Mabi Fureai Park Waterside Plaza (まびふれあい公園 親水広場)

About this spot

The Waterside Plaza at Mabi Fureai Park in Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City is a free water-play spot inside a park that opened in 2024 as a symbol of recovery from the Western Japan heavy rain disaster. It was designed by the architect Kengo Kuma (隈研吾), and its timber-forward construction blends with the riverside scenery to create a fresh, pleasant space. Across roughly 4.5 hectares along the levee of the Oda River (小田川), the waterside plaza is joined by a play plaza, a lawn plaza and a free-use plaza where open flames are permitted, so every member of the family can choose how to spend the time — a major draw. Cool off in the water, dry out on the play equipment, then flop down on the grass, and repeat the whole cycle without going anywhere. The story behind it — a town that has walked alongside its river creating another place for people to gather by the water — is worth talking over with children.

Season & hours

Tips

The 2026 operating period for the waterside plaza has not been announced. It usually runs over the summer holidays, so check the Kurashiki City information before you set out to confirm the water will be on that day. Little blocks the sun along the levee, so a hat, sunscreen and a picnic sheet or pop-up tent make breaks much easier. If you plan to use fire at the free-use plaza, check the usage rules in advance. Safety along the river cannot always be assured when water levels are high or after heavy rain, so do not push it on stormy days — change your plans instead. Having a change of clothes, a towel and a plastic bag for wet clothing for each person makes the trip home much easier.

Best time to visit

About 2 hours 45 minutes. The afternoon, once the sunlight softens, is best

Access & map

倉敷市・まびふれあい公園