12 on 12: Himeji Central Park

Sunday, Jan. 13th

I checked the bank book, and some how we managed to have a few extra yen in the account at the end of the pay period and we had a 3 day weekend, so we decided to do something fun for one of the days (we didn't have enough extra to actually go anywhere so we had to find something fun here in Himeji). I had heard about Himeji Central Park from several different people and thought it might be fun for the kids, Mitch and I. So we bundled everyone up in warm clothes and jackets (it was to only be a high of 40 degrees that day) and headed off to the bus station to catch the number 74 bus to Himeji Central Park.

After about a 30 min bus ride, we arrived.

We were a bit shocked initially at the price. I had read it was 2900 yen per adult (1000 yen for RJ) for the amusement park and Safari. What they failed to tell me in the brochures was that was only the admission price. So if you wanted to ride the rides the all day pass was an additional 3200 yen for adults and 1400 yen for RJ. Mitch and RJ got passes (Sara rode for free) and I was the family photographer for the day. We had a lot of fun. So just to get there on the bus, enter the park and buy the ride pass and a ticket for the Safari tour we had already spent 13,900 yen (which is about $139)

After the sticker shock wore off, Mitch and the kids enjoyed the rides. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

We started with the kiddie rides so RJ and Sara could have the most fun.

We started at the helicopters. Both RJ and Sara loved this one because they could both fly.

Then there was Dumbo the flying elephant. Mitch was such a good sport riding the rides with Sara.

While Mitch and RJ waited for the Balloon ride, Sara and I rode the small train.

When the picture is big on my screen, Sara has a huge grin on her face. She loves these rides!!!

This ride reminded me of something out of Alice in Wonderland. RJ rode this one SEVERAL times. Sara really enjoyed this one (I think her and I will get along nicely if we go to many amusement parks. I LOVE roller coasters!!)
Can you see Sara and daddy at the front of the ride??

RJ wanted to drive the trucks so for his first ride, he picked the big black one. Sara was upset because she couldn't ride. Their restrictions were interesting. Some were based on height (which I completely understand due to safety requirements for seat buckles and such) and some were simple age. But trying to read the signs was quite amusing in and of itself. By the end of the day we were able to understand age and height restrictions which helped us from upsetting Sara .

For RJ's second ride on the trucks, he picked the yellow Ford. I thought that Papa and Jeff would be so proud of RJ.

Even though RJ has been fortunate to ride many trains while here in Japan, he still gets excited when he sees yet another one he can ride.

The amusement park is split into different areas. To reach the top area, you can walk up the steep incline, or 'ride' the people mover.

Sara enjoyed the people mover.

I took this picture as we were moving on the people mover so you could see the long twisty roller coaster that Mitch only enjoyed once. He said it jerked his head too much (I think he is getting old, you know he is

37 now :-) )

That is him in the front on the right side with his arms in the air .

When we reached the top of the hill, RJ had to use the restroom so Sara and I looked around. She immediately started quacking. When I looked up, I saw what she saw...Donald Duck. I went to look at the sign and it said 3 yrs and an adult and knew she was going to be very unhappy, so I told Mitch and he said "what do you mean she is not 3..." And off they went.

Sara was so excited when they got off the ride!!!

As there weren't very many kids at the park because it was cold, the lines were very short and they got to ride all the rides they wanted as many times as they wanted. But we decided it was time for Daddy to get to ride one of his rides.

Mitch spotted this one because it is the kind of roller coaster where your seat hangs from the track (The more traditional roller coasters your seat sits on the track). He was ready.

That is him on the right hand side of the first set of seats (you can see his blue jeans). He was stoked when he got off that one.

Now back to the kids rides.

The first time Mitch and RJ rode the Barrel of Monkeys (we made that name up as we still can't read here in Japan), I wasn't able to capture RJ on film, so both of the boys eagerly agreed to ride again.

Mitch said I could have just taken one of the other pictures and turned them upside down and you wouldn't know the difference, I disagreed. Look at that look on RJ's face when he is upside down. He loved it!!

We finally had to stop for some lunch. I took this picture hoping you could see what we could order from (see the menu up on the wall behind Sara)

If you notice closely, there are no pictures, no plastic food, only Japanese writing. Some how we managed to order spaghetti for the the kids and pork and fried rice for Mitch and I. It wasn't too bad.

Now back to the rides. RJ decide he would ride a big coaster with daddy this time. Since he met the height requirement, we let him go.

Sara decided to pose her new body suit that Grandma Leister bought her while in Japan. We were waiting for the perfect picture of the boys on the coaster, but Sara decided it would be fun to pose for the camera.

That is Mitch and RJ in the very front. Mitch had his arms up, but RJ decided it was best to hold on (atleast with one hand. I think that one of those little arms is his in the air). He did have a great time on it.

In Japan they are called Jet Coasters so we took a pictures for all of you to see the big coaster RJ rode with Daddy.

The next ride was the large Ferris wheel. It seems there are plenty of them here in Japan and my kids what to ride them all.

This was a picture Mitch took from the top of the Ferris wheel.

CHEESE!

This a picture looking up at the rides on the hill behind the Ferris wheel. The green track was the Donald Duck ride.

One of the first and last rides we rode was this beautiful Merry-Go-Round. Sara picked the same reindeer both times. And they played America the Beautiful as the song for the ride every time.