Pop Japan

Opened in 1961 after the president of Matsuo Entertainment Company went to Disneyland in California to get inspired, Nara Dreamland was initially very successful. The wooden roller coaster "Aska" and four other steel coasters made the park one of the most popular in Japan. The opening of Disneyland in Tokyo led to an decreasing of visitors. Another big theme park opened in Osaka in 2001. While most of the older and smaller theme parks around had to close thereafter, Nara Dreampark carried on until 2006.