Hirakata Park (ひらかたパーク) in Hirakata near the city of Osaka is one of Japan’s oldest amusement parks. The park originated as the exhibition site for the Kikuningyō-ten in 1912, showing chrysanthemum-decorated figures and scenes during the months of October and November. In 1926 Keihan Electric Railway began operating the park and expanded the offer. Nowadays, the park features a very wide and family orientated portfolio. The park also operates the water park The Boon during the summer months and the large scale ice rink Winter Carnaval during the winter season. The easiest way to reach the amusement park is by train to the Hirakata-kōen Station.
Fun Fact #1: The spinning coaster Crazy Mouse is the only one of its kind, which does not spin.
Fun Fact #2: If you want to get a high score on the log flume Bassh, scream as loud as you can.
Yomiuriland (よみうりランド) in Inagi near the city of Tokyo is one of Japan’s best known amusement parks. The park was opened by the influential Yomiuri Group, Japan’s largest newspaper publisher and owner of the Yomiuri Giants baseball team, in 1964. The park offers a very wide and family friendly mix of rides and attractions. With the Good Job area of the park, the park is moving more and more into an interactive theme park.
The park also operates the water park Water Amusement Island (WAI) during the summer months and hosts several other events during the rest of the year. The easiest way to reach the amusement park is by train to the Keio Yomiuriland Station. The nearest JR station is Inadazutsumi Station. From Keio Yomiuriland you can take the Skyway cable car towards the entrance of the theme park.
Fun Fact #1: The roller coaster Bandit was the first Hyper Coaster ever built.
Fun Fact #2: The Standing and Loop Coaster Momonga was the first ever roller coaster to feature Stand-Up trains.
Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri is one of the oldest tourist attractions in the Ozark Mountains and one of the world’s best theme parks. Its history is based around the Marvel Cave, which still can be experienced during guided tours. With the reconstruction of a typical 1880s Ozark Village, the foundation stone for today’s Silver Dollar City theme park and the Herschend Family Entertainment Group was laid.
Silver Dollar City is home to a large number of outstanding roller coasters and family-friendly rides, as well as an excellent entertainment offer, including shows, street performance and edutainment. As everything is based on the 1880s Ozark Village, the park offers an extremely immersive experience. There is something new to discover at every corner of the amusement park, no matter how small.
Fun Fact: The launched coaster Powder Keg used to be a water coaster called Buzzsaw Falls.