Golf in Japan

One of my hobby is playing golf.I traveled many countries to play golf in winter (because in winter, we cannot enjoy golf due to cold weather

This weekend, I went to Nagano (center of Japan) to play golf at Kiso Country Club with my golf friends. Since it is located in the mountain area, the temperature was very cool.

In Japan, golf is a popular sport among middle-aged men. Playing golf at a golf course used to be very expensive - About 10 years ago, it cost about 30,000 yen($ 300) . But now it is about 10,000 yen to 15,000 yen. ($100-150)

The reservation can be made on the phone or internet.

Across Japan, there are also driving ranges. Of course in my living area(Osaka), there are lots of driving ranges. The ranges are surrounded by a green net. Many foreign friends who visited Japan asked me "What that green net is?"

Maybe since Japan has small lands, the big net is needed to avoid damages.

The driving range fee is about 2,000 yen ($20) for 200 balls. (depending on days or regions)

Some golf courses have "onsen"(hot spring) in their club houses - it is one of pleasure to relax at Onsen after playing golf.

From now on, we will have the best season for golf in Japan!

Gym

Every morning I go to my gym to run.
I always run about 2km for 30 min: meaning 4 km/hr. (very slow.. but it is said this is very effective for burning fat.

Maybe in other countries, the fee is almost same.
My gym is located in a hotel near the station. Its monthly fee is about 10,000 yen (ca. $100) incl 8,000 yen/monthly fee + locker fee 1,000 yen/mo + towel fee 1,000/mo.

Maybe the big difference between other countries' gym is that the gym in Japan normally have big bath in addition to sauna and shower rooms. We Japanese have a custom to be in the tub everyday.
I'ts so nice to take a long bath after exercising. (of course, everybody has nothing on.) Many foreigners hesitate to this custom.

Pop Band Concert

Yesterday I went to a concert of Anzen Chitai (meaning "Safety Zone" which is one of most successful Japanese pop band in 1980's.
I have been big fan of its vocalist, Koji Tamaki.
After 7 years absence, they re-started their music activities.

The concert was held at Osaka Grand Cube, many fans got together(about 2000 people).

The motif of their music is romance, love, friend ... so moved.
They will hold concerts in Asia soon.
My favorite song is "Koi no yokan" (Feel a premonition of love)

Koi no yokan (You Tube)

I hope this song will move all the people in the world who fall in love somebody.

In Japan, the fee of music concert is about 7500-8500 yen (ca $85- 90), maybe it is the same level of other countries' fee.

J Pop band Anzen Chitai