December 24, 2012
Game For A Break
Avoid New Year variety shows by switching to sports
By Metropolis
Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on December 2012
Sumo
Jan 8, Meiji Shrine, Tokyo
The Hatsu Basho proper doesn’t get going until January 13, but head down to Meiji Shrine in the early afternoon of the 8th to see the two yokozuna—Hakuho and Harumafuji—doing their dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremonies in front of thousands of onlookers. Aficionados will notice all the kimono-clad rikishi of yesteryear, now stable masters, sat to the left and right of the dueling duo.
Emperor’s Cup (2)
Until Jan 1, various locations
This trophy is to Japan what the FA Cup is to England. Massive prestige is backed up by a lucrative place in next year’s Asia Champions League for the cup-lifters. At time of typing there are still five second, third and fourth-tier clubs in the last 16, and holders FC Tokyo have been dumped out leaving the 92nd tourney wide open. Quarter- and semifinals are played between December 23-29, with the final at Tokyo National Stadium on January 1.
BJ League (3)
Various times, various locations
Approaching the midway point of the season, the basketball teams in the Tokyo vicinity (Tokyo Cinq Reves, Yokohama B. Corsairs, Chiba Jets, Saitama Broncos) all have home games over the festive season. Check the link for details and get out to support your local hoop team—and their feisty cheerleaders, too. Prices range from ¥1,800 to around ¥5-6,000 for ringside seats.
Arima Kinen (4)
Dec 23, Nakayama Racecourse
Japan’s biggest race of the year, held at Nakayama near Funabashi, the Arima Kinen will attract upwards of 100,000 punters eager to see how Horse of the Year elect, Gentildonna, daughter of Deep Impact, will fare after a win over her great rival Orfevre in the Japan Cup back in late November. Their last head-to-head ended in a win by a nose for Gentildonna in the Japan Cup back in late November. Take the whole family and indulge in restaurants galore and a fantastic play area in the center of the track for the kids. Otherwise just head to the local betting shop and make it interesting.
Dream MMA
Dec 31, Saitama Super Arena
Running from 4pm until the midnight finale, the Dream MMA spectacular—combining Dream 18 with Glory 4 Tokyo—is being billed as the biggest and best New Year’s Eve has ever seen. Gone are the likes of Akebono and Sapp, replaced by 16 of the hardest hitting heavyweights in the sport. A $400,000 purse is plenty of incentive to be the last man standing.
Hakone Ekiden
Jan 2-3, Tokyo/Kanagawa
For some reason the Japanese love watching underweight teens from some of the nation’s leading universities busting their lungs in an annual relay-race to Hakone and back each New Year. Don’t be surprised to see some students carried off after collapsing—it’s all part of the excitement. Real fans line the route, or cheer at the start/finish line in Otemachi. You’re likely be handed flags and given detailed instructions on when to wave them. For the less enthused, this is the classic watch at home with a beer in the morning.
