One of the most famous amusement parks in Western Japan, Nagashima Spa Land is a national landmark full of roller coasters, children zones, stalls, relaxation treatments, games and water rides. The resort hosts a range of attractions divided into different sections, including the waterpark, hot spring spa area, shopping mall, museum and Flower Park. Located to the south-east of Nagoya city, the park is huge, innovative and designed around the surrounding natural beauty of the rivers and ocean that lie just beyond its gates.
The theme park area of Nagashima Spa Land is home to adrenaline-filled rollercoasters, including the White Cyclone, the largest wooden ride in the world, and the massive Steel Dragon 2000, which covers the entire length of the park. Another key attraction is the hot spring and bathing complex, called Yuami no Shima, which has many nature-based facilities, including saunas, Jacuzzis, massage services and relaxing restaurants. Also in the grounds of Nagashima Spa Land, visitors can enjoy the Joyful Waterpark, which only opens in the summer but has a range of waterslides and wave pools. Alternatively, visitors can explore the Museum, which is particularly accessible to younger children and displays exhibitions about the famous Japanese animation, Anpanman.
For visitors flying into Japan, it is easy to reach Nagashima Spa Land, as there is a direct bus service that runs between the park and Chubu International Airport. Visitors can also access it via bus from Nagoya Station, only 50 minutes away, or from Tokyo, in a journey of about 100 minutes. Various train routes connect major Japanese cities to Kuwana, the nearest station, and from here, it is a simple bus journey to the resort itself.
Nagashima Spa Land opened in 1966 and through a range of exciting attractions, quickly became the second largest amusement park in Japan, with around 45 rides in total. Its main ride, Steel Dragon, held world records in speed and height when first opened, but still holds the award for the longest ride in the world at 2,479 metres long. The water park section also has the record for the highest density of water slides in one area, highlighting the international success of Nagashima Spa Land in general.