
The country’s top three animation/movie attractions are all closed indefinitely.
At the end of February, with the extent of coronavirus infection in Japan surpassing initial expectations, Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea announced that they’d be shutting down from February 29 to March 15. The voluntary measure came after health officials said the first half of March would be a critical time period in stopping the spread of the virus, but it turns out that time frame was overly optimistic.
This week, Tokyo Disney Resort (which consists of both Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea) said it will be extending the parks’ closure, and this time it’s declining to give a firm reopening date. While the announcement says the parks predict they’ll be able to safely start receiving visitors again sometime in early April, no official date has been set at this time. In addition, Tokyo Disneyland’s major expansion, with new Beauty and the Beast and Big Hero 6 attractions, which has been in the works for four years and was scheduled to open on April 15, is having its grand opening pushed back to at least mid-May, if not later.
Fans of Japanese animation also got some unpleasant news from Tokyo’s Ghibli Museum. The whimsical shrine to anime director Hayao Miyazaki and his cohorts had initially planned to shut down from February 25 to March 17, but is also delaying its reopening. The Ghibli Museum requires pre-purchases for tickets, which are valid only for their specified date. Although the museum had planned to begin pre-sales for April tickets on March 10, it has since posted on its website that ticket sales are being postponed indefinitely.
Finally, Osaka’s Universal Studios Japan is also extending its closure. Closed since February 29, this week USJ sent out a follow-up statement saying it has officially decided to close the park through March 22. However, the announcement also makes a point of explaining that no reopening date has been set yet, implying that there’s a considerable chance that the closure will be extended again out past the 22nd. The park has yet to comment on whether or not this will affect the scheduled opening of its Super Nintendo World expansion, which is supposed to open this summer.
So basically, if you were planning to visit any of these four facilities over the next several weeks, you’ll probably need to make other plans. At least there’s plenty of free manga and Pokémon anime to enjoy online while self-quarantining at home.
Sources: Tokyo Disney Resort, Ghibli Museum, Universal Studios Japan
Photos ©SoraNews24
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he really should go watch Big Hero 6 again.


Ghibli Museum extends coronavirus closure, gives new scheduled reopening date and other good news
Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea will close for two weeks because of coronavirus fear
Tokyo Disneyland cancels Christmas
No screaming on roller coasters, please, say Tokyo Disneyland, other Japanese amusement parks
Tokyo Disneyland will require visitors to wear masks indoors when it reopens next month
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
One Piece docking at Round 1 amusement centers in both Japan and the USA
The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]
Studio Ghibli releases a musical diorama based on a touching anime scene from My Neighbour Totoro
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
KFC Japan creates spicy summer fried chicken chips together with Calbee
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made
Blind Tokyo commuter explains the easiest place for him to stand while riding the train
Sleep at Hoshinoya Nara Prison, one of the most unique hotels in Japan
Pikachu brings electric style to brand-new Pokémon G-Shock watch featuring every stater trio
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Universal Studios Japan to slowly open up while Tokyo Disney Parks stay closed
Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea reveal what it’ll be like for visitors when they reopen【Videos】
Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade returns after nearly two years
Tokyo Disneyland or Universal Studios Japan, which is better? Poll reveals sharp regional divide
Studio Ghibli Museum closes due to coronavirus fears
The 8 least crowded weekends and holidays at Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea
Ghibli Museum re-opening, tickets on sale in a few days
Tokyo Disneyland/Disney Sea announce cosplay rules, allowed characters for Halloween 2019
Tokyo’s Ghibli museum to reopen this month, but only for one group of people
Tokyo Disneyland loses top-attendance crown for Japanese theme parks for second year in a row
Tokyo Disney Resort plans 300-billion yen expansion, rumored to be third Tokyo Disney theme park
After months of closure, Sanrio Puroland stages for re-opening in mid-July
Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea are getting their own exclusive Pocky
Tokyo Disneyland Hotel set to enchant guests with new character themed rooms!
Tokyo Disneyland is giving the Haunted Mansion an anime-style re-theme