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JapanEMPEROR & EMPRESS’S TROPHY VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL ROUNDS (Tokyo): Dec. 23; 48 teams of six-person volleyball team among 12-year-olds and older including pro teams qualified in the preliminary rounds, compete at National Stadium Yoyogi Gymnasium No. 1; 2,000-2,500 yen; five-minute walk from JR Harajuku Station & Meiji Jingu-mae Station on Metro Chiyoda Line or a 10-minute walk from JR Shibuya Station; 03-5786-2100.

EMPEROR’S TROPHY ALL JAPAN WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS (Tokyo): Ends Dec. 23, 9:30 a.m.; men’s free style, the Greco-Roman style of 50-55, 60, 66, 74, 84, 96 classes and 96-120 kg and women’s 44-48, 51, 55, 59, 63, 67 and 67-72 classes are scheduled; National Yoyogi Stadium No. 2, five-minute walk from JR Harajuku Station and Meiji Jingu-Mae Station on Metro Chiyoda Line; free; 03-3481-2354; www.japan-wrestling.org/ (Japanese only).

IT’S COMING A NEW YEAR - ULTRAMAN GET TOGETHER AT TOKYO DOME: Dec. 23-Jan. 5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; new movie scenes featuring Ultraman, a Japanese super hero and super robot; Tokyo Dome Prism Hall, six-minute walk from JR Suidobashi Station, nine-minute walk from Korakuen Station on Marunouchi-Line; 1,500 yen adults, 1,000 yen children; 03-5800-9999; www.m-78.jp/prism/ (Japanese only).

ALL JAPAN FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS (Nagano prefecture): Dec. 24-27; Japan’s men’s and women’s singles, pair and ice dancing skaters compete; Big Hat – Nagano city Wakasato Multi-Purpose Sports Arena; 5,000-7,000-10,000-11,000 yen adults; five-minute walk from Nagano Dentetsu bus stop “Nisseki” (Red Cross Hospital) from JR Nagano Station or a 10-minute ride from JR Nagano Station; Sunrise Promotion Hokuriku 025-246-3939.

EMPEROR’S BIRTHDAY: Dec. 23; Japan’s national holiday, to celebrate the 77th birthday of Emperor Akihito. Visitors can enter the palace from Nijubashi Bridge on this day and the emperor and his family will receive people’s well wishes at the Imperial Palace and greet visitors at 10:20, 11 and 11:40 a.m. Visitors can register near Sakashitamon Gate of the Imperial Palace; 03-3213-1111.

CHRISTMAS WISHES AT TOKYO DISNEYSEA (Chiba prefecture): Ends Dec. 25; festivities include colorful decorations, a show starring Disney characters and the illumination of a giant Christmas tree on Mediterranean Harbor; Tokyo DisneySea Station, a nine-minute monorail ride from Resort Gateway Station/Maihama Station, JR Keiyo Line; 5,800 yen adults, 5,000 yen ages 12-17, 3,900 yen ages 4-11, 5,100 yen ages older than 60, discount Starlight Pass after 3 p.m.: 4,700 yen adults, 4,100 yen youths, 3,200 yen children; www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/tdr/english/howto/tds_10xmas/index.html.

CHRISTMAS FANTASY AT TOKYO DISNEYLAND (Chiba prefecture): Ends Dec. 25; a Christmas fairytale with Christmas trees and sparkling illuminations on the theme of “White Holiday Christmas;” Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland Station a two-minute monorail ride from Resort Gateway Station/Maihama Station, JR Keiyo Line; 5,800 yen adults, 5,000 yen ages 12-17, 3,900 yen ages 4-11, 5,100 yen for ages older than 60, (discount Starlight Pass available after 3 p.m.: 4,700 yen adults, 4,100 yen youths, 3,200 yen children; 0570-00-8632; www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/tdr/english/howto/tdl_10xmas/index.html.

21_21 DESIGN SIGHT – REALITY LAB (Tokyo): ends Dec. 26, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; features a new fashion-design by Issei Miake; Roppongi Station on Oedo-Line and Hibiya-Line or a three-minute walk from Nogizaka Station on Chiyoda-Line; 1,000 yen; 03-3475-3221; www.2121designsight.jp/en/.

K-1 WORLD GP 2010 DYNAMITE (Saitama prefecture): Dec. 31, 4 p.m.; annual year-end ultimate fighting finals; Saitama Super Arena; five-minute walk from Saitama Shin Toshin Station on JR Utsunomiya-Line and JR Takasaki-Line; 6,000-15,000-30,000-100,000 yen; Dream Jimukyoku 03-5775-5065; www.k-1.co.jp/jp/event/2010/1231_dynamite/index.html (Japanese only).

YOKOSUKA COUNTDOWN 2011 (Kanagawa prefecture): Dec. 31-Jan. 1, 6 p.m.-1 a.m.; Navy ships are illuminated and fireworks are midnight; at Verny Park; one-minute walk from JR Yokosuka Station or a five-minute walk from Keikyu Shioiri Station; Yokosuka Tourist Association 046-822-8301; www.cocoyoko.net/countdown/ (Japanese only).

HAPPY ISLAND COUNTDOWN 2011 AT YOKOHAMA HAKKEIJIMA SEA PARADISE (Yokohama): Dec. 31-Jan. 1, 3 p.m.-8 a.m., countdown party includes free admission to Aqua Museum Fantasy and Dolphin Fantasy and free rides in Pleasureland; 3,500 yen; ww.seaparadise.co.jp/english/ENGLISH/mokuzi.html; 045-788-9632.

55th NEW YEAR INDUSTRIAL LEAGUE EKIDEN 2011 (Gunma prefecture): Jan. 1, 9:20 a.m.; 37 teams of seven members compete in a 100-km (62.5-mile) relay run, starting and ending at Gunma Prefectural City Hall; home.m07.itscom.net/jita/man_ekiden/index.html(Japanese only).

THE 90TH EMPEROR’S CUP SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP (Tokyo): Jan. 1, 2 p.m.; one of the big new year events in Tokyo, The Emperor’s Cup Soccer is unique and the only championship held in Japan among senior high school, college, industrial league and professional teams; National Stadium, five-minute walk from Sendagaya Station on JR Sobu-Line, eight-minute walk from Shinanomachi Station on JR Sobu-Line, one-minute walk from Oedo-Line; 3,500-5,000-6,000-7,000 yen; Japan Soccer Federation 03-577-8600.

THE 47th JAPAN COLLEGE RUGBY: Jan. 2, 12:15 p.m.; semifinal game No. 1, 2 p.m., semifinal game No. 2; Jan. 9, 2 p.m., final, at Kokuritsu Kyogijyo; Japan Rugby Football Federation; 1,300-2,000-3,000 yen; 03-3401-3290.

THE 87th HAKONE EKIDEN: Jan. 2-3; annual Hakone Ekiden road relay of 217.9 km with 20 college marathon teams of 14 members compete from Tokyo to Hakone (Jan. 2) and from Hakone to Tokyo (Jan. 3).

THE 64th RICE BOWL — AMERICAN FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: Jan. 3, 2 p.m.; winning team of X-League vs. winning team of Japan College American Football League at Tokyo Dome; 2,000-3,000 yen; Rice Bowl Jimukyoku 03-3280-6610; americanfootball.jp/main/2010/11/64.html (Japanese only).

PET EXHIBITION 2011 (Chiba prefecture): Jan. 8-10, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; see more than 200 pets of dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, insects and more along with pet discipline classes, taking a walk with pets and horse riding; at Makuhari Messe, five-minute walk from Kaihin Makuhari Station on JR Keiyo-Line; 1,200 yen adults, 800 yen children; 06-6352-7942; www.pethaku.com/pethaku/makuhari/index.html# (Japanese only).

GRAND SUMO TOURNAMENT - JANUARY BASHO (Tokyo): Jan.9-23; 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.

89th JAPAN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER TOURNAMENT FINAL (Tokyo): Jan. 10, 2:05 p.m. kick off; National Stadium, five-minute walk from Sendagaya Station on Sobu-Line, eight-minute walk from Shinanomachi Station on Sobu-Line, one-minute walk from Kokuritsu Kyogijo Station on Oedo-Line; 1,300-2,000-2,500 yen adults, 800 yen senior high school students, 500 junior high school and elementary school students; 03-6229-2662; www.ntv.co.jp/soc/ (Japanese only).

SETAGAYA BORO ICHI (“Rag Fair”) (Tokyo): Jan. 15-16, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; see merchandise, from 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.

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.

Okinawa5th IEJIMA HIBISCUS FESTIVAL: Ends Dec. 26, 10 a.m.; the island of Iejima, 5.5 miles off the coast of Motobu Peninsula, is home to a large hibiscus field where 1,000 varieties of hibiscus bloom; 30-minute ferry ride from Motobu Port of Okinawa; 0980-49-3161 (Iejima Village Agriculture, Forrestry and Fisheries Division); 0980-49-2255 (ferries); www.iejima.org/ (Japanese only).

TOMIKA (MINIATURE) EXHIBITION IN OKINAWA: Dec. 30-Jan. 4 and Jan. 8-10, noon-7 p.m.; commemorating Tomika’s 40th nniversary, featuring representative domestic model cars from 1970s including premium mini-car made of gold and more; Tomiton 2F special site of Tomigusuku city, Okinawa; 600 yen adults, 400 yen children, free for ages 2and younger; 098-865-5211; www.takaratomy.co.jp/event/eventlist/tomica_okinawa.html (Japanese only).

CAMP FOSTER FLEA MARKET: Jan. 1, noon-3 p.m.; event is held the first Saturday each month and is open to U.S. military personnel & Japanese residents; 098-970-5829.

SHURIJO CASTLE PARK NEW YEAR’S BANQUET: Jan. 1-3; a re-enactment of the traditional New Year ceremony originally held early in the morning on New Year’s Day and events include performances of court and other Ryukyu dancers and free awamori (Okinawan liquor) offered to celebrate the New Year; 098-886-2020; oki-park.jp/shurijo-park/english/event/index.html.

CAMP COURTNEY FLEA MARKET: Jan. 8, 7-10 a.m.; event is held the second Saturday each month and is open to U.S. military personnel & Japanese residents; 098-970-5829.

KoreaPYEONGCHANG TROUT FESTIVAL (JINBU-MYEON): Dec. 23-Feb. 6; Jinbu-myeon, free; 82-33-1330.

SEONGSAN SUNRISE FESTIVAL (SEOUL): Dec. 31-Jan. 1; Seongsan Ilchulbong area; free; 82-64-1330.

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.

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