Arakawa Amusement Park

In short

Arakawa Amusement Park is an amusement park operated by Arakawa Ward, located along the Sumida River in Nishi-ogu, Arakawa Ward. It is the only public amusement park in Tokyo's 23 wards and reopened in April 2022 following extensive renovation work.

• ​Ferris Wheel​​: A beloved park symbol since its debut in 1954; the current Ferris wheel stands 40 meters tall.
• ​Family Coaster​​: A caterpillar-shaped coaster known as the "slowest roller coaster in Japan" (self-proclaimed), which was preserved even after the renovations.
• ​Ikkyu-san Train​​: Of the Toden 6000 series, affectionately nicknamed "Ikkyu-san," the last car to stay in service is now utilized as a cafe.

History and Highlights

The origin of Arakawa Amusement Park dates back to May 1922, when it opened as a privately run amusement park. It was established in anticipation of drawing passengers from the Oji Electric Railway, the predecessor of today's Toden Arakawa Line. Featuring a pavilion modeled after the mythical Ryugu-jo (Dragon Palace) and boats floating on a pond, it became known as a "celebrated garden of the northern city." In 1941, an anti-aircraft artillery position was placed on the site, and the area became a wasteland around this time due to the effects of World War II.

After the war, Arakawa Ward led a reconstruction movement for the healthy upbringing of children, leading to the opening of the ward-run Arakawa Amusement Park in August 1950. It remains the only public amusement park in Tokyo's 23 wards today. In the renovation of April 2022, most of the facilities were renewed—with the exception of the administration office, the Fureai House, and the Family Coaster—and the entire park was made barrier-free.

An old brick wall extending outside the grounds is a remnant of the Taisho era amusement park grounds, preserved today as a historical relic.

Sights and Experiences

• ​Ferris Wheel and Family Coaster​​: The Ferris wheel has been the park's symbol since its introduction in 1954, and the current wheel is the third generation. Standing 40 meters high, it takes about 9 minutes to complete one rotation. There are four see-through gondolas that allow you to view the scenery beneath your feet, and Mt. Fuji can sometimes be seen on clear days. The caterpillar-shaped Family Coaster is the "slowest roller coaster in Japan" (self-proclaimed), leisurely circling its approximately 138-meter track twice.
• ​Animal Area​​: Visitors can experience interacting with animals by petting rabbits and sheep. Ponies, alpacas, capybaras, and meerkats are also on display. Animals can also be viewed from the miniature train that circles the area.
• ​Ikkyu-san Train and Tram Models​​: The "Ikkyu-san" train is a Toden 6000-series tram car, named "Ikkyu-san" because it had only one front headlight. The last of these cars to stay in service was transferred to Arakawa Ward in April 2002 and now operates as Cafe 193. On the first floor of the Fureai House, the Shitamachi Toden Mini Museum displays handmade models of Toden trams.

Tips for Visiting

The park is a 3-minute walk from the Arakawa-yuenchi-mae Stop on the Toden Arakawa Line. The second floor of the food court, Mogumogu House, has glass walls where you can dine while looking out over the Sumida River and the Ferris wheel. Inside the park is a long slide that utilizes the elevation difference of the Sumida River embankment. A water bus boarding point is located just a 3-minute walk from the park. On your way back, look for the Taisho-era brick wall outside the grounds.