Rakutenchi

Rakutenchi is an amusement park and zoo in Beppu, Japan, spread across several levels on a hillside that offers views over the city. The grounds include rides, animal enclosures, and rest areas connected by pathways and a cable car system.

Operations began in September 1929 on the site of a former gold and silver mine that closed in 1916. The owners developed the grounds into a leisure park that expanded and changed over the decades.

The name combines two Japanese characters meaning joy and heaven, reflecting the original vision of a pleasure ground. Visitors today experience a mix of older mechanical rides and animal enclosures that attract families from the region on weekends.

The grounds open in the morning and close in the afternoon, with access mainly through a cable car that climbs the hillside. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes as many paths are sloped and lead between different areas.

A double structure with two Ferris wheels stands side by side, offering views of rising steam clouds from nearby thermal springs. The grounds also preserve a duck race that has entertained visitors since 1950 and remains one of the oldest continuous attractions.

Location: Beppu

Official opening: September 3, 1929

Website: https://rakutenchi.jp

GPS coordinates: 33.27517,131.48133

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:30