Beating the Heat at Tokyo’s Waterparks

Aug 28, 2024

Beating the Heat at Tokyo’s Waterparks

According to the latest weather reports, us Tokyo residents will be experiencing high temperatures until October. While we are basically at the zenith of heat in August, it is still going to be awhile before things get comfortable. So what’s something to do when the air outside is thick with humidity, cicadas begin their endless chirping, and the stores start stocking endless varieties of flavored bottled water and teas? Sure, we could go to the beach, but it is really hot out. And also, sometimes we’d like to cool off a bit closer to town. Good thing there are several great waterparks around the metropolis!

Here’s our guide to some of the best waterparks to take a beat the heat and catch a few thrills at the same time:

Tokyo Summerland

Located less than 2 hours away from Shinjuku in the city of Akiruno, this sprawling amusement park has rides like roller coasters and a Ferris wheel, but is well known for its water park.
Both outdoor and indoor sections are outfitted with various water slides, fountains, and pools that can keep visitors entertained for the whole day. And when that isn’t enough, a hotel is also available.

Water park schedule:
Tokyo Summerland is open year round, except during the winter season where it is closed from December through February. Which, fair enough. 

Ticket Prices: Ticket prices are variable, so it is best to review the website before going. 

• Regular Period: March to  May, October
• Summer Period: June 1 – September 30
• Admission Ticket: This ticket includes Admission + use of Adventure Dome (Indoor Pool) +Adventure Lagoon (Outside Pool, opens during summer season only) + Water slides (excluding DEKASLA).
• Free Pass Ticket: This ticket includes use of facility available with the Admission ticket + use of DEKASLA (opens during summer season only) + unlimited ride on rides (excluding some part of rides, coin-operated rides).*

Access:

• JR Chuo Line [JC] or Keio Line [KO] to Hachioji Station. Transfer to city bus services that offer direct access to the amusement park from there.
• Map Link
• 600 Kamiyotsugi, Akiruno-shi, Tōkyō-to 197-0832
• Tel: 042-558-6511
• www.summerland.co.jp

Yomiuri Land Water Amusement Island

Located about an hour away from central Tokyo is one of the larger and well-known amusement parks, Yomiuriland. The park offers over 25 types of attractions including modern thrill rides and water fumes as well as kid-friendly rides.

The park also opens its water park in the summer time. The water amusement island which is also know to locals as WAI offers several pools including an Anpanman-themed kids’ pool and various sliders featuring the Giant Sky River which stands at 24.5 meters and has a 386 meters downhill runway, navigable only with the use of a four-seater inflatable ring.

Special Events are also held throughout the summer including various shows, synchronize swimming performances, and summer water races.

Water park schedule:
July 01 to September 10, 2017 | 9:00 – 17:00.

Ticket Prices: JPY 1,800 for adults, JPY 1,500 for Middle school and high school students,  JPY 1,000 for children and seniors.

Access:

• Keio Line [KO] Keio-Yomiuri-Land Station.
  From there, cross the street and board the “Gondola Sky Shuttle” to get to the the park gate.
• Odakyu Line [OH] Yomiuri Land-Mae Station.
  Transfer to buses bound for Yomiuri Land.
• Address: 4015-1 Yanokuchi, Inagi-shi, Tokyo 206-8725
• Phone：044-966-1111
• Website: www.yomiuriland.com

Tobu Super Pool

Located north of Tokyo in Saitama prefecture, Tobu Dobutsuen-Koen consists of an amusement park, a zoo area, and leisure pool complex which is open during the summer season. The pool area has many slides, a lazy river, and a wave pool with giant fountains.

Water park schedule:
June 29 to September 16, 9:30 – 18:00

Ticket Prices:  Ticket prices are variable, so it is best to review the website before going.

Access:

• Direct service is available via Tokyo Metro’s Hanzomon line [Z] and Hibiya line [H] that continue onto the Tobu Skytree line [TS] to Tobu-Dobutsukoen Station. From there, shuttle service is available to the park.
• Map link
• Address: 110 Suka, Miyashiro-machi, Minami Saitama-gun, Saitama
• Phone：048-093-1200
• Website: www.tobuzoo.com

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