Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A TRIP TO THE HOT SPRINGS
Until a few decades ago life in Tokyo's residential neighbourhoods focused round the
sentō
,
the public bath. A surprising number of
sentō
survive, many fed by natural onsen waters. Then
there are the larger hot-spring resorts - good fun, though not a patch on the smaller onsen
facilities found elsewhere in the city. Wherever you head, note that it's hugely important to
observe local bathing etiquette (see p.29).
Asakusa Kannon Onsen
ઙ؍ԻԹઘ
2-7-26
Asakusa, Taitō-ku; Asakusa station.
Dating back to
1957, this large, ivy-covered bathhouse has segregated
facilities, and a winning location right next to Sensō-ji.
¥700.
Daily except Thurs 6.30am-6pm.
Jakotsu-yu
ऄࠎ౬
1-11-11 Asakusa, Taitō-ku;
Asakusa station.
Located down a back alley just
south of Rox department store, “black”, mineral-rich
hot-spring water is the thing here. One bath is designed
to give you a mild but stimulating electric shock and it
also offers a small open-air bath (
rotemburo
). ¥450.
Daily except Tues 1pm-midnight.
Ōedo Onsen Monogatari
େߐށԹઘޠ
2-6-3
Aomi, Kōtō-ku; free shuttle buses from Shinagawa
and Tokyo stations.
More of a theme park than a
bathhouse, this giant onsen goes in for nostalgic
kitsch in a big way. Extra fees are charged for
massages, hot sand and stone baths and a separate
footbath in which tiny fish nibble the dead skin from
your feet - more pleasant than it sounds. Mon-Fri
¥2000, or ¥1500 after 6pm, Sat/Sun ¥2200/1700
.
Daily 11am-9pm.
Spa LaQua
6F 1-1-1 Kasuga, Bunkyō-ku; Suidōbashi
or Kōrakuen stations.
Spread over five floors, this
is by far the most sophisticated of Tokyo's bathing
complexes, and is fed by onsen water pumped from
1700m underground. Access to the Healing Baden set
of special therapeutic saunas costs ¥525 extra. ¥2565,
Sat & Sun ¥2880, ¥1890 surcharge 1am-6am
.
Daily
11am-9am.
19
Japan Karate Association
ຊۭखڠձ
2-23-15
Kōraku, Bunkyō-ku
T
03 5800 3091,
W
jka.or.jp;
Iidabashi or Kōrakuen stations.
Home of the world's
largest karate association teaching the Shokotan
tradition. You can apply to train here, but it's best to call
or email first.
Japan Karatedō Federation
શຊۭखಓ࿈ໍ
6F, 2
Nippon Zaidan Building, 1-11-2 Toranomon, Minato-ku
T
03 3503 6640,
W
karatedo.co.jp; Toranomon Station.
This umbrella-organization can fill you in on the main
styles of karate, and advise on the best places to see
practice sessions or take lessons.
JUDO
Probably the martial art most closely associated with Japan,
judo is a self-defence technique that developed out of the
Edo-era style of fighting called
jujutsu
.
All-Japan Judo Federation
શຊॊಓ࿈ໍ
T
03
3818 4199,
W
judo.or.jp.
Federation controlling judo
activities throughout Japan.
Kōdōkan
ߨಓؗ
1-16-30 Kasuga, Bunkyō-ku
T
03
3818 4172,
W
kodokan.org; Kasuga or Kōrakuen
stations.
This
dōjō
has a spectators' gallery open to visitors
free of charge, with classes held most evenings. There's also
a hostel here where you can stay if you have an introduction
from an authorized judo body or an approved Japanese
sponsor.
Classes Mon-Fri 5-8pm, Sat 5-7.30pm.
Nippon Budōkan
ຊಓؗ
2-3 Kitanomaru-kōen,
Chiyoda-ku
T
03 3216 5143,
W
nipponbudokan.or.jp;
Kudanshita station.
Around fifty free martial-arts exhi-
bition matches are held annually at this large, octagonal
arena, an important centre for all martial arts, as well
as judo.
KENDO
Kendo (“the way of the sword”) is Japanese fencing using a
long bamboo weapon (the
shinai
) or the metal
katana
blade. This is the oldest fighting skill in Japan, dating from
the Muromachi period (1392-1573). It was developed as a
sport in the Edo period and is now watched over by the
All-Japan Kendo Federation.
All-Japan Kendo Federation
શຊಓ࿈ໍ
Nippon Budōkan, 2-3 Kitanomaru-kōen, Chiyoda-ku
T
03 3211 5804; Kudanshita station.
The Budōkan
(see p.43) is the venue for the All-Japan Championships
each autumn, and the children's kendo competition in
the summer.
KARATE
Karate has its roots in China and was only introduced into
Japan in 1922. Since then the sport has developed into
many different styles, with several major governing bodies
and federations based in Tokyo.
