Ice Skating in Japan?

Question

I'm just wondering, but do many people in Toyko, Japan, and All in Japan, do ice skating? i mean, is it a common sport like how it is in America?

Answer 1

sfweefew

Answer 2

The popularity of figure skating has gone up, especially with the success of Japanese skaters in recent years.  But apparently many of the rinks are closing down now because of financial hardship.  Which means less rinks - so less opportunities for people to skate or become "skaters".  Still, it is has become a bigger participation sport than ever before.  Fanwise - watching figure skating - it's definitely VERY popular!  

Here's a link to a video of recent news about iceless skating rinks that they're trying to market (which will explain some what I said above).  I don't know if that will really fly . . . it won't help to make big time "skaters" when the rest of the ice skating world is still on (and will never change) REAL ice.  It could be popular with "public" type skaters who have that itch to skate.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLtgJiypC...

Here is an article from 2006 that explains the popularity of skating in Japan - The Arakawa Effect.  At the time rinks were packed!!  They may still be packed, but perhaps not enough to help keep up the high costs of running a rink.            

http://web-japan.org/trends/sports/spo06...

Answer 3

Yep. It could be even more common there than here.

Answer 4

YES THEY DO AND I SAW IN THE TRAVEL CHANNEL THAT THERE IS A INDOOR SKIING RESORT SOMEWHERE OVER SEAS PRETTY COOL IF YOUY ASK ME