Yomiuriland: Tokyo's Thrilling Amusement Park Adventure

Is Yomiuriland worth the trip? Find out in this post. We’ll explore the top rides, attractions, events, and food options associated with the famous amusement park. Don’t know your way around? We’ll also reveal the best way to reach the park from anywhere in Tokyo.

Introduction:

As Japan’s main destination city for vacationing families, Tokyo has many amusement parks, and Yomiuriland is the largest of the lot. It’s also one of the favorites among local and foreign tourists. Offering a wide variety of child friendly attractions, Yomiuriland is famous for its ability to match its attractions with the seasons.

If you visit the amusement park, you’ll get to ride different kinds of roller coasters, explore magical wonderlands, play fun games, and enjoy delicious food. Although most of Yomiuriland’s attractions were made for children, adults can have fun too with activities like go-cart racing, sky shuttle riding, and bungee jumping.

Yomiuriland hosts some of the best seasonal events in the city, including the famous winter Jewellumination, which features millions of gem lights. Some tourists go as far as deliberately setting their Tokyo vacation dates to coincide with Yomiuriland seasonal events. In this post, we will delve into the park’s main attractions. But before then, here’s a brief overview with key facts about Yomiuriland.

Exploring Yomiuriland: An Overview

Yomiuriland or Yomiuri Land, is a large amusement park in Inagi, Tokyo. Millions of children and adults visit the park every year to enjoy over 43 different attractions. Besides the rides and fun experiences, Yomiuriland also offers shops, restaurants, and stunning views of natural and artificial landscapes.

Using the Keio Line or Odakyu Line, the park is only 40 minutes from Shinjuku, one of the five wards of central Tokyo. Very few amusement parks in the Kanto region can compete with Yomiuriland for size, as it’s Tokyo's largest amusement park. All of the attractions are grouped into 8 massive areas on the park grounds.

Owned and run by Yomiuri Shimbun Holdings, Yomiuriland was officially opened in 1964. Since then, it’s been one new attraction after another for the park. Below is a timeline for the addition of some of Yomiuriland’s greatest attractions:

• 1999: Gondola Sky Shuttle car

• 2012: KID-O-KID indoor playground

• 2014:  Nippon TV Lan Lan Hall

• 2016: Goodjoba!!

All of those attractions and more have made Yomiuriland one of the most beloved amusement parks in Japan. It’s also one of the few theme parks that provide natural landscapes, including a display of 1,000 cherry blossoms in spring.

Top Attractions at Yomiuriland

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular rides and attractions in Yomiuriland, and reveal details about what makes them unique. The following are the top 4 Yomiuriland attractions:

Bandit roller coaster: This is the most popular roller coaster ride in Yomiuriland. You get to zip past the park’s stunning natural landscape at 110 km/h. Riding the Bandit is the best way to view Yomiuriland’s cherry blossoms at fast speeds. You can find it in the Bandit Area. 

Giant Ferris Wheel: Yomiuriland’s ferris wheel takes you up to a 60 meter height. At its peak, you can spot the cherry trees. But there’s more. The Giant Ferris Wheel also offers fantastic views of skyscrapers in Shinjuku, the iconic Tokyo Tower, and even Mt. Fuji. At night, the ride transforms into a romantic getaway, treating you to bright illuminations from the park, the tower, and Rainbow Bridge. The ride is located in the Family Area.

Pool WAI: Yomiuriland’s Pool Water Amusement Island (WAI) is the place to be in the summer. This area is a collection of five pools with palm trees, sandy shores, and crystal-clear waters. The area boasts eight different types of water slides and is in the Aqua Area.

Goodjoba‼: This is a themed area dedicated to Japanese craftsmanship (monozukuri). It contains five factories, each one representing a different industry. Feel free to try your hands on crafting items from the fashion, food, space, stationery, and automotive industries.

Yomiuriland Jewellumination: A Sparkling Spectacle

Yomiuriland's famous 'Jewellumination' is one of Japan’s best illumination shows. It lasts for several months, typically starting in mid-October and ending in early April the next year. Jewellumination is a festival of light that uses LEDs made by Motoko Ishii Lighting Design to resemble jewelry colors. It also features dozens of other design elements, attractions, and shows.

Many park facilities and areas will be illuminated at night, including the Giant Ferris Wheel, Bandit, Giant Sky River, Wai Wai Jungle, and Gujjoba!! One of the main attractions during this period is the 180-meter long promenade with illuminated trees. You’ll also find several passages and gates decorated with light.

Jewellumination includes several exciting shows that take place multiple times a day. These shows range from dance performances to fountain shows like “La Fontaine” “Silhouette” and “Love Earth.” There will be photographers at the venues to create a commemorative mini photo card for you free of charge. All illuminations begin at 4:00pm and end at 8:00pm. Getting there an hour or two before closing will allow you to enjoy the lights during peak darkness.

Family Fun: Kid-Friendly Attractions at Yomiuriland

Although most of Yomiuriland’s attractions are kid-friendly, the gentler rides are located in the Family Area. The area is filled with fun activities for children of any age. However, kids 5 years of age or younger will require a chaperone to take rides. The Giant Ferris Wheel is the highlight of the Family Area. Kids can also enjoy life as firefighters with the "Kesshippi" fire engine. The Sea Lion Show offers a chance for the family to see cute sea lions put on a performance for the audience. Before you leave the Family Area, the entire group can ride the Kids Railway "Oliver."

In the Bandit Area, you’ll find the Animal Rescue, a fun shooting ride where the family protects animals. Spooky fun can be family fun too. Simply head over to the Haunted House on Flag Street. The Jurassic Car ride attraction is also located on the street. Our recommendations will be incomplete without the mention of Merry-Go-Land Dog, one of the safest rides in Plaza Stage of the Sun.

Seasonal Events and Festivals

Yomiuriland hosts various seasonal events and festivals throughout the year. The owners apparently understand the need for families to spend time outdoors during the holiday season. Hence, the park provides facilities and attractions to meet these needs.

Yomiuriland’s most famous seasonal event is the Sakura festival, held every spring. The park provides different ways to view cherry blossoms, both on land and in the air. At night, these trees are illuminated, creating an ethereal scene. You can take a serene stroll through the 180-meter long cherry tree lane. Viewing the cherry trees from the Gondola Sky Shuttle feels like walking on air. The shuttle connects the park to Keio Yomiuri Land Station. For fast viewing, the Bandit roller coaster and Giant Ferris Wheel are the best options. The best time to view cherry trees is from late March to early April, when the cherries are in full bloom.

Summertime is typically reserved for poolside activities and events in the Aqua Area, as it transforms into Pool WAI!. On cold winter nights, Jewellumination looks even more magical than usual. The park also hosts several spooky events to celebrate Halloween in places like the Haunted House.

Dining Options in Yomiuriland

If you work up an appetite from partaking in all the fun, you don’t have to leave Yomiuriland to enjoy exquisite foods. There are more than 10 eateries in the park. Dining options include Restaurant Goodday and La Piscine. They offer western-style meals on their menu, and you’ll love their spaghetti carbonara, cutlet curry, and omelette.

If you’re looking for affordable meals that you can enjoy on-the-go, we recommend that you get a chicken burger, soft serve ice cream, tapioca, or rice ball sticks at Food Terrace Loop or Food Station. Fans of Japanese-style noodles can get Saikai Ramen’s signature flying fish ramen soup or the different kinds of noodles offered by Udon and Soba Tarafuku. Yomiuriland also includes a Starbucks coffee shop, a popcorn stall, and a Canadian French fries stall. 

Tips for Visiting Yomiuriland

Yomiuriland offers all-year attractions and amenities, so you can visit at any time of the year. However, the best time to visit during the spring is late March to early April because that’s when the cherry trees are in full bloom. We recommend that you visit the park in the morning, right after its 10:00am opening. The park would be less crowded during that period, greatly reducing how long you have to wait for each ride.

Yomiuriland has a simple ticket system. You pay an admission fee to enter the park, and then individual, separate fees for each ride. We highly recommend that you get the One-Day pass instead. It gives you access to the park and an unlimited number of rides. However, the pass does not include access to the Giant Sky River, bungee jump, Sky Shuttle cable car, and a few other rides. Try to get in as early as possible to maximize your day and get the most out of your Yomiuriland pass. Admission fees and One-Day pass prices vary with age. Adults aged 18 to 64 pay the most, while children and senior citizens pay the least.

Water Fun at Yomiuriland: Pool WAI

During the summer, Pool WAI is open in the Aqua Area of Yomiuriland, typically from late June to mid-September. The “WAI” in its name means Water Amusement Island. Although it's a part of Yomiuriland, Pool WAI looks and feels like an independent amusement park with a sole focus on water themes. You even have to pay a separate admission fee to get in.

There are five swimming and diving pools in the area where you and the family can cool off beside the beach-like shorelines. The park also boasts eight different water slides. Some days, you can get a night pass to enjoy serene pools and relaxing music. Please note that tattoos are not allowed in Pool WAI

Yomiuriland’s Roller Coasters: Thrills and Spills

The most thrilling rides at the park, and indeed, the best way to use your day pass, are the roller coasters. There are three main roller coasters at the park. Below is an in-depth look at their unique features:

• Bandit: The most thrilling roller coaster at the park. It travels at 110 km/h and offers views of cherry blossoms. Bandit is only available for kids 6 years of age or older.

• Wandit: This roller coaster is not as thrilling as Bandit, but it’s a lot of fun, according to visitor reviews. Kids aged 3 years or older can ride it.

• Spin Runway: The first spiral-lift indoor roller coaster in Japan. You have to be at least 4 years old to board the ride.

Getting to Yomiuriland: Access and Transportation

The best way to get to Yomiuriland by public transport is to take a train to Keio Yomiuriland Station. From there, you can either take an Odakyu bus directly to the park or ride the Gondola Sky Shuttle from the station to the park (5 to 10 minutes). There are at least 7 different ways to get to Keio Yomiuriland Station by train from major points in Tokyo. You can take a train to Keio Yomiuriland Station from any of the following stations:

• Shinjuku Station (25 minutes)

• Shibuya Station (35 minutes)

• Ikebukuro Station (40 minutes)

• Tokyo Station (45 minutes)

• Shinagawa Station (50 minutes)

• Haneda Airport Station (75 minutes)

• Narita Airport Station (120 minutes)

If you’re driving a car to the address (4015-1 Yanokuchi, Inagi City, Tokyo), there’s a parking lot available for visitors. However, this gets crowded on weekends and holidays, so you may be directed to a temporary lot. Please note that you might be charged a parking fee to use any of the lots.

Conclusion:

Endless fun and excitement await you at Yomiuriland! From thrilling rides to luxurious pools, the park has everything you’ll need to escape the hustle of city life. Yomiuriland is a must-visit destination for families, thrill-seekers, and anyone looking to experience one of Tokyo’s top amusement parks.

Besides visiting family-friendly attractions, you and your family can relax by enjoying delicious Japanese treats at home. Get a Snack Box Subscription today and we’ll send you a box of authentic sweets and treats from Japan every month.