Tokyo Weekender - February 2016

FEBRUARY 2016 

Japan’s number one English language magazine 

ICE 

CLIMBER 

Scaling Japan’s 

Frozen Heights 

RUNNING 

THE CITY 

The Tokyo Marathon 

Turns Ten 

HIDETOSHI 

NAKATA 

A Soccer All-Star on 

the Sake Trail 

ALSO: The Latest Updates from Tokyo’s International Schools, Valentine’s Day Activities, Hitting the Snow in 

www.tokyoweekender.com 

Hakuba Valley, 

FEBRUARY 

and More 

2016

FEBRUARY 2016 www.tokyoweekender.com


CONTENTS 

11 

TOKYO MARATHON 

The city prepares to get Japan’s biggest longdistance 

event running for the tenth time 

14 

16 18 

HIDETOSHI NAKATA 

The star footballer brings passion and 

precision to promoting fine sake 

VALENTINE’S DAY IN TOKYO 

Don’t feel broken-hearted if you’re at a 

loss for what to do: we’ve got you covered 

ICE CLIMBING 

To scale Japan’s frozen reaches, you need 

ingenuity, determination, and a bit of luck 

6 The Guide 

An aphrodisiac cocktail, the cutest cafe in 

town, and hot looks for a cold month 

8 Gallery Guide 

Real life gods of rock and ads from the 

very early days of Japanese tourism 

20 Hakuba Valley 

Nearly a dozen resorts, slopes for experts 

and newbies alike, and après ski fun 

22 Demons Out! Happiness In! 

The things we can learn from an age-old 

Japanese traditional ritual 

23 The British School in Tokyo 

Combining a love of learning with a sense 

of adventure and independence 

24 ai International School 

Over 30 years of collaboration, creativity, 

and truly child-centered education 

26 People, Parties, Places 

Bill’s yearly party in benefit for those less 

fortunate, and a tour of the party scene 

30 Movies 

A crop of Oscar contenders make their 

way to Tokyo’s cinema screens 

32 Agenda 

The floral promise of spring, Madonna 

comes to town, and Chinatown revels 

www.tokyoweekender.com FEBRUARY 2016

THIS MONTH IN THE WEEKENDER 


Publisher 

Executive Producer 

Editor 

Art Director 

Account Executives 

Media Consultants 

Marketing 

Society 

Lead Writer 

Editorial Associates 

Film 

IT Manager 

BC Media Group 

Asi Rinestine 

Alec Jordan 

Liam Ramshaw 

Nobu (Nick) Nakazawa 

Mary Rudow 

Chris Zajko 

Yumi Idomoto 

Bill Hersey 

Matthew Hernon 

Natalie Jacobsen 

Vivian Morelli 

Luca Eandi 

Kyle Mullin 

Christopher O’Keeffe 

Nick Adams 

EST. Corky Alexander, 1970 

Published monthly at JPR Sendagaya Building 8F 

4-23-5 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0051 

(03) 6863-3096 / (03) 5413-3050 (fax) 

editor@tokyoweekender.com 

Japan’s number one English language magazine 

ICE 

CLIMBER 

Scaling Japan’s 

Frozen Heights 

RUNNING 

THE CITY 

The Tokyo Marathon 

Turns Ten 

HIDETOSHI 

NAKATA 

A Soccer All-Star on 

the Sake Trail 


ALSO: The Latest Updates from Tokyo’s International Schools, Valentine’s Day Activities, Hitting the Snow in 


Hakuba Valley, 

FEBRUARY 

and More 

2016 

Cover Photo by Junichi Takahashi 

s British School in 

A 

Tokyo Principal Brian 

Christian reminds us in 

his introduction to our 

education section, February can be a 

trying month. The hints of spring lie just 

a few weeks away, but winter’s cold grip 

is still firmly on us. It makes sense, then, 

for this to be a time to celebrate that 

spirit of determination that enables us to 

face the frigid days with something that 

approaches a grin now and again. 

Some of us might find some cheer 

in the call of Setsubun—“Demons 

out! Happiness in!”—that exhorts 

participants in that Japanese tradition 

of jettisoning the negative baggage of the 

past and making room for better things. 

It is certainly encouraging to witness 

the runners who take to the streets for 

the often grim weather of the Tokyo 

Marathon. And as we see in the case of 

our story on ice climbing, another way 

to demonstrate what the poet Wallace 

Stevens calls “a mind of winter” is to 

simply take on adversity in one of the 

most aggressive ways possible: scaling 

cliffs by driving titanium screws into a 

surface that leaves precious little margin 

for error. 

As our cover star Hidetoshi Nakata 

explains, the best sake comes out in 

the coldest months. It’s a detail about 

Japan’s national beverage that the former 

soccer star has learned in his new role: 

promoting sake to the world at large. It’s 

clear from our interview with him that he 

is putting the same passion and precision 

into this endeavor that he did on the field. 

Finally, lest you get the idea that 

the month is nothing but clenched teeth 

and frozen hearts, we haven’t forgotten 

about the lovers out there. Even though 

Japan does things differently when it 

comes to gender roles on Valentine’s Day, 

we’ve assembled a collection of romantic 

activities that should make any significant 

other happy—or at the very least, make 

sure you’re not left out in the cold. 

To our neighbors to the West, we’d like 

to extend our Chinese New Year greetings, 

and we’ll see you all next month. 

Editor 

To subscribe to the Tokyo Weekender, please call 

(03) 6863-3096 or email: 

customer-support@tokyoweekender.com 

For ad sales inquiries, please call 

(03) 6863-3096 or email: 

sales@tokyoweekender.com 

広告に関するお問い合わせ先 

電話 :(03)6863-3096 

メール:sales@tokyoweekender.com 


Opinions expressed by Weekender contributors 

are not necessarily those of the publisher 

WRITERS WANTED 

Tokyo Weekender is looking for a few good writers. If 

you’ve got a travel story you want to share, a gift for the 

written word, or have a unique take on life in Tokyo, we’d 

like to hear from you. To join our team of freelancers, 

please send us an email at 

editor@tokyoweekender.com 

Published by 

BC Media Group 

www.bulbouscell.com 


Join the Conversation, Join the Club 

JOIN TOKYO WEEKENDER’S INSIDERS CLUB TO FIND OUT ABOUT LIMITED OFFERS THROUGHOUT TOKYO, ATTEND 

EXCLUSIVE EVENTS, GET THE LATEST INFORMATION ABOUT PRODUCTS BEFORE THEY LAUNCH, AND LET YOUR 

VOICE BE HEARD. CHECK OUT WWW.TOKYOWEEKENDER.COM/WEEKENDERINSIDERS FOR MORE DETAILS

the guide 

TOM FORD CLUTCH BAG 

Transfer from day to night with this versatile claret shoulder bag that doubles up as a 

sophisticated clutch when the shoulder strap is removed. We are craving statement accessories 

to enhance our spring wardrobes and found this luxurious combination of rich 

berry leather with Tom Ford’s signature stunning gold-tone hardware to be the perfect 

answer. While being eye-catchingly chic, this bag is also practical with an elegant flap 

design and a nifty inside pocket to keep your lipstick and keys in place. 

tomford.com 

JIL SANDER 

SWEATER 

SELF–PORTRAIT DRESS 

Whether it is for a special Valentine’s date or just 

a reason to put on your heels and have drinks 

with your friends, this lace and crepe dress 

belongs in your closet. Self-Portrait received 

much attention from the fashion world for their 

intricate lace and lattice designs and we are also 

besotted with their new collection of flawless 

cocktail dresses. The delicate embroidered top 

draws attention to your décolletage while the 

cinched waist and panel-pleated skirt compliment 

your figure. Add a pair of thick black stockings 

underneath to stay comfortably elegant in the 

evening air. self-portrait-studio.com 

Crafted from a lightweight blend 

of silk, cotton and cashmere, this 

plush sweater provides a stylish 

layer of protection against the 

February frost. As well as being 

sumptuously soft, the darker navy 

side panels against the bold midsection 

of orange create a flattering 

silhouette. The intricate ribbed 

design adds another element of 

texture to the sweater, which is 

just one more detail that will make 

it your favorite go-to item of knitwear. 

Wear the sleeves pulled up 

to 3/4 length over a white collared 

shirt to complete the look. 

jilsander.com 

KAWAII MONSTER CAFÉ 

The concept is simple: capture the heart of Harajuku culture and turn 

it into an edible wonderland. To some, this Technicolor culinary experience—a 

dizzying array of spiral art, hypnotically blasting J-pop, 

and “cute-ified” walking inanimate objects—may be nightmare-inducing, 

but to others, this is the rabbit hole they’ve been waiting for. 

Cupcake-shaped booths, checkered karaoke stage, and the demon 

pony-cake merry-go-round centerpiece aside, the menu has been given 

the most thought. From the rainbow-pastel spaghetti to the bubbly 

salad, each item has a purpose beyond being visually satisfying, and 

you won’t want to miss their too-surreal-to-eat desserts, “hospital” 

cocktails, and tapioca tea served in Mason jars. (kawaiimonster.jp) 

Address: Shibuya, Jingumae 4-31-10, YM Square 4F 

FEBRUARY JANUARY 2016 www.tokyoweekender.com

Something for the weekend...A 

cocktail guide for the most 

discerning of drinkers 

JOHN SMEDLEY SHAWL-COLLAR CARDIGAN 

Change up your sweater rotation with this smooth merino wool and cashmere-blend 

cardigan from British knitwear specialist John Smedley. The deep midnight blue hue 

of the finely knit wool is paired with discreet buttons and finished with softly ribbed 

trims. The cozy shawl collar and deep V-neck keeps your neck snug while looking polished—any 

item that provides style and comfort is always a winning combination for 

us. It can be worn over a shirt or round neck top and is slim enough to slip under your 

jacket without making a bulky frame. johnsmedley.com 

DRAKE’S WOOL, SILK AND 

LINEN-BLEND TIE 

Known for eye-catching fabrics, British 

haberdasher Drake’s has a legendary 

reputation for its premium quality pieces. 

This dark green wool, silk and linenblend 

tie is no exception, creating a matte 

finished traditional wide cut tie with a 

striking texture. If you want to impress 

during a Valentine’s date or look smart in 

your next company meeting, couple this 

handsome tie with a crisp white shirt for 

a dapper appearance. The woven texture 

should be worn with smooth cufflinks or 

a plain silver tiepin so the material is not 

overshadowed. drakes.com 

ATELIER DE L’ARMÉE 

BACKPACK 

As the brand name suggests, Atelier de l’Armée 

(“Army Workshop”) creates functional items from 

durable high-quality materials. With water-repellent 

cotton canvas and tan leather, this backpack 

is ideal for keeping your belongings dry through 

rugged terrains or just the urban jungle of Tokyo 

rush hour. Whether you have filled up the main 

pocket’s 60-liter capacity or just have your daily 

bare essentials, the bag’s dimensions adapt with 

the drawstring top. We particularly like the subtle 

color palette of amber-browns and tomato-red 

accents, which are a welcome change from the 

common khaki-toned utility bags we have seen for 

many seasons. 

Given that it’s Valentine’s Day this month 

I thought that it might be appropriate to 

prepare a little something for the lovers 

in this edition of the Mixologist Guide. After all, 

the art of cocktail and the art of seduction go 

hand in hand like a couple of tipsy lovers. So 

this month I thought I’d give you a sure-fire way 

to make certain that your Valentine’s evening 

goes off with a bang. 

The Black Velvet is not only one of the most 

powerful aphrodisiacs legally available over the 

counter, it also tastes a damn sight better than 

powdered rhino horn or dried tiger penis. The 

added bonus is that this cocktail takes literally 

seconds to make, leaving you to get on with 

more important matters. 

The cocktail was originally created at the 

Brooks Club in London in 1861, to mourn the 

death of Prince Albert. The patrons of the club 

wished to continue drinking their regular 

tipple, but it was thought pretty poor form to 

be drinking champagne when the rest of the 

country was in mourning. Some clever soul 

added a touch of Guinness to his glass to make it 

black, thus allowing himself to continue drinking 

champers, whilst showing the appropriate 

amount of respect for the fallen monarch. 

A word of warning with this one. The potency 

of this cocktail is so strong that it’s a good idea to 

limit yourself to just a single glass before dinner. 

More than one and you may well have to cancel 

those expensive dinner reservations—more than 

two and you may well be calling in sick to work 

on Monday. Bottoms up! 

Method: 

Half fill a champagne glass with Verve Clicquot 

or whichever champagne takes your fancy. 

Float the Guinness on top of the champagne 

by poring slowly over the back of a spoon. The 

difference in densities of the liquids will create 

a rather attractive banding effect. 

Ingredients: 

– 50ml Guinness 

– 100ml Verve Clicquot 

atelierdelarmee.com 

www.tokyoweekender.com FEBRUARY JANUARY 2016

GALLERY GUIDE 

TOKYO GALLERY GUIDE 

OUR PICKS FROM THE EXHIBITIONS AROUND TOWN 

by Luca Eandi 

HARA DOCUMENTS 10: Masaharu Sato—Tokyo Trace 

The “Hara Documents” 

series was launched 

in 1992 to promote 

emerging artists. The 

tenth installment 

features Masaharu Sato’s newest 

work, “Tokyo Trace.” In it, Sato 

presents a number of vignettes 

of present-day Tokyo which he 

reworks using a technique he 

calls “shadowing.” 

This process that Sato developed 

is based on the meticulous 

tracing of actual video stills. He 

uses a camera to shoot ordinary 

scenes of people and landscapes 

and then augments them with a 

digital pen. His goal is to “get as 

close to the video image as possible 

by emphasizing nothing and 

leaving no trace of pen behind.” 

The immense time and labor, the 

repetitive tracing of prosaic 

scenes, the production of hundreds 

of frames that comprise 

the animation—this seemingly 

extraneous process is one that 

produces the subtle skewed 

reality that makes Sato’s work 

special. Viewers experience a 

momentary feeling of puzzlement, 

sensing something amiss 

in the apparently ordinary 

scene. 

His 2014 work, titled “Calling,” 

created after the strife 

of living through the Great 

East Japan Earthquake and 

consecutive bouts of illness 

experienced by himself and 

another member of his family 

also makes up the exhibition, 

as well as newly-created 

two-dimensional art. 

Bye bye come on, 2010, animation, loop, single-channel video 

Hara Museum of Contemporary Art 

Dates: January 23–May 8, 2016 

Open: 11:00 am–5:00 pm, 11:00 am–8:00 pm on Wednesdays, closed 

Mondays (except March 21) and March 22, last admission 30 minutes 

before closing | Web: www.haramuseum.or.jp 

VISIT JAPAN: Tourism Promotion in the 1920s and 1930s 

Left: MACHIDA Ryuyou, Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Yokozuna Tachiyama), c.1917 Hakodate City 

Central Library Right: Pieter I. Brown, Japan (Night scene at a shrine), 1934 Private collection 

The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo 

Dates: January 9–February 28, 2016 | Open: 10:00 am–5:00 pm, 10:00 

am–8:00 pm on Fridays, last admission 30 minutes before closing 

Web: www.momat.go.jp 

It was reported in January 

that Japan (nearly) 

reached its goal of drawing 

20 million visitors in 2015, 

a full five years ahead of 

the original 2020 target. Impressively, 

that figure nearly quadruples 

the 5.2 million people that 

visited Japan when the current 

government-sponsored tourism 

campaign kicked off in 2003. A 

true feat, considering the country 

was closed to tourism until the 

late 1880s, so Japan was relatively 

unaccustomed to promoting its 

attractions to the rest of the world 

until the early 20th century. 

Now, ahead of the 2020 

Olympics, The National Museum 

of Modern Art, Tokyo, is looking 

back at advertisements that were 

used to promote Japan in one of 

the country’s earliest promotional 

campaigns during the 1920s 

and ‘30s. This era saw improved 

modes of commercial aviation, 

encouraging leisure travel to 

Japan. The government had consciously 

spent the previous two 

decades bolstering its railway 

and hotel networks. 

The exhibition features 

posters, pictorial magazines and 

travel brochures from the time. 

Designed by well known names 

such as Hisui Sugiura, Yumeji 

Takehisa, Hatsusaburo Yoshida 

and Munetsugu Satomi, the 

posters involve motifs that include 

kimonos, sumo wrestlers, 

cherry blossoms and Mount 

Fuji—symbols now synonymous 

with the land. If you’re looking 

to save some money on this 

exhibition, admission is free on 

February 7. 


GALLERY GUIDE | WEEKENDER | 9 

DU KUN—Revels of the Rock Gods 

As seen with the recent passing of David Bowie and 

Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead, the magnitude of 

rock musicians can’t be underestimated. As soon as 

news of their deaths hit the internet, fans gathered 

to mourn the loss and celebrate the music, while 

makeshift shrines sprung up in their honor. Undoubtedly, fans 

will make pilgrimages to cemeteries for years to come, revering 

their favorite musicians’ graves as hallowed mausoleums. This 

level of devotion can only be described as religious in scope. 

Chinese artist Du Kun is captivated with music and rock 

stars. As a musician himself since his art school days, the Beijing 

and Tianjin-based painter is taken by the creation of music, the 

side effects of fame, and the ethereal nature of revered musical 

superheroes. In his series, “Revels of the Rock Gods,” Chinese 

contemporary musicians take the form of temples, pagodas and 

other traditional Buddhist and Confucian structures, built into 

the sides of mountains and cliffs, amidst seas and waterfalls—divine 

structures overlooking sacred lands. 

Du Kun paints the elements of earth, water, air and fire in 

mysterious atmospheres that create a mystic, misty air. Catch 

this exhibition at Mizuma Art Gallery early in the month, as it 

closes before Valentine’s Day. 

Mizuma Art Gallery 

Dates: January 13–February 13, 2016 

Open: 11:00 am–7:00 pm, closed Sundays, Mondays and national holidays 

Web: www.mizuma-art.co.jp 

“Nirvana NiouAgyou 2015”, Synthetic resins, urethane paint, 35×30×30cm 

TartarosJapan/ 

Alternative Idol 

Saturday 13th February - Sunday 28th February, 2016 

Opening Hours: 12:00 - 19:00 | Closed: Mondays 

Opening Reception: Friday February 12th from 18:00 onwards 

Talk by the Artist: Hikari Shimoda(Painter) ×TartarosJapan 

February 20th (Sat), Doors open at 16:00 curtain 17:00 ~ 

Admission: Free 

Temple of Heavenly Sounds, Oil on canvas, 210 x 140 cm, 2015, Image copyright of the 

artist; courtesy of the artist and Mizuma Art Gallery 


10 | WEEKENDER | EXPAT LIFE 

Kagami Crystal Shop offers a dazzling selection 

of cut glass for connoisseurs and amateurs alike 

Established in Tokyo in 1934, Kagami Crystal is Japan’s first 

crystal glass factory, and after a visit to their shop in Ginza, you 

may be inclined to say that it is the country’s finest. 

Kagami crystalware has been receiving accolades since the 

company was founded, and has received commissions from 

the Imperial Family, the Japanese government, and Japanese 

embassies and consulates around the world. Kagami Crystal 

glassware can be found in embassies and consulates in more than 

250 countries around the world. 

If you’re looking for an artfully cut whisky or wine glass, you 

can find a wide array of exquisitely crafted pieces that will 

bring elegance to the table or anywhere else you enjoy your 

favorite beverages. 

The Kagami Crystal Shop also has an impressive selection of 

“Edo Kiriko” cut glasses, which are available in a variety of 

shapes, colors, and patterns. You can find decanters, perfume 

containers, vases and other vessels, which are decorated in a 

variety of traditional Japanese patterns and designs. Custom 

engraving, featuring a name, a family emblem, or another design 

can be performed. 

With the holiday seasons rapidly approaching, a fine piece of 

Japanese craftsmanship just might be the perfect gift. Come see 

for yourself at Kagami Crystal Shop. 

Ginza Store 

Daiwa Building, 2-1, Ginza 6-Chome, 

Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061 

Tel: 03-3569-0081 

Open: From Mon, Fri (11:00~19:30) 

Sat, Sun and holiday (11:00~18:30) 

Closed: Thursday 

WWW.KAGAMI.JP/ENGLISH/ 


y Alec Jordan 


12 | FEATURE | TOKYO MARATHON 

Imperial Palace 

A favorite spot for runners who jog 

alongside the moat of this Tokyo 

landmark throughout the year, it’s a 

natural location for spectators to get 

set up to watch the runners in the 

early stages of the race go by. 

Ginza 

Many participants recall the 

billboards and fancy store fronts 

of glitzy Ginza as something that 

helped keep them upbeat during the 

final kilometers of the marathon. 

It’s also one of the areas where the 

course makes a sharp turn, making 

it a thrilling place to watch the 

wheelchair competitors. 

Tokyo Big Sight 

There’s nothing like seeing the 

runners crossing the finish, whether 

they’re coming in at world-class pace 

or setting their own personal bests. 

Expect plenty of crowds, and a warm 

atmosphere—rain or shine. 

A 

quintessential demonstration of 

training, resilience, and determination, 

the marathon is an event 

that demands an intense pace from 

elite runners over the length of its 42.195km 

(26.2 mile) course and from less experienced 

runners, sometimes just the willingness to put 

one foot in front of the other. 

The Tokyo Marathon was first launched 

in 2007, but elite marathons have been held 

in the world’s largest city since 1979. This impressive 

pedigree quickly made it one of the 

top runs on the world marathon circuit, and 

by its sixth year, it had joined Boston, London, 

Chicago, New York, and Berlin in the Abbott 

World Marathon Majors, a yearly series of six 

races that draws the world’s best long-distance 

competitors. 

A RACE FOR ELITES AND 

AMATEURS ALIKE 

Standouts in a strong international field this year 

include Kenya’s Emmanuel Mutai, Dickson Chumba 

(the course record holder), and Bernard Kipyego, 

as well as Feyisa Lilesa (Ethiopia) and Stephen 

Kiprotich (Uganda). Two of the best Japanese 

male runners to look for are Masato Imai and 

Arata Fujiwara. On the women’s side is a strong 

Ethiopian contingent, including last year’s winner 

Birhane Dibaba, Aberu Kebede, and Shure 

Demise, with Kenya’s Edna Kiplagat in the pole 

position. Hiroko Yoshitomi and Yukiko Okuno 

lead the pack of Japan’s elite female runners. The 

Tokyo Marathon is an Olympic qualifying event 

for the Japanese men, so there will be a little extra 

on the line for some members of the pack. 

Another group to pay attention to are some of 

the speedier competitors on the road: the wheelchair 

marathoners. The Tokyo Marathon course 

is generally flat, so it is an ideal place to break 

records—if the weather permits. This year marks 

the first time that international elites have been 

invited to compete in the Tokyo Wheelchair Marathon. 

Domestic athletes like Hiroyuki Yamamoto 

and Kota Hokinoue will have a berth in the 2016 

Paralympics at stake and are going up against 

a field that includes international stars such as 

World Champion Joshua George (USA) and Ernst 

van Dyk (South Africa), a multiple Paralympic 

wheelchair event medalist and 10-time winner 

of the Boston Wheelchair Marathon. Meanwhile, 

on the women’s side, eight-time Tokyo Marathon 

winner Wakako Tsuchida will be up against Tatyana 

McFadden from the US, who won in Chicago, 

Boston, New York, and London last year. 


You’ll feel like a good part of the city 

has come together to help everyone 

cross the finish line. 

Along with the world-class runners 

who are vying for top positions in 

the race itself and the Abbott World 

Marathon Majors series, the Tokyo 

Marathon has also become an place 

for serious amateurs and recreational 

marathoners to hit their stride. Over the 

years, long-distance running has been 

on the rise in Japan, and marathons are 

now held around the country. In order 

to support this grassroots long-distance 

movement, Tokyo Marathon launched 

the RUN as ONE program last year, 

which gives promising runners a 

streamlined entry into the Marathon. 

Beginning this year, this program will 

be expanded to include semi-elite marathoners 

from around the world. And 

given the popularity of the race—more 

than 300,000 apply for 37,000 spots—the 

Tokyo Marathon draws a huge field of 

amateur marathoners (as well as, from 

what we hear, a few cleverly costumed 

runners) every year. 

RUN BY VOLUNTEERS 

Read up on participants’ reports 

from previous Tokyo Marathons and 

you will find plenty of stories about 

hitting the wall and making the push 

for personal bests. However, another 

common thread in stories about the 

event is that it is well run, thanks in 

no small part to a veritable army of 

enthusiastic volunteers. This year, 

expect about 10,000 of them (including 

700 foreign language speakers) 

who assist in every aspect of the race, 

from distributing drinks and snacks 

along the route to helping keep 

the course almost spotlessly clean 

and making sure that competitors’ 

luggage is waiting for them once the 

run is done. 

In addition to the volunteers who 

are helping out in traditional roles in 

the lead up to the competition, there 

are also a wide variety of performances 

taking place alongside the 

streets of the Marathon course: runners 

will be buoyed along by taiko 

drummers, bands, and choirs, school 

cheerleading groups, and more. 

Combine this with close to 1.5 million 

spectators who line the course, 

yelling out a spirited “Ganbare!” to 

everyone who runs by, and you’ll feel 

like a good part of the city has come 

together to help everyone cross the 

finish line. 

The 2016 Tokyo Marathon takes place 

on Sunday, Feb. 28. Start time for 

runners is 9:10 am. 

www.marathon.tokyo/en 

37,000 RUNNERS 

¥308,750,711 

RAISED FOR CHARITY 

87 81 

96,462 BANANAS 

DISTRIBUTED DURING THE RACE 

2:05:42 

2:22:23 

Photos courtesy of the Tokyo Marathon Foundation 


The Spirit of 

a Sportsman 

by Matthew Hernon 

A style icon who was once Asia’s most famous 

footballer, Hidetoshi Nakata now has his heart 

set on revolutionizing the sake industry 

Like many youngsters who 

grew up in Japan during 

the 80s, Hidetoshi Nakata 

dreamed of emulating manga 

hero “Captain Tsubasa” 

during his youth. He dedicated his life 

to football and by the age of 21, after 

some stand-out performances at the 

1998 World Cup, became the country’s 

most sought-after player. Eight years 

later, following spells in Italy and England, 

he stunned fans by calling time 

on his career. He had yet to reach 30. 

“Football was like a hobby,” he tells 

Weekender from his immaculately 

kept office in Roppongi. “I didn’t see 

it as a job. I played because I had a 

real passion for the sport. Once that 

started to disappear I knew I had to 

look for something else. I didn’t have 

any business plan or anything. I just 

decided to see the world, visiting more 

than 100 countries. During my travels 

people would often ask me first about 

football, then Japan. It was the country 

I grew up in, but I couldn’t answer well 

because I didn’t truly know enough 

about the place.” 

He decided to embark on a journey 

that would take him to all 47 prefectures 

of Japan, starting in Okinawa 

before finishing at the northernmost 

point in Hokkaido at the back end of 

last year. Along the way he met numerous 

craftsmen, farmers and sake 

makers, who seemed to make quite an 

impression on him. 

“I began to realize the struggle 

these people faced, but also the enormous 

value of what they were providing,” 

says the 39 year old. “While there 

is a big demand for Japanese goods 

abroad, marketing them has proved 

difficult. That’s where I wanted to help. 

Of course I can’t make sake or anything, 

but what I could do was act like a bridge 

between producers and international 

consumers around the world.” 

During the 2012 Olympics he 

opened a pop-up bar outside London 

County Hall that featured 26 different 

kinds of sake. A year later 

he launched his own brand of the 

drink simply named “N.” A refined 

beverage produced by the famed 

14th generation Yamagata brewery 

Takagi Shuzo, it requires a lot of time 

and care to create. Boasting a stylish 

bottle designed by Japanese firm Nendo, 

it’s only sold abroad and is very 

exclusive: fewer than 2,500 bottles 

have been produced in the past three 

years. 

“It’s an elegant drink that initially 

tastes quite sweet, but goes down like 

water,” Nakata says. “We hope people 

around the world will like it and then 

want to try other types of sake. This 

isn’t about trying to sell big amounts 

or making a huge profit. Our goal is 

to try and open up the market. With 

wine the quality of the product varies 

greatly and subsequently you have a 

wide range of prices. That isn’t really 

the case with sake as most items tend 

to be cheap, which makes it more 

difficult for new brands to enter into 

the competition. We want to show 

people you can make premium sake 

and be successful. It’s a niche market, 

but people are beginning to realize 

there are opportunities out there and 

consequently you’re seeing more sake 

makers selling high-end goods.” 

FEBRUARY 2016 www.tokyoweekender.com 

Photos by Junichi Takahashi

NAKATA | FEATURE | 15 

According to Nakata one of the biggest 

obstacles producers face is the perception 

that consumers have about sake. It’s seen as 

a drink that must be consumed shortly after 

purchase and therefore loses value. Last 

month the ex-Roma and Bolton midfielder 

introduced his solution to the problem: sake 

cellars. 

“Without wine cellars the wine industry 

would never have flourished the way it has,” 

he tells us. “The longer you can keep something 

the more it’s worth. People think they 

have to throw sake away if it hasn’t been 

drunk after a month or so, but that’s not 

true. At the right temperature and humidity 

it can be kept for years, but that can only be 

achieved if you have a cellar. It’s a necessary 

item for this industry and that’s why we’re 

confident it’ll be successful.” 

Listening to Nakata speak it’s obvious 

how much it all means to him. This is not 

some ex-sports player investing some of his 

money into a side venture; sake is now his 

passion. He drinks at least one glass every 

other night and has tried hundreds of 

brands over the past few years, but the 

problem he says is that none of them are 

well known around the globe. He’s hoping 

the smartphone app he helped set up last 

year will start to change that. Known as 

“Sakenomy,” it recommends specific labels 

based on a user’s taste and preference. The 

information given includes alcohol content, 

temperature, ingredients and details 

about the taste. 

“Domestic sales are down, but with 

so many Japanese restaurants around 

I have some great memories that I will always 

keep, but I don’t like to look back. There is so much I 

want to do, but for now my main focus is sake. 

the world, overseas interest in sake is 

increasing,” Nakata says. “The problem 

is many people abroad don’t know what 

they’ve ordered because they can’t read 

kanji. With Sakenomy they can take a 

picture and it will give you the name of 

the drink and other relevant information. 

For example, if you say like a particular 

brand it will tell you the nearest place you 

can get it or where they sell it online. I’ve 

been told by a number of foreigners that 

this is exactly the kind of thing they need. 

It’s available in Japanese, English and now 

Italian. We’re also working on a French 

and Chinese version.” 

Determined to transform an industry 

he believes has been undervalued, the 

two-time Asian Footballer of the Year is on 

a mission to educate people about sake: 

the best brands, the way to order, the kinds 

of food it can be paired with. A common 

misconception, he informs me, is that it 

only goes well with Japanese cuisine, when 

in fact it can be enjoyed with all kinds of 

dishes, including French and Italian. This 

is a point he’s keen to show off at “Craft 

Sake Week” in Roppongi Hills this month. 

Despite the name, it’s actually a ten-day 

event featuring 100 sake companies (10 

different ones each day), a number of 

restaurants, DJs playing a variety of music 

and a sommelier who will be on hand to 

answer questions. 

“The best sake comes out in winter 

so we felt this is the best time to have an 

event like this, but isn’t just some drinking 

festival,” Nakata says. “We want people to 

get to know the various brands properly 

and that is why we are only having 10 companies 

each day. Along with their drinks 

guests can try some amazing dishes from 

establishments I personally selected where 

it is usually really difficult to book a table. 

There’s a Michelin-starred restaurant, my 

favorite yakitori and oden shops, an amazing 

French eatery and in my opinion the 

best place to eat Italian in all of Japan. We 

want people to come and enjoy the whole 

experience, from the alcohol to the plates 

and glasses, many of which we designed 

ourselves.” 

Constantly searching for ways to 

improve and revitalize the sake industry as 

well as looking to introduce Japanese crafts 

around the world, Nakata admits he is now 

busier than he ever was as a footballer. It’s 

been almost 10 years since his final match 

as a professional when he lay in the center 

circle of Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion after 

Japan had crashed out at the 2006 World 

Cup. Since then he has gone on to travel the 

globe, take a pilgrimage in his homeland 

and start his own business. Looking back, 

does the man who won 77 caps for his 

country have any regrets about quitting the 

game at just 29? 

“None whatsoever,” he answers bullishly. 

“I have some great memories that I will 

always keep, but I don’t like to look back. I 

don’t take photographs or collect memorabilia. 

I prefer to face ahead and take on 

new challenges. There is so much I want to 

do, but for now my main focus is sake.” 


y Chris Zajko 

Valentine’s Day in Japan is a big deal. In 

fact, you may have seen many department 

stores and supermarkets wheeling out 

their elaborate chocolate displays as 

far as a month in advance. Aside from 

the size of the event in Japan, there is another key 

difference to Valentine’s Day elsewhere in the world— 

only women give gifts, often to both male colleagues or 

friends (giri-choco or “obligation chocolates”), as well 

as their partners (Honmei-choco). 

Of course, the ladies have their turn exactly a 

month later (on March 14) for what is known as 

“White Day,” when guys are expected to return the 

favor by presenting gifts to the women in their lives. 

Regardless of whether you chose to do Valentine’s 

Day the Japanese way or just use the it as an opportunity 

to spend some quality time with your special someone, 

planning ahead is key to impressing. Here are some 

creative ideas to get the ball rolling: 

Musica Presents 

Valentine Rock, Volume 9 

For a slightly sweatier, noisier and more energetic 

date idea, Valentine Rock is coming to the rescue. 

Liquidroom’s annual V-Day party has been running 

for eight long years and sadly this year—its ninth 

edition—will be its last. In an effort to showcase some 

of Tokyo’s buzzworthy local indie acts, Musica magazine 

has curated a night of heartfelt live music especially 

for the occasion. Straying from its often acoustic 

approach to programming the event, this year’s headliner 

will be celebrated shoegazers The Novembers, 

with support duties filled by Keishi Tanaka, Homecomings, 

DAN, Yo Irie and the recently added special guest 

Tatsuya Mitsumura (of Nico Touches the Walls fame). 

Atsushi Kano will also be spinning tunes throughout 

the night to keep the dance floor alive. 

Where: Liquidroom, Ebisu 

When: Sunday February 14 | How much: ¥3,500 

More info: www.tokyoweekender.com 

or www.liquidroom.net 


World Valentine Festival 

Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many different ways 

around the world. In fact, the customs surrounding 

this special day can vary greatly depending on 

your country of residence. This Valentine-themed festival 

at Yoyogi Park explores an extensive cross-section of 

these different customs through music and dance performances, 

traditional dishes, markets, workshops and films 

across the whole weekend—one of the biggest on Tokyo’s 

calendar. Well, for couples at least anyway. An educational 

experience, interspersed with plenty of canoodling with 

your significant other. 

Where: Yoyogi Park, Shibuya-ku | When: Feb 13-14 

How much: Free | More info: www.tokyoweekender.com 

Sunshine Aquarium 

Heartful Valentine 

To experience one of the more 

quirky Valentine’s season (it runs 

for two weeks) activities this 

year, head along to the Tokyo Sunshine 

Aquarium to see all the cute things they 

have in store for smitten couples. 

Divers will be feeding red, heartshaped 

pieces of squid to the famous 

spotted eagle rays (daily at 11:30 am, 

1:30 pm and 4:40 pm), sea lions will 

be blowing kisses during their performances 

(daily at 11 am, 12:30 pm, 2 pm 

and 3:30 pm) and blocks of ice carved 

into large heart shapes will be presented 

as gifts to the resident sea otters (daily 

at 12 pm and 4 pm, as well as 2 pm on 

weekends). 

You can even pick up a haul of Valentine’s 

Day-themed chocolates, snacks 

and merchandise while you’re there. 

Where: Tokyo Sunshine Aquarium, 

Ikebukuro | How much: ¥2,000 

More info: www.sunshinecity.co.jp 

Andaz Tavern Valentine’s Day 

Romantic Dinner 

For those really out to impress, you can’t go past Andaz Tavern’s incredible 

views of Tokyo’s skyline by night from the 51st floor. The dazzling 

constellation of lights is the perfect backdrop for toasting to the future 

with a complimentary glass of champagne before tucking into a four-course 

feast, including lobster salad and smoked sea urchin, seared scallops, Parmesan 

and herb-crusted slow-braised beef cheeks, and strawberries with white 

chocolate. 

Where: Andaz Tavern, Toranomon Hills | When: Feb 14 

How much: ¥24,000 for two | More info: www.andaztokyo.com 

Tokyo Tower 

Valentine’s Climb 

For a date that’s sure to impress, it’s time to get physical. 

Lace up your sneakers and climb up Tokyo 

Tower with your crush. It’s the perfect way to burn 

calories, keep warm, get a spectacular view of the city 

and capture an unforgettable photo together. It will only 

take a couple of hours, so for the more romantically inclined, 

get there early and make a dinner reservation for 

your arrival back to terra firma. 

If you’re planning it as a surprise, just make sure 

your date doesn’t wear high heels. 

Where: Tokyo Tower, Minato-ku 

When: Feb 14 | How much: ¥460 - ¥820 

More info: www.tokyotower.co.jp 


Finding new ice climbing routes demands 

patience, nerve, and more than a little 

luck—and all that is before you even begin 

your ascent... 

by Ed Hannam 

With its early starts, 

strange equipment 

and inherent dangers, 

ice climbing 

will never be more than a fringe 

sport. Only a few months a year 

conjure up the right conditions for 

ice to form, climbing time doesn’t 

always line up with available time, 

and just when it starts getting good 

the season starts to end. Changes 

in the weather can upset entire 

winters with too much snow or not 

enough of it. Rain and sun combine 

unpredictably, and it can be years 

between the time when reliable ice 

forms in some areas. Add this all 

up and very few climbers who start 

out on indoor walls will ever end up 

climbing ice because it’s simply too 

much hassle. 

After spending years climbing 

in the better known areas around 

Japan, a whisper had emerged from 

some older climbers about a forgotten 

place “up north.” Apparently 

decades before the hard men 

and women of the time had 

found amazing ice features 

and put up a dozen or so 

difficult routes. As opinion 

had it, this was their undoing—the 

routes were too hard for most 

climbers of the day to repeat, and so 

it remained the stuff of legend, an 

ice climbing El Dorado. Any more 

searches turned up nothing aside 

from a hazy photo or two and a 

vague map with little detail. 

A short trip to the area (let’s call 

it Yamagata) brought us into contact 

with shy locals who vaguely recalled 

climbers going there years ago, but 

it had been silent a long time. The 

only clear discussion we had was 

with the owner of a decaying onsen 

who reckoned that, as the roads 

were cleared of snow less frequently, 

everything out there—including 

his onsen—was winding down. 

Along with this uninspiring news he 

told us that the season for ice was 

only when the direction of the wind 

sent temperatures way down, and 

that period had already come and 

gone a few weeks before. 

After a long year of keeping 

things quiet we returned, timing 

things for the window of cold. Pulling 

into the verge at the end of the 

road, our headlights illuminated old 

buildings, all closed and shuttered. 

Beyond, the road was covered with 

settled snow. No footprints were 

visible. There was no reason at all 

for anyone to be there, so we pitched 

our tent in the eerie, howling darkness 

and got our gear ready for the 

morning. 

Skiers dream of bright blue 


ICE CLIMBING | FEATURE | 19 

mornings and ice climbers do too, but they 

really understand that dull and overcast 

is better, as it has less effect on the ice. 

The following morning granted us that. By 

torchlight we ate, drank coffee and emerged 

from the tent, heaved on our packs and 

started down into the valley. It was certainly 

cold as we walked into the wind that 

howled from across the mountains, creating 

the rush of freezing air. It was a bittersweet 

trade off that we hoped was worth it. 

The valleys were narrow and the 

walls were multi-tiered, meaning little 

sun crossed the faces, and unique rock 

formations made channels for ice to collect 

and grow in. To be “good,” ice has to be 

uniformly formed, well bonded to the rock 

beneath, and protected from direct sun that 

can break it down. Tight, tiered valleys that 

catch the snow are ideal for this. 

The winding geography of the valley 

meant we could only see small parts of the 

walls above us, and through the purple predawn 

light we began to get a notion of what 

was around us. The walls were covered 

in jewel-like ice that encrusted the rocks’ 

features to form chandeliers and pillars 

that drooled down the cliffs and hung from 

the roofs of caves. We found the ice to be 

exceptionally clear, hard and well bonded 

to the volcanic rock beneath. The rumors of 

the area being left to obscurity due to lack 

of capable climbers began to seem true: 

in fact, by the look of it, the old crew had 

barely gotten started. With the majority 

of the walls either non-existent on the old 

maps or barely recorded, for every ice line 

mentioned we counted another seven or 

eight not. 

Deciding on a route to climb is always 

hard and when there are hundreds of choices 

and you’re working against dwindling 

time, things only get harder. Lines were 

everywhere but most looked exceedingly 

tough—the stuff of days to work at. Our 

time in the valleys 

had shown 

us that nothing 

was going to be 

easy, so the idea 

of just taking a 

token route was 

off the table. 

We decided 

elegance would 

give us the 

right options, 

and something 

truly worthy 

of shooting 

for—even if we 

failed. We went 

for a line of 

thin, intricately 

chandeliered icicles that wove up the 

back of a corner in the rock face. Unlike 

many lines, this had ice to ground level 

rather than starting with an overhang. 

Your protection from falling are 

threaded titanium tubes that have been 

screwed into the ice and clipped to ropes. 

Ideally a screw gets placed every five or 

six meters but in reality it is wherever 

you can get one in. Fat ice lets you drive 

When done well, ice 

climbing has a unique 

dynamic, more tai chi 

than brute force ... it is a 

beautiful but totally 

unnatural thing to do 

the screws deep, but thin ice demands 

total attention. It’s a matter of delicately 

picking away, being careful to not 

drive into the rock beneath. Over the 50 

meters of a pitch this is exhausting, nerve 

frazzling and totally absorbing. The irony 

is that the effort of placing these screws 

makes a fall more likely. The fact that 

many ice lines can be easily climbed but 

not made safe is fundamentally accepted 

by ice climbers, and is exactly what we 

had going on. 

My initial fear quickly became total 

concentration as I picked my way up the 

wall of ice crystal, smashing away anything 

threatening in a constant cascade 

of tinkling ice shards. In the silence of 

a frozen valley, ice climbing can sound 

amazingly violent as every foot and tool 

placement means smashing into fragile 

ice. Ice is inherently frictionless, so your 

only connection to it are the points of 

metal. This makes those pick choices 

very important and involves a process 

of reaching high, swinging with careful 

force and weighting the tool to make 

sure it holds. 

Over the 50 meters of vertical ice I 

found placements just on the good side of 

acceptable. I climbed silently and intently, 

needing no overt communication with 

the guy below who fed out rope exactly 

as needed. When done well, ice climbing 

has a unique dynamic, more tai chi 

than brute force; with the right degree 

of sensitivity it is a beautiful but totally 

unnatural thing to do. 

The line of ice topped out at a large 

ledge that was safe to stand on, and to 

our surprise diverted to form several 

more ice falls up tiers of overhanging 

rock above. Burned out from what we’d 

already done, we left them for another 

day, and named the new line Shimajiro 

after a popular kids’ toy, and the face itself 

White Dragon Wall. As we rappelled 

back to the snow line the afternoon snow 

began to thicken and clouds rolled down 

the valley. 

We spent several days in the various 

valleys trying out new lines: some 

worked out and others did not. Each day 

we would return exhausted and cold but 

high on the idea we were climbing new 

ground, a buzz that gets rarer every year. 

Since then we have returned every 

winter, silently keeping the dates all year. 

In keeping with the attitude of the locals 

we haven’t pushed the location into common 

awareness; the roadside verge is still 

empty, the road still uncleared. The old 

onsen has never reopened. We prefer it 

this way: In a world of oversaturation not 

everywhere needs to be on the map. 

Ed Hannam is a strategy analyst for 

Tokyo-based Tripleshot Consulting, which 

has a long history of working in 

complex and dangerous environments. 


20 | TRAVEL | HAKUBA 

Between the ski and snowboarding courses and an 

abundance of accommodations, Hakuba Valley offers plenty 

to do on—and off—the slopes 

Skier Julie Nieuwenhuys Photo by Caroline Vanthoff 

W 

inters in Tokyo always leave 

me hoping to escape to the 

mountains, where I can trade 

crowded subways for fresh air, 

snowy trails, and a rejuvenating onsen dip. 

One of the places that was on my to-do list 

was Hakuba Valley, a once-secluded gateway 

to the Japanese Alps that is now a premier 

global ski destination complete with world 

class terrain, modern accommodation, and 

first class dining. 

Ready to get away one afternoon, I took 

a short Shinkansen ride from Tokyo to Nagano, 

followed by a bus to the heart of Happo 

village, and I was transported from the neon 

lights of the city and was breathing the crisp 

mountain air in just about three hours. 

During my first evening, I strolled 

through the narrow windy streets admiring 

the cafes, restaurants, shops, and bars, 

each featuring a mix of alpine styling and 

Japanese sensibility. The Valley has evolved 

since skiing was first introduced to the area 

by Austrian mountaineers in the late 1920s, 

and while skiers might not have to climb the 

mountains themselves any longer, Happo 

Village still maintains an Old World atmosphere. 

Of course, by the next morning I was 

ready to hit the slopes. The area 

played host to the 1998 Winter 

Olympics, and it’s a snow paradise: 

there are 11 ski resorts with more 

terrain, vertical rise, and advanced 

slopes than you can find anywhere 

in Japan. A common lift ticket can be 

used at all resorts and you can travel 

from resort to resort via shuttle bus. 

Happo-one is one of the most popular 

resorts in Hakuba—and also one of 

the country’s largest. It offers more 

than 1,000 vertical feet and is blessed 

with breathtaking, panoramic views. 

Another impressive resort is Cortina, 

which offers a ski in ski out hotel that is just 

10 meters from the lift gate. Meanwhile, 

All thoughts of 

claustrophobic train 

commutes were dispelled as 

I floated down the mountain 

through the powder 

Hakuba47 is a sprawling complex that offers 

a wide range of slopes and a snow park 

for free ride skiers and snowboarders. 

Families and beginners can enjoy the 

snow with convenient rental shops and 

multilingual ski and snowboarding schools. 

Spicy Rentals is a long time resident ski and 

snowboard rental shop with seven stores 

scattered throughout the valley where you 

can pick up or drop off your skis or board 

at any of their locations. If you’re looking 

for a tune up or wax job, be sure to stop by 

Rhythm Snow Sports. Their overnight service 

is a convenient option and the crew 

had my board ready to hit the mountain 

early the next morning. 

Along with the wide variety of accommodation, 

there is a diverse mix of 

entertainment and dining options on offer 

after a day in the snow—everything from 

Japanese and international restaurants to 

private chefs, but I decided to try out one of 

the newer restaurants on the scene. 

Step into Hakuba Brewery and you may 

feel as if you’d just set foot in your local 

pub. Friendly staff and owners “the Two 

Dans” have created an atmosphere that is 

welcoming to locals and visitors alike. The 

warm wooden interior is constructed from 

reclaimed Japanese oak and the roaring 

fireplaces give the Brewery an authentic 

vibe. The Hakuba Pale Ale is one of the 

region’s finest craft beers: produced on site 

from natural spring water, it is a perfect 

addition to a menu boasting the latest dishes 

from a team of international renowned 

chefs—you simply can’t go wrong with their 

lamb stew. A convenient free shuttle bus 

service was much appreciated after a warm 

evening by the fire. 

A visit to Hakuba wouldn’t be complete 

with a soak in a local hot spring. The 

recently remodeled Happonoyu onsen at 

the base of Happo-one ski resort is perfect 

for soothing sore muscles at the end of the 

day. The unique high alkalinity levels of 

the thermal waters are renowned for their 

healing properties. Relaxing in the openair 

bath surrounded by the peace of the 

mountains left my body feeling revitalized 

and relaxed—but in my mind, I was already 

preparing my next visit. 

www.hakubavalley.com 

Inside the Hakuba Brewery 


EXPAT LIFE | WEEKENDER | 21 

We Build Dream Homes 

Door to Door Pickup Service 

24 Hour Staff Supervision 

One daycare visit available 

Open 365 Days 

No Cages 

More than 150 projects in 19 years 

If you're ready to open the door to the living space you've always 

wanted, West Canada Homes will help you find the perfect piece 

of land, design your home, and manage your building project to 

completion. Contact us for a free consultation. 

Custom Home Design • Project Management 

Tel: 0136-21-3838 

Email: info@westcanadahomes.com 

www.westcanadahomes.com 

!"#$%&'('')*(+&&'%%%% adc@gaea.ocn.ne.jp 

,-.$%&'('))*(*/&* www4.ocn.ne.jp/~adc 

Athletic Dog Club co., Ltd. 

1F 1-8-18 Akatsutsumi, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-0044 

Tel: 03-3327-1003 I Fax: 03-3327-7407 | E: athletic.dog.club@gmail.com 

www.pethoteltokyo.com (Japanese) | http://adc.pipi.cc (English) 


EDUCATION SPECIAL 

DEMONS OUT! 

HAPPINESS IN! 

by Brian Christian 

The age-old holiday of Setsubun isn’t just one for the kids: it’s 

another opportunity to greet the still new year, full of beans 

I 

have never been sure about February. 

Such a cold, contrary month. 

Perhaps it is simply because we 

have tired of winter that it seems to 

drag. Despite being the shortest of them 

all it’s not a month that hurries itself. 

Spring might be on its way but it remains 

tantalizingly out of reach, just around the 

next corner, just over the next hill. At this 

time of year I can’t help feeling like an 

impatient child on a long car journey: “Are 

we nearly there yet?” 

In Europe our very wise forefathers 

had an interesting attitude towards the 

rather dark, cold period that followed 

their tenth month, December: they disliked 

it so much that they tried to ignore it 

completely, making the depths of winter 

a monthless period and, figuratively 

speaking, stopping the clocks until the 

emergence of better weather in March. 

It was only around 700 BC that the 

workaholic Romans decided that we 

couldn’t continue to have a 304-day year 

and simply write off the grim bit as if we 

were in some sort of snug hibernation. 

Thus Februarius was born: the month of 

purification, suggesting that even in days 

of old they were no strangers to the New 

Year detox. 

For all our worldly 

modern-day sophistication, 

I feel sure that we can 

learn much from the 

folklore handed down to us 

through the ages 

It may seem odd here in Tokyo— 

where February is one of the driest, 

sunniest months (and often the 

coldest)—that the ancient Britons called 

it Salmonath or month of mud—hardly 

one for the tourist brochures! Another 

equally unappealing old English name 

for it was Kalemonath, or month of the 

cabbage, perhaps taking us back to that 

dreaded post-Christmas detox and those 

ghastly green “health” drinks that make 

their annual appearance on office desks 

around the world at this time of the year. 

The arrival of February in Japan is 

both ominous and auspicious. Ask any 

child. Setsubun ( 節分 ) on the third day of 

the month, the eve of spring according to 

the old Japanese lunar calendar, sees the 

spirit realm at its closest to our human 

world. It is a time to take care—strange 

things might happen. You wouldn’t want 

a wandering demon to sneak through 

your door and take up residence for the 

year ahead. In the dim, dark, distant past 

you might have banged a drum or lit a 

bonfire and burned evil-smelling sardine 

heads to frighten off unwelcome visitors, 

but these days mamemaki (まめまき) or 

bean-throwing is the preferred method of 

exorcism. Of course, once any itinerant 

ogres have been sent on their way, it 

makes sense to eat up the beans but you 

must make sure that you eat just one for 

every year of your age, plus one for the 

year ahead—especially as they now tend 

to come sugar-coated! 

I like the notion of Setsubun. For all 

our worldly modern-day sophistication, I 

feel sure that we can learn much from the 

folklore handed down to us through the 

ages; so often there are messages worth 

listening to in these archaic rituals and 

customs if only we are prepared to hear 

them. Had a bad year? Not happy with the 

cards that fate has dealt you and hoping 

for better luck this time round? Then do 

something about it! It’s up to you to bang 

that drum and throw those beans because 

the alternative is to let your demons walk 

all over you. 

At the start of this cold, contrary 

month, just when all our New Year 

resolution is beginning to weaken, maybe 

a bit of bean-throwing is just what we all 

need to get us back on track. 

Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi! Bring on 

the Year of the Monkey! 


A HOME FOR 

BOLD LEARNERS 


The British School in Tokyo is dedicated to developing students who combine 

academic excellence with resilience, independence, and a spirit of adventure 

The British School in Tokyo 

has enjoyed an enviable 

reputation for the provision 

of high quality education 

since first opening its doors in 

Shibuya more than 25 years ago, and the 

past year has seen its star continue to rise 

even higher, culminating in a richly deserved 

place on the short list for British 

International School of the Year 2015. An 

accredited member of the Council of British 

International Schools and one of only 

a small number of schools worldwide 

to have been independently inspected 

according to the UK standards for British 

Schools Overseas, BST has once again 

been adjudged to be Excellent (the highest 

rating) in every area. We regard this 

as a very welcome endorsement of the 

high standards we set for ourselves. 

Following the notable achievements 

of our previous graduates and their success 

in winning places at some of the top 

universities in the UK, the Class of 2015 

were keen to emulate their predecessors. 

This year’s talented group of A Level students 

certainly set the bar high for those 

who will follow them. Remarkably, 51% 

of all entries were awarded A*/A grades 

and a very creditable 76% achieved 

grade B or better. These results are a 

long way above the UK national average 

(in UK schools just under 26% of entries 

were awarded the top two grades) and 

easily surpass our own 

three-year average scores. 

It is especially encouraging 

that our students 

continue to win places 

on extremely competitive 

courses at top-rated 

universities, including 

Edinburgh, Imperial, 

King’s and UCL. This year, 

for the first time, BST 

musicians are studying 

at both the Royal College 

of Music and Trinity, 

while for the fourth year 

running one of our talented A Level artists 

will be studying at St Martin’s. Emphasizing 

our international outlook, our students 

have also taken up places at universities in 

Canada, India and the United States and, 

closer to home, at Doshisha in Kyoto. Young 

Students here know 

that education is not 

simply about passing 

exams. 

people today see themselves as global 

citizens and they recognise that A levels 

offer an academic passport that can take 

them anywhere in the world. There is 

certainly increasing interest in the 

USA and a number of current students 

are looking towards Australia and 

mainland Europe. 

Most universities worldwide are 

very familiar with Britain’s public 

examination system and are more 

than happy to accept students with 

A levels or their equivalent. In fact, 

the specialist nature of these courses 

means that students with better 

grades can expect to earn significant 

credit—sometimes up to a whole 

year’s worth of study. At Harvard, for 

example, you will need to have at least 

three A/B grades to matriculate (earn a 

place) but three A grades will merit a full 

year’s academic credit; Boston College 

will offer two courses of credit for A/B 

grades, while C grades will earn one 

semester’s credit, and Princeton clearly 

states on its website that A/B grades will 

earn Advanced Placement credit. It is a 

similar story across the world. 

As an international school of more 

than 900 students aged 3-18 BST is, of 

course, much more than an A Level 

school. All examinations are important, 

and many parents are impressed by the 

rigor and structured progression of our 

particular brand of British education. 

That said, students here know that education 

is not simply about passing exams. 

Sport, music and drama are woven into 

the fabric of school life, and we see both 

community service and adventurous 

activity as real strengths. From their early 

years in our Nursery and Reception classes, 

children are given countless opportunities 

to develop the independence and 

resilience that will enable them to take 

the next step in their education—wherever 

it might take them, with confidence— 

and a smile. 

For more information please visit the 

official website: www.bst.ac.jp 

Address: 1-21-18, Shibuya Shibuya-ku 

Tokyo 150-0002 



OPENING DOORS IN 

EARLY EDUCATION 

For 30 years, ai International has been providing young learners with a 

warm environment for exploration, education, and collaboration 

Founded 30 years ago, ai International 

School doesn’t chase 

trends. Instead, they rely on 

tried-and-true methods based 

around the heart of their programs 

since opening. As School Director 

Eri Ogawa says, “Our focus isn’t just on 

English language. We don’t want to be 

defined as an ‘eikaiwa,’ because we aren’t. 

It’s the international factor that we put 

emphasis on.” 

Eri explains that the school offers 

head starts and opportunities she wishes 

she had. “The world is a large place, and 

there is much more to learn out there, 

than if you stay in one neighborhood. 

Students aged 18 months to 6 years 

explore language, math, science, music, 

and art through hands-on and play-based 

activities prepared using resources and 

materials from around the world. “Our 

teachers help the students put on a huge 

show each year,” Eri explains. Children 

are given control of their roles with the 

guidance from their teachers “so they can 

learn to be responsible and be confident 

and showcase their own talent.” Parents 

often see marked progress in their children’s 

knowledge and personal achievements. 

Some of the greatest pride that Eri has 

is for her teachers, most of whom have 

been here for over 10 years, and who 

collaborate and design their curriculum 

through constant communication. 

“Because the teachers are well trained 

and aware of their roles at the school, we 

resolve any issues that come up together. 

We have a strong and trusting relationship 

and we work as a team.“ 

Classes here are all-day, everyday 

investments, another difference from 

chain schools offering 30 to 60-minute 

lessons once a week. Moreover, 

“all activities are tailor-made to 

each student. Everyone here gets 

the attention they deserve.” Those 

sentiments remain from the earliest 

days of the school. In a time when 

children with special needs were 

kept in the shadows, ai International 

School opened doors. 

“Even now, our door is still 

open to everyone. No discrimination of 

race, creed or abilities.” Eri leans forward, 

knitting her fingers. “I, or the teachers, 

have sat with our parents many times to 

explain autism or other conditions and 

how to better support their kids to further 

their growth. No challenge is unmet. Nothing’s 

changed since then. We are honoring 

that 30 years of open door policy today.” 

Instill responsibility, 

inspire them from a 

young age, and they’ll 

do the rest. 

The testament to her confidence is the 

classrooms. Large and warmly lit by sunlight 

that streams in from a large side-windows, 

the rooms are framed by brightly 

colored walls. Redecorated and refurbished 

for the school’s 30th anniversary, they 

feature warmed wooden flooring 

and are full of mats, ABC charts, 

world maps, and walls of books. 

The whole place is designed to 

enhance learning. 

The children are eating now; 

a little while later they will have 

their naps and play at the park. 

Faces from around the world 

are full of smiles. Kids spring up 

to introduce their best friends, 

read aloud pages from their 

favorite books, and ask questions. 

They’re chattering away in 

English effortlessly. “Our children are not 

bound by inhibitions or overprotectiveness 

that limits their potentials. They are free to 

be who they are,” Eri says. 

The school defies trends in another 

fashion: they don’t rely on technology 

for its own sake. “We believe in the old 

school, tech-free teaching methods. At 

such a tender age, the children need 

a foundation in the basic life skills. In 

some ways, technology can interfere with 

creativity and our young ones learn best 

through movement, hands-on tasks, and 

interaction with each other.” 

Lunch wraps up, and children clean 

their space. An experienced teacher holds 

up a book to pull them into the next lesson. 

Eri beams. “We instill in the kids a strong 

sense of responsibility from a young age. 

They learn to clean up after themselves 

and to help each other out. ai is, their 

second home, after all.” 

ai International School is no longer 

the only international school in the Azabu 

area, but it remains steadfast to its original 

spirit, maintaining the same, affordable 

rates from years before, allowing them to 

put education first. As Eri explains, “this 

choice is not just for parents for now, it’s 

not just a decision for kindergarten: it’s a 

decision for life.” 

For more information about 

ai International School: 

Web: www.aiinternationalschool.com 

Address: 5-4-1-3F, Mita, Minato-ku, 

Tokyo, 108-0073 

Email: info@aiinternationalschool.com

PROGRAMS 

CURRICULUM 

Our Aoba-Japan Extension and 

External Student Programs offer 

a learning opportunity for A-JIS, 

neighborhood, and visiting overseas 

students alike. The year to come will be 

filled with summer and winter camps, 

and continuing programs in sports 

and dance. 

TEAMWORK 

It’s a part of everything we do here 

at Aoba-Japan International School— 

from the collaboration of faculty and staff 

to achieve our classroom and out-ofclassroom 

goals to the way that our 

school works alongside our local 

communities. A-JIS students 

are always encouraged to 

develop their individual 

and collective strengths. 

A-JIS is a school that offers the 

IB Primary Years Programme, Middle 

School, and Diploma Programme, 

featuring a curriculum that harnesses 

the power of collaborative, 

inquiry-based pedagogy and an 

educational approach that 

focuses on global leadership 

and learning. 

COMMUNITY 

Students at A-JIS create 

communities both on and 

off campus through a variety 

of activities that range from 

educational fairs to study and 

exploration opportunities and 

collaborations with partner 

schools. 

HIKARIGAOKA CAMPUS 

7-5-1 Hikarigaoka, Nerima-ku, Tokyo 179-0072 

Phone: 03-6904-3102 

MEGURO CAMPUS 

2-11-5 Aobadai, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0042 

Phone: 03-5428-4488

The late great David Bowie and Bill first met 

at a Kuwait Embassy party in the early 1970s 

Tokyo’s Longest Running 

Thanks to deadline problems—which many of us have to 

deal with—and the busy holiday schedule, I had to get this 

issue’s PPP to the Weekender office in early January. The magazine 

staff are always super busy, but this year more than ever. 

In addition to getting the regular issues out, they were all in the process 

of getting ready and moving the Weekender office into their new digs at 

PR/Marketing powerhouse Sunny Side Up’s big and beautiful offices in 

Sendagaya. I don’t know how, but as always they managed to get things 

done and still have prime time to spend with their great Japanese wives 

and beautiful kids during their very hectic years and schedules. 

HILTON-WEEKENDER-BILL HOLIDAY ORPHANS’ PARTY 

Hate to start out with a back event but with my Weekender and Hilton 

Hotel annual orphans’ party for the holidays in mid-December, printer 

deadlines, and all kinds of special events, couldn’t as always get the rundown 

and photos to the printer for the January issue. Thanks for your 

understanding on this. 

This was the 18th year for us to do the party for the 50 aged 5 to 12 

kids from six different orphanages. The institutions involved went all 

out to bring really energetic fun boys and girls who all really got into 

the party mood for the day. 

Once again good friends—who included a few ambassadors, many 

diplomats’ wives and generous giving wives of business leaders from 

both the Japanese and foreign communities here—took time out of 

their super-busy schedules to join us at the Hilton for a really fun 

afternoon with the awesome kids. We’ve held the party for the last 17 

years in the hotel’s white marble lounge. That venue has become so 

popular with its spectacular sweets buffet it’s completely booked every 

day. We did this year’s party in the large and tasteful St. George’s Bar. 

I was a little concerned but the area has a warm homey atmosphere 

Society Page with Bill Hersey 

and all of our Santa’s helpers really thought it was perfect. Hilton’s PR 

Director Momoko Gonohe, her staff and many other Hilton people had 

really decorated the venue in a colorful Christmas mood, and there was a 

bountiful buffet that featured all of the kids’ favorite foods. Other Santa’s 

helpers who mixed and had fun with the kids as well as the adults there 

that day included Hilton Tokyo’s community-minded GM Mike Williamson, 

who took time to mix with and meet many of the volunteers, including the 

Guardian Angels, as well as make a welcome speech. Others included a 

face painter, a balloon artist, our regular Dutch Santa Claus Rene Bosman, 

talented MC Matthew Ireton, who led the kids in singing Christmas carols, 

super talent Steve Haynes who was surrounded by new young fans who 

were really in awe over his Rudolph the Reindeer costume. I’d also like to 

say thanks to sponsors Sony Pictures, Gaga Tohokushinsha, 20th Century 

Fox, Warner Brothers, Disney, Lufthansa and Hertz. 

The only problem was one of our staff lost a photo chip, and we’re 

missing several important super volunteers pics. These included Matthew 

Ireton who always helps so many, Mrs. Hassan, the wife of the Bahrain 

Ambassador, Mary Aida and super chic Kyoko Fujisawa, wife of the head 

of Yodobashi Camera: We also want to thank the many Ambassadors’ 

wives and others who were busy that day but did send some great gifts for 

the child they were assigned. 

OMAN NATIONAL DAY RECEPTION—PALACE HOTEL 

Thanks to all concerned to celebrate the 45th National Day of Oman Amb. 

Khalid Al-Muslahi and his wife Abeer hosted a midday reception in the 

Yamabuki Room at the Palace Hotel. The hosting couple are very popular 

and there was a big turnout for their celebration. Khalid is a very professional 

diplomat—a little quiet, but very outgoing and personable. Abeer is 

a live wire who is really full of energy. 

The special couple has children, including one daughter Iman with 


PEOPLE, PARTIES, PLACES | SOCIETY | 27 

Panama Amb. Ritter Diaz Gomez, his new wife Ayana, 

Philippines Amb. Manuel Lopez, Amb. Castellon, 

Kyoko Spector 

Brunei Amb. Haji Ahmad, his 2nd secretary Jessica 

Thai King’s 

Birthday Reception 

Thai Amb. Phuangketkeon, his wife Varaporn, Nicaraguan 

Amb. Saul Castellon 

Min-on’s 

Flamenco Show 

Bahrain Amb. Dr. Khalil Hassan, Yemen Amb. Samir 

Khamis, Min-on President Kobayashi-san, Solange Weya 

(Ivory Coast), Moroccan Amb. Samir Arrour 

Najwa, her granddaughter Tamara, her daughter Jamilah 

Khamis (Yemen) 

Flamenco dancers Andoitz Ruybal, Santiago Erranz, 

Yoko Komatsubara, Bill 

Segafredo’s Toshiro Brian Mori, Daniele Yoshikoshi, 

National Azabu Supermarket’s Dale Toriumi 

The hosting couple Omani Amb. Khalid Al-Muslahi, his 

wife Abeer, former minister of Justice Yoko Kamikawa 

Helge Maruyama, his mother Lilo, Tunisian Amb. Kais 

Darragi 

Oman 

National Day 

Afghanistan Amb. Sayed Fatimie, his wife Wahida, Palestine 

Rep. Waleed Siam 

Shake Shack 

Grand Opening 

Cote d’lvoire Amb. and Mrs. Jerome Kloh Weya 

Chef Kihashi, Kaz Kazui, Jiro Ishikawa, Mr. & Mrs. Ryuji 

Isunoda, guest, Fran Kazui 

Fran Kazui, Sayaka Masuda 


28 | SOCIETY | PEOPLE, PARTIES, PLACES 

Hiroko Inayama, Iman’s teacher, Santa, Iman Al-Muslahi 

Jamilah Al-Otaibi (Kuwait) 

Mika Nigitsch 

Orphans 

Christmas Party 

Itsumi Santo 

Kids, Bahrain’s Amb. Dr. and Mrs. Khalil Hassan 

Lilo, Mrs. Vahekeni (Angola) 

Daniele Yoshikoshi 

Teresa Dejean (Argentina) 

Steve Haynes, Fran Kuzui 

Paula Bowers (Canada) 

A few of our beautiful kids that day 

Mary Katayama (Aston Martin) 


PEOPLE, PARTIES, PLACES | SOCIETY | 29 

special needs and they make sure she gets the special attention she 

needs and is always looked after. The other children are Areej, who 

goes to art school in Scotland and their son, Ryham studies physics in 

London. In Japan, Abeer not only took care of her family, she helped 

many Japanese with handicapped kids, and is really active in so many 

worthwhile charity projects. Believe me she stays busy, but I’m happy 

to see she took time off for herself. One of her major accomplishments 

was taking several courses in photography at Temple University, and 

her photos at an exhibition at the embassy of Oman really had her 

personal touch. 

The reception was laid back with a lot of interesting people from 

all walks of life enjoying the bountiful buffet, the company, and the 

ambiance. Everyone I’ve talked to who visited Oman loves it. Hope to 

get there later this year. You may have seen Abeer in Hiroo where she 

drives a blue VW Beetle and shops at National Azabu supermarket. 

MIN-ON’S DYNAMIC FLAMENCO SHOW 

The highlight of showbiz entertainment for me in December was the 

Min-On Concert Association’s Flamenco Show at Nakano Sun Plaza. Normally 

I’m not all that much into Japanese students doing dances from 

other countries but believe me, the Japanese girls in the show were really 

professional and looked good in the colorful flamenco costumes. The 

music included familiar songs from the opera “Carmen” to top tangos 

from Argentina. Min-On had brought in several musicians from Spain 

and two male dancers, Andoitz Ruibal and Santiago Erranz, who were 

really sensational and got the standing ovations they certainly deserved. 

Min-On President Kobayashi-san, who treats me like one of the family, 

gave me a wonderful surprise when he had his staff take me backstage 

to meet the dancers. Japan’s top flamenco dancer Yoko Komatsubara, 

a long-time friend I hadn’t seen for a long time, had put the dynamic 

show together. It was a really happy reunion with a hug and a kiss. Yoko 

emceed the show and did the choreography, as well as joining the cast 

in several numbers. She still looks great and can really dance. It was a 

great night of fiery flamenco in every way. 

THAI KING BUMBIBOL’S 88TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION 

AT THE IMPERIAL 

My thanks to Thai Amb. Sihasak Phuangketkeow and his wife, Varaporn 

for the invitation to a very special reception for long-time and much 

loved H.M. King Bumbibol Adulyadej’s birthday. The sparkling evening 

took place in the luxurious Peacock Room in the Imperial Hotel. Many of 

the Thai ladies wore chic colorful Thai national costumes, and the buffet 

featured all our favorite Thai foods. For entertainment, there was Thai 

music and traditional dances by groups of very talented performers. 

Many years ago I had the privilege of meeting his majesty at a 

reception at Bangkok’s legendary Oriental Hotel. I still have a CD of 

King Bhumbibol playing the saxophone with a Thai jazz group. Birthday 

celebration of the beloved King was festive and elegant, perfect for the 

occasion, and sure brought back a lot of great memories of my 

many visits to beautiful Thailand. 

SHAKE SHACK OPENS IN TOKYO 

Anthony Tsunoda, the Board Director/President of the 

recently opened Shake Shack in Meiji Park had told me they invited 

1500 people for the opening party. I went with film gurus Kuz and Fran 

Kuzui. We got there pretty much on time, and from the looks of the long 

lines of guests just about everyone who was invited must have come. We 

really appreciated Anthony, who spotted us in the crowd, came over and 

took us to the VIP section. I was amazed at the number of people I knew 

but hadn’t seen for a long time. The Sazeby group, which Shake Shack 

belongs to, also has the famous Chaya restaurants both here and in 

Los Angeles. The guests that evening were mostly Japanese, and a very 

international-oriented group who were very successful in whatever they 

did. Our hamburgers and shakes that night were well worth the wait, 

and the rustic décor with many trees, picnic tables and several areas to 

relax and enjoy has already become a favorite with the trendies—even 

with the cool weather. Anthony is also in the fashion market and owns 

the outlet for my favorite shoes: “Campers” on Omotesando. 

Shake Shack there has already become a favorite hangout and a 

great place to meet interesting people and to be seen. Hope to see you 

there. Just heard there are already plans to open another shop in Ebisu. 

TO DO 

Hate to admit it, but I’ve become somewhat of a couch potato recently 

and try not to miss any of AXN’s “Outlanders.” The story about England 

and Scotland’s troubled history is interesting and the cast truly talented. 

If you watch CNN you know they’re doing a lot of new adventure travel 

series, and advertising that really give you a rundown on where to go, 

where to stay, what to do and see in this old world of ours. 

Most of my friends have seen at least one of Guy Laliberté’s Cirque 

du Soleil shows either here in Japan, or perhaps Las Vegas and other 

major cities around the world. My all-time favorite was the one based 

on Michael Jackson’s career I saw at Saitama Stadium. Happy to hear 

Daihatsu is bringing the latest Cirque du Soleil show “Totem” to Tokyo 

soon and will be performing here from February 3 through May 22. For 

ticket info/reservations call 0570-020-520 or visit totem-jp.com/en. 

If you really want something special for a bargain the Tolman collection 

in Shiba Daimon is consolidating framed prints from their three 

galleries—Hong Kong, Atago Jinja and the main gallery in Shiba Daimon 

with all prints at a 40 percent discount for cash sales. The sale goes on 

for the entire month of February. See you there. 

Really happy to see one of my all-time favorite travel destinations, 

the Philippines, is getting some of the attention it deserves. The country 

of 7000 islands really has something for everyone, there’s some of the 

greatest hospitality anywhere, it’s just a four-hour flight from Tokyo, and 

the inexpensive shopping has to be seen to be believed. Guarantee you’ll 

shop till you drop in the country of smiles—and bargains. 

If you like Italian food, which everyone I know does, check out the 

new winter menus at any of Segafredo Zanetti Espresso’s shops. The one 

across from H&M in Shibuya has really gotten a stylish makeover. You 

can be sure to run into expat friends at the one across the street from 

National Azabu in Hiroo. The popular café’s marketing man K. 

Hattori just sent me a list of additions to their regular menu. 

These include spinach and smoked salmon panini, several 

risottos, avocado open sandwiches and vongole bianco 

pasta. Prices are very reasonable. 

The good-looking Yuji Tamada family at National Azabu 

Panamanian Ambassador Ritter Diaz Gomez and his new wife 

Ayana 


COMING TO A CINEMA NEAR YOU IN FEBRUARY 

FEB 27 

THE HATEFUL EIGHT 

A 

bulging cast of colorful character 

actors, violence as comic as it 

is extreme, and a liberal use of 

every bit of profanity under the sun can 

only mean one thing: maverick filmmaker 

Quentin Tarantino is back with another 

unique slice of fast-talking film action. 

For “The Hateful Eight” the filmmaker 

has assembled a typically eclectic cast. 

Kurt Russell heads proceedings as 

gruff bounty hunter John Ruth, who’s 

bringing fugitive Daisy Domergue (Oscarnominated 

Jennifer Jason Leigh) to the 

town of Red Rock for justice. The pair 

hook up with infamous bounty hunter 

and former union soldier Major Marquis 

Warren (Tarantino regular Samuel L. 

Jackson) and a man who claims to be the 

town’s new sheriff (Walter Goggins). The 

four become eight when the group take 

refuge from a blizzard in a stagecoach 

stopover populated by a quartet of 

sinister ne’er-do-wells (Tim Roth, Bruce 

Dern, Michael Madsen and Demian 

Bircher). Tensions rise with the storm 

and it soon becomes obvious that a Red 

Rock rendezvous may not be in the cards 

after all… 

UNBROKEN 

FEB 5 

Unbroken” made headlines for all the 

wrong reasons last year when rightwing 

activists demanded for the film 

to be banned and its director, Angelina Jolie, to 

be told she was no longer welcome in Japan. 

Thankfully, distributors saw sense when film 

industry insiders called on them to stand up 

for free speech. Why were the far right so 

worked up? Jolie’s film tells the remarkable 

true story of former Olympian and WWII 

pilot Louis Zamperini, who is shot down over 

the Pacific. He and his crew members are 

found, captured, and made prisoners of war. 

Zamperini is sent to a camp in Tokyo were he 

suffers terribly at the hands of one Japanese 

corporal in particular, Mutsuhiro Watanabe 

(star rocker Miyavi). A biographical war 

drama that charts an incredible life and a 

redemptive tale of survival. 

WHILE THE WOMEN ARE SLEEPING 

An eclectic assemblage of 

international talent comes together 

for this darkly comic tale of sex 

and stalking. Hong Konger Wayne Wang, 

best known to western audiences for 

directing J-Lo in toothless rom-com “Maid 

in Manhattan,” adapts celebrated Spanish 

novelist Javier Marías’s short story “While 

the Women Are Sleeping” with Japan’s 

own cinema bad boy “Beat” Takeshi in a 

main role. The story follows Kenji, a bored 

writer on vacation who spies a young 

beauty with a sinister older man. The 

film marks the first time in over a decade 

Kitano has appeared in another director’s 

work. Mozu’s Hidetoshi Nishijima, Sayuri 

Oyamada and Shiori Kutsuna join him. 

FEB 27 

STEVE JOBS 

FEB 12 

Inventor, entrepreneur, Apple cofounder 

and cultural icon, Steve 

Jobs—and the conflicting sides of 

his personality—have warranted two 

biographical films in the four years since 

his 2011 death. While the Ashton Kutcher– 

starring 2013 effort “Jobs” proved less than 

successful at the box office, the big guns 

are out for this second exploration of the 

Apple genius’s life. Danny Boyle directs 

Oscar nominee Michel Fassbender in a film 

that covers all the behind-the-scenes action 

at the launch of three of Jobs’s most iconic 

products—the Apple Macintosh, the NeXT 

Computer, and the iMac. Kate Winslet, Seth 

Rogan and Jeff Daniels complete the cast 

of this movie based on biographer Walter 

Isaacson’s investigation into the life of the 

digital visionary. 


FEB 5 

PREVIEWS | MOVIES | 31 

10 OF THE BEST: THE MUST SEE MOVIES OF 2013 

> BEST OF THE REST This Month’s Releases 

POINT BREAK 

FEBRUARY 20 

Kathryn Bigelow’s cult action hit 

gets an update as Edgar Ramirez 

and Luke Bracey take over the 

roles made famous by Keanu 

Reeves and Patrick Swayze. 

One’s an undercover cop, the 

other is the leader of a bank-robbing extreme sports gang. 

THE MARTIAN 

Ridley Scott has made some of his finest films in the sci-fi genre. 

Heading back to the stars, Scott’s new feature “The Martian” 

is a less horrifying affair than his former sci-fi voyages (think 

“Alien”) but it’s no less lacking in drama and intensity. Matt Damon 

stars as Mark Watney, an astronaut belonging to a team carrying out 

a manned mission on Mars. After an emergency evacuation the crew 

presumes Watney to be dead and abandons the planet, leaving him 

behind. Stranded on the red planet the astronaut must find a way to 

survive against impossible odds on an unforgiving landscape using 

what little provisions he has at his disposal. Back home scientists and 

crewmates Kate Mara, Michael Pena, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, 

and Donald Glover work tirelessly to mount a daring rescue mission. 

Scott returns to his towering best and picked up a Best Picture 

nomination for his effort. 

FEB 11 

SHERLOCK: THE 

ABOMINABLE BRIDE 

FEBRUARY 19 

A testament to the popularity of 

both Benedict Cumberbatch and 

Japan’s love of a good mystery, 

this feature-length episode of 

the excellent BBC television 

series gets a full theatrical release. 

LOVE THE COOPERS 

FEBRUARY 19 

Still feeling Christmassy? 

Probably not but this is Japan: 

things don’t have to make 

sense. Discover the true 

meaning of Christmas in this 

ensemble comedy with Diane 

Keaton, John Goodman, Anthony Mackie, Amanda Seyfreid, Ed 

Helms and more. 

MAGGIE 

FEBRUARY 5 

Arnie takes a stab at a serious 

role as he plays a loving father 

in a zombie-ravaged near future 

who will stop at nothing to 

protect his infected daughter. 

CAROL 

One of this year’s biggest Oscar hopefuls with a total of six 

nominations, “Carol” arrives on our screens having already 

obtained numerous accolades and featured on many critics’ 

“Top Films of 2015” lists. An adaptation of the Patricia Highsmith 

novel “The Price of Salt,” the film tells the story of a young woman, 

Therese Belivet, who dreams of a better life while working as a shop 

girl in a Manhattan department store. After a chance encounter 

with Carol, an alluring woman who frequents the store, a romance 

blossoms between the two. Set against the backdrop of New York 

City in the less-than-tolerant 1950s, Carol struggles to break free from 

the confines of a stifling, loveless marriage while dealing with the 

problems caused as she finally begins to embrace her true feelings. 

Cate Blanchett takes the title role and has been honored with a Best 

Actress nomination for her efforts. Co-star Rooney Mara is similarly 

honored in the Best Supporting category for her turn as Therese. 

Classily directed by Todd Haynes, the two leads give magnificent 

performances in this touching romance. 

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 

FEBRUARY 20 

Adam Sandler’s computeranimated 

family comedy 

returns as Dracula attempts to 

make a real vampire out of his 

fangless son. Fun for the kids, if 

not quite on Pixar’s level. 

COOTIES 

FEBRUARY 20 

Elijah Wood leads a group 

of oddball teachers against 

an elementary school full of 

zombified kids in this R-rated 

horror-comedy. 

This month’s movie previews were written by Christopher 

O’Keeffe. For more movie news and reviews visit 



AGENDA 

1 

2 

3 

4 

6 

7 

8 

5 

AGENDA: THE WEEKENDER ROUNDUP OF WHAT’S HAPPENING IN FEBRUARY 

1 FEB 13-14 

Madonna’s Rebel 

Heart Tour 

Expect a giant production, 

incredible costumes, dancers, amazing 

back up singers and all the hits. 

Where: Saitama Super Arena 

How much: ¥9,000 - ¥50,000 


2 FEB 14-15 3 FEB 17 

4 UNTIL MAR 6 

World Valentine Festival 

This romantic Valentine-themed 

festival 

takes place across the whole weekend—one 

of the biggest on Tokyo’s 

calendar. Well, for couples at least 

anyway. 

Where: Yoyogi Park | How much: Free 


Chvrches 

These Scottish indie darlings 

have been going from 

strength to strength over the past few 

years, becoming one of the biggest 

touring bands in the world and an 

international festival mainstay. 

Where: Akasaka Blitz | How much: ¥6,500 


Takashi Murakami: The 

500 Arhats 

Considered one of the most 

active and significant Japanese artists in 

the global art scene today, this exhibition 

will focus on Murakami’s recent works, 

mainly his epic “The 500 Arhats.” 

Where: Mori Art Museum | How much: ¥600 - 

¥1,600| More info: www.tokyoweekender.com 

5 FEB 11 - MAR 6 6 UNTIL FEB 29 7 FEB 29 

Setagaya Ume Matsuri 

Toshimaen Skate Rink 

Bon Iver 

Check out the stalls selling 

Outdoor ice skating fun 

US indie folk poster boy 

plum-related knick-knacks, 

for the whole family. 

Justin Vernon is bringing 

food and green tea, as well as koto Just pay the entry fee once and you his band to Japan for the first time ever 

instrument performances, haiku can come and go as you please all 

this month. In what is a long-anticipated 

classes, tea ceremonies and plant day. Perfect for those wanting to grab 

visit, expect a selection of hits from 

markets. 

some lunch or dinner from nearby across the bands whole discography. 

Where: Hanegi Park, Umegaoka 

restaurants. 

Where: Studio Coast 

How much: Free 

Where: Toshimaen 

How much: ¥7,500 (standing) 

More info: www.tokyoweekender.com How much: ¥1,600 - ¥2,100 



FEBRUARY 2016 www.tokyoweekender.com 

8 FEB 28 

Tokyo Marathon 2016 

The annual Tokyo Marathon 

offers the city’s most 

dedicated runners 42 grueling kilometers 

to pit themselves against. Join the throngs 

to cheer on the competitors! 

Where: Shinjuku to Odaiba’s Tokyo Big Sight 

How much: Free to attend (registration for 

runners has closed) 

More info: www.tokyoweekender.com

FEBRUARY | AGENDA | 33 

FEBRUARY 

9 

10 

11 

12 

9 FEB 7-22 10 UNTIL FEB 14 

Chinese Spring 

Yoko Ono: From My 

Festival 

Window 

Two full weeks of fun 

Avant-garde artist, musician 

and activist Yoko Ono returns 

and events in Yokohama’s Chinatown, 

with the countdown party on the home for a show at the Museum of 

night of February 7 being a highlight. Contemporary Art. 

Where: Yokohama China Town 

Where: Museum of Contemporary Art 


Tokyo | How much: ¥600 - ¥1,100 

More info: www.tokyoweekender.com More info: www.tokyoweekender.com 

11 FEB 7-8 12 FEB 3 

Pixar in Concert 

Setsubun Festival 

Can’t get enough of 

This bean throwing 

soundtracks from 

festival happens annually 

your favorite Pixar films? The live and signifies the arrival of spring. To 

orchestral showcase is back in Tokyo attract health and fortune for the year, 

for another round of tear-jerking make sure you grab an omamori charm 

moments and childhood-reminiscing. at one of the stalls wile you’re there. 

Where: Akasaka Blitz 

Where: Zojoji Temple 

How much: ¥6,500 - ¥8,500 


More info: www.tokyoweekender.com More info: www.tokyoweekender.com 


BACK IN THE DAY: FEBRUARY 1974 

Check out the scene in Tokyo from 1974! You can read the rest of this issue (No.6 

1974) and view Weekender’s 45-year archive online. www.tokyoweekender.com/ 

weekender-archives/

Tokyo Weekender - February 2016

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?