Latest news with #LukkaBradburn
Fox News
18-05-2025
- Fox News
Abandoned 'Wild West' theme park frozen in time shocks visitor: 'Left to rot'
Lukka Bradburn traveled to rural Japan last year to document abandoned theme parks — and was surprised by what he found left behind in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster and after years of decline, according to news agency SWNS. Bradburn, a printer, explorer and father of two, came across the parks after researching the areas on Google Maps. He found an entire derelict colonial "American town" area complete with hotels, churches and restaurants. The "Western Village" theme park near Nikkō, Tochigi, has stood virtually untouched since its closure in 2007, its sprawling grounds frozen in time like a ghost town straight out of 1800s America, SWNS reported. Nature has been slowly reclaiming the land: Vines have crawled up church walls and snow has blanketed abandoned porches. Opened in 1973, the theme park was inspired by classic American and Italian Western movies — but it closed because of competition from Tokyo Disneyland, per SWNS. Bradburn even discovered a replica of Mount Rushmore still intact, along with saloon bars and a stadium where crowds once watched jousting and other sports. The replica monument emerged among frost-covered trees, its stone faces still clearly defined against the sky. Nearby, weathered structures and themed facades lined the pathways, evoking the appearance of a long-forgotten frontier town. The site was littered with mannequins depicting life in "Wild West" America, according to SWNS. Abandoned buildings include a gift shop that was boarded up and heavily damaged. Among the rubble, Bradburn managed to find a prop gun on the floor and an arcade with the original machines. With parts of the park still standing, he noted that navigating the sites was surprisingly straightforward. During his exploration, Bradburn said that both attractions were easily accessed. "The Western one had a bit of a fence, but you could pretty much just walk in," he said. "There was no security or anyone watching over it; it was just left to rot," he added, as SWNS noted. The absence of maintenance left the area in a state of disrepair. "As we got to one park it was heavily snowing and we were having to get through all these bushes," he told SWNS. "It was quite overgrown." Both were in rural areas surrounded by countryside, mountains and small towns, creating the picturesque snowy scenery seen in the photos shown within this article. On his adventure, Bradburn and his friends came across another urban explorer, a Japanese man who said he used to visit the park as a child. "There was no security or anyone watching over it; it was just left to rot." The man, who spoke limited English, told the friends he'd returned to take photographs of the theme park, according to SWNS. For more Lifestyle articles, visit While exploring, Bradburn also came across the remains of Kejonuma Leisure Land, which once attracted 200,000 visitors in the remote Tohoku region; it closed in 2001. He found a decaying ornate Ferris wheel, carousels and children's train rides. The attraction closed due to falling demand and the struggling Japanese economy, per SWNS. The site, once a popular destination in the remote Tohoku region, has seen little change since its closure. Visitors can still identify many of the original attractions, though time and weather have taken a visible toll. Bradburn said he plans to return to Japan next year for further exploring. "The Japanese theme park industry entered a boom during the 1960s and 1970s, reaching a peak in the 1990s. Since then, they've seen a gradual decline," according to The Park Database.
Scottish Sun
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Inside haunting theme park left abandoned for 18 years with empty stadium and decaying Ferris wheel
ABANDONED theme parks left to rot for years contain an entire empty stadium and rusting Ferris wheel. Despite almost two decades having passed, an empty landscape reminiscent of 1800s America still remains. 12 Western Village theme park has been abandoned for 18 years Credit: SWNS 12 The former attraction is located in Japan Credit: SWNS 12 The park featured a Mount Rushmore-esque replica Credit: SWNS Urban explorer Lukka Bradburn, 28, had been investigating ghost towns left behind following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. The dad-of-two from Manchester discovered an entire derelict colonial American town area with hotels, churches and restaurants. Western Village theme park near Nikkō, Tochigi, in Japan, shut its doors in 2007. It originally opened in 1973 and was inspired by classic American and Italian Western movies, Read more Travel stories TILL YOU DROP Inside world's biggest shopping centre in VERY surprising location Ultimately, the park later closed as a result of competition from Tokyo Disneyland. Lukka found an intact replica of Mount Rushmore, as well as a stadium where crowds once watched jousting and other sports. 12 Kejonuma Leisure Land had a decaying ferris wheel Credit: SWNS 12 Kejonuma Leisure Land also has a derelict carousel ride Credit: SWNS 12 Western Village's arcade has the original machines Credit: SWNS The site also features mannequins depicting life in 'Wild West' America, while the gift shop was boarded-up and heavily damaged. Lukka found a prop gun on the floor and also an arcade with all the original machines. He also explored the remains of fellow attraction Kejonuma Leisure Land. This had once attracted 200,000 visitors in the remote Tohoku region, until shutting in 2001. Lukka found a decaying ferris wheel, children's train rides and carousels. It closed following falling demand and the struggling Japanese economy. I visited eerie abandoned theme park once filled with laughter but now left frozen in time…it's like the apocalypse hit Lukka had been visiting Japan with some exploring friends when he found the parks after researching on Google Maps. Revealing both sites were easily accessed, he said: "The Western one had a bit of a fence but you could pretty much just walk in. "There was no security or anyone watching over it; it was just left to rot." Lukka added: "As we got to one park it was heavily snowing and we were having to get through all these bushes. It was quite overgrown." 12 Western Village features mannequins reminiscent of its Wild West theme Credit: SWNS 12 The park shut its doors back in 2007 Credit: SWNS 12 Western Village contained buildings included churches and restaurants Credit: SWNS He and his friends came across another urban explorer - a Japanese man who revealed he used to visit the park as a child. The man spoke limited English, but told the group how he'd returned to take photos of the park. Lukka is planning a return to Japan next year to explore more red zones - as well as abandoned island. Use these tips on your next theme park trip Next time you visit a theme park, you may want to use our top tips to make the most of your adrenaline-inducing day out. Go to the back of the theme park first. Rides at the front will have the longest queues as soon as it opens. Go on water rides in the middle of the day in the summer - this will cool you off when the sun is at its hottest. Download the park's app to track which rides have the shortest queues. Visit on your birthday, as some parks give out "birthday badges" that can get you freebies. If it rains, contact the park. Depending on how much it rained, you may get a free ticket to return. It comes as an abandoned UK theme park is set to reopen as an adventure attraction. Adventure Wonderland opened in Bournemouth in 1992, with rides and rollercoasters based on Alice in Wonderland. The park was forced to close all of its outdoor rides back in 2023 due to "rising costs". New plans that have been submitted will see the theme park become a smaller adventure attraction. 12 Lukka found the sites while researching on Google Maps Credit: SWNS 12 Kenjonuma Leisure Land closed back in 2001 Credit: SWNS
The Irish Sun
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Inside haunting theme park left abandoned for 18 years with empty stadium and decaying Ferris wheel
ABANDONED theme parks left to rot for years contain an entire empty stadium and rusting Ferris wheel. Despite almost two decades having passed, an empty landscape reminiscent of 1800s America still remains. Advertisement 12 Western Village theme park has been abandoned for 18 years Credit: SWNS 12 The former attraction is located in Japan Credit: SWNS 12 The park featured a Mount Rushmore-esque replica Credit: SWNS Urban explorer Lukka Bradburn, 28, had been investigating ghost towns left behind following the 2011 The dad-of-two from Manchester discovered an entire derelict colonial American town area with hotels, churches and restaurants. It originally opened in 1973 and was inspired by classic American and Italian Western movies, Advertisement Read more Travel stories Ultimately, the park later closed as a result of competition from Tokyo Disneyland. Lukka found an intact replica of Mount Rushmore, as well as a stadium where crowds once watched jousting and other sports. 12 Kejonuma Leisure Land had a decaying ferris wheel Credit: SWNS 12 Kejonuma Leisure Land also has a derelict carousel ride Credit: SWNS Advertisement 12 Western Village's arcade has the original machines Credit: SWNS The site also features mannequins depicting life in 'Wild West' America, while the gift shop was boarded-up and heavily damaged. Lukka found a prop gun on the floor and also an arcade with all the original machines. Most read in News Travel He also explored the remains of fellow attraction Kejonuma Leisure Land. Advertisement This had once attracted 200,000 visitors in the remote Tohoku region, until shutting in 2001. Lukka found a decaying ferris wheel, children's train rides and carousels. It closed following falling demand and the struggling Japanese economy. I visited eerie abandoned theme park once filled with laughter but now left frozen in time…it's like the apocalypse hit Lukka had been visiting Japan with some exploring friends when he found the parks after researching on Google Maps. Advertisement Revealing both sites were easily accessed, he said: "The Western one had a bit of a fence but you could pretty much just walk in. "There was no security or anyone watching over it; it was just left to rot." Lukka added: "As we got to one park it was heavily snowing and we were having to get through all these bushes. It was quite overgrown." 12 Western Village features mannequins reminiscent of its Wild West theme Credit: SWNS Advertisement 12 The park shut its doors back in 2007 Credit: SWNS 12 Western Village contained buildings included churches and restaurants Credit: SWNS He and his friends came across another urban explorer - a Japanese man who revealed he used to visit the park as a child. Advertisement The man spoke limited English, but told the group how he'd returned to take photos of the park. Lukka is planning a return to Japan next year to explore more red zones - as well as abandoned island. Use these tips on your next theme park trip Next time you visit a theme park, you may want to use our top tips to make the most of your adrenaline-inducing day out. Go to the back of the theme park first. Rides at the front will have the longest queues as soon as it opens. Go on water rides in the middle of the day in the summer - this will cool you off when the sun is at its hottest. Download the park's app to track which rides have the shortest queues. Visit on your birthday, as some parks give out "birthday badges" that can get you freebies. If it rains, contact the park. Depending on how much it rained, you may get a free ticket to return. It comes as an abandoned UK theme park Adventure Wonderland opened in Bournemouth in 1992, with rides and rollercoasters based on Alice in Wonderland. Advertisement The park was forced to close all of its outdoor rides back in 2023 due to "rising costs". New plans that have been submitted will see the theme park become a smaller adventure . 12 Lukka found the sites while researching on Google Maps Credit: SWNS 12 Kenjonuma Leisure Land closed back in 2001 Credit: SWNS Advertisement 12 It closed after falling demand and the struggling Japanese economy Credit: SWNS
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Inside haunting theme park left abandoned for 18 years with empty stadium and decaying Ferris wheel
ABANDONED theme parks left to rot for years contain an entire empty stadium and rusting Ferris wheel. Despite almost two decades having passed, an empty landscape reminiscent of 1800s America still remains. 12 12 Urban explorer Lukka Bradburn, 28, had been investigating ghost towns left behind following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. The dad-of-two from Manchester discovered an entire derelict colonial American town area with hotels, churches and restaurants. Western Village theme park near Nikkō, Tochigi, in Japan, shut its doors in 2007. It originally opened in 1973 and was inspired by classic American and Italian Western movies, Ultimately, the park later closed as a result of competition from Tokyo Disneyland. Lukka found an intact replica of Mount Rushmore, as well as a stadium where crowds once watched jousting and other sports. 12 12 12 The site also features mannequins depicting life in 'Wild West' America, while the gift shop was boarded-up and heavily damaged. Lukka found a prop gun on the floor and also an arcade with all the original machines. He also explored the remains of fellow attraction Kejonuma Leisure Land. This had once attracted 200,000 visitors in the remote Tohoku region, until shutting in 2001. Lukka found a decaying ferris wheel, children's train rides and carousels. It closed following falling demand and the struggling Japanese economy. I visited eerie abandoned theme park once filled with laughter but now left frozen in time…it's like the apocalypse hit Lukka had been visiting Japan with some exploring friends when he found the parks after researching on Google Maps. Revealing both sites were easily accessed, he said: "The Western one had a bit of a fence but you could pretty much just walk in. "There was no security or anyone watching over it; it was just left to rot." Lukka added: "As we got to one park it was heavily snowing and we were having to get through all these bushes. It was quite overgrown." 12 12 He and his friends came across another urban explorer - a Japanese man who revealed he used to visit the park as a child. The man spoke limited English, but told the group how he'd returned to take photos of the park. Lukka is planning a return to Japan next year to explore more red zones - as well as abandoned island. Use these tips on your next theme park trip Next time you visit a theme park, you may want to use our top tips to make the most of your adrenaline-inducing day out. Go to the back of the theme park first. Rides at the front will have the longest queues as soon as it opens. Go on water rides in the middle of the day in the summer - this will cool you off when the sun is at its hottest. Download the park's app to track which rides have the shortest queues. Visit on your birthday, as some parks give out "birthday badges" that can get you freebies. If it rains, contact the park. Depending on how much it rained, you may get a free ticket to return. It comes as an abandoned UK theme park is set to reopen as an adventure attraction. Adventure Wonderland opened in Bournemouth in 1992, with rides and rollercoasters based on Alice in Wonderland. The park was forced to close all of its outdoor rides back in 2023 due to "rising costs". New plans that have been submitted will see the theme park become a smaller adventure attraction. 12 12 12
Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Abandoned theme park with crumbling arcade and creepy dummies 'left to rot'
An urban explorer Lukka Bradburn visited the remains of two abandoned theme parks in Japan after visiting nearby ghost towns deserted in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster An urban explorer got more than he bargained for when he wondered into the eerie remnants of two deserted Japanese theme parks. While investigating the nearby ghost towns left in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, 28-year-old Lukka Bradburn stumbled upon a completely abandoned colonial American town area, complete with makeshift hotels, churches and restaurants. The Western Village theme park, located near Nikkō, Tochigi, shut its doors in 2007, leaving behind a vast, desolate landscape echoing 1800s America. The park, which opened in 1973, drew inspiration from classic American and Italian Western films but was forced to close due to competition from Tokyo Disneyland. Among the relics Lukka discovered were a replica of Mount Rushmore, saloon bars and a stadium where spectators once gathered to watch jousting and other sports. The site is strewn with mannequins depicting life in the 'Wild West' era of America. Although the gift shop was boarded up and heavily damaged, Lukka managed to find a prop gun on the floor and an arcade filled with original machines. He also explored the remains of Kejonuma Leisure Land, a former attraction in the remote Tohoku region that once drew 200,000 visitors but closed in 2001. Here, he found a decaying ornate ferris wheel, carousels and children's train rides. The park had to close due to dwindling demand and Japan's struggling economy. Lukka, a printer and father of two, was visiting Japan with fellow explorers when he discovered the parks after researching the areas on Google Maps. He reported that both sites were easily accessible. "The Western one had a bit of a fence but you could pretty much just walk in," he explained. "There was no security or anyone watching over it; it was just left to rot." Amidst rural settings, mountains, and quaint towns lie the picturesque snowy vistas captured in his photographs. Lukka, hailing from Manchester, described their arrival: "As we got to one park it was heavily snowing and we were having to get through all these bushes. It was quite overgrown." During their exploration, they bumped into another urban adventurer - a Japanese man who reminisced about visiting the park as a youngster. The chap, speaking some English, told the group that he had come back to photograph the derelict amusement park. Looking ahead, Lukka is eager for next year's return to Japan, keen on delving into more 'red zones' and forsaken isles. It comes as time is running out for two killer whales who have been left abandoned in a rotting marine zoo - and they could die without urgent intervention. Wikie, who is 23, and her 11-year-old son Keijo spend their long days mindlessly swimming around the same crumbling enclosure as their fate hangs in the balance. The orcas, who were both born in captivity so could never survive in the wild, were left in their decaying tanks when Marineland Antibes in southern France closed permanently in January 2025. Now left without any mental stimulation, the orcas are forced to fill their days searching for enrichment in their enclosure as green algae slowly covers the abandoned park.
