5 Fun Theme Parks to Visit in Japan

Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea (Chiba Prefecture)

Tokyo Disneyland was the first Disneyland to be built outside of America, and opened to the public in 1983. But it wasn’t until 2001 that its neighbouring Tokyo DisneySea opened.

DisneySea is usually considered the preferred theme park for adults, mainly because of its bigger and scarier rides like Tower of Terror, but also because it has more interesting food options and alcoholic drinks available at every food stall.

Disneyland, on the other hand, has more kid-friendly attractions like Dumbo the Flying Elephant which focus on the characters or stories rather than the adrenaline.

That said, both are of course very family-friendly, and Tower of Terror is about the scariest it gets. At both Disney parks, it’s more about the atmosphere and finding hidden Mickeys in the impressively designed world. If you are looking for something more intense, then Fuji-Q Highland might be better for you!

Fuji-Q Highland (Yamanashi Prefecture)

Fuji-Q Highland, often shortened to Fuji-Q, is Japan’s most thrilling theme park. Where Disneyland focuses on the characters and creating a different world, Fuji-Q’s focus is the rides themselves.

The park’s most iconic ride is Fujiyama, which offers spectacular views of the famous Mt. Fuji from the top as you whizz past at intense speeds. In fact, Fuji-Q has broken more than one world record for its impressive coasters, with Fujiyama being recorded as the world’s tallest roller coaster when it opened back in 1996.

Other adrenaline-fuelled rides include Do-Dodonpa that goes from 0 to 112mph in 1.56 seconds, or the Red Drop Tower that reaches 40mph on its vertical drop.

If you’re starting to miss those fun characters though, have no fear, because Fuji-Q also has a few character-themed areas, such as the Fuji Hidden Leaf Village for Naruto fans, or Thomas Land for the little ones.

Universal Studios Japan (Osaka Prefecture)

Taking a bit of both the world building and fun rides, Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is a theme park loved by kids and adults alike. The park is filled with an astounding eight different areas, including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the newly added Super Nintendo World.

The different areas make you feel like you are truly stepping into another world, with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter featuring a lifelike Hogsmeade village to walk through, and the Hogwarts Castle where you can explore Harry Potter’s corridors and classrooms.

The park is filled with cute and scary rides alike. On the one hand you have Hello Kitty’s Cupcake Dream, a spinning cup ride loved by kids, and on the other Hollywood Dream - The Ride: Backdrop, which plunges at incredible speeds from a height of 43m.

There are also a lot of interactive activities and shows, such as parades and character meet-ups. These are perfect for smaller children or anyone with a fear of heights!

Yomiuri Land (Tokyo Metropolis)

Yomiuri Land is quite different to any other theme park on our list. That’s because instead of rides and characters, its main attraction is its dazzling winter light display.

Throughout the year, Yomiuri Land is a popular option for families. It’s located in Tokyo, so is easy to get to, and has a ton of kid-friendly activities, with a few more adult options sprinkled in.

Kids will love the mini Animal Coaster and the Giant Ferris Wheel, while grown-ups can get their kicks on the bigger roller coaster, Bandit, or by going bungee jumping, believe it or not!

But the real show begins in October with their “Jewellumination”. The entire park is covered in twinkling lights, from the fountain to the Ferris Wheel, and it makes for an incredibly romantic winter setting. Walk through tunnels of blue in the dead of winter or under the lit-up cherry blossoms as spring rolls around. You might not be meeting Mickey Mouse here, but it’ll certainly make for a memorable trip!

Ghibli Park (Aichi Prefecture)

After the success of Tokyo’s Ghibli Museum, Ghibli Studios opened its theme park in 2022, slowly opening up new areas.

The park started with three areas, the Hill of Youth, Ghibli’s Large Warehouse and Dondoko Forest. They have plans to open Mononoke’s Village and the Valley of Witches later on.

In-keeping with the Studio Ghibli style, there are no large roller coasters or over-the-top shows. Instead, the theme park is set in an actual green park, with the paths connecting each area meandering through the trees and past ponds.

The main area of the park is Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse, where you can find exhibitions, the Cat Bus, a cinema, and various shops and cafes. Of course, everything is created in the whimsical Studio Ghibli style, with gorgeous decorations and meticulous attention to detail at every turn.

Needless to say, this is a must for any Studio Ghibli fan if you have time to get down to Aichi Prefecture. Just make sure to book your tickets in advance, as they start selling from two months before on their website.

Other Fun Japan Activities

Other activities around Japan don’t always include fast-paced roller coasters, but of course there’s plenty more to explore! In fact, we’ve only covered a handful of the theme parks around the country, and there are many others like Edo Wonderland, Sanrio Puroland, and Joypolis, depending on what you’re looking for. But if you find yourself at Disneyland, make sure you look at what else the area has to offer before you go!