According to Shinto religion, the Japanese sun goddess, Amaterasu, hid in a cave shut with a boulder when her noisy storm-god brother ravaged the Earth.
Today, the Japanese are doing the same, except this time the cave comes with a retractable roof, not a boulder, and inside is a full-fledged waterpark.
At the Phoenix Seagaia Resort on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, patrons can take in the views and year-round warm climate at the Miyazaki Ocean Dome — even though it costs $50 more than the free ocean 330 yards away.
The 1,000-foot-long dome’s retractable roof opens up to greet the sun goddess, and closes on darker days. Even when the roof is closed, patrons can enjoy a nice day indoors with a painted blue sky and puffy white clouds as they float, surf or lounge by the giant wave pool. Other visitors can relax in the hot tubs, ride around the lazy river, or plunge down water slides surrounding a volcano which erupts hourly.
The waterpark, which can hold up to 10,000 people, features festivals, dancing and music every day. The park is adorned with tropical plants, artificial palm trees, white sandy beaches and waterfalls. Beachgoers can dine at one of several restaurants on the premises. And at night, after Amaterasu has gone to bed, guests can enjoy a dramatic light show against a water screen.
|
