Asakusa Hanayashiki

Tokyo, Japan

“A visit to the oldest Japanese theme park”

Asakusa Hanayashiki is a tiny amusement park. The rides are mainly aimed at a younger audience and theming is relatively limited. The park’s small footprint makes it a quite chaotic place, especially during busier days. The park can be found in the direct proximity of Asakusa, a well-known temple complex in the city centre of Tokyo. Asakusa is one of those must-visit attractions during a trip to Japan and it can easily be accessed by several train and metro lines. Hanayashiki is within walking distance of the temples, so it’s very easy to visit the park during your trip to Tokyo. No need to plan an entire day at the park; two hours is more than enough.

ROLLER COASTERS

Asakusa Hanayashiki is home to just one coaster, but it’s quite a special one. It’s the oldest operational roller coaster in Japan and it was the first coaster manufactured by a company called Togo. The ride is placed on the roofs of several buildings and it circles the entire park. It’s not very fast, it’s not tall and it’s only 240 metres long, but Roller Coaster is a ride which should be ridden by anyone who calls himself/herself a coaster enthusiast.

ANYTHING ELSE?

Hanayashiki is small, but it features a lot of rides. That creates a very unique atmosphere with rides built on top of another. This efficiency somewhat reminds me of Gröna Lund in Stockholm, a park that’s also extremely tiny and packed with attractions. You’d better skip this place if you’re claustrophobic.

WORTH A VISIT?

Theme park enthusiasts don’t come to Japan for Hanayashiki. They’re here for a visit to Tokyo Disney Resort, Universal Studios Japan or Nagashima Spa Land. However, if you’re interested in cute, rather unusual family parks, Hanayashiki may be a good place to spend some time. Theming isn’t great and most rides are unappealing to thrill seekers, but the unique credit and the distinctively Japanese atmosphere make up for that.

PHOTO GALLERY

Are you interested in riding the world’s first Togo roller coaster? And would you include the park in a Japanese theme park itinerary? Share your opinion in the comments section below.