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Apr 3-16, 2015 Japan’s Nº1 English Magazine www.metropolisjapan.com
18
BEST BURGERS
IN TOKYO
無料 PRICELESS
DANCING IN
THE DARK
WRECKING CREW
LIGHTS UP
IKOMA
CHAMELEON
NARA’S RED,
GOLD & GREEN
GOING GOTH
AT TOKYO
FASHION WEEK
www.akaiclinic.com
Cosmetic Surgery
Laser Treatment
Skin Care
rejuvenate
yourself with
the best in beauty
technology
Quality of Akai Clinic
At Akai clinic, we only use products and technologies
approved by the FDA.
SURGICAL TREATMENTS
NON-SURGICAL TREATMENTS
• EYELID SURGERY rejuvenation of upper and lower eye
lid, tear trough, double eyelid surgery, blepharoptosis, etc.
• NOSE SURGERY tip plasty, hump resection, deviated
nose, ala reduction, augmentation or reduction
rhinoplasty.
• BREAST SURGERY augmentation, lift, reduction,
reconstruction.
• LIPOSUCTION WITH LASER ultra sonic assisted suction
device.
• LASER-LIPO minimal invasive facial and body
contouring device with AccuSculpt™ (1444nm laser).
• FACE LIFT forehead, brow, mid-face, neck lift, thread’s lift.
•TISSUE ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES for facial
rejuvenation, breast augmentation, AGA (PRFM, fat &
stem cell injection, growth factor.
• SKIN TUMORS skin cancer, cyst, mole, wart, scar
revision.
• GENITAL REJUVENATION SURGERY tightening of the
vagina, reduction of labia minor and augmentation of
the labia major.
• HAIR TRANSPLANTATION SURGERY
• LASER & REJUVENATION lasers, RFs, IPLs, plasma,
Ultra Sound for wrinkle, sagging, drooping, open pores,
rosacea, skin complexion, pigmentation, melisma with
SOLARI, Aurora-Pro, INFINI, eCO2, Affirm, EndyMed,
Portrait Plasma, SPECTRA, AccuSculpt, etc.
• BOTOX & FILLERS allergan’s BOTOX, Juvederm,
Radiesse etc.
• ACNE & ACNE SCARS PLASMA fractional lasers (eCO2,
Affirm), INFINI (fractional RF), iClear (photo dynamic
therapy), microdermabrasion, chemical Peeling.
• LASER HAIR REMOVAL all kinds of lasers available:
Alex and long pulsed YAG, diode laser, etc.
• TATTOO REMOVAL with Spectra (Q-YAG laser) for any
color of tattoo.
• CELLULITE, BODY CONTOURING & STRETCH MARKS
cVela Smooth and EndyMed body (FDA Approved).
• LEG VEIN, BROKEN CAPILLARY long Pulsed YAG or
VenoCare.
• RHINOLIGHT hay fever, Allergic Rhinitis.
• SKINOLIGHT psoriasis, Alopecia Areata, Vitiligo,
Atopic dermatitis.
DR. HIDEMI AKAI
is a board-certified plastic
surgeon and an associate
professor of the
department of plastic,
aesthetic and
reconstructive surgery at
Tokyo’s Showa University.
Dr. Akai trained at
Harvard Medical School
and Massachusetts
General Hospital before
amassing over twenty-five
years of experience.
DR. KEIKO AKAI
is also a board-certified
plastic surgeon, and a
dermatologist.
The Akai Clinic offers a
range of
cosmetic-surgery
procedures, laser
treatments and skin care,
using state-of-the-art
equipment and the latest
techniques.
Additional fee for anesthesia is required. Please contact the clinic for more information.
Other cosmetic procedures available. For fees and detailed information services, please refer to our homepage.
We welcome email and phone inquiries.
Omotesando
KNK Bldg 3F 3-5-17, Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
1-min walk from Omotesando stn, A3 exit.
Tel: 03-5771-4114 Email: [email protected]
Clinic hours: 11AM~8PM (Mon~Sun)
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Dermatologist
Yokohama
Quadrifoglio 4F 5-14 Kinkocho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama.
1-min walk from Yokohama stn, North East exit.
Tel: 045-620-5745 Email: [email protected]
Clinic hours: 11AM~7PM (Tue~Fri) & 10AM~5PM (Sat & Hol)
inside
APR 3-16, 2015 • #1097
EDITOR’S
LETTER
Last issue we served up delectable vegetarian options, and
this time we go carnivorous with our Burger Special. Not to be
confused with Japanese hambāgu (see page 36), the shops
highlighted in these pages will fix you up with juicy Americanstyle hamburgers to die for. On our cover with one such treat
is Japanese-Australian model/TV presenter Michelle Payne at
The Oak Door. Be sure to read more about her on our website at
http://meturl.com/michellepayne. After all those burgers, you
may need to work off the calories! Get inspired by the moves of
The Wrecking Crew Orchestra or go for a hike in beautiful Ikoma.
Photo by Samuel Thomas
7
Run Burger Run: The one-day-five-burger challenge.
18
The Cult of h.NAOTA: Tokyo goes streampunk goth.
22
JFK: Presenting the art of a presidency.
Cover design & photo: Kohji Shiiki. Model: Michelle Yumiko Payne. Makeup: Alexandre Kernbaum, Beauty by Alexandre, http://bba-japan.com. Hair: Kenji Suzuki, http://kenji-hairstylist.com.
Jewelry: Keisuke Morizawa, Frank and Easy, http://frankandeasy.com. Burger & location: The Oak Door, Grand Hyatt Tokyo, http://meturl.com/oakdoor.
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LINGOIST
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE THAT?
If you’re a meat lover, you know that the temperature of the meat affects
its flavor and texture. Fumbling for the right phrase will only add unnecessary time between you and the perfect steak, so let Metropolis show
you how it’s done!
JP
EN
Watashi wa steak wo onegai
shimasu.
I’ll have the steak.
JP
JP
EN
Yaki kagen wa ikaga nasai
masu ka?
How would you like your
steak?
K
1
C
A
N
EN
A
2
い
Medium de onegai shimasu.
I’d like it medium.
Kashikomari mashita.
Of course.
C
3
R
4
5
Coming soon:
Our Shibuya branch celebrates
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JP
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6
7
8
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A
9
Shinjuku
2F Shinjuku Lion Hall
3-28-9 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
03-3352-6606 | [email protected]
http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g209300/
Ikebukuro
Shibuya
2F Dogenzaka Center Bldg.
2-29-8 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku
03-5459-1736 |[email protected]
http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g008214/
Akasaka
B1 Sun Gorou Bldg.
1-10-8 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku
03-5951-3614 | [email protected]
http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g029000/
10
B1 Sannou Park Tower
2-11-1 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku
03-3539-3615 | [email protected]
r.gnavi.co.jp/g008233/
Closed: Sat., Sun., & Holidays
B
Solution:
A
B
C
D
ANSWERS AT meturl.com/kanacross
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Across
1. Countryside or one’s
hometown
3. Sweat
5. A fine or penalty
7. Government agency
9. Pear
10. Conversation
Metropolis Members Club
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S
Down
1. Squid
2. Hippopotamus
3. Fall
4. Expert
6. Tasty
7. The back
8. A news story or article
Shinagawa
Shinagawa Mitsubishi Bldg.
B1F Grand Passage
2-16-3 Kounan, Minato-ku
03-6718-2834 | [email protected]
http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g008220/
S
TO-DO LIST
3
TOP
music festivals
APR 26
MAY 6
MAY 12
Featuring The Flower Kings, The Pineapple Thief,
Atoll, and others. Apr 26, 4pm, ¥12,500. Tokyo
International Forum Hall C. Yurakucho. Tel:
050-5533-0888. http://j.mp/eurorockfes2015
EDM festival featuring Steve Aoki, Knife Party,
R3hab, and others. May 6, 1pm, ¥11,000-22,000.
Makuhari Kaihin Park. Kaihinmakuhari. Tel:
03-3499-6669. http://electriczoo.jp
Featuring Austrian death black metal band
Belphegor and symphonic/extreme metal band
White Empress. May 12, 7pm, ¥6,800. Club
Quattro. Shibuya. Tel: 03-3499-6669.
http://j.mp/rockofchaos2015
European Rock Fes
Electric Zoo Beach Tokyo
Rock of Chaos
© Josh Rossi
EDITOR’S PICK
APR 11
APR 22
THE PIANO GUYS
American musical group who rose to fame through YouTube, where the
quartet posted piano-and-cello renditions of pop songs and classical music.
Apr 22, 7pm, ¥7,560-8,640. Bunkamura Orchard Hall. Shibuya.
http://j.mp/thepianoguys2015
Courtesy of Global Hearts
KILL THE NOISE
Drumming 1998 © Herman Sorgeloos
Monster beats, squelchy effects, and endless breakdowns will have Shibuya’s
biggest club heaving when producer Kill the Noise helms a night at the
Dogenzaka basement labyrinth. The music of Jake Stanczak, better known as Kill
the Noise, was born out of an era when Ridley Scott imagined utopian futures on
the silver screen and artists like NIN and Aphex Twin rocked MTV. These days,
he’s synonymous with some of the leading acts in dance music—getting creative
in the studio with the likes of Deadmau5 and Skrillex—and for his work producing
the theme song for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles soundtrack. Dan Grunebaum
Apr 11, 11pm, ¥3,000 (adv)/ ¥3,500 (door). Sound Museum Vision. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5728-2824. http://j.mp/killthenoise2015
© 成田太鼓祭実行委員会
APR 12-13
GEORGE CLINTON
AND PARLIAMENT/
FUNKADELIC
APR 16-18
ROSAS: DRUMMING
The master-of-funk-ceremonies
brings his immortal circus to Tokyo’s
poshest supper club. Apr 12, 6
& 9pm; Apr 13, 6:30 & 9:30pm,
¥12,000-14,000. Billboard Live.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-3405-1133.
http://j.mp/georgeclinton2015
Belgian choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker’s contemporary dance
company Rosas’ production of Drumming, a dazzling dance set to a powerful
score for percussion by American minimalist Steve Reich. Apr 16-17, 7:30pm;
Apr 18, 2pm, ¥1,000-6,000 (tickets available on day of performance).
Playhouse, Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre. Ikebukuro. Tel: 0570-010-296.
www.geigeki.jp
© Nitin Vadukul
APR 18-19
NARITA TAIKO MATSURI
Be awed by the powerful drum
performances that attract over 200,000
spectators each year. Apr 18-19, 10am-5pm,
free. Naritasan Shinshoji Temple. Narita.
http://j.mp/naritataiko2015
APR 18-19
EARTH DAY
TOKYO
Spend an environmentally
conscious weekend at Yoyogi
Park with great people and
food. Learn about eco-friendly
products, organizations, and
more. Apr 18-19, 10am-6pm,
free. Yoyogi Park. Harajuku or
Meiji-Jingūmae.
www.earthday-tokyo.org
05
feature
Fellows
Chelsea Market
Village Vangard
BURGER
RUN
The search for Tokyo’s
perfect patty
BY RODGER SONOMURA
Hummingbird Hill
F
inding a decent hamburger to instantaneously satisfy your wanton cravings
for a taste of home is not a difficult task
in Tokyo, what with all the new innovative “gourmet” burger cafés popping up left
and right. In fact, the city has witnessed an
explosion of newly-established eateries with
an astounding eight new burger cafés opening last year in Shibuya alone. This was second only to the continued popularity of maid
cafés and pancake cafés. (Let’s just hope
last year’s forlorn attempt to introduce “pancake burgers” by several Japanese fast food
franchises remains forgotten!) Rather, the
real task of late has been to find out which of
these new burger cafés make the grade and
deserve the right to truly be called “gourmet” burger joints.
Every year, I organize a “Tokyo Burger Run”
event with friends to search the nooks and
crannies of this metropolis for tasty burgers.
To make an outing of it, I challenge my friends
to eat five burgers in one day. We call it “binge
burgering.” In the five years we’ve held this
tour, however, only two people have ever completed the entire challenge—fries included, of
course—and lived to tell the tale.
The Great Burger
Starting from the morning, we map out a
route to hit five different burger cafés. Walking across town after each meal helps ease
the burgers down and allows for more mobility through the Tokyo side streets. When
planning the excursion, I try to avoid the big
burger houses and major franchises; I prefer
to focus on the smaller, privately-run shops,
which have more personality and better service. Not only do these smaller shops serve
up an honest burger, they also offer the small,
intangible extras that make these places endearing. For a taste of a Tokyo Burger Run,
here are a few recommended places and the
awards we give them:
“A Burger By Any Other Name” Award
goes to W.P. GOLD Burger in Shibuya. Naming the burgers after famous Hollywood icons,
such as Whoopi GoldBURGER and Kevin BACON is a nice touch, but behind the naming
lies a true quality burger grilled to perfection
at an open counter. 1-9-4 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku.
Tel: 03-3407-0232. Shibuya.
“Less Oxygen to My Brain” Award goes to
Munch’s Burger Shack. After having a regular
burger, go for the milkshakes at this place. Nowhere else can you find a milkshake so thick
that it resists crawling up your straw no matter
how hard you slurp. 2-6-11 Shiba, Minato-ku.
Tel: 03-6435-3166. Shibakōen or Mita.
http://munchs.jp
“Five-Star Service” Award goes to the Star
Diner in Toritsu-Daigaku.
Face it: eating a good burger can get extremely messy. The very friendly staff offer frequent oshibori (wet towels) throughout your
meal. 1-2-6 Nakane, Meguro-ku. Tel: 03-57268397. Toritsu-Daigaku.
“Is This Your Living Room?” Award goes
to Port of Call in Shibuya. With its laid-back,
beach-chic homey décor, this café offers a solid
burger selection prepared by a surf-boarder
turned burger-server. They also offer a primo
bottled beer selection. 1-3 Uguisudanicho,
Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-3461-3463. Shibuya.
“Worth Every Yen” Award goes to Sasa
Grill & Burger Club. Nestled in a ritzy area of
Daikanyama, this shop only offers very pricey
burgers, perhaps too rich for wallet-weary customers, but worth their weight in gold for taste
and flavor. 2-21-15 Ebisunishi, Shibuya-ku. Tel:
03-3770-1951. www.hijiriya.co.jp/daikanyama/
Want to join a Burger Run? Check us out
at www.facebook.com/tokyohamburgerrun
07
www.arms-burger.com
Truly a nature filled experience; enjoy a woody interior
and plentiful sunlight at our
open terrace style restaurant.
* 16 Burgers * 11 Sandwiches * 6 Hot Dogs * Vegetarian burgers & sandwiches also available
Delivery now available in the Yoyogi Park area: any park exit,
your event or your office (available only in our delivery zone)
ARMS Park Side Burger Shop Takeout & Delivery Arms Picnic
5-64-7 Yoyogi Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
1-9-21 Tomigaya, Shibuya-ku.
03-3466-5970. Open Tue-Fri 11am-11pm
03-3466-5974
Sat-Sun & hols (breakfast menu)
Open daily 11am-10pm
8-10:45am, (regular menu) 11am-11pm
closed Monday (except national holidays)
B-2 Lumine, 1-1-5 Nishi-Shinjuku,
Shinjuku-ku.
Tel: 03-6302-0039. Open daily
10am-10pm (when Lumine is open)
Authentic hamburgers,
sandwiches, shakes & desserts
served up in a casual New
York atmosphere.
Craft beer
r varieties on tap
More than fou
Shirokane
Hiroo
2F Hiroo Rokkokan, 5-15-25
1F 6-5-7 Shirokane, Minato-ku
Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku
Tel/fax: 03-3442-2200
Nearest stn: Shirokane Takanawa Tel: 03-5422-7899
Nearest stn: Hiroo
Open hours: Weekdays 11:30am-11pm (10pm L.O)
※
Ebisu
1F, 4-9-5 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku
Tel: 03-6277-4221
Nearest stn: Ebisu
Open hours:11am-24am
Sat, Sun, Pub Holidays 11am-11pm (10pm L.O) - Closed every 3rd Monday
www.burger-mania.com
08
Have a hankerin’ for a juicy burger?
Here are 18 of Tokyo’s tastiest spots
to sate your appetite… American style.
BURGERS
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
ARMS
Various
AS CLASSICS DINER
Various
THE BEAT DINER
Nihonbashi
The Secret: Light, fluffy patties served with minced
toppings, and a bun made with natural yeast.
The Picks: Avocado Mushroom Cheese Burger (¥1,393);
Popeye Burger (¥1,188).
The Style: Faithful to the U.S. right down to the imported
paint, Arms’ wooden decor is opened out to the park
during summer months.
The Deal: Nab a set drink for ¥216 from 11am to 4pm on
weekdays. Brunch Sat, Sun, & holidays 8-10:45am.
The Skinny: Grab a burger to go from Arms Park Side,
conveniently located right by Yoyogi Park. Come and
enjoy your burger with a perfect park view.
Yoyogi: 5-64-7 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku. [email protected].
ne.jp.03-3466-5970. Open Tue-Fri 11am-11pm, closed
Mon (except hols), Sat-Sun & hols 8-10:45am (Brunch
Time) 11am-11pm. Yoyogi-Kōen. For more info on
Arms Picnic in Shinjuku and Takeout & Delivery in
Tomigaya—visit www.arms-burger.com.
The Secret: No processed ingredients or additives, and
that goes for the buns, bacon, sausage, potatoes, sauces,
and, naturally, the charcoal-grilled patties.
The Picks: Bacon smoked with hickory and cherry
blossoms; brandy-stewed and charcoal-baked apple,
and fall-off-the-bone pork rib. Try the Bacon Cheese
Burger at both branches. (¥1,404).
The Style: Decor and music hark back to the American
diners of the ’50 or ’60s.
The Deal: Lunch set menus with a drink, plus a dinner
menu after 6pm that changes monthly.
The Skinny: American-sized portions and 100% pure
beef minced by hand to preserve the steak-like texture.
Roppongi: B1F Roppongi Hills Metro Hut, 6-4-1
Roppongi, Minato-ku. Open daily 11am-11pm.
Tel: 03-6721-1581. Roppongi Komazawa: 1F Orion
Komazawa Bldg, 5-9-22 Yagumo, Meguro-ku. Open
Wed-Mon 9am-11pm, closed Tue. Tel: 03-5701-5033.
Komazawa Daigaku. www.asclassics.co.jp
The Secret: The perfect burger bun from Mineya
bakery is left for one day for the optimum soft-yetfirm texture. Made with sake yeast, the bun yields a
subtle and natural sweetness that’s a heavenly match
for the 100% Aussie beef patty.
The Picks: The B.E.A.T Burger (Bacon, Egg, Avocado,
Tomato), their classic original, offers the best
combination of burger fillings. Fresh, cold lettuce with
sizzling hot meat will not disappoint.
The Style: Replicates the feel of an authentic 196070s’ American diner, complete with a mini jukebox.
The Deal: Tell them you saw this in Metropolis and
receive one free soft drink.
The Skinny: Known not only for their delicious burgers
but also for their huge range of drinks and meats;
your appetite is bound to be satisfied.
Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower B1F Nihonbashi
Muromachi 2-1-1 Chuo-ku. Open Hours: 11am-11pm.
Tel: 03-3510-1238. Mitsukoshimae.
BLUE POINT
BROOKLYN PANCAKE HOUSE
BURGER MANIA
Shirokane
The Secret: Aromatic and juicy 100% hand-crafted beef
burgers grilled briefly on high heat over an open fire to
keep the center of the patty juicy.
The Picks: BP Beef Burger (¥1,600); Grilled Beef Sirloin
“JP Joushu Gyu” 200g (¥3,800)
The Style: Redesigned by internationally-renowned
Morita Yasumichi, Blue Point’s interior has the calm and
mature atmosphere of a five-star hotel. Facing Platinum
Street, the open terrace transports you to another world,
making you forget you are in the heart of the city.
The Deal: Tell us you saw us in Metropolis and get a free
dessert.
The Skinny: Domestically-sourced, high-quality meats
and wine, and rich buttermilk pancakes.
4-19-19 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-32802020 [email protected] Open 11am-11pm.
Shirokanedai. www.tgn.co.jp/hall/shirogane/bp
Harajuku
The Secret: A healthy-sized patty (130g) of pure
Japanese beef, cooked on an open-fire grill to bring
out the natural flavor.
The Picks: Premium Brooklyn Hamburger with French
fries (¥1,100)—or add gorgonzola cheese and go
Italiano.
The Style: Transport yourself to a secret, solitary
house in Brooklyn.
The Deal: The weekday lunch set (11:30am-4pm)
comes with a drink and salad.
The Skinny: US-style buttermilk pancakes; New York
strip steak (350g).
1F, 6-14-12 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-34092018. Open daily 11:30am-8pm. Meiji-Jingumae
www.brooklyn-pancake-house.com
Various
The Secret: A balanced combo of the finest
ingredients: natural-yeast buns, 100% beef patties,
and market-fresh vegetables.
The Picks: The famous Cherry Burger (Hiroo & Ebisu),
pairing dark, sweet cherries with cream cheese, and
the rough texture of the patty.
The Style: The owner visited NYC for inspiration and
brought a slice of the Big Apple to Tokyo Town.
The Deal: Stop in for lunch (11am-4pm) and get a drink
for ¥200 and a free upsizing of your fries. Weekdays
(3-6pm) offer a drink and pancake for ¥1,080.
The Skinny: Ebisu’s specialty is craft beer on tap (from
¥550) and great coffee from Onibus.
Ebisu: 1F, 4-9-5 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku. Open daily 11ammidnight. Tel: 03-6277-4221. burgermania2008@
gmail.com. Ebisu. For more locations (Shirokane &
Hiroo) visit www.burger-mania.com
09
Choose from three sizes!
S 80g R 100g L 200g
Grilled Mushroom Burger ¥1,390
Limited quantities!
3 types of mushrooms topped
with Gouda cheese
Tel. 03-3770-1951
www.hijiriya.co.jp
Hot dog & Sandwiches
Chili dog ¥800
Daikanyama Shop
Just steps from
Just steps from
Daikanyama Sta!
Main Exit
ATM
Naka-meguro Sta!
Moms welcome!
Room for strollers
available
North Exit
East Exit
WE ARE
HERE!
2-21-15 Ebisu-Nishi, Shibuya-ku Open daily 11am-10:30pm (L.O. 10pm)
(Sun & hols 11am-9:30pm) (L.O. 9pm)
DON’T MISS AN ISSUE – SUBSCRIBE NOW!
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One year corporate subscribers: 7-100 copies ¥22,560.
Half year corporate subscribers: 7-100 copies ¥12,000.
Bank transfer or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club).
http://metropolisjapan.com/subscription
10
7-eleven
Naka-meguro sta
To ShibuyaŠ
GT Tower
WE ARE
HERE!
Tsutaya
2-1-1 Kami-Meguro, Meguro-ku Open daily 10am-9pm (Sat, Sun & hols 10am-8pm)
BURGERS
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
CAFE HOHOKAM
Harajuku
DINER SWING
Shinjuku
THE GREAT BURGER
Harajuku
The Secret: It’s all about the bun! The highest
quality possible, made with natural yeast.
The Picks: The Apple and Gorgonzola Burger
boasts two perfectly-matched ingredients, while the
signature Hohokam Burger spices up your life with
jalapeños, cheddar cheese, and plenty of chili sauce.
The Style: Raise Arizona with a desert-themed retro
ambiance.
The Deal: Weekday lunch specials 11:30am-4pm.
The Skinny: Chill among the cacti on an outdoor
terrace, with a cover to keep the rain off your parade.
2F, 3-22-14 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Open daily
11:30am-11pm (LO 10:30pm). Tel: 03-5775-5708
Harajuku or Meiji-jingumae.
www.cafe-hohokam.com
The Secret: 100% beef patties, original sauce, grilled
onions, and fresh vegetables.
The Picks: Chili Char Burger (¥1,100), includes
homemade chili and sour cream. Special Char Burger
(¥1,250), includes bacon, cheese, onion rings, and
tartar sauce.
The Style: Enjoy listening to classic jazz music
anytime amidst a display of rare jazz LP collections
from the 1950s.
The Deal: Special lunch menu seven days a week.
Happy Hour: 3pm-6pm. Glass beer or wine plus chips
for ¥500.
The Skinny: Calm atmosphere for both dining and
drinking. Patio seats also available.
1F Takara Bld. 1-4-11 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Tel: 03-3344-3166. Open 11am-10pm. Shinjuku
http://www.localplace.jp/t100060963
The Secret: Fluffy fresh-baked toasted buns made
with natural yeast, a juicy, coarsely-ground patty, and
daily market-fresh vegetables.
The Picks: Gorgonzola meets baked apples; smoky
hickory sauce. Or the classic Bacon Cheeseburger
with French fries (¥1,350).
The Style: Open-minded Southern California
The Deal: The weekday lunch set (11:30am-4pm)
comes with a drink and salad.
The Skinny: As the name says, great burgers, plus
American-style buttermilk pancakes and sandwiches.
1F, 6-12-5 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-3406-1215.
Open daily 11:30am-11pm. Meiji-Jingumae.
www.the-great-burger.com
HARD ROCK CAFE
LEGENDS SPORTS BAR & GRILL
MUNCH’S BURGER SHACK
Various
The Secret: 100% American beef, special buns, and
carefully selected ingredients and a proven recipe for the
taste and volume of real American burgers.
The Picks: Original Legendary Burger (¥1,980).
Mushroom & Swiss Burger (¥2,380), 240g beef patty
with two slices of Swiss cheese and plenty of sautéed
mushrooms. Fiesta Burger (¥2,280), 240g beef patty
with fresh jalapeño salsa, Monterey Jack, guacamole,
and pico de gallo that will create a fiesta in your mouth!
The Style: A contemporary, cutting-edge atmosphere
with displays such as guitars used by musicians, stage
costumes, handwritten lyrics, photos, and more.
The Deal: Monthly special menus. Happy Hour weekdays
4pm-6pm (only in Tokyo).
The Skinny: With many monitors and speakers, listen to
the latest American music and watch videos non-stop.
Tokyo Branch: 5-4-20 Roppongi, Minato-ku
Open Sun-Thu 11:30am-2am, Fri & Sat 11:30am-4am.
03-3408-7018. Roppongi. http://hardrockjapan.com
Roppongi
The Secret: A mix of Australian and Japanese beef to get
the right fat content and buns made by a famous bakery
using Legends’ own recipe. Both are American-sized!
The Picks: Avocado & Wasabi, LOB (AKA Umami), and
Smokin' Joe (American Bacon & Pepper Jack)—all ¥1,400.
The Style: Authentic American sports bar with
memorabilia plus screens showing major events live.
The Deals: Daily Happy Hour from 5pm to 7pm with all
drinks ¥200 off. See their website for more offers.
Every Thursday, get a Legends Burger with a pint of
American craft beer for only ¥2,000.
The Skinny: Ideally located on the quieter side of
Roppongi, away from the crowds. Great terrace.
1F Aoba Roppongi Bldg., 3-16-33 Roppongi,
Minato-ku. Open Mon-Fri 5pm-late, Sat, Sun & hols
2pm-late. Tel: 03-3548-3304. Roppongi.
[email protected]. www.legendsports.jp
Hamamatsucho
The Secret: High-quality, lean certified Angus from the
U.S., hand-cut daily by staff to make each patty.
The Picks: The Bacon Cheese Burger (¥1,500) is made
with homemade smoked bacon to create a fine balance.
The Style: Choose a floor based on your mood—1F for
those calm moments, 2F if you’re feeling more lively.
The Deals: At lunch, get a meat dish with rice for ¥1200,
or add a drink to any meal for just ¥150.
The Skinny: Don’t miss the Caesar salad with avocado
and bacon (¥1,380) and the chicken gumbo (¥650).
American craft beers are in stock to pair with your
burger or sandwich, as well as Heineken, Guinness,
Yona Yona Ale, and more.
1-2F I • Smart Bldg. 2-26-1 Shiba, Minato-ku. Open
Tue-Fri 11am-3pm & 5:30pm-9pm, Sat 11am-9pm, Sun
& hols 11am-4pm. closed Mon. Tel: 03-6435-3166.
Hamamatsucho or Shibakoen. http://munchs.jp
11
COURS
EM
ALL YO ENU FROM ¥
U CA N
DRINK 2,000
¥1,500
Try “The Beat Burger,”an original with Bacon, Eggs,
Avocado, and Tomatoes a taste you will never forget!
Come smash a real burger!
Our burgers are served up tall, piled high with fresh
ingredients and delicious sauce—up to 12cm!
Open daily 11am-11pm (L.O. 10:30). Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower, B1F Nihonbashi Muromachi 2-1-1 Chuo-ku.
Tel: 03-3510-1238. Mitsukoshimae (30sec from exit A7 and A8)
GOOD FOOD LOVES YOU!
7ELEVEN
OPEN
Tue-Fri 11am-3pm & 5:30pm - 9pm
Sat 11am-9pm
Sun & hols 11am-4pm,
closed Mon
MUNCH’S BURGER SHACK
1-2F I smart Bldg, 2-26-1 Shiba, Minato-ku. Tel：03-6435-3166
http://munchs.jp/
12
BURGERS
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
THE OAK DOOR
Roppongi
SAN FRANCISCO PEAKS
Harajuku
SASA GRILL BURGER CLUB
Various
The Secret: Perfectly-proportioned elements and
meat textured to crumble when you bite into it.
The Picks: From April 1 to May 31, savor gourmet
burgers made with local ingredients in various sizes
and flavors such as Mexican, lamb, patty melt, and
deluxe wagyu. The Oak Door Burger comes in sliders
(50g); small (130g); regular (220g); and giant (1,000g).
The Style: Designed by renowned designer Tony Chi,
The Oak Door is a dramatic steakhouse featuring
signature wood-burning ovens.
The Skinny: The Oak Door features premium quality
meats and seasonal produce that can be enjoyed
with New World wines from an extensive wine list.
6F Grand Hyatt Tokyo, 6-10-3 Roppongi, Minatoku. Open Lunch 11:30am-2:30pm (Weekends and
National Holidays till 3pm), Afternoon 3-5:00pm,
Dinner 6-10pm. Tel: 03-4333-8784. oakdoor@hyatt.
com. Roppongi. http://restaurants.tokyo.grand.
hyatt.co.jp/oak-door-restaurant
The Secret: 100% wagyu beef patties cooked over an
open flame.
The Picks: Gourmet pineapple. And, for the nonburgerites, hot dogs and pancakes.
The Style: An industrial cafe in the City By the Bay.
The Deal: Stop by weekdays 11:30am-4pm for a tidy
lunch set.
The Skinny: Choose your weapon for your hot dog
(sausage, that is)—and your choice of draft beer.
3-28-7 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Open daily
11:30am-11pm (LO 10:30pm). Tel: 03-5775-5707.
Harajuku or Meiji-jingumae. www.sf-peaks.com
The Secret: 100% hand-mixed wagyu patties, whole
wheat buns made with natural yeast, and slow-cooked
homemade onion sauce.
The Picks: Burgers with homemade chili or mozzarella.
Or get in quick for the grilled mushroom burger (¥1,390)—
limited number made daily (at Daikanyama branch only).
The Style: Like a Parisian backstreet with warm wood and
the classic Continental aroma of tasty burgers.
The Deal: Free soft drink with any meal during weekday
lunches (11am-4pm) at Daikanyama.
The Skinny: Pair your burger with beers from around the
world. Guaranteed to satisfy!
Daikanyama: 1F Daikanyama-Pocketpark Bldg., 2-21-15
Ebisunishi, Shibuya-ku. Open Mon-Sat 11am-10:30pm,
Sun & hols: 11am-9:30pm, closed every third Tue.
Tel: 03-3770-1951. Daikanyama. Nakameguro: B1,
Nakameguro GT Plaza Bldg., 2-1-1 Kami-Meguro,
Meguro-ku. Open Mon-Fri: 10am-9pm, Sat, Sun & hols:
10am-8pm, closed every third Tue. Tel: 03-3711-4449.
Nakameguro. www.hijiriya.co.jp
TEDDY’S BIGGER BURGERS
TGI FRIDAY
THE SMILE
Harajuku
The Secret: 100% ground chuck and 15 types of
seasoning.
The Picks: Kailua Burger (5oz ¥1,310, 7oz ¥1,610, 9oz
¥1,910 +¥300 for a combo)
The Style: A calm atmosphere for you to relax and be
comfortable in.
The Deals: Party plans for birthday parties and allyou-can-drink plans are available.
The Skinny: Visit the islands with pancakes, eggs
benedict, loco moco, acai bowl, and other original
Hawaiian food. Wash it down with tropical drinks and
Hawaiian beers.
2F Miyazaki Bldg, 6-28-5 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku.
Open 10am-11pm. Tel: 03-5774-2288. Harajuku
and Meiji-jingumae. [email protected].
http://tbbjapan.co.jp
Various
The Secret: 100% beef, 200g patties and a recipe that’s
faithful to authentic American taste and volume. The
balance of brioche-type bread and fresh vegetables is
also part of their secret to a delicious burger.
The Picks: The new Cowboy Triple Meat Burger
(¥1,990 + tax).
The Style: Exactly the same design as the original TGI
Fridays in America.
The Skinny: Not just a place for authentic burgers, but
also faithful to the American recipe for baby back ribs
and steak. Great service from the friendly waitstaff
and bartenders. A casual restaurant where you can
experience America right here in Japan.
1F Kourakuen Hall Bldg. 1-3-61 Kouraku, Bunkyoku. Tel: 03-5803-4151. Fax: 03-5803-4152. Open
11am-midnight. Suidoubashi. www.tgifridays.co.jp.
*Other locations within Tokyo: Shibuya, Harajuku,
Roppongi, Shinagawa, Ueno, Ikebukuro
Shinjuku
The Secret: Harajuku’s The Great Burger brings their
stupendous burgerology (see above) to a new venue
in Shinjuku Lumine.
The Picks: Each season has a host of off-menu
treats—make sure you ask. Or just go for the Avocado
Mozzarella Burger (¥1,300 + tax).
The Style: Always wanted to dine inside an American
girl’s bedroom? (Or perhaps you had one?)
Don’t miss out.
The Deal: Stop by between 11am and 4pm weekdays
for a lunch set that includes one free drink and a
salad. The Smile joins in promotions from Lumine Est
too, so keep an eye on the coupons.
The Skinny: They might not be very skinny, but the
pancakes and French toast go down pretty well, too.
7F, Lumine Est Shinjuku,3-38-1 Shinjuku. Tel: 03-33535071. Open 11am-11pm (LO 10pm) Shinjuku.
13
food&drink
Product image for illustration purposes only.
Kafunshō, or hay fever, is in the air, and Oriental Recipe Cafe’s anti-hay fever menu might just
be the remedy. The citrussy menu items include
the fresh mikan and yogurt juice with sun-dried
tangerine peel (¥650), mikan shiratama (riceflour dumplings with mikan sauce, vanilla ice
cream, and whipped cream, ¥650), and mikan
jelly (¥400). The hesperidin found in citrus is
said to defend the body from allergies, and be a
surefire health-booster! 1F 3-62-14 Sendagaya,
Shibuya-ku. Harajuku. Tel: 03-6434-0950.
www.oriental-recipe.com
Nestlé’s KitKat has gotten an Easter makeover with the limited release of a new flavor
combining carrot and apple pie (¥540). Because, why not? The snack comes printed
with different designs (13 in total) of cute
Easter Bunnies. Some may even f ind the
“Lucky KitKat” coming with a special message. For a great Easter celebration with
friends and family, these fun snacks make
the perfect party favor—and are sure to be a
hit with the kids. Available in supermarkets
and other stores nationwide.
You can now have restaurant-quality curry
delivered to your doorstep, thanks to Extraordinary Kitchen, located in Nishi-Azabu. The
basic set (from ¥1,480 with a ¥200 discount
if you order a day in advance) includes rice
with two curries of your choice and two sides.
There’s a selection of five curries, including
European, Indian, and Thai styles, and even
a unique black “energy curry” with garlic and
caffeine for an instant pick-me-up. Delivery
available to Minato- and Shibuya-ku (most
areas). Tel: 03-6447-2116. http://xtra.kitchen
Photos by Vesna Kevork
RESTAURANT
¥¥
EN/JP
Fiorentina
BY V KEVORK
Among the many divine restaurants the Grand
Hyatt has to offer is Fiorentina, an elegant-yetcasual Italian eatery with adjacent patisserie,
located on its ground floor.
It’s easy to stumble in to buy a blueberry muffin, only to end up staying for lunch or dinner,
having been seduced by the scent of homemade
pasta, the soft and unobtrusive music, and the
extraordinary Hyatt service. In warmer months,
the outdoor terrace serves as a vivacious social
playground or a hideaway for quiet reading—the
choice is yours!
The lunches are primarily of the light pasta
14
variety (starting from ¥2,200 plus tax). Fresh pasta dishes start at ¥3,400 and gnocchi at ¥3,000.
Options include fettuccine alla carbonara, porcini, truffle (¥3,400), and fettuccine, porcini, shrimp,
clam (¥3,400 plus tax).
My indulgence is twofold. The soup of the
day (¥950 plus tax) is simple yet extremely flavorsome—thick, green-pea soup served with
warm baked bread and olive oil.
The crown of the meal is the bavettini alla
genovese (¥2,800 plus tax)—king crab, green
asparagus, and genovese pesto. This winning
crab-and-pesto combination is decadent and
reminds one of the sea and summer. The serving of crab flaked throughout is very generous,
and the pesto is made moments before serving.
Freshly-ground, the basil’s fragrance permeates
the room. Perfect for seafood lovers.
For the fresh pasta options, try the slowcooked ragù. Alternately, try the latest specialty:
a range of polenta-based dishes such as the
stewed Japanese beef cheek in red wine, white
polenta, truffle sauce (¥4,400 plus tax).
Italians know how to celebrate the humble
polenta and elevate it to another level. The
inclusion of polenta in more and more highend restaurants around the globe is becoming
evident. Slowly but surely, it’s creeping in and
taking over some of the entrées and mains in
creative and clever ways.
Warning: On the way out, you may want to buy
half the patisserie. Exercise control; do not yield.
If sweets aren’t your thing, look out for the
small but carefully chosen selection of wines in
the patisserie. If you’re lucky, the following may
be available for sale: Franciacorta—the sparkling
wine from the Italian region of Lombardy; or the
Miraval Côtes de Provence Rosé, the French
wine created as a result of Famille Perrin’s collaboration with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
Buon appetito!
Grand Hyatt Tokyo, 6-10-3 Roppongi, Minatoku. Tel: 03-4333-8780. Open daily 9am-10pm.
Roppongi. http://restaurants.tokyo.grand.
hyatt.com/fiorentina-italian-restaurant
Don’t adjust your sets: Those Coke bottles
you’ve been seeing are indeed green. For
the world’s best-known soft drink, apparently
green is the new red. Created and initially
rolled out in Argentina and Chile, Coca-Cola
Life turns to stevia, a non-caloric plant extract, for its sweetness. As a result, the drink
has only 60 percent of the calories of regular
Coca-Cola. The taste is what you’d expect
from Coke, with perhaps a slight bit more
smoothness. Available in convenience stores
and supermarkets nationwide.
¥¥
JP
Gyukatsu Iroha
BY AMANDA TAYLOR
While tonkatsu, or pork cutlet, is ubiquitous around the Kanto region, gyukatsu,
or beef cutlet, is a lot more difficult to
find. The same could be said about Ikebukuro’s new restaurant specializing in
the cuisine, Gyukatsu Iroha.
As of this writing, they have no website, no public phone number, and news
of the restaurant is spreading largely by word of
mouth. Yet they have garnered lots of attention
on Japanese food review sites since opening in
November 2014—and for good reason.
Their standard gyukatsu set comes with a
crispy beef cutlet served rare, cabbage, fluffy
barley rice, a rich miso soup, potato salad, and
pickles—all for ¥1,100. If rare isn’t your thing, each
person gets a heated iron plate for cooking the
meat on to your liking. But be careful to not let it
burn! The cutlet is juicy, flavorful, and goes great
with the sauce and wasabi. The second helping of
rice is free, and there are complimentary refills on
tea—though all other drink options are alcoholic.
Gyukatsu Iroha is located on the B1 floor of
the Tomomitsu Building, just past McDonald’s
and next to a ramen shop. Be prepared for a
wait: The place is popular and small—only 18
seats, including a bar and a couple of tables.
However, the line moves quickly as people tend
not to stick around after the meal.
The restaurant is 100-percent Japanese, with
no English menu nor English-speaking staff. Even
RECIPE
AVOCADO-EGG ONIGIRAZU
RECIPE AND PHOTO BY RIEKO SUZUKI
Photos by Davi Azevedo
RESTAURANT
Developed by a working mother of two, Calbee’s new Potetrio line is a light, crunchy, bitesized potato snack that comes in fun shapes
that kids are sure to enjoy. The snack is available in two flavors: umashio (salt) and cheese;
the cute packaging featuring characters by
award-winning illustrator Mamoru Yamamoto
will make snack time even more entertaining
for the little ones. There’s even a chance to win
an original picture book by Yamamoto with the
Potetrio characters! Available in convenience
stores and supermarkets nationwide.
Looking for a tasty snack to bring to your next
hanami, but are bored of the same old triangular
onigiri, which is hard to shape anyway? Try the
onigirazu—a sandwich-like variety of onigiri that
does away with the need for shaping, and is all
the craze in Japan these days.
Servings: 2
Cooking time: 20 minutes
• 2 servings cooked rice
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 avocado
• 2 slices cheese
• 2 sheets seaweed
• 1 1/2 tbs of mayonnaise
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 tsp olive oil
the prices are written in kanji. The menu is very
simple, however, so don’t let that dissuade you.
Aside from the standard gyukatsu mugi-meshi
(barley rice) set, there’s a set that includes tororo,
or grated yam, for ¥1,300.
Each set can also be ordered with a smaller
portion of gyukatsu for ¥200 yen less. That’s
about all there is to the menu.
Although Gyukatsu Iroha is well off the radar
for the English-speaking community, it’s worth
visiting for the delicious, reasonably-priced beef
cutlet, so rare in this part
of Japan.
Note: The sign is in
Japanese; look for “牛か
つ いろは” in black, calligraphic text on plain
white. Each visitor must
buy one food item.
B1F Tomomitsu Building
1-9-7 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku. 11am12am. Ikebukuro.
DIRECTIONS
1. Beat eggs lightly with 1/2 tablespoon of mayonnaise and a pinch of salt. In a pan, heat
olive oil and make scrambled eggs.
2.Slice avocado thinly.
3.On cutting board, spread seaweed out and
place half-serving of rice, scrambled eggs,
and avocado in the center. Spread mayonnaise on avocado, and top with sliced cheese.
4.Cover cheese with the other half-serving of
rice. Fold seaweed in the same way as wrapping a box, bringing corners to the center.
Turn it upside down and leave for a few minutes so rice sticks to the seaweed with its
moisture.
5.Cut into smaller pieces and pack them into
lunch box.
Rieko Suzuki
Rieko blogs bilingual recipes at
http://meturl.com/ruby
15
1 DISH FROM ¥780
1 DRINK FROM ¥500
COURSES FROM ¥4,000
NEW OPEN!
Let’s Eat Crab!
ENJOY DELICIOUS CRAB, CASUALLY.
CARAT has the concept of
allowing customers to enjoy
eating crab, casually. The high
quality crabs come directly
from Rausu, Hokkaido.
The restaurant is open 24/365,
so please come to enjoy a nice
dinner at the bar or in the
café, or close out your day
with some noodles!
e
Lin i
do ong
Ōe pp
Ro
Police
Station
Roppongi
Crossing
aka
araiz
Imo
6-1-6 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-5413-3689
e
Lin gi
http://carat-roppongi.com
n
iya
Hib oppo Almond
R
Open 24 hours
Family
Mart
Lunchtime: 11am~3pm
Post Office
TGI FRIDAYS
SM
大江戸線・三田線 春日駅
丸ノ内線
南北線
後楽園駅
丸ノ内線
島平
西高
駒込
池袋
南北線
TOKYO DOME CITY
ENU FROM
COURSE M
¥3,500
AN DRINK
ALL YOU C
¥1,500
ラクーア
東
京
A tavern with a market-like atmosphere,
filled with fresh fish and delicious cuisine.
線
三田
Korakuen
Hall building 1F
Enjoy crabs shipped directly from Rausu,
Hokkaido, and many other fresh fish, meat,
and many other delicacies from all over
Japan—all at a reasonable price.
Have great times with great food!
橋駅
水　道
DRINKS AND FOOD FROM ￥399
Nihon Sengyo Kokakurui Dokokai | 1F-3F 1-22-3 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku
Tel: 03-5287-2568 | Open 24/365 days
16
Shoku Doraku Ueno Branch | 6-12-12 Ueno, Taito-ku
Tel: 03-6803-2348 | Open 24/365 days
escapes
THE FOUR
SEASONS OF
IKOMA
FALL
Blue skies make for the best hikes—and Ikoma is
primarily known by many for its wonderful trekking routes. A popular course starts from Ishikiri
Station, leading up through the forest, with climbing views of Osaka. Those with cars may drive
along the Shigi-Ikoma Skyline and stop to snap
pictures of the panoramic megalopolis. One of
this season’s must-see events is the lantern festival held in September to celebrate the equinox,
where ten thousand lanterns—many of which are
created by local artists and school children—line
the path up to Hozanji. Best time to visit: September 23, for the festival.
Taking in Nara’s
year-round beauty
BY FELICITY TILLACK
WINTER
What’s in Ikoma? Those visiting this northern
Nara Prefecture city in early spring would witness changeable weather and bare pre-spring
gardens—an impression unlikely to place Ikoma
in anyone’s top ten.
A better question to ask is: When should one
go there? From paths lined by hundred-year-old
sakura trees to autumnal festivals and a familiar
shrine made mystical under snow, each season
has its own special appeal.
SPRING
Rather than determinedly hiking the 1.5-kilometer, mostly uphill path from Ikoma Station
to Hozanji Shrine, meander beneath the blossoms lining the stone steps. The walk brims
with charm, leading travelers past quaint older
homes and small shrines, all be-pinked beneath
trees—some of which are a century old. There
are also small parks with views over the city,
usually beckoning other picnickers with whom
to make friends.
SUMMER
What better season for being outside than
summer? Sri Lankan restaurant Lucky Garden
has tables beneath leafy trees from which to
enjoy natural vistas while eating the locallysourced food, transformed into exotic dishes.
There are even sheep to visit and feed in a petting area at Lucky Garden, and a small gallery
of handmade crafts to browse. The restaurant
is a perfect spot for relaxing post-hike, or just
for chilling with friends—if you’re the type
that prefers to enjoy the great outdoors with
minimal sweating. It’s best to visit anytime
outside of obon, but be sure to call in advance
to reserve your table.
Even on a clear day, Hozanji Shrine is misty:
Smoke from incense wafts out from the wide,
bronze urns, bathing worshippers who visit. In
winter, the inclement weather hits the shrine
first, hiding her from the city below. Snow falls
infrequently, however; and when it does, the road
up becomes slippery and dangerous, especially
for pedestrians. This means fewer people at the
shrine, which has become even more mystical
beneath the snow and distant from the real world.
For photographers, this is a great opportunity
to visit and enjoy Hozanji’s serene, cold beauty.
The best times to visit are January and February
to see the most snow—so keep an eye on the
weather forecast.
Ikoma, like the rest of Japan, is a city that
changes dramatically with each season. For
the daytripper, it may seem there are only a few
nearby destinations to visit. For travelers, timing
can be everything. Knowing when to go will make
the trip more memorable and make Ikoma worth
visiting again next season.
INFO
Lucky Garden. Tel: 0743-77-7936.
www.luckygarden.jp (Japanese only)
ACCESS
Ikoma is an easy day trip from Osaka or Kyoto.
From Osaka, take a rapid or limited express on the
Kintetsu Line from Osaka-Namba Station directly to
Ikoma. Via the subway, take the green Chūō Line.
From Kyoto, take a Kintetsu Line rapid or express
heading to Yamatosaidaiji, and then change to a
train heading to Ikoma or Osaka-Namba.
17
fashion fix
BY SAMUEL THOMAS, FASHION EDITOR
THE
CULT OF
h.NAOTO
F
ashion brand h.NAOTO, helmed by gothic
maestro Naoto Hirooka, was back on the
Tokyo Fashion Week schedule after a fiveyear absence, with a full runway show.
Those five years have seen h.NAOTO continue
on their path to becoming the face of Japanese gothic on the world stage. Additionally, the
brand has been on a mission to bridge global
subcultures with Japan, most recently with their
“Steam” line that offered a uniquely Japanese
interpretation of steampunk. However, as the
fashion show would prove, h.NAOTO’s aspirations don’t stop there. Not only did the runway
debut the new line “h.ism,” which unites fashion
with art, illustration, and music; it also revealed
that the location for the show would become the
new base for the brand’s operations. Echoing
the theme of the h.ism line, work from here will
go far beyond fashion to incorporate music, art,
and events into the brand’s output. After all, the
clothes—born as they are of the surrounding culture and more importantly the people who wear
them—don’t exist in isolation … and never have.
This new trajectory was immediately evident
at the runway show, with not only h.NAOTO’s
acolyte fans out in full force—more so than
at any other designer’s fashion show during
the week—but also a brooding electronic
soundtrack courtesy of TAKT’s Tsunoda Takanori and illustrations produced by the best of the
Tokyo gothic underground adorning the majority of looks. The communal approach extended
to the show’s warehouse venue, which will go on
to be used as a recording studio, graphic design
center, art gallery, music venue, and much more
for the h.NAOTO universe. It’s a step away from
an urban cult by anyone’s standards, but such
is the draw of h.NAOTO, with even fans from
abroad having made the pilgrimage specifically
for the show.
On the fashion itself, we find h.NAOTO at his
most daring with a military-themed collection
reinterpreting the motifs of modern warfare
through a sardonic lens. His gang of soldiers
wore a camouflage print which, on closer inspection, was revealed to be made of images of
their victims’ dead bodies. Flashes of white and
red stood out as bone and blood injuries before
eventually being mixed to form a shade of pink—
a grotesque reflection on kawaii culture in parts
sure to draw a new generation of disillusioned
young disciples to his cause.
Photos by Samuel Thomas
18
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FASHION VS.
CLOTHING
T
his mark as a young provocateur with a highschool-boys-themed collection, in which the
male uniform was given a number of subversive tweaks—not least replacing the lapels of
one of his coats with a “gravure” idol pinup.
Elsewhere, Rinrinka looked like a commercial
success in the making with her own unique take
on kawaii sensibilities that look an easy sale in
Tokyo and beyond.
When it was the orchestrators’ turn to take
to the stage, they didn’t disappoint. Mikio
Sakabe provided a dissection of modern masculinity, using his models to tell the story of
the transition through puberty, leading into
moody teenage years, and ending on an
uncertain adulthood. On the final day of the
week, Yoshikazu Yamagata’s WrittenAfterwards stole the show with a gentle parody of
1990s Benetton optimism, including a children’s choir singing Michael Jackson’s “Heal
the World,” and a wearable globe.
Photos by Samuel Thomas
okyo Fashion Week hasn’t been immune
to the rise of “normcore,” a movement
which reacts to the relentless trendbased nature of modern fashion. By
opting out entirely, and embracing a purely
functional approach to wardrobes, brands
like the mainstream KBF and
even the expert pattern cutters at DressedUndressed
went for resolute restraint
over the exhibitionism many
might have been expecting.
It reopens the age-old debate
over whether all clothing design is actually fashion. The
majority of shoppers at a chain
like Uniqlo are unlikely to think
of the garments as being part
of a fashion system, but rather
something akin to a tool or a
necessity. That doesn’t
mean you can’t dress
Keisuke Yoshida
fashionably in something
from Uniqlo; the city attests to this fact on a
daily basis. But for every
brand that walks the line
between function and
fashion, there are those
that are so deep in the
fashion camp that the notion of function is a matter of contention.
Re p r e s e n t i n g t h e
drive of fashion for fashion’s sake, we find the
Tokyo New Age group of
designers ably organized
by the experienced hands of brand WrittenAfterward’s Yoshikazu Yamagata and designer
Mikio Sakabe. The pair masterminded a series
of events both on the official Mercedes-Benz
Sponsored Week and off, including multiple
fashion shows and exhibitions, all in addition to
their own independent fashion shows.
This season, eight designers from the
Tokyo New Age stable got their time in the
spotlight with Akiko Aoki, Kotona, Noriko Nakazato, and Ryota Murakami taking the stage
in Shibuya Club Quattro. Their models pushed
their way through the bewildered standing
crowd in a single show, allowing their collections to mix and mingle before gathering
on podiums, grouped by
designer. Out of the melee, Ryota Murakami’s Sid
Vicious-inspired collection
sang out strongly, with a comedically oversized biker
jacket rendering any wannabe punk into a child wearing their dad’s
jacket. Kotona, on the other hand, opted for
sheer fashion clout above gimmicks.
The remaining four brands were given the
run of Konno Hachimangu Shrine in Shibuya
for a guerrilla show in partnership with Shibuya
Fashion Week. Keisuke
Yoshida, Kotoha Yokozawa, Soshi Otsuki, and
Rinrinka brought their
own brand of fashion
chaos to an ot h e rwise peaceful setting.
Keisuke Yoshida made
Ryota Murakami
Mikio Sakabe
19
movies
BY DON MORTON
featured movie
PRIDE
It’s been said that it’s impossible to truly
fight oppression without opposing all forms
of oppression. And the enemy of my enemy
is my friend. Such were the thoughts that,
in 1984, led gay activist Mark Ashton (Ben
Schnetzer) to organize LGSM (Lesbians and
Gays Support the Miners) to raise funds for the
U.K.’s striking coal miners—whether they liked
it or not. The unlikely allies shared an enemy
in Margaret Thatcher, and both were targets
of police harassment. LGSM’s donations
were at first spurned by the National Union of
Mineworkers, but were eventually accepted
by a small Welsh local when the wrong (or
right) person answered the phone. There
ensues a series of culture-clash set pieces as
a spirit of solidarity that gradually overcome
fear and bigotry, and caricatures that become
individuals. This hetero-friendly (and true)
story is presented with the kind of seriocomic
approach that made its cinematic cousins
The Full Monty and Billy Elliot so enjoyable.
Great cast includes Imelda Staunton, Bill
Nighy, Paddy Considine, Dominic West, and
George MacKay. Manipulative? Sure. Feelgood? Absolutely. Preachy? Never. It’s the
kind of movie that has audiences applauding
and misty-eyed at the end. I did, and I was.
Japanese title: Parade e Yokoso. (120 min)
NEW
RECLAIM
The title refers to the
nefarious prac tice of
fake overseas adoption
agencies “selling” children
to wealthy Americans,
then kidnapping the kids back, packing up shop, and
moving on to the next location and the next victims. John
Cusack takes on yet another so-so, sleazy villain role,
and a bland Ryan Phillippe and a frisky Rachelle Lefevre
are the target parental hopefuls. But don’t mistake this
sanctimonious drivel for social activism. This is surprisefree, by-the-numbers moviemaking at its worst—a cheap,
insultingly predictable mix of fisticuffs, car chases, frenetic
dialogue, and a literal cliff-hanging scene. Japanese title:
Missing Day. (96 min)
NEW
DINOSAUR ISLAND
A pair of pre-teens explore
a fantasy island full of
(feathered) dinosaurs.
These child dialogue readers (“actors” is the
wrong term here) reel off exposition-heavy lines written
by director Matt Drummond, an Aussie special effects
ace who should not quit his day job. This movie is so
lame on every level (incl. SFX) that I would probably
just have ignored it had I not noticed the Japanese
title. “Jurassic Island” smacks of a not-so-subtle shot at
tricking people into thinking this is related to the classic
dinosaur franchise. I know it’s for kids, but I for one think
kids deserve better. (90 min)
NINJA: SHADOW OF
A TEAR
These straight-to-DVD
martial arts movies are a
dime a dozen. And while
I couldn’t be called a
fan, the beautifully choreographed and executed fight
scenes made this one surprisingly worthwhile. Scott
Adkins is the real deal. Though hardly Oscar material,
he’s handsome and suitably hunky, an impressive
martial arts pro with glowering badassitude who moves
through his one-against-many battles with fluidity and
grace. Kind of like Steven Seagal’s self-image. The icing
on the cake is that, between the fighting, the drama’s
seriously awful. But in a good, bad-movie kind of way.
Oof! Japanese title: Ninja Avengers. (95 min)
IN THE BLOOD
Charismatic MMA
champion-turned-actress
Gina Carano appears
in a brilliant movie that
turns the ac tion -hero
trope on its head by having a badass woman colorfully
take on a variety of villains in a number of imaginative
and violent ways. But, unfortunately, that movie was
Steven Soderbergh’s Haywire, not this waste of the
lady’s talent. A honeymooning bride whose husband has
been kidnapped in the Caribbean for medical donation
purposes takes on not only the kidnappers but the
complicit police and corrupt hospital network as well to
get her man back. Ho hum. Go rent Haywire. Japanese
title: Bride Weapon. (101 min)
TRACERS
This caper f lick tries
to simultaneously take
advantage of the rising
popularit y of parkour
(running across rooftops,
etc.) and reverse the declining popularity of Twilight
alum Taylor Lautner. Hackneyed plot has a NYC bike
messenger taking up parkour, initially to get close to a
girl he saw doing it (an inert Marie Avgeropoulos). Turns
out she’s part of a gang of modern-day cat burglars run
by the Dickensian Miller, who’s not what he seems, yada
yada. Oh, and Taylor happens to owe an unexplained
$15,000 to some nasty Chinatown loan sharks. He joins
up. Not much new here except all the jumping around.
Japanese title: Unlimited. (93 min)
JUPITER ASCENDING
Jeez, where to star t?
W hile t his lumb ering
Dune rip-off is eye candy
of the first magnitude, it
fails on every other level.
Mila Kunis, a delightful rom-com actress, is way out of
her league as an action heroine. She spends most of
her time being kidnapped, rescued, or making goo-goo
eyes at a Spock-eared, green-goateed Channing Tatum.
The storyline, glimpsed occasionally between the many,
many battle scenes, is all but impenetrable. After this
$175 million train wreck, it’s unlikely the Wachowskis will
be entrusted with any more big budgets. Maybe they’ll
have to resort to storytelling instead. Japanese title:
Jupiter. (127 min)
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
Pride: © PATHE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED. BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION AND THE BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE 2014. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.; Reclaim: © 2014 REClAIM FILM, LLC; Dinosaur Island: © 2014 Extinct Productions Pty Limited;
Ninja: Shadow of a Tear: © 2012 N2 Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.; In the Blood: © 2013 ITB Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.; Tracers: © 2014 Freerunning LLC.; Jupiter Ascending: © 2014 WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. AND
VILLAGE ROADSHOW FILMS(BVI)LIMITED. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.; The Theory of Everything: © UNIVERSAL PICTURES; Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb: © 2014 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved.; Song One:
© 2014 Song One Funding LLC All Rights Reserved; Into the Woods: © 2015 Disney Enterprises, Inc.; The Imitation Game: © 2014 BBP IMITATION, LLC; Begin Again: © 2013 KILLIFISH PRODUCTIONS, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
20
More reviews: metropolisjapan.com/movies
THE THEORY OF
EVERYTHING
It was only a matter of time
before a film was made
about Stephen Hawking,
the brilliant physicist who
was diagnosed with ALS 50 years ago and given two
years to live. But rather than explaining the science, it
concentrates on the formidable personal challenges faced
by the physicist and his first wife Jane. Eddie Redmayne
won an Oscar for his painstakingly detailed portrayal,
but the film’s emotional center is Felicity Jones as Jane,
who matches Redmayne scene for scene with an equally
powerful but far subtler performance. This brainy bio is
inspirational, literate, schmaltz-free, and quite moving.
Japanese title: Hakase to Kanojo no Theory. (123 min)
NIGHT AT THE
MUSEUM: SECRET OF
THE TOMB
The 2006 Ben Stiller
ve h i c l e N i g h t a t t h e
Museum of fered the
mildly amusing spectacle of all the exhibits at the
American Museum of Natural History coming to life.
It was pure multiplex fodder, but at least encouraged
kid curiosity. The plodding 2009 sequel merely repurposed the same material. The best thing I can say
about this flaccid, London-based cash grab (aside from
one amusing tweak on M.C. Escher’s “Relativity”), is
that it’s the last one. One recurring gag is a pissing
monkey. Go to a museum instead. Japanese title: Night
Museum: Egypt Oh no Himitsu. (97 min)
SONG ONE
An aspiring young musician in a coma, his semiestranged sister (Anne
Hathaway) returning
to Brooklyn from overseas to sit at his bedside and hope, the boy’s indiefolk idol (Johnny Flynn) joining the vigil, mom (Mary
Steenburgen) revealing truths, and the curative power
of music. Not a lot of drama, but also zilch melodrama.
There’s a sense of realism to this intuitive, low-key
musical love story by newcomer writer/director Kate
Barker-Froyland, which refreshingly confounds your
cinematic expectations at every turn. I liked how it
tries not at all to be hip, and the fine acoustic music.
Japanese title: Brooklyn no Koibito tachi. (88 min)
INTO THE WOODS
Ro b M a r s h a l l ’s t r a c k
record in the tricky craft
of adapting stage musicals includes an Oscarwinner (Chicago) and
a real turkey (Nine). This one’s in between, a toneddown (it’s Disney) version of Stephen Sondheim’s
far racier stage epic that mixes and matches four
Brothers Grimm fairy tales. The first half is fun, creative, and exuberant, but then the mash-up starts falling apart as the story lines begin tripping over one
another. Some magical moments, interleaved with
embarrassing missteps. Great cast includes Meryl
Streep, Anna Kendrick, Emily Blunt, and about ten
minutes of Johnny Depp. (125 min)
THE IMITATION GAME
While no one can be called
the inventor of the computer, Alan Turing comes
close. The machine he
built to break the Nazis’
Enigma code saved thousands of lives. But this was leavened with tragedy when he “broke” a different code: The
petty, antediluvian social code of 1940s Britain that made
homosexuality a crime. Benedict Cumberbatch puts in
another flawless performance, expressing the man’s
genius and arrogance as well as his social clumsiness and
loneliness. Script wisely doesn’t try to explain the math,
and streamlines events into a cinematically accessible
whole without dumbing it down. Japanese title: Imitation
Game: Enigma to Tensai Sugakusha no Himitsu. (114 min)
BEGIN AGAIN
Direc tor John Carney
transplants the theme of
his lovely 2006 Once to
NYC with name actors.
Keira Knightley plays a
freshly dumped songwriter coerced into doing one personal, acoustic song in a noisy New York club. The only
one listening is a drunken, washed-up music producer (a
great Mark Ruffalo). In the film’s most memorable scene,
her performance is replayed through his eyes, as his imagination adds sidemen only he can hear. The two begin a
professional courtship that could save both their lives.
Good music, appealing characters and a story just offbeat
enough to keep you interested. Japanese title: Hajimari
no Uta. (103 min)
© 2015「風に立つライオン」製作委員会
© IMAGE.NET
© Avenue B Productions
eiga
Despite his popularity in the West,
I’m not a fan of Takashi Miike.
The extremely prolific auteur
has cranked out over 90 feature
By Rob Schwartz
films in his 24-year-or-so career.
Known mainly for hyper-violent works like Ichi the Killer,
torture dramas like Audition, or tongue-in-cheek brutality
like the Dead or Alive series, the director’s made just
about everything else too. The comedy-drama-musicalhorror The Happiness of the Katakuris was a hit in Japan
and internationally. Miike even crafted one flick I liked:
The prison drama Big Bang Love: Juvenile. However, you
wouldn’t expect him to make a heartfelt tearjerker about
a doctor doing good in the world—which he did. Doctor
Kōichirō Shimada (Takao Ōsawa) goes off to work at a
research center in Kenya, but is soon drawn into frontline
hospitals treating child soldiers. When he finds a boy who’s
seen his parents slaughtered and is crazed with anguish,
he dedicates himself to the physical and psychological
healing of these kids. Based on Masashi Sada’s 2013 novel,
the work is melodramatic, a bit sappy, and straightforward.
Still, it’s great to see Miike try something so earnest.
English title: Lion Standing Against the Wind. (139 min)
KAZE NI
TATSU LION
movie news
Bond is back. After 2012’s Skyfall celebrated the 50th
anniversary of the 007 series on the screen by having
the secret agent battle a host of middle-age problems,
the 24th film in the series is set to be released later this
year. Sam Mendes, who directed the last film, said at a
London press conference, “one of the great luxuries of
coming back to a film like this is that you have already
established some great actors in the role to begin with.”
He then introduced the cast—fourth time Bond Daniel
Craig, second-time Q Ben Whishaw, Rory Kinnear
playing MI6 Chief of Staff Tanner for the third time,
Naomie Harris in her second turn as Moneypenny,
and Ralph Fiennes, who took over for Judi Dench as
M at the end of the last film. Newcomers include Italian
Monica Bellucci and French actress Léa Seydoux.
Mendes revealed the title would be Spectre, which
aficionados will remember as an acronym for “Special
Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge
and Extortion,” a team of bad guys including Dr. No and
Blofeld, leading to speculation that Christoph Waltz
would be playing one of these villains. However, details
of his character are being kept under wraps. Spectre
opens in Japan November 6. Kevin Mcgue
cinematic underground
After being closed more than five years, art house
Yebisu Garden Cinema (4-20-2 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku;
www.unitedcinemas.jp/yebisu) is back. Among the
initial offerings is the French drama La ritournelle
(Paris Follies; pictured). Isabelle Huppert stars as a
middle-aged married woman in the countryside who
reluctantly starts an affair with a younger man in the city
… Bunkamura’s Le Cinema (2-24-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuyaku; www.bunkamura.co.jp) continues its screenings of
live stage performances with two works from Moscow’s
Bolshoi Ballet. The contemporary A Legend of Love can
be seen April 3-4, and a more traditional production of
Swan Lake will be on April 24-25 … The title of the 1987
documentary Radium City refers to the Midwestern
town of Ottawa, Illinois, which in the 1920s was based
around a single industry—producing luminous watch
dials by painting them with radioactive paint. Decades
later, the town was still paying the price—a poignant
message for Japan as the cleanup of Fukushima Daiichi
drags on. A screening on April 13, 7pm, will include a live
performance of a music piece inspired by the story, at
Uplink Factory (37-18 Utagawacho, Shibuya-ku.
http://www.uplink.co.jp/). Kevin Mcgue
21
arts&culture
DANCE
WRECKING CREW
ORCHESTRA
The exhibition—free to the public—opened
with much fanfare, including visits from Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe and the U.S. ambassador,
President Kennedy’s daughter Caroline.
This underlined the importance of the JapanU.S. alliance in the past, when the world faced
the threat of communism, and today, when the
U.S. is keen to maintain its superpower status in
a fast-changing Asia-Pacific.
Along with the letters, posters, and speech
notes are some information boards, videos, and
pieces of artwork, including a drawing Caroline
did for her father; allowing the visitor to build
a picture of a president obscured by his iconic
status. What emerges is a man strongly anticommunist—much more than is realized—and a
cunning politician with a carefully-crafted “family
man” image we now know was largely false.
The most interesting items are those focusing on the 1943 incident in which Kennedy had
a brush with death when his PT-109 patrol boat
was rammed by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri.
The exhibition has a painting of this dramatic
event, which set the groundwork for Kennedy’s
electable image of “war hero.” But an exchange of
correspondence from 1952 to 1953 with the captain of the Amagiri also reveals a more calculating
Street dance meets Japanese hi-tech
BY DAN GRUNEBAUM
I
rregular hours are a fact of life for a dancer.
Metropolis’ Skype call to Yuichi Yokoi finds
the leader of Osaka street dance group
Wrecking Crew Orchestra about to begin
rehearsal at 11 in the evening.
“We were all once dance instructors; usually
we worked during daytime,” Yokoi explains with
a laugh. “So the only time we had to practice
was at night after work. It’s a habit we can’t
seem to drop.”
The eight members of Wrecking Crew are rehearsing what may be their biggest show yet: A
10-day residency at Tokyo’s Zepp Blue Theater.
“We wanted to test our limits of expression,”
says Yokoi of the production, which employs
sophisticated projection mapping. “With Doodlin’, we go beyond street dance to create an
entertainment spectacle. We’ve used projection
mapping in our performances before, but we
wanted to try something new in terms of integrating technology with street dance.”
Doodlin’ melds street dance with Japanese
hi-tech, taking the integration of projection mapping with performance art to a new level. Working with visual director Takehito Suzuki and a
pack of costume and stage designers, Wrecking
Crew Orchestra employs what’s called a “seethrough screen” that allows them to seamlessly
blend the dancing and visuals.
ART
JFK
The Life and Legacy
BY C.B.LIDDELL
I
t may seem in rather poor taste to hold an
exhibition celebrating the life and legacy of
President John F. Kennedy in what is, in effect, a glorified book depository. After all , the
National Archives of Japan is the kind of building
from which Kennedy’s alleged assassin struck
on that fateful day in November 1963.
But actually, the Archives—located next to
the Museum of Modern Art Tokyo and across
from the Emperor’s palace—is a logical choice
of venue, because the exhibition focuses on
documents, letters, and papers related to the
life of America’s most famous and tragic postwar President.
22
Courtesy of Sony Music Marketing Inc.
Yokoi says the title Doodlin’ stands for graffiti.
“The theme is based on childhood,” he offers.
“Kids have a limitless imagination. For example,
if you have kids draw a cat, but they don’t do
a very good job, the cat’s ears may look like
mountains. Then they draw a sky as background,
and what was supposed to be a cat becomes a
landscape. That’s the idea of Doodlin’—images
transform before your eyes into something completely unexpected. When we become adults,
our freedom of imagination gets hemmed in by
social expectations and common sense. With
Doodlin’, we want people to recall the freedom
of their childhood. We hope to inspire people to
open their minds.”
After decades as a dancer and stints representing Japan at overseas events, Yokoi speaks
with the voice of someone who’s had time to
consider the meaning of his life’s calling. “It has
to be a conversation between the dancers and
the audience,” he believes. “Dance isn’t just a
tool to entertain—but also to tell a story.”
When they go abroad, Wrecking Crew find
themselves in the intriguing position of representing Japan via an art form that began on
the streets of the United States.
“Street dance isn’t Japanese
culture, so for us to represent
it to Myanmar people was a bit
strange,” he recalls forthrightly.
side of Kennedy’s mind. His reply comes a full five months
after he received Captain Hanami’s letter, suggesting that
he was only interested in replying when he realized the
political benefits of appearing magnanimous and boosting
U.S.-Japan ties at an important juncture in the Cold War.
Kennedy comes across as sometimes sly, sometimes
gung-ho, sometimes even idealistic. He was prepared to
gamble and make the grand gesture, as with his decisions
to publicly launch the space race and confront the Soviet
Union over its placing of missiles in the sovereign territory
of its Cuban ally. Several items testify to the tension and
paranoia of the famous Cuban Missile Crisis, including
Kennedy’s hand-scribbled notes with ‘missile’ circled.
Perhaps the most striking item is a large color photo of
Kennedy’s inauguration, which includes around 200 VIPs
and luminaries, including former President Eisenhower
and future presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard
Nixon, but not a single non-white face. Quite a contrast
with today, when a black president presides over a country
where whites are already a minority of new births.
National Archives of Japan, until May 5.
Photo by Davi Azevedo
“[The] Japanese first imitated American culture, but then
we made it our own over time. So we tried to bring that to
Myanmar. It was a powerful experience.”
What makes Japanese street dance unique? “[The]
Japanese are subtle,” he says, pondering a good answer.
“And precise. We’re able to take advantage of that for
performances that, for example, involve projection mapping. We try to bring those aspects of Japanese culture
to street dance; and Japanese hi-tech—mixing that with
street art.”
Rather than finding overseas habits strange, Yokoi
says it’s the local response he finds odd upon returning to Japan. “Japanese people are very shy—they’re
always checking other audience members out before
they decide how to respond,” he responds. “Nearby
Asian peoples are more open. So rather than finding other
countries strange, when I get back, I find Japan different.
I wish Japanese would learn how to enjoy themselves
more easily, and not be so uptight.”
While amateur dance forms from salsa to ballroom to
Jamaican-style twerking are wildly popular here, dance
at the professional level is still a tiny community divided
into factions from street dance to ballet to butoh.
Japan needs someone who can unite dance fans,
and in Yokoi they may have the right person. Whether
it’s in front of audiences in big Japanese cities, or on
international tour, what comes through from Yokoi is that
he enjoys being on stage at least as much as his fans take
pleasure in watching him.
“It’s all I know,” he concludes. “I’ve been dancing professionally half my life. It’s also the area where I express
myself best. And it provides a way to interact with people.
I even met my wife through dance—and the members
of Wrecking Crew, too. More than art, for us dance is a
communication tool.”
Zepp Blue Theater Roppongi, April 3-12.
http://wreckingcreworchestra.com
1 TO 1: MICHEL HAZANAVICIUS
BY DANIEL L. SMITH, FOX EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
W
hen you make an interview entrance by bringing along your
freshly-minted Oscar, it’s a hard
act to follow. That’s what happened when we caught up with French
director/producer/scriptwriter Michel
Hazanavicius during his last visit to Japan.
His film, The Artist, had just won Best
Picture at the 84th Academy Awards,
and Hazanavicius took home the Oscar
for Best Director. But he didn’t seem to
have time to make it home from the ceremony as the film’s Japan premiere came
on the heels of his Hollywood trip—so he
literally carried the Oscar statue around
and brought it to his interview with Fox
Backstage Pass host Matthew Ireton.
Maybe the award-winning filmmaker
knew it was going to be hard to top that
experience so, instead of a statue, this
time he brought to Tokyo the next best
thing: Another great movie, The Gift.
He credits the accolades The Artist
earned with paving the path to making
The Search.
“The Academy Awards gave me the
chance to increase my expression, which
meant, for me, that the door is open. I had
always wanted to make this movie, even
before I won the Academy Awards. After
the Academy Awards, I got so many offers. However, I knew what I wanted to
make, so I started this project naturally. I
started to make this movie a week after I
won the Oscar,” Hazanavicius explained.
He said his interest in the Chechen
War fueled his desire to remake the original 1948 film.
“I have been shocked for a long time
[by the Chechen War]. Many atrocities
were committed during the war. That
was a terrible war. Besides that, I was
shocked that the international community seemed to have no interest in the
truth—so I made it happen. I could film
in a wonderful situation; by that, I mean
I was able to raise the funds for this movie, and could make this movie not only
entertaining, but also dramatic,” Hazanavicius continued, adding, “I think
[the] Oscar gave me this chance!”
The film also gave the Frenchman an
opportunity to work with his wife, actress
Bérénice Bejo, and noted Hollywood actress Annette Bening.
“In regards to Bérénice, she was interested in the Chechen War as well. At
the beginning of this project, we worked
closely together, met the same people,
and watched the same documentary. We
shared many of the same experiences
surrounding this movie. That’s why she
was interested in this movie from the beginning, and she invested so much of
herself in the film,” Hazanavicius said.
Attracting Bening required a more
traditional route. “I sent the script to her.
She read the entire script in just two days
and decided to take this right after she
finished reading it. It impressed me a lot.
She also researched the Chechen War to
prepare for this movie. She is an amazing
woman as well as a wonderful actress. All
of the film’s staff fell in love with her. I’m so
glad to have worked with her.”
Like The Artist, Hazanavicius’ latest
film is receiving critical acclaim. With an
impressive track record growing by the
project, we wonder what his next Tokyo
trip will bring.
Fox Backstage Pass airs Sat on Fox at 1am; Sun on Fox Movies Premium at
9am; and on Fox Sports and Entertainment at 11:30am.
23
agenda
WATCH LIST
hot tickets
MAY
23
Loud & Metal Attack
Headlined by Finnish power metal
band Sonata Arctica, with Lost
Society, Wolfheart, and others. May
23, 3pm. ¥7,000. Club Quattro.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3499-6669.
http://j.mp/loudandmetalattack2015
Tickets on sale now
Concerts
POPULAR
The New Flying Zabutons
A short history of R&B,
part one. Apr 3, 7-11pm.
¥1,000. Rooster North Side.
Ogikubo. www.ogikuborooster.com/north
Arrested Development
Grammy Award-winning
American alternative hip-hop
group who were named Band
of the Year by Rolling Stone
magazine in 1993. Apr 4, 6 &
9pm; Apr 5, 4:30 & 7:30pm.
¥7,500-9,500. Billboard Live.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-34051133. http://j.mp/arrested2015
The Waterboys
Rock band mixing Celtic folk
music with rock ‘n’ roll. Apr 6,
7:30pm. ¥8,000. Club Quattro.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3477-8750.
http://j.mp/waterboys2015
Tropics
British producer and
multi-instrumentalist Chris
Ward performs music that’s a
little bit chillwave, a little bit
polyrhythmics. Apr 7, 7pm.
¥4,500-6,500. Billboard Live.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-34051133. http://j.mp/tropics2015
Battle Beast
Finnish heavy metal band who
rose to prominence by winning
two major band competitions
in 2010. Apr 7, 7pm. ¥6,800.
Club Quattro. Shibuya. Tel:
03-3477-8750. http://j.mp/
battlebeast2015
Computer Magic
Electronic music solo-project
of American producer Danielle
“Danz” Johnson who is the
singer, writer, composer, and
often producer for Computer
Magic. Apr 7, 8pm. ¥5,500.
WWW. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5458-7685. http://j.mp/
compmagic2015
John-Hoon
South Korean singer and
actor who rose to fame
as a member of Korean
duo UN. Apr 8-9, 6:30pm.
¥9,800. Shinjuku Bunka
Center. Higashi-Shinjuku.
Tel: 03-3350-1141. www.
kimjeonghoon.com
Stick Men
Progressive rock band
formed by the bassist Tony
Levin, with special guest
David Cross. Apr 10, 7pm.
¥6,000-8,000. Billboard
Live. Roppongi. Tel:
03-3405-1133. http://j.mp/
stickmen2015
JUN
7
Bra Bra Final Fantasy
The Siena Wind Orchestra perform
music from the hit video game
franchise. Jun 7, 1 & 5pm. ¥4,5006,500. Bunkamura Orchard Hall.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3477-9999.
http://j.mp/brabra2015
Tickets on sale now
Noel Gallagher’s High
Flying Birds
English rock band led by
former Oasis lead guitarist/
songwriter. Apr 16, 7pm.
¥9,000. Nippon Budokan.
Kudanshita. http://j.mp/
gallagher2015
Charli XCX
Chart-topping British singersongwriter puts on a show
that’ll make you go “boom,
clap.” Apr 16, 7pm. ¥6,000.
Liquidroom. Ebisu. Tel:
03-5464-0800. http://j.mp/
charli2015
JUN
14-15 & 19-22
Vanessa Williams
The stunning pop and R&B songstress
saves the best for Tokyo. Jun 15, 19,
& 22, 6:30 & 9:30pm; Jun 14, 20-21,
5 & 8pm. ¥13,800. Blue Note Tokyo.
Omotesando.
http://j.mp/williams2015
Tickets on sale from Apr 4
genre is ethereal nostalgic
sonance. Apr 23, 7pm. ¥5,000.
Astro Hall. Meiji-Jingumae.
Tel: 03-3402-3089. http://j.mp/
blossoms2015
Kitty, Daisy & Lewis
Three-piece band, comprising
the siblings of the Durham
family, whose music is heavily
influenced by everything
from R&B, swing, and jump
blues, to country and Western,
Hawaiian, and rock ‘n’ roll.
Apr 24, 7:30pm. ¥6,000.
Club Quattro. Shibuya. Tel:
03-3477-8750. http://j.mp/
kittydaisylewis2015
Extreme Death Feast
Metal concert featuring The
Crown, Aborted, and Rotten
Sound. Apr 17, 5:45pm.
¥6,000. duo Music Exchange.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5459-8716.
www.duomusicexchange.com
Meghan Trainor
American bubblegum singersongwriter who’s all about that
bass. Apr 18, 7pm. ¥5,800.
Laforet Museum. Harajuku.
Tel: 03-5413-3072. http://j.mp/
trainor2015
Davina Robinson
Powerhouse vocalist brings her
take on rock, blues, and soul
to Tokyo. Apr 18, 6:30-11pm.
¥1,500 (adv)/¥2,000 (door).
Yotsuya Lotus. Yotsuyasanchome. Tel: 03-5315-4781.
http://yotsuyalotus.com
Colm Wilkinson: Broadway
and Beyond Japan
Irish tenor, best known for
originating the role of Jean
Valjean in Les Misérables. Apr
18, 6:30pm; Apr 19, 3pm; Apr
21-22, 2pm. ¥7,000-12,000.
Theatre Orb. Shibuya. Tel:
03-3477-9999. http://j.mp/
wilkinson2015
Peace
English indie rock quartet
who began to receive critical
acclaim in early 2012 from
publications such as The
Guardian and NME, who
compared them to The
Maccabees, Foals, Wu Lyf, and
Vampire Weekend. Apr 22,
7pm. ¥5,000. Club Quattro.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3477-8750.
http://j.mp/peace2015
Vandenberg’s Moonkings
Band created by Adrian
Vandenberg, a Dutch rock
guitarist best known as one
of the former guitarists in
Whitesnake. Apr 23, 7pm.
¥7,500. Liquidroom. Ebisu.
Tel: 03-5464-0800. http://j.mp/
moonkings2015
Blossoms
Mosaic five-piece band whose
Katy Perry
The bombshell pop star with
an affinity for kissing girls roars
into Tokyo. Apr 25, 6pm; Apr 26,
5pm. ¥10,000-25,000. Tokyo
Metropolitan Gymnasium.
Sendagaya. Tel: 03-54742112. http://j.mp/katyperry2015
JUL
15-AUG 2
Sister Act
Whoopi Goldberg-produced
Broadway musical adaptation of the
1992 comedy featuring the actress.
Jul 15-Aug 2, various times. ¥7,00012,000. Theatre Orb. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-3477-3244. http://j.mp/
sisteract2015
Tickets on sale now
Opeth
Swedish heavy metal band
who incorporate progressive,
folk, blues, classical, and jazz
influences into their usually
lengthy compositions. Apr
30, 7pm. ¥7,500. Ex Theater
Roppongi. Roppongi or
Nogizaka. Tel: 03-6406-2222.
http://j.mp/opeth2015
Epik High
South Korean alternative
hip-hop group known for
combining different styles of
hip hop, along with different
musical genres. May 3, 6pm.
¥6,800. Yokohama Bay Hall.
Motomachi-Chūkagai. Tel:
045-624-3900. http://j.mp/
epik2015
Sam Smith
Grammy-winning English
singer-songwriter serenades
you. May 7-8, 7pm. ¥6,000.
Studio Coast. Shin-Kiba.
http://j.mp/samsmith2015
Equilibrium
German folk metal band
combining elements of folk
music, black metal, and
symphonic metal, with various
other influences. Apr 25-26,
6pm. ¥5,500. The Doors.
Hatsudai. Tel: 03-5350-5800.
http://equilibrium-metal.net/en/
Fu-Ching-Gido Debut
Album Release Party
Tuba and drums gypsy rock
band with support from
vaudevillian charmer Baron.
Apr 26, 6:30-10:30pm. ¥2,500
(adv)/¥3,000 (door). Shibuya
Gee-ge. Shibuya. Tel:
03-6416-3468. http://fu-chinggido.com
Paul McCartney
Sir Paul makes his return with
his “Out There Japan Tour,”
after the cancellation of his
show last May. Apr 23, 25 &
27, 6:30pm. ¥14,000-18,000.
Tokyo Dome. Suidobashi.
Tel: 03-5800-9999. http://
outthere-japantour.com
Elle Varner
American Grammy-nominated
singer-songwriter and
multi-instrumentalist who
released her debut album,
Perfectly Imperfect, in 2012.
Apr 27-28, 7 & 9:30pm.
¥7,000-9,000. Billboard Live.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-34051133. http://j.mp/varner2015
Collabro
English boy band who won
the eighth series of Britain’s
Got Talent in 2014, and whose
repertoire comprises primarily
musical theater. Apr 29, 2pm.
¥4,860. Yomiuri Otemachi Hall.
Otemachi. Tel: 03-6739-5838.
http://yomi.otemachi-hall.com
Sheena Easton
Grammy-winning Scottish
star of music, film, and stage,
whose baby takes the morning
train. May 2, 6 & 9pm; May 4,
4:30 & 7:30pm. ¥7,500-9,500.
Billboard Live. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-3405-1133. http://j.mp/
easton2015
Ned Doheny
American singer, songwriter,
and guitarist whose music
defies exact categorization,
being variously described as
pop, funk, jazz, and AOR. May
5, 4:30pm. ¥6,800-8,800.
Billboard Live. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-3405-1133. http://j.mp/
doheny2015
JAZZ/WORLD
Helen Merrill
American internationally-known
jazz vocalist who has recorded
and performed with some of
the most notable figures on
the American jazz scene. Mar
31-Apr 3, 6:30 & 9pm; Apr 4, 5 &
8pm. ¥8,500. Blue Note Tokyo.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-54850088. http://j.mp/merrill2015
for free
UNTIL
APR 19
Flower Garden 2015
Enjoy the coming of spring with a
colorful array of flowers, arranged like
a big “flower carpet.” Until Apr 19, all
day (illumination 6pm-12am). Free.
Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse.
Bashamichi or Nihon-ōdōri.
www.yokohama-akarenga.jp
& 9:30pm. ¥8,000. Blue Note
Tokyo. Omotesando. Tel:
03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
keziahjones2015
Kenny Garrett Quintet
Grammy Award-winning
American post-bop jazz
saxophonist and flautist who
gained fame as a member of
the Duke Ellington Orchestra
and Miles Davis’ band. Apr 13,
7pm. ¥7,800. Blue Note Tokyo.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-54850088. http://j.mp/garrett2015
Antonio Sanchez &
Migration
Mexican jazz drummer who
composed the music for the
Academy Award-winning
film Birdman. Apr 14,
7pm. ¥8,000. Blue Note
Tokyo. Omotesando. Tel:
03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
antoniosanchez2015
Jill Barber
Canadian singer-songwriter
renowned for writing songs
that evoke feelings of a bygone
era. Apr 15-16, 7 & 9:30pm.
¥6,000. Blue Note Tokyo.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-54850088. http://j.mp/barber2015
Antibalas
Brooklyn-based afrobeat
band that is modeled after
Fela Kuti’s Africa 70 band and
Eddie Palmieri’s Harlem River
Drive Orchestra. Apr 26, 5 &
8pm; Apr 27-28, 7 & 9:30pm.
¥7,000. Blue Note Tokyo.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-54850088. http://j.mp/antibalas2015
Joey Calderazzo Trio
Jazz pianist Calderazzo’s trio
with Donald Edwards (drums)
and Orlando LeFleming (bass)
that has developed into one of
the most adventurous outfits
in jazz. Apr 28 & 30, 6:30 &
9pm; Apr 29, 5 & 8pm. ¥7,0009,000. Cotton Club. Tokyo.
Tel: 03-3215-1555. http://j.mp/
calderazzo2015
Dave Koz featuring Javier
Colon
American smooth jazz
saxophonist Koz with acoustic
soul singer-songwriter and
musician Colon. May 1, 7 &
9:30pm; May 2-4, 5 & 8pm.
¥8,500. Blue Note Tokyo.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-54850088. http://j.mp/koz2015
Jimmy Cliff
Jamaican reggae musician,
multi-instrumentalist, singer,
and actor who is the only living
musician to hold the Order
of Merit. Apr 14-16, 6:30 &
9:30pm. ¥10,000-12,000.
Billboard Live. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-3405-1133. http://j.mp/
jimmycliff2015
The Funky Meters
Herb Alpert and Lani Hall
Blue Mountain Boys
Jazz trumpeter Alpert, who
is the only recording artist
to hit number one on the
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 pop
chart as both a vocalist and
an instrumentalist, and
his wife Hall, a Grammy
Award-winning singer. Apr 17
& 20, 7:30pm; Apr 18-19, 6pm.
¥14,800-18,040. Blue Note
Tokyo. Omotesando. Tel:
03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
alperthall2015
Classic country western
and bluegrass. Every third
Sat, 6:30 & 7:30pm. Free.
Cafe Sepia. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-3406-1300. www.
nagaremono.com/sepia
Richard Elliot
Grammy Award-winning Cuban
jazz pianist and composer
Rubalcaba’s tribute to Charlie
Haden. Apr 5, 5 & 8pm; Apr
6-7, 7 & 9:30pm. ¥8,500. Blue
Note Tokyo. Omotesando.
Tel: 03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
rubalcabaquartet2015
Scottish-born saxophone
player whose solo career took
off when he remade the Percy
Sledge classic “When a Man
Loves a Woman.” Apr 21-23,
6:30 & 9pm. ¥7,500-9,500.
Cotton Club. Tokyo. Tel:
03-3215-1555. http://j.mp/
elliot2015
Keziah Jones
Hans Dulfer
Nigerian singer-songwriter
and guitarist performing
“blufunk,” a fusion between
raw blues elements and hard,
edgy funk rhythms. Apr 8-10, 7
Dutch jazz musician who plays
tenor saxophone, and father
to fellow saxophonist Candy
Dulfer. Apr 22-24, 7 & 9:30pm.
¥8,500. Blue Note Tokyo.
Gonzalo Rubalcaba Quartet
Omotesando. Tel: 03-54850088. http://j.mp/dulfer2015
American funk band who
performed and recorded
their own music from the late
1960s until 1977. May 9, 6 &
9pm; May 10, 4:30 & 7:30pm.
¥7,200-9,200. Billboard Live.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-34051133. http://j.mp/meters2015
CLASSICAL
Japan Philharmonic
Orchestra Popular Concert
Conducted by Tomomi
Nishimoto, with performances
of Rachmaninov’s “Rhapsody
on a Theme of Paganini,”
Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony
No.5, op.64,” and more. Apr 5,
2pm. ¥1,500-7,200. Suntory
Hall. Roppongi-itchome. Tel:
0570-55-0017. http://j.mp/
jphilpopular2015
Vittorio Grigolo
Italian operatic tenor who was
chosen to become part of the
Sistine Chapel Choir as a soloist
at a young age. Apr 5, 2pm.
¥15,000-18,500. Tokyo Opera
City Concert Hall. Hatsudai or
Shinjuku. Tel: 03-5353-9999.
www.operacity.jp/en
25
“Tokyo’s premier multidisciplinary rehabilitation center”
• Assessments and treatments
Club 360 is a multidisciplinary health
performed by a team of
and fitness center, which also offers
internationally trained, registered and
personal training, group classes,
experienced physiotherapists.
boxing and kickboxing.
• Private treatment rooms
• Large, fully equipped rehab gym
• Central location 3 min walk from Roppongi Hills
• Consultations available in English and Japanese
Sports injuries
Musculoskeletal and spinal conditions (neck and back pain)
Ergononomic and postural assessments
Gait assessments
Rehabilitation programs
Address: B1 CMA3 Bldg, 3-1-35 Moto Azabu, Minato-ku • Nearest stn: Roppongi
Hours: Open Mon-Sat 6:30am-9:00pm, Sun 8:00am - 2:00pm • Tel: 03-6434-9667
26
Toyota Master Players,
Wien
With performances of Mozart’s
“Serenade in D major, K. 239
Serenata notturna,” Hummel’s
“Concerto for Trumpet in E
major,” and more. Apr 6, 7pm.
¥3,000-5,500. Suntory Hall.
Roppongi-itchome. Tel:
0570-55-0017. http://j.mp/
toyotaplayers2015
Sebastiano lo Medico
Italian tenor and accordion
player with Sayaka Teramoto
on piano. Apr 8, 2pm. ¥500.
Lilis. Hongodai. Tel:
045-896-2000. http://j.mp/
lomedico2015
Lim Hyung Joo
UN Peace Medal-winning
South Korean operatic pop
tenor and classical crossover
singer. Apr 8, 7pm. ¥7,500.
Suntory Hall. Roppongiitchome. Tel: 0570-55-0017.
http://j.mp/limhyungjoo2015
Japan Philharmonic
Orchestra Crystal
Symphonic Concert
With Chris Hart, an American
singer who gained popularity
as a J-pop artist in Japan. Apr
8, 7pm. ¥7,000-9,000. Suntory
Hall. Roppongi-itchome. Tel:
0570-55-0017. http://j.mp/
jphilcrystal2015
Second International Peace
Concert in Japan
Professional and young
musicians join together for
international and multicultural
peace and understanding.
Apr 10, 7-9pm. ¥1,300-3,500
(adv)/¥2,000-4,000 (door).
Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre.
Ikebukuro. Tel: 03-53912111. www.peaceconcert.jp
Tokyo City Philharmonic
Orchestra
Conducted by Ken Takaseki
with a performance of
Smetana’s “Má vlast” and
more. Apr 11, 2pm. ¥3,2006,300. Tokyo Opera City
Concert Hall. Hatsudai or
Shinjuku. Tel: 03-5353-9999.
www.operacity.jp/en
viennaboys2015suntory.
May 22, 1:30pm. ¥5,800.
Tokyo Opera City Concert
Hall. Hatsudai or Shinjuku.
Tel: 03-5353-9999. www.
operacity.jp/en/. May 23, 2pm.
¥5,900. Yokohama Minato
Mirai Hall. Minatomirai. Tel:
045-682-2020. www.yaf.or.jp/
mmh/english/index-e.html
Modern Disco. Electro, techno:
DJs Kavinsky, Kyoko, etc.
From 10pm. (m)¥3,500 w/1d,
(f)¥3,000 w/1d. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5728-2824. www.visiontokyo.com
Richard Clayderman
The Room
French pianist noted by the
Guinness Book of World
Records as being “the
most successful pianist in
the world.” May 23, 3pm.
¥5,500-7,000. Katsushika
Symphony Hills. Aoto. Tel:
03-5670-2222. http://j.mp/
clayderman2015
Especial Records Session.
House, jazz: DJs Shuya Okino,
Yoshihiro Okino. From 10pm.
¥2,500 w/1d. Shibuya. www.
theroom.jp
Ageha
John’s World. All good music:
DJ Johnny and more. From
12am. ¥1,000. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5784-5496. www.
microcosmos-tokyo.com
The New Matrix Bar
Matrix Friday. Old-school
hip-hop, west side, south
side, all mix: DJ Ykk and more.
From 6pm. ¥1,000 (after
11:30pm). Roppongi. www.
matrixbar.jp
Air
Leftfield. House, techno:
DJs Maeda, Kza, etc. From
10pm. ¥3,000. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5784-3384. www.
air-tokyo.com
Sound Museum Vision
Power. House, electro: DJs
Ol Killer, Towa Tei, etc. From
10pm. (m)¥3,500 w/1d,
(f)¥2,500 w/1d. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5728-2824. www.
vision-tokyo.com
Breakthrough. Hip-hop:
DJs Jin, Ladi Dadi, etc.
From 10pm. ¥2,500 w/1d.
Shibuya. www.theroom.jp
Shibuya Mixx. EDM: Various
DJs. From 10pm. (m)¥3,500
w/1d, (f)¥2,500 w/2d.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-54288692. www.t2-shibuya.com
Ageha
Conducted by Martin
Studer with performances
of Rodrigo’s “Concierto
Pastoral,”
Doppler’s “Rigoletto
Fantaisie, op.38,” and more.
Apr 21, 7pm. ¥4,000-8,000.
Suntory Hall. Roppongiitchome. Tel: 0570-55-0017.
http://j.mp/newzuerich2015
NHK Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Vahan
Mardirossian with pieces
by Mozart, Beethoven, and
others. May 4, 2:30pm.
¥3,300-7,300. Tokyo Bunka
Kaikan. Ueno. Tel: 03-38282111. www.t-bunka.jp/en/
Vienna Boys’ Choir
One of the best known
boys’ choirs in the world
presents the Bruckner
touring choir. May 5, 2pm.
¥1,500-7,000. Suntory Hall.
Roppongi-itchome. Tel:
0570-55-0017. http://j.mp/
Agepa. All mix: DJs U5,
Hokuto, etc. From 11pm.
(m)¥3,000 w/1d, (f)free.
Shinkiba. Tel: 03-55342525. www.ageha.com
Daikanyama Unit
Veta. Techno: DJs Tr-101,
Pete, etc. From 11pm. ¥3,500.
Daikanyama. Tel: 03-54598630. www.unit-tokyo.com
Ucess the Lounge
Sasarisa. Hip-hop: DJs
Sasarisa, Uda, etc. From
11pm. ¥2,000 w/1 cd.
Meiji-jingumae. Tel:
03-6807-1588. www.ucess.jp
www.rubyroomtokyo.com
http://j.mp/lachauvesouris2015
Womb
The New Matrix Bar
Sleeping Beauty
Double Eight. EDM,
drum’n‘bass: DJs Ikezawa,
Taku, etc. From 10pm. ¥1,500
w/1d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-54590039. www.womb.co.jp
Matrix Friday. Old-school
hip-hop, west side, south side,
all mix: DJ Ykk and more. From
6pm. ¥1,000 (after 11:30pm).
Roppongi. www.matrixbar.jp
Club Asia
Air
Yolo. All mix: DJs Genie, Kazuki,
etc. From 11pm. ¥2,000.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5458-2551.
www.clubasia.co.jp
John Osborn. House, techno:
DJs John Osborn, Nehan, etc.
From 10pm. ¥3,500. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5784-3384. www.
air-tokyo.com
Performed by the Matsuyama
Ballet Company with music by
the Tokyo New Philharmonic
Orchestra. May 3-4, 3:30pm.
¥4,500-13,000. Bunkamura
Orchard Hall. Shibuya. Tel:
03-3477-9111. http://j.mp/
matsuyamabeauty2015
TUESDAY 7
Open Mic. From 7pm. ¥1,000
w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-37803022 (evenings) / 070-69694816 (daytime). www.
rubyroomtokyo.com
Saturdays. House, EDM: DJs
Deniz Koyu, Takeru, etc. From
11pm. ¥3,500. Shinkiba.
Tel: 03-5534-2525. www.
ageha.com
T2
Awapa. House, techno: DJs
Suda, Hatanaka, etc. From
11pm. (m)¥3,500, (f)¥2,500.
Tel: 03-5458-2551. www.
clubasia.co.jp
Super Tuesday. EDM: DJs
Hokuto, Takeru, etc. From
10pm. (m)¥2,500 w/2d,
(f)¥1,500 w/2d. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5428-8692. www.
t2-shibuya.com
Womb
Womb
06s. Drum‘n’bass: DJs Smooth,
Aki, etc. From 11pm. ¥3,500.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5459-0039.
www.womb.co.jp
Tuemix. EDM, top40: DJs Alpha
One, Ashlay, etc. From 10pm.
(m)¥1,500, (f)free. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5459-0039. www.
womb.co.jp
Club Asia
Daikanyama Unit
Mindgames. DJs Peter Dundov,
So, etc. From 11:30pm. ¥4,000.
Daikanyama. Tel: 03-54598630. www.unit-tokyo.com
Liquidroom
Rpr Soundsystem. Techno,
house: DJs Rpr Soundsystem,
Kabuto, etc. From 11:30pm.
¥4,500. Ebisu. Tel: 03-54640800. www.liquidroom.net
Sound Museum Vision
Modern Disco. Super Unique
French Artist. From 10pm.
(m)¥3,500, (f)¥3,000.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5728-2824.
www.vision-tokyo.com
WEDNESDAY 8
T2
Shibuya Girls Party. EDM: DJs
C’k, Matsuzaki, etc. From 10pm.
(m)¥2,500 w/2d, (f)¥1,500
w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-54288692. www.t2-shibuya.com
Womb
Wedm. EDM: DJs Hiroki,
Ikezawa, etc. From 10pm.
(m)¥1,500, (f) free. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5459-0039. www.
womb.co.jp
The Room
SUNDAY 5
The Room Bar. Bar style: DJs
Saitou, Koma, etc. 7-11pm. Free.
Shibuya. www.theroom.jp
T2
THURSDAY 9
Global Allmix Party. All mix: DJs
Boss, Shu, etc. From 10pm.
(m)¥2,500 w/2d, (f)¥1,500
w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-54288692. www.t2-shibuya.com
Womb
EDM Sunday. EDM: DJs
Yu-, Emiko, etc. 4-10pm.
(m)¥2,500, (f)free. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5459-0039. www.
womb.co.jp
The Room
Signum. House, techno: DJs
Kagayaki, Miboo, etc. 6-11pm.
¥2,000 w/1d. Shibuya.
www.theroom.jp
MONDAY 6
Air
Tokyogw. Hip-hop, bass music:
DJ Good Weather. From 10pm.
¥2,000 w/1d. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5784-3384. www.air-tokyo.
com
Sterne. Techno: DJ Takkyu
Ishino. Live: Secret Cinema.
From 11pm. ¥3,500.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-54590039. www.womb.co.jp
World Wide of Bass House.
Bass music, house: DJs
Takizawa, Kobayashi, etc.
From 10pm. ¥2,000 w/1d.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5784-3384.
www.air-tokyo.com
SATURDAY 4
Sound Museum Vision
The New Matrix Bar
Saturday Night Fever.
Hip-hop, R&B, reggae: DJ Ykk
and more. From 6pm. ¥1,000
(after 10pm). Roppongi.
www.matrixbar.jp
Modern Disco. Electro, house:
DJs Nakata, Uchida, etc.
From 10pm. (m)¥3,000 w/1d,
(f)¥2,500 w/1d. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5728-2824. www.
vision-tokyo.com
Happiness. World mix: DJs
Shu, Igarashi, etc. From 10pm.
(m)¥2,500 w/2d, (f)¥1,500
w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-54288692. www.t2-shibuya.com
Womb
EDM Express. EDM, top40: DJs
Su-Pyi, Lirica, etc. From 10pm.
(m)¥1,500, (f)free. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5459-0039. www.
womb.co.jp
Air
Deep Detroit Heat. House:
DJs Terrence Parker, Nobu,
etc. From 10pm. ¥3,500.
T2 Monday. EDM: DJs Kenta,
Bobby, etc. From 10pm.
(m)¥2,500 w/2d, (f)¥1,500
w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-5428-
Voca People
Shibuya Mixx. EDM: DJs
Remo-Con, Baby-T, etc. From
10pm. (m)¥3,500 w/1d,
(f)¥2,500 w/2d. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5428-8692. www.
t2-shibuya.com
Israel-based ensemble
performing vocal theater
combining a cappella and
beat boxing to reproduce the
sounds of an entire orchestra.
Apr 14-26, various times.
¥5,200-8,300. The Galaxy
Theatre. Tennouzu Isle. Tel:
03-5769-0011. http://hpot.jp/
vocapeople/english/
Ageha
Turned On. EDM: DJs Marc
Panther, Vivid, etc. From
11pm. (m)¥3,000, (f)¥2,500.
Shinkiba. Tel: 03-5534-2525.
www.ageha.com
Orange. All mix: DJs Chihiro,
Horiki, etc. From 11pm. ¥1,000.
Tel: 03-5458-2551. www.
clubasia.co.jp
FRIDAY 10
Jumper. EDM: DJs Hikaru,
Emiko, etc. From 11pm.
(m)¥3,000, (f)¥1,000 w/2d.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5458-2551.
www.clubasia.co.jp
Womb
Tact/Festival 2015
Thomas Newson. EDM: DJs
Thomas Newson, Dantz, etc.
From 11pm. ¥3,500. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5459-0039. www.
womb.co.jp
Showcasing overseas stage
performances mainly from
France, including Claire
Ruffin’s L’insomnante, José
Montalvo’s Asa Nisi Masa, and
Corpus’ Les moutons. May 3-6,
various times. ¥500-2,500.
Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre.
Ikebukuro. Tel: 03-53912111. www.geigeki.jp/
Daikanyama Unit
Straight to Hell. Techno:
DJs Ishino, Sugiurumn, etc.
From 11:30pm. ¥2,500.
Daikanyama. Tel: 03-54598630. www.unit-tokyo.com
Gokoku. Bass music, techno:
DJs Hata, Baku, etc. From 6pm.
¥1,500 w/1d. Shibuya. Tel:
03-3780-3022 (evenings) /
070-6969-4816 (daytime).
Exhibitions
SATURDAY 11
ENDING SOON
Sound Museum Vision
Kill The Noise Japan Tour
2015. EDM, dub step. ¥3,000
(adv)/¥3,500 (door). Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5728-2824. www.
vision-tokyo.com
Dance
Riverdance 20 Years
With an incredible two decades
of global success, this tour
provides Riverdance fans
old and new the opportunity
to celebrate an incredible
milestone for an incredible
show. Apr 3-15, various times.
¥7,500-12,000. Theatre Orb.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3477-9999.
http://j.mp/riverdance20years
María Pagés, the Queen of
modern flamenco, takes an
innovative approach to Carmen!
Apr 24, 7pm; Apr 25, 3pm;
Apr 26, 2pm. ¥8,000-12,000.
Bunkamura Orchard Hall.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3477-9111.
http://j.mp/yocarmen2015
Microcosmos
Good Old. House: DJs Gee,
Turbo, etc. From 12am. ¥2,000.
Tel: 03-5784-5496. www.
microcosmos-tokyo.com
Mr. Show
A show only for women, be
entertained at Korean revue
“Mr. Show” where attractive
men perform for your viewing
pleasure. Apr 22-26, various
times. ¥4,000-20,000. Akasaka
Blitz. Akasaka. http://j.mp/
mrshow2015
Club Asia
Yo, Carmen
Club Asia
Ruby Room
T2
T2
T2
Air
Womb
Destination. Broken beats,
deep house: DJs Oka, Sayuri,
etc. From 10pm. ¥2,000 w/1d.
Shibuya. www.theroom.jp
Opera by Verdi about the cruel
fates and bloody end of the
daughter of a Spanish Marquis,
Leonora; the descendant of the
royal family of the Inca Empire,
Don Alvaro; and Leonora’s
brother, Don Carlo. Apr 5, 11
& 14, 2pm; Apr 8, 6:30pm.
¥6,480-21,600. New National
Theatre Tokyo. Hatsudai.
Tel: 03-5352-9999. http://j.mp/
destino2015
Girls Festival. Hip-hop: DJs
Kaori, Hokuto, etc. From
10pm. (m)¥3,500 w/1d, (f)free.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5728-2824.
www.vision-tokyo.com
The Room
The Choice. House: DJs Nic
Fanciulli, Osamu, etc. From
10pm. ¥2,000 w/1d. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5784-3384. www.
air-tokyo.com
Stage
La Forza del Destino
Sound Museum Vision
Air
The Room
T2
New Zuerich Orchestra
T2
FRIDAY 3
Microcosmos
8692. www.t2-shibuya.com
Ruby Room
Clubbing
Korean violinist who attended
the prestigious Juilliard
School. Apr 15, 7pm. ¥5,00012,000. Tokyo Bunka Kaikan.
Ueno. Tel: 03-3828-2111.
www.t-bunka.jp/en/
Japanese brass quintet
composed of former
classmates of Tokyo
University of the Arts. Apr 20,
7pm. ¥2,000-3,000. Tokyo
Bunka Kaikan. Ueno. Tel:
03-3828-2111. http://j.mp/
buzzfive2015
Sound Museum Vision
Shibuya Mixx. EDM: DJs
Dragon, Shu, etc. From 10pm.
(m)¥3,500 w/1d, (f)¥2,500
w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-54288692. www.t2-shibuya.com
Kyung-wha Chung
Buzz Five Concert 018
Shibuya. Tel: 03-57843384. www.air-tokyo.com
La Chauve-souris
Combining elements from
musicals and revues, this
humorous and charming
repertoire is fully enjoyable for
those not usually accustomed
to ballet performances. Apr 21
& 23, 7pm; Apr 25, 1 & 6pm;
Apr 26, 2pm. ¥3,240-10,800.
New National Theatre Tokyo.
Hatsudai. Tel: 03-5352-9999.
Masterpieces of Buddhist
Sculpture from Northern
Japan
Showcasing Buddhist
sculptures from Michinoku,
famous for their powerful
expressions. Until Apr 5,
9:30am-5pm, closed Mon.
¥400-1,000. Tokyo National
Museum. Ueno. http://
michinoku2015.jp
Pharaohs and People in
Ancient Egypt
Explore the lives and
spirituality of the Ancient
Egyptians through items from
the Tokai University Collection.
Until Apr 5, 9:30am-5pm,
closed Mon. ¥150-300.
Yokohama Museum of EurAsian
Cultures. Nihon-Odori. Tel:
045-663-2424. http://j.mp/
pharaohs2015
Bodhisattvas: Symbols of
Salvation and Support
Showcasing sculptures
and paintings depicting
Bodhisattvas, or deities who,
despite having attained
enlightenment for themselves,
willingly descend into the
human realm, where they
face the joys and sorrows
of human life and extend a
hand in salvation. Until Apr
6, 10am-5pm, closed Mon.
¥700-900 (adv)/ ¥800-1,000
(door). Nezu Museum.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-34002536. www.nezu-muse.or.jp/en
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DUBLINERS’ SHIBUYA
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Tel: 03-5459-1736
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Referenc
Ishikawacho station
0120-5610-68
10:00-18:30 /
Closed Sundays and Mondays
Kinnomise
http://kinnomise-chugai.jp/
Fantaisie Merveilleuse
Introducing the richly
imaginative, but relatively
unknown, Art Deco world by
focusing on 80 works shown
for the first time in Japan. Until
Apr 7, 10am-6pm. ¥480-960
(adv)/ ¥600-1,200 (door).
Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art
Museum. Meguro. Tel:
03-3443-0201. www.teienart-museum.ne.jp/en
Quentin Caffier: Histoire
d'une Fin
Showcasing a series of photos
representing butoh, a form of
Japanese dance theatre.Until
Apr 10, 11:30am-11pm (until
8pm Fri-Sat). Free. Las Chicas.
Omotesando. 7pm-late,
closed Sun & Mon. Free. Tokyo
Salon. Omotesando. http://j.
mp/caffier2015
Mikiko Kumazawa: Howl
Showcasing young and
up-and-coming artist
Kumazawa’s latest works.
Until Apr 11, 11am-7pm,
closed Sun, Mon & hols. Free.
Mizuma Art Gallery. Ichigaya.
Tel: 03-3793-7931. http://
mizuma-art.co.jp
Easter Parade
Showcasing arts and crafts
works of rabbits and easter
eggs. Apr 6-11, 11:30am-7pm
(unitl 5pm on final day). Free.
Galerie Konoha. Kanda. Tel:
03-3256-2047. http://j.mp/
konohaeaster2015
ONGOING
Happy at Hundred
Featuring works by German
photographer Karsten
Thormaehlen, of 100-year-old
men and women. Apr 16-18,
10am-5pm. Free. Toranomon
Hills. Toranomon. Tel:
03-6406-6665. http://
toranomonhills.com/en
Love Birds
An exhibition of artwork
by Jad Fair, an artist and
musician, featuring his
new paper-cuttings with
a motif of birds. Until Apr
26, 1-7pm, closed Mon &
Tue. Free. Hiromart Gallery.
Edogawabashi. Tel:
03-6233-9836. http://j.mp/
lovebirds2015
TDC Exhibition
Ginza Graphic Gallery’s annual
exhibition showcasing the
results of the Tokyo TDC
Awards held by the Tokyo
Type Directors Club. Apr 3-28,
11am-7pm, closed Sun & hols.
Free. Ginza Graphic Gallery.
Ginza. http://j.mp/type2015
Pictorialism: Prelude to
Modern Photography
An exhibition focusing on
one of the most important
movements in the historical
development of modern
photography. Until Apr 30,
10am-7pm. Free. Fujifilm
Square. Roppongi. Tel:
03-6271-3350. http://j.mp/
pictorialism2015
Great Fake Exposition:
Cultural history of fakes
and imitation
Showcasing fake and
imitation articles and the
relationship between
them and their genuine
counterparts. Until May 6,
9:30am-4:30pm, closed
Mon. ¥450-830. National
Museum of Japanese History.
Keisei-Sakura. http://j.mp/
greatfakeexposition2015
Gabriel Orozco:
Inner Cycles
Mexican artist known for
works that manipulate existing
objects or rules to transform
them into something else,
which intervene with common
scenes to invite new thoughts.
Until May 10, 10am-6pm,
closed Mon. ¥600-1,100.
Museum of Contemporary Art
Tokyo. Kiyosumi-Shirakawa.
www.mot-art-museum.jp/eng
Kataoka Tamako
Japanese-style painter who
uses vivid colors, boldly
deformed shapes, and
paintings using powerful
brushwork. Apr 7-May 17,
10am-5pm, closed Mon.
¥300-1,200 (adv)/ ¥400-1,400
(door). The National Museum
of Modern Art, Tokyo.
Takebashi. Tel: 03-57778600. http://tamako2015.
exhn.jp
Osaka Expo ’70 Design
Project
Held under the theme of
“Progress and Harmony for
Mankind,” the 1970 Osaka
Expo (Japan World Exposition)
is remembered as a national
event in Japan in the years of
spectacular economic growth.
This exhibition presents
a complete picture of the
design work for the 1970
Expo. Until May 17, 10am-5pm
(until 8pm on Fri). ¥130-430
(free admission on Apr
5 & May 3). The National
Museum of Modern Art,
Tokyo. Takebashi. Tel:
03-5777-8600. http://j.mp/
osakaexpo2015
Best of the Best
The last exhibition before the
museum closes for renovation
on May 18, showcasing
160 works of modern and
contemporary Western art.
Until May 17, 10am-6pm
(until 8pm on Fri), closed
Mon. ¥500-800. Bridgestone
Museum of Art. Tokyo. Tel:
03-5777-8600. http://meturl.
com/bestofthebest2015
Intimate Impressionism
from the National Gallery
of Art, Washington
Works by Renoir, Manet,
Monet, and others chosen
by Ailsa Mellon, daughter of
Andrew Mellon, founder of the
National Art Gallery. Until May
24, 10am-6pm (until 8pm on
Fri), closed Mon. ¥1,400 (adv)/
¥500-1,600 (door). Mitsubishi
Ichigokan Museum. Tokyo.
Tel: 03-5405-8686. http://
mimt.jp/english
Hiroshige and Kiyochika
Showcasing works by Utagawa
Hiroshige, known as the last
great master of the ukiyo-e
tradition, and Kobayashi
Kiyochika, an ukiyo-e
artist of the Meiji period in
commemoration of the 100th
year since his death. Until
May 28, 10:30am-5:30pm,
closed Mon. ¥700-1,000.
Ukiyo-e Ota Memorial Museum
of Art. Harajuku. Tel:
03-3403-0880. http://j.mp/
hiroandkiyo2015
Measuring: This much, that
much, how much?
This exhibition aims to
illustrate the types of units that
are used to measure a variety
of things and phenomena,
and to give them a sense
of familiarity that they may
not already have. Until May
31, 10am-8pm, closed Tue.
¥500-1,000. 21_21 Design
Sight. Nogizaka. Tel:
03-3475-2121. http://j.mp/
measuring2015
Louvre Museum
With works by Vermeer,
Rembrandt, and others. Until
Jun 1, 10am-6pm, closed Tue.
¥800-1,600. The National Art
Center, Tokyo. Nogizaka.
www.ntv.co.jp/louvre2015/
english
The Beauty of Asian Art
Showcasing prehistoric
and ancient masterpieces
from China, Korea, and
Southeast Asia. Apr 11-Jun
14, 10am-5pm, closed Mon.
¥700-1,000. Idemitsu Museum
of Arts. Tokyo. www.
idemitsu.com/museum/honkan
The Great Amazon
Featuring over 400 exhibits
and a 4-K theatre experience
where you can travel to the
Amazon through a 355"
large-scale screen. Until Jun
14, 9am-5pm (until 8pm on
Fri), closed Mon. ¥600-1,600.
National Museum of Nature
and Science. Ueno. Tel:
03-3822-0111. http://j.mp/
thegreatamazon2015
The Ceramic Works of
Rouault and the Fauvists
Introducing ceramic works
created by some of the great
French artists of the early 20th
century, including Georges
Rouault and Henri Matisse. Apr
11-Jun 21, 10am-6pm, closed
Wed. ¥500-1,000. Shiodome
Museum. Shimbashi. Tel:
03-5777-8600. http://meturl.
com/panasonicmuseum
Fukagawa in the Snow: The
Reappearance of an
Utamaro Masterpiece
Showcasing works by Utamaro,
one of the most highly
regarded ukiyo-e practitioners,
especially for his portraits of
beautiful women, or bijin-ga.
Apr 3-Aug 31, 9am-5pm.
¥1,800-2,800. Okada
Museum of Art. Kowakidani.
Tel: 0460-87-3931. www.
okada-museum.com/en
UPCOMING
Irises and Red and White
Plum Blossoms: The Secret
of Kōrin’s Design
Showcasing works by
Ogata Kōrin, a Japanese
painter of the Rinpa school
who developed an original and
distinctive style characterized
by a bold impressionism
with an absolute disregard
for naturalism and the usual
conventions. Apr 18-May
17, 10am-5pm, closed Mon.
¥1,000-1,200. Nezu Museum.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-34002536. http://j.mp/korin2015
Utrillo and Valadon
Showcasing pieces by
Utrillo, a French painter who
specialized in cityscapes; and
his mother Valadon, an artist
whose drawings and paintings
mostly included female nudes,
female portraits, still lifes,
and landscapes. Apr 18-Jun
28, 10am-6pm, closed Mon.
¥650-1,000 (adv)/ ¥800-1,200
(door). Sompo Japan
Museum of Art. Shinjuku.
Tel: 03-5405-8686. www.
sjnk-museum.org/en
Tokyo Story 2015
Showcasing works by artists
who participated in Tokyo
Wonder Site’s Creator in
Residence program. Apr
18-Jul 26, 11am-7pm. Free.
Tokyo Wonder Site Hongo.
Ochanomizu, Suidobashi,
or Hongo-sanchome. Tel:
03-5689-5331. http://j.mp/
tokyostory2015
Naruto Exhibition
Experience the spectacular
world of manga master
Masashi Kishimoto’s iconic
Naruto. Apr 25-Jun 28,
10am-8pm. ¥500-1,800 (adv)/
¥800-2,000 (door). Mori Arts
Center Gallery. Roppongi.
http://naruto-ten.com/
Spiral Independent
Creators Festival
An art festival aiming to
discover, foster, and support
the next generation of
creators by displaying their
work. May 2-5, 11am-7pm.
¥500-700. Spiral Hall.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-34981197. www.spiral.co.jp/en/
Sports
BASEBALL
Yomiuri Giants vs. Hanshin
Tigers
Apr 3-4, 6pm; Apr 5, 2pm.
¥300-12,400. Tokyo Dome.
Suidobashi or Korakuen.
Tel: 03-5800-9999. www.
giants.jp/en
Yakult Swallows vs.
Chunichi Dragons
Apr 7-9, 6pm. ¥500-27,500.
Meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium.
Gaien-mae. Tel: 03-34048999. www.yakult-swallows.
co.jp
Yomiuri Giants vs. Yakult
Swallows
Apr 10, 6pm; Apr 11-12, 2pm.
¥300-12,400. Tokyo Dome.
Suidobashi. Tel: 03-58009999. www.giants.jp/en
Yakult Swallows vs. DeNA
Baystars
Apr 17-19, 6pm.
¥500-27,500. Meiji
Jingu Baseball Stadium.
Gaien-mae. Tel: 03-34048999. www.yakult-swallows.
co.jp
Yomiuri Giants vs.
Chunichi Dragons
Apr 28-30, 6pm.
¥300-12,400. Tokyo Dome.
Suidobashi. Tel: 03-58009999. www.giants.jp/en
Yakult Swallows vs. Toyo
Carp
May 1-3, 6pm. ¥500-27,500.
Meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium.
Gaienmae. Tel: 03-34048999. www.yakult-swallows.
co.jp
FIGURE SKATING
World Team Trophy
Apr 16-19, various times.
¥3,000-20,000. Yoyogi
National Stadium Yoyogi
Gymnasium 1. Harajuku
or Meiji-Jingumae. Tel:
03-5405-8686. www.
tv-asahi.co.jp/figure/wtt
Festivals
TRADITIONAL
Shirasagi-no Mai
Traditional ceremonial
parade and dance. Apr 12.
Sensoji. Asakusa. Tel:
03-3842-0181. http://meturl.
com/sensojijimai
more. Apr 18, 11am-3pm.
Free. Tokyo International
School. Mita or Tamachi.
Tel: 03-5484-1160. www.
tokyois.com
Half-Fast Cyclists
Greenroom Festival ’15
Art and music festival with
a focus on ocean and beach
preservation with artists The
Wailers, Lotus, Mama’s Gun,
The Growlers, and more. May
23-24. ¥9,800 (one day)/
¥17,000 (2 days). Yokohama
Red Brick Warehouse.
Minatomirai. Tel: 045-2111515. http://greenroom.jp/
english
Forums &
Expos
Japan Flower & Garden
Show
The biggest gardening fair in
Japan. Apr 10-12, 10am-5pm
(until 4pm on final day). ¥500
(adv)/ ¥700 (door). Makuhari
Messe. Kaihin-Makuhari.
www.kateiengei.or.jp/show
Flower Dream 2015
Flower wholesalers, florists,
floral material suppliers,
etc. showcase the latest
varieties of flowers, flower
design techniques, and
more. Various flower
design competitions and an
exhibition of ikebana will also
be held. Apr 11, 1-7pm; Apr
12, 10am-6pm. ¥1,000 (adv)/
¥1,500 (door). Tokyo Big
Sight. Kokusai-TenjijoSeimon. Tel: 03-5530-1111.
http://j.mp/flowerdream2015
Pet Expo
An event for pet lovers and
pets with activities, such as
a sports day event for dogs
and a cat show. May 3-5,
10am-5pm. ¥600-1,000
(adv)/ ¥800-1,300 (door).
Makuhari Messe. KaihinMakuhari. www.pethaku.com
Interpets
An event for pet owners and
lovers, Interpets is the largest
trade fair in the Japanese pet
market. Apr 3-5, 10am-5pm.
¥1,500. Tokyo Big Sight.
Kokusai-Tenjijo-Seimon.
Tel: 03-5530-1111. www.
interpets.jp/2015/en
Plarail Expo
An event where children and
parents can enjoy Plarail (a
toy train and plastic track
system made by Tomy)
products together. Apr
29-May 6, 10am-4:30pm.
¥700-900 (adv)/ ¥800-1,000
(door). Makuhari Messe.
Kaihin-Makuhari.
www.m-messe.co.jp/en/
Comedy
Asakusa Yabusame
New Material Night
Archers demonstrate their
skills on horseback. Apr
18, 1pm. Sumida Park.
Asakusa. http://j.mp/
yabusame2015
INTERNATIONAL
Standup, improv, and trying
out new stuff. Apr 7 & 21,
8-10pm. Free. Double
Tall Cafe. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5467-4567. http://
tokyocomedy.com/new_
material_night
The 8th African Festival
Yokohama 2015
Standup Comedy at The
Hobgoblin
Enjoy live music
performances, African
dance workshops, an African
Handicraft Market, and
more! Apr 3-5, 11am-7pm
(until 5pm on final day).
Free. Yokohama Red Brick
Warehouse. Minatomirai.
Tel: 045-211-1515. www.
africanfestyokohama.com
Standup comedians
with a variety of styles
performing in English. Apr 16,
9-10:30pm. Free. Hobgoblin
Shibuya. Shibuya. http://
tokyocomedy.com/standup_
comedy_at_the_hobgoblin
Cherry Blossom Fair at
Tokyo International
School
Embassy of India Sakura
Festival
International food, games,
prizes, arts and crafts, and
11am-9pm. Free. Embassy
of India. Kudanshita.
Tel: 03-3262-2391. www.
indembassy-tokyo.gov.in
Bicyclists of all treads meet
for slideshows, lectures,
ride-planning, etc. Every
second Wed, 7pm. Free.
The Pink Cow. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-6434-5773. www.
thepinkcow.com
Stitch-n-Bitch
Meet fellow knitters,
crocheters and sewers
to talk, share ideas, eat,
drink and create. Every first
and third Tue, 7pm. Free.
Cafe Respekt. Shibuya.
www.meetup.com/
TokyoStitchandBitch
Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art
School
Burlesque models pose
for artstars and sketching
newbies alike with arty
socializing. Every third
Wed, 7-10pm. ¥2,000
w/ 1d. Studio and Space
IVVA. Meiji-Jingūmae or
Harajuku. www.facebook.
com/Dr.Sketchy.Tokyo
Learning
Champagne & Sake
Seminar
Learn about Champagne
and sake, and enjoy a
French-style dinner. Apr
4, 7-10:30pm. ¥14,980
+tax (adv). Stellato.
Shirokanedai. Tel:
03-3442-5588. http://meturl.
com/monthlywine
Other Events
Suntory Hall Open House
Held once a year, Suntory
Hall’s Open House provides
a day filled with concerts
and fun events, such as the
opportunity to experience
conducting and more! Apr
4, 11am-5pm. Free. Suntory
Hall. Roppongi-itchome.
Tel: 0570-55-0017. http://j.
mp/suntoryopenhouse2015
Rikugien Garden
Illumination
Enjoy the illumination of the
impressive shidarezakura,
or weeping sakura tree.
Until Apr 5, from sunset until
9pm. ¥150 (seniors)/¥300
(general)/children free.
Rikugien Gardens.
Komagome. Tel: 03-39412222. http://meturl.com/
rikugarden
Ueno Sakura Matsuri
Various special events
including a nighttime
lantern illumination.
Until Apr 7, all day. Free.
Ueno Park. Ueno. Tel:
03-3828-5644. http://j.mp/
uenosakuramatsuri2015
Sumida Park Cherry
Blossom Festival
Over 1,000 cherry blossom
trees, with nighttime
illumination. Until Apr 7,
all day. Free. Sumida Park.
Asakusa. http://j.mp/
sumidacherryfestival2015
Community
Indian cuisine, handicrafts,
and henna painting under
cherry blossoms. Apr 5,
MORE LISTINGS
ONLINE → HTTP://
METURL.COM/
LISTINGS
29
Metropolis and its Classifieds
section are printed every
other week. The upcoming
publication dates and
corresponding deadlines
for print are as follows. This
does not affect the online
Classifieds, where ads are
visible immediately after
they are approved.
FRI, APR 17 ISSUE
Deadline: Apr 9, 3pm
FRI, MAY 1 ISSUE
Deadline: Apr 23, 3pm
Free consultation available in
English, Español and Japanese.
Tel: 03-6264-8446
[email protected]
http://nippashi.com
1 AT YOUR SERVICE
1.1 HEALTH
G E N E R A L D E N T I S T R Y.
A merican dental school
graduate, 20 years’
experience in hospital
dentistry, over 2000
d e ntal im p lant s , n a t i ve
English speaker; 3min
from JR Harajuku Stn,
p a r k i n g a v a i l a b l e. W i l l
fill out insurance forms.
[email protected]
www.trustdental.jp/english
03-3402-1501
I N N E R
BALANCE.
Tr a d i t i o n a l
oriental
treatment of
acupuncture
and moxibustion.
Also body
massage
and reflexology. Mobile
ser vice to your home or
office. Email Takahito at
[email protected]
or see http://tmasuda.wix.
com/inner-balance.
ENGLISH -SPE AKING ADACERTIFIED DENTAL CLINIC
in Toranomon Hills offers a
wide range of preventive,
co rre c t i ve an d cos m e t ic
dentistry. Superior service
focused on customer
satisfaction and convenience.
Open until 10pm. Modern
dentistry at its best. www.
rmdcc.com/english/
0120-648-071
C O M P R E H E N S I V E H E A LT H
C OV E R AG E F O R E X PAT S ,
D I P LO M AT S , TE AC H E R S .
Inpatient and outpatient care,
emergencies, surgery, meds,
checkups, dental, lab tests,
MRI and more. Thirty-day
money-back guarantee. Quick,
easy application; convenient
payment options. Enroll today!
[email protected]
w w w.ear thhealthcare.jp
078-351-7300
TO ADVERTISE IN METROPOLIS,
JA PA N ’ S N O.1 E N G LI S H
M AGA ZI N E , log on at w w w.
metropolis.co.jp/classifieds or
email your commercial ads to
commercial@metropolisjapan.
com.
30
SPORTS PHYSIOTHERAPY
(physical therapy) care in Hiroo.
Native English-speaking
therapists specializing
in sports injuries,
post-operative rehabilitation,
back /neck pain, running
related, headaches, orthotics,
ergonomic consultations
and women’s health.
www.tokyophysio.com
03-3443-6769
T H I N K I N G A B O U T
ADVERTISING WITH
METROPOLIS? Platinum
¥32,400. Gold ¥27,000. Silver
¥21,600. Prices include one
photo. Bronze ¥2000 (photo
+ ¥2000). Prices are for 4 0
words, one print issue, t wo
weeks online. For details,
email us at commercial@
metropolisjapan.com.
1.2 HAIR & BEAUTY
CURLY HAIR SPECIALIST IN
TOK YO. English-speaking
Kiyoko, highly experienced
in NY’s curly hair salons,
takes care of curly hair at
her salon, Nepenji, in Ebisu.
Reser vations: 03 -3793 2357 or [email protected]
http://english.nepenji.net/
index_en.html
MEN’S BARBERSHOP IN
ROPPONGI WELCOMES
FOREIGNERS. Englishspeaking assistant will get
your haircut right. Haircuts
¥ 4 8 0 0. W i t h s h a ve ¥ 5 8 0 0.
Kids’ haircuts ¥4000-¥4400.
Fi r s t- t i m e d i s co u n t ¥1 0 0 0.
http://oazo.biz/top 03-55457797 [email protected]
I M M I G R AT I O N S E R V I C E S
I N E N G LI S H . Yo ko y a m a
Administrative and Legal
Of fice will suppor t all your
visa needs: extension,
s t a t u s c h a n g e, p e r m a n e n t
r e s i d e n c e, n a t u r a l i z a t i o n .
Free consultation in
Kinshicho available by
reservation. Contact us at
03-5626-4139 or [email protected].
http://meturl.com/yokoyama
L AW OFFICE IN K AWA SAKI
(next to Tokyo), member of the
Yokohama Bar A ssociation.
Legal ser vice in English for
traffic accidents, divorce,
inheritance, bankruptcy,
b u s i n e s s ca s e s (co n t r a c t s ,
establishing a company,
trademarks, etc.) and other
legal problems.Email: web@
smkw.biz www.sumikawa.net
VISA COUNSELING:
female immigration lawyer
handles your visa case.
Permanent residency,
naturalization, eligibility
(inviting your spouse/
children/workers from
your country), extension/
change of visa status.
Consultation ¥5000. OFFICE
LIFE (Miho Fujibayashi).
Tel: 090 - 8330 - 0670 Email:
[email protected] Website:
http://officelife.jp/en
CRE ATIVE SO LUTION S .
Specialists in branding, web design,
photo/video production. Drawing A
Crowd: a new approach in design. Get
in touch. [email protected]
2 FIND A PLACE
3.5 LANGUAGE EXCHANGE
K ANAMACHI GUEST HOUSE.
Brand - new furnished share
rooms, separate male and
female floors, all rooms w/
digital locks, aircon, fridge,
1 min wal k from Kan am achi
Stn, Chiyoda Line ¥40,000/m.
room@airay- apar tment .net
03 - 5 8 76 - 4 575 w w w.a i r a y apartment.net
2.2 RENT UNDER ¥200,000
ICHII CORPORATION.
Over 600 affordable, qualityfurnished apartments in
central Tokyo locations. No
key money/guarantor/agent
fee required. New, clean
apartments, simple contract
system, full English support.
Call us today! 03-5437-5233
www.japt.co.jp
RENTAL APARTMENTS,
HOUSES, CONDOS AND
S T U D I O S i n Yo ko h a m a ,
Kawasaki, Tokyo, and near
US military bases. English speaking staff will guide you
through the renting process.
For a stress-free search, contact
Rent Life. 045-470-3214 www.
rent-yokohama.com/english
[email protected]
S E R V I C E D A PA R T M E N T S i n
a quiet residential area of
Hiroo. Studios and suites.
4min from Hiroo Stn. Rates:
Daily ¥7800. Weekly ¥6850-/
d a y . M o n t h l y ¥ 570 0 - /d a y .
O ver t hre e mont hs ¥ 513 0 - /
day. Tax, utilities included.
frontdesk@azabucourt.
co m w w w. a z a b u co u r t .co m
0 3 - 3 4 4 6 - 8 6 1 0
English and Japanese. Open-minded
Japanese female, 23-40, sought for
language exchange and socializing.
Serious only. Call Bobby at 0905589-6864 or 080-8118-4073 or email
[email protected].
English and Japanese. MJF, 40,
seeking a native English speaker for
language exchange. Hope to meet at
a cafe on weeknights around Shibuya.
I would be happy to help with your
Japanese. Let's help each other!
[email protected]
English and Japanese. American male,
26, looking to learn J and help Japanese
people learn E. Flexible schedule, prefer
to meet on JR Yamanote Line. Hope to
hear from you! [email protected]
080-4653-6285
English and Japanese. American
expat, male, 35, seeks language partner
in the Minato/Shibuya area for daytime
meetings only (11am-2pm is best). Text
me. [email protected]
English and Japanese. Japanese, 22,
seeking someone who wants to learn J
and teach me E. I’m not a professional
teacher. Prefer meeting at a cafe or
anywhere for conversation. How about
Shibuya? [email protected]
English and Japanese. Hi, my name
is Hiroki. I’m 27, Japanese. I’d like to
learn E because I’m going to work in San
Francisco this summer. In exchange,
I can teach you J. Let’s exchange
languages! [email protected]
English and Japanese. Hi, Canadian
male, 30, in Ebisu, seeks language
exchange on weekday mornings/
afternoons. I work all over, so
Kanagawa/east Tokyo ok, too. 同僚と
いつも英語だけ使うから日本語で
話したいです。 [email protected]
German and Japanese. JF seeks Ger/J
language exchange partner. Seit Sechs
Monaten lerne ich Deutsch aber ich
spreche Englisch. F/M ok. If interested,
drop me a line. gardenstate2005@
hotmail.com
Korean and Japanese. Japanese male,
41, seeks a native Korean speaker for
Kor/J exchange. I like music, reading,
cooking. I hope we can learn from each
other and have some fun. astralsky@
excite.co.jp
Russian and Japanese. JM
professional, early 30s, seeks a
Russian (or other European) language
exchange partner in the Minato-ku/
Chiyoda-ku/Bunkyo-ku/Shinjuku-ku
area. I can teach you J in return. Serious
only. [email protected]
090-1841-8463
日本語と英語。 僕はイギリス人.
毎日日本 語を勉 強してる. で も
言 語 交 換にいつも失 敗しちゃう.
[email protected]
3.6 LEARNING: GENERAL
3.2 JAPANESE TEACHERS
ルのポルトガル語教えて下さる方.
[email protected]
Database, network, audio
technology for Japanese. Help me with
database, network, music software,
audio technology, etc. In exchange, I
can help you study J or E. Weekdays
over lunch around Tamachi Stn or after
work in the Tamachi-Shinjuku area.
[email protected]
Hjaelpe mig med dansk! Leder efter
dansker i Tokyo eller Kanagawa. Jeg
taler lidt dansk og vil gerne laere mere!
Jeg kan hjaelpe dig med japansk. JF,
30s, ikke-ryger. Las os moedes og
snakke dansk og japansk med kaffe!
[email protected]
Professional Java/XML programmer
wanted (local only). Java, XML,
servlet skills, ability to read and
interpret /debug codes is a must.
Shinjuku/Kanda/Ueno, 7pm onwards,
or weekends. Can pay ¥3000/two
hours, plus coffee. yatri_in_town@
yahoo.co.jp
Seeking British teacher to help me
brush up my English. I would like to
pay ¥2000/h, plus a drink, and meet at
a cafe around Shinjuku. kmasahiro@
hotmail.com
Spanish teacher wanted. Como
esta? Seeking a patient conversational
Spanish instructor. Around the Shinjuku
area preferred. I’m a beginner.
[email protected]
Teach me English in exchange for
karate. Do you want to learn real
karate? I can teach you one of the major
styles of traditional Japanese karate.
We can exchange for your English
lesson. [email protected]
4 HOUSEHOLD GOODS
4.1 FURNITURE & FITTINGS
Bookshelves, large (28x80x200cm)
¥5000. Pick up near Yokohama or
Tobe Stn or arrange delivery yourself.
[email protected]
Clocks, wooden, round ¥ 2000/
each. Pick up near Yokohama Stn or
arrange delivery yourself. fridge_
[email protected]
Dresser, Karimoku Japan, compact
(H120xW60xD43cm), colonial, w/
green stool, as new. New ¥48,000.
Sell ¥15,000/obo. 1min walk from
Ayase Stn, Chiyoda Line. mamad15@
excite.com
Rack, for shoes, slim, six m/o ¥3500.
Pick up 10min from Yutenji Stn, Tokyu
Toyoko Line. Weekend only. fulham_pl_
[email protected]
Sofa, large, in very good condition, w/
two feather-filled back cushions. New
¥45,000. Sell ¥39,000. Firm. Pick up
only Minato-ku. mmcaproni2010@
yahoo.co.jp
4.2 APPLIANCES
2.1 GUESTHOUSE
CREA-UN UENO. Furnished
private rooms, w/digital
locks, near Asakusa, Ueno,
Skytree. Safe area, femaleonly, roof top garden w/
nice view, BBQ space, free
bicycle. From ¥56,000/m.
Utilities included. No key
money/guarantor. crea-un.
[email protected] http://
w w w. s a k u r a - k o - b o . c o m
03-6912-0692
Brazilian Portuguese. I'm seeking a
native Brazilian Portuguese speaker
who can teach me for ¥1000/h. ブラジ
Stand, Karimoku, for phone/fax, w/
drawers (H80xW32xD28cm), in great
condition ¥8000/obo. Can arrange
delivery. [email protected]
3 EDUCATION
1.7 BUSINESS SERVICES
I M M I G R AT I O N L A W Y E R AT
NIPPASHI OFFICE supports visa
and naturalization applications,
company establishment and
b r a n c h o f f i ce i n s t a l l a t i o n ,
including commercial
registration, as well as
inheritance procedures in Japan.
Dansk og Japansk. I'm female, 22,
seeking a Danish person to help me learn
Danish. I'm a beginner. M/F ok, 18-30,
in Tokyo. Thanks. minori.koga28@
gmail.com
translator, but need help polishing
my English. Can translate simple
documents in exchange for English
lessons. [email protected]
ASSOCIATION OF JAPANESELANGUAGE TEACHERS, TOKYO,
JA PA N . H ighly qu al if ie d,
experienced instructors
offer individual/small group
lessons at your home/office/
instructor's home. Business/
d a i l y c o n v e r s a t i o n /J L P T
a va i la b le. Les s o n fe e fro m
¥2200-¥2700/h. Negotiable.
03-3918-0876/044 -8555039 [email protected]
http://ajt-tokyo.jp
IKEBANA (JAPANESE
TRADITIONAL FLORAL
ARRANGEMENT) is a powerful
means of self-expression.
Tr i a l l e s s o n , i n c l u d i n g a l l
materials ¥4000. No Japanese
necessary. Certification,
diploma can be earned. Three
classroom locations in Tokyo.
Website: w w w.atelier-soka.
com/english/index.html
Email: [email protected]
3.9 TEACH ME!
T R A N S L AT I O N F O R E N G LI S H
LESSONS. Working towards
becoming an English-to-Japanese
Air purifier, Venta LW, size 24, Germanmade ¥12,000. Pick up Shinjuku.
[email protected]
Heater, Koizumi KCH-0840/P, almost
new, in very good condition. Cash
only. Pick up Aoyama-Itchome. Photos
available. [email protected]
080-4863-0505
Laminator, w/pouch film ¥ 4500.
[email protected]
4.3 SAYONARA SALE
Sayonara sale! Fridge (170cm),
clean ¥6000. Dryer, hardly used
¥ 10,000. Dining table, sl ightly
discolored ¥ 8000/obo. ¥ 18,000/
a l l . s u cce s s i nj ap an @ gm a il .co m
090-7704-8687
Sayonara sale! Plant pots, air humidifier,
photo frame, Japanese study books. Cheap.
Details available. [email protected]
Sayonara sale! Dance Dance Revolution
kit, w/DVD ¥1000. iPad Air 16GB, Wi-Fi,
silver, hardly used ¥35,000. Firm.
[email protected]
Sayonara sale! Sofa, fridge, light fixture,
washer, cordless iron, microwave, glass
coffee table. Pick up only. Details
available. teachermcteacherton80@
hotmail.com
Sayonara sale! Dainichi FW-322S
kerosene heater; Ikea Ektorp sofa,
Kullen chest of drawers, Bjurst table;
balcony table and chairs; WMK-90 kitchen
cabinet; bedroom light; Christmas tree
and lights; Sanyo home phone; BBQ;
humidifier; Tefal kettle; clock; tools; etc.
[email protected]
4.5 AUDIO & MP3
Earphones, Apple EarPods, brand-new,
never used ¥2000. [email protected]
4.6 FOR KIDS
Chair, Stokke, wooden, designed
to grow with child, nine m/o, in very
good condition. New ¥34,000. Sell
¥17,000. Pick up Saitama-Shintoshin.
[email protected]
Changing table, w/drawers and
inflatable changing cushion, converts
into normal set of drawers ¥2000. Pick up
Gotanda. [email protected]
Karate gi and belt, for kids 3-12 years
old ¥300+. [email protected]
4.7 FOR FREE
Dolls, knickknacks, etc., w/case. Pick
up near Yokohama or Tobe Stn or arrange
delivery yourself. fridge_washmachine@
yahoo.co.jp
5 HOBBIES&INTERESTS
5.1 CAMERAS
Case, Pelican 1550, for cameras,
black, hardly used, but foam insert has
been altered for equipment ¥25,000.
Nikon D750 strap, brand-new ¥500.
Nikon E 75-150mm 1:3.5 lens, as new
¥12,000. Nikon Quick MH-18A charger,
for D700, in excellent condition ¥3000.
Hamamatsucho. [email protected]
5.2 SPORTS EQUIPMENT
Kiteboard, RL Board, XL, 160cm, for
beginners or less windy days. Yokohama
or Haneda. [email protected]
5.3 MUSICAL EQUIPMENT
Pedals, guitar: Boss BD-2 Blues Driver
¥5000. MXR distortion+ ¥4000. ¥8000/
both. Pick up around Yokohama or Tokyo.
[email protected]
Semi-acoustic guitar, five-band
EQ ¥10,000. Pick up Kiba Stn. Photos
available. [email protected]
Ukulele, Pono Baritone, handmade in
Hawaii, solid cedar top, cutaway design,
electric pickup, solid rosewood sides,
back, abalone rosette, ebony tuner
heads, sealed Grover tuners, maple
binding, w/case ¥50,000. anreimann@
yahoo.com
5.4 BOOKS/CD/DVD
Japanese study books, nine available,
basic, 2-kyu and 1-kyu preparation, 1000
kanji cards, etc. ¥3000/all. yannu@
hotmail.com
Movies, Italian, 50 available, w/
Japanese subtitles ¥20,000/all. Not
for sale individually. tocco_di_classe@
hotmail.com
wood interiors, adaptive cruise control,
collision warning system, brake assist,
navigation system, E/J, voice activation,
rear/front parking sensors, rearview camera, etc. rohit.pav@gmail.
com https://sites.google.com/site/
audicarsale2015/audi-a6-car-sale
a CIGNA International Provider
(03 - 4550 -1146). TELL website:
w w w.telljp.com. Follow us
o n F a c e b o o k a n d Tw i t t e r @
TokyoLifeLine.
7 GENERAL
7.1 PHONES
Smartphone, Nexus 5 16GB, as new, w/
all accessories, in original box ¥20,000.
[email protected] 08041742054
7.3 MISCELLANEOUS
THE JAPAN HELPLINE, 24 hours
a d ay, f ro m a ny w h e re, a b o u t
anything. From emergency
assistance to simple questions. Visit
www.jhelp.com/ and press “help,”
or call 0570-000-911. To volunteer
or support, please contact team@
jhelp.com. www.jhelp.com
Tools, multi-tool spanner (140xx45mm,
span mouth 15mm), hardly used ¥1000.
Nikky scissors, made in Japan, very
sharp (250x50mm) ¥1500. mamad15@
excite.com
Towel, Harrods, bath (60x120cm), blue,
100% cotton, made in Japan, new, in
original box. New ¥3240. Sell ¥2000.
[email protected]
7.4 ITEMS WANTED
Guitar. Please contact me if you have
a guitar you don't use anymore and are
nice enough to give it to me. riku_hiroxx@
hotmail.com
Scooter, 50cc. If you have one to
give away, contact me. Thank you.
[email protected] 08067273392
8 COMPUTERS
8.2 HARDWARE
Laptop, Core 2 Duo, 80GB HD, 8GB
RAM, docking station, brand-new 8-cell
battery and 4-cell, Vista OS ¥17,000.
[email protected]
10 HELP!
10.1 HELP ME
F R E E E N G LI S H -TO -JA PA N E S E
TR A N S L ATI O N . Wo rk in g
towards becoming a translator
and need prac tice with simple
d o c u m e n t s . H ave ex p e r i e n ce
working in law office,
accounting, HR and sales.
[email protected]
Free headshots/portfolio photos. I
need practice to improve my skills. We
can meet in Shibuya on Sat afternoon
for outdoor shots. Photos for CV,
LinkedIn, Facebook, LINE, etc. Thanks
to those who helped me out last time!
[email protected]
Help decorate my camper van.
Seeking someone with artistic flair and
imagination to help me cheaply make
the interior of my kei camper van really
fun and homely (nice flooring, curtains,
covers, etc.). Also need woodwork help
for the bed. [email protected]
Professional oil massage wanted.
Seeking a professional or student
masseur. Can pay ¥7000/90min or
exchange English or Italian. Serious
only. No shiatsu—only aroma oil
massage. Thanks. alinjap@yahoo.
com
Sponsorship. Ten years’ experience
in cafe/bar work, including working at
international hotels. I’d like to open
a cafe/bar, but need sponsorship.
Individuals and companies are welcome.
Please, if interested, let us come to an
agreement. samueladonkor@gmail.
com 090-6152-6274
WEST PAPUA: ONE SOUL, ONE
PEOPLE . Fif t y- one year s ago,
West Papua should have been an
independent country. Since 1969,
West Papua has been invaded
and the people robbed of their
rights, culture and country. Help
support West Papuans’ desire to
be free. http://tapol.gn.apc.org/
[email protected]
P R O B O N O L I F E C OAC H I N G .
I have three free slots of four
hours coaching each. I can coach
o n c a re e r t r a n s i t io n , cu l tu r a l
adjustment and other challenges.
There are no hidden cos t s or
obligations. Details and contact
info: w w w.in -your- own -wordscoach.com in.your.own.words.
[email protected]
6 VEHICLES
6.1 CARS, PARTS, & ACCESSORIES
Audi A6 3.0T, '12, 13,000km, white
exterior, black leather seats, brown
Men’s & Women’s
Hawaiian Lomi Lomi
60 minutes: ¥5,800
90 minutes: ¥8,800
Hot Stone Treatment
60 minutes: ¥7,800
90 minutes: ¥9,800
Specializes in “Lomi Lomi”
traditional Hawaiian
Oil Massage
Facial
60 minutes: ¥5,800
Tel: 03-3527-9734
Hours: 1pm-9pm
3-1-16 4F Nihombashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
[email protected] | www.auliispa.com/en
3 min from Tokyo Station Yaesukita exit
2 min from Nihombashi Station B3 exit
H I V Pe e r Su p p o r t g ro u p a n d
workshops. Get together with people in
the same boat as you, who understand.
Held in a safe, considerate, 100%
confidential setting to discuss what’s
on your mind, ask questions and make
new friends. info@peersupporttokyo.
com www.peersupporttokyo.com
Infertility support group. TTC Tokyo
is an infertility support group that
provides informal opportunities for
women and men experiencing infertility
to connect with one another. Please visit
website for more info. admin@ttctokyo.
org www.ttctokyo.org
11 MESSAGES
11.1 PERSONAL MESSAGES
SUBSCRIBE TO METROPOLIS
AND NEVER MISS AN ISSUE.
One year (24 issues) ¥3600
(c o r p o r a t e s u b s c r i b e r s ,
7-100 copies ok ¥22,560).
Half year (12 issues) ¥1800
(c o r p o r a t e s u b s c r i b e r s ,
7-100 copies ok ¥12,000).
Bank transfer or credit card
(Visa, Mastercard, Diners
Club). D etail s at ht t p: //
metropolisjapan.com/
subscription.
10.2 SUPPORT
5.7 PETS
Oscar fish, 12" long, metallic brown
color, w/aquarium set ¥10,000/obo.
[email protected]
Special pricing for the
first-time visit
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
TOK YO. If you have a problem
with drinking, we can help.
English-speaking meetings daily.
03-3971-1471 inquiries@aatokyo.
org http://aatokyo.org
April 2015 Membership Fee
N E E D T O TA L K ? W e ’ r e h e r e
to listen. TELL LIFELINE: free,
anonymous English counseling
daily from 9am-11pm by trained
v o l u n t e e r s ( 0 3 - 5 7 74 - 0 9 9 2 ) .
TELL COUNSELING:
affordable multilingual
p s ych o t h e r a py by a cc re d i te d
Western-trained professionals,
WRITE A MESSAGE FOR
YOU R S PEC IA L SO M EO N E !
Write any thing, from bir thday
messages to proposals. http://
classifieds.metropolis.co.jp.
TO ADVERTISE IN METROPOLIS, log on at
www.metropolis.co.jp/classifieds
or email your commercial ads to
[email protected].
31
Many more classified ads online! Visit classifieds.metropolis.co.jp
12 SOCIAL SCENE
12.1 LET’S PARTY
from Apr to Sep. Everyone
welcome. Contact for more details.
[email protected]
FUN WITH TOUCH RUGBY! Join
us for social or competitive touch
rugby ever y Sat at 2:30pm by
Ariake Stn, Yurikamome Line. Any
age, sex, level ok. Please email
for details. funwithtouch@gmail.
c o m w w w. f u n w i t h t o u c h .c o m /
where-we-play
J A PA N I N T E R N AT I O N A L
PARTY - SPRING FESTIVAL.
Sat, Apr 25, 6:30-9pm, Bar
Quest (Roppongi). Japan’s
biggest international party.
250 people expected. All-youcan-drink and free snacks.
Japanese men: ¥ 4000.
Others: ¥3000. Mobile: http://
getyourfriend.com/mobile/
[email protected] http://
w w w.get your frien d.com /
090-1735-5405
J O I N TH E B I G G E S T,
B E S T, M O S T P O P U L A R
I N T E R N AT I O N A L PA R T Y !
Great people, drinks and
food! Meet new friends
and party with nice people
in a friendly atmosphere.
E ve n t s i n To k yo (G i nz a ,
Azabu, Roppongi) and
Osaka. ¥1500- ¥2000.
http://english.gaitomo.com/
[email protected]
P L AY R U G B Y. T h e To k y o
Crusaders are a friendly but
keen international rugby club.
D evo te d to t h e g a m e a n d i t s
social side, the “Cru” welcomes
all players and supporters.
Established in 1990, the Cru plays
in the Shuto League 1st Division.
http://www.facebook.com/tokyo.
crusaders www.tokyocrusaders.
com
TA M B O U R E L L I . U n i q u e n e w
s p o r t f ro m S co t l a n d . U s i n g a
tambourine-like instrument as a
racquet, players hit a shuttlecock.
We play two or three times/month
on weekends in Meguro with many
socials. Join us! More details:
w w w.t a m j a p a n .o r g /e n / i n f o @
tamjapan.org
All-level tennis group in Tokyo.
Serious and motivated tennis players
sought by active tennis group to join
their weekly sessions in central Tokyo.
We have advanced and intermediate
groups on weekday evenings. Beginner
and low-intermediate also welcome.
No entrance or membership fees.
Reasonable participation fees. tokyo.
[email protected]
Badminton club in Tokyo. Small
international group seeks players
from abroad. If you know basic
footwork, strokes and play seriously,
you could definitely enjoy playing with
us. [email protected] www.
geocities.jp/mune_albat/page4.html
Don’s Half-Fast Flash-Mob Weekend
Urban Bicycle Rides. halffastcycling@
hotmail.com
I NTE RN ATI O N A L PA RT Y
A T L E A F C U P. C o m e j o i n
us and have fun. Men:
¥3000. Foreigners/women:
¥ 2 0 0 0. A l l - y o u - ca n - d r i n kand-eat. Iidabashi and
Yo k o h a m a : A p r 4 a n d 1 8 .
Shibuya: Apr 11 and 25.
www.leafparty.com
13 CLUBS & INTERESTS
13.1 SPORTS
Football /soccer players. Tokyo
Redstar, Setagaya League 1, is seeking
soccer players. Practice almost every
Sat/Sun in Tokyo. Players in a spirit of
fair play welcome. saito987@hotmail.
com http://tokyoredstar.com
Futsal in Tokorozawa. Sun night
fut sal? Mostly 30- 45 year olds,
every Sun evening, non-league, but
mildly competitive. Come and play
for exercise and fun! Any age and
nationality ok. futsalintokorozawa@
gmail.com
Futsal players wanted by a very
friendly international team. Practice is
in Tokyo and Kanagawa on Sat. Details
available. [email protected]
From the famous sites to the hidden treasures,
JapanTravel has you covered.
JOIN JAPAN’S
LARGEST COMMUNITY
Explore Japan. Share your experiences. Earn rewards.
AMERICAN FOOTBALL.
N ihon Unis ys B ulls , X league
Central Division, seeks fit players
w/US college football experience
for all positions. Practice every
Sat/Sun from 10am-3pm (including
meeting) in Tokyo/Saitama (time
and venue subject to change).
Attendance at practice must be
ove r 6 0% . Pl e ase co nt ac t fo r
tryout info and send your profile to
team admin. bullsxleague@gmail.
co m h t t p: // w w w.u n i s y s .co. j p/
football
A L L - N AT I O N A L I T Y TO U C H
F O OT B A L L . N o n - c o n t a c t t a g
rugby (OZ tag) and Rugby
League players. We play ever y
Sat from 10am in Tatsumi. M/F
and beginners welcome! Good
exercise and fun! M any other
activities, such as BBQs and
drinking parties! Email for details.
[email protected]
http://ameblo.jp/tokyo13warriors
A M AT E U R R U G B Y L E A G U E
PLAYERS. Japan ANZACS Rugby
League team is seeking Rugby
Le a g u e p l aye r s f o r J a p a n e s e
Ru g by Le a g u e of f icia l g am e s
32
Futsal team. Intermediate futsal team
in Tokyo seeking people who can enjoy
the game with others. Please introduce
yourself (age, nationality, where you
live, whether you belong to another
team). [email protected]
Gaelic football in Japan. Japan
Gaelic Athletic Association is always
seeking new members, M/F ok. No
experience necessary. Great way to
meet new people and get fit at the
same time. [email protected]
www.facebook.com/japangaa
Jogging Yokosuka. SJM seeking
friends to jog 8-20km in Yokosuka,
mornings preferred, but depending
on the day, other times could work,
too. ジョギング仲間募集横須賀 .
[email protected]
Quality football. Interes ted in
playing football at the weekend and
training midweek? Want to enjoy a
few beers after a good run out? If you
consider yourself a quality player,
please drop us a note. bfcvagabonds@
gmail.com
Samurai and ninjutsu martial arts.
Free training group for samurai and
ninjutsu fighting arts. Vigorous, but
safe and intelligent, one-on-one, or
small group training depending on
the day. Spiritual refinement is a key
element. [email protected]
Seeking Japanese archery
companions. Let’s do kyudo near
Tokyo. Once/month for three hours,
weekends only. See website for
details. datemasamune216@yahoo.
co.jp http://jmty.jp/tokyo/com-spo/
article-qa3g
Table tennis in Minato-ku. Hi,
our international team is seeking
experienced players. You need to
be living or working in Minato-ku
and commit to play ten times/year
on Sundays (all day). No beginners,
please. [email protected]
Volleyball Club Intervoll. Japanese
and foreign volleyball players gather
in Takadanobaba to enjoy playing.
Have volleyball experience and
want to play volleyball in a friendly
atmosphere? intervollclub@yahoo.
co.jp http://intervoll.sakura.ne.jp/
Women’s soccer club. Five-a-side,
11-a-side, on grass fields. Two or
three practices/matches on Sun. All
nationalities, experience level s,
beginner s welcome. Happy and
friendly club! We have many socials.
[email protected]
13.2 LEISURE
WEEKEND AWAY? Inn By The Sea
Kamakura, a 4min walk from
Hase Stn, offers child-friendly
accommodation near the
D a i b u t s u , H a s e Te m p l e,
Yuigahama Beach and many
other Kamakura landmarks.
Find us on Facebook at
I n n B yTh e S e a Ka m a k u r a .
innbytheseakamakura.com
[email protected]
MACARTHUR HEIGHTS.
Ta ke a b r e a k w h e r e G e n e r a l
Douglas MacArthur did! One
hour from Tokyo by car or direct
train. Beautiful cabins on the
ocean, w/onsen, beach, shopping.
[email protected]
Tokyo ET contact group. Join us
beneath the stars as we endeavor
to make contact with ET visitors and
their craft. Our next ET contact event
will be on Apr 18/19 on Mount Mitake,
Tokyo. [email protected] www.
meetup.com/Tokyo-ET-Contact-Group/
events/193113322/
Tokyo Extreme Weekenders. For
those who like to escape into nature
to enjoy four seasons of adventure and
activities with like-minded people, our
purpose is to have fun and fulfilling
weekends. Subscribe to mailing list
for latest details. tokyoweekenders@
gmail.com http://tokyoweekenders.
jimdo.com
13.3 ARTS
Love Shakespeare? Amateur group
in Tokyo, meeting once/month to
celebrate our love of the Bard.
Come to read, or just to listen. All
nationalities welcome, no experience
necessary! rchrd_schwartz@yahoo.
com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Shakespeare-sama
Theater project wants
to perform in your
bathtub. Solo actor needs
a c c e s s t o b a t h t u b /y o u r
b a t h r o o m A p r 1 0 -1 3 f o r
performance. Able to pay
(low) fee if necessary.
Promises to be lots of fun.
s c o l o u g h l i n @ g m a i l .c o m
w w w. s i o b h a n o l o u g h l i n .
com
JOBS
CHAT HOSTS AND TEACHERS WANTED
BY LEAFCUP in Tok yo, Iidabashi,
S h i b u y a , Yo k o h a m a . S e e k i n g
enthusiastic, prof icient English,
French, Spanish and/or German
speakers who can teach and lead
lively conversations. ¥1000-¥1500/h.
A p p l y o n l i n e : h r @ l e a f c u p .co m
www.leafcup.com/job.php
J A P A N T R A V E L I N T E R N S H I P.
J a p a nTr a v e l . c o m i s s e e k i n g
E/J bilingual interns to join the
largest tourism website in Japan.
Multiple opportunities in content,
sales/marketing and web/design.
Work in an exciting, global
environment in Roppongi.
Transportation and business expenses
provided. No salary, minimum three
months, chance for full-time position.
Please send your resume (E/J) to
[email protected].
WANT TO HELP CREATE METROPOLIS?
We’re seeking social media, web, and
editorial interns. Great opportunity
to gain experience in a multimedia
company ! To appl y, send intro
let ter, CV and relevant clips to
[email protected].
メトロポリスはバイリンガル（日英）の営業スタッ
フを募集しています。是非、私達の広告マーケテ
ィングチームに加わりませんか！ 応募条件：責
任感をもって勤勉に取り組める方、協調性があ
り、意欲を持って主体的に働ける方を募集して
います。営業経験のある方は歓迎します。フルタ
イム (Mon-Fri, 9:30am-6:30pm) で働ける方に
限ります。[email protected]
SALES INTERN. Metropolis is seeking
a bilingual (E/J) intern to join the
most successful English-language
advertising team (Restaurants & Bars)
in Japan. Great opportunity to learn in
an exciting environment. No pay, but
transportation provided. Please email
[email protected].
13.4 MUSIC
Bassist and guitarist wanted. Danish
female singer seeking serious bassist
and guitarist. Rehearsals in Ikebukuro,
minimum twice/month. We do covers
and originals. Live gigs, serious debut
plans. Pop/rock. 日本 語大 丈 夫.
[email protected] www.soundcloud.
com/liuwina
Fiddler (violinist) wanted to play
nor thern European / Scandinavian
music together. Rehearse a couple
of times/month in Nakano. We are
one violinist, flutist, accordionist,
ce l l i s t a n d p i a n i s t . u n i co r n i o @
nifty.com
To advertise:
[email protected]
03-4588-2277
STAY IN JAPAN WITH HIGH EARNING
POTENTIAL AND VISA. We are seeking
highly driven individuals who want
to sell vehicles to Americans on
US Military bases in Japan. Must
be a US citizen. Visa provided,
plus health insurance and training.
First year income guarantee:
$2700/m. Annual potential:
$ 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 . j klos e @m il i t a ry ca r s .
com w w w.militaryautosource.com
82-10-5398-4267
NIKUGEN WET-AGED YAKINIKU AND
WINE RESTAURANT seeks energetic
team players for front/back-of-house
staff. Conversational Japanese and
experience in Japanese restaurants
preferred ¥1200~/h. Transportation
fee provided. 1min walk from
Akasaka Stn. [email protected]
www.nikugen.jp
¥9,720 (¥8,100 for men).
WINE SALESPERSON sought to call on
hotels, restaurants and bars to offer
our high-quality wines at incredible
prices. Candidates should be
confident, J/E bilingual, passionate
about wine, love fine dining and travel,
have experience in sales, wine or both.
Full-time (Mon-Fri, 10:30am-7:30pm).
Position available immediately. Please
send cover letter and resume to
[email protected].
METROPOLIS is seeking a motivated E/J
bilingual admin intern. Transportation
and business expenses provided.
Ability to work three or more days/
week preferred. Please send E/J
resume to [email protected].
Hannah Montana cover. I'm a
Japanese guitarist in Tokyo. I would
like to start a Hannah Montana cover
duo. I need a singer. Hope to hear from
you! [email protected]
Japanese voice actors, singers
wanted for electronic music project.
I'm an experienced musician, producer
from Los Angeles. Studio located
in Tokyo. Musical influences from
Perfume to Daft Punk. This is a nonpaid gig. [email protected]
youtube.com/maticmatics/videos
Keyboardist/bassist available for
gigs in Tokyo. Open to various styles,
classically trained on piano/violin.
Producing electronic dance music on
the side. Contact me for recordings,
etc. Peace! maticmatics101@gmail.
com youtube.com/maticmatics/videos
Seeking a capella singer and voice
percussionist. We’re two a capella
singers, with great singing experience,
living in Tokyo, seeking alto, tenor
and voice percussionist. Rehearsals
in Shinjuku and Shibuya. We’ll start
with Pentatonix songs. konpeiioi@
yahoo.co.jp
Vocalists wanted. Anyone want to
put their vocals over some electronica
tracks? Grime, rap, RnB, rock, soul,
whatever you do. M/F, any language
ok. Get in touch if you’re interested!
[email protected]
Now You Can Recharge
in Roppongi 24/7/365
Hotel
IBIS
Soba shop
Tel: 03-3796-2411
relaxtokyo.com
Metropolis Promo
60 & 120min courses now ¥1,000 off
30min course ¥500 off
Mos
Burger
Almond
Takoyaki shop
Police box
Roppongi-dori
COURSES
Body care
30 min: ¥3,150
60 min: ¥6,300
(Early bird 6am-2pm ¥5,250)
120 min: ¥12,600
Oil massage
(daytime only)
60 min: ¥8,400
120 min: ¥16,800
33
Many more classified ads online! Visit classifieds.metropolis.co.jp
NOMURA REAL ESTATE URBAN NET CO.,LTD.
“YOUR PARTNER FOR
REAL ESTATE
IN AZABU JŪBAN”
We need a drummer who is able to take
trips to Kansai, Kyushu or other regions
of Japan with us. We play rock music
and had gigs about 90 times last year.
Serious only. [email protected]
www.audioleaf.com
13.5 MIND, BODY, SPIRIT
For Buyers, Make Your Dream Home a Reality with Us
For Sellers, Let Us Help You Get Your Asking Price
NOMURA REAL ESTATE
URBAN NET CO.,LTD.
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism(3)No.6011
Member of the Association of Real Estate Agents of Japan
Member of the Real Estate Fair Trade Council
CALL: 080-1102-7667 / 03-5444-2281 OPEN THURSDAY-MONDAY, 9:30AM-6:10PM
SALES REP: MASARU NAKAMURA　OFFICE ADDRESS: 1F AXIA FORESTA,
[email protected] 2-11-5 AZABU-JŪBAN, MINATO-KU
J-STAR PATENT, TRADEMARK & IMMIGRATION OFFICE
Reasonable prices.
Free first time consultation
We can support you with:
Visa and immigration
Intellectual property rights
(Patent, trademark, copyrights)
Grand Prince
Hotel Akasaka
Supreme
Court
Establishing a Company &
Branch office
Other Legal & Business matters
Hiroshi Oogai,
Patent attorney
Immigration lawyer
www.j-star.jp
Exit 4,
Nagatacho stn
Imperial
Palace
Aoyama Ave
Akasaka
Mitsuke
stn
Akasaka
Excel
Hotel
Tokyu
National
Diet
Library
608 Kitano Arms 16-15, Hirakawa-cho, 2-Chome, Chiyoda-ku ,Tokyo, 102-0093
Tel: 03-5216-6890 Fax: 03-5216-6891
Email: [email protected]
I NTRO D U C TO RY TA I C H I
COURSE starts Mon, Apr
6, i n K i ch i j o j i . S u i t a b le fo r
complete tai chi beginners.
www.meiquantaichi.com/jp/
classes/kichijyoji-tokyo-english
[email protected]
www.taichinews.com/
international/tokyo-japan
Diamond Way Buddhism Tokyo. Do
you want to explore your own mind?
Guided Buddhist meditation every Sun,
6pm, near Azabu-Juban. International
practitioners, beginners welcome,
Japanese spoken. Please call 0903598-3072 for more information.
[email protected] ht tp:// w w w.
diamondway.jp/
Evening Buddhism study circle.
Theories of the Lotus Sutra and practical
application to life led by Dominick
Scarangello, PhD, at Ikuseikan, 3min
from Tokyo Metro Nakano-Fujimicho Stn.
1-15-1 Wada, Suginami-ku, Tokyo. Free.
[email protected] http://
www.ibc-buddhism.info/Dominick.html
03-5341-1230
Tokyo Traders Club. International
club for traders and investors. Discuss
opportunities in stocks, commodities
and forex. Many regular events,
including FX trading workshop. New
to trading? No problem; beginners
also welcome. You can also learn to
trade. Join free! info@tokyotraders.
com http://www.tokyotraders.com/
080-5444-1321
PVisa Attorney
PAccounting
PTax
• Auditing
• IPO Consulting
• Due Diligence
• Tax Preparation
• Establishing a Company
• Tax Consulting
& Branch Office
• US Tax Filing
• Corporate Services
• Accounting Services • Immigration Services
• Payroll Services
KASAI CPA
042-401-0342
More Than
Twenty Years
Experience
Takashi Kasai CPA Firm
4-1-2-302 Honcho, Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo
[email protected]
www.kasaicpa.com
WADA Legal & Administrative Office
We can help you with:
• Visa & Immigration Procedures
• Mixed Marriage, Naturalisation
and Refugee Status
• Establishing a Company &
Branch Office
• Accounting Services, Acquiring
Business Licences
• Preparation/Translation of
Legal & Business Documents
• Other Legal & Business Matters
For information:
Tel: (03) 3345-7977
FAX: (03) 3345-5377
34
http://www.wada-lats.com/
E-mail: [email protected]
3-5-3-1402 Nishi-Shinjuku,
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023
Kichijoji. British guy living in Kichijoji.
I am seeking some people also living in
Kichijoji to hang out, have drinks, etc. All
my friends are in central and it would be
cool to know someone more local. Any
nationality. [email protected]
Konyoku lover. Gaijin, 30s, interested
in exploring konyoku. Know couple of
good ones, but my konyoku buddies
(gals and guys) have left Japan. Drop
me a line, and let's get soaked in nature.
[email protected]
New friends. American male, can
never have enough friends. If you feel
the same way, please look me up. I
enjoy drinking, dining, or just hanging
out at a cafe as long as the conversation
is interesting. [email protected]
Seeking friends in central Tokyo. JF,
early 30s, seeks friends to hang out with
in central Tokyo. [email protected]
Tokyo friends. JF, 41, wants to have
new friends for joining fun events/
festivals, and for socializing at pubs
after work. I like watching football with
friends at pubs. If you do, too, then it'd
be great. [email protected]
Tokyo Stn. Professional male, English,
late 30s, living and working in Tokyo,
seeking easygoing people for drinks,
chats after work around Tokyo Stn,
Shimbashi, etc. This is not for language
exchange. Please tell me about yourself
when you reply. [email protected]
14.2 MEN LOOKING FOR WOMEN
Zen meditation (Zazen). You've always
thought it would be interesting to try
it—why not now? Join us Fri evenings at
Tokuun-in in Ueno. Make arrangements
in advance by email, and check our
home page. [email protected].
ne.jp www.wgthorpe.com
13.8 PROFESSIONAL
ONE-STOP
SERVICES
IN ENGLISH
is seeking interesting people to hang
out with after work for drinks. Any
nationality ok. Prefer someone with
an interest in the UK. I’m late 30s,
speak some Japanese and Korean.
[email protected]
13.9 INTERNATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL HANAMATSURI
FESTIVAL: BUDDHA'S BIRTHDAY
CELEBRATION IN ENGLISH. Sun,
Apr 12, 10:30am-2pm, ceremony,
social hour with refreshments
at Horinkaku. 2- 8 -36 Wada,
Suginami-ku, Tokyo, near subway
Honancho by International
Buddhist Congregation. Free.
[email protected].
ne.jp w w w.ibc- buddhism.info/
hanamatsuri.html 03-5341-1230
Intercultural activities. JII (Japan
Intercultural Institute) is a non-profit,
member-run organization that sponsors
activities (seminars, cultural events,
conferences) for those wanting to further
develop intercultural competencies
and meet other interculturalists. yuko.
[email protected] www.
japanintercultural.org
14 PERSONALS
14.1 FRIENDS
Feminine crossdressing male in Tokyo
seeking male friends of any nationality.
[email protected]
German/Austrian. Hallo, ich bin eine
deutsch-sprechende Japanerin, die
gegen Shinjuku wohnt und gerne Sprach/
Kultur austausch mit einem deutschler/
oestreicher machen will. Wenn du dein
Japanisch verbessern willst, und gerne
mir helfen willst, bitte schreib mir.
Danke! [email protected]
Interested in Britain? Professional
British guy working near Marunouchi
S E E K I N G A S U G A R DA D DY ?
Safely meet rich and elite
men while having fun and
making money. We are a
members-only dating club
with strict rules. Foreign and
Japanese executives, lawyers,
celebrities. Not an escort
clu b. N o ch ar g e fo r fe m ale
members. 0120 - 675 - 858(E)
[email protected]
ht t p: //u ni ve r s e - clu b.j p/e n /
women
Be happy together. Married, kind,
passionate, fun-loving, well-educated,
very successful, nonsmoking, welltraveled male is looking to cherish
a Japanese woman for a long-term,
one-on-one discreet relationship. Let
me make you happy! enjoylife_321@
yahoo.com
Black girlfriend wanted. A love for
Scots accents and sarcastic humour
essential. Someone who doesn't take
herself or life too seriously. Someone
who'll send me a message right now
and introduce herself. what.is.under@
gmail.com
British male, 31, friendly, tall,
slim, seeking a nice girl to hang out
with. Nationality/race unimportant,
but should be 20-35 and have a nice
personality. Interested in music and
film: you should be, too. shiodomebye@
gmail.com
Caring and cute JM seeks attractive,
hearty, nonsmoking Western female for
friendship. I simply would like to share
fun, interesting and great experiences
with you. If you feel the same way, just
drop me a line. [email protected]
Chinese woman wanted. English guy,
doesn't like Japanese women much,
seeking a Chinese living in Tokyo.
I'm nice. Contact me. summerfunk@
googlemail.com
Chinese, Singaporean, Indian? British
guy, 30s, seeking non-Japanese women
to hang out with, maybe more. It may
seem obvious, but please only contact
me if you have time to meet. No Japanese
seeking marriage with a gaijin, please!
[email protected]
Cute, interesting Japanese male
for SWF. Seeking attractive Western
female with a nice smile. If you are
interested in chatting over coffee or nice
food, please contact me. I am looking
forward to your message. Just try once.
[email protected]
Different. You don’t fit in, either? Tell
me about it. [email protected]
Do you love wine? Seeking adventure
and excitement? British man, early
40s, happy, positive, healthy and slim,
seeking married Japanese lady to share
fun, romantic times. Let's wine and dine
and enjoy our time together fully!
[email protected]
European gentleman, 40s, tall,
educated, good-looking, S, seeks M
lady, under 30, with unusual fantasies,
ready to explore the extraordinary.
One mouse click can make your secret
desires come true! aminimia@yahoo.
com
Evil genius seeks like-minded woman
for world domination, followed by
rumpy pumpy. evilgeniushahaha@
gmail.com
French executive needs massage.
Due to many tiring business trips, French
businessman wants oil/aroma massage
in exchange for English or French
lessons. [email protected]
French guy in California seeking JF.
Successful Frenchman, 46, seeking
Japanese lady, long-term, leading to
marriage. I enjoy the beach, surfing,
concerts and restaurants. If you plan
to travel to LA, I can show you around.
[email protected]
Girlfriend wanted. Must be nonsmoker,
around mid-20s, like eating out, walking
around with her guy, and white foreign
skin. I'm 30s, enjoy living and working
in Japan, waiting for someone like you.
[email protected]
Japanese girlfriend. British man, new
to Japan, seeks Japanese girlfriend to
show him around. Me: 173cm, blue eyes,
blond hair, medium build, likes music,
reading, etc. [email protected]
Japanese-American guy seeking a
serious relationship. I look Japanese on
the outside, but have the upbringing of
an American. Seeking a Japanese girl,
20s, for a serious relationship. Hope
to hear from you! Japanese or English.
[email protected]
Let's go to Disney for free. I've got two
free tickets for Disneyland, but nobody
to go with. Seeking a female friend to go
with me. Let's go for a fantasy ride. I am
30s. [email protected]
Lonely Latino in Tokyo. Single male,
mid-30s, lonely in Tokyo, seeking
discreet fun times with a JF, 20-50,
married/attached/single ok. Central
Tokyo. Serious replies only. Looking
forward to hearing from you. Your
photo get s mine. tennistycoon@
gmail.com
Long-term extramarital relationship.
Me: very good-looking gentleman from
Europe, professional job, family. Life
focused on family and career. vbcfgt@
hotmail.com
Mature and sophisticated Japanese,
some have said charming, seeking an
elegant, passionate, kind SWF. I dream
about wild nights as well as sharing the
simple pleasures of love. Is that you?
[email protected]
Mature man for relationship with
mature woman. Long-term open
relationship, w/reciprocal freedom.
Important: mature attitude, intelligent,
open-minded, positive. vbc fgt@
hotmail.com
MWM seeks MJF. I need to spice up my
life. I am missing an intimate connection
with someone. Are you feeling the same?
[email protected]
Natural, open-minded female
wanted. Caucasian guy, free-spirited,
passionate about healthy lifestyle,
seeking similar female to join me in
natural lifestyle. You must be openminded, enjoy nature, cooking, onsen,
music and want to live in mountains with
me. [email protected]
Ne e d love. H a n d s o m e En g l i s h
gentleman, moderate build, mid30s, needs beautiful, passionate
JF. I am handsome, fun, intelligent,
well-mannered and empathic. Let's
have romance together. Please send
photo w/email. I'm looking forward to
hearing from you. [email protected]
No English? 銀行で働いてるイギリ
ス 人 が日本 の 女の 子 探してる。
英 語 分 からない女の 子 欲しい。
[email protected]
Pasta and wine. Freshly cooked pasta,
a glass of wine, soft romantic music
playing in the background. What more
could I need? A woman to share this
evening with. Tall English male seeking
you, if you're serious. Nonsmoker only.
[email protected]
Romance with an older lady. Very nice
and sexy gentleman seeks an older, or
much older, woman to have nice dates
and a romance. [email protected]
Secret meetings. English-speaking
Caucasian, 40, handsome, witty,
intelligent, fit and gentlemanly,
seeking a lady for no-strings-attached
passion and discreet meetings in
the Tokyo-Yokohama area. DD-free.
Serious only. Your photo gets mine.
Ciao. [email protected]
Seeking a good time. I am a SWM, 30s,
180cm, have a demanding job, seeking
a JF to accompany me in my free time
and have a good time. hamenahamena@
gmx.de
Seeking a mature lady. Stable,
educated, mature man seeking a mature
woman. Hope to start with friendship
and establish more if it suits us both. No
drama, no headaches. canadiangestur@
gmail.com
Seeking fun. SWM, 28, French, seeking
people who want fun like me. My life
is stable, but boring and stressful. I
need excitement for my mental health
balance. If you feel the same way,
contact me, please. reydajp@yahoo.
co.jp
Seeking JF chat buddies. I'm 38,
living in the UK, seeking female
friends, 20+, to chat on Skype/LINE/
second life messengers. tardis.ah40@
gmail.com
Seeking long-distance relationship?
Down-to-earth guy seeking a nice,
simple SJF for friendship first, and if it
works, settling down to have a family.
Are you that special woman? Waiting to
hear from you. pjoseph74716@hotmail.
com
for a relationship. Inquire for more
details. Thank you. toshinoris1012@
yahoo.co.jp
UK guy seeking Japanese female
friends to chat on LINE and make work
less boring. Maybe meet if we enjoy
chatting. Give me your LINE ID in your
intro and I’ll add you. the.only.brit@
gmail.com
UK lady. SJM, 30s, tall, slim, lover of
books, films, music, seeks an attractive
British lady with the same interests.
[email protected]
Venetian man seeking Asian woman in
Tokyo. 日本語 ok. marcofromvenezia@
yahoo.com
Seeking Parisienne. Affluent and
excellent Japanese architectural
engineer is seeking an attractive
Parisienne who can speak English. I
visited Paris two years ago and would
like to know more about the city. Give me
the hot info on Paris now. imak1_2_3@
yahoo.co.jp
Seeking someone fun. Married
European guy, 32, blue eyes, blond hair,
tall, athletic build, seeking a woman
for a relationship. Please be under 40.
[email protected]
Serious relationship. Single English
man, 49, well-educated, well-traveled,
financially secure professional,
long-term Tokyo resident, seeks
lady for a long-term relationship.
[email protected]
Single, handsome, caring and witty
Japanese male seeks a nice Western
or Japanese female for friendship and
possibly more. Nonsmokers preferred.
If you are interested in exciting and
happy times with me, email me now!
[email protected]
Tall for small. Tall WM, slim,
professional, seeking small JF, openminded, normal, loves ice cream. Should
I meet you? summerfunk@googlemail.
com
Two cultures, one love. Good-looking
SJM, 40s, seeking special Western lady
Beach life. SJF, mid-30s, loves the
ocean, is seeking a great man to be her
life partner to enjoy beach life together.
I am smart, thoughtful and healthylooking. Let's share a lot of fun times
and laughter. [email protected]
Buddy. A friend to indulge with, who
will be there for me and help me get to
where I want to be in life. joybrnn24@
gmail.com
WM in Tokyo seeking a pretty girl,
18-35. I am tall, white, with blue eyes.
I speak Japanese. chrischrisjapan34@
yahoo.com
Français qui adore vivre au Japon? SJF
seeks a Japan-loving French guy, 30s or
early 40s, for a serious relationship
leading to marriage. I am caring, curious
and open-minded. Serious only, please.
[email protected]
ラブレッター。 When I was young, I
wrote love letters with pen and paper,
waiting for days to receive the answer.
Now it is just a sweet memory. vbcfgt@
hotmail.com
Friendship first. JF, attractive,
educated, mature, early 30s, seeks a
sincere, good-looking Caucasian, 20s30s, in Tokyo. winterwhite26@yahoo.
co.jp
銀座。 White foreign male working
near Ginza seeking a woman, 22-29, to
hang out with, have some drinks after
work. Make sure you give an intro—I
won’t reply if you don’t. wakaruyo@
outlook.com
Mature, gentle SJF seeks partner.
SJF, 52, seeking single male, 30-50.
I'm average build, nonsmoking, easy
to talk to, look younger. Prefer to talk in
person rather than long emails. Do not
send a photo. Serious only. metro7117@
yahoo.co.jp
14.3 WOMEN LOOKING FOR MEN
LAVISH DATES AND
INDULGENT NIGHTS—WE
C R E AT E O P P O R T U N I T I E S
for elite foreign males to meet
elegant Japanese females.
Start with a luxurious dinner
date, take the night where you
want it to go. Fresh, young
w o m e n j o i n o u r c l u b eve r y
day. Try our free one-month
trial offer: first date is on us!
0120-675-858 (English)
[email protected]
http://universe-club.jp/en
Seeking love. I am a single guy seeking
a serious relationship with a woman.
We can spend quality time together.
Serious only. Japan residents only.
[email protected]
Seeking my lady. Good-looking,
athletic SBM, 21, with a fit body, from
California, into film, music, and pretty
much anything interesting, seeking
someone to have fun with. alphadog22@
hotmail.com
dining out, going to museums, watching
sports. I'm 44, 154cm. Please text me
with your photo. [email protected].
ne.jp
LOHA S G INZ A , a blind - date
restaurant where you can
meet many nice Japanese
women. Enjoy a meal or drink
with new acquaintances. Open
8:30pm-5am. Closed Mondays.
03-6280-6637 [email protected].
ne.jp www.aiseki-ginza.jp
是一位优雅的外国女士。成熟，性格
开朗，有良好的品格。在教育领域工
作。寻找一位能够讲英语, 牙语的47至
60岁的男士，作为朋友，人生伴侣，或
丈夫。要求他性格温和，经济稳定，有
教养。 如有意，请给我发电子邮件并
请附照片：Please write in English.
[email protected]
An experiment in romance. Lonely
heart in a strange new city seeks another
lonely heart for an ongoing relationship.
Let's rediscover what it means to be in
love. [email protected]
Asian beauty. Happy with myself—fit,
long fine hair, smooth skin and full lips—
but hope you most enjoy my intelligence,
humor and kind heart. Bilingual SJF, 46,
seeks fun-loving, easygoing business
professional, 40s-early 60s, single/
divorced, native English speaker.
[email protected]
Attractive JF, 30s, slim and goodlooking, seeks attractive, professional
gentlemen working and living in Tokyo
for friendship. Would be nice to have a
coffee first. [email protected]
Attractive SJF seeking single, mature
Caucasian male, 30s-40s, nonsmoking,
sincere, gentle, for a serious
relationship. I'm sincere, into traveling,
Spring has come! Attractive SJF, 40,
works hard every day, seeks SWM
around her age in Tokyo for a long-term
relationship. I'm nice-looking, slim,
nonsmoking, like going out for dinner,
exploring new places, museums,
traveling. [email protected]
SWF, almost 40, seeks marriage.
Seeking a man in his 40s or 50s, S/D/W,
preferably with no kids, or grown kids,
and who has lived outside Japan, a
successful professional. No married or
separated men, please. looking6563@
gmail.com
Wealthy friend. Am seeking a wealthy
friend who I can chat with. Maybe it will
lead to something bigger... joybrnn24@
gmail.com
14.4 GAY & LESBIAN
LOVE-SONG LOVER. Romantic,
mature guy seeking another
nonsmoking guy for friendship,
interesting activities around town,
maybe more. Tall, dark brown
hair, average buil d . S ense of
humor along with independence
important. Happy to exchange face
photos and chat first. ming@zar.
att.ne.jp
Seeking crossdresser/transvestite.
White European man, 36. Any race or age
ok. Your photo gets mine. zenmaibilly@
gmail.com
14.5 ESCORTS
ESCORTS have gone online.
To f i n d a l o v e l y l a d y
co m p a nio n , v i s it ht t p: //
classifieds.metropolis.co.jp/
category/personals/escorts.
14.6 AND OTHERS
T R A N C E PA R T I E S . A t t r a c t i ve
couple (European/Japanese) is
seeking one or two women to join
us for dinners and trance parties.
All expenses paid—just enjoy.
[email protected]
Special friend. I want to meet a
crossdresser/newhalf. I'm a white man,
35, from the UK. I live in Yokohama, but
will travel. Will send photo if interested.
[email protected]
Two nice guys for a girl. Seeking a girl
for a threesome. We are cool, respectful,
seeking fun. Guy one: bi, Italian, goodlooking. Guy two: gay, cute, Japanese.
We're both 20s. Please respond w/
photo and message. frankieyo3000@
hotmail.com
Want to learn Kama Sutra and
Tantra? E/J bilingual JM, mastered
Kama Sutra yoga in India, is seeking a
JF partner to practice with. Excellent
in health and beauty. Real ancient
yoga. Can teach depth of technique.
[email protected]
35
RELATIONS
AMERICAN HAMBURGERS VS
JAPANESE HAMBĀGU
BY GRACE BUCHELE MINETA
Don’t get me wrong, I love Japanese hamburgers (or as we call it
in Japan, ハンバーグ). A “Japanese hamburger” is usually a patty
that combines meat, breadcrumbs, and chopped onions, which is
pan-fried and served in a demi-glace. It’s eaten with steamed veggies and rice. Still, nothing can quite satisfy cravings like a good old
“American hamburger.” The burgers I grew up loving are thick patties
of 100-percent beef served between two toasted sesame buns. Now
if only I could find them in Japan.
ハンバーガーVSハンバーグ
もちろん私は、
日本のハンバーガーも大好きです。
（ちなみに日本ではハンバー
グと呼ばれています）日本のハンバーグは大抵、牛肉のパティ、パン粉、それに
玉ねぎをフライパンで焼き、デミグラスソースをかけて完成です。一緒に蒸し
野菜とご飯も食べます。
とても美味しいですが、私にとっては本物の“American
hamburger”が一番美味しいです。子供の頃から大好きなハンバーガーは牛肉
100％の分厚いパティをほんのり焼いたバンで挟んだハンバーガーです。
■ Grace Buchele Mineta is an author who blogs and draws comics
about her daily life in Japan at www.HowIBecameTexan.com.
horoscope
BY CATHRYN MOE
♥ Love ¥ Money ♣ Luck
ARIES
TAURUS
GEMINI
May 21-Jun 20 ♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣
Jun 21-Jul 22 ♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣♣
Aries rocks the zodiac—not that you
didn’t know that! But it’s all the more
true this week. Mercury, the South
Node, the Sun, Uranus, and your Vertex are all
in your sign. So while you’re skimming the thin
veil of reality with your well-honed sensors,
others are just gearing up. There are slippery
moments behind the scenes, as this is one
interesting incarnation. Glitch up the matrix
and insert your own heart and courage into the
picture.
Do you ever wonder if, had you taken
the other path at the fork in the road,
you might find yourself in a parallel
life? Any vulnerabilities are being sewn up this
week; Venus and Mars in Taurus see to that.
Mercury helps you say what may be stuck in the
back of your throat, and Venus helps you say it
eloquently. Friends are there for you. Consider
they have their own motives before moving
ahead or signing on any dotted lines.
You’re able to share your warmth and
heart through every form of communication. Mars and Venus invite
behind-the-scenes activities; your dreams may
speak directly to you. Mercury, the South Node,
the Sun, and Uranus hover in your friendship sector; you may find yourself moving so fast you're a
blur. Unless you’re a cat and can see movement
in still frames, bring your high-speed camera to
hold onto memories.
Watch your money grow. While
the rest of the zodiac is chasing
rainbows, you’re able to breathe a
well-deserved sigh. Cancers are famous for
being family-oriented; this includes taking care
of the bottom line. Juno, protecting partnership and intimacy, stands by you if there are
unexpected or tricky maneuvers. Jupiter is still
retrograde, indicating things will only get better.
If you’re prepared and organized, sit tight; if not,
take steps now.
LEO
VIRGO
LIBRA
SCORPIO
Sep 23-Oct 22 ♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Oct 23-Nov 21 ♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣
You love secrets and secrecy; keeping
them is just not a problem for you. Your
motor purrs at the hint of something to
pull out from the depths. After all, your governing planet Pluto rules the underworld, so you’re
wired for this. What’s going on under the surface
is your domain. Vesta has entered your love sector; romance and revelations are likely to spur a
radical change you normally wouldn’t sign up for.
Work’s going to take every ounce of courage.
Mar 21-Apr 19 ♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣
Jul 23-Aug 22 ♥♥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ♣♣♣
Apr 20-May 20 ♥♥♥ ¥¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Aug 23-Sep 22 ♥♥♥ ¥¥¥¥ ♣♣♣
CANCER
Having someone to stand by you
is always a blessing. You certainly
have been there for others! Jupiter’s
still retrograde in Leo. You deser ve some
well-earned cat naps while others put things
into place. Juno, a strong feminine f igure,
works to bring comfort into your life, whether
you’re embroiled in the limelight or working
late into the night. Your contribution is part of
a bigger picture, which is important on many
levels.
Details, details—they’re everything
and more. Vesta keeps the hearth
warm and welcoming for partnerships; this goes for single Virgos, too. Wisdom
wafts from this asteroid goddess, taking you
by the hand through a testing time. You don’t
have to believe everything you hear, but it’s a
great time to feel your inner pings and trust your
sonar. You’re likely to come out on top, but in the
meantime, nurture and nourish yourself in every
possible way.
As an air sign, you have a brilliant
mind. That’s right—brilliant. You can
see both sides of pretty much any
situation. It’s a great strength, though at times
this gift may drive you crazy. In your quest to
make the best decision, do you sense a piece of
the puzzle not only missing, but deliberately so?
That’s usually Scorpio’s domain, but the need
for justice brings you into the picture. Color it
with your fair-minded commitment to lighten up
the shadows.
SAGITTARIUS
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
Jan 20-Feb 18 ♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Feb 19-Mar 20 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
One of the great attractions to Sagittarius is your happy-go-lucky view of life.
Lately, though, Saturn has cast a veil
over your blue skies. What you’re going through
is not undoable; it’s just a new approach that
must be seen and acted upon in almost the same
breath. The operative word here is “almost.”
Building new muscles—emotional, mental, and
physical—is hard work; it definitely cuts into your
playtime. The Sag Moon on Wednesday and
Thursday gets rid of some of those clouds.
Home matters have reached the final
stretch. The Sun lights up shadows and
doubts as you watch them dissolve.
The shocks, the ups, and the downs became the
new norm as you achieved a 90-degree straightup learning curve. Congratulations! Stretch your
muscles in the light of the day and pat yourself
on the back. Your expression of strength in every
way, shape, and form has been part and parcel of
helping the world keep going. A question will be
answered by Thursday.
Watch agreements with others who are
pretenders to the throne. By right, you
have your own destiny and rulership of
your life. You can match external pressures with
your internal strength. Neptune, Chiron, and the
Part of Fortune are in your solar second house
of income. Important information may be hidden
under layers of complexity. Vesta has entered
this sector of your chart; this asteroid goddess
of home and hearth helps to sustain you. You can
begin to trust again. Choose wisely!
Still feeling in the thick of it? Your
charisma and fortitude continue to
amaze those who thought you just
might be the shy, quiet type. Sweet and gentle
equals strong and well thought out! You’re a
water sign, and water eventually wins out over
everything: Water puts out fire, seeps through
concrete, and helps the flowers of inspiration and
beauty grow. This week is not just a continued
exercise in self-healing; it’s a revelation of your
compassionate leadership.
Nov 22-Dec 21 ♥♥ ¥¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
36
Dec 22-Jan 19 ♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣
PISCES
LINGO BOX
Kiji (記事) = Articles
A poll by the education
ministry suggests that
more than half of high
school seniors dislike
studying English.
the small print
BY STEVE TRAUTLEIN
THE CAKE IS WELL-MADE AND DELICIOUS.”
—Osaka resident Misao Okawa—the world’s oldest woman—at a party to
celebrate her 117th birthday
RENAISSANCE MEN
⊲Journalist
⊲
Masato Suwa, who from 1979 to
2002 wrote more than 6,300 articles for the
daily “Yoroku” column of the Mainichi Shimbun,
has died in Tokyo at the age of 84.
⊲Besides
⊲
being a prolific author, Suwa served
as the paper’s European correspondent and
was an expert on topics as diverse as medieval theology and modern French drama.
⊲Parishioners
⊲
in Nagasaki celebrated the
150th anniversary of Ōura Church, the oldest
Catholic house of worship in Japan.
⊲British
⊲
publishing house William Reed Business Media named Japanese-French eatery
Narisawa in Minami-Aoyama as the second
best restaurant in all of Asia. Gaggan, a Bangkok-based Indian restaurant, took the top spot.
KIDS THESE DAYS
⊲A
⊲ Cabinet Office survey has found that the
average high school student spends more
than three hours a day online, mostly for
email, messaging, and Facebook.
⊲The
⊲
survey also revealed that 74 percent of
primary schoolers use the internet for playing
games, and 69 percent of junior high school
students like to watch videos.
⊲A
⊲ court in Hiroshima awarded ¥70,000 in
damages to a former prison inmate who was
“denied treatment for hay fever.”
OOPS, HE DID IT AGAIN
⊲NHK
⊲
president Katsuto Momii appeared before a Diet subcommittee to try to explain why
he referred to a meeting of the Democratic
Party of Japan as “rubbish.”
⊲In
⊲ a speech, former Prime Minister Junichiro
Koizumi warned that nuclear plants in Japan
are unsafe, likening them to “time bombs.”
⊲A
⊲ former police sergeant in Shizuoka was
given a suspended prison sentence for conspiring with a yakuza gang member to entrap
a suspected drug user in a sting operation.
⊲Officials
⊲
at the industry ministry are mulling
a plan to raise the maximum fines on companies that leak corporate secrets abroad from
¥300 million to ¥1 billion.
RIDING THE RAILS
⊲Officials
⊲
at JR West have unveiled a successor to their much-loved Twilight Express
sleeper train, which was decommissioned last
at a glance
BY RODGER SONOMURA
Senmonka (専門家） = Expert
Seifukikan (政府機関) = Agency
Shuppan (出版) = Publishing
Bakkin (罰金) = Fines
stats
5.17 MILLION
Number of commuters
who could be stranded in downtown
Tokyo in the aftermath of a major quake
50,000
Size of the security force that
will be deployed during the 2020 Tokyo
Olympics
4,991,900 Estimated sales of new cars
and trucks in Japan in fiscal 2015, the
first time in four years the number is
expected to drop below 5 million
month after a quarter-century of service.
⊲The
⊲
new train, dubbed Twilight Express
Mizukaze, features open-air observation
decks and guestrooms with bathtubs. It will
go into service in early 2017.
⊲Government
⊲
seismologists hope that a network of cables being laid off the coasts of
northern and eastern Japan will help speed
up tsunami detection times by as much as 20
minutes. The cables are attached to “gauges
and other observation devices.”
⊲Staff
⊲
at the Japan Documentary Film Preservation Center say they’ve acquired three movies featuring previously unseen footage of
the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. The films
total about 15 minutes in length.
CAPITAL GAINS
⊲The
⊲
government has decided to appoint a
new minister to handle preparations for the
2020 Tokyo Olympics.
⊲Officials
⊲
will also establish a new agency
charged with “strengthening Japanese athletics and enhancing the nation’s contributions
to the world through sports.”
⊲Meanwhile,
⊲
it was reported that work to demolish the National Stadium in Shinjuku to
make way for a new venue for the 2020 Games
is six months behind schedule.
⊲Authorities
⊲
in Sumida-ku have agreed to pay
¥149 million to buy a long-lost scroll by ukiyoe master Katsuhika Hokusai (1760-1849).
Small Print Updated Weekly
→ METURL.COM/SMALLPRINT
Compiled from reports by AP, Japan Today, The Japan Times, Jiji, The Tokyo
Reporter, The Mainichi, The Japan News, AFP, Reuters and Kyodo
37
the last word
Illustration by Christi Rochin
Have It Your Way
Japan’s fast food service
then and now
BY C BRYAN JONES
WANT
TO HAVE
THE LAST
WORD?
Send your article to:
editor@
metropolisjapan.com
One of the cornerstones of American fast
food service has long been customization. “Have it your way,” the long-running
slogan of Burger King, shaped customer
expectations in the U.S. since its first use
in the 1970s. With such options—more
akin to a Burger Bill of Rights—woven
into the fabric of our quick-dining life,
first encounters with Japanese service
can be shocking.
I still recall one of my first experiences
with McDonald’s upon my arrival in Japan
in 1997. Not being a fan of pickles, I was
accustomed to having them left off my
burgers in the States. Naturally, I asked for
the same here. What transpired next was
unexpected: Like a football team debating
the perfect play, the staff and manager
huddled together for a lengthy discussion.
The call? “No can do.” I was dumbfounded.
Then there’s the recurring tale with
which many readers will be familiar:
The ketchup caper. In America, ask for
ketchup and you’ll be handed a fistful of
packets by staff more eager to see you
leave than to prolong the interaction. But
in 1997—and for many years after—Japan
seemed to be under some sort of ketchup
conservation program: One packet per
customer, regardless of what’s ordered.
Asking for two packets might as well have
been asking for a free burger.
Once, I managed to finagle extra
ketchup at KFC. After another confab with
her manager, the lovely cashier provided
me with one additional packet “just this
time only.” She pulled out a small white
paper pouch, placed the packet inside,
folded it neatly closed, and sealed it with
a small piece of tape. I carried this back
to my table, opened it, and emptied the
packet. (Wasteful packaging remains a
problem, but that’s another discussion.)
Wow, that was a lot of work, I thought.
Eventually, as with so many aspects of
life in Japan as an expat, I adapted. The
position of the fast food industry didn’t
change, but my expectations did. I stopped
asking to have it my way—and I learned to
like pickles. I also kept my own ketchup
around because, as Kenny Rogers said,
you’ve got to know when to fold ’em. Some
things just aren’t worth the fight.
JAPAN SEEMED TO
BE UNDER SOME
SORT OF KETCHUP
CONSERVATION
PROGRAM
The views expressed in “The Last Word” are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of Japan Partnership Co. Ltd. or its partners and sponsors.
38
Though the disconnect between both
sides of the counter was frustrating, I
appreciated that denial also came with
a smile. And eating a few pickles in
exchange for polite service isn’t so bad.
Service in America can be so horrid that
you never visit the restaurant again; I’ve
rarely had that experience in Japan.
The well-mannered nature of Japanese customer service is perhaps the
root of the confusion many feel when
experiencing everyday life here for the
first time. How can the person serving you be so nice and helpful, yet so
completely inflexible? Well, the reason
is something else you learn over time.
My adaptation, I suppose, was part of
becoming Japanese. Dealing with seemingly inconsequential “problems” like this
helps you learn what’s expected if you
want to truly blend into your new home
culture. And honestly, mandatory toppings
and strict saucing were good for me. I’m
far less picky about my food, and I’m more
understanding of differences.
Thankfully, things have evolved over
the years. Japan’s fast food industry has
slowly learned that, while a strict production process is good, making customers
happy is better. Today, I’m rarely denied
extra ketchup, and modifications are
generally accepted without debate.
Refills on drinks? Maybe one of these
days. A guy has to have a dream.
■ C Bryan Jones is Editor-In-Chief of
Metropolis and host of multiple shows on the
Trek.fm podcast network.
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