Ever since the first recreational vertical wind tunnel opened in Las Vegas in 1982, it has been possible to enjoy the thrill of "flying" without the risk of jumping out of an aircraft at 10,000 feet. Especially in the last decade, with new companies entering the market and wind tunnel technology becoming more commercially viable, the number of facilities have spread more rapidly in the US, Canada, Europe and most recently, the Middle East and Asia.

Although a latecomer to the indoor skydiving boom, Japan opened its first indoor skydiving center called FlyStation in a suburb of Tokyo in March of this year and the company plans to open four more centers in 2018.

Today, FlyStation released three promotional videos in a series called "Love Flying?" Entitled "Peace," "Life," and "Wind Pressure," the videos respectively show happy, flying sumo wrestlers; a family, baby in tow, performing an aerial ballet; and a sexy "Marilyn" demonstrating the startling effects of wind on her wardrobe.

Peace

The first video, "Peace," begins with what seems to be a normal sumo bout between two wrestlers, with a gyoji judge holding a gunbai fan. However, it soon becomes clear that the gyoji is monitoring a computer screen and he motions upwards with his fan as the numbers on a dial increase. This segues into the main part of the video in a sequence showing the sumo wrestlers buoyant in flight, freed from gravity, peaceful and euphoric, their bodies and faces rippling under the effects of the powerful wind.

Note: You need to be under 125 kg (275 lbs) to use FlyStation, essentially disqualifying almost all active sumo wrestlers in Japan.

Life

FlyStation instructors perform a dance which, according to the press release, expresses the mystery of life.

Note: Babies are not allowed in the flight tunnel. Children can fly from 4 years of age.

Air Pressure

FlyStation's wind tunnel can generate winds as powerful as 360 kph. That is the same as an F4 on the Fujita Scale measuring tornado intensity, at which "well-constructed houses are leveled, structures with weak foundations are blown away some distance, cars are thrown and large missiles are generated," and, apparently, sexy models have wardrobe malfunctions.

Note: High heels and dresses are not allowed inside the wind tunnel. Flight jackets, helmets, goggles and shoes will be provided.

If those videos have heightened your interest in FlyStation and you're thinking of adding indoor skydiving to your list of things to do when you visit Tokyo, you can check their just renewed website where you'll find information on pricing and more.

FlyStation is open every day from 9 am to 10 pm and is located less than an hour by train from Tokyo Station.

The address is:

6-19-3 Laketown, Koshigaya City, Saitama Prefecture (埼玉県越谷市レイクタウン6−19−3)