Japan is unveiling 10 incredible new attractions that travelers won’t want to miss.
From lush rainforest adventures to cutting-edge digital art installations, there’s something to excite every visitor.
Explore character-themed areas perfect for families, renovated cultural landmarks for history buffs, and modern urban complexes for city lovers.
Ready to discover what’s new in Japan? This guide reveals all the must-see new spots! 😊
1. Junglia Theme Park
a. What Makes Junglia Theme Park Special
- Opening Date: Junglia Theme Park will open on July 25, 2025.
- Natural Jungle Setting: Located in northern Okinawa’s Yanbaru rainforest (UNESCO-protected), surrounded by lush subtropical nature, very different from city theme parks.
- Adventure and Comfort Combined: Offers thrilling rides alongside relaxing amenities, like jungle-themed spas and infinity pools.
- Unique Attractions: Home to Japan’s first Dinosaur Safari ride (life-sized animatronic dinosaurs), a hot-air balloon ride (200m high), and jungle zip-lines.
- Different from Other Theme Parks: Focuses on natural scenery and Okinawan culture, instead of popular movie characters or cartoons.
b. What Can You Do Here
1. Dinosaur Safari
Dinosaur Safari: Ride a jeep through the jungle surrounded by realistic animatronic dinosaurs, including a giant Brachiosaurus and a chasing T-Rex.
2. Horizon Balloon
Horizon Balloon: Ride a tethered balloon about 200 meters above the jungle, enjoy beautiful views, and even have champagne in the sky.
3. Zip-Line and Adventure Area
Zip-Line and Adventure Area: Try thrilling activities like a 280-meter jungle zip-line, giant swing, and a suspension bridge through the treetops.
4. Find Dinosaurs
Find Dinosaurs: Follow trails and clues in a jungle quest to discover a lost baby dinosaur – perfect for families and kids.
5. Infinity Pools and Hot Springs
Infinity Pools and Hot Springs: Relax after your adventures in luxurious infinity pools and natural hot spring baths within the tropical park setting.
6. Dining Options
Dining Options: Over 15 restaurants and snack spots, serving Okinawan specialties, casual meals, and unique treetop dining with jungle views.
Read More: 10 New Things to Know Before Visiting Japan
2. Grand Green Osaka South Building
a. What Makes It Special
- Opening Date: Grand Green Osaka South Building is set to open on March 21, 2025
- Easy Access: Located right next to Osaka Station, it’s easy to find and reach on foot.
- Huge Urban Park: Umekita Park is right outside, offering green spaces, lawns, and gardens to relax in.
- Striking Design: It has a unique, curved canopy designed by famous architects, making it a popular photo spot.
- All-in-One Spot: You’ll find shopping, dining, a spa, hotel, and cultural spaces—all in one building.
b. Key Features
- Wide Variety of Shops: Over 50 stores selling clothes, cosmetics, gadgets, and gifts.
- On-site Hot Spring Spa: Relax in natural hot spring baths, jacuzzis, and an infinity pool overlooking Osaka.
- Time Out Market Osaka: A large food hall with famous Osaka eateries, perfect for sampling local foods in one place.
- Hankyu Gran Respire Hotel: A comfortable and upscale hotel conveniently inside the building.
- Visitor-friendly Facilities: Clear signs in English, free Wi-Fi, wheelchair access, and helpful multilingual staff.
c. Dining Options
- Time Out Market Osaka: Sample dishes from popular local chefs, with everything from ramen and sushi to international foods.
- Grand Chefs’ Valley: Enjoy high-quality Japanese dishes at small, exclusive restaurants.
- Umekita Grand Tables: Good for groups, offering steak, Italian, Japanese eel, and more.
- International Dining Choices: Options include Hawaiian cafés and casual Western food for visitors unsure about Japanese cuisine.
d. What Can You Do Here
- Relax in the Park: Walk, picnic, or enjoy the open spaces under the futuristic canopy. Great views of Umeda’s skyline at sunset.
- Explore Museum VS.: A modern art and cultural space designed by Tadao Ando. Rotating exhibits and immersive experiences.
- Try Time Out Market Osaka: A famous food hall featuring 17 eateries and 2 bars with top Osaka chefs. First in Asia.
- Unwind at UMEKITA ONSEN REN Wellbeing Park: A high-end urban spa with hot springs, an infinity pool, saunas, and wellness facilities.
- Shop Unique Brands: 55 shops, including CFCL and SUSgallery, debuting flagship stores in Kansai.
Read More: 10 Big Changes in Osaka Every Tourist Needs to Know
3. Universal Studios Japan’s Donkey Kong Expansion
a. What Makes It Special
- Opening Date: Donkey Kong Country opened in December 2024 at Universal Studios Japan.
- World’s First Donkey Kong Area: Unique expansion based on the classic Nintendo games, adding significantly to Super Nintendo World.
- Mine Cart Roller Coaster: New family-friendly ride that mimics the mine cart jumps from the game, including exciting barrel-launch effects.
- Jungle-Themed Environment: Detailed design that recreates Donkey Kong’s jungle, including tropical plants, stone ruins, and a giant Golden Temple from the games.
- Interactive Experiences: Use a Power-Up Band to play games around the land, collect hidden letters (K-O-N-G), and participate in rhythm-based activities.
b. What Can You Do Here
- Mine-Cart Madness: A thrilling roller coaster that simulates a mine cart ride through Donkey Kong’s jungle.
- Rambi’s Bongo Breakout (Game): Interactive drum challenge; play drums with friends to reveal an animatronic character, Rambi the Rhino.
- K-O-N-G Letter Hunt (Interactive Activity): Use your Power-Up Band to find hidden letter panels throughout the area.
- Meet Donkey Kong (Character Meet): Take photos and interact with Donkey Kong himself at scheduled times near his jungle treehouse.
- Themed Snacks (Jungle Beat Shakes): Enjoy unique Donkey Kong foods like DK hot dogs with avocado cheese, and banana sundaes served in collectible barrel mugs.
- Shopping (Funky’s Fly ‘n’ Buy): Purchase exclusive Donkey Kong souvenirs, including plush toys, clothing, themed headbands, and special Power-Up Bands.
Read More: 3 Best Ways to Get to Universal Studios Japan
4. Harajuku Quest
a. What Makes It Special
- Opening Date: Harajuku Quest opens in spring 2025.
- New Landmark: Harajuku Quest is a new shopping and cultural complex replacing the old Quest Hall.
- Great Location: Directly connects fashionable Omotesando with trendy Harajuku backstreets, making exploring both areas easy.
- Unique Design: The building has two sides—modern glass facing Omotesando, and green terraces facing Harajuku’s cozy streets.
- Culture Hub: Hosts pop-up art displays, small exhibitions, and fashion events, mixing culture with shopping.
- Green Spaces: Features landscaped terraces and a rooftop garden with relaxing views of Omotesando and nearby parks.
b. What Can You Do Here
- Shop Luxury and Local: Find both designer brand stores and smaller indie boutiques in the same complex.
- Eat and Drink: Enjoy various cafés, snack spots, and restaurants offering both casual and more upscale options.
- Rooftop Relaxation: Take a break at the rooftop terrace for views of Omotesando, Harajuku, and surrounding greenery.
- Shortcut Passage: Use the indoor passageway to walk easily between Omotesando Avenue and Harajuku’s backstreets.
Read More: 10 New Attractions in Tokyo
5. teamLab Planets Tokyo Expansion
a. What Makes It Special
- Opening Date: The latest expansion of teamLab Planets Tokyo opened on January 22, 2025.
- Immersive Experience: You walk barefoot through spaces filled with water, mirrors, and real flowers, fully immersing your body in the art.
- Interactive Exhibits: Art installations respond directly to your movements, blending you into the artwork.
- Engages All Senses: Features visuals, sounds, smells (real orchids), touch (water areas), and even food.
- Physical Involvement: Unlike typical museums, you actively climb, jump, bounce, or collect digital animals.
- Strong Themes: Emphasizes connection with nature, coexistence, and interaction with other visitors.
b. New Attractions in the Expansion
- Athletics Forest: Interactive playground with bouncy spheres, trampolines, climbing bars, and balancing activities in digital environments.
- Extinct Forest: Digital forest where you use a smartphone app to virtually capture and learn about extinct animals.
- Future Park: Interactive drawing areas; your drawings turn into animated characters on the walls.
- Sketch Factory: Turn your Future Park drawings into souvenirs (T-shirts, badges, bags).
- Dining Inside Art: Unique experiences like dining in a digital art room with vegan ramen, or enjoying tea surrounded by orchids.
c. Visitor Tips
- Best Times to Visit: Weekday mornings right after opening (around 9–10 AM) or late evenings (7–9 PM) are least crowded. Avoid weekends, public holidays, or peak tourist seasons like Golden Week (late April to early May).
- What to Wear and Bring:
- Footwear: You must remove shoes and socks; you’ll walk barefoot through exhibits, including knee-deep water. Wear easy-to-remove shoes.
- Clothing: Wear pants that roll up above the knees or shorts/skirts that won’t touch water. Skirts and dresses might be uncomfortable due to mirrored floors.
- Personal Items & Storage: Free lockers are provided to store shoes, bags, and personal belongings. Large luggage won’t fit; leave it at hotel or station lockers.
- Photography Rules:
- Cameras and smartphones allowed, but no selfie sticks or tripods. Avoid flash photography.
- Be cautious in water exhibits; consider bringing a waterproof phone pouch.
Read More: 10 New Changes in Tokyo Tourists Should Know About
6. Tokyu Kabukicho Tower
a. What Makes It Special
- Opening Date: Tokyu Kabukicho Tower officially opened on April 14, 2023, making it one of Tokyo’s newest landmarks.
- All-in-one Building: It’s a tall, modern building with hotels, restaurants, theaters, and entertainment, all under one roof.
- Easy to Spot: At 48 stories (225 meters tall), it’s one of Shinjuku’s tallest buildings. It’s a new landmark in Kabukicho.
- Record-breaking Features: It houses Japan’s largest nightclub and one of Shinjuku’s biggest music venues.
- Cultural Hub: Hosts cultural performances like taiko drums, dances, and samurai shows, making traditional Japanese culture easily accessible alongside modern entertainment.
b. What Can You Do Here
- Zepp Shinjuku & Zero Tokyo Nightclub (Basement floors): Watch live concerts at Zepp Shinjuku, then party late at Zero Tokyo nightclub, which offers one of Tokyo’s largest dance floors with top DJs.
- Kabuki Yokocho Food Hall (Floor 2): Sample Japanese street foods like Okinawan soba, Hamamatsu gyoza, and Hiroshima-style pancakes, along with Korean and Taiwanese options.
- Namco Tokyo Arcade (Floor 3): Try your luck at arcade games and the largest claw crane in Shinjuku, great for fun experiences and unique gifts.
- Theater Milano-Za (Floors 6–8): Enjoy stage performances like musicals, anime-inspired shows, and plays in a comfortable 900-seat theater.
- 109 Cinemas Premium Shinjuku (Floors 9–10): Experience luxurious movie watching with reclining seats, unlimited popcorn and drinks, panoramic screens, and premium sound quality.
- Jam17 Dining & Bar (Floor 17): Relax with stylish dining, craft cocktails, or rooftop drinks while enjoying beautiful city views of Shinjuku’s neon lights.
Read More: 17 Best Things to Do in Shinjuku with My Perfect Itinerary
7. New Miffy-Themed Area at Huis Ten Bosch
a. What Makes It Special
- First in the World: This is the world’s first dedicated Miffy-themed park area, opening in summer 2025 at Huis Ten Bosch, Japan.
- Real-Life Storybook: The area looks exactly like a Miffy picture book, with cute scenery, bright colors, and plenty of photo spots.
- Perfect for Families: The rides and attractions are gentle and safe, suitable for young kids and enjoyable for adults too.
- Dutch Theme Connection: Miffy was created by Dutch illustrator Dick Bruna, and this area blends seamlessly with Huis Ten Bosch’s existing Dutch-style town.
- Special Miffy Hotel Room: You can stay overnight in a fully decorated Miffy-themed hotel room at Hotel Amsterdam within the park.
b. New Attractions in the Expansion
- Miffy’s Airplane Ride: A gentle flying ride in bright orange airplanes, ideal for families, providing views of the whole area.
- Storybook Walkthrough: Walk through real-life scenes from Miffy’s stories, where kids can play and feel part of the adventure.
- Miffy Cafe (Restaurant): Eat and relax in a Miffy-themed café serving cute, decorated food and drinks perfect for kids and adults.
- Miffy Gift Shop: The largest Miffy store worldwide, offering exclusive plush toys, souvenirs, stationery, clothes, and limited-edition collectibles.
- Photo Spots & Decorations: Plenty of cute spots with Miffy statues, flower gardens, Dutch-style windmills, and other decorations great for family photos.
8. Ghibli Park Expansion
a. What Makes Ghibli Park Special
- No Big Rides: Ghibli Park doesn’t have thrill rides. It’s designed for leisurely strolls and exploration.
- Real Movie Settings: Every area is faithfully recreated from Studio Ghibli films, letting you experience your favorite stories in real life.
- Dondoko-do (Totoro Playground): Kids can play inside a large wooden Totoro-shaped structure located in Dondoko Forest.
- Eco-Friendly Design: The park carefully preserves nature, built without cutting down trees. Transportation is eco-friendly electric Catbus-themed carts.
- Cultural Experience: Visit authentic Japanese-style buildings like Satsuki and Mei’s house from My Neighbor Totoro, capturing the feel of 1950s rural Japan.
b. New Attractions in the Expansion
i. Mononoke Village
Mononoke Village (Opened Nov 1, 2023): Inspired by Princess Mononoke, featuring giant characters like Lord Okkoto (a boar-shaped slide) and a workshop for grilling traditional rice cakes (gohei-mochi).
ii. Valley of Witches
Valley of Witches (opened Mar 16, 2024): Step into locations from Kiki’s Delivery Service and Howl’s Moving Castle, including a life-sized Howl’s Moving Castle and Kiki’s bakery. Enjoy gentle rides like a merry-go-round.
c. Attractions and Things to See
- Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse: Large indoor area featuring exhibits from multiple films, interactive displays, play areas, a cinema, shops, and cafés.
- Dondoko Forest: Includes Satsuki and Mei’s detailed house and Dondoko-do, a wooden playground shaped like Totoro.
- Hill of Youth: Visit the antique shop (World Emporium) from Whisper of the Heart and the charming miniature Cat Bureau from The Cat Returns.
- Spirited Away Train: Sit next to No Face on a train scene replica inside Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse – a popular photo spot.
9. teamLab: Hidden Traces of Rice Terraces
a. What Makes It Special
- Opening Date: teamLab: Hidden Traces of Rice Terraces officially opened on Sep 30, 2024, providing a new, permanent experience for visitors.
- Outdoor Art Experience: Unlike typical indoor teamLab exhibits, this one is entirely outdoors in a real forest with terraced rice paddies.
- Interactive Nature: The art installations use lights, sounds, and sensors that react to your movement, making nature itself part of the art.
- Historical Location: Located in Izura, Ibaraki Prefecture, where the famous art scholar Okakura Tenshin lived, giving cultural meaning to the area.
- Seasonal Beauty: Changes naturally with the seasons – cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, autumn leaves, and snowy landscapes in winter.
- Unique Technology: Advanced digital tech is subtly hidden throughout, including responsive lighting and sound effects, making the environment feel alive as you explore.
b. Key Features
- Water Mirror Path: A pathway just above water in former rice terraces, illuminated by glowing lamps, creating reflections that make it feel like you’re walking on water.
- Resonating Forest: Trees with sensors that respond to your presence by lighting up gently and producing soft sounds that spread through the forest.
- Glass Orb Tree: Known as the “Resonating Universe in the Tabunoki Tree”, this large tree is decorated with glowing glass spheres that react when you approach, creating beautiful patterns of light and sound.
- Digital Calligraphy: Hidden among trees, digital calligraphy appears as glowing three-dimensional brushstrokes floating in the air, inspired by traditional Japanese art.
- Ocean Flower Display: Near the coastline, projection-mapped flowers bloom digitally when waves rise, connecting forest art to the sea nearby.
c. What Can You Do Here
- Immersive Walking Experience: Walk slowly through the forest trails at night, experiencing lights and sounds triggered by your own movements; no fixed route means you can explore freely.
- Take Great Photos: Capture beautiful nighttime images of illuminated rice terraces, reflective pathways, and glowing installations (bring a tripod or use your phone’s night mode for clear photos).
- Relax and Unwind: Enjoy a peaceful, calming atmosphere surrounded by nature, enhanced by the gentle sounds and visuals; it’s an excellent spot to unwind after a busy day.
- Stay Overnight: Stay at the connected glamping and hot spring resort nearby, offering comfortable accommodations and an open-air bath experience surrounded by illuminated rice terraces.
10. Dogo Onsen Honkan Reopening
a. What Makes It Special
- Historical Significance: Dogo Onsen Honkan is Japan’s oldest hot spring (around 3,000 years old), mentioned in ancient writings.
- Architecture: The building dates from 1894, famous for its wooden structure and traditional pagoda-like design.
- Cultural Icon: Inspired the bathhouse from the famous anime “Spirited Away”.
- Renovation (2024): Recently renovated to preserve its traditional look but upgraded for comfort and earthquake safety.
b. What Can You Do Here
- Public Baths: Choose between two main baths – Kami-no-Yu (larger) and Tama-no-Yu (smaller, statues of Shinto gods inside).
- Rest Areas: Relax in tatami lounge areas after bathing, enjoying tea and snacks.
- Imperial Bath Tour: You can tour Yūshinden, a special bath area built for Japan’s Imperial Family (no bathing, just viewing).
- Private Rooms: New private lounge rooms (“Shirasagi-no-ma” and “The Soaring Room”) are available by reservation.
- Souvenirs and Snacks: Try local snacks like Botchan dango (colorful mochi sweets), orange soaps, or milk after your bath.
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Photos by PIXTA