Anthrocon 2024

Once a botanical garden and a zoo, the Hanayashiki of Asakusa, founded in 1853, is Japan's oldest theme park. In keeping with this year's Anthrocon theme, this talk will introduce its early history, its evolution, and how it measures against other, newer parks and related innovations in late 19th and early 20th century Japan. How has such a relatively small venue survived? And what does all of this have to do with Super Smash Brothers? The answers may surprise you!