Looking to get away from the base? Not sure where to go? Japan has so

many things to see and do, take advantage of this great

opportunity. Here is a small list of events in the near future to help

you get out of the Honch.

Cirque du Soleil

ThThe Cirque du Soleil show Corteo will run in Harajuku’s New Big Top National Yoyogi Stadium Olympic Plaza (5 min. walk from JR Harajuku Station / Meiji Jingumae Station on the Chiyoda Line) through May 5. Tickets range from 4,000 to 13,000 yen. The Cirque du Soleil show ZED is permanently based near the Tokyo Disney Resort. Take the JR Keiyo Line or MusashinMusashino Line to Maihama Station (South Exit) and walk about 10 minutes. For tickets, check with local ticket agencies and convenience stores.

Sumo Grand Tournament

Sumo is the national sport of Japan. Now is your chance to see sumo wrestling live. the grand tournament will be held May 10-24, 2009 at Kokugikan in Tokyo. Tickets are 3,600 yen—14,300 yen per day. Don’t miss this opportunity to see this amazing event. For more information check out http://www.sumo.or.jp/eng/ticket/nittei_hyo/index.html

Sanno Festival

ExperiencExperience Japanese culture at one of the largest festivals in Tokyo June 10-16, 2009. Shrines are paraded through the streets of the Akasaka district, near the Hie Jinja Shrine.

Baseball

sesee high caliber professional baseball from local favorites Yomiuri Giants, Yokohama Baystars, Nippon Ham Fighters and Yakult Swallows. Tickets can be purchased through local ticket agencies and Lawsons convenient stores. The baseball season continues through late November.

Check with local ticket agencies or convenience stores like 7-11, Lawson or Family Mart for tickets.

Deep Purple and Yngwie Malmsteen - April 8 & 15, 7 p.m.Tokyo: Tokyo International Forum Hall A10,000-12,000 yen10,000-12,000 yen

Trivium - May 9, 4 p.m.Yokohama: Bay Hall6,500 yen

MXPX– May 24, 6 p.m.Yokohama: Bay Hall6,000 yen

Katy Perry - May 28 & 29, 7 p.m.Katy Perry - May 28 & 29, 7 p.m.Shibuya: Duo Music Exchange5,000 yen

Mr. Big - June 20, 5 p.m.Tokyo: Budokan8,500 yen

Compiled byUSNH Yokosuka Public Affairs

This list has been compiled as a courtesy for hospital staff. In no way does U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka or the U.S. Navy endorse or support any of the events

The Yokohama Ramen Museum

From the very first documented ramen From the very first documented ramen eaten by a 17th century samurai named Mito Komon to today’s neighborhood ramen shop, ramen has been a regular on menus across Japan and around the world. In the museum you will find several ramen restaurants hailing from several ramen restaurants hailing from all over Japan. This museum/amusement park is set in 1958, when the first instant ramen was invented. The museum opened in March 1994 and pay tribute to ramen daily from 11 a.m.-11p.m., closed on Tuesdays. There is a small charge of 300 yen for admission, food and drinks are separate. Sundays usually are much busier and there may be a wait of 20 minutes or more for a seat at a restaurant. Other days are much less crowded. The museum is about a 3-minute walk from Shin-Yokohama station.

Tokyo

Ueno Park A few steps from Ueno Station One of Japan's most popular cherry blossom spots, Ueno Park features more than 1,000 trees along the street leading toward the National Museum and around Shinobazu Pond. There is no entrance fee. Food stands are available.

Shinjuku Gyoen 5 minute walk from Shinjuku Station Shinjuku Gyoen is a large park featuring more than 1,000 cherry trees in more than a dozen Shinjuku Gyoen is a large park featuring more than 1,000 cherry trees in more than a dozen varieties in Western and Japanese-style gardens. The entrance fee is 200 yen and park hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Chidorigafuchi Kudanshita Subway Station Cherry trees decorate the moats of the former Edo Castle around Kitanomaru. There is no admission fee. Row boats are available for rent. Many food stands can be found at nearby Yasukuni Shrine where another 1,000 cherry blossom trees are planted.

Sumida Park A few steps from Asakusa Station Sumida Park A few steps from Asakusa Station The park stretches for a few hundred meters along both sides of the Sumida River. There is no entrance fee. Food stands are available

Koishikawa Botanical Garden 5-10 minute walk from Hakusan or Myogadani Subway Station Koishikawa Botanical Garden is a spacious park with many cherry trees and a Japanese landscape Koishikawa Botanical Garden is a spacious park with many cherry trees and a Japanese landscape garden. It is a great place to view different cherry tree varieties. The admission fee is 330 yen. Inokashira Park South of Kichijoji Station There are a few hundred trees in this public city park with a pond. There is no admission fee.

Yokohama

Kamonyama Park 10 minute walk from Sakuragicho Station Kamonyama Park is a small public city park close to Minato Mirai 21. There is no admission fee. Sankeien From JR Negishi Station, about 10 minutes by bus number 54, 58, 99, 101 or 108 to Honmoku. From there, Sankeien is another 5-10 minutes by foot. Sankeien is a beautiful Japanese landscape garden in southern Yokohama, landscape garden in southern Yokohama, exhibiting a number of historic buildings from across Japan. Admission is 300 yen.