Disney on Ice in Japan
Last Updated on September 1, 2024 by Kay
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If you’re a Disney fan in Japan or looking for a place to take your Disney-loving child, then you might want to consider going to Disney on Ice.
In this article, I’ll share my experience going to Disney on Ice with my daughter and whether I would recommend it to you, dear reader.
Table of Contents
What is Disney on Ice?
Disney on Ice is an ice skating show featuring songs and characters from popular animated Disney movies like Frozen and Tangled. The show tours worldwide, and Japan is no exception!
Japan’s Disney on Ice has been running since 1986 and in 2024, its show is called Find Your Gift.
Where can I see Disney on Ice in Japan?
In Japan, Disney on Ice has shows nationwide. In 2024, Disney on Ice visited the following areas:
- Tokyo
- Saitama
- Yokohama
- Chiba
- Akita Prefecture
- Aichi Prefecture
- Osaka
- Kobe
- Hiroshima
- Fukuoka
When is Disney on Ice in Japan?
In 2024, Disney on Ice’s Find Your Gift runs from July 4th until September 23rd.
Tickets for Disney on Ice
You can buy tickets for Disney on Ice online, via phone, or on the day at the venue (if there are any available).
To buy tickets online, visit the official Disney on Ice website and select the venue of your choice. Scroll to the bottom to チケット発売所 to see the various ways you can buy a ticket online. Note that this website is in Japanese only.
The price for the ticket varies depending on the seat and the venue. Some venues have tickets as low as 2500 yen (but far from the ice rink). The most expensive ticket, on the other hand, can be as high as 13000 yen.
Note that some shows have special events, which will be indicated on the official website. For instance, some shows have a “curtain call” where the characters come out and switch positions throughout the rink so you can take photos. Others offer a special gift to kids ages 6 and under who dress like Disney characters.
Children ages two and under are free as long as they sit on their parent’s lap. If they require a seat, they will need to buy a ticket.
It seems like you can also bring your own food and drinks to the show. I saw a family happily enjoying a bunch of chip packages while the dad had a beer. (I don’t recommend bringing beer, though, since there are kids at the show.)
Then you might want to read my articles on going to Tokyo Disney with little ones! Although the articles are toddler-focused, they still contain plenty of helpful tips from a local (me!) so you can thoroughly enjoy your visit.
Disney on Ice in Japan Experience and Review
I went to the Osaka show of Find Your Gift at Osaka Jo Hall with my daughter, age 5 at the time.
We arrived about fifteen minutes before the show started, which gave us plenty of time to look at the souvenirs sold outside the venue and settle into our seats.
I found that the souvenirs at Disney on Ice were very expensive! For instance, a hand towel cost a whopping 1800 yen. Personally, I didn’t think it was worth it. Usually, I would buy a souvenir from a place if my daughter wanted it but this time I didn’t. The cups with shaved ice (kakigori) were super cute but I couldn’t justify spending 3800 yen on one!
There are also souvenirs and snacks being sold inside the venue as well as near the front of the stage.
There were lots of kids at the venue but plenty of adults without kids as well! The kids were all dressed like Disney characters or in Disney clothing. My daughter wore an Elsa dress, which an excited little girl pointed out.
If your child has any headbands from Tokyo Disney or a wand that lights up (not a bubble wand), make sure to bring them!
Our tickets were for S Seating, which offered a great view of the stage. However, there were three adults sitting in front of us, which somewhat blocked my daughter’s view. She was able to see from between their heads but it still wasn’t ideal, and is something to keep in mind when going with a child.
I was expecting it to be a little chilly inside the venue but the temperature was just right. We were in short sleeves and completely fine!
The show started off with a greeting from the MCs, Mickey and Minnie, and a small performance with some backup dancers. Everything is in Japanese, including the songs, so if you’re expecting any English, you’ll be disappointed. All of the figure skaters, however, are westerners.
I don’t think I’ve ever watched a Disney movie in Japanese, nor has my daughter (despite that she’s fluent in Japanese) but the show was still enjoyable. The songs are the same familiar tune, just in another language.
Each of the Disney movies featured had about three songs and small performances. It really makes you feel like you are watching parts of the movie.
Disney on Ice’s Find Your Gift Setlist
Here are the Disney movies and characters that were on Disney on Ice’s Find Your Gift.
Little Mermaid
This started with Ariel and Flounder (Flounder drew some laughs from the adults, because he looked hilarious with legs protruding from his body) and then went into a rendition of “Part of Your World”. A colorful rendition of “Under the Sea” followed with Sebastian.
However, they soon encountered Ursula, which was one of the highlights for me. It was really entertaining watching a giant octopus woman gliding on ice!
Ariel gives her voice to Ursula in exchange for becoming human (this scene is amazing) and then meets Prince Eric. The performance ended with “Kiss the Girl”.
Moana
Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofie came to the stage alongside Maui to give a short greeting before Moana entered the stage on a boat. It was impressive and my daughter was very excited.
They performed “You’re Welcome” together before Moana skated to “How Far I’ll Go”.
Tangled
Tangled started with “I’ve Got a Dream” featuring the patrons of The Snuggly Duckling and Rapunzel. It then changes to her tower where she meets Eugene and smacks him with a frying pan (my daughter and I loved that).
Once Eugene proves himself to Rapunzel, they skate to “When Will My Life Begin?” and then end with “I See the Light”, which was absolutely beautiful with glowing lanterns hung from the ceiling of the venue.
Beauty and the Beast
My daughter is a huge fan of Beauty and the Beast, so this was one of her favorite segments.
It opened with Gaston and LeFou and then Belle glided in to do a rendition of “Belle”.
The Beast’s castle soon enters the scene and Belle meets Lumiere. I had hoped they would perform “Be Our Guest” but instead, Belle encounters the Beast and after he makes her run off and cry at least twice, they start to get along and perform “Something There”.
The Beast and Belle also skate to “Beauty and the Beast”. In the end, the Beast magically transforms into the Prince, which was another highlight of the show.
Frozen
Frozen began with Kristoff doing a spectacular performance while snow fell onto the rink from the ceiling, creating a winter wonderland. I loved this so much! He was soon joined by Anna. My daughter was unbelievably excited and when Olaf entered with Anna, she couldn’t stop laughing. She was SO happy!
Olaf danced to “In Summer”, which my daughter enjoyed although to me it took away from the prior winter wonderland. I wanted it to continue to snow!
This was followed by an impressive performance of “Let It Go” (and again, I wish it continued to snow throughout but I guess that must be pricey so… maybe I should “let it go”!)
Enchano
This opened with Bruno giving a monologue and then moved to Mirabelle and Luisa performing “Surface Pressure”. After this, other characters came out and performed “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”, which my daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed.
The Encanto part ended with “What Else Can I Do”, which was a fun choice for kids although I may have preferred another song.
At the very end of the show, all of the Disney characters came out and danced to “Colombia, Mi Encanto”. The Disney princesses were in gorgeous ballgowns and I loved this costume change.
We went to the “curtain call” show, so the characters grouped according to their movie and took turns moving among six spotlights so the audience could take photos.
In total, the show was two hours long with a twenty-minute long intermission. You can buy snacks and souvenirs during the intermission if you missed out at the beginning.
Overall Impressions of Disney on Ice in Japan
My daughter and I had a wonderful time at Disney on Ice in Japan and I think we will go again. It was great watching the figure skating performances to popular Disney songs and some of the scenes, especially from Frozen, were incredibly memorable.
Even if you don’t have kids, if you’re a Disney fan, then I highly recommend checking out Disney on Ice at least once if you have the chance!
Keep in mind, though, that since a considerable number of children are at the show, it can be noisy and sometimes there are crying babies. (If you take your baby and they cry, please be considerate and take them outside until they feel better.)