Six crazy and weird Japanese theme parks for an unforgettable experience
From some of the world’s most insane roller coasters to an authentic reproduction of Hong Kong’s Kowloon Walled City – right down to the trash – these Japanese theme parks will give you a visit to remember
World-record-breaking roller coasters and recreations of eras long past. Gargantuan video-game paradises and maze-like odes to anime. Mini versions of a quaint Dutch town and the long-demolished Kowloon Walled City.
Theme parks like these could only exist in Japan – a country that embraces niche interests and encourages strange tastes while others obsess over the mainstream.
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Though eccentric parks exist in other countries – Hong Kong included, with Park Island’s Noah’s Ark – nowhere beats Japan for their sheer proliferation, with dozens scattered across the country. Here we look at six of the best, with backup options for each should you choose to dig even deeper into the country’s wealth of weirdness.
For death-wish thrill seekers: Fuji-Q Highland
Sitting in the shadow of Mount Fuji, Fuji-Q Highland is a gift from the roller-coaster gods. It is a place of pure thrills, with stomach-churning rides set against stunning mountain views.
It’s got a roller coaster with a 121-degree angle drop (the steepest in the world), a “4th Dimension” one with seats that spin riders independent of the track (it also holds the joint world record for most times it turns riders upside down), and another with the highest acceleration at launch (32.1 metres per second squared).