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Nov 14-27, 2014 Japan’s Nº1 English Magazine
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inside
NOV 14-27, 2014 • #1077
EDITOR’S
LETTER
Welcome to the Thanksgiving edition of Metropolis! And what
more to be thankful for than laughter? If you’ve never taken a
moment to find the funny in Japan, now’s the time. With rakugo,
improv, stand-up, comedy workshops and even muscle-based
mania, there’s certain to be something to tickle your funny bone!
06
Photo by Julio Shiiki
Rakugo Rocks: Comedy that busts down borders.
Speaking of bones, we’ve also got our wishbones ready with tips
for bringing out the best at Thanksgiving. Or why not try visiting a local chef’s home to carry on the tradition of meal-based
intercultural exchange? From food to fun, whatever your tastes,
we can help you find the comfort spot at the end of your journey.
15
Turkey Time: Thanksgiving tips for Tokyoites.
Gabrielle with Jewels, Pierre-Auguste Renoir (Image from private collection)
21
French Connection: Bunkamura dreams of France.
Cover design & Photography: Kohji Shiiki. Cover models: Katsura Sunshine (left) and Nakayama Kinni-kun. Turkey by Rieko Suzuki.
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03
upfront
SCENE AROUND TOWN
FUTUROPOLIS
OCT 30, 2014
METROPOLIS GLITTERBALL HALLOWEEN PARTY
LINGOIST
LIFE IMPROVEMENT
Thanksgiving turkey is good, but with cranberry sauce, it’s even better.
Using the phrase “hō ga (adjective)” you’ll have no trouble telling people
the best way to do things!
JP
EN
JP
EN
Kono owarai bangumi wo mita
hō ga ii desu yo.
You should watch this comedy
show.
Cranberry sauce wo kaketa hō
ga oishī desu ka?
EN Is it better with cranberry sauce?
JP
Atatamete tabeta hō ga oishī
desu yo.
It would be even more delicious
if you heated it up.
JP
EN
Ippai kaketa hō ga oishī desu yo!
It’s better with lots of cranberry
sauce!
©123RF
K
1
A
N
A
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R
2
あ
3
4
5
B
A
6
7
8
9
10
ANSWERS AT
meturl.com/
kanacross
O
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Down
1. Improv, 2. Hill or slope,
3. One part of a Japanese
comedy duo, 6. Garden
or yard, 7. Punch line, 8.
Comfortable
Across
1. Greeting or salutation,
4. Squirrel, 5. (Comedic)
skit, 7. Comedy, 9. Position, 10. Skewer
Solution:
A
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TO-DO LIST
3
TOP
chrysanthemum festivals
UNTIL NOV 24
UNTIL NOV 23
Kasama Chrysanthemum Festival
Bunkyo Chrysanthemum Festival
The oldest chrysanthemum festival in Japan,
enjoy displays of kiku ningyō, or “chrysanthemum
mannequins” (human figures formed from
chrysanthemum blooms). Until Nov 24, 8:30am4:30pm, ¥400-800 (kiku ningyō). Kasama Inari
Jinja. Kasama. Tel: 0296-73-0001.
www.kasama.or.jp/english/
Enjoy various displays of 2,000 chrysanthemum
plants. Until Nov 23, 6am-sunset, free. Yushima
Tenjin. Yushima. Tel: 03-3836-0753.
www.yushimatenjin.or.jp
UNTIL
NOV 23
Sankeien Chrysanthemum
Exhibition
Enjoy chrysanthemums in many shapes and
styles, such as the kengai (cascading style),
kotengiku (classic flower) and others. Until Nov
23, 9am-5pm, ¥200-500. Sankeien Garden.
Negishi. (10-min bus ride from the station.) Tel:
045-621-0634.
http://meturl.com/sankeiengarden
Courtesy of Beatink
NOV 28-30
Photo by Harper Smith
BEBEL GILBERTO
Bossa nova princess promotes Tudo, her first album in
five years.
Nov 28, 7 & 9:30pm; Nov 29-30, 5 & 8pm, ¥8,500.
Blue Note Tokyo. Omotesando. Tel: 03-5485-0088.
http://meturl.com/gilberto2014
UNTIL FEB 22
EDITOR’S PICK NOV 19
HIKARI EXHIBITION
Explore the relationship between light and the
universe, the Earth and humans, and be awed by
the beautiful world of illumination. Until Feb 22,
¥600-1,600. Open Tue-Thu & Sat-Sun 9am-5pm,
Fri 9am-8pm, closed Mon. National Museum of
Nature and Science. Ueno. Tel: 03-3822-0111.
http://hikari.exhn.jp
THE SUNSHINE UNDERGROUND
NOV 30
FESTIVIN 2014
© 2014 GameMarket
Illustration by Mike Kanert
十二単風舞台衣装 (制作：農業生物資源研究所、浜縮緬工業協同組合、デザイン：田中秀彦＆大野知英(成安造形大学)、モデル：古田敦子)
Over 300 wines at the fourth
incarnation of Japan’s largest
natural wine festival. Nov 30,
noon-3:30pm & 4:30-8pm, ¥7,000
(adv)/¥8,000 (door). Ebis303.
Ebisu. Tel: 03-5771-8374.
http://festivin.com
When does a band name an album eponymously? Apparently when
they’ve reinvented themselves. The Sunshine Underground takes
the “dance” in the English trio’s dance-punk formula and brings it
to the fore. “I went through a big period of listening to ’80s/’90s
synth-pop,” explains lead singer Craig Wellington. “This was a good
opportunity to explore that.” The album is out on local indie imprint
Vinyl Junkie, and the band touches down for their first Japan tour in
four years next week. Dan Grunebaum
Nov 19, 7:30pm, ¥4,800. Womb. Shibuya.
http://meturl.com/sunshine2014
NOV 28-30
DICK WHITTINGTON
NOV 16
Tokyo Theatre for Children’s hilarious original take
on the classic British children’s tale.
Nov 28, 6:30pm; Nov 29, noon, 3pm & 6:30pm;
Nov 30 noon & 3pm, ¥2,500-3,000. Theatre
Bonbon. Nakano.
http://tokyotheatreforchildren.com
Interact with fellow analog gamers and visit booths
dedicated to board games, card games, simulation
games and more. Nov 16, 10am-5pm, ¥500-1,000.
Tokyo Big Sight. Kokusai Tenjijo.
Tel: 03-5283-9955. http://gamemarket.jp
GAME MARKET
CHECK FOR MORE EVENTS ON P.22!
05
cover
Photo by Mike Kanert
Katsura Sunshine performs
for the Canadian Chamber
of Commerce Japan in Mori
Tower, Roppongi
of death just before a character arrives at the
afterlife’s unhelpful customer service window.
Guessing the story, he says, is part of the fun.
The story starts unannounced, with no further introduction than perhaps a knock at the
door punctuated by the kon-kon-kon of the
storyteller’s sensu fan on the table. The moment represents a seamless transition from
stand-up (or rather, kneeling) comedy to tightly controlled physical theater, each scenario
brought to life through nothing more than the
deft choreography of body language and vocal
intonation. Aside from his fan, a rakugo-ka is
only allowed a tenugui hand-cloth as a prop—
but connoisseurs will also watch for the dramatic moment when the performer removes his
happi, or overcoat. Each story then concludes
with an ochi, or punchline, often predicated
upon a cleverly set-up pun.
SUNSHINE ON B
HIS SHOULDER
A Canadian shine on Japanese humor
“I
BY MIKE KANERT
06
professional in the 400-year history of Osaka’s
kamigata rakugo style.
R
akugo developed independently in Osaka,
Kobe and what was then Edo, now Tokyo.
While the Edo style focused on o-zashiki—closed houses before an anonymous audience—the Osaka tradition was born on the
busy streets of the merchant city. Storytellers
would set up a low table, banging on it as they
announced which famous story they were about
to perform. These classic tales, called koten, are
still performed today, along with an ever-growing repertory of sōsaku rakugo, or new rakugo.
A modern rakugo performance is typically
divided into a makura (literally, “pillow”) and hondai (main story). The makura, Sunshine explains,
is nearly identical to a Western stand-up comedy
routine. “You do your own material, you address
the audience directly,” he says, talking a mile a
minute with optional punctuation. “So you introduce yourself. Basically, you're trying to get
the audience to like you. And you're also trying
to get the feel of the audience to know which
story to tell them.” The more experienced the
storyteller, the longer the makura.
The makura also acts as a bridge into the
main story. The storyteller might, for example,
lead into the classic tale of a man who gets a
job wearing a tiger suit at a second-rate zoo by
discussing his own trouble getting work—or, as
Sunshine does, introduce a sobering discussion
Photo by Kohji Shiiki
could go to any master in the
rakugo world and say, ‘I’m Bunshi’s
deshi. My name is Sunshine. I love
the way you do this story. Will you
teach me?’ And they will teach you.”
This, says Katsura Sunshine, is a
core benefit of spending three to four years in
apprenticeship to a rakugo-ka, a professional
performer in the traditional Japanese art of
comic storytelling.
“Think of going to Bill Cosby and saying,
‘I’ll clean your room for three years if you give
me the name Cosby and let me open for you,
and teach me your comedy acts, and let me
do some of your comedy acts, and let me introduce myself as your apprentice. And then
all your fellow comedians, if I ask any of them,
you’ll let them teach me some of their comedy
and let me use that as well for my own shows.’
You've got to be crazy, right?”
Yet in 2008, Sunshine did exactly that. In
that year, Osaka Rakugo Association President
Katsura Bunshi VI, then known as Katsura Sanshi, took in a 182-centimeter, blond-haired Canadian playwright named Gregory Robic. Within about a month, as per tradition, Sanshi gave
his apprentice his own family name and part
of his given name, thus creating the performer
Katsura Sunshine (“Sunshine” is written as 三
輝, or “three sparkles”). He is the first foreign
professional rakugo storyteller since Kairakutei
Black of the Meiji era, and the first foreign-born
y the mid-1990s, the man who would become Sunshine was already a successful
playwright in Toronto. His musical adaptation of Aristophanes’ The Clouds had run in the
city for 15 months prior to a cross-country tour.
He came to Japan in 1999 to examine the traditions of Noh and kabuki, which he learned had
structural similarities to classical Greek theater.
He would find his true calling not in the universities where he taught drama for five years,
however, but above his local yakitori shop,
where one day the master invited him to an
evening of rakugo after closing. Watching the
performance, Sunshine says, “That just hit me.
Like, this is it: This is what I was born to do.”
Tying his accordion skills to a few Japanese
jokes, he offered himself as an interstitial act
in day-long rakugo sessions at Tokyo’s traditional yose theaters. As one performance led
to another, the storytellers he worked with
suggested he simply learn a few stories and
market himself as a foreign rakugo-ka. But
Sunshine was entranced by the samurai-like
tradition and formality of the dressing room,
where one’s rank determined everything from
order of appearance to who poured tea for
whom. Watching the professionals, he says,
“Each one had this certain something. And I
was positive that they got it—it’s their manners, and their way of addressing the audience, and just their way of existing—I was sure
there was something they got from three years
or four years of shugyō (apprenticeship) that
I’m not going to get just by getting someone
to spend an hour with me to teach me a story
and learning the moves.”
It took eight months of importuning before
Katsura Bunshi (then Sanshi) would take him
in. Sunshine describes the subsequent four
years of total subservience as a debt he can
never fully repay.
MUSCLE
EXCHANGE
Pecs that breach borders
I
BY MIKE KANERT
f you’ve watched Japanese variety TV,
it’s hard to miss him: short shorts, no
shirt, Bon Jovi in the background and a
whole lot of flexing. Yet behind his overthe-top smile and semi-autonomous
pectorals, Nakayama Shoji—better
known as Kinni-kun (a pun that roughly translates as “Muscle Boy”)—spent the better part
of five years earning a kinesiology degree
from Santa Monica College in California.
F
Photo by Kohji Shiiki
rom the outset, Sunshine was convinced
his master’s repertory of original rakugo
stories could work in English—or in any
language. Even the makura, he notes, is almost identical to any other form of observational comedy. “But once you put the kimono
on and say, ‘Hey, my name is Sunshine and
this is the kind of apprenticeship I did to get
here,’” everything changes, and audiences
become intrigued.
In 2013, he tested his theory with a tour of
20 North American cities. He’s now told English
versions of rakugo stories on Canada’s CBC and
CTV television networks, and this year spent
the summer at Scotland’s Edinburgh Festival
Fringe. As he works on a world tour, his dream
is to have a long-running rakugo show in London
and New York.
“The reason I think there's a market for it
abroad is because rakugo is very, very, very
clean humor. A rakugo storyteller never wants
to alienate any part of his audience. So it's
not edgy. It's the opposite of edgy. It's like Bill
Cosby.” And it’s also drop-dead funny. Parents
thank him for allowing them to laugh out loud
for 90 minutes alongside their kids.
Sunshine is now hoping other foreigners will
follow his example, and he’s excited about the
possibility of someday taking in apprentices—
or deshi—of his own. “Just give them a name,
do the whole thing—I'd love to,” he exclaims. “I
can't wait.”
And he promises it’s not just because he
doesn’t like folding his own laundry.
Katsura Sunshine will be appearing in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow,
Oxford, Ljubljana and Paris over the next
month. http://katsurasunshine.com/
When Nakayama started working out at the
age of 17, Santa Monica’s iconic Venice Beach
featured heavily in his bodybuilding magazines.
“I wanted to try living there once,” he tells Metropolis in English. “I'd always been thinking
that.” His work as a TV tarento gave him that
chance in 2006, when he went to California for
a televised sequence dubbed Kinniku Ryūgaku
(“muscle exchange”), a play on the expression
for language exchange, or gogaku ryūgaku.
The series included two all-English comedy
shows—the first after Nakayama had spent only
four months in the country. “I was so nervous,”
he recalls, sliding interchangeably between
English and Japanese. “Usually when I come
onstage in Japan, I say, ‘Dōmo’—it's like, ‘Konnichiwa.’ For my English show I'd decided to
say, ‘Hello everyone.’ But I was so nervous I
said, ‘Dōmo.’”
“I panicked for a second,” he admits. “But
I looked out at the audience and saw a large
group of Americans and thought, ‘Ah, I
messed up, I messed up.’ And I calmed
myself down and it worked out.” He credits the achievement to the universality of
his routine—arguably the most literal definition
of physical comedy, with his muscles used as
reference points in non-sequitur stories, or as
supposedly “random” result generators like a
slot machine.
Returning to Japan in 2011, Nakayama has
now added the role of language taskmaster to
his schtick. He also brought back an affection
for MADtv and Eddie Murphy’s 1980s standup comedy. “Foreign comedy basically comes
from a different culture, so there are lots of
things I can't understand,” he explains. “But
Eddie Murphy’s stand-up breached that barrier.
It was hilarious.”
“My comedy style isn’t number one,” Nakayama says modestly, noting that he’s looking
forward to trying English comedy again. “But
it’s the only one—it’s different from everybody
else. And that’s how I want to be.” He’ll be proving the point back in California on November
22, when he performs with veteran manzai duo
Ten Dollar at the Hudson Theatre in Hollywood.
Aspiring bodybuilders can also check out Nakayama’s muscle-building protein at http://
theprotein.jp
07
cover
Bay turn four
BY RODGER SONOMURA
LINGO BOX
Owarai (お笑い)= comedy
Adoribu (アドリブ)= improv (comedy)
Photo by Akinori Tanaka
LAUGH, ME
HEARTIES!
Pirates of Tokyo
“My greatest
motivation is really to see the
audience smile,”
says Mike Staffa,
the Pirates captain who sailed
the group north
from Osaka four
Mike Staffa (left) and the Pirates at
years ago. “I
What The Dickens, Ebisu
would like our
he only bilingual improv comedy group audience members to come away from our
in the Kanto region, The Pirates of Tokyo shows ‘getting it’—meaning they will get the
Bay are a powerhouse of fast-paced im- comedy and humor, regardless of the lanprovised games and scenes alternating guage used.”
between the completely outrageous and
The Pirates caters to both the Japanesethe sincerely heartwarming. Audience mem- and English-speaking crowds, alternating bebers are treated to two laughter-packed hours tween languages onstage, allowing them to
every month at What the Dickens in Ebisu.
connect with a wide range of audiences.
T
New Material Night, where promising comedians can
hone their skills every first and third Tuesday, and the
Gamuso Show in Asagaya twice a month. Also on offer
are theatrical workshops in English and Japanese.
The Store expects to bring a theatrical long-form show
called Mandlebrot’s Dreams—The Impro Laboratory to
Tokyo next year.
www.tokyocomedy.com
Mad Cows of Tokyo
Where to go for the ha-has
Photo by John LaTorre
Tokyo Comedy Store
Known as the granddaddy of Tokyo’s English comedy
scene for over 20 years, the Tokyo Comedy Store
(TCS) offers a variety of shows and workshops to
complement its mainstage Improvazilla Musical Show
at The Crocodile in Shibuya on the last Friday of every
month. The Store also presents free comedy shows:
08
What happens when you get a bunch of comedians
who like to tell funny jokes to each other until they
can’t stop laughing? You give them a microphone
and a chance to perform in front of an audience, and
call them the “Mad Cows of Tokyo.” Funnyman John
McBride says the satisfaction lies in making people
laugh, so many of the Mad Cow performances are free.
Contact for the next show.
http://madcowscomedy.com
Konto (コント)= (comedic) skit
Ochi (オチ)= punch line
Dajare (ダジャレ)= pun
“We had a very busy 2014 with overseas
tours to Singapore, Hong Kong and New York
City, and next year is shaping up to be just as
busy,” Staffa tells Metropolis.
Not only do the Pirates have a monthly bilingual comedy show, they’ll also restart their
all-English show in Shibuya in January 2015
to alternate with their bimonthly all-Japanese
shows.
“We also have plans for another round of
improv shows set between our two Pirates
groups, ‘Osaka vs. Tokyo,’ as well as expanding
our corporate workshop offerings,” Staffa says.
The Pirates will be celebrating their fourth
anniversary in a rare Roppongi performance
this month.
Anniversary Show Nov 16, ¥2,500. SuperDeluxe. Roppongi.
http://piratesoftokyobay.com
lively with punchlines and side-splitting energy.
www.facebook.com/impromotive
6-dim
6-dim (“Roku-dim”) is by far the most talented band of
inspired Japanese improvisers in Tokyo. With concise
storytelling skills and spot-on characterizations,
leadman Takeshi Wataru leaves audiences walking
away smiling, wondering why they can see a little bit of
themselves in each of these characters.
http://6dim.com
Photo by Tim Kosykh
TOKYO
GIGGLE
GUIDE
Manzai (漫才)= Japanese two-person comedy
Shimokita Comedy Boat
Formed just over a year ago, the Shimokita Comedy
Boat makes port once a month in its namesake district
of Shimokitazawa. Helmed by veteran comedic actor
Hiroshi Shimizu, the show offers a junction where
English-speaking stand-up comedians from various
countries including Korea, Taiwan and China can show
their skills. Shimizu is also planning a full-on Asian
Comedy Festival in the latter part of 2015.
http://meturl.com/comedyboat
Impromotive All-Japanese
Comedy Show
The Impromotive All-Japanese Comedy Show is an
exciting whirlwind of non-stop games and scenes that
will keep you on your toes and falling out of your seats.
Funnyman Seiko Mikami, who’s been running the selfdescribed circus for over 12 years, keeps the show
Impro5z 2 Educate
Impro5z 2 Educate takes the concept of learning
while laughing to a new level with monthly workshops
and shows in Aoyama. Incorporating games based
on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) methods,
the workshops aim to educate ESL students on
the benefits of forward-thinking and spontaneous
reacting, allowing them to communicate in new ways
and have a lot of fun in the process. Regular Impro5zer
Jeremy Eaton advises, “Leaving behind the baggage
and preconceptions of our experiences—including
negative self-talk—and mapped out with CBT is a cool
revelation.” www.facebook.com/Impro5z
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
̶ Hana・Gakoi ̶
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
The best Sushi and
Yakitori Restaurant
in Aoyama.
YAKITORI,SUSHI
Meiji ST.
HANAGAKOI
Shibuya P.O.
Shibuya
HIKARIE
a
yam
Ao
ST.
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.
Movember event
Nov 16 (Sun), 6pm
• Guinness ¥800 All day!
More details
http://failte.jp
Tokyu
Plaza
5F, Sede Bldg. 1-5-2 Dogenzaka, Shibuya
OPEN 5:30pm-2am (Mon-Sat)
3-11pm (Sunday & hols)
tel:
03-3476-7776
09
food&drink
Photo by Tommy Pham
Photo via Lead-off Japan., Ltd
Munching on pies is finally easy as … well,
pie. Little Pie Factory opens its doors in Hiroo, serving up cute, bite-size versions of the
world-famous pastry—allowing customers to
try a variety of their flavors in one sitting. The
Factory boasts 15 varieties of pie, ranging from
fresh fruit delicacies to the meaty variety, but
its mainstay is the essential apple pie, a buttery concoction that tastes like home.
1F Kosei Hiroo Bldg, 5-16-6 Minami Azabu,
Minato-ku. Hiroo. Tel: 03-5791-3075. www.
facebook.com/littlepiefactory
¥¥¥
If you’re one of those people who goes to an allyou-can-eat buffet and isn’t able to wait until it’s
time to hit the desserts, then Sweets Paradise
is the place for you. It’s a dessert buffet that
offers a huge range of sweets, from cakes and
puddings to chocolate fondue and ice cream.
A few savory options are made available to get
you started, including salad, pizza and Japanese curry. ¥1,530 for 90 minutes.
More than 20 locations in Kanto. Check online for the nearest branch. www.sweetsparadise.jp
The coconut mochiko fried chicken (¥680)
employs coconut and mochi flour to present
a mature twist on the fast food staple, with a
dash of lime offering the option for a refreshing
level-up. And the soft shell garlic shrimp (¥900)
drip so delectably, you’ll down the lot—head,
tail, shell and all—before you have a chance to
realize they’re gone.
Desserts include a fantastically fresh, fruity
and filling array of açaí bowls (¥980) and an unfortunately average Oreo cheesecake (¥680),
which looks great but amounts to little more than
a few Oreos jammed into a sour, vaguely cheesy
mousse. The berry sauce offers a hint of salvation, but the dish would be much better chilled.
The drinks menu, however, is like a day at the
beach, featuring a variety of fun Hawaiian wines
and beers as well as both ordinary and organic
tipples. The amber-tinged Volcano guava wine
(¥700/glass) is as fruity as an orchard, while
the Big Wave Golden Ale (¥890/bottle) tastes
like a mandarin orange having sex with a lager.
The frozen pineapple margarita (¥980) offers
a superb smoothie lurking beneath a deadly
pool of tequila.
Sitting on soft chairs set beneath ceiling fans,
you won’t notice the time go by—though you
might also elect to take your pet out to either of
the two small terraces, one of which is entirely
non-smoking (there’s no smoking anywhere inside). And don’t forget to check behind the bar,
where you’ll find a sizeable secret sofa lounge.
2F Arisugawa Mansion, 5-15-14 Minami-Azabu,
Minato-ku. Hiroo. http://hiroo.alohatable.com
Courtesy of Aloha Table Natural
RESTAURANT
Halloween may be over, but the party doesn’t
have to be! Get into the spirit of Dia de los Muertos by way of, uh, spirits. KAH Tequila—which
calls itself the Day of the Dead Tequila—honors the Mexican holiday with tequila made
from the country’s blue agave. Bottled in festive traditional skulls, KAH comes in three
flavors: The sweet Blanco, the spicier, fragrant
Añejo, and the Reposado—55-percent alcohol for those who dare. Available in 50ml and
750ml bottles.
www.lead-off-japan.co.jp
EN/JP
Natural Aloha
in Hiroo
BY MIKE KANERT
A quick surf around the corner from Hiroo station, Aloha Table Natural represents a more organic evolution of the multinational Aloha Table
Hawaiian dining chain, which already boasts 19
branches in the Kanto area alone.
Opened October 14, the cuisine is more Pacific than Hawaiian, with options including pork
with kimchi (¥1,100), two kinds of Pho (¥9801,080) and three varieties of “summer” rolls
(¥600 each) in addition to the requisite loco
moco (¥1,280) and grilled beef steak (¥1,680),
the latter accompanied by a strikingly smoky
pillar of Hawaiian black lava salt.
More than the mains, however, this is a
place to visit for the appetizers, drinks and atmosphere, with tables aligned for easy group
seating amid artistically weather-worn walls
and oddly delightful easy-listening versions of
reggae tracks and unexpected ‘70s classics like
“House at Pooh Corner.”
All of the appetizers are uniquely delectable,
with the Island Tapas Sampler (¥1,890) allowing
you to try the top four in a single dish. The lomi
lomi salmon (¥680 individually) is classic cocktail
party fare, a sashimi dish combined with cucumber, avocado, olives, red pepper and onion. The
ahi poke (¥720) is a melt-in-your-mouth variant of
tuna sashimi, subtly marinated in soy sauce and
accompanied with kaiso (seaweed) that offers a
surprising flavor treat best saved for last.
10
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
THANKSGIVING
DINING TIPS
Photo by Davi Azevedo
TREATS
Sweet Serve
BY MIKE KANERT
Tennis gumballs anyone? Since its 2012 launch,
Maria Sharapova’s candy line, Sugarpova, has
been serving aces. “It started with the name,
Sugarpova,” she told Fox Backstage Pass during an exclusive visit on October 28, with Metropolis sitting in. “Then it came with my passion
for gummies when I moved to the United States,
and saw all the different gummy flavors that I
never had seen in Russia before.” Selling 1.3
million bags in 2013 alone, she’s had hits with
gummies shaped like lips (labeled “Flirty”) and
high heels (called “Chic”). But the biggest sell-
ers have been her “Sporty” gumballs, fuzzy
tennis balls that come in a variety of striking
colors and flavors.
The tennis powerhouse spent two years
perfecting her product, making use of the
marketing and development knowledge she’d
picked up sitting in planning meetings with major labels like Nike. “The response has been
overwhelming, especially in the Asian market,”
Sharapova said, adding that more flavors are in
the works. “Japan has been one of our biggest
markets since we launched, and that’s why it
was so important for me to come here and be
able to represent it.”
Available in shops such as Plaza, and online at
Amazon. Each bag markets for ¥530.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
CLINTON STREET BAKING
COMPANY
Clinton Street Baking Company brings a taste
of New York to Tokyo, serving up the freshest international cuisine. The restaurant’s
Japan location maintains its stateside base’s
dedication to quality, but is distinct in using
only the best Japan-grown ingredients, handpicked by owner and chef Neil Kleinberg. A
Thanksgiving favorite is the Turkey Burger
(only available Nov 26-27!), smothered in chipotle barbecue sauce and served with grilled
red onion, coleslaw and a side of fries. Mention Metropolis and get 10 percent off!
YHT Minami Aoyama Bldg, 5-17-1 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku. Open 8am-11pm.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-6450-5944. http://
clintonstreetbaking.co.jp
1 medium-sized egg
30g panko (bread crumbs)
30g flour
1 tsp salt (1 tsp = 5ml)
½ tsp pepper
2 tbsp powder cheese (1 tbsp = 15ml)
40g shredded cheese
2 tbsp dried Italian herbs
2 tbsp cooking oil or butter
DIRECTIONS:
1.
2.
RECIPE
VEGETARIAN CHEESE ROLL
3.
RECIPE AND PHOTO BY RIEKO SUZUKI
Vegetarians can also be thankful for something on this traditionally meat-heavy holiday. This recipe uses cheese and dried herbs
rolled with tofu and okara (soy pulp) dough to
make a great substitute for ham rolls.
Start to finish: 20 min
Servings: 4
•
•
200g fresh okara
200g kinu (silken) tofu
4.
In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients except the shredded cheese and
dried Italian herbs. Mix well by hand.
Spread the mixture from step 1 into a
rectangular shape on a piece of plastic
wrap. Sprinkle the shredded cheese and
herbs on top.
Roll the spread-out mixture from front to
back to make a tube shape. Then cut the
tube into 3cm-thick slices.
On a frying pan, heat the cooking oil or
butter. Fry the 3cm sliced rolls on medium heat for 10 minutes.
Rieko Suzuki
Rieko blogs bilingual recipes
at http://meturl.com/ruby
CHILES MEXICAN GRILL
Harajuku’s Chiles Mexican Grill offers a seasonal feast, including warm burritos with tender
turkey breast marinated in spicy adobo sauce—
oven-cooked for a unique taste for your burritos, tacos, quesadillas, nachos and taco salads.
Then wash it all down with delicious tequila
cocktails or a variety of Mexican beers—just
¥500 during happy hour (4-8pm, Tue-Fri). Every
Tuesday from 4-8pm, any spicy turkey order will
get you 50 percent off a second helping. Bring
this copy of Metropolis and receive 10 percent
off of any main menu item from 3:30-6:30pm.
Chiles Mexican Grill. 1 - 8 - 4 Jingumae,
Shibuya-ku. Open Mon 11am-4pm, Tue-Fri
11am-9pm, Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-8pm.
Harajuku. Tel: 03-6434-9693. www.chilesgrill.com
11
FASHION CALENDAR
Do you have what it takes for TV?
Looking for English
& Chinese speakers
Also Japanese, Spanish & French speakers
NOV 14
MIDWEST Designers Fair
MIDWEST and MID by MIDWEST stores
nationwide are offering an incentive for
you to get your Christmas shopping done
early in the form or a free cushion with all
purchases over ¥20,000. What makes
this special is that the cushions are made
from the very same textiles stocked in
store, so short of hacking up a beloved
jacket or dress, this is the only chance
you’re likely to have to decorate your
home with an Anrealage or Roggykei
cushion.
http://fashioncore-midwest.com
NOV 14
Rita Ora x Adidas Originals
Popular British singer-songwriter Rita
Ora’s third collection for Adidas Originals
is on sale this week. Inspired by street art,
core items include a rose- and dragonflyemblazoned hooded sweatshirt, and
beanies made to look as if they’ve been
spray-painted with metallic graffiti.
www.adidas.com/jp/originals
NOV 16
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
日本初上陸！
日本人テレビリポーターを募集しています！
ファッション ワンは世界44ヶ国、3億人以上に発信している番組です。
履歴書と、
プロファイル写真一枚を送って下さい。
もしあなたが映っている動画やリンク先があれば、是非一緒に送って
下さい。
http://www.fashionone.jp/casting
日本初上陆！
我们正在面向全球招募中文流利的电视台记者！
你好，美女！想成为一名记者吗？
我们会是你的第一选择！
只要你拥有一副可爱的容貌，那就快快加入我们这支年轻的队伍吧！
你只需要给我们发送你的简历和照片。
FACEBOOK等个人网页也欢迎!
http://www.fashionone.jp/casting
BE SEEN. BE THE SCENE.
metropolis.co.jp/fashionone
12
ISETAN MiRROR by Zawachin
Monomane meiku (imitation makeup) guru
Zawachin is touring Tokyo to promote
her new line of makeup produced by
Mitsukoshi Isetan label ISETAN MiRROR.
Famous for being able to transform into
anyone, from AKB48’s Tomomi Itano to
One Direction’s Harry Styles, the star will
be performing live demonstrations of her
skills at a number of events. Check the link
below if you want to see her transform in
the flesh!
http://meturl.com/zawachin
NOV 17
Iris Van Herpen for UNITED NUDE
Avant-garde fashion impresario Iris Van
Herpen has toned down her usually
fantastical—but realistically unwearable,
unless you happen to be Lady Gaga—
creative talents to produce footwear in
collaboration with UNITED NUDE. The Iris
Bootie, rendered in black leather, would
look just as good as an exhibit in an art
gallery as worn, and at ¥100,000 plus tax
a pair, you might well want to preserve
your investment.
www.unitednude.com
NOV 22
The Christmas Countdown begins at
LaForet
The 22nd marks the beginning of LaForet
Harajuku’s gift-buying season, with no
less than four limited shops opening
to ensure you’re able to find a present
for that deserving someone—or even
yourself—on the big day. On top of that,
all purchases over ¥10,000 qualify for a
free, and suitably fashionable, Christmas
card set.
www.laforet.ne.jp
fashion fix
FEELING THE CHILL
BY SAMUEL THOMAS, FASHION EDITOR
Looking for a fashionable way to warm up this winter? The rapidly dropping
temperatures aren’t just a cue to dig coats out of storage to brave the elements
outside, but also an exhortation to consider what to wear when hibernating
at home. Fortunately, Tokyo’s room-wear scene has got off-duty fashionistas
covered, with many mainstream brands offering fleeces and plush sweatsuits
broadly in line with their core-brand styling to ensure fashion credentials aren’t
ON POINT
STREET
FOCUS
Photo by Samuel Thomas
Long after the official Tokyo
Fashion Week shows were
over, the enfant terrible of Tokyo fashion, Nozomi Ishiguro,
unveiled his collection not on a
polished catwalk, but through
the murk of a dance floor over
at Club Diana in Yurakucho.
The “Kawaii Hate Night” show
proposed kawaii as this generation’s punk revolution, with
Scandal’s
all-female rock band Scandal
Haruna Ono
playing a set before taking to
the runway as models in the
show. The anisong (anime song) starlets were joined by a selection of
street style icons—who in turn went on to DJ late into the night—personally
selected from the streets of Harajuku by the designer himself.
The fashion was a curious brew that you’re unlikely to find outside of
the Tokyo street scene, hacking together a mix of manga imagery with
cute frills, ribbons and the designer’s own love of asymmetry. In the case
of Nozomi Ishiguro, “hacking” is the operative word: His clothes are assembled as jazz, with his satirically named “Haute Couture” atelier even
going so far as to deliberately set the tension incorrectly on its sewing
machines to ensure that every last stitch is artfully inconsistent.
overly compromised by comfort. Those looking forward to an avant-garde
way to stay toasty would do well to look to underground label Hatora and
its wearable Kotatsu Parka—which, as the name suggests, is a traditional
Japanese kotatsu up to four people can zip themselves into and out of as
required. At ¥255,000 (without tax) it’s a big purchase, but for a kotatsu you
can wear around the house, it doesn’t get much better.
SHOPPING
STRATEGY
Individuality is a difficult quantity to come by now that armies of social media
twitchers are set to identify and dissect any outfit or item, allowing anyone to
get the look of all but the most underground—or else prohibitively expensive—
brands. However, the Tokyo street scene is always capable of taking new
fashion ground, whether it’s plumbing the obscurities of vintage fashion, or, as
above, incorporating children’s toys into an outfit—in this case, a McDonald’s
Happy Meal toy worn as a choker.
Photo by Samuel Thomas
Photo by Kohji Shiiki
Tennis legend and model Maria Sharapova was in Tokyo
recently to promote her Sugarpova line of cute confectionary.
While visiting Fox Backstage
Pass for an exclusive interview
at their Harajuku offices, Maria
was surprised to hear that she
was a local style icon.
She had these words for the
women of Tokyo: “I love their
style. I think it’s so eccentric.
Maria Sharapova will appear on Fox
Fashion is a very personal, indiBackstage Pass.
vidual thing, and I think that’s what
http://meturl.com/foxbackstagepass
makes Japan unique in a way—it’s
because the girls will really play with that, and it's almost like costume if
you look at it from the outside world. But to them it’s a creation, and it’s
quite beautiful, and I enjoy just walking around the streets and seeing
everyone’s individual style. It’s very inspiring when I work with Nike and
when I think of collections and what we’re going to do for my outfits, when
I wear [them] on court. So it’s always fun being able to browse and admire
their style.” One can only wonder if Tokyo fashion will go on to influence
Sharapova over time, and it’s certainly another reason to keep an eye on
her career both on and off the court.
13
www.dubliners.jp
unity
Join Japan's largest comm
From the famous sites...
...to the hidden treasures,
JapanTravel has you covered
Order a Jameson Ginger Lime,
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Explore Japan. Share your experiences. Earn rewards.
FRIDAY NOV 28, 7PM-11PM
FREE ENTRY - ¥500 DRINKS
Join us for our monthly Metropolis bash.
Time to get freaky with two floors of fun in Shibuya!
インターナショナルパーティー ／入場無料¥500ドリンクメニュー有り
Shinjuku
Shibuya
Tel: 03-3352-6606
Tel: 03-5459-1736
Ikebukuro
Akasaka
Tel: 03-5951-3614
Tel: 03-3539-3615
Shinagawa
Tel: 03-6718-2834
Social Club Tokyo (near Shibuya Hikarie)
B1F/B2F, 2-17-3 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku - http://socialclubtokyo.com
MORE INFO:
14
http://meturl.com/november
city life
TURKEY DAY
IN
TOKYO
Get the good ol’
gobble-gobble
BY HELEN LANGFORD
Observing favorite family holidays from home
can prove problematic, particularly if you aim for
authenticity. But don't despair—prepare! Your
own Thanksgiving gathering, that is.
TRADITIONAL TURKEY DIY
Turkey or chicken? Hunting down a turkey in Tokyo can be tricky, but stores are starting to stock
the big birds earlier in preparation for Christmas.
You can also ask them to order one for you. This
takes a few days, and whether the fowl is frozen
or not will depend on the store (and affect your
prep time), so confirm before ordering.
Chickens can be had for cheap, but the birdies are often itty-bitty. You can also try online
at The Flying Pig (www.theflyingpig.com), The
Foreign Buyers’ Club (www.fbcusa.com) or The
Meat Guy (www.themeatguy.jp) to see what
they have. Your oven is likely but a shadow of
what you grew up with, so pick your poultry
with caution.
Side dishes shouldn’t hold you back; the only
difficulty will be deciding which variety of sweet
potato best approximates the taste of home
(hint: try annō imo—sources say it’s the best).
Thanksgiving in Tokyo might also be a
chance to broaden a basic dinner into a fusion
feast: Sauté some shiitake in butter for a special
side-dish; for dessert, place a few persimmon
slices on plates for color or serve persimmon
flan alongside the pumpkin pie.
guest a dish (sweet, savory, veggies, etc.) and
host them at home. Living in Lilliputian lodgings?
Many neighborhoods have community centers
where rooms can be rented cheaply (check your
local women’s hall, or fujinkaikan, to start). Just
make sure that food is allowed and know that
any attached kitchenettes will likely be just the
kitchen sink.
BEDAZZLE YOUR ABODE
Between the fall foliage and ¥100 shops, you
should be able to convert your casa into a cornucopia of Thanksgiving-themed comfort. A few
leaves here, a felt turkey there, and an overflowing horn of plenty fashioned from cardstock can
give you Thanksgiving perfection.
OVEN-FREE OBSERVANCE
Buying a bird and all the trimmings can break the
bank. But Thanksgiving isn’t just about poultry,
it’s about giving thanks—and you don’t need a
roast for that. Potluck parties are a perfect way to
celebrate without killing your credit. Assign each
Want to give thanks with your little ones, but
not up for slaving away in a cramped kitchen?
Head out to hotels like the ANA InterContinental
(Nov 26-30; www.anaintercontinental-tokyo.
jp/e), The Four Seasons (Nov 22-27; www.
fourseasons.com/tokyo) and the Grand Hyatt
(Nov 27-29; www.tokyo.grand.hyatt.com), all of
which welcome diminutive diners as well as their
guardians. Roti Roppongi (Nov 27-30; www.roti.
jp) welcomes wee ones at early sittings, and also
has Thanksgiving dinner available for take-out.
also make a bit of money. KitchHike has since
expanded from its original six countries to encompass 25, including the Philippines, Malaysia,
Korea, Turkey, Italy, Brazil and the U.S.
Since these are real, home-cooked meals,
each one requires a reservation. If your selected
cook isn’t available on the desired date or fails to
respond within 48 hours, you won’t be charged,
and refunds are possible up to three days prior
to your booking.
Payment is only possible through PayPal—
and be aware that there’s a roughly 26 percent
“service fee” hidden on top of the list price,
so don’t kid yourself that this is a meal on the
cheap: You’re doing this for the experience. If
you’re worried about dining satisfaction, just
check the other user reviews or read diner
stories at the KitchHike magazine (http://blog.
kitchhike.com/en/).
Book here: https://en.kitchhike.com/special
SPEND NOT, THANK LOTS
Photos courtesy of KitchHike
try it out
KITCHHIKE
Thumbs out for dinner
BY MIKE KANERT
Feel like you’ve spent ages in Japan without
getting to taste an actual home-cooked meal?
Why not try KitchHike, a one-meal homestay that
lets you and your friends book a single meal at
a host’s home in a variety of locations in Japan?
This online service allows users to book
lunches and dinners ranging from $10-50 per
head (it’s tourist-oriented, so prices are listed
in USD), with most falling in the $20-30 range.
The friendly cooks offer a set, limited variety of
dining options that you can peruse, and users
are free to view hosts’s profiles and pose questions on the way. Bookings for up to ten people
are usually available for lunch and dinner. And
not to worry—there’s even a specific allergy tab
in the booking flow.
Most hosts are just food-loving locals who
want to share their cuisine with people from other
cultures. Founded in May 2013, the idea emerged
from a quartet of Tokyo-based marketers and IT
engineers who were looking for a simple way to
bridge cultural and linguistic divides that could
15
city life
called “jams,” for which each
team picks a “jammer,” or scoring player, to snag points by lapping members of the opposing
team. Teams assist their own
jammer by hindering the one on
the opposing team—essentially
playing offense and defense at
the same time.
“It does take athletic individuals, [and] it is a contact
sport … But you surprise yourself,” says former ZKK president
Sally Santiago (skater name:
Bouta HurtYa). Begley adds,
“We come in all shapes, sizes
and colors.” Both Begley and
TEXT AND PHOTO BY ALY LAWSON
Santiago agree most women
get involved to get in shape,
It’s not old-school roller-skating, and not entirely do something new and give their confidence a
like the movie Whip It. Local female roller derby boost. Proclaims Santiago, “It gives you a differteams possess punky edge and athleticism, mi- ent sense of self.”
nus the drama.
Lady derby is played by approximately 1,250
“There’s no clothes-lining,” says Zama Killer amateur leagues worldwide, governed by the
Katanas (ZKK) president Naomi Begley (skater Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).
name: I AMRAAM). The ZKKs compete with a Rules and safety are sacred, with trained referees,
number of local women’s teams, including Tokyo non-skating officials (NSOs) and players pitching
Roller Girls (TRG), Yokosuka Sushi Rollers (YSR) in to securely and accurately tape down the rope
and Yokota Scary Blossoms (YSB), all of which are that either reinforces or delineates the derby
always on the lookout for new skaters.
track at bout sites. “There are rigorous rules as
“Anybody with the interest, dedication and well as written and physical tests,” says Santiago.
ability to acquire the proper gear can join us,”
Many teams run a special introductory sessays TRG’s Patricia Hellga (skater name: Ham- sion for beginners, focusing on the fundamentals
merhead). Bouts consist of shorter matchups needed to pass the WFTDA basic skills test. In
ROCK ‘N’
ROLLER
DERBY
Local teams search for
fresh skaters
ASK METROPOLIS ANYTHING
Dear Want to Help,
There are so many people who are struggling
to survive in Japan—from the homeless to
the elderly, people with disabilities, people
affected by disasters and children in orphanages. Reaching out and wanting to help is a
great way of making a difference in people’s
lives. I can hear that you are concerned about
what is socially and culturally appropriate.
16
Photo: 123RF
Dear Metropolis,
I pass by a group of homeless men on my way
to work every morning. One of the gentlemen
and I often exchange nods when I walk by.
I would really like to do something for this
particular man, but I don’t know if it would
be offensive. How should I go about it? Are
there any organizations I can donate things
or money to, or volunteer at? I want and need
to do something, but what options are available?—Want to Help
This is a great question. Too often, people
race straight into helping without stopping to
consider what the person really needs, what is
respectful and what skills or information they
themselves might need. Often with the best
intentions, volunteers can find themselves
creating more stress for both themselves and
the person or group they want to help.
Connecting with an NPO or organization
that provides volunteer opportunities, training
addition to running a weekly basics session, TRG
also offers a monthly “fun skate” event. “We just
get together to skate for fun and then go for food
and drinks after,” says Hellga. “Once the skills test
is passed, the new skater can bout.”
The teams are close, each a community of
comrades that extends beyond the rink. “It’s
really probably one of the most team-oriented
sports you’ll ever see,” says Santiago. YSB’s Nina
Duritsky (skater name: Chu-Hi Samurai) adds,
“We can beat each other up and give hugs afterward. That’s what I’m talkin’ about!”
“We’re all trying to bring derby to the greater
public and give it greater visibility,” Hellga says,
adding that their main challenge is space in Tokyo
versus funds. “Up to this point, all of our league's
bouting has happened on military bases—for
which we are so grateful. At the same time, I think
that finding an off-base venue is key to spreading
derby in Japan and getting seen by the public
at large.” In fact, most gym floors are of a high
enough grade for derby, and the skate wheels
are smooth and don’t damage these floors, no
matter how heated the bout gets.
The fall schedule includes a number of tournaments, fundraisers, double-headers and all-star
bouts. There’s also a junior league for ages 7-17,
and the teams are always on the lookout for refs
and NSOs. No experience necessary—the team
will gladly teach you how to skate.
www.facebook.com/TokyoRollerGirls
www.facebook.com/YokosukaSushiRollers
www.facebook.com/YokotaRollerDerby
www.facebook.com/ZamaKillerKatanas
and support is important. There are increasing volunteer opportunities in Japan for the
English-speaking community: organizations
such as Second Harvest (http://2hj.org/english/), which provides food to the homeless
and elderly; O.G.A. for Aid (www.ogaforaid.
org) provides opportunities in Tohoku; and
Hands on Tokyo (www.handsontokyo.org/
en) and of course TELL are just a few options.
At TELL, our volunteers frequently comment that their lives have been changed in
so many positive ways they never imagined
simply by becoming a volunteer and helping
others. I’m sure this gentleman you pass by
would be more than grateful for any food or
warm clothing as the winter approaches.
Answer courtesy of TELL. If you need to talk,
they’re here to listen. Call the TELL Lifeline at
03-5774-0992 from 9am-11pm, 365 days a
year. Or visit their website at www.telljp.com
If you want to “Ask Metropolis Anything” about life
in Tokyo, send your questions to askanything@
metropolisjapan.com and we’ll find the most
appropriate people to answer your queries.
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17
movies
BY DON MORTON
featured movie
BOYHOOD
Director/writer Richard Linklater is rarely in a
hurry. His “Before” trilogy spanned 18 years. In
this more ambitious marvel, he records a 12-year
period in the life of a boy named Mason (Ellar
Coltrane), from age six to 18, shooting for a few
days each year. So during the film’s nearly three
hours, time becomes visible as we literally watch
the lad grow up. Now, this would just scream
“gimmick!” if there weren’t so much more going
on. Mason’s sister Samantha (the director’s
daughter Lorelei) goes through her own changes,
as do actors Patricia Arquette (terrific) as Mason’s
long-suffering single mom, and Ethan Hawke as
his nice-guy but inconsistent dad. And finally, if
you look for it, you can even see Linklater’s direction evolve into today’s more confident, relaxed
style. Of course it’s a coming-of-age story, but it
skips over such things as graduations, first kiss,
first bike, etc., because when you come down
to it, life is those mundanely meaningful things
that happen between posing for family photos.
Bottom line, this is as close as one might come to
capturing on film how people remember growing
up. Great use of pop music. Japanese title: Rokusai no Boku ga Otona ni Naru made. (165 min)
NEW
THE DOUBLE
In a s t y lized, sci - f i
adaptation of an 1846
Dos toyevsk y novella,
Jesse Eisenberg plays
an office worker so unremarkable that he barely exists. His daily routine of being
almost universally ignored by his coworkers and pining
for the pretty girl in the copy room (Mia Wasikowska) is
suddenly derailed by the appearance of a new recruit
who’s his exact double, except he’s aggressive, charming and upwardly mobile. This little brainteaser from
Richard Ayoade (channeling Gilliam, Kaufman, Lynch
and even Kafka) works best as an acting exercise, watching the talented Eisenberg effortlessly switch between
the two. Japanese title: Warau Bunshin. (93 min)
NEW
THE GUEST
Director Adam Wingard
and screenwriter Simon
Barret t’s (You’re Next)
films take familiar horror
setups and tweak them
just enough to keep me guessing. A man appears at
the Peterson home claiming to be an Army best-bud
of the family’s dead-in-combat son. This manipulative,
magnetic character is disarmingly polite and has the
uncanny ability to be what he needs to be for each family member. But he’s a brooding time bomb. Downton
Abbey’s Dan Stevens absolutely nails the complex and
subtle title role. It’s a fascinating slow burn with a subversive political subtext and hints of the violence to
come. (99 min)
SABOTAGE
Members of an elite but
ethically questionable
DE A undercover unit
made up of tough-guy clichés (played by overqualified actors and headed by Arnold Schwarzenegger) are
being killed off in a variety of cinematically grisly ways.
This sloppy, ultraviolent whodunit from David Ayer (End
of Watch) is so pointlessly gory I call it “action torture
porn.” Though it’s Schwa-chan’s most “serious” performance in recent memory, the film, which is not without
its scuzzy merits, might have worked better with a less
iconic has-been. There’s a difference between intriguing plot twists and just being jacked around. (109 min)
SHORT TERM 12
“Wow,” I said as I left the
screening of this meticulously crafted little miracle. Rarely have I been so
effortlessly and unpretentiously moved. This is an unforced, character-driven
and emotionally authentic look at the lives of those who
undertake the day-to-day care of institutionalized, selfdestructive kids between psychiatric appointments
and foster homes. Subject doesn’t thrill you? Go see it
anyway. The central character is Grace (a breakout role
for Brie Larson), who handles her charges with skill and
perspicacity while hiding her own mounting problems.
This movie will make you a better person. Japanese title:
Short Term. (96 min)
PARANOIA
Ambitious hotshot tech
genius (a charisma-free
Liam Hemswor th, aka
“Mini-Thor”) is fired by a
highly competitive cell
phone manufacturer, but rehired to infiltrate a rival
company and steal a high-tech thingy. The film’s main
hook is the participation of both Harrison Ford and Gary
Oldman. Can that be bad? Fagheddaboudit. They’re just
there to chew some scenery and collect a paycheck. Air
Force One this ain’t. And why ask the guy who makes
fluff like Legally Blonde and The Ugly Truth to direct an
industrial-espionage action-thriller? Pointlessly constructed, dreary, contrived and vapid. Japanese title:
Power Game. (101 min)
DEVIL’S KNOT
In 1993, three eight-yearold boys were murdered
in the Tennessee woods.
Though three teenagers
were convicted (wrongly,
and released in 2011), the crime remains unsolved. It
has already been the subject of four documentaries
and a book or two. So the real mystery is why gifted
Canadian director Atom Egoyan (Exotica, The Sweet
Hereafter) would feel the need to make this detailed
yet shallow, police-procedural dramatization. Despite
the presence of Reese Witherspoon, Colin Firth and
Alessandro Nivola, and a nice Southern Gothic ambience, this remains an inert, unsatisfying effort. (114 min)
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
Boyhood: © 2014 boyhood inc./ifc productions i, L.L.c. aLL rights reserved.; The Double: © Channel Four Television Corporation, The British Film Institute, Alcove Double Limited 2013; The Guest: © 2013 Adam David Productions; Sabotage: © 2013
DEA Productions, LLC All Rights Reserved.; Short Term 12: © 2013 Short Term Holdings, LLC. All rights reserved.; Paranoia: © 2013 PARANOIA PRODUCTIONS, LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; Devil’s Knot: © 2013 DEVILS KNOT LLC. ALL RIGHTS
RESERVED.; The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet: © ÉPITHÈTE FILMS – TAPIOCA FILMS – FILMARTO - GAUMONT - FRANCE 2 CINÉMA; The Hundred-Foot Journey: © 2014 DreamWorks ll. Distribution Co. All Rights Reserved.; Son of a Gun: ©
2013 SOAG Holdings Pty Ltd, Screen Australia, ScreenWest Inc. and Screen NSW; Cuban Fury: © STUDIOCANAL LIMITED / THE BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE / CHANNEL FOUR TELEVISION CORPORATION 2013. All Rights Reserved.; Nymphomaniac
Vol. II: © 2013 ZENTROPA ENTERTAINMENTS31 APS, ZENTROPA INTERNATIONAL KÖLN, SLOT MACHINE, ZENTROPA INTERNATIONAL FRANCE, CAVIAR, ZENBELGIE, ARTE FRANCE CINÉMA.
18
More reviews: metropolisjapan.com/movies
THE YOUNG AND
PRODIGIOUS T.S.
SPIVET
A precocious Montana
kid, unbeknownst to his
parents (including the
always-entertaining Helena Bonham Carter), hops
a freight to Washington, D.C. to accept a prestigious
award for his perpetual motion invention (they don’t
know he’s just 10), and grooves on the passing purplemountains-majesty of an idealized America (it was
filmed in Canada). Made in English by Amélie director
Jean-Pierre Jeunet, this may be a bit twee for some, and
his acceptance speech in D.C. is over-the-top manipulative. Still, it offers the most inventive use of 3-D since
Hugo. I enjoyed it, but I have a high tolerance for whimsy.
Japanese title: Tensai Spivet. (105 min)
THE HUNDRED-FOOT
JOURNEY
Culinary culture clashes
occur when an Indian restaurateur (Om Puri) opens
a place in a quaint French
town directly across the lane from a classical French eatery overseen by the haughty Madame Mallory (Helen
Mirren). Fine so far. But the central conflict is resolved
about halfway through when they all realize that, well
golly, they’re not so different after all, and then it’s all
sweetness and light. In this age of Transformers trash,
there’s nothing wrong with a little sweetness and light.
It’s just that for a movie about food, especially Indian fare,
this innocuous crowd-pleaser is pretty bland. Japanese
title: Madame Mallory to Mahō no Spice. (122 min)
SON OF A GUN
A young man (an unbelievably bland Brenton
Thwaites) is provided
protec tion during his
brief stint in prison by
a notorious criminal (a just plain unbelievable Ewan
McGregor) in return for helping the older man escape
when he gets out, after which they steal some gold or
something. I’m not sure what the makers of this little
Aussie flick were trying to do. If it was to stuff every
possible prison-life/break, heist, car-chase and gangster cliché into one overlong movie, it works fine. It’s
relatively coherent for all that. It’s just that it’s all been
done before, often and better. Facile ending. Japanese
title: Guns & Gold. (108 min)
THE EQUALIZER
D e nze l Wa s h i n g to n’s
a retired CIA wet ops
guy who just can’t help
but rescue a teenage
hooker from her cartoonishly evil Russian pimps. This pulpy vigilante fantasy is
directed by Anton Fuqua, who has, since 2001, been
dining out on Training Day (which earned Denzel an
Oscar) but has produced mostly dreck since then.
It would have helped if anything in it were remotely
believable. It works well as a kick-ass, sadistic righteous-revenge flick if that’s what you’re looking for, but
I found the protagonist to be so superhero invincible
that any hope of suspense is sabotaged. Should have
been more fun. (133 min)
CUBAN FURY
Prompted by the arrival
at his company of a pretty
new boss (Rashida Jones)
who’s into salsa dancing, Bruce (Nick Frost),
a now-overweight child salsa prodigy who 25 years
ago was bullied into quitting, seeks out his childhood
dance teacher (Ian McShane) to get his groove back.
A training montage occurs. A big dance contest looms.
Chris O’Dowd’s a smarmy ladies-man coworker. Yes, this
Brit-com date movie is pretty formulaic, but hard to dislike. And while there’s not a lot of fury or other strong
emotion in evidence, it remains an amiable if somewhat
flat-footed, forgettable entertainment. Japanese title:
Comeback! (98 min)
NYMPHOMANIAC
VOL. II
A l a s , L a r s v o n Tr i e r
seems to have run out
of narrative in this second half of Joe the selfdescribed nymphomaniac’s autobiography, and falls
back on graphic S&M and a kind of homage to himself,
goofing on his own oeuvre. Hardcore unpleasantness
and heavier provocations replace (mostly) the uncharacteristic humor of the first film, and while Vol. I could
stand alone, this unfocused, over-plotted and more sinister second half could not. Hated the ending. Still, while
von Trier goes to great lengths to provoke, he is never
less than compulsively watchable. See Nymphomaniac:
Vol. I review in issue 1073. (122 min)
© 2014『福福荘の福ちゃん』製作委員会
© IMAGE.NET
© Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
NEW
eiga
Many have bemoaned the lack
of originality in Japanese cinema over the last 15 years. A few,
however, such as Yosuke Fujita,
have proven to be an exception.
By Rob Schwartz
His hilarious and touching debut
Zenzen Daijōbu (Fine, Totally Fine, 2008) picked up the
Audience Award at the New York Asian Film Festival and
secured distribution in many international territories. His
new work is equally as forlorn, funny, touching and tantalizing. The title character, Fuku-chan, played by actress
Miyuki Oshima (who grabbed the Best Actress Award at
the Montreal International Film Festival for her efforts),
is a bashful thirty-something man who lives alone in the
dumpy Fukufuku-sō and leads the collection of resident
losers there. He has no life outside of his job and hobby,
and his goofy buddy Shimacchi (Yoshiyoshi Arakawa)
is forever failing to set him up with women. When successful photographer Chiho (Asami Mizukawa) suddenly
appears, we start to learn about Fuku-chan’s girl-induced
trauma. With a perfect knack for deadpan humor, absurd
situations that feel all too real and an insight into the
pathos of the human spirit, Fujita unspools another
masterpiece. This Japan-U.K.-Italy-Taiwan-Germany coproduction (a first) is simply a must-see, and one of the
best Japanese films since … Fujita’s last flick. English title:
Fuku-chan of FukuFuku Flats. (110 min)
FUKUFUKUSŌ NO
FUKUCHAN
movie news
With so much interest in Japanese manga and anime
overseas, it can sometimes be difficult to keep hot
properties at home. The Parasyte (Kiseiju) franchise is
a case in point. The sci-fi tale of a high school student
whose right hand is taken over by an extraterrestrial
parasite began life as a manga serialized from 199095. The U.S. edition flipped layouts for left-to-right
reading, and the hand-alien’s name had to be changed
from “Righty” to “Lefty.” After three separate English
editions, Hollywood came calling, and in 2005 it was
announced that Transformers producer Don Murphy
would be making a big-budget film with Jim Henson
Studios providing the creatures. That project was
never realized, however, and the movie rights eventually reverted to Japan, where Always: Sunset on
Third Street director Takashi Yamazaki was handed
the property. “A big Hollywood film would have had
to simplify the story too much for a wide audience,”
Yamazaki explains. “I chose to separate the story into
two films. The second one will deal more with philosophical issues about human existence. That would
have been lost in the Hollywood version.” Yamazaki
hopes his version will appeal to fans of the manga. “I
think it can play at festivals, but I am not sure about a
wide release overseas. But if it turns out to be a big hit
in Japan, perhaps Hollywood will remake it.” Parasyte
Part 1 opens November 29. Kevin Mcgue
cinematic underground
Waseda Shochiku (1-5-16 Takadanobaba, Shinjukuku; w w w.wasedashochiku.co.jp) continues its run
of double features of classics and recent hits with
Lost in Translation and Her from November 15 and a
Hitchcock double feature of North by Northwest (pictured) and Rear Window from November 22 ... The
international co-production of Midsummer Night ’s
Tango reveals that tango music’s most ardent fans
are not in Argentina, but half a world away in Finland.
Offbeat filmmaker Aki Kaurismäki is interviewed and
makes the case that the dance genre actually started
in Scandinavia. On from November 22 at Eurospace
in Shibuya (1 -5 Maruyamacho, Shibuya-ku; w w w.
eurospace.co.jp) ... Cinema Vera (1-5 Maruyamacho,
Shibuya-ku; www.cinemavera.com) will offer a rare
glimpse inside North Korea, with a documentar y
double feature running November 15-28. The Parade
by Polish director Andrzej Fidyk captures an enormous event in 1988 and North Korea: The People as
They Are was edited in Japan from footage secretly shot over the last decade … Laputa in Asagaya
(2-12-21 Asagaya Kita, Suginami-ku; www.laputa-jp.
com/laputa/) will run a Setsuko Hara retrospective
November 23-January 24. The actress dubbed “the
eternal virgin” retired in 1963, but is reportedly still
alive at 94. KM
19
arts&culture
builds on this impulse. The Tokyo band, which
also includes keyboardist/vocalist Shimpei
Watanabe and drummer “Kemono” (“beast”)
Keika, was looking to create music that demands
more of the listener.
“Compared to the last album, this one is not
only catchier,” they say. “It’s also difficult to say
exactly what kind of music it is.”
Listeners may recognize a bit of the thrashy
blend of guitar rock and electronica that characterizes bands such as Japan’s Boom Boom
Satellites. But The Mornings’ music has a headier
quality—something akin to their heroes Radiohead—that makes it equally as suited to headphones as to the mosh pit.
“VSCOM,” for example, begins with Kraftwerk-era synth bloops before launching into
Keika’s formidable drumming. Dub-ified vocals
from Watanabe are chopped into fragments
before Keika drops in with a singsongy, almost
J-pop refrain. And then, without warning, it ends.
“From the first 11/8 meter sampler phrase, I
aimed for something that sounds a bit like an
electronic, kaleidoscopic version of the Matrix
soundtrack,” says main songwriter Watanabe.
“The rhythm has abrupt changes and tricky
drum and bass, but it’s not intended to sound
tricky or make you feel uncomfortable. We put a
lot of time into arranging this song. Especially in
the last violent climax of the song, the previous
parts all come together in an unexpected way.”
The Mornings turned to noted Japanese dubstep producer Goth-Trad to helm the production
of Idea Pattern. “We had cosmic images in mind,”
they say. “In order to bring out that atmosphere,
we felt the only way to do it was to work with a
cutting-edge electronic music producer.”
The band says it was the right choice. “It
wasn’t only that Goth-Trad understood our
intention and gave form to it, but also that he
understood the potential of songs that even
we ourselves didn’t have a sense of. He’s very
detailed and makes good decisions; we got
a sense of why he’s respected as a producer
worldwide.”
With the band members holding down serious day jobs as copywriters, corporate planners and IT headhunters, The Mornings are a
determined lot to stay together for ten years.
What have they learned in a decade on Tokyo’s
often soul-sucking “live house” scene?
“Most of the bands that started around the
same time have broken up,” Watanabe says,
laughing at the question. “I just turned 30,
around the age when many give up. A lot of
people make music for commercial success,
and when that doesn’t happen they stop.
“For us now at 30—I have a kid and our drummer is also married—it will be harder for us to
balance our lives, and there will be tradeoffs. If
we’re going to sacrifice, then we want to make
music that will go down in history in some way.
“You never know if you’re going to sell records, so you may as well do something special.”
Idea Pattern release party Nov 19, 7:30pm,
¥2,500. Shimokitazawa Shelter. Shimokitazawa. http://themornings.biz
erful and energetic than ever. The Festival
boasts performances from renowned musicians representing Japan and the Philippines’
jazz worlds, with this year’s lineup including
Benisuke Sakai, Tsuyoshi Takayama and Tetsuro Kawashima, as well as Boy Katindig, Noel
Cabangon and big band J Phil Connection
from across the Pacific.
Echoing among them is the ever-passionate voice of Japan-based Filipino artist
Charito, who conceptualized the concert series as a means to unite both countries. “I've
been blessed to experience jazz transcending
borders,” she says. “I strongly believe in collaboration, and this pushed me to initiate this
huge project.”
The Festival was first held in Shibuya in
2012, where audiences were graced with
music from such world-class talent as Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Terumasa Hino, Sitti and Mon
David—and of course Charito, who performs
each year.
JAPAN BEAT
IDEAS
BUILT TO LAST
The Mornings search for something permanent
BY DAN GRUNEBAUM
The Mornings are a band of ideas. It’s no coincidence they’ve named their brand-new album
Idea Pattern.
But when Metropolis first speaks with them,
it’s last winter and the trio is busy rehearsing at
a friend’s Asagaya studio for a gig celebrating
the band’s tenth anniversary.
“At first, we didn’t know what we were doing—we just did what we wanted. We were naive
college students,” says singer/guitarist Junya
Kishino. “We’d always wanted to do something
original, but we didn’t have the ability to pull it
off. I think our skills have finally reached the level
where we can do what we want to.”
Emerging out of the post-hardcore scene,
the band’s early material was intended to be
cathartic. “On our first album, work stresses
were a big theme,” Kishino continues. “I come
from punk and hardcore, so there’s some of that
influence in the first album. But on the second
album, the ideas are more imagistic. I always
think, if people listen to music with their eyes
closed, what would come to mind? Then I write
based on what that might be.”
The Mornings’ third album, Idea Pattern,
MUSIC
SWINGIN’ IN
AUTUMN
Tokyo, Manila and
all that jazz
BY ALMA REYES
Those seeking nights of swinging, dancing
and bebop-hopping need look no further than
the Tokyo-Manila Jazz & Arts Festival, which
is back in town this month.
The vibrant cross-cultural celebration of
music grooves into its third year, more pow-
20
Images from private collection
ART
FRENCH KISS
Japan’s love affair with
France continues
BY C.B.LIDDELL
Tucked away behind Shibuya’s Dogenzaka love
hotel zone, the Bunkamura is an oasis of refined
Eurocentric culture, with operas, cello concertos,
French cuisine, fine wines and exhibitions of art
that caters to the middle-brow tastes of Japan’s
art lovers.
While curators elsewhere in Tokyo will occasionally gamble on bringing something more
edgy, obscure or avant-garde to our metropolis,
the Bunkamura likes exactly what its audience
knows, and knows exactly what its audience
likes—namely the grand “Royal Road” of European art, an avenue that stretches from academic
art to the now-friendly and familiar experiments
of the early 20th-century avant-garde.
This is exactly the route the latest exhibition
at the Bunkamura maps out with the show “The
Dream of French Paintings: From Impressionism to École de Paris.” The selection of works
starts with Impressionists like Monet and Renoir,
then proceeds through Post-Impressionists like
Cézanne and Bonnard, the Fauvist-influenced
art of Maurice Vlaminck and Raoul Dufy, and
more Expressionist works like those by Georges
Rouault and Marc Chagall. It’s very much a case
of “the usual suspects.”
But what gives this show an edge of intrigue is
that it was sourced from a mysterious “Japanese
personal collection.” Like a master criminal or a
Bond villain, the collector apparently preferred
to remain anonymous.
There was much of what you would expect
from any respectable collection covering this
area: A few excellent paintings as well as several
grim-looking circus
performers on display, putting a slightly
nightmarish tinge on
the exhibition’s dream
theme, as do the rather murky Vlaminck
landscapes.
Eiffel Tower, 1923-24 or 1930, Raoul Dufy
For Japanese collectors, Parisian art
compromises in quality—because,
has always had someafter all, collecting big-name art
thing of a vacation
along the Royal Road can be an exfeel, and this is one of
pensive business.
the reasons why MauMonet’s The Cliff at Aval, Étretat, Gabrielle with Jewels, c. 1908-10,
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
rice Utrillo, essentially
Sunset (1883) presented a fairly
iconic Impressionist canvas of the distinctive a postcard painter, is so popular here. There
headland in Normandy that the artist loved to are several of his deserted Parisian cityscapes
paint, while the shimmering lightness of Renoir’s on display to inspire the semi-talented Sunday
brush was ably demonstrated in Gabrielle with painter brigade.
Quickly fast-forwarding over the creepily
Jewels (c. 1908-10)—although I have a limited
“kawaii” work of Marie Laurencin, the main Japafondness for his sumo-sized odalisques.
The main danger with any exhibition like this nese twist at the exhibition is a selection by Japan’s
is a descent into the clichéd and obvious. But main contribution to the École de Paris, Léonard
because it was all assembled in accordance Tsugouharu Foujita. His ethereal paintings of womto the tastes of a single Japanese collector, it en and children, especially his astounding Merhas a lot of small, unexpected twists that keep maid (1940), painted shortly before he returned to
Japan for World War II, give the best example of
things interesting.
Apparently, Japanese collectors didn’t get how Paris looked through Japanese eyes.
the memo about clowns being creepy—nor the Until Dec 14, ¥500-¥1,400. Bunkamura The
one about serial killer John Wayne Gacy’s Pogo Museum, 2-24-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku.
Shibuya. http://meturl.com/dreamfrench
paintings—as there are several of Rouault’s
“The idea had been in my head for the
last five years after seeing how much help is
needed to create a better situation for learning musicians, especially in the Philippines,”
the crooner tells Metropolis. “This festival is
dedicated to the cultivation of young, talented
artists who can take part in performances
with professionals. We also hold workshops,
initiate music scholarship funds and provide
equipment and educational support.”
2013’s jamboree at the Solaire Resort and
Casino in Manila showcased the likes of Makoto Ozone, Kengo Nakamura, Tess Salientes
and Jeannie Tiongco—while jazz pianist Yuki
Arimasa, who taught at the Berklee College of
Music, has collaborated with numerous world-
renowned artists and is also performing at this
year’s festivities.
“Filipino artists are so musically talented,”
gushes Arimasa. “That creates a perfectly
wonderful atmosphere for the festival. When
different energies of artists are mixed around
and stimulate each other, we can find these
nerves to be fresh and new in our inner selves.
It’s so wonderful for Japanese musicians to
be in the international scene, and to receive
inspiration that we could not easily find by
playing only in Japan.”
Charito adds that Filipinos have a newfound affinity for standard jazz. “We never
got to know how jazz grew and progressed
to the more contemporary creative side that
The Cliff at Aval, Étretat, Sunset, 1883, Claude Monet
it is now. But thanks to the recent jazz boom
in Asia, more musicians are now trying to find
their own sound and originality—and jazz is
back and here to stay.”
The Tokyo-Manila Jazz & Arts Festival
OPM and Jazz. Nov 28, 6:30pm, ¥4,500.
Shinjuku Ushigome Tansu Civic Hall. Ushigome-kagurazaka. Club Session. Nov 29,
8pm, ¥4,500. Body & Soul. Omotesando.
TMJAF Workshop for Young Musicians.
Nov 30, 1pm. Akasaka Civic Hall. Aoyamaitchome. Thanksgiving Jazz Concert. Nov 30,
6pm, ¥2,000. Akasaka Civic Hall. Aoyamaitchome. http://tmjaf.tokyo. [email protected]
21
agenda
WATCH LIST
Concerts
POPULAR
Jason Mraz
Coffee house singersongwriter. Nov 14, 7pm,
¥8,000 (adv). Tokyo
International Forum Hall A.
Yurakucho. www.smash-jpn.
com
1EyEDMan
Tokyo-based group with catchy
Brit-pop/rock tunes and lyrics.
Nov 14, 7pm, ¥3,000. Tsutaya
O-Nest. Shibuya. Tel:
03-3462-4420. l-tike.com/
Knot Fest Japan
Slipknot, Limp Bizkit, Korn and
others. Nov 15-16, 11:10am9:30pm, ¥14,000 (1 day,
adv)/ ¥27,000 (adv, 2 days).
Makuhari Messe. KaihinMakuhari. www.knotfestjapan.
com
Zettai Blend No.5
DieByForty, Rock n’ Flow,
MissTress and AstroAttack
(Kobe). Nov 22, 7pm, ¥2,000.
The Crawfish. Akasaka.
Tel: 03-3584-2496. http://
crawfish.jp
The Manhattan Transfer
American harmony vocal
chorus group taking varied
musical styles and creating
unique American pop. Nov
22, 5pm, ¥6,800. Katsushika
Symphony Hills. Aoto. Tel:
03-5670-2233. http://meturl.
com/transfer2014
Yes
English prog rock with
symphonic undertones. Nov
23-24, 5pm; Nov 25, 7pm,
¥8,000-9,000. Tokyo Dome
City Hall. Suidobashi. Tel:
0570-09-3333. http://meturl.
com/yes14
worldapart.co.jp/hzettm/
Glory Gospel Singers
New York-based ensemble
who have performed at
Carnegie Hall and have
appeared on stage with Diana
Ross, Whitney Houston and
Aretha Franklin. Dec 21, 2 &
6pm, ¥2,000-7,000. Shibuya
Public Hall. Shibuya. Tel:
03-3402-9911. www.tate.jp
Japanese sound artist who
often uses frequencies at
the edge of human hearing
range. Dec 21, 5 & 7:30pm,
one performance ¥3,000
(adv)/ ¥3,500 (door), both
performances ¥5,000. Laforet
Museum. Meiji-Jingumae.
Tel: 03-3475-0411. www.
laforet.ne.jp
The Ska Flames
Post-hardcore band from
Yokohama. Nov 15, 6:30pm,
¥3,800 (adv) +1d. Club Citta.
Kawasaki. Tel: 050-55330888. www.clubcitta.co.jp
Japanese ska band who has
performed with legendary
musicians such as Prince
Buster and The Skatalites.
Dec 23, 5:30pm, ¥3,500
(adv)/ ¥3,800 (door) +1d. Duo
Music Exchange. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-3444-6751. www.
skaflames.jp
Bartender’s Choice, Vol. 4
Tomoyasu Hotei
Countdown Japan 14/15
Tokyo singer-songwriters
hand-picked by Crawfish
bartender, featuring Aimee
Blackshleger, Martin Leroux,
Lensei and more. Nov 15,
7:00pm, ¥1,500. The Crawfish.
Akasaka. Tel: 03-3584-2496.
http://crawfish.jp
Japanese rock icon. Nov 30,
5:30pm, ¥7,800 (adv) +1d.
NHK Hall. Shibuya. Tel:
03-3465-1751. http://l-tike.
com
Featuring Japanese artists
Back Drop Bomb, Sanbo
Master, Scandal and more.
Dec 28, midnight; Dec 29,
midnight; Dec 30, midnight;
Dec 31, midnight, ¥10,50031,000. Makuhari Messe.
Kaihin-Makuhari. http://
countdownjapan.jp
9mm Parabellum Bullet
Rock in Opposition Japan
2014
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-Nov 16. 3pm,
¥14,000 (seated)/ ¥10,500
(standing). O-East. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-3444-6751. www.
rockinopposition-japan.com
The Ben Folds Orchestra
Experience
Ben Folds plays his pop
hits arranged for orchestral
performance. Nov 17-18, 7pm,
¥10,000-11,000. Bunkamura
Orchard Hall. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5353-9522. http://meturl.
com/ben14
Loft Music & Culture
Festival
A Flood of Circle, Radio
Caroline, The Birthday and
more. Nov 30, 1:30pm,
¥3,969 (adv) +1d. Club Citta.
Kawasaki. Tel: 044-2468888. www.loft-prj.co.jp/
loftfes
Country Yard
Japanese punk-rock group
who have been supporting
acts for bands No Use For
A Name, The Get Up Kids
and Rufio. Dec 6, 1pm,
¥2,800(adv) +1d. Yokohama
Bay Hall. MotomachiChukagai. Tel: 03-34446751. http://meturl.com/
countryyard2014
Tahiti 80
French indie pop band. Dec
9, 7pm, ¥6,500. Liquidroom.
Ebisu. Tel: 03-3499-6669.
http://meturl.com/tahiti2014
The Sunshine Underground
English indie dance band plays
a variety of pop, alternative
and electronic music. Nov
19, 7:30pm, ¥4,800. Womb.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-54590039. http://meturl.com/
sunshine2014
Folk artist, poet and one half
of legendary duo Simon &
Garfunkel. Dec 10 & 12, 7pm,
¥9,000-10,000. Shibuya
Public Hall. Shibuya. Tel:
0570-09-3333. http://meturl.
com/garfunk14
The Inspector Cluzo
Gasconha Rock Tour 2014. Nov
20, 7pm, ¥5,600 (adv) +1d.
Club Quattro. Shibuya. Tel:
03-3444-6751. http://meturl.
com/theinspectorcluzo2014
Man with a Mission
Wolves in men’s clothing play
rap/rock. Dec 20, 5pm, ¥4,700
(adv) +1d. Saitama Super
Arena. Saitama-Shintoshin.
www.creativeman.co.jp
Fusion Festival
Featuring guitar legends Issei
Noro, Kazumi Watanabe and
Lee Ritenour. Nov 20, 7pm,
¥6,800-7,800. Toyosu Pit.
Shin-Toyosu. Tel: 0570-550799. http://meturl.com/
fusion2014
22
JAZZ/WORLD
H Zett M
Japanese keyboardist and
producer formerly part of the
jazz instrumental band Pe’z.
Dec 20, 2 & 7pm, ¥4,000.
Mori no Hall. Hashimoto.
Tel: 042-742-9999. www.
Tel: 03-3406-1300. www.
nagaremono.com/sepia
Stanton Moore Jazz Trio
Tokyo-Manila Jazz & Arts
Festival
Kawasaki Shinkin Bank
Presents
Thanksgiving Jazz Concert
for the benefit of young
musicians’s education and
scholarship funds, with Tetsuro
Kawashima, Tots Tolentino and
others. Nov 30, 6pm, ¥2,000.
Akasaka Civic Center Civic
Hall. Aoyama-itchome. Tel:
5413-2711. http://tmjaf.tokyo
Lunchtime and night
concert. Nov 14, 12:10 &
7pm, ¥500. Muza Kawasaki
Symphony Hall. Kawasaki.
Tel: 044-520-0200. www.
kawasaki-sym-hall.jp
Rock drummer widely known
as a founding member of
Galactic. Nov 21, 6:30 & 9pm;
Nov 22-24, 5 & 8pm, ¥7,0009,000. Cotton Club. Tokyo.
Tel: 03-3215-1555. http://
meturl.com/moore2014
Natalie Cole
Montreux Jazz Festival
2014. Nov 22, 2pm, ¥4,00010,000. Muza Kawasaki
Symphony Hall. Kawasaki.
Tel: 044-520-0200. www.
kawasaki-sym-hall.jp
Winger/Slaughter
Montreux Jazz Festival 2014.
Nov 22-23, 5pm, ¥9,500.
Club Citta. Kawasaki. Tel:
044-246-8888. www.clubcitta.
co.jp
Hiromi
Piano solo live. Nov 23, 2
& 3pm, ¥2,000. Softwind.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-68087337. www.softwind.jp
Hiroko Kokubu with Fried
Pride
Montreux Jazz Festival 2014.
Nov 24, 2pm, ¥3,500. Plazasol
Kawasaki. Kawasaki.
Tel: 044-874-8501. www.
plazasol.jp
Tokyo Big Band 2014: The
Last
Pianist-arranger Jonathan Katz
leads a 19-piece ensemble.
Dec 3, 7:30 & 9pm, ¥4,000
(adv)/¥4,500 (door). Akasaka B
Flat. Akasaka. Tel: 03-55632563. http://bflat.biz
Ayuka & Sayoko “4rd Live”
Duo comprising harpist Ayuka
and Sayoko on violin. Dec 5,
8 & 9pm, ¥2,500. Softwind.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-68087337. www.softwind.jp
Martin Taylor
British jazz guitarist best
known for his solo fingerstyle
performances. Dec 6-7, 5pm,
¥6,600-9,000. Cotton Club.
Tokyo. Tel: 03-3215-1555.
http://meturl.com/taylor2014
Martin Taylor and Alison
Burns
Montreux Jazz Festival 2014.
Nov 25, 7pm, ¥3,500. Plazasol
Kawasaki. Kawasaki.
Tel: 044-874-8501. www.
plazasol.jp
British jazz guitarist Taylor with
jazz singer Burns. Dec 6-7,
8pm, ¥6,600-9,000. Cotton
Club. Tokyo. Tel: 03-32151555. http://meturl.com/
taylorburns
Kazumi Watanabe
Freddy Cole
Montreux Jazz Festival 2014.
Nov 26, 7pm, ¥3,500. Plazasol
Kawasaki. Kawasaki. Tel:
044-874-8501. www.plazasol.
jp
American jazz singer and
pianist and brother of musician
Nat King Cole. Dec 8-10, 6:30
& 9pm, ¥7,500-9,500. Cotton
Club. Tokyo. Tel: 03-32151555. http://meturl.com/
cole2014
Koyama Taro Group
Nelson Rangell
Smooth jazz saxophonist. Nov
12-14, 6:30 & 9pm, ¥7,0008,000. Cotton Club. Tokyo.
Tel: 03-3215-1555. www.
cottonclubjapan.co.jp
Taeko Moriyama
Japanese jazz drummer. Nov
14, 7 & 9pm, ¥4,200-22,800.
Motion Blue. Bashamichi.
Tel: 045-226-1919. www.
motionblue.co.jp
Toshihiro Nakanishi and
Sumire Kuribayashi
“Jazz Instruments.” Nov 15,
7 & 8pm, ¥3,200. Softwind.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-68087337. www.softwind.jp
Acoustic Life Op.1
Art Garfunkel
Nov 30, 2pm, ¥3,000-5,000.
Showa University of Music.
Shin-Yurigaoka. Tel:
044-953-1121.
Ryoji Ikeda
J-rock group that has
penned several anime and
drama opening tunes. Nov
30, 5pm, ¥5,500 (adv).
Tokyo International Forum
Hall A. Yurakucho. www.
aquatimez.com
Aqua Timez
2:30 & 4pm, ¥1,000-4,300.
Tokyo TUC. Akihabara. Tel:
03-3866-8393. www.tokyotuc.
com
National tour in support of
album release. Nov 16, 6:30
& 7:45pm, ¥2,500. Softwind.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-68087337. www.softwind.jp
Yukiarimasa and Hara
Tomonao
Montreux Jazz Festival 2014.
Nov 27, 7pm, ¥3,500. Plazasol
Kawasaki. Kawasaki. Tel:
044-874-8501. www.plazasol.
jp
Dramatic Jazz Night
With musicians Akiko, Ayumi
Koketsu and others. Women
who attend will receive a
special present. Nov 27,
6:30pm, ¥3,800-4,200.
Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre.
Ikebukuro. Tel: 03-35905321. http://meturl.com/
jazznight2014
Jim Hall Tribute Project
Senzoku Get Jazz
Orchestra
New album and release
concert. Nov 19, 7 & 9pm,
¥4,200-22,800. Motion Blue.
Bashamichi. Tel: 045-2261919. www.motionblue.co.jp
Montreux Jazz Festival 2014.
Nov 28, 6:30pm, ¥3,000-5,000.
Senzoku Gakuen University.
Mizonokuchi. Tel: 044-8562727. www.senzoku.jp
Tetsuya Tatsumi Big Band
meets Eero Koivistoinen
Montreux Jazz Solo Piano
Competition Final
Featuring Finnish jazz musician
and saxophonist Koivistoinen,
recipient of the Yrjö prize of
the Finnish Jazz Association
in 1967. Nov 20, 7pm, ¥3,000.
Za-Koenji. Koenji. Tel:
03-3223-7500. http://meturl.
com/tatsumibigband. Nov 24,
Montreux Jazz Festival
2014. Nov 29, 2pm, free.
Showa University of Music.
Shin-Yurigaoka. Tel: 044-9531121.
Original Pentabox
Montreux Jazz Festival 2014.
Clémentine
French singer-songwriter
based in Japan who also was
a regular on NHK’s French
TV. Dec 12, 7pm; Dec 13,
8pm, ¥7,800. Blue Note.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-54850088. http://meturl.com/
clementine2014
Till Brönner
German jazz musician, trumpet
player, singer, composer,
arranger and producer. Dec
14, 5 & 8pm; Dec 15-16, 7 &
9:30pm, ¥8,500. Blue Note.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-54850088. http://meturl.com/
bronner2014
Edda Magnason with Niels
Lan Doky Trio
An “Homage to Monica
Zetterlund,” Sweden’s
legendary jazz singer/actress.
Dec 20-21, 5 & 8pm, ¥8,000.
Blue Note. Omotesando. Tel:
03-5485-0088. http://meturl.
com/magnason2014
CLASSICAL
The National Symphony
Orchestra of Ukraine
Conducted by Volodymyr
Sirenko. Nov 15, 2pm, ¥4,0008,000. Tokyo Opera City
Concert Hall. Hatsudai or
Shinjuku. Tel: 03-5353-9999.
http://operacity.jp
Orchestra Festival 2014
Performed by College of Music.
Nov 16 & 24, Dec 6 & 7, 3pm,
¥1,000-3,000. Muza Kawasaki
Symphony Hall. Kawasaki.
Tel: 044-520-0200. www.
kawasaki-sym-hall.jp
Himiko
Memories of the Sun Goddess.
Nov 18, 7pm, ¥5,000-9,000.
Suntory Hall. Roppongiitchome. Tel: 0570-55-0017.
http://meturl.com/suntoryhall
Lunchtime Organ Concert
Vol. 108, performed by Satoko
Kawagoe. Nov 20, 12:15pm,
¥500. Tokyo Metropolitan
Theatre. Ikebukuro. Tel:
03-5391-2111. www.geigeki.
jp/english
Chisako Takashima
12 Violinist: Colors. Nov 21,
6:30pm, ¥5,500-6,000.
Suntory Hall. Roppongiitchome. Tel: 0570-55-0017.
http://meturl.com/suntoryhall
NHK Tokyo Children
Chorus
Subscription concert, no. 43.
Nov 22, 6pm, ¥3,000-3,500.
Tokyo Opera City Concert
Hall. Hatsudai or Shinjuku.
Tel: 03-5353-9999. http://
operacity.jp
Yamato String Quartet
20th anniversary concert.
Nov 23, 7pm, ¥4,000. Suntory
Hall. Roppongi-itchome. Tel:
0570-55-0017. http://meturl.
com/suntoryhall
The Horn Quartet Concert
2014
Performed by Mayumi
Anzuchi, Tsutomu Isohata, Jo
Kishigami,and Takeshi Hidaka.
Nov 25, 7pm, ¥2,500-3,000.
Tokyo Opera City Recital
Hall. Shinjuku or Hatsudai.
Tel: 03-5353-9999. www.
operacity.jp
NHK Symphony Orchestra
Subscription concert No.1795.
Nov 26-27, Dec 17, 7pm,
¥3,600-8,800. Suntory Hall.
Roppongi-itchome. Tel:
0570-55-0017. http://meturl.
com/suntoryhall
Leo Nucci
Blue Mountain Boys
Classic country and western
and bluegrass. Every third
Sat, 6:30 & 7:30pm, free,
Cafe Sepia. Shibuya.
Baritone recital. Nov 28, 7pm,
¥8,000-19,000. Tokyo Opera
City Concert Hall. Hatsudai or
Shinjuku. Tel: 03-5353-9999.
http://operacity.jp
hot tickets
DEC
4
Tenacious D
American comedy rock duo composed
of Jack Black and Kyle Gass pay
tribute to the best songs in the world.
Dec 4, 7:30pm, ¥6,000. Studio Coast.
Shin-Kiba. Tel: 03-3499-6669.
http://meturl.com/tenaciousd2014
Tickets on sale now
Michiyoshi Inoue
With New Japan Philharmonic
and violinist Kyoko Takezawa
performing Brahms. Nov 29,
3pm, ¥2,000-6,000. Saitama
Kaikan. Urawa. www.saf.
or.jp
The 20th PROST
Symphony Orchestra
Regular concert. Nov 30, 2pm,
¥800-1,000. Muza Kawasaki
Symphony Hall. Kawasaki.
Tel: 044-520-0200. www.
kawasaki-sym-hall.jp
DEC
22-25
Dee Dee Bridgewater
Three-time Grammy Award- and Tony
Award-winning American jazz singer
with The Legendary Count Basie
Orchestra. Dec 22-25, various times,
¥10,800. Blue Note. Omotesando.
Tel: 03-5485-0088. http://meturl.
com/deedee2014
Tickets on sale now
Tokyo Metropolitan
Symphony Orchestra
DEC
24
JAN
20
Christmas Special Classics
Cyndi Lauper
Kiev Ballet performs segments from
The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and
The Nutcracker. Dec 24, 7pm, ¥5,0008,500. Tokyo Opera City Concert
Hall. Hatsudai or Shinjuku. Tel:
050-3776-6184. www.koransha.com
Tickets on sale now
NOV 27 (THU)-DEC 9 (TUE)
Subscription concert, no.
780. Dec 8, 7pm, ¥2,2007,500. Tokyo Bunka Kaikan.
Ueno. Tel: 03-3828-2111.
www.t-bunka.jp/en
Tel: 03-5353-9522. www.
bunkamura.co.jp
Aida
Opera performed by the
National Opera Theatre of
Ukraine. Dec 7, 2pm, ¥7,00018,000. Bunkamura Orchard
Hall. Shibuya. Tel: 03-53539522. www.bunkamura.co.jp
Classical Music Concert
For junior high school students.
Dec 9, 10:25am, ¥500. For
primary school students. Dec
5, 10:20am, ¥500. Suntory
Hall. Roppongi-itchome. Tel:
0570-55-0017. http://meturl.
com/suntoryhall
The legendary pop icon still
wants to have fun. Jan 20, 7pm,
¥10,500-12,500. Nippon Budokan.
Kudanshita. Tel: 0570-550-799.
http://meturl.com/lauper2014
Tickets on sale from Nov 15
Don Carlo
Verdi’s historical grand opera
starring Escobar, Werba,
Farnocchia, Ganassi & Siwek.
Nov 27 & Dec 3, 6:30pm; Nov
30, Dec 6 & 9, 2pm; ¥3,24021,600. New National Theatre
Tokyo. Hatsudai on the Keio
New Line. www.nntt.jac.go.jp/
english/
Tao Drum Rock: The 33
Samurai
Drum entertainment spectacle
from Tao, a team of trained
athletes and expressive artists.
Dec 9, 7pm; Dec 10, 1 & 7pm,
¥5,200-7,200. Bunkamura
Orchard Hall. Shibuya. Tel:
0570-550-799. http://meturl.
com/drumtao
Kanagawa Phil Fresh
Concert
Milan Cathedral Choir
Conducted by Shigeo Genda.
Dec 1, 2pm, ¥1,000-5,000.
Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall.
Minatomirai. Tel: 045-6822020. www.yaf.or.jp
Christmas concert conducted
by Claudio Riva. Dec 9, 7pm,
¥5,000. Tokyo Cathedral.
Gokokuiji. Tel: 03-32349999. http://l-tike.com/
Sarah Brightman
Paavo Järvi
English classical crossover
soprano singer. Dec 1, 8, 11
& 12, 7pm, ¥13,000-15,000.
Tokyo International Forum
Hall A. Yurakucho. Tel:
03-3402-5999. http://meturl.
com/sarahbrightman
Brahms symphonic chronology.
Dec 10, 11, 13 & 14, 7pm,
¥5,000-13,000. Tokyo Opera
City Concert Hall. Hatsudai
or Shinjuku. Tel: 03-53539999. http://operacity.jp
Ojo-Tokuro-sama.
Choreographed by Ikko
Tamura. Dec 13-21, Weekdays
8pm; weekends 3pm,
¥2,500 (adv)/¥3,000 (door).
Dairakudakan Kochuten.
Kichijoji. Tel: 0422-21-4984.
www.dairakudakan.com
Oboe Recital
The Flying Dutchman
Beethoven’s Symphony No.
9. Dec 2, 7pm, ¥3,000-7,000.
Suntory Hall. Roppongiitchome. Tel: 0570-55-0017.
http://meturl.com/suntoryhall
Performing White Christmas,
Three Romances and more.
Dec 11, 12:10pm, ¥1,000.
Saitama Arts Theater.
Yonohonmachi. Tel:
0570-064-939. www.saf.or.jp
Dresdner Kapellsolisten &
Maki Mori
Yutaka Sado & WDR
Sinfonieorchester Köln
Christmas concert. Dec 3,
7pm, ¥4,000-8,500. Tokyo
Opera City Concert Hall.
Hatsudai or Shinjuku.
Tel: 03-5353-9999. http://
operacity.jp
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.
Dec 12, 7pm, ¥9,000-20,000.
Suntory Hall. Roppongiitchome. Tel: 0570-55-0017.
http://meturl.com/suntoryhall
Tokyo Igin Concert
DEC 2 &19-23
Kodo One Earth Tour 2014:
Eternity
Taiko performance. The third
work directed by artistic
director Tamasaburo Bando.
Dec 2, 6:30pm, ¥6,500.
Muza Kawasaki Symphony
Hall. Kawasaki. Dec
19, 7pm; Dec 20-23 2pm;
S-seats ¥7,000, A-seats
¥5,000, students ¥3,000.
Bunkyo Civic Hall Dai-Hall.
Korakuen or Kasuga. Tel:
0259-86-3630. heartbeat@
kodo.or.jp. www.kodo.or.jp
Koro-Andante
5th College of Music
Orchestra Festival 2014
Performed by Kunitachi
College of Music and Toho
Gakuen School. Dec 6, 3pm,
¥1,000-3,000. Muza Kawasaki
Symphony Hall. Kawasaki.
Tel: 044-520-0200. www.
kawasaki-sym-hall.jp
Ave Maria in Christmas
St. Petersburg Chamber
Ensemble Divertissement
performance feat the three
major Ave Marias by Bach,
Schubert and Caccini. Dec
6, 11am; Dec 12, 7pm; Dec
20-21, 11:30am & 3pm; Dec
24, 1pm, ¥4,500. Tokyo
Opera City Concert Hall.
Hatsudai or Shinjuku. Dec
22, 2pm, ¥4,500. Tokyo
Bunka Kaikan. Ueno.
Tel: 050-3776-6184. www.
koransha.com
Seiya no Trumpet
Women’s choir performs
their 17th regular show.
Dec 15, 6pm, ¥1,200.
Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall.
Minatomirai. Tel: 045-6822020. www.yaf.or.jp
Radek Baborák & Aleš
Bárta
Collaboration of horn and
organ. Dec 16, 7pm, ¥1,0004,000. Tokyo Metropolitan
Theatre. Ikebukuro. Tel:
03-5391-2111. www.geigeki.
jp/english
Yutaka Sado & WDR
Symphony Orchestra
Cologne
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.
Dec 18, 7pm, ¥5,000-16,000.
Tokyo International Forum Hall
A. Yurakucho. Tel: 03-32349999. http://meturl.com/
sado2014
Stage
Trumpeter Wim Van Hasselt
accompanied by pianist Vital
Stahievitch perform pieces
by Bach, Chopin and Rosso.
Dec 6, 6:30pm, ¥4,000. Tokyo
Opera City Concert Hall.
Hatsudai or Shinjuku. Dec
11, 7pm, ¥4,000. Omiya Sonic
City. Omiya. Tel: 050-37766184. www.koransha.com
The Pirates of Tokyo Bay
celebrate four years of laughs.
Nov 16, 7:30pm, ¥2,500.
SuperDeluxe. Roppongi. Tel:
03-5412-0515. http://meturl.
com/pirates2014
Symphony of Thousand
The Csárdás Princess
10th anniversary concert
opening. Dec 7, 3pm, ¥5,40015,000. Muza Kawasaki
Symphony Hall. Kawasaki.
Tel: 044-520-0200. www.
kawasaki-sym-hall.jp
An operetta in three acts by
Emmerich Kalman conducted
by Keiko Mitsuhashi. Nov
22, 3pm; Nov 23, 24 &
26, 2pm, ¥2,000-18,000.
Nissay Theatre. Hibiya.
Bilingual Comedy
Anniversary Show
Dairakudakan Butoh
Wagner opera about the
legend of the ghostly ship
condemned to wander the
oceans forever, performed
in German with Japanese
supertitles. Jan 18, 21, 25
& 31, 2pm; Jan 28, 7pm,
¥1,620-21,600. New National
Theatre Tokyo. Hatsudai. Tel:
03-5351-3011. www.nntt.jac.
go.jp/english/
Dance
for free
NOV
16
Christmas Boutique & Bake
Shop
Come shop for Christmas
decorations and gifts. Nov 16,
9am-2pm, free. Franciscan Chapel
Center. Roppongi. Tel: 03-34012141.
Carlos Martínez. Dec 5, 7pm;
Dec 6, 3pm, ¥5,000-¥15,000.
Kanagawa Arts Theater.
Motomachi-Chukagai. www.
kaat.jp
Don Quixote
Performed by the Bolshoi
Ballet and the Bolshoi
Orchestra. Dec 6, 12:30 &
6:30pm; Dec 7, 2pm, ¥7,000¥22,000. Tokyo Bunka Kaikan.
Ueno. Tel: 03-3828-2111.
www.t-bunka.jp
Cinderella
The National Ballet of Japan
presents a Christmas classic.
Dec 14-23, various times,
¥3,240-10,800. New National
Theatre Tokyo. Hatsudai. Tel:
03-5352-9999. www.nntt.jac.
go.jp/english
Clubbing
FRIDAY 14
Ageha
Scream. Top40, EDM: DJs
Marc Panther, Otoguro and
more. From 11pm, (m)¥3,000,
(f)¥2,000. Shinkiba. www.
ageha.com
Air
Reboot. Techno: DJs Qhey,
Mayuri and more. From 10pm,
¥3,000. Shibuya. www.
air-tokyo.com
Liquidroom
Senshyu Raku. Techno, house:
DJs Carl Craig, Floorplan and
more. From midnight, ¥3,000.
Ebisu. Tel: 03-5464-0800.
www.liquidroom.net
Singin’ in the Rain
Musical adapted from the
1952 movie of the same name.
Until Nov 24, various times,
¥6,500-13,000. Theatre Orb.
Shibuya. Tel: 0570-02-9999.
http://singinintherain.jp/en/
New production of a classical
masterpiece arranged by
artistic director Noriko Ohara.
Nov 15-16, 2pm, ¥3,24016,200. New National Theatre
Tokyo. Hatsudai. Tel:
03-5352-9999. www.nntt.jac.
go.jp/english
Swan Lake
Air
Poker Flat. House, techno:
DJs Steve Bug, Gonno and
more. From 10pm, ¥3,500.
Shibuya. www.air-tokyo.com
Daikanyama Unit
Tokyo in Dub. Dub: DJs Fat
Freddys Drop, Jah Shaka
and more. From 11:30pm,
¥3,500. Daikanyama. www.
unit-tokyo.com
Origami
Jimpster. House: DJs Jimpster,
Calm and more. From 10pm,
¥3,500. Omotesando. Tel:
03-6434-0968. http://meturl.
com/origamiclub
Sound Museum Vision
Girl. Electro, EDM: DJs Marc
Panther, Mitomi and more.
From 10pm, (m)¥3,500 w/1d,
(f)¥1,000. Shibuya. www.
vision-tokyo.com
The New Matrix Bar
Saturday Night Fever. Hip-hop,
R&B, reggae: DJ Ykk and
more. From 6pm, ¥1,000 (after
10pm). Roppongi. www.
matrixbar.jp
The Room
Jazztronica. Jazz, house: DJs
Nozaki, Shuya Okino (Kyoto
Jazz Massive) and more.
From 10pm, ¥2,500 w/1d.
Shibuya. www.theroom.jp
SUNDAY 16
T2
Karizma. House: DJ Karizma
and more. From 10pm, ¥3,500.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-64340968. meturl.com/origamiclub
Global Allmix Party. All mix:
DJs Shu, Passion and more.
From 10pm, (m)¥2,500 w/2d,
(f)¥1,500 w/2d. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5428-8692. www.
t2-shibuya.com
Sound Museum Vision
The Room
Girls Festival. Hip-hop: DJs
Zeebra, Kango and more. From
10pm, (m)¥3,500 w/1d, (f)
free. Shibuya. www.visiontokyo.com
Groovy Rock Caravan. Rock,
ska: DJs Onuki, Fujii and
more. From midnight, ¥1,500.
Shibuya. www.theroom.jp
The Sleeping Beauty
Tel: 03-3234-9999. www.
nissaytheatre.or.jp
DJs Dexpistols, Ram Rider
and more. From 9pm, ¥3,500.
Shinkiba. www.ageha.com
Origami
Tony Award-winning musical
about true love found on
the streets of Dublin. Nov
27-Dec 14, various times,
¥13,000. Ex Theater Roppongi.
Roppongi or Nogizaka.
www.once-musical.jp
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
The Umbrella Goes West
La Bayadère
The New Matrix Bar
Solo butoh performance
by Kudo Taketeru. Dec 2-3,
7:30pm, ¥3,000 (adv)/¥3,500
(door). Space Zatsuyu.
Shinjuku. Tel: 090-88465379. www.kudo-taketeru.
com
Performed by the Bolshoi
Ballet and the Bolshoi
Orchestra. Dec 3, 6:30pm;
Dec 4, 12 & 6:30pm, ¥6,300¥21,000 (members) ¥7,000¥22,000 (gen). Tokyo Bunka
Kaikan. Ueno. Tel: 03-38282111. www.t-bunka.jp
Matrix Friday. Old-school
hip-hop, west side, south side,
all mix: DJ Ykk and more. From
6pm, ¥1,000 (after 11:30pm).
Roppongi. www.matrixbar.jp
Ageha
The Room
Air
Destination. Broken beats,
deep house: DJs Oka, Sayuri
and more. From 10pm, ¥2,000
w/1d. Shibuya. www.
theroom.jp
Resonation. House: DJ Takkyu
Ishino. From 11pm, ¥3,500.
Shibuya. www.air-tokyo.com
Once
Little Women
An original adaptation of
Louisa May Alcott’s classic
novel performed by the Tokyo
International Players. Dec
4-5, 7pm; Dec 6, 1 & 7pm;
Dec 7, 3pm, ¥2,500-4,500.
Echo Theater. Ebisu. www.
tokyoplayers.com
Turandot
Performed by the National
Opera Theatre of Ukraine.
Dec 5, 6:30pm; Dec 6, 2pm,
¥7,000-18,000. Bunkamura
Orchard Hall. Shibuya.
Chantecler Tango
Tango musical set in 1940s
Buenos Aires at the luxurious
Chantecler Cabaret performed
by the Mora Godoy Tango
Company. Dec 4-7, various
times, ¥6,500-10,500. Theatre
Orb. Shibuya. Tel: 03-34779999. http://meturl.com/
chantecler
Womb
T2
Shibuya Mixx. EDM: Various
DJs. From 10pm, (m)¥3,500
w/2d, (f)¥2,500 w/2d.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5428-8692.
www.t2-shibuya.com
Womb
Sterne. Techno: DJs Pan-Pot,
Ishino and more. From 11pm,
¥3,500. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5459-0039. www.womb.
co.jp
Spanish National Dance
Company
SATURDAY 15
Classical and contemporary
program directed by José
Ageha
Electro Dash. All mix, EDM:
EDM Sunday. EDM: DJs Hikaru,
Mizukami and more. From
midnight, (m)¥2,500, (f)free.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-54590039. www.womb.co.jp
FRIDAY 21
Big Party. All mix, EDM: DJs
Kaori, Taku and more. From
11pm, (m)¥3,000, (f)¥2,500.
Shinkiba. www.ageha.com
Daikanyama Unit
Club Snoozer. DJs Tanaka,
Yogurt and more. From 11pm,
¥3,500 w/1d. Daikanyama.
www.unit-tokyo.com
Sound Museum Vision
Hysteric Glamour 30-Year
Anniversary. House: DJs
Emma, Nori and more.
From 10pm, ¥2,000 w/1d.
Shibuya. www.vision-tokyo.
com
23
The Room
Wah Wah. Rare groove: DJs
Kuroda, Ryuhei and more.
From 11pm, ¥2,500 w/1d.
Shibuya. www.theroom.jp
Womb
Dig. EDM, hip-hop: DJs Arthur
Bray, Kingmck and more. From
11pm, ¥3,000. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5459-0039. www.womb.
co.jp
UPCOMING
Roppongi. Roppongi. www.
tim-burton.jp
Roppongi Hills
Berlin x Tokyo. Two-day
design, art, culture and
music exhibition. Nov
29-30, 10am-11pm, ¥1,500.
Roppongi Hills, 6-chome,
Minato-ku. Roppongi. www.
roppongihills.com
Sen-Oku Hakuko Kan
Universal Sounds of Orchestra.
Techno, trance: DJs Son Kite,
Nobu and more. Nov 22, from
11pm, ¥4,000. Shinkiba.
www.ageha.com
The Beauty of Chanoyu
Kettles. Explore 400 years
of Chanoyu Kettle history.
Until Dec 14, 10am-4:30pm,
closed Mon, ¥500-800. 1-5-1
Roppongi-itchome, Minatoku. Roppongi-itchome. Tel:
03-5777-8600.
Air
Suntory Museum of Art
A1. House, techno: DJs
Efdemin, Moodman and more.
Nov 22, from 10pm, ¥3,000.
Shibuya. www.air-tokyo.com
Koyasan 1200th Anniversary:
Treasures of the Sacred
Mountain. Figures carved
by some of Japan’s most
celebrated Buddhist sculptors,
including Unkei and Kaikei.
Until 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
Ageha
Daikanyama Unit
Confidence. DJs Christian
Fennesz, Craig Richards and
more. Nov 22, from 11pm,
¥4,000. Daikanyama. www.
unit-tokyo.com
Origami
Just Realize. Techno: DJs
Sepp, Ryosuke and more.
Nov 22, from 10pm, ¥3,000.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-64340968. http://meturl.com/
origamiclub
Sound Museum Vision
Power. Electro: DJs 80kidz,
Dexpistols and more. Nov 22,
from 10pm, (m)¥3,500 w/1d,
(f)¥2,500 w/1d. Shibuya.
www.vision-tokyo.com
The Room
Magic. House, crossover: DJs
Kawasaki, Endo and more. Nov
22, from 9pm, ¥2,500 w/1d.
Shibuya. www.theroom.jp
Womb
Satoshi Tomiie. House, techno
DJs Tomiie, Tamura and more.
Nov 22, from 11pm, ¥3,500.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5459-0039.
www.womb.co.jp
Exhibitions
AKASAKA/ROPPONGI
21_21 Design Sight
The Fab Mind: Hints of the
Future in a Shifting World.
Focuses on the aspirations and
activities of those who seek
to understand and resolve
social issues through design.
Until Feb 1, 11am-8pm, closed
Tue, ¥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
Lee Mingwei and His Relations.
Mixed media artist with
an interactive style. The
completion of his works
relies on the participation
of his audience. Until Jan 4,
¥500-1,500. 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. Until
Jan 4, 11am-10pm, Sat & Sun
11am-11pm, ¥800-1,800. 52F
Roppongi Hills Tower, 6-10-1
24
The National Art Center,
Tokyo
The Japan Fine Arts Exhibition.
Featuring Japanese and
Western paintings, sculptures,
applied fine arts and writing.
Until 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. 17th Domani: The
Art of Tomorrow. In support of
the Japanese government’s
overseas study program for
artists, with a wide range
of works from paintings,
engravings, photography and
pottery to casting, animation
and installations. Dec 13-Jan
25, 10am-6pm, until 8pm on
Fri, closed Tue, ¥500-1,000.
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
expressionism. Until 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
Ginza Graphic Gallery
Persona 1965. A look back at
the 1965 “Persona” graphic
design exhibition with artists
Kiyoshi Awazu, Shigeo Fukuda
and others. Until Nov 27,
11am-7pm, until 6pm on Sat,
closed Sun & hols, free. Ryoji
Arai. Japanese illustrator
who won the Astrid Lindgren
Memorial Award in 2005 for
his contribution to “children’s
and young adult literature in
the broadest sense.” Dec 3-25,
11am-7pm, closed Sun, free.
Open Mon-Fri 11am-7pm, Sat
11am-6pm, closed Sun & hols.
1F Ginza Bldg, 7-7-2 Ginza.
Ginza. http://meturl.com/
ginzagraphicgallery
Idemitsu Museum of Arts
Ninsei, Kenzan and Crafts of
Kyoto. Featuring the ceramic
works of artists Nonomura
Ninsei and Ogata Kenzan. Until
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.idemitsu.co.jp/museum
Megumi Ogita Gallery
Showcase
Sadie Rebecca Starnes: Given.
American painter whose
works are influenced by
family histories of American
natives and Native Americans,
diasporic literature and
alizarin crimson. Nov 14-29,
12pm-7pm, closed Mon,
Sun and hols, free. Tue-Sat
11am-7pm, closed Mon & Sun.
4F, 5-4-14 Ginza. Ginza.
www.megumiogita.com
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
Celadon Now: Techniques
and Beauty Handed Down
from Southern Sung to Today.
Modern ceramic art. Until
Nov 24, ¥300-900. Narahara
Ikko: Domains. One of the
leading photographers of
post-war Japan. Domains
focuses on human beings in a
monastery in Hokkaido and a
female prison in Wakayama,
both isolated from the
external world. Nov 18-Mar
1, 10am-5pm, closed Mon,
¥130-430. 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
Yuni Yoshida: Imaginatomy.
Japanese graphic designer/art
director known for her intense,
captivating images. Until Nov
24, 11am-9pm, free. Laforet
Harajuku 6F, 1-11-6 Jingumae.
Meiji-Jingumae. www.
laforet.ne.jp
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 10:30am-5:30pm,
closed Mon. 1-10-10 Jingumae.
Harajuku. www.ukiyoe-otamuse.jp
SHIBUYA/EBISU
Bunkamura: The Museum
The Dream of French Paintings:
From Impressionism to Ecole
de Paris. Select works by
Monet, Chagall, Cézanne,
Foujita and more. Until 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
Natural Base. Oil and
watercolor exhibition by
Claudia Ahlering. Until Nov
30, 1-7pm. Open Wed-Sun
1-7pm, closed Mon-Tue.
1-30-7 Sekiguchi, Bunkyoku. Edogawabashi. www.
hiromartgallery.com
Nakamuraya Salon
Museum of Art
Born Here, Yet to Be Born
Here. Showcasing the various
artists who have gathered at
the Nakamuraya Salon over the
years. Until Feb 15, 10:30am7pm, closed Tue, ¥300.
10:30am-7pm, closed Tue.
3-26-13 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku,
Tokyo. Shinjuku. www.
nakamuraya.co.jp/museum/
Tokyo Opera City Art
Gallery
Zaha Hadid. Iraqi-British
architect, and first female
recipient of the Pritzker
Architecture Prize in 2004.
Until 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.
http://operacity.jp
Toke. www.hoki-museum.jp
Miraikan
Shake! Art Exhibition. Digital
art produced by TeamLab,
an "ultra technologist"
organization that merges
science, technology, art and
design, with an interactive
Future Park. Nov 29-Mar
1, 10am-5pm, closed Tue,
¥900-1,800. 2-3-6, Aomi,
Koto-ku. Telecom Center.
Tel: 03-3570-9151. www.
miraikan.jst.go.jp/en
¥4,000-7,000. Korakuen Hall.
Suidobashi. Tel: 03-58009999. www.all-japan.co.jp
Asuka Project
Nov 27, 6:30pm (opens at
5:30pm), ¥2,000-5,000.
Korakuen Hall. Suidobashi.
Tel: 03-5800-9999.
New Japan Pro Wrestling
Jan 4, 4pm (doors open at
2:30pm), ¥3,500-20,500.
Tokyo Dome. Suidobashi.
Tel: 03-5800-9999. http://
meturl.com/prowresspirit
The Container
UENO
Change Room. Canadian
artist Robert Waters’
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
Edo-Tokyo Museum
Tokyo Fuji Art 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 9:30am7:30pm, closed Mon & hols.
1-4-1 Yokoami. Ryogoku.
Tel: 03-3626-9974. www.
edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp
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:
042-691-4511. www.fujibi.
or.jp/en
Big Japan
Nov 22, 7pm, ¥3,150-6,300.
Korakuen Hall. Suidobashi.
Tel: 03-5800-9999.
DDT
●●Nov 30, 12pm (opens
at 11am), ¥3,000-5,000.
Korakuen Hall. Suidobashi.
Tel: 03-5800-9999.
●●“Boyz.” Dec 10, 7pm
(opens at 6pm), ¥3,000.
Shinjuku Face. Shinjuku.
Tel: 03-3419-0536.
SOCCER
JEF United Chiba vs.
Toyama
Nov 15, 4pm, ¥550-5,200.
Fukuda Arena. Soga.
Tel: 043-208-5577.
www.j-league.or.jp/eng
Tokyo Gallery + BTAP
The National Museum of
Western Art
Ferdinand Hodler: Towards
Rhythmic Images. Paintings by
one of the best-known Swiss
artists of the 19th century.
Until Jan 12, ¥800-1,600.
Open daily 9:30am-5:30pm.
7-7 Ueno Park. Ueno. www.
nmwa.go.jp
Tokyo Metropolitan Art
Museum
The Renaissance Golden Age:
From Botticelli to Bronzino.
About 70 works by the great
Renaissance masters, courtesy
of the famed Uffizi Gallery
in Florence. Until 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.
Until Dec 14, 9:30am-5:30pm,
closed Mon, ¥800-1,600. 8-36
Ueno Park. Ueno. www.
tobikan.jp
Tokyo National Museum
National Treasures of Japan.
Artifacts gathered across
various genres and periods.
Until Dec 7, ¥900-1,600. Open
Tue-Sun 9:30am-5pm. 13-9
Ueno Park. Ueno. www.
tnm.jp
OTHER AREAS
Hakone Museum of
Photography
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
Hoki Museum
Hito Omoi, Hito Omou.
Paintings. 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.
Jin Sha Solo: Salute to Masters.
Featuring 15 works of Chinese
artist Jin Sha, from paintings
and prints to sculptures. Until
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
Yokohama Museum of Art
James McNeill Whistler. The
leading art figure of Japonism.
Dec 6-Mar 1, 10am-6pm,
closed Thu, ¥600-1,500.
Fri-Wed 10am-6pm. 3-4-1
Minatomirai, Nishi-ku.
Minato Mirai. www.yaf.
or.jp/yma
Sports
Tokyo-V vs. Gunma
Nov 15, 1pm, ¥600-14,500.
Ajinomoto Stadium.
Tobitakyu. Tel: 04-24400555. www.j-league.or.jp/
eng
J. League, Division 1
●●F-Tokyo vs. Niigata. Nov
22, 5pm, ¥600-6,200.
Ajinomoto Stadium.
Tobitakyu. Tel:
www.j-league.or.jp/eng.
●●Kawasaki-F vs. Hiroshima.
Nov 29, 2pm, ¥800-2,300.
Todoroki Arena. MusashiNakahara. www.j-league.
or.jp/eng
●●F-Tokyo vs. Yokohama F-M.
Dec 6, 3:30pm, ¥600-6,200.
Ajinomoto Stadium.
Tobitakyu. www.j-league.
or.jp/eng
BASKETBALL
Festivals
Basketball Japan League
Kuroshio Yosakoi Matsuri
●●Yokohama B-Corsairs
vs. Rizing Fukuoka. Nov 15,
6pm (doors open at 4pm),
¥1,000-9,500. Sky Arena.
Sobudai-Mae. http://bcorsairs.com
●●Yokohama B-Corsairs vs.
Bambitious Nara. Nov 29-30,
6pm (doors open at 4pm),
¥1,000-9,500. Hiratsuka
Gymnasium. Hiratsuka.
http://b-corsairs.com
●●Yokohama B-Corsairs vs.
Gunma CraneThunders. Dec
6-7, 6pm (doors open at 4pm),
¥1,000-9,500. Sky Arena.
Sobudai-Mae. http://bcorsairs.com
●●Yokohama B-Corsairs vs.
Oita Heat Devils. Dec 27-28,
6pm (doors open at 4pm),
¥1,000-9,500. Hiratsuka
Gymnasium. Hiratsuka.
http://b-corsairs.com
Participate in mochi making,
a cabbage eating contest and
more. Nov 30, 10am-6:30pm,
free. Choshi City Hall.
Choshi. Tel: 047-925-5889.
www.kuroyosa.com
FIGURE SKATING
Stars on Ice Japan Tour
2015
The world’s best skaters
performing solo and group
skates. Jan 17-18, 1pm (doors
open at 12pm), ¥7,000-28,000.
Yoyogi National Gymnasium.
Meiji-Jingumae. www.
starsonice.ca
PRO WRESTLING
All-Japan Pro Wrestling
Nov 16, 12pm (opens at 11am),
Swedish Christmas Bazaar
Swedish food, drinks,
handicrafts and folk
music. Nov 30, midnight,
¥500. Swedish Embassy.
Roppongi-Itchome. Tel:
03-5562-5050. http://meturl.
com/swedishchristmas
Hagoita-ichi
Vendors sell wooden paddles
to “bounce back evil.” Until
Dec 19, Sensoji. Asakusa.
Tel: 03-3842-0181. http://
meturl.com/sensojihago
Forums &
Expos
Organic Expo 2014
Discover new and innovative
products in the area of food,
natural cosmetics, natural
textiles and natural products
at the only organic trade
show in Japan. Nov 20 &
22, 10am-5:30pm; Nov 21,
10am-5pm, ¥1,000 (free with
online registration). Tokyo
Big Sight. Kokusai-tenjijoseimon. Tel: 03-3512-5675.
http://organic-expo.jp/en
25
Community
Grief Support Group
Hosted by TELL every Wed.
For more information,
contact [email protected].
Oct 8-Dec 10, 7-8:30pm,
free. Wesley Center.
Omotesando. http://meturl.
com/griefsupport2014
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
Party and Purpose
A casual get-together over
dinner with people interested
in personal development,
organized by Tokyo Positive
Thinkers. Every third
Wed, 8pm, about ¥2,000,
TGI Friday’s Ikebukuro.
Ikebukuro. Tel: 090-44406391. http://meturl.com/
positivethinkerstokyo
Stitch-n-Bitch
Meet fellow knitters,
crocheters and sewers to talk,
share ideas, eat, drink and
create. Every first and third
Tue, 7pm, free, Cafe Respekt.
Shibuya. www.meetup.
com/TokyoStitchandBitch
Half-Fast Cyclists
Bicyclists of all treads meet
for slide shows, lectures,
ride-planning and more. Every
second Wed, 7pm, free, The
Pink Cow. Roppongi. Tel:
03-6434-5773. cowmail@
thepinkcow.com
Tokyo Street Hockey
Association
Now You Can Recharge
in Roppongi 24/7/365
Casual street hockey group
with regular meet-ups.
Every first, second and third
Fri, Various venues. Check
website calendar for details.
www.tokyohockey.com
Hotel
¥9,720 (¥8,100IBIS
for men).
Tel: 03-3796-2411
relaxtokyo.com
Metropolis Promo
60 & 120min courses now ¥1,000 off
30min course ¥500 off
Mos
Burger
Almond
Soba shop
Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art
School
Takoyaki shop
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
Police box
Roppongi-dori
COURSES
Body care
30 min: ¥3,150
60 min: ¥6,300
(Early bird 6am-2pm ¥5,250)
120 min: ¥12,600
Learn the basics of writing
overseas resumes. Nov 20,
7-8:50pm, free. Shinmei Iki-Iki
Plaza. Hamamatsucho. Tel:
03-3436-2500. http://machigai.
com/seminar
of Tokyo’s most well known
flower forums. Decoration
flowers, bonsai and more. Until
Nov 23, all day, free. Hibiya
Park. Hibiya. Tel: 03-35016428. http://meturl.com/
tokchrys1
Pixiv Matsuri
Illustration Workshop with
Romain Hugault
Drawing or illustration
experience required.
Nov 27, 10:45am, ¥2,500
(general)/¥2,000 (member).
The French Institute of
Yokohama. Kannai. http://
meturl.com/hugaultworkshop
A celebration of illustrators and
illustrations with live music,
a cosplay contest and more.
Oct 31-Nov 24, 10am-11pm,
¥500-1,200 (adv)/ ¥500-1,500
(door). Tokyo City View. Tel:
0570-000-777. http://matsuri.
pixiv.net
Art Rink
TCS Improv Workshop
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 Wed, 7-9pm, Our
Space Studio. Hatagaya.
Tel: 03-5770-7401. www.
tokyocomedy.com
Nihonga Class
Regular classes and one-day
workshops on basic Japanesestyle painting techniques.
All classes in English and
Japanese. Weekdays 6pm,
Sat 11am & 3pm. Email for
details on flexible class times,
4B Maruoka Bldg, 5-49-7
Jingumae. Meiji-Jingumae.
www.mariatanikawa.com
Other Events
Tokyo Sweets Collection
Enjoy sweets made by
Japan’s top pâtissiers with
live entertainment including
a Sweets Fashion Show. Nov
15, 1:30 & 6:30pm, ¥6,800.
Club Ex. Shinagawa.
Tel: 0570-550-799. www.
tokyosweetscollection.com
Light Up the Life of a
Refugee Child Concert
A concert by children to
highlight the plight of
refugee children around the
world with music, singing,
dancing, hand bells and a
brass orchestra. Nov 18,
6:30pm, ¥4,000 (minimum
donation). Suntory Hall Blue
Rose. Roppongi-itchome.
Tel: 03-5500-3093. http://
refugeesinternationaljapan.org
Ice skate while enjoying art.
Until Feb 22, Sunset until
10pm, ¥500; skate rentals
¥500. Yokohama Red Brick
Warehouse. Minatomirai.
Ballet Gents Christmas
Dinner Show
Enjoy a nice dinner and a
performance by the K Ballet
Company’s top dancers. Dec
15, 6:30pm, ¥25,000-30,000.
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo.
Mejiro or Edogawabashi. Tel:
03-3943-3908. http://meturl.
com/gentschristmas
Tokyo Skytreetown Dream
Christmas
Christmas market and
illuminations. Nov 4-Dec 25,
11am-10pm. Tokyo Skytree.
Oshiage or Tokyo Skytree.
http://dreamchristmas2014.jp
Midtown Christmas 2014
Illuminations, Marché de Noël
and other Christmas events.
Until Dec 25, 11am-9pm;
Dec 17-25 until 10pm. Tokyo
Midtown. Roppongi. Tel:
03-3475-3100. http://meturl.
com/midtownxmas2014
Baccarat Eternal Lights
Ebisu Garden Place Christmas
illuminations. Nov 8-Jan
12, Ebisu Garden Place.
Ebisu. http://meturl.com/
baccarateternal
Department-H
Underground party hosted
by drag queens. Every first
Sat 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. http://
department-h.com
Beaujolais Nouveau Party
Sunday Spin
Hula-hoop it up in Yoyogi;
no need to bring your own.
Drop in or out at any time.
Every fourth Sun, Yoyogi Park.
Harajuku. Tel: 03-34696081. http://meturl.com/
hoopinginjapan
Oil massage
(daytime only)
60 min: ¥8,400
120 min: ¥16,800
Learning
Build a
Smarter Body
Build a flexible and healthy physique
and enjoy eating, work, hobbies
and sports more than ever before.
PERSONAL TRAINING STUDIO
4F Laguetto Aoyama, 3-14-2
Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
03-6440-0505
bodydirector.com
26
Learn to Write Your Resume
in English
Chocolate and Wine Pairing
Party
Nov 15, 6-8:30pm, ¥3,980 + tax
(adv). Sakura Hall. http://meturl.
com/otherwine
French Cheese Seminar
French lecture on four cheeses
to pair with French cider.
Nov 15, 10:30am, ¥3,500
(general)/¥3,000 (member).
The French Institute of
Yokohama. Kannai. http://
meturl.com/cheesecider
Multicultural Cafe 2014:
Let’s Make Fillings of
Monaka
Making wagashi, Japanese
sweets, while exchanging
culture. Nov 19-Jan 31, Six
times between Nov and Jan,
various times, ¥1,000 (one
time). Shinjuku Bunka Center.
Higashi-Shinjuku. Tel:
03-3350-1141. http://meturl.
com/multicultural2014
Be among the first to sip this
year’s Beaujolais Nouveau.
Nov 20, 12:30 & 6pm, free
entry, but charge for drinks.
The French Institute of
Yokohama. Kannai. http://
meturl.com/beaujolais2014
19th Annual
Connoisseurs’s Auction
Highlights of the evening
include an exclusive French
wine tasting, live and silent
auctions of connoisseur
items, an autumn feast,
entertainment and raffles for
fabulous prizes. Registration
required. Nov 21, 5:30pm,
¥20,000. Embassy of France in
Tokyo. Hiroo. Tel: 03-45501191. http://tellauction.com/
Tokyo Filmex 2014
A film festival known for
presenting cutting-edge,
attention-grabbing films.
The 2014 program includes
Journey to the West, Next to
Her and others. Nov 22-30,
various times, ¥1,300-1,800.
Yurakucho Asahi Hall.
Yurakucho. Tel: 03-32840131. http://filmex.net/2014/
en/
Tokyo Metropolitan
Tourism Chrysanthemum
Exhibition
100th anniversary of one
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.
Japan Idol Festival
With Links, Chu-Z, Ultra Girl and
more. Jan 25, 3pm, ¥4,500.
Shinjuku Blaze. Shinjuku.
Tel: 0570-550-799. www.
kyodotokyo.com/JIF
Nitro Circus Live
A wild, action-fuelled stunt
show using motorcycles,
bicycles, skateboards and
more. Mar 7, 5pm; Mar 8, 2pm,
¥7,000-15,000. Tokyo Dome.
Suidobashi. Tel: 0570-550799. http://nitrocircus.jp/
MORE LISTINGS
ONLINE → METURL.
COM/LISTINGS
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.
to Yotsuya/Shinjuku by bicycle
¥100,000-. Tel/fax: 03-33417875 [email protected]
w w w.itto -jinnai.com/green/
greencorp.html
English and Japanese. JF, 40, seeking
a language exchange partner or English
conversation partner to improve my
English for work. I would like to help
your Japanese (casual or formal). We
can meet up around Narita. Serious only.
[email protected]
FRI, NOV 28 ISSUE
Deadline: Nov 19, 3pm
FRI, DEC 12 ISSUE
Deadline: Dec 4, 3pm
1 AT YOUR SERVICE
1.1 HEALTH
I N N E R
BALANCE.
Tr a d i t i o n a l
oriental
treatment of
acupuncture
a
n
d
moxibustion.
Also body
massage
a n d r e f l e xo l o g y. M o b i l e
ser v ice to your home or
of f ice. Email Takahito at
[email protected]
or see http://tmasuda.wix.
com/inner-balance.
COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH
COVE R AG E FOR E XPATS,
D I PLO M AT S , TE AC H E R S .
Inpatient and outpatient
care, emergencies, surgery,
meds, checkups, dental, lab
tests, MRI and more. Thirtyday money-back guarantee.
Quick, easy application;
convenient payment
options. Enroll today!
info@e ar thhe althcare.jp
w w w.ear thhealthcare.jp
078-351-7300
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
STRESS REDUCTION. Stressed?
Seeking relief? Develop coping
skills in the eight-week Stress
Reduction and Wellness
Program. Begins Jan 18, ‘15.
Learn mindfulness meditation,
deep breathing and more. Free
orientation sessions Dec 14 and
Jan 11. tokyostressreduction@
gmail.com tokyostressreduction.
org 080-3662-7844
THINKING ABOUT ADVERTISING
WITH METROPOLIS? Platinum
¥32,400. Gold ¥27,000. Silver
¥21,600. Prices include one
photo. Bronze ¥2000 (photo
+ ¥ 20 0 0). P r i ce s a r e f o r 4 0
wo r d s , o n e p rin t i s s u e, t wo
weeks online. For details,
v i s i t t h e To k y o C l a s s i f i e d s
blog—http://metropolis.co.jp/
classifiedblog—or email us at
commercial@metropolisjapan.
com.
CREATIVE SOLUTIONS. Specialists
in branding, web design, photo/
video production. Drawing A Crowd:
a new approach in design. Get in
touch. [email protected]
1.8 GENERAL SERVICES
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
1.7 BUSINESS SERVICES
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
S E RV I C E D A PA R TM E NT S
in a quiet residential area
of Hiroo. Studios and
suites. 4 min from Hiroo
stn. Rates: Daily ¥ 7800.
Weekly ¥6850 -/day.
Monthly ¥5700-/day. Over
three months ¥5130-/day.
Ta x , u t i l i t i e s i n c l u d e d .
frontdesk@azabucourt.
com w w w.azabucour t .
com/ 03-3446 -8610
VISA COUNSELING:
female immigration lawyer
handles your visa case.
Permanent residency,
naturalization, eligibility
(inviting your spouse/
children/workers from
your country), extension/
change of visa status.
Consultation ¥5000. OFFICE
LIFE (Miho Fujibayashi).
Te l : 0 9 0 - 8 3 3 0 - 0 6 70
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://officelife.
jp/en/
2 FIND A PLACE
2.1 GUESTHOUSE
CREA-UN UENO. Furnished
private rooms, w/digital locks,
near Asakusa, Ueno, Skytree.
S a f e a r e a , f e m a l e - o n l y,
rooftop garden w/nice view,
BBQ space, free bicycle. From
¥56,000/m. Utilities included.
No key money/guarantor.
[email protected]
http://www.sakura-ko-bo.com
03-6912-0692
0
TOKYO APARTMENTS. Your
one-stop housing solution
throughout Tokyo. Providing
s e r v ice d , fu rni s h e d a n d
unfurnished apartments,
for both long- and shortterm stays. Also providing
relocation services,
furniture rental, property
m anagement and sales.
Please call 0120-957-520.
www.tokyoapartments.jp
2.5 PLACE WANTED
KANAMACHI GUEST HOUSE.
Brand-new furnished share
rooms, separate male and
female floors, all rooms
w/d i g i t a l l o c k s , a i r co n ,
fridge, 1min walk from
Kanamachi stn, Chiyoda
line ¥40,000/m. room@
airay-apartment.net
03-5876-4575 www.airayapartment.net/
2.2 RENT UNDER ¥200,000
I M M I G R AT I O N L A W Y E R AT
N I P PA S H I O F F I C E s u p p o r t s
visa and naturalization
applications, company
establishment and branch
off ice installation, including
commercial regis tration, as
well as inheritance procedures
in Jap an. Fre e co n sul t at io n
available in English, Español
and Japanese. Tel: 03-6264 8446 [email protected] http://
nippashi.com
English and Japanese. Japanese male
seeking language exchange friends who
can meet at a cafe around Shinjuku.
Native English speaker with teaching
experience preferred. I have good skill
and certification for teaching Japanese
to speakers of other languages. inoue.
[email protected]
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
English and Japanese. JF, 40s,
seriously seeks language exchange
partner or English conversation partner
to brush up her E. Can anyone help me?
Of course, I would be happy to help
your Japanese if you like. Serious only,
please. [email protected]
English and Japanese. I’m a Japanese
guy, 40, E/J language exchange expert
with eight years’ experience. I live in
central Tokyo. I need a native English
speaker’s help to make my English more
natural. [email protected]
English and Japanese. Group language
exchange every Wed, 7:30-9:30pm,
at coffee shops around Ginza. Most
members are 20s and 30s. We switch
languages every 30min. Fun events on
weekends. Free to join. ando.andy@
gmail.com
2.3 RENT OVER ¥200,000
LAW OFFICE IN KAWASAKI
(nex t to Tokyo), member
o f t h e Yo k o h a m a B a r
Association. Legal
service in English for
traffic accidents, divorce,
inheritance, bankruptcy,
business cases (contracts,
establishing a company,
trademarks, etc.) and other
legal problems.Email:
web@smk w.biz w w w.
sumikawa.net/
English and Japanese. Japanese
female, 40s, seeks an English exchange
partner. Weekdays during the day near
Kawasaki stn. tome.haruka-soushi@
ezweb.ne.jp
English and Japanese. Native English
speaker is sought by Japanse male in
Kokubunji. Weekday evenings or anytime
on weekends. I would like to talk with you
at a cafe or via Skype. Serious but fun.
[email protected]
1.2 HAIR & BEAUTY
MEN’S BARBERSHOP IN
ROPPONGI WELCOMES
FOREIGNERS. Englishspeaking assistant will get
your haircu t right . H aircu t s
¥ 4 8 0 0. W i t h s h a v e ¥ 5 8 0 0.
Kids’ haircuts ¥4000¥ 4 4 0 0. F i r s t- t i m e d i s co u n t
¥ 1 0 0 0 . h t t p : //o a z o . b i z / t o p
0 3 - 5 5 4 5 - 7 7 9 7 o a z o7 7 9 7 @
yahoo.co.jp
English and Japanese. Japanese
female, early 20s, seeking a language
exchange. Nihonbashi area after work
preferred, but open to weekends, too.
[email protected]
Apartment required in Chiba. Hello, I
am starting a new job in the Kobukecho
area of Chiba on Jan 1, and I am
seeking an apartment. Thanks. japan@
roughsmoke.com
3 EDUCATION
3.5 LANGUAGE EXCHANGE
Danish, German, Japanese. Hej and ‘N
Tag! JF, 30s, seeks Danes and Germans
to help her with languages in Tokyo/
Kanagawa through fun conversations
over cups of coffee or just hanging out.
Please be nonsmokers, late 20s-30s.
[email protected]
English and Japanese. Hi there, I’m
seeking language exchange partners
around central Tokyo on weekends. I can
speak reasonable English, but recently,
I have little opportunity to speak it. I’m a
Japanese female, 40s. Serious only—but
should be fun! [email protected]
English and Japanese. I love joking in E
and playing with words. I want to be able
to do the same in J. So far, my Japanese
is as funny as day-old ramen. You must be
open-minded! [email protected]
French and Japanese. Fr and J daily
exchange in Otemachi. winds_fr@
hotmail.com
French, English, Japanese. Frenchman
seeking a language exchange partner to
improve his Japanese. I can teach you
Fr or E in return. Beginners/advanced
welcome. Let’s enjoy sharing our cultures
and interests. [email protected]
French, English, Japanese. Hello! I’m
a native Russian speaker, 23, working
as an E/Fr teacher, seeking a Japanese
speaker to help me improve my Japanese.
I’m a beginner. Not far from Ichikawa-shi,
Chiba. [email protected]
German and Japanese. JF seeks Ger/J
language exchange partner. Seit Sechs
Monaten lerne ich Deutsch aber ich
spreche Englisch. F/M ok. If interested,
drop me a line. gardenstate2005@
hotmail.com
Italian and Japanese. Would like to
learn basic It from a native speaker
who wants to practice J. Possibly near
Shibuya on weekday evenings after 7pm.
[email protected]
Italian and Japanese. Seeking a
casual friend to study J. I can teach
you It. I’m 43, in Shibuya, can teach
you at your place early mornings until
10:30am. Let’s meet to get to know each
other. [email protected] 145
090-6486-9050
Italian and Japanese. JM, 40s,
interested in Italian cars, art, culture and
food, is seeking a language exchange
mate in Tokyo. I work on weekdays, so
weekends/holidays are convenient for
me. [email protected]
Korean and Japanese. Japanese male,
41, seeks a native Korean speaker for
Kor/J exchange. I like music, reading,
cooking. I hope we can learn from each
other and have some fun. astralsky@
excite.co.jp
Mandarin and English. Chinese female,
well-educated, friendly, seeking a
native English speaker available to
meet after 7pm on weekdays around
Shinjuku stn. Serious study only.
[email protected]
Russian, English, Japanese. Hello,
I’m a native Russian speaker. I arrived
in Tokyo to study Japanese at a
language school, but I want to improve
my Japanese more. If you’re learning
Russian, I can help you, too. segasf@
rambler.ru
Spanish and Japanese. Native Spanish
speaker (Latin American preferred)
sought for language exchange. Meet in
Tokyo area once/week. Serious learners
only, please. [email protected]
3.6 LEARNING: GENERAL
IKEBANA (JAPANESE
TRADITIONAL FLORAL
ARRANGEMENT) is a powerful
means of self-expression. Trial
lesson, including all materials
¥4000. No Japanese necessary.
Certification, diploma can
be earned. Three classroom
locations in Tok yo. Website:
www.atelier-soka.com/english/
index.html Email: [email protected]
3.9 TEACH ME!
Chat in Japanese with coffee. I'm a
scientific researcher seeking people to
practice Japanese in Machida or SagamiOno. Can pay ¥1000-¥1500/h + coffee. In
return, I can also teach you English for
free. [email protected]
Expert Python/C++ programmer (local).
Can pay ¥1000/h, plus coffee. Must be
fluent in English or Japanese. Master’s or
PhD student (engineering) is ideal. Must
be able to meet in Tokyo. yatri_in_town@
yahoo.co.jp
Help me, please. British man, my
Japanese is awful. I can’t speak and
it’s making me unhappy. I want a strict
Japanese teacher. I don’t want a language
exchange. Two hours/week. Can pay
about ¥1000/h. helpmyjapanese@
outlook.com
Hjaelpe mig med dansk! Leder efter
dansker i Tokyo eller Kanagawa. Jeg
taler lidt dansk og vil gerne laere mere!
Jeg kan hjaelpe dig med japansk. JF, 30s,
ikke-ryger. [email protected]
Ikebana lesson (sogatsu). Would
like private ikebana instruction at my
hotel Dec 4-9 in Ebisu. Must be qualified
instructor with knowledge of sogetsu
( 草月). Broken English ability is ok.
[email protected]
PhD s tudent in engineering?
Tokyo only. Majoring in wireless/
communication or related area? Help
me with simulation. Must be able to
use Matlab/Simulink and know how to
validate hypothesis with simulation
like Monte Carlo, etc. Will pay ¥2000/h.
[email protected]
Reasonable English lessons. Japanese
male, 30, seeks native English teacher
who could teach me on weekends along
the Odakyu line. Please introduce
yourself. [email protected]
Teach me martial arts or yoga. I’m a
Japanese man in Tokyo. Please teach
me for free. Hope to hear from you soon.
[email protected]
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
4 HOUSEHOLD GOODS
4.1 FURNITURE & FITTINGS
Bed, air, full-sized double (approximately
H60cm), built-in air pump, w/remote,
inflates in 3min ¥4500/obo. tripeler@
yahoo.com 080-6581-4724
Hutch, w/shelves, drawers, glass-door
cabinet (W170xD45xH73cm), light tan
wood, attractive ¥4500/obo. tripeler@
yahoo.com
27
Sofabed, deep blue (L178xW90xH30cm)
¥4500/obo. [email protected]
4.2 APPLIANCES
Air purifier, Venta LW, size 24, Germanmade ¥12,000. Pick up Shinjuku.
[email protected]
Deep fryer, Tefal, home-use, new in box,
safety features ¥3000/obo. tripeler@
yahoo.com
Fridge, National nr-b17 1j-r
(480x584x1293mm) ¥7000. Pick up near
Nezu stn, Chiyoda line. msa.japan@
hotmail.com
Fridge, Mitsubishi MR-E45P, 445L, warm
stainless, clean, five y/o, ice maker,
eco, French doors, fits narrow, from Bic
Camera. New ¥156,800. Sell ¥65,000.
[email protected]
Fridge/freezer, Sanyo SR-B18J, 175L
(fridge 123L, on top; freezer 52L, in three
drawers), silver, ‘05, good for one-two
people, in excellent condition ¥10,000.
View Shinjuku. Can arrange delivery
for extra cost. metropolisclassified@
jungletelegraph.net
Fridge/warmer, Twinbird HR-4707,
micro-sized, holds six regular cans,
rounded retro look, new in box ¥2000.
[email protected]
Futon dryer (布団乾燥機), Sanyo,
still in box ¥3000. Pick up Shinjuku.
[email protected]
Humidifier, Fujitsu AH-56D ¥3000. Pick
up Shinjuku-ku. [email protected]
Juicer, Sharp Juicepresso EJ-CP10A,
less than two y/o, w/five year warranty.
New ¥29,380. Sell ¥18,500. Pick up near
Mejiro stn, Zoshigaya stn, Fukutoshin
line, or Gakuinshita, Arakawa, by early
Dec. [email protected]
Trouser press, Toshiba, stand-up, as
new ¥3000. Pick up Shinjuku. likeme4u@
hotmail.com
4.3 SAYONARA SALE
Sayonara sale! European-style sofa
set, w/two sofas and four cushions. New
¥320,000. Sell ¥80,000. End tables
¥2000/each. PC desk, oak ¥4000.
Kotatsu, w/heater ¥4500/obo. And more.
[email protected]
Sayonara sale! Bialetti coffee/espresso
machine, w/steamer, less than one y/o
¥9000/obo. European-style sofa set,
w/two sofas and four cushions, nine
m/o. New ¥320,000. Sell ¥80,000/
obo. Black leather sofa, tables, etc.
[email protected]
Sayonara sale! Kerosene heater,
12-tatami, two y/o; two small electric
heaters; Hitachi vacuum; pots and bowls
¥10,000. [email protected]
Sayonara sale! Kids' beds ¥10,000.
Front-loading washer/dryer ¥40,000.
K itchen cupb o ard, dining s et ,
miscellaneous items. Pick up TX line
before Dec 15. [email protected]
Sayonara sale! Aquos TV, 31", w/table
¥35,000. National washer/dryer ¥8000.
Haier and LG fridges ¥5000. Folding bed,
w/mattress ¥1000. Square table, w/two
chairs ¥2000. Lamp, w/remote ¥13,000.
And more. [email protected]
Sayonara sale! Receptacle, new
¥1500. Tableware, new ¥400. Pick up or
chakubarai. Photos available. housetsu@
gmail.com
4.6 FOR KIDS
Bed, Ikea, adjustable size, hardly
used, in very good condition ¥3000.
Pick up Yoyogi. [email protected]
090-9305-2680
Car seat, Stokke iZi Go X1 by BeSafe,
w/ISOFIX, bought ‘12. New ¥60,000.
Sell ¥25,000. Details available. svend.
[email protected]
Crib, Ikea Sundvik. New ¥13,000.
Sell ¥2000. Pick up near Suidobashi.
[email protected]
Various items. Clothing, books, toys,
room drawers, bedsheets for newborns,
pregnant women and 4-year-old. Pick up
Mejiro stn, Zoshigaya stn or Gakuinshita
by early Dec. Details available.
[email protected]
09088571974
28
Windbreaker, Puma, size 130cm, black,
in good condition ¥1000. Pick up or
chakubarai. Photo available. housetsu@
gmail.com
4.7 FOR FREE
Analog TV 14", w/remote. Pick up Tokyo
area. Photo available. acapulco58@
hotmail.com
Clothes, for baby: white jacket, size
50-80cm ¥300. Pink jacket ¥500. Baby
clothes. Pick up or chakubarai. Photos
available. [email protected]
5 HOBBIES&INTERESTS
5.1 CAMERAS
Digital camera, Canon PowerShot S2 IS
¥10,000. Pick up only. Photo available.
[email protected]
5.2 SPORTS EQUIPMENT
Exercise bike, Life Fitness 95Ri. New
¥350,000. Sell ¥150,000. Firm. Try
before you buy. raymondspencer@
hotmail.com 080-4736-2647
Golf bag, tote, Le Coq Sportif Golf, w/
shoe pocket, as new ¥2000. Pick up
Shinjuku-ku. [email protected]
5.4 BOOKS/CD/DVD
Japanese learning materials. Pimsleur
Japanese I, II, and III, in original package, as
new, each set contains 16 CDs, booklet, guide
¥24,000/all. [email protected]
5.5 GAMING
PlayStation 3, Japanese version,
60GB, games use Blu-ray discs as media
format, powerful cell processor, dynamic
RSX graphics chip, backward compatible
to original Sony PlayStation ¥25,000.
Photo available. [email protected]
090-6013-1396
5.6 COLLECTORS
Beer glasses, from various Japanese
microbreweries, new, collection of 12 ¥5000/
all. ¥500/each. Krombacher Pils glass boot,
1.5L ¥2500/obo. [email protected]
Sewing box, antique, traditional Japanese
pawlonia wood, w/secret drawer, in
good condition ¥6000. Firm. Pick up
only Omotesando. Photos available.
[email protected]
6 VEHICLES
6.1 CARS, PARTS, & ACCESSORIES
Roof rack, Thule, basic (two bars), w/
locks, no attachments, for cars without
rain gutters on roof ¥4500/obo. tripeler@
yahoo.com
6.3 BICYCLES, PARTS, & ACCESSORIES
Mamachari, no gears, in good condition
¥4500. Can deliver to up to two stations
from Shibuya. [email protected]
Road bike, small, 26" tubular tires, for
small rider 145-165cm, 12-speed, barend shifters, needs new paint job. New
¥110,000. Sell ¥10,000. tripeler@yahoo.
com 080-6581-4724
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]
Flip-flops, Olukai brand, XL, made in
Hawaii, never worn. New ¥6000+. Sell
¥3000. Pick up Shinjuku. likeme4u@
hotmail.com
Hair dye, red, from the UK, expires May ‘15
¥500/bottle. Pick up Nakano. madamixx@
yahoo.co.jp
Raincoat, Cecilene, size M, ivory ¥600.
Pick up or chakubarai. Photo available.
[email protected]
Ties, Versace, two, in original gift box
¥3000/each. ¥5000/both. Pick up Shinjuku.
[email protected]
7.3 MISCELLANEOUS
Christmas tree, multi-colored, fiber
optic (120x55cm), in excellent condition,
w/AC adapter, extra lamp, ornaments,
decorative lamp chains (two 32-bulb,
one 100-bulb chain boxes) ¥9000.
[email protected]
File folders, size B1, three available
¥750/all. Pick up or chakubarai. Photo
available. [email protected]
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]
8 COMPUTERS
8.2 HARDWARE
Laptop, Latitude E6400, 250GB HD,
8GB RAM, Win 7 Pro, w/Japanese backlit
keyboard, DVD-R/W ¥20,000. nrad_bob@
hotmail.com
Laptops: Sony Vaio VGN-C71B/ W,
1.66GHz, 2GB RAM, 120GB HD, Win 7, loose
graphics card; Lesance, 1.50GHz CPU, 2GB
RAM, 20GB HD, Win 8, power cord (jiggle
to recharge). [email protected]
7.1 PHONES
iPhone 5 16GB, SoftBank, white, in
great condition, screen always used with
protector, w/all accessories ¥27,000.
[email protected]
7.2 FASHION
Clothes, men’s: brown coat ¥1000. LL
Bean long-sleeved shirt, size L, gray
¥300. Pick up or chakubarai. Photos
available. [email protected]
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]
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.
[email protected] www.
peersupporttokyo.com
Infertility support group. TTC Tokyo
is an infertility support group that
provides informal opportunities for
women and men experiencing infertility
to connect with one another. Please visit
website for more info. admin@ttctokyo.
org www.ttctokyo.org
11.1 PERSONAL MESSAGES
10.1 HELP ME
Atheist show needs hosts. We promote
positive atheism, knowledge, common
sense, skepticism and so forth. Similar to
Atheist Experience on YouTube. assassin.
[email protected]
Climate expert needed to talk about
the human impact on the environment.
[email protected]
Need to locate vendor/business. I need
to source a business that can supply custom
graphics/vinyls, and the same/another one
that can supply custom T-shirts. East Tokyo
or Chiba. Any ideas? japan@roughsmoke.
com
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. http://
classifieds.metropolis.co.jp.
12 SOCIAL SCENE
12.1 LET’S PARTY
Sponsorship. Ten years’ experience in cafe/
bar work, including working at international
hotels. I’d like to open a cafe/bar, but need
sponsorship. Individuals and companies are
welcome. Please, if interested, let us come
to an agreement. samueladonkor@gmail.
com 090-6152-6274
10.2 SUPPORT
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:
03-4550-1146. TELL website: www.
telljp.com. Follow us on Facebook
and Twitter @TokyoLifeLine.
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
in a friendly atmosphere.
E ve n t s i n To k yo (G i nz a ,
Azabu, Roppongi) and
Osaka. ¥1500- ¥2000.
http://english.gaitomo.com/
[email protected]
SUBSCRIBE TO METROPOLIS
AND NEVER MISS AN ISSUE.
One year (24 issues) ¥3600
(corporate subscribers, 7-100
copies ok ¥22,560). Half year
(12 issues) ¥1800 (corporate
subscribers, 7-100 copies ok
¥12,000). Bank transfer or
credit card (Visa, Mastercard,
D in e r s Club). D e t ail s at
http://metropolisjapan.com/
subscription.
I N T E R N AT I O N A L PA R T Y AT
LEAFCUP. Come join us and have
fun. Men: ¥3000. Foreigners/
women: ¥2000. All-you-candrink-and-eat. Iidabashi and
Yokohama: Nov 15 and Dec 6.
Shibuya: Nov 22 and Dec 13.
www.leafparty.com
13 CLUBS & INTERESTS
13.1 SPORTS
J A PA N I N T E R N AT I O N A L
PA R T Y— N E W L O C AT I O N
SPECIAL. Sat, Nov 22,
6:30-9pm, Bar Quest
(Roppongi). Japan’s biggest
international par t y. 250
people expected. All-youcan-drink and free snacks.
Japanese men: ¥ 4000.
Others: ¥3000. Mobile: http://
getyourfriend.com/mobile/
[email protected] http://
w w w.get your frien d.com /
090-1735-5405
J O I N TH E B I G G E S T,
B E S T, M O S T P O P U L A R
I N T E R N AT I O N A L PA R T Y !
Great people, drinks and
food! Meet new friends
and party with nice people
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]
Don’s Half-Fast Flash-Mob Weekend
Urban Bicycle Rides. halffastcycling@
hotmail.com
Futsal players wanted by a very friendly
international team. Practice is in Tokyo
and Kanagawa on Sat. Details available.
[email protected]
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]
New players sought, especially goal
keeper and strikers, for regular futsal,
11-a-side, socials. Any nationality
ok. [email protected] www.
kantoceltsfc.com
Quality football. Interested in playing
football at the weekend and training
midweek? Want to enjoy a few beers
after a good run out? If you consider
yourself a quality player, please drop
us a note. [email protected]
Samurai and ninjutsu martial arts.
Seeking people interested in training
in old-style Japanese fighting arts.
Effective and intelligent, but safe
training approach. rootarty@gmail.
com
11 MESSAGES
10 HELP!
Tandem, custom-made, racing type,
front rider 160-180cm, rear rider 150170cm, w/new saddles, two wheelsets,
carrying bags ¥200,000. tripeler@
yahoo.com 080-6581-4724
7 GENERAL
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/
AMERICAN FOOTBALL.
N ihon Unis ys Bulls , X league
Central Division, seeks fit players w/
US college football experience for
all positions. Practice every Sat/Sun
from 10am-3pm (including meeting)
in Tokyo/Saitama (time & venue
subject to change). Attendance
at practice must be over 60%.
Please contact for tryout info and
send your profile to team admin.
[email protected] http://
www.unisys.co.jp/football/
A L L - N AT I O N A L I T Y TO U C H
F O OT B A L L . N o n - c o n t a c t t a g
rugby (OZ tag) and Rugby League
players. We play every Sat from
10am in Tatsumi. M/F and beginners
welcome! Good exercise and fun!
Many other activities, such as
BBQs and drinking parties! Email
for details. tokyorugbyleague@
hotmail.com ht tp: //ameblo.jp/
tokyo13warriors
A M AT E U R R U G B Y L E A G U E
PLAYERS. Japan ANZACS Rugby
League team is seeking Rugby
League p layer s for Japanese
Rugby League of f icial games
from Apr to Sep. Everyone
welcome. Contact for more details.
[email protected]
FUN WITH TOUCH RUGBY! Join
us for social or competitive touch
rugby every Sat at 2:30pm by Ariake
stn, Yurikamome line. Any age, sex,
level ok. Please email for details.
[email protected] http://www.
funwithtouch.com/where-we-play/
PLAY RUGBY. The Tokyo Crusaders
are a friendly but keen international
rugby club. Devoted to the game and
its social side, the “Cru” welcomes
all players and supporters.
Established in 1990, the Cru plays in
the Shuto League 1st Division. http://
www.facebook.com/tokyo.crusaders
www.tokyocrusaders.com
TA M B O U R E L L I . U n i q u e n e w
sp or t from S cotland . Using a
tambourine-like instrument as a
racquet, players hit a shuttlecock.
We play two or three times/month
on weekends in Meguro with many
socials. Join us! More details: www.
tamjapan.org/en/ [email protected]
Table tennis in Minato-ku. Hi,
our international team is seeking
experienced players. You need to
be living or working in Minato-ku
and commit to play ten times/year
on Sundays (all day). No beginners,
please. [email protected]
Seeking Japanese archery
companions. Let’s do kyudo near Tokyo.
Once/month for three hours, weekends
only. You need to bring or buy your own
equipment (bow, arrow, globe). See
website for details. datemasamune216@
yahoo.co.jp http://jmty.jp/tokyo/
com-spo/article-qa3g?posted=true
Women’s football club. Five-aside, 11-a-side, on grass fields. Two
or three practices/matches on Sun.
All nationalities, experience levels,
beginner s welcome. Happy and
friendly club! We have many socials.
[email protected]
13.2 LEISURE
SKIING AND
BOARDING
IN HAKUBA.
Snow package:
Dec 19-Mar
31; departs
Ikebukuro
Fridays at
7:30pm (11:30pm arrival);
t wo night s, one dinner, t wo
breakfasts, round-trip private
bus, two-day ski pass, live music
party ¥26,900. 0261-75-5155
[email protected] http://
hakuba-hotel-accommodation.
com
MACARTHUR HEIGHTS.
Ta ke a b r e a k w h e r e G e n e r a l
Douglas MacArthur did! One
hour from Tokyo by car or direct
train. Beautiful cabins on the
ocean, w/onsen, beach, shopping.
[email protected]
Japanese home cooking. Japanese
housewife offers washoku home cooking
at her house near Kawasaki stn on
weekdays during the day. The lessons are
free; you just pay the cost of ingredients.
[email protected]
Tokyo ET contact group. Join us beneath
the stars as we endeavor to make contact
with ET visitors and their craft. Our next
ET contact event will be held in Chichibu,
Saitama Prefecture, on Nov 22/23.
[email protected] http://www.
meetup.com/Tokyo-ET-Contact-Group/
events/193113322/
develop intercultural competencies
and meet other interculturalists. yuko.
[email protected] www.
japanintercultural.org
Tokyo Snow Club. A ski/snowboard club
for anyone living in, or visiting Tokyo. We
go on big group trips every weekend in
the winter. Powder, live music events,
and parties in snow. Membership is free!
[email protected] http://www.
tokyosnowclub.com 050-5806-5616
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]
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
Bassist wanted. Danish female singer
seeking serious bassist. Rehearsals in
Ikebukuro, minimum three times/month.
We do covers and originals. Live gigs,
serious debut plans. Pop/rock. 日本語
大丈夫. [email protected] www.
soundcloud.com/liuwina 080-4374-2109
Blues rock band seeks bassist and
drummer. I've been playing in pubs/bars
in Tokyo. Seeking a bassist and drummer
who can play gigs once/twice a month.
I am an English-speaking Japanese.
Let's have fun after work. mr.ardun@
gmail.com
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 0903598-3072 for more information.
[email protected] ht tp:// w w w.
diamondway.jp/
Reiki events. This group is for people
who are interested in Reiki and
spirituality. For more details about
our upcoming events, please visit
our webpage. [email protected]
http://www.reikibyyuko.com/reikievents.htm
Tai chi in Yoyogi Park. Yoyogi Park is
open again. Come learn and practice
Guang Ping Yang Taiji Chuan with likeminded people. Early morning practice
is best. [email protected] www.gpytcjapan.
com 03-3487-3011
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. [email protected]
http://w w w.meetup.com/ TibetanBuddhist-Meditation-In-Tokyo-Japan/
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. [email protected] 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].
ne.jp www.wgthorpe.com
色ー度カフェ. ボランティアヒー
リング。任 意 の 助 け の た め の 私
に連絡してください。 winds_fr@
hotmail.com
13.6 RELIGIOUS
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]
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
14 PERSONALS
14.1 FRIENDS
Aerial partner. Anyone want to study
aerial silks or ring together as training
partners? We can exchange conditioning
techniques, work out together. Dance,
yoga, gymnastics, or ballet background
would be great to help me increase my
flexibility. [email protected]
American gentleman seeking friends.
I can speak Japanese, enjoy various
activities and dining out. I'm openedminded, 5'9", 175lbs, have dark blond
hair, blue eyes. [email protected]
Anyone from Denmark? JF, 30s, lived
in Denmark before, wants to learn more
of the language and culture. Is there
anybody who can meet somewhere
in Tokyo? Nonsmoker, late 20s-30s
preferred. Glaeder mig til at hoere fra dig
snart! [email protected]
Canadian dude seeks friendship.
I’m in Kinshicho seeking friends to help
with visa/living issues, friendship. M/F
ok. I will be going back to Canada in Dec
unless I can apply for a work visa. I’m
interested in world travel. nekobot14@
gmail.com
Coffee in Machida. Would anyone from
Western countries (especially northern
Europe) like to have a cup or two of coffee
together with an English-speaking JF,
30s, in/around the Machida area? Please
be nonsmokers, late 20s-30s. b2jw13@
hotmail.co.jp
Diving buddy. JF, around 40, is seeking a
scuba diving buddy. I've been into it since
I saw a big turtle at the Great Barrier Reef.
Just registered for my OWD license (very
beginner). Let's explore Izu, Fiji, Guam
together! [email protected]
Expand my horizons. JF hopes to
meet English speakers (including nonnative) who can share nice friendships.
I’d like to expand my horizons through
new points of view from foreign people.
Shall we have some tea? Nonsmokers,
under 35 preferred. polkadots.1466@
gmail.com
In Tokyo. JF, 34, seeks English speakers
who like to see streets and architecture
in Tokyo. If you're interested in friendship
with me, please contact me. Non-native
speakers also ok. Nonsmokers, punctual
people preferred. shipyard212@yahoo.
co.jp
Let's be friends. Hello! I'm seeking
friends in Tokyo.I'm Asian, but anyone
is welcome. I'm 22, like to hang out
with different kinds of people. Just
message me—I'm always available!
[email protected]
Seeking friends in central Tokyo. JF,
early 30s, seeks friends to hang out with
in central Tokyo. [email protected]
Seeking illustrator friends. Tokyobased children's story writer from
Canada seeks illustrator friends for
possible collaboration. My influences
include Kenji Miyazawa, Nankichi Niimi,
St. Exupery and Oscar Wilde. Let's work
together to get published in Japan or
overseas. Japanese ok. androgoner@
gmail.com
Seeking non-Japanese friends. JF,
40, lived/worked overseas, fluent in E/J,
seeking non-Japanese, business-minded,
preferably Mandarin/Cantonesespeaking friends. Strictly friendship only.
Sex doesn't matter as long as you love to
talk about business ideas. yurinyc@
yahoo.com
14.2 MEN LOOKING FOR WOMEN
JAPANESE MAN SEEKS A SPANISH
OR LATIN WOMAN. I am single,
175cm and speak English and
Spanish. Call 080-3319-6436 or
email [email protected].
SUBMISSIVE SJM, 36, cute, is
seriously seeking a woman who is
into, or interested in, dominating
men. I am so submissive, with seven
years’ experience, that I am happy to
take whatever and serve you in any
way. [email protected]
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
Artistic American guy, 38, my father
spoke German, born in America, lived
near Santa Monica. Now near Tokyo
Tower. Athletic, love artistic expression,
restaurants, fashion, R&B. Please live
or work in central Tokyo and be openminded. [email protected]
Attractive black male seeking
attractive and sexy girlfriend, single/
married, fun to be around, seeking
intimacy. I'm 36, intelligent, 183cm,
athletic, from NY, working in IT, living
in Ota-ku. I enjoy movies, running,
relaxing. Please send your photo.
[email protected]
British male, 31, friendly, tall, slim,
seeking a nice girl to hang out with.
Nationality/race unimportant, but should
be 20-35 and have a nice personality.
Interested in music and film: you should
be, too. [email protected]
* 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
Caring and cute JM seeks attractive,
hearty, nonsmoking Western female for
friendship. I simply would like to share
fun, interesting and great experiences
with you. If you feel the same way, just
drop me a line. [email protected]
Chinese, Singaporean, Indian...?
British guy, 30s, seeking non-Japanese
women to hang out with, maybe more.
It may seem obvious, but please only
contact me if you have time to meet.
No Japanese seeking marriage with a
gaijin, please! greenteais.yummy@
gmail.com
Cute, interesting JM for SWF. Seeking
attractive Western female with a nice
smile. If you are interested in chatting
over coffee or nice food, please contact
me and let me know. I am looking
forward to your message. Just try once.
[email protected]
Discreet and passionate lady wanted.
Seeking a MJF for a discreet and intimate
relationship. I’m a kind, respectful, welleducated MWM, mid-40s, nonsmoking.
Please contact me and let’s see if we
connect. Thank you. theroyaljoker@
yahoo.com
European seeking young Japanese
woman. Elegant, kind, refined, athletic
European man seeks a cute, fun, young
Japanese woman. If we connect, it could
lead to a serious relationship. ol24107@
gmail.com
Food, wine and romance. Attractive,
physically fit, romantic, passionate
SWM, 40s, seeking romantic, elegant,
attractive Japanese woman for a serious
relationship. Cooler weather is here—
let's explore restaurants, weekend
getaways and great times together.
[email protected]
PAccounting
• Auditing
• IPO Consulting
• Due Diligence
Frenchman seeks woman. French
gentleman, smart, funny, handsome,
seeks woman. I'll love you like no man
has ever before. I live in Minami-Azabu.
Write me—you won't be disappointed.
[email protected]
More Than Twenty Years Experience
Ginza/Otemachi. Seeking a sparkling
personality to match mine. A woman
with interest in the UK preferred, 26-31,
nationality irrelevant. Only contact me if
you have time to meet weekdays around
7pm in Ginza/Otemachi. englishmobile@
outlook.com
PTax
• Tax Preparation
• Tax Consulting
• US Tax Filing
• Accounting Services
• Payroll Services
KASAI CPA
042-401-0342
PVisa Attorney
• Establishing a Company
& Branch Office
• Corporate Services
• Immigration Services
Takashi Kasai CPA Firm
4-1-2-302 Honcho, Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo
[email protected]
www.kasaicpa.com
Girlfriend. Japanese man, 45, decent,
cultured, with a good sense of humor,
seeking a lady around my age (35-55),
Japanese or foreign, to enjoy friendship,
fun and relaxation. tsuneokobayashi@
hotmail.com
Handsome American man seeks
Japanese lady. I'm an American
gentleman, 5'9", 175lbs, dark blond
hair, blue eyes, seeking a sincere,
loving relationship with a special lady.
I can speak Japanese. tommtgyi@
gmail.com
Handsome, sexy man seeking hot
older woman in Tokyo or Yokohama. I
love mature ladies (40s, 50s). A nice,
tall, handsome gentleman is waiting,
hoping to meet you. 日本語可能です。
[email protected]
Senior Editor
Vacancy!
We’re growing! Details on this and other positions here!
http://metropolisjapan.com/jobs/
29
Many more Classified ads online! Please visit classifieds.metropolis.co.jp
JOBS
Precision Cutting
Brazilian Keratin Treatment
Foil Highlighting / Blonde Specialists
Colour Corrections
Hair Extensions
集。 六本木にあるMetropolis
www.goldsalontokyo.com
4-1-9-6F Azabu Juban Minato-ku Tokyo
(1min from exit 4 Azabu Juban stn)
験：デザイン・広告業界の経験、進行管理の経験
CHAT HOSTS AND TEACHERS WANTED BY
LEAFCUP in Tokyo, Iidabashi, Shibuya,
Yokohama. Seeking enthusiastic,
proficient English, French,
Spanish and/or German speakers
who can teach and lead li vel y
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
Handsome, sweet, smart Japanese
man seeks WF who seeks secret happy
events in her spare time in Tokyo. Single/
married ok. Shall we begin to talk? I
think this opportunity will be a great one
for us. [email protected]
Happening bar partner. Businessman,
mid-30s, athletic, easygoing, pleasant
personality, seeking partner to enjoy
fun, free world of happening bars. I am
an experienced member and will cover
all expenses. Clean, safe. Staff ensures
female participants' respect, privacy.
Daytime ok. anant.kumar.tokyo@
gmail.com
Hike, movie or just a walk in the park.
Hi, my name is Michael. I'm a single
white male, 48, in good shape, seeking
a partner to do these things with.
[email protected]
Italian or Spanish? British guy seeking
Italian or Spanish woman living in
Tokyo. Have drinks, some fun. Send me
a message and tell me about yourself.
[email protected]
Japanese male, 42, single, seeks
sincere, warm, open-minded white
female for friendship and romance. I am
generous, nonsmoking, like traveling,
reading, philosophy and enjoying my
life. [email protected]
JF wanted. Hi, young white guy, 28, is
seeking a good-looking young Japanese
woman. [email protected]
Offering you “Authentic Pilates”
Metropolis Campaign
Admission Fee: ¥15,750 ¥0
Trial Machine Private Lesson: ¥10,000 ¥8,400
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
03-6425-7054 • [email protected]
www.basipilates.jp/english/
30
Magazine
は、バイリンガルスタッフを募集しています。経
METROPOLIS, JAPAN’S NUMBER ONE
ENGLISH-LANGUAGE MAGAZINE, 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].
Strong, beautiful, flexible
Transform your body & soul at
BASI PILATES!
03-4588-2277
プロジェクトマネージャー・コーディネーター募
PH 03-6436-0228
for first visit from
our entire service menu
To advertise:
[email protected]
Let’s meet. SJM, mid-40s, attractive,
sincere, open-minded, slim, seeks
someone special. It would be no less
than a miracle to find someone, but
suppose I give up searching? Then,
there will be nothing. That is why I’m
here. [email protected]
Long-distance relationship with
a SJF. Seeking a SJF who wants a
serious relationship leading to settling
down with a family and kids. If you're
interested, please reply. No gamers.
Serious only. And if you're racist, don't
write me. [email protected]
Married Caucasian man for married
w o m a n. G e n t le m a n, l a te 4 0 s ,
attractive, cultured and polite, seeks
similar woman. [email protected]
Married needs help. Fr iendl y
Caucasian MM 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]
があれば尚可。能力：コミュニケーション能力、協
調性、日本語に堪能、ビジネスレベルの英語力。
条件：平日9:30-18:30 待遇：面接にて。jobs@
metropolis.co.jpまで、履歴書・職務経歴書（和
文／英文）をご送付下さい。書類選考の上、ご連絡
させて頂きます。
M ETROPOLIS I S S E E K I N G A N E /J
BILINGUAL INTERN to join the most
successful English-language
advertising team (Restaurants &
Bars) in Japan. Great opportunity
to learn about advertising in an
exciting environment. No pay, but
transportation provided. Please fax
your E/J resume to 03-4588-2278 or
email knakashima@metropolisjapan.
com
Massage for curvy lady. Tall, elegant,
refined Caucasian businessman, fit,
mature, experienced, offers deep,
relaxing and sensual full-body massage
with aromatic oil to curvy Japanese
lady. Totally safe and discreet—just
relax and enjoy—followed by dinner.
[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]
Mature man for mature woman.
Attractive, mature European man,
50, seeks a Japanese lover. I prefer
somebody around my age (40s-60s). I
am highly cultured and like Japanese
ladies very much. [email protected]
Me, you and our secret. I'm married,
30s, white. I love my wife as I'm sure
you love your husband, but sometimes
we need some extra love. Let's meet
and see what happens. maxtokyo@
rocketmail.com
MWM seeking MJF. Caring, educated,
good-looking MWM, 40s, seeks married
woman for relaxing relationship. If
romance is lacking in your marriage
and you're sincere and mentally/
emotionally stable, please get in touch.
[email protected]
Nice gentleman seeks a mature
Japanese woman, 50+, to enjoy special
sweet moments together, with respect
and good manners. vbcfgt@hotmail.
com
Nice Japanese for nice woman.
Japanese man, 40s, 175cm, gentle,
calm, kind, caring, decent, with a good
sense of humor, seeking an attractive
woman of any nationality living in
Japan. [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
Only the lonely. Western man, blond,
green, 183cm, fit, 80kg, seeking a secret
relationship with a lonely JF. Let's share
our desires privately and enjoy physical
pleasures. Please be clean, serious.
Meet first. [email protected]
Pocchari JF? I'm an African currently
residing in central Tokyo. I'm seeking
a pocchari Japanese lady for a serious
relationship. No jokes, please. Serious
emails only. Age is not a problem—it's
just a number. [email protected]
Questions! Are you seeking a tall guy?
Are you too stressed and in need of
some fun? If yes, reply to me. jsn334@
gmail.com
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]
S for M. English male S needs Japanese
female M. New or experienced ok. What
gives you pleasure? summerfunk@
googlemail.com
Secret dating for enjoyable moments.
Married Scandinavian WM seeks JF for
discreet relationship in Tokyo. Wish to
share enjoyable moments, a stressfree time for both of us to enjoy. I am
a nonsmoker, charming, fit, good at
sensual massage. lifeistobeenjoyed@
yahoo.com
Seeking Caucasian woman for
companionship, maybe le ading
to something more serious. Let's
explore Tokyo together. I'm Turkish,
43, divorced, 194cm, short black hair
with some white, nonsmoking, social
drinker, generous, permanent resident
of Japan. I live near Machida, Odakyu
line. [email protected]
Seeking female swimming mate.
I seek a female swim mate for occasional
practice after work and on weekends. I
am a JM, 40, working in central Tokyo.
Western female under 45 preferred.
[email protected]
Seeking fun. SWM, 28, French, seeking
people who want fun like me. My life
is stable, but boring and stressful. I
need excitement for my mental health
balance. If you feel the same way,
contact me, please. reydajp@yahoo.
co.jp
Seeking German female for sauna
date. Japanese male, early 40s,
young-looking, is seeking a German
female for a sauna date. I just visited
sauna in Germany and was really
impressed. I want to do it privately.
[email protected]
Seeking girlfriend. Cool guy, 40, kind,
seeks mature JF, 40s-50s, for romance
in Tokyo. Let's meet up for coffee and
talk. Serious only, please. munesan50@
yahoo.com
Seeking heavy girlfriend. WM, early
40s, kind, sweet, passionate, seeks a
warmhearted, heavy lady for romance.
Seeking SJM. Middle-aged Caucasian
woman seeking a single Japanese man,
40-55, 170-185cm, university-educated
professional, in central Tokyo, for
friendship, activity partner and long-term
relationship. [email protected]
太った女性を大好き. 私は日本語を
少し話す. [email protected]
Seeking Japanese girlfriend, 30-40.
Kind, caring, single American gentleman
in Tokyo, 45, well-educated (medical
professional), seeking an attractive
Japanese female for a long-term
friendship. [email protected]
Seeking large Japanese girlfriend.
Canadian guy, 40s, open-minded, gentle,
romantic, positive, seeks overweight
girlfriend for long-term relationship in
Tokyo. Serious only, please. bbalajan@
yahoo.com
Seeking mature and busty lady. Goodlooking Caucasian businessman, elegant,
tall, well-built, mature and sensual,
seeking a mature, busty Japanese lady,
sensual, for a relaxing evening followed
by a nice dinner. bellebite10@hotmail.
com
Seeking mature JF. Cool guy, 40s,
positive, romantic, honest, a gentleman,
seeks a JF, 40s-50s, for a long-term
relationship. [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 know more about the
city. Give me the hot info on Paris now.
[email protected]
Seeking partner. White guy, slender
but muscular, divorced, working for
a global company, seeks a special
lady.. I am passionate and driven, but
I need a partner. Please send me your
thoughts (and a photo, if possible).
[email protected]
Seeking passionate affair. Kind,
married, passionate, fun-loving,
successful, nonsmoking, well-traveled
male is looking to spoil, adore, cherish
a married/attached woman for a longterm one-on-one discreet relationship.
[email protected]
Seeking romantic love leading
to marriage from any lady who's is
interested in my ad. Email, w/photo.
[email protected]
Seeking serious, chubby JF. European
guy, 40, open-minded, easygoing,
honest, faithful, seeks a JF who can meet
up soon (not too many emails) for a longterm relationship. Let's meet up over
coffee and talk. [email protected]
Serious, long-term. SWM, 34, welleducated and traveled, with a stable
job, seeks true love. If you are 20-30s,
warm and caring, and seeking a serious
long-term relationship, then please drop
me an email. Serious only, no games. No
Roppongi girls, please. Lasagna5577@
yahoo.com
Single, handsome, caring and witty
SJM seeks a nice Western or Japanese
female for friendship or possibly more.
Nonsmokers preferred. If you are
interested in exciting and happy times
with me, email me now. cioinjapan@
gmail.com
Sophisticated and cute SJM, 40s,
in Kanagwa, seeks interesting,
warmhearted Western lady for friendship
or possibly more. If you seek a genuine
and ideal JM, please just drop me a
line. Let's start with communication.
[email protected]
Traveling in Asia? Elegant, tall Caucasian
executive, charming and sexy, living
in Asia, seeking Japanese lady to meet
in Hong Kong or Singapore for fine
dinner and more. You must be sensual,
preferably busty, any age, ready to have
fun. [email protected]
UK lady. SJM, 30s, tall, slim, lover
of books, films, and music, seeks an
attractive British lady with the same
interests. [email protected]
WM in Tokyo seeking a pretty girl, 18-35.
I am tall, white, with blue eyes. I speak
Japanese. [email protected]
14.3 WOMEN LOOKING FOR MEN
TO ADVERTISE IN
METROPOLIS, Japan’s
N o .1 E n g l i s h m a g a z i n e ,
log on at www.metropolis.
co.jp/classif ieds or email
yo u r co m m e r c i a l a d s to
commercial@metropolisjapan.
com.
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.
[email protected]
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 want it to go.
Fresh, young women join our club
every day. Try our free one-month
trial offer: first date is on us!
0120-675-858 (E) international@
universe-club.jp http://universeclub.jp/en
Discover fun things in Tokyo together?
Travelers welcome—I can show you
around! Let's discover nice things:
dining, spas, music, vacations, etc. JF,
late 30s, friendly, slim, tall, seeking a
classy, intelligent gentleman for dating.
[email protected]
European man for serious relationship.
I’m a SJF, 30s, seeking a European
gentleman as I’m interested in the
culture. Email me for more info. Serious
and genuine people who know how to
introduce themselves only. framboisier@
inter7.jp
Fresh start. JF, attractive, elegant,
cultured, 30s, seeks someone who
can pos sibly ha ve a long -term
relationship, not marriage-minded
though. He should be single, goodlooking, Caucasian, 20s/30s, live in
Tokyo. Let's enjoy city life together.
[email protected]
Friendship first. JF, attractive, educated,
mature, early 30s, seeks a sincere, goodlooking Caucasian, 20s-30s, in Tokyo.
[email protected]
Japanese female, 31, nice smile,
fun, back from London, seeking fun,
well-educated, laid-back, caring
gentleman in central Tokyo for a longterm relationship—if we like each other.
Otherwise, we can be just friends.
[email protected]
JF seeks WM to date on weekends.
Attractive and intelligent bilingual SJF
seeks SWM to date on weekends. I like
both the arts (especially music) and
the outdoors, so someone with those
interests preferred. Cat lover is a big plus.
[email protected]
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]
MJF seeking MWM or SWM for discreet
relationship, but not just intimacy. Would
like to meet after work in central Tokyo.
I am late 40s, mature, gentle, openminded, seeking someone to release my
stress and frustration. sakuratree1999@
hotmail.com
Seeking independent traveler. SJF,
40s, seeks a man who can travel alone,
i.e., carry his own backpack, not rely on a
tour. I am a bit tired of city boys; seeking
someone who loves natural things.
[email protected]
Seeking single man. I'm a JF, 40,
seeking a single gentleman, 40-50,
from continental Europe. blenda0406@
yahoo.co.jp
Sexy apron, lovely dish gloves and
pretty face. Got your attention? Fit
Japanese, educated, great cook, reaching
mid-40s, seeks single professional, late
30-mid-60s, native English speaker, up for
nice dishes, laughs and sharing your world
with me. [email protected]
Someone special. SJF, 40, seeking a
SWM in Tokyo for a serious relationship.
I’m attractive, slim, well-educated,
nonsmoking, enjoy dining out, shopping,
sports, traveling in my free time.
[email protected]
Start this autumn. SJF, 30s, seeking
a gentleman, 25-50, for a long-term
relationship starting with sharing autumn
activities such as hiking, nice food,
sunbathing and onsen trips. Please be
smart enough to make nice conversation.
[email protected]
This is it... SJF, mid-30s, openminded, loves to laugh, listen to music
(especially R&B), chill out indoors,
seeking a boyfriend. I hope we can be
serious. Cat-loving black man preferred.
[email protected]
TOKYO FURNISHED APARTMENTS
NO
key money, deposit,
agent fee, guarantor
URL: www.tokyoeasyrent.com/en TEL: 03-5437-5233
WADA Legal & Administrative Office
We can help you with:
• Visa & Immigration Procedures
• Mixed Marriage, Naturalisation
and Refugee Status
• Establishing a Company &
Branch Office
• Accounting Services, Acquiring
Business Licences
• Preparation/Translation of
Legal & Business Documents
• Other Legal & Business Matters
14.4 GAY & LESBIAN
Friends and fun. Japanese guy, 27, 170,
65, good-looking, seeking friends and
fun in/around Tokyo. Please reply w/face
photo and stats. [email protected]
I am new here. Decent, discreet
Japanese, 170, 65kg, average body,
clean. I'm waiting for your reply! Thanks.
[email protected]
14.5 ESCORTS
ESCORTS have gone online.
To f i n d a l o v e l y l a d y
co m p a n i o n , v i s i t h t t p: //
classifieds.metropolis.co.jp/
category/personals/escorts.
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
14.6 AND OTHERS
J-STAR PATENT, TRADEMARK & IMMIGRATION OFFICE
Reasonable prices.
Free first time consultation
We can support you with:
Butt feti. Hello, Japanese
women. I have a bottom
fetish and I am interested in
seeing your lovely derrière.
If you have fantasized about
showing your beautiful round
behind, now is the time to
do it. Please think about it.
[email protected]
Daytime fun. Hi, I'm a white guy, early
30s, seeking a married lady for secret
encounters. I'm good-looking—I hope
you are, too. I will keep our secret. Ciao.
[email protected]
Slap and tickle. Are you a Japanese
female who likes rough play with a
smart professional guy? Are you tired
of the same weak guys who can't excite
you? I am seeking a woman who likes to
be swanked. [email protected]
Visa and immigration
Intellectual property rights
(Patent, trademark, copyrights)
Establishing a Company &
Branch office
Other Legal & Business matters
Hiroshi Oogai,
Patent attorney
Immigration lawyer
www.j-star.jp
Grand Prince
Hotel Akasaka
Exit 4,
Nagatacho stn
Supreme
Court
Imperial
Palace
Aoyama Ave
Akasaka
Mitsuke
stn
Akasaka
Excel
Hotel
Tokyu
National
Diet
Library
608 Kitano Arms 16-15, Hirakawa-cho, 2-Chome, Chiyoda-ku ,Tokyo, 102-0093
Tel: 03-5216-6890 Fax: 03-5216-6891
Email: [email protected]
Seduce my girlfriend in Tokyo. Seeking
foreign man to flirt with and seduce my
girlfriend at bars. We occasionally go out
for drinks at bars and she likes having
foreigners flirt with her. She’s Japanese,
sexy, easy to talk to. j_player_special_x@
yahoo.co.jp
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]
31
RELATIONS
THE CULTURE OF COMEDY
BY GRACE BUCHELE MINETA
Humor is one of those things that just can’t be taught. It’s not universal;
it’s cultural. In fact, I quickly realized the drastic, inherent differences
between American humor and Japanese humor when I scored tickets to
a live taping of The Colbert Report in New York. While I was excited, my
husband confessed that when we watched it on TV, he just laughed when
I laughed to make me feel better...
The roles were reversed years later, when we were traveling through
Osaka and my husband wanted to go to one of those Yoshimoto live
comedy shows. Comedy really is cultural.
喜劇の文化
お笑いのセンスというのは学ぼうと思っても学ぶことが出来ないものだ。なぜならそ
れは世界共通ではなく、国によってお笑いの文化の違いがあるから。ニューヨークで
「The Colbert Report」のスタジオ観覧チケットが当たった時、私はいかにアメリカ
と日本のお笑いが違うということを実感した。夫は最近になって二人で初めて
「The
Colbert Report」の番組をテレビで見ていた時、笑い所を知らず気を遣って私が笑
った箇所で自分も笑うふりをしていたことを告白した。
数年経った今、旅行先の大阪で吉本喜劇を見ていた時は逆の立場で私が夫に笑
いを合わせていた。お笑いは本当に文化によって異なるものだ。
■ 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 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣
A power ful week, should you
choose to play. The temptation to
join in may pull on every part of you.
For reluctant Aries spiritual leaders, warriors,
pioneers ... you have the strength of your
conviction—it’s simply the timing that may
have you in a quandary. Act now or hold off?
Uranus is turning everyone on their heads.
You still have a chance to sneak off to greener
pastures, but maybe only a few moments to
do the right thing.
The stars back you up to bring power
to your choices: Trust your sudden
insights. Uranus electrifies your solar
twelfth house and guides you to a partnership. Several of your dreams are about to be
answered—Juno lightens your domestic duties
while Vesta paves the way. With Mercury plowing forward opposite your sign, you have a
chance to see the mechanisms of your actions.
You may have to retrace a few of your steps to
get where you want to be.
If you want your week to be filled
with rich overtones and the meaning of life, throw your energy into
work, health and helping others: Four planets—the Sun, Saturn, Venus and Mercury—fill
this sector of your chart with a depth that’s
not often available. Asteroid goddess Pallas
Athene rounds out the group, making your
choices resonate with a wise overtone that
others envy. Romance is retrograde—partnerships bring a mature quality into play.
All of life is temporary, but it still
matters. What you do, say, and think
is still on review. At any point along
this continuum, you can change the course you
create. It’s tempting to feel frustrated when
Pluto opposes your sign and squares both your
home life and career. However, the soul you’re
infusing with matter-made experiences is being
filled with light even as you read this. Direct your
attention to a comfortable resolution and the
resources you need will find you this week.
LEO
VIRGO
LIBRA
SCORPIO
Sep 22-Oct 22 ♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Oct 23-Nov 21 ♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣
As if Scorpio weren’t burning through
emotional fires, you’re also infused
with the planetar y weight of the
zodiac—Venus, Saturn, the Sun, Pallas Athene
and Mercury are all in your sign. It may feel as
if you’re the sieve all parts of the universe have
to sift through. Luckily, you’re able to sense the
undercurrents. Take the opportunities presented
to you at this time. It may seem like they’ll hang
you up, but they’re the foundation you’ll need to
reach your goals when the tide comes in.
Mar 20-Apr 18 ♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣
Jul 22-Aug 21 ♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣♣
Apr 19-May 19 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Aug 22-Sep 21 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣
CANCER
Change is in the air for everyone this
week, in large part due to Uranus
pushing for reform. However, things
can go smoothly for you because this planet
is in a helpful trine aspect to your sign, dear
Leo. It creates something similar to a form
of protection around you—even in the midst
of chaos. Juno, Jupiter and Dark Moon Lilith
back this up, so your desires can be heard
in the light you prefer. Romance takes on a
mature overtone.
When stuff gets kicked up, it takes
a Virgo to handle it. That’s because
you can see the details to reason in
the midst of all the commotion. Right now, Venus,
Saturn, the Sun, Pallas Athene and Mercury
are in your communication sector: They want
answers, and they will go to the depths to get to
the final point. They will also back you up as your
sign has a sweetness to it and no Virgo should go
this alone. Healing continues in romance so you
can make a break for it if you choose.
You may have to go below the surface to see through the veil. Venus,
Saturn, the Sun, Pallas Athene and
Mercury are all in your solar second house of
income, and what you have sensed and tried to
negotiate for some time is beginning to surface.
The balance you seek is on its way in. There will
be surprises with someone unexpected coming
to your rescue—there may well be more than
one. Don’t worry, you don’t have to make up
your mind who you like best just yet.
SAGITTARIUS
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
Jan 20-Feb 17 ♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Feb 18-Mar 19 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣
You are an inspirational, big-picture
fire sign. But are there enough hours
in the day and days in the week to
actualize all that you can imagine? With your
ruling planet Jupiter in your solar ninth house
of long-distance travel, you have the ability to
move further and faster than there are hours
in the day. Opportunities are everywhere, but
the trick is to prepare for your future, which
is about to pop into hypergear. Don’t look
back—you can do this.
Mars has passed Pluto in Capricorn,
and the immediate push for action is
over—you can take a breather and
chill. Recent revelations may show you will
never be the same ... but then, there is reason
to celebrate. Pluto in your sign has asked you to
give up so much of what you have. At the same
time, this paves the way for more to come in.
Once the open space has been created, expect
to see a rush of energy that fills every empty
pocket and fills your cups to overflowing.
You don’t have to be cutting-edge
every moment—you probably will be
anyway, but you don’t have to make it
happen. In following your instincts, your heart
and your obligations, you naturally attract what
you need in every given moment. It may not
seem to be the case, but truly, your angels are
working overtime, which they are delighted to
do—that’s their job! Aquarians can coast a bit
with partners who are into big things. Single
Aquarians: You’re fancy-free as always.
It’s your job to be the best you that
you can be. With Neptune conjunct
Chiron in your sign, healing the
wounded heals you too—so if you need time
for yourself, it’s completely understood. Your
emotional and psychic muscles are growing and
flexing. Your sense of mystery and compassion
entwine for the greater good—play, yummy
foods and music enhance your ability to be
there when the rains threaten to stop others
in their tracks. Enjoy what’s offered this week.
Nov 22-Dec 20 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
32
Dec 21-Jan 19 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
PISCES
The summit of
Mt. Fuji got its
first snowfall
of the year
on October
16, about two
weeks earlier
than usual.
LINGO BOX
Bakuhatsu (爆発) = explosion
Hatsu-yuki (初雪) = first snowfall
the small print
Ninchi-shō (認知症) = dementia
Shōhi-zei (消費税) = consumption tax
BY STEVE TRAUTLEIN
IT WAS THE SAME SATISFYING TASTE AS BEFORE.”
—Hiroshi Matsuno, who took a bullet train from Kyoto to attend the reopening of
famed noodle shop Kanda Yabusoba, which had been gutted by a fire last February
THE CRIME FILES
⊲A
⊲ court in Yokohama handed a two-year prison sentence to a local man who used a 3-D
printer to manufacture handguns. The presiding judge said the man’s actions threatened to
make gun control laws “toothless.”
⊲Cops
⊲
in Saitama responding to the sound of
an explosion at an apartment complex discovered a metal tube that “appeared to have been
used as a shell launcher.”
⊲Police
⊲
in southern Thailand arrested a local
man for killing a 79-year-old Japanese expat
who had been missing since September. The
suspect’s girlfriend had withdrawn nearly ¥2.5
million from the victim’s bank account.
⊲Headline
⊲
of the Week: “Chief of Kanagawa
Police Molestation Division Arrested for Groping Teen” (via Tokyo Reporter)
ON THE MOVE
⊲Six
⊲ months after JR Central submitted an environmental impact assessment for its proposed
maglev line between Tokyo and Nagoya, the
transport ministry gave the project its blessing.
⊲Land
⊲
minister Akihiro Ota traveled aboard a
Coast Guard ship to make a “survey” of one of
the islands off Hokkaido that are claimed by
Japan but controlled by Russia.
⊲U.S.
⊲
military personnel began dismantling
the so-called Elephant Cage, a massive antenna array at the Misawa Air Base in Aomori
that had been used to target radio communications from the Soviet Union and China
during the Cold War.
⊲Reporters
⊲
at NHK and Mainichi Shimbun won
the 2014 Kikuchi Kan Prize for their coverage
of dementia sufferers who have wandered
away from home. The annual award recognizes “achievements in Japanese literary culture.”
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
⊲For
⊲
the first time since the March 11 disaster,
the government has set no power reduction
targets for local municipalities this winter.
⊲Government
⊲
officials are considering a plan
to offer tax breaks to companies that hire reserve members of the Self-Defense Forces.
⊲Law
⊲
enforcement authorities in Fukuoka
have taken a novel approach to fighting organized crime: They’ve released a manga that
depicts the dangers of life in a yakuza gang.
⊲Officials
⊲
at the Consumer Affairs agency say
at a glance
BY RODGER SONOMURA
Hōjin-zei kōjo (法人税控除) =
corporate tax break
stats
10,896 Cases of violence committed by
children at elementary schools during
the 2013 academic year—the first time
the number has topped 10,000,
according to the education ministry
2,860 Number of public schools around
the country that are “at risk of being
affected by a tsunami,” according to a
government survey
62
Percent of Japanese people who
oppose a government plan to legalize
casinos, according to a newspaper poll
that, since April 2010, two kids have been
killed and 32 others injured in accidents involving kick scooters.
⊲The
⊲
agency also slammed the operators of
shabu-shabu chain Kisoji for labeling cheap
cuts of meat as Matsusaka beef.
BOTTOMS UP
⊲Japanese
⊲
marine biologists have found an
Okinawan deep-sea crab that “survives solely
on bacteria growing on its body hair.”
⊲To
⊲ celebrate the 120th anniversary of the
birth of mystery writer Edogawa Rampo (18941965), a Tokyo publisher has commissioned
five contemporary novelists to create short
stories in the vein of Rampo’s “Boy Detectives
Club” series.
HELL NO!
⊲A
⊲ whopping 73 percent of respondents to a
newspaper survey said they oppose a plan to
raise the consumption tax from 8 to 10 percent next October.
⊲And
⊲
just 1 percent said they are “better off”
since the tax was hiked from 5 to 8 percent
this past April.
⊲In
⊲ what’s being described as a rare move,
more than 130 municipal assemblies across
the country have adopted statements urging
the repeal of the state secrets protection law.
Small Print Updated Weekly
→ METURL.COM/SMALLPRINT
Compiled from reports by AP, Japan Today, The Japan Times, Jiji, The Tokyo
Reporter, The Mainichi, The Japan News, AFP, Reuters and Kyodo
33
the last word
Escalator
Etiquette
WHY I CHOSE JAPAN
BY WENDY NGUYEN,
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Illustration by Christi Rochin
NO MATTER
HOW BUSY,
TIRED OR
STRETCHED
PEOPLE
HERE ARE
FOR TIME,
A LEVEL OF
PATIENCE
ALWAYS
REMAINS.”
WANT
TO HAVE
THE LAST
WORD?
Send your article to:
editor@
metropolisjapan.com
Over a year ago, I decided 2014 was
when I was finally going to make the
move to Japan.
While going through my old books, I
came across a diary that I had kept when
I first visited Tokyo as an 18-year-old. One
of the last entries had been written on a
park bench in Harajuku and read, “One
day, I’m going to make this city my home.”
When I started telling family and
friends that I would be moving to Japan,
the most common question was, “Why
Japan?”
My answer was simple, and it didn’t
involve anime, temples, or even sushi.
It wasn’t motivated by any deep-rooted
desire to “lose myself” in a different culture, nor was it because I simply “fell in
love” with the country and couldn’t see
myself being anywhere else. My reason
for moving to Japan can be summed up
by two key things I witnessed while I was
traveling in Tokyo for the first time: train
etiquette and escalator queues.
We’ve all heard the expression,
“packed like a can of sardines.” Well, I
hadn’t seen it in the flesh until I found
myself riding the Tokyo subway during
the peak hours of approximately 6-8pm.
During this time you’ll witness hundreds
of commuters cramming into the trains as
though their lives and the lives of all their
loved ones depended on it. You’ll see
salarymen squeeze into spaces so tight
you didn’t even think you could wiggle a
toe in there, but somehow they manage
to maneuver right through and prove you
wrong (I’ve decided it has something to
do with how Japanese people are efficient at everything, including the use
of tiny spaces).
However, as awful as this might
sound, I’ve found that being on these
trains is actually the pleasantest of unpleasant situations. If you had trains this
cramped in any other part of the world,
you would probably choose to walk ten
miles rather than subject yourself to the
indecency of such a situation. However,
in Japan I discovered that although the
trains were full, younger passengers still
offered their seats to seniors (maybe not
always, but still sometimes). People still
tried as best they could to keep out of
your personal space, and those reading newspapers would fold them up into
tiny squares to limit the area they took
up. Even though the situation is less
than ideal, the way in which Japanese
people are always self-aware, and the regard they have for people around them,
makes circumstances like this tolerable
and somewhat humbling as an outsider.
Getting off the train, I found another
unexpected sight: a long line of people
waiting to go up an escalator. I was used
to finding long queues outside popular
clubs or new restaurant openings, but
when I first saw this phenomenon in Tokyo, I thought there had been a breakdown or an accident that was forcing
everyone to walk single file on one side
of the escalator. Upon reaching the top I
realized there wasn’t anything jamming
the line—people actually just chose to
stand on one side to avoid blocking others who wanted to walk up faster.
Having just seen people risking their
lives in order to squeeze onto a train,
you would think these people had somewhere to be or were at least in enough of
a hurry to push ahead of the line. Watching everyone standing patiently you kind
of feel like their effort of squeezing onto
the train was almost in vain. But what I realized was that no matter how busy, tired
or stretched people here are for time, a
level of patience always remains—especially when it comes to dealing with other
people. Drunk old men may challenge
the point, but when I look around at everyone else, I see they’re the exception,
not the rule.
In a society where people are known
to be overworked and hard-pressed for
time, Japanese people don’t let it show
in the way they treat others. So when
friends and family ask me why I chose
Japan, I tell them I wanted to live somewhere, even if just for a short while, where
people were just a bit more self-aware,
a bit more patient, and a bit nicer, even if
it’s in the most seemingly ordinary way.
■ Wendy Nguyen is Social Media Manager
with Metropolis. You can see her work every
day on our Facebook page and Twitter feed.
www.facebook.com/MetropolisMagazine
@MetropolisTokyo
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
’TIS THE SEASON
TO BE GIVING
(BALL-JOINTED)
DOLL IN THE FAMILY
Photo: 123RF
34
X GENERATION:
ROCK LIKE IT’S 1979