Day Three - Toshimaen, Hanayashiki, Korakuen/LaQua
Day Three - Toshimaen, Hanayashiki, Korakuen/LaQua
Tom Barr
If you really want to find out what people from an area are about the best place to go to is an amusement park. Hanayashiki and Tokyo Dome, were great places to see what Japanese entertainment and people are like. Too bad rain affected our Toshimaen experience.
Jan Duncan
I don't know what I really expected to see today, but I must say I was NOT disappointed. The Hanayashiki park was pretty small, but showed how one could pack a whole lot of park into a small space. Even the walk to the park was a memorable experience - the beautiful shrine and area around it with amazing shops. Tokyo Dome was a totally different type of park, modern and new. Sorry the rain prevented our coaster time!
B. Derek Shaw
Five weeks ago I was saying hello from Budapest. This time I'm half way around the world in Japan! The first day was an attempt to visit three parks. Mother Nature wasn't as cooperative. Hanayashiki was first up and a place I only got to briefly see in May, 2003. There are tons of great walk-thru's a maze and a dark ride in addition to the oldest coaster in Japan. (Don't let that title fool you - it packs a decent punch.
Toshimaen was a rain out, except for four non coaster rides and lunch. (What was in that hot dog I ate?) Toyko Dome was a partial wash out - only two of the four coasters were operating. Hopefully, I will get back later on during the trip, or visit again sometime in the future!
Thomas Enders
Heute war fuer mich der erste Tag in einem japanischen Freizeitpark, und es war sehr schoen, die vielen freundlichen Japaner an den Fahrgeschaeften zu sehen. Sie geben sich sehr viel Muehe, um den Gaesten das Fahren so angenehm wie moeglich zu machen.
Ich denke es werden noch sehr viele schoene Tage in diesem freundlichen Land folgen, auch wenn heute das Wetter nicht so schoen war.
Justin Garvanovic
Rain stopped play today - almost! Hanayashiki was fantastic - a great little park with some fun rides. Tosimaen was a wash out - no coasters were running due to the rain - although what the threat is I don't know. There was no lightning. The two biggies at Tokyo Dome were also down - what everyone doesn't know though is that we're going back on Thursday... :> Not may reports today, still ironing out technical issues...
David Cornell
Hmmm.. If we are supposed to only say nice things (Justin: No, you can say what you want) then I guess I'll say...
We are traveling in Japan during the rainy season. Japan does not run rollercoasters in the rain. However, before the rain, our first park, Hanayashiki, was fun. Right next to a large complex of temple, it seemed like a little Blackpool in the center of Tokyo. There was a new ride or walk through attraction behind every little door every 10 feet in this one large city block area. I liked the bumper cars with scoring based on passing through colored lights, not bumping. The coaster made one circuit around the park in about 30 seconds. It had lots of pops out of your seat and knees into the front of the car. Too bad the rain ruined the rest of the day.
I did spend alot of time spinning on the mouse at Tokyo Dome, it was under a roof. But the huge Thunder Dolphin stood definantly closed in the rain.
Hopefully the rain will help us a Disney. I hear they do run coasters in the rain.
Talhat Mahmood
Day three seemed to be the day of haunted houses and ghost trains, due to rain for most of the day, with the one at LaQua being the scariest thanks to live actors. Hanayashiki was a small family town park, which had one coaster and a fair amount of good rides.
Toshimaen was wiped out because of rain. LaQua was set in a very bizarre downtown location. Thunder Dolphin looked good, but we couldn't ride it because of rain. Just to let Jeff know, the human dustbin is working well.
Tim Herre
I loved this place! It's the Japanese version of Bakken. Best ride in the park was the Haunted Hotel walk through. The coaster was also some kind of unique experience and certainly not built for people taller than 1.60 metres. Now it's time for Toshimaen - can't wait!
Malcolm Marr
First park was Hanayashiki and it has been the only park I have been to that you can shout to your mates on the other side of the park. Like Blackpool it has rides on top of rides and if you don't explore enough you'll miss some gems such as a sound illusion attraction that was close to scary enough for me to want to give up and run out. There was also a fun house attraction that David Ellis would put at the top of his favourite attractions list. It featured, tits, bums, penises and pissing amongst other weirdness.
Owen Rees
Brillant compact park, friendly staff.
Gloria Nakamura
House of Ghosts: You sit down around a rectangular dining table, and there are headphones at each place other than the head of the table. You sit down; you cannot move your chair closer to the table; it is bolted to the floor. The lights go out; all of a sudden, you hear things in your headphones; a man is whispering in your left ear; you hear china being smashed; then somebody is cutting your hair. I thought we were being kidnapped; so they could send the hair to your nearest and dearest. But now that we know it's called House of Ghosts. Either way, it's the best attraction in the park, and well worth going to. Other people are going to say that the Sumo wrestling woman with the huge breasts was the best - the picture would have been good enough; you don't have to go through it!
Richard Bannister
Loath as I am to agree with Gloria about anything (hehe!) I have to agree that the House of Ghosts (or, according to the sign, Sound Fusion) was the best attraction in the park. I was trying to decide why this has never been tried elsewhere in the world, but I guess if something similar was put in an American park some people would vandalise the headphones! On an unrelated note, after a week in Japan it's a relief to turn my brain off and let someone else worry about transport to and from the parks. No doubt I'll enjoy this trip just as much as every other ECC trip done in the past.
Evan Hoagland
Hanayashiki - A fine small park, with lots of stuff; I liked the walkthroughs. There was a maze with a medieval theme, including jail like bars you had to push apart to walk through. At the end of it was a boy with a button to press which caused pee to be squirted at you. There was a walkthrough with lots of unique set pieces; one woman had her neck extend into the air; a female acrobat swinging on a ladder before her bottom landed on top of you; there was a great big man who squirted water at you through his belly button, and other special attractions. I enjoyed the pedal cars around the park; the small space shot tower, with a good view. There were hanging boats with a view of the park; there was an elevated viewing garden. Nice food there too, and the oldest coaster in Japan - a simple lap of the park. Overall I had a fine time.
Marlon Scott
Hanayashiki was an amazing park packed into an impossibly tiny spot in the Asakusa neighborhood nestled against the majestic Senso-Ji Temple and surrounding Asakusa Kannon area. The roller coaster dates from the 1950's and is a quirky ride around the park. It surprises and delights with abrupt drops, tunnels and wacky scenery. Very Fun! Toshimaen looks like a charming little park but because of the rain, no coasters could be ridden. The Cyclone looks to be a unique rambling run throughout the park. But oh well, it's not to be. The carousel, however, was running and it was stunning! It was laid out in concentric rings, each one spinning faster than the one outside it. Very ornate-built in the early 1900's imported from Germany. La Qua is the massive 21st century version of Hanayashiki. Rides, shops and restaurants stacked atop each other. I liked Geo Panic. Some clever illusions! Looking forward to riding Thunder Dolphin later this week. Rain rain go away!
Matt Crowther and Betsy Abrams
This was our third visit to Hanayashiki, but this was the first time we had an opportunity to stay long enough to ride other rides besides just the coaster. I had forgotten that the coaster packs a pretty good wallop in the back seat, almost brutal. This park is right next to some of the best known temples in Japan, it was neat to see those again as well (but we were disappointed to find that the shrine to Pigeons had been removed). At Toshimaen it was disappointing that we did not get to ride the coasters because of the park's Cedar Point-like no coasters will run in any sort of rain policy, although Betsy and I had ridden them already on a previous visit. Even the log flume was not operating- figure that one out. The 1907 antique German carousel was worth riding again, especially because of the three levels all rotating at different speeds.
Martha and Al Amborn
Godzilla storms Tokyo-steps on coasters. It was Martin's fault. Just kidding.
David Hamburger
Hanayashiki was far cooler than we expected. Far more then just a historic coaster. Lots of neat dark rides, classic old rides and one of the best haunted swings I've been on. Toshimaen was a bust. No coasters, and the dark ride and walkthrough were just ok. But they did have one of the best carousels ever. And it was a RACING carousel, believe it or not! We didn't end up getting on Linear Gale or Thunder Dolphin at Tokyo Dome Ccity yet, due to rain. But we still managed to have a blast. Geo Panic was unique and pretty fun, and the Mouse was good as well. But the Zombie Paradise dark ride was really well done, especially the boy band zombies breakdancing! And the Bikkiri House walkthrough had easily the best spinning tunnel I've ever seen. We could hardly stand up! We all can't wait to HOPEFULLY come back on Thursday.
Jenny Steward and Ivan Lucas
Hanayashiki was a great park, the shot tower and the 'sound vision' ghost room was really spooky. The walking 'sit-on panda' was fantastic fun too! Can't wait for the rest of the parks!
Patrick Flumet
Une premiere journee augurant de la qualite de ce voyage. On ne peut effectivement reprocher a personne le temps pluvieux qui a laisser six coasters en rade. C'est exactement ce genre de journee qui donne l'occasion de visiter toutes les autre attractions souvent laissee de cote. Par exemple the 13th door excellente maison hantee 'live' ou encore la grande rou a La Qua, et Hanayashiki etait vraiment tres attachant. A demain.
Christopher Smith
Well, after innumerable episodes of Lost on the plane, and some great sights from the trip bus we checked into the super lush Miyako hotel, and after checking out the various kimonos and slippers on offer in the room, we settled into the beds (with a full compliment of pillows no less). Day three took us to the oldest coaster in Japan, and a short drop tower (at only 60m), perfect for warming up. The following parks that day were somewhat spoiled by the lukewarm weather and rain, but sitting in the giant ferris wheel 300 foot above ground looking UP to the first drop of Thunder Dolphin I realized a softer start to the trip wasn't too bad, A night on the town in Harazuku (sp) followed, and amongst many crazily dressed people we purchaced some equally unusual items for both presents and to wear later on the trip.
(the "Four Frenchies")
Les 4 frenchies sont ravis de rencontrer plein de gens tres sympathiques pour leur premier voyage avec ECC et ACE . Ils ont meme decide de creer FCCE ( French coaster club enthousiast ) , a ce jour ils sont deja 4 membres . Tres contents d avoir une chance de rider le dolphin thunder et linear gale jeudi car on etait un peu depites hier .
Bill Tyson
The first few days of the excursion have been a great jump into Japanese culture. The people and places have been incredible. Even the rain has not dampened my spirits on this trip. A look a Dolphin Thunder and I can see what a grand trip this going to be.
Craig Knor
Rain rain rain-Missed coaster, but had fun.
Kevin Moran
Hats off to the organizers for making the trip painless!!! Hope to circle back & hit the coasters we missed. Meeting lots of new friends.
Rick Widger & Colleen Hutchings
One day into the trip, and we're already getting rain. Still, it hasn't dampened the fun. Though we missed some of the coasters on the first day, the dark rides and walk-throughs were a highlight. Our favorites so far were the Zombie Paradise dark ride, and the 13 Doors haunted walk-through (lots of close-up stunts and some live actors, which you don't see much in the States anymore).
Also, there have been a couple of, shall we say, R-rated walk-throughs that were quite hilarious. All in all, the trip is shaping up to be an awesome experience, as we knew it would. Cheers to all back home.
Ricky Cooper
Spinning mice rule!!!!
You can go a long way on a smile and a bow.
The ride ops have all been fantastic and enthusiastic. It's been a great trip
thus far. Disney is next!!
Andrew Weiss
Rain rain go away. Hanayashiki was a nice little park. lots of hidden rides. some good dark rides. coaster was fun. Tokyo Dome City also had good dark rides. 13 doors very scary.
Stefan Rothaug
Viele Parks und wenig Regen; trotzdem waren fast alle Bahnen zu! Macht nichts! Lustige Darkrides und Walkthroughs in Hanayashiki und Toshimaen und ganz besonders die feinen Schockeffekte in LaQuas Horrorhaus sorgten fuer gute Laune.
Virginia Dismer
Hi to everyone back home; enjoying the trip. Things are a little different over here, but fun. I've been to some really interesting parks; I enjoyed Hanayashiki (and the surrounding temple district) the best.
Anneliese Heiner
Hanayashiki Park had a Crystal Maze type attraction; this wasn't much of a maze as US people would think about it; instead, you had to solve certain puzzles to get from one section of the maze to another. We were not expecting this, and at one point we almost turned around and went back because we could not figure this out. The coolest part was when you came upon a grid of prison bars that blocked further passage; eventually we figured out that the middle bars in each section could be pushed aside to get through.
Couple of funny things on the way to Disneyland; soon after we left the hotel, we saw a bunch of kids going to school. They couldn't hear us, but somebody shouted out at them "Study hard, kids - we're going to Disneyland!". Also, on the way to Disneyland, we passed two very large Ferris Wheels; when we passed the second one, I called out to Justin - "Justin, we're going in circles - we already passed that Ferris Wheel". It's also interesting looking at the different styles of buildings that we pass; it seems like every building is built by a different architect.
Tokyo Dome City; Geopanic is an indoor coaster with lots of cool lighting effects. Spoilers follow; many of the lighting effects are concerned with faking out the riders, for instance the train goes through a series of red lighted circles, and it looks like these continue straight ahead but the train veers off to the left. It had a straight acceleration part of the track; the acceleration is enhanced by arches of light zooming past you. Ahead of you you see some lights continuing straight ahead on the ceiling, but then the track descends. Another lighting effect was green squiggles of light, and that particular effect was a recurring theme in other dark rides we rode later on.
Also at Tokyo Dome City were three haunted houses; Bikkirihouse was more funny than scary; it was a walkthrough haunted house; it had tilted pathways, a few traditional haunted house effects, with creatures moving behind a screen as you passed. There were some mirrors; there was a mannequin pis, the statue associated with Belgium; and when you pressed a doorbell the statue peed at you, but it was behind glass so you did not actually get wet. The best part of this attraction was a catwalk that went through a rotating room; the rotating room had stars, and of course it looked like the catwalk was moving and the room was still. The second haunted house was a dark ride, Zombie Paradise. This one was a lot more gruesome than one would expect in the States. The third one was 13 Doors. This one surpassed scary and verged on evil; it was a walkthrough haunted house; it was so scary that Mark and I started arguing over who was going to open each door. There were actual people who would pop out from windows to scare the guests. In one small room there were a bunch of black robed creatures hanging from the ceiling; they were close enough to touch, but I wasn't about to. In another room we had to push past sheets of white cloth. The most evil part was at the very end, after you thought the attraction was over. At the beginning of the attraction you were given a card on which you write a secret message; at the end of the ride, they put your card underneath a UV light and the ride operator tells you to look through the glass on top. When you do so, instead of reading your secret message, a disgusting gory mess pops out at you. (Note from Richard Bannister - I wonder how many members wrote "OPEN THUNDER DOLPHIN!" or something like it on their secret wish cards!).
Andycoasterboy-san
Hanayashiki was a big surprise for me, as it was one of the theme parks I did when I came over on my first trip in 1994. It was great to see the whole group having a good time on all the rides and attractions. Unfortunate about the weather and the lack of working rides at Toshimaen. Also, shame about the weather at LaQua and the lack of Intamin action in Thunder Dolphin. Jeff, the Japanese beers are great.
Evan Hoagland
Rain kept coasters closed at Toshimaen. I explored and found a building dedicated to butterflies and beatles. The butterflies were all dead and mounted, as were most of the beatles. But there were also live beetles on display. Many were quite large. And they had live beetles for sale. Any where from 700 yen to at least 15000 yen for the big beetles.
Ric Turner
Hanayashiki (SP?) was a real treat. It was an amazing slice of Japanese humor mixed with old and modern rides in an old Tokyo neighbourhood (sorry for the british spelling, I'm typing this on an English PC.) It was amazing to walk around an ancient temple, then turn the corner and find a rollercoaster running down the alley.
Tim Galvelis
Konniciwa
Well here's two days in one. Haniyashiki is an excellent park. Very Tivoli like in it's ability to cram as many rides into such a small space. Quite the walkthrough capital of the world. Okay, maybe not, but it sure does try. The roller coaster is simply fantastic, with some hysterically cheesy props throughout the ride. Definitely a park to return to.
Toshimean park was an unfortunate rainout, except for an extremely excellent carousel, and I'm not really one who's easily thrilled to ride a carousel.
LaQua, had the same unfortunate incident with the rain, but we did manage to get rides on GeoPanic, and the spinning mouse, and I've got to say that GeoPanic is a very good ride. Yes, it is jerky, but the fear factor of thinking that I was going to be hurt on the ride, was nonexistent. We'll be able to ride the other coasters later in the week, so I'll leave the rest of this report till then.
More on Disney tomorrow...
John Coffield
Hanayashiki is an amazing and very tiny park with the delight of little discoveries around every corner. Not a single square inch is wasted. The Roller Coaster goes around the entire park. Toshimaen was rained out, which gave me a chance to explore a very unique carousel. It has three separate rings of action. Sadly the horses have had their springs removed, so they no longer rock back and forth. Tokyo Dome/LaQua is a small urban park. The spinning mouse was quite a delight and GeoPanic was a unique ride in the dark.
George Greenway
Hanashika is a lovely compact park, only one coaster that circuits the perimeter of the park. there are allot of side shows to seek out. we left just as the rain started, not good news for the next park, Toshimaen, It was unable to open its rides while we were there for safety reasons. we had a brief look round the park and left for Tokyo Dome. two of the rides were unable too run in the spitting rain, drizzle. it was here that we found English had a multitude of words for raining, the Japanese have only one "rydo closedo". we saw the operator on thunder dolphin and conveyed the message "we will be back".