Instead of only sightseeing through buildings and streets, you can make your stay in Tokyo more fulfilling by doing sports and other activities. This time, we’re introducing several locations where you can try various activities and sports. You can enjoy a wide range of activities of all genres, from within Saitama Prefecture, which offers convenient access from the city center, to Asakusa, a prominent tourist destination in Tokyo.
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Start at Saitama Stadium 2002 ➡ Walk about 15 minutes ➡ Take the Saitama Stadium Line from Urawa-Misono Station to Higashi-Kawaguchi Station, transfer to the JR Musashino Line, get off at Koshigaya Laketown Station ➡ Walk about 12 minutes ➡ FlyStation ➡ Walk about 12 minutes ➡ Take the JR Musashino Line from Koshigaya Laketown to Minami Koshigaya Station, transfer to the TOBU SKYTREE Line at Shin-koshigaya Station, get off at Asakusa Station ➡ Walk about 5 minutes ➡ Asakusa Batting Stadium ➡ Walk about 8 minutes ➡ Kawara Smash Kawarana ➡ Walk about 17 minutes ➡ Tokyo Mizumachi®
Saitama Stadium 2002
Saitama Stadium 2002 was the stage for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and the 2002 FIFA World Cup (Japan-South Korea). With 63,700 seats, it is the largest soccer-only stadium in Japan and one of the largest in Asia. Since there is no running track, you can watch top players’ performances up close and enjoy the unity between players and spectators. A paid, pre-booked stadium tour held once a month allows you to visit areas usually restricted to players, such as locker rooms and the pitch. Even on non-match days, various events are held in the park surrounding the stadium, making it an enjoyable destination year-round.
Location: 2-1 Misono, Midori-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture
https://www.stadium2002.com/
FlyStation
FlyStation, located in Koshigaya City, Saitama Prefecture, is Japan’s first indoor skydiving facility and has gained popularity. Indoor skydiving is a next-generation form of entertainment enjoyed by around 60 million people in Europe and the US. The system works by circulating wind at speeds of up to 360 km/h in a giant machine called a wind tunnel, which allows participants to float in midair. The usage fee includes rental equipment, basic posture training, and personal support from an instructor, making it a safe and fun experience. The sensation of flying through the air is incredibly addictive!
Location: 6-19-3 Lake Town, Koshigaya City, Saitama Prefecture
https://flystation.jp/en/
Asakusa Batting Stadium
Located in the popular tourist area of Asakusa, Asakusa Batting Stadium lets you experience the thrill of facing off against a pro pitcher through a virtual pitching machine. The high-tech lanes, where the image of a professional pitcher is projected, offer a truly immersive experience, making you feel like you’re in a real game. In addition to pitching lanes for “Strikeout” games where you aim for numbered targets, visitors can also enjoy other sports games like the basketball “Free Throw Nine,” where you can score goals consecutively. This indoor sports facility is packed with fun for those visiting alone or in groups.
Location: 1-27-5 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, ROX DOME 2F
https://www.asakusa-bs.com/
Kawara Smash Kawarana
Tile breaking, a practice often seen in martial arts and combat sports for testing strength and performance, can be experienced at Kawara Smash Kawarana in Asakusa. You’ll focus your energy, muster up strength, and strike the tile with a single blow. The sense of achievement and satisfaction after successfully breaking the tiles is unlike anything else. Other than to test your strength, you can try tile breaking for other purposes like making a wish, hoping for good luck, relieving stress, or even for the perfect social media post, making it especially popular among women. Unique discounts are available, such as the “Broken iPhone Discount” for showing your cracked screen, the “Six-Pack Discount,” the “Kimono/Yukata Discount,” and the “Rickshaw Discount.” It’s a memorable experience to try during your visit to Asakusa.
Location: 2-27-17 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
https://kawarana.jp/
Tokyo Mizumachi®
After fully enjoying Asakusa, cross the SUMIDA RIVER WALK and head to Tokyo Mizumachi®. Located under the TOBU SKYTREE Line, which connects Asakusa to TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN, Tokyo Mizumachi® is a multi-purpose commercial facility under the elevated railway tracks. The area offers a delightful combination of greenery from Sumida Park and the waterway of Kitajukken River. There are many unique shops in the area for visitors to enjoy sports and other activities, including a community-style hostel, a cafe with a bouldering gym, a specialized facility for playing “padel,” a popular racket sport originating in Spain, and traditional sweets shops. It’s a great place to stroll and enjoy a range of activities.
Location: 1 Mukojima, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
https://www.tokyo-mizumachi.jp/en/
