【Weekend Playgrounds】Just an hour and a half from Tokyo! Fishing for rainbow trout and canoeing experience at Fuji Children's World

We visited "Fuji Children's World" with the family on the weekend. To our surprise, it was an extraordinary space that adults can enjoy as well. Amidst the vast nature, it's perfect for creating memories between parents and children, and it's also recommended for couples' holiday dates.

There was a vast natural playground near Mount Fuji

Fuji Kids' Kingdom is located about an hour and a half by car from Tokyo. We were looking for a place where the whole family could play in nature, and decided to visit here. The children were eager to try “rainbow trout fishing” and were restless from the morning.

After arriving at the parking lot, there was a bit of a distance to the entrance of the facility, and just walking together as a family felt like an outing. In front of us was a large property and a long approach. It was so vast that the entrance was hardly visible, and we were amazed by the scale of the facility.

The children exclaimed, “We want to get in quickly!” and even the parents felt their steps become lighter.

After walking for about five minutes, we finally arrived at the gate. Having walked that long approach, the feelings of “We finally made it!” and anticipation for new experiences heightened.

Even after passing through the gate, we were astonished by the vast scale. The area is 94.5 hectares. The park consists of three areas: “Town,” “Country of Grasslands,” and “Country of Water,” where the earth itself and nature serve as playground equipment. It is a spacious playground in nature where both adults and children can move their bodies freely.

Since it's a children's country, it is well-equipped with playground equipment and a farm area for kids.

On the other hand, adults are also enjoying nature. When looking around, there are many couples sitting down to enjoy the scenery and adults strolling with cameras, indicating a wide range of generations relaxing and enjoying their own time in the "Children's Country."

It's fun to catch and delicious to grill! Challenge yourself with rainbow trout fishing!

This time, the thing the family was most looking forward to was rainbow trout fishing. The rental rods cost 800 yen for 30 minutes, and the first catch of one fish is included in the price. Additionally, there's an experience where you can grill the fish you catch right there, which costs 600 yen for one fish.

We borrowed only one rod and challenged ourselves while taking turns as a family. However, this turned out to be surprisingly difficult. Many times, the bait that should have been on the hook was stolen when we pulled up the line. At first, we felt the difficulty and thought, "We might not catch a single fish."

However, as we gradually understood the feel, we began to catch fish in a surprisingly enjoyable way. In the end, we were able to catch five fish, and the children were thrilled, saying, "We want to do it again!"

Before I knew it, my parents were also getting absorbed in it. Every time we cast the fishing line, they would say "next time for sure," and when they hit a fish, they couldn't help but let out a voice. The sensation of pulling up the fish felt nostalgic, making me feel like I had returned to my childhood.

The staff at the rainbow trout house skillfully handle the insides of the caught fish. Those who caught the fish line up one after another, and while waiting for their turn, other families look at the fish caught by others and enjoy the delicious aroma wafting from the grilling station, continuing the exciting time.

Watching the skilled staff swiftly prepare the rainbow trout, I also felt the reality of "we're going to eat this soon." I can't wait to grill it and savor it.

Holding the fish that has been seasoned with salt using tongs and arranging them on the grill ourselves is an extraordinary experience. As they cook slowly, the skin pops with a crisp sound, and a tantalizing aroma fills the air.

Taking a big bite of the freshly caught and grilled fish, the flesh is plump and tender, with a solid saltiness that enhances the flavor of the ingredient. Enjoying the fish I caught on the spot. It's simple, but it became an unforgettable memory for the whole family.

A canoe experience that you can enjoy without worrying about time for free

After soaking in the afterglow of fishing, the next thing we headed for was the canoe experience. To be honest, I initially thought it would be a paid activity, but I was surprised to learn that it could be used for free.

Once on the water, it was more stable than I expected, and every time I moved the paddle, we glided smoothly forward. While paddling and gazing at the sky and trees reflected on the water's surface, I was able to spend a relaxed time that I don't usually experience in daily life.

It's not easy to synchronize with a child to move forward, but that makes it a fun time too. Many couples were visiting as well, and they looked like they were having a great time while admiring the scenery as they paddled. Since you can challenge yourself without worrying about time, it was an experience that made me want to stay out there forever.

After walking around and sweating, I took a break while eating shaved ice from the shop in the park. The thickly shaved ice surprisingly had a good amount of substance, and the cold sweetness permeated my body. Just sitting down and eating made me feel like I was spending a special holiday.

Fuji Safari Park is a place where both parents and children, as well as adults alone, can enjoy.

The name "Children's Kingdom" led me to think it was a place for kids, but in reality, it is a place where adults can truly return to their childlike hearts and enjoy themselves. The tension of waiting for a catch while fishing, the time spent floating on the water in a canoe... each is a heartwarming experience.

When I actually walked around, new activities kept coming to mind, and one day was simply not enough to explore everything. There were many areas that I didn’t get to experience, prompting discussions on the way back about, "Where should we enjoy next?" Visiting as adults is also highly valuable, and I felt strangely light-hearted while moving my body surrounded by nature.

During the time I visited, there was also a limited-time exhibit of overseas beetles and stag beetles. The Hercules beetle was particularly impressive.

It was firmly perched on a thick branch, and I had the experience of holding it, which captivated even me as a parent. I felt that such a special experience is unique to this park.

The vast nature makes it recommended as a weekend drive destination for families, couples, or friends.

Fujisan Children's Kingdom
Location: 1015 Kuwazaki, Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture
TEL: 0545-22-5555
Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (from October 1 to March 31, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM)

Interviewer/Writer: SYURI