Characters! New Attractions! Ten Popular Theme Parks in Kansai to Go As A Family

Wakayama Marina City Porto Europe is a theme park out in the sea of Wakanoura. The park that recreates the streets of France, Italy, and Spain is full of attractions such as thrilling roller coaster rides, a dolphin park, and limited-time character shows.

Pinestar is a mini roller coaster in the shape of a pineapple. It is a thrilling ride around a jungle with sudden speed changes and curves. Limited to school age children and older. Children ages pre-school to 4 years old may ride if accompanies by an adult (500 JPY).

■Wakayama Marina City Porto Europe Address: 1527 Kemi, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama Tel: 0570-064-358 Hours: 10:00～17:00, Weekends and holidays ～18:00 *Hours change by season Holidays: Unscheduled ＜Rates: No entrance fee＞

New ride attractions are now on offer at this LEGO(R) brick themed entertainment center. The rides that run under the theme of "A World of Magic" seat two people so a parent and child can enjoy them together.

Merlin's Apprentice is a ride that goes round and round clockwise, with pedals with which the rider controls the height. Must be 90cm or taller to ride, and those under 120cm must be accompanied by an adult.

■LEGOLAND(R) Discovery Center Osaka Address: 3F Tempozan Marketplace, 1-1-10 Kaigan-dori, Minato-ku, Osaka Phone: 06-6573-6010 Hours: 10:00～20:00 (last entry 18:00) Holidays: Unscheduled *changed by day of the week and season ＜Rates: Entrance fee 2,300 JPY *online advance purchase discounts available＞

Hirakata Park in Hirakata, Osaka, is a 160,000-square-meter amusement park - one of the largest in Osaka. The undulating park grounds are full of greenery and are filled with heartwarming attractions that are adorable to look at and suited for parents and children to enjoy together. There are more than 10 appropriate for babies and infants. It is also nice that there are 11 indoor attractions that can be enjoyed on a rainy day.

【Yattemiina】This is an attraction with obstacle courses participants must use their imagination to get through. Five new challenge courses have been added to the 15 standard courses (400 JPY).

■Hirakata Park Address: 1-1 Hirakatakoen-cho, Hirakata-shi, Osaka Phone: 072-844-3475 Hours: 10:00～17:00 (Varies by season and days of the week) Holidays: Unscheduled *Some attractions may be closed for inspections. ＜Rates: Entrance fee 1,400 JPY/adult, 800 JPY/ages 2 through elementary school; Entrance + free pass 4,400 JPY/adult, 3,800 JPY/elementary school, 2,600 JPY/ages 2 through pre-school＞

Tojoko Toy Kingdom is a theme park where you can see, touch, and experience toys. The park, which is twice the size of Koshien Stadium, has nine "toy room" buildings and approximately 20 types of attractions. The toy rooms, which are indoors, have a wide selection of toys that children will go nuts for, from the latest toys to traditional ones! In addition to rooms with Plarail and Licca-chan dolls, there are rooms with building blocks and bricks, so there is something for everyone, regardless of age or gender.

【Thomas & Friends】Get aboard Thomas, Percy and James, and off you go. Ride over suspension bridges and through tunnels, and feel as if you are on a train trip. Infants ages 0 to 2 must be accompanied by an adult (300 JPY).

■Tojoko Toy Kingdom Address: 1216 Kurodani, Kato-shi, Hyogo Phone: 0795-47-0268 Hours: 10:00～17:00, weekends & holidays 9:30～17:00 *varies by season Holidays: Thursdays (open if it is a national holiday) ＜Rates: 1,100 JPY/adult, 700 JPY/child (ages 2 through elementary school)＞

An attraction that uses lasers has opened with a bang at TOEI Kyoto Studio Park, a popular place where you can play in Edo period Japan! Challenge the experiential attraction where you must get through eight traps to escape.

Laser Mission "Escape the Castle." The final mission is to slip through the laser trap beams running all across the room within the time limit.

■TOEI Kyoto Studio Park Address: 10 Uzumasa Higashihachioka-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi Phone: 0570-064-349 Hours: 9:00～17:00, weekends & holidays 9:00～18:00 *may vary depending on the day Holidays: None ＜Rates: Entrance fee 2,200 JPY/adult, 1,300 JPY/middle school and high school, 1,100 JPY ages 3 through elementary school＞

Suzuka Circuit, in Suzuka, Mie, famous as the site of F1 races, also has an amusement park next to the circuit. There are 29 different types of attractions mainly in the Amusement Park MOTOPIA. Most popular is the Circuit Challenger, introduced in March 2016, where you can drive around a real international racing course!

【Circuit Challenger】Dash through approximately 2.2km of the F1 Japan Grand Prix course in an EV (electric vehicle). Data on the drive is analyzed as well. Children between ages 2 and the fourth grade must be accompanied by an adult (1,500 JPY/lap). Not included in the passport.

■Suzuka Circuit Address: 7992 Inou-cho, Suzuka-shi, Mie Phone: 059-378-1111 Hours: Depends on the day *Refer to the homepage for details Holidays: Unscheduled *subject to change ＜Rates: 1,700 JPY/adult, 800 JPY/elementary school, 600 JPY/ages 3 to pre-school; entrance + rides passport 4,300 JPY/adult, 3,300 JPY/elementary school, 2,100 JPY/ages 3 to pre-school＞

Nagashima Spa Land is a leisure multiplex at the mouth of Kiso River and Nagara River, and has one of the largest areas of amusements parks in Japan. It is known for thrill rides such as Acrobat and Steel Dragon 2000, but also has many attractions for children.

【Children Coaster】This is a gentle ladybug-shaped roller coaster for kids. It is small, but still enough to enjoy a heart-pumping experience. One ride takes you around the course twice. Must be elementary school age or older. Young children between the ages of 2 and pre-school may ride if accompanied by an adult (300 JPY).

■Nagashima Spa Land Address: 333 Urayasu Nagashima-cho, Kuwana-shi, Mie Phone: 0594-45-1111 Hours: 9:30～17:00 (varies by season and day of the week) ＜Rates: 1,600/adult, 1,000 JPY/elemenatry school, 500 JPY/ages 2 and older; entrance fee + all-you-can-ride passport 4,500 JPY/adult, 3,400 JPY/elementary school, 2,100 JPY/ages 2 to pre-school＞