Do You Love Roller Coasters?

 

Japan has tons of different amusement parks, and lovers of these theme parks have their favorites. Fuji-Q Highland in Yamanashi Prefecture is the place for roller coaster lovers. 

The Do-Dodonpa, which opened in 2017, is one of the most popular coasters. It reaches a speed of 180 km (112 miles) per hour in 1.56 seconds. This acceleration subjects the body to 3.75 Gs, which is more than astronauts experience when blasting off in a space shuttle. 

As it turns out, that is more than some people can endure. A week ago the park announced that since December 2020, there have been four cases of broken bones in Do-Dodonpa riders between the ages of 30 and 59. (The age limit for roller coaster riders at this park is 64). These weren't broken fingers or arms, these were compression fractures in the necks and spines of the riders! After announcing the injuries, Fuji-Q set up a hotline for others who experienced extended physical pain after riding the Do-Dodonpa. Within two days they received an additional nine claims. 

This is a small percentage of the 210,000 riders of the Do-Dodonpa since December, but still if you are the one with the fractured spine, you know that it is too many. The Do-Dodonpa is currently closed while the prefectural and federal authorities check the ride out for possible violations of Japan's Building Standards Law. 

I've never been to Fuji-Q and probably won't go.  I used to like roller coasters when I was younger, but I don't think I need to ride one that breaks bones. What do you think - would you ride this roller coaster?

Super Mario Theme Park to Open in February in Japan

 

I was surprised to find out that a new Super Mario theme park will be opening in Osaka on February 4th. The surprise was not about Super Mario, but that the theme park was opening during the pandemic.  Things might be better by February, but probably not. 

This theme park was originally scheduled to open in July 2020, just before the Tokyo Olympics, when there would be many visitors to Japan. Japan's borders have been closed to foreign tourists since the beginning of the pandemic and there has been no talk of when this will change. Can a new theme park survive without foreign tourists?  

I know nothing about Nintendo or Super Mario, but I read the park will feature a real-life Bowser's castle and an interactive Mario Kart ride. It's being called an immersive land featuring Nintendo's legendary worlds, characters, and adventures where guests will be able to play inside their favorite Nintendo games. Some rides feature reality headsets and there is also a ride based on the cute green dinosaur Yoshi. 

I don't think I would visit even if there wasn't a pandemic. What about you?