The Top Four (4) Most Popular Theme Parks in Japan

Visiting the theme park has grown to become a trend among us. It is a popular pick for families, couples and solo travelers. If it’s your time to visit Japan, you will never escape from the heat of their theme park popularity.   

Japan already has a few dozen popular theme parks and amusement parks dotted around the country and you can spot them rather easily. Here is the list of top four (4) theme parks that you should visit while you in Japan.  

i) Tokyo Disneyland  

Tokyo Disneyland is in fact the most popular theme park in Japan. This mega theme park was the first Disneyland to be build outside United States on April 1983 and already becoming one of Disney’s most popular park in the world.   

Tokyo Disneyland is modelled after its Californian contemporary and has seven themed areas known as lands and all based around a different theme namely as; The World Bazaar, Adventureland, Westernland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Critter Country and Mickey’s Toontown.   

Since Tokyo Disneyland located in Chiba which is just outside of Tokyo, it makes a trip to this theme park an easy destination.  

ii) Tokyo DisneySea  

Just next door to Tokyo Disneyland, there is another one and only theme park in the world of its type; Tokyo DisneySea which is based on a nautical theme.   

Tokyo DisneySea opened on 4 September 2001 and already attracted approximately 14.6 million visitors in 2018 alone and making this theme park the fourth most visited theme park in the world.   

Inspired by the myths and legends of the sea, Tokyo DisneySea also has seven themed like its sister Disneyland but with a different twist; Mediterranean Harbor, Mysterious Lagoon, Arabian Coast, Lost River Delta, Port Discovery and American Waterfront.   

iii) Universal Studios Osaka  

Universal Studios Osaka is one of six Universal Studios theme parks that is available all around the globe. The theme park opened on 31 March 2001 and it is still remained to be as a must-visit theme park for locals and tourists.   

Couples with Universal Studios magic and Japanese technology will make your trip to this theme parks full with enjoyable memories. Universal Studios Japan currently has eight sections; New York, Hollywood, San Francisco, Jurassic Park, Waterworld, Amity Village, Universal Wonderland and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  

If you are happened to be a Harry Potter fans just like me, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will live out the Harry Potter fantasies in you; taking a ride on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, 3D rollercoaster simulation type to dodge dementors, soar by whomping willows, get in Quidditch match and not to forget to quench your thirst by drinking butterbeer.   

In addition to all the rides, this Universal Studios also offers many other opportunities like taking pictures with popular character’s mascots, watching various shows that will be put up every day and seeing a night parade featuring illuminated floats paraded through the streets.  

Other attractions that will come in spring 2020 will feature Nintendo themed attractions; Super Nintendo World. This attraction will officially get two rides (Super Mario Kart ride and Omni—mover ride called as Yoshi’s Adventure) with other interactive element (guest can have magnetic bracelets to interact with the parks itself and guests can keep tracks their scores gained on the attractions and rides in Super Nintendo World).  

iv) Fuji-Q Highland  

Located just at the foot of Mount Fuji in the Fuji Five Lake region, Fuji Q Highland presents to you theme park full with thrills for adrenaline junkies with a great view surrounding it.   

What makes this theme park different from any other theme parks is; it is known for its thrilling, record-breaking roller coasters, anime-themed rides (multiple mazes and haunted attractions) and a lot of others attractions (rides such as teacup, log flume, Ferris wheel, carousel, sky swings, pirate ship, and drop tower).   

Fuji Q Highland have totals of four major roller coasters which categorize as a-must-ride coasters to feel the full experience of what this theme park could offer;  

• Fujiyama (79 meters tall, 130 km/h) – The park’s centerpiece attraction and when being opened in 1996, it was once the world’s tallest and fastest roller coasters and up until now it still holds the top rank of among the best coasters in the world.  
• Dodonpa (52 meters tall, 172 km/h) – Opened in 2001 and also the speediest coaster in the park. It is once the world’s fastest roller coaster and as of 2013, it already becomes the 4th fastest in the world.  
• Eejanaika (76 meters tall, 126 km/h) – Opened in 2006 and known as the 4th dimension roller coaster. This is the second type of roller coaster to ever be built and the first one was in California. The seats of the roller coaster can rotate 360 degrees forward or backward in a controlled spin.  
• Takabisha – Opened in 2011, this coaster holds the records for being the steepest roller coasters in the world until December 2016. This coaster could go with a drop up to 43 meters that hit 121-degree angle.