Japan may be known as a country that works hard, but they also know how to relax. Check out our article on entertainment in Japan.

Japan has become a country that is known for many things. A population that works hard and tries to push their jobs to the limit. A culture with thousands of years of history. A place filled with nature and architectural wonders. One thing that should be known for is its entertainment. Japan has a culture that puts a heavy burden on work, keeping up social appearances, and trying to be an upstanding and polite individual. This doesn’t mean that they do not know how to relax and enjoy themselves. Japan’s entertainment industry is one of the biggest in the world and they have many outlets for people to explore. We will look at some of the most notable forms of entertainment in Japan, and showcase any differences that may be apparent when looking at them closely.

Movies and TV

Japan is a nation that has found great joy in viewing and making visual media. The movie industry in Japan is large and continues to grow with people frequenting movie theaters. It is one of the most accessible forms of entertainment in Japan since most theaters have original English dubbing of western films along with the Japanese dub. They get most movies from the west though there is a delay for movies that aren’t very popular. Japanese television is a mix of sports, dramas, reality shows, and game show style comedy shows. You can often look at clips from Japanese TV on media sites and find some crazy program that would only be allowed in Japan. There are many US TV shows on cable television and some have gained a large fan base in the country. It is always interesting to see the way Japanese TV operates and how they have their way to showcase their talents. 

Movie theaters in Japan have gotten better over time, and are now some of the best ones you can go to. They have all of the typical movie theater amenities and they manage to keep the food costs low. The thing that sets the Japanese movie theater apart from western ones is the concession stand and its variety of foods and snacks. You can buy beer, ice cream, coffee, karaage, and some places have special deals that you can’t get anywhere else. The theaters themselves are well made and comfortable. They try to give the best movie-going experience as possible, even for the smaller theaters. It is a great way to spend your free time, or when you want to relax and enjoy a good film.

Sports

Even though Japan isn’t a large country it still has many sports that played there. The biggest sport in Japan is baseball, and it is one of the largest money-making sports in the country. It is a top form of Japanese entertainment, and when it is compared to the US, it is cheaper overall to go and enjoy. Basketball has its own Japan league, but it doesn’t have the same level of interest as baseball. Soccer has become very popular there and there are multiple leagues for all of their teams. American football is played as well, but the season is short and the level of play compared to the US is not as good.

There is a slew of Japanese traditional sports as well. These include the national sport of Japan, sumo, and others that may be a surprise. The of Go is still popular, and you will see many articles covering recent champions taking on challengers for the title. There are professional card games like shiritori that are popular among the younger people there. Things like archery, judo, karate, and other combat style sports see regular tournaments and events. You can find almost any league for the sport you like.

Many countries in Asia enjoy western games and have adopted them and given them full leagues to play in. Throughout much of Asia, ping pong is a popular sport. There is a pro league for it, and there are tournaments that are held around Asia. The same is for badminton. You will frequently see commercials with Japan’s top players from these sports trying to sell sports drinks and creams There is usually some kind of interest groups that will travel to support their favorite player.

Leisure

Leisure is a broad term that tries to cover other aspects of Japanese life. On fixture of relaxation are karaoke rooms. It is easy to pay for a room for a few hours and sing to your heart’s content. The usual has menus for food and drinks which can make them perfect date or friends night out, This type of leisure isn’t restricted to just karaoke bars and game arcades, it can also in other simple pleasures. Golf is a popular leisure activity, and there are a large number of golf ranges that have appeared across Japan. You would be able to find them easily by the large protective green nets around them. There are other smaller places you can enjoy like batting cages, bowling alleys, and arcades. The arcades in japan have been slowly dying out, but they are still a large part of the Japanese experience and leisure time. Some of the big ones that are still operational in areas like Akihabara are multi-floor arcades that have games lining the walls and the middle of the floors. Karaoke shops are plentiful and they are one of the most common ways that people in Japan relax with friends.

If you want an experience that is closer to the western theme parks or activity businesses, you can go Round One. Round one is an amusement business that has everything that someone would want to enjoy the evening playing games or bowling. Every store has an arcade, a leisure area with smaller games like pool or ping pong, and bowling. You can take the entire family for the afternoon and enjoy playing various games together. If that isn’t something that interests you, you can go to the large theme parks. They have large rollercoasters, park games, and attractions for people to enjoy. The most notable park is Fuji Q. It has a concentration of rollercoasters set in a town near Mt. Fuji. It is almost picturesque when the sun begins to set and the backdrop of fuji descends behind the rollercoasters. You can fill your needs of theme parks and rides with these parks scattered around the country.

It is easy to find whatever it is that interests you in Japan. The kinds of entertainment in Japan are varied and they can all be some of the best experiences you can find. You may be surprised when you look for places to go as they will be closer than expected. Just look around or do a quick search online, and you will be enjoying your favorite activities in no time.