Toshimaen, the family-friendly amusement park in Tokyo, has closed after 94 years in operation.
Toshimaen opened in September 1926. With more than 30 rides and attractions, including a wooden carousel that came from Germany to the park in 1971, Toshimaen was one of the largest amusement parks in Tokyo. In 1965, a doughnut-shaped pool was installed at the site, hailed as the world’s first lazy river pool.
The closure of the long-standing theme park was marked by a “final ceremony” event, where visitors waited in long queues to go on the iconic wooden carousel ride for the last time.
During the closing ceremony, Tatsuya Yoda, head of Toshimaen’s operating company, commented: “I thank all those who have supported (Toshimaen) from the bottom of my heart. I hope that you will remember that Toshimaen was once here.
A majority of the 22-hectare site is to be bought by the Tokyo metropolitan government. Part of the land is to be dedicated to a new Harry Potter theme park, due to open in the first half of 2023. The site will be home to film sets, costumes and props used in the films of the popular novels.
