10 Best Theme Parks in Japan

Tokyo Disneyland is a lovely choice for a family day out in the capital. Just south of the city, this theme park has all the Disney characters and lots of activities for kids and adults of all ages. You’ll love the speedy rides to get your adrenalin pumping and the thrilling trip down a 16-metre-high waterfall in a log boat.

For gentler activities, there’s a magical show with fantastic music for toe-tapping fun. The spectacular fireworks at the end of each day are popular too. It’s a smart idea to download the Tokyo Disney app which has the latest information. You can even shop with home delivery, so you don’t have to carry your purchases around the park.

Tokyo DisneySea lies right next to Tokyo Bay and, as its name suggests, most of the activities here are based on or around the water. You can take a leisurely gondola ride through a replica of Venice or sail in a vintage Disney steamer. If you love fast action and scary thrills, you’ll enjoy the whirling watercraft rides and the haunted house will send a chill down your spine.

The night-time show is a must-see event at the harbour. With boats, dancers and light projections on the water, it’s an amazing extravaganza to end the day. The restaurants in this resort are often very busy, but you can make a reservation using the app.

Universal Studios Japan is located to the west of Osaka. This immense park sprawls over 54 hectares and is divided into several themed areas, making it easy to navigate. For families with young children, this is a fantastic choice as there are Sesame Street and Snoopy sections with games and activities designed for youngsters. The Cookie Monster slide is always popular.

For older children, the Harry Potter and Jurassic Park zones are firm favourites and there are often long queues for the rollercoasters here, so it’s a good idea to arrive early. If you love colourful floats and energetic singing and dancing, don’t miss out on the daily parade as it’s fantastic entertainment for all the family.

Sanrio Puroland is a beautiful park about 30 km west of Tokyo. This is the place for you if you’re a fan of Hello Kitty and other Sanrio characters. You can enjoy rides and games and even have your photo taken with one of the kawaii characters here. The park is known for its amazing boutique where you can buy everything from kawaii candy and cuddly toys to cute stationery and clothing.

As this amusement park is indoors, this is a great option for family fun on a rainy day. Please note that most of the shows are only in Japanese, but the colourful characters and lively music still make them suitable for younger children.

Fuji-Q Highland is a thrilling day out for those who seek adventure. This amusement park is full of fast rollercoasters, a staggeringly high Ferris wheel and rides that will spin you upside down, with tumbling twists and turns. There’s also a haunted hospital to test your courage, as well as a hair-raising labyrinth.

Located at the foot of Mount Fuji on the outskirts of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, this site is known for its lush greenery and proximity to nature. It’s beautiful to stroll around. Mount Fuji is ever-present in the background and as you’re hurtling down the rollercoasters, you’ll get some amazing views over the scenic landscape here… if you dare to open your eyes.

Nagashima Spa Land is a wonderful amusement park which lies approximately 40 km southwest of Nagoya. It’s a fantastic mix of thrills for older children and adults, including high-speed rollercoasters, a huge pirate ship and a whitewater slide.

There are also lots of games and activities for younger children in the Kids Town area, where you’ll find gentler slides, small trains and children’s cars to keep the little ones amused. This is an extremely popular park with both locals and tourists and the waiting times can be long for some of the rides. It costs a little extra, but an Express ticket will give you priority boarding and is well worth it.

Nijigen no Mori is a unique theme park located on Awaji Island. If you love anime and manga, this is a wonderful place to immerse yourself in Japanese culture. The latest technology is used to bring anime to life, and you can take part in different missions, including ziplining into Godzilla’s mouth. The outdoors setting is beautiful, and you’re surrounded by leafy nature.

The opening hours are divided into 2 parts and families are advised to visit before 5 pm. After 6 pm, the forest setting is enveloped in darkness and it’s more suitable for older children and adults. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes for your visit, as there’s lots of walking and moving around throughout the park.

Spa Resort Hawaiians is a huge resort complex which includes hotels, theme parks, shops and restaurants. You’ll love the Hawaiian theme of the different parks, the thermal waters from the Iwaki Yumoto Hot Spring and the Hula Show. The largest site is the Water Park where the average indoor temperature is 28 degrees, and everything is undercover.

This is a great spot for families. Children will love the curved pool, rope bridges and over 100 metres of winding waterslides. There are also quieter areas and smaller pools for younger children, not to mention other spas in the resort for adults to relax and unwind. With accommodation and plenty of eateries on site, you don’t need to leave the complex.

Edo Wonderland sits at the entrance to Nikko National Park, approximately 150 km north of Tokyo. This fascinating park lets you step back into the Edo Period. You’ll enter a village full of authentic buildings with costumed staff. The attention to detail is amazing and you can try lots of different workshops. Why not learn how to make rice crackers or how to play the shamisen?

There are some great activities for children, including learning the basic techniques of a ninja and practising to be a samurai. If you love solving mysteries, you can even play a role in the Torimono and learn how to capture criminals. Capturing these precious moments is encouraged, so don’t forget your camera.

Tobu World Square takes you around the world in just 1 day. This fantastic theme park contains over 100 buildings from over 20 countries and regions, all recreated on a 1:25 scale. The park is divided into 6 zones, and you can explore them all at your leisure, pick up an audio guide at reception or follow a guided tour.

Have your photo taken in front of the Taj Mahal in the Asia zone or pose for a selfie next to the Sphinx in the Egypt zone. You’ll delight in the accuracy and detail of the world’s iconic buildings and landmarks. It can get very busy here at weekends, so visit on a weekday if you can.