Japan (Lonely Planet, 11th Edition) - Chris Rowthorn [624]
Toho
The Toho network (www.toho.net/english.html) is a diverse collection of places that has banded loosely together to offer a more flexible alternative to youth hostels. Most of the network’s 90 members are in Hokkaidō, although there are a few scattered around Honshū and other islands further south. Prices average ¥4000 per person for dormitory-style accommodation, or ¥5000 with two meals. Private rooms are sometimes available for about ¥1000 extra.
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ACTIVITIES
Japan may be best known for its cultural attractions, but it’s also a great place to ski, climb, trek, dive, snorkel and cycle. And, needless to say, it’s an ideal destination to pursue martial arts, such as judo, aikido and karate.
Cycling
Bicycle touring is fairly popular in Japan, despite the fact that most of the country is quite mountainous. Click here for more information on cycling in Japan. See also Cycling Terminals for information on places to stay.
Diving & Snorkelling
The great diving and snorkelling to be had around Japan’s southern islands is one of the world’s best kept underwater secrets. How many people even know that you can dive with mantas or hammerheads in the Land of the Rising Sun? Popular diving destinations include the Okinawan islands Click here, in the far southwest of Japan, and the chain of islands south of Tokyo, known as Izu-shotō (Izu Seven Islands;). Other dive sites in Japan include the waters around Tobi-shima Click here, off northern Honshū, and the Ogasawara-shotō Click here.
Diving in Japan can be expensive in comparison with other parts of Asia. Typical rates are ¥12,000 per day for two boat dives and lunch. Courses for beginners are available in places like Ishigaki-jima Click here and Iriomote-jima Click here in Okinawa, but starting costs are around ¥80,000. Instruction will usually be in Japanese.
If your plans include a trip to Okinawa or the Ogasawa-shotō, consider bringing your own mask, snorkel and fins (large-sized fins can be hard to find at dive shops). Serious divers may want to go further and bring their own regulars and even BCDs (buoyancy control devices), although these are available for rent at dive shops in country.
Hiking & Mountain Climbing
The Japanese are keen hikers, and many national parks in Japan have hiking routes. The popular hiking areas near Tokyo are around Nikkō and Izu-shotō Click here. In the Kansai region, Nara, Shiga-ken Click here and Kyoto all have pleasant hikes.
Japan comes into its own as a hiking destination in the Japan Alps National Park, particularly in Kamikōchi, the Bandai plateau Click here in northern Honshū, and Hokkaidō’s national parks Click here.
While rudimentary English-language hiking maps may be available from local tourism authorities, it’s better to seek out proper Japanese maps and decipher the kanji. Shobunsha’s Yama-to-Kōgen No Chizu series covers all of Japan’s most popular hiking areas in exquisite detail. The maps are available in all major bookshops in Japan.
Serious hikers will also want to pick up a copy of Lonely Planet’s Hiking in Japan, which covers convenient one-day hikes near major cities and extended hikes in more remote areas.
Martial Arts
Japan is the home of several of the world’s major martial arts: aikido, judo, karate and kendo. Less popular disciplines, such as kyūdō (Japanese archery) and sumō, also attract devotees from overseas. It is possible for foreigners to study all these disciplines here, although it’s sometimes difficult to do so as a traveller. If you are really keen, we suggest living for a short spell near your dōjō (training place) of choice.
All Japan Jūdō Federation (Map; Zen Nihon Jūdō Renmei; 03-3818-4199; www.judo.or.jp, in Japanese; c/o Kōdōkan, 1-16-30 Kasuga, Bunkyō-ku, Tokyo)
All Japan Kendō Federation (Map; 03-3211-5804; www.kendo-fik.org/english-page/english-top-page.html; c/o Nippon Budōkan, 2-3 Kitanomaru-kōen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
All Nippon Kyūdō Federation (Map; 03-3481-2387; www.kyudo.jp/english/index.html;