SPORTS

Both traditional and western sports are popular in Japan. World Cup soccer was co-hosted by Japan and Korea in 2002 and the 1998 winter Olympics were held in Nagano. Baseball is a national pastime but soccer has been catching up in popularity in recent years. Millions ski and snowboard. Wherever you travel you will see golf practice ranges, tennis courts, sports centres (which usually include at least a gym and a swimming pool), and advertising for the next horse racing carnival or speed boat competition.

TRADITIONAL SPORTS

Sumo is the most popular traditional sport. It is a wrestling match between two sumo wrestlers and was originally performed at festivals and on holy days at Shinto shrines. The match is held in a hard-packed dirt ring surrounded by spectators. A Sumo match is won when one wrestler forces the other from the ring or to the ground. there are complex rules and moves to follow. Every year there are 6 tournaments with each one running for 15 days, broadcast live on TV. The major martial arts are now well known outside Japan. Judo, is based on principles of leverage, uses an opponent's strength to your own advantage. Training and exhibition matches can be seen at the Kodokan training centre in Tokyo. Karate, also weaponless, was developed by the Okinawans as a response to the mainland prohibiting them from bearing arms. It develops the participant's skill in concentrating their energy, leading to popular demonstrations that involve an expert breaking wood or bricks with a single strike of their hand or foot. In Tokyo it can be seen at the Japan Karate Association. Likewise Aikido is based on concentration of energy and taking advantage of an opponent. It can be seen at the Aikikai in Tokyo. Bamboo swords replace steel in Kendo where the opponents are protected by heavy cotton padding. You can watch this form of fencing at the Tokyo Nippon Budokan Hall. Japanese archery, Kyudo, has long been associated with the principles of Zen Buddhism. Archery ranges are often found near or within temples.

SHOPPING

Japanese people love to shop, they regard it as recreation. There are plenty of interesting shops to visit. Japanese department stores have a classier feel than their Australian counterparts. The top fashion brands are represented in individual, often spacious, "in house" stores. The basement floor is usually a mix of an international food hall, bread shops, and cafe, and takeaways. One or two of the upper floors usually have restaurants and cafés. In large cities you will find districts or streets that are a shopper's delight, whether you are looking for clothing, accessories, electronic goods or homewares. For economic shoppers, there are low priced clothing chains and Target equivalents. Alternatively as you travel Japan you will find interesting buys in the covered street shopping centers and, if you are lucky, in an occasional street market. Outlets for music, books, magazines, comics and electronic games are very common and range from small, specialised shops, to large retailers with floors of goods. A browse through the comic section is an interesting cultural experience. e larger booksellers also stock a good range of English books about all things Japanese. Cheapest of all are the 100 yen shops which are usually found in the covered street shopping centers, less expensive malls and around major train stations. An amazing array of food, homewares, stationery, toys and handyman tools are priced at 100 yen, plus the consumption tax. ese stores are ideal for knick- knacks that make interesting souvenirs for friends and family in Australia. For electronic goods, Akihabara in Tokyo is the best place to visit. You will be amazed at the number of outlets and electronic products available. Get off the train at Akihabaha station on JR's Yamanote Line. Note that "products made for overseas use" will have warranties that will be honoured in Australia; however, if you purchase goods made for use in Japan, then any warranty claims will have to be pursued in Japan. Sales, with genuine savings of up to 50%, are usually held in early January (right after the New Year celebrations) or in July (when it is hot and humid). Spot sales, with significant discounts, will also occur in a town that hosts a winning professional sports team. e "pop up" stores that appear in designated spaces within some of the stores similar to target, are another "value for money" sales system. A bargain clothes, shoes, kitchen and homewares, or gifts supplier will set up shop for a week or two, then vanish to be replaced by another supplier.

FLEA MARKETS (NOMI-NO-IChI)

Flea Markets, called Nomi-no-ichi, are mostly held in the grounds of temples and shrines. They are open from early morning to late afternoon. they feature a wide range of items on offer, from expensive antiques to inexpensive craft. Famous flea markets attract many people, including foreigners. "Togo-no-Mori Nomi-no-ichi" at Togo Shrine in Tokyo is 3 minutes walk from JR Harajuku Station. Open on the 1st Sundays of the month . "Kyoto Tenmangu Nomi-no-ichi" at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto is 30 minutes by bus from JR Kyoto Station. Open on the 25th day of each month. "Kyoto Toji Garakuta-ichi & Kobi-ichi" at Toji Temple in Kyoto, is 10 minutes walk from Kintetsu Toji Station. Open on the 21st day of each month.

TAX FREE SHOPPING

Short-stay visitors are exempt from the 5% consumption tax for purchases of more than 10,001 yen in one day at licensed duty-free shops, such as those at large department stores in big cities. e following items are excluded from this benefit: cosmetics, food, alcohol, cigarettes, medicines, film and batteries. Duty-free shops usually have staff who can speak English.