There are theme parks and leisure lands all over Japan that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.
If you’re looking for the Best Theme Parks in Japan to visit, scroll down to this post this time, I will introduce popular theme parks in Japan to give you an idea as to where you should go with your family and friends!
10 Popular Theme Parks in Japan to Visit
Disneyland
Walt Disney’s Ideal World
Nickname: TDL
Theme: Disney
Catchphrase: The Kingdom of Dreams and Magic
Business Entity: Oriental Land Co., Ltd.
Management and Operation: Oriental Land Co., Ltd.
Area: 510,000 m2
Visitors: 16.54 million
Opened April 15, 1983 (Showa 58) Location 1-1 Maihama, Urayasu City, Chiba Japan
279-0031
The annual number of visitors is about 16 million, which is the largest in Japan, and among the world’s theme parks and amusement parks, the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and the Disneyland Park of Disneyland Resort in California. It is the third largest theme park in the world.
There are seven themed lands: World Bazaar, Tomorrowland, Toontown, Fantasyland, Critter Country, Westernland, and Adventureland. It is a place that values “dreams” very much, and it is characterized by the fact that clocks and other items that return to the real world are kept to a minimum.
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Universal Studios Japan
A Theme Park where you can feel the World
Nickname: USJ/University
Catchphrase: Bring you the best of the world
Business Entity: USJ, LLC
Management and Operation: USJ, LLC
Area: 54 hectares (Park area: 42.9 hectares)
Number of Visitors: 14.6 million (FY2016), 13.9 million ( FY2016), 12.7 million people (2014)
Opened: March 31, 2001
Location 2-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Japan 554-0031
Established in 2001 as a “theme park where guests can fully experience the world of Hollywood movies such as ‘Jaws’ and ‘Jurassic Park: The Ride’ through rides and shows that exceed the expectations and imagination of guests.” This popular theme park opened on March 31st.
In the “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” area where you can experience the world of “Harry Potter”, “Hogwarts Castle”, which is the base of the story, is reproduced, and “Hogsmeade Village”, the town where wizards live.
You can enjoy attractions that are even more enjoyable if you go after seeing the “Harry Potter” movies, such as being able to cast a spell on the There is also a “Minion Park” featuring the popular character “Minions”.
In addition, the ride attraction “Minions Hachamecha Ride” is a recommended attraction for people who like “Minions” because you can ride the attractions while enjoying the images.
Disney Sea
Nickname: TDS
Theme: Disney
Catchphrase: To the Sea of Adventure and Imagination
Business Entity: management and operation Oriental Land Co., Ltd.
Area: 490,000 m2
Number of Visitors: 13.46 million
Opened on September 4, 2001
Location: Chiba Japan, 279-00311-1 Maihama, Urayasu City
Tokyo DisneySea is an ocean-themed Disney park that adults can also enjoy. Annual visitor numbers are about 13.5 million, making it the fifth most popular theme park in the world among theme parks and amusement parks in Japan.
In order to differentiate from Tokyo Disneyland, it is operated, targeting adults. For that reason, alcohol is sold at some stores, and shows such as “Big Band Beat” that adults can enjoy are also held.
Compared to Disneyland, there are many attractions that are more mature, but DisneySea has the resort’s highest speed, the resort’s highest drop, and the resort’s only rotating coaster.
Fujikyu Highland
Screaming and Horror are the best in Japan
Nickname: Highland, Fujikyu
Predecessor: Fuji Five Lakes International Skating Center
Operating Entity: Fujikyu Highland Co., Ltd.
Area: 51ha
Opened: 1964
Location: 5-6-1 Shinnishihara, Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Japan 403-0017
Fuji-Q Highland is a theme park operated by Fuji-Q Highland Co., Ltd., which straddles Shinnishihara 5-chome, Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Japan, Matsuyama and Funatsu, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Minamitsuru-gun.
It is a rare amusement park in this day and age that puts special emphasis on screaming machines. Similarly, there is a facility in Mie Prefecture called “Nagashima Spa Land” that focuses on screaming machines.
In particular, the four major coasters “FUJIYAMA”, “Do*Dodonpa”, “Eejanaika”, and “Takabisha” boast world-class specs and are visited by many fans from all over the country.
In addition, the world’s largest haunted house “Most Scary Shivering Labyrinth” is also very famous. This theme park is recommended for those who like screaming and horror.
Tokyo Joypolis
Japan’s Largest Indoor Theme Park
Location: Decks Tokyo Beach, 1-6-1 Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Area: 9,600 m²
Opened: July 12, 1996
Operated by: CA Sega Joypolis Co., Ltd.
Tokyo Joypolis is one of the largest indoor theme parks in Japan and is a popular theme park with more than 20 types of attractions, such as screaming coasters and VR using the latest technology.
On the main stage, using the latest technology such as lasers, lighting, projection mapping, and sound systems, an original video show that can only be experienced at TOKYO JOYPOLIS that fuses video, light, and sound will be held. You can enjoy a fantastic and advanced entertainment show with colorful productions.
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Tokyo Dome City Attractions
Urban Amusement Park
Location: 1-3-61 Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-0004
Operated By: Tokyo Dome Co., Ltd.
Opening Date: July 9, 1955 (as Korakuen Amusement Park)
Attractions: LaQua Zone, Viking Zone, Parachute Zone, Geopolis Zone, Splash Garden Zone, Skip Pass
Tokyo Dome City Attractions is an urban amusement park located in Tokyo Dome City. It opened in 1955 as “Korakuen Yuenchi exit_nicovideo” and changed to its current name in 2003.
A hero shows of the Super Sentai series is being held, and the phrase “Shake hands with me at Korakuen Yuenchi!” has become a famous phrase.
It is also the origin of cosplay events, and it is a popular theme park that hosts “Cosplay Festa”, attractions, heroes, and events.
Yomiuri Land
Business Entity: Yomiuri Land Co., Ltd.
Management and Operation: Yomiuri Land Co., Ltd.
Opened: September 24, 1964
Address: 4015-1 Yanokuchi, Inagi City, Tokyo 206-8725 (Yomiuri Land Co., Ltd. Head Office Building)
Operated By: Yomiuri Land Co., Ltd.
It is a large theme park located in a place straddling Inagi City, Tokyo, and Tama Ward, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Japan.
Opened in 1964, Taiyo no Hiroba is located on a vast site along the slopes of the southern part of the Tama Hills and features attractions such as thrill rides, a Ferris wheel, and go-karts.
It is a popular theme park where you can enjoy the four seasons, with illuminations on winter nights, and a multi-purpose hall. In 1999, the ropeway “Sky Shuttle” was opened as a means of transportation, and major renovations were carried out, including the rebuilding of the entrance section.
It was expanded, and on February 6, 2019, a new plan was announced, including the construction of a new aquarium incorporating virtual reality.
KidZania Tokyo
Experience-based Commercial Facility
Location: 2-4-9 Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo North Port in Urban Dock LaLaport Toyosu
Opening Date: October 5, 2006
Operated By: KCJ GROUP
KidZania Tokyo Co., Ltd. is in Urban Dock LaLaport Toyosu in 2-chome Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo. This theme park is an experience-based commercial facility operated by KCJ GROUP Co., Ltd. Everything in the facility is built to two-thirds of the actual scale, allowing children ages 3 to 15 to enjoy a variety of work experiences.
KidZania is a “town where children play the leading role” where they can learn about the structure of society while having fun. There are 100 kinds of jobs and services that can be experienced, using authentic equipment and tools, and children can do various things like adults.
You can also experience work and services. You can get almost everything you experience. You can actually eat “food” such as pizza and soft serve ice cream. You can take home a “DVD” that contains “productions” and your own activities.
Legoland Discovery Center Tokyo
Indoor Lego Playground
Nickname: LDC Tokyo
Management and Operation: Merlin Entertainments Japan Co., Ltd.
Opened: June 15, 2012
Location: 1-6-1 Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo Decks Tokyo Beach Island Mall 3F
Legoland Discovery Center Tokyo is located at Decks Tokyo Beach. It is an indoor Lego block theme park on the 6th and 7th floors and is one of 17 Legoland Discovery Centers in 7 countries around the world.
There are plenty of attractions that you can ride, see, feel and enjoy, as if embodying “LEGO”, which is derived from the Danish word “leg godt”.
Although it is aimed at children aged 3 to 10, it is a Lego block theme park where accompanying adults can return to their childhood and enjoy it from a child’s perspective.
From 16:00 on the 5th of every month (Lego Day) and the last Friday of the month, a special day “Otona no LEGO Night” is held where adults can enter.
Nasu Highland Park
East Japan’s Largest Amusement Park
Business Operator: Towa Nasu Resort Co., Ltd.
Management and Operation: Towa Nasu Resort Co., Ltd.
Area: 500,000 m2
Opened: August 1969
Location: 3375 Takaku Otsu, Nasu Town, Nasu District, Tochigi Japan 325-0398
Nasu Highland Park is located in the northern Kanto region of Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture. It is the largest theme park. The operating company is Towa Nasu Resort, which sells and manages villas in the adjacent land, and is famous for installing various coaster-type attractions under the name of “10 major coasters”.
Nasu Highland Park is known as a dog-friendly theme park. Dogs are allowed in the park, and there is an outdoor dog run on natural grass and an indoor dog run for small dogs only. In addition, you can bring your dog along with you to the attractions.
If you purchase a “Wanda Full Pass” for 1,000 yen per dog, you can ride with your dog on four types: “Carousel (first-floor carriage)”, “Ferris wheel”, “Tea Cup”, and “Pop’n Smile”.
There are facilities for dogs such as “lead hooks” and “water fountains for dogs” in various places in the park, so owners can spend their time with peace of mind. It is a popular theme park that can be enjoyed by parents and children as you can go with your dog.
Most-Visited Theme Parks in Japan
So far, I have introduced the top 10 most popular theme parks in Japan. Even if you haven’t been to a theme park yet, you may find something surprising when you actually go there.
How about going on a theme park tour with your family, friends, or lovers?
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