Japan Amusement Parks?

My husband has always wanted to go to Japan for a vacation. I never really had an interest, but then I thought, "Well, I bet there is at least one really good park there that I could visit while he stocks up on Japan exclusive PlayStation equipment". However, I know that many of their parks are little shady parks that probably aren't th safest. Or am I wrong? Does anyone here know of some reputable amusement parks in Japan?

DisneySea is definitely the star. I have only been to the Tokyo area parks and it was the only one to absolutely blow me away. Fujikyu was decent, but gawd they are slow. They other area parks are very safe. In japan they are so strict on their clientele, they don't even allow people in with tattoos. Apparently the youth of ill repute are all tatted up.

The ride selection though is a bit meh. Of the other parks I went to - Toshimaen, Yomiuriland, Nasu, Tobu Zoo, Fujikyu and Sea Paradise, I would go back to Tobu again for that megalite.

The city of Tokyo itself though....amazing.... I think it is as perfect a city as they come.

Well, thank you! Very good to know!

Japanese parks are (for the most part) fine. There was a big scandal there a few years ago after a fatal accident at Expoland - a lack of safety inspections - that resulted in a lot of parks being closed - but those that are around now are fine.

As the previous poster says, DisneySea is the star - but it's worth doing Nagashima Onsen, Universal in Osaka, Lagunasia, and more; it all depends on what part of the country you're in. It's an awful park, but if you want major coasters, there's also Fuji-Queue...

I've got some trip reports here:

http://www.bannister.org/coasters/trips/2005/0827.htm

I honestly didn't know there was a Disney park in Japan. Had thought about the Universal park as well. And I would just love to see Tokyo as well. I do have concerns about my husband starving to death though because he is one of the pickiest eaters I have ever met. *insert eye roll here*

My friend went to DisneySea, and that's all he was raving about for quite a while. e liked it more than Disneyland in California. For just rides though, the park isn't very great. But do NOT miss Tokyo. Try getting a multiple-story hotel near the downtown section of Tokyo and getting a room in the top floor. (P>S> Make sure there is a window.) I don't remember the one I stayed in, but the window was retractable (there's still a mesh on the other side to keep you from falling out), and at night, the view was just awesome. Also make sure to eat in the right places. Some of the major restaurants there have the best food I've ever had in my life, but one of my buddies got food poisoning for three whole days from having sushi he bought from a vendor on the streets. Have fun!

bunky666 said:

I do have concerns about my husband starving to death though because he is one of the pickiest eaters I have ever met. *insert eye roll here*

You've never met ME.

The first time I went to visit a friend in Tokyo (he was working at Tokyo DisneySea), the first night we went for Italian for dinner, the second night for Indian, the third night to TGI Friday's. For lunches we did everything from a street festival to Kentucky Fried Chicken.

There are plenty of choices for dining, I'm sure your husband will something he'll enjoy.

And, yes, DisneySea is the star.

This is all great info! Thanks everyone! This isn't happening for years and years probably (by then my back may not be able to tolerate the coasters anyway), but this makes me wanna stop renovating my house and put the money all to the Japan trip!

Priorities, Bunky...priorities :)

bunky666 said:

I honestly didn't know there was a Disney park in Japan. Had thought about the Universal park as well. And I would just love to see Tokyo as well. I do have concerns about my husband starving to death though because he is one of the pickiest eaters I have ever met. *insert eye roll here*

Shouldn't be a problem. All the major western fast food places exist all over Japan.

Travel and parks and life experience versus fixing the carpets and doors and pretty much everything in this darn house? Tough call for priorities. ;)

To me my house is just like a boat, I go to the end of the dock and through money in a pit. Unfortunately, I learned after dropping nearly $30 thousand on my house that I basically just threw that money away. I bought my house at the wrong time of the housing bubble. So, long story short I spend no money on my house now and have a blast doing what I want to do. My priorities are what I want them to be at any given time.

The shadiest park in Japan is better than our safest. Don't even think anything different.

Unless you're only talking about summer time and the temps... well... then buckle up, because it's hotter than heckfire there.

By the way, I'd recommend Hirakata Park near Osaka, or Himeji, west of Kobe. Awesome parks, pretty parks, very small crowd parks. Enjoy.