Which Japanese park should i visit??

I need some help. I am going home from Australia to the UK and want to hit a park along the way. The USA (unfortunately) is out of the question due to prices but a quick stop over in Asia does not add too much to my trip.

What is the best park in Japan, as other than Taiwan, i can't think of any others. Is it Fujikyu Highlands, or Nagashima spaland. Are there any others.

Your help would be appreciated.

cheers

Well, the two parks most enthusiasts would go out of their way to visit you mentioned, you just have to ask yourself, which would you prefer, Tallest coaster in the world, or fastest. Nagashima Spa Land of course is home to the amazing Steel Dragon 2000, tallest and longest rollercoaster in the world. Nagashima has 9 coasters, including White Cyclone, one of the tallest Woodies in the world, and a spectacular ride to look at.

Fujikyu Highland is home to the recently opened Dodonpa, fastest rollercoaster in the world. The park is also home to Fujiyama, previously the tallest coaster in the world, and a smooth Togo. This park only has 7 coasters in total, and the quality of them, in my opinion, isn't as good as Nagashima. This park is also pay-per-ride.

Now, they are the two best known parks to the rest of the world amusement parks in Japan. However, there are two Disney parks, including Tokyo DisneySea, which I like more than Fujikyu Highland, and probably ties with Nagashima (SD2K alone is what makes this park a tough contendor to me).

DisneySea might not have many coasters (actually, I only think it has one or so). But the theming is immaculate, my favourite would have to be around the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea section of the park. It is so authentic! This park rivals any US Disney or Universal park, and IMO beats them hands down (IOA might pull some close competion but)!

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There are actually some great parks, but it truly matters where specifically you will be. I would certainly recommend Nagashima Spaland over any other park in the country, but there are some very special rides in some smaller parks that are somewhat off the beaten path. E-mail me, and I will gladly offer advice for any specific area you might want to visit, as I have been to most of the Japanese parks.
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I ahve also visited Fujikyu, Nagashima, and Disney. You'll have fun at any of them. As Nasai said, it really depends on where you will be. I was lucky because I was with a native speaker the whole time who could drive me to these places. I can't imagine trying to do it on my own!

Hey guys, thanks for all your input, but i have just been to the Travel agents and it costs nothing extra to fly via L.A. Thank you very much United and Lufthansa. So i am going to give Japan a miss (sorry Japan) and go to the park of my dreams Magic Mountain.

Thanks again.

Guess I can't blame you, but don't say we didn't warn you when it comes to SFMM, in some ways, being kind of lame. There are a lot of coasters, though. Just don't think you are walking into your "dream theme park," because theme park it ain't. Have fun and have a safe trip!
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*** This post was edited by nasai on 2/5/2002. ***

What are you talking about? Magic Mountain is a dream park. Land of many monsters, and they're an unusual Six Flags that actually has theme and history behind most of their coasters. Don't forget, hit Goliath first thing, longest line in the park even with X there, Goliath definentaly will give you the best I'm gonna' die drop especially at night.

I agree with nasai- MM is highly overrated.

SFMM is good, but it can't match the hype it often gets. Hope you have a great time! (I'll take Nagashima over SFMM any day, even without SD2K)

I'd choose SFMM just for X alone. Not much steel can match it.
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Have you ever considered that maybe it's not the park that's the problem, but YOU?

Hey, hey....no arguments here:) I wasn't dissing SFMM, as I like the park a LOT. However, it does NOT compare to Nagashima Spaland. NS is so classy, and the lines are always non-existant. That and it is so freakin' clean! It is impossible to imagine how nice a park it is. Truly! Oh yeah, and they have White Cyclone and SD2K....I keep forgetting............;)
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G'day gyjdnb, what? You're a Pommie, not an Aussie? J/k :).
Be sure to check what day of the week you're in L.A. as MM is only open Sat to Mon this month. Check their site for more details.
I would love a chance to ride SD2K (and X.)

Don't forget, hit Goliath first thing, longest line in the park even with X there

That's incorrect Vertigo. X is the longest line at the park, followed by Deja Vu. To get the most out of their day, anybody going to SFMM should be there before the gates open, ride X first, followed by Deja Vu and then anything else they want after that.

nasai said:
However, it does NOT compare to Nagashima Spaland. NS is so classy, and the lines are always non-existant. That and it is so freakin' clean! It is impossible to imagine how nice a park it is. Truly!

That's almost an understatement Rob. I knew nothing about the place, but it blew me away. Even those nicely kept Disney places could learn a thing or two from NS. The heads of many lartge corporate American parks should visit there, they'd be surprised how nice a park can be kept.

Coasterbuf said:

Don't forget, hit Goliath first thing, longest line in the park even with X there

That's incorrect Vertigo. X is the longest line at the park, followed by Deja Vu. To get the most out of their day, anybody going to SFMM should be there before the gates open, ride X first, followed by Deja Vu and then anything else they want after that.

Depends on when you go, Deja Vu asn't nearly as long as Goliath's line when I went. I can say that overall that Nagashima Spaland is better than Magic Mountain is an overstatement. Even if you cut out coasters, I would probably put Expoland or Fujikiya Highlands ahead from my view.
Better even if you take out Steel Dragon 2000.LOL I don't think you can compare either park because they're totally different and although they are awsome parks neither is top notch. Both need some help in different areas.

You can say tha about any park, which is why comparing them is silly. One person's nightmare park could *very well* be someone else's dream park.
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2001:The downfall of Disney. The year they stopped asking the mouse for his opinion.

Why exactly do you put Expoland or Fujikyu above NS, Vertigo? I'm interested in exactly why. Everyone I've talked to that's been to Japan (and myself) puts NS head and shoulders above other parks as a total package. The only thing NS doesn't have that the other places do is attractions like Fujikyu's amazing Hospital attraction.

*** This post was edited by Peabody on 2/7/2002. ***

Have any of you guys heard of Expoland before? That park was awsome. With Orochi, one of top B&M inverteds and my favorite. The world's second longest steel roller coaster and a pretty wicked stand up, this park rules. I love the scenery, the ferris wheel, and the flat rides as well.

I said, without the coasters, Nagashima Spaland was a better park, but Disney Tokyo?Disney Seas are by far the best park in Tokyo. Expoland, was not the best park in the world, but it was wonderful.

I said, without the coasters, Nagashima Spaland was a better park, but Disney Tokyo/Disney Seas are by far the best park in Tokyo. Expoland, was not the best park in the world, but it was wonderful.