Deserted Japanese theme park photographed just before demolition
The abandoned and overgrown landscape of Nara Dreamland, a theme park closed for over a decade, is revealed in this set of images by French photographer Romain Veillon.
Built in Nara Prefecture in 1961, the theme park was expected to become Japan's answer to Disneyland. But it struggled to compete when both Disney and Universal Studios opened up their own parks in nearby Osaka and Tokyo.
It eventually closed in the summer of 2006, but its attractions were left in place for over 10 years ? before eventually being demolished at the end of 2016.
Romain Veillon visited the site before the bulldozers moved in, to show what had become of the park.
His photos reveal the gradual decay of its structures, and how the natural landscape flourished once people had moved out. They show roller coasters surrounded by wildly overgrown plants, desolate cable cars, and dried-up water flumes.
"All good dreams must come to an end," Veillon told Dezeen.
"It was an incredible feeling to be able to explore and photograph this place over an entire day, and imagine how it was to be on the roller coaster or just to wander in the little streets of this paradise."
Related story Ghost town engulfed by mounds of sand in photography by Romain Veillon
"But I am sad that nobody can still have an afternoon back in time like me; and that Nara Dreamland will now only stay in my memory," he added.
Nara Dreaml...
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