January 3, 2026, in the afternoon.

After lunch in Fujiyoshida, I headed to Fuji-Q Highland (富士急ハイランド). Roller-coaster tracks cut across the clear winter sky, and Mount Fuji kept appearing behind them. The park itself was much more scenic than I had expected.

I arrived in the afternoon and stayed into the night. During the day there was Mount Fuji; after sunset, the rides and Ferris wheel gradually lit up. The hours went by very quickly.

Roller coasters and the Ferris wheel at Fuji-Q Highland under a clear winter sky

An afternoon when the coasters and Ferris wheel filled the view beneath Mount Fuji Personal photo · 2026-01-03

A theme park with Mount Fuji in the background

The rides were not the only thing I liked about Fuji-Q Highland.

Mount Fuji kept appearing between the coaster tracks. I could see it while walking to the next ride and from different parts of the park, and visiting on such a clear day made the setting feel especially distinctive.

Fuji-Q Highland coaster tracks under a clear winter afternoon sky
Massive coaster tracks cutting across the clear winter afternoon sky Personal photo · 2026-01-03

The scariest ride: Takabisha and its 121-degree drop

The ride I remember most strongly is Takabisha (高飛車).

I waited for roughly an hour. Its official maximum drop angle is 121 degrees, and the moment before that drop was every bit as tense as it looked. When the car finally tipped over the edge, it felt as though my body was being pulled forward out of the seat.

It was frightening. It was also extremely fun.

A sign at Takabisha showing its maximum 121-degree drop angle

The 121-degree maximum drop angle shown on Takabisha's ride information during my visit Personal photo · 2026-01-03

Official information lists a maximum drop angle of 121 degrees and a top speed of 100 km/h. The ride also combines a dark initial drop, rapid acceleration and repeated inversions, so there is very little time to relax before the signature drop arrives.

Takabisha’s steep drop illuminated in purple at night

Takabisha looked even more dramatic once the lights came on after dark Personal photo · 2026-01-03

More than roller coasters

I tried a range of other rides as well.

Shining Flower (シャイニング・フラワー), the Ferris wheel, was a quieter break between the more intense rides, and official information notes that Mount Fuji can be seen from it on clear days.

Tekkotsubanchou (鉄骨番長) is a high rotating tower swing, while Panic Clock (パニック・ロック) sends suspended seats through unpredictable 360-degree vertical rotations.

Tekkotsubanchou climbing and rotating around its tall tower at Fuji-Q Highland
Tekkotsubanchou rising high while the swings rotated around the tower Personal photo · 2026-01-03
Panic Clock rotating around its clock-like structure
Panic Clock, with its clock-like structure and repeated vertical rotations Personal photo · 2026-01-03

At night, Tondemina (トンデミーナ) was especially striking. Its large circular seat platform rotates while the entire arm swings like a giant pendulum. Official specifications list a highest point of 43 m, a 240-degree swing and a top speed of 102 km/h.

Tondemina's circular seating platform high above the park at night
Tondemina swinging high into the night sky while the circular seating platform rotates Personal photo · 2026-01-03

The rides felt different enough from one another that the day never became repetitive. From the Ferris wheel to tower swings and giant rotating pendulum rides, they all became good memories from the same visit.

Good in daylight, good after dark

The atmosphere changed completely once the sun went down.

Mount Fuji framed by roller-coaster tracks around dusk at Fuji-Q Highland
Mount Fuji framed by coaster tracks as daylight began to fade Personal photo · 2026-01-03

In daylight, the blue sky and Mount Fuji made the park feel open and bright. At night, the Ferris wheel and thrill rides lit up one by one and the park felt much more theatrical.

Fuji-Q Highland at night with the Ferris wheel and rides illuminated

Fuji-Q Highland after dark, with the Ferris wheel and rides illuminated Personal photo · 2026-01-03

I was glad I stayed from the afternoon into the evening. The daytime Mount Fuji views and the nighttime lights felt almost like two different versions of the same park.

Face registration at the entrance

I bought my ticket in advance through Klook before the visit.

Fuji-Q Highland currently uses a face-recognition entry system. According to the official guide, a face-recognition One-Day Pass can be linked to a registered face in advance, while QR-issued online tickets are first printed at an E-TICKETS machine and then paired with a face registration at the entrance gate.

If you buy through an external ticket seller, the exact exchange or issuing steps may depend on the product, so it is worth checking the voucher instructions before arrival.

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PRACTICAL INFO

  • Place: Fuji-Q Highland (富士急ハイランド)
  • Visited: 2026-01-03, afternoon to night
  • Address: 5-6-1 Shinnishihara, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi 403-0017, Japan
  • Admission: General park admission is currently free; individual ride tickets or passes are required for attractions.
  • Hours: Operating hours vary by date and season, so check the official schedule for your visit date.
  • Ticket: I bought a One-Day Pass through Klook in advance for this visit.
  • Face recognition: The park currently uses face recognition for entry and some ticket checks. Official guidance for QR-issued online tickets is to print the ticket at an E-TICKETS machine and register your face at the entrance gate.
  • Takabisha: Maximum drop angle 121° / top speed 100 km/h / height 43 m
  • Rides I remember most from this visit: Takabisha, Shining Flower, Tekkotsubanchou, Panic Clock and Tondemina
  • Tip: Popular coasters can have long waits. I waited about an hour for Takabisha on this visit.
  • Info checked: 2026-09-29