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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

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A performer at Toei Kyoto Studio Park in Kyoto, which celebrates the feudal days of samurais, ninjas, ronin and geishas.

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.

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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.

Nine crazy places for real-life video games in Hong Kong: let battle begin

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.

The Takabisha roller-coaster at Fuji-Q Highland, which is famous for having a section with a 121-degree drop – the steepest in the world.
The Takabisha roller-coaster at Fuji-Q Highland, which is famous for having a section with a 121-degree drop – the steepest in the world.

For death-wish thrill seekers: Fuji-Q Highland

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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).

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