旦ナビ

「Sports and Fitness in Ginza」

2018.07.02

In this edition we welcome Mr. Hirokazu Naoe, CEO of Marue Fujiya Co. Ltd., which runs Ginza Fujiya, a kimono store celebrating its 96th anniversary this year, as well as a women’s clothing store.

Naoe-san gave me a mission of “sports and fitness in Ginza,” so I went to Ginza for a little stroll!

If you start doing sports, first you need to choose some shoes.

Undoubtedly, the basics for sports is the shoes that support your feet, so I first headed to Asics Store Tokyo.

Asics Store Tokyo opened as Asics’ flagship store with a focus on running. It sells mostly running shoes and running wear, but it also focuses on athleisure (a word that was coined by combining ‘athletic’ and ‘leisure’) that is the current fashion trend, and there are many apparel items for women that are stylish and very fashionable.

A special service offered at the Asics Store Tokyo is the Asics Running Lab that is the only one in the Tokyo area. A running ability measurement program used for top athletes is available for regular runners who want to up their game. Running form, muscle strength, endurance, and other factors are measured scientifically, and you receive advice on how to improve your performance (21,000 yen with tax).

The store also has showers and lockers, so you can run and sweat after work before going home. On weekdays, it is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The shop staff all have experience in sports, including Sato-san, the manager. Anyone from beginners to those with experience can get advice on choosing the best shoes for their level, so it is very reassuring. The basics for running start with your shoes. You are certain to find some shoes you like out of the wide variety they offer.

Learn about yourself so that you can work to achieve your ideal body

Next, I went to Physical Lab Ginza, as Naoe-sansaid that they offer physical exams focused on achieving your ideal body.
This is not a monthly membership gym; it is based on the concept of being a training studio you do not need to visit regularly.

I tried the physical doc that is a personal training routine created based on medical and scientific body function measurement and personal wishes.

When I thought of a gym in Ginza, I imagined it would be full of stylish, highly fashion-conscious people, and thought I would need courage to step inside, but this place offers one-on-one counseling, measurement, and training advice.

Each movement is captured on video and the trainer analyzes it to tell you your physical tendencies and points for improvement, and then tells you the best exercise routine for you. They give you very specific and appropriate instruction about certain movements and form that you cannot get from DVDs or group lessons.

In addition, you also later receive a set containing feedback sheets summarizing the measurement results, assessment, and optimal training routine as well as the movement analysis video and a video of your training routine, so you can look at them anytime on your phone.

You learn about your own condition, are taught individually-tailored training methods by a professional, and correctly work towards your ideal body. I myself am going to continue training starting from today and go to get a measurement again later.

A relaxing lunch at a Western-style restaurant where you can enjoy the traditional atmosphere and taste

After the excitement of seeing the variety of training wear and shoes and sweating in personal training, I went to Nitto Corner, a Western-style restaurant.

This traditional Western-style restaurant is somehow comforting, serving lunch meals like beef stew and cabbage rolls. I ordered beef stew that is their signature dish and the most popular.

It is chock full of large chunks of beef and has carrots and broccoli. You can’t help but take a photo of the beef stew that looks delightful and takes you back to older times.
With the rich flavor that makes you want to come back againand the warm and cozy atmosphere, this restaurant is perfect for a lunch break.

After my meal, I had some poundcake with a lavish dollop of carrot marmalade.

The carrot marmalade also comes with your lunch dessert, and it is completely made from scratch by the restaurant owner. It highlights a refreshing orange flavor and the mild sweetness of carrot. I enjoyed it with coffee for a nice breather. I absolutely recommend having it with a lunch meal.