Written by Patrick Balfe
Researched by Jane Pipkin
Chaos ensues on the pictureseque beach of Shirahama — in the best way. Head to Wakayama this summer to test your skills at Japan’s largest marine inflatable obstacle course.
What to expect
AQuaLooP Marine Adventure is open this summer at Shirahama Beach in Wakayama. The giant floating obstacle course features slides, trampolines, tunnels, balance beams, and a bunch of other obstacles to challenge your Ninja Warrior chops.
Did you know? These sorts of water obstacle courses are pretty hard to come by in Japan — so if you have always dreamt of going to one, get over to Wakayama! We went to check it out ourselves in early July.
How do you best enjoy this water amusement attraction? The staff at the AQuaLooP say that “The trick to enjoying it is to jump right in and experience everything at full force without being afraid of falling into the sea.” Because of the likelihood that you’ll fall in, you must be able to swim and wear a life jacket throughout. They do add though, that “Even falling in is part of the fun!”
It’s also recommended that you wear socks, as the surfaces are pretty slippery. If you forget to bring some, you can rent them for ¥500.
The course has no set route, so you are free to run wild. You have 50 minutes to enjoy it. There are staff sitting on the floats to tell you the time, and lend a hand should you need help.
Although all of the obstacles are fun, the “All-In-One Station” — located right at the back of the course — is the best according to the staff. This giant inflatable lets you dive into the beautiful Shirahama sea from a height of 3 meters.
But we personally liked the trampoline and the battlebridge, where you can fight with friends — loser falls into the water.
Another popular one is the “Totter Slide”, a bird-shaped inflatable which you can ride around the course on — it’s a bumpy ride.
How it works
Before the fun starts, here’s what to know and how to prepare.
The course caters to beginners and families, though there is a minimum age of 6 (and those under 10 years old will need a guardian). As part of the admission fee, you’ll get free life-jacket rental, and safety staff are available on site.
First, you’ll pay the admission and then sign a consent form. You can then get changed in the changing rooms and store your stuff in coin lockers (they cost between ¥300 and ¥500). After that, you’ll put on your life jacket and get a 15-minute safety briefing.
Pro tip: If you want to ask any questions in English, Ryu is your guy to speak to. He’ll show you how to best enjoy the attraction and he’s a fun guy — just like the other staff members.
Note: It’s best to arrive 30 minutes before your timeslot, as this gives you ample time to complete the check-in procedures.
Other things to know
If you forget to bring a towel, you can pop into the store a minute’s walk away from the attraction. Inside, you’ll find a lovely woman who’ll help you find anything you could ever need for a good swim. We got a towel there for ¥350.
You can bring your phone onto the AQuaLooP to snap those beachside memories, but note that staff cannot retrieve it if dropped — and any other damages are at your own risk. You can buy a waterproof case from the reception for ¥1,000.
Entry
Entry costs ¥2,100 for children and ¥3,400 for adults on weekdays and ¥2,500 for children and ¥3,800 for adults on weekends. Entry is charged per 50-minute session.
What to do around Shirahama
After getting splashing around, where to next? We recommend enjoying the beach right there at Shirahama. You can also check out popular attractions like Shirahama Energy Land and and Toretore Market nearby.
How to get there
By public transport, the park is a 15-minute bus ride from Shirahama Station on the JR Kisei Main Line.
If you’re coming by car, it’s about 15 minutes from the Nanki-Shirahama Interchange on the Kisei Expressway.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
