Are you done with all the major attractions in Tokyo and looking for something different to spend a day near the megacity? Well, Seibuen Amusement Park is on the list.

As a Showa-born millennial, Seibuen Amusement Park, or Seibuen Yuenchi in Japanese, brings back all the childhood memories.

For the unfamiliar, Showa is a period during the reign of Emperor Showa, from 1926 to 1989. It’s a very long period, and lots of radical change and growth has happened during this era. Tokyo Olympics 1964 was held, and Japan’s most iconic building–Tokyo Tower was built.

Seibuen Amusement Park, a super unique retro theme park, exudes exactly that nostalgic vibe inspired by 1960s Tokyo. If you have watched Always: Sunset on Third Street,  a drama film which deeply touched me, you will know what I am talking about.

Today, let’s do a deep dive into what this retro wonderland is all about, and how to make the most out of it.

SEIBU Discount Tickets

First of all, good news! For foreign travelers, you can enjoy a discounted rate with the SEIBU passes. Head over to SEIBU Railway’s website for more information.

How can you purchase the pass?

You can either purchase online on activity booking platforms like Klook, or go straight to the SEIBU Tourist Information Center at Ikebukuro Station to purchase it.

Ikebukuro is a huge station, so look for SEIBU Railway near the East Entrance.

You will find the SEIBU Tourist Information Center right inside the East Entrance. If you purchase the ticket in advance online, you can show the QR code to redeem your SEIBU passes.

For me, I opt for the SEIBU 1 Day Pass that costs a mere JPY1000, which allows travelers to enjoy unlimited train travel on all the SEIBU lines (excluding the Tamagawa line)!

I would also totally recommend travelers to purchase the Seibuen Amusement Park Admission Ticket together as a package option for maximum saving and convenience! Here’s the park admission ticket page.

How to get there:

From Ikebukuro, it takes about 50-mins to get to the destination.

First of all, take the SEIBU Ikebukuro Line bound for Hannō, and get off at Nishi-Tokorozawa Station.

You will make a transit, and take the SEIBU Sayama Line bound for Seibukyūjō-mae Station, and get off at the very station.

From there, you will need to make one final transit, and take the SEIBU Yamaguchi Line one the very retro looking train bound for Tamako (Lake Tama), and ride one stop to Seibuen-yūenchi Station.

Once you arrive at Seibuen-yūenchi Station, Seibuen Amusement Park is right in front of you.
Located in Tokorozawa City in Saitama Prefecture, this park was originally opened in 1950, and recently went through a major renovation, transforming the original theme park into a new-but-retro wonderland that has become super popular since its reopening in 2021.

Seibu Currency

What is interesting about this amusement park is that you will need a special currency called the “Seibuen” to purchase most things in the park. You can purchase it either at the ticket counter at park entrance, or at the “post office” at the shopping street.
You can purchase 10 Seibuen for JPY120. Note that no refund will be given for unused currency, so make sure you spend all of it within the park! Don’t worry, there are small souvenirs you can purchase all around the park to ensure you will spend the last Seibuen!

Yuhino-oka Shopping Street

Upon entering the park, you will be greeted with the bustling main street called “Yuhi no Oka Shotengai”, meaning Sunset Hill Shopping Street that oozes the most authentic yesteryears charm of Japan, lined with an array of shops.

Let’s check out some of the major shops you can have some fun at!

This is Omi butcher shop, offering freshly made croquette and menchi-katsu (deep fried ground meat patty) which costs 30 Seibuen.

Paid 100 Seibuen and got my change of 70 Seibuen!

Other than souvenirs and snacks, there are plenty of other shops faithfully remodeled after the 60s groceries stores and more. Although some merchandise are just for display, it offers plenty of great photo opportunity.

This is a typical cigarette shop from past decades, but if you are lucky you may still spot these nostalgic little vendors in suburb Japan.

This is “Yorozu-ya”, a store featuring lots of cool souvenirs, from retro-themed lifestyle goods, accessories to all sorts of character-themed snacks.

I was absolutely fascinated by the stylishly designed retro goods, including hankerchiefs, stationery, tote bags, T shirts and more.

For millenials, these dagashi (penny candies) sure strike maximum nostalgia in the heart.

This is “Yaoya”, a greengrocer featuring “fresh” (actually replica) fruits and vegetables. This is one of my favorite places to snap photos as I really adore its old-fashion vibe.

A sundry shop with hanging dried seafood, condiments and seasonings.

If you are in the mood, why not get play dress up and don yourself in classic 60s Japanese fashion? High-waisted flare skirts, polka-dot dresses, huge hair bands and even laced gloves are available for purchase at Narikiri Clothing Store.

This is the best place to instantly transform yourself into a Showa damsel.

Treat yourself to various traditional Japanese and western sweets at “Tanabota-do”.

Have fun picking your favorite confectionery from a dizzying array of confectionery–dorayaki, bonbon, colorful animal-shaped biscuits…

At the end of the street, you will encounter Aizawa Photo Studio, where you can turn yourself into a Showa pinup! With 150 Seibuen, the very friendly photographer will take a snapshot of you against your choice of a virtual retro background (150 Seibuen). A great memento to bring home!

Boogie-Woogie Festival

One of the highlights of the park that you shouldn’t miss is the performance happening at the main street. Just like most theme parks, actors and actresses will come on a jovial parade and put together an incredible entertaining show.

What sets Seibuen Amusement Park though is that instead of special mascots, the local townspeople—the police, merchant, porter, fishmonger, poster girls… all dressed in Showa chic—all come together to sing, dance and cheer. All guests are more than welcome to join the parade at the end and dance together!

Seibuen Gourmet

Food options are aplenty at Seibu Amusement Park, from street eats to retro cafes. While most visitors opt for Kissa Victoria, a quintessential Showa-style cafe that is also highly photogenic, one may expect a queue during peak hours due to its popularity.

© TOHO CO., LTD. ©TSUBURAYA PROD.

We decided to head towards for HAKURAI Grill, a more spacious, less crowded open-air restaurant. While fast food like burgers, sandwiches and curry rice are served, children may enjoy participating in preparing their own food, as you can grill bacons, Hamburg Pattie’s and buns on the BBQ grill provided, and even decorate your own “Godzilla Sandwhich”!
Visually amusing dishes such as the black karaage, Ultraman pudding and more would surely appease Instagenic-hungry park-goers.

TASOGARE Express Dining Train

Another dining spot that I highly recommend visiting is the TASOGARE Express Dining Train. Even if you already had your meal somewhere else, this spot is absolutely worth visiting so save yourself some tummy space for at least a drink!

This themed restaurant is remodelled after the 60s luxurious express train, each table has a “window” screen, where stunning sceneries of Japan’s four seasons are played, mimicking a very realistic experience of riding a train back in the 60s. Half way through my meal, I even saw a virtual Tokyo Tower that’s built half way, which instantly reminded me of the movie Always: Sunset on Third Street, and it was incredibly touching for me.

Enjoy a colorful glass of cream soda “Shinonome” while basking in the nostalgic landscape of Japan’s yesteryears.

Amusement Attractions

So far, all the attractions sounded like a nostalgia for Gen X and millennials to relish their childhood memories, but don’t be mistaken, Seibuen Amusement Park is indeed the perfect spot for family outings!

As you walk to the end of the shopping street and go down the stairs, a massive area exuding old school fun-fair charm welcomes you.

Ferries wheels, merry-go-round, swing carousel, viking ship and more, you can literally spend an entire day at Seibuen Amusement Park with all these fun rides.

Challenge Train

Channel your inner train conductor and try to maneuver this mini train by paying attention to the instructions given. Points are rewarded based on timeliness, precision etc. Let’s see how well you score at the goal!

Yuhino-Ennichi Fair Stalls

The fair stalls breathes and air of “natsu matsuri”—summer festivals usually spotted during the heated months in Japan, but here are Seibuen you can enjoy it year long no matter which season you visit.

Test your agility and skills at various festival games such as shateki (wooden gun shooting), challenge ball, ring toss and more. If you are lucky you get to win prizes too!

Ultraman the Ride & Godzilla the Ride

Being the most popular attraction in the park, you don’t want to go home without going on the rides.
From the giant posters one can see from afar on Yuhikan, a tall building standing just behind the main entrance, one would think that it’s an old school cinema (at least that’s what I thought at first!).

© TOHO CO., LTD. ©TSUBURAYA PROD.

The thrill rides are visually impactful and truly immersive for the five senses. Without spoiling the fun for you readers, I’d say that even for someone like me who aren’t usually too keen on thrill rides, genuinely enjoyed the experience thoroughly.

Seibuen Amusement park is large enough for one to spend an entire day at. If you fancy, do stay until the evening as the sunset is said to be really beautiful and matches exactly the common theme of “yuhi“, which means sunset in Japanese.

Bonus: Sayama Lake

Photography cooperation: Bureau of Waterworks Tokyo Metropolitan Government

For me though, I opted to go on a small adventure to witness the gorgeous sunset at Sayama Lake, a fresh water reservoir surrounded by Sayama Nature Park. In winter time if you are lucky, you can even catch Mt Fuji at a distance!

Access: from Seibuen-yūenchi Station, take the same retro train back to Seibukyūjō-mae Station, which is just one station away. From there, you can take a slow walk about 15 minutes over to Sayama Lake.

That’s all for today. Seibuen Amusement Park remains one of the less traveled gem yet to be discovered my mainstream tourists. If you are into old-school retro vibe and want to experience something different from the ultra modern Tokyo cityscape, I would definitely recommend a visit here.

Lastly, check out the SEIBU 1 Day Pass from SEIBU Railway’s website.

Have a good holiday!