Do-Dodonpa

The 55 second ride takes the rider across 1,244 metres (4,081 ft) of steel tracks, and peaks at a maximum height of 49 metres (161 ft).[5] Reaching top speeds of 180 kilometres per hour (112 mph)[5] in 1.6 seconds,[7] Do-Dodonpa retained the title of world's fastest roller coaster for nearly a year and a half before Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragster took it in May 2003.[3] This gives the ride an acceleration of 32 metres per second per second (6,300 ft/s/min), and up to 3.3 g.[5][8] By comparison, astronauts only experience 3 g at liftoff, though for a duration substantially longer than 1.6 seconds.[9] While the ride has been tested at speeds of up to 193 kilometres per hour (120 mph), its rubber tires prevent it from performing reliably at these speeds, so engineers capped the speed at 172 kilometres per hour (107 mph) prior to the ride's renovation.[10]

Before Do-Dodonpa's initial opening, only two roller coasters reached or went beyond the 100 miles per hour (161 km/h) barrier. As of 2020, that number stands at six (including Do-Dodonpa): Superman: Escape from Krypton; Red Force; Top Thrill Dragster; Kingda Ka; Do-Dodonpa; and Formula Rossa, the world's fastest roller coaster. Furthermore, Tower of Terror II, which was previously known as Tower of Terror, once traveled at least 100 miles per hour (161 km/h), but it is currently no longer in operation.[11]

The name of the ride stems from the deep, ominous drumming sound that flows from the speakers as passengers wait in line to board the train. This repetitive percussive music is created by taiko drums, an old traditional Japanese drum that was used to demonstrate power and influence in pre-modern Japanese villages.[12] These drums were supposedly used in warfare to rally troops and scare off the enemy with their thundering sound.[13]

While waiting in line, riders hear the drums played through speakers, building up tension and excitement. Often, riders will chant along with the drum sound, which plays three consecutive beats represented by the sounds Do-don-pa.[5]

Once passengers board the ride, the train moves them from the loading station to the launch pad, where it waits, allowing time for the compressed air to build up. When the ride is ready to launch, a voice in English says "Launch time!" and begins a three-second countdown to launch.[14][15] To keep riders on their toes, designers added a false start feature, in which riders will occasionally experience a "failed" launch, signaled by loud ringing alarms, followed by a surprise "accidental" launch.[7]

After the coaster shoots off at 180 kilometres per hour (112 mph), it enters a wide-radius curve. As of 2017, this curve is followed by a large loop which the train is barely able to complete, partly with assistance of a wheel at the top to keep the vehicle from stalling or "valleying"; the train then enters a few twists and turns before hitting a break run shortly before returning to the station.[2]

The ride uses 4 trains with 4 cars, with 2 seats side by side in each car, allowing a total capacity of 8 seats per train.

Since its opening in 2001, Dodonpa has had one incident resulting in an injury. The injury occurred on 15 May 2007 when a 37-year-old man sustained a minor injury when a plastic cover at the front of the train came loose and hit his right knee. The man was not badly injured because the plastic cover disconnected near the end of the ride when the train had slowed down significantly. The park operator stated that the cover likely came off due to cracks created over time by vibrations in the train. Further inspection of the other trains showed no similar damage.[16]

Fuji-Q Highland closed Dodonpa in 2016 for a major renovation. During the winter of 2016–2017, the ride's top hat was removed. On February 25, 2017, S&S Worldwide announced in a press release that a 49 metres (161 ft) vertical loop would replace the top hat. On July 15th, 2017, Dodonpa was reopened as Do-Dodonpa. Also included was an increased acceleration which changed the launch speed and acceleration from 0 to 172 kilometres per hour (0 to 107 mph) in 1.8 seconds to 0 to 180 kilometres per hour (0 to 112 mph) in 1.6 seconds. The track length also increased from 1,189 to 1,244 metres (3,901 to 4,081 ft). Due to complications, it shut down the day after its reopening, but it has since reopened and remained operating as the world's first air powered coaster to feature an inversion.

• Official site (in Japanese)
• Dodonpa photos from CoasterGallery.com
• Dodonpa on Roller Coaster Database