【7,000 Yen】The World in Your Hands: A Trip Around the Globe at Tobu World Square! Vol.1

The ticket price for our family of four (two adults and two children) for same-day admission.

To make the most of a leisurely day off, our family hopped on a limited express train, enjoying some morning drinks en route.

We arrived at Shimo-Imaichi Station in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. Our destination was Tobu World Square, but with over 30 minutes until the next local train, we had time to kill.

During the wait, we snapped photos of a local idol-themed Ferris wheel and managed to catch a ride on the steam locomotive SL Taiju by chance before finally arriving at Tobu World Square—a journey I recounted in my previous article.

This time, let me introduce you to Tobu World Square!

A Dream Around-the-World Trip!

If you're of a certain age, you'll likely recall this jingle:

“♪ Tobu World Square ~ This is the splendid treasure chest! ♪”

This was my first visit, and that catchy theme song was stuck in my head the entire time.

Opened in 1993, Tobu World Square has over 30 years of history. Its mission is to "Preserve the World’s Cultural Heritage and Architecture," with the slogan: “Travel the World in a Day.”

As a travel enthusiast, I was thrilled by the chance to take a global tour—even at 1/25th scale—especially given the constraints of time and budget.

Tickets: Buy Ahead or at the Gate

Advance tickets are available through the official website or convenience stores like 7-Eleven, offering a 100-yen discount. For larger groups, pre-purchasing tickets can save a good amount of money.

On weekends, holidays, and during peak seasons like Golden Week, the ticket counter tends to get crowded, so advance purchase is recommended if you’re sure of your plans.

Our trip was decided last-minute, so we bought tickets at the counter on the day of our visit. Luckily, the wait was minimal, with only a few people ahead of us.

How Long Does It Take to Explore?

Including a café break, our family took about 1.5 hours to complete the circuit.

The official website estimates the time needed at 15 minutes to 2.5 hours—a range that initially seemed unhelpful but made sense once we started exploring.

I could’ve spent another 30 minutes delving into the exhibits, but my husband, already daydreaming about the hot springs we planned to visit later, sped ahead. Meanwhile, our younger daughter’s growing hunger made her cranky, setting a natural limit to our time.

For us, 1.5 hours was just right.

Café "Sphinx" – A Vital Rest Stop

We visited knowing it was forecasted to rain (with a 90% chance), but fortunately, we were in the café when the downpour hit, so we stayed dry.

This café, located at the midway point of the park, became our lifesaver. In the scorching summer, it’s bound to be an essential oasis.

Tobu World Square is primarily an outdoor attraction, with all exhibits—scaled replicas of world-famous heritage sites and architectural marvels—on display in the open air.

There’s little shade, so sun protection is a must during sunny summer visits. Families with young children should plan for regular breaks.

At the café, we enjoyed shaved ice, beer, and snacks, adding the perfect touch to our day.

Next time, I’ll take you on a detailed, passport-free journey around the world, all within the confines of Tobu World Square.