Rakutenchi — Attraction in Beppu

The amusement park is old and you can see it. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, it’s actually quite charming. However, the ”zoo” of this place is the reason I’m writing this 1-star review.

It is without a doubt the most disgusting attempt in building a ”zoo” I’ve ever seen. The animals live in absolutely horrific conditions: a penguin was sitting by themself inside a dirty, practically waterless enclousure. It was visible depressed, facing it’s back against us.

We saw a huge bird, not sure which type, in a tiny cage. It can not spread it’s wings properly there, let alone fly just one meter. It’s insane. It’s back was infected, as it had plucked it’s feathers off of itself. Think about it, the bird is acting in a self destrucing manor. Insane.

There is a number of other animals as well, very stressed seeming monkeys, just rotating around the cage, a small meerkat (or whatever) trying to scratch concrete, as if it was sand, which it actually wants to scratch and dig. The meerkat was sitting lonely in a corner. Absolutely depressing sight.

Donkey in a concrete enclousure, nothing soft to lay on. At least 10 capybaras in a dirty and disgusting enclousure. Filled with flies.

Do not visit. It’s not worth it. Do not support this. Visit a good amusement park somewhere else, not here. Shameful...

[ANIMAL ABUSE] The Park itself is very Cute, a Bit rundown but i dont mind that, very nostalgic and beautiful view other than that nothing special. But DO NOT GO if you love Animals or at least are capable of feeling the bare Minimum of empathy Torwards them. For no reason at all they not only have domesticated animals (but in very horrible condition), but WILD ANIMALS (capibaras, lemurs, Monkeys, penguins, meercats, chimpanzee) in tiny, nasty cages. There is a voulture that is held in a Cage to small to fly at all, so he just sits on a stick and looks at the Wall, a meercat that runs from left to Right in its Bathtub small cage completely psychotic. The capibara just chews on its prison bar the whole time. The penguin cage is disgusting and Moldy. They probably have to feed the chimpanzee antidepressants to keep it from comitting suicide. And Even the ducks Look Dirty and sickly, with clipped wings and then they just sit in a tiny concrete square with a hose and waist away. I Wish i would have known before going there and paying them money, because it is nothing but unethical and so so utterly, completely senseless. It would be a Fine Amusement park without the Animals. If the Sight of those Animals in their little Cages does not depress you, please try to grow a Heart...

This place has long history as Japanese classical amusement park and adults can feel nostalgic atmosphere of few decades ago in Japan while kids enjoy classical attractions in the park. If you are interested in such kind of Japanese atmosphere, worth to visit, but probably hard to have fun with only adults. The park is suitable for kids (about 8-9 years old or younger) or families accompanying kids. I think kids 9 -10 years old or more tend to like other amusement parks designated for adults.

We took two kids under 3 years old and they could have fun with attractions, pool, seeing animals, and barbeque. Another good aspect is that since the park is not too large, it is not too hard for parents to walk around with small kids compared with large scale amusement parks. There were many families with kids but not very crowded. We had to wait for buying entrance tickets and taking cable car to enter the park for about 15 minutes but it did not big deal.

When we visit to the park, Kakigori (Shaved ice) quick-eating contest was held and we participated. We had fun time thanks to this interesting event by well performed staffs. Spending time in Rakutenchi was absolutely wonderful summer memory for us. I would love to visit again for other seasons if we had a chance while our...