The World's First Karaoke Ferris Wheel Has Opened in Japan

Croon tunes from one of eight rotating booths.
Sarah Ward
September 09, 2017

A country so fond of singing other people's tunes in public, it invented the machine that revolutionised the concept, Japan has long been known for its karaoke obsession. Throw a stone in Tokyo, and you'll find a bar dedicated to crooning tunes — and now, you'll find a ferris wheel as well.

Located in Bunkyo, Tokyo Dome City has been operating as an amusement park for decades, and has boasted the Big-O Ferris Wheel for the bulk of this century. Letting patrons sing within eight of gondolas is a new addition for the ride, however. In 15-minute bursts, theme park attendees with a song in their heart can gather with up to three friends and choose from up to 50 tracks.

With the Big-O already considered the world's first hubless version, aka there's no spokes in the middle, joining forces with karaoke company Joysound really was the next logical way to up the ante (and eclipse Japan's other recent mashup, a hot tub amusement park). Tickets cost ¥820 (or around AU$9.40) per person for a single ride, or ¥3,900 (AU$44.90) for an unlimited day pass — because who wants to sing and spin just once?

Via Travel + Leisure. Image: calbeeb.

Published on September 09, 2017 by Sarah Ward
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