If you are travelling with kids, particularly older ones, sometimes you have to have a break from the shrines and temples and do something that will make their holiday special. Forest Adventure Misato definately does that, you not only get to experience the beauty of Japan’s forests and nature but you also get some excercise, thrills and challenges along the way.
What is it?
Forest Adventure Misato is set in a beautiful Japanese cedar forest next to the Midorikawa Dam to the south of Kumamoto City. The main course is the Adventure Course which takes around 2 hours to complete climbing in and around the treetops and having lots of fun zip lining around. For an extra fee you can also try zip lining back and forth across the dam.
When you arrive at the site you will be harnessed up (warning no going to the toilet once harnessed! The toilets are portaloos so my advice is to pop in to a convenience store on the way). Then you will undertake a 15 min training session, pay attention as this is where you learn the system of attaching your equipment to ensure your safety high up in the treetops.
The Forest Adventure staff may not speak much English but there are English instructions and pictograms written on each activity around the park.
I don’t want to ruin the surprises by giving too much detail about the course, but basically the activities follow a pattern of climbing up on to a treetop platform , then walking (in the loosest sense of the word) between the treetops and zip sliding down.
Staff roam the forest below so you are never far from help if needed and for a fee it’s also possible to have a member of staff guide you around the course.
Fitness Requirements
Anyone in average good health should be able to do the course. You set your own pace and of course safety is paramount so there is no rushing around and plenty of time to get your breath back between activities, the most physically demanding parts I found were climbing up a couple of long rope ladders and a rope net, however if your partner is kind enough to pull the rope you’re attached to as you climb this becomes much easier : )
Fear of heights?
My husband is not a fan of high places yet managed to get around fine, the key is that you know you are absolutely safe as at all times you are attached to at least one safety rope when waiting on the platform and during the activities you are attached to two seperate safety systems. My children became so confident they were trying to run along tightropes!
Age and height requirements:
Over 140 cm in height OR over 10 years old.
Maximum Weight: 130 Kg
Participants under 18 years old must be accompanied by a supervising adult.
One adult (18+) may supervise up to two under-18s.
Price:
Adventure Course
- Under 18 Individual ￥2,600
Group 8 per.+ ￥2,300 - Over 18 Individual ￥3,600
Group 8 per.+ ￥3,300
Adventure Course + Zip Trip Course
- Under 18 Individual ￥3,100
Group 8 per.+ ￥2,800 - Over 18 Individual ￥4,600
Group 8 per.+ ￥4,300
Zip Trip Course only
- Under 18 Individual ￥1,000
- Over 18 Individual ￥2,000
※1 Price includes harness rental, insurance and tax.
※2 Group rate applies to bookings of 8 or more participants.
※3 Groups of 15 or more may reserve the course for their exclusive use. Prior booking is required, please contact us for details.
Private Guide ￥5,200
How to get there
Misato is 40 km to the south east of Kumamoto City, it takes just over an hour by car.
If you would like a private tour including the Misato Forest Adventure please contact Explore Kumamoto with your inquiry.
Travel Tips
On Route 218, the road leading from Matsubase to the Dam, you will find some restaurants and also a beautiful stone bridge built in the Edo era which is worth a quick stop off. Once you get to the bridge you are only 5 minutes from Forest Adventure.- If you are taking the highway get off at Matsubase Interchange, it’s around 35 to 40 minutes from there.
- Enjoy the beautiful Misato countryside some more by taking one of the 15 walking courses around the area. Read an English article about the walking courses here. Information (in Japanese) about each course can be found here.
- You could combine a trip to Forest Adventure with a visit to the Amakusa coastline, or journey into the mountains to visit the hidden villages of Gokanosho. The Dinosaur Museum at Mifune is also within an hour’s drive.
[codepeople-post-map]
Background on Forest Adventure
You may have heard of Forest Adventure before as there are courses to be found all over the world. The idea began in France in the late nineties under the name Foret Aventure specialising in ‘outdoor parks in harmony with nature’. The courses are not only exciting they also teach some valuable life skills.
At Forest Adventure, our first rule is that you are responsible for your safety while you do the course, and this applies to adults and children alike. In the trees you will be in control of your own safety equipment, making sure you are properly attached as you move around the course. This is one of our most attractive features, as it puts you in charge, and it means the experience is serious as well as fun. Adults can have fun like kids, and kids can feel responsible like adults.