えええじゃないか

えええじゃないか、either means, “ How Great,” or crazy roller coaster at Fuji Q Highlands*. In my case it meant both at the same time.

First allow me to explain the layout of this roller coaster, or jet coaster, as they are known in Japan. To start with the seat is backwards, then as the car approaches the first hill a computer readjusts the seat so you are lying on your back. At this point the only thing you can see is the sky; you have no idea where the hill ends, because you have not point of reference.

Imagine going down that drop headfirst on your back.

After the first drop the madness just continues, for each curve and loop the computer continues to adjust your seat so ensure you are at the most insane angle possible. Surprisingly unlike many insane modern roller coasters, the computer-adjusted seats on えええじゃないか kept the madness coming, while not upsetting my stomach.

....

Though I had to wait a ridiculous 2 hours to ride this engineering marvel, the ride and listening to my friend Jhongbien screams of death made it all worth it.

*Fuji Q Highlands is an amusement park about two hours outside of Tokyo. Sitting at the foot of Mt. Fuji it is packed full of great rides, as well as half of Tokyo’s population.