Ice Bowling a Hit in Tokyo

With Tokyo temperatures peaking over 100 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday, locals were on the lookout for some cool relief.

And they got some, thanks to the Bowling Proprietor's Association of Japan's 16-foot-long bowling lane, balls and pins - all made of ice and set up in the middle of the business district of Shimbashi.

Amused tourists, ranging from small children all the way up to 72-year-olds gave this glacial game their best shot.

After helping her 3-year-old granddaughter bowl, Yuriko Yachi explained why they decided to take a crack at bowling with ice.

[Yurko Yachi, Bowler]: (Japanese, female)
"It's really cool to touch, and I haven't been bowling in at least 10 years, so it was quite nice."

Indeed, the association is trying to make bowling cool again. The number of Japanese bowling establishments are down over 75 percent since its peak of 120,000 bowling lanes in the 1970s.

Although the pins didn't hold up as well as their normal counterpart, shattering into pieces after being hit once or twice, participants found the combination of ice and bowling refreshing.

[Terumitsu Maeda, Bowler]: (Japanese MALE)
"The ice is in itself fun, and bowling also has its own appeal, so I think it's great."

For some however, having a ball that melts in your hand was a bit shocking.

[Hideki Praether, Bowler]: (English)
"When I'm holding the ball, it gets my hand really cold."

At the height of the sport's popularity in the 1970s, there were four times as many lanes in Japan as there are at the moment.

Organizers say they thought the one-day event was a success.

[Noboru Momose, Owner, Tokyo Dome Bowling Ctr.]: (Japanese Male)
"The little kids have enjoyed it, and I think they had fun since it's hot this summer and this is a good way to cool off."

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