A Trip Filled with Activities: Route 1

Asakusa Engei Hall

Rakugo, a form of storytelling entertainment dating back to the Edo period, is one of the traditional Japanese performing arts. The word rakugo is a shortened form of otoshi banashi, which means “stories ending with a punchline.” Unlike other traditional performing arts such as nogaku and kabuki, rakugo stories are typically told without any costumes or props, apart from a paper fan and a small cloth. The theaters that offer rakugo performances 365 days a year are called yose and Asakusa Engei Hall is one of four such theaters in Tokyo. It is seen as a “Comedy Hall of Fame,” and it has produced famous comedians such as Kinichi Hagimoto and Takeshi Kitano. At the hall, you can enjoy a wide variety of entertainment, including rakugo, manzai (stand-up comedy), magic, kamikiri (paper cutting), juggling, and impersonations.

Miyashita Park

Miyashita Park, a historic green space that has been dubbed a “Park in the Sky / MIYASHITA PARK,” is sandwiched between the tracks of the Yamanote Line and Meiji Street. It has been renovated as a four-story park that offers shopping, dining, sports activities, and nightlife. The top floor features an iconic skateboarding park and bouldering walls, as well as multi-purpose sports facilities and a 1,000-square-meter arched green space that serves as an oasis of relaxation that blends into the city landscape. Whether you are looking for excitement or a bit of peace and quiet, Miyashita Park has something for everyone.

MITSUI FUDOSAN ICE RINK

Tokyo Midtown, a mixed-use development in Akasaka, comprises office, hotel, retail, residential, and leisure spaces, including the MITSUI FUDOSAN ICE RINK that is open for outdoor skating during the winter months. It's one of the largest outdoor skating rinks in Tokyo and is surrounded by illuminations at night, creating a space where skaters can glide through a magical atmosphere. A ticket includes a voucher for a cafe-style meal—such as a waffle and a drink, a bowl of udon noodles, ice cream, or tacos and soup —to enjoy after skating. The rink offers a unique city skating experience that's great for friends and families alike.
※This information may change without prior notice, and this event has ended.
※Please look after your own safety and that of others when taking photos.

Hobo Shinjuku Noren-gai

In the middle of Shinjuku/Yoyogi, a major urban center, with the NTT Docomo Yoyogi Building towering above, is a neighborhood where, at first glance, time seems to have stood still. In March 2017, a whole row of old private houses was renovated to offer “something new,” while maximizing existing resources and preserving the spirit of present-day Tokyo. The result is Hobo Shinjuku Noren-gai, a district filled with a variety of colorful and unique establishments.

As a project, Hobo Shinjuku Noren-gai was launched with the aim of revitalizing old private houses and stimulating the food and beverage industry. The project seeks to make the most of the unique atmosphere of this old neighborhood and its houses, while offering “something new.”

Hobo Shinjuku Noren-gai is lined with colorful and distinctive stores with a uniquely Japanese charm.

Visit Hobo Shinjuku Noren-gai to experience both tradition and reinvention!

Ikenotaira Onsen Ski Park

Ikenotaira Onsen Ski Park in Myoko-city, Niigata Prefecture, is one of the oldest ski parks in Japan—it has been open since 1927. The park boasts one of the widest runs in the country. Its routes make the most of the long skirt of Mt. Myoko, offering a safe and smooth descent for skiers of all ages and abilities, while allowing snowboarders full access to any zone within the park. Even experienced snowboarders, they can enjoy terrain and obstacles to challenge . The Kids' Garden at the bottom has a moving carpet belt that skiers can ride on for free; it's surrounded by safety netting so children can go skiing and sledging safely.

Ryokan Okayama

Akakura Onsen is a ski resort and holiday town known for its hot springs, which originate from Mt. Myoko. Ryokan Okayama is a traditional Japanese inn, or ryokan, located in the Akakura Onsen village; it's a perfect place to enjoy this natural hot spring water. The ryokan offers traditional meals featuring fresh vegetables and seafood, as well as a luxurious visitor experience in the guest rooms that blend traditional Japanese style with modern comfort and sophisticated design. Services at the ryokan include luggage storage, complimentary bath after checkout, complimentary shuttle service to and from the train station and Akagawa Onsen Ski Park, as well as stay-over packages, including lift tickets. It's a perfect accommodation option when visiting this prestigious ski resort, which has been compared to Shiga Kogen and Nozawa Onsen.

Kiminoi Shuzou Co., Ltd

Sake brewing has been active in Niigata Prefecture since ancient times, and there are many sake breweries here. Kiminoi Shuzou Co., Ltd is located in Myoko, a region rich in nature with more than 10 meters of snowfall in winter, and has a long history, having been established in 1842. The brewery's sake, made from high quality local Myoko rice grown in the rich snowmelt, is highly regarded for its original flavor and has won awards at competitions in Japan and abroad. In the company building, which is over 100 years old, you can see the elegant beam structure and the pot that is still in use today.

Lotte Arai Resort

Lotte Arai Resort in Myoko-city, Niigata Prefecture, is a ski resort blessed with plentiful, high-quality powder snow. When the skies are clear, it offers the unique experience of enjoying a splendid view extending to the Sea of Japan while descending on wide and open courses, where snowboards are also welcome. From December to May, the illumination event Light Parks by FeStA LuCe is held at the park, entertaining guests with a magnificently festive light display.
※Night Hike is not a regularly held program.