This is a sponsored story, created and edited exclusively by Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Tokyo Updates website.
Japan’s oldest amusement park, Asakusa Hanayashiki, stands near the busy Sensoji Temple and dates back to the Edo Period (1603-1868). Its compact grounds are packed with attractions, including a roller coaster, a haunted house, and a merry-go-round. Located in central Tokyo, the park is easily accessible. We delved into its history and what gives it lasting appeal.
An Edo Period landmark that drew high-profile visitors
Asakusa Hanayashiki traces its origins to the Edo Period. In 1853, during Japan’s isolation and the year foreign ships appeared off Uraga, landscape gardener Morita Rokusaburo opened a flower garden within the grounds of Sensoji Temple, featuring peonies and chrysanthemums. He named it “Hanayashiki.” Utagawa Hiroshige’s print “Flower Garden in the Grounds of Kinryuzan Temple, Asakusa,” shows the garden bustling with visitors.
By the late Edo Period, birds and small animals had been introduced, and Hanayashiki was reportedly included in sightseeing tours for foreign envoys, along with Sensoji. It was regarded as one of the city’s key attractions.
A Meiji Era (1868-1912) flyer preserved at Asakusa Hanayashiki.
| Inoue Katsuya
Rides were first introduced around 1872. Flyers from the time suggest the park also featured doll displays and other attractions, reflecting efforts to entertain visitors in a variety of ways.
Nostalgia by design
“The present-day Asakusa Hanayashiki is a natural extension of that history,” says Toyoshi Nishikawa, president and CEO of Hanayashiki Co., Ltd.
“We’re working to build strong ties with the local community,” says Toyoshi Nishikawa.
| Inoue Katsuya
“The park was rebuilt as an amusement park in 1949, following the devastation caused by war and earthquake. It became a popular destination for many Tokyo residents to relax. One of our main attractions, the roller coaster, is the oldest still operating in Japan, having been installed in 1953. While we regularly replace the cars and tracks, we’ve intentionally preserved the Showa Era look and colors.”
Entrance of Asakusa Hanayashiki
| Courtesy of Asakusa Hanayashiki
Each morning, experienced staff walk the entire roller coaster track to conduct the first safety check of the day, followed by regular inspections to ensure everything operates safely. The friendly smiles of the staff—many of whom are true amusement park fans—are part of what makes the park so welcoming.
“Longstanding attractions like the merry-go-round and Panda Cars are sometimes seen as new again.”
Panda Cars, one of the park’s most popular attractions.
| Courtesy of Asakusa Hanayashiki
What makes Asakusa Hanayashiki truly one of a kind?
Instead of focusing on flashy new rides, Asakusa Hanayashiki leverages its history as a strength with attractions that consciously highlight their retro character.
The park features several attractions with a retro or historical theme, including Maruhana Kenjutsu Dojo, where visitors can try samurai-style swordplay, Kodomo Ninja Yashiki Nin-Nin Park, a ninja training area for kids, and Panorama Jikan Ryoko, which explores Asakusa’s past and present through a four-screen multi-projection.
Maruhana Kenjutsu Dojo
| Courtesy of Asakusa Hanayashiki
“There’s no other amusement park in Japan that’s been around this long. Plus, its compact size makes it easy to enjoy even if you only have a few hours. It’s the perfect place to stop by casually while sightseeing in Tokyo. It really is one of a kind.”
Asakusa Hanayashiki’s mission—”Bringing smiles across generations”—and its vision—”A fresh take on the good old days”—are also quite compelling.
“Tokyo is a city that grew rapidly starting in the Edo Period. Even as a cutting-edge metropolis, it still preserves its traditional culture. We aim to build lifelong customers here—people who make their amusement park debut at Asakusa Hanayashiki as children and continue to come back throughout their lives. Being a longstanding park in a major city like Tokyo makes that possible.”
Asakusa Hanayashiki, with its one-of-a-kind charm, will keep shaping Tokyo’s history for years to come.
AloJapan.com