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Japan
Entainment
Japan offers a full range of entertainment, both classic
and modern. From the mysterious Oriental symbolism of
the Noh drama to Western music concerts of all genres,
there are no lacks of options to keep you constantly on
the whirl while visiting Japan. The nation's rich artistic
heritage has been preserved in shrine and temple treasure
houses and through the private collections of royalty,
Daimyo (feudal lords) and wealthy merchants for hundreds
01 years, and is now available in numerous public and
private museums.
Museums
& Art Galleries
Japan's long recorded history as well as its profound
artistic accomplishments are copiously detailed and on
display in its many museums. Indeed, the archeological
artifacts, crafts and artistic masterpieces contained
in its museums represent exquisite microcosms of the Japanese
experience that illuminate the nation and its people as
a whole.
Perhaps at the pinnacle of Japan's museums stand the national
museums, of which the Tokyo National Museum in
Ueno Park was the first to be established, in 1871. Its
extensive collection gives a comprehensive overview of
the entire history 01 traditional Japanese art, plus historic,
scientific and natural history exhibits.
The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo exhibits
a chronology of Japan's modern fine art masterpieces.
The Kyoto National Museum was originally created
around the paintings, sculpture and other treasures from
temples in the vicinity, and now contains examples of
Japanese art from all periods.
The Nara National Museum is noted especially for
its collection of Buddhist sculpture.
In Tokyo, there are numerous art museums, both public
and private, which preserve invaluable works of Japan's
traditional fine art. To name just a few, the Goto
Art Museum boasts, among its collection, the
"Tale of Genji Picture Scroll" (a national
treasure); the Nezu Institute of Fine Arts is dedicated
to a collection of tea ceremony articles and Buddhistic
art; and the Hatakeyama Collection features tea
ceremony artifacts. These three museums also have a Japanese
garden, allowing the visitor to appreciate works of fine
art in a tastefully relaxing atmosphere. Also worth visiting
are: the Idemitsu Museum of Arts with its collection
of calligraphy, paintings and pottery from both Japan
and China; the Suntory Museum of Art featuring antique
fine art items based on traditional living; the Yamatane
Museum of Art specializing in modern and contemporary
Japanese paintings; and the Japan Folk Crafts Museum
with a focus on beautiful crafts for daily use such as
pottery
Putting aside traditional fine art, there are also other
types of distinctive museums. The Edo-Tokyo Museum
features the history and lifestyles of Tokyo, using large-scale
models. The Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Museum is
a genuine art deco structure built in 1933 and holds various
loan exhibitions.
In the realm of contemporary fine art, Japan is recently
emerging as a transmitter of distinct creativity to the
rest of the world. As such, contemporary art museums in
Japan await those who are interested in the country's
up-to-the-minute lifestyles, thoughts, media and so on.
One of Japan's largest of its kind in scale, the Museum
of Contemporary Art, Tokyo presents an extensive range
of contemporary art masterpieces from both Japan and abroad.
The Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery often spearheads
in holding "new-concept" exhibitions for contemporary
art. The Hara Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo's
Shinagawa district is an elegant Bauhaus-style building
which houses a variety of contemporary art works. In Ibaraki
Prefecture to the north of Tokyo, the Contemporary
Art Center at Art Tower Mito is known for its unique
exhibitions featuring contemporary art.
The Tokugawa Art Museum of Nagoya specializes in
Noh costumes, swords, armor and other samurai relics.
As for traditional fine arts in the Kansai region, the
Fujita Art Museum in Osaka is important due to
its rich collection of antique fine arts. Note, however,
that it opens only in spring and autumn. Also celebrated
are the Osaka Municipal Museum of Oriental Ceramics,
which specializes in priceless antique ceramics from China
and Korea, and the Osaka Municipal Museum of Art
with its rich collection of Chinese, and Japanese antique
fine art works. The Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art
in Kyoto is an impressive villa structure placing pottery
masterpieces on exhibit in a relaxing and serene atmosphere..
Meanwhile, Osaka's Suntory Museum TEMPOZAN holds
theme exhibitions focusing on posters.
Gardens
Japanese gardens, which excel in the creation of symbolic
miniature replicas of entire seas or landscapes within
the restrictions of a few hundred meters or less, are
renowned around the world. Evolving from the sponsorship
of a highly refined ruling class and the principles of
Buddhism and Shintoism, Japanese gardens are ravishing
combinations of plants, sand, water and rock that celebrate
the beauties of nature in a structured artistic form.
Numerous gardens are found on the grounds of temples,
and many are centuries old.
Kyoto is particularly rich in gardens, with those of Katsura
Imperial Villa, Ginkakuji and Kinkakuji
Temples, Nijo Castle and the famous rock garden of
Ryoanji Temple being especially exquisite examples.
In Tokyo, recommended gardens include Higashi Gyoen
Garden, Hama Rikyu Garden and Koishikawa
Korakuen, while the large now public park of Shinjuku
Gyoen was originally a pleasure ground of the Imperial
family.
Elsewhere across the country, notable gardens include
Kenrokuen of Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, Kairakuen
in Ibaraki Prefecture, Korakuen in Okayama Prefecture
and Ritsurin Park in Kagawa Prefecture.
Classic
Performing Arts
Japan's Noh drama is a highly stylized stage art
with 700 years of history. Richly symbolic, Noh is rooted
in ancient Shinto rites and is performed on a stage which
is roofed like a Shinto shrine. Actors wear masks, and
movement is highly stylized, while the costumes are usually
rich and gorgeous.
This classic art form is performed in Tokyo's National
Noh Theater, the Hosho Nohgakudo, the Kanze
Nohgakudo, the Kita Nohgakudo and the Umewaka
Nohgakudo in Tokyo. In the Kansai region, Noh is staged
at the Kanze Kaikan in Kyoto and the Osaka Nohgaku
Kaikan. Noh, on the other hand, is perhaps best appreciated
at open-air, torch- lit performances at temples.
Kabuki Theater is Japan's secular classical
drama, with vivid makeup, spectacular costumes and sets,
plus dramatic action that includes sword-fighting, jancing,
and even actors flying from and to the stage over the
audience.
The Bestvenue for Kabuki in Tokyo is Kabuki-za
in Ginza, which stages plays throughout the year. Also
in Ginza is the Shimbashi Embujo, while the National
Theater of Japan near the Imperial Palace occasionally
hosts touring companies.
Bunraku is an
elaborate form of puppet theater in which three - quater-lifesize
wooden and porcelain figures are manipulated byt three
puppeteers working in tandem. With narration provided
by formally clad masters and Shamisen accompaniment, Bunraku
is an exotic and picturesque experience.
Modern
Performing Arts
Modern performing arts, such as opera, "Buto"
dance, musicals, plays and ballet can also
be enjoyed in various cities across the country. In Tokyo,
especially, top artist from around the world are constantly
on stage. Some are so popularthat tickets have to be reserved
well in advance. Tokyo Opera City is a state-of-the-art
full-scale hall ideal for concerts and opera. The Takarazuka
Troupe, a unique all-girl musical company, attracts
many people who enjoy its brilliant performances where
male roles are all played by females. The internationally
celebrated "Buto" dance theater impresses the
audience with its avant-garde performances unique to japan.
The Arts
Among its indigenous arts, few are more typically Japanese
than Ikebana, or the art of flower arranging. Closely
related to the Zen Buddhist art of the tea ceremony, Ikebana
emphasizes simplicity and precision of form and aims at
symbolizing the various aspects of nature. There are numerous
schools teaching Ikebana, many of which offer instruction
in English.
The art of tea, or Chanoyu, is an aesthetic cult
of spiritual refinement that was originally very popular
among the ruling samurai. Today, you can see and possibly
participate in demonstrations of Chanoyu at some of the
major schools and in hotels.
Ceramics and Porcelain
As Chanoyu began to spread in the Muromachi period
(1333-1573), it gave rise to ceramic producing centers
around the country, each with its own distinctive style.
The 17th century saw the town of Arita succeed in firing
porcelains which gave further momentum to the rise of
Japan's pottery industry in subsequent years. Among numerous
producing centers, the most famous are Mashiko-yaki
(ware) in the Kanto region; Seto-yaki, Tokoname-yaki,
Mino- yaki and Kutani-yaki in the Chubu
region; Kiyomizu- yaki and Shigaraki-yaki
in the Kansai region; Bizen- yaki and Hagi-yaki
in the Chugoku area; Imari-yaki, Arita-yaki
and Karatsu-yaki in Kyushu. These production centers
have pottery museums, shops and pottery-making classes
where even the beginner can experience shaping and designing
his/her own fulfillment.
Nightlife
Tours
The range of entertainment available in Japan's cities
is so vast that visitors may best sample them by joining
a night tour. In Tokyo, Sunrise Tour Series by
Japan Travel Bureau offers reasonably priced lightlife
tours. In Tokyo, Kabuki Night Tour offers IOU a
sukiyaki dinner, and a chance to see a Kabuki performance.
In Kyoto, by joining Special Night, you ~an be
a guest at a tea ceremony, followed by rempura dinner
and finishing up by enjoying various kinds of traditional
Japanese performing arts in the Gion Corner.
Where to Drink
No visitor needs to go thirsty in Japan. In addition
o western-style bars in the cities, traditional drinking
spots include:
"Izakaya" are
Japanese-style pubs serving beer, Japanese sake, cocktails
and other alcoholic )beverages as well as casual meals.
Drinking 3stablishments of this type are all going strong
till midnight. Step into one and experience the 'liveliness."
Prices are naturally very reasonable.
"Karaoke"
(singing along with recorded music) is one of the most
popular forms of nightlife in Japan. Generally, a Karaoke
establishment consists of a number of compartments, each
replete with Karaoke equipment. A group of guests can
occupy a compartment at a reasonable price to enjoy singing
while drinking and eating. Many Karaoke houses even offer
a selection of popular songs you can sing in English.
In Tokyo, the best locations for a lively evening of good
food, drink and entertainment include the internationally-flavored
district of Roppongi, the upscale and elegant Ginza
with its dazzling neon-lit signs, the more sophisticated
Akasaka, the youthful, crowded Shibuya,
and the more raucous Kabukicho in Shinjuku.
Dancing
Dancing Discotheques and clubs are common and well- frequented
in all major cities, particularly by the young and young
at heart. In Tokyo, Roppongi offers many high-class
venues for adults, while Shibuya is a dancing Mecca
of the young.
Sports
Sports of all kinds enjoy great popularity in Japan. And,
in its various martial arts, Japan has contributed several
major sports to the world at large.
Traditional
Sports
Among home-grown sports, none represents Japan's
national feeling as much as Sumo, a form of wrestling
which originally was practiced during festivals and on
holy days at Shinto shrines. Consisting of a single hard-packed
dirt ring in which two -often enormous -men meet, a Sumo
match is won when one wrestler forces the other from the
ring or to the ground. Sumo involves intricate rules and
an entire vocabulary of holds, thrusts and strategies
that its devotees delight in debating.
Judo
is a martial art of self defense which was born in Japan
and now enjoys popularity among devotees internationally.
Based on principles of leverage and using an opponent's
strength to one's own advantage, Judo is now an Olympic
medal event. The Kodokan training center in Tokyo
is a good place to see Judo pupils training, as well as
occasional exhibition bouts by experts.
Ken
do is a form of fencing in which opponents clad in
heavy cotton padding and lacquered armor assail one another
with bamboo swords. The Nippon Budokan Hall in
Tokyo is the best place to observe Ken do.
Karate,
a form of weaponless combat, was developed by Okinawan
peasants whom their mainland rulers forbade from carrying
arms. Trained in the concentration of energy into blows
of the hand or foot, a Karate expert can break through
a thick stack of bricks or wood with a single stroke.
Go to the Japan Karate Association in Tokyo to
watch trainees and experts alike practice.
Aikido
is another martial art based on concentrating one's energy,
as well as taking advantage of an opponent's strength.
Aikido is especially valued among its followers as away
of maintaining and increasing physical fitness. The Aikikai
is an Aikido center in Tokyo.
Japanese archery , Kyudo, is considered to be as
much for individual spiritual refinement and the development
of concentration as it is for competition. Long associated
with the principles of Zen Buddhism, archery contests
can sometimes be viewed at temples.
Contemporary
Sports
Baseball is so popular
in Japan that many fans are surprised to hear that Americans
also consider it their "national sport." Especially
popular are the national- level spring and summer tournaments
among senior high-school teams. Schools, champions representing
their respective prefectures, gather at the Koshien
Stadium in Hyogo Prefecture and vie for victory. Almost
everyone from around Japan becomes near- fanatical in
support of the teams from their respective birthplaces.
Professional baseball is well developed, with twelve teams
being sponsored by major corporations. In Tokyo, the most
favored place to see a game is the Tokyo Dome Stadium
located in the grounds of Korakuen Amusement Park. Cheering
for your favorite professional baseball team is a unique
and powerful activity, using trumpets, drums and other
noise-making instruments.
Soccer is a
sport which is now a focus of explosive popularity among
children and young people in Japan. Backed by such feverish
popularity, the J League was established in 1993
to offer the highest level of soccer competition in Japan.
The J1 consists of 14 teams and the J2 of 12 teams, which
include a number of internationally famous professional
players. Major J League games are always packed with enthusiastic
spectators, while televised games also provide hot topics
for conversation at home and elsewhere. Soccer draws an
increasing number of people who also enjoy playing the
game.
Soccer is very much in focus with the ever-growing fever
in Japan over the 2002 FIFA World Cup to be jointly
hosted by Korea and Japan.
Golf is another widely popular Japanese sport. There are
many first-class golf courses in the countryside near
all the major cities. And within the cities themselves,
there are numerous driving ranges for the country's millions
of enthusiastic golfers.
Angling has many fans in Japan, and in fact the fresh
water rivers and lakes are often stocked by nationally
developed fish farms. Due to the varied nature of its
coast, however, offshore and deep-sea fishing requires
greater expertise and more specialized gear than does
fresh water angling. A number of tourist spots offer the
pleasure of fishing in mountain streams or lakes and fishing
gear is available for rent.
Mountaineering
is well-developed in the nation's many mountain ranges.
Hiking and climbing are popular activities, with the best
time running generally from mid-July to mid-August. Climbing
Mt. Fuji, Japan's universally recognized symbol, is most
popular. The climbing season for Fuji-san extends from
July 1 to August 31. Viewing rare and precious alpine
flora is another enjoyment for climbers. Climbing in Japan
originated many centuries ago as part of widely spread
mountain asceticism, while as a recreational sport it
began and became popular only in the modern era.
Skiing is big in Japan, with millions of skiers
flocking to the major resorts in the mountains of Honshu
and Hokkaido. The nation's ski resorts are very well developed,
and compare favorably with the top regions of Europe,
the U.S. and Canada. Recently, the number of ski grounds
that also cater to snow boarding is increasing as the
sport gains in popularity especially among young people.
Skating is available in indoor rinks
in the major cities, as well as at excellent outdoor facilities
in the wintertime in the north and Hokkaido. |
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Onsen
Like a giant sponge soaked with hot water, Japan literally
leaks from thousands of hot springs. And at some 1,800
of these spring areas, onsen resorts have sprung up over
some 2,000 years of the Japanese love of a good, hot bath.
The nation's hot- spri-ng spas are among its most enjoyable
destinations for visitors, and offer a mind-boggling array
of variations on the seemingly simple act of soaking in
hot mineral waters. Go for a soak in an onsen bath. You
are bound to get hooked!
In recent years, onsen have gained a certain cachet among
the young, and now most hot-spring spas are popular year-round.
Japanese, both young and old, love bathing in onsen.
While most onsen pipe their hot-spring waters indoor to
their "o.furo" (bath), some have built pools
outdoors, which are known as "roten-buro." These
baths are generally open year-round, and are especially
satisfying to enjoy even in winter during a light snow
fall. In recent times, rokan are giving increasing consideration
to privacy. This is reflected in the increasing number
of ryokan which provide individual guests as well as couples
and families with baths for their exclusive use, and guest
rooms having their own private onsen baths.
In Hokkaido, the most popular resort is Noboribetsu.
It is situated in a region of magnificent scenery, amid
boiling mud pools and sulfuric geysers. Another favorite
resort is Jozankei Spa, 30 km. from Sapporo. Among
the spas near Tokyo are Hakone, Atami, Ito, Kinugawa,
Nasu, Nikko and Shiobara.
Beppu
in Oita Prefecture, Arima near Kobe and Kusatsu
in Gumma Prefecture all provide potent mineral baths,
while Masutomi Spa in Yamanashi Prefecture and
Misasa Spa in Tottori Prefecture are all well known
for their radioactive springs.
Shirahama
in Wakayama Prefecture and Dogo in Ehime Prefecture
are both noted as time-honored
Japanese hot-spring resorts. Unzen in Kyushl famed for
its great thermal activity, is also popular c a summer
resort. Chief among the mountain spas Honshu are Akakura
in Niigata Prefecture and Zao Yamagata Prefecture. |
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