The 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be even more fun — Mario and Studio Ghibli theme parks set to open in succession

Following the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Minion Park, Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is building a “Super Nintendo World” featuring Mario and his friends. (Photo / Official website of Universal Studios Japan)

The photo shows a Brazilian Carnival gaming fan dressed as Mario. (Photo / Provided by Shutterstock)

The world’s largest Acorn Republic store has opened in Taiwan, recreating scenes from Studio Ghibli animations. (File photo from this newspaper group)

At last year’s closing ceremony of the Rio Olympics, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cameo as video game character “Super Mario” stole the show — and now that craze is set to sweep Japan once again. Construction has officially begun on Universal Studios Japan’s “Mario theme park” in Osaka, with plans to open in 2020, making it likely to be ready during the Tokyo Olympics. In addition, the “Studio Ghibli Theme Park,” based on Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved animated films, is also scheduled to open that same year, bringing a new highlight to Japan’s tourism scene.

After launching the world’s largest “Minion Park” this year, Universal Studios Japan in Osaka announced on the 8th that construction has begun on its “Mario theme park” in collaboration with Nintendo. With an investment of up to 60 billion yen, the park will offer “immersive” and “interactive” experiences based on classic video games. According to the latest promotional video released by the park, iconic elements such as red brick walls, pipes, Piranha Plants, and coins can be seen, generating even more excitement among gaming fans. The theme park is expected to be completed in 2020, with additional Nintendo-themed parks in Orlando, Los Angeles, and other locations to follow.

With multiple theme parks opening in Japan one after another, Ehime Prefecture’s Nagoya will welcome the “Studio Ghibli Theme Park” in 2020, following the opening of its “LEGO Land.” The new park will expand upon the existing “Satsuki and Mei’s House” studio set, covering an area of approximately 200 hectares, and will recreate the classic forest world scenes from the film “My Neighbor Totoro.” It is expected to attract more domestic and international fans and tourists, adding even more fun and excitement to the Tokyo Olympics.