Kumamoto, Japan – Skyline Attractions is thrilled to partner with Great Coasters International, Inc. (GCII) and Sanoyas Rides Corporation on the design and engineering of Wadatsumi, a new roller coaster at Greenland amusement park in Arao, Kumamoto, Japan. The name Wadatsumi draws inspiration from the legendary Japanese deity of the sea, reflecting the fluid and nonstop nature of the ride’s layout.
Wadatsumi is a family-friendly thrill ride with 2,037 feet (620.8 m) of wooden track and a maximum height of 63 feet (19.3 m). It features a classic wooden track construction and a steel support structure.
Guests will ride aboard GCII’s beloved Millennium Flyer trains, known for their articulated design. The ride will operate with two trains, each consisting of eight cars seating two riders across, for a total of 16 riders per train.
Skyline Attractions led the ride’s layout development and engineering. The ride was custom-designed for its location within Greenland and includes swooping curves and numerous floater airtime hills.
“Wadatsumi will be the first wooden coaster built in Japan in over two decades, so we knew it was especially important to make this comeback with a ‘splash’”, said Dustin Sloane, Director of Creative Processes at Skyline Attractions. “We got to work formulating a design that would be thrilling, timeless, and fun for park guests of all ages. This very linear site made for a perfect opportunity to pay homage to the classic out-and-back wood coaster designs of the past while still mixing some quintessential GCII flair.”
The ride is located at the edge of the park on a small hillside that was previously undeveloped.
“This layout also takes advantage of the unique hillside terrain to turn up the dial mid-ride, reaching a new maximum speed, and carrying that high-speed energy all the way through the finale,” said Sloane.
Upon opening, Wadatsumi will stand as a landmark attraction for Greenland. Construction on the new ride is expected to begin this June, and the ride is expected to open in spring 2028.
About Skyline Attractions:
Skyline Attractions, LLC is based in Orlando, Florida, USA. The company was founded in 2014 and has since worked on the design and manufacturing of amusement rides across the globe, including world-record wooden roller coasters with Great Coasters International, Inc.