Page 67 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Japan

Hit a Home Run
Baseball was imported to Japan
from the US during the early Meiji
Period, and almost immediately DRINK
gained popularity among amateur
athletic clubs and universities.
Despite being banned during World MLB Cafe Tokyo
War II, when it was seen as a cor­ This shrine to baseball
rupting American influence, it is is packed with
now the most watched and played memorabilia.
sport in the country. Housed in  F4 ⌂ 1-3-61 Kouraku
Tokyo Dome – the home stadium of ∑ mlbcafe.jp/en
the Yomiuri Giants – the Baseball
Hall of Fame and Museum displays Los Cabos Shinjuku
a fascinating array of Mexican­style sports
memorabilia (www. bar with great tequila.
english.baseball-
museum.or.jp). Try  F4 ⌂ 1-3-16
out your swing Kabukicho
at the Shinjuku
Batting Legends Sports Bar
Centre Burgers and craft beer
(2-21-13 accompany the rugby.
Kabukicho).  F4 ⌂ 3-16-33
Roppongi
∑ legendsports.jp
Yomiuri Giants
fans at the
Tokyo Dome

RINGS OF GLORY
In 2020, Japan hosts
the Olympic Games for
the second time. The
1964 competition
symbolized Japan’s
rebirth after World
War II, and there are
hopes that the 32nd
Olympiad in 2020 will
mark the end of 21st­
century austerity.
Although there have
been controversies,
including a major
redesign, the massive
New National Stadium, Wrestlers and a gyoji
designed by Kengo (referee) at a trad i­
Kuma, promises to be a tional sumo match
monument to match
those in Yoyogi Park Want Sumo This?
(p96). Hire a bike, and The rituals around sumo may be complicated, but the rules are
cycle around the park simple: the first wrestler to exit the ring, or touch the ground
to admire some of the with any part of his body besides his feet, loses. Tournaments
original 1964 venues only take place six times a year (p70), but there are other ways
that will again be used to experience sumo. Exhibitions are held between tourna­
as sporting stages in ments and beya – where the wrestlers live and train – open
the 2020 games. their doors to visitors. To catch an early morning training
session, contact the Japan Sumo Association (sumo.or.jp).
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