Advice about Play
Advanced Search
The Best Views of Fuji
Kintoki Mountain is a hiking route starting in Hakone or Ashigara. The trail is steeped in legend and named after the legendary Japanese children`s tale, Kintaro. Kintaro is the story of a boy raised in the mountains with animals as friends. There are tales of him wrestling bears, running with deer…(261 words)
Kintaro-man
Immerse Yourself in an Edo Period Townscape--Sightseeing Boat Rides in Sawara
"If you want to see Edo, come to Sawara, Sawara's even better than Edo." The lyrics of this old folk song testify to Sawara's notable place in history, an influential commercial town during the Edo period. That legacy remains, as the Sawara district of today is endearingly referred to as “Little Ed…(210 words)
CHIBA-KUN
Step one: fight for the front seats
The best seat you can get is at the very front, right behind the train driver. There, you can see the view of the lush trees and plants alongside the tracks of the Enoden train line as well as the tranquil seashore of the Shonan beaches! I rode on this train recently to go from Kamakura to Enoshima…(71 words)
RieS
A fan of roller coasters? You MUST go to Fuji-Q!
Although I've only been there once, it was an excellent enough amusement park to say that Fuji-Q Highland is my favorite amusement park in the world. This is a great amusement park for people who like heights and fast roller coasters. Although it can take a long time to trvel to Fuji-Q and can clos…(160 words)
RieS
Beautiful, but not too touristy: Negishi and Gumyoji
My two favorite spots near Tokyo are Negishi Park and Gumyoji. During the day, I go to Negishi Park, which is a huge park with innumerable cherry blossom trees. It is so fun to have a picnic with your friends and play badminton or catch during this beautiful season. The parks is a great place to re…(192 words)
RieS
100 Penguins Play in Tokyo, Japan
Just a few stops before Maihama station (Disneyland) going from Tokyo, is Kasai Rinkai Park. The park is very large with a small amusement park and a famous aquarium. I have visited this aquarium about 3 times and it is wonderful. You can take a look at the kind of sea life in Tokyo Bay and there i…(127 words)
GenS
Hidden beauty
At Kouza Shibuya, there is a small Japanese temple named Jousenji （常泉寺） with an absolutely beautiful Japanese garden. If you love flowers and different types of plants, this is the place to go. The gorgeous flowers change seasonally and the garden is copious with different colors each season. I …(156 words)
RieS
Beach Rentals in Japan
Japan is a great country in terms of public facilities. Transportation is easy and efficient and parks are well-maintained. Surprisingly though, beaches often lack facilities like public showers and changing rooms. Even if these are present, ther are usually overcrowded in the summer season when it…(189 words)
GenS
Amazing Japanese Festivals in August
Many neighborhood associations take great effort to prepare for the yearly Matsuri (festival) in their area. This photo is taken in August as a group in the Noge area of Yokohama transports their O-mikoshi (portable shrine). The taxi driver proudly told me that one of these shrines can cost more th…(166 words)
Good Tennis Courts available in Shinagawa, and Ariake.
As a matter of fact, I'm a novice tennis player, and it has already been several years since I played tennis last time. When asked for advice about the topic, as far as I am concerned, Takanawa Tennis Center in the Shinagawa Prince Hotel will be a good choice for its convenience though it migh…(138 words)
Masa
My first was "Godzilla" (1954)
I was 9 at the time, but I remember discovering Godzilla. I was outside playing with a neighbor friend and his mother yelled across the fence that "Godzilla" was coming on. So he ran off to go watch it. I asked my mom what is Godzilla and she told me that he's a big dinosaur. That caught my attenti…(104 words)
ArmandV
Design Festa
Twice a year, since the early-90s, Design Festa has rocked Japan. Arts, crafts, performance, music, and the entire breadth and depth of design is featured in this extravaganza using most of the west exhibition area of Tokyo Big Sight, the largest convention and exhibition space in Tokyo.With m…(455 words)
mikekato
Are You a Roller Coaster Fanatic? Don’t Miss Fujikyu Highland in Japan
Located in Fuji Yoshida, right below Mt.Fuji, Fujikyu Highland is world renown for its multiple award winning rides. This brief description of each of the crazy rides at Fujikyu will surely get you on that bus leaving Shinjuku early in the morning to the land of mind-blowing rides. FujiyamaAs…(366 words)
GenS
Yokohama Fireworks Show: Sparkling Twilight 2014
Summer means many things in Japan; the brightest and the loudest undoubtedly being: fireworks!In Yokohama, the Yokohama Sparkling Twilight fireworks show has become a must-see summer tradition. The event is held over two days at Yamashita Park. You can enjoy both music and fireworks, as wel…(141 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Summer at Shonan/Enoshima Beach
Shonan/Enoshima area is one of the most popular beaches in Japan. There are so many beach houses (Umino-ie) that you can enjoy the beach as you like: swimming, surfing, BBQ, fishing, parties... etc. This summer, the popular US fashion brand "OLD NAVY" is having a beach house at Enoshima. Collabor…(129 words)
Visit Tokyo Toy Museum with your kids
Tokyo Toy Museum is a space full of wooden toys that are attractive for not only kids but also adults. There are traditional Japanese toys such as KOMA(spinning top), toys for playing house, board games, etc.If there is a rainy day during your visit to Tokyo, and if you don't know how to burn you…(118 words)
Akko
Unique Watersports Culture in Tokyo
In order to survive a Nippon Summer every year, Japanese people have created lots of little hints to beat the heat from way back. For examples, with Shishiodoshi (water-filled bamboo tube which clacks against a stone when emptied), Furin (wind bells) and Golden fish, people try to cool themselves b…(307 words)
totowatanabe
Blue Cave Nakameguro the newest spot for winter Illuminations
Winter means many things to many people and this vibrant holiday season is full of different traditions from all parts of the globe. In modern Japan- the winter holidays leading up to Christmas time involve the sparkling and over-the-top tradition of Illuminations. From across Japan cities add …(393 words)
LShannon
Celestial Geisha: A Perfect Performance
Yes, you may not realize it, but not only is there a history of geisha in Tokyo, but there are quite a few places where there are active geisha communities, including Kagurazaka, Asakusa, Shinbashi/Ginza, and Hachioji. There are, of course, Hatobus and other tours that offer geisha shows, but it se…(1873 words)
mikekato
Hanami, Yakata-bune, and don't be selfish!
As with last few years, we (our ever so shrinking family) reserved the Yakatabune to do the annual Hanami. There must be lots of posts about Yakatabune or Yakata-bune or Hanami on this site.Basically, the boat is equipped with Tatami (but you can throw your legs down, so no worry there) and wo…(557 words)
KIH
What about Trying Japanese “PuriKura” (Part 1)
Want to look like an Anime character? Actually change your face, i.e., enlarge your eyes, point your chin, make your hair shiny and sleek, add thick eye-liner and get stars in your bright pupils? I’ve seen countless you-tubers teaching us how to do Japanese Anime type make-up, and I’d always wanted…(642 words)
Making Art and Much More at ArtBar Tokyo
Imagine sitting with a paint brush in hand, palette full of colours in the other, sitting in front of a blank canvass. Sounds a bit intimidating, perhaps? Well, at ArtBar Tokyo, this is exactly what groups of people regularly do and have a blast doing it. I participated in my first ArtBar experienc…(397 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Experience Zen
People feel different things when they hear the word “Zen.” It can conjure images of rock gardens, meditating monks, or spiritual Nirvana. Zen（禅） has influenced and can be found in many of the things we find around us daily. The meaning of zen varies with different schools of practice, but a good …(227 words)
Kintaro-man
Hiking in Japan
Hakone HikingJapan`s natural beauty and geoplogical gifts are sometimes overlooked because of the cultural and historical treasures this country has. Hakone is blessed with both and has many hiking trails that allow visitors to get in touch with nature, get active, explore, and enjoy great view…(492 words)
Kintaro-man
Ueno park ohanami
Ohanami is the honorific form of the word hanami, which is Japanese for flower viewing, Ohanami refers to the viewing festival of the cherry blossom. The flowers of the peach and plum trees are also observed, but pale in comparison to the popularity of the cherry blossom.But why is this flower,…(847 words)
Taito-kun
Free-time or set time limit?
When you go to a karaoke box, there are two ways to pay - by the half hour or free-time. If planning on staying for a long period of time, it is definitely better to pay for the free-time plan. However, if you plan on using the karaoke box for three hours or less, I suggest paying by the half-hour.…(112 words)
RieS
Yoyogi Park
Yoyogi Park in Harajuku near Shibuya almost guaranteed has an event or festival going on during the weekends. Japanese traditional festivals are all well and good, but experiencing more mainstream and modern festivals also provides for a great cultural experience in my opinion.One festival duri…(109 words)
KurtisW
Zushi...Isshiki Beach!
My favorite beach this summer is the Isshiki beach. There are many beach around Zushi area, and definitely it is a must beach to stop by during the summer. Around Zushi, there are plenty of music festivals too. The Isshiki Beach is about 10-15 minute ride by bus from Zushi Station. (JR Yok…(159 words)
Mido
Setagaya Ward has about 12 courts for you to use
Setagaya Ward (nearest station would be Sangenjaya and then take the Setagaya line) is a good place to play tennis. Since these are community courts, you need to register in advance at the Setagaya Ward office. If you are going to be in Japan for a little longer than a short visit, it would be rea…(149 words)
slapshot
Jump!
Kumo no Umi (Sea of Clouds) is a trampoline in the Showa Kinen Koen (Showa Memorial Park) in Nishi-Tachikawa, on the west side of Tokyo. The trampoline is built as a clump of hills and valleys of various sizes. The white vinyl looks, from afar, like a sea of clouds in the midst of an ocean of tre…(199 words)
mikekato
Kasai Rinkai Aquarium
Kasai Rinkai Aquarium is by far my favorite aquariums in Tokyo. It is easy to get to on the Keio Line. While you are there, walk around the park, see the seaside, and ride the Ferris Wheel!(37 words)
Sweet42.195
SL hiroba
Shinbashi is great spot to feel in Japan. It's call salaryman(Japanese business man called salary-man) paradise! There are many inexpensive izakaya(casual Japanese tavern) .Shinbashi station is one of the big station in Tokyo and it's so hard to find a good place to meet.I highly recommend …(95 words)
yukorose
Life's a Beach!
In the summer, many Japanese beaches enjoy a "kaisuiyoku," literally meaning an ocean bathtub. It is the only time of year that there are lifeguards at most Japanese beaches. During the brief season, many of the beaches have beach houses, where there are lockers, showers, bars, and great festival…(99 words)
mikekato
Shinagawa-jinja Shrine Grand Festival
There are various festivals held in different areas of Shinagawa City throughout the year. When there is a festival, there are rows of vendors selling delicious local foods. There is also an omikoshi (portable shrine) procession, which is something you do not get to see everyday. The most spec…(97 words)
EmiOnishi
Mitake Valley in Ome City, Okutama
The Mitake Valley (Mitake Kekoku) in Ome City, Okutama is one of the best areas for autumn leaves near Tokyo. It takes approximately 1.5 hours from Shinjuku by the JR Chuo Line & JR Ome Line (Change at Ome station). You can casually trek along the 4km river bank or hike the Mount Mitake, either way…(62 words)
cwljwc
Red Brick Warehouse (Akarenga Souko Shopping Plaza) in Yokohama Japan
Be sure the visit the Red Brick Warehouse just appox. 10-15mins walk from Minatomirai Stn. Its a historical building that now is being used as a shopping mall and event hall. There you can enjoy some nice shopping, good restaurants and beautiful night scene by the the harbour.http://www.welcome…(71 words)
cwljwc
Beautiful, Family-Friendly Beaches in Japan
Being from Hawaii, I am pretty strict when it comes to beaches but I must admit that relaxing at a beach "Japanese Style" is pretty great. It has much less to do with the water actually. In Hawaii, I usually spend the entire day in the ocean catching waves and watching the shore from the water. In …(293 words)
Where to Enjoy Manga in Tokyo, Japan
Manga Kissa, or manga cafes, can be found all over Tokyo. It is the ultimate pastime. For only about 300 yen an hour, you can get free drinks, read as many manga as you want, use the internet, watch movies, and even take showers! When you use a manga kissa, you are assigned a cubicle with a T.V and…(111 words)
GenS
Go to Hard Rock Cafe!
If you are not in the mood for dancing and just want to relax with a couple of friends, I recommend going to Hard Rock Cafe. There is one in Roppongi and Minatomirai. Many foreigners eat dinner or drink at the bar, so Hard Rock Cafe is also a great place to meet foreigners who may be living or visi…(129 words)
RieS
Tokyo Hanami Spots
There are a lot of good hanami viewing spots in downtown Tokyo (Yoyogi Park, Shinjuku Park, The Imperial Palace), but I like to take a quick train to Kichijōji and view the cherry blossoms around the lake at Inokashira Park. It's just 30 minutes by train from Shibuya Station on the Keiyo Inokashira…(92 words)
HillaryB