High on Fuji Q Highland

Posted on 10/13/2023 Last updated on 01/11/2024

You have probably heard of Yamanashi as the place where Mt. Fuji is, but one of the best places to go to in Yamanashi is definitely Fuji Q Highland. In Japan, Fuji Q is known as the top 4 amusement park after Disneyland, DisneySea, and Universal Studios Japan. An amusement park that is known for its world record-breaking roller coasters.

ROLLER COASTERS

1. Eejanaika
The first roller coaster I’d ridden, ever. This ride requires you to put your shoes in the locker and I was confused at first, but then it turns out that this coaster is a 4D roller coaster. Not just any 4D roller coaster but World’s tallest and fastest 4D roller coaster. It boasts 14 rotations per ride. With this, keep in mind that you won’t be sitting upright, with only your head exposed. Your legs would be dangling and as you go through some loops, your chair will spin with it. There will be also a time when your chair will be facing backward, and you’ll be lying on your back before a drop. Trying to remember it gives me chills.

2. Takabisha
Dubbed the World’s Steepest Roller Coaster until 2019, this ride has a drop point of 120°. With that, it starts off as a normal roller coaster until it gets to the part where it climbs up the tracks in a straight vertical line and drops on an R-shaped track that makes you feel like the ride will drop straight to the ground but it won’t. I don’t know how it’s a very safe ride, but my heart surely wasn’t.

3. Dodonropa
Was the World’s fastest roller coaster that can reach up to 180 km/h in 1.56 seconds but was sadly closed temporarily.

4. Fujiyama King of Coasters
With its sudden rise, descent, turn, stop, and acceleration, and a classic feel to it. This easily became my favorite. It was the longest and most satisfying ride among the 3 coasters I’ve ridden. It bagged 4 World records when it opened in 1996 and made way for the newer coasters. From here, you can also enjoy the view of Mt. Fuji before or after you start screaming for your life.

Photo provided by the original author, used with permission.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

Roller Coasters are not the only attraction you can find in Fuji Q Highland. There are also other intense rides like Red Tower which makes your guts drop, Cool Japan where you might need to buy a rain poncho but if you don’t mind getting soaking wet, they have places for drying, and others that I wasn’t able to try.

They also have a horror house that I wasn’t able to get to but only because the ticket sales are limited and apparently can be sold out in the afternoon. So, if you’re able to go to Fuji Q and are interested in horror houses, please buy a ticket as soon as you can.

CHARACTER-THEMED AREAS

1. Thomas Land
A Thomas and Friends-themed area that is perfect if you have children or are just a fan of Thomas and Friends. This area is filled with different characters and rides that you can enjoy even if you’re just passing by.

2. Fuji Hidden Leaf Village
If you’re a fan of Naruto, go visit the Fuji Hidden Leaf Village that is adorned with Naruto characters and little shops, that make you feel like you’re in a little Konoha.

3. La ville de Gaspard et Lisa
Likes a little French twist while in Japan? La Ville de Gaspard et Lisa is the perfect place. Adorned with French themed establishments and a little Eiffel Tower. You can be in your classy and cute bubble.

SHINING FLOWER

While I wasn’t able to ride all the rides to write about it. I was able to finish my day in Fuji Q by riding Shining Flower, a 50-meter Ferris Wheel. Perfect for a romantic sunset time, to be in awe of Mt. Fuji and see all of Fuji Q and beyond from above. While it shows me all the rides that I wasn’t able to ride, it also showed me the rides that I did, especially the roller coasters. It showed me all the loops in each coaster, the length and the height, and how I overcame my fears upon riding those scary rides.

While my writing doesn’t do justice to everything that Fuji Q can offer. I hope I can get you to be interested and consider it as your next go-to place when you have the time and energy to do so.

ACCESS

From Shinjuku, you can take a bus that goes directly to Fuji Q Highland and purchase a 1-day pass for 6,200 yen. 1-day pass comes with facial registration upon entry, meaning, you don’t need to wear scratchy bracelets or always have to look for your ticket. Your face is your re-entry pass.

Upon entering the park, you can pay for your locker if you’ve brought a lot of things with you but don’t forget to carry your valuables. On some rides, you’ll find that you have to put your wallets, eyeglasses, phones, and such in lockers, but don’t worry as they have lockers you can put your stuff in during the ride.

They also have Priority Tickets for some rides so you can enjoy the rides without the waiting time that you can buy from the machines close to each attraction.

Photo Credits:

Top Photo: キャラメルhanabi on PhotoAC

All additional images taken and provided by the original author, used with permission.