Fuji-Q Highland Afternoon Pass

Fuji-Q Highland at the foot of Mount Fuji

Fuji-Q Highland is an amusement park in Fujiyoshida, a few minutes from Lake Kawaguchiko, opened in 1961 and known across Japan for its record-making roller coasters. The setting is unique: the steel tracks rise against the slopes of Mount Fuji, and on a clear afternoon the mountain fills the sky behind the rides, although Fuji views are never guaranteed because cloud often hides the summit.

The park's big names are its thrill coasters: one opened in 1996 climbs about 79 metres, another from 2011 is famous for a drop steeper than vertical, and a third spins its seats head over heels as the train runs. Around them are drop towers, spinning rides and a large haunted-house attraction, which needs a separate ticket.

What the afternoon pass covers

From 2:00 pm you can enter the park and ride the attractions as many times as you like until closing, including the big coasters and the children's area. The haunted-house attraction is not included, and food and drinks are paid separately at the park's restaurants and kiosks. Many of the large coasters have minimum height rules and upper age limits, and some close temporarily in strong wind or rain.

Because the most popular coasters can have long queues, plan your afternoon around two or three favourites and ride the rest when the lines shorten. Weekday afternoons outside Japanese school holidays are usually the calmest. Is Fuji-Q Highland worth visiting for half a day? For coaster fans, yes: the afternoon is often enough to ride the headline coasters once each and enjoy the views.

A morning around the Fuji Five Lakes first

The afternoon pass works best as the second half of a Fuji day. In the morning you can climb to the Chureito Pagoda above Fujiyoshida, walk among the spring ponds of Oshino Hakkai, ride the Panorama Ropeway above Lake Kawaguchiko or stroll the lakeshore at Oishi Park. Mount Fuji is often clearest early in the day, so sightseeing first and rides later makes good sense.

All these places are within about twenty minutes by car of the park. Haqqi Tours can arrange a private car with driver for the morning, dropping you at the Fuji-Q Highland gate before 2:00 pm, or a private transfer back to your hotel in the evening. If you are staying in Kawaguchiko, the park is only one stop by local train from Kawaguchiko Station.

How to get to Fuji-Q Highland and opening hours

Fuji-Q Highland has its own station on the local railway, one stop from Kawaguchiko Station, and its own stop on the highway bus routes from Shinjuku and Tokyo Station, a ride of about one hour and three quarters to two hours depending on traffic. A hotel, restaurants and parking sit next to the main entrance.

Fuji-Q Highland opening hours change with the season and the day of the week, usually from morning until early evening, with longer hours on busy summer and holiday dates, and occasional closure days for maintenance. Check the park calendar for your date before you go. With the afternoon pass you can arrive any time from 2:00 pm, scan your QR code at the ticket reader and walk straight in.