11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Asahi Shimbun
Theme park boom knows ‘no limit' amid surging demand
A preview event is held on July 10 for the expanded Minion Park at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. (Sakiko Kondo)
Japan's theme park industry is experiencing a wave of expansion and innovation, fueled by surging demand from domestic and international visitors.
Leading the charge is Universal Studios Japan, which continues to upgrade its attractions under its 'No Limit!' branding campaign.
USJ unveiled an expanded Minion Park on July 11, increasing its size by 1.4 times.
The main attraction is a new shooting game, where guests ride a moving walkway and shoot at targets along the way. With no height restrictions, the ride aims to be accessible to a broad range of visitors.
On July 18, USJ will also reopen its revamped Snoopy Studio. The upgraded area will include a new indoor roller coaster featuring Snoopy's iconic doghouse, designed for family-friendly thrills in time for Japan's busy summer travel season.
USJ isn't the only theme park investing in major upgrades. Oriental Land Co. is pushing forward with large-scale redevelopment plans for Tokyo Disneyland's Tomorrowland.
The company is making a significant investment in two major projects in the area: a new attraction set to open as early as fiscal 2026 at a cost of 29.5 billion yen ($200 million); and a complete redesign of Space Mountain and its surrounding area, scheduled for completion in 2027 at a cost of 70.5 billion yen.
The expansion follows two consecutive years of record revenues for the company.
The flurry of activity comes as Japan's theme park sector enjoys a strong rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the economy ministry, the industry generated 892.6 billion yen in sales in 2024—1.5 times higher than a decade ago.
Attendance is also on the rise. USJ welcomed 16 million visitors in 2023, ranking it third globally among theme parks, according to a U.S.-based industry association.
Meanwhile, new players are entering the market.
Junglia Okinawa, a nature-themed park in northern Okinawa Prefecture, is set to open on July 25. The park is expected to tap into the growing number of tourists visiting Japan.
