Rusutsu Amusement Park: An Insider Guide to the Best Rides, Food and Adventures

Rusutsu Amusement Park is located inside Rusutsu Resort — one of Hokkaido's best-known ski destinations. From late April through mid-October, the resort's ski lifts give way to rides, water parks and fireworks, making it the largest amusement park in Hokkaido.

Wilson Oscar Limiko, Sub Chief of the Attractions Department, has worked across the park for four summers. Here, he shares what to ride, where to eat and what not to miss.

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How do I get to Rusutsu Amusement Park? Rusutsu Resort is around two hours from New Chitose Airport by direct shuttle (the Bigruns bus runs multiple daily services). By car, around 90 minutes from the airport. If you’re coming from Niseko, Rusutsu Resort is a 35-40 minute drive or, alternatively, a one-hour bus ride from Kutchan Station.

When does Rusutsu Amusement Park typically open? The park is open during Hokkaido’s green season, which typically runs late April through mid-October. This year, Rusutsu Amusement Park is open from 29 April 2026 to 18 October 2026.

What's on in peak season of summer? July and August are the busiest months. From mid-July, the park adds the outdoor Super Jumbo Pool with water slides, extended evening hours, a light maze, and the Saturday evening fireworks display.

What if it rains? The indoor wave pool, virtual golf, two-storey carousel, and Rusutsu Arena — climbing walls, bouldering, and table tennis — are all covered.

Who is Rusutsu Amusement Park for? Families with children of most ages. Dedicated children's zones cover the younger end; most rides allow children aged four and above with an adult (110cm and above for most attractions). Groups and couples are equally well catered for – especially those with an adventurous spirit. 

Rusutsu Amusement Park has eight rollercoasters, ranging from short but sweet, family-friendly rides to loopy, high-speed coasters. Here are Wilson's top recommendations:

For thrill-seekers: Ultimate Twister, and the name speaks for itself. Make sure to empty your pockets before you strap in. AirPods, car keys, and room keys have frequently been recovered at nearby attractions.

For families: Mountain Jet Coaster. Fast enough to be genuinely enjoyable, accessible enough that it works across a wide age range. Wilson's reliable pick for mixed groups.

For young children: Go Go Sneakers. With a minimum age requirement of 4 years old and a 110cm height requirement with an adult, this adorable mini coaster is the natural choice for younger park goers who want to be part of the action.

For couples: The Cycling Monorail. This consists of two-person pedal cars along an elevated track, at a pace that allows you to actually take in the scenery. “You have to paddle your way and get to see the scenery — two people can sit and it's perfect for couples,” says Wilson. It is also the most relaxing thing available in a park that otherwise trends towards adrenaline-pumping adventures.

A ride you need to look closely at: The two-storey indoor carousel. Built by the same craftsman responsible for the carousel at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch, it is one of only two in existence.

If you could only go on one ride: Hurricane. This is Wilson’s personal favourite, and his enthusiasm for it across four summers has not waned. The fact that it draws the longest queues on peak summer weekends is all the proof you need to add it to your list.

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From mid-July, the park adds its outdoor Super Jumbo Pool — a dedicated water park area with slides that runs alongside the main amusement park for the summer holiday window. The indoor wave pool is available throughout the season regardless of weather.

The Saturday evening fireworks are also part of the headline event. Wilson recommends visiting from afternoon to sunset, for enough time to stroll around before catching the fireworks. The golden hour light across the resort before sunset is a whole attraction in and of itself.

When asked what his go-to park snack is, Wilson answered without hesitation: taiyaki. The standard Japanese snack comes filled with custard or red bean, but the Rusutsu version comes in chocolate or cheese, miniature, and in a mixed bag of twelve. The fun part? "You won't know which flavour you get until you eat," he says.

For something more substantial, Wilson recommends the Genovese pesto pasta at Morikase, one of the restaurants among several cafes and food spots dotted throughout the park such as Névé Café for breakfast and pastries, and Ruth & Moose Forest Café for brick-oven pizza and burgers.

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Near the park entrance, a walkway leads up to the mountaintop with a clear view across to Mount Isola — one of Rusutsu's three ski mountains. From the top, you see the vastness of the resort in a way walking at ground level never cold. Expansive mountains, the amusement park, gondola lines and wide skies. Wilson promises it's worth the short walk, and with this view, we agree.