Prepare Before You Even Arrive
Walking into a zombie horror event unprepared is a recipe for overwhelm. Nagashima Spa Land's zombie experience is designed to disorient and unsettle you — and it does its job exceptionally well. But with the right mindset and preparation, you'll transform fear into pure adrenaline-fueled fun.
Tip 1: Book Tickets in Advance
Weekend evenings during the zombie event period sell out well ahead of time. Purchase your tickets online before your visit and, if you plan to enter specific haunted houses, reserve those separately as well. Nothing is worse than arriving at the gate only to find the event is at capacity.
Tip 2: Arrive Early to Ride Roller Coasters First
The zombie event activates in the evening hours, but the park is open during the day. Use the daytime to enjoy the rides — including some of Japan's finest steel roller coasters — before darkness falls and the horror begins. This way, your visit is a full day of entertainment, not just a few hours of scares.
Tip 3: Dress Appropriately for Autumn Evenings
Mie Prefecture in autumn can see temperatures drop significantly after sunset. A light jacket or hoodie is essential. Avoid wearing bulky coats that could catch on props in haunted houses, but don't underestimate the evening chill either.
Tip 4: Wear Comfortable Footwear
You will spend hours on your feet. Closed-toe, supportive shoes are non-negotiable. Heels, sandals, and dress shoes are all poor choices for an event that involves lots of walking, sudden stops, and potentially running (voluntarily, of course).
Tip 5: Keep Your Group Together
Zombie zones are designed to split groups up through disorientation. Designate a meeting point before entering any zone and agree that if anyone gets separated, they head there. Larger groups can also help each other manage fear levels — having a friend to grip is half the fun.
Navigating the Event Like a Pro
Tip 6: Hit Haunted Houses Early
Queue times for the dedicated haunted house attractions build rapidly after 7 PM. If you have haunted house tickets, head to these first as the horror zones activate. Zombie walk zones have no formal queues and can be enjoyed anytime throughout the evening.
Tip 7: Don't Use Your Phone as a Shield
Many first-timers reflexively raise their phone to record everything, partly as a distancing mechanism from the scares. While filming is often permitted, put the phone away for the haunted houses. You'll have a far more immersive and terrifying experience — which is exactly what you came for.
Tip 8: Know the Safe Word / Exit Protocol
Every haunted house at Nagashima has clearly marked emergency exits. If you or someone in your group becomes too distressed, staff will guide you out safely and without judgment. There's no shame in tapping out — haunted houses at this level are genuinely intense.
Tip 9: Try the Horror-Themed Food
Nagashima's themed food stalls during the zombie event feature limited-edition creations that lean into the horror aesthetic — think blood-red sauces, eyeball-shaped desserts, and "infected" color palettes. These are a fun, low-adrenaline part of the experience that many first-timers overlook.
Tip 10: Stay to the Very End
Some of the most memorable interactions with zombie actors happen late in the evening, when crowds thin out and performers have more space to work with individuals or small groups. The final hour of the event often feels the most personal — and the most frightening.
Quick Reference Checklist
- ✅ Tickets booked in advance
- ✅ Haunted house time slots reserved
- ✅ Comfortable shoes and warm layer packed
- ✅ Group meeting point agreed upon
- ✅ Arrival planned before zombie zone activation
- ✅ Emergency exit locations noted on entry