Grinpa

Grinpa (ぐりんぱ) is an amusement park located in Susono, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, on the southern slope of Mount Fuji at an elevation of about 1,200 meters. It is part of the Fuji Kyuko Group and one of the facilities of the Fujiyama Resort. The park opened in April 1973 as "Japan Land" (日本ランド), developed alongside the Fuji Kyuko's Jūrigi Kōgen villa area. In April 1989 it was renamed "Japan Land HOW Yūenchi" (日本ランドHOWゆうえんち), and in 2004 it was rebranded and renewed as "Grinpa." The park features a mix of outdoor activities, athletic courses, and character-themed areas. Its major attractions include the Sylvanian Village (シルバニアビレッジ), a collaboration with Epoch Co. that opened on July 1, 2004, and the M78 Ultraman Park (M78ウルトラマンパーク), which opened in July 2007. The park also offers camping and lodging facilities at its adjacent campground, as well as restaurants and shops. Grinpa is operated by Pica Co., Ltd. (株式会社ピカ) following the absorption of Fujiyama Resort Co., Ltd. in 2019. The park is accessible by direct buses from JR Gotemba Station, JR Mishima Station, and JR Fuji Station. It remains an active leisure destination, with new attractions such as the "Ultra Play World" experiential zone opened on August 29, and the "Shooting Mission: Warl's Nest" attraction. The park's mascot is the Nonohana Rabbit Family, designed with motifs inspired by Mount Fuji.

Grinpa's history dates back to the development of the Jūrigi Kōgen villa area by Fuji Kyuko in April 1966. The company developed a comprehensive leisure land, which led to the opening of the park. In April 1973, the park opened as "Japan Land" (日本ランド). On July 19, 1975, the "Japan Land Fuji Downhill Golf Course" opened, which was Japan's first downhill golf course at the time, with a course area of 1.05 million square meters, 18 holes, and a total construction cost of 800 million yen. In April 1989, the facility was renamed "Japan Land HOW Yūenchi" (日本ランドHOWゆうえんち). In 2004, it was renamed "Grinpa" and renewed, with the addition of the Sylvanian Village area and Ultraman attractions. In winter, it offered skating and sledding. The park was originally operated by Fuji Kyuko, and later by Fujiyama Resort Co., Ltd. In 2019, Fujiyama Resort was absorbed into Pica Co., Ltd., which now operates the park. In December 2021, Kashii Kaen in Fukuoka Prefecture closed, and its 31 Sylvanian Garden characters were transferred to Grinpa, increasing the total number of characters in Sylvanian Village to 61 from April 2022. The park has continued to add new attractions, such as the "Ultra Play World" experiential zone opened on August 29, and the "Shooting Mission: Warl's Nest" attraction. The park's mascot, the Nonohana Rabbit Family, was created in July 2004 and features designs inspired by Mount Fuji.

• 2022

  Sylvanian Village character count increases to 61 from April.

• 2021

  Kashii Kaen closes; 31 Sylvanian Garden characters transferred to Grinpa.

• 2019

  Fujiyama Resort absorbed into Pica Co., Ltd., which now operates the park.

• 2015

  "Mori no Minna no Gakkō" renovated as "Sylvanian Families 30th Anniversary Hall".

• 2014

  Admission price increase; "Mori no Minna no Gakkō" closed; Sylvanian shows discontinued.

• 2010

  Joint event with Kashii Kaen's Sylvanian Garden held.

• 2009

  Sylvanian Village 5th anniversary; new character "Soyokaze Neko no Onnanoko" introduced.

• 2007

  M78 Ultraman Park opens in July.

• 2005

  Toy theme park "Toy Factory Kids Fuji Q" opens in July; Sylvanian Village celebrates 1st anniversary with new attractions.

• 2004

  Renamed "Grinpa" and renewed; Sylvanian Village opens on July 1.

• 1989

  Renamed "Japan Land HOW Yūenchi" (日本ランドHOWゆうえんち).

• 1975

  Japan Land Fuji Downhill Golf Course opens, Japan's first downhill golf course.

• 1973

  Park opens as "Japan Land" (日本ランド).

• 1966

  Fuji Kyuko begins development of the Jūrigi Kōgen villa area, leading to the establishment of a comprehensive leisure land.

A family-oriented outdoor amusement park at the foot of Mount Fuji, combining nature, athletics, and popular character collaborations.

• Sylvanian Village

  An area themed around Epoch Co.'s Sylvanian Families, opened July 1, 2004.

• M78 Ultraman Park

  A theme zone featuring Ultraman attractions, shops, and restaurants, opened July 2007.

• FUJI SKY ATTACK

  A zipline gliding about 400 meters from an elevation of 1,200 meters toward Mount Fuji.

• Fujiyama Buggy

  A buggy experience on a course with steep ups and downs.

• Fujiyama Trail

  A mountain bike course for beginners to experienced riders.

• Asobium

  An all-weather indoor activity facility.

1. 1Grinpa Official Websitegrinpa.com
2. 2Grinpa - Wikipedia (Japanese)ja.wikipedia.org
3. 3Grinpa - Wikidatawikidata.org