Living
Off-base festivities
January 13, 2011
Jan. 14, 1-6 p.m., Jan. 15, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Jan. 16, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; auto accessories, customized cars, drift-driving demonstrations, live performances and more; Makuhari Messe, five-minute walk from Kaihin Makuhari Station on JR Keiyo-Line; 2,000 yen for adults, 1,500 yen for youths 18 and younger (3,000 yen on July 14); 03-3222-7576; www.e-autosalon.net/en/index.html. Photo shows aerial view of Tokyo Auto Salon 2010. Photo courtesy of Tokyo Auto Salon (courtesy of Tokyo Auto Salon)
Jan. 14, 1-6 p.m., Jan. 15, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Jan. 16, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; auto accessories, customized cars, drift-driving demonstrations, live performances and more; Makuhari Messe, five-minute walk from Kaihin Makuhari Station on JR Keiyo-Line; 2,000 yen for adults, 1,500 yen for youths 18 and younger (3,000 yen on July 14); 03-3222-7576; www.e-autosalon.net/en/index.html. Photo shows aerial view of Tokyo Auto Salon 2010. Photo courtesy of Tokyo Auto Salon (courtesy of Tokyo Auto Salon)
TOKYO AUTO SALON 2011 Jan. 14, 1-6 p.m., Jan. 15, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Jan. 16, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; auto accessories, customized cars, drift-driving demonstrations, live performances and more; Makuhari Messe, five-minute walk from Kaihin Makuhari Station on JR Keiyo-Line; 2,000 yen for adults, 1,500 yen for youths 18 and younger (3,000 yen on July 14); 03-3222-7576; www.e-autosalon.net/en/index.html. Photo shows a Grand Prix award wiinner of concept car division 2010. Photo courtesy of Tokyo Auto Salon (courtesy of Tokyo Auto Salon)
TOKYO AUTO SALON 2011: Jan. 14, 1-6 p.m., Jan. 15, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. & Jan. 16, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; auto accessories, customized cars, drift-driving demonstrations, live performances and more; Makuhari Messe, five-minute walk from Kaihin Makuhari Station on JR Keiyo-Line; 2,000 yen adults, 1,500 yen ages 18 and younger, 3,000 yen Jan. 14; 03-3222-7576; www.e-autosalon.net/en/index.html. (courtesy of Tokyo Auto Salon)
TOKYO AUTO SALON 2011: Jan. 14, 1-6 p.m., Jan. 15, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. & Jan. 16, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; auto accessories, customized cars, drift-driving demonstrations, live performances and more; Makuhari Messe, five-minute walk from Kaihin Makuhari Station on JR Keiyo-Line; 2,000 yen adults, 1,500 yen ages 18 and younger, 3,000 yen Jan. 14; 03-3222-7576; www.e-autosalon.net/en/index.html. (courtesy of Tokyo Auto Salon)
TOKYO AUTO SALON 2011: Jan. 14, 1-6 p.m., Jan. 15, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. & Jan. 16, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; auto accessories, customized cars, drift-driving demonstrations, live performances and more; Makuhari Messe, five-minute walk from Kaihin Makuhari Station on JR Keiyo-Line; 2,000 yen adults, 1,500 yen ages 18 and younger, 3,000 yen Jan. 14; 03-3222-7576; www.e-autosalon.net/en/index.html. (courtesy of Tokyo Auto Salon)
TOKYO AUTO SALON 2011: Jan. 14, 1-6 p.m., Jan. 15, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. & Jan. 16, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; auto accessories, customized cars, drift-driving demonstrations, live performances and more; Makuhari Messe, five-minute walk from Kaihin Makuhari Station on JR Keiyo-Line; 2,000 yen adults, 1,500 yen ages 18 and younger, 3,000 yen Jan. 14; 03-3222-7576; www.e-autosalon.net/en/index.html. (courtesy of Tokyo Auto Salon)
JapanTOKYO AUTO SALON 2011: Jan. 14, 1-6 p.m., Jan. 15, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. & Jan. 16, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; auto accessories, customized cars, drift-driving demonstrations, live performances and more; Makuhari Messe, five-minute walk from Kaihin Makuhari Station on JR Keiyo-Line; 2,000 yen adults, 1,500 yen ages 18 and younger, 3,000 yen Jan. 14; 03-3222-7576; www.e-autosalon.net/en/index.html.
YASUKUNI SHRINE FLEA MARKET (Tokyo): Jan. 15, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; more than 200 dealers; held in the entrance path to Yasukuni Shrine; five-minute walk from Metro Kudanshita Station or 10-minute walk from JR Ichigaya Station and Iidabashi Station; free; 03-5610-4305.
TOKYO SUMMER LAND FLEA MARKET: Jan. 16, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; about 300 booths; Akiruno-city, Tokyo; 042-558-0441; www.summerland.co.jp/guide/familysports_freemarket.html (Japanese only).
FURUSATO MATSURI TOKYO 2011 (Tokyo): Ends Jan. 16; enjoy Japan’s local major festivals, including Iida Toroyama Matsuri of Ishikawa prefecture, Kanto Matsuri of Akita prefecture, Yosakoi Matsuri of Kochi prefecture, Morioka Sansa Matsuri of Iwate prefecture, Inuyama Matsuri and All Island Eisa Matsuri of Okinawa prefecture, Koenji Awa Odori and Oedo Mai Matsuri of Tokyo and more in one place; Tokyo Dome, six-minute walk from JR Suidobashi Station on Sobu-Line, seven-minute walk from Metro Korakuen Station on Marunouchi-Line; 1,500 yen adults, children free; 03-5800-9999; www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/furusato/event/ (Japanese only).
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL “ZED” (Chiba prefecture): Show is a dramatic mix of circus arts and street entertainment and Jan. 18-March 6, neighboring Tokyo Disneyland is offering tourists and non-Japanese living in Japan a 25 percent discount from regular prices: 7,500-9,500-12,500-15,000 yen to discounted prices: 5,620-7,120-9,370-11,250 yen; get tickets by visiting www.zed.co.jp then, choose the page in English, Chinese or Korean and go to Cirque.com.; 0473-55-9621; www.zed.co.jp/home_en.php.
BONSAI FESTIVAL IN JINDAI BOTANICAL GARDEN: Jan. 18-23, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed Mon); see bonsai the Botanical Hall; 5-31-10 Jindaiji Motomachi, Chofu City, Tokyo, bus from Mitaka Station, JR Chuo Line, or Chofu Station, Keio Line, Jindaiji Shokubutsu Koen Mae bus stop; 500 yen for garden entrance; 0424-83-2300; www.tokyo-park.or.jp/english/.
EMPEROR AND EMPRESS TROPHY JAPAN TABLE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS (Tokyo): Jan. 18-23; Tokyo Gymnasium; Sendagaya Station on JR Sobu-Line or National Stadium Station on Oedo-Line; Tokyo Table Tennis Federation Jimukyoku 03-5389-2965.
THE 16th JAPAN INTER-CITY MEN’S EKIDEN (MARATHON RELAY) 2011 (Hiroshima prefecture): Jan. 23, 12:30 p.m.; New Year’s annual men’s marathon-relay; Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park; 082-292-0601; www.hiroshima-ekiden.com/gaiyou/index.html (Japanese only).
SANKEIEN GARDEN – BONSAI EXHIBITION (Kanagawa prefecture): Ends Jan.23, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; see bonsai in the outer garden of this Japanese-style garden; 500 yen; 10-minute bus ride from JR Negishi Station; www.sankeien.or.jp; 045-621-0634/5.
GRAND SUMO TOURNAMENT — JANUARY BASHO (Tokyo): Ends Jan.23; Grand Champion Hakuho challenges his consecutive winning streak again; Ryogoku Kokugikan; one-minute walk from JR Ryogoku Station on Sobu-Line; 03-5237-9310; www.sumo.or.jp/eng/index.html.
KANCHU MISOGI (GAMAN TAIKAI) (Tokyo): Jan. 15, 10 a.m.; an annual event at Kanda Myojin; five-minute walk from Ochanomizu Station on Marunouchi and Chiyoda Lines; www.kandamyoujin.or.jp/; 03-3254-0753.
SETAGAYA BORO ICHI (“Rag Fair”) (Tokyo): Jan. 15-16, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; merchandise including vintage clocks to mallets for pounding New Year’s mochi; take Tokyu Den-en Toshi Line from Shibuya to Sangenjaya Station and change to Tokyu Setagaya Line to Kamimachi Station or Setagaya Station: no parking; 03-5432-1111.
THE 29th JAPAN INTER-CITY WOMEN’S EKIDEN KYOTO 2011 (Kyoto): Jan. 16, 12:30 p.m.; women’s marathon-relay; Kyoto-shi Nishi-kyogoku Sogo Undojo; 075-213-0367; www.kyoto-np.co.jp/kp/kyo_np/info/ekiden/08ekiden/index.html (Japanese only).
YOKOHAMA AKARENGA (RED-BRICK) WAREHOUSE ART & ICE SKATING: ends Feb. 28, 1-10 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m-10 p.m. weekends; art of lights with the theme of “Ice Painting Dreams,” designed by XLR Project illuminated the warehouse and neighboring ice skating rink; 500 yen adults, 400 yen children; 500 yen shoe rental; 045-211-1515; www.yokohama-akarenga.jp (Japanese only).
FUJIKYU HIGHLAND ICE SKATING (Yamanashi prefecture): Ends March 21, (closed Dec. 21, Jan. 18 & Feb. 8); three ice skating rinks and skate all night Dec. 31 & Jan. 1-2; Fujikyu Higland Ice Skating, 5-6-1, Nishihara, Fuji-Yoshida city, Yamanashi prefecture, in front of Lake Kawaguchi I.C. on Chuo Express, 90-minute drive from Tokyo or a three-minute drive from Fuji-Yoshida I.C. on Higashi-Fuji Highway; 1,200 yen adults, 600 yen children; 1,000 yen shoe rental; 0555-23-2111; www.fujiq.jp/en/.
SAYAMA SKI & SNOWBOARD: ends April 3; indoor ski and snowboarding slope; 2167 Kami-yamaguchi, Tokorozawa city, Saitama prefecture, Seibu Kyujo-mae Station, Seibu Line; one-day pass on weekdays: 3,500 yen adults, 2,500 yen junior and senior high school students and 2,000 yen elementary school students, 2,500 yen seniors, weekends: 4,000 yen, 2,800 yen, 2,200 yen and 2,800 yen each, three-hour pass: 2,500 yen, 2,000 yen, 1,500 yen and 2,000 yen each; 04-2922-1384; www.sayama-ski.jp/ (Japanese only).
MEIJI JINGU ICE SKATING (TOKYO): year-round, 12-6 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.); 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (weekends); adults1,300 yen per day, children 900 yen per day and after 3 p.m., adults 1,000 yen and children 700 yen and 500 yen for shoe rental; Kasumigaoka, Shinjuku-ku, one-minute walk from Kokuritsu Kyogijyo on subway Oedo Line or five-minute walk from JR Shinanomachi Station on JR Sobu Line; 03-3403-3458; www.meijijingugaien.jp/english/ice-skating.html.
OkinawaMIYAKO ISLAND 100K ULTRA LONG WALK: Jan. 15, 5 a.m.; Miyako Island Tokyu Resort Hotel; 16,000 yen; 45-minute flight from Naha Airport or a 15-minute drive from Miyako Airport; 042-797-5383.
OKINAWA FLOWER CARNIVAL 2011: Jan. 15-May 5; showcasing flowers; Shuri Castle Park, Okinawa Commemorative Government Park, Okinawa Kenritsu Budokan, Nakijin Castle Park and Yaedake Cherry Park; Okinawa Sightseeing Convention Bureau 098-859-6129.
32nd OCEAN EXPO PARK TRIM MARATHON: Jan. 16; 10km “Fukugi-tree” avenue course at 9:30 a.m., 5.9km flower-garden course 10 a.m. and 3.5 km family course at 10:30 a.m.; two-hour drive from Naha Airport; 2,000 yen adults, 1,000 yen children; 098-48-2741; http://oki-park.jp/en/index.html.
CHURA SHIMA OKINAWA CENTURY RUN 2011 (BICYCLE): Jan. 16, 7 p.m.; 100-mile course starts and goals at Onna-Village Community Center; 9,500 yen for 100 miles, 8,000 yen for 62.5 miles, 31.25 miles for 6,000 yen; 098-662-1960; www.cocr.jp/english/.
THE 21st MIYAKO ISLAND 100K WIDE MARATHON: Jan. 16; 100K race at 5 a.m., 50k race at 11 a.m.; Ueno German Culture Village, 10-minute ride from Miyako Airport; 15,000 yen for 100K, 8,000 yen for 50K; 0980-73-1046; www.city.miyakojima.lg.jp/site/view/index.jsp.
YAEDAKE CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL: Jan. 16-Feb. 7; earliest cherry blossoms in Japan; Motobu-cho, four miles northwest of Nago city; 098-47-2700; www.town.motobu.okinawa.jp/ (Japanese only).
NAKIJIN CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL: Jan. 22-Feb. 7; take a walk from approach to ruins of Nakijin Castle with illuminations, traditional entertainments and more; 2-hour-and-45-minute ride from Naha Airport; 0980-56-2256.
KoreaPINE TREES AND BAMBOO – GREEN SOUNDS, BRIGHT SCENTS (Seoul): Ends Jan. 29; Ewha Womans University Museum; free; 02-3277-3152.
PYEONGCHANG TROUT FESTIVAL (JINBU-MYEON): Ends Feb. 6; Jinbu-myeon, free; 82-33-1330.
MUSICAL, “GREASE” (Seoul): open-ended run, 8 p.m., Mon., Wed.-Fri., 3 & 7 p.m., Sat., 2 & 6 p.m., Sun. and holidays, Dongsoong Art Center; 40,000-60,000 won; 1588-5212.