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Think about your song choice
If going to karaoke with friends, you should definitely consider your song choice. Try not to pick songs that only you can enjoy. Sometimes, it is fun to sing old songs that all of you know and can sing along to or new songs that you would want to introduce to your friends. I love singing duet song…(108 words)
RieS
Let off steam with a song
Many Japanese workers will go out with their colleagues after work to let off steam and stress; If you feel up to it that is. After some drinks and food, the common ritual is to go to a karaoke place to sing your heart out. For many, this is a way to break the ice with their colleagues, as there i…(160 words)
KurtisW
Almost Militarized
Keirin is a very high intensity sport, with quick explosive races every hour. The athletes must be very clever and skilled, in addition to very fit and determined. It's hard to say however how much is planned in terms of who is intended to win, and who is intended to "almost" win...but that's anoth…(159 words)
KurtisW
We can bet on horse at WINS
"KEIBA(horse racing)" is public races that people in Japan can gamble on legally.and We can bet at gambling station(wins) or at some Racetracks.in Japan, Major KEIBA is races of JRA(Japan Racing Association). accutually we can see horses running at JRA racetracks all over japan.the racetrack…(69 words)
fujimorison
Suburban Tennis time
It's nice to get away from downtown Tokyo, and see some of the beautiful suburban areas. Going for a day of tennis could be a good way to spend an afternoon in Tokyo suburbia. Taking a trip to Chofu, west of Tokyo on the Keio line from Shinjuku is a good and close option for tennis.Keio sports …(102 words)
KurtisW
Nakameguro, shops along the river
Nakameguro is a quiet yet fashionable and fun district just outside the more lively and inclusive Shibuya area. Nakameguro is well known for its fashion shops, and dainty restaurants that are perfect for dates, or casual upper class dining. There are of course less expensive and more chain store-ty…(151 words)
KurtisW
Hot Spring in Oedo Onsen
Enoshima Island Spa would be a great choice for you, and probably just in case when you want to try another spa closer to the Metropolitan area in Tokyo, I'd suggest you try Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Hot Spring (Literary meating; Tokyo Spa Story), which is located at Odaiba, in the Tokyo Bay. The be…(102 words)
Masa
Community centers have free ping pong facilities!
Many community centers offer ping pong and badminton facilities for free! I recommend you to research a community center near you and call to just make sure that they have ping pong tables! The one close to my house (Naka sports center) has many ping pong tables that the community uses.(51 words)
RieS
Enjoy the winding road of Nikko, Irohazaka. One of Japan's lovely roads in a perfect getaway outside of Tokyo.
Iroha-zaka in Nikko is very famous in Japan for beautiful views of changing colours in Autumn. It is the perfect Autumn drive. Iroha-zaka is a hill which takes about 30 minutes (1.5 hours in the autumn due to traffic) to drive up. Views are spectacular along the way and a beautiful lake awaits at t…(100 words)
GenS
Beach Fireworks in Tokyo, Japan
An AMAZING summer beach experience is watching the fireworks at Atami Sun Beach. If you are spending a day at one of the beautiful beaches in Izu, definitely stop by for the fireworks at Atami Sun Beach. During the summer, firework displays are held every sunday and the view of the fireworks that e…(143 words)
GenS
A fantastic New Year's filled with classical music!
This New Year's, I did something other than watching the music program "Kouhaku Utagassen" or go to Minatomirai to watch the clock tick to 0:00 of January 1st. I went to Minato Mirai Hall to watch the Sylvester Concert, which is a classical concert with music ranging from baroque to modern. I espec…(111 words)
RieS
Starbucks at Shibuya!
Other than Hachiko, many people meet in front of Starbucks, which is across the Shibuya crosswalk and on the other side of the Shibuya station. The Shibuya Starbucks looks big from the outside and is close to the popular Shibuya shopping street, so no one will miss it. This is a convenient place to…(78 words)
RieS
Seagull Girls
The Tokyo American football team, the Seagulls, play regular games at the famous Tokyo Dome. Always accompanying the team is the lively and cute cheersquad. Cheer leading is actually quite popular among young girls in Japan, and despite the fact that cheer is something that kind of developed from a…(173 words)
KurtisW
Alta-mae Hiroba, Meeting Spot in Japan
When I go hangout with my friends in the Shinjuku area, we usually meet up at the Alta-mae Hiroba. This is an easy to find open space right outside of Shinjuku station's East exit. It is called Alta-mae because it is situated in front of a famous building called Alta. You can spot this building by …(98 words)
GenS
Shimokitazawa, Great Bars in Japan
Shimokitazawa is my favorite "shitamachi" (downtown or local) area in Tokyo. It is only about 10 minutes on the Keio Inokashira line from Shibuya and is a popular hangout spot, especially among the youth. There are numerous chic and funky bars and restaurants in the area and has a nice ambience til…(114 words)
GenS
Matsuri (Festivals)
The best time to experience a festival in Japan is in from spring to fall. The best ones are in the summer, although many are technically in the spring or fall because their origins coincide with harvests or the opening and closing of fishing season.The most interesting and common matsuri are …(306 words)
mikekato
Fuchu, west Tokyo
The horse racing track in Tokyo is located west, in a slightly more suburban area called Fuchu city. It takes about 30 minutes from Shinjuku in downtown, and can be accessed on the Keio line.The cool thing about this stadium I have noticed is that it has its own small train line running from Fu…(130 words)
KurtisW
Check out Summer Sonic Festival
Summer Sonic is a music festival that takes place in August. They have one in Tokyo and one in Osaka. They have a wide variety of music, including Hip Hop, J-Pop, rock and heavy metal. Tickets are 15,500 yen for one day and 28,000 yen for 2 days, so it is expensive. If you have the money, however, …(65 words)
KurtisW
Be Conscientious!
It is very important to be conscientious of others if you happen to go with Japanese friends. Although nobody will directly tell you this rule, people usually take turns singing at karaoke. No one will probably say anything but you may get some cold looks from your friends if you dominate the mike …(140 words)
AustinA
Actually Pretty Popular!
Although I wouldn't list American football down as one of the most popular sports in Japan, it is popular to some extent. There is not real professional American football league. There are two leagues, the university league and the businessmen's league. The champion university team competes with th…(185 words)
AustinA
Enjoy the Enoden train ride for a step back into Japanese History
The best way, I feel, to enjoy the Enoden is also the most expensive way - get out at every stop and explore the area. Every stop on the curved route from Fujisawa to Kamakura has little local areas just waiting to be discovered.You can easily make a full day of it, and I highly suggest that you…(101 words)
jdlawrence
How about Do-shi Village Camping sites?
There are several good camp spots I can recommend to you, which are located in the direction to West from the central part of Tokyo, or at the western edge of Kanto Plain as I live in the western part in Tokyo prefecture. One place you should definitely try, if you have not, is Do-shi Village Campi…(164 words)
Masa
Come and visit "Mihamaen" in Makuhari, Chiba!!!
Mihamaen is located in the Makuhari Kaihin Park, 10 minute walk from Kaihin Makuhari Station of JR Keiyo Line. The place is a stroll-round garden with a pond, where you see the beauty of the nature with its changing scenery as you walk around. There is a tea room right in the middle of the garden. …(94 words)
Hatha Yoga Lover
Many are made of wax
Many of the food displays are made of wax using an artistic technique and coloring to create the appearance of real food. They dip the hot wax in water to produce a variety of shapes.Some of the food on display is made of plastic but from what I've seen, wax food-making is a real art.(63 words)
Kenji
Kappabashi Street for plastic food sample
Kappabashi Street (かっぱ橋道具街, Kappabashi Dōgugai) is a shopping street between Ueno and Asakusa, which is lined with several dozens of stores selling everything needed by restaurant operators, with the exception of fresh food. You will find specialized stores for dishes, pots, pans, cookin…(72 words)
JennyS
Tokyo-Ga
As the others have mentioned, Kappabashi is the mecca for plastic pickings. For more background info, I recommend watching the 1985 film Tokyo-Ga by Wim Wenders. It's fascinating and wonderful documentary on Tokyo and includes a tour of one of the replica food factories. FYI, he also tours a …(108 words)
Emmie
Beach Adventure Time
Tokyo is relatively close to the beach, and there are a decent amount of beach parties and festivals. Many of the beach areas around the Shonan area attract huge amounts of young people who go and party, and occasionally there will be sponsored events by sports, music, or promotion agencies, making…(84 words)
KurtisW
Classic and Compact, the Iwasaki-tei
The Iwasaki-tei garden is a very small yet classic garden located on the outskirts of the quite busy Ueno park area, which has a wealth of museums, plant life, and a zoo.Here is a great walk through of this antiquated garden, with some more information on how to get there.http://aroundtokyo…(56 words)
KurtisW
Take a risk and emerge yourself in the fine Japanese Art of Ikebana
Okay, well, I have never studied Ikebana (Japanese style flower arrangement) but I love the style and I admire all the work of art I see all around (even in local train stations done by loyal and dedicated Ikebana artists each week). I believe Japan is confident enough in the art and the style it o…(152 words)
5@example.com
From Luxurious Shops to Majestic Gardens: Tokyo Midtown
There is almost too much to see at Tokyo Midtown to write it all down here. One of the best things about the area are the floor guides who wear beautiful uniforms that change with the season and can help you in several different languages. There are many different shops that feature excellent Japan…(182 words)
5@example.com
Nissan World Headquarters in Minato Mirai, Japan great place for Tech-Savvy people
If you want to see cutting edge green cars of the future getting ready for mass production, the Nissan World Corporate Headquarters in Minato Mirai is a great place to visit. The Showroom is state of the art and you can take a look at the history of Nissan and how the cars have evolved over the yea…(103 words)
5@example.com
Making one's departure
Okuribito isn't exactly a Jidaigeki film, but since many samurai are sent to their great reward in the big castle in the sky Okuribito can be remotely related. In any case, it's an excellent film and if you haven't seen it you should. Watching it will give you a better understanding of the Japanese…(144 words)
Joe Peters
Hama Rikyu
I also recommend Hama Rikyu garden near Shiodome. It is an oasis in the middle of central Tokyo. There is one view that shows a very traditional Japanese garden (Hama Rikyu) with the tall buildings of Shiodome as the backdrop.I have written about Hama Rikyu here:http://www.alifelessnormal.co/…(54 words)
Jase
Beer me up!
Have you skied in the Rocky Mountains and looking for some powder snow?A weekend trip up to Hokkaido is recommended. If your from Australia and looking for a place to hit the slopes I've heard there are places in Hokkaido that Aussies hang out.Don't have the time? Well people in the Shizu…(141 words)
Yuuki I
UFO madness
You've seen the "crane games" the UFO catchers before I'm sure. As I remember when I was young at amusement parks and arcades and such, I would see stuffed animals and candy and try tirelessly to get what I wanted.Japan has taken the "UFO catcher" addiction to new heights with dedicated areas i…(202 words)
KurtisW
Kagura, northern Honshuu
Last winter I went to a place called Kagura ski resort, located on Mt. Naeba. This area is in Niigata which is on the northern part of the main island in Japan; about a 3 hour drive from Tokyo. You can always take a bus in the early morning from Shinjuku on a snowboard day trip, but we took a car.…(140 words)
KurtisW
New Year's Gift Giving
The New Year's season is a time for visiting family and friends in Japan, as it is in many of our home countries too. If visiting family members with small children, the children will often be given gifts of money (called "Otoshi-dama"). Otherwise, a nice box of sweets or rice crackers ("Osenbei")…(158 words)
Andrea Miyata
How to Add a Touch of Cuteness with Your Gift in Japan
During the Holidays or during your visit in Japan, you might want to give your host, hotel concierge, or new friend a little gift of appreciation. You might also be planning to take things back home from Japan to your Japanese friends overseas. Guess what? You want a hint on how to up your polite l…(235 words)
5@example.com
Okagemairi in Japan 2014- Special Visit to Ise Jingu, the Grand Shrine
Ise Jingu, the Grand Shrine's main pavilions were newly rebuilt and its residing deities were transferred to the new shrines, which is called Sengu. The ceremony is held every 20 years in order to keep the spirit of "Tokowaka" which means "forever young or everlasting purity" and it has been done …(124 words)
Hatha Yoga Lover
Karuta !
Karuta is Japanese traditional playing cards and people enjoy Karuta during New Year’s holidays. The game uses two types of cards – Yomifuda and Efuda. When the reader reads out a poem on the yomifuda, players quickly search for matching efuda. Usually there is one reader and Karuta is played by mo…(79 words)
OKAKI-sun