Pop Japan

A simulated flame-spitting volcano, world's largest retractable roof, artificial sand, artificial waves, and a permanently blue sky, what more can you ask for?

The Seagaia Ocean Dome was one of the world's largest indoor waterparks when it was built in 1993 in Miyazaki, Japan. It was in 1995 when its number of visitors peaked with 1.25 million within the year.

Despite being a 5-minute drive to the real beach, the ocean dome's selling point is the fact that the air temperature was always held at around 30 °C and the water at around 28 °C, compared to the country's beaches which can get relatively cold. Surfers found this convenient as they can surf anytime in any season when they wanted to.

Unfortunately, Seagaia was closed on October 2007 as part of a renovation.

Tags: sports, surfing, Seagaia Ocean Dome, waterpark, Miyazaki, surfer, artificial beach, artificial sand