Tokyo Disney Resort had over 27 million visitors in 2024, and recently celebrated the milestone visit of their 900 millionth guest this January. The resort of course offers Disney’s world-renowned hospitality and fantastical magic, and offers an amazing blend of Americana charm and localized Japanese specialties that can’t be found anywhere else — making it one of the most popular Disney destinations in the world.
While you should definitely make room for Disney, especially with DisneySea’s Fantasy Springs expansion, Tokyo and the surrounding Kanto area has many other unique theme park offerings that are often overlooked but deserve a spot on your travel itinerary. Here are some of our favorite local theme parks that are packed with thrills and creative attractions.
Asakusa Hanayashiki is Japan’s oldest amusement park that has been operating since 1853, meaning that guests have the chance to actually visit an amusement park directly from the Edo era. The park originally began as a botanical garden, and continued to add attractions over time. In 2004, the park was acquired by Bandai Namco Group.
Today, the park has 18 total rides and operates on a traditional ticketing system. After the admission fee (¥1,600 for adults), you can either enjoy attractions on a “tickets per ride” basis (¥100 for 1 ticket or ¥1,000 for 11 tickets) or get a day pass (¥3,000 for adults). Hanayashiki has classic amusement park rides like a merry-go-round and the oldest roller coaster in Japan, which still stands to this day.
Just 35 minutes from Shinjuku Station, Yomiuriland sits on the quiet western outskirts of the metropolis in the Tama Hills area. The park originated as Yomiuri Fishing Center in 1962 and officially became Yomiuriland in 1964, with the addition of a monorail and saltwater aquarium. With the inclusion of a go-kart track, ferris wheel and ice skating rink to the park’s growing roster in 1966, Yomiuriland cemented its identity as a spacious recreational park with a wide variety of attractions.The park has had various monumental milestones throughout its history, including the opening of the world’s first standing loop roller coaster in 1982 and, at the time, the world’s fastest wild log coaster in 1988. Today Yomiuriland still sits at the top as Tokyo’s largest amusement park.
Guests can come to simply enjoy the theme park’s atmosphere with an admission ticket (¥1,800 for adults) or enjoy unlimited play with the one-day combo pass (¥5,900 for adults) which includes admission and all-you-can-ride access to over 40 attractions. The park has many unique attraction offerings, such as the Custom Garage where guests can pretend to install automobile parts for a test drive, and a boat ride inspired by Nissin’s Yakisoba U.F.O instant noodles.
Yomiuriland is also a popular spot for seasonal festivities, like its popular illuminations in the winter and sakura viewing in the spring. During the summer, Yomiuriland’s Pool Wai waterpark opens up with five pools, eight water slides, a lazy river, full-size diving pools and more to beat the intense Tokyo heat.
This year Yomiuriland is getting a major upgrade, as the highly anticipated PokePark Kanto opens in February. This will be Pokemon’s first permanent outdoor park and a large-scale project that will extend the Yomiuriland park area by 2.6 hectares.
Tickets to Yomiuriland can be purchased online or at the park’s entrance gates. Tickets for PokePark Kanto can be purchased on the official website. All ticket types for PokePark also include admission into Yomiuriland.
Fuji-Q Highland
Fuji-Q Highland sits at the foot of Mount Fuji, bringing an impressive scenic background to the theme park grounds. The park is for the adrenaline seekers — known for its intense roller coasters and other extreme attractions such as Fujiyama, which has broken four world records since its debut in 1996; Takabisha, which has a steep 121-degree drop angle; and Eejanaika, with the world’s highest total rotation speed.
Fuji-Q also has plenty of tie-ins with a range of popular characters and franchises. The park has dedicated sections for Thomas the Tank Engine, French cartoon Gaspard and Lisa, and Naruto: Shippuden. Anime fans can enjoy Naruto’s favorite ramen at Ichiraku and pose with various characters throughout the Hidden Leaf village. Fuji-Q also has an exclusive Attack on Titan ride, taking riders on a Disney-Soarin’-esque experience with a wild twist.
The theme park is actually free to enter. You simply need to request a free admission ticket at the counter and you can freely roam around, or purchase individual tickets for each ride. With the one-day pass (starting at ¥6,000 for adults) however, guests have unlimited access to all of Fuji-Q’s main rides. The park also offers other ticket options, including a discounted afternoon pass and a combo package that includes round-trip transportation to the park from Shinjuku through highway bus service.
With such an impressive and up-close look at Mount Fuji, guests can opt to stay overnight at Fuji-Q’s official Highland Resort Hotel, conveniently located right next to the park gates. Guests can take a relaxing soak in the Fujiyama Onsen hot springs and enjoy early entry into Fuji-Q.
While you can buy passes and individual ride tickets at the park, it’s recommended that guests purchase their digital tickets beforehand to avoid extensive queues. You will also need a smartphone to register facial recognition entry to the park.
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Seibuen Amusement Park
For those reminiscing on Showa-era nostalgia, Seibuen Yuenchi amusement park is a retro paradise. It recreates the comforting familiar atmosphere of the Showa era (1929-1989) with themed streets, performances, restaurants, merchandise and rides that all evoke that feeling of times past.
The park has six main areas. The Yuhi no Oka shotengai serves as a grand centerpiece, welcoming guests with a replica Japanese shopping street from the 1960s. Here you’ll find lively shops and restaurants serving Showa-era classics like Napolitan pasta and melon cream sodas. You’ll also see various seasonal parades and encounter many wandering performers like police officers, greengrocers and poster girls who will truly make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
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Seibuen is also a great place for vintage-inspired shopping. Fashion lovers can visit Narikiri Clothing Shop for some Showa flair with dresses, hats and jewelry inspired by the era. Yumemido Sweets dagashiya offers old-school penny candies, and the Let’s Go Bazaar features merchandise of beloved characters from Osamu Tezuka animations including Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion.
Seibuen’s attraction list has timeless rides and games like the Spinning Trapeze and Festival Street pinball machines, but there are also more thrilling rides that continue the retro theme with Ultraman and Godzilla.
A one-day leisure ticket (¥4,900 for adults) will grant you access to all of the main attractions. A separate ticket is required for certain premium attractions such as the Mysterious Candy Shop and the Immersive Train Mystery. As the park is operated by Seibu Railway, Seibuen offers various discount packages that include a day pass for all Seibu train lines for convenient access to the park and its surrounding Saitama area.
Tickets to Seibuen amusement park are available online or at the park.
Sanrio Puroland
Sanrio Puroland is a kawaii paradise. The park brings in Sanrio fans of all ages and backgrounds, attracting over 1.5 million visitors annually. While smaller than average theme parks, Puroland has plenty to offer including upbeat live shows, adorable character greetings and family-wide comfort as an entirely indoor park.
The theme park is also celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. And with the celebrations come some new updates and seasonal fun. Cinnamoroll’s Little Adventure, a point-and-shoot movie theater, is Puroland’s first new ride in 11 years. The Quest of Wonders Parade is another exciting addition, the park’s first new main parade in 10 years.
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Of course, the park thrives with its character interactions. Fans can meet their favorite characters, including Pompompurin and Cinnamoroll, at the Greeting Residence. Sanrio’s reigning queen Hello Kitty greets guests at her palace-like Lady Kitty House. Other character sighting opportunities include the spectacular Kawaii Kabuki show and the Restaurant Yakata buffet.
Guests can purchase their Puroland Passport at the park entrance or online, but are recommended to buy in advance to avoid long lines. Ticket prices vary on the day (starting at ¥3,900 for adults), so please check the Sanrio Puroland calendar for seasonal pricing.
Tokyo Dome City
Centering the massive Tokyo Dome stadium, Tokyo Dome City is a major entertainment complex that includes restaurants, a roller skate arena, a bowling center, the baseball hall of fame and museum, hot springs, a hotel, an amusement park and more.
The Thunder Dolphin roller coaster is one of the crowd favorites. This high-speed coaster climbs to 130 kilometers an hour and zips right through the center of the Big-O ferris wheel. The ferris wheel has another fun surprise: all of the cars are equipped with karaoke. Guests can sing from 80 meters above ground with the Tokyo landscape as a backdrop. Other attractions include the Wonder Drop log ride, the Godzilla AR ride, the laser maze and the Kurayami Konrei haunted house.
Guests can either choose individual rides, or buy the one-day passport (ticket prices vary, starting at ¥4,700 for adults). Nighttime passports and 5-ride flat rate tickets are also available. Tickets can be purchased at the park at the ticket vending machines or online.
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Chiikawa Park
With the immense popularity of artist Nagano’s Chiikawa series, and its viral experimental attractions like the Chiikawa Bakery and Chiikawa Ramen Buta restaurant, Chiikawa’s next venture is taking the little creatures into the theme park world.
The park is located inside Ikebukuro’s Sunshine City Annex Building, and opened just this past summer. Instead of a traditional theme park, Chiikawa Park is more like an immersive exhibit. There are no rides at the park, but fans are guided through scenes from the series as if stepping inside the cartoon. There are countless photo spots and interactive areas like the Chiikawa’s house and the goblin prison. There are also carnival-style games and, as expected, a huge selection of exclusive merchandise including typical theme park goods like novelty character headbands and popcorn buckets.
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Take note that Chiikawa Park does not have any restaurants or any other areas to buy food and drinks inside. The gift shop does have some snacks, but they are intended as souvenirs. As re-entry to the park is not allowed, please plan accordingly.
Tickets for Chiikawa Park (¥3,500 for adults) can currently only be purchased through the Asoview ticket website. Starting in February, a discounted student ticket will also be available.
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Sagamiko Mori Mori
About an hour and a half direct train ride west of Shinjuku on the Chuo line, Sagamiko Mori Mori is located in Sagamihara, Kanagawa. Development for the area started in 1963 when a professional wrestler purchased the land. The park was later acquired by Fujikyu Group (the same developers as Fuji-Q Highland) in 2006.
With approximately 1.5 million square meters to work with, the theme park fully utilizes both the space and surrounding nature for this outdoor adventure resort. Not only can you enjoy traditional theme park rides, the resort also has cycling paths, picnic spots, obstacle courses and more. Other popular attractions include the 100 meter long rainbow slide, the chair lift with hundreds of colorful illuminations in the evening, and the Blue Sky Pedal with panoramic views at an altitude of 370 meters.
Sagamiko is also dog-friendly, allowing guests to enjoy the theme park with their furry friends. Guests will need a special dog pass (¥1,000) and have the required vaccinations to enter. With the pass, owners can take their pets to the various dog parks within the premises, ride various attractions, go shopping and even eat barbecue with their dogs. For a full list of dog-friendly attractions and facilities, please check the website.
Sagamiko has many seasonal offerings as well. During the winter (December 6 to March 1), the park transforms into Snow Paradise, complete with a 50 meter sledding slope. The Lake Sagami Cherry Blossom Festival (around mid-March to mid-April) offers a gorgeous view of over 2,500 sakura trees in full bloom. Look out for fun collaborations as well — a nostalgic Tamagotchi collaboration will be taking over the park until May.
To visit, you can either purchase just the admission ticket (starting at ¥1,900 for adults) and choose individual rides to try, or pick up the Mori Mori Free Pass (starting at ¥4,700 for adults) to enjoy the park to its fullest. Tickets can be ordered at the park, but are available at a discount online through advance reservation.
Yokohama Cosmo World
Yokohama Cosmo World’s ferris wheel has become an iconic landmark of the port town. At a height of 112.5 meters, Cosmo Clock21 was designated as the world’s largest clock-faced ferris wheel and can fit up to 480 riders at a time. The ferris wheel is so popular that it also became Cosmo World’s mascot, named Cosmo-kun.
There’s a lot more to the theme park though. Cosmo World has 33 attractions, ranging from simple children’s rides to haunted mazes and a riveting roller coaster that plunges into water. There are also more unique installations, such as the Ice World house where guests can experience -30 degrees Celsius.
Cosmo World has free admission, with tickets sold on a “per attraction” basis. Rides range from ¥100 to ¥1,000. Guests can also purchase tickets in bulk to receive a discount. Tickets can only be purchased with cash, credit cards are not accepted.
