THIS MONTH IN THE WEEKENDER FEBRUARY <strong>2016</strong> 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, <strong>Tokyo</strong> 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 <strong>Tokyo</strong> Marathon Turns Ten HIDETOSHI NAKATA A Soccer All-Star on the Sake Trail FEBRUARY <strong>2016</strong> ALSO: The Latest Updates from <strong>Tokyo</strong>’s International Schools, Valentine’s Day Activities, Hitting the Snow in www.tokyoweekender.com Hakuba Valley, FEBRUARY and More <strong>2016</strong> Cover Photo by Junichi Takahashi s British School in A <strong>Tokyo</strong> Principal Brian Christian reminds us in his introduction to our education section, <strong>February</strong> 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 <strong>Tokyo</strong> 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 <strong>Tokyo</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong>, 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 www.tokyoweekender.com Opinions expressed by <strong>Weekender</strong> contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher WRITERS WANTED <strong>Tokyo</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong> 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 <strong>Tokyo</strong>, 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 FEBRUARY <strong>2016</strong> www.tokyoweekender.com
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