Overview
Japan offers a full range of entertainment, both classic and modern.
From the mysterious Oriental symbolism of the Noh drama to Western music
concerts of all genres, there are no lacks of options to keep you constantly
on the whirl while visiting Japan. The nation's rich artistic heritage
has been preserved in shrine and temple treasure houses and through
the private collections of royalty, Daimyo (feudal lords) and wealthy
merchants for hundreds 01 years, and is now available in numerous public
and private museums.
Museums & Art Galleries
Japan's long recorded history as well as its profound artistic accomplishments
are copiously detailed and on display in its many museums. Indeed, the
archeological artifacts, crafts and artistic masterpieces contained
in its museums represent exquisite microcosms of the Japanese experience
that illuminate the nation and its people as a whole.
Perhaps at the pinnacle of Japan's museums stand the national museums,
of which the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park was the first
to be established, in 1871. Its extensive collection gives a comprehensive
overview of the entire history 01 traditional Japanese art, plus historic,
scientific and natural history exhibits.
The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo exhibits a chronology
of Japan's modern fine art masterpieces.
The Kyoto National Museum was originally created around the paintings,
sculpture and other treasures from temples in the vicinity, and now
contains examples of Japanese art from all periods.
The Nara National Museum is noted especially for its collection
of Buddhist sculpture.
In Tokyo, there are numerous art museums, both public and private, which
preserve invaluable works of Japan's traditional fine art. To name just
a few, the Goto Art Museum boasts, among its collection, the
"Tale of Genji Picture Scroll" (a national treasure); the
Nezu Institute of Fine Arts is dedicated to a collection of tea
ceremony articles and Buddhistic art; and the Hatakeyama Collection
features tea ceremony artifacts. These three museums also have a Japanese
garden, allowing the visitor to appreciate works of fine art in a tastefully
relaxing atmosphere. Also worth visiting are: the Idemitsu Museum
of Arts with its collection of calligraphy, paintings and pottery
from both Japan and China; the Suntory Museum of Art featuring antique
fine art items based on traditional living; the Yamatane Museum of
Art specializing in modern and contemporary Japanese paintings;
and the Japan Folk Crafts Museum with a focus on beautiful crafts
for daily use such as pottery
Putting aside traditional
fine art, there are also other types of distinctive museums. The Edo-Tokyo
Museum features the history and lifestyles of Tokyo, using large-scale
models. The Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Museum is a genuine art
deco structure built in 1933 and holds various loan exhibitions.
In the realm of contemporary fine art, Japan is recently emerging as
a transmitter of distinct creativity to the rest of the world. As such,
contemporary art museums in Japan await those who are interested in
the country's up-to-the-minute lifestyles, thoughts, media and so on.
One of Japan's largest of its kind in scale, the Museum of Contemporary
Art, Tokyo presents an extensive range of contemporary art masterpieces
from both Japan and abroad. The Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery
often spearheads in holding "new-concept" exhibitions for
contemporary art. The Hara Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo's
Shinagawa district is an elegant Bauhaus-style building which houses
a variety of contemporary art works. In Ibaraki Prefecture to the north
of Tokyo, the Contemporary Art Center at Art Tower Mito is known
for its unique exhibitions featuring contemporary art.
The Tokugawa Art Museum of Nagoya specializes in Noh costumes,
swords, armor and other samurai relics.
As for traditional fine arts in the Kansai region, the Fujita Art
Museum in Osaka is important due to its rich collection of antique
fine arts. Note, however, that it opens only in spring and autumn. Also
celebrated are the Osaka Municipal Museum of Oriental Ceramics,
which specializes in priceless antique ceramics from China and Korea,
and the Osaka Municipal Museum of Art with its rich collection
of Chinese, and Japanese antique fine art works. The Oyamazaki Villa
Museum of Art in Kyoto is an impressive villa structure placing
pottery masterpieces on exhibit in a relaxing and serene atmosphere..
Meanwhile, Osaka's Suntory Museum TEMPOZAN holds theme exhibitions
focusing on posters.
Gardens
Japanese gardens, which excel in the creation of symbolic miniature
replicas of entire seas or landscapes within the restrictions of a few
hundred meters or less, are renowned around the world. Evolving from
the sponsorship of a highly refined ruling class and the principles
of Buddhism and Shintoism, Japanese gardens are ravishing combinations
of plants, sand, water and rock that celebrate the beauties of nature
in a structured artistic form. Numerous gardens are found on the grounds
of temples, and many are centuries old.
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Tofukuji Temple, Kyoto
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Garden of Rinnoji, Miyaki
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Kyoto is particularly rich in gardens, with those of Katsura Imperial
Villa, Ginkakuji and Kinkakuji Temples, Nijo Castle
and the famous rock garden of Ryoanji Temple being especially
exquisite examples.
In Tokyo, recommended gardens include Higashi Gyoen Garden, Hama
Rikyu Garden and Koishikawa Korakuen, while the large now
public park of Shinjuku Gyoen was originally a pleasure ground
of the Imperial family.
Elsewhere across the country, notable gardens include Kenrokuen
of Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, Kairakuen in Ibaraki Prefecture,
Korakuen in Okayama Prefecture and Ritsurin Park in Kagawa Prefecture.
Classic
Performing Arts
Japan's
Noh drama is a highly stylized stage art with 700 years of history.
Richly symbolic, Noh is rooted in ancient Shinto rites and is performed
on a stage which is roofed like a Shinto shrine. Actors wear masks,
and movement is highly stylized, while the costumes are usually rich
and gorgeous.
This classic art form is performed in Tokyo's National Noh Theater,
the Hosho Nohgakudo, the Kanze Nohgakudo, the Kita
Nohgakudo and the Umewaka Nohgakudo in Tokyo. In the Kansai
region, Noh is staged at the Kanze Kaikan in Kyoto and the Osaka
Nohgaku Kaikan. Noh, on the other hand, is perhaps best appreciated
at open-air, torch- lit performances at temples.
Kabuki Theater is Japan's secular classical drama, with vivid
makeup, spectacular costumes and sets, plus dramatic action that includes
sword-fighting, jancing, and even actors flying from and to the stage
over the audience.
The Bestvenue for Kabuki in Tokyo is Kabuki-za in Ginza, which
stages plays throughout the year. Also in Ginza is the Shimbashi
Embujo, while the National Theater of Japan near the Imperial Palace
occasionally hosts touring companies.
Bunraku
is an elaborate form of puppet theater in which three - quater-lifesize
wooden and porcelain figures are manipulated byt three puppeteers working
in tandem. With narration provided by formally clad masters and Shamisen
accompaniment, Bunraku is an exotic and picturesque experience.
Modern Performing Arts
Modern performing arts, such as opera, "Buto" dance, musicals,
plays and ballet can also be enjoyed in various cities across
the country. In Tokyo, especially, top artist from around the world
are constantly on stage. Some are so popularthat tickets have to be
reserved well in advance. Tokyo Opera City is a state-of-the-art
full-scale hall ideal for concerts and opera. The Takarazuka Troupe,
a unique all-girl musical company, attracts many people who enjoy its
brilliant performances where male roles are all played by females. The
internationally celebrated "Buto" dance theater impresses
the audience with its avant-garde performances unique to japan.
The Arts
Among
its indigenous arts, few are more typically Japanese than Ikebana,
or the art of flower arranging. Closely related to the Zen Buddhist
art of the tea ceremony, Ikebana emphasizes simplicity and precision
of form and aims at symbolizing the various aspects of nature. There
are numerous schools teaching Ikebana, many of which offer instruction
in English.
The art of tea, or Chanoyu, is an aesthetic cult of spiritual
refinement that was originally very popular among the ruling samurai.
Today, you can see and possibly participate in demonstrations of Chanoyu
at some of the major schools and in hotels.
Ceramics
and Porcelain
As
Chanoyu began to spread in the Muromachi period (1333-1573), it gave
rise to ceramic producing centers around the country, each with its
own distinctive style. The 17th century saw the town of Arita succeed
in firing porcelains which gave further momentum to the rise of Japan's
pottery industry in subsequent years. Among numerous producing centers,
the most famous are Mashiko-yaki (ware) in the Kanto region;
Seto-yaki, Tokoname-yaki, Mino- yaki and Kutani-yaki
in the Chubu region; Kiyomizu- yaki and Shigaraki-yaki
in the Kansai region; Bizen- yaki and Hagi-yaki in the
Chugoku area; Imari-yaki, Arita-yaki and Karatsu-yaki
in Kyushu. These production centers have pottery museums, shops and
pottery-making classes where even the beginner can experience shaping
and designing his/her own fulfillment.
Nightlife Tours
The range of entertainment available in Japan's cities is so vast that
visitors may best sample them by joining a night tour. In Tokyo, Sunrise
Tour Series by Japan Travel Bureau offers reasonably priced lightlife
tours. In Tokyo, Kabuki Night Tour offers IOU a sukiyaki dinner,
and a chance to see a Kabuki performance. In Kyoto, by joining Special
Night, you ~an be a guest at a tea ceremony, followed by rempura
dinner and finishing up by enjoying various kinds of traditional Japanese
performing arts in the Gion Corner.
Kyoto Kabu-renjo : " Miyako Odori"
Where to Drink
No visitor needs to go thirsty in Japan. In addition o western-style
bars in the cities, traditional drinking spots include:
"Izakaya" are Japanese-style pubs serving beer, Japanese
sake, cocktails and other alcoholic )everages as well as casual meals.
Drinking 3stablishments of this type are all going strong till nidnight.
Step into one and experience the 'liveliness." Prices are naturally
very reasonable.
"Karaoke" (singing along with recorded music) is one
of the most popular forms of nightlife in Japan. Generally, a Karaoke
establishment consists of a number of compartments, each replete with
Karaoke equipment. A group of guests can occupy a compartment at a reasonable
price to enjoy singing while drinking and eating. Many Karaoke houses
even offer a selection of popular songs you can sing in English.
In Tokyo, the best locations for a lively evening of good food, drink
and entertainment include the internationally-flavored district of Roppongi,
the upscale and elegant Ginza with its dazzling neon-lit signs,
the more sophisticated Akasaka, the youthful, crowded Shibuya,
and the more raucous Kabukicho in Shinjuku.
Dancing
Dancing Discotheques and clubs are common and well- frequented in all
major cities, particularly by the young and young at heart. In Tokyo,
Roppongi offers many high-class venues for adults, while Shibuya
is a dancing Mecca of the young.
Sports
Sports of all kinds enjoy great popularity in Japan. And, in its various
martial arts, Japan has contributed several major sports to the world
at large.
Traditional Sports
Among
home-grown sports, none represents Japan's national feeling as much
as Sumo, a form of wrestling which originally was practiced during
festivals and on holy days at Shinto shrines. Consisting of a single
hard-packed dirt ring in which two -often enormous -men meet, a Sumo
match is won when one wrestler forces the other from the ring or to
the ground. Sumo involves intricate rules and an entire vocabulary of
holds, thrusts and strategies that its devotees delight in debating.
Judo is a martial art of self defense which was born in Japan
and now enjoys popularity among devotees internationally. Based on principles
of leverage and using an opponent's strength to one's own advantage,
Judo is now an Olympic medal event. The Kodokan training center
in Tokyo is a good place to see Judo pupils training, as well as occasional
exhibition bouts by experts.
Kendo is a form of fencing in which opponents clad in heavy cotton
padding and lacquered armor assail one another with bamboo swords. The
Nippon Budokan Hall in Tokyo is the best place to observe Kendo.
Karate, a form of weaponless combat, was developed by Okinawan
peasants whom their mainland rulers forbade from carrying arms. Trained
in the concentration of energy into blows of the hand or foot, a Karate
expert can break through a thick stack of bricks or wood with a single
stroke. Go to the Japan Karate Association in Tokyo to watch
trainees and experts alike practice.
Aikido is another martial art based on concentrating one's energy,
as well as taking advantage of an opponent's strength. Aikido is especially
valued among its followers as away of maintaining and increasing physical
fitness. The Aikikai is an Aikido center in Tokyo.
Japanese archery , Kyudo, is considered to be as much for individual
spiritual refinement and the development of concentration as it is for
competition. Long associated with the principles of Zen Buddhism, archery
contests can sometimes be viewed at temples.
Contemporary Sports
Baseball
is so popular in Japan that many fans are surprised to hear that Americans
also consider it their "national sport." Especially popular
are the national- level spring and summer tournaments among senior high-school
teams. Schools, champions representing their respective prefectures,
gather at the Koshien Stadium in Hyogo Prefecture and vie for
victory. Almost everyone from around Japan becomes near- fanatical in
support of the teams from their respective birthplaces. Professional
baseball is well developed, with twelve teams being sponsored by major
corporations. In Tokyo, the most favored place to see a game is the
Tokyo Dome Stadium located in the grounds of Korakuen Amusement
Park. Cheering for your favorite professional baseball team is a unique
and powerful activity, using trumpets, drums and other noise-making
instruments.
Soccer is a sport which is now a focus of explosive popularity
among children and young people in Japan. Backed by such feverish popularity,
the J League was established in 1993 to offer the highest level
of soccer competition in Japan. The J1 consists of 14 teams and the
J2 of 12 teams, which include a number of internationally famous professional
players. Major J League games are always packed with enthusiastic spectators,
while televised games also provide hot topics for conversation at home
and elsewhere. Soccer draws an increasing number of people who also
enjoy playing the game.
Soccer is very much in focus with the ever-growing fever in Japan over
the 2002 FIFA World Cup to be jointly hosted by Korea and Japan.
Golf is another widely popular Japanese sport. There are many first-class
golf courses in the countryside near all the major cities. And within
the cities themselves, there are numerous driving ranges for the country's
millions of enthusiastic golfers.
Angling has many fans in Japan, and in fact the fresh water rivers
and lakes are often stocked by nationally developed fish farms. Due
to the varied nature of its coast, however, offshore and deep-sea fishing
requires greater expertise and more specialized gear than does fresh
water angling. A number of tourist spots offer the pleasure of fishing
in mountain streams or lakes and fishing gear is available for rent.
Mountaineering is well-developed in the nation's many mountain
ranges. Hiking and climbing are popular activities, with the best time
running generally from mid-July to mid-August. Climbing Mt. Fuji, Japan's
universally recognized symbol, is most popular. The climbing season
for Fuji-san extends from July 1 to August 31. Viewing rare and precious
alpine flora is another enjoyment for climbers. Climbing in Japan originated
many centuries ago as part of widely spread mountain asceticism, while
as a recreational sport it began and became popular only in the modern
era.
Skiing is big in Japan, with millions of skiers flocking to the
major resorts in the mountains of Honshu and Hokkaido. The nation's
ski resorts are very well developed, and compare favorably with the
top regions of Europe, the U.S. and Canada. Recently, the number of
ski grounds that also cater to snowboarding is increasing as the sport
gains in popularity especially among young people.
Skating is available in indoor rinks in the major cities, as
well as at excellent outdoor facilities in the wintertime in the north
and Hokkaido.
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