This post is also available in: Indonesia
Written by: Swastika Kusumawati
Talking about J-pop culture, we can endlessly talk about anime, manga, song, and many more. They influenced people’s life and have a big impact on many people worldwide.
Each character that appears in the anime and manga is extremely popular, some of them even have a fanbase! It is no wonder if Japan has many famous character theme parks that become must-visit tourist destinations!
This article introduces you to the famous character theme park in Japan that you won’t be missed!
1. Fujiko F. Fujio Museum (Kanagawa Prefecture)
Many of you might be unfamiliar with this name, but surely most of you will nod if we say “Doraemon“.
This chubby cat with magic-pocket-and-abundance-of-marvelous-things is stick to the heart of people worldwide, which is, thanks to him, make a lot of people fall in love with Japan. In this museum, you can plunge into the Doraemon world!
While visiting the museum, the replica of the “Doko demo doa” (or teleportation door) is a spot you should not miss! You can imagine being in the anime and act in front of the camera as you open and going through the door.
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Simply said, Fujiko F. Fujio was the pen name of 2 Japanese manga artists who created the futuristic cat robot “Doraemon”. Besides the worldwide known character “Doraemon”, Fujiko F. Fujio also created other phenomenal manga characters such as “Mojako”, “Paman”, “21 Emon”, “Obake no Q-taro” and many more.
That’s why you will not only see “Doraemon and friends” in the museum but also other characters that are ready to welcome you.
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Access
・9 mins ride by shuttle bus from Noborito Station (Odakyu line or JR Nanbu line)
・16 mins walk from Mukougaoka Yuen station (Odakyu-line)
・15 mins walk from Shuku-Gawara station (JR Nanbu line)
※Please visit the museum using public transportation.
| Address | 2-8-1 Nagao, Tama-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture, 214-0023 |
|---|---|
| TEL | 0570-055-245 |
| Opening Hour | 10:00-18:00 |
| Close | Different depends on the event. Please check the website for detail |
| Entrance Fee | Adult and University students: 1000 JPY High School and Junior High School students: 700 JPY Children (4 years or older): 500 JPY Children (4 years or younger): freeNote: They not selling tickets at the museum, you have to buy a ticket in advance at Lawson. Check the website to know more about how to buy the ticket. |
| Website | http://fujiko-museum.com/english/ |
2. Sanrio Puroland (Tokyo)
The Sanrio Co., Ltd is the famous Japanese company that design, license, and produce kawaii characters. The most famous character is the pinky ribbon cute cat “Hello Kitty”. That’s why Sanrio Puroland is also known as “Hello Kitty Land”.
The concept is an indoor theme park that allows you to enjoy Sanrio’s character having a parade show several times a day and directly greet the visitors.
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Besides Hello Kitty, there are other characters who will welcome us there such as, “My Melody”, “Cinnamoroll”, “Kerokeroppi”, and many more.
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According to the Sanrio Puroland, basically, bringing your own food and drink to Puroland is not allowed. However, those with special dietary requirements may bring their own food as they do not offer halal or vegan food in the park.
Access
7 mins walk from Tama-Center station (the station can be reached by 30 mins ride by train from Shinjuku Station and roughly 60 minutes from Tokyo Station).
| Address | 1-31 Ochiai, Tama, Tokyo |
|---|---|
| TEL | 042-339-1111 |
| Opening Hour | Due to COVID-19, the schedules change anytime. Please check the website for detail. |
| Close | Vary depends on the event. Please check the website for detail. |
| Entrance Fee | Vary depends on schedule (weekday or holiday). Please check the website for detail. |
| Website | https://en.puroland.jp/ |
3. Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory (Tottori Prefecture)
Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory is a manga museum dedicated to Gosho Aoyama’s works, located in his hometown, Hokuei town in Tottori Prefecture. If you are the Detective Conan fans, so this place is a must-visit! The museum showcases from the statues of Conan and Shinichi to various Conan-related merchandise.
Close to the museum, there are statues of Detective Conan characters and a replica of Professor Agasa’s beetle.
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Following the famous of Detective Conan, you can find the Conan station, Conan street, Conan bridge, to Tottori Sand Dunes Conan Airport!
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Access
20 mins walk from Conan (Yura) station.
| Address | 1414 Yurashuku, Hokuei, Tottori Prefecture 689-2221 |
|---|---|
| TEL | 0858-37-5389 |
| Opening Hour | 9:30~17:30 |
| Close | Open all year round. |
| Entrance Fee | Adult: 700 yen Junior-high school: 500 yen Elementary school: 300 yen Under elementary school: free |
| Website | https://www.gamf.jp/ |
4. Attack on Titan on Hita Museum (Oita Prefecture)
Attack on Titan is a phenomenal manga that becomes a big hit from 10 years ago until now and loved by many people around the world. For the fans of Attack on Titan, there’s big news that Attack on Titan on Hita Museum has opened on 24 March 2021 on Hita Museum in Hita City, Oita Prefecture. The city is known as the home town of the author, Mr. Hajime Isayama.
Besides the museum, you can also check another spot where’s Attack on Titan’s character bronze statue is take place and made especially for this event.
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Access
19 mins ride by car from Hita Station
| Address | 4106 Oyamamachi Nishioyama, Hita City, Oita Prefecture 877-0201 |
|---|---|
| TEL | 050-5370-0203 |
| Opening Hour | Weekdays 9:30～16:00 / Weekends & Holidays 9:30～17:00 *According to the business hours of Mizube no Sato Oyama Rest Area |
| Close | – |
| Entrance Fee | Free |
| Website | https://shingeki-hita.com/spot/017.html |
5. Snoopy Museum Tokyo (Tokyo)
Snoopy is an American comic character that also gains its popularity in Japan for decades. It was first opened in Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, closed in September 2018, then re-opened in December 2019 in Machida, Tokyo in a larger space than before and with more greenery.
The Museum features multi-dimensional exhibitions that introduce the legacy of the author, Charles M. Schulz and the whole Peanuts gang.
Snoopy Museum Tokyo. Photo credit to Snoopy Museum Tokyo Facebook.
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Access
4 mins walk from Minamimachida Grandberry Park Station (Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line. Situated at 35 mins ride by express train from Shibuya station or 20 mins ride by train from Shin-Yokohama station).
| Address | 194-0004 Tokyo, Machida, Tsuruma, 3 Chome-1-1 |
|---|---|
| TEL | 042-812-2723 |
| Opening Hour | 10:00~18:00 (gate close 17:30) |
| Close | Open all year round (except 17th August) |
| Entrance Fee | Different depends on the schedule. Please check the website for details. |
| Website | https://snoopymuseum.tokyo/s/smt/page/english?ima=0000 |
6. Moomin Valley Park (Saitama Prefecture)
“Moomin Valley Park” is a theme park with the theme of Moomin in Hanno City, Saitama Prefecture. Moomin Valley Park is located in a leisure park called “Metsä” with Moomin Valley Park and “Metsa Village”, a shopping mall where you can shop for Scandinavian miscellaneous goods available in the park.
In this theme park, you can experience the mysterious world of Moomin!
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Access
13 mins ride by bus board for “Metsa” from Hanno station north exit (bus stop no.1)
| Address | 327-6 Miyazawa, Hanno, Saitama 357-0001 |
|---|---|
| TEL | 0570-03-1066 |
| Opening Hour | 10:00〜20:00 (open all year round) |
| Admission | Adult (junior high school and above): advance sale 2,300 yen, on the day sale 2,500 yen Children (above 4 y.o but under elementary school): advance sale 1.300 yen, on the day sale 1,500円 A separate fee is required for each facility. Please see the homepage for details. |
| Website | https://metsa-hanno.com/en/ |
See Also
Experience the World of Moomin at the “Moomin Valley Park”
7. Ghibli Museum Mitaka (Tokyo)
Studio Ghibli is a well-known animation production house that makes lovable animation with a touchy story and great artwork. The character has also been loved by many people around the world for decades such as “Totoro” from “My Neighbor Totoro”, “Kiki” from “Kiki Delivery Service”, “Ponyo”, and many more.
Ghibli Museum in Mitaka was made to make fans feel closer and can experience directly the amazing world of Studio Ghibli.
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Access
15 mins walk from JR Mitaka Station,
| Address | 1-1-83 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo 181-0013 |
|---|---|
| Opening Hour | 10:00〜18:00 |
| Admission | Age 19 and over: 1,000 JPY Age 13 ~18: 700 JPY Age 7~12: 400 JPY Age 4~6: 100 JPY Age 3 and under: free ※Ticket has to be purchased in advance on designated places. Please check the website for details. |
| Website | https://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/ |
Bonus!!
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo; The Making of Harry Potter
There’s good news for those who spend their childhood reading and watching the Harry Potter series, because the set of the film will be brought to Toshimaen, Tokyo in 2023!
The Studio Tour Tokyo will offer special features to enable visitors to deepen their understanding of how the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beast films were made.
What makes it different is, The Studio Tour will allow visitors to step into film sets and enjoy an exciting entertainment experience similar to the Studio Tour in the UK!
Official website: https://www.wbstudiotour.jp/en/
