Ticket prices rise at 36% of Japan’s theme parks, aquariums, zoos

More than 36 percent of theme parks, aquariums and zoos across Japan have raised the price of their admission tickets over the past year due to rising utility costs and prices of raw materials and animal feed, according to a recent survey by a credit research company. 

The results of the survey conducted by Teikoku Databank Ltd. showed that out of 190 entertainment facilities in Japan surveyed, 70 facilities raised their ticket prices in the past year. Of these facilities, 62 raised the price of admission tickets and eight facilities raised the price of ride passes and other tickets while keeping regular admission prices the same.

The average weekday price for an admission ticket at entertainment parks in Japan was projected to be 1,739 yen in April 2023, an increase of 85 yen or five percent from the same month in 2022, according to the survey.

The highest average ticket price was found to be at amusement parks - 2,211 yen in 2023, up 61 yen from the previous year.

While the majority of facilities surveyed had not raised the price of admission over the last year, many had raised the price of parking and food and beverage services, according to the survey creators. 

Rising utility costs was cited as the most common reason behind the need to raise the price of admission and other tickets. 

Larger aquariums and amusement parks with many roller coasters and other mechanical attractions have been forced to raise prices due to the impact of increasing utility costs on their operations. Some facilities saw their utility bills increase threefold from the previous year due to a rise in electricity prices.

Rising costs in feed and raw materials were also found to be behind the increase in ticket prices, including the cost of fish feed for aquariums and the rising cost of animal feed such as imported meat, hay, and pellets faced by zoos. 

“Theme parks that were forced to close temporarily or limit the number of visitors due to the coronavirus pandemic have found the increase in costs amid a weakening profitability a heavy burden, and many of them have had no choice but to raise prices,” said Teikoku Databank in a statement.

“Although facilities are making efforts to increase revenues by increasing the number of visitors, they may have to consider raising ticket prices again in the future.”

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