Explore Japan’s immersive theme parks and attractions, where unique adventures and unforgettable memories await the whole family. These attractions offer cutting-edge technology and interactive experiences for all ages and can be found across both major cities and more rural areas.
Rich Manga Heritage and Unique Attractions in Toshima City
Tokiwaso: Former home of manga legends in Toshima City.
© Toshima City Tokiwaso Manga Museum
Tokyo’s Toshima City is a place where manga and anime culture thrives. Within Toshima City, the Ikebukuro area is a hub for anime specialty stores, offering a wide range of goods from comics and books to clothing and household items, many of which cannot be found outside of Japan.
The Toshima City Tokiwaso Manga Museum is a reproduction of Tokiwaso, which was once home to legendary manga artists, including the prolific Osamu Tezuka, the creator of works such as Astro Boy and Black Jack. A large part of the museum has been recreated to resemble that era where these manga masters lived in the 1950s, providing visitors with an immersive glimpse into their lives. You can also check out the museum’s online virtual reality information for 360-degree images and an explanation of museum highlights of the exhibits in English.
An immersive and panoramic cinema experience in Ikebukuro.
After stepping back in time to learn about the origins of Japanese manga, be sure to stop by the futuristic ULTRA 4DX movie theater in Ikebukuro. The theater offers an immersive experience in which movies are synchronized in real-time on a three-sided screen with a 270-degree field of view and special effects such as motion seats that move back and forth, left and right, up and down, water, mist, and scents!
Immersive Ocean Experiences and Scenic Views in Numazu
Admire the “View-O” watergate, an architectural marvel and observation deck.
For an ocean-themed immersive experience, head to the coastal city of Numazu in Shizuoka Prefecture, which is only around one hour from Tokyo when taking the Shinkansen bullet train to Mishima, and changing for a local train to Numazu there. First, head to Numazu Port and stop by the Numazu Port Water Gate Observation Deck “View-O” for 360-degree views of Mt. Fuji and the Hakone mountains.
After taking in the scenic views from View-O’s observation deck, head to the nearby Minato 83 Banchi complex, whose restaurants offer freshly caught seafood dishes from Numazu Port.
Explore the depths of Suruga Bay through deep-dive VR.
Photo: Deep Cruise
Finally, be sure to embark on an ocean-themed immersive adventure at the nearby VR adventure facility to experience “Deep Cruise,” a virtual reality attraction equipped with 4D elements. Here you can control a submersible, explore the marine life that lives around Suruga Bay, and search for undersea ruins!
More Immersive Adventures in Japan for Adults and Children
Diverse entertainment options await in Tokyo’s Odaiba district.
Tokyo’s Odaiba district is a vibrant entertainment hub suitable for the whole family, offering a wide range of attractions including a VR amusement park, retro arcade games, unique museums, and shopping malls. Even the journey to Odaiba can be considered an attraction in itself, via a driverless train across the famous Rainbow Bridge or you can travel there by boat from Hinode Pier.
From Odaiba’s waterfront, you can also enjoy a stunning view of the Tokyo skyline, featuring famous landmarks like the Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower.
Discover interactive and immersive walk-through theater experiences at Immersive Fort Tokyo.
Photo by: Immersive Fort Tokyo
Advances in technology in recent years, including virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), have expanded the possibilities for immersive entertainment experiences, including theater performances.
Odaiba’s recently opened immersive theater-style attraction really gets the audience involved, blurring the lines between performer and spectator. Attractions include a walk-through Sherlock Holmes mystery, an adults-only Tales of Edo Oiran performance that transports you back in time, and a spy-themed street performance, which features exciting live-action battles and martial arts displays.
Did you know Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture also offers immersive attractions designed especially for children? In addition to family-friendly activities such as visiting Nagoya Castle, the aquarium, the science museum, and the train museum, there is also an AR/VR theme park perfect for young adventurers.
You can also find this theme park in other cities around Japan, such as Matsudo in Chiba Prefecture and Hiroshima City in Hiroshima Prefecture. Each location features popular attractions like "PAPER RIKISHI," which sees scanned drawings come to life and transform into paper sumo wrestlers on screen!
AR "SAND PARTY!" experience where children can build mountains and search for treasure chests.
© Litpla Inc.
When traveling around Japan, be sure to experience the latest VR and AR attractions—they're perfect for any weather!
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About the author
Author: Tanja Warwick
Profile: Tanja is a seasoned freelance travel writer and content marketer, brings rich experience collaborating with hotel brands, airlines, tour operators, and tourism boards. Her expertise was honed after studying Japanese and Journalism in London, and further enriched during four years living in Japan, where she immersed herself in its vibrant culture and history.
