Water-based attractions revived across Japan

Theme parks across Japan are reintroducing water-based features this summer following the downgrading of COVID-19 to Category V.

Hirakata Park Water Wonderland 'The Boon' in Osaka Prefecture (pictured above), has revamped the playground equipment in its outdoor swimming pool and added a water-spouting device. The Boon Water Wonderland is a fun, fully equipped water park with three large pools designed for children plus one lap pool, along with four different slides for varying heights and weights.

A new area called Wai-Wai Jungle which opened at Yomiuriland seasonal waterpark, Pool WAI on 2nd July features a variety of attractions, including five water slides that vary in length from 13.4 meters to 52 meters, water cannons and fountains. The attraction also features a massive bucket suspended at an impressive height of 13 meters. The bucket, which measures 1.8 meters in diameter, takes about four and a half minutes to fill up before releasing a staggering 2300 liters of water in a sudden cascade, accompanied by the sound of a tolling bell.

Night pool events will begin on 15th July. Pool WAI has also introduced dynamic pricing, with entry fees varying daily to ensure dispersion of visitors.

Meanwhile, Universal Studios Japan in Osaka reintroduced its water-themed show featuring Nintendo characters, while Legoland Japan Resort in Nagoya is also offering visitors plenty of opportunities to get wet during their Brick Summer Festival of water mazes and splash pads. The theme park has also added a new element to its pirate-ship ride, in which water cascades from the ceiling.

On 4th July, Tokyo Disneyland in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, rebooted a patron-soaking event that had been suspended since 2019, when COVID began to spread. As part of the thrice-daily attraction, guests are sprayed with water as characters from the ‘Baymax’ movie parade along the roadside.

Additionally, the facility’s ‘Get Wet Max’ ride on Splash Mountain, drenches visitors with even more water than usual as cars plunge into the waterfall basin.

Images from top: Hirakata Park Water Wonderland; Wai-Wai Jungle at Yomiuriland; Legoland Japan Resort in Nagoya