the new kawaii - Metropolis Magazine

Transcription

Aug 22-Sep 4, 2014 Japan’s Nº1 English Magazine
www.metropolis.co.jp
無料 PRICELESS
A JAPAN
NØØB’S GUIDE
TO GOING LEGIT
THE NEW
KAWAII
LADYBEARD RAGES
AGAINST CUTE
CONVENTIONS
THAI-STYLE
RAMEN IN
SETAGAYA
THE
TRADITIONAL
JAPANESE
GHOST STORY
FIND YOUR
“SOLE” MATE
INSIDE TOKYO
CLASSIFIEDS
THE CITY’S
BIGGEST
AGENDA
LISTINGS!
www.akaiclinic.com
Cosmetic Surgery
Laser Treatment
Skin Care
rejuvenate
yourself with
the best in beauty
technology
NEW
VAMPIRE LIFT
A “Vampire Lift” may sound unnatural, but it’s the newest trend in rejuvenation treatment that utilizes your own blood—the origin of life—as a
source of nutrients to sustain and prolong youth. Now you can experience it at Akai Medical Clinic.
All humans have so-called “growth factors” in their body, the generic name of a protein that promotes the differentiation of specific cells. Unlike
surgeries, the “Vampire Lift” uses that particular growth factor in the blood and special cells in the fat to regenerate tissues.
The biggest feature of this treatment is that it has a natural rejuvenation effect. Where it is injected, wrinkles and sagging will lift naturally, the
overall quality of skin will improve and your skin will gain back its natural elasticity.
Rejuvenating the skin using laser, plasma, radio or ultrasonic waves causes damage through heat, and although the treatment induces activity in
the growth factors, it is not enough. The “Vampire Lift” does not use heat and is a process of actively injecting growth factors to particular parts,
improving blood circulation, increasing collagen and repairing tissues.
AKAI CLINIC CAN PROVIDE TREATMENTS COMBINING THREE TECHNIQUES
TO SUIT YOUR SYMPTOMS AND NEEDS.
1 Using the “Vital Injector,” we will inject the growth factors into the skin or a little below the skin, to rejuvenate the
skin as a whole.
2 Direct injection of growth factor to circles under your eyes, sagging cheeks, laugh lines or mouth area to rejuvenate
the skin and improve looseness wrinkles. This treatment uses blunt needles when injecting, causing less bleeding
under the skin and bruises. Together with the “Vital Injector,” this will rejuvenate your face.
3 Injection of fat & stem cells with growth factors simultaneously. This treatment provides the maximum effect for
regenerative medicine. The reason skin loses its lustre is due to shrinking fat and surrounding cells. This type of
injection is called a face lift that does not cut the skin.
Additional fee for anesthesia is required. Please contact the clinic for more information.
PRICING
• Vital Injector: ￥150,000~
(prices vary according to area)
• PRFM (growth factor) Injection
Treatment: ￥150,000~
• Fat & Fat Stem Cells + Growth
Factor Injection: ￥500,000~
Other cosmetic procedures available. For fees and detailed information services, please refer to our homepage.
We welcome email and phone inquiries.
Omotesando
KNK Bldg 3F 3-5-17, Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
1-min walk from Omotesando stn, A3 exit.
Tel: 03-5771-4114 Email: [email protected]
Clinic hours: 11AM~8PM (Mon~Sun)
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Dermatologist
Yokohama
Quadrifoglio 4F 5-14 Kinkocho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama.
1-min walk from Yokohama stn, North East exit.
Tel: 045-620-5745 Email: [email protected]
Clinic hours: 11AM~7PM (Tue~Fri) & 10AM~5PM (Sat & Hol)
inside
AUG 22-SEP 4, 2014
©Olivier Leroy -olivierleroyphoto.com
12
Summer is the time for ghost stories in Japan and we
have a traditional tale to send a chill down your spine.
Photo by Naoko Tachibana
16
Cosplay cross-dresser and heavy metal headbanger
Ladybeard talks kawaii and mystical sailor suits.
Illustration by Christi Rochin
34
One writer’s advice on making a smooth transition
from Japan visitor to Tokyo resident.
PLUS…
Travelers stick their thumbs out in Japan, cultivating urban honey and jittery jargon in our
City Life section—see page 8. Get your fashion fix with Tokyo’s Paris-bound designers, street
snaps, boutique info, our calendar and more—see page 15. All the latest on food and drink in the big city including
new Aoyama steakhouse Ruby Jack’s, a Final Fantasy café and the top 3 beer gardens —see page 24.
Cover design: Kohji Shiiki, photography: Naoko Tachibana
GET PRINTED!
SEND YOUR “BEATING THE HEAT” PHOTOS FOR THE OCT 3 ISSUE.
DEADLINE SEP 22 metropolis.co.jp/features/photo
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Fax 03-4588-2278 • metropolis.co.jp
METROPOLIS is Japan’s No.1 English magazine, founded in 1994
and published for Japan’s international community.
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Neil Butler EDITORIAL Jeff W.
Richards (Editor-in-chief) Mike Kanert (Editor) Lisa Wallin
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メトロポリスをご活用ください。詳しくは：03-4588-2277
© Copyright 2014 Japan Partnership Inc. The views expressed herein are not
necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to edit or
delete any advertisement without notice.
Search over 30 million photos
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Promo Code: Metropolis
IN FOCUS
An explosion of hanabi colors as seen from my balcony, by Benj Morato
www.123rf.com/metropolis
03
upfront
RANKING ROUNDUP
SCENE AROUND TOWN
©和月伸宏／集英社 © 2014「るろうに剣心京都大火／伝説の最期」製作委員会
Metropolis Twenty anniversary event at Womb, Shibuya. July 25.
Photos courtesy of Fashion One
Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno, the first half of a
two-part follow-up to 2012’s Rurouni Kenshin, offers
dynamic fight choreography in the style of Hong Kong
cinema. It took the No. 2 spot at theaters this week,
and can be caught with English subtitles once daily at
Toho Cinemas Roppongi Hills.
TOP MOVIES
1. Stand By Me: Doraemon
2. Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno
3. Transformers: Age of Extinction
TOP JAPANESE SINGLES
1. Eightranger—“ER 2”
2. Jin Akanishi—“Good Time”
3. SKE48—“Bukiyo Taiyo” (“Clumsy Sun”)
TOP MANGA
1. Shingeki no Kyojin vol. 14 (“Attack on Titan”)
2. Naruto vol. 70
3. Haikyuu!! vol. 12
I Love Club Music at ColoR, Roppongi. July 25.
Photos courtesy of ©BMEDIA
TOP KARAOKE SONGS
1. Takako Matsu—“Let it Go Ari no Mama de”
2. AKB48—“Koi suru Fortune Cookie” (En: The Fall-inLove Fortune Cookie)
3. Sayaka Kanda, Sumire Morohoshi & Hazuki Inaba—
“Yukidaruma Tsukurou” (“Do You Want to Build
a Snowman?”)
Movie rankings from Eiga.com. Music and manga rankings from Oricon. All
rankings as of August 15.
CHECK IT OUT
Metropolis Members Club
THIS WEEK’S WINNER!
Craig Baty
won a ¥10,000 gift voucher
courtesy of adidas
UPCOMING PRIZE
One lucky MMC member will win a
romantic dinner for two courtesy of
148@azabujyuban
Register for prizes & discounts www.metropolis.co.jp/club
04
The name Gari Gari
Kun conjures images
of, at best, suspectflavored ice creams:
corn potage, napolitana sauce and veggie stew to name a
few. So it comes
as no surprise that
the makers of such
wack y-f lavored
s u m m e r t i m e re freshments would
also come up with Gari Gari Kun toothpaste.
Produced by Lion Corporation, the kid-targeted
gloop includes nashi (Japanese pear) and soda
flavors (¥195 per 40g tube). If nothing else, it’ll
make it a breeze to get little ones to brush their
teeth—just make sure they don’t eat it.
1
Salarymen in Nagoya can party harder now that
the city has extended the operating hours of its
subway system until 1:15am—the latest in Japan.
最終名古屋 1:15
LINGO BOX
Ketsueki-gata (血液型) = blood type
Hinkon no naka de seikatsu suru
(貧困の中で生活する) = live in poverty
the small print
Saitei chingin (最低賃金) =
minimum wage
BY STEVE TRAUTLEIN
I STILL CAN’T BELIEVE THIS. I DO NOT FEEL LIKE
MYSELF. I STILL FEEL LIKE I’M BEING DECEIVED.”
—Seizo Fukumoto, 71, after becoming the first Japanese performer to win the
best actor award at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal
YOU DON’T SAY
⊲A
⊲ researcher at Kyushu University has found
“no scientific basis” for the widely held Japanese belief that blood type plays a role in
personality.
⊲A
⊲ Nakano Ward assembly member offered
his resignation after tweeting that politicians
who support Japan’s right to exercise collective self-defense should “die.”
⊲Executives
⊲
at Sapporo Holdings Ltd. say the
group will suffer its first-ever net loss this
year. They blamed the situation on tax authorities, who decided to classify the popular Goku
Zero drink as a “low-malt beer” instead of a
“third-category beer.”
⊲A
⊲ Nara woman was hospitalized after eating
a gourd that was meant to be used for decorative purposes.
BRIGHT IDEAS
⊲Members
⊲
of a research team at Japan Women’s University in Bunkyo-ku have developed
clothing tags with protrusions that allow blind
people to tell the color of the garments.
⊲Akio
⊲
Yamada, who founded electric equipment maker Mirai Industry Co., died in Gifu at
age 82. Yamada was credited with a forward-
thinking management style that included 140
holidays a year for employees and no overtime.
⊲Members
⊲
of a labor ministry subcommittee
have recommended raising the minimum
wage from ¥764 to ¥780.
FINDINGS
⊲Archaeologists
⊲
in Nagasaki say they discovered fossilized dinosaur teeth in a layer of earth
dating back to the Upper Cretaceous period,
some 81 million years ago. They believe the
teeth belonged to an ankylosaurus.
⊲The
⊲
health ministry has dispatched a research team to the Marshall Islands to determine whether human bones exposed by coastal
erosion belong to Imperial Japanese Army soldiers killed during World War II.
⊲The
⊲
welfare ministry says a record 16.3 percent of Japanese children are living in poverty.
⊲Authorities
⊲
at the transport ministry are asking airport operators to conduct criminal background checks on workers before allowing
them access to restricted areas.
BY THE NUMBERS
⊲Air
⊲ Self-Defense Force officials revealed that
they ordered fighter jets to scramble 340
Sagi (詐欺) = fraud
stats
68
Percent of travelers from Australia,
Europe and the U.S. who say they “did
not feel uncomfortable at all during
their stay at a ryokan,” according to a
survey by the All Japan Ryokan Hotel
Association
397 Number of elementary and junior
high school students around the country
whom authorities “have lost track of,”
according to the education ministry
186,000 Number of attendees at the
2014 edition of Sao Paulo’s annual
Japan festival, which took place over
three days last month
times between April and June in response to
“feared intrusions by foreign aircraft.”
⊲Authorities
⊲
at the internal affairs ministry say
the number of abandoned homes around the
country has reached a record high of 8.2
million.
⊲The
⊲
figure, which includes units in apartment
buildings, represents an 8 percent increase
from five years ago.
⊲A
⊲ Singapore-based travel company estimates
that the annual number of Muslim visitors to
Japan is expected to reach one million by 2020.
AND FINALLY…
at a glance
BY ROBERTO DE VIDO
⊲Executives
⊲
at Toyota announced a donation
of $1 million to the Detroit Institute of Arts.
⊲Authorities
⊲
at the NPA say fraudsters have
swindled people out of ¥26.8 billion during the
first half of 2014. That’s about ¥500 million
more than the same period last year.
⊲LDP
⊲
Vice President Masahiko Komura says
he told Chinese officials during a recent visit
to Beijing that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will
not visit Yasukuni Shrine again.
⊲Bottom
⊲
Story of the Week: “Kobe Shopping
Street Group Makes Tsunami Evacuation Map”
(via Mainichi Japan)
Small Print Updated Weekly
→ METURL.COM/SMALLPRINT
Compiled from reports by AP, Japan Today, The Japan Times, Jiji, The Tokyo
Reporter, The Mainichi, The Japan News, AFP, Reuters and Kyodo
05
SPECIAL
ADVERTISING
SECTION
Get
A
Move
On!
These Tokyo housing specialists offer the
chance to find the perfect digs in the city.
WEBSITE
SERVICES
Daily: ¥7,800-26,500/night
Weekly: ¥6,850-23,100/night
Monthly: ¥5,700-19,100/night
Long-term stays (3 months or more): ¥ 5,130-17,190/
night
SPECIAL OFFER
10% off in December and January for stays less
than 3 months
4-5-39 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku
03-3446-8610
[email protected]
Open Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat-Sun & hols
8am-6pm
Hiroo
www.azabucourt.com
AZABU COURT
If you’re ready for some easy living in Tokyo, then you’ll appreciate Azabu
Court’s full service packages that include free broadband, an in-house
concierge plus laundry, dry-cleaning pickup and more. All Azabu Court
apartments feature an equipped kitchenette to ensure domestic bliss, and residents receive ¥1,080 daily
access to nearby Fitness Club Hiroo so you can stay in shape during your stay. Not sure how long you’re
going to stay? Apartments at Azabu Court can be rented on flexible daily, weekly or monthly terms. Take
advantage of their special offer—10% off in December and January for short-term stays. Whether you’re in
Tokyo for a short stopover or a lengthy stay, Azabu Court can provide you with the service you require and
more. Its convenient location, amenities and staff are sure to make your business or leisure stay in Tokyo as
pleasant as it can be.
Serviced Apartments
WEBSITE
SPECIAL OFFER
• 5% off first month’s rent
SERVICES
• Monthly prices range from ¥204,000-708,000
• Sizes range from 25-71m2
• Various locations in Takanawa, Roppongi, Ginza
and Ikebukuro
SHOP INFO
7F Blanespa Ginza, 7-3-7 Ginza, Chuo-ku
0120-987-908
[email protected]
Open daily 9:30am-8pm
Ginza
http://duplexcs.jp/eng/
06
DUPLEX
All you need is your suitcase for the high-grade, monthly apartments offered
by Duplex—each furnished with all the amenities and comfortable services of a
boutique hotel. Renting serviced rooms means avoiding the hassle (and expense)
of paying key money and a brokerage fee. The rental cost is based on the room
size and not the number of people, so accommodations are very reasonable—something to consider when
looking at how long you plan to stay in Tokyo. Arrive with fresh clothes and start living your new life on the day
you arrive. Although the rooms offer the same comfort as hotel suites, the rental cost is much more reasonable
and the room size is far more spacious. Plus, you can cook up a storm in the well-appointed kitchens provided.
Relax and enjoy a hotel-quality lifestyle—without the cash outlay—at Duplex properties across the city.
Guest Houses,
Serviced Apartments
MORE SPECIALS ONLINE → METURL.COM/HOUSING
WEBSITE
Tokyo Serviced and Rental Apartments
SPECIAL OFFER
• Rental apartments: Up to ¥50,000
off for signed contracts
• Serviced apartments: Up to ¥30,000 off the first
month’s rent
SERVICES
• Furnished & unfurnished rental apartments
• Furniture rental
• Property management
• Relocation services
• Serviced apartments
2F Nomura Bldg, 4-8 Yonbancho, Chiyoda-ku
03-4455-7594
[email protected]
Mon-Sat 9:30am-6:30pm
Ichigaya, Kojimachi
www.tokyoapartments.jp
ENPLUS TOKYO
APARTMENTS
Tokyo Apartments offers both short- and long-term apartments throughout Tokyo.
Through their recently revamped website, you can find a wide variety of furnished
Apartments, Real Estate, and unfurnished rental apartments as well as serviced apartments of all sizes and
for all budgets. If you are tired of searching through other websites in Tokyo and
Serviced Apartments
coming up empty-handed, or have limited knowledge of the real estate market, try
contacting their English-speaking leasing consultants. They can help guide you through the process and find
the housing solution that best fits your needs. Don't forget to visit their online guide to Tokyo for information
regarding transportation, shopping, restaurants, bars and more. Other services include furniture rental,
relocation support, property management, sales and investment and serviced offices. Tokyo Apartments is your
one-stop housing solution. Visit their website and get ready to find your future accommodation today.
WEBSITE
SERVICES
• Okubo: 1K from ¥100,000/month,
• Shibuya: studio from ¥80,000/month, 1K from
¥100,000/month
• Shinjuku: studio from ¥85,000/month, 2DK from
¥135,000
All apartments above furnished
SPECIAL OFFER
First-time clients get ¥3,000 off their first month’s
rent
1F Asahi Mansion, 3-31-5 Chuo, Nakano-ku
03-3382-0151
Open daily 9:30am-7pm
Shin-Nakano
www.tokyocityapartments.net
FONTANA
Renting in Tokyo can be complicated, with aspects like key money, agency fees and
guarantors. But there’s a way around these tricky details. For individuals, couples or
families in search of affordable housing, Fontana can provide exceptional customer
service and a living space that meets your individual needs. The approachable staff have
plenty of experience dealing with people from all over the world, shown in their range of languages—English,
French, Portuguese, Spanish, and, naturally, Japanese. Prices are reasonable, with guesthouse rooms starting
at ¥55,000/month and apartments as low as ¥70,000/month. Set up in urban hubs such as Shibuya, Shinjuku
and Roppongi, these housing solutions can be your platform for a better life and a key to unlocking the wonders
of Tokyo. Drop by the office anytime and say hello. They’re open for consultation every day of the year, from
9:30am until 7pm—and they’re always happy to meet new faces.
Apartments,
Guest Houses
WEBSITE
SERVICES
• Hiroo: studio from ¥135,000/month
• Kagurazawa: studio from ¥140,000/month
• Komazawa: studio from ¥140,000/month
• Roppongi: studio from ¥180,000/month
SPECIAL OFFER
Up to ¥30,000 off monthly rent
SHOP INFO
3-5-17 Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku
03-5437-5233
[email protected]
Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, closed Sun
Gotanda
www.tokyoeasyrent.com
ICHII
The three big bugbears of key money, deposit and guarantor are all off the radar as soon
as you make contact with this major agency, which offers over 900 properties in 70
locations. And though it might seem an impressive number, the ease of JAPT’s services
means most living solutions are snapped up as soon as they hit the market. Dwellings are available for all needs
and desires, with shared guesthouses, private apartments and more on the menu—for both short- and long-term
rental—starting at just ¥60,000 per month. Residences are fully furnished, often including the cookware and
linen that turn an apartment into a home. Internet access is arranged before you move in, meaning no forms to
fill in or difficult phone calls to make. And getting started couldn’t be easier, with a bilingual website on which to
browse homes to your heart’s content, and English-speaking staff to get you on your way.
Apartments
07
city life
ASK METROPOLIS ANYTHING
in person
PROFESSIONAL
WANDERERS
BY JEFF W. RICHARDS
Dear AMA,
My friend is going through a very difficult
time and I’m not sure how to help him. He has
been with his Japanese wife for eight years
and it has been an unhappy relationship for
a while. He has tried to end it several times,
but she threatens suicide, so he goes back. I
think she’s just manipulating him and I want
to tell him to leave her, but fear that if I do and
something terrible happens, I also would be
responsible. —Concerned Friend
Dear Concerned Friend,
We passed your question on
to the good people at TELL.
Here’s what they had to say…
How would you like to
make travel your life’s
work? Not as a Condé
Nast writer or Anthony
Bourdain-styled TV host,
but just traveling. Everywhere. Argentine wanDaniela Elias and
derers Juan Caldaroni
Juan Calderoni
and Daniela Elias have
been doing just that for the past five years
and eight months—with no plans to stop soon.
They arrived in Tokyo this month as part of their
Without Borders project, a journey started in
January 2013 that has seen them hitchhiking
across Asia, from the Philippines to Turkey, in
an effort to shed light on how people live in
different parts of the world and end prejudices
about many of the places they’ll visit—including
Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and other central Asian
countries. “We want to show that hospitality
exists in every country of the world, and that
people from these countries suffer because
of the negative image painted of them by [a]
sensationalist media,” they say.
So far, the couple has hitchhiked 26,624km
in 544 different vehicles (including one boat) as
part of the Without Borders project. In Japan,
their trip started in Osaka, after which they
ventured through Nara, Kyoto, Matsumoto and
Nikko before ending up in Tokyo. From here,
they’ll head to Fukuoka via Hakone, Nagoya,
Kobe and Hiroshima before boarding a ferry
to Busan, South Korea. They estimate the total
distance covered in Japan by vehicle to be
about 2,600km.
Caldaroni and Elias chose to hitchhike for this
project because, for them, “human attractions
are way more important than tourist attractions.”
08
You sound torn about how to
best support your friend. Ending a
relationship is never easy and a very
stressful, emotionally challenging time
for everyone involved. You are right to be
concerned about your friend’s wife. One of
the many false myths surrounding suicide is
that people who threaten or talk about suicide
are just seeking attention and won’t follow
through with the act. People who threaten suicide should always be taken seriously. Most
people who are on the verge of ending their
life are hurt, depressed, lonely and/or feel like
all hope is lost. They often see suicide as the
last option to end their emotional suffering.
Additionally, if the person feels you think they
are just seeking attention, they may go out of
their way to prove how much pain they are in
and that they are serious.
Please tell your friend that getting professional help will be important for both him
and his wife. TELL has numerous bilingual
They prefer hanging out with locals rather than
taking public transportation, since “people who
stop to give us rides are always willing to socialize.” They listen to their hosts, share stories with
total strangers and find it an exciting and enlightening experience on its own. “It sounds cliché,
but when you do it this way, you realize that it’s
more about the journey than the destination.”
When asked about the potential dangers, they
say they’ve never had a bad experience traveling this way, which is something they can’t say
about using public transport in many countries.
Is hitchhiking in Japan easy? “We wouldn’t
counselors who specialize in couples counseling in Tokyo. Their approach includes help
with ending relationships. They can also give
information about services in other parts of
Japan. It will be important not to confront
your friend’s wife, accuse her of being manipulative, place blame or get into power
struggles. You can give the Lifeline’s hours
and number to your friend; the line can help
him sort through his feelings, talk through options and, hopefully, find a way forward. The
police are another important
source of support if anyone
is actively threatening to kill
themselves. They also have
an English-speaking number
(03-3501-0110) that operates
from 8:30am-5:15pm Monday
through Friday. Your friend is lucky to
have your support, which will be important
to him as he tries to navigate the end of his
marriage. Please know that the Lifeline is also
there for you yourself, as you may be feeling
stressed and anxious. Sharing your concerns
in a safe, confidential and anonymous environment can help ease the load.
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
Following the death of Robin Williams, TELL has
expressed concern about unsafe suicide reporting.
See their full response here: http://meturl.com/
tellwill
If you want to “Ask Metropolis Anything” about life
in Tokyo, send your questions to askanything@
metropolis.co.jp and we’ll find the most appropriate
people to answer your queries.
say hitchhiking in Japan is difficult, but it’s not
as easy as in other countries, either. The main
thing is to leave the huge cities and get onto
the highway. Then rides come much quicker as
we go from one service area to another without
crossing any cities.”
Readers can follow the pair on their website
(marcandoelpolo.com/english) or Facebook
page (facebook.com/marcandoelpolo), and
keep up-to-date on where they’re sticking out
their thumbs via Twitter (@marcandoelpolo).
So feel free to head out on the road and offer
them a lift.
global village
BEE
THE CHANGE
Help cultivate urban honey in Tokyo
BY TANA PHILLIPS
LINGOIST
SPOOKY SPEECH
Unlike the West, Japan’s spooky season
peaks in August with obon. This is a good
time to let people know what you can or can’t
handle when it comes to creepy situations.
Don’t be afraid! Use the structure “(noun) ga
(adjective) desu” to tell them what you mean.
SCARY SENTIMENTS
JP Watashi wa yurei ga kowai desu.
EN I’m scared of ghosts.
JP
EN
Watashi wa gokiburi ga nigate desu.
I can’t stand cockroaches.
CINEMA STYLE
JP Hora eiga ga suki desu ka?
EN Do you like horror movies?
Bee populations are in decline worldwide. In
fact, Europe and the U.S. have both enacted legislation and created task forces to address the
issue. Japan is no exception but has yet to adopt
an official policy on the issue. At first glance it
might seem strange that Japan would have this
problem. One of the first things you notice about
this country is the green space. Even in massive
and heavily populated cities, tucked between a
convenience store and an apartment complex,
you can often find a bountiful field of produce.
With all these plants and fields, there should be
plenty of fodder for pollinators—apparently not.
One surprising place they’re thriving, though, is
downtown Tokyo, thanks to the Ginza Honeybee
Project.
This rooftop bee haven, located on a typical metropolitan office building, houses native
Japanese mitsubachi (honeybees) as well as
their Western counterparts. Since 2006 the
bees have collected pollen from the extensive
and always flowering gardens of the nearby
Imperial Palace. With the help of volunteers, their
honey is harvested and delivered to restaurants
and stores in Ginza to create some of the area’s
signature treats and drinks. The bees are doing
so well, in fact, that according to the Honeybee
Project they produced approximately 1,000kg
of honey last year. One of its founders, Atsuo
Tanaka, said in a 2009 article with the Japan
Times that he thought downtown Tokyo was
a healthier environment for the bees because
they’re not exposed to pesticide-laden neighborhood fields.
With that in mind, here are some ideas for
supporting your local bee friends, even—or
especially—in a bustling city like Tokyo.
You may not have a yard, but any outside
space has the potential to attract honeybees.
Place flowering plants on your balcony or even
in a window container. Try to choose ones that
are native to the area such as camellia or orchids.
Use only natural pesticides. Water mixed
with lemon or orange essential oils will do. Even
garlic and chili powder are helpful to protect your
plants from unwanted pests. Mix with water in a
spray bottle and spritz as needed.
Leave the bees something to drink; a small
dish with stones and water will give them a place
to land and cool off, not to mention be very zen.
If you have the space, try and choose a few plants
with different blooming seasons so you and your
new bee friends will have flowers year-round.
Try tulips, roses and lavender to keep your city
garden in bloom from March to August.
Or do it on the cheap and plant some of
your leftover produce. Ginger, lemongrass and
even onion can all be regrown from your kitchen
scraps.
If you’re interested in starting your own bee
colony (and your building allows it!), there are
plenty of urban beekeeping supplies available.
They generally consist of stylish, colorful beehives that snap together Ikea-style. Honeybees
in general are less likely to sting and the keepers
at the Ginza Honeybee Project maintain that
Japanese honeybees are less aggressive than
Western bees. To assist in maintaining their calm
demeanor, plant mint in your garden as well. The
Ginza Bee Project uses mint plants as well as
mint extract to keep the bees calm when they
remove the combs to collect honey.
A few simple steps is all it takes to create a
beautiful and useful area for you and the world’s
shrinking bee population. And just think: the
next time you find a bottle of local honey, you
can feel gratified knowing you’ve done your part.
http://www.gin-pachi.jp/ (Japanese)
CITY SAFETY
JP Watashi wa Shinjuku no machi wo yoru
dearuku no ga kowai desu.
EN I’m scared of going out in Shinjuku at night.
Lesson by Metropolis editors.
K
N
C
A
1
O
A
R
2
そ
S
S
3
B
4
A
5
2
21
7
6
8
9
2
C
Down
1. There
2. Be possesed
3. Furniture
6. Legend
8. Good
9. Floor
Across
1. Softly, lightly
3. River
4. Sadako’s movie
5. When?
7. Ghost story
9. Japanese ghost
Solution:
A
B
C
ANSWERS AT meturl.com/kanacross
09
www.japantravel.com
Japan's Largest Travel Website
10,000+ Exclusive Articles
Discover Japan as never before
through expert reviews, maps
and travel guides
Explore further with our
region map to find both
must-see attractions and
hidden gems
Create and book the
perfect trip with our
online booking system
JapanTravel
www.japantravel.com
10
escapes
EASY TRAVEL
While Rakuten, Inc. is commonly known as the Amazon of
Japan, the company’s travel site, http://travel.rakuten.com,
hasn’t really made a blip on the gaijin radar yet. That’s about
to change. English, Taiwanese, Cantonese and Korean language options of the website have been available since last
month, with more to follow by the end of the year. Fantastic
Edo Wonderland, or Edo Mura as it’s called in
Japanese, immerses you in Japanese life circa 300
years ago. The theme park recreates the atmosphere
of a typical Edo-period town in very precise detail.
visuals, flawless English and a simple, smartphone-friendly
design make it a breeze to navigate, while content drawn
from its extensive Japanese system populates every search
with results from a vast catalogue of local destinations. With over
18,000 accommodations to choose from, you’ll find anything from
high-class hotels to tiny ryokan in places you haven’t heard of yet.
A great free detour for nature-lovers, the spectacular
Kinugawa Tateiwa Otsuribashi Bridge suspends itself
above the rushing Angry Ogre River below.
KINUGAWA
ONSEN
Kinugawa Onsen
Kinugawa
onsen stn
Kinu Bypass
121
BY ALEXANDRA DOROVICI
Kinugawa River
Because of its rich volcanic landscape, it’s not
hard to find onsen spots in Japan. Not far from
Tokyo, Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture should be
at the top of anyone’s list, and the Kinugawa
onsen area makes for a great introduction. Located two hours away from Tokyo, Kinugawa
Onsen station is close to Nikko’s main attractions and known for a wide range of hotels and
ryokan that line the Kinugawa river. Kinugawa
Park Hotels is one such popular destination
and offers a great combination of relaxing hot
springs, delicious Japanese food, breathtaking
views, exciting facilities, comfortable rooms
and immaculate service.
When you arrive, you’ll immediately be
Kinugawa Onsen Hotel
Tobu World
Square
121
Tobu Kinugawa line
Kosagoe stn
Nikkoshi
Kinugawa
Leisure Park
Edo Wonderland
(Edo Mura)
greeted by the staff and brought to your (Japanese- or Western-style) room, where you’ll be
served some freshly-made tea and allowed to
rest, or set out to immediately enjoy the hot
baths in your yukata attire.
The onsen facilities here are both beautiful
and diverse, with two sets of hot springs that
are open to men or women according to the
schedule.
The first set, oedoukiyoburo, includes a big,
beautifully tiled indoor bath with Japanese mosaics on the wall. It looks very luxurious and
comes with a panoramic view of the Kinugawa
river from the windows. The outdoor section,
yakatabune buro, is the biggest and offers two
large baths, a wooden boat hull suspended on
the hill and a natural-looking pond surrounded
FOR MORE GREAT ESCAPES IN JAPAN VISIT JAPANTRAVEL.COM
Tobu World Square is a wonderful, inexplicable
treasure of a theme park where 100 of the world’s
greatest structures have been painstakingly
reconstructed to scale.
by rocks. You can get a view of the river from
this set if you peek through the bamboo fence.
Open to ladies during the day, and men later in
the evening, this is a peaceful bath with traditional surroundings made of only natural materials such as rocks and wood. The second set,
open to men during the day and to ladies at
night, is composed of two inner baths, an odaruburo (wooden barrel tub) and a smaller tiled
bath. The rotenburo, or outdoor bath, separates
into two main sections for more privacy. On
your way out, you’ll be fully recharged and,
depending on the time of day, ready to explore
the local sites or retreat to the restaurant area
to enjoy the hotel’s sumptuous kaiseki ryori
Japanese meal.
Getting There
Kinugawa Onsen station is easily accessible
by bus or train via the JR or Tobu lines. Fares
start from ¥1,550 for the Tobu rapid train from
Asakusa, which takes less than three hours and
departs every one to two hours on weekdays.
It’s the perfect opportunity to try an onsen if
you are on a budget. However, if you’re in a
hurry, the 1-hour express train is recommended,
though it will cost you twice as much.
LINGO BOX
Yoshitsu(洋室)= Western-style room
Furo ni hairu(お風呂に入る)=
get in the bath
Yoku-yo taoru (浴用タオル) =
small onsen towel
JapanTravel.com
11
feature
SPIRITS
OF
SUMMER
The real and imagined
ghosts of Japan
BY ZACK DAVISSON
W
hite kimono. White skin. Long black
hair. The movie monster costume of
the yurei, or Japanese ghost, has
become as recognizable as Dracula’s cape or Jason’s hockey mask.
Since the J-horror boom of the early 2000s
brought them to the world’s attention, yurei
have taken their place as a permanent part of
the horror land. They’ve been imitated, parodied and marketed—yet rarely understood.
What most people know only scratches the
surface. Yurei are far more than pop culture
ephemera.
The most direct translation of yurei is “dim
spirit” but this reveals little of what they actually are. They stem from an ancient Japanese
belief that humans have what amounts to a god
inside of them—a powerful, supernatural spirit
held in check only by the meat-cocoon of the
body. On death, this spirit is unleashed. If properly respected with the appropriate rituals, it
becomes a protective ancestor spirit—a sorei.
But if something goes wrong—if the spirit has
some lingering business or if the rituals are not
properly performed—then you have a yurei to
contend with.
The nature of the yurei depends on the unfinished business. They each have a purpose—
they want something, and desire binds them to
the earthly plane. Sometimes this desire can be
harmless, affectionate even. Stories are told of
yurei who appear to deliver a last “thank you”
they never said in life, or keep a promised ap-
12
pointment with a beloved friend. Sometimes
the purpose is bitter. A grudge-bearing yurei
out for revenge—called an onryo—is one of
the most terrifying creatures in Japanese folklore and religion. But even the most powerful
onryo can be pacified and transformed into a
beneficial deity: As the Buddhist monk Jien
wrote in the 12th century, once a yurei’s claims
have been settled, it is appeased and ceases
to trouble the world.
Photo by Olivier Leroy - www.olivierleroyphoto.com
B
elief in yurei is one of the keystones of
Japanese culture. In his 1903 book Japan: An Attempt at Interpretation, Lafcadio Hearn wrote that without understanding the relationship of the Japanese people
with ghosts, you could never understand Japan. Indeed, this symbiotic relationship—where
the living need to pacify the dead and the dead
in return watch over the living—stretches as far
back as the Jomon period (14,000-300 BCE).
Where other ancient cultures saw great mystical beings in the sky, pounding out lightning
bolts with silver hammers or crashing through
the night on winged horses, Japan saw only
the dead.
During the Heian period (794-1185 CE), the
ghost-religion Goryo Shinko played an important role in both politics and theology. To calm
the spirits of the dead, not only were official rituals performed but the deceased were posthumously raised in rank and title, then enshrined
as kami—protector spirits in Shinto shrines.
The belief was so pervasive that a ceremony
was established and observed in the Imperial
Court welcoming new entrants into the ranks
of protective spirits. Although Goryo Shinko’s
importance declined following the arrival of
Buddhism, its influence lives on in places such
as the controversial Yasukuni shrine, where
Japan’s war dead—known as eiryo, meaning
“heroic dead”—are enshrined as kami.
This belief is not reserved to ancient times or
political maneuvering. Richard Lloyd Parry, Asia
Editor for The Times of London, was confronted
by Japan’s ghosts when researching the 2011
tsunami that killed nearly 20,000 people in a
single swipe of the ocean. Investigating the aftermath, Parry was surprised by reports of yurei
and possession in the disaster zones. Wives
told of husbands rolling around in the mud like
crazy people, shouting that, “Everything must
die and be lost!” People told stories of phantom
figures in their bedrooms leaving behind wet
footprints. Fire stations got midnight calls summoning help to houses that no longer existed.
In response, Buddhist priests set up emergency exorcism shelters and performed rituals
to pacify those who had been killed. Mediums
were brought in to communicate with the dead.
They urged them to let go of their resentment
and attachment, and to transform into protectors of Japan and its people.
As Parry found, the belief, respect—and
fear—of yurei is deeply ingrained in Japanese
society. The ghosts of Japan are very real and
not something to be taken lightly. Inside every
person lives supernatural potential energy, a
force that can protect or devastate depending
Katsushika Hokusai (葛飾北斎) - Wikimedia Commons
“A Doubtful
Record of the
Plate Mansion”
TRANSLATION OF A TRADITIONAL
JAPANESE GHOST STORY
BY ZACK DAVISSON
T
he Yoshida Mansion sits in the fifth ward
of Ushigome-Gomon. The lot on which
it was built was once the home to the
palace of Lady Sen1 before she made
her journey to Akasaka in Edo in 1626. After
that, another building once stood in that lot
which was burned down to the ground—the
home of the minor lord Aoyama Harima.
In the house of Aoyama a young girl named
Okiku worked as a maidservant. On the second
day of the second year of Joo (Jan 2, 1653),
Okiku accidently broke one of the ten precious
plates that were the heirloom of the Aoyama
clan. Harima’s wife was furious and said that
since Okiku had broken one of the ten plates,
it was fair to cut off one of Okiku’s ten fingers
on the circumstances. Yurei are like fire—they
can warm you and heal you or burn out of control and destroy you.
I
t is only appropriate, then, that summer is
Japan’s season of the supernatural. As the
temperature rises, the walls between anoyo
and konoyo—the worlds of the dead and
the living—become thin. In the West, ghosts are
creatures of the harvest, manifesting when a
bloated, fungoid moon hangs in the sky and the
icy death of winter looms large. But in Japan,
yurei emerge in the midst of the year’s most oppressive swelter. Relief from the heat comes in
the form of telling “chilling” tales of yurei and
other kaidan (ghost stories) that send a shiver
down your spine.
Since the Edo period, kabuki theaters have
debuted their new ghost plays in the summer,
while even modern Japan reserves its horror
movies and creepy TV shows for the summer’s
sultry airwaves. In July and August, obon (the
Festival of the Dead) is held across the country to celebrate the return of those who have
passed from this world.
With summer comes the return of the san
o-yurei, the three most famous ghosts of Japan.
There’s Otsuyu, the yurei of love from Botan
Doro (The Peony Lantern), who came to her
lover at night but was revealed by the light of
day to be nothing more than a rotting skeleton.
In Yotsuya Kaidan (Ghost Story of Yotsuya),
the vengeful, poison-ravaged face of the yurei
in return. The middle finger on her right hand
was chosen, and Okiku was confined to a cell
until the punishment was to be administered.
During the night, Okiku managed to slip
her bonds and escape from her cell. She ran
outside and threw herself into an unused
well, drowning at the bottom.
The next night, from the bottom of the well
Oiwa appeared in a lantern as she tormented
the faithless husband who killed her. Then
there’s the odd plate-counting Okiku, from
whom terrifying tales of girls in wells still arise
today. These are the three ghosts that every
Japanese child knows.
While Otsuyu and Oiwa may be more terrifying, there’s no yurei more Japanese than Okiku.
After all, Botan Doro is adapted from a Chinese
story, while Oiwa was created for kabuki theater and comes from the mind of a single author.
Only Okiku is a true folktale.
Okiku seems to have sprung directly from
the soil of Japan. In his book Nihon no Sarayashiki Densetsu (The Japanese Legend
of the Plate Mansion), Atsushi Ito identified
at least 48 variations of the Okiku legend
spread across the country. From locations as
far away as Kanra in Gunma Prefecture to Lafcadio Hearn’s residence in Matsue, Shimane
or from Hata in Kochi all the way down to the
Goto archipelago off the coast of Nagasaki,
any village with a medieval castle and an old
well seems to have its own Okiku legend. Each
is slightly different but similar enough to be
recognizable. You can even see Okiku’s influence in modern movie yurei like Sadako from
Ringu (remade in English as The Ring). The
dead girl in the well never stays down.
And yet, Okiku’s motivations remain the
most obscure. Otsuyu’s desire to be loved and
Oiwa’s lust for revenge are easily understood,
applicable in any culture. But Okiku simply
came a woman’s voice: “One… Two…“ Soon,
the sound of her voice could be heard echoing throughout the mansion, counting the
plates. Everyone was so terrified that their
hair stood up all over their bodies.
Harima’s wife was pregnant and when she
gave birth, her child was missing the middle
finger on its right hand. News of this made it
back to the Imperial Court, and the cursed
Aoyama family was forced to forfeit their territories and holdings.
The sound of the counting of the plates continued. The Imperial Court held special ceremonies to calm Okiku’s spirit, but all in vain. At
last, they sent a holy man to cleanse her. That
night, the holy man waited inside the house. He
listened patiently as the voice counted, “Eight…
Nine…” And then he suddenly shouted, “Ten!”
Okiku’s yurei was heard to whisper, “Oh,
how glad I am,” before she disappeared.
Translated from Sarayashiki Bengiroku by Baba
Bunko (1758).
1. Lady Sen was the eldest daughter of the shogun Hidetaka Tokugawa and
the wife of Hideyori Toyotomi. Her adventurous life produced many legends
and she remains a popular figure in Japan. Her shrine is in Himeji city.
wants to clean up the mess she made and find
that missing tenth plate. Perhaps that’s what
makes her so quintessentially Japanese. Whatever the reason, deep down in her well she
waits for summer to come so that she can rise
and count the plates again.
■ Zack Davisson is the author of Yurei: The
Japanese Ghost and The Ghost of Oyuki (Chin
Music Press) and the translator of Shigeru Mizuki’s Eisner-nominated Showa: A History of Japan (Drawn & Quarterly). He writes extensively
about Japanese ghost stories at his website,
www.hyakumonogatari.com.
■ Richard Lloyd Parry’s “Ghosts of the Tsunami”
was published by the London Review of Books
in February 2014. It can be read here: http://
meturl.com/tsunamighost
■ Tokyo-based photographer Olivier Leroy’s
“Ghost Story” images are available as fine art
prints. www.olivierleroyphoto.com
LINGO BOX
Yurei ni toritsukareru (幽霊に取りつかれる) =
be possessed by a ghost
Reino-sha (霊能者) = a medium
Densetsu (伝説) = a legend
Ido (井戸) = a well
13
SEARCHING FOR
JAPAN’S FACE
OF FASHION
Do you speak Chinese, English, French, Japanese or Spanish? Fashion One and
Metropolis magazine are now looking for talented, genki hosts for Fashion One’s new
Japan-based broadcasts.
Send a CV, cover letter, photo and a link to any on-camera work to:
[email protected]
Fashion One broadcasts original fashion programming to over 300 million people in
44 countries worldwide. Apply now and join the fashion frontline!
metropolis.co.jp/fashionone
fashion fix
PARIS BOUND
BY SAMUEL THOMAS
Tokyo fashion seems to be suffering an exodus of some of its finest talent, with the shocking announcement that designer Kunihiko Morinaga’s
celebrated label Anrealage will relocate its Tokyo Fashion Week show to
Paris. Known for its cutting-edge, technology-infused collections that can
change both size and color to suit the whim of the wearer, the brand joins
Lady Gaga outfitter Christian Dada from Masanori Morikawa in making
ON POINT
cuter for it. Bringing the tale full
circle is Mad Tea Party, tucked
away in a backstreet in the cutting-edge street fashion haven
of Koenji. Taking its calls from
the sense of danger and chaos
found in the original work, the
boutique mixes remade fashion hammered together from
vintage clothes with museumquality pieces of secret-society
regalia, militaria and academic
dress from around the world.
The well-observed fusion is down to Okada, the
shop’s owner, whose own time in Oxford, the
home of Lewis Carroll, has informed the creation
of a genuine wonderland.
Photo by Samuel Thomas
Breakthrough designer of the
moment Leonard Wong has
been making waves in the city
with the launch of “Deuxieme
Line,” a toned-down, wearable
take on the avant-garde extremes he first shot to fame with
via his award-winning debut
collection last year. That collection featured a wealth of futurist
geometric creations rendered
in bodice-hugging leather that
wouldn’t look out of place dressing the villain in
a superhero movie, but his second line reduces
the core aesthetic to office-ready white shirts,
razor-sharp pencil skirts and power-shouldered
jackets that will guarantee a strict style without
accusations of fashion victimhood.
The decision to dilute the aesthetic to appeal
to the mass market isn’t the only progressive
move he’s made—the young Chinese designer
is a graduate of Tokyo-based Bunka Fashion
College, and one of the first to center his activities as a designer in Japan post-graduation.
the jump from Tokyo to Paris this year.
Yohji Yamamoto and Rei Kawakubo’s Comme des Garcons established Paris as the gateway to the best of Tokyo fashion back in the ’80s.
Whether the current generation can follow in their esteemed footsteps
remains to be seen, but Tokyo’s official week is desperately in need of
some new headline acts to bring in a fashion crowd with clout.
SHOPPING STRATEGY
Trends may come and go in Tokyo fashion, but
sometimes a style just sticks. The Riot Grrl look
first cropped up on the streets of Harajuku in the
early 1990s—and arguably never left, with the
Courtney Love-inspired “kinderwhore” subgenre
in particular becoming a wardrobe mainstay for
young Tokyo rebels. For a textbook example we
look to model Manaha Hosoda, whose spot-on mix
of a vintage pleated school skirt with a leather dog
collar is a timeless combo we’ll be seeing on the
street for decades to come.
Photo by Samuel Thomas
The Japanese love affair with Lewis Carroll’s
Alice in Wonderland has spawned entire genres
of Japanese fashion, inspiring generations of
Lolita fashion aficionados and kawaii obsessives
in the process. However, it’s usually the Disney
retelling of the story, not the Carroll original, from
which fashion takes its cues—ending up all the
STREET
FOCUS
FASHION CALENDAR
Aug 22-Sep 7 | Shinjuku
Creators Festa
The annual Shinjuku Creators
festival is an open invitation to
mix fashion, shopping and art
in and around Shinjuku station.
Commuters will have no choice
but to pass through, but it’s well
worth planning a visit to see
fashionable endeavors from the
likes of Yayoi Kusama. www.
scf-web.net
Aug 23 | Ice Watch Tokyo
Flagship Opening
Belgian watch brand Ice Watch
finally adds a dedicated Tokyo
territory to its worldwide
empire, with the flagship in the
heart of Harajuku set to echo
the colorful branding of the
instantly recognizable watches
themselves. http://ice-watch.
com
From Aug 27 | Sartorial
Staples by Neil Barrett
With a promise to level-up your
everyday style basics, Neil
Barrett’s BlackBarret launches
its first Tokyo shop in Isetan
Men’s. Spending over ¥20,000
will net you a free gift at launch,
but at ¥20,520 for a shirt, that
shouldn’t be hard. isetan.
mistore.jp/store
From Aug 30 | Otsuka
Gofukuten comes to Tokyo
Affordable kimono outfitter
Otsuka Gofukten comes
to Kanto for the first time,
following successful stores in
Kyoto and Kobe. The brand
mixes traditional kimono cuts
with colorful modern textiles
such as tartan and check at very
accessible prices. www.lumine.
ne.jp/shinjuku
Sep 2-15 | VTOPIA in LaForet
Harajuku
The VTOPIA accessories label
from cult Japanese label Mother
has a limited showing in LaForet
Harajuku. Dubbed “Utopia,”
the limited edition shop is the
perfect chance to grab some
on-trend oversized jewelry.
http://mothermother.com/
mother/index.html
15
arts&culture
Gift of Henry Walters, The Metropolitan Museum
ART
EGYPTIAN QUEENS
AND GODDESSES
Femmes and fatalism
on the Nile
BY C.B. LIDDELL
With deserts on both sides, to the ancient Egyptians it must have seemed nothing short of a
miracle the way the Nile regularly flooded year
LADYBEARD
KAZUNORI
KUMAGAI
Tap maestro back from
New York’s mean streets
Cosplay goes headbanging
BY DAN GRUNEBAUM
BY MIKE KANERT
© Maiko Miyagawa
16
its most powerful leaders, Queen
Hatshepsut, who reigned—first as
regent for her young nephew, then
as joint pharaoh—in the 15th century
B.C. There’s an element of gender confusion in the exhibition because representations of the queen typically depict her as
any other pharaoh, complete with false
beard and blue-and-white striped “nemes”
headdress.
POP LIFE
STAGE
At the age of 15, a screening of Gregory Hines’
movie Tap inspired Kazurnori Kumagai to track
down the only tap teacher in Sendai. By the age
of 20, he was in New York studying at Funk University, the training workshop for the hit Broadway show Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk.
“In ’90s New York, it was survival,” says Kumagai, who yearns for a return to the artistic
crucible of the time. “It was a world where, when
you got on the stage, it was always a question of
whether you would cut it or get cut.”
Training with dancers from a musical review
of black American history was an eye-opener for
Kumagai, who says he’d never given a thought
to racial tension. “I entered without prejudices
and got along with everyone. They accepted
me, calling me their ‘Sole Brother’—S-O-L-E.”
One day he arrived at the studio to find Gregory Hines himself practicing inside. “I watched
him a little,” Kumagai says. “And he noticed me
and said, ‘Practice with me.’”
This was no friendly invitation: “When someone says, ‘Let’s go,’ that means they’re challenging you,” Kumagai explains. “If you don’t
go all-out, it’s like an insult. It becomes a true
Mirror with a handle of the
Goddess Hathor, 1479-1425
after year, covering their fields with
a coating of fertile mud in which to
plant their crops. This appreciation
of natural fertility also gave a certain feminine twist to their culture,
something that is explored in the latest exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan
Museum, and sourced from that other metropolitan museum—the one in New York.
Since the early 20th century, the New
York institution has been conducting excavations in Egypt, especially near an
enormous mortuary temple built by one of
M
etropolis caught up with Aussie
cosplay cross-dresser and heavy
metal headbanger Ladybeard to
find out how Japan compares to
Hong Kong, and hear the legendary origin of his sailor suit.
What possessed you to become Ladybeard?
The seed for the character was planted when
I was 14 and started going to parties wearing
my big sister’s school dress. Whenever I went
cross-dressed, everyone would have more
fun because a guy in a dress was in the room.
I continued cross-dressing on occasion when
going to parties and rock shows for many
years. Then, when I first cross-dressed in
Hong Kong, where I used to live, the Chinese
just went crazy—people thought I was the
funniest thing they had ever seen. I came up
with the name Ladybeard, which happened
to translate perfectly into Cantonese, and
began introducing myself to people as that.
When I started wrestling I needed a character,
and Ladybeard it was. I thought the audience
would hate me. Big, hairy white guy wearing
a dress and speaking bad Cantonese—heat
magnet for sure, I figured. Incorrect. The fans
loved me!
What does Ladybeard bring out in Japanese
audiences?
The kawaii (cute) side of Ladybeard seems to
strike a chord with Japanese people the most.
Rather than comedy, which is my focus when
battle.” Searching for words to describe the man
who inspired his life’s work, he says, “He was
really ‘real,’ so… more than liking him, I found
him challenging.”
Kumagai returned to Japan in 2002, burning
to bring the aggressive energy of New York’s
tap scene to his home country. But his in-yourface attitude immediately put him at odds with
the existing Japanese dance scene. He ended
up doing street performances and dancing at
small jazz clubs until he caught the eye of jazz
trumpeter Terumasa Hino. A successful tour
with Hino led to more collaborations including
free jazz stylist Yosuke Yamashita and Cuban
pianist Omar Sosa. He built on his string of successes to open Kaz Tap Studio in Nakameguro
in 2008, now complemented by a mobile studio
in Sendai.
While Cleopatra, the last queen of Egypt, was
famously dependent on her ability to manipulate
the great men of her day to get what she wanted,
Hatshepsut presents an example of a woman
who flourished because of her executive skills.
Her reign appears to have been largely peaceful
and prosperous, marked by the opening of new
trade routes.
But it could be said that she also owed her
position to the men around her, and more particularly to the fact that they died. Her husband
Thutmose II, who was also her brother, passed
away after a short reign, leaving Hatshepsut to
play regent to his son by another wife. Her power
was that of the widow, and for this reason she
fostered a cult of death, which reflected back on
her and added to her authority. Her main building project was a mortuary temple complex at
Deir el-Bahri, where many of the artifacts here
were uncovered. This was the first temple complex built in what later became the famous “Valley of the Kings.” The exhibition includes a model
of the temple, showing its perfect symmetry.
Many of the items on display have a connection with death including several depictions of
Hathor, usually shown as a woman with cow
ears, the goddess who welcomed the dead
into the next world. But she was also the deity
of feminine love and motherhood, showing the
degree to which the ancient Egyptians conflated
life and death.
The exhibition also focuses on ideas of beauty and fashion with various gold headdresses,
jewelry and makeup containers, but this is its
weaker side. At the height of her power, Queen
Hatshepsut likely didn’t need to check her lipstick or even her eye shadow.
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, until Sep 23.
See exhibition listings (Ueno) for details.
Photo by Naoko Tachibana
I put my acts together, it’s the kawaiiness that
wins fans’ hearts here… But when the metal
drop happens in my songs, the sweet young
girls who were calling out “Kawaii!” suddenly
start headbanging with more ferocity than any
metal frontman I’ve ever seen.
Tell us about Ladybeard’s transition from Chi-
nese to Japanese culture.
Japanese culture is all about
reading between lines, whereas Chinese culture is as direct
as can be. That being said, I’m
finding the Japanese to be far
more lavish with the expression of their feelings. It seemed
to me that Chinese audiences
only wanted to approve of me
if their mates were approving of
me first. However, in Japan the
audience seems to be made up
of individuals who have each
decided on their own that they
like me and want to come to the
show. Then those individuals
group together as a unit.
Where did you buy your serafuku (Japanese schoolgirl
sailor suit), and does it need
tailoring?
One night while sleeping, an
angel visited me in my dreams.
He was an elderly gentleman
with a grey plaited beard, wearing serafuku. He bestowed
upon me special serafuku that was blessed by
the cross-dresser gods and would bring great
joy to all who looked upon it. When I woke up I
was mysteriously wearing the serafuku.... I chose
not to question where it came from but rather to
fulfill the purpose it was created for—posing for
photos and making people smile.
Have you had any luck in Japan’s geinokai
(show business)?
I’ve had a few TV appearances already and
there’s more madness developing every day.
My TV commercials for Takasu Clinic should be
out by the time you read this. Me, Takasu-san
and the big man Bob Sapp—that was a fun day
of shooting indeed!
What are the strangest things that have happened at Ladybeard performances?
At a wrestling show in Hong Kong, a fan once
stole the commentator’s microphone and challenged me to a match. He wasn’t a wrestler;
he was just some guy in the audience. In Hong
Kong I seemed to get challenged to fights a lot.
I guess considering I’m a man wearing a dress,
that’s not all that surprising.
Who are you when you’re not Ladybeard?
When I’m not Ladybeard? I don’t know what
you’re talking about.
Ladybeard vs Godzilla: Who wins and why?
Godzilla’s major disadvantages are his lack of
kawaiiness and a beard. Sure, he’s a terrifying,
enormous monster that smashes cities, but I think
we can all agree he’d look far more impressive
doing so in a pink and white cheerleader’s bikini,
or a cute Lolita dress.... And of course, there is no
strength in the world that cannot be overcome by
the raw power of an amazing beard. So, long story
short, Ladybeard wins hands down—mainly due
to overwhelming audience support.
Aug 23, Heaven’s Door. See concert listings
for details. Aug 31, Shinjuku Face. See sports
listings for details. www.ladybeard.com
Like Hines, Kumagai’s tap style is improvisational, engaging his partners in impromptu musical conversations. “When you really focus, there
are times when you won’t really ‘entertain,’ per
se. And there are times where you’re almost like
an instrument. It’s like… ” He pauses to reflect:
“You are what you are. That’s what’s important.”
At Hear My Sole, his solo show scheduled
at Bunkamura’s Orchard Hall September 12-13,
Kumagai will partner not with a musician but with
award-winning, Paris-based architect Tsuyoshi
Tane. The two previously collaborated at Milan
Design Week 2014, where Kumagai danced
amid a dangling cylinder of 80,000 delicate
reflecting discs, each made from the central
plate of a Citizen watch.
Kumagai still seems far from any state of
comfort, however. A Japanese tap dancer with
an American style, he has come to accept that
there may be no place in the world where he
feels truly at home. “The place where I feel
most comfortable is in my own show on my
own stage,” he says. But even there, every
dance is a battlefield—and he wouldn’t have
it any other way.
Bunkamura Orchard Hall, Sep 12-13.
See dance listings for details.
17
agenda
WATCH LIST
EDITOR’S PICK SEP 7
ANIMATE!
For Latin culture aficionados who don't get their fill at
this weekend’s Asakusa Samba Carnival, Animate! hosts
salsa powerhouse El Gran Combo in the year’s biggest
Latin music concert. Animate! is the annual Tokyo spinoff
of Fukuoka’s Isla de Salsa, Japan’s largest Latin music
festival. Founded by 88-year-old pianist Rafael Ithier, El
Gran Combo is known as the “University of Salsa” for its
many “graduates” who have gone on to become legends
themselves. Four bands in total will keep the audience
moving from the afternoon till late in the evening. —Dan
Grunebaum
AUG 23
33RD SAMBA
CARNIVAL
Latin-style parade and dance
contest. Aug 23, 1pm, free. Badodori and Kaminarimon-dori area.
Asakusa. www.asakusa-samba.
org
© 1996 – Ciné-tamaris
Sep 7, all day, free. Koenji area. Koenji. www.koenjiawaodori.com
SEP 4-15
BELGIAN BEER
WEEKEND TOKYO
12 days of beer, food and music
in a great setting. Sep 4-15,
4-10pm (Mon-Fri)/ 11am-10pm
(Sat, Sun & hols), ¥3,100.
Roppongi Hills. Roppongi. www.
belgianbeerweekend.jp/en/
AUG 28-31
AUG 28-DEC 14
ROCK THE BALLET 2
LE MONDE ENCHANTÉ DE
JACQUES DEMY
21st century dance company
performs with art video projection
to popular rock tunes. Aug 28, 7pm;
Aug 29, 2pm; Aug 30, 1 & 6pm;
Aug 31, 1pm, ¥6,000-8,000. Tokyo
Metropolitan Theatre. Ikebukuro.
Tel: 03-5391-2111. www.geigeki.jp
Behind-the-scenes photographs from works by
the French New Wave director known for The
Umbrellas of Cherbourg and other films. Aug
28-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
©TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION 2014 S/S
SEP 6
©浅草サンバカーニバル実行委員会
hot tickets
TOKYO GIRLS
COLLECTION
2014 A/W
Japan’s biggest prêt-à-porter
fashion event. Sep 6, 3pm,
¥6,300 (adv). Saitama Super
Arena. Saitama-Shintoshin.
http://tgc.st/
SEP 13
SEP 27-28
OCT 8-12
OCT 15-26
NOV 30
Musashino-Kuni Sake
Festival
Tokyo Grand Tea
Ceremony
Yama
Don Giovanni
Hotei
Over 140 sake types available for
sampling. Sep 13, 11am-4pm, free
(reservation required). Okunitama
Shrine. Fuchu-Honmachi. http://
meturl.com/musasfesm
Tickets on sale now!
18
A unique opportunity to experience
the many different styles of serving
Japanese tea. Register by Aug
31. Sep 27-28, 10am-5pm, ¥700.
Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural
Museum. Musashikoganei.
www.tokyo-grand-teaceremony2014.jp
Folktales from Yamagata brought to
the stage in English with Japanese
subtitles. Oct 8-10, 7:30pm; Oct
11-12, 2:30 & 7:30pm, ¥2,500
(student)/ ¥3,000 (adv)/ ¥3,500
(door). Tiny Alice. Shinjuku
Sanchome or Shinjuku Gaienmae.
Tel: 03-3354-7307. http://
doubtfulsound.asia
Operatic portrayal of a playboy’s
uninhibited and philandering life. Oct
16 & 24, 6:30pm; Oct 19, 22 & 26,
2pm, ¥4,320-23,760. New National
Theatre Tokyo. Hatsudai. Tel:
03-5352-9999. www.nntt.jac.go.jp/
english
Japanese rock icon. Nov 30,
5:30pm, ¥7,800 (adv) +1d. NHK
Hall. Shibuya. Tel: 03-3465-1751.
http://l-tike.com
Concerts
POPULAR
Dorothy Little Happy
Cannibal Corpse
Idol quintet from Sendai. Sep
6, 5:30pm, ¥3,900 (adv) +1d.
Zepp DiverCity. Daiba.
dorothylittlehappy.com
With Defiled and Infernal
Revulsion. Sep 17, 7pm,
¥6,900 (adv) +1d. Liquidroom.
Ebisu. Tel: 03-5464-0800.
www.smash-jpn.com
Dreams Come True
J-pop duo. Aug 23-24, 5pm,
¥8,100 (adv). Saitama Super
www.dreamscometrue.com
Manatsu Dankon Matsuri
Ladybeard, Cosmic Neurose
and others. Sangenjaya
Heaven's Door. Aug 23, 6pm,
¥2,000 (adv)/ ¥2,300 (door)
+1d. Sangejaya. www.
ladybeard.com
Yokohama Reggae Sai
One-day festival with Mighty
Crown, Risky Dice and more.
Sep 6, 4pm, ¥3,000 (adv)
+1d. Yokohama Bay Hall.
Motomachi-Chukagai.
Tel: 045-624-3900. www.
yokohamareggaesai.com
The Three Degrees
’70s soul music. Aug 26-27,
7 & 9:30pm, ¥7,500-9,500.
Billboard Live. Roppongi.
www.billboard-live.com
Visual-kei quartet. Sep 6,
6pm, ¥6,000 (adv) +1d.
O-East. Shibuya. l-tike.com
BoA
Queen of K-pop. Sep 6,
6pm; Sep 7, 4pm, ¥7,500
(adv). NHK Hall. Shibuya.
Tel: 0570-550-799. www.
kyodotokyo.com
Acoustic Folky Roots
Summer Close-Out
Johnny Barefoot, The Lotus
Duo and others. Sep 6,
7:30pm, ¥1,000 +1d. Akasaka
Crawfish. Akasaka. Tel:
03-3584-2496. meturl.com/
acousty1
Animelo Summer Live
2014
Bridge Park Picnic No. 1
The biggest anime song
concert in Japan. Aug
29-31, 4pm, ¥8,700 (adv)
+1d. Saitama Super Arena.
Saitama-Shintoshin. www.
anisama.tv
Hip-hop artists Jidori,
ManYuh, Beatjackers and
Zach H. Sep 7, 6:30pm, ¥1,520
(adv)/ ¥2,000 (door). Akasaka
Crawfish. Akasaka. Tel:
03-3584-2496. crawfish.jp
Kitazawa Typhoon
Animate!
One-day rock festival with
But By Fall, Snail Ramp
and others. Aug 30, 2pm,
¥3,300 (adv) +1d. Livehouses
across Shimokitazawa.
Shimokitazawa. www.
kitazawatyphoon.com
Latin sounds from Puerto
Rico, Brazil and more. Sep 7,
3:30pm, ¥7,600-8,600 (adv)
+1d. Zepp DiverCity. Daiba.
meturl.com/animate14
Chain the Rock Festival
With bands Dear Loving,
Tezya & The Sightz, Bordeaux
and others. Aug 30-31,
1pm, ¥4,500 (1 day, adv)
+1d. Club Citta. Kawasaki.
Tel: 044-246-8888. www.
chaintherock.net
Daizystripper
Takadanobaba-borne
visual-kei rockers. Aug 30,
6pm, ¥4,500 (adv) +1d.
Akasaka Blitz. Akasaka.
www.sogotokyo.com
Aquapit featuring Ken Ota
Japanese jazz band. Aug 22,
7 & 9pm, ¥5,000-20,000.
Motion Blue. Bashamichi.
Tel: 045-226-1919. www.
motionblue.co.jp
Sid
Paranoiz Vol. 2
Emo-core bands Take
Ambulance, Parasana,
Resistance to Infection
and more. Aug 24, 6pm,
¥2,000 (adv)/ ¥2,500 (door)
+1d. Cyclone. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-3463-0069. www.
cyclone1997.com
JAZZ/WORLD
Flat Earth Society
Belgian big brass band with
guests Polygon Head. Sep
8, 7pm, ¥5,000 (adv) +1d.
Club Quattro. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-3477-8750. www.
smash-jpn.com
Edogawa Jazz Night
Summer jazz with various
artists. Aug 23, 5pm, ¥5,500.
Edogawa Bunka Center.
Shinkoiwa or Koiwa.
Tel: 03-3652-1111. http://
edogawa-bunkacenter.jp
Hapa
Hawaiian music duo. Aug
23, 5 & 8pm, ¥6,500-8,500.
Cotton Club. Tokyo.
Tel: 03-3215-1555. www.
cottonclubjapan.co.jp
Morgan’s Organ
At Home 13
British keyboardist Morgan
Fisher (ex-Mott the Hoople)
continues his series of
ambient improv concerts in his
home studio. Aug 24, 5:30pm,
¥3,000. Morgan Salon.
2-2-4 Izumi, Suginami-ku.
Daitabashi.
Donald Harrison Quintet
Sax player from New Orleans.
Aug 25-28, 6:30 & 9pm,
¥7,500-9,500. Cotton Club.
Tokyo. Tel: 03-3215-1555.
www.cottonclubjapan.co.jp
Sukiyaki Tokyo
World music festival with
Mayra Andrade and others.
Aug 26-28, 7pm, ¥4,8005,500 (adv, 1 day)/ ¥12,000
(adv, 3 days). WWW.
Shibuya. http://novusaxis.
com/st14.html
Tokyo Big Band
Crossfaith
With We Came As Romans,
While She Sleeps and
Crystal Lake. Sep 9, 6pm,
¥3,800 (adv) +1d. Club Citta.
Kawasaki. Tel: 0570-029999. www.creativeman.
co.jp
19-piece ensemble led by
pianist-arranger Jonathan
Katz, featuring guest vocalist
Andrea Hopkins. Aug 28,
7:30 & 9pm, ¥4,000 (adv)/
¥4,500 (door). Akasaka B Flat.
Akasaka. Akasaka. www.
jkatz.net/images/live-new-e.
pdf
Trigger Fes: Summer
Otodama Sea Studio
Music festival on the beach
with Aqua Timez, Konishiki and
more. Until Aug 31, various
times, various prices. Otodama
Sea Studio. Yuigahama beach,
Kamakura. Kamakura. www.
otodama-beach.com/2014
Danger Danger
American ’80s hard rock
band. Sep 3, 7pm; Sep 4,
7pm, ¥6,500 (adv) +1d.
Tel: 0570-02-9999. www.
creativeman.co.jp
Fear, and Loathing in Las
Vegas
Electro-metal youngsters.
Sep 4, 7pm, ¥3,300 (adv) +1d.
Studio Coast. Shin-Kiba.
Tel: 03-3499-6669. www.
creativeman.co.jp
Delay 2014
Indie psychedelic rock band
Ogre You Asshole with
Manners. Sep 5, 7:30pm,
¥3,600 (adv) +1d. Shindaita
Fever. Shimokitazawa.
Tel: 03-6304-7899.
http://doobie-web.com/
event/140905oya.php
The Whoops, Ladbreaks,
Lunchu and others. Sep 10,
noon, free. Yoyogi Park.
Harajuku. Tel: 03-34696081. http://triggerfes.jp
Herbie Hancock
14-time Grammy award winner.
Sep 4, 8pm, ¥35,000-40,400.
Blue Note. Omotesando.
Tel: 03-5485-0088. www.
bluenote.co.jp
Tokyo Jazz Festival
Herbie Hancock, Jaga Jazzist
and others. Sep 5, various
times, various prices. Various
venues. Tel: 03-5777-8600.
http://tokyo-jazz.com
Christian McBride Big Band
Three-time Grammy award
winner. Sep 5, 6:30 &
9:30pm; Sep 6, 5 & 8pm,
¥8,500-40,000. Motion Blue.
Bashamichi. Tel: 045-2261919. www.motionblue.co.jp
CLASSICAL
Movie Classics
Tokyo Pops Symphony
Orchestra performs Moon
River, Speak Softly Love and
other popular film tunes.
Aug 22, 7pm, ¥5,000-6,000.
Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall.
Minatomirai. Tel: 045-6822020. www.yaf.or.jp
Classical Music for the
Entire Family
Singer Sayuri Nakashima
accompanied by piano and
violin. Aug 23, 10:45pm,
¥500. Chiba Wakaba Bunka
Hall. Chishirodai. Tel:
043-237-1911. www.f-cp.jp/
wakaba
Kiyo Matsuda and Duo
Mimosa
Violin and piano recital.
Aug 24, 1pm, ¥4,000-7,000.
Tokyo Opera City Recital
Hall. Shinjuku or Hatsudai.
Tel: 03-5353-9999. www.
operacity.jp
International Program for
Music Composition No. 37
Two pieces by Pascal
Dusapin, conducted by
Toshio Hosokawa. Aug 25,
7pm, ¥1,000-3,000. Suntory
Hall. Roppongi-itchome.
Tel: 0570-55-0017. www.
suntory.com/culture-sports/
suntoryhall
Pipe Organ
Softwind 6th
Anniversary Live
Jazz violinist duo. Aug 29, 8
& 9:30pm, ¥3,200. Softwind.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-68087337. www.softwind.jp
Performed by Ryoki
Yamaguchi. Aug 27,
7:15pm, ¥1,500-2,500.
Swing Out Sister
British sophisti-pop group.
Sep 10, 7pm, ¥9,800 (adv)
+1d. Ex Theater Roppongi.
Roppongi or Nogizaka.
www.ex-theater.com
Brazilian music. Aug 30, 5:30
& 7:30pm, ¥4,000-22,000.
Tel: 045-226-1919. www.
motionblue.co.jp
Ash Da Hero, The Hitch
Lowke and others. Sep 11,
6pm, ¥3,000 (adv)/ ¥3,500
(door) +1d. WWW. Shibuya.
Tel: 050-5533-0888. http://
www-shibuya.jp
Blue Note Record’s 75th
Anniversary
Labyrinth
Eric Darius
Clinical beats and
psychedelics. Sep 13-15, all
day, ¥17,000 (adv). Naeba
Ski Resort. Echigo Yuzawa.
www.mindgames.jp
Jazz singer-saxophonist
dubbed the “Grover
Washington, Jr. of the 21st
century.” Aug 31, 5 & 8pm;
Sep 1-2, 6:30 & 9pm, ¥6,5008,500. Cotton Club. Tokyo.
Tel: 03-3215-1555. www.
cottonclubjapan.co.jp
One Ok Rock
Kanzen Kangaku dreamers.
Sep 13, 5:30pm; Sep 14,
5:30pm, ¥6,000 (adv)
+1d. Yokohama Stadium.
Kannai. Tel: 03-3405-9999.
www.sogotokyo.com
Tomomi Itano
J-pop singer and former
AKB48 member. Sep 15, 6pm,
¥5,800 (adv) +1d. Zepp Tokyo.
Aomi. http://tomomiitano.jp
Composer Pianist
Festival 2014
Performances by Nobuyuki
Tsujii and others. Sep 1, 7pm,
¥5,000-9,000. Suntory Hall.
Roppongi-itchome. Tel:
0570-55-0017. www.suntory.
com/culture-sports/suntoryhall
Yamato String Quartet
Performance celebrating their
20th anniversary. Sep 2, 7pm,
¥3,500. Yokohama Minato
Mirai Hall. Minatomirai. Tel:
045-682-2020. www.yaf.or.jp
Orchard Hall 25th
Anniversary Gala
Bunkamura 25th anniversary
special event. Sep 3-4, 6:30pm,
¥10,000-25,000. Bunkamura
Orchard Hall. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5353-9522. www.
bunkamura.co.jp
Various artists. Aug 30, 5
& 8pm, ¥6,800. Blue Note.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-54850088. www.bluenote.co.jp
Evening Duet and Solo
Opera
Singers from Europe take to
the stage. Aug 28, 6:30pm,
¥4,000. Tokyo Opera City
Recital Hall. Shinjuku or
Hatsudai. Tel: 03-5353-9999.
www.operacity.jp
Sachiko Suda
Viola recital. Aug 29, 7pm,
¥3,000. Tokyo Opera City
Recital Hall. Shinjuku or
Hatsudai. Tel: 03-5353-9999.
www.operacity.jp
Irish Harp and Organ
Performed by Keisuke
Teramoto and Miho
Hasegawa. Aug 30, 2:40pm,
free. Saitama Arts Theater.
Yonohonmachi. Tel:
0570-064-939. www.saf.or.jp
Hiroshi Sugano
Dragon Quest VI
Smooth saxophone player.
Sep 2, 7 & 9pm, ¥3,600.
Tel: 045-226-1919. www.
motionblue.co.jp
Songs from the famous game
performed by the Tokyo
Metropolitan Symphony
Orchestra. Aug 31, 2pm,
¥2,000-5,000. Edogawa
Bunka Center. Shinkoiwa
or Koiwa. Tel: 03-36521111. http://edogawabunkacenter.jp
Kiyozuka Land Live
With Shinya Kiyozuka and
Rando Takai. Sep 3, 7pm,
International Forum Hall C.
Yurakucho. Tel: 0570-550799. www.blast-tour.jp
War Horse
South Africa’s Handspring
Puppet Company brings
breathing, galloping, full-scale
horses to life onstage.
Until Aug 24, various times,
¥8,000-13,000. Theatre Orb.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3477-9999.
www.theatre-orb.com
Babel
Artists join dance, music and
art to create something else
entirely. Aug 29, 7pm; Aug
30-31, 2pm, ¥7,000-9,000.
Theatre Orb. Shibuya. Tel:
03-3477-9999. www.promax.
co.jp/babel_words
Drumstruck
Conducted by Myung-Whun
Chung. Sep 4, 7pm, ¥4,00012,000. Suntory Hall.
0570-55-0017. www.suntory.
co.jp/suntoryhall
Make music with professional
percussionists in an
interactive drum experience
from South Africa. Until
Aug 31, various times,
¥5,200-8,300. The Galaxy
Theatre. Kita-shinagawa or
Tennouzu Isle. http://hpot.jp/
drumstruck
21st Euodia Praise Concert
Idomeneo
Euodia Orchestra & Choir plays
Tchaikovsky, Brahms and more.
Sep 5, 6:30pm, ¥2,000-5,000.
Tokyo Opera City Concert
Hall. Hatsudai or Shinjuku.
Tel: 03-5353-9999. http://
operacity.jp
Mozart’s opera recounts the
story of Helen of Troy. Sep
12-13, 3pm; Sep 14-15, 1pm,
¥2,000-18,000. New National
Theatre Tokyo. Hatsudai.
Tel: 03-3234-9999. www.
nikikai.net
Keisuke Toyama
Disney on Ice: Dare to
Dream
Asia Philharmonic
Orchestra 2014
Piano sonatas by Mozart,
Beethoven and Liszt. Sep 6,
6pm, ¥3,000-4,000. Suntory
Hall. Roppongi-itchome. Tel:
0570-55-0017. www.suntory.
co.jp/suntoryhall
Saito Kinen Festival
Classical music festival.
Until Sep 6. various times,
various prices. Various venues
across Matsumoto city,
Nagano. Matsumoto. www.
saito-kinen.com
Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi
Cello recital. Sep 7, 1:30pm,
¥3,000-4,300. Muza Kawasaki
Symphony Hall. Kawasaki.
Tel: 044-520-0100. www.
kawasaki-sym-hall.jp
Tokyo Metropolitan
Symphony Orchestra
Concert No.774
Conducted by Jakub Hrůša. Sep
8, 7pm, ¥2,000-7,500. Suntory
Hall. Roppongi-itchome. Tel:
0570-55-0017. www.suntory.
com/culture-sports/suntoryhall
Cinderella, Snow White and
Rapunzel skate into our hearts.
Sep 13-15, various times,
¥2,900-6,000. Saitama Super
Tel: 0570-084-636. www.
disney.co.jp/onice
Dance
Argentango
Collaboration project between
dance groups Badgirls
and Tango Boys. Until Aug
26, various times, ¥8,800.
Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre.
Ikebukuro. Tel: 03-53912111.
The Tokyo Ballet 50th
Anniversary Gala
Stars Sylvie Guillem, Vladimir
Malakhov and others perform
Boléro and more. Aug 30-31,
3pm, ¥5,000-22,000. NHK Hall.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3791-8888.
www.nbs.or.jp
Cloud/Crowd
Friendship Concert
Saigenji
Hero’s Night
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Indie rock from the U.S. Sep
6, 6pm, ¥6,000 (adv) +1d.
Tel: 03-3444-6751. www.
smash-jpn.com
¥6,500-8,000. Cotton Club.
Tokyo. Tel: 03-3215-1555.
www.cottonclubjapan.co.jp
Kanagawa Philharmonic
Orchestra. Sep 9, 10:30am
& 1:30pm, ¥500-1,000.
A Taste of Opera
With Daisuke Oyama, Hana
Yamada and Rei Yamada. Sep
10, 12:10 & 7pm, ¥500. Muza
Kawasaki Symphony Hall.
Kawasaki. Tel: 044-5200100. www.kawasaki-symhall.jp
Stage
Five Japanese artists draw on
cultural approaches to create
an original mix of contemporary
and traditional dance. Aug 30,
5pm; Aug 31, 3pm, ¥3,2406,480. New National Theatre
Tokyo. Hatsudai. Tel:
03-5352-9999. www.nntt.jac.
go.jp/english
Ochiatteiru
All-female dance company
presents its latest creation.
Sep 4-5, 7pm; Sep 6, 2 & 7pm;
Sep 7, 3pm, ¥3,000-4,500.
Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre.
Ikebukuro. Tel: 03-53912111. www.geigeki.jp
Hear My Sole
Impro5z to Educate
Comedy Show
A bilingual comedy show
where you can learn to laugh
all over again. Aug 22, 7:30pm,
¥2,000 w/drink. International
Chappe Dining. 3-3-24 MinamiAoyama, Minato-ku. Nearest
stn: Omotesando. http://meturl.
com/impro5z
Blast!
Explosive musical spectacle.
Until Aug 24, various times,
¥8,000-13,000 (adv). Tokyo
New York-based tap dancer
Kazunori Kumagai’s solo show.
Sep 12, 7pm; Sep 13, 2pm,
¥4,000-8,800. Bunkamura
Orchard Hall. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5353-9522. www.
bunkamura.co.jp
Men in Pink Tights
Ballet Eloelle presents a fresh
and funny take on classical
dance. Sep 14-15, 2pm, ¥5,0007,500. Bunkamura Orchard Hall.
Shibuya. Tel: 050-3776-6184.
www.bunkamura.co.jp
19
Clubbing
FRIDAY 22
Ageha
Ea$y. Hip-hop: DJs Shintaro,
Pete Rock, etc. From 11pm,
¥3,000. Shinkiba. www.
ageha.com
Air
Duce. Techno: DJs Van Cliffe,
Shufflemaster, etc. From
10pm, ¥3,000. Shibuya.
www.air-tokyo.com
Daikanyama Unit
Club Park. Electro: DJs Feadz,
Habanero Posse, etc. From
11pm, ¥3,500. Daikanyama.
www.unit-tokyo.com
T2
Womb
Shibuya Mixx!! Edm: DJs
Shu, Ten, etc. From 10pm,
(m)¥3,500 w/2d, (f)¥2,500
w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-54288692. www.t2-shibuya.com
Intergalactic. All mix: DJs
Taku, Nakata, etc. From
11pm, ¥3,500. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5459-0039. www.womb.
co.jp
The New Matrix Bar
UPCOMING
Saturday Night Fever. Hip-hop,
R&B, reggae: DJ Ykk and
more. From 6pm, ¥1,000 (after
10pm). Roppongi. www.
matrixbar.jp
Ageha
Kitsune Club Night. House:
DJs Digitalism, Gildas, etc.
Aug 30, from 11pm, ¥3,500.
Shinkiba. www.ageha.com
Womb
The Yes. House, techno: DJs
Osawa, Nick Olivetti, etc. From
11pm, ¥3,500. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5459-0039. www.womb.
co.jp
Air
MONDAY 25
Daikanyama Unit
Prime. Techno: DJs Ita, Kon,
etc. Live: Legowelt and more.
Aug 30, from 10pm, ¥3,500.
Shibuya. www.air-tokyo.com
Module
Air
Faze Action. Disco, house: DJs
Faze Action, Seki, etc. From
www.module-tokyo.com
Olso. Techno: DJs Ishino,
Keita, etc. From 10pm, ¥1,000.
Booze Up. Techno: DJs Mike
Parker, Rrose, etc. Aug
30, from 11pm, ¥4,000.
Daikanyama. www.
unit-tokyo.com
Module
Module
Remmus. All mix: DJs Haru,
Macho, etc. From 10pm,
¥1,000 w/1d. Shibuya. www.
module-tokyo.com
Bassick. Underground music:
DJs Timeslut, Tours, etc. Aug
30, from 10pm, ¥3,000 w/1d.
Shibuya. www.moduletokyo.com
Sound Museum Vision
Big Groove. Hip-hop, bass:
DJs Nick Catchdubs, Chaki,
etc. From 10pm, (m)¥3,500
w/1d, (f)¥3,000 w/1d.
Shibuya. www.vision-tokyo.
com
T2
Shibuya Mixx. Edm: Various
DJs. From 10pm, (m)¥3,500
w/2d, (f)¥2,500 w/2d.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-54288692. www.t2-shibuya.com
The New Matrix Bar
Matrix Friday. Old-school
hip-hop, west side, south
side, all mix: DJ Ykk and more.
From 6pm, ¥1,000 (after
11:30pm). Roppongi. www.
matrixbar.jp
The Room
Champ. Funk, jazz: DJs
Tominaga, Oibon, etc.
From 10pm, ¥2,500 w/1d.
Shibuya. www.theroom.jp
Sound Museum Vision
Party Monster. Edm, hip-hop:
DJs Daishi Dance, Mitomi, etc.
From 10pm, (m)¥3,000 w/1d,
(f)¥2,500 w/1d. Shibuya.
www.vision-tokyo.com
T2
T2 Monday. Edm: DJs Ten,
Kenta, etc. From 10pm,
(m)¥2,500 w/2d, (f)¥1,500
Womb
2 Step. Edm: DJs Joix,
Deepman, etc. From 10pm,
¥1,500 w/1d. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5459-0039. www.womb.
co.jp
THURSDAY 28
Air
Womb
Fabric Live. Drumnbass: DJs
Ltj Bukem, Aki, etc. From
Tel: 03-5459-0039. www.
womb.co.jp
SATURDAY 23
Ageha
The Wonderland. Hard,
trance: DJs Organ Donors,
Yoji, etc. From 11pm, ¥3,500.
Shinkiba. www.ageha.com
Air
Middle of Nowhere. Techno,
house: DJs Fumiya, Masda,
etc. From 10pm, ¥3,500.
Daikanyama Unit
Club Snoozer. DJs Soichiro,
Ryota, etc. From 10pm,
¥3,500 w/1d. Daikanyama.
www.unit-tokyo.com
Sound Museum Vision
Japan Music Conference.
House: DJs Akiyamania,
Kaji, etc. Aug 30, from 11pm,
(m)¥3,500 w/1d, (f)¥3,000
w/1d. Shibuya. www.visiontokyo.com
The Room
Jazz Brothers on the Corner.
Jazz: DJs Yama, Takehana,
etc. Aug 30, from 10pm,
theroom.jp
Module
21_21 Design Sight
Night Sonic. All good music:
Various DJs. From 10pm,
module-tokyo.com
Image-Makers. Mixed media
portraying a world of images
and fantasy. Until Oct 5,
¥500-1,000. Open Mon &
Wed-Sun 11am-8pm, closed
Tue. 9-7-6 Akasaka, Minato-ku.
Nogizaka. Tel: 03-34752121. www.2121designsight.jp
Womb
Flu. House, techno: DJ Shinichi
Osawa and more. From 10pm,
¥2,000. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5459-0039. www.womb.
co.jp
FRIDAY 29
Module
Ageha
Soi. Drumnbass: DJs Bim
One Production, Dx, etc.
From 10pm, ¥2,500 w/1d.
Shibuya. www.moduletokyo.com
Sabishinbo Night. Hip-hop:
DJs Marc Panther, Kango,
etc. From 11pm, (m)¥4,000,
(f)free. Shinkiba. www.
ageha.com
Origami
Air
Just Realize. DJs Pagal, Wada,
etc. From 10pm, ¥3,000.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-64340968. meturl.com/origamiclub
Up Beat. Techno, house:
DJs Rae, Yamariki, etc. From
www.air-tokyo.com
Ruby Room
Module
Untitled. DJs Okuyama,
Shintaro, etc. From 11pm,
free. Shibuya. www.
rubyroomtokyo.com
Maven. Techno, house:
Various DJs. From 10pm,
¥2,500. Shibuya. www.
module-tokyo.com
Sound Museum Vision
Sound Museum Vision
Independent. Techno: DJs
Ken Ishii, Sunahara, etc.
From 10pm, (m)¥3,500 w/1d,
Rare Vision. Edm: DJs Don
Diablo, Daishi Dance, etc.
From 10pm, (m)¥3,500 w/1d,
20
Social Club. Deep house, nu
disco: DJs Sebstien Leger,
Groove Patrol, etc. Aug
30, from 10pm, ¥3,000.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-64340968. meturl.com/origamiclub
Exhibitions
Happiness. World mix: DJs
Shu, Ten, etc. From 10pm,
(m)¥2,500 w/2d, (f)¥1,500
Suntory Museum of Art
The Radiance of Stillness
and Motion: Bohemian Glass.
Exclusive pieces from the
Museum of Decorative Arts
in Prague. Until Sep 28,
¥800-1,300. Open Wed-Sat
10am-8pm, Sun-Mon & hols
10am-6pm, closed Tue.
9-7-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku.
Roppongi. www.suntory.
jp/sma
The National Art Center,
Tokyo
The Birth of Impressionism—
Freedom in Painting:
Masterpieces from the Musée
d’Orsay. Impressionist
masterpieces from Paris. Until
Oct 20, ¥800-1,600. Ballets
Russes: The Art of Costume.
Luxurious and painstakingly
made apparel. Until Sep 1,
¥600-1,500. Open Wed-Thu,
Sat-Mon 10am-6pm, Fri
10am-8pm, closed Tue. 7-22-2
Roppongi. Nogizaka. www.
nact.jp
Origami
Aft'err hours. Techno, house
DJs Yaman, Ten, etc.
From 10pm, ¥2,000 w/1d.
T2
tree. Sep 6-21, free. Open
daily noon-7pm. 3F Ogura
Bldg. 2-12-4 Nishi-Azabu.
Nogizaka. Tel: 03-64197229. www.nanatasu.jp
AKASAKA/ROPPONGI
Wako Works of Art
Nellie. Photography and film
by Fiona Tan. Until Sep 27,
free. Open Tue-Sat 11am-7pm,
closed Sun-Mon. 3F Pyramid
Bldg, 6-6-9 Roppongi.
Roppongi. www.wako-art.jp
GINZA/KYOBASHI/
TOKYO
Mori Art Museum
Go-Betweens: The World Seen
through Children. Various
photographers express the
complex emotions and unique
experiences of childhood. Until
Aug 31, ¥1,000-1,500. 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
Takehiko Inoue Interprets
Gaudi’s Universe. Japanese
artist’s take on one of Spain’s
architectural geniuses. Until
Sep 7, ¥800-1,300. 52F
Roppongi Hills Tower, 6-10-1
Roppongi. Roppongi. www.
roppongihills.com/art/macg/
Nanatasu Gallery
Ito wo Kashi. Mami Itagaki
portrays the lives of people
through sculptures using
material from the Paulownia
Tokyo Wonder Site Shibuya
Noh Masks and Costumes—
Look, Learn and Compare.
Discover the meanings behind
the different styles of masks
and extravagant stage-wear.
Until Sep 21, ¥500-1,000.
7F Mitsui Main Bldg, 2-1-1
Nihombashi-Muromachi,
Chuo-ku. Mitsukoshimae.
Tel: 03-5777-8600. www.
mitsui-museum.jp
TWS-Emerging 2014. New
artists showcase their
works. Until Aug 31, free.
1-19-8 Jinnan. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-3463-0603. www.
tokyo-ws.org/shibuya
Pola Museum Annex
Playing with Sound.
Interactive installations by
sound artist and designer
Yuri Suzuki. Until Sep 23,
free. Open daily, 11am-8pm.
3F Pola Ginza Bldg. 1-7-7
Ginza. Ginza Itchome.
Tel: 03-5777-8600. www.
po-holdings.co.jp/m-annex
The National Museum of
Modern Art, Tokyo
Guess What? Hardcore
Contemporary Art’s: Truly
a World Treasure. Selected
works from the Yageo
Foundation Collection,
including art by Francis
Bacon. Until Aug 24,
¥500-1,200. Hishida Shunso:
A Retrospective. Works by
a Meiji period painter and
innovator of nihonga. Sep
23-Nov 3, ¥300-1,400.
Open Tue-Thu & Sat-Sun
10am-5pm, Fri 10am-8pm.
3-1 Kitanomaru-koen.
Takebashi. Tel: 03-57778600. www.momat.go.jp
HARAJUKU/AOYAMA
Nezu Museum
Bridgestone Museum of
Art
Time and Painting—24
Episodes. 160 works ranging
from ancient art to Rembrandt,
Renoir and Monet. Until Sep
23, ¥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
Craft Gallery, The National
Museum of Modern Art
For Kids & Adults: Exciting
Patterns. Mixed media. Explore
patterns and rhythms in
nature and ordinary objects.
Until Aug 31, ¥70-200.
Open Tue-Thu 10am-5pm,
Fri 10am-8pm, Sat-Sun
10am-5pm. 1-1 Kitanomarukoen. Takebashi. Tel:
03-5777-8600. www.momat.
go.jp/english
Fujifilm Square
Great Railway. Works by
railway photographer Seiya
Nakai. Sep 12-Oct 1, free.
Open daily 10am-7pm.
9-7-3 Akasaka, Roppongi.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-62713350. fujifilmsquare.jp/en
Mitsui Memorial Museum
Ginza Graphic Gallery
So French. Posters by Michel
Bouvet. Sep 3-27, free. Open
Mon-Fri 11am-7pm, Sat
11am-6pm, closed Sun & hols.
1F Ginza Bldg, 7-7-2 Ginza.
Ginza. www.tokyo.mae.lu/
jp/node_19876/hana-hitotokyo
Idemitsu Museum of Arts
National Treasures of the
Munakata Shrine: The Sacred
Island of Okinoshima and Holy
Treasures from the Shrine.
Historical items from a sacred
island in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Until Oct 13, ¥700-1,000.
Open Tue-Thu 10am-5pm,
Fri 10am-7pm, closed Mon.
9F Teigeki Bldg, 3-1-1
Marunouchi. Tokyo. www.
idemitsu.co.jp/museum
Cool and Breezy: Summer
Greetings through Paintings
and Ceramics. Artworks and
messages conjure a sense
of cool respite from the heat.
Until Sep 7, ¥800-1,000.
Tue-Sun, 10am-4:30pm. 6-5-1
Minami-Aoyama, Minatoku. Omotesando. www.
nezu-muse.or.jp/en
Ukiyo-e Ota Memorial
Museum of Art
Specters, Ghosts and Sorcerers
in Ukiyo-e. Traditional
prints of ghastly ghouls and
creepy critters. Until Sep 25,
¥600-900. Open Tue-Sun
10:30am-5:30pm, closed Mon.
1-10-10 Jingumae. Harajuku.
www.ukiyoe-ota-muse.jp
KAYABACHO/KIBA
Museum of Contemporary
Art Tokyo
Mission: Space X Art—Beyond
Cosmologies. Space-related
illustrations, photos and
installations. Until Aug 31,
¥800-1,300. Wonderful
World. Child-friendly event
where kids are free to explore
and discover art. Until Aug
31, ¥500-1,600. Tue-Sun,
10am-6pm, closed Mon. 4-1-1
Miyoshi, Koto-ku. KiyosumiShirakawa. www.mot-artmuseum.jp/eng
SHIBUYA/EBISU
Bunkamura: The Museum
Visual Deception II: Into the
Future. Art that plays tricks on
the spectators’ eyes. Until Oct
5, ¥500-1,500. Open Mon-Thu
& Sun 10am-7pm, Fri-Sat
10am-9pm. 2-24-1 Dogenzaka.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5777-8600.
www.bunkamura.co.jp
Mitsubishi Ichigokan
Museum
Meguro Museum of Art
Félix Vallotton—Fire Beneath
the Ice. Swiss painter
influenced by Japanese
woodcuts. Until Sep 23,
¥800-1,600. Wed-Fri
10am-8pm, Tue, Sat-Sun &
hols 10am-6pm, closed Mon.
2-6-2 Marunouchi. Tokyo.
Tel: 03-5405-8686. www.
mimt.jp
George Nelson—Architect,
Writer, Designer, Teacher.
Mixed media works by one
of the founders of American
Modernism. Until Sep 18,
¥800-1,000. Open Tue-Sun
10am-6pm, closed Mon.
2-4-36 Meguro. Meguro.
Tel: 03-3714-1201. www.
mmat.jp
SHINJUKU/IKEBUKURO
Bunka Gakuen Costume
Museum
Beads of the World. Bead
embroidery jewelry and
trinkets from all over the
world. Until Sep 13, ¥200-500.
Mon-Sat 10am-4:30pm, closed
Sun & hols. Shinjuku Bunka
Quint Bldg, 3-22-7 Yoyogi.
Shinjuku. Tel: 03-3299-2387.
www.bunka.ac.jp/museum/
text/english.html
NTT Intercommunication
Center
ICC Kids Program 2014:
Inspiring Questions—
Questioning Inspiration.
Interactive wonderland that
encourages children to think
outside the box. Until Aug
31, free. 4F Tokyo Opera City
Tower, 3-20-2 Nishi-Shinjuku.
Hatsudai. www.ntticc.or.jp
Sompo Japan Museum of
Art
Kinetic Art. Mixed media that
seems to move. Until Aug
24, ¥800-1,000. Tue-Sun,
10am-6pm, closed Mon. 42F
Sompo Japan Bldg. 1-26-1
Nishi-Shinjuku. Shinjuku.
Tel: 03-5405-8686. www.
sompo-japan.co.jp/museum
Tokyo Opera City Art
Gallery
The Way of Painting. Works
by new artists from 2000
onwards. Until Sep 21,
¥800-1,000. Open Tue-Thu
11am-7pm, Fri-Sat 11am-8pm.
3-20-2 Nishi-Shinjuku.
Hatsudai. www.operacity.
jp/en/ag
UENO
Edo-Tokyo Museum
Tokyo Olympics and the Bullet
Train. In commemoration of
the 50th anniversary of the
Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic
Games. Sep 30-Nov 16,
¥670-1340. Open Tue-Fri
& Sun 9:30am-5:30pm, Sat
9:30am-7:30pm, closed
Mon & hols. 1-4-1 Yokoami.
Ryogoku. Tel: 03-36269974. www.edo-tokyomuseum.or.jp
The National Museum of
Western Art
The Rings of the Hashimoto
Collection of the National
Museum of Western Art. Circular
bands of cultural significance.
Until Sep 15, ¥700-1,400.
Open daily 9:30am-5:30pm.
7-7 Ueno Park. Ueno. www.
nmwa.go.jp
Tokyo Metropolitan Art
Museum
Art as a Haven of Happiness.
Mixed media. Rich harmonies
and vibrant colors by artists
born with Down syndrome.
Until Oct 8, ¥400-800.
Ancient Egyptian Queens and
Goddesses: Treasures from The
Metropolitan Museum of Art,
New York. 200 masterpieces,
including jewelry made for
Pharaoh Hatshepsut and
images of deities. Until Sep 23,
¥1,000-1,600. 8-36 Ueno Park.
Ueno. www.tobikan.jp
Ueno Royal Museum
Hokusai: From the Museum
of Fine Arts, Boston. One of
Japan’s most famous ukiyo-e
artists of the Edo period.
Sep 13-Nov 9, ¥400-1,500.
Open Sat-Thu 10am-6pm, Fri
10am-8pm. 1-2 Ueno Park.
Ueno. www.ueno-mori.org
OTHER AREAS
Hakone Museum of
Photography
Mt. Fuji. Katsura Endo’s
portrayal of the ever-changing
symbol of Japan. Permanent
exhibition. ¥300-500.
European Scenery.
Photographs by Katsura Endo,
from the museum’s collection.
Until Sep 2, ¥500. 10am-5pm,
closed Tue (9am-9pm Sat from
May to August). 1300-432
Goura Hakonemachi,
Ashigarashimogun,
Kanagawa. Gora. Tel:
046-02-2717. www.hmop.com
Hara Museum of
Contemporary Art
Art Scope 2012-2014: Remains
of Their Journeys. Results of a
Daimler Foundation-created
artist exchange between
German and Japanese artists.
Until Oct 13, ¥500-1,100. Open
Tue-Sun 11am-5pm, closed
Mon. 4-7-25 Kita-Shinagawa.
Kita-Shinagawa. Tel:
03-3445-0651. www.
haramuseum.or.jp
Hoki Museum
Hito Omoi, Hito Omou.
Painting. Lifelike portraits by
contemporary artists. Until
Nov 16, ¥900-1,800. Open
Mon & Wed-Thu 10am-6pm,
Fri-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun
10am-5pm, closed Tue.
3-15 Asumigaokahigashi,
Midori-ku. Toke. www.
hoki-museum.jp
koen, Setagaya-ku.
Seijogakuenmae. Tel:
03-3415-6011. www.
setagayaartmuseum.or.jp/
index_e.html
Shoichiro
Dead Animals. Symbolic
photography by Richard
Misrach. Until Sep 20, free.
Open Tue-Sat 11am-7pm,
closed Sun, Mon & hols.
B1F Sansho Bldg. 3-2-9
Nihonbashi. Nihonbashi.
Tel: 03-3275-1008.
www.g-sho.com
The Museum of Modern
Art, Saitama
Legendary Houses in Postwar
Japan. Mid-20th century
architectural elegance. Until
Aug 31, ¥710-1,100. Open
daily 10:00am-5:30pm.
9-30-1 Tokiwa, Urawa-ku,
Saitama-shi. Kitaurawa.
www.momas.jp
Makuhari Messe
Space Expo 2014: The Great
Challenge of NASA/JAXA.
Extraterrestrial exploration
from 1897 until modern times.
Until Sep 23, ¥900-2,500. 2-1
Nakase, Mihama-ku. KaihinMakuhari. www.m-messe.co.jp
Miraikan
Toilet!? Human Waste &
Earth’s Future. A playful
explanation on “what goes
in, must come out” and how it
affects the environment. Until
Oct 5, ¥600-1,200. 2-3-6,
Aomi, Koto-ku. Telecom
Center station. Tel: 03-35709151. www.miraikan.jst.
go.jp/en
Okada Museum of Art
Spirit of China: Masterpieces
of Jade. Exquisite works of art
made from ornamental rock.
Until Sep 30, ¥1,800-2,800.
Open daily, 9am-5pm. 493-1
Kowakudani, Hakone-machi.
Kowakidani. Tel: 0460-873931. www.okada-museum.
com/en/
Pola Museum of Art
Finding Modigliani: From
Parisian Avant-garde to
Classicism. Oil paintings and
sculptures by the Italian artist.
Until Sep 15, ¥700-1,800.
9am-4:30pm. 1285
Kozukayama, Sengokuhara,
Hakone-machi. Gora. www.
polamuseum.or.jp
Dangan111: Rookies Cup
Aug 22, 5:50pm, ¥4,0006,000. Korakuen Hall.
Suidobashi. Tel: 03-58009999.
Ichimonkai
Genius and Ambition: The
Royal Academy of Arts,
London 1768-1918. Oil
paintings by Turner, Constable
and others. Sep 17-Nov 24,
¥400-1,300. Open Tue-Sun
10am-5pm, closed Mon.
Yano-machi 492-1 Hachioji.
Tokyo Fuji Bijitsukan. Tel:
042-691-4511. www.fujibi.
or.jp/en
Aug 29, 5:45pm, ¥3,00010,000. Korakuen Hall.
Sports
Japan Open
AMERICAN FOOTBALL
X League
●●Lixil Deers vs. All Mitsubishi
Lions. Aug 25, 7pm, ¥1,100.
Tokyo Dome. Suidobashi.
Tel: 03-5800-9999.
●●Asahi Beer Silver Star
vs. Bulls Football Club. Aug
30, 5pm, ¥1,100. Kawasaki
Stadium. Keikyu Kawasaki or
Kawasaki. Tel: 044-244-2931.
●●Obic Seagulls vs. Taiyou
Bldg. Mgmt. Cranes. Aug
Kawasaki. Tel: 044-244-2931.
●●Nojima Sagamihara Rise
vs. Tokyo Gas Creators. Sep
Kawasaki. Tel: 044-244-2931.
●●Fujitsu Frontiers vs.
Hurricanes. Sep 7, 2pm,
¥1,100. Kawasaki Stadium.
Keikyu Kawasaki or
Kawasaki. Tel: 044-244-2931.
FIGURE SKATING
Carnival on Ice
Oct 4, 7pm, ¥6,000-24,000.
Saitama Super Arena.
Saitama-Shintoshin.
Oct 4, 1pm, ¥4,000-23,000.
Saitama Super Arena.
Saitama-Shintoshin.
GOLF
JLPGA
CAT Ladies. Aug 22-24, all day,
¥3,500. Dai-Hakone Country
Club. Sounzan.
MMA
Deep 68 Impact
Aug 23, 6pm, ¥6,500-15,000.
Korakuen Hall. Suidobashi.
Tel: 03-5800-9999.
Inoki Genome Fight 2
Aug 23, 6pm, ¥5,00050,000. Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Ryogoku. Tel: 03-3623-5111.
ZST. 42
Aug 31, 4pm, ¥6,000-15,000.
Differ Ariake. Ariake-tennisno-mori. Tel: 03-5500-3731.
MOTORCYCLE RACING
Motegi 2&4 Race
Central League
Aug 23, 7:30am, ¥1,5004,000. Twin Ring Motegi.
Motegi. Tel: 02-8564-0001.
●●Yomiuri Giants vs. Chunichi
Dragons. Aug 22-24, 6pm,
¥300-6,100. Tokyo Dome.
●●Yomiuri Giants vs. Hanshin
Tigers. Aug 26-28, 6pm,
¥300-6,100. Tokyo Dome.
●●Yokohama DeNA Baystars
vs. Yomiuri Giants. Aug 29-31,
6pm, ¥800-5,600. Yokohama
Stadium. Kannai. Tel:
04-5661-1251.
●●Tokyo Yakult Swallows vs.
Chunichi Dragons. Sep 2-4,
6pm, ¥500-4,600. Meiji Jingu
Gaien. Shinanomachi or
Gaienmae. Tel: 03-3401-0312.
●●Tokyo Yakult Swallows vs.
Yomiuri Giants. Sep 5-7, 6pm,
¥500-4,600. Meiji Jingu Gaien.
Shinanomachi or Gaienmae.
Tel: 03-3401-0312.
Pacific League
●●Chiba Lotte Marines vs.
Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. Aug
22-24, 6:15pm, ¥800-4,900.
QVC Marine Field. KaihinMakuhari. Tel: 043-296-1227.
●●Hokkaido Nippon-Ham
Fighters vs. Chiba Lotte
Marines. Aug 29-31, 6:30pm,
●●NEC Green Rockets vs.
Kubota Spears. Aug 23, 7pm,
¥2,050-3,600. Chichibunomiya
Rugby Stadium. Gaienmae.
Tel: 03-3401-3881.
●●NTT Shining Arcs vs.
Murakata Sanix Blues. Aug
23, 4:40pm, ¥2,050-3,600.
Chichibunomiya Rugby
Stadium. Gaienmae. Tel:
03-3401-3881.
●●Toshiba Brave Lupus vs. NTT
Shining Arcs. Aug 29, 7:30pm,
Tel: 03-3401-3881.
●●Canon Eagles vs. Ricoh
Black Rams. Aug 30, 7pm,
Tel: 03-3401-3881.
●●Panasonic Wild Knights
vs. Kubota Spears. Aug 30,
4:40pm, ¥2,050-3,600.
03-3401-3881.
●●Suntory Sungoliath vs.
Canon Eagles. Sep 5, 7:30pm,
Tel: 03-3401-3881.
●●NTT Shining Arcs vs. Toyota
Shuttles. Sep 6, 4:40pm,
¥300-3,600. Chichibunomiya
Tel: 03-3401-3881.
SOCCER
J. League, Division 1
BASEBALL
Setagaya Art Museum
Looking East: Western
Artists and the Allure of
Japan from the Museum of
Fine Arts, Boston. Mixed
media, including Claude
Monet’s “La Japonaise.”
Until Sep 15, ¥500-1,500.
Open Tue-Sun10am-6pm,
closed Mon. 1-2 Kinuta-
BOXING
Tokyo Fuji Art Museum
Japan Folk Crafts Museum
Shoji Hamada:
Commemorating the 120th
Anniversary of the Artist’s
Birth. Pottery that fuses both
Eastern and Western ceramic
techniques. Until Aug 31,
¥200-1,100. 10am-5pm,
closed Mon. 4-3-33 Komaba.
Komabatodai. www.
mingeikan.or.jp
¥500-5,000. Tokyo Dome.
●●Saitama Seibu Lions vs.
Orix Buffaloes. Aug 29-31,
6pm, ¥600-4,600. Seibu
Dome. Seibukyujomae. Tel:
04-2925-1141.
●●Saitama Seibu Lions vs.
Chiba Lotte Marines. Sep
2-4, 6pm, ¥600-4,600. Seibu
Dome. Seibukyujomae. Tel:
04-2925-1141.
●●Chiba Lotte Marines vs.
Tohoku Rakuten Golden
Eagles. Sep 5-7, 6:15pm,
¥800-4,900. QVC Marine
Field. Kaihin-Makuhari. Tel:
043-296-1227.
●●FC Tokyo vs. Urawa Reds.
Aug 23, 6:30pm, ¥600-6,200.
Ajinomoto Stadium.
Tobitakyu. Tel: 04-24400555.
●●Omiya Ardija vs. Sagan Tosu.
Aug 23, 7pm, ¥1,000-5,500.
NACK5 Stadium. Kitaomiya.
Tel: 048-644-7950.
●●Yokohama F. Marinos
vs. Kawasaki Frontale. Aug
23, 7pm, ¥1,000-5,300.
Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium.
Yokohama. Tel: 045-3112016.
●● Kashima Antlers vs. FC Tokyo.
Aug 30, 7pm, ¥1,400-8,000.
Kashima Soccer Stadium.
Kashima Sports Stadium.
●● Urawa Reds vs. Omiya
Ardija. Aug 30, 6pm, ¥1,0004,500. Saitama Stadium.
Urawamisono. Tel: 048-8121001.
SUMO
September Grand
Tournament
¥2,200-37,200. Ryogoku
Kokugikan. Ryogoku. Tel:
03-3623-5111. www.sumo.
or.jp/en
TENNIS
PRO WRESTLING
Toray Pan Pacific Open
Aug 24, 12pm, ¥4,000-7,000.
Tel: 03-5800-9999.
¥1,000-21,000. Ariake
Colosseum. Ariake. Tel:
03-3529-3301.
Michinoku
Rakuten Japan Open
Aug 30, 7pm, ¥3,700-5,000.
Shinkiba 1stRing. Shinkiba.
Tel: 03-3521-1015.
Sep 29-Oct 5, various times,
¥1,000-13,500. Ariake
Colosseum. Ariake. Tel:
03-3529-3301.
Noah: Summer Navig.
Fukuro Festival
Mikoshi shrine parades, taiko
drum shows, lion dances and
more. Sep27-Oct 12, all day,
free. Ikebukuro Westside
area. Ikebukuro. www.
yosakoitokyo.gr.jp
Oeshiki Festival
Commemoration of the
anniversary of saint Nichiren’s
death. Sacred lantern
procession and more. Oct
11-13, from 6pm, free. Ikegami
Honmonji Temple. Ikegami.
http://honmonji.jp
Ladybeard and others. Aug 31,
6pm, ¥1,000-6,000. Shinjuku
Face. Shinjuku or Seibu
Shinjuku. www.ddtpro.com/
union/10729/
Festivals
Higashi Matsuyama
Hanabi Taikai
The International Model
Railroad Convention
Mini train lovers unite to
play with, learn about and
discover new model trains.
Aug 22-23, 10am-7pm; Aug
24, 10am-5pm, ¥1,800. Tokyo
Big Sight. Kokusai-TenjijoSeimon. www.jam.gr.jp
Japan Jewellery Fair
Over 400 exhibitors
from 18 countries. Aug
26-27, 10am-6pm; Aug
28, 10am-5pm, free (adv
registration)/ ¥3,000 (door).
Tokyo Big Sight. KokusaiTenjijo-Seimon. www.
japanjewelleryfair.com/en
Tokyo Wedding Collection
2014: A/W
Everything a couple planning
their wedding could ever
need. Aug 30, 11am-7pm;
Aug 31, 11am-6pm, free.
Tokyo International Forum.
Yurakucho. Tel: 03-54396152. www.wecolle.jp
Sendenkaigi: Promotion
and Media Forum
Seminars on marketing
and creativity. Sep 3-4,
9:40am-6pm, free (adv
registration)/ ¥1,000
(door). Tokyo International
Forum. Yurakucho. www.
pmforum.jp
Community
College Women's
Association of Japan
September Luncheon
Lunch with talk by guest
speaker Alice Gordenker,
columnist for The Japan
Times. Sep 10, 11am, ¥4,500
(reservation via email
required). Tokyo American
Club. Kamiyacho. info@cwaj.
org www.cwaj.org
Park Yoga
Enjoy a free yoga session
overlooking the magnificent
Yokohama waterfront. Sep 14,
9am, free. Yamashita Park.
Motomachi-Chukagai. www.
facebook.com/event.yoga
Celebrity Wine Tasting
Wine seminar with a delicious
buffet in an international
atmosphere. Sep 6, 6:30pm,
¥5,980 (adv). LB8 Hachiman
Bldg, 16-2 Daikanyama,
Shibuya-ku. Daikanyama.
www.wineandcooking.info/
en/specialevent.html
Other Events
Battle of the Udon 2014
Udon restaurants from all
over the country fight for the
title of the “Nation’s Best
Udon.” Aug 22, noon-6pm;
Aug 23, 10am-8pm; Aug
24, 10am-5:30pm, free.
Yoyogi Park. Harajuku. Tel:
03-3469-6081. http://udon-1.
com
Jupiter & Okwess
International
Film screening and live
acoustic performance,
followed by a Q&A session
with the group. Aug 27, 7pm,
¥500-1,200. The French
Institute Tokyo. Iidabashi.
www.institutfrancais.jp/tokyo
Sanrio Puroland Summer
Festival
Traditional street vendors
and popular characters
dressed in yukata performing
at summer-themed stages.
Until Aug 31, 10am, ¥2,5003,800. Sanrio Puroland.
Odakyu Tama Center.
Tel: 042-339-1111. www.
puroland.co.jp/english
Midtown Meets Godzilla
Giant Godzilla statue makes
Midtown his home. Illumination
and mist shows in the evening.
Until Aug 31, 11am-11pm, free.
Tokyo Midtown. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-3475-3100. http://
meturl.com/midgoz
Craft beers and BBQ plates
abound. Until Sep 7, Mon-Fri
5-10pm, Sat-Sun 11am-10pm,
free. Ark Karajan Place.
03-6406-6663. www.
yonayonabeerkitchen.com
Half-Fast Cyclists
Horror Hide-and-Seek
Bicyclists of all treads meet
for slide shows, lectures,
ride-planning, etc. Every
second Wed, 7pm, free,
The Pink Cow. Roppongi.
[email protected]
www.thepinkcow.com
Haunted house with a
creepy kids’ game theme.
Ages 6 and up. Until Sep 15,
10am-4pm (scary)/ 5-9pm
(super scary), ¥820. Tokyo
Dome City. Korakuen or
Suidobashi. http://kakurenbo.
info
RUGBY
Super Yosakoi
Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art
School
Large groups in traditional
costume compete in
choreographed dances
originating from Kochi
Prefecture. Aug 23-24, all day,
free. Yoyogi Park. Harajuku.
[email protected]
www.yosakoi-harajuku.com
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
●●Panasonic Wild Knights
vs. Toshiba Brave Lupus. Aug
22, 7:30pm, ¥2,050-3,600.
03-3401-3881.
Learn about wines from
the south of France and
enjoy a gourmet dinner
in an international
atmosphere. Aug 30,
6:30pm, ¥11,980 (adv).
Stellato. Shirokanedai. Tel:
03-3442-5588. http://meturl.
com/monthlywine
Yona Yona Beer Garden
Boom Factor: 5,000. Aug 23,
7pm, free. Tokigawa Riverside
Park. Nearest stn: Takasaka.
www.higashimatsuyamakanko.com
Top League
Regular classes and
one-day workshops on basic
Japanese-style 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
Hula-hoop it up in Yoyogi, no
need to bring your own. Drop
in/out at any time. Every fourth
Sun, Yoyogi Park. Harajuku.
Tel: 03-3469-6081. http://
meturl.com/hoopinginjapan
Sep 9, 6:30pm, ¥3,240-6,480.
Tel: 03-5800-9999.
Dragon Gate
Nihonga Class
Provence Wine Seminar
Forums & Expos
Sunday Spin
Natsu Matsuri Union 2014
Learning
Tokyo International Bar
Show
Bartending championships,
demonstrations and samples.
Sep 20-21, 11:30am-6pm,
¥5,000 (1 day)/ ¥9,000 (2
days). Tokyo Dome City
Hall. Suidobashi. www.
tokyobarshow.com
21
movies
© CAAMA Productions
eiga
movie news
cinematic underground
Cinematographer Masaki
Tamura is something of an
ico n i n t h e Jap anese f i l m
industry. He has lensed everyBy Rob Schwartz
thing from legendary cult films
(like two of the Lady Snowblood series, starring Meiko
Kaji) to cutting-edge work for currently active directors (like lauded auteur Shinji Aoyama). Tamura has
been behind the camera for some masterworks of
Japanese cinema including Juzo Itami’s widely loved
Tampopo and Mitsuo Yanagimachi’s Fire Festival
(not to mention Naomi Kawase’s Caméra d’Or winner at Cannes, Moe no Suzaku). Thus it comes as a
shock that the 75-year-old lensman would choose
to take up directing now—but that he has. Using an
adaptation of Takami Ito’s Akutagawa Prize-winning
novel Drive-in Gamo, Tamura sketches the life of a
family that runs a shabby drive-in. Sister Saki (Mei
Kurokawa) and brother Toshi (Shota Sometani) grew
up on a deserted stretch of highway, raised by their
nasty ex-yakuza dad (Masatoshi Nagase). Needless
to say, life was rough. Saki, bullied as a child, gets
pregnant and escapes, only to return due to spousal
abuse. Bleak but compelling, Drive-in Gamo reminds
one of other character studies set in desolate areas,
like Wim Wenders’ Paris, Texas. (89 min.)
For many, Alan Rickman will always be the criminal
mastermind in Die Hard, while younger moviegoers
know him as Harry Potter’s professor. But the multitalented Brit is also an accomplished stage actor who
has recently returned to the director’s chair. A Little
Chaos, which has been selected as the closing film for
the Toronto International Film Festival, is Rickman’s first
directorial effort in over 15 years, in which he also has a
role. “I’ll play Louis XIV, the Sun King,” he said recently
at the Giffoni Experience festival in Italy. Working on
both sides of the camera, he directed Kate Winslet as a
gardener whom Louis awards the coveted assignment
of designing the gardens at the Palace of Versailles.
Rickman was honored with a special award at the fest—
not surprising considering kids from around the world
serve as jurors and the actor appears in all eight Harry
Potter films. Rickman told the young crowd the boy wizard has parallels to his own life. “My father died when
I was 8 and I felt different from other children who had
‘normal’ family situations,” he said. “Luckily I attended a
school where difference was a value and children were
encouraged to study subjects very different from one
another.” Will Rickman be focusing on directing now?
“It took 18 months to finish [the film],” he said. “I’m not
getting back behind the camera soon.” The Toronto
International Film Festival will run Sep 4-14. Kevin Mcgue
Cannes, Berlin and Venice are known as the “Big
Three” when it comes to film festivals. And just in case
you didn’t receive your VIP passes in recent years,
Human Trust Cinema Shibuya (7-8F Cocoti Bldg, 1-23-16
Shibuya, Shibuya-ku; www.ht-cinema.com) is recapping
past winners in a program running through September
5. The lineup includes the Australian coming-of-age
film Samson and Delilah (pictured), which took the
Caméra d'Or for best first feature at Cannes in 2009,
and also dips back into history with Hitchcock’s Foreign
Correspondent (1940)... Treat yourself to a little culture
as the Opéra national de Paris resumes its series of
international simulcasts of its acclaimed performances.
The ballet Balanchine is on from September 5, and
soprano Diana Damrau takes the lead in La Traviata in
early November. Shown live at Bunkamura’s Le Cinema
(2-24-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku; www.bunkamura.
co.jp) and Toho Cinemas Nihonbashi (2-3-1 NihonbashiMuromachi, Chuo-ku; www.tohotheater.jp)... You won’t
be able to stop your toes from tapping during the
Japanese music documentary Gospel, which explores
the roots of the choral form in the American South and
its widespread popularity in Japan—despite only 1 percent of the population being Christian. On from Aug 23
at Cinemart Roppongi (3-8-15 Roppongi, Minato-ku;
www.cinemart.co.jp/theater/roppongi/). KM
DRIVE-IN
GAMO
featured movie
BY DON MORTON
PROMISED LAND
Co-writer Matt Damon and Frances McDormand are
a pair of ace gas-company salespeople trolling a
small, economic disaster of a farm town for natural
gas leases. For some, they represent financial rescue.
But a flinty high school science teacher (Hal Holbrook)
urges caution. Then the dreaded ecologist “presence”
arrives (co-writer John Krasinski), and the hearts-andminds game is afoot. For a while, Gus Van Sant’s
examination of the controversial natural gas extraction
method known as fracking seems like an even-handed,
thought-provoking effort to understand the complex
issue. Is fracking our path to reduced dependence on
imported oil? Or is it an ecological nightmare that poisons the land? But then, why not sell gas rights under
your land when you’ll lose the whole farm to foreclosure if you don’t? And so on. Then the filmmakers blow
all this skillfully forged ambiguity that lent the movie
a certain tension. There’s a crucial reveal, minds are
changed, and it becomes what you feared it might be:
a message movie. In a way, it’s more effective as a lesson on Machiavellian corporate tactics than it is as an
anti-fracking screed. (107 min)
22
More reviews and theater details: metropolis.co.jp/movies
BY DON MORTON
NEW
INTO THE STORM
I likened 1996’s Twister
to a porno movie, having only enough plot to
get you to the next blow
job. This one is Twister for
dummies. Some nifty CG tornado scenes, but none of
the characters are remotely memorable, making it difficult to care, and there goes the suspense. The script
wastes time on trite subplots involving dedicated but
guilt-tripping single parents, etc. Follows with a lamerthan-usual found-footage motif about the exploits of a
well-equipped docu-crew seeking that ultimate shot.
Also a pair of good-ol-boy Jackass wannabes with the
same aim. Alas, boys, the only laughs here are unintentional. (89 min)
NEW
LEVIATHAN
If a fish were browsing
for an avant-garde
horror movie about a
giant, mindless machine
descending upon
its piscine community, scooping up its neighbors,
eviscerating them alive and shipping them far
away to be eaten, this is the one. Filmed aboard a
fishing trawler, there is no context or commentary;
sometimes it’s hard to even tell what you’re
looking at. Perhaps that’s the point. The visuals are
immersive, sometimes striking, frequently repetitive.
Critics love this move. Me, I can appreciate it, but
would recommend it only to fans of experimental
cinema. Seems very little was left on the cutting room
floor. (87 min)
THE QUEEN OF
VERSAILLES
In 2007, time-share billionaire Dav id Siegel
and his wife Jackie are
in the one percent of
the one percent. But Lauren Greenfield’s entertaining and unique film is no mere “Lifestyles of the Rich
and Famous” gawk-doc. This is an intimate, observant
and curiously affecting work of social criticism, and a
detailed study of ambition and loss as the couple gets
mega-slammed by the tanking housing market. Jackie
is outgoing and unpretentious, and you can’t help but
like her. David, though, is a dick, ironically considering
himself a victim of the housing bubble he helped create. He’s suing the filmmaker. Japanese title: Queen
of Versailles Daihugo no Kareinaru Tenraku. (100 min)
TRANSFORMERS: AGE
OF EXTINCTION
This fourth Transformers
entry is a movie of superlatives: longest, lamest,
lou des t , leas t coherent, etc. The story’s insulting, the people are background decoration, the product placement’s shameless and ubiquitous, and the thing goes on forEVER.
Recommended only for children and adults with the
attention span of a poodle. No detectable plot. Put a
trash bin over your head and have someone beat on
it for three hours. Save you the price of a ticket. I call
myself the guy who goes to all the movies so you don’t
have to, but I’m not subjecting myself to any more
Transformers movies. (165 min)
HOMEFRONT
In this wan collec tion
of action-movie tropes,
retired DEA agent Jason
Statham, trying to cope
with single parenthood
in rural Louisiana, runs afoul of the local creeps and
kicks some serious meth-head ass. Nothing new here,
but for those who like their thrillers old-school and free
of surprises or inspiration, it’s briskly paced and moderately suspenseful. The macho, F-word-heavy script
is a bit clunky, written as it was by Sylvester Stallone
from a novel by Chuck Logan. The cast, which includes
a misfiring Winona Ryder, a scenery-chewing Kate
Bosworth and (yawn) James Franco, is uniformly forgettable. (100 min)
SUNSHINE ON LEITH
Jukebox musicals are
highly subjective. This
relentlessly perky effort
bends a soapy s tor y
around the music of the
Proclaimers, famous outside Scotland for “I’m Gonna
Be (500 Miles),” a boisterous, crowd-sourced version
of which breathes some badly needed life into the
film. Unfortunately, it’s the finale and too late. Alleged
plot has three couples dealing with mostly manufactured bumps on the road to everlasting love. Cloying,
superficial and more than a wee bit twee. Best enjoyed,
obviously, by Scots and Proclaimers fans. The city of
Edinburgh provides some great backdrops for all the
schmaltz. (100 min)
GODZILLA
A f te r t h e u n i ve r s a l l y
reviled 1998 Roland
Emmerich turkey, this
time Holly wood got it
right. It ’s a lit tle slow
getting started, but once it gets up to speed, English
director Gareth Edwards’ (Monsters) creature feature
is plenty exciting. This is no SFX-driven studio factory
job; it emphasizes character and tension over mindless
and repetitive spectacle. And while it’s about battling
behemoths, it’s told from a human perspective. Aaron
Taylor-Johnson is capable if not stellar in the hero role,
and having Bryan Cranston in the cast certainly doesn’t
hurt. The post-production 3-D is useless. (123 min)
VAMPIRE ACADEMY
Cross Harry Potter with
Mean Girls and stir
in selected elements
of sanitized vampire
mythology, and you’ll
get an idea of what to expect of this lazy adaptation
of Richelle Mead’s popular YA books. To humans,
it’s all pretty lame and derivative, but ‘tweeners will
find it sporadically clever in a female-centric highschool sort of way. And it has a breezy irreverence
that Twilight never had. Director Mark Waters made
Mean Girls and his screenwriter brother Daniel wrote
Heathers. Not really recommendable, but I’ve sat
through worse. Bad news: there are five more books.
Kill it quick! (104 min)
BLOOD TIES
Two brothers in the mid
’70s find themselves on
opposite sides of the
law. One’s a cop, the
other a robber. Their
deep fraternal loyalty, admirable as it is, could destroy
them both. It would be difficult to make a bad movie
with a cast that includes Marion Cotillard, Mila Kunis,
Zoe Saldana, James Caan and Lili Taylor in addition to
leads Clive Owen and Billy Crudup. And it’s true this
low-tension familial crime saga gets better as it slogs
along. Would that the whole film were as riveting as
the final 20 minutes. But for the most part it’s too long,
too talky and lacks momentum. Japanese title: My
Brother: Kanashimi no Judan (127 min)
ESCAPE FROM
TOMORROW
And now for something
completely different.
Stealth-shot at Disney
World, entirely without
permission, this is true guerrilla filmmaking. Director
Randy Moore’s sneakily subversive, darkly if fitfully
amusing story is about an every-schmuck family
guy losing his mind among the anthropomorphic
rodents, corporate kiddie mascots and manufactured
cheerfulness of “the happiest place on earth.” Did
you ever consider the evil side of “It’s a Small World”?
You will. At times massively erratic, at others merely
phantasmagorical. Call it Lynch-lite. Would have
benefitted from a splash of coherence. (90 min)
ENEMY
The two Jakes. Jake
Gyllenhaal plays a meek
Toronto professor who
discovers on a DVD a
bit actor who’s his exact
double. What’s going on? Long lost twin? Or something
weirder? He internet-stalks the guy, but when they
finally come face to exact-same-face, he begins
to wish he hadn’t. French Canadian director Denis
Villeneuve could have taken this in several directions
but opted for a banal erotic head-scratcher set to
florid, preposterous music. Gyllenhaal’s excellent
in both roles, but the absurdist-existentialist central
conceit becomes the film’s own worst enemy, and the
puzzle has no solution. Japanese title: Fukusei Sareta
Otoko (90 min)
FADING GIGOLO
Two broke New Yorkers
(Woody Allen & writer/
director John Turturro)
forge a profitable
pimp/gigolo business.
Things go well until John develops a platonic but
deep relationship with a sad, orthodox Jewish widow
(Vanessa Paradis). Turturro’s offbeat, oddly endearing
little rom-com is so tonally inconsistent that it seems
like two different movies. One addresses issues of
loneliness and longing, and the other’s a pretty good
Woody Allen movie that he didn’t make. They’re
both worth seeing. Could have gone terribly wrong
if not for the intelligence and sensitivity with which it
approaches its subject. Japanese title: Gigolo in New
York (90 min)
NEW
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23
food&drink
Pop! Gourmet Popcorn is the latest player in
Tokyo’s red-hot epicurean popcorn scene. The
award-winning American brand has chosen
Harajuku for its first venture abroad, and with
flavors like White Truffle Bliss (¥980) and Chocolate Caramel with Sea Salt (¥1,200), it’s clear
this isn’t the Orville Redenbacher of your youth.
Trans-fat-, GMO- and gluten-free, this is the apex
of clean corn, while the shop itself emulates
nothing less than a jewelry store. A posh pop
indeed. http://popgourmetpopcorn.co.jp
¥¥
Exo Chips has released some exo-llent and innovative crunchy potato snack flavors, including
Thai favorites Tom Yum and Green Curry (¥158
each). The Tom Yum comes highly recommended as its spicy burn and sour tingling sensation—
courtesy of lemongrass and lime—pack a flavor
punch seldom found in other chip selections. We
can’t vouch for its authenticity when it comes to
flavor, but it offers a nice kick in the taste buds
for those unafraid of adventure. Available at
convenience stores nationwide.
Photo: Michael Vito. http://likeafishinwater.com
RAMEN
Opened July 31, the Final Fantasy Eorzea Cafe
in Akihabara boasts a 60-item menu based
around monsters and items from FFXIV: A Realm
Reborn. Bahamut Gigaflare Curry (¥1,000—or
rather, “gil”) is little more than a Level 1 curry set
with a Level 50 name, but the Mini Honey Toast
Moguri (a “moogle,” 580 gil) is entirely worthy
of a save point. The café is open in four 2- or
3-hour slots between 11:30am and 10pm daily,
presumably to give staff a chance to reset tenacious fans. http://meturl.com/ffcaf
EN/JP
Thai spice meets
Japanese noodles
in Setagaya
BY JOAN BAILEY
A tiny shop near out-of-the-way Shindaita
station, Bassanova would be easy to miss. Yet,
this little 16-seat ramenya is home to some of
the most unique flavor combinations to be found
on Japan’s ever-evolving noodle scene. Step
through the half-broken sliding door, slip a few
yen into the ticket machine and sit down to wait
for an unforgettable bowl of goodness.
Bassanova’s green curry ramen is perhaps
the most famous dish; however, the menu—aka
the ticket machine—offers a varied selection
of traditional and unconventional bowls. We
opted for the green curry and the tsukemen to
compare flavors (tsukemen, as one friend said,
“is the crack of ramen. They’ve boiled it down
to just the essence.”), the tom-yum soba, and
Bassanova’s classic tondaku wadashi (pork
muddy dashi noodle) soba. A side order of
chahan (fried rice) and bottles of cold beer
rounded out our selection.
After handing over our tickets we settled in
on well-worn stools at the stainless steel counter
to watch the staff ladle and measure out spices
and broth as well as swing strainers of noodles
in a wide arc ending in a hard snap intended to
remove as much water as possible before tipping
them into the waiting bowls.
True to its name, the tondaku wadashi soba
arrived, its thin Kyushu-style noodles swimming
24
Green curry soba.
in a thick broth barely visible under a healthy
sprinkle of finely chopped negi (green onion),
thick cut menma (bamboo) and delicate strings
of hot pepper. The chashu (pork slice) was, as it
should be, the star of this particular show. A thick
cut of rolled meat and fat grilled to perfection, it
veritably melted on the tongue.
Bassanova’s thick, fish-based broth blends
surprisingly well with a mix of Thai spices,
conjuring a dish that is at once both distinctly
Japanese ramen and Southeast Asian green
curry. Legacy of a one-time collaboration with
a Thai chef, both the ramen and the tsukemen
offered a zippy yet subtle flavor that proved
irresistible. One by one hands went up along the
counter requesting kaedama, an extra serving
of thick wavy ramen noodles, to slurp up the
precious dregs.
“Karai, karai! (Hot, hot!)” said another friend
with already pink cheeks as she reached for a
glass of water. Blazing red and perfectly spicy
sour, her tom-yum soba came with the same thin,
Kyshu-style noodles as the tondaku, with the
addition of two still-sizzling grilled wonton on top.
The chahan, made with that lovely grilled pork,
finely chopped negi and strings of hot pepper,
was tasty but tame in comparison to the noodles.
Full to the brim and then some, we heaved
ourselves up and out to make way for a fresh round
of devotees that included three bespectacled
hipsters presumably from neighboring
Shimokitazawa, two rumpled salarymen and
a lone construction worker in blue ballooning
trousers. Easing the door shut behind us, we
paused under the red neon BASA sign, already
planning our next visit.
1F, 1 - 4 -18 New Shirota, Setagaya -ku.
Shindaita. Tel: 03-3327-4649
Family Mart’s “Ore no” series of chocolate
sweets is aimed at men, following the guiding
ethic that Japanese men aren’t supposed to like
sweets unless they’re black (we don’t get it either but it does explain Men’s Pocky). The latest
installment, released on August 5, is Ore no Bari
Choco Black Chou (¥185), a dark cream puff that
looks like an unappetising chunk of charcoal on
the outside but contains a combined chocolate
cream and chocolate custard interior—enough
to soften even the toughest man.
RESTAURANT
¥¥ (LUNCH) ¥¥¥ (DINNER)
EN/JP
Quality beef at
this butcher’s
block in Roppongi
BY YUKARI SAKAMOTO
The familiar atmosphere of Ruby Jack’s Steakhouse & Bar is reminiscent of one of this team’s
other restaurants, Two Rooms in Aoyama. In addition to these two spots, Chef Matthew Crabbe
with his partners, Edward Baffoe and Nathan
Smith, also oversee R2 Supper Club in Roppongi.
Located on the second floor of Ark Hills South
Tower, the high ceilings at Ruby Jack’s give the
room a light feeling in spite of the black decor.
Classic jazz fills the air, interrupted only by the
sound of meat searing on the grill from the open
kitchen, where a fish tank holds lobsters and oysters from all over the world.
One side of the venue opens up onto a patio
outfitted with comfortable lounge chairs and a
high table with tall bar stools. The greenery surrounding the terrace gives the veranda a park-like
feeling, and even on a recent hot, summer day the
patio was cool with a gentle breeze.
The international wine list is extensive, with
several selections by the glass and a surprising
number of bottles under ¥10,000. Meaty reds
abound for steak lovers and the refreshing variety
of whites goes well with the Tsukiji seafood and
oysters on offer.
Kagome Yasai Juice: Sato Off (¥108) is the perfect drink for health nuts. While there’s already a
plethora of veggie-juice-in-a-carton options out
there, this one offers naturally reduced sugar
(hence “toshitsu off”) and includes only vegetables in the mix—15 kinds of them, including
beets, kale and asparagus. Aimed at the carbconscious, Toshitsu Off contains only 3.3g of
sugar per 200ml carton, compared to 15.6-18.9g
for Kagome’s other “green” offerings. Available
at supermarkets nationwide from Aug 26.
The beef here is sourced from Japan, Australia and America. Our table just happened to be in
front of a cutting station where we could watch
a chef butcher large cuts of meat into dinnersized portions. Side dishes include steakhouse
classics like creamed spinach and asparagus.
Dinner is a somewhat formal affair. The Ruby’s
set menu starts at ¥7,500 and includes two starters, your choice of grilled tuna or beef and dessert.
À la carte starters include a selection of oysters,
lobster, crab and home-smoked salmon. There
are a variety of steaks to choose from including
Australian Angus, U.S.D.A. Prime and Japanese
wagyu, as well as lamb, pork, char and teppangrilled seafood.
The lunch set averages ¥2,500 and includes
an appetizer, main and coffee or tea. A plate with a
sprinkle of salt in the middle is doused with Spanish extra virgin olive oil as a dip for the ciabatta.
The juicy Yamayuri pork Boston butt is served
with mashed potatoes and an umami-rich sage
sauce. Kid-friendly at lunchtime, RJ's has a simple
children’s menu that includes hambagu steak
or sausage (¥2,200). Anyone can feel at home
here—except maybe your vegetarian friends.
Tel: 03-5544-8222. Roppongi-Itchome. http://
rubyjacks.jp/en
KEEPING TABS
TOP 3 KANTO BEER
GARDENS
BY LAYLA NAGASAKA
The beer garden is the undisputed champ at
helping thirsty Tokyoites beat Japan’s summer
heat. Popular for groups of friends— and even
ranked highly as date destinations—most offer
barbecue as well as brews to complete the summer experience. To make your destination decision easier, we’ve tracked down a list of the top
three beer gardens in Tokyo and Yokohama.
1. MORI NO BEER GARDEN
Known for combining beer with a bit of nature
(well, at least a small patch of grass) this beer
garden has been beloved in Tokyo since 1984.
Set up in Meiji-jingu Gaien until September 27,
Mori no Beer Garden offers a 2-hour, all-youcan-eat-and-drink plan at ¥4,100 for men and
¥3,800 for women.
http://meturl.com/morinobeer
2. THE BUND
This beer garden is set up every summer on
the first floor of Yokohama Marine Tower, offering a beautiful view of Yamashita Park, Minato
Mirai and Yokohama’s breathtaking skyline. The
2-hour, all-you-can-drink plan includes one set
of pork barbecue for ¥4,000.
http://bund.marinetower.jp/
3. BEER TERRACE HIBIYA
SAROH
Opened in 1949, this outdoor brew spot is known
for its long list of carefully selected beers from
all over the world. The food menu also offers
more than mere nibbles, with omu and hayashi
raisu topping the list of local favorites. Open
year-round, this breezy terrace will make you
forget you’re in downtown Tokyo.
http://hibiyasaroh.jp/
Ranking source: http://beer.30min.jp/
25
̶ Hana・Gakoi ̶
The best Sushi and
Yakitori Restaurant
in Aoyama.
YAKITORI,SUSHI
Meiji ST.
HANAGAKOI
Shibuya P.O.
Shibuya
HIKARIE
T.
aS
yam
Ao
Roppongi ST.
Shibuya police station
26
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）
Metropolis and its subsequent
Classifieds section are
printed every other week. The
upcoming publication dates
and corresponding deadlines
for print are as follows. This
does not affect the online
Classifieds, where ads are
visible immediately after they
are approved.
1 AT YOUR SERVICE
1.1 HEALTH
BILINGUAL US - LICENSED P S YC H I AT R I S T RY U KO
ISHIK AWA, MD, extensive
clinical experience in
Japan and overseas.
Family relationship
co nf l ic t s , cros s - cultural
human relationship issues
(couples, individual s).
Medication assessment
w/diagnostic inter views.
Fees on sliding scale.
Weekly seminars
available (anxiety,
r e l a t i o n s h i p i s s u e s) f o r
¥3000-¥7000. 5min from
O m o t e s a n d o s t n . w w w.
cliniczhc.com/en/ Contact
at [email protected]
or direc t 080 -5199 -9271
(until 7pm). Appointment
required.
T H A I
MASSAGE
T O K Y O .
Genuine Thai
massage
shop of fers
Thai or oil
massage, open 12-11pm,
close to JR Kamata stn, all
staf f are Thai women. A
warm welcome awaits you.
[email protected]
w w w.weing-ping.info
03-3738-8425
1.7 BUSINESS SERVICES
THINKING
ABOUT
ADVERTISING WITH
METROPOLIS? Platinum
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Silver ¥21,600. Prices
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online. For details, v isit
the Tokyo Classifieds blog
- ht tp: //metropolis.co.jp/
classifiedblog/ - or email us
at commercial@metropolis.
co.jp.
LAW OFFICE IN KAWASAKI
(next to Tokyo), member
o f t h e Yo k o h a m a B a r
Association. Legal service in
English for traffic accidents,
divorce, inheritance,
bankruptcy, business cases
(contracts, establishing a
company, trademarks, etc.)
and other legal problems.
Email: [email protected] www.
sumikawa.net/
VISA COUNSELING:
female immigration lawyer
handles your visa case.
Permanent residency,
naturalization, eligibility
(inviting your spouse/
children/workers from
your country), extension/
change of visa status.
Consultation ¥5000. OFFICE
LIFE (Miho Fujibayashi).
Tel: 090-8330-0670 Email:
[email protected] Website:
http://officelife.jp/en/
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
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 offer apartment leasing
consultation. Please call
0120-957-520. www.smartrental-tokyo.com
2 FIND A PLACE
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
SAKURA HOUSE. Leading
m u l t i l i n g u a l r e a l e s t a te
a g e n c y i n To k y o s i n c e
the official metropolis classifieds blog
http://metropolis.co.jp/classifiedblog
Tokyo’s Best Observation Decks. Whether you’re showing
around some friends or relatives from home, or trying to
impress a date with a stellar view of the city, knowing your
way around Tokyo’s high-flying observation decks is a good
piece of info to have in your back pocket. http://meturl.com/
observationdecks
FRI, SEP 5 ISSUE
Deadline: Aug 28, 3pm
Kakidai / Wikimedia Commons
FRI, SEP 19 ISSUE
Deadline: Sep 10, 3pm
Think the Classifieds is just ads? Think again! Visit the blog for saucy ads of yore, ideas to make your
ads pop, updated prices (hello, free vehicles ads!) and plenty more Classifieds goodness.
http://metropolis.co.jp/classifiedblog
1992. Over 1600 furnished
apartments and guest/
share house rooms, from
¥52,000/m, utilities included.
No key money/guarantor/
agent fee. Contact
us:
03-5330-5250
[email protected]
www.sakura-house.com
ICHIGAYA, IN CENTRAL TOKYO.
Furnished, 25sqm, w/south and
north balconies, cherry blossom
trees in Jap anese garden,
sunny and quiet, 5-7min from
Akebonobashi and UshigomeYanagicho subway stn, very
convenient to Yotsuya/Shinjuku
by bicycle ¥100,000-. Tel/fax:
03-3341-7875 [email protected]
w w w.itto -jinnai.com/green/
greencorp.html
2.3 RENT OVER ¥200,000
0
TOKYO APARTMENTS. Your
one-stop housing solution
throughout Tokyo. Providing
ser v ice d, furnishe d and
unfurnished apartments,
for both long- and shortterm stays. Also providing
relocation services, furniture
rental, property management
and sales. Please call
0120 -957-920. w w w.
tokyoapartments.jp
2.4 HOUSE SHARE
H O US E M ATE F O R RO PP O N G I
SHARE SOUGHT. Male housemate
sought for my bright, sunny flat in
Nishi-Azabu, 2min from Roppongi
Hills, two floors, balcony, fully
furnished, move in Sep ¥90,000/m.
Shared utilities extra. na_ka_to@
hotmail.com
2.5 PLACE WANTED
ICHII CORPORATION.
Over 600 affordable, qualityfurnished apartments in
central Tokyo locations. No
key money/guarantor/agent
f e e r e q u i r e d . N e w, c l e a n
apartments, simple contract
system, full English support.
Call us today! 03-5437-5233
www.japt.co.jp
Seeking a place to stay from Sep 9,
‘14. Does anyone need a short-longterm roommate? I’m a Japanese female
coming back to Japan from the Caribbean
and I need a place to live in Tokyo.
[email protected]
3 EDUCATION
3.5 LANGUAGE EXCHANGE
2.1 GUESTHOUSE
GREAT LOCATION & SUPER
CLEAN. Private furnished rooms
in Roppongi, Akasaka, AzabuJuban and Minami-Shinagawa,
all 2min from stn, ladies-only
floor available, weekly cleaning
service, free internet, aircon,
fridge. From ¥ 49,000/m.
No key money/guarantor/
agent fee. 090-2405-0022
[email protected]
Blog post
PRIVATE FURNISHED
A P A R T M E N T S .
O d a k y u l i n e: M u ko g a o ka Yu 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:
0 4 4 - 93 3 -7 0 0 0 E m a i l : m h @
minowagroup.jp www.
minowagroup.jp/minowahomes
SERVICED APARTMENTS in
a quiet residential area of
Hiroo. Studios and suites.
4min from Hiroo stn. Rates:
Daily ¥7800. Weekly ¥6850-/
day. Monthly ¥5700-/day.
Over three months ¥5130-/
day. Tax, utilities included.
frontdesk@azabucourt.
com w w w.azabucour t .
com/ 03 -3446 -8610
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. Japanese female,
34, seeks E/J language exchange partner
and friends in the Tokyo/Yokohama area.
[email protected]
English and Japanese. I'm seeking
friends to teach me E. I'd be happy to
help your Japanese. I want to improve
my English speaking skills. British English
preferred. I like English culture, films,
music, traveling. Japanese female, 30s.
[email protected]
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. Canadian, 40s,
seeking a language partner to learn
advanced Japanese. I can help you
with your English. Let's get together on
weekdays. [email protected]
English and Japanese. Married Japanese
couple, late 30s, plan to move overseas for
their careers next year, seek E/J partner for
after work/weekends at cafes in Tokyo. We
are friendly, relaxed, serious learners.
Love to teach you J! skymeland@hotmail.
co.jp
late 30s, married, seeks native/fluent
English speakers for language exchange
after work over a cup of coffee. Would love
to help your Japanese in return. Serious
learners, central Tokyo preferred. spring_
[email protected]
early 30s, seeking an English-speaking
friend in Tokyo to improve my English
skills. I'd like to help you with Japanese
and talk about culture and interests.
Please feel free to contact me. crnamacka_
[email protected]
English and Japanese. I'm learning 漢
字 now. I'm just at the early stage, but it
is so much fun, especially names. Like 友
美 is friend and beautiful. What does your
name's kanji mean? I'm male, from....
Guess! [email protected]
English and Japanese. Hi, I'm a mature
JF working and living in Tokyo seriously
seeking a language exchange partner.
Do you want to speak Japanese? Okay, let
me help you! Looking forward to hearing
from you. Studious people only, please.
[email protected]
English and Japanese. Abe sorry gaijin.
"Why are they calling Abe a sorry gaijin?"
I asked my Japanese teacher. She said,
"No, it's Abe soridaijin!" Damn. I need
listening practice. Anyone else have funny
misunderstandings? I'm male, English.
[email protected]
English and Japanese. Banging my head
against a wall. I study, study, study, but
only ever meet people who want to speak
E when they meet. Not surprising - my
Japanese is crap. But arrgh! Frustrating!
Someday it'll get better. Gambaru!
[email protected]
English and Japanese. Hello, I'm an
English computer engineer living in Tokyo.
I'm trying to learn Japanese, but it's very
hard. If you can help me, I can help you with
your English. [email protected]
English and Japanese. Japanese female
studying E casually seeks someone for
language exchange or coffee buddies
between Soka and Takenozuka. Friendship
only. Where are you from? language_
[email protected]
English and Japanese. Hi, there. I'm
a JF, late 20s, living in Tokyo, seeking a
language exchange partner and friends.
Please help me improve my English. I
will teach you Japanese. Thank you.
[email protected]
English and Japanese. Hi, I'm a Japanese
who wants to do a language exchange for
work around Tokyo. Please feel free to
contact me. Thanks. mtmharuka@yahoo.
co.jp
English and Japanese. Hi, I’m Shogo.
I’m male, 22. I want to practice speaking
E. Do you want to speak J? Let’s teach each
other. Oh, I live in Shibuya. Take it easy.
[email protected]
English and Japanese. I'm a Japanese
female. I want to improve my English. I'm
working in central Tokyo. Ebisu/Roppongi/
Nakameguro preferred. tomo-chan@
gol.com
English and Japanese. Seeking native
English speakers around Kokubunji stn. I
would like to talk with you in E/J so that we
can brush up on our languages. I am a JM,
37. Don't hesitate to contact me. Yoroshiku.
[email protected]
English and Japanese. Seeking someone
who can teach me E or Ger around
Yokohama or Tokyo. I will teach you J in
return, or I can teach you drawing instead.
I’m an artist. [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. [email protected]
Español y japonés. Habla español?
Quiere aprender japonés o inglés? Vamos
a conversar e intercambiar idiomas en
Tokio. [email protected]
French and Japanese. Hello, I'm a French
boy, 32, seeking a language exchange for
practicing my Japanese. As I'm a French
teacher, I can help with French. I like
photography, music and traveling. Merci!
[email protected]
French and Japanese. I am Japanese,
mid-30s, based in central Tokyo.
Intermediate English, pre-intermediate
French. Seeking a language exchange
partner - your French and my Japanese.
On peut se donner un rendez-vous dans
un cafe. [email protected]
French and Japanese. Fr and J daily
exchange in Otemachi. winds_fr@
hotmail.com
French and Japanese. Un japonais
cherche un locuteur natif de français qui
peut faire un échange français-japonais à
Shibuya. J’ai du temps libre lundi à jeudi,
de 7 heures du soir. [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. [email protected]
German, English, Japanese. I’m a JM,
25, seeking to improve my English and
German in Tokyo. If you want to improve
your Japanese, let’s have a language
exchange. [email protected]
Italian, English, Japanese. Hi, I'm an
Italian guy eager to make conversation
in Japanese to increase my skills. I can
exchange both It and E for your Japanese.
Preferred locations: Minato or Chiyoda.
[email protected]
Italian, English, Japanese. I’m a
Japanese female, mid-30s, seeking
language exchange friends. I like
traveling, films, eating out, coffee, etc.
Feel free to contact me. moomoo29@
hotmail.co.jp
Italiano e giapponese. Salve, sono una
studentessa giapponese di 21 anni, sto
cercando chi parla l’italiano. Ho studiato
l’italiano in Italia per 1 anno e sono appena
tornata in Giappone. Vorrei mantenere il
mio l’italiano. [email protected]
Korean and Japanese. Japanese male,
41, seeks a native Korean speaker for Kor/J
exchange. I like music, reading, cooking.
I hope we can learn from each other and
have some fun. [email protected]
Spanish and English. Hi, I’m seeking
someone to help me learn Sp in exchange
for E or J in Chiba or Tokyo. I’m a total
beginner, so please be patient. Email me
if you’re interested. [email protected]
Spanish and English. I’d like to have a
language exchange with English-speaking
people. [email protected]
Spanish, English, Japanese. I’d like
to exchange conversation in Sp for E or J.
I’m from South America, native Spanish
speaker, male, educated, mid-40s. Serious
learners. Anywhere in Tokyo. disenhador@
me.com
3.6 LEARNING: GENERAL
DRUM LESSONS IN ENGLISH from
an experienced Berklee College
of Music graduate with 15 years of
teaching experience. Private studio
with professional gear. I can also
travel to your residence. Located in
Ikejiri, 5min walk from the station.
[email protected]
090-9465-4488
27
3.9 TEACH ME!
English and Japanese. Japanese
female, professional, 30s, seeking
English conversation partner. My English
is not bad, but I'd like to improve fluency.
Will pay ¥1000/h. Shinagawa, Shinjuku,
Shibuya, weekday nights or weekend
afternoons. [email protected]
Thai teacher wanted. Sawasdee krup?
Seeking a patient conversational Thai
instructor. Around the Shinjuku area
preferred. I'm a beginner. likeme4u@
hotmail.com
4 HOUSEHOLD GOODS
4.1 FURNITURE & FITTINGS
Bed, queen-sized, and two BoConcept
night tables ¥100,000. midtown.hills@
gmail.com
Carpets, cow hide (2x2m), two available,
made in France by Ligne Roset, bought in
Roppongi, in excellent condition. New
¥300,000. Sell ¥100,000/both. midtown.
[email protected]
Chair, for desks, height and back
adjustable, can dismantle for transport
¥100. Cash only. Koenji. ohpopshop@
gmail.com
Chest of drawers, rattan. New ¥30,000.
Sell ¥7000. [email protected]
Curtains, two pieces (90x60cm) ¥500.
[email protected]
Desk, wooden, BoConcept, as new.
New ¥100,000. Sell ¥40,000. Mirror,
Living Motif (Roppongi store), w/wooden
frame, new. New ¥60,000. Sell ¥20,000.
[email protected]
Shelf, wooden, BoConcept. New
¥80,000. Sell ¥30,000. Sofa, BoConcept,
made in Denmark, leather, seats three,
can be dismantled, in excellent condition.
New ¥200,000. Sell ¥50,000. midtown.
[email protected]
Table, dining, oak, w/four chairs, in
excellent condition. New ¥200,000.
Sell ¥80,000. Coffee table, wooden,
BoConcept, black, in excellent condition.
New ¥60,000. Sell ¥20,000. midtown.
[email protected]
Happy Hour All ¥500!!
Mon-Fri (except Public holidays)
Open-7pm. Heineken 1 PINT,
The Premium Malt’s 1 PINT,
Glasses of wine, Cocktails
Dehumidif ier,
Zojirushi
(17.5x30.5x44.5cm), hardly used, looks
new ¥5000. Negotiable. rodriguez.
[email protected]
0805384-8870
Spacious 5F terrace
over looking
central Shibuya!
Fan, Dyson am04. New ¥50,000. Sell
¥30,000/obo. Pick up near Shiba-Koen.
Photos available. [email protected]
Futon dryer ( 布団乾燥機 ), Sanyo,
still in box ¥3000. Pick up Shinjuku.
[email protected]
Tokyu
Plaza
http://failte.jp
4.2 APPLIANCES
Air purifier, Venta LW, size 24, Germanmade ¥12,000. Pick up Shinjuku.
[email protected]
Enjoy our great selections
of Irish and European brews.
More details
Table, dining, wooden, extendable
(H72xL90xW50-87cm), w/two chairs,
in reasonable condition ¥10,000. Can
discuss delivery. [email protected]
5F, Sede Bldg. 1-5-2 Dogenzaka, Shibuya
OPEN 5:30pm-2am (Mon-Sat)
3-11pm (Sunday & hols)
tel: 03-3476-7776
Heater, oil, DeLonghi, as new. New
¥40,000. Sell ¥20,000. midtown.hills@
gmail.com
Heaters, Tokyo Gas, fan, as new, two
available. New ¥20,000+. Sell ¥3000/
each. Pick up Shimoigusa 4-chome,
Suginami-ku. Details available. dtoku@
asij.ac.jp 08051787550
Humidifier, Fujitsu AH-56D ¥3000. Pick
up Shinjuku-ku. [email protected]
Microwave, Sharp RE-S15C-B, '11, in very
good, clean condition ¥5000. Delivery
possible for small fee. mizi2005@
hotmail.com
Trouser press, Toshiba, stand-up, as
new ¥3000. Pick up Shinjuku. likeme4u@
hotmail.com
For the cost of postage, get Metropolis
on your doorstep—and have ransom
note material for decades.
http://metropolis.co.jp/subscription
28
4.3 SAYONARA SALE
board, small study table, cordless land
line, new garbage bin, clock, food
processor, small scale, natural 12-bottle
red wine cellar, portable gas cooker.
Make an offer. [email protected]
Sayonara sale! Kickboxing, judo, ski
wear sets; Christmas tree decorations;
futon mattress and sheets; pots; digital
photo frame; waterproof boots and suit;
cordless phone; books; DVDs; PlayStation
3 games; PlayStation Portable and
games. Details available. yannu@
hotmail.com
Sayonara sale! All items in good
condition: analog TV, w/digital tuner;
gas stove; iron; kitchen appliances; air
purifier; mini guitar amp; small table;
etc. Pick up Sasazuka. sugoigringo1@
yahoo.com http://sugoigringo1.wix.com/
sayonara-sales 080-3484-1033
Sayonara sale! Inkjet printer, MG6530,
multi-function, Wi-Fi ¥10,000. Washer/
dryer, five m/o ¥50,000. Reasonable
offers accepted. Pick up Yachiyodai,
Chiba. [email protected]
4.4 TV & HOME THEATER
Analog TV 14", Aiwa, w/remote control
¥1000. Pick up Tokyo area. Photo
available. [email protected]
HDTV 40", Sony Bravia KDL40HX800,
1080p, 240Hz, 3D-ready, LED HDTV,
black, three y/o, w/3D glasses and
transmitter, in excellent condition, no
box. New ¥140,000. Sell ¥50,000. Pick
up only. [email protected]
Remote, LG Magic AN-MR300, brandnew, never used ¥2000. Pick up
Denenchofu stn. ckm.wittmann@gmail.
com
TV 12", Raphaie RL12V-FN1, black, w/
antenna, HDMI connector, LED backlight,
approximately 0.8kg, excellent image,
hardly used ¥4500. mristhisapen@
gmail.com
4.5 AUDIO & MP3
CD player/radio, Bang & Olufsen
Beosound 9000, two Beolab 8000
speakers, stand, remote, as new. New
¥1,200,000. Sell ¥500,000. midtown.
[email protected]
Speakers, Sanwa Supply, w/charging
for 30-pin iPods (1-4) or iPhones (1-4),
output-only for stereo mini-plug output
devices, output volume 4W ¥500. Koenji.
Photos available. ohpopshop@gmail.
com
4.6 FOR KIDS
Books, picture, six available; one
hardcover Pikachu book; all books
Japanese ¥ 500/all. Pick up or
chakubarai. Photo available. housetsu@
gmail.com
Play kitchen, Melissa & Doug, brought
from the US, in good condition (W94xH
[includes timer]74xD31cm), some
scratches ¥2000/obo. Pick up central
Tokyo. [email protected]
Windbreaker, Puma, size 130cm, black,
in good condition ¥1000. Pick up or
chakubarai. Photos available. housetsu@
gmail.com
4.7 FOR FREE
Bicycle, kids', needs polishing, works
fine. Pick up Todoroki/Komazawa
Daigaku area. [email protected]
Dehumidifier, Fedders, ‘90s-era, hardly
used, floor model, rolls; freezable ice
packs. Azabu-Juban. jgilbert9990@
gmail.com
Humidifier, Panasonic FE-KL05, 5L
tank, humidity sensor, w/LED indicator,
works well, good for up to 100sqm room,
compact. Yokohama or Tokyo area.
[email protected]
5 HOBBIES&INTERESTS
5.1 CAMERAS
Sayonara sale! Washer, computer
desk, bed, kitchen table, three aircon,
garden and shop tools, etc. MinamiNagareyama, Chiba. ssbhofner@gmail.
com https://sites.google.com/site/
ssbitemsforsale/home 090-3680-1507
DSLR and lenses. Nikon D80, 55-200mm
VR, 70-210mm F/4 AF, SB-600, Tamron
17-50mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.8D AF
¥100,000/all. Or buy separately.
[email protected]
Sayonara sale! Vacuum, rice cooker,
sewing machine, shoe rack, iron, ironing
SLR and lenses. Minolta Dynax 7000i,
w/two AF zoom lenses (35-80mm and
70-210mm), camera handle slightly
discolored, lenses in good condition
¥2000. Pick up Denenchofu stn. ckm.
[email protected]
5.2 SPORTS EQUIPMENT
Exercise machine ¥3000. Pick up only.
[email protected]
Golf clubs, Iron Daiwa Hi-Trac TCS, w/
carbon shaft 3-5-7-9-11 and Sure-out sand
wedge ¥2000. Pick up near Yokohama.
[email protected]
Kickboxing, judo, ski wear sets.
Kickboxing set: gloves, bandage, leg
protectors, two pairs of short pants
¥1000. Adult judo set, suitable for around
175-185cm ¥1000. Ski wear set, suitable
for around 170-180cm ¥2000. yannu@
hotmail.com
5.3 MUSICAL EQUIPMENT
DJ set. Technics 1200MK3D turntable/
DJ set, w/mixer, two units; Vestax 002
mixer; needles. New ¥180,000. Sell
¥80,000/obo. Delivery can be arranged.
Photos available. fusion.entertainers@
gmail.com
5.4 BOOKS/CD/DVD
Japanese learning materials. Three
Pimsleur sets (Japanese I, II, III), each
set contains 16 CDs, booklet, guide, in
original package, as new. New ¥60,000.
Sell ¥27,000/all. mita.yama@hotmail.
com
5.5 GAMING
Memory card, Sony Vita, 64GB, brand
new ¥7500. Meet Ginza or Akasaka area.
[email protected]
Motion controllers. PlayStation 3 Move
motion controller, eye camera, Move
ray gun controller, PSM-SMG controllers
¥3500/all. [email protected]
5.6 COLLECTORS
Baseball Hall of Fame coins, brandnew, in case, two available, both are
PROOF: 2014 National Baseball Hall of
Fame Proof $5 gold coin; 2014 National
Baseball Hall of Fame Proof silver dollar.
[email protected]
Daniel Kelly art, "Wink 2005,"
lithograph/woodblock (72x85cm),
original, as new, from Kyoto sale. New
¥411,000. Sell ¥140,000. midtown.
[email protected]
Ichiro Suzuki stamps. Commemorative
stamps of the Seattle Mariners
celebrating nine consecutive seasons of
200 hits, exclusively released in Japan,
cannot be bought anywhere ¥10,000.
Photos available. likeme4u@hotmail.
com
Kimono, antique, 100% pure silk,
heavy silk outer and lining, bright
chrysanthemum and maple print, tiny
stains, otherwise in excellent condition
¥28,000. Pick up 4min from Ikenoue stn.
[email protected] 03-6751-1664
5.7 PETS
Bunny, 1 year old, white, black eyes,
friendly, w/cage, water bottle, food
bowl, toilet, heating pad, leftover food
¥5000. [email protected]
09093241982
6 VEHICLES
6.1 CARS, PARTS, & ACCESSORIES
Mazda A Z-wagon, '03, silver,
automatic, yellow plates, shaken until
Feb 19, '15, less than 52,000km, in
very good condition ¥100,000/obo.
[email protected]
Roof rack, Thule, for Toyota Harrier,
in very good condition, hardly used, w/
optional canoe/boat fitting ¥5000. Pick
up Kanda stn. [email protected]
6.3 BICYCLES, PARTS, & ACCESSORIES
Racing bike, Panasonic Les Maillots
Mini-Velo, 9.8kg, alloy frame, 16-speed,
upgraded handlebars, seat and
brakes, Maxxis tires, as new ¥29,000.
Nakameguro. tokyobiker2014@rediffmail.
com
The majority of classified ads have moved online! classifieds.metropolis.co.jp
7 GENERAL
10.2 SUPPORT
7.1 PHONES
iPhone 4S 32GB, SoftBank, black, in very
good condition ¥20,000/obo. alamok@
gmail.com
Phone/fax, good send-and-receive,
approximately one-hour non-stop talking
battery power when fully charged for
handset, in good overall condition ¥5000.
[email protected]
7.2 FASHION
Flip-flops, Olukai brand, XL, made in
Hawaii, never worn. New ¥6000+. Sell
¥3000. Pick up Shinjuku. likeme4u@
hotmail.com
12 SOCIAL SCENE
NEED TO TALK? We’re here to listen.
TELL LIFELINE: free, anonymous
English counseling daily from
9am-11pm by trained volunteers:
03-5774-0992. TELL COUNSELING:
affordable multilingual
p s ych o t h e r a py by a ccre d i te d
Western-trained professionals,
a CIGNA International Provider:
03-4550-1146. TELL website: www.
telljp.com. Follow us on Facebook
and Twitter @TokyoLifeLine.
Raincoat, Cecilene, size M, ivory ¥600.
Pick up or chakubarai. Photos available.
[email protected]
Swim trunks, Tommy Bahamas, XL,
never worn ¥500. Pick up Shinjuku.
[email protected]
Ties, Versace, two, in original gift
box ¥3000/each. ¥5000/both. Pick up
Shinjuku. [email protected]
Watch, Montblanc Automatic Sport
M29303, large (38mm), w/rubber strap,
brand-new stainless steel clasp, case
back marked with Montblanc, Automatic,
200M ¥90,000. Pick up Shibuya.
[email protected]
messages to proposals, and so
much more! Contact us through
our website at http://classifieds.
metropolis.co.jp.
THE JAPAN HELPLINE, 24 hours
a d ay, f ro m a ny w h e re, a b o u t
anything. From emergency
assistance to simple questions. Visit
www.jhelp.com/ and press “help,”
or call 0570-000-911. To volunteer
or support, please contact team@
jhelp.com. www.jhelp.com/
12.1 LET’S PARTY
J A PA N I N T E R N AT I O N A L
PARTY - SUMMER FESTIVAL.
Sat, Aug 23, 6:30-9pm, Devi
Fusion (Roppongi). Japan’s
biggest international party.
250 people expected. All-youcan-drink and free snacks.
Japanese men: ¥ 4000.
Others: ¥3000. Mobile: http://
getyourfriend.com/mobile/
[email protected] http://
w w w.get your frien d.com /
090-1735-5405
7.3 MISCELLANEOUS
File folders, size B1, w/cute designs,
three available ¥750/all. Tableware,
Japanese, new ¥400-¥1500/each. Pick
up or chakubarai. Photos available.
[email protected]
7.4 ITEMS WANTED
Notebook/laptop. I only need it to
surf the net. Can pick up from Tokyo/
Kanagawa/Chiba. Thank you. living_
[email protected]
Road bike at a modest price. sajitha.
[email protected]
TV or monitor for free or very cheap,
any size, any age, any make ok. Hope
someone can help. paulwal sh@
email2me.net
8 COMPUTERS
8.2 HARDWARE
Laptop, Dell, Core 2 Duo P8700, 250GB,
8GB, 14.1” screen, DVD-R/W ¥24,000.
[email protected]
MacBook, white, 13” screen, 1.8GHz, 2GB
memory, 500GB HD, DVD drive no longer
works, battery is old (computer must stay
plugged in). [email protected]
Printer/copier/scanner, Canon Pixar
MP610, '07, inkjet, as new, hardly used,
CD/DVD printing ¥8500/obo. Pick up
Shinjuku/Ikebukuro/Nerima area. Photos
available. [email protected]
8.3 SOFTWARE
Mac Microsoft Office, Home Student
'11 (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Japanese
version, three m/o, hardly used. New
¥18,360. Sell ¥5000. mristhisapen@
gmail.com
10 HELP!
10.1 HELP ME
Cat-sitter sought for 12 weeks for clean,
sweet, healthy Birman cat. He gets lonely,
so he will have to be looked after in your
home. All food and cat litter provided. Will
pay reasonable fee. hinokitsuki@gmail.
com
WEST PAPUA: ONE SOUL, ONE
PEOPLE . Fif t y- one years ago,
West Papua should have been an
independent country. Since 1969,
West Papua has been invaded
and the people robbed of their
rights, culture and country. Help
support West Papuans’ desire to
be free. http://tapol.gn.apc.org/
[email protected]
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
TOKYO. If you have a problem
with drinking, we can help.
English-speaking meetings daily.
03-3971-1471 [email protected]
http://aatokyo.org
O V E R E AT E R S A N O N Y M O U S .
Eating too much? Obsessed with
food? Maybe purging, too? Come
join us as we recover together.
Meetings Sat, 10:30am, and Tue,
6:30 pm. Sk ype meetings f ive
nights/week. Contact: oatokyo@
gmail.com www.oaintokyo.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
13 CLUBS & INTERESTS
13.1 SPORTS
JUST A 3MIN WALK
FROM ROPPONG I HILL S,
Club 360 is a large and
modern health and fitness
club. No membership or
joining fees. Personal
training, physiotherapy,
f itness classes, b oxing,
kickboxing, massage.
info @club3 60.jp w w w.
club360.jp 03-6434-9667
Infertility support group. TTC Tokyo is
an infertility support group that provides
informal opportunities for women and
men experiencing infertility to connect
with one another. Please visit website
for more info. [email protected] www.
ttctokyo.org/
10.3 LOST FRIENDS
Seeking Mindy. Is Mindy, a petite blonde
teaching assistant from LA, still in Tokyo?
Any info appreciated. m106819151-tsky@
yahoo.com
11 MESSAGES
11.1 PERSONAL MESSAGES
WRITE A MESSAGE FOR
YOU R S PEC I A L SO M EO N E !
Write any thing, from bir thday
FUN WITH TOUCH RUGBY! Join
us for social or competitive touch
rugby ever y Sat at 2:30pm by
Ariake stn, Yurikamome line. Any
age, sex, level ok. Please email for
details. [email protected]
ht tp://w w w.funwithtouch.com/
where-we-play/
P L AY R U G B Y. T h e To k y o
Crusaders are a friendly but
keen international rugby club.
D evo te d to t h e g a m e a n d i t s
social side, the “Cru” welcomes
all players and supporters.
Established in 1990, the Cru plays
in the Shuto League 1st Division.
http://www.facebook.com/tokyo.
crusaders www.tokyocrusaders.
com
TA M B O U R E L L I . U n i q u e n e w
s p o r t f ro m S cot lan d . Usin g a
tambourine-like instrument as a
racquet, players hit a shuttlecock.
We play two or three times/month
on weekends in Meguro with many
socials. Join us! More details: www.
tamjapan.org/en/ info@tamjapan.
org
All-level tennis group in Tokyo.
Serious and motivated tennis players
sought by active tennis group to join
their weekly sessions in central Tokyo.
We have advanced and intermediate
groups on weekday evenings. Beginner
and low-intermediate also welcome.
No entrance or membership fees.
Reasonable participation fees. tokyo.
[email protected]
Don's Half-Fast Flash-Mob Weekend
Urban Bicycle Rides. halffastcycling@
hotmail.com
Football/soccer players. Tokyo Redstar,
Setagaya League 2, is seeking soccer
players for all positions. Practice almost
every Sat/Sun in Tokyo. Attendance must
be over 60%. Players in a spirit of fair play
welcome. [email protected] http://
tokyoredstar.com/
Futsal players wanted by a very friendly
international team. Practice is in Tokyo
and Kanagawa on Sat. Details available.
[email protected]
Futsal team. Weekend futsal team in
Tokyo seeking people who can enjoy
the game with others. Please introduce
yourself. 港区で週末にフットサル
興味ある方. [email protected]
Gracie jiu-jitsu. Seeking a partner to
practice Gracie Combatives techniques.
I’m a long-term foreign resident, can
speak Japanese. Interested in selfdefense, not MMA or grappling for points.
Prefer Yokohama area. Thanks. breathe@
world.email.ne.jp
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]
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
& v e n u e s u b j e c t t o c h a n g e) .
Attendance at practice must be
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
FOOTBALL. Non-contact tag rugby
(OZ tag) and Rugby League players.
We play ever y Sat from 1 0am
in Tatsumi. M/F and beginners
welcome! Good exercise and fun!
Many other activities, such as
BBQs and drinking parties! Email
for details. tokyorugbyleague@
hotmail.com ht tp: //ameblo.jp/
tokyo13warriors
Seeking Win 7 32-bit. Does anybody
know where I can buy Win 7 32-bit software
in Tokyo for a good price? Akihabara stores
or elsewhere? Thanks. earth_travel_joy@
hotmail.com
Sponsorship. Ten years' experience in cafe/
bar work, including working at international
hotels. I'd like to open a cafe/bar, but need
sponsorship. Individuals and companies are
welcome. Please, if interested, let us come
to an agreement. samueladonkor@gmail.
com 090-6152-6274
J O I N T H E B I G G E S T,
B E S T, M O S T P O P U L A R
I N T E R N AT I O N A L PA R T Y !
Great people, drinks and food!
Meet new friends and party
with nice people in a friendly
atmosphere. Events in Tokyo
(Ginza, Azabu, Roppongi)
and Osaka. ¥1500-¥2000.
http://english.gaitomo.com/
[email protected]
League team is seeking Rugby
Le a g u e p l aye r s f o r J a p a n e s e
Ru gby Le a gu e of f icial g ames
from Apr to Sep. Everyone
welcome. Contact for more details.
[email protected]
A M AT E U R R U G B Y L E A G U E
PLAYERS. Japan ANZACS Rugby
International Adventure Club Tokyo
(IAC-Tokyo). The IAC-Tokyo is an allvolunteer group of folks from the Tokyo
area who enjoy outdoor activities together.
[email protected] www.iactokyo.org
Jogging Yokosuka. SJM seeking friends
to jog 3-5km in Yokosuka, mornings
preferred, but depending on the day, other
times could work, too. ジョギング仲間
募集横須賀. [email protected]
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]
Tennis in central Tokyo. Active group of
tennis friends in central Tokyo welcomes
serious/motivated new players. We play on
weekday evenings and weekends. Different
levels (sorry, no beginners), fun training
sessions and games with great people from
all over. [email protected]
Volleyball Club Intervoll. Japanese
and foreign volleyball players gather in
Takadanobaba to enjoy playing. Have
volleyball experience and want to play
volleyball in a friendly atmosphere?
inter [email protected] http://
intervoll.sakura.ne.jp/
13.2 LEISURE
MACARTHUR HEIGHTS.
Ta ke a b r e a k w h e r e G e n e r a l
Douglas MacArthur did! One
hour from Tokyo by car or direct
train. Beautiful cabins on the
ocean, w/onsen, beach, shopping.
[email protected]
Free Japanese home cooking. Japanese
housewife offers free home cooking
(washoku) lessons in English (females
only) at her house near Kawasaki stn
during the day on weekdays. You just
pay the cost of ingredients. [email protected]
Join Japanese Sake Club in Tokyo!
Anyone interested in enjoying Japanese
sake with new people who can use the
Japanese language for communication?
We started this group to meet lots of
Japanese sake lovers. Looking forward to
exploring Japanese sake together! info@
dayspa-grace.com http://www.meetup.
com/azabujuban-sakeclub/
Let’s cook together. Why don’t you come
over to my kitchen (Japanese woman in
Shinagawa) to learn how to make yummy
home-style Japanese dishes? Washoku,
Western food, Chinese, etc. Only pay for
ingredients. Women only. cookjapon@
gmail.com
13.4 MUSIC
A cappella group. Miss singing? Join our
singing group! We sing orchestral classical
music only in human voice, conducted by
a professional a cappella singer. ryusei@
acappella-cantabile.jp http://acappellacantabile.jp/?page_id=202
Amateur Latin/Brazilian jazz big band.
We're a group of friends who play Latin/
Brazilian jazz in Ota-ku/Tokyo. We're
seeking big band instrument players
(intermediate, no beginners). Practice
twice/month. You're welcome to watch our
practice on weekends. amynakagawa@
outlook.jp
Bass and drums for classic/doom/stoner
band sought. Hello, guitar player looking
to start classic metal band. The biggest
influence would be Black Sabbath,
followed by Sleep, and maybe Kyuss. Live
near Kyodo. [email protected]
Blues/blues rock band seeks drummer.
We play at pubs and bars in Tokyo. Seeking
a drummer who can play gigs once/twice a
month. Any nationality welcome. We are
English-speaking Japanese. Let's have fun!
[email protected] 080-1165-5529
Female singer wanted. I’m a Japanese
guitarist in Tokyo. I perform in parks,
along streets, at stations, cafes, music
venues, on YouTube. Pop rock! Everybody,
let’s try to play music! Everybody, let’s
go now to the dreamin’! kamikaze_vibe@
hotmail.com
Japanese drummer seeking musicians.
Guitar and bass player sought for rock,
dance, pop, blues, jazz, etc. Melody is
important. Hopefully, we can have gigs
so everybody can dance! kosuke1016@
hotmail.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 090-3598-3072 for more
information. [email protected] http://
www.diamondway.jp/
Tibetan Buddhist meditation in Tokyo.
Part of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan
Buddhism. This school puts special focus
on meditation practice. Regular guided
meditations Sun from 7pm. findlay65@
gmail.com http://www.meetup.com/
Tibetan-Buddhist-Meditation-In-TokyoJapan/ 080-4389-8818
Tokyo Dialogue. We have been meeting
in the heart of the concrete jungle called
Tokyo for 10 years to create an oasis of calm
reflection and listening. findlay65@gmail.
com http://tokyodialogue.wordpress.com/
Zen meditation (Zazen). You’ve always
thought it would be interesting to try it
- why not now? Join us Fri evenings at
Tokuun-in in Ueno. Make arrangements
in advance by email, and check our home
page. [email protected] www.
wgthorpe.com
13.9 INTERNATIONAL
Intercultural activities. JII (Japan
Intercultural Institute) is a non-profit,
member-run organization that sponsors
activities (seminars, cultural events,
conferences) for those wanting to further
develop intercultural competencies
and meet other interculturalists. yuko.
[email protected] www.
japanintercultural.org
Nihongo 倶楽部いんたぁなしょ
なる. Nihongo Club International is a
volunteer group to help foreign people
learn Japanese at the Tokyo Volunteer
Action Center in Iidabashi. Every Thu,
7-9pm. [email protected]
14 PERSONALS
14.1 FRIENDS
American couple seeking Japanese
couple for fun times. Inquisitive American
couple, mid-30s, seeking hip Japanese
couple for friendship and exploring Tokyo.
Wide variety of interests! Please be fit, fun
and willing to try new things! 日本語ok.
[email protected]
Anyone going through infertility
treatment? JF, late 30s, going through
infertility treatment in Tokyo, seeks
English-speaking female friends who can
share the same thoughts and treatment
information. I'm open-minded, friendly
and a travel lover. [email protected]
Are art museums your passion, too?
I'm a European bachelor who visits
Japan every year for about two months
at a time. I'm planning another visit in the
near future. I love exploring art museums
and seek interesting companions, M/F ok.
[email protected]
Are you from... JF, 30s, seeking
nonsmoking friends from Denmark,
Germany, Canada or Australia for having
fun times together. Let's meet for a cup of
coffee first. Please be nonsmokers, late
20s-30s. Mail with self-introduction,
please. [email protected]
Are you hot? I am boiling! Especially on
the train in the morning in this summer
heat. Someone invent air conditioned
clothes, please! A man like me is used to
much cooler summer temps! heads.itis@
gmail.com
Australian seeking drinking partner.
I'm an Australian, 27, who just moved
to Tokyo, I'm seeking a drinking partner
or someone for friendly get-togethers.
Contact me if you love food, books,
travel. Everyone welcome! mma277@
hotmail.com
Brit for Brit (Yankee or Irish ok, too).
Eee-up lass, chap from Blighty here
seeking some fellow people from back
home for chats involving words of more
than one syllable (at least until we've
had a few beers). [email protected]
Danes wanted! JF, 30s, into Denmark
like crazy! Nogen dansker i Tokyo eller
Kanagawa at moedes til kaffe og hjaelpe
mig at laere dansk lidt? Please vaere
ikke-ryger, late 20-30s. Glaeder mig
til at hoere fra jer! codename107113@
live.com
Exchange emails. JF would like to have
friendship with foreign people. Shall we
share our cultures and various things
through emails in English? Non-native
speakers also ok. I'm looking forward
to receiving emails from all over the
world. [email protected]
Fellow Japanese learners! English guy
in Tokyo learning Japanese. I'm seeking
other people who are also learning
Japanese to hang out with, share
language tips and resources, and share
occasional frustrations. My Japanese
isn't great (yet!). [email protected]
Fun in Tokyo. Can never have enough
friends. Japanese female, 30s, seeks nice
and fun-loving female friends for dining
out, bars, parties, travel. Let's have fun
together. [email protected]
29
Many more Classified ads online! Please visit classifieds.metropolis.co.jp
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
SUMMER INTENSIVE COURSE
* 6/30 – 9/26 FROM 1 WEEK
* SPECIAL COURSES
www.evergreen.gr.jp
YUTENJI 03-3713-4958 JIYUGAOKA 03-3723-4785
JLPT N
1,
N2,N3
COURS
ES
START
IN
SEPTEM
BER
[email protected]
FREE TRIAL LESSON
03-3713-4958
Jazz-playing friends in Tokyo.
Japanese male seeking jazz players for
fun in the Tokyo area. I've been playing
the alto sax for a couple of years. Still
amateur, but want to play with others.
[email protected]
Aroma massage. Would you like a nice,
relaxing aroma oil massage? Amateur
masseur seeks mature massage partners
to practice on. I can meet anywhere
in central Tokyo. I speak English and
Japanese. [email protected]
Lived overseas? Seeking Japanese
who have lived overseas recently and
remember what it feels like to live in a
different culture, different climate, and
to have different experiences. I'm going
through it right now in Japan! heads.itis@
gmail.com
Attractive Japanese man for married
woman. Tall, handsome married
Japanese businessman, 38, seeks
Western or Japanese woman for discreet
meeting. [email protected]
Penpal from overseas. Japanese
studying English alone seeks interesting
native English speaker to be pen friends
to talk about movies, everyday topics,
English corrections, etc. Always seeking
interesting people. Friendship only.
No sexual mail, please. language_
[email protected]
Seeking friends in central Tokyo. JF,
early 30s, seeks friends to hang out with
in central Tokyo. [email protected]
Attractive SJM seeks attractive,
spiritually mature, thoughtful SWF for a
meaningful relationship. Shall we begin
to talk? I think this opportunity could be
a great one for us. Please drop me a line.
[email protected]
Seeking friends. Very attractive
Japanese female, 30s, seeking pretty or
sexy girls or guys in Yokohama or Tokyo.
I prefer European or other countries.
[email protected]
Baseball fan? I'd like to meet a JF who
likes baseball. I'm a Giants fan and the
Climax Series starts soon. Let's have a
date at Tokyo Dome and watch baseball.
[email protected]
Seeking new friends. Hi! I’m an active
JF seeking new friends with the same
hobbies. I love to dance, cook, sing,
travel, snowboard, etc. I also want to
learn English. Let’s share our hobbies
and exchange J/E together. riyariya@i.
softbank.jp
Big black guy for you. I want to give
beautiful ladies lots of fun. Satisfaction
guaranteed. Skilled, very experienced,
well-muscled, no strings attached. Find
what you've been missing. tokioitelive@
gmail.com
Seeking vegetarian friend. Hello,
everyone. I'm a Japanese female working
in Yoyogi. I hope to hear from someone.
[email protected]
Sports friends. I'm seeking someone
who can go to the gym with me in the
Yokohama area, or go running around
Yokohama after work. I am normally free
after 6:30pm. [email protected]
黄. Bright, cheerful, outgoing English
male would love to meet some new
people for drinks in these hot summer
evenings. Happy to meet more than
one person, so if you’re shy, bring a
friend. Nonsmokers, 22-30 only, please.
[email protected]
14.2 MEN LOOKING FOR WOMEN
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,
Diners Club). Details at http://
metropolis.co.jp/subscription.
THU, AUG 28, 7-11PM
FREE ENTRY, ¥500 DRINKS
Taste the bounty of northern Honshu
at our August getsumatsu
Akita Pure Rise Sake Bar
2F, 1-9-1 Marunouchi Shiyoda-ku, Tokyo
(In Kitamachi Dining) Tel: 03-6256-0518
ASIAN-AMERICAN SEEKING
FRIENDS AND MORE. Good-looking
married Asian-American, 38, living
in Tokyo, seeking single or married
women for friends-with-benefits
relationship. I speak English and
Japanese. よかったらメールして下さ
い。日本語でも英語でもいいです。
[email protected]
JAPANESE MAN seeks a Spanish
o r L a t i n w o m a n . I a m s i n g l e,
175cm and speak English and
Spanish. Call 080 -3319 - 6436.
[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. slaveintok yo@
gmail.com
A little dangerous. Seeking outgoing,
adventurous, passionate, skinny SJF to
tame this slightly dangerous, tall, goodlooking SWM. He's really a good guy who
needs a smart, fiery woman to show him
there is a special relationship two can
share. [email protected]
MORE INFO:
30
metropolis.co.jp/events
Attractive single Japanese male
seeks a nice Western or Japanese
female for friendship and possibly more.
Nonsmokers preferred. I am confident
that I can create fun times for you. If
you are ready, email me. cioinjapan@
gmail.com
Are you married to Japanese?
Japanese guy, 40, married to a
Westerner, seeking some advice from
foreign ladies in a similar situation.
Or do you need a listening ear as well?
[email protected]
Boring OL job? Are you a JF who likes
to be submissive? Do you enjoy light
bondage with white men? You can feel
excited with a spanking, then back to
your boring OL job. [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]
Calm, gentle JM seeks someone
special for a serious relationship leading
to marriage. I am 42, nonsmoking, don't
drink. Any nationality ok. If interested,
please contact me. Let’s start with a cup
of coffee. [email protected]
Can we be friends? Married man for
housewife. Can we exchange emails and
meet sometimes for a coffee together?
Serious but slightly lonely married
gentleman here. [email protected]
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]
Casual daytime fun? North American
MWM, 30s, educated, professional,
fit, attractive, kind, seeks attractive
Japanese/Asian lady for passionate
casual romance (not just friends) in
Tokyo. Let’s meet regularly in the
daytime - sorry, no evenings. Coffee first.
[email protected]
Daytime. I need someone to awaken
some desire during the day. Frustrated,
bored and seeking some mad passion
with nothing attached. Slim, decentlooking, late 30s, all yours... for a few
hours. [email protected]
Dear new friend. Attractive, caring,
professional SJM, 40s, living in
Kanagawa, seeking a special/close
friend to talk to about everything. If we
have chemistry, maybe we can go further
with our relationship. toshinoris1012@
yahoo.co.jp
Discreet and mutually beneficial
friendship sought with an open-minded
woman who has a great attitude and can
provide a girlfriend-type experience. I'm
a very open-minded and down-to-earth
middle-aged Asian. Please reply with
your photos and contact info. I'm a wellcultured and traveled gentleman who
wants some naughty fun. paul00702@
yahoo.com
Do you match? I like small women,
20s, happy but shy. I am tall, confident,
kind, gentle, and a great kisser. You're
probably a little scared to reply because
I said that, but try me. I am from England.
[email protected]
Down-to-earth SJM, not handsome or
rich, clumsy, early 40s, seeking woman
of a similar age for romance or marriage.
Kanagawa preferred. elsalvadorjapan@
yahoo.es
Enjoy weight training/fitness? British
male seeks ladies who enjoy fitness or
bodybuilding. Let’s meet up and chat
over a healthy lunch or drink. Perhaps
language exchange, too. Discuss tips
and ideas for training. Tokyo or Omiya.
[email protected]
Female friend. Gentle, nice single
Japanese male wants to meet a female
friend in Tokyo. Any nationality ok.
[email protected]
Free afternoons. Are you a JF? If yes,
please finish this sentence: I am cute
and fun to be with because... If you can
reply, this SWM is going to reply to you.
Afternoon is best. [email protected]
Fun girl wanted. Charming, smart,
well-dressed foreign male in Tokyo
seeks Japanese female for fun times.
This could be social dancing, dinner,
walks in Yoyogi park, nightclubbing or
cozy nights in. Don't be lonely! Let's give
it a shot. [email protected]
Gentleman for long-term intimate
friendship. Hi! I am a respectful, goodlooking Western man, 48, interested
in having regular intimate time with a
decent woman. I don't care about your
age - just be positive, safe, nonsmoking.
[email protected]
Horticultural therapist available for
consulting wilted flowers in Tokyo.
MJM, 40. What are your symptoms?
[email protected]
I can change your life. Hello, I'm
single, don't smoke, don't drink. I'm tall
and slim, 30s, from Morocco. All I have
is an honest heart. I want a woman with
an honest heart. Thank you. [email protected]
I’m ace. I'm totally rad. I'm the best
thing to come from Scotland since
shortbread. I'm the best thing to be in
Japan since instant ramen appeared.
I'm modest, too. And you are such a
match for me. Message me. scottish1_@
outlook.com
Japanese male seeks new friend. I'd
like to relieve your loneliness if you feel
lonely in a foreign country. I'm a SJM,
sweet and cool, love rock music, seeking
a new friend who is a nice single white
female. [email protected]
Japanese male, 42, single, seeks
sincere, warm, open-minded white
female for friendship and romance. I am
generous, nonsmoking, like traveling,
reading, philosophy and enjoying my
life. [email protected]
Japanese man, 40, living in Saitama,
seeking someone to hang out with. My
hobbies are listening to music, watching
movies, reading books. hiro11923@
gmail.com
Japanese, how do you live here? I see
Japanese guys touching women's asses
on the train every day. How do you put up
with it? I might touch your ass, but only
if we're naked together, and after you
shower first! [email protected]
Je suis Anglais. Bonjour. Ça
va? Ah oui, ça va. J’habite
à To k y o. J e w a ka r a n a i
le français et le nihongo.
J’adore les kiss romantiques,
avec le sexy bonking après.
Je suis married - sacré bleu!
Secret, s’il vous plaît. Garlic non! smoothm.assa@gmail.
com
JM seeking foreign girl. Hi, I'd like
to make friends with a foreign girl. I'm
easygoing and I want to do fun things.
I play music, and I work in real estate
in Tokyo. I like to shop, drink, etc.
[email protected]
Lazy weekends together? Seeking
attractive and curvy girlfriend, 160cm+,
who is fun to be around and seeking
intimacy in the Tokyo area. I'm a caring
Afro-American male from NY, 36, 183cm,
JOBS
OPERATION MANAGER NAQUINGS has
an operation manager position open.
The employment scheme includes
three stages: 1. Provide us with your
resume. 2. Display your readiness to
work for NaquinGS at the interview
with our managers. 3. Show your best
professional and personal skills and
prove you are the best candidate for
us. If you have any questions related
to employment, contact our managers
in the HR department. NaquinGS.com
METROPOLIS is seeking motivated
bilingual (E/J) sales executives,
support staff and interns to join its
advertising and marketing team. Send
E/J resume to [email protected].
shaved head, athletic build, working in IT.
Interested? [email protected]
Let us make each other happy.
Professionally and financially successful,
accomplished, married, loving, from the
USA, seeking a kind, caring, nonsmoking
lady for a one-on-one, long-term,
discreet affair. Let us create wonderful
memories! [email protected]
Liberal-minded lady for serious
relationship. Australian male, 43, fit,
brown hair, green eyes, youngishlooking, lives in Tama city, Tokyo,
seeks Japanese woman for dating,
marriage and having children together
in the future. Include photo, please.
[email protected]
London calling. Here from London.
Will be staying in Japan for a while.
Want to meet new people to hang out
with, enjoy drinks, do new things. I'm
not the Roppongi type, so no Roppongi
lovers, please. Nonsmokers only.
[email protected]
Lonely Latino in Tokyo. Single male,
mid-30s, lonely in Tokyo, seeking
discreet fun times with a JF, 20-50,
married/attached/single ok. Central
Tokyo. Serious replies only. Looking
forward to hearing from you. Your photo
gets mine. [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 younger man seeking youthful
older woman. White male, late 20s,
187cm, 68kg, said to be good-looking.
Will send photo in return for yours.
Seeking an intelligent older woman,
40s-50s. Said to be mature for my age.
[email protected]
Meet for coffee. English gentleman
living and working in Tokyo. Interests
include music, photography, movies,
travel, reading. Meet for coffee the
first time somewhere central. Introduce
yourself and let's take it from there.
Nonsmokers only, please. cook.oishii@
gmail.com
Nice gentleman seeks a mature
Japanese woman, 50+, to enjoy special
sweet moments together, with respect
and good manners. [email protected]
Ni hao? I only know two words of Chinese
- ni hao and xie xie - but I like Chinese
women and I want to learn some more
words. If you’re Chinese, in Tokyo, and
seeking an English male friend, mail me.
[email protected]
To advertise:
[email protected]
03-4588-2277
ADMIN INTERN. Metropolis is seeking
an E/J bilingual intern for two or
three days/week (general admin
duties, editing, various other
t a s k s) . S t u d e n t s w e l co m e. N o
pay, but transportation provided.
[email protected]
SALES INTERN. Metropolis is seeking
a bilingual (E/J) intern to join the
most successful English-language
advertising team (Restaurants & Bars)
in Japan. Great opportunity to learn in
an exciting environment. No pay, but
transportation provided. Please email
[email protected].
No English? 銀行で働いてるイギリ
ス人が日本の女の子探してる。英
語分からない女の子欲しい。 vint.
[email protected]
Non-Japanese Asian. Title says it
all: seeking a girl from Asia who isn’t
Japanese. I’m from England, but have
lived in several countries in Asia. Love
travel, music, open minds. ero.lp.xei@
gmail.com
Older woman? Nice American guy, 50s,
good-looking, healthy, youthful, seeking
a nice, good-looking, healthy Japanese
woman, 50s-60s, for companionship and
love. [email protected]
One special woman needed. Hi, SWM,
professional job, tall, good-looking,
fit, warm smile, big heart, loves the
outdoors, travel, leads an active lifestyle,
needs same in slender, fit, attractive SJF,
35+, needing one special guy to make life
complete. [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. [email protected]
Proposal for SWF in Tokyo. Attractive
SJM seeks attractive, spiritually
mature, thoughtful SWF for a meaningful
relationship. Shall we begin to talk? I
think this opportunity will be a great one
for us. [email protected]
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. feeltokyo@
yahoo.co.uk
Second chance at love. Outgoing,
professional, fit, handsome SWM seeks
very slender, fit, active and attractive
SJF, 36+, for fun, laughter and long-term
romance. Let's see if we click, travel
the world, and take on life together.
[email protected]
Seeking Caucasian woman. I am
a stranger in a strange land seeking
another stranger for exploring Tokyo
and companionship. I’m Caucasian, 43,
194cm, nonsmoking, social drinker, fun
person to be with. If you feel lonely, you
should reply. pisces030771@hotmail.
com
Seeking girlfriend. I am a professional
SJM seeking friendship and maybe more
with a SWF. I am a young-looking late
40s. You are 30-45, single, educated,
with a good sense of humor. july_
[email protected]
Seeking marriage partner. Tall
Turkish man, early 40s, sensitive,
compassionate, responsible, fun, 20
years in Japan, likes fitness, reading,
cooking, traveling, hiking, being near
water, not interested in clubs or discos.
I live near Machida, Odakyu line, speak
Japanese. You’re early 30s-40, wish
to have your own family, nonsmoking,
social drinker, happy, believe enjoying
life is important. Photo required.
[email protected]
Seeking mature JF. Cool guy, 40s,
positive, romantic, gentleman, honest,
seeks 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 learn more about the city. Give me
the hot info on Paris now. imak1_2_3@
yahoo.co.jp
Serious relationship or only fun. I am
a professional engineer registered in
Oregon State, USA. White, tall, 40s, kind
and fun to be with. I am living alone in a
big house in the Tokyo area. I love movies,
going out. [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
goneebeautysalon
Gonee has over 8 years experience as a London
beauty therapist, where she attended beauty
college and worked at a salon in Sloane Square.
Lycon Brazilian wax ¥9,000 → (30% off) ¥6,300
Lycon full leg wax ¥9,800 → (30% off) ¥6,800
Under arm wax ¥4,000→¥2,000 (50% off)
Eyelash extension full set →¥5,000 (55x55)
Manicure ¥8,000 → (30% off) ¥5,600
[email protected] | www.goneebeauty.com
03-6452-2503 3F nakamura building 17-4-3 Minami-Ebisu Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Special offer
Gel Nail from ¥4,980
ALL SERVICES 20% OFF
(First time visitors only) *except Gel Nail.
Menu
Manicure..........¥5,500
Pedicure...........¥6,500
Shellac Hand....¥5,980
Shellac Foot.....¥6,980
Appointment by:
fl[email protected]
http://florir-nail.com
03-3403-5570
Open hour: weekdays 12:00~21:00
Sat, Sun & hol: 11:00~20:00
No.2 Sanken Bldg. 3F 4-1-19 Roppongi Minato-ku
Singaporean, Chinese, Indian...?
British guy, 30s, seeking non-Japanese
women to hang out with, maybe more.
It may seem obvious, but please only
contact me if you have time to meet.
No Japanese seeking marriage with a
gaijin, please! greenteais.yummy@
gmail.com
Summer fun with cute hakujin. Seeking
cute girl, 20-30, to spend some time with
over the summer (cafes, picnics, etc).
More details if it sounds interesting to
you. [email protected]
Tattoos or piercings? Seeking a woman
with tattoos or piercings, 20s, able to
meet in Tokyo. I'm a man from England.
日本語でも英語でも大丈夫. uk84@
outlook.com
Tokyo gaijin seeks JF. Seeking fun
relationship with a JF, 20s-30s, leading
to marriage. Start with dating, then
romance and see what happens. IT
consultant living in Japan and the US,
40s, loves traveling (30 countries), cars
and motorcycles. [email protected]
31
Many more Classified ads online! Please visit classifieds.metropolis.co.jp
Too dangerous! Dangerous, dashing and
desirable SWM seeks SJF ready to change
her life with lots of fun, love, laughs and
excitement. Time to let go of the old, and
embrace a new life with some passion.
Start living again! nightwatchblue@
gmail.com
Precision Cutting
Brazilian Keratin Treatment
Foil Highlighting / Blonde Specialists
Colour Corrections
Hair Extensions
UK lady. SJM, 30s, tall, slim, lover
of books, films, and music, seeks an
attractive British lady with the same
interests. [email protected]
PH 03-6436-0228
www.goldsalontokyo.com
for first visit from
our entire service menu
4-1-9-6F Azabu Juban Minato-ku Tokyo
(1min from exit 4 Azabu Juban stn)
Western girl? Let’s start from friends!
Sick of creepy JMs hitting on you in the
street, looking at “charisma men” who
only go for Japanese girls and being lost
in translation? Cool Japanese man right
here for you. [email protected]
Now You Can Recharge
in Roppongi 24/7/365
Tel: 03-3796-2411
relaxtokyo.com
Warm, romantic, intimate friendship.
Seeking a warm, safe, romantic and
intimate friendship with someone. Let's
have a trusted connection to escape our
busy working lives. Meet up and enjoy
time together. [email protected]
Metropolis Promo
WM in Tokyo seeking a pretty girl,
18-35. I am tall, white, with blue eyes.
I speak Japanese. chrischrisjapan34@
yahoo.com
Mos
Burger
60 & 120min courses now ¥1,000 off
30min course ¥500 off
逗子海岸or三浦海岸. バチャ
Hotel
IBIS
Almond
ータとメレンゲ、サルサしたい女
性歓迎～私（男性）は基本 o k 。
Soba shop
[email protected]
Takoyaki shop
フランスロマンス. Fine-looking
Frenchman proposing romance in Tokyo.
Blue-eyes type, tall and slender, 30s.
Sweet and respectful relationship with a
charming lady - Japanese, 25-45, welldressed and open-minded. yashinteki81@
hotmail.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
14.3 WOMEN LOOKING FOR MEN
Oil massage
(daytime only)
60 min: ¥8,400
120 min: ¥16,800
Strong, beautiful, flexible
Transform your body & soul at
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LAVISH DATES AND
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Are you normal? Single female, 34, tall
and slim, seeking serious relationship with
a white European/American man working
in Japan. You don’t need to be too goodlooking or rich, but you must have common
sense. Serious only, please. deep-ocean@
hotmail.co.jp
Beach life. SJF, mid-30s, loves the
ocean, is seeking a great man to be her
life partner and enjoy beach life together.
I am smart, thoughtful and healthylooking. Let's share a lot of fun times and
laughter. [email protected]
Companionship. Very attractive, welleducated, warm woman seeks the same
in a man, mid-40s-mid-50s. shojiscreen@
yahoo.com
September
32
Friends first. Divorced Japanese
woman in Kanagawa, early 40s, seeks
educated, hardworking gentleman
around my age. Must be a dog-lover
and sushi-eater. Friends first, and hope
it leads to something more someday.
[email protected]
Genuine and passionate European.
Feminine woman, said to be attractive,
pure, sexy, thoughtful, seeks one special
boyfriend/lover who will be important in
her life. Educated European gentleman
who can take the lead preferred. Singles
only. I'm 40s. utakatasanctuary@yahoo.
co.jp
Have some fun. JF, 30s, seeking
someone new. I work in the financial
industry and my work is very serious, so I
need some fun after work. I am seeking a
professional gentlemen, well-bred, who
knows how to play. reina2010japan@
yahoo.co.jp
Love bikinis, beaches, sunshine? SJF
who has been in Europe is seeking a single
white European to enjoy the cool summer
season together. Prefer French or British,
25-35, easygoing, loves music, arts,
travel. [email protected]
Lunch/dinner on weekends. Single,
early 30s, seeking a nice single guy who
is professional, independent. I enjoy
nice cafés and restaurants on weekends.
Why don't we go together? Must be a
nonsmoker. Introduction and photo
appreciated. Thanks. cocoro_cafe8@
yahoo.co.jp
Mature beauty seeks single
professional. Will prove you wrong that
beauty fades as we age, especially
after 40. Great-looking, mid-40s,
believes intelligence and sex appeal are
absolutely important to men. Please be
honest with your age and profession.
[email protected]
Mature MJF in good shape seeking
a long-term relationship of mutual
understanding with a MWM in Tokyo.
Hope you are a gym-goer in good shape
as well so we can share topics or tips.
[email protected]
New life. People describe me as attractive,
elegant, unique and gentle. Seeking a
man who is highly educated, genuine,
open-minded. European preferred. I am
mid-40s. Singles, long-term only. amrita_
[email protected]
Offering you “Authentic Pilates”
Admission Fee: ¥15,750 ¥0
Trial Machine Private Lesson: ¥10,000 ¥8,400
Earnest man for marriage. Attractive,
slender, sincere, feminine SJF, 57,
lovely young looks and heart, seeks
nonsmoking professional WM , sincere,
cheerful, affectionate, who doesn't play
with other's feelings. I like travel, hiking,
dining out, etc. Serious only, w/photo,
please. [email protected]
Discover nice things in Japan together?
Travelers welcome - I can show you
around! Let's discover nice things: dining,
spas, music, etc. JF, late 30s, friendly,
slim, tall, recently lost job. Have time,
but lonely. Seeking classy, intelligent
gentleman for dating. amynakagawa@
outlook.jp
Rare discovery! Warmhear ted,
attractive, positive, slim SJF, enjoys
cooking, hiking, working, art, seeks
gentle, attractive, successful Caucasian
in central Tokyo who wants to raise a
loving family. What's important is trust,
respect and stimulating each other. Photo
necessary. [email protected]
Seeking friends or more. I'm 28,
chubby, funny, honest, with short hair.
I'm seeking friends or more. If you don't
mind, please mail me. Let's chat via email
first. [email protected]
Seeking gentleman. I'm 40, 158cm,
with long hair. I work in central Tokyo,
live alone in Yokohama. I'm seeking a
SWM who is older than me and good at
sports. [email protected]
Seeks new love. Attractive JF, 30s,
just out of a relationship. I want to meet
someone new. Serious only, please.
[email protected]
SJF cherche une rencontre à Tokyo.
Japonaise célibataire, 35, 155cm,
slim, charmante, gentille, cherche une
rencontre amicale ou sérieuse. Salariée,
nonsmoker. Vous: 35-40, professionel,
gentleman. Envoyez-moi votre bio et
photo SVP! Merci. ma-qygyyp-213983@
ld.dream.jp
SJF seeking companion. Attractive,
petite, well-educated, working SJF,
30s, seeks tall, attractive, welleducated male for companionship. I
like traveling, hiking, reading, cooking.
[email protected]
Summer love song. Cute, nice, welleducated SJF who has lived in Europe
seeking a tall, blue-eyed gentleman
for a summer love song. tokyomiffy@
gmail.com
Vivacious and cute! SCF, 28, cute,
petite, is seeking a man for a long-term
relationship. I’m full of energy, humorous
and quirky. I have a passion for fine art,
music, geek culture and Disney. Hope to
hear from you! [email protected]
Western woman desires mature
Japanese man, over 60, who seeks
the friendship and love of a Western
woman living in Yokosuka. Please enjoy
nature, music, art, spirituality, fun.
Send a photo and tell me about yourself.
[email protected]
With you, fun outings, dining, hanging
out at home - all are exciting and
comforting. With me you feel relaxed
and happy. Authentic Asian beauty (SJF),
intelligent, mid-40s, wants a mature
single native English-speaking partner. I
am worth your time. highheels.sweets@
gmail.com
14.4 GAY & LESBIAN
British seeking newhalf to spend some
time with. If you are interested, do get in
touch. [email protected]
Friends and fun. Japanese guy, 27,
170, 65, good-looking, seeking friends
and fun in/around Tokyo. Please reply
w/face photo and stats. Thanks. kcv@
hotmail.co.jp
Top or versatile wanted. Seeking
a discreet and sexy friendship with a
healthy, DD-free, nonsmoking top or
versatile. I’m 30, 180cm, mixed, polite
and good-looking. Must be able to
host. Kanagawa or Tokyo. sp777saw@
hotmail.com
14.5 ESCORTS
ESCORTS have gone online.
To f i n d a l o v e l y l a d y
co m p a n i o n , v i s i t h t t p: //
classifieds.metropolis.co.jp/
category/personals/escorts.
14.6 AND OTHERS
Happening bar fun. I'm a European guy
who'd like to meet a lovely lady and take
her to a happening bar. Happy to meet for
a drink first to see if we think we could
have fun. [email protected]
Happily married bi-curious woman
seeks girlfriend. Seeking another woman
with similar interests. Let's shop, dance
and go to the beach together. Let's just
have sexy fun. Hubby knows - no secrets!
日本語 ok! cook_on_wheels@yahoo.
com
Massage exchange. European, 30s,
185cm, athletic, seeking a Japanese lady
to enjoy a relaxing and sensual massage
exchange. I have large, soft hands and
oil from Bali. No sex involved. alfred.
[email protected]
Seeking Japanese couple. I am a white
European living in central Tokyo. I would
like to meet a nice Japanese couple to
have a good time together. I can speak
Japanese. [email protected]
Seeking JF for online roleplay and
long-distance relationship. Seeking JF,
20-30. I’m a UK male, 37. tardis672@
gmail.com
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]
Part-time job sought. Sean from the UK,
43, 12+ years in Japan, seeking part-time
work in/around Saitama, Mon/Wed/Thu.
Experience teaching English to all ages.
Permanent resident, married. All other
work offers considered gratefully. sean.
nt_1971.hull.uk_2000.jpn@softbank.
ne.jp www.seannt.weebly.com
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horoscope
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ARIES
TAURUS
Sometimes it’s better to just put it all
out there and see what results you
reap. Oh, wait. You’re an Aries. You live
for that. If you’re feeling like something is crawling
up your sleeve or the collar of your shirt, it’s just a
shadow of the light that you create. Sure, Pluto the
autocrat may want to make another rule or create
a law that says “don’t pass go,” but Uranus in your
sign brings every rebellious cell in your body into
play. With the new moon on Monday, it’s just the
way you like it.
You’re in for a treat. Saturn, Mars,
Vesta and Ceres all combine to blend
spice and stability with wisdom in a
relationship. This is a transit known as “you can
have your cake and eat it too.” Then again, you
may want to own the bakery. Don’t worry about
having too much of a good thing. The Sun enters
your romance sector on Friday, joining chatty yet
thoughtful Mercury. Then the new moon shows
up to round off the party on Monday. This works
best if you follow your feelings.
Mar 21-Apr 19 ♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
GEMINI
CANCER
May 21-Jun 20 ♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Jun 21-Jul 22 ♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣
Venus conjunct Jupiter is a lovely
placement. All the more so since it’s
affecting how others see you. You’re
listened to, you’re heard. You’re respected and
you’re likely to get the responses you want.
Venus makes it easier to share your ideas and
elevates your comfort level in groups. Jupiter is
a whole new level in reaching out without even
trying. Social media types and writers, you’ll grow
larger, faster. Be careful. The fun you have will go
down in history.
Juno in your sign brings you stability
and possibly a partner. If you’re not
already there, it can happen. What’s
popping is your solar second house of money.
Jupiter will be there for a year, and this happens
only once every twelve years. Jupiter is known
as the king of the gods, bringing luck and good
fortune. Finally. Watch for Dark Moon Lilith, joining
in, wanting to spice it up. Luckily the new moon
Monday brings you the news you need to make
your next step.
LEO
VIRGO
As you continue with a stellium of
Venus, Jupiter, and Dark Moon Lilith in
Leo, you can pretty much ask for what
you want. This is the beginning of an excellent
year for you. Jupiter in your sign only happens
once every twelve years. It’s your turn to feel the
encouragement, inspiration and lucky streak you
deserve. The Sun in your money sector follows
Mercury’s lead last week, only brighter and with
more heart. The new moon Monday lets you
invest in your feelings.
What do you like best about birthdays? The Sun enters your sign on
Friday, signaling the beginning of
your birthday zone. This is a time when you typically have more energy and you also get to have
things your way (it’s the astrological law). When
the new moon moves into your sign on Monday,
there are even more things you’ll want to put on
your list. No need to whittle it down now as this
particular alignment likes to see you receive in
happy abundance.
LIBRA
SCORPIO
Sep 23-Oct 22 ♥♥ ¥¥¥¥ ♣♣♣
Oct 23-Nov 21 ♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
If your focus is not money, income and
finances, you must already be made.
Because right now, Ceres, Vesta,
Mars and Saturn are all in this sector of your chart.
So while you’re busy making insightful, intuitive,
substantial choices in your future, the Sun sheds
light on past life connections starting Friday. They
say those whom you meet you have met before.
Wait until Monday for the new moon and see if
you’re ready to start a cycle that can’t be broken.
From the depths of the shadows comes
a glittering moment this week. The Sun
enters your friendship sector on Friday.
Someone whom you couldn’t take seriously may
have more to offer than you previously thought. If
anyone likes to discover buried treasure, it’s you.
Not only that, your radar is especially accurate at
the moment. The new moon Monday helps you
confirm your feelings and instincts. You can be
free of fears and take the next step.
SAGITTARIUS
CAPRICORN
There’s a lot hanging in your solar
twelfth house. Some people think that
means there are skeletons in the closet.
Not so much for you. What’s happening is you’re
garnering strength to burst forth into an expanded
scene. You’ve been waiting for the perfect situation, one that expresses who you are and gives
you a chance to be the sizzling star you continue
to be. The Sun shines on your career beginning
Friday. The new moon Monday just adds to the
icing.
Your solar eighth house is cracking
with planetary action and all of it positive. Venus brings good news, a gift
or love you can count on. Jupiter makes it all the
bigger and imbues it with luck. Dark Moon Lilith
makes being naughty optional. The Sun transits
to shine light on a secret, revealing the silver
lining. Timing is everything. Mercury enhances
the bigger picture so you can move forward to an
even better adventure as the new moon arrives
on Monday.
Jul 23-Aug 22 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Nov 22-Dec 21 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣♣♣
AQUARIUS
Visa and immigration
Intellectual property rights
(Patent, trademark, copyrights)
Apr 20-May 20 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣
Establishing a Company &
Branch office
Other Legal & Business matters
Hiroshi Oogai,
Patent attorney
Immigration lawyer
www.j-star.jp
PISCES
Jan 20-Feb 18 ♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣♣♣
Feb 19-Mar 20 ♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣
The Sun leaves your partnership sector,
entering the realm of shared resources
on Friday. This includes psychological
breakthroughs and what you find sexy (and conversely, what you don’t). Being true to yourself,
you won’t need that much time to choose what
you’re going to do. The new moon on Monday
brings an opportunity to start addressing your
feelings. It may not be time to take action, but
clarity comes and you’ll be able to see behind the
veil if there is one.
The trend of light reflecting around
your partner increases as the Sun
shines in your relationship sector
beginning Friday. If you need encouragement or
a boost, they’re likely to be just the person you
need. Or they may receive recognition of some
kind and you get to bask in their glow. Either way,
you’ll enjoy this combined with the new moon
on Monday. If you’re single, the pleasure of your
freedom increases as you fill your time with treats
and the joy of personal preferences.
Exit 4,
Nagatacho stn
Supreme
Court
Imperial
Palace
Aoyama Ave
Akasaka
Mitsuke
stn
Akasaka
Excel
Hotel
Tokyu
National
Diet
Library
608 Kitano Arms 16-15, Hirakawa-cho, 2-Chome, Chiyoda-ku ,Tokyo, 102-0093
Tel: 03-5216-6890 Fax: 03-5216-6891
Email: [email protected]
WADA Legal & Administrative Office
We can help you with:
• Visa & Immigration Procedures
• Mixed Marriage, Naturalisation
and Refugee Status
• Establishing a Company &
Branch Office
• Accounting Services, Acquiring
Business Licences
• Preparation/Translation of
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• Other Legal & Business Matters
Aug 23-Sep 22 ♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Dec 22-Jan 19 ♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣
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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
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One that really achieves results!
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Frank A. Kasala, President & CEO of Future Technologies International,
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33
the last word
Illustration by Christi Rochin
Nippon Newbie
FROM VAGABOUND VISITOR
TO REGISTERED RESIDENT
IN 4 EASY STEPS
BY JACK NEIGHBOUR
YOU MIGHT
FEEL LIKE
A BIT OF A
TOURIST,
BUT IN
THE EARLY
DAYS,
THAT’S
PRECISELY
WHAT YOU
ARE.”
Japan offers modern living, a (mostly)
affordable lifestyle and an abundance of
job opportunities for those willing to pass
on their native language to the locals.
Even if you arrive for recreation, there’s
a good chance that a sense of hopeless
romanticism—or just a quick opportunity—will keep you here much longer than
you’d anticipated. Making the leap from
temporary tripper to registered resident
means you’ll have to tick a few boxes or
book your flight home.
OMGPS
At the beginning it seems like there’s
nothing to do but wander in consecutive
circles, systematically learning your surroundings as you quietly lament that everything looks so similar. Go old-school:
use a paper map and your common
sense. You’d be amazed how much easier it is to get around with a rudimentary
scribble of what to look for. You might feel
like a bit of a tourist, but in the early days,
that’s precisely what you are.
RESIDENTIAL POWER
WANT
TO HAVE
THE LAST
WORD?
Send your article to:
[email protected]
You can do nothing without registering
your residence card, so you need to go
to your local Ward Office—your local one.
If you go anywhere else, the staff will
send you home and you’ll be no closer
to your goal.
The good news is that most Ward Offices do have some rudimentary English
skills, and as with most things, a mixture
of broken phrases and crying usually
gets the job done. Take a ticket, give
them your card, and the rest is just nodding. Allow at least an hour.
STASH YOUR CASH
You need to open a bank account so you
can actually receive wages. But very few
banks have English-speaking staff—and
those that do have a labyrinth of administration to navigate. Most banks won’t let
you open an account without an inkan,
or hanko stamp. In formal settings, signatures are worthless here; you might as
well try to certify a document by licking
the page.
This leads to the next problem: a Japanese phone number. It seems you can’t
get a bank account without a phone—
and you can’t get a phone without a bank
account. The solution? Go somewhere
like Softbank and beg for a prepaid
phone. It’s painfully Spartan (phone calls
only) and the rates are rough, but it gets
the job done. Give the number to the
bank clerk and in 20 minutes you’ll have
a new bank account. And don’t do what
I did and try to pass off somebody else’s
number as your own. They’ll see through
it and you’ll just have to come back with
a real number anyway.
making, you might want to upgrade to a
smartphone. Again, technicalities tend
to get in the way: visa length, lack of a
credit card and haphazard direct debit
setup are all problematic.
I sat in a Softbank shop for an hour
miming through options with the longsuffering store clerk before we finally
agreed on a package. But they wanted
me to use my credit card to pay for things
and I didn’t have one. So I had to leave
with nothing to show for my efforts except a frustrated staff member.
I then got completely ignored at Docomo but an English-speaking clerk at
AU was more forgiving. Having learned
from my mistakes, I made all my potential
pitfalls clear from the outset—and oddly
enough, there was no issue at all, so I
went ahead. Then, a full two hours later,
the clerk pulled out the card machine,
triggering my gag reflex. But after a few
phone calls to her superiors, it transpired
that I could, in fact, pay my phone bill at
a convenience store. I signed, thanked
my unbelievably helpful new friend and
left the store with a shiny phone. I’d won.
Phone in hand, I now find myself registered, bank-accounted and navigating
Tokyo’s winding streets with increasing
ease and confidence. Next up: Bring on
the mortgage application!
MOSHI MOSHI
If you get fed up with your inability to
check Facebook on the go or communicate with all the new friends you’re
■ Jack Neighbour is an awkward Brit who tries
to see the funny in life and then write it down.
He’s currently hiding in Funabashi.
The views expressed in “The Last Word” are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of Japan Partnership Co. Ltd. or its partners and sponsors.
NEXT ISSUE
34
KANTO AREA
BASEBALL
BYOB (AND FOOD)
TO THE GAME
GETTIN’ IT ON:
FERTILITY OPTIONS

the new kawaii - Metropolis Magazine

Transcription

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