SAKE SOUL - Metropolis Magazine

Oct 3-16, 2014 Japan’s Nº1 English Magazine www.metropolisjapan.com
SAKE SOUL
GET YOUR NIHONSHU
HIT THIS FALL
無料 PRICELESS
SURVIVING SAKE
WAFU HANGOVER CURES
MAKING WAVES
HOKUSAI CRASHES INTO UENO
RAISING A STINK
FUMING ABOUT SMOKE
FIND
POULTRY
POWER
IN TOKYO
CLASSIFIEDS
BE WITH
MR. BIG
CHECK OUR
TO-DO LIST
CHECK OUR
SAKE SPECIAL
DO YOU HAVE
WHAT IT TAKES
FOR TV?
Looking for English
& Chinese speakers
Also Japanese, Spanish
& French speakers
日本初上陸！
NOW IN JAPAN!
TOKYO
CORRESPONDENT
Fashion One broadcasts original programming
to over 300 million people in 44 countries.
We’re now looking for a Tokyo correspondent
to join our worldwide operations.
No fashion experience needed—just the right
personality! Send your CV, cover letter, photo
and/or video application, plus a link to any
on-camera work to:
http://www.fashionone.jp/casting
日本人テレビリポーター
を募集しています！
日本初上陆！
我们正在面向全球招募中
文流利的电视台记者！
ファッション ワンは世界44ヶ国、3億人以
上に発信している番組です。
你好，美女！想成为一名记者吗？
履歴書と、
プロファイル写真一枚を送って
下さい。
只要你拥有一副可爱的容貌，那就快快
もしあなたが映っている動画やリンク先
があれば、是非一緒に送って下さい。
你只需要给我们发送你的简历和照片。
http://www.fashionone.jp/casting
http://www.fashionone.jp/casting
我们会是你的第一选择！
加入我们这支年轻的队伍吧！
FACEBOOK等个人网页也欢迎!
BE SEEN. BE THE SCENE.
metropolis.co.jp/fashionone
inside
OCT 3-16, 2014 • #1071
EDITOR’S
LETTER
Welcome to our 2014 fall sake special! This special edition is full
of insights into how to get the most out of the seasonal nihonshu
flavors that hit the shelves as the temperature drops—as well as
advice on how to reduce the damage after you’ve successfully
done so.
06
On the Rocks: How sake can beat a dwindling market.
In the grand spirit of inebriation, we’ve also made things harder to
find. Upfront is now way at the back, and everything else isn’t quite
where you left it. But unlike when your sadistic roommate did it in
college, this shift has a purpose: it caps the redesign we began
back in August. So glasses up and kampai—our new look is done!
11
Sake Secrets: Hiya-oroshi is the sip of the season.
21
Global Rock: American roots run straight from Oz.
Cover design & photography Kohji Shiiki. Models (L-R): Miho from Sakebu.org, Stacey Frisbey and Jun Okuma from Oboro Sake Shop. Photographed at Higasaamagasa in Yotsuya San-chōme.
GET PRINTED!
IN FOCUS
SEND YOUR “CREEPY SCENE” PHOTOS FOR THE OCT 17 ISSUE. DEADLINE OCT 6
metropolis.co.jp/features/photo
Gate to Tokugawa Ieyasu’s tomb in Nikko Toshogu shrine, by David Jurenovic
Search over 30 million photos
8F Nishi-Azabu Sonic Bldg, 3-2-12 Nishi-Azabu,
Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0031 Tel 03-4588-2277
Fax 03-4588-2278 • www.metropolisjapan.com
METROPOLIS is Japan’s No.1 English magazine,
founded in 1994 and published for Japan’s
international community.
✓ 10 free starter credits with registration
✓ 25% credits bonus on purchase
Promo Code: Metropolis
www.123rf.com/metropolis
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Neil Butler EDITORIAL Mike Kanert (Managing Editor) Martin Leroux (Editor) Wendy Nguyen (Editorial
Assistant & Social Media Manager) Anna Cock Gibson (Proofreader) Momoko Mochizuki, Nina Janezic (Interns) CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Dan Grunebaum (Entertainment) Don Morton (Movies) C.B. Liddell (Arts) Samuel Thomas (Fashion) DESIGN Kohji Shiiki (Art Director) Davi
Azevedo (Graphic Designer) WEB Minh Douangprachanh (Webmaster) James McGuire (Web Developer) PRODUCTION Helen Langford
(Production Assistant) ADVERTISING Akane Ochi (Director of Sales) Karl Nakashima, Niki Kaihara (Sales Managers) Yo Takahashi, Maya
Oishi (Sales Executives) Ai Hosokawa (Sales Assistant) ADMINISTRATION/ACCOUNTING Jeanette Komatsu (Office Manager) Michiko
Anezaki (Adminstration/Classifieds), Keiko Adachi (Adminstration) IT Guilhem Malfre (It/Web Developer)
MetropolisMagazine
@MetropolisTokyo
MetropolisTokyo
[email protected]
Reach over 60,000 Metropolis readers. Advertise with us: [email protected]; http://metropolis.co.jp/advertise
外国人集客なら６万人の読者を持つNo.1ブランド・メトロポリスをご活用ください。詳しくは：03-4588-2277
© Copyright 2014 Japan Partnership Inc. The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to edit or delete any advertisement without notice.
03
upfront
Photo: 123RF
SCENE AROUND TOWN
LINGOIST
SAKE SPECIALIST
“Kudasai” is a good general word for making requests. But it’s also the simplest of
the many Japanese request expressions,
making it childish in some situations, and
downright rude in others. By contrast, the
phrase “onegai shimasu” shows a greater
sense of nuance. “Negau” means to hope or
wish, so the phrase might be taken to literally mean, “I make the honorable wish.” And
what better situation for nuanced honorable
desires than ordering a cup of sake—better
referred to as nihonshu. Give these phrases
a try when asked how you’d like your drink.
Sep 20: Tokyo Game Show at Makuhari Messe, Kaihin Makuhari
How Would You Like That?
JP
EN
JP
EN
Hiya de onegai shimasu.
I’d like it cold.
EN
Atsu-kan de onegai shimasu.
I’d like it hot.
EN
JP
JP
Nuru-kan de onegai shimasu.
I’d like it lukewarm.
O-kaikei (wo) onegai shimasu.
I’d like the bill.
Lesson by Alpha Japanese Language Institute. Learn hiragana and katakana free
online at www.alpha.ac.jp/mob/ebooks/hirakata/
K
Sep 26: Metropolis Getsumatsu party at Sporcaccione, Nakameguro
A
1
N
A
C
2
し
R
3
C
5
6
S
S
Down
1. Heart, 2. Accident, 3.
Composition, 5. Drinking
party, 6. Blanket, 7. Quiet
E
4
B
O
Across
1. Operation, 4. Book, 5.
Seaweed, 6. Application
or request, 8. Crab, 9.
Hangover
7
D
8
A
9
Solution:
Sep 28: Moshi Moshi Nippon at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, Sendagaya
ANSWERS AT meturl.com/kanacross
A
B
C
Metropolis Members Club
THIS WEEK’S WINNER!
Esther Maraite
won a Peeling Facial voucher courtesy of Elana Jade
UPCOMING PRIZE
One lucky MMC member will win a 50-Minute Golf
Lesson courtesy of Cool Clubs
Sep 28: Knight Wars at Futsal Connection Shibaura, Hamamatsucho
04
Register for prizes & discounts
www.metropolis.co.jp/club
D
E
TO-DO LIST
3
TOP
concert
beer
cosplay
NOV 10
OCT 11-13
OCT 12-13
Mr. Big
Oktoberfest 2014
Cosplay Festa
’80s rock group from Los Angeles. Nov 10, 7pm,
¥8,300-9,300. Nippon Budokan. Kudanshita.
meturl.com/big14 Tickets on sale now!
Hosted by Kumazawa Brewery, brewers of
Shonan Beer and Tensei Sake. Oct 11-13,
11:30am-9pm, ¥4,000. Kumazawa Brewing
Company. Kagawa. Tel: 0467-52-6118. ja-jp
facebook.com/beerfes
With over 6,000 attendees each year, this is the
world’s largest event dedicated only to cosplay
that can be enjoyed by veterans and newbies
alike. Oct 12-13, 10am-9pm, ¥2,100 (adv)/
¥2,300 (door). Tokyo Dome City. Korakuen
or Suidobashi. Tel: 0570-000-777. http://www.
cosplayfesta.com/
Photo: Pedro Arnay
EDITOR’S PICK NOV 1-2
FESTIVAL FUKUSHIMA!
Led by punker/activist Michiro Endo (of The
Stalin) and avant-garde musician Otomo
Yoshihide along with poet Ryoichi Wago, Project
Fukushima! was set up following the 2011
Tohoku tsunami. Now a festival version of the
project sees Ikebukuro come to life with a giant
furoshiki cloth on the ground, big band music
and original Bon dancing. The festival also
serves as the launch party for the 2014 edition
of Festival/Tokyo, Japan’s largest performing
arts event. Dan Grunebaum
Nov 1, 3pm-8pm, free. Nov 2, 11am-5pm, free.
Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Park. Ikebukuro. http://
www.festival-tokyo.jp/14/en/
WHALES, STORIES OF GIANTS
An innovative 3-D dance performance inspired by
legends and stories from Latin American tradition.
Oct 18, 11am & 2pm, ¥1,500-2,500. Setagaya Public
Theatre. Sangenjaya. Tel: 03-5432-1515.
http://setagaya-pt.jp/
Photo: Anita Kan - © MORI ART MUSEUM All Rights Reserved.
UNTIL JAN 4
OCT 18
LEE MINGWEI
AND HIS
RELATIONS
The first overview of the
conceptual Taiwan-born,
New York-based artist
who emphasizes audience
participation. Until Jan 4,
10am-10pm, Tue 10am-5pm,
¥500-1,500. Mori Art
Museum. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-5777-8600.
UNTIL OCT 5
Lee Mingwei, The Mending Project, 2009.
CHESS, THE MUSICAL
Courtesy of Hostess Entertainment
NOV 2-3
HOSTESS
CLUB
WEEKENDER
The latest edition of
promoter Hostess’s
thrice-yearly indie rock
fest is headlined by
Kaiser Chiefs and Team
Me. Nov 2-3, ¥13,900.
Studio Coast. Shinkiba.
Tel: 03-6809-1070.
http://ynos.tv/
hostessclub/
A Cold War musical from the hit-makers of ABBA about
love, politics and chess—really! Oct 3-5, 7pm, Oct 4 &
5, 1pm. ¥4,000 (adv)/¥4,500 (door). Theater Sun Mall.
Shinjukugyoenmae. www.tokyoplayers.com
NOV 1
DIRT CREW
Peter Gijselaers’ Dirt
Crew are rekindling the
Berlin house scene, and
transferring some of
the warmth to Tokyo. Nov 1, 10pm. ¥3,000. Origami.
Omotesando. http://origamientertainment.jp/
CHECK FOR MORE EVENTS ON P.22
05
cover
SAVING SAKE
Local producers must choose between going abroad and going extinct
BY RICHARD P. GREENFIELD
06
123RF
T
he three “s” words roll off the tongue,
and are, of course, associated: sake,
sashimi and sushi. But of the three,
sake is the most intrinsically bound
to Japanese culture. Better termed
nihonshu, sake was already being
brewed at the time of the Crusades.
It’s mentioned several times in the Kojiki, the
first written record of Japanese myths and customs compiled in 712 A.D., and like wine, sake
has religious associations arising from its use
in certain Shinto ceremonies. From the 12th to
15th centuries, temples and shrines became its
principal producers.
This long and distinguished history may,
conversely, be part of the reason why in recent
decades younger people have turned away
from sake in favor of other alcoholic beverages.
Domestic sake consumption has fallen to well
less than half of its peak of 1.4 million kiloliters
in 1973; a spike resulting from efforts to support
sake-producing regions hit by the 3/11 earthquake won’t permanently reverse the trend.
Japan’s population skews old. And members of the older generations, of whom there
are fewer each year, drink sake.
For younger drinkers, it’s anything goes.
Without breaking a sweat I can find, at several
local emporiums, absinthe, advocaat (Dutch
egg liquor), Pernod and even Spirytus from
Poland (98 percent rectified alcohol—when
I was growing up we called that kind of stuff
“torpedo juice”).
Of course, drinks always come in and out
of fashion. In the late ’70s and early ’80s it was
impossible to avoid a Tequila Sunrise. Jägermeister, now a staple of any well-stocked bar,
also went through a long slump where it was
dismissed as old-fashioned. Rye whisky has
even been making a comeback after several
decades in the dark.
Much of this is marketing. When a new
product comes out, brewers and distillers
aren’t going to pitch it to drinkers who’ve had
decades to develop their tastes—they’ll pitch
young, hoping to catch the hearts of consumers who will line their pockets for decades
to come. The fad mentality is only accelerated in Japan, where even beer, candy and
soft drinks have seasonal variations, putting
a stable perennial like sake at a permanent
disadvantage.
J
apan lives or dies as a trading nation,
and this has a direct effect on sake.
Sake is brewed from one of over 80
specialized types of rice, and not just a
little of it: the quality of the finished product is
largely determined by how much of the grain
is polished off prior to brewing. For high-end
ginjo sake, that means at least 40 percent of
each grain is milled away—or 50 percent for
top-quality daiginjo.
With very high tariffs on imported product, rice
is arguably the most protected industry in Japan,
leaving the home sake market all but impervious
to foreign incursion. As a result, sake brewers,
with a few exceptions, never had to think beyond
their local markets. A few forward-thinking brewers cultivated overseas ties in the ’90s, but the
main sake exports, handled by a few big breweries, were to Japanese restaurants abroad.
Yet it’s not impossible to imagine sake gaining general acceptance abroad in the same way
sushi already has, found as it now can be in the
food court of any Western shopping mall. There’s
a market for it outside Japan, both for being drunk
unmixed and used as a mixer (sake mixes well, as
the legendary Saketini has proven).
I
Importing the
Water of Life
How Nikka sailed from
Scotland to Japan
BY IAIN MALONEY
Nikka Whisky / Asahi Breweries
began to learn to distinguish between the different types of sake
when living in Berkeley, California,
where the first U.S. sake was being
brewed. They were far ahead of their
time: in the early ’80s, they were already
touting sake in mixed drinks, such as hot
spiced apple cider. In ’90s New York,
some friends and I even discovered a
sake bar near the United Nations. Frequented by U.N. delegates, its location
under a large parking garage made it a
perfect place for informal discussions.
It also happened to stock close to 200
varieties of sake—far more than any of
us realized existed, with a tasting menu
that rotated constantly. While these are
isolated examples, they may also represent a blueprint for the future.
Craft beer and some artisanal liquors
have found both domestic and foreign
markets. Top-tier Japanese whiskey is
now as prized as that of any of the other
prestige market (Don’t believe me? Check
the companion piece). So why can’t sake
achieve the same specialization?
Sake makers, particularly the smaller
breweries, have for years been doing
the same thing as artisanal spirit makers:
850-year-old Sudo Honke Shuzo brews
from a unique strain of rice that dates
back 20 centuries; Kamoki Sake Brewery in Hiroshima produces a reddish sake
from completely unmilled rice, flouting
tradition. And among real sake lovers, the
water used for brewing alone is indicative
of the taste particular to a region, every
bit as much as the French will claim terroir for particular wines. The nansui (soft
water) of Hiroshima and Fukushima gives
very different results from the mineralheavy kosui (hard water) favored in the
rest of the nation.
The hardest part will be for the smaller, more innovative breweries to get their
product into that elite group of ingredients that mixologists and even chefs
reach for when they need something that
is pure, distinct, and adds just the right
notes to a drink or sauce. The Japanese
government is using programs such as
the Japan External Trade Organization
(JETRO) to do just that. It means accepting adaptation and innovation: sake and
steak, sake and tacos, sake infused with
vanilla or pepper—even rediscovering
classics like what was called tamagozake, or Japanese eggnog. It will mean
being part of a very different ecosystem than exists in Japan. And it will also
mean survival.
Known in Scottish Gaelic as uisge beatha—the
water of life—whisky has long held a special
place in the hearts of Japanese tipplers. And
just as we see Japan’s iconic drink making
broader and deeper forays into the world at
large, it may be time to recall how a certain
Scottish drink established its own legacy in
the land of the rising sun.
On September 29, NHK began broadcasting
Massan, a 150-part series centering around Masataka Taketsuru and his Scottish wife, Jessica
Roberta Cowan, better known as Rita.
Born outside Hiroshima in 1894, Masataka
was the third son in a family of sake brewers.
His taste, however, was for Scotch whisky. He
traveled to Glasgow both to continue his study
of organic chemistry and to learn about the
distilling process, taking apprenticeships in
distilleries and learning from master blenders.
Rita was born in 1896 and lived with her family in Kirkintilloch, just northeast of Glasgow.
Her fiancé died in Damascus during World War
I, and her father suffered a fatal heart attack
in 1918. When the Cowans sought a lodger to
help make ends meet, it was Masataka who
moved in. The two fell in love and were married
in 1920, then traveled to Japan via New York
and Seattle.
Masataka was hired by Yamazaki distillery
in Osaka, where he quickly quarrelled with his
boss over the finer points of the whisky production. The couple then moved to Yoichi in
Hokkaido, a location selected for its close resemblance to Scotland, and the promise that
the water would offer a mineral content suitable for whisky. It was there they founded the
Dai Nihon Kaju distillery—later renamed Nikka
Whisky, retaining the Scottish y-only spelling
of the spirit.
Business was initially slow, but the outbreak
of World War II provided an unexpected boon:
with imported Scotch unavailable, the Imperial
Navy turned to Nikka to keep its sailors supple.
Categorized as a protected war industry, the
company posted its first profit in 1940. While
the whisky prospered in the war years, Rita suffered ostracism, abuse and frequent raids on
her house as the authorities wrongly suspected
her of being a spy, and children threw rocks at
her in the street.
Rita survived the war, dying of natural causes
in 1961. Masataka passed away in 1979. The two
are buried in the hills near the Yoichi distillery,
with a museum now devoted to their memory.
Nikka Whisky has continued to prosper.
While high-minded Scotch drinkers may look
askance at Japanese malts—and buyers of izakaya highballs and conbini cheapies might easily be forgiven—Nikka has quietly continued to
rack up international awards. In 2008, Nikka’s
Single Malt Yoichi 1987 was selected as the
World’s Best Single Malt Whisky at the World
Whiskies Awards, announced at the World
Whiskies Conference in Glasgow, no less. In
Scotland, quality Japanese single malts are
even displayed and served alongside elite local malts.
Meanwhile, Rita’s story—or something like
it—will continue to unfold in 15-minute segments on NHK. Following an audition that
emphasized her singing voice, American actress Charlotte Kate Fox has been cast in the
lead female role, and in addition to the studio’s
stated plans to take liberties with history, Rita’s
name has been changed to Ellie. Nonetheless,
Fox represents the first non-Japanese female
lead in an NHK series, starring alongside Tetsuji
Tamayama, who played Daisuke Jigen in this
year’s live-action film adaptation of Lupin III.
The series airs every weekday and Saturday at
8am—perhaps a touch too early to be enjoyed
with a nice glass of whisky.
07
08
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION SAKE
SUMIBIYAKI
DINING ABEYA
AKITA PURE
RICE SAKE BAR
JOY OF
SAKE
Yakitori is the ideal
dish to accompany a
Nakameguro
good cup of sake, and
Sumibiyaki Dining Abeya has you covered on
both counts. This Nakameguro eatery offers
real charcoal-grilled vegetables and yakitori,
including rare dishes you’ll seldom find in
other shops. Try the chicken thigh and white
liver skewers, or savor charcoal grilled wagyu
beef—the recommended selection changes
monthly, and there’s always more to be found
on the menu. As you dine, take a moment to explore the over 50 varieties of sake and shochu
available on-site. The recommended sip for fall
is hiya-oroshi, an incomparably delicious sake
that’s only available at this time of year.
5F Nakameguro Kangyo Bldg, 1-22-4 Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku. Tel: 3-6452-3140.
Open 5pm-midnight daily. Nakameguro.
Mention Metropolis to get a free tasting set of
3 types of sake
Akita Pure Rice Sake
Bar comes ready with
Tokyo
a so m m e l ier w ho
carefully selects the best sake for you. The sips
on hand are all prepared without any additives—
hence, pure rice sake. Take advantage of the
tasting set to enjoy a variety of flavors without
putting a dent in your wallet. Sake brewed in the
spring matures over the humid summer months,
and as the temperature drops, it brings out a
distinct, mellow flavor. No sake exemplifies this
transformation better than hiya-oroshi, the perfect drink for the fall season. You can complete
the experience by nibbling peach and mozzarella as you sip, or why not try cream cheese
with iburi-gakko, an Akita smoked pickle dish?
Whatever your taste, you won’t be disappointed!
1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku. Tel: 03-62560518. Open 11am-11pm daily. Tokyo
Blind sake tasting set (selected by the
sommelier): 4 types for ¥1,000
The world's biggest sake
celebration makes it s anGotanda
nual Tokyo appearance on
November 6 at the TOC Building in Gotanda.
The event features an amazing 370 sakes
in peak condition, all available for tasting
by guests. Chefs from 13 of Tokyo’s top restaurants serve Italian, French, Japanese,
Chinese and Spanish appetizers–the food
alone is worth the ticket price. Live Hawaiian music and hula help create an elegant,
relaxing ambience. Don’t miss this once-a
year celebration of sake and sake culture.
Tickets available online.
13F Gotanda TOC Bldg, 7-22-17 Nishi Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku. Nov 6, 6-9pm. Gotanda
(shuttle bus available). www.joyofsake.jp/
tokyo
When ordering online, enter the promotion
code SAKETYO for 10% off the ticket price
(regular ¥8,500)
Nakafuku serves authentic Japanese cuisine along with its signature original dishes, with an extensive sake
selection, bar menu and wine list on hand to
fully enhance your evening. Red wine may not
match with fish and white wine may sit poorly
with steak, but Japanese sake brings out the
best of any dish, be it surf or turf. And for the
fall season, hiya-oroshi is the top sake to savor.
Brewed in spring and matured over summer,
it’s best enjoyed as the temperature just begins to drop each year.
1F Tomizawa Bldg, 2- 4 Hachiyama-cho,
Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-6416-3389. Open 6-11pm
daily. Shibuya, Daikanyama. www.nakafuku.tokyo.jp
Mention Metropolis for a free aperitif of the
recommended sake of the day
At Sakeoh, not only can you
enjoy sake and shochu from
all over Japan—you can taste
the different varieties for free. The shop manager
is a qualified kikizakeshi, a specialist in matching
sake to dining selections and explaining the nuances of sake taste and fragrance. Let him serve
you up a variety of sake with an explanation in
English. If you have any questions about sake,
feel free to contact the shop through email, twitter, facebook, or even by phone. And look out
for monthly tasting events. You can even order
online.
3-19-10 Kanamachi, Katsushika-ku. Tel: 035876-6595. Open 11am-9pm (Sun & Hols until
8pm) closed Tuesdays & 2nd and 4th Mondays.
Kanamachi. http://meturl.com/sakeoh
Instead of the usual 3-5 sake sampler, mention
Metropolis to sample 15 types of sake for free
Specializing in shabu-shabu and steamed dishes, at
Ginza
Yoshi No Sasa you can boil
up beef, pork, duck, chicken and vegetables
from all over Japan. Be sure to try the seiro
mushi, a delectable selection of meat and
vegetables steamed in a bamboo basket, or
the tokujo wagyu, composed of top-quality
Japanese beef. Sake forms an exquisite marriage of taste with any Japanese dish, and the
selection here is no exception.
12F Maronie Gate, 2-2-14 Ginza, Chuo-ku
Tel: 03-5159-1287. Open 11am-3:30pm daily
(lunch); Mon-Fri 5:30-11pm, Sat-Sun & hols
5-11pm (dinner). Yurakucho. http://meturl.
com/yoshinosasa
Mention Metropolis when you make your
reservation and receive one cup of Hiyaoroshi
seasonal sake per pair of customers
NAKAFUKU
Shibuya
SAKEOH
Kanamachi
YOSHI NO
SASA
09
food&drink
¥¥¥¥
Seasonal fall drinks are en pointe for foodies,
and Suntory’s are no exception. Their -196℃
Chu-Hai (¥141) offers two seasonal flavors
that make their return this year. Aki Ringo
(fall apple) contains San-tsugaru apples from
Aomori, a hybrid between Golden Delicious
and Jonathan apples. Aki Nashi (fall Japanese
pear) uses kosui pears harvested in Ibaraki.
Most striking is the can design, with momiji
(red leaves) and ginkgo leaves on a black
background. If nothing else, it’ll look good on
your kitchen table.
Coffee time goes to the birds at Kotori Cafe, a
quirky new shop in the heart of Omotesando
that draws inspiration from the serenity of birdwatching. On the menu are cakes (¥800) and
other bird-themed nibbles from noted pastry
chefs, all served in birdcages. There’s also a
selection of soothing herbal teas and Hawaiian
coffee (¥800), each coming with a bird-shaped
cookie. With another branch in Kichijoji, Kotori
could be the remedy to a cuckoo day.
6-3-7 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku.
Omotesando. http://kotoricafe.jp
touched with piquant meyer lemon and crowned
with a tiny, mild radish salad, while the tuna tartare (¥2,200) is nothing less than Ultimate Sashimi. Arriving on a bed of avocado complemented
with soy-lime dressing, this cube of tuna melts
at the touch of the tongue, then finishes with a
satisfying crunch of crispy shallots and endives.
Sides range from onion rings and creamy
mashed potatoes (¥1,200 each) to crispy grilled
asparagus (¥1,400). Mains start at lemon rosemary chicken or prime hanger steak for ¥3,800,
going all the way to a 750g, 28-day-dried porterhouse steak for two (¥14,000).
Cooked in salt and pepper and served in a
heavy iron pan, the impressive porterhouse arrives topped with herb garlic butter and a full
bulb of garlic on the side. The 28 days not only
reduces moisture but also allows the marbling
to be absorbed into the steak’s muscle tissue,
resulting in more intense flavor and superior texture. Indeed, every bite so sufficiently suffuses
the taste buds that the nine sauce options—including peppercorn, red wine, béarnaise and
blue cheese—are entirely superfluous.
The ¥1,100 dessert menu offers such selections as apple cobbler, crêpe soufflé and lychee
panna cotta. But BLT Steak’s signature finisher is
a peanut butter chocolate mousse with banana
ice cream. It doesn’t so much melt in your mouth
as evaporate right up to the top of your throat,
then gliding straight down to greet your stomach.
If you’re prepared for the price, the only disadvantage to BLT Steak Tokyo is its location: hidden beside the entrance to Hotel Villa Fontaine,
you have to take an obscure secondary elevator
to get there. But once you find it, dig in!
5F Izumi Garden Tower, 1-6-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Roppongi-itchome.
Photo by Mike Kanert
RESTAURANT
Photo by Kohji Shiiki
Photo by Nina Janezic
Your daily chocolate fix is sure to be satisfied
at Meiji’s 100% Chocolate Cafe. As the name
suggests, everything on the menu is chocolate:
chocolate drinks, chocolate cake, chocolate ice
cream and even chocolate kaki-gori (shaved ice)
made with frozen chocolate. The design of the
cafe doesn’t disappoint, with the ceiling made
to look like bars of chocolate. Why not immerse
yourself in a space where chocolate is truly the
shining star?
2-4-16 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. Kyobashi.
www.meiji.co.jp/sweets/choco-cafe/
EN/JP
750g Porterhouse
Perfection
BY MIKE KANERT
With successful restaurants in New York, Las
Vegas, Waikiki, Hong Kong, Seoul and Taipei—
among others—it was only a matter of time before BLT Steak arrived in Japan.
On September 19, the classic steakhouse
opened its first Japanese branch right on top of
Roppongi-itchome station, replacing a former
club in Izumi Garden Tower. The location benefits
from high, airy ceilings on its main floor and a
cozy, chestnut-colored upper level reconfigured
from the old VIP lounge. Smoking is allowed
only upstairs and on the narrow garden terrace,
though some exceptions are made for the expansive private rooms at the back.
Dining kicks off with a crimson chicken-liver
mousse in port wine sauce—creamy with just
a touch of tartness. Apparently aware that its
role is not to distract, the mousse only whets
the appetite for the real eye-openers: the popovers. The staple bottomless bread of every BLT
Steak location, these resemble nothing more
than softball-sized meteorites, and arrive at the
table with a silver tower of salt and a small vat of
creamy butter. Crisp on the outside with a soft,
cruller-like interior, each serving is accompanied
by a tag outlining how to make a dozen of your
own at home (stock up on 2¼ cups of Gruyère!).
The menu proper is pricey, but not prohibitively so: salads and appetizers range from ¥1,200
for double-cut smoked bacon to ¥3,800 for a
lobster Cobb salad. The crab cake (¥2,400) is
10
If you find yourself in the area with some
spare change, head to Harajuku Gyoza Lou
for some of the best (and cheapest) gyoza in
town. Service is fuss-free and easy, with just
two decisions required: chives and garlic or
original, and whether you want them pan fried
or steamed. Each serving will set you back a
mere ¥290, so there’s no reason not to go. To
avoid the long lines, try to get there before
6pm on weekdays, though.
6-2-4 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku.
Meiji-Jingumae.
SAKE
“There are too many French and Italian restaurants in Tokyo,” says Michi Takahashi, who
spent 25 years in French restaurants in California. Re-opened September 12 near Gaienmae,
his California Diner EAT once again offers its
signature burger with thick and juicy 100-percent Japanese beef, sweet sautéed onion and
demi-glace sauce combined with Thousand Island dressing (¥1,000 lunch, ¥1,100 after 6pm).
Not up for a burger? No problem: there’s also
a robust tapas menu for dinner.
2-27-18 Minamiaoyama, Minato-ku.
Photo by Kohji Shiiki
seasonal secrets
of hiya-oroshi
YUZU KOSHŌ TAMAGOYAKI
RECIPE AND PHOTO BY RIEKO SUZUKI
A delicious twist on the traditional tamagoyaki that replaces the sweet flavor with a hint of
refreshing yuzu koshō (paste made from chili
peppers, yuzu peel and salt, available at most
grocery stores). Making tamagoyaki usually requires a tamagoyaki pan, but a regular pan is
fine for this recipe. If you don’t have a makisu
(sushi mat, available at most ¥100 shops) you
can use parchment paper as a substitute.
Start to finish: 25 min (active time 10 min)
Servings: 4 pieces
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
BY YUKARI SAKAMOTO
As the temperature drops, it’s a great time to
enjoy seasonal sake. And if you don’t know
the difference between a ginjo and a gecko, a
great spot for some easygoing sake education
is Oboro Saketen in Shinbashi.
On a recent visit, shop owner Jun Okuma
helped us understand the finer points of hiyaoroshi, the definitive autumn sake.
“Hiya means cold, describing hi ire wa shinai—that there is no second pasteurization,”
Okuma explains. “Oroshi describes the sake
leaving the sake breweries and being shipped
to customers.”
Hiya-oroshi is made from rice harvested the
previous fall, which is then brewed in the cold
winter months, left to mature in tanks through the
summer and finally bottled in autumn. So while
most sake is bottled in the winter, hiya-oroshi
spends a few extra months aging.
“It’s a little aged,” Okuma explains, “but it also
has a freshness to it because it’s only pasteurized once. It’s not too young, but not too old.
It’s very well balanced.” He also recommends
looking for aki-agari, a poetic synonym for the
same product that translates as “autumn rising.”
Okuma recommends we taste Yamagata Masamune Aki-Agari. “This is good with mushrooms
and sanma, a silvery fish that’s at the peak of its
season in autumn,” he says. He also proposes
Sawa no Hana’s Michizuki Hiya-oroshi, which he
describes as more mature, and very nice served
RECIPE
3 large eggs
3 tbsp corn (1 tbsp = 15ml)
1 tsp yuzu koshō (1 tsp = 5ml)
1 tbsp sake
1 tbsp mayonnaise
Optional: Small amount of cream cheese and yuzu
rind to garnish
DIRECTIONS
as nuru-kan (lukewarm).
Of course, hiya-oroshi can be drunk chilled
like the sake of summer. But since it’s slightly
aged, it often shines when served hot—perfect
as temperatures start to drop. For warming up
sake at home, invest in a sake thermometer to
avoid overheating your sake and losing the delicate flavor and aroma. Just decant your sake into
a tokkuri (sake flask) and warm it up in a hot water
bath on the stove.
New sake brewed from the fall harvest will
start to come to market around the end of November or early December. At that time, be sure
to look for shinshu (new sake) and shiboritate—
unpasteurized sake, which will be de rigeur as
the year comes to a close.
1F Shinshodo Bldg No. 2, 5-29-2 Shinbashi,
Minato-ku. Shinbashi.
1. In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients.
Using chopsticks or a fork, mix until the egg
yolks and egg whites blend together (avoid
whipping).
2.Heat the frying pan (for non-stick pans use 1
tsp vegetable oil). Pour the egg mixture into
the pan and quickly mix.
3.Turn off the heat when the egg mixture starts
to become half-cooked and develops a scrambled egg consistency. Tilt the pan to move the
egg to one side.
4.Place plastic wrap on the makisu. From the
pan, pour the semi-solid egg mixture onto
the plastic wrap. Roll the makisu into a tubular
shape (in a wrap, like you would roll sushi).
Leave it to rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
If you find the egg is still too raw when
you roll it, microwave it for 20 seconds
on a medium heat setting after rolling.
Rieko Suzuki
Rieko blogs bilingual recipes at
http://meturl.com/ruby
11
̶ Hana・Gakoi ̶
The best Sushi and
Yakitori Restaurant
in Aoyama.
YAKITORI,SUSHI
Meiji ST.
HANAGAKOI
Shibuya P.O.
Shibuya
HIKARIE
T.
aS
yam
Ao
Roppongi ST.
Shibuya police station
B1 Diamond bldg
1-1-8 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku
Tokyo 〒150-0002
TEL 03-3498-3228
Lunch 11:30 ～ 14:00
Dinner 17:00 ～ 23:00
（L.O.22:00 Drink L.O.22:30）
www.failte.jp
Spacious
5F terrace
overlooking
central
Shibuya.
Enjoy our great selections
of Irish and European brews.
7 Anniversary
th
4 days! Oct 16 (Thu) to 19 (Sun)
• Regular Draft beer discounted! ¥700
• Selected Bottled beer discounted!
• Special menu available!
More details
5F, Sede Bldg. 1-5-2 Dogenzaka, Shibuya
http://failte.jp
OPEN 5:30pm-2am (Mon-Sat)
3-11pm (Sunday & hols)
Join Japan’s largest
travel community site
Share your own experiences
Explore the hidden Japan
12
Tokyu
Plaza
tel:
03-3476-7776
Enjoy gourmet steak, fish,
seafood and a selection of
world-class wines with a
superb skyline view.
Tokyo’s No.1 nighttime panorama
Fresh fish direct from Tsukiji market
High-quality Japanese steaks
Selection of high quality wines
from over 2,000 cellars worldwide
Party & wedding catering
English service & menu available
41F Shiodome City Center Bldg, 1-5-2 Higashi Shinbashi, Minato-ku
Yakult
Panasonic
Shiodome City Center
Nihon TV
Tower
Matsushita
Shiodome Eletric
tower
LUNCH:
Mon-Sun 11:30am-3pm (LO 1:30pm)
DINNER:
Mon-Sun 5:30pm-11:30pm(LO 9:30pm)
Online Reservation:
www.fish-bank-tokyo.jp
03-3569-7171
advertorial
TOKYO
CREATIVE
WEEKS
Mansaku Nomura
Tojiro Yamamoto
Ernesto Neto, hene yube rio jiboia gente é um sopro que atravessa a
gente, 2014 Installation view at CCBB Brasilia. Photo: Joana França
Man Nomura
From traditional performances to contemporary arts, the
festival presents a full palette of art experiences in one
A
s the autumn approaches, why not
fall into the world of art and culture at
the Tokyo Creative Weeks? The TCW
is a seven-week festival celebrating
traditional culture and contemporary
art in various venues around the city.
The festival offers fascinating exhibits, as
well as interactive programs. For the season
dubbed in Japan as a time for whetting appetites, get immersed in and inspired by the
creative side of Tokyo!
KYOGEN: SUPREMACY
AND SUCCESSORS
Kyogen is a kind of spoken drama that is based
upon laughter and comedy, an art form passed
down from generation to generation, for more
than 600 years. It is often performed as interludes in Noh performances, another type of
theater with which it shares history. The predominantly male actors have kyogen in their
blood, coming from families of performers who
pass on the art form from generation to generation. Of them, three particular kyogen actors
are deemed living national treasures of Japan.
And will perform for the first time in the same
show. Witness history in the making! Oct 28,
6:30pm, ¥2,000-6,000. National Theatre of
Japan, 4-1 Hayabusacho, Chiyoda-ku. Hanzomon. www.ntj.jac.go.jp/english.html
Image from WALLFLOWER by Inbal Pinto &
Avshalom Pollak, July 2014. Photo: Rotem Mizrahi
TOKYO ART MEETING (V):
SEEKING NEW GENEALOGIES—
BODIES/LEAPS/TRACES
In an age of uncertainty with an unclear future,
people want to affirm their corporeal selves as
a solid touchstone. They examine traces on
their bodies to find the sources
of their feelings, memories and
knowledge. In this exhibition,
“Seeking New Genealogies—
Bodies/Leaps/Traces,” traces of
the memory and knowledge that
remain in the body have been
put into expression across the
ages, arriving at a new genealogy born from creativity, with
the intention of rethinking contemporary expression. Tokyo
Art Meeting welcomes kyogen
master Mansai Nomura, who has
also been highly appreciated as a contemporary theater director and actor, as its general
advisor. His body inherits 600 years of tradition while suddenly leaping forward to today,
sharing a variety of forms of contemporary
expression and creating new creative genes.
Along with new works, the exhibition displays
paintings, video works and live performances
as an alternative form of an installation. Audiences can appreciate and experience the multifaceted nature of performance in composite, multiple ways. Sep 27, 2014-Jan 4, 2015,
¥600-1,200. Museum of Contemporary Art
Tokyo, 4-1-1 Miyoshi, Koto-ku. KiyosumiShirakawa. www.mot-art-museum.jp/eng
SENJU PUN-FILLED MUSIC
FESTIVAL: 1010 PEOPLE IN
SENJU
In addition to exhibitions in halls and museums, the TCW also has community events. On
October 12 (Sun) from 3pm, a music festival
will be held at a Senju district fish market, featuring composer Makoto Nomura and performances by 1,010 other participants. The NPO
formed by the citizens and students of Adachi ward seeks to enliven their town through
sounds. There will be noted musical pros,
and a mixture of various styles and concepts
to create beautiful and lively music. A great
chance to feel the joy and beauty of music
and meet people—or even fall in love. Oct
12, 3-5pm, free. Senju District, Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market, Adachi
Market. Kita-Senju. www.aaa-senju.com
13
TURN YOUR PASSION FOR JAPAN
INTO A CAREER YOU’LL LOVE
• Join our team as a Japan Sales Specialist
• Be part of a growing, award winning travel company
• Enjoy extensive training in the UK and abroad
• Receive a highly competitive salary
• Base yourself in our UK offices
Find out more about becoming an Audley Country Specialist
at www.audleytravel.com/careers
14
fashion fix
FASHION WEEK
BY SAMUEL THOMAS, FASHION EDITOR
Tokyo Fashion Week, or Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tokyo to give the
week its official title, is with us for the spring-summer 2015 season, running from the 13th to 19th of October. While the official week is the focus
for many—featuring, as it does, a decent dose of heavyweight domestic
luxury fashion brands as well as international hopefuls keen to break
the Japanese market—there’s plenty off the official schedule to occupy
keen fashionistas. And the best thing is that these shows are often open
to the general public.
If you only go to one event, make it the Shibuya Fashion Festival on the
19th, the last day of the official schedule. Far from the polished catwalks
of Hikarie where the Mercedes-Benz sponsored events are held, this is a
celebration of the avant-garde style celebrated on the streets.
Shiseido
ON POINT
co—opened its first dedicated flagship
in Daikanyama last month, marking
the occasion in style with a host of
limited-edition designs and plenty
of champagne. The core Orobianco line may be known for its
refined Italian sensibilities across
a vast range of bags and accessories,
but the new Desertika line is a step into
edgier territory, with designs fit for
desert survival in both the practical
and aesthetic sense.
Highlights from the all-madein-Japan first season include heatregulating outdoor wear that’s not
only built for the highs and lows
of the desert climate but could
also be packed down into its own
pocket-sized pouch, as well as
items made out of cutting-edge
textiles from Fukui-based innovators Kaytay Texinno coupled with
classic Italian leather.
If you’re looking for protective gear for a trek
into the great unknown—or just to keep you dry
and warm on your daily commute— Desertika
is definitely worth a look as
the weather takes a turn
for the cool.
http://desertika.jp/
STREET FOCUS
Shiseido
SHOPPING STRATEGY
New menswear brand Desertika—from international heavyweight Italian luggage line Orobian-
Tokyo street fashion may not be defined by its
fashion tribes of late, but that doesn’t mean there
aren’t identifiable looks sweeping the streets—
they just don’t have the handy handle associated
with the likes of gyaru or visual-kei from
generations past. This season, without a doubt the
most recognizable look on the street is the “soft
and hard” look as seen above, broadly defined by
layering soft sheer or lace layers on top of opaque
fabrics, with fashion pros going for up to four or
five alternating layers in a single outfit. Novices
should start with a single oversized sheer layer
over a close-fitting base and take it from there.
Photo by Samuel Thomas
Tokyo menswear maestro Yuichi
Yoshii is bringing his Versus Tokyo event back to Tokyo Fashion
Week after a season of absence.
Also the owner of cult Tokyo select shop The Contemporary Fix,
for many years he’s been an architect
of both Tokyo street trends and exclusive fashion destined for the VIP
room, having introduced the likes
of Mr. Gentleman, Phenomenon
and Mastermind Japan to the city,
the lattermost famously using real
diamonds in its clothing tags.
The shows and events that are
open to the public this season are
sponsored by Shiseido’s men’s line
of skincare products, with Yoshii
producing a number of collaboration items to mark the occasion,
including pouches for the premium
line of Shiseido Men cosmetics.
The Versus Tokyo catwalks kick off during
the day on Saturday, with high-profile showings
planned from Toga Virilis and Facetasm. But the
crown jewel comes from cult skater brand C.E
(a.k.a. Cav Empt), whose runway show kicks off
at midnight on the dot, followed by after-parties
set to last until the early hours of Sunday.
TOKYO FASHION WEEK CALENDAR
Oct 10-19 | Shibuya Fashion
Week
Taking the lead, the Shibuyabased festivities begin across
the area with events in Marui,
Parco and 109 for anyone to
enjoy.
http://shibuya-fw.com/
Oct 13-18 | Tokyo Fashion
Week
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
Tokyo kicks off on Monday with
a highly anticipated show from
headline brand Dresscamp.
This show is strictly invitation
only, but Somarta is also having
an installation in Seibu Shibuya
that the public can enjoy.
http://tokyo-mbfashionweek.
com/
Oct 18 | Shibuya Fashion
Festival
Miyashita Park, exactly halfway
between Harajuku and Shibuya,
is home to this open-air festival
of fashion, art, music and food,
while the surrounding shops will
be going retail crazy, offering
timely deals for fashion fans of
all genres.
www.shibuyafashionfestival.
com
Oct 18-19 | Versus Tokyo
This overnight celebration
of menswear starts at 2pm
with a runway show from Mr.
Gentleman, but goes right
through the night and well into
the morning. Pace yourself and
enjoy the ride.
http://tokyo-mbfashionweek.
com/
Oct 19 | Tokyo New Age
Fashion Show on Bunkamura
street
The hottest ticket this fashion
week is open to the general
public with an outdoor fashion
show on Bunkamura street,
just a few minutes’s walk from
Shibuya station. Some of the
city’s most acclaimed brands
are taking part, so let’s hope the
weather holds.
http://shibuya-fw.com/
15
movies
featured movie
BY DON MORTON
MILLION
DOLLAR ARM
The story’s more or less true. A few years back, sports agent
J.B. Bernstein hit on the idea of launching the eponymous
reality show in India to entice cricket bowlers into becoming
baseball pitchers. Two hopefuls were selected and
eventually offered contracts by the Pittsburgh Pirates. They
were then relegated to some third-tier farm team where they
performed without distinction. I think one of them won a
game. Never made The Show. MLB’s cynical involvement in
this blatant attempt to tap into a potential market of 1.2 billion
new baseball fans is topped only by Disney’s even greater
cynicism in shoehorning the story into its moldy, feel-good,
sports-underdog mold in order to get 1.2 billion Indian butts
into theater seats. The movie is sappy, obvious, maudlin and
bloated at two hours. Jon Hamm demonstrates that his
range does not extend beyond hard-bitten advertising
execs—certainly not to light, fish-out-of-water comedy. It’s
actually painful to watch. The hackneyed, by-the-numbers
screenplay by Thomas McCarthy is a disappointment from
the guy who wrote Up and wrote/directed The Station Agent
and The Visitor. At no time does anyone play baseball. As
sports movies go, this is strictly minor league. (124 min)
©2014「蜩ノ記」製作委員会
© IMAGE.NET
© Big Eyes SPV, LLC
eiga
movie news
cinematic underground
Writer-director Takashi Koizumi
has gone on to a stellar career
[After the Rain (2000), Best
Wishes for Tomorrow (2008)]
By Rob Schwartz
after his role as Akira Kurosawa’s
assistant director for many of his later works, and ended
up making his unproduced scripts and hiring much of his
team. It’s a good thing Koizumi is up to the gigantic task.
Higurashi no Ki is a samurai tale told without a false note,
and with much quiet intensity. Danno (Junichi Okada) is
a young, highly skilled samurai who’s forced to scuffle
with another of his rank on palace grounds. The punishment for such an infraction is death—but he’s spared that
fate by the magistrate. Instead, Danno must watch over
Toda (Koji Yakusho), an older samurai writing a history
of the province who has been ordered to commit seppuku in three years due to an alleged indiscretion. When
Danno goes to live with Toda and his wife (Mieko Harada),
daughter (Maki Horikita) and son (Haruto Yoshida), he
learns the man is truly a beacon of wisdom and justice,
and has simply taken responsibility for a scandal so the
province could save face. Danno attempts to clear Toda,
sliding deeply into in palace politics, while falling in love
with his daughter. It’s a rare Japanese film these days,
realized with so much grace, insight, subtle emotion and
power. English title: A Samurai Chronicle (128 min)
When two veteran actors meet on a film set, there can
be a synergy between their talents. That was the situation with the action thriller The Equalizer, despite a
43-year age difference between the two leads. Based
on the ’80s TV drama, Denzel Washington plays a mildmannered man who draws on his past military training
when he sees injustice around him, including a teenager
forced into prostitution, played by Chloë Grace Moretz.
Washington became a household name in films such as
Glory and Malcom X before Moretz was even born, but
the 17-year-old has been acting more than half her life
and brought an intense approach to her role. “Sometimes
it’s good for a role to affect you personally,” she said at
a press conference during the Toronto International Film
Festival. “Sometimes it’s OK to have your own emotions
become entwined with your character’s.” Washington
agreed, saying, “You take something of everything you
do home with you.” The Oscar winner related he likes
to take things slow on the first day of filming, comparing
himself to a jazz musician ready to take a solo but first
feeling out the rhythm. He also admitted he’s never done
a film where he’s not nervous for the first take or two. His
young costar had some advice for him: “We have to step
back and remember it is just a job,” Moretz said.
The Equalizer opens in Japan October 25. www.equalizer.jp Kevin Mcgue
The 27th Tokyo International Film Festival will run
Oct 23-31 at Roppongi Hills and other venues. One
highlight will be Charlie Chaplin’s silent masterpiece
City Lights, screening at the recently rebuilt Kabukiza
theater on Oct 27, which the actor visited in 1932.
Tim Burton’s many fans in Japan will have reason to
rejoice as the fest previews footage from his upcoming Big Eyes (pictured), starring Amy Adams as ’60s
pop artist Margaret Keane. Then the major exhibition, “The World of Tim Burton,” will open Nov 1 at
the Mori Arts Center. TIFF tickets go on sale Oct 11
(http://2014.tiff-jp.net/en/)... Waseda Shochiku (1-5-16
Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku; www.wasedashochiku.
co.jp) continues its run of affordable double features
(¥1,300 for two flicks isn’t bad) this autumn with the
Coen Brothers’ The Man Who Wasn’t There and Inside
Llewyn Davis (Oct 11-17), as well as Wes Anderson’s
Fantastic Mr. Fox and The Grand Budapest Hotel (Oct
25-31)... The Sitges Film Festival in Spain is considered the world’s foremost showcase of fantasy and
horror films. In case you haven’t been able to make
it to the Catalan resort town in recent years, ShinBungeiza in Ikebukuro (3F, 1-43-5 Higashi-Ikebukuro
Toshima-ku; www.shin-bungeiza.com) is doing an allnight screening of recent hits. KM
HIGURASHI
NO KI
16
More reviews and theater details: metropolis.co.jp/movies
BY DON MORTON
NEW
FRANK
An aspiring but untalented songwriter wannabe
(Domhnall Gleeson)
insinuates himself into
an eccentric, punkish
band fronted by the title character, a virtuoso/freak
who never takes off his huge, papier-mâché stage
head. Ever. Michael Fassbender, the actor inside the
head, amazingly makes Frank a fully developed character without the use of his face—a talent that’s hard
to hide. This affable oddity is funny, quirky, original
and honest. It gradually deepens into an examination
of the effects of social media hype on true creativity
and of the thin line between genius and madness. Also
Maggie Gyllenhaal. (95 min)
NEW
UNDER THE SKIN
An alien in a gorgeous
human body (an intense
Scarlett Johansson, in
a “brave” career move)
drives her van around
Scotland enticing young, unattached men to their doom.
This adaptation of Michel Faber’s novel is hard to call.
There’s little exposition and almost no characterization, as the film relies on nightmarish imagery, complex
sound design and a menacing score to tell its tale. If
you’re looking for a mainstream sci-fi/horror flick, keep
looking. If you’re willing to surrender yourself to an existential, highly atmospheric and deeply creepy movie
“experience,” then this is for you. Japanese title: Under
the Skin: Tane no Hoshoku. (107 min)
JERSEY BOYS
You probably wouldn’t
think of Clint Eastwood
as the best choice to
adapt a jukebox stage
musical to the screen.
And though he imbues the story of Frankie Valli and
the Four Seasons with palpable atmosphere, he mistakenly concentrates on the group’s dramatically inert
and unremarkable rags-to-riches-to-rags backstory.
Ultimately, like most filmed Broadway musicals, this
one made me wish I was watching the stage show
instead. Should have been dancing in the aisles rather
than slogging through another behind-the-music soap
opera. Put succinctly, while mildly diverting, this ain’t
no Ray or Walk the Line. (134 min)
NEW
OUT OF THE FURNACE
The pragmatic Russell
(Christian Bale) works
when he can in a rust-belt
steel mill. His Iraq-vet kid
brother Rodney (Casey
Affleck) opts to participate in clandestine bare-knuckle
fights. He persuades bookie Willem Dafoe to get him
a match in a lucrative New Jersey fight ring run by a
notorious hillbilly hood, played in full sociopath mode
by Woody Harrelson. Stuff happens, and the movie
morphs into a neo-noir revenge thriller with a Winter’s
Bone vibe to it. Slightly predictable and sags a bit, but
it’s amazing to watch what these committed actors do
with their admittedly underwritten characters. Japanese
title: Furnace: Ketsubetsu no Asa. (116 min)
NEW
MINDSCAPE
Also called Anna. In a
world where “telepathic
detec tives” can poke
through your memories
to solve problems and/or
crimes, one such mind sleuth is tasked with persuading
a rich kid to eat. He’s just getting back into the game
after memories of his wife’s death interfered with his
work, and young Anna presents him with more than just
a bratty hunger strike. Though blandly directed, this scifi psychodrama offers fair suspense but little originality.
The versatile Mark Strong is always good, and Taissa
Farmiga, Vera’s 21-years-younger sister, is an actress
to watch. Both deserve a better picture. Japanese title:
Kioku Tantei to Kagi no Kakatta Shojo. (99 min)
RED OBSESSION
For a while, this is an
interesting and informative look at the Bordeaux
region’s centuries-old traditions of blending soil,
weather and craftsmanship to create the works of art they
call wines. It then moves to a discussion of the skyrocketing prices of the best vintages, which are in effect making
their top wines too expensive to drink, and leaving behind
their traditional markets (the U.S.). Enter the Chinese (see
clever title), who view these astounding wines rather as
status symbols. Film talks with some obscenely rich collectors. One manufactures dildos. Seriously. It’s depressing. Japanese title: Sekaiichi Utsukushii Bordeaux no
Himitsu. (75 min)
NEW
WAKE IN FRIGHT
Thought to be lost until
recently, Ted Kotcheff’s
shocking 1971 Aussie film
is quite unlike anything
you’ve ever seen. A vacationing schoolteacher (Gary Bond) gets sidetracked in a
boozy outback town and loses all his money gambling.
He falls in with a vicious band of hard-drinking, kangaroo-massacring sociopaths (including Jack Thompson
and the ever-creepy Donald Pleasence), and discovers
depths of depravity within himself he never dreamed
existed. This intense examination of the ephemeral
nature of “civilization” is not an easy sit, but it’s compellingly watchable. Made me want a drink. And a shower.
Japanese title: Koya no Chidoriashi. (116 min)
FRANKIE & ALICE
Frankie is a black ’70s
go-go dancer who
suffers from multiple
personality disorder,
sharing her body with
a precocious seven-year-old nicknamed “Genius”
and, get this, a vicious southern racist called Alice.
Stellan Skarsgård is the psychologist who diagnoses
and documents her disorder. Halle Berry, trying
perhaps a bit too hard for a second Oscar, does
what she can with the bland material (based on a
true story, etc.) but never really disappears into the
role(s). As a whole, the movie is mildly interesting,
frequently lurid, a tad cartoonish and never truly
engaging. (101 min)
LE WEEK-END
On what was to be a
n o s t a l g i c a t te m p t to
celebrate 30 years of
complex but affectionate marriage, Brits Jim
Broadbent and Lindsay Duncan (never better) travel
to Paris to revisit the scenes of their honeymoon. The
trip reveals both their strong bond and some halfburied fissures. As movies about the gently aging go,
you could view this as an antidote to fluff like The Best
Exotic Marigold Hotel. It’s well crafted, intelligent, mischievous, melancholy and even profound. A memorable
dinner party scene in which things come to a head is
alone worth the price of admission. Also a superb Jeff
Goldblum. Japanese title: Weekend wa Paris de. (93 min)
GUARDIANS OF THE
GALAXY
With no less than two
H an S o l o t y p es , t hi s
irreverent, self-satirizing
space romp has rebel
swagger to spare. One’s a raccoon (voice by Bradley
Cooper). The other, played by career goofball Chris
Pratt, is a self-mythologizing space rogue who listens
while doing his banditry to a ’70s mix tape on a vintage
Walkman. He and a surrogate family of misfits come
together to stop the villain from taking over the universe, etc. They comprise a blue Zoe Saldana, a literalminded Dave Bautista, and the voice of Vin Diesel as
an Ent-like tree creature. It’s self-aware, silly, funky and
thoroughly enjoyable. (121 min)
FRANCES HA
Noah Baumbach’s
(Kicking and Screaming,
The Squid and the
Whale) tale of a 27-yearold woman struggling
with impending maturity (now termed a “quarter-life crisis”) stands way out from a seemingly endless parade
of Gen-X dreck. Greta Gerwig, who co-wrote with
the director, brings along her gifts for physical comedy and off-kilter timing. An aspiring dancer, Frances
misses social cues, ignores advice and talks too much.
Her complacent life is derailed by the impending marriage of her roomie Sophie (Sting’s kid Mickey Sumner;
great). Exuberant, poignant, wryly funny and offbeat
without cynicism. It’s honest. (86 min)
TIME IS ILLMATIC
A perk of reviewing
films is watching music
document aries ab ou t
performers and genres
y o u d o n’ t , u m , c o m monly follow. This one is about one of hip-hop’s most
intellectual artists, Nasir “Nas” Jones, celebrating his
influential debut album 20 years back. Man’s a poet.
Using archival footage (helpfully subtitled) and talking heads, the film links what was happening in the
recording studio with the politics and policy at the
time of being black in America. It’s brisk and stylish,
and avoids hagiography. Fans will love it, and neophytes can learn something. I did. Still don’t like hiphop. Japanese title: Nas: Time is Illmatic. (73 min)
NEW
NEW
Out of the Furnace: © 2013 Furnace Films, LLC All Rights Reserved; Frank: © 2013 EP Frank Limited, Channel Four Television Corporation and the British Film Institute; Under the Skin: © Seventh Kingdom Productions Limited, Channel Four
Television Corporation and The British Film Institute 2014; Jersey Boys: © 2014 WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. AND RATPAC ENTERTAINMENT; Million Dollar Arm: © 2014 Disney Enterprise, Inc. All Rights Reserved.; Mindscape: Stills
photographs by Quim Vives - Copyright © 2013 OMBRA FILMS, S.L.; Red Obsession: © 2012 Lion Rock Films Pty Limited; Wake in Fright: © 2012 Wake In Fright Trust. All Rights Reserved.; Frankie & Alice: © 2009 F&A PRODUCTION SERVICES
INC. All Rights Reserved.; Le Week-End: © 2013 Free Range Films Limited/ The British Film Institute / Curzon Film Rights 2 and Channel Four Television Corporation.; Guardians of the Galaxy: © Marvel 2014 All rights reserved.; Frances Ha: © Pine
District, LLC.; Time is Illmatic: © COPYRIGHT ILLA FILMS, LLC 2014
17
city life
Face it: in Japan, the ratio of available seating
to time spent waiting just sucks. Smartphone
games and apps help kill the time, but what will
rescue your poor aching feet? That’s where
the ingenious Book Stool from Going Furniture
sweeps in to save your soles. This 5cm-thick
portable “book” fans out in a flash to become
a stool that can support up to 80kg of weary
bones. Available online at Amazon (¥3,240), it
can be stored in your bookcase when at home. At
1.62kg, it’s a little hefty (think coffee table book),
but it’s a fair trade if you consider that it will support you (and your reading material) in return.
http://meturl.com/bookstool
www.goingfurniture.jp
HANGOVER
HELPER
Local secrets for beating
the blaggggghs
BY MARTIN LEROUX
There’s no escaping alcohol in Japan. The
spirited beverage—which since the dawn of
time has acted as stimulus for many a celebration and scapegoat for as many bad
choices—has embedded itself so deeply
into Japanese socioculture that just about
any gathering results in a nomikai (drinking party).
But where there is drunkenness, there
are hangovers. Sleep, bread and lots of
water are the general go-tos in combatting these painful reminders of an evening
spent a little too well. But every country has its
methods for a more immediate recovery, and
Japan is no exception.
Ukon—the Japanese word for “turmeric”—
is a perennial favorite. Known primarily as an
ingredient in curry, turmeric is believed to help
detoxify the liver, among its other benefits, and
has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. The Japanese seem to believe this too:
most convenience stores stock turmeric-based
18
Reminiscent of U.S. women’s retailer Anthropologie without the clothes, Jiyugaoka’s
Timeless Comfort is one of those home shops
where you covet everything in sight. The
first floor has colorful, useful kitchen items
including cast-iron cookware and the usual
accoutrements, plus a café ensconced at the
back where you can get bagel French toast for
¥702. Floor two offers cozy, quality furnishings—a bit pricey but not ridiculous—while the
basement boasts organic products from soaps
to fabrics. Any purchase will surely give your
home a fashionable, friendly touch!
2-9 -11 Jiyugaoka, Meguro - ku (also in
Shibuya). www.timelesscomfort.com
Ever want to make the airport luggage carousel look like a kaiten-zushi conveyor belt?
Parco now offers nylon suitcase covers that
will turn your travel bag into a massive piece
of maguro (tuna), ebi (shrimp), tamago (egg) or
salmon sushi. Priced at ¥3,024, they’re available at Shibuya Parco Part-1 and Omise Parco
on the fourth floor of Narita Airport Terminal
1—though the tamago style is only available at
the airport. Or just order any of the four styles
online at http://meturl.com/sushicover. Made
from polyester, they’re sized for 70-liter bags
(42.5 x 30 x 64cm), so monster sushi is for the
moment off the menu. Just don’t try to eat your
luggage when you’re jetlagged and hungry.
drinks, of which Ukon
no Chikara (“The Power of Turmeric”) is
the most recognizable. Many izakaya are equipped
with ukon in powder form, while
the Okinawaoriginated ukoncha (turmeric tea)
is also popular
in some circles.
Whatever its form,
locals take ukon
before and after
alcohol.
Another ingredient with supposed
remedial superpowers is
umeboshi. The notorious pickled
plum found in many onigiri rice balls and
obento boxes is said to ease stomach pains
and slow the body’s processing of alcohol if
consumed before drinking (at the very least,
the sourness should temporarily distract from
the headache!).
Sports drinks are also a standard remedy.
The unfortunately named Pocari Sweat and its
myriad salty, vaguely grapefruit-flavored counterparts help rehydrate the body and get the
toxins out of your system. Some people even
use sports drinks to help with stomachaches
and fevers.
If none of those are your cup (of whatever),
grab a bowl of miso soup with clams—known
to be high in amino acids that could help with
stomach pains and other hangover symptoms.
SAKE SURVIVORS
When drinking sake, the key is hangover
avoidance. Drinking water or soda as you
sip—a process that even has a name,
“yawaragi mizu”—will usually keep you in
the clear, and has the approval of nearly all
the contributors to our sake special, including Sumibiyaki Dining Abeya and Yoshi no
Sasa. However, some of our specialists
had a few additional hangover remedies
of their own:
⊲⊲ Nakafuku recommends umeboshi, a
sauna and “mukai-zake” (hair of the
dog).
⊲⊲ Akita Pure Rice Sake suggests that
drinking warm sake (e.g. atsu-kan) or
pure rice sake will reduce the likelihood
of developing a hangover in the first
place.
⊲⊲ Sakeoh advises eating soba one noodle
at a time—and taking your time with it.
in person
THE GO-TO MAN
OF
TOKYO
Fox’s Dan Smith snares the stars
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY MIKE KANERT
People are Dan Smith’s business—specifically,
entertainment people. As creator and producer
of Fox Backstage Pass, his goal isn’t just to
get the biggest celebrities onto his weekly
entertainment program: it’s to get those stars
to look at what he can offer and definitively say,
“Yeah, let’s do that.”
“There are a lot of things we do that are different,” Smith says in his seventh-floor office
just south of Harajuku. “But, in all honesty, I
had to do those things because I had to do
something where we stood out.”
It was Smith who leveraged his experience
as a former U.S. Air Force public relations superintendent to get Will Smith (no relation) on
a Blackhawk helicopter ride from Nishi Azabu
to Yokota Air Base and back to promote I Am
Legend in 2007. At the time Smith was producing entertainment segments for Japanese networks with his independent Access Television
LLC, and the stunt caught the attention of Fox.
Smith subsequently got the principal cast
of 2012’s Battleship onto an actual U.S. Navy
aircraft carrier, and when Tom Cruise came
to promote Edge of Tomorrow, the Japanese
distributor naturally approached him to find
out what he could do to help promote the film.
The feather in his cap was when the promoter for Michael Jackson himself sought Smith
out to cover what would have been the King of
Pop’s final Japanese tour. “That's when I started
thinking, oh, maybe I'm kind of successful at
this,” Smith says.
Now his only problem is the
high bar he’s set. “I've got to make
it better than what people would
expect,” he says of his centerpiece
show. “That's the challenge that
comes with me, and that’s the
challenge I stress for our series:
let's not make it good; let's make
it greater.”
That can only get harder as Fox
Backstage Pass approaches its
300th episode in 2015. While the
show has had a few hosts since Gow and Suzuki shooting Fox Backstage Pass.
first airing in 2009, it’s presently
He’s currently fired up about Fox’s impendfronted by Matthew Ireton, Ryohei Suzuki (star
of Tokyo Tribe), and Maria Theresa Gow, better ing Halloween creep-fest, the Walking Dead
known by her stage name, Gow. “We made a Horror House, planned for October 10-12 at
conscious decision with Ryohei, Gow and Mat- Obaken Haunted Mansion near Honancho
thew that we wanted to upscale it a bit,” Smith station. Last year, Smith enlisted nearly every
says, noting that he offered Suzuki the show as student at Yamano College of Aesthetics to
a vehicle for expanding his own personal brand. orchestrate a 1,000-zombie invasion of Tokyo
While the hosts introduce each broadcast in Tower that went viral around the world. “We
Japanese, 70 percent of the program is actu- don't just think of it as a TV program,” Smith
ally in English, and even Japanese stars prefer says. “We think of it as our communicative tool
to display their multilingual chops when in the to everybody out there. It's our stamp. It says
who we are.”
interview chair—or limo, or helicopter.
As big fans of Halloween, we’re hoping he
It’s that variety that keeps Smith going. “I get
up every day excited that I am never going to can raise that bar yet again.
Fox Backstage Pass premieres Saturdays
have the same day—never,” he says. “It's never
going to repeat itself. That in itself just gets me at 1:30am on Fox Japan, with repeats Sundays
charged up to go out there and kick some ass. at 8:30am. It also airs on Fox Movies Premium
I love that aspect about my job, and I love that and the Fox Sports and Entertainment channels. http://tv.foxjapan.com
aspect about my programs.”
19
arts&culture
COMMUTER GAMER
A FRESH SLICE
OF HORROR
GAMING
BY ADAM BOLTON
This year marks the 20th anniversary of
the Clock Tower game franchise, and Hifumi
Kono, the creator of the largely successful horror series, has decided to team up with famed
horror director Takashi Shimizu (known for the
Ju-on—or The Grudge—film series) to create a
spiritual successor of the Clock Tower games.
The initial targets are iOS, Android and mobile
platforms, but there is promise of porting to
consoles later on.
Working under a limited budget, Kono and
his newly formed studio, Nude Maker Inc., are
taking on the project with a liberated indie spirit.
Cryptically entitled Project Scissors and set for
release in 2015, players will find themselves cast
as a character taking passage aboard a cruise
The Great Wave
off the Coast of
Kanagawa from the
series “Thirty-six
Views of Mount Fuji”
(ca. 1830-34), Museum
of Fine Arts Boston
ART
HOKUSAI FROM
BOSTON
ist of the Edo period is back
in town with this reasonablysized exhibition of around 140
of his works at the Ueno Royal
Museum.
Adding extra poignancy is
that the works are not mere
pieces collec ting dust on
Japanese museum walls, but
from the collection of the Boston Museum, a
pioneer in collecting and promoting Japanese
art in the West.
It may seem strange that Boston has such
a wealth of Japanese art, but it comes as a
result of Japan’s particularly close ties with
Surfing on the tsunami of
Japan’s greatest artist
BY C.B. LIDDELL
Tokyo hasn’t had a big exhibition on Hokusai
for a few years—possibly because, after the
2011 earthquake and subsequent tsunami, the
image of a large wave might have been a little
hard to sell.
Finally, Japan’s greatest acknowledged art-
20
ship, where a spate of gruesome murders begins
to take place. Eventually, the ship becomes immobilized and adrift in the ocean, leaving the
player tasked with investigating the murders
while protecting the remaining “innocents” who
have survived.
Shimizu is slated to take the role of creative
producer, and is also tasked with directing a
live-action teaser for the venture. Masahiko Ito,
creature designer for the venerated Silent Hill
franchise, has also signed on, and other gaming
industry partnerships are set to be announced
as things further develop.
With the recent announcement that Guillermo del Toro and Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo
Kojima will be working together to revitalize
Silent Hill, Kono and Shimizu have taken similar
steps to let fans know that Japanese horror—and
more importantly, the indie spirit of gaming—are
still alive and well.
19th-century New England. New England’s
whaling industry brought first its schooners
to the northwestern Pacific, but the relationship between both nations developed through
missionaries and professionals such as Ernest
Fenollosa and William Sturgis Bigelow—the
latter a doctor who donated 40,000 Japanese
works to the Boston Museum.
Hokusai is a Japanese artist known the
world over, thanks to pieces such as the iconic
The Great Wave off the Coast of Kanagawa
from the “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji” series.
What is striking is Hokusai’s lack of artistic
integrity—a trait that is refreshing when most
modern artists obsessively strive for a distinct
style, such as Kusama Yayoi’s dots or Takashi
Murakami’s geek-chic aesthetic. Hokusai, on
the other hand, was content with trying his hand
with any subject, and his methods and style
frequently changed—as did his name.
Some of his works seemingly imitate Chinese styles. Others mimic the perspectives
and other characteristics of Western art: View
of Noboto Beach at Low Tide from the Salt Beds
of Gyotoku was even printed with a brown edge
replicating a Western painting frame. He was a
polymorphous artist of the people—a master
of popular tastes.
With art covering the seven decades of
Hokusai’s career, there’s plenty to appreciate
and enjoy from the man whose creativity was
like a tsunami: picking up different things and
creating ripples extending around the world.
Until Nov 9, ¥400-1,500, Ueno Royal Museum. Open Sat-Thu 10am-6pm, Fri 10am-8pm.
1-2 Ueno Park. Ueno. www.ueno-mori.org
It’s a testament to the power and
universality of American roots music that it can take in the suffering
of an Aboriginal Australian.
“That song is influenced by indigenous stories I’ve heard of cultural disenfranchisement,” Aussie
singer-songwriter John Butler explains about the track “Cold Wind”
from his new album Flesh & Blood.
“Having your land and culture
taken away from you, things that
have happened in my country… There was one
story that broke the camel’s back: a friend from
Uluru who was taken away from his family; that
inspired that song.”
Butler says from his home in Fremantle in
Western Australia that the American roots revival
scene spearheaded by the likes of Ben Harper
and Jack Johnson had a big influence on Aussie
musicians. “I was busking on the streets around
the time Ben’s first or second album came out,” he
recalls. “In Fremantle, there was a whole acoustic
thing going on—something called the Moody
Tuesdays down at a bar called Mojo that my future manager ran, and that’s kind of where I cut
my teeth.”
The fact that the American roots revivalists
also tended to be surfers and/or skaters may have
helped the music find favor in Australia. Butler
himself was aiming to be a pro skater before music took him on a different path. Debuting in 2001
with Three, the John Butler Trio have notched
up three number-one albums in Australia and
become a fixture of the worldwide festival scene,
including this year’s Fuji Rock Festival.
MUSIC
moon—but we can’t hold each
other’s hands. We can create life
but we spend most of our time destroying it. I find it strange that we
have so much potential but use so
much of it to destroy things.”
Butler says the best songs are
a mixture of epiphanies and hard
work. “Often, you have to scrape
away the dust to reveal the skeleton of the song,” he muses. “It’s
kind of like archeology. You use
all your craft and art to bring the skeleton out of
the ground without breaking the pure idea that it
began with. You hone it and distill it and sharpen
it into focus, but often the nucleus of the song is
a wild, untamed thing.”
A cocktail of hard work, inspiration and being
in the right place at the right time have brought
Butler to a position of worldwide acclaim. But the
onetime would-be pro skater is philosophical
about the life of a public entertainer.
“I started skateboarding at about 12, and was
obsessed with getting sponsored,” he remembers ruefully. “When I realized that wasn’t working
out, I began to focus on music, and now I skateboard for the fun of it.
“That experience taught me early on to enjoy
the journey more than the destination. I try not to
get too obsessed with achievements over craft.
Always love your craft more than the achievements that result from it.”
Oct 22, 7:30pm; Oct 23, 7:30pm, ¥6,500
(adv) +1d. Ex Theater Roppongi. Roppongi or Nogizaka. Tel: 03-5720-9999. www.
smash-jpn.com
THINK LOCAL,
ROCK GLOBAL
John Butler’s roots rock
branches worldwide
BY DAN GRUNEBAUM
“Japan has always been a special place for
us,” the reedy-voiced singer observes. “It’s a
different market—there’s so much J-pop that
Western music holds a different position. No
matter how big you may be elsewhere, when you
come to Japan you’re part of an underground
scene—and that’s kind of cool. You’re part of a
noncommercial scene that loves music, and our
fans often notice the small details of what we
do—the extra things we do on guitar. The crowd
really appreciates that.”
While vexed with the larger state of the world,
Butler seems mostly content with life in Fremantle, and is quick to point out that Western Australia isn’t a music backwater, but a place that’s
produced the likes of INXS and, more recently,
Tame Impala. When Metropolis reaches him, he’s
taking some days off touring, spending time with
family (his wife is also a professional musician),
and writing new compositions.
“There’s a new song loosely called ‘Why Don’t
We Use Our Wings to Fly,’” he says. “It grapples
with the frustrating situation that man has put
himself in. He’s so intelligent, we can get to the
21
agenda
WATCH LIST
Concerts
POPULAR
(adv) +1d. Club Quattro.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3477-8750.
www.smash-jpn.com
Boston
Buzz the Bears
Fuzzy punk rockers. Oct
3, 7pm, ¥2,800 (adv) +1d.
O-West. Shibuya. www.
creativeman.co.jp
Nature Airliner Presents
Vol. 8
Punk with The Complaints
Department, Die by Forty and
Sorcha Chisholm. Oct 3, 7pm,
¥2,000. Crocodile. Shibuya.
tinyurl.com/kmk94jc
Tomomi Kahara
Controversial J-pop singer.
Oct 4, 5:15pm; Oct 5, 4:15pm,
¥6,800 (adv). NHK Hall.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3465-1751.
www.kyodotokyo.com
Mariah Carey
Singer, songwriter, diva. Oct 4,
5pm, ¥9,000-18,000. Makuhari
Messe. Kaihin-Makuhari.
meturl.com/3z. Oct 6, 7pm,
¥9,000-18,000. Yokohama
Arena. Shin-Yokohama. Tel:
045-474-4000. meturl.com/3z
Raster-Noton Japan Tour
2014
A German electronic music
record label's tour, featuring
Diamond Version, Emptyset,
Kyoka and Ueno Masaaki. Oct
4, midnight, ¥3,500 (adv)/
¥4,000 (door). Daikanyama
Unit. Daikanyama. Tel:
03-5459-8630. meturl.com/
rasternoton2014
Night Ranger
‘80s rock band from San
Francisco. Oct 5, 5pm; Oct 6,
7pm, ¥7,500-8,500. Shibuya
Public Hall. Shibuya. Tel:
03-3463-3022. meturl.com/
night14
Backyard Diary
Husking Bee, Dustbox, My
First Story and others. Oct 5,
2pm, ¥3,900 (adv) +1d. O-East
and O-Nest. Shibuya. www.
creativeman.co.jp
Philippines Rock
Fundraiser
Tokyo rockers The Watanabes
perform for disaster relief. Oct
5, 6:30pm, ¥1,500. Akasaka
Crawfish. Akasaka. Tel:
03-3584-2496. meturl.com/
philrelief02
Grant Nicholas
Lead singer of Feeder's solo
project. Oct 7, 7pm, ¥6,000
(adv) +1d. Club Quattro.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3477-8750.
www.smash-jpn.com
Hot Chelle Rae
Nashville-based pop-rock
trio. Oct 7, 7pm, ¥5,500 (adv)
+1d. O-East. Shibuya. www.
creativeman.co.jp
Coldrain
Melodic post-hardcore from
Nagoya. Oct 8, 7pm, ¥3,500
(adv)/ ¥4,000 (door) +1d.
Zepp Tokyo. Aomi. www.
creativeman.co.jp
Skinny Lister
Rambunctious British folk
band. Oct 8, 7:30pm, ¥6,000
22
"More Than a Feeling" and
"Don't Look Back" hitmakers.
Oct 2 & 9, 7pm, ¥11,00012,000. Nippon Budokan.
Kudanshita. meturl.com/
boston14
Wellington International
Ukulele Orchestra
Ukulele-playing music-comedy
ensemble. Oct 9, 6:30pm,
¥3,000 +1d. Duo Music
Exchange. Shibuya.
musicforlife.co.jp/
neighbor/201408/wiuo.html
Asagiri Jam
Music festival with artists
Skinny Lister, Jeff Lang
and more. Oct 11-12, 2pm,
¥15,000. Asagiri Arena.
Fujinomiya. http://
smash-jpn.com/asagiri/
New Values Vol. 1
locofrank, My Hair is Bad,
Another Story and more.
Oct 11, 6pm, ¥2,500 (adv).
Club Quattro. Shibuya. Tel:
03-3444-6751. http://meturl.
com/newvalues2014
Pierrot
’90s visual-kei band makes a
comeback. Oct 24, 6:30pm;
Oct 25, 4pm, ¥9,500 (adv)
+1d. Saitama Super Arena.
Saitama-Shintoshin. l-tike.
com
Noisemaker
Emo-rock with catchy
melodies. Oct 24, 7pm,
¥2,500 (adv)/ ¥3,000 (door).
Club Quattro. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-3477-8750. www.
club-quattro.com
Ken Yokoyama
Japanese guitarist with guest
band Over Arm Throw. Oct 25,
7pm, ¥3,000 (adv). Yokohama
Bay Hall. MotomachiChukagai. Tel: 03-3444-6751.
www.pizzaofdeath.com
G. Love and Special Sauce
Alternative, laid-back hip
hop ensemble. Oct 13, 6pm,
¥6,500 (adv) +1d. Liquidroom.
Ebisu. Tel: 03-5464-0800.
www.smash-jpn.com
Yuki Koyanagi
J-pop princess from Saitama.
Oct 17, 7pm, ¥6,500 (adv)
+1d. Ex Theater Roppongi.
Roppongi or Nogizaka.
www.yuki-koyanagi.jp
Loud Park 14
Contemporary jazz. Oct 18,
2 & 3pm, ¥2,000. Softwind.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-68087337. www.softwind.jp
JAZZ/WORLD
Paquito D'Rivera & Trio
Corrente
With 10-Feet and more. Oct
26, 11:30am, ¥6,500 (adv)
+1d. Saitama Super Arena.
Saitama-Shintoshin.
bowlinelive.jp
Latin jazz. Oct 5, 5 & 8pm;
Oct 6, 7 & 9:30pm, ¥8,500.
Blue Note. Omotesando.
Tel: 03-5485-0088. www.
bluenote.co.jp
Feelflip
Japanese five-piece ska punk
band. Oct 26, 3pm, ¥2,500
(adv) +1d. Liquidroom. Ebisu.
Tel: 03-3444-6751. www.
smash-jpn.com
Pat Metheny Unity Group
World tour 2014. Oct 8, 7pm;
Oct 9 & 10, 6:30pm, ¥9,80010,800. Sumida Triphony Hall.
Kinshicho. Tel: 03-56085404. www.triphony.com
Anvil
Canadian metal band. Oct
26-27, 7pm, ¥5,000-6,500
(adv)/ ¥6,000 (door). Shinjuku
Loft. Shinjuku. www.loft-prj.
co.jp
Dinosaur Pile-Up
West Yorkshire lads play
alternative rock. Oct 28, 7pm,
¥3,500 (adv) +1d. Daikanyama
Unit. Daikanyama. www.
creativeman.co.jp
The Royal Concept
Alt rock from Sweden. Oct
28, 7pm, ¥6,000 (adv)
+1d. Liquidroom. Ebisu.
Tel: 03-5464-0800. www.
creativeman.co.jp
The Gazette
With Happy Family, The
Singapore Cane and more. Oct
18, 6pm, ¥500. SuperDeluxe.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-54120515. www.super-deluxe.com/
room/3760/
Visual-kei rockers. Nov 7,
6:30pm, ¥6,480 (adv) +1d.
Club Citta. Kawasaki.
Tel: 044-246-8888. www.
clubcitta.co.jp
HibiChazz-K
Happy sax hit express and
release memorial live. Oct
9, 7 & 9pm, ¥5,000-26,000.
Motion Blue. Bashamichi.
Tel: 045-226-1919. www.
motionblue.co.jp
Jazz Promenade 2014
Jazz festival turns all of
Yokohama into a stage. Oct
11-12, various times, ¥4,300
(single, adv) / ¥8,000 (pair/adv)
/ ¥8,000 (single, two-day adv)
/ ¥5,000 (at the door) / ¥1,000
(middle/high school students).
Yokohama City. Minato-Mirai
or Yokohama. Tel: 045-2210219. jazzpro.jp
CJ Ramone
Energetic and eclectic J-pop
duo. Nov 8, 6pm, ¥5,400 (adv)
+1d. Ex Theater Roppongi.
Roppongi or Nogizaka.
www.ex-theater.com
Back Drop Bomb
20th anniversary
performance. Nov 9, 7pm,
¥3,000 (adv). Shelter.
Shimokitazawa. Tel:
03-3444-6751. http://
backdropbomb.jp/
Panland Steel Orchestra
“Cheers!!”
Japanese steelpan orchestra
plays pop to Caribbean. Oct 11,
2 & 6pm, ¥2,000 (adv) / ¥2,500
(door). Asahi Art Square.
Asakusa. Tel: 090-91185171. www.panland.info
Akane Matsumoto Piano
Solo Live
Jazz instruments. Oct 12, 2
& 3pm, ¥2,000. Softwind.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-68087337. www.softwind.jp
HZettrio
First performance at Billboard
Live. Oct 13, 4:30 & 7:30pm,
¥4,000-6,000. Billboard Live.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-34051133. www.billboard-live.com
Jazz Clarinet Ensemble
Stok with Triángulo and Mina
Suzukita. Oct 14, 7 & 9pm,
¥4,000-22,000. Motion Blue.
Bashamichi. Tel: 045-226-
Blue Mountain Boys
Jazz fusion. Oct 15 & 16, 7 &
9:30pm, ¥7,500. Blue Note.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-54850088. www.bluenote.co.jp
Classic country and western
and bluegrass. Every third
Sat, 6:30 & 7:30pm, free,
Cafe Sepia. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-3406-1300. www.
nagaremono.com/sepia
Yoshiko Kishino
Platina Jazz Orchestra
Birthday live 2014. Oct 17,
7:30pm, ¥5,400. JZ Brat.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5728-0168.
www.jzbrat.com
Presented by Rasmus Faber.
Nov 4 & 5, 7 & 9:30pm,
¥6,500-8,500. Billboard Live.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-34051133. www.billboard-live.com
Sadao Watanabe Orchestra
Energetic Japanese jazz band.
Oct 19, 4:30pm, ¥3,00010,000. Sagami Green Hall.
Sagami-Ono. Tel: 042-7492200. www.hall-net.or.jp
Cedric Hanriot
Grooovematic
Japan tour 2014. Oct 20,
7 & 9pm, ¥4,000-22,000.
Motion Blue. Bashamichi.
Tel: 045-226-1919. www.
motionblue.co.jp
Chris Botti
Jazz trumpeter. Oct 20 & 21,
7 & 9:30pm, ¥10,500-12,500.
Billboard Live. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-3405-1133. www.
billboard-live.com
Rabbitoo
Modern jazz band. Oct 22, 6:30
& 9pm, ¥4,800-6,000. Cotton
Club. Tokyo. Tel: 03-32151555. www.cottonclubjapan.
co.jp
Double Rainbow
Yosuke Onuma and Takana
Miyamoto with special guest
Keizo Nakanishi. Oct 24,
7 & 9pm, ¥4,500-24,000.
Motion Blue. Bashamichi.
Tel: 045-226-1919. www.
motionblue.co.jp
Minako Kikuchi Piano Solo
Live
Jazz piano. Oct 26, 2 & 3pm,
¥2,000. Softwind. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-6808-7337. www.
softwind.jp
Brothers 5
Puffy
British indie band from Bath.
Oct 21, 7pm, ¥6,500 (adv)
+1d. Liquidroom. Ebisu.
Tel: 03-3444-6751. www.
smash-jpn.com
Nao Suzuki Piano Solo Live
Slipknot, Limp Bizkit, Korn and
others. Nov 15, noon; Nov 16,
noon, ¥14,000 (1 day, adv)/
¥27,000 (adv, 2days). Makuhari
Messe. Kaihin-Makuhari.
www.knotfestjapan.com
Bowline 14
Meah! Japan Tour
The Heavy
Knot Fest Japan
Salsa jazz orchestra. Oct 2
& 3, 7 & 9:30pm; Oct 4, 5
& 8pm, ¥8,800. Blue Note.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-54850088. www.bluenote.co.jp
Former bassist and sometimes
vocalist of the Ramones goes
solo. Nov 4, 7pm, ¥5,800 (adv)
+1d. Club Quattro. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-3477-8750. l-tike.com
With Steve Aoki and others.
Oct 19, 3pm, ¥9,800 (adv).
Makuhari Messe. KaihinMakuhari. www.smash-jpn.
com
Snarky Puppy
With Fake Face, Egg Brain,
Super Beaver and more. Oct
26, 3pm, ¥3,130 (adv) +1d.
Studio Coast. Shin-Kiba.
meturl.com/sabbat13
Dream Theater, Manowar, Arch
Enemy and others. Oct 18 &
19, 10:30am, ¥14,500-16,500
(1 day, adv)/ ¥26,000 (2 days,
adv). Saitama Super Arena.
Saitama-Shintoshin. www.
loudpark.com/14
Fatboy Slim
Originally a movement of
progressive bands united
in their opposition to the
music industry that refused
to recognize their music, feat.
artists Picchio Dal Pozzo and
Present. Nov 15-16, 3pm,
¥14,000 (seated)/ ¥10,500
(standing). O-East. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-3444-6751. www.
rockinopposition-japan.com/
Eddie Palmieri
An Evening of Rush
Outbreak presents: An Evening
Of RUSH with 2112. Oct 12,
6pm, ¥2,000 (adv)/¥2,500
(door). Outbreak. Yotsuya.
1919. www.motionblue.co.jp
Sabbat Night
Juju
New York-based jazz singer.
Oct 12, 4pm, ¥7,900 (adv)
+1d. Saitama Super Arena.
Saitama-Shintoshin. www.
creativeman.co.jp
Rock in Opposition Japan
2014
Premium live. Oct 27, 6 &
8:30pm, ¥8,000-10,000.
Cotton Club. Tokyo.
Tel: 03-3215-1555. www.
cottonclubjapan.co.jp
Tommy Campbell
Japan tour final. Nov 6, 7
& 9pm, ¥4,200-22,800.
Motion Blue. Bashamichi.
Tel: 045-226-1919. www.
motionblue.co.jp
Seiji Igusa
Acoustic guitar solo live. Nov 8,
2 & 3pm, ¥2,000. Softwind.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-6808-7337.
www.softwind.jp
CLASSICAL
Bach Collegium Japan
With pianist Masayuki Nakaji.
Oct 3, 7pm, ¥3,000-15,000.
Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall.
Hatsudai or Shinjuku. Tel:
03-5353-9999. operacity.jp.
J.S. Bach Concert
Starring pianist PierreLaurent Aimard. Oct 4, 3pm,
¥2,500-6,000. Saitama Arts
Theater. Yonohonmachi. Tel:
048-858-5500. www.saf.or.jp
Pierre-Laurent Aimard
Solo pianist performing
Bach. Oct 4, 3pm, ¥2,5006,000. Saitama Arts Theater.
Yonohonmachi. Tel:
0570-064-939. www.saf.or.jp
Munchener Bach Orchester
Bach-only program conducted
by Hansjorg Albrecht. Oct
4, 1 & 7pm, ¥6,000-8,500.
Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall.
Hatsudai or Shinjuku. Tel:
03-5353-9999. operacity.jp.
Oct 5, 1:30pm, ¥6,000-8,500.
Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall.
Minatomirai. Tel: 045-6822020. www.yaf.or.jp.
Asia Orchestra Week 2014
Gyeonggi Philharmonic
Orchestra. Oct 6, 7pm, ¥1,0305,000. Tokyo Opera City
Concert Hall. Hatsudai or
Shinjuku. Tel: 03-5353-9999.
operacity.jp
Asia Orchestra Week
Gordon Goodwin's Big
Phat Band
Jazz orchestra. Oct 28 & 29, 7
& 9:30pm, ¥8,000. Blue Note.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-54850088. www.bluenote.co.jp
The Vanguard Jazz
Orchestra
Big band jazz. Oct 30 & 31,
7 & 9:30pm; Nov 1, 6 & 9pm,
¥6,800-8,800. Billboard Live.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-34051133. www.billboard-live.com
Carlos Kanno Tropical
Superjam
Latin jazz. Nov 2, 5:30 &
7:30pm, ¥4,500-24,000.
Motion Blue. Bashamichi.
Tel: 045-226-1919. www.
motionblue.co.jp
Nagoya Philharmonic
Orchestra. Oct 7, 7pm, ¥1,0305,000. Tokyo Opera City
Concert Hall. Hatsudai or
Shinjuku. Tel: 03-5353-9999.
operacity.jp
Yoe Miyazaki
Violin concert Japan tour.
Oct 8, 7pm, ¥2,000-6,000.
Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall.
Hatsudai or Shinjuku. Tel:
03-5353-9999. operacity.jp
Yomiuri Nippon Symphony
Orchestra No.541
Subscription concert. Oct 9,
7pm, ¥3,600-7,200. Suntory
Hall. Roppongi-itchome.
Tel: 0570-55-0017. www.
suntory.com/culture-sports/
suntoryhall
hot tickets
NOV
5
NOV
8&9
NHK Symphony Orchestra
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
Concert
Conducted by Toshiaki Umeda. Nov 5,
7pm, ¥3,000-5,000. Tokyo Opera City
Concert Hall. Hatsudai or Shinjuku.
Tel: 03-5353-9999. operacity.jp
Tickets on sale now!
De Montréal
Symphonic orchestra. Oct
10, 7pm, ¥3,000-22,000.
Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre.
Ikebukuro. Tel: 03-53912111. www.geigeki.jp/english
Takashi Kako
Solo concert 2014. Oct 11,
3pm, ¥4,500-7,000. Suntory
Hall. Roppongi-itchome. Tel:
0570-55-0017. www.suntory.
com/culture-sports/suntoryhall
Pop princess of super kawaii
proportions. Nov 8, 5pm; Nov 9, 3pm,
¥6,500 (adv) +1d. Yoyogi National
Gymnasium. Meiji-Jingumae.
l-tike.com
Tickets on sale now!
Oct 23, 8pm, ¥3,000-5,100.
Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall.
Hatsudai or Shinjuku. Tel:
03-5353-9999. operacity.jp
The 88th Subscription
Concert
Conducted by Mikhail Pletnev.
Oct 24, 7pm, ¥6,200-7,700.
Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall.
Hatsudai or Shinjuku. Tel:
03-5353-9999. operacity.jp
Quator Mosaïques
Les Vents Français
Performance by the superstars
of wind instruments. Oct 12,
5pm, ¥2,000-6,000. Saitama
Arts Theater. Yonohonmachi.
Tel: 048-858-5500. www.
saf.or.jp
Rei Tsujimoto
Award-winning solo cellist. Oct
13, 2pm, ¥4,500. Toppan Hall.
Iidabashi. Tel: 03-5840-2200.
www.toppanhall.com/en
Valery Gergiev
With Nelson Freire on piano and
The Mariinsky Orchestra. Oct
14 & 15, 7pm, ¥5,000-1,9000.
Suntory Hall. Roppongiitchome. Tel: 0570-55-0017.
www.suntory.co.jp/suntoryhall
The essence of Viennese
music 15. Oct 25, 5pm,
¥3,000-11,880. Toppan Hall.
Iidabashi. Tel: 03-5840-2200.
www.toppanhall.com/en
Shirogame Philharmonic
Orchestra 23th
Regular concert. Oct 26,
2pm, ¥1,000. Muza Kawasaki
Symphony Hall. Kawasaki.
Tel: 044-520-0200. www.
kawasaki-sym-hall.jp
The 83rd Music
Competition of Japan
The final selection of vocal
section. Oct 27, 5pm, ¥2,0003,000. Tokyo Opera City
Concert Hall. Hatsudai or
Shinjuku. Tel: 03-5353-9999.
operacity.jp
La Venexiana
L'incoronazione di Poppea. Oct
15, 6:30pm, ¥5,500-10,000.
Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall.
Hatsudai or Shinjuku. Tel:
03-5353-9999. operacity.jp
Thomas Zehetmair
Australian violinist. Oct 17, 7pm,
¥3,000-6,500. Toppan Hall.
Iidabashi. Tel: 03-5840-2200.
www.toppanhall.com/en
Chamber Orchestra
Sagamihara
Performing Mozart and
Beethoven. Oct 18, 2pm,
¥2,500-5,000. Mori no
Hall. Hashimoto. Tel:
042-775-3811. www.hall-net.
or.jp/02hashimoto
Tokyo Philharmonic
Orchestra
The 61st afternoon concert.
Oct 19, 2pm, ¥2,100-5,700.
Tokyo Opera City Concert
Hall. Hatsudai or Shinjuku.
Tel: 03-5353-9999. operacity.
jp91st
NHK Symphony Orchestra
No.1792
Conducted by Tatsuya Shimono.
Oct 29, 7pm, ¥3,600-8,800.
Suntory Hall. Roppongiitchome. Tel: 0570-55-0017.
www.suntory.com/culturesports/suntoryhall
Autumn Exhibition of
Contemporary Music 2014
Concert of JSCM members.
Oct 30, 6:30pm, ¥4,000.
Tokyo Opera City Recital
Hall. Shinjuku or Hatsudai.
Tel: 03-5353-9999. www.
operacity.jp
Muza Kawasaki Symphony
Hall & Tokyo Symphony
Orchestra
102nd masterpieces complete
works. Nov 1, 2pm, ¥3,0006,000. Muza Kawasaki
Symphony Hall. Kawasaki.
Tel: 044-520-0200. www.
kawasaki-sym-hall.jp
Music Academy Tokyo 77th
Message Concert
Subscription concert no. 776.
Oct 20, 7pm, ¥2,500-6,500.
Suntory Hall, Roppongi.
Roppongi-itchome. Tel:
0570-55-0017
Performed by The Pupils and
Lecturers of Music Academy
Tokyo. Nov 2, 1pm, free (adv).
Suntory Hall. Roppongiitchome. Tel: 0570-55-0017.
www.suntory.com/culturesports/suntoryhall
The 853rd Subscription
Concert
AAR 35th Anniversary
Charity Concert
Conducted by Mikhail Pletnev.
Oct 21, 7pm, ¥6,200-7,700.
Suntory Hall. Roppongiitchome. Tel: 0570-55-0017.
www.suntory.com/culturesports/suntoryhall
Mihoko Fujimura’s
mezzo-soprano special recital.
Nov 3, 2pm, ¥5,000. Tokyo
Opera City Concert Hall.
Hatsudai or Shinjuku. Tel:
03-5353-9999. operacity.jp
Jonas Kaufmann
The Silk Road Ensemble
with Yo-Yo Ma
Tokyo Metropolitan
Symphony Orchestra
Japan tour 2014. Oct 22, 7pm,
¥14,000-26,000. Suntory Hall.
Roppongi-itchome. Tel:
0570-55-0017. www.suntory.
com/culture-sports/suntoryhall
Yomiuri Nippon Symphony
Orchestra
The 4th enjoy classic series.
15th anniversary year. Nov 4,
7pm, ¥7,000-22,000. Suntory
Hall. Roppongi-itchome. Tel:
0570-55-0017. www.suntory.
com/culture-sports/suntoryhall
NOV
15 & 16
Knot Fest Japan
Slipknot, Limp Bizkit, Korn and others.
Nov 15, noon; Nov 16, noon, ¥14,000
(1 day, adv)/ ¥27,000 (adv, 2days).
Makuhari Messe. Kaihin-Makuhari.
www.knotfestjapan.com
Tickets on sale now!
Symphony Hall. Kawasaki.
Tel: 044-520-0200. www.
kawasaki-sym-hall.jp
DEC
10 & 12
Art Garfunkel
Folk artist, poet and one half of
legendary duo Simon & Garfunkel.
Dec 10, 7pm; Dec 12, 7pm, ¥9,00010,000. Shibuya Public Hall.
Shibuya. Tel: 0570-09-3333.
meturl.com/garfunk14
Tickets on sale now!
OCT 11-17, 10AM-7PM
for free
OCT
11
Kounosu Hanabi Taikai
Boom Factor: Over 15,000. Oct 11,
6pm, free. Along Arakawa River.
Kounosu. http://kounosuhanabi.
com/
NOV 1 (SAT), 11PM
Stage
A Chip in the Sugar (Benefit
Performance for TELL)
Alan Bennett’s funny
and moving monologue.
Reservation required. Oct 3,
7pm, ¥7,000 +1d. SuperDeluxe.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-5412-0515.
[email protected]
Yama
Folktales from Yamagata
brought to the stage by theater
group Doubtful Sound. English
with Japanese subtitles.
Oct 8-10, 7:30pm; Oct 11 &
12, 2:30 & 7:30pm, ¥2,500
(student)/ ¥3,000 (adv)/ ¥3,500
(door). Tiny Alice. Shinjukusanchome or Gaienmae. Tel:
03-3354-7307. doubtfulsound.
asia
The Room
Hisen Japanese
Doll Exhibition
Experience the fascinating
world of dolls from Edo,
with 100 stylish dolls
embodying elegance and
affection produced by artist
Koike Hisen. With support
from the Shiki Theatre
Company, operated by Biken
International. Oct 11-17,
10am-7pm, free. 2F Phoenix
Hall, Ginza Phoenix Plaza,
3-9-11 Ginza, Chuo-ku.
Ginza. http://hisen.jp/
of Tetsuya Kumakawa. Oct
9-26, various times, ¥6,00018,500. Bunkamura Orchard
Hall. Shibuya. Tel: 03-53539522. www.bunkamura.co.jp
Mon Père, Giacometti
Contemporary performance
group Akumanoshirushi
performs a piece about a fatherand-son relationship. With
English subtitles. Oct 11 & 12,
1 & 6pm; Oct 13, 1pm, ¥3,000
(adv)/ ¥3,500 (door). Kanagawa
Arts Theater. MotomachiChukagai. www.kaat.jp/english
L.A. Dance Project
Modern dance by artistic
collective based in L.A. Nov
8 & 9, 3pm, ¥2,000-¥6,000
(gen) / ¥3,600-¥5,400
(members). Saitama Arts
Theater. Yonohonmachi. Tel:
0570-064-939. www.saf.or.jp
The Sleeping Beauty
Parsifal
Richard Wagner's last
completed opera. Until Oct 14,
¥1,620-32,400. New National
Theatre Tokyo. Hatsudai. Tel:
03-5352-9999. www.nntt.jac.
go.jp/opera
Don Giovanni
Operatic portrayal of a
playboy’s inhibited and
philandering life. Oct 16 & 24,
6:30pm; Oct 19, 22 & 26, 2pm;
¥4,320-23,760. New National
Theatre Tokyo. Hatsudai. Tel:
03-5352-9999. www.nntt.jac.
go.jp/english
Wonderful State Q
Butoh dancer Temmetsu
escapes into his imaginary
kingdom. Nov 1, 7:30pm; Nov
2, 1:30 & 6:30pm, ¥2,900 (adv)/
¥3,200 (door). Theater Samsa.
Asagaya. Tel: 090-85166005. http://www.temmetsu.
com/
Once
Tony Award-winning musical
about true love found on the
streets of Dublin. Until Dec
14, various times, ¥13,000.
Ex Theater Roppongi.
Roppongi or Nogizaka. www.
once-musical.jp
New production of a classical
masterpiece arranged by
artistic director Noriko Ohara.
Nov 8, 9, 13, 15 & 16, 2pm; Nov
11, 6:30pm; ¥3,240-16,200.
New National Theatre Tokyo.
Hatsudai. Tel: 03-53529999. www.nntt.jac.go.jp/
english
Swan Lake
Performed by the Bolshoi
Ballet and the Bolshoi
Orchestra. Nov 20, 7pm; Nov
24, 5pm; Nov 26, 1 & 7pm,
¥6,300-¥21,000 (members)
¥7,000-¥22,000 (gen).
Bunkamura Orchard Hall.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5353-9522.
www.bunkamura.co.jp
Clubbing
FRIDAY 3
Ageha
Agepa. All mix: DJs Irwan, U5,
etc. From 11pm, (m)¥3,000,
(f)free. Shinkiba. www.
ageha.com
Air
Leftfield. House, techno: DJs
Kza, Maeda, etc. From 10pm,
¥3,000. Shibuya. www.
air-tokyo.com
Don Carlo
Verdi’s operatic tale about
politics, religion and a father
who steals his son’s girlfriend.
Nov 27 & Dec 3, 6:30pm; Nov
30, Dec 6 & 9, 2pm; ¥3,24021,600. New National Theatre
Tokyo. Hatsudai. Tel:
03-5352-9999. www.nntt.jac
go.jp/english
Dance
Rainer Kühl
Carmen
Violin recital. Nov 6, 7pm,
¥3,600-4,000. Muza Kawasaki
Retelling of Bizet’s opera in
ballet form, under the direction
R&B, reggae: DJ Ykk and
more. From 6pm, ¥1,000 (after
10pm). Roppongi. www.
matrixbar.jp
DJ Mag Party Halloween
@ ageHa. Headliner: Dantz,
Adam Saville. Live: Chill, Sam
Rhansum. Lineup: TinyDucks,
Daijiro, Jeseph, Takuyatokyo.
Entrance Fee: ¥3,500.
Adv&Member: ¥3,000. Wear
a full body costume and entry
fee ¥2,500. Address: 2-2-10
Shinkiba Koto, Tokyo. Tel:
03-5534-2525. facebook.
com/djmagpartyjapan
Shinkiba
Womb
06s. Drumnbass: DJs Camo,
Krooked, etc. From 11pm,
¥3,500. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5459-0039. www.womb.
co.jp
THURSDAY 9
Osawa, Uemura, etc. From
10pm, (m)¥3,500 w/1d,
(f)¥2,500 w/1d. Shibuya.
www.vision-tokyo.com
T2
Shibuya Mixx. EDM: DJs
Various DJs. From 10pm,
(m)¥3,500 w/2d, (f)¥2,500
w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-54288692. www.t2-shibuya.com
The New Matrix Bar
Matrix Friday. Old-school
hip-hop, west side, south side,
mix. DJ Ykk and more. From
6pm, ¥1,000 (after 11:30pm).
Roppongi. www.matrixbar.jp
The Room
Breakthrough. Hip-hop: DJs
Jin, Ladi Dadi, etc. From 10pm,
¥2,500 w/1d. Shibuya. www.
theroom.jp
T2
Happiness. World mix: DJs
Various DJs. From 10pm,
(m)¥2,500 w/2d, (f)¥1,500
w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-54288692. www.t2-shibuya.com
Womb
Pop Girls. EDM: DJs Saori5,
Merry, etc. From 10pm,
(m)¥1,500, (f)free. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5459-0039. www.
womb.co.jp
FRIDAY 10
Air
Infinity Dub Session. Dub,
techno: DJs Deadbeat, Paul
St. Hilaire, etc. From 10pm,
¥3,500. Shibuya. www.
air-tokyo.com
Ruby Room
Womb
Sterne. Techno: DJs Paul
Ritch, Ishino, etc. From 11pm,
¥3,500. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5459-0039. www.womb.
co.jp
SATURDAY 4
Ageha
The Wonderland. Trance,
techno: DJs Paul Van Dyk,
Astrix, etc. From 11pm, ¥5,000.
Shinkiba. www.ageha.com
Air
Cats. House, techno
DJs Sebastian Mullaert,
Kawasaki, etc. From 10pm,
¥3,500. Shibuya. www.
air-tokyo.com
Daikanyama Unit
10th Anniversary. Industrial
DJs Alpha & Beta: Live:
Diamond Version and more.
From midnight, ¥4,000.
Daikanyama. www.
unit-tokyo.com
Origami
Lab Sound. From midnight,
¥3,000 +1d (door) / ¥2,500
+1d (w/F). Shibuya. www.
amrax.jp/schedule/event.
php?id=1675
Leaves featuring Delano
Smith. From midnight, ¥3,500
(door)/ ¥3,000 (Origami
members). Omotesando. Tel:
03-6434-0968. meturl.com/
origami1004
Daikanyama Unit
Sound Museum Vision
3floor Underground. DJs
Fake Eyes Production,
Sugiurumn, etc. From 11pm,
¥3,000. Daikanyama. www.
unit-tokyo.com
Edm Union. EDM: DJs Chris
Lake, Matsushima, etc.
From 10pm, ¥3,500 w/1d.
Shibuya. www.vision-tokyo.
com
Sound Museum Vision
The New Matrix Bar
Rad. Electro, techno: DJs
Saturday Night Fever. Hip-hop,
Amrax
Especial Records Session.
Jazz, house. DJs Yoshihiro
Okino(Kyoto Jazz Massive),
Yukari, etc: Live: Mark de
Clive-Lowe. From 10pm,
¥2,500 w/1d. Shibuya.
www.theroom.jp
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Punk:
DJs Timutaku, Francois, etc.
From 7:30pm, free. Shibuya.
www.rubyroomtokyo.com
Sound Museum Vision
Girls Festival. Hip-hop: DJs
Kaori, Kango, etc. From 10pm,
(m)¥3,500 w/1d, (f)free.
Shibuya. www.vision-tokyo.
com
The Room
Destination. Broken beats,
deep house: DJs Oka, Sayuri,
etc. From 11pm, ¥2,000 w/1d.
Shibuya. www.theroom.jp
Womb
Edm Music Festival. EDM:
DJs Daishi Dance, Komori,
etc. From 11pm, ¥3,500.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5459-0039.
www.womb.co.jp
UPCOMING
Air
Acid City. House, techno
DJs Emma, Ken Ishii, etc.
Oct 11, from 10pm, ¥3,000.
Shibuya. www.air-tokyo.com
Daikanyama Unit
Cabaret. Techno, house: DJs
Daniel Bell, Isherwood, etc.
Oct 11, from 11pm, ¥3,500.
Daikanyama. www.
unit-tokyo.com
Sound Museum Vision
October Fest. All mix: DJs
Mitomi, Habanero Posse,
etc. Oct 11, from 10pm,
(m)¥3,500 w/1d, (f)¥3,000
w/1d. Shibuya. www.visiontokyo.com
23
Womb
Cocoon. Techno: DJs Mathias
Kaden, Ilario Alicante, etc.
Oct 11, from 11pm, ¥3,500.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5459-0039.
www.womb.co.jp
Exhibitions
AKASAKA/ROPPONGI
21_21 Design Sight
Image-Makers. Mixed media
portraying a world of images
and fantasy. Until Oct 5,
¥500-1,000. Open Mon &
Wed-Sun 11am-8pm, closed
Tue. 9-7-6 Akasaka, Minato-ku.
Nogizaka. Tel: 03-34752121. www.2121designsight.jp
Mori Art Museum
Jacob Kirkegaard. Sound
and video installation on
Fukushima by Danish sound
artist. Until Jan 4, 10am-10pm
/ Tuesdays 10am-5pm, ¥1,500
(general) / ¥1,000 (uni/high
school) / ¥500 (4 years-junior
high). Open Mon & Wed-Sun
10am-10pm, Tue 10am-5pm.
6-10-1 Roppongi. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-5777-8600. www.mori.
art.museum
Mori Arts Center Gallery
The World of Tim Burton.
Widely regarded as one of
cinema's most imaginative
and visual filmmakers. Nov
1-Jan 4, 11am-10pm, Sat & Sun
11am-11pm, ¥800-1,800. 52F
Roppongi Hills Tower, 6-10-1
Roppongi. Roppongi. www.
tim-burton.jp
Nanatasu Gallery
Sansui. Photographer Kohei
Fukushima captures the
wildness of nature with
a three-piece mountain
waterfall, recreating the raw
power of a natural scene. Until
Oct 12, noon-7pm, free. Open
daily noon-7pm. 3F Ogura
Bldg. 2-12-4 Nishi-Azabu.
Nogizaka. Tel: 03-64197229. www.nanatasu.jp
Suntory Museum of Art
Koyasan 1200th Anniversary:
Treasures of the Sacred
Mountain. Figures carved
by some of Japan' most
celebrated Buddhist sculptors,
including Unkei and Kaikei. Oct
11-Dec 7, ¥800-1,300. Open
Wed-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun-Mon
& hols 10am-6pm, closed Tue.
9-7-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku.
Roppongi. www.suntory.
jp/sma
The National Art Center,
Tokyo
The Birth of Impressionism—
Freedom in Painting:
Masterpieces from the Musée
d’Orsay. Impressionist
masterpieces from Paris. Until
Oct 20, ¥800-1,600. The Japan
Fine Arts Exhibition. Featuring
Japanese and Western
paintings, sculptures, applied
fine arts and writing. Oct
31-Dec 7, 10am-6pm, closed
Tue, ¥700-1,200. Masterpieces
from the Kunsthaus Zurich.
Japanese exhibition of one
of the best art museums
in Switzerland boasting a
world-class collection of
modern art. Until Dec 15,
10am-6pm, closed Tue,
¥800-1,600. Open Wed-Thu,
Sat-Mon 10am-6pm, Fri
10am-8pm, closed Tue. 7-22-2
Roppongi. Nogizaka. www.
nact.jp
GINZA/KYOBASHI/TOKYO
Bridgestone Museum of
Art
Willem de Kooning: From
the John and Kimiko Powers
Collection. Dutch-born
American artist and one of
the founders of abstract
24
expressionism. Oct 8-Jan 12,
¥500-800. Open Tue-Sun &
hols 10am-8pm, closed Mon.
1-10-1 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku.
Tokyo. Tel: 03-5777-8600.
www.bridgestone-museum.
gr.jp
Idemitsu Museum of Arts
National Treasures of the
Munakata Shrine: The Sacred
Island of Okinoshima and Holy
Treasures from the Shrine.
Historical items from a sacred
island in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Until Oct 13, ¥700-1,000.
Ninsei, Kenzan and Crafts of
Kyoto. Featuring the ceramic
works of artists Nonomura
Ninsei and Ogata Kenzan.
Oct 25-Dec 21, Mon-Thu
10am-5pm, Fri 10am-7pm,
closed Mon, ¥700-1,000.
Open Tue-Thu 10am-5pm,
Fri 10am-7pm, closed Mon.
9F Teigeki Bldg, 3-1-1
Marunouchi. Tokyo. www.
tokyo.mae.lu/jp/node_19876/
hana-hito-tokyo
Nagoya Commerce and
Industry Center
The Mirror Ginza. The true
nature of the coming era
reflected in artwork. Oct
16-Nov 9, 1-9pm, ¥1,000
(lecture is extra) / reservation
only. 1-9pm. 4-3-6 Ginza,
Chuo-ku. Ginza-itchome.
National Film Center
Le Monde Enchanté de
Jacques Demy. Behindthe-scenes photographs
from works by French New
Wave director known for
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
and other films. Until Dec
14, ¥70-210. Open Tue-Sun
11am-6:30pm, closed Mon.
3-7-6 Kyobashi. Kyobashi.
Tel: 03-5777-8600. www.
momat.go.jp
The National Museum of
Modern Art, Tokyo
Hishida Shunso: A
Retrospective. Works by
a Meiji period painter and
innovator of nihonga. (Note:
In the Sep 5-18 edition of
Metropolis, this exhibition
was erroneously listed as
¥300-1,400. It should have
read ¥400-1,400 as below).
Until Nov 3, ¥400-1,400.
Celadon Now: Techniques
and Beauty Handed Down
from Southern Sung to Today.
Modern ceramic art. Until Nov
24, ¥300-900. Open Tue-Thu
& Sat-Sun 10am-5pm, Fri
10am-8pm. 3-1 Kitanomarukoen. Takebashi. Tel:
03-5777-8600. www.momat.
go.jp
HARAJUKU/AOYAMA
Laforet Museum
Chasing The Sun: Oasis
1993-1997. Photos, artifacts
and memorabilia from Oasis’s
early years. Oct 25-28,
11am-9pm; Oct 28, 11am-6pm,
¥1,000-1,200 (adv)/¥1,2001,400 (door). Laforet Harajuku
6F, 1-11-6 Jingumae.
Meiji-Jingumae. www.
laforet.ne.jp/index.html
Ukiyo-e Ota Memorial
Museum of Art
Utagawa Kunisada: 150th
Anniversary of His Death.
Collection of prints by one of
the great ukiyo-e masters.
Until Nov 24, ¥700-1,000.
Open Tue-Sun 10:30am5:30pm, closed Mon. 1-10-10
Jingumae. Harajuku. www.
ukiyoe-ota-muse.jp
UltraSuperNew Gallery
RetroMoto. Lust-worthy
selection of hand-crafted
motorcycles. Oct 3-19,
10am-7pm, Mon-Sat
11am-6pm, closed Sun
and Hols. 1-1-3 Jingumae.
Harajuku. ultrasupernew.
com/projects/ultrasupernewgallery
SHIBUYA/EBISU
11-Dec 14, 9:30am-5:30pm,
closed Mon, ¥800-1,600. 8-36
Ueno Park. Ueno. www.
tobikan.jp
Visual Deception II: Into the
Future. Art that plays tricks on
the spectators’s eyes. Until
Oct 5, ¥500-1,500. The Dream
of French Paintings: From
Impressionism to Ecole de
Paris. Select works by Monet,
Chagall, Cézanne, Foujita
and more. Oct 18-Dec 14,
¥500-1,400. Open Mon-Thu
& Sun 10am-7pm, Fri-Sat
10am-9pm. 2-24-1 Dogenzaka.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5777-8600.
www.bunkamura.co.jp
SHINJUKU/IKEBUKURO
Hiromart Gallery
Ritsuko Sato solo show
"momo." Vivacious, colorful
paintings done especially
for the exhibition. Until Oct
12, 1-7pm, closed Mon and
Tue, Free. Open Wed-Sun
1-7pm, closed Mon-Tue.
1-30-7 Sekiguchi, Bunkyoku. Edogawabashi. www.
hiromartgallery.com
Sompo Japan Museum of
Art
Normandie: L'Estuaire de
la Seine—L'Invention d'un
Paysage. Paintings by Eugène
Boudin, Raoul Dufy and others.
Until Nov 9, ¥700-1,100.
Tue-Sun, 10am-6pm, closed
Mon. 42F Sompo Japan
Bldg. 1-26-1 Nishi-Shinjuku.
Shinjuku. Tel: 03-54058686. www.sompo-japan.
co.jp/museum
Tokyo Opera City Art
Gallery
Zaha Hadid. Iraqi-British
architect, and first female
recipient of the Pritzker
Architecture Prize in 2004.
Oct 18-Dec 23, 11am-7pm,
closed Mon, ¥1,000-1,200.
Open Tue-Thu 11am-7pm,
Fri-Sat 11am-8pm. 3-20-2
Nishi-Shinjuku. Hatsudai.
www.operacity.jp/en/ag
UENO
Edo-Tokyo Museum
Tokyo Olympics and the Bullet
Train. In commemoration
of the 50th anniversary
of the Tokyo Olympic and
Paralympic Games. Until Nov
16, ¥670-1340. Open Tue-Fri
& Sun 9:30am-5:30pm, Sat
9:30am-7:30pm, closed
Mon & hols. 1-4-1 Yokoami.
Ryogoku. Tel: 03-36269974. www.edo-tokyomuseum.or.jp
The National Museum of
Western Art
Ferdinand Hodler: Towards
Rhythmic Images. Paintings by
one of the best-known Swiss
artists of the 19th century.
Oct 7-Jan 12, ¥800-1,600.
Open daily 9:30am-5:30pm.
7-7 Ueno Park. Ueno. www.
nmwa.go.jp
Tokyo Metropolitan Art
Museum
Art as a Haven of Happiness.
Mixed media. Rich harmonies
and vibrant colors by artists
born with Down syndrome.
Until Oct 8, ¥400-800. The
Renaissance Golden Age:
From Botticelli to Bronzino.
About 70 works by the great
Renaissance masters, courtesy
of the famed Uffizi Gallery
in Florence. Oct 11-Dec 14,
¥1,000-1,600. Uffizi Gallery.
An exhibition tracing the
development of Florentine
art from the 15th to the
16th century through works
from the collection of the
world-famed Uffizi Gallery. Oct
Tokyo Gallery + BTAP
OTHER AREAS
Jin Sha Solo: Salute to Masters.
Featuring 15 works of Chinese
paintings, prints and sculptures
by Chinese artist Jin Sha. Oct
18-Nov 22, Tue-Fri 11am-7pm,
Sat 11am-5pm, closed Mon &
Sun, free. Tue–Fri 11am–7pm
& Sat 11am–5pm, closed Sun,
Mon & Hols. 7F, 8-10-5 Ginza.
Shinbashi. Tel: 03-35711808. www.tokyo-gallery.com
Hakone Museum of
Photography
Sports
Tokyo National Museum
Bunkamura: The Museum
042-691-4511. www.fujibi.
or.jp/en
National Treasures of Japan.
Artifacts gathered across
various genres and periods.
Oct 15-Dec 7, ¥900-1,600.
Open Tue-Sun 9:30am-5pm.
13-9 Ueno Park. Ueno.
www.tnm.jp
Mt. Fuji. Katsura Endo’s
portrayal of the ever-changing
symbol of Japan. Permanent
exhibition. Until Nov 4,
¥300-500. 10am-5pm, closed
Tue (9am-9pm Sat from
May to August). 1300-432
Goura Hakonemachi,
Ashigarashimogun, Kanagawa.
Gora. Tel: 046-02-2717.
www.hmop.com
Hara Museum of
Contemporary Art
Art Scope 2012-2014: Remains
of Their Journeys. Results of a
Daimler Foundation-created
artist exchange between
German and Japanese artists.
Until Oct 13, ¥500-1,100. Open
Tue-Sun 11am-5pm, closed
Mon. 4-7-25 Kita-Shinagawa.
Kita-Shinagawa. Tel:
03-3445-0651. www.
haramuseum.or.jp
Hoki Museum
Hito Omoi, Hito Omou.
Painting. Lifelike portraits by
contemporary artists. Until
Nov 16, ¥900-1,800. Hiroshi
Noda. Living to Paint: Realism
from the Entire Psyche. Nov
21-May 17, 10am-5:30pm,
closed Tue, ¥900-1,800. Open
Mon & Wed-Thu 10am-6pm,
Fri-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun
10am-5pm, closed Tue. 3-15
Asumigaokahigashi, Midori-ku.
Toke. www.hoki-museum.jp
Masataka Contemporary
Planet Jam. A group show
with artists Saki Fujikawa,
Ryoko Kumakura, and Kinoko
portraying how the world
each artist inhabits meet,
intersect and merge, creating
an interesting environment
for expression. Until Nov 8,
Tue-Sat 11am-7pm, closed
Sun & Mon, free. Tue-Sat
11am-7pm, closed Sun & Mon.
Sansho Bldg. 3-2-9 Nihonbashi
Chuo-ku Tokyo 103-0027.
Nihonbashi. Tel: 03-32751019. www.masatakacontemporary.com/en
Miraikan
Toilet!? Human Waste & Earth’s
Future. A playful explanation
on “what goes in, must come
out” and how it affects the
environment. Until Oct 5,
¥600-1,200. 2-3-6, Aomi,
Koto-ku. Telecom Center
station. Tel: 03-3570-9151.
www.miraikan.jst.go.jp/en
The Container
Change Room. Canadian
artist Robert Waters’s
exhibition. Until Nov 16,
Open Mon-Fri 11am-9pm,
Sat-Sun 10am-8pm, closed
Tue, free. Mon-Fri 11am-9pm,
Sat-Sun & hols 10am-8pm,
closed Tue. Hills Daikanyama,
1-8-30 Kami-Meguro.
Naka-Meguro. www.
the-container.com
Tokyo Fuji Art Museum
Genius and Ambition: The
Royal Academy of Arts, London
1768-1918. Oil paintings by
Turner, Constable and others.
Until Nov 24, ¥400-1,300.
Open Tue-Sun 10am-5pm,
closed Mon. Yano-machi
492-1 Hachioji. Hachioji. Tel:
24, 7:15pm, ¥700-3,500.
Tokyo Metropolitan
Gymnasium. Sendagaya. Tel:
03-5474-2112. 0180-993-589
BOXING
Dynamic Glove
Oct 4, 5:45pm, ¥4,000-20,000.
Korakuen Hall. Suidobashi.
Tel: 03-5800-9999.
Dangan112
Oct 10, 5:45pm, ¥4,00010,000. Korakuen Hall.
Suidobashi. Tel: 03-58009999.
FIGURE SKATING
AMERICAN FOOTBALL
Carnival on Ice
X League
●●All Mitsubishi Lions vs. Bulls
Football Club. Oct 4, 11am,
¥1,100 (adv)/ ¥1,300 (door).
Kawasaki Stadium. Keikyu
Kawasaki or Kawasaki. Tel:
044-244-2931.
●●Fujitsu Frontiers vs. IBM
BigBlue. Oct 4, 2pm, ¥1,100.
Kawasaki Stadium. Keikyu
Kawasaki or Kawasaki. Tel:
044-244-2931.
●●Lixil Deers vs. Taiyou
Cranes. Oct 4, 10:45am,
¥1,100. Amino Vital Field.
Tobitakyu. Tel: 042-4400555.
●●Nojima Sagamihara Rise
vs. Meiji Yasuda Pirates. Oct
5, 5pm, ¥1,100. Kawasaki
Stadium. Keikyu Kawasaki or
Kawasaki. Tel: 044-244-2931.
●●Obic Seagulls vs. Asahi Beer
Silver Star. Oct 5, 2pm, ¥1,100.
Kawasaki Stadium. Keikyu
Kawasaki or Kawasaki. Tel:
044-244-2931.
●●Tokyo Gas Creators vs.
Hurricanes. Oct 5, 11am,
¥1,100. Kawasaki Stadium.
Keikyu Kawasaki or
Kawasaki. Tel: 044-244-2931.
●●Bulls Foot Ball Club vs.
Taiyou Cranes. Oct 18, 11am,
¥1,100. Kawasaki Stadium.
Keikyu Kawasaki or
Kawasaki. Tel: 044-244-2931.
●●IBM BigBlue vs. Hurricanes.
Oct 18, 2pm, ¥1,100. Kawasaki
Stadium. Keikyu Kawasaki or
Kawasaki. Tel: 044-244-2931.
●●Asahi Beer Silver Star vs. All
Mitsubishi Lions. Oct 19, 5pm,
¥1,100. Yokohama Stadium.
Kannai. Tel: 04-5661-1251.
●●Meiji Yasuda Pirates vs.
Tokyo Gas Creators. Oct 19,
11am, ¥1,100. Yokohama
Stadium. Kannai. Tel:
04-5661-1251.
●●Obic Seagulls vs. Lixil
Deers. Oct 19, 2pm, ¥1,100.
Yokohama Stadium. Kannai.
Tel: 04-5661-1251.
●●Fujitsu Frontiers vs. Nojima
Sagamihara Rise. Oct 20, 7pm,
¥1,100. Todoroki Stadium.
Musashikosugi. Tel:
044-722-0303.
BASEBALL
Oct 4, 7pm, ¥6,000-24,000.
Saitama Super Arena.
Saitama-Shintoshin.
Japan Open
Oct 4, 1pm, ¥4,000-23,000.
Saitama Super Arena.
Saitama-Shintoshin.
GOLF
JGTO
Bridgestone Open. Oct
23-26, 8am, ¥1,000-3,000.
Sodegaura C.C. Sodegaura
Cource. Kamatori. Tel:
043-291-1111.
JLPGA
●●Fujitsu Ladies. Oct 17-19,
7:45am, ¥3,000. Tokyu Seven
Hundred Club. Toke. Tel:
043-294-0700.
●●Morinaga Ladies. Oct
31-2, 8pm, ¥5,400. Morinaga
Takataki Country Club. Goi.
KARATE
All Japan Championship
Oct 25, 11am, ¥4,000. Tokyo
Metropolitan Gymnasium.
Sendagaya. Tel: 03-54742112.
MMA
Pancrase 261
Oct 5, 2:30pm, ¥6,500-10,500.
Differ Ariake. Ariake-tennisno-mori. Tel: 03-5500-3731.
PRO WRESTLING
Big Japan
Nov 22, 7pm, ¥3,150-6,300.
Korakuen Hall. Suidobashi.
Tel: 03-5800-9999.
Wrestle-1
Oct 8, 7pm, ¥4,000-7,000.
Korakuen Hall. Suidobashi.
Tel: 03-5800-9999.
Dragon Gate
Oct 9, 6:30pm, ¥3,240-7,560.
Korakuen Hall. Suidobashi.
Tel: 03-5800-9999.
Noah: Great Voyage
Oct 12, 5pm, ¥4,000-10,000.
Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium.
Kannai. Tel: 045-641-5741.
Central League
●●Yomiuri Giants vs. Yokohama
DeNA Baystars. Oct 3-4, 6pm,
¥300-12,400. Tokyo Dome.
Suidobashi. Tel: 03-58009999. 0180-993-589
●●Tokyo Yakult Swallows vs.
Yokohama DeNA Baystars.
Oct 5-6, 6pm, ¥500-4,600.
Meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium.
Gaienmae. 0180-993-589
BASKETBALL
National Basketball League
●●Toshiba Brave Thunders vs.
Link Tochigi Brex. Oct 10, 7pm,
¥1,000-5,100. Todoroki Arena.
Musashi Nakahara. Tel:
044-798-5000. 0180-993-589
●●Hitachi Sunrockers vs. Chiba
Jets. Oct 11, 3pm, ¥700-3,500.
Yoyogi National Gymnasium.
Meiji-Jingumae. 0180-993589
●●Hitachi Sunrockers vs.
Toshiba Brave Thunders. Oct
New Japan
Oct 13, 4pm, ¥4,500-10,500.
Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Ryogoku. Tel: 03-3623-5111.
Michinoku
Oct 18, 7pm, ¥3,700-5,000.
Shinkiba 1stRing. Shinkiba.
Tel: 03-3521-1015.
DDT
DDT. Oct 26, 12pm, ¥3,0005,000. Korakuen Hall.
Suidobashi. Tel: 03-58009999.
RUGBY
Japan vs. New Zealand
Nov 8, 2pm, ¥500-10,000.
Chichibunomiya Rugby
Stadium. Gaienmae. Tel:
03-3401-3881.
Top League
●●Ricoh Black Rams vs. Toyota
Verblitz. Oct 19, 11:40am,
¥300-3,600. Chichibunomiya
Rugby Stadium. Gaienmae.
Tel: 03-3401-3881.
●●Suntory Sungoliath vs. NTT
Docomo Red Hurricanes.
Oct 19, 2pm, ¥300-3,600.
Chichibunomiya Rugby
Stadium. Gaienmae. Tel:
03-3401-3881.
AAYTP Halloween
Costume Party for Charity
Costume party,
entertainment and raffle.
Oct 18, 7:30-9:30pm,
¥3,500. Bistro Maffick.
Omotesando or Shibuya.
Tel: 03-6418-3500. http://
meturl.com/aaytpcostume1
Stitch-n-Bitch
Festivals
Sakura Fall Festival
Kanto's biggest mikoshi
shrine parade, dashi dolls
from the Meiji period and
yatai. Oct 10-12, 3-10pm,
free. Sakura Shinmachi.
Sakura. Tel: 043-486-6000.
www.sakura-maturi.jp/
Narita Hanabi Taikai
Boom Factor: 10,000.
Award winning fireworks
for their unique designs and
performances. Oct 11, 7pm,
free. Inbanuma area (Chiba).
Narita.
Fukuro Festival
Mikoshi shrine parades,
taiko drum shoes, lion dance
performances and more.
Sep 27-Oct 12, all day, free.
West side of Ikebukuro
Westside. Ikebukuro. www.
yosakoitokyo.gr.jp
Local Hero Festival
Meet local heroes from all
over Japan, and enjoy yatai
food and live performances
of hero songs. Oct 12,
10am-8pm, free. Harbor City
Soga. Soga. Tel: 03-34464588. http://yatsutama.com/
localherojp/
Oeshiki Festival
Commemoration of the
anniversary of Saint
Nichiren's death. Sacred
lantern procession and more.
Oct 11-13, from 6pm, free.
Ikegami Honmonji Temple.
Ikegami. honmonji.jp
Hagi Festival
30-meter long tunnel of bush
clover grown on a bamboo
frame is in full bloom. Sep
13-Oct 19, all day. Mukojima
Hyakkaen Garden. Higashi
Mukojima. Tel: 03-3611-8705.
teien.tokyo-park.or.jp/en
Kiba no Kakunori
Square log-rolling event on
water. Until Oct 19, various
times, free. Kiba Park. Kiba.
meturl.com/kibakaku1
Kamogawa Tanada Night
Festival
10,000 LED lights illuminate
the Kamogawa tanada
(terrace), one of Japan's
100 tanadas chosen by
the Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries.
Oct 24-26, 4-8pm, ¥500.
Ooyama Senmaida.
Awa-Kamogawa. Tel:
04-7092-0086.
Community
Meet fellow knitters,
crocheters and sewers
to talk, share ideas, eat,
drink and create. Every first
and third Tue, 7pm, free,
Cafe Respekt. Shibuya.
www.meetup.com/
TokyoStitchandBitch
Half-Fast Cyclists
Bicyclists of all treads meet
for slide shows, lectures,
ride-planning, etc. Every
second Wed, 7pm, free, The
Pink Cow. Roppongi. Tel:
03-6434-5773. cowmail@
thepinkcow.com
Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art
School
Burlesque models pose
for artstars and sketching
newbies alike with arty
socializing. Every third
Wed, 7pm, ¥2,000
w/1d. Studio and Space
IVVA. Meiji-Jingumae
or Harajuku. www.
drsketchytokyo.wordpress.
com
Sunday Spin
Hula-hoop it up in Yoyogi;
no need to bring your own.
Drop in/out at any time.
Every fourth Sun, Yoyogi
Park. Harajuku. Tel:
03-3469-6081. meturl.com/
hoopinginjapan
Learning
Russian Music Mystery
Lecture on Russian
solfeggio method with
Natalia Yurkanova. Oct 6,
11am-12pm, ¥1,500. Gakken
Holdings. Gotanda.
Tel: 03-6431-1001. www.
facebook.com/gakken.music
SCBWI Japan Translation
Day 2014
Event for translators of
Japanese children’s literature
into English. Oct 18,
9am-5pm, ¥4,000 (members)
/ ¥5,000 (non-members).
Yokohama International
School, The Loft.
Yamate or MotomachiChukagai. japan.scbwi.
org/events/scbwi-japantranslation-day-2014/
Cider Seminar
Tasting of five French ciders,
coupled with seminar on
historic background. Oct 19,
4pm, ¥2,500 (members)/
¥3,000 (non-members).
Brasserie Ripaille Motomachi.
2F Wistaria Motomach,
4-179 Motomomachi.
Ishikawacho. www.
institutfrancais.jp
TCS Improv Workshop
FEW's 18th Biennial
Career Strategy Seminar
Make new connections and
turbo charge your career.
Open to all self-identified
women. Oct 4, 10am-5:30pm,
¥10,000 (members &
non-member students)/
¥12,000 (guests)/ ¥15,000
(door). Compass Offices. MG
Meguro Ekimae Building,
2-15-19 Kamiosaki. Meguro.
www.fewjapan.com
The weekly Tokyo Comedy
Store In the Moment improv
workshop, all levels welcome.
Beginner intensives on
weekends throughout the
year. See website for more
details. Every Wednesday,
7-9pm, Our Space Studio.
Hatagaya. Tel: 03-57707401. www.tokyocomedy.
com/improv_comedy_
workshop
OCT 8 - DEC 10
Grief Support Group
You don’t need to be alone
when grieving the death of
a loved one; we are here for
you. Interested in joining us?
Every Wed 7-8:30pm, Wesley
Center, Minami Aoyama.
Omotesando. Email:
[email protected]
details on flexible class times,
4B Maruoka Bldg, 5-49-7
Jingumae. Meiji-Jingumae.
www.mariatanikawa.com
Pause Talk
Open forum where creatives
can get together and discuss
projects, ideas and cultural
currents. Every first Mon,
Cafe Pause. Ikebukuro.
Tel: 03-6912-7711. www.
pausetalk.org
Other Events
Lush Life Park 2014
Handmade cosmetics
company Lush's 100 percent
natural energy fueled event
with live performances and
free Lush Spa treatments.
Oct 4, 10am-7pm; Oct 5,
10am-6pm, free. Tokyo
Midtown. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-3475-3100. www.
lushjapan.com/llp2014/
The Walking Dead:
Halloween Charity
Haunted Basement
Charity event for Japan Red
Cross-Hiroshima Landslide
victims. Oct 24, 10am-4pm;
Oct 25, 10am-3pm, Free,
but donations encouraged.
Sundai Gaigo Sogo Gakuin.
Ochanomizu. www.
sundaigaigo.ac.jp
Tokyo Metropolitan
Tourism Chrysanthemum
Exhibition
100th anniversary of one
of Tokyo's most well known
flower forums. Decoration
flowers, bonsai and more.
Until Nov 23, all day, free.
Hibiya Park. Hibiya. Tel:
03-3501-6428. meturl.com/
tokchrys1
Yokohama Triennale 2014
Art event with the theme
"voyage into the sea of
oblivion." Until Nov 3, various
times, ¥500-2,400. Various
venues. Minatomirai
and Basamichi. www.
yokohamatriennale.co.jp
Department-H
Underground party hosted
by drag queens. Every first
Saturday night of every month.
BYOB. Until Dec 5, 12am,
¥3,000(dress code)/¥4,500
(w/flyer)/ ¥5,000 (door). Tokyo
Kinema Club. Uguisudani.
Tel: 03-3874-7988.
department-h.com
Shibuhouse Party
All-night house party with
the Shibuhouse residents
on the 22nd of every
month, 7pm-7am. ¥1,000
w/ food & drink. Contact
[email protected] for
address/directions. Shibuya.
www.shibuhouse.com.
Nihonga Class
Blessing of Animals
Special blessing in honor of
St. Francis of Assisi. Oct 4,
2pm, Free. Franciscan Chapel
Center. Roppongi. Tel:
03-3401-2141.
Regular classes and one-day
workshops on basic Japanesestyle painting techniques.
All classes in English and
Japanese. Weekdays 6pm,
Sat 11am & 3pm. Email for
MORE LISTINGS ONLINE → METURL.COM/LISTINGS
25
Since 1949
今年は"にほんごをもの"にする
EVERGREEN LANGUAGE SCHOOL
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
JAPANESE PROFICIENCY TEST
N1, N2, N3, N4
ST
* One month intensive
* 2 & 3 days a week
* Private & Corporate
* Business Japanese
www.evergreen.gr.jp
YUTENJI 03-3713-4958 JIYUGAOKA 03-3723-4785
UDEN
VIS T
Registr A
a
April 2 tion for
015 term
NOW O
PEN!
Free trial lesson
for groups
[email protected]
03-3713-4958
J-STAR PATENT, TRADEMARK & IMMIGRATION OFFICE
Reasonable prices.
Free first time consultation
We can support you with:
Visa and immigration
Intellectual property rights
(Patent, trademark, copyrights)
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
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]
Executive Sales Training
in Japan
One that really achieves results!
YOUR KEY TO THE SUCCESS!
INTERNATIONALLY PROVEN
CORPORATE OR INDIVIDUAL TRAINING
Improve your sales by 20% minimum
Full day course: 9AM to 5PM
Weekend or weekdays
For more information or inquiries:
[email protected]
Tel: 090-6456-1596
(9am - 5pm)
Frank A. Kasala, President & CEO of Future Technologies International,
has over 40 years of international sales experience and 17 years as a
corporate sales instructor.
26
Imperial
Palace
Metropolis and its subsequent
Classifieds section are
printed every other week. The
upcoming publication dates
and corresponding deadlines
for print are as follows. This
does not affect the online
Classifieds, where ads are
visible immediately after they
are approved.
1 AT YOUR SERVICE
1.1 HEALTH
I N N E R
BALANCE.
Tr a d i t i o n a l
oriental
treatment of
acupuncture
a
n
d
moxibustion.
Also body
massage
a n d r e f l e xo l o g y. M o b i l e
ser v ice to your home or
of f ice. Email Takahito at
[email protected]
or see http://tmasuda.wix.
com/inner-balance.
COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH
COVE R AG E FOR E XPATS,
D I PLO M AT S , TE AC H E R S .
Inpatient and outpatient
care, emergencies,
surgery, meds, checkups,
dental, lab tests, MRI
and more. Thirty-day
m o n e y - b a c k g u a r a n t e e.
Quick, easy application;
convenient payment
options. Enroll today!
info@e ar thhe althcare.jp
w w w.ear thhealthcare.jp
078-351-7300
SPORTS PHYSIOTHERAPY
(physical therapy)
care
in
Hiroo.
Native English -speaking
therapists specializing
in sports injuries,
p o s t - o p e r a t i v e
rehabilitation, back/neck
pain, running related,
headaches, orthotics,
ergonomic consultations
and women’s health.
w w w.tokyophysio.com
03-3443-6769
1.7 BUSINESS SERVICES
LAW OFFICE IN KAWASAKI
(next to Tokyo), member
o f t h e Yo k o h a m a B a r
Association. Legal service in
English for traffic accidents,
divorce, inheritance,
bankruptcy, business cases
(contracts, establishing a
company, trademarks, etc.)
and other legal problems.
Email: [email protected] www.
sumikawa.net/
VISA COUNSELING:
female immigration lawyer
handles your visa case.
Permanent residency,
naturalization, eligibility
(inviting your spouse/
children/workers from
your country), extension/
change of visa status.
Consultation ¥5000. OFFICE
LIFE (Miho Fujibayashi).
Te l : 0 9 0 - 8 3 3 0 - 0 6 70
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://officelife.
jp/en/
CREATIVE SOLUTIONS. Specialists
in branding, web design, photo/
v i d e o p ro d u c t i o n . D r a w ing A
Crowd: a new approach in design.
Get in touch. info@drawingacrowd.
co
1.8 GENERAL SERVICES
SMILE STAND: Japan’s first
and only stylish rental photo
booth. An exciting addition
to any party, event, etc., and
the best way to get crazy,
fabulous, professional photos.
With this ad ¥55,000~. info@
highland-tokyo.com https://
vimeo.com/44976943 www.
smile-stand.com
FURNITURE RENTAL. Create
customized furnished
apartments with our
furniture rental ser vice.
Furniture packages
arranged by our qualified
interior designers to
accommodate various
sizes and styles. We also
of fer ap ar tment leasing
consultation. Please call
0120-957-520. www.smartrental-tokyo.com
2 FIND A PLACE
2.1 GUESTHOUSE
CREA-UN UENO. Furnished
p r i v a te r o o m s , w/d i g i t a l
locks, near Asakusa, Ueno,
Skytree. Safe area, femaleo n l y, r o o f to p g a r d e n w /
nice view, BBQ space, free
bicycle. From ¥56,000/m.
Utilities included. No key
money/guarantor. crea-un.
[email protected] http://
w w w. s akura - ko - b o.com
03-6912-0692
GREAT LOCATION & SUPER
CLE AN. Private furnished
rooms in Roppongi,
Akasaka, Azabu-Juban and
Blog post
the official metropolis classifieds blog
http://metropolis.co.jp/classifiedblog
With the days getting cooler and the bugs finally starting
to disappear, October provides the perfect weather for
festivals (or even fireworks). From traditional Japanese
festivals to international festivals like Diwali in Yokohama,
there’s something for everyone. Find your festival at http://
meturl.com/octobermatsuri.
FRI, OCT 17 ISSUE
Deadline: Oct 8, 3pm
Kounosu / Wikimedia Commons
FRI, OCT 31 ISSUE
Deadline: Oct 23, 3pm
Think the Classifieds is just ads? Think again! Visit the blog for saucy ads of yore, ideas to make your
ads pop, updated prices (hello, free vehicles ads!) and plenty more Classifieds goodness.
http://metropolis.co.jp/classifiedblog
Minami-Shinagawa, all
2min from stn, ladies-only
floor available, weekly
cleaning service, free
i n t e r n e t , a i r co n , f r i d g e .
From ¥ 49,0 0 0/m. No key
money/guarantor/agent
fee. 090 -2405 - 0022
[email protected]
KANAMACHI GUEST HOUSE.
Brand-new furnished share
rooms, separate male and
female floors, all rooms
w/d i g i t a l l o c k s , a i r co n ,
fridge, 1min walk from
Kanamachi stn, Chiyoda
line ¥40,000/m. room@
airay-apartment.net
03-5876-4575 www.airayapartment.net/
2.2 RENT UNDER ¥200,000
ICHIGAYA, IN CENTRAL TOKYO.
Furnished, 25sqm, w/south
and north balconies, cherry
blossom trees in Japanese
garden, sunny and quiet,
5 -7min from Akebonobashi
a n d U s h i g o m e -Ya n a g i c h o
subway stn, very convenient
to Yotsuya/Shinjuku by bicycle
¥100,000-. Tel/fax: 03-33417875 [email protected]
w w w.itto -jinnai.com/green/
greencorp.html
ICHII CORPORATION.
Over 600 affordable, qualityfurnished apartments in
central Tokyo locations. No
key money/guarantor/agent
f e e r e q u i r e d . N e w, c l e a n
apartments, simple contract
system, full English support.
Call us today! 03-5437-5233
www.japt.co.jp
PRIVATE FURNISHED
A P A R T M E N T S .
Odakyu line: MukogaokaYu e n / Yo m i u r i - L a n d - M a e ,
20/30min from Shinjuku.
Keikyu line: Hatcho-Nawate,
15min from Shinagawa.
1K~2LDK ¥58,000/
m~¥120,000/m. Tel: 044-9337000 Email:mh@minowagroup.
jp w w w.minowagroup.jp/
minowahomes
together for a chat or latte around the
Tokyo area. Also speak Chn, Sp. xiongjia@
hotmail.com
SERVICED APARTMENTS in
a quiet residential area of
Hiroo. Studios and suites.
4min from Hiroo stn. Rates:
Daily ¥7800. Weekly ¥6850-/
day. Monthly ¥5700-/day.
Over three months ¥5130-/
day. Tax, utilities included.
frontdesk@azabucourt.
com w w w.azabucour t .
com/ 03 -3446 -8610
English and Japanese. Hi, I'm an AsianAmerican male, 30. I'd like to improve my
Japanese for use at work. I'm seeking
someone who can meet weekdays
(morning/afternoon) on the west side of
Tokyo. [email protected]
English and Japanese. A gaikokujin
walks into Pronto for lunch and asks
for hentaiko spaghetti. The staff looks
at him strangely. He looks back at the
staff, puzzled. That gaikokujin was me.
Welcome to strange life in Japan, me!
[email protected]
English and Japanese. Well-educated
single black American guy, 35, 180cm,
seeking E/J language exchange. Tokyo,
Chiba, Saitama. eddywillson33@
hotmail.com
BRIGHT PRIVATE ROOM IN LARGE
LUXURY RESIDENTIAL VILLA IN
ASAKA, 14min to Ikebukuro, huge
bathtub, big TV, etc., free furniture
available ¥48,000/m. Utilities, internet,
cable included. No key money. villa.
[email protected] 09063491296
YOKOHAMA APARTMENT, private,
large 2DK in quiet suburban area, all
appliances included, easy access to
Yokohama, Futamatagawa, Totsuka,
Shonandai, Ebina ¥66,000/m. No
key money, no agent fees. Pets ok.
[email protected]
2.3 RENT OVER ¥200,000
THINKING
ABOUT
ADVERTISING WITH
METROPOLIS? Platinum
¥ 32 ,4 0 0. G o l d ¥ 27,0 0 0.
Silver ¥21,600. Prices
include one photo. Bronze
¥20 0 0 (photo + ¥20 0 0).
Prices are for 40 words,
one print issue, two weeks
online. For details, v isit
the Tokyo Classifieds blog
- ht tp: //metropolis.co.jp/
classifiedblog/ - or email us
at commercial@metropolis.
co.jp.
0
TOKYO APARTMENTS. Your
one-stop housing solution
throughout Tokyo. Providing
s e r v ice d , fu rni s h e d a n d
unfurnished apartments,
for both long- and shortterm stays. Also providing
relocation services,
furniture rental, property
m anagement and sales.
Please call 0120-957-920.
www.tokyoapartments.jp
3 EDUCATION
3.5 LANGUAGE EXCHANGE
Chinese, Spanish, English, Japanese.
Hey, John from the US. Don’t have much
chance to use J at my company. Let’s get
English and Japanese. Black American
male, 32, seeks Japanese for language
exchange. [email protected]
English and Japanese. I'll be in Tokyo
(Narita) soon. I'm seeking someone to
show me around Tokyo. In exchange,
we can practice speaking E. Hope to
hear from you soon. arnoudvliegt@
gmail.com
English and Japanese. I'm Andrew,
a native English speaker, 30s, with
writing (I write exam material), editing
and teaching experience. I'd like to
learn J pronunciation mainly, and some
vocabulary and expressions. Daytime
preferred. Shinjuku/Takadanobaba/
Kok ubunji / Ikebuk uro prefer re d.
[email protected]
English and Japanese. Japanese
male, 42, seeks native English speaker.
I like music and am interested in
vegetarianism and macrobiotics. I
hope we can learn from each other.
[email protected]
English and Japanese. Hi, I just moved
to Tokyo from California. Hoping to
meet a fun person to exchange J and E.
I'm 35, Asian-American and very genki.
Let's meet at a cafe or bar and have fun.
[email protected]
English and Japanese. I'm working on
a game to learn E and am seeking some
people to play with. Let's study and play
at the same time! 遊びながら勉強！
[email protected]
English and Japanese. MJF, 40s,
seeking an English exchange partner. I
am fluent in E, and would like to keep
it. I'd prefer a female partner. Takatsu,
Kanagawa area to Shibuya preferred.
[email protected]
English and Japanese. Group
language exchange every Wed, 7:309:30pm, at coffee shops around Ginza.
Most members are 20s and 30s. We
switch languages every 30min. Fun
events on weekends. Free to join. ando.
[email protected]
English, German, Portuguese,
Japanese. JF, late 30s, working in an
art field, does drawing by herself in
free time, waiting for English, German or
Portuguese speakers. In/around Tokyo.
Art-minded people very welcome!
[email protected]
French and Japanese. Fr and J daily
exchange in Otemachi. winds_fr@
hotmail.com
German and Japanese. JF seeks Ger/J
language exchange partner. Seit Sechs
Monaten lerne ich Deutsch aber ich
spreche Englisch. F/M ok. If interested,
drop me a line. gardenstate2005@
hotmail.com
Italian and Japanese. Would like to
learn basic It from a native speaker
who wants to practice J. Possibly near
Shibuya on weekday evenings after 7pm.
[email protected]
Korean and Japanese. Japanese male,
41, seeks a native Korean speaker for
Kor/J exchange. I like music, reading,
cooking. I hope we can learn from each
other and have some fun. astralsky@
excite.co.jp
Spanish and Japanese. Soy un varón
japonés, 26, viviendo en Tokio, buscando
una mujer y los compañeros españoles
por hacer intercambios de idiomas.
Hablo japonés. Quiero aprender español.
Entiendo un poco español. riku_hiroxx@
hotmail.com
3.9 TEACH ME!
English lessons. JM, 30s, seeks native
English teacher for reasonably priced
lessons at a cafe in central Tokyo or
along the Odakyu line. umek2002jp@
yahoo.co.jp
Female web designer. Foreign male
seeking web designer. Nonsmoker. Meet
in Ueno/Tokyo/Shinagawa area, two or
three times/month. In return, I’ll teach
you English and pay ¥1000/meeting.
Strictly professional, so don’t worry!
[email protected]
Teach me English conversation. I'm a
JM, 31, seeking a native English teacher.
I can meet along the Seibu Ikebukuro
line from Ikebukuro to Tokorozawa. I can
pay ¥2500/h at the most. kazu.iwamo@
gmail.com
Tutor needed for standard Japanese
junior high subjects for J/American
boy, 14, near JR Meguro stn. Will pay
reasonable rate. [email protected]
090-7729-1195
Want to learn Italian. I studied back in
high school for a very brief time, and I do
speak English and French, which might
help. I know basic Italian words. Want to
learn more now. assassin.wolves.films@
gmail.com
Wine teacher in Tokyo. Teach me about
French wine in Tokyo on weekends.
Prefer a native teacher with teaching
experience and a wine qualification. Will
pay for your time. frenchwinetasting@
hotmail.com
To advertise in Metropolis, Japan’s
No.1 English magazine, log on at www.
metropolis.co.jp/classifieds or email
your commercial ads to commercial@
metropolis.co.jp.
4 HOUSEHOLD GOODS
4.1 FURNITURE & FITTINGS
Armchair, w/matching foot stool, light
blue. New ¥7000. Sell ¥2000. Pick up
Tamachi. [email protected] http://
goo.gl/NZHecc 090-7229-2332
Desk, office (135x70cm), in very good
condition ¥10,000. Ikea bed, for kids,
extendable, w/new mattress, in very
good condition ¥10,000. Pick up Yoyogi.
[email protected]
Furniture sale! Ikea sofa, w/extra cover,
in great condition ¥4000. Ikea white
storage cabinets ¥1500. Large bookshelf
¥2000. Chest of drawers ¥1500. Matching
desk, desk chair: free. ledche@gmail.
com
Sofa, seats three, cream, leather, w/
two pillows, in good condition. New
¥100,000. Sell ¥20,000. Pick up Tamachi.
[email protected] http://goo.gl/
NZHecc 090-7229-2332
27
Sofabed, strong (L2m), w/classic
style and new cover ¥5000/obo. Pick
up near Kiyose, Seibu Ikebukuro line.
[email protected]
4.2 APPLIANCES
Surfboard, Canvas (5’2x20.5x2.38), San
Clemente, California, hand-shaped by
Ryan Engle, mini-Simmons design, panel
V bottom, twin keel glass on fins, w/soft
bag ¥45,000. [email protected]
5.3 MUSICAL EQUIPMENT
Acoustic guitar, Aria. Best offer.
[email protected]
Rotisserie cooker, Rotisol
Grand Flame, for commercial
use, w/three splits, can roast
up to 12 chickens ¥500,000.
Negotiable. bakachan80@
yahoo.com 080-6723-3446
Washer, Toshiba AW-607W, 7kg, hardly
used ¥10,000. Pick up near Denenchofu
stn. [email protected]
080-4736-2647
4.3 SAYONARA SALE
Sayonara sale! Leather sofa; twin beds,
w/bedding; seven-piece dining; office
items; metal shelving; small electronics;
lighting; curtains; etc. Pick up only AzabuJuban. [email protected]
090-6481-5107
Sayonara sale! Vacuum, new garbage
bin, small electric heater, cordless
phone, various kitchen plates, bowls,
etc. ¥5000/all. [email protected]
Sayonara sale! New Sharp Aquos TV,
w/internet, several m/o ¥33,000/obo.
European-style sofa set, w/two sofas and
four cushions, nine m/o. New ¥320,000.
Sell ¥80,000/obo. Leather sofa, tables,
etc. [email protected]
Sayonara sale! Dining set, w/one
table and two chairs; light metal shelf;
plastic case; nine m/o ¥1000. Pick up
only Kanagawa-ku. Photos available.
[email protected]
4.4 TV & HOME THEATER
DVD player, Pioneer, DVD-Audio
and SACD compatible, Super VCD,
24-bit/192KHz DAC, built-in Dolby,
HDMI and optical output, MP3, WMA,
DivX, and JPEG, E/nscreen display. New
¥15,000. Sell ¥1000. Pick up Tamachi.
[email protected] http://goo.gl/
NZHecc 090-7229-2332
LCD TV 55", LG 55LW6500, full 3D 1080p
HD, LED, internet, stream video from PC
or smartphone to TV, includes three 3D
glasses. New ¥160,000. Sell ¥65,000.
Tamachi. Can deliver. mailtojamie@
gmail .com ht t p: //goo.gl / NZHecc
090-7229-2332
4.6 FOR KIDS
Baby bath chair, Aprica, w/reclining
back, in very good condition, hardly
used, folds for easy storage ¥3000. Pick
up Nishi-Kasai. [email protected]
4.7 FOR FREE
Household items. NEC Speax32-TA fax/
phone; office chair, w/adjustable height/
lean angle and arms; four plastic chairs;
aluminum table suitable for kitchens or
outside; small ironing board. Pick up
Tamachi. [email protected] http://
goo.gl/NZHecc 090-7229-2332
5 HOBBIES&INTERESTS
5.1 CAMERAS
Digital camera, Canon PowerShot C1, as
new, only took 50 shots and then stored
it away, w/all cables, manuals etc.,
carrying bag ¥6000/obo. Pick up Tsurumi.
[email protected] 0455064415
5.2 SPORTS EQUIPMENT
Kickboxing, judo, ski wear sets.
Kickboxing set: gloves, bandage, leg
protectors, two pairs of short pants ¥1000.
Adult judo set, suitable for around 175-185cm
¥1000. Ski wear set, suitable for around 170180cm ¥2000. [email protected]
Snowboard equipment. Burton Motion
snowboard, 154cm, 15 y/o, in good condition;
Burton boots (25cm); bindings ¥5000.
[email protected]
28
Musical instruments wanted. Peace
Boat, an NGO headquartered in Tokyo,
is collecting donations of new and used
musical instruments for youth in Soweto
and Brazil. We’ll deliver them directly
during our 86th Global Voyage for Peace.
Nov 1 deadline. pbglobal@peaceboat.
gr.jp www.peaceboat.org 03-3363-8047
8 COMPUTERS
Amp, Fender BXR 15 Combo Bass,
15W, 8" speaker, three-band active EQ
section, Deltacomp w/19dB compression
range, headphones and external speaker
jack. Best offer. Pick up Tamachi.
[email protected] http://goo.gl/
NZHecc 090-7229-2332
Keyboards and mouse devices.
Wireless Logitech k400r keyboard, in
excellent condition, J/characters ¥1200.
Two wireless Logitech M705 mice ¥1500/
each. [email protected]
Drum set, Roland TD-4K2-S, electric,
w/mat, one m/o. New ¥125,800. Sell
¥30,000. raymondspencer@hotmail.
com 080-4736-2647
Laptop, HP notebook, English, Win 8.1,
Intel Core i3-3110M processor 2.4GHz,
6GB DDR3 SDRAM system, 500GB HD
¥48,000. [email protected] 09024782317
Electric-acoustic guitar, w/amp, stand,
case. Best offer. [email protected]
Laptop, gaming, Asus N53JQ, 15.6,
bought '11, i7-740QM 1.73GHz Geforce
GT425M 1GB, 640GB HD, 4GB memory,
Blu-ray player, Bang & Olufsen
SonicMaster, Win 7 Home Premium.
New ~¥140,000. Sell ¥40,000. Tokyo/
Kanagawa. [email protected]
5.4 BOOKS/CD/DVD
Language and guide books. Japanese
study books, French and English books,
guidebooks, etc. List available. yannu@
hotmail.com
Rei Shimura series, by Sujata Massey,
six books ¥1000. Pick up Shinjuku
or Nakano. Can post for +¥500.
gracekishino@gmail .com ht tp: //
shinjukugaragesale.wordpress.com/
6 VEHICLES
6.3 BICYCLES, PARTS, & ACCESSORIES
Mamachari, standard, 27x1 3/8 wheels,
six-speed, one y/o, light use. New
¥20,000. Sell ¥9000. Pick up Noborito
area or other nearby train stations.
[email protected]
Racing bike, Felt F55, 56cm frame,
approximately 5000km, 8.1kg, carbon
fiber forks/seatstays, Shimano Ultegra
groupset, Mavic Aksium race wheels,
compact 50/36 crank, carefully
maintained, in excellent condition. New
¥220,000. Sell ¥80,000. Pick up Tamachi.
[email protected] http://goo.gl/
NZHecc 090-7229-2332
7 GENERAL
7.1 PHONES
iPhone 4s 16GB, AU, in great condition
¥10,000. [email protected]
7.2 FASHION
Dress, Heaven and Earth (Shibuya 109),
gray, w/chain detail and matching gray
tank top, Japanese free size, in great
condition ¥500. Pick up Koto-ku or meet
central Tokyo. [email protected]
Dress, Jenevi (Shibuya 109), mini, black,
w/blue detail, Japanese free size, in great
condition ¥500. Pick up Koto-ku or meet
central Tokyo. [email protected]
Sandals, women’s, beige, w/silver
studs, rubber platform (3.5cm/1.25”),
size Japan 25.5/EU 40/ US 9, very soft,
in good condition ¥500. Pick up Koto-ku
or meet central Tokyo. larajuku1997@
gmail.com
8.2 HARDWARE
10 HELP!
10.1 HELP ME
Help me file taxes. Can anybody out
there help me fill out the 2555ez tax form.
Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you. [email protected]
[email protected] www.
peersupporttokyo.com
Infertility support group. TTC Tokyo is
an infertility support group that provides
informal opportunities for women and
men experiencing infertility to connect
with one another. Please visit website
for more info. [email protected] www.
ttctokyo.org/
11.1 PERSONAL MESSAGES
WRITE A MESSAGE FOR
YOU R S PEC I A L SO M EO N E !
Write any thing, from bir thday
messages to proposals, and so
much more! Contact us through
our website at http://classifieds.
metropolis.co.jp.
12 SOCIAL SCENE
12.1 LET’S PARTY
10.2 SUPPORT
THE JAPAN HELPLINE, 24 hours
a d ay, f ro m a ny w h e re, a b o u t
anything. From emergency
assistance to simple questions.
Visit www.jhelp.com/ and press
“help,” or call 0570 - 0 0 0 -9 11 .
To volunteer or support, please
contact [email protected]. www.
jhelp.com/
J A PA N I N T E R N AT I O N A L
HALLOWEEN PARTY. Sat, Oct
25, 6:30-9pm, Devi Fusion
(Roppongi). Japan’s biggest
international par t y. 250
people expected. All-youcan-drink and free snacks.
Japanese men: ¥ 4000.
Others: ¥3000. Mobile: http://
getyourfriend.com/mobile/
[email protected] http://
w w w.get your frien d.com /
090-1735-5405
J O I N TH E B I G G E S T,
B E S T, M O S T P O P U L A R
I N T E R N AT I O N A L PA R T Y !
Great people, drinks and
food! Meet new friends
and party with nice people
in a friendly atmosphere.
E ve n t s i n To k yo (G i nz a ,
Azabu, Roppongi) and
Osaka. ¥1500- ¥2000.
http://english.gaitomo.com/
[email protected]
7.3 MISCELLANEOUS
A p r o n, b r a n d - n e w, l i n e n k n i t
(L76xW40cm), various colors, w/pocket
inside ¥800. Pick up around ToritsuDaigaku or Jiyugaoka stn, Toyoko line.
[email protected]
Cleaner, for pet fur, dani, futon, sofa,
etc. ¥500. Pick up or chakubarai.
Photos available. housetsu@gmail.
com
File folders, size B1, three available,
w/cute designs ¥ 750/all. Pick up
or chakubarai. Photos available.
[email protected]
Rug, Ikea (80x150cm), almost new
¥1200. Delivery possible depending on
location. [email protected] http://
goo.gl/eYFyuc
7.4 ITEMS WANTED
Bicycle sought for a reasonable price. 自
転車を安く売ってくださる方を探し
ています。[email protected]
WEST PAPUA: ONE SOUL, ONE
PEOPLE . Fif t y- one years ago,
West Papua should have been an
independent country. Since 1969,
West Papua has been invaded
and the people robbed of their
rights, culture and country. Help
support West Papuans’ desire to
be free. http://tapol.gn.apc.org/
[email protected]
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS TOKYO.
If you have a problem with drinking, we
can help. English-speaking meetings
daily. 03-3971-1471 inquiries@aatokyo.
org http://aatokyo.org
HIV Peer Support group and workshops.
Get together with people in the same
boat as you, who understand. Held in
a safe, considerate, 100% confidential
setting to discuss what’s on your mind,
ask questions and make new friends.
13 CLUBS & INTERESTS
13.1 SPORTS
I N T E R N AT I O N A L PA R T Y AT
LEAFCUP. Come join us and have
fun. Men: ¥3000. Foreigners/
women: ¥2000. All-you-candrink-and-eat. Iidabashi
and Yokohama: Oct 4 and 18.
Shibuya: Oct 11 and 25. www.
leafparty.com
SUBSCRIBE TO METROPOLIS
A N D N E V ER M ISS A N ISSUE .
O ne year (24 is sues) ¥ 360 0
(corporate subscribers, 7-100
copies ok ¥22,560). Half year
(12 issues) ¥1800 (corporate
subscribers, 7-100 copies ok
¥12,000). Bank transfer or credit
card (Visa, Mastercard, Diners
Basketball in the Yokohama area.
Want to play b-ball in the Yokohama
area? Mostly Japanese players play
intermediate games every Mon and
Wed night at a local school's gym. Feel
free to come. Please contact for further
details. [email protected]
Don's Half-Fast Flash-Mob Weekend
Urban Bicycle Rides. halffastcycling@
hotmail.com
11 MESSAGES
神主を探してます. 英国大学院
の学院生は神道の神主を探してま
す。[email protected]
N E E D T O TA L K ? W e ’ r e h e r e
to listen. TELL LIFELINE: free,
anonymous English counseling
daily from 9am-11pm by trained
vo l u n te e r s: 03 - 57 74 - 0 9 92 .
TELL COUNSELING:
affordable multilingual
p s yc h o t h e r a py by a cc re d i te d
Western-trained professionals,
a CIGNA International Provider:
03 - 4 5 5 0 -1 1 4 6 . T E L L w e b s i te:
w w w.telljp.com. Follow us
o n F a c e b o o k a n d Tw i t t e r @
TokyoLifeLine.
Club). Details at http://metropolis.
co.jp/subscription.
JUST A 3MIN WALK
FROM ROPPONG I HILL S,
Club 360 is a large and
modern health and fitness
club. No membership or
joining fees. Personal
training, physiotherapy,
f itness classes, b oxing,
kickboxing, massage.
info @club3 60.jp w w w.
club360.jp 03-6434-9667
Football /soccer players. Tokyo
Redstar, Setagaya League 2, is
s e ek ing s occer player s for al l
positions. Practice almost every Sat/
Sun in Tokyo. Attendance must be
over 60%. Players in a spirit of fair
play welcome. [email protected]
http://tokyoredstar.com/
Futsal in Tokorozawa. Sun night
futsal? Mostly 30-45 year olds play
every Sun evening. Non-league, but
fairly competitive. Come and play
for exercise and fun! Any age ok.
[email protected]
Futsal players wanted by a very
friendly international team. Practice is
in Tokyo and Kanagawa on Sat. Details
available. [email protected]
AMERICAN FOOTBALL.
N ihon Unis ys B ulls , X league
Central Division, seeks fit players
w/ US college football experience
for all positions. Practice every
Sat/Sun from 10am-3pm (including
meeting) in Tokyo/Saitama (time
& v e n u e s u b j e c t t o c h a n g e) .
Attendance at practice must be
ove r 6 0% . Pl e ase co nt ac t fo r
tryout info and send your profile to
team admin. bullsxleague@gmail.
co m h t t p: // w w w.u n i s y s .co. j p/
football/
A L L - N AT I O N A L I T Y TO U C H
FOOTBALL. Non-contact tag rugby
(OZ tag) and Rugby League players.
We play ever y Sat from 1 0am
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 f o r J a p a n e s e
Ru gby Le a gu e of f icial g ames
from Apr to Sep. Everyone
welcome. Contact for more details.
[email protected]
FUN WITH TOUCH RUGBY! Join
us for social or competitive touch
rugby ever y Sat at 2:30pm by
Ariake stn, Yurikamome line. Any
age, sex, level ok. Please email for
details. [email protected]
ht tp://w w w.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 a m e a n d i t s
social side, the “Cru” welcomes
all players and supporters.
Established in 1990, the Cru plays
in the Shuto League 1st Division.
http://www.facebook.com/tokyo.
crusaders www.tokyocrusaders.
com
TA M B O U R E L L I . U n i q u e n e w
s p o r t f ro m S cot lan d . Usin g a
tambourine-like instrument as a
racquet, players hit a shuttlecock.
We play two or three times/month
on weekends in Meguro with many
socials. Join us! More details: www.
tamjapan.org/en/ info@tamjapan.
org
All-level tennis group in Tokyo.
Serious and motivated tennis players
sought by active tennis group to join
their weekly sessions in central Tokyo.
We have advanced and intermediate
groups on weekday evenings. Beginner
and low-intermediate also welcome.
No entrance or membership fees.
Reasonable participation fees. tokyo.
[email protected]
Futsal team. Intermediate futsal team
in Tokyo seeking people who can enjoy
the game with others. Please introduce
yourself (age, nationality, where you
live, whether you belong to another
team). [email protected]
Interested in tai chi? Then why not
start now? Take a step to counter the
stresses of daily living. Practice is in
Toyama Park on Sun mornings, near
Takadanobaba stn. [email protected]
Jogging Yokosuka. SJM seeking
friends to jog 3-5km in Yokosuka,
mornings preferred, but depending
on the day, other times could work,
too. ジョギング仲間募集横須賀 .
[email protected]
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]
Free Japanese home cooking.
Japanese housewife offers free home
cooking (washoku) lessons in English
at her house near Kawasaki stn during
the day on weekdays. You pay the cost
of ingredients. tome.haruka-soushi@
ezweb.ne.jp
13.3 ARTS
Love Shakespeare? Amateur group in
Tokyo, meeting once/month to celebrate
our love of the Bard. Come to read, or just
to listen. All nationalities welcome, no
experience necessary! rchrd_schwartz@
yahoo.com http://groups.yahoo.com/
group/Shakespeare-sama/
13.4 MUSIC
English singer in Japan. English
singer performing hits from the '40s
to present (standards, country, retro,
reggae, pop), in Japan Nov 3-21. Would
like to meet musicians. stevelrich.
[email protected]
Jazz musicians sought in Tokyo. Let's
play jazz standards. I'm a Japanese
guitarist and sometimes play jazz at
a bar. If you have some jazz standards
you can play, contact me. k.chiba106@
gmail.com
VJ wanted by two JMs in a band. Image
is Pink Floyd's Storm Thorgerson - we
need a visual artist on gigs. Are you a
photographer or film artist? Let's play.
We love organic, not digital visuals.
[email protected]
13.5 MIND, BODY, SPIRIT
Diamond Way Buddhism Tokyo. Do you
want to explore your own mind? Guided
Buddhist meditation every Sun, 6pm, near
Azabu-Juban. International practitioners,
beginners welcome, Japanese spoken.
Please call 090-3598-3072 for more
information. [email protected] http://
www.diamondway.jp/
Iro-Do Cafe meeting. Volunteer healing
meeting in Tokyo. Don't hesitate to
contact me if you need help. winds_fr@
hotmail.com
Tibetan Buddhist meditation in Tokyo.
Part of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan
Buddhism. This school puts special focus
on meditation practice. Regular guided
meditations Sun from 7pm. findlay65@
gmail.com http://www.meetup.com/
Tibetan-Buddhist-Meditation-In-TokyoJapan/ 080-4389-8818
Tokyo Dialogue. We have been meeting
in the heart of the concrete jungle called
Tokyo for 10 years to create an oasis of calm
reflection and listening. findlay65@gmail.
com http://tokyodialogue.wordpress.com/
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
13.6 RELIGIOUS
Seeking a Baptist church without
judgmental people, many English
speakers, and where everyone is in
normal clothes? Contact me and let's
meet at Higashi-Shinjuku stn, exit A2,
Sun at 10:30am. [email protected]
08041554200
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/ 080-5681-1321
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. yuko.
[email protected] www.
japanintercultural.org
Nihongo 倶楽部いんたぁなしょなる.
Nihongo Club International is a volunteer
group to help foreign people learn
Japanese at the Tokyo Volunteer Action
Center in Iidabashi. Every Thu, 7-9pm.
[email protected]
14 PERSONALS
14.1 FRIENDS
Art friends here? JF, late 30s, working
in an art field, seeking someone to
explore art galleries, museums, films
and cafes with in and around Tokyo.
English, German and little Portuguese
possible. [email protected]
Crossdressing guy, tall, white, goodlooking, in Tokyo, seeks female friend.
[email protected]
Don't contact me if... you want English
practice... you think every foreign guy
wants to sleep with every woman...
you're very crazy (a little crazy is ok). Do
contact me if you're still reading, 20s.
[email protected]
Email pal. Japanese seeks native
English speakers to be penpals. Let's
talk in Japanese and English. Friendship
and chatting only. Where are you from?
No sexual emails, please. language_
[email protected]
English guy seeking new friends. I'm
relaxed, easygoing, like music, comedy,
travel, going to wine bars and Belgian
bars. I speak Japanese, but prefer
people who can speak some English. Any
nationality/age ok, just be non-psycho.
Thanks! [email protected]
Fellow Japanese learners. English
guy in Tokyo learning Japanese. I'm
seeking other people who are also
learning Japanese to hang out with,
share language tips and resources,
and share occasional frustrations. My
Japanese isn't great (yet!). vint.snap@
gmail.com
Jazz-playing friends in Tokyo.
Japanese male seeking jazz players for
fun in the Tokyo area. I've been playing
the alto sax for a couple of years. Still
amateur, but want to play with others.
[email protected]
Jogging partner wanted for weekend
jogs around the Palace. WM, 40s.
[email protected]
New here. Feels weird to try finding
friends online, but with work, study
(Japanese), exercise, I thought this
could be a way to meet new people. I
like going out, travel, photography, and
have a very English sense of humour.
[email protected]
Seeking career friends. 転活中の
30 代（前半）女性です。Sincerely
seeking friends who are purchasers,
marketing professional s, or job
consultants to gain knowledge about the
industry. [email protected]
Seeking penpal. Hello, I'm seeking
a penpal who is an honest English
speaker. M/F ok. I can help your
Japanese, and you can help my weak
points. [email protected]
SoftBank friends. European man, 42,
is seeking friends near Tama-shi who
are SoftBank users. I like running and
cycling, am free on weekends, speak
French and Japanese. wasabi70@
yahoo.fr
Spanish, English, Japanese. Hi, there.
JM, 40s, seeking English or Spanish
speaker for language exchange. I'll
teach you traditional and easy
Japanese. [email protected]
Strolling through Tokyo. JF seeks
English speakers who are interested
in strolling with me around Tokyo
(especially unknown towns and
places). Shall we have friendship (not
romance) through exploration? Nonnative speakers also ok. Nonsmokers,
punctual, under 35 preferred. gbsrs@
hotmail.co.jp
You and some friends? English guy
looking to meet a group of friends after
work for drinks. If you want to talk
English and Japanese and enjoy some
beer or wine, contact me. 日本語も大
丈夫. [email protected]
中央線. 中央線のビール友達を
探してる。僕がイギリス男です。
日本語でも英語でも大 丈 夫です.
[email protected]
横浜金沢シーサイド. Are you a
member of Costco Kanazawa Seaside who
goes to shop sometimes? Japanese male,
fluent in English/Spanish, wants someone
with whom to enjoy shopping, chatting or
jogging. [email protected]
日系人English/Japanese 交換し
たい - 昼間. Asian-American male,
fluent in English, wants to make new
friends in Tokyo. F/M ok. Please teach
me Japanese. Prefer to meet during
lunchtime. [email protected]
14.2 MEN LOOKING FOR WOMEN
SUBMISSIVE SJM, 36, cute, is
seriously seeking a woman who is
into, or interested in, dominating
men. I am so submissive, with
seven years’ experience, that I am
happy to take whatever and serve
you in any way. slaveintok yo@
gmail.com
American apple pie, 38, consultant,
from Culver City (near Beverly Hills), now
in Mita, Minato-ku, loves restaurants,
suits, colored handkerchiefs and ties,
dancing, R&B, hip hop, reading, art. You:
live/work in central Tokyo. Try something
new? [email protected]
American seeks wife. Business owner,
Christian, healthy and in shape. I have so
much to offer the right woman. I love to
travel, cook, laugh, go out to dinner and
a movie. Send me a note and let's talk.
[email protected]
Would you like a nice, relaxing aroma
oil massage? Amateur masseur seeks
mature massage partners to practice
on. I can meet anywhere in central
Tokyo. I speak English and Japanese.
[email protected]
American WM, 46, fit, blue eyes,
seeks long-term relationship. Currently
married with kids. Would like to
explore friendship outside of marriage
with a JF. Love eating out, movies,
exercise, hanging out. Nihongo mo ok.
[email protected]
Artist seeks woman in Tokyo. Artist
from Paris seeks true companion. I
design music. I make photography. I
connect with nature. I am building an eco
project in Tokyo. I am building my success
in Japan. [email protected]
Artistic American guy, 38, born in
America, lived near Santa Monica, my
father spoke German. Now near Tokyo
Tower. Very athletic, love artistic
expression, restaurants, fashion, R&B.
Please be athletic, live or work in Tokyo,
open-minded. [email protected]
Attractive SJM seeks a nice Western
or Japanese female for friendship and
possibly more. Nonsmokers preferred. I
am confident that I can create fun times
for you. If you are ready, email me.
[email protected]
British-Australian gentleman.
Hello, I am an Oxbridge-educated
British-Australian gentleman seeking
a single Japanese lady for friendship
and marriage. I will be in Tokyo and
Kyoto in Nov and would like to have an
email exchange beforehand. stjdavid@
googlemail.com
Strong, beautiful, flexible
Transform your body & soul at
BASI PILATES!
Calm, gentle JM seeks someone
special for a serious relationship leading
to marriage. I am 42, nonsmoking, don't
drink. Any nationality ok. If interested,
please contact me. Let’s start with a cup
of coffee. [email protected]
Offering you “Authentic Pilates”
Metropolis Campaign
Admission Fee: ¥15,750 ¥0
Trial Machine Private Lesson: ¥10,000 ¥8,400
Caring and cute SJM seeks attractive,
hearty, nonsmoking Western female for
friendship. I simply would like to share
fun, interesting, great experiences with
you. If you feel the same way, just drop
me a line. You won't be disappointed.
[email protected]
Package 3 Machine
Private Lessons
¥30,000 ¥18,000
Machine Private Lessons available at our Roppongi studio
Lessons in English available
Studios in Roppongi, Ginza, Nakameguro and more
Caring for each other. JM, 44, slim,
young-looking, seeks a Western female
for a love-filled relationship. I promise
you respect and understanding. Let's
start from friendship, then see how
it goes. Sincere, decent personality
required. [email protected]
03-6425-7054 • [email protected]
www.basipilates.jp/english/
Daytime passion? Attractive North
American WM, 30s, clean and safe, seeks
attractive lady, 20-49, for passionate
hotel encounters weekdays/weekends
during the day. Ikebukuro-Shinjuku
areas preferred. You will feel good.
[email protected]
Discreet and passionate lady wanted.
Seeking MJF for a discreet and intimate
relationship. I'm a kind, respectful, welleducated MWM, late 40s, nonsmoker.
Please contact me and let's see if we
connect. Thank you. theroyaljoker@
yahoo.com
Down-to-earth SJM, not handsome or
rich, clumsy, early 40s, seeking woman
of a similar age for romance or marriage.
Kanagawa preferred. elsalvadorjapan@
yahoo.es
English and Japanese. I'm a JM, 40s,
seeking a female language exchange
partner. [email protected]
Exciting daytime fun. Generally happy
MWM seeking similar MJF for daytime
fun. Marriage has many great features,
but we deserve to feel sexually alive, too.
I’m tall, fit and smart - hope you are, too.
[email protected]
M
for entio
FR n M
EE
e
AD trop
MI oli
SS s
ION
I want to grow old with you. I seek a
serious and honest lady I can grow old
with. Please send me a message so we
can get to know each other. Thank you.
[email protected]
Is this you? I am tall, British, 30s,
working in a proper job, living in Japan
permanently. 日本語もできる. You are
Japanese, around 165cm, slim or medium
weight, relaxed, happy, working but have
free time. [email protected]
Is visiting art museums your passion,
too? European bachelor, visits Japan
every year for about two months at a
time. I'm coming on another visit quite
soon. I just love exploring art museums
and seek an interesting companion.
[email protected]
Kissin’ the moonlight. In an open
relationship and seeking a female
kissing friend. I want to go to a place in
the park or another place. riku_hiroxx@
hotmail.com
THE RACE IS ON!
Groups of 4 or more can
compete with each other
Admission
1 ticket (7 min)=¥2100, 3 tix=¥5200, 5 tix=¥7800
¥47,000
29
Many more Classified ads online! Please visit classifieds.metropolis.co.jp
JOBS
CHAT HOSTS AND TEACHERS WANTED
BY LEAFCUP in Tok yo, Iidabashi,
S h i b u y a , Yo k o h a m a . S e e k i n g
enthusiastic, prof icient English,
French, Spanish and/or German
speakers who can teach and lead
lively conversations. ¥1,000-¥1,500/h.
A p p l y o n l i n e : h r @ l e a f c u p .co m
www.leafcup.com/job.php
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT sought by
foreign-owned company in Tokyo.
Requirements: fluent in English/
Japanese, previous EA/secretary/
office experience. Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm.
Competitive salary. Please send CV to
[email protected].
Don't waste time and money
on so-so dental care.
Invest in the best.Your teeth deserve it.
3-2-1 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Clinic hours: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Closed: Thu, Sun and National Holidays
03-6435-0993
www.tsuruki-mita.org/english
Now You Can Recharge
in Roppongi 24/7/365
Language exchange with benefits.
Haven’t got time to sit down at your
desk and study Nihongo? I can teach
you in bed. I’m a Japanese guy, AKA, a
sleeping dictionary! You will learn more
effectively and quickly. tcnsncymtd@
gmail.com
Hotel
IBIS
Soba shop
Tel: 03-3796-2411
relaxtokyo.com
COURSES
Body care
30 min: ¥3,150
60 min: ¥6,300
(Early bird 6am-2pm ¥5,250)
120 min: ¥12,600
Oil massage
(daytime only)
60 min: ¥8,400
120 min: ¥16,800
Metropolis Promo
60 & 120min courses now ¥1,000 off
30min course ¥500 off
Mos
Burger
Almond
METROPOLIS is seeking motivated
bilingual (E/J) sales executives,
support staff and interns to join its
advertising and marketing team. Send
E/J resume to [email protected].
Takoyaki shop
Police box
Roppongi-dori
Life is short. British man, 35, seeks
Japanese lady to share chats, drinks and
hopefully more. In a relationship, but
without physical intimacy. Life is short.
I am not seeking a one-night stand,
but rather an ongoing relationship.
[email protected]
London calling. Here from London.
Will be staying in Japan for a while.
Want to meet new people to hang out
with, enjoy drinks, do new things. I'm
not the Roppongi type, so no Roppongilovers, please. Nonsmokers only.
[email protected]
Lunch friends. English guy seeking lunch
friends near Otemachi. I already have a
busy social life in the evenings, but if we
get on at lunch maybe the occasional
afterwork hangout could work, too. No
marriage seekers/smokers. scottish1_@
outlook.com
Married gentleman seeks love with
married gentlewoman. Is it possible?
Maybe not. [email protected]
Married needs help. Friendly
Caucasian MWM in central Tokyo seeks
discreet and sincere JF for romantic
and intimate encounters. I am mid-40s,
well-educated, respectful, nonsmoking.
Please contact me and let's see what
happens. [email protected]
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]
Meet me in Hawaii. Married, early
40s, seeking an attractive single or
married woman for fun on your vacation
in Hawaii. I'm financially secure, 170cm,
70kg, athletic, speak Japanese. Let's
exchange photos and email and go
from there. Aloha! lifeofadventure69@
yahoo.com
Nice gentleman seeks a mature
Japanese woman, 50+, to enjoy special
30
To advertise:
[email protected]
03-4588-2277
WAIT STAFF, aged 25 -35, sought
for oyster bar and restaurant, The
Cave de Oyster Tokyo, at Tokyo
stn. Requirements: proper visa, E/J
fluency, team-player attitude. Any
nationality ok. From ¥1,000/h. www.
theoyster.tokyo [email protected]
03-6667-6606
OPERATION MANAGER NAQUINGS has
an operation manager position open.
The employment scheme includes
three stages: 1. Provide us with your
resume. 2. Display your readiness to
work for NaquinGS at the interview
with our managers. 3. Show your best
professional and personal skills and
prove you are the best candidate for
us. If you have any questions related
to employment, contact our managers
in the HR department. NaquinGS.com
sweet moments together, with respect
and good manners. [email protected]
and talk a lot. Let's go out together.
[email protected]
Non-Japanese Asian. Title says it
all: seeking a girl from Asia who isn’t
Japanese. I’m from England, but have
lived in several countries in Asia. Love
travel, music, open minds. ero.lp.xei@
gmail.com
Seeking beautiful woman, up to 40.
Hello, I am seeking a nice, beautiful lady
for dinner or a good time for both of us
either in Shibuya or Ikebukuro. I can host.
[email protected]
No English? 銀行で働いてるイギリ
ス人が日本の女の子探してる。英
語分からない女の子欲しい。 vint.
[email protected]
Older Japanese women are so
beautiful. As Japanese women age,
they become more and more beautiful. I
love ladies in their 50s and 60s. vbcfgt@
hotmail.com
Outgoing black male seeking attractive
girlfriend, 20-55, over 160cm, who is
fun and seeking intimacy in the Tokyo
area. I'm 36, smart, 183cm, shaved
head, athletic, from NY, working in IT,
living in Ota-ku. Please send photo!
[email protected]
Pretty black/African woman sought for
a long-term and passionate relationship
full of pleasure. I am a well-educated
professional, currently working at a
well-known international company, with
a caring and loving heart. karlimarko@
yahoo.co.jp
Professional, educated, outgoing,
handsome, looking to date. White
American guy currently staying in Tokyo.
Would like to grab some coffee or lunch
together to start off with and then take it
from there. I am really mature and openminded. [email protected]
Proposal for SWF in Tokyo. Attractive
SJM seeks attractive, spiritually
mature, thoughtful SWF for a meaningful
relationship. Shall we begin to talk? I
think this opportunity will be a great one
for us. [email protected]
Romance with an older lady. Very nice
and sexy gentleman seeks an older, or
much older, woman to have nice dates
and a romance. [email protected]
Seeking a mature SWF. Fun and
easygoing SJM, 57, living in Tokyo, into
reading, movies and swimming, seeking
a Caucasian lady, 50s, for friendship.
Would like to explore Tokyo together
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. niman429@
yahoo.com
Seeking chubby/big, beautiful, funloving Japanese woman. Fun-loving,
successful, nonsmoking, well-traveled
married male is seeking a chubby/BBW
Japanese woman for a passionate
relationship. enjoylife_321@yahoo.
com
Seeking companionship from a
Japanese or foreign woman for exploring
Tokyo. Maybe leading to something
more serious. I'm Caucasian, 43, 194cm,
nonsmoking, social drinker, fun guy. I live
near Machida, Odakyu line. 日本語 ok.
[email protected]
Seeking friend. The weather is cooling
off and I think I'd like to have a picnic!
Are there any young women, 20s-30s,
out there who like soul music and French
food? Tattooed Caucasian, early 30s,
seeking a friend. [email protected]
Seeking fun. SWM, 32, French, seeking
people who want fun like me. My life
is stable, but boring and stressful. I
need excitement for my mental health
balance. If you feel the same way,
contact me. Take care. r.ould07@i.
softbank.jp
Seeking Japanese girlfriend. I am
an IT engineer from India. I've been
living in Tokyo since 2012. I am doing
programming. I am single, nonsmoking,
4 1. S e ek in g Jap ane s e wom an.
[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. [email protected]
Seeking married JF. Nice guy, 40s,
gentle, romantic, open-minded, seeks
to share great time with a married JF in
Tokyo. First, let's meet up over coffee and
talk. [email protected]
Seeking comfort. Female, 28, works under
extreme pressure. I don't have much time to
meet up, but I need someone to comfort me.
Looking forward to your message. butterfly.
[email protected]
Seeking mature SWF. Serious, fun,
easygoing SJM seeking a Caucasian lady,
50s, for friendship. I'd like to explore Tokyo
together and talk a lot. I'm into reading,
movies and swimming. Let's go out for
coffee. [email protected]
Seeking Frenchman for serious
relationship. I'm a SJF, 30s, interested
in France, seeking a relationship with a
sincere and intelligent Frenchman, 25-50.
No language exchange or games, please.
Serious only. [email protected]
Seeking Parisienne. Affluent and
excellent Japanese architectural engineer
is seeking an attractive Parisienne who
can speak English. I visited Paris last Dec
and would like to learn more about the
city. Give me the hot info on Paris now.
[email protected]
Seeking romantic relationship from any
woman interested in my ad. Email w/photo.
[email protected]
Serious relationship. SM, 30, 180cm,
living in Tokyo, loves movies, music, travel,
seeks a serious relationship. 日本語大丈
夫です. [email protected]
Singaporean, Chinese, Indian...? British
guy, 30s, seeking non-Japanese women to
hang out with, maybe more. It may seem
obvious, but please only contact me if you
have time to meet. No Japanese seeking
marriage with a gaijin, please! greenteais.
[email protected]
Single Italian seeking JF. I’m an Italian
professional, in the wine business, seeking
a JF for a serious relationship leading
to marriage. Hope we share interests:
art, travel, dance, opera, wine, dining,
concerts, etc. [email protected]
Tattoos or piercings? Seeking a woman
with tattoos or piercings, 20s, able to
meet in Tokyo. I'm a man from England.
日本語でも英語でも大丈夫. uk84@
outlook.com
Tea or beer in the park. Seeking some
people to spend a sunny Sat/Sun in the
park. Japanese/foreigners welcome. I’m
English. I hang around guys at the office,
so just want to chill with some female
company. [email protected]
Tender nights. Are you seeking a warm,
affectionate Caucasian man, early 30s,
tattooed, to touch you in all the right ways?
Let's meet. [email protected]
Tired of being lonely? Hi, average
white guy, 44, seeking girlfriend in
Saitama. martin_coman@hotmail.
com
UK lady. SJM, 30s, tall, slim, lover
of books, films, and music, seeks an
attractive British lady with the same
interests. [email protected]
Western guy seeking JF. Hi, I'm a
handsome, open-minded Western guy,
38, seeking a lovely JF up to 35. Casual
dating. I hope to hear from you soon.
Tokyo/Narita. [email protected]
WM in Tokyo seeking a pretty girl,
18-35. I am tall, white, with blue eyes.
I speak Japanese. chrischrisjapan34@
yahoo.com
Young Swiss in Tokyo for older JF.
Single white Swiss male living in Tokyo,
32, sensitive, obedient, tall, rather
handsome, seeking a (much) older JF to
spend time together, ideally leading to
a relationship. firkenknecht@hotmail.
com
逗子海岸or三浦海岸. バチャ
ータとメレンゲ、サルサしたい女
性 歓 迎 ～ 私（ 男性 ）は 基 本 o k 。
[email protected]
14.3 WOMEN LOOKING FOR MEN
S I N G L E S - O N LY D AT I N G
EVENTS EVERY FRI NIGHT for
foreign men and Japanese
women. Leave the event
with a new date! Always
more women than men. FREE
if signing up in advance!
Otherwise, ¥2,000. info@
exeo-international.com www.
exeo-international.com
LAVISH DATES AND
INDULGENT NIGHTS - WE
CR E ATE O PP O RTU N ITI E S
for elite foreign males to meet
elegant Japanese females.
Start with a luxurious dinner
date,take the night where you
w a n t i t t o g o. Fr e s h , y o u n g
women join our club every day.
Tr y our free one - month trial
offer: first date is on us! 0120675 - 858 (E ) international@
universe-club.jp http://
universe-club.jp/en
Are you... a European professional who
likes living in Tokyo? Are you 30s and
seeking a serious relationship leading to
marriage? If yes, please email me. I'm a
SJF seeking the same. happyflower735@
gmail.com
Asian beauty. Long sleek hair, fine skin,
toned yet with a very feminine frame
and curves. SJF, overseas-educated,
brainy, mid-40s, mature with a baby
face, bilingual, loves Shania's songs. You:
single, articulate, funny, international,
professional. American, older preferred.
[email protected]
Autumn leaves and snow. If you love
snowy mountains, we might have a chance.
I live in a log home in an upland forest. Late
40s, fit, spiritual, artistic, relaxed, seeking
a long-term relationship with an interesting
man. [email protected]
Casual but respectful partner? SJF
seeking a man, late 40s or over, for
having fun. Hopefully, it’ll become a
long-term relationship. I am 30s and have
a kid. I want just one respectful partner.
[email protected]
C'est la vie. Men disappoint women;
women disappoint men. Will there come a
time when we won't disappoint each other?
My friend told me at 64, men and women can
finally see eye-to-eye. What do you think?
[email protected]
Discover fun things in Tokyo together?
Travelers welcome - I can show you around!
Let's discover nice things: dining, spas,
music, vacation, etc. JF, late 30s, friendly,
slim, tall, seeking a classy, intelligent
gentleman for dating. amynakagawa@
outlook.jp
German language and Japanese.
Open-minded, slim, long-haired SJF,
30s, seeks a German friend. My interests
include cultures, classical music, sports,
philosophy, the arts, dining out, wine.
Age, nationality, marital status do not
matter. Nonsmokers only. bw2classical@
yahoo.co.jp
Japanese woman living in Tokyo, 29. I
got divorced. No kids. I’m seeking someone
serious. I’m very interested in American and
British culture. I have always liked listening
to music from the ‘60s-’80s. khatruyuasa@
kdr.biglobe.ne.jp
Japan-loving French guy. SJF seeks
a French guy who loves living in Japan,
30s, for a serious relationship leading to
marriage. I am caring, curious and openminded. Serious only. vinrouge735@
gmail.com
Love traveling. Attractive, feminine,
bilingual, professional JF, enjoys
traveling, scuba diving, music, reading,
dining out, finer things in life, seeking a
mature, sophisticated gentleman, 35-45,
for a meaningful relationship. Would
love to multiply happiness by sharing!
[email protected]
Model, artist, director, musician? SJF
seeking a cool single artist, fashionable,
tall, slim, living in the Aoyama, Akasaka
or Roppongi area. Prefer British, French,
European. Let's party, listen to rock and
roll, enjoy autumn in Tokyo. tokyolive1@
gmail.com
Rare discovery! Warmhearted, attractive,
positive, slim SJF, enjoys cooking, hiking,
working, art, seeks gentle, attractive,
successful Caucasian in central Tokyo
who wants to raise a loving family.
What's important is trust, respect and
stimulating each other. Photo necessary.
[email protected]
SJF seeking casual dates in Tokyo. Simply
seeking friendship. Me: nonsmoker/drinker,
50-ish, likes European movies, museums,
shrines, gardens. You: 50-70, in Tokyo, free
for a few hours on weekends. [email protected]
Tall American man, professional, 35-45,
sought for nice dinners and fun. Anybody out
there? [email protected]
Teach me. Bored woman seeking someone
to teach me something new. Tell me what
you can teach me and include a photo.
[email protected]
The special one. Seeking a SWM for a
serious relationship, and if possible,
marriage. I’m a SJF, 30s, sweet,
caring, honest, positive. Please mail
me your details, photo. Let’s go eat
something nice together! rykya614@i.
softbank.jp
This is it... SJF, mid-30s, open-minded,
loves to laugh, listen to music (especially
R&B), chill out indoors, seeking a boyfriend.
I hope we can be serious. Black man
preferred. happylovemusic0808@gmail.
com
PAccounting
• Auditing
• IPO Consulting
• Due Diligence
KASAI CPA
042-401-0342
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
14.4 GAY & LESBIAN
14.5 ESCORTS
ESCORTS have gone online.
To f i n d a l o v e l y l a d y
co m p a n i o n , v i s i t h t t p: //
classifieds.metropolis.co.jp/
category/personals/escorts.
14.6 AND OTHERS
Happening bar? European man
seeking a nice lady to enjoy happening
bars in Tokyo/Yokohama. My schedule
is flexible, so we can go during the
day if that's best for you. Married or
single, Japanese or foreign - all ok.
[email protected]
Seeking fun girl for happening bars.
Aloha! Hawaiian guy, 30s, living in
Tokyo, seeking fun ladies of all ages to
explore happening bars in Tokyo. I'm fun,
relaxed and easygoing, so you should be,
too. Mahalo. [email protected]
15 JOBS
15.1 JOB WANTED
NEED A BABYSITTER?
My name is Merinda
Masuda. I’m 16, great
with children and give
them 100% attention.
Trustworthy,
responsible, loving, can do
housework while children sleep.
Seeking work in central Tokyo.
Availab le mos t evening s , S at
evenings and Sun.
[email protected]
Takashi Kasai CPA Firm
4-1-2-302 Honcho, Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo
[email protected]
www.kasaicpa.com
WADA Legal & Administrative Office
You will enjoy my class, intelligence,
beauty, and lots of love. Sensible yet
playful, 40-ish, nice figure, overseaseducated, seeks a single business
professional, up to 60s. I won’t disappoint
you if you’re what I’m seeking. Trust me.
[email protected]
Seeking Asian shemale. European guy,
40s, good-looking, kind, open-minded,
positive, seeks Asian shemale in Tokyo.
Let's share great times together. solivan.
[email protected]
PVisa Attorney
• Establishing a Company
& Branch Office
• Corporate Services
• Immigration Services
More Than Twenty Years Experience
Weekend date in Yokohama. Let's spend
nice time together in Yamashita Park,
Chinatown, Minato-Mirai, etc. Mature
SJF, warmhearted, gentle, generous.
But if you just want a bed buddy, I am not
qualified. Serious only, please. haketa9@
yahoo.co.jp
Gay Spanish man seeks GJM.
Hello, I am a lonely Spanish man, 44,
seeking a GJM (not bi or hetero) for a
serious relationship. I live in Spain.
[email protected]
PTax
• Tax Preparation
• Tax Consulting
• US Tax Filing
• Accounting Services
• Payroll Services
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
FUTUROPOLIS
METROPOLIS
HALLOWEEN
GLITTERBALL
OCT 30, 7-11PM
meturl.com/halloween
31
25.9 percent of Japan’s
population aged 65
or older—a record,
according to the
internal affairs ministry
LINGO BOX
Kakusu (隠す) = to hide
Shujutsu (手術) = operation
Jōkyaku (乗客) = passenger
Shinzō (心臓) = heart
Mōshikomi (申し込み) =
application or request
the small print
BY STEVE TRAUTLEIN
PUNCH LINES THAT PEOPLE FIND HILARIOUS ARE
THE SAME IN JAPAN AND OVERSEAS.”—Katsura Sunshine,
1,109,600 Number of foreign visitors to
a Canadian rakugo performer
FOREIGN INTRIGUE
⊲Prosecutors
⊲
in the southern Chinese city of
Guangzhou have asked a court to consider the
death penalty for a Japanese politician who
was caught with more than 3 kilograms of
meth at the local airport last October.
⊲Officials
⊲
at the defense ministry are miffed
at a Swedish company that developed an app
allowing users to track the movements of
planes carrying the prime minister and Imperial family.
TEEING OFF
⊲A
⊲ Tokyo court acquitted three gangsters of
fraud for hiding their identities so they could
play golf at a course in Okinawa that prohibited members of the yakuza. Which raises the
question: There are golf courses that don’t ban
gangsters?
⊲Authorities
⊲
in Hyogo suspect foul play in the
case of a rare giant salamander that went
missing from a local river and turned up on a
roadside some 50km away in Osaka.
stats
⊲In
⊲ the first operation of its kind, Japanese doctors used a patient’s own blood vessel to patch
up an interrupted heart artery. The procedure
was carried out on a newborn girl in Kyoto.
SURVEY SAYS…
⊲Researchers
⊲
at the World Health Organization compiled their first-ever report on global
suicide patterns. They found that the average
suicide rate for all countries is 11.4 per 100,000
people, but in Japan it’s 18.5 per 100,000.
⊲Only
⊲
Lithuanians, Russians and South Koreans kill themselves at a higher clip.
⊲Meanwhile,
⊲
officials at the OECD say Japan
ranks dead last among 32 member nations
in terms of public spending on education, as
reckoned by a portion of GDP.
⊲At
⊲ the same time, the country ranked 13th in
education spending per student.
MOVIN’ ON UP
⊲Kinki
⊲
University in Osaka has overtaken Meiji
University in Tokyo as the school that receives
Japan in August—a record for the month,
according to the JNTO
58.6
Percent of Japanese men who are
oblivious to the “maternity badge”
carried by pregnant women to make
people aware of their condition,
according to the Cabinet Office
the most applications from students hoping
to take its entrance exams.
⊲Meanwhile,
⊲
Softbank chief Masayoshi Son
($16.6 billion) has surpassed Fast Retailing
Co. Chairman Tadashi Yanai ($16.2 billion) as
Japan’s richest man.
⊲In
⊲ a bid to help depopulated communities,
government officials have proposed the establishment of so-called on-demand transportation systems, which “will allow passengers to
reserve and share small buses and taxis.”
⊲And
⊲
authorities at the education ministry are
set to debut a “teleclass project” for students
in underpopulated areas.
HERE & THERE
at a glance
BY ADAM GARWOOD
⊲J-pop
⊲
songstress May J. was among the performers at the inaugural RockCorps Japan, an
offshoot of the U.S. concert series that offers
free entry to people who perform volunteer
work. The show was held in Fukushima.
⊲Authorities
⊲
at the agriculture ministry are
dealing with a pressing problem ahead of the
2020 Tokyo Olympics: how to provide enough
fresh-cut flowers “for use on podiums and
along the marathon course.”
⊲A
⊲ Tokyo-based photographer says he has
located and taken pictures of the Imperial
Japanese Navy destroyer Oite, which was
sunk in February 1944 by U.S. forces north of
the Chuuk Islands in Micronesia.
⊲Bottom
⊲
Story of the Week: “Mainichi Reporter Takes Test Ride on U.S. Osprey Aircraft” (via
Mainichi Japan)
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
32
RELATIONS
GOOD OL’ TEXAN SAKII
BY GRACE BUCHELE MINETA
The first time I drank sake was, surprisingly enough, in Texas. I had
managed to go an entire year of living in Japan without trying the curiously strong rice wine, instead opting to taste my way through Japanese
beers and mixed drinks during marathon nomihodai (all-you-can-drink)
parties. My then-boyfriend (now husband) wasn’t particularly attached
to any of the various nihonshu at the supermarket, either, so a bottle
never managed to make its way into my apartment. In fact, the first
time I consciously remember drinking sake was down in Texas while
we were visiting my parents. My father produced a large bottle of sake
(or “sakii,” as he pronounced it) from the pantry in an effort to make my
husband feel more “at home.” It worked beautifully.
テキサス州での「サキ」
私が初めて日本酒を飲んだのはテキサスでのことでした。私のその時の彼氏（現
在の夫）も私と同じように好んで日本酒を飲むことが無かったため、自ら日本酒
を買った事は一度もありませんでした。実際、私が初めて日本酒を飲んだ記憶は
テキサスの両親の家に遊びに行った時のものでした。父が私の夫ともっと仲良
くなりたいがために大きな日本酒の瓶を買い、皆で飲みました。（父はテキサ
ス特有のなまりで、正しく「さけ」と言えずに「サキ」と言っていました。）
■ Grace Buchele Mineta is an author who blogs and draws comics
about her daily life in Japan at www.HowIBecameTexan.com.
horoscope
BY CATHRYN MOE
♥ Love ¥ Money ♣ Luck
ARIES
TAURUS
GEMINI
May 20-Jun 20 ♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣
Jun 21-Jul 21 ♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Now that you’ve taken the time to
balance your thoughts and checkbook (or have you not?), Mercury the
messenger can show you the way—backward.
This planet moves retrograde on Saturday.
Deliberating about a very important life choice?
You might rather sit in the middle of a park and
pull on universal energies as they amp up this
autumn. If you’re in a relationship, someone
may want you to make a commitment. Funny—if
you can find them.
Do you speak up this week, or keep
your thoughts to yourself ? Trick y,
that. Just so, because Mercury, the
messenger, goes retrograde on Saturday.
Communications queue for a bit of a roller
coaster ride, with interpretations being anyone’s guess. You’re in line to receive or be
gifted with an unusual opportunity. Whether
it’s material, emotional or financial, do enjoy
yourself. It’s meant to be, and you can finally
breathe in a deep sigh of relief.
Here, and then gone again: You’re
likely to feel this in matters you’ve
put on the shelf, whether it’s in the
kitchen or the legal department. Living by intuition isn’t always easy, but with logic bottled up
by Mercury’s retrograde movement Saturday,
you’ll do just as well to move forward when
you like—and sit and dream when you don’t. If
thoughts are things, weed your garden, let the
leaves fall, and prepare for a wonderful bumper
crop that matches your personal rhythms.
Just when things were moving
forward, they started to go the other
way. That’s right, Mercury transits
retrograde on Saturday, and it’s zodiac-goround again. Like an old-fashioned game of
musical chairs, you’re willing to get up and walk
in a circle, but you’d appreciate somewhere to sit
afterward. The universe is offering a game of its
own—“patience without a plan”—because what
you thought was happening has a mind of its
own. And it’s a saving grace you’ll enjoy.
LEO
VIRGO
LIBRA
SCORPIO
Sep 22-Oct 22 ♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Oct 23-Nov 21 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣
Scorpios are famous for being private.
You can’t really help it, because of your
mysterious nature. Born for power,
people are attracted to you, and if they haven’t
dealt with their own, they might be intimidated
by the charisma you naturally radiate. All the
more true this week! Mercury moves retrograde
on Saturday. You’re likely to see beyond the
beyond. Just don’t set the ink to dry quite yet.
Hold out for the final flourishes and a bonus
top-off.
Mar 20-Apr 18 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣
Jul 22-Aug 21 ♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Apr 19-May 19 ♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Aug 22-Sep 21 ♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣
CANCER
You’re not finished with a big project
yet. In fact, in many ways, you have
just begun. There’s not a lot you can
do to change others, which is a lucky thing
this week. Mercury moves retrograde Saturday, so keep conservatorship over your own
energy. While others look at their motives and
long-range plans, you can sit down and enjoy
the inner peace you have worked so hard to
achieve. Romance is on the cards, if you want
it. Honestly. Do you?
Changes in routine can bring on
nerves—not that you haven’t had
your share of shake-ups. But what
you get used to is the new normal streaming
through your subconscious—until a turn is
taken. Mercury, your ruling planet, goes retrograde on Saturday. Knowing this in advance,
or even after it has begun, puts a logic stamp
on the weird and wacky. Hopefully you’ll like it.
Enjoy the differences you’re being shown now:
they’re about choice—creeping up on you.
Since Scorpios have been dealing
with Saturn in their sign and you’re
off the hook, don’t you think it’s time
to believe it? One building block at a time, one
pebble per day—that’s not you! You’re more
likely to negotiate what you desire—necessary
or not, it doesn’t matter. Then you can watch
others do your bidding (don’t feel guilty, you
deserve it!). Mercury moves retrograde on
Saturday. It probably feels cool to watch others
become tongue-tied while you are exempt.
SAGITTARIUS
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
Jan 20-Feb 17 ♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣
Feb 18-Mar 19 ♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣
This is your year for romance, true love
and travel. It’s a time of great change
and possible upheaval if you have a
lot of ballast. Instead of trying to do everything
at once and then gallop off (which the Centaur
loves to do), why not choose a healthy stance
and watch how things play out? Sometimes the
wisest thing to do is nothing at all. This can be
especially true with Mercury, the messenger,
moving retrograde on Saturday. Star in your
personal play or film, and feel the happy ending.
Hold on to your hat. And your sanity.
Just when you thought everything
was going one way, it could turn
around and march off in another. Of course,
that’s half the fun. Reality has a need to change
and stay alive, just like you. You simply do not
have to make up your mind yet. Mercury goes
retrograde on Saturday and it’s perfectly permissible to just stay in your pajamas and read
the paper. Or your kindle. Or the telepathic
waves that are starting to float above you.
If your career is moving slowly or
seems submarined, look to your future
travels. Interestingly, motivation on the
physical and emotional levels come from clearing up a few connections. Whether you think of
this as making amends or spiritual growth, or
don’t think of it at all, what you change on the
inside is matched by what you receive on the
outside. Mercury moves retrograde Saturday.
If someone isn’t making sense, ask them to
repeat what they just said.
Partners are in a position to gift
you. With Venus gracing this sector
of your chart, you would do well to
accept. Work is about to go large, with you seeing through the red tape and acting on instinct.
Mercury goes retrograde on Saturday. Move
forward or jump back and wait for the next
train. Delays are known to happen with Mercury
retrograde, of course. You absolutely can sign
on the dotted line. Just know that there will be
unforeseen surprises if you do.
Nov 22-Dec 20 ♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣
Dec 21-Jan 19 ♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
PISCES
33
the last word
Smells Like
Nicotine Spirit
WHEN OTHERS’ SMOKING
SENDS YOU FUMING
BY DAVE GUTTERIDGE
WANT
TO HAVE
THE LAST
WORD?
erage 16th-century European citizen.
Japanese people, however, have long
held cleanliness in high regard, and still
do. Look into the bathroom of a lot of
women—and more than a few men—
and you will see an array of products
with delicately concocted scents. Your
average socialite emerges for a night on
the town with all of a human’s naturally
unappealing odors washed away and
replaced with finely crafted appealing
scents. Then, within minutes of arriving at their destination, that effort is
completely negated as they bathe in
eau de ashtray.
Whether or not Japan legislates
smoking like other nations might become irrelevant, as the future seems to
be in “vaping”—using small electronic
“e-cigarettes” to create water vapor infused with various
scents and flavors, tobacco
being one of them. I haven’t
been around enough people
who “vape” to be sure if the
water vapor imposes the same
clinging odor as regular tobacco, but I’m not looking forward
to the experiment of standing
in a room where everyone has
a different smell and seeing
how the combination ends
up making me stink in an infinite variety of combinations.
E-cigarettes are supposedly
healthier than regular cigarettes, but that, to me, is solving the wrong problem.
Usually, when people complain about smoking, they focus on the health issues: the
secondhand smoke, the cost
of medical care for lifelong smokers and
that sort of thing. I don’t care about any
of that. I don’t care if any of your hobbies result in your prolonged miserable
death or not. Your body, your choice. I
just don’t want you to make me smell
like your crappy habit. The same way
that I don’t care if you urinate—but I do
care if you urinate on me.
Illustration by Christi Rochin
Imagine walking into a restaurant,
taking out a small stick of pleasantsmelling incense—and not even a very
strong-smelling one—placing it on the table, and lighting it. As the subtle smell
waf t s from table to
E-CIGARETTES table and people noARE
tice, eventually there
SUPPOSEDLY
will be complaints, and
HEALTHIER
the staff will come over
THAN REGULAR and tell you to put it out.
CIGARETTES—
H o w eve r, i f yo u
BUT THAT, TO
hold it in your mouth,
ME, IS SOLVING then it’s fine.
THE WRONG
That’s basically the
PROBLEM.”
logic behind smoking.
It doesn’t matter if you think
it smells good or bad, or if
you’ve smoked to the point
you’ve forgotten that it even
has a smell. It’s a smell the
people around you didn’t
choose. When you smoke,
you not only make people
smell it—you make it so they
walk away smelling of it.
Smoking is more obnoxious and yet
somehow more forgivable than farting.
Spend a night in a club or at a party, and
over the course of that night, everyone
in there will probably have released
silent but deadly fumes at least once.
You may or may not happen to smell
it when it happens, but you won’t go
home, pull off your shirt, and be struck
Send your article to:
by how the smell of other people’s gas is
[email protected]
now infused into the fabric, forcing you
to throw it into the wash. With smoking,
somehow that has become an acceptable standard of going out at night.
It’s a strange exception that exists—or has existed—the world over,
and is especially odd in Japan, which
lags developed nations in curtailing
the degree to which a stranger can sit
beside you and make you smell. Tokyo
has more Michelin three-star restaurants than any other city, but also more
opportunity for that food’s flavor to be
seasoned with a hint of burnt tobacco.
A few places, such as Starbucks or microbrew specialty bars like the Taproom
or Goodbeer Faucets, don’t allow smoking because it affects the taste of their
products. The converse must also hold
true: that any place that allows smoking
doesn’t care about the taste of its food.
Think about that when you’re sitting in
the nonsmoking section, which is every
bit as effective as a non-peeing section
in a pool.
It’s especially odd in Japan, which
has historically valued bathing and
cleanliness. The first Europeans to arrive in Japan were in the habit of bathing about once a week, and it might
even have been preferable to smell a
little more like nicotine than your av-
■ Dave Gutteridge is a standup and improv
comedian who can be seen performing with
the Tokyo Comedy Store.
The views expressed in “The Last Word” are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of Japan Partnership Co. Ltd. or its partners and sponsors.
NEXT ISSUE
34
CREEP UP TO OUR
HALLOWEEN SPECIAL
THE HALLOWEEN
AND CHECK OUR
GLITTERBALL IS BACK NEW WEBSITE!
FUTUROPOLIS
METROPOLIS
HALLOWEEN
GLITTERBALL
OCT 30, 7-11PM
We
welcome
all kinds
of parties.
Please
contact us.
Each
branch
has
different
hours.
www.dubliners.jp
HAPPY
HALLOWEEN
PARTY!
ALL DAY HAPPY HOUR
Oc
31stt
10月31日(金)はオールデイハッピーアワー
*Pint of Beer ¥850 * 1/2Pint of Beer ¥500*
Come in costume!
FEATURING
TOKYO DREAMGIRL
Shinjuku
FEMM
2F Shinjuku Lion Hall
3-28-9 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
03-3352-6606 | [email protected]
http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g209300/
Ikebukuro
Shibuya
2F Dogenzaka Center Bldg.
2-29-8 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku
03-5459-1736 |[email protected]
http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g008214/
Akasaka
B1 Sun Gorou Bldg.
1-10-8 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku
03-5951-3614 | [email protected]
http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g029000/
B1 Sannou Park Tower
2-11-1 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku
03-3539-3615 | [email protected]
r.gnavi.co.jp/g008233/
Closed: Sat., Sun., & Holidays
Shinagawa
SUPPORTERS
SPONSORS
meturl.com/halloween
Shinagawa Mitsubishi Bldg.
B1F Grand Passage
2-16-3 Kounan, Minato-ku
03-6718-2834 | [email protected]
http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g008220/
IMPORTS! FORMAL AND CASUAL WEAR FOR MEN
SHIBUYA
FROM CASUAL CLOTHING TO FORMAL SUITS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN!
FROM 10/3-10/13 Celebrating Zenmall and Sakazen Shibuya
30TH ANNIVERSARY SALE
4F & 5F BIG SIZE CLOTHING FOR MEN!!!
MAX 70% OFF!! Including new, 2014 items
4F Big size casual
5F Big size suits & formal wear
Long-sleeved shirts SALE > ¥2,900 (3L~5L)
Suit+Coat+Shirt+Tie ¥30,000 (3L~5L)
*only on Fri, Sat & Sun (Limit of 5 sets per day)
2 Pants Suits ¥49,000 > ¥15,000 (3L~5L)
Hoodie SALE > ¥3,900 (3L~5L)
LACOSTE nylon nlouson ¥27,800 > ¥12,800 (3L~4L) Casual Jacket ¥29,000 > ¥12,000 (3L~5L)
Suits, Jackets, Coats, Slacks (3L~8L)
Stretch pants SALE > ¥4,900 (100~125cm)
Buy one, get another half price.
Other: Outerwear, hoodies, sweaters, belts, inner-wears and shoes all in big sizes.
Conditions
- The number of products are limited
- Supplies are expected to run out soon
- All display items are to be cleared
- Offer does not apply to special supplies
- Prices do not include tax
TAX FREE AVAILABLE
SAKAZEN
FLOOR GUIDE
5F Big size suits, formal &
import
4F Big size casual
3F Regular size suits & formal
2F Casual, jackets & slacks
1F Regular size casual
B1 Import casual
B2 Import suits & formal