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Pond and bridges at Greenland Amusement Park in Arao with a yellow loop coaster reflected in the water
Photo: Martin Lewison, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kumamoto · theme park

Greenland Amusement Park

グリーンランド

On the Kumamoto-Fukuoka border, the park certified as having Japan's most rides turns 60 in 2026: thrill coasters to rides for little ones, all day.

Main entrance gate of Greenland in Arao with the Ferris wheel behind
Photo: hyolee2, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Panoramic view over the Greenland amusement park rides and car parks from a hilltop lookout
Photo: 豊永将大, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

A big Kyushu amusement park, going for 60 years

Greenland is an amusement park in Arao, Kumamoto Prefecture, on the border with Fukuoka Prefecture. It opened on 23 July 1966 and celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2026. It was originally opened by a subsidiary of the coal-mining company Mitsui Mining, and for many years it was loved under the name Mitsui Greenland. Today it is run by Greenland Resort Co., part of the Saibu Gas group.

Alongside the amusement park, the site has a hotel, a golf course and hot spring facilities, and Kumamoto Prefecture's tourism website describes it as one of the largest amusement parks in Kyushu.

The most rides in Japan

Greenland's biggest selling point is the sheer number of rides. In August 2026, the Japan Record Certification Association registered it as a Japanese record: the amusement park with the most attractions in Japan, with 66 kinds of ride.

Its symbol is the Rainbow, a giant Ferris wheel about 105 metres tall. There are plenty of roller coasters too, from rides for thrill-seekers to ones for children riding their first roller coaster, as well as rides that small children can enjoy safely. A new roller coaster, the Hybrid Coaster Wadatsumi, is due to open around spring 2028, and construction began in July 2026.

How tickets work

At Greenland, admission and rides are charged separately. If you plan to go on lots of rides, get a Free Pass (unlimited rides); if you only want a few, you can use a book of ride tickets or pay per ride with PayPay (a smartphone payment app). Note that some rides, the pool and paid events are not covered by the Free Pass.

The Little Free Pass, for children under 120 cm tall, does not let them on rides with a height limit of 120 cm or more. Prices were revised in March 2026, so check the official website.

Getting there

By train, go to Omuta Station (JR and Nishitetsu), then take a Nishitetsu bus or a taxi. Coming from the Kumamoto side, you can also take a Sanko bus from JR Arao Station, one stop before Omuta. JR and Nishitetsu both sell tickets bundled with park admission.

By car, first-timers are advised to leave the Kyushu Expressway at the Nankan Interchange. The Nankan Interchange toll gate is ETC-only (electronic toll collection), so if you are paying in cash, use a different interchange.

Tips

  • Rides may stop running because of the weather or inspections, and Free Passes are not refunded if that happens. Check the real-time closure information on the official website.
  • You can re-enter on the same day. Ask a member of staff for a re-entry ticket when you leave through the gate.
  • Since 2024 the park has had 22 closed days a year. Check the opening days on the official website before you go.
  • In the Kumamoto earthquake of 28 July 2026, the park suffered no major damage and opened as usual the next day (rides reopened one by one after safety checks).

Sources

Updated 29 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.

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