Gunma Children’s Country, officially known as Gunma Prefectural Kanayama General Park, is a large urban park located in Nagate-cho, Ota City, Gunma Prefecture. The park was developed by making use of the rich natural environment on the western foothills of Mount Kanayama. Construction began in 1979 to commemorate the United Nations International Year of the Child and continued in stages until 1996.
The spacious park offers a wide range of attractions, including paid rides and activities for those seeking excitement, large free playgrounds, hands-on educational facilities, nature observation areas, and places to eat. It is a family-friendly leisure destination where children and adults can enjoy spending time together.
One of the park’s most popular attractions is the Summer Bobsleigh. Visitors ride down a course approximately 520 meters long, traveling from the mountaintop toward the foot of the hill. Curves and slopes provide an exciting ride while the natural breeze adds to the sense of speed and exhilaration.
Children can ride together with a parent or guardian, making it a fun choice for families looking to share an exciting experience.
The Panorama Chair carries visitors toward the mountaintop, offering sweeping views of the park’s greenery and the city of Ota. The gentle ride provides a relaxing aerial tour while the scenery changes with the seasons.
The fresh green foliage of spring and the colorful autumn leaves are particularly beautiful, allowing visitors to appreciate the natural scenery of Mount Kanayama from above.
The Cycle Plaza features a variety of unusual and entertaining rides, including a cycle monorail, cycle train, novelty bicycles, and other uniquely designed bicycles.
There are also battery-powered cars for younger children, allowing visitors of different ages to find activities suited to them.
Dynamic Plaza features large combination playground equipment where children can run, climb, and play to their hearts’ content. Attractions inspired by spaceships, ball swings, and other imaginative equipment encourage children to explore and enjoy active play.
The Children’s Plaza has spring rides, airplane-shaped swing equipment, and combination playgrounds designed for younger children. The area is easy for small children to enjoy and is also suitable for families introducing young children to playground activities.
The spacious Lawn Plaza is ideal for picnics, ball games, and relaxing outdoor time.
The Health Zone also features simple exercise equipment such as back-stretching benches and abdominal exercise benches. While children play, adults can enjoy some light exercise or simply take a refreshing break.
The Jabujabu Pond, open during July and August, is one of the park’s most popular summer attractions. It consists of a fountain area and a shallow pool, with water depths of approximately 15 to 30 centimeters.
The shallow water makes it easy for young children to enjoy water play, making the area a popular place for families to cool off and take a break during the hot summer months.
The Gunma Children’s Country Children’s Hall offers a variety of indoor activities and learning experiences. Its facilities can be enjoyed regardless of the weather, providing children with opportunities to learn through play.
The Children’s Hall’s Space Theater offers beautiful views of the starry sky and educational programs about space. Visitors can learn about astronomy and the universe through easy-to-understand visual presentations.
Science Wonderland features interactive exhibits that allow children to discover the fun of science through experiments and hands-on activities.
The Multipurpose Theater also hosts events and screenings, providing additional entertainment on days when outdoor activities may not be possible.
The Nature Experience Zone includes a variety of natural environments such as open grasslands, ponds, streams, woodland edges, and waterside areas.
Visitors may observe insects and aquatic creatures including grasshoppers, praying mantises, dragonflies, dragonfly larvae, and crayfish. Depending on the season, it is also possible to encounter kingfishers, ducks and other waterfowl, turtles, and other wildlife.
Fireflies can be seen around one of the park’s streams in June. The biotope, which makes use of the area’s natural environment, also serves as an outdoor learning space for children.
Observing familiar plants and animals firsthand encourages children to develop an interest in nature while thinking about living organisms and the environments in which they live.
The Fureai Workshop offers hands-on activities such as woodworking and pottery classes.
In the woodworking classes, participants can create items such as keychains, while pottery classes allow them to make objects such as plates and mugs. Classes are kept relatively small and provide careful instruction, making them suitable even for beginners.
Pottery pieces require time for firing before they are completed, but being able to take home something you have made yourself is one of the highlights of the experience. Group participation is also available, and advance reservations are required.
The park’s Rest House serves casual meals such as udon noodles, soba noodles, ramen, and curry rice.
Popular snacks and light meals for children, including yakisoba, frankfurters, fried chicken, and soft-serve ice cream, are also available, making the restaurant convenient for meals and breaks between activities.
On weekends and public holidays, additional shops open in the park, offering treats such as ice cream, popcorn, and crepes.
The park is approximately 10 minutes from Ota-Kiryu Interchange on the Kita-Kanto Expressway. It takes approximately 45 minutes from Tatebayashi Interchange or Sano-Fujioka Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway.
Gunma Children’s Country is approximately a 20-minute walk from Sanmaibashi Station on the Tobu Kiryu Line.
Gunma Children’s Country is a comprehensive park where visitors can enjoy much more than playgrounds and rides. Families can experience science, crafts, nature observation, and water play in addition to active outdoor activities.
Children who love physical activity and those who are interested in nature or science can each find something suited to their interests. Adults can join in the fun or simply relax in the natural surroundings, making the park one of Ota City’s leading family-friendly leisure destinations for a full day of activities.