Japan has many things to offer, from its beautiful culture, modernised cities and a huge variety of theme parks. Often when we plan for holidays, we would include at least one theme park based on what we’ve read or heard about them.
However, all these theme parks have different aspects to offer and stand out from each other with their very own unique features.
We will be exploring the top 5 theme parks in Japan and mention what makes them so special. Perhaps by the end of this article, more than one theme park will be on the list for your next trip to this amazing destination.
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Being the first Universal Studios theme park in Asia, it does not disappoint when it comes to providing an unforgettable experience for the rest of the world. The park offers family fun with the young ones and thrill-seekers.
As the name would suggest, the rides and areas in the park are based on popular movies created by Universal studios. The complex unique selling point of this park is that it makes fantasies come to life for movie lovers.
You can witness colourful parades and mascots, all in the theme of great blockbusters like Jurassic park, Back To The Future, Terminator, Jaws, Spiderman and Harry Potter!
The huge park includes 9 areas and an endless variety of rides including roller-coasters and thrill rides that are suitable for visitors of different ages and interests.
Address: 2 Chome-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka Prefecture 554-0031
Website: USJ
Operating Hours: 9AM to 7PM (Might vary on special occasions)
Ticket Price: Lowest for children - 5,200 Yen
Adults - 7,400 Yen to 21,500 Yen
Picture: Kankomie
Although this theme park does not have the best ratings as compared to other famous theme parks available in Japan, its unique theme is an experience by itself.
The park follows a cultural theme of Japanese tradition with huge gold statues, splendid architecture, castles and forts. It is a place to be transported back into the past.
For both locals and foreigners, it is an amazing attraction if you are interested in history, military and escapism. It signifies the unification of Japan, making it very important and true to the Japanese.
The ground-keepers can even be found in periodical clothing to truly complete the transportation experience. One of their attractions that visitors love is the Ninja scare house, that provides a different kind of nerve-wrecking thrill.
Address: 1201-1 futamicho Mitsu, Ise 519-0603, Mie Prefecture
(Formerly known as the Ise Azuchi Momoyama Cultural Village)
Website: Ise-Jokamachi
Operating Hours: 9AM to 10PM (some rides close at 5PM)
The hot spring bath opens at 11AM
Ticket Price: 3600 Yen (Entrance only)
4900 Yen (Rides)
900 Yen (Hot spring baths)
300-400 Yen (Separate rides)
This theme park is made of 7 ports: Mediterranean Harbor, Mysterious Island, Mermaid Lagoon, Arabian Coast, Lost River Delta, Port Discovery and American Waterfront.
The Tokyo Disney Sea is a fantasy inspired by myths and legends of the sea. Its mythical theme is meant to strongly appeal to adults as well as children.
Each port has its own uniqueness, incorporating water into grandiose architecture, decor and rides.
For example, the Mediterranean Harbour is styled in Venician canals and gandolas whilst the Mysterious Island goes along with a more fictitious approach alluding to the writings of Jules Verne with science fiction vehicles and submarines.
The Lost River Delta, uses Indiana Jones Adventures to create thrilling rides and make you the hero of your own adventure.
Address: 1-13 Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture 279-0031, Japan
Website: TokyoDisneyResort
Operating Hours: 8AM to 10PM (May vary on special occasions)
Picture: Yokohama
Due to its aquatic features, you may believe that it falls under the same category as the Tokyo Disney Sea.
However, Hakkeijima Sea Paradise is an incorporation of a theme park and an aquarium. It focuses more on nature and reality, which is totally different from Disney's far-fetched fantasy.
It includes all sorts of marine mammals such as sea lions, polar bears, whales and sharks. It doesn’t stop there! With guided tours, interaction with the animals is promised.
If touching, feeding and playing with animals is not thrilling enough, you have the option to go on amusement rides at the Pleasure Land.
It features the Blue Fall, which is a 107-meter drop and the Surf Coaster, a rollercoaster that includes a loop over the sea.
Address: Hakkeijima, Kanazawa, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture 236-0006, Japan
Website: SeaParadise
Operating Hours: 10AM to 6PM (Longer hours on weekends and during school holidays)
Ticket Price: Free entry to the park
3000 Yen (Aqua Resorts)
3000 Yen (Pleasure Land)
5050 Yen (Aqua Resort and Pleasure Land)
Picture: Time-out
One of Japan’s most popular theme parks is located alongside Mount Fuji, making it the perfect spot to admire the magnificient mountain. This theme park's unique selling point is their record breaking roller coaster.
Fujiyama was the tallest roller-coaster when it was opened in 1996. Today, it still stands in the list of top 10 tallest rides on earth! Each of the 7 rollercoasters in the park have their importance in the world of thrill-seeking.
This attraction has a lot to offer as a Japanese theme park. It features a popular anime series and traditionally designed rides. The variety is endless, with mazes and haunted houses also available for visitors to try.
In case there are guests that got dragged along against their will, there is also a museum that displays beautiful paintings of Mount Fuji.
If none of those appeal to you, head down to the park's hot spring facility with relaxing bath houses that uses traditional japanese architecture.
Address: 5 Chome-6-1 Shinnishihara, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture 403-0017, Japan
Website: FujiQ
Operating Hours: 9AM to 5PM (Extended during peak seasons)
Ticket Price: 400 to 1500 Yen (Individual rides)
5700 Yen (1-day pass with unlimited rides)
Each theme park offers a different kind of thrill, whether they want to be scared to their core, transported back into history or go on a rollercoaster above the sea, each experience is completely unique due to the theme of the park.
So head down to Japan and all your senses will be satisfied!
