Toei Kyoto Studio Park in Japan is set for a complete renovation, with the first phase opening on 28 March 2026. It will be an immersive experience park for adults based on the theme of "getting lost in Kyoto during the Edo period."
Following the reimagining, which coincides with its 50th anniversary, the park will begin nighttime operations and feature new restaurants where visitors can enjoy Kyoto cuisine. The name will become Uzumasa Kyoto Village.
Art staff from Toei Kyoto Studio will recreate a realistic Edo-period townscape. The park will also feature performances and interactive exhibits that allow visitors to experience Edo-period Kyoto firsthand, along with 10 food spots to enjoy while exploring the town, and cultural activities in Edo-period buildings.
Celebrating film heritage
Uzumasa was once home to eight film studios and is a special site for Japanese cinema. This name change aims to express a broader appreciation for the area's film culture and local heritage.
Additionally, the name has been simplified and made more memorable to make it more familiar to a wider audience.
The revamped park will include an immersive live show, cultural experiences that invite guests to explore Japanese culture, including the tea ceremony and flower arranging, and ninja attractions. There will also be a Kimono experience.
Ten new restaurants encourage visitors to discover Kyoto cuisine with all five senses, while three new retail locations will include exclusive wares, crafts, and souvenirs.
With this renovation, the attraction will also start operating at night.
Although Kyoto is one of Japan's top tourist destinations, there are limited facilities and shops accessible at night. Tourists, in particular, are concerned about how to spend their evenings, and the scarcity of nighttime venues in Kyoto is affecting tourist spending and satisfaction across the region.
Kyoto Studio Park sees this situation as an opportunity to create a new cultural experience and plans to extend its current opening hours from 5 pm to 9 pm, creating a unique setting reminiscent of an Edo-period townscape.
By developing content and events that enable visitors to enjoy the distinctive atmosphere and immersive experience at night, the park aims to offer new options for Kyoto's nightlife.
Phase 1 will open on 28 March 2026, with phase 2 following in spring 2027. Further planned additions beyond 2028 will include a new theatre and a hot spring facility.
Earlier this year, Junglia, a new theme park in the subtropical forests of Okinawa, Japan, opened to the public. The ¥70 billion ($453 million) nature-based park is located in the village of Nakijin and spans approximately 60 hectares.
