Tokyo Disneyland
A trip to Disneyland is a dream come true for almost every child in the world, but also for many adults. No wonder - this is an amusement park straight out of a fairy tale. One of the 5 Disneyland world parks is located in the capital of Japan - Tokyo. The park includes 7 different themed areas, including the only existing ocean area - Tokyo Disney Sea Park. Various carousels, water slides, swings and even characters from the most popular fairy tales provide visitors with excitement and unforgettable discoveries. While queuing for Japanese delicacies at Tokyo Disneyland, visitors may encounter characters such as Donald Duck, Scooby Doo or Mickey Mouse. In addition, they can also enter the water world of Nemo or the Little Mermaid. Walking through the park in the company of jellyfish and other aquatic species really makes you feel like you're in a fairy tale.
"Asakusa Hanayashiki"
Japan's oldest amusement park (link in English), founded in 1853, is located in the popular tourist area of Asakusa. When visiting Sensoji Temple, many tourists do not deny themselves the pleasure of looking into Hanayashiki Park, located a 5-minute walk away.
View of Sensoji Temple and Tokyo Sky Tree from the Bee Tower Carousel
The highlight of the park is the good old rides in retro style. The leader in popularity is the roller coaster, which opened in 1953 and ranks fifth in the world ranking of the oldest metal attractions. The symbol of the park is the Bee Tower carousel in the form of a house made of sweets, a ride on which you can enjoy a view of the traditional streets of the Asakusa district and the new Tokyo Sky Tree tower from a height of 45 meters. Both adults and children will find entertainment to their liking - a haunted house, adventures in a huge labyrinth, monthly wrestling tournaments, and also (upon prior request) relaxation in the company of geishas, the opportunity to feel like a brave ninja (link in English).
Fuji-Q Highland
Mount Fuji-kun is another wonderful landmark in Japan. Its most distinctive elements are the breathtaking scenery of Japan's highest peak, Mount Fuji, as well as the numerous Guinness World Records it contains. Fuji-Q's offering includes some of the tallest and longest roller coasters in the world. This trip will provide a lot of excitement and a huge adrenaline rush.
A ride in the Fuji-Q Highland is a good choice for the craziest and speed-hungry among us. The park includes rides with speeds exceeding 170 km/h. Moreover, the park is famous for the steepest slope in the world - Takabisha with an angle of 121 degrees. Dodonpa, on the other hand, is a coaster that currently ranks first in speed, reaching 180 km/h in just 1.56 seconds. The park also includes the Eejanaika - 4D hypercaster, which can move upside down and has movable seats that swivel back and forth and rotate 360 degrees.
Abandoned amusement park Koga Family Land
Koga Family Land (sometimes referred to as Koga Family Rand) was another small, independent amusement park that did not survive the mid-90s. It sat abandoned for almost 20 years before it was finally demolished in 2008.
The park was demolished gradually. Many different buildings and attractions remained, including a restaurant, a Ferris wheel, and the wind blowing through them provoked scary sounds.
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Osaka Universal Studio
The Japanese attempt to step into the world of Hollywood - The Osaka Universal Studio is a place where visitors can see 10 different themed areas from cult American films. There is no longer a need to visit the USA to see the famous Jurassic Park or the popular attractions of San Francisco or New York. Park visitors can also get a real-life Harry Potter experience at Hogwarts School of Wizardry and see what the Chamber of Secrets really hides. It's hard to miss the roller coasters, carousels and real movie characters strolling along the boardwalk.
A theme park like no other
Just as the Ghibli Museum is a “portal to the world of fairy tales” where guests are “the protagonists of the tale,” the Ghibli Theme Park aims to provide a more intimate experience where visitors can interact with the natural world.
News sites are reporting that Ghibli World (as they call the Studio Ghibli park) is not your typical theme park project. No trees are cut down for its construction, and there are no “attractions” in the traditional sense.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the new park will be based on the cartoon My Neighbor Totoro. Aichi Prefecture, near the city of Nagoya (where Legoland recently opened), already has a Satsuki and Mei House attraction that was installed for the 2005 world fair. It will be interesting to visit for anime fans who are planning a children's holiday in Japan. Now, with the assistance of local authorities, the area surrounding the attraction will become the first World of Ghibli themed area.
Japan hopes to attract other private partners to finance the expansion of the park, which will also include attractions based on other Studio Ghibli films. No bulldozers will be needed to clear the site, since construction will take place on existing cleared areas (again, to avoid cutting down trees).
Hanayashiki is the oldest amusement park in Japan
The main theme of Hanayashiki Park was flowers. Over time, more and more attractions were added. However, what made this park truly popular was the birth of five tigers. This is indeed a very rare occurrence. In addition, the first Japanese lion was born in Hanayashiki in 1931. Today, at this 166-year-old park, visitors can ride roller coasters and various carousels, shoot the Space Shot capsule and try original Japanese delicacies.
Reviews of Tokyo Disneyland
Some people wonder which is better - Disneyland or DisneySea in Tokyo. Both parks have interesting attractions, the difference is that the second park has a marine theme. According to some reviews, Disneyland is better suited for young children, while DisneySea has more attractions for adults. Therefore, most tourists recommend taking tickets for several days and trying out the entertainment in both parks.
The parades at Disneyland create a special impression among visitors; their schedule can be viewed on the website. Many children are delighted with meetings with cartoon characters; they are organized according to a separate schedule, where the meeting places are indicated. But you should be prepared for queues for photos. Tourists are also advised to familiarize themselves with the school holiday calendar in Japan, when many locals go to the park. However, on any given day, waiting at every attraction is common.
© GoldenMan28
Yomiuriland is the largest amusement park in Tokyo
Yomiuriland is an amusement park of enormous size. Both adult visitors and children are sure to enjoy an exciting adventure filled with adrenaline and many unforgettable experiences. This is because the park includes 44 different attractions, so there is sure to be something for everyone. Thrill-seekers can ride the Bandit roller coaster at speeds of up to 110 km/h or use the 22 meter high bungee. Options for families and seniors include a Ferris wheel overlooking Mount Fuji or the WAI exotic water pool complex.
Yomiuriland is also known for its extraordinary lighting. Between October and April, visitors can admire an amazing world-class lighting project created by artist Motoko Ishii. In turn, in March and April, cherry trees begin to bloom throughout the country, and there are more than 1000 of them in the park itself. A visit to the park just to observe this beautiful phenomenon from the height of the cable car is worth it.
Top 10 amusement parks according to TripAdvisor
In Japan, in addition to Disneyland and Universal Studios, there are other amusement parks. In some you will feel like a ninja, in others you will ride go-karts, there is even a park where you will have to look at the world through your feet.
TripAdvisor has compiled the ten most popular parks in Japan for you, so you know where to go besides Disneyland in Tokyo.
1. Universal Studios Japan, Osaka
If you have ever wanted to ride a pterodactyl at least once in your life, then this is definitely the place for you. How about a ride on Japan's slowest roller coaster? The number of visitors to the park is constantly growing, especially when the launch of limited-time attractions is announced.
2. Tokyo DisneySea, Chiba
One of the two main Disney parks in Chiba. Even the most notorious pessimist in the world will be fascinated by the local water magic. Do you like the works of Jules Verne? Then take a ride along the river inside the volcano. The park staff are dressed in the most incredible costumes. Thanks to all this, DisneySea managed to defeat its older brother and take second place on the list with honor.
3. Tokyo Disneyland, Chiba
The crown may be slipping away from Disneyland, but there's still a reason why Disney theme parks dominate the list of the best parks in Japan and around the world. All thanks to the unique combination of attractions, live performances, and the spirit of magic that fills them. And soon the third theme park from Disney will be built, and whether after this Disneyland will be even lower on the list, or vice versa will return to the throne, we will soon find out.
4. Adventure World, Wakayama
In fourth place is one of Japan's original theme parks. Some of the most famous residents of this place are giant pandas, of which there are only 9 in the world, and 5 of them are in Japan. In addition to pandas, concerts and night safaris are held here.
5. Nagashima Spa Resort, Mie
After a busy day of screaming on the slides and eating delicious food, what could be better than a leisurely soak in the hot tub at home? But maybe you shouldn't wait to return home? This is one of the main reasons to visit Nagashima. here you will find wooden and steel roller coasters, a large water park, a botanical garden and Yuami no Shima. Nagashima Spa Land has something for everyone. And if you are tired after swimming, then cozy rooms are waiting for you.
6. Fuji-Q Highland, Yamanashi
A park with some of the best roller coasters in Japan, some of them number one in height and length. But don’t think that you will only ride here, there are other ways to get adrenaline and mood. For example: Phantom Hospital or Fortress of Hopelessness.
7. Tokyo One Piece Tower, Tokyo
A theme park that is entirely indoors. One Piece Tower is located in Tokyo Tower, next to the official One Piece cafe. In addition to a large number of attractions dedicated to manga and anime, you will be able to take photos, meet members of the Straw Hat team, and watch the adventures of the team on stage.
8. Mega Web, Tokyo
Hearing the name, you might at first think that Spider-Man has his own park in Japan, but no. Mega Web in Odaiba is a theme park dedicated to Toyota and here you can find excellent examples of vehicles from the history of motor vehicles. You can also take the model you like for a test drive (provided you have a Japanese or international license). But even if you don't have a license, you can enjoy the speed on the track by driving go-karts.
9. Amanohashidate View Land, Kyoto
You might not find cool roller coasters or fairies for kids to take photos with in this park. But the views from here are considered one of the three best in Japan. This small park, located in the Kyoto area, overlooks the famous "bridge to the sky" sandbar. There are several different rides and Ferris wheels that you can ride when you're not looking at the "bridge to the sky" in the traditional way shown in the photo.
10. Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura, Tochigi
This park is not rich in attractions, and almost all of them involve people dressed in kimonos. But once you are here, you will feel transported back 400 years to the Edo period. Dress in a kimono, wander the streets like a local loiter, admire the buildings as a ninja moves from rooftop to rooftop, or as a geisha strolls majestically and sedately along the water with an umbrella in hand. This park is often used as a film set for historical films from the samurai era. And here you can get a traditional Chonmage hairstyle.
In the footsteps of Japanese amusement parks
There are more than 2,000 amusement parks in the world. The idea originated in Scandinavia, and this is where the oldest amusement parks are located. Although the most famous amusement parks are located in the United States, you need to visit Japan to find the most innovative parks with the fastest rides available. It is here in the Land of the Rising Sun that visitors can feel like they are traveling around the world just by visiting Japan's most popular amusement parks. In addition to American themed attractions such as Universal Studios or Disneyland, there are also Dutch or Spanish themed parks. Tobu World Square is another park worth visiting. There, visitors can see the samurai kingdom and the rest of the world in one place.
Before the theme park, a museum was founded
Back in 2015, Peter Sciretta fantasized about what a Ghibli theme park would look like, showcasing the Japanese illustrator's work under the headline "Behold: The Studio Ghibli Theme Park We're Waiting for Comes to Life."
But it was just a dream. Until now, fans of the studio have to make do with the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, which can be visited while spending the summer holidays in Tokyo. However, tickets to this museum are notoriously difficult to come by. Tickets to this island of silence with tall, long-armed robots and other wonders are selling out very quickly. They must be booked in advance and are only available five days a month or two months.
Adding to the exclusivity of this place is the fact that photography and video shooting are prohibited here. Visitors are encouraged to see the museum's exhibits "with their own eyes, not through a camera lens." Therefore, there are not many photographs of the museum taken by travelers on the Internet.
The museum's website includes a message from Miyazaki outlining his philosophy as executive director. One of his stated goals is to create a museum that is “not ambitious, luxurious, expressive or stifling,” but rather a museum as “a quality space where people can feel at home, especially when it is not crowded.”
Needless to say, this goes against the grain of most theme parks, whose main goal seems to be to attract the masses with cheap thrills. Even the best parks occasionally lend themselves to idle shows that are memorable only for the explosions of pyrotechnics and flashy souvenirs.
The land of dreams remained in memories
On August 31, 2006, the park saw its last visitor. At that time, Tokyo Disneyland could not keep up with the times and the rapidly developing business, so its attendance dropped sharply to 400 thousand people a year. Since then it has become abandoned. Brave explorers from time to time entered the park to see its fading beauty. Guards patrolled the area, but it was so large that it was almost impossible to meet them face to face.
Abandoned amusement park "Nara Dreamland" in Japan
The amusement park is located in Nara Prefecture, Japan. It was opened back in 1961 and was ready to celebrate its 45th anniversary if visitors wanted to come visit it. But the sad state of affairs forced the city authorities to close this city of childhood dreams due to low attendance and huge losses. On August 31, 2006, all park employees and guests simply left this wonderful place and never returned.
The design and layout of the park is very reminiscent of California's Disneyland. It also has its own carriage depot, Sleeping Beauty Castle, steep roller coaster turns and a monorail. But time has not been kind to “Nara Dreamland” and all the structures are rapidly collapsing, no longer resembling a childhood dream, but a bad dream.
It’s impossible to believe, but the park once even had its own mascots - Ran-chan and Dori-chan - kids dressed as security guards. But now the park is guarded by the police, and the real entertainment for brave tourists is to get into the park through double fences with barbed wire and a lot of obstacles. If you think that security will just stop you and issue you a fine, this is a bitter and annoying mistake. This is exactly the place where you can catch a bullet without warning!
Let's have a fun ride
The park's designers were inspired by the original Disneyland landscape. Some even called the rides Japan's answer to the famous amusement park. Nara Dreamland had the same main street, many of the basic principles were reproduced, a steel roller coaster was to become the hallmark of the Japanese park, which, by the way, copied the Matterhorn bobsleigh track. However, judging by the photo, one cannot say that everything turned out very well.
