Ever had a dream that you were walking through a zombie apocalypse? Watched the Walking Dead? Read a lot of Stephen King books?
Well there’s an abandoned theme park in Japan called Dreamland where you can imagine that you are in that world. Empty for over 20 years in the city of Nara it’s been left to overgrow and decay.
Visited these days by only a few people illegally – it’s the ultimate urban exploration experience.
Just a heads up – there’s a lot of photos in this post so bear with it!
(UPDATE SEPT 2019) I have learned that the Nara Dreamland has now been demolished since I was last there 🙁
Have a look down the article though if you want to see how it was.
The Abandoned Nara Dreamland Theme Park
(Urbex Japan)
The park was built in 1961 but closed in the mid-nineties. Surprisingly it’s easy to enter. Just walk around the barrier of the old main entrance and your in a creepy apocalyptic dreamland.
The theme park has everything you could think of.
When walking around you will see the rollercoasters overlooking all, but there’s so much random stuff left about around you will be amazed at what you can find.
Abandoned and graffitied monorail.
Jump in the drivers seat!
Enter and distort yourself in the mirror maze.
One of the creepy things about is when the wood and metal on the rides and old structures creek and bellow in the wind. It makes you jump sometimes.
Flash dance!
Most rides are overgrown with vegetation.
Fire truck left to rust away.
You can climb to the top if you dare.
Welcome to Dreamland! Japanese cuteness as usual.
FIND PLACES TO STAY IN NARA HERE
The Water Park
Around half the theme park is made up of waterslides. You can climb up them for great views although sliding down one is probably not the best idea. Although very tempting.
Would you enter?
If you did your going to have a painful landing!
The other half of the theme park in the distance.
The Arcade Games
One of the best things about wandering around is to check out every building as there’s so much stuff left behind, including lots of old arcade games. One particular room had around 30 of them. It’s a lot of fun discovering all the old names.
Did you ever play any of them?
Dance Dance Revolution!
Air hockey.
Fancy a ride?
Kawaii (Japanese for cute).
Not kawaii.
UFO machines.
Random Things
It really is the smaller random stuff that can make you smile the most.
In office rooms are old computers from the early 90’s along with floppy disks still with theme park information on them.
Get a selfie!
Thomas the Tank Engine has seen better days….
The fire department now has a pink cadillac.
Creepy Old Posters
On the side of some buildings are decaying posters showing what it used to be like when the park was open. So weird seeing them and then looking around you as it is now.
The House Of Horrors And So Much More
It seriously never gets boring – there’s so much to see.
Entering the darkness of the house of horrors by yourself as it gets dark outside with the flashlight on your smartphone is very unnerving.
Movie room.
Kitchen left as it was.
Lot’s of small buildings with surprises to be seen.
The main tower of the park.
Some rides you can’t really get into as they are blocked with lots of vegetation.
Sculpture by the waterpark.
Twilight comes.
Near the entrance is a big office block and an abandoned car park.
Old school phone.
It used to be full of water shows.
Even a fork lift truck is left behind.
Built in 1961… and now the ultimate urban exploration place.
Thank-you Dreamland.
Nara Dreamland
If you’re in this part of Japan then you may be interested in some day trips from Osaka to see what else you can do around there.
FIND PLACES TO STAY IN NARA HERE
Definitely take travel insurance before going to Japan as it’s an expensive country for medical treatment if you get sick on your trip.
I’ve been caught out myself in the past medically while travelling and I recommend using SafetyWing Travel Insurance for your trip, just in case, it’s best to be prepared.
Get an insurance quote:
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Nara Dreamland has been on the top of my list for so long! These pictures are awesome! Is it difficult to ‘get away’ with going in there? They idea of getting caught does scare me a little! haha
Yeah the place is really cool. I spent 3 hours there. I had no problems getting in and heard from other travellers the same, so wouldn’t worry about it. If there is some kind of security I didn’t see any.
Abandoned places are so fascinating. Places like this always make me wonder what future archaeologists will find after the kudzu and Mother Nature has reclaimed them. Great photos! My favorite is the carousel horses. They look like they are trying to run away from the encroaching vegetation.
I did read that security was less these days, but was not so sure it was ture.
After your blog it seams its true, and I now “dare” to go have a look.
Did you just enter by the main entrance.?
Great pictures!!!
Hey, yeah had no problem getting in, just rocked up to the main entrance and walked on in 🙂
Can you imagine being an archaeologist 500 years from now and coming across something like this 🙂 Yeah the place is overgrown and kind of creepy!
Do you happen to know the reason for theme park to be abandoned?
It seemed like the operators left it in a hurry without salvaging any things which might still have material worth.
You must have a lot of fun at Dreamland, the Abandoned Theme Park In Japan! It will be your unforgettable experience for you!
Though the theme parks are abandoned, I also can see the Dreamland can attract a lot of visitors in the past! It owns so many interesting amusement rides!
Thanks for your sharing! 🙂
It is so attractive to spend several hours in this place, seems like in an fantastic
place, must be interesting.
So many amusement rides here! It is pity to be abandoned.
Completely demolished now. Boo!
Thanks Kimba. I have updated the article at the top to mention it is now demolished.