Located in Midorigaoka, Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Greenland is a large amusement park offering an exciting variety of rides, family attractions, entertainment, and seasonal events. With roller coasters, a giant Ferris wheel, haunted houses, children’s rides, and numerous other attractions, the park offers a full day of fun for visitors of different ages.
The amusement park forms part of Greenland Resort, an extensive leisure complex covering approximately 3 million square meters. In addition to the amusement park, the wider resort area includes golf courses, hotels, hot spring facilities, and shopping facilities, making it possible to combine a visit to the rides with other recreational activities.
Greenland first opened in the 1960s and has developed over the decades into one of the region’s best-known leisure destinations. Its large collection of attractions, wide range of rides, and varied entertainment make it particularly popular with families, groups of friends, and couples looking for an enjoyable day out.
The amusement park was originally known as Mitsui Greenland. It developed in connection with the area’s industrial history and the business interests associated with Mitsui Mining. Following the withdrawal of Mitsui Mining from the business, the park adopted its present name, Greenland, on July 21, 2007.
When it first opened in 1966 as Mitsui Greenland, the facilities included a tourist fruit orchard, a children’s amusement area, a boating pond, and a hotel. Over time, additional attractions and commercial facilities were introduced, gradually transforming the site into the large-scale amusement park visitors know today.
This history gives Greenland a distinctive place among Japan’s established amusement parks. Rather than remaining a small local attraction, it has continued to expand its entertainment offerings and develop new ways for visitors to enjoy the grounds.
Greenland is known for its extensive selection of rides and entertainment. The source material describes 81 attractions, placing it among Japan’s amusement parks with particularly large collections of rides. Thrill rides, family attractions, indoor entertainment, and children’s play areas allow visitors to choose experiences suited to their interests and ages.
Roller coasters are one of the park’s main attractions, but there is much more to explore. Visitors can enjoy a giant Ferris wheel, water rides, spinning attractions, haunted houses, mazes, go-karts, arcade games, and Japanese-style carnival games. This variety makes Greenland suitable for groups in which different members have different ideas about what makes a perfect amusement park visit.
The Dinosaur Coaster GAO is one of Greenland’s signature roller coasters. The ride measures approximately 1,735 meters in length, reaches a maximum height of 40 meters, and has a reported top speed of 100 kilometers per hour.
The coaster received a dinosaur-themed makeover in 1997, when a structure inspired by a Stegosaurus was added. The dinosaur theme gives the ride a distinctive appearance and adds a sense of adventure to the experience.
With its long track, substantial height, and high speed, GAO is an attraction for visitors seeking a more exhilarating ride. Its scale also illustrates the park’s emphasis on large, memorable amusement rides.
NIO, whose name refers to the fierce guardian figures known as Nio, is a suspended roller coaster manufactured by the Belgian company Vekoma. Its track measures approximately 662 meters, with a maximum height of 35 meters and a reported top speed of 80 kilometers per hour.
The ride uses suspended seating, allowing riders’ legs to hang freely beneath the track. Its two-person seating arrangement and ten-car train create a distinctive riding experience, while the course is inspired by the flowing form of a Nio guardian’s celestial scarf.
The theme continues at the entrance, where an Agyo guardian figure is displayed, and on the roof, where an Ungyo figure appears. These details connect the ride’s design with traditional Japanese Buddhist imagery, giving the attraction a character that differs from a conventional roller coaster.
The Milky Way attraction features two parallel roller coaster courses named Orihime and Hikoboshi. Their names refer to the legendary celestial lovers associated with the Tanabata star festival in Japan.
The two coasters were manufactured by Senyo Kogyo and Togo and were relocated from the International Garden and Greenery Exposition. The parallel-track arrangement allows the two rides to run alongside one another.
Orihime uses seated cars, while Hikoboshi offers a standing ride. Each course is approximately 650 meters long, reaches a maximum height of 30 meters, and has a reported top speed of 75 kilometers per hour.
Greenland’s additional roller coasters cater to different ages and preferences. The Ladybug Coaster offers a simpler ride suitable for younger visitors, while the Black Hole Coaster features an indoor, space-themed experience.
Spin Mouse is a spinning coaster in the Mad Mouse style, with a track approximately 420 meters long. The Sphinx Coaster is a smaller coaster with an ancient Egyptian theme.
The park’s historical attraction list also includes Ultra Twister Megaton, a coaster with a maximum height of approximately 30 meters. The source material identifies this ride as being suspended from operation indefinitely, so visitors should check the current operating status of individual attractions before their visit.
One of Greenland’s most recognizable attractions is the giant Ferris wheel Rainbow. Measuring approximately 100 meters in diameter and 104.5 meters in height, it offers a leisurely ride above the park and surrounding landscape.
The Ferris wheel has 64 gondolas, each accommodating up to six passengers. Its slow rotation gives visitors time to enjoy the views from above, making it an appealing option for families and those who prefer a gentler attraction to the park’s high-speed rides.
Rainbow was relocated from the Asia-Pacific Exposition. Its impressive scale and elevated position make it a prominent feature of the park’s skyline.
Visitors looking for excitement beyond roller coasters can choose from a range of rides involving water, spinning movements, swinging seats, and aerial experiences.
Splash offers the exhilaration of descending through water, while Panic Jungle is a jungle-themed rapid ride. Super Viking features a large ship that swings dramatically from side to side, and Wave Swinger carries riders through the air on rotating, suspended seats.
Gyro Storm combines rotation and swinging movements for a more dynamic ride. Dragon River is a river adventure using six-person boats manufactured by Vekoma, while Star Flyer Goku offers a thrilling experience high above the ground.
The park also features Witch’s Flying Trip, an aerial attraction themed around a flying witch. These rides provide a variety of ways to enjoy the park’s more adventurous side, from water-based excitement to sweeping views and dizzying movements.
Greenland also offers attractions for visitors who enjoy horror and suspense. The Haunted Tower: Invitation to an Abandoned School uses an abandoned school as its setting, creating an atmosphere of mystery and fear.
Jigokudo, or the Hall of Hell, takes visitors through scenes inspired by the various hells of Buddhist tradition. Dororon Hospital uses a hospital setting for its frightening experience, while the 3D Sound Theater Dracula employs three-dimensional sound effects to immerse visitors in a Dracula-themed world.
These attractions offer a different kind of entertainment from the park’s rides, appealing to those who prefer atmospheric storytelling and spooky experiences.
The Wanpaku Area is designed to give younger children their own collection of playful experiences. Its attractions allow children to enjoy the excitement of an amusement park in ways that are more suitable for their age and interests.
Among the rides listed in this area are Mini Viking, a smaller version of the swinging ship; Hammer Striker, a child-oriented hammer attraction; and Minna no Shinkansen, which lets children imagine themselves at the controls of a bullet train.
Drive Saurus features dinosaur-shaped vehicles, while Machine Gun City offers a shooting-style attraction intended for children. Together, these rides provide a mix of pretend driving, action, and simple amusement rides.
Other attractions for younger visitors include Kururun Tower, a small rotating ride, and Good Job Daisakusen, where children can experience activities inspired by different kinds of work.
Mermaid Paradise features a water-based mermaid theme, while Pteranodon takes children into a dinosaur-inspired world. Water Shot and Submarine Shooting offer water and submarine-themed shooting games, respectively.
Tobu Zo-kun lets children imagine flying through the air on the back of an elephant. Hinata Kids and Kids Station provide spaces for younger guests to play, while Working Vehicles Drift Racing introduces a vehicle-themed racing experience.
The variety of attractions means that families can plan a visit around their children’s ages and interests, alternating rides with play areas and breaks for food.
Merry-Go-Round Rendezvous is a large carousel manufactured by Sanoyas Hishino Meisho. It measures approximately 20 meters in diameter and contains 40 wooden horses and eight carriages, with a total capacity of 80 people.
The carousel offers a traditional amusement park experience that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. Its scale makes it a notable attraction for families and a pleasant alternative to the park’s more intense rides.
Card Maze Gururi Mori Adventure combines a maze with collectible or game-related cards. Visitors navigate the maze while engaging with its card-based elements, making it particularly appealing to children who enjoy exploration and interactive play.
KARAKURI Castle is a large three-dimensional maze that challenges visitors to find their way through a series of routes and puzzles. Its multi-level design turns the experience into an exploration activity rather than a simple walk through a conventional maze.
Because the attraction involves navigating and solving challenges, it can be enjoyed by adults as well as children.
Additional attractions include Tea Cups, a familiar spinning ride; Bang! Bang!! Bazooka, a shooting attraction; and Cosmic Maze, a maze with a space theme.
The park also lists a trampoline area, Small Java, which evokes the atmosphere of Southeast Asia, and Ice World, an indoor attraction themed around a cold environment. Crystal House offers a crystal-themed maze, while Luxor Magic: Psychological Judgment in the Valley of the Kings uses a walk-through format in which visitors answer questions as they proceed.
Monster × Heroes invites children to take on the role of heroes battling monsters. Sky Jet provides an elevated ride experience, while Bad Mon Busters: Western Train uses a Western-style train theme. The 4D Gimmick Theater combines three-dimensional imagery with physical effects to create a more immersive screening experience.
Greenland occupies hilly terrain, and the extensive grounds include many slopes. To help visitors move between attractions, the park provides several transport-style rides that connect different sections of the site.
The Sky Lift connects the area near the observation point with the pool entrance. Sky Ship is a suspended, ship-shaped monorail linking the Dragon River area with Monster × Heroes. Another lift connects the vicinity of the Dinosaur Coaster GAO with the Super Viking area.
The Road Train circulates around the park and has eight stops where passengers can get on and off. These options can make it easier to travel between attractions, particularly for families with young children or visitors who would prefer not to walk up and down every slope.
Greenland recreates some of the atmosphere of traditional Japanese festival stalls through its carnival-style attractions. Carnival Sultan offers a ring-toss game, while Shooting House allows visitors to try a traditional target-shooting game.
Laser Shooting introduces a laser-based shooting game, G-ZONE features interactive physical games, and Carnival Games brings together a selection of fairground-style challenges.
These attractions provide a relaxed alternative to the larger rides and offer visitors a chance to enjoy the playful atmosphere associated with Japanese festivals.
Several game centers are also located within Greenland. The Game Corner offers arcade games for casual play, while Game Plaza provides a larger selection of games suitable for families and groups of friends.
Joy Plaza features interactive games and crane machines. These indoor entertainment options provide another way to spend time in the park, particularly during breaks between rides or when the weather makes outdoor activities less convenient.
For visitors who enjoy driving experiences, Greenland offers go-kart attractions in both single-seat and two-seat configurations. They provide an opportunity for friends and family members to enjoy a racing-style activity together.
The listed attractions include the single-seat Indy Kart and its two-seat version, as well as the single-seat GT Go-Kart and its two-seat counterpart. The different configurations allow visitors to choose between driving independently and sharing the experience with another passenger.
Greenland also has an animal interaction area known as Wan-chan to Yukai na Dobutsu Hiroba. Visitors can encounter animals such as pigs, flamingos, guinea pigs, and dogs.
The area offers a change of pace from the rides and provides children with an opportunity to observe animals at close range. It adds an educational and interactive element to the amusement park experience, making the park appealing to families who want to combine rides with other activities.
Greenland organizes seasonal events that give visitors different reasons to return throughout the year. The source material highlights spring fireworks displays, summer pool events, and winter illuminations among the park’s seasonal entertainment.
These events create different atmospheres depending on the time of year. Spring visits may combine rides with special entertainment, summer offers opportunities to enjoy water-based activities, and winter illuminations bring a festive feeling to the grounds.
Event schedules and operating arrangements can change each year, so visitors should consult the park’s official announcements when planning a trip around a particular event.
Greenland has numerous restaurants and cafés where visitors can take a break from the attractions. Dining options include local specialties, casual fast food, and sweets, providing choices for different tastes and budgets.
Having food and drink available within the park makes it easier to spend a full day exploring its extensive grounds. Families can schedule meal breaks between rides, while visitors who prefer a more relaxed pace can combine dining with the park’s gentler attractions and entertainment areas.
The park offers admission tickets as well as passes that include access to attractions. The source material lists a historical admission price of ¥1,600 for adults and ¥800 for children, but these figures differ from the later fee information provided in the same source. For this reason, visitors should check the official ticket prices before their visit.
A free pass may be a convenient choice for those planning to enjoy many rides throughout the day. Visitors who intend to use only a few attractions may prefer to compare the available ticket options before purchasing admission.
Opening hours vary according to the season. The park may operate for longer hours during major holidays and summer vacation, while winter opening times may be shorter. Checking the latest calendar, attraction operating status, ticket prices, and event schedule in advance will help visitors make the most of their day.
Greenland can be reached by bus from Omuta Station, which is served by the JR Kagoshima Main Line and the Nishitetsu Tenjin Omuta Line. The source material gives a journey of approximately 20 minutes by local bus to the main entrance area.
Another option is JR Arao Station, from which a bus operated by Sangyo Bus takes approximately 10 minutes to reach the park area. Depending on the service, visitors can get off near the main gate or the north gate.
Bus timetables and journey times may vary, so checking current connections before departure is recommended.
For visitors traveling by car, Greenland is approximately 15 kilometers from the Nankan Interchange on the Kyushu Expressway. The resort has a large parking area, making driving a practical option for families and groups.
Road access is particularly convenient for travelers who wish to combine their visit with other attractions in northern Kumamoto or neighboring Fukuoka Prefecture.
Greenland stands out for the breadth of its attractions, ranging from large roller coasters and a giant Ferris wheel to children’s rides, mazes, animal encounters, and arcade games. Its extensive grounds and supporting resort facilities make it possible to enjoy a varied day of entertainment without leaving the area.
Whether you are looking for high-speed thrills, a relaxed family outing, interactive games, or seasonal events, Greenland offers a wide range of ways to enjoy a visit to Kumamoto. Its long history and continuing development have made it a well-established leisure destination for visitors from across Kyushu and beyond.
9:30-17:30 Open at night during GW, summer vacation, and New Year’s Eve
Winter hours change from the end of November to the end of February.
Admission fee
Adults (high school students and older): 1,800 yen
Children (elementary and junior high school students) 900 yen
Infants (3 years old to preschooler) 900 yen
Senior (65 years old and over) 900 yen
Admission + Free Pass
Adult (high school student and older) 5,700 yen
Children (elementary and junior high school students) 4,600 yen
Infant (3 years old to preschooler) 3,600 yen
Senior (65 years old and over) 3,600 yen
12 minutes by bus from Arao Station
20 minutes by car from the Nanseki IC
25 min. by car from Kikusui IC