Nagashima Spa Land, Kuwana, Japan

Nagashima Spa Land, Kuwana, Japan

Nagashima Spa Land is a major amusement park in Kuwana right on the border with Aichi Prefecture. Along with Nabana no Sato, it is part of the Nagashima Onsen entertainment and leisure area.

Opened in 1966, it is arguably the 2nd biggest amusement park in all of Japan behind Fuji-Q Highlands. There are about 45 total rides with 10 roller coasters. The water park currently holds a record for highest density of water slides in a given area.

Amusement Park — The amusement park is full of coasters, twisty rides, viking rides, kiddy rides, and most of what you'd expect from a major amusement park

Steel Dragon 2000 — A serious roller coaster that could give the world's best a run for their money. At the time of its opening in 2000, it held the world record for speed, height, and track length (the so-called "triple crown"). In two fields it has been superseded, however the world's longest roller coaster record (2479m - 8133ft) still holds a decade later which is a true testament to the quality of this ride. The name comes from the fact that 2000 was a "Year of the Dragon" in the Chinese Zodiac. 

Has a huge hill (97m - 318ft) that can compete with the world's best with quite a few more hills following after it. The top hill can easily be seen from far and wide in much of northern Mie and the Nagoya area on a clear day. You get an amazing view of northern Mie from the top hill right before you take the plunge! The ride clocks in at over three minutes long. 

In 2013, the ride was renovated and reopened featuring new open-air carriages with deep bucket seat that leave your legs dangling. The new harness system uses an over-lap locking system designed for people with "normal" sized thighs. Bigger people, beware. 

White Cyclone — The other major roller coaster in Nagashima is a massive wooden ride that opened in 1995. Wooden roller coasters are extremely rare in Japan (only 5) due to strict rules on the construction of wooden buildings/structures set in place by the Japanese government. 

This tribute to deforestation starts with the standard big hill and then zigs and zags around in an out-and-back fashion all over the place. Riders with high tolerance for bumpy and rattly rides and/or have strong neck muscles will enjoy riding this multiple times. 

Other roller coasters — There is a cork screw-style one, a mine ride one, a standing one, an interesting one that twirls you while you move straight, and a few other ones. 

Giant Frisbee — Gig circular structure that twirls and spins while arcing back and forth. Liable to make you very sick if you aren't used to that kind of thing. 

Space Shuttle — Shaped like a NASA spacecraft, it is like a viking ride except that it will do a full upside-down rotation. 

Giant Splash — Like a log ride. One giant raft ascends a big hill then descends and hits the water hard which creates an humongous wave. There is a bridge placed so that the wave will totally drench anybody standing on it if they are there when the raft hits the water. Fun to watch (from a distance). 

Space Shot — Shoots you straight up and then you free fall most of the way back to the ground. 

Ferris Wheel — At 83m (272ft), it is one of the largest ferris wheels in Japan. 

Nagashima Spa Land is a major amusement park in Kuwana, Mie Prefecture, Japan. It features several roller coasters, thrill rides, and kid rides, a giant Ferris wheel, and a water park.

Ladakh - India's great mountain kingdom

Ladakh. Just the name gets the traveller high. Once a great Buddhist kingdom, it is today a strategic military outpost for India, sharing borders with China and Pakistan. Over the last few years, more and more tourists have been choosing Ladakh as a destination for its awe-inspiring scenery, demanding treks and rafting adventures, as well as culture. Enjoy these fascinating images from India's highest, and largest, district.

The mountains of Ladakh are seen shrouded in clouds near Leh, Ladakh, India. Ladakh, nestled between the Kunlun mountain range in the north and the main Great Himalayas to the south, was once an ancient Buddhist Kingdom and for over half a century now, a strategic military outpost for India. Ladakh, sharing borders with both China and Pakistan, has seen an increase in tourism over the last few years, an alternative to Nepali Himalayan treks.

 A Buddhist monk travels by horse with his companions near the village of Rumbak.

 Mountains rise over the Pangong Lake in Ladakh, India.

 Mountains rise over the Pangong Lake.

 Signs displaying pro Indian slogans and the altitude are seen at the Chang La pass on the road to Pangong Lake.

 A Buddhist monk departs from morning prayers at the Thikse Monastery in Ladakh. The Thikse monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Yellow Hat (Gelugpa) sect, located on top of a hill, approximately 20 kilometres east of Leh. It is noted for its semblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet and is the largest monastery in central Ladakh.

   

  Young Buddhist monks pray during morning prayers at the Thikse Monastery.

 A young Buddhist monk carries tea for elder monks during morning prayers at the Thikse Monastery

 Young Tibetan Buddhist monks scramble for pencils being handed out by an elder monk at the Thikse Monastery.

 Buddhist monks pray during morning prayers at the Thikse Monastery.

 A young Buddhist monk prays during morning prayers at the Thikse Monastery.

  Trekkers make the route between Jingchen to Chilling with views of the Zanskar range in Ladakh, India.

 Buddhist Stupas are seen the village of Sku on the trek between Jingchen to Chilling with views of the Zanskar range.

 A Buddhist devotee prays at the base of a 25m (75 ft) statue of Buddha at the Likir monastery.

 At Basgo Monastery, a World Heritage Site in Ladakh, India.

 The Zanskar river, a tributary of the Indus, stretches out near to the village of Chilling with views of the Zanskar range.

 A Ladakhi porter travels with his horses en route to Rumbak.

 A yak is seen on the mountainside on the route between Jingchen to Chilling.

  The horns of a Bharal or Blue Sheep, believed by Ladakhis to ward of evil and bring good luck, is seen on a trail near the village of Urutse.

 Seagulls sit on the Pangong Lake.

Large rocks sit in marshes on the road leading to the Pangong Lake and the border to China.

   

Nilgiri Mountain Railway

Built by the British in 1908 and operated by the then Madras Railway, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. The railway operates from Mettupalayam in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore district to Ooty, the headquarters of the Nilgiris district, and covers a distance of 46 kilometres, making 10 station stops in all. The railway has the steepest track in Asia with a maximum gradient of 8.33%. The railway operates on the rack-and-pinion system, designed by Swiss locomotive engineer Roman Abt. From Mettupalayam, the train is hauled by Swiss-made 'X' Class steam rack locomotives. At Coonoor, a diesel locomotive takes over and pulls the train into Ooty. PAWAN KOPPA, a railfanner and a member of the Indian Railways Fan Club, recounts a memorable journey on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.

On a cold morning, a crowd of people rush to board the 662SR Mettupalayam-Udhagamandalam (Nilagiri) Passenger.

The 'X' Class steam Rack Locomotive arrives from its shed to take charge of the 662SR up to Coonoor while a signboard welcomes passengers to the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.

A view of the sidings at Mettupalayam for the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. The ones for broad gauge are on the right. The NMR track is 1000 mm (3 ft and 3 3/8 inches) wide.

The 'X' class loco arrives on the platform before being coupled to the rake.

Curious onlookers try to figure out the working of the X class loco as it is coupled to the Nilagiri Passenger.

The dinky steam loco puffs up steam at Mettupalayam station.

All coupled, the loco is set to push the train up the tough gradient of the Nilgiris.

Early morning rays do not diminish the wonder generated by three steam outlets - Kallar.

At Kallar, a board welcomes passengers to the dense forest at the beginning of the NMR. It is here that the rack-and-pinion system begins.

The NMR departs from Kallar and chugs up the mighty hills.

A close-up of the rack-and-pinion system, which holds the rake against slippages on the steep gradients.

An unexpected midway halt brings curious passengers out of their seats. A rack had broken up ahead on the way and the gangmen had noticed it late the previous evening. They were well prepared this morning and went ahead and replaced the faulty rack.

Cameras click all around us as every tourist becomes a railfan on this wonderful and memorable journey. There are 108 curves, 16 tunnels and 250 bridges on the 46-km stretch of the NMR.

This cute little engine needs a lot of water in its belly. At Hillgrove, the steam loco gets a water fill while passengers also stop for refreshments.

Famished passengers people nearly attacked the vendor of the small shop at Hillgrove. All for a cup of Nilgiri tea in the heart of the mountains to complete a picture of heaven!

The loco takes a breather at Hillgrove.

At 1408 m above sea level, the mountain air inspired passengers to get out at every opportunity.

Take one look at the breathtaking beauty of the terrains that this train navigates and it's clear why the NMR truly deserves to be a World Heritage Site!

As the NMR negotiates a bridge, trigger-happy passengers capture the view.

At Coonoor, it's time for change. Two generations of locomotives flank each other. After a fantastic job pushing up the gradient, the 'x' Class moves away while a workhorse of an era gone by steps in to push the passenger train from Coonoor to Udhagamandalam.

The steam loco shed at Coonoor.

 Journey Ends....