Lina World is a large-scale amusement park in Kaminoyama, Yamagata Prefecture, and is one of the largest amusement parks in the Tohoku region. The park offers a wide variety of attractions, ranging from thrilling rides for adventure seekers to gentle attractions that even young children can enjoy.
Popular attractions include a log-flume ride, Viking pirate ship, and roller coasters. The park is also home to Hello Kitty & Friends Märchen Land, an area created in collaboration with Sanrio characters. With attractions for different ages, Lina World is suitable for families with children as well as groups of friends and couples.
Throughout the park, visitors can also enjoy stage shows and performances. Restaurants, snack stands, an ice cream shop, and a crepe shop provide plenty of opportunities to take a break and enjoy something to eat during the day.
The park is also conveniently located near some of Yamagata’s famous hot spring resorts. It is approximately 10 minutes by car from Kaminoyama Onsen and about 20 minutes from Zao Onsen, making it easy to combine a visit to the amusement park with a hot spring getaway.
Lina World is divided into several zones, each offering attractions for different age groups. From rides designed for small children to attractions offering genuine thrills, families can choose activities according to their interests and ages.
The Joyful Zone features a variety of attractions that capture the excitement and playful atmosphere of a traditional amusement park.
Kite Flyer gives riders the sensation of flying through the air. Witch’s Pumpkin Tree is a colorful spinning ride where passengers ride inside pumpkin-shaped vehicles, making it particularly popular with children.
At Treasure Island, visitors can enjoy an adventure inspired by the golden age of sailing and pirates. Kachin-Kochin offers an unusual experience inside a giant refrigerator and freezer maintained at -20°C.
For something different, visitors can enter the Japanese-style haunted house Yokai Temple, or explore Magic Mirror World Mugen, an immersive attraction that uses OLED panels and mirrors to create a mysterious visual experience.
The Excite Zone brings together attractions focused on speed, height, water, and other thrills.
Kyuryu Suberi, or the Log Flume, is one of the park’s popular attractions. The course is 346 meters long. Riders board a vehicle resembling a hollowed-out log and travel along a water channel before making a steep, roller-coaster-like descent toward the water near the end of the ride.
Other attractions include 3D Maze DOSAIDA?, a VR Theater, and Doki Doki! Karakuri Journey, where visitors can enjoy physical challenges, visual effects, and mechanical surprises.
Jumping Star provides thrills through repeated vertical movements, while Amore Express races back and forth along a track with wave-like sections. The popular Viking ride recreates the excitement of being aboard a pirate ship as it swings high into the air.
Cycle Monorail is a 220-meter-long attraction that visitors power themselves by pedaling. Elevated above the ground, it offers a leisurely aerial tour of the park while allowing riders to enjoy the scenery from above.
Because the ride is powered by the rider’s own legs, it is also a fun way to get some exercise while sightseeing around Lina World.
On Water Shot, visitors board safari-style vehicles and set off on an adventure armed with water guns. It is especially refreshing during the warmer months and provides a fun way to cool off while enjoying the park.
Go-Karts allow visitors to control the accelerator, brake, and steering wheel themselves. With uphill and downhill sections and hairpin turns, the course provides a fun driving-style experience.
Jet Coaster Discovery is the roller coaster with the longest track in the park, measuring 587 meters in total. Rather than focusing solely on extreme drops and dramatic movements, the course is designed with an emphasis on a comfortable ride that can be enjoyed by a broad range of visitors.
There are also smaller attractions throughout the park, including trolley-style rides and coin-operated amusement rides that can be enjoyed casually.
One of Lina World’s most popular areas is Hello Kitty & Friends Märchen Land. The area features charming attractions inspired by Hello Kitty and other beloved Sanrio characters, creating a colorful and storybook-like atmosphere for children and families.
At Strawberry Cafe, visitors ride in cups decorated with Sanrio characters as they spin around in circles. The cute design and gentle ride make it especially suitable for younger children.
Fairy Kitty Carousel is a two-level merry-go-round. Cheerful music and the adorable Fairy Kitty characters create a playful, fairytale-like atmosphere that children can enjoy with their families.
The Hello Kitty Ferris Wheel stands 35 meters high. It was introduced as Japan’s first Hello Kitty-themed Ferris wheel, allowing visitors to enjoy views of the surrounding area together with Hello Kitty.
Sky Fan is easily recognized by its enormous balloon-like Hello Kitty face. The area also features attractions such as the Melody Train, offering gentle rides that are particularly enjoyable for young children.
On the Angel Coaster, Angel Kitty in the front car appears to lead the way. The coaster travels smoothly along a 63.3-meter-long track, providing younger riders with an introduction to the excitement of a roller coaster.
The area also includes battery-powered cars and a children’s play corner, making Hello Kitty & Friends Märchen Land a convenient place for families traveling with small children.
Lina World offers much more than amusement rides, with a variety of facilities designed to make it comfortable to spend a full day at the park.
Event Hall and Plaza Stage host various events and shows, while Joyful Shop is a place to browse for amusement-park souvenirs and character goods.
Other activities include arcade games, Lina Beach, Yume Kobo Craft Workshop, and a Petting Zoo. Rest areas are also available for visitors, including families with young children who need a break after enjoying the rides.
Lina World has several places where visitors can enjoy a meal, snack, or refreshing break. At Cafeteria Lina and Fast Food Plaza, visitors can grab a meal or light snack without having to leave the park.
On hot days, Lina World’s Ice Cream Shop is a great place to cool down with a cold dessert. Crepe House Hana no Tane also serves crepes that are convenient to enjoy while walking around the park.
In addition to its rides and attractions, Lina World hosts stage shows, performer shows, and other events. The schedule and types of events vary depending on the season, giving visitors another way to enjoy the park beyond its rides.
A full day at Lina World can include riding attractions with the family, watching a show, taking breaks for meals and sweets, and exploring the various areas at a relaxed pace.
Another attraction of Lina World is its convenient location near some of Yamagata’s best-known hot spring destinations. The park is approximately 10 minutes by car from Kaminoyama Onsen and around 20 minutes from Zao Onsen.
This makes it easy to include Lina World in a hot spring trip. Visitors can spend the day enjoying the amusement park and then relax in a traditional Japanese hot spring, or stop at the park during a broader sightseeing itinerary around Yamagata.
The history of Lina World dates back to 1968, when the original facility opened as a rest house. It initially featured a hot spring bath and restaurant.
The following year, in 1969, the facility officially opened as an amusement park and became known as Yamako Land.
Over the years, the park expanded its facilities and attractions, gradually developing into a larger leisure destination where more visitors could enjoy a variety of activities.
In 1989, the park underwent a major renovation costing 2.8 billion yen. The following year, in 1990, it was renamed Lina World, the name it carries today.
Following the renovation, the park was developed around the theme of “Light, Nature, and Water.” Pastel colors were incorporated throughout the grounds, creating a bright, cheerful, and welcoming environment.
Lina World brings together a wide range of experiences in one amusement park, from thrilling roller coasters and water rides to charming Sanrio attractions, hands-on activities, animal encounters, food, and sweets.
The bright park environment, inspired by the themes of Light, Nature, and Water, offers attractions for visitors of different ages. Its convenient location near Kaminoyama Onsen and Zao Onsen also makes it easy to combine amusement-park fun with a relaxing Japanese hot spring experience.
For families visiting Yamagata, Lina World provides an opportunity to enjoy an energetic day of rides and entertainment while experiencing another side of the region’s leisure and travel culture.