Do-Dodonpa, Steel roller coaster in Fuji-Q Highland, Japan
Do-Dodonpa is a steel roller coaster in the Fuji-Q Highland amusement park in Fujiyoshida, Japan, running over 1244 meters of track. The structure reaches a height of 52 meters and takes riders through a vertical loop during the course.
The roller coaster opened in December 2001 and closed in August 2021, after holding several acceleration records during its operation. Throughout its years of service, it gained international recognition for its then-unprecedented launch technology.
The name comes from traditional Japanese taiko drum rhythms that played in the queue area, connecting the ride with local musical traditions. This acoustic design let visitors feel the powerful energy of the attraction even before boarding.
Four trains with four cars each carried riders along the track, with each train accommodating eight passengers in a two-across seating arrangement. The attraction is now closed and no longer operates for rides.
The launch system used compressed air technology to accelerate riders from standstill to maximum speed in just 1.56 seconds. This method produced an exceptionally powerful acceleration experience that was well known among coaster enthusiasts worldwide at the time.
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