Nagashima Spa Land Japan: Complete Guide to Mie's Theme Park Resort

What Is Nagashima Spa Land and Why Visit?

Nagashima Spa Land is one of Japan's largest amusement park complexes, tucked into the coastal city of Kuwana in Mie Prefecture — just 25 minutes by car from central Nagoya. While most international visitors head straight to Tokyo Disney or Universal Studios Japan, Nagashima offers something neither of those parks can match: a full resort complex where roller coasters, natural hot springs, illuminated flower gardens, outlet shopping, and Hello Kitty themed attractions all sit within a single connected campus.

The resort, officially known as Nagashima Resort (ナガシマリゾート), encompasses five major facilities. According to the official Nagashima Resort site, the complex includes Nagashima Spaland (the amusement park), Yuami no Shima (hot springs), Nabana no Sato (flower park), Jazz Dream Nagashima (outlet mall), and a seasonal waterpark. It draws millions of domestic visitors each year, yet remains relatively unknown among English-speaking travelers.

This guide gives you a bird's-eye view of every facility so you can decide what to prioritize based on your travel style, budget, and time.

The Five Facilities at a Glance

Before diving into each area, here's a quick comparison to help you plan:

Facility	Best For	Price (Adults)	Hours	Time Needed
Nagashima Spaland	Coasters, rides	¥6,800 (~$45) with Free Pass	10:00-17:00/20:00	4-6 hours
Yuami no Shima	Hot springs, relaxation	¥1,600 (~$11)	10:00-22:00	1.5-2 hours
Nabana no Sato	Flowers, illuminations	~¥2,300 (~$15)	Varies by season	1.5-2 hours
Jazz Dream Nagashima	Outlet shopping	Free entry	10:00-20:00	1-3 hours
Sanrio Characters Area	Hello Kitty fans, kids	Included with Spaland	Same as Spaland	1-2 hours

Nagashima Spaland (Amusement Park)

The heart of the resort is Nagashima Spaland (長島スパーランド), home to 12 roller coasters — more than any other park in Japan. The star attraction is Steel Dragon 2000, which held world records for length and height when it opened. For a deep dive into the rides and ticket options, see our full guide to Nagashima Spaland rides and tickets.

According to the Spaland official site, the entry plus Free Pass (フリーパス, unlimited rides) costs ¥6,800 (~$45) for adults and ¥5,200 (~$35) for children. The park opens at 10:00 daily, closing at 17:00 on weekdays and up to 20:00 on weekends and holidays. Note that most major coasters require the Free Pass — entry-only tickets limit you to a handful of attractions.

Yuami no Shima (Hot Springs)

Yuami no Shima (湯あみの島) is a hot spring complex adjacent to Spaland with 17 different outdoor baths using natural spring water. According to the official Yuami no Shima site, the bathing areas are themed after famous Japanese landscapes including Kurobe Gorge and Oirase Stream. Entry costs ¥1,600 (~$11) for adults and ¥900 (~$6) for children, with hours extending to 22:00 (last entry 21:00).

This is a traditional Japanese onsen, meaning full nudity is required and bathing is gender-separated. Visitors with visible tattoos should check current policies before visiting.

Nabana no Sato (Flower Park and Illuminations)

Nabana no Sato (なばなの里) is a botanical garden about 10 minutes by car from the main resort. It's famous throughout Japan for its winter illumination display — one of the country's largest — running from late October through early May. During spring and summer, the park draws visitors for its flower fields instead.

Entry is approximately ¥2,300 (~$15), though pricing varies by season. A free shuttle bus connects it to the rest of the resort.

Jazz Dream Nagashima (Outlet Mall)

Jazz Dream Nagashima (ジャズドリーム長島) is a Mitsui Outlet Park with over 300 stores offering discounted Japanese and international brands. Entry is free. It's connected to the rest of the resort by shuttle, making it easy to combine with a park visit. Most stores open 10:00-20:00.

Sanrio Characters Area (Hello Kitty Zone)

Inside Nagashima Spaland, the Sanrio Characters Area features Hello Kitty themed attractions, character meet-and-greets, and exclusive merchandise shops. Access is included with your Spaland admission — no separate ticket needed. For families with young children or Sanrio enthusiasts, this area alone can fill 1-2 hours. See our guide to Hello Kitty land at Nagashima for the full rundown.

Who Should Visit: Matching Your Trip Style

Nagashima Resort serves three distinct audiences. Here's how to decide which facilities deserve your time.

Thrill-Seekers and Coaster Fans

If you're visiting Japan specifically for amusement parks and coasters, Nagashima Spaland deserves a spot on your itinerary. With 12 roller coasters — including the legendary Steel Dragon 2000 — the ride lineup rivals any park in the country. Queue times are generally shorter than Tokyo Disney or Universal, especially on weekdays. Plan at least half a day for the major coasters.

Families with Young Children

Families can split time between the gentler rides at Spaland and the Sanrio Characters Area, where younger children meet Hello Kitty and friends. Our complete Hello Kitty theme park guide covers age-appropriate attractions, shows, and dining options. Afterward, the outlet mall and onsen give parents something to enjoy while kids wind down.

Sanrio and Hello Kitty Fans

Dedicated Sanrio fans will find photo spots, exclusive merchandise, and character interactions throughout the Hello Kitty zones. For the full experience including immersive areas, see our guide to Hello Kitty World photo spots and merchandise. This pairs well with a half-day at Spaland or an afternoon at the outlet mall.

Tickets, Passes, and Combo Deals

Nagashima Resort uses a tiered ticket system. Here's what you need to know:

Ticket Type	Price (Adult)	Includes
Spaland Entry + Free Pass	¥6,800 (~$45)	Park entry + unlimited rides
Spaland Entry Only	~¥1,600 (~$11)	Park entry, pay per ride
Yuami no Shima	¥1,600 (~$11)	Hot spring access
Spaland + Yuami Combo	Check official site	Park + onsen at discount

A few tips on tickets:

• The Free Pass is highly recommended — individual ride tickets add up fast, especially if you plan to ride multiple coasters.
• Combo tickets that bundle Spaland and Yuami no Shima are available and save ¥500-1,000 over buying separately.
• If you're staying overnight at a resort hotel, hotel-ticket packages often include early entry or multi-day passes. Check the official resort site for current package pricing, as rates vary by season.
• The Sanrio Characters Area is included with Spaland admission — no additional ticket required.

Note: Exact combo prices vary by season. Always verify current rates on the official site before your visit.

Getting to Nagashima Spa Land from Nagoya

Nagashima Spa Land sits in Kuwana, Mie Prefecture, right on the Mie-Aichi border. The most practical base city is Nagoya.

By car: Take the Ise-Wangan Expressway to Nagashima IC, then 5 minutes to the resort. Total drive from central Nagoya is about 25 minutes. Parking is available on-site (paid).

By highway bus: Direct buses run from the Meitetsu Bus Center at Nagoya Station to Nagashima Resort, taking approximately 50 minutes. This is the easiest option without a car.

By train + shuttle: Take the Kintetsu Nagoya Line to Nagashima Station, then catch the free resort shuttle bus (5 minutes). The train ride from Kintetsu Nagoya Station takes about 20 minutes.

All facilities within the resort are connected by free shuttle buses, so once you arrive, you can park once and move between Spaland, the onsen, outlet mall, and Nabana no Sato without driving.

One common mistake: some visitors try to day-trip from Tokyo, but it's a 3+ hour journey each way. Nagashima works far better as a Nagoya side trip.

Planning Your Visit: Seasons and Itineraries

Summer: Waterpark and Long Hours

From early July through late September, the Nagashima waterpark (水の楽園) opens with pools and water slides. Summer also brings extended park hours, making it possible to fit more into a single day. Expect bigger crowds on weekends and during Obon (mid-August).

Winter: Illuminations at Nabana no Sato

Nabana no Sato's illumination display runs from late October through early May and draws enormous crowds, particularly in December. If visiting in winter, plan to arrive early or on a weekday. The illuminations are a separate facility from Spaland, so you can combine an afternoon of rides with an evening of lights.

Sample 1-Day and 2-Day Itineraries

1-Day Plan (Spaland Focus):

• 10:00 — Arrive at Spaland, hit major coasters first
• 13:00 — Lunch in the park, explore Sanrio area
• 15:00 — Continue rides or visit Jazz Dream Nagashima
• 17:00 — Walk to Yuami no Shima for an evening soak
• 19:00 — Depart

2-Day Plan (Full Resort):

• Day 1: Full day at Spaland + Yuami no Shima evening
• Day 2 AM: Jazz Dream Nagashima outlet shopping
• Day 2 PM: Nabana no Sato (especially worthwhile in illumination season)

Many visitors on TripAdvisor and Reddit recommend at least 1.5 days to cover the resort without feeling rushed, particularly if you want both the amusement park and onsen experience.

Frequently Asked Questions