SPORTS

If you love sports, don't miss a game at one of Japan's raucous baseball parks. Each one offers a unique experience that reflects the local character and food as well as the high-quality brand of baseball.

When winter sends temperatures plummeting, Japan's outdoors are full of fun things to do, from the usual skiing and snowboarding to ice fishing, ice climbing and even dog sledding or bicycling through the snow.

Although Sumo is nominally Japan's national sport, baseball is what the people really play and watch here. The experience surrounding a Japanese baseball game is unique and an absolute must if you are living in or visiting the land of the rising fastball.

A review of the fascinating new book on Japan's unique sport: "The War on Wheels – Inside the Keirin and Japan’s Cycling Subculture" by Justin McCurry

Looking for a way to enjoy Japan’s winter wonderland besides skiing? Snowshoe trekking offers you the freedom to leave the trails and explore Japan’s unspoiled mountain landscapes.

Chiba’s Pacific coast was chosen as the very first site for Olympic surfing for some perfectly good reasons: its surfing culture, its location not far from Tokyo, and very consistent waves.

Discover the wildlife of Japan

Sources reveal that the kickoff ceremony of the Olympics torch relay will be held without spectators.