Planning a family trip to Oita Prefecture? You’ve likely circled two major attractions on your map: Sanrio Harmony Land and the Kyushu Natural Animal Park African Safari.
Both are heavy hitters in Kyushu family travel. Both offer unforgettable experiences for children. And, unfortunately for busy parents, they are located in different directions from the main hub of Beppu, making it difficult (though not impossible) to squeeze both into a single day without exhausting everyone.
If you are short on time and forced to choose just one, how do you decide?
As the lead writer for Little Kyushu Adventures, I’ve navigated both parks with kids in tow. The “right” choice depends entirely on your children’s ages, your budget, and—crucially—the weather forecast.
In this guide, we’ll break down the pros, cons, and logistics of Harmony Land vs. African Safari to help you make the best decision for your family.
At a Glance: The Quick Decision Guide
If you are in a rush, here is the bottom line:
- Choose Harmony Land if: You have toddlers or elementary-aged kids who love characters (Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll), you want a theme park atmosphere with parades and shows, or you are visiting on a sunny day with a moderate budget.
- Choose African Safari if: You have animal-loving kids of any age (including teens), you want a thrilling “feeding” experience you can’t get at a standard zoo, or you need a rain-proof activity.
For a broader look at how these fit into a wider Kyushu trip, check out The Ultimate Guide to Oita with Kids: Hot Springs, Sanrio Characters, and Safari Adventures.
Round 1: The Experience
Harmony Land: The Kawaii Kingdom
Located in the hills of Hiji town, Harmony Land is the outdoor sister park to Tokyo’s indoor Sanrio Puroland. It feels distinctly different—more rustic, more open-air, and arguably more relaxed.
- The Vibe: It’s pure pastel joy. The park is built on a hillside (be warned: lots of stairs and slopes), offering sweeping views of the countryside.
- The Highlights: The “Parade Parallel” is genuinely high-quality and arguably better than some parades at bigger parks because you can sit so close to the dancers and characters. The “Kitty Castle” lets kids meet Hello Kitty in person (a guaranteed core memory for fans). There are also gentle roller coasters, a Ferris wheel, and spinning cups.
- Age Suitability: Perfect for ages 2 to 8. Older kids might find the rides too tame, though the Instagram photo ops appeal to teens.
- The Catch: It is an outdoor park. If it rains, the rides close, and the parade is cancelled or moved to a smaller covered stage. It can also feel a bit “retro” compared to Disney; don’t expect cutting-edge animatronics.
African Safari: The Wild Encounter
Kyushu Natural Animal Park African Safari is not your typical zoo. It’s one of the few places in Japan where you are in the cage (the bus), and the animals roam free.
- The Vibe: Exciting and interactive. The park is vast, set against the mountains of Beppu.
- The Highlights: The “Jungle Bus” is the non-negotiable star here. You ride in a caged bus while lions, bears, and elephants come right up to the window to be fed with long tongs. Feeling a lion’s breath through the mesh is a thrill kids won’t forget. There is also a walk-through “Petting Salon” with kangaroos, miniature horses, and a cat house.
- Age Suitability: All ages. Toddlers love the petting zones; older kids and adults get a kick out of feeding the lions.
- The Catch: It’s expensive. You pay for entry plus the Jungle Bus ticket. Also, the Jungle Bus sells out quickly on weekends/holidays, requiring you to arrive before the gates open or book a package in advance.
Round 2: Logistics & Accessibility
Both attractions are most easily accessed from Beppu or Yufuin. If you are following our 7-Day Kyushu Family Itinerary: Fukuoka, Beppu, and Kumamoto by Train, you will likely be basing yourself in Beppu.
Getting to Harmony Land
- By Train & Bus/Taxi: Take the JR Sonic train to Kitsuki Station or Yokoku Station. From there, it’s a 10-minute bus ride or a quick taxi (approx. 1,500 yen).
- By Car: Easy access from the Hiji Interchange. Parking is plentiful.
- Stroller Factor: The park is very hilly. There are elevators and slopes, but pushing a stroller here is a workout.
Getting to African Safari
- By Bus: There is a direct bus from Beppu Station (West Exit). It takes about 45–50 minutes and winds up the mountain. It’s scenic but can be tiring for motion-sensitive kids.
- By Car: Highly recommended. Driving yourself gives you the option to drive your own car through the Safari Zone (though you can’t feed animals from your own car; you need the Jungle Bus for that).
- Rental Car: If you are debating renting a car for this leg of the trip, read Do You Need a Rental Car for a Family Trip to Fukuoka?—the advice applies to Oita as well, where cars are much more useful than in the city.
Round 3: Weather Suitability
This is often the deciding factor for families planning a trip months in advance.
- Harmony Land: High Risk in Rain. It is primarily outdoors. While there are covered stages and an indoor food court, the magic of the park (the castle, the train, the outdoor parade) requires good weather. In high summer, it is also very hot with little shade.
- African Safari: Rain-Proof. The Jungle Bus is fully enclosed (with mesh windows). Animals often don’t mind the rain, and the lions are just as hungry in a drizzle. The walk-through petting areas have some cover, but the main event—the safari tour—is perfectly fine in bad weather.
Round 4: Cost Comparison
Let’s look at the approximate costs for a family of four (2 adults, 2 kids aged 6):
Harmony Land:
- Passport Ticket (Entry + Rides): ~3,600 JPY per person (often discounted to ~3,000 JPY for foreign tourists via Klook/KKday).
- Total: Approx. 12,000 – 14,000 JPY.
African Safari:
- Admission: Adults ~2,600 JPY, Kids ~1,500 JPY.
- Jungle Bus: Adults ~1,300 JPY, Kids ~1,100 JPY.
- Total: Approx. 13,000 – 15,000 JPY (Plus bus fare from Beppu if not driving).
Note: Prices fluctuate; always check official sites. African Safari generally ends up being the more expensive day out once you add the bus ride and animal feed.
Can You Do Both in One Day?
Technically, yes, if you have a rental car and start very early. You could do the African Safari Jungle Bus at 9:30 AM, finish by 11:30 AM, drive 30 minutes to Harmony Land, and spend the afternoon there.
However, I do not recommend this for families with young kids. It rushes both experiences. You miss the petting zoo at the Safari and the parade at Harmony Land. It’s better to pick one and enjoy it fully, perhaps combining it with a relaxing “Hell Tour” (Jigoku Meguri) in Beppu afterwards.
If you are planning a longer trip and want to fit both in, check out our Kyushu Family Itineraries: The Complete Guide to Planning Your 3 to 7-Day Trip to see how to structure your days efficiently.
Final Verdict
The Winner for Toddlers: Harmony Land. The gentle rides, the character interactions, and the sheer cuteness make it a safe, magical bet for the under-6 crowd.
The Winner for Adventure & Rain: African Safari. Feeding a lion is a bucket-list item. The fact that you can do it comfortably even on a rainy Tuesday makes it a robust choice for travelers who can’t control the weather.
Whichever you choose, you are in for a treat. Oita is one of the most family-friendly prefectures in Japan. For more travel tips on getting around the island, don’t forget to read our guide on JR Trains in Fukuoka with Children: Seats, Tickets, and Family Travel Tips if you are connecting from Hakata.