Shima Spain Village opened on April 22, 1994, on the Shima Peninsula in Mie Prefecture, Japan, as a resort dedicated entirely to Spanish culture. Built through a partnership between Mie Prefecture and Spain that began in 1992, the park recreates Spanish plazas, architecture, and festivals for visitors who may never travel to Europe. It is owned and operated by Shima Spain Village Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Kintetsu Group Holdings, and sits alongside the 252-room Hotel Shima Spain Village and the Himawari-no-Yu hot spring.
Beyond flamenco performances, Spanish dining, and themed shopping streets, the park built its thrill-ride reputation on Pyrenees, a Bolliger & Mabillard inverted roller coaster that opened in 1997 and briefly held the world record as the longest inverted coaster until Banshee surpassed it in 2014. Combined with Mack Rides’ Gran Montserrat and two family-friendly coasters, the park has kept a foothold in Japan’s competitive theme park market for three decades.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Shima, Mie Prefecture, Japan
- Operator: Shima Spain Village Co., Ltd. (Kintetsu Group Holdings)
- Opened: April 22, 1994
- Theme: Spain and Spanish culture
- Signature Attraction: Pyrenees (B&M inverted coaster, opened 1997)
- Roller Coasters: 4 (Gran Montserrat, Pyrenees, Iron Bull, Kiddy Montserrat)
- Notable Record: Pyrenees was the world’s longest inverted coaster from 1997 to 2014
The Ride Experience
Pyrenees remains the park’s headline attraction: a 1,234-meter (4,049-foot) inverted coaster that climbs 45 meters (148 feet) and reaches speeds around 100 km/h (62 mph) across six inversions, including a zero-g roll and cobra roll. Gran Montserrat, built by Mack Rides, offers a milder sit-down thrill ride that has run since the park’s 1994 opening, while Iron Bull, from Sansei Technologies, adds a steampunk-themed family coaster. Kiddy Montserrat, added in 2016 from Hoei Sangyo, rounds out the coaster lineup for younger riders.
Outside the coasters, the park layers in an adventure lagoon boat ride, a mystery house dark ride, and daily flamenco shows that lean into the all-Spain concept rather than mixing in unrelated themes, a rarity among Japanese theme parks.
A Cultural Resort on the Shima Peninsula
The park’s origin traces to a 1992 sister-region agreement between Mie Prefecture and Spain, which shaped everything from the Andalusian-style architecture to the imported festival traditions staged throughout the year. Reaching the park requires a trip to Ugata Station on the Kintetsu Shima Line followed by a shuttle bus, keeping it somewhat removed from Japan’s dense Tokyo and Osaka park circuit.
That relative isolation has made Shima Spain Village busiest on weekends and holidays, with quieter weekday visits during the off-season. Its pairing with an on-site hotel and hot spring has helped it function as a resort destination rather than a single-day theme park stop.
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Shima Spain Village FAQs
When did Shima Spain Village open?
The park opened on April 22, 1994, following a 1992 partnership between Mie Prefecture and Spain.
What is the main roller coaster at Shima Spain Village?
Pyrenees, a Bolliger & Mabillard inverted coaster that opened in 1997, is the park’s signature ride. It briefly held the world record for longest inverted coaster until 2014.
Who owns Shima Spain Village?
Shima Spain Village Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Kintetsu Group Holdings, owns and operates the park.
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Photo: Yanajin33 / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.