Welcome to the Miyazaki with Kids Guide, your quick resource for discovering the best things to do in Miyazaki as a family. From lush jungles and playful zoos to Moai statues, cliffside shrines, and glowing gardens, Miyazaki is packed with family-friendly adventures. Whether you’re exploring attractions, searching for fun-filled places to visit, or uncovering unique things to see in Miyazaki with your little explorers, this guide has something for every age and interest, perfect for coastal getaways, nature-filled road trips, or tropical escapes with kids.
EXPLORING KYUSHU WITH KIDS? START WITH THESE FAMILY FAVORITES.
Most families visit Miyazaki as part of a bigger Kyushu adventure, often pairing it with nearby Fukuoka or Nagasaki, both just a short train ride away and packed with family-friendly fun. Check out our Fukuoka Family Travel Guide and Nagasaki Family Travel Guide for practical tips, or explore our Best Things to Do guides for Oita, Kumamoto, or Kagoshima to uncover top attractions and kid-approved highlights across Kyushu.
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Why Book Ahead? It’s often quicker, avoids long lines, and helps skip language barriers at the ticket counter. *Prices are subject to change.
Best Picks by Age: What to Do in Miyazaki with Kids
- Toddlers & Preschoolers (Ages 2–4) – Miyazaki City Phoenix Zoo, Florante Miyazaki, Kodomono Kuni Park
- Young Kids (Ages 5–8) – Aoshima Island & Shrine, Sun Messe Nichinan, Heiwadai Park & Haniwa Garden
- Tweens & Teens (Ages 9+) – Takachiho Gorge Boat Ride, Miyazaki Science Center, Kisakihama Beach, Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History
- All Ages – Phoenix Zoo, Aoshima Island, Sun Messe Nichinan, Heiwadai Park & Haniwa Garden
1. Miyazaki City Phoenix Zoo
- Why It’s Awesome: Elephants, flamingos, monkeys, and even a mini amusement park! This tropical-themed zoo is perfect for animal lovers and little adventurers.
- Age Recommendations: All ages
- Duration: 2–4 hours
- Best Time to Visit: Morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat
- Cost: ¥
- Accessibility: Stroller-friendly with shaded paths and rest zones
- Luca & Nico’s Challenge: Can you spot an animal you’ve never seen before?
Luca & Nico’s Tip: Ride the mini roller coaster near the back, not too scary, but tons of fun!
2. Aoshima Island & Shrine
- Why It’s Awesome: A mystical jungle island with a beach path, tropical plants, and a hidden shrine surrounded by rock formations called the “Devil’s Washboard.”
- Age Recommendations: All ages
- Duration: 1.5–2.5 hours
- Best Time to Visit: Low tide for full beach access
- Cost: Free
- Accessibility: Partially stroller-friendly (beach paths can be bumpy)
- Luca & Nico’s Challenge: Count how many crab holes you find on the beach!
Luca & Nico’s Tip: Have your child write a wish on a seashell ema and hang it at the shrine!
3. Sun Messe Nichinan
- Why It’s Awesome: Meet giant Moai statues on a hill overlooking the ocean! This quirky, open-air park is full of grassy play areas, sculptures, and great photo ops.
- Age Recommendations: All ages
- Duration: 1.5–2 hours
- Best Time to Visit: Mid-morning or late afternoon for the best light
- Cost: ¥
- Accessibility: Mostly stroller-friendly (some mild slopes)
- Luca & Nico’s Challenge: Take a silly photo with each Moai statue; bonus points for goofy poses!
Luca & Nico’s Tip: Don’t miss the rideable mini cars near the front gate!
4. Takachiho Gorge
- Why It’s Awesome: Paddle through a deep gorge between towering cliffs and waterfalls, it’s like canoeing through a fairytale!
- Age Recommendations: Ages 5+ (life jackets required)
- Duration: 2–3 hours
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning for fewer crowds and calm water
- Cost: Free (boat rides ¥¥)
- Accessibility: Not stroller-friendly (steep stairs and paths)
- Luca & Nico’s Challenge: How many waterfalls can you count?
Luca & Nico’s Tip: Pack easy snacks to enjoy at the shaded riverside rest area just past the boat dock, as there’s no café nearby, and kids will be hungry after paddling!
5. Heiwadai Park & Haniwa Garden
- Why It’s Awesome: Peaceful lawns, wide walking paths, and an open-air sculpture trail with ancient haniwa (clay figures).
- Age Recommendations: All ages
- Duration: 1–2 hours
- Best Time to Visit: Morning or late afternoon
- Cost: Free
- Accessibility: Fully stroller-friendly with wide paved trails
- Luca & Nico’s Challenge: Find the weirdest or funniest haniwa statue!
Luca & Nico’s Tip: See if you can find the 1964 Olympic Cauldron hiding in the park!
6. Kodomono Kuni Park
- Why It’s Awesome: Once an amusement park, Kodomono Kuni is now a peaceful nature park near Aoshima, perfect for picnics, play, and gentle walks with kids.
- Age Recommendations: Best for ages 2–8
- Duration: 2–3 hours
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn for pleasant weather and seasonal foliage
- Cost: Free
- Accessibility: Fully stroller-friendly with paved paths
- Luca & Nico’s Challenge: Find and identify three different types of leaves or flowers during your walk.
Luca & Nico’s Tip: Bring along a picnic blanket and some snacks to enjoy under the shade of the trees. The park’s peaceful atmosphere makes it an excellent spot for a family lunch amidst nature.
7. Miyazaki Science Center
- Why It’s Awesome: Blast off with hands-on science experiments, space simulators, and a huge replica of a Japanese rocket.
- Age Recommendations: Best for ages 4–12
- Duration: 2–3 hours
- Best Time to Visit: Rainy days or quiet weekday afternoons
- Cost: ¥
- Accessibility: Fully stroller-accessible
- Luca & Nico’s Challenge: Can you land your spaceship safely on Mars in the simulator zone?
Luca & Nico’s Tip: Don’t miss the planetarium, it feels like flying through space!
8. Florante Miyazaki
- Why It’s Awesome: A lush flower garden with seasonal events, play spaces, and magical nighttime illuminations in winter.
- Age Recommendations: All ages
- Duration: 1–2 hours
- Best Time to Visit: Spring (blooms!) or winter (lights!)
- Cost: ¥
- Accessibility: Fully stroller-friendly
- Luca & Nico’s Challenge: Find the biggest flower and give it a funny name!
Luca & Nico’s Tip: Visit after sunset during the winter festival, the lights make it feel like a dream garden.
9. Kisakihama Beach
- Why It’s Awesome: A laid-back surf beach where families can swim, wade, or take beginner surf lessons together.
- Age Recommendations: All ages (surfing best for 6+)
- Duration: 2–3 hours
- Best Time to Visit: Summer mornings or evenings
- Cost: Free (surf lessons extra)
- Accessibility: Partially stroller-friendly (sandy paths)
- Luca & Nico’s Challenge: Build the tallest sandcastle before the tide washes it away!
10. Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History
- Why It’s Awesome: A calm, educational museum with wildlife exhibits, dinosaur bones, and a reconstruction of an old Japanese village.
- Age Recommendations: All ages
- Duration: 1.5–2 hours
- Best Time to Visit: Midday or rainy days
- Cost: Free
- Accessibility: Fully stroller-friendly
- Luca & Nico’s Challenge: Count the number of different animal footprints inside!
Until Next Time…
Miyazaki with kids is full of surprises, from boat rides through mystical gorges and tropical beaches to Moai statues and glowing gardens. Whether you’re feeding flamingos, solving shrine riddles, or learning the science of rockets, every moment is a memory in the making.
Stay curious, stay adventurous, and keep dreaming!
~ The LuNi Travels Family ~
