Local

It’s been very hot summer day in Tokyo every day. According to the weather forecast, there is a danger of heat stroke, so Japan government advise you to refrain from going out during the day. But don’t you want to do something memorable since it’s summer season?

So, this time I would like to tell you some ways to enjoy summer. How about making fun summer memories? Here is the list of summer activity options.

1. Workshop and factory tour
2. Visit immersive museum and aquarium
3. Go to see Sunflower
4. Watch the fireworks and festival
5. Spend time in cool mountain and riverside

１．Workshop and factory tour
Many workshops are held in various places in Tokyo such as Nihonbashi, Asakusa, and Yanaka.
Among them, there are various things such as making Japanese sweets, tea ceremony, making Japanese paper, making candy, making soba noodles, making food replicas, and dyeing Japanese Tenugui. There are many things that can be experienced by families, so you can enjoy it with your family while avoiding the heat.

Suntory Fuchu factory tour is one of interesting tour. You can watch the factory and drink free beer and soft drinks after the tour.

If you need a more information of workshop, please check the tour image.

2.Visit immersive museum and aquarium

Tokyo has some immersive museums and a goldfish aquarium that is open only in summer.
For example, there are the Immersive Mueum Tokyo in Nihonbashi, Team Labo Planets in Toyosu and the goldfish aquarium in Ginza.

In addition, you can see fish swimming in the cool water at Sunshine Aquarium in Ikebukuro and Aquarium in Shinagawa. How about finding your favorite museum?

3.Go to see Sunflower
Sunflowers are summer flowers. Sunflowers are full blooming at Showa Kinen Park in Tachikawa.
There are many other places to see sunflowers.
However, you will be able to see the sunflowers during the day, so please be careful of the heat.

4.Watch the fireworks and festival

In summer, fireworks and festivals are held all over the country to pray for peace and good health.
There are major events such as the Sumida River Fireworks, as well as events held in rural areas, so we recommend visiting for a Japanese cultural experience.
Festivals include portable shrines and floats during the day, as well as dances that can be seen at night.
How about finding your favorite festival?

Matsuri information is here.

5.Relaxing in cool mountain and river side

You can stay cooler than in the city center, such as in the mountains with many trees or along the river. Akikawa Valley in Okutama, Route 6 on Mt. Takao and Villa area in Karuizawa are good place to relaxing and strolling.
It is recommended because you can leave the city for a while and refresh your feelings.

Summer is just beginning. Please enjoy and making only your summer memories.

Exciting Marathon event in Tokyo！

On March 5, 2023, a warm day with spring approaching, I participated in the Tokyo Marathon.
It was fun and exciting 26.2-mile Marathon race in Tokyo 2023.

In the race held on March 5, 2023, 38,420 runners gathered from inside and outside Japan and started in front of the Shinjuku Metropolitan Government Building.
This year’s tournament was a year when the COVID-19 calmed down, so there was no limit to cheering, and many people rushed to cheer on the roadside.

What is Tokyo Marathon

The Tokyo marathon has the holding as the annual marathon sports event in Tokyo since 2007. Nowadays, Tokyo marathon has become a Japanese phenomenon as the one of the Top6 city major marathon in the world(WMM) from 2013. It’s one of the biggest marathons in the country, drawing elite runners from around the globe and local citizens. There are wheelchair races for men and women as well.

Marathon course

The Tokyo Marathon course starts in Shinjuku and runs through many famous places.
It runs through the streets of Shinjuku, Akihabara, Ueno, Nihonbashi, Asakusa, Kuramae, and other tourist spots, and ends near Tokyo Station.
On the course, you can run while sightseeing in Tokyo, such as Tokyo Sky Tree, Asakusa, Kaminarimon of Sensoji Temple, and the streets of Nihonbashi with many long-established stores.

The time limit is as long as 7 hours, and a lot of cheering will liven up the race, so you can enjoy the fun of being at a festival.

How to enjoy Tokyo marathon

The excitement of Tokyo marathon has started from the Marathon expo. It is necessary to go to the Tokyo Marathon Expo by the day before to receive the Tokyo Marathon bib.
The expo is held in a large venue, but Friday nights and Saturdays are crowded, so we recommend going on Thursdays and Fridays in the morning or early afternoon.

Also, on the day of the race, you will run through the city, so if you visit the famous places by the day before, the race mood will be even more exciting.

Asakusa, Ueno, Akihabara, Sky Tree, Nihonbashi, Ginza, Shinjuku, and more are all wonderful tourist spots.

The day of the race

On the day of the race, the race will start in front of the Shinjuku Metropolitan Government Building.
You have to check in your luggage at 8:45 and get to the starting point by 8:55. It takes about 15 minutes to walk from Shinjuku Station to the gate. On top of that, you should arrive at Shinjuku Station at 7:30, taking into consideration the waiting time for security checks at the gate entrance, baggage deposit, and restrooms.

It’s still a bit chilly season before the start, so we recommend bringing a jacket. There is a jacket collection box at the start point, so if you don’t need it, you can ask for it.

A lot of drinks such as water and sports drinks are prepared on the course. Most of the food is not provided, so it is a good idea to bring an action diet if you need it.

If you have the chance, why not participate in the Tokyo Marathon, one of the world’s 6 major marathons?