SEPTEMBER 2015 Japan’s number one English language magazine TRAVEL SPECIAL GET LOST IN AUTUMN AKITA Once More Into the North KAGOSHIMA Adventuring Around Old Satsuma GET READY TO RUMBLE UFC Action Hits the City ALSO: Photographer Tomohiro Muda Fixes His Lens on the Elements, A Weekend MBA by Way of Montreal, and People,www.tokyoweekender.com Parties, &SEPTEMBER Places 2015 SEPTEMBER 2015 www.tokyoweekender.com SEPTEMBER 2015 CONTENTS 30 KAGOSHIMA SPECIAL Step into the slow life down in Kyushu’s southernmost prefecture 10 12 26 UFC: FIGHT NIGHT JAPAN AKITA TRAVEL SPECIAL KASHIMA ARTS The Saitama Super Arena is getting ready Think you’ve seen all of Akita? Guess Photographer Tomohiro Muda captures to rumble: here’s what to watch for again, fair reader the raw power of the elements 6 The Guide 43 Avan Classico 50 Previews Hot looks for cooling times, pastries well Bringing the timeless elegance of 80s retro video games go on a rampage, worth the queue, and a very dirty Martini Neapolitan tailoring to Tokyo Marvel goes small, and...BILL MURRAY! 28 Kagami Crystal 44 McGill MBA Japan 52 Agenda Generations of technical perfection have This business program is developing Yoyogi saves some of its best festas for last, made this glassware the choice of royalty leaders for the global economy Tokyo goes jazzy, and a full week of breakfast 34 Medipolis Health Tourism 46 People, Parties, Places 54 Back in the Day The new wave in cancer therapy: particle Junko Koshino & co. get dressed up in their A cartoonist’s guide to those moments when beam treatment in resort settings best and a U.N.’s worth of national days you realize you’ve gone native www.tokyoweekender.com SEPTEMBER 2015 THIS MONTH IN THE WEEKENDER a prefecture that seems to have an SEPTEMBER 2015 embarrassment of riches, proves that SEPTEMBER 2015 there are cultural experiences still to Japan’s number one English language magazine be mined in those fields of autumn. On our tour, we drop in on a community festival that combines the grace of TRAVEL SPECIAL courtly dance with the brutality of GET LOST IN AUTUMN group combat in Kakunodate, set foot Publisher BC Media Group AKITA in the primeval beech forest of the Chairman Ray Pedersen Once More Into the North Shirakami Sanchi World Heritage Site, and gaze up at one of the most Executive Producer Asi Rinestine spectacular fireworks displays in all of Editor Alec Jordan KAGOSHIMA Japan. There are a few detours along Art Director Liam Ramshaw Adventuring Around Old Satsuma the way, but we’ll leave those for you Media Director Kotaro Toda to find. Account Executives Nobu (Nick) Nakazawa GET READY TO RUMBLE Then it’s a 180, and we head UFC Action Hits the City southward to Kyushu’s Kagoshima Media Consultants Mary Rudow Prefecture. Satsuma, as the land is still Sophia Bai ALSO: Photographer Tomohiro Muda Fixes His Lens on the Elements, A Weekend MBA by Way of Montreal, and People,www.tokyoweekender.com Parties, &SEPTEMBER Places 2015 Chris Zajko affectionately known, has played a he worst of the season’s significant role in Japanese history, and Marketing Ingrid Dubreuil sweat and heat has while it no longer plays as strong an Yumi Idomoto T passed, and another influence on politics as it did in the Meiji summer has (mostly) run Society Bill Hersey days, it remains a place of inspiration: a out of steam. As the weather’s finally land of fresh air, breathtaking views, Lead Writer Matthew Hernon turning sensible again, it’s time to and strong characters―Buddhist think about doing something other Editorial Associates Sarah Custen priests, shochu makers, and luxury Kyle Mullin than cooling off when you’ve got ryokan owners alike. Natalie Jacobsen time off. There’s a proper, five-day- As always, thanks for your Yuna Uemaru long weekend on its way later in the readership, enjoy your “Silver Week,” month, and what better way to spend Film Christopher O’Keeffe and we’ll see you in October―when we’ll it than on the road? be bearing a bit more editorial content. IT Manager Nick Adams With that thought in mind, Weekender has put together a travel extravaganza for this month’s edition: we hope it inspires you to hit the road, and hit it well. First off is another visit to EST. Corky Alexander, 1970 our neighbors in the north. Akita, Editor Published monthly at the Regency Shinsaka Building, 5th floor 8-5-8 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052 (03) 6666-4924 / (03) 6432-9229 (fax) [email protected] To subscribe to the Tokyo Weekender, please call (03) 6666-4924 or email: [email protected] For ad sales inquiries, please call (03) 6666-4924 or email: [email protected] WRITERS WANTED www.tokyoweekender.com Tokyo Weekender is looking for a few good writers. If Opinions expressed by Weekender contributors you’ve got a travel story you want to share, a gift for the are not necessarily those of the publisher written word, or have a unique take on life in Tokyo, we’d like to hear from you. To join our team of freelancers, please send us an email at [email protected] Published by BC Media Group www.bulbouscell.com September 2015 www.tokyoweekender.com Yokoso, welcome to Japan Where the living is easy With the Premier, Residence, and Apartments brands of serviced apartment in different prime locations in Tokyo, Oakwood has a home and lifestyle for you. Discover more about Oakwood living in Aoyama, Akasaka, Ariake, Azabujyuban, Tokyo Midtown, Roppongi, Shirokane and at Tokyo Station (early 2016). For details and reservations, please visit our website at oakwoodasia.com BANGALORE BANGKOK BEIJING CHENGDU GUANGZHOU HANGZHOU HONG KONG HYDERABAD INCHEON JAKARTA MANILA MUMBAI PUNE SEOUL SHANGHAI TOKYO the guide DVF PLAYSUIT A fun alternative to the classic Diane von Furstenberg iconic wrap dress, this bold-patterned playsuit is anoth- er staple to add to your wardrobe to get through yet another month (or two…) of summer. Just like the DVF wrap dresses, the V-neck top and cinched waist are flattering on most figures (even pregnant ones!), but it stops a bit shorter than the dress. The shorts are comfortable enough for a daytime picnic, and the piece will make a flawless transition into autumn, when you can wear it with opaque tights … and a glass of bubbly in hand. www.katespade.com KATE SPADE IPHONE CASE GUERLAIN Be flashy yet classy with this mir- TERRACOTTA rored gold iPhone case, exclusive- This cult classic is a must-have item ly, and appropriately, available at for your beauty bag. The bronzing the Ginza Kate Spade branch (you powder works magically to enhance can also order it online if the posh that summer glow you got from district isn’t on your path). The days at the beach, and keep a hint discreet writing says “Center of at- of sunshine for the dreary months tention,” so it’s perfect for the gal ahead. The powder is lightweight who wants to make a not-so-subtle and hydrating, and all you need are statement. Like all other Kate a few swipes on the cheeks (try a “3” Spade accessories, it’s pretty with- pattern on each side of your face), as out being too cutesy, and it’s the well as a dab on the nose, chin and ideal stylish companion to your forehead. You can even skip the blush most-used material possession. and mascara, and mix and match the www.shopbop.com hues to suit your preference. www.guerlain.com DOMINIQUE ANSEL BAKERY et ready to queue, as the opening of this particular bakery generated so Gmuch buzz that enthusiasts were actually sleeping outside the night before its grand opening. Dominique Ansel’s claim to fame is the Cronut, a decadent croissant and doughnut hybrid created back in 2013. If you’re not convinced you should wait in line for a pastry, you might be tempted by their cookie shots, frozen s’mores, miniature meringues or the Mr Roboto Japan exclusive, a melon pan filled with caramel black truffle custard. We want all of it. Address: 5-7-14, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Web: dominiqueanseljapan.com/en SEPTEMBER 2015 www.tokyoweekender.com G-SHOCK WATCH Fashionable, functional and affordable, this watch is a perfect combination of sporty and stylish, Something for the weekend...A and a go-to item for when you cocktail guide for the most actually need something practical discerning of drinkers that can survive a bit of impact. The gold accents add that little bit his month we pay a visit to London’s of bling we all need in our lives, West End to sample the cocktail that has yet it’s subtle enough so you don’t taken the world by storm over the past look too “accessorized.” It comes few years. Rumoured to be a favourite in an array of tones, so make sure Tof the Dutchess of Cambridge, it is now a staple you check out the entire collection, of nearly all drinking establishments of any note. but we hand-picked this one for Originally created by famed London mixologist you, as it’s one of the best items Douglas Ankar, the Porn Star Martini has certainly you’ll add to any look this season. made its mark on the global cocktail scene. As a rule I find it best to avoid garishly colour- www.g-shock.jp ed and overly sweet cocktails. These types of tipples are no doubt great for hen parties and the suchlike, but no gentleman worth his salt wants to be seen ordering a bright pink Martini.