If you head towards Bihoro from the Wakamatsu area on the south side of Kitami City, you'll find "Kitami Family Land," a place that locals are sure to know. Nestled in a lush, quiet mountainous area, this place is full of rides that will bring a sparkling smile to children's faces.

This slightly retro amusement park, though compact, boasts thrilling rides like roller coasters, and hosts a variety of events such as a petting zoo and hero shows, making it a fun place to visit. This time, we'll introduce Kitami Family Land, a beloved local amusement park.

This amusement park is one of the few hidden gems in eastern Hokkaido. It's a great place for the whole family to enjoy, so why not take a picnic there on a nice day?

Table of contents
1. What kind of place is Kitami Family Land?
2. We had fun at Kitami Family Land.
3. What are the attractions of Kitami Family Land?
4. Access and Basic Information for Kitami Family Land

Surrounded by greenery, this is a place where you can enjoy both forest bathing and sunbathing on sunny days—a truly desirable spot.
Locals don't call it Kitami Family Land; they just call it "Family Land."
What kinds of things are here? Let me give you a brief overview.

How do I play?

First, you buy your ticket from the lady at the ticket counter.
If you're aiming to ride every single ride, a one-day pass is definitely the best deal.
Also, if you have young children who can't ride many rides yet, or if an adult is accompanying a young child as a guardian, a multi-ride ticket is a good deal.
There is no expiration date, so you can use it anytime. And surprisingly, they're even sold individually!

The one-day pass is also reasonably priced, and you'll quickly get your money's worth.
If you're unsure what to do, you can ask the lady at the counter for advice; she'll be able to tell you the appropriate course of action.

One day ticket: 1,400 yen
Ticket booklet: 700 yen (11 tickets)
Sold individually: 70 yen each

What about playground equipment?

There are 14 different types of playground equipment at Kitami Family Land.
Regarding rideable toys that children can ride alone, we have options starting from those suitable for children as young as two years old.
Furthermore, even younger children can use some of the play equipment if accompanied by a guardian.
While there seems to be a lot of spinning rides, the park also has classic attractions like carousels and teacups, and thrill rides like Crazy Mouse and Dragon Coaster.

People of all ages, from children to grandparents, can enjoy themselves here, so on nice days, you can bring a packed lunch and enjoy a picnic along with the amusement park.
The fact that Kitami Family Land has play equipment that can be enjoyed by both young children and adults together may be the secret to its enduring popularity, both in the past and present.

・What about things other than playground equipment?

There are plenty of other things to enjoy besides the playground equipment.
At the very back of the park, there's a giant slide with a steep incline that's quite thrilling.

For animal lovers, how about a "petting zoo" where you can interact with chipmunks, goats, and rabbits?
This place is popular with children, and during "feeding time," you can even feed the animals.

A stream flows beneath the "Sky Cycle," where visitors can enjoy playing in the water.
Near the go-karts, there are coin-operated cars, and beneath the space shuttle, there are coin-operated rides that move back and forth and side to side, so there are rides that even babies can enjoy.

The event plaza hosts character shows and other events, and on sunny days you can relax in the shade of the trees and enjoy the shows with your children.

A merry-go-round that's always calm and fun to ride.

(Price: 2 tickets worth 140 yen each per person)
"Which horse should I ride?" I always wonder as I ride the merry-go-round. It's a truly timeless amusement ride.
Riding a horse that moves up and down to the music will put you in a fairytale mood.

If you're not careful, you'll be spun around and around in the Merry Cups.

(Price: 2 tickets worth 140 yen each per person)
Usually, there are around two or three people riding in them, right?
The cup itself spins, so you might be feeling dizzy by the time you get down. It's a playground equipment not to be underestimated.

Kitami City's mascot character: Fuwa Fuwa Mint-kun

(Price: 2 tickets worth 140 yen each per person)
Mint-kun, the mascot character of Kitami City, has a body that's like a fluffy trampoline.
You can jump around a lot because it doesn't hurt when you fall!

A miniature train that the whole family can enjoy!

(Price: 2 tickets worth 140 yen each per person)
A miniature train takes about 5 minutes to complete a loop around the park.
It allows you to run on a proper overpass and cool down your tired body after running around in the amusement park.
If you travel with your family, conversation will flow easily, making for a fun train journey.

Putt-putt golf is surprisingly fun!

(Price: 3 tickets worth 210 yen each per person)
I borrowed a putter at the entrance and started playing.
There were times when the course had tiers and slopes, making it frustrating when the ball wouldn't go in.
It's sure to be a blast!

Enjoy go-karting on a professional course!

(Single rider: 3 tickets at 210 yen each; Double rider: 4 tickets at 280 yen each)
This course is a full-fledged setup, with a total length of 600 meters.
This popular ride offers a refreshing ride for one person or a fun, two-person ride along a challenging course.

The floating, light feeling is fascinating [Space Shuttle]

(Price: 4 tickets worth 280 yen each per person)
A space shuttle that feels like traveling in a spaceship.
When you make a wide turn, you feel as if you're traveling through outer space.
This playground equipment is popular with families with children and elementary school kids.

Enjoy the refreshing breeze and ride with your child on a Sky Cycle!

(Fares: Single rider: 3 tickets for 210 yen each; Double rider: 4 tickets for 280 yen each)
A sky cycle is a vehicle that runs on rails while riding a bicycle.
It's located quite high up, so it's incredibly thrilling.

[Heartbeat] is surprisingly fast-paced and throws you into turmoil.

(Price: 4 tickets worth 280 yen each per person)
Once you board one of the colorful rides, music will start playing as you begin to spin around intensely.
Despite its cute name, it's a surprisingly tough ride.

The irresistible centrifugal force that sticks to your skin [Roundup]

(Price: 3 tickets worth 210 yen each per person)
This is a vehicle where you ride while standing.
The feeling of the angle gradually increasing and the car sticking to the surface as you gain speed is simply amazing.
It's an addictive ride that makes you want to go on it again and again.

The firebird sways back and forth dramatically. [Firebird]

(Price: 4 tickets worth 280 yen each per person)
Children from elementary school age can ride this by themselves.
Once you board the Firebird, which swings back and forth like a pendulum, you'll hear lots of joyful screams.

Boys might get excited about the Freeway.

(Price: 3 tickets worth 210 yen each per person)
This playground equipment is exclusively for children between 90cm and 130cm tall.
Stepping into the small car makes you feel like a driver. The excitement is nonstop as you drive around the course.

The Dragon Coaster takes a powerful curve.

(Price: 4 tickets worth 280 yen each per person)
This cool coaster, featuring a pink dragon, is designed for young children aged 2 and up, and can be ridden with an adult.
Despite its cute and compact appearance, it runs quite powerfully.
Since it was introduced in 2011, this playground equipment offers a rare opportunity for young children to ride a roller coaster, making it perfect for a child's first roller coaster experience.

The most thrilling ride in the park! You'll want to ride it again and again: Crazy Mouse

(Price: 8 tickets worth 560 yen each per person)
This is the most thrilling ride in the park.
The rides, shaped like mice, can accommodate up to four people, and there are about three of them. They start one by one as soon as you hear the first scream. With sharp turns and inversions, it's a small but authentic roller coaster.

Actually, this Crazy Mouse is the only one still in operation in Japan!
It might surprise you, but because we have a company in Sapporo adjust it during the winter, it's still going strong.

Be amazed by the incredible height of this giant slide!

Fee: Free
The giant slide at the very edge of the park used to be the finish line for the athletic course.
Currently, only this slide remains.

It's incredibly thrilling because you're skiing down from a very high place.
There are quite a few stairs, so if you end up slipping and sliding multiple times, it's quite a test of endurance.
But everyone is trying their best and having fun because they get to enjoy a long slide.

A petting zoo where you can touch cute animals.

Fee: Free
Peacocks, rabbits, goats, and chipmunks will welcome you.
If you visit during feeding time, you can interact with goats and rabbits.

[Bonus Episode] A great help for those traveling with a baby

We have thoughtful considerations for mothers, such as a nursing room, so that even young children can play safely.

Kitami Family Land has a nursing room so that even young children can play to their heart's content.
The room is reasonably spacious, and you can even change your child's dirty clothes there.　　　　　　　　

Once you leave the nursing room, there are indoor play equipment, so you can let your child play safely even on days with slightly bad weather.
Additionally, there are tables and chairs available, so you can bring your own lunch and eat there.

While amusement parks are rare in the eastern Hokkaido area, the biggest appeal of this amusement park is that it's a place that everyone can enjoy, from young children to grandparents.

We see people who have come to play with their grandchildren, and families who have brought their lunches for a picnic.
The place is visited by a wide range of age groups, including junior and senior high school students, groups of friends, and people on dates.
I think that even adults might feel like a kid again and want to ride the rides if they see some nostalgic playground equipment.

Near Family Land, there are many other attractions, including Kitami Flower Paradise, a vast area the size of six Tokyo Domes where you can see colorful flowers depending on the season, a free campsite, and Wakamatsu Spring Water where you can collect spring water.
Why not visit with your family or friends?

[Kitami Family Land] Basic Information and Access
Address: 651 Wakamatsu, Kitami City, Hokkaido 090-0808
TEL: 0157-22-2910
Opening hours: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed: Every Tuesday and during the winter season
(Please check the website as details may change after the event.)
There are three parking lots available, and they are free of charge.
HP:http://kousya.sakura.ne.jp/family.html
Entrance fee: Free
Playground equipment usage: One-day free pass 1,400 yen
　　　　　Ticket booklet: 700 yen (11 tickets)
　　　　　Sold individually: 70 yen per sheet

If you come by car
15 minutes from Kitami Station (8.1km)
35 minutes (30 km) from Memanbetsu Airport
49 minutes (44 km) from Onneyu Onsen
There are no public buses. Please come by taxi or rental car.

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