Famous amusement park opens new Baltic attraction, a ‘Little Japan’ in the heart of Europe

Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen has opened Hikari, a Japanese-themed mini-town designed to bring the atmosphere of Japanese city streets to the historic amusement park.

The attraction opened on August 15 after a five-year transformation of the gardens. Hikari covers 2,000 square meters and uses neon lights, music, food and other attractions to recreate the character of Japan. The name means “light” in Japanese.

A roller coaster called Demon rises above the new area. Hotel Hikari offers a more immersive experience for adults and children, taking visitors through visual installations that play with the senses. The route includes a spinning tunnel, a sloping hotel room and an infinity-effect mirror maze.

Typhoon’s Eye is aimed at visitors seeking stronger thrills. The experience begins with a walk through spaces inspired by Kyoto’s Katsura Imperial Villa before leading into a rotating drum. Centrifugal force presses riders against the drum’s wall.

Hikari also includes five food outlets serving yakitori, yakisoba, taiyaki, mochi ice cream and matcha lattes. Two shops draw on Japanese retail culture, including Konbini by Ume, inspired by convenience stores found throughout Japan. Tivoli Gardens, founded in 1843, is one of the world’s oldest amusement parks and attracts several million visitors each year.