Edo Wonderland is full of fun things to do and see! The wonderland is a Japanese theme park dedicated to creating the atmosphere and experience of life in the Edo period. In other words; it’s any wannabe ninjas dream come true!
A visit to the Edo Wonderland will be a highlight of your itinerary in Japan. The entire area of Nikko is steeped in history with temples and beautiful shrines to visit that date back centuries. It truly is a magical region to visit and not too far from Tokyo.
And, we tried everything – haunted ninja-houses, a ninja-maze with secret walls and doors, Edo era street food, and ninja target training…
Here’s all you need to know for a magical day out at Nikko’s incredible Edo Wonderland.
Why you should visit Edo Wonderland
As soon as you step into the park it truly does feel like a wonderland. The entire park is dressed in Edo period costume. There are ninjas and samurais, emperors, lords, and geishas. Even delivery workers carting supplies within the park are dressed completely in Edo period costume!
The Edo era started in 1603 under the rule of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. It is essentially the tie of pre-modern Tokyo. This was a changing time for rule in Japan, and in contrast to the previous period, the Edo era was a time of peace. There was huge growth in this era for Japan; both economically and with technological developments.
The park recreates all aspects of this life, bringing the culture and atmosphere of this Edo time period to life.
The costumes and design of the entire park make you feel as if you really have stepped back in time. And this, plus the highlights of incredible interactive experiences throughout the day make it a wonderland of epic samurai scale. A must-visit if you have any ninja-dreamers; and even if you don’t…
Visiting Edo Wonderland with kids
The biggest draw card for us to visit Edo Wonderland was the chance for the kids to experience ‘Ninja culture’. For our Japanese-obsessed and ninja-crazy boys… Edo Wonderland was like a little Ninja’s dream come true!
The park is well set up for kids with all kinds of interactive activities designed for different age groups. Logistically the park is easy to get around in and there are experiences, cafes and sights spread throughout the park area.
[Edit: Actually, Edo Wonderland was also like a dream come true for the slightly older Ninja’s in our group too… Check out their serious aiming techniques for target practice below with shuriken ninja tools! Perhaps it wasn’t just all about visiting Nikko with kids!]
Here are some of the incredible experiences and performances that are on offer at Edo Wonderland.
Grand Ninja Theatre Show
The daily scheduled Ninja show at Edo Wonderland is the one experience you definitely do not want to miss. It is truly spectacular. And breathtaking! The ninjas pull of some seriously crafty tricks… They’ll dash through the darkened room and reappear from all corners, battling each other with different weaponry and traps.
Tip: The Grand Ninja Theatre hosts performances four times a day. Do not be late to the show because you won’t be allowed in. The running time is about 30 minutes. And trust me; you don’t want to miss it!
There is no photography allowed during the show, but don’t worry – you can meet the ninjas outside afterwards. And they are very happy to post for photos!
Kai Kai Ninja House
The Ninja Kai Kai Tei is an amazing trick house structure. It uses the laws of gravity to trick visitors with disorienting attractions inside the crazy house. You’ll lose your sense of direction and space because the laws of gravity do not seem to apply here!
Karakuri Ninja Maze
Behind the Ninja Jouse is a tricky maze (designed for ninjas). To find your way out of the maze you have to interpret the ninja proverbs to progress though the passages and gateways. But don’t forget to check all options, because there may be moving panels and secret doors!
Jigoku Temple (Haunted House)
You can hear the scary laughter and ominous sounds coming out from the depths of this ‘Temple of Hell’… And if you dare to enter you will be impressed with the incredible displays and set ups of ghosts and ghouls.
Our kids loved this ‘haunted house’ experience. Although the next thing we knew they had convinced some of the Edo Warriors to come in again with them!
Mizugei-za Water Show
The Mizugei-za Water Show is one of the unique theatres within the Edo Wonderland Theatre performance was highly regarded in the Edo period. Today, skilled performers recreate some of the traditional (and hilarious!) performances of Edo Art.
The water show includes magical illusions and trickery with water. In Edo times and before, water was regarded as a gift from the heavens. However, this type of illusion performance with water is believed to have originated in the Nara period, dating back to 710 AD.
Enjoy the show – it is certainly entertaining!
Shuriken Practice in the Ninja Village
Shuriken throwing stars are the most famous and recognisable Ninja weaponry, and one of the seven tools of ninjas. There is a special area for archery and shuriken practice, where you can win prizes for getting shuriken on to different levels of target.
What else is there?
- Street food vendors
- Edo era style restaurants
- 10 Souvenir Shops
- Yakata Boat cruise
- Yaba archery range
- 3 museums – Masagoro House of Firemen, Blacksmith Museum and Edo Town Fire Brigade Museum
- Kanuchi Swordsmith Exhibit
- 3D Kodemma Prison and magistrates office
- Daily Street performances
- Choshu Daimyo – a traditional samurai residence
- Hatago Inn – Water Mill House and Golden Tea Ceremony room
Things to know before you go
- Opening hours – summer: March 20 – November 30 – 09:00 – 17:00
- Opening hours – winter: December 1 – March 19 – 09:30 – 16:00
- Edo Wonderland admission prices: One day pass – Adults 4700 JPY Child 2400 JPY.
- Costume hire: There is a separate ticket charge for dressing up as an Edo citizen, but prices are reasonable and definitely worth it.
- Discounts: There are discounts for senior citizens and people with disabilities.
- Parking: There are parking charges payable in cash to an attendant at the carpark (800 JPY).
Find Edo Wonderland
Getting to Edo Wonderland
Edo Wonderland is just 2 hours by train and approximately 2.5 hours by car from Tokyo.
We were extremely lucky to visit Nikko with good friends of ours from Tokyo. Together we travelled by train from Asakusa Station in Tokyo the day prior to visiting Edo Wonderland. We picked up a rental car at the train station in Nikko and stayed at an AirBnB for the night.
More about travel planning for Japan and beyond…
These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- Hostelworld– The largest inventory of hostel accommodation in the world.
- Skyscanner – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner. Fly to Tokyo to visit Nikko and Edo Wonderland!
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Don’t forget travel insurance while planning your Ninja-moves…
Read more about Japan
- Visiting Japan: Tokyo, Nikko and Kyoto.
- Would you eat a black egg? Visiting Hakone’s Great Boiling Valley.
So what do you reckon? Would you dress up as a Ninja? A Geisha? Or Samurai Warrior…?
