Secret Ninja & Samurai Park in Japan: Edo Wonderland

Aug. 5, 2013 by Matt van Vuuren

Edo Wonderland is a traditional Japanese Ninja & Samurai theme park with many incredible attractions for enthusiasts. You can even dress as a Samurai or Ninja and have your picture taken. Do not miss this place upon visiting Japan!

Tips & Advice

What: Edo Wonderland: Samurai & Ninja Park
Where: Nikko, Tochigi, Japan [Map]
Hours: 9:30am - 4pm
Why: Experience the magical Edo period of Japan
Notes: Don't miss the Oiran street show, ninja show and water show.
Similar: Sumo Wrestling Adventure
Book Now: Edo Wonderland Tickets for just $37 USD

Buy Tickets for Nikko

Growing up, my brother and I were enamored with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, sparking a lifelong fascination with Japanese ninja and samurai culture. This interest led me to Edo Wonderland, a must-visit destination in Japan for anyone intrigued by samurai and ninjas.

I arranged my visit through Tokyo Travel, having previously traveled with them to Nikko. However, Edo Wonderland outshines Nikko with its immersive and entertaining experiences.

Edo Wonderland is a theme park where the culture and life of the Edo period is reproduced in Nikko, Japan. It offers many attractions like Jigoku Temple, dress as a Samurai or Ninja, the Choushuu-han Residence and the Kodema-cho Jail House (where you can find out about the torture methods for criminals in the Edo Period). For eating, you can enjoy ramen, sweets, snacks, soba, udon, seasoned rice, yakitori, rice bowls, and of course sake.

Edo Wonderland is a meticulously crafted theme park that transports visitors back to the Edo period. The park spans approximately 500 thousand square meters, recreating an inn town, a downtown area, a samurai residential zone, and a ninja village with remarkable authenticity.

I explored the park with my new Russian friend John, whom I met on the bus. Embracing the experience, I even donned traditional samurai attire, which was a highlight of the visit.

a resident of Edo Wonderland

The park's "haunted" attractions, like Jigoku Temple, the Choushuu-han Residence, and the Kodema-cho Jail House, offer a glimpse into the more macabre aspects of Edo period culture, including wax figures depicting samurai battles and historical torture methods.

No theme park is complete without culinary delights and shopping opportunities, and Edo Wonderland excels in both. The park features a variety of dining options, including ramen, sweets, soba, udon, seasoned rice, yakitori, rice bowls, and, naturally, sake.

snack on the way back to Tokyo

While Edo Wonderland is an enthralling experience, it's worth noting the admission cost. A full-day adult pass is ¥4,500 (¥2,300 for children), with a half-day option available (starting after 2:00 PM in summer and 1:00 PM in winter) at ¥3,900 for adults (¥2,000 for children). Despite the price, it's a unique and memorable journey into Japan's rich historical culture.