Among the dense greenery of Tohoku, where nature is making a comeback, the ferris wheel of Kejonuma Leisure Land (化女沼レジャーランド) still proudly stands as silent witness to a bygone era. Although the site may seem sleepy, it’s never stopped captivating haikyo fans, especially me. After six trips and hours spent observing it from all angles, there’s always something inexplicable that draws me in, like a past dream you don’t want to forget.
My love for haikyo didn’t start here. It really all began with another big wheel, that of a now-defunct amusement park, Greenland. A striking photo of this huge wheel perched in the middle of nowhere had engraved the image in my mind. And guess what? To my surprise, when I came across the Kejonuma wheel, the resemblance was striking! The same? Or just an identical model? Mystery. But it’s exactly these small details and coincidences that nourish haikyo for me.
Return in 1979: the fleeting glories of Kejonuma
Kejonuma Leisure Land opened in 1979, at the height of the Japanese financial bubble. In its heyday the park could welcome up to 200,000 visitors per year, an impressive figure for a sparsely populated area. But, like so many other projects of that time, its brilliance quickly faded. In 2000 the attractions were abandoned, though never totally by the owner. Strolling through the deserted alleyways, you’ll discover relics of the past: a go-kart track, an abandoned carousel and, of course, the famous big wheel, rusty but still standing, defying time.
Rusted calm
The first time I came across Kejonuma was a weekend when, equipped with my first digital SLR camera, I was looking for a subject to test my new skills. I still remember the excitement of approaching the park for the first time. The cracked ground, still marked by the 2011 earthquake, made me doubt the state of things. Yet arriving at the wheel just felt right. Since that day it’s become a ritual: every time I travel north I stop here for the sunrise, a coffee break with a brownie or just a quiet walk in the middle of the night.
Haikyo: Obsession 🤪✌️
What I love about haikyo is the idea that each place has a unique story, often full of mystery. Once, coming here in mid-afternoon, I flew a drone around the wheel to discover angles impossible to reach on foot. But it’s especially the more intimate moments, alone with this iron giant at night, that leave a lasting impression. With silence as the only companion, there’s an impression of travelling back in time, where children’s laughter and the music of fairground rides once resounded.
Last look before leaving
Kejonuma Leisure Land is still one of my favourite places, even after so many years. Not only as a rusted remnant of the past, but a sanctuary for forgotten dreams, a space where time has stopped but magic endures.
With each visit I discover a new detail, a new anecdote to share. Whether it’s the quiet shadow of the big wheel at sunrise or the mysterious atmosphere that takes over the park at dusk, this place continues to captivate the explorer in me.
