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

• 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. Tsuguro Nature Interaction Village (Maniwa City )
• 6. Hiruzen Jersey Land (Maniwa City)
• 7. Okayama Wake Yakult Factory (Wake Town )
• 8. SciPia: The Future Museum of Science and Humanity (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 in Jurassic Park. All of them have been produced under academic supervision, and the wrinkles in the skin and the way the muscles are attached are precisely reproduced. In addition, it is adjacent to the Horseshoe Crab Museum, which is themed on 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 the Monday is a public holiday), the day after a public holiday, New Year's holiday (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

Access (public) : 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 regular cars , 10 spaces for large cars

Dinosaur Park

714-0043 1946-2 Yokoshima, Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture

This park is adjacent to the world's only horseshoe crab-themed "Horseshoe Crab Museum." There are three zones: forest, desert, and ocean, and eight life-sized dinosaurs of seven types are on display, created under academic supervision. You will feel like you have traveled back in time to the dinosaur era.

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 the whole day. There are also experience menus such as ice cream making, butter making, and bread making (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 Obon period (August 11th-15th): 9:00-19:00 *Hours may change without notice.

Closed : Wednesdays (or the following day if Wednesday falls on a public holiday), New Year's holiday period *Tuesdays and Wednesdays from December to February

Admission : Free

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

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

Parking : 600 spaces for regular cars, 13 spaces for large vehicles. EV charging station (1 medium-speed) available.

Season Azalea : March to May

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

Okayama Farmers Market North Village

709-4311 1100 Oka, Katsuo-cho, Katsuta-gun, Okayama Prefecture

This is an agricultural-themed exchange experience facility. In a quiet environment designed in a northern European style, you can enjoy a variety of experiences for both adults and children. [Petting Zoo] Goats, rabbits, ducks, ducks, etc. [Harvesting experience] Blueberries, strawberries, sweet potatoes, kiwi, and other vegetables [Processing experience] Ice cream, sorbet, butter, bread

3. Makiba no Yakata (Misaki Town)

The 5-hectare site features 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 General 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. It will be reopened as an experiential facility on April 29, 2023, and various experiences will be available throughout the year, such as ice cream-making and sausage-making experiences. (Experiences are charged (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 everyday

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

Access (public) : 15 minutes by taxi from JR Mimasaka Oiwake Station or JR Tsuboi Station

Parking : 200 spaces for regular cars, 6 spaces for large cars

Season Cosmos (Autumn Cherry Blossoms) : Late October to early November

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

Notes: *Only groups are accepted for interaction at the animal park. Advance reservations are required (Makiba no Yakata Management Office / TEL: 0867-27-2346)

Makiba no Yakata

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

This facility was built for the purpose of deepening familiarity and understanding of livestock farming. On the 5ha site (3.8ha including lawn area), there is an herb garden where you can enjoy many flowers such as sage and chamomile, a lavender garden that is at its best from June to July, and cosmos that are in full bloom in late October. There are park facilities with fields, an athletic field, a promenade, and a petting animal field, as well as a restaurant and a dairy processing facility. In addition to dairy products such as soft serve ice cream and yogurt made with freshly squeezed raw milk from the Okayama Prefectural Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Center Livestock Research Institute, processed meat products, and sweets, we also recommend the restaurant's barbecue. We also hold various hands-on events throughout the year, such as Thanksgiving and ice cream making experiences.

4. Okayama Prefecture Nature Conservation Center (Wake Town)

You can observe various creatures and plants throughout the four seasons in the insect meadow, wild bird Mori , wetland botanical garden, etc. The park also has the largest number of red-crowned cranes, a national treasure, in Japan. There are also nature observation events 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, New Year's holidays (December 28th to January 4th)

Price : Free

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

Access (public) : 20 minutes by taxi from JR Wake Station or JR Kumayama Station

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

Parking : 82 spaces for regular cars, 13 spaces for large cars *Approximately 15 minutes' walk from the parking lot to the center building

Duration : Approximately 60 to 120 minutes (negotiable)

Capacity : 100 people (please inquire if more than 100 people)

How to make a reservation : By phone

(Official) Okayama Prefecture Nature Conservation Center Instagram

5. Tsuguro Nature Interaction Village (Maniwa City )

This nature park has a "Satoyama" theme, where you can interact with the flora and fauna of each season, catch fish, have a barbecue, etc. Nature observation and experience events are also held here.

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 in winter from December 16th to March 14th except for events, and may be closed on other occasions

Admission : Free

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

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

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

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

Tsuguro Kimono Fureai no Sato

1077 Hiruzen Shimowa, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture 717-0513

Located at the headwaters of the Asahi River, this is a nature park with an area of ​​about 16 hectares of satoyama where you can come into contact with a rich natural environment such as thickets, wetlands, streams, and mountain streams, as well as a wide variety of rare flora and fauna that live there.

6. Hiruzen Jersey Land (Maniwa City)

In the pasture area overlooking the Hiruzen Sanza peaks, 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)

*Business hours may be extended during peak seasons. *Open every day from March to December

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

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

Access (public) : Take the bus bound for Hiruzen-kogen Heights from JR Katsuyama Katsuyama Station for about 80 minutes, get off at "Yubenguchi", then take a taxi for about 5 minutes.

Parking : 300 spaces for regular cars, 3 spaces for large cars

Time : Sunflowers: Early August

Cosmos (Autumn Cherry Blossoms) : 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 (reservations 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 : Telephone, FAX

Hiruzen Jersey Land

956-222 Hiruzen Nakafukuda, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture 717-0501

Located at the foot of Kami Hiruzen Mountain, you can see the majestic sight of Hiruzen Sanza and Jersey cows grazing leisurely. You can see through the window a factory that manufactures dairy products such as Jersey yogurt and cheese made from Jersey milk, which has a refreshing and rich flavor, and you can enjoy soft-serve ice cream and assorted Jersey sausages at the restaurant and shop. There are also dishes made with Jersey beef, and in addition to steaks and curries, there are more than 10 dishes that allow you to enjoy the deliciousness of red meat, such as roast beef bowls.

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 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 : Tour start time: 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.

Access (public) : 10 minute taxi ride or 35 minute walk from JR Wake Station

Parking : 20 spaces for regular cars, 2 spaces for large vehicles. *Please inquire if you require more than the above number of spaces.

Experience fee : Free

Duration : Approximately 1 hour

Number of people accepted : 1-40 people per tour *Consultation required for groups exceeding 40 people

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

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

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

① Reservations 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 photographs or videos of the production process.

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

⑤Please disinfect your hands upon entry.

⑥People with fever or other symptoms may be denied entry.

⑦Pets are not allowed.

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

⑨We do not operate shuttle buses or other services 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. SciPia: The Future Museum of Science and Humanity (Okayama City)

The Science Experience and Learning Plaza is equipped with experiment and video equipment and various tools, and on holidays and summer vacations, science classes and science shows are held, 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 grounds of Mino Water Purification Plant, which was converted from a water supply 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 (SciPia, the Future Museum of Science and Humanity)

Business hours : 9:00-17:00

Closed : Mondays (except on public holidays), the day after a public holiday (except when that day is 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, Toddlers free

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

Public transport : 25 minutes on foot from JR Okayama Station

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

Okayama City Waterworks Memorial Museum 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 have fun, playing catch on the grass, and having a picnic.

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

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

Business hours : Agriculture 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 putter 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 open on Wednesdays

*Miyama British Garden is closed on Wednesdays (or the following day if Wednesday falls on a public holiday).

*Putter golf and the dog run are closed on Wednesdays (or the following day if Wednesday 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 bound for Higashi Civic Center from JR Bizen Station for about 5 minutes and get off at "Miyama Park Roadside Station"

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

Parking : 500 regular cars, 5 handicapped cars, 18 large cars

Miyama Park Roadside Station

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

This roadside station is located in a lush green area at an altitude of 50 to 180 meters, almost in the Chuo of Tamano City . It has a shop selling agricultural and marine products and local specialties, as well as a bakery and restaurant. Food trucks are also set up outside, mainly on weekends and holidays. There is plenty to see in the adjacent park, including a "walking zone" full of nature with over 100 types of flowers and trees, a "play zone" with a putt-putt golf course and a playground, and an "English garden."

MAP of the facilities introduced

MAP of the facilities introduced