Kijima Kōgen Park, Amusement park in Beppu, Japan
Kijima Kōgen Park is a theme park in Beppu on Kyushu Island with over thirty attractions for different age groups. The grounds include several themed sections, among them a wooden roller coaster, drop towers, and carousels for younger visitors.
The park opened in spring 1967 under the management of the shipping company Kansai Kisen as one of the first modern entertainment venues in the region. The wooden roller coaster was added later and cemented the reputation of the site as a family destination.
The name Jupiter refers to the planet, to the coaster's wooden construction, and to the Roman god Iuppiter. The park opened in March 1967 as Kijima Motor Pier Land and took its present name on 1 May 2012. The Jupiter, introduced in 1992, was designed by Curtis D. Summers and built by Intamin.
Getting there by public transport involves a bus ride from Beppu Station and takes around forty minutes through hilly terrain. On clear days, the elevated location offers good views of the surrounding mountains and coastline.
Jupiter's track uses 60,000 beymatsu (Japanese larch) timbers and cost 2.5 billion yen to build. It was designed by American engineer Curtis D. Summers and was his last work before his death; the ride takes 2 minutes 35 seconds. Its name links the English word for Jupiter with the coaster's wooden construction.
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