This long-established amusement park by Lake Tama just north of the Saitama-Tokyo border is only 50 minutes by train from Shinjuku Station. As part of its 70th anniversary celebration, Seibuen has recently undergone a massive renovation and has reopened as a retro-themed attraction inspired by 1960s Tokyo. It even has restaurants serving old-fashioned dishes like spaghetti napolitan and croquettes.
Seibuen still maintains its classic child-friendly attractions like the ferris wheel and merry-go-round, along with an old-school shotengai (shopping street) and live street performances. Godzilla fans, however, will be thrilled with one of its newest rides, which takes you inside the epic battle between Godzilla and three-headed monster King Ghidorah. There are other rides featuring popular Japanese manga series like Astro Boy and Jungle Emperor Leo.
In summer, Seibuen opens its outdoor water park that’s broken up into five areas. We recommend the Wave and Flowing pools for a relaxing afternoon, while thrill seekers should make a beeline for the six gigantic water slides. Make sure to stay until the evening so you can catch the fireworks after dark.