is an amusement park in Arao City, Kumamoto, Japan. It is among the largest amusement parks in on the island of Kyūshū. The total Greenland Resort has an area of 300 hectares in total, including the amusement park itself, a golf course, hotel, onsen, and shopping mall among other facilities. The park is run by Greenland Resort Co. Ltd., a part of the Saibu Gas Holdings Group.
The park was long known as Mitsui Greenland due to its association with the local Mitsui Miike Coal Mine. However, the park's name was shortened to simply "Greenland" on 21 July 2007 after the closure of the mine.
Summary With 81 rides, the park boasts the most attractions of any amusement park in Japan. The Ferris wheel "Rainbow" is one of the largest in Japan, at a height of 105m. The park contains 10 rollercoasters, including the suspension style "NIO", Kyūshū's longest rollercoaster "GAO", "Ultra Megaton", and "Milky Way" which features a sitting and standing ride which run in parallel. This was the most rollercoasters of any park in Japan until Greenland was overtaken in 2017 by Nagashima Spa Land. "Star Flyer," Kyūshū's first rotating swing style ride was developed in July 2012, costing 500 million yen (¥500,000,000). There are a number of trackless trains for travel around the park due to the hilly area on which it is built.
The park has operated 365 days a year since opening, with no breaks aside from those caused by extreme weather such as typhoons, and to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, the park announced in August 2023 that it would operate with 22 days of closure per year from January 2024, to secure staff holidays and strengthen safety checks.
Ownership The park's predecessor, Mitsui Miike Lake Development Co. Ltd. was founded in 1964 by the Mitsui Miike Coal Mine Group which operated in Ōmuta City, Fukuoka, which neighbours Arao. In July 1966, the project began with the development of a tourism-focused fruit farm (grapes and amanatsu), children's playground, boat lake and hotel.地域別レジャーランドの経営資料 三井グリーンランド – 全国レジャーランドの経営実例と事業計画資料集1970年版（日本エコノミストセンター）(in Japanese). From this, tenants were gradually attracted who set up attractions. In 1976, the company merged into the Miike mine's Miike Coal Mine Construction Co., Ltd. The operation only went independent from the construction company in 1980 with the founding of Greenland Co., Ltd. In 1987 the company became a direct associate of the Mitsui Coal Mine and the company was renamed "Mitsui Greenland Co., Ltd." in 1990.
In 2005, Mitsui Mine sold its shares in the company to the Saibu Gas Group, making Saibu Gas the new largest shareholder. The Mitsui name was removed from the park on 1 July 2006, resulting in the current name.
Ownership history
1 October 1980 – Founded as Greenland Co., Ltd. Jun 1990 – Renamed to Mitsui Greenland Co., Ltd. Nov 1991 – Listed on the Fukuoka Stock Exchange. Dec 1992 – Listed on the Second Section of the Osaka Stock Exchange 1 September 2005 – Saibu Gas replaces Mitsui Coal Mine as largest shareholder 1 July 2006 – Renamed to Greenland Co., Ltd. Jul 2013 – Listed on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange following the merger of the Tokyo and Osaka Stock Exchanges Apr 2022 – Moved from Tokyo Stock Exchange Second Section to the Standard Market following the restructuring of the listing system
Associated companies
Greenland Development Co., Ltd. (Arao City, Kumamoto) Ariake Resort City Co., Ltd. (Arao City, Kumamoto) Sorachi Resort Co., Ltd. (Iwamizawa City, Hokkaido) – which runs the Hokkaido Greenland Amusement Park and Hokkaido Greenland Hotel Sun Plaza, formerly known as Iwamizawa Mitsui Greenland
Access
Rail
Ōmuta Station (JR Kagoshima Line/Nishitetsu Tenjin-Ōmuta Line) is a 20-minute Nishitetsu bus from the front gate of Greenland. This bus runs once an hour on weekdays and once or twice an hour on weekends and holidays. Arao Station (JR Kagoshima Line) is a 10-minute Sankō bus from the front gate/hotel gate.
Road
15 km from the Kyushu Expressway – Nankan interchange.
Attractions
Roller coasters
Dinocoaster "GAO" Custom made by Meisho, track length 1735m, peak height 40m, top speed 100 km/h.グリーンランドに恐竜コースター登場 – アミューズメント産業1987年11月号 (in Japanese). Built in 1997 and renewed with a stegosaurus design.三井グリーンランドに、サスペンデッドルーピングコースターNIO登場 – アミューズメント産業1997年6月号 (in Japanese). NIO Manufactured by Vekoma. Track length 662m, peak height 35m, top speed 80 km/h, peak G-force 4.69G. It has ten 2-seater cars. It is a Suspended Looping Coaster (SLC). It is named after Nio, the two muscular guardians of the Buddha, with the course designed to resemble the Nio's garb. There is a statue of Agyo at the entrance, and a statue of Ungyo on the roof of the ride. Milky Way Vega/Altair Made by Senyo Kogyo and TOGO. 650m track length, peak height 30, top speed 75 km/h, 6 cars fitting 4 riders.乗らなきゃ話にならないゼ!全国遊園地春のニューフェイス – アミューズメント産業1991年4月号 (in Japanese). It was relocated from the EXPO '90 Osaka gardening exhibition where it was called "Fujin Raijin." The ride features two courses which run parallel, one sitting style and one stand-up style. After being renamed from Fujin Raijin to Milky Way in 2007, the sitting course was renamed Vega, and the standing course was renamed Altair, referencing the story celebrated during the Tanabata festival. Ladybird Coaster Granpus Jet新設遊戯施設LINE UP 三井グリーンランド – アミューズメント産業1995年5月号 (in Japanese) Manufactured by Vekoma and Sanoyas-Hishino-Meisho. 6 cars of 4 people, peak height 25m, top speed 60 km/h. The first suspended coaster in Kyūshū. The cars are designed to resemble grampuses and the tracks are painted blue to resemble the ocean. The platform is designed based on the Ryūgū-jō, the palace of the Dragon King in the story of Urashima Tarō. Black Hole Coaster Track length 400m, top speed 30 km/h. An indoor black-hole themed coaster which features aurora and starry sky effects. Spin Mouse Manufactured by Reverchon Industries. Track length 420m. A spinning wild mouse style coaster with 4-seater cars.三井グリーンランド、新エリア「ドラゴンバレー」を開設 – アミューズメント産業1998年9月号 (in Japanese). Sphinx Coaster Manufactured by Sky Park,三井グリーンランド、造船技術を使ったボートシミュレーターを導入 – アミューズメント産業1993年5月号 (in Japanese). track length 360m. Four 4-person cars, top speed 40 km/h.恒例 全国レジャーランドオープン機種一覧 – アミューズメント産業1993年4月号 (in Japanese). A small coaster with an ancient Egyptian Sphinx motif. Ultra Twister Megaton (Currently indefinitely suspended)三井グリーンランド、敷地をさらに拡張して「ウルトラツイスター」「大海賊」を新設営業開始 – アミューズメント産業1994年4月号 (in Japanese). Manufactured by TOGO, track length 360m, peak height 30m, 6 cars with a capacity for 6 people each.
Haunted houses
Horror Tower – Invitation to the Abandoned School Hell Temple Jigokudo Dororon Hospital 3D Sound Theatre Dracula
Ferris wheel
Mega Ferris Wheel "Rainbow" Diameter 100m, peak height 104.5m, 64 gondolas fitting 6 people each.アジア太平洋博覧会-福岡'89公式記録（アジア太平洋博覧会協会 1990年）(in Japanese). Relocated from the Asia Pacific Expo '89 in Fukuoka.第36回アミューズメントマシンショー 出展各社の主力製品 ドラゴンリバー（株）サノヤス・ヒシノ明昌 – アミューズメント産業1998年10月号 150頁 (in Japanese).
Other thrill rides
Splash Rapid Sliding Panic Jungle Super Viking Gyrostorm Dragon River Manufactured by Vekoma. Track Length 329m, 10 carriages for 6 people each, 6 minutes to complete. Star Flyer Goku
Kids area
Mini Viking Hammer Striker Everyone's Shinkansen Drive-a-saurus Machine Gun City
Other kids attractions
Kururun Tower Operation Goodjob Mermaid Paradise Pteranodon Water Shot Submarine Shooting Flying Elephants Kids Station Service Car Drift Racing Dax – relocated from Kashii-Kaen Ball Shoot Ladybird – relocated from Kashii-Kaen Happy Sky (Kumamon Ver.) – Originally meant for Kashii-Kaen but moved to Greenland Kashii-Kaen's closure.
Other attractions
Witch's Flying Tricks Merry-go-round Rendez-vouz Made by Sanoyas Hishino Meisho, diameter of 20m, 40 horse seats, 8 carriage seats, for a total capacity of 80 riders Card Maze "Winding Forest Grand Adventure" Giant 3D Maze KARAKURI Castle Teacups Bang! Bang! Bazooka Cosmic Maze Trampoline Small Java Ice World Crystal House Luxor Magic Personality Test in the Valley of the Kings Built by Nippo Sangyo. Walkthrough attraction based on the Luxor Temple. Slot a dagger and answer the question in each of the four rooms: "Gate room," "Illusion room," "Fresco room," and the "Defense room." In the final "Revelation Room" the results of the personality test are announced. Monsters x Heroes Sky Jet Monster Busters – Wild West Train 4D Gimmick Theatre
Park transport attractions
Sky Lift (Observation Deck Direction – Pool Entrance Direction) Sky Ship (Dragon River Direction – Monster x Heroes Direction) Boat shaped hanging monorail, 12 4-seater gondolas. Lift (Dinocoaster GAO Direction – Super Viking Direction) Road Train (Travels around the parks to 8 stops)
Carnival attractions
Carnival Sultan (Hoop Throw) Shooting House（Target Shooting） Lazer Shooting G-ZONE (Skill Challenge Games) Carnival Games
Arcades
Game Corner Game Plaza Joy Plaza
Go karts
Indie Kart (1 Seater) Indie Kart (2 Seater) GT Go Kart (1 Seater) GT Go Kart (2 Seater)
Zoos Puppy Fun Animal Playground (with Piglets, Flamingo, Guinea pigs, Dogs among others)
Notable former attractions
Hurricane Custom made by Meisho, track length 970m, peak height 30m, top speed 85 km/h. First domestically produced loop-de-loop coaster in Japan. It was replaced by the Dinocoaster in 1987. Atomic Coaster Manufactured by Sengyo Kogyo, peak height 40m, track length 290m, Top speed 70 km/h, 6 cars holding 4 rides each。Round trip loop-de-loop style coaster. Its operation ceased in May 2009 but the loop part remains in the park. Adventure Boat Built by Hitachi Zosen. 8 boats with a capacity of 12 people each. Diameter of 23m. A water ride with a boat in water which simulated ocean waves with a projected background. Hurricane Bolt Made by the Dutch manufacturer Mondial. 6 pods seating 5 people each. Peak height 19.7m. The 6 pods rotated on an arm, attached to a main arm which moves up and down while rotating. Chaos Made by American manufacturer Chance Rides. 18 2-person gondolas, peak height of 12m. Featured seats attached to a 19.95m disk which rotated while rising upwards.
Amusement timeline 1979 – Hurricane 1980 – Atomic Coaster Summer 1983 – Crystal House Summer 1988 – Ice World 1987 – Dinocoaster (Later renamed Dinocoaster "GAO") 1990 – Mega Ferris Wheel Rainbow 1991 – Fujin Raijin (Later renamed Milky Way Vega/Altair) 1993 Sphinx Coaster, Adventure Boat 1994 – Ultra Twister Megaton 1995 – Grampus Jet, Luxor Magic Apr 1997 – NIO, Merry-go-round Rendez-vous Jul 1998 – Dragon River, Spin Mouse, Chaos, Hurricane, Sky Ship, Temple of the Demon Forest 2006 – Horror Tower – Invitation to the Abandoned School Apr 2006 – Witch's flying tricks 2007 – Black Hole Coaster, Hinata Kids 19 September 2009 – Gyrostorm 12 March 2011 – Water Shot Mar 2012 – Card Maze "Winding Forest Grand Adventure" 28 July 2012 – Star Flyer Goku Autumn 2014 – Giant 3D Maze KARAKURI Castle 21 July 2018 – Kururun Tower Mar 2019 – Monster Heroes, Monster Busters – Wild West Train, Lazer Shooting 2019 – Super Shooting Ride, Monster x Heroes Jul 2019 – Operation Goodjob May 2020 – Cosmic Maze Jul 2021 – Bang! Bang! Bazooka Apr 2022 – Dax, Ladybird, Happy Sky (Kumamon Ver.) Mar 2024 – Submarine Shooting
Surrounding facilities Hotel Verde Hotel Blanca Greenland Resort Golf Course（Formerly: Mitsui Greenland Golf Course） Nurubon Garden Yakiniku Pascca World Bowling Kumamoto Kenmin Televisions Housing Exhibition Green Smile Retail Park
Previous surrounding facilities
Tourist Fruit Farm – There from the parks beginning, it was made up of 17 hectares of vineyard and 20 hectares of amanatsu mandarin farm.