hearty holiday helpings

Dec 12-25, 2014 Japan’s Nº1 English Magazine
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A “Vampire Lift” may sound unnatural, but it’s the newest trend in rejuvenation treatment that utilizes your own blood—the origin of life—as a
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All humans have so-called “growth factors” in their body, the generic name of a protein that promotes the differentiation of specific cells. Unlike
surgeries, the “Vampire Lift” uses that particular growth factor in the blood and special cells in the fat to regenerate tissues.
The biggest feature of this treatment is that it has a natural rejuvenation effect. Where it is injected, wrinkles and sagging will lift naturally, the
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Rejuvenating the skin using laser, plasma, radio or ultrasonic waves causes damage through heat, and although the treatment induces activity in
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The Akai Clinic offers a
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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
DEC 12-25, 2014 • #1081
EDITOR’S
LETTER
Worked up an appetite from all that shopping? Metropolis is here for
you with recipes for a full-course feast that’s sure to leave everyone
at the table asking for seconds. If you’d rather skip the cooking, hit
the town, where myriad restaurants offer special eats and tasty
treats for the holidays against a backdrop of illuminations. And
08
Photo by Mike Kanert
Christmas Cuisine: Full-course feast for fam and friends.
with the New Year around the corner and resolutions on our minds,
health is a big concern. Start 2015 off right by becoming more familiar
with the Japanese medical system, then trekking to one of Gunma's
finest hot springs resorts—and reading about tennis superstar Kei
Nishikori’s coach Michael Chang on the train or bus. Happy holidays!
18
Channeling Chang: Catching up with Nishikori’s coach.
15
Hot Spring Fever: Enjoy a trip and dips to Manza.
Cover design: Kohji Shiiki
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03
upfront
LINGOIST
BELLY FULL OF CHEER
With the holidays and the new year fast approaching, there’ll be plenty
of opportunities to stuff your stomach with good food, surrounded by
your favorite people—but deciding on the perfect place to grab a bite
can be tricky, especially when picky eaters are involved. Using the
phrase “-ga suki desu/-ga nigate desu” will help you make a speedy
decision that satisfies all bellies!
“Tokyo’s premier multidisciplinary rehabilitation center”
Nani ga tabetai desu ka?
What would you like to eat?
Nigate na tabemono wa arimasu ka?
EN Is there any food you dislike?
JP
Watashi wa chūka ryōri ga suki
desu.
EN I like Chinese food.
JP
JP
EN
Kinoko ga nigate desu.
I dislike mushrooms.
123RF
• Assessments and treatments
Club 360 is a multidisciplinary health
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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
JP
EN
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-9:30pm, closed Sun • Tel: 03-6434-9667
K
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January 2015 Membership Fee
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Across
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Metropolis Members Club
THE RACE IS ON!
Groups of 4 or more can
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THIS WEEK’S WINNER!
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won a ¥10,000 gift voucher courtesy of adidas
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04
S
8
9
A
S
Down
1. Rainbow, 2. Candle, 4.
Flute or whistle, 5. Snowman, 7. Angel, 8. Passageway or corridor
C
3
O
D
TO-DO LIST
3
TOP
christmas concerts
DEC 21
Glory Gospel Singers
New York-based ensemble who've performed
at Carnegie Hall and have appeared on stage
with Diana Ross, Whitney Houston and Aretha
Franklin. Dec 21, 2 & 6pm, ¥2,000-7,000. Shibuya
Public Hall. Shibuya. Tel: 03-3463-3022. www.
tate.jp/
DEC 21-25
Special Christmas Nights with
Hilary Kole
A beloved staple on the NYC jazz scene and
world-renowned as a multi-faceted concert hall
and symphony performer. Enjoy a special
Christmas dinner course. Dress code: something
red. Dec 21-25, various times, ¥18,500-22,000.
Cotton Club. Tokyo. Tel: 03-3215-1555. http://
meturl.com/kole2014
DEC 20
New York Gospel Brothers
Enjoy powerful voices and beautiful harmonies
perform gospel, jazz and Broadway musical
numbers. Dec 20, 2pm, ¥2,000-3,500. Meguro
Persimmon Hall. Toritsu Daigaku. Tel: 03-57012904. http://meturl.com/gospelbrothers2014
Photo by Kiyonori Hasegawa
Photo courtesy of Unknown Season
ÁSGEIR
An extra date has been
added to the sold-out tour
by the latest music phenom
out of Iceland, 21-year-old
Asgeir. Jan 14, 7pm, ¥5,800.
Liquidroom. Ebisu. Tel:
03-3444-6751. http://meturl.
com/asgeir2015
EDITOR’S PICK DEC 18
HOUSE OF BONOBO
UNTIL JAN 25
Two takes on the Tchaikovsky
Christmas classic by two of Japan's
leading ballet outfits.
Dec 19, 7pm; Dec 20-21, 2pm,
¥4,000-14,000. Tokyo Bunka
Kaikan. Ueno. Tel: 03-37918888. Dec 20-26, various times,
¥11,500. ACT Theatre. Akasaka.
Tel: 03-3234-9999.
©elextrox 2014 /Creativeman All Rights Reserved
Photo by Amano Studio
©諫山創・講談社／「進撃の巨人展」製作委員会
Detroit techno legends usually command top dollar at Tokyo nightspots,
but Unknown Season label head Yoshi Horino and Harajuku micro
club Bonobo are teaming up to host Detroit stalwart Alton Miller for the
“unknown” price of ¥1,000. Miller is part of the team that created the
legendary Motor City club, The Music Institute—the crucible where the
funk of Funkadelic met the Teutonic precision of Kraftwerk to form what
we now call techno. Miller, whose own productions tend toward the
soulful side of house, will be in able company at Bonobo with Horino
and Tobi providing backup on the decks. Dan Grunebaum
Dec 18, 9pm, ¥1,000 w/ 1d. Bar Bonobo. Harajuku. http://meturl.
com/houseofbonobo2014
THE NUTCRACKER
Photo courtesy of Smash
JAN 14
DEC 19-21 & DEC 20-26
ATTACK ON TITAN
EXHIBITION
Featuring the Japanese manga series by
Hajime Isayama, with real-scale Titans and
a 360-degree experience of Isayama’s
world. Until Jan 25, 10am-5pm (weekdays);
10am-8pm (Sat, Sun & hols), ¥900-1,900
(adv)/ ¥1,000-2,000 (door). Ueno Royal
Museum. Ueno. www.kyojinten.jp
UNTIL DEC 25
CHRISTMAS MARKET IN YOKOHAMA
AKARENGA
Shop for Christmas items and indulge in delicious German delicacies such
as hot wine, sausages and baumkuchen. Until Dec 25, 11am-10pm, free.
Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. Bashamichi and Nihon Odori. Tel:
045-227-2002. www.yokohama-akarenga.jp
JAN 4
ELECTROX
New Year’s dance music festival with artists
Armin Van Buuren, DVBBS, and others. Jan
4, 2pm, ¥12,000-24,000. Makuhari Messe.
Kaihin Makuhari. www.electrox.jp
CHECK FOR MORE EVENTS ON P.24!
05
feature
DINNER
WONDERLAND
The holidays are a time for friends and family
to gather ‘round a dinner table and enjoy one
another’s company over good food. Make this
year’s menu one that’s just as memorable as the
company with these hearty dishes that cater to
both vegetarians and carnivores alike.
RECIPES BY RIEKO SUZUKI
GINGER CARROT
POTAGE
Start to finish: 35 min
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
06
2 large carrots, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1/4 celery, chopped
3 slices of ginger
2 cups of water
1 cup of soy or whole milk
1 consommé cube
2 pinches of white pepper
1/2 tsp of salt
Garnish (optional)
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1 pinch of black pepper
1. In a medium pot, combine carrots, onion, celery,
consommé cube, ginger and water. Heat on
medium and boil for 15 min.
2. Using a hand blender, puree mixture.
3. Add soy milk, white pepper and salt to mixture.
Heat on low for 10 min.
4. Serve with garnish.
All photos by Mike Kanert
•
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DIRECTIONS:
STOVE TOP TOFU BISCUITS
Start to finish: 20 min
Servings: 4 biscuits
Ingredients:
•
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200g of flour
1/2 tsp of salt
1 tbsp of sugar
3 tsp of baking powder
3 tbsp of cooking oil
80g of silken tofu
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a plastic bag, combine flour, salt, sugar and baking powder and shake well.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine cooking oil and tofu and mix well with a whisk. Add
in the flour mixture. Mix quickly to combine and spread onto a cutting board
covered in plastic wrap. Divide into 4 pieces.
3. Place the pieces onto a plate. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on
medium for 1 min.
4. On a heated pan, transfer the pieces and cook them on low heat for 3 min on
each side (or until brown).
OKARA
RUM BALLS
Start to finish: 1 h
Servings: 1 loaf
Ingredients:
•
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Start to finish: 1 h 10 min
Servings: 8 balls
Ingredients:
•
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•
OKARA TOFU MEATLESS LOAF
2/3 cup of graham cookie crumbs
1/2 cup of raw okra
2 tbsp of chopped rum raisins (optional)
1 tsp of rum
1 tbsp of sugar
40g of cream cheese
1 tsp cocoa powder, powdered sugar or green tea powder to dust (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Microwave raw okra without a lid for 1 min on high. Let dry and cool.
2. In a bowl, combine the okra, graham cookie crumbs, cream cheese, rum and
rum raisins. With a spoon, mix well.
3. Make small balls. If too sticky, let cool in fridge for 15 min until dry enough to
shape.
4. In fridge, let rest and cool between 1 h and overnight. Optionally, dust with
powder before serving.
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For sauce:
200g of firm (momen) tofu
100g of raw okra
2 large eggs
1 small onion, finely
chopped
1 cup of bread, finely
chopped
1/4 cup of shredded cheese
1 tsp of agar (kanten)
powder
1 tsp of salt
2 pinches of black pepper
2 pinches of dried thyme
2 pinches of dried oregano
1/4 red paprika
6 green beans
•
•
•
50ml of heavy cream
50ml of milk
2 tbsp each of ketchup,
oyster sauce (you can skip
this ingredient if you want to
keep the recipe completely
vegetarian) and Worcestershire
sauce.
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients except for red paprika and
green beans. Hand knead until the mixture turns into sticky dough.
2. Chop red paprika and green beans.
3. On top of plastic wrap, spread dough mixture into a rectangular shape. Place
the paprika and green beans onto the middle of the dough and roll into a loaf
shape. Tightly close at both ends.
4. Microwave the loaf for 3 min on medium. Let stand for 5 min.
5. Repeat the microwave process 2 more times. Let cool for at least 20 min.
6. In a small pan, add all the ingredients for the sauce and heat on low until
boiling. Let boil for 20 sec and turn off heat.
7. Slice the loaf and serve with sauce on the side.
CASSOULET
DIRECTIONS:
1. Place the chicken in a plastic bag with olive oil,
rosemary, dried herbs, sliced garlic, lemon slices,
Start to finish: 1 h 30 min
salt and pepper. Massage meat with ingredients
Servings: 4
in the bag. Place bag in a space at room
temperature for 30 min.
Ingredients:
2. Heat up a heavy pot and cook chicken (skin first)
• 4 chicken thighs
until golden brown for 8 min with the remaining
• 5-6 sausages
herbs from bag. Cook the other side of chicken
• 4 strips of bacon
for 5 min with the sausage and bacon slices on
• 2/3 cup of green beans or green peas
medium heat. Take the meat off the pan once
• 1 large onion
cooked and place on a plate.
• 1 large carrot
3. Finely chop the tomato, onion and carrot. Thinly
• 1 tomato
slice the sausages and bacon.
• 1 can of tomatoes
4. Place the canned tomatoes, consommé cubes,
• 3 cloves of garlic
chopped tomatoes, onion, carrot, sausages and
• 2 consommé cubes
bacon into the pot. Let mixture simmer for 20
• 1 rosemary branch
min.
• 1 pinch of dried basil, dried oregano,
5. Return chicken to pot. Cook on medium to low
dried dill and dried thyme
heat without the lid for 15 min. Add green peas
• 2 tbsp of olive oil
and cook for 10 min more with lid on.
• 2 tsp of salt
•
•
2 pinches of black pepper
4 slices of lemon
Rieko Suzuki
Rieko blogs bilingual recipes at
http://meturl.com/ruby
07
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION CHRISTMAS DINING
O Christmas Treats
Tokyo offers tantalizing
tastes all year round,
but the festive season
brings some extra
special stomach stuffers.
Go international with
Cuban, Irish, Cajun
and Mexican. Get
into the spirit with
craft beers. Keep the
holidays light with
fresh salads and sushi.
And even satisfy your
seasonal sweet tooth.
CHILES MEXICAN GRILL
Harajuku
Chiles’ Christmas buffet [7-11pm, December 16-25
for groups of four or more; complimentary sparkling wine (cava) with reservation] features turkey,
roast chicken and Chiles’ once-a-year Christmas
apple salad for ¥3,500. On Christmas Day, get
one bowl of Christmas apple salad free during
lunch (11am-3:30pm), then celebrate with ovencooked turkey breast marinated in a special garlicand-pepper adobo sauce until January 5.
1-8-24 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. 03-64349693. Mon 11am-4pm, Tue-Fri 11am-9pm, Sat
11am-10pm, Sun 11am-8pm. Harajuku. www.
chiles-grill.com
From Dec 16-26, Metropolis readers will receive
10% off any burrito order from 5:30pm to closing.
08
AHI NAMA TOKYO
Akasaka
AN SÓLÁS IRISH BAR
Yoyogi
If you love Cuba—and you love salsa just as
much—leave the chill of winter behind with
live latin music and dance lessons in a cheerful, restaurant environment. Be sure to try the
Christmas holiday menu with roasted pork
and a special Christmas Cuban dinner with a
glass of champagne. After that, don’t miss the
New Year’s countdown party with a Cubanstyle buffet—and a drink. Cocktails and rum
always available.
1F-B1F Delight Bldg, 4-2-3 Akasaka, Minatoku. 03-6435-5331. Open Tue-Fri 12-2:30pm
(lunch), Mon-Sat 6pm-2am (dinner). Akasaka-mitsuke. http://ahinama-tokyo.jimdo.com
Mention Metropolis to get a mojito for just ¥500.
Just opened in September, An Sólás has quickly
gained a reputation for having one of the best
pub atmospheres around. The bar will be hosting its first annual Christmas party on December
22, with happy hour throughout the night and a
live band to put the groove in the festive spirit.
Make a reservation to enjoy a Christmas dinner
with roast turkey and all the trimmings along
with either a glass of sparkling wine or a halfpint of beer for only ¥2,000.
5-22-3 Setagaya, Shibuya-ku. 03-59196686. Open Mon-Sat 11am-midnight. Yoyogi. http://meturl.com/ansolas
Mention Metropolis to get a free Christmas
shot of your choice.
CLINTON STREET BAKING CO.
CRAFT BEER TAP
Omotesando
Clinton Street Baking Company brings a taste of
New York to Tokyo, serving up the freshest international cuisine with Japan-grown ingredients
hand-picked by owner and chef Neil Kleinberg.
December will feature a special Christmas menu
including New England Clam Chowder (¥972),
Homemade Crab Cake (¥1,728), Spicy Shrimp
Benedict (¥1,836), Beef Stew (¥1,836) and an
Apple Pie Waffle (¥1,620).
YHT Minami Aoyama Bldg, 5-17-1 Minami
Aoyama, Minato-ku. Open daily 8am-11pm.
Omotesando. 03-6450-5944. http://clintonstreetbaking.co.jp
Bring a copy of Metropolis and receive 10% off
your total bill (valid until Dec 31).
Shinjuku
With 15 types of international craft beer fresh
from the barrel—and 30 more in bottles—this
classy, European-style bar is quickly becoming a city favorite. For dinner, watch as the
beer tap special pork spare rib is smoked
right before your eyes and nibble the crispyon-the-outside, beer-tap-style fish and chips.
If you come for a Christmas party, be sure to
order the roasted chicken.
4F Ikeda Plaza Bldg, 3-34-16 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku. 03-5362-1668. Open Mon-Sat
5pm-4am, Sun & hols 5-11pm. Shinjuku
or Shinjuku-sanchome. www.world-liquorimporters.co.jp/craftbeertap/
CRISP SALAD WORKS
Azabu-Jūban
HANAGAKOI
Shibuya
KITSUNE
Shibuya
Opening December 15, Crisp Salad Works
aims to serve fast-casual, custom-chopped
salads in the style so popular in the States.
The focused menu of salads, grains and lemonades (with free refills!) goes above and beyond health-conscious vegan and gluten-free
fare, aiming to satisfy anybody who wants to
eat well while eating right. The chicken and
ham are cooked daily in-store without preservatives, and the dressings are house-made
every day. Come grab a table or get a salad to
go. English-speaking staff available.
1-10-10 Mita, Minato-ku. 03-6435-4386.
Open daily 11am-10pm. Azabu-Jūban.
www.crisp.co.jp
For a holiday dinner with a Japanese twist, look
no further than Hanagakoi. Just a five-minute walk
from Omotesando station, Hanagakoi brings you
the freshest, carefully selected ingredients from
around Japan. The charcoal-grilled A5 Kuroge
Wagyu beef is an absolute must, while the seasonal sushi and yakitori is exquisite. The holidays
mean parties, and Hanagakoi has great deals on
special 2.5-hour courses for your get-together.
Get all-you-can-drink beverages and seven dishes from ¥4,000—and celebrate with great taste.
B1F Diamond Bldg, 1-1-8 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku.
03-3498-3228. Open daily 11:30am-2pm,
5-11pm. Omotesando. http://meturl.com/
hanagakoi
With a 360-degree island counter bar in its center, Kitsune can quickly be recognized from its
appearances in popular TV shows and fashion
magazines. Reserve a Christmas Party Plan until
December 25 to enjoy sushi assortment favorites and Christmas specials, including roast pork
and a glamorous cake. Why not tack on a twohour all-you-can-drink plan for more festive fun?
B1 Chatelet Shibuya, 2-20 -13 Higashi,
Shibuya-ku. 03-5766-5911. Open Sun-Thu
6pm-midnight; Fri-Sat & day before hols 6pm5am. Shibuya. www.kitsune-web.jp
www.facebook.com/barkitsune.en
Bring a copy of Metropolis to get a 20%
discount on your Christmas Party Plan.
MAX BRENNER CHOCOLATE BAR
SOUTH SIDE SOUL
ROBOT RESTAURANT
Hiroo
As Max Brenner opens its third Japanese
branch at Hiroo Plaza, the Israeli chocolatier
extraordinaire has announced that its most
popular party dishes will finally join the Japanese menu, including mini-sized crêpes and
Chocolate Chunks Pizza. Kids and adults alike
can select from the Build-Your-Own-Cake
menu or savor the (in)famous Chocolate Burger—and don’t miss the Hiroo-exclusive Tutti
Frutti Pizza. For take-aways, the truffles and
Happy Holiday Bonbons make great gifts for
chocoholics.
1F Hiroo Plaza, 5-6-6 Shibuya-ku. Open MonFri 9am-9pm, Sat-Sun 8:30am-9pm. Hiroo.
www.maxbrenner.co.jp
Tokyo Station
At South Side Soul you can enjoy delicious
dishes, coffee or even just a couple of drinks
while savoring a great view of the holiday illuminations outside—and a full-size decorated fir
tree inside. On December 24, the restaurant will
be serving a one-day-only Cajun roast chicken
course (reservation required), accompanied
by a live pianist and singers of jazz, soul, blues
and R&B.
2F 2-5-18 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku. 03-32737111. Open Mon-Fri 11am-11pm, Sat 5-11pm,
closed Sun & hols. Otemachi. www.facebook.
com/southsidesoul.jp
Mention Metropolis and receive a free drink
(valid until Dec 31).
Shinjuku
Shinjuku’s Robot Restaurant is a dizzying kaleidoscope of gold and shiny surfaces. The
all-action floor show involves massive robots,
bouncy dancers, mind-blowing flying machines
and more. Audiences are always a merry mix of
girls and boys, young and old. Make certain to
reserve your meal ahead of time (¥1,000), then
confirm by phone one hour before the show for
an unforgettable Christmas experience.
B2F Shinjuku Robot Bldg, 1-7-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku. 03-3200-5500 (9am-10pm). Open daily
4-11pm. Shinjuku. www.robot-restaurant.com
Bring this copy of Metropolis (or show this
ad on your mobile device) for ¥1,000 off
admittance to the show.
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The best Sushi and
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YAKITORI,SUSHI
Meiji ST.
HANAGAKOI
Shibuya P.O.
Shibuya
HIKARIE
T.
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Roppongi ST.
Shibuya police station
B1 Diamond bldg
1-1-8 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku
Tokyo 〒150-0002
TEL 03-3498-3228
Lunch 11:30 ～ 14:00
Dinner 17:00 ～ 23:00
（L.O.22:00 Drink L.O.22:30）
11
food&drink
Star Wars fans can mingle and seek refuge in this
tiny bar—an unofficial homage to the franchise.
Taking its name from Tatooine’s famous watering
hole, Cantina is decked with various paraphernalia (Han Solo in carbonite, anyone?) and serves
up some cocktails modeled after C3PO, Darth
Vader and R2D2—though the favorites are the luminous Lightsabers, served in tall, round glasses
to mimic the swords. Located in Kabukicho; may
the force be with you as you brave the district.
2-25-8 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku. http://meturl.
com/cantinabar
RESTAURANT
If Star Wars doesn’t fill up your nerd quota, rack
up more points at Capcom Bar. A collaboration
between the video game giants and karaoke
chain Pasela, the café/restaurant pays homage
to Capcom’s superstars with food themed after
Street Fighter (Zangief’s borscht, for example),
Resident Evil (zombie brain cakes!) and more. Tables are also elevated for maximum comfort for
those with portable games. Not entirely geeked
out but makes for a fun, slightly offbeat hangout.
1-3-16 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku. Shinjuku-sanchome. www.paselabo.tv/capcombar
Photo by Martin Leroux
¥¥¥
EN/JP
Hackers Bar
BY MARTIN LEROUX
Hackers Bar adds a new variable
in what has become a monotonous bar scene in Roppongi. The
first of its kind in Tokyo, the hi-tech
establishment appeals to the programming and engineering crowd
by fusing the joys of technology
with that of libations.
The bar is situated on the
fourth floor of a building whose
elevator greets you in perfect English, recalling memories of futuristic ‘80s films.
Opening the door, you’re greeted by an intimate
setting illuminated by a fluorescent pillar behind
the bar as well as the neon glare from the television and computer screens and the bountiful
gizmos that surround it. The space is small but
cozy: The bar seating accommodates around
15 people as, like a good web page layout, the
venue has no tables.
Matching the interior in intrigue is the drinks
menu. The standard bar fare of nama beer and
wine is a given; Hackers’ original cocktails are
the key elements here, all modeled after programs and software, and utilizing ingredients
popular among techies, such as Red Bull and
Dr. Pepper.
However, Hackers’ mainstays are its beverages modeled after every computer user’s
nightmares. The Blue Screen (¥1,080) is its
most popular: A bittersweet, aqua-hued concoction mixing Hpnotiq liqueur and absinthe,
12
It may be hidden in a far corner of the second
floor of Tokyo station’s building (near the Yaesu
north exit), but once you track down the Akita
Pure Rice Sake Bar, you’ll decide it was worth
the trip. The sips on hand are all prepared without any additives—hence, pure rice sake—and
you can snag a taster set featuring one sake
at 6-8 different temperatures selected by the
in-house sake sommelier from ¥1,000. Nibbles
include yakitori from high-end Akita chicken.
2F, 1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku. Tokyo.
http://meturl.com/akitapurerice
created as an ode to that dreaded blue symbol
of Windows failure—which in itself is a solid
reason to drink. Mac users get their own beverage as well: The Kernel Panic (¥1,080) is an
apple-tinged red cocktail paying homage to
the rainbow wheel of death.
Another notable drink is Hackers’ newest
addition, the DMM Mojito—a cocktail that uses
the alcohol with shaved ice manufactured by
Japanese online video service DMM.com.
(Who knew?)
Those feeling adventurous may also take a
chance on the “Shot Gatcha” (¥500) roulette, a
small game coded by Hackers that selects a shot
for you at random. Players could win anything
from a shot of vodka or whiskey to a prize of one
free shot of their choice—or a not-so-rewarding
shot of water.
From behind the bar, owner Akihiro Nakao—
doctor by day, bartender by night—says the bar
was conceived under the premise of showing
live programming as entertainment, having been inspired by a street musician
he came across in Boulder,
Colorado, who drummed
on buckets.
As such, Hackers Bar
also hosts various programming or tech-related events,
their most popular being
their JavaScript nights on
Fridays wherein “hackers”—
the bar’s term for highly talented or skilled IT individuals—gather to write scripts
or codes. Also offered are
Java, Swift and Python nights; game nights, and
English TechTalks—lectures on new technologyrelated developments and ideas.
For lovers of technology and programming,
Hackers Bar provides a framework of fun.
4F, 7-12-3 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Roppongi.
¥1,000 table charge; tabs payable in Bitcoins.
http://hackersbar.net
Photo by Tommy Pham
Pan-fried dumplings is Yon Shaan Shanghai Shokudo’s speciality. This tiny store, located a few meters from Nakano station’s
north exit (a few shops down from Kentucky
Fried Chicken), serves up deliciously juicy
and crispy gyoza. You can see the dumplings
being freshly fried from outside the shop. For
those who’ve been to Shanghai and tasted
the famous Yang Fried Dumplings, this is the
closest you’ll get to the crispy dumpling goodness outside of China.
5-62-7 Nakano, Nakano-ku. Nakano.
RESTAURANTS
Everyone embraces the bizarre and the cute
in Japan—including Western franchises, as
demonstrated by Kit Kat and Pepsi. Therefore, it should come as no surprise for makers
of chips and cheer, Doritos, to jump on the
quirky bandwagon with the latest addition to
their colorful “Rock ‘n” series. Doritos’ Rock
‘n’ White is a Corn Cream Stew-flavored concoction that’s inexplicably green, shaped like
Christmas trees and sprinkled with snowesque powder. Instant kawaii.
On sale in convenience stores nationwide.
The yule log—or bûche de Noël—is a staple
Christmas dessert in France. It’s a curious
choice of cake for traditional Japanese confectioners Kogetsu to have on hand this winter—until you realize their take on the dish is
quite authentically wafu: The log is filled with
homemade red and white beans, which add
to the festive color palette, and is stuffed with
sweet bean paste, all resulting in a very Japanese flavor.
Available online at http://meturl.com/kogetsubuche. Arrives 5 days after ordering.
Photo by Davi Azevedo
Asakusa: An
alcoholic
adventure
BY WILLIAM BRADBURY
Getting buzzed in the town where
shrines and stars add history and
culture to the nights’ decadence.
BAR ZU-LU
Zu-Lu has a peaceful vibe with the
lighting shining down over the bar Counter sitting at Bar Zu-Lu
counter, the drink being the star of
this night’s show. I learned the bartenders there save visitors from the cold outdoors. The problem
were seasoned experts on the area and almost was that all the places were either full or empproud of their lack of interest in the tourist spots. ty. We found a fine middle ground with DON, a
The bar has the usual maddening prices that can- small izakaya serving beer at a hefty ¥600; sadly,
not be fully comprehended due to the lack of the Asakusa’s allure among tourists resulted in an
drinks menu. So we played it safe with some ¥700 increase in drink prices. Still, we were able to get
red wine and ¥600 Heartland beer. The counter a sense of the local vibe and ordered some food
seats up to six, and there are some lounge-like to line our stomachs for the night’s session.
sofas in the back for bigger groups.
2-3-17 Asakusa, Taito-ku. Tel: 03-3843-0028.
2F, 2-8-10 Kaminarimon, Taito-ku. Mon to Sat,
HOGEISEN (捕鯨船)
8pm-5am. Tel: 03-3843-5860.
We found ourselves lost in a street full of pictures
DON (どん)
of celebrities by each lamppost—a reminder of
Asakusa has a reputation of being a hirunomi Asakusa’s roots as a performer’s town. Inspired to
town—a place for daytime drinking. With this in not let our inhibitions hinder our flow, we stumbled
mind, we first headed down to Asakusa Koen Hon into a bar named Hogeisen, a place we only later
Dori, known by locals as “hoppi street,” alluding to learned could be translated as “whale-catching
the favorite drink of ojisans who frequent the area. ship,” and with that name, I’m sure you can guess
We walked down the street trying to gauge which what the main dish on the menu was. Morally unplace was most popular, assuming that would be sure, we did what we always did in such times and
the best. The street is lined with izakayas, all ap- pondered the drinks menu. The oolong high was
pearing externally similar with plastic awnings to available at just ¥550. That might seem standard,
but the preparation of the drink made you
feel you were getting your money’s worth,
as it was poured to the brim. The restaurant
is lined with signatures of various celebrities, and there are multiple pictures of Kitano Takeshi himself, with one being of him
inside this very izakaya. Not sure whether
there was more to the story or if they were
merely obsessed, I asked the staff who let
me know the owner of the bar was a senpai
(mentor) of Mr. Kitano himself.
2-4-3 Asakusa, Taito-ku. Mon to Fri
5-10pm (Thu off), Sat & Sun 4-10pm. Tel:
03-3844-9114.
OKADA (おか田)
This yakitori restaurant has a trendy vibe with
waiters wearing all-white, chef-like attire—a contrast to the grimy baggy shirts and bandanas
of izakayas. This is a place to dine and drink in
peace and comfort. I ordered some Okinawan
shochu with soda at ¥600, known as “haisai
sour”—“haisai” being an enthusiastic Okinawan
greeting. Not wanting to lose ourselves in the
oblivion, we remembered the restaurant is famed
for its yakitori so we ordered some white chicken
liver sticks at ¥280. It’s quite rare to eat this part of
the chicken even with the “anything goes” eating
attitude of Japan, and the taste was a reminder of
the appeal of the unknown—even if that means
paying more than usual.
2-5-8 Asakusa, Taito-ku. Mon to Fri 5-10pm
(Wed off), Sat & Sun 12-10pm. Tel: 03-38440965.
More than just a tourist town, Asakusa has its
share of hidden dives catering to those who seek
an alcohol-infused night on the town.
13
Happy Hour All ¥500!!
Mon-Fri (except Public holidays)
Open-7pm. Heineken 1 PINT,
The Premium Malt’s 1 PINT,
Glasses of wine, Cocktails
Enjoy our great selections
of Irish and European brews.
Spacious 5F terrace
over looking
central Shibuya!
Tokyu
Plaza
More details
http://failte.jp
5F, Sede Bldg. 1-5-2 Dogenzaka, Shibuya
OPEN 5:30pm-2am (Mon-Sat)
3-11pm (Sunday & hols)
tel: 03-3476-7776
Enjoy gourmet steak, fish,
seafood and a selection of
world-class wines with a
superb skyline view.
Tokyo’s No.1 nighttime panorama
Fresh fish direct from Tsukiji market
High-quality Japanese steaks
Selection of high quality wines
from over 2,000 cellars worldwide
Party & wedding catering
English service & menu available
41F Shiodome City Center Bldg, 1-5-2 Higashi Shinbashi, Minato-ku
14
Yakult
Panasonic
Shiodome City Center
Nihon TV
Tower
Matsushita
Shiodome Eletric
tower
LUNCH:
Mon-Sun 11:30am-3pm (LO 1:30pm)
DINNER:
Mon-Sun 5:30pm-11:30pm(LO 9:30pm)
Online Reservation:
www.fish-bank-tokyo.jp
03-3569-7171
escapes
RELAX AND
REFRESH IN
GUNMA
Follow the stream
to Nisshinkan
Manza Onsen
Nisshinkan
Gunma Pref.
Tokyo
BY LAURIER TIERNAN
Photos courtesy of Nisshinkan
Nestled on the Gunma side of Jōshin’etsukōgen National Park lies one of the oldest
and most highly-rated onsen, or hot springs,
in Japan. At 1,800 meters high, Manza Onsen
Hotel Nisshinkan also holds the record for the
“highest-placed” onsen in Japan. Its owner,
singer-songwriter Ken Izumi, often jokes that
it’s “God’s favorite onsen,” because it’s “the
closest to heaven.”
Opened in 1973, it originally consisted of
one wooden building built along a stream. With
increased prosperity and an influx of customers, three new wings were gradually built, higher and higher up the valley. Bidding farewell to
its antiquated first wing in 2007, Nisshinkan
now offers customers three levels of accommodation from which to choose, organized vertically from vintage to modern.
Breakfast and dinner are both served buffetstyle in the hotel’s main dining room and are
included in the price of your stay. Breakfast features offerings such as produce harvested daily
at local farms and Japanese staples such as
miso soup and rice as well as Western favorites
such as yogurt, croissants and cereal. Dinner
options, on any given night, may include casseroles, Chinese dishes, noodles, sushi as well
as a dessert bar that includes six flavors of ice
cream. For lunch, hotel guests may purchase
meals from the hotel’s café, or buy a ticket for
the all-you-can-eat lunch in the main dining
room, where options are most often curry, udon
and chukadon.
In terms of baths, Nisshinkan stays true to
its antique roots, using only Japanese cypress
wood in the construction of its onsen rooms as
well as the baths themselves. Guests may enjoy
six types of hot springs in nine baths spread
out over four different locations on the hotel
premises. Surrounded by snowbanks in the
wintertime, Gokuraku no Yu, an outdoor (or
“rotemburo”) bath perched on a hilltop, offers
striking views of the surrounding valley during the day as well as exquisite star-viewing
at night. Chouju no Yu, the main onsen room,
features four different indoor baths as well as
two rotemburo. Manten no Yu consists of one
bath with views of a local forest, and Enman no
Yu is a private hot spring room, which may be
rented for ¥2,000 per hour. All of the hotel’s
onsen locations—except Gokuraku no Yu—also
offer showering facilities.
The hotel rooms themselves range from
simple tatami rooms with futons on the floor
for sleeping to luxurious suites that include two
beds, two sofas, a bar, en-suite toilet and a private bathing room. Pricing ranges from ¥6,630
per person for a basic room to ¥30,120 per
person for a deluxe suite.
Seeking entertainment between your feasting and bathing? Options abound. Seven different levels of hiking trails spring from the hotel's
entrance, from a quiet boardwalk stroll around
HOW TO GET THERE
Shuttle service from Shinjuku is
available. For more information:
www.manza.co.jp/eng/
UPCOMING ENTERTAINERS
a scenic pond to a
Dec 23 - Ken Izumi (Spiritual)
three-hour trek to
Jan 21 - The Hot Spas (Jazz/Blues)
Feb 14 - Nature Airliner (Folk)
the nearest volcano, Shiranesan. In
the winter, hotel guests may also ski at slopes
within walking distance. The entertainment
feature on which Nisshinkan prides itself the
most, however, is its floor show. At 8pm nightly,
hotel guests may enjoy a free, hour-long performance by the artist du jour. Past performers
have included world-class Hawaiian musicians,
jazz artists and dance troupes. The mainstay is,
of course, hotel owner Ken Izumi, whose idea
it was to start the show. “Despite the fact that I
was only playing the guitar casually in the hotel
café, customers would listen very attentively
and encouraged me to perform on a nightly basis,” states Mr. Izumi. “Then, some of my professional musician friends asked if they could play
here in exchange for accommodation. This lead
to my deciding that we should set up a nightly
show, with a rotating cast of performers.”
“Being a family-run business,” muses his
son, executive manager Kazumasa Kuroiwa, “I
believe that we are more capable of responding to each customer’s desires than your average hotel is.”
Fluent in English, Mr. Kuroiwa looks forward
to helping foreign visitors make reservations,
and can be reached at 0279-97-3131.
15
movies
BY DON MORTON
featured movie
GONE GIRL
When a man’s perfect, loving wife inexplicably
goes missing and foul play is suspected, he
finds himself at the center of a media circus as
his own innocence comes into question. There.
That’s really all I can tell you, because this is one
of those flicks where, on a regular basis, you
learn that everything you know is wrong. Don’t
even read any other reviews, lest you spoil some
of the delicious, titillating and gruesome twists
coming your way. One of the best movie mysteries since The Usual Suspects, this is a perfect
match of material (Gillian Flynn scripts from her
own best-seller) and director (David Fincher, who
has charmed us with films like Se7en, Fight Club,
Zodiac and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo). It’s
flawlessly cast, from top to bottom, starting with
Rosamund Pike. I’ve always liked her character
work, but I had no idea she had this kind of acting
chops. And Tyler Perry is terrific in a rare nonMadea role as a celebrity defender of “wife killers.” Even Ben Affleck doesn’t suck. Intelligent
and mesmerizing, this is excellent, high-level
pulp. Two and a half hours but edge-of-your-seat
all the way. (145 min)
NEW
SAVAGED
“Oh dear,” I said when I
read the IMDb blurb on
this cheapie revenge
thriller. “A deaf girl is
b r u t a l ize d by a m u rderous gang, who are then hunted by her when the
bloodthirsty spirit of an Apache warrior inhabits her
lifeless body.” But as it progressed, I started thinking
it didn’t suck, and then surprised myself by finding it
rather entertaining, in a grindhouse kind of way. I reveled in the terrible acting, and I flat out guffawed when
the chainsaw came out. Not for everyone, but I’ve sat
through worse. Best seen with friends and tequila
shots. Japanese title: Savage Killer. (94 min)
NEW
ALIVE INSIDE
Early in this doc, social
worker Dan Cohen
and filmmaker Michael
Rossato-Bennett put a
pair of headphones on a
94-year-old, nearly comatose dementia sufferer named
Henry and play him some Cab Calloway. The result is
stunning. He immediately perks up and starts singing. Other old folks react similarly. So it’s a great idea
to play these abandoned people their old music, and a
$50 iPod is a lot cheaper than meds. Then it gets repetitious, the narration gets cloying, and it falls back on
fundraising. This is a downer after Henry. And despite
the filmmakers’ enthusiasm, this isn’t even a new idea.
Japanese title: Personal Song. (78 min)
GOD’S NOT DEAD
This rickety attempt to
address an imagined
campaign among U.S.
universities to silence
“true believers” is lame
even by the already lax standards of faith-based cinema. The movie-long setup involves a smug, born-again
freshman running down a list of talking points with an
atheistic philosophy teacher who’s so clearly evil, I wonder why they didn’t give him horns and a tail. He later
gets hit by a car. All the characters are props. Legitimate
criticisms of Christianity are ignored. Subplots target
the godless Chinese and Muslims. All this and Duck
Dynasty, too. God, if there is one, would be seriously
pissed. Japanese title: Kami wa Shindanoka. (113 min)
HEAVEN IS FOR REAL
Yeah, well, so is hell, and
it’s sitting through faithbased movies. When a
(highly irritating) fouryear-old boy in an impossibly well-adjusted evangelical Christian family in an
improbably multiracial and multicultural Nebraska farm
town is saved (by a prayer montage) from a close call
with death, he emerges claiming to have visited Heaven,
which looks suspiciously like Sunday school. His dad’s
(Greg Kinnear) interpretation of this as proof of an afterlife is problematic though. Does not proof eliminate the
need for faith? (See the movie Doubt.) Literally preaching to the literally converted. Japanese title: Tengoku wa
Hontoni Aru. (99 min)
LOVE, ROSIE
Perhaps the Brits
wanted to show t hey
coul d make ro man t ic
comedies ever y bit as
drippy and unrealistic
as the Americans. Alex and Rosie (Sam Claflin and
Lily Collins, showing an astounding lack of chemistry)
have grown up together and are best friends. Though
it’s obvious to even the dullest audience member that
they’ll eventually end up together, it takes a dozen
years (and one hour, 42 minutes of your life) for them
to get around to it. I guess it takes time to get through
all those clichés and predictable “twists.” Neither
romantic nor funny. Japanese title: Ato 1cm no Koi.
(102 min)
THE HOBBIT:
THE BATTLE OF THE
FIVE ARMIES
The dragon is slain in the
first act but is replaced
with an even worse monster: politics. Elves, men, dwarves and orcs all descend on
Lonely Mountain to claim their share (or all) of the treasures
therein. Now, all these LOTR prequels are necessarily padded. (Factoid: It takes longer to watch this trilogy than it
does to read the slim book.) But as I’ve said of the other
two films, it’s great padding. This one’s darker and weirder,
but it’s fun to watch, the hour-long titular smackdown is
beautifully choreographed, the characters and emotions
are convincing and in all a fitting adieu to Middle Earth.
Japanese title: Hobbit: Kesshou no Yukue. (144 min)
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
Gone Girl: © 2014 Twentieth Century Fox; Savaged: Savaged The Movie LLC © 2013; Alive Inside: © 2012 EAR GOGGLES PRODUCTIONS.LLC. ALL RIGHTS; God’s Not Dead: © 2014 God’s Not Dead. LLC; Love, Rosie: © 2014 CONSTANTIN
FILM PRODUKTION GMBH; The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies: ©2014 WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. AND METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER PICTURES INC.; Fury: © Norman Licensing, LLC 2014; Interstellar: © 2014 Warner Bros.
Entertainment, Inc.and Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.; Open Windows: © ATRESMEDIA CINE, APACHES ENTERTAINMENT, SAYAKA PRODUCTIONS, LA PANDA PRODUCTIONS; Runner Runner: © 2013 Twentieth Century Fox Film
Corporation. All Rights Reserved.; The Last Days on Mars: © 2013 Qwerty Mars Movie limited and The British Film Institute; DamNation: © 2014 DAMNATION.
16
More reviews: metropolisjapan.com/movies
FURY
This isn’t quite Saving
Private R yan, but it
comes close and can
stand with the best
W WII combat movies.
Brad Pitt disappears into the role of a tank commander nicknamed “Wardaddy,” as he marshals his
crew behind enemy lines during the last days of the
war, outgunned and outnumbered by a vicious and
desperate enemy. The action scenes are terrific, but
it’s during the down times that the film shines. One
15-minute sequence, involving a pair of women hiding in an apartment, brims with suspense, dread and
an unexpected sensitivity. Then it’s back to the daily
business of not getting killed. (134 min)
DAMNATION
Eco-doc notable mainly
for the fact that it was
funded by the Patagonia
outdoor clothing company. Its main argument is
the Native Americans and salmon would be happier
if tens of thousands of dams hadn’t been built during
the last century. The photography is gorgeous (like
something you’d see in an outdoor clothing store),
but with whom is the film arguing? There’s a general
lack of focus and political balance. Most interesting
bits: Singer Katie Lee, still feisty at 94, describing her
memories of pre-dam Glen Canyon, and a graffiti artist who makes his point for dam demolition writ very
large. (87 min)
INTERSTELLAR
On an ecologically
d o o m e d , n e a r- f u t u r e
Earth, a NASA pilot must
travel through a wormhole to f ind humanit y
a new home, but it means he must leave behind his
beloved daughter, likely to never see her again. By
the way, she sees ghosts. While it’s a science fiction
movie, the science is viable, which makes the fiction
more believable. Though Nolan’s films can be cold
and emotionless, in this surreal yet grounded movie,
he manages to effectively balance spectacle and emotion, the cosmic and the intimate. Call it science with
a soul. This must-see film will stretch your mind. Big
screen, please. (169 min)
OPEN WINDOWS
The desktop kind. This
inventive, gleefully
manipulat i ve techno t hriller op ens w i t h a
nerdy blogger (Elijah
Wood) waiting for a dinner date he won with the actress
object of his fanboy obsession, when a menacing, allknowing voice from his computer starts telling him
what to do. The found footage-ish gimmick here is that
the entire movie takes place on his laptop screen. It’s
compulsively watchable for a while, but ultimately the
clever plot twists stack up to the point where the gimmick becomes unsustainable, and I found it difficult to
maintain the desire to keep up. Final twist almost insulting. Japanese title: Black Hacker. (100 min)
RUNNER RUNNER
An Ivy League kid (Justin
Timberlake) online-gambles away all his education money, so he takes
the only-in-the-movies
step of flying to Costa Rica to confront a notoriously
dangerous online-poker mogul and get his money
back. He does—as well as gets a lucrative job with the
guy, apartment, car, girl, etc. But when he realizes he
wants out ... Well, go watch The Firm again, because
that’s what this flaccid crime opus is ripping off. It gets
worse—said mogul is Ben Affleck, acting like he did a
decade ago (badly). Zero suspense, rushed and pointless. You’d be a chump to gamble ¥2,000 on my being
wrong. (91 min)
THE LAST DAYS ON
MARS
A crew of scientists looking for life on Mars finds
it. Problem is, it turns
everyone it touches into
space zombies! (This could explain why life has had
such a hard time evolving there.) A lot of badly choreographed fights in space suits and helmets, which
makes it hard to tell (or care) who’s who. There are
actually two mysteries here: Why would the talented
Liev Schreiber be involved in this totally generic space
horror flick? Or for that matter Elias Koteas or Olivia
Williams? And two, how the hell did this trash get
shown at Cannes? There’s no life here. Or entertainment value. (98 min)
© 2014『救いたい』製作委員会
© IMAGE.NET
© 2013 R.P PRODUCTIONS – MONOLITH FILMS
eiga
This medical drama made its
world premiere at the 2014 Tokyo
International Film Festival in the
By Rob Schwartz
big-budget/commercial-oriented
special screenings section. This category caters to overblown, mainstream Japanese melodramas, so it was a
pleasant surprise to find that Sukuitai was generally (not
always) understated and well done. Prominent Japanese
director Seijiro Koyama was brought on board to guide the
project between fiction and fact, as the story is based on
reportage about Tohoku earthquake survivors and incorporates real stories. Teiichi (Tomokazu Miura), a doctor,
and his anesthesiologist wife, Takako, (Kyoka Suzuki) close
down their medical center to move to the disaster area to
offer help. Teiichi runs a small clinic while Takako takes
a job at a Sendai hospital—and they become intimately
involved with the lives of the affected, especially the
elderly. The flick draws you in as it follows stories around
both spouses. Takako must encourage a young anesthesiologist who has lost her nerve after a personal tragedy.
The nurse at Teiichi’s clinic offers an interesting subplot
and Teiichi’s efforts to defend the community yet another.
There’s enough realism to balance out the melodrama and
give a taste of what the survivors have to deal with. Worth
watching. English title: Until the Day Comes. (110 min)
SUKUITAI
movie news
For many animators, Japan is the Holy Land. That was
certainly the message sent by John Lasseter and his
team when they visited the Tokyo International Film
Festival to unveil their latest film Big Hero 6. “As a
bunch of animation geeks from California, we are
just so thrilled to be here,” gushed the producer, who
counts Hayao Miyazaki as a personal friend. Based
on a lesser-known Marvel comic, the Disney computer-animated film focuses on a teen robotics wiz and
his ragtag team of science geeks. It marks the peak of
a triumphant return for Lasseter, who was dismissed
from the company way back in 1984 for suggesting
that computers be integrated in the animation process. He proved them wrong by helping start a little
studio called Pixar and directing Toy Story and now
oversees productions at both companies. Big Hero 6
is the first Disney film to feature a Japanese-American
hero and is set in the mashup city of San Fransokyo.
“We made lots of trips to Tokyo to sketch out locations
and details,” said co-director Chris Williams. “The
Japanese aesthetic is a big part of our work, so we
wanted to get it right.” His partner Don Hall summed
it up by saying “the film is a love letter to Japan.” Big
Hero 6 opens in Japan Dec 20. Kevin Mcgue
cinematic underground
The latest film from Roman Polanski is coming to
Tokyo, this one in French. Based on the two-person
stage play, Venus in Fur starts with a frustrated director (Mathieu Amalric) trying to cast the perfect actress
when one bursts into the theater intent on impressing
him (played by Polanski’s wife Emmanuelle Seigner).
The play-within-the-f ilm is based on the novel by
Leopold Sacher-Masoch, who lent his name to masochism. On from December 20 at Human Trust Cinema
Yurakucho (2-7-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku; www.ht-cinema.com)... Two films by acclaimed Russian director
Andrey Zvyagintsev will screen from December 20 at
Eurospace in Shibuya (1-5 Maruyamacho, Shibuya-ku;
www.eurospace.co.jp)... The Return follows two brothers who only know their father from a fading photograph, until he appears on their doorstep. And Elena
tells the story of an aging housewife who learns the
inheritance that she has been counting on is under
threat… Once, the musical about love and songwriting between two buskers in Dublin, is in town at Ex
Theater Roppongi. If you want to get up to speed first
with the film it’s based on, catch it from December
13 at Cinema Qualite (3-37-12 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku;
http://qualite.musashino-k.jp). KM
17
city life
THE MAN WHO
MADE NISHIKORI
the Australian Open this past January, Nishikori
pushed his nemesis Rafael Nadal all the way in a
tight fourth-round clash. In many ways, the deeply
analytical Chang resembled his protégé: Both
players relied more on quick wits and foot speed
than brute strength. Chang also could get into his
opponents’ heads, outwitting rivals through clever
psychology and his mastery of counter-punch.
Before linking up, Chang already knew what
Nishikori lacked: Self-belief. “Kei was obviously
very solid technically, but to match those guys at
the top and take the next step, he needed to be a
bit more unpredictable and take a few more risks.
To do that, he needed to improve his mentality. No
matter how skilled you are, you need to be able to
believe you can achieve something; otherwise,
you’ll never get there," Chang says, adding that
Nishikori has since changed.
A growing belief, backed by wins against
Djokovic, Federer and Murray, launched Nishikori
into the big time. His clashes against Djokovic and
Čilić in September broke pay-per-view records on
Japanese TV, and a strong showing at the World
Tour Finals saw him finish the season at No. 5—a
career high.
Chang feels there’s more to come, with his
charge still adjusting to new patterns and tactics
in his repertory this year. Nishikori was urged to
exploit both his speed and the geometry of a tennis court with the precision of a snooker player. It’s
paid off, with even uber-flexible Djokovic struggling to deal with Nishikori’s subtle variation.
“It’s about flexibility,” Chang says, explaining
that men's tennis is varied. “You need options so
you can switch between styles of play rather than
just playing the same way. By freeing your style
up, you become a tougher opponent.”
Chang hopes Nishikori will be a trendsetter for
a new wave of Asian players. While Li Na’s success
has inspired a generation of Chinese girls breaking
through, he cautions it may take longer for men's
tennis to experience the same boom.
“It’ll take a little more time before we get more
Asian guys at the top of the game—but I believe
it can happen.”
Check out Michael Chang’s Chang Family Foundation at http://mchang.com
PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), including
insomnia, chronic anxiety, emotional detachment, flashbacks and other symptoms.
Certified on October 21, the Allied Psychotherapy Relief Initiative for the Children of Tohoku
(APRICOT) is a nonprofit fund that aims to support
Japan’s mental health professionals as they provide counseling relief for children and families af-
fected by the March 2011 disaster—not
just now but for the next 17 years, with
the aim of offering ongoing aid until all
the children of the disaster reach their
Coming-of-Age day at age 20.
All the fund’s staff work on a completely voluntary basis—they don’t
even claim expenses—to ensure all
donations go to registered mental
health NPOs and other organizations
supporting Tohoku children’s mental
health. Recipient organizations include
the Japan Society of Certified Clinical
Psychologists (JSCCP) and the Fukushima Society of Certified Clinical Psychologists
(FSCPP).
APRICOT is always in need of people who
have time to spare and a hand to lend, while
donating by credit card is as easy as placing an
order on Amazon or iTunes.
To donate or inquire about volunteering, visit
http://apricotchildren.org.
Michael Chang jump-starts Asian tennis power—again
BY DAVID COX
Kei Nishikori’s transformation into a major contender for tennis’ biggest titles has been one of the
year’s great sporting stories. But his stirring surge
to the U.S. Open final may never have happened
were it not for a series of chance conversations 12
months earlier.
Michael Chang is the only male player of Asian
origin to have won a Grand Slam—and the youngest, having won the French Open in 1989 when he
was 17. He was in Paris to watch the 2013 French
Open when he bumped into Nishikori, then ranked
15th in the world. Three months later, a disastrous
first-round defeat at Flushing Meadows sparked
a period of soul-searching for Nishikori, who realized something had to change and decided to
persuade Chang to become his coach.
The chances were slim. Chang had distanced
himself from professional tennis since his retirement in 2003 and had already rejected a series of
offers. But against all odds, he changed his mind.
“Under normal circumstances, I probably
wouldn’t have considered it,” Chang tells Metropolis. “Coaching isn’t really something I’d planned
to commit to. But there haven’t been that many
successful Asian players in the men’s game, and
I felt Kei really had a good chance of making that
next step.”
It was clear the partnership had potential. At
© APRICOT NPO
17 YEARS
OF
SUPPORT
APRICOT funds mental
help for Tohoku children
BY MIKE KANERT
The March 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami
sent hundreds of thousands of children, mothers
and families to live in shelters and temporary
housing. While much of the debris has been
cleared, and many houses replaced, the wholesale devastation and relocation of communities
and families has had a lasting effect, particularly
on the region’s children. A March 2014 report
by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
found that a full 34 percent of children from the
disaster-affected areas suffered from signs of
18
neighborhood
JAPANESE
MEDICINE
Navigating the nooks
BY KEN JOSEPH JR.
For all its faults, Japan has one of the
best medical systems in the world.
I began this column from the room
where I was hospitalized for nearly
a month with what was originally
pneumonia and eventually became
something more serious.
The upside of the medical system:
A well-run, organized and affordable
medical plan. Payment is decided
on a sliding scale based on income.
The downside? It can be a confusing, impersonal, one-size-fits-all
type of insurance scheme if you don’t
follow a few simple tips.
First, find a hospital or clinic you like and a doctor you feel comfortable
with. Your personal doctor will serve as the key to all your medical care
and refer you to various specialists. Keep all consulting through him or her.
Second, do research. Japanese doctors have a habit of asking you which
course of action you’d prefer, which can be confusing if you’re unprepared.
The good news is if you have information about the available treatments or
tests, more often than not they’ll make it happen without a fuss.
There used to be two key hospitals for the international community: The
Tokyo Adventist Hospital in Ogikubo and St. Luke’s in Tsukiji. Sadly, the
Adventist has taken a hit, and having just returned there for over a month, I
can see it’s no longer an international hospital but a niche, “regular” hospital
that’s somehow become extremely unfriendly to non-Japanese patients.
Ken Joseph Jr. directs The Japan Helpline at www.jhelp.com, which has
been helping the international community 24/7 since 1975. Just press “Help!”
DOCTOR FINDERS
The Himawari Tokyo Health
Institution Finder Service allows
you to search for hospitals and
clinics by postal code or nearest
station, including options for the
type of medical service required and
language, with English, Cantonese,
Mandarin, Tagalog, Portuguese,
French, German, Korean and half a
dozen others on the list. Run by the
Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the
site also offers access to emergency
translation services in five languages
from 5-8pm on weekdays and
9am-8pm on weekends. http://meturl.
com/himawarihospitals
The Embassy of the United States
lists medical resources in Tokyo and
surrounding areas, subdivided by
type and covering Kanto and parts
of Chubu, Hokuriku and Tohoku. It
includes a list of sites for general
healthcare information in Japan, a
list of mental health professionals,
and sources for free telephone
interpretation. http://meturl.com/
embassyhospitals
The Expat’s Guide to Japan lists
Tokyo hospitals and clinics with
foreign language services. http://
expatsguide.jp/ch12/tokyolist
Realestate-Toyo.com also has a list
of English-speaking doctors and
hospitals by ward (Tokyo only). www.
realestate-tokyo.com/info/hospital
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• Sanno Medical Center (www.
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• St. Luke’s International Hospital
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19
seven deadly sins 2014
You don’t know envy
until you leave Sin Den.
Others will go green at
your good looks, then
(if you’re feeling angelic)
share our address.
Do you have what it takes for TV?
Looking for English
& Chinese speakers
Sin Den
Also Japanese, Spanish & French speakers
Hair Makeup & Nails
03.3405.4409 [email protected]
sinden.com BOOK ONLINE NOW!
NOW IN JAPAN!
TOKYO CORRESPONDENT
¥9,720 (¥8,100 for men).
Free consultation in fluent English
Foreign hair experts for women & men
Imported hair colors and sample chart for Western hair
No hard selling of beauty products
Friendly atmosphere and groovy music
Fashion One broadcasts original programming to over 300 million
people in 44 countries.
We’re now looking for a Tokyo correspondent to join our worldwide
operations.
No fashion experience needed—just the right personality! Send
your CV, cover letter, photo and/or video application, plus a link to
any on-camera work to:
http://www.fashionone.jp/casting
日本初上陸！
日本人テレビリポーターを募集しています！
ファッション ワンは世界44ヶ国、3億人以上に発信している番組です。
履歴書と、
プロファイル写真一枚を送って下さい。
もしあなたが映っている動画やリンク先があれば、是非一緒に送って
下さい。
http://www.fashionone.jp/casting
日本初上陆！
我们正在面向全球招募中文流利的电视台记者！
你好，美女！想成为一名记者吗？
我们会是你的第一选择！
只要你拥有一副可爱的容貌，那就快快加入我们这支年轻的队伍吧！
你只需要给我们发送你的简历和照片。
FACEBOOK等个人网页也欢迎!
http://www.fashionone.jp/casting
BE SEEN. BE THE SCENE.
metropolis.co.jp/fashionone
20
fashion fix
GIFTING FASHION
BY SAMUEL THOMAS, FASHION EDITOR
Buying clothes for someone else has to be one of the riskiest decisions
to make this festive season. Not only do you have a proverbial minefield
of sizing and color issues to deal with, but, as most Japan residents have
probably twigged, there are no returns given for unwanted gifts. For that
reason, I recommend accessories or jewelry for that special fashionista.
Toast of the Tokyo underground, Garter from
designer Koshiro
Ebata, has finally
co m e d o w n to
earth with a collection that even fashion civilians might
be able to wear. The
experimental designer has
defined the avant-garde street fashion scene
from the moment he opened his boutique in
the Koenji hub of cool, the Kitakore Building, in
2009—and has been dressing everyone from
domestic starlets Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, AKB48
and Ayumi Hamasaki, to international heavyweights Nicki Minaj and Lady Gaga, ever since.
Now, with his collections winning him fans
worldwide and his first full international exhibition at Italy’s Milano Salone under his belt, the
designer has given in and produced a series of
accessible accessories and basics—even the
humble T-shirt—but without compromising his
very lofty fashion ambitions. Fans of his craft
need not worry though. Ebata has still produced
a number of conceptual pieces for the collection, this time inspired by the traditional Japanese craft of origami, all rendered in molded
leather. The couture-level dresses might be well
outside the sartorial and fiscal limits of most, but
they can be rented for events if you ever want
to play Gaga for the night.
STREET FOCUS
As the temperatures continue to drop, it’s a
tempting thought to wrap yourself in a duvet
and tuck yourself away. Luckily, street fashion
has you covered, not least with oversized fleece
layers being a big trend this winter, but so too
is the option of adding in a couple of plush toys
to snuggle up to as in this issue’s street style
trendsetter. Saturation of color and imagery is
your friend, so just keep layering and adding until
you could survive the arctic.
Photo by Samuel Thomas
The worlds of fashion and idol culture seem
to be on an inescapable collision course. Not
only has Japan released its first idol fashion
magazine Overture this year in October; Maison Book Girl was launched a fashion-brandmeets-idol-group concept, the likes of which
hasn’t been seen in Japan—or anywhere else,
for that matter.
The idol group functions as models and muses for the fashion line: They inspire and then
wear the clothes the brand produces. The concept, which comes from talent agency and music
producer Ekoms, who put the band together
from ex-members of idol group BiS, as well as
auditioned members, is an odd mix to say the
least. Not only is the fashion itself significantly
more conservative than the standard idol fare,
it’s also aimed squarely at the group’s female fabase rather than the male fans one might have
associated with the subculture only five years
ago. But maybe that’s the point? Idol groups
and their fans are changing, and the industry is
starting to reflect that.
SHOPPING STRATEGY
Photo by Samuel Thomas
Photo courtesty of ekoms
ON POINT
On the other side of the equation, if you’re given a gift that doesn’t
quite fit either your body or your taste, Tokyo is on your side. Popular
second-hand fashion chains such as Rinkan, for high brands, and Mode
Off, for anything mid-market, all the way down to Uniqlo, will give you a
fair price for that regrettably unwanted gift.
FASHION CALENDAR
Dec 12 | Onitsuka Tiger x
nowartt
Edgy artist Toyoki Adachi’s
textile brand Nowartt is teaming
up with Onitsuka Tiger for
a seriously limited sneaker
collaboration set to drop
nationwide on the 12th. Adachi’s
graphical riff on Onitsuka
Tiger’s logo will emblazon
two cult designs at a very
reasonable ¥10,000 plus tax.
http://meturl.com/onitsukatiger
Dec 15 | Vivienne Westwood
Launches New Lighter
Collection
Vivienne Westwood is
notorious for releasing her
coolest accessory lines
exclusively in Japan, and her
new capsule collection of
smoking paraphernalia is no
exception. Taking the lead is
a series of high-end refillable
lighters sporting a stars and
houndstooth pattern, as well as
the brand’s iconic orb motif.
http://meturl.com/
viviennewestwood
Dec 16-25 | A Celebration of
the Macabre at Parco Gallery X
The space between the
beautiful and the grotesque
is the star of this exhibition at
Parco Gallery X in Shibuya.
Through a study of 19th century
botanical and biological
illustrations from around the
world, the exhibition will reveal
the origins of Japanese gothic
fashion, as well as the lighter
side of the macabre in fashion.
http://meturl.com/galleryx
Dec 16 | Jojo’s Bizarre
Adventure Meets Converse
Araki Hirohiko’s phenomenally
popular anime and manga
series “Jojo’s Bizarre
Adventure” is collaborating with
footwear label Converse for
the second time, with a sneaker
themed on protagonist Jotaro
Kujo constructed in traditional
Japanese Nishijin-ori fabric. The
shoes are already sold out on
pre-order in most shops, so you
might end up scouting auctions
if you want a pair.
http://meturl.com/jojobizarre
Dec 17 Jan 12 | Noritaka
Tatehana Solo Exhibition at the
Tomio Koyama Gallery
Shoe artist Noritaka Tatehana is
holding a free exhibition on 8F
of Hikarie, Shibuya. I say “artist”
because, while his designs can
technically be worn, I doubt you
can walk— never mind run—in
some of his more outlandish
designs without significant
training.
http://meturl.com/
noritakatatehana
21
arts&culture
Photo courtesy of P­Vine Records
ART
JAPAN BEAT
INDIE SEERS
Ogre You Asshole’s elegant
introspection
BY DAN GRUNEBAUM
MIND ON
THE
FUTURE
Examining our
connection to
technology
BY C.B.LIDDELL
A sense of honeyed sadness suffuses Nagano
indie-rockers Ogre You Asshole’s new album
Papercraft. “If you must put it into words,” frontman Manabu Deto says of the trilogy the disc
completes, “the unifying theme of those three
albums would be ‘someplace cozy and comfortable, yet miserable.’”
Deto is reluctant to comment further on any
specific themes of the album’s songs but prodded on the matter, offers the following metaphor:
“Something that looks decent on the surface
could be so shallow and flimsy when viewed
from a different angle—like a stage prop in a
play.” It’s a sentiment reflected in the cover of
Papercraft, which depicts a Hollywood-style
building façade: All surface and no depth.
Perhaps it’s the slower pace of country life or
the distance from Tokyo’s commercial entertainment industry, but Ogre You Asshole’s sound
impresses as more contemplative than that of
many indie rock outfits in the capital.
Since forming a decade ago in Nagano, the
band has stubbornly resisted the lures of the big
city. The ability to step back and do something expansive and conceptual is important to its members. “Creative activities of artists change with
the times,” Deto says, “even more so in the rapidly
changing times we live in. In such a
transitory world, in order for Ogre
not to be affected by fast-changing
trends and create a series of works
with a strong unifying theme, we
had an understanding between the
band and our production team that
it was necessary for us to take a few
years making three albums so our listeners could
gain an understanding of our work.”
Papercraft launches with “Someone’s
Dream,” a noire outing that sounds like it could
appear on a Wim Wenders or Quentin Tarantino
soundtrack. The album then segues through the
22
“The Fab Mind” is a bit of a misleading title for
this show, which aroused expectations of seeing something about the original “Fab Four,”
the Beatles—or at least something referring to
the 1960s mindset that created them and the
culture of that revolutionary decade. But this
show at Roppongi’s 21_21 Design Site is a lot
more forward-looking than that.
The exhibit is concerned with the ongoing
fallout of the information technology revolution
we’re currently living through, and the ways in
which it can and will impact our lives. If you’re
a tech geek, just worried or concerned about
the future, this is the show for you.
Directing the show are Noriko Kawakami, a
design journalist, and Ikko Yokoyama, a Japanese curator working in Sweden. As one would
expect from such a pairing, the show notes are
larded with a lot of positivist jargon about “forging new relationships with our society now and
into the future.” However, buying this agenda
isn’t necessary to enjoying the show, as most
of the artworks stand on their own feet.
This is certainly true of Slogans for the Early
Twenty-First Century (2011) by Douglas Coupland,
the novelist and artist who popularized the terms
“Generation X” and “McJob.” A range of striking
and witty slogans greet the visitor upon entry
to the bowels of the bunker-like 21_21 Design
Site—including “Being middle class was fun,”
referring to the middle-class squeeze created by
technology’s ability to mechanize or outsource
white-collar jobs; and “In the future, we’ll all be
shopping from jail,” a reference to the consumer
surveillance society that’s emerging.
Facing this, Swedish art group Humans since
1982 present their impressive “A Million Times”
(2014), an installation made from 750 separate
dial clocks that are synchronized so they behave
collectively like a massive, digital clock or LED
readout.
Altogether, there are works by 24 groups of
artists and designers from over ten countries.
Some of them, like the various solutions to practical problems created by the Fixperts group, are
actually good ideas but are rather dull as artworks.
Also boring are those works that seem designed to win grant money by being a little too
boogaloo beats of “Perfect Lovers
in the Perfect City” to the laconic,
slide guitar-driven title track.
Throughout, Deto’s singing and
his bandmates, guitarist Kei Mabuchi, drummer Takashi Katsuura and
bassist Takashi Shimizu’s playing
are understated yet always unexpected. Listeners familiar with cult psych rock
band Yura Yura Teikoku will detect a rich vein of
quirky influences from leader Shintaro Sakamoto.
Deto cites Sakamoto’s “strong concepts,” and
Papercraft was in fact produced by You Ishihara
and engineered by Souichiro Nakamura, both
of whom worked with Yura Yura Teikoku. The
album’s analog recording approach and use of
vintage instruments like the mellotron also impart
a nostalgic acid rock atmosphere that gives it a
certain kinship with Sakamoto’s work.
Ogre’s psych rock appeal has made the group
a favorite touring partner of bands like Modest
Mouse (whose bassist gave them their name
from the film Revenge of the Nerds), Wolf Parade
and Deerhunter. Live, the band stretches out on
extended improvisational excursions that evoke
Krautrock, another key influence.
But Ogre You Asshole aren’t trying to lead
or follow any specific trend or pop music phe-
Photo by C.B.Liddell
MUSIC
worthy and earnest. A good example is the
rather rudimentary beaded vases created by a
Swedish group in collaboration with five South
African women, hyped as a way of preserving
local and traditional crafts.
Set against this apparently world-spanning
piece of detritus, the most impressive artwork
at the exhibition is found much closer to home in
Yosuke Ushigome’s Professional Sharing (2014).
This is a video installation with related items
that detail Ushigome’s self-utilization of himself
and his mobile smart devices to eke out microcredits in a range of odd ways.
These range from taking random photos of
crowds to sell to data companies and using his
computer processors to generate Bitcoins, to
serving as a mobile battery charger and wearing
his tablet as a sandwich board to carry advertising messages acutely targeted by GPS.
This exhibit suggests you won’t need to be
mad to live in the future—but it’ll certainly help.
Until Feb 1, 2015. 21_21 Design Sight, 9-7-6
Akasaka, Minato-ku. Nearest stn: Roppongi.
http://meturl.com/fabmind
nomenon. “For the past few years, I've been
listening mainly to music of the ‘60s and ‘70s, so
I don’t really know much about the current music
scene,” Deto says.
“I thought bands such as Deerhunter, MGMT
and Wolf Parade, with whom we performed in
Japan, were all good. I recently heard Flying Lotus
and Ariel Pink, and they were good too. But we
don’t really know much about them and aren’t so
interested in what’s happening in the Japanese
band scene.”
Dec 27, 7pm. ¥3,600. Liquidroom, 3-16-6 Higashi, Shibuya-ku. Nearest stn: Shibuya. http://
meturl.com/ogrepapercraft
ISLAND SOUNDS
IN SHIBUYA
Local mainstay Kinlay set for new heights
BY MIKE KANERT
The four-piece act known as Kinlay has been jamming around
the Tokyo pub and club scenes since 2003, performing their
melange of rock/funk/reggae with elements of dance, soul and
Afrobeat. Frontman Andy MacKinlay tells Metropolis the band’s
inspirations span from Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix and Guns N’
Roses to Jamiroquai, Alabama Shakes and Skrillex.
“We don’t have a particular political message or theme that
goes through all the songs,” says MacKinlay, who also rocks a
mechanical engineering degree from the University of Manchester. “We deal with
typical themes such as love, sorrow, uncertainty, doubt, anger and fear—but try to
have a fun side or positive twist to our music too.”
For Kinlay’s 2012 release, Golden Zero, MacKinlay brought in a number of seasoned musicians and producers to create a sun-drenched, feel-good sound. Over
the summer of 2013, the upbeat reggae single “No Time to Wait” went on to receive
solid airplay on Tokyo’s InterFM.
Backing MacKinlay’s vocals and guitar are Seiji Fukuda on keyboards, Yukako
Ishii on bass and Hiroki Murakami on drums. The band’s fourth studio production,
a double-album consisting of Black Dragon and Lost Treasures, is set for release
on January 28 at Eggman in Shibuya, with the first disc comprising nine new songs
and the second featuring rerecordings of older tracks from the mid-2000s. The
video for the new album’s first single, “Shine on Me,” was filmed by local multimedia
outfit, Drawing a Crowd, on location in Roppongi.
In February, the band plans to build up their western fanbase with a mini-tour of
Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nagoya.
“The most important thing is to enjoy music and hopefully find the music that
can be a soundtrack to your life,” MacKinlay says. “Lyrics aside, music is something
that transcends language and cultural barriers, and probably the only thing that can
easily take you away from the stress of everyday life.”
Those in search of a little getaway might also want to check out Kinlay’s jam
session on the first Wednesday every month at What the Dickens! in Ebisu.
Black Dragon and Lost Treasures CD Release Party Jan 28, 7pm. ¥2,000. Eggman, 1-6-8 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku. Nearest stn: Shibuya. http://kinlayband.com
23
agenda
WATCH LIST
Concerts
POPULAR
Deerhoof
Punk rock band whose erratic
style veers between pop,
noise and classic rock and
roll. The band’s live shows are
known for their minimal gear,
maximal volume and surrealist
banter. Dec 16, 7pm. ¥3,800
(adv)/ ¥4,300 (door). Shindaita
Fever. Shindaita. Tel:
03-6304-7899. http://meturl.
com/deerhoof22014. Dec 17,
7pm. ¥3,800 (adv)/ ¥4,300
(door). WWW. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5458-7685. http://meturl.
com/deerhoof32014
Sonny Smith
American musician, playwright
and multimedia artist whose
travels in Central America
inspired his narrative approach
and original style of folk music.
Dec 17, 7:30pm. ¥3,000 (adv)/
¥3,500 (door). 7th Floor.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3462-4466.
http://meturl.com/smith2014
Keith & Tex
Jamaican rocksteady duo best
known for their 1967 hit “Stop
That Train.” Dec 17, 8:30pm.
¥4,300 (adv)/ ¥5,500 (door).
Astro Hall. Meiji-Jingumae.
Tel: 03-3402-3089. http://
meturl.com/keithtex2014
Andreas Dorau
German pop musician who
wrote the huge hit “Fred vom
Jupiter” at the age of 16. Dec
19, midnight. ¥4,000 (adv)/
¥4,500 (door). Shinjuku Loft.
Shinjuku. http://meturl.com/
dorau2014
New Modern Music
Featuring taffy, Yodocolts and
others. Dec 19, 7pm. ¥2,000.
Heaven's Door. Sangenjaya.
Tel: 03-3411-6774. http://
meturl.com/newmodern2014
H Zett M
Japanese keyboardist and
producer formerly part of the
jazz instrumental band Pe’z.
Dec 20, 2 & 7pm. ¥4,000.
Mori no Hall. Hashimoto.
Tel: 042-775-3811. www.
worldapart.co.jp/hzettm/
Ryoji Ikeda
Japanese sound artist whose
music is concerned primarily
with sound in a variety of “raw”
states, often using frequencies
at the edges of the range
of human hearing. Dec 21,
5-7:30pm. One performance
¥3,000 (adv)/ ¥3,500 (door),
both performances ¥5,000.
Laforet Museum. Harajuku.
Tel: 03-5413-3072. www.
laforet.ne.jp
Loopholic Release Party
Featuring Uhnellys, an indie
band from Tokyo and special
guest Seagull Screaming
Kiss Her Kiss Her. Dec 22,
7:30pm. ¥2,500 (adv)/ ¥3,000
(door). Daikanyama Unit.
Daikanyama. Tel: 03-54598630. http://meturl.com/
uhnellys2014
performed with legendary
musicians such as Prince
Buster and The Skatalites. Dec
23, 5:30pm. ¥3,500 (adv).
Shibuya Duo Music Exchange.
Shibuya. http://meturl.com/
skaflames2014
The Persuasions
American a cappella group
who have performed
interpretations of both secular
and nonsecular music, and
have covered a wide range of
musical genres. Dec 27-29, 5 &
8pm. ¥7,700-¥10,000. Cotton
Club. Tokyo. Tel: 03-32151555. http://meturl.com/
persuasions2014
Clean Bandit
English electronic group
known for their UK singles
CChart-topping single “Rather
Be.” Jan 6, 7pm. ¥6,000.
Liquidroom. Ebisu. Tel:
03-5464-0800. http://meturl.
com/cleanbandit2014
Klaxons
English indie rock-electronic
music band known for their
singles “Magick” and “Golden
Skans.” Jan 6, 7pm. ¥6,000.
Club Quattro. Shibuya. Tel:
03-3477-8750. http://meturl.
com/klaxons2014
The 1975
English indie rock band
consisting of members Matt
Healy, Adam Hann, George
Daniel and Ross MacDonald.
Jan 7, 7pm. ¥6,500.
Zepp Tokyo. Aomi. Tel:
03-3599-0710. http://meturl.
com/19752014
Japanese ska band who has
24
Royal Blood
British hard rock duo whose
sound is reminiscent of and
rooted in modern garage rock
and blues rock. Jan 21, 7pm.
¥5,500. Liquidroom. Ebisu.
Tel: 03-5464-0800. http://
meturl.com/royalblood2014
FKA Twigs
English singer-songwriter,
producer and dancer
whose album LP1 is one
of the nominees for the
2014 Mercury Prize. Jan
22, 7:30pm. ¥5,500 (adv).
Liquidroom. Ebisu. Tel:
03-5464-0800. http://meturl.
com/twigs2014
Johnny Marr
English musician, singer
and songwriter who was
co-songwriter and guitarist
of the English rock band the
Smiths. Jan 26, 7pm. ¥6,800
(adv). Liquidroom. Ebisu.
Tel: 03-5464-0800. http://
meturl.com/marr2015
Chet Faker
Australian electronica
musician who won
Breakthrough Artist of the
Year Award at the 2012
Australian Independent
Records Awards. Jan 26,
7:30pm. ¥5,500. Club
Quattro. Shibuya. Tel:
03-3477-8750. http://meturl.
com/faker2015
JAZZ/WORLD
Circa Waves
British indie rock band.
Jan 8, 7pm. ¥5,000. Astro
Hall. Meiji-Jingumae. Tel:
03-3402-3089. http://meturl.
com/circawaves2015
G.I. Orange
British new wave and
pop band formed in the
mid-1980s. Jan 11, 7pm.
¥6,000 (adv). Koenji High.
Koenji. Tel: 03-5378-0382.
http://meturl.com/orange2014
Edda Magnason with Niels
Lan Doky Trio
Larry Harlow’s Latin
Legends of Fania
An “Homage to Monica
Zetterlund,” Sweden’s
legendary jazz singer/
actress. Dec 20-21, 5 & 8pm.
¥8,000. Blue Note Tokyo.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-54850088. http://meturl.com/
magnason2014
American salsa music performer.
Also featuring Orestes Vilato
and Jorge Santana. Jan 13-16,
7-9:30pm. ¥8,500. Blue Note
Tokyo. Omotesando. Tel:
03-5485-0088. http://meturl.
com/harlow2015
R&B/soul vocal group’s
Christmas special. Dec 18-21,
various times. ¥8,400-14,900.
Billboard Live. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-3405-1133. http://
meturl.com/stylistics2014
English indie rock band whose
debut album An Awesome
Wave won the 2012 British
Mercury Prize. Jan 13, 7pm.
¥6,000. Tsutaya O-East.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-54584681. http://meturl.com/
altj2014
New York-based ensemble
who’ve performed at Carnegie
Hall and have appeared
on stage with Diana Ross,
Whitney Houston and Aretha
Franklin. Dec 21, 2 & 6pm.
¥2,000-7,000. Shibuya Public
Hall. Shibuya. Tel: 03-34633022. www.tate.jp
Three-time Grammy and Tony
Award-winning American jazz
singer. Dec 22, 24 & 25, 6:30
& 9:30pm; Dec 23, 5:30 &
8:30pm. ¥10,800. Blue Note
Tokyo. Omotesando. Tel:
03-5485-0088. http://meturl.
com/deedee2014
Steve Gardner
Bluesman rambling with the
blues from Mississippi to Tokyo.
Dec 27, 7:30pm. ¥1,500. Half
Moon Hall. Higashi-Kitazawa
or Shimokitazawa. http://meturl.
com/gardner2014
Kool & The Gang
American jazz, R&B, soul, funk
and disco group. Winner of
two Grammy Awards, recently
chosen as a recipient of a star
on the Hollywood Walk of
Fame for 2015. Dec 26, 7 &
9:30pm; Dec 27-29, 5 & 8pm.
¥13,800. Blue Note Tokyo.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-54850088. http://meturl.com/
koolgang2014
Singer-songwriter and
guitarist who combines his
distinct voice, strumming,
beats and vocal mouth
trumpet sounds to create a
one-man performance. Dec
13-14, 5 & 8pm. ¥7,500-9,500.
Cotton Club. Tokyo. Tel:
03-3215-1555. http://meturl.
com/midon2014
Michel Camilo
Till Brönner
Blue Note Tokyo All-Star
Jazz Orchestra
Julian Casablancas and
The Voidz
American rock band formed as
a side project of Casablancas’,
lead vocalist of The Strokes.
Jan 17, 6pm. ¥6,500. Ebisu
Garden Hall. Ebisu. Tel:
03-5423-7111. http://meturl.
com/casablancas2015
American pop icon and
winner of Grammy, Emmy and
German jazz musician,
trumpet player, singer,
composer, arranger and
producer. Dec 14, 5 & 8pm;
Dec 15-16, 7 & 9:30pm.
¥8,500. Blue Note Tokyo.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-54850088. http://meturl.com/
bronner2014
Tito Jackson
Original member of The
Jackson 5, better known
these days as a talented
blues artist. Dec 17-19, 7 &
9:30pm. ¥8,500. Blue Note.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-54850088. http://meturl.com/
tito2014
Argentine jazz singer whose
career began under various
pseudonyms while providing
vocal support to a number of
electronic music producers. Jan
26-27, 7-9:30pm. ¥7,800. Blue
Note Tokyo. Omotesando. Tel:
03-5485-0088. http://meturl.
com/souza2015
Blue Mountain Boys
Dee Dee Bridgewater & The
Legendary Count Basie
Orchestra
Grammy Award-winning
pianist and composer from
the Dominican Republic
specializing in jazz, Latin and
classical music. Dec 30-Jan
4, various times. ¥9,000. Blue
Note Tokyo. Omotesando.
Tel: 03-5485-0088. http://
meturl.com/camilo2014
The Script
Irish pop rock band with
hits “The Man Who Can’t Be
Moved” and “Breakeven.” Jan
16, 7pm. ¥6,500. Akasaka
Blitz. Akasaka. http://
meturl.com/script2014
English jazz musician Pine
featuring Mario Canonge. Jan
15 - 17, 6:30pm to 8pm. ¥7,5009,500. Cotton Club. Tokyo.
Tel: 03-3215-1555. http://meturl.
com/pine2015
Karen Souza
Glory Gospel Singers
Clémentine
French singer-songwriter
based in Japan who has also
appeared regularly on the
entertainment segment for
NHK educational program
French TV. Dec 12, 7 &
9:30pm; Dec 13, 5 & 8pm.
¥7,800. Blue Note Tokyo.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-54850088. http://meturl.com/
clementine2014
Yuzuko Horigome
Violinist who has appeared
as a soloist with the world’s
greatest orchestras including
the London Symphony, Czech
Philharmonic and more. Jan 10,
2pm. ¥1,500-4,000. Saitama
Arts Theater. Yonohonmachi.
Tel: 0570-064-939. www.
saf.or.jp
Courtney Pine
The Stylistics
Raul Midón
Alt-J
Cyndi Lauper
The Ska Flames
Tony awards. Jan 20, 7pm.
¥10,500-12,500. Nippon
Budokan. Kudanshita.
http://meturl.com/lauper2014
Directed by Eric Miyashiro with
special guest Richard Bona. Jan
8-9, 7 & 9:30pm. ¥8,500. Blue
Note Tokyo. Omotesando.
Tel: 03-5485-0088. http://
meturl.com/allstar2015
Richard Bona
Jazz bassist and musician who
comes from a tiny village in
Cameroon and now makes
his home in the great cities
and concert halls of the world.
Jan 10-11, 5pm to 8pm.
¥8,000. Blue Note Tokyo.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-54850088. http://meturl.com/
bona2015
Classic country, western and
bluegrass. Every third Sat, 6:30
& 7:30pm, free, Cafe Sepia.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3406-1300.
www.nagaremono.com/sepia
CLASSICAL
Alexander Romanovsky
Ukrainian classical pianist who
has been invited to perform
a Mozart concerto for Pope
Benedict XVI. Jan 17, 3pm.
¥1,000-3,500. Saitama Arts
Theater. Yonohonmachi. Tel:
0570-064-939. www.saf.or.jp
Clubbing
FRIDAY 12
Ageha
Asobinite. Electro, house: DJs
Nakata, Tanaka, etc. From
11pm, ¥3,000. Shinkiba.
www.ageha.com
Air
DJ Jazzy Jeff. Hip-hop: DJ
Jazzy Jeff and more. From
10pm, ¥3,500. Shibuya.
www.air-tokyo.com
Club Asia
Sarah Brightman
English classical crossover
soprano singer. Dec 12,
7pm. ¥13,000-15,000. Tokyo
International Forum Hall A.
Yurakucho. http://meturl.
com/sarahbrightman
Yutaka Sado & WDR
Symphony Orchestra
Cologne
Performance of Beethoven’s
Ninth Symphony. Dec 18,
7pm. ¥5,000-16,000. Tokyo
International Forum Hall A.
Yurakucho. http://meturl.
com/sado2014
Jumper. EDM: DJs Mad as
Noise, Hikaru, etc. From 11pm,
(m) ¥3,000, (f) free. Shibuya.
www.clubasia.co.jp
Daikanyama Unit
Lost Decade. DJs Tofubeats,
Wildparty, etc. From 11:30pm,
¥3,000. Daikanyama. www.
unit-tokyo.com
Origami
Developer, Annie Hall. Techno:
DJs Developer, Annie Hall,
etc. From 10pm, ¥3,500.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-64340968. http://meturl.com/
origamiclub
Ave Maria in Christmas
St. Petersburg Chamber
Ensemble Divertissement
performance feat. the three
major Ave Marias by Bach,
Schubert and Caccini. Dec 22,
2pm. ¥4,500. Tokyo Bunka
Kaikan. Ueno. Tel: 03-38282111. www.koransha.com
Ave Maria Christmas
Concert
With organist Simon Harden
and soprano singer Colette
Boushell. Dec 22, 2pm.
¥3,500. Tokyo Opera City
Concert Hall. Hatsudai or
Shinjuku. Tel: 03-5353-9999.
http://l-tike.com
Susumu Aoyagi
Japanese pianist who made his
orchestral debut with the Fort
Worth Symphony conducted
by John Giordano at the age
of nine. Dec 22, 7pm. ¥2,0004,000. Hamarikyu Asahi Hall.
Shibashi. Tel: 03-5541-8710.
http://meturl.com/aoyagi2014
Sound Museum Vision
Girls Festival. Hip-hop: DJs
Komuro, Kaori, etc. From
10pm, (m) ¥3,500 w/ 1d, (f)
free. Shibuya. www.visiontokyo.com
T2
Shibuya Mixx. EDM: DJs
Baby-T, Shu, etc. From
10pm, (m) ¥3,500 w/ 1d, (f)
¥2,500 w/ 2d. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5428-8692. www.
t2-shibuya.com
The New Matrix Bar
Matrix Friday. Old school
hip-hop, west side, south side,
all mix: DJs Ykk and more.
From 6pm, ¥1,000 (after
11:30pm). Roppongi. www.
matrixbar.jp
The Room
Destination. Broken beats,
deep house: DJs Oka, Sayuri,
etc. From 10pm, ¥2,000 w/
1d. Shibuya. www.the
room.jp
NNTT Young Opera
Singers Tomorrow
Womb
Performance by young opera
trainees. Dec 23, 2pm. ¥2,100.
New National Theatre Tokyo.
Hatsudai. Tel: 03-53529999. http://meturl.com/
youngopera2014
Boysnoize Records. Electro,
techno: DJs Boys Noize,
Edjotronic, etc. From 11pm,
¥3,500. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5459-0039. www.womb.
co.jp
hot tickets
JAN
22
Nobuyuki Tsujii
Conducted by Vasily Petrenko with
the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
Orchestra. Jan 22, 2pm. ¥14,00021,000. Omiya Sonic City. Omiya.
Tel: 048-647-4111. http://meturl.com/
tsujii2014
Tickets on sale now
SATURDAY 13
Ageha
Shanri-La. Gay party: DJs
Sawa, Chu, etc. From 11pm,
¥4,000. Shinkiba. www.
ageha.com
JAN
22-23
MAR 3
Distant Worlds: Music from Kiss
Final Fantasy
Enjoy music from Square Enix’s
bestselling video game franchise.
Jan 22 - 23, 7pm. ¥6,500-9,100.
Tokyo International Forum Hall A.
Yurakucho. http://meturl.com/
distantworlds2015
Tickets on sale from Dec 20
Sound Museum Vision
Rave Vision. EDM: DJs Thomas
Newson, Daishi Dance, etc.
From 10pm, (m) ¥3,500 w/ 1d,
(f) ¥3,000 w/ 1d. Shibuya.
www.vision-tokyo.com
T2
Acid City. House, electro: DJs
Emma, Chida, etc. From 10pm,
¥3,000. Shibuya. www.
air-tokyo.com
Shibuya Mixx. EDM: DJs Ueno,
Shu, etc. From 10pm, (m)
¥3,500 w/ 1d, (f) ¥2,500 w/ 2d.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5428-8692.
www.t2-shibuya.com
Club Asia
The New Matrix Bar
Cadissh. Electro, house: DJs
Habanero Posse, Veevee,
etc. From 11pm, ¥3,000.
Shibuya. www.clubasia.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
Air
Daikanyama Unit
Disco no Kamisama. Disco:
DJs Okadada, Fujii, etc.
Live: Tofubeats and more.
From 11:30pm, ¥3,500.
Daikanyama. www.
unit-tokyo.com
The Room
Wah Wah. Rare groove:
DJs Kuroda, Ryuhei, etc.
From 11pm, ¥2,500 w/ 1d.
Shibuya. www.the room.jp
Womb
Origami
Francois K. DJs Francois K,
Flying Rhythms, etc. From
11pm, ¥4,000. Omotesando.
Tel: 03-6434-0968. http://
meturl.com/origamiclub
Hyperdub. Dub, house: DJs
Kode9, Spinn, etc. From
11pm, ¥4,500. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5459-0039. www.womb.
co.jp
SATURDAY 20
Sound Museum Vision
EDM Union. EDM: DJs Daddy’s
Groove, Matsushima, etc. From
10pm, ¥3,500. Shibuya.
www.vision-tokyo.com
T2
Shibuya Mixx. EDM: DJs Shu,
Clay, etc. From 10pm, (m)
¥3,500 w/ 1d, (f) ¥2,500 w/ 2d.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5428-8692.
www.t2-shibuya.com
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
Womb
Loco Dice & Ben Klock. Techno:
DJs Loco Dice, Ben Klock,
etc. From 11pm, ¥3,500.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5459-0039.
www.womb.co.jp
FRIDAY 19
Clash. Techno: DJs Derrick
May, Jeff Mills, etc. From 11pm,
¥3,500 (adv). Shinkiba. Tel:
03-5534-2525. www.ageha.
com
Air
Duce. House, disco: DJs This
Soft Machine, Van Cliffe,
etc. From 10pm, ¥3,000.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5784-3384.
www.air-tokyo.com
Club Asia
Super Rock Show. All mix: DJs
Takagi, Soda, etc. From 11pm,
¥3,000. Shibuya. www.
clubasia.co.jp
Air
Round House. House: DJs Doc
Martin, Remi, etc. From 10pm,
¥3,500. Shibuya. www.
air-tokyo.com
Club Asia
Ray Van. All dance music: DJs
Fukushima, Chiba, etc. From
11pm, ¥3,000. Shibuya.
www.clubasia.co.jp
Ruby Room
Fat Bros X Manual. DJs
Shimoda, Alexander Lee
Chang, etc. From 7pm, ¥1,500
w/ 1d. Shibuya. www.
rubyroomtokyo.com
Womb
Marcel Dettmann & Maya
Jane Coles. House, techno:
DJs Marcel Dettmann & Maya
Jane Coles, etc. From 11pm,
¥3,500 w/ 1d. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5459-0039. www.womb.
co.jp
Dance
Cinderella
The National Ballet of Japan
presents a Christmas classic.
Dec 14-23, 2pm. ¥3,24010,800. New National Theatre
Tokyo. Hatsudai. Tel:
03-5352-9999. www.nntt.jac.
go.jp/english
Christmas Special Classics
Kiev Ballet performs
segments from The Sleeping
Beauty, Swan Lake and The
Nutcracker accompanied by
the Ukraine National Opera
Orchestra. Dec 24, 7pm.
¥5,000-8,500. Tokyo Opera
City Concert Hall. Hatsudai
or Shinjuku. Tel: 03-53539999. www.koransha.com
The Nutcracker
Performed by the K-Ballet
Company. Dec 20-26, various
times. ¥11,500. ACT Theater.
Akasaka. Tel: 03-35892277. www.k-ballet.co.jp/
company
New Year Special Gala
Mikhailovsky Theatre Ballet
Company performs fragments
from The Nutcracker, Swan
Lake and Raymonda. Jan 4,
2pm. ¥7,000-15,000. Tokyo
International Forum Hall A.
Yurakucho. www.koransha.
com
Le Corsaire
Daikanyama Unit
Metalheadz History Sessions.
Drum’n’bass: DJs Goldie, Doc
Scott, etc. From 11:30pm,
¥3,800. Daikanyama. www.
unit-tokyo.com
Origami
Huit Etoiles. Nu disco: DJs
Danny McLewin, Que,
etc. From 10pm, ¥3,500.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-64340968. http://meturl.com/
origamiclub
Ageha
Tokyo Allmix Night. Electro, all
mix: DJs Kaori, U5, etc. From
11pm, ¥3,000. Shinkiba.
www.ageha.com
Kawasaki, Endo, etc. From
9pm, ¥2,500 w/ 1d. Shibuya.
www.the room.jp
Ageha
The Room
Exchange. House, crossover:
various DJs. Live: Root Soul.
From 10pm, ¥2,500 w/ 1d.
Shibuya. www.the room.jp
American hard rock band known for
its members’ face paint and stage
outfits. Mar 3, 7pm. ¥9,000-12,500.
Tokyo Dome. Suidobashi. Tel:
03-5800-9999. http://meturl.com/
kiss2015
Tickets on sale from Dec 20
Sound Museum Vision
Independent. House, techno:
DJs Hernan Cattaneo, Ogawa,
etc. From 10pm, ¥3,500.
Shibuya. www.vision-tokyo.
com
A ballet loosely based on
Lord Byron's poem The
Corsair by the Mikhailovsky
Theatre Ballet Company. Jan
9, 6:30pm. ¥7,000-15,000.
Tokyo Bunka Kaikan. Ueno.
Tel: 03-3828-2111. www.
koransha.com
Color of Dance
Choreographed by Mehmet
Balkan with one of the
greatest dancers of our time
Irek Mukhamedou and Jozef
Varga. Jan 11, 3pm. ¥3,2408,640. New National Theatre
Tokyo. Hatsudai. Tel:
03-5352-9999. http://meturl.
com/colorofdance2015
Stage
T2
Shibuya Mixx. EDM: DJs Shu,
Ikezawa, etc. From 10pm, (m)
¥3,500 w/ 1d, (f) ¥2,500 w/ 2d.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5428-8692.
www.t2-shibuya.com
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
MAY
28
Owl City
American electronica singersongwriter and multi-instrumentalist
Adam Young. May 28, 7pm. ¥6,500
(adv). Zepp DiverCity. Daiba. Tel:
03-3527-5256. http://meturl.com/
owlcity2014
Tickets on sale now
performance with the Tokyo
Philharmonic Orchestra
produced by Jusuke Hanayagi.
Dec 13, 6:30pm; Dec 14, 3pm.
¥3,200-12,300. Tokyo Bunka
Kaikan. Ueno. Tel: 03-38282111. www.t-bunka.jp/en
Dairakudakan Butoh
Performance
Ojo-Tokuro-sama
choreographed by Ikko
Tamura. Dec 16-19, 8pm.
¥2,500 (adv)/ ¥3,000 (door).
Dairakudakan Kochuten.
Kichijoji. Tel: 0422-21-4984.
www.dairakudakan.com
Exhibitions
ENDING SOON
Uffizi Gallery
An exhibition tracing the
development of Florentine art
from the 15th to 16th century
through works from the
collection of the world-famed
Uffizi Gallery. Until Dec 14,
9:30am-5:30pm. ¥800-1,600.
Tokyo Metropolitan Art
Museum. Ueno. www.
uffizi2014.com
The Dream of French
Paintings: From
Impressionism to École de
Paris
Select works by Monet,
Chagall, Cézanne, Foujita
and more. Until Dec 14.
¥500-1,400. Bunkamura:
The Museum. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5777-8600. www.
bunkamura.co.jp
Mitsuhiro Ikeda: Blue
Moment
Drawings made by pencil and
fluorescent paint come to life
by projecting different colors
of light on them. Until Dec 14,
1pm-12am. Free. Traumaris
Space. Ebisu. Tel: 03-34464977. http://meturl.com/
ikeda2014
Le Monde Enchanté de
Jacques Demy
Behind-the-scenes
photographs from works by
French New Wave director
known for The Umbrellas of
Cherbourg and other films.
Until Dec 14, 11am-6:30pm.
¥70-210. National Film
Center. Kyobashi. www.
momat.go.jp
The Beauty of Chanoyu
Kettles
Explore 400 years of Chanoyu
Kettle history. Until Dec 14,
10am-4:30pm. ¥500-800.
Sen-Oku Hakuko Kan.
Roppongi-itchome. Tel:
03-5777-8600. www.sen-oku.
or.jp/tokyo
Once
Winner of eight Tony Awards
including Best Musical
based on the 2007 Academy
Award-winning film of the
same name. Until Dec 14,
various times. ¥13,000. Ex
Theater Roppongi. Roppongi
or Nogizaka. Tel: 03-64062222. http://once-musical.jp/
en.php
The Room
Japanese Classical Dance
with Orchestra Vol. 2
Magic. House, disco: DJs
Nihon Buyo dance
for free
New Winter
Faces concealed by masks,
these mysterious men are not
heroes and leading actors
but villains and secondary
characters. Artist Kenichi
Obana tells their tales in
wood carving and oil painting,
exploring their hopes,
dreams, simple joys and fears.
Until Dec 14, 12-7pm. Free.
Nanatasu Gallery. Nogizaka.
Tel: 03-6419-7229. http://
meturl.com/newwinter2014
UNTIL
DEC 25
Disney Timeless Story
Disney brings you the magic of
Christmas through illumination,
timeless stories and characters
you know and love. Until Dec 25,
various times, free. Various venues.
Tokyo and Minatomirai. www.
brightxmas2014.com
Saburo Muraoka: Thermal
Cutting
Sculptor known for his works
portraying life and death
using natural substances such
as iron, sulfur and salt. Until
Dec 20, 12-7pm. Free. Kenji
Taki Gallery. Hatsudai. Tel:
03-3378-6051. www.kenjitaki.
com/index.html
Brian Leo: Post Painterly
Pop
American artist whose
paintings address global
culture, contemporary politics
and American identity, and
has received critical attention
in The New York Times and
other publications. Until Dec
20, 12-7pm. Free. Megumi
Ogita Gallery Showcase.
Tel: 03-3571-9700. www.
megumiogita.com
Ninsei, Kenzan and Crafts
of Kyoto
Featuring the ceramic works of
artists Nonomura Ninsei and
Ogata Kenzan. Until Dec 21,
10am-5pm, 10am-7pm on Fri.
¥700-1,000. Idemitsu Museum
of Arts. Tokyo. http://meturl.
com/idemitsu
The Selection: Group Show
An exhibition of paintings
and photography by gallery
artists such as Yuka Goto,
a Tokyo-based painter and
cartoonist and Michael
Macioce, a photographer for
New York City’s downtown
music and art scene. Until
Dec 21, 1-7pm. Free. Hiromart
Gallery. Edogawabashi. Tel:
03-6233-9836. http://meturl.
com/theselection2014
Rei Naito: The Emotion of
Belief
Showcasing Naito’s
latest sculptural and
two-dimensional works,
with objects verging on
the intangible nascent
color palettes placed “just
so” in space. Until Dec 25,
10am-6pm. ¥350-700.
Tokyo Metropolitan Teien
Art Museum. Meguro. Tel:
03-3443-0201. http://meturl.
com/naito2014
Ryoji Arai
Japanese illustrator who won
the Astrid Lindgren Memorial
Award from the Swedish
Arts Council in 2005 for his
contribution to “children’s
and young adult literature
in the broadest sense.”
Until Dec 25, 11am-7pm.
Free. Ginza Graphic Gallery.
Ginza. http://meturl.com/
ryoji2014
Giorgio de Chirico
Works by the founder of the
metaphysical art movement.
Until Dec 26, 10am-6pm.
¥500-1,000. Shiodome
Museum. Shimbashi. Tel:
03-5777-8600. http://meturl.
com/chirico2014
ONGOING
Bon Bon
Candy-themed art pieces
by Uco, a Japanese modern
artist and art director. Dec
12-26, 11am-7pm. Free. MDP
Gallery. Nakameguro. Tel:
03-3462-0682. http://meturl.
com/bonbon2014
Micro Salon 2014
Showcasing microworks by
up-and-comers and veterans.
Until Dec 27, 11am-7pm,
11am-5pm on Sat. Free. Tokyo
Gallery + BTAP. Shinbashi.
Tel: 03-3571-1808. www.
tokyo-gallery.com
Ryo Ohwada: Hakusei Zu
Showcasing Ohwada’s
taxidermy photography
collection taken at Tsuyama
Wonder Museum. Until Dec 27,
12-8pm. Free. Hpgrp Gallery.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-37971507. http://meturl.com/
ohwada2014
Boutique!
A fusion of fashion and art
featuring artists from Finland
and Japan. Dec 17-29,
11am-8pm. Free. Spiral.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-34981171. www.spiral.co.jp
Lee Mingwei and His
Relations
Mixed media artist with
an interactive style. The
completion of his works
relies on the participation
of his audience. Until Jan 4.
¥500-1,500. Mori Art Museum.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-57778600. www.mori.art.museum
Seeking New Genealogies:
Bodies/Leaps/Traces
Welcoming Mansai Nomura,
a well-known kyogen stage
actor as general advisor,
this exhibition looks at
diverse physical expressions,
ranging from the traditional
to the contemporary,
examining ways in which
our physical memories can
be integrated with modern
creativity. Until Jan 4,
10am-6pm. ¥600-1,200.
Museum of Contemporary
Art Tokyo. KiyosumiShirakawa. http://meturl.com/
seekingnewgenealogies
Around Michel Gondry's
World
An acclaimed video artist/
film director who’s active
worldwide for his inventive
visual style and outstanding
work in music videos. Until Jan
4, 10am-6pm. ¥600-1,000.
Museum of Contemporary
Art Tokyo. KiyosumiShirakawa. http://meturl.com/
michelgondry
Mori Junichi: tetany
Leaving a vivid impression
with his three-faced cadaver
trinity statue during his 2011
“trinitite” exhibition, Junichi
now presents a human-shaped
piece for the first time.
Until Jan 10, 11am-7pm.
Free. Mizuma Art Gallery.
Ichigaya. Tel: 03-3793-7931.
http://meturl.com/junichi2014
Ferdinand Hodler: Towards
Rhythmic Images
Paintings by one of the
best-known Swiss artists of
the 19th century. Until Jan
12. ¥800-1,600. The National
Museum of Western Art.
Ueno. Tel: 03-5777-8600.
hodler.jp
25
Willem de Kooning: From
the John and Kimiko
Powers Collection
Dutch-born American artist and
one of the founders of abstract
expressionism. Until Jan
12. ¥500-800. Bridgestone
Museum of Art. Tokyo.
Tel: 03-5777-8600. www.
bridgestone-museum.gr.jp
Millet, Barbizon and
Fontainebleau
Organized by the Museum
of Fine Arts, Boston, and
featuring Millet’s three
greatest works. Until Jan
12, 10am. ¥1,400 (adv)/
¥500-1,600 (door). Mitsubishi
Ichigokan Museum. Tokyo.
Tel: 03-5405-8686. http://
mimt.jp/millet
Kanhikari Art Expo 2014,
Kamakura Exhibition
Artists from Japan and abroad
gather in Japanese temples.
Until Jan 14, 8:30am-4:30pm.
¥300. Kenchoji Temple.
Kita-Kamakura. http://
kanhikari.com
Tokyo Experimental
Festival Sound Installation
As part of the TEF which
introduces experimental
performances and exhibitions
focusing on music and sound,
three artists (Ami Yamasaki,
Shun Owada and Muku
Kobayashi) redesign time
and space both visually and
acoustically. Until Jan 18,
11am. Free. Tokyo Wonder Site
Hongo. Ochanomizu. Tel:
03-5689-5331. http://meturl.
com/hongo
17th Domani: The Art of
Tomorrow
In support of the Japanese
government overseas study
program for artists, with a wide
range of works from paintings,
engravings, photography and
pottery to casting, animation
and installation. Dec 13-Jan
25, 10am-6pm. ¥500-1,000.
The National Art Center, Tokyo.
Nogizaka. http://domani-ten.
com
The Fab Mind: Hints of the
Future in a Shifting World
Focuses on the aspirations and
activities of those who seek
to understand and resolve
social issues through design.
Until Feb 1, 11am. ¥500-1,000.
21_21 Design Sight.
Nogizaka. Tel: 03-34752121. www.2121designsight.jp
Modern Craft Art Japan:
Beauty of Masterpieces
from the Museum
Collection
Explore the history of
Japanese craft art from the
Meiji era to the present day.
Until Feb 15, 10am. ¥70-210.
Craft Gallery, The National
Museum of Modern Art.
Takebashi. Tel: 03-57778600. www.momat.go.jp
“between” these two systems.
Until Feb 22, 11am. ¥500. NTT
Intercommunication Center.
Hatsudai. http://meturl.com/
otomo2014
Shake! Art Exhibition
Digital art produced
by TeamLab, an "Ultra
Technologist" organization that
merges science, technology,
art and design, with an
interactive Future Park. Until
Mar 1, 10am. ¥900-1,800.
Miraikan. Telecom Center
station. Tel: 03-3570-9151.
http://odoru.team-lab.net
Narahara Ikko: Domains
One of the leading
photographers of post-war
Japan. Domains focuses on
human beings in a monastery
in Hokkaido and a female
prison in Wakayama, both
isolated from the external
world. Until Mar 1, 10am.
¥130-430. The National
Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo.
Takebashi. Tel: 03-57778600. http://meturl.com/
ikko2014
Takamatsu Jiro: Mysteries
Solve the mysteries contained
in Takamatsu’s works, which
have received an increasing
amount of international
acclaim in recent years,
and revisit the artist’s vast
philosophical world. Until
Mar 1, 10am. ¥500-900. The
National Museum of Modern
Art, Tokyo. Takebashi. Tel:
03-5777-8600. http://meturl.
com/mysteries2014
Ninnami Dohachi: An
Observant and Brilliant
Potter
Introducing Dohachi, a potter
particularly admired as a
master of Japanese-style
Kyoyaki, or Kyoto ceramics,
and his oeuvre through a large
number of his works, including
matcha and sencha teawares
and tableware for serving
kaiseki cuisine. Dec 20-Mar
1, 10am to 6pm. ¥800-1,100
(adv)/ ¥1,000-1,300 (door).
Suntory Museum of Art.
Roppongi. www.suntory.
com/sma/
Explore! Experience! EdoTokyo
Explore the cultural and artistic
history of the flourishing
capital. Until Mar 8, 9:30am.
¥120-240 (adv)/ ¥150-300
(door). Edo-Tokyo Museum.
Ryogoku. Tel: 03-36269974. http://meturl.com/
edotokyomuseum
Katagaki no Nai Jinsei
Showcasing works by the late
calligrapher and poet Mitsuo
Aida in honor of the 90th
anniversary since his birth.
Dec 23-Mar 8, 10am-5:30pm.
¥200-800. Mitsuo Aida
Museum. Yurakucho. Tel:
03-6212-3200. http://meturl.
com/mitsuo
Hikari Exhibition
Featuring the relationship
between light and space, the
earth and humans, showcasing
the beautiful world of light.
Until Feb 22, 9am. ¥600-1,600.
National Museum of Nature
and Science. Ueno. Tel:
03-3822-0111. http://hikari.
exhn.jp
Yoshihide Otomo: Between
Music and Art
Otomo is active as a musician
in a broad range of musical
fields from improvised
to popular, and works on
soundtracks for cinema and
TV among many other things.
The exhibition focuses on the
dissimilarities between the
originally different disciplines
of music and art, with the
aim to define what exists
26
this exhibition will trace the
descent of the musical film,
which played a significant
role in movie history. Jan
6-Mar 29, 11am-6:30pm.
¥70-210. National Film Center.
Kyobashi. www.momat.
go.jp/english
Ukiyo-e New Years
Exhibition
Featuring prints of Edo
landmarks and beautiful women
by Kunisada Utagawa, Eisen
Keisai and others. Jan 6-28,
10:30am-5:30pm. ¥500-700.
Ukiyo-e Ota Memorial Museum
of Art. Harajuku. www.
ukiyoe-ota-muse.jp
Asaba’s Typography
Japanese art director known for
producing several acclaimed
commercials and posters. Jan
9-31, 11am to 7pm. 0. Ginza
Graphic Gallery. Ginza. www.
dnp.co.jp/foundation
Yoshimasa Tsuchiya
Sculptor who uses
traditional Buddhist sculpting
techniques to create mystical
sculptures of animals and
plants. Jan 9-Feb 7, 11am to
7pm. Megumi Ogita Gallery.
Ginza. Tel: 03-32483405. http://meturl.com/
tsuchiya2015
Animal Worship
Showcasing paintings
and crafts of sheep and
other animals, including
the Double-Ram Zun from
the British Museum. Jan
10-Feb 22, 10am to 5pm.
¥1,000-1,200. Nezu Museum.
Omotesando. http://meturl.
com/animal2015
Monogatari-e Illustrated
Narrative Painting: Words
and Forms
Featuring Monogatari-e,
a term given to the art of
painting which selected and
illustrated symbolic scenes
and episodes in Buddhist
stories and classical tales, the
exhibition examines the close
relationship between its form
and words. Jan 10-Feb 15,
10am to 5pm. ¥700-1,000.
Idemitsu Museum of Arts.
Tokyo. www.idemitsu.co.jp/
museum
Sports
RUGBY
NTT Docomo Red
Hurricanes vs. BlackRams
Ricoh
Dec 20, 11:40am. ¥300-3,600.
Chichibunomiya Rugby
Stadium. Gaienmae. Tel:
03-3401-3881. http://docomorugby.jp
Festivals
TRADITIONAL
Gishi-sai
Studio Ghibli: Architecture
in Animation
Presenting the Marsh House
featured in When Marnie
Was There along with various
other architecture featured
in works by Ghibli, along
with the background art and
artboards. Until March 15,
9:30am. ¥200-400. Edo-Tokyo
Open Air Architectural
Museum. Musashikoganei.
Tel: 042-388-3300. http://
tatemonoen.jp
UPCOMING
Film History in Posters Part
2: Musical Films
Showcasing the original
posters of the postwar films
from the collection of Makoto
Wada, a famous illustrator,
Commemoration of the 47
akoroshi who avenged the
death of their master. Dec 14,
11am-10pm. Free. Sengakuji
Temple. Sengakuji. http://
meturl.com/gishisai
Hagoita-ichi
Vendors sell wooden paddles
to "bounce back evil." Dec
17-19, 9am-9pm. Free. Sensoji.
Asakusa. Tel: 03-3842-0181.
http://meturl.com/sensojihago
Oji Kitsune-no-Gyoretsu
Fox Parade
Hatsumode inspired by
tales of foxes masquerading
as humans. Dec 31-Jan 1,
10:30pm. ¥1,000 (parade
participation fee). Shozoku
Inari-jinja Shrine. Oji. http://
kitsune.tokyo-oji.jp
DEC 19-23
for slide shows, lectures,
ride-planning, etc. Every
second Wed, 7pm. Free.
The Pink Cow. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-6434-5773. www.
thepinkcow.com
Stitch-n-Bitch
Kodo One Earth Tour 2014:
Eternity
Taiko performance. The
third work directed by
artistic director Tamasaburo
Bando. Dec 19, 7pm; Dec
20-23 2pm; S-seats ¥7,000,
A-seats ¥5,000, students
¥3,000. Bunkyo Civic Hall
Dai-Hall. Korakuen or
Kasuga. Tel: 0259-86-3630.
[email protected]. www.
kodo.or.jp
Forums &
Expos
Eco-Products 2014
Showcasing environmental
technologies and
environmentally-friendly
products and services. Until
Dec 13, 10am. 0. Tokyo Big
Sight. Kokusai-TenjijoSeimon. http://meturl.com/
ecopro2014
Dolls Party 32
The world’s largest event for
dolls and doll owners hosted by
Volks Inc. Dec 14, 10am to 5pm.
Tokyo Big Sight. KokusaiTenjijo-Seimon. www.volks.
co.jp/dolpa32/
Antique Jamboree
The largest antique event in
Japan, with a vast variety of
items with different tastes and
styles, including Japanese,
European and American
antiques, as well as collectible
toys. Jan 9-11, 10am-5pm.
¥800 (adv)/ ¥1,000(door).
Tokyo Big Sight. KokusaiTenjijo-Seimon. http://meturl.
com/antique
Monster Hunter Festa
Calling all fans of the Monster
Hunter video games, with
official Monster Hunter
competitions, stage events and
merchandise. Jan 18, 10am
to 5pm. 0. Makuhari Messe.
Kaihin-Makuhari. http://
meturl.com/monsterfesta
Comedy
Dave Gutteridge
A night of standup comedy
with guests Spring Day and
Michael Hill. Dec 14, 8:30pm.
¥300 (drink). Our Space Studio.
Hatagaya. http://meturl.com/
gutteridgecomedy
Community
FEW Naughty & Nice
Bonenkai
Whether you’ve been
naughty or nice this year,
come along and join the FEW
Community for a night of fun
and festivities to celebrate
the holidays! Dec 12, 7pm
to 10pm. ¥5,000 (FEW
members)/ ¥7,000 (Guests).
Diya. Roppongi. Tel:
03-6438-1177. http://meturl.
com/fewbonenkai2014
A Festival of Nine Lessons
and Carols for Christmas
Carols, scripture, mince
pies and mulled wine. Dec
14, 6:30pm to 8pm. Free.
Yokohama Christ Church.
Motomachi Chukagai.
http://yokohamachristchurch.
org
Half-Fast Cyclists
Bicyclists of all treads meet
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
Sunday Spin
Hula-hoop it up in Yoyogi,
no need to bring your own.
Drop in/out at any time. Every
fourth Sun, Yoyogi Park.
Harajuku. Tel: 03-34696081. http://meturl.com/
hoopinginjapan
Learning
FEB 21
Tel: 03-3943-1111. http://
meturl.com/gentschristmas
Bon Bon Christmas Party
Bon Bon exhibition’s
Christmas reception. Dress
code: something red. Dec
19, 6pm to 8pm. Free. MDP
Gallery. Nakameguro. Tel:
03-3462-0682. http://meturl.
com/bonbon2014
Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea
Paradise Dolphin
Christmas 2014
Penguins dressed for
Christmas, divers dressed
as Santa and illuminations.
Until Dec 25, 10am-closing.
¥850-3,000 (Aqua Resorts
Pass). Hakkeijima Sea
Paradise. Hakkejima.
Tel: 045-788-8888. www.
seaparadise.co.jp/english
Motomachi Christmas
Illumination and Twinkle
Christmas 2014
Concerts, caroling and
illuminations on various days.
Until Dec 25, 10am-6pm. Free.
Motomachi. Motomachi
Chukagai. www.motomachi.
or.jp
Oshare Hanabi 2014
TELL Lifeline Training
Phone Counselor Training
Program available both
online and now a new flexible
in-classroom schedule. Starts
Feb 21. For more info, contact
Mica Henderson at training@
telljp.com
Pommery Champagne
Christmas Dinner
A champagne seminar with
a French-style dinner. Dec
12, 7:30pm to 10:30pm.
¥11,980 (adv). Stellato.
Shirokanedai. Tel:
03-3442-5588. www.meetup.
com/wineseminartokyo/
events/218794574/
Exclusive Bordeaux Wine
Seminar
Bordeaux wine tasting with a
French-style Christmas dinner.
Dec 18, 7:30pm to 10:30pm.
¥14,980 (adv). Stellato.
Shirokanedai. Tel: 03-34425588. www.wineandcooking.
info/en/specialevent.html
Multicultural Cafe 2014:
Let’s Make Fillings of
Monaka
Making wagashi, Japanese
sweets, while exchanging
culture. Until Jan 31, various
times. ¥1,000 (one time).
Shinjuku Bunka Center.
Higashi-Shinjuku. Tel:
03-3350-1141. www.regasushinjuku.or.jp
Film
From Shinjuku Milano
Cinema, With Love
The Shinjuku Tokyu Milano
Cinema, which opened in
1956, will be closing its doors
on New Year’s Eve and will
be holding 35mm screenings
of the biggest hits from its
long history, including E.T.,
The Towering Inferno and The
Matrix. Dec 20-31, 11am to
1pm. ¥500. Shinjuku Milano
Cinema. Shinjuku. Tel:
03-3202-1189. http://meturl.
com/milanocinema
Ring in the new year with
fireworks. Dec 31, 11:55pm.
Yokohama Red Brick
Warehouse. Minatomirai.
Tel: 045-211-1515. www.
yokohama-akarenga.jp
J-STAR PATENT, TRADEMARK & IMMIGRATION OFFICE
Reasonable prices.
Free first time consultation
Tanada no Akari
We can support you with:
10,000 LED lights illuminate
the Kamogawa tanada (rice
terraces), one of Japan’s
top 100 terraces chosen by
the Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries.
Until Jan 5, 5pm. Oyama
Senmaida. Awa-Kamogawa.
Tel: 04-7099-9050. www.
tanadanoyomatsuri.com
Japan Idol Festival
With Links, Chu-Z, Ultra Girl
and more. Jan 25, 3pm.
¥4,500. Shinjuku Blaze.
Shinjuku. Tel: 03-51555990. www.kyodotokyo.
com/JIF
Visa and immigration
Intellectual property rights
(Patent, trademark, copyrights)
Establishing a Company &
Branch office
Other Legal & Business matters
Hiroshi Oogai,
Patent attorney
Immigration lawyer
www.j-star.jp
Grand Prince
Hotel Akasaka
Exit 4,
Nagatacho stn
Supreme
Court
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]
Japan Idol Festival
With Links, Chu-Z, Ultra Girl
and more. Jan 25, 3pm.
¥4,500. Shinjuku Blaze.
Shinjuku. Tel: 03-51555990. www.kyodotokyo.
com/JIF
Jewellumination
Until Feb 15, 4pm.
¥500-1,000. Yomiuri
Land. Tel: 044-966-1111.
www.yomiuriland.com/
jewellumination
Art Rink
Ice skate while enjoying art.
Until Feb 22, sunset until
10pm. ¥500; skate rentals
¥500. Yokohama Red Brick
Warehouse. Minatomirai.
Tel: 045-211-1515. www.
yokohama-akarenga.jp
Nitro Circus Live
A wild, action-fuelled stunt
show using motorcycles,
bicycles, skateboards and
more. Mar 7-8, 5-2pm.
¥7,000-15,000. Tokyo Dome.
Suidobashi. Tel: 03-58009999. http://nitrocircus.jp
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• Accounting Services
• Payroll Services
More Than Twenty Years Experience
KASAI CPA
042-401-0342
Takashi Kasai CPA Firm
4-1-2-302 Honcho, Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo
[email protected]
www.kasaicpa.com
Other Events
Ballet Gents Christmas
Dinner Show
Enjoy a nice dinner and a
performance by the K Ballet
Company’s top dancers. Dec
15, 6:30pm. ¥25,000-30,000.
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo.
Mejiro or Edogawabashi.
MORE LISTINGS
ONLINE → HTTP://
METURL.COM/
LISTINGS
Want to Help Create Metropolis?
We're looking for social media, web and editorial interns.
Gain experience in a multimedia company.
Apply at http://metropolisjapan.com/jobs
27
Metropolis and its
subsequent 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, DEC 26 ISSUE
Deadline: Dec 18, 3pm
FRI, JAN 9 ISSUE
Deadline: Dec 24, 3pm
1 AT YOUR SERVICE
1.1 HEALTH
I N N E R
BALANCE.
Tr a d i t i o n a l
oriental
treatment of
acupuncture
a
n
d
moxibustion.
Also body
massage
a n d r e f l e xo l o g y. M o b i l e
ser v ice to your home or
of f ice. Email Takahito at
[email protected]
or see http://tmasuda.wix.
com/inner-balance.
COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH
COVE R AG E FOR E XPATS,
D I PLO M AT S , TE AC H E R S .
Inpatient and outpatient
care, emergencies, surgery,
meds, checkups, dental, lab
tests, MRI and more. Thirtyday money-back guarantee.
Quick, easy application;
convenient payment
options. Enroll today!
info@e ar thhe althcare.jp
w w w.ear thhealthcare.jp
078-351-7300
ENGLISH-SPEAKING ADACERTIFIED DENTAL CLINIC
in Toranomon Hills offers a
wide range of preventive,
correc tive and cosmetic
dentistry. Superior service
focused on customer
satisfaction and convenience.
Open until 10pm. Modern
dentistry at its best. www.
rmdcc.com/english/
0120-648-071
SPORTS PHYSIOTHERAPY
(physical therapy)
care
in
Hiroo.
Native English -speaking
therapists specializing
in sports injuries,
p o s t - o p e r a t i v e
rehabilitation, back/neck
pain, running related,
headaches, orthotics,
ergonomic consultations
and women’s health.
w w w.tokyophysio.com
03-3443-6769
T H I N K I N G A B O U T
ADVERTISING WITH
METROPOLIS? Platinum
28
¥32,400. Gold ¥27,000. Silver
¥21,600. Prices include one
photo. Bronze ¥2000 (photo
+ ¥ 20 0 0). P r i ce s a r e f o r 4 0
wo r d s , o n e p rin t i s s u e, t wo
weeks online. For details,
v i s i t t h e To k y o C l a s s i f i e d s
blog—http://metropolis.co.jp/
classifiedblog—or email us at
commercial@metropolisjapan.
com.
1.2 HAIR & BEAUTY
CU R LY H A I R S PE C I A LI S T
IN TOK YO. Englishsp e aking K iyoko, highly
experienced in NY’s
cu rly h a i r s a lo n s , t a ke s
care of curly hair at her
salon, Nepenji, in Ebisu.
R e s e r v a t i o n s : 0 3 -3 7 93 2357 or [email protected]
http://english.nepenji.net/
index_en.html
MEN’S BARBERSHOP IN
ROPPONGI WELCOMES
FOREIGNERS. Englishspeaking assistant will get
your haircu t right . H aircu t s
¥ 4 8 0 0. W i t h s h a v e ¥ 5 8 0 0.
Kids’ haircuts ¥4000¥ 4 4 0 0. F i r s t- t i m e d i s co u n t
¥ 1 0 0 0 . h t t p : //o a z o . b i z / t o p
0 3 - 5 5 4 5 - 7 7 9 7 o a z o7 7 9 7 @
yahoo.co.jp
1.7 BUSINESS SERVICES
LAW OFFICE IN KAWASAKI
(nex t to Tokyo), member
o f t h e Yo k o h a m a B a r
Association. Legal
service in English for
traffic accidents, divorce,
inheritance, bankruptcy,
business cases (contracts,
establishing a company,
trademarks, etc.) and other
legal problems.Email:
web@smk w.biz w w w.
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).
Te l : 0 9 0 - 8 3 3 0 - 0 6 70
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://officelife.
jp/en/
2.3 RENT OVER ¥200,000
KANAMACHI GUEST HOUSE.
Brand-new furnished share
rooms, separate male and
female floors, all rooms
w/d i g i t a l l o c k s , a i r co n ,
fridge, 1min walk from
Kanamachi stn, Chiyoda
line ¥40,000/m. room@
airay-apartment.net
03-5876-4575 www.airayapartment.net
2.2 RENT UNDER ¥200,000
I M M I G R AT I O N L A W Y E R AT
N I P PA S H I O F F I C E s u p p o r t s
visa and naturalization
applications, company
establishment and branch
off ice installation, including
commercial regis tration, as
well as inheritance procedures
in Jap an. Fre e co n sul t at io n
available in English, Español
and Japanese. Tel: 03-6264 8446 [email protected] http://
nippashi.com
CREATIVE SOLUTIONS. Specialists
in branding, web design, photo/
v i d e o p ro d u c t i o n . D r a w ing A
Crowd: a new approach in design.
Get in touch. info@drawingacrowd.
co
0
TOKYO APARTMENTS: your
one-stop housing solution
throughout Tokyo. Providing
s e r v ice d , fu rni s h e d a n d
unfurnished apartments,
for both long- and shortterm stays. Also providing
relocation services,
furniture rental, property
m anagement and sales.
Please call 0120-957-520.
www.tokyoapartments.jp
2.4 HOUSE SHARE
I C H I GAYA , I N C E NTR A L
TOKYO. Furnished,
2 5 s q m , w/s o u t h a n d n o r t h
b a l co n i e s , c h e r r y b l o s s o m
trees in Japanese garden,
s u n n y a n d q u i e t , 5 -7 m i n
from Akebonobashi and
Ushigome-Yanagicho subway
stn, very convenient to
Yotsuya/Shinjuku by bicycle
¥100,000-. Tel/fax: 03-33417875 [email protected]
w w w.itto -jinnai.com/green/
greencorp.html
1.8 GENERAL SERVICES
HOUSEMATE FOR NISHI-AZABU/
ROPPONGI. Seeking a new male
housemate for my sunny flat in
Nishi-Azabu, 2min from Roppongi
Hills, two floors, balcony, fully
f u r n i s h e d , av a i l a b l e D e c /J a n
¥90,000/m. Utilities extra. na_ka_
[email protected]
2.5 PLACE WANTED
Apartment required in Chiba. Hello, I
am starting a new job in the Kobukecho
area of Chiba on Jan 1, and I am
seeking an apartment. Thanks. japan@
roughsmoke.com
Tokyo or Saitama accommodation
sought. Very responsible, clean, quiet
Canadian male, 46, university lecturer,
seeking accommodation in the Tokyo or
Saitama area. Under ¥100,000 preferred.
ail.com
3 EDUCATION
FURNITURE RENTAL. Create
customized furnished
apartments with our
furniture rental ser vice.
Furniture packages
arranged by our qualified
interior designers to
accommodate various
sizes and styles. We also
of fer ap ar tment leasing
consultation. Please call
0120-957-520. www.smartrental-tokyo.com
SANTA . If you
need a Santa
this year for
your school,
business or
party, don't look
any further!
Professional
Santa from
northern Europe available.
Fu l l co s t u m e , i n c l u d i n g b a g ,
b e l l a n d H O H O H O ! Wo r ke d
a t F o u r S e a s o n s l a s t ye a r a s
Santa. [email protected]
090-6569-5257
ICHII CORPORATION.
Over 600 affordable, qualityfurnished apartments in
central Tokyo locations. No
key money/guarantor/agent
f e e r e q u i r e d . N e w, c l e a n
apartments, simple contract
system, full English support.
Call us today! 03-5437-5233
www.japt.co.jp
PRIVATE FURNISHED
A P A R T M E N T S .
Odakyu line: MukogaokaYu e n / Yo m i u r i - L a n d - M a e ,
20/30min from Shinjuku.
Keikyu line: Hatcho-Nawate,
15min from Shinagawa.
1K~2LDK ¥58,000/
m~¥120,000/m. Tel: 044-9337000 Email:mh@minowagroup.
jp w w w.minowagroup.jp/
minowahomes
2 FIND A PLACE
2.1 GUESTHOUSE
CREA-UN UENO. Furnished
p r i v a te r o o m s , w/d i g i t a l
locks, near Asakusa, Ueno,
Skytree. Safe area, femaleo n l y, r o o f to p g a r d e n 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 akura - ko - b o.com
03-6912-0692
S E RV I C E D A PA R TM E NT S
in a quiet residential area
of Hiroo. Studios and
suites. 4 min from Hiroo
stn. Rates: Daily ¥ 7800.
Weekly ¥6850 -/day.
Monthly ¥5700-/day. Over
three months ¥5130-/day.
Ta x , u t i l i t i e s i n c l u d e d .
frontdesk@azabucourt.
com www.azabucourt.com
0 3 - 3 4 4 6 - 8 6 1 0
3.5 LANGUAGE EXCHANGE
Danish, German, Japanese. Hej and ‘N
Tag! JF, 30s, seeks Danes and Germans
to help her with languages in Tokyo/
Kanagawa through fun conversations
over cups of coffee or just hanging out.
Please be nonsmokers, late 20s-30s.
[email protected]
English and Japanese. Englishman,
51, English teacher, seeks Japanese
language exchange partner. Evenings
in central Tokyo. [email protected]
080-1336-6466
English and Japanese. Hi there, I’m
seeking language exchange partners
around central Tokyo on weekends. I can
speak reasonable English, but recently,
I have little opportunity to speak it. I’m
a Japanese female, 40s. Serious only—
but should be fun! hydrangea2008@
gmail.com
English and Japanese. Western man
seeking help with J. Good education,
articulate, knows how to teach E
well. Machida/Sagami-Ono area. Not
interested in traveling far. ms2013spk@
yahoo.com
English and Japanese. Hi, I’m
Japanese, 24, living in Tokyo, seeking
a language exchange partner. Actually,
I’m going to use E for business, so I really
want to work on it. I’m quite willing
to help your Japanese. Thanks. sa_
[email protected]
English and Japanese. Canadian
guy, 31, seeks a Japanese person
who can teach me a little casual J and
help me write a J blog. I’m into sports,
traveling, drinking. M/F ok. Azabu area.
Tell me about yourself. togoshiblue@
yahoo.com
English and Japanese. Hi, I’m
Shogo, male, 22, living in Shibuya. My
character is mild. I want to practice
speaking E and become friends with
someone who wants to learn J. Shall
we teach each other? Take it easy.
[email protected]
English and Japanese. Japanese seeks
native English speakers around the Soka
area. Not sure how to do a language
exchange. Let’s talk over coffee at a
coffee shop. Prefer female. Friendship
and chat. language_exchange3@
hotmail.com
English and Japanese. I love joking
in E and playing with words. I want to
be able to do the same in J. So far, my
Japanese is as funny as day-old ramen.
You must be open-minded! uk84@
outlook.com
English and Japanese. Japanese
female, early 20s, seeking a language
exchange. Nihonbashi area after work
preferred, but open to weekends, too.
[email protected]
English and Japanese. JF, 40, seeking
a language exchange partner or English
conversation partner to improve my
English for work. I would like to help
your Japanese (casual or formal). We
can meet up around Narita. Serious only.
[email protected]
English and Japanese. Japanese
female, 40s, seeks an English exchange
partner. Weekdays during the day near
Kawasaki stn. tome.haruka-soushi@
ezweb.ne.jp
English and Japanese. Japanese male
seeking language exchange friends who
can meet at a cafe around Shinjuku.
Native English speaker with teaching
experience preferred. I have good skill
and certification for teaching Japanese
to speakers of other languages. inoue.
[email protected]
English and Japanese. Native English
speaker is sought by Japanse male
in Kokubunji. Weekday evenings or
anytime on weekends. I would like to
talk with you at a cafe or via Skype.
Serious but fun. [email protected]
English and Japanese. JF seeking a
language exchange partner and longlasting friendship. I can teach you J
in return. Around Yokohama is better
on weekdays, but I can go to Tokyo on
weekends. [email protected]
English and Japanese. JF, 30s, seeking
an English conversation partner to
improve my English. We could meet
at cafes around Ginza. I like to travel
abroad. [email protected]
English and Japanese. Hey, I’m a
JF keen to expand my English vocab
while helping you with J. We can use
movies, music, TV skits, etc., to refine
our language skills. Feel free to drop me
a line! [email protected]
English and Japanese. Hello, I’m
seeking a new friend around my age
to improve my English. I’m 27, female,
new to the Kanto area, easygoing, love
traveling around the world and taking
photos. [email protected]
English and Japanese. Japanese
male, 34, seeking a language exchange
partner who can teach me E in the
Shinjuku area. I’m gay, so I hope you
will understand this. blackpeter_2004@
yahoo.co.jp
English and Japanese. JF, 40s,
seriously seeks language exchange
partner or English conversation partner
to brush up her E. Can anyone help me?
Of course, I would be happy to help
your Japanese if you like. Serious only,
please. [email protected]
English and Japanese. I’m a Japanese
guy, 40, E/J language exchange expert
with eight years’ experience. I live in
central Tokyo. I need a native English
speaker’s help to make my English
more natural. [email protected]
English and Japanese. Group language
exchange every Wed, 7:30-9:30pm,
at coffee shops around Ginza. Most
members are 20s and 30s. We switch
languages every 30min. Fun events on
weekends. Free to join. ando.andy@
gmail.com
French and Japanese. Fr and J daily
exchange in Otemachi. winds_fr@
hotmail.com
French, English, Japanese. Frenchman
seeking a language exchange partner to
improve his Japanese. I can teach you
Fr or E in return. Beginners/advanced
welcome. Let’s enjoy sharing our cultures
and interests. [email protected]
French, English, Japanese. Hello!
I’m a native Russian speaker, 23,
working as an E/Fr teacher, seeking a
Japanese speaker to help me improve
my Japanese. I’m a beginner. Not
far from Ichikawa-shi, Chiba. julia_
[email protected]
The majority of classified ads have moved online! classifieds.metropolis.co.jp
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
G e r m a n, E n g l i s h, J a p a n e s e.
Multilingual JF seeks a conversation
partner in several languages, such as
Ger/E/J. Let’s meet over coffee/beer/
wine. Interests: diving, jogging, hiking,
traveling, etc. [email protected]
Italian and Japanese. Would like to
learn basic It from a native speaker
who wants to practice J. Possibly near
Shibuya on weekday evenings after 7pm.
[email protected]
Italian and Japanese. Seeking a casual
friend to study J. I can teach you It. I’m 43,
in Shibuya, can teach you at your place
early mornings until 10:30am. Let’s meet
to get to know each other. maxtokyo@
rocketmail.com 090-6486-9050
Italian and Japanese. JM, 40s,
interested in Italian cars, art, culture and
food, is seeking a language exchange
mate in Tokyo. I work on weekdays, so
weekends/holidays are convenient for
me. [email protected]
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. [email protected]
Mandarin and English. Chinese female,
well-educated, friendly, seeking a
native English speaker available to
meet after 7pm on weekdays around
Shinjuku stn. Serious study only.
[email protected]
Spanish and Japanese. Native Spanish
speaker (Latin American preferred)
sought for language exchange. Meet in
Tokyo area once/week. Serious learners
only, please. [email protected]
S p a n i s h , E n g l i s h , J a p a n e s e.
Hi, American male, 31, seeking
practice with spoken J. E is my native
language, and I also speak Sp fluently.
[email protected]
3.6 LEARNING: GENERAL
Sofa, Ikea Kivik, w/Ikea chaise longue,
1.5 y/o, in great condition, hardly used
¥45,000. [email protected]
Sofa, seats two, faux leather, brown,
less than five m/o, as new ¥25,000.
[email protected] 09063086945
Table (185x145x70), four chairs.
N e w ¥ 1 0 0,0 0 0. S e l l ¥ 3 5,0 0 0.
[email protected]
080-4736-2647
4.2 APPLIANCES
Air purifier, Venta LW, size 24, Germanmade ¥12,000. Pick up Shinjuku.
[email protected]
Fridge, Sharp, ‘ 13, burgundy,
270L (H160xW56xD59cm), as
new. New ¥80,000. Sell ¥40,000.
[email protected]
080-4736-2647
Futon dryer ( 布団乾燥機 ), Sanyo,
still in box ¥3000. Pick up Shinjuku.
[email protected]
3.9 TEACH ME!
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]
Thai teacher wanted. Sawasdee krup?
Seeking a patient conversational Thai
instructor. Around the Shinjuku area
preferred. I'm a beginner. likeme4u@
hotmail.com
Wine teacher in Tokyo. Teach me about
French wine in Tokyo on weekends. Prefer
a native teacher with teaching experience
and a wine qualification. Will pay for your
time. [email protected]
4 HOUSEHOLD GOODS
4.1 FURNITURE & FITTINGS
Dresser, Karimoku Japan, compact,
colonial, w/green stool, as new. New
¥48,000. Sell ¥30,000/obo. mamad15@
excite.com
Kotatsu, Muji, full set. ericsiucm@aim.
com
5.5 GAMING
任天堂ファンですか？ The worldfamous Famicast is seeking a Japanese
co-host. The biweekly podcast is done
by volunteers who love Nintendo gaming
in Japan. Not paid, but lots of fun!
[email protected] www.
nintendoworldreport.com/famicast
5.6 COLLECTORS
Ichiro Suzuki stamps. Commemorative
stamps of the Seattle Mariners
celebrating nine consecutive seasons of
200 hits, exclusively released in Japan,
cannot be bought anywhere ¥10,000.
Photos available. likeme4u@hotmail.
com
6 VEHICLES
Trouser press, Toshiba, stand-up, as
new ¥3000. Pick up Shinjuku. likeme4u@
hotmail.com
6.3 BICYCLES, PARTS, & ACCESSORIES
4.3 SAYONARA SALE
Sayonara sale! Bunk beds ¥10,000.
Sharp front-loading washer/dryer
¥25,000. Kitchen cupboard, dining set
¥25,000. Sony 20" ¥15,000. Queen-sized
bed mattress ¥20,000. Pick up TX line by
Dec 18. [email protected]
Sayonara sale! Ski wear set, Christmas
tree decorations, futon mattress and
sheets, plant pots, digital photo frame,
waterproof boots and suit, cordless
phone, Japanese study books. Details
available. [email protected]
Sayonara sale! TV, washer, dryer,
microwave, vacuum, fridge, etc., all
items in excellent condition. Akasaka.
[email protected] 080-3278-2079
4.4 TV & HOME THEATER
3D glasses AN-3DG20-B, for 3D Sharp
Aquos, two pairs available, one three w/o,
one four d/o ¥4500/each. emeraldsae@
yahoo.com
4.6 FOR KIDS
Crib, Mamas & Papas, turns into a toddler
bed, w/changing table and under-cot
storage, adjustable to three different
heights, sturdy, high quality, no mattress
¥18,000. [email protected]
090-2419-9289
Footwear. Boots: cream, size 21cm; red,
size 15cm. Rain boots: blue, size 17cm;
yellow, size 20cm. Summer shoes. All
¥100-¥300. Pick up or chakubarai. Photo
available. [email protected]
Windbreaker, Puma, size 130cm, black,
in good condition ¥1000. Pick up or
chakubarai. Photo available. housetsu@
gmail.com
5 HOBBIES&INTERESTS
5.2 SPORTS EQUIPMENT
Exercise bike, Life Fitness 95Ri, as
new. New ¥350,000. Sell ¥90,000.
[email protected]
080-4736-2647
Ski wear set: pants, coat, goggles,
suitable for around 170-180cm ¥5000.
[email protected]
Tote bag, for golf, Le Coq Sportif Golf,
w/shoe pocket, as new ¥2000. Pick up
Shinjuku-ku. [email protected]
5.3 MUSICAL EQUIPMENT
Digital piano, Yamaha Clavinova Clp-120
¥70,000. Pick up Narimasu, Itabashi-ku.
[email protected]
Electric guitar, Epiphone ES 339 Ultra
Cherry, bought Sep '14, never played,
w/maker's soft carry bag ¥40,000. rha@
gol.com 09061996814
10.2 SUPPORT
Japanese study books, nine available,
basic, 2-kyu and 1-kyu preparation, 1000
kanji cards, etc. ¥3000/all. yannu@
hotmail.com
Humidifier, Fujitsu AH-56D ¥3000. Pick
up Shinjuku-ku. [email protected]
3D TV 42", Toshiba Regza ZP3, one
y/o, w/four pairs of 3D glasses, TV
stand ¥50,000. [email protected]
0906308945
IKEBANA (JAPANESE
TRADITIONAL FLORAL
ARRANGEMENT) is a powerful
means of self-expression. Trial
lesson, including all materials
¥4000. No Japanese necessary.
Certification, diploma can
be earned. Three classroom
locations in Tok yo. Website:
www.atelier-soka.com/english/
index.html Email: [email protected]
5.4 BOOKS/CD/DVD
Folding bicycle, Deeper DE14, two
m/o ¥20,000. [email protected]
09063086945
Tandem, custom-made, racing type,
front rider 160-180cm, rear rider 150170cm, w/new saddles, two wheelsets,
carrying bags ¥200,000. tripeler@
yahoo.com 080-6581-4724
7 GENERAL
7.1 PHONES
iPhone box, for iPhone 5 64GB, white;
w/manual, stickers, SIM tool, unopened
EarPods and SoftBank select protective
film, free case; does NOT include phone,
charger, cable ¥2000. jayfeirin@yahoo.
co.jp
Smartphone, Samsung Galaxy s3,
DoCoMo, blue, in excellent condition, can
be unlocked ¥18,000. robinafaisal2010@
yahoo.co.jp 09099697842
7.2 FASHION
Clothes, men's: brown coat ¥1000. LL
Bean long-sleeved shirt, size L, gray
¥300. Pick up or chakubarai. Photo
available. [email protected]
7.4 ITEMS WANTED
Flip phones and ping pong table.
Seeking three working SoftBank flip
phones, w/chargers, and a free or very
cheap full-sized ping pong table. Will pick
up Chiba/Tokyo/Saitama. kanashibari@
yahoo.com 090-9844-0843
12.1 LET’S PARTY
NEED TO TALK? We’re here to listen.
TELL LIFELINE: free, anonymous
English counseling daily from
9am-11pm by trained volunteers:
03-5774-0992. TELL COUNSELING:
affordable multilingual psychotherapy
by accredited Western-trained
professionals, a CIGNA International
Provider: 03 - 4550 -1146. TE LL
website: www.telljp.com. Follow us on
Facebook and Twitter @TokyoLifeLine.
THE JAPAN HELPLINE, 24 hours a
day, from anywhere, about 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
[email protected]. www.jhelp.com
WEST PAPUA: ONE SOUL, ONE
PEOPLE . Fif t y- one years 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/ markhelp2@
gmail.com
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
TOKYO. If you have a problem
with drinking, we can help.
English-speaking meetings daily.
03-3971-1471 [email protected]
http://aatokyo.org
HIV Peer Support group and 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.
[email protected] 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.
[email protected] www.ttctokyo.org
8 COMPUTERS
11 MESSAGES
8.2 HARDWARE
11.1 PERSONAL MESSAGES
MacBook Pro, late '11, 2.4GHz Intel Core
i5, 4GB RAM, 500GB HD, w/CD/DVD drive,
original box, accessories, Thunderbolt to
HDMI cable ¥75,000/obo. emeraldsae@
yahoo.com
Atheist show needs hosts. We promote
positive atheism, knowledge, common
sense, skepticism and so forth. Similar to
Atheist Experience on YouTube. assassin.
[email protected]
Climate expert needed. Seeking an
expert or someone knowledgeable about
climate change to talk about the human
impact on the environment. assassin.
[email protected]
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
To advertise in Metropolis, Japan’s
No.1 English magazine, log on at www.
metropolis.co.jp/classifieds or email
your commercial ads to commercial@
metropolisjapan.com.
J A PA N I N T E R N AT I O N A L
CHRISTMAS PARTY. Sat, Dec
20, 6:30 -9pm, Bar Quest
(Roppongi). Japan’s biggest
international par t y. 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]
SUBSCRIBE TO METROPOLIS
AND NEVER MISS AN ISSUE.
One year (24 issues) ¥3600
(corporate subscribers, 7-100
copies ok ¥22,560). Half year
(12 issues) ¥1800 (corporate
subscribers, 7-100 copies ok
¥12,000). Bank transfer or
credit card (Visa, Mastercard,
D in e r s Club). D e t ail s at
http://metropolisjapan.com/
subscription.
I N T E R N AT I O N A L PA R T Y AT
LEAFCUP. Come join us and have
fun. Men: ¥3000. Foreigners/
women: ¥2000. All-you-candrink-and-eat. Iidabashi and
Yokohama: Dec 20 and Jan 17.
Shibuya: Dec 27 and Jan 10.
www.leafparty.com
13.1 SPORTS
Angel sought. I met a girl in
Tokyo on the Toei Oedo line
on Halloween and felt a strong
connection. As I got off the train,
she gave me a look that has
played on my mind ever since;
maybe she thought we would
never see each other again.
I really want to make contact
with her. I’m Western, from
the UK, with brown hair, was
wearing a red shirt and blue
chinos. She was wearing
a black and white striped
costume. I’d love to see her
again. I cannot forget you.
[email protected]
Many other activities, such as
BBQs and drinking parties! Email
for details. tokyorugbyleague@
hotmail.com ht tp: //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
League p layer s for Japanese
Rugby League of f icial games
from Apr to Sep. Everyone
welcome. Contact for more details.
[email protected]
FUN WITH TOUCH RUGBY! Join
us for social or competitive touch
rugby every Sat at 2:30pm by Ariake
stn, Yurikamome line. Any age, sex,
level ok. Please email for details.
[email protected] http://www.
funwithtouch.com/where-we-play/
PLAY RUGBY. The Tokyo Crusaders
are a friendly but keen international
rugby club. Devoted to the game and
its 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
sp or t from S cotland . Using 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: www.
tamjapan.org/en/ [email protected]
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 lowintermediate also welcome. No entrance
or membership fees. Reasonable
participation fees. [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] http://www.
geocities.jp/mune_albat/page4.html
Don’s Half-Fast Flash-Mob Weekend
Urban Bicycle Rides. halffastcycling@
hotmail.com
Futsal players wanted by a very friendly
international team. Practice is in Tokyo
and Kanagawa on Sat. Details available.
[email protected]
13 CLUBS & INTERESTS
10 HELP!
10.1 HELP ME
12 SOCIAL SCENE
AMERICAN FOOTBALL.
N ihon Unis ys Bulls , 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 over 60%.
Please contact for tryout info and
send your profile to team admin.
[email protected] http://
www.unisys.co.jp/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 every Sat from
10am in Tatsumi. M/F and beginners
welcome! Good exercise and fun!
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]
Interested in tai chi? Then why not start
now? Take a step to counter the stresses
of daily living. Practice is in Toyama Park
on Sun mornings, near Takadanobaba stn.
[email protected]
International soccer club. Five-a-side,
11-a-side, on grass fields. Two or three
practices/matches on Sun. All nationalities
welcome. Happy and friendly club! We
have many socials. djnorio0417@yahoo.
co.jp
New players sought, especially goal
keeper and strikers, for regular futsal,
11-a-side, socials. Any nationality
ok. [email protected] www.
kantoceltsfc.com
Quality football. Interested 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.
[email protected]
Samurai and ninjutsu martial arts.
Seeking people interested in training in
old-style Japanese fighting arts. Effective
and intelligent, but safe training approach.
[email protected]
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]
29
Many more Classified ads online! Please visit classifieds.metropolis.co.jp
JOBS
To advertise:
[email protected]
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
METROPOLIS, JAPAN’S NUMBER ONE
ENGLISH-LANGUAGE MAGAZINE, is
seeking motivated bilingual (E/J)
sales assistants, support staff and
interns to join its advertising and
marketing team. Send E/J resume to
[email protected].
Women’s football club. Five-aside, 11-a-side, on grass fields. Two
or three practices/matches on Sun.
All nationalities, experience levels,
beginner s welcome. Happy and
friendly club! We have many socials.
[email protected]
13.2 LEISURE
SKIING AND
BOARDING
IN HAKUBA.
Snow package:
Dec 19-Mar
31; departs
Ikebukuro
Fridays at
7:30pm (11:30pm arrival);
t wo night s, one dinner, t wo
breakfasts, round-trip private
bus, two-day ski pass, live music
party ¥26,900. 0261-75-5155
[email protected] http://
hakuba-hotel-accommodation.
com
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]
Japanese home cooking. Japanese
housewife offers casual washoku home
cooking at her house near Kawasaki
stn on weekdays during the day. The
lessons are held with developing
English, so they’re free. You just pay
the cost of ingredients. [email protected]
13.4 MUSIC
Musicians wanted to play northern
European/Scandinavian music together,
especially accordionist. Rehearse a
couple of times/month in Nakano. We are
two violinists, flutist, bassist, guitarist
and pianist. [email protected]
13.5 MIND, BODY, SPIRIT
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
30
03-4588-2277
O R G O G LI O D E L C A S A LTA I t a l i a n
Re s t a u r a n t i s s e e k i n g s e r v i ce
s t a f f . E /J c o n v e r s a t i o n s k i l l s
n e c e s s a r y, I t a l i a n r e s t a u r a n t
experience a plus; five days/week,
4-11pm; transportation and meals
provided; opportunities for full-time
employment. ¥1000 - ¥1200/h. 1F
Hiroo Bldg, 3-12-40 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku
Contact:03-6418-5896/0902776-3182 or [email protected]
www.orgogliodelcasalta.com
M ETROPOLIS I S S E E K I N G A N E /J
BILINGUAL INTERN to join the most
successful English-language
advertising team (Restaurants &
Bars) in Japan. Great opportunity
to learn about advertising in an
exciting environment. No pay, but
transportation provided. Please fax
your E/J resume to 03-4588-2278 or
email knakashima@metropolisjapan.
com.
090-3598-3072 for more information.
[email protected] ht tp:// w w w.
diamondway.jp/
Reiki events. This group is for people
who are interested in Reiki and
spirituality. For more details about
our upcoming events, please visit
our webpage. [email protected]
www.reikibyyuko.com/reiki-events.
htm
Tai chi in Yoyogi Park. Yoyogi Park is
open again. Come learn and practice
Guang Ping Yang Taiji Chuan with likeminded people. Early morning practice
is best. [email protected] www.gpytcjapan.
com 03-3487-3011
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
13.9 INTERNATIONAL
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
Nihongo 倶 楽 部いんたぁなしょ
なる. Nihongo Club International is a
volunteer group to help foreign people
learn Japanese at the Tokyo Volunteer
Action Center in Iidabashi. Every Thu,
7-9pm. [email protected]
14 PERSONALS
14.1 FRIENDS
Penpal interested in cars. British
guy seeks Japanese penpal who
loves cars and wants to practice his/
her English, and also meet when I
visit Japan in ‘15. I’m easygoing, can
speak a little Japanese. Zama City.
[email protected]
Seeking friends in central Tokyo.
JF, early 30s, seeks friends to hang
out with in central Tokyo. atkm92@
yahoo.co.jp
14.2 MEN LOOKING FOR WOMEN
DISCRE ET E XCITE ME NT WITH
HANDSOME MAN. I’m a married
British man seeking a special lady
for casual romance in Tokyo. I’m
tall, slim, handsome, mid-30s, just
looking to spice up my life. Mail
me and tell me about yourself.
[email protected]
SEEKING MARRIAGE. Single male,
early 30s, seeking a working or
studying female, under 32, for a
serious relationship leading to
marriage. Prefer someone who
wants to start a family soon. I
am an educated, hard-working
professional in Tokyo. uniman@
gmail.com
SUBMISSIVE SJM, 36, cute, is
seriously seeking a woman who is
into, or interested in, dominating
men. I am so submissive, with seven
years’ experience, that I am happy to
take whatever and serve you in any
way. [email protected]
SWM SEEKS JF. Tall, slim, elegant,
30s, a lover of fashion, great food,
wine, travel, music and shopping?
Real passion for life and all the
good things it can bring. A love of
romance, laughter and spending
time together. SWM, late 40s, 6’,
athletic, English gentleman, living
alone in Tokyo, seeks beautiful
partner to share evenings and
weekends. [email protected]
Adult-themed email exchange. Decent
English guy, 41, living in Tokyo, seeking
email exchange with an open-minded
Japanese lady. Boundaries respected.
[email protected]
Are you a lonely, bored woman? I
sometimes see mature but still attractive
foreign and Japanese women married to
busy businessmen bored in the city. It is
really a pity because you have so much
to express, receive and give. vbcfgt@
hotmail.com
Art of love. European, 50s, seeking
a Japanese lady to share passion,
spirituality, the nature and the art of
love. [email protected]
Black American male. I'm new to Tokyo.
I'd like to find a Japanese girlfriend. I'm
32, nonsmoking, and I teach English.
I'm kind, romantic, funny. I like to
meet people. Email w/photo, please.
[email protected]
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
Click me. SWM, late 20s, recently
moved to Tokyo, seeking female for
friendship and good times. I speak
French and English and am open to all
cultures. [email protected]
Coffee and a chat. British man, 36,
seeking plump JF friends who can meet
in the afternoons for a coffee, chat and
maybe more. Let's meet and see if we
click. Would like to meet in Narita.
[email protected]
Coffee and romance in Narita?
Seeking a coffee buddy in the Narita/
Chiba area. Let's have coffee and talk
about nothing, just let the conversation
drift and have fun. catchamee@hotmail.
com
Dear new friend. Attractive, caring,
professional SJM, 40s, living in
Kanagawa, seeking a special/close friend
with whom to talk about everything.
If we have good chemistry, maybe we
can go further with our relationship.
[email protected]
European male seeking woman.
Hello, I'm a European man, goodlooking, tall (180cm), blond, seeking
a nice Japanese woman to chat and
become friends with and more. I live
and work in Tokyo. [email protected]
Exotic and romantic JM. Adorable,
caring, movie- and classical musicloving Japanese, 36, working for an
international firm, is seeking a longterm relationship with a kind, sincere
woman of any nationality. Serious only.
[email protected]
Female swimming mate sought. I
seek a female swim mate for occasional
practice after work and on weekends. I
am a JM, 40, working in central Tokyo.
Western female under 45 preferred.
[email protected]
Find me! Western male, early 40s,
single, no children yet, living and
working in southwest Tokyo, seeks a
Japanese woman, 30s, for a serious
relationship. I have a stable job, like
to travel, am family-friendly, like
Japanese culture. lemonpuddingjp@
outlook.com
Free afternoons. Are you a JF? If yes,
please finish this sentence: I am cute
and fun to be with because... If you can
reply, this SWM is going to reply to you.
Afternoon is best. [email protected]
Gentleman for long-term intimate
friendship. Hi! I am a respectful, goodlooking Western man, 48, interested
in having regular intimate time with
a decent woman. I don't care about
your age—just be positive, safe,
nonsmoking. [email protected]
Girlfriend. Japanese man, 45, decent,
cultured, with a good sense of humor,
seeking a lady of any age, Japanese
or foreign, to enjoy friendship.
[email protected]
Handsome, sweet, smart SJM seeks
single or married WF who seeks secret
happy events in her spare time in Tokyo.
Shall we begin to talk? I think this
opportunity will be a great one for us.
[email protected]
Japanese male, 42, single, seeks
sincere, warm, open-minded white
female for friendship and romance. I am
generous, nonsmoking, like traveling,
reading, philosophy and enjoying my
life. [email protected]
Japanese women for young
businessman. European male, 28,
Machida. I finish at 10-11pm every day,
haven't had a chance to meet Japanese
women. I don't have much time left in
Japan, so not looking to go for a coffee.
[email protected]
Married Caucasian man for married
w o m a n. G e n t le m a n, l a te 4 0 s ,
attractive, cultured and polite, seeks
similar woman. [email protected]
Married needs hel p. Fr ien dl y
Canadian MWM in central Tokyo seeks
discreet and sincere JF for romantic
and intimate encounters. I am mid4 0s, well- educated, respec t ful,
nonsmoking. Please contact
me and let's see what happens.
[email protected]
Nice gentleman seeks a mature
Japanese woman, 50+, to enjoy
special sweet moments together, with
respect and good manners. vbcfgt@
hotmail.com
Older woman sought by black male,
40s, for friendship or more. Age,
nationality and status not an issue.
Your photo gets mine. stephane1900@
gmail.com
Questions! Are you seeking a tall guy?
Are you too stressed and in need of
some fun? If yes, reply to me. jsn334@
gmail.com
Seeking a date. I'm a JM seeking
someone gorgeous and fun to hang out
with. I might sound or look shy, but I
will be your best partner once I open
up. [email protected]
Seeking big, tall woman. Caucasian
guy, prefers big, tall ladies. Me:
i n te l l i g e n t , f r ie n d l y, d ow n - to earth, active, good sense of humor.
[email protected]
Seeking girlfriend. Cool guy, 40,
kind, seeks mature JF, 40s-50s, for
romance in Tokyo. Let's meet up for
coffee and talk. Serious only, please.
[email protected]
Seeking Japanese Muslim. Foreign
Muslim man living in Japan is seeking
a JF Muslim for exchanging various
topics and for friendship. If anyone
is a vailable, ple ase send me a
m e s s a g e. s e r io u s s a @ gm ail .co m
090-1838-8037
Seeking serious relationship.
European guy, early 40s, positive,
easygoing, gentle, romantic, lots
of hobbies, seeking female, 35-55,
open-minded, easygoing, enjoys
simple things. Speak Nihongo. No busy
people, please. [email protected]
Seeking single Western women,
20s. I'm a SJM university student, 20s,
studying biology. I'm interested in
Western culture. I can speak English.
I want to have a good relationship with
a single Western woman. I like hanging
out, fashion, movies. shueikoukou90@
yahoo.co.jp
Serious, long-term. SWM, 34, welleducated and traveled, with a stable
job, seeks true love. If you are 20-30s,
warm and caring, and seeking a serious
long-term relationship, then please
drop me an email. Serious only, no
games. No Roppongi girls, please.
[email protected]
Single, handsome, caring and witty
SJM seeks a nice Western or Japanese
female for friendship and possibly
more. Nonsmokers preferred. If you are
interested in exciting and happy times,
email me! [email protected]
ジョギング好き彼女募集＠横浜。
４０代 半 ばの日本人 独 身男性で
す。1 0 -2 0 キロぐらい 時 々走りま
す。南関東ok 。el salvadorjapan@
yahoo.es
ラブレター. 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
14.3 WOMEN LOOKING FOR MEN
Now You Can Recharge
in Roppongi 24/7/365
Soba shop
LAVISH DATES AND
INDULGENT NIGHTS—WE
CR E ATE O PP O RTU N ITI 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 women join our club
every day. Try our free one-month
trial offer: first date is on us!
0120-675-858 (English)
[email protected]
http://universe-club.jp/en
Are you? Attractive JF, late 30s, looks
young, with long hair/legs, seeks
intelligent, fit, tall, affectionate guy. I'm
often said to be sexy, caring, beautiful,
affectionate, devoted, smart, tough. Let's
be happy together! Love mountains? kiss_
[email protected]
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
Eat, breathe, grow—together. Seeking
a gentle, open-minded, highly educated
man for a long-lasting relationship.
Feminine, unique woman with captivating
eyes, mid-40s. Singles only. amrita_
[email protected]
German sought by JF. Single German
gentleman, 40s +, 175cm +, is sought by
JF, mid-40s, for a serious relationship.
Tokyoites only, please. Let's stay warm
this winter. [email protected]
In Tokyo. Hi there, I am a SJF, mid-30s,
living in Tokyo, seeking a SWM who likes
movies, traveling and laughing. If you ski
or snowboard, even better. Serious and
sincere people only. [email protected]
M a t u r e, p r e t t y w o m a n w i t h
intelligence. Single Japanese, great
figure, mid-40s, comfortable with my
own femininity and appearance, seeks
a professional single American, 40+.
Make me laugh and I will make you
smile when you see me. blueroses.
[email protected]
Sharing joy. Woman, lover of art,
nature, interesting conversations,
seeks a partner for sharing love and
life as best friends and lovers in a
long-lasting relationship. Smart and
caring European preferred. Attractive
and feminine, mid- 4 0s. before _
[email protected]
Truly happy. SJF, late 30s, in Tokyo,
seeking a life partner. Serious only.
You: stable job, SBM, 35-47. I'm looking
forward to hearing from you. Thanks.
[email protected]
14.4 GAY & LESBIAN
Woman seeking woman. Cute, petite
bisexual Japanese girl seeking an
attractive HWP girl for friendship and
more. Me: quiet type, clean, fairly new
to this. Serious only, and please send
photo and details. No men or couples.
[email protected]
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 n i o n , v i s i t h t t p: //
classifieds.metropolis.co.jp/
category/personals/escorts.
14.6 AND OTHERS
SLAVE BOY. Intelligent Caucasian
American, 30s, seeking to be a
slave boy under a sadist girl who
is also intelligent. I look forward to
hearing from you. Start as friends,
long-term possible. Serious only.
[email protected]
15 JOBS
S I N G L E S - O N LY D AT I N G
EVENTS EVERY FRI NIGHT for
foreign men and Japanese
women. Leave the event with a
new date! Always more women
than men. FREE if signing up in
advance! Otherwise, ¥2000.
[email protected]
www.exeo-international.com
Hotel
IBIS
Build a
Smarter Body
Build a flexible and healthy physique
and enjoy eating, work, hobbies
and sports more than ever before.
PERSONAL TRAINING STUDIO
15.1 JOB WANTED
Marketing research/associate
recruiter. Executive marketing research
specialist with more than five years'
experience seeking full-time job in
Tokyo. Holds valid visa. Please email
if interested. Resume and reference
available upon request. Can start at any
time. [email protected]
4F Laguetto Aoyama, 3-14-2
Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
03-6440-0505
bodydirector.com
31
RELATIONS
THE CASE OF THE CHRISTMAS CHICKEN
BY GRACE BUCHELE MINETA
My husband and I met while we were lowly undergrad students. He had
elected to spend a year studying abroad in America and ended up at my
university, right down the hall from me. As winter break rolled around, I
asked him if he wanted to spend a couple weeks with my family in Texas for
Christmas. He said yes and we bought him a plane ticket that afternoon. It
was his first “real American Christmas” … but as dinner rolled around, after
we had finished opening presents, napping and singing Christmas carols, my
husband turned to my father and asked “What about the Christmas Chicken?”
It’s become a running joke in our family.
クリスマスチキンの場合
夫と私はまだ大学生の頃に出会いました。彼は1年間アメリカで留学する事を決め、
私のいる大学に、
（しかも部屋は私の部屋のすぐ近く！）
留学する事になりました。
冬休
みになると、私は彼にクリスマスにテキサスの実家に遊びに来ないか聞きました。彼
は”YES”と即決し、
その日の午後には航空券を予約しました。
ちなみに彼にとっては初
めての”real American Christmas”でした。
クリスマスプレゼントも開け、
ゴロゴロし、
ク
リスマスキャロルを歌い終わったディナーの際に、
彼は父に突然”あれ？クリスマスチ
キンは？”と尋ねました。
それは我が家のジョークの一つになりました。
■ 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 20-Jun 20 ♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Jun 21-Jul 21 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣
Before the holidays, the old and
new blends: Long-time acquaintances, the avant- garde, respect
for tradition and family... The Pluto-Uranus
square waits for no one, nor would you want it
to. Aries is personally involved, meaning you
get to have your hand on the lever of history.
Which way will you thrust your personal and
collective power? Travel, conversations and
love are highly recommended.
In or out of a relationship, this is an
awesome week for you to be noticed.
Pallas Athene and Saturn may have
held you back romance- and attention-wise,
but Ceres, the Sun and Mercury offer you the
chance to be spontaneous and think big. Travel
enhances your chances of meeting someone.
The Pluto-Uranus square is about change and
opportunities that don’t come around very
often, so acting on them is encouraged. Make
sure your net is strong and comfortable.
The Pluto-Uranus square, a testing
aspect, won’t directly affect your
sign. Others may be calling you, but
you’ll be able to stay right side up—or move
so quickly no one notices if you don’t. In fact,
a very aspect-smoothing grand kite connects
to your house of romance. Things may happen
fast, but if you’re okay with that, you could be
breaking new ground—of the type that brings
relief, refreshment and rejuvenation. Happy
pre-holidays!
If ever there were a love bug, it’s
you. So how could the holidays put
a crimp in your style? You’ll be able
to relax as the festivities approach. This week,
the Pluto-Uranus square references your sign
but not directly. There could be a little rumbling
as adjustments are made, so make yourself an
apple crumble or treat yourself to a hot dark
chocolate. You’re in a position to negotiate; it’s
time you realized how important you are.
LEO
VIRGO
LIBRA
SCORPIO
Sep 22-Oct 22 ♥♥ ¥¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Oct 23-Nov 21 ♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣
Scorpios are passionate and feel life
with an intensity that sends others
reeling. That’s why privacy can be
more about trust and bonding than just power
plays and positioning. The Pluto–Uranus square
involves you, as Pluto rules Scorpio. You may
hear something that confirms a hunch, or decide
it’s time to take action on an important issue. You
still have time to check out the details and make
up your mind. All this, and the holidays too!
Mar 20-Apr 18 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Jul 22-Aug 21 ♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Apr 19-May 19 ♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣
Aug 22-Sep 21 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣
CANCER
This week, Pluto and Uranus are in
exact snap-the-twig aspect to each
other. Emotions run high, especially
as tradition and breakthroughs may not always
mesh. Luckily, neither of these planets reside
in your sign, so you’re more likely to be dealing with the the lateral effects—not the direct.
Mars has entered your relationship sector,
putting energy and drive to whatever results
you’d like to see. Mars likes to move fast, so
expect some quick turnarounds.
You can spin in circles or walk a
straight path; the knowledge you
glean is soulful. There may not have
been time for relaxation or games as Ceres, the
Sun and Mercury squared your sign. It’s the time
of year when delights are mentioned at the top of
the list, yet Virgos are dealing with extra obligations—and that’s because you’re good at what
you do, of course. In the aftermath, you’ll be the
one having all the fun—frolicking even.
Pluto and Uranus make their sixth
square aspect. You’re in a good
position to negotiate: What you want
can become available in the midst of change.
Take into account that each choice you create
leads you to the next place you find yourself in.
Neither Pluto nor Uranus are in your sign, but
Uranus is in your relationship sector, and a sudden revelation could cause you to see things
differently. Enjoy the freedom this will bring.
SAGITTARIUS
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
Jan 20-Feb 17 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥¥¥ ♣♣
Feb 18-Mar 19 ♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣
There is just so much available for
you. With recent events in mind, you
may still be stepping lightly. No one
said being true to yourself would be easy, but
it’s ultimately healthier. The Pluto -Uranus
square is exact this week, and anything that
hasn’t been worked out may be felt more
intensely—and just before the holidays! The
saving grace is your ability for compassion,
including that which you show yourself.
The Pluto-Uranus square hits exactly
in your sign. Things seem intense—
or truly are. The balance is found with
Mars in your financial sector: You can make
choices, find options and create investments
decisively. Mercury, the Sun and Ceres hover
with dreams that keep popping up just when
you think they’ve melted away. You’re going to
have a new, improved facet to your life soon.
Get ready for something that becomes a lot
more than it is right now—in a good way!
The thing is, Mars likes to act first,
think later. This god of heat and fire
not only burns through obstacles; he
can find a way to fly over them altogether. If
someone’s feelings will affect a vote in your
favor, you’ll be in the unenviable position of
having to backtrack this week. With Mars in
Aquarius, you won’t want to wait—the sooner
you jump on the latest wobble, the quicker
your life will merge with Christmas carols
instead of holiday howls.
C an you feel the Pluto - Uranus
square this week, the six th in a
series of seven? It’s not just your
average run-up to the holidays—the momentum being created is a lure to move faster. With
your take of the cosmos, you may be drawn to
slow down and watch as things turn to a blur.
Friends and finances may be stressors—if not,
you’re golden. The Sun is still in your career
sector, shining light into every corner, making
you a star.
Nov 22-Dec 20 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥¥¥ ♣♣
32
Dec 21-Jan 19 ♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣
PISCES
The mascot of Gunma
Prefecture—dubbed,
somewhat unimaginatively,
Gunma-chan—took top
honors at a national
competition called the
Yurukyara Grand Prix
LINGO BOX
Soroban (算盤) = abacus
the small print
—From a November 22 editorial in The Economist on the effect of the Abe
administration’s consumption tax hike last April
CHILL OUT, DUDE
IT’S A MAN’S WORLD
⊲Renowned
⊲
sushi chef Jiro Ono was one of
228 men—and, ahem, 12 women—to receive
the Medal with Yellow Ribbon, which is awarded by the government “in recognition of dedication to one’s profession.”
⊲The
⊲
Tokyo District Court ordered the operator of a steakhouse chain to pay nearly ¥60 million in damages to the family of an employee
Shusshō-ritsu (出生率) = birthrate
BY STEVE TRAUTLEIN
IT KNOCKED THE STUFFING OUT OF THE ECONOMY.”
⊲Hiroka
⊲
Horiuchi, a 24-year-old teacher from
Chiba, took first prize at the national abacus
championships. She had previously won the
title in 2007.
⊲Horiuchi
⊲
admitted that, during her sevenyear victory drought, she “could not keep back
[her] bitter tears, thinking, ‘I must win.’”
⊲About
⊲
97,000 passengers were delayed
when some idiot climbed atop a bullet train in
Yokohama and grabbed hold of a high-voltage
power line.
⊲Headline
⊲
of the Week: “Injured and Cranky
Sea Lion Rescued on Chiba Pref. Beach” (via
Mainichi Japan)
Ashika (アシカ) = sea lion
Bōgo-fuku (防護服) = hazmat suit
who killed himself after working an average
190 hours a month of overtime.
⊲Workers
⊲
cleaning up the Fukushima Daiichi
plant have a new worry: All the discarded
hazmat suits that protect them from radiation
have been piling up and emitting dangerous
levels of … radiation.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
⊲It
⊲ was reported that the tiny Kagoshima village of Isen (pop. 7,000) has the highest birthrate (2.81) in all of Japan.
⊲Officials
⊲
at the justice ministry say 2013 was
the first year since 1981 that the number of
criminal cases dropped below 2 million.
⊲At
⊲ the same time, though, they say the recidivism rate of Japanese criminals topped 46
percent—the worst figure since 1989.
⊲Researchers
⊲
at the Fisheries Agency say
catches of fugu (blowfish) dropped 30 percent from 2002 to 2013, and that the stocks
are “in continual decline.”
MILESTONES
⊲A
⊲ research team led by a professor at the
at a glance
BY RODGER SONOMURA
Tonyō-byō (糖尿病) = diabetes
stats
44.6
Percent of Japanese adults who
believe the “husband should work and
his wife should tend to their household,”
according to a Cabinet Office survey
44
Percent of divorced or separated
Japanese people who have “no contact”
with their children, according to a survey
by the Japan Federation of Bar
Associations
1,729 Serious car accidents in the U.S.
that Honda Motor “unintentionally” failed
to report to the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration, according to the
automaker
University of Tokyo has revealed the mechanism by which people develop diabetes from
“overeating fatty food.”
⊲Officials
⊲
at Guinness World Records have
certified that the 4,395 people who took part
in a line dance in Nagoya last month were the
most ever to do so.
⊲Good
⊲
news for train geeks: JR East will add a
new building to its Railway Museum in Saitama.
The annex will allow visitors to “experience
railway jobs firsthand.”
AND FINALLY …
⊲A
⊲ 40-year-old Japanese man was shot to
death at 4am outside a Yoshinoya beef-bowl
restaurant in the LA suburb of Inglewood.
⊲A
⊲ shrine in Nikko is selling paper airplanes
on which newlyweds can write their wishes
before launching them from a bridge overlooking a river.
⊲A
⊲ newspaper survey has found that the city
of Soka in southern Saitama is the most dangerous place in the country to ride a bicycle.
⊲Meanwhile,
⊲
Taito-ku topped the list of wards
in Tokyo that have the most casualties among
cyclists.
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
33
the last word
Bringing Home
to Christmas
A seasonal story
BY GHISELLE CAMACHO
Illustration by Christi Rochin
CHRISTMAS
CHILDHOOD
REPRESENTED
THE WARMTH
AND
CLOSENESS
OF IMMEDIATE
FAMILY.”
WANT
TO HAVE
THE LAST
WORD?
Send your article to:
editor@
metropolisjapan.com
Anyone from a family steeped in holiday
traditions will probably tell you it’s depressing to spend the winter holidays in
Japan. Sure there are the “illuminations,”
the decked-out storefront displays, the
plethora of Christmas cakes and the confusing cacophony of carols. But at the
core, it all seems empty.
I grew up in the Philippines, where
Christmas celebrations are jubilant and
omnipresent. My childhood Christmas
memories included nine days of midnight
masses from December 16-24, glorious
food and neverending parties with family both immediate and extended. The
Nativity took center stage, and our house
was decorated with all manner of beléns,
as we called them, made from a wide
array of artistic media. It was a constant
reminder of what Christmas meant to
us: Family, charity, love, sacrifice, giving
thanks and prayer.
When we emigrated to Canada, the
cold and the snow added an element of
the exotic to our newly arrived family. But
the traditions were still firmly in place—
only now they involved an eight- to 12hour drive over the border from Toronto
to Maryland or New York to celebrate
with the relatives who lived there. The
winter scene soon became ordinary, but
the wave of anticipation built during the
long, cross-border drives, cresting as we
pulled up to my aunt’s driveway in the
early morning hours. Bleary-eyed cousins greeting us at the door as delectable
smells wafted from the kitchen signaled
the beginning of our family’s traditions of
celebrating Christmas.
In the late ’50s, my husband’s mother
came with her family from England to
Canada, where she met her own husband, who’d arrived from Germany
around the same time. Jonathan’s father
was the only one of his eight siblings who
moved to Canada, and his mother had
only one brother—so their Christmases
were a little subdued compared to mine,
though no less meaningful. Christmas
in their household was a mishmash of
British and German traditions that had
the tree lit with candles and sparklers,
gingerbread houses, flaming plum puddings and the Vienna Boys Choir. To my
husband, Christmas childhood represented the warmth and closeness of
immediate family. It was a kind of transplanted feast of nostalgia that his parents
had formed as Canadian immigrants.
In our first year living in Japan, the two
of us celebrated Christmas in the Philippines with my relatives. For our second
year, we visited Jonathan’s relatives
in Germany. For a few years after that,
work kept us in Japan. The loneliness
hit hard one Christmas when Jonathan
came home with a “My Christmas Bento”
from the conbini. It was a chicken leg with
mashed potato and a tiny cupcake with a
candle, a novelty sales item for the store.
There was nothing in it to signal how sad
and pathetic this little bento was to us and
to others who saw Christmas as a time to
be with family and friends.
Knowing we weren’t the only ones
who felt this way, we threw a Christmas
party the following year. Living in an old,
defunct ryokan in Ehime gave us the free-
dom to invite pretty much every foreign
teacher in the area, as well as a few from
the surrounding prefectures in Shikoku.
Of course, our closest Japanese friends
were also in attendance—it was imperative they understood what Christmas
meant to us.
A few years later, we made the move
to Kanto, where most of the Christmassy
things we missed from home were readily
available. Over the years, we’ve slowly
been creating our own new holiday traditions: We have a live potted spruce that
comes in the house on the first of December, and all the decorations go up. If we
know we’re staying in Japan, the children
participate in the Nativity play at church
followed by a Christmas dinner. The kids
wake to a platter of assorted Lebkuchen
for breakfast and presents under the tree:
One from Santa, one from Mom and Dad
and, if the care package from Canada
makes it on time, ones from grandparents,
aunts and uncles.
Spending the holidays in Japan isn't as
dismal as it used to be for us. Having gone
from our own childhood family traditions
to the dissociation of being removed from
them by living in Japan, we’re managing
to solidify our own family idea of what the
holidays mean for us. We always open
our door to friends who are staying in
Japan for one reason or another and are
homesick for their holidays back home.
Well, except for this year—this year,
we’re going to the Philippines.
■ Ghiselle Camacho is an actress and
kindergarten teacher living in Saitama.
The views expressed in “The Last Word” are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of Japan Partnership Co. Ltd. or its partners and sponsors.
NEXT ISSUE
OK GO GOES
TOKYO
Photo by Zen Sekizawa
34
KICKING OFF
2015
JUICING UP
ON SUNSHINE
We
welcome
all kinds
of parties.
Please
contact us.
Each
branch
has
different
hours.
www.dubliners.jp
CHRISTMAS
TURKEY
PLATE
(Shibuya & Shinagawa Only)
¥1,800
For more info, please contact the
Shibuya or Shinagawa branches
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/
B1 Sannou Park Tower
2-11-1 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku
03-3539-3615 | [email protected]
r.gnavi.co.jp/g008233/
Closed: Sat., Sun., & Holidays
Shinagawa
Shinagawa Mitsubishi Bldg.
B1F Grand Passage
2-16-3 Kounan, Minato-ku
03-6718-2834 | [email protected]
http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g008220/