This theme
park is a one-of-a-kind experience, it has rides like Six Flags Magic Mountain set on a hillside in Kawasaki (just outside
of Tokyo). It's familiar enough to make you feel comfortable and unusual enough to bring home some pretty great
pictures. Here you can ride roller coasters, bungee jump, walk through japanese haunted houses and even visit a mega
spa.
The mascot for Yomiuriland is a creature
named LandDog, he's supposed to be an alien who landed in Yomiuriland on his spaceship, so no one knows how much he's really
like a dog.
These statues at the entrance to the park, represent the japanese extreme-ride-enthusiast
that Yomiuriland wants to welcome.
The
guy in the front wearing only a fundoshi (a type of underwear usually reserved for matsuri (festivals)) has no tattoos clearly
indicating that's he's not a Yakuza (japanese feudal gang member), and probably wearing a tie for the same reason. He's
just a gutsy guy, that's all, a real manly man. The two in back represent the more westernized version of a tough guy
(not bullies).
Overview:
Please see the YouTube video below of our trip there in 2010 to
get a feel for how the park is:
White Canyon - This wooden
roller coaster is alot like "Colossus" in Six Flags Magic Mountain. If you like wooden coasters, you'll love this
one, although we've heard that it might be a little bumpier than one's american's are used to.
White Canyon Entrance
Bandit - This steel monster is the most popular coaster in Yomiuriland, built in 1988 as the fastest, tallest
coaster in the world Bandit holds a pretty good record to this day. The first drop is 256 feet in length and reaches
speeds up to 68 mph. If you need a comparison Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain is similar.
...and there's
the first drop.
Bungee Jump - It IS a bungee jump. You have to weigh between 83 - 240 pounds to take the 7 story jump.
It's a fairly tame bungee jump as bungee jumps go, and what we think is cool about it is they
have a crash pad below like real stunt men and after the jump instead of reeling you back up, they lower you down on
the soft pad and you can walk away. Anyway, if you want to impress your friends with the phrase "I've
been bungee jumping in Tokyo!" this could be your ideal opportunity. Of note: the Bungee jump costs ¥900.
House of Terror - The japanese are fascinated with ghosts and spirits, it's their primary source of fear. Most
horror movies in Japan will feature a ghost and if you've ever seen the movie "The Ring" (originally produced in Japan as
"Ringu") it'll give you a good sense of what a japanese ghost story is like.
Who knew Gilligan's
island could be so scary. Where's the Skipper? Did you make new friends, little buddy?
..and looking
at Mary Ann, it's hard to imagine what "Lovey Howell" looks like!
Oh well...let's hope the Professor has a plan! After that it's
time to take a break.
OKANOYU - This mega spa has separate baths for men and women, that recreate the great Onsen of Japan.
You can see in the map below the men's baths are coded blue and the women's in red. We'll point out a few features below:
1/1 - Warm Sea Salt Bath 2/2 - Warm Silk Bath 3/3 - Warm Bed Bath
11/11 - Super Jacuzzi 19/19 - Hot Pot 20/20 - Sauna Tower
Restaurants - There are several
restaurants in Yomiuriland all serving traditional japanese snacks and dishes like Curry Omelettes, Takoyaki and our
personal favorite Japanese Crepes.
and if sweets aren't
your style....they also have takoyaki and beer! :-)
Please click the link to see your restaurant choices.
Admission: ¥1600 (adult) (half price for ages
under 17 or over 60) - all rides priced individually
OR
One Day Passport: ¥3900 (adult) ¥2900 (kids to 17) - all rides
included. (except Bungee Jump)
Getting There
Take the Keio 京王 line
(from Shinjuku or Nakano) to Chofu 調布,
from there make sure you're on the line to Keio Yomiuriland 京王よみうりランド
and continue on, or wait on the platform for the Keio line to Keio Yomiuriland.
Price: 280 Yen
Time: 30 minutes
From there take the Yomiuriland Ropeway (200 Yen)
to the Yomiuriland Entrance. Time: 5 minutes
