Fun-seekers are sure to find
plenty of amusements in Pacific
xx / Stars and Stripes
A man nears the drop in a bowl-like water slide at the water park at Nagashima Spa Land. |
A hair-raising roller coaster ride is just one of the thrills
that the Pacific’s amusement parks offer. A variety of fun for all ages and whims can
be found at the following destinations.
JAPAN
In Nagashima, southwest of Tokyo.
Hours: Until Aug. 31, the park opens at 8:30 a.m.
and closes between 5 to 10 p.m. Water park opens July 14 to Sept. 16. Call (0594)45-2000.
Cost: Free pass (entry to Spa Land and rides): 4,100
yen for adults, 3,100 yen for ages 6-15, 1,300 yen for ages 2 to 5
Entry pass (Entry to Spa Land): 1,500 yen for adults, 1,000 yen for
ages 6-15, 500 yen for ages 2-5
Waterpark pass (includes entry to Spa Land): 3,000 yen for adults,
2,300 yen for ages 6-15, 1,300 yen for ages 2-5
Wide free pass (waterpark, Nagashima Spa Land and all rides): 5,700
yen for adults, 4,400 yen for ages 6-15, 2,200 yen for ages 2-5
Parking: 500 yen
If you go: The one-way cost via train is about
12,000 yen. Take a bullet train for about 1½ hours from Tokyo to Nagoya. Transfer to the
Kintetsu Line for a 16-minute ride to Kuwana. From Kuwana, it’s a 20-minute bus ride
to Nagashima Spa Land.
The amusement park is a four- to five-hour drive from Tokyo. The
tolls are steep — about 8,000 yen one way, so consider renting a car from base to get
toll tickets. Take the Tomei Highway toward Nagoya. Get off at the Nagoya exit and get on
the Higashi-meihan Highway. Follow it until the Nagashima exit. At the exit, drive
straight about five minutes to the amusement park.
The drive is long, and there are many attractions at the park, so you
might want to consider spending two days there. It’s more crowded July 20 to Aug. 30,
during summer vacation.
Andy Dunaway / Stars and Stripes
At Adventure Pool in Caribbean Bay in Seoul, over two tons of water comes crashing down on
summer park patrons. |
Talk to a travel agent about an overnight hotel room. There are a few
near the amusement park. On your way home, consider stopping at Nabana Nosata, a village
about five minutes from the park. The complex has restaurants around a lake and an onsen
(hot springs) to relax in after a long day. The entrance fee of 1,000 yen includes coupons
you can use for food or the onsen. Ask for a map on your way out the park, as all signs
are in Japanese.
Fuji-yoshida City, about 90 minutes from Tokyo
Hours: Until Sept. 20, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
weekdays; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
Cost: Entry fee: 1,200 yen for adults; 600 yen for
children.
Free pass (entry fee, all rides): 4,500 yen for adults; 3,300 yen for
children.
If you go: If driving, take the Chuo Expressway
toward Nagoya. Follow the signs to Kawaguchiko.
Kawaguchiko Station is two hours by express train from Shinjuku
Station. Take the Chuo line to Otsuki, then transfer to the Fuji Kyuko Line.
Tokyo
Toshimaen has the typical stomach-churning, scream-inducing rides
found at amusement parks in the States, such as runaway roller coasters, pirate ships that
swing up into the sky and a haunted house, but in summer the water park is the place to
go. Among its attractions are a maze of twisting water slides and giant swimming pools.
Cost: Daily pass for the water park: 3,800 yen for
adults; 2,800 yen for children.
Pass for water and amusement parks: 4,200 yen for adults; 3,200 yen
for children
If you go: Take the JR Chuo Line to Nakano Station.
Transfer to the yellow JR Sobu line toward Nishi-Funabashi, Tusdanuma or Chida. At
Higashi-Nakano (one stop from Nakano), go to subway Higashi-Nakano station and change to
Toei-No. 12 toward Hikarigaoka. Get off at Toshimaen Station.
Aomori, about 45 miles northwest of Misawa.
Hours: Open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: Rides are 300 yen, or purchase 12 tickets for
2,000 yen. Groups of 20 or more pay 1,800 yen per ticket package
If you go: From Misawa, take Route 8 to the
Michinoku Toll Road (830 yen each way) and turn right where the highway leading from the
toll road comes to a “T.” It connects with Route 4 where you make a right turn
and follow the highway for about four miles until you see the Asamushi Aquarium on the
right. Go to the next stoplight, and turn left into Wonderland’s parking lot.
Morioka, about a 2½ hour drive south of Misawa.
Morioka features a 200-foot by 150-foot indoor pool with a
wave-making machine and several hundred yards of water slides.
Cost: Misawa’s Four Seasons Travel office has
discount tickets costing $22 per adult for an all-day pass. Children ages 13 to 17 cost
$17, and ages 4 to 12 cost $13. Youngsters 3 and under are free.
If you go: Four Seasons offers a bus tour to Kenji
World on Sept. 29. Forty seats are available. Call 226-3555.
Travel south from Misawa and connect with the Tohoku Expressway in
Hachinohe. Drive about two hours south and get off at the Morioka exit 42 (3,100 yen
toll). Take the right fork toward Akita and you’ll be on Route 46. Follow Route 46
for about 20 minutes, then turn left at the English-language sign for Kenji World. Follow
road for about four miles, turn right at a stoplight. Kenji World will be a quarter mile
on the left.
Next to Sasebo Naval Base’s Hario Housing Village
This massive theme park is basically a pristine Dutch village sitting
in southern Japan. The park offers beautiful scenery, gardens and Dutch architecture.
Inside there are many special attractions including restaurants, museums and interactive
high-tech exhibits. Some of the finest hotels in Japan are located in and around Huis Ten
Bosch, such as the famous Hotel Europe.
Hours: Open March 1 through Nov. 30 from 9 a.m.
until 9 p.m. From Dec. 1 through Feb 28 the park is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. until 7
p.m., and on Fri., Sat., Sun., holidays and the day before holidays from 9 a.m. until 8
p.m.
Cost: Basic admission prices: 3,200 yen for adults;
2,000 yen for students 12 to 17; 1,000 yen for children 4 to 11.
If you go: From the Sasebo Naval Base main gate,
turn right and drive about one mile until you see the entrance to the Nishi-Kyushu
Expressway on the left. The toll is 150 yen. Follow the signs to Huis Ten Bosch. The park
is next to the base’s Hario Housing Village.
For more information call the Sasebo Naval Base Travel and Tours
Office at 252-3433, the park at 0956-27-0138 or visit the park’s Web site at
www.huistenbosch.co.jp/foreign/english/index.html.
In Fukuoka, about 85 miles from Sasebo
The theme park has a collection of about 20,000 fish and other
aquatic animals from some 350 species from the tropical, temperate and arctic zones of the
world. Enjoy watching marine life in natural environments, and learn more about science
and ecology. Call the base Travel and Tours Office at 252-3433 or Marine World at
092-603-0400.
Hours: From July 20 through Aug. 31, 9 a.m. to 6:30
p.m. From Sept. 1 through Nov. 30, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.. From Dec. 1 through the end of
February, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
If you go: From the Sasebo Naval Base main gate,
turn right and drive about one mile until you see the entrance to the Nishi-Kyushu
Expressway on the left. Follow the signs to Fukuoka. Tolls are about $1. For specific
directions to Marine World once you reach Fukuoka, call the base Travel and Tours Office
at 252-3433 or Marine World at 092-603-0400.
Fukuoka, about 85 miles from Sasebo
Attractions include rides like the Black Hole Scramble, the Star
Shaker and the Clipper. The park’s Planet AQA, where you go through a jungle and
outer space occupied by alients, is billed as one of the world’s largest water
attractions.
Hours: Operating hours vary from day to day. The
park usually is open from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free pass (admission to the park and all
specified attractions): 4,600 yen for adults; 3,900 yen for schoolchildren; 3,500 for
young children.
If you go: From the Sasebo Naval Base main gate,
turn right and drive about one mile until you see the entrance to the Nishi-Kyushu
Expressway on the left. Follow the signs to Fukuoka. Tolls are about $10. For specific
directions to Space World once you reach Fukuoka, call the base Travel and Tours Office at
252-3433 or Space World at 093-672-3600.
About 5 miles out from Iwakuni MCAS along Route 188
This park features racing carts and a track for those looking to
enjoy the thrill of racing. Visitors must wear long pants and sleeves and sneakers to race
the carts. Helmets and gloves are provided free. The park also sells new and used racing
carts.
Hours: Open every day except Thursday from 10 a.m.
until 5 p.m.
Cost: $16 for seven laps.
If you go: Call the Iwakuni MCAS Community Services
Information and Referral Office at 253-6161, or Sports Land at 0820-26-0555.
13.3 miles north of Iwakuni in Ohno, Hiroshima Prefecture
The park has a swimming pool, water slide, go-cart track, driving
range, putt-putt golf and steam locomotive train.
Hours: Open from the end of June through September,
9 a.m. until 6 p.m. From July 15 through Aug. 20 the park stays open until 9 p.m.
Cost: 1,400 yen for adults, 1,200 yen for children.
If you go: Exit at the main gate and proceed to 4
Corners. Take a right at 4 Corners on Route 188. Follow Route 188 through downtown
Iwakuni, past the local train station to Route 2. Take a right on Route 2. Follow Route 2,
past Miyajima, until you see a large milk carton on the left that says Chichiyasu. Exit
Route 2 on the right side of the road. Drive until you see the parking area.
Call 253-6161.
In Waki Town, 6 miles north of Iwakuni
Hachigamine has a putt-putt golf course, a huge roller slide,
playgrounds, picnic area, small campground, bee museum/exhibit, fitness trail, Ferris
wheel and train rides.
Hours: From May 1 through Aug. 31, open 9 a.m. to 7
p.m. From Sept. 1 through April 30, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Dec. 29 through Jan. 3.
Cost: Prices vary.
If you go: Go out the main gate to 4 Corners and
take a right onto Route 188. Follow Route 188 through downtown Iwakuni, past the train
station to Route 2. Take a right onto Route 2 and proceed north toward Otake. You will see
a 7-Eleven gas station on the left and come upon another gas station on the right and a
Hachigamine Park sign (with a bumblebee) on the left. Turn left and cross the bridge.
Follow the signs until you see a green-and-white golf course sign and a white sign with
Kanji letters. Turn left here and follow this road up the mountain to the park.
In Takamiya, Takata, Hiroshima Prefecture
New Zealand Village has fun activities for the entire family.
Activities include mini-golf, fantasy boats, pony rides, a mini-zoo, super slides,
go-karts and archery.
Hours: Open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through
Saturday. On Sundays and holidays open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cost: 410 yen for adults; 200 yen for children.
There are other fees for various activities.
If you go: Get on the Sanyo Expressway at the
Iwakuni I.C. or Otake I.C. At the Hiroshima Junction merge onto the Chugoku Expressway
— this is also the exit for Hamada. Follow the Chugoku Expressway until you reach the
Takata I.C. Exit at the Takata I.C.. Take a right at the stoplight and you will come upon
The New Zealand Village.
In Hamada, across from Hamada Beach
The aquarium has 500 species and 10,000 exhibits. Some of the
attractions include a sea floor tunnel, coral reef, sea lion and seal pool, touch pool and
Aquas Land, a small park for children.
Hours: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Tuesdays when
the park is closed. From July 20 through Aug. 31, Aquas is open until 6 p.m.
Cost: 1,500 yen for adults, 500 yen for children.
If you go: Take the Sanyo Expressway to Hiroshima
Junction and get on the Chugoku Expressway. Take the Chugoku Expressway to the Chiyoda
Junction and get on the Hamada Expressway. The last exit will be Hamada Exit. Get off at
the Hamada Exit and turn right onto Route 9. After about 15 minutes you will see Aquas on
the right.
SOUTH KOREA
Kyonggi Province.
Enjoy three major recreation facilities all in one location: a theme
park, water park and zoo, open year-round.
Festival World features roller coasters, water rides
and space journeys, plus kiddie rides such as the merry-go-round, flying elephants,
parades and more. Picnic areas and restaurants available.
Hours: 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., but vary according to
certain days.
Cost: Daylong passport ticket: 25,000 won for adults
and 18,000 won for children ages 3-12. After 5 p.m., the passport ticket costs 20,000 won
for adults and 14,000 won for children.
Caribbean Bay water park is a blend of 17th century
Spanish buildings and the sunny beaches of the Caribbean. Visitors can enjoy 20 different
water slides (four indoors) and also relax in the Wave Pool or Lazy River. Kiddie pools
provide their splashes of fun.
Hours: Usually 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., but vary.
Cost: During the peak season, Jul. 15 through Aug.
15, daylong passport ticket: 45,000 won for adults, 30,000 won for children. After 5 p.m.,
tickets cost 30,000 won for adults and 20,000 won for children.
Everland Zoo has about 1,000 different types of
animals. Two different zoos are placed within Festival World, the smaller Children’s
Zoo and the Safari. With a passport ticket to Festival World, visitors can also stop over
at the zoos.
If you go: Public transportation is the most
convenient way to get to Everland. Ride the subway and get off the Seoul National
Education University on the green (No. 2) line. Go out the No. 13 exit. At the bus stop at
this exit, ride bus 1500 or 1500-1, which goes directly to Everland. It costs 1,300 won
for the 80-minute bus ride. The last buses to leave Everland are at 10 p.m.
Go to www.everland.com
for more information or call (031)-320-5000.
Seoul
Open year-round, Lotte World Adventure features indoor and outdoor
parks. It boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including a monorail train that can take
passengers all over the entire park.
The park offers adventures to faraway lands like France, Netherlands,
Germany, England, Italy, Spain, Arabia and Morocco. Park patrons can take a cruise around
the Magic Island, which has a gothic-style castle as its centerpiece.
Hours: Open daily 8:30 a.m. -11 p.m. Call (02)
411-2000.
Cost: 15,000 won for adults: 12,000 won for middle
and high school students; 10,000 won for children
If you go: Located near Chamshil station, use subway
line 2 or 8
Taegu
The park surrounds the Taegu Tower, which was built in 1992. The
observatory commands a view of the entire city. The tower also houses a science room and
small performance hall. The park features a handful of carnival rides, including a
merry-go-round and roller coaster.
Cost: 4,600 won for adults; 3,200 won for secondary
school-age youngsters, and 2,200 won for elementary school-age and younger.
If you go: Call the Taegu Tourist Information Center
and ask for an English-speaking representative. If calling from within Taegu, dial this
four-digit number: 1330. From outside Taegu, call this seven-digit number: 053-1330.
GUAM
Tarza Magical Adventure Zone
Located in Tumon alongside the Guam Plaza Hotel
The 3.5 acre water park includes attractions such as an uphill water
coaster.
Hours: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week in
August, closed Wednesdays in September.
Cost: Military admission: $17 for adults, $7 for
kids under (bring ID). Regular admission: $20 for adults, $10 for kids under 12. Call
671-647-1976.
Naoko Sekioka, Jennifer Svan, Greg Tyler, Kendra Helmer, Wayne
Specht, Rick Chernitzer, B.R. Sargent, Christina Ko and Franklin Fisher contributed to
this story.
Back to July stories
Page Two news roundup
Stories from June, 2001
Stories from May, 2001
Stories from April, 2001
Stories from March, 2001
Stories from February,2001
Stories from January, 2001
Stories from December, 2000
Stories from November, 2000
Stories from October, 2000
Stories from August and September, 2000
Stories from June and July, 2000
Home |
