Hyogo Prefectural Ako Seaside Park — Attraction in Ako

Absolutely massive park next to the ocean with its own lake, children's amusement park, playgrounds etc. The scale of this place and the amount of would have cost to build are astonishing when considering it's in the relatively tiny town of Ako. I couldn't find much history but it was built in the 1980s during Japan's boom years. During the week it's nearly empty with just a few older walkers, but comes more alive on the weekend when it's popular with young families. It really is an awesome place for kids 2-6. Despite its huge size, network of wide pathways and emptiness there are strict rules about bicycles and scooters not being allowed - this seems extremely strange as it the perfect place for children to learn to ride bikes or play on their scooters and it would attract people to the area. Also keeping visitor numbers down is the parking cost if 550 yen. Given its huge size, low patronage and that it's part of a small town, it's obviously difficult and expensive to maintain - its truly an incredible parkland but it's clear they're struggling to maintain it all and its pretty overgrown in parts. There's not many big parks like this around hyogo so its a real asset for the region - perhaps with better management they could attract more people and it could reach it's full potential again some day. For example, during the week I noticed a huge team of maybe 8 people use handheld whipper snippers to mow the lawn - they've got 71 hectares to do so this seems very inefficient! Perhaps management could invest in some zero-turn ride on lawn mowers and this would give the team more capacity for the huge amount of other maintenance that must be required for...

Go search for, and dig out, clams and mussels from the oceans edge and tidal pools, which is more fun than you think. Search online for information on season timing and location. Take along shade and a large bucket to bring back your catch. The tide comes in and out but there's always a good spot for digging up the elusive shellfish. Watch others to figure out the knack. There's plenty of parking available and a separate beach for other water sports like kite boarding and...

遊具が沢山あるので小学生ぐらいまでの子連れにおすすめです。 この一年で（2022年に）遊具の更新があったようで、1歳から小学校高学年までどの年齢層でも遊べるだけの多様な遊具があります。 エリアはひたすら広く、遊具が少ないような錯覚さえ覚えます。駐車場は500円終日で、駐車場からは遊具のあるワクワク広場までは結構歩きます。キャンプ用のワゴンやベビーカーは持って行った方がよいと思います。

園内は至る所に自販機があり、アルコールも販売しています。昭和感の漂うレストランや売店もありますが、食べ物は持ち込んだ方が楽かもしれません。園内にはゴミ箱も設置れているの出持ち帰りの手間もありません。ベンチやテーブルも遊園地ゾーンに多くあるので、食べる場所もそんなに困らないかと思いますが、木陰は少ないので夏場は陰を作る準備があると良いかもしれません。ポップテントを持ち込んでおられる方も見受けられました。

園内は広いので移動が結構大変です。端っこからゾーンごとの遊びを楽しみながら池の周りを一周するイメージで良いと思いますが、子供のストライダーはOK...