Fuji-Q HighlandsLocation: Yamanashi, Japan
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Operating since 1961, Fuji-Q Highland Amusement Park is located in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan near the base of Mount Fuji. Fuji-Q Highland is known for its heart-stopping roller coasters and they certainly like to be on the cutting edge of things. It is home to record-breaking roller coasters and sophisticated rides and attractions themed around Japanese anime. The park is continuously introducing new rides and attractions on approximately a five-year cycle.
The park has been on the roller coaster and dark ride cutting edge since its inception. There are four defunct rides. They include coasters Double Loop (1988-2005), Giant Coaster (which was removed in 1998) and notably, Moonsault Scramble (1983-2000). Moonsault Scramble, a Vekoma shuttle coaster stood 229.7 feet, had two inversions, produced speeds of up to 55.9 mph and more than 6 gs, and was the world record holder at one time as being the tallest coaster in the world and arguably the first to surpass 200 feet. The park also had Zola 7 which started as an enclosed dark ride in which riders shot at targets. This predecessor to the electronic “point and shoot at target” rides we see in parks today was built by TOGO and Namco. At the present time, the Fuji-Q Highland has four major roller coasters and three small roller coasters. Fujiyama, the park's pride and joy, was once a record-holder as the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster upon opening in 1996. It still is a favorite among world roller coaster enthusiasts. Fujiyama in Japanese means “King of Mountains/Coasters” and at a height of 259.2 feet, a length of 6,708.7 feet, and reaching speeds over 80 mph, the moniker fits this roller coaster for sure. Dodonpa, built in 2001, is the park’s fastest coaster and the world-record-holder for fastest acceleration. This S&S coaster uses a compressed-air launch system that hurls riders down the track from 0 - 106.9 mph in 1.8 seconds! The park was not done creating record breakers yet though, as Eejanaika, built in 2006, was another park/S&S collaboration. This coaster is a "4th dimension" roller coaster with seats that rotate inside the car. This roller coaster includes the most inversions of any roller coaster in the park and the name is often translated to mean “Ain’t It Great?” Last, but certainly not least, another record-breaking roller coaster was built in 2011, Takabisha, which would break the maximum vertical angle record. Takabisha, a Gertlauer custom Euro-Fighter, has a vertical angle of 121 degrees, making the coaster the steepest in the world. Coaster enthusiasts can’t wait to see what this park comes up with next. The park is well rounded in terms of dark rides and maze attractions where guests can immerse themselves right into the action. These areas are based on Japanese anime. Gundam Crisis and Evangelion World are two of the immersive areas while the Ultimate Horror Labyrinth (aka Haunted Hotel), the Ultimate Fort, and Kassen Sengoku Basara, are three of the maze attractions. Be aware that these maze attractions are mighty scary. The park also offers many flat rides guests come to expect such as the tea cups, log flume, pirate ship and drop tower type rides, Ferris wheel, carousel and sky swings. One area of the park is dedicated to Thomas Land, which is based on the Thomas the Tank Engine books and television series. There you will find the Rock N Roll Duncan kiddie coaster. The park also offers seasonal attractions such as an ice skating rink, making Fuji-Q Highland Park not only a record-breaking park but a definite year-round destination. |
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