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(CNN) – In what might be seen as a fitting metaphor for 2020, a new theme park ride in Japan allows visitors to zip-line into the gaping mouth of a massive Godzilla statue.
As part of a new attraction called Operation Awaji Intercept of Godzilla, it officially opened in October at Nijigen no Mori, a theme park located on Awaji Island, southwest of Kobe and Osaka.
The star of the new attraction is the “life-size” Godzilla, which measures 20 meters (65 feet) high, 25 meters (82 feet) wide and 55 meters (180 feet) long and sits in the heart of the Park.
Zipline in the belly of the beast
Nijigen no Mori’s new ‘life-size’ Godzilla replica is 162 meters long.
Buddhika Weerasinghe / Getty Images
As part of the attraction, guests are invited to become members of the “National Godzilla Disaster Institute of Awaji Island” and tame the fearsome beast by completing a series of “missions.”
They will first watch a seven minute movie showing the story behind the site and the operation.
Missions include zip-lining into the roaring (but idle) monster’s mouth and completing a shooter game in which players must stop Godzilla from growing by targeting its cells.
If flying into the belly of the beast isn’t exciting enough, there is another set of zip lines that fly over the Godzilla statue. Zipline courses are about 15 meters (49 feet) high and 162 meters (531 feet) long.
As part of the new Godzilla ride, visitors can zip-line into the mouth of the beast.
Buddhika Weerasinghe / Getty Images
A special bag is provided so that visitors can take photos and videos during the trip without worrying about dropping their phones.
They can also join two Augmented Reality activities that invite players to solve mysteries and collect evidence around the park. Those who have clarified their mission and solved the mystery will receive a paper Godzilla Institute ID card.
The new addition to the theme park also includes the world’s first permanent Godzilla Museum.
Co-created with Toho Visual Art Co., Ltd, the team behind the special effects of the Godzilla movies, the museum features around 100 exhibits with some large-scale original accessories and materials, including one from the first Godzilla movie. , released in 1954.
More visitors than last year
Bright lights illuminate the monster at night.
Buddhika Weerasinghe / Getty Images
A park representative told CNN Travel that the new attraction has been very popular since it opened in October, and the theme park has gained more visitors since the pandemic as local schools and families prefer to visit an outdoor destination like Nijigen No Mori. In the midst of the pandemic, Japan has encouraged domestic travel.
The park has implemented Japan’s standard Covid-related theme park practices, encouraging visitors to practice social distancing and use hand sanitizer. Visitors check body temperature before entering, and staff wear clear face shields.
In addition to Operation Awaji Intercept Godzilla, Nijigen no Mori theme park is filled with attractions inspired by Japanese anime and pop culture.
