Japan's Top Ten?

[BeemerBoy]

So for all the well-traveled coaster enthusiasts here, what would you consider as Japan's top ten coaster list? I realize EJ is opening soon, but perhaps it could be judged based on it's similarity to X? (rollermonkey, notice the first usage of your abbreviation? )

[rollermonkey]

Let me get back to you on this.

OBTW, EJ will be my first 4D. 572 coasters, but no X credit yet.

EJ!

EJ!

EJ!

(There's a LOT of mediocre coasters in Japan, though...)

[robbalvey]

If Fuji's 4D is anything like X, it would NOT fall in my top ten of coasters in Japan.

 

--Robb "Not an X fan." Alvey

[BeemerBoy]

^^ Yeah, I figured mediocrity would play a big role in this one. I guess that's what makes this list so intriguing to me.

[CoasterFanatic]

I am pretty much betting that anyone who has been to Nara will put Aska at the top. Too bad it will be a pile of toothpicks by September

[socalMAN123]

If Fuji's 4D is anything like X, it would NOT fall in my top ten of coasters in Japan.

 

--Robb "Not an X fan." Alvey

 

I remember watching some of your videos and in the Knobel's one it seems like you love X. Or was it the Holiday World video?

---Brent

[SharkTums]

X was really good for about the first two months it was open, then it just got rougher and rougher until it broke! They fixed it, but it's never regained the smoothness it had when it first opened.

 

I'm sure EJ will be great for the first two months (maybe even a longer since Japan is much better than SFMM!) but it just won't hold out.

 

Hmmm, My Japan Top Ten...that's a hard one. There's just so much messed up stuff, and stuff that should be good that isn't. If I just did a grouping of my 'favorite' coasters in Japan it would include: Aska, Big Boom, Regina, Looping Mouse, Hamster Coaster, Surf Coaster, Pyrenees, Original Fujin Rajin.

[PhishyBrewer]

I'm sure EJ will be great for the first two months (maybe even a longer since Japan is much better than SFMM!) but it just won't hold out.

 

And you had such positive things to say about Fuji-Q in the Japanamania video

[SharkTums]

^Notice I said Japan and not Fuji Q!!!!

 

The park is pretty much just proving my point of becoming the SFMM of Japan! (now you'll just have to figure out if I knew about the X coming to the park before I made that reference!)

[PhishyBrewer]

^ Don, Monica and myself will let you know what we think come January.

[BeemerBoy]

There's just so much messed up stuff, and stuff that should be good that isn't.

 

Not the best promotional material for the upcoming Japan trip. "Come to Japan....most of it sucks, but come anyway." I'm kidding of course, it just caught me funny.

 

Seriously though, thanks for the input. I'm curious, since I just recently saw a good overview of the Pyrenees layout, how does it stack up to the rest of the world's B&M inverts?

 

Scott "what, no Thunder Dolphin? I'm shocked. " B.

[SharkTums]

I have always said don't go to Japan for the coasters! Go to Japan for the Parks and atmosphere!

 

Pyrenees is definitely one of the better, forceful B&M Inverts. Old School all the way! I would still put Nemesis, Montu, Katun, and Dragons over it, but not many others.

 

As for Thunder Dolphin, ugh, don't even get me started!!!!

[dr.gumbo]

Apart from the one odd or two

 

the rest look CRAP!

 

Not there fault there made by Togo!

[thomas2]

Well if it will reopen, I bet SD2k is one of the better coasters in Japan.

[Jon Sabo]

From the posts I have read so far, apparently the coasters in Japan are not worthy of even acquiring a top ten? I know I haven't been able to ride any of the coasters in Japan, but here would be a "small" list that I believe could place on the list:

1. Bandit

2. that's it.

 

 

In reference to X and X-2 (Japan), I believe S&S actually made quite a bit of changes to the axles on the newer version (hopefully these will pan out in providing smoothness). In fact, I have read a report that about 1,100 lbs. in weight has been saved due to some changes in design/materials.

 

One fault I have seen on X was the wheel carrier units and the way the coupling unit (bogey) rotates. That would surely explain most of the "roughness" on X (SFMM). I believe S&S addressed this and those changes have been made, but cannot confirm that until a closeup of the new trains have been photographed. Another explanation was the wheel material. S&S either found another vendor to mfg. those wheels now (or actually do them in-house). Typical on most-Arrow coasters. When the wheels start to break-in, the roughness begins. The only exception would be BBW (BGE). When I worked maintenance on BBW, we changed the wheel material (notice they are red-color now) and the formula has worked somewhat (especially for a ride 22yrs old). Also, I believe S&S adjusted a "camber-type" element on the axle travel and has more of a "floating-type" motion whichb] should[/b] enable the train-travel alot smoother, but time will tell after 4 months.

[BeemerBoy]

From the posts I have read so far, apparently the coasters in Japan are not worthy of even acquiring a top ten?

 

Yeah, I know there's too many parks there to not have at least a few great examples, but I'd agree with what Elissa said...go to Japan for the atmosphere and the parks. Basically, just the overall experience. I know half of what interests me the most about Japan is the culture and the beauty of the land itself. The parks and rides make up the other half. The two combined make up a great vacation, as I'm sure the UKers can surely attest to (okay, a couple parks weren't so beautiful, but you get the idea).

 

One big plus for Japan on the parks side of things is definitely the Disney parks. Japan may not have a plethora of world-class top ten coasters, but it's hard to top Tokyo Disney Sea from everything I've ever seen of it.

[ECZenith]

Yes, I'll be selling a few unimportant organs on the black market to make sure I see Disney Sea next year on the TPR trip.

 

I've wanted to go ever since I saw the video you guys took of Journey to the Center of the Earth. Being a test track fan, and thinking the ride would be the best if it weren't for the industrial-ish theming... yeah... I'm looking forward to Journey ALONE, nevermind the fact that they have a variation of one of my current favorites, Indiana Jones.

 

I'm also really looking forward to the really WEIRD coasters I've seen out there from the photos. Big Boom's drop looks sinister!

[rollermonkey]

OK. After pulling out my list and separating the coasters in Japan I've ridden, I have 129 coaster credits in Japan. From that I pulled powered, kiddy and mice without inversions. That left me 78. From there I pulled Arrow and Vekoma production models as well as the Batflyers and the lame Jet Coasters. Down to 61. Pull out the shuttle loops and the Ultratwisters, some of the lamer Meisho, Senyo and TOGO stuff: 45 coasters with something interesting about them or actually really cool rides. That's enough to make a top ten of GOOD coasters, as opposed to including historical stuff. Surprisingly, Thunder Dolphin and Big Thunder Mountain were the last two off the list before I cut it down to ten.

 

10. Hamanako Pal Pal: Mega Coaster

9. Himeji Central Park: Diavalo

8. Expoland: Orochi

7. Kobe Portopialand: BMRX

6. Kijima Amusement Park: Jupiter

5. Tobu Zoo: Regina

4. Yomiuriland: Bandit

3. Fuji-Q Highland: Dodonpa

2. Nara Dream Land: Aska

 

Huh? What the heck did I like the most so far in Japan? More than Aska? More than Bandit? Just to show that my tastes are odd sometimes, My number one favorite coaster so far in Japan is...

.

.

.

 

1. Space World: Venus

 

I love the sensation of speed in the low to the ground helixes and the G-forces all over the ride. I had a really fun time on this coaster, so it ranks pretty high on my big list too. It's smooth, rerideable and my favorite coaster with a single inversion anywhere. Plus that huge space shuttle in the middle of the ride is FREAKIN' COOL! I just wish I could be on the coaster during one of the simulated launch shows they do in the evening!

 

I didn't get on Pyrenees yet, and SD2K is supposed to open before I leave. With Eejanaika on my event horizon, these three might make the list change a bit.

[BeemerBoy]

Wow, excellent breakdown there, rollermonkey. Thanks. Between the insight from you and Elissa, I've got a little better idea of what the country has to offer.

 

Elissa, I don't wanna steal the thunder from you guys and your Japan trip itinerary announcement or anything, but between you and roller's list, what percentage of those "favorite" coasters would you guess will be included? I'm not even sure if we'll make the Japan trip, but the thought of visiting the country just happened to coincide with you and Robb mentioning a two week trip, so now I'm kinda curious.

 

If I'm jumping the gun a bit, I apologize, I was just trying to read up a bit about the country, and get a ballpark idea. Anyway,thanks again, guys.

[SharkTums]

On the first main Japan trip in September next year, nearly all of Chris' and my lists will be covered. We will most likely NOT be going to Space World or Kijima, and Kobe and Nara are closed.

 

We're still really working on the itinerary and trying to figure out what makes the most sense. To do a trip similar to the ECC one that focuses on the main parks, or to go a bit deeper and do some of the crazy stuff that we did on our recent trip. I'm tempted to cut a bit out of the Tokyo area to venture out more (plus then our non-Disney folk can credit whore Tokyo while we're at Disney!)

 

I intend to ride Journey for 2 days straight!

[N'at Man]

Here's my top ten. I didn't get on Pyrenees either.

 

1. BMRX

2. Aska

3. Dodonpa

4. Orochi

5. Fujiyama

6. Thunder Dolphin

7. Surf Coaster

8. Bandit

9. Regina

10. Big Thunder Mountain

 

Venus probably would be much better without the horsecollars. I was very impressed with Big Thunder Mountain at TDL. Even with its lame portions Thunder Dolphin was better than I expected.

[therooboy]

I am going to Tokyo in September and i was just checking Dodonpa is not on Fuji Q Highlands website ...Is it closed?I already know Raging Spirits will be closed at Disney at Sea (but Towerof Terror will be opening).

I will be visiting Tokyo Disney,Disney At Sea,LaQua & Fuji Q Highland in Japan.I have also have 1 spare day for another park.

I am also heading to California & Vegas so will doing all the parks /coasters there.

[SharkTums]

http://www.fujikyu.co.jp/fuji-q/

 

It's right on the main page. Perhaps you checked the English site only? That site hasn't been updated since like 2001!!!

[robbalvey]

Ok so I haven't done my top ten either....Hmm....not sure if I would rank them 1 to 10, but here's a list of my favorites:

 

- Pyranees

- Big Boom

- Bandit

- Gran Montserrat (this coaster REALLY surprised me.)

- Surf Coaster

- Aska

- Regina

- Venus

- Big Thunder Mountain

- Fujin Ragin (Mitsui Greenland)

- Too many others that were all really "good" but not "blow me away" to list (Double loop & Bobsled at Kobe Portipialand, Thunder Dolphin was "ok, but not amazing", Togo Looping Mouse, Elf, Space Mountain, Summerland's Arrow Suspended, etc)

 

Funny about everyone rating and telling us how awesome the Kobe Portipialand Schwarzkopf's were. Personally I thought they were VERY overrated. Especially BMRX. I actually really liked the double loop Schwarzkopf and the Mack Bobsled MUCH better at that park. Dunno why, maybe I was expecting more from it for how much everyone had hyped it up "OMG, it's the BEST RIDE EVER!!! You have to ride it before it gets torn down!!!" (even funnier how many people were like 'oh you didn't get that credit? Too bad...you really missed out on something special!' Only to see some people's shock when we did our surprise trip in December)

 

So Joe, you didn't miss anything! At least not in my opinion!

 

--Robb

[BeemerBoy]

Robb, I was looking up Gran Masserat on rcdb, but came up empty. You were the first one to mention it, so I'm curious what park it's at?