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HEALTH AND BEAUTY ARCHIVE:
538: Pool party
Keep your cool this summer with a visit to one of Tokyo’s many pools.
Metropolis shows you where to take the plunge.
536: Don't sweat it
With the hot and humid months upon us, Cristy Burne share some tips on staying
cool.
534: Swept away
Put away your broomsticks—all you really need to soar through the clouds
is an armful of nylon and a good gust. Cristy Burne checks out the air up there.
532: Tee time
Can’t keep it on the fairway? The ‘yips’ invaded your game?
Rob Smaal finds a few experienced golf pros who can work out your kinks on the
links.
530: Balancing act
An ancient science is helping modern men and women find peace, health and
the always elusive “balance.” Tama M. Lung takes a closer look at
ayurveda.
528: Kicking on
Former K-1 Japan champion Nicholas Pettas shares his love of martial arts
at the new Spirit Gym in Nogizaka. Chris Betros goes along to watch.
526: On call
A revolutionary daily disease self-management system is making life easier
for diabetics. Chris Betros finds out about Lifewatcher.
524: Team spirit
From rugby to roller hockey, Tokyo is teeming with sports clubs for the
expat athlete. Rob Smaal shows you how to get in the game.
522: Type casting
Second-generation blood-type expert Toshitaka Nomi looks at the links between
blood classifications and health. Mick Corliss reports.
520: Like a rock
Climbing instructor Luke Kearns gets a grip on Tokyo's best indoor climbing
gyms.
516: The personal touch
Madonna and Matsui aren't the only ones who need help staying fit. Hanna
Kite pumps it up with the top personal trainers in Tokyo.
514: From here to maternity
Kavitha Rao turns to a handful of Tokyo experts to track down baby basics
for nervous expat mothers-to-be.
502: Tour de Morton, part deux
Don Morton gets back on two wheels for a leisurely ride out toward Haneda
Airport.
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Pool party
Keep your cool this summer with a visit to one of Tokyo’s
many pools. Metropolis shows you where to take the plunge.
Besides being a great workout, splashing around in the pool
is a great way to fight off the mid-summer ennui. Just a short
dip can refresh and revive when outdoor running, biking or
even walking seem like far more than your overheated body
can handle. Luckily Tokyo is brimming with all kinds of watery
options, from playful amusement-park wave pools to Olympic-size
lap pools. Here are just a few of the top spots to dive in.
Checking in
Several Tokyo hotels welcome local residents to enjoy their
pristine pools for a spot of sunbathing, poolside dining and
even spa services.
Hilton Tokyo Bay
A short ride from the steamy sidewalks of Tokyo Disneyland,
the Hilton Tokyo Bay Garden Pool offers refreshment and spaciousness
to weary Disney fans and Tokyoites alike. The 50m-long outdoor
pool gets its name from the surrounding Japanese garden, and
features the added services of the poolside Splash Bar. Soft
drinks (¥500~), beers (¥800~) and cocktails (¥800~)
can be enjoyed in the casual air-conditioned bar or at your
lounge chair by the pool. Accommodation packages are available
through www.hiltontokyobay.jp
(Japanese).
Jul 17-Aug 31; Sep 4, 5. 1-8 Maihama,
Urayasu-shi, Chiba. Tel: 047-355-5000. Open 8am-6:30pm. Admission:
¥6,000 (adults), ¥3,300 (children 4-12); ¥2,500
(hotel guests), ¥1,800 (hotel guests, children 4-12).
Nearest stn: Keiyo line, Maihama stn.
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The New Otani Tokyo
Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, The New Otani
Tokyo is basing its 2004 poolside fun around the theme “MaiTai.”
They continue their tradition of resort-style celebrations
with special luau parties (Mon-Thu 6-9pm, ¥6,000) from
the Outrigger bar and grill, “Fooding Style” DJ
nights (Fri-Sat 6-10pm, ¥3,000 adults, ¥2,000 children),
and a full menu of massage and spa services. Guests can also
book the second-floor deck Kamehameha Seats for ¥5,000
and enjoy their own private oasis in the city. The convenient
location and decidedly less crowded locale should make for
a great island-style getaway. A range of pool and room packages
are also available.
Jul 16 until Sep 5. 4-1 Kioi-cho,
Chiyoda-ku. Tel: 03-3265-1111. Open Sun-Thu 10am-7pm; Fri,
Sat 10am-10pm. Admission: Mon-Fri ¥5,000 (adults), ¥3,500
(children 4-12); Sat-Sun and Aug 13-16 ¥10,000 (adults),
¥7,000 (children 4-12); ¥2,000 (hotel guests), ¥1,500
(hotel guests, children 4-12). Nearest stn: Nagatacho.
Hotel Okura
Dubbed the “Green Oasis,” the Hotel Okura’s
25m pool is available for recreational swimming, lounging
and spa services. Take in the view of the hotel’s Japanese
gardens as you receive a foot massage (30min, ¥3,150,
available 10am-5pm until Aug 31). The Terrace Restaurants
and its tropical cocktails are also close at hand.
Until Sep 5. 2-10-4 Toranomon, Minato-ku.
Tel: 03-3582-0111. Open 9am-7:30pm (until Aug 31), 9am-7pm
(Sep 1-5). Admission: Mon-Fri ¥6,300 (adults), ¥3,675
(children 4-12); Sat-Sun ¥10,500 (adults), ¥5,250
(children 4-12). Nearest stn: Tameikesanno.
The New Otani Makuhari
Located steps from the Makuhari Messe convention center and
15 minutes from Tokyo Disneyland, The New Otani Makuhari aims
to bring a touch of relaxing resort living to this industrial
district. Their 20m-long Shell Pool features a Jacuzzi, poolside
dining, and plenty of shaded tables to visit with friends.
A number of tasty meal plans are on offer this summer, including
a café lunch and pool ticket for ¥5,200 (adults)
and ¥3,000 (children). Guests arriving after 3pm can also
get in for 50 percent less.
Jul 16-Aug 31. 2-2 Hibino, Mihama-ku,
Chiba-City, Chiba. Tel: 043-297-7777. Open 9am-7pm (Jul 16-Aug
12), 9am-9pm (Aug 13-16), 10am-6pm (Aug 17-31). Admission:
¥4,000 (adults, ¥7,000 Aug 13-16), ¥2,000 (children
4-12, ¥3,500 Aug 13-16); ¥1,500 (hotel guests), ¥1,000
(hotel guests, children). Nearest stn: JR Keiyo line, Kaihin
Makuhari stn.
Slip-n-slide
These massive pool compounds offer fun for the whole family,
with kiddie pools, waterslides, wave pools and a raft of other
activities close at hand.
Rainbow Pool
Located in a sprawling park built to commemorate Emperor Showa’s
reign, this 6.3-hectare pool complex features nine different
ways to get wet. Highlights include the Running Water Pool,
the Wave Pool and, in the adjacent Water Playland, a huge
pool fed by five waterfalls. There’s also a 1,490m2 (4,888ft2)
Adventure Pool complete with a rope so you can play Tarzan.
Kids are welcome and everyone’s invited to stroll the
rest of the park-with its putting greens, boathouses and barbecue
areas-in their swimsuits. Check the website for a range of
special events planned throughout the summer.
Rainbow Pool until Sep 12, Water
Playland open all year. 3173 Midori-machi, Tachikawa-shi.
Tel: 042-528-1751. Open 9:30am-6:30pm (Jul 17-Aug 15), 9:30am-6pm
(Aug 16-Sep 5), 9:30am-5pm (Sep 11, 12). Admission: ¥2,250
(adults), ¥1,220 (children ages 6-14). Nearest stn: JR
Ohme line, Nishi Tachikawa stn (3min walk). www.ktr.mlit.go.jp/showa/index.htm
Rock Garden Pool
This 2,000m2 (6,561ft2) pool complex makes up part of the
Tama Tech amusement park, which includes motor sports, barbecue
areas and a Ferris wheel. With a big toy fire truck and no
less than 15 kinds of slides, fountains and hoses sitting
at its center, the main 400m2 (1,312ft2) pool is perfect for
kids. But the slides are for the whole family—the “slider
pool” with its massive ramp is the latest to open, adding
to the already popular body and inner-tube slides.
Until Sep 12. 5-22-1 Hodokubo, Hino-shi.
Tel. 042-591-0820. Open 9:30am-4pm (Jun 26-Jul 17), 9am-4pm
(Jul 18-Sep 12). Admission: ¥2,200 (adults), ¥1,600
(elementary school students), ¥500 (children under 3).
Nearest stn: Tama Dobutsu Koen. www.tamatech.com
Edogawa Pool Garden
With five different pools, this water “garden” on
the eastern edge of the metropolis has something for everyone.
If it’s space you’re after, try the Jumbo Pool.
For a little more action, there’s the water slide, and
for the little ones, the jabu-jabu wading pool. But get there
before it’s gone-the city turns it into a tennis court
in the off-season.
Until Sep 12. 8-17-1 Nishi Kasai,
Edogawa-ku. Tel: 03-3687-1721. Open 9am-5pm. Admission: ¥500
(adults), ¥200 (junior high and elementary school students),
¥100 (infants). Nearest stn: JR/subway Tozai line, Nishi
Kasai stn, 15-min walk.
Photos: Courtesy of The New
Otani Tokyo, Courtesy of The New Otani Makuhari, Courtesy
of Hilton Tokyo Bay
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