DisneySea
A pre-opening look at the new US$2 billion expansion, including the rides and yes — Disney food!
A month-long shortage of goods had many park visitors leaving empty-handed with no yummy souvenirs for their memories.
There’s more to theme parks in Japan than just Disney Resort and Universal Studios; there’s also ninjas, go-karts and looking through your legs.
As two of the most popular leisure destinations in one of the most crowded countries on the planet, Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea can get pretty packed with visitors. The more guests who show up, the longer you’ll spend waiting in line for attractions (so be sure to follow our advice about the best days to visit this year), so in order to get the most out of their day, some people try to arrive as early as possible, so they can get into the parks as soon as they open.
Of course, with so many Disney fans in Japan, even if you show up at that early hour, you’re likely to be sharing the park with a throng of other excited kids of all ages. If only there was some way you could get in even earlier.
Actually, starting April 14, Disney is offering a way to do just that.
In some spots, a trip to Tokyo Disneyland can feel very much like a visit to the original in Anaheim. Capering costumed characters pose for pictures with kids of all ages. Guests can stroll through Fantasyland and Tomorrow land. You’re never much more than a couple minutes’ walk away from a churro vendor.
But in some ways, Tokyo Disney Resort is incredibly Japanese. Well-behaved children uniformly refrain from kicking Mickey and his pals in the shins. Tokyo DisneySea will just as happily serve you an imported beer as an ice cream sundae. And of course, like any popular destination in Japan, the parks gets incredibly crowded.
Disney fans in the know, however, have a strategy for beating the crowds, and have compiled a list of the eight least crowded weekends and holidays of the year at Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea. And because we’re nice like that, we’re sharing that list with you today!
For Christmas 2012, my husband and I headed off our island and spent Christmas in Tokyo. We set aside a few days to mill around Shibuya, Shinjuku, Akihabara, and a few other places, but the main event of our trip was going to Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea. The only problem was that we chose to go during one of the busiest times of the year: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. So what do you do when everyone in Tokyo came to Disneyland, all the Fast Passes are gone, and you have to wait at least an hour to ride a three-minute ride? Eat everything in sight, of course. Take a look at some of the awesome and unexpected food you can find in Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea.








Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
A spotlight on Japanese singles figure skating: Jumping into the 2026 Olympics【Pt. II】
Japan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】
Family Mart releases huge range of cute sweets for Cat Day in Japan
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Man arrested in rural Japan on charges of leaving obscene DVDs in stores as gifts for “healthy men”
Naruto jerseys coming to Major Leage Baseball theme nights, Hello Kitty to take over a field
Prepare to be outraged: Japan votes for its “100 Best World Class Songs” 【Videos】
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
Japanese man gets drunk and falls asleep on Tokyo streets, then gets robbed by foreign national
Japan has a new bar just for people thinking about quitting their jobs, and the drinks are free
420 million yen in cash-filled suitcases stolen on Tokyo streets, incidents at Haneda and Hong Kong follow
Japan’s suicides fall to lowest recorded number ever, but one demographic hits all-time high
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Man arrested in rural Japan on charges of leaving obscene DVDs in stores as gifts for “healthy men”
Naruto jerseys coming to Major Leage Baseball theme nights, Hello Kitty to take over a field
Prepare to be outraged: Japan votes for its “100 Best World Class Songs” 【Videos】
Our lonely reporter goes searching for Japan’s search-for-a-spouse vending machine
Act of Japanese kindness touches one man’s heart, provides hope for elevator etiquette
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
Seven awesome mint chocolate Japanese convenience store sweets, and a chart to find your favorite
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
Like anime and video game mashups? Here’s 900 amazing ones!
Tokyo police arrest French man on charges of shoving, killing senior citizen in bar district
Trouble making friends? Sticker collecting works surprisingly well