Toei Kyoto Studio Park

Toei Kyoto Studio Park is a unique Jidaigeki theme park where visitors can step directly into the world of historical Japan. The word “Jidaigeki” (時代劇) translates to “period drama” or “historical drama”. It refers to films, television series, and stage plays set in Japan’s past — often during the Edo period (1603–1868) — and featuring samurai, ninja, merchants, geisha, and townspeople.

The park is located within the grounds of the Toei Kyoto Film Studio, a working film studio that continues to produce authentic Jidaigeki films and TV dramas to this day. Each year, more than two hundred productions are filmed here. What makes Toei Kyoto Studio Park truly remarkable is that, unlike most studios, it is open to the public. Visitors can walk through full-scale film sets, feel the atmosphere of “old Japan”, and even catch a glimpse of real filming in progress.

Experiences

The park offers countless ways to experience the charm of traditional Japan, blending historical settings with imaginative attractions. The Evangelion Kyoto Base presents an unexpected fusion of science fiction and historical Kyoto, combining modern anime elements with traditional scenery. For those who enjoy a good scare, The Cursed Doll haunted house provides a thrilling adventure through the world of ghostly legends. Fans of ninjas will find plenty to enjoy with the Ninja Climbing challenge, a 3D maze, mystery-solving games, and even hands-on ninja training in an authentic dojo. Throughout the day, spectacular live performances fill the park’s stages, where samurai and ninja perform dramatic sword fights and action scenes that capture the excitement of Japan’s cinematic past.

Visitors who want to learn how movie magic is made can take part in a guided studio tour led by Toei actors. These tours reveal the fascinating secrets behind the scenes, showcasing costumes actually worn by performers and props that appear convincingly real on screen but are often made from lightweight materials like Styrofoam. What looks like solid stone or bronze may, in fact, be an ingenious illusion — a testament to the artistry of film production.

To make the experience even more immersive, guests can rent traditional kimono and stroll through the park dressed as people once did in the Edo or Meiji periods, becoming part of the timeless scene themselves. Every season brings new events that transform the park’s atmosphere. In autumn, visitors can take samurai sword-fighting lessons or explore the eerie Yokai Village, inhabited by mythical Japanese creatures. On special nights, the park hosts the Uzumasa Edo Sakaba, a colourful, adults-only festival that recreates the nightlife of the Edo period with food stalls, sake, music, and an elegant oiran parade.

Dining in the park is also part of the experience. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes, as well as snacks and café treats — all served in themed restaurants that extend the feeling of being in another era. Even a simple meal here becomes part of the story, surrounded by the rich atmosphere of historical Japan. The shopping experience is equally distinctive, with stores devoted to samurai, ninja, and shinobi themes. Each shop offers exclusive souvenirs and gifts found only at Toei Kyoto Studio Park.

Because the park is also an active filming location, visitors are kindly asked to follow the park’s rules — which can be found on the official website — and to respect restricted areas where filming may be taking place. This helps preserve the harmony between its two identities: a working film studio and an immersive cultural attraction.