I am naming this blog with part 1 as I know deep in my heart, there will be a part 2! 😀 I am claiming that part 2 will be very soon! ❤
With that, Japan’s Theme Parks held a big spot in my life and my entire itinerary while in Japan. I spent one full day to enjoy the theme parks such as Disneyland in Tokyo, Universal Studios in Osaka and Nijigen No Mori in Awaji Island.
Japan allures tourists with these theme parks and believe me, you won’t regret it! Even an adult like me made me giggle to visit these places. It was actually not my type to be tempted to travel to these theme parks but this is Japan, known for its entertainment and anime, there must be an exemption! 😀
Disneyland in Tokyo
I knew that I will walk more inside the theme park so I thought it was a good idea to rent a cab. From my hostel, it took me 20 minutes to reach Disneyland. It will be cheaper to take trains but my feet aches and I wanted to enjoy Disneyland as much as I can.
I bought my one-day pass in Klook prior to my flight and scheduled it on a Friday. The one-day pass cost Php 3,384.00. Hesitant at first since the Pirates of Caribbean attraction was closed, I still went for it!
When I arrived by 9AM, the crowd and queue was long. There were seperate lines for those who have pre-booked their tickets and those who will purchase it. Though the lines were long, it was moving so I entered Disneyland main gate in less than 10 minutes.
There were too many attractions that you can see inside Disneyland. As for me, a first-timer visitor of any Disneyland, all things that I saw were like part of childhood. I was very happy that I decided to visit Disneyland. A blast from the past will hit you and there were moments that I thought of bringing my family specially my two nephews. They will definitely enjoy this place. ❤ Hopefully, next time I can come with them. ❤
Even you travel alone, you will still enjoy this place on your own. I was happy to see different lovely faces from every walks of life, in different races, ages and color.
There were many restaurants and souvenir shops inside Disneyland. Make sure to download their application online to know the waiting time of attractions and where are the restaurants, shops and restrooms located.
The highlight of my Disneyland adventure was the Disney Parade. The wind blows cold but the temperature rises as the sun was on its peak. Nevertheless, I waited for the parade that happened between 1-2PM. I never thought that I will be emotional to see the Disney Princesses, Mickey and Minnie Mouse and my ever favorite Peter Pan and Wendy! ❤ It was a dream come true! ❤
After the parade, I kept exploring the theme park. I was actually not able to experience the attractions even the carousel due to the long queue. But I never regretted it, seeing this theme park alone, children and adult’s happy faces, the parade, it made my heart full. ❤ I also love how intricately made each stores, corners even lamp posts or restrooms, all dedicated to Disney themes. It was really a childhood flashback! ❤
I was happy to see some Sakura trees blooming inside the theme park so I never missed the chance to take some good photos. ❤ How blessed I was! ❤
By about 4PM, I decided to return to my hostel via train in JR Maihama Station. I knew it was early and there were too many attractions to visit but my feet was tired. I also felt feverish due to the cold weather but still after walking long, you will still sweat. Good thing, I bought first-aid medicines.
Nevertheless, my one day adventure in Disneyland was truly unforgettable. I hope when I get back, I am with someone or either my family to enjoy it more. I might book 2-day pass to enjoy it the most. But this time. this experience is one for the books and truly magical! ❤
Aside from Disneyland, you may also visit DisneySea. From what I read, it was more suitable for adults. 😀 You may also visit the official website of Tokyo Disney Resort here.
Universal Studios in Osaka
Unlike in Tokyo and Disneyland, Universal Studios in Osaka is very accessible via train. You do not need to transfer to different stations as there was actually a USJ Train Station. From my hotel to USJ, it took me 10 minutes to travel.
If you are a movie fan, you will never missed to visit USJ. Universal Studios Japan in Osaka opened in 2001. Then on, it has been tagged as one of the best amusement parks in Japan and the world. My one-day pass that I bought via Klook cost Php 3,585. It may be too lavish but as a Harry Potter fan or a Potterhead this was a journey to embark! ❤
My heart was stomping when I saw Mr. Weasley’s car, Hogsmeade and Three Broomsticks! My Potterhead heart and soul wanted to jump and just made me amuse and smile all the time. 🙂
It was like all the movies and books coming to life! I cannot decide which first I will see, which part I will touch, everything feels so magical for me. ❤ ❤ ❤
I started to queue for the long line of Butterbeer and it took me 15 minutes to get my first glass. It was refreshing knowing that I started to walk all morning. And note that there is a mandatory shot to take when drinking Butterbeer, you should have that bubbles on your mouth! 😀 ❤
After drinking my first cup of Butterbeer, I walked around Hogsmeade and found myself buying my fist wand! ❤ Based on my Harry Potter app, my wand is Black Walnut with Dragon Heartstring, I was able to find it and with my eyes closed, I let the cashier swiped my credit card. 😀 Such a blithering idiot of me! 😀 But as Mr. Ollivander’s saying, “the wand chooses the wizard”, I will attest on that statement. 😀
When you buy the wand, there were several challenges you can take around the theme park, you just say the spell, waive your wand correctly and viola there were magical things that will happen. Just like unlocking the door using Alohomora, Incedio to release fire, Aguamenti to have water and many more. Of course, there might be some special effects when waiving your wand and there might be someone controlling the place to let this magic happen. But whatever it was, I enjoy casting spells!
After trying some of the spells, I was starving. I decided to line up for another queue at the Three Broomsticks. It was about a 20-minute wait time but since I was enjoying the intricate details of the restaurant, I was happy to wait.
Finally after the long wait, I was able to eat a proper lunch by 2PM, this what Three Broomstick offered to me. ❤
After the sumptuous late lunch, I tried to do some of the spells and just walked around Hogsmeade and outside the Hogwarts castle.
My Potterhead was so full! I cannot contain the happiness I felt that time! I wish to go back again and hopefully enter the castle. But this time, I also want to explore the other parts of USJ.
Aside from Harry Potter, there were other attractions and sites in USJ that you may not missed. I was fond to see Hello Kitty, Spiderman, Snoopy, Sesame Streets, Minions and many more!
Overall, a day at Universal Studios Japan brought another happiness in my heart. A different experience compare to Disneyland but the magic was always there! ❤
Nijigen No Mori in Awaji Island
Nijigen No Mori is an anime and manga inspired theme park located in Awaji Island at Hyogo Prefecture. Awaji Island is connected to Kobe via one of the longest suspension bridge in the world – Akashi Kaikyo.
My main goal in traveling to Nijigen No Mori was the Naruto theme park. I was a Naruto fan since high school. When pandemic came and we were all in lockdown, I got the chance to finish Naruto Shippuden. By that time, my shinobi heart regained strength! 😀
When I knew that I will finally travel to Japan, I made it clear on my itinerary to include Nigijen No Mori in my list. There were discounted tickets sold at KKDay and Klook. For KKDay, they had this package that you can visit the theme park plus you can ride a Naruto bus. But I cannot see an option on how I can avail this if I am travelling alone. Good thing, Klook offered the theme park ticket plus the Chi No Maki and Ten No Maki activities. My ticket cost Php 1, 962, the voucher instruction was sent to my e-mail.
From Osaka, I wen to Namba Train Station to catch a bus going to Kobe. My plan was to ride that bus and it will directly take me to Awaji IC. However, when I arrived at Namba, the bus already left and the next schedule will be at the afternoon. I then took the train from Namba to Sannomiya Station in Kobe. From the train station, there were scheduled busses going to Awaji IC. I waited for about 10 minutes for this bus. I was also lucky that I met a couple who were also going to Nijigen No Mori so I knew that time that I will not be lost. 😀
After 25 minutes on the bus and crossing Akashi Kaikyo bridge, I arrived at Awaji IC. There was bridge that we took downstairs leading to the free shuttle service going to Nijigen No Mori. The shuttle took us at the theme park in less than 5 minutes. Overall, including the lost of routes period, I arrived at Nijigen No Mori after 2 hours at around 11AM. If ever you will visit Nijigen No Mori, you may visit their site here.
While also on the road, I met Cons. She is a Chilean national who just finished her masteral study about tsunami engineering. Together, we searched for the Naruto and Boruto Theme Park. Nijigen No Mori comprises of different attractions inside like Godzilla, Shin-Chan, Dragon Quest and Demon Blade. Each attractions cost different entrance fees.
After 20 minutes of searching, we found the Naruto park! It was thrilling to see main characters like Naruto, Master Jiraiya and Sasuke! I was also happy to hear the Naruto opening soundtrack at the entrance. ❤
It was a Monday when I arrived at Nijigen No Mori so it was like the place was on our own. The ticket booth gave us a Naruto baller, post cards and our Chi No Maki and Ten No Maki scrolls.
The Hokage faces welcomed us before we enter the activity area. It was like another bucket list come true! ❤
Behind the Hokage faces was the Ten No Maki activity area. The mission was to save Naruto but you need to unlock gates with the correct hand signs of your Ninjutsu skills based on the hierarchal relationship of chakra from Fire, Wind, Thunder, Earth and Water. It was a bit of an athletic challenge to solve a mystery and let you get outside of the maze.
Once you waived your hands correctly and gates opened, a character will welcome you and let you used a stamp on your scroll. You can have stamps for more than 5 characters or you can complete it then slide down outside the maze. As for me, I finished at least 4 characters and went outside the maze. 😀 I may not be able to finish it as I have to climb, jump and cross high barriers, I was still happy with my achievement. I received another Naruto baller after the Ten No Maki activity. After completing the 1st activity and waiting for Cons, I took some more photos.
Beside the Hokage faces was the Chi No Maki activity area, the mission was to find the person who destroyed the seal of the hidden secret chakra as given by Kakashi Sensei.
As we entered the Chi No Maki activity area, my bones including fats 😀 were too scared as I saw the ever best villain group in anime – Akatsuki. The theme music when Akatsuki enters the scene was playing and it was as if they were actually real, who will not be afraid of Kisame, Hidan and Pain? 😀 But it was actually a happy moment too! ❤
These were not just villains but cool individuals too! If you are a Naruto fan, you will love the characters of Itachi, Konan, Nagato and even Kisame who was a loyal ally to Itachi.
Same with the Ten No Maki mission, you will also use your scrolls in Chi No Maki. In every figure or character you will encounter, you have to place your scroll on a small symbol and use your pen to highlight the correct answer. It was like you are stamping your scroll. You will also see other figures such as the snake of Orochimaru, the super beast scroll of Sai and an iconic training places in Mount Myōboku with Toad Sage.
The theme park was more special to me to see Kurama and he was speaking!!!! ❤ If you are still watching Boruto, you may have known that Kurama was gone after saving Naruto. But I have this faith that Kishimoto will let him pop again in Boruto or in any kind of his works. 🙂
After completing the Chi No Maki mission, the theme park staff assisted us to enter a room. It was dark and cameras were not allowed. The staff let us lined up and told us to watch the screen. In our surprise, Naruto, Sasuke and Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki known as the Sage of Six Paths appeared! They showed us the scene in Naruto Shippuden when Hagoromo was entrusting Naruto and Sasuke his powers and explaining to them that there were the sun and the moon. As they finished the scene, the staff told us to open and spread our scrolls. In our delight, the scroll was lit up showing like a hologram effect! It was like our scroll have hidden photos and signs aside from the normal scroll that we held. It was really cool! ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
If you are a true Naruto fan, that activity will give you chills and will remain in your memory forever! ❤ As for me, I am still happy to remember it. It was way too cool! ❤ I haven’t read any blog or comments that it will happen after the Chi No Maki mission.
After completing the two missions, I and Cons were starving. What a perfect way to end our adventure with Ichiraku Ramen! ❤ Yes, they had the famous favorite ramen store of Naruto in Nijigen No Mori! ❤
The ramen was good and such a relief from our hungry stomachs. It was a perfect ramen in our perfect day. ❤
Near the Ichiraku Ramen was a souvenir store where you can buy all Naruto stuffs. As for me, the best souvenir was the entire adventure in Nijigen No Mori. ❤
My shinobi heart was full to see my favorite characters such as Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi Sensei, Master Jiraiya, Itachi and many more. ❤
After spending about 4 hours in this theme park, we went back to the entrance gate and waited for the shuttle going back to Awaji IC. I rode the same route back to Osaka.
I was indeed lucky and blessed to travel to Disneyland in Tokyo, Universal Studios in Osaka and Nijigen No Mori in Awaji Island. All of the short planning of itinerary paid back! ❤ Japan was truly a place to enjoy all entertainment attractions. ❤
Again, I am claiming a part 2 of this blog as I wanted to go back and experience more! ❤
HeartofJess.Blog 
Leave a comment