Is Joypolis Worth Visiting in 2025? An Honest Review & Alternatives

If you’re wondering, Is Joypolis worth visiting in 2025?—the short answer is no. While this indoor amusement park in Odaiba once had its charm, it now feels outdated, overpriced, and overshadowed by better attractions in Tokyo. In this review, I’ll explain why Joypolis falls short and suggest alternative entertainment options that are worth your time and money.

1. Is Joypolis Worth Visiting in 2025? It Feels Outdated

Tokyo is home to some of the most cutting-edge entertainment experiences in the world. Joypolis, however, feels stuck in the past. The park, originally opened in 1994, hasn’t aged well. While they’ve made some updates, the overall atmosphere still feels like something from the early 2000s. The VR and interactive experiences, which should be the main draw, lack the level of immersion you’d expect in a city leading in tech innovation. Compared to more modern attractions like TeamLab Planets or the immersive experiences at DisneySea, Joypolis just doesn’t hold up.

2. Hidden Costs: Extra Fees for Certain Attractions at Joypolis

One of my biggest disappointments with Joypolis was the unexpected extra charges. The park uses a confusing pricing system: you either buy an entrance ticket and pay per ride or get an all-you-can-ride pass. However, even with the full pass, some attractions require additional payments. This makes it hard to budget and frustrating when you realize that the attractions you were most excited about aren’t actually included. When I go to an amusement park, I expect transparency in pricing, not a nickel-and-diming system.

3. Long Wait Times for Small Attractions at Joypolis

I expected Joypolis to be an indoor amusement park that offered quick and easy fun. Instead, I found myself waiting in long lines for underwhelming rides. Waiting times for even small attractions stretched past 40 minutes, which is absurd considering what you’re getting. For comparison, I recently visited Tokyo Dome City and waited 40 minutes for Thunder Dolphin, one of the best roller coasters in the city. That’s a fair trade-off. But waiting the same amount of time for a short, unimpressive VR ride at Joypolis? That just doesn’t make sense.

4. Odaiba’s Limited Food Options Near Joypolis

Another major downside to Joypolis is its location. Odaiba is an artificial island that, while scenic, doesn’t offer much in terms of good food. The majority of restaurants in the area cater to tourists, which means overpriced and often underwhelming Western-style food. If you’re hoping to find some authentic, high-quality Japanese food nearby, you’re out of luck. If you do visit Joypolis, I highly recommend eating elsewhere beforehand, because you won’t find much of interest in the surrounding area.

Better Alternatives in Tokyo Instead of Joypolis

So, if you’re looking for fun in Tokyo, where should you go instead? Here are some alternatives that provide a much better experience:

Tokyo Dome City: Free entry, pay-per-ride system, and home to the incredible Thunder Dolphin roller coaster. Plus, there are plenty of great food options nearby.
DisneySea or Disneyland: More expensive, but worth every yen for the world-class rides, food, and atmosphere.
Fuji-Q Highland: If you’re willing to take a short trip out of the city, this park is a must-visit for thrill-seekers.
TeamLab Planets: A stunning interactive art experience that delivers real innovation.

Final Thoughts: Is Joypolis Worth Visiting in 2025?

At the end of the day, is Joypolis worth visiting in 2025? I’d say no. The outdated attractions, long waits, hidden costs, and poor food options make it one of the weakest amusement experiences in Tokyo. If you’re only visiting Tokyo for a limited time, spend your money and time on better attractions. Joypolis might have been exciting decades ago, but today, it simply doesn’t compete with the incredible entertainment options Tokyo has to offer.

Have you been to Joypolis? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

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