Darts aren't something unique to Japan, but in my recent years as a Tokyo area resident, it's found it's way into my social "repertoire", thanks to my friends here.
It actually occurred as more of an afterthought at first, a way to kill about 20 minutes of time before attending a scheduled event. We walked into an arcade and saw the darts game area and it was suggested to me to play a game or two. I hadn't actually picked up a dart and threw it towards a board since my high school days; in those times the game was very much analog in nature compared to the digital breed seen everywhere nowadays. And back then I didn't know how to play or keep score in any of the different types of games (Cricket, Count Up, etc) and now playing with Japanese friends who might be challenged in instructing me on the rules of the game seemed a bit daunting at first...
It was a fun time, as it turned out! Rules, or scoring, you could pick up as you play for the simpler scored games. With Cricket, the board would light up for the areas you need to hit, so I didn't require any tutoring from my friends at all!
And, it made for a nice friend photo op. Or video op, whatever your preference may be.
The interesting/useful aspect of darts here in Japan is that it's found at arcade and some bars, much like it is outside of Japan. Except, there are waaaaay more arcades in Japan than anywhere in the world from what I've seen. So, you're never too far away from a darts game, should the urge/need arise to play a game or two with friends.
Baseball is arguably the most popular sport in Japan. Given its status, you can understand the number of batting centers (perhaps known to Americans more as "batting cages" but essentially the same thing) you'll find in Japan.
Because of the large area needed for these facilities, they aren't too widespread, but you definitely won't need to search too hard for one, especially in the cities.
The controls all tend to be in Japanese; it isn't terribly hard to figure out how to adjust pitch speed and height, but having a local friend with you definitely helps with the learning curve. And, having a friend with you definitely increases the fun factor and gives you someone to compete with, whether announced or understated between the friends.
A favorite one for me, my family, and friends to go to is the batting center at Yodobashi, Akihabara. It's located at the top of the building (yes, it is actually at the top of the building, ninth floor). Aside from its unique location at the top of a popular department store, it's also located in a pretty fun area for various other activities (shopping, dining, gaming, etc). And as you can see from the video below, the pitchers are professional Japanese players in digital form!
Additionally, there is a pitching game that has a good spectator location for doing photos/videos, with many examples below. I've been able to capture many of us in spectacular/forgettable form making our pitches towards the target.
And one in slow motion, for effect!
For a good time brushing up (or even learning) hitting and pitching skills, or just a good time, the batting centers are a great unique experience here in Japan.
Recommendations:
- Bring/wear gloves if your hands easily blister (for batting)
- Stretch a bit beforehand as much as possible (especially arms/upper body) to prevent longer term pain, especially if you haven't hit/pitched in a while
- Buy a drink outside at one of the many vending machines before heading in, to quench your thirst during/after the fun
Karaoke... not just for fun but for learning about yourself and others!
Karaoke... I'm sure you've heard of it before (pun intended) but have you given it a try yourself? If not, may I suggest giving it your best in the birthplace of karaoke, Japan?
And even if you've tried karaoke elsewhere, as I have... Japan just takes it to another level that you've never experienced before. From the high tech machines (selection/control is made from an iPad/Nintendo WiiU-like device) to the studio room and its lighting effects in sync with the song, it will not disappoint and you'll remember the experience, especially the first time.
On top of that, you can order drinks/food, or serve yourself from a drink bar (depending on the location and its available refreshments) to keep the singing party energized.
There are several karaoke chains in Japan, such as Karaoke Kan, Big Echo, and others. They are pretty much everywhere, because of their immense popularity in Japan as social venues, entertainment, stress relief, etc.
The Educational Experience of Karaoke
So, you may wonder what things you could learn from a karaoke outing with friends? So many things, really! But I'll list the ones you'll most likely learn:
- You own singing/voice capabilities: singing along with a favorite song in the car/bathroom is one thing, but can you actually carry the tune by yourself? Karaoke gives you that opportunity to truly test yourself.
- Your friends music tastes: as an adult you won't find yourself in a friend's ride/house as often as, say, your high school days. Here, you actually learn a lot about the music tastes of your friends and perhaps a glimpse into their hidden personalities (did he/she just sing a song that was the theme of that anime/movie?)
- How their songs relate to each other... and possibly you? If he/she sings a particularly moving song and looks/points at you...
- Breaking the icy exterior. I've seen people (well, males really) who've been stoic/serious all the time, get behind a mic at karaoke, and it's like a different person.
- New songs. I've learned of and developed a liking for songs I first heard sung by a friend at karaoke. It's a cool and very personal way to expand one's playlist.
Go for the fun of it, and don't be afraid of the learning experience (it's fun as well)!
Recommendations:
- Go alone to practice if you feel like you need it, or if you really don't have anyone who shares the interest. Go with others for a much better time!
- Go during the "off-peak" hours to save money (varies but this is usually from 1100 to 1800)
- If language is an issue for yourself and your companions, go to a location in a tourist-heavy area (downtown Tokyo, near US installations, etc) to maximize ease of communication, as those places would more likely have someone who could communicate/understand English better
- If you're at Camp Zama like myself, there's the BOXZ karaoke room available for a bargain at $5 per two hours at the Community Club)
Through a local network/classifieds site called Guidable, I lucked out on the opportunity to participate in the performance by the Aomori dancers at Furusato Matsuri. From what I understood, the Aomori dancers needed reinforcements to help with the Nebuta, a large and very heavy "float" which very few have the privilege/opportunity to carry in an event.
And, what an opportunity it was. I love dancing among other things, but to be able to become part of the Aomori performance, help carry the Nebuta, and be part of something big at Tokyo Dome... the feeling and experience is indescribable.
One eye opening perk of the experience was getting to walk through the tunnels and by the locker rooms of Tokyo Dome, places where presumably only employees, athletes, and performers have walked. I guess I now qualify as a performer, two times on that day anyway!
And after the first performance, I was insanely hungry... moving around and carrying a 4 ton float and dancing, while not being trained for such activity, does that to me.... lucky for me this happened to be Furusato Matsuri, where food from everywhere in Japan was offered! I needed fuel for the second performance later, so I had Hokkaido snow crab, Hokkaido ramen, Hokkaido ice cream, and Okinawa soba, all in one afternoon!!!
I do feel very, very, fortunate to have landed this gig. As a "gaijin" it's natural to have some fears/hesitation to join a group/event such as this one, and I didn't even know I'd be the only gaijin in the group. I know others would love this type of experience, though, and I can only offer the advice of "keep your eyes open" for these types of opportunities, especially on Facebook of all places... and "fortune favors the bold". Even I tend to be antisocial/shy to new settings/people, but I put that away for the sake of assisting others, as well as for my own wonderful experience as a Furusato Matsuri performer. And I had the privilege of sharing the experience with some very cool people...
For now my achy tired body will rest, while the mind reminisces that unique experience from yesterday... and I still have a weekend ahead of me to enjoy!
Geisha At Asakusa: A Great (and Free) Way To Meet Them at Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan
Geisha are truly one of the most mysterious, beautiful, and enigmatic aspects of Japan. These entertainers are not as common as the typical tourist might think: nearly a century ago they numbered around 80,000, but in today's Japan their number has dwindled to less than 2000, spread out across the cities and various corners of the country.
Most of today's geisha are in Kyoto, but that scene made news recently in 2019 with many Kyoto tourists harassing them for photos while they were out and about, without their permission. One of the most important pieces of advice I could ever give a fellow gaijin photographer: always ask for permission if ever unsure. Those incidents only served to make them more elusive for the casual fan.
To see a Geisha in person can be very difficult/expensive. There is a great, free, and easy way though...
To see a Geisha in person, one could attend one of their paid performances, but obstacles such as the price (relatively high) and the language barrier can serve to keep the typical tourist away from Geisha.
One of the geisha during their performance at Asakusa
Aside from festivals (which can be hit/miss depending on your schedule, crowds and the type of festival), there is a great, free option in Tokyo where you can see, meet, and even photograph several geisha at the same time.
The Asakusa Culture Tourism Center located just across the street from Asakusa's Kaminarimon Gate, hosts a 45 minute event twice on some Saturdays during the year, especially spring/summer timeframe. The event time have been at 13:00 and 14:30, with free tickets distributed at 10:00 in the morning on the same day at the first floor lobby area. Arrive early at 10:00 to avoid missing out!
Tickets come with assigned seating. don't worry too much about figuring it out on your own, as onsite staff will check your ticket(s) and guide you once you get to the event area. Then, you can enjoy the event!
The event is truly beautiful in its presentation; the Geisha do not disappoint in their appearance nor in their performance of dancing and demonstrating one of the games they play. Photos and videos here are allowed and encouraged, as long as you don't use flash. And at the end, you can have your photo taken with the Geisha as a group!
For the price (free) and the impact/value delivered by the Geisha and event, I highly recommend this one!
Unfortunately, it seems that I was able to attend the last event of 2019. Keep your eyes on the website for the Asakusa Culture Tourism Center and/or this website to find out info on their future geisha performances.
Recommendations:
- With tickets in hand, plan to be at the event venue (6th floor) early, 10-15 minutes or so. Limited access (small elevator) can cause some delay in actually getting there, unless you're willing to walk up the stairs.
- Line up really early, before 10:00, if you want to have front row tickets for the event.
When it comes to travelling between distant cities in Japan, the Shinkansen (and its distant "relatives" in the form of various types of express trains) immediately come to mind as the most famous means of travelling large distances in the country. Though, for those who have tried it or even just searching out bullet train fares, it's not cheap.
Air travel, while generally even more expensive than rail, is also up there in popularity. Though personally, I could live without the hefty check in, wait, and baggage claim times associated with any travel via airport.
Through the internet and word of mouth, though, I learned about the cheapest reasonable means to travel from the Kanto plain to the Kansai region: the night bus (also known as the highway bus). For a relatively reasonable fee, one can conceivably sleep through the night and wake up at his/her destination. And from the photos I've seen of the night bus interior, this is travelling in style! Some buses afford passengers an enclosed room for themselves to presumably enjoy and await arrival at the destination the next morning.
So, we decided to give it a go. I'd never been to Universal Studios Japan, so that seemed like a good destination to give this mode of travel a try. It would preclude the need for hotel/lodging, since we could also board a night bus the evening of our arrival at Osaka to get back to the Kanto region.
Reservations were easy enough, through Hyperdia, though it takes you to Willer Bus express, which is the company that manages the route we would be taking. They had a convenient trip scheduled both ways, which had us arriving at USJ just before opening (08:30) and departing around the time I expected we'd experienced all we wanted for the day (19:55).
On the evening of our travel, a couple of things amazed me:
- the bus terminal area was on the fourth (4th!!!) floor of a building(!!!)
- the clockwork precision of the buses, departing and arriving like a choreographed performance:
The onboard experience was wonderful! For the nine hour journey from Shinjuku to Universal Studios, I had a comfortable seat (which reclines pretty way back, though not quite close to horizontal), and my own personal space courtesy of curtains that provided a cozy "room" on the bus. It kind of felt like flying business class on an international flight, though without the served food and drink.
I slept probably as well as possible, considering I was in a moving wheeled vehicle, after all. Bathroom/rest area breaks were about 2-3 hours apart during the journey, which are a welcome opportunity to use the bathroom (there was no restroom on the bus), get food/drink, or otherwise just bask, breathe in, and wander around in a part of the country I would not find myself at if not for this red-eye journey.
Coming home, I slept even better, which was predictable since that was coming off a full day of USJ walking and excitement. For all the reasons I've stated and understated, the night bus is an experience worth having, and for me it'll be the preferred mode of travel to other major/distant cities to keep more money in my travel budget!
Recommendations:
- Book your trip in advance; though there were a few empty seats on both rides of my experience, I can't imagine what trouble it would've been had I not booked in advance and the bus was full.
- Wear comfortable clothes for the trip, something you believe can fall asleep in.
- If needed, bring snacks/drinks but not the smelly kind... to be kind to your fellow long-distance travelers.
Specifics:
Visit some of the bus companies that have night/highway buses to book online:
Baseball may have originated in the United States, but Japan just made the experience much more fun and enthralling!
Take me out to the old ballgame... images of peanuts, cracker jack, and beer, probably come to mind. If you've been to a Major League baseball game, it can be fun, with the best players on the game's biggest stages. Sure, but in Japan, the game is elevated... and by that I mean the entire package is of a higher pedigree.
Yokohama DeNA Baystars vs Tokyo Yakult Swallows at Meiji Jingu Stadium
As you might recall, my Japanese baseball story as a fan of the Yakult Swallows has roots in the kimono, so my experience in getting into this fandom, dare I say, is one of the most unique ones around. So, as the story goes, I traded a shared kimono wearing experience for an introduction to baseball in Japan. And on that first game, at Meiji Jingu Stadium featuring the Yakult Swallows against the Hiroshima Carp, I noticed several aspects that Japan has bettered the MLB experience in. Since Japanese baseball always seem to have its "A-game" on no matter what the day, each aspect is highlighted accordingly:
The wise friend who introduced me to the Swallows
Nippon Ham Fighters vs Tokyo Giants at Tokyo Dome
- A musical experience, even if you don't understand the language. And no, I'm not talking about batter walkup songs played on the stadium speakers. Every player has a song which the fans song in unison when he steps up to bat. Sometimes you can tell who the big star players are by how spirited the fans next to you sing the song. For some teams/players, there is a choreographed action/dance that goes with the song as well; keep your eyes on those around you as well as on the action on the field!
- A Lucky Seven. Before the top and bottom of the seventh inning, instead of the "seventh inning stretch", Lucky Seven is when fans for each team sing their team's theme song. A moment to inspire the team to win, or a lone moment to feel good, depending on the game.
- A props to the fans. Each team has a signature fan "prop", whether its banner-type towels, hand waving towels, or in the case of the Swallows, umbrellas.
- A beautiful girl serves you beer every time. Beer girls in Japan... you might have heard of them. They are everywhere at the stadium, and happy to pose for a pic if time/space allows.
- A game, nothing more, nothing less... but a great game. Fans want their team to win, some more badly/desperately than others. But here, they never seem to be overly high or low with the outcome of each game. They come to have fun, sing along, cheer their team on, and otherwise have a great time at the ballpark. Not to get trouble or curse/fight with others over a ball game.
- A pleasant experience, no matter your rooting interest. Entire sections of the stadium are officially/unofficially designated for supporters of the visiting team, which makes it easy to find yourself among fans of your team. And I have never witnessed any heckling/fighting of opposing fans in Japan ever, even if they are unable to find seats in their respective team section, which is quite the opposite compared to what I've seen/experienced in the US.
As I say (too often?), the best (and most overlooked) aspect of Japan are its people. It's the people as a whole, not just the players on the field but the thousands more who pay to go to the game, that take the Japanese baseball experience to a higher level than that of its country of origin. Take me out to the ballgame in Japan, any time!
Recommendations:
- Wear comfortable clothing; Japan's seats seem to be a bit smaller than the US standard, so be warned if you tend to be on the bigger size.
- Buy tickets well in advance: gone are the days when you could show up on game day/night on a whim and get tickets, as popularity of the game has skyrocketed in the past couple of years. Some teams (notably Hiroshima, and Giants) are impossible to get tickets at if not done months in advance or even before the start of the season.
- Keep an eye on the weather, especially if attending a game outdoors (Swallows, Marines, Baystars home games in the Kanto area). The Tokyo area gets more than its fair share of rainy evenings, which could literally put a damper on the game plan. Be flexible, or better yet, be prepared with rain gear; one positive is that the stadium is less crowded when the rain occurs.
- If the language barrier/strangeness factor makes you hesistant to give baseball in Japan a try, find a local friend to take you! It'll reduce the stress and make for a more fun (and possibly educational/insightful) experience.
Japan's Cherry Blossoms (Sakura) Season, Best Time To Visit/Experience The Beauty Of Japanese Nature!
Sakura in Japan is about as iconic as samurai, kimonos, and well, anything you can think of about Japan. You'll see photos, illustrations, merchandise, and even food/drink featuring the famed Sakura of Japan. It is so synonymous with Japan that even the Japanese Government shapes its fiscal years to end and begin at the traditional peak of the cherry blossoms in its capital region.
Near JR Yotsuya Station
Shinjuku Gyoen
For the casual traveler, taking in the Sakura is free, and much less costly to experience than a samurai armor photo shoot or an outing in kimono (if you're not factoring in a higher airfare to visit due to the popularity of the season). The weather starts to get way more pleasant, as the cold of winter transitions into the pleasant spring temps. And, most of the major, touristy parks feature a lot of cherry trees for you to admire and photograph at their best.
Odawara Castle, Kanagawa
Even at the US military bases, especially Camp Zama and Yokota Air Base, you'll find some large areas adorned with many cherry trees. So if you happen to live and/or work at one of those military installations, you won't have to go very far to experience the magic of the Sakura.
Still, if you're in Japan... why not go out and experience the season just as the locals do, outside? Though the "hanami", which nowadays refers to the parties held at prime spots for cherry blossom viewing, might be a bit much for gaijin to take part in, even a leisurely stroll through such places as Yoyogi Park, Ueno Park, and Shinjuku Gyoen will give you more than enough of the experience to understand why these trees are so beloved.
Shinjuku Gyoen
Odawara Castle
Also, at Tokyo Midtown, there's a cherry tree lined street which is beautiful in itself, but when the sun sets... the trees are illuminated, giving a very different look/feel to the trees and the season.
For added photographic and cultural impact, why not don a kimono among the Sakura? It certainly makes for an interesting, beautiful photo, and a traditionally Japanese way to experience the cherry blossom sights.
But to me, perhaps the best and most overlooked part of the Sakura is how it brings all of us together... maybe not all at one time or one place, but whether it's Hanami, an after-hours outing, or a planned trip to view the blossoms, it certainly brings you in touch with others. And I believe that to truly be the best part of the season.
