SEGA Joypolis + Cosmoworld + Sea Paradise – Tokyo Area Small Parks

Alexander: Our last official day in Tokyo was a survey of 3 little parks, each with one major coaster. While the latter two parks are actually Yokohama, Japan’s 2nd largest city, the “Greater Tokyo Area” is composed of both cities; together they compose the world’s most populous metro.


– Over the years, many of our images have popped up on other sites and forums, awesome that our coverage spreads, not so awesome that not everyone mentioned where they got the images from. We are totally fine with our audience using our images, BUT ONLY IF credit is given to californiacoasterkings.com. Thank you! –


Ironically, one of the most gorgeous weather days of the trip was day with the indoor park!

Iconic and quintessentially Japanese, Joypolis is an indoor Sega-themed amusement park where many of the larger video games are also ride/simulators. This is what Walt Disney World’s Disney Quest always wanted to be. 

The two biggest stars at Joypolis are Halfpipe Tokyo and Veil of Dark (or Gekion Live Coaster, as it’s called with the current programming).

Gekion Live Coaster is a real gem. Like Yomiuriland’s Spin Runway, this is Gerstlauer at its best, most peculiar, and most decidedly “kawaii”. Guitar Hero-like game play pits 4 players in a musical battle royale with the help of suspended screens that move in sync with vehicles. Your efforts are rewarded with a launch, some free-spinning, a barrel roll, and more. 

Halfpipe Tokyo is also a rhythm-oriented attraction. Tapping your vehicle’s floor as it passes through the center of the half pipe will result in rotations as you crest – whoever has the most spins, wins!

Joypolis isn’t very big. There’s a lot going on, but it feels very compact.

Now that “VR Parks” are gaining steam in the US, I’ll be hoping for out own versions of Joypolis’ most enduring attractions. 

I’d also like to make a humble request for “potty games” stateside.

Sonic the Hedgehog is Joypolis’ Mickey Mouse.

Even the gumball machines are games of skill.

Bobsled racing simulator that does barrel rolls? Yes, please.

Not all the games here are rides. Classic prize claws of varying styles also entice would-be players.

After a whirlwind 90 minutes at Joypolis, it was time to move on to the day’s main focus park!

It’s Yokohama Cosmoworld!

Cosmoworld is iconic in a lot of ways. There’s a wild mouse on the roof of their 5-story arcade. The log flume is (almost) a roller coaster. The width of Ferris Wheel exceeds the property line on both sides, and there’s no excuse for not knowing what time it is.

And, of course, there’s this:

That’s right – its’ that coaster from the internet. Dive Coaster Vanish.

I can’t tell you how badly I wanted to enjoy this ride, but Senyo Kogyo trains are basically torture devices. Trying to enjoy a ride’s totally clever layout? Senyou’re out of luck.

The most enjoyable part of Vanish is the exit. I don’t mean this ironically; what’s cool about it is the way it threads the Ferris Wheel.

“You can pet the Ferris Wheel, but be gentle.”

The mouse actually has a nice exit too. If you time it right, you can high-five people as they whiz by on one of the log flume’s more coaster-y bits.

Look how cool these Japanese food spoon keychains are! I didn’t win anything at Joypolis, but I redeemed myself with an a acrylic-and-resin udon charm ON THE FIRST TRY! 

Ok, I didn’t do a very good job of catching the flume with people on it, but the ride was honestly a hit with ACE. It was pretty much the only thing here that warranted re-rides.

Cosmoworld has expanded into a couple of annexes across the water. Perks of being a pay-per-ride park!

SPLOOSH

What’s the hot ticket across the water? Family Banana Coaster.

Is that a banana on your coaster, or are you just happy to see me?

Aside from the cumbersome walk, it’s not a bad look.

Baby flume? Check. Cycle railway? Check!

CREDIT!

Bae got cake bear ice cream! What could be better??

Your eyes do not deceive you: that’s definitely a (modern Senyo ripoff of a) Huss Skylab.

Alright. Time to catch some cool shots of this terrible ride from the Ferris Wheel.

InstaGram goals, tbh.

Look. See? There’s people riding. The flume is very popular, but it’s a capacity beast!

Yeah, the only mouse pics I got are either from the tour bus (earlier) or from the Ferris Wheel. That’s pretty much where I’m at with these things. If it wasn’t such a lovely color and so prominently situated, you’d be getting, like, one photo. Just to prove it exists. 

Here, have another.

Here’s the annex!

Bad picture alert. But LOOK!

Not sure what’s going on next door, but they have a go-kart track on the roof!

Contemplation over south Tokyo Bay.

Oh, it’s you again. 

Yeah, go on. Do that thing  you always do. Make the tourists go crazy.

Empty seats. Ya dig?

Honestly I thought Bandit’s trains were bad, but these take the cake. Just throw them in the bay.

Aesthetically, though, this ride is on point. Now when people show me the ride’s next inevitable viral manifestation, I can say “Yes. I rode. It was so great.”

The day’s highlight was a photoshoot with the Cosmo, the park’s anthropomorphic squeaky Ferris Wheel. Squee!

Fast-forward to Sea Paradise. The ride collection is barely there, and the animals look neglected, but THIS COASTER THO.

Surf Coaster Leviathan kicks ass. It’s Togo’s giant-ass love letter to the Wildcats and Zyklons of the world. It runs like a dream and keeps on going and going. Literally the best coaster on earth called Leviathan (sorry, Canada’s Wonderland). 

Aquarium. Sad animals. Not Marineland Canada bad, but still pretty bad. Next.

Iconic Blue Fall closed before we arrived. Tease.

Whatever. Another ride on this is a better use of our time away. 

We have a lot more Tokyo goodness coming down the pipe! Tokyo Dome City, Tokyo Disney, and Fuji-Q! Ready yourselves!


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