From Fuji to Tokyo and then some in Tokyo

Since I was staying in a Japanese style room. This was my bed for two nights! Took me back to sleeping on the floor as a kid for fun. I still like the floor, if I'm honest. Though my old bones might prefer my bed back home the most.

It's about two hours by train from the Fuji area which isn't too bad. They're all local lines and aren't nearly as quick as the Shinkansen. But it allows for taking some photos along the way!

I hadn't done any research into geography of Japan before coming here. It feels like there are mountains everywhere you go. Always a tunnel you go through to get somewhere by train. There's already so much underground in the larger cities I'm curious how long before the mountains are used as natural buildings or removed to make room! 

Tokyo Sky tree offers a nice view of the Tokyo sprawl. When you're walking around you never get to see Tokyo as a whole. It's such a concrete jungle.

Following day involved Ueno Park. A large area of museums, a zoo, and gardens.

And then the Imperial Palace East Garden.

Apologies for the shortness and lack of commentary. Flying home tomorrow so have to finish putting bags together. Guess it's time to say Sayonara!

Fuji-Q Highland: Because going fast is fun.

Little bit different from the normal days. Went to a Theme park to the north of Mt. Fuji. Maybe it's just me but I've got it in my mind that Japan really likes theme parks, roller coasters, and the like. So I figured it would be worth a visit. 

It also has an Evangelion walk through exhibit. Which is what that first picture is. One of the first anime I had ever watched, actually! Surprising how much of it I still remember. While eating in my room (as this is where it is served at times in a Ryokan) I watched the first two episodes again and will finish it when I get home. It's still good even after ~12 years since I first watched it.

Live size Eva-01 head.

I'd already been on a lot of rides but hadn't been taking pictures. So here's a few! Pictures don't really tell you a lot about a ride.. though it will give you an idea.

All but the two large water rides were ridden. At most they had two cars on each track so the lines, though short, took a loooong time. Really long. I can't imagine coming on a busy day. 

And since pictures don't really give you an idea of the rides. Here's some videos that might!

This is Eejanaika. The most painful one (at least for me). And I mean actual pain as you get tossed around and when you're a big fellow getting thrown against bars at max speed of 126kmh (78mph) it kind of hurts. You're basically getting looped and thrown all over the place on this thing. They're also not very nice on the initial drop. You enter backwards and then they drop you face down as you fall. After that it's pretty easy to lose track of where you're looking. 1153m in length.

Next was FUJIYAMA. Total Length of 2045m (6709ft), max speed of 130kmh (80mph), and the initial drop from 79m (260ft). This was one of the best in my opinion.

Dodonpa for a bit of a quick ride. With a max speed of 172kmh (106mph) the distance of ~1,189m (3900ft) is covered in 60 seconds. That initial speed is also reached in ~1.8 seconds. Soooo it's pretty quick. Not much for loops or bends aside from one spike on the track.

Some stats

POV from ride:
POV from off to the side:

Then there's Takabisha, probably the best of all of them.

The 121° drop, though that's not the start of it! That is about half way through. This thing has tons of loops, turns and twists and is one of the best.

You can get a list of the other rides to search for videos and info from here: Fuji-Q Highland Attractions

Hoped to get a good view while on the ferris wheel of Mt. Fuji but it was covered in clouds. This happens a lot so here's a bit of a better lighted shot than that of yesterday followed by dinner. 

And G'night!