European theme park that inspired Disneyland to open new land that will transport you to Japan

A theme park less than two hours away from the UK is adding a brand-new land with two rides and five Japanese-inspired eateries. Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen will open the area in a few weeks’ time with “thrilling adventures for the whole family.” Tivoli Gardens is opening up its new Japan-themed land later this month Credit: Alamy The new area is called Hikari and will have two new attractions Credit: Anne-Sophie Rosenvinge/@asrosenvinge The theme park, which opened in the 1840s and even inspired the creation of Disneyland, currently has 30 rides and will be adding a few more. Called Hikari, the upcoming Japan-themed area is the biggest development in the park’s history and said to cost a ‘three-digit million amount’. Sign up for the Travel newsletter Thank you! It has been under construction for two years and has actually been made up of elements from Japan. It has reclaimed doors, windows, artwork and around 60 tonnes of traditional Japanese roof tiles. It will span across more than 2,000 square metres – the park itself is 80,000 square metres in total. There are two new attractions, the first is Hotel Hikari where ‘nothing is quite as it seems’. It’s essentially an immersive family funhouse with illusions, a vortex tunnel, tilted rooms and infinity mirrors. Another new attraction is called Typhoons Eye which gives riders the feeling of weightlessness. According to Tivoli, it’s the only attraction of its kind in Scandinavia. Most read in Travel The zero gravity attraction is a rotating drum ride that suspends riders against the wall as the floor drops away. The final ride in Hikari is actually one that will be familiar to previous visitors. The Demon rollercoaster has undergone a transformation Credit: Alamy Stock Photo Called The Demon, the rollercoaster has stood in Tivoli for years but has undergone a transformation to blend into its new home. There aren’t just rides either, there are five new eateries in Hikari. Yaki-Tak! will serve up Japanese street food from yakitori skewers to yakisoba noodles. Katsu Kitchen is where visitors can pick up chicken sandwiches to popcorn-style karaage to crispy prawns. The new attraction has taken two years to build Credit: Tivoli Gardens Visitors can grab tasty street food and treats from its eateries Credit: Hikari will have three attractions and five eateries Comé Rice Kitchen will have onigiri, otherwise known as Japanese rice balls, served with the likes of spicy tuna, Teriyaki chicken and shiitake mushroom. For sweet treats there’s Oishii Bubbles for creative drinks from fruit teas to slushies, or Kawaii Bites will have fish-shaped waffles and mochi ice cream. Two new shops will open too; one selling Japanese-style ceramics and gifts, another will have a mix of snacks, drinks as it’s inspired by konbini, Japanese convenience shops. The project has taken two years to build and will open later this month – no official date has been announced yet. For anyone who wants to visit, Copenhagen is easy to get to as it’s under two hours away from the UK. Comment now