Tokyo Weekender July 2016

JULY 2017 

Japan’s number one English language magazine 

BREAKING THE 

RULES OF KIMONO 

A NEW BOOK SHATTERS 

ANTIQUATED VIEWS OF THIS 

TRADITIONAL GARMENT 

PLUS: The Boys for Sale in Shinjuku, Best Sake of 2017, Japan's New Emperor, and What Really Goes on Inside "Terrace House"

To all investors and customers of The Parkhouse series: 

The Mitsubishi Jisho Residence overseas 

sales team is on hand for all your needs 

For the most up-to-date information about Mitsubishi Jisho 

Residence's new real estate projects, please visit our 

English website at www.mecsumai.com/international/en 

For inquiries, please email mjrtph@mec-r.com 

Live in a Home for Life. The Parkhouse

34 

26 

32 36 

radar 

THIS MONTH’S HEAD TURNERS 

8 AREA GUIDE: YURAKUCHO 

This old-school neighborhood has a few 

modern surprises up its sleeve. 

14 STYLE 

Ready for a summer romance? Get your 

spark back with some flirtatious swimwear 

18 BEAUTY 

Shake up your make-up with a full kit of 

organic, natural cosmetics. 

20 TRENDS 

We stop by Japan's Sake Competition to find 

out which are the top tipples for 2017. 

22 THE CONCIERGE 

Editor's picks from our roundup of top restaurants, 

salons, and services in the city. 

in-depth 

COFFEE-BREAK READS 

26 BREAKING THE RULES OF KIMONO 

A new book shows off the different personalities 

of this very traditional garment. 

30 THE LIFE AND LOVE OF JAPAN'S 

NEW EMPEROR 

As Emperor Akihito prepares to step down, 

all eyes are turning towards his son. 

32 THE MISUNDERSTOOD CROWS 

OF TOKYO 

Love or hate them, the city's gigantic crows 

cannot be ignored. We look at their bond 

with Japan, and what they can teach us. 

34 WHAT IT'S REALLY LIKE INSIDE 

"TERRACE HOUSE" 

We chat with the stars to get the inside 

scoop on this mundane yet addictive show. 

36 BOYS FOR SALE 

A new documentary brings to light a particular 

kind of sex trade in Shinjuku Ni-chome. 

guide 

CULTURE ROUNDUP 

40 ART & FICTION 

Julian Lennon shows off his photography, 

and a new spy novel wends its way into 

North Korea. 

42 AGENDA 

An art aquarium, a dynamic percussion performance, 

and a Showa-era beer garden. 

44 TRAVEL 

A new market brings Niigata to Tokyo. 

46 PEOPLE, PARTIES, PLACES 

Tokyo's longest-running society column. 

JULY 2017

JULY 2017 

Publisher 

President 

Executive Producer 

Editor in Chief 

Senior Editors 

Creative Director 

Features Writer 

Contributors 

Sales Director 

Sales Executives 

Marketing Director 

Media Consultant 

Media Producers 

ENGAWA Co., Ltd. 

Takanobu Ushiyama 

Naoya Takahashi 

Annemarie Luck 

Alec Jordan 

Lisa Wallin 

Liam Ramshaw 

Matthew Hernon 

Vivian Morelli 

Paul McInnes 

Stephan Jarvis 

Bill Hersey 

Bunny Bissoux 

Takaaki Murai 

Hirofumi Ohuchi 

Kahori Terakawa 

Ayane Sugawara 

Azusa Yoshida 

Mari Saito 

Jessica Yumi Idomoto 

Mary Rudow 

Claudia Sun 

Yuda Chou 

Cover illustration (Ride on times), Model: Ryoko, 

Photographer/Stylist/Makeup/Editor: Akira Times 

Direction: Kimono Times 

EST. Corky Alexander, 1970 

SSU Bld. 1F 4-12-8 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku 

Tokyo, Japan 151-0051 

(03) 6432-9948 / (03) 6438-9432 (fax) 

editor@tokyoweekender.com 

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Opinions expressed by Weekender contributors 

are not necessarily those of the publisher 

Published by ENGAWA Co., Ltd. 

4 | JULY 2017 | TOKYO WEEKENDER

@bapawn: Annemarie, your story about the 

documentary Boys for Sale [page 36] was gutting, but I 

couldn’t stop reading until I got to the end. How did you 

find out about the project? 

@mizrama: Yes, it’s a very distressing film to watch, but 

a very important topic to bring to light – these young 

boys who are being paid to sleep with older men in 

Shinjuku. The director of photography is a friend of 

mine so I knew about it from the start, when he and the 

executive producer were first exploring the topic. 

@bapawn: Emotionally, was it a difficult piece to work on? 

@bapawn: I think it’s good that the film touches on topics 

that are often kept out of public discussion in Japan. 

@mizrama: Agreed. Hopefully it will encourage people 

to examine their opinions about homosexuality, and 

also put a spotlight on the need for sex education. 

@bapawn: In a very different way, as this month’s cover 

goes to show, perceptions have shifted on a topic that’s 

quite out in the open in Japan: the kimono [page 26]. 

I’m glad to see that the garment is being taken down 

from its pedestal a little, and becoming a bit more 

democratized. 

@mizrama: It has definitely stayed with me, and I 

do find myself thinking of the boys and wondering if 

they’re okay. But I think it was far more difficult for 

the film makers. They spent three years on the project, 

and hours interviewing each urisen (rent boy). Some 

of the stories the boys told are truly heartbreaking. But 

hopefully by making a documentary like this, they can 

help to shift certain perceptions in and of Japan. 

@mizrama: Me too. In our interview with Dr Sheila 

Cliffe [author of the book The Social Life of Kimono], 

it feels almost like she’s giving us permission to wear 

the kimono as we would everyday fashion, rather than 

reserve it for special occasions. 

@bapawn: Well then, I know what I’ll be wearing to our 

next office party… 

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TOKYO WEEKENDER | JULY 2017 | 5


WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR THIS MONTH... 

It's the perfect time to explore Yurakucho as a new performance theater opens its doors 

with a dramatic show. Plus: flirtatious summer swimwear, and the best sake of 2017. 

TOKYO WEEKENDER | | JULY 2017 | 7

AREA GUIDE 

UNDER THE 

TRACKS IN 

YURAKUCHO 

Surrounded by the extravagance of areas such as 

Marunouchi, Ginza, Hibiya and Shimbashi, this old-school 

neighborhood is something of an island extending in a narrow 

strip beneath the Yamanote line. But it does have a few 

modern surprises up its sleeve… 

Words by Paul McInnes. Photos by Stephan Jarvis 

GRUB’S UP 

Yurakucho is a foodie’s paradise. There are 

plenty of cafés, bars and restaurants catering 

for those with both tight and expansive budgets. 

Under the tracks there is the (in)famous 

Yakitori Alley serving up chicken skewers 

and watered down beer to locals and tourists 

alike. You can even indulge in authentic Korean 

barbeque, cheap ramen from ramshackle 

huts and pick up some fruit and veg from the 

wee market stalls that dot the area. 

The really good stuff in the form of sweaty 

and gargantuan burgers, however, can be 

found just outside Tokyo International Forum 

(more on TIF later). American hamburger 

chain Shake Shack serves up all kinds of 

juicy goodness, shakes and treats at its newish 

restaurant. Lines are to be expected but if the 

thought of hamburger juice running down 

your chin and arms turns you on then it’s a 

no-brainer. 

The slightly more refined diner should 

head to the legendary Shin Hinomoto (aka 

Andy’s) izakaya run by an Englishman who 

prides himself on supplying an authentic 

Japanese dining experience. Booze, fish and 

traditional dishes are enjoyed by those in the 

know and greedy tourists searching for the 

foodie Promised Land. 


INDULGE IN AUTHENTIC KOREAN BARBEQUE, OR 

CHEAP RAMEN FROM RAMSHACKLE HUTS 


FOR THOSE WITH A 

DEEPER INTEREST 

IN THE ARTS, HEAD 

TO THE BRAND-NEW 

ALTERNATIVE THEATRE 

ALL SAY PROST! 

Although no-one seems to know why there are 

so many German bars in the area (and even 

more German/Japanese-style beer halls opening 

soon), they have huge after-work pulling power 

for salarymen and women. Not cheap but selling 

traditional German brews such as Bitburger, 

Hofbrau and Franziskaner alongside sausages and 

sauerkraut, pubs Baden Baden and JS Lennep are 

magnificent if looking for an electrifying atmosphere 

and good ol’ knees up. Even better is that 

they’re located right next to each other so there’s 

no excuse for not missing your last train home. 

HAVE MONEY TO BURN? 

For those passionate about all things electronic, 

Yurakucho has a huge Bic Camera branch choc-abloc 

with cameras, smartphones and pretty much 

everything savvy urbanites require to function in 

this day and age. Lumine department store caters 

for elegant and fashion-forward ladies (brands 

include Alexander Wang, Tomorrowland and Marc 

by Marc Jacobs) while Hankyu Men’s focuses on 

the Tokyo dandy (and is one of only two department 

stores in Tokyo providing fashion solely for 

men). If you’re a fashionable gent then the likes of 

Comme des Garcons, Junya Watanabe, Undercover 

and Thom Browne will have you reaching for 

10 | JUNE 2017 | TOKYO WEEKENDER

your gold card in no time. The area also 

plays host to the Muji flagship store, which 

incorporates a restaurant and an outpost of 

the Loft stationery shop. Muji is the go-to 

brand for the low-key and toned-down yet 

stylish Tokyoite. 

FAMED ARCHITECTURE AND 

A BRAND-NEW THEATER 

The Rafael Vinoly-designed Tokyo International 

Forum is an architectural gem 

nestled between Yurakucho and Tokyo stations. 

Serving as an exhibition, conference 

and arts center, the space is huge and looms 

over Yurakucho and surrounding areas. 

Visitors are free to have a peek around and 

marvel at its magnitude and brilliance. For 

those with a deeper interest in the arts, the 

brand-new Alternative Theatre will be up 

your street. The wholly renovated venue 

will host cutting-edge, non-verbal shows 

by leading performers. Its inaugural show, 

Alata, plays until the end of August and is a 

futuristic, action-packed samurai tale [turn 

the page for our full review]. 

TOKYO WEEKENDER | JUNE 2017 | 11

[ PROMOTION ] 

A Dramatic 

Alternative 

A new performance theater in Yurakucho gives fresh life to a vintage cinema, 

and celebrates its launch this month with a captivating multimedia show 

Movie theaters are often where we go to see 

the extraordinary take place: dazzling special 

effects, actors transforming themselves 

before our eyes, and directors inspiring 

their cast and crew to bring their visions 

to life. Simply put, we often go to these spaces to escape, 

and to feel a true sense of freedom from the everyday. 

It’s fitting, then, that Yurakucho’s new Alternative 

Theatre was a movie theater in its previous incarnation, 

because this theatrical venue is looking to bring that 

same sense of the extraordinary to its audiences. 

Over the last nine months, what used to be a Toei 

Cinema has been remodeled into a 410-seat theater 

that will play home to a variety of shows. The space is 

equipped with a state-of-the-art sound system, a series of 

catwalks and wire stations that will allow performers to 

soar above the audiences, and 2,700 LEDs that will serve 

as a dramatic accompaniment to the action on stage. 

There are also certain touches that harken back to 

the space’s Showa origins and to Yurakucho’s historical 

roots as Tokyo’s Broadway. As the elevator doors open 

onto the lobby, the first thing you see is the vintage, 

crystal-bedecked pillar. This is only one of the many 

vintage details that can be found around the theater, 

and they add to a feeling of comfort that is part of the 

Japanese tradition of omotenashi (making guests feel as 

comfortable as possible), which is one of the pillars of 

the Alternative Theatre experience. 

Embracing the past while looking forward to the 

future is at the heart of Alternative Theatre’s mission, 

as Studio Alta president Kazutoshi Tanuma explains. 

The company has its roots in television production, but 

in developing the theater, they’ve had assistance from 

experienced hands at companies like the Theater Workshop 

and Mitsukoshi Party Management Company. 

Studio Alta’s first show is the captivating multimedia 

production Alata, which brings together a variety of art 

forms – dance, swordplay, and pantomime – to create an 

unforgettable theatrical experience. With international 

audiences in mind, the entire show will be non-verbal, 

and rely on the skill and artistry of cast and crew to create 

performances that audiences from around the world 

will be able to appreciate and enjoy. 

For the more distant future, Tanuma hopes to create 

more collaborative shows harnessing the skills and 

talents of performers from a wide variety of disciplines, 

but always with a focus on the non-verbal. Given their 

international focus, they also have a long-term goal of 

partnering with foreign promoters and bringing international 

talent to the Alternative Theatre. 

But Tanuma isn’t satisfied with multidisciplinary 

theater that breaks boundaries while reaching audiences 

from around the world. He’s set an even higher bar 

for the fledgling theater: “Ultimately,” Tanuma says, 

“We want to bring about an entirely new kind of 

entertainment.” 


BEHIND THE SCENES AT 

THE OPENING SHOW 

The opening day for Alata couldn’t 

be more fitting: July 7 is the most 

common day for celebrating 

Tanabata, a holiday that recognizes 

two celestial lovers, and is a time 

when magical things are known to happen. 

The title character of the play is Alata, 

a shogun from the Sengoku period (1467– 

1603). In his own time, he was charged 

with the duty of protecting a princess 

from an evil spirit. Defeated on his mission, 

Alata finds himself magically transported to 

Tokyo and the year 2020. There, he meets 

Kokoro, a modern young woman with 

no fondness for old traditions. As Alata 

struggles to make his way in the modern 

era, he and Kokoro are pursued by the 

same spirit that sent Alata into the future. 

One of the things that makes Alata 

unique is its ability to tell its tale entirely 

without words. Whether audiences are 

marveling at Alata’s intense swordplay, 

being moved by fast-paced dance routines, 

or looking up to see performers on wires 

zooming towards the stage, there’s no 

language barrier and audiences from 

around the world will be able to follow the 

story without missing a beat. 

We were able to see part of a rehearsal 

for the show, and the stage positively 

crackles with energy as the characters 

brought the captivating story to life with 

dance, pantomime, and swordplay. 

The playwright behind Alata is Kensuke 

Yokouchi, who has penned works that range 

from Super Kabuki shows and large-scale 

plays to small, independent works. Together 

with director Shunichi Okamura, who has 

produced everyone from idol groups to 

DANCE, 

SWORDPLAY, 

AND PANTOMIME 

COME TOGETHER 

TO CREATE AN 

UNFORGETTABLE 

THEATRICAL 

EXPERIENCE 

kabuki actors, he has taken up the 

challenge of bringing a completely 

wordless work to dramatic life. 

For a theatrical piece that uses 

no words, music plays a crucial 

role, which is where the group Mili comes 

into focus. The band came to international 

attention through the hit mobile music game 

Deemo, and all of Mili’s album releases have 

hit the number one spot on Japan’s indie 

music chart. Their music, which manages 

to evoke both traditional Japan and hyper 

modern Tokyo, is a perfect counterpoint to 

this tale of a time-transplanted samurai. 

The two performers who will bring 

the lead characters to life are Elina and 

Yuko Saotome. Elina, who plays Kokoro, 

has starred on stage and screen, and has 

recently returned from a stint in New York, 

further developing her craft as a dancer. 

Yuki Saotome, her counterpart, made his 

stage debut with Japan’s leading theater 

troupe, Gekidan Sujaku, when he was 

one and a half years old. After years of 

performing in traditional Japanese theater, 

Saotome is now known as one of Japan’s 

quickest and most talented sword play 

performers. 

And although the celestial lovers of 

Tanabata, Orihime and Hikoboshi, only get a 

day to spend with one another, audiences will 

be able to enjoy the adventures of Alata and 

Kokoro for many months to come. It’s a show 

that you don’t want to miss. 

ESSENTIAL INFO 

Alata hits the stage at Alternative Theatre 

on July 7. 

Tickets: www.alternative-theatre.jp/en 

Address: Alternative Theatre Yurakucho 

Center Bldg (Yurakucho Mullion) 7F, 2–5–1 

Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku. 

Scenes from the Alata stage rehearsal 


STYLE 

GUCCI HEADBAND 

According to the runways, headbands go in 

and out of style, but according to our own 

rules, they’re always appropriate, especially 

during summer. Hot and muggy Japanese 

summers require extra steps to stay cool, 

and headbands are a must-have to fix a frizzy 

mane and to get that fringe away from your 

forehead. This silk Gucci headband is adorned 

with the house’s Flora snake print, which 

features a serpent winding its way around 

bouquets of flowers. Both naughty and nice, 

it’s begging to be stashed in your handbag for 

impromptu beach trips. gucci.com 

GET YOUR SPARK BACK WITH 

OUR ROUNDUP OF FLIRTATIOUS 

SWIMWEAR AND HEAD-TURNING 

POOLSIDE ACCESSORIES 

Compiled by Vivian Morelli 

ARAKS BIKINI 

New York-based label Araks uses the most 

luxurious Italian fabrics to create effortlessly 

chic lingerie and swimwear. While the brand 

is mostly known for its sleek undergarments, 

it’s worth having a look at their swimsuit 

collection. We especially love this red, plum 

and pink color-block bikini that combines a 

flattering triangle top and low-rise briefs. The 

sculpting, stretchy fabric is even woven with 

SPF 50+ protection, adding extra shielding 

to complement all that sunscreen you’ve 

already slathered on. araks.com

MISSONI SWIM SHORTS 

Renowned for its patterned knitwear, Missoni does 

everything ranging from clothes, home decor and 

– you guessed it – swimwear. The Italian house 

cleverly transformed its iconic woven chevron 

pattern into print form for this pair of slim-fit 

swim shorts. Cut from lightweight shell, they come 

in a few different color combinations, but this 

tonal blue version is our favorite. The drawstring 

at the waistband even comes with the signature 

multicolored zigzag motif, for a full Missoni effect. 

missoni.com 

THOM BROWNE 

SWIM SHORTS 

Designer Thom Browne is known for his playful 

yet edgy designs. For his 2017 spring collection, 

his inspiration was the classic movie Jaws. These 

swim shorts pay homage to the 1975 flick with 

appliquéd sharks and bitten surfboards in red, 

navy and white, which are also the brand’s 

signature colors. Crafted in Italy from quick-drying 

shell, they’re both comfortable and stylish, and 

they will make for a good conversation starter at 

the beach. thombrowne.com 

STELLA MCCARTNEY 

SWIMSUIT 

Take a plunge without having to worry 

about whether your bikini top will stay on 

– this is just one of the pluses of wearing 

a full-piece swimsuit. They’re also just a 

lot more flattering. One-piece suits have 

been all the rage over the past few years, 

and this Stella McCartney number is the 

perfect balance of trendy and practical. 

The one-shoulder design is free of clasps 

or fastenings for a streamlined fit, and the 

vivid animal print is one of the designer’s 

signature patterns – let it be yours, too. 

stellamccartney.com 

MAISON MARGIELA SUNGLASSES 

Sunglasses are undoubtedly at the top of the “essential summer accessories” 

list. Not only does a pair of stylish frames instantly spruce up an outfit, a good 

set of lenses also protects your peepers against harsh sun rays. This pair from 

Maison Margiela is a fresh change from the classic aviators: it comes with 

a chunky round frame (this season’s trending look), featuring a silver-hued 

snakeskin effect. Dress down when you wear them and let them take the 

spotlight they deserve. maisonmargiela.com

[ PROMOTION ] 

HOW NIPPON FORM 

CAN TRANSFORM 

YOUR HOME 

Photos by Chris Mollison 

Head to the fifth floor of 

LIVING DESIGN CENTER 

OZONE to discover a range 

of furniture and homeware 

that will infuse your décor 

with both contemporary 

design and a touch of 

traditional craftsmanship 

For 20 years, Nippon Form 

has sought to provide ideal 

pieces that reflect the evolving 

lifestyles of modern society. 

Their selection of furniture 

and homewares retain the strengths of both 

traditional culture and innovative modernity, 

making for a collection that neatly unites 

functionality and style. Visitors will find 

practical items with a combination of Japanese 

and Western influences, harmonizing 

beautiful design and purpose. 

SHOWROOM STRATEGY 

The Nippon Form showroom gives visitors a 

complete idea of how an interior would look, 

while also allowing you to feel the texture of 

fabrics and wood surfaces firsthand. Though 

the showroom is compact, this makes it easier for those 

living in small spaces to imagine how to maximize said 

space. Knowledgeable staff are on call to advise on 

usage, storage and design options, as well as how to care 

for items to ensure they last for generations. 

MINIMALIST BUT FUNCTIONAL FURNITURE 

Create a calming space by filling your home with 

simple, practical pieces of furniture that don’t require a 

compromise on design. Natural wood furnishings offer 

a sturdy, traditional feel to contemporary construction, 

especially when combined with coarse fabrics. Taking 

Japan’s sometimes miniscule living areas into account, 


HOW TO KEEP YOUR 

HOME COOL FOR 

SUMMER 

MANY ITEMS 

ARE CRAFTED TO 

FIT NEATLY INTO 

SMALL SPACES 

Few places emphasize the 

change of the seasons as much 

as Japan, and Nippon Form is 

no exception. The Prep Your 

Place for Summer Living event, 

which is on during regular 

opening hours at the showroom, 

promotes various ways 

to keep your home feeling 

naturally cool in the otherwise 

oppressive city summer heat. 

Wicker chairs and tables, 

woven rush accessories, 

bamboo baskets, wind chimes, 

and paper fans are just a few 

of the special seasonal items 

available during this limited 

time. Event ends August 6. 

bright aquamarine and magenta – offer aesthetic 

charm for any interior. 

many sofas and chairs are crafted to either 

neatly fit into small spaces, or have a multifunctional 

purpose so as to make the most 

of a compact room. 

DESIGNER ITEMS x QUALITY 

CRAFTSMANSHIP 

A unique addition to your home in form 

and function, as well as a dash of color can 

change your interior completely. Here, Nippon 

Form excels with an extensive selection of 

high-end interior products, including glassware, 

tableware, and even lighting fixtures. The 

Guinomi series of hand-cut shot glasses from 

Kamata Kiriko delivers a new perspective to a 

traditional craft. The glasses gleam with indigo 

accents and the curved patterns conjure up 

images of water and waves. Another one-of-akind 

item is the nanbu tetsubin cast-iron kettle, 

a craft with a history dating back hundreds of 

years. These sturdy items from Iwate require the 

utmost care to create, but will last generations. 

Their playful pop-inspired colors – including 

ONE-OF-A-KIND GIFTS 

Although furniture is a large part of Nippon 

Form’s selection, there are plenty of smaller 

home decor items and accessories to please both 

the eye and the wallet for the casual souvenir 

shopper. Furoshiki cloths are both practical and 

compact gift items that showcase contemporary 

patterns on traditional fabric. Chopsticks, lacquerware 

bowls, small porcelain accessories – a 

cornucopia of items are available to explore and 

enjoy, making this the place to find a one-of-akind, 

high-quality gift to take home. 

NIPPON FORM, LIVING DESIGN 

CENTER OZONE 

5F Shinjuku Park Tower, 3-7-1 

Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku 

Tel: 03-5322-6620 

Web: www.ozone.co.jp/nipponform 


BEAUTY 

Words by Annemarie Luck 

Time for a make-up shake up: toss out the old and fill your 

beauty bag with these natural and organic brands instead 

LIPSTICK BY NATURAGLACE 

Using organic plant extracts, minerals 

and essential oils, Japan-made 

Naturaglacé products are 100% 

natural. With a base of olive oil and 

jojoba oil, this Rouge Drop Moist 

lipstick goes on smoothly, melting 

onto the lips, and moisturizing while 

providing a chic berry hue. 

¥3,200, www.naturaglace.jp 

FOUNDATION BY 

TV & MOVIE 

One of Japanese brand 

TV & Movie’s bestsellers, 

the 10 Min Mineral Powder 

Foundation not only 

protects your skin with 

SPF40 but also naturally 

adjusts to suit your skin 

tone. Best of all, it’s not 

dry like regular powder 

foundation as it contains 

natural oils including 

argan oil, olive oil and 

camellia oil. ¥5,500, 

www.tv-movie.co.jp

EYESHADOW BY 

ALIMA PURE 

Founded in Portland, Alima Pure 

believes in “minimal ingredients 

for maximum impact.” This proudly 

carbon-neutral brand incorporates 

pure mineral pigments, nourishing 

plants oils, and soothing botanicals 

in their luxurious range. Their 

Luminous Shimmer Eyeshadow is 

available at Cosme Kitchen branches 

in Tokyo, and our first choice for 

summer is this beautifully subtle 

Chai color. ¥2,376, alimapure.com, 

cosmekitchen.jp 

MASCARA BY 

AQUA ORGANIC 

Japanese brand Aqua Organic 

was founded in 2014 and 

uses fresh fruit extracts in 

their natural cosmetics. Even 

this mineral mascara, which 

lengthens and separates 

lashes beautifully, contains 

extracts including grapeseed, 

yuzu fruit, and loquat leaf. 

¥2,700, aqua-cosme.com 

BLUSH BY MIMC 

Created by Kotobuki Kitajima, MIMC 

uses 100% mineral and organic ingredients, 

and aims to “take care of your skin 

with make-up.” Look out for their 2017 

S/S 10th Anniversary Collection, which 

features this pressed Bio Moisture Cheek 

color made from minerals, plant serums 

and natural dye. ¥3,800, www.mimc. 

co.jp/2017sscollection.php 

EYESHADOW BY 

ZUII ORGANIC 

Whether you prefer a smoky 

eye or a pop of color on 

your lids, this new Certified 

Organic Duo Eyeshadow 

Palette range by Australian 

brand Zuii satisfies all tastes. 

The brand’s unique talc-free 

blend of rose, chamomile and 

jasmine powders are enriched 

with natural vitamins and 

minerals. We can’t wait to try 

the purple Pout Grape duo. 

¥4,800, www.zuiiorganic.com. 

For a list of stockists in Japan, 

visit www.zuii.jp

TRENDS 

THE SAKE 

AWARDS 

Words by Alec Jordan 

Last month we stopped by Sake Competition 2017 to find out 

which are the top tipples to taste this year 

For a beverage with such a long 

history (nearly 2000 years!), 

sake’s ingredients are as simple 

as can be: rice, water, a special 

type of mold known as kōji, 

yeast, and in some cases, distilled alcohol. But 

from these basic materials, a countless variety 

of different sakes have been brought to life, 

generations of brewing families have passed 

down secret recipes over the years, and a long 

and flavorful history continues to develop. 

It was with this spirit at heart that Japan’s 

Sake Competition was begun. Drawing sake 

brewers from around Japan and beyond, the 

2017 awards, held in early June, saw a panel 

of beverage connoisseurs – including none 

other than Hidetoshi Nakata – appraising 

more than 1700 sakes produced by 453 different 

sake brewers. There were eight awards 

categories, and we’re sharing the top three 

sakes in each – whether you’re new to nihonshu 

or you’re a long-time fan of the tipple, 

you’ll want to add these to your shopping list. 

More info at www.sakecompetition.com 


JUNMAI 

JUNMAI 

DAIGINJO 

This type of sake has had no extra distilled 

alcohol added during its brewing, and is 

known for its rich, full flavor. 

THE WINNERS: 

1 ST Zaku, Honotomo, Shimizu Seizaburo 

Shoten (Mie) 2 ND Zaku, Gennotomo, Shimizu 

Seizaburo Shoten (Mie) 3 RD Ugonotsuki, 

Tokubetsu Junmai, Aihara Brewery 

(Hiroshima) 

JUNMAI 

GINJO 

A full, complex flavored sake made from 

rice that has been polished until at least 50 

percent of the grain has been removed. 

THE WINNERS: 

1 ST Kaiun, Junmai Daiginjo, Doi Brewery 

(Shizuoka) 2 ND Tokaizakari, Junmai 

Daiginjo, Tobindori, Koizumi Brewery 

(Chiba) 3 RD Hououbiden, Beccho Shiko, 

Kobayashi Brewery (Tochigi) 

GINJO 

SPARKLING 

SAKE 

Made without the addition of distilled alcohol. 

Known for its complex flavor, which often has 

fruity and flowery notes. 

Produced using distilled alcohol, which can 

make for very interesting flavor profiles. These 

sakes are highly fragrant with subtle flavors. 

THE WINNERS: 

1 ST Raifuku, Daiginjo, Shizuku, Raifuku 

Brewery (Ibaraki) 2 ND KID, Daiginjo, Heiwa 

Brewery (Wakayama) 3 RD Miinokotobuki, 

Daiginjo, Kannokura, Miinokotobuki 

Brewery (Fukuoka) 

THE WINNERS: 

1 ST Tosashiragiku, Junmai Ginjo, 

Yamadanishiki, Sento Sake Brewery (Kochi) 

2 ND Katsuyama, Junmai Ginjo, Ken, Katsuyama 

Brewery (Miyagi) 3 RD Bijofu, Junmai Ginjo, 

Yataro, Hamakawa Shoten (Kochi) 

SUPER 

PREMIUM 

Sparkling sake gets its bubbles from one of 

three ways: carbonation, tank fermentation, 

or bottle fermentation. 

THE WINNERS: 

1 ST Nanbu Bijin, Awa Sake Sparkling, 

Nanbu Bijin Brewery (Iwate) 2 ND Shu Shu, 

Happoseishu, Koganei Brewery (Kanagawa) 

3 RD Suzune, Happoseishu, Ichinokura 

Brewery (Miyagi) 

LABEL 

DESIGN 

DINERS CLUB 

YOUNG BREWERS’ 

ENCOURAGEMENT 

AWARD 

These three winners caught 

judges’ eyes as well as their 

taste buds. 

THE WINNERS: 

1 ST Echigo Tsurukame, Junmai Daiginjo, 

Koshiwa, Echigo Tsurukame Brewery 

(Niigata) 2 ND Yamagata Masamune, 

Okanjunmai, Mitobe Brewery (Yamagata) 

3 RD Miyakanbai, Extra Class Junmai Daiginjo, 

Sanmai Hasshi, Kanbai Brewery (Miyagi) 

These sakes represent the very best that a 

brewer can achieve – and they have a price 

tag to match. 

THE WINNERS: 

1 ST Shichiken, Junmai Daiginjo, Onakata, 

Tobingakoi, Yamanashi Meijo Brewery 

(Yamanashi) 2 ND Kiwamihijiri, Junmai 

Daiginjo, Tenka no Shisei, Miyashita 

Brewery (Okayama) 3 RD Katsuyama, Junmai 

Daiginjo, Ren, Katsuyama Brewery (Miyagi) 

This prize goes in support of young brewers 

– those who are 35 years or younger. 

THE WINNER: 

This year the prize went to Mr Kitahara 

from Yamanashi Meijo Brewery in 

Yamanashi Prefecture, whose Shichiken 

Junmai Daiginjo won the top prize in the 

Super Premium category. As a part of the 

award, Yamanashi Meijo Brewery will 

receive PR and sales support. 


Looking for a great place to eat, shop, sleep or play in Tokyo? Welcome to Weekender's 

roundup of recommended restaurants, hotels, stores, salons and more. Here, we share 

this month's editor's picks, but for the full lineup – as well as reader discounts and 

special offers – simply head to www.tokyoweekender.com/the-concierge 

Elana Jade Club 360 

HEALTH, BEAUTY & FITNESS | EDITORS CHOICE 

Choose a healthy alternative to tanning without the hidden 

downsides! Eco Tan colors do not contain synthetic food 

coloring, and are derived from cacao, herbs, flower 

extracts, fruit extracts and chamomile from our Mother 

Earth. Home care products, including self tanning, are also available. 

Please see our website tanning page for tips on how to keep your tan 

longer! Special offer: Enjoy a full-body spray tan for ¥5,000 (normal 

price ¥7,000), valid until July 31. 

www.elanajade.com 

03-6453-9319 

4F NS Azabu Juban Building, 3-6-2 Azabu Juban, Minato-ku 

Club 360 is Tokyo’s premier fitness and rehabilitation 

center, offering personal training, physiotherapy, sports 

massage, exercise classes, boxing and various classes for 

children. Programs are tailored to suit you, and all trainers 

are highly qualified. Special offer: Get in shape this summer 

with Club 360’s four-week unlimited class special. Only ¥30,000 

and you get access to over 20 classes per week! 

www.club360.jp 

03-6434-9667 

B1 Cma3 Building, 3-1-35 Motoazabu, Minato-ku 

HEALTH, BEAUTY & FITNESS | EDITORS CHOICE 

HOTELS | EDITORS CHOICE 

Zagyosoh 

Founded 50 years ago, 

Zagyosoh – which is set within 

Izu’s Ukiyama hot spring 

district as well as the Fuji 

Hakone National Park – has transformed 

over the years from a small 

four-room traditional inn to a luxury 

resort spanning 16,528 square meters. 

It’s the first Abba Resort in Japan, and 

as of 2017 it’s also the first and only 

Japanese ryokan to be accepted as a 

member of the prestigious Small Luxury 

Hotels of the World (SLH) group. 

rzagyosoh.com/en 

0557-53-1170 

1741 Yawatano, Ito-shi, Shizuoka 


Fujimoto Dental Clinic 

At this Ginza-based clinic, which was founded in 1981, you’ll 

not only receive world-class specialist restorative and periodontal 

dental care, but you’ll also be in the expert hands 

of Dr Kohei Fujimoto. He is fluent in English, a graduate of 

the University of Washington’s Graduate Periodontics Program, and 

certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. 

Appointments can be made via phone. 

Owl Café Search 

Japan is famed for its wide variety of animal cafés, with owl 

cafés being one of the latest to join the lineup. This new 

website provides all the information you need on where to 

find one of these feathery creatures to pet while sipping on a 

cuppa. Launching their English site this month, Owl Café Search lets 

you search by area, and includes details such as price, opening hours, 

and contact info for each café listed. 

ABOUT TOWN | EDITORS CHOICE 

www.owlcafe-search.com 

ABOUT TOWN | EDITORS CHOICE 

www.fujimoto-dental.com 

03-5551-0051 

4F Kami-Pulp Kaikan, 3-9-11 Ginza, Chuo-ku 

WANT TO FEATURE YOUR ESTABLISHMENT IN THE CONCIERGE? 

For ad sales enquiries, please call 03-6432-9948 or email sales@tokyoweekender.com 


WE ASKED HOW YOU 

FEEL ABOUT JAPAN'S 

BATHING CULTURE. 

HERE'S WHAT 

YOU SAID... 

high-tech functions 

The top-rated feature of 

Japanese baths eg. auto water 

reheating. Meanwhile, 109 

people said Japanese baths 

should be longer and larger. 

The number of respondents 

who said that their bathroom 

back home contained a bath 

tub, shower and toilet in the 

same room (unlike in Japan). 

In April, The Noritz Group, one of Japan's leading 

water heater companies, asked Tokyo Weekender 

readers to take a short survey to share your opinions 

and experiences with regards to the bathing customs 

of Japan, including at home, sento (public baths), and 

onsen (hot spring baths). From over 600 responses, 

we've whittled down the data to bring you the 

insightful – and sometimes entertaining – results. 

biggest changes since 

moving to japan 

1. I bathe more often 

2. I bathe at night now 

3. I bathe for longer 

Were surprised to learn that Japanese 

people commonly share bath water and 

bath time with family members. 70% of 

respondents said they bathe alone. 

TOP READERS’ 

COMMENTS 

AND NOW FOR YOUR MOST 

ENTERTAINING SUGGESTIONS… 

"The sound of the bath 

controller is too loud; every 

time we use it our dog barks 

like crazy." 

"I wish I could turn on the 

water from the bath itself. 

The control button is in the 

kitchen for some reason..." 

Those who have been to a sento. 

Although only 30% said they regularly 

use both home and public baths. 

The percentage 

from North 

America who tend 

to bathe at night, 

while people from 

Asia tend to bathe 

in the morning. 

"I would like an app on my 

smartphone to start running 

or heat up my bath!" 

"Have beer vendors walking 

around the onsen? That 

would be pretty silly 

though." 

SO WHAT DID WE ULTIMATELY LEARN FROM THE SURVEY? 

After 66 years in the bathing possible to automatically clean the bath tub, 

biz, Noritz told us they were fill the water and maintain the temperature 

interested "to discover that with just one switch. Also look out for their 

international residents enjoy newly launched high-efficiency gas water 

taking baths as much as people heater, the Eco Jozu GT-C2462 series, which 

who grew up in Japan." 

carries a UV sterilization unit on the water 

Following on from some of the feedback heater itself to prevent bacteria growing in 

received, they'll be focusing their attention 

on adding to their range of high-tech 

residual water. 

features – for example, the Osouji Yokuso For more information about The Noritz 

(bath tub cleaning) feature, which makes it Group, go to www.noritzglobal.com/en 

"I only wish they allowed 

tattoos. Some of us have 

small tattoos and got 

rejected at some onsen." 

"All I know is pressing a 

button to run a bath has 

changed everything! And 

living closer to a Lush. Bath 

bombs are my life now." 

"More signs in proper 

English, widely available in 

onsen and sento." 


SHIFTING PERCEPTIONS 

This month: a shocking documentary challenges traditional opinions on sexuality in 

Japan (above and page 36), a new book shatters antiquated views on the kimono (page 26), 

and why the crows of Tokyo don't really deserve their "bad boy" image (page 32). 

TOKYO WEEKENDER | APRIL JULY 2017 | 25

BREAKING 

THE RULES 

OF KIMONO 

A NEW BOOK BY DR SHEILA CLIFFE SHOWS 

OFF THE DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES 

OF THIS VERY TRADITIONAL YET OFTEN 

MISCONCEIVED GARMENT 

Words by Lisa Wallin 


EVERY GARMENT I WEAR IS A STORY, 

AND I’M JUST ANOTHER CHAPTER IN 

THAT GARMENT’S STORY 

also much more connected with nature, 

climate, the seasons and place. Also, a dress 

or a shirt and pants are kind of a done deal. 

You can add some earrings or something, 

but what you buy is basically what you 

wear. If I buy 50 obi, then that’s 50 different 

outfits with this one kimono. That’s fascinating 

to me. Anyone who loves the idea 

of putting an outfit together will become 

hooked on kimono.” 

On her own kimono-wearing style, Cliffe 

says, “Contrast works with kimono. I limit 

the number of colors I use, and those colors 

are almost always opposites on the color 

circle. I don’t look at any of the magazines 

telling you what’s right or wrong. If I look at 

those, I know I’m going to end up dressing 

the same as everyone else. When you do 

that, you lose all the power of expression. 

I go my own way. I think it’s normal and 

ordinary, but people seem to think it’s interesting. 

I suppose dressing is my art.” 

Cliffe also mentions that kimono are 

usually inherited, connecting people across 

generations. Silk is said to last a hundred 

years, which is roughly equal to three generations. 

Given its long life and the fact that 

silk kimono are kept for formal occasions 

and thus remain in good condition, being 

able to wear a hundred-year-old kimono is 

not unusual. Cliffe explains, “I pick up the 

old ones and wear them until they fall apart. 

Kimono has long been 

pigeon-holed as the 

“national costume” 

of Japan, and largely 

ignored by Western 

fashion academics who view it 

as an unchanging garment that 

simply serves the purpose of 

covering the body. It is clothing, 

but it isn’t considered fashion. 

Dr. Sheila Cliffe, who moved 

from Bristol to Japan in 1985 and 

is a professor at Jumonji Gakuen 

Women’s University in Saitama, 

aims to shatter this antiquated 

and Eurocentric view of the 

kimono in her book The Social 

Life of Kimono. Spoiler alert: she 

succeeds. Her in-depth social 

analysis of past and present kimono 

wearers, as well as makers 

and craftsmen in the industry, 

indicates kimono is part of a 

complete fashion system separate 

from the West. 

Cliffe’s passion for kimono 

is infectious, and her deep 

knowledge on the subject – both 

academically and aesthetically 

– is nothing less than inspiring. 

When asked what kimono means 

to her, Cliffe tells Weekender: 

“It’s fashion, very simply. But 

it’s far more interesting than 

Western fashion, for a lot of reasons: 

it’s slow and it’s three-dimensional. 

It caters to multiple 

audiences because of that. It’s 


Unfortunately, I haven’t inherited any from 

my own mother, but every garment I wear is 

a story, and I’m just another chapter in that 

garment’s story. I’m the last chapter – or 

almost, at least. When I can’t wear a kimono 

anymore, I cut it up to make kimono collars 

or recycle it into other things. Each time it 

changes context, another story is added to 

the life of the kimono.” 

Cliffe’s view of kimono as a fashion item 

to enjoy and play with may seem obvious 

now, but it wasn’t always an easily accessible 

culture. The Internet has played a large 

role in the spread of interest in kimono, and 

in turn, bending its rules. Cliffe explains: 

“Before the Internet, kimono knowledge was 

trapped within the industry, especially with 

kimono dressing schools. The schools were 

keeping it a closely guarded secret, but they 

didn’t realize that raising the bar to kimono 

wearing so high was actually strangling 

the whole industry. It was only because 

the information started to leak out that the 

kimono revival could happen.” 

The kimono revival found its way 

through a worldwide boom in Asian culture 

in the early Nineties. Interest for all things 

Japanese increased at home, whether it was 

keeping goldfish instead of tropical fish, or 

an indoor bonsai garden. Along with that, 

interest in yukata grew, and from yukata to 

kimono. As with most fashion movements, 

young women led the way, but with one 

difference: the knowledge of how to wear kimono 

was held by older women. Previously, 

mothers would have taught their daughters 

REVISING HOW 

PEOPLE FRAME 

THE KIMONO IS 

CRITICAL FOR 

IT TO REMAIN A 

FASHION ITEM IN 

THE FUTURE 

how to wear kimono – now it’s older women 

teaching younger women who are their 

friends. “It’s a return to a more natural 

way of sharing the knowledge,” says Cliffe. 

Thanks to the Internet, the interest 

in kimono has also grown overseas, with 

people meeting up to wear the garment 

and discuss its care, how to accessorize 

it, and more. Cliffe met with one of the 

groups, Kimono de Jack, in Birmingham. 

“When I went to interview them, I was 

petrified at first. I didn’t know what I 

would be dealing with. But everyone 

wore their kimono beautifully and had 

even come up with new ways of tying obi 

knots, which is fascinating. That’s how 

far the information has leapt out. And 

this is without ever having stepped foot in 

Japan!” 


The Web 

has also helped 

create a medium 

for homegrown 

kimono influencers 

who reside 

outside of Japan’s 

bigger cities. One 

in particular, 

Akira Times [who 

created the image 

on this issue's 

cover], breaks the 

mold of the image 

of the traditional 

kimono wearer. 

He says people are 

looking for culture 

in the wrong places 

because they 

are looking to the 

past and trying to 

preserve it, rather 

than making 

something new. He believes in breaking stereotypes 

and taboos to create something that 

never existed before. He and Cliffe agree 

that revising how people frame the kimono 

is critical for it to remain a fashion item in 

the future, and the Internet is one way to 

help spread knowledge and style ideas. 

However, even with all the knowledge 

online, some things still get lost in translation. 

For Cliffe’s book, she interviewed 50 international 

kimono wearers and 50 Japanese kimono 

wearers. The difference in their collections 

was remarkable. While Japanese enthusiasts 

had wardrobes with raw silk and komon (a 

casual kimono with all-over patterns) for 

everyday wear, international wearers had 

completely different collections. “They had 

so many gorgeous kimono, but they were 

very formal and with very few uses for them. 

I understand why, though. They’re coming 

from the outside, from a visual aspect, and 

those are the ones that make the strongest 

impression. I wanted to show that Japan has 

always had its 

own fashion, 

unrelated to the 

West. I wanted to 

tell the users’ and 

wearers’ story. 

The international 

wearers only 

have part of that 

story, through 

photos and websites 

with geisha 

on them. If you’re 

going to have a 

photo taken, then 

you wear a fancy 

kimono and that 

creates a distortion 

in the data. 

I wanted to tell 

the real stories of 

real women.” 

This was 

how Cliffe’s bilingual 

project, Kimono Closet, was born. 

This ongoing project catalogues women’s 

kimono wardrobes as well as their stories 

behind certain kimono, their influences, 

and their challenges. For Cliffe, her social 

study of kimono has only just begun. 

The Social Life of Kimono is available on 

Amazon.co.jp for ¥3,226. For more info 

about Dr. Sheila Cliffe and her projects, visit 

www.kimonocloset.com. Also, find her on 

Instagram: @kimonosheila and YouTube: 

Kimono World. 

WHERE TO BUY 

& HOW TO WEAR 

While the media would have us believe 

the kimono industry is dying, Cliffe 

insists this isn’t the case. “There are 

some kimono that are only made in 

certain places because of the weather 

or because the techniques are so 

exacting that only a few older people 

remember how to do it. Those types are 

endangered, but kimono isn’t dying. 

It’s changing. There are a lot of new 

and successful businesses out there. It’s 

fashion, and fashion changes. There’s 

nothing wrong with that.” So, where to 

get your kimono kicks in Tokyo? Here 

are three recommended spots… 

GALLERY KAWANO 

Extensive selection of vintage kimono, 

obi and haori (jacket), with sizes 

available to suit the taller shopper. 

Flats Omotesando 102, 4-4-9 Jingumae, 

Shibuya-ku, www.gallery-kawano.com 

KIMONO, REMADE: TOKYO 

KALEIDOSCOPE 

For those who love kimono patterns 

and fabrics but aren’t keen on the 

traditional way of wearing them, Lia 

makes stunning modern-day bespoke 

creations from vintage kimono. 

www.tokyokaleidoscope.com 

HISUI TOKYO 

This school offers lessons not only in 

kimono dressing, but also tea ceremony, 

calligraphy and sword training in the 

heart of Ginza. 5F Koizumi Bldg., 4-3-13 

Ginza, Chuo-ku, en.hisui-tokyo.com

THE LIFE AND LOVE OF 

JAPAN’S NEW EMPEROR 

Words by Matthew Hernon 

As Emperor Akihito prepares to step down, all eyes are turning towards his son and successor, Crown Prince 

Naruhito. Here, we reflect on his relatively down-to-earth upbringing, the freedom he felt while living in England, 

and whether his wife, who has battled for years to adjust to palace life, is ready to take on the role of empress 

After almost three decades as the ceremonial figurehead 

of Japan, Emperor Akihito has been given permission 

to step down. The 83-year-old, who has undergone 

heart surgery and had treatment for prostate cancer, 

no longer feels he can carry out his duties properly. A one-off bill 

has been passed by the government allowing him to renounce 

the throne. It will be Japan's first abdication in more than two 

centuries, with the baton being passed on to his son, Crown Prince 

Naruhito. The exact date of the succession has yet to be confirmed, 

though reports have suggested it will take place on January 1, 

2019. Naruhito will become the 126th emperor in the world's oldest 

hereditary monarchy, a line dating back to the 5th century. So, 

what do we know about the heir apparent to the Chrysanthemum 

Throne? Here’s a look at the life and times of the future emperor. 

THE NARU-CHAN CONSTITUTION 

The eldest son of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, Naruhito 

was born in a makeshift hospital at the palace on February 23, 

1960. His mother – the first commoner to marry into the imperial 

family – decided to raise Naruhito and his siblings, Prince Akishino 

and Sayako Kuroda, herself, even breastfeeding them. While that 

may not sound noteworthy, at the time it was considered significant 

as the everyday care of royal children had previously been 

the duty of wet nurses and maids.

When his parents were away Naruhito 

would be left with nannies who were 

given written instructions by Michiko on 

how to take care of him. He was allowed 

no more than one toy at a time and had to 

be hugged at least once a day. This list of 

rules was turned into a best-selling book 

titled Naru-chan Kenpo (The Naruhito 

Constitution) that’s still popular today. 

From all accounts, Naruhito was 

said to have had a happy and relatively 

normal upbringing, especially when 

compared to his ancestors. His father 

allegedly gave him a hand-me-down uniform 

to wear to school and told teachers 

not to give him any special treatment. 

The young prince enjoyed watching 

baseball, hiking and skiing. 

CLUBBING, PUB CRAWLS AND 

TEA WITH THE QUEEN 

In 1983, a year after graduating from Gakushuin 

University, Naruhito decided to 

move to the UK where he did a master’s 

degree on the history of transportation 

on the River Thames at Oxford University’s 

Merton College. More important 

than his classroom studies, however, 

were the life lessons he learnt during his 

two years in Britain. 

For the first time, the prince had to 

fend for himself and seemed to revel 

in it. In his book, The Thames and I: A 

Memoir of Two Years at Oxford, he wrote, 

“This had been a happy time for me – 

perhaps I should say the happiest time of 

my life.” The autobiographical account, 

whilst not exactly hard-hitting, gives 

a fascinating insight into the personal 

escapades of a man whose privacy is 

usually closely guarded. 

Much of his first week in England 

was spent in the company of the royal 

family, including the Queen, who impressed 

him with her laid-back manner 

and the fact that she poured him a cup of 

tea herself. Shortly after, he moved into 

a shared dormitory in Oxford where he 

learnt how to iron and use the coin laundry 

machine, though his first attempt at 

the latter ended with him almost flooding 

the room. 

One of his favorite pastimes was discussing 

music over a few pints. He even 

went on a few pub crawls. The prince 

apologizes to the British public for not 

getting to grips with the rules of cricket, 

but did participate in many British 

sports such as tennis and rowing. It was 

an exciting time for a man who, under 

normal circumstances, can barely move 

without asking for permission. 

“I met the crown prince twice,” says 

social anthropologist Joy Hendry. “On 

the second occasion, I sat opposite his 

personal body guard who told me how 

much the prince loved being in Oxford 

because he could walk about in the 

streets and the local market where nobody 

recognized him, which made him 

feel free like any other student.” 

Around the city Naruhito would 

usually wear jeans, much to the surprise 

of Japanese tourists. His casual attire got 

him turned away from a nightclub, yet that 

didn't put him off. He went to a different 

club at a later date, dancing with girls until 

2am. “Perhaps this was the first and last 

disco I would go to in my life,” he remarked. 

In October 1985 Naruhito departed 

from the UK. “As the London scene gradually 

disappeared from view I realized that 

an important chapter in my life was over. 

A new page was opening, but I felt a large 

void in my heart, and as I stared out of the 

window of the plane I had a lump in my 

throat.” 

IN PURSUIT OF A PRINCESS 

Back in Japan, Naruhito’s activities were 

far more constricted, and being in his 

mid-twenties he was under pressure to find 

a bride. He could reportedly choose one 

himself, but she had to meet the approval 

of a committee of palace officials. The plan 

was to have him married off before reaching 

30, yet despite numerous candidates 

being put forward the prince remained 

single at 32. 

I FELT A LARGE VOID 

IN MY HEART, AND AS 

I STARED OUT OF THE 

WINDOW OF THE PLANE 

I HAD A LUMP IN MY 

THROAT 

His first choice was Harvard graduate 

Masako Owada, whom he pursued for six 

years after they met at a banquet for the 

Duchess of Lugo in 1986. Coming from 

a wealthy family, she ticked most of the 

committee’s boxes: highly educated, multilingual 

and, crucially, slightly shorter than 

the prince. 

One problem was the controversy surrounding 

her maternal grandfather, Yutaka 

Egashira. He was the former chairman 

of Chisso Corporation, a chemical company 

that dumped mercury-laden 

industrial waste into 

the bay off Minamata 

in Kyushu, leading to 

the onset of Minamata 

Disease. Thousands 

were affected by the 

neurological syndrome, 

which in extreme cases, 

led to insanity, paralysis 

and death. Though not 

directly involved in the 

scandal, Egashira’s association 

with Chisso was seen 

as potentially damaging 

for the imperial family. 

Despite this, Naruhito was still determined 

to wed Masako. Unfortunately, she 

wasn’t so keen. Twice she turned down 

his proposals as it would mean giving up a 

budding career as a diplomat for the constrained 

life of a princess. Not one to give 

in, Naruhito tried a third time and finally 

got his wish. 

Speaking at a press conference after 

their wedding in 1993, Crown Princess 

Masako said, “His Highness told me that 

‘you may have many worries and anxieties 

about entering the imperial house, but I 

will do everything in my power to protect 

you as long as I live.’” 

Despite the support of her husband, 

Masako has struggled with life as a royal. 

Under pressure to produce a male heir, 

she miscarried in 1999. Two years later 

Princess Aiko was born; however, as Japan 

operates under a system of agnatic 

primogeniture, this did little to solve the 

succession problem. It was all getting too 

much for the future empress. 

Speaking to journalists in 2004, Naruhito 

said, “Princess Masako still faces ups and 

downs in terms of her health. She’s worked 

hard to adapt to the environment of the 

Imperial Household for the past decade, 

but from what I can see, she's completely 

exhausted herself in trying to do so.” 

It was announced that Masako was suffering 

from adjustment disorder, a mental 

condition brought on by stress, making it 

difficult for her to carry out official duties. 

The birth of Prince Hisahito – son of the 

crown prince’s brother and third in line for 

the throne – reduced some of the pressure. 

Her condition is said to have improved 

slightly in recent years, but public appearances 

remain sporadic. Whether that 

will change when she becomes empress 

remains to be seen. 

As for Naruhito, this is a role he has 

been preparing for since childhood. His 

amiable father, ably supported by wife 

Michiko, is held in high regard for prioritizing 

disaster victims, championing the 

cause of marginalized people and attempting 

to reconcile with countries affected by 

Japan’s colonialism and wartime aggression. 

The hope is that his son will devote 

himself to the role of emperor in a similar 

fashion.

THE MISUNDERSTOOD 

CROWS OF TOKYO 

Love or hate them, the city’s gigantic crows cannot be ignored. To make sense 

of their place in the concrete jungle, we look at their longheld connection with 

Japan, and some surprising lessons we can learn from these sometimes smart, 

sometimes foolish “urban guerrillas of birds” 

Words by Alec Jordan 

In Japan, the public perception of crows got off to a pretty 

good start: According to the Kojiki and the Nihonshoki, two 

of Japan’s oldest written records, a gigantic crow known as 

the Yatagarasu guided the mythical first emperor of Japan 

to the part of the country now known as Nara. This crow, 

which is often depicted with three legs, can be found at the Kumano 

shrines of Japan, and even more commonly, on the uniforms 

of the Samurai Blue – Japan’s national soccer team. 

But even though they have been common figures in art from 

well before the Edo period, crows are generally seen with a mixed 

perspective in Japan. On one hand, you have the traditional song 

“Yuyake Koyake,” which plays on loudspeakers every afternoon 

and whose lyrics tell us return home like the crows return to 

their roosts in the trees, but there are also still the associations 

of the birds with death – even today, there is a superstition that 

if a crow perches on a house at night and calls out, someone in 

that house will die before long. We may be happy to return home 

like crows – as straight as they fly – but we don’t necessarily want 

them roosting with us. 

Today, perhaps, the biggest problem that people face with 

crows around Tokyo is trying to keep them out of their garbage. 

And the birds can cause other kinds of trouble as well: the Tokyo 

Metropolitan Government receives some 600 calls a year from 

Tokyoites who’ve been attacked by crows – most often in spring, 

around the time when the birds are hatching their eggs and raising 

their newborn young. 

Nonetheless, crows have their fans in Tokyo, just as they do 

everywhere around the world. Why? It could be their intelligence 

– crows know how to use tools, they recognize human faces, and 

they’ve even been observed to hold what look to be funerals. It 

might be their distinctive voices: crows and their larger cousin 

the ravens are believed to possess some of the most complicated 

vocabulary of calls of any bird. Or maybe it’s a shared sense 

of play. The birds have been seen using wind currents like children 

might use waterslides, throwing paper to themselves, going

ody surfing on snowy banks, and playing 

with balls. 

It was probably a combination of these 

traits, as well as their sheer number, that 

drew a filmmaking couple, Kris Samuelson 

and John Haptas, to devote a few years to the 

crows of Tokyo. They got their first exposure 

to the birds when they were returning from 

teaching in Southeast Asia and stopped for a 

while in Tokyo. As they explained, “there was 

a garden where we were staying and we were 

amazed by the huge number of crows we 

heard and saw. We were intrigued and began 

noticing them everywhere we went.” 

Samuelson and Haptas returned home 

to Northern California, intent on learning 

more about city crows – “the urban guerrillas 

of birds,” the couple calls them – in general, 

and about Tokyo’s crows in particular. A 

short visit to Japan to shoot a funding clip 

followed, and a year and a half later, the 

couple received a Japan-US Creative Arts 

Fellowship that allowed them to spend five 

months in Japan shooting what would 

become Tokyo Waka. 

In the words of the filmmakers, the 

documentary is “an essay about man and 

nature coexisting in a megalopolis.” Its subjects 

include scientists, nature lovers, artists, 

a homeless woman, Shinto and Buddhist 

priests, and, of course, Corvus macrorhynchos: 

the jungle crow, also known as the 

large-billed crow. We see them building nests 

with hangers stolen from people’s balconies, 

chased away by the bees that make the honey 

that is sold through the Ginza Bee Project, 

and at play in the city’s many parks. The film 

has its darker moments – we see a crow that 

has been trapped by the Tokyo Metropolitan 

Government and bagged for euthanization, 

for example – but these scenes all help to 

draw a fuller picture of the interaction 

between humans and the animals they share 

the city with. 

As one of the film's subjects states, 

"Japan has a love of nature, but it’s a kind of 

nature that is moderated by mankind – not 

necessarily a 'wild' nature." And that’s why 

the crow is a complicated beast for Tokyo: it 

is inadvertently “raised” on what we throw 

away, but we really can’t control it, despite 

our best efforts. 

Another figure who is equally fascinated 

by the city’s crows is Hajime Matsubara, 

an Affiliate Associate at Tokyo University's 

Intermediatheque. His first early exposure to 

the birds set him on the course of research 

that has become part of his life’s work: “One 

day in my childhood, I heard a flock of crows 

cawing to each other, on the way to their 

roost. It looked as if they were talking, so I 

tried to call them, imitating their call. A few 

seconds later, two or three crows ‘replied.’ 

Of course, I’m not sure that they really called 

back or were calling to each other for their 

own purposes. Anyway, that was an impressive 

experience for me.” 

THE CROW HAS 

AN OUTSIDE 

PERSPECTIVE, 

AND SEES RIGHT 

THROUGH OUR 

BEAUTY AND OUR 

UGLINESS 

To this day, he remains impressed 

by their attitudes, which he often likens 

to those of humans, and their “limitless 

ability to adapt to any environment.” And 

despite the city’s best efforts to control the 

crow population, he believes that crows 

have done quite well in the city. Matsubara 

estimates that the crow population in Tokyo 

is somewhere between 18,000 (the official 

estimate of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government) 

and 100,000. 

As Tokyo Waka explains, trapping and 

gassing crows has been the official city 

policy for keeping the crow population 

down, but Matsubara doesn’t believe this is 

the best long-term approach (and not just 

because the crows are getting wiser to the 

city’s traps). “I think garbage control is the 

most successful way. Because, if their food 

resource is decreased, their reproductive 

success and survival rate must decrease. 

If we continue piling up garbage bags on 

the street and keep carrying capacity high, 

nothing can stop the crows from breeding 

and coming into Tokyo from other places in 

Japan.” 

When asked about their intelligence, he 

responds cautiously: “That’s a very difficult 

question, because they are very smart 

in some aspects and very foolish when it 

comes to other matters. For example, crows 

are insightful and capable of long-term 

planning. Their cousins, the common raven 

have shown researchers that they can 

figure out how to untie bow knots simply 

by watching other individuals’ behavior. 

But, for example, they don’t recognize their 

own mirror images, which is something 

that even pigeons can do.” However, when 

it comes to feeding, and figuring out how to 

stay fed alongside human beings, he thinks 

that crows are geniuses: “In Tokyo, [when it 

comes to feeding strategies] crows can adapt 

to human behavior very quickly – sometimes 

within some minutes.” 

Perhaps one of the things that attracts 

us to crows is that they give us a seemingly 

limitless opportunity to interpret their behavior. 

For example, even though Matsubara 

watches his research subjects with a scientist’s 

eye, he says that he’s noticed two things 

that humans can learn from the resourceful 

crow: “‘Make the most of every opportunity 

and be careful in seeking them out’” and 

‘Love is forever.’ Why? Because crows eat 

everything – even if it is garbage. And crow 

pairs seldom separate.” 

And, after all, who’s to say that the crows 

aren’t considering us, as we go about our 

days? Akiyoshi Taniguchi, a Buddhist priest 

at Chohouin Temple in Kuramae, who was 

interviewed for Tokyo Waka – and who had 

a prize goldfish taken from the temple pond 

by a crow – strikes a philosophical note as he 

muses about how the crows of Tokyo might 

look at the two-legged creatures they share 

the city with: “They are observing us in their 

own way. The crow has an outside perspective, 

and sees right through our beauty and 

our ugliness.” 

For more information about Tokyo Waka, 

visit www.stylofilms.com/tokyowaka.html. To 

learn more about the Intermediatheque, visit 

www.intermediatheque.jp/en 


WHAT IT’S REALLY 

LIKE INSIDE 

TERRACE 

HOUSE 

The Japanese reality TV show has been described as 

both boring and fascinating, and has gathered a cult 

following abroad. Matthew Hernon chats with the stars 

to find out what it’s like on the inside 

A 

fly-on-the-wall reality show 

focusing on six, mostly polite 

Japanese people living together 

without a competitive angle: 

Terrace House doesn't sound particularly 

captivating. Fairly calm and undramatic, 

the participants have little interest in 

backstabbing or causing rifts like they do in 

Western reality programs, yet somehow the 

concept works. It's mundane and addictive 

at the same time. 

"There are conflicts in the house, but 

they're dealt with in a quiet, considered way 

which can be even scarier than something 

explosive," comedian Ryota Yamasato tells 

Weekender. "I think it gives a fascinating 

and realistic insight into modern Japanese 

society and the way people interact here. I'm 

not typical in that sense so it's an interesting 

learning experience for me." 

Yamasato, or Yama-chan as he's better 

known, is one of six commentators on the 

show who watch and analyze the week's 

main events. He's the cynical one of the 

group, taking pleasure in the misfortune of 

the housemates, particularly when relationships 

turn sour. "I don't dislike people falling 

in love, it's just more fun when things 

go wrong," he says, smiling. "Not everyone 

wants to see these models and athletes 

succeeding. I prefer to focus on their flaws, 

which some people like, while others tweet 

me to say I'm being too harsh. The passion 

people have for the show is great. I especially 

love getting messages from abroad." 

Since premiering on Netflix with English 

subtitles two years ago, Terrace House 

has garnered a cult following globally, and 

as Netflix Japan content manager Kaata 

Sakamoto told Buzzfeed News, it has "exceeded 

expectation in terms of international 

viewership." 

BOYS X GIRLS: NEXT DOOR 

The program first aired on Fuji TV in 2012 

and immediately did well in the ratings. One 

of the most talked about and outspoken of the 

original housemates was Seina Shimabukuro 

whose drunken escapades in the first 29 episodes 

caused quite a stir. Despite leaving midway 

to pursue a career in modeling (housemates 

can choose when they depart), things 

didn't turn out as planned so she returned to 

the show, and ended up staying until the end. 

"I was there a long time, probably too 

long for some," she says, laughing. "It was 

amazing. I loved all the trips, dates and small 

things like eating dinner with everyone in the 

evening. Living with strangers is nerve-wracking, 

but you soon get used to it. Dealing with 

the criticism wasn't so easy, though." 

Unlike Big Brother, Terrace House members 

are well aware of what's being said about 

them. In the first series, they would watch the 

program on TV at the same time as viewers 

and then check social media to gauge the 

public's reaction. 

34 | JULY 2017 | TOKYO WEEKENDER 

Yuto Handa

©Fuji Television Network Inc./East Entertainment 

©Fuji Television Network Inc./East Entertainment ©Fuji Television Network Inc./East Entertainment 

"It was scary," says Shimabukuro. "I love 

Yama-chan, but he could be quite harsh. You 

then had to deal with negative comments 

online. People wrote about me drinking so I 

thought about trying to hide my wine behind 

the cameras. I decided not to, though, as there's 

no point pretending to be someone you're not." 

Japanese-American artist Frankie Cihi 

also received her share of online abuse. "I 

was trolled on Twitter," she says. "Early on 

I was seen as pushy which didn't go down 

well. The worst comments came from Taylor 

Swift fans. Her song was in the opening 

credits so the producers arranged for us to 

interview her. Being the English speaker, I 

asked the questions and her followers didn't 

like it. They were really offended when I 

posted a picture posing with their goddess. 

I even had death threats." 

Despite this, Frankie has no regrets about 

appearing on the show. "I gained so much 

confidence from it," she says. "It's a program 

that lets you be yourself without much interference. 

Early on people had their doubts 

about me because I seemed bitchy, but once 

they got to know my real character they realized 

I was harmless. My mother [actress Aki 

Mizusawa] saw that I was being well-received 

and reached out to me. Before that we weren't 

on good terms so that was probably the biggest 

positive from the whole experience." 

BOYS & GIRLS IN THE CITY 

Frankie was also a fan of the following 

series, which was coproduced by Netflix and 

Fuji TV. Her favorite housemate was Yuto 

Handa (Hansan) whom she says, "listened 

intently, always knew what to say and spoke 

with good diction." 

The aspiring architect was the fatherfigure 

in the house, relieving tensions and 

lending an ear when other members had 

problems. In the eyes of commentators Reina 

Triendl and Yukiko Ehara he could no wrong. 

The latter even cried when he left. 

"I appreciate the praise, but of course I'm 

not perfect," Hansan tells Weekender. "People 

evaluated me on the way I thought and behaved 

in the house, yet we all have different 

sides and I'm no different." 

Yama-chan wasn’t a fan. He’d have preferred 

to have seen more of Hansan's ugly side. 

"He already had a girlfriend and basically did 

nothing wrong," says the comedian. "I felt he 

didn't need to be there. Natsumi [Saito] was far 

more interesting. She was like a dark heroine." 

Not afraid to speak her mind, Natsumi 

caused a few arguments and a meeting was 

called to discuss her behavior. There were 

many of these kinds of meetings throughout the 

series, including one where everyone sat down 

to talk about some meat that had been taken 

without permission. Then there was the case of 

teenage idol Riko Nagai carrying on with chef 

I DON'T DISLIKE 

PEOPLE FALLING 

IN LOVE, IT'S JUST 

MORE FUN WHEN 

THINGS GO WRONG 

Hayato Terashima away from the cameras. 

"This was the defining moment of the 

series," says Yama-chan. "Young Japanese 

idols are expected to be pure so it's no 

surprise Riko tried to hide the relationship 

with Hayato. The other housemates knew 

what was happening so [they] decided to 

confront them. For the sake of her career 

it would have been easy for the production 

team to gloss over it, but I'm glad they 

didn't. This is an unscripted reality show 

so it was important that viewers saw how 

it developed." 

ALOHA STATE 

With interest from abroad growing it was 

decided that the third and current series 

should have more of an international 

feel. Set in the tropical island of Oahu in 

Hawaii, there are many Japanese-American 

housemates, most of whom can speak 

English (though they usually converse 

in Japanese). It’s created a different vibe 

from earlier seasons. 

"It's fascinating to watch the contrast," 

says Yama-chan. "In Japan, there was lots 

of pent-up frustration amongst the housemates 

that eventually came out, whereas 

in Hawaii they tend to immediately say 

what's on their mind. It took me longer 

to get into this one, but now I love it." 

Massachusetts-born illustrator and 

model Lauren Tsai caused the biggest buzz 

early on. Touted as the future It girl of 

Japan, she came across as cool and mysterious, 

yet surprisingly awkward and at times 

looked uncomfortable. 

Speaking to hyperbae.com she said, 

"I would watch the show and think 'Oh my 

God!' is that me? Am I really like that? I hate 

myself.' Everything people see about us on 

social media is what we choose to put out 

there. Being on a reality TV show you have 

no control over what's put in or how it's 

cut. For someone like me who's not superoutgoing 

it was ... an experience." 

Since Lauren's departure, Taishi Tamaki 

has taken center stage. Initially it seemed 

like the wannabe Hollywood actor would 

be a calming influence in the house, but 

at times he's come across as an emotional 

wreck. The fact that he's dated pretty much 

every girl who's entered has annoyed some, 

while others have found it entertaining. 

"Taishi's the star of Aloha State," says 

Yama-chan. "He keeps saying he's looking 

for a love worth dying for and is clumsily 

running out around asking everyone out. 

It's great to watch." 

Twenty-year-old Niki Niwa was targeted 

by Taishi soon after arriving. "At first, I 

thought it was good he was being proactive 

in trying to get to know the women," she tells 

Weekender. "The problem is he didn't say 

what he was thinking so the girls got confused. 

That's what happened to me." Niki soon 

turned her attention to professional surfer 

Guy Sato, though as her time in the house was 

limited things went no further than a kiss. 

So, was that her favorite moment? “I 

loved it all,” she says. “Staying up late chatting 

and watching films, the whole experience. 

I cherish every moment I spent there 

and really miss it." 

Terrace House Aloha State is now streaming 

on Netflix, and showing on Fuji Television. 


BOYS 

FOR SALE 

A SHOCKING NEW DOCUMENTARY BRINGS 

TO LIGHT A PARTICULAR KIND OF SEX 

TRADE HAPPENING IN SHINJUKU NI-CHOME, 

WHERE YOUNG, MOSTLY STRAIGHT BOYS ARE 

BEING PAID TO SLEEP WITH OLDER MEN 

Words by Annemarie Luck 


Boys for Sale is not a comfortable 

watch. From the documentary’s 

very first scene in which a former 

straight male sex worker reveals 

how he could bring himself to 

have sex with men (“Money makes you 

hard”) to the heartbreaking sentiment of one 

boy who has not yet turned 20 but states, “I 

don’t want to live a long life,” the shocking 

revelations stack themselves high from start 

to finish. The film, which documents the 

experiences of a group of young male urisen 

(rent boys) who live and work together in 

Shinjuku Ni-chome, not only exposes one of 

the darker sides of Tokyo’s famed gay district, 

but also unearths a plethora of related 

issues in the process. 

“We could have made five different 

films,” says executive producer Ian Thomas 

Ash. “In the three years it took to produce, 

we did all kinds of filming, and there were 

so many things we could’ve focused on, for 

example gay rights in Japan or the fact that 

men having sex with men for money is not 

illegal in Japan, whereas female sex work is. 

But in the end, our original idea still felt like 

the strongest.” 

The original idea came about when Ash 

and the film’s producer and director of photography, 

Adrian Storey, were looking for 

a collaborative creative project. Both have 

spent over a decade living in Japan, and as 

film makers, say they are drawn to controversial 

topics and people living on the periphery 

of society. Storey, who is now based 

in the UK and works under the professional 

alias of Uchujin (“alien”), has produced 

short films for the likes of Vice including one 

about anti-nuclear sticker artist 281_Anti 

Nuke, while Ash has won awards for several 

documentaries, two of which focused on the 

effects of Fukushima’s 

nuclear meltdown. 

In making Boys for 

Sale, which enjoyed 

a sold-out screening 

for its world premiere 

in June at the Nippon 

Connection festival 

in Frankfurt, the pair 

spent a full year just 

visiting different bars 

in Ni-chome, getting to 

know the community, 

and finding out how 

the male sex industry 

works. “We had to 

build up some trust 

there, and convince 

them that we would 

protect their identities 

if they wanted us to,” 

explains Storey. By the 

time filming began, 

some of the boys had, 

surprisingly, agreed to 

reveal their identity on 

camera. “I think this 

was partly because people 

had come to know 

us and they understood 

that this wasn’t just parachute journalism,” 

says Storey. “But it’s also because they had 

had time to reflect on what they were doing, 

and they felt that sharing their story was 

important perhaps because of what they’d 

learnt about themselves, and how their work 

had affected their opinions on things like 

homosexuality.” 

Those who chose not to show their faces 

donned colorful masquerade masks while 

being interviewed. While to the viewer 

the masks might lend an additional layer 

of pathos to their stories, Ash and Storey 

initially chose the masks for purely practical 

THE BOYS ARE 

INTERVIEWED INSIDE 

THE SEX ROOMS, GIVING 

THE VIEWER A PRECISE 

PICTURE OF THE TINY, 

RUDIMENTARY SPACES 

THEY’RE CONFINED TO 

EVERY NIGHT 

reasons. “At first, the masks were a way of 

just trying to disguise their identities in a 

visually interesting way,” says Ash. “In the 

end we realized that giving them the masks 

to wear possibly helped them to talk more 

honestly.” 

It’s this honesty, in all its brutality, that 

makes the film such compelling – and at 

times distressing – viewing. The camera 

switches between the boys throughout, 

with each of them answering the same 

questions. Even though they are filmed individually, 

the story is carried through their 

shared experiences, which see-saw between 

exclamations of how much fun it is living 

in the dormitory together (eight of them in 

a seven-mat room) to horrific accounts of 

being gang-raped. Although you never see 

them with customers, they are interviewed 

inside the sex rooms, giving the viewer a 

precise picture of the tiny, rudimentary 

spaces they’re confined to every night. Cleverly, 

the film uses animated illustrations to 

cement in the mind what actually goes on 

in these rooms. 


All the boys, save 

for one, are under 26 (as 

dictated by the urisen bars’ 

rules), and many of them 

service clients up to the age 

of 80 and even older. They 

are paid around ¥7,000 per 

hour, and they work from 

4pm to midnight or 2am 

every day, with just three 

days’ holiday per month. 

Depending on how many 

clients they have, their 

monthly earnings vary 

between ¥200,000 and 

¥1 million – but 50% of 

this goes to the bar. 

Aside from wondering 

why they would choose to 

do this kind of work for 

such low pay (the reasons 

they give range from things 

like family debt to losing 

everything in the 2011 

tsumani), perhaps the most 

perplexing detail is that 

the majority of the boys 

identify as straight; some of 

them even have girlfriends. 

Even if they do identify 

as homosexual, the bar 

owners instruct them to 

pretend they are straight. 

This leads to many a cringeworthy moment 

as they describe their struggle to reconcile 

their sexuality with the requirements of 

their job. 

It also raises questions about societal 

norms and pressures in Japan. “I think this 

scenario of straight-identifying men having 

sex for money with clients who are straight 

living is a reflection on a society in which it 

has traditionally not been an option to live 

openly as a homosexual,” says Ash. “I don’t 

think that this kind of sex trade is particularly 

unique to Japan, but the way in which it 

operates is.” 

“The things they talk about in the 

film are quite specific to the way Japanese 

society works,” adds Storey. “For example, 

the tendency to be indifferent to issues 

that don’t directly affect you. And the lack 

of understanding of sexual health issues. 

There were interviews where Ian and I 

were in tears afterwards. But probably the 

most shocking moment for both of us was 

when we asked one of the boys if he knew 

how an STD is contracted and he said, ‘Can 

men get STDs too?’” Considering the type of 

work he is doing, where the sex is usually 

unprotected, his answer is dumbfounding. 

Sexual health education, 

or the lack of it 

in Japan, is one of the 

critical issues raised in 

the documentary. In 

one scene, the urisens’ 

manager states that the 

boys are given training 

about safe sex, but this 

is swiftly followed by 

several of the urisen 

shaking their heads and 

saying the opposite. One 

tends to believe the boys 

on this point, especially 

since in a previous scene 

the same manager insists 

the nature of the job is 

explained at interview 

stage, while more than 

one urisen claims to have 

been misled to believe 

they would simply be 

dining out with clients 

or that they would have 

female customers as well 

as men. 

It’s hard enough as 

a viewer to walk away 

from Boys for Sale without 

feeling desperation 

for the boys in the film. 

So how, after spending so 

much time with them, did Ash and Storey 

manage to process the experience? And 

how has it shaped their views on Japan? 

“Everyone talks about how homogenous 

Japan is,” says Storey. “But as soon as 

you scratch a tiny bit below the surface, you 

start to realize that’s not true. Japanese people 

are as diverse as everybody else; there 

is a dark side, there is all this undercurrent 

going on – the same as everywhere else. 

By making a documentary about the fringe 

of society, you just have it reinforced to 

you that all these things are going on here. 

Japan is not unique; it’s not a homogenous, 

Hello Kitty wonderland ... You have to find 

a way of doing what you can and then letting 

go. And in some way, making the film 

and getting it out there is part of processing 

the emotions.” 

Ash adds: “It would be a shame if we 

walked away and thought ‘I feel sorry for 

them, and something like that would never 

happen to me.’ I think we have more in 

common with people in these situations 

than we don’t. We have a lot to learn about 

what it means to be human, and to have 

empathy. And to not judge people for whatever 

choices they’ve had to make.” 

Boys for Sale was directed by Itako, and all 

illustrations are by N Tani Studio. The film 

is being screened this month at LGBT film 

festival Outfest in Los Angeles. To watch the 

trailer and find out about upcoming screenings, 

visit boysforsale.com 


Vincent van Gogh, Postman Joseph Roulin, 1888, Gift of Robert Treat Paine, 2nd, 35.1982, Photograph © 2017 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 

SIT DOWN FOR A SPELL... 

...all right, enough dawdling! There's plenty that you'll want to check out in Tokyo this 

month, from artistic aquariums to an aesthetic trip through Southeast Asia. 

TOKYO TOKYO WEEKENDER | DECEMBER | | | MARCH JUNE JULY 2017 2016 | | 39

© Julian Lennon 

ART & FICTION 

JULIAN LENNON – CYCLE 

Julian Lennon, son of one of the most iconic figures in rock and roll history, has charted his own considerable professional and 

artistic trajectory, working in the genres of music, film, and children’s literature. Over the past several years, Lennon has begun 

exploring photography, using it as a means of recording his travels around the globe. His current exhibition, Cycle, which depicts 

scenes around Southeast Asia, is on display at the Leica Gallery Tokyo in Ginza as well as at the Leica store in the newly opened 

Ginza Six shopping center. Leica Gallery Tokyo Until September 17 bit.ly/TWLeicaTokyo 

THE ART WORLD 

OUR PICK OF THE CITY’S BEST EXHIBITIONS 

Compiled by Alec Jordan 

© Miraikan - The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation 

NEW PERMANENT 

EXHIBITIONS AT MIRAIKAN 

The National Museum of Emerging 

Science and Innovation, better known 

as the Miraikan, has always been 

a place that appeals to the science 

and tech set, and a great place to 

take the little ones. The museum 

has just unveiled four new exhibits 

that should spark a sense of wonder 

in minds both young and old: an 

update to "A Hands-On Model of the 

Internet"; Alter, a new android; an 

interactive lab that shows us how 

technology can help us get fitter; and 

an exhibit dedicated to the Venus 

Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" satellite. 

Miraikan Permanent Exhibition 

www.miraikan.jst.go.jp/en 


Lee Wen, Strange Fruit, 2003, C print, 42×59.4 

F 

FICTION 

SUNSHOWER: CONTEMPORARY ART FROM SOUTHEAST 

ASIA 1980S TO NOW 

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the creation of ASEAN (Association 

of Southeast Asian Nations), both the Mori Art Museum and the National Art 

Center, Tokyo will be showing a collection of works by leading creative figures 

from the art scenes of several different countries in Southeast Asia. The show 

gets its name from the common – in Southeast Asia at least – phenomenon 

of rain falling from clear skies, which organizers say is “a metaphor for the 

vicissitudes of the region.” Mori Art Museum and The National Art Center, 

Tokyo Until October 23 sunshower2017.jp/en/index.html 

GREAT COLLECTORS: MASTERPIECES FROM THE 

MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, BOSTON 

Vincent van Gogh, Lullaby: Madame Augustine Roulin Rocking a Cradle, 1889, Bequest of John T. 

Spaulding, 48.548 Photograph © 2017 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, is renowned as one of the world’s top 

museums, in both quality and scale. Even more impressive is that the museum 

developed its collection entirely through the efforts of private citizens, collectors 

and companies, without any assistance from the state or federal government. 

This collection of 80 items from the MFA’s collection highlights the work of 

the individual collectors who helped the museum reach its global status, 

and features masterworks ranging from ancient Egyptian pieces to dazzling 

examples of contemporary art at its finest. Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum 

July 20-October 9 www.tobikan.jp/en/exhibition/2017_boston.html 

You might think that writer Barry Lancet 

has a crystal ball somewhere around 

his writer’s desk, given how topical his 

most recent book, The Spy Across the 

Table, manages to be. Its plot wends its 

way into North Korea, and features a character 

who is a high level Chinese spy. But this is 

all in a day’s work for Lancet’s creation Jim 

Brodie, the art dealer/private detective who 

is sleuthing and fighting his way through his 

fourth novel. 

After two close friends of Brodie are 

murdered in Washington DC, he is drawn 

into action that takes him to one of the 

world’s most tense geopolitical regions – 

the demilitarized zone that lies between 

North and South Korea. He also delves into 

corners of Japan’s underworld, including the 

Chongryon, a Japanese Korean group with ties 

to North Korea, and the PSIA, Japan’s national 

intelligence agency. 

The “spy” of the title is Zhou, and as Lancet 

explains, “he's based on a real encounter I 

had in Tokyo years ago. He first appeared 

fictionally in the second Jim Brodie book, Tokyo 

Kill, and a lot of people liked him as a character 

so I had planned to bring him back. I had a set 

scene in this book where he was just supposed 

to appear for just two or three chapters, but he 

sort of took over the book. I wasn't even really 

expecting it.” 

Expect plenty more surprises in this taut 

thriller, which hit shelves last month. Some 

of the standouts from the book are the fight 

scenes, which give the lie to anyone who 

thinks that brawlers are just dumb brutes; 

Lancet’s ability to introduce cultural details 

and deep history while still keeping the pace 

going; and the unflappable Jim Brodie, whose 

multifaceted background gives him what his 

creator sees as his greatest strength: “His 

ability to see both sides of the coin without 

making judgement – even when there are 

three sides to the coin, or four.” 

The Spy Across the Table is available on Amazon 

Japan and at some Kinokuniya Stores for ¥2,837 


1 

3 

2 

4 

7 

8 

5 6 

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

1 

JUL 19-31 

2 

JUL 22-23 

3 

JUL 15-31 

4 

JUL 7-31 

DRUM TAO 

This group of dynamic percussion 

HANDMADE IN JAPAN FES 

This annual celebration of creativity 

THE MASTERS OF ARTS 

The second edition of this Park 

ART AQUARIUM 

In its 11th year, this popular 

artists puts on explosive shows 

mixing music, dance and acrobatics 

with their traditional drums. 

Where: Zepp Blue Theater 

Roppongi 

How much: ¥8,500 

More info: tokyoweekender.com 

features a market with 5,500 artisans 

and creators, food stalls galore, 

live performances (including pro 

wrestlers!), and more. 

Where: Tokyo Big Sight 

How much: ¥1,500-¥2,500 


Hyatt event features dynamic 

calligraphy, traditional pottery and 

chef Kenichiro Ooe’s home-style 

seasonal summer cuisine. 

Where: Park Hyatt Tokyo 

How much: From ¥7,500 


goldfish aquarium meets arts 

installation has come of age. This 

year’s theme is inspired by the 

Palace of the Dragon King. 

Where: Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall 



JUL 5-9 

SHIMOKITAZAWA MUSIC 

FESTIVAL 

Look forward to live shows on 

outdoor stages, inside live houses 

and on the streets, with both local 

and international bands strutting 

their stuff. 

Where: Around Shimokitazawa 

How much: Free 


6 JUL 3-31 

SHOWA-ERA BEER GARDEN 

Unwind after work at Grand Hyatt 

Tokyo’s outdoor Chapel Garden 

at this summer event themed 

around Japan’s Showa era, with 

nostalgic snacks, drinks and 

music to match. 

Where: Grand Hyatt Tokyo 



5 7 

JUL 6-10 

SHITAMACHI TANABATA 

FESTIVAL 

Tanabata falls on July 7, but you can 

catch the colorful strips of paper 

for a few days before and after the 

7th, and even write your own wish 

on them. 

Where: Kappabashi Street, Asakusa 

How much: Free 


8 JUL 1-31 

TARO OKAMOTO’S TOHOKU 

Discover the magic of northern Japan 

through this artist’s work, much of 

which was inspired by his fascination 

with the primeval elements he 

associated with the region. 

Where: Taro Okamoto Memorial 

Museum 

How much: ¥620 



「map」 2014 pigment print 100×150cm 

Hokkaien 

Gaien West St. 

Aoyama Cemetary 

Nogisaka Station 

The National 

Art Center, Tokyo 

National Graduate 

Institute for Policy Studies 

Gaien East St. 

Kohei Fukushima / maps 

Saturday 15th July - Sunday 30th July, 2017 

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

Opening Reception: Friday July 14th from 18:00 onwards 

To Shibuya Otora 

Hiroo Station 

Gonpachi Roppongi Dori 

Nishi-Azabu Intersection 

Roppongi Hills 

Mori Art Museum 

Roppongi Station 

NANATASU GALLERY 

〒 106-0031 Tokyo, Minato-ku, Nishi-Azabu 2-12-4 Ogura building 3F 

Te l : 03-6419-7229 | Web: www.na n a t a s u . j p 

Door to Door Pickup Service 

24 Hour Staff Supervision 

One daycare visit available 

Open 365 Days 

No Cages 

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) 


TRAVEL 

[ PROMOTION ] 

Explore Niigata 

with a New Market 

in Tokyo, and Four 

Local Festivals 

Niigata is an often overlooked prefecture home to Fuji Rock, 

great skiing slopes, and the Kodo drum group, but there's 

so much more. A new market offers a taste of the region's 

specialties right here in Tokyo this summer, with other 

regions to be showcased later in the year 

Summer is synonymous with 

festivals in Japan, and this month 

we’ve got our sights set on some of 

Niigata’s top matsuri. While many 

of us would love to throw caution to 

the wind and travel up and down the nation to 

experience these wonderful events firsthand, 

we know it’s not always easy to find the time. 

Thankfully you can also get your rural festival 

fix right here in the city at Tabisuru Shintora 

Market, a new ongoing event outside Toranomon 

Hills that opened earlier this year to promote 

local regions from across the nation. The 

current theme, named Summer Breeze, begins 

this month and features five cities from Niigata 

touting their wares and local specialties. 

But first, a closer look at the festivals and other 

attractions they’re famous for…. 

FOR SAKE ENTHUSIASTS 

MURAKAMI CITY 

THE FESTIVAL This historical castle town 

is home to the Murakami Grand Festival, a 

traditional event that dates back over 380 

years and features large floats called oshagiri 

as the main draw. July 6-7, www.sake3.com/ 

murakamitaisai 

WHILE YOU'RE THERE Located on Niigata’s 

coast, this city's claim to local fame is sake, 

sake and sake. (That’s salmon, sake and 

empathy for the rest of us.) Visitors are welcomed 

to long lanes of black wooden walls 

and fences – a signature Edo-period style – 

and rows of whole salmon hanging to air dry 

in the sun. The city also a slew of beautiful 

beaches and onsen, the most famous being 

Senami Onsen, which overlooks the ocean. 

HOW TO GET THERE Take the Joetsu Shinkansen 

to Niigata City, then switch to the 

Uetsu Honsen Line for Murakami Station. 

FOR TRADITIONAL CRAFT LOVERS 

SANJO AND TSUBAME 

THE FESTIVAL Known collectively as Sanjo-Tsubame, this world-class metalworking region 

is revered for its high-quality knives, and flatware used at the Nobel Prize banquet. The 

Tsubame-Sanjo Factory Festival allows visitors to have a rare chance to see skilled craftsmen 

as they work, and also join them for a drink at organized receptions. October 5-8, kouba-fes.jp 

WHILE YOU'RE THERE Hard physical work requires filling food, so it's no surprise Sanjo and 

Tsubame are famous for their curry ramen and seabura (back fat) ramen respectively. Echigo 

Miso Jyouzo lets visitors can try making their own batch of this traditional condiment. 

HOW TO GET THERE Take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Tsubame-Sanjo station. 


Yayoi Kusama “Tsumari in Bloom” photo by Osamu Nakamura 

Photo by Tsubame-Sanjo Factory Festival Committee 

FOR ARTY TYPES 

TOKAMACHI CITY 

THE FESTIVAL Tokamachi City is home to a unique art event, the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, 

that transcends generations, genres and nationalities. Artists stay true to the vision of "humans 

are a part of nature" by creating works in diverse locations like rice fields, closed-down schools 

and more. Although the next Triennale isn't until 2018, about 200 artworks can be viewed year 

round. Activities are held throughout the year, www.echigo-tsumari.jp/eng 

WHILE YOU'RE THERE The city is also home to Kiyotsu Gorge, an expansive beech forest, and a 

treasure trove of exceptional Jomon Period (14,000-300 BC) flame-style pottery. 

HOW TO GET THERE Take the JR Joetsu Shinkansen to Echigo-Yuzawa Station, then the Hokuhoku 

Line to Tokamachi Station. 

FOR TOKYO STAYCATIONERS 

DISCOVER THE CHARMS OF 

NIIGATA AT THE TABISURU 

SHINTORA MARKET IN TOKYO 

Before heading to Niigata, drop by the 

Toranomon Hills’ Tabisuru Shintora Market 

for a taste of these festive cities. The regions 

each have their own stand serving local 

delicacies and spirits. Accompanying the 

market is the Tabisuru store, with selected 

wares from the featured areas, and the 

Tabisuru café, which will serve dishes using 

Niigata-sourced, seasonal ingredients. 

Tabisuru market Jul 5-29, shop and café 

Jul 5-Oct 1. 2-16 Nishi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku. 

www.tabisuru-market.jp 

FOR FANS OF FIREWORKS 

NAGAOKA CITY 

FESTIVAL Nagaoka Matsuri, now in its 72nd year, is one of Japan’s three great fireworks 

festivals and has made the event an explosive show. It features three monstrous 

sanshakudama, each over 300kg, as well as perfectly timed fireworks set to music. The 

event also features mikoshi shrine parades, as well as folk dance processions. August 1-3 

(fireworks Aug 2-3), Shinano Riverside, nagaokamatsuri.com 

WHILE YOU'RE THERE Shrines and temples dot the city's environs, including the stunning 

Hotokusan Inari Taisha which has history dating back to the Jomon Period. 

HOW TO GET THERE Take the JR Joetsu Shinkansen to Nagaoka Station. 


People, 

Parties, Places 

TOKYO’S LONGEST RUNNING SOCIETY PAGE WITH BILL HERSEY 

So much happening here in old Edo – and so many notes on many 

of the happenings around town I’m even further behind than 

usual. We’re living in what’s got to be one of the most dynamic 

cities in the world, and I’m sure most of you love it as much 

as I do. The closer we get to the Olympics in 2020, the more changes 

we’re going to see. As I’m sure you know, things are already changing 

– almost daily. Here are a few things you have probably noticed. La 

Foret in Harajuku just opened a variety of really cool menswear shops 

– they’re very trendy and chic. 

Shibuya’s busier than ever. Don Quixote just opened their megastore 

right across the street from the super-popular Segafredo café and 

next to H&M’s always 

busy fashion building. 

Believe me, the beautiful 

aquariums with 

their marvelous variety 

of tropical fish at the 

new Don Quixote in 

the huge white building 

make it well worth 

checking out. You and 

your kids will love it. 

Over Roppongi 

way, they’ve cut down 

all the beautiful trees 

on the corner land 

where the late great 

Dr. Aksenoff had his 

international clinic. 

Friends in urban development 

tell me the 

owner (Mori) really 

has dynamic plans for 

that area and many 

other places in Roppongi 

as well. I also 

hear that several 

property owners behind 

the run-down 

Tokyo flashback: Bill with the late great 

actor Roger Moore and his wife 

Roi Building have finally sold their property on the street behind the 

Roi and development companies will be making really big changes 

there as well. As Weekender founder Corky Alexander used to say, “I 

don’t want to break anyone’s rice ball,” but that property really needs 

cleaning up. 

While you’re in Roppongi, be sure and check out the new Starbucks 

in Midtown Plaza. There’s seating for about 20 people on the 

first floor where you can relax and enjoy watching the passing parade 

of interesting people. There are also several tables/benches outside, 

and a chic room on the second floor that has comfortable seating for 

about 60 people. 

A great Belgian restaurant, Le Pain Quotidien, moved in where 

Starbucks used to be Midtown Plaza. You’ll like the rustic décor, the 

service is good, and the food is healthy and tasty. You’ll be amazed at 

the variety they offer, and their prices are reasonable. They also have 

an in-house bakery – try the organic Baker’s Basket. I really feel you’ll 

like this new eatery and it’s going to be very popular. That’s enough this 

and that for this month’s column. Time to move on to Tokyo’s always 

busy social scene. 

PAKISTAN’S NATIONAL DAY AND 

AMBASSADOR AMIL’S SAYONARA 

The National Day event was at the Okura Hotel and his sayonara 

was at his sixth floor penthouse in Mita. Farukh was very popular, 

and both of the events were wall-to-wall people from all walks of 

life. I hadn’t gotten 

to know him that 

long. He was very 

international, very 

intelligent, fun, 

outgoing and cool. 

He’s in Switzerland 

now as his country’s 

ambassador to the 

UN. He’ll really be 

missed by his many 

friends here. 

ARAB JAPAN 

DAY GALA 

EVENING 

Japan went all out 

when our Arab 

friends held their 

annual Arab Japan 

Day 2017 at the 

Imperial Hotel on 

April 4. Security, 

which matched 

the world’s best, 

included dozens of 

police cars, lots of 

motorcycle officers, several busloads of uniformed officers, and top 

SPs (special police). 

Many of Japan’s top politicians attended, including Prime Minister 

Shinzo Abe, who gave a very meaningful speech. There were also 

remarks by Keizo Morikawa, chairman of the Japan Arab Association, 

and a gift presentation to the Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike. She, as 

I’m sure many of you know, studied in Cairo and speaks fluent Arabic. 

The ceremony opened with a welcome address by Kuwaiti Ambassador 

Al-Otaibi. 

Prior to the reception, there was a symposium on sustainable energy 

and water security. This was attended by many experts on this 

subject. The evening’s program included performances of both Arabic 

and Japanese music, a visit to an authentic Bedouin tent transported 

from Saudi Arabia, an exhibition of everyday articles inside the tent, 

and an exhibition and demonstration of Arabic calligraphy. It was all 


IMPERIAL MEDIA 

DINNER/RECEPTION 

1. Kelly Wetherille and her husband, 

Jorge Pazmino, looking good!! 2. Le 

Monde’s Philippe Mesmer, socialite 

Vivian Morelli, PR guru Nacio “Skip” 

Cronin 3. The host, Imperial Hotel’s 

president Hideya Sadayasu, Dewi 

Sukarno, Hawaii Halekulani Hotel’s 

President Peter Shaindlin 4. Peter 

Shaindlin, Imperial Hotel’s exec. Jun 

Kazama, Far East Traveler’s founder 

George Pokrovsky, his son – the 

magazine’s mg. ed., Michael 1 2 

3 

4 

5 

7 

6 

8 

9 

10 

12 

13 

11 

PAKISTANI 

AMBASSADOR AMIL’S 

PAKISTAN NATIONAL 

DAY AND SAYONARA 

5. Murlie Tanaka, Kumiko Meric 

(Turkey), Kyoko Spector, Lilo 

Maruyama 6. Turkish Amb. Bulent 

Meric, Amb. Amil, Popular politician 

Kazuyuki Hamada and Mrs. Hamada 

7. Bahrain Amb. Hassan, Chief of 

mission Iraq Rahman Muhsin, Qatar 

Amb. Yousef Bilal, Oman Amb. Khalid 

Al-Muslahi 8. Amb. Amil, Grand Hyatt 

GM Steve Dewire 9. Yuko Miwa and 

her son, Masahisa (Valiant Language 

School) 10. Amb. Amil, Grand Hyatt 

GM Steve Dewire 11. Zimbabwe Amb. 

& Mrs. Titus M.J. Abubasutu 12. 

Govt. officials Antonio Inoki, Natsuo 

Yamaguchi, and Seishiro Eto, Amb. 

Amil, Motome Takizawa 

13. Senegal Amb. and Mrs. Chiekh 

Niang, Muhammad Adam, Nigerian 

Charge d'Affaires and Mrs. Bello 

Kavaure Husseini 

TOKYO WEEKENDER | | JULY 2017 | 47

MIDTOWN OAKWOOD 

CELEBRATES 10TH 

ANNIVERSARY 

1. Fortress’s Tami Ooka, Asian 

Tigers Nick Masse 2. Midtown’s Amy 

Harashino, rowing celebrity Capt. 

Lia Ditton 3. Midtown’s man in Japan 

Martin Fluck, Pacific Development 

& Mgmt. Co’s Rep. director Hiroshi 

Kasugai, Playfoot Advisory’s Marcus 

Fishenden 4. Konishiki and country/ 

western singer Crystal Godfleish 5. 

Maho, Kamasami Kong, Fujisankei’s Jeff 

Richards 6. Konishiki, Anetta Hausner, 

Mayumi Jones, Andre Zimmerman 

1 

2 

4 

3 

5 

6 

7 

9 

12 

10 

8 

JAPAN ARAB 

RECEPTION 

– IMPERIAL HOTEL 

7. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe 

8. Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike 

9. Noted pianist Reiko Awazu, 

Namibia Amb. Sophia-Namupa 

Nangome, Bangladesh Amb. Rabab, 

Lilo Maruyama 10. Bahrain Amb. Dr. 

Khalil Hassan Ras Romani and the 

Hotel New Otani’s Seiji Kojima 

11. Politician Kazuyuki Hamada, 

Rana Ismayilzada (Azerbaijan), 

APA Hotels owners Toshio and 

Fumiko Motoya 12. Jamilah Al-Otaibi 

(Kuwait), Shifa Haddad (Jordan), 

her mother Amal Zghoul, Jamila Al- 

Gunaid (Yemen) 

11 


very informative and interesting. I’m sure that the wife of the Kuwaiti 

Ambassador Jamilah, who really has an artistic sense, worked hard on 

setting it up. Our congratulations to the Council of Arab Ambassadors 

and Heads of Mission and their many friends here who made it all very 

special. 

THE IMPERIAL HOTEL’S GLITTERING DINNER 

FOR THE MEDIA 

Once again, the President of the Imperial Hotel, Hideya Sadayasu, and 

his super staff went all out to make their annual party for the media a 

very special evening. This year the party, bigger than usual, was held 

in a larger venue: the luxurious Peacock Room. 

The spacious venue was filled wall to wall with interesting people. 

It was nice seeing special guest Peter Shaindlin, who’s President of the 

legendary Halekulani Hotel in Honolulu, and many top Japanese and 

foreign journalists I don’t see enough of. The buffet was a fabulous 

presentation that the top chefs and food and beverage staff had spent 

a lot of time and effort on. They certainly had a gourmet dinner to be 

proud of. Congratulations to our host Sadayasu-san. At the same time, 

congratulations to the world-renowned hotel on their new and very 

personable managing director and GM, Yukio Kanao. 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MIDTOWN OAKWOOD 

Midtown’s luxurious Oakwood Premiere recently hosted a packed 10th 

anniversary party at their popular residential lounge in Midtown Mall, 

which is also celebrating its 10th birthday. As always at their many 

happenings, there was a huge crowd enjoying the music by a Hawaiian 

duo, chatting with former sumo champ Konishiki, enjoying the 

excellent buffet and mixing with a lot of interesting people. I really 

enjoyed spending time with British Captain Lia Ditton, who has gained 

international fame by rowing her colorful customized boat solo across 

the Atlantic Ocean. I’m sure you’ll be seeing a lot more of her and her 

boat, which looks a bit Star Wars-esque, later this year. Lia’s planning 

a trans-Pacific solo and is sure, with the right sponsors, she can make 

it happen. 

My thanks to Oakwood’s Martin Fluck and his always helpful staff 

for all their kindness, generosity and friendship over the years. My 

congratulations to them all on the success of their many hotels. They 

all work very hard and it’s paid off. 

NEW FACES, NEW PLACES 

First, many thanks to Sri Lankan business tycoon Nishantha Perera for 

an invitation to his “New Tomorrow Café.” The theme for this quiet relaxing 

getaway is “Happiness, Healing, and Hope” and it’s right behind 

the German Embassy which is just up the hill from National Azabu 

Supermarket in the Arisunomori Minamiazabu complex. The café is 

big. The main dining area has a relaxed atmosphere and is filled with 

comfortable tables, chairs and couches. There’s a large outdoor patio 

where you can enjoy a first-class barbecue for as many as 50 people. 

If you really want to relax, you can stretch out in one of the 

hammocks. There’s plenty of greenery, especially my favorite 

– bamboo. If someone in your party is talented, there’s a grand piano 

in the main dining room that you can use if it doesn’t bother the other 

customers, and there’s a small hall with a stage and a good PA system 

connected to the main dining room. There are two kitchens and an excellent 

chef. The menu is limited, but I was really happy with a cup of 

Sri Lankan tea, a fruit smoothie and a piece of New York cheese cake. 

The café is open daily from 9am to 6pm. Private parties can be booked 

until 8pm. If you check it out I’m sure you’ll be surprised to find such 

a spacious relaxed and enjoyable retreat in one of Tokyo’s upscale 

neighborhoods. For more information call 03-6869-5656. 

My timing was perfect for my first visit as there was a colorful 

exhibition of paintings by one of Sri Lanka’s top artists, Kekuli. She’s a 

very interesting woman whose late husband was mayor of two cities 

in Sri Lanka, and her travel companions to Japan for her exhibit were 

her two daughters – Tersha who’s a lawyer, and Iranajali who’s a psychologist 

– and Prince Unamboowe, whose great grandfather was the 

last King of Ceylon. They were all interesting people and I spent most 

of the afternoon with them. Happy to have new, high-quality friends 

in a country I love and hope to visit soon. I left the café that day with 

a much-cherished gift, a painting of an elephant – one of my favorite 

animals – by Kekuli. 

I had more time later with a very talented sculptor, Dule. He worked 

for me at a nightclub I ran for many years in Roppongi. Now he’s a professor 

in Shanghai, a city he loves, and was here to see friends. He has 

sculptures in many museums and I’m really proud of a beautiful gold 

greyhound sculpture he sent me. I also appreciate that Dule got me addicted 

to goji berries – it seems the Chinese are really into this health 

food. You can get them at National Azabu or Nissen. 

In other news, I drive through Yoyogi Park almost every day and 

was recently surprised to find a parking spot available on a Sunday. 

I stopped, and was pleased to discover they were having an Okinawa 

Street Music Festival. I learned to really like Okinawan music when I 

was there a few years ago for a film festival, and was able to hear and 

meet some of Okinawa’s top musical artists. 

As you can see our city’s been busy. Unfortunately, conflicting 

schedules, lots of visitors, and so on added up to me having to miss 

several worthwhile events. The first was almost a week of Armenian 

culture hosted by Ambassador Grant Pogosyan and his wife Natalia. 

It was to celebrate a quarter century of Armenian-Japanese relations 

and there was a full schedule of art, food, cosmetics demonstrations, 

Armenian lace exhibits, and music from both countries. Congratulations 

to our Armenian and Japanese friends who got it all together. 

Irish Ambassador Annie Barrington’s talented American husband Ed 

Miliano is an accomplished artist. I’ve seen some of his work on the 

walls of their home, and loved it. Sorry I missed his May exhibit at 

the Motoazabu Museum. It was titled “No Ordinary Place” and friends 

who made it there really enjoyed it. 

Finally, for more proof positive that the multi-talented Steve 

Haynes never slows down, he just released his a new CD titled High 

Heels Music. It features 15 superstars performing their biggest hits. 

In between each song, Steve gives a short intro in his really professional 

manner. It’s a CD you should have. Pick it up and 

you’ll know what I mean. Congratulations, my friend. 

Sri Lankan businessman Nishantha Perera, artist Kekuli 

Abeyratne, her daughters Iranjali and Tersha, and Prince 

Unamboowe at the New Tomorrow Café in Mita 

Cliff Wooley and his daughter Kim at the 

Pride Festival 

New Miss Supranational, Yuki Koshikawa, with 

friends at Shibuya Segafredo 


Looking for your next job in Japan? 

Weekender has teamed up with 

Sunny Side Up Career and 

Coto Work to bring you 

the latest professional 

opportunities 

WEB MARKETER 

A web marketing company with branches in Tokyo and Silicon 

Valley is looking for a new candidate to join their team. They have 

a partnership with Google Analytics. The ideal candidate will have 

experience in SEO consulting and web advertising. 

Requirements: 

- SEO web marketing experience required 

- Japanese level: Proficient 

Location: Central Tokyo 

Salary: Competitive (based on experience) 

UI/UX DESIGNER 

An app developing company is seeking a UI/UX designer to join 

the team of an online dating platform. The site has successfully 

matched over 40 million pairs of members, and aims to develop a 

new dating culture in Japan. 

Requirements: 

- Minimum five years of web designing experience 

- Japanese language level: business 



WEB ENGINEER 

An IT company is looking for a new web engineer to join their 

growing team. Engineers make up 40% of the company and they 

all work in-house. The company is proactive about using new 

technologies such as Scala, Node.js, Elixer and others. 

The main duties will include development of digital marketing 

tools and development of new products. The ideal candidate will 

be interested in working in diverse teams to develop and advance 

each product. They will also have an interest in learning about new 

technologies and using these technologies to support company 

operations. 

Requirements: 

- Java, JavaScript, Ruby, C#, Scala, Elixer 

- DB: MySQL, Oracle 

- OS: iOS, Windows 

- General development and operational experience in web services 

- Experience in programming or planning and development of 

websites 

- Ability to learn necessary skills and develop them 

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER 

Havas Worldwide Tokyo is looking for a fulltime senior designer for 

advertisement content and key visual designing. The company bears 

business relationships with major manufacturers worldwide and is 

seeking an experienced, responsible and flexible candidate to join 

the team to assist with the expansion of businesses. 

Requirements: 

- Minimum three years of experience in graphic designing using 

Photoshop or Illustrator 

- A strong sense in project planning 

- Experience working with clients 

- Active in responding to tasks and projects 

- A flexible mindset 

- A sense of responsibility and good at schedule management 

- Conversational-level English 

Probation period: Six months 


Salary: Annual pay ¥3-6 million (based on experience) 



To apply for these jobs and view more opportunities, visit 

www.tokyoweekender.com/careers

Our new online store featuring a curated selection of designer 

made-in-Japan items to enhance your living space, wardrobe, 

and beauty kit. Because everyone should have a touch of 

Japanese craftsmanship in their lives.

Tokyo Weekender July 2016

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