Japanese Village and Deer Park

The park first opened in 1967{{cite web

| url = http://www.kcet.org/socal/departures/columns/lost-landmarks/animal-behaviors-japanese-village-and-deer-park-in-buena-park.html

| title = Animal Behaviors: Japanese Village and Deer Park in Buena Park

| last = Meares

| first = Hadley

| date = 2014-09-12

| website = KCET

| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140913200048/http://www.kcet.org/socal/departures/columns/lost-landmarks/animal-behaviors-japanese-village-and-deer-park-in-buena-park.html

| archivedate= 2014-09-13

}} at 6122 Knott Avenue.{{Cite web |url=http://www.image-archeology.com/Japanese_Deer_Park_Buena_Park_CA_Flyer_B.jpg |title=Flyer of Japanese Village and Deer Park |website=Image-Archeology.com |access-date=2008-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204131538/http://image-archeology.com/Japanese_Deer_Park_Buena_Park_CA_Flyer_B.jpg |archive-date=2010-12-04 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=https://www.synthetrix.com/JV/village1.jpg |title=Map of Japanese Village |website=Synthetrix.com}} It was a Japanese-themed amusement park that featured shows and traditional Japanese buildings in an environment where deer roamed free (inspired by Nara Park). Its gate featured a torii.{{cite web |url=https://matterhorn1959.blogspot.com/2007/10/japanese-deer-park-buena-park-1968.html |title=Japanese Deer Park Buena Park 1968 |website=stuff from the park |date=October 18, 2007}}

Two episodes of the CBS-TV detective drama Mannix, "Overkill" (1971, Season 4 episode 24) and "Enter Tami Okada" (1974, Season 8 episode 8), filmed extensive sequences at the park. Various exhibits and animals can be seen in both. The second featured a trainer riding two dolphins in tandem.

The park closed in 1975, five years after it was sold to Great Southwest Co., a subsidiary of Six Flags.Facing mounting red ink, the owners began giving the deer lethal injections, claiming they had tuberculosis. Almost 200 were euthanized before authorities ended the practice.{{cite web |url=https://www.ocalmanac.com/History/hi01i.htm |title=Orange County - 1963 to 1979 |website=OC Almanac}}

• Koi ponds
• Japanese Garden
• Classic Tea House
• The Dove Pavilion
• Dolphin feeding
• Home of the Fuji Folk
• Pearl divers

After the park closed, a second amusement park, Enchanted Village, opened on the site on June 18, 1976.{{cite news |url=http://76.163.242.121/uploaded_images/enchanted-village-article-700310.jpg |title=June 18 Opening Slated for Enchanted Village |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312090812/http://76.163.242.121/uploaded_images/enchanted-village-article-700310.jpg |archive-date=March 12, 2012}} Animal trainer Ralph Helfer was a partner and served as chair. It was, for a time, home to Oliver the "human" chimpanzee. Prior to its closure, its signature stunt and animal show was changed to incorporate themes and story lines from the 1977 film The Island of Dr. Moreau. Enchanted Village can be seen briefly in the 1977 film Curse of the Black Widow. The {{convert|32|acre|ha|adj=on}} park was South Pacific-Tiki themed, and featured trained animal shows (Helfer's influence), a traditional-styled Polynesian show, and a few ride attractions. The park closed in fall 1977.

The area has been developed into a business park; nothing remains of the ponds and locations except George Bellis Park.

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{{Buena Park, California}}

{{Defunct Amusement Parks in California}}

{{Six Flags}}

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Category:Landmarks in California

Category:Buildings and structures in Orange County, California

Category:Defunct amusement parks in California

Category:History of Orange County, California

Category:1975 disestablishments in California

Category:1967 establishments in California

Category:Amusement parks closed in 1975

Category:Amusement parks opened in 1967

Category:Buena Park, California

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