Tokyo Amusement Parks

Activity > Tokyo > Adventure

Being one of, if not the largest city in the world, Tokyo has a LOT of Amusement Parks. This list of Amusement Parks ranks the best Tokyo Amusement Parks by their "uniqueness" to Japan. If your visiting Japan, you might as well visit Amusement Parks and Amusement Parks that have a "Japanese Vibe", places you cannot visit in your own home country. Some of these parks are so well known and desired to visit that many visitors from over-seas specifically plan their Japan vacation with the Amusement Park as the main goal.

Some of the Tokyo Amusement Parks are a couple hour train ride but still worth the trip. If you do decide to visit some of the further ones, you might look into staying a night out in the general area where the park is because there is lots to see besides the park itself. One day at the park, spend the night (maybe at a hot springs) and then half a day venturing around the area before heading back to Tokyo.

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Tokyo Amusement Park List

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#1 Tokyo DisneySea

DisneySea is the ONLY DisneySea in the world. Unlike Disneyland (which has 5 resorts around the world), DisneySea is unique only to Japan. Not only is it just unique to Japan, it's a really cool Amusement Park! It's huge like Disneyland, spotless clean, very professional staff and shows, incredible atmosphere and amazing attractions. Honestly... if I only had 1 day in Tokyo and had to choose between seeing the "Real Tokyo" (such as Asakusa, Yurakucho and Tokyo Tower) or DisneySea... it would be a hard decision! I guess if you start early in the morning you could do half a day doing both but don't blame me if your legs fall off!

Tokyo DisneySea Detail Page

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#2 Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura

Ok... this place is just cool. It's a theme park built to represent the Edo Period in Japan (1603 - 1868 when Shoguns ruled the country). The town is authentic with actors roaming about in period costumes, working shops and fantastic shows. It's so authentic that Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura is sometimes used as the location for period tv dramas. You can "dress up" in the era's garb and ride a "Kago" (the little 2 man carried box for transportation). Of course there is plenty for sale so buy your authentic Edo Period souvenirs here. There are also a few fun attractions like the "Haunted Temple", filled with Japanese spirits and demons, the "House of Illusion" where the walls seem to bend and balls roll uphill and the "Ninja Trick Maze", a labyrinth that is definitely a challenge to escape from.

Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura Detail Page

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#3 Boso no mura & Edo Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum

#3 is a toss-up between Boso no mura & Edo Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum. Both places don't get enough press and both places are a great place to see "old" Japan. If you have time to see both and this kind of architecture interests you, definitely check them both out but one or the other would be sufficient for the casual tourist. Visit the one that is closest to your accomodation. If your on the West side of Tokyo (Shinjuku side), visit Edo Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum. If your on the East side of Tokyo (Tokyo, near Disneyland or Chiba) visit Boso no mura. These places don't have "rides" and are basically relaxing places to stroll around and view the styles of buildings and living during the old days. Both places are inexpensive to enter and offer excellent photographic opportunities.

Boso no mura
Edo Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum Detail Page

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#4 Hanayashiki

Hanayashiki makes the #4 spot because it's a Tokyo "relic" of an Amusement Park. It's been around forever (since 1853) and has that old retro, rickety rides feeling with a Japanese vibe. Originally the park opened as a "Flower Park" when Commodore Perry visited the country in the late Edo Period but over time they added rides and attractions. Hanayashiki is very easy to get to as you can walk from the famous Asakusa area. The Free Ride price... is well... borderline. There's 5 or 6 "thrilling" adult rides plus 10 or so rides for kids. For kids it's a great deal and they will have lots of fun, for adults... it's up to you if you want to get the Free Ride pass or not.

Hanayashiki Detail Page

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#5 Sanrio Puroland

Sanrio Puroland makes the #5 spot because this place is definitely "Japanese". The park is the home of Hello Kitty and it's theme is purely "cuteness" (and merchandise sales). Generally your average tourist wouldn't visit Sanrio Puriland but Hello Kitty fans, parents with kids who like Hello Kitty and for those interested in seeing a very Japanese type of amusement park, Sanrio Puriland is an interesting destination. It's not a huge place and can be completed in about half a day. Inside you'll find the Hello Kitty characters walking around, an overwhelming amount of "cuteness" atmosphere and a variety of shows (very Japanese style) to which the kids enjoy.

Sanrio Puroland Detail Page

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#6 Joypolis

Joypolis is a huge, loud, wild, exciting and fun game + attractions entertainment complex. It's also in Odaiba which makes for a great Date Spot. They have arcade type games, virtual type games, 3D Videos, laser tag, real amusement park type rides and virtual rides. For the amount of fun to be had at Joypolis, the "Passport" price is well worth it. There is so much to do in the place you might even get tired out before doing it all! The place targets teenagers and young adults but if your an adult, into some serious fun and have the energy to do it, Joypolis makes for a great time.

Joypolis Detail Page

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#7 Namja Town

Namja Town is easily accessible as it is in Ikebukuro, one of the major cities on the Yamanote line (the train that circles Tokyo). Like Joypolis it's an inside amusement park that focuses on games and food. There are tons of arcade type games and interactive type games with lots of shopping areas too. However, a couple of the more interesting attractions is it's "Gyoza Stadium" and "Desssert Yokocho". At the Gyoza Staduim you can try a wide variety of different types of gyoza and in the Dessert Yokocho area you can eat pastries, ice cream and crepes till they come out your ears. If your not so much into games, just pay the entry fee and then selectively try a few Gyoza shops and desserts for walking around in the cool atmosphere.

Namja Town Detail Page

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#8 Fuji-Q Highland

Fuji-Q Highland is a couple hours from Tokyo but like Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura you can stay in the area (it's near Mt. Fuji) and make quite a nice over-night trip out of it (or go and return in the same day). It's #8 on the list because although it's really just an amusement park, it's an amusement park with some world-renown rides! And, on clear days, you get a great view of Mt. Fuji to boot. There are various "train + ticket" packages (honestly the park makes the ticket system a bit more complicated than it should be) but you should head out early to make a full day of it. Fuji-Q Highland is geared toward people of all ages but especially for the major thrill seekers. The park has multiple extremely wild roller-coaster type rides which are sure to please even the most avid roller-coaster enthusiast.

Fuji-Q Highland Detail Page

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#9 Tokyo Disneyland

Although at the top of this page we said, "unique to Japan"... after some thought we just had to include regular Disneyland at the #9 spot because, well... it's a magical place! If you've been to another Disneyland somewhere in the world we would highly recommend trying DisneySea but if you've never been to a Disneyland, your in Tokyo and want to have an incredible day... go to Disneyland! Although... during peak season (July-Augest), Japanese Holidays and weekends you might want to reconsider as the place gets jam packed and may be more tiring that fun. Choose an "Off Day", dive deep into your wallet and enjoy one of the greatest entertainment parks in the world.

Tokyo Disneyland Detail Page

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#10 Tokyo Dome City

Finally at #10, a regular amusement park in the heart of Tokyo. It's modern, clean, easy to get to and full with the typical type rides you might find in any amusement park around the world. The thing that makes "Dome City" so great is that there are lots of other things to do right in the vicintity of the park such as Tokyo Dome, Shopping, restaurants, and Spa LaQua. They have a "Passport" type ticketing system for the amusement park or you can pay as your ride... just determine if you feel like just riding 1 or 2 rides or want to make a full day of it. Dome City is a great place to hit if you just have a few hours and feel like riding on some thrilling rides. Taking a date to Dome City, eating at a restaurant and then going to LaQua is a great way to impress a girl... might cost you a months rent but hey, no biggy.

Tokyo Dome City Detail Page

Honorable mentions (which are all your traditional amusement parks with traditional rides)... Yomiuri Land, Toshimaen and Tokyo Summerland