executive fight night v knocks out cancer

May 29-Jun 18, 2015 Japan’s Nº1 English Magazine
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RING MASTERS
EXECUTIVE FIGHT NIGHT V
KNOCKS OUT CANCER
THE RIGHT-CLICK IT’S A HI-TECH LIFE O MELHOR DO BRASIL! BITES AND FIGHTS YOYOGI BARKS MEETING YOUR CANINE COMPADRE
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MAY 29-JUN 11, 2015 • #1105
EDITOR’S
LETTER
As the weather heats up, the atmosphere in the Metropolis office
has become more festive, with an urge to get out and dance!
Yoyogi Koen offers the perfect opportunity this June with the
Salsa Street Festival—and we carry the inspiration into the culinary world as well in our food section, with great Brazilian flavors.
Photo by By C Bryan Jones
June is also the time to rumble in the name of those in need, as 16
of Tokyo’s top executives take part in Executive Fight Night V to
raise money for children with cancer. Plus, we show you how you
can adopt a canine friend to share the summer excitement with,
and how to start on the path to summer fitness, too.
Photo by By Samuel Thomas
10
17
Film-inspired Flavor: Meet Mifune’s Japanese cuisine
20
MeeWee Dinkee Magic: A Mechanical Fashion Show
Planting Seeds: The return of TV On the Radio
Cover design: Kohji Shiiki. Photography: 37 Frames
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3
TOP
EDITOR’S PICK
zoos
Edogawa City Natural Zoo
Nogeyama Zoo
Ueno Zoo
A small, yet entertaining, zoo with animals such
as penguins and monkeys, and a petting zoo.
Open 10am-4:30pm (from 9:30am on Sat, Sun &
hols), closed Mon. Free. 3-2-1 Kita-Kasai, within
Gyosen Park. Nishi-Kasai. Tel: 03-3680-0777.
http://edogawa-kankyozaidan.jp/zoo
Established in 1951, Nogeyama Zoo boasts
around 90 species of animals, with a petting zoo
where you can cuddle with mice, guinea pigs, and
chicks. Open 9:30am-4:30pm, closed Mon. Free.
63-10 Oimatsu-cho, Nishi-ku, Yokohama. 23-3
Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya-ku. Sakuragicho.
Tel: 045-231-1307. www2.nogeyama-zoo.org/
english
The oldest zoo in Japan is home to 2,600 animals
including the ever-popular pandas. Open
9:30am-5pm, closed Mon. ¥200-600. Ueno Park.
Ueno. Tel: 03-3828-5171. www.tokyo-zoo.net/
english/ueno
JUN 19-29
YUKI IDEGUCHI
On one level, painter Yuki Ideguchi’s works
are psychedelic, and his attempt to capture
a world where life and death intertwine
are hallmarks of the style. But behind
the painter’s visions lies a deeper well of
Japanese tradition, including Buddhism and
Shinto. Ideguchi’s new exhibition is titled
"Somewhere hasn't been here will be here"
and represents the fruits of his efforts to
bring traditional Japanese philosophical
and decorative techniques into the world of
contemporary art. Dan Grunebaum
Jun 19-29, 12-7pm (3-9pm on Jun 19, until
5pm on final day). Closed Jun 24. Free.
Minna no Gallery. Hanzomon.
Tel: 03-6268-9658.
http://minnanog.wix.com/minna-eng
JUN 14
TOMISATO CITY
WATERMELON
FESTIVAL
Kick off the summer with Tomisato’s
annual Watermelon Festival, which
includes watermelon tasting, games, and
the chance to buy freshly-picked produce.
Jun 14, 9am-2:30pm, free. Tomisato
center public hall lobby and parking lot,
Chiba Prefecture. Keisei Narita.
20min by bus from station.
JUN 6
IKUSA SAMURAI BATTLE: WOW
WOAH WAR! BE A SAMURAI!!
Make international friends and learn the Japanese art
of Bushido by engaging in a samurai battle! Jun 6, 2pm,
¥1,000 (child)/ ¥1,500 (adult). Price includes all necessary
equipment. Yoyogi Park. Harajuku or Meiji-Jingūmae.
http://j.mp/beasamurai2015
JUN 13-20
ESNAVI
Soul-belter Esnavi
makes her first tour of
the Japanese Isles, with
several stops in the Kanto
region on the itinerary.
Jun 13-20, various times,
prices, and venues.
http://www.esnavi.com
Photo by Mikki Kunttu
JUN 6-7
ECO LIFE FAIR
Celebrate World Environment Month at Yoyogi Park with food, live
performances, and a market selling local food and goods from Iwate,
Miyagi, Fukushima, and other prefectures devastated by the 2011 Tohoku
earthquake. Jun 6, 11am-5pm; Jun 7, 10am-5pm, free entry. Yoyogi Park.
Harajuku or Meiji-Jingumae. www.ecolifefair.go.jp
JUN 20-21
TERO SAARINEN COMPANY “MORPHED”
A band of eight men seduce, challenge, demand, and swagger in Tero Saarinen
Company’s new production, with music that ranges from the brutally aggressive
to the meditatively soft and minimalistic by Esa-Pekka Salonen. Jun 20-21, 3pm,
3,500-5,000. Sainokuni Saitama Arts Theater. Yonohonmachi.
Tel: 0570-064-939. www.saf.or.jp/en/stages/detail/2333
05
feature
SALSA!
SALSA!
SALSA!
I
For those who want to brush up on their
salsa dancing skills before the festival,
here are a few spots where you can dance
the night away!
Yoyogi Park cranks
up the heat for Salsa
Street 2015
f you feel like your life is missing some spice,
you’re in luck, because a visit to Salsa Street
2015 in Yoyogi Park is sure to add just that.
Taking place on June 20 and 21, this weekend is jam-packed with everything salsa—
from dance and music to food.
Some cultural background … “salsa,” in
Spanish, means “sauce,” and originates from
sal, the Latin word for salt. “Salad,” “salami,”
and “sausage” also have their origins in this
word, including “salary,” which stems from the
ancient Roman practice of paying workers’
wages with salt.
Just as any type of sauce is made by mixing
together different ingredients, salsa is a mix
of different styles of music, and this eclectic
EL CAFE LATINO
mashup is exactly what Salsa Street is about—
as you’ll no doubt leave with a taste of different
Caribbean and Latin American cultures. Here’s
what you can expect from the festival …
FOOD AND DRINK
Munch on tacos and wash them down with some
Caribbean and Latin American beer, a mojito,
or caipirinha, Brazil’s national cocktail made by
mixing cachaça, a hard liquor made from sugar
cane, with sugar and lime. You can also enjoy
other tropical cocktails, along with rum, tequila,
and even cigars.
MUSIC AND DANCE
Of course, salsa music will be playing all day,
and if you’re worried your moves aren’t up to
par, don’t … salsa dance lessons will be offered!
Will take place rain or shine. Jun 20, 10am8pm; Jun 21, 10am-7pm, free entry. Keyaki
Street, Yoyogi Park. Nearest station: Harajuku, Yoyogi Kōen, or Meiji Jingūmae. www.
guavaberry.jp/salsastreet
06
With drinks ¥500-1,200, El Cafe Latino
offers salsa, merengue, and bachata lessons, taught by professional dancers. Some
lessons are offered for free and others cost
¥2,500. Open Tue-Thu and Sun, 6pm-12am;
Fri and Sat, 6pm-5am. Closed Mon. An admission fee of ¥1,500 (includes one drink)
will be charged on Fri and Sat. 1F WIN Roppongi, 3-15-24 Roppongi, Minato-ku.
Tel: 03-3402-8989.
www.elcafelatino.com/?lang=en
SALSA CARIBE
Lessons are offered every day for ¥1,000,
with beginner lessons available free of
charge on Wed, Fri and Sat. Open Sun-Thu,
6pm-1am; Fri, and Sat, 6pm-5am. Admission fee ¥1,200 Sun-Thu, ¥1,500 Fri and
Sat, both with one drink. Reine 2F, 5-3-4
Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3746-0244.
www.salsacaribe.jp
PARAISO
Lessons such as LA-style salsa (¥2,000 with
one drink) offered daily, with weekly free
lessons. Open Sun-Thu, 6pm-2am; Fri-Sat,
6pm-am. B1 Kobayashi Bldg., 7-10-3 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-106-0032.
www.paraiso-bar.com
cover story
TAKING THE FIGHT TO
CHILDREN’S CANCER
Executive Fight Night boxers
explain what drives them
BY C BRYAN JONES
W
e’re often urged to fight for a good
cause, but rarely is the imperative so
literal. On July 19, sixteen incredible
men and women will take to the ring
at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo as part of the Tony
Evans and deVere Group Executive Fight Night
V to raise money for Shine On! Kids.
What moves these individuals to commit
to the fight, to the rigorous process of training, to the inevitable injuries? Metropolis sat
down with four of the fighters to find out what
drives them.
Chad Lafferty is a native of Oklahoma who
works as an associate director in the contract
division at Robert Walters Japan. Jacqueline
Alexander is a professional freelance makeup
artist, an American who graduated first in her
class at The London School of Beauty and
Makeup. Nick Rees, who arrived from the
U.K. more than a decade ago, manages an
IT recruitment team at Morgan McKinley. And
Gregor Zetsche, a Germany native, is a general manager at Mercedes-Benz Research &
Development Japan.
This diversity comes together for a common goal under the guidance of EFN and the
trainers at Club 360. Asking why they chose to
take part in the event reveals common threads:
a competitive nature; a desire to help children
suffering from serious illnesses; and a love of
physical challenges.
Read Gregor’s full interview at
http://meturl.com/efnv-gregor
“I felt like this would be a great challenge
for me to take on,” says Zetsche. “You don’t
often have the chance to help others by getting
punched in the face. I have high regard for what
Shine On! Kids is doing, and I’m glad I can help
out. My fight lasts six minutes. These kids have
to fight every day.”
The driving force is the same for Rees. “It’s
those amazing kids I will be thinking of. A young
lad in Shizuoka painted me a special picture,
and I will be fighting for this little angel on the
night. He is seriously ill and will be on my mind.”
EFN is more than just a charity event. At the
same time that it gives new hope to a child with
cancer, it’s also a program that changes the
lives of the fighters through 12 weeks of grueling preparation.
“Training for this fight has been an intense
ride,” explains Alexander, who is the wife of
fellow EFN fighter John “The Butcher” Trollope.
“These next few weeks leading up to the ‘Big
Dance’ are going to shed more blood, sweat,
and dedication than I think any of us have endured before.”
Lafferty, who has done FIT and 24-hour
charity runs the past couple of years, found
EFN to be even more demanding than expected. “The change to boxing from other sports
was pretty jarring. I was in good shape, but not
boxing shape. The intensity of the training was
surprising.”
Read Nick’s full interview at
http://meturl.com/efnv-nick
Making it to June 19 requires the kind of determination that has put all of the participants
at the top of their business game. “Athletics
is not my forte,” confesses Zetsche. “I know
how to prepare for an important presentation
or an exam, not for a boxing fight. But I have
come to realize that, in fact, all three are quite
comparable.”
Another challenge that the fighters face is
staying free of injury. The training is intense
and the timeline short. “I have actually injured
my left arm slightly, and have been training with
one arm to err on the side of caution; but giving
up is not an option,” says Rees.
One thing the four all agree on is that the
personal rewards are considerable, and the
health benefits outweigh the occasional cut or
bruise. Lafferty proclaims, “I’m in better shape
than I’ve been in since high school—arguably
ever.” And Rees lauds trainer Jan Kazuba, who
has been coaching the IT manager for two
years now, saying “I’m a fitter and better person for it.”
Fast forward to the big night. In the center of the Grand Hyatt Tokyo Ballroom sits a
boxing ring. Pledging for the fighters, a raffle,
tables covered with succulent food prepared by
world-class chefs, and special entertainment
set the celebratory atmosphere as this year’s
roster of 16 share the results of their hard work.
One will leave as the champion, but all are winners—including the children.
“At the end of the day, there are a bunch
of kids counting on you,” Lafferty reminds us
when considering that he might not hoist the
belt. “That’s the heartbreaking thing behind all
this, and the reason it’s such a great event. Win
or lose, Shine On! Kids wins—and that’s more
important than my pride!”
Friday, June 19 6:30pm. Grand Hyatt Tokyo
TICKETS
WANT TO BE THERE?
TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE!
ticketing@ginjaninjas.com
www.executivefightnight.com
Read Chad’s full interview at
http://meturl.com/efnv-chad
Read Jacqueline’s full interview at
http://meturl.com/efnv-jackie
07
feature
CAPOEIRA
Practicing Brazil’s martial art in Tokyo
BY MUBITA MAMBWE
B
razil has bestowed unto the world many
of its art forms. However, very few encapsulate Brazilian culture and history
as fully as capoeira does. The Afro-Brazilian martial art fuses acrobatics, dance, and
percussive music performance to create an
activity unlike any other.
“Capoeira is an amazing experience,” says
Mestre Sucuri, instructor at Capoeira Zoador
Academy, one of Tokyo’s leading capoeira
schools; and has been teaching the
art internationally for 26 years.
“For me, it’s very spiritual as
much as it is philosophical
and physical. It draws
on every aspect of the
human experience.”
Capoeira is often
described as many
t hing s: a game; a
dance; a martial art;
or even a music genre.
But at its core, capoeira
is its own entity encompassing all its physical and
musical elements. In addition to
keeping fit, it also allows for creative
expression, rejuvenation, and stress relief. And
because it’s practiced commonly in a group or
circle, the sense of community allows participants to connect and build relationships.
“Everything that people want to do, like
yoga, hip-hop, karate … everything is to fulfill your life, something lacking, be it confidence, awareness, pride,” says Mestre Sucuri.
“Capoeira for me is very holistic: it’s yoga,
08
kickboxing, karate, samba, salsa—everything
rolled into one thing.”
The music is also integral to capoeira—in
the same way it is to general dances. Capoeira
music has its basis in Afro-Brazilian music, and
is heavily percussive and vocal. The rhythms
vary and evolve with the vibe of the circle or
practitioners.
“Capoeira music is the sound of the energy
we create, which we call axé. It’s really powerful when you feel it. It’s almost chaotic,
tribal—but organized. Some people say it’s akin to Indian music, but it’s very African in
origin. And the rhythms
push people in different ways.”
The vibrant experience capoeira
provides has led to
its increasing prominence internationally.
I t ’s been disper sed
outside of Brazil since
the 1970s and has recently
been gaining exposure in popular culture, being utilized in film and
video games.
Japan’s also been catching on to the art,
with schools set up everywhere from Tokyo,
Yokohama, and Saitama, to more distant areas
such as Sapporo, Osaka, and Nagoya. The
reason, says Mestre Sucuri, is that it provides
a release that’s much needed here—especially
in Tokyo.
“It’s a very stressful city; no one works as
hard as people in Tokyo,” he affirms. “When
you kick that pad or you’re doing Afro-Brazilian dance and the sweat’s running down your
face—that’s negative energy being cleansed
from your body.
“There’s a very spiritual side we focus on
[at Zoador]—not religious, but philosophical.
Something to get people to go …” he states,
sighing with relief.
Mestre Sucuri sees people from all walks of
life enter the sunny interior of Zoador’s school
in Magome. The students range from kids as
young as three to grown-ups around 50 years
IT DRAWS ON EVERY
ASPECT OF THE
HUMAN EXPERIENCE.”
old, and of all nationalities. But united through
capoeira, the students are able to experience
the family feeling predominant in Latin culture—yet another aspect of the art.
“I run it like a very grassroots community
center,” explains Mestre Sucuri, who mentions
that children are in on weekends and have fun,
while adults love the energy. “A lot of the foreigners who come here get caught up in that
crazy, single vibe here in Japan, and they want
a little bit of groundedness; they want to be
able to be around that family feeling once in
a while.”
Because capoeira is multi-faceted, there’s
a place for everyone—regardless of physical or musical ability. The only requirement
is patience.
“If you believe in yourself half as much as I
believe in the people that walk in [through] the
door, then you’ll be fine. You’ve just got to say,
I’m not going to be overwhelmed, I’m going to
take one day at a time, one class at a time, and
move toward a positive result.”
Capoeira Zoador Academy
2-4-1 Kitamagome, Ota-ku. Tel: 03-37790263. Nearest stn: Magome or Ebaramachi.
Classes also held at Studio Worcle in Harajuku. B1 Biz Harajuku, 3-53-2 Sendagaya,
Shibuya-ku. www.capoeira.jp
1
food&drink
Fans of Koikeya’s mikan-flavored potato chips will be
thrilled to find out about the snack manufacturer’s two
new fruity options: peach and banana. Although not
everyone will appreciate adventurous flavors, these
chips are worth a try if simply for that only-in-Japan
factor. Consider them dessert chips. Koikeya suggests
they be eaten with breakfast, and, who knows, you
might soon be skipping your morning cereal or toast for
some peach and banana potato crunch! Now available
in convenience stores nationwide; going on sale in
supermarkets nationwide June 1.
2
A new addition to the coconutwater craze that has taken over
Japan is the limited-edition Kirin
Hyōketsu Coconut Water, a
vodka-based beverage containing
10 percent of the tropical juice
that’s known for its hydrating
properties. A refreshing alcoholic
beverage is exactly what’s needed
to distract from the overpowering
Tokyo heat—and drinkers can see
what the coco craze is all about
while they’re at it. Available in
stores nationwide.
Ice Monster’s mammoth shaved-ice concoctions
have made a name for the cold confectionery
chain in its native Taiwan—and now they’re
branching out with their first Japanese location
in Omotesando. Opened in April, Ice Monster
serves up several varieties of its monstrous
shaved ice, from the fruity Pineapple Sensation
and Mango Sensation, accompanied by slices of
their respective fruits, to the Coffee Sensation
with coffee jelly, Bubble Milk Tea Sensation with
tapioca bubbles and panna cotta, and Oolong
Tea Sensation with brown sugar jelly and Oolong
ice cream. No better way to cool off!
6-3-7 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Meiji-jingumae.
http://ice-monster.co.jp
California-born U.S. coffee chain The Coffee
Bean & Tea Leaf opens its first Japanese
branch in Nihonbashi. The Coffee Bean boasts
a large selection of coffee brewed with beans
sourced directly from family farms and estates,
as well as a wide variety of teas ranging from
the standard, such as English Breakfast and
Earl Grey, to the exotic, such as Moroccan
Mint, African Sunrise, Swedish Berries,
and Lung Ching. Their Japan exclusive is
the Matcha Cappuccino, which infuses the
Italian treat with green tea zest. Also try their
delectable muffins and cookies for a special
coffee break. 1-3-13 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku.
Nihonbashi. www.coffeebean.co.jp
4
If wafers of the strawberry kind are too sweet for your palate,
reach for the paler corner of the berry basket and grab a box of
the new Raspberry Kit-Kats. With a slightly tart flavor, you can
give yourself a break without the sugary surge (well, at least on
the flavor front). With three mini packs per box, you can share
with friends, tempt your colleagues, or treat yourself to a snacktime triple. Available in stores nationwide.
3
5
09
food&drink
Photos by By C Bryan Jones
RESTAURANT
¥¥
JP/EN
Non-smoking only during lunch
MIFUNE
BY MOMOKO MOCHIZUKI
J
apanese food in an atmospheric Japanese
setting is what Mifune in Roppongi offers—
and not just any setting, but one themed
around the restaurant’s namesake, the late
Japanese film star Toshirō Mifune. If you’re a fan,
you’ll be able to appreciate various details like
the actor’s family crest hung on the walls. And
even if you’re not, you’ll no doubt find the restaurant’s interior, made to look like a dōjō (training
hall), pretty neat.
In true Japanese style, shoes must be removed upon entry—so make sure you aren’t
wearing holey socks! Seating is available at the
counter, at horigotatsu-style tables (sunken areas underneath the tables provide plenty of legroom), and in private rooms ideal for entertaining
guests. The menu spans a wide range of items,
including sashimi and nabe (hotpots), with an
impressive selection of local sake from throughout Japan (the Dassai 50 Junmai Daiginjō is their
most popular). A course menu is also available,
with items ranging in price from ¥5,000 to 8,000.
10
Nabe can be ordered in portions for two or
more people, and selections include a spicy
jjigae, sukiyaki, a chicken broth-based mizutaki,
and a chōju, or “long life” nabe containing various
herbs and spices, including Chinese wolfberries. The chōju nabe’s broth is a deep red, and is
made with bonito stock infused with dried shrimp
and shiitake, and contains sesame, spring onions, whole dates, and rāyu, or chili oil, for a little
kick. Slices of pork are cooked in the broth, and
eaten wrapped around vegetables and dipped
in sesame sauce. Make sure to leave some space
for the shime—a choice of ramen noodles or rice
added to the broth containing all the goodness
from the meat.
The hakozushi, or “boxed sushi” (¥1,500),
available at dinner contains seafood such as
tuna, shrimp, and salmon roe along with egg,
shiitake mushrooms, and snow peas on a bed
of vinegared rice. The dish is enjoyed with kuzu
shōyu, or soy sauce thickened with kuzu starch.
Lunchtime options (¥900-1,200 on weekdays) include shōgayaki, or ginger-fried pork;
sukiyaki; and hirekatsu, or fried pork fillet cutlets. When we visited, the sakana teishoku (fish
set) of the week was grilled saba, or mackerel
simply seasoned with salt, with a side of tonjiru (miso soup with pork and vegetables), rice,
and small dishes which included tofu and hijiki
seaweed. The mackerel was soft and juicy—the
perfect accompaniment to the rice. The type of
fish changes weekly, so each visit can offer a
chance to savor new tastes.
At Mifune, you can enjoy great food in a great
space. If you’re looking for a place to impress
guests, or to upgrade your usual izakaya experience, this is the place to do it!
Open 11:30am-2pm and 5-11:30pm. Closed Sun.
7-18-7 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Roppongi. Tel:
03-6804-5548. http://mifune-project.com/en
RECIPE
RESTAURANT
¥¥¥
JP/EN
TASTE OF
BRAZIL
PHOTOS AND TEXT BY DAVI AZEVEDO
W
hen it comes to Brazilian food, I can be
very picky about quality and service.
After the 2014 World Cup, Brazilian
barbecues achieved great success in
Japan—and they're still on the rise. In particular,
Japan seems to love Brazilian buffet courses.
Like many foreigners, I’m always
craving a taste of my home
country. In my four years in
Japan, I’ve made many
nostalgia-induced
discoveries of many
kinds of Brazilian
restaurants.
In Tokyo, there
are at least six traditional restaurants
in different areas,
all varying in price.
Churrasco, a traditional
barbecue, is probably Brazil’s most famous food internationally.
After the World Cup, Japanese media
suddenly all were talking about Brazilian culture
and music, and especially Brazilian barbecue—
a word that derives from the Portuguese “barbacoa,” the grill on which meat is cooked.
The Barbacoa Churrascaria was arguably
one of the most-covered restaurants during
the World Cup “Brazil Boom.” The restaurant
has more than seven branches in Brazil, six in
Japan, and even one in Italy.
Usually, traditional Brazilian restaurants
offer the rodízio—an all-you-can-eat course.
Those seeking an authentic Brazilian meal will
get the most out of this.
This course comes with a huge salad buffet, some tropical fruit, and desserts (which
are good for vegetarians), and also includes
their famous feijoada (black bean stew with
pork, or other meat, and vegetables, served
on rice). The rodízio comes with different cuts
of meat cooked on skewers, which are then
finally sliced right there at the table. This allows
guests to tell the waiter exactly how they like
their meat cooked.
The staff are welcoming; some can speak
English and even Portuguese. The
all-you-can-eat course’s price
varies with the time of day.
I would recommend a
visit during lunchtime
on weekdays, when
the entire course—
including the salad
bar, desser t buffet, drink bar, and
churrasco—can all
be had for ¥3,600
plus tax.
A dinner course at
Barbacoa will cost ¥5,400,
and comes with the churrasco
plus salad bar (omitting the drink
bar and dessert buffet).
So far, Barbacoa gave me the best Brazilian
dining experience outside of my hometown,
serving plenty of Brazil’s comfort food.
Because some of the branches are rather
busy on weekends, it’s always better to make
reservations at least one week in advance.
5F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6 -10 -1
Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5413-3663.
Roppongi. www.barbacoa.jp
BROWN RICE SALAD WITH
BRAZILIAN VINAIGRETTE
RECIPE AND PHOTO BY RIEKO SUZUKI
The Brazilian vinaigrette is a refreshing tomato
slaw utilizing simple ingredients. Tossing and
chilling it with cooked brown rice makes for
a filling yet healthy salad! Try other kinds of
greens, such as beans or cucumbers, or substitute grains with brown rice, if desired.
Servings: 4
Cooking time: 50 min (active 20 min)
• 1 large ripe tomato
• 1 medium onion
• 2 green peppers
• 1/2 cup corn
• 1/2 cup chopped coriander or parsley
• 1 cup cooked brown rice
• 3 tbs extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbs white wine vinegar
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 pinches white pepper
• 1 pinch sugar
DIRECTIONS
1. Chop tomato, onion, and green peppers.
2.Combine and mix olive oil, vinegar, lemon
juice, salt, white pepper, and sugar in small
bowl.
3.Add corn, brown rice, and chopped coriander to the tomato batch.
4.Add olive oil mixture to the vegetables and
brown rice, and toss. Chill in fridge for 30 min
(minimum) to overnight.
Rieko Suzuki
Rieko blogs bilingual recipes at
http://meturl.com/ruby
11
1 DISH FROM ¥780
1 DRINK FROM ¥500
COURSES FROM ¥4,000
ENU FROM
COURSE M
¥3,500
AN DRINK
ALL YOU C
¥1,500
NEW OPEN!
Let’s Eat Crab!
ENJOY DELICIOUS CRAB, CASUALLY.
A tavern with a market-like atmosphere,
filled with fresh fish and delicious cuisine.
Enjoy crabs shipped directly from Rausu,
Hokkaido, and many other fresh fish, meat,
and many other delicacies from all over
Japan—all at a reasonable price.
DRINKS AND FOOD FROM ￥399
Roppongi
Crossing
aka
araiz
12
Shoku Doraku Ueno Branch | 6-12-12 Ueno, Taito-ku
Tel: 03-6803-2348 | Open 24/365 days
Police
Station
6-1-6 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-5413-3689
e
Lin gi
http://carat-roppongi.com
n
iya
Hib oppo Almond
R
Open 24 hours
Family
Mart
Lunchtime: 11am~3pm
Imo
Nihon Sengyo Kokakurui Dokokai | 1F-3F 1-22-3 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku
Tel: 03-5287-2568 | Open 24/365 days
e
Lin i
do ong
Ōe pp
Ro
Have great times with great food!
CARAT has the concept of
allowing customers to enjoy
eating crab, casually. The high
quality crabs come directly
from Rausu, Hokkaido.
The restaurant is open 24/365,
so please come to enjoy a nice
dinner at the bar or in the
café, or close out your day
with some noodles!
Post Office
city life
Photos by Animal Walk Tokyo
SANPO IN
THE PARK
Walking the good walk
BY MARTIN LEROUX
F
amilies strolling with their dogs and playing fetch is an everyday sight in Yoyogi
Park. Once a year, the park is instead filled
with wagging tails belonging to dogs from
shelters around Japan, all eager to take walks
with people and potential companions at the
annual Sanpo in the Park adoption event.
Organized by animal fundraising organization Animal Walk Tokyo, Sanpo in the Park gives
people and shelter animals a chance to interact
with one another, and lets guests learn about
adoption choices available in Japan. The event,
typically held on a Sunday, includes a relaxing
walk around the park, along with live entertainment, snacks, and a chance to mingle.
Meanwhile, the money raised goes toward
supporting the efforts of local shelters to house
and care for their animals. 2014’s Sanpo in the
Park raised ¥230,000 in benefit of two local
shelters. The event also raises awareness of
animal welfare-related issues in Japan.
About Sanpo in the Park
“Sanpo in the Park was started in 2010 by a
group of about 10 people who each had a passion for helping animals in Tokyo,” says Brandy
mances, as well as workshops on training dogs
and a chance to make toys for donation to shelters.
The beneficiaries this year are ALMA (Animal Life Matters Association) and Dog Shelter.
ALMA is an organization that operates the
ALMA Tokyo Tierheim shelter in Katsushikaku, and adopt-out over 15 animals monthly, on
average. Dog Shelter rescues soon-to-be-euthanized dogs from government-run pounds,
provides dogs with check-ups and vaccinations
where necessary, and assesses families to see
if they match well with their pup of choice.
Funds are split between ALMA, who will use
the donations raised for general operations of
their shelter, such as food and medical costs,
and Dog Shelter, who will use proceeds to care
for their senior dogs, which especially have difficulty finding adoptive families.
Why adopt?
Speaking of Japan’s pet shop industry, Maho
Cavalier, another Animal Walk Tokyo member,
explains that Japan’s pet stores regard and market animals as commodities, leading to impulsive buys and animals being seen as disposable.
“People should know that pet ownership enHeyde Montague, an Animal Walk Tokyo mem- tails serious financial and mental commitment.
ber. “But not one of us was able to find informa- There are people who impulsively buy animals
tion in English on how to do so without adopting and the pet stores are the places that satisfy
or fostering.”
such impulses. Once a pet becomes a burden
The volunteers involved then decided they to the families, they easily surrender them.”
could help animals by helping to close the gap She adds that many of the animals in the pounds
between Japanese-run shelters and Tokyo’s are brought in by their owners, without looking
English-speaking community, and came up with at alternatives.
the idea of fundraising walks with shelter dogs.
Regarding adoption, fellow Animal Walk ToThe first Sanpo in the Park event took place kyo member Katrina Larsen states, “By adoptfollowing the 2011 earthquake, in sup- ing from a shelter, you can save a life and will not
port of rescue efforts for
be supporting puppy factories or
Sanpo in the Park
animal victims in Tohoku.
unscrupulous breeders.” Larsen
Jun 7, 9:30am. Yoyogi
continues that many animals
Park, by the water
Sanpo in the Park 2015
from shelters are house-trained,
fountains toward the lake.
¥1,500
This year’s Sanpo event,
socialized, spayed or neutered,
www.animalwalktokyo.org
held on June 7, promises
with all their medical records upALMA
plenty of animal interacto-date, and are patiently waitwww.alma.or.jp
Dog Shelter
tion and entertainment.
ing for forever homes. “[ALMA
http://dogshelter.jp
Following three walks
or Dog Shelter] staff will carefully
among cuddly, rescued
ensure that you and your buddy
dogs, attendees will be treated to some are a good fit before adopting out.
hula dancing and live musical perfor“Finally, you will find unconditional love!”
13
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Grand Prince
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14
Imperial
Palace
city life
FOSTERING
DREAMS
biggest challenge facing the children, which is
that they must leave at the age of 18. Michael
explains how one of Living Dreams’ goals “is to
see [the children] employed and self-sufficient”
when that time comes. “Whether college-bound
or employment-bound,” he says, “it is quite necessary for Japan, in this shrinking society, to see
all adults ‘firing on all cylinders’ when it comes
to employment and the economy.”
BY MOMOKO MOCHIZUKI
The children at the homes, Michael says, are
“selfless.” He explains, “I think children natus of 2014, research conducted by the Japarally are self-absorbed, but the kids in these
nese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare
homes—perhaps due to their experiences—ask
showed that 46,000 children were living
for very little and appreciate what comes their
in orphanages, foster homes, and other
way.” Lois Kawashima, Coordinator at Living
such institutions throughout the country. Of the
Dreams who has been involved with DAA since
28,831 children in orphanages, more than half
its inception, feels she has succeeded in influhad been subjected to physical, sexual, or emoencing a positive change in the children’s lives
tional abuse, or neglect—before being taken in.
“when [she sees] their faces at the end of camp.”
The repercussions of these statistics extend
What she hopes Living Dreams achieves is to
far beyond the children’s lives in the homes, as
“put each child in a group/foster home on an
expectations are continually lowered, and per- Michael Clemons, Living Dreams’ Director of Partnerships equal footing with children living in a secure
spectives narrowed. What the children often
family environment.”
lack is the continual mentoring and encourageStarted in 2006 by Tokyo International
The Gala proved Living Dreams is already
ment needed to see them through high school, School founder Patrick Newell, Living Dreams making this happen. A young woman who grew
university, and into a decent-paying job. With has set up computer labs in several of the homes up in a children’s home explained she was now
some orphanages housing over 100 children, the where children receive training with software, working as a designer at a cosmetics company
staff-to-child ratio is often unsatisfactory, and the and can utilize the internet to gain access to a after attending a vocational design school with
children do not receive consistent, one-on-one wider world. Michael Clemons, Living Dreams’ the support of the organization.
adult mentorship.
Director of Partnerships, exThe goal of the night was
To donate, get involved,
The non-profit organization Living Dreams plains, “the use of the laptops
to raise ¥10,000,000, which
or learn more about
provides these children with the support they and access to the internet alwill be used to purchase 350
Living Dreams, visit
need to discover their passion and have the moti- lows the children to particicomputers for those living in
www.livingdreams.jp.
vation and self-confidence to succeed. The orga- pate in 21st-century learning,”
the children’s homes of Tokyo
nization runs programs such as Designing Artist through which they are able to gain “the skills of and the Tohoku region. The ultimate goal is to
Academy (DAA), a summer arts day camp, and communication, collaboration, and seeing the provide a one-to-one computer-to-child ratio
Digital Native Program, which aims to provide world in a more holistic way.”
in the homes in order to increase their digital
children with better access to technology. Living
At the recent Living Dreams “Sharing and training, and additional donations are always
Dreams also provides career aptitude tests to Caring” Gala and Fun-Raiser, held on May 15 in welcome to help reach this goal. After all, as
see what the children’s strengths are, and to help Ebisu, Hayakawa-san, director of the children’s Michael joked at the Gala, “money does buy
them focus on career possibilities.
home Kiyose Kodomo no Ie, spoke about the happiness … if you spend it on other people.”
Building digital literacy for Japan’s
orphans and foster children
Photo Courtesy of Living Dreams
A
15
fashion fix
H
BY SAMUEL THOMAS, FASHION EDITOR
BEYOND COOL?
ave you noticed that fashion isn’t “cool” anymore? And I’m not talking about the ironically-dated—or otherwise self-deprecating—
waves of fashion responsible for oversized and unnecessary lensless glasses. Rather, I mean linguistically. I, for one, don’t remember
the last time I was told I look kakkoii or even kūru. Instead, the charge
laid at my door is now one of kawaii, even as my years advance and my
wardrobe could easily be shared with a ninja in mourning. The time when
I knew the tide had well and truly turned was at the rockstar-friendly Royal
Flash in Harajuku, where a salesperson fruitlessly tried to push me in the
direction of a black t-shirt with a grotesque skull print. His pitch? That it
was very kawaii.
ON POINT
SHOPPING STRATEGY
In some of the biggest vintage-fashion
news in quite some time, Spank!, the humorously-named Koenji vintage shopping destination, is leaving its original
location and taking a short sideways
step to Nakano Broadway north of Nakano Station. Largely credited with starting the whole pastel-heavy Fairy-kei
boom back in the 2000s, Spank! also
put Koenji on the shopping map for a
whole generation. The announcement,
delivered in typical low-key style by owner and style icon Tavuchi, was
greeted with incredulity online that only served to highlight just what an
institution the 1980s-heavy hub of kawaii culture has become—a feat
altogether more unlikely when you consider the shop never sold any
16
STREET
FOCUS
Not to sound like a broken record, but, even in the ever-changing world of
Japanese fashion, sometimes a trend really does have staying power. In the
case of the sheer over layers you should have spotted being worn by fashion
fans across the city, this has been one of the most enduring and extreme
trends seen in quite some time. While some thought this would die out on the
backstreets of Harajuku, if anything the trend appears to be on the rise in the
mainstream. And at the extreme end of the spectrum, as exhibited by today’s
wearer of cult brand Dario, the floaty outer layers are only getting bigger and
bigger.
new clothes as such, only remade and vintage fashion. Indeed, it’s that
last point that is the most important. This was one of the first vintage
shops that, along with its Koenji sister, the now defunct Cult Party, was
credited with taking entirely vintage stock and, rather than selling it in its
original context, repackaging it and to create something altogether new.
The sight of foreign fashion fans making the pilgrimage to Spank! to buy
vintage clothes they could have bought at thrift stores back home is a
true testament to the power of Tokyo fashion, and it will be interesting
to see if the iconic shop is capable of repeating this feat over in Nakano.
The new location is on the fourth floor of Nakano Broadway and is
open now … just follow the pastel-clad acolytes.
Photos by Samuel Thomas
One of the most important competitions in Japanese fashion is
actually far from its own shores,
in the form of Italy’s International
Talent Support (ITS) award. Each
year, this competition functions
as a means of assessing the current crop of young Japanese designers to find out who has the
potential to reach a global audience. And, as ever, the fashion
scene—and furthermore Japan
itself—is well represented, with
five finalists. Key among them is
Yuko Koike, a graduate of Esmod
Japan’s A.M.I / Accessing Mode
Identity program, who is nominated in both the fashion and artwork divisions. The nomination marks this young designer’s brand, Koike, as one
you are likely to be hearing about in the future. Elsewhere, alternative
fashion school Coconogacco continues to dominate the competition
as two of their students, Hiroki Kataoka and Higashi Nobuhiro, join the
school’s litany of graduates that shine internationally above their peers
from altogether more traditional institutions.
You will have to wait until early July to see who comes out on top, but
at the very least it serves to prove—if proof is needed—that Japan is as
relevant as ever on the world fashion stage.
FASHION CALENDAR
CHECK METROPOLISJAPAN.COM FOR THE LATEST FASHION CALENDAR.
Get In Tune with
MeeWee Dinkee
Photos by Samuel Thomas
G
ood fashion rarely springs out of nowhere.
It usually arrives in the wake of another
cultural movement, such as the music of
punk giving birth to Vivienne Westwood,
or shōjo manga easing the way for gothic Lolita
fashion. But what happens when you try and
create everything all at once?
Fashion brand MeeWee Dinkee is the brainchild of avant-garde designer and socialite
Tonico, edgy artist Aruta Soup, and anarchic
musical engineers Maywa Denki, from which
the brand takes its peculiar name. The cultural brew is a curious one, and deliberately so.
Tonico makes dollesque proportions that are as
cute as they are disconcerting, Aruta Soup adds
Maywa Denki
Aruta Soup’s artwork
in uncompromising, and occasionally outright
offensive graphics, and Maywa Denki throws in
a discordant musical performance element—the
key to their fashion presentations and shows.
This season is no different, and finds the trio
putting on a fittingly-odd show at Seibu Shibuya.
The event is, in their own words, “a Magical
Mechanical Fashion Show” that lives up to the
name by providing not only a soundtrack played
by Maywa Denki’s automated
gang of robots, but also by decking out the models in makeup by
popular artist Jiro, who provided
some distinctly otherworldly additional eyes and mouths to the
models. Adding yet another layer to proceedings was manga artist
Suehiro Maruo, who
contributed a number
of his iconic occult illustrations to the collection, as well as allowing
some of his character
designs to be brought
to life by MeeWee Dinkee, blurring the line
between fashion and
cosplay in the process.
The fashion itself follows the manga theme
by distorting the body to shōjo manga-esque
proportions in the dresses, bringing the waist
up the body to just under the bust in order to
give the illusion of ultra-long legs. Those less
adventurous are also well catered for in a series
of sporty basics covered in arresting graphics.
17
movies
BY DON MORTON
GET ON UP
featured movie
He was “The Hardest-Working Man in
Show Business.” “The Godfather of Soul.”
He changed the way music was made. He
was The Great James Brown. He was also
a narcissistic, perfectionist prick who
was hated by his sidemen and not above
slapping around the occasional wife. This
somewhat fragmented film by Tate Taylor
(The Help) takes us from the early ’60s
through the late ’80s and captures the
energy that drove the man. Chadwick
Boseman, who recently appeared
as Jackie Robinson in 42, absolutely
incarnates t he main man doing his
thang. He’s got the whirls, struts, splits,
and leaps down—and the attitude as
well. The music he’s lip-synching, but
that ’s not bad news, because ever y
n ote i s f ro m B row n’s ow n re m i xe d
original vocals. Mick Jagger, whose own
legendary stage moves were inspired by
Brown, is the film’s music producer. One
glaring omission is that the film doesn’t
even try to explain Brown’s endorsement
of Richard Nixon in 1972. But to be fair,
maybe that’s simply not possible to do.
In the end, like Ray, Walk the Line and
Jersey Boys, it’s all about the music, and
fans, which are legion, will have a funkin’
good time. Japanese title: James Brown:
Saiko no Soul wo Motsu Otoko. (133 min)
NEW
PITCH PERFECT
A disaf fec ted college
freshman (Anna Kendrick)
gets an attitude overhaul
after joining the women’s
staid a cappella group
and infusing it with new material. This will appeal most to
those with a high tolerance for Glee (“Gleeks”?) or who
have already bought into the tired Bring It On formula.
Bright spot: a spontaneous “riff-off” with their male
counterparts. And Rebel Wilson shines as an Aussie
who calls herself Fat Amy “so twiggy bitches like you
don’t do it behind my back.” Bottom line: a synthetic,
not-very-funny collegiate comedy (projectile vomiting?)
with some very good music. Just buy the soundtrack.
(110 min)
ADVANCED STYLE
This cinematic extension
by director Lina Plioplyte
of photographer Ari Seth
Cohen’s popular blog of
the same name sends
a mixed message. On the one hand, it celebrates eight
energetic aging fashionistas ranging from their early 60s to
their late 90s who refuse to act, or more accurately dress,
their age. More power to ’em, I say. But does individualism
automatically mean flamboyancy? I was torn between antiageist admiration and disdain for their cloying “look at me”
attitudes. Can one not look interesting without being selfconsciously eccentric? Warm and charming, but pretty thin.
Japanese title: Advanced Style: Sono Fashion ga Jinsei.
(72 min)
LOST RIVER
I don’t know why it is
that when ac tors turn
to f ilmmaking, they
invariably shoot for Fellini
et al rather than just tell
a story. Ryan Gosling’s first effort behind the camera
is a nearly incomprehensible collage of David Lynch,
Gaspar Noe, Terrence Malik, Dario Argento, and the
actor’s Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn. There’s
nothing wrong with imitating one’s influences; it’s how
we learn. Although Gosling’s ambition exceeds his
current ability, there is some nice imagery among the
wearisome weirdness, and other signs that one day he
will make a good film. It’s just not this one. (95 min)
A WALK AMONG THE
TOMBSTONES
Among the grimmer
and grittier potboilers of
Liam Neeson’s resurgent
career as a thriller/action
hero, this slow-burn neo-noir can be a hard sit. The
villains are twisted, the good guys are flawed, and it’s
blatantly misogynistic. But it’s extremely well crafted
and not without its rewards. Neeson plays an ex-cop
unlicensed PI and recovering alcoholic. (Yes, I know.
Again. But no one does world-weary better.) He’s asked
to find and foil a sadistic serial kidnapper/killer targeting
the wives of drug traffickers, who are unlikely to go to
the police. It’s all fairly creepy. Call it the anti-Taken.
Japanese title: Yūkai no Okite. (113 min)
THE MAZE RUNNER
What we have here is
two-thirds of a serviceable Hunger Games
wannabe, featuring a
cast of appealingly hunky
guys expressly tailored to put YA girl bums in seats.
“The Glade” is an isolated, closed ecosystem bounded
by huge walls with only one monstrous door and
populated by a properly PC, ethnically diverse, guyonly Lord of the Flies-tinged functioning society. Then
a girl shows up. It looks great; the special effects are
restrained and support the story. But the film blows it
all with a third act that falls all over itself setting up the
sequel rather than creating a coherent, stand-alone
story. (113 min)
BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP
Christine wakes up every
m o r nin g w i t h all he r
memories of the past 16
years erased. Her longsuffering husband has
developed a daily routine to bring her up to speed, and
she secretly sees a psychologist on the side who’s trying
to help her. What sort of trauma/accident/attack caused
her amnesia? Is her husband what he seems? Is the
psychologist? Do we care? Don’t be expecting Memento
here. Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth, and Mark Strong keep
this self-serious 50 First Dates out of the DVD bargain
bin, but they don’t make it all that memorable, either.
Unforgivably lame coda. Japanese title: Repeated.
(92 min)
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
Get On Up: © Universal Pictures © D Stevens; Pitch Perfect: © 2012 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS All Rights Reserved.; Advanced Style: © 2014 Advanced Style The Documentary Llc. All Right Reserved.; Lost River: © 2013 BOLD FILMS PRODUCTIONS,
LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.; A Walk Among the Tombstones: © 2014 TOMBSTONES MOVIE HOLDINGS, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.; The Maze Runner: © 2014 Twentieth Century Fox Film; Before I Go to Sleep: © 2013 BEFORE I GO
PRODUCTIONS, INC.; Chappie: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures © 2014 CTMG, Inc. All rights reserved.; Vice: © 2014 GEORGIA FILM FUND TWENTY-EIGHT, LLC; Run All Night: ©2015 WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC.; The Signal: © 2014
Signal Film Group LLC All Rights Reserved; The Zero Theorem: © 2013 ASIA & EUROPE PRODUCTIONS S.A. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.; Horns: © 2014 The Horns Project, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
18
More reviews: metropolisjapan.com/movies
CHAPPIE
Hailed as a “visionary” for
2009’s District 9, South
Africa’s Neill Blomkamp
re c ycle d i t s p seu do social theme for 2013’s
Elysium. But it’s wearing thin in this ham-fisted, eyerollingly unintelligent (artificial or otherwise) misfire.
Robocop meets Short Circuit by way of Pinocchio. The
jabbering AI title droid vacillates between the moral
teachings of his creator (Dev Patel) and the greedy pack
of gangsters it’s fallen in with (annoying SA punk rockers
Ninja and Yo-Landi). It’s a preachy picture that evokes
big themes and then cuts to the chase(s) or blows stuff
up rather than say anything about them. (120 min)
VICE
The title of this ugly little
film refers to a near-future
pleasure facility in which
any sociopath with the
cash can fulfill his most
demented rape and murder fantasies with humanlooking cyborg beauties. Said victims are then repaired
and memory-wiped for the next sicko. “Story” revolves
around one such sexbot (Ambyr Childers) remembering
the last guy and escaping with Thomas Jane into a
cheapie chase movie. Yawn. A smirking, career-worst
Bruce Willis takes it a step beyond “phoning it in” as the
villain, with his maybe 10 minutes of screen time merely
justifying his image on the misleading poster. Japanese
title: Dead City 2055. (95 min)
RUN ALL NIGHT
That Taken fluff aside,
Liam Neeson does make
grittier action films. Here
he plays Jimmy Conlon, a
mob assassin nearing the
end of his shelf life, a lonely drunk wracked with regret.
His only true friend is Shawn Maguire (the great Ed
Harris), the boss he has killed 18 men for over the years.
When his estranged son by chance witnesses a double
murder committed by Maguire’s hothead kid, Jimmy
has to shoot Shawn’s boy to save his own lad. Which
resets all the rules and leads to the title all-night chase.
Common is good as an icy hit man. This one’s stylish,
kinetic, believable, and ultimately satisfying. (114 min)
THE SIGNAL
A trio of graduate
students driving
from Massachusetts
to C a l i fo r n ia s to p i n
Nevada to follow the
signal of a mysterious hacker who’s been taunting
them since they left. They find an empty shack, black
out, and wake up in a strange lab being examined by
Laurence Fishburne in a hazmat suit. This cinematic
puzzle continues to defy expectations as it genrehops from Blair Witch to alien abduction to TRON,
all the way to its inconclusive conclusion. Not great,
but it ’s thought- provoking and intelligent , and
director-to-watch William Eubank does a lot with a
tiny budget, so look at this as a calling card. (97 min)
THE ZERO THEOREM
A hairless, uncharacteristically uncharismatic
Christoph Waltz plays a
brilliant cubicle jockey
t a s ke d w i t h w o r k i n g
on a mathematical proof that, well, nothing really
matters. This cluttered sci-fi confection is the kind of
colorful, kinetic dystopian vision that director Terry
Gilliam (Brazil) does so well, but though this is being
sold as existential angst, it’s got a recycled feel, and
the clutter mainly serves to distract from the dullness
of the story and its take on digital alienation. The
repetitious in-jokes are not funny, the characters
are not likable, and the whole thing is too, uhm,
theoretical. Japanese title: Zero no Mirai. (106 min)
HORNS
Splat-pack film(re)maker
Alexandre Aja (Piranha,
The Hills Have Eyes) tones
down the gore in favor
of some serious genrejuggling in this—what?—darkly comedic, supernatural,
coming-of-age, romantic, demonic horror whodunit.
After his girlfriend is murdered and he is blamed, Ig
Perrish (a committed Daniel Radcliffe) finds a pair of horns
growing out of his head. These apparently make people
mysteriously want to share their darkest secret impulses,
and he eventually uses these unnerving powers to seek
her real killer. It’s high-concept hooey but undeniably
original and compulsively watchable. Japanese
title: Horns: Yōgisha to Kokuhaku no Tsuno. (121 min)
© 2015「鏡の中の笑顔たち」製作委員会
© IMAGE.NET
© 1973 Rafran Cinematografica
NEW
eiga
This heartfelt ditty, directed
by Ichiro Kita, made its world
premiere at the Okinawa
International Film Festival in
March. The down-to-earth
love story charmed crowds
By Rob Schwartz
in multiple screenings at the
fest. Action star Shunya Shiraishi stars as Ryo, a driven
young man who goes to beauty school in Hokkaido and
practices so hard that he not only finishes first in his class,
but also wins a national prize for stylist students. Soon he’s
cutting the hair of the stars in trendy Harajuku and is highly
sought after by salons around Tokyo. But when he rejects
the advances of a super-model client, he finds himself
out of a job and has no choice but to return to Hokkaido.
There we find he treats his widowed mother with disdain
and other beauticians with condescension. When the
troubled lad meets Mari (Natsuna), he’s intrigued; but it
takes him a while—and many human service trips to old
folks’ homes—to treat her with kindness. Though the film
is a tad melodramatic, and we can see where it’s going
from a mile off, Ryo’s slow development is believable and
his emerging relationships with those around him welldepicted. Recommended for those who like love stories.
English title: Smiles in the Mirror. (89 min)
KAGAMI NO
NAKA NO
EGAOTACHI
NEW
movie news
The 68th annual Cannes Film Festival wrapped up
this week, with Japanese cinema receiving ample
representation. Festival favorite Hirokazu Koreeda
was up again for the Palme d'Or with his latest feature,
Our Little Sister, based on the manga Umimachi Diary.
Naomi Kawase, who has taken several prizes from
the French Riviera home to Kyoto in the past, offered
her latest work Sweet Red Bean Paste, which was
chosen to open the Un Certain Regard section of
innovative films. The section also includes Kiyoshi
Kurosawa’s Journey to the Shore, his f irst in the
fest after getting his start in horror flicks. Gus Van
Sant’s Japan-set drama The Sea of Trees was also
in the competition. Matthew McConaughey plays an
American scientist who travels to Japan’s infamous
“suicide forest,” but changes his mind when he meets
a fellow troubled soul played by Ken Watanabe.
McConaughey attended the festival with Naomi
Watts (pictured), who plays his wife in flashbacks;
but things didn’t go as planned. The notoriously
fickle Cannes audiences panned the film, leading
McConaughey to say “people have as much right to
boo the film as to give it an ovation.” Sweet Red Bean
Paste opens May 30. Our Little Sister is out June 13.
Journey to the Shore is due out October 1. Kevin Mcgue
cinematic underground
The three-week program “Viva Italia!” presents
the great variety of the nation’s cinema, from the
masterpieces of opera and screen director Luchino
Visconti to Spaghetti Westerns. Highlights include
1973’s My Name is Nobody (pictured), a Topo Gigio
animated feature, and Juliet Binoche in the drama
Certified Copy, shot in English in Tuscany by Iranian
director Abbas Kiarostami. June 6-26 at Cinema Vera
(1-5 Maruyamacho, Shibuya-ku; www.cinemavera.com)
… Tokyo cinemas continue to bring the world’s best
stage performance to their screens with two ballets
by premiere British choreographer Matthew Bourne.
Swan Lake, which puts a new spin on Tchaikovsky by
having men dance the traditionally female roles, will
be presented in 3-D starting June 6, while Sleeping
Beauty, reimagined as a gothic romance, is on from July
4 at Yebisu Garden Cinema (4-20-2 Ebisu, Shibuyaku; www.unitedcinemas.jp/yebisu) … Fans of classic
Japanese cinema with enough linguistic skills not
to need subtitles will want to check out the Nagisa
Oshima Retrospective on at Image Forum in Shibuya
(2-10-2 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku; www.imageforum.co.jp).
The dozen selections focus on the late master’s heyday
in the ’60s and ’70s, including Diary of a Shinjuku
Thief (1969) In the Realm of the Senses (1976). KM
19
arts&culture
MUSIC
TV ON THE RADIO
A member down, the Brooklyn band
is wiser if not wearier
BY DAN GRUNEBAUM
I
t’s been almost a decade since Metropolis
last talked with TV On the Radio. In 2006, the
quintet were the latest darlings of the exploding Brooklyn indie rock scene—part of it, but
with a lush sound distinct from the disco-punk
leanings of many Williamsburg bands of the era.
Nine years later, TVOTR are, if not wizened,
then wiser and more reflective in the wake of the
death of bassist Gerard Smith, who died of lung
cancer in 2011. Their new album, Seeds, is the
first recorded without his presence.
“You do a certain amount of creative work with
someone who’s basically a family member, and it
shifts the notion of what can be accomplished in
the band that had five members,” singer Tunde
Adebimpe says from their tour stop in Oakland.
“For me, when someone passes away I almost
think about them more than when they were alive.
That’s how your heart is connected to friends. But
in terms of music, he was not somebody who liked
to make bullshit; so we’re conscious of that now.”
Adebimpe plays down the direct effect of
Smith’s death on the album, but considerations
of love and loss are central to the urgency of
Seeds. On the elegiac, synth-driven “Careful
You,” for example, Adebimpe sings “I know it’s
best to say goodbye, but I can’t seem to move
away.” It’s a sentiment that could be applied as
equally to a disintegrating love affair as to the
death of a friend.
Having absorbed Smith’s passing and elected
to continue on, the four remaining members of
TVOTR—Adebimpe, producer/guitarist Dave Sitek, guitarist/vocalist Kyp Malone, and drummer
Jaleel Bunton—are currently in a sweet spot.
20
Seeds has been nicely received as a return to
form, and Adebimpe says they’re having a blast
touring for the first time in several years.
“We’re in a place now where we realize the
value of having been able to pursue the band
for as long as we have, and the good fortune to
have an audience to sustain us,” he says. “We
recognize how special that is—because we don’t
make the most accessible music. Bands that
are willing to explore as much as we do are not
always rewarded with a career, and we realize
it’s a super lucky thing.”
TVOTR’s music is unconventional, but on a
song such as, for example, “Happy Idiot,” it’s
close enough to mainstream at times that one
can imagine a record exec pushing them in
an out-and-out-pop direction. That’s exactly
what happened, says Adebimpe. “We’ve been
advised a lot to tone things down to find a
wider audience, mostly by people in the music
industry,” he explains. “They’ll say, ‘If you would
only do this and that …’ You have to look at them
and tell them it’s like teaching a fish to breathe
air. We just don’t do that.”
Despite the gloss of Sitek’s production work,
when you look at TVOTR, you see three aging black guys and one geeky white one—not
exactly the recipe for mainstream marketing
success. Yet, they’re not really part of the black
rock movement pioneered by outfits like Bad
Brains, either.
“Thinking about Bad Brains or Living Colour,
anytime you have an example of someone who
looks like you, it’s helpful to a young person,”
Adebimpe recalls about his entry into the rock
world. “But I’ve never considered us strictly a rock
band, because, if we were, we’d probably have a
few more awards by now. There are a lot of rock
bands with people of color in them now, but with
genres melding, it’s become diffuse.”
Adebimpe says TVOTR are looking forward
to their first visit to Japan since a quick solo tour
and appearance at Summer Sonic those many
years ago. He says these days crowds are asking for “Staring at the Sun” off Desperate Youth,
Blood Thirsty Babes, and “Wolf Like Me” off
Return to Cookie Mountain.
“We didn’t know what we were doing with
those songs,” he laughs. “They just showed up
at a time when a lot people connected with them.
It was a fresh sound even though we didn’t realize it—we just knew we liked it.
“The best songs come as epiphanies. It’s like
seeing a painting that might look dashed off, but
it seems more alive than something that’s been
labored over for years. I think it’s because you’re
getting a message and you jot it down as quickly
as you can. You capture the message, and the
immediacy of how it’s put down carries through
to the song. Especially with new wave and punk—
it’s so earnest and barebones, it’s the only thing
they possibly could have done, and the energy
of that music is still palpable.”
Seeds
Genres: Alternative, Music,
Indie Rock, Rock
Released: Nov 17, 2014
© 2014 TV On The Radio/
Girl From Nantucket, Inc.
Under Exclusive License to
Harvest Records
ART
SIMPLE FORMS
BY C.B. LIDDELL
Photo by Uwe Walter
S
tanley Kubrick’s seminal f ilm
2001: A Space Odyssey presents
a particularly powerful vision of
mankind’s trajectory because it so
brilliantly simplifies. The classic moment
in the film, in which the entire history
of mankind is encompassed in a single
jump cut between an ape throwing a
bone up into the air and a space station
spinning around in space, has become
legendary.
A similar sense of aesthetic compression and reduction to the essentials infuses “Simple Forms: Contemplating
Beauty” at the Mori Museum of Art, an
exhibition that has been honed down to
basic geometric figures or biomorphic
shapes that evoke our ancient ancestors’
first experience using stones as tools.
anti by Carsten Nicolai (2004)
Birdstone, North America by Anonymous.
Ahrenberg Collection, Switzerland
A key work is Mexican artist Gabriel Orozco’s
Boulder Hand (2012), a short video installation
made with an iPhone. It takes a similar leap to
Kubrick’s famous jump cut, but instead of a bone
and spaceship, Orozco’s piece shows us the affinities between the handling of a stone tool and
the handling of a smartphone. The video shows
a hand rubbing a stone in a way that puts us in
mind of how we rub and swipe our phone screens.
Helping to reinforce this point is the presence
of a piece of flint, crafted into a blade from the
Solutrean Period (22,000-17,000 B.C.), and a
selection of sculptures by Brassaï, the pseudonym of Hungarian artist Gyula Halasz, who was
fascinated by primordial forms.
Melencolia I by Albrecht Dürer.
Private Collection. Courtesy: Ota Fine Arts
Tayūguro by Chōjirō. Black Raku tea bowl.
Collection: Kitamura Museum, Kyoto
In a similar vein, modernist
minimalist sculptures by the likes
of Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Jean Arp, and Constantin
Brancusi are also included. The
latter draws our attention to the
surprising absence of Isamu Noguchi at this exhibition. Noguchi
was a pupil of Brancusi’s, and in
the planning stage would have
been an obvious reference point
for an exhibition of this nature
in Japan.
Besides this minor quibble, the
main problem the exhibition has
is that it appeals more to the tactile than the visual sense, but with
the usual proviso that nothing
must be touched. In visual terms,
there is a certain bleakness and
sterility to the show, with monochromes, geometric shapes, and
parsimonious curves dominant.
Apart from sculptures and
a number of installations, like
Anthony McCall’s f lickering
Cinematic Installation (2007)—which evokes
the days of projector beams cutting through
the smoke-f illed cinemas—the exhibition
also includes some two-dimensional works,
mainly photographs but also including Albrecht Durer’s famous engraving Melancholia I (1514), which contrasts a geometric solid
with a morose angel in what is possibly some
arcane allegory.
This suggests that one area in which the
exhibition could have done more would have
been an exploration of the geometric elements
in the symbolism of Freemasonic, cabalistic, and
Neo-Pythagorean societies. Arthur Koestler’s
1959 book The Sleepwalkers demonstrated
how such mystical concerns related to scientific breakthroughs in earlier centuries, but the
intellectual dimension of this exhibition seems
superficial by comparison.
Some attempt to compensate for this shortcoming is made by including a Zen-related
theme, with circle paintings by the monk Sengai, ink-wash paintings by Sesshū, and some
wooden sculptures by the itinerant 17th-century
artist Enku.
Runs until 5th July. 6-10-1 Roppongi, Tokyo.
Tel: 03-5777-8600. www.mori.art.museum
21
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© 2014 Zentropa Entertainments33 ApS, Denmark, Black Creek Films Limited, United Kingdom & Spier Productions (PTY), Limited, South Africa
arts&culture
1 TO 1: MADS MIKKELSEN
MARVELOUS DILEMMA
BY DANIEL L. SMITH, FOX EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
D
anish actor Mads Mikkelsen is a man that
seems to relish a dilemma. Known to fans
worldwide as the actor behind some of
entertainment’s most memorable villains,
like Dr. Hannibal Lecter in the television series
Hannibal and James Bond’s nemesis Le Chiffre
in the film Casino Royale, he came to Tokyo to
promote a film that finds his character being
a little bit of both.
In The Salvation, Mikkelsen is Jon,
a simple Danish man who migrated
to the American West during the
1870s with the hope of starting a
new life with his family.
“I like the fact that we were
not dealing with a hero. We are
not dealing with a gunslinger. We
are dealing with a humble man from
[a] simple background. He migrated to
America for seven years without his family, and
they are coming over, and then obviously terrible things happen; and for that reason he will
become a gunslinger. But he does not start out
knowing that he will be a hero,” Mikkelsen says
of his character.
The film is brutal in its depiction of the Old
West, something the actor acknowledged was
the intent of the movie’s director, Kristian Levring.
“The last Western I had seen was The Unforgiven.
It was quite brutal as well. Levring said he did not
want to be extremely graphic. He didn’t want
to go Tarantino. He wanted the emotions to be
gruff and rough, but not necessarily in-your-face.
“It is all about how far you can go and still
keep your humanity. The question is, if that is
possible at all? Are you crossing a border where
humanity is gone? It’s brutal. It’s bloody. But I
think that has been a tendency of these films to
get gritty, right?”
Going to a place where they haven’t gone
could be said about the entire project, according
to Mikkelsen.
“The movie was shot in South Africa,
which is kind of interesting—Danish
people shooting an American Western in South Africa. But it was fantastic. We had an excellent South
African crew. If you pointed the
camera one way, you would have
all these people dressed up like
cowboys. If you pointed the camera
the other way, you would have all these
people standing around speaking South
African—and an occasional giraffe or zebra in the
background. There were some challenges, but it
was a fantastic experience,” he explained. “The
Western is not a genre at all in Denmark. It’s the
first time that we’ve done a Western.”
He paused for a moment and then corrected
himself. “That’s a lie, actually. We did a Western
comedy in 1971 or something. So this is the second Western,” he added with a smile.
The smile stood out from a man whose steelyeyed gaze has gotten him cast as villains in most
of his major Hollywood films.
Therein is where the dilemma widens.
“If you are only watching American films, then
you would see a seedy man; but I’ve done [good
guy] roles before [back home]. It is nice to go
back and forth between playing a villain and a
good guy, but for me, I try not to make a big difference between them.”
In his homeland, he is more likely to be cast
as the hero. He is by far one of Denmark’s most
successful actors. He was knighted in 2010 by the
Queen of Denmark, and has been voted Sexiest
Man in Denmark by several women’s magazines.
With a new film and a new season coming up
for his successful TV series, it seemed the only
dilemma that remained for the actor on his visit to
Japan was how to get out to see some of Tokyo.
“I have seen a lot from the hotel room,” he
joked. “I eat a lot of sushi at home, but I think it
would taste a lot better here.”
Fox Backstage Pass airs Sat on Fox at
1am; Sun on Fox Movies Premium at 9am;
and on Fox Sports and Entertainment at
11:30am.
23
agenda
WATCH LIST
hot tickets
JUL 18-26
Bolshoi Circus
Consisting of 4,000 artists and staff
and more than 6,000 animals, the
Bolshoi circus was established 78
years ago, and first came to Japan
in 1958. Jul 18-26, various times.
¥3,700-6,200. Tokyo Taiikukan.
Kokuritsu Kyogijo or Sendagaya.
www.bolshoicircus.com
Tickets on sale now
Concerts
POPULAR
SEP
19-20
The Irish Dance Ragús
A show of live, fast moving, traditional
Irish music, song, and dance that will
leave you with a truly unique cultural
experience. Sep 19, 12:30 & 4pm.
¥5,000-8,000. Bunkamura Orchard
Hall. Shibuya. Sep 20, 2pm.
¥5,000-8,000. Tokyo Opera City.
Hatsudai. http://j.mp/ragus2015
Tickets on sale now
Jun 4-5, 7pm. ¥7,500. Tokyo
Kinema Club. Uguisudani.
Tel: 03-3874-7988. http://j.mp/
leejuck2015
Nickelback
Magma
One of Canda’s most
controversial rock bands
comes to Japan. May 30, 7pm.
¥9,500. Tokyo Taiikukan.
Kokuritsukyogijo or
Sendagaya. http://j.mp/
nickelback2015
French progressive rock
band founded by classicallytrained drummer Christian
Vander, who invented the
language Kobaïan, in which
most lyrics are sung. Jun 4-5,
7:30pm. ¥8,600. Tsutaya
O-East. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5458-4681. http://j.mp/
magma2015
Stolen.
Female-fronted indie pop rock
band Stolen. whose sound has
been called a mix between
the Gin Blossoms and the
Cranberries, celebrates the
release of their single “With
the Rain.” Also featuring
performances by The
Watanabes, Erin Wick, and
Mountain Fingers. May 30,
7:30pm. ¥2,000 w/ 2d + CD.
Tsutaya O-West. Shibuya.
www.facebook.com/
StolenJapan
Taicoclub ’15
Music festival with artists
Autechre, Marcel Dettmann,
Sons of Magdalene, and
others. May 30-31, 3pm.
¥13,000 (adv)/ ¥14,000 (door).
Kodama no Mori. Yabuhara.
Tel: 03-6303-3690.
http://taicoclub.com/15/tag/en
Pentatonix
American a cappella quintet,
who rose to fame on YouTube
with their all-vocal renditions
of Daft Punk hits, now touring
the world. Jun 9, 7pm. ¥7,500.
Zepp DiverCity. Daiba. Tel:
03-3527-5256. http://j.mp/
pentatonix2015
Michelle Branch
The American singersongwriter’s heartfelt
acoustic tunes have taken
her everywhere—and now
they’re taking her to Japan.
Jun 8-9, 7 & 9:30pm. ¥6,5008,500. Billboard Live Tokyo.
Roppongi or Nogizaka. Tel:
03-3405-1133. http://j.mp/
branch2015
J.D. Souther
Live From The Kitchen:
Disco, Volume 13
Birthday celebration for
the monthly showcase
of live international indie
music from Mana Hardcore,
Martin Leroux, and more.
May 31, 6:30-10:30pm.
Free. Restaurant Papera.
Shinjuku-gyoenmae. Tel:
03-3350-0208. http://j.mp/
kitchendiscovol13
Zedd
Russian-German musician,
music producer, and DJ who
recently won a Grammy
for “Clarity.” Jun 4, 7pm.
¥7,000-8,000. Studio Coast.
Shin-Kiba.http://j.mp/
zedd2015
Idina Menzel
American stage actress and
singer-songwriter who rose
to fame in Broadway musicals
Rent and Wicked, and who
more recently voiced Elsa in
Frozen. Jun 4-5, 7pm. ¥7,5008,500. Nippon Budokan.
Kudanshita. http://j.mp/
idina2015
Lee Juck
Korean pop singer-songwriter
and musician who made his
debut as a member of Panic.
24
American musician, singersongwriter, and actor who
has written and co-written
numerous hit songs recorded
by artists such as the Eagles.
Jun 10-11, 7 & 9:30pm.
¥6,800-8,800. Billboard Live.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-34051133. http://j.mp/souther2015
Rumer
Pakistani-born British singersongwriter whose voice has
often been described as
being reminiscent of Karen
Carpenter. Jun 12, 7 & 9:30pm.
¥6,700-8,700. Billboard Live.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-34051133. http://j.mp/rumer2015
OCT
14 & 17
Paul Weller
English singer-songwriter who is also
the principal figure of the 1970s and
’80s mod revival, and is often referred
to as The Modfather. Oct 14, 7pm.
¥8,000. Zepp Diver City. Daiba. Oct
17, 6pm. ¥8,000. Yokohama Bay Hall.
Motomachi-Chūkagai.
http://j.mp/weller2015
Tickets on sale Jun 6
Australian virtuoso guitarist best
known for his complex fingerstyle
technique, energetic performances
and the use of percussive effects
on the guitar. Oct 28, 6:30 & 9pm.
¥7,500-9,500. Cotton Club. Tokyo.
Tel: 03-3215-1555.
http://j.mp/emmanuelcotton2015
Tickets on sale now
Tel: 03-3405-1133.http://j.mp/
realgroup2015
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3477-8750.
http://j.mp/strypes2015
Blue
Amaranthe
English boyband comprising
members Antony Costa,
Duncan James, Lee Ryan,
and Simon Webbe. Jun
17, 7pm. ¥7,500. Shinkiba
Studio Coast. Shinkiba. Tel:
03-3499-6669. http://j.mp/
bluetokyo2015
Swedish-Danish metal band
notable for having three lead
vocalists, each with their own
vocal style of pop, rock, and
death metal. Jul 17, 7pm.
¥6,800. Tsutaya O-East.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5458-4681.
http://j.mp/amaranthe2015
Vanessa Williams
JT Taylor
American singer, actress,
producer, and former fashion
model saves the best for
Japan. Jun 14 & 20-21, 5 &
8pm; Jun 15, 19 & 22, 6:30 &
9:30pm. ¥13,800. Blue Note
Tokyo. Omotesando. Tel:
03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
williams2015
American singer and actor
best known as the former lead
singer of the R&B/funk band
Kool & the Gang. Jul 29-30,
7 & 9:30pm. ¥8,800-10,800.
Billboard Live. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-3405-1133. http://j.mp/
jttaylor2015
UNTIL
JUN 28
Suigo Itako Iris Festival
Enjoy around 500 varieties of purple,
white, and yellow irises at this historic
festival that began in 1952. Until
Jun 28, all day. Free. Suigo Itako Iris
Garden, Ibaraki. Itako.
Tel: 0299-63-1111.
www.city.itako.lg.jp
Mike Stern Band
Led by six-time Grammy
nominee American jazz
guitarist Stern, feat. Victor
Wooten, Bob Franceschini,
and Will Calhoun. Jun 7, 5
& 8pm; Jun 8, 7 & 9:30pm.
¥8,500. Blue Note Tokyo.
Omotesando. Tel:
03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
sternband2015
Jef Neve
JAZZ/WORLD
2 Cellos
Croatian cello duo who play
mainly instrumental covers
of well-known pop and rock
songs, and have performed
internationally. Jun 23, 7pm.
Bunkamura Orchard Hall.
Shibuya. Jun 30, 7pm.
Kanagawa Arts Theater.
Motomachi-Chukagai. Jul 2,
7pm. Suntory Hall. TameikeSanno. Jul 3, 7pm; Jul 5, 5pm.
Bunkamura Orchard Hall.
Shibuya. All performances
¥7,000-8,000. http://j.
mp/2cellos2015
Machine Head
American metal band that is
one of the pioneering bands
in the New Wave of American
Heavy Metal. Jul 2, 7pm.
¥7,500. Tsutaya O-East.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5458-4681.
http://j.mp/machinehead2015
Tony Visconti and Woody
Woodmansey
Visconti and Woodmansey
play David Bowie’s “The Man
Who Sold the World.” Jul 6-7,
7 & 9:30pm. ¥7,800-9,800.
Billboard Live. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-3405-1133. http://j.mp/
tonywoody2015
The Iron Maidens
Linder Brothers
American all-female tribute
band to Iron Maiden. Jun
12, 7pm. ¥6,000 (adv)/
¥6,500 (door). duo Music
Exchange. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5459-8716. http://j.mp/
theironmaidens2015
Fusion group consisting of
Swedish band Dirty Loops’
bassist Henrik Linder and
his brother Erik. Jul 12, 4:30
& 7:30pm. ¥5,500-7,500.
Billboard Live. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-3405-1133. http://j.mp/
linderbros2015
The Real Group
Swedish a cappella group
who compose or arrange
most of the songs in their
repertory themselves. Jun
13, 6 & 9pm; Jun 14, 4:30
& 7:30pm. ¥5,400-7,400.
Billboard Live. Roppongi.
OCT
28
Tommy Emmanuel
for free
The Strypes
Irish rock band drawing
inspiration from ’60s blues
boom and ’70s pub rock bands
such as Dr. Feelgood and
The Rolling Stones. Jul 16,
7pm. ¥6,000. Club Quattro.
John Scofield: Uberjam
American jazz-rock guitarist
and composer who has played
and collaborated with Miles
Davis, Herbie Hancock, and
more. May 28-29, 7 & 9:30pm;
May 30, 5 & 8pm. ¥8,000. Blue
Note Tokyo. Omotesando.
Tel: 03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
scofield2015
The Electric Guitar Quartet
With American jazz double
bass and jazz fusion electric
bass player John Patitucci and
Adam Rogers, Steve Cardenas,
and Brian Blade. May 27-29,
6:30 & 9pm; May 30, 5 & 8pm.
¥8,500-10,500. Cotton Club.
Tokyo. Tel: 03-3215-1555.
http://j.mp/electricguitar2015
Belgian jazz and classical
pianist and composer. Jun 16,
6:30 & 9pm. ¥5,000-7,000.
Cotton Club. Tokyo. Tel:
03-3215-1555. http://j.mp/
neve2015
Marc Cary Rhodes Ahead
Trio & Daniel Crawford Trio
Double bill by trios led by
post-bop jazz pianist Rhodes
and Crawford. Jun 16-18, 7
& 9:30pm. ¥7,800. Blue Note
Tokyo. Omotesando. Tel:
03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
carycrawford2015
Simon Phillips
English jazz, pop, and
rock drummer Phillips
featuring Andy Timmons,
Steve Weingart, and Ernest
Tibbs. Jun 23, 7 & 9:30pm.
¥8,500. Blue Note Tokyo.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-54850088. http://j.mp/phillips2015
Tom Harrell
Award-winning American Jazz
trumpeter and flugelhornist.
Jun 23-25, 6:30 & 9pm.
¥7,800-10,000. Cotton Club.
Tokyo. Tel: 03-3215-1555.
http://j.mp/harrell2015
Nels Cline Singers
American free jazz trio led
by guitarist and composer
Cline. Jun 2-3, 7 & 9:30pm.
¥7,800. Blue Note Tokyo.
Omotesando. Tel:
03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
clinesingers2015
Robert Glasper Experiment
Led by Grammy-winning
American jazz pianist and
record producer. Jun 2-5, 7
& 9:30pm. ¥7,400-9,400.
Billboard Live. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-3405-1133. http://j.mp/
glasper2015
Bob Dorough and
Nellie McKay
American bebop and cool jazz
pianist and singer Dorough
with American singersongwriter, actress, and former
stand-up comedian McKay.
Jun 5, 7 & 9:30pm; Jun 6, 5
& 8pm. ¥8,500. Blue Note
Tokyo. Omotesando. Tel:
03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
bobnellie2015
Kaki King
American guitarist and
composer known for her
percussive and jazz-tinged
melodies, energetic live
shows, use of multiple tunings
on acoustic and lap steel
guitar, and her diverse range
in different genres. Jun 24-25,
7 & 9:30pm. ¥5,500. Blue Note
Tokyo. Omotesando. Tel:
03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
kakiking2015
Tye Tribbett
American gospel music singer
and founder of the Grammynominated gospel group Tye
Tribbett & G.A. Jun 25-26,
7 & 9:30pm. ¥7,800-9,800.
Billboard Live. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-3405-1133. http://j.mp/
tribbett2015
Jul 4-5. 5 & 8pm; Jul 6, 7 &
9:30pm. ¥8,500. Blue Note
Tokyo. Omotesando. Tel:
03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
louquartet2015
Bluey presents
“Citrus Sun”
British guitarist, bandleader,
composer, and record
producer who has led the
British acid jazz band Incognito
since its formation in 1979. Jul
7-9, 7 & 9:30pm. ¥8,500. Blue
Note Tokyo. Omotesando.
Tel: 03-5485-0088. http://j.
mp/bluey2015
Kalapana
Hawaiian group performing
pop and soft rock music
best known for their songs
“Naturally” and “The Hurt.”
Jul 17, 7pm. ¥6,900-8,900.
Billboard Live. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-3405-1133. http://j.mp/
kalapana2015
Blue Mountain Boys
Classic country and bluegrass.
Every third Sat, 6:30 & 7:30pm.
Free. Cafe Sepia. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-3406-1300.
www.nagaremono.com/sepia
CLASSICAL
Jonas Kaufmann
German operatic tenor best
known for his performances
in roles such as Don José in
Carmen and Cavaradossi
in Tosca. May 30, 7pm.
¥14,000-26,000. Suntory
Hall. Roppongi-itchome.
Tel: 0570-55-0017. http://j.
mp/kaufmann2015. Jun 1,
7pm. ¥14,000-26,000. Muza
Kawasaki Symphony Hall.
Kawasaki. Tel: 044-5200200. www.kawasaki-symhall.jp
Wagner & Brahms:
The Forest of German
Romanticism
Taijiro Iimori, a specialist of
German music, will conduct
several masterpieces by
Wagner and Brahms. Jun 3,
7pm. ¥2,100-6,200. Tokyo
Bunka Kaikan. Ueno. Tel:
03-3828-2111. www.t-bunka.
jp/en
International Organ Festival
Featuring organists Ernst
Erich Stender and Mari
Kodama. Jun 4, 7pm. ¥6,000.
Sekiguchi Catholic Church.
Edogawabashi. Tel: 03-39450126. http://iofj.net
Lou Donaldson Quartet
Led by Jazz alto saxophonist
Donaldson best known for
his soulful, bluesy approach
to playing the instrument.
Bra Bra Final Fantasy
The Siena Wind Orchestra
performs music from the hit
video game franchise. Jun
7, 1 & 5pm. ¥4,500-6,500.
Bunkamura. Shibuya. Tel:
03-3477-9111. http://j.mp/
brabra2015
Disney on Classic:
Spring Gala
Showcasing popular songs
from Disney movies such as
Snow White, The Little Mermaid,
Cinderella, and more. May
29-Jun 7, various times. ¥7,0008,700. Theatre Orb. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-3477-9999. http://j.mp/
disneyspringgala2015
The European Music that
adorned the Meiji Era
Produced by Kunitachi College
of Music and performed by
its students and alumni, the
concert features songs and
operas that were translated
into Japanese during the
Meiji Era. Jun 8, 7pm. ¥2,000.
Suntory Hall Blue Rose.
Roppongi-Itchome. Tel:
03-3505-1001. http://j.mp/
meijieuropean2015
Renaud Capuçon
French classical violinist
Capuçon with pianist David
Kadouch. Jun 8, 7pm.
¥3,000-6,000. Toppan Hall.
Iidabashi. Tel: 03-58402200. http://j.mp/capucon2015
War and Music: From
Darkness to Light
Produced by Ferris University
and performed by its students
and alumni, the concert
features war songs and
compositions that helped unite
people in their hope for peace.
Jun 9, 7pm. ¥2,000. Suntory
Hall Blue Rose. RoppongiItchome. Tel: 03-3505-1001.
http://j.mp/warandmusic2015
Gianluca Cascioli
Italian pianist whose career
was launched with his
victory at the 1994 Umberto
Micheli International Piano
Competition. Jun 12, 7pm.
¥5,000-7,500. Kioi Hall.
Yotsuya. Tel: 03-5276-4500.
www.kioi-hall.or.jp
Womb
Clubbing
Ruby Room
The Room
Space Dizzy Time. DJs Ito,
Shidaxxxx, etc. From 11pm.
¥2,000 w/1d. Shibuya. Tel:
03-3780-3022 (evenings) /
070-6969-4816 (daytime).
www.rubyroomtokyo.com
Noi. House, techno: DJs Ai,
Niwa, etc. 7-11pm. Free.
Shibuya. www.theroom.jp
FRIDAY 29
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
Sound Museum Vision
Rad. Techno, electro: DJs Off
the Rocker, Verbal, etc. From
9pm. (m)¥3,500, (f)¥2,500.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5728-2824.
www.vision-tokyo.com
Air
R2. Hip-hop, jazz: DJs Toyoda,
Masa, etc. Live: Hiroto Uyama
and more. From 10pm. ¥3,000.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5784-3384.
www.air-tokyo.com
The Room
Global Rhythm. Hip-hop:
DJs Watarai, Takemoto, etc.
From 10pm. ¥2,000 w/1d.
Shibuya. www.theroom.jp
T2
Shibuya Mixx. EDM: DJs
Baby-T, Shu, etc. From 10pm.
(m)¥3,500 w/1d, (f)¥2,500
w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-54288692. www.t2-shibuya.com
The Long Set. EDM, house: DJ
Daishi Dance and more. From
11pm. ¥3,500. Shinkiba.
Tel: 03-5534-2525.
www.ageha.com
To Gothics. All mix: DJs
Yaguchi, Adapter, etc. From
11pm. ¥4,000. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5458-2551.
www.clubasia.co.jp
Lounge Neo
Poke. Techno, bass: DJs
Grimecraft, Qrion, etc. From
11pm. ¥3,000. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5458-2551.
http://loungeneo.iflyer.jp
Circoloco Japan. Techno,
house: DJs Kabuto, Pi-Ge,
etc. From 11pm. ¥4,000.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5459-0039.
www.womb.co.jp
Matrix Friday. Old-school
hip-hop, west side, south side,
all mix: DJ Ykk and more. From
6pm. ¥1,000 (after 11:30pm).
Roppongi. www.matrixbar.jp
SUNDAY 31
Air
Global Allmix Party. All mix: DJs
Kotani, Shu, etc. From 10pm.
(m)¥2,500 w/2d, (f)¥1,500
w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-54288692. www.t2-shibuya.com
Satoshi Tomiie. House, techno:
DJs Maayan Nidam, Tomiie, etc.
From 10pm. ¥3,500. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5784-3384.
www.air-tokyo.com
Sound Museum Vision
Power. All mix: DJs Ol Killer,
Ali&, etc. From 10pm.
(m)¥3,500, (f)¥2,500.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5728-2824.
www.vision-tokyo.com
MONDAY 1
The Room
T2 Monday. EDM: Various DJs.
From 10pm. (m)¥2,500 w/2d,
(f)¥1,500 w/2d. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5428-8692.
www.t2-shibuya.com
Womb
Insomnia. EDM, drum’n‘bass:
DJs Rowel, Yuki, etc.
From 10pm. ¥1,500 w/1d.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5459-0039.
www.womb.co.jp
TUESDAY 2
Open Mic. From 7pm. ¥1,500
w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-37803022 (evenings) / 070-69694816 (daytime).
www.rubyroomtokyo.com
T2
Conducted by Valery
Polyansky with performances
of the Overture from Glinka’s
Ruslan i Lyudmila, Dvořák’s
Cello Concerto in b minor,
op.104, and more. Jul 9, 7pm.
¥6,000-10,000. Suntory Hall.
Roppongi-itchome. Tel:
0570-55-0017. http://j.mp/
statesymphonycapella2015
Sound Museum Vision
Artifact. Techno: DJs Dave
Clarke, Ken Ishii, etc. From
10pm. ¥3,500. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5728-2824.
www.vision-tokyo.com
Super Tuesday. EDM: Various
DJs. From 10pm. (m)¥2,500
w/2d, (f)¥1,500 w/2d.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5428-8692.
www.t2-shibuya.com
Womb
The Room
Jazzbrothers. Jazz: DJs Yama,
Takehana, etc. From 10pm.
¥2,500 w/1d. Shibuya.
www.theroom.jp
Bcc: Holiday. Techno, house:
DJs Gonno, Noa, etc. Live:
Atom and more. From 10pm.
¥3,500. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5784-3384.
www.air-tokyo.com
Edmf. EDM: DJs Taku, Hirata,
etc. 5-11pm. ¥2,000 w/1d.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5784-3384.
www.air-tokyo.com
Ruby Room
Air
FRIDAY 5
The New Matrix Bar
T2
Saturday Night Fever. Hip-hop,
R&B, reggae: DJ Ykk and more.
From 6pm. ¥1,000 (after 10pm).
Roppongi. www.matrixbar.jp
El Amor. Disco, boogie: DJs
Endo, Nishikawa, etc. 7-11pm.
¥1,000. Shibuya.
www.theroom.jp
Peak. Bass, grime: DJs Broken
Haze, Bashoo, etc. From 12am.
¥1,000. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5784-5496.
www.microcosmos-tokyo.com
Key. House, techno: DJs
Bengal, Future, etc. ¥2,000
w/1d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-57843384. www.air-tokyo.com
The New Matrix Bar
Wasted: Soup 9th
Anniversary. Cut Hands,
Miclodiet, Painjerk,
Tetsumasa AKA Devecly
Bitte, etc. From 6pm. ¥2,500.
Higashinakano.
Tel: 03-6909-3000.
http://ochiaisoup.tumblr.com
Dance
JUN 10, 11, 13 & 14
Tuemix. EDM, Top 40: DJs
Alpha One, Ashlay, etc. From
10pm. (m)¥1,500, (f)free.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5459-0039.
www.womb.co.jp
Breakthrough. Hip-hop: DJs
Jin, Ladi Dadi, etc. From 10pm.
¥2,500 w/1d. Shibuya.
www.theroom.jp
T2
Shibuya Mixx. EDM: Various
DJs. From 10pm. (m)¥3,500
w/1d, (f)¥2,500 w/2d.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5428-8692.
www.t2-shibuya.com
Ageha
Agepa. EDM, all mix: DJs Cts,
U5, etc. From 11pm. (m)¥3,000
w/1d, (f)free. Shinkiba.
Tel: 03-5534-2525.
www.ageha.com
Lounge Neo
Weekend Gang London.
Hip-hop: DJs Nok Nok,
Cashino, etc. From 11pm.
¥2,500 w/1d. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5458-2551.
http://loungeneo.iflyer.jp
Womb
Sterne. Techno: DJs Agoria,
Ishino, etc. From 11pm.
¥3,500. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5459-0039.
www.womb.co.jp
BALLET
SWAN LAKE
The crown jewel of classical
ballet, performed by the
National Ballet of Japan. June
10, 7pm; June 11 & 14, 2pm;
June 13, 2 & 6:30pm. ¥3,240
- ¥10,800. New National
Theatre Tokyo. Hatsudai
(Keio New Line).
www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english
Strawberry Fields
Production by Japanese
contemporary dance
company Condors, an
all-male ensemble who
perform wearing school
uniforms. May 30, 2 & 7pm;
May 31, 3pm. ¥2,000-4,500.
Saitama Arts Theater.
Yonohonmachi.
Tel: 0570-064-939.
http://j.mp/fields2015
GQ2015 [Gabby]
Top-level male dancers
gather to present a dynamic
dance program incorporating
elements of ballet, jazz,
street, and contemporary
dance. Jun 10-12, 7pm; Jun
13, 2 & 7pm; Jun 14, 2pm.
¥8,000-12,000. Ex Theater
Roppongi. Roppongi or
Nogizaka. Tel: 03-64062222. http://j.mp/gabby2015
Discover Kabuki
Kabuki performed with
commentary. Part I: “How
to Appreciate Kabuki in
English.” A kabuki actor and a
TV personality will guide you
in both English and Japanese.
Part II: “Tsubosaka Reigenki,”
a live kabuki performance.
Audio guide rental service is
included in the ticket price
of this program. Jun 19,
7-9pm. ¥1,300 (students, all
seats)/ ¥1,500 (adults, 2nd
grade)/ ¥3,900 (adults, 1st
grade). National Theatre.
Hanzomon. Tel: (0570)
07-9900 (10am-6pm).
http://j.mp/discoverkabuki2015
Jukebox musical presented
in a documentary-style
format that dramatizes the
formation, success, and
eventual break-up of the
1960s rock ’n‘ roll group
The Four Seasons. Jun
25-Jul 5, various times.
¥9,000-13,000. Theatre
Orb. Shibuya. Tel:
0570-550-799. http://j.mp/
jerseyboys2015
Exhibitions
ENDING SOON
The Prisoner of Mirrors
Showcasing paintings of
flowery goldfish by artist
Rika Shimasaki, which
portray artificially-bred
prize goldfish resembling
over-dressed and made-up
women. Until May 31,
12-7pm, closed Mon.
Free. Nanatasu Gallery.
Nogizaka. Tel: 03-64197229. http://chocorikashimasaki.jimdo.com
Measuring: This much,
that much, how much?
This exhibition aims to
illustrate the types of units
that are used to measure
a variety of things and
phenomena, and to give them
a sense of familiarity that
they may not already have.
Until May 31, 10am-8pm,
closed Tue. ¥500-1,000.
21_21 Design Sight.
Nogizaka.
Tel: 03-3475-2121.
http://j.mp/measuring2015
Circus
Moriyama Kaiji, recipient of
the 63rd Minister of Culture
Art Encouragement Prize for
New Talent, creates the world
of the circus that the whole
family will enjoy. Jun 20-28,
various times. ¥1,620-5,400.
The New National Theatre,
Tokyo. Hatsudai. http://j.
mp/moriyamacircus2015
Louvre Museum
Stage
Guillaume Bottazzi:
Recent Paintings
Kikai-ga-shima
Original comic play concerning
three Japanese men who
are exiled from the capital to
Kikaigashima, the Island of
Demons. Performed in English
with Japanese subtitles. May
30, 2 & 7pm; May 31, 3pm.
¥3,000. World Peace Theater.
Keikyu-Kawasaki.
http://ytg.jp/en
FAME
Fame Presents Lock. DJs
Sander Kleinenberg, DJ Sawa,
etc. From 10:30pm. (m)¥3,500
w/2d, (f)¥2,500 w/2d. Happy
Hour: ¥1,000 w/1d (until
12pm). Omotesando.
Tel: 03-3475-0788.
http://fame-aoyama.com
portrayal. May 24, 30, Jun
2 & 4, 2pm; May 27, 6pm.
¥4,320-23,760. New National
Theatre Tokyo. Hatsudai.
Tel: 03-5352-9999. http://j.
mp/rosenkavalier2015
Jersey Boys
Mix Juice. House, EDM: DJs
Yamariki, Mizuki, etc. From
10pm. (m)¥1,500, (f)free.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5459-0039.
www.womb.co.jp
Microcosmos
House Tribe. EDM, house: DJs
Bryan Cox, Yamariki, etc. From
11pm. ¥3,500. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5459-0039.
www.womb.co.jp
SATURDAY 30
Bootylicious. Hip-hop: DJs
Iku, 8man, etc. From 10pm.
(m)¥2,000 w/1d, (f)free.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5784-3384.
www.air-tokyo.com
The Room
Womb
Air
College (France) at Blackout
X Vanity. Featuring College,
Maethelvin, La Fraicheur, and
more. From 11pm. ¥2,500.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3770-2325.
www.vanity.to
THURSDAY 4
SUNDAY 7
Soup
Womb
Womb
Trump Room
Wedm. EDM: DJs Hiroki, Yo,
etc. From 10pm. (m)¥1,500, (f)
free. Shibuya. Tel: 03-54590039. www.womb.co.jp
Air
Club Asia
T2
Ageha
Vivivi. Electro, pop: DJs
Gizumo, Uchida, etc.
From 11pm. ¥3,500 w/1d.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5458-2551.
www.clubasia.co.jp
State Symphony Capella of
Russia
Vortex VI -Infinite-. EBM,
goa, techno, trance: DJs
Masa, Yuta. From 11pm.
¥3,000 (adv)/¥4,000 (day).
Daikanyama. Tel: 03-54598630. www.unit-tokyo.com
Saturdays. EDM, house: DJs
Hatiras, Flipside, etc. From
11pm. ¥3,500. Shinkiba.
Tel: 03-5534-2525.
www.ageha.com
A unique reed ensemble
from Amsterdam that has
distinguished itself with its
imaginative transcriptions
that reach back to the Middle
Ages. Jun 13, 1:30pm.
¥2,500-4,100. Muza Kawasaki
Symphony Hall. Kawasaki.
Tel: 044-520-0200. www.
kawasaki-sym-hall.jp
Italian pianist and composer
who won the international
selections for young
concertists at the San Filippo
Theatre in Turin in 1997. Jun
25, 7pm. ¥6,500. Hamarikyu
Asahi Hall. Shibashi.
Tel: 03-5541-8710.
www.giovanniallevi.com/en
Daikanyama Unit
Shibuya Girls Party. EDM:
Various DJs. From 10pm.
(m)¥2,500 w/2d, (f)¥1,500
w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-54288692. www.t2-shibuya.com
Ageha
Air
Giovanni Allevi
T2
Shibuya Mixx. EDM: DJs
Murasaki, Clay, etc. From
10pm. (m)¥3,500 w/1d,
(f)¥2,500 w/2d. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5428-8692.
www.t2-shibuya.com
Club Asia
Internationally-performing
professional classical string
quartet that was awarded
Chamber Music America’s
prestigious Cleveland Quartet
Award in 2005. Jun 7, 2pm;
Jun 11, 13, 18 & 20, 7pm.
¥1,000-5,000 (all five concerts
for ¥15,000). Suntory Hall Blue
Rose. Roppongi-itchome.
Tel: 03-3505-1001.http://j.mp/
miroquartet2015
SATURDAY 6
T2
Take a musical trip to Naples,
Italy, with performances by the
Orchestra Italiana Napoletana.
Jul 17, 6:30pm. ¥6,000. Nakano
Zero. Nakano. Tel: 03-53405000. Jul 19, 1pm. ¥6,500.
Yokohama Minatomirai Hall.
Minatomirai. Tel: 045-6822020. Jul 20, 12:30 & 4pm.
¥6,500. Tokyo Opera City
Concert Hall. Hatsudai or
Shinjuku. Tel: 03-5353-9999.
http://j.mp/osolemio2015
Calefax Reed Quintet
The Miró Quartet
WEDNESDAY 3
O Sole Mio
Der Rosenkavalier
Set in Viennese high society,
this opera’s rich, elegant
music expresses memories
of the past and fresh youthful
love, with production
by Jonathan Miller, who
excels at detailed character
With works by Vermeer,
Rembrandt, and others.
Until Jun 1, 10am-6pm,
closed Tue. ¥800-1,600. The
National Art Center, Tokyo.
Nogizaka. www.ntv.co.jp/
louvre2015/english
ONGOING
Showcasing works by
Bottazzi, which are composed
of intangible elements and
ethereal forms, and which
are imbued with his affinity
with Japan. Until Jun 13,
11am-6pm (until 5pm on Sat),
closed Sun, Mon & hols. Free.
Gallery Itsutsuji. Sendagi.
http://gallery-itsutsuji.com
The Beauty of Asian Art
Showcasing prehistoric
and ancient masterpieces
from China, Korea, and
Southeast Asia. Until Jun
14, 10am-5pm, closed
Mon. ¥700-1,000. Idemitsu
Museum of Arts. Tokyo.
www.idemitsu.com/museum/
honkan
25
The Great Amazon
Featuring over 400 exhibits
and a 4K theatre experience
where you can travel to
the Amazon through a
355-inch screen. Until Jun
14, 9am-5pm (until 8pm on
Fri), closed Mon. ¥600-1,600.
National Museum of Nature
and Science. Ueno. Tel:
03-3822-0111. http://j.mp/
thegreatamazon2015
Perspectives
A unique collaboration
featuring artwork by
Frankie Cihi and original
works created by
Tokyo-based performance
artists. Jun 10-14, 5pm.
Opening reception (Jun 6)
¥4,000/¥3,500 (door)/¥3,000
(adv)/¥2,500 (students).
Turner Gallery. HigashiNagasaki. Tel: 03-3953-5155.
www.tokyoarts.org
Modern Crafts and the
Tea Ceremony from
the Museum Collection
Exhibition focusing on
tea-ceremony-related pieces
produced by modern artists.
Until Jun 21, 10am-5pm,
closed Mon. ¥70-210. The
National Museum of Modern
Art, Tokyo. Takebashi. Tel:
03-5777-8600. http://j.mp/
craftsandtea2015
The Ceramic Works of
Rouault and the Fauvists
Introducing ceramic works
created by some of the great
French artists of the early
20th century, including
Georges Rouault and Henri
Matisse. Until Jun 21,
10am-6pm, closed Wed.
¥500-1,000. Shiodome
Museum. Shimbashi. Tel:
03-5777-8600. http://meturl.
com/panasonicmuseum
Ki Yoon Ko: Stimmung
Hiromart Gallery’s second
solo show of works by this
Hamburg-based American
artist known for his
photorealistic paintings.
Until Jun 21, 1-7pm, closed
Mon & Tue. Hiromart Gallery.
Edogawabashi.
Tel: 03-6233-9836.
http://hiromartgallery.com
The British Museum
Exhibition: A History of the
World in 100 Objects
This exhibition explores
human creativity covering
two million years, from
prehistoric to modern times,
through 100 items from the
British Museum’s collection.
Until Jun 28, 9:30am-5:30pm
(until 8pm on Fri), closed
Mon. ¥800-1,300 (adv)/
¥1,000-1,600 (door). Tokyo
Metropolitan Art Museum.
Ueno. Tel: 03-3823-6921.
http://j.mp/100objects2015
Utrillo and Valadon
Showcasing pieces by
Utrillo, a French painter who
specialized in cityscapes; and
his mother Valadon, an artist
whose drawings and paintings
mostly included female nudes
and portraits, still lifes, and
landscapes. Until Jun 28,
10am-6pm, closed Mon.
¥650-1,000 (adv)/ ¥800-1,200
(door). Sompo Japan Museum
of Art. Shinjuku.
Tel: 03-5405-8686.
www.sjnk-museum.org/en
Sayoko Yamaguchi:
The Wearist, Clothed
in the Future
This exhibition will trace
Yamaguchi’s career, who, as
a top model, embodied the
mysterious beauty of the East,
and conquered the world of
fashion during the 1970s and
’80s. Until Jun 28, 10am-6pm,
closed Mon. ¥600-1,200.
26
Museum of Contemporary Art
Tokyo. Kiyosumi-Shirakawa.
www.mot-art-museum.jp/eng
Time of Others
Showcasing works by
18 artists of the younger
generation in Asia/Oceania
whose practices offer keys
to engaging with the time
of others. Until Jun 28,
10am-6pm, closed Mon.
¥600-1,100. Museum of
Contemporary Art Tokyo.
Kiyosumi-shirakawa.
http://j.mp/timeofothers2015
Mirror Neuron
A collection of modern art
collected by psychiatrist
Ryutaro Takahashi. Until Jun
28, 11am-7pm (until 8pm
on Fri & Sat), closed Mon.
¥800-1,200. Tokyo Opera City
Art Gallery. Hatsudai.
www.operacity.jp/en
Naruto Exhibition
Experience the spectacular
world of manga master
Masashi Kishimoto’s iconic
Naruto. Until Jun 28,
10am-8pm. ¥500-1,800 (adv)/
¥800-2,000 (door). Mori Arts
Center Gallery. Roppongi.
http://naruto-ten.com
Masks: Beauty of the
Spirits
By laying bare the true allure
of masks, this exhibition
explores their true essence
and what they mean to us
in today’s world, through
masterpieces from the Musée
du quai Branly in Paris. Until
Jun 30, 10am-6pm, closed
the second and fourth Wed of
the month. ¥600-1,200 (¥100
discount to those who come
wearing designs or patterns
inspired by masks or faces).
Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art
Museum. Meguro.
Tel: 03-3443-0201.
http://j.mp/masks2015
The World of Edo
Dandyism: From
Swords to Inrō
Showcasing around 100
carefully selected obects
such as swords, sword
fittings, and inrō (a traditional
Japanese case for holding
small objects) that were all the
rage among the Edo dandies.
May 30-Jul 20, 10am-5pm,
closed Mon. ¥700-900 (adv)/
¥800-1,000 (door). Nezu
Museum. Omotesando.
Tel: 03-3400-2536.
www.nezu-muse.or.jp/en
The Maestro of
Conception,
Kenzan is Here
Born in a cultivated Kyoto
family, Kenzan was raised
in a context of great artistic
refinement. As a potter, he
introduced new designs based
on painting and literature to
the world of ceramics. May
27-Jul 20, 10am-6pm (until
8pm on Fri & Sat), closed Tue.
¥800-1,100 (adv)/ ¥1,0001,300 (door). Suntory Museum
of Art. Roppongi.
http://j.mp/
maestrokenzan2015
Helene Schjerfbeck:
Reflections
Showcasing works by
Finnish painter Schjerfbeck,
who’s most widely known
for her realist works and
self-portraits. Jun 2-Jul 26,
10am-5pm, closed Mon.
¥800-1,300 (adv)/ ¥1,0001,500 (door). The University
Art Museum. Ueno.
Tel: 050-5525-2200.
http://helene-fin.exhn.jp
Tokyo Story 2015
Showcasing works by artists
who participated in Tokyo
Wonder Site’s Creator in
Residence program. Until
Jul 26, 11am-7pm. Free.
Tokyo Wonder Site Hongo.
Ochanomizu, Suidōbashi,
or Hongō-sanchōme. Tel:
03-5689-5331. http://j.mp/
tokyostory2015
Leonardo da Vinci and the
Battle of Anghiari: The
Mystery of Travola Doria
A unique examination of
the revolution in visual
perception that da Vinci
spawned with his work The
Battle of Anghiari, one of
the largest mural projects
he ever undertook. Until
Aug 9, 10am-5pm, closed
Mon. ¥300-1,000 (adv)/
¥400-1,300 (door). Tokyo
Fuji Art Museum. Hachioji
or Tokyo Fuji Bijitsukan. Tel:
042-691-4511. http://j.mp/
davincianghiari2015
Cy Twombly: Fifty Years
of Works on Paper
Featuring around 70
drawings, paintings, and
monotypes by Twombly,
an American painter of
large-scale, freely scribbled,
calligraphic and graffitilike works. May 23-Aug
30, 11am-5pm (until 8pm
on Wed), closed Mon.
¥500-1,100. Hara Museum
of Contemporary Art.
Kita-Shinagawa.
Tel: 03-3445-0651.
www.haramuseum.or.jp
Fukagawa in the Snow:
The Reappearance of an
Utamaro Masterpiece
Showcasing works by
Utamaro, one of the most
highly regarded ukiyo-e
practitioners, especially
for his portraits of beautiful
women, or bijin-ga. Until
Aug 31, 9am-5pm. ¥1,8002,800. Okada Museum of Art.
Kowakidani.
Tel: 0460-87-3931.
www.okada-museum.com/en
What is Realist Painting?
Exploring the diversity
and potential of realist
painting through 54 works
of landscapes, figures,
and more. May 21-Nov 15,
10am-5:30pm, closed Tue.
¥900-1,800. Hoki Museum.
Toke.
www.hoki-museum.jp/en/
Art Nouveau Glass
Yokohama FC vs. FC Gifu
Featuring pieces which
include some of the finest
works of glass produced by
the Art Nouveau movement
in Paris and Nancy. Jul 4-Sep
6, 10am-6pm, closed Wed.
¥500-1,000. Shiodome
Museum. Shimbashi. Tel:
03-5777-8600. http://meturl.
com/panasonicmuseum
Jun 6, 4pm. ¥600-5,200
(adv)/ ¥600-5,700 (door).
Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium.
Mitsuzawakamicho.
Tel: 04-5311-2016.
www.yokohamafc.com
Sports
BASEBALL
Yomiuri Giants vs.
Orix Buffaloes
Jun 2-4, 6pm. ¥300-12,400.
Tokyo Dome. Suidōbashi.
Tel: 03-5800-9999.
www.giants.jp/en
Yakult Swallows vs.
Rakuten Eagles
Jun 2-4, 6pm. ¥500-27,500.
Meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium.
Gaienmae. Tel: 03-34048999. www.yakult-swallows.
co.jp
Yakult Swallows vs.
Lotte Marines
Jun 5, 6pm; Jun 6, 2pm; Jun
7, 1pm. ¥500-27,500. Meiji
Jingu Baseball Stadium.
Gaienmae. Tel: 03-34048999. www.yakult-swallows.
co.jp
Yomiuri Giants vs.
SoftBank Hawks
Jun 5-6, 6pm; Jun 7, 2pm.
¥300-12,400. Tokyo Dome.
Suidōbashi. Tel: 03-58009999. www.giants.jp/en
Yomiuri Giants vs.
Chunichi Dragons
Jun 19, 6pm; Jun 20-21, 2pm.
¥300-12,400. Tokyo Dome.
Suidōbashi. Tel: 03-58009999. www.giants.jp/en
Yomiuri Giants vs.
DeNA Baystars
Jun 23-24, 6pm. ¥300-12,400.
Tokyo Dome. Suidōbashi.
Tel: 03-5800-9999. www.
giants.jp/en
Festivals
TRADITIONAL
Yakult Swallows vs.
Hanshin Tigers
SOCCER
FC Tokyo vs. Kashiwa
Reysol
May 30, 7pm. ¥600-6,200
(adv)/ ¥800-6,500 (door).
Ajinomoto Stadium.
Tobitakyu. Tel: 04-24400555. www.fctokyo.co.jp
Yokohama F. Marinos vs.
Gamba Osaka
May 30, 7pm. ¥1,000-9,800
(adv)/ ¥1,100-5,500 (door).
Nissan Stadium. Kozukue.
Tel: 04-5477-5000.
www.f-marinos.com/en
Dr. Sketchy’s
Anti-Art School
Burlesque models pose
for artstars and sketching
newbies alike with arty
socializing. Every third
Wed, 7-10pm. ¥2,000
w/ 1d. Studio and Space
IVVA. Meiji-Jingūmae or
Harajuku. www.facebook.
com/Dr.Sketchy.Tokyo
Learning
California Wine vs. French
Wine Seminar
Learn about wines and
enjoy an American-style
dinner. May 30, 7-10:30pm.
¥11,980 + tax (adv). Stellato.
Shirokanedai. Tel: 03-34425588. http://meturl.com/
monthlywine
Other Events
Torikoe Jinja Matsuri
Summer festival with Tokyo’s
heaviest mikoshi. Jun 6-7,
all day. Free. Torigoe Jinja.
Kuramae or Asakusabashi.
Tel: 03-3851-5033.
Tsukiji Shishi Matsuri
Unique mikoshi parade
featuring two lion mikoshi and
one main mikoshi. Jun 10-14,
all day. Free. Tsukiji Namiyoke
Jinja. Tsukijishijo.
www.namiyoke.or.jp
Sannō Matsuri
One of the three largest
festivals in Japan. Jun 7-17,
all day. Free. Hie Jinja.
Tameikesanno. Tel: 03-35812471. www.tenkamatsuri.jp
Forums &
Expos
Italian Olive Oil Day 2015
Comedy
Jun 30-Jul 2, 6pm.
¥300-12,400. Tokyo Dome.
Suidōbashi. Tel: 03-58009999. www.giants.jp/en
Tanomura Chikuden
Showcasing the winning
photos of the 2015 World
Press Photo Contest, which
has encouraged the highest
standards in photojournalism
for more than 55 years.
Jun 27-Aug 9, 10am-5pm.
¥350-700 (adv)/ ¥400-800
(door). Tokyo Metropolitan
Theatre. Ikebukuro. Tel:
03-5391-2111. www.asahi.
com/event/wpph
Jun 21, 6pm. ¥600-5,200
(adv)/ ¥600-5,700 (door).
Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium.
Mitsuzawakamicho.
Tel: 04-5311-2016.
www.yokohamafc.com
Yomiuri Giants vs.
Toyo Carp
UPCOMING
World Press Photo
Yokohama FC vs.
Omiya Ardija
Jun 28, 2pm. ¥500-24,000.
Meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium.
Gaienmae. Tel: 03-34048999. www.yakult-swallows.
co.jp
Yakult Swallows vs.
Yomiuri Giants
Jun 30-Jul 2, 6pm.
¥500-30,000. Meiji Jingu
Baseball Stadium. Gaienmae.
Tel: 03-3404-8999. www.
yakult-swallows.co.jp
Commemorating the 180th
anniversary of the death of
the artist Tanomura, who
loved the art of calligraphy
and poetry. Jun 20-Aug 2,
10am-5pm (until 7pm on Fri),
closed Mon. ¥700-1,000.
Idemitsu Museum of Arts.
Tokyo. www.idemitsu.com/
museum/honkan/
Jun 20, 4pm. ¥1,000-9,800
(adv)/ ¥1,100-5,500 (door).
Nissan Stadium. Kozukue.
Tel: 04-5477-5000.
www.f-marinos.com/en
A celebration of olive oil, w/
seminars, taste courses, and
certified olive oil sommeliers.
May 30, 11am-8pm. Seminar
registration fee: ¥2,500
(one seminar)/ ¥4,000
(two seminars)/ ¥6,000
(three seminars). Roppongi
Hills event space UMU.
Roppongi. Seminars to be
held at Bar del Sole Roppongi.
www.jooprize.com
Open Space 2015
Explore an array of
representative, historical,
and new works from the
realm of media art, as
well as results of research
activities at educational
institutions. Until Mar 6,
11am-6pm, closed Mon. Free.
NTT Intercommunication
Center. Hatsudai. Tel:
0120-144199. http://j.mp/
openspace2015
Yokohama F. Marinos vs.
Kashima Antlers
Shibuya. www.meetup.
com/TokyoStitchandBitch
New Material Night
Standup, improv, and trying
out new stuff. Jun 2 & 16,
8-10pm. Free. Double
Tall Cafe. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5467-4567. http://
tokyocomedy.com/new_
material_night
Standup Comedy at
The Hobgoblin
Standup comedians with a
variety of styles performing
in English. Jun 18,
9-10:30pm. Free. Hobgoblin
Shibuya. Shibuya. http://
tokyocomedy.com/standup_
comedy_at_the_hobgoblin
AAYTP Talent Show
Benefit
The African-American Youth
Travel Program, a Japanbased NPO helping
underprivileged kids in the
U.S. travel to facilitate crosscultural exchange, will hold a
fundraising talent show.
Proceeds go toward funding
the program. Jul 12, 7pm.
¥3,500. The Guinguette by
Moja, B1F 1-11-1 Shibuya,
Shibuya-ku. www.meturl.
com/aatyp
Manpaku
Fill up to your heart’s content
on an array of delicious foods,
such as ramen, desserts,
gyoza, local and world
foods, and more. Until Jun 1,
10:30am-9pm (until 6pm on
final day). ¥500 (weekdays)/
¥800 (weekends). Showa
Kinen Park. Tachikawa.
http://manpaku.jp
Spring Rose Festival
Over 90 varieties of rose
plants, including “Maria
Callas” and others. Until
Jun 7, 9am-5pm. ¥70-150.
Kyu-Furukawa Gardens.
Kami-Nakasato.
Tel: 03-3910-0394. http://
teien.tokyo-park.or.jp/en/
kyu-furukawa
Bunkyo Hydrangea
Festival
One of Bunkyo’s five major
flower festivals. Jun 6-14, all
day. Free. Hakusan Shrine.
Hakusan. Tel: 03-38116568. www.city.bunkyo.lg.jp/
bunka/kanko/event/matsuri.
html
Hotaru no Yube
Enjoy a romantic evening
lit by 2,500 fireflies. Jun
1-30, 6-9pm. Free between
6-9pm during firefly season.
Yuyake Koyake Fureai no
Sato. Yuyake Koyake. Tel:
042-652-3072. http://meturl.
com/yuyakekoyake
Community
Half-Fast Cyclists
Bicyclists of all treads meet
for slideshows, lectures,
ride-planning, etc. Every
second Wed, 7pm. Free.
The Pink Cow. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-6434-5773.
www.thepinkcow.com
Tokyo Verdy vs. Tochigi SC
May 31, 1pm. ¥600-14,500
(adv)/ ¥800-15,000 (door).
Ajinomoto Stadium.
Tobitakyu. Tel: 04-24400555. www.verdy.co.jp/
index.html
Stitch-n-Bitch
Meet fellow knitters,
crocheters and sewers to talk,
share ideas, eat, drink and
create. Every first and third
Tue, 7pm. Free. Cafe Respekt.
MORE LISTINGS
ONLINE → HTTP://
METURL.COM/
LISTINGS
advertorial
SEP 19-21 @ TOKYO ODAIBA ULTRA PARK
ULTRA JAPAN 2015
THE BIGGEST MUSIC FESTIVAL IN THE HEART OF THE CITY
U
LTRA JAPAN 2014, a two-day gathering
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ARMIN VAN BUUREN
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NICKY ROMERO TRANCE
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DAVID GUETTA
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SKRILLEX
Three-time Grammy
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ULTRA JAPAN 2014 AFTER MOVIE
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ULTRA JAPAN 2015
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September 19-21
11am-9pm (doors open at 9am)
One-day ticket: ¥13,000 (tax included)
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Organized by ULTRA JAPAN 2015 Planning
Committee
27
Metropolis and its Classifieds
section are printed every
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does not affect the online
Classifieds, where ads are
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or see http://tmasuda.wix.
com/inner-balance.
ENGLISH -SPE AKING ADACERTIFIED DENTAL CLINIC
in Toranomon Hills offers a
wide range of preventive,
co rre c t i ve an d cos m e t ic
dentistry. Superior service
focused on customer
satisfaction and convenience.
Open until 10pm. Modern
dentistry at its best. www.
rmdcc.com/english/
0120-648-071
C O M P R E H E N S I V E H E A LT H
C OV E R AG E F O R E X PAT S ,
D I P LO M AT S , TE AC H E R S .
Inpatient and outpatient care,
emergencies, surgery, meds,
checkups, dental, lab tests,
MRI and more. Thirty-day
money-back guarantee. Quick,
easy application; convenient
payment options. Enroll today!
info@earthhealthcare.jp
w w w.ear thhealthcare.jp
078-351-7300
TO ADVERTISE IN METROPOLIS,
JA PA N ’ S N O.1 E N G LI S H
M AGA ZI N E , log on at w w w.
metropolis.co.jp/classifieds or
email your commercial ads to
commercial@metropolisjapan.
com.
28
S E R V I C E D A PA R T M E N T S i n
a quiet residential area of
Hiroo. Studios and suites.
4min from Hiroo Stn. Rates:
Daily ¥7800. Weekly ¥6850-/
d a y . M o n t h l y ¥ 570 0 - /d a y .
O ver t hre e mont hs ¥ 513 0 - /
day. Tax, utilities included.
frontdesk@azabucourt.
co m w w w. a z a b u co u r t .co m
0 3 - 3 4 4 6 - 8 6 1 0
p r o c e d u r e s i n J a p a n . Fr e e
consultation available in
English, Español and Japanese.
Tel: 03-6264-8446
np@nippashi.com
http://nippashi.com
1 AT YOUR SERVICE
G E N E R A L D E N T I S T R Y.
A merican dental school
graduate, 20 years’
experience in hospital
dentistry, over 2000
d e ntal im p lant s , n a t i ve
English speaker; 3min
from JR Harajuku Stn,
p a r k i n g a v a i l a b l e. W i l l
fill out insurance forms.
info@trustdental.jp
www.trustdental.jp/english
03-3402-1501
Serious only. Call Bobby at 090-55896864 or 080-8118-4073 or email
mybaby-precious@docomo.ne.jp.
SPORTS PHYSIOTHERAPY
(physical therapy) care in Hiroo.
Native English-speaking
therapists specializing
in sports injuries,
post-operative rehabilitation,
back /neck pain, running
related, headaches, orthotics,
ergonomic consultations
and women’s health.
www.tokyophysio.com
03-3443-6769
T H I N K I N G A B O U T
ADVERTISING WITH
METROPOLIS ? Platinum
¥32,400. Gold ¥27,000. Silver
¥21,600. Prices include one
photo. Bronze ¥2000 (photo
+ ¥2000). Prices are for 4 0
words, one print issue, t wo
weeks online. For details,
email us at commercial@
metropolisjapan.com.
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:
mailto@officelife.jp Website:
http://officelife.jp/en
CRE ATIVE SO LUTION S .
Specialists in branding, web
design, photo/video production.
Drawing A Crowd: a new approach
in design. Get in touch. info@
drawingacrowd.co
2.1 GUESTHOUSE
1.2 HAIR & BEAUTY
2.3 RENT OVER 200,000 YEN
SHIROKANE PENTHOUSE WITH
HUGE BALCONY AND STUNNING
VIEWS OVER TOKYO. Bright corner
1LDK penthouse (55sqm), w/private
roof-deck (65sqm), overlooking
Hiroo, Azabu, Roppongi, renovated,
fully furnished, w/garden furniture,
h o t- t u b h o o k u p, w o o d f l o o r s
¥290,000. alexbrodie@gmail.com
090-3574-0328
ROOM FOR RENT IN YAMATO-SHI,
K ANAGAWA-KEN. Room in
mansion, w/sofabed and other
utentils, on Sotetsu/Odakyu Line
¥30,000/m. Contact email: fikori@
yahoo.com
2.6 BUY/SELL PREMISES
CURLY HAIR SPECIALIST IN
TOK YO. English-speaking
Kiyoko, highly experienced
in NY’s curly hair salons,
takes care of curly hair at
her salon, Nepenji, in Ebisu.
Reser vations: 03 -3793 2357 or info@nepenji.net
http://english.nepenji.net/
index_en.html
MEN’S BARBERSHOP IN
ROPPONGI WELCOMES
FOREIGNERS. Englishspeaking assistant will get
your haircut right. Haircuts
¥ 4 8 0 0. W i t h s h a ve ¥ 5 8 0 0.
Kids’ haircuts ¥4000-¥4400.
Fi r s t- t i m e d i s co u n t ¥1 0 0 0.
http://oazo.biz/top 03-55457797 oazo7797@yahoo.co.jp
CREA-UN UENO. Furnished
private rooms, w/digital
locks, near Asakusa, Ueno,
Skytree. Safe area, femaleonly, roof top garden w/
nice view, BBQ space, free
bicycle. From ¥56,000/m.
Utilities included. No key
money/guarantor. crea-un.
sakura@ko-bo.com http://
w w w. s a k u r a - k o - b o . c o m
03-6912-0692
2.2 RENT UNDER ¥200,000
ICHII CORPORATION.
Over 600 affordable, qualityfurnished apartments in
central Tokyo locations. No
key money/guarantor/agent
fee required. New, clean
apartments, simple contract
system, full English support.
Call us today! 03-5437-5233
www.japt.co.jp
I M M I G R AT I O N L A W Y E R AT
N I PPA S H I O FFI CE s u p p o r t s
visa and naturalization
applications, company
establishment and branch
office installation, including
commercial registration,
as well as inheritance
2LK HOUSE IN USAMI, two toilets,
wood stove, large sundeck, lockup
garage, two floors (35sqm each),
freehold land, overlooking Usami
B ay s u r f b e a c h ¥ 4 . 4 m i l l i o n .
Negotiable. Private sale by owner.
No resort maintenance fees. Photos
available. markfletcher@i.softbank.
jp 090-9819-1558
3 EDUCATION
3.2 JAPANESE TEACHERS
COS M OS C LU B JA PA N ES E
LESSONS. Group of volunteers
offers basic Japanese lessons for
foreigners, every Wed, 10am-noon,
at Kudan Shogai Gakushukan,
Kudan. Nearest stn: Kudanshita. Tel:
090-2645-5212 nihongocosmos@
yahoo.co.jp
3.5 LANGUAGE EXCHANGE
Celtic languages and Japanese. Hello,
I'm a Japanese female professional
writer in Tokyo learning Gaelic and
Welsh for inspiration. I'm a Japanese
teacher as well. Seeking native speakers
for exchange. Slàinte! Iechyd da!
welshcake55@gmail.com
English and Japanese. Group language
exchange every Wed, 7:30-9:30pm,
at coffee shops around Hiroo. Most
members are 20s and 30s. We switch
languages every 30min. Fun events on
weekends. Free to join. ando.andy@
gmail.com
1.7 BUSINESS SERVICES
RENTAL APARTMENTS, HOUSES,
CONDOS AND STUDIOS in
Yokohama, Kawasaki, Tokyo,
and near US military bases.
English-speaking staff will guide
you through the renting process.
For a stress-free search, contact
Rent Life. 045-470-3214 www.
rent-yokohama.com/english
e-yokohama@r-life.co.jp
English and Japanese. JF seeks
language exchange partner. risa89@
hotmail.co.jp
English and Japanese. Interesting,
well-educated, cute SJM seeks native
English speakers in Tokyo for a language
exchange. Let's meet once or twice/week
to improve our language abilities. I'm
sure that it'll be a wonderful experience.
Just email me. languageex2010@gmail.
com
English and Japanese. I'm a JF seeking
an English language partner and friend.
My place is in Kichijoji. If you are
interested, please contact me. sepkay@
hotmail.com
2.4 HOUSE SHARE
2 FIND A PLACE
English and Japanese. JF seeks an
exchange partner in the daytime on
weekdays at Kawasaki Stn. tome.harukasoushi@ezweb.ne.jp
English and Japanese. Japanese man is
seeking a language partner for weekday
evenings/weekends, preferably on
a regular basis. My interests are
contemporary art, photos, travel. Happy
to help with your Japanese! Only native
English speakers and no romance.
alcove2009@yahoo.co.jp
English and Japanese. Open-minded
Japanese female, 23-40, sought for
language exchange and socializing.
English and Japanese. I'm a JF,
late 30s, in Tokyo. I'd like to improve
my English (vocabulary, speaking,
writing). I can teach you J, too. Let's
have tea or dinner! Women only, please.
madchen0730@yahoo.co.jp
German and Japanese. JF seeks Ger/J
language exchange partner. Seit Sechs
Monaten lerne ich Deutsch aber ich
spreche Englisch. F/M ok. If interested,
drop me a line. gardenstate2005@
hotmail.com
4 HOUSEHOLD GOODS
4.1 FURNITURE & FITTINGS
DINING CHAIRS, Henriksdal,
eight available, bought in ‘11, in
very good condition, two cover
sets (natural and brown) ¥3000/
each/obo. http://bit.ly/1Huxbkv
chevorne@gmail.com
Armchair, Rolf Benz (L82xW105xD88),
in good condition ¥10,000. Negotiable.
Pick up only Waseda. lifejun@gmail.com
080-4157-3729
Mattress, Nitori, single, feather, low
repulsion, new, approximately 2kg
¥3800. Shinjuku. hanamizuki337@
yahoo.co.jp
Table, low (60x90cm), bright wood,
w/two chairs, solid, in good condition,
made in Japan ¥2800. Shinjuku.
Photos available. hanamizuki337@
yahoo.co.jp
Table, side, brand-new, wooden,
brown ¥6000. jjxiao@hotmail.com
08040683296
Wardrobe,
three-door
( W 168xH188xD60), w/center-door
mirror, solid, sturdy, quality fittings,
five y/o, almost as new. New ¥100,000.
Sell ¥25,000. Meguro. kkotval@yahoo.
com
4.2 APPLIANCES
Korean and Japanese. Japanese male,
42, seeks a native Korean speaker for
Kor/J exchange. I like music, reading,
cooking. I hope we can learn from each
other and have some fun. astralsky@
excite.co.jp
Air purifier, Venta LW, size 24, Germanmade ¥10,000. Pick up Shinjuku.
likeme4u@hotmail.com
Korean and English. 요즘일어배
우고있고한국어안쓰 기
땜에한국어거의다까먹었나봐.
juicysummer@gmail.com
Trouser press, Toshiba, stand-up, as
new ¥2500. Pick up Shinjuku. likeme4u@
hotmail.com
日本語と英語 。 僕はイギリス人.
毎日日本 語を勉 強してる. で も
言 語 交 換にいつも失 敗しちゃう.
juicysummer@gmail.com
3.6 LEARNING: GENERAL
Laminator, w/pouch film ¥4000.
tsuneokobayashi@hotmail.com
4.4 TV & HOME THEATER
Plasma TV 42", Panasonic Viera
TH-P42S3, HD 1080P, as new ¥55,000.
Chiba City. reinsterling@cox.net
4.6 FOR KIDS
Baby items. English books, DVDs,
puzzles, toys, clothes. Pick up Yokohama
or chakubarai. ftl4@hotmail.com http://
bit.ly/1PxNDaM
IKEBANA (JAPANESE
TRADITIONAL FLORAL
ARRANGEMENT) is a powerful
means of self-expression. Trial
lesson, including all materials
¥4000. No Japanese
necessary. Certification,
diploma can be earned. Three
classroom locations in Tokyo.
Website: w w w.atelier-soka.
com/english/index.html
Email: smile@mika-otani.com
3.9 TEACH ME!
T R A N S L AT I O N F O R E N G LI S H
LESSONS. Working towards
becoming an English-to-Japanese
translator, but need help polishing
my English. Can translate simple
documents in exchange for English
lessons. michiane256@gmail.com
Chair, Stokke, wooden, designed
to grow with child, nine m/o, in very
good condition. New ¥34,000. Sell
¥17,000. Pick up Saitama-Shintoshin.
al ber tol icandro@hear t.ocn.ne.jp
08068105414
Karate gi and belt, for kids 3-12 years
old ¥300+. gnbkaijpn@gmail.com
5 HOBBIES&INTERESTS
5.2 SPORTS EQUIPMENT
Golf bag, Le Coq Sportif Golf tote, w/
shoe pocket, as new ¥1500. Pick up
Shinjuku-ku. likeme4u@hotmail.com
Leg Magic, unused, w/guide book and
grade-up set, purple, as new ¥1980.
Shinjuku. hanamizuki337@yahoo.co.jp
Surfboard, 5'7", slightly banged up, still
shreds ¥9000. Pick up Ikebukuro area.
chemists_at_large@yahoo.com
Surfboard, 6'3, tri-fin, w/fins, in great
condition ¥35,000. Pick up Ikebukuro
area. chemists_at_large@yahoo.com
PhD student in engineering? Tokyo
only. D2/D3 majoring in wireless
communication engineering? Need some
mentoring on how to design simulation.
Must know Monte Carlo/Particle Filter/
Neural Network, etc., and be able to use
Matlab/Simulink ¥4000/two hours. yatri_
in_town@yahoo.co.jp
Drum kit, Roland V-Drums-TD20, '04,
hihat stand, no bass drum pedal, no
throne, records nicely, one owner, as
new ¥250,000. Pick up Kita-Kamakura.
Details available. vince_vitello63@
yahoo.co.jp
Teach me English in exchange for
karate. Do you want to learn real karate?
I can teach you one of the major styles
of traditional Japanese karate. We
can exchange for your English lesson.
gnbkaijpn@gmail.com
Electric guitar, Hagstrom Super Swede,
gloss black, in good condition, w/leather
gig bag, bought in '13, as new, saw
only light action ¥60,000. Can deliver
Shinjuku/Yoyogi. akaraduman@gmail.
com
Web designer. I am seeking a female
web designer. Must know HTML/CSS/PHP.
Meet in Ueno/Akihabara/Shinjuku area,
two or three times/month. In return, I'll
teach you English and pay ¥2000 for two
hours of your time. jj08@drivehq.com
Electric guitar, Epiphone Zakk Wylde
ZV Custom Bullseye, never played, w/
original case ¥80,000. W/Dunlop wah,
Roland amp, Red Monkey strap, etc.
¥100,000. Ishibashi. sj1172@hotmail.
com 090-2821-7282
5.3 MUSICAL EQUIPMENT
The majority of classified ads have moved online! classifieds.metropolis.co.jp
6 VEHICLES
10.2 SUPPORT
6.1 CARS, PARTS, & ACCESSORIES
Honda Fit, '05, 102,000km, new
tires in Sep '14, shaken until Mar '16.
ryanandamy2012@gmail.com
6.3 BICYCLES, PARTS, & ACCESSORIES
Bikes: old mountain bike ¥1000. Holding
bike ¥9000. Mountain bike ¥9000.
gnbkaijpn@gmail.com
7 GENERAL
7.1 PHONES
Mobile phone, SoftBank, prepaid ¥1800.
gnbkaijpn@gmail.com
7.2 FASHION
Flip-flops, Olukai brand, XL, made in
Hawaii, never worn. New ¥6000+. Sell
¥3000. Pick up Shinjuku. likeme4u@
hotmail.com
Shoes: Victoria's Secret, genuine
leather, size US 9, 5.5" heel, never
worn ¥9800. Victoria's Secret gold
sandals, size US 9, 5.5" heel, never
worn ¥8000. Aldo wedge heels, size
US 9, never worn ¥8900. Pick up
Ikebukuro area or ship anywhere in
Japan for +¥600. chemists_at_large@
yahoo.com
Wedding dress, white, size US 4-6/
Japan 9-11 (adjustable lace corset),
worn once. New ¥90,000. Sell ¥40,000.
Ikebukuro area. chemists_at_large@
yahoo.com
8 COMPUTERS
FREE PROFESSIONAL
CONSULTATION FOR FOREIGN
RESIDENTS, w/lawyers,
administrative procedure
specialist s, educators, etc.
English, Chinese, Korean and
Tagalog interpreters available.
S a t , J u n e 20, 1 : 3 0 - 4: 3 0 p m
(r e ce p t i o n c l o s e s a t 4 p m),
Itabashi Green Hall, 36-1 Sakaecho, Itabashi-ku. kkouryu@
city.itabashi.tokyo.jp w w w.
itabashi-ci.org/int-en
N E E D T O TA L K ? W e ’ r e h e r e
to listen. TELL LIFELINE: free,
anonymous English counseling
daily from 9am to 11pm by trained
v o l u n t e e r s ( 0 3 - 5 7 74 - 0 9 9 2 ) .
TELL COUNSELING: affordable
multilingual psychotherapy by
accredited Western-trained
professionals, a CIGNA International
Provider (03 - 4550 -1146). TELL
website: www.telljp.com. Follow
us on Facebook and Twitter @
TokyoLifeLine.
8.2 HARDWARE
Laptop, Toshiba Dynabook,
widescreen, 15.4", USB webcam, 80GB
HD, Celeron M, DVD MultiDrive, built-in
Wi-Fi, E/Win 7 Ultimate, MS Office Word,
Excel, PowerPoint, Skype ¥11,000.
gnbkaijpn@gmail.com
M o n i t o r, w i d e s c r e e n ¥ 1 8 0 0 .
gnbkaijpn@gmail.com
PC, Gateway MD7800-11j, Core 2 Duo
P8600 2.4GHz/two-core CPU, 15.6"
screen, 4GB RAM, 320GB HD, Wi-Fi, DVD
MultiDrive, Win 7, floppy disk drive,
webcam, Logicool MK700 mouse and
keyboard ¥12,000. synergylive1@
gmail.com 090-2656-9691
10 HELP!
10.1 HELP ME
F R E E E N G LI S H -TO -JA PA N E S E
TRANSLATION. Working towards
becoming a translator and need
practice with simple documents.
Have experience working in law
office, accounting, HR, advertising
and sales. michiane256@gmail.
com
Are you a very good C++ and Java
developer? I need you to help me walk
through a program. Need to have
good programming skills. Minimum
e ducat ion: mas ter's de gre e in
engineering or sciences. Can pay ¥3000/
two hours, plus coffee. yatri_in_town@
yahoo.co.jp
Climate expert needed. Need a
guest speaker to appear on a YouTube
streaming show to talk about man-made
climate change and what to expect in the
future. assassin.wolves.films@gmail.
com http://frozen-frame.wix.com/
ageofreason
Do you know RDF/XML? I need your
help to convert CVE (google it!) file
to RDF/XML. You should have good
knowledge of ontology, RDF, XSLT, Jena
SDB, etc. Can pay ¥4000/two hours, plus
coffee. yatri_in_town@yahoo.co.jp
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 Cloud Funders are
welcome. Please, if interested,
let us come to an agreement.
samueladonkor@gmail.com
090-6152-6274
THE JAPAN HELPLINE, 24 hours a
day, from anywhere, about anything.
From emergency assistance to
simple questions. Visit www.jhelp.
com/ and press “help,” or call
0570 - 000 -911. To volunteer or
support, please contact team@jhelp.
com. www.jhelp.com
S U B S C R I B E TO M E TR O P O LI S
AND NEVER MISS AN ISSUE.
O n e y e a r ( 24 i s s u e s) ¥ 3 6 0 0
(corporate subscribers, 7-100 copies
ok ¥22,560). Half year (12 issues)
¥1800 (corporate subscribers, 7-100
copies ok ¥12,000). Bank transfer
or credit card (Visa, Mastercard,
Diners Club). Details at http://
metropolisjapan.com/subscription.
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.
info@peersupporttokyo.com www.
peersupporttokyo.com
Infertility support group. TTC Tokyo is
an infertility support group that provides
informal opportunities for women and men
experiencing infertility to connect with one
another. Please visit website for more info.
admin@ttctokyo.org www.ttctokyo.org
biggest international party.
250 people expected. All-youcan-drink and free snacks.
Japanese men: ¥ 4000.
O t h e r s : ¥ 3 0 0 0. M o b i l e:
ht tp://get your friend.com/
mobile/ jiparty@hotmail.com
w w w. g e t y o u r f r i e n d . c o m
090-1735-5405
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/
info@gaitomo.com
I N T E R N AT I O N A L E V E N T S .
Looking to join a variety of
i n t e r n a t i o n a l e v e n t s? T h e
Tokyo Spontaneous Hangout
Meetup Group has events
such as international parties,
picnics, free live English
comedy, language exchange
and many more. Check this
link for further details: www.
meetup.com/tokyoites
Looking forward to seeing you
at an event!
I N T E R N AT I O N A L PA R T Y AT
LEAFCUP. Come join us and have
fun. Men: ¥3000. Foreigners/
women: ¥2000. All-you-candrink- and-eat. Iidabashi
an d Yokoh am a: June 6 an d
20. Shibuya: June 13 and 27.
www.leafparty.com
TO A DV E RTI S E I N
METROPOLIS, JAPAN’S
N O .1 E N G L I S H M A G A Z I N E ,
lo g o n a t w w w.met ro p ol is .
co.jp/classifieds or
email your commercial
ads to commercial@
metropolisjapan.com.
13 CLUBS & INTERESTS
13.1 SPORTS
10.3 LOST FRIENDS
Seeking Mindy. Is Mindy Mack, a petite
blonde teaching assistant from L.A.,
still in Tokyo? Any info appreciated.
m106819151-tsky@yahoo.com
12 SOCIAL SCENE
12.1 LET’S PARTY
JAPAN INTERNATIONAL PARTY
- SPRING-SUMMER SPECIAL.
Sat, May 30, 6:30-9pm, Bar
Quest (Roppongi). Japan’s
JUST A 3MIN WALK FROM
ROPPONG I HILL S, Club 360
is Tokyo’s premier health and
fitness club. No membership
or joining fees. Personal
training, physiotherapy,
fitness classes, kickboxing,
boxing, massage. info@
club360.jp w w w.club360.jp
03-6434-9667
AMERICAN FOOTBALL.
N ihon Unis ys Bulls , X league
Central Division, seeks fit players w/
US college football experience for
all positions. Practice every Sat/Sun
from 10am-3pm (including meeting)
in Tokyo/Saitama (time and venue
subject to change). Attendance
at practice must be over 60%.
Please contact for tryout info and
send your profile to team admin.
bullsxleague@gmail.com http://
www.unisys.co.jp/football
A L L - N AT I O N A L I T Y TO U C H
F O OT B A L L . N o n - c o n t a c t t a g
rugby (OZ tag) and Rugby
League players. We play ever y
Sat from 10am in Tatsumi. M/F
and beginners welcome! Good
exercise and fun! M any other
activities, such as BBQs and
drinking parties! Email for details.
tokyorugbyleague@hotmail.com
http://ameblo.jp/tokyo13warriors
A M AT E U R R U G B Y L E A G U E
PLAYERS. Japan ANZACS Rugby
League team is seeking Rugby
Le a g u e p l aye r s fo r J a p a n e s e
Ru gby League of f icial games
from Apr to Sep. Everyone
welcome. Contact for more details.
japananzacs@gmail.com
FUN WITH TOUCH RUGBY! Join
us for social or competitive touch
rugby every Sat at 2:30pm by Ariake
Stn, Yurikamome Line. Any age, sex,
level ok. Please email for details.
funwithtouch@gmail.com www.
funwithtouch.com/where-we-play
PLAY RUGBY. The Tokyo Crusaders
are a friendly but keen international
rugby club. Devoted to the game and
its social side, the “Cru” welcomes
all players and supporters.
Established in 1990, the Cru plays in
the Shuto League 1st Division. http://
www.facebook.com/tokyo.crusaders
www.tokyocrusaders.com
TA M B O U R E L L I . U n i q u e n e w
sp or t from S cot land . Using a
tambourine-like instrument as a
racquet, players hit a shuttlecock.
We play two or three times/month
on weekends in Meguro with many
socials. Join us! More details: www.
tamjapan.org/en/ info@tamjapan.
org
Baseball player. Japan Amateur
Baseball team is seeking players for
baseball games and practices. We play
every Sat and Sun in Yokohama City.
Everyone welcome. Email for details.
starbay5555@yahoo.co.jp
Don’s Half-Fast Flash-Mob Weekend
Urban Bicycle Rides. halffastcycling@
hotmail.com
Futsal in Tokorozawa. Sun night
futsal? Mostly 30-45 year olds play
every Sun evening. Non-league, but
fairly competitive. Come and play
for exercise and fun! Any age ok.
futsalintokorozawa@gmail.com
Futsal players wanted by a very friendly
international team. Practice is in Tokyo
and Kanagawa on Sat. Details available.
fkkyn468@ybb.ne.jp
Ice hockey: Kanagawa Maple Leafs,
Yokohama. Join us! The Kanagawa Ice
Hockey League for working people is
a competitive league, so experience
in ice hockey is a must. A team is
joining A pool, B team is E pool. norio.
ooba@pfizer.com https://sites.google.
co m / ka n a g a w a m a p le le a f s / h o m e
03-3258-5401
Jogging Yokosuka. SJM seeking friends
to jog 8-20km 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. elsalvadorjapan@
yahoo.es
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.
bfcvagabonds@gmail.com
Seeking Japanese archery
companions. Let’s do kyudo near
Tokyo. Once/month for three hours,
weekends only. See website for details.
datemasamune216@yahoo.co.jp http://
jmty.jp/tokyo/com-spo/article-qa3g
Tennis in central Tokyo. Active group of
tennis friends in central Tokyo welcomes
serious/motivated new players. We play
on weekday evenings and weekends.
Different levels (sorry, no beginners),
fun training sessions and games with
great people from all over. tennis.tokyo@
yahoo.fr
Volleyball Club Intervoll. Japanese
and foreign volleyball players gather in
Takadanobaba to enjoy playing. Have
volleyball experience and want to play
in a friendly atmosphere? intervollclub@
yahoo.co.jp http://intervoll.sakura.ne.jp/
Weekend futsal team in Tokyo. Please
introduce yourself (full name, age,
nationality, whether you belong to
another team, experience, etc.). 都内週
末フットサルチーム. umek2002jp@
yahoo.co.jp
Women’s soccer club. Five-a-side,
11-a-side, on grass fields. Two or
three practices/matches on Sun. All
nationalities, experience level s,
beginners welcome. Happy and friendly
club! We have many socials. djnorio@
hotmail.co.jp
13.2 LEISURE
MACARTHUR HEIGHTS.
Ta ke a b r e a k w h e r e G e n e r a l
Douglas MacArthur did! One
hour from Tokyo by car or direct
train. Beautiful cabins on the
ocean, w/onsen, beach, shopping.
housinginjapan@yahoo.com
IAC Tokyo, The International Adventure
Club Tokyo, is an all-volunteer group
of folks from the Tokyo area who enjoy
outdoor activities together. bep_11@gmx.
de www.iac-tokyo.org
Japanese home cooking. Japanese
housewife offers free home cooking
lessons to females at her house near
Kawasaki Stn on weekdays during
the day. Free, but you pay the cost of
ingredients. tome.haruka-soushi@
ezweb.ne.jp
Tokyo ET contact group. Join us
beneath the stars as we endeavor to
make contact with ET visitors and their
craft. nakanosky@gmail.com www.
meetup.com/Tokyo-ET-Contact-Group/
events/193113322/
13.3 ARTS
ARTSY BUGS CREATIVE SOCIAL
CIRCLE. Artsy Bugs is a collection
of ar tists, musicians, dancers,
performers and people who
love and appreciate all things
creative. Come out and show
your work /per formance, share
ideas, collaborate and socialize!
cheshmeh@rainineden.com www.
meetup.com/artsybugs
13.4 MUSIC
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. tokyozazen@jcom.home.ne.jp
www.wgthorpe.com
色ー度カフェ. ライトワーカーヒーリ
ング。任意の助けのための私に連絡
してください。 winds_fr@hotmail.com
13.9 INTERNATIONAL
Intercultural activities. JII (Japan
Intercultural Iwnstitute) is a nonprofit, member-run organization
that sponsors activities (seminars,
cultural events, conferences) for
those wanting to further develop
intercultural competencie s and
meet other interculturalists. yuko.
bolick@japanintercultural.org 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. nci_tokyo@yahoo.co.jp
14 PERSONALS
14.1 FRIENDS
American male seeking friends.
American man, 28, seeking friends in the
Yokohama area. I am kind and friendly.
Please email for more info. mikedokter@
icloud.com
Friends. Hi, there. I'm a SJF, 30s, from
Tokyo, seeking new friends who could
hang out with me after work or on
weekends for dinner, drinking, movies,
something similar. nozomiy14@gmail.com
New friends. American male, can never
have enough friends. If you feel the same
way, please look me up. I enjoy drinking,
dining, or just hanging out at a cafe as
long as the conversation is interesting.
mixnplay@yahoo.com
Not Japanese? UK chap, internationally
traveled, working near the Imperial
Palace, seeking international people
for drinks and chats after work. Any
nationality ok, but English speakers only.
Tell me your story in a few lines when
you contact me. greenteais.yummy@
gmail.com
Seeking friends in central Tokyo. JF,
early 30s, seeks friends to hang out with
in central Tokyo. atkm92@yahoo.co.jp
The Magic Whip. If you know whose
album this is (without searching on
Google), then maybe we can be friends.
White British male living in Tokyo seeking
people to hang out, have drinks, talk
music. summerfunk@googlemail.com
14.2 MEN LOOKING FOR WOMEN
Bassist wanted around Yokohama.
We mainly play rock music and have
rehearsals in Shin-Yokohama. Any kind of
player is welcome, so feel free to contact
us. m_a_b1998@yahoo.co.jp
Drummer/percussionist wanted for new
lineup of E/J band playing original songs
in central Tokyo. Plenty of opportunity to
play live. trashcity@outlook.com http://
www.reverbnation.com/thestraysjapan
Seeking guitarist. Tokyo-based
hard rock band, Stoning Crows, seeks
a skilled and easygoing guitarist to
replace our current who is moving back
to the States. Influences are vast, from
metal to funk, grunge to classic rock.
stoningcrowsjapan@gmail.com
Seeking tenor a capella singer. We’re
four a capella singers, with great singing
experience, living in Tokyo, seeking alto,
tenor parts. Rehearsals in Shinjuku and
Shibuya. We’ll start with Pentatonix
songs. konpeiioi@yahoo.co.jp
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. daginia@gmail.com www.
diamondway.jp
S E E K I N G A S U G A R DA D DY ?
Safely meet rich and elite
men while having fun and
making money. We are a
members-only dating club
with strict rules. Foreign and
Japanese executives, lawyers,
celebrities. Not an escort
clu b. N o ch ar g e fo r fe m ale
members. 0120-675 -858 (E)
international@universe-club.jp
ht t p: //u ni ve r s e - clu b.j p/e n /
women
ROMANCE IN TOKYO. 年に4回程、
東 京 に 主 張 で 行く欧 州 の 国 際 弁 護 士 で
す (4 0 代 ). いつも寂しくて有名な 5 星ホ
テル に 泊 まりま す。 結 婚して いま す が
e x c i t e m e n t も残 念 ながらないです。
同じような生 活をしている素 敵 な日本人
女 性を探しています。 スポ-ツが 好 きで
見た目も大 丈 夫なので誰 かと出会うのは
簡単ですが、スペシャルな1人を探してま
す。美 人でセクシーでスマートで前向きな
open-minded な方、せひ連絡をしてく
ださい。待っています。t o k y o r m c e @
yahoo.com
29
Many more classified ads online! Visit classifieds.metropolis.co.jp
foreign, to enjoy friendship. gnbkaijpn@
gmail.com
Good-looking European guy, 30, from
the UK, athletic, respectful, seeks sexy
Japanese woman, under 35, for casual
fun in central Tokyo. If interested, send
me a photo. inokashira42@gmail.com
FRIDAY, MAY 29 7PM-11PM
Free entry - ￥500 Drinks & Food
インターナショナルパーティー ･ 入場無料
￥500ドリンク・フードメニュー有り
CARAT
6-1-6 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-5413-3689 - http://carat-roppongi.com
MORE INFO»
http://meturl.com/may15
American author s e e k i n g
intelligent, slender Japanese
woman. You run your fingers
through your hair and turn
out the lamp. Night turns your
world into infinity. ジェイムズ.
coyote@west.net
Aroma massage. Would you like a
nice, relaxing aroma oil massage?
Amateur masseur seek s mature
massage partners to practice on. I can
meet anywhere in central Tokyo. I speak
English and Japanese. amamassage@
hotmail.com
A t t r a c t i v e, e x o t i c J a p a n e s e
professional seeks romance. Adorable,
caring, movie- and classical musicloving Japanese, 36, working for an
international firm, is seeking a longterm relationship with a kind, sincere
woman of any nationality. Serious only.
evanescence0222@gmail.com
Black American man, friendly and
cute, seeking a long-term relationship.
Any race welcome. Women only, please.
mikedokter@icloud.com
Black male for conversation and
casual fun. Black male, 30s, 180cm, in
Tokyo, nonsmoker, non-drinker, fairly fit,
seeking a woman for nice conversations in
English, discreet encounters, and maybe
a bit of casual fun and more. sunsam418@
gmail.com 090-1761-7595
FRIDAY, JUNE 26 7PM-11PM
Free entry - ￥500 Drinks
インターナショナルパーティー ･ 入場無料
￥500ドリンク
Metropolis June Getsumatsu Party, brought to you by Social Club Tokyo!
Join us at the Social Club Tokyo in Shibuya for our June Getsumatsu bash!
Enjoy ¥500 drinks and mingling with Metropolis staff and readers.
6月のメトロポリス月末パーティーは Social Club Tokyo で開催されます！
渋谷のSocial Club Tokyoで今月の月末パーティーが開催されます！¥500ドリンクを味わい
ながら、メトロポリスのスタッフと読者と楽しい時間を過ごしましょう！
B1F/B2F 2-17-3 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku
住所: 渋谷区渋谷2-17-3 B1F/B2
Tel: 03-6826-8438
http://socialclubtokyo.com
MORE INFO»
http://meturl.com/jun15
British gentleman seeking Japanese
lady for long-term relationship.
Educated, intelligent, professional,
calm, polite and kind, 45, loves physical
closeness, seeking a cultured and
attractive lady for happy times together.
Thank you. jonnyrepp@sky.com
British male seeking mature lady.
Hello, I'm from the UK, 26, seeking some
fun with a mature Japanese lady. Any age
is great, so if you're a little curious, email
me. ttbsbxgb@sharklasers.com
Chinese woman? Canadian guy, tall,
good-looking, seeking a Chinese woman
for romance this spring and summer.
big22cmlong@yahoo.com
Cuckold marriage? Fun, loyal,
easygoing, hard-working, considerate,
healthy guy, early 40s, seeks a JF,
20s-30s, slim-bodied, for a long-term
relationship. Kanto area, serious only,
photo please. Find me–I am as lonely as
you are. blueoceanandgreenmountains@
gmail.com
Cute, interesting JM for SWF. Seeking
attractive Western female with a nice
smile. If you are interested in chatting
over coffee or nice food, please contact
me. I am looking forward to your
message. Just try once. juniperten2013@
gmail.com
Cute, sweet and smart Japanese
man seeks SWF who seeks secret happy
events in her spare time in Tokyo. Single/
married ok. Shall we begin to talk? I think
this opportunity will be a great one for us.
followupforme14@gmail.com
European gentleman, 40s, tall,
educated, good-looking, S, seeks M lady,
35 or younger, with unusual fantasies,
ready to explore her naughty side. One
mouse click can make your secret desires
come true! aminimia@yahoo.com
Fo rei gne r fo r no n -J ap ane s e.
Professional Brit working in Tokyo seeks
other interesting foreigners for drinks,
chats, etc., after work. Interests include
travel, music, the occasional film and
book, photography, generally enjoying
life. Casual meetup is fine. ja22y@
outlook.com
Friendship plus. Asian man seeking a
woman, 24-36, healthy, nonsmoking,
honest/sincere, non-drinker, for mutually
beneficial relationship based on mutual
need and trust. I am sincere and caring.
Let's meet once/week and enjoy each
other's company. jj08@drivehq.com
Girlfriend. Japanese man, 45, decent,
cultured, with a good sense of humor,
seeking a lady of any age, Japanese or
30
14.3 WOMEN LOOKING FOR MEN
Handsome black guy, 30, slim, athletic
body, still studying Japanese, living
and working in Tokyo, is seeking a nice
woman for a serious relationship and
maybe more. nuckprotus@hotmail.com
Japanese girlfriend. British man, new to
Japan, seeks Japanese girlfriend to show
him around. Me: 173cm, blue eyes, blond
hair, medium build, likes music, reading,
etc. jhdf2007@yahoo.co.uk
Japanese male desu. Seeking a new
relationship with a nice female who is
open-minded and likes to communicate.
I'm a SJM, cool and honest, not a party
animal, love freedom. I enjoy movies,
rock music, novels, the arts, etc.
getloud999-hello@yahoo.co.jp
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. ruby12ax7@gmail.com
Let's enjoy our lives. Married JM is
seeking married or single women for
discreet meetings. Any age welcome.
Your photo will get mine. I'm fit,
being built up by riding my bicycle.
samuraijapan2011@gmail.com
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. tennistycoon@gmail.com
Lonely, romantic married gentleman
seeks a lonely woman. I miss romantic
moments with a sweet woman. Can
we be friends? Sweet, attractive white
gentleman, 47, hopes to meet you.
vbcfgt@hotmail.com
Massage for curvy lady. Tall, elegant,
refined Caucasian businessman, fit,
mature, experienced, offers deep,
relaxing and sensual full-body massage
with aromatic oil, followed by dinner,
to curvy Japanese lady. Totally safe
and discreet—just relax and enjoy.
teton001@hotmail.com
Mature man for mature woman.
Attractive, mature European man,
50, seeks a Japanese lover. I prefer
somebody around my age (40s-60s). I
am highly cultured and like Japanese
ladies very much. vbcfgt@hotmail.com
Mt. Fuji climb. Hi, my name is Michael.
I'm American, 51, seeking a woman who
would like to climb Mt. Fuji with me in
late July or early Aug. Let's have coffee.
usagidesu63@yahoo.com
Need love. Handsome Engl ish
gentleman, moderate build, mid30s, needs beautiful, passionate JF. I
am handsome, fun, intelligent, wellmannered and empathic. Let's have
romance together. Please send photo
w/email. I'm looking forward to hearing
from you. edanoki@gmail.com
Seeking girlfriend. Cool guy, 40, kind,
seeks mature JF, 40s-50s, for romance
in Tokyo. Let's meet up for coffee and
talk. Serious only, please. munesan50@
yahoo.com
Seeking serious relationship.
European guy, early 40s, positive,
easygoing, gentle, romantic, lots of
hobbies, seeking female, 35-55, openminded, easygoing, enjoys simple things.
Speak Nihongo. No busy people, please.
bbamian@yahoo.com
Soft, kind, romantic and also fun,
passionate, and British. That's me.
And I'm seeking you—if you're warm,
romantic, open-minded. 日本語でも
大丈夫... たぶん. 笑. Please introduce
yourself when you write. the.only.brit@
gmail.com
Temple pilgrimage lady mate.
European man, 40s, seeking temple
pilgrimage lady mate and cultural
exchange over hiking on weekends.
winds_fr@hotmail.com
LAVISH DATES AND
INDULGENT NIGHTS—WE
C R E AT E O P P O R T U N I T I E S
for elite foreign males to meet
elegant Japanese females.
Start with a luxurious dinner
date, take the night where you
want it to go. Fresh, young
women join our club every day.
0120-978-649 (E)
international@universe-club.jp
http://universe-club.jp/en
Are you a SWM? I am a tall, slender, cool
SJF, early 40s, seeking a SWM for having a
good time on weekends or relaxing, and/
or fun evenings, around central Tokyo.
hiroko_linuma@hotmail.com
Elegant yet natural woman seeks
romance and love in a long-term
relationship. Well-educated, healthy,
charming European or North American
preferred. We all want a bit more warmth
in life. I'm mid-40s. Singles only.
nikitaeleon@yahoo.co.jp
Fine combo. Very soft, but I can be tough,
fun. Educated Japanese, 46, feeling
blessed from head to toe, with Western
spunk and exotic Asian sweetness, seeks
an honest single gentleman. You're
American/British/Australian/Japanese,
my age or older. whiteforeverbeau@
yahoo.co.jp
Lost and lonely in Tokyo? Mature
only. I'm still seeking a single/divorced
guy, 50s preferable, faithful, smart,
financially and mentally stable and
tough. Me: SJF, late 40s, voluptuous,
brainy, spontaneous and workaholic.
More later. philosophia07@gmail.com
Mountain woman. If you are fond of the
aurora, stars, snow, mountains, animals,
the other dimensions... we might have a
chance. I am a SJF, 50, fit, open-minded,
artistic, intelligent and love all the above.
oriontopleiades@gmail.com
Occupy me! I'm a SJF, 25, living in
Shizuoka, seeking a gentle SWM of a
similar age for a serious relatioship.
I can't speak much English. If you
don't mind, please send me your info.
aphrodite_ms53@yahoo.co.jp
Rebirth our lives. Seeking love and a
relationship, eventually partnership.
Japanese female, people say attractive
and sweet yet intriguing and unique,
seeking a well-educated, active, smart
gentleman with a positive outlook on
life. Singles only. I am 40s. amrita_
banana2014@yahoo.co.jp
Seeking Frenchman for serious
relationship. I'm a SJF, 30s, interested
in France, seeking a relationship with
a sincere and intelligent Frenchman,
25-50. No language exchange or games,
please. Serious only. cotedor@live.com
SJF in Tokyo, 40, seeks SWM, around
40, in Tokyo, for a serious relationship
starting from friends. I'm young-looking,
down-to-earth, nonsmoking, into
traveling, reading, history, museums,
sports, etc. tokyo_2015@outlook.jp
Tall woman seeking American or
European man. Tall, voluptuous single
woman is seeking a single or divorced
American or European, preferably
30-45, professional, tall, confident.
Honestly, I am not interested in petit men.
fumiyomuroya@yahoo.co.jp
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 nio n , v i s it ht t p: //
classifieds.metropolis.co.jp/
category/personals/escorts.
14.6 AND OTHERS
TRANCE PARTIES. Attractive couple
(European/Japanese) is seeking one
or two women to join us for dinners
and trance parties. All expenses
paid—just enjoy. tokyopleasure6@
gmail.com
JOBS
CHAT HOSTS AND TEACHERS WANTED BY
LEAFCUP in Tokyo, Iidabashi, Shibuya,
Yokohama. Seeking enthusiastic,
proficient English, French, Spanish and/or
German speakers who can teach and lead
lively conversations. ¥1000-¥1500/h.
A p p l y o n l i n e : h r@le a f cu p.co m
www.leafcup.com/job.php
SALES REPS WANTED: TOKYO, SAPPORO,
NAGOYA, OSAKA, KYOTO, FUKUOKA.
If you feel worth high earnings as an
independent, motivated, passionate
sales rep in the wine business, we
should talk. Must speak intermediate
Japanese. jobs@estatewinesjapan.
com wsf@estatewinesjapan.com www.
estatewinesjapan.com 078-777-6616
SEARCH ENGINE EVALUATOR. Leapforce
is seeking highly educated individuals
for an exciting work-from-home
opportunity. Applicants must be
self-motivated and internet savvy.
sidra@leapforce.com http://bit.ly/1HuylgD
O RG O G LI O D E L C A SA LTA ITA LI A N
RESTAURANT i s s e e k in g s e r v ice
s t a f f . E /J c o n v e r s a t i o n s k i l l s
n e c e s s a r y, I t a l i a n r e s t a u r a n t
experience a plus; five days/week,
4-11pm; transportation and meals
provided; opportunities for full-time
employment ¥1000 - ¥1200/h. 1F
Hiroo Bldg, 3-12-40 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku
Contact: 03-6418-5896/090-2776-3182
o r donorgoglio@gmail .com w w w.
orgogliodelcasalta.com
WINE BAR MANAGER WANTED. French
wine bar in Ebisu is now seeking
a full-time wine bar manager and
part-time hall staff. Experience and
wine knowledge necessary. Great
opportunity for the right candidate.
日本人歓迎. alafolie@i.softbank.jp www.
cavowinebar.jp 03-5458-2005
METROPOLIS is seeking a motivated E/J
bilingual admin intern. Transportation
and business expenses provided.
Please send E/J resume to jobs@
metropolisjapan.com.
To advertise:
commercial@metropolisjapan.com
03-4588-2277
AUTO PA RTS E X P O RTE R S E E K S
CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF to receive
orders and ship goods. Requirements:
aged 24-33, strong work ethic, visa,
international driving permit, English
and Japanese abilit y. Full-time.
Salar y : ¥270,0 0 0/m. Probation
period: ¥200,000. Bonus: twice/year.
Location: 311-4 Naganumahara-cho,
Inage-ku, Chiba-shi, Japan fumy44@
pom.vc
PART-TIME ENGLISH-SPEAKING TEST
FACILITATORS. The Japan Institute
for Educational Measurement is
developing an English test. We are
recruiting par t-time facilitators.
Must be a native English speaker
with valid working visa, living in the
Tokyo area. Must attend paid training
session. ¥1700/50min test session.
To apply: https://business.form-mailer.
jp/fms/7273437442779
Free consultation in fluent English
Foreign hair experts for women & men
No use of thinning scissors without prior consultation
Imported hair colors and sample chart for Western hair
No hard selling of beauty products
No personal questions.We concentrate on our job and let you relax
Friendly atmosphere and groovy music
JOIN US IN INTRODUCING JAPAN TO
THE WORLD. S eeking energetic ,
bilingual individuals with a passion
for travel and interest in tourism.
We offer excellent career paths and
promotion prospects and are an
equal-opportunity employer. Our
workplace is conveniently located
2min from Roppongi Stn. Positions
available include account manager,
d e s i g n e r, d e v e l o p e r, p r o j e c t
manager. Visit our jobs page for
details. To apply, please send your
resume to info@japantravel.com.
http://en.japantravel.com/jobs
ART MODEL NEEDED. Nude model
required for sophisticated art project.
Willing to offer attractive modeling
fee. Privacy is 100% respected. Serious
only. Mail: strikeapose@nifty.com
WINE SALESPERSON sought to call
on hotels, restaurants and bars
to offer our high-quality wines at
incredible prices. Candidates should
be confident, passionate about wine,
love fine dining and travel, have
experience in sales, wine or both.
Mon-Fri, 10:30am-7:30pm. Position
available immediately. Please send
cover letter and resume to winejob@
metropolisjapan.com.
31
RELATIONS
IS THIS SPICY?
BY GRACE BUCHELE MINETA
My husband and I have very different definitions of “spicy.” I can down a
jalapeño without batting an eyelash, yet I have to scrape off a bit of wasabi
when I order sushi from a fancy restaurant. Anything more than a dash
gives me a horrible headache and burning in my sinuses. My husband
cannot handle red peppers, hot sauce, or Indian curry—but has the highest tolerance for wasabi I’ve ever seen. I guess we all tolerate spicy food
differently, depending on our childhood diet.
これは辛い？
夫と私の「辛い」食べ物の定義はとても違います。恥ずかしい話ですが、私は寿司屋
さんに行く度に、お寿司についているわさびを取らなくてはダメなんです。ほんの少
しのわさびでも、頭が痛くなって鼻がツーンとします。でもハラペーニョは丸々1つ、何
の問題もなく食べられちゃいます。夫は唐辛子、ホットソースやインドカレーの辛さが
苦手で全然食べられないのに、わさびは全然平気なんです。幼い頃から慣れ親しん
だ食生活によって、何を辛いと感じるかも色々あるみたいです。
■ Grace Buchele Mineta is an author who blogs and draws comics
about her daily life in Japan at www.HowIBecameTexan.com.
horoscope
BY CATHRYN MOE
♥ Love ¥ Money ♣ Luck
ARIES
TAURUS
GEMINI
May 22-Jun 21 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥¥¥ ♣♣
Jun 22-Jul 23 ♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
As you open your vision to things
you never thought you’d see, your
soul takes on responsibilities. What
you came in for just seems to go on and on.
You’re burning through the past, the present,
and some of the future right this moment. However, the building blocks of how this world will
soon be operating are very much part of your
domain. Your spirit absolutely knows what to
do. Give your body rest and recharge yourself
to enjoy revving up once more.
Shocks to your subconscious continue
to amaze. Uranus in your solar twelfth
house has been negotiating the
Moon’s south node for some time. While you
may understand the past life connections, you
probably aren’t in the mood to be reminded.
Considering your current schedule, anyone
who’s a help is welcome; those who are a hindrance are sent packing. The time for dreams
and reverie is evaporating as you take charge
and make a new commitment.
Yo u r b i r t h d a y e n e r g i e s c o n t inue. The Sun connec t s w i t h
Mercury exactly as this weekend
arrives. A hidden or confusing situation could
be revealed, even in the midst of this planet’s
retrograde. Saturn is retrograde too, currently
at zero degrees. It’s about to leave your relationship sector, sliding its focus back onto work
and volunteering to help others. If you thought
you were free and clear, you’ll be thinking
again—or possibly planning a trip to get away?
You’re likely to get a bonus, working
or not. You may not even have to
lock it in, as Venus in Cancer would
like to see you spend a little on yourself. The
Sun, Mercury, and Mars in your solar twelfth
house all push to bring something to the surface, but it’s not time yet. No need to feel guilty
that you’re not doing more at this very minute.
Give yourself space as the planetary energies
direct and focus what needs to be done. The
upcoming weeks will be calling you.
LEO
VIRGO
LIBRA
SCORPIO
Sep 24-Oct 23 ♥♥ ¥¥¥¥ ♣♣♣
Oct 24-Nov 22 ♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
There are planetary angels circling you
at the moment. You’re the fulcrum, the
balance of what’s above and below.
Don’t believe it? Check your chart. Saturn is
retrograde at zero degrees, on the precipice
of entering Scorpio again. The more mindful
you are of each step you take, the better the
outcome. This is true at all times, but currently
your pacing and confidence about your priority
list can make a whole lot of difference.
Mar 21-Apr 20 ♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Jul 24-Aug 23 ♥♥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ♣♣♣
Apr 21-May 21 ♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣
Aug 24-Sep 23 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
CANCER
Leos are in good shape with Venus in
your solar twelfth house. You can tell
something wonderful is coming in,
though it’s still held in your dream realm. Friends
are working double-time to set up a situation that
enhances your days; partners may have something to hide. You won’t even need to exert effort
for this to rise to the surface—just be yourself
and enjoy the grand trine that makes conversations and abundance flow easily in your life.
You’re off and running, though you
may be wishing for peace and quiet.
There’s a new you emerging. Part of
you is able to regenerate and self-repair on the
go; the other part is on hold, waiting for special
moments when you can rest. Let a window of
options present itself: Learn to swim, learn to
dance. Keep releasing thoughts that don’t serve
you. Spend your energy building yourself up so
you have enough to share with those you love.
There are new rules and precedents
being considered and put into place.
No one is more aware of this than
you. With all of your free time, which currently
may not exist, you’ll be able to run with the best
of them—philosophically, legally, or morally.
The ethics that are being decided will affect
a larger group than previously thought. Get
someone who’s good with details to pick up the
bits and pieces if emotions distract you.
SAGITTARIUS
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
Jan 21-Feb 19 ♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
Feb 20-Mar 20 ♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣
You’re a freedom fighter and a harbinger for the truth on your own terms.
Both Pallas Athene and Saturn are
retrograde in your sign. Rather than it being
tiresome, however, you’re enticed to go deeper
into research with excellent results. Although
you love the excitement of the chase, do delegate if you’ve got an expert in your sphere.
They’ll be pleased to provide real assistance
as you are designated to receive it.
You may be sorting out what you want
to keep and what goes. Venus has
moved past last week’s perfect opposition, so you’re on the completion end of this
cycle—how you feel, where your energy goes,
and possessions. Communications are all over
the place, and for some Capricorns, it’s changing
to the point that it has mutated. For those in film
and music, your path is one of universal healing.
Healing yourself, you show the world how to do it.
Your sign is part of a grand trine with
the Libra Moon on Friday, and the
Sun, Mercury, and Mars all week long.
You may notice what you’re thinking becomes
reality just a little bit more easily. Of course,
it’s important to check on your thoughts in the
midst of this! Travel or plans with friends slow as
you have a ton of things to check out. In the end,
your high standards bring you the best—a spartan budget doesn’t mean you won’t find luxury.
You may find that lately you appreciate
those who think for themselves—more
so because they can be scarce. With
Dark Moon Lilith opposite Pisces, a partner or
person who reflects your inner self may kick up a
fuss. If someone has made a mistake or takes your
hard work for granted, you’re likely to show them
just how valuable you are. A water sign, you’re
able to absorb a lot, including others’ feelings.
However, right now, focus on personal definition.
Nov 23-Dec 22 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣♣♣
32
Dec 23-Jan 20 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣♣
PISCES
LINGO BOX
Katsudōka (活動家) = Activist
the small print
At the Kosodate Kitchen cooking
school in Bunkyo-ku, children as
young as two can learn basic knife
skills and stovetop techniques.
Higaisha (被害者） = Victim
Kikō Hendō (気候変動) = Climate change
Shinpai suru (心配する) = To worry
BY STEVE TRAUTLEIN
THERE ARE FEWER OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN
TO SPONTANEOUSLY EXERCISE, AND THEY ARE
LOSING THEIR STAMINA.”—Yoshihiro Horigome, a fitness trainer, on
the rising popularity of exercise classes for kids
STRANGE DAYS
⊲An
⊲ Ibaraki man biking home from work last
month was shot in the leg by an unidentified
assailant wielding a bow and arrow.
⊲After
⊲
an outcry by human rights activists,
an auction house in New Jersey canceled the
sale of 450 pieces of art made by JapaneseAmericans held in WWII internment camps.
⊲It
⊲ was reported that JAXA plans to land
a small spacecraft on the moon within the
next three years.
GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS
⊲Officials
⊲
at the justice ministry say their new
hotline for hate-speech victims has received
nearly 100 calls in its first year of operation.
⊲But
⊲
many users have complained that, instead of receiving advice on how to deal with
their problems, staff told them it “was important … to help themselves.”
⊲Authorities
⊲
at the agriculture ministry are
getting a jump on climate change by “developing heat- and drought-tolerant crops.”
⊲Police
⊲
in Gifu say an 86-year-old woman
scammed the government out of ¥51 million
over the course of five decades by receiving
pension payments intended for her mother
and father, both of whom died in the 1960s.
GULP
⊲Seismologists
⊲
claim the “increased activity”
they’re seeing in volcanoes nationwide can
be traced back to the March 11 megaquake.
⊲Officials
⊲
at the environment ministry announced that fiscal 2013 was Japan’s second
worst year ever in terms of greenhouse gas
emissions.
⊲Authorities
⊲
in 38 of the 41 prefectures participating in last month’s local assembly elections
say voter turnout was the lowest on record.
⊲A
⊲ newspaper report revealed that Japanese zoos had 96 koalas in 1997, but
now the number has fallen by nearly half.
SUFFER THE (ONLINE)
CHILDREN
⊲The
⊲
National Police Agency says 1,421 minors
were victims of crimes involving SNS and other
online communication tools last year. That’s the
most since the NPA began keeping track in 2008.
at a glance
BY RODGER SONOMURA
Haishutsu (排出) = Emissions
stats
4 Consecutive years that the top eight
execs of ailing Sony Corp have returned
their bonuses
13 Age of soccer prodigy Takefusa Kubo,
who was signed by FC Tokyo this month
after a stint in Barcelona’s youth system
943
Number of times defense officials
scrambled fighter jets in response to
foreign aircraft approaching Japanese
airspace in fiscal 2014—the second
highest total on record
⊲An
⊲ education ministry survey found 52 percent
of kids between fifth grade and junior year of
high school use smartphones or similar devices
“until just before going to sleep at night.”
⊲Maybe
⊲
that’s why nearly two-thirds of parents,
in a TMG poll, say they’re worried about children becoming addicted to smartphones.
⊲So
⊲ it’s a good thing the technology ministry
has established a treatment center for teenaged internet addicts that helps kids become
“aware of interesting aspects of life in the real
world.”
THANKS FOR THAT
⊲Scientists
⊲
with the Fisheries Research Agency have discovered that Japanese eels swim
“deeply during day [and] shallower at night.”
⊲The
⊲
Kawasaki Gender Equality Center issued
a handbook for new fathers that includes such
advice as, “When you have time, take your child
to and from daycare instead of having your wife
do it” and “Get up 15 minutes earlier to talk with
your child.”
⊲The
⊲
operator of a ferry that runs between Tokyo and the Ogasawara Islands will spend ¥9.1
billion to build a bigger, faster ship. The number
of visitors to the area has surged since the islands
were granted World Heritage status in 2011.
⊲Bottom
⊲
Story of the Week: “Archer Doll Finely
Re-Created” (via The Japan News)
Small Print Updated Weekly
→ METURL.COM/SMALLPRINT
Compiled from reports by AP, Japan Today, The Japan Times, Jiji, The Tokyo
Reporter, The Mainichi, The Japan News, AFP, Reuters and Kyodo
33
the last word
your article to:
WANT TO HAVE THE LAST WORD? Send
editor@metropolisjapan.com
The Battle
of the Bulge
The difficulty of eating healthy
in a land of convenience
BY WILLIAM BRADBURY
Illustration by Christi Rochin
After a few years of living in Japan,
I found it hard to ignore the truth: the
figure staring back at me in the mirror
had become fatter.
So many people say Japanese food
is healthy—but that’s the traditional stuff
like natto, grilled fish, and vegetables.
There’s just as much—if not more—
“unhealthy” Japanese food, such as
karaage, tempura, and ramen, with its
heartburn-inducing oily soup.
With a 7-Eleven or Family Mart on every corner, convenience culture leads to
repetitive snacking, which is more about
numbing the stresses and strains of the
fast-paced city life than actual hunger.
Sugar, caffeine, and junk food work as
antidepressants for those living in a city
so crammed and dehumanizing. Though,
nobody I know has ever successfully
eaten their way out of being fed up with
Tokyo—or any problem, for that matter.
Perusing the supermarket reveals
an array of options, but I don’t feel it’s
separated into unhealthy Western junk
food and life-prolonging Japanese fresh
food. Instead, one can go back and forth
from the cup ramen aisle to the bakery
snack section to the bento boxes, and
be baffled by how Japanese people
manage to stay so slim.
There are also a few eating strategies
that feel healthy, but are actually delusional. I call this “the cereal effect.” This
is where you trick yourself into believing
foods that are obviously junk are healthy.
I’ve eaten excessive amounts of onigiri or
bentos as alternatives to so called “junk,”
but it’s difficult to see how any of these
processed options are doing anything
good for the body.
Japanese convenience stores and
supermarkets are full of food that might
seem innocent in comparison to chains
like McDonald’s, but that’s mostly
because “Mac” (as it’s affectionately
referred to by the Japanese) is used as
a scapegoat for so many food-related
health problems.
My consumption of McDonald’s has
increased since I came to Japan, mainly
because, in Tokyo, the shops are full of
both students and young people, rather
than the sloths and chavs that used to
scare me away in the U.K. Fast-food joints
can also feel like something of a haven
for foreigners in Japan—a place where
not only is the menu familiar but you feel
like you fit in, like you’re supposed to be
there. It’s the opposite of the feeling I
get at the neighborhood izakaya or bar,
where the gaijin presence can detract
from the local ambience or make regular
Japanese customers feel uncomfortable.
For long periods of time, I took part
in a kind of junk-food tourism. I insisted
that visits to places like Mister Donut and
Krispy Kreme were part of the cultural
experience of Japan because they didn’t
exist in the U.K. I was actually baffled
and disappointed to find there was no
Dunkin’ Donuts in Japan, a place referred
to multiple times in the novels of Haruki
I’VE EATEN EXCESSIVE
AMOUNTS OF ONIGIRI
OR BENTOS AS
ALTERNATIVES TO SO
CALLED ‘JUNK’.”
The views expressed in “The Last Word” are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of Japan Partnership Co. Ltd. or its partners and sponsors.
34
Murakami. In fact, craving-fulfillment trips
to Burger King were disguised as cultural
comparative studies; I made notes on
differences in the menu. It all ended with
me becoming a bloated slob, of course.
But in the moment, it grew difficult to
notice my expanding, flabby stomach,
because I no longer had the obvious
points of comparison I had back home.
Yet, I’ve got Japanese friends who
keep their figures against logic, as if
they’re characters from a comic book
or TV show. I questioned one friend
of mine who ate McDonald’s almost
daily and also drank beer heavily. He
replied, “Because I'm Japanese.” Sure,
he answered the question … but it defies logic. If you have body dysmorphic
issues, they’re likely to be worsened
by living in Tokyo, where many people
have immaculate bodies as beauty and
fashion are ways of life. Being “slim” in
the U.K. is switched to “slightly tubby”
just by setting foot in Tokyo.
I’ve done lots of things I’m proud of
in Japan: I’ve travelled, seen temples,
and improved my language and teaching
skills. Yet, becoming a chubby young
man was not something I had on my
bucket list. Here’s hoping I can replace a
few of those nomihodai with a tabehodai
or two—of fruit, of course.
■ William Bradbury is a freelance
writer living in Tokyo
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