Can I drive my own car through the safari, or do I need to take a bus?

You can drive your own private vehicle through the safari zone at Himeji Central Park. However, convertibles and motorcycles are not permitted for safety reasons. If you prefer not to use your own car or arrive by public transportation, the park offers guided safari buses with protective caging that allow safe viewing of predators like lions and tigers. The buses also provide narrated commentary throughout the tour.

How long does it take to complete the safari experience?

The drive-through safari typically takes between 30 to 40 minutes to complete at the controlled pace. If you include time for the walking safari area, feeding experiences, and animal shows, visitors generally spend 2 to 3 hours in the safari section alone. A full day visit combining both the safari and amusement park areas is recommended to experience everything the park offers.

Is Himeji Central Park suitable for young children?

Yes, the park caters well to families with young children. The amusement section includes numerous kid-friendly rides and attractions designed for various age groups. In the safari area, children can enjoy seeing animals up close from the safety of vehicles, and the walking zones offer animal feeding opportunities. Children aged 3 years and older require paid admission, while younger children enter free. Many rides have height restrictions, so check individual attraction requirements.

Can I visit both Himeji Castle and Himeji Central Park in one day?

While technically possible, it would make for a very rushed experience. Himeji Castle typically requires 2 to 3 hours for a thorough visit, and Himeji Central Park benefits from at least 4 to 5 hours to enjoy both the safari and rides. The park is located 10 kilometers from the castle with a 30-minute bus journey between them. Most visitors choose to dedicate separate days to each attraction for a more relaxed experience.

Are there dining options available inside the park?

Himeji Central Park has multiple restaurants and food stands throughout both the safari and amusement park sections. Options range from sit-down restaurants serving Japanese and Western cuisine to casual food courts and snack vendors. Visitors are also permitted to bring their own food and use designated picnic areas within the park. Prices are typical of Japanese theme park dining, generally higher than outside restaurants.

Himeji

Himeji Central Park

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

Himeji Central Park is a safari-style amusement park located in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, approximately 10 kilometers northwest of the famous Himeji Castle. Opened in 1984, the park was developed as a family entertainment destination combining wildlife encounters with traditional amusement rides, creating a unique dual-concept attraction that distinguishes it from conventional Japanese theme parks.

The park's primary significance lies in its drive-through safari experience, one of the few in Japan where visitors can observe animals in relatively naturalistic settings. The safari section spans approximately 60 hectares and houses over 200 animals representing more than 60 species from around the world, including lions, tigers, giraffes, elephants, and various herbivores. This approach to wildlife viewing allows visitors to experience close encounters with exotic animals while remaining in their vehicles, offering an experience uncommon in urban Japan.

Visitors can explore the safari zone through their own vehicles or by boarding the park's guided safari buses, which provide narrated tours and protective caging for safety during predator encounters. The walking safari area permits closer observation of smaller animals, primates, and birds in enclosures. Beyond wildlife, the amusement park section features a variety of rides including roller coasters, a Ferris wheel, and family-friendly attractions, along with seasonal pools during summer months. The park also operates a small ice-skating rink in winter, adding year-round appeal.

The park is accessible via JR Himeji Station, from which visitors take the Shinki Bus bound for Central Park, with the journey taking approximately 30 minutes. By car, the park is located just off the Sanyo Expressway at the Himeji Higashi Interchange. Admission operates on a tiered system: general entrance costs around 3,600 yen for adults, while combination tickets including both safari and amusement rides are priced at approximately 6,000 yen for adults and 3,700 yen for children.