Do-Dodonpa was a compressed-air launch coaster at Fuji-Q Highland in Fujiyoshida, Japan, built by S&S – Sansei Technologies using their Thrust Air Coaster system. It first opened as Dodonpa on December 21, 2001, instantly becoming the fastest roller coaster in the world and holder of the fastest acceleration record, blasting riders to 172 km/h (107 mph) in under two seconds.
In 2016 the ride closed for a major overhaul, reopening on July 15, 2017 as Do-Dodonpa with a redesigned layout that swapped its original top hat tower for a vertical loop and pushed the launch speed even higher, to 180 km/h (112 mph) in 1.56 seconds. The ride operated as one of the most extreme thrill machines anywhere until safety concerns forced its shutdown.
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
- Length: 1,244 m (4,081 ft)
- Inversions: 1 (vertical loop, 2017–2021 version)
The Ride Experience
Do-Dodonpa’s signature moment came in its first two seconds: a compressed-air launch system fired trains from a standstill to 180 km/h almost instantly, generating forces that felt closer to a fighter jet catapult than a typical coaster launch. After the launch, riders climbed into a vertical loop before descending back to the station, with the entire circuit lasting about 55 seconds.
The intensity that made Do-Dodonpa famous also made it dangerous. Between late 2020 and mid-2021, the park received multiple reports of riders sustaining fractures, including neck and back injuries attributed to the extreme rate of acceleration, prompting an indefinite closure in August 2021.
Closure and Legacy
After nearly three years of investigation and no viable path to a safe reopening, Fuji-Q Highland announced on March 13, 2024 that Do-Dodonpa would be permanently retired and dismantled. Demolition began shortly after, and by 2025 most of the track had been removed. Despite its short and troubled final chapter, Do-Dodonpa remains a landmark in coaster history for redefining what a launch could feel like.
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Do-Dodonpa FAQs
Is Do-Dodonpa still open?
No. It closed indefinitely in August 2021 after riders reported broken bones, and Fuji-Q Highland confirmed in March 2024 that it would be permanently removed 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, one of the fastest accelerations ever built into a roller coaster.
Who built Do-Dodonpa?
It was built by S&S – Sansei Technologies using their Thrust Air Coaster compressed-air launch system.
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Photo: Geomr / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.