Japan Tells Roller Coaster Riders To ‘Scream Inside Your Heart’ Instead Of Out Loud

As theme parks begin to reopen in Japan, authorities have banned visitors from screaming on adrenaline-pumping rides like roller coasters in order to reduce the spread of coronavirus. In fact, one park, Fuji-Q Highland, has even gone so far as to advise riders to “please scream inside your heart.” If that’s not a perfect sentiment for 2020, I don’t know what is.

カメラ向こうか正面向くか迷った末のカメラ目線
FUJIYAMA4回も乗れたしめっちゃ楽しかった！！#真顔チャレンジ pic.twitter.com/dM2qabGp8M

— なおっきー (@ike_naokki) June 29, 2020

1. They’re even holding their employees to the ban. In a video unveiling the new rule, Fuji-Q Highland show a couple of high-ranking executives in business attire riding one of their roller coasters in silent terror. It’s both strange and hilarious, especially since there’s no one else on the ride in the video.
2. Most theme parks are following the same rules. As The Wall Street Journal reports, most parks in Japan have adopted the no screaming rule that was unveiled as a part of the guidelines issued by the East and West Japan Theme Park Associations at the end of May 2020.
3. Of course, this rule isn’t so easy to follow. No one gets on a roller coaster intending to make as much noise as possible. We scream because we’re afraid, exhilarated, energized, etc. It’s not a conscious choice, it’s just something that happens involuntarily. How on earth can this rule be enforced? Not easily, a Fuji-Q official admits. “We received complaints that the theme park association’s request to not make loud noises was impossible and too strict,” a spokesperson said.
4. Fujiyama is a pretty scary roller coaster. This is no baby! It’s 259ft tall and has a 230ft drop, both of which were records when the coaster opened at Fuji-Q back in 1996. It no longer holds those records, but it’s still pretty impressive spec-wise. You just try to keep from screaming on that.
5. Time will tell how this plan works out. I’m not sure if it would be worth it to me to visit an amusement park if I wasn’t able to have all the fun I’m used to having, but who I know many will feel differently. Good luck to everyone regardless of your decision!

#真顔チャレンジ#富士急ハイランド

ここ以外終始気持ち悪いほど笑ってました pic.twitter.com/SBwMQKWgnn

— ゆーゆ〜@壮絶な竹富島ロス (@yadoya_nizato) June 23, 2020