Take a leap

Skydiving or Parachuting is an exciting sport that many people increasingly participate in. Of course if the thought of throwing yourself out of a moving airplane or hot air balloon terrifies you then this sport is clearly not for you. However there have been many people who have an aversion to the thought but still tried it once to get it off their bucket list. Most of these people come back for the experience again as the thrill and adrenaline rush you feel when free falling down to the ground can never be explained to your satisfaction.

Andre Jacques Garnerin was the first to make a successful jump from a hot air balloon in 1797. Since then the art of parachuting and the parachutes themselves and their mechanisms have gone through tremendous developments, making the sport an even safer one. Sky diving has been used as a method of safety for air force personnel as well as to bring them to the fighting field during wars.

Today skydiving is a recognized sport with many national, regional and international accredited organizations and affiliations.

In Tokyo skydiving has become increasingly popular not just with the locals but also those from across the globe. The stunning views of commercial Japan, with its paddy and rice fields surrounding the cities and the distant view of Mount Fuji is itself worth the jump. The drop zone in Tokyo – the place where skydivers take off from and hope to land – opens at around 8.30am and closes at sundown.

Those wishing to skydive here are required to submit their details and date on which they hope to make the jump at least one week ahead as permission needs to be obtained from the government. However this permission is easily given so sky divers have nothing to fear.

If you are visiting Tokyo – be it on business or leisure – take time to visit the drop zone, familiarize yourself with the process and maybe take a bold step and sky dive before your holiday is through. If looking for luxury hotels in Tokyo from which to base yourself then consider one of the many Peninsula Hotels in the city. With its long tradition of offering the very best in comfort, facilities and service, these are some of the legendary hotels in Tokyo.