At Tobu World Square, an amusement park where you can feel like Gulliver traveling around the world in miniature, there stands a 1/25th scale replica of the White House, the iconic building representing Washington D.C.
This meticulously recreated White House provides a detailed depiction of the structure, including areas that are typically hard to observe.
In this analysis, the site administrator, who has visited the actual White House interior, will examine the accuracy of this replica, focusing on its gardens.
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The White House Gardens with Two Areas
The White House gardens consist primarily of the North Lawn and the South Lawn, also known as the North Grounds and South Grounds, respectively.
The North Lawn features the main entrance of the White House, with a curving driveway extending from it and parallel walkways on both sides.
These paths end at a semi-circular point, with the east side leading to an exit-only gate and the west side merging with the road leading to the West Wing entrance.
In the center of the semi-circle, there is a circular pond and a fountain surrounded by seasonal flowers.
On the other hand, the South Lawn is dominated by a vast expanse of grass, flanked by various trees on both sides.
This area also has pathways intersecting it. From the south portico with its semi-circular balcony, paths extend east and west, diverging into roads within the South Grounds.
The roads that span east to west curve slightly southward at their midpoint, creating a circular appearance when viewed from above.
Around the outer edge of the circular road, there are nine fountains and seasonal flowers.
Additionally, pathways leading to the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, Rose Garden, and the Presidential Oval Office are found near the buildings. In the vicinity of the West Wing, a swimming pool and a basketball court are situated.
Tobu World Square’s White House Prioritizing Visibility
At Tobu World Square, the White House also has a garden, but due to the nature of a theme park, the focus is on maximizing the visibility of the building. Therefore, certain aspects of the garden are adjusted.
The North Lawn in this replica ends near the building and lacks fountains and tall trees.
The South Lawn has east-west roads truncated, and the grounds conclude around those areas. The roads extending from the building have a gentler curve compared to the actual ones, and the fountains are entirely contained within the circular path.
Pathways allowing access to various parts of the buildings and the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden in the East Wing, and the Rose Garden in the West Wing are not replicated. Additionally, tall trees are omitted around the Residence area for better viewing of the building. The swimming pool and basketball court in the southern area of the West Wing are also missing.
Different Vehicle Entrances in Reality and Replica
The East Wing serves as the entrance for guests, while the West Wing accommodates vehicles for the President and government personnel.
At the East Wing, the vehicle entrance extends north to south and forms a quarter of a circle, with paths leading to the east side. A staircase near the entrance allows pedestrians to access the eastern path.
The East Wing’s vehicle entrance is faithfully recreated at Tobu World Square, but pedestrian pathways are not replicated.
As for the West Wing, a circular driveway with a rotunda serves as the entrance, with a road leading north and connecting to the western entrance.
In the replica’s West Wing, the circular driveway and rotunda are absent, and the road leading to the entrance is slightly shifted to the right compared to the actual location.
Creating a Unique Garden Emphasizing Entertainment
The gardens at Tobu World Square, including the White House replica, are not completely accurate in their depiction. This is a deliberate choice to prioritize up-close viewing of the building, enhancing the amusement park experience.
This approach allows visitors to appreciate the building from a closer distance than they could in reality.
Especially considering the stringent security measures at the actual White House, only a limited number of people can enter the premises. Here at Tobu World Square, visitors can freely admire the 1/25th scale replica from various angles and distances.
