SoraNews24 —Japan News—

Universal Studios Japan‘s upcoming Universal Cool Japan campaign rides are rolling out in January with a new ride attraction inspired by fashion model and singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu (Crayon Shin-chan) and upgraded versions of “Evangelion The Real 4D,” “Attack on Titan The Real,” “Biohazard (Resident Evil) the Escape,” and “Monster Hunter the Real.”

Fan anticipating the launch of “vangelion The Real 4D” got a sneak peek of the experience in a new ad.

Japan
(Attack on Titan • Evangelion • ride • theme park • Universal Studios Japan • video)

New Attack on Titan Real Escape Game coming to Tokyo and Osaka this summer

Oona McGee
Jul 14, 2015

Escape games, where people work in teams to solve puzzles to free themselves from confined spaces, have become hugely popular in Japan and around the world. When combined with a role-play theme, these events become even more exciting, as participants get to dress up and live out their fantasies in cleverly constructed worlds filled with props, sound and oodles of atmosphere.

As luck would have it, the escape concept is an idea that fits in perfectly with the narrative of the hugely popular Attack on Titan franchise, where members of the human race live in the confines of a walled city and spend a large chunk of time running away from flesh-eating giants. If you ever wanted to experience the thrill of being chased by a hungry Titan while also dealing with the stress of solving a puzzle within a time limit to save your life, it’s time to dress like a member of the Survey Corps and head out to Tokyo or Osaka this summer.

Japan
(anime • Attack on Titan • escape game • manga • theme park)

Upcoming announcement for a Moomin theme park has fans clamoring for info 【Update: Confirmed!】

KK Miller
Jun 30, 2015

Over two years ago, the Finnish Ambassador to Japan announced that a Moomin theme park was being developed in Japan with the expected opening date in 2015. Some of our readers might be asking, “What the heck is a Moomin?” but these hippo-like fairies who originated in Finland have a very strong following and fan base in Japan. You might not be familiar with Moomin before you come to Japan, but once you get here, you grow to welcome them at your dining table.

Well, it’s already halfway through 2015, and there is still no Moomin theme park ready to take our money. Or is there? There might be a forthcoming announcement that has us all in a tizzy.

Japan
(2017 • Finland • Metsa • Moomin • Saitama • theme park)

One Piece ship to anchor at Japanese theme park

Anime News Network
Jun 6, 2015

Ahoy, landlubbers! The Thousand Sunny, the preferred vessel of the Straw Hat Pirates in One Piece, is paying a call at the port of Laguna Ten Bosch, a theme park in Gamagori, southeast of Nagoya. Interested fans are invited to board the ship for a few hours to partake in a cruise. They will be treated to a stage show, music and a toast to the Straw Hat crew. Commemorative mugs and certificates will be given as souvenirs.

Japan
(anime • Anime News Network • One Piece • ship • theme park)

Nintendo reveals plans to partner with Universal to make first Nintendo attractions a reality

Meg Murphy
May 8, 2015

Disney lovers have Disneyland, Harry Potter fans got The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and even those who like Hello Kitty and her friends have the Sanrio Puroland.

And now Mario fans have reason to celebrate, as Nintendo has announced its partnership with Universal to bring you the first Nintend0-themed park attractions!

USA
(amusement park • nintendo • theme park • Universal Studios • video games)

Kids rejoice! Universal Studios Japan to get Yo-kai Watch attraction this summer

Evie Nyan
Apr 9, 2015

No trip to the Kansai region is complete without a visit to Universal Studios Japan. With a wide range of attractions featuring beloved franchises from Harry Potter to Resident Evil, it’s got something for everyone, and it’s definitely not just for kids!

Having said that, we’re betting that kid-favourite mega-series Yo-Kai Watch‘s attraction is going to be bringing in a lot of little ones and parents when it opens this summer! (Hey, it’ll free up the other attractions for the rest of us!)

Japan
(anime • attraction • manga • theme park • Universal Studios • video games • Yo-Kai Watch • Yokai Watch • Youkai Watch)

Move over, humanoid employees: Nagasaki theme park to open futuristic hotel staffed by robots

Fran W
Jan 30, 2015

Once you’ve tired yourself out playing with your rideable 4-metre tall robot from Amazon Japan and experienced the neon assault to the senses that is Shinjuku’s Robot Restaurant show, you’ll also be able to visit a hotel in Japan with robot staff once the new Hen-na Hotel opens this summer.

As well as robot receptionists, porters, cleaners and waitresses, the aptly-named Hen-na Hotel (literally meaning “strange hotel”) in the Huis Ten Bosch theme park, Nagasaki, will also feature a whole host of futuristic technology aimed at reducing energy consumption and human staffing levels, therefore keeping room prices down.

Japan
(future • hotel • Huis Ten Bosch • robot staff • robots • theme park)

One Piece themed amusement park due to open in Tokyo this March

Cara Clegg
Jan 2, 2015

Anime and manga fans will soon have even more reason to visit the country that offers the opportunity to eat Pikachu-themed meals at the Pokémon restaurant or gaze up in awe at an 18-foot tall giant Gundam. The long-awaited world’s first One Piece amusement park will be arriving on March 13 2015 in Tokyo!

Japan
(anime • manga • One Piece • theme park • Tokyo Tower)

“Hello Kitty Park” in China is set to open on New Year’s Day!

Krista Rogers
Nov 27, 2014

The various Disney-operated theme parks scattered throughout the world have brought joy to children (and grown-ups!) for decades. Disney’s major character contribution is none other than Mickey Mouse, who has grown to become one of the most recognizable cultural icons on the world scene. But how about a famous cultural export from Japan? Why, that would be Hello Kitty, of course!

Sanrio’s darling may be celebrating her 40th birthday this month, but she’s showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, her birthday celebration comes along with a recent announcement that a new “Hello Kitty Park” will open in China early next year! Along with plans for the upcoming Shanghai Disneyland, China sure seems to be on a roll these days making children’s dreams come true. More details about the park after the jump.

China
(China • Hello Kitty • Hello Kitty Park • Sanrio • theme park)

World’s first One Piece theme park teased for 2015

Philip Kendall
Jul 17, 2014

Anime fan? Disneyland to sickly sweet for you? Then you may want to plan a trip to Tokyo early next year…

Japan
(One Piece • theme park • Tokyo Tower)

Tokyo Disneyland honors “proto-Fastpass” given to girl 16 years ago, melts the Internet’s heart

Scott R Dixon
Mar 5, 2014

Between the exciting rides, fun mascots and surprisingly progressive policies, millions of Japanese and foreign tourists have their “dreams come true” at Tokyo Disneyland every year. But for every dream fulfilled, there are always a few little hearts broken when a child realizes they are too short to experience the thrilling ride that has everyone else screaming for joy.

Some 16 years ago, one such girl was turned away at one of the rides and given a “Future Passenger Certificate,” a seemingly primitive version of Disney’s Fastpass, which entitled her to skip to the front of the line when she came back as an older and taller Tokyo Disneyland guest.

Japan
(amusement park • Big Thunder Mountain • Fastpass • heart-warming • theme park • Tokyo Disneyland)

Taiwan’s Gravity Max – Quite possibly the scariest roller coaster in the world

Philip Kendall
Aug 5, 2013

“Whatever that thing is in front of us is, I really hope it can hold all of our weight,” says roller coaster aficionado Robb Alvey as the car he is sitting in reaches the end of the track. And it literally is the end – just a couple of feet ahead of where the train has come to a halt, the rails suddenly stop and there is naught but blue sky.

This is the Gravity Max roller coaster in Taiwan’s Discovery World theme park, a ’tilt coaster’ built by Dutch thrill rides designer Vekoma which features a section of track at the top of the chain lift that slowly tilts from horizontal to vertical before clicking into place and releasing the safety lock to drop the train down. Provided, of course, that the rails line up…

Taiwan
(Discovery Land • roller coaster • scary • theme park • video)

Toilet Theme Park Opened In Korea, There is a Rational Explanation for This

Master Blaster
Jul 12, 2012

Only 4 July, Suwon, South Korea officially opened their newest attraction; “The Restroom Cultural Park” which is the world’s first toilet theme park. To answer the question on everyone’s mind – What the…? – we should first look at a little background on Suwon city.

This city located outside of Seoul is well known for two things. First, the great Hwaseong Fortress ranks among UNESCO’s world heritage and has ruins which run throughout the city. Second is their recently deceased mayor who was known affectionately as Mr. Toilet.

Korea
(Mr Toilet • theme park • world toilet organization)

No Escape! Fuji-Q Highland’s New Unforgiving Maze

Danielnishina
Jun 27, 2012

This July 28, Fuji-Q will open the doors to its new attraction, “Fortress of No Hope”. They say they’re aiming for a 0% success rate of escape from the walk-through maze building. Guests will contend (presumably enjoyably) with innumerable doors, halls, and rooms, all under a time limit. In addition, you progress through levels of increasing difficulty, with more and more hidden clues and invisible doors. Read More