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Amusement park Fuji Q Highland’s newest ride is sure to get your adrenaline flowing.

Since Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea have pretty much cornered the market for storybook whimsy, theme park operators in Japan know that if they want to succeed, they’ve got to find a different niche. For Universal Studios Japan, that means actively courting tie-ups with Japanese pop-culture icons. Fuji-Q Highland, meanwhile, is the destination for those who want a more intense experience than Disney or Universal can provide.

Located in Yamanashi Prefecture, Fuji Q draws a steady stream of day trippers and weekend travelers from Tokyo, thanks to the heart-pounding excitement offered by its array of roller coasters and famous haunted house, and just in time for summer vacation, Fuji Q is opening a new thrill ride, called Tentekomai.

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At the start of the ride, passengers are strapped into harnesses attached to a wheel 18 meters (59 feet) in diameter. Once they’re secured, the wheel ascends up the pole to which it’s attached to a height of 32 meters (105 feet) above the ground. From that vantage point, you’ll see Mt. Fuji in the distance, but you won’t be able to gaze at the majestic peak for too long, because you’re about to start plummeting back to earth as the wheel spins around and around. If that’s not enough motion for you, you can also throw your body weight into the spin, adding even more rotation to your harness.

Tentekomai goes into operation on July 16, just in time for the summer vacation series. Lines are sure to be long, so we recommend going early, and also waiting until after you get off to eat lunch.

Park information
Fuji Q Highland / 富士急ハイランド
Address: Yamanashi-ken, Fujiyoshida-shi, Shin Nishihara 5-6-1
山梨県富士吉田市新西原５丁目６−１
Admission for one-day passes (see website for more options): Aduls (18+), 5,700 yen (US$55.60); School kids (12 – 18), 5,200 yen; Children (3 – 11), 4,300 yen
Website

Source: PR Times
Featured image: Fuji Q Highland
Top image: PR Times
Insert images: PR Times
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Follow Casey on Twitter, and he promises not to laugh if you’re too scared to ride Tentekomai (because he absolutely is too).

[ Read in Japanese ]