Shinjuku Batting Center: Play ball in Kabukicho

Nestled incongruously in the center of the red-light district, the Shinjuku Batting Center is the ideal place for the area's legendary hosts to work off some steam after a long night of champagne-fueled flirting. We, however, are also invited to hit some balls around.

Offering 12 batting ranges that launch balls at a variety of speeds -- a geriatric 70kph for newbies, or a flaming 130kph for Ichiro wannabes -- Shinjuku Batting Center is pretty much the only facility of its kind in downtown Tokyo.

Take the monthly 'Homerun Challenge' against other contenders to win a variety of prizes (September's first place winner received, fittingly for brand-obsessed Kabukicho, a Louis Vuitton wallet). For those not into batting, there's a pitching target and a mini-arcade of video games at Shinjuku Batting Center as well.