When planning your visit to Fuji-Q Highland, we strongly suggest taking advantage of the Toku Q Pack ticket, available for online purchase in advance. This excellent package comprises a round-trip bus ticket and an all-inclusive Fuji-Q Highland pass (providing unlimited access to attractions for one full day).

Conveniently, this offer encompasses departures and arrivals from a variety of locations, spanning from the Kanto region to the Kansai region.

In our case, we opted for the Shibuya departure and arrival route, with access details to be provided later in this article.

On this particular day, the roads were clear, allowing us to reach Fuji-Q Highland in about 2 hours by taking a high-speed bus from Shibuya. We made an early morning departure to align with the park's opening time, but thanks to the hassle-free direct route with no transfers, it was a comfortable journey.

Fuji-Q Highland has two entrance gates: the first entrance gate, located adjacent to the highway bus terminal and official hotels. The second entrance gate, is directly connected to the Fuji Kyuko Line's Fujikyu-Highland Station, which serves trains arriving and departing from the area.

Fuji-Q Highland offers two types of advance purchase passes: one that uses facial recognition and one that uses a QR ticket.

With QR Ticketing, you need to scan the QR code of your e-Ticket at the e-Tickets Ticketing Machine located at the entrance gate to obtain your ticket. After that, you must line up at the entrance gate and register your face photo before entering.

On the other hand, with the Facial Recognition option, you can enter directly through the entrance gate without any additional steps.

Additionally, Fuji-Q Highland offers discounted digital advance tickets for foreign visitors. You can also purchase them with a JR Pass or Fujiyama Free Pass, so please check the following link for more information.

If you're using the QR Ticketing Machine 1-Day Pass or buying a 1-day pass on the day itself, note that you'll only be allowed entry after lining up at the gate and doing a facial registration on the spot.

By the way, don't make funny faces during the registration because your face won't be recognized at individual attractions unless you make that exact same funny face again, and that means no entry to that attraction for you until you get it right! Just relax and be yourself.

Fuji-Q Highland park has 13 thrilling attractions, including the Big Four coasters, and over 40 attractions in total, including Thomas Land amusement park-within-a-park and La Ville de Gaspard et Lisa.

However, during peak periods, the waiting times for the Big Four coasters can be over two hours, making it challenging to enjoy all the attractions, even if you arrive early.

To make the most of your visit to Fuji-Q Highland and ride as many attractions as possible, we recommend the 'Zekkyo Priority Ticket.'

The Zekkyo Priority Ticket allows you to enjoy popular attractions such as FUJIYAMA, Eejanaika, Takabisha, Do-Dodonpa, Tentekomai, Tekkotsu Banchou, Nagashima Ska, Hopeless Fortress 3, Fuji Flying Corporation, Attack on Titan THE RIDE, and the 3D Shooting Ride: Scientific Ninja Tool Dojo, with almost no waiting time.

These priority tickets are available for purchase online, at the park's ticket booths, or at the attraction ticket vending machines, starting at 1,800 yen each. However, please note that quantities are limited, and the price may vary depending on the attraction and the time of year.

If you didn't know, entry into Fuji-Q Highland has been free since the summer of 2018. You don't need to get a 1-day pass if you only want to walk around the park and look through their food and souvenir offerings without taking any rides, or if you only want to try a certain few rides, which you can buy individual entry tickets for.

You can't mention Fuji-Q Highland without mentioning all the terrifying roller coaster attractions in the park, some of which, like Fujiyama, Do-Dodonpa, Takabisha, and Eejanaika, were or are even world record title holders!

The roller coasters go through their routes under a vast expanse of clear blue sky with a side of beautiful Mt. Fuji, and this terrific landscape will add to your exhilaration on the ride, especially on a fair weather day.

The fear level of Fujiyama is so unreal it has been nicknamed the King of Coasters. Ever since it was built in 1996, the ride has been viewed as a leader in global roller coaster technology. This giant out-and-back roller coaster with no 360-degree upside-down turns once held four world records!

Train cars of the roller coaster are painted either gold or silver, and what color you get is completely dependent on the timing. The entire track measures 2,045 meters (6,709 feet), features a large drop of 70 meters (230 feet), and speeds along at a maximum speed of 130 km/h (81 mph)! You'll complete the course in 3 minutes and 36 seconds - relatively long compared to other similar rides. Fujiyama's layout was designed to provide a thrill that's cheerful and enjoyable while showing off the best a roller coaster has to offer.

Our contributor, Cassie, is a huge fan of roller coasters. What did she think of the ride?

"Rides in the U.K. have waves of fast and then slow tracks, but Fujiyama is always moving quickly, so the whole ride was exciting from start to finish!" Cassie exclaims with great enthusiasm.

"That must be why it felt so fun! I was actually a little sleepy this morning, but I'm wide awake now after the ride," she concludes with a laugh.

Do-Dodonpa is 1,244 meters (4,081 feet) long, but the ride takes only about one minute to complete. The highlight of this attraction is its extreme acceleration - it can reach 180 km/h (110 mph) within 1.56 seconds right from the start, the fastest roller coaster acceleration in the world! The vertical loop - also the largest in the world! - near the end of the ride adds an extra element of terror to the experience.

Do-Dodonpa dynamically tears its way through a good variety of track layouts, delivering different thrills such as a zero-g force (sense of weightlessness) at the very start of the ride and centrifugal forces that turn the body parallel to the ground during the large curves and turns. This roller coaster certainly makes efficient use of Fuji-Q Highland's massive premises to entertain riders to the full.

Located near the ride is a photo spot for commemorative shots featuring a rowdy display covered with effusive accolades such as "very fast" and "Speed king!!!". In the dimly lit tunnel that acts as the starting point, every rider's fearful cry of terror is amplified many times and that adds to the atmosphere of fear and trepidation before the ride has even started. "But that's what makes it extra fun as well!" Cassie explains. It's clear that the roller coaster's incredible speed has overloaded her senses in a good way!

We tried to take a video of the ride experience too, but the roller coaster was going so fast, our handycam could barely pick up even the sounds! So instead of our wonky film, here's an official video from the park itself that will show you what exactly you can expect from this exciting ride.

Takabisha is another major attraction in Fuji-Q, and it's known as the park's scariest roller coaster with a 121-degree freefall drop - the world's steepest when it first opened! The roller coaster uses a system known as the linear motor launch both to hoist the vehicles up and drop them down at exciting speeds.

The length of the entire track is 1,004 meters (3,300 feet), and the duration of the ride is 160 seconds. Rapid acceleration is executed by a linear motor and there are seven twists (or turns) in the course, along with a heart-stopping drop that's 121 degrees at its steepest!

Riders are mostly facing the sky while suddenly flying towards it, dropping down to the ground, or pausing for a terrifying moment. The sheer amount of different highlights packed into this single ride certainly make for the kind of thrilling experience that visitors have come to expect from Fuji-Q Highland.

"Compared to Fujiyama or Do-Dodonpa, Takabisha moves at a relatively slower pace, and the hair-raising suspense as you're waiting to drop from its highest point will make your heart race like you never knew it could!" Cassie remarks. "I must say, though - that is exactly what makes it the best part of the ride. It really pumped me up!"

The irregular movements riders are subject to on the Eejanaika roller coaster is the main reason for its massive popularity. As the train car moves along the tracks, the seats themselves swing and rotate around to the front and back, and the cars can unexpectedly start moving backwards as well!

There are three types of rotations riders will enjoy when on Eejanaika: Seats revolving to and fro, midair loops, and twisted rotations. In total there are 14 inversions on the track, and this is recognized as the highest number of inversions on a roller coaster in the world.

The most striking difference between this and other roller coasters of its caliber is that visitors must remove their shoes for the ride and, when seated, their legs will dangle in the air, rendering them unable to stay on their feet, so to speak, during the roller coaster's twists and turns. While this may sound scary, the sense of speed and openness is bound to enhance your excitement and overall experience!

Cassie was full of praise for the ride. "I thought the duration of the ride was just nice, and it was fun getting rotated in all directions with my feet dangling in the air, too! It really felt like I was flying! I'd say this was the scariest ride among the four major ones here, but also the most fun. This is definitely my top recommendation." If the thrill factor of a ride is important to you, this is one roller coaster you can't afford to miss.

ZOKKON, a motorcycle-themed roller coaster, made its debut in July 2023 after an investment of 4.5 billion yen. The MAX coaster lets you feel the wind rush through your body as you maneuver thrilling curves. Featuring heart-pounding elements and dark sequences, ZOKKON is sure to give you an enjoyable and thrilling experience. The ride has LED lights, and the three-car trains illuminate in vivid colors, creating a fantastical atmosphere.

If you're not a fan of extreme thrill rides, you should still give Japan's first flight simulation ride, 'Fuji Airways,' a try. The ride provides an immersive flying experience with a large screen that surrounds your seat, projecting images of Mount Fuji on a grand scale.

As you ride on the wings of an airplane in a virtual scenario, you'll be able to take in the scenery surrounding Mount Fuji from the sky. The visual experience will allow you to observe Mount Fuji from various directions, including the Shizuoka and Yamanashi sides, and witness its changes throughout different seasons, from spring to summer to autumn to winter.

The visuals are captured using 6K cameras, motorized paragliders, and drones, providing a realistic experience of Mount Fuji and the changing seasons in its vicinity.

The flight footage of Fuji-Q Highland and the Fujiyama area, along with synchronized seat movements, contribute to creating a truly immersive experience. Various elements, such as the sensation of wind blowing through the foothills of Mount Fuji, the spray from the lake surface, and the scents of the forests and flowers, all add to the realism of the experience.

"What I liked the most was the scents. The scents of flowers and trees were amazing! I was surprised when mist actually started falling during the rainy scene. It felt incredibly pleasant, like I was really flying, and since I hadn't seen Mount Fuji from various places before, that was also very appealing," said Cassie, expressing her satisfaction.

The music played during the ride is another significant element of Fuji Airways. It features an original composition titled 'Mt.Fuji' by renowned Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi. The grand melody performed by a full orchestra enhances the emotional impact of the Mount Fuji flight experience.

Inside the facility, you'll find familiar 'face-in-hole' photo spots commonly seen at tourist destinations, allowing you to capture unique and memorable photographs.

Cassie, with a beaming smile! A picture that seems to bring good luck has been captured.

Fuji-Q Highland's haunted house attraction is one of the scariest Japan has to offer, with countless challengers choosing to drop out halfway over finishing the terrifying maze! After various revisions and improvements, the current incarnation is called Labyrinth of Fear: Haunted Hospital. If everyone in your group has a 1-day pass, entry fee for each team (4 persons) is 4,000 yen, or 3,000 yen for three or less in a group. Otherwise, the entry fee is 8,000 yen for each team of up to four persons.

The attraction is set in a hospital's isolation ward building where cruel experiments used to be conducted on the patients admitted here. You have to progress through roughly 900 meters (about 2,950 feet) of walkways spread over two floors while enduring frightful sights being sprung at you from all directions. If you don't give up halfway, you should reach the exit in about 50 minutes. A special warning has been posted at the entrance of the attraction to strike even more fear into the hearts of would-be challengers, adding to the overall tense atmosphere.

Cassie is a lot more afraid of haunted houses than roller coasters... How will she fare?

The location set looks just like a real hospital. Within the abandoned building, all your senses are being engaged throughout the experience through a large number of marvelously designed mechanisms.

For example, as you wander through the hallways, it becomes quickly obvious that horrific events have taken place before in some rooms you come across. An operating theater where doctors removed internal organs from thrashing patients, a nursery where experiments were being conducted even on newborns... Each wobbly step you take in the dimly lit hospital leads to a grisly discovery you wish you could immediately forget...

Groping your way through the dark, fearsome sights will spring out of nowhere when you least expect it and make your heart leap out of your mouth! Racing pulses, sweaty palms, and high-pitched screams are all part and parcel of the Fuji-Q's haunted house experience, so bask in them while they last!

Are you a fan of escape rooms? Then you don't want to miss the Hopeless Fortress 3, an impregnable fort that has plunged over 3.2 million challengers to date into despair and counting. Currently, the attraction is in its third iteration, and visitors are being challenged to conquer a high-tech "fortress" that is being ruled by an artificial intelligence (AI).

The "fortress" is actually a research laboratory that has been hijacked by said AI, who has made is so that nobody is allowed entry. Your mission is to infiltrate the lab and take it back by stopping the AI Alcon through a series of objectives.

Check your objectives on the device you were given during entry. Don't worry, English is supported too!

In total, it may take you anywhere between 20 minutes to more than an hour for this high-difficulty attraction that has defeated virtually every challenger that has dared to show up at its doors. Put your puzzle-solving skills to the test and see if you can be one of the elite few to successfully penetrate this impenetrable fortress!

Popular among anime fans worldwide, the ninja anime 'NARUTO' and 'BORUTO - NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS' offer a rich and immersive experience at Fuji-Q Highland through 'NARUTO×BORUTO Hidden Leaf Village.'

There are plenty of attractions, museums, and dining establishments themed around 'NARUTO' and 'BORUTO.' Throughout the area, you'll find spots where you can take photos with characters from the series."

The attraction we recommend visiting is the 3D Shooting Ride - Scientific Ninja Tools Dojo. As the name suggests, this is an indoor shooting ride where you climb aboard the latest scientific ninja tool and shoot down designated targets to gain points. Aim for the highest score you can while having fun with the ninjutsu, or ninja skills of various characters!

Put on the pair of sunglasses you're given before entry and hop onto the Konoha car, which comes equipped with a ninjutsu gun - the very tool you'll be using to hit targets with and rack up your points! Cassie took to the device like a duck to water, putting on a splendid performance by aiming for targets with high points. Characters from Naruto appear during the ride as well, making you feel as if you're now a part of the anime!

In the souvenirs corner, limited time collaboration goods between Fuji-Q Highland and Naruto/Boruto sit, waiting for someone to bring them home.

What you're looking at here is the Fuji-Q exclusive "Naruto Magnet Caramel Can (ed. note: no longer sold in 2023)". Consider getting exclusive items like these that can only be bought here as a souvenir for friends who are fans of the show!

You should also stop by some food stores inside Fuji Hidden Leaf Village for lunch or snacks. Ramen Ichiraku is an eatery designed after the "Ichiraku" ramen shop that Naruto frequently visits in the anime. The menu is full of character-based helpings of original ramen, drinks and dessert that are as Instagrammable as they're tasty, and plenty of other items that will satisfy your hunger and recharge you to continue exploring this fascinating area.

We recommend trying "Sasuke's Goukakyu Spicy Miso Ramen (with a sharingan ramen egg to complete the authenticity)". (Menu and prices subject to change.)

Bite into those springy ramen noodles that have absorbed the essence of the rich soup they've been soaked in and relish the heavenly taste. "Eating something as rich and strong as this is just perfect after a tiring walk!" proclaims Cassie.

La Ville de Gaspard et Lisa: Photo opportunities lying in wait around every corner!

The cute-looking streets in the area look as if they've leaped right out of an illustration book, probably because they actually have! Everywhere you turn, you can find a great place for a social media-worthy photoshoot.

Whether it's the smell of fresh bread being baked at Cafe Brioche or Gaspard and Lisa products being sold at any of the souvenir shops her, fans of the illustration book will find themselves right at home here.

Cassie takes a commemorative shot between Gaspard and Lisa.

And another one with the duo while shopping! With iconic landmarks such as Eiffel Tower, a fountain park surrounded by blooming flowers, and night-time illuminations, this area is one of the best places in the park to consider going to for a lovely photo souvenir!

There are a couple of facilities we would encourage you to visit along with the park. One of them is Fujiyama Onsen, and the other, Fujiyama Museum. Both facilities are located very near La Ville de Gaspard et Lisa.

Fujiyama Onsen is a natural hot spring that uses high quality spring waters from Mt. Fuji, and the place is easy to take a day trip to. Something unusual about this natural hot spring is that spring water of all qualities are blended into one here, and the result is well-known for its skin beautifying effects. Facilities include hot springs, sauna, a bedrock bath area, body care and spa (reservation required), and many others services that make it an excellent spot to visit for some good quality rest and relaxation.

The other must-visit spot, Fujiyama Museum, is an art museum with plenty of Mt. Fuji inspired pieces on display. The main bulk of its collection are masterpieces from modern artists reimagining Mt. Fuji from their unique perspectives. This is where you can look at the iconic mountain through the eyes of consummate artists of our time.

The building itself has two floors, with an atrium in the middle that is in full view of the entire interior. A sloped corridor curling around the inside of the building is where the artwork on display can be admired - quite a novel method of looking at artpieces, that's for sure! Halfway through the corridor, there are LCD displays that streams live videos of Mt. Fuji from the cameras installed on the building's rooftop.

After enjoying the attractions, the next thing that comes to mind is souvenirs. Fuji-Q Highland has shops located throughout the park, offering a wide variety of souvenirs. The most popular one is the 'Highland Butter & Chocolate Cookies.' These individually wrapped cookies come in a pack of 42 and are priced at 1,430 yen including tax, making them a budget-friendly option.

In second place, we have the 'Fuji-Q Highland Coaster Print Cookies,' priced at 1,430 yen including tax for a pack of 16 cookies. Each cookie features a print of one of the Big Four coasters.

In third place on the popularity ranking, we have the 'Do-Dodonpa Rich Pudding,' priced at 1,240 yen including tax. It's a moist and slightly bitter ring cake with a custard-like sauce soaked in, giving it a rich flavor reminiscent of pudding.

Furthermore, there are plenty of souvenirs themed around Mount Fuji, featuring illustrations of Mount Fuji and tea fields on items like matcha in a can. You can also find souvenirs like 'Fuji Q Ramen' that could help showcase Fuji-Q Highland to the fullest.

At the Starbucks Coffee inside Fuji-Q Highland, you can find tumbler mugs with a Mount Fuji design that are limited to Yamanashi and Shizuoka. There's a diverse lineup of souvenirs to explore, so be sure to find the perfect one for yourself.

(Please note that the information for each product has been updated in October 2023 based on research conducted in February 2020.)

Finally, let's talk about the main methods of getting to Fuji-Q Highland.

To get to the amusement park from the Tokyo metropolitan area, you can either drive there with your own car (a rental car works, too!), or take a train or highway bus for convenience.

If you are driving, take the Chuo Expressway Otsuki JCT and exit at Kawaguchiko I.C. Alternatively, you can exit at Gotemba I.C. on the Tomei Expressway and then exit at Fujiyoshida I.C. on Higashifujigoko Road. The park will be visible immediately after the final exit, whichever route you take.

To reach the park by train, take any major railway route in the Tokyo metropolitan area to Otsuki Station on the JR Lines. From there, take the Fujikyuko Line to Fuji-Q Highland Station, which will take about 50 minutes. If you are traveling from Shinjuku, taking the Fuji Excursion on the JR or Fujikyuko Lines is the most convenient option.

When it comes to using the highway bus, there are direct buses available from several spots, including Busta Shinjuku, Shibuya Mark City, Tokyo Station (Yaesu South Exit and the Tekko Building), Akihabara, and Yokohama Station.

If you plan to use the highway bus, the combination ticket 'Toku Q Pack,' which includes a free pass and was also used by Cassie on this trip, is convenient and cost-effective.

Fuji-Q Highland offers a wide range of attractions, from Guinness-level thrill rides and scenic views of Mount Fuji to theme parks featuring popular characters, natural hot springs, and museums.

Fuji-Q Highland provides something for thrill-seekers and non-thrill enthusiasts alike. Be sure to pay a visit!

*This article was originally published in February 2020 and updated in October 2023.