Sega Joypolis is located in the Odaiba (Tokyo Bay) area of Tokyo. It's difficult to work out whether to classify this place as an amusement park, or an oversized, high-tech amusement arcade. At the time of writing this guide (June 2006), Joypolis is coasterless; its one coaster, Speedboarder, currently being replaced by a new spinning coaster. Despite a lack of any big, thrilling rides, this park does boast some great simulators and and other attractions. The nature of these rides means that getting decent pictures is very difficult.
It should also be noted that the location, Odaiba, is arguably one of the most interesting, visually pleasing areas in Tokyo. A five minute walk from Joypolis will take you to Palette Town, which features the Toyota Megaweb, basically a huge Toyota showroom including test drive tracks. Right next to Megaweb is the Stream of Starlight ferris wheel, once the world's biggest, and two shot/drop towers (pictured below). However, as these are not really part of any particular park, I have not included them in this guide.
Joypolis address: 1-6-1, Odaiba, Minato, Tokyo, Japan
Well, Spin Bullet is open, and it's just Speed Boarder with new cars. Since I really liked those cars, and I don't care for the new ones, I'm saddened by the decision to change the ride. I consider Joypolis to be an enormous arcade with rides. It's a nice place if you think of it that way, but disappointing if you go thinking it's an amusement park. The dark attractions are all interesting, but my personal favorite is the HalfPipe Canyon ride. Sure, it'll make you dizzy enough to make you want to puke, and you don't feel like Tony Hawk while you're on it, but you'll never pull off a 720 in real life, either! An easy trip within Tokyo, this is something fun to do after a day of sightseeing as the place is open to 10PM or midnight depending on the day of the week.
