A Small Park with a Warm, Nostalgic Atmosphere
Covering approximately 8,800 square meters, Luna Park is relatively compact, but it contains a variety of rides and attractions. On weekends, children can be seen running around with their families, while weekdays often bring groups of children from kindergartens and nursery schools on outings.
Colorful flowers are planted throughout the grounds, creating different seasonal scenery throughout the year. In addition to the rides, the park’s relaxed atmosphere makes it a pleasant place to stroll, take a break, and enjoy time outdoors.
Popular Rides and Attractions
Maebashi Luna Park features numerous attractions designed primarily for young children and families. One of its distinctive rides is the Hikōtō, or “Flying Tower,” in which airplane-shaped vehicles circle around a tower approximately 9 meters high.
Another favorite is the Mamekisha, or “Little Train,” which travels around the park. Other attractions include a carousel, mini helicopters, miniature cars, and the Kurukuru Circuit, giving children plenty of opportunities to enjoy their first amusement-park rides.
The compact Wave Star Ride is a roller-coaster-style attraction that offers a little more excitement while remaining accessible to younger visitors. It is often regarded as a good introduction to the thrill of a roller coaster.
One of Japan’s Oldest Surviving Electric Wooden Horses
One of Luna Park’s most unusual attractions can be found inside the Mokuba-kan, or “Wooden Horse Pavilion.” It houses one of the oldest surviving electric wooden-horse rides in Japan.
The Mokuba-kan, together with the park’s former Radio Tower, was designated a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2007.
It is relatively rare in Japan for an operating amusement-park ride to be registered as a cultural property. The wooden horse therefore has both entertainment and historical value. For older visitors, riding it can evoke memories of childhood, while younger children can experience a type of amusement ride rarely seen at modern theme parks.
Events for Families Throughout the Year
Luna Park hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Performances such as street entertainment and kamishibai, a traditional Japanese form of storytelling using illustrated paper panels, sometimes recreate the atmosphere of older Japanese children’s entertainment.
In summer, the park holds a special nighttime opening known as “Lunapa DE Night.” The rides and grounds take on a different, more atmospheric character after sunset.
Another popular program, “Lunapa DE Shigoto,” gives children opportunities to experience different kinds of work in a fun, hands-on setting.
During Halloween events, local students have also participated as volunteers, dressing up as zombies and other characters to entertain visitors. These activities demonstrate the park’s close connection with the local community.
Enjoy Luna Park Together with Maebashi Park
One of the advantages of Luna Park is its location within Maebashi Park, a large green space in the city center. The park features a large fountain, waterfalls, lawns, and open areas where visitors can enjoy walking and picnicking.
Families can spend the morning riding attractions at Luna Park and then relax in Maebashi Park afterward. The combination makes it possible to enjoy both amusement rides and a peaceful outdoor environment in the same area.
The high-rise building of the Gunma Prefectural Government Office is also nearby, creating an unusual combination of urban scenery, greenery, and family recreation in the heart of Maebashi.
More Than 70 Years of History
The origins of Luna Park date back to 1954, when the site was developed as part of the Maebashi Grand Fair, an exposition held that year.
Afterward, it continued to serve as a recreational space for local residents. In 2004, management was transferred to a private designated manager, and the park was renovated under the new nickname “Maebashi Luna Park,” which had been selected through a public naming campaign.
The name is believed to be connected with the work of Saigyō Hagiwara, the poet from Maebashi. In his poetry collection “At the Amusement Park”, the word “amusement park” was accompanied by the reading “Luna Park.” This literary connection gave the park its distinctive name.
A Symbol of Maebashi Loved by the Local Community
Like many small amusement parks in Japan, Luna Park has faced challenges over the years, including periods when its future was uncertain as larger leisure facilities became more popular.
Strong support from local residents helped preserve the park, allowing it to continue operating. Many of its rides have been repaired and renovated over the decades and remain in service today, carrying the memories of generations of visitors.
In fiscal 2016, annual attendance reached approximately 1.46 million visitors, the highest figure since the park opened at that time, demonstrating its enduring popularity.
A Charming Window into Japan’s Amusement-Park Past
Maebashi Luna Park offers a glimpse into a nostalgic side of Japan that can be difficult to find at today’s large-scale theme parks. Its retro rides, historic wooden horse, colorful grounds, and relaxed atmosphere create a distinctly local experience.
For families with children, it is a friendly place to enjoy simple amusement-park fun. For adult visitors, the park offers an opportunity to experience a piece of Japan’s Showa-era culture and revisit the atmosphere of an older generation of amusement parks.
Combined with a walk through nearby Maebashi Park, a visit to Luna Park makes for a pleasant and memorable stop while exploring the city of Maebashi.