It is impossible to get bored while travelling Japan, as there is an endless number of things to do and places to see there. In addition to its amazing historical and cultural attractions and gorgeous natural landscapes and scenery, Japan has numerous amusement parks that cater to the young and the young at heart. If you want to add variety to your next Japan adventure, make sure to check out the following:
1. Fuji-Q Highland
Opened in 1968, Fuji-Q Highland is an amusement park located near the foot of Japan’s highest mountain, Mount Fuji. It is best known for its large, adrenaline-pumping roller coasters that are some of the best in the world.
Takabisha – holds the record for the steepest roller coaster in the world, with a 121-degree freefall and a 43-meter drop over a 1,000+ meter long track
Dodonpa – holds the world record for the roller coaster with the fastest launch acceleration at 180.1 kilometers/hour in 1.6 seconds
Fujiyama – one of the top 10 tallest (79 meters), fastest, and longest roller coasters in the world
Eejanaika – a 4th dimension roller coaster, meaning it has seats that rotate 360 degrees backward or forward, with a height of 76 meters and speed of 126 kilometers per hour
The park also has other child-friendlier attractions, such as a Thomas the Tank Engine themed area; and manga/anime themed ones, like the Evangelion and Gundam areas. It also has a couple of haunted attractions: the Hopeless Fortress and the Haunted Hospital, and several restaurants, souvenir shops, carnival games, and rest areas.
Access: Take a highway bus from Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Station, or Yokohama Station; or the Fujikyu Railway Line to Fujikyu Highland Station
Official website: http://www.fujiq.jp/en/
2. Tokyo Disney Resort
The Tokyo Disney Resort is comprised of two theme parks: the Tokyo Disneyland, which was opened in 1983, and the Tokyo DisneySea, which was opened in 2001 and is unique to Japan. Every year, both welcome over 10 to 15 million people from all parts of Japan and the world, and are among the world’s five most visited theme parks.
Tokyo Disneyland is divided into seven themed areas: Adventureland, Critter Country, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Toontown, Westernland, and World Bazaar, and showcases the same beloved and popular Disney attractions found at the Disneyland in California and the Walt Disney World in Florida.
Tokyo DisneySea, on the other hand, is the only one of its kind in the world, and features nautical and sea exploration themes. It also consists of seven themed areas: American Waterfront, Arabian Coast, Lost River Delta, Mediterranean Harbor, Mermaid Lagoon, Mysterious Island, and Port Discovery, and caters to adults more, as its restaurants and diners serve a more diverse menu with alcoholic beverages.
Access: Take the JR Keiyo/Musashino Line to JR Maihama Station, and then transfer to the Disney Resort Monorail Line
Official website: http://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/
3. Universal Studios Japan
One of the world’s top five most visited theme parks, attracting several millions of visitors each year, Universal Studios Japan is an amusement park that opened in 2001 in Osaka. Situated close to Osaka Bay, it is made up of eight themed sections: Amity Village, Hollywood, Jurassic Park, New York, San Francisco, Universal Wonderland, Waterworld, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
It also features rides and attractions from other international and Japanese franchises, such as Spider-Man, Hello Kitty, Terminator, Sailor Moon, Resident Evil, Godzilla, One Piece, Attack on Titan, Final Fantasy, and Detective Conan.
Access: Take the JR Yumesaki/Sakurajima Line to Universal City Station
Official website: http://www.usj.co.jp/e/
4. Toei Kyoto Studio Park
If you are into samurai, ninja, and Japanese history in general, the Toei Kyoto Studio Park, or Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, offers opportunities to experience what it was like in a small town during the Edo period.
With traditional houses, buildings, and streets, and park employees dressed in traditional Japanese garb, this theme park, which also serves as a film set, successfully recreates that old town atmosphere. It features an array of attractions that include ninja shows, samurai sword fighting, and Edo period scenes re-enactments.
Visitors can rent ninja, samurai, and geisha costumes to wear, as they check out the park’s attractions, souvenir shops, and restaurants.
Access: Take the Keifuku Arashiyama Line to Uzumasa-Koryuji Station, or the JR Sagano Line to JR Hanazono Station
Official website: http://www.toei-eigamura.com/en/
5. Tokyo Joypolis
Found in Odaiba, Tokyo Joypolis is a large indoor amusement park that is home to a wide range of attractions that can be enjoyed throughout the year. It has heart-thumping rides, like the Gekion Live Coaster, which is a roller coaster and music game in one, as well as several VR attractions, such as the Zero Latency VR, The Room of the Living Doll, and TOWER TAG.
There are also manga/anime themed attractions, like the Initial D driving simulator game, and arcade/video game based ones, like The House of the Dead 4 SP, Biohazard, and Transformers: Human Alliance Special.
Access: Take the Yurikamome Line to Odaiba Kaihin Kouen Station, or the Rinkai Line to Tokyo Teleport Station
Official website: http://tokyo-joypolis.com/language/english/