Sega Joypolis – A Gamer’s Paradise

When you think of Sega you think of video games!  Sega is a household name when it comes to video games and they are the makers of classic arcade games such as Sega Rally, Virtua Fighter and House of the Dead.  They are also well known for games such as Mario and Sonic at the Olympics, Super Monkey Ball and NiGHTS Journey of Dream on the Nintendo Wii, as well as Viking: Battle for Asgard, Sega Rally Revo, Virtua Fighter 5 and Virtua Tennis 3 for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.

In addition to creating some of the best video games out there, the company also operates Sega Joypolis, a modern take on the amusement park, where video games, virtual reality and high tech rides are the featured attractions.

If your are a gamer or you are traveling with one you will definitely want to put Sega Joypolis is on your itinerary.  Located in the modern Odaiba area of Tokyo in the DECKS shopping complex, the facility spans three floors and is home to some fun and unique attractions.

On the ground floor you will find Halfpipe Canyon, a two person snowboarding ride where teams compete to make the most 360 degree turns at each end of a curved track that brings the riders parallel to the ground at it’s highest point.  Spin bullet is a small roller coaster that will spin you out to a view of Tokyo Bay or could opt for a virtual sky cruise.

On the next level, test out your driving skills in Outbound 2 Special Tours SDX which will put you behind the wheel of a real Japanese sports car and allows you to choose from a selection of virtual courses.  You will want to wear your seatbelt on this one as the car responds realistically to each move the driver makes.  If auto racing isn’t your thing then you might enjoy bobsledding or shooting at zombies in The House of the Dead.

On the uppermost level you will find additional virtual reality rides where you can hang glide or try your hand at rapid river rafting.  Also on this level is a cafe overlooking Tokyo bay when you can pause to catch your breath and take in some refreshment.

While the rides are a lot of fun and shouldn’t be missed, true gamers will want to spend time exploring the various video games that are available on each level of Sega Joypolis.   Kids of all ages will enjoy a visit to this amazing indoor amusement park – I know I sure did!

Details:

Hours: 10AM – 11PM (Last Entry 10:15PM)
Location: Odaiba, Decks Tokyo Beach, 3rd Floor.  A 3 minute walk from Odaiba Kaihin Koen Station or a 5 minute walk from Tokyo Teleport. (Sega Tokyo Joypolis access information)
Admission:  Three options are available (Sega Tokyo Joypolis pricing).  A Passport offers holders unlimited access to rides and attractions and costs Y3,500 for Adults and Y3,100 for children 7-14.  The Night Passport offers the same benefits but is only available after 5PM at a cost of Y2,500 for Adults and Y2,100 for children 7-14.  Admission is Y500 for Adults and Y300 for children 7-14; the cost each attraction is paid separately.  The cost to play any of the stand alone games is additional regardless of the admission option chosen above.

Many thanks go out to Graham from b5’s own Sega Nerds for helping this non-gamer not make a fool of herself!  If you love Sega, then be sure to check out Sega Nerds to get all your Sega news, reviews, previews and more!

Image Credit: Personal Collection