Japan has many world-famous theme parks and amusement parks. The Disney theme parks in Tokyo and the movie and anime theme parks in Osaka are especially famous. It is also famous for its large-scale amusement park, which is popular for its roller coasters that make you scream while gazing at Mt. Fuji.
In this article, we will introduce carefully selected the most popular theme parks and amusement parks in Japan. We have also prepared videos for each attraction, so please take a look at them.
In addition, when you click on each map, advantageous tickets and tour information are displayed on a separate page. If you are interested, please click the map to check.
Table of Contents
- Best theme park: Tokyo Disney Resort (TDR)
- Best amusement park: Fuji-Q Highland
- Best amusement park: Nagashima Spa Land
- Best theme park: Universal Studios Japan
- Best theme park: Huistenbosch
- How to arrange tickets
Best theme park: Tokyo Disney Resort (TDR)
Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea, and Wonderful Hotels
Tokyo Disney Resort is the most popular theme parks in Japan located in Urayasu city, Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo. It is approximately 21 minutes by JR Keiyo line from Tokyo station, and approximately 45 minutes via Tokyo station from Shinjuku station.
Tokyo Disney Resort has two theme parks, Tokyo Disneyland (TDL) and Tokyo DisneySea (TDS). Next to the theme park there are 4 directly managed hotels. Disney Ambassador Hotel, Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta, Tokyo Disneyland Hotel, Tokyo Disney Celebration. There is also a shopping mall. A monorail runs between the theme parks.
When you go to Tokyo Disney Resort, you feel like you have entered the world of Walt Disney movies. Directly owned hotels, like theme parks, are beautifully made so that guests can enjoy the fantasy world. Among the directly operated hotels, Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta is particularly popular as guests can see the events of Tokyo DisneySea from some rooms. It is very difficult to book the rooms at Hotel MiraCosta.
Difference between Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea
When you go to Tokyo Disney Resort, you may be at a loss as to whether to play in Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea. So I will explain the difference between Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea from various angles.
Target age group
While Tokyo Disneyland considers children as major guests, Tokyo DisneySea is mainly targeting adults. Tokyo Disneyland does not sell alcohol at all, but Tokyo DisneySea offers alcohol in restaurants. While Tokyo Disneyland considers children as major guests, Tokyo DisneySea is mainly targeting adults. Tokyo Disney Land does not sell alcohol at all, but Tokyo DisneySea offers alcohol in restaurants. There are many buildings that image the pretty fairy tale world in Tokyo Disney Land, while Tokyo DisneySea has many fashionable buildings that make you feel a foreign atmosphere.
Parade
In Tokyo Disneyland, parades are held frequently, but parade is not done in Tokyo DisneySea.
Every day the show is held either in Tokyo Disneyland or in Tokyo DisneySea. At Tokyo DisneySea, the show is held on the lake at the center of the park.
Congestion
Unfortunately, both are crowded. You have to line up to enjoy popular attractions.
However, from a relative point of view, it can be said that Tokyo DisneySea is more crowded than Tokyo Disneyland. There are many attractions in Tokyo Disneyland, so guests are dispersed.
In Tokyo Disneyland, you can enjoy attractions relatively quickly, especially during times when parades are held. If it is not popular attraction, you may not need to line up.
Tokyo Disneyland’s 10 Best Attractions
Tokyo Disneyland is divided by seven themes, and each area has attractions that match the theme. If I introduce the popular attractions in Tokyo Disneyland in ranking form, it will be as follows.
No.1: Splash Mountain
The most popular of them is “Splash Mountain” where guests are on a boat adventure trip.
No.2: Monsters, Inc: Ride and Go Seek!
The attraction “Monsters, Inc: Ride and Go Seek!”, Where guests search for cute monsters appearing in the movie “Monsters, Inc” is also very popular.
No.3: Big Thunder Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain is an attraction that guests run through a waste mine on a roller coaster. The maximum speed is about 40 kilos, but it runs in the dark, so it is very thrilling and fun.
Other attractions in the top ten in Tokyo Disneyland
In Tokyo Disneyland, there are many other attractions I would like to recommend. I would like to write a new article about them again. Here, I will enumerate only the names of attractions in ranking format.
No.4: Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blaster
No.5: Pooh’s Honey Hunt
No.6: Space Mountain
No.7: It’s A Small World
No.8: Peter Pan’s Flight
No.9: Mickey’sPhilhar Magic
No.10: Haunted Mansion
Tokyo DisneySea’s 10 Best Attractions
Next, I will introduce the popular attractions of Tokyo DisneySea to the following in ranking format as well.
No.1: Toy Story Mania!
As you enter the big mouth of Woody that appears in the movie “Toy Story,” you suddenly become smaller and you can enjoy adventures like woodies. You can wear 3D glasses, ride a tram and enjoy shooting games.
No.2: Journey to the Center of the Earth
In the Journey to the Center of the Earth, you can explore the underground world.
When you board a unique subterranean vehicle and move in the dark, suddenly a nearby volcano will burn a fire.
No.3: Tower of Terror
In this attraction you will have a time trip to New York in 1912. You will be in an old hotel called “Terrible Hotel”. As you ride the elevator and go to the top floor, a very thrilling world is waiting for you.
Other attractions in the top ten in Tokyo DisneySea
No.4: Turtle Talk
No.5: Venetian gondolas
No. 6: Raging Spirits
No. 7: The Magic lamp Theater
No. 8: Indiana Jones Adventure
No. 9: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
No. 10: Mermaid Lagoon Theater
The official website of Tokyo Disney Resort is below. On this site, you can get information about Tokyo Disney Resort attractions and Disney hotels such as Hotel MiraCosta. I recommend you to make hotel reservations on this site too.
Best amusement park: Fuji-Q Highland
Why do not you see Mt. Fuji from this amusement park?
Fuji-Q Highland is an amusement park located at the foot of Mount Fuji. You can see Mt. Fuji in front of you in this amusement park. Since admission is free here, when you sightseeing around Mt. Fuji, you can experience only the attractions of your interest efficiently.
At Fuji-Q Highland you can experience very radical roller coasters. Furthermore, the haunted house in this amusement park is very scary. In addition, there is also a theme park of “Thomas & Friends” for small children. You can ride the locomotive Thomas with your child.
Fuji-Q Highland is also written as Fujikyu Haighland. “Fujikyu” comes from the parent company Fujikyu Railway.
Roller coasters such as “FUJIYAMA” “DoDoDonpa” are popular
There are four particularly radical roller coasters at Fuji-Q Highland. I will place each YouTube video below, so please take a look at those videos if you like.
FUJIYAMA : The Attraction called The King of Roller Coasters
In Fuji-Q Highland where there are many roller coasters, “FUJIYAMA” is the most popular coaster. The maximum head drop is 70 meters. You can experience the thrill of falling down from the 20th floor of the building.
DoDoDonpa : Accelerate to 180 km / h within only 1.56 seconds!
“DoDoDonpa” is the newest roller coaster at Fuji-Q Highland. This roller coaster accelerates to 180 kilometers per hour within only 1.56 seconds. You can experience the world’s fastest acceleration.
EEJANAIKA: Your body turns over and over again
The seat of this roller coaster rotates a lot during running. You can experience the fear of floating.
TAKABISHA: Maximum falling angle is 121 degrees!
The maximum falling angle of 121 degrees is certified as a world record, and still boasts the world’s best. You can fully experience the fear of falling.
Best amusement park: Nagashima Spa Land
Famous outlet mall is adjacent
Nagashima Spa Land is an amusement park in Mie prefecture. It is approximately 50 minutes by direct bus from Nagoya station. This amusement park is part of the general resort “Nagashima Resort”. In addition to this amusement park, Nagashima Resort has an outlet mall “Mitsui Outlet Park Jazz Dream Nagashima” and several hot spring hotels. Nearby, there is a famous flower garden “Nabana no Sato” with beautiful illumination.
There are over 10 roller coasters!
Nagashima Spa Land, like Fuji – Q Highland, is famous for its very radical roller coasters. There are more than 10 roller coasters here.
Steel Dragon 2000: One of the best roller coasters in the world
The most popular among the roller coasters of Nagashima Spa Land is the coaster named “Steel Dragon 2000”. Steel Dragon 2000 has a total length of 2479 meters. Its maximum speed is 153 km / h. Its maximum fall is 93.5 meters. There are few roller coasters like this all over the world.
Acrobat: You look just like a gymnast!
Acrobat is a strange roller coaster. You will dance brilliantly in the air just like doing acrobatics. Please take a look at the YouTube videos above.
HAKUGEI: Beautiful roller coaster
Unprecedented! The “HAKUGEI（White Whale）” is a hybrid coaster made of wood and steel. It is a raging coaster that even adults will go wild over with its beautiful appearance and diverse course layout.
Winter illumination in Nabana no Sato is also recommended!
If you go to Nagashima Spa Resort in the winter, please visit nearby Nanaba no Sato by all means. Nabana no Sato is operated by the same company as Nagashima Spa Resort. At Nabana no Sato, you can see one of the best illumination in Japan. This illumination has recently been held from late October to early May.
Next to Nagashima Spa Land, as mentioned above, there are several hot spring hotels. Among them, the hotel Hanamizuki is a very luxurious hotel. Actually, this area was first renowned for its wonderful hot springs and the construction of various resort facilities began. So, after experiencing the thrill at the roller coaster, do you not stay at this hotel and enjoy the hot spring?
Best theme park: Universal Studios Japan
Harry Potter, Minion, Jurassic Park…
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is a huge theme park located in Osaka, which is popular next to Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan. USJ is one of the most successful parks among the world’s Universal Studio theme parks.
The premises are divided into 9 themes such as Harry Potter, Minion, Jurassic Park, Hollywood. you can meet Woody, Minion, Snoopy, Hello Kitty etc. You can experience various attractions while strolling through each area.
USJ’s 10 Best Attractions
USJ has so many attractions. I will recommend you the following attractions among them. Let me introduce them in ranking format.
No.1 : Despicable Me Minion Mayhem (Hachamecha Ride)
In 2017, the world’s largest minion area “Minion Park” opened in USJ. Among them, “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” is very popular. In this attraction, you will sit in the seat and enter the world that will be shown on the big screen. You will rampage with the minions. Thrilling experiences such as tremendously falling deeply are waiting for you!
No.2 : The Flying Dinosaur
This attraction in USJ’s Jurassic Park is really impressive! You will be swayed by a roller coaster in a posture that seems to be caught in the back by a flying dinosaur. The roller coaster is 1124 meters in length and fell at a dash of a maximum of 37.8 meters at a stroke.
No.3 : Hollywood Dream – The Ride
When you enter USJ, the first visible roller coaster is “Hollywood Dream – The Ride”. In this roller coaster, the seat is located at a high position, so you probably will not have your foot down. So, when the roller coaster runs, you can experience the fear as if you are flying in the sky. As music flows from the back of the seat, you can enjoy listening to the music.
No.4 : Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
This “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” is also very popular. In this attraction, you can enter Harry Potter’s magical world without using 3D glasses. Your seat shakes violently. You can enjoy experiences such as flying over the sky and being attacked by a dragon that burns fire.
No.5 : JAWS™
In this attraction, you are hit by a huge shark, about 10 meters in length, many times. You may get splashed with water, so please be careful.
Other attractions in the top ten in USJ
Universal Studios Japan has many other interesting attractions. The attractions that enter the best ten are as follows.
No.6 : Jurassic Park – The Ride™
No.7 : Flight of the Hippogrif™
No.8 : The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man – The Ride 4K3D
No.9 : Snoopy’s Great Race ™
No.10 : The Flying Snoopy
Best theme park: Huistenbosch
Enjoy the beautiful cityscape of the Netherlands
Three perspectives of enjoying Huis Ten Bosch
Huis Ten Bosch (HTB) is a vast theme park in Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture, located in the southwestern part of Kyushu. On the premises of Tokyo Disney Resort 1.5 times, the cityscape of Europe, especially the Netherlands, has been reproduced. With the help of the Netherlands, the traditional Dutch city are faithfully reproduced. If you enter Huisten Bosch, you will be confused as to whether you are in Japan or in the Netherlands. You can enjoy the real streets of the Netherlands.
Japan was closed to the outside world from the 17th to 19th centuries. However, during that time, Japanese have continued to trade with the Netherlands at Nagasaki Harbor and have learned about the technology and culture of the Netherlands. In the background that Huis Ten Bosch was built in Nagasaki Prefecture, there is such history and cultural exchange.
Huis Ten Bosch’s greatest strength lies in the scenery of this beautiful cityscape. You can enjoy this town from the next three angles. I will introduce relevant YouTube videos for each of the items below. If you do not mind, please watch them.
1. Appreciate beautiful buildings
The streets of Huis Ten Bosch are really beautiful. If you want to fully enjoy this cityscape, I recommend you to stay at least 1 night in this city. Huis Ten Bosch has directly operated hotels. Among them, three hotels of Hotel Europe, Hotel Amsterdam, Forest Villa have an elegant atmosphere of the Netherlands. The following official movie introduces the three hotels at once.
If you can not afford the time to stay at these hotels, try elegant times at the hotel’s restaurants and cafés. In order to fully enjoy Huis Ten Bosch, you should refrain from acting diligently. While staying at ease, you will also be able to feel the elegance of the people of the Netherlands.
2. Enjoy illumination
If you want to fully enjoy Huis Ten Bosch, you should watch various illuminations taking place at night. In daytime, the display of Japanese is somewhat conspicuous even in Huis Ten Bosch. But in the evening, Huisten Bosch will be a city of Dutch enough. Amazing light shows are held in the vast city.
As seen in the video below, beautiful illumination colors the city of Huis Ten Bosch with high tech use.
3. Look at the vast flower garden
Huis Ten Bosch has a vast flower garden. Tulips will bloom from the middle of February to the middle of April. Roses will bloom from the end of April until the beginning of June. A lot of hydrangea blooms in June. Lily will bloom in July. Sunflowers are beautiful from late July to late August. In September the canals will be colored with autumn flowers. Roses will bloom again in November. And in the winter Phalaenopsis orchids are wonderful. Throughout the year, you can see flowers in Huisten Bosch. These flowers color the beautiful cityscape.
Enjoy activities and attractions at Huis Ten Bosch
The above is the most enjoyable part of Huis Ten Bosch. However, recently Huis Ten Bosch has more services to experience unique activities. New attractions are also born one after another. You can enjoy these. However, Huis Ten Bosch is very extensive, so let’s choose which activities and attractions you want to experience first. Otherwise, you will be tired after walking for a long time.
To be honest, compared to Tokyo Disney Resort and Universal Studios Japan, Huisten Bos is still in the process of development. Among those who dislikes Huisten Bosch, there are many people who simply walk around a lot of attractions without having to quietly enjoy the beautiful cityscape above. Please be careful.
Among Huis Ten Bosch’s activities and attractions, I recommend the following.
Canal Cruis
In the vast Huis Ten Bosch premises, there is a canal of 6 kilometers in length. You can cruise this canal on a classic boat. You can see the beautiful town of Huis Ten Bosch around. If you walk all the way through Huisten Bosch, you will be tired, so I suggest you first take this cruise and grasp the whole Huisten Bosch and decide which attraction to go to.
VR-KING
In this attraction, you can enjoy the roller coaster experience with the speed impossible in reality, with virtual reality technology. In the above YouTube video, that is spoken in Japanese.
Let’s communicate with various robots!
Recently, various robots have been introduced to Huisten Bos. The attraction facility “Robot Kingdom” was also opened. To be honest, I feel that the perfection of these attractions is still low, but I think that it is wonderful to adopt new robots one after another.
Outside Huis Ten Bosch, there is also a directly operated hotel named “Hen – na Hoteru” (Strange Hotel). Here the robots are active as hotel staff. This hotel is introduced in the video below. If you are interested in robots, you may try staying here.
How to arrange tickets
Arranging tickets for popular theme parks and amusement parks in advance is convenient because you don’t have to wait in line to purchase tickets on the day of your visit. You may also find cheaper tickets if you book early.
Clicking on the map above will link to a search site for tickets and tours that can be arranged, but if you would like to search for cheaper tickets yourself, please refer to the article below.
Thank you for reading to the end.
Now, let’s plan to make your vacation in Japan the best experience ever!
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