Do-Dodonpa (often searched simply as “dodonpa” or “do dodonpa”) was a compressed-air launch coaster at Fuji-Q Highland in Fujiyoshida, Japan. For most of its life it was the single fastest-accelerating roller coaster on Earth, firing riders to 180 km/h (112 mph) in about 1.56 seconds — quicker than a Formula 1 car off the line.
The ride is permanently closed and largely demolished as of this writing, but it remains one of the most searched roller coasters in the world because nothing since has matched its launch. Below is the full story: exactly how fast it was, how the 2001 original differed from the 2017 rebuild, why it shut down, and what’s fastest at Fuji-Q Highland now that it’s gone.
Quick Answer
Do-Dodonpa was a compressed-air launch coaster at Fuji-Q Highland that accelerated riders from 0 to 180 km/h (112 mph) in 1.56 seconds — the fastest acceleration ever built into a roller coaster. It closed permanently in 2021 after rider injuries and was officially retired and dismantled starting in 2024, so it is not currently open and cannot be ridden.
Dodonpa vs. Do-Dodonpa: Two Versions, One Name
The ride most people mean when they search “dodonpa” actually existed in two distinct forms. The original Dodonpa opened December 21, 2001, launching riders to 172 km/h (107 mph) in about 1.8 seconds — instantly making it the fastest roller coaster in the world and the first coaster to use a full-scale compressed-air launch.
In 2016 the park closed the ride for a total rebuild. It reopened July 15, 2017, rebranded as Do-Dodonpa, with the original top-hat tower replaced by a vertical loop and the launch pushed to a faster 180 km/h (112 mph) in 1.56 seconds. Both versions were built by S&S – Sansei Technologies using their Thrust Air Coaster compressed-air system, so “Dodonpa” and “Do-Dodonpa” refer to the same ride at two different points in its life.
How Fast Was Do-Dodonpa, Really?
In its final 2017–2021 form, Do-Dodonpa launched trains from a dead stop to 180 km/h (112 mph) in roughly 1.56 seconds, subjecting riders to a peak force of about 4.3 G — comparable to a fighter-jet catapult launch and among the highest sustained launch forces ever put into a passenger ride.
That launch made Do-Dodonpa the fastest-accelerating roller coaster on the planet from 2001 until its 2021 shutdown, a title it never lost to a rival design. It briefly held the broader “fastest roller coaster in the world” record by top speed too, from its December 2001 debut until Cedar Point’s Top Thrill Dragster opened in 2003 and pushed speeds higher; after that, Do-Dodonpa kept the acceleration record even as other coasters topped it on outright top speed.
The Ride Experience
After the near-instant launch, the 2017-era layout sent trains up and through a vertical loop before descending back into the station, with the full circuit lasting about 55 seconds across 1,244 m (4,081 ft) of track and a height of roughly 49 m (161 ft). Because almost all of the ride’s intensity was concentrated in the first two seconds, most riders described the launch itself — not the loop or the drop — as the defining moment of Do-Dodonpa.
Is Do-Dodonpa Still the Fastest Roller Coaster at Fuji-Q Highland?
No — Do-Dodonpa is permanently closed, so it’s no longer part of the park’s lineup at all. With it gone, Fujiyama currently holds the title of fastest ride at Fuji-Q Highland, reaching about 130 km/h (81 mph). Eejanaika, the park’s 4th-dimension coaster, tops out around 126 km/h (78 mph), and the launched Euro-Fighter Takabisha reaches about 100 km/h (62 mph) — all considerably slower than Do-Dodonpa’s 180 km/h launch, which nothing at the park (or arguably anywhere) has replicated since.
For current attraction lineups, operating hours, and ticket pricing, check the official Fuji-Q Highland website, which also shows live wait times for Fujiyama, Eejanaika, and Takabisha.
Closure, Injuries, and Permanent Removal
Do-Dodonpa’s extreme launch force came with real risk. Between late 2020 and its shutdown, Fuji-Q Highland logged multiple rider injury reports, including fractures to the neck and back attributed to the abruptness of the acceleration, and the park pulled the ride from operation on August 12, 2021 while it investigated.
After nearly three years without finding a way to make the launch safe, Fuji-Q Highland announced on March 13, 2024 that Do-Dodonpa would be permanently retired rather than reopened. Demolition began within days of that announcement, and by 2025 crews had removed nearly all of the track, leaving only the vertical loop and the entry/exit tunnels standing while the park weighed whether to preserve them as a monument or complete the teardown.
Stats at a Glance
Park: Fuji-Q Highland, Fujiyoshida, Japan. Manufacturer: S&S – Sansei Technologies (Thrust Air Coaster). Opened: December 21, 2001 as Dodonpa; reopened July 15, 2017 as Do-Dodonpa. Closed: August 12, 2021 (indefinite); permanent closure announced March 13, 2024. Height: about 49 m (161 ft). Top speed: 180 km/h (112 mph) in 1.56 seconds, peaking near 4.3 G. Length: 1,244 m (4,081 ft). Inversions: 1 (vertical loop, 2017–2021 version; the 2001–2016 original had none).
Do-Dodonpa roller coaster FAQs
Is Do-Dodonpa still open?
No. It closed indefinitely in August 2021 after riders reported fractures, and Fuji-Q Highland confirmed in March 2024 that the ride would be permanently retired and dismantled rather than reopened.
How fast was Do-Dodonpa?
In its final configuration it launched riders to 180 km/h (112 mph) in about 1.56 seconds, generating roughly 4.3 G — the fastest acceleration ever built into a roller coaster.
What’s the difference between Dodonpa and Do-Dodonpa?
They’re the same ride at two stages. Dodonpa opened in 2001 with a top-hat tower and a 172 km/h launch. After a 2016 rebuild it reopened in 2017 as Do-Dodonpa with a vertical loop and a faster 180 km/h launch.
Who built Do-Dodonpa?
S&S – Sansei Technologies built it using their Thrust Air Coaster compressed-air launch system, used for both the 2001 original and the 2017 rebuild.
What is the fastest roller coaster at Fuji-Q Highland now?
With Do-Dodonpa permanently closed, Fujiyama is currently the fastest coaster at Fuji-Q Highland, reaching about 130 km/h (81 mph), ahead of Eejanaika and Takabisha.
Was Do-Dodonpa ever the fastest roller coaster in the world?
Yes, briefly. The original 2001 Dodonpa was the fastest roller coaster in the world by top speed until 2003, and it held the world record for fastest acceleration continuously from 2001 until its 2021 closure.
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