Popular Water and Amusement Parks in Kobe

Apr 25, 2018

Popular Water and Amusement Parks in Kobe

Water and amusement parks are the best go to places for tourists and locals alike especially during the summers where the weather is at its warmest and a lot of people are on vacation making these places more exciting and fun. There are numerous varieties of parks in the world but most of them are around areas where tourists flock to because there are other famous attractions too like museums, gardens, zoos and the like.

There are countless theme parks across Japan that are famous worldwide. Some are franchises of well-loved brands that also have equally popular parks in the US and Europe. Every city in Japan has their own signature theme park where tourists and locals visit all year round but more often in spring and summer seasons when it’s vacation time for kids and when festivals are scheduled.

Kobe is just one of the cities with the most unforgettable amusement parks. Some of them are not only entertaining but educational as well so they’re popular with kids, teenagers and even the young at heart. These parks provide interactive entertainment and historical infotainment and provide a relaxing respite from the hustle of reality.

Machikado Amusement Park Mosaic Garden

A ferris wheel that gives you a captivating view of the harbor, a shopping center and several other entertainment areas complete this park. Its location is also home to other amusement centers and restaurants catering to visitors from all walks of life. There are also hotels in the area where you can stay during your entire trip to Kobe so everything you need to visit isn’t too far away from where you can relax and rest.

Mentai Park Kobe Sanda

If you’re craving for cod roe rice balls or you haven’t had one and you’re dying to try it, this place is one for the books. A lot people flock here to sample this delicacy and according to reviews, they’re simply the best rice rolls ever. Located in Akamatsudai, Kita-ku, Kobe, this park is a gem for foodies and anyone who has knack for tasting new fares. There’s a souvenir shop where you can buy fresh cod and sardine roe and a food court where you can sample other dishes as well.

Sumaura Sanjo Amusement Park

A ropeway is what this part is mainly known for because it lets you marvel at the spectacular views of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and Kobe. You can also view the Kansai International Airport and the Osaka bay area on a clear sunny day when you’re being transported to the revolving observatory at Sanjo Park.

Dekapathos

Grab your tent, a cooler of drinks and your trusty swimwear and head to this water park in Higashinada-ku. Enjoy the different pools such as a running water pool and a wave pool and one with a body slider that is 60 meters long. There’s also a water jungle gym much like a jungle gym in a playground but this time in the middle of a pool. There’s a snack booth that sells warm meals like noodles and curry as well.

Rokkosan Field Athletic

If you’re not the type to splash around in a water park, you can always visit this park with 40 wood and rope playground facilities in a hard athletic course that adults and kids can enjoy and get addicted to. Just remember not to schedule a visit to this huge park on Thursdays and during rainy days or days when the weather is not conducive to playing outdoors.

Kobe Sky Adventure Suzuran

If you want a park that is a bit more challenging than just wood and rope obstacles, Kobe has something even better for you. Imagine yourself suspended from seven meters above the ground tied to a harness and braving the obstacles in mid air. You can enjoy this thrilling adventure with your colleagues such as in team building activities and with your family and friends when you visit this city together. It’s a one of a kind bonding experience that will surely be most memorable to everyone.

Suma Aqualife Park

It’s an aquarium and water park rolled into one so you can view the marine wildlife and enjoy the water park afterwards. There’s a pool where you can touch the fish and small sharks, a sea turtle pool, an underwater tunnel, and dolphin shows in the amphitheater that you can also view. It has been around since 1957 and is known as one of the largest in Japan.

Kobe Anpanman Children’s Museum & Mall

‘Let’s Go! Anpanman!’ is an animated TV show of a hero with a face made of anpan or a Japanese sweet roll filled with red bean paste. It has been on the air since 1988 and is still being loved by kids today. It was awarded by the Guinness Book of World records as the animated series with the most number of characters. This museum and mall is only one of the five that is dedicated to this superhero and provides entertainment, souvenir items and goodies to the kids and kids at heart.

Some tourists and locals love staycations but at times you’d think just sitting around or taking a dip in a pool alone would be completely boring. In any case, if you really just want to lounge around on a family vacation, pick a hotel near any of these amusement parks so that the rest of the family can fully enjoy their time off while you relax, take a dip in a onsen or just shop ‘til you drop.

By Mti [CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons