Laguna Ten Bosch

The Basics

More than a theme park, Laguna Ten Bosch offers a range of experiences for travelers with all kinds of interests. Kids and fun-seeking adults can enjoy rides such as roller coasters and go-karting, while others can have more relaxed experiences at the spa or the markets and restaurants. Many travelers visit Laguna Ten Bosch independently, and tickets can be purchased in advance to save time.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Most of the signage at Laguna Ten Bosch is in Japanese, so navigating the park may be challenging for travelers who don’t read Japanese.

• Non-Japanese visitors receive a 10 percent discount off the normal entry fee.

• Kids under 3.6 feet (110 centimeters) will not be allowed on some of the rides.

How to Get There

Laguna Ten Bosch is in the town of Gamagori, in Aichi Prefecture, about 48 miles (77 kilometers) southeast of Nagoya. The easiest way to get there is to drive from Nagoya, a journey of about 80 minutes, or take the JR Tokaido line train from Nagoya station to Gamagori station (about 40 minutes) and then transfer to the free Laguna Ten Bosch shuttle bus.

When to Get There

While the park is open year-round, it’s best in summer, when the gardens are flourishing and all the rides and attractions are open. Plus, the pools are a great place to cool off in the summer. The park is open every day, but different sections have slightly different opening hours. Music and dance shows are put on throughout the day, so check the schedule before your visit.

Visit Nagoya Castle

Nagoya is the closest major city to Laguna Ten Bosch, and while it’s not a common tourist destination, as Japan’s fourth-largest city, it does offer plenty of things to see and do. Destroyed in 1945 but rebuilt afterwards, 17th-century Nagoya Castle is a beautiful place to visit, and English-language signage makes it easy to learn about Japanese history.