Space World (スペースワールド) in Kitakyushu nearby Fukuoka was one of Japan’s largest amusement parks. From 1990 till New Year’s Eve 2017 guest could experience a highly immersive theme park. As the name suggests the park focused on the topic of space exploration and even featured a Space Museum for anyone interested.
The park was home to a total of six roller coasters, as well as a large number of exciting shows and attractions. During the hot summer months it also featured a small water park and in winter it was home to an indoor ice rink.
If you want have a look onto the former grounds of the theme park and experience a newly built mall, the easiest and fastest way to reach the amusement park is by train to JR Space World Station.
Fun Fact #1: Planet AQA was the first rapid river ride by the manufacturer Hafema.
Fun Fact #2: Due to a high number of circumstances, the looping coaster Venus GP had become the first step for the manufacturer Maurer AG into the roller coaster business.
Greenland (グリーンランド) in Arao near Kumamoto is Japan’s biggest amusement park. The park is part of the Greenland holiday resort, which was founded in 1964 by the Mitsui Mining company. In addition to the eponymous theme park, the resort consists of two hotels, three golf courses, a bowling centre, a pachinko hall, several restaurants and the obligatory onsen.
The park offers a wide and very divers range of roller coasters and attractions. Above all, you can experience an outstanding collection of rides by the manufacturer Togo, including the superb Ultra Twister Megaton.
If you want to experience the park for yourself, the easiest and fastest way to reach the amusement park is by train to JROmuta Station. From there, a shuttle bus takes you directly to the theme park.
Fun Fact #1: All Games at the Game Stalls are included in the Free Pass wristband.
Fun Fact #2: The roller coaster Gao started its life as a looping roller coaster, before being transformed into a large Jet Coaster.
Fun Fact #3: If you get 10 rides on the Ultra Twister roller coaster, you can immortalise yourself on a small wooden stick, which will then be hung up in the queue of the ride.
Fuji-Q Highland (富士急ハイランド) in Fujiyoshida near Mount Fuji in Yamanashi is Japan’s most exciting amusement park. The park originated from an ice skating rink in 1961.With the construction of the Fuji-Kyūkō Line in 1964, the park was renamed Fuji-Q Highland and expanded into an amusement park. Since then, the park has been operated by the railway company Fujikyūkō Co Ltd. (Fujikyū for short, hence the name Fuji-Q). In 1986, the park was upgraded to a resort with the construction of the Highland Resort Hotel. The event location Conifer Forest, as well as the shopping area La Ville de Gaspard et Lisa, two museums, two additional hotels and an onsen complete the resort.
Fuji-Q Highland is famous for its Big 4, a selection of extraordinary roller coasters. Here, you can experience the fastest acceleration on a launch coaster, the steepest drop, the most roll-overs on a 4th Dimension roller coaster and a 2km long hyper coaster. As these rides are extremely popular, they always features long queues and there might be not enough time to try any of the other rides. It is therefore highly recommended to get one of the strongly limited priority tickets for Eejanaika or Do-Dodonpa. Apart of that, Fuji-Q Highland is a nice park with an superb selection of rides and attractions. It also features a highly immersive children’s area themed to the popular series Thomas & Friends.
If you want to experience the park for yourself, the easiest and fastest way to reach the amusement park is by coach from the Shinjuku station. The nearest JR train station is Ōtsuki. From here you can switch into the private Fuji-Kyūkō-line, which offers with the Fuji-Q Highland station a stop directly in front of the theme park. The train trip from Tokyo takes its time, but you can reach the theme park in time for its opening.
Fun Fact #1: When Dodonpa was transformed into Do-Dodonpa, it’s acceleration just got faster. The speed of the air thrust launch has been increased from 172 to 180 km/h and the acceleration phase has been reduced from 1.8 to 1.56 seconds
Fun Fact #2: The legendary roller coaster Moonsault Scramble was the most intense modern roller coaster. On its backwards ride through the first inversion, it pulled 6,2 G.
Fun Fact #3: The chance of succeeding in the interactive walkthrough attraction Ultimate Fort 3 is still 0%. For most people the experience ends after 20 minutes, but can go as long as 90 minutes.