jp06

Thank you for all your updates. They are really fun to read and watch. As for the bad operations at Fujikyu, I believe what has been mentioned in the updates is correct. But what really made worse for you is that you guys went there during a 3-day weekend. From what I read, you must have visited the park on either of Sept. 15, 16 and 17. September 15 is a national holiday, and the holiday was observed on Monday, the 17th this year because it fell on Saturday. If anyone who is thinking to go to Fujikyu or any other parks like Disney parks in the future, you MUST avoid weekends or national holidays. As for the theming at the park, I believe Fujikyu is not really die hard about making it like a "theme park." In Japan, we really don't call Fujikyu Highland a "tehma pahku" or "theme park." We call it "yuhenchi," which means just "amusement park." In Japan, a theme park and amusement park are sort of different. It's true that the park is old. They just keep adding or replacing world record breaking rides every 5 years or so (Fujiyama in 1996, Dodonpa in 2001 and Eejanaika in 2006). I read somewhere that they want to keep this interval. I think they really don’t care about the theming of the park but apparently only the theming of individual rides. Adding world record breaking rides is what they actually care and what keeps the park being popular and famous for. I haven't been to Fujikyu for at least 17 years. During my three visits, I had never experienced long lines of more than half an hour. The last time I was there, they still had Moonsault Scramble, Giant Coaster and Double Loop, either of which doesn't exist. I was thinking to visit the park some time next year. But now I read your updates, the park is kind of off my list.

Nice updates. BTW, the billboard that has a bending girl in silhouette is an advertisement for a yoga class. Speaking of smoothness of White Canyon, I think that's because the Japanese government recently called for safety measure in all amusement parks in Japan and required all the parks to have all their rides (especially roller coasters) inspected and submit reports on the conditions of the rides The government did that because, you know already, one person died in May from Fuujin Raizin's derailment at Expoland in Osaka. Most parks must have replaced all old and worn parts in roller coasters. I remember reading that Momonga was closed for a quite a long time because it was the same type of the Togo coaster as Fuujin Raizin. But now I see from the report that it's open, so I suppose most rides are now in good conditions. You guys are there at the right time!

woohoo! This is always my favorite thread of TPR! Can't wait to see more pics and reports. Speaking of a Japanese guy sleeping on the train, I do that too every morning and evening in New York. I believe Japanese people, especially guys, are good at doing it.

7 = Seat's spin 2 = Track's loop (Turn) 5 = Track's twist 14 = The total number of spins and turns

Hi. I post a message for the first time. I like you guys' reviews/reports including the Japan trips. These photos with captions are very fun to see. They made me started frequently visiting this site. It is also very interesting to see how you guys see Japanese amusement/theme parks and its culture (I'm a Japanese). My favorite parks are Toshimaen and Fujikyu Highland. But I havent been to these parks for years and years!! (probably for the last 15 years.) Your report makes me miss these parks so much!! By the way, I noticed the pictures of the disassembled roller coster in Himeji Central Park. The coaster, which was called "Tornador," used to be at Ayameike Yuuenchi, which was closed in early summer of 2004. I heard befere that this roller coaster was going to be relocated to the Central Park. The pictures look very much like the roller costater, so I am pretty sure this is the one. Here is the link of the roller coaster before being located: http://drkssk.fc2web.com/zekkyou/ayame/tor/tor.html. (note: this link is not my web site. It has a lot of awesome pictures of Japanese roller costers in Japan.) I noticed people who posted here were surprised to see Nasu Highland Park was open in a very cold weather. I believe it is kind of an exception. Amusment parks in northern parts of Japan, such as Hokkaido and the Tohoku area, do close during winter. I think the reason why the park was open in such weather is that it is in the Kanto area where is considered to be warmer than Hokkaido and the Tohoku area. Though, I wonder how these amusement parks like NHP can make profits during winter. It must be a very slow season. I think most American parks are closed for winter to avoid unprofitable operation. Anyway, it must be fun to feel like the park was reserved for your guys only. I would love to hang out in an empty park with only a handful of people and with no waiting time for those roller coasters! [/i]