I recently moved to Tokyo from abroad.
For the last year, I've been obsessed with Tennis playing daily, but as far as my research showed, tennis is not an easy hobby to do in Tokyo due to lack of courts, practice ealls and English speaking facilities.
What could be other hobbies I can pick while living in Tokyo? I see that bouldering is popular in Tokyo so that might be an option. My friend told there are jeans crafting courses/workshops, which sounds interesting.
Any additional suggestions apart from gym and learning Japanese? I already plan to do those.
BTW, I‘m living in the Harajaku/Sendagaya area.
by loolking2223
22 comments
um, the best hobbies are the ones that bring you enjoyment. They often can and do change over time with most people.
Different people like different hobbies. Nobody can tell you what you like, only what they like.
Pursuing a hobby for any reason other than “I like it” or at a minimum “I want to try it”, is stupid.
A lot of weird posts this weekend…
Drinking
Hobbies I like are like jogging/running. Japan has a popular running culture. Although most Japanese run in parks and around designated running areas I prefer to run on the street (early in the morning when less people around) or at night with a running group/run crew.
From street running I also parlayed it into trail running and often find mountains to run/hike with friends. Japan has beautiful mountains and trails and certain seasons (like red leaves season) makes it extra beautiful.
I really like just walking around Tokyo because you can just stop off at any random station and head in a random direction and see something new every time.
Lack of courts??? There are courts all over the place. If anything tennis is easily one of the most accessible sports.
Pool (billiards). Tokyo has hundreds of pool halls.
Bowling and karaoke?
I can recommend what I do and that is kendo. Cheap, safe, engaging, friendly environment for new people, possibility of practicing it at any age, multiple locations to choose from, fun…
Since you found your way out of tennis courts conundrum I would suggest golf? Plenty of second hand equipment sold on mercari/eBay and of course plenty of golf courses around Tokyo
地下アイドルの推し活? Investing in Pokémon cards? Pachinko?
airsoft, if you are not struggling financially. There are plenty of indoor fields in tokyo.
Drink, clubbing, airsoft
Get a street bike and go out exploring Tokyo and get nerdy on photography. Tokyo is a great place for both hobbies and they are easy to combine.
“Research.” LOL
If drinking is a hobby, then drinking.
Alternatively, there’s an endless supply of interesting neighborhoods to explore. You can start with every stop on the yamanote line, each has a different vibe and interesting side streets to investigate… Then all the other lines. Should keep you busy for a few years. I’ve been here for a decade and I’m only halfway through.
I was in the same situation. In my country I use to play videogames, but since I’m here, I try to do activities outside. I started running 2 hours in the night, I really like it.
If you want to teach me tennis, I’ll play with you, always fun to make new activities and friends.
(I never played before, it’s going to be lame)
When I was young and in Tokyo, the weekly Hash House Harriers, and a photography get together where just meeting up with other photographers once a month to do street photography were good for me, but that was before cameras on smart phones, so people snapping photos all over was less common and frowned upon.
If I was young and in Tokyo again, I would look to see if there are any improv groups. Not that I am a comedian, but it seems more fun than Toastmasters, and it would be good for career development to be quicker on my feet.
Later, I enjoyed a haiku club. Similar to the photography group, but instead of walking around and taking photos we would meet up, walk around a specific area and observe, then gather for drinks and dinner and write haiku about whatever struck us. It is quite challenging and creative and fun.
Geo caching is also still fun.
Kendo?
If you’re still interested in tennis, it’s a great idea to continue! There are many clubs and courts here in Tokyo. Search for it in Japanese!
If you’ve lost interest, you might enjoy other activities like hiking, camping, or cycling
I took up cycling and have connected with an amazing community of people here. While there is a bit of an initial investment, it’s a hobby that offers the flexibility to enjoy either on your own or with others, and it’s free to do it whenever
Video Games and Card Games are super popular. Surprised no one mentioned those.
Fishing