Japan's Lesser-Known Theme Parks: More Fun, Less Waiting in Line
2019.06.19 |
So, instead, we'd like to recommend that you spend your time more wisely, and head to one of Japan's many home-grown amusement parks, or theme parks with more unique attractions. You might encounter fewer princesses wandering the grounds, but you'll be sure to have a day filled with much more fun, and much less boring waiting around, with unique stories to tell back home!
Yomiuriland Amusement Park
Google Maps
Hours: 10:00 - 20:30
Access: Keio Yomiuriland Station, Yomiuriland-Mae Station
One Day Pass: Adults ¥5400/Middle and High School Students ¥4300/Children ¥3800/65+ y.o. ¥4500
Official Website (en)
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Tobu Zoo
Google Maps
Hours: 9:30 - 17:00 (June: closed Wed | Jan: closed Tue, Wed | Feb: closed Tue ~ Wed)
Access: Tobu Doubutsu Koen Station
One Day Pass: Adults ¥4,800/Children & Seniors ¥3,700
Official Website (en)
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Toshimaen
Google Maps
Hours: 10:00 - 17:00 (check the calendar for more exact information)
Access: Toshimaen Station
One Day Pass: Adults ¥4,200/Children ¥3,200
Official Website
- Image Source: Hirakata Park Website
Hirakata Park
Google Maps
Hours: Weekdays 10:00 - 17:00/Weekends 10:00 - 18:00
One Day Pass: Adults ¥4,400/Elementary School Students ¥3,800/Children 2 y.o. & up ¥2,600
Official Website (en)
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- Image Source: Hirakata Park Website
"Pippin and Poppy's Kuru Kuru Helicopter", for the child in all of us.
- Image Source: Hirakata Park Website
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- Image Source: Hirakata Park Website
A gnome-filled performance!
- Image Source: Hirakata Park Website
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- Image Source: Hirakata Park Website
Uncle Frodo's Electric Train, for when we're feeling the need for a little speed.
- Image Source: Hirakata Park Website
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- Image Source: Toei Studio Park Website
TOEI Kyoto Studio Park (東映太秦映画村)
Google Maps
Hours: 9:00 - 17:00 (Occasionally open later.)
Access: 2 min. from Satsueisho-mae Station, 5 min. from Uzumasa Station, Uzumasa-Koryuji Station
One Day Pass: Adults ¥2,200/Middle & High School Students ¥3,200/Children 3 y.o.+ ¥1,100
Official Website (en)
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- Image Source: Toei Studio Park Website
Pretend that you, too, are in a historical drama!
- Image Source: Toei Studio Park Website
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- Image Source: Toei Studio Park Website
Climb like a ninja.
- Image Source: Toei Studio Park Website
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- Image Source: Toei Studio Park Website
Spot the beasts of the deep.
- Image Source: Toei Studio Park Website
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Suzuka Circuit Theme Park
Google Maps
Hours: Weekdays 10:00 - 17:00/Weekends 9:30 - 18:00
Access: From Shiroko Station, either take a taxi or a Mie Transportation bus.
One Day Pass: Adults ¥4,300/Children (7~12 y.o.) ¥3,300/Children (3~6 y.o.) ¥2,100/60+ y.o. ¥3,000
Official Website (en)
Hakone Kowakien Yunessun
Google Maps
Hours: Weekdays 10:00 - 18:00/Weekends 9:00 - 19:00
Access: From Odawara Station, take a bus to Kowakien bus stop.
One Day Pass: Adults ¥2,500/Children ¥1,400
Official Website
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Nasu Animal Kingdom (那須どうぶつ王国)
Google Maps
Hours: Weekdays 10:00 - 16:30/Weekends 9:00 - 17:00 (Winter: ~16:00)
Access: Check the official website for free shuttle bus information!
One Day Pass: Adults ¥2,400/Children (3 y.o. to elementary school) ¥1,000 (Winter discount available.)
Official Website (en)
Nasu World Monkey Park has more than monkeys, and you can interact with almost all of the animals there! Other zoos might let you observe the monkeys from afar, but Nasu World Monkey Park has a petting zoo area with Japanese macaques, squirrel monkeys, and more, plus multiple species of lemur. They also give visitors opportunities to spend some time with macaws and ball pythons, if monkeys aren't your favorite. There are even elephant rides, where you can take a quick trip on the elephant's back, and then have a few minutes to thank it (and feed it some snacks). If the Animal Kingdom shows weren't enough for you, the Monkey Park also has a Monkey Playhouse! Watch some of the park's monkeys show off their unique personalities and obvious intelligence, as they play around with their handlers.
Learn more about these two parks, PLUS the Nasu Safari Park!
Nasu World Monkey Park
Google Maps
Hours: Weekdays 10:00 - 17:00 (closed Wednesdays)
Access: From JR Kuroiso Station, take a bus towards Highland Park to Rindo Lake bus stop.
One Day Pass: Adults ¥2,100/Children ¥1,200
Official Website
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Bios Hill (ビオスの丘)
Google Maps
Hours: 9:00 - 18:00
Access: Take the route 111 or 117 express bus from Naha Bus Terminal. Get off at Ishikawa IC bus stop and go the last 15 minutes by taxi.
Admission Fee: Adults ¥900/Children ~15 y.o. ¥500 (various activities at additional cost)
Official Website (en)
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So, are we all set for summer, now? If you were feeling a little limited by the pair of bigger amusement parks in Japan, you've certainly got a few more options after reading this! (Speaking of which, aren't we all waiting with bated breath to hear more about the Ghibli Park opening in the next few years?) These parks aren't all huge, and they're not all the same, but those unique features are what makes each of them so much fun. We hope you'll have a great day out at one of the theme parks!
If, after checking all these parks out, you're thinking that maybe theme parks aren't actually your thing, there are lots of good summer festivals to go to in Japan, and the fireworks that happen every year are spectacular too! Or take a look at our new event calendar to find something to do today.
Be sure to look out for more exciting articles every day at JAPANKURU!
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