Adrenaline junkies looking for that high in anything that will get their blood running. It is no surprise that they are usually fans of high-speed rides, like roller coasters, free falls, and tall heights. When you get a group of daring people who crave that intensity, a demand is created for the best amusement parks featuring the wildest rides.
All over the world, countries (and companies) compete at creating bigger, scarier, taller rides that are sure to send its customers into another dimension of excitement. A tough competitor, tucked away near the foot of Mt. Fuji, is Fuji-Q Highland, also known as Fujikyū Hairando (富士急ハイランド).
Have A Blast at Fujikyu (Fuji-Q) Highland Amusement Park
Fujikyu Highland boasts of seven world-class roller coasters that are not for the faint of heart. In fact, Fukijyu Highland takes their craft very seriously, continuously reinventing and creating new rides that have scored spots in Guinness World Record Lists.
This amusement park was first opened on March 2, 1968, in the address of 5 Chome-6-1 Shin-Nishihara, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture 403-0017. It has grown to be one of Japan’s favorite theme parks because of its many rides and facility choices that have been designed out of expert planning and construction. It still operates today and is open from 9 AM until 6 PM.
It won the Traveler’s Choice award from TripAdvisor for 2017, has a certificate of excellence, and is ranked the number 1 thing to do while you are at Fujiyoshida. Some people book a trip to Japan just to come and experience these rides.
Try Their Different Roller Coaster Roller Rides
Though Fujikyu Highland is constantly developing and improving their rides, for now, they have four major roller coasters you can enjoy. These are those roller coasters:
The Fujiyama
Built from steel in July of 1996 and costing $40,000,000 to make, the Fujiyama stands tall at 79 meters and has a drop of 70 meters. Its length is measured to be at 2,045 meters, and its roller coasters can go as fast as 130 km per hour. Per hour, it can serve a maximum of 1,100 riders. Its G-force reading is 3.5. It is found in the Mountain Park Section of Fujikyu Highland.
When the Fujiyama was initially made, it was considered the tallest roller coaster in the entire world, and remained as such for a year, until Queensland, Australia’s Tower of Terror overtook this record.
The reason this ride was called the “Fujiyama” is that it pays tribute to the nearby Fuji Mountain – literally “Fuji” (the name of the mountain) and “Yama”, which means mountain. As for its design, its track layout is out and back, which means it climbs up to reach the climax, and then drops dramatically, reaching the end of the tracks, doing several turns.
To ride the Fujiyama, it costs 1,000 yen as a separate entrance fee, unless you purchased the unlimited ride ticket. You must be at least 122 centimeters tall, and below 62 years old.
The Do-Dodonpa
Once known as the “Dodonpa”, it was named after the sound of a Taiko drum, which are audible as you wait for your turn to ride it. After it was recently updated, this rollercoaster’s name changed to “Do-Dodonpa” Written in Japanese as “ド･ドドンパ”. The Do-Dodonpa was manufactured by S&S Worldwide, which is known to make rollercoaster rides.
The Do-Dodonpa opened on November 21, 2001, and is made of steel. It is an air-launched coaster, which means it uses compressed air to attain a fast speed. It is 49 meters high and takes 55 seconds long to finish. It has a G-force of 4.25, one inversion, and it can carry up to 1000 riders per hour.
The fun part about the Do-Dodonpa is how it plays with the anticipation of the riders. While the compressed air forms, it usually gives a countdown before launching, giving riders time to ready themselves. Every now and then, this countdown is queued to “fail”, and sirens go off, prematurely launching the roller coaster, catching those who are on it completely off-guard.
This rollercoaster used to hold records of being the fastest in the world but only holds fourth place now, hitting top speeds of 180.1 kilometers per hour (111.9-mile speed) – in only 1.56 seconds. When it was remodeled during 2017, a vertical loop replaced its top hat. To ride this roller coaster, you must be at least 130 cm tall.
The Eejanaika
A little different compared to the rest, this fourth-dimension roller coaster, also built out of steel, uses a chain lift hill as its lift/launch system. It was opened on July 19, 2006, and cost 3,500,000,000 yen to make. It is a fourth-dimension roller coaster because of how its seats move independently of the roller coaster, making for an entirely different thrill experience. S&S Arrow manufactured it, with a height of 76 meters, and a length of 1,153.01 meters.
The Eejanaika, written as “ええじゃないか”. Is only the second fourth-dimensional roller coaster in the world, and is the tallest and fastest of its kind to date. Out of the other roller coasters, it also has the most inversions, rivaling the Alton Towers’ “The Smiler”.
An inversion is when riders are turned upside down. This coaster 14 inversions, 3 of them are track inversions, while the rest are seat inversions.
Simply put, the name of this roller coaster translates to “ain’t it great!” – and it sure is. To ride this roller coaster, you must be at least 130 cm tall.
The Takabisha
Lastly, the Takabisha (高飛車) is the latest roller coaster of them all, opening on July 16, 2011. It cost 3 billion yen to create this project and was a Euro-Fighter design made by German manufacturer Gerstlauer. Its lift/launch system is that of chain lift hill and linear motor launch. It is only 43 meters tall and is made of steel. Although it may not be as tall as some roller coasters, it is known for quite a steep fall – in fact, it has the steepest fall in the world, possessing a 121-degree drop angle.
“Takabisha” is a Japanese word that means domineering, but because it is written in Kanji, and Kanji can be interpreted to have different meanings, it can also translate to “high fly car”. It can hit speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour, reaching this speed in only 2 seconds. It is 1,000 meters long, has 7 inversions, several kinds of loops, and takes 2 minutes and 40 seconds to finish. To ride this roller coaster, you need to be at least 130 cm tall.
Other Attractions at Fujikyu Highland
Aside from those four rides that steal the show, Fujikyu highland is an attraction haven.
- Other, albeit less terrifying roller coasters are the Rock N’ Roll Duncan, which opened in 1995, and the Mad Mouse, which opened in 1998. Both are sit-down, steel roller coasters.
If you’ve finished with the four major roller coasters and want other equally exciting rides, you can go for these other fun options.
- There’s the Tentekomai, which is a contraption that spins you around, as though you were operating a tiny plane, 32 meters high.
- There’s also the Tekkotsubanchou, which 47-meter tall spinning swing.
- The Tondemina is more of a pendulum-type swing, working horizontally instead of vertically, and is compared to being tossed like a pizza, thus its label, “pizza-la”.
- Cool Jappan is a roller coaster-type ride that has less air-time, and more splash time, as it plunges you into an artificial lake.
- The Red Tower drops you from 52 meters up in the air, giving you a quick glimpse of Mt. Fuji, before you’re sent falling – fast.
- Panic clock is similar to a pendulum-style ride, but it goes all the way, up and around – and reverse too.
- The wave swinger is comparable to the Tekkotsubanchou, but isn’t as high, giving its riders a refreshing, yet still excitingly intimidating experience.
- For Ferris wheel lovers, the Shining Flower gives you 11 minutes of basking in Fujiyoshida’s crisp, clean air, while offering a magnificent view of Mount Fuji.
- Kids would love riding the Tea Cups and Merry-Go-Round, which are calm, but fun rides for all ages.
- Lastly, Fuji Airways gives you maximum cinematic fun using all your 5 senses, seeing what it’s like to “fly” over Fuji Mountain.
Super Scary Labyrinth of Fear; The Scariest Haunted Hospital
World-famous for being one of the scariest house of horrors, this 900-meter experience is so petrifying that those who are of elementary age must be guided by adults. Anyone younger than that age cannot enter - and you are not allowed to enter alone. This haunted hospital was curated by experts in this field, combined with professional actors and effects teams, to create the most authentic, sensory, spine-chilling performance in all of Japan. Tickets cost 1,000 yen each.
Skate or Watch a Concert At Fujikyu Highland Conifer Forest
In Fuji-Q highland exists Conifer Forest, which is one of its three skating rinks. Sometimes they offer free classes, or the grounds can be rented for other purposes. Every now and then, it is used to host concerts.
When Is The Weather Most Suitable To Visit Fujikyu Highland?
Although June and July have the most comfortable temperatures, with average temperatures of 20 and 21 degrees Celsius respectively, they are also the rainiest months. April and May have average temperatures of 7.7 and 12.2 degrees Celsius, but have significantly less rainfall - so the choice is ultimately up to you on which aspect you’d prefer giving importance to.
Relax at The Fujikyu Highland Resort Hotel and Spa
With a rating of 4 out 5 stars, made by 249 reviewers on TripAdvisor, Highland Resort Hotel and Spa make for a convenient place to stay if you’re visiting the Fuji-Q Theme Park and want to stay for a long period. A night here costs roughly around 18,000 to 19,000 yen a night for a room that fits two adults.
How to Get A Ticket To See Fujikyu Highland
There are many types of tickets you can get, which you buy at the entrance of the amusement park. There’s the entrance ticket which allows you admission. This costs 1,500 yen for those over 12, but 900 yen for those aged 3 to 11 years old. To get to enjoy the rides continuously, you have to pay for a free pass ticket.
A 1-day free pass ticket costs 4,300 yen for kids 3 to 11, 5,200 yen for teens 12 to 18, and 5,700 yen for adults, or those 19 and up. A 2-day free pass ticket costs 7,200 yen for kids aged 3 to 11, 8,400 yen for teens aged 12 to 18, and for those 19 and over – it’ll cost 9,300 yen. Senior citizens – those who are 65 and older, can avail of the senior pass, which is 3,000 yen.
Thomas Land, which is a special area in the amusement park for kids, has tickets that cost 2,900 yen for kids aged 3 to 6, 3,300 yen for those 7 to 12, 3,900 yen for school students aged 12 to 18, and for adults, 3900 yen.
There are also special discounts for those that buy tickets as groups – up to 900 yen less per ticket. Also, if you show the website’s special discount page, you can get even more discounts, of around 600 yen.
Where to Get The Bus Headed to Fujikyu
You can find express buses that go straight to Mt. Fuji all around Honshu island. Places include back and forth to Narita Airport, Haneda Airport Line, Shibuya Line, Kawaguchiko Station, Takayama, etcetera. You can find specific fares at the Fujikyu bus website. Prices differ depending on adult, child, and senior rates, and can reach up to 15,800 yen for round trip services.
Information About the Fujikyu Highland Station
This station is located at 6663 Funatsu, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru, Yamanashi, operated by Fuji Kyuko, containing the Fujikyuko Line. It was opened in 1961 and has an altitude of 829 meters. It makes for easy access to the amusement park, whether you’re from Tokyo or Osaka - for those who prefer not to take the bus. Beware, though, this station doesn’t have a bathroom, so make sure you take care of this business aptly at a different station.