Tokyo One Piece Tower … or J-World Tokyo ?
JAPAN:
Tokyo is a paradise for manga and anime addicted people as well as anyone with a genuine curiosity to get a little bit of insight into this unique subculture. The two indoor theme parks J-World Tokyo and Tokyo One Piece Tower both feature quirky and original attractions within the popular anime universe.
Ainnelise Niyvold Liundbye UPDATED: 03 JAN 2020
Read about
1. Tokyo One Piece Tower
2. J-World Tokyo – now permanently closed
The Yamanote circle line takes us conveniently round to Ikebukuro Station. We are on our way to the massive building complex, Sunshine City, where J-World Tokyo is to be found. We have understood that the huge complex in addition to J-World Tokyo, a plethora of shops and other commercial activities also features an aquarium, a theatre, an observatory and a museum.
The indoor theme park appears to be absolutely unique within theme related attractions in the anime category. It is relatively new in Tokyo and has seemingly gained enormous popularity right from the beginning. The more we have read about it, the more curious we have become to experience this bizarre, yet alluring place.
Even if we have spotted Sunshine City on a map, it is not obvious how to get there on foot.
At a tourist information near Ikebukuro Station we pop in to ask for directions to get to J-World Tokyo. We get a map, but it completely lacks appropriate details to be of any use to us.
After zigzagging through the pedestrian zone, we finally find ourselves in front of a building which, to the best of our knowledge, must be one of the points of entering the vast commercial complex Sunshine City.
Following the crowds through a long passage and one floor up, we are again challenged. All signage is in Japanese and so is the brochure we got at the tourist information. However, a large add displaying an anime universe points us in the right direction, revealing just one single number among a whole lot of Japanese characters. Our best guess is that this is the floor where to find J-World Tokyo.
And so it is! Relieved, we pay the modest entrance fee and enter the magical world.
Meet your idols in J-World Tokyo
It is indeed surreal to be here – everything is anime and manga. Attractions, images, decorations, sounds … When looking around we realise that we are probably the only non-Japanese visitors.
What we find really entertaining here is the passion and enthusiasm among all the Japanese visitors. They seem to be crazily dedicated to their favourite anime characters, and cheer when they realise that they can get their photo taken with one of the live characters walking around!
J-World Tokyo
Eating in the Kitchen in J-World Tokyo.
Many of the rides are based on games. We have to admit that our poor Japanese skills, as well as our western mindsets and points of reference are not sufficient to get a grasp of the basic rules. Nevertheless, the rides and activities definitely seem to be both funny and challenging.
As far as we understand, the indoor theme park is divided into a number of sections, each dedicated to specific anime characters like Naruto, One Piece and Dragon Ball – and other characters more unknown to foreign visitors like us!
” You must try Naruto’s favourite ramen in J-World Tokyo.”
Undoubtedly, one of the more interesting parts of the site is the J-World Kitchen! People appear to be pretty ecstatic about the food relating to the anime universe. We all order Naruto’s favourite meal which is a famed ramen! It seems to be very popular here!
J-World Tokyo. Naruto’s favourite meal.
Was it already difficult to get from the Ikebukuro Station, into the building and find J-World Tokyo, it turns out to be even more challenging to find our way out again to the right street exit. We head towards another underground station being more conveniently located for next thing on our agenda!
Indulge in Tokyo One Piece Tower
Tokyo One Piece Tower.
Tokyo One Piece Tower is another theme park dedicated to the anime characters from One Piece. It is located at the bottom of Tokyo Tower, so it is easy to combine a visit to the two attractions. You can even climb the stairs to the top of Tokyo Tower if you have the energy! We refrain from doing that and concentrate on the anime world instead.
We are as fortunate as to arrive on a day without too many visitors. This means that the employee takes her time to explain a few rules to us before we are off into the One Piece fantasy world.
” Even a newbie like me gets to know Luffy in Tokyo One Piece Tower.”
One of the weirder things, we are exposed to, seems to be one of the favourite activities among most of the Japanese visitors.
We get equipped with a kind of talking toy creature (in Japanese!) which will take us to a number of challenges on site. One among us has a few very basic Japanese skills, and surprisingly enough we are actually able to both locate and even solve some of the weird challenges!
The decorations are pretty amazing, and a self-guided tour around the site introduces us to the One Piece characters and quirky settings. Among other places we physically enter a kitchen with a giant boar lying on the kitchen table! Not for the faint-hearted!
During the next couple of hours we integrate into Luffy’s sphere (and all the other characters’). It is an interesting and funny universe, and it is absolutely fascinating to see the euphoria and joy – of both children and adults. The anime world is a significant side of Japan – whether you are a One Piece fan or not. When leaving, we are not in doubt: One Piece is really BIG in Japan!
Tokyo One Piece Tower
Tokyo One Piece Tower opened in March 2015. It is a huge indoor amusement park inspired by the manga and anime series One Piece. It is a visit to the fictional universe of pirates, soldiers, rebels and others with supernatural or superhuman, impressive abilities.
Over 300 million copies of the popular One Piece manga books have reached the bookshelves and the fans throughout the years. The Tokyo One Piece Tower is the newest approach to give insight into the captivating world and let the fans meet and identify with the characters. Experience the Straw Hat Crew at Tongari Port, Luffy and Chopper, Zoro the swordsman, Usopp the sniper, Sanji the cook and Nami the navigator. It is a sheer paradise for otakus (fans).
The theme park is conveniently located at the base of Tokyo Tower. It features theme based restaurants and cafés , shops with merchandise and live shows in addition to the intriguing attractions and games you can indulge in. It is a favored place among the Japanese visitors and you can easily spend half a day there.
Check out the square hotel GINZA which tempts with a common hot bath:
the square hotel GINZA
Hotel in the Ginza / Chuo district conveniently located in a lively neighbourhood. The hotel features a unique design and a restaurant / café on site – and a common hot bath. It is close to the Antique Mall Ginza and the Wakayama Art Museum.
Check the price / book
Check out the hotel Edoya in Bunkyo/Ueno also featuring an onsen-style bath:
Hotel Edoya
Budget-friendly hotel / ryokan in the quiet neighbourhood Bunkyo near Ueno Station. The hotel features Japanese style rooms with tatami floors, futons and low chairs. The scoop is the ofuro / onsen section which has both indoor and outdoor hot baths. The hotel offers a Japanese (and Western) breakfast buffet.
Check the price / book
View more hotels by district in Tokyo!
Read more about Tokyo (vibe, see & do, accommodation, price level, transport, safety, climate, history) in our Facts About Tokyo – Travel Guide.
Do you need a 3-day itinerary in Tokyo?
If you need a 2-day itinerary in Tokyo, have a look here: Best Things to Do in Tokyo – Itinerary 2 Days
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