Jupiter (roller coaster)

Jupiter (Japanese: ジュピター) is a wooden roller coaster at Kijima Kogen, an amusement park in Beppu, Ōita Prefecture, Japan.[1]

Jupiter
Kijima Kogen
Location	Kijima Kogen
Coordinates	33.261697°N 131.428075°E / 33.261697; 131.428075
Status	Operating
Opening date	1992
Cost	2.5 billion yen
General statistics
Type	Wood
Manufacturer	Intamin
Designer	Curtis D. Summers
Height	42 m (138 ft)
Length	1,600 m (5,200 ft)
Speed	91 km/h (57 mph)
Inversions	0
Duration	2:34
Max vertical angle	45°
Height restriction	120 cm (3 ft 11 in)
Jupiter at RCDB Pictures of Jupiter at RCDB

Opening in 1992[1][2] (although other sources report that it opened in 1993[3]), Jupiter was the first wooden roller coaster in Japan and the only wooden roller coaster in Japan until White Canyon opened at Yomiuriland amusement park and White Cyclone opened at Nagashima Spa Land amusement park (both in 1994).[4] At over 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) in length,[1] Jupiter is the 7th longest wooden roller coaster in the world.[5]

History

Although Japan has had numerous notable roller coasters—including coasters that have held the record of world's longest, world's fastest, and world's tallest roller coaster—it has had relatively few wooden roller coasters. This resulted from Japanese earthquake engineering regulations that restricted the construction of tall wooden structures. It was not until after these restrictions were modified that Jupiter (and later White Canyon and White Cyclone) could be constructed.[3]

Jupiter was built by Intamin AG out of Norway spruce lumber[6] and it cost a total of 2.5 billion yen to construct.[2] The coaster was also the last to be designed by noted roller coaster designer Curtis D. Summers before his death in 1992 and it was one of only two coasters that he produced with Intamin.[7][8]

The roller coaster Jupiter is also notable for briefly appearing in the 1994 science fiction kaiju movie, Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla.[1]

Ride experience and theme

While it is reported to be the most popular ride at Kijima Kogen,[9] Jupiter is described by a number of sources as having a rough and somewhat uncomfortable ride experience.[2][9] Single rides on Jupiter cost 1,000 yen.[6]

Outside the ride is an example roller coaster train car, as well as a small "Jupiter" shrine in a Shinto motif.[2]

References

1. Marden, Duane. "Jupiter". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
2. Shintaro (May 2005). "Jupiter". Rollercoaster Maniac (in Japanese). Retrieved 22 August 2012.
3. Urbanowicz, Steven J. (2002). The Roller Coaster Lover's Companion: A Thrill Seeker's Guide to the World's Best Coasters. New York: Citadel Press. ISBN 0-8065-2309-3.
4. Marden, Duane. "List of wooden roller coasters in Japan". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
5. Marden, Duane. "Listing of world's longest wooden roller coasters". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
6. "Jupitā" ジュピター [Jupiter]. Kijimi Kogen Park (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 31, 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
7. Bennett, David (1998). Roller Coaster: Wooden and Steel Coasters, Twisters, and Corkscrews. Chartwell Books. ISBN 078580885X.
8. Marden, Duane. "listing of Curtis D. Summers roller coasters". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
9. "Enjoy Your Day at Kijima Kogen Park". Oita Prefecture's Official Sightseeing Information Site. Tourism Oita. 2010. Archived from the original on 7 October 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2012.