Are you traveling to Japan however fear there is nothing for kids to enjoy? Well, you are in luck because children absolutely love Japan. Looking past the fantastic fast trains and delectable candy, there are many amusement parks that many people are not familiar with however can be very fun, especially for children.
Being a foreigner living and working in Japan, my colleagues and friends have taken me to many amusement parks that I never even knew where on the small island. There are amusement parks for all ages which include the ever popular Tokyo Disneyland to Nagasaki Huis Ten Bosch. Although I have traveled around the world, I still feel a close connection to the fun that I had in Japan. The amusement parks that are listed here are all clean and easy to get into if you only speak English. They are completely safe for children and adults to adventure into.
1. Tokyo Disneyland: This is much like the Disneyland in California. In my opinion, I feel as though it is a little bit larger in size though. Most of the rides are the same so there are no big surprises until you get into the restaurants. The food is quite a bit healthier and has a Japanese flare. There are some facilities though that contains American food such as hamburgers however there are a lot of other choices. At first appearance, the park seems to be the same as the other parks around the world however this park seems to have small details all around that emphasize the Japanese need for character. For instance, the monorail has special Mickey Mouse face shaped windows. When you are there, look out for these differences. A one day ticket is usually around $60.00 and $50.00 for a child. Check out the website for more information on the seasonal prices. If you are living from America, purchase the tickets from a travel agent before you go so that you can save money. Tickets are more expensive at the gates.
2. Dinosaur Adventure Park: This is a park based around the movie Jurassic Park, complete with scary dinosaurs and other animals. This is an exciting park because it allows your family to go on an exciting river journey through Jurassic Park, well in make believe. At first I was a little worried that this was going to be a bit scary however the Japanese have done the park in a way that it is not that bad. It is thrilling however should not give your children nightmares. The park is mainly in Japanese however each spot has post markers and explanations in English. In addition, you can rent electronic devices that tell you about the exhibits in English. There is an admission charge however when I went it was less than the price of Disneyland. Call 0429 22 1370 for more information when you are in Japan.
3. Kagaku Gijutsukan: This translates into Science Museum in English. It is a hands-on museum where kids can ride in spaceships and play with multiple computer activities. Although this is not exactly a park, it is a great day of fun for a cheap price. It costs around $6.00 per person for a day. Plus, it is perfect for learning more about science while on your trip. It is best on a raining day.
4. Kodomo no Oshiro: This translates into a Children’s Castle. It is a place where children can have fun learning about music, cultural studies, singing and video games. There is also a pool and various seminars that children can attend. Admission only costs around $5.00 per person however some more involved activities may cost a bit more just to cover material costs. There are English speaking representatives on duty at all times.
5. Koritsu kagaku Hakubutsukan: This is a national science museum much like the normal museums that are all around the world. The exhibits range from dinosaurs to spaceships. In addition, it has a wonderful working model of the ’emaglev’ which is basically a futuristic magnetically levitated railway. For those seeking to learn about culture, the museum contains information about the evaluation of the Japanese society. It contains five halls of fun and learning for all ages. Call 0473 54 0001 for more information on admission charges.
6. Tokyo-to Jido-kan: This is translated into Tokyo Metropolitan Children’s Hall in English. There are seven fun-filled floors will millions of imaginable displays and scientific toys. The admission is free. For more information, feel free to contact 03 3409 6361.
7. Yomiuri Land: This is an amusement park that has many traditional roller coasters and other water and amusement rides. The most famous ride is the giant gondola-like ferris-wheel ride. Some people say they could see Mt. Fuji from this ride on clear days however I was not able to see anything. Admission rates depend on the age of the person however it is usually around $40.00 per day.
8. Tokyo Dome City: This is also an amusement park that is great fun. It is the exact location where many professional baseball games are played while also containing more than twenty different amusement park rides. It is very easy to get to from anywhere in Tokyo. The admission cost is around $30.00 per day.
9. Fukugawa Edo Shiroyokan: This translates into Fukugawa Edo Museum in English. It is about a fifteen minute walk from downtown Tokyo. This is a museum that encases an old Japanese neighborhood of Edo (17th-19th century Tokyo). It contains old shop, houses, and restaurants and so on. It is much like walking through a movie Japanese historical movie set. It is a great way to get the full image of traditional Japan before the Western cultural hit the island country. For me, the best part of this park is the option to get all dressed up as a Samurai or Geisha in traditional clothes and makeup. For a fee, you can get transformed into the traditional garment of your choice and walk around for an hour just as you would if you were in Japan in the Edo period. It is also great for picture opportunities! To get accurate directions from your hotel room call 03 3630 8625 for more information.
10. Puro Land: This is an attraction for those of you whom are familiar with Sanrio. It is a Hello Kitty Amusement Park, for this reason, I could live there! It also has attractions that include Digimon, Cinnamon, and My Melody and so on. The park offers photo opportunities with Hello Kitty (whom I love) and other Sanrio characters, boat rides, theater events, mini factories and so much more. Depending on the person’s age, the price is around $30.00.
So, here are my favorite kids’ spots to entertain and have fun while in Japan. If you are without children, these spots are still very fun to adventure. I have visited all of these locations and have had a lot of fun at each one. Some of these locations do have websites as posted, so I urge you to go over the information that is posted and make sure it is perfect for your children. Japan has so many options and I hope that your trip goes well this summer!
