Toshimaen: A History

Amusement parks are a joy to people all over the world, regardless of age and gender. There are countless amusement parks around the world, some making histories and some simply being a joy to the people. Universal Studios in Singapore is no longer unknown, housing 7 themes and more water parks in it. Disneyland in Paris is also ranked the world’s second-best amusement park as it is also called “A Magical World”. Kids, especially, enjoy going to these places as a dream come true. Organizations have taken efforts to help fulfill the dreams of unfortunate children by gifting a one-time ticket to these places. One such place is Toshimaen, a historic fun ground in Tokyo which had been operating for more than ninety years.

Toshimaen was opened first in September 1926 and recorded a history of one of the largest parks in Tokyo. It has over 30 rides and other foreign attractions, and a pool measuring over 300 meters launched in 1965, making it one of the special ones preserved. The pool which was shaped like a doughnut was marked as the world’s largest idle pool. But the main attraction of Toshimaen was the history behind this oldest park which had been the meeting for people of Japan for decades.

Many park keepers and workers have been working there for years, some from the 1970s. One of them, Junko was interviewed and said to have meeting her partner there. Her daughter was brought up within the amazing dreams of the site and met her partner there, just like her mother. Hikari had dreamt of taking family photos there someday when she has them along with her fiancée. Many workers thought to be working in that site all of their lives with half of them building families along with the aging ground. It was heart-wrenching to see their childhood being torn apart as new ideas and development takes place.

A final ceremony to indicate the closing of Toshimaen was held on Monday night in the presence of many visitors. The head of Toshimaen’s operating company wished for visitors from all over the world to remember the existence of it.

This funfair was to be demolished to allow for upgrading per the demands of the world today. Harry Potter theme funfairs which are now the main attraction all over the world will be built on Toshimaen’s grounds. It was to be opened in 2023, marked as Japan’s first Harry Potter-themed land.

The new upcoming grounds which were agreed by the company along with Itochu Corp and Warner Bros. Entertainment would be including every element from the Harry Potter novels by J.K. Rowling. Elements like props that were used in the fil making, costumes, and a lot more would be displayed as attractions for visitors.

The idea of the new project was inspired by the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London that showcases The Making of Harry Potter since 2012. This visitor’s attraction makes almost a million each year. Inspired by the success of it, the company of Toshimaen made such an attempt, considering that Tokyo has no Harry Potter themed parks.