Family-friendly Theme Parks in Tokyo, Osaka and More
It’s lucky that Japan has so many public holidays, resulting in three-day weekends. Then there’s Golden Week in spring, Obon holidays in late summer and Oshogatsu year-end and New Year’s extended breaks. And to give you something to do, we’re sharing our theme park bucket list so your family trips come with some thrills.
Warner Bros. studio tour Tokyo: The Making of Harry Potter (Nerima)
“The Making of Harry Potter” in Tokyo’s Nerima Ward is where the Toshima-en pool and amusement park stood for decades (1926–2020). Now you’ll discover the secrets of the Wizarding World and immerse yourself in the magical world of filmmaking, with access to Japan-exclusive sets such as Platform 9 ¾, Diagon Alley and the Great Hall. Learn backstage secrets about creature effects, costumes and even a model of Hogwarts Castle. Other unique experiences include broomstick flying, a floo powder experience and a moving portrait. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo also runs time-limited special events to keep you wanting to come back for more.
Junglia Okinawa: Nature and adventure in Yanbaru
Junglia Okinawa is billed as a theme park that will make your trip to Okinawa “the best it can be.” You can spend the whole day here or combine it with a northern tour in the afternoon, which the staff can help arrange. In addition to exciting attractions, there is gourmet food made with Okinawan ingredients and a spa with a spectacular view of the Yanbaru region.
The current centerpiece is a new attraction which will open around Golden Week 2026: the Yanbaru Tornado rollercoaster. Meanwhile, on Jan. 24, 2026, Gravity Drop began operations with its 20-meter fall and a panoramic view of the forest. Other attractions include the Dinosaur Safari; the Yanbaru Rail; Treasure Fight; Sky-end Trekking over a suspension bridge; Tree-top Trekking; “Junglia Splash Fes,” a festival full of bubbles; “Junglia Night Fes,” a finale to the Okinawan night; and the Buggy Voltage course through nature.
PokéPark Kanto: Pokémon adventures at Yomiuriland (Inagi City)
PokéPark Kanto is a Pokémon-packed trainer’s area located within Yomiuriland Amusement Park in Tokyo’s Inagi City. It invites Pokémon trainers to embark on an adventure through the Pokémon Forest and newly-created Sedge Town. It opened in February 2026, and is over 1,600 feet in length featuring hilly paths, tall grass, tunnels, rocky trails and more, where inhabitants run, battle and share berries. The town has a market full of goods as well as the Pokémon Center, Poké Mart, Gym, Pokémon parade and the town’s iconic Primarina Fountain. For thrill seekers, the Pika Pika Paradise is a ride powered by over 30 electric-type Pokémon, while Vee Vee Voyage is an enchanting carousel.
Ghibli Park: Studio Ghibli magic in Aichi
Ghibli Park continues to introduce new areas, such as the March 2024 Valley of Witches, which includes a European-style townscape, and the October 2023 Princess Mononoke Village, which has a hands-on learning center and slide. Five themed areas cut across the massive former grounds of Expo 2005, also known as the Aichi Commemorative Park or Moricoro Park.
The other three zones are Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse, which includes a screening room and three exhibitions; Hill of Youth with its world emporium and film locations; and the for-kids-only Dondoko Forest. The five eateries together are sure to appeal to everyone’s palate, and the nine shops offer places to browse and rest a spell.
Adventure world: Wildlife and fun in Wakayama
Wakayama Adventure World is south of Osaka and has some 800,000 square meters of park ground that includes a large-scale zoo, aquarium and amusement park. Marine Live is a venue where dolphins and whales give dynamic performances, and a Wild Animal Medical Center on the first floor focuses on research regarding breeding and species conservation.
The Marine Animal Pavilion offers a view of polar animals and there are restaurants and stores in front of the cascading waterfall. Safari World exhibits herbivorous animals, powerful carnivorous animals and land animals in their natural state. There is an open space for people to interact with small animals and enjoy the world of hippopotamuses, chimpanzees and birds. Located at the entrance is Fureal Plaza, where visitors engage all five senses while interacting with animals within the warmth of a wooden structure.
Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise (Kanagawa)
Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise is a theme park where you can experience the sea, island life and ocean creatures. This complex marine leisure facility contains four aquariums, various attractions and a wide variety of shopping stores, restaurants and hotels.
Aqua Museum is based on the concept of how the connection between the sea and the islands survives through aquariums. Dolphin Fantasy is bathed in natural light to observe dolphins from a unique perspective. Fureai Lagoon removes as many barriers as possible for you to interact with sea creatures. Pleasure Land offers an array of attractions that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike, such as the Surf Coaster Leviathan, Viking ship and Flight Eagle.
Edo Wonderland: Jjourney to the samurai era (Nikko)
Edo Wonderland is a recreated Edo village (1603–1868) in Nikko, north of Tokyo, where ninja, samurai, princesses and courtesans still reside.
Through Jiku Kimono Rental, visitors can be transformed into an Edo citizen. From intense Ninja performances to heartwarming human comedy and traditional arts, Edo Wonderland offers various theaters with unique performances you cannot experience elsewhere. Japan’s food culture flourished during the Edo period — from soba, yakitori and donburi to Edo sweets. Traditional souvenirs like Edo “kiriko” cut glassware and beni rouge pigment extracted from safflower petals can be found here.
Wherever and whenever you might want to spend your Japanese holidays, there’s a theme park that’ll take you there. The only struggle is choosing which: ancient Japan, a world of imagination or maybe just the tranquility of the sea and sky.
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