- Japan Tips
Best Theme Parks & Roller Coasters In Japan
Do you like theme parks? Then you’ll love the theme parks in Japan!
Japan is often thought of as a technologically advanced nation, and the theme parks are no exception.
If you’re thinking about working in Japan, you might want to visit some of their incredible theme parks while you’re there. Maybe you’re even looking for a Job in a Japanese theme park?
Either way, we’ve put together this list of 37 of the best theme parks in Japan to help you decide which ones you want to visit the most.
1. Tokyo Disneyland
Location: Chiba Prefecture (technically not Tokyo)
Tokyo Disneyland is an incredible theme park in Japan that opened on April 15 1983.
It was the first Disney theme park built outside the United States and has 7 themed areas covering a total of 115-acres.
With lots of fun rides and family-friendly attractions, it’s an incredible place to visit.
2. Tokyo Disney Sea
Location: Chiba Prefecture (right next to Tokyo Disneyland)
Tokyo DisneySea is located just outside of Tokyo, at the Tokyo Disney Resort.
It opened in 2001 as an extension of the Tokyo Disney Resort. The park features many bodies of water and attractions built around them.
With great rides, incredible entertainment and a park design so realistic that you feel like you’re actually in the land of Disney, it’s often referred to as the best Disney Resort in the world!
The park even includes its own tower of terror, with a reimagined story for the Japanese audience.
3. Universal Studios
Location: Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka
Opened in 2001, Universal Studios Japan is one of the most popular theme parks in Japan.
The park averages over 8 million visitors per year. It is home to many incredible attractions based around popular movie franchises, including Harry Potter and Jurassic Park.
Within the attractions, you can enjoy rides like Harry Potter & the Forbidden Journey. You can meet some of your favourite movie characters too.
4. Fuji-Q Highland
Location: Shinnishihara, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi
The Fuji-Q Highland amusement park in Japan opened its doors in March 1968.
Located near Mount Fuji, the theme park has a number of great attractions and roller coasters.
One of the most famous roller coasters is Fujiyama. At 79 metres tall, it was the world’s tallest roller coaster when it opened in 1996.
5. Kidzania Japan
Location: Tokyo, Koto City
This Tokyo theme park is a self-proclaimed city for kids. Opened in 2006, the educational family theme park in Japan is designed for children aged three to fourteen.
Kidzania is a child-size replica of a real city. In the theme park, children experience what it is like to work in real-life adult jobs. They can work as firefighters, tour guides, vets, mechanics, and even chefs making real food.
The kids even earn real Kidzania money that they can spend in the shops inside the theme park.
6. Hanayashiki
Location: Taito City, Tokyo
Located in central Tokyo, Hanayashiki is the first and oldest amusement park in Japan.
It’s been around since 1853, although it’s a lot different now.
The compact park is full of attractions, including a merry go round, panda, cars, a Ferris wheel, a roller coaster and a haunted house.
7. Nagashima Spa Land
Location: Nagashimacho Urayasu, Kuwana, Mie
Nagashima Spa Land is a superb amusement park in Japan featuring several rides, a whole water park and three official hotels.
This amazing theme park in Japan is home to over forty rides ranging from relaxing family rides to exhilarating thrill rides.
A huge roller coaster called Steel Dragon 2000 spans the entire length of the park. At 2,479 metres long, it’s the longest roller coaster in the world!
8. Meiji Mura
Location: Inuyama, Aichi
Meiji Mura is an architectural museum/theme park near Nagoya that opened in March 1965.
The theme park preserves historic buildings from Japan’s Meiji, Taisho and early Showa eras in a somewhat unusual way. They relocate historic buildings to the theme park in order to preserve them.
So far, over 60 historic buildings have been relocated to the theme park.
9. Tobu World Square
Location: Kinugawaonsen Ohara, Nikko, Tochigi
Tobu world square is a breathtaking theme park. It features over 100 1:25 scale replicas of famous buildings from around the world, including the Eiffel Tower, the Great Sphinx and even the Vatican.
Even on a 1:25 scale, visitors are often shocked at how big the replicas are.
10. Spa Resort Hawaiians
Location: Fukushima, Iwaki, Jobanfujiwaramachi, Warabidaira
Spa Resort Hawaiians is crafted in the image of the dream holiday destination of Hawaii.
The unique theme park draws natural hot spring water into its facilities from Iwaki Yumotu Hot Spring.
The large resort features a water park (with great water slides), five spa theme parks, three hotels and a golf course!
11. Hakkeijima
Location: Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa
Hakkeijima Sea Paradise is located on a small island just off the shore of Yokohama.
The theme park features an aquarium where you can see sea creatures, including dolphins, sea lions and sea turtles.
There are also some thrilling sea-based roller coasters to try out.
12. Greenland
Location: Midorigaoka, Arao, Kumamoto
This modest amusement park features attractions including a roller coaster and other rides, a swimming pool, a golf course and a hotel.
It’s home to one of the largest observation wheels in Japan, standing at a height of 105 metres.
It’s also home to one of the longest roller coasters in Japan. The Dinosaur Coaster (GAO) is 1663.50696 metres long. The roller coaster has a speed of 61mph, and a ride lasts just under 4 minutes.
13. Ninja Kingdom Ise
Location: 1201-1 Futamicho Mitsu, Ise, Mie 519-0603, Japan
This theme park is based around the Azuchi Momoyama Period in Japan when the country was ruled by samurai.
It’s built like a small castle town and features a full-size replica of the Azuchi Castle.
In the theme park, you can enjoy the ninja museum, maze, adventure playground, theatres, many restaurants, and a public hot spring bath.
14. Spain Mura
Location: Isobecho Sakazaki, Shima, Mie
This Spanish style theme park is designed very similarly to Disneyland. It was opened in 1994, featuring many roller coasters, an adventure lagoon ride amongst various other attractions.
The park has suffered declining attendance since its opening. Meaning the waiting times for rides are usually very short, which is a bonus.
15. Legoland Japan
Location: Minato-ku Nagoya-shi, Aichi
Legoland Japan opened in 2017. The lego themed park spans over seven areas based around the different universes in the lego universe.
Within Legoland Japan, there are lots of attractions, including large lego models, rides, building stations and dining areas.
There is even a Miniland Japan area that features iconic Japanese attractions such as Mount Fuji made from Lego.
16. Moominvalley Park
Location: Saitama, Hanno, Miyazawa
Moominvalley theme park is based around the Moomin characters. The park opened in 2019 about 40km northwest of Tokyo.
Moominvalley park gives visitors a look into the world of Tove Janson, the author and artist behind the Moomins.
Attractions include theatre performances, a tour of the Moomin house, and a zipline. Many of these attractions are not included in the ticket price though.
17. Tokyo Joypolis
Location: Minato City, Daiba, Tokyo Beach
Tokyo Joypolis is an indoor theme park in Japan operated by SEGA. It’s the ideal theme park for lovers of games and tech.
Located at the popular Decks Tokyo Beach shopping mall, there are several attractions, including Zero Latency VR and themed attractions based on popular anime and games.
18. Sanrio Puroland
Location: Tama, Ochiai, Tokyo
Sanrio Puroland is another indoor amusement park in Japan. Located in Tama City, Tokyo, the theme park is based around the cute Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty.
As well as themed rides, attractions and live shows, there are restaurants within the park that serve popular character-themed meals and deserts.
19. Hakone Kowakien Yunessun
Location: Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa
Hakone Kowakien Yunessun is a hot spring paradise. Unlike most onsens in Japan, you are allowed to wear clothes at this theme park.
There are 23 hot spring baths, including traditional open-air Japanese baths and beautifying baths containing wine, coffee and sake.
Moreover, there’s an exciting outdoor slide and a waterfall to experience.
20. Rusutsu Resort (Hokkaido)
Location: Rusutsu, Abuta District, Hokkaido
Rusutsu Resort is a theme park in Japan that seems to have it all. There are plenty of activities here for all the family, including a water park, roller coasters and golf courses.
Moreover, the park opens as a ski resort in the winter!
21. Adventure World
Location: Shirahama, Nishimuro District, Wakayama
Adventure World is a wildlife theme park featuring a giant panda exhibit, safari tours and dolphin shows.
There is also a play zone with some great rides. These include roller coasters, an ocean view Ferris wheel, go-karting and more.
22. Toei Eigamura
Location: Uzumasa Higashihachiokacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto
Opened in 1975, the Toei Kyoto Studio Park is both a theme park and film set. It’s modelled around the architecture of the Japanese Edo period.
There are lots of shows to watch, and it’s one of the only theme parks in Japan where you can watch live filming of period dramas.
23. Nikko Edomura
Location: Karakura, Nikko, Tochigi
Also known as Edo Wonderland, this theme park in Japan recreates a small town from the Japanese Edo period.
There are various attractions including shows, restaurants and sometimes the opportunity to observe the filming of TV programmes.
24. Huis Ten Bosch
Location: Machi, Sasebo, Nagasaki
Huis Ten Bosch theme park recreates a small Dutch town. With beautiful canals, windmills, gardens, and iconic architecture, it really does feel like a small European town.
You can take boat rides down the many canals, watch a firework competition in the summer and eat at the many restaurants in the theme park.
25. Kamogawa Sea World
Location: Kamogawa, Chiba
If you like sea creatures, you’ll love Kamogawa Sea World. This marine leisure centre/museum (aquarium) overlooking the Pacific Ocean is home to around 11,000 sea creatures!
You can walk around and see them living in recreations of their natural habitats.
There are also three outdoor performance stadiums where shows regularly take place throughout the day.
26. Southeast Botanical Gardens
Location: 2146 Chibana, Okinawa, 904-2143, Japan
The beautiful southeast botanical gardens cover 100 acres, containing over 2,000 plant species, a lake with carp and an insect collection.
The large botanical gardens are full of many beautiful features.
It’s a great place to go for a day out and to take some nice photos.
27. Karuizawa Toy Kingdom
Location: Gunma, Agatsuma District, Tsumagoi, Omae
This amusement park is ideal for families with young children. There are three areas within the park featuring many fun activities, including outdoor playgrounds, climbing walls, workshops, and a labyrinth.
28. Kodomo no Kuni (Children’s Land)
Location: Yokohama, Kanagawa
Founded in commemoration of the royal marriage between Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko in 1959, this 250-acre park features many entertaining attractions.
Inside the park, you can visit an animal park, a bbq area, an artificial river and various arts and crafts centres, as well as a 110-metre long slide and a mini steam locomotive.
29. Country Farm Tokyo German Village
Location: Sodegaura, Chiba
This interesting theme park is based around german rural life. It features a petting zoo, beer garden, grass slides, and a train, as well as games and shops.
A beautiful illumination light event is held here annually. The amazing light display is unique every year.
30. Hirakata Park
Location: Hirakata, Osaka
Also known as “Hirapah”, Hirakata amusement park is home to 43 attractions spanning over 160,000 square metres of land.
Opened in 1910, it’s the oldest amusement park in Osaka.
The parks many incredible attractions include a large Ferris wheel and a wooden roller coaster called elf.
31. Bokka No Sato
Location: Washimi, Gujo, Gifu
This family-friendly theme park is an interactive farm featuring horses, sheep and alpacas, plus seasonal flower viewing and an on-site bakery.
Whilst there aren’t any rides here, it’s a wholesome and relaxing day out.
32. Nago Pineapple Park
Location: Nago, Okinawa
This tropical theme park is full of pineapple, tropical fruits and bright plants.
When visiting Nago Pineapple Park, you’ll learn lots about pineapples, eat delicious pineapple themed food, including pineapple ice cream and more.
You can even buy interesting pineapple products, including pineapple wine and pineapple cosmetics!
33. Yomiuriland
Location: Inagi, Tokyo
First opened in 1964, Yomiuriland amusement park is home to 44 attractions, including rides, roller coasters and water flumes.
There is also a bathhouse that was made to attract more senior visitors, and many shops and food courts dotted around the park.
The park is also home to a training ground for the Yomiuri Giants baseball team.
Yomiuriland was the home of the infamous Twist Coaster Robin rollercoaster.
When it opened in 2014, It was the largest single investment in the park since 1997. Unfortunately, it suffered an accident on its opening day and was closed indefinitely.
34. Osaka SpaWorld
Location: Naniwa Ward, Osaka
Osaka SpaWorld is one of the largest hot spring complexes in the world.
The incredible theme park features many rooms themed around spas from around the world.
Moreover, there is a water theme park on the roof!
35. Yokohama Cosmoworld
Location: Yokohama, Kanagawa
Yokohama Cosmoworld is a thrill-filled theme park in Yokohama. The small but varied theme park has a range of attractions to entertain kids and adults.
Its two main rides are the diving coaster Vanish and the Cosmo Clock 21, which was the tallest Ferris wheel in the world.
36. Funabashi Andersen Park
Location: Funabashi, Chiba
Located an hour’s drive away from the centre of Tokyo, Funabashi Andersen Park is a great day out.
The theme park features a splash pool, swimming area, giant roller slide, pony rides, mini-golf, climbing frames, pedal cars, a petting zoo and more!
It’s an ideal theme park for a family day out near Tokyo.
37. Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum
Location: Yokohama, Kanagawa
If you like ramen, you’ll love the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum!
Although it’s really more of a food court than an amusement park, the museum is themed around Tokyo in the year 1958 (the year instant noodles were invented).
Visitors can eat delicious Japanese ramen noodle soup from various restaurants within the park.
Which theme park in Japan did you like the most?
Now you know a little about some of the best theme parks in Japan, which one would you like to visit the most? If you’re considering working in Japan for a while, you will be able to visit your favourites. Visit our job listings to find your ideal job in Japan today!