Japanese Deer Park Buena Park 1968

About a month or so I posted images of the Fuji Folk at the Japanese Deer Park located in Buena Park, California. Here are some more pictures of the park, before the marketing team needed to create characters. The original park idea was to emulate the world famous Nara Deer Park in Japan. The Nara park is centuries old and features tame deer who will eat out of your hand, located in a rural setting near some of the most revered shrines in Japan. Japanese Deer Park showcased the culture and arts of Japan in a nice quiet way. The biggest draw was the deer, but there were other draws including Koi ponds, Japanese garden and feeding doves. The first image is of the gated entrance with a Tori gate.

The second image shows the popular Koi fish pond filled with fish.

The third image shows some of the garden, pools and architecture found in the park. It also shows how close it was to the Nabisco factory.

The final image shows one of the employees feeding a dove.

Fuji Folk at Japanese Village Deer Park October 1972

A quiet competitor to Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm in the Orange County Theme Park world was Japanese Village Deer Park. The park was a quiet park modeled after the famous Nara Deer Park in Japan. The grounds featured Japanese landscaping, a large tea house, deer you could feed out of your hands, koi ponds, Karate shows (Steven Seagall worked there in his early years), Basketball playing bears and for a while costumed characters called the Fuji Folk. The park closed down not too long after the photos were taken and is now an industrial park.

This shot shows the kid at home showing off his souvenir T-shirt while riding his toy motorcycle somewhere in Orange County.

For more information on the Japanese Village Theme Park and its successor Enchanted Village as well as the current status, visit the Orange County Memories site.

Japanese Village Deer Park June 1970 Part 1

So the family stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and went to Japanese Village Deer Park up the freeway in Buena Park. I do not think they went to Disneyland...but I am happy they went to the Deer Park and preserved the trip in these photographs. First photograph is of the entrance to the deer petting area I believe.

I believe this vendor is selling dove food for the dove petting pavilion which is shown in the next photograph.

Flying Dolphins at Japanese Village and Deer Park, Buena Park California

A quiet competitor for tourist and local visitors was the Japanese Village and Deer Park located in Buena Park. California. The park featured a herd of deer imported from Nara Japan as well as other Japanese cultural exhibits and shows. Also included was a trained dolphin show similar to those featured at Marineland and Sea World. Although as seen in this picture the show had a distinctly Japanese theme, although the handlers look like typical Southern California surfers wearing kimonos. The image was a souvenir image published by Mike Roberts.

Geisha and Dining at Japanese Village and Deer Park

Another souvenir slide showing part of the Japanese Village and Deer Park theme park. In the foreground, a Geisha girl in her kimono and parasol poses for the photographer surrounded by black swans and peacocks. In the background, park patrons enjoy a meal of teriyaki beef and chicken yakitori on the outside terrace. I do not believe that sushi was available, but it might have been. I am sure some kids tried the exotic Japanese foods, but more probably ate hamburgers (maybe with a grilled pineapple on top!) or hot dogs.

Japanese Village Deer Park Part 2

One of the main attractions at the Japanese Deer Park was the flock of deer. The deer were very tame and very hungry, eating anything presented to them.

Another big draw was the performing bears. The bear sweeping is very entertaining.

More Japanese Deer Park Images

Here are some more photographs from the Japanese Deer Park in 1968. There was a whole bunch of images of the deer, but I only posted one. Enjoy.

Japanese Village Deer Park

A recent discussion on another bulletin board (GiantRobot) is on Japanese Village Deer Park, so I thought I would throw these two images up on the web for the participants to discover. The first is a nice image of one of the many bridges all decked out in red with lanterns to light the way.

The second view is one of the main attractions, feeding the semi tame deer.

Hostesses at Deer Pavilion at Japanese Village

Another view of the Japanese Village and Deer Park show Japanese American hostesses feeding the deer. The deer were one of the main draws to the theme park. Visitors could feed the deer as seen in this photograph.

Japanese Village Deer Park Part 3

The final group of images from Japanese Deer Park. One of the major attractions were the various trained animals. Not only were the shows popular, but feeding the animals was also a big draw. The three photographs today show feeding seals, birds and dolphins.

Hostesses at Dove Pavilion Japanese Village and Deer Park

One of the more interesting attractions was the large dove pavilion at Japanese Village and Deer Park. The hostesses are local Issei and Nissei who wore the traditional Kimono of Japan. The pools have a great slatted seat design and the lovely hoop roosts for the doves.

Purchases at the Denver Postcard Show

Yesterday I went to the Denver Postcard show. Luckily there are dealers who travel from many places, so the chances of me finding something for the collection is increased. I purchased the following items from one dealer and all will go into the collection. First up is an interesting overhead snapshot of the Storybook Canal Boat ride. I like the tables where the modern queue is now located.

Next up is a nice postcard featuring a theme park and tiki. Floridaland was a theme park in need of a theme. Not only was there a porpoise show, but a full Western town with Can-Can dancers and shoot outs, deer park, Indian village, and a themed tram ride. The front entrance had the requisite parrots and other tropical birds found in other Florida tourist attractions. The park closed in 1971 and became a housing development.

A cool advertising postcard from the Tilt A Whirl manufactured by the Sellner Manufacturing Company of Minnesota. Looks like the rides were built on a farm.

Magic Mountain Trolls and Wizard

Taking a quick road trip north up the 5 freeway brings you to scenic Valencia home to Magic Mountain. What started out as a small theme park has now morphed into a giant coaster park. It was once surrounded by nothing but fields and more fields and is now home to houses and strip malls. But back in 1972 they had their own costumed characters, furry trolls and the wizard who ran the place. The characters are almost as scary as the Fuji Folk seen at Japanese Deer Park.

Performing Bear at Japanese Village and Deer Park

In addition to performing dolphins, the theme park had performing sun bears. Sun bears are found in Southeast Asia and have a distinct skull and are the smallest bears. The bear is performing upside down gymnastics on a great high bar. Note the exit sign is bilingual and in Japanese characters as well as the woodblock print posters in the window of the faux house.

Ghost Town at Floridaland 1970

Floridaland was an interesting theme park with a very different theme, or rather a lack of theme. The front entrance featured tropical birds in a jungle setting, a large deer park, a porpoise show, but the largest attraction was a ghost town featuring live gun fights. The first image shows the jail in the ghost town. I am not sure of the significance of John Whitlock.

The second image is an up close and personal shot of the gun fight on the ghost town street.

More Santa's Village

More images from a Santa's Village trip. To answer a question, the Lake Arrowhead and Scott's Valley (Santa Cruz) look very similar. The Lake Arrowhead (Sky Forest) location was larger and had some more rides. Also, the Sky Forest location lasted longer. Now to the pictures which are from the Sky Forest location. First up is a nice shot of a deer in the petting zoo. This is a great picture of a cute deer.

Next up an interesting image showing a peacock standing on a fence. I like that each end of the tree branch is colored.

A great image of the Toy Shop with a large wooden soldier standing guard. The sign reads like a game of scavenger hunt.

Last image for today is of the oversize jack in the box. I do miss this park and all the other Santa's Village and other Christmas themed park. I am glad that within driving distance is the North Pole park in Colorado.

Bengal Tigers at Japanese Village?

One of the attractions at Japanese Village and Deer Park was a pack of performing Bengal Tigers. The question mark is why tigers in Japan? As far as I know, tigers are not native to Japan. Of course, tigers were a big draw in the 1960s and 1970s. I do like this picture with the nice Japanese theme.

Enjoying the Koi Fish With Topo Gigio

One of the main elements at the Japanese Village and Deer Park was the koi fish. Three kids are enjoying the swirling color of the koi fish. One lucky kid is holding her Topo Gigio doll.

Carol Visits Freedomland- the End

Three snapshots today of the petting zoo found outside of the barn for Elsie the Cow. This is one part of Freedomland that was different than the model park of Disneyland. Some of the detailing and theming to a Western barn is nice with some great signs. The animals do seem to be well taken care of and well fed. The first image shows my friend's dad feeding a sheep. Note the nice rock work and the deer pen sign.

A closer look at the sheep eating.

Final image is of Carol feeding the sheep. Check out the crowd and the fence behind her.

Thanks again to Mike for sharing the photographs. My thoughts are with you and Amanda during this tough time.

Porpoise Show Flroridaland 1970

One of the main attractions at Floridaland was a trained porpoise show. Based upon the guide brochure map, the stadium was situated next to Sarasota bay at the end of the park. The show looks like it was similar to shows at Sea World and other aquatic amusement parks, but the guests would have already walked past a tropical entrance, ghost town, hillbilly stills, boot hill and a deer garden. I like the two Tiki's on the stage. I wonder Wayne Coombs who was the premier tiki carver did those?