Based on "rock climbing" which aims to climb rock faces, events that use tools are called "aid climbing" and events where you climb using only your body without using any equipment are called "free climbing". It seems that this "free climbing" has been added as an event in global sporting events. Furthermore, "rope climbing" is when you use a safety line (such as a safety rope) and "bouldering" is when you don't, and the criteria seem to be that you use walls installed in facilities and artificial stone-like protrusions called holds, rather than natural rock walls.
"Yokohama Sparkling Twilight 2019" will be held around Yamashita Park in Yokohama for two days from July 13th (Sat) to 14th (Sun), 2019. It is an annual festival that will feature around 3,000 fireworks at night on both days, performances by choirs and jazz bands on a special stage, and a parade in national costumes from around the world during the day. As per the concept of "2 days to get familiar with the sea and the port", the event content is unique to the port city of Yokohama.
Yakatabune boats allow you to enjoy food, drinks, and seasonal scenery on board. They have a long history, and the way people enjoy them has changed over time. It is said that the origins of boating in Japan date back to the Heian period. Originally established as a pastime for courtiers and Sengoku warlords, they became popular among wealthy merchants and powerful feudal lords in the Edo period, and then yakatabune appeared that even ordinary Edo people could enjoy. After the Meiji period, they temporarily declined due to the effects of the World Wars, and are now rarely used due to water pollution during the high economic growth period after the war and the destruction of scenery caused by river bank construction. However, the popularity of cruisers in Tokyo was rekindled with the bubble economy of the 1980s. They are still very popular among not only Japanese people but also foreign tourists as one of Japan's good traditional cultures, as they allow you to enjoy tourist spots efficiently and are a convenient means of transportation. It is also a recent trend to rent out boats for welcoming and farewell parties, year-end parties, New Year's parties, etc.
The Robot Restaurant in Kabukicho, Shinjuku is a famous spot where you can feel like you've been transported to another world while still in the city center, but the KAWAII MONSTER CAFE Harajuku in this plan is no less impressive. This cafe restaurant is one of the largest in Tokyo and was produced by Masuda Sebastian, who is also famous for his art direction for Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's music videos.
Nagatoro Gorge is especially famous for its rock formations and river boat rafting, and many tourists visit for activities such as canoeing and rafting. There are also places for camping and barbecues, making it a very attractive destination for outdoor enthusiasts. River boat rafting in Nagatoro is a tour that you can enjoy listening to the boatman's guide. In spring, you can see the cherry blossoms, in summer you can feel refreshed in the cool breeze, and in autumn you can see the magnificent beauty of the valley colored by autumn leaves. In this way, river activities in Nagatoro can be enjoyed in different ways depending on the season, by everyone from small children to the elderly!
Now, I would like to share my thoughts on the appeal of "Yakatsubune," which I have come to realize only because I have become an adult. Before I looked into it, I had imagined it to be some sort of high-class entertainment, but it seems that today's yakatabune are a little different. Of course, there are many banquet plans that come with a Japanese-style course set, such as tempura and sashimi prepared by a professional chef, but it seems that there are an increasing number of restaurants that meet a wide range of needs, such as plans for a Tokyo Bay yakatabune lunch cruise that can be enjoyed during the day, and plans for shared yakatabune rides that can be booked for two or more people.
Hello to everyone reading the Activity Japan BLOG. It's May now and the days are getting warmer, or rather, hotter. My son has been wanting to go into the pool since the other day lol. This may seem sudden, but what do you think of when you hear "What do you want to try at least once in your life?" In my case, I have a few aspirations to try activities such as skydiving, bungee jumping, getting a scuba diving license, and a small boat license, but I've never been able to find the right timing (excuses) and I'm just a talker with no experience. I think there needs to be some kind of "reason" or "timing" to make that challenge come true, and one of those things, bungee jumping, was featured in a topic in the summer season of 2019 that could be a little bit of a reason, so I'm going to post about it this time. It's a simple and childish way of thinking, but there's something about the sound of words like "number one in Japan" and "limited time only" that really gets to me.
There is a trending genre that has seen a sudden rise in popularity in recent years. That genre is bouldering! The number of bouldering gyms (climbing gyms) has increased dramatically in Tokyo, and it is no exaggeration to say that it is now booming. Bouldering, a type of free climbing, is attracting attention as a sport that allows for easy exercise. In addition, sport climbing has been selected as an official competitive event in a global sporting event in 2020, further increasing its popularity. Here are three carefully selected plans that will allow you to casually experience bouldering in Tokyo!
Fishing is a popular hobby and sport that can be continued for a long time in one's life. It can be enjoyed with family and friends, or you can enjoy it alone, facing the sea and immersing yourself in it. It has long been a popular hobby for men, but in recent years, with the increase in services that are friendly to women, we are seeing more and more young women trying fishing. Fishing requires not only skill and technique, but also luck, and even beginners can catch a lot of fish when they have the chance. That's another interesting point.
Recently, we have been enjoying the warm weather of spring, which has put me in a more active mood. This makes me look forward to summer, when I can enjoy water activities in the sea and rivers. So, let me introduce you to Enoshima, where you can enjoy sea activities a little early. Enoshima is an island in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture, which juts out from the Shonan coast into Sagami Bay. The island is connected to the mainland by a bridge, and you can easily travel by car or on foot. It has long been popular with tourists as a place for pilgrimages and leisure activities. Recently, there are many fashionable shops, so it is a recommended tourist destination for people of all ages and genders. Another feature of Enoshima is that it can be accessed from the city center in about an hour. It is an excellent distance that makes it perfect for a day trip, as it is an excellent place to go on a holiday. A drive along the beautiful coastline will make you feel refreshed, and you can also enjoy a leisurely trip on the famous train, the Enoshima Electric Railway. The Enoshima Electric Railway line from Fujisawa to Kamakura is full of tourist spots and has streets that never get boring.
Hello everyone who is reading Activity Japan, Golden Week is approaching. I don't have any plans, I have work, and I have a feeling that I'll end up just lazing around while thinking about going somewhere, Shishimaru here. But I'm always looking for information on fun spots. When I search for a place to go to a beautiful beach close to Tokyo, the first thing that comes up is the Izu Islands. The Izu Islands are made up of about 100 islands, including Izu Oshima, Hachijojima, Toshima, Niijima, Mikurajima, Kozushima, and Miyakejima, also known as the Izu Seven Islands, as well as uninhabited islands. There are many popular activities such as swimming in the crystal clear waters, snorkeling, skin diving, and tours where you can swim with wild dolphins. There are also many diving points, and many courses and schools to obtain licenses are held at diving shops. This time, I would like to look into Miyakejima, one of the Izu Islands.
With the long-awaited Golden Week just around the corner, we are proud to announce the latest trends in Golden Week activity bookings for 2019! Along with the "Popular Activity Rankings," "Popular Area Rankings," and "Popular Experience Plan Rankings," we will be investigating the trends for 2019 and thoroughly introducing the "Recommended Popular Activities and Popular Experience Plans." ◎ Golden Week is a season that marks a historic moment, and is one of the rare longest holidays in recent years. Many people are probably planning to go on trips or drives with their families, groups of friends, or as a couple. With high demand expected for this season, it's best to make reservations for accommodation, transportation, and experiential leisure activities at your travel destination early☆
The Tone River originates from Mt. Omikami and flows from north to east through the Kanto region before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. It flows through the Kanto Plain and boasts the largest drainage area in Japan (about half of the Kanto Plain). It is said to be one of the "Three Most Violent Rivers in Japan" along with the Chikugo River (Chikujiro) and Yoshino River (Shikoku Saburo), and is a first-class river also known as "Bando Taro". Minakami Town, which the Tone River spans, is located at the northernmost tip of Gunma Prefecture and is the largest town in the prefecture. It is the only area in the Kanto region that is classified as a Sea of Japan climate, and is characterized by a large amount of snowfall in winter. Therefore, during the snowmelt season from April to June, meltwater flows into the area and the water volume increases. So, with the 2019 summer season just around the corner, we will focus on "rafting," an activity that can be enjoyed using meltwater and the rapids of the river in Minakami Town upstream of the Tone River! We will introduce a recommended experience plan that allows you to experience the Kanto region's greatest rapids! If you've seen it on social media or would like to try rafting, be sure to visit during the 2019 season.
Kozushima is the westernmost inhabited island of the Izu Islands. It is characterized by its clear waters and mysterious scenery, and both the sea and land are attractive. The island is shaped like a gourd, and in the north is Mt. Tenjo, which is 572 meters above sea level, and in the south is Mt. Chichibu. Mt. Tenjo is the symbol of Kozushima, and is a lava dome formed by a large-scale eruption in the past. At the top of the mountain, there are sandy areas called the "front desert" and the "back desert", and rare alpine plants can be seen. In this way, Kozushima is an island where you can enjoy not only marine activities, but also land exploration such as hiking. However, the biggest feature is the beautiful sea, which has been selected as the most transparent in Japan. It is said to be "No. 1 in the Izu Seven Islands" because of the density of fish, so if you go diving, you may encounter sea turtles, schools of amberjack and tengufish. It is easily accessible from Tokyo, and is a popular diving spot frequently visited by many divers living in the Kanto region. Another factor that increases its popularity is that you can enjoy the only night dive in the Izu Islands on the white sand terrain. There are many other diving spots that attract divers, from dynamic reefs to cave dives. We have carefully selected a variety of diving tours that even beginners can easily experience on Kozushima Island, as well as fun diving plans that even licensed C-card holders can enjoy.
The Tama River is loved by outdoor lovers living in Tokyo and Kanagawa. The nearby town of Denenchofu, famous for its high-end residential area, is quiet and rich in greenery. The Tama River is a first-class river with a total length of 138 km, spanning Yamanashi Prefecture, Tokyo, and Kanagawa Prefecture, and its main stream flows into Tokyo Bay. Although there are levees, many parts are not protected by banks, so many wild birds and wild plants can be seen along the river. The river is called an "urban oasis" because of its rich nature. The cherry blossoms bloom from late March to early April, and it is also a popular cherry blossom viewing spot that attracts many visitors every year. The scenery of the cherry blossom trees that color the Tama River is very magnificent and will leave a great impression. In particular, Fussa City, located along the Tama River, is a famous cherry blossom spot with a row of cherry trees stretching for about 2.5 km. During the cherry blossom season, the "Fussa Sakura Festival" is held, and 600 lanterns are installed to light up the cherry blossoms. You can enjoy the fantastic atmosphere of the cherry blossoms at night, which is different from the daytime. The Tama River is also a popular BBQ spot, and in the summer you can see many people enjoying BBQs. But did you know that water activities have recently become popular on the Tama River? The activity we'd like to introduce to you today is a rafting tour on the Tama River! There are also day trip plans, so if you live in the Tokyo metropolitan area, it's a must-see ♪
Hachijojima is one of the Izu Islands. It belongs to Tokyo and is a subtropical remote island with untouched nature. It attracts visitors with its beautiful blue sea, tropical flowers, charming streets, unique history and culture, and more. The island has an area of 69 km2 and is gourd-shaped. It has a population of about 9,000 people and is also famous for being a place of exile until the early Meiji period. Hachijojima is now popular as a spot where you can take beautiful underwater photos and a spot with a wide range of activities, thanks to the spread of social media. It is also directly influenced by the warm Kuroshio Current, and it is no exaggeration to say that the entire island has become a spot for diving, fishing, and snorkeling! With the spring and summer 2019 season just around the corner, we would like to introduce three unique recommended experience plans for diving on Hachijojima. Diving is not an easy activity to do, but we hope everyone will experience the excitement of the underwater world! If you have been interested in it on social media, if you want to enjoy nature, or if you want to try diving, be sure to visit in the spring and summer of 2019.
There are many popular tourist destinations in the Kanto region, but the Boso Peninsula in Chiba has long maintained a certain level of popularity. Located in the southeastern part of the Kanto region, it is a peninsula that faces the Pacific Ocean. There are countless tourist spots scattered around, such as the famous aquarium Kamogawa Sea World and Nihon-ji Temple, where you can see the largest Buddha statue in Japan. The particularly popular Minami-Boso area is full of power spots and historical buildings, and is frequently visited by history-loving tourists. In addition, due to the warm climate, it is blessed with a rich natural environment. In spring, you can see colorful rape blossoms and poppies, and in summer, it is perfect for swimming and marine sports. The Boso Hills and the southern coastline are designated as Minami-Boso Quasi-National Park, and are developing as a "marine resort" with many beaches and villas. In the Minami-Boso area, which has many famous places and little-known spots, there is a place that I would like to recommend from the perspective of "enjoying activities." That is Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture. This time, we will introduce a carefully selected plan for enjoying diving, the most popular marine activity, in Tateyama City! Whether you are a beginner or have experience, be sure to check it out before early summer arrives!
With more and more days of fresh spring breezes, the warm season of 2019 is finally about to arrive. This means we can't wait for long holidays such as Golden Week. I'm sure some of our blog readers are already planning their trips for the long weekend. On your precious days off, you can't help but think, "I want to travel away from the hustle and bustle of the city" or "I want to spend time in a place rich in nature." However, some people may be troubled by the schedule of going to a place too far from the city, saying, "To be honest, it's tough in terms of the number of days...". For those people, we recommend Izu Oshima, a resort that is close to the city and easy to get to! Izu Oshima is actually very close to the metropolitan area! It is located about 120 km south of Tokyo and about 30 km off the east coast of the Izu Peninsula. It is famous as the largest island of the Izu Islands, which are made up of over 100 islands, and is blessed with a warm climate throughout the year due to the influence of the Kuroshio Current. Also, Mt. Mihara, towering in the center of the island, is a volcanic island known as "Goshinbi" (divine fire), and the scenery is woven with distinctive topography. As a result, the Izu Islands are primarily noted for their crater cones and scenery. However, when the warm season arrives, you'll want to enjoy some ocean activities, right? So this time, we've carefully selected scuba diving plans that you can enjoy on Izu Oshima! We have plans that both beginners and experienced divers can enjoy, so be sure to check them out!
Izu Oshima is the largest island in the Izu Islands, located about 120 km from Tokyo. It has a very warm climate throughout the year, and the island has a unique topography unique to a volcanic island that rises 300 meters below the seabed, centered around Mt. Mihara, also known as the sacred fire in the center of the island. The island has a very clear sea in an area that is very accessible from Tokyo, about 8 hours by passenger ship, about 1 hour and 45 minutes by high-speed boat, and about 25 minutes by plane, and in the summer it is crowded with tourists who enjoy snorkeling and trial diving. Hinodehama, near Okada Port, is a beach with gentle waves where even children can safely enjoy swimming and playing on the rocks. Nodahama, located in the northwest of the island, has an arch formed by lava flowing offshore, and is designated as a rare underwater geopark (heritage with geoscientific value) in the world. Toshiki Beach in the south is a tide pool surrounded by rocks, where you can encounter many creatures such as clownfish and blue-green damselfish. Izu Oshima is full of attractive beaches, so of course you'll want to play in the sea. We have a plan that we recommend for you.
The Sumida River starts at Iwabuchi Water Gate in Kita Ward, Tokyo, and flows north and south through seven wards along the river in the eastern lowlands of Tokyo (Kita Ward, Adachi Ward, Arakawa Ward, Sumida Ward, Taito Ward, Chuo Ward, and Koto Ward). It is a first-class river in the Arakawa River system that flows into Tokyo Bay. For the people of Edo, it was a major artery of transportation, and at the same time, it was deeply loved and familiar as a river that contained many of Edo's famous places. It has been the stage for literature and traditional performing arts, and is famous for "Flowers," which begins with the song "Sumida River in the Spring" composed by Rentaro Taki, and is familiar to us. The beautiful season of the beautiful and atmospheric Sumida River is coming ♫ Here, with the spring and summer season of 2019 just around the corner, we will focus on courses for enjoying Asakusa boat rides, such as cherry blossom viewing cruises and houseboats on the Sumida River! We will introduce three recommended plans. If you have been interested in it on SNS or want to enjoy a higher level of Tokyo sightseeing, please check out the information. Of course, it is also recommended for those who live in the city ♫
