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. Separate tickets for individual sections are also available, allowing visitors to customize their experience based on interests and time constraints.
