Growing up, I’d race home to watch One Piece, Dragon Ball Z, and Slamdunk after my classes. I’d give up nap time for these shows. I was obsessed. I collected stickers, cards, and all sorts of collectible items when I was a kid. I’ve outgrown them now as I’ve developed new quirks, interests, and hobbies.
Last month, I got the chance to visit Toei Studio Park in Kyoto. I relived my childhood and it was one amazing experience.
Toei Kyoto Studio Park
Toei Kyoto Studio Park is owned and managed by Toei Company, one of Japan’s biggest producers of motion pictures and television shows. The park was originally built in 1975 as a film set for the production of samurai movies and television dramas. It wasn’t until 1996 that the park was opened to the public as a theme park.
If you’re planning to visit Kyoto, Japan during the spring season, one place that should definitely be on your itinerary is the Toei Kyoto Studio Park. This unique theme park is dedicated to the world of film and television and offers a glimpse into Japanese culture and history.
I went to the park during spring and…
Here’s why I think Toei Kyoto Studio Park is WORTH THE VISIT
#1 Cherry Blossoms
One of the main reasons to visit Toei Kyoto Studio Park during spring is to witness the cherry blossom season. The park is surrounded by beautiful cherry blossom trees that bloom from late March to early April. The park’s Edo period town set, which is used as a film set for historical dramas or jidaigeki, is especially picturesque during this time, with the cherry blossoms providing a stunning backdrop for the traditional Japanese buildings.
#2 Toei Kyoto Museum
One popular attraction inside the park is the Toei Kyoto Museum. It showcases the history of Toei Company and the Japanese film industry. The museum has a collection of props, costumes, and other artifacts from Toei productions over the years.
#3 OTHER Attractions
Toei Kyoto Studio Park is not just a period film set! There are many various attractions you can enjoy with your friends and family. Here’s a list of the park attractions or activities:
- Evangelion Kyoto Base
- The Cursed Doll Haunted House
- 3D Maze The Ninja Fort
- Ninja Mystery House
- Ninja Climbing (Shinobori)
- Ninja Training Dojo (Sword N’ Go) ︎
- Laser Mission (Escape the Castle)
- Trick Art Museum
- The Great Challenges of Shimajiro and the Ninjas of Uzumasa
- Ninja Shuriken Dojo
- Yaba Japanese Archery Experience
- Beat the “Oni” Japanese Demons
- Toei Anime Gallery
- Super Sentai × Kamen Rider Kyoto Location Gallery
- Hibari Misora Museum
These attractions have separate entry/experience fees but if you got the admission + attraction pass, then most of these attractions are already covered. You will have to pay additional fees if you rent ninja or samurai outfits from the Transformation Experience/Film Set.
#4 Live Ninja Shows
Enjoy the park’s outdoor attractions and activities and explore the Edo period town set, which includes a market street, a temple, and a samurai house. If lucky, you might also watch live performances and demonstrations that take place on the set. We were able to watch a ninja and sword fighting show but because it rained, we were not able to fully explore the rest of the set.
The park also offers interactive activities such as dressing up in samurai or ninja costumes, making ukiyo-e prints, and calligraphy.
#5 Food
Aside from different attractions, the park has several restaurants that offer a variety of dishes, including udon noodles, soba noodles, and sushi. If you’re a sweet tooth like me, you should also try Taiyaki, a fish-shaped pastry filled with sweet red bean paste, and of course soft serve and mochi!
Things you need to know about Toei Kyoto Studio Park
Toei Kyoto Studio Park is open year-round, but the park hours vary depending on the season. Admission prices also vary depending on the age of the visitor and the activities they want to participate in.
Regular admission ticket pricing
- Adult 18 years old ~2,400yen
- Junior and senior high school students 12-17 years old ~1,400yen
- Children 3-11 years old ~1,200yen
Admission Ticket + Attraction Pass Pricing
This ticket is a set of admission to the Toei Kyoto Studio Park and the attraction pass. The attraction pass allows you to use the paid attractions as many times as you want in a day.
Pricing:
- Adult 18 years old ~3,900yen
- Junior and senior high school students 12-17 years old ~2,900yen
- Children 3-11 years old ~2,700yen
Included Attractions:
- Ninja Mystery House
- Haunted House
- Ninja Training Dojo SWORD N’ GO ︎
- Laser Mission “Escape the Castle”
- 3D Maze The Ninja Fort
- Trick Art Museum
Getting There
By Train
You may ride a JR or subway train and alight at Uzumasa Station. From the JR Uzumasa station, it takes 5 minutes to get to Toei Studio Park. While if you’re taking the subway, it takes about 10 minutes to reach the park.
By Bus
You can take a bus to reach these stations:
- Uzumasa Eigamura-mae
- Uzumasa Eigamura-michi
- Uzumasa Koryuji-mae
It takes 1 minute to reach the park if you stop at Uzumasa Eigamura-mae while it takes 5 minutes to reach the park if you alight at Uzumasa Eigamura-michi or Uzumasa Koryuji-mae.
By Car
If you’re driving your own car to get to the park, there is a parking lot a few meters beside the park. Available parking hours are based on the business hours of the park. You may check this page for more information >> Access to Toei Park
I wasn’t able to take as many photos as I would’ve wanted since it was raining non-stop. We missed a few attractions too because we didn’t have enough time. I would still recommend visiting this place especially if you’re a samurai fan or an anime fan. You’d love this place!
I hope this can help you plan your visit to Toei Kyoto Studio Park. If you have any questions, or if you want some tips, feel free to leave a comment or message via e-mail. If you like this article and want to see or know more about my other trips and tips, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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