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Sport & Activities
Martial arts: Japanese ceremonial wrestling, sumo, and judo are Japan’s national sports, both drawing huge crowds. There are six sumo tournaments a year, each of which lasts for 15 days. Three of them are held in Tokyo, and the others take place in Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka. Matches by senior wrestlers begin at 1500. Sumo training sessions can be observed between 0500 and 1030 at Kasungo Stable in Tokyo (tel: (3) 3631 1871). Judo enthusiasts can visit the Kodokan Judo Hall, 1-16-30, Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo (tel: (3) 3818 4172), where there is a spectators’ gallery. There are opportunities for the visitor to purchase a costume and learn some of the techniques. There are separate classes for men and women and in most large schools English is spoken. More information can be obtained from the All Japan Judo Federation (website: www.judo.or.jp). Karate, the art of self defence, is taught at schools in Japan and has become a very popular sport since it was introduced into the country in 1922. For further information contact the Japan Karatedo Federation, Sixth Floor, 2 Sempaku Shinkokai Building, 1-11-2, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo (tel: (3) 3503 6640; website: www.karatedo.co.jp). Kendo, Japanese fencing, is practised in numerous clubs and college halls. In December, the All-Japan Championships are held in Tokyo. Kyudo, Japanese archery, is one of the oldest martial arts. It is closely associated with Zen Buddhism. Unlike many martial arts, it is pursued by almost as many female students as males. Yabusame, or archery on horseback, which was originally performed by courtiers or imperial guards in the seventh century, is today a Shinto rite for ensuring peace and good harvests. It is staged by horsemen in colourful costumes who gallop down a narrow 250m course shooting at small wooden targets set up at 80m intervals. The best known events are at Tsurugaoka Hachmagu shrine in Kamakura on the third Sunday in April and on 16 September and at the Shimogano Shrine in Kyoto on 3 May.
Wintersports: These are very popular and there are over 50 major ski resorts, especially in the Japanese Alps and on the northern island of Hokkaido. One of the great attractions is the prevalence of hot springs in the skiing areas. Various resorts at Nagana in Central Honshu offer facilities for night skiing. The southernmost natural ski slope in Japan is the Gokase Highland Ski, in the north Miyazaki prefecture, which offers grass skiing out of season between late April and late November. Transport connections are very good, and there are sometimes railway stations within a few minutes walk of the slopes. During the ski season, it is necessary to reserve seats on trains and buses. Although equipment is easy to hire, it can sometimes be a problem to obtain ski boots in larger sizes; skiers should telephone the resort in advance in order to check on availability.
Both diving and snorkelling are popular around the Kerama Islands near Okinawa which is one of the world’s clearest sea areas. Between January and March it is also an area for whale watching.
All kinds of fishing are practised, and there are many keen anglers in Japan. Freshwater fish include trout, funa (silver carp) and ayu (sweetfish). Given the shape of the country, fishing locations are never far away. Travellers might like to try ukai or cormorant fishing, a type of fishing where cormorants are used to catch fish. The cormorants and the crew do the work while the passengers watch. Food and drink are provided. Expeditions go out at night and can be arranged through hotels and tourist boards in the Kyoto area.
Cycling: This is popular in April and May during the cherry blossom season and also in October and November when autumn colours adorn Japan. Owing to snow and ice, cycling in Hokkaido and in the northern area of the main island, Honshu, is not recommended between December and March. Cyclists must keep to the left and should be careful at all times because of heavy traffic, especially on the national highways. There are numerous interesting paths routed through Toyko.
Football: Japan co-hosted the 2002 World Cup with the Republic of Korea. Football has taken off in a big way in Japan in recent years with the introduction of the Japanese soccer J-League and the participation of the Japanese national team in the World Cup of 1998 and, of course, 2002.
Golf: Courses in and around Tokyo are considered by some to be among the most challenging in the world. However, membership or an invitation is sometimes required. Some courses have the additional attraction of hot spring baths and mahjhong rooms. For further information, contact the Japan Golf Association, 606 Palace Building, 1-1-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100 (tel: (3) 3215 0003; fax: (3) 3214 2831; website: www.jga.or.jp).
Cultural activities: Among the traditional entertainments on offer is bunraku, a unique form of puppet theatre. This can be seen in major towns, as can noh drama and kabuki, traditional Japanese drama forms, with participants attired in medieval costumes. The most fascinating and colourful of Japan’s religious festivals take place in Kyoto, the old imperial capital. The Gion Festival reaches its climax on 16-17 July. A street parade takes place with the participants dressed in fine costumes and carrying portable shrines. The large floats depict ancient themes. The Aoi (or hollyhock) Festival on 15 May dates back to the sixth century. The procession, consisting of imperial messengers in oxcarts followed by a retinue of 600 people dressed in traditional costume, leaves at around 10am from the imperial palace and heads for Shimogamo-jinja shrine where ceremonies take place. It then proceeds to Kamigamo-jinja shrine. The Jidai Festival (festival of the ages) is of more recent origin, though still splendid to watch. More than 2000 people parade through the town dressed in costumes dating from different periods. For dates of other festivals, see Special Events in the Social Profile section. Those wishing to see the Japanese tea ceremony can arrange to do so through the tourist information centres in Tokyo and Kyoto (see Contact Addresses section).
If visitors are interested in eastern religions they can arrange to stay at a shukubo (or temple lodging). The tourist office will have a full list of temples offering this service. Sometimes it is possible to participate in meditation sessions.
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