Analyzing Successes and Challenges in the Contemporary Japanese Theme Park Industry

Japan is a major participant in the global attractions industry and hosts three of the world’s top 10 theme parks. Despite its importance in the Asian region, a holistic study has not been conducted on the state of the Japanese industry in many years. This research examines the current landscape with a sample of parks (n = 162) comprised of varying categories (theme parks, amusement parks, standalone attractions, zoos with amusement zones, etc.) in 43 prefectures. It traces the locations that have been well-attended enough to appear on global industry visitation reports within the last 25 years (n = 13) and observes sites that have closed within the last 20 years (n = 30). The research employs historical perspective and empirical analysis to examine the Japanese industry within the last 20 years including its challenges, effective sites, and trends in attraction development. Findings reveal a varied attraction mix, internal and external reasons for site closures, impact from the Chinese market, the powerful glocalization of Disney and Universal’s theme parks, and the appeal of Studio Ghibli and contents tourism. Theoretical and managerial insights can be gained from comprehending the composition of the theme park industry in Japan, its lessons on successes and failures, and potential future directions.