Burton Analog Skate Bowl
Jun 29 (Tue ), 2010Until now, Burton Japan’s skate bowl has been something of an urban myth. You know someone who knows someone who has skated there, but you’ve never checked it out first hand. That all changes now as the Burton Analog Bowl Park is open to the public every Wednesday to Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. To gain entry, just print out the form at the link below, get a stamp at a dealer shop and bring the registration form to the park. Form Web link: www.burton.co.jp/AnalogBowlPark/AG_BP.pdf
MTB Japan Summer Tours
Jun 29 (Tue ), 2010If you’ve been daydreaming about getting out and on the bike this summer, MTB Japan has a variety of tours available. You can race through a tight single track by a secret mountain lake on an adrenaline-pumping course or quietly cruise by a scenic waterfall, then enjoy 360-degree views of the surrounding Alps. Learn how to ride “skinnies” and “teeter-totters” on our Mitsumine course or challenge yourself on the roller-coaster Kuresaka-toge speed course. Half-day, full-day or multi-day tours are customized to suit all levels and can be combined with other Minakami adventures. Web: www.mtbjapan.com
The Ridge Reopens in Hakuba
Jun 29 (Tue ), 2010The Ridge is Hakuba’s new luxury hotel and the latest and greatest addition to the growing Hakuba resort scene. Located in the heart of Happo next to the Hakuba Tokyu Hotel, The Ridge was originally built for VIPs, including members of the Imperial Family, who could enjoy watching the Nagano Olympics from the breathtaking Penthouse Suite. It reopens in July, just in time for people to flee the Tokyo heat and relax in the Japanese Alps. The contemporary designed one-to-four-room apartments feature fully equipped kitchens, WiFi, flat-screen TVs, DVD players, iPod docking station and more. Hotel facilities include a kids’ room with Wii and XBox, lounges, restaurant and bar. Tel: (03) 3584-5067 Web: www.eastedgepartners.com
Sweet Riders Two-Day MTB Clinic
Jun 29 (Tue ), 2010Have you wanted to increase your MTB skill level on the trails this summer? The Sweet Riders Two-Day MTB Clinic takes place July 24-25 in beautiful Hakuba, Nagano. The clinic will be hosted by Morino Lodge, and the professional instructors will go over various skills catering to each individual rider’s skill level. The ¥20,000 fee includes insurance, two days of instruction, two lunches, a BBQ and a breakfast, plus great prizes from the sponsors. Web: www.sweetriders.com / www.morinolodge.com
Discover underwater Okinawa with Piranha Divers
Jun 29 (Tue ), 2010Jan and Tomoko Weirauch, the founders of Piranha Divers, say they are the first and only Dive shop in Okinawa offering SCUBA services in English and German. They focus on the individual diver, not big groups, and say they love nothing more than introducing the beautiful ocean in Okinawa to their customers. Diving experiences include huge, colorful coral gardens, canyons and caves, drift diving, night diving and even a wreck from World War II that was just discovered in 2001. They offer a range of PADI courses, from beginner’s level to professional levels as well as 13 Specialty Diver Courses. Web: www.piranha-divers.jp
Kiteboarding Japan
Jun 29 (Tue ), 2010Nick Katz arrived in Shizuoka in 1995. After wakeboarding on Lake Hamanaka and seeing kiteboarding pioneer, Lou Wainman take flight in a video, he got inspired. Since then he has dedicated himself to offering safe, quality kiteboarding instruction to get more people off the ground (literally). Kiteboarding Japan offers the two-day “Hang Time” course, where students first learn to control and fly a kite on land with a mountain board and then hit the water on Day 2. Nick is the first and only instructor in Japan qualified by the International Kiteboarding Organization (IKO) and by the (JKBA) Japanese Kiteboarding Association. Lessons are taught in English and Japanese, and there is an online pro shop. Web: www.kiteboarding.jp
English Adventures Summer Camps
Jun 29 (Tue ), 2010Still scrambling to find fun activities for your kids this summer? English Adventure Summer Camps run from late July to mid-August. Hiking, rafting, nature education, crafts, campfires—all the fun of an American summer camp here in Japan with the friendly, knowledgeable international staff. Their Ocean Camp is already full, but the Mountain Camps still have a few spaces open. Don't miss out. Web: www.english-adventure.org
Hanazono MTB Park & Wakeboard Park Open
Jun 29 (Tue ), 2010The Niseko Hanazono MTB Competition recently took place in the new Hanazono MTB Park. The park was designed by pro bikers for riders of all levels and will focus on skills development and feature a jump park (for all levels), pump track, cross-country trails with plenty of features and downhill trails. A bus with bike trailer is on hand to help you discover a wide range of trails. The park is a perfect place to learn MTB basics or hone your competitive skills, and the new bag jump will entice you to try new tricks. A full range of bikes and protective wear is available for hire, and you can even demo new high-performance bikes. And if that’s not enough to get you to Niseko this summer, the Hanazono Wakeboard Park is now also open and Niseko golf is in full swing. Tel: (0136) 21-6655 Web: www.harmonyresorts.com
Beers For Books Summer Events
Jun 17 (Thu ), 2010Beers For Books Summer Events Drink Beer, Make a Difference! What: Frolic presents Beats for Books Vol. 3 When: Saturday, June 19th 10:30PM - 5AM Where: Desert Rose in Ginza http://www.sabakunobara.jp/ Event Links: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=128646863828205 http://www.beersforbooks.org/events/frolic-presents-beats-for http://iflyer.tv/event/61577/Frolic-presents-Beats-for-Books-Vol.-3/ What: Bottles for Books (Wine-focused Event) When: Wednesday, June 23rd. 7PM - 11PM Where: Kimono Wine & Grill http://www.kimonowinebar.com/ Event Links: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=127824793916535 http://www.beersforbooks.org/events/bottles-for-books-at-kimono What: B4B Rafting/Canyoning/BBQ @ Canyons in Minakami When: Saturday, July 3rd ALL DAY/NIGHT Where: Canyons Alpine Lodge Minakami http://lodge.canyons.jp/ Event Links: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=100562513320813 http://www.beersforbooks.org/events/b4b-2010-summer What: Beers for Books @ Mattari in Fujisawa When: Friday, July 9th 6PM - 12:30AM Where: Mattari 23-2 Minami Fujisawa Event Links: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=121918317844844 http://www.beersforbooks.org/events/b4b-in-fujisawa-mattari What: Beers for Books @ Ocean Deep in Chiba City When: Saturday, July 18th 7PM - 11PM Where: Ocean Deep http://www.oceandeep.jp/ Event Links: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=127587560593813 http://www.beersforbooks.org/events/beers-for-books-ocean-deep-in
Get into the white water this summer! Raft on!
Jun 13 (Sun ), 2010RAFT ON! Yoshino River, Kochi, Shikoku Grade: 3-4 / Season: March - October Take on Japan’s biggest white water on the Yoshino River in the heart of Shikoku with HappyRaft. Professional fully licensed and internationally experienced guides will ensure a safe, fun adventure. Spring specials for one-day and half-day rafting, canyoning and accommodation available. Tel: (0887) 75-0500. Email: info@happyraft.com. Web: www.happyraft.com . Nagara River, Gifu Grade: 3-5 / Season: April - October Adventure Rafting is celebrating its 15th year taking guests down the Nagaragawa. Experienced guides with the latest equipment available, and an incredible base camp along the river with hot showers and a hotel. Rafting, canyoning, accommodation and meals available. Tel: (0575) 79-3405. Email: mail@adventures.jp. Web: www.adventures.jp. Tone River, Gunma Grade: 2 (summer) and 3-4 (May-June) / Season: Mid-April - November Canyons international team of professional guides provides world-class adventure experiences all year just two hours from Tokyo. In spring, half-day or full day rafting on the best sections of the Tone River, including the infamous Grade 4 Momiji Canyon. Canyoning available from June-October and combo packages, accommodation and riverside BBQ options available. Tel:(0278) 72-2811. Email:English@canyons.jp. Website:www.canyons.jp. Shiribetsu River, Hokkaido Location: Hokkaido / Grade: 2-3 / Season: Mid-April – October SAS at the Hanazono Activity Center’s rafting trips combine serene floats with exciting white water rapid and it’s the best way to see the flora and fauna around Niseko. May is the most exciting while July and August are great for family floats. Half-day tours only.Tel: (0136) 21-3333. Email: info@sas-net.com. Web: www.sas-net.com NAC has been guiding Niseko rivers for more than 15 years. If you still have some energy after a day on the river you can head over to the Niseko Adventure Center and play on the 11-meter rock climbing wall or enjoy a great lunch or dinner at JoJo’s Café. NAC also has tours to the Toyohira River (Grade 3-4), Mukawa River (Grade 3-4) Tel: (0136) 23-2093 Email: mail@nac-web.com. Web: www.nac-web.com Himekawa River, Nagano Grade: 2 / Season: Mid-may – End of July Check out Evergreen Outdoors WET & WILD (rafting/canyoning) Combo Tour this spring and enjoy sliding down the waterfalls and pools of Kamoshika Canyon followed by an afternoon riding the rapids of Himekawa River. The tour includes canyoning gear, professional guides, raft, life vest, paddle, wetsuit, rafting helmet, hot hearty lunch, insurance, tax and hot spring bath.
