Tokyo: Episode Nine Tama Tech (多摩テック)

Hiromi called us in the morning to arrange an outing to Tama Tech (多摩テック), a theme park with "vehicle rides". Since i was still in dreamland (all of us were), i didn't quite understand what she meant by that, lol but i listened attentively as she gave me the detailed instructions on how to get there. We were to get a train to Tama Dobutsu Koen Station (多摩動物公園). She even checked out the time of the express train (which was 9:47am) which would save us some travelling time.

The entire family sprang into action ;-) But we still missed the hotel shuttle bus which would take us to Shinjuku Station. We couldn't afford to wait for the next shuttle which was 20 minutes away, so we walked. Very fast. So fast that we caught the earlier express train at 9.31am, LOL.

We were at Takahatafudo Station (高幡不動駅) waiting to transfer to another train to take us to our destination when i took the above pic showing the different types of train service. The significant other likened it to teh-si, teh-o, teh-ping, tehsi siutai, LoL

The train that arrived at the tranfer stop has got animal pictures all over advertising Tama Zoo. We met Hiromi and Jimmy at the station and hopped onto a small shuttle bus. Hiromi's kids were having a once a month no-school day but only Jimmy joined us.

As Hiromi had discount coupons, we bought the tickets at a cheaper rate. According to Hiromi, this was the IT theme park before Disneyland came along. The rides there are powered by Honda. Oohhhhhhh.

This Super Skyrider actually speeds along the track. We don't need to do anything, just sit back and enjoy the breeze and scenery.

Here you see Ewan getting ready for the go-cart ride. He was very excited because he can control the vehicle himself. In fact, he went on it MANY times coz he didn't meet the age and height requirement for the ride next to this.

This is the ride Ewan couldn't try. You can actually race round the track. The rest of us (that is minus Ewan and Jimmy) took turns on this. Very fun. First off was papa vs son.

The track is quite fun cos you've got to avoid certain zones. If you don't, your speed will slow down automatically.

Won't tell you who won, LoL

Next off, the 3 of us. Actually i think we spent close to an hour here. We were the only customers so we went on it again and again ;-)

This was also a fun ride, more uphill and downhill, but cannot race with friends.

This is called the Acro-X. Ewan had to be accompanied by an adult (me) but otherwise he drove this thing himself. You see the circular thingys in front? You need to roll over them with the wheels to get points. Points are deducted if you hit where you are not supposed to.

Here you see Ethan at his donno no which turn ;-)

Here is the significant other playing cheat. He rolled over the bump numerous times, LoL

There were some kiddy rides as well. Ewan wasn't too keen on this one as you can see. Not even with the bevy of gals at his service.

This is a mini moto-bike. Not bicycle. Motorbike. The kids were briefed and attired properly before having a go on it.

One rule was that they were not to bang into each other. That is, ride safely.

But knowing my boys.......sigh.

This guy was briefing them before the race. Of course my boys didn't understand a single thing, LoL.

Here are some shots that i took either while up there on some rides or in the ferris wheel.

As you can see, the park was pretty empty. Which is good for us of course. No queues, unlike at Disneyland where we queued about an hour for the popular rides.

Another view of the park.

This was also one of my favourite. You are literally shot up and then plunged down. I remembered i did a similar ride at Gold Coast. But that one only plunges you down at high speed. This one does it both ways. It was VERY exhilirating. You just had to SCREEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAM

That's how high this thing is.

We called it a day in the late afternoon. Here, Jimmy and Ewan were at one of the souvenir shops, posing with the Honda F1 racer.

Champions of the Day!

And can you believe it? One of the mascots appeared when we were about to leave ;-)

We tried all the rides but i didn't post all the pics here. You come here to experience for yourself ok? It had really been a fun day. All thanks to Hiromi :-)