first of all, build it on top of a discount store in the middle of downtown tokyo and promise it thousands of excited riders every year, both local and from afar, eager to try one of the world's few roof-based half-pipe thrill-rides.  



and then never open it. just leave it standing, looking foolish. 

obviously that wasn't the intention. engineers were called in to attach the bright yellow half-pipe in 2005, and by the end of the year, everything was set. but then problems arose that would ultimately paralyse the ride forever and result in an extremely expensive pair of horns being left on the don quijote store for tourists to speculate about for years to come. depending on who you listen to, there are a couple of different reasons as to why the coaster never rolled. the first, and most common: local residents and fellow shopkeepers mounted an enormous attack on the plans, citing potential noise, pollution, and hi-speed death as unacceptable by-products from a discount store. the second reason, apparently from intamin, the ride's manufacturers: 'while the building is capable of handing the weight of the roller coaster, the lateral forces presented an unexpected problem'.

over 3 years later, it's still attached and unused. there are positives to look at. the store now stands out from the crowd, and no-one's recently been flung from its roof by accident. as far as i know.



image source