Too hot outside? Quickly get yourself (and the family) to a water park where you can have a cool “splashing” time!
“I’m bored”, your kids whine on a scorching hot Japanese summer day, while you’re sitting underneath the air conditioner. Maybe you’re getting a little bored too from staying indoors all day. But what is there to do when the heat is just too unbearable? While it might not be the best time to take your family out to the park or go wandering along the streets of Tokyo, there is absolutely no better time than now to visit the water parks.
© Photo by iStock: kali9Featuring extravagant pools, thrilling slides and rides, beautiful fountains, and amazing man-made waterfalls, a water park is the perfect summer outdoor day trip for both adults and kids. If you’re ready for a bit of adventure and a splash in the cool water, check out Savvy Tokyo’s five best water park picks in and around Tokyo. Grab your sunscreen and swimsuit and move away from the air conditioner…
Please note: tattoos, including fake ones, are not permitted at any of the water parks below. Wearing full-coverage swimwear is a way to get around this, however, you cannot reveal the ink at any point in time inside the park or else you may be asked to leave without a refund.
1. Yomiuri Land Water Amusement Island (WAI)
Get a taste of the South Pacific right in the middle of Tokyo! Considered one of the best water parks in Tokyo, escape the summer heat by surrounding yourself in crystal-clear water, beautiful palm trees and beach-like shorelines. From pools for a casual dip to full-size diving pools, there is something for everyone. Plus, give your children an unforgettable summer memory at Yomiuri Land WAI which also has three thrilling water slides. And for the adults, the pools at night truly become your space as you can relax in the pools at night and enjoy watching the sunset with calm music and mood lighting. To top it all, this mind-blowing experience is just 35 minutes from Shinjuku!
- Address: 4015-1 Yanokuchi, Inagi City, Tokyo, 206-8725
- Closest Stations: Keio Yomiuriland Station (Keio Sagamihara Line)
- Ticket Prices: Entry fee varies by day: Adults: ¥3,400-¥4,000 (night pool from 5:30 pm ¥2,200), junior and senior high school students: ¥2,700-¥3,200 (¥1,700), elementary school students, preschoolers aged 3-5 and senior citizens: ¥2,300-¥2,700 (¥1,700)
- Opening Hours: Jul. 1-Sep. 10, 2023 (Hours vary. Please check the website for more information.)
- Website (English): https://www.yomiuriland.com/en/pool-wai/
2. Tokyo Summerland – Adventure Lagoon
Make a great family outing to remember and kick start your summer at one of Japan’s biggest, tropical theme water parks located just one hour away from central Tokyo. Indulge in pool paradise at this water park with its multiple outdoor pools, water slides, unique rides, fountains and man-made waterfalls. Featuring water playgrounds for those who want a bit of cool adventure on a hot day. There’s also no need to worry about the weather! Since the pool attractions are covered by a large dome, you can still have an amazing time even on a rainy day. At night, the Adventure Lagoon is beautifully lit up meaning get your camera out and take multiple photos with different poses. Do it for the grams!
- Address: 600 Kamiyotsugi, Akiruno, Tokyo 197-0832
- Closest Stations: Akigawa Station (Itsukaichi line)
- Ticket Prices: Entry fee varies by day for one day pass: Adult: ¥2,600-¥5,200, middle school students ages (13-15): ¥2,100-¥4,500, elementary school students ages (7-12): ¥1,500-¥3,700, infants/young children (ages 3+): ¥1,000-¥2,700
- Opening Hours: Jul. 1 -Sep. 24, 2023 (Hours vary. Please check the website for more information.)
- Website (English): https://www.summerland.co.jp/english/
3. Oiso Prince Hotel – Oiso Long Beach
Many hot and sweaty Tokyoites find that traveling to Oiso Long Beach is completely worth the journey to deal with the heat and to have fun. Boasting a total of eight pools including Kids Water Paradise (slides) and Fountain Children Pool, this place is kid-friendly and particularly geared towards young families. Both adults and children will be satisfied with the water attractions such as the Wave Pool with its full-fledged waves and a Diving pool full of thrills. And if that’s not enough, there’s also a whirlpool jet bath where you can enjoy the scent of the tide and feel the refreshing sea breeze. Oiso Long Beach is truly a place that offers more fun than you can handle!
- Address: 546 Kokufuhongo, Oiso-machi, Naka-gun, Kanagawa, 259-0193
- Closest Stations: Oiso Station (Tokaido line), a direct shuttle bus is available from the station.
- Ticket Prices: Entry fee: Adults: ¥4,300 (from 2 pm ¥2,600), middle and high school students: ¥2,900 (¥1,900), elementary school students and senior citizens (aged 65+): ¥2,300 (¥1,300), infants/preschoolers (ages 3+): ¥1,100 (¥700; free entry in July)
- Opening Hours: Jul. 1-Sep. 10, 2023: 9:00 am-5:00 pm (Jul. 1-7, Sep. 4-10: 10 am-5 pm)
- Websites: https://www.princehotels.co.jp/pool/oiso/
4. Tobu Super Pool
For a guaranteed fun-packed family day trip, you can’t go wrong by visiting Tobu Zoo in Saitama Prefecture. Not only can you enjoy interacting with the animals at the zoo, but there is also a leisure pool complex (open only during the summer) which includes a pool with waves, a pool with slides and even a pool just for kids. Head to the “Jabu Jabu Adventure” area where you and your children can enjoy plenty of exhilarating attractions like the rotating slide. Also, don’t miss out on the bucket splash attraction where huge water-filled buckets will tip every five minutes! And when it’s time to regain your energy, have a delicious quick bite at the restaurant located in the Whirlpool area.
- Address: 425 Tsumetagaya, Shiraoka, Saitama 349-0222
- Closest Stations: Tobu Dobutsu Koen Station (Tobu Skytree, Tobu Nikko, Tobu Isesaki lines)
- Ticket Prices: Entry fee varies by day: Adults (18+): ¥3,400-¥3,900, middle and high school students (ages 12-17): ¥2,300-¥3,300, children (ages 3-11): ¥1,200-¥2,200, senior citizens (ages 60+): ¥2,100-¥3,100
- Opening Hours: Jul. 1-2, 8-9, 15-17 & 22-31; Aug. 1-31; Sept. 2-3, 9-10, 2023: 9:30 am-5 pm (last admission 3 pm, last swim 4:30 pm)
- Websites: https://www.tobuzoo.com/pool/
5. Seibuen Yuenchi Pool
© Photo by Seibuen Yuenchi PoolJust 50 minutes from Shinjuku by train, have the time of your life with your family at the very popular Seibuen Yuenchi Pool. Open only during the summer, adults and children alike can enjoy the four spectacular pools including a wave pool, lazy river, ofune pool and children’s pool. Also, get a serious adrenaline rush on the unpredictable, exhilarating torrent slides with sharp curves and tremendous speed. For the foodies, have a taste of some Japanese summer foods such as yakisoba, somen, takoyaki while you take a mini break from the pool. Surrender yourself to the sweltering heat and get ready to have the best summer ever at Seibuen Yuenchi Pool!
- Address: 2964 Yamaguchi, Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-1145
- Closest Stations: Yuenchi-Nishi Station (Yamaguchi Line)
- Ticket Prices: Pool entry: Adult: ¥2,900 (Pool and Leisure Park entry ¥4,900), child: ¥1,900 (¥3,600)
- Opening Hours: Jul. 14-Sep. 3, 2023: 9am-5pm
- Websites: https://www.seibu-leisure.co.jp/amusementpark/pool/index.html
Do any of these water parks entice you to pack your swimsuits, jump into the pool and enjoy a splashy summer day out? Let us know which one and if you have any other water park recommendations in the comments section down below!