JaJ IX FujiQ-Jungle Of Machines

FujiQ
This is Summer Holiday time in Japan, when most of the offices are closed for a week. Japanese friends working in around Urban area go back on vacation to family homes in small towns. And few go on treasure hunting at places like Fujiq Highland, Izu Beaches etc.
For us it has been on cards to visit the Jungle of machine-Fuji Q Highland, a home to Worlds` select Fastest and Furious Rides, unique Horror Theme Hospital, 4D Rides and theme park specially for Kids-Thomas Land.
This time we go storyboard way, which I guess will match to your taste.

At least few week before we make booking for our Bus and Tickets to FujiQ..We deicede to make it on 9th August, the start of Summer Holiday, know we are in danger of Crowded roads, and thousands of people going to make queues longer...but we take the chance.

In Japan we search on web portals like www.hyperdia.com for train schedules and best routes.

My search says best way is to catch the train at 06:18, for Shinjuku, from where we take direct bus for Fujiq.

I start day at 04:15, get ready...Camera....action. Here I reach my station Nagatsuta, sharp 06:17, I should get in Denentoshi sen/Line.

I reach Shibuya, clock shows 06:58, now I should change the line what we called "Norikae", an inevitable devil.
I get on JR Yamanote sen, is one of Tokyo's busiest and most important commuter rail lines. Running as a circle, it connects most of Tokyo's major stations. Trains run from about 4:30 am to about 1:20 am at intervals of 2.5 minutes at peak time. A complete loop takes 61 to 65 minutes.

I makes for Bus counter at 07:30, and collects the ticket ..Can you believe it-we use the Cell Phone number to check and identify person we have booked the service? As I said earlier no one doubts anyone else’s` honesty here.

Here is bus we ride, departure 08:10, we depart on right time...Things have been on right track so far. We were hopeful it goes as plan. We are scheduled for return bus at 21:15. Need to cover Major rides..Dodonpa, eejyanaika, Fujiyama, Pizzala, Ghost Hospital, Paniclock and series many small Rides.

Bus ride was nice, it also gave me time to finish out with lot of Podcasts I had wished to listen....my friends were already in Dreamland...Come on Guys Wake up, we reached Fujiq.

At the First Glimpse of Jungle ahead, see Kiran almost made mind to resign, said "No man I just cant do It"…kidding. We are behind schedule, but yes Happy to see a Sunny day; remind you weather around Fuji san-the famous mountain has been always dynamic, though not completely unpredictable. Weather once played Foul play, during our trek to Fuji san, last year.
We decide to ride Dodonpa first..its my favorite! Dodonpa, 170 feet tall, 106.9 mph. Opened in 2001, it was then the world's fastest roller coaster. As of 2007 it is the 3rd Fastest in the world, and manufactured by S& S power.

..can you see? Sky is certainly clear, and a perfect Sunny day. isnt it? There you go wrong. we are in queue for 1 and half hour. Dodonpa chanting hammering ears loudly as we get closer to ride…we are almost in...next round about to carry us Ride of the year....did you hear it? its Thunder…and what...All trips cancelled till thunders stop...Oh No. weather fouled again! We have been given Priority tickets, so that we need not stand in long queue again...slight consolation, though it was sour.
I Rate: ?/10
Now it’s raining heavily, there are 6000 people equally unhappy for having spoiled the very first day of Summer Holidays.

We located Paniclock the ride, continues in thunder, and stops only on heavy showers...Its great fun, though not a sense freezing thriller. It goes rotating you 360 clockwise as well as anti clockwise.
Video:
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=jr8z6KiQOAw&NR=1
I Rate: 6/10

Rains at its peak, deadly thunders occupying the scene, and entire Fujiq is standstill. By this time people reaching Fujiq reaches 10000, now all made to stick to their seats in huge a Restaurant.
Now 2 hours past, Rains and Thunders still testing our patience! …Its 17:30 now...last 6:30 hrs we could just make 1 ride! But there’s silver lining, rain has wiped out 3/4th of the crowd, and now almost all Attractions up and running...

We are getting in top gear as we go Haunted Hospital...a very nice theme..we group of 3 given a torch and asked to follow the arrows inside a 3 story dark Hospital. Let me be frank, at few points I was damn terrified. At one room where, a group of Japanese girls was frizzed out of fear, and there on they followed us. Was worth spending 35 mins in this Hospital, though not horrified at all time, was nicely themed and timed by acting Ghosts..nevethless Girls made the experience more horrifying, who were screaming on just flash of their own torch, as they stand in front of mirror!

I Rate: 7/10

On way back we could immediately ride on Red Tower...60m height, moves you at 65km/hr and exposing you to 4Gto -1G....was thrilling experience! This reminded me of bungee jump, which also expose one to similar condition. We went up. ..up and up. Storing the scenic beauty of Fuji san, and entire landscape of Fujiq..and suddenly there’s Free fall..damn exciting experience.

Video:
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUXEGumK7zk&NR=1

I Rate: 6/10

Dodonpa is still not running! we go to King of Costers Fujiyama.
When it was opened in 1996 it was the world's tallest roller coaster (259 feet), was the world's first "hyper-twister" roller coaster, and had the largest drop in the world (235 feet). Both records have since been broken. Its one of great ride of the day so far...Its little Rough, and fast enough to steal ones` senses, too furious...turns are very sharp, and yes its little jerky; most of time I felt that I am going get stuck with Rods and beams around, needles to mention, its one of safest ride.

We were at the Peak of ride on just perfect moment it was Sunset around..Redish and Bluish shades were such perfectly merged, which might pose challenge for an artist to replicate! Unfortunately no Image to share, as one need to transfer all belongings
to a locker before getting in ride.
You can feel the thrill seeing this Video:
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=tT1tNG98qAM&feature=related
I Rate: 9/10

And Now comes Eejanaika, 249 feet tall, 78.3 mph. Opened in 2006, it is only the second "4th Dimension roller coaster" ever built . As a "4th dimension" roller coaster its seats can rotate 360 degrees forward or backward in a controlled spin, thus allowing Eejanaika to invert 14 different times, even though the actual track inverts only three times. It surpasses the first built "4th dimension" roller coaster, X², in both height and speed. Its mind blowing...its really tough to catch in words...Thrilled and Furious! If you come to Japan..you must take ride on this machine!
Feel the thrill and 4D impact:
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=4kMARGNfHfU
I Rate: 10/10

Now time for Tondemina- Swift and Thrilling...180degree turn along with twisting effect is a memorable moment. Very nice ride! And Best part is there’s almost no waiting! So there every reason to get in it!
Video:
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=uuFp1qYSYy8&feature=related
I Rate: 8/10

Time for-Great Zaboon. Can you imagine a raft carrying 20people go through water sprout into a waterfall! Fortunately we could make for Last ride of Great Zaboon! Moment rat hits water, there is splash of water, which people says is outstanding (unfortunately I missed it, was looking front than top)
I Rate: 6/10

Its 8:15 now..we still can afford some time, riding few more small attractions. Though not as trilling as Fujiyama, but worth riding. Friends even didn’t skip few rides meant of children. Watch him! Can you see other guy trying to avoid being in picture below??


Now guys goes to Mad mouse-small ride, and I breaks apart and heads for Omiyage- Sweets which I will be distributing to my collogues. It’s Japanese Custom to get the Omiyage from places one visits.
Its 21:10, my bus is waiting, we have few take away to eat. Bus ride was nice, as roads were clear. We reached Shinjuku back 22:40, a perfect day! The rain which we thought to have spoiled the day, had actually Made the day for us. We could cover most of the Top attractions at Fujiq. I Hope I will be at this place again sometime next year!
Do get back with suggestions! Special Thanks to Sachin for suggesting Story board!
-JaJ

List of Attractions at Fujiq:
http://www.fuji-q.com/fuji-q-en/main/top10-03.htm