Winter play lands

You might think amusement parks in winter are like eerie ghost towns waiting for the weather to warm up and come to life. However, apart from Tokyo Summerland and Nasu Highland Park which close for about a month’s worth of maintenance, and Asakusa Hanayashiki which shut down for five days or so, amusement parks in and around Tokyo not only stay open all year round, but also offer a slew of winter events and discounted rates.

Toshimaen and Yomiuri Land host cosplay events and flea markets, and Seibu Yuenchi offers visitors the chance to experience fishing for nijimasu (rainbow trout) in a large artificial pool with flowing water.

Not only are the parks less crowded in the winter, but the special events and bargain prices definitely take the bite out of any cold weather there may be. The trick to enjoying Tokyo’s various winter wonderlands is be sure to bundle up well beforehand. Keep in mind that just like the winter, the discounts don’t last forever so remember to check the times and prices before you set out.

Tokyo Dome City Amusement Park

Events
Mar 20: Opening of a new area named ‘Splash Garden’

Discounts
New graduates special ticket: includes unlimited use of the rides among other privileges /General admission: ¥4,000, junior high school students and younger ¥2,000, high school students and older, ¥2,500.

Available every Wednesday /One Day Passport: adults (junior high school students and older) ¥3,500 (reduced from ¥4,000); children (3 years and older) ¥2,500 (reduced from ¥3,500)

(Full details & map)

Toshimaen

Events
Sat Feb 27-Sun Feb 28, Sat Mar 27-Sun Mar 28: Cosplayer and Cosplay Fan Festival (Japan Cosplay Festival (JCF) in Toshimaen)

Sat Mar 13-Sun Mar 14: Flea market at Toshimaen /Admission: adults (junior high school students older) ¥200 (reduced from ¥1,000); children (3 years and older) ¥500 (not reduced)

Discounts
‘Destination Vancouver: Fan’s Campaign’: includes park admission, ice skating, rental skates and 5 rides /Admission: adults ¥2,500 (reduced from ¥3,000), children ¥2,000 (reduced from ¥2,500)

Discount for those named Mao, Daisuke, Miki, and Nobunori: includes park admission, skating, rental skates Admission: adults ¥1,200 (reduced from ¥2,000), children ¥1,200 (reduced from ¥1,500)

(Full details & map)

Palette Town

Sun Feb 28: Happy Market Odaiba
Website: www.palette-town.com/topics/

Palette Town Ferris wheel: open until 11pm on Sat-Sun & days prior to nat. holidays
Website: www.daikanransha.com/

Hanayashiki

This quaint and historical amusement park is open on modified hours during the winter season. Feb:Open 10am–5pm, Mar: 10am-6pm.
(Full details & map)

Arakawa Yuen

Open as usual from 9am–5pm.
Website: www1.tcn-catv.ne.jp/acc/arakawa_yuen/yuuen01.html

Yomiuri Land

Events
Until Sun Apr 11: Hanako-san’s Graduation (regularly scheduled performance), Special Haunted House (limited time only)
Sat Feb 27: Yoshimoto owarai (comedy show) Festival 3 in Yomiuri Land
Sat Feb 27 & Sun Feb 28: Flea Market
Sun Feb 28: Cosplay in Yomiuri Land
Sun Feb 28, Mon Mar 8: Ume matsuri (includes ume plum juice giveaway while supplies last)

Discounts
Until Mon Mar 15:Official Homepage Limited Discount Coupon /One Day Pass (admission and attractions): adults (18 years or over) /seniors (60 years or over) ¥3,700 (reduced from ¥3,900); children (3 years and older) ¥2,800 (reduced from ¥2,900) /General Admission: adults ¥1,400 (reduced from ¥1,600); children ¥700 (reduced from ¥800); seniors ¥800 (not reduced) /Kids Ride Pass (admission and 14 kid’s attractions): adults/seniors ¥2,500 (reduced from ¥2,600); children ¥1,700 (reduced from ¥1,800)

Website: www.yomiuriland.co.jp/

Seibuen Yuenchi

Events
Until Wed May 5: Nijimasu (rainbow trout) Fishing
Sun Mar 21: Nijimasu CUP
Fri Feb 26-Sun Mar 7, Restaurant mon.vert is offering a special ‘VancouBurger’

Discounts
Until Fri Feb 26: Special Winter Weekday Plan /One Day Free Ticket: includes admission, attractions and skating, skate rental not included. Adults (junior high school students and older) ¥2,500 (reduced from ¥3,200); children (3 years and older) ¥2,000 (reduced from ¥2,700)

Until Sun Mar 7: Special After 2pm Plan /Includes admission, attractions and skating, skate rental not included.) Adults (junior high school students and older) ¥2,000; children (3 years and older) ¥1,500

Sat Mar 6-Sun Mar 14: White Day Ticket /Includes admission, 10 attractions per couple) ¥3,000.

Until Wed Mar 31: Classmate Free Pass /Includes admission, attractions and ice skating , Hello Kitty’s Märchen Town and skate rental not included. Available to groups of 4 students or more (from elementary school students to university or college students): ¥1,500 per person.

Website: www.seibu-group.co.jp/rec/yuenchi/

Tokyo Summerland

Closed until Fri May 5 for maintenance and refurbishing.
Website: www.summerland.co.jp/english/

Yokohama Cosmoworld

Events
Until Sun Feb 28: Ferris Wheel Cosmo Clock 21 Illumination (green illuminations will be changed to pink/red)
Now open: Ferris Wheel Cosmo Clock 21 See Through Gondola (2 cars)
Now open: 100 Clione (small floating sea slugs) at Ice World (limited time only)

(Full details & map)

Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise

Discounts
Until Fri Mar 5: Internet Special Coupon (available through the website) /One Day Pass and Aqua Theatre discount (coupon): adults (high school students and older) ¥4,300 (reduced from ¥4,900); elementary school and junior high school students ¥3,200 (reduced from ¥3,700); children (4 years and older) ¥1,900 (reduced from ¥2,300)

Until Fri Mar 5: Sea Paradise Special Birthday Anniversary Plan /Aqua Resorts Pass: adults (high school students and older) ¥2,430 (reduced from ¥2,700); elementary school and junior high school students ¥1,440 (reduced from ¥1,600); children (4 years and older) ¥720 (reduced from ¥800)

One Day Pass: adults (high school students and older) ¥3,800 (reduced from ¥4,400); elementary school and junior high school students ¥2,800 (reduced from ¥3,200); children (4 years and older) ¥1,600 (reduced from ¥1,800)

Until Wed Mar 31: Gakuwari (student discount voucher) One Day Pass 2010 (plus special gift): ¥3,300 (reduced from ¥4,400 until Mar 5, and reduced from ¥4,900 from Mar 6 until Mar 31)

From Wed Feb 3 until Wed Mar 31: One Day Pass discounts for Yokohama residents

Aqua Resorts Pass (3 Aquariums)and Pleasure Land Pass (Rides and Attractions): adults (high school students and older) ¥3,500 (reduced from ¥4,900 (¥4,400 until March 5th); elementary school and junior high school students ¥2,700 (reduced from ¥3,500 (¥3,200 until March 5th)); children (4 years and older) ¥1,500 (reduced from ¥2,000 (¥1,800 until March 5th)); senior (aged 65 and over) ¥2,000 (reduced from ¥4,900, ¥4,400 until March 5th)

Website: www.seaparadise.co.jp/english/

Fuji-Q Highland

Events Until the middle of March: Yuki Asobi Grende (snow playground) at Dodonpa (next to Fujiyama Museum)

Discounts
Until Sun Apr 4: Student’s Earth Day Campaign /Admission: university/junior college/vocational school students ¥3,700 (reduced from ¥4,800), junior high and high school students ¥3,500 (reduced from ¥4,300)

Website: www.fujiq.jp/english/

Nasu Highland Park

Closed until Fri Feb 26

Events
Sat Feb 27-Tue Aug 31 ‘Kello Kitty Black Wonder’– Rescue Hello Kitty & Dear Daniel’
Sat Mar 20-Mon Mar 22 ‘Lego Classroom’
Website: nasuhai.co.jp/

Related articles:
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　Enjoying the city for nothing
・Taking to the ice
　Experience the city’s new top outdoor skating rink
・Tokyo’s winter festivals
　Celebrate the season with cold-weather festivals