*Tokyo Anime Center will be closed from 11th January 2011 due to renovation.

It is the new landmark in Akihabara, a holy site of animation that is also popular among foreign tourists.　It is a place where you can get the latest information on commercial animation. It is included in Akihabaras new discovery tour and/or various sightseeing tours for foreign tourists organized by companies as JTB, Hato Bus and HIS, so many foreign pop-culture lovers, love to visit this place. Among its 34,000 annual visitors, about 10 % are foreign tourists, reflecting the high popularity of Japanese animation abroad. In addition to its regular and special exhibition corner, large size versions of promotion images of works by production companies such as “Toei Animation” and “Studio Pierrot” are shown on the screen in the annex of the center. There is also a variety of character goods, including world popular animations such as “NARUTO” and “BREACH” available. Also, as a unique experience available in this special site, you can try the postrecording of animation work. This experience takes place in a studio which is used by the voice-over actors, producing the Animation Centre’s internet radio.　This postrecording experience completed with the help of several staff, is a valuable attraction that you can not experience in other places. You will do the voice-over while watching the animation on TV. Provided with the script, you may find that it takes a lot of doing. The length of the script is about 90 sec. to 150 sec. but you may need about one hour for a briefing, 2-3 rehearsals and actual postrecording.　Yet, it is said that only a very few people can do well on the first take. There are 5 microphones in the studio; therefore a maximum of 5 people can be dubbed at the same time. However, only one microphone is used for professional jobs. It is surprising that several voice-over actors share the microphone changing their standing positions during the act.

• Address: Akihabara UDX 4F, 4-14-1, Sotokanda, Chiyodaku (2 minutes walk from JR Akihabara station)
• Tel.:　03-5298-1188
• Opening hours:　11:00-19:00
• Closing date: Monday (except Summer holiday season)
• Entrance Fee　Free of charge

Post recording trial experience

Basically available on Sat., Sun., and holidays. Application is accepted at first-come and first-served basis on that day (start at 11:45) Experience only 1000 yen, experience with a commemorative DVD that contains scenes of your postrecording session and the finished animation work with your voice-over, 1800 yen

Photo by : Nozomi Takahashi

The museum displays interesting exhibits even non-animation fans can enjoy the duplication of work desks of leading Japanese animation creators including Mr. Yoshiyuki Tomino, director of “Mobile Suit Gundam” as well as an explanation of the history and fundamental rules of animation. It also has facilities for post recording and a digital workshop. Its anime library houses a variety of information and materials such as related books, DVD and interviews with creators. Also, in its special exhibition site, which is permanent, the exhibition’s theme related animation and other works are screened in its theatre. No charge is required for either admission or inspection.

• Address:　Suginami Kaikan 3F, 3-29-3, Kamiogi, Suginami-ku, Tokyo (Bus from JR and Tokyo Metro Ogikubo station, or Seibu Shinjuku Line Kami-igusa station)
• Tel.:　03-3396-1510
• Opening hours:　10:00-18:00
• Closing date: Monday, Year-end and new-year holidays
• Admission: Free of Charge
• http://www.sam.or.jp

Atsugi Iiyama Onsen “Motoyu Ryokan”

Around 40 minutes from Yokohama. It takes you to a world surrounded by nature, the trees in the mountains turning colors in each season, the murmur of the brooks and the singing of birds echoing through the air.
At the “Motoyu Ryokan” of the Atsugi Iiyama Onsen, here are plans for a day trip.

1. “Yuagari Bijin Course” (“yuagari”=just out of the hot spring, “bijin”=beautiful woman”) 7,300 yen (for 2 or more persons)
   You can take a nice, long soak in the outdoor hot spring located along the stream and enjoy the seasonal “kaiseki ” dish .(Kaiseki is a dish served before the tea ceremony)
2. “Enraku Course”
   This is a banquet plan for more than 10 people. You will be entertained by “geisha”, served with all-you-can-drink for 2 hours.

Accommodation is available at a traditional Japanese house attached with an outside hot spring bath.
One night 2 days plan, with 2 meals: 26,400 yen
(Friday, Saturday, and the day before national holidays: 31,650 yen)

• Address: 4916 Iiyama, Atsugi City, Kanagawa Pref.
• For Reservation, Call 046-242-0008 (Direct call to “Motoyu Ryokan”)/ 03-3207-0008 (Tokyo Area)
• http://www.motoyu.co.jp/ (Japanese)

In recent years, Japanese skaters have won many medals at world figure skating competitions, often grabbing the audience’s attention with their graceful performances. “Shinyokohama Skate Center” which seats 2,500 people, is a skating facility that matches International Standards. It is a prestigious rink where International ice hockey and figure skating competitions are held. As it is an indoor skate rink, people can skate all year. A Trino Olympic Game medalist who sparked off the figure skating boom in Japan has skated there. Famous skaters who are expecting to be big winners at the Vancouver Olympics also belong to the club. Aspiring feature medalists often get together at the skating school.

• Address: 2-11, Shinyokohama, kohoku-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Pref.
• Tel.: 045-474-1112
• Fee: Skating 1200 yen (child 700 yen), attendant 300 yen
• Rental skate shoes 600 yen (child 400 yen)

“Yokohama Helicopter Cruising”

Twilight Course
Depart toward sunset, about 5-minite travel time
Adult: 4,000 yen, Child: 2,000 yen
Yokohama Bay Light Course
Depart from after sunset to 20:30, about 10-minite travel time
Adult: 10,500 yen (Friday), 13,000 yen (Sat., Sun., and holiday), Child: 5,200 yen (Friday), 6,500 yen (Sat., Sun., and holiday), Charter (up to 5 people): 52,000 yen (Friday), 65,000 yen (Sat., Sun., and holiday)
(up to 5 people): 100,000 yen
※ Each flight is operating on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holiday. Reservation required. Child fee applies children above 3-year old and below elementary school children. Fee includes tax.
※ Minato Mirai Heliport

• Address: 1-7 Minato Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Pref.
• Organiser, Reservation: Excel Air
• Tel.: 0120-888-910
• http://www.excel-air.com/cruising/ (Japanese)