Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on February 2010

Hit the lanes

Courtesy of Sasazuka Bowl

What better way to get out of the cold—and into some alcohol and merriment—than by throwing a heavy ball at some defenseless little pins? There’s no shortage of bowling options in Tokyo, with some facilities also housing arcades, karaoke rooms, billiards and ping pong. If you’re serious about your game, though, head to Sasazuka Bowl, whose chic design and well-kept lanes are a far cry from the dilapidated kitsch you’ll find elsewhere. One game costs ¥400- ¥650 on weekdays and ¥500-¥700 on weekends and holidays, with an allnight (1-5am) package available for just ¥700 on Fridays and Saturdays. And yes, they have a bar.

3-4F, 1-57-10 Sasazuka, Shibuyaku. Tel: 03-3374-1300. Open Sun -Thu 7am-1am, Fri-Sat & before hols 7am-5am. Nearest stn: Sasazuka (Keio line). www.keio-san.com/sasazukab.

Take aim

Courtesy of Bagus

If tossing pointy objects that can pierce the skin is your thing, then make a beeline to the Bagus chain of darts bars. These pubs are pervasive in Tokyo, with branches in Roppongi, Shibuya, Shinjuku and many other neighborhoods. Prices vary depending on which one you go to, but are generally reasonable — as a rule of thumb, a ¥480 entry fee plus ¥100 per game. Bagus also hosts tournaments and lessons for beginners. With a little imagination, you could be secretly working out pentup frustration as well as enjoying that tipple with friends.

Roppongibranch: 3F, 5-5-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3478-9998. Open Sun-Thu 3pm-5am, Fri-Sat 3pm-7am. Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.bagus-99.com/darts

Go for a ride

Courtesy of Sega Joypolis

Sure, amusement parks are fun, but not when you’re standing in line for rides, teeth a-chattering. Sega Joypolis, located inside Decks Tokyo in Odaiba, is a sprawling play zone that offers a wealth of interesting virtual-reality attractions, as well as more traditional rides (dig the indoor rollercoaster). It’s an exciting way to spend an afternoon, with admission only ¥500 and rides ¥300-¥600 apiece. If you’re a late riser, take advantage of the nighttime pass, which gets you all-you-can-ride from 5pm for ¥2,500.

1-6-1 Daiba, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5500-1801. Open 10am-11pm daily. Nearest stn: Odaiba-Kaihinkoen (Yurikamome line). http://sega.jp/joypolis/tokyo/home_e.shtml

Watch kabuki (before it’s too late)

Photo by Keigo Moriyama

If you’ve never feasted your eyes on Japan’s time-honored traditional theater, this may be a good time to start. Ginza’s famed Kabuki-za—worth a look in its own right—is scheduled for complete rebuilding later this year, so you’ve only got until the end of April to see a performance in the current structure. Here’s your opportunity to feel like a tourist again by getting in line with the other sightseers for one of the “one-act tickets,” available for ¥900. The box office opens daily at 10:30am, with shows running 1am-3:45pm and 4:30-9pm. Check the website for a monthly schedule.

4-12-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku. Tel : 03 -3541-3131. Neareststn: Higashi- Ginza . http://meturl.com/kabukiza

Go green

Courtesy of Yume no Shima

For a taste of nature from the comfort of the indoors, head to Yume no Shima Greenhouse, which offers urbanites a sweet and fragrant escape. Three separate facilities are packed with a plethora of local and exotic greenery. Admission to this “park”—built on reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay—is only ¥250, and there are a variety of seasonal events, plus a small “carnivorous plants dome” and movie theater.

2-1-2 Yumenoshima, Koto-ku, 136-0081. Tel: 03-3522-0281. Open 9:30am-5pm, closed on Mon. Nearest stn: Shinkiba. www.yumenoshima.jp

Get Cooking

Courtesy of ABC Cooking School

If you can’t take the cold, get into the kitchen. For all those clawing at self-betterment in 2010, a cooking class offers just the right balance between enjoyable and practical. ABC Cooking School has over 100 branches in Japan, and its Tokyo Midtown outpost offers instruction and recipes in English as well as Japanese. Other attractions include a free trial lesson and no sign-up fees. There’s also a “pay as you go” system, so no contract is needed—just in case your New Year’s vows are as short-lived as ours tend to be.

Tokyo Midtown branch: Galleria B1F, 9-7-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5413-3476. Open daily 11am-10pm. Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.abc-cooking.co.jp/srv/english.php

Get your skates on

Courtesy of Edogawa Sportsland

Even for novices, a world of fun—or at least a couple of hours—can be had trying to keep your balance on the ice. While outdoor rinks may be prettier, indoor options are worth a look for those who aren’t so keen on the chill. The rink at Edogawaku Sportsland is reasonably priced (¥800 per day), and there are special sessions nightly (6:30-8pm), including speed skating, figure skating and ice hockey. The ice is typically open for everyone until 6pm weekdays and 8pm weekends, but there are irregular weekly closures, so check the website before you go.

1-8-1 Higashi-Shinozaki, Edogawa-ku. Tel: 03-3677-1711. Opening times vary. Nearest stn: Shinozaki. www15.ocn.ne.jp/~esportsl

Climb the walls

Photo by James Hadfield

If pumping iron in a steamy gym or going for a run in the frigid air doesn’t appeal to you, then try your hand (and feet) at indoor rock climbing. The sport is experiencing something of a boom in Japan, with an increasing number of walls springing up in the Tokyo area. J&S in Ebisu is notable for its central location, as well as offering all the essentials for the novice, including shoe rental (¥200) and an easy-on-the-wallet entry fee of ¥500. Climb all day long Monday through Saturday for ¥2,000, or pay just ¥1,500 on Sundays and holidays. There are also monthly passes available for ¥13,000 (men) or ¥10,000 (women) for those who can’t get enough of grasping for that summit. Note that climbers must be 18 years or over.

3-20-2 Higashi, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-3406-8778. Open Mon-Fri 2-11pm, Sat 2-10pm, Sun & hols noon-9pm. Nearest stn: Ebisu. www.js-aki.com

Get cultured

Courtesy of Nezu Museum

As the chilly temperatures force us to look inward, Tokyo’s vibrant art scene has just the thing to warm your soul. One surefire spot to spend the day in quiet contemplation is the recently refurbished Nezu Museum in Omotesando, which stands as an appealing fusion of traditional and modern design. The collection features seven National Treasures, in addition to a wealth of other important Japanese and Asian works. Admission is ¥1,000, or ¥1,200 for special exhibits, and the current show, “Ceramics: Fun and Functional,” is up until February 28.

6-5-1 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3400-2536. Open Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, closed Mon. Nearest stn: Omotesando. www.nezu-muse.or.jp/en

Put the kids to work

Kidzania offers the perfect wintertime escape for children—and their beleaguered parents. In this “kid-sized city,” the little monsters (er, treasures) learn a variety of occupations, from ANA flight staff to firefighters to doctors, while earning money in the form of “kidzos,” which they can then spend at the on-site movie theater (where parents may join the audience), hospital, department store and restaurant. Children from 3-15 are welcome, and parents can leave and come back if they want to enjoy a few hours’ free time (the Parents Lounge has TV and free internet). Admission is ¥3,800 for the morning session and ¥3,200 in the afternoon ¥3,500/¥4,400 weekends and holidays).

LaLaport Toyosu, 2-4-9 Toyosu, Koto-ku. Tel: 03-3536-2100. Two “sessions” daily from 9am-3pm and 4pm-9pm. Nearest stn: Toyosu. www.kidzania.jp

Go golfing

Whether you want to enjoy some fresh air, try out a new hobby, or just have a bit of fun, golf is the perfect leisure activity. Just not in winter. If you really feel the need to hit the links this month, head indoors to Favor Gate Indoor Golf Park. While there are a myriad of “golf bars” in Tokyo, this one is particularly well equipped. It’s also a lot cheaper than a trip to the local country club—lessons go for ¥5,250, and the hourly rates are just ¥1,890 on weekdays and ¥2,520 on weekends. There’s also something called a “virtual reality golf simulator” available for ¥2,100 per hour.

1F KDX Toyosu Gran Square, 1-7-12 Shinonome, Koto-ku. Tel: 03-5546-1700. Open Tue-Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 10am-9pm, closed Mon. Nearest stn: Toyosu. www.favorgate.jp

Hop on board

Courtesy of Snova Snow Arena

If, unlike us, the prospect of engaging in physical activity while shivering in the snow (or pretending not to) strikes you as appealing, then Snova Snow Arena will save you the trip to Nagano. Located on the outskirts of Tokyo in Mizonokuchi, this indoor snowboarding center offers a halfpipe, a few smaller hills and a “2-way kicker ramp.” Prices are ¥2,500 for two hours or ¥3,000 on weekends; gear rental is ¥3,000. Ice princesses can take advantage of “Lady’s Day” Fridays, when two hours costs only ¥1,500 and the rentals are just ¥500.

1358-1 Shimosakunobe, Takatsuku, Kawasaki. Tel: 04-4844-1181. Open Mon-Fri 10am-11pm, Sat 9am-11:30pm, Sun & hols 9am-11pm. Nearest stn: Tsudayama (Nambu line). www.snova246.com