 With tens of millions of
workaholics milling around the the metropolitan-area,
Tokyo has more than its share of entertainment districts
where folks can unwind. For the most recent information
on these and other places, check out the Tokyo
Classifieds (links).
Eating,
drinking and dancing: The most famous nightlife
area in Japan's capital city, Roppongi lies within
walking distance of Tokyo Tower and hosts scores of
western style restaurants and bars, including the Hard
Rock Cafe, Johnny Rockets (great burgers and milk
shakes), and the notorious Gas Panic (cheap drinks,
sweaty rush-hour subway atmosphere).
From
dancing to drinking, Shinjuku also offers a wide
selection of night-life activities. Near Shinjuku, you'll
find Kabuki-cho -- Tokyo's most famous red-light
district, offering a wide menu of lurid delights -- and
Ni-chome, the capital city's gay and lesbian playground.
Omotesando
and Harajuku offer a lot of shops and outdoor cafes but
not much in the way of nightlife. Likewise, Hiroo has
several low-key restaurants. Assuming the evening goes
well for you and your companion, you might consider
visiting a "love hotel" in Shibuya, Shinjuku or
Uguisudani (near Ueno on the Yamanote Line).
Amusement
parks: For family entertainment, visit Tokyo
Disneyland along the Tokyo Bay waterfront (near Maihama
Station on the Keiyo Line). Seibu also runs a modest
amusement park near Lions Stadium, and Yomiuri-land lies
adjacent to the Tokyo Dome (Korakuen Station, JR Sobu
Line).
Cinemas:
Though it's expensive to watch movies in Japan -- most
cinemas charge about 1,800 yen ($15 US) for tickets --
you can find theaters near most of Tokyo's major train
stations, including Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya and
Ginza. One benefit, however, is that you can avoid high
concessions stand prices by bringing whatever food and
drinks you want with you. Still, it's much cheaper to
simply buy a VCR at Akihabara and rent videos at your
local rental shop.
Sumo:
If you want to see sumo wrestling in Tokyo, the place to
go is the Kokugikan near Ryogoku Station (JR Sobu Line).
Baseball:
And if you'd like to see a baseball game, you have
several choices: Meiji-Jingu Stadium and Tokyo Dome in Central Tokyo, Seibu Lions Dome thirty minutes west of Shinjuku, Chiba Marine Stadium along the Tokyo Bay waterfront, or
Yokohama Stadium.
|
