium (also known as Sea Egg Aquarium)
Aquariums are a top choice for family trips, and Umi no Tamago Aquarium at the foot of Takasakiyama is one of Oita Prefecture’s must-visit spots. The aquarium’s mission is to “become friends with animals,” so besides exploring tanks filled with 1,500 marine creatures, visitors can get up close with animals—like the popular walrus show, where you can watch them sing, do sit-ups, shake hands, give kisses, and even touch them. The aquarium also features several interactive zones where children can learn more about sea life.

▲The signature walrus show at Umi no Tamago Aquarium—you can also interact with them.

▲A corner of Umi no Tamago Aquarium.

Since Umi no Tamago Aquarium is located at the foot of Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Park, many visitors spend a day enjoying both attractions while taking in the views of Beppu Bay.

Address: 3078-22, Uto, Kanzaki, Oita City

▲Umi no Tamago Aquarium.