Nagashima Spa Land, located in Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture, is one of western Japan’s leading amusement parks, renowned for its impressive collection of thrilling roller coasters and high-adrenaline attractions. Often described as the western counterpart to Fuji-Q Highland in eastern Japan, the park attracts visitors from the Tokai and Kansai regions throughout the year. As of January 2023, it featured 12 different roller coasters, giving it the largest collection of roller coasters in Japan at the time. During summer, the popular Jumbo Saltwater Pool opens, adding another major attraction for visitors seeking fun in the sun.
Nagashima Spa Land is the centerpiece of the larger Nagashima Resort, a destination offering amusement rides, hot springs, accommodation, shopping, flowers, and seasonal illuminations. The resort is ideal for families, couples, and travelers looking to combine several activities in one trip.
Adjacent facilities include Yuamino Shima, a large hot spring complex, and three resort hotels: Hotel Hanamizuki, Garden Hotel Olive, and Hotel Nagashima. The nearby Mitsui Outlet Park Jazz Dream Nagashima also offers extensive shopping, with a wide range of fashion brands, accessories, restaurants, and other specialty stores.
Nagashima Spa Land has long been one of Japan’s major amusement park destinations. According to figures published by the Themed Entertainment Association in 2011, the park welcomed approximately 5.82 million visitors annually, ranking 16th among theme parks worldwide at the time. Within Japan, it ranked among the country’s most visited amusement parks.
The wider Nagashima Resort has also attracted substantial numbers of visitors, thanks to its combination of entertainment, shopping, hot springs, and seasonal attractions.
The park can become particularly crowded on weekends, national holidays, during Golden Week in spring, and over the summer holiday period, especially around the Obon season in August. Two of the most popular attractions are Hakugei and Steel Dragon 2000, both of which can have waiting times exceeding two hours on busy days.
Visitors who arrive on weekday mornings may experience shorter queues, sometimes waiting around 30 minutes for popular rides. Planning your visit for a quieter time can help you enjoy more attractions throughout the day.
Since October 2003, Peter Rabbit has served as Nagashima Spa Land’s image character, with related merchandise available in the park. Previously, the park featured Woody Woodpecker as its mascot. The character was changed following the opening of Universal Studios Japan in Osaka.
Nagashima Spa Land has also appeared as a filming location in Japanese television productions. The park was used in episodes of the popular action drama series Seibu Keisatsu Part II and Seibu Keisatsu Part III, including the New Year special titled Moeru Yūsha-tachi (The Burning Heroes). These appearances helped introduce the park to an even wider audience.
On November 18 and 19, 2017, Nagashima Spa Land hosted the Yuru-Chara Grand Prix 2017, a major event celebrating Japan’s regional mascots. The competition brought together local characters from across the country and attracted numerous visitors to the park.
Hakugei is a hybrid roller coaster that combines a wooden support structure with a steel track. It opened on March 28, 2019, following the redevelopment of the former wooden coaster White Cyclone.
The ride reaches a height of 55 meters, a maximum speed of 107 km/h, and a maximum drop angle of 80 degrees. Its track extends for 1,530 meters, and the construction cost was approximately ¥2.88 billion. Its innovative design allows for dynamic twists, turns, and movements that are difficult to achieve with traditional wooden roller coasters.
Steel Dragon 2000 opened on August 1, 2000, and is one of the park’s signature attractions. It reaches a maximum height of 97 meters, features a drop of 93.5 meters, and can reach speeds of 153 km/h. Its track stretches for an impressive 2,479 meters.
When it opened, the coaster earned four Guinness World Records, reflecting its extraordinary scale and performance. It remains particularly famous for its exceptionally long track, making it a must-ride attraction for roller coaster enthusiasts from around the world.
Acrobat opened on July 18, 2015, as part of the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Nagashima Resort. It was Japan’s first large-scale flying roller coaster, with riders positioned face-down to create the sensation of flying through the air.
The ride features an impressive pretzel-shaped loop, twisting maneuvers, and water effects from fountains along the course. Its design is based on the Manta flying coaster at SeaWorld Orlando in the United States. The project cost approximately ¥3.7 billion, including surrounding facilities.
ARASHI opened on March 10, 2017, as Japan’s first 4D spinning roller coaster. Developed using a model from American manufacturer S&S Worldwide, the ride features seats that extend beyond the sides of the track and rotate forward and backward as the coaster moves.
The number of rotations varies according to the balance of the riders’ weight, making each ride a distinctive experience. The coaster reaches a height of 34 meters, covers 310 meters of track, and reaches speeds of up to 65 km/h. It features a maximum gradient of 90 degrees and a maximum acceleration of 3.0 G. The construction cost was approximately ¥800 million, and the ride accommodates eight passengers per train.
Corkscrew is one of Nagashima Spa Land’s early thrill rides, having originally opened on July 2, 1978. Manufactured by the American company Arrow, it is known for its double corkscrew inversions, which turn riders upside down through two consecutive 360-degree twists.
The attraction temporarily ceased operations on September 19, 2011, before reopening at a new location on March 17, 2012. During the relocation, the track was shortened from 450 meters to 390 meters.
Located beside the main entrance to Nagashima Spa Land, the Nagoya Anpanman Children’s Museum & Park opened on April 23, 2010, on part of the former parking area. It was established through a joint investment involving Chukyo TV Broadcasting, Nagashima Kanko Kaihatsu, and Anpanman Children’s Museum Co., Ltd.
The facility features live Anpanman shows, children’s attractions, themed merchandise shops, and restaurants. As the second Anpanman children’s museum in Japan, following the Yokohama facility, it is a popular destination for families with young children.
Hotel Hanamizuki is an upscale Japanese-style resort hotel where guests can enjoy elegant hospitality and beautiful views of Ise Bay. The hotel also hosts special events, including dinner shows and banquets, making it suitable for travelers seeking a luxurious resort experience.
Garden Hotel Olive is a resort hotel with a strong emphasis on Japanese-style rooms. Its buffet dining is particularly popular, and the relaxed atmosphere makes it a convenient choice for families and groups traveling together.
Hotel Nagashima offers Western-style guest rooms and private bathrooms supplied with natural hot spring water. Guests can enjoy modern comforts while relaxing in the resort’s hot spring facilities.
Yuamino Shima is a hot spring leisure complex featuring outdoor baths supplied by Nagashima Onsen. Surrounded by natural scenery, the facility offers a relaxing escape after a day of amusement park rides or shopping.
The complex also has a large performance hall where singers and other entertainers hold concerts and live performances, combining traditional hot spring relaxation with entertainment.
The resort hotels are connected by passageways, and a dedicated entrance to Nagashima Spa Land is available for hotel guests. Depending on the accommodation package and applicable conditions, guests may also enjoy complimentary admission to Yuamino Shima, Nagashima Spa Land, and Nabana no Sato, as well as free shuttle services.
Mitsui Outlet Park Jazz Dream Nagashima is a large outlet shopping mall located within the Nagashima Spa Land parking area. With more than 240 stores, it offers a broad selection of fashion, accessories, restaurants, and specialty shops. It is an excellent place to shop for Japanese and international brands while visiting the resort.
Nabana no Sato, located in the Nagashima district of Kuwana City, is a flower-themed park known for its seasonal displays and beautifully landscaped gardens. Highlights include the Begonia Garden, foot baths, and locally brewed beer.
The park is especially famous for its winter illumination event, which ranks among Japan’s largest and attracts visitors from across the country. The combination of flowers, illuminated landscapes, and seasonal displays makes it a popular destination throughout the year.
Nagashima Country Club, located in Inabe City, Mie Prefecture, is another facility associated with the Nagashima Resort group. It provides a destination for golf enthusiasts seeking to enjoy a round of golf in the region.
Nagashima Resort brings together a wide variety of attractions in one destination, from world-class roller coasters and family entertainment to hot springs, luxury accommodation, shopping, flower gardens, and golf. Whether you are seeking an adrenaline-filled day, a relaxing hot spring getaway, or a family holiday, Nagashima Spa Land and its surrounding facilities offer plenty of ways to enjoy your visit to Mie Prefecture.