Halloween is right around the corner and there are many things to see and do around Halloween in Japan. Although Halloween is a little different here, the Japanese have no shortage of ghost stories, urban legends, scary movies and haunted attractions. Fuji-Q Highland has probably one of the longest walk-through haunted houses in the world. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour to walk through it. It’s said that the building was an actual functioning hospital at one time and was left there unused when the park was built. The theme is a haunted hospital and it uses the entire building and a lot of the original equipment in creating a realistic attraction. For something a little less chilling, Tokyo Disney theme parks are very popular during the Halloween season. Not only is the cast made up for Halloween but many of the guests are too. Shows and attractions are decorated in Halloween fashion and is fun for the entire family.
Tokyo Joypolis amusment centers have a handful of creepy attrations to check out. Some are a walk-through and some are 3D sound. 3D sound attraction lets your mind do most of the work in freaking you out. A guide will greet you and give you a brief backstory and introduction to the attraction. You usually are then led to a room with a long table with headphones on it and several chairs. Everyone sits down around the table and is then instructed to put on the headphones. That’s when the magic begins.
JR Kawasaki Station
La Cittadella Halloween Kid’s Park
There are Halloween parades and parties scattered all over Tokyo from the Hello Halloween Pumkin Parade in Harajuku (kidfriendly) to the Roppongi Hills Halloween Parade. The big dog of Tokyo Halloween parties is the Kawasaki Halloween Parade outside the JR Kawasaki station on the east side near La Cittadella. The parade is on October 31, 2009 (Halloween) The parade route is about a mile long so there is plenty of room for you to find a spot to enjoy the parade. This is a block party type of event with DJs and performers entertaining hundreds of participants and spectators. Due to some of the costumes, small children probably shouldn’t attend this event. A little rain won’t stop this party. The event coordinators have said that this parade and party will go on even in a slight rain. If you want more information or want to march in the parade, you must register online by visiting http://lacittadella.co.jp/halloween/index.html The website has detailed maps of the area but is in Japanese. Check-in for participants is from 10:30-12:30 and the parade begins at 14:30. To get to the JR Kawasaki station from Yokosuka Chuo, take the Keikyu Ltd. Exp. To Yokohama. Change to the JR Tokaido line and ride to Kawasaki. It should take about 42 minutes and cost 560 yen. For more information on the Kawasaki Halloween Parade (in Japanese), visit http://lacittadella.co.jp/halloween/index.html
Sightseeing in Tokyo If you always wanted to see the sights of Tokyo but thought you didn’t really know where to go or how to ask for directions, this is for you. Tokyo offers guided tour services by Tokyo sightseeing volunteers so travelers from overseas may enjoy the charm of Tokyo. There are guides available that speak English, Chinese, Korean, German, French, Italian or Spanish, ask for details when scheduling your tour. There are ten different tours offered from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo to quiet gardens and shrines hidden amongst the city skyscrapers. There are even tours that let you experience the Japanese tea ceremony.
Tour days and time
Tour starting point
Tour registration desk
1:00 p.m. on Monday Friday (no tour offered on national holidays and during year-end/new year period) Some morning tours are available too. Tokyo Tourist Information Center Main Office at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (Shinjuku) Tokyo Tourist Information Center Main Office 1st Floor, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No.1, 2-8-1 Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo
To sign up for tours go to the web-site below and fill out the form. Submit form online. http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/tourists/ guideservice/guideservice/form/apform_en.html
The 2009 September Sumo Grand Tournament is coming to Tokyo September 13-27. Tickets are available at Ticket Pia, Circle K, Lawson’s and Family Mart stores. Tickets range from 2,100 to 14,300 yen and they are selling fast. The final day is almost sold out. Ryogoku Kokugikan, also known as the Tokyo sumo stadium, is a few minutes walk from the Ryogoku station on the Sobu line and can actually be seen from the station platform. To get to Ryogoku station from Yokosuka Chuo, take the Keikyu Ltd. Exp. to Shinagawa. Switch to the JR Keihin-Tohoku Negishi Line and ride it to Akihabara where you’ll change trains again. Get on the JR Sobu Chuo Line. This will get you to Ryogoku station. The whole trip will take about an hour and ten minutes and cost 830 yen. Once you’re there you are ready to enjoy the national sport of Japan. The event starts at 10 a.m. but the action heats up in the afternoon. Once at the venue, look for the main entrance. After turning in your ticket you should receive a program of the day’s events.
English programs are available. If you have a hard time finding your seat, ushers can be found throughout the stadium. The Sumo museum is located near the Ryogoku Kokugikan lobby and has items dating back several hundreds of years. The museum is free but is reserved for tournament ticket holders during tournaments. The lobby also holds a large display case that houses the Emperor’s Cup and other tournament trophies awarded to the winner. Don’t worry about going hungry. There is a snack bar open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. selling “bento” style lunch boxes, yakitori, hot dogs, steamed dumplings, ice cream and drinks. If you can’t live without the play by play, you are covered. Tune into 87.3MHz on any AM radio and listen to the action in English. If you don’t have a portable AM radio, one can be rented at a reasonable price at the general information counters on the first floor. See what Japan has to offer. Experience its rich culture and get Outside the Honch.
Yokohama Chinatown Chinatown has lots to offer, but your onestop shop for the ultimate Chinatown experience is Yokohama Daiseikai, also called DASKA. DASKA is a theme park of sorts modeled after Shanghai in the 192030s. You can enjoy authentic Chinese food and experience Chinese culture at the same time. Yokohama Daiseikai is now one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Yokohama Chinatown. The first and second floors are home to the largest souvenir shop in Yokohama Chinatown. The third, fourth and fifth floors house food courts serving an array of Chinese dishes including Shanghai-style and Cantonese-style and a few that are unique to Yokohama Daiseikai.
This is a good place for a full meal or a light snack. The sixth and seventh floors feature traditional Chinese acrobat, music and opera shows regularly. There is a museum on the seventh and eighth floors containing Chinese art and historical items. To get to Chinatown from Yokosuka Chuo, take the Keikyu Ltd. Exp. to Yokohama and change to the Toyoko MinatoMirai Line. Ride it to Motomachi Chukagai station. This should take about 45 minutes and cost 550 yen. DASKA is a two-minute walk from Motomachi Chukagai Station.
If you’re looking for the ultimate Japanese cultural experience, you must stay at a ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn). Ryokans are very different than the average westernstyle hotel in appearance, additude and level of service. Once you arrive at the ryokan, the staff will greet you as if you were royalty. You will be given slippers to wear inside and once checked in, you will have time to relax in the lobby or main room and take in the beautiful view of the surrounding areas while enjoying refreshments. After a brief rest in the lobby, an attendant known as a Nakai-san will escort you to your room while giving you a brief tour of the ryokan along the way. Guest rooms will almost always have a tatami (straw mat) floor. There is usually not much furniture in the rooms other than a low Japanese-style table and legless chairs and cushions. A yukata (Japanese robe) is the uniform of the day while at the ryokan. One yukata will be in the room for each guest staying there. Ryokans pride themselves on the peaceful, natural settings of the rooms. Some ryokans even have private onsens (hot springs) in the room or in the private garden area of the room. The Nakai-san assigned to you will prepare your futon in the evening for you to sleep on. The Nakai-san will return to your room shortly after checking in to serve you sweets and tea and to tell you the schedule for dinner. Dinner at a ryokan is generally a course menu of regional and seasonal foods. Some ryokans may have a dinning area for all guests but most will serve meals in your room. The Nakai-san will serve your dinner and always seems to know when it’s time for the next course. Dinners are prepared as much for the eyes as they are for the stomach.
Relaxing in the onsen is one of the main reasons people stay at ryokans. There are onsens open to all guests and many rooms may have private open-air hot springs. If going to the public onsen, remember tattoos may not be welcome or permitted. Many ryokans strive to maintain traditions while many have embraced the latest trends in relaxation with massage and aroma therapy services and beauticians on staff for esthetic treatments. After an amazing dinner, relaxing in the onsen and a good night’s sleep, a new day presents itself with another sectacular meal. Breakfast comes in a number of fashions. Some large ryokans have breakfast in a buffet-style featuring a traditional Japanese breakfast as well as western-style breakfast items. Other ryokans will serve breakfast in your room. Be sure to check with the Nakai-san ahead of time for the type of breakfast and the time. Checking out of the ryokan is typically done by 11 a.m. As it was when you checked in, there will be time for you to relax in the lobby and reflect on your stay while sipping tea. As you finally gather your things and are exiting the ryokan, the staff will bow repeatedly thanking you for your visit wishing you well on your travels and inviting you back for future visits. This will continue until you are far out of sight. The cost for a typical ryokan can vary depending on location and season. Off season during the week, a one night stay for one person can cost as little as 7,000 yen up to 25,000 yen. November is the peak season because of the turning of the fall leaves and the cooler weather. A night’s stay in November can be as much as 50,000 yen per person per night. There are always bargains available if you plan ahead and look hard enough. Take some time to see Japan. Stay at a ryokan for an experience and memories you will keep for a lifetime.
LOUD PARK 09 will be held at Makuhari Messe halls # 9 through 11, October 17-18. This two-day event host some of biggest names in heavy metal. Tickets can be purchased at Lawson’s ticket agency or Ticket Pia outlets. A two-day pass will cost you 25,000 yen plus a one drink minimum (500 yen) One-day passes cost 13,500 yen for standing and 16,000 yen for reserved seating plus one drink. Doors open at 10 a.m. and the show starts at 11 a.m. To get to Makuhari Messe, take the Keikyu Limited Express to Yokohama and change to the JR Tokaido Line. Ride it to Tokyo station and change to the JR Keiyo Line which will take you to Kaihin Makuhari station. From there, it’s about a 5 minute walk. this trip will cost 1,440 yen and take about two hours