Eejanaika (ええじゃないか), which translates roughly to “Ain’t it great!” in Japanese, is a steel fourth-dimension roller coaster at Fuji-Q Highland in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan. Manufactured by S&S – Arrow, it opened on July 19, 2006 as the world’s second fourth-dimension coaster — and immediately surpassed its predecessor X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain in height, speed, and length.
What makes Eejanaika unlike virtually any other coaster is its rotating seat system: four riders sit on each side of the train in seats that spin freely forward and backward 360 degrees via a rack-and-pinion mechanism on two dedicated control rails. The result is a ride where passengers have almost no ability to anticipate what’s coming next, since their orientation changes independently of the track itself.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Fuji-Q Highland, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan
- Manufacturer: S&S – Arrow
- Opened: July 19, 2006
- Height: 249 ft (76 m)
- Top Speed: 78 mph (126 km/h)
- Length: 3,783 ft (1,153 m)
- Inversions: 14 (including seat rotations)
- Duration: About 2 min 10 sec
The Ride Experience
After ascending 249 feet, the train enters a pre-drop before plunging 213 feet at a near-vertical 89-degree angle — reaching 78 mph at the base. From that moment, the rotating seats begin working against riders’ expectations, spinning them through a sequence of raven turns, a zero-g roll, a fly-to-lie element, and a half camelback twist. The track alone contains 3 inversions, but the independent seat rotation contributes an additional 11 seat inversions, bringing the total inversion count to 14.
The sensation is described by enthusiasts as relentlessly disorienting. Unlike traditional coasters where experienced riders can ‘read’ the layout, Eejanaika’s seat rotations are timed and controlled but feel anything but predictable from the rider’s perspective. The roughly two-minute-and-ten-second ride is considered one of the most intense in the world.
Records and Technology
Fourth-dimension coasters represent one of the most mechanically complex coaster types ever built. The design, pioneered by engineer Alan Schilke, uses two standard running rails and two additional spin-control rails. As the train travels the course, the control rails rise and fall relative to the track, turning the seats via rack-and-pinion gears at precisely timed moments. Eejanaika was only the second coaster in the world to use this system when it opened in 2006.
With 14 total inversions, Eejanaika ties with The Smiler in the UK for the most inversions of any roller coaster in the world — though the distinction is debated, since the majority of Eejanaika’s inversions are seat rotations rather than full track inversions. Regardless of the record debate, the coaster remains one of Fuji-Q Highland’s signature attractions and a major draw for thrill-seekers visiting Japan.
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Eejanaika FAQs
What type of roller coaster is Eejanaika?
Eejanaika is a fourth-dimension roller coaster, a rare coaster type where the seats can rotate freely 360 degrees forward and backward independently of the track. It was built by S&S – Arrow and opened at Fuji-Q Highland in Japan in 2006.
How many inversions does Eejanaika have?
Eejanaika has 14 total inversions. Three of these are track inversions, while the remaining 11 are inversions of the rotating seats. This ties it with The Smiler in the UK for the most inversions of any roller coaster in the world, though the record is debated due to the nature of seat versus track inversions.
Is Eejanaika currently operating?
Yes. Eejanaika is currently operating at Fuji-Q Highland. The ride was temporarily closed in early 2025 following a safety incident in February of that year, but reopened in May 2025 after enhanced lockout procedures were introduced.
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Photo: Derek F. DiMatteo / CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.