Tag - parks

 
 

PARKS

Disney and Oriental Land executives pose with Disney characters at the unveiling of an expanded cruise line, in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, earlier this year.
BUSINESS / Companies / FOCUS
Dec 16, 2024
Tokyo Disney Resort operator eyes cruises for new growth
The company plans to invest approximately ¥330 billion in the project, hoping to launch services in fiscal 2028.
On Dec. 11, Universal Studios Japan officially unveiled its new Donkey Kong Country area, putting the iconic character in the spotlight for the first time in a while.
LIFE / Travel
Dec 12, 2024
USJ’s new Donkey Kong Country is a barrel of fun
Mine Cart Madness is the area’s only ride, but there are shops and snacking options as well as chances to meet costumed characters from the iconic series.
The newly opened Nintendo Museum and upcoming Donkey Kong Country area of Universal Studios Japan are the latest examples of the gaming giant's efforts to expand beyond traditional consoles and handhelds.
LIFE / Digital
Nov 16, 2024
Why Nintendo is becoming a 'talent agency' for its beloved characters
Game and console sales account for over 90% of Nintendo's revenue, so exposure to characters could be "a trigger" to attract more people to consoles.
An airplane specially painted with the theme of Tokyo DisneySea's Fantasy Springs area
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 21, 2024
JAL unveils plane themed on Tokyo DisneySea's new area
The plane, which features characters from the Disney movies "Frozen," "Tangled" and "Peter Pan," will mainly fly on domestic routes until November next year.
Hula dancers perform at Spa Resort Hawaiians in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, in November 2018.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 10, 2024
Spa Resort Hawaiians to be acquired by U.S. fund
The acquisition is expected to cost U.S. investment fund Fortress Investment Group up to around ¥14 billion.
Sanrio, the owner of the Hello Kitty brand that operates two indoor theme parks, has enjoyed a 93% gain in its stock this year, as the ongoing heat and heavy rain keep visitors away from outdoor entertainment.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 4, 2024
Hello Kitty stock soars 93% as Tokyo heat sends tourists indoors
Ongoing heat and heavy rain have been key factors in keeping visitors away from outdoor entertainment facilities.
The Noto Peninsula quasi-national park in 2020, before the area was hit by the the Jan. 1 Noto Peninsula earthquake
JAPAN
Aug 26, 2024
Government to help set up hiking trail in Ishikawa
The environment ministry plans to secure ¥900 million as related expenses in its fiscal 2025 budget request.
The Kappabashi Bridge in the Chubusangaku National Park is just one of many sites the Japanese government is hoping will serve to draw tourists to a planned nationwide rollout of luxury resorts.
LIFE / Travel
Aug 16, 2024
Japan sets 2031 target for luxury hotels at all 35 national parks
"We are aiming for world-class national parks based on the understanding of local communities and the idea of environmental conservation."
Disney resorts division head Josh D’Amaro
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 12, 2024
Disney plots villains-themed land and new cruise ships in resorts push
Disney is providing details after announcing plans for its parks and resorts unit last year that included doubling capital investment to $60 billion over 10 years.
Visitors enter a haunted house at the Namjatown indoor theme park in Tokyo on July 30.
LIFE / Travel
Aug 7, 2024
Japanese beat the heat in 'liver-chilling' haunted houses
A visit to a haunted house is seen as a refreshing respite in Japan from the summer's heat and humidity.
A family marches into the newly opened Fantasy Springs section at Tokyo DisneySea on Thursday.
LIFE / Travel
Jun 9, 2024
Japan's theme parks are ramping up their offerings ahead of summer
You don't need to take the kids overseas when there are plenty of amusement parks at home to plan a summer vacation around.
A park in the city of Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture
JAPAN
Jun 6, 2024
Japan eyes partner hotels for national parks
The ministry is considering forming such tie-ups with around five hotel operators that are active in preserving the environment and contributing to local communities.
People enter the Fantasy Springs area that opened Thursday at Tokyo DisneySea in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 6, 2024
Tokyo DisneySea's 'Fantasy Springs' area opens
Visitors require a free Standby Pass or paid Disney Premier Access, along with a DisneySea ticket, to access the new area.
Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs Hotel is set to open in June in the theme park's new section featuring areas based on "Frozen," "Tangled" and "Peter Pan."
BUSINESS
May 7, 2024
Tokyo DisneySea taps ‘Frozen’ and 'Peter Pan' in ¥320 billion expansion
The expansion, which opens to the public June 6, is expected to help boost total annual sales by ¥75 billion.
A terrace of one of the rooms of the Grand Chateau hotel building located in Tokyo DisneySea's new "Fantasy Springs" area in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 24, 2024
Hotel at new Tokyo DisneySea area shown to press
The minimum overnight fee for the hotel's two buildings is ¥66,000 for rooms at the Fantasy Chateau and ¥341,000 for those at higher-end Grand Chateau.
A sign banning the use of a water tap in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward on Friday
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Apr 7, 2024
Man arrested for allegedly rubbing his buttocks against water tap at Tokyo park
The man has admitted to the charge, saying he did it "to satisfy his sexual desire," according to the sources.
People visit to view cherry blossoms in full bloom at Chidorigafuchi, one of the moats around the Imperial Palace, in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN
Apr 4, 2024
Tokyo crowds revel as cherry blossoms reach full bloom
The Meteorological Agency declared that Japan's most common and popular Somei Yoshino variety of cherry tree was in full bloom.
Immersive Fort Tokyo holds a ceremony on Thursday ahead of its Friday opening in Tokyo's Odaiba area.
BUSINESS
Feb 29, 2024
Immersive Fort Tokyo seeks to update theme park experience
The park could become a new landmark in the Odaiba district by the Tokyo Bay as it seeks to update the typical theme park experience.
A rendering of the new Junglia theme park scheduled to open in Okinawa in 2025
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 27, 2023
Nature-focused theme park to open in Okinawa in 2025
The park aims to take advantage of the outstanding forests of northern Okinawa Prefecture, which have been designated a World Heritage site.
The Disney store in Times Square, New York, on Oct. 29
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 9, 2023
Disney tops earnings forecasts as Iger sets 'building' phase
Disney now says it is on track to achieve $7.5 billion in annualized savings

Longform

Visitors to Kyoto walk along a street near Kiyomizu Temple in April. A popular tourist spot, Kyoto has seen what locals feel to be an overwhelming amount of tourists in 2024.
Is Japan ready for 60 million tourists?