Osaka Sports and Activities
Doing Sports in Osaka
Martial arts
Japanese ceremonial wrestling, sumo, and judo are Japan’s national sports, both drawing huge crowds. There are six sumo tournaments a year, each of which lasts for 15 days. Three of them are held in Tokyo, and the others take place in Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka. Matches by senior wrestlers begin at 1500. Sumo training sessions can be observed between 0500 and 1030 at Kasungo Stable in Tokyo (tel: (3) 3631 1871). Judo enthusiasts can visit the Kodokan Judo Hall, 1-16-30, Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo (tel: (3) 3818 4172), where there is a spectators’ gallery.
There are opportunities for the visitor to purchase a costume and learn some of the techniques. There are separate classes for men and women and in most large schools English is spoken. More information can be obtained from the All Japan Judo Federation (website: www.judo.or.jp). Karate, the art of self defence, is taught at schools in Japan and has become a very popular sport since it was introduced into the country in 1922. For further information contact the Japan Karatedo Federation, Sixth Floor, 2 Sempaku Shinkokai Building, 1-11-2, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo (tel: (3) 3503 6640; website: www.karatedo.co.jp).
Kendo, Japanese fencing, is practised in numerous clubs and college halls. In December, the All-Japan Championships are held in Tokyo. Kyudo, Japanese archery, is one of the oldest martial arts. It is closely associated with Zen Buddhism. Unlike many martial arts, it is pursued by almost as many female students as males. Yabusame, or archery on horseback, which was originally performed by courtiers or imperial guards in the seventh century, is today a Shinto rite for ensuring peace and good harvests. It is staged by horsemen in colourful costumes who gallop down a narrow 250-metre course shooting at small wooden targets set up at 80-metre intervals. The best known events are at Tsurugaoka Hachmagu shrine in Kamakura on the third Sunday in April and on September 16 and at the Shimogano Shrine in Kyoto on 3 May.
Winter Sports
This is very popular and there are over 50 major ski resorts, especially in the Japanese Alps and on the northern island of Hokkaido. One of the great attractions is the prevalence of hot springs in the skiing areas. Various resorts at Nagana in Central Honshu offer facilities for night skiing. The southernmost natural ski slope in Japan is the Gokase Highland Ski, in the north Miyazaki prefecture, which offers grass skiing out of season between late April and late November. Transport connections are very good, and there are sometimes railway stations within a few minutes walk of the slopes. During the ski season, it is necessary to reserve seats on trains and buses. Although equipment is easy to hire, it can sometimes be a problem to obtain ski boots in larger sizes; skiers should telephone the resort in advance in order to check on availability.
Diving: Both diving and snorkelling
