Yomiuri Land: Thrills, Lights, and Jujutsu Kaisen

Many tourists go to Tokyo, usually adding either Disneyland or Universal Studios to the top of the destination list. This trip, everyone should try something new. Located a distance from Central Tokyo called Yomiuri Land. The trip there was a bit of an ordeal, it required taking a train and then a shuttle bus. It was worth the effort though, thrilling rides, stunning winter illuminations, special collaboration with Jujutsu Kaisen, the list just goes on and on with Yomiuri Land.

Yomiuri Land: Getting there

This attraction isn‘t that central compared to other places around Tokyo, and that‘s part of the charm. Following a train to Keio Yomiuri Land Station, you take a shuttle bus that then takes you to the park in question. Since it took quite a bit more time than planned, we just enjoyed the trip through the outskirts of Tokyo; it was refreshing being away from central Tokyo’s mad bustle.

Evening Pass: Economical and Convenient

One of the best ideas we had was to buy the evening pass; this made it possible to get into the park at 3PM until closing time. For just 2800 yen (about $20) for adults, it seemed very cheap compared with the entrance fees for the other theme parks. This pass also allowed unlimited rides to most attractions, it definitely gave us ample time to study the sights and get value for our money without any hassles, and the added bonus was fewer crowds. 

Exciting Ride and Unending Fun:

 Compared to some of its more famous siblings, Yomiuri Land is a small park; however, it has an impressive lineup of rides. We went straight for the roller coaster, which was thrilling and boasted stunning views of the park and surrounding area. Shorter lines meant we could get on and ride multiple times, something that would have been impossible at a more crowded park like Disneyland. 

Other highlights included an adrenaline packed swinging pirate ship, haunted house, and a romantic sky cart ride which overlooks the entire park. This is also a great place to bring your significant other for a date night. The compactness of the layout in the park made it easy to jump from one facility to another, managing to get the most out of our time so we did not miss anything.

Winter Illuminations: A Dazzling Spectacle

Yet, the highlight of our visit had to be their winter illumination.  When the sun sets, the park turns into a light wonderland, with millions of LED bulbs illuminated in trees, pathways, and attractions, developing this magical atmosphere as if seen in a tale. The colours of the changing lights were blindingly shimmering in a great light tunnel. The light tunnel was a great photo opportunity for families and couples alike. 

Jujutsu Kaisen Collaboration: A Present for Fans

If the lights weren‘t enough, there was also a special Jujutsu Kaisen collaboration running during our visit to Yomiuri Land. Themed decorations, photo spots, and even merchandise were all done in the name of the popular anime series. Being a fan of the series myself, I couldn‘t resist taking pictures with life size cutouts of my favourite characters (Yes, it is Gojo) and picking up a few souvenirs to remember the experience.

A Perfect Evening

We were, of course, knackered by the time the park closed, but we were so satisfied. Yomiuri Land has exceeded our expectations with its thrilling rides, great illuminations. And at that night passport price, we really felt it was well worth the money. If you are looking for just a bit more of that special something with your theme park experience outside the general tourist hot spots, then Yomiuri Land is highly recommended. Admittedly, it requires lots of effort to go there, but trust me, it was so worth it because the lines were all so short. Whether you‘re an adrenaline junkie, fan of anime, or even just someone in love with brilliant light shows like me.

Written and Photos Taken by Lucy from Australia