photo by Paul Stein
Whether or not you are a lover of roller coasters, you may feel tempted to have a ride to earn an anecdote that proves your bravery. Japan is one of the countries that have the most roller coasters in the world. If you collect a bit of your courage and venture to ride one, you could become addicted to the thrills it offers. Here is the list of top 10 roller coasters in Japan you would feel scared just to lay your eyes on them.
No. 10: Takabisha
The steepest slope in “Takabisha” is 121-degree angle – is this some sort of joke? This ride, which is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records, proudly takes the passengers to the abrupt climbs and sudden falls, making them upside down. A small carriage consists of two rows of four seats. This enables this ride to make quick twists which freak you out even more. The ride takes about 2 minutes and 40 seconds.
Fuji-Q Highland
5-6-1 Shin Nishihara, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi
No. 9: White Cyclone
The length of this wooden roller coaster is 1,700m, which is one of the longest in the world. “White Cyclone” offers thrills like no other: you can feel the wooden structures beneath you squeaking, as the carriages rattle through the imposing course. You cannot help screaming at the top of your voice at the terror of rushing through the rattling structure at 102km/h at the top speed. Some say that it gets even scarier in the certain hours of the day (particularly towards the evening) thanks to the wind. Give it a go if you dare.
Nagashima Spa Land
333 Urayasu, Magashima-cho, Kuwana-shi, Mie
No. 8: Big Burn Coaster
“Big Burn Coaster” has been known to be the highlight of Nasu Highland Park which is surrounded by the nature of Nasu. Although this machine which has been working since 1987 is slightly old, the thrilling experience it offers is supported by the testimony from people who have had a ride. The best part of this ride is the sudden drop at 75-degree angle. It almost feels like falling off from a precipice, which will certainly freak you out. If you have an appetite for more thrills, then try the carriage at the rear. However, you need to be lucky enough to get the seat, since that carriage is apparently very popular.
Nasu Highland Park
3375 Takaku Otsu, Nasu-cho, Nasu-gun, Tochigi
No. 7: Thunder Dolphin
What follows “Big Burn Coaster” with a slope of 75-degree angle is “Thunder Dolphin” which takes prides in its steep slope of 80-degree angle. Once the carriages slowly climb up to the height of 80m, they quickly run down the steep slope. This ride takes the passengers to a 90-second journey across the amusement park, rushing through the buildings and a big wheel. The photos are taken at the beginning of the ride and where the carriages reach the top speed. Make sure that you are aware of the cameras; otherwise, you will have awful pictures!
Tokyo Dome City
1-3-61 Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
No. 6: The Turn
This ride is even more challenging than the ones with slopes of 75-degree or 80-degree angle: it has a slope of 89-degree angle, which is technically vertical. “The Turn” in Space World launches the rocket start, reaching 130km/h just 2 seconds after it starts. Some say that the terror and the refreshing sensation of this ride, falling almost straight into the ground from the height of 65m, are rather addictive. If you want to know whether it is true or not, you have to give it a go.
Space World
4-1-1 Higashida, Yahata Higashi-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka
No. 5: Dodonpa
“Dodonpa” is acclaimed to be the fastest roller coaster in Japan, since it reaches 172km/h just 1.8 seconds after the start. It offers so many hard-core thrilling features: climbing up and down the slopes of 90-degree angles, turning a hair-pin curve at high speed and experiencing zero-gravity. Of course, you can purchase the photos taken during the ride.
Fuji-Q Highland
5-6-1 Shin Nishihara, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi
No. 4: FUJIYAMA
“FUJIYAMA” came fourth, one place higher than “Dodonpa” from the same amusement park, Fuji-Q Highland. “FUJIYAMA” takes prides in its popularity: more than 20 million people have taken the ride of this iconic roller coaster. It reaches 130km/h in speed and 70m in the height of slopes – the namesake of the highest mountain in Japan indeed lives up to its name. When purchasing the photos taken during the ride, you can choose from a photo and a sticker, the latter of which is quite handy for a souvenir.
Fuji-Q Highland
5-6-1 Shin Nishihara, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi
No. 3: Pyrenees
“Pyrenees” is a suspension roller coaster where your legs are not secured on the floor. The fact that you cannot keep your feet secured enhances the thrills of your experience. There are many loops and spirals in the course. You will not only feel disorientated but experience zero-gravity too. The journey is just about 3 minutes and 30 seconds. There won’t be a moment of relief until you get to the goal.
Shima Spain Village
Sakazaki, Isobe-cho, Shima-shi, Mie
No. 2: Steel Dragon 2000
The ride that came second is “Steel Dragon 2000”, which proudly presents the longest ride in the world with its course of 2,479m. When the design of the carriages was fully renewed in 2013, the walls covering the seats were abolished: that is, there is nothing but the safety bar to protect you. This surely increased the excitement it offers. The highlight is the first drop, where the carriages with no protection walls fall the slope of 68-degree angle from the height of 97m. This ride even freaks out people who are merely watching from the ground. The restrictions are relatively strict with this ride, so make sure to double check before you get in the queue.
Nagashima Spa Land
333 Urayasu, Magashima-cho, Kuwana-shi, Mie
No. 1: Eejanaika
The very best of scary rides in Japan is “Eejanaika” in Fuji-Q Highland. This machine is something Japan has to be proud of, since it has been listed in the second best roller coasters in the world by an American travel information website! This suspension coaster involves 14 loops with its seats revolving during the ride. You can enjoy a sensation as if you were thrown in the air. The maximum angle of the slopes is 89 degree, which simply tells you how scary this ride is. You certainly cannot feel relaxed on board, saying “Eejanaika (Take it easy)”.
Fuji-Q Highland
5-6-1 Shin Nishihara, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi
Conclusion
How did you find this Top 10 list? These amusement parks are located across Japan and they are not necessarily close to Tokyo; however, it is worth visiting as they are all one of the best in the country. The excitement and the thrills they offer can hardly be communicated in writing, so do pay a visit yourself. Just be careful so that your glasses won’t be blown away!
