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Akihabara District, Tokyo

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Things to do in Tokyo

Onsens

Onsens (hot bubbling springs) are an essential part of Japanese life, though they can come as a little bit of a shock to foreigners. Essentially, you bathe naked in near-scalding water with a group of strangers. And yet, once you have gotten used to the familiarity of it all, it is a very relaxing experience. Scrub up in the city or else head into the countryside to soak surrounded by fresh air.

Toshimaen Garden Spa
Tel: (03) 3990 4126.
Website: www.niwanoyu.jp

Hoshinoya, Karuizawa
Tel: (0267) 456 000.
Website: www.hoshinoya.com/en

Hiking

Tokyo may be a concrete jungle, but the cutting-edge urban life is extremely close to serene mountains, forests and well-maintained paths. Hike in both Nikko and Kamakura, the nearby UNESCO World Heritage sites, and head deep into Nagano by train to get further away from the crowds and further into the greenery. Climbing iconic Mount Fuji is a popular option (in the summer, at least) as budding climbers don’t need any previous climbing experience to reach the summit.

Skiing and snowboarding

Japan’s super-fast trains whisk travellers from the centre of Tokyo to the heart of a ski resort in as little as 90 minutes. Powder in these parts has a great reputation, but don’t go expecting cosy fires and sweet little chalets. Instead, brace yourself for the modern way to ski and board, and look forward to a hot and steamy onsen (hot spring) afterwards.

Website: www.outdoorjapan.com/snow

 

Karaoke

A trip to Tokyo wouldn’t be complete without a night spent clutching a microphone in one hand, and belting out as many hits as your wallet can afford. You can find many karaoke haunts in little cubic offices above the streets - they won't be hard to track down.

Running

Pounding the streets is surprisingly popular in Tokyo, with the paths around the Imperial Palace offering a suitably traffic-free place to start. For longer routes, try running along the Tama River or around Koganei Park. Finally, there’s always the Tokyo Marathon, which takes place every February.

Tokyo Marathon
Website: www.tokyo42195.org/2011/index_en.html

Cycling

Heavy traffic and narrow cycle lanes mean that cycling around Tokyo isn’t for everyone. However, if you’re in love with travel on two wheels, then there are lots of cycle hire places who'll help you give it a go. For a different sort of adrenaline-based cycling, take the train to the ski areas in summer and get stuck into some serious mountain biking.

Cycle Tokyo
Website: http://cycle-tokyo.cycling.jp/index.html.en

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