30 Theme Parks That Were Left Abandoned And Possibly Haunted

5. Nara Dreamland – Japan

Once a vibrant theme park that aimed to bring the magic of Disneyland to Japan, Nara Dreamland is now one of the most iconic abandoned amusement parks in the world. Opened in 1961 in Nara, Japan, it was directly inspired by Disneyland, complete with its own Sleeping Beauty-style castle, monorail, and Main Street-style entrance. However, when Tokyo Disneyland opened in 1983 and later, Universal Studios Japan in 2001, attendance at Nara Dreamland plummeted. The park struggled financially and ultimately shut its doors in 2006, leaving behind a decaying wonderland that quickly became a hotspot for urban explorers and photographers. For years, the park stood eerily intact—roller coasters still towering over the landscape, abandoned teacup rides collecting dust, and faded banners flapping in the wind. Nature began reclaiming the park, with weeds overtaking pathways and vines creeping up once-colorful buildings. The highlight (or horror, depending on how you see it) was the eerie silence that blanketed the park, interrupted only by the occasional creak of rusting metal or the whisper of the wind through deserted fairytale streets.