Introducing Honda Kumamoto Welcome Park

Hello, travelers! Spring sunshine has finally arrived in Kumamoto — though the pollen has come along with it.
This is your Sarukuma writer, Aikero.

Today I’m excited to introduce a fantastic new spot in Ozu Town, Kikuchi District:
Honda Kumamoto Welcome Park.
HONDA — one of Japan’s most iconic mobility manufacturers. Did you know that the Kumamoto Factory in Ozu Town is the company’s only motorcycle production base in all of Japan? Knowing that every Honda motorcycle is born right here in Kumamoto fills locals (and visitors!) with a real sense of pride.

And now, on the grounds of that very factory, an exciting new destination opened in April 2025 — one that thrills both motorcycle enthusiasts and curious kids alike.

Best of all, admission is completely free!
・Electric bike and buggy rides for children
・Interactive photo spots you can see, touch, and try
・Legendary motorcycle exhibition area
・A spacious park perfect for picnics
・Original Honda merchandise
And much more — there’s something for everyone!

If you’re a parent of a vehicle-loving little one, mark this on your weekend itinerary right now while it’s fresh in your mind! ♪
The park is just a 15–20 minute drive from Aso Kumamoto Airport. Simply search “Honda Kumamoto Welcome Park” on Google Maps and you’ll find your way easily.
Using public transit? From Higo-Ōzu Station, take a bus for 10–20 minutes and get off at the “Honda Welcome Park-mae” stop — the entrance is just 30 seconds on foot. Taking the train and bus is actually a fun way to make the journey itself part of the adventure!

Since the park is located on factory grounds, first-time visitors might feel a little hesitant about driving in. Don’t worry — I’ll walk you through it step by step (^^)/
After passing the main Honda sign, look for the Honda Kumamoto Welcome Park entrance sign (circled in red).
Turn right at the sign as the arrow shows.
Factory traffic also passes through here, so be sure to make a full stop before turning.
Here’s what it looks like after the turn.
Motorcycle parking is on the right (just follow the road markings), while car parking is straight ahead on the left.
The parking lot is spacious and easy to use.
Honda Kumamoto Welcome Park is divided into three main areas.
The building is open from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM, and the outdoor park is open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
The park stays lit at night thanks to street lamps, making it a popular rest stop for riders too.

This is the Fan Box.
It’s the building where you’ll find exhibits, photo spots, and the bike-riding experience.
The playful road-themed floor design alongside the motorcycles is so fun! Kids can even practice using the crosswalk ♪
Free admission AND free drinks!
The coffee beans are carefully selected, and the milk comes from Aso — another delightful surprise. Visitors rave about how delicious the coffee is, and locals often drop by just to enjoy a cup, making it a lovely community gathering spot.

While there are no juices for kids yet, you’ll find cocoa and milk on offer. The team is considering adding juice options in the future.
There are restrooms inside the building too.
There’s a diaper-changing station with plenty of room — even strollers fit comfortably. The restrooms are climate-controlled too, so everyone can use them in comfort.
Here’s the nursing room.
During events, female staff members stand by the entrance to help users feel even more secure.
There’s a diaper-changing station inside the nursing room as well. Due to wall reinforcement constraints it’s positioned sideways, but having both nursing and diaper changes in one place is incredibly convenient.
Plenty of seating is available throughout.
Even better — every table has a charging outlet!
You can also pick up the famous cafeteria curry udon kit, mugs, caps, Tomica toys, and limited collaboration items. The shop is housed in a vending machine in the Garage Box corridor — I’ll show you in a bit.
The team takes visitor feedback seriously — surveys with suggestions like “It would be great if…” or “I wish they had…” are reviewed and improvements are made wherever possible. They’ve even invited wheelchair users to point out issues for further accessibility upgrades. That commitment to listening is genuinely impressive.
Fill out a survey and you’ll receive one of these stickers (white or black) as a thank-you.
Outside the Fan Box, there’s a covered rest area.
During my visit, there was even a Komatsu excavator on display, powered by a Honda battery. You can hop in and take photos, too!
And here’s the Garage Box.
This room is mainly used as a meeting space for employees, but I got a special peek inside. They’re hoping to hold hands-on craft and manufacturing experiences for kids here in the future.
This shelf? It’s actually inspired by Gundam!
Meetings in such a playful space must spark some great ideas.
The Artist Gallery opens on weekends.
Works by artists who have collaborated with Honda are on display. They’re also planning to feature children’s artwork to inspire creativity in the next generation.
Beyond paintings, there are works priced over 3 million yen!
A must-see for Honda fans and motorcycle lovers.
The merchandise vending machine accepts cash only.
Fun fact: the cafeteria curry udon kit tastes slightly different at each Honda factory. Why not collect them all by visiting again and again?
You’ll also find adorable Honda x Kumamon and Honda x Hello Kitty collaboration goodies! ♡
The Sanrio collaboration items are available while supplies last, so grab yours soon!
The outdoor multipurpose restroom even includes a child-sized toilet.
Since Honda Kumamoto Welcome Park is meant to be a place for “experience and learning,” they wanted to support potty training too. Such thoughtful care for kids really tugged at my heart.
Last but not least, the Rock Garden.
Though I don’t have a photo, there are benches around a large central tree. Pets and food are welcome — perfect for a stroll or a picnic with a blanket! After visitors mentioned bee sightings, the staff actually removed the trees that attracted bees, so children can play safely (amazing!).
Beyond the Garage Box, there’s another rest area with tables, chairs, and air conditioning — perfect for rainy or hot days.
Vending machines are available here as well.
Ball games aren’t allowed in the park, but otherwise you’re free to relax and enjoy.
Originally a welfare facility for employees, there’s even a smoking area — thoughtfully placed on a small breezy hill so smoke won’t drift into the park, keeping non-smokers comfortable too.

Highlights of Honda Kumamoto Welcome Park

Okay, the introduction was long — but there’s still plenty more to see! (Stick with me!)

Here’s the attraction that captures every vehicle-loving kid’s heart!
Ride a Bike or Buggy!
Ages: 3 to under 8 years old
Weight limit: Under 20 kg
Cost: Free

The bikes go a bit faster, so younger or first-time riders are best suited to the buggies. Speed is determined by the rider’s weight, so kids aged 5–8 may find them a touch slow.
A consent form must be filled out for each child.
Helmet on, protectors strapped, and we’re ready to ride! Pick your favorite color and head out to the Rock Garden.
For our first time, we tried the buggy. The friendly staff gives a clear demonstration on how to ride and operate it, so even total beginners can feel confident ♪
Just be careful with foot placement when boarding — the buggy moves the moment you press the pedal!
It’s slow but the joy of driving on your own is unbeatable! Honking the horn, waving to onlookers — those beaming smiles spread happiness to everyone watching.
Once we got the hang of it, we tried the bike. Training wheels behind the foot rests keep things safe, so kids can enjoy the ride with confidence.
A quick photo at the photo spot! (We took it onto the grass to take this picture, but actually riding onto the grass isn’t allowed.) I’d heard that some kids come every weekend to ride, and watching the excitement firsthand, I totally understand — even I was tempted to give it a try!
Now back inside the Fan Box. Check out this stylish black-and-red Monkey Bike in Kumamon colors!
There are tons of interactive photo spots where you can look, touch, and try!
The Super Cub released for Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary.
This adorable popular bike features cute Hello Kitty design touches throughout.
Riding mom out into the desert! The exhibits go all-in with detailed flooring and backdrop panels so you can immerse yourself in the scenery.
Of course, you can hop on this bike for photos too!
It’s already leaning so dramatically that just getting on is a challenge — but apparently real racing leans even further. Mind-blowing! The same display can also be seen at Aso Kumamoto Airport’s Sora Yoka Visitor Center, so check it out if you’re nearby!
Seeing and touching them up close also helps kids learn that Honda makes far more than just motorcycles.
So many bikes you’d never normally get to ride! Even I, a total newcomer to motorcycles, ended up climbing on every one I could — fun for kids and grownups alike (^^)
This buggy was made in America — rare to see in Japan. They’re even planning a future course where you can actually take a ride on it…!?
We all hopped on, gripped the wheel, and managed to make a stylish escape from the dinosaur!
My kid was more excited about the boat than the engine, ha! We “caught” a giant shark over and over!

Hop on with your kids, let your imaginations run wild, and enjoy yourselves to the fullest.
There’s also a legendary motorcycle exhibit on loan from Honda Collection Hall in Tochigi Prefecture. These ones are display-only, so please keep little hands from touching.
Scan the QR codes and you can listen to the actual engine sounds — too cool!
“Honda is amazing!”
“They make these incredibly cool bikes!”
This is sure to spark kids’ interest in companies, motorcycles, and mobility itself.
I got a special peek inside the bike showroom you can normally only see from outside the Garage Box. As the name suggests, it’s themed after a classic mechanic’s workshop — sure to thrill the gearheads in the family.
The bike on display here is the kind that motorcycle aficionados will instantly recognize as legendary (I had no idea myself, ha!). It’s based on the racing machine that competes in MotoGP — the world’s premier road-racing championship — modified to be street legal.

The price tag? Over 20 million yen!
Only 213 serialized units were ever made — and No. 001 (the first) and No. 213 (the last) are both displayed right here at Honda Kumamoto Welcome Park.

And yes, these display models are actually street-legal and could be ridden on public roads!

The Vision Behind Honda Kumamoto Welcome Park

This site originally opened as a welfare facility — a place where employees’ families, who couldn’t enter the factory itself, could come and feel a connection to their loved ones’ work.

It evolved into Honda Kumamoto Welcome Park out of the company’s belief that “a business exists only thanks to its community.” The goals are:
・To help the local community understand and experience Honda’s products firsthand
・To go beyond factory tours and let visitors see, touch, and ride real vehicles
・To inspire children to become Honda fans
・To spark interest in mobility through hands-on craft and experience
・To re-engage younger generations who feel disconnected from vehicles
It’s a place built on community spirit and hope for the future of children.
Quick mention: Honda Motor’s Kumamoto Factory also offers factory tours! There’s even a wheelchair-accessible route so children with disabilities can join in the experience.

General visitor tours require groups of 5 or more and online reservations only. If your family is smaller, the online factory tour is a great alternative — you can see real footage of how motorcycles are made, explained in an easy-to-follow way.
Special events take place on weekends too. However, due to various circumstances, Honda is unable to publicly advertise these events or detailed park information.
Flyers can be posted inside the park, so the best way to find out is simply to come and visit (^^)/

Weekdays are quieter and you can often jump straight onto the electric bikes — highly recommended! Friendly staff are always around to guide you, so even folks who know nothing about motorcycles can have a fantastic time ♪

It’s a hidden gem where families can look, learn, and play together — a friendly motorcycle museum that warmly welcomes everyone. Make sure to add it to your Kumamoto travel plans! ♪

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Frequently Asked Questions

※Information is current as of the time of reporting. Prices and hours may change. Please confirm before your visit.