Hanayashiki is an amusement park in Asakusa, Taitō, Tokyo that has operated since 1853. It is operated by Hanayashiki Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Bandai Namco Holdings. It is claimed to be the oldest amusement park in Japan. One of the unofficial mascots of the park is the Panda Car.
History
Asakusa Hanayashiki which opened in 1853, at the end of the Edo period, 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”, 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, 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. 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. However, the park sold the surviving animals to the city of Sendai by 1935. The park was effectively closed. In 1939-40, the park was bought out by a company named the Suda-cho Restaurant, and the name was changed to “Shokudo Yuenchi Asakusa Rakutenchi”. However, the park was resold to the Sho-chiku, and the name became “Gekizyo Rakutenchi”. 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” which operated by Tetsuo Amano from Sho-chiku and Yamada from Toyo Gorakuki. They did joint management, called “Limited Partnership Asakusa Hanayashiki”. However, Toyo Gorakuki changed to sole management in 1949, and the name was changed to “Asakusa Hanayashiki”. “Yashiki” was changed from Chinese character to Japanese character. 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 bankruptcy, into the " club Rehabilitation " process, and as Asakusa local businesses Bandai provide operational support group, so that it's the Cape Department of Corporation subsidiary Hanayashiki 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” opened on April 2019. There is a theater that provides a variety of entertainment, including productions, concerts by popular musicians, and martial arts.
