Brazilian Park Washuzan Highland

Perched on the ridge of Mount Washu, high above the Seto Inland Sea in southern Kurashiki, Brazilian Park Washuzan Highland is a wonderfully idiosyncratic amusement park that pairs family rides with one of the best coastal panoramas in the region. Its Brazilian theme, complete with colourful samba shows and a carnival atmosphere, gives it a cheerful eccentricity that has made it a nostalgic favourite for generations of visitors from across western Japan.

The park's undisputed star is the sky cycle, a pedal-powered rail car mounted on an elevated track that runs right along the cliff edge. As you pedal, the ground falls away and the full sweep of the Seto Inland Sea and the towering Great Seto Bridge opens up beneath your feet. It is equal parts scenic and nerve-testing, a ride that has become the park's signature image and a rite of passage for anyone who visits. Alongside it are the more conventional pleasures of a regional amusement park: a Ferris wheel and merry-go-round, small coasters and spinning rides, a go-kart track and gentle attractions for younger children, all set against that extraordinary sea-and-bridge backdrop.

The Brazilian branding is more than decoration. Costumed dancers stage lively samba performances, there are carnival-style parades on busy days, and the food leans into the theme with churrasco-style grilled meats served alongside Japanese festival fare. The result is a relaxed, slightly retro day out that feels a world away from the polished mega-parks near the big cities, and all the more charming for it.

Because the park sits at the top of the Washuzan ridge, it doubles as a viewpoint in its own right. Many of the rides are positioned to make the most of the outlook, and between attractions you can simply stand at the railings and take in the islands scattered across the water and the great bridge striding south toward Shikoku. In spring the surrounding hillsides bloom with cherry blossoms, adding another layer of colour to the scene.

Washuzan Highland is an easy add-on to a trip to the nearby Washuzan Hill Observatory, and the two together make a full and varied day in southern Kurashiki, one for the panorama and quiet contemplation, the other for rides, colour and noise. A day passport covering the attractions costs around 2,800 yen, with cheaper entry-only tickets available for those who mainly want the views and the shows. Opening hours run roughly from mid-morning to late afternoon, with slightly longer hours at weekends and during holidays.

To get there, take the JR Seto-Ohashi Line, covered by the Japan Rail Pass, to Kojima Station, then a Shimoden bus toward Washuzan Highland. The park is near the summit ridge, a short distance from the Washuzan observatories, so it is simple to combine both in one outing. Families with children, and anyone with a soft spot for gloriously offbeat theme parks, will find it a memorable stop on the way to or from the Great Seto Bridge.