Awaken Your Inner Child at These Theme Parks in Japan
Find your version of fun at one of these theme parks.
No two theme parks are alike; even Disneylands are different in every country you go to. More importantly, they aren’t just for kids — some of the finest, heart-stopping, shriek-inducing attractions in Japan are far from being child-friendly!
From fruit-themed wonderlands to haunted houses, Japan has a diverse range of theme parks to suit every traveler imaginable. However, without a visit, how can you determine if a specific theme park is to your liking and which one is the ideal choice for you?
In this article, we’ll introduce a few attractions from some of Japan’s most dynamic theme parks, paired with the ideal personalities who might find them enjoyable. If you thought you’d outgrown theme parks, think again — you’ll have so much fun, you’ll wish you were a kid again!
Super Nintendo World, Universal Studios Japan
Is this the real life? Or is it a video game? Images courtesy of Universal Studios Japan
©Nintendo TM & ©Universal Studios. All rights reserved.
Whether it’s playing games like Super Mario with friends after school or defeating all the baddies in Donkey Kong on a Gameboy, most Millennials and Gen X-ers have nostalgic memories associated with a Nintendo franchise from their childhood. That’s why the opening of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan was a massive success — this theme park brings the pixelated memories of simpler times to life.
Exploring all the locations from Peach’s Castle to Bowser’s Castle is super fun, but Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge is the highlight out of all the attractions. Mario Kart feels like child’s play next to racing through the Mushroom Kingdom in augmented reality-enhanced vehicles. The entire experience is significantly enhanced when utilizing the Power-Up Bands within Super Nintendo World. You can actively engage with additional elements in the areas, such as jumping and punching blocks to collect coins, as if you were in a game. Plus, you can conveniently track your progress through an app!
If you’re visiting this theme park during or after Spring 2024, you can also visit the new Donkey Kong Country area!
Who would love this? Individuals with a nerdy and playful disposition, who favor video games over outdoor sports; people who play video games to get lost in the immersive worldbuilding; those who grew up playing games from the Nintendo franchise; people who love retro games and arcades.
Location Information
| Name: Universal Studios Japan Osaka Address: 2-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka, 554-0031 Access: 3-minute walk from Universal City Station Website: https://www.usj.co.jp/ |
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo - The Making of Harry Potter
Visiting the film set, which includes Diagon Alley, brings you one step closer to making your Hogwarts dreams a reality! ‘Wizarding World’ and all related names, characters and indicia are trademarks of and ©Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. – Wizarding World publishing rights © J.K. Rowling.
It has been close to 30 years since Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was published, yet the allure of this magical wizarding world remains as potent as ever. Many of us practically grew up with the film cast members! Therefore, a visit to Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter, a new entertainment facility in Tokyo, will be the pinnacle of any witch or wizard’s lifelong journey alongside the series.
As the name suggests, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo is an immersive and interactive behind-the-scenes look at the world of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts film production. The sets are fabulous. You can walk along cobbled streets in Diagon Alley and select a wand at Ollivanders; explore the creepy Forbidden Forest (if you’re scared of spiders, you might want to give the ending a miss); step inside the Hogwarts Express steam train; and you can even ride a broomstick through central London! We haven’t even mentioned the costumes and VFX effects. Don’t forget to drink a tankard of (super sweet) butterscotch-flavored Butterbeer at the Butterbeer Bar — you can bring the glass home as a souvenir.
Be amazed by the Hogwarts Express stationed at Platform 9 ¾. ‘Wizarding World’ and all related names, characters and indicia are trademarks of and ©Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. – Wizarding World publishing rights © J.K. Rowling.
Naturally, you can’t leave without bringing a few souvenirs home. Fortunately, the world’s largest Studio Tour Shop is right here in Tokyo. Did you know you can walk home with a Hogwarts acceptance letter with your name on it? They can even personalize wands for you.
Who would love this? Witches and wizards; people who know which Hogwarts house they’re in; people who love cozy afternoons reading fantasy novels over a full day of hiking.
Location Information
| Name: Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo - The Making of Harry Potter Address: 1-1-7 Kasugacho, Nerima City, Tokyo 179-0074 Access: 2-minute walk from Toshimaen Station Website: https://www.wbstudiotour.jp/en/ |
Zokkon and Fujiyama Slider, Fuji-Q Highland
©Fujikyu high land
Fuji-Q Highland is highly unlikely to go out of business, primarily because it offers a unique experience — it is the only place in the world where you can ride roller coasters with a full-frontal view of Mt. Fuji. This alone is enough reason for anyone to visit. Fortunately, the rides at this theme park are worth the trip regardless!
The Zokkon is one of the newest and coolest rides at Fuji-Q. Ride on a bike-shaped ride, grip the handlebars, and experience the exhilarating feeling as if you are actually riding a motorcycle. This attraction is not only for thrill-seekers who enjoy roller coasters but also for those riding it for the first time. It has plenty of sudden accelerations and decelerations, sharp turns, reversing, and rolling side to side on the tracks.
These rides at Fuji-Q are some of the world’s largest theme park rides. ©Fujikyu high land
Another awesome, unmissable Fuji-Q ride is the Fujiyama Slider, a 120-metre slide that winds around the 55-metre-tall Fujiyama Tower. It’s pitch-dark inside as you whizz round and round while falling for 20 seconds.
Who would love this? Thrill-seekers, those who thrive on adrenaline rush.
Note: If you’re visiting the theme park with young family members, please remember to adhere to the height, age restrictions, and usage guidelines set for each attraction.
Location Information
| Name: Fuji-Q Highland Address: 5-6-1 Shinnishihara, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi 403-0017 Access: 2-minute walk from Fujikyu Highland Station Website: https://www.fujiq.jp/en/index.html |
Godzilla Interception Operation Awaji, Nijigen no Mori
A monstrous step up on your usual zipline, Godzilla Interception Operation Awaji is a heart-pounding experience! Copyright／TM & © TOHO CO., LTD
Located on the long, skinny Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture, Nijigen no Mori isn’t the easiest theme park to get to from Tokyo, but it’s certainly worth the trip! This outdoor adventure park is largely themed around some of Japan’s most iconic manga, including Crayon Shin-chan and Naruto. One of the most exciting attractions in the park, however, has to be Godzilla Interception Operation Awaji.
Park visitors can’t miss the towering 120-metre-long statue of this iconic kaiju. There are two zipline courses you can try. One is called the “Internal Surveillance Course”, which takes you straight into Godzilla’s giant maws. The experience has you firing missiles inside amidst the sound of its roars. The other course, which is called the “Surface Surveillance Course,” takes you on a sleek glide along Godzilla’s body. Yes, it’s as cool as it sounds. Who cares if it doesn’t make sense? There’s also the world’s first permanent Godzilla museum, perfect for die-hard kaiju fans.
Who would love this? Dinosaur lovers and those who love the outdoors, adventure, and the thrill of seeking adrenaline-packed experiences.
Location Information
| Name: Nijigen no Mori Address: 2425-2 Kusumoto, Awaji City, Hyogo 656-2301 Access: 55 minutes by highway bus from Shin-Kobe Station Website: https://nijigennomori.com/en/ |
Conclusion
These theme parks are pretty fantastic — and they’re just the tip of the iceberg for all the other theme parks in Japan awaiting your visit. Once you include a theme park in your trip itinerary, you’ll be hooked. We hope this inspires you to visit one or more of them next time!
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