11 most exhilarating and unique theme parks in Japan (2024)

Tokyo Disney Resort in Urayasu opened in 1983 on a huge tract of land on Tokyo Bay. It’s the first Disneyland ever built outside of the US and is modelled after both Disneyland in California and Disney World in Florida.

It features seven themed areas: World Bazaar, Tomorrowland, Toontown, Fantasyland, Critter Country, Westernland and Adventureland, offering 39 thrilling attractions and rides. Look out for the big Beauty and the Beast area in Fantasyland, which opened in 2020 and is exclusive to Tokyo Disneyland.

Tokyo DisneySea is a theme park focussed on Disney’s water and ice-related tales and opened beside Tokyo Disneyland in 2001. The only park of its kind in the world, DisneySea is a must-visit spot. It’s separated into seven themed areas featuring a large erupting volcano at the centre.

A walk through the Mediterranean Harbor will remind you of Italy with its Venetian Gondola rides and colourful houses, while the Arabian Coast will transport you to the world of Aladdin. There’s even the Mermaid Lagoon, home of King Triton and other characters of The Little Mermaid. And in 2024, the park is set for its biggest expansion ever, with a new area dedicated to Frozen, Tangled and Peter Pan.

This theme park in Osaka was the first Universal Studios park to open outside the US in 2001, bringing many of the beloved rides from the original location, like Jurassic Park, Jaws and Terminator 3D. Since then, it’s added plenty more cool stuff, including the sensational Super Nintendo World, which brings to life many iconic Mario video game features.

You can meet Mario and Luigi, ride a real-life Mario Kart, collect coins by punching question mark blocks, and even defeat Bowser Jr. By 2024, it’s expected to expand with a Donkey Kong-themed area that’s 1.7 times bigger than Super Nintendo World.

Since opening on November 1 2022, Ghibli Park has become an absolute must visit for fans of theillustrious anime house. Unlike most theme parks, therearen't any rides here – instead, the park is designed to make you feel like you’re part of your favourite Ghibli movies.

Ghibli Parkis currently divided intothree areas: Hill of Youth, Ghibli’s Large Warehouse and Dondoko Forest, with two more areas – Mononoke’s Village and Valley of Witches – set to open on November 1, 2023 and March 16, 2024 respectively. Expect to seefaithful recreations of famous Studio Ghibli movie scenes,a giant Totoro statue you can climb inside and much more. Read our ultimate guide to Ghibli Park to get the full lowdown.

One of Tokyo’s oldest amusem*nt parks, Toshimaen closed its doors after 94 years. But all is not lost. The site is now home to the world’s largest Harry Potter theme park, known as Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo.

The attraction is modelled after the original Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London, where you walk through iconic sets from the films, such as the Great Hall, Diagon Alley and The Ministry of Magic. You can even sip butter beer in front of the Dursley’s house, plus get up close and personal with faithful replicas of props and costumes.

Nijigen no Mori

Nijigen no Mori on Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture is a theme park for anime lovers. You can live out your ninja fantasies at Naruto-themed attractions where you have to make it through a maze filled with obstacles, and complete missions around the park that are written on a scroll. For younger fans, there’s even an outdoor adventure park dedicated to the children’s anime Crayon Shinchan, while gamers can dive into an immersive Dragon Quest attraction.

But the highlight of the park is the incredible 162m-long zipline course that propels you straight into the mouth of a life-size statue of Godzilla. Fans of the big reptile can also enjoy a museum filled with figurines, props and costumes from the long-running movie series, and watch a film made exclusively for the Godzilla attraction at the on-site theatre, too.

Looking for the most extreme rides in Japan? Fuji Q Highland has you covered with thrilling attractions that have broken Guinness World Records. The Fujiyama was the world’s tallest roller coaster when it opened in 1996 and it’s still in the top ten today, taking you up 71.5m above ground. The Takabisha, on the other hand, is famous for its steep freefall section which sees you hurtling down at an extreme 121-degree angle.

It’s not all death-defying coasters, though – Fuji Q Highland also has child-friendly attractions in areas themed after Thomas the Tank Engine,French animation Lisa and Gaspard, and Japanese anime Naruto.

Huis Ten Bosch

This amusem*nt park is an ideal spot for kids and features two main areas – Pleasure Land and Aqua Resorts. There is no entrance fee, so you can pay as you go for each attraction you visit, or pick up an all-inclusive ticket. The Aqua Museum aquarium in the Aqua Resorts area is worth a visit itself for the 120,000 sea creatures living there. You’ll find 700 different species ranging from dolphins and sharks to penguins and even polar bears.

On the other hand, Pleasure Island is a more typical amusem*nt park with the thrilling Surf Coaster Leviathan swooping out over thesea – the only roller coaster in Japan that travels over water. There's also the 90m-tall Sea Paradise Tower with a breathtaking panoramic view and plenty of kid-friendly attractions including an indoor arcade and playground. Come here in the spring to see cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Toei Kyoto Studio Park