Japan’s weird ‘no screaming’ rule as theme parks reopen

Thrill seekers in Japan will soon get to enjoy their favourite roller coasters again now that amusement parks around the country are reopening.

But there’s one request they might struggle with: No screaming.

Many of the items are to be expected, recommending increased sanitising measures, regular body temperature checks and face mask use while emphasising the importance of social distancing.

But some items will likely take visitors by surprise. Namely, a suggestion that theme parks encourage visitors riding outdoor attractions, including roller coasters, to avoid shouting or cheering — a tough ask, given how wild some of the country’s rides are.

Customer service may also be compromised, note the guidelines, as conversations should be kept as short as possible.

“As a new style of customer service, even when you’re wearing a mask, you can use a combination of smiley eyes, hand gestures, etc., to communicate with visitors,” says one of the suggestions.

The guidelines were issued by the East and West Japan Theme Park Associations, which are made up of more than 30 major amusement park operators in Japan, including Oriental Land Company (operator of Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea) and Universal Studios Japan.

Aside from the published guidelines, some amusement parks have implemented their own rules.