jammy2by4 Posted December 31, 2011 Posted December 31, 2011 Robb, a few friends and I are planning to go to Japan next year but what would you advise to see and what good parks are there to see around the Tokyo region?
SharkTums Posted December 31, 2011 Posted December 31, 2011 ^Little more information required. How many parks are you interested in visiting? Do you like wood or steel? Are your friends willing to do parks or just you? Are you just staying in Tokyo? How far are you willing to travel? Are you a Disney fan?
robbalvey Posted December 31, 2011 Posted December 31, 2011 ^ Yeah, I mean, without any of that information I would tell you to spend at least 10-14 days in Tokyo and do the following parks: - Tokyo Disney (4 days, staying at a resort hotel on property) - Tobu Zoo - Yomiuriland - Toshimaen - Cosmoworld - Sea Paradise - What's left of LaQua - Aqua Stadium - Joypolis & the whole Tokyo Teleport area - A day trip out to Nasu Highland - A day trip out to Fuji-Q Highland
jammy2by4 Posted January 1, 2012 Author Posted January 1, 2012 We're interested in going to as many parks as our budget will allow but we have to make exceptions. One of my friends wants to go to Hello Kitty world (or something along those lines) while another wants to find the largest gaming arcade. So, what parks are a must? We have already decided to go to Fuji-Q Highland and Joypolis but other than parks, is there any thing else you would recommend? Thank you for replying and Happy New Year!
SharkTums Posted January 1, 2012 Posted January 1, 2012 ^If you like Disney AT ALL, you have to go to the Tokyo Disney Resort. It's the best of all the Disney's and simply amazing. Other than Disney and what you listed I would say maybe Yomiuriland and Tobu Zoo. What else to do? EVERYTHING!!! Just walk around and head to all the cool areas and you'll see so much. Tokyo and all of Japan really, is my favorite place on earth.
jammy2by4 Posted January 1, 2012 Author Posted January 1, 2012 Thank you and from all the trip reports I can see that you have an amazing time in Japan. What's the food like, other than McDonald's, never liked the place and we really want to try the food .
SharkTums Posted January 1, 2012 Posted January 1, 2012 ^There's noodle dishes and fried foods EVERYWHERE. In Tokyo, there's a ton of pictures and plastic displays so you don't need to worry about ordering.
rockysam382 Posted January 4, 2012 Posted January 4, 2012 Gosh am I looking forward to my already booked and confirmed Japan Trip in October this year! I'll be spending 5 days at Tokyo Disney Resort where I'll be staying together with my partner at Hilton Tokyo Bay. I'll be staying at the Shinagawa Prince for a couple of nights before Disney so Aqua Stadium will definitely be done since its within the Hotel Complex. However If I absolutely had to choose just one, which of the following parks should I do? 1)Sea Paradise 2)Cosmoworld 3)Yomiuriland 4)Tobu Zoo In theory I'd like to visit all but I will not have enough time and my partner's not such a big theme park junkie as me? I know each of these parks have different highlights, such as Kawasemi at Tobu Zoo and Blue Fall at Sea Paradise etc, so its gonna be a tough one to call? Hope you guys can provide me with some advice. Thanks a bunch!
VGplay Posted January 4, 2012 Posted January 4, 2012 For me, of those four it'd come down to Yomiuriland and Tobu Zoo. Yomiuriland is the more complete park of the two and a good example of a typical Japanese amusement park. Its pretty big and has some good rides, not to mention the neat setting on top of the hill with the gondola and everything. Bandit is notable for serving as the inspiration for Magnum and sparking the hyper wars. Don't miss the laser mazes, they were the highlight of the park. Tobu Zoo obviously has Kawasemi, but Regina was a pleasant surprise. Other than those two, there's also an Intamin drop tower and a 3D theater that I'm told shouldn't be missed (Sadly I missed it, but it got rave reviews). With Tobu you can also tie-in Hanayashiki in Asakusa pretty easily. That's a wacky little park that I think would be worth the time and expense to add on. It might be worth mentioning that Kawasemi got noticeably better over the course of the morning, going from "Well that was fun..." to "OMFG!". So I would plan on not visiting right at opening and give it a chance to warm up. Cosmoworld was a nice park that may be worth considering if they're operating their night hours, I can certainly see it being beautiful with the neon everywhere (They weren't open late on our visit). Sea Paradise was very pretty and right on the ocean. Blue Fall is just ridiculous and Surf Coaster might have been the best Togo of the trip. Other than those two rides there's the boat chute and the animal exhibits, I liked the park but probably wouldn't suggest it if you only have time to visit one. Hopefully this helps. Enjoy your trip! I already want to go back, Northern Japan 2013 anyone?
rockysam382 Posted January 4, 2012 Posted January 4, 2012 Hearing you describe all the different parks does make me wish I had the time to cover each and every one of them! In your opinion, which of Tobu Zoo or Yomiuriland would be more easily accessible? I am staying at the Shinagawa Prince so I'd prob opt for the one thats nearest? Also, I've heard that Kawasemi and Regina are closed on certain days? Is there any way for me to check before making a decision to go there? I'd sure as hell be disappointed if one or both were closed when I go there haha. Heard their opening hours are kinda short as well? Like 10am till 4:30pm? And they are closed on certain days of the week? But does anyone know whats become of Laqua? Is Thunder Dolphin ever gonna reopen? Rides like the Intamin Impulse Coaster(forgot the name) and the Drop Tower are gone as well?
SharkTums Posted January 4, 2012 Posted January 4, 2012 I already want to go back, Northern Japan 2013 anyone? Already being planned! From Shinagawa Prince, Yomiuriland will be easier and closer to hit up. Once you get closer to your trip, check the parks websites, for me it's become pretty easy figuring out what's open and closed since I've been reading the Japanese sites for 8 years now! But if you need any help deciphering just post here. LaQua had one minor safety issue on Thunder Dolphin along with two major safety issues on the spinning mouse and drop tower within about a three month period. This is basically unacceptable in Japanese culture so the majority of the park is now shut down. Some stuff is being worked on and renewed, but there's a chance we may never see Thunder Dolphin operate again. It's now been closed over a year. Mouse and Linear Gale are gone, not sure if they took the drop tower out yet, but it won't reopen.
rockysam382 Posted January 4, 2012 Posted January 4, 2012 Thanks Elissa! You have been a great help! I've had lots of trouble obtaining information from the internet about LaQua and am grateful for your advice Accessibility aside, which of Tobu Zoo or Yomiuriland would you reccomend if ya only had the option of doing one place? For me it seems to be between Kawasemi and Bandit? I will admit my sole purpose of going to those parks are to ride their main coasters? Pity FujiQ has such terrible operations if not I would consider it as well haha. And sure I will post here should I require help in deciphering information on the park websites My partner thinks I am weird but is it normal to be so obsessed when planning a trip to Japan? LOL!
SharkTums Posted January 4, 2012 Posted January 4, 2012 Personally I would choose Tobu Zoo. But Yomiuriland has more credits. They both have a woodie so that's kind of equal. I much prefer Kawasemi to Bandit. Like others have said, Yomiuriland is more the complete park with walk throughs, dark rides, etc. Tobu Zoo is well, also a Zoo! If your partner likes animals that may be a good compromise.
rockysam382 Posted January 4, 2012 Posted January 4, 2012 You hit the jackpot Elissa because my partner does indeed love animals! However I've heard the Zoo section of the park is kinda ghetto so that would be my main concern? That being said, I am looking through all the previous TPR Japan Trip Reports and deciding which parks to get to with such limited time is going to be mighty difficult LOL! I might squeeze in Cosmoworld but is it a pay per ride park or does one entrance fee entitle you to all the rides and attractions? Hanayashiki looks like a pretty neat park too and I suppose it is a decent place to relax and take a break from all the shopping and eating for a couple of hours eh?
SharkTums Posted January 4, 2012 Posted January 4, 2012 The Zoo has improved a bit over the years. It's still an 'Asian Zoo', but it didn't depress me or anything. Cosmoworld had in the past been a pay per ride park. I believe after the earthquake they started offering an all included pass as well, but I'm not sure. I'm not as big of a fan as Hanayashiki as most other people are, but it certainly is worth it if you can make it over. You'd only need a couple of hours at most there.
rockysam382 Posted January 4, 2012 Posted January 4, 2012 Hahaha cool. Being in Asian I am pretty much used to "Asian Zoo's" anyway LOL! If Cosmoworld does offer an all included pass when we're there I might consider dropping by though Vanish the Dive-Coaster does not look that impressive to me though? Its a bummer that LaQua is in the state that its in? I never got to ride Linear Gale and Thunder Dolphin and would be massively disappointed if the place closes for good though that is not within my control Oh I see that Yomiuriland has some sort of water park inside the park compound as well? My partner loves water parks but I am not sure if it'll be really awkward if we're the only foreigners there? Does that happen for you guys often?
therooboy Posted January 7, 2012 Posted January 7, 2012 I liked both but I'd hit up Tobu Zoo. 2 very worthy coasters & a great 3d simulator ride. Park was extremely quiet when i visited on weekdays, easily the quietest park ive been to in Japan. Zero ride wait times for the entire park.
larrygator Posted January 7, 2012 Posted January 7, 2012 ^I actually liked the Simulator also, even though it was dated. The surprise of the park was the area that had the Surprising House (mad house), Strange Street Thriller 2 (walk through haunt) and the 3D Theater which was one of the creepiest movies I've ever seen. But let's face it, Intamin Mega-Lite beats all.
rockysam382 Posted January 8, 2012 Posted January 8, 2012 Judging from everyone's responses, I think Tobu Zoo's a far better place to hit up as they've got an sheer Intamin goodness in the form of an Intamin Mega-Lite, Intamin Woodie and Intamin Drop Tower. I do have a thing for 3D Simulators, Walkthroughs, Mad Houses etc so I really cannot go wrong with visiting this day I suppose? Suppose my only worry is that Kawasemi could be closed on the day I happen to visit and I do notice Tobu Zoo's opening hours are kinda short as well? I heard the place is closed on certain days too?
larrygator Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 ^Let me correct myself as Surprising House is actually a Haunted Swing that appears to be built in-house. It's not an elaborately themed Vekoma or Mack Mad House. I just lump them all together since they create the same effect.
rockysam382 Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 Wow a Japanese Haunted Swing that was built in-house? That is something I have yet to see? OMG I am sure Kawasemi is gonna be friggin awesome though!
shivtim Posted January 11, 2012 Posted January 11, 2012 Definitely make sure to check ahead of time if Kawasemi is open. You can get someone who speaks Japanese (maybe at your hotel?) to call. There's also a spot on their website that lists rides closed for maintenance, but it's all in Japanese. A couple of my friends went up to Tobu last October and Kawasemi was closed all day. If you're not interested in doing the whole park all day, you can easily get all of the credits at Tobu in just an hour or so. When I went a few months ago, we had limited time, but we were able to ride Kawasemi and Regina and walk around for a bit and buy some souvenirs, and still made it back to Tokyo for a late lunch. Unfortunately the kiddie coaster was closed, and there wasn't even a train on the tracks.
rockysam382 Posted January 12, 2012 Posted January 12, 2012 Alright Sir I'll bear that in mind! If I can spend less time covering all the credits at the park, that just means I'll have more time to cover credits at other places! Oh would you happen to know if they close the coasters the moment it starts raining? I know the weather in Japan can be pretty unpredictable at times? Is that Crazy Looping Mouse still there as well?
SharkTums Posted January 12, 2012 Posted January 12, 2012 ^Togo looping mouse has been gone for some time now. They will close rides in a light rain. Drizzle should be okay.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now