Hanayashiki

Asakusa Hanayashiki which opened in 1853, at the end of the Edo period (1603-1867), is considered by many people as the oldest amusement park in Japan. In fact, the definition of amusement park is very unclear at that time. The founder was a landscape gardener, named Morita Rokusaburo. During the first two decades since the park opened, it was a botanical garden, where the main attractions were tree peonies and chrysanthemum work. The place was called “Hanayashiki”(花屋敷), which means "Flowery Mansion". People think that there is amusement park at that time, so now, many people think the oldest amusement park is Hanayashiki.

Around 1872 (the beginning of the Meiji period), an amusement facility was established inside the park. In addition, rare birds and beasts like lion and tiger were bred here. It looked like a zoo.

In 1923, quintuple tigers were born there. That was a rare thing in the world. [3]The Great Kanto earthquake occurred in the same year. Not only did people suffered from the disaster, but also animals suffered from it. The fire that occurred attacked the animals in their cages. This is the famous story that the head of the park poured water on the old elephant to the end but was unable to save it. It shows that that disease affected not only human, but also animals affected.

In 1930, “The Memorial of Birds and Animals” was erected for the animals that were burned to death because of the earthquake. [3]However, the park sold the surviving animals to the city of Sendai by 1935. [4] The park was effectively closed.

In 1939-40, the park was bought out by a company named the Suda-cho Restaurant (須田町食堂), and the name was changed to “Shokudo Yuenchi Asakusa Rakutenchi”(食堂遊園地浅草楽天地). However, the park was resold to the Sho-chiku (松竹), and the name became “Gekizyo Rakutenchi”(劇場楽天地). [5]

Hanayashiki was demolished in 1944 because of following “The Law of Building Evacuation” which is operated by Japanese government from 1944. Building removal which process of creating a space was very important because prevention fires from spreading due to air raids.

After the war, its park restarted in 1947 as “Asakusa Hanayashiki”(浅草花屋敷) which operated by Tetsuo Amano (天野鉄男) from Sho-chiku and Yamada (山田貞一) from Toyo Gorakuki (東洋娯楽機). They did joint management, called “Limited Partnership Asakusa Hanayashiki”(合資会社浅草花屋敷). However, Toyo Gorakuki changed to sole management in 1949, and the name was changed to “Asakusa Hanayashiki”(浅草花やしき). “Yashiki” was changed from Chinese character to Japanese character. [6]

In 1953, the roller coaster began operation, and it was named “Yomiuri Rocket Coaster”. This is the oldest roller coaster which exists in Japan today. In addition, the “Bee Tower” was built in 1960. These attractions became very famous.

At that time, no admission fee was charged. Inside the park, visitors paid for each ride. However, the park was disturbed the order because anyone could enter the park. For example, the drunken person enters there and sleeping or shouting. It is not safety place. Also, young people gathered in front of a game arcade. Their profit did not increase because of these situations, so operators decided to set admission fee from 1985.

On 2004,the operator SuitesーOligo (formerly Toyo amusement machine) bankruptcy, into the " club Rehabilitation ( Japanese : Clubs Reorganization Law ) " process, and as Asakusa local businesses Bandai provide operational support group, so that it's the Cape Department of Corporation subsidiary Hanayashiki (Japanese: Corporation took ya shi ki ) (formerly known as Corporation Puaza those have Bldg su) which receives light flower Yashiki right to operate from August 31.

In September 2016, “Bee Tower” was closed. Instead of the attraction, “Asakusa Hana Gekijyou(浅草花劇場)” opened on April 2019. There is a theater that provides a variety of entertainment, including productions, concerts by popular musicians, and martial arts.

[1][2][3]

• Official website