Sports are regarded as important in Japan, particularly in building discipline, character and sportsmanship. Japan's most popular spectator sport is Sumo wrestling, now closely followed by baseball, with football and rugby also increasing in popularity.

Many Japanese people regularly take part in sporting activities, the most popular including jogging and running, aerobics, badminton, table-tennis and baseball. Traditional Japanese martial arts, such as judo, karate, aikido and samurai sword fighting are also still widely practiced.

Japan's main cities, particularly Tokyo and Osaka, offer extensive opportunities for leisure and entertainment, from rock concerts to traditional Japanese theatre. There are numerous cinemas, theatres, concerts, bars and nightclubs. Famous stars and other entertainers regularly visit Japan. Karaoke bars are a particularly Japanese form of entertainment, as are the many hostess bars in Tokyo and other cities.

The cities also offer a wide range of dining choices from around the world, including Chinese, India, Thai and Italian restaurants among many others, in addition to the many options for Japanese cuisine to suit all budgets.

Across the country, many festivals are held in celebration of Japanese history and culture, with parades and traditional performances. For excursions outside the cities, Japan's national parks with their volcanoes, lakes and forests, offer magnificent scenery and opportunities for hiking, skiing and other leisure pursuits.