[2025] 10 Free Spots to Visit with Kids in Okayama

• Table of contents
• 1. Dinosaur Park (Kasaoka City )
• 2. Okayama Farmers Market North Village ( Shoo Town)
• 3. Makiba no Yakata (Misaki Town)
• 4. Okayama Prefecture Nature Conservation Center (Wake Town)
• 5. Tsu Kimono Interaction Village (Maniwa City )
• 6. Hiruzen Jersey Land (Maniwa City)
• 7. Okayama Wake Yakult Factory (Wake Town )
• 8. Sci-Pia: The Science and Humanity Museum of the Future (Okayama City)
• 9. Okayama City Waterworks Memorial Hall (Okayama City )
• 10. Miyama Park Roadside Station (Tamano City )
• Map of the facilities introduced

1. Dinosaur Park (Kasaoka City )

There are eight life-sized dinosaurs, including a 27m long Diplodocus and a Tyrannosaurus, just like something out of Jurassic Park. All have been created under academic supervision, with skin wrinkles and muscle structures precisely reproduced. The museum is also adjacent to the Horseshoe Crab Museum, which is themed around the horseshoe crab, a nationally designated natural monument.

Address : 1946-2 Yoko Island , Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture Prefecture, 714-0043

Phone number : 0865-67-2477 ( Kasaoka City Horseshoe Crab Museum)

Business hours : 9:00-17:00

Closed : Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday), the day after a public holiday, New Year's holidays (December 29th to January 3rd) *Open every day from March 25th to April 10th, April 27th to May 10th, and July 15th to August 31st. Free admission.

Access (car) : Approximately 25 minutes from Kasaoka IC on the Sanyo Expressway

Public transport : Take the Kasaoka Line bus from JR Kasaoka Station for about 20 minutes and get off at the "Horseshoe Crab Museum" stop.

Parking lot: 50 spaces for standard cars , 10 spaces for large vehicles

2. Okayama Farmers Market North Village ( Shoo Town)

There are various facilities such as a petting zoo, athletics, craft studios, a barbecue area, and a grassy area, so the whole family can enjoy a day out. There are also hands-on activities such as ice cream making, butter making, and bread making available (fees apply).

Address: 1100 Okayama Prefecture, Shoo Town gun, Okayama Prefecture, 709-4311

Phone number : 0868-38-1234 (Okayama Farmers Market North Village)

Business hours : Normal: 9:00-17:00 During Obon (August 11th-15th): 9:00-19:00 *Hours may change without notice.

Closed : Wednesdays (or the following day if it is a public holiday), New Year's holidays *Tuesdays and Wednesdays from December to February

Admission : Free

Access (car) : Approximately 5 minutes from Shoo IC on the Chugoku Expressway

Public transport : Approximately 25 minutes on foot from JR Katsumata Station

Parking : 600 standard-sized cars, 13 large vehicles. EV charging station (1 medium-speed) available.

Season Azalea : March to May

Additional facilities : petting zoo, athletic facilities, lodge, campsite, restaurant, barbecue, cafe & bakery, roadside market, souvenir shop, kids' park, battery car

3. Makiba no Yakata (Misaki Town)

The 5-hectare site is home to a herb garden, a lavender garden, walking trails, a petting zoo, and more. You can also tour the processing facilities that use raw milk produced at the Okayama Prefecture Comprehensive Livestock Center to make yogurt, soft serve ice cream, ham, and more, and there is also a restaurant where you can eat on the spot. The facility will be reopened on April 29, 2023, as an experience-based facility, and various experiences will be available throughout the year, including ice cream-making and sausage-making experiences. (Experiences require a fee (reservations required).)

Address : 2272 Kita, Misaki cho, Kume-gun, Okayama Prefecture Kume District , 709-3401

Phone number : 0867-27-2332 (Restaurant "Makiba no Mori FOOD & SHOP")

Business hours : 10:00-17:00

Closed : Makiba no Yakata: Open daily

Makiba no Mori(restaurant) : Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday)

Price : Free

Access (car) : Approximately 30 minutes from Innosho IC on the Chugoku Expressway, or approximately 35 minutes from Ochiai IC

Public transport : Approximately 15 minutes by taxi from JR Mimasaka Oiwake Station or JR Tsuboi Station

Parking : 200 standard-sized cars, 6 large cars

Cosmos (Autumn Cherry) : Late October to early November

Additional facilities : Lavender garden, herb garden, lawn area, field athletics, animal area, cow house, dog run, restaurant, dairy and meat processing facility (including experience room), experience space (inside the restaurant)

Note: *Placement of petting in the animal park is only available to groups, and advance reservations are required (Makiba no Yakata Management Office / TEL: 0867-27-2346)

4. Okayama Prefecture Nature Conservation Center (Wake Town)

You can observe a variety of creatures and plants throughout the year in areas such as the insect meadow, the wild bird Mori , and the botanical garden. The park also has the largest number of red-crowned cranes, a protected species, in Japan. There are also nature observation events held every month that anyone can participate in.

Address : 730 Machida , Wake-cho , Wake gun, Okayama Prefecture Wake County , 709-0524

Phone number : 0869-88-1190 ( Okayama Prefecture Nature Conservation Center)

Business hours : 9:00-16:30

Closed : Tuesdays (except public holidays), the day after public holidays, and New Year's holidays (December 28th to January 4th)

Price : Free

Access (car) : Approximately 35 minutes from Sanyo Expressway Sanyo IC or Wake IC

Public transport : Approximately 20 minutes by taxi from JR Wake Station or JR Kumayama Station

Alternatively, take a 20-minute bus from JR Wake Station bound for Rokuro Tanigami, get off at "Saiki Plaza Saesta" and transfer, then take a 10-minute bus bound for Kaga Chida Community House, get off at "Go no Chaya" and walk for 10 minutes.

Parking : 82 standard-sized cars, 13 large cars. *Approximately 15 minutes' walk from the parking lot to the center building.

Duration : Approximately 60-120 minutes (negotiable)

Number of people accepted : 100 (Consultation required for groups of more than 100)

How to make a reservation : By phone

(Official) Okayama Prefecture Nature Conservation Center Instagram

5. Tsu Kimono Interaction Village (Maniwa City )

This nature park, themed on "Satoyama," allows visitors to interact with the flora and fauna of each season, as well as enjoy activities such as catching fish and having a barbecue. It also hosts nature observation and experience events.

Address : 1077 Hiruzen Shimokazu , Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture , 717-0513

Phone number : 0867-67-7011 ( Tsu Kimono Fureai no Sato Nature Center Sasayuri Hall)

Business hours : 9:00-16:30

Closed : Tuesdays (or the following day if Tuesday is a public holiday), closed from December 16th to March 14th except for events, and other temporary closures

Price : Free admission

Access (car) : Approximately 20 minutes from Yubara IC on the Yonago Expressway

Public transport : Take the bus bound for Hiruzen-kogen Heights from JR Katsuyama Station for about 50 minutes, get off at "Hatsuwa", then take a taxi for about 10 minutes

Parking : 50 spaces for standard cars, wheelchair-accessible parking available. *Please contact the facility regarding parking for large vehicles.

Additional facilities : Sasayuri Hall, walking trails, Tsu River Park, grounds, campsite

6. Hiruzen Jersey Land (Maniwa City)

In the pasture area overlooking the Hiruzen Sanza , you can see Jersey cows relaxing. There is also a restaurant where you can buy souvenirs filled with the farm's proud Jersey milk, as well as enjoy Jersey beef steaks and cheese fondue.

Address : 956-222 Hiruzen, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture , 717-0501

Phone number : 0867-66-7011

Business hours : 9:30-16:30 (LO.16:00) December 1st-March 15th: 10:00-16:00 (LO.15:30)

*During busy periods, business hours may be extended depending on the situation. *Open every day from March to December

Closed : January to February: January 1st, Tuesdays and Wednesdays (open on public holidays)

Access (car) : Approximately 10 minutes from Hiruzen IC on the Yonago Expressway

Public transport : Take the bus bound for Hiruzen-kogen Heights Katsuyama Katsuyama Station for approximately 80 minutes, get off at "Yubenguchi", then take a taxi for approximately 5 minutes

Parking : 300 standard-sized cars, 3 large cars

Season : Sunflowers: Early August

Cosmos (Autumn Cherry) : Late October to early November

Dairy farming experience : Weekdays from May to early November (reservations required)

Experience fee : Dairy farming experience from 1,400 yen (reservation required)

Duration : 1-2 hours

Number of participants : 25-80 people for dairy farming experience

Dining : 100 seats

How to make a reservation Dairy farming experience : Phone, fax

7. Okayama Wake Yakult Factory (Wake Town )

You can learn about the "Lactobacillus casei Shirota strain" contained in Yakult dairy products through videos, and you can actually see the production line. In addition to the factory tour, there are other facilities you can enjoy, such as an exhibition of Yakult products from around the world in the lobby, a large screen monitor where you can watch unique overseas commercials, and games in the PR hall.

Address : 269 Takayanagi, Tahara , Wake-cho, Wake Town -gun, Okayama Prefecture Wake County , 709-0464

Phone number : 0869-92-5411 ( Okayama Wake Yakult Factory: Reception hours: 8:30-16:00, excluding Sundays and the New Year holidays)

Opening hours : Tours start at 10:00, 10:45, 13:30, 14:15

Closed : Sundays, New Year's holidays

Access (car) : Approximately 15 minutes from Wake IC on the Sanyo Expressway, or approximately 60 minutes from Mimasaka IC on the Chugoku Expressway

Public transport : Approximately 10 minutes by taxi or 35 minutes on foot from JR Wake Station

Parking : 20 spaces for standard cars, 2 spaces for large vehicles *Please consult separately if you wish to exceed the above number of spaces.

Trial fee : Free

Duration : Approximately 1 hour

Number of people accepted : 1-40 people per tour *Please consult if the number exceeds 40 people

How to make a reservation : [For tours of 9 people or less] Apply via the official website or by phone between 7 and 60 days before the desired tour date.

[For tours of 10 or more people] Please apply by phone between 7 and 60 days before the desired tour date.

*Regarding social studies field trips to schools, etc., you can make enquiries even before the application period.

①Reservations are required, so please make sure to apply in advance.

② Depending on the reservation situation, we may not be able to accommodate your request.

③Please refrain from taking photos or videos of the production process.

④Please refrain from bringing food or drinks into the factory.

⑤Please disinfect your hands upon entry.

⑥ Anyone with symptoms such as fever may be denied entry.

⑦Pets are not allowed.

⑧ All factory tours will be conducted in Japanese. Interpretation is not available.

⑨We do not operate shuttle buses from the factory.

10. We may be forced to cancel the factory tour due to bad weather such as typhoons or earthquakes.

Okayama Wake Yakult Factory Official Website

8. Sci-Pia: The Science and Humanity Museum of the Future (Okayama City)

The Science Experience and Learning Plaza is equipped with experiment and video equipment and various tools, and science classes and science shows are held on holidays and during the summer vacation, making it a place where people of all ages can experience and enjoy science (the planetarium requires a fee).

SciPia: The Future Museum of Science and Humanity Official Website

9. Okayama City Waterworks Memorial Hall (Okayama City )

Inside the brick building on the Mino Water Purification Plant grounds, which was converted from a water pump room from when the waterworks was established in 1905, you can learn about the mechanisms by which water is purified and the importance of water, and also have fun learning about the properties of water through water-based attractions.

Address : 3-1-1 Ijimacho , Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture , 700-0016

Phone number : 086-251-9752 (Sci-Pia, the Future Museum of Science and Humanity)

Business hours : 9:00-17:00

Closed : Mondays (except public holidays), the day after a public holiday (except when that day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday), December 28th to January 4th

Admission : Free (excluding planetarium)

Planetarium admission fee : Adults (under 65 years old) 530 yen, Adults (over 65 years old) 320 yen, High school students 310 yen, Elementary and junior high school students 110 yen, Infants free

Access (car) : Approximately 10 minutes from Okayama IC on the Sanyo Expressway

Public transport : Approximately 25 minutes on foot from JR Okayama Station

Parking : Use the Lifelong Learning Center parking lot (approximately 180 spaces)

Okayama City Waterworks Memorial Hall Official Website

10. Miyama Park Roadside Station (Tamano City )

This roadside station is located in a lush green area at an altitude of 50 to 180 meters. It has a shop selling agricultural and marine products and local specialties, as well as a bakery and restaurant. The park has a "Walking Zone" filled with nature, with over 100 types of flowers and trees, and a playground where families can enjoy playing catch or having a picnic on the grass, as well as play equipment.

Address : 2-4644 Tai, Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture , 706-0001

Phone number : 0863-32-0115 ( Miyama Park Roadside Station)

Opening hours : Farm and fishery direct sales store/fresh fish section: 8:30-16:00, local specialty section: 8:30-17:00, bakery: 8:00-15:00, Gonta Chaya: 11:00-17:00, Miyama cafe PUUT: 8:00 (weekdays 9:00)-16:00

Mini putt-putt golf course : 8:30-17:00 (until 16:00 from December to February) Dog run: 9:00-17:00

Closed : Tuesdays (open on public holidays)

*Gonta Chaya is closed on Wednesdays

*Miyama English Garden is closed on Wednesdays (or the following day if it is a public holiday).

*Putter golf and dog run are closed on Wednesdays (or the following day if it falls on a public holiday), and during the New Year holidays (December 29th to January 3rd).

Access (car) : Approximately 30 minutes from Mizushima IC on the Seto Chuo Expressway

Public transport : Take the bus from JR Bizen Station to Higashi Civic Center (approx. 5 minutes) and get off at Miyama Park Roadside Station.

Or, take the bus from JR Uno Station to Okayama Station for about 10 minutes and get off at "Miyama Park Entrance"

Parking : 500 standard-sized cars, 5 handicapped parking spaces, 18 large vehicles

Map of the facilities introduced

Map of the facilities introduced