the force awakens - Metropolis Magazine

Transcription

Nov 27-Dec 10, 2015 Japan’s Nº1 English Magazine www.metropolisjapan.com
DARK SIDE
COUTURE
THE FASHION
MENACE
ONO SOLO
THE YOKO
STRIKES BACK
ADMIRAL
SNACKBAR
IT’S A CAKE
TRAP!
THE FORCE
AWAKENS
J.J. BRINGS FANS
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NOV 27-DEC 10, 2015 • #1131
EDITOR’S
LETTER
After nearly a year of teasing us with trailers, Disney will release
the long-awaited seventh Star Wars film in just a few short weeks.
The Force has been strong with the editorial team as we prepared
this issue, filled with everything from a fan’s view of the hype to an
interview with new heroine Daisy Ridley. Planning a Star Wars celPhoto by Rieko Suzuki
ebration? Why not bake a Princess Layer Cake and be the hit of the
party? Of course, not everything comes from a galaxy far, far away,
so read on to learn about a program to help make our own world a
better place, a new show to help Tokyo reach the world, and even a
touch of Star Trek … you know, to keep balance in the Force.
Photo by Brad Bennett
10
Photo by CB Liddell
12
The Cake Escape: Appearances can be deceiving.
19
Mos Bikely: Forget your landspeeder; grab two wheels.
Edo Explorations: Taking Tokyo to the world.
Cover design: Kohji Shiiki, photo: © 2015 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
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03
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DUBLINERS’
SHINJUKU
20
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ANNIVERSARY
Tokyo’s oldest Irish Pub
Tuesday,
December 1
All pints of
draught beer & cider
LINGOIST
OFF TO THE THEATER
The Force gets ready to awaken in Japan. That brings with it the promise of packed theaters and frequently sold-out shows. If you’re trying
to catch that popular flick but are having trouble, you don’t need to
ask Obi Wan for help; let Metropolis guide you through asking about
showtimes and buying that ticket in advance.
JP
EN
JP
EN
JP
EN
JP
EN
¥500
Sumimasen. Kyo wa, Sutā Wōzu—Fōsu no Kakusei no jōei jikan wa
itsu desuka?
Excuse me. What are today’s showtimes for Star Wars: The Force
Awakens?
Jū-ji, jū-yo-ji han, ato nijū-ji no jōei wa gozaimasu.
We have screenings at 10am (10:00), 2:30pm (14:30), and 8pm (20:00).
Sō desuka. Ja, nijū-ji jōei no kippu wo otona nimai onegaishimasu.
I see. In that case, two tickets for the 8pm showing, please.
Arigatō gozaimasu. Dewa, go-ban shiatā no jōei to narimasu.
Thank you. It will be shown in theater number 5.
K
Live Irish music from 7pm
A
1
N
A
C
2
A
Shinjuku
2F Shinjuku Lion Hall
3-28-9 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
03-3352-6606 | [email protected]
http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g209300/
Ikebukuro
Shibuya
Akasaka
B1 Sun Gorou Bldg.
1-10-8 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku
3
2F Dogenzaka Center Bldg.
2-29-8 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku
03-5459-1736 |[email protected]
B1 Sannou Park Tower
2-11-1 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku
r.gnavi.co.jp/g008233/
Closed: Sat., Sun., & Holidays
Shinagawa
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B1F Grand Passage
2-16-3 Kounan, Minato-ku
11
Solution:
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C
D
ANSWERS AT meturl.com/kanacross
04
R
O
S
Across
1. Kettle
3. Help
6. Test
7. Attack
9. Dark
10. To chase after
11.Knight
Down
1. To win
2. Not yet
3. Empire
4. Consciousness
5. War
8. Trick or skill
10. Push
S
TO-DO LIST
3
TOP
star gazing
Cosmo Planetarium Shibuya
Roppongi Hills Tokyo City View
Tokyo Midtown
Get comfortable at the Cosmo Planetarium as
individualized rotating seats take you on a journey
through the solar system. The show creates
an ambient mood with state-of-the-art digital
projections, and can be enjoyed by stargazers
young and old. Open 6-7:30pm, ¥600. Shibuya
Cultural Center Owada. Shibuya. http://j.mp/
shibuyaculturalcenterowada
The stars are out this month in Roppongi, when the
observation deck at Mori Tower is transformed into
an awe-inspiring 360-degree starry nightscape.
The exhibition uses high-tech projectors and will
last until Dec 25. Open 10am-11pm (Fri & Sat,
10am-1am), ¥2,000. Roppongi Hills. Roppongi.
www.roppongihills.com/tcv/jp/hoshizora
Tokyo Midtown once again lights up with its
Christmas “Starlight Garden”—an impressive
nighttime display that utilizes thousands of LED
lights to create an out-of-this-world experience.
The display will last until Dec 25. Open 5-11pm.
Tokyo Midtown. Roppongi. http://j.mp/
starlightgarden2015
© Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, Shaanxi Cultural Heritage
Promotion Center, Emperor QinShihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum
Courtesy of Kansai Telecasting Corporation
Photo by Takao Murai (left); Kyoko Obayashi (right)
UNTIL FEB 21
EDITOR’S PICK
THE GREAT TERRACOTTA
ARMY
DEC 5-15
NOV 29
The first emperor of China, Qinshihuang succeeded
in unifying a vast territory and disparate people more
than 2,000 years ago. Yet the extent of his power—
and skill of his artisans—remained hidden until the
discovery underground of a vast hidden terra-cotta
army in the twentieth century. Now one of China’s
biggest tourist draws, Emperor Qinshihuang’s hidden
soldiers are the subject of an extensive show at
the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno. Until Feb 21,
9:30am-5pm. Closed Mon (except Jan 11), Dec 24-Jan
1 & Jan 12. Tokyo National Museum. Ueno.
http://j.mp/terracotta2015 Dan Grunebaum
A veteran of Broadway stages, director Amon Miyamoto
presents a new creation that features Kansai street
dance group Wrecking Crew Orchestra in an inspirational
story about never giving up. The production employs
projection mapping, lasers, dance, and mime to tell
the tale, which is choreographed by Wrecking Crew
director Yokoi. Hip-hop star Kreva also makes a special
appearance as “the mysterious Mr. X.” Dec 5, 6pm; Dec
7 & 8, 7pm; Dec 9, 1pm; Dec 11, 7pm; Dec 12 & 13, 1pm &
6pm; Dec 14, 7pm; Dec 15, 1pm, ¥8,500-10,000.
New National Theatre, Tokyo. Hatsudai. www.ktv.jp/
event/superloserz/index.html D.G.
Tokyo-based international pop-rockers Davi Zew’s
and Horizon Sky, fronted by Brazilian musician Davi—
whose music wanders through contemporary folk-rock
with romantic lyrics and sometimes dancing—perform
a wide array of up- and mid-tempo hits. They share
the stage with acoustic pop singer-songwriter Martin
Leroux, whose mellow, autobiographical tunes herald
his folk roots. Open 7pm, music starts 8pm. ¥2,000.
The Crawfish Akasaka, B1 Social Akasaka, 3-11-7
Akasaka, Minato-ku. Akasaka Tel: 03-3584-2496.
http://crawfish.jp
NOV 28-DEC 4
NOV 27-28
DEC 3
One of the world’s premier showcases for Asian cinema,
Tokyo Filmex is known for its quality programming. For
this year’s edition, Taiwanese director Tsai Ming-liang
is designated as the Filmex’s “Filmmaker in Focus.” Six
feature films will be screened, including his 1994 classic
Vive l’amour (pictured) and his latest film Attention, as
well as a string of his short films including the anticipated
world premiere of Autumn Days, a documentary on Akira
Kurosawa’s longtime screenwriting collaborator Teruyo
Nogami. This retrospective should once again confirm
the 58-year-old master’s status as cinema’s foremost
minimalist. His two features (Goodbye, Dragon Inn, and
Face) and all his shorts films (except Autumn Days)
will be screened with English subtitles. Nov 28-Dec
4, 2:30pm & 6:20pm, ¥1,000 (adv)/ ¥1,500 (door).
Yurakucho Subaruza. Yurakucho.
http://filmex.net/2015en/program/sp3 Kohei Usuda
More than four years on, an ongoing nuclear crisis
continues to unfold at the crippled Fukushima
Daiichi power plant, triggered by the Great Tohoku
Earthquake of March 2011. No Nukes 2015, a two-day
annual music festival organized by Academy Awardwinning composer/musician Ryuichi Sakamoto, takes
place this year at Toyosu Pit, to raise awareness of
Japan’s energy policy in the light of the Fukushima
disaster. The lineup for this edition includes major
J-rock acts like Asian Kung-Fu Generation (pictured,
from last year’s event), Acidman, and Zainichi Funk.
In addition to live performances, Sakamoto will
participate in a panel discussion with his fellow
musicians as well as the members of the influential
student group SEALDs. Nov 27, 5pm, ¥2,500;
Nov 28, 1pm, ¥4,900. Toyosu Pit. Shin-Toyosu.
Tel: 050-5533-0888. http://nonukes2015.jp
Fresh off his sold-out performance at last year’s Red
Bull Music Academy Japan, Brooklyn-based Daniel
Lopatin, better known as Oneohtrix Point Never,
will return to Tokyo to accompany his latest album,
Garden of Delete (released on Warp). Lopatin is a
virtuoso experimental electronic producer, known for
his ambient drone tracks like “Replica” as well as his
collaboration with Sofia Coppola, for whom Lopatin
composed The Bling Ring’s soundtrack. On December
3, OPN will create his own distinctive brand of darkly
textured soundscapes that will surely not disappoint.
Highly recommended. Dec 3, 7:30pm, ¥5,500.
Liquidroom. Ebisu. www.beatink.com/Events/
OPN2015
TSAI MING-LIANG
SUPERLOSERZ SAVE
THE EARTH
NO NUKES 2015
DAVI ZEW’S AND HORIZON SKY
& MARTIN LEROUX
ONEOHTRIX POINT NEVER
05
feature
FORCEFUL
ANTICIPATION
Can J.J.’s Star Wars live up to the hype?
BY MATTHEW RUSHING
S
ince Disney’s purchase of Lucasfilm on
October 30, 2012, and the subsequent
announcement that there would be more
installments in the cherished saga, anticipation has been building. Walk into any store
these days—home improvement store, grocery
store, department store, electronics store—and
you’ll find they all have something in common:
Star Wars. This holds true whether in America
or Japan: soup cans, soda bottles, grapes,
video games, mugs, shirts, placemats, art, trading
cards, cosmetics, vitamins, business card cases,
chopsticks, even bathroom tissue ... OK, I made
this last one up, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it
exists. This forceful marketing tells us one thing:
Star Wars is back, and it isn’t going away anytime
soon.
Anticipation is something that anyone can
relate to. We anticipate many things: getting to
drive for the first time, our first kiss, or even the
next movie in our favorite franchise. Anticipation
gives us hope for the future and a sense that
there’s something better just around the corner.
But there’s a downside to this, and that is
expectation. On its own, expectation isn’t a
06
terrible thing; it can be very helpful. If we read
the assembly instructions for something from
IKEA, we can expect that, once done, it will
look something like the model we saw on their
showroom floor. What we envision as the final
product is not only possible, but probable. When
it comes to our favorite entertainment, however,
what we think should happen may not. In fact,
it may not even be possible—and this is when
expectation can hurt us.
As fans, we all have immense anticipation for
Star Wars: The Force Awakens, one that leads
us to stand in line at midnight to buy the latest
toys on Force Friday—a special day in the United
States that kicked off the film’s marketing blitz
in earnest, or to watch a football game we may
care nothing about just to get a glimpse of a new
two-minute trailer so we can endlessly debate
who the next Jedi is and ask, “Where the heck
is Luke Skywalker?” It’s the perfect recipe for
creating expectations that may not be met, in
turn ruining our experience in the theater on
opening day. You see, it’s happened before and
it could happen again.
In the spring of 1999, there was a huge
disturbance in the Force as millions of Star Wars
fans came out of the 18-year period known as
“The Dark Times” and The Phantom Menace was
finally released. For years, fans had wondered
what happened to Luke’s father to turn him into
Darth Vader, creating a whole back story for how
the fall of the Jedi had come about and what
Old Ben was referring to when he mentioned
the Clone Wars. These thoughts compounded
themselves into expectations that many fans
carried into the theater. And when Episodes I, II,
and III did not live up, many became disgruntled.
The prequel trilogy highlights the danger
of expectation. It has the power to destroy the
very thing that we love and anticipate with such
abandon. The pattern may sound familiar to Star
Wars fans: anticipation leads to expectation, (unmet) expectation leads to hate, and hate leads to
suffering. With this new Star Wars film, both anticipation and expectation are at an all-time high.
Not only is it filling a decade-long vacuum of Star
Wars on the big screen, but it will also rewrite
a history already accepted by die-hard fans,
one based on 22 years of expanded universe
books. These novels filled in the post-Return of
the Jedi story years ago. And with the absence
of the long-rumored Episodes VII, VIII, and IX, the
events contained therein have become essentially canon. Disney, however, has tossed them
all out and wiped the slate clean. It’s
a risky move.
So between the media buzz, merchandizing bonanza, and personal
expectations, how can a fan possibly
find a way to enjoy this new film? The
answer for me has come in the form
of my niece. She’s five and has just
discovered the galaxy far, far away,
and she cannot get enough. She’s
watching The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels,
as well as small parts of the films—and with each
new episode, her love of the saga grows. For
Halloween this year, she could not wait to dress
up as Rey from The Force Awakens, a character she knows nothing about and hasn’t seen
beyond a few scant minutes in the trailers—yet
she’s already a fan. Star Wars action figures
and the Disney Infinity 3.0 video game platform
continue to fuel her imagination, bringing Star
Wars to life in all new ways.
As I’ve watched this awakening, I can feel
the joy of what made me fall in love with Star
Wars in the beginning coming back in a whole
new way. This young Padawan—my niece—is
reminding me that, first and foremost, being a
fan of anything is about fun. As I’ve gotten older,
the social-media cynicism and snark has slowly
eroded the idea of fun. Fandom online often seems to be
more about pointing out every
minute mistake rather than reveling in the joy of
exotic aliens and heroes’ journeys. So let’s all
take a cue from my niece and remember why we
became fans in the first place. Let’s let that little
kid we all have inside of us feel free to celebrate
our fandom, and hopefully we’ll be more inclined
to find the good in something rather than the bad.
With The Force Awakens rapidly approaching, I have a sense of wonder and excitement
that I’ve not had in a long time about a film this
big. I believe it’s because I’ve let go of my own
expectations and, like my niece, I’m going in
expecting nothing more than the fun of being
transported to a place where Wookiees are
people’s best friends, droids can save the day,
lightsabers exist, and a new hero’s journey is
about to begin.
Opens Dec 18 at 6:30pm, nationwide.
All Photos © 2015 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
07
feature
All Photos © 2015 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
INTERVIEW
DAISY
RIDLEY
A Rey of Light from a
Galaxy Far, Far Away
W
hen Star Wars premiered in 1977, it
featured a relatively unknown actor as its hero. Nearly four decades
later, Star Wars returns to the big
screen in similar fashion. Just as Mark Hamill
thrilled fans back then, Daisy Ridley is about
to do the same. The young actress tells
Metropolis how she feels about being the
heroine in J.J. Abrams’ new film.
How did you hear about the part?
The first time I actually heard about this, I
was with three friends—one’s a makeup artist
and the other is a stylist. Somebody said,
“Did you hear Star Wars is coming out?” I immediately e-mailed my agent and said that I
really need to be seen for this. I don’t know
why; I just had this weird feeling. I wound up
getting an audition. So, for the first audition,
I was an hour early, literally pacing up and
down outside. I’d never been nervous like
that before for something. It was the first time
in an audition process that I felt everyone was
rooting—not for me, but for the idea of an
unknown person getting the part.
Did you know you were going for the lead?
I knew it was a big part, but I didn’t know that
08
it would be in the whole thing. I didn’t know
what Rey’s journey would be and where she
would end up; it was only when I read the
script that I realized the enormity of not only
her, but her place in the whole thing.
Who is Rey and what is her role in the story?
Rey begins in her own world. She goes on
this crazy adventure and meets Finn and
BB-8 and she finally starts to make these
bonds she’s never had before. It’ll be epic.
Tell us more about your look in the film?
We went through many versions of hair, and
a few versions of costume. When we finally
decided on the hair and I put the costume on,
you could feel everyone go, “That’s how she
should be.” Everything is supposed to look
like Rey put it together herself. So, the hair is
the iconic three buns, which we call the three
knobs. The costume is gorgeous; it’s pretty,
but she works in it. Everything she’s got fits
her perfectly. I put the costume on and I feel
pretty badass.
As you said, your character is badass, and
there’s a lot of action in the film. Talk us
through the training process.
I started stunt training just a few weeks after
I found out [I was cast]. We did hand-to-hand
and used boxing to warm up. J.J. wanted me
to look like I work out, so I’ve been working
the upper body. That was four hours a day,
four days a week for three months. Without
the guys we’re training with, there’s just no
way John Boyega and I would have gotten
through Abu Dhabi. The running stuff was so
hard. It was a relief when there were explosions because we needed a break from the
running. I haven’t stunt-trained for a while,
but I’m still fitness training to keep the levels
up. There are such long days that you need
the energy it brings.
What was the experience of filming in Abu
Dhabi like?
Abu Dhabi was really nice because we were
able to go a day early. John and I were taken
around the mosque and palace, which were
really lovely. We had a couple of days to get
used to the heat as well. It was so hot that you
could literally feel the sand burning through
your shoes. But once you give in to the heat,
it’s OK. You know it’s consistent; it’s not going
to change, so there’s no point in fighting it. But
everyone was so well looked after.
When it got to the running bits, the hardest
part was when it was a mix of hard and soft
sand. That was a killer on the legs. The night
before the last day of filming, that run was
easier but my lungs were really pushing it. It
got hotter and hotter. You’d go from doing lots
of stunt things, then to acting and intimate moments. Toward the end of Abu Dhabi, I looked
back and thought, I’ve really come a long way
since the beginning. I look back now and wish
I could do the first few days again.
Do you feel that Rey is your character now?
I realized what this film might be to people.
I hope that people will love it—I think they
will. I feel like I’m coming into my film family.
Every day is fun. I haven’t had one day where
I didn’t enjoy it. There are moments when I
think [of ] how many people love Star Wars,
and it’s scary trying to fit into that world that
people know so well and love so much. It’s
nerve-racking thinking what Rey might represent to these people, and whether they’ll
like her or not.
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SPECIAL OFFER
• Mention Metropolis and receive a special original
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AKARI
Akari is a candle shop that specializes in traditional Japanese candles and lamps.
Located in a quiet alleyway in Kagurazaka, Akari imports traditional handcrafted sum
candles from all over the country, including those from Kyoto, the Tohoku area, and
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lamps, including incense lamps, tea incense lamps, and paper-shade lamps. In addition to these, Akari offers
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Kagurazaka, Ushigome-kagurazaka, or Iidabashi
[email protected]
www.akarikagurazaka.com
WEBSITE
HARBOR CIRCUIT
Chiba
SPECIAL OFFER
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enjoy the Group Races, which
let you burn rubber while competing with your family members. Other activities include the Mini GP
option and a 35-lap race with five different plans to choose from. If you’re feeling a bit competitive this
Christmas, you can see where you place against other people with the real-time ranking system. After all
the thrills and excitement of go-kart racing, you and your family can relax while grabbing some snacks—
and still be part of the race-day atmosphere! Harbor Circuit’s Christmas campaign guarantees four rides
for absolutely everyone, no matter how big the crowd. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll be coming back every
holiday season!
WEBSITE
=
X
SPECIAL OFFER
• Mention Metropolis and get a free Reju pouch!
Red Light
SERVICES
• Can contact only via web or phone
REJU
Mon-Fri 10am-6pm; closed Sat, Sun & hols
0120-110-469
[email protected]
www.silkn-reju.jp
HEat
Dual
Function
“The fullness and glow that you feel you’ve lost over the years comes right back.”
These are the words coming from a happy customer who has used the FaceFX
Reju. The device combines light from red LEDs with dermal heating to stimulate
collagen production, which helps improve conditions commonly associated with aging, such as fine lines,
dull complexion, and enlarged pores. It’s not a facelift or anything embarrassingly obvious like that, but
it may give you back a little bit of your youthful glow. The treatment can be done in the convenience of
your own home, according to your schedule. No additional gel or serum is needed when using the device.
Treatment sessions of 20 minutes for the full face two to three times a week is all it takes. The treatment
can also be applied to the neck, hands, and other areas.
Online
09
food&drink
SHOP
¥
EN/JP
Maplies
BY MUBITA MAMBWE
I
n Japan, the winter holidays cannot exist
without cake—it’s as ubiquitous during the
Japanese Christmas season as LED illuminations and Mariah Carey. Cake’s status as a
holiday staple means that, during the season,
whole cakes are nearly impossible to find at the
usual stores; many opt to reserve them months
in advance. If you’re going to jump on the cake
bandwagon but want something a little more
unusual than a strawberry shortcake, Maplies
is the place to go.
Located in the underground labyrinths of
Shinjuku Station, the cake shop has a simple
and rather unassuming appearance, with its red
banners and displays showing off a wide array
of pristine treats. From cheesecakes and cream
puffs to baked chocolate cakes and tiramisu,
all the items on display are mouth-watering,
luxuriously creamy, and reasonably priced.
However, upon closer inspection, you’ll see
that the display carries dishes not normally seen
among pastries—omelettes, ramen, and gyoza,
to name a few. As with the store, appearances
can be deceiving.
10
Maplies’ special series called “ekimae
shokudo”—the Japanese term for food stalls
parked outside stations—features cakes in
disguise, each taking the form of savory dishes beloved by train commuters nationwide.
The most eye-catching of the selection is
the ramen cake (¥1,020), whose resemblance
to an actual bowl of noodles is uncanny—but
the lack of steam being emitted by what
should be a near-boiling pot of soup should
tell you something’s up. Served in a plastic
bowl, the cake’s thin, ropey icing mimics
the noodles, covered with a layer of brown
jelly, giving the impression of soup. There are
biscuits masquerading as condiments, fish
cakes, and nori on top, too. But stick a fork
into the bowl and you’re instantly greeted
by the squishy texture of sponge cake, with
whipped cream and fruit.
Another of the store’s bestsellers is the
omelet cake (¥1,040), whose exterior promises a hearty, protein-packed meal. But dig
in, and you’re treated to a fluffy cheesecake
mousse, with strawberry sauce in the ketchup’s stead.
Other staples on the menu are the unagi-don
(“eel rice bowl,” ¥1,020); gyoza (¥810), which is
apple pie undercover; and the katsudon (“pork
cutlet bowl,” ¥1,020), a refreshing mélange of
custard and citrus.
Like restaurants, Maplies’ cake selections change periodically. Their new lineup
introduces the coffee- and caramel-flavored
yakiniku-don (“Korean beef barbecue bowl”)
cake (¥1,020) and the pizza cake (¥1,280),
which looks like a Chicago-style deep-dish
pizza, but is in fact a cheese soufflé with a
white peach and raspberry sauce. The Ninja
Turtles may approve.
If you’d like an element of surprise with
your holiday cakes, Maplies reigns supreme.
B2 Shinjuku Chikatetsu Bldg., 1-1-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku. Open 10am-11:30pm. For
reservations, call 03-3342-6227 (Japanese).
http://maplies.wix.com/maplies
Because even Stormtroopers and Jedi get thirsty, Kirin’s
Mets drink brand has bottled some liquid energy to
keep you going while you await the release of The Force
Awakens. If you lean toward the Dark Side you can grab
a bottle of Red Force, which blends a strong soda with a
touch of cayenne. If you prefer to use your skills for good,
then Blue Force—with a touch of Aoba—will help you
fend off those who want to keep you down. The drinks
contain the amino acids arginine and ornithine and taste
more or less like Dekavita C. The bottles highlight a wide
range of Star Wars characters, making this a collector’s
dream come true. Available across the galaxy
wherever beverages are sold.
There’s a celebration with every bite of the Mosaic
Cake, a colorful Christmas offering from the Grand
Hyatt Tokyo’s upscale Fiorentina boutique pastry
shop. The festive cake is topped with several brightly
colored tiles and shiny decorative globes. The
concoction itself is a tangy and luxurious mélange
of eight rich flavors—rose raspberry, pistachio,
mango, caramel, chocolate mousse, fromage blanc,
blueberry, and apricot. The cake is available in both
12cm x 12cm (¥5,000) and 15cm x 15cm (¥7,500). The
price may be a little extravagant, but it’s well worth it
for those who want their Christmas cake with its game
upped. Available at Fiorentina, 1F Grand Hyatt, 6-103 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Call for reservations. Tel:
03-4333-8713.
Ginza Cozy Corner sets out into a galaxy far, far away
with their limited-edition Star Wars collection. The
Petit Gateaux Star Wars set (¥2,000) features nine
mini-cakes, each taking kawaii forms of your favorite
characters and symbols, from Chewie and Yoda to
Yoda and Darth. (Guess which one’s dark chocolate!)
There’s also the R2-D2 cake (¥2,500), a scrumptious
treat resembling the adorable droid, filled with
creamy chocolate and covered in creamy frosting and
blue-colored biscuit chips. For smaller bites, there’s
the R2-D2 and C-3P0 cake set (¥1,404)—the former a
cheese mousse cupcake, the latter a lemon mousse.
May the forks be with you. Available at Cozy Corners
nationwide, until Dec 2.
and gray color, but edible charcoal
powder or food coloring can be used
as a substitute.
INGREDIENTS
1 whole sponge cake or cheesecake
(store-bought)
RECIPE
Princess LAYER Cake
with hidden dark side
RECIPE AND PHOTO BY RIEKO SUZUKI
This may be the snack you’re looking for. This
Star Wars-themed cake uses a commercial
sponge cake or cheesecake that you can get at
your local supermarket. Princess Leia’s iconic
black hair buns and belt buckle are made
with vanilla butter icing, and a layer of dark
chocolate cream is the perfect addition for
those who like their sweets on the “dark side.”
I used black cocoa powder to create black
Vanilla butter icing
• 2 cups unsalted butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 4 drops vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp black cocoa powder
• 30cc milk
Dark chocolate icing
•120cc chopped dark chocolate
•30g unsalted butter
•1/2 cup cream cheese
•3 tbsp powdered sugar
•3 pastry bags (available at ¥100 stores)
DIRECTIONS
1. Cut sponge cake or cheesecake in half.
2.Make the dark side. In a double boiler, melt
chocolate and butter. Boil hot water in a pot,
then turn off heat and let chocolate and butter melt in a one-size-smaller heat-resistant
container. Do not stir!
3.Combine softened cream cheese and sugar
in another bowl and mix well. Add chocolate
batter and mix in to make a smooth chocolate
icing. Put the mixture in a pastry bag and let it
cool a bit in the fridge.
4.Make the Princess Leia part. Whip butter until it
becomes really fluffy. Add vanilla extract, then
powdered sugar. Add milk little by little, and
keep whipping.
5.Take 2 tbsp of the whipped butter and add tiny
pinch of black cocoa powder. Mix well to make
gray icing.
6.Take 100cc from the remaining whipped butter
and add the rest of the black cocoa powder. Mix
well to make black icing. Put each icing mixture
in individual pastry bags. Let them rest in the
fridge for 10 min.
7.With the cream cheese, frost sides, the middle,
and the top of the sponge cake evenly.
8.Cover the cake with uncolored vanilla butter
icing with butter knife. Cut the corners of pastry
bags to make piping bags, and make swirly
Princess Leia buns and the belt buckle.
Rieko Suzuki
Rieko blogs bilingual recipes at
http://meturl.com/ruby
11
city life
Photos by Brad Bennett
SUPPORTING
CYCLING IN THE
CITY MUST BE ON
EVERY COUNCIL AGENDA
AROUND THE COUNTRY
GOING FORWARD.”
CYCLING
EMBASSY OF JAPAN
Aussie Byron Kidd works to lift
local bike culture
BY DAN GRUNEBAUM
A
rriving two decades ago as a budding
software engineer, Byron Kidd soon found
a place among Tokyo’s two-wheeled
hordes. Mapping the Kanto plain by bike,
Kidd would cycle 100 kilometers a day all over
the mountains around Tokyo, even logging a
season with Japan’s professional mountain bike
league. Years of guiding cycling tours, including Santa-clad Night Pedal Cruising shenanigans, led Kidd to a committed role as a cycling
evangelist for his adopted country.
Metropolis talked to him about his
new Cycling Embassy of Japan,
Japan Cycling Handbook,
and the mountain bike vs.
mamachari conundrum.
How conscious are the
Japanese about cycling
relative to other countries?
Cycling in Japan has always
been a popular form of
transport. The design of Japanese
n e i g h b o r h o o d s , co m b i n e d w i t h
excellent public transport and the high cost
of private car ownership, makes the bicycle
the most convenient way to make short trips.
Yet few Japanese realize that Japan is right
up there as one of the world’s great cycling
nations. It is my aim to promote this fact
amongst the Japanese people.
12
What challenges does bike culture face in
Japan?
With a recent rise in accidents involving
bicycles, police have become much more strict
on cyclists, and the image of cycling is taking
a beating. Any action that makes cycling more
inconvenient or expensive will result in a drop
in the number of cyclists, and in a world where
cities are actively promoting cycling, building
cycling infrastructure, and trying to increase
cyclist numbers, Japan should be careful
that its actions do not do the exact
opposite.
How can cycling awareness
here be raised?
The first step in preserving
Japan’s cycling culture is to
make people aware of what
an important part the bicycle
plays in [people’s] lives,
followed by demonstrating
that Japan is already leagues
ahead of most of the world when it
comes to utilitarian cycling, and that cycling
should be supported and promoted as it brings
enormous benefits to society, includ[ing]
environmental, health, economic, and social
benefits. Supporting cycling in the city must be
on every council agenda around the country
going forward.
What do you make of the fixie bike boom
in Japan?
The fixie boom has been both a blessing
and a curse. As fixies have been swept up
in the fashion movement, a whole spectrum
of society that would have otherwise not
considered owning a bicycle have flocked to
single-speed bikes. On the other hand, the
fixie boom brought a flood of inexperienced
riders to the streets and sidewalks of Japan.
As a result, the number of accidents between
pedestrians and cyclists increased about
the same time as the fixie craze took off,
prompting police to hold special road safety
campaigns in which they came down hard
on all cyclists based on the dangerous acts
of a few.
What is the ideal bike for a Tokyo gaijin?
When I use the term “cyclist,” I’m referring to
everyone who rides a bicycle: moms, dads,
businessmen, kids, the elderly. Therefore,
it’s hard to pin down the ideal bike for the
Tokyo gaijin. As an everyday commuter, I
recommend a cross or hybrid bicycle—one
that is light and has narrow, almost slick tires
like a road bike, but flat handlebars and a
more upright seating position, which is more
comfortable and safer for urban cycling. Add
to this a rear rack, some panniers, or a folding
basket, and you’re ready to take on shopping
trips or cycling to picnics in the park.
Set us straight: is it legal to ride on the
sidewalk in Tokyo or not?
It’s legal to ride on the sidewalks in Japan,
except for where it is not—that is the most
concise answer I can give. The bicycle is
classified under Japanese [law] as a light
vehicle, and as such is required to use the
road. In the early 1970s, the Road Traffic
Act was amended to allow cyclists to ride
on specifically marked sidewalks—and from
there, the lines became blurred. Regardless
of the law, I believe cyclists should be able
to ride where they feel safe. But when
cycling on the sidewalk, they should yield for
pedestrians at all times, as the sidewalk is the
domain of the pedestrian.
The Cycling Embassy of Japan. http://
cycling-embassy.jp. The Japan Cycling
Handbook is available as a download from
the website.
Photo by Brad Bennett
GLOBAL
KIDS
The African-American
Youth Travel Program
broadens horizons
BY MARTIN LEROUX
I
Photo by Amber Richardson
This summer, the two students selected for the program, Micah Leverette
and Eugene Anderson, were able to visit
Tokyo University and work with doctorate chemists in their labs. They also met
officials from the World Health Organization, and learned about the initiatives of
WHO and the U.N.
“They also spoke with [Tokyo
University] professors in the science
department about scholarships that are
specific to foreigners,” says Richardson,
beaming. “I could see the kids light up.
They went, ‘OK, I’m going to get straight
As, I’m going to get the scholarship, and I’m going
to come back!’”
The program focuses on providing travel opportunities to children of color, which Richardson
states is due to racial tensions in the United States,
and the sense of hopelessness the kids get from
seeing the negative images in the media of black
people suffering or struggling.
“It was making me so upset that I felt I had to
do something—and because I’m not in the U.S.,
I thought, how can I provide resources while in
Japan?” Richardson remembers, adding that she
had hope she could help the U.S. become a more
comfortable place to live for everyone. “I’m one
person, but I know there’s something I can do to
help people, even if I’m changing one life at a time.
“So I thought, I’m in Japan—why don’t I bring
over low-income youth? Youth who are struggling to find their path, or apathetic youth, and
bring them to Tokyo. Let them see that they’re not
stuck in a box in the U.S. And they’re not stuck in
whatever the media is showing them that a black
person is. They can be whoever they truly want to
be by experiencing different cultures.”
The emotional and mental impacts of traveling
are what Richardson has experienced first-hand,
having had a parent in the military and relocating
Photo by Stephen Jackson
t’s said that travel broadens the mind. Those
who’ve spent time outside of their home countries can attest to this; their understanding of
how the world works expands with each exposure to new people, environments, and ideas.
The African-American Youth Travel Program
(AAYTP) believes that showing children different
countries and cultures will help them become
confident global citizens. And because travel
isn’t an option for many children from low-income
households, the non-profit organization offers
such youths the opportunity to see the world.
“The African-American Youth Travel Program
is a full scholarship that we provide to AfricanAmerican students,” says AAYTP founder and
president Amber Richardson. “It’s a full studyabroad scholarship to study in Japan for one
week, and we cover all costs. None of our staff
are paid, so it’s a fully volunteer-run organization.
From passports to gas to the airport, we cover all
expenses that are involved with the program.”
The scholarship, which is funded through
donations, fundraisers, and crowdsourcing, comprises a curriculum that lasts a full seven days,
and is divided into four different aspects: career
objectives, cultural activities, social activities, and
academic activities. The students have a full set
of lessons daily, and enjoy cultural excursions
organized and guided by AAYTP staff.
around Europe, Asia, and South America.
“I feel that travel can provide kids with a broader perspective, and give them problem-solving
skills, give them hope. The job market will become
the same way—there’ll be more expats, more
traveling, more inclusion. I think that, for youth,
getting that global head start early will definitely
benefit them. There are many reasons why travel
is the answer.”
Richardson’s vision for AAYTP, however, extends beyond the travel scholarships. She hopes
the non-profit builds a strong support for and
within the community of people of color, and that
it contributes to making the U.S. a better nation.
“It’s bigger than just African-Americans, I believe. We have to reach a level of justice where
people feel like they count, and they’re not stuck
in a box. And that not only do they feel they’re
able, but that they’re safe. My overall [vision] is for
black youth to feel global, to feel confident and
comfortable in their communities. That we’re really working together and supporting each other.”
The African-American Youth Program. www.
facebook.com/AfricanAmericanYouthTravelProgram. AAYTP is crowdsourcing until Jan 16,
to fund the 2016 program. To make a donation,
visit www.gofundme.com/5fb2qed8.
13
fashion fix
Photos by Samuel Thomas
WELCOME TO T
BY SAMUEL THOMAS, FASHION EDITOR
There’s no getting around
the pervasive kawaii present in Japanese fashion
right now. In the women’s
mainstream, every available inch seems to be
either bowed, frilled,
or attacked with tulle.
And in the men’s case,
tastes seem to be drifting
towards the extremely
boyish, with no sign of
turning back. No bad thing
in and of itself, but what
about those who want to
go against the grain?
Fortunately, Tokyo has
always catered for those
who prefer the dark side,
with the old-hands of
Rei Kawakubo and Yohji
Yamamoto, who shot
to fame in the 1980s by
dressing their so-called
karasu-zoku (tribe of
crows), always willing to
work in the fashion elite’s
favorite color of black. In
recent times, it’s been
Tatsuro Horikawa’s brand
Julius that has kept the
dark flame burning. Horikawa has journeyed
from the industrial to the apocalyptic—right
to absolute austerity—winning fans among
outcasts and creative elites alike.
In this issue, we look at the young guns taking on the pastel-tinged force of kawaii. Which
side are you on?
14
Alice Auaa
T
aking a subversive stance on the tide
of kawaii culture is Alice Auaa designer
Yasutaka Funakoshi, who takes aim at
the doll-like nature of current women’s
fashion with his latest collection. The unashamedly gothic designer deployed a series of mannequins, some disguised with eerily realistic
makeup as if they were human, and dressed
them in the trappings of cute culture. The formula was given a suitably dark sartorial twist,
however, with lace stretched thin like spider’s
webs, dirty frills, and petticoats spilling out of
the bottom of disheveled dresses.
Themed “Beauty of Lamb,” the collection was
a targeted discussion of the idea of innocence
in women’s fashion, starting with the obvious
smatterings of angelic illustrations and passages
from the Bible. Frilled cowls and nuns’ habits play
a part as well, but extend right through the details
with tiny wax seals that bind the models into their
clothes, and thick leather bondage straps that
criss-cross the body. Standout pieces included
the imposition of innocence represented by a vast
leather cross creating the back of one dress and
some magnificent heels with mannequin hands
attached as if gripping hold of the foot.
While the theme of captivity was brought
to the fore, especially in the models who appeared slumped in human-sized suitcases,
the designer intended the balance of power to
fall firmly on the wearer. Even as restraints are
applied, the models appeared to be breaking
out of their shackles. The imagery might have
been conservative, but the styling verged on
the salacious; the straps bind, but at the same
time resemble armor.
Those looking to join the cult of Alice Auaa
would do well to remember that, in order to even
access the Harajuku store, a special membership “Zealot Card” (given to those who prove
their devotion via their online shop first) must
be in hand. But rest assured, it’s worth the cost
of admission.
FASHION CALENDAR
CHECK METROPOLISJAPAN.COM FOR THE LATEST FASHION CALENDAR.
THE DARK SIDE
The Intersect
T
he principle proponent of the darker
side of fashion at Tokyo Fashion Week
is the exhibition called “The Intersect,”
produced by Showroom Babylon, which is
responsible for injecting a much-needed dose
of artisanal craft and an altogether clandestine
mood into the week. The brainchild of creative
director Taka Arakawa, the showroom is keen
to complete the wider worldview that feeds
darker fashion, bringing in photographers, artists, and illustrators to flesh out the context for
the uninitiated. It also provides a platform that
attracts international designers to Tokyo, this
time drawing in similarly-minded designers from
as far away as Latvia, Australia, and the U.S.
While a certain darkness is the glue that binds
these designers together, each has their own
way of channeling it. Japanese accessories label
Luce Macchia opts for the contrasting fragility
and strength of glass as its medium, crafting
stunning chains in toughened glass that uses
light as a medium to accentuate the shadows
cast upon the skin when worn. Elsewhere
Gaspard Helix, who joins the group from Paris,
works in pure silver and bronze, allowing a dark
patina to form on the metals as if they have
just been excavated. The designer works with
imperfection in mind, allowing cracks to appear
in the castings and also using raw diamonds and
opals that look refreshingly organic in contrast
to the polished cut forms we are all too
used to seeing.
Beyond accessories, Japanese fashion
brand Ierib keeps the Kyoto artisanal spirit
in fashion through an entirely handmade lineup
in which every last detail—patterning, dyeing,
construction, and even metal part treatments—is
carried out by one man in one Kyoto studio. The
resulting creations are almost organic in their
appearance, preserving the natural characteristics of his carefully selected leathers, and with
rust encouraged to grow in the metal parts. In
contrast, young
brand A zuma
from Kengo
Higashi aims for
an absolute simplicity that anyone could buy
into. By designing with the creation of shadows
in mind, he allows subtle pleats and folds to cast
shadows on the wearer.
Those wanting to display their dark colors—
even if that color is mainly black—can find the
group and fellow conspirators online at www.
facebook.com/intersect.tokyo.
15
movies
BY DON MORTON
featured movie
DUMB AND
DUMBER TO
Believe it or not, a film critic’s job is not to simply
render his or her opinion. I mean, who cares?
No, it is to help the fans of a given genre decide
whether an upcoming movie is worth spending
their hard-earned on. There are good vampire
movies and bad ones; good zombie movies and
bad. There are even good romantic comedies.
Which brings us to the genre affectionately
referred to as “gross-out.” One such entry that
caused most people to laugh their sophisticated
asses off was There’s Something about Mary
(also by D&D’s Peter & Bobby Farrelly). On the
other end of the spectrum we have, well, just
about anything by Seth MacFarlane. So maybe
it was a result of lowered expectations, or a silly
mood, but the bottom line is that I laughed at
this 20-years-later sequel. The non-sequiturs
and malapropisms are a hoot, it’s well written
and paced, and there’s an infectious enthusiasm
to these lowbrow hijinks. I won’t go into the plot,
but it’s a road movie with Lloyd and Harry trying
to find a hitherto unknown daughter (Rachel
Melvin – absolutely nailing her dumbette
role). A few drinks first, perhaps. It’s still gross.
Japanese title: Kaettekita Mr. Dumber Baka
Max! (110 min)
NEW
ART AND CRAFT
A shy, possibly troubled
painter and pathological
liar named Mark Landis
has had his ar t works
shown in at leas t 46
museums. But the works are signed Picasso, Warhol,
Holbien, Cassatt, and even Seuss. Landis, you see, is
a master art forger. So why isn’t he in jail instead of the
subject of an admiring documentary? That’s the fun part.
He donated all of the paintings, never taking a dime, and
therefore committed no crime save for embarrassing a
few museum curators (and exposing their smug mumbojumbo as manipulative). Culminates, strangely, in his
own solo show of fake art. Just weird. Japanese title:
Bijutsukan wo Tedama ni Totta Otoko. (89 min)
NEW
THE GO-GO BOYS
Taglined, “The Inside
Story of Cannon
F i l m s ,” t h i s a m u s i n g
a n d i n f o r m a t i ve d o c
chronicles how Israeli
cousins Menachem Golan and Yoram Globus’s Cannon
Films became, for a while, the biggest independent
studio in Hollywood, producing more than 300 films,
mostly tacky, before collapsing under its own ambition.
“This is not a volume business,” wryly observes one
former studio head. “It’s a hits business.” There are
insights and amusement aplenty here if you can get
past the half of it that’s in Hebrew and subtitled only in
Japanese. Recommend trying to glom a DVD with subs
in your own language. Japanese title: Cannon Films
Bakusou Fuunroku. (88 min)
THE GREEN INFERNO
A band of ideali s t ic ,
pri v ileged, millennial
activists who travel to the
Amazon jungle to save
an indigenous tribe from
some evil corporate logging development undergoes
an abrupt change of political stance when the tribe in
question starts eating them. But this retread pastiche by
schlockmeister Eli Roth is less concerned with cultural
irony than with imaginatively executing annoying
cannibal-fodder. As expected of a Roth experience, the
acting’s awful (except maybe for lead Lorenza Izzo, the
director’s wife), the dialogue moronic, the horror kind of
desperate, and the gore plentiful. Yuk. (100 min)
INEQUALITY FOR ALL
Who knew an economics
doc could be so
e n t h r a l l i n g? F o r m e r
Labor Secretary Robert
Reich examines w i t h
spellbinding clarity the widening income disparity in
America and why it bodes ill for all of us. Essentially,
democracy cannot flourish without a strong middle class,
which, lame “job creator” arguments aside, benefits
everyone, even Republicans, through robust consumer
spending. Framed in one of his massive Berkeley
lectures, Reich convincingly explains what happened
(Wall Street deregulation), how we got to this point,
and how we can fix it. I wanted to take notes. Everyone
should see this picture. Japanese title: Minna no Tame
no Shihonron. (89 min)
THE LITTLE PRINCE
This
respectful
reimagining of Antoine
Saint-Exupéry’s timeless
1 9 4 3 c h i l d r e n’s t a l e
adds all sorts of frills but
remains true to its theme of childhood wonderment vs.
grown-up rigidity. The story has to do with a pilot (voice
by Jeff Bridges) who has crashed in the Sahara meeting
a strange boy who claims to be the sole inhabitant of a
distant asteroid and is full of stories about self-important
adults. This slender, ethereal tale (in clay-animation)
is nested within an amusing, present-day struggle (in
cutting-edge CGI) between an imaginative child and her
goal-oriented mother. Absolutely charming. Japanese title:
Little Prince: Hoshi no Ojisama to Watashi. (108 min)
THE REWRITE
A H o ll y woo d one - hi t
w o n d e r s c re e n w r i te r
(Hugh Grant, at 54 as
twinkly and sheepishly
charming as ever), now
broke, condescendingly accepts a teaching position at a
small college in upstate New York. He immediately beds
a foxy student, alienates a scowling Jane Austen scholar
(Allison Janney) by mentioning Clueless, and engages
in clever-yet-meaningful banter with an attractive
single mother (Marisa Tomei). This comfort food of a
movie wins points for being reasonably intelligent and
congenial, and avoiding outright mawkishness, but
loses a few for its utter predictability. Also J.K. Simmons.
Japanese title: Re: Life. (107 min)
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
Art and Craft: © Purple Parrot Films; Dumb and Dumber To: © 2014 DDTo Finance, LLC; The Green Inferno: © 2013 Worldview Entertainment Capital LLC & Dragonfly EntertainmentInc.; Inequality for All: © 2013 Inequality for All,LLC; The Little
Prince: © 2014 LPPTV - Little Princess - ON Entertainment - Orange Studio - M6 Films; The Rewrite: © 2014 PROFESSOR PRODUCTIONS, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.; The Runner: © 2015 THE RUNNER, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.; The
Sacrament: © 2013 SLOW BURN PRODUCTIONS LLC; The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death: © Angelfish Films Limited 2014; Woman in Gold: © THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY / BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION / ORIGIN PICTURES
(WOMAN IN GOLD) LIMITED 2015
16
More reviews: metropolisjapan.com/movies
NEW
THE RUNNER
An idealistic but
disgraced Louisiana
politician now lawyering
for the victims of the BP
oil spill struggles to get
his professional and personal life back on track without
having to resort to moneyed interests. While it’s good to
see Nicholas Cage in a film where his head isn’t on fire,
this slim, mildly compelling and well-meaning morality
tale, for all its token topicality, is glum and strangely
inert. Nic’s role at least has dignity, but we are not made
to care either way about him. Good cast includes Peter
Fonda, Sarah Paulson and Connie Nielson. And New
Orleans makes for some nice backgrounds. Japanese
title: Contender. (90 min)
NEW
THE SACRAMENT
A trio of independent
TV journalists ventures
into a utopian commune
in an unnamed country
because one of them
received a letter from his former-addict sister, and also
because it might make for a good story. (It’s in foundfootage format. I know: groan.) The intriguing first
half of this film by Ti West has the three falling for the
place’s egalitarian charm and its charismatic “Father”
(Gene Jones, exuding low-key malevolence) until minor
clues create a vague sense of unease. It then devolves
into a pointless and exploitative re-creation of the
Jonestown mass suicide. A disappointment. Japanese
title: Sacrament: Shi no Rakuen. (95 min)
THE WOMAN IN BLACK
2: ANGEL OF DEATH
2012’s surprise hit The
Woman in Black was
a g e n u i n e l y c r e e p y,
Daniel Radcliffe-starring
Edwardian ghost story about a child-snatching evil spirit
with a taste for funeral attire, adapted from a story by
Susan Hill. It was mostly “boo” moments, but these were
skillfully done. This dour, dark, and drab collection of
stale haunted house tropes looks great but lacks thrills,
Daniel Radcliffe, and a reason for existing. Indeed, it
hardly qualifies as a sequel, with all new characters and
occurring 40 years on. It still relies on “boo” moments,
but these are so obvious as to be predictable. Not scary.
Japanese title: Woman in Black 2: Shi no Tenshi. (98 min)
WOMAN IN GOLD
This is the true stor y
of Jewish Austrian
o c to g enar ian émi gré
Maria Altmann (Helen
Mirren) and her legal
struggle to recover the title Klimt, looted by the Nazis in
the 1930s. As the movie starts, in the 1990s, the (renamed)
painting hangs in Austria’s Belvedere Museum, which
considers it the “Mona Lisa of Austria” and criminally
confuses possession with ownership. Maria hires untested
lawyer Randol Schoenberg (Ryan Reynolds), who takes the
case to the US Supreme Court. The film toggles between
the recent past and the 30s, and between stirring and
sappy. Of greater historic than dramatic interest. Japanese
title: Ogon no Adele: Meiga no Kikan. (109 min)
LAST KNIGHTS
In a vaguely medieval,
highly unlikely setting,
the members of a
multiracial band of
humorless warriors plot
to avenge their master’s dishonor and execution by
an evil, effete tyrant. If this sounds vaguely Japanese,
blame it on director Kazuaki Kiriya, who apparently
couldn’t come up with anything more original than yet
another low-budget riff on the 47 Ronin chestnut. Lots
of noble speechifying about “honor” and meaningful
glowering. Stars a wearily noble Clive Owen, who can
do better than this joyless, pedestrian slog, and Morgan
Freeman, whose character has the good taste to die
early on. (115 min)
CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA
A veteran actress whose
career was launched
decades ago when she
played the younger of two
women in a play, has now
reluctantly agreed to play the older woman in a revival,
opposite a bad-girl Hollywood hottie. The situation brings
out differences in interpretation between the actress
and her personal assistant. Juliette Binoche, Chloe
Grace Moretz, and Kristen Stewart all do great work, with
Stewart demonstrating once again that she is so much
more than that Twilight twaddle. It’s in English, but this is
a very French film. By the way, director Olivier Assayas’s
1985 Rendez-vous helped launch Binoche’s career.
Japanese title: Actress: Onna tachi no Butai. (124 min)
© 「さよなら」製作委員会
Image.net
© Filmes Do Tejo II, Eddie Saeta S.A.
NEW
eiga
Director Koji Fukada is certainly
on the upswing. His last two
By Rob Schwartz
films have picked up awards and
this flick premiered at the Tokyo
International Film Festival in October. Sayonara is a
groundbreaking work in that it’s the first time an android
has had a co-starring role, and manually delivered all of
its lines live, in a major feature film. The robot, Geminoid F,
was developed by scientist Hiroshi Ishiguro, who worked
with the stage play on which this movie is based. It’s set in
post-apocalyptic Japan, an eerily quiet, withering place.
The country’s reactors have exploded and the entire
nation is contaminated, most everyone has escaped or
been removed by the government but the lowest on the
totem pole remain. Tanya (Bryerly Long) is a South African
refugee stranded in her countryside home and dying.
She’s accompanied by the android Leona (Geminoid F)
that her father bought her as a child. Tanya’s boyfriend
abandons her so all she can do is listen to poetry from
Leona as she slowly dies. Just about as much of a downer
as it sounds, it does have some beautiful scenes and
lyrical atmosphere. Still, it’s too slow and the tidbits of
background miss the mark (white South Africans did not
have their passports taken away). It’s a fascinating and
watchable attempt, but not one that will brighten your
day. (70% in Japanese and 30% in English; 112 min.)
SAYONARA
movie news
International film stars are usually more than happy
to make a press stop in Tokyo, where fans are both
dedicated and polite. That was the experience of
Dame Helen Mirren, who dropped by during the
Tokyo International Film Festival last month for the
Japanese premiere of her film Woman in Gold. “It’s
incredible to be back in Tokyo,” the actress said from
the red carpet. “This is a great film culture, which we
admire all over the world. And it is the audiences who
turn up to support that culture and film festivals.” In
the true story, Mirren plays an aging Jewish woman
in Los Angeles who reluctantly gives in to the urging
of a young lawyer (Ryan Reynolds) to return to her
homeland of Austria and reclaim a portrait of her aunt
which was plundered by the Nazis. The fact that it
was painted by Gustav Klimt and is “Austria’s Mona
Lisa” means an epic legal battle is in store. “It is a
story about family, about memory, and above all about
justice,” Mirren explained at the premiere. “It is about
remembering what we are capable of doing to each
other, in order to prevent it from happening again.”
Woman is Gold is now playing at Cinema Rise and other
theaters. Kevin Mcgue
NEW
cinematic underground
Portuguese cinema legend Manoel de Oliveira passed
away earlier this year at the astonishing age of 106. One
of his final works is—not surprisingly—an exploration of
mortality. The Strange Case of Angelica (2010; pictured)
tells the story of a photographer who is hired by a wealthy
family to take a portrait of their recently deceased
daughter, only to have visions of the young woman alive.
In Portuguese with Japanese subtitles, on from December
5 at Bunkamura’s Le Cinéma (2-24-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuyaku; www.bunkamura.co.jp) ... Also at Le Cinéma, the
National Theatre Live series continues to make the
best productions at the venerable London venue more
accessible by screening them at movie theaters around
the world. Film stars Carey Mulligan and Bill Nighy star
in Skylight, which is set entirely in a small London Flat,
running November 27-December 4. Frankenstein director
Danny Boyle took unique step of having stars Benedict
Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller switch the roles of
the doctor and creature every night, and both versions
will screen, January 16-22 (www.ntlive.jp) ... The Institut
Français (15 Ichigaya, Funagawaracho, Shinjuku-ku; www.
institut.jp) presents a weekend of films by Polish director
Jerzy Skolimowski, November 27-29. The lineup includes
two films Skolimowski made in the UK, The Shout (1978)
and Moonlighting (1982), as well as Four Nights with Anna
(2008), which marked his return to Poland. KM
17
arts&culture
Photograph by Yoshioka Yasuhiro
ART
YOKO ONO:
FROM MY
WINDOW
Yoko Ono, A Hole, 2009
Photo by Colin Davison / Private Collection ©YOKO ONO 2015
Yoko Ono, Vertical Memory, 1997
Y
oko Ono will always be famous for marrying John Lennon and being the woman
who reputedly “broke up The Beatles.”
But following the murder of her husband
in New York in 1980, she has managed to establish her own clear identity as an artist, and
this reputation is now increasingly bringing her
earlier, pre-John art to prominence.
The exhibition “Yoko Ono: From My Window”
at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo is a
reflection of this. It’s a major retrospective looking at highlights from her entire career.
To those in the know, Ono was never just
a mere hanger-on to her husband’s musical
and countercultural genius, but actually an
important influence. Some of the avant-garde
ideas that influenced Lennon, such as Arthur
Janov’s The Primal Scream, were an obvious
influence on both John and Yoko’s music, as
were Ono’s own instruction paintings—see the
song “Imagine.” And indeed, the press day at
Yoko Ono, FROM MY WINDOW: Salem 1692, 2002
the museum included a short performance by the 82-year-old Ono,
in which she sung in her unearthly
shamanistic way.
As someone at the forefront Yoko Ono, CHAIR PIECE, Performed by the artist, October 12, 1962
of the 1960s cultural and social
revolution, much of her art is infused with an implying that death is the great equalizer.
The names include obvious choices like
anti-traditional, anti-conservative message: she
supports gay marriage, gun control, pacifism, etc. Miles Davis and Nelson Mandela, but you can
But the messages in her art are usually subtle also find Yukio Mishima, Joseph Stalin, and Adolf
and seldom overload the work, which shows a Hitler. Perhaps most shocking of all, among the
dead, she has included George Bush and Doncertain expertise and finesse.
One comparatively recent series of works ald Rumsfeld, implying that she wishes these
called A Hole (2009) are simply panes of glass politicians associated with the war in Iraq were
through which she has shot bullets. Viewed already dead, an interesting step away from the
purely as art objects, they have a certain edgy work’s dominant note of universal acceptance.
Some of the video installations are interestaesthetic charm, as well as each one being
unique in the same way that each snowflake is ing, such as Cut Piece (1964), which records her
unique. But add her personal loss to the mix—the “performance art,” where visitors to the gallery
shooting of her husband—and they take on a were invited to cut off her clothes with a pair of
whole new level of poignancy. The title can scissors in what disturbingly looks like a passive
be read as “asshole”—no doubt Yoko’s view of striptease. You can see Yoko even more naked
in Fly (1970), a film where she is filmed in close-up
people who shoot guns.
In the museum’s main atrium, simple squares as a fly explores her body, giving the viewer the
adorn the walls with even simpler instructions: impression of a corpse.
This was all typical avant-garde art back in the
“Remember,” “Touch,” “Reach,” “Feel,” “Dream.”
Also in this large space, you can see We’re All day. But with the real avant-garde now migrating
Water (Tokyo Version) (2006), a long row of to the internet and the various forms of mutating
bowls holding water, each with the name of a fa- identity found there, this now looks slightly dated.
mous dead person. This is an obvious reference A fascinating piece of 20th-century history!
to one of Yoko’s more unlistenable songs with Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo. Until Feb
the lyric, “We’re all water from different rivers,” 14, 2016. www.mot-art-museum.jp/eng
Yoko Ono, A Hole, 2009, Large sheet of shot glass with the engraved text: GO TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GLASS AND SEE THROUGH THE HOLE; metal support. Detail. First exhibited at Gallery 360 Degrees, Tokyo, 2009; Yoko Ono, Vertical
Memory, 1997, Twenty-one framed iris prints with texts; installation view, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead, England, 2008.; Yoko Ono, FROM MY WINDOW: Salem 1692, 2002, Pigment on stretched canvas; Yoko Ono, CHAIR PIECE,
Performed by the artist, October 12, 1962, during Event of John Cage and David Tudor, Kyoto Kaikan Hall, Kyoto, Japan
18
Photograph by Yoshioka Yasuhiro, Courtesy of Lenono Photo Archive ©YOKO ONO 2015
BY C.B. LIDDELL
123RF
TV
TOKYO EXTRA
TBS’ new show brings Japan’s capital to the world
BY THOMAS BEECHER
W
ith the 2020 Olympics in sight, Tokyo
is getting ready for an avalanche of
tourists unlike any seen by the city in
a long time. So how will Tokyo cater
for this influx? Could this mighty wave of visitors
create new opportunities for the city in terms of
presenting itself to the world?
Tokyo Extra, a new multi-platform television program that premiered this October
simultaneously on TBS and YouTube, has
taken on the challenge of presenting a new
face for Tokyo to both domestic and international viewers. Metropolis recently spoke to
Waterloo Ezaki, Manager of External Affairs at
TBS Vision and a creator of Tokyo Extra, about
the hopes—and challenges—behind this travel
show invention.
“What we are trying to do is a very frontier,
frontline thing for a Japanese media broadcaster,” Ezaki said, referring to Tokyo Extra’s mixed
approach as both a live late-night television
show that airs on TBS in Japanese, an online
program that is simultaneously streamed to
the world in English on YouTube, and a short inflight promotional segment on ANA (All Nippon
Airways) that’s shown to those visiting Tokyo.
I REALLY WANTED
TO DO [A SHOW]
ABOUT CULTURE,
OR THE DIFFERENT
FEELINGS OF DIFFERENT
AREAS IN TOKYO.”
While the show’s form differs with each platform, targeting audiences from both Japan and
abroad, the concept is driven by a shared ethos.
“I really wanted to do [a show] about
culture, or the different feelings of different
areas in Tokyo. So I said, ‘This week, let’s do
Ginza; next week, let’s do Roppongi.’ And, in
that way, I felt we could promote a real side
of Tokyo,” Ezaki explained.
Recent episodes have included tours
around Asakusa and Harajuku with the Tokyobased Canadian YouTuber Taylor R, as well as
“Ramen Do,” a spot hosted by American Ramen
blogger Brian that shows viewers where to find
the best ramen in Tokyo. (Hint: watch the fourth
episode for a ramen “big enough to rival the
Skytree.”)
The program is an entirely modern experience. A part of the challenge, Ezaki explained,
was combining the feel of traditional television
with “borderless” online formats.
“We are trying to present [short] stories
through a variety of YouTubers,” Ezaki said—
but this presented something of a problem for
YouTubers who are used to unlimited time slots.
“I think that was hard for them [the] first time,
but they really handled it.”
Tokyo Extra is also an international experience. The English program is designed
to stream during morning and af ternoon
timeslots in America and Europe, and viewers
are encouraged to comment via social media
sites like Twitter and Google+. Some international viewers are then invited to join in
on Google Hangouts—becoming impromptu
guests as the show streams live. The English
and Japanese programs also occasionally
cross over to each other, prompted by an
abrupt siren.
At its core, Tokyo Extra is an experiment in
adjusting the levers between the show’s domestic and international viewers—two groups
that, according to Ezaki, have vastly different
TV appetites.
Take humor. “On the Japanese side, they’re
looking for a more crazy, wild, wacky style.
But the American side [says], ‘No, we don’t do
that on TV, that’s too much.’ So [we’re] trying to
draw the line between the American side and
Japanese side.” Likewise, “the storytelling is
different, the camera movements are different,
and sometimes the conclusions are different,”
Ezaki points out, drawing from his years working for various TV networks in America.
For Ezaki, Tokyo Extra is a logical departure
from the “typical one-style” approach to TV
production. In this way, he hopes that the show
can set a new standard inside Japan, and grow
to become one of its premium travel shows.
“Japan is having a lot of tourists, and also
[its] population is decreasing, so we have to be
more international and global-minded. We’re
trying to make Tokyo Extra very much like the
city of Tokyo—like mixing cultures.”
Tokyo Extra. Live English stream Sun 12am
on YouTube; in Japanese on TBS between
12:50am and 1:20am. www.youtube.com/
tokyoextra or www.tbs.co.jp/tokyoextra
19
agenda
WATCH LIST
hot tickets
UNTIL
DEC 2
DEC 8
Jazztreffen 2015: Jazz from Ringo Deathstarr
DEC
12
Michiè Nakamaru Starry
A multi-day concert series
introducing contemporary jazz from
Europe. Until Dec 2, 5pm. ¥3,0005,000. Goethe-Institut Tokyo-Europa
Saal. Akasaka or Aoyama-itchōme.
Tel: 03-3584-3201. http://meturl.
com/4n
Michiè Nakamaru preforms Christmas
operatic favorites, including three
renditions of Ave Maria by Schubert,
Caccini and Mascagni, plus more. Dec
12, 7pm. ¥5,000-9,000. Suntory Hall.
Roppongi-itchōme. Tel: 0570-550017. http://j.mp/20QCMfd
Europe
Concerts
POPULAR
Group Inou
Japanese electronic and hip-hop
duo who combine elements from
a variety of musical genres to
create their innovative sound.
Nov 27, 6:30pm. ¥3,500-4,000.
Studio Coast. Shin-Kiba. Tel:
03-5534-2525. www.studiocoast.com
Moon Duo
San Francisco psychedelic
duo who mix American rock
’n’ roll with unique futuristic
sounds. With Kikagaku Moyo.
Nov 28, 7pm. ¥3,000-3,500.
SuperDeluxe. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-5412-0515. http://j.
mp/1MLRrSB
Alternative rock band which
channels diverse influences such as
Fugazi, The Cure, The Smiths, My
Bloody Valentine, and The Velvet
Underground. Dec 8, 7:30pm.
¥5,500. Womb. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5459-0039. http://j.mp/
deathstarr2015
halestorm2015
Up the Stairs Vol.2
A relaxing night of acoustic folk,
rock, and pop with artists Lizzie
Weber, Kate Beck, and Martin
Leroux. Ticket includes 1 drink.
Dec 3, 7pm. ¥1,500. Ruby Room.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3780-3022
(evenings) or 070-6969-4816
(daytime). http://rubyroomtokyo.
com
Jojo Mayer and Nerve
A fine-tuned group that
cross-pollinates the
premeditated format of
programmed electronic music
styles with real-time, improvised
performances. Dec 1-3, 6:30
and 9pm. ¥6,800-9,000. Cotton
Club. Tokyo. Tel: 03-32151555. http://j.mp/nerve2015
Cashmere Cat
Thunder
British hard rock band originally
formed in 1989 when the band
Terraplane broke up. Nov 30,
7pm. ¥8,000-10,000. Ex Theater
Roppongi. Roppongi or
Nogizaka. Tel: 03-6406-2222.
http://j.mp/thundertokyo2015
The Fratellis
Legendary Scottish rock trio
on tour with their fourth album,
Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied,
which was released in August.
Nov 30, 6:30pm. ¥6,500.
O-East. Shibuya. http://j.mp/
fratellis2015
Smallpools
American four-piece indie pop
band who have supported
several others, including Walk
the Moon, Neon Trees, and
Twenty One Pilots. Dec 1, 7pm.
¥5,500. Duo Music Exchange.
Tel: 03-5459-8716. http://j.mp/
smallpools2015
Norwegian musician, producer,
and DJ who appeared on the
international EDM scene in
2012 with remixes and edits
of songs by Lana Del Rey, 2
Chainz, and Jeremih. Dec 5,
midnight. ¥5,000. Daikanyama
Unit. Daikanyama. Tel:
03-5459-8630. http://j.mp/
cashmerecat2015
American indie rock band
returns to Japan for a
national tour. Featuring guest
performances from Slavedriver,
Crypt City, and Balloons. Dec
6, 6:30pm. ¥3,000. Shindaita
Fever. Shindaita. Tel: 03-63047899. http://j.mp/1Myobew
The Pop Group
A pioneering post-punk act
from Britain. Dec 7-8, 7:30pm.
¥6,800. duo Music Exchange.
Tel: 03-5459-8716. http://j.mp/
popgroup2015
King Crimson
American alt-rock group that
formed in the late 1980s in
New York. Dec 1, 7:30pm.
¥6,800. Liquidroom. Ebisu.
Tel: 03-5464-0800. http://j.mp/
mercuryrev2015
Widely recognized as a
foundational progressive rock
group. Dec 7-10, 7pm. ¥15,000.
Bunkamura Shibuya. Tel:
03-3477-9111. http://j.mp/
kingcrimson2015
Neon Indian
Dinosaur Pile-Up
American electronic music group
named by Rolling Stone as one of
the best new bands of 2010. Dec
2, 7pm. ¥5,000. Daikanyama
Unit. Daikanyama. Tel:
03-5459-8630. http://j.mp/
neonindian2015
English alternative three-piece
band, delivering a rhythmic
rock ‘n’ roll sound. Dec 10,
7pm. ¥5,000. Club Quattro.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3477-8750.
http://j.mp/1SUDT8e
Clean Bandit
American rock band well-known
for their nonstop touring,
performing as many as 250
shows a year. Dec 2, 7pm.
¥7,000. duo Music Exchange.
Tel: 03-5459-8716. http://j.mp/
20
14, 7pm. ¥7,000-8,000.
Akasaka Blitz. Akasaka. Tel:
03-3584-8811. http://j.mp/
cleanbandit2015
Yo La Tengo
American indie rock band
who are renowned for their
encyclopedic repertoire of cover
songs performed live and on
record. Dec 18, 7pm. ¥6,000.
Tsutaya O-East. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5458-4681. http://j.mp/
yolatengo2015
British band hailing from
Cambridge who came
into prominence with their
chart-topping 2014 single
“Rather Be.” Known for
fusing electronic beats
with classical music. Dec
A retrospective of Japanese clothing
brand UNDERCOVER, which has
been popular among the young
since 1990. Until Dec 23, 11am.
¥800-1,200. Tokyo Opera City Art
Gallery. Hatsudai.
www.operacity.jp/en/ag
songwriters of the 1960s and
’70s, from Randy Newman to
Harry Nilsson and Emitt Rhodes.
Jan 27, 7pm. ¥6,500-8,500.
Billboard Live. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-3405-1133. http://j.mp/
jessojr2016
Jesu and Sun Kil Moon
Experimental band Jesu with
folk-rock act Sun Kil Moon. Mar
1, 7pm. ¥6,000. Club Quattro.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3477-8750.
http://j.mp/jesusun2016
Frank Wildhorn & Friends
The Vamps
Join multi-Grammy and Tony
nominated composer/producer
Wildhorn, with guests Thomas
Borchert, Jackie Burns, Douglas
Sills, and others. Dec 26-27,
noon to 1pm. ¥6,000-12,000.
Theatre Orb. Shibuya. Tel:
03-3477-9999. www.umegei.
com/frank
British pop band who first gained
fame in late 2012 with cover
songs uploaded to YouTube.
Feb 3, 6:30pm. ¥8,000. Tokyo
International Forum Hall A.
Yurakucho. Tel: 03-52219000. http://j.mp/thevamps2016
Toshiwasure Hootenanny
2015
American guitarist, singer,
and songwriter who first
found widespread success
in the early 1980s with the
1950s-style rockabilly revival
group Stray Cats. Feb 22-23,
7pm. ¥8,800-9,800. Tokyo
Dome City Hall. Suidobashi.
Tel: 03-5800-9999. http://j.mp/
briansetzer2016
See the year out Heavy
Gypsy-style with searing live
sets from FU-CHING-GIDO
and Libera Cielo. Dec 30,
6pm. ¥2,500 (adv)/¥3,000
(door). Mona Records. Tel:
03-5787-3326. http://j.mp/
toshiwasure2015
The Life and Times
Mercury Rev
Halestorm
Christmas XIII
UNTIL
DEC 23
Labyrinth of Undercover
Adam Lambert
American pop singer-songwriter,
who rose to fame in 2009
after finishing as runner-up
on American Idol. Jan 8, 7pm.
¥7,500-8,500. Tokyo Dome
City Hall. Suidobashi. Tel:
03-5800-9999. Jan 15, 7pm.
¥8,500. Ex Theater Roppongi.
Roppongi or Nogizaka. Tel:
03-6406-2222. http://j.mp/
adamlambert2016
Brian Setzer’s Rockabilly
Riot
JAZZ/WORLD
UNTIL
DEC 27
Tsuyoshi Ozawa: The
Return of Painter F
Solo exhibition by Ozawa, who’s
known for works full of humor and
wit that provide commentaries on
history and our own times. Until
Dec 27, 8am. Shiseido Gallery.
Shimbashi. Tel: 03-3572-3901.
www.shiseidogroup.com/gallery
¥5,500 (adv)/¥6,000 (door)
+1d. Liquidroom. Ebisu. Tel:
03-5464-0800. www.beatink.
com/Events/OPN2015/
The Thing
Norwegian/Swedish jazz
trio creating an original and
energetic sound by combining
different styles of free music,
which they have collected
from all over the word.
With guest Jim O’Rourke. Dec
4, 7:30pm. ¥4,000-4,500. Pit
Inn. Shinjuku-sanchome.
Tel: 03-3354-2024. http://
thethingrecords.com
Luxembourg Embassy in
Japan, Gig in Japan, and
CAY present Khalife
Schumacher Tristano
Leading players of the
European jazz scene dazzle in a
creative live performance. Dec
4, 7pm. ¥4,500 (adv)/¥5,500
(door). CAY. Omotesando.
www.spiral.co.jp/shop_
restaurant/cay/
Salena Jones
U.K.-based American jazz and
cabaret singer whose album My
Love won her an award in Japan
for outstanding sales. Dec 9-10,
6:30pm and 9pm. ¥7,5009,500. Cotton Club. Tokyo.
Tel: 03-3215-1555. http://j.mp/
salenajones2015
An Evening with Diego El
Cigala
Bobby Caldwell
One of the most innovative
and thrilling flamenco singers
today comes to Tokyo to present
an evening of passionate and
poetic music from Spain and
Latin America. Nov 27, 7pm to
9pm. ¥6,000-7,500. Bunkamura.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3477-9111.
http://j.mp/diegoelcigala2015
American singer-songwriter
and multi-instrumentalist
best known for his 1978 hit
single “What You Won’t Do
for Love.” Dec 17-18, 6:30pm,
Dec 19, 6pm. ¥10,500-17,000.
Billboard Live. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-3405-1133. http://j.mp/
bobbycaldwell2015
Tal Wilkenfeld
The Three Degrees
Australian bass guitarist who
has gained worldwide attention
performing alongside some
of rock and jazz music’s most
notable artists, including
Jeff Beck. Nov 30, 7pm.
¥8,000-10,000. Billboard Live.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-3405-1133.
http://j.mp/wilkenfeld2015
A “Christmas Season Special”
by the singers of the hit 1974
single “When Will I See You
Again.” Dec 18-20, 6:30pm
to 8pm. ¥8,000-10,000.
Cotton Club. Tokyo. Tel:
03-3215-1555. http://j.mp/
threedegreesxmas2015
Nate Ruess
Solo act by the lead vocalist
of indie pop band Fun. Jan 15,
7pm. ¥5,800. Studio Coast.
Shin-Kiba. Tel: 03-5534-2525.
http://j.mp/nateruess2015
Tahiti 80
French indie pop band from
Rouen and Paris. Jan 19,
7:30pm. ¥6,500. Club Quattro.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3477-8750.
http://j.mp/tahiti802016
Jody Watley
Grammy Award-winning
singer whose music crosses
genres including pop, R&B,
jazz, dance, and electronic soul.
Jan 18-19, 7pm to 9:30pm.
¥7,500-9,500. Billboard Live.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-3405-1133.
http://j.mp/watley2016
Tobias Jesso Jr.
Canadian musician who has
been compared to singer-
Chico and The Gypsies
Kodo One Earth Tour:
Chaos
A French musical formation
of rumba catalana, flamenco,
and Latin pop and rock tunes
led by one of the founders of
the Gipsy Kings. Nov 27-30,
7pm to 9:30pm. ¥8,800. Blue
Note Tokyo. Omotesando.
Tel: 03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
chicogypsies2015
When Western drums collide
with the reverberations of
Japan’s traditional wadaiko
drums, incredible percussive
ideas emerge. Dec 19, 6 pm;
Dec 20-23, 2 pm. ¥5,000¥7,000. Bunkyo Civic Hall. Tel:
03-5803-1100. http://j.mp/
kodochaos2015
Oneohtrix Point Never
Diana Krall
Daniel Lopatin releases his
new album Garden of Delete
on Nov 13. Dec 3, 6:30pm.
Grammy Award-winning
Canadian jazz pianist and singer
who is the only jazz singer to
Discount event tickets
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musicals, performance art,
plays, leisure activities,
cultural events, and more. Visit
our shop in Shibuya or Ginza
to check availability each day
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have eight albums debuting
at the top of the Billboard
Jazz Albums. Feb 24-25,
7pm. ¥14,000-15,000. Showa
Women’s University Hitomi
Memorial Hall. Sangenjaya.
Tel: 03-3411-5120. http://j.mp/
krall2016
CLASSICAL
DEC 3, 6, 9 & 12
OPERA FALSTAFF
Verdi’s masterful comic opera
based on Shakespeare's The
Merry Wives of Windsor and
Henry IV. Jonathan Miller’s
superb production returns
with international stars,
including George Gagnidze,
Massimo Cavalletti, Aga
Mikolaj, and Elena Zaremba.
Dec 3, 7pm; Dec 6, 9, & 12,
2pm. ¥7,560-23,760. New
National Theatre Tokyo.
Hatsudai.
www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english/
Menahem Pressler
German-born Israeli-American
pianist whose career was
launched after he won first prize
at the Debussy International
Piano Competition in 1946.
Nov 28, 6pm. ¥6,000-8,000.
Suntory Hall. Roppongiitchome. Tel: 0570-55-0017.
http://j.mp/pressler2015
Valery Gergiev Conducts
Munich Philharmonic
Russian composer Valery
Gergiev returns with a program
that includes Shostakovich’s
Symphony No.9 in E-flat Major,
Op.70, Beethoven’s Egmont,
Op.84, and Piano Concerto
No.5 in E-flat Major, Op.73
“Emperor.” With Nobuyuki Tsujii
and the Munich Philharmonic.
Nov 29, 2pm. ¥13,000-28,000.
Suntory Hall. Roppongiitchome. Tel: 0570-55-0017.
http://j.mp/1MrwQzv
Roderich Kreile and the
Dresdner Kreuzchor
The renowned German church
choir presents an afternoon of
Christmas classics, including
Mendelssohn’s Advent und
Weihnacht and Schubert’s
Heilig. Dec 1, 1:30pm. ¥5,800.
Tokyo Opera City Concert
Hall. Hatsudai or Shinjuku.
Tel: 03-5353-9999. http://j.
mp/1QrG1Gg
Munich Philharmonic
Orchestra
Conducted by Valery Gergiev,
with a program including
Richard Strauss’ Don Juan,
Op.20, Bruckner’s Symphony
No.4 in E-flat Major, WAB104
“Romantic,” and more. Dec 2,
7pm. ¥11,000-26,000. Suntory
Hall. Roppongi-itchome. Tel:
0570-55-0017. http://j.mp/
munichphil2015
St. Petersburg Chamber
Orchestra
Currently presenting a Christmas
showcase around Japan, the
orchestra will take a break
from their repertoire to perform
two versions of Vivaldi’s Four
Seasons and Tchaikovsky’s
The Seasons. Dec 6, 3:30pm.
¥4,500. Tokyo Opera City
Concert Hall. Hatsudai or
Shinjuku. Tel: 03-5353-9999.
www.koransha.com
Joe Hisaishi: Beethoven
Symphony No. 9 Special
Composer Joe Hisaishi, known
for his film scores for Hayao
Miyazaki and Takeshi Kitano,
conducts his rendition of
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.
Dec 11, 7pm. ¥8,200-9,200.
Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre.
Ikebukuro. Tel: 03-5391-2111.
http://hisaishi-no9.com
Mahler Zyklus
Conducter Kazuki Yamada’s
first attempt at performing all of
Mahler’s symphonies. Jan 30,
3pm. ¥3,000-7,000. Bunkamura.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3477-9111.
http://j.mp/mahlerzyklus2016
¥3,000 w/1d. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5458-2551. http://
loungeneo.iflyer.jp
Sound Museum Vision
Power. All mix. DJs Ol Killer,
Yatsu, etc. 10pm. (m)¥3,500,
(f)¥2,500. Shibuya. Tel:
5728-2824. www.vision-tokyo.
com
Shibuya Mixx. EDM. DJs
Baby-T, Fumi, etc. 10pm.
(m)¥3,500 w/1d, (f)¥2,500 w/2d.
Shibuya. Tel: 5428-8692.
www.t2-shibuya.com
Matrix Friday. Old-school
hip-hop, west side, south
side, all mix. DJ Ykk and more.
6pm. ¥1,000 (after 11:30pm).
Roppongi. www.matrixbar.jp
Champ. Funk, jazz. DJs
Tominaga, Oibon, etc. 10pm.
¥2,500 w/1d. Shibuya. www.
theroom.jp
Club Asia
Elephant. Hip-hop. DJs Kaneko,
Watanabe, etc. 11pm. ¥3,000
w/1d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-54582551. www.clubasia.co.jp
Daikanyama Unit
Xl Recordings. Electronic, house.
DJs Zomby, Special Request, etc.
12am. ¥4,000. Daikanyama.
Tel: 03-5459-8630. www.
unit-tokyo.com
Lounge Neo
Bon Voyage. Hip-hop. DJs
Celory, Monkey, etc. 11pm.
Dynanite. House, deep house.
DJs Wanico, Hashimoto, etc.
10pm. ¥2,500 w/1d. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5784-3384. www.
air-tokyo.com
T2Monday. EDM. DJs Imalu,
Mark Panther, etc. 10pm.
(m)¥2,500 w/2d, (f)¥1,500 w/2d.
www.t2-shibuya.com
Scream. EDM. DJs Aramiy,
Yasuki, etc. 10pm. ¥1,500.
Shibuya. www.womb.co.jp
TUESDAY 1
Womb
Air
S Sense. Disco, house
DJs Brassfoot, Ryosuke, etc.
11pm. ¥3,500. Shibuya. www.
womb.co.jp
The Choice. Dub. DJ Kuranaka
and more. 10pm. ¥2,000 w/1d.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5784-3384.
www.air-tokyo.com
SATURDAY 28
Ruby Room
Ageha
Global Gathering. EDM, trance.
DJs Kryder, Tomstaar, etc.
11pm. ¥4,000. Shinkiba. Tel:
03-5534-2525. www.ageha.
com
Air
Satoshi Tomiie. House. DJ
Satoshi Tomiie and more.
10pm. ¥3,500. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5784-3384. www.air-tokyo.
com
Club Asia
Flash. Electro, EDM. DJs Nakata,
Nakamura, etc. 11pm. ¥3,000.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5458-2551.
www.clubasia.co.jp
Open Mic. 7pm. ¥1,500 w/2d.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3780-3022
(evenings) / 070-6969-4816
(daytime). www.rubyroomtokyo.
com
T2
Super Tuesday. EDM. Various
DJs. 10pm. (m)¥2,500 w/2d,
(f)¥1,500 w/2d. Shibuya. Tel:
5428-8692. www.t2-shibuya.
com
Womb
“Tokyo’s premier multidisciplinary rehabilitation center”
• Assessments and treatments
Club 360 is a multidisciplinary health
performed by a team of
and fitness center, which also offers
internationally trained, registered and
personal training, group classes,
experienced physiotherapists.
boxing and kickboxing.
• Private treatment rooms
• Large, fully equipped rehab gym
• Central location 3 min walk from Roppongi Hills
• Consultations available in English and Japanese
Sports injuries
Musculoskeletal and spinal conditions (neck and back pain)
Ergononomic and postural assessments
Gait assessments
Rehabilitation programs
Address: B1 CMA3 Bldg, 3-1-35 Moto Azabu, Minato-ku • Nearest stn: Roppongi
Hours: Open Mon-Sat 6:30am-9:00pm, Sun 8:00am - 2:00pm • Tel: 03-6434-9667
Tuemix. EDM. DJs Alpha One,
Reon, etc. 10pm. (m)¥1,500, (f)
free. Shibuya. www.womb.
co.jp
WEDNESDAY 2
Daikanyama Unit
T2
Frue. Underground dance music.
DJs Kangding Ray, Chris Ssg, etc.
11pm. ¥ 4,000. Daikanyama.
Tel: 03-5459-8630. www.
unit-tokyo.com
Shibuya Girls Party. EDM. Various
DJs. 10pm. (m)¥2,500 w/2d,
com
Lounge Neo
The Room
Goa Tribe. Trance. DJs X-Tron,
Yuta, etc. 12am. ¥3,000.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5458-2551.
http://loungeneo.iflyer.jp
Noi. House, techno. DJs Niwa,
Herina, etc. 7-11pm. Free.
Shibuya. www.theroom.jp
Womb
Sound Museum Vision
T2
Francois K. House. DJs Francois
K, Goto, etc. 10pm. ¥3,500.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5784-3384.
www.air-tokyo.com
MONDAY 30
Womb
The Room
FRIDAY 27
Air
Swithover. House, techno.
DJs Odoroyo Fish, Chigira,
etc. 4-10pm. ¥2,000 w/1d.
Shibuya. www.theroom.jp
T2
The New Matrix Bar
Clubbing
Tatsuo Sunaga. House, jazz.
DJs Sunaga, Osawa, etc.
10pm. (m)¥3,500, (f)¥3,000.
Shinkiba. Tel: 03-5534-2525.
www.ageha.com
The Room
Air
T2
EDM Union. EDM. DJs Psyko
Punkz, Formative, etc. 10pm.
¥3,500. Shibuya. Tel:
com
Ageha
www.t2-shibuya.com
Wedm. EDM. DJs Hiroki, Yo,
etc. 10pm. (m)¥1,500, (f) free.
THURSDAY 3
Air
Shibuya Mixx. EDM. DJs Goat the
Funky, Edgar Sound, etc. 10pm.
(m)¥3,500 w/1d, (f)¥2,500 w/2d.
www.t2-shibuya.com
The New Matrix Bar
Saturday Night Fever. Hip-hop,
R&B, reggae. DJ Ykk and more.
6pm. ¥1,000 (after 10pm).
Bootylicious. Hip-hop. DJs Iku,
Tas, etc. 10pm. (m)¥2,000 w/1d,
(f)free. Shibuya. Tel: 03-57843384. www.air-tokyo.com
T2
Hand’s Up. World mix. Various
DJs. 10pm. (m)¥2,500 w/2d,
com
The Room
The Room
Jazztronica. Jazz, house. DJs
Nozaki, Ueguchi, etc. 10pm.
theroom.jp
El Amor. Disco, house
DJs Endo, Nishikawa, etc.
8pm-12am. ¥1,000. Shibuya.
www.theroom.jp
IMMEDIATE OPENING:
SALES EXECUTIVES
Interested in joining the Metropolis team?
We have an immediate opening for an
enthusiastic individual to plan and sell
creative design projects. Must have strong
Japanese language skills. To apply, please
send your CV to:
Womb
Lilith. Techno, house. DJs Wolf,
Lamb, etc. 11pm. ¥3,500.
Mix Juice. EDM. DJs Yamariki,
Naoto, etc. 10pm. (m)¥1,500, (f)
free. Shibuya. www.womb.
co.jp
SUNDAY 29
FRIDAY 4
T2
Ageha
Global All Mix Party. All mix. DJs
Chin-Nen, Passion, etc. 10pm.
(m) ¥2,500 w/2d, (f)¥1,500 w/2d.
Agepa. All mix. DJs U5, Hokuto,
etc. 11pm. (m)¥3,000 w/1d, (f)
free. Shinkiba. Tel: 03-55342525. www.ageha.com
Womb
[email protected]
Due to the high volume of correspondence we regret that we can’t respond to every query. No calls please.
21
Air
Lose Yourself. House, techno.
DJs Steve Dug, Motoki, etc.
10pm. ¥3,500. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5784-3384. www.air-tokyo.
com
Liquidroom
N-Port X-Port Tour. Electronic.
DJs Gaudi, Funky Gong, etc.
Live: System 7 and more.
11pm. ¥4,500(adv). Ebisu.
Tel: 03-5464-0800. www.
liquidroom.net
Lounge Neo
Naafi. Bass, reggaeton.
DJs Imaabs, Espectral, etc.
11pm. ¥3,000. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5458-2551. http://
loungeneo.iflyer.jp
今年は"にほんごをもの"にする
EVERGREEN LANGUAGE SCHOOL
T2
ONGOING
Shibuya Mixx. EDM. Various
DJs. 10pm. (m)¥3,500 w/1d,
com
The New Matrix Bar
JAPANESE PROFICIENCY TEST
N1, N2, N3, N4
ST
Matrix Friday. Old-school
hip-hop, west side, south
side, all mix. DJ Ykk and more.
6pm. ¥1,000 (after 11:30pm).
* One month intensive
* 2 & 3 days a week
* Private & Corporate
* Business Japanese
www.evergreen.gr.jp
YUTENJI 03-3713-4958 JIYUGAOKA 03-3723-4785
Registr
ati
Apr 20 on for
16 term
NOW O
PEN!
Free trial lesson
for groups
[email protected]
03-3713-4958
The Room
Breakthrough. Hip-hop. DJs
Jin, Ladi Dadi, etc. 10pm.
theroom.jp
Womb
Sterne. Techno. DJs Terranova,
Ishino, etc. 11pm. ¥3,500.
Three-Artist Show: Jad Fair,
Yuka Goto, Michael Macioce
ENDING SOON
Niki de Saint Phalle
The Art of Bulgari: 130
Years of Italian
Masterpieces
This exclusive exhibition will
highlight the jewelry and
watches of Bulgari that defined
a pivotal period in Italian design
history. Until Nov 29, 9:30am5pm. ¥800-1,400. Tokyo
National Museum. Ueno.
http://j.mp/artofbulgari2015
Okubo Toshimichi and the
Times he Lived in
The museum’s first exhibition
presenting their complete
collection of material related
to Okubo Toshimichi, who
led the Meiji Restoration and
the establishment of modern
Japan. This exhibition presents
correspondence and other
articles left behind by him,
and explores his life and
achievements. Until Dec 6,
9:30am. ¥450-830. National
Museum of Japanese History.
Keisei-Sakura. www.
rekihaku.ac.jp/english
Kimono Modernism
22
Tatsusuke (1943-2013) was
an artist who, after flourishing
at the Asahi Ceramics Art
Exhibition and the Nitten
Exhibition, demonstrated a
unique talent in the ceramic art
world by devoting himself to
his own viewpoint and theory
of form. This exhibition will try
to identify his clear approach to
art and modern ceramics. Oct
8-Dec 13, 10am-5pm, closed
Mon. ¥400-700. The National
Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo.
Takebashi. Tel: 03-5777-8600.
http://j.mp/tatsusuke2015
Exhibitions
Formally rigorous
photographs by a conceptual
artist hailing from former East
Germany. Until Nov 28, 11am.
Ando Gallery. Kiyosumishirakawa. http://j.mp/
roggan2015
03-3538-6767
Kuriki Tatsusuke
Paper cuttings, paintings, and
silver gelatin prints. Until Dec
13, 1pm. Free. Hiromart Gallery.
Edogawabashi. Tel: 03-62339836. http://hiromartgallery.com
Ricarda Roggan: Spot
December
The Genesis and
Development of Landscape
Painting
Classics. Hip-hop. DJs Hasebe,
K-Boogie, etc. Shibuya. Tel:
com
D A I LY CO N V E R S AT I O N A N D B U S I N E S S J A PA N E S E
UDEN
VISA T
Showcasing the various
expressions found in ukiyo-e
and photographs from the end of
the Edo Period to the beginning
of the Meiji Period. Until Dec
6, 9:30am. ¥470-1,140 (adv)/
¥680-1,350 (door). Edo-Tokyo
Museum. Ryogoku. Tel:
03-3626-9974. www.edo-tokyomuseum.or.jp/en
Showcasing works from the
Kunsthistorisches Museum in
Vienna, of attractive European
landscapes. Until Dec 7, 10am.
¥500-1,300 (adv)/ ¥700-1,500
(door). Bunkamura: The
Museum. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5777-8600. http://j.mp/
wienlandscape2015
Sound Museum Vision
Since 1949
From Ukiyo-e to
Photography: Cultural
Awakening in Japan’s Visual
Field
This exhibition showcases
bright and colorful meisen,
a type of kimono, created
from the Taisho Period to
the Showa Period, that
adopted modern American
designs such as prints of roses
and tulips. Until Dec 6, 10am.
¥500-800. Sen-Oku Hakuko
Kan. Roppongi-itchome. Tel:
03-5777-8600. www.sen-oku.
or.jp/english
Showcasing works by French
sculptor and painter Saint
Phalle, who created a garden
called Giardino dei Tarocchi
in Italy, containing sculptures
of the symbols found on Tarot
cards. Until Dec 14, 10am-6pm
(until 8pm Fri), closed Tue.
¥600-1,400 (adv)/ ¥800-1,600.
The National Art Center, Tokyo.
Nogizaka. www.niki2015.jp
Gerhard Richter
The German artist breaks new
boundaries in his his fist solo
exhibition for three years. The
show features eight new oil
paintings from Richter, as well as
glass lacquer works and pieces
from his “Over Painted Photo”
series. Until Dec 19, 11am.
Wako Works of Art. Roppongi.
http://j.mp/1Y5wJ40
Georges Rouault: In Search
of the Inner Light
Showcasing works by Rouault
(1871-1958), one of the key
French artists of the 20th
century. His paintings are
characterized by substantial
matière and a depiction of
mysterious light veiled in a
transparent glow that keenly
depicts human suffering, love,
and hope. Until Dec 20, 10am.
¥700-1,000. Idemitsu Museum
of Arts. Tokyo. www.idemitsu.
com/museum/honkan
Gauguin et L’Ecole
de Pont-Aven
Displaying works by
Gauguin, Émile Bernard, Maurice
Denis, and other artists who
were active on the Pont-Aven
scene in Brittany, France,
which has captivated artists
since the 19th century with its
beautiful scenery. Until Dec 20,
10am. ¥500-1,000. Shiodome
Museum. Shimbashi. Tel:
03-5777-8600. http://panasonic.
co.jp/es/museum/en/schedule/
Equilibrium
Ryoko Kleiger's investigation
into the human sub-conscious
and how it is affected by societal
nurturing in childhood through
to adulthood. Until Dec 23, 3pm.
Gendai Heights Gallery Den.
Shimokitazawa or HigashiKitazawa. Tel: 03-3469-1659.
Otto Künzli. The Exhibition
A pioneer of conceptual
art jewelry, this retrospective
on Otto Künzli collects the
Swiss artist’s influential body of
work, dating back to 1967. Until
Dec 27, 10am. ¥1,000. Tokyo
Metropolitan Teien Art Museum.
Meguro. Tel: 03-3443-0201.
http://j.mp/kunzli2015
Time Present: Photography
from the Deutsche Bank
Collection
This exhibition presents a
panorama of photographic
art made between 1970 and
2010 from the Deutsche Bank
Collection, which ranks as one of
the most important collections of
contemporary art on paper in the
world and boasts some 60,000
works. Until Jan 11. ¥1,100 Hara
Museum of Contemporary Art.
Kita-Shinagawa. Tel: 03-34450651. www.haramuseum.or.jp
The Golden Legend
Be dazzled by gold artifacts
created 6,000 years ago that
shine just as brightly today. Until
Jan 11, 9:30am. ¥600-1,400
(adv)/ ¥800-1,600 (door). The
National Museum of Western
Art. Ueno. Tel: 03-5777-8600.
www.nmwa.go.jp/en
Seductive Smiles:
Masterpieces of Ukiyo-e
Paintings from the Weston
Collection
Enjoy 100 selected paintings of
Edo beauties by ukiyo-e artists.
Nov 20-Jan 17, 10am to 5pm.
¥400-1,300 (adv)/ ¥500-1,500
(door). Ueno Royal Museum.
Ueno. Tel: 03-3833-4191.
http://weston.exhn.jp
Captive Beauty: Treasures
from the Prado Museum
Drawn entirely from the Prado’s
extraordinary holdings, the
exhibition brings together works
by a range of illustrious painters
who contributed significantly to
the history of European art, such
as El Greco, Goya, and Murillo.
Until Jan 31, 10am. ¥1,500 (adv)/
¥1,000-1,700 (door). Mitsubishi
Ichigokan Museum. Tokyo.
Tel: 03-5405-8686. http://mimt.
jp/english
Laurent Grasso: Soleil Noir
French artist Laurent Grasso
presents sculpture works that
combine traditional European
imagery with Japanese
influences, for his first major
exhibition in Japan. Until Jan 31,
11am. Maison Hermes. Ginza.
Tel: 03-3569-3300. http://j.
mp/1QwyHIr
Architect Frank Gehry:
I Have an Idea
This exhibition focuses on
ideas that are the driving force
behind Gehry’s creativity,
tying together the background
behind formation of ideas, the
process up to their completion,
and the unchanging conviction
and strong commitment of the
architect. Until Feb 7, 10am.
¥1,100. 21_21 Design Sight.
Nogizaka. Tel: 03-3475-2121.
http://j.mp/frankgehry2015
Yoko Ono: From My Window
This exhibition looks back at
Yoko Ono’s 60-year career
as a conceptual artist by
exploring her relation to Tokyo,
her hometown. Materials
from the artist’s formative
years there will be on display
as well as her works related
to the Japanese capital and
its cultural relations with the
U.S. and Europe. Until Feb
14, 10am. ¥1,200. Museum
of Contemporary Art Tokyo.
Kiyosumi-Shirakawa. http://j.
mp/yokoono2015
Tokyo: Sensing the Cultural
Magma of the Metropolis
Starting this month at the
Museum of Contemporary Art
Tokyo, the exhibition will shine
a light on the city’s evolving art
forms that developed out of the
defining magma-like vitality
of the 1980s, featuring a wide
range of media including visual
arts, music, video, and design.
Until Feb 14, 10am. ¥700-1,200.
Museum of Contemporary Art
Tokyo. Kiyosumi-Shirakawa.
http://j.mp/1GWDYXC
The Great Terracotta Army
of China’s First Emperor
This exhibition brings together
artifacts with connections to
the First Emperor of China, Qin
Shi Huang, while exploring
the “everlasting world” of
his terracotta army and its
mysteries. Until Feb 21, 9:30am.
¥700-1,400 (adv)/ ¥900-1,600
(door). Tokyo National
Museum. Ueno. http://j.mp/
terracottaarmy2015
Open Space 2015
Explore an array of
representative, historical, and
new works from the realm of
media art, as well as results of
research activities at educational
institutions. Until Mar 6, 11am.
NTT Intercommunication Center.
Hatsudai. Tel: 0120-144199.
http://j.mp/openspace2015
Takashi Murakami:
The 500 Arhats
FIFA Club World Cup Japan
2015
FC Barcelona vs. Winner 2. Dec
17, 7:30pm. ¥8,000-24,000.
Nissan Stadium. Kozuke. Tel:
04-5477-5000. www.fifa.com/
clubworldcup
Bronze final. Dec 20, 4pm
to 5pm. ¥10,000-40,000.
04-5477-5000. www.fifa.com/
clubworldcup
2015
LEARNING
Final. Dec 20, 7:30pm. ¥10,00040,000. Nissan Stadium.
Kozuke. Tel: 04-5477-5000.
www.fifa.com/clubworldcup
Festivals
TRADITIONAL
Every November, on the days
of the rooster (according to the
twelve signs of the Chinese
zodiac), Asakusa temple and
nearby Otori Shrine are filled
with festival-goers looking
to pray for good fortune in
business. Like all festivals in
Japan, there will be hundreds
of food stalls for you to sample
some local treats! Until Nov 29,
midnight. Chokokuji Temple.
Minowa. www.torinoichi.jp/
english/index2.htm
Oji Kumade Ichi
Bamboo rake festival for
good luck. Dec 6, midnight to
11:59pm. Oji Shrine. Oji. Tel:
03-3907-7808. http://ojijinja.
tokyo.jp
A two-day adult-oriented
roots music festival curated
by Peter Barakan, packed
with music from Japan and
around the world. Until Dec
25, noon. ¥12,000 (one-day
ticket)/¥21,000 (two-day pass).
Ebisu Garden Hall. Ebisu.
Tel: 03-5423-7111. http://
livemagic.jp
SOCCER
2015
Host vs. Auckland City FC. Dec
10, 7:45pm. ¥2,000-8,000.
04-5477-5000. www.fifa.com/
clubworldcup
Learn about Bordeaux wines and
enjoy a gourmet French dinner
in an international atmosphere.
Nov 28, 7pm to 10:30pm.
¥11,980 + tax (adv). Restaurant
Aux Bacchanales. Tel: 03-52763422. www.wineandcooking.
info/en/winetesting.html
Champagne Wine Seminar
Learn about Champagne
and enjoy a gourmet French
Christmas dinner in an
international atmosphere.
Dec 12, 7:30pm to 10:30pm.
¥12,980 + tax (adv). Restaurant
Aux Bacchanales. Tel: 03-52763422. www.wineandcooking.
info/en/specialevent.html
Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art
School Tokyo
Sketching models and arty
socializing. Dec 18, 7pm to
10pm. ¥2,000. Studio and Space
IVVA. Meiji-Jingumae or
Harajuku. Tel: 03-6804-3998.
www.facebook.com/Dr.Sketchy.
Tokyo
Yamanashi Seminar
Gishi-sai
UPCOMING
Sports
Bordeaux Wine Seminar
Asakusa Tori-no-ichi Fair
Commemoration of the 47
akoroshi who avenged the death
of their master. Dec 14, midnight
to 11:59pm. Sengakuji Temple.
Sengakuji. http://j.mp/gishi-sai
Features seventeenth-century
masterpieces of Dutch painting
by Vermeer, Rembrandt, Frans
Hals, Jan Steen, and Pieter de
Hooch. Some of the works, such
as Young Woman with a Water
Pitcher by Vermeer, will be
shown for the first time in Japan.
Jan 14-Mar 31, 10am -8pm.
¥1,600. Mori Arts Center Gallery.
Roppongi. www.tbs.co.jp/
vermeer2016/tokyo
SWEA Swedish Christmas
Bazaar
A traditional Swedish Christmas
bazaar with food, drinks and
handicrafts, performances,
grand raffle and more! Nov 11,
11am to 4pm. ¥500, children
under 6 free. Swedish Embassy.
japan.swea.org/2015/welcometo-our-christmas-bazaar/
2015
Japan’s biggest artistic export
of the 21st century—perhaps
all time—is the subject of a
major exhibition at the newly
renovated Mori in Roppongi.
Takashi Murakami has many
admirers—and detractors—but
his domination of the Japanese
art scene is an immutable fact.
The 500 Arhats is Murakami’s
reaction to the March 11
disaster—a 100-meter-long
Buddhist-flavored token of
gratitude to Qatar, one of the
first nations to offer help in
the wake of the tsunami. The
show also features a number
of new works, including
towering sculptures like The
Birth Cry of the Universe,
as well as more predictable
anime-flavored canvasses.
Until Mar 6, 10am. ¥1,600. Mori
Art Museum. Roppongi. Tel:
03-5777-8600. http://j.mp/
tmurakami2015
Vermeer and Rembrandt:
The Masters of the 17th
Century Dutch Golden Age
to 11:59pm. Setagaya Boro-Ichi
Grounds. Tel: 03-3429-1829.
www.tokyo-cci.or.jp/setagaya/
boroichi
Interested in moving to
Yamanashi Prefecture? Join this
free event to hear from other
foreigners who have done this.
Registration required. Jan 17,
12pm to 2:30pm. Tokyo Kotu
Kaikan.
Hagoita-ichi
Vendors sell wooden paddles to
“bounce back evil.” Dec 17-19,
midnight to 11:59pm. Sensoji.
Asakusa. Tel: 03-3842-0181.
www.taitonavi.jp/enjoy_detail.
html?no=78
Oji Kitsune-no-Gyoretsu Fox
Parade
Hatsumode inspired by tales
of foxes masquerading as
humans. Dec 31-Jan 1, midnight
to 11:59pm. Shozoku Inari-jinja
Shrine. Oji. http://kitsune.
tokyo-oji.jp
INTERNATIONAL
Peter Barakan’s Live
Magic! 2015
International Food Fair at
Saint Maur International
School
Spend the day sampling
international foods and
beverages, while being
entertained by performing
musicians and dancers. Apr
29, 10am to 4pm. Saint Maur
International School. Tel:
045-641-5751. www.stmaur.
ac.jp
Markets
Setagaya Boro-ichi
Roughly 700 venders selling
food, accessories, toys, plants
and more. Dec 15-16, midnight
Other Events
STEEL! Asia-Pacific Cup:
Japan vs. Australia Medieval
Armor Combat
Full-contact medieval combat
with victory awarded to
whichever team is still standing
at the the end of the round. Nov
28-29, midnight to 11:59pm.
¥4,000 (one day)/¥7,000
(both days). Castle Tintagel.
Shiinamachi. Contact jnoyes@
castletintagel.com. http://peatix.
com/event/125579
Night Wonder Aquarium
Wander through Enoshima
Aquarium at night, transformed
into an art space that changes in
relation to the movement of the
fish. Until Dec 25, 5pm. ¥1,0002,100. Enoshima Aquarium. Tel:
0466-29-9960. www.enosuiwonderaquarium2015.com/
Hikari no Saiten
Christmas illuminations with
70,000 bulbs. Nov 28-Dec 25,
midnight to 11:59pm. Free.
Motofuchie Park. http://meturl.
com/adachihikari2013
MORE LISTINGS
ONLINE → HTTP://
METURL.COM/
LISTINGS
23
Metropolis and its Classifieds
section are printed every
other week. The upcoming
publication dates and
corresponding deadlines
for print are as follows. This
does not affect the online
Classifieds, where ads are
visible immediately after
they are approved.
FINAL PRINT
CLASSIFIEDS
FRI, DEC 11 ISSUE
Deadline: Dec 3, 3pm
1.1 HEALTH
ENGLISH MAGAZINE? Log on at
www.metropolis.co.jp/classifieds
or email your commercial ads to
commercial@metropolisjapan.
com.
G E N E R A L D E N T I S T R Y.
A merican dental school
graduate, 20 years’
experience in hospital
dentistry, over 2000
d e ntal im p lant s , n a t i ve
English speaker; 3min
from JR Harajuku Stn,
p a r k i n g a v a i l a b l e. W i l l
fill out insurance forms.
[email protected]
www.trustdental.jp/english
03-3402-1501
1.2 HAIR & BEAUTY
C H I E
FUNAKURA,
the stylist
and coloring
specialist
Harper’s
B a z a a r
Australia
n a m e d t h e b e s t i n To k y o ,
finally opens her own salon in
Harajuku! Book now for your
own personalized fashion
ex p e r i e n ce. 03 - 6 4 3 4 - 52 1 9
s i lva p a p i l i o.co m co n t a c t @
silvapapilio.com
1.7 BUSINESS SERVICES
AT TO RN E Y AT L AW 第一
東京弁護士会. S h i n s u ke
Nagayoshi gives expert legal
advice on issues concerning
immigration, accidents,
inheritance, divorce and
more. Fluent in English,
Portuguese, Spanish and
Mandarin. Be confident your
case is fully understood and
in safe hands. Contact me at
03-6264-4174. Fax:03-55394701 [email protected] http://
shinsuke-nagayoshi.com
CRE ATIVE SO LUTION S .
Specialists in branding, web design,
photo/video production. Drawing A
Crowd: a new approach in design.
Get in touch. info@drawingacrowd.
co
2 FIND A PLACE
2.2 RENT UNDER ¥200,000
E S T H E T I Q U E S A LO N L E L I T
MEGURO, an English-speaking
beauty salon with highly
skilled staff, is like your own
s e cr e t p a r a d i s e w h e r e y o u
can relax completely. Trial
price for your first visit, tax
included: Body Deep Tissue
Massage (60min) ¥5800
(regular price ¥8640). Facial
Moisture Treatment (60min)
¥5800 (regular price ¥9720).
Hours: 9am-6pm; closed Wed
www.lelitmeguro.com/English.
html welcome@lelitmeguro.
com 090-3913-8044
ICHII CORPORATION.
Over 600 affordable,
quality-furnished
apartments in central
To k y o l o c a t i o n s . N o ke y
money/guarantor/agent
fee required. New, clean
apartments, simple contract
system, full English support.
Call us today! 03-5437-5233
www.japt.co.jp
1.4 TRAVEL
ANIME-STYLE CAPSULE HOTEL
I N YO KO H A M A , I TA - K A P U .
The only capsule hotel with
anime-style rooms, complete
with anime body pillows and
sheets. Free Wi-Fi, comics, big
bath, various amenities ¥4000/
person/night. 045-231-3726
[email protected]
http://bit.ly/1JVN0zR
24
S E R V I C E D A PA R T M E N T S i n
a quiet residential area of
Hiroo. Studios and suites.
4min from Hiroo Stn. Rates:
Daily ¥7800. Weekly ¥6850-/
d a y . M o n t h l y ¥ 570 0 - /d a y .
O ver t hre e mont hs ¥ 513 0 - /
day. Tax, utilities included.
frontdesk@azabucourt.
co m w w w. a z a b u co u r t .co m
0 3 - 3 4 4 6 - 8 6 1 0
3.5 LANGUAGE EXCHANGE
Arabic, English, Japanese. Male, 24,
seeking language exchange partner to
speak J. [email protected]
Catalan/Spanish and Japanese. JF is
seeking a language exchange partner
for Catalan or Spanish in Tokyo. It's more
difficult than I expected and I need help.
My level is very low. I hope you can be
patient. [email protected]
Dresser, Karimoku Japan, compact
(H120xW60xD43cm), colonial, w/
green stool, as new. New ¥48,000. Sell
¥15,000/obo. 1min walk from Ayase Stn,
Chiyoda Line. [email protected]
Beer glasses, from various Japanese
microbreweries, new, collection of 12
¥3000/all. ¥300/each. Krombacher Pils
glass boot, 1.5L ¥1500/obo. tripeler@
yahoo.com 080-6581-4724
Massage chair, FMC-1112(B), from
Yodobashi. New ¥268,620. Sell
¥130,000. [email protected]
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
English, Japanese, Korean. I'm from
the UK living in Tokyo. I speak some J and
Kor. I'd like to meet someone interested
in free-talking in an English-style pub.
Tell me about yourself when you write.
Thanks! [email protected]
English and Japanese. Interesting,
well-educated, cute SJM seeks native
English speakers in Tokyo for a language
exchange. Let's meet once or twice/week
to improve our language abilities. I'm
sure that it'll be a wonderful experience.
Just email me. languageex2010@gmail.
com
German, English, Japanese. Hello, I
am a German girl living in Japan seeking
someone to teach me J. In exchange, I
can teach you E or Ger. Shibuya. lara-al@
web.de
Indonesian and English. Japanese lady
seeking a native speaker of Indonesian
for language exchange in the Roppongi or
Omotesando area. Serious only. Thanks!
[email protected]
Korean and Japanese. Japanese male,
42, seeks a native Korean speaker for
Kor/J exchange. I like music, reading,
cooking. I hope we can learn from each
other and have some fun. astralsky@
excite.co.jp
英語と日本語。僕はイギリス人.
毎日日本語を勉強してる. でも
言語交換にいつも失敗しちゃう.
[email protected]
3.6 LEARNING: GENERAL
Chinese and English. Any Chinese/
Taiwanese living in Tokyo who already
speak good English and want to hang
out and chat? I don't speak any Chinese
yet, but want to learn some basic words.
I'm very interested in China, Taiwan.
[email protected]
English and Japanese. JF, 41, seeks
female exchange partners at Kawasaki
Stn during the day on weekdays. tome.
[email protected]
English and Japanese. Japanese lady
seeking a native speaker of American
English for language exchange in the
Roppongi or Omotesando area. Serious
only. Thanks! patricia_idaida@yahoo.
co.jp
RENTAL APARTMENTS,
HOUSES, CONDOS AND
S T U D I O S i n Yo ko h a m a ,
Kawasaki, Tokyo, and near
US military bases. English speaking staff will guide you
through the renting process.
For a stress-free search,
contact Rent Life. 045 - 470 32 14 w w w.rent- yokohama.
com/english [email protected]
English and Japanese. Interesting,
well-educated, cute SJM seeks native
English speakers in Tokyo for a language
exchange. Let's meet once or twice/week
to improve our language abilities. I'm
sure that it'll be a wonderful experience.
Just email me. languageex2010@gmail.
com
French, English, Japanese. European
man seeking a language exchange
partner to improve his Japanese. I can
teach you Fr or E. Let's enjoy sharing
our cultures and interests. Machida
area preferred. understanding_life@
hotmail.com
3 EDUCATION
English and Japanese. Japanese
male, 49, is seeking a serious language
exchange partner around Tokyo. Thanks!
[email protected]
English and Japanese. Japanese
woman seeking a language exchange
partner. I'm 26, living in Kanagawa. Welleducated, polite, good listener. I'm not
talkative–sorry. So, I'd prefer a talkative
person. [email protected]
English and Japanese. JF, 30s, seeking
a language exchange partner, M/F ok,
preferably British, with similar interests
4.1 FURNITURE & FITTINGS
Ski/snowboard gear, women's,
Ellesse, small, blue and white, jacket,
pants, gloves, as new (worn twice), dry
cleaned ¥7000. Shinagawa area, but
can meet Azabu, Ebisu, Roppongi, etc.
[email protected]
Curtains, two available, deep peach
(W300xH210cm), unlined, weighted hems
¥5000. Roppongi. [email protected]
03-3585-7231
French and Japanese. For language
exchange and intense conversations.
My ultimate goal is to read Foucault and
Lacan in French–if it's possible to "read"
them. I am a JF, 29. diva19860602@
hotmail.com
YOKOHAMA APARTMENT W/LOFT
–ONE MONTH FREE! One-room
apartment, w/loft, small kitchen,
unit bathroom ¥46,000/m. Only
one-month deposit required, no
key money or guarantor necessary.
One month free rent offered. Private
rental by owner. robhoey.c17@gmail.
com
4 HOUSEHOLD GOODS
English and Japanese. Not-so-young
British man seeking daytime language
exchange friend, central to west Tokyo.
[email protected]
English and 日本語. I'm a Japanese
female, mid-30s, lived in the US for nine
years, seeking English-speaking friends
in Tokyo. My interests are art, music
and traveling. Contact me! teraiuy@
gmail.com
1 AT YOUR SERVICE
T H I N K I N G A B O U T
ADVERTISING WITH
M ETRO PO LIS , JA PA N ’ S N O.1
(music, films, photography, the arts,
hiking). Weekdays 6-8pm, or weekends
in Fuchu/Chofu or Shinjuku. chibikkosan@
hotmail.com
4.2 APPLIANCES
Aircon, floor unit, no need for pro
installation, works well, good for small
rooms, hardly used ¥36,000. Pick up
near Makuhari or delivery within Chiba.
[email protected]
Deep fryer, Tefal, home-use, new in box,
safety features ¥2000/obo. tripeler@
yahoo.com 080-6581-4724
Fridge/warmer, Twinbird HR-4707, microsized, holds six regular cans, rounded retro
look, new in box ¥1500. tripeler@yahoo.
com
Heater, Tokyo Gas, for large rooms, w/
timer and low-running feature ¥10,000.
Roppongi. [email protected]
03-3585-7231
Heaters, Delonghi, oil, two available, as
new. New ¥24,000/each. Sell ¥10,000/
one. ¥16,000/both. Tokyo delivery ¥3000.
[email protected] 070-1009-1824
Juicer, Vitantonio, 200W, quiet, also
makes soy milk and green juice, hardly
used, very clean ¥6000. Pick up near
Yokohama. sayonara_vancouver@
hotmail.com
Pasta/noodle maker, Philips HR2365/01,
new, still in box ¥14,000. [email protected]
Trouser press, Toshiba, stand-up, as
new ¥2500. Pick up Shinjuku. likeme4u@
hotmail.com
Washer, Hitachi Beat Wash, 8kg ¥2000.
Pick up in Dec in Itabashi-ku. Will require
two people to transport. [email protected]
4.3 SAYONARA SALE
Sayonara sale! Epson PC and Dell
monitor, in very good condition. PC
¥7000. ¥10,000/both. New Alinco Fitness
Pro exercise bike ¥60,000. Fridge, in
good condition, medium-sized ¥6000.
Tables. [email protected]
Sayonara sale! Various kitchen items,
lamps, sofabed, dining table and chairs,
shelves. Shiba Park. atbecker2010@
gmail.com +818079673339
4.4 TV & HOME THEATER
LCD TV 37", Panasonic, digital, '08, w/
remote. [email protected]
TV 52", Sharp LC52XL10, w/two sets of
3D glasses, stand, and 1+ year warranty,
bought Jan '14, as new. New $2600. Sell
4.6 FOR KIDS
SEE OLD ROWS OF HOUSES,
COOK AND EAT LOCAL CUISINE,
EXPERIENCE TRADITIONAL
EVENTS. We teach Japanese
home cooking to foreigners.
We have a short course ¥3500.
Enjoy our culture as part of your
Asakusa trip! For more info,
please visit www.yoitoko.org.
himawari1212iloveyou@yahoo.
co.jp
NEW IDENTITY, NEW CHALLENGE.
www.lightofegypt.com
3.9 TEACH ME!
Cooking teacher in Tokyo. Teach me
about your country's cuisine in Tokyo on
weekends. Prefer a native teacher with
teaching and cooking experience. Will
pay for your time. frenchwinetasting@
hotmail.com
Car seat, newborn/toddler, hardly used,
fully reclining position for newborns,
upright position for up to age 3 or 4
¥3000. [email protected]
4.7 FOR FREE
Bed and sofa. Double bed; sofa, cream,
seats three; both about four y/o, in good
condition. Pick up Minami-Asagaya, earlymid Dec. [email protected]
Fish tank, Nisso, 57L, w/accessories.
Pick up Chiba or pay for delivery yourself.
Details available. grantinjapan@gmail.
com 080-3486-0872
Vacuum, works well. Pick up near KitaSenju Stn. [email protected]
5 HOBBIES&INTERESTS
5.2 SPORTS EQUIPMENT
Golf clubs, Iron Daiwa Hi-Trac TCS, w/
carbon shaft 3-5-7-9-11 and Sure-out sand
wedge ¥2000. Pick up near Yokohama.
[email protected]
5.6 COLLECTORS
6 VEHICLES
6.1 CARS, PARTS, & ACCESSORIES
Benz C200 Wagon Kompressor,
Avantgarde, white, ETC, leather seats,
xenon adjustable lights, navi, back
camera, distance sensor, keyless drive,
Bluetooth, aluminum wheel, 47,000km,
shaken till Aug '16 ¥2.5 million. No
dealers or auction people. alinjap@
yahoo.com
Honda FIT G, DBA-GE6, '10, 37,000km,
shaken good until Feb '17, ETC, navi,
smart key, snow chains, new tires
(June '15), no accidents, some scratches
¥450,000. [email protected] http://
s1045.photobucket.com/user/kman_hkd/
slideshow
Nissan E-Trail, UA-NT30, '05, w/ETC,
navi, electronic key, shaken until Oct '16
6.2 MOTORBIKES, PARTS, & ACCESSORIES
Honda Dio 110, '13, white, w/many
accessories and maintenance book,
42,000km ¥100,000. palledorate@
yahoo.it
Honda Today, 50cc, 6310km, in
good condition ¥35,000. Roppongi.
6.3 BICYCLES, PARTS, & ACCESSORIES
Trainer, remove front wheel and attach
bike to ride in stationary position ¥3000/
obo. [email protected]
7 GENERAL
7.1 PHONES
Smartphone, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
Plus 128, always used w/screen protector
and case, no scratches, dents, w/wireless
charger. [email protected]
7.3 MISCELLANEOUS
Christmas tree, multi-colored, fiber
optic (120x55cm), in excellent condition,
w/AC adapter, extra lamp, ornaments,
decorative lamp chains (two 35-bulb and
one 100-bulb) ¥8000. 1min walk from
Ayase Stn, Chiyoda Line. mamad15@
excite.com
Tools, multi-tool spanner (140xx45mm,
span mouth 15mm), hardly used ¥800.
Nikky scissors, made in Japan, very
sharp (250x50mm) ¥1200. mamad15@
excite.com
7.4 ITEMS WANTED
Backpacker's bag, at least 45L. Please
mail me. [email protected]
8 COMPUTERS
8.2 HARDWARE
Fax/printer/copy/scanner/phone,
Brother MFC-735CD, all-in-one, w/extra
handset, nine LC11/16 cartridges ¥3000.
Pick up Shinjuku. [email protected]
Laptop, Dell E4300 notebook, 2.4GHz
Core 2 Duo P9400, 4GB, 250GB HD, E/
keyboard, Win 7 Pro 64, docking station,
extra six-cell battery ¥13,000. masui41@
live.com
MacBook Air, one y/o, used twice, as
new, w/original box. New ¥120,000. Sell
¥95,000. Firm. [email protected]
The majority of classified ads have moved online! classifieds.metropolis.co.jp
Tablet, Sony Xperia Z2 32GB, white,
bought June '14, w/Poetic case, 64GB
SD card, as new ¥45,000. mishraearly@
gmail.com
10 HELP!
10.1 HELP ME
Climate expert needed. Need a
guest speaker to appear on a YouTube
streaming show to talk about man-made
climate change and what to expect in
the future. assassin.wolves.films@
gmail.com http://frozen-frame.wix.com/
ageofreason
Professional oil massage wanted.
Seeking a professional or student
masseur. Can pay ¥7000/90min or
exchange English or Italian. Serious only.
No shiatsu—only aroma oil massage.
Thanks. [email protected]
Seeking E/J translator in Machida. I
would like to edit some documents into
Japanese, but I have limited knowledge
of it. I can teach you English or French.
Please contact me. Machida area
preferred. understanding_life@hotmail.
com
10.3 LOST FRIENDS
Looking for narrator Mark Hagan.
Haven't seen you in years. Are you still
in Tokyo? –Bryan [email protected]
11 MESSAGES
11.1 PERSONAL MESSAGES
Hokkaido girl. I guided you
to the Oedo Line at night on
Sun, Nov 15. You were lost,
beautiful, from Hokkaido.
You gave me your number
at the ticket gate–I lost it!
This is Brian. I helped you.
[email protected]
12 SOCIAL SCENE
12.1 LET’S PARTY
Show promoting atheism seeking
co-hosts. We are seeking atheist/agnostic
individuals who would be interested in
co-hosting Age of Reason, a livestream
show that promotes positive atheism,
knowledge and common sense. assassin.
[email protected] http://frozenframe.wix.com/ageofreason
10.2 SUPPORT
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
p s ych o t h e r a py by a ccre d i te d
Western-trained professionals,
a CIGNA International Provider:
03-4550-1146. TELL website: www.
telljp.com. Follow us on Facebook
and Twitter @TokyoLifeLine. event@
telljp.com http://www.telljp.com
03-4550-1191
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 team@jhelp.
com. www.jhelp.com
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]
I N T E R N AT I O N A L E V E N T S .
Looking to join a variety of
i n t e r n a t i o n a l e v e n t s? T h e
Tokyo Spontaneous Hangout
Meetup Group has events
such as international parties,
picnics, free live English
comedy, one-day trips,
language exchange and many
more. Check this link for further
detail s; w w w.meetup.com/
tokyoites
13 CLUBS & INTERESTS
13.1 SPORTS
WEST PAPUA: ONE SOUL, ONE
PEOPLE . Fif t y-t wo year s ago,
West Papua should have been an
independent country. Since 1969,
West Papua has been invaded and
the people robbed of their rights,
culture and country. Help support
West Papuans’ desire to be free.
http://tapol.gn.apc.org papuansbehindbars.org
HI V Peer Suppor t group a n d
wo r k s h o p s . G e t to g e t h e r w i t h
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. admin@ttctokyo.
org www.ttctokyo.org
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!
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
Le a g u e p l aye r s fo r J a p a n e s e
Ru gby 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.
funwithtouch.com/where-we-play
P L AY R U G B Y. T h e To k y o
Crusaders are a friendly but
keen international rugby club.
D evo te d to t h e g am e an d i t s
social side, the “Cru” welcomes
all players and supporters. www.
facebook.com/tok yo.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 cot land . Using a
tambourine-like instrument as a
racket, 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/ info@tamjapan.
org
PLAY RUGBY Tok yo Crusaders
RFC are friendly but keen
international rugby club. Devoted
to the game and its social side, the
“Cru” welcomes all players and
supporters. http://www.facebook.
com/tokyo.crusaders http://www.
tokyocrusaders.com
All-level tennis group in Tokyo.
Serious and motivated tennis players
sought by active tennis group to join
their weekly sessions in central Tokyo.
We have advanced and intermediate
groups on weekday evenings. Beginner
and low-intermediate also welcome.
No entrance or membership fees.
Reasonable participation fees. tokyo.
[email protected]
Badminton club in Tokyo. Small
international group seeks players from
abroad. If you know basic footwork,
strokes and play seriously, you could
definitely enjoy playing with us.
[email protected] http://www.
geocities.jp/mune_albat/page4.html
Don’s Half-Fast Flash-Mob Weekend
Urban Bicycle Rides. halffastcycling@
hotmail.com
Football /soccer players. Tokyo
Redstar, Setagaya League 1, is seeking
soccer players. Practice almost every
Sat/Sun in Tokyo. Players in a spirit of fair
play welcome. [email protected]
http://tokyoredstar.com
JUST A 3MIN WALK FROM
ROPPONGI HILLS, CLUB 360
is Tokyo’s premier health and
fitness club. No membership
or joining fees. Personal
training, physiotherapy,
fitness classes, kickboxing,
boxing, massage. info@
club360.jp www.club360.jp
03-6434-9667
AMERICAN FOOTBALL.
Nihon Unisys 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] w w w.
unisys.co.jp/football
Futsal players wanted by a very friendly
international team. Practice is in Tokyo
and Kanagawa on Sat. Details available.
[email protected]
Futsal team. Intermediate futsal team
in Tokyo seeks people who can enjoy
the game with others. Please introduce
yourself (full name, age, nationality,
where you live, whether you belong to
another team). [email protected]
Ice hockey: Kanagawa Maple Leafs,
Yokohama. Join us! The Kanagawa Ice
Hockey League for working people is
a competitive league, so experience
in ice hockey is a must. A team is
joining A pool, B team is E pool. norio.
[email protected] https://sites.google.
co m / ka n a g a w a m a p le le a f s / h o m e
03-3258-5401
International futsal, five-a-side, on
weekends in Tokyo. Friendly club, all
nationalities welcome. djnorio0417@
yahoo.co.jp
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]
Seeking Japanese archery
companions. Let’s do kyudo near
Tokyo. Once/month for three hours,
weekends only. See website for details.
[email protected] http://
jmty.jp/tokyo/com-spo/article-q7li
Spearfishing. Seeking people who have
gone spearfishing before. If you want
to learn, that’s ok too. Let me know.
[email protected]
Tennis in central Tokyo. Active group of
tennis friends in central Tokyo welcomes
serious/motivated new players. We play
on weekday evenings and weekends.
Different levels (sorry, no beginners),
fun training sessions and games with
great people from all over. tennis.tokyo@
yahoo.fr
Volleyball Club Intervoll. Japanese
and foreign volleyball players gather in
Takadanobaba to enjoy playing. Have
volleyball experience and want to play
in a friendly atmosphere? intervollclub@
yahoo.co.jp http://intervoll.sakura.ne.jp/
Women’s football club. Five-aside, 11-a-side, on grass fields. Two
or three practices/matches on Sun.
All nationalities, experience levels,
beginners welcome. Happy and friendly
club! We have many socials. djnorio@
hotmail.co.jp
13.2 LEISURE
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]
Drunk Poets Tokyo. Drunk Poets See
God! Every last Fri of the month, we
convene to flex our English muscles and
get into the spirit of poetry. Bar Gari
Gari, Ikenoue Stn. Find us on Facebook!
[email protected]
Japanese home cooking. Japanese
housewife offers free home cooking
lessons to females at her house near
Kawasaki Stn on weekdays during
the day. Free, but you pay the cost of
ingredients. tome.haruka-soushi@
ezweb.ne.jp
Tokyo ET contact group. Join
us beneath the stars as we make
contact with ET visitors and their
craft. [email protected] www.
meetup.com/Tokyo-ET-Contact-Group/
events/193113322
Tokyo Extreme Weekenders. For those
who like to escape into nature to enjoy
four seasons of adventure and activities
with like-minded people, our purpose
is to have fun and fulfilling weekends.
Subscribe to mailing list for latest details.
[email protected] http://
tokyoweekenders.jimdo.com
13.4 MUSIC
Indie band seeks second guitarist.
Established Tokyo band seeks new
second guitarist. Reasonable technical
proficiency, with strong songwriting/
song structure skills. Recorded an EP and
can play shows immediately. Fugazi,
Archers, Hot Snakes, Q and Not U, etc.
[email protected]
13.5 MIND, BODY, SPIRIT
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]
www.wgthorpe.com
魂の色ー道場カフェ. ライトワーカ
ーヒーリング。任意の助けのための
私に連絡してください。 winds_fr@
hotmail.com
13.6 RELIGIOUS
Ukrainian Orthodox. St. Jude Ukrainian
Orthodox Mission celebrates liturgies
in downtown Tokyo every other Sun.
All nationalities, all sincere people
welcome! Ukrainian, English, Japanese
spoken. [email protected] www.stjude.
jp 0422-43-5424
13.8 PROFESSIONAL
Tokyo Traders Club. International
club for traders and investors. Discuss
opportunities in stocks, commodities and
forex. Many regular events, including FX
trading workshop. New to trading? No
problem; beginners also welcome.
You can also learn to trade. Join free!
[email protected] http://www.
tokyotraders.com/ 080-5444-1321
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.
japanintercultural.org
14 PERSONALS
14.1 FRIENDS
Art and music. It is getting colder, so let's
warm up together at art galleries and
concert halls (classical music). Western
man, 40s. [email protected]
Friends from all over the world.
Japanese lady seeks friends who can
hang out in Tokyo. Anybody ok, but not
seeking a date. Thanks! patricia_idaida@
yahoo.co.jp
Friends near Ichikawa/Funabashi.
I'm a SJ, 42, educated overseas, openminded, love to meet new people. I
am seeking new friends who can share
time with me–dinner after work, good
weekends together. egosence@docomo.
ne.jp
Hangout/explore/drinks. Female, 29,
just moved here, seeking friends. Coffee,
drinks, sightseeing, just hanging out.
Fussa or nearby. Must know English.
[email protected]
Hello. I'm originally from New York. I love
Tokyo, going out, meeting new people.
Let's get dinner or drinks. I'm a bit quiet
but not shy; adventurous; laid-back;
friendly. I'm into art, music, movies,
literature. [email protected]
Jogging mate at Yokohama Stn.
English- and Spanish-speaking JM seeks
jogging mates with good personalities
for 5-15km. Any nationality welcome as
long as we can speak in English/Spanish.
[email protected]
14.2 MEN LOOKING FOR WOMEN
Adult topic messages. Tokyo-based
English guy, 43, wants to exchange
emails or Line messages about some
fun topics. If we have chemistry, who
says we shouldn't meet? But it's not a
requirement. moosehoose32@yahoo.
com
Chinese or Taiwanese? English guy,
outgoing, tall, loves weird things and
adventure, would like to meet a Chinese
or Taiwanese woman in Tokyo to hang
out. [email protected]
Colorful story. Would you like
to experience a colorful romantic
relationship? English book writer, 52,
living in central Tokyo. winds_fr@
hotmail.com
Cute, interesting Japanese male for
SWF. Seeking attractive Western female
with a nice smile. Let's chat over coffee
or nice food. I am looking forward
to your nice message. Just try once.
[email protected]
Cute, sweet and smart Japanese
man seeks SWF who seeks secret happy
events in her spare time in Tokyo.
Single/married ok. Shall we begin to
talk? I think this opportunity will be
a great one for us. followupforme14@
gmail.com
Dating? Single, 44, no children, living in
Machida, can speak Japanese, seeking
a girlfriend in big Tokyo. Am a white
male, professional, working in Tokyo.
If you are interested, please write and
let's chat. redcherriesblueplums@
hotmail.com
Decent JM available. Seeking a
cheerful and mature lady. I'm 30s,
financially secure, living and working
in Tokyo, enjoying life. Let's have dinner
or drinks to get to know each other first.
Prefer non-Japanese. Just casual dinner
also fine. [email protected]
Do you like heavy metal music? I'm
a Japanese male seeking a nice female
who likes heavy metal music. Let's talk
about our favorite bands, spend time
listening to heavy metal music, and
hang out and go to gigs. [email protected]
English- and Spanish-speaking SJM.
I am not handsome or rich. Clumsy,
early 40s, seeking woman of a similar
age for romance or marriage. Tokyo or
Kanagawa preferred. elsalvadorjapan@
yahoo.es
Handsome and caring SJM seeks
a nice Western or Japanese female
for friendship and possibly more.
Nonsmokers preferred. If you are
interested in exciting and happy times
with nice conversation, please email
me! [email protected]
Handsome man. Hi, I'm Australian-Sri
Lankan, handsome, 186cm, 40s, look
30s, seeking a woman who needs love
and more. If interested, please mail me.
Thanks. [email protected]
Horticultural therapist for wilted
flowers in Tokyo. Currently available for
consultation over a glass of wine. What
are your symptoms? Multilingual JM, 45.
[email protected]
International Western guy, lived
outside his home county of the UK
for over 10 years in different Asian
countries, seeking an international
gal for drinks, chat, laughs after work.
[email protected]
Are you ready for romance? Male,
28, 176cm, brown skin, living in Tokyo,
seeking a Japanese lady for romance. I
work at a company, so free on weekends.
E/J ok. Looking forward to hearing from
you. [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]
Be together. Seeking harmony and joy
in your love. Gentleman, 50, tall, fun,
intelligent and fit. I see you as a tall,
attractive lady, up to 35. Seeking a
steady, discreet relationship. Friends to
start? [email protected]
JM seeking a foreign girl. I'd like
to make some foreign friends. I'm
easygoing and I would like to make some
friends. Please mail me. Let's exchange
some photos. Thanks. kosuke1016@
hotmail.com
Black lady? Tall white English devil seeks
black angel for fun times. onzeetop@
gmail.com
JM seeks romance. JM, 41, seeking
someone who want s to have a
relationship. If you are interested,
please send me an email and let's get
to know each other. Any nationality ok.
British gent seeking his love. Seeking
a caring, attractive Japanese woman
who I can spend time with. I'm 37, a
business owner, 180cm, fit, attractive. I
enjoy movies, chatting, writing/listening
to music and hugging loved ones.
[email protected]
Caring and cute SJM seeks attractive,
hearty, nonsmoking Western female for
friendship. I would like to share fun,
interesting, great experiences with you.
If you feel the same way, just drop me a
line. Looking forward to your response.
[email protected]
Jukujo? Australian guy, mid-40s,
single, living in central Tokyo, seeking
an interesting, mature Japanese lady.
[email protected]
Let's get dinner or drinks. Hello, I'm
originally from New York. I love Tokyo,
going out, meeting new people. I'm
adventurous, laid-back, friendly and
a bit quiet–but not shy. I'm into art,
music, movies, literature. mikenyus@
hotmail.com
25
Many more classified ads online! Visit classifieds.metropolis.co.jp
JOBS
Free consultation in fluent English
Foreign hair experts for women & men
No use of thinning scissors without prior consultation
Imported hair colors and sample chart for Western hair
No hard selling of beauty products
No personal questions.We concentrate on our job and let you relax
Friendly atmosphere and groovy music
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
leafcup.com/job
ART MODEL NEEDED. Nude model
required for sophisticated art project.
Willing to offer attractive modeling
fee. Privacy is 100% respected. Serious
only. Mail: [email protected]
To advertise:
[email protected]
03-4588-2277
DEDESUKE group is now seeking staff
at its restaurants in Ginza, Shinbashi,
Shiodome, Ebisu ¥1100~¥1600/h.
Negotiate working hours and
d ay s (s eve n d ay s , 1 0 a m - 4 p m).
Conversational Japanese, proper
visa required. Interview in Japanese.
英語を活かすサービスをしたい方. Contac t
080-4437-3339. [email protected]
www.dedesuke.com
JapanTravel
.com
JOIN US IN INTRODUCING JAPAN TO
THE WORLD. S e ek ing energetic ,
bilingual individuals with a passion
for travel and interest in tourism.
We offer excellent career paths
and promotion prospects and are
an equal- oppor tunit y employer.
Positions available include account
mana g e r, d esigne r, d eve l o p e r,
project manager. Visit our jobs page
for details. To apply, please send
your resume to [email protected].
http://en.japantravel.com/jobs
J A P A N T R A V E L I N T E R N S H I P.
J a p a nTr a v e l . c o m i s s e e k i n g
E/J bilingual interns to join the
largest tourism website in Japan.
Multiple opportunities in content,
sales/marketing and web/design.
No salary, but transportation and
business expenses provided. Minimum
three months, chance for full-time
position. Please send your resume (E/J) to
[email protected].
WINE SALESPERSON sought to call on
hotels, restaurants and bars to offer
our high-quality wines at incredible
prices. Candidates should be
confident, J/E bilingual, passionate
about wine, love fine dining and travel,
have experience in sales, wine or both.
Full-time (Mon-Fri, 10:30am-7:30pm).
Position available immediately. Please
send cover letter and resume to
[email protected].
WANT TO HELP CREATE METROPOLIS?
We’re seeking social media, web, and
editorial interns. Great opportunity
to gain experience in a multimedia
company ! To appl y, send intro
let ter, CV and relevant clips to
[email protected].
26
RAIDON JAPANESE RESTAURANT is
seeking staff in Shinbashi ¥1000/h,
¥12,000/d. Working hours/days
negotiable. Conversational Japanese,
proper visa required. Transportation
costs and meals provided. 日本語学
校生徒歓迎。英語話せなくても ok. Contact
Mr. Ishi at [email protected].
03-6268-8154 raidon.jp
CREATIVE , AMBITIOUS BILINGUAL
SALES STAFF IN ROPPONGI. Do you
like meeting new people and driving
a project through to completion?
Are you excited by a challenge? Join
Metropolis’ sales team and work in a
fast-paced international environment.
Sales experience required, events/
project planning experience a plus. To
apply, send your E/J resume to jobs@
metropolisjapan.com.
メトロポリスはバイリンガル（日英）の営業
アシスタントとスタッフを募集しています｡
是非、私達の広告マーケティングチームに加わ
りませんか！応募条件：責任感をもって勤勉に
取り組める方、協調性があり、意欲を持って主
体的に働ける方を募集しています。営業経験の
ある方は歓迎します。フルタイム
( M o n - Fri ,
9:30am-6:30pm) で働ける方に限ります。
[email protected]
E NTH U S I A S TI C , A DA P TA B LE W E B
DEVELOPER. As our online media
presence continues to grow, Metropolis
is seeking a motivated web developer
to improve our existing online products
and more. Experience with WordPress
a must, along with ability to use
Git to track and manage code. To
apply, send your E/J resume to jobs@
metropolisjapan.com.
Love don't cost a thing. I'm black,
you're Japanese. I'm male, you're
female—let's build a relationship
based on trust and sincerity. I don't
need your money, you don't need mine.
Distance is not a barrier! Let love lead...
Serious only. [email protected]
234-8034713154
Married American for married. Married
American male seeking married females,
20-45, for long-term ongoing fun. I'm not
seeking multiple partners, just one female
who is seeking the same. Talk to you soon.
[email protected]
Married only. Mature English guy, ok
marriage, but these days the excitement
is missing. Hope to find a pleasant MJF who
feels the same–maybe we can make each
other feel whole again? tempteccobox@
hotmail.com
Mature and sophisticated Japanese,
some have said charming, seeking an
elegant, passionate, kind SWF. I dream
about wild nights as well as sharing the
simple pleasures of love. Is that you?
[email protected]
Mature Japanese woman. American
guy, 50s, seeking a nice Japanese
woman, 50s, for friendship and
romance. Anyone interested? If yes, I'd
be interested in getting to know you.
[email protected]
MWM for MJF. Are you a nice, discreet
Japanese lady looking to reignite passion
and romance? If so, I would love to meet
you. I'm a married white Canadian in
central Tokyo, 40s, younger-looking,
easygoing, nonsmoking. Daytime ok.
[email protected]
Natural, open-minded female wanted.
Caucasian guy, free-spirited, passionate
about healthy lifestyle, seeking similar
female to join me in natural lifestyle.
You must be open-minded, enjoy nature,
cooking, onsen, music and want to live
in mountains with me. moreyama@
hushmail.com
Pianist seeks lady. I'm a jazz pianist.
I'm seeking an interesting Japanese
woman who likes the arts and can speak
a bit of English. I speak a little Japanese.
[email protected] www.pianojazz.
net 0333988571
Seeking an affair. I am a married male,
45, white, good-looking, from New
Zealand, seeking a lonely, sexy lady
for dinner, movie dates and hotel stays.
[email protected]
Seeking chubby, serious JF. European
guy, 40, open-minded, easygoing, honest,
faithful, seeks a JF who can meet up soon
(not too many emails) for a long-term
relationship. Let's meet up over coffee
and talk. [email protected]
Seeking curvy/ポッチャリ/ぷに子
woman. I am 32, fairly good-looking,
living in Tokyo. Your photo gets mine.
[email protected]
Seeking girlfriend. Foreign male, 40s,
seeking Japanese females for friendship
and possibly serious relationships in
Tokyo/Chiba area. I am kind, warm, caring
and nonsmoking. Let's have a date over
a cup of coffee. Serious females only,
please. [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. munesan50@
yahoo.com
Seeking JF. Hi, how are you? I'm Mexican,
31, living and working in Tokyo, seeking
a JF for hanging out, drinks, dinner, etc.
I'm free every Sun. Thanks! Serious only.
[email protected]
Seeking large Japanese girlfriend.
Canadian guy, 40s, open-minded, gentle,
romantic, positive, seeks overweight
girlfriend for long-term relationship in
Tokyo. Serious only, please. bbalajan@
yahoo.com
Seeking mature woman. Fun and
easygoing SJM, 57, into reading, movies
and swiming, living in Tokyo, seeks a
Caucasian lady, 50s, for friendship.
Would like to get to know each other and
exchange thoughts over coffee or lunch.
[email protected]
Seeking people to do various activities.
Hello, there! I am a German exchange
student in Tokyo, mid-20s, good-looking,
interested in sports, cultural activities,
going to restaurants, doing trips, enjoying
nature, and Japanese women. Write me if
interested. [email protected]
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. bbamian@yahoo.
com
Serious, long-term. European
gentleman, mid-30s, attractive, kind,
intelligent, professional, seeking a serious
relationship with a JF, low to mid-30s, in
central Tokyo who has similar values.
Serious only, please. Thanks for reading.
[email protected]
Single American. I'm seeking an
attractive SJF with a sense of humor. Do
you like music? I'm a pianist. I speak little
Japanese. I can also help you with English.
I do yoga and like movies, am affectionate,
romantic. [email protected] www.
pianojazz.net
Single mother sought by father with
7-year-old boy for meeting, having fun
and speaking English on weekends with
the kids. [email protected]
Single, handsome and caring Japanese
male seeks a nice Western or Japanese
female for friendship and possibly
more. Nonsmokers preferred. If you are
interested in exciting and happy times
with nice conversation, please email me!
[email protected]
SWM seeking mature Japanese women.
The title pretty much says it all. I'm late
20s, handsome, kind, intelligent and I just
happen to like more mature women. If this
sounds like you, message me! dnizzz@
mail.com
SWM seeking SJF for marriage. Seeking
an attractive, financially secure SJF,
24-40, wanting to marry an athletic,
fairly good-looking SWM. Love to laugh
and travel, try new things, positive, openminded. [email protected]
The Walking Dead. Seeking a girl who
goes "yeah" when the heads explode
rather than "gross." British male seeking
any-nationality female with similarly
gore-y drama taste. [email protected]
UK lady. SJM, 30s, tall, slim, lover of
books, films and music, seeks an attractive
British lady with the same interests. First
chat, then meet up for coffee and maybe
more. [email protected]
WM in Tokyo seeking a pretty girl, 18-35.
I am tall, white, with blue eyes. I speak
Japanese. [email protected]
You and me together. Caucasian
businessman, healthy, educated, fun
to be with, seeks a long-term, mutually
fulfilling, discreet relationship. Me:
50/180/80. You: English-speaking, tall
and good-looking, 30-40. Hope to find
you, my girlfriend. twentyone21cent@
hushmail.com
14.3 WOMEN LOOKING FOR MEN
Modest SJF is seeking company for
Christmas and more. Miss having
company for attending events. I am a
classic, well-mannered single Japanese,
early 40s, good-looking. angel1124@
outlook.com
CHILD CUSTODY & FAMILY LAW
Multiply happiness. Affectionate,
caring, fun-loving, professional,
multilingual JF seeks a mature,
sophisticated gentleman, 35-45, for
a meaningful long-term relationship.
Enjoy traveling, water sports, nice
dining, music, art, reading? We can
multiply happiness by sharing it!
[email protected]
and other legal troubles
Seeking gentleman. I'm seeking a
gentle WM with whom to spend good time
together. I'm a SJF, 40s. blenda0406@
yahoo.co.jp
Eri Mizutani, attorney-at-law (Tokyo Bar Association)
Maffice Bajikoen 1-25-20, Kamiyoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
Seeking Mr. Right. JF, 38, with a
beautiful daughter, seeks loyal, hardworking gentleman to spend the future
with. If you are in the same situation,
please let me know. Serious only.
[email protected]
Seeking new fun with you! Attractive
JF, 30s, banker, just out of a relationship. I
want to meet someone new for fun. Prefer
to meet after work in central Tokyo. Let's
have fun together. reina2010japan@
yahoo.co.jp
Given its complexity and specialized nature, obtaining
qualified legal guidance is crucial for your case.”
ERI MIZUTANI LAW OFFICE
“IMAMURA KINEN” LAW OFFICE
今村記念法律事務所
WE PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE BY THE LAWYER,
ACCOMPANIED WITH A QUALIFIED
INTERPRETER IN ENGLISH OR FRENCH.
Discreet fun! Decent, discreet JM, 170,
65kg, healthy, average body, clean,
interested in foreign guys. Feel free to
message me. [email protected]
Gay friend. I’m a JM, 28, 180cm, 78kg,
5’11”, living north of Tokyo. I’m seeking
gay friends for talking, going out... I’m
interested in history, traveling, the
French language, working out. Feel
free to contact me! titechman2015@
yahoo.co.jp
JM seeking straight/bi guys. Japanese,
5’7”, 145lbs, with a smooth body, into
kissing, cuddling, hugging, etc. I live
alone in Tokyo. Feel free to make contact.
Please reply w/face photo. I’ll reply with
mine. [email protected]
Visa and Immigration issues
Naturalization, mixed marriage, etc.
Car Accident, Inheritance, Labor Dispute
Corporate Legal matters, Contracts, etc.
Yusuke Totsuka,
Lawyer
Yuta Watanabe,
Lawyer
If not available 080-4864-1258
Reasonable prices.
Free first time consultation
We can support you with:
Visa and immigration
Intellectual property rights
(Patent, trademark, copyrights)
14.6 AND OTHERS
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]
WADA Legal & Administrative Office
We can help you with:
• Visa & Immigration Procedures
• Mixed Marriage, Naturalisation
and Refugee Status
• Establishing a Company &
Branch Office
• Accounting Services, Acquiring
Business Licences
• Preparation/Translation of
Legal & Business Documents
• Other Legal & Business Matters
15 JOBS
15.1 JOB WANTED
SANTA TIME HAS COME! Need my
skills for parties, bars, restaurants,
shopping malls, etc.? Santa Claus
of the year from ’05-’14. Contact
Santa at 080-4156-1670. jake657@i.
softbank.jp [email protected]
Our office is located in Jinbocho, very close from the station (A2 exit)
1F Senshu Daigaku 8-Go 1-Kan, Jinbocho 2-8-3 Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
J-STAR PATENT, TRADEMARK & IMMIGRATION OFFICE
Japanese female seeks German
gentleman. Voluptulous Japanese female,
40s, seeks a Deutsch-speaking gentleman,
over 40, for a serious relationship.
Tokyoites only, please. You will not regret
it. [email protected]
Long-term relationship in Tokyo.
Modest, funny SJF in Tokyo, born in '73,
healthy. I like the outdoors, movies, food.
If you are interested in me, let's talk more.
No vegetarians or religious people, please.
[email protected]
http://japanlawoffice.blog.fc2.com/
Tel: 090-8487-1968
ESCORTS have gone online.
To f i n d a l o v e l y l a d y
co m p a nio n , v i s it ht t p: //
classifieds.metropolis.co.jp/
category/personals/escorts.
Seeking Japanese couple. I am a white
European living in central Tokyo. I would
like to meet a nice Japanese couple to
have a good time together. I can speak
Japanese. [email protected]
PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO CONTACT US IN ENGLISH,
FRENCH OR JAPANESE IF YOU NEED LEGAL ASSISTANCE.
Hiroaki Sugiyama,
Lawyer
14.5 ESCORTS
Feeling your skin next to mine. It's
cold and I've got no woman to hold me
tight. WM, 39, warm smile, gentle touch,
charming eyes, seeking JF, 30-45, who
also needs a warm touch. Go slowly–just
email. [email protected]
ENGLISH
AVAILABLE!
Contact
Tel: 03-6432-7654
Email: [email protected]
14.4 GAY & LESBIAN
JM seeks older woman. I'm a Japanese
man seeking an older woman for erotic
play. I'm a natural person who likes to
give much pleasure. Life is like a box of
chocolates, so let's have fun together.
[email protected]
LAVISH DATES AND
INDULGENT NIGHTS—WE
C R E AT E O P P O R T U N I T I E S
for elite foreign males to meet
elegant Japanese females.
Start with a luxurious dinner
date, take the night where you
want it to go. Fresh, young
women join our club every day.
0120-978-649 (E) international@
universe-club.jp http://universeclub.jp/en
INTERNATIONAL DIVORCE
For information:
Tel: (03) 3345-7977
FAX: (03) 3345-5377
http://www.wada-lats.com/
E-mail: [email protected]
3-5-3-1402 Nishi-Shinjuku,
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023
27
RELATIONS
STEREOTYPES
BY GRACE BUCHELE MINETA
There’s a lot that can be said about stereotypes, especially offensive and
harmful ones. Everyone knows you shouldn’t let stereotypes influence
your behavior … but what happens when you realize you fit right into your
demographic’s stereotypical behavior? Recently, my husband pointed out
that I am a “basic white girl.” I like pumpkin spice drinks (yum!), I wear black
leggings as pants (they’re way more comfortable than jeans!), and own
several pairs of UGG boots (my feet feel like they’re walking on clouds).
I’m a walking stereotype.
固定概念
よく会話の話題になる固定概念。人を不快な気分にして傷つけるような物
は特に話題になりがち。誰もが型にはまった行動や固定概念は良くないと
思っているけど、実際に型通りの行動をしている自分に気づいたらどうすれ
ばいいの？人口学的な特徴通りの行動をしていたら？最近、夫に”やっぱり
白人の女の子だね！”って指摘されたの。スパイシーなパンプキンドリンクが
大好きで（すっごく美味しい〜）
、
ズボンの代わりに黒のレギンスを着ちゃう私。
（ジーンズよりもずっと履き心地良いんだもん）それに、UGGのブーツを何
足も持ってるの（まるで雲の上を歩いてるみたいなの）。
■ 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 22-Jun 21 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Jun 22-Jul 23 ♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣
Just by being yourself, you’ll be
someone’s hero this week.The Sun
connects with Saturn on Monday
as it merges with Mercury. You may finalize or
complete a structure. This includes emotional
foundations as well as buildings. Express your
truth, especially if you are a teacher, in a legal
match, or in law enforcement. If you have inlaws to contend with—you will score a victory
because you stood your ground!
Tender feelings are worth a second
chance. You really do epitomize the
best of the earthly sensations, combining solid warmth with a stolid stance when
it’s needed. Taurus is not a sign to be taken
lightly—“earthly delights” is a phrase created
just for you. As you keep yourself busy during
the next few weeks, your relationship sector
will blossom to something beautiful, sexy, and
financially comfortable.
If you have in-laws to contend with,
or if you are an in-law yourself,
expect some well-deserved nurturing to come your way. Sure, you may feel you
don’t need it, or have time to stop in the midst
of recent flurries. Things pop up which are not
in your control, so you may as well enjoy a few
special treats. Projecting into the future is fun
and can be profitable. Relaxing into the moment
is golden.
Cancer is ruled by the Moon. The
Moon governs your feelings, and
your home. This translates to you
being careful about where you live, who gets
in, and how much food you have in the fridge.
You are responsibility-positive when it comes
to taking care of those you love. The fact that
you can shoulder so much shows how much you
care. Who doesn’t appreciate a fortress when
the world starts to creep in?
LEO
VIRGO
LIBRA
SCORPIO
Sep 24-Oct 23 ♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Oct 24-Nov 22 ♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣
The focus is on money, and the money
is yours. Investments tend to grow
with the current Sun-Saturn-Mercury
transit in your solar second house. At the same
time, you’re hearing news that once might have
slowed you down, but has no power over you
anymore. Scorpios are not light and fluffy;
they’re in for the long haul. If you’re feeling tested, be assured you will also be well rewarded.
Mar 21-Apr 20 ♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Jul 24-Aug 23 ♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Apr 21-May 21 ♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣
Aug 24-Sep 23 ♥♥♥ ¥ ♣♣♣
CANCER
Th e Le o M o o n S u n day t hro u g h
Tuesday shows you are a force to be
reckoned with. Finally, it's your turn
to “roar”! The helpful aspect between the Sun,
Saturn, and Mercury blends with Mars and
Venus to put things into starry alignment for
you. Let others help and continue to be grateful. You don’t have to do everything yourself.
There will come a time when you rule again.
A tasty week and worth every bite.
Sometimes you just have to let your
tastebuds lead the way—not everything is a thought to be considered. The “senses”
have their own realm! This is accentuated by
the placement of the stars. The Sun, Saturn,
and Mercury create intensity for Virgos at the
moment. Sextile to Mars and Venus, it will be all
too easy to spend money. So you may as well eat!
Positive celestial alignments outweigh black-hole shredding. Mars,
Dark Moon Lilith, Venus, and Juno are
all in Libra. It’s tempting to “write your own ticket”—because you can. Be sure to get feedback
about important decisions; you’re being taken
seriously. Long-term commitments are likely to
stick. The Sun, Saturn, and Mercury bring news
that supports what you’ve been saying all along.
SAGITTARIUS
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
Jan 21-Feb 19 ♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Feb 20-Mar 20 ♥♥ ¥¥¥¥ ♣♣♣
OK Sag, you asked for a dream to
come true, and it’s put ting itself
together for you right now. The thing
is, you trusted the universe so much, you let it
handle too many details. Which means there’s
still work to do. Sigh! If only this life came with
an instruction manual. Having said that, it’s
happy birthday to you! The Sun, Saturn, and
Mercury in Sagittarius hold up the clouds so
you can stay aloft.
There are times to act, and times not
to do so. When the Moon is void-ofcourse, it’s a creative limbo place, not
a sign-on-the-dotted-line scenario. It happens
on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday of this week.
If you’re thinking you need to create something
to happen, focus on your desire those days,
then sign on Saturday, Monday, or Wednesday.
It’s that simple.
Things may seem upside down this
week. In a way, they are, with the
majority of the stars in your chart flying above the horizon, and very little to hold
down the fort. It’s as if the rain holds more
weight than usual, or the clouds have minds
of their own. Practically speaking, this is a
time when your dreams can soar, and fun with
friends is almost a guarantee. Balance your
spirit with expanded education.
Relationships will grow, if that is your
desire. Of course, they will also take
up most of your time and energy,
with Jupiter in this sector of your chart. If you
can, help him or her eat in a frugal manner—it
will be all too easy for them to gain weight right
now. Money is a scattered affair; you’re in the
“I must trust the universe” stage—not an easy
task! Friends are deep, mysterious, and fun.
Take them on a hike.
Nov 23-Dec 22 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣
28
Dec 23-Jan 20 ♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣
PISCES
LINGO BOX
300,000: The number
of Halloween-themed
garbage bags the TMG
gave away “in an effort to
keep the capital’s streets
clean amid the fun”
Hakken (発見) Discovery
Torikesu (取り消す) Revoke
the small print
Furyōhin (不良品) Defective product
Hōshasei (放射性) Radioactive
BY STEVE TRAUTLEIN
Ochiru (落ちる) To fall
I LEARNED THE WONDER AND PROFUNDITY
OF PICTURE BOOKS BY VISITING THIS
STORE. IT’S SAD TO SEE IT CLOSE.”
stats
0.6 MILLIMETER Diameter of an artificial
—A customer at Tom’s Box, a children’s bookshop in Kichijoji
that’s scheduled to shut its doors this month
ALL ABE, ALL THE TIME
⊲Editors
⊲
at Forbes ranked Prime Minister
Shinzo Abe 43rd on their list of “The World’s
Most Powerful People.”
⊲Abe
⊲
was 63rd last year, which makes him
“the biggest upward mover” of 2015.
⊲Meanwhile,
⊲
the PM became the first sitting
Japanese leader to board a United States aircraft carrier when he visited the newly arrived
USS Ronald Reagan in Yokosuka.
⊲Government
⊲
sources say Russian President
Vladimir Putin is unlikely to hold a summit
with Abe before the end of the year, but they’re
hopeful about a meeting in early 2016.
WELL, THAT EXPLAINS IT
⊲Police
⊲
in Maebashi arrested a 19-year-old
man for pushing his girlfriend off a ninemeter-high platform in a scenic viewing area,
causing injuries to her chest and back.
⊲The
⊲
suspect was quoted as saying: “I caused
her to fall following relationship trouble, but I
didn’t intend to kill her.”
blood vessel developed by researchers at
the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular
Center—the thinnest ever
¥980 Price of a 330-square-meter parcel
⊲Officials
⊲
at the agricultural ministry say last
winter’s avian flu epidemic was likely caused
by “migratory birds that spent the winter in
Japan after breeding in Siberia.” The outbreak
forced the culling of some 350,000 Japanese
chickens.
⊲The
⊲
MPD arrested a junior high school student
in Sapporo for allegedly possessing a computer
virus used for “fraudulent remittances.”
of land in Fukagawa, Hokkaido. Officials
are hoping the low cost will attract new
residents
government awarded with this year’s autumn
decorations.
⊲A
⊲ group of Hiroshima residents filed a lawsuit
requesting that they be officially recognized
as A-bomb survivors due to their exposure to
a “black rain” of radioactive materials.
HERE WE GO AGAIN
⊲Executives
⊲
at Toyo Tire, who have already
confessed to falsifying data for their earthquake shock absorbers, now say they failed
to test vibration-dampening products used
in trains and ships.
⊲Administrators
⊲
at Waseda University announced that they would revoke the doctorate of disgraced RIKEN researcher Haruko
Obokata.
⊲Hall
⊲
of Fame golfer Isao Aoki and former U.S.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld were
among the 3,964 people that the Japanese
GOING POSTAL
⊲The
⊲
head of a post office in Nagano admitted
to running a Ponzi scheme that bilked 180
customers out of ¥890 million.
⊲Arbitrators
⊲
in Stockholm ordered Osakabased NTN Corp to pay $94.2 million to Volvo
in a case involving defective ball bearings.
⊲A
⊲ government white paper found that police
made a record-high 4,300 arrests for indecent
assault in 2014.
⊲McDonald’s
⊲
Japan posted a $30 million loss
from January to September—the worst result
for the nine-month period since the company
debuted on the TSE in 2001.
at a glance
BY ADAM GARWOOD
AND FINALLY…
Check out Adam’s works at http://meturl.com/adam3
⊲Library
⊲
staff in Tenri, Nara Prefecture, discovered a stash of 212 previously unknown haiku
by the Edo-era poet Yosa Buson (1716-1783).
⊲One
⊲
of the poems reads, “I am surprised by
a burned field, flowering grass.”
⊲A
⊲ high-ranking Indonesian official indicated
that his country is interested in buying US-2
amphibious rescue aircraft from the MSDF.
⊲Bottom
⊲
Story of the Week: “Commemorative
Plate for Late Japanese Diplomat Unveiled at
Russian Hotel” (via The Mainichi)
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
29
the last word
your article to:
WANT TO HAVE THE LAST WORD? Send
[email protected]
STARDATE
2017.1
Will Japan get All Access
Illustration by Isaac Zamora i Sitjà (Trek.fm)
to the new Star Trek?
BY C BRYAN JONES
W
e’ve talked a lot about anticipation in this
issue—anticipation and expectations
for something happening in a galaxy
far, far away. But similar anticipation and
expectations for events in our own galaxy are
also building now that the American television
network CBS has announced a new Star Trek
series.
It’s been more than a decade since the last
series, Enterprise, left the airwaves. Since then,
fans have received only two films—helmed
by the same man who is bringing Star Wars
back—and nothing more. For a franchise that
delivered new material on a weekly basis for
18 consecutive years, this silence has left these
fans far more frustrated than those of Star Wars.
The J.J. Abrams films have received, at best,
a lukewarm reception from longtime Star Trek
fans, who see them as little more than summer action flicks masquerading as Star Trek.
While J.J. makes beautiful movies, the heart of
Star Trek—what has made it so popular for so
long—has been missing from these productions.
So the arrival of a new TV series in January
2017 has fandom abuzz. September 8, 2016,
will mark 50 years since the premier of Star
Trek. While the golden anniversary year will be
marked by the release of a third film by Abrams’
Bad Robot and Paramount, it’s the TV project by
CBS that has fans excited. As you can imagine,
debate over what it should be—and fears that
it won’t live up to expectations—is already
rampant.
For those of us who love Star Trek and live
outside the United States, one of the biggest
concerns is whether or not we’ll be able to
actually see this new show—at least in a timely
manner. In an age of streaming media services
like Netflix and Hulu, it’s technically very easy
to deliver content anywhere in the world simultaneously. But traditional geographic licensing
still has a stranglehold on the industry overall,
and the immediate thought is that, in Japan, we’ll
be locked out.
In their announcement, however, CBS said
“The next chapter of the Star Trek franchise will
also be distributed concurrently for television
and multiple platforms around the world by CBS
Studios International.”
But what does this mean? Let’s make no mistake. The return of Star Trek is all about business.
CBS isn’t creating a new series because they feel
bad that fans have been left without new stories
for ten years. They’re doing it because they are
trying to boost their fledgling streaming service,
CBS All Access.
Star Trek has been among the most popular
content streamed on Netflix over the past few
years, and more than one streaming service
approached CBS about collaborating on a new
show. This signaled that the time was right for a
revival. And just as Paramount used Star Trek to
launch its UPN network in 1995 (after it tried to
do the same in a failed network creation attempt
LET’S MAKE NO MISTAKE.
THE RETURN OF STAR TREK
IS ALL ABOUT BUSINESS.”
in 1977), CBS is hoping to kick its new streaming
service into warp speed.
This new Star Trek will be the first series
created specifically for CBS All Access. In other
words, this series is being created for streaming
delivery from the very start. This should make it
easier for international audiences to get it at the
same time as the U.S. CBS owns the property,
the new show, and the delivery mechanism.
Will they make CBS All Access available in
Japan? It sounds simple, but All Access offers
thousands of episodes from CBS’s current and
past seasons. CBS doesn’t own full rights to
all programming that airs on the network, so
bringing the service to an international audience
could be complicated.
If you buy into the Star Trek vision of the
future, the complexity of accessing media from
one country in another—when we can transfer
the actual data almost instantly—is incredibly
frustrating. Whether you like Star Trek, SNL, or
college football, as an expat you’ve no doubt
felt the pain. I’m hopeful that this new series may
lead the way in breaking down the barriers created by geo-blocking, but I’m fearful it won’t. And
as someone who publishes an entire podcast
network devoted to the examination of Star Trek
(http://trek.fm), I may be left on the sidelines of
the franchise’s revival. For the moment, I’ll trust
that CBS truly is attempting to transform television delivery, and that Star Trek might finally get
a chance to make headway in Japan.
■ C Bryan Jones is Editor-In-Chief of Metropolis and
host of multiple shows on the Trek.fm podcast network
at http://trek.fm or http://itunes.com/trekfm
The views expressed in “The Last Word” are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of Japan Partnership Co. Ltd. or its partners and sponsors.
30
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the force awakens - Metropolis Magazine

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