GET out of BED and GET on the SLOPES Snowboarding & Skiing in Honshu

JANUARY 2016

Japan’s number one English language magazine

HIT 2016 IN FULL SWING How to Stay True to Your Resolutions

LOOKING BACK AT THE YEAR THAT WAS The Stories of 2015

GET OUT OF BED AND GET ON THE SLOPES Snowboarding & Skiing in Honshu

ALSO: Hand-Crafted Elegance at Wabist Gift Shop, People, Parties, and Places, Movies, Agenda,www.tokyoweekender.com and More JANUARY 2016 Your Move. Our World.

CY Full Relocation

CMY K Services anywhere in the world.

Asian Tigers Mobility provides a comprehensive end-to-end mobility service tailored to your needs.

Move Management – office, households, Tenancy Management pets, vehicles Family programs Orientation and Cross-cultural programs Departure services Visa and Immigration Storage services Temporary accommodation Home and School search

Asian Tigers goes to great lengths to ensure the highest quality service. To us, every move is unique.

Please visit www.asiantigers-japan.com or contact us at [email protected] Customer Hotline: 03-6402-2371 JANUARY 2016 www.tokyoweekender.com JANUARY 2016 CONTENTS 13

POWDER QUEST No need to head all the way up to Hokkaido: our guide to riding Kanto’s slopes

16 22 25

FITNESS TRENDS 2015: THE YEAR IN SPORTS HANZAI JAPAN Some of the newish ways you’ll be getting Highlights and lowlights from the A collection of sci-fi tales from the seedy fit in the year to come Japanese sporting world underbelly of Japan’s future

6 The Guide 17 Fitness Products 21 Wabist Sharp looks for 2016 and a cocktail to help A quartet of gear to help you get motivated A gift shop specializing in elegant you back on your feet and stay healthy craftsmanship, made in Japan 8 Gallery Guide 18 New Year’s Resolutions 26 People, Parties, Places Architectural wonders, Tokyo’s cultural Some tips for creating some resolutions that Dewi Sukarno’s annual charity bash and magma, and Tie Fighters hit the big city you’ll be likely to keep Toko Shinoda celebrates her 103th 10 2015 in Review 20 Learning Japanese 30 Movies A look back at the news that was in The Year もしこの文章が読めるのであれば、この記事 Tom Hanks’s espionage thriller, a high-wire of the Sheep は読まなくて大丈夫です tour de force, and Johnny Depp gets gritty

www.tokyoweekender.com JANUARY 2016 THIS MONTH IN THE WEEKENDER

team as the countdown to the 2016 JANUARY 2016 Games carries on. JANUARY 2016 While we imagine that you didn’t wake up next to as streamlined a Japan’s number one English language magazine companion as our mysterious cover girl did on January 1, but if you have been dreaming of mountains of white powder HIT 2016 IN Publisher BC Media Group FULL SWING for the riding, we’ve compiled a guide How to Stay True to Your Resolutions for some of the best places in Honshu Executive Producer Asi Rinestine to get your snow fix in 2016. Whether LOOKING you’re a veteran skier or snowboarder Editor Alec Jordan BACK AT THE or still working on staying vertical, you Art Director Liam Ramshaw YEAR THAT WAS Designer Tohko Kanzaki The Stories of 2015 should find yourself an apt spot. Then it’s on to those promises we Account Executives Nobu (Nick) Nakazawa GET OUT OF make to ourselves every year. It might BED AND GET be a commitment to being a bit fitter or Media Consultants Mary Rudow ON THE SLOPES a renewed dedication to improving your Sophia Bai Snowboarding & Skiing in Honshu Chris Zajko Japanese, and we’ve got some advice

ALSO: Hand-Crafted Elegance at Wabist Gift Shop, People, Parties, and Places, Movies, Agenda, and More www.tokyoweekender.com JANUARY 2016 for you if your ambitions tend in that Marketing Yumi Idomoto direction. But perhaps most important espite our somewhat Society Bill Hersey of all is the advice we get from cynical leanings—and, to Healthy Tokyo CEO Michael Bobrove, be quite honest, the often Lead Writer Matthew Hernon D who reminds us of the importance of disappointing show we being realistic when we set our new Editorial Associates Vivian Morelli humans put on the world’s stage—it’s standards in the year to come. Here’s Luca Eandi hard not to take in the dawn of a new Kyle Mullin to stepping up your game in The Year of year without a touch of optimism. Natalie Jacobsen the Monkey—even if you’re just taking Of course, to look ahead without baby steps. Film Christopher O’Keeffe remembering back is the worst kind of Thanks again as always for reading, blindness, so we’ve decided to take a IT Manager Nick Adams and the very best to you and your loved look at some of the events that shaped ones in the new year. our lives in this biggest of cities, as well as the sports stories that lifted Japan’s spirits (and occasionally broke its EST. Corky Alexander, 1970 heart). Our reminiscences in the world of athletics finishes up with a preview Published monthly at the Regency Shinsaka of our Road to Rio series. In the months Building, 5th floor to come, we’ll be running an interview 8-5-8 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052 (03) 6666-4924 / (03) 6432-9229 (fax) with members of the Japanese Olympic Editor [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]

広告に関するお問い合わせ先電話：(03)6666-4924 メール：[email protected] 担当：井戸本 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

January 2016 www.tokyoweekender.com Join the Conversation, Join the Club

JOIN TOKYO WEEKENDER’S INSIDERS CLUB TO FIND OUT ABOUT LIMITED OFFERS THROUGHOUT TOKYO, ATTEND EXCLUSIVE EVENTS, GET THE LATEST INFORMATION ABOUT PRODUCTS BEFORE THEY LAUNCH, AND LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD. CHECK OUT WWW.TOKYOWEEKENDER.COM/WEEKENDERINSIDERS FOR MORE DETAILS the guide

ILLESTEVA SUNGLASSES It is easy to gloss over the myriad of sunglasses trends each season but the colored lens style is one that we are excited to get on board with. This blue mirrored pair from Illeste- va takes a contemporary approach to traditional Italian craftsmanship, a style which has built the brand a celebrity and fashion industry following. The combination of gold-tone metal, tortoiseshell acetate, straight brow bar and the absence of a nose bridge create such a contemporary shape that they stand out from the crowd. They will certainly remain current right through to the blazing sun of the summer months. illesteva.com

EUGENIA KIM WOOL BEANIE Step up your basic beanie a notch with this super soft and on-trend number from New York designer Eugenia Kim to add a spot of Manhattan cool to STELLA MCCARTNEY FOR your look. We found a beanie ADIDAS LEGGINGS that has a chic take on the ani- Feel like you need to dust off the cobwebs after mal ear trend, steering clear of the festive period? Looking and feeling confident the cutesy and kitsch variations in your form-fitting leggings is always the first that have come before. The hurdle to tackle when building the motivation to chunky knit design has an ele- get active. These colorful leggings will make you ment of fun with its animal ear want to get up and get moving for a great workout fur pompoms simply adorning or a loop of the Imperial Palace. Boring, dowdy the top. There is no better way sportswear became a thing of the past when Stella to simultaneously stay warm McCartney’s partnership with Adidas launched and conceal a bad hair day on stylish, flattering performance pieces. Each your weekend morning coffee collection gets better and better and this season’s run than pulling on this wool printed designs and color tone combinations are a beanie. winner. stellamccartney.com eugeniakim.com

MOJA – SHIBUYA The warm and laid-back atmosphere, straddled with strings of lights, and wafting smells of fried chicken and waffles lures in diners on a daily basis. Giant comfy couches, dim lamps, and the exquisite house cocktails keep customers coming back. With three floors of dining options, from the French-style basement with seafood, a coffee cafe and live bar on the first, to the American-style chicken and waffle focal point on the second, MOJA can be enjoyed again and again. Weekly events, live shows, and changing menu keep MOJA ahead of the other Shibuya hotspots, and will make you a regular after the first meal. Come for the taste of home, stay for the music and the new friends.

Prices: ¥1000-5000 Address: 1-11-1 Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0002 B1, 1, 2F

JANUARY 2016 www.tokyoweekender.com UNIQLO ULTRA LIGHT VEST You may be surprised to see this unique V-neck cut gilet with down feather Something for the weekend...A lining is from high street chain Uniqlo (we were!). There is no compromise of cocktail guide for the most quality or style with this piece so, at less discerning of drinkers than ¥5000(!), this vest is a real bargain. very Happy New Year to one and all. I do This super thin vest is perfect to slip un- hope that everybody enjoyed the festive der your coat or suit jacket for an added Aseason and managed to stay on the right layer of warmth and resistance against side of merry. For the most part I spent a very the winter winds. The luxurious down jolly Christmas and New Year; however I fear feather padding insulates your body and the years may be catching up with me: unfortu- retains heat without adding bulk to your nately, on more than one occasion I managed to frame, thanks to the composition of the wake up feeling ever so slightly delicate. lining. Staying true to its Ultra Light Salvation, however, is only a quick shake name, the vest is almost weightless. away. This month’s cocktail is the Bloody Mary, the saviour of hungover ladies and gents the uniqlo.jp world over, and the only cocktail that is socially acceptable to drink before midday. It seems that every establishment that you go to these days has a slightly different take on the classic tomato/vodka recipe. An American DENTS LEATHER acquaintance of mine tells me that his local GLOVES bar serves their Bloody Mary with bacon bits Hate taking your gloves off and risk- (honestly is the anything that Americans won’t serve bacon with?). As much as I’m partial to a ing frostbite when using your phone bit of bacon, some things should remain sacred. in the city? Luckily, Dents have My rule of thumb for Bloody Marys is to managed to remove the impractical- keep it simple and keep it spicy. The ideal Bloody ities of wearing gloves by specially Mary should be spicy enough to bring even the engineering this pair for use with most hungover reveller back from the dead, but touch-screens. That means your not so spicy that you need to keep the toilet roll leather gloves stay on your hands in the fridge. And on that note, bottoms up chaps, when texting or choosing your music and I’ll see you next month! and your fingers stay snug. In addition to being tech-savvy, this pair Method: also looks very dapper with plush Pour the vodka and tomato juice into a cocktail black leather and a simple stitching shaker filled with ice, shake thoroughly and detail for embellishment. For an strain into a tall glass filled with ice. Add Tabasco, added opulent feeling, the inside Worcestershire sauce to taste and a pinch of celery is lined with cashmere for warmth salt and pepper. Finally add a teaspoon of horse- and softness on your skin. A blend of radish sauce, stir thoroughly and garnish with a comfort, style and convenience. stick of celery. dents.jp Ingredients: – 2 Absolut Pepper Vodka – 4 shots of tomato juice EDWARD GREEN – 1 tsp horseradish – Squeeze of lemon juice CHELSEA BOOTS – Splash of Tabasco Worn by the most stylish men across the decades – Splash of Worcestershire sauce from the Beatles to David Beckham, Chelsea – Pinch of celery salt and boots are an essential wardrobe staple. If you black pepper don’t own a set yet then you need not look further than Edward Green. Although they are a little pricey, the boots are definitely an invest- ment piece as they are a timeless classic and you will be pulling them on for years to come. The almond-shaped toe and subtle suede of these Chelsea boots are so adaptable that they can be coupled with a woolen suit for smart occasions or paired with jeans and a shirt for a more informal atmosphere. edwardgreen.com

www.tokyoweekender.com JANUARY 2016 GALLERY GUIDE TOKYO GALLERY GUIDE OUR PICKS FROM THE EXHIBITIONS AROUND TOWN

by Luca Eandi

TOKYO ART MEETING VI: “TOKYO” – Sensing the Cultural Magma of the Metropolis

n the build up to the Tokyo Tokyo-based, internationally 2020 Olympic Games, the known creative figures and the public focus has been largely other consists of new works by on questions around the artists who work both in Japan Iskyrocketing cost of hosting and abroad, all proposing their (recently quoted at an estimated own concept of the city. ¥1.8 trillion) and controversial Not restricted to conven- issues such as logo plagiarism, tional art, the exhibition covers outlandish stadium designs and a wide range of media includ- increased security from possible ing music, video and design, terrorist threats. The latest giving the viewer a sense of the installment of the “Tokyo Art possibilities that are present Meeting” series seeks to answer in the city today and putting a different question: what is its current identity into relief. Tokyo’s cultural identity and how Some of the featured artists Tabor Robak 20XX, 2013, Courtesy: the artist and Team Gallery does it differentiate itself among include YMO + Akio Miyazawa, other enlightened world capitals? Mika Ninagawa, SUPERFLEX, Acknowledging Tokyo’s ini- Takashi Homma, Saâdane Afif, tial impact onto the global artistic Toshiki Okada, [Mé], EBM(T), scene in the 1980s, the exhibition Lin Ke and Tetsuaki Matsue, Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo is framed by two elements that al- along with works from the col- Dates: November 7, 2015–February 14, 2016 low people to sense Tokyo anew. lection of Museum of Contem- Open: 10:00 am–6:00 pm, closed on Mondays (except Jan 11) and Jan 12 One presents images curated by porary Art Tokyo. Web: www.mot-art-museum.jp/eng/exhibition/TAM6-tokyo.html

CEDRIC DELSAUX: Dark Lens

s we get used to them, er exhibition in Japan, and the shapes and contours coinciding with the release of the of fictional characters much-awaited film, “Star Wars: become as fully integrat- The Force Awakens,” “Dark Lens” edA into our culture as our actual features photographs of surreal surroundings. Shaking up the scenes such as an AT-AT Walker boundaries between fiction and re- wandering through a thick fog ality, French photographer Cedric by interstate overpasses, the Mil- Delsaux pairs familiar images of lennium Falcon parked amidst a modern cityscapes with equally Dubai construction site and two familiar characters and vehicles Speeder Bikes zooming under from the “Star Wars” universe, to power lines. The fourteen pieces create scenes that induce a sort of that make up the exhibit have “double déjà vu.” The postmodern received high praise from George world meets “a long time ago, in a Lucas himself and were released Dark Lens, The Falcon’s Flight, Dubai, 2009 © Cédric Delsaux galaxy far, far away.” as part of a book, also titled Serving as the artist’s first-ev- “Dark Lens,” back in November.

Diesel Art Gallery Dates: November 20, 2015–February 11, 2016 | Open: 11:30 am–9:00 pm Web: www.diesel.co.jp/art/en/cedric_delsaux

JANUARY 2016 www.tokyoweekender.com GALLERY GUIDE | WEEKENDER | 9 Foster + Partners, 30 St. Axe, London, Photo: Mary 1997-2004, Nigel Young, Foster + Partners

18th DOMANI: The Art of Tomorrow

ince antiquity, patronage and support has been vital to young artists’ development and ability to afford training in their specialties. Since 1967, the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs has been doing their part to help promis- ingS artists make their way overseas to learn from masters of their respective disciplines. Since the late 1990s, the annual Domani exhibition has been a showcase of the achievements of the program. Now in their eighteenth edition, the theme for the exhibition is “the intersection between expression and material: matter, action and data.” The conceit is that today’s artists are not limited to matter as a material for expression—actions and data are also materials with which art can be created, and perhaps are even best suited to convey modern society’s shift into expressive media. The artists featured have been pursuing their development in places such as Brazil, the US, Indonesia, Estonia, the UK, Italy, Belgium, France and more. Making use of the rich space of the National Art Center and unrestricted by medium requirements, the twelve diverse FOSTER + PARTNERS: Architecture, Urbanism, Innovation exhibits range from painting to sculpture, textiles, mosaics, animation, video and installation. The wood engravings of guest he Gherkin in London, the Reichstag in Berlin and artist Sachiko Kazama are also featured for the first time in this Cupertino’s Apple Campus 2 are some of the contempo- exhibition. Additionally, the works of trainees in the conserva- rary architectural masterpieces created by international tion and restoration field are presented. design studio Foster + Partners. The first exhibition to comprehensivelyT survey the studio’s last half-century of activity, The National Art Center, Tokyo “Architecture, Urbanism, Innovation” includes models, videos, Dates: December 12, 2015–January 26, 2016 furniture, graphics, products and plans focusing on around 50 Open: 10:00 am–6:00 pm, 10:00 am–8:00 pm on Friday, closed Tuesday representative projects. Web: domani-ten.com Founded in 1967 by architect Norman Foster, the studio has completed more than 300 projects in 45 countries. Lord Foster, also the subject of the 2010 documentary film, “How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr. Foster?,” is a protégé of architect/system the- orist R. Buckminster Fuller, and has been awarded the prestigious Pritzker Prize, regarded as the Nobel Prize of architecture. The exhibition, which is organized by the Mori Art Museum, highlights Foster + Partners’ organizational pursuit of themes such as “tradition and the future” as well as “humans and the environment.” Showcased are projects that have outfitted traditional struc- tures with state-of-the-art technology, such as the Reichstag, and in the case of the under-construction Apple Campus 2, the image of sustainable architecture of the near-future is represented. The setting of the exhibition at the Sky Gallery, inside the Roppongi Hills observation deck, affords visitors panoramic views of Tokyo while stimulating curiosity about the future of the city’s own landscape.

Sky Gallery, Tokyo City View (52F, Roppongi Hills Mori Tower) Diesel Art Gallery Dates: January 1–February 14, 2016 Top: Aika Furukawa, Interlinking Moments, 2013, Private Collection Dates: November 20, 2015–February 11, 2016 | Open: 11:30 am–9:00 pm Bottom: Mutsumi Noda, Namu fukashigi nyorai, 2007 Open: 10:00 am–10:00 pm, last admission 9:30 pm Web: www.diesel.co.jp/art/en/cedric_delsaux Web: www.mori.art.museum/english/contents/foster_partners

www.tokyoweekender.com JANUARY 2016 MARCH Michelle Obama arrives in Japan wearing a dress by the Japanese designer Kenzo. Meanwhile, Angela Merkel urges Japan to come to grips with its wartime past. Tokyo JANUARY marks the 20th anniversary of the Aum Kenji Goto and Haruna Yukawa—one man Shinrikyo gas attacks on the Tokyo subway an independent journalist and the other a lines. Shibuya Ward becomes the first loca- If a look back at the would-be “mercenary”—are killed by the tion in Japan to recognize same-sex partner- events of the previous terrorists of ISIS, after being held hostage ships. Service between Tokyo and Kanazawa for several months. Prior to their murders, begins on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line. year teach us anything, a ransom video, which showed the two men Ariana Miyamoto, a Japanese national in orange jumpsuits kneeling on either side whose mother is Japanese and whose father it’s that you can always of the London-born terrorist known as “Ji- is African American, is selected as Miss Uni- hadi John,” grips the world. Kiyoshi Kimura, verse Japan. A statue reuniting the faithful count on Tokyo to keep the owner of the Sushi-Zanmai chain of Hachiko and his master Hidesaburo Ueno is sushi restaurants, keeps his four-year streak unveiled. us guessing—and give of winning the first auction of the year at Tsukiji market going with a ¥4.51 million us something to discuss. ($37,500) bid on a bluefin tuna. From architectural ups and downs and debates of war to rough-housing dignitaries and movie monster ambassadors, APRIL here are some of the A Japanese man is arrested for using a FEBRUARY drone to carry radioactive sand to the top of Prime Minister Abe’s office, in protest of The Ethiopian runners Endesha Negesse stories that shaped 2015 Abe’s nuclear energy policy. Next month, and Berhane Dibaba win the Men and Wom- laws go into place limiting the use of drones en’s sections of the 2015 Tokyo Marathon. by Alec Jordan in public parks and near governmental Security was significantly stepped up for the buildings. Godzilla is recruited as the tour- race in the wake of the ISIS murders: an- ism ambassador for the ward of Shinjuku, ti-terror police run alongside competitors on and his giant likeness was erected to loom the cold, rainy day. The UK’s Prince William over the Hotel Gracery Shinjuku. The final makes a four-day trip to Japan; it is the first Rugby Sevens World Series matches are visit of a British royal to the country since held in Tokyo. Taco Bell makes a popular 2008. The novelist, and some-time advisor to return to Tokyo after 20 years. Prime Minister Abe, Ayako Sono writes an opinion piece in which she supports allow- ing more immigrants in Japan, but suggest that those immigrants live separately from Japanese people.

JANUARYDECEMBER 2016 2016 www.tokyoweekender.com www.tokyoweekender.com MAY SEPTEMBER Demolition of Tokyo’s old Olym- Deluges from heavy rains lead pic Stadium, the centerpiece of to flooding throughout Japan, the 1964 Olympics, is completed. JULY with the worst in Tochigi and A pair of Japanese melons from Ibaraki Prefectures. Parts of the After months of criticism, budget Sapporo sell for $12,400. Butter Ibaraki city of Joso is flooded cuts, and rising building costs, NOVEMBER shortages increase as the govern- after the bordering Kinu River architect Zaha Hadid’s design for A small bomb is detonated in a ment weighs the idea of carrying washes over its banks. The new the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Stadium bathroom at the controversial foreign imports. Japanese ad logo for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is taken off the drawing board. Yasukuni Shrine. No injuries giant Dentsu announces that, for first unveiled in July, is scrapped Following suit with Shibuya were caused, and a South Korean the first time in its 114-year his- following plagiarism complaints, Ward, Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward suspect is arrested the following tory, it has generated more profit and an eventual lawsuit, due to announces that it will begin issu- month. In the first tranche of outside of Japan than inside. Not- its similarity to the mark used by ing certificates that recognize the what might be one of the largest withstanding the continuing sto- Belgium’s Théâtre de Liège. PR marriage of same-sex couples. IPOs in the world, the first shares ries about Japan’s supremely low firm Sunny Side Up purchases Amid strong protests (a rarity for of Japan Post Holdings and its birth rates, Germany manages Bulbous Cell Media Group, the Tokyo), the Lower House of Par- two financial units go onto the to take the inauspicious crown, publisher of Tokyo Weekender. liament approves a controversial market. The privatization of the with a tally of 8.2 children per Massive protests continue against set of bills that would expand the institution was a major political 1,000 people, compared with 8.4 the controversial security bills capability of the Japanese mili- coup pushed forward by former per 1,000 from Japan, according as they are debated in the Upper tary. After a gutsy performance Prime Minister Koizumi. An arti- to BDO and the Hamburg Insti- House of Parliament; they are that got them into the Finals of ficial intelligence called the Todai tute of International Economics. finally passed on September 19. the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Robot Project passes a standard- Nadeshiko go down 5–2 against ized university exam with higher the US Women’s team. It’s the than average marks. It scores final game for superstar Homare 10 percent higher than human Sawa, who has the most caps of examinees on a test that included any player. questions in math, physics, Eng- lish, and history.

JUNE OCTOBER London mayor Boris Johnson Haruo Hayashizaki, a 71-year-old catches a fair amount of flak for pensioner, sets himself on fire bowling over a 10-year-old boy on a southbound Shinkansen. He during a casual rugby match. Or- kills himself, 52-year-old Yoshiko ganizers of the Tokyo Olympics Kuwahara, and wounds 26. He AUGUST announce an open competition had complained to a neighbor After 53 years in business, for the design of the new Olym- about the difficulties of living on during which it played host to DECEMBER pics logo. In a questionable bid what he called a meager pension. world leaders and even found The Tokyo 2020 Organizing to appeal to foreign tourists, the The Managing Officer and Chief its way into a James Bond novel, Committee selects a new design district of Ebisu promotes a food Communications Officer of the Hotel Okura Tokyo closes for the Olympic stadium. Cre- festival centered on whale meat. Toyota, American Julie Hamp, is its doors. A new 41-story Okura ated by architect Kengo Kuma, In a news conference, UN envoy arrested for having Oxycodone Tokyo will be rebuilt in 2019. The the environmentally friendly Maud de Boer-Buquicchio makes mailed to her without a prescrip- Yamaguchi-gumi, Japan’s largest concept is already raising some the controversial statement that tion. She had been appointed in organized crime syndicate, hackles for its similarity to Zaha 13 percent of all schoolgirls in April. Volcanic eruptions in Ha- fractures into several different Hadid’s design. Somewhat slow Japan engage in enjo kosai (“com- kone close some areas of the pop- gangs. Protests against the securi- on the heels of the drone scare pensated dating,” a practice that ular vacation spot near Tokyo. ty bills continue to rage while in April, Tokyo police announce can range from casual conversa- An old law that made it illegal to the country recognizes the 70th the launch of a drone squad: tion to paid sex). The following dance in clubs after midnight is anniversary of the end of World its unmanned aerial vehicles month, de Boer-Buquicchio re- officially taken off the books. War II. In the “good luck with are tasked with taking down tracts her statement under pres- that” department, a group of rail- nuisance drones and equipped sure from Japanese government way companies, the operators of with nets. The restaurant Tsuta officials and complaints that her Haneda and Narita airports, and becomes the first ramen estab- figure could not be corroborated the Japan Elevator Association lishment to earn a star in the with any “official” reports. After declare an unofficial rule that all Michelin Guide. years of private deliberations, escalator riders should simply the Trans-Pacific Partnership is stand, hold onto the handrails, passed. and not try to pass or the right— or the left.

www.tokyoweekender.comwww.tokyoweekender.com DECEMBER JANUARY 2016 12 | WEEKENDER | EXPAT LIFE

We Build Dream Homes

Kagami Crystal Shop offers a dazzling selection of cut glass for connoisseurs and amateurs alike

Established in Tokyo in 1934, Kagami Crystal is Japan’s first crystal glass factory, and after a visit to their shop in Ginza, you may be inclined to say that it is the country’s finest.

Kagami crystalware has been receiving accolades since the company was founded, and has received commissions from the Imperial Family, the Japanese government, and Japanese embassies and consulates around the world. Kagami Crystal glassware can be found in embassies and consulates in more than 250 countries around the world. More than 150 projects in 19 years If you're ready to open the door to the living space you've always If you’re looking for an artfully cut whisky or wine glass, you wanted, West Canada Homes will help you ﬁnd the perfect piece can find a wide array of exquisitely crafted pieces that will of land, design your home, and manage your building project to bring elegance to the table or anywhere else you enjoy your completion. Contact us for a free consultation. favorite beverages.

The Kagami Crystal Shop also has an impressive selection of Custom Home Design • Project Management “Edo Kiriko” cut glasses, which are available in a variety of shapes, colors, and patterns. You can find decanters, perfume containers, vases and other vessels, which are decorated in a Tel: 0136-21-3838 Email: [email protected] variety of traditional Japanese patterns and designs. Custom www.westcanadahomes.com engraving, featuring a name, a family emblem, or another design can be performed.

With the holiday seasons rapidly approaching, a fine piece of Japanese craftsmanship just might be the perfect gift. Come see for yourself at Kagami Crystal Shop.

Ginza Store Daiwa Building, 2-1, Ginza 6-Chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061 Tel: 03-3569-0081

Open: From Mon, Fri (11:00~19:30) Sat, Sun and holiday (11:00~18:30) Closed: Thursday WWW.KAGAMI.JP/ENGLISH/

JANUARY 2016 www.tokyoweekender.com POWDER QUEST | FEATURE | 13

by Phil Luza

While many hardcore snow fiends head all the way up to Hokkaido to get their fix, there’s plenty of the white stuff to go around in Kanto. Here’s our guide to getting your ride on

t’s no secret that Japan has some of the greatest skiing and snowboard- I ing on the planet. With some of the world’s highest annual snowfall, the country has long been on the radar for powder hunters. Thanks to a myriad of resorts to choose from—ranging from tiny bubble-era destina- tions with a few runs to high-tech mega resorts that offer a great experience for everyone from beginners to seasoned pros—it belongs on every winter sports enthusiast’s bucket list. Living and exploring northern Honshu has left a soft spot in my heart for its snowy winters and huge variety of mountains. The broad range of course difficulties and the combination of WEEKEND GETAWAY modern convenience and traditional Japanese One of the most popular getaways is Gala Yuzawa in culture makes each trip a memorable experi- Niigata Prefecture. It’s only 80 minutes from Tokyo ence. Winter in Japan offers a unique opportu- on the Joetsu Shinkansen and the station connects nity to explore a wide range of mountain ranges directly to the gondola. Gala is one of the most has- and embrace seasonal cuisine, spectacular sle-free day trips from Tokyo and resort tickets are festivals, and a relaxing soak in an onsen. often packaged by JR East with the purchase of your Tokyo offers great access to resort destina- Shinkansen ticket. tions in the Honshu area for hardcore powder If you are looking to get a break from the crowds, hunters and weekend warriors in addition to explore, or have a unique experience, a trip to Zao weekend getaways and family vacations. Onsen Ski Resort is a great choice. Zao has less of

www.tokyoweekender.com JANUARY 2016 14 | FEATURE | POWDER QUEST

Tsugaike offer great access to lift-accessed HOW TO GET THERE sidecountry and relatively mellow backcountry. There are also a large number of Myoko Kogen - Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano, then the JR beginner and intermediate runs available. Shinetsu Line to Myoko Kogen Myoko Kogen, near the border of Niigata, (3.5-4 hrs) is a freeriders’ playground and also a Gala Yuzawa - Some direct trains great cultural setting. Created in the 1930s, available in winter between Tokyo Myoko derives its name from a Buddhist Station and Gala Yuzawa; otherwise phrase that speaks about a “holy mountain Joetsu Shinkansen to Echigo-Yuzawa and bus to Gala Yuzawa (1.5-2 hrs) standing in the center of the universe.” With off-piste and tree skiing permitted, Zao Onsen - Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Yamagata Station, then bus and some of the longest and closest to ver- to Zao (~3.5 hrs) tical runs in Japan, it can be easy for any skiing devotee to find their own Nirvana. Shiga Kogen - Shinkansen to Nagano, then bus to Shiga Kogen resorts Closer to Tokyo is Tenjindaira in (~3 hrs) Gunma Prefecture. Tenjindaira is reg- ularly ranked in the top five Japanese Hakuba - Shinkansen to Nagano, then bus to Hakuba (~3 hrs) resorts for snow depth and is one of Japan’s 100 “Famous Mountains.” Despite Tenjindaira - Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Echigo-Yuzawa, then its proximity to Tokyo it’s often less JR Joetsu Line to Doai (~2 hrs) crowded than farther-flung locations. It is not uncommon to be graced with 2–3 meters of fresh powder overnight and long untracked lines in the morning from the top of the mountain to the base of Winter in Japan offers a unique opportunity to the gondola. To access some of the more extreme and remote lines using a guide explore a wide range of mountain ranges and is recommended. In Nagano the Tao of embrace seasonal cuisine, spectacular festivals, and Pow (www.taoofpow.com) and Hakuba Mountainlife (www.mountainlife.jp) a relaxing soak in an onsen. provide bilingual and experienced guides with local knowledge. For adventuring in a bubble-era feel and provides a more Nagano Winter Olympics women’s down- Tenjindaira check out Tenjin Lodge for traditional Japanese setting, with ryokans hill, slalom, super-G and snowboarding backcountry tours and accommodation. and local onsen for a nice soak after a day events were held here. With more than (www.tenjinlodge.com) on the mountain. Cold Siberian winds and 80 kilometers of trails there is terrain an ample snowfall create the famous “snow for every level of rider. For solo riders monsters” (known as juhyo in Japanese) that or those looking to explore these resorts attract visitors and skiers alike. Clumped ice and more the Tokyo Snow Club offers and snow stick to the tall fir trees to create tours all winter. Trips often include tick- bizarre shapes that are more spectacular ets to local events, sightseeing, and are a than spooky. The awe-inspiring setting and guaranteed good time. steep terrain offer an unforgettable getaway. (www.tokyosnowclub.com) Nagano’s Shiga Kogen is by far Japan’s biggest ski resort area and is also home to GETTING DEEP AND STEEP the famous onsen-loving snow monkeys. If you are looking to beat the crowds and The snow monkeys have lived in the Shiga score some famous “Ja-pow” there are Kogen area for several generations and several ways to get off the groomed trails visit the natural hot springs near the base and go off-piste. of the mountain daily for a hot soak. The Nagano boasts some of the best snow area is also a center of the Japanese craft in Japan: locals as well as international beer renaissance and is home to some of skiers and snowboarders flock there for the finest brews in the country. the steep terrain, variety of resorts, and The high altitude means Shiga Kogen nearly endless powder. consistently has great snow conditions, Meanwhile, Hakuba is one of the and with more than 20 interconnected ski largest snow resort areas in Japan—with resorts all accessible with one lift pass, over 12 meters of powder annually it’s there is a huge area to explore. The 1998 easy to see why. Resorts like Cortina and

JANUARY 2016 www.tokyoweekender.com POWDER QUEST | FEATURE | 15

Skiers David Enright & Julie Nieuwenhuys Photo by Caroline Vanthoff

WINTERLAND RETREAT For those looking for a relaxing day on the mountain and a deep soak in a hot spring, Nozawa Onsen offers a beautiful setting and selection. With traditional Japa- nese architecture lining the small cobblestone streets, the Edo-era town is renowned for its onsen and hap- pens to have a great ski resort above it. Nozawa Onsen offers a great variety of beginner and intermediate runs in addition to off-piste riding. The ski resort is a short walk or ride on the covered escalator from the village. Nozawa Onsen also offers a great variety of accom- modations, including the modern traditional Japanese hotel Sayaka. The Michelin Guide recently granted the Sayaka a coveted 2-star rating. The Sakaya Ryokan is ideal for small families or groups and is located in the heart of the village. Nozawa also hosts one of the most spectacular fire festivals in Japan every January 15th. The 42 and 25-year-old men (so called unlucky ages) of the village Hakuba Valley is a skiier take on special roles of protecting a massive tower con- structed from trees chopped down from the mountain and snowboarder’s paradise in October. The festival is focused on celebrating the birth of a family’s first child, dispelling evil spirits, and Ski runs for everyone from complete on praying for a happy marriage. At night, villagers beginners to experienced downhill riders charge at the tower with torches. The 25-year-olds fight them off at the base and the 42-year-olds defend Stay at a traditional ryokan, a luxury resort the top. The event climaxes in a massive bonfire as the hotel, or a private cabin tower is engulfed in the flames. If you’re traveling with a group that enjoys après style skiing, consider the Bluebird Chalets in Hakuba. Après ski, soak in an onsen or dance the They’re modern, elegantly designed, and conveniently night away located a short stroll from the restaurants, cafés and bars in the heart of the town. Surrounding the chalets are Hakuba 47 and Happo ski areas, two of the largest and most popular resorts in Nagano.

www.tokyoweekender.com JANUARY 2016 If you find the whole idea of getting fit to be too much of a hassle, you may not be alone. That’s one of the common ideas that we noticed while checking in on some of the latest trends in the fitness world. The upside of this is that there are more and more ways to get your exercise in without having to spend hours (or yen) at a gym. Here’s a bit of the state of the art for improving your condition in 2016

WEARABLES EVERYWHERE Wearable products that measure fitness activity are nothing new, but they have truly come into their own this year in both form and function. The Apple Watch is a multifunction product, but a strong contender in this new space, which also features the reliable standbys from Jawbone and Fitbit. If you’re on the fence about the wearable fitness tracker trend, you can dip your toes in with the easy-on-the wallet Misfit Flash, which should only set you back about the cost of a night at the movies. Sleep tracking is a common feature on most of these products, and it’s a good reminder to pay as much attention to that precious downtime as you do your workouts. Paired with the many apps that can connect with your wearable of choice and you can get a detailed understanding of your fitness progress, and set achievable goals. Of course, this also means that your devices know when you’ve been slacking... KEEP IT SHORT It might be a sign of just how busy our lives have gotten, but the “short workout” trend certainly isn’t just a fast flash in the pan. The 7-Minute Workout was the first brief, high-intensity exercise routine to make it into the mainstream, but workouts based around short bursts of activity have been popular in some fitness circles for a while. The best thing about these bite-sized workouts is that they’re much easier to say “yes” to than a full-length gym session, and easier to fit into a tight schedule. All of the fitness apps below can provide these quick hits of fitness, but if you haven’t been working at all, you should let yourself get up to speed gradually with these workouts.

APPED UP You may not be able to beat a personal trainer for the kind of dialed in advice and “get in your head” coaching that a live human being can provide, but a smartphone app will always be around, and you’re even less likely to leave your phone behind than skip an appointment with the trainer. We mentioned the Sworkit Pro app last year in our fitness guide last year, and a few updates have increased the number of exercises that you can use in premade or custom workout sessions. The Runtastic series got its start, obviously enough, as an app that would get users ready for running 10Ks and similar distances, but has branched out to everything from pushups and pullups to collections of weightlifting exercises that you can do at the gym. Zova is a relatively new product that kicked off in 2014, and with a monthly subscription, it is one of the pricier apps, but features a good-looking interface and Apple Watch integration. Currently, this one is only available for iOS. One app that we have on our list of resolutions to try is Lark, an app that chats with you about your food intake. KEEP YOUR SMARTPHONE CLOSE AT “HAND” Tuneband Exercising with a soundtrack is always more fun, but it hasn’t always been practical. The days of running with your phone awkwardly in your hand or having it bounce out of your pocket are over. Tuneband has nailed the shortcomings of other products in the market with a smartphone holder and armband that is packed with all the right features. Made from a dura- ble silicone that allows access to all ports, buttons and camera lenses, the Tuneband comes with screen protectors included and two soft and flexible straps with sturdy velcro fastenings to ensure fit and comfort for all sizes.

Price: ¥¥2,800 | Where: www.grantwoodtechnology.com

A STYLISH COACH FOR YOUR WRIST Jawbone UP2 Fitness Tracker Wearable tech has had a tough time in recent years with many products simply not cutting it in the fashion stakes, regardless of items’ function- ality and features. Jawbone’s UP2 tracker (a step up from the UP24 that we recommended last year, but still a bit more trusted than the newest model UP3) has done a great job of successfully combining both style and practicality. Its sleek, lightweight design and range of vibrant colors are far from just a fashion statement—the UP2 tracks your daily sleeping and activity patterns, and provides tips and tricks for improvement along the way. Particularly impressive is the “Smart Coach” feature—your own trainer that gives you detailed personalized health and fitness advice based on your habits.

Price: ¥14,000 | Where: jawbone.com

FITNESS FOURSOME Whether it’s keeping track of your vital statistics, motivating you to take the stairs a few more times each day, or helping you work the kinks out of sore muscles, this four-member team of fitness products is a good one to have in your corner.

YOUR OWN PERSONAL MASSAGE THERAPIST GRID Foam Roller An invaluable and versatile product, especially for those of us stuck behind a desk for most of the week. The GRID Foam Roller is ideal for self-massage and working through any tight muscles, kinks and knots that get in the way of free and easy movement after too many hours in front of the computer or a particularly tough workout. Its multitextured surface is firmer than many traditional rollers, which provides a consist- ent and deep pressure that hurts so good. Perfect for the back, glutes, hamstrings or calf muscles, it comes in a range of colors and sizes.

Price: ¥3,600 | Where: www.tptherapy.com

THERE’S NO OUTSMARTING THIS SCALE Withings Smart Body Analyzer Step onto this scale and not only will it tell you your weight and body composition, all right, it can check your heart rate through your feet. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections allow it to connect with your smartphone and feed data right into a Withings app or more than 60 different applications. The Body Analyzer can help as many as eight different users set up weight loss goals that can be broken down into bite-sized targets, and the companion app can offer a few tips that might motivate you to stay away from the snacks.

Price: ¥18,000 | Where: www.withings.com by Michael Bobrove

1. Be Honest What is the one thing you would like to achieve for yourself that Do4. notPlan be tempted To toMake sign up forIt the Happen first gym you set your eyes has always been on the back burner? This should be what you on. Go for a tour and find out if the gym offers classes you enjoy WANT to do, not what you think you SHOULD be doing. Take and are aligned with your fitness goals. If you’ve got a specific some time to consider what this is, and do not be tempted to fitness goal, doing concrete research and consulting experienced make impulsive resolutions over the New Year’s toast. Be honest people can help you find out more about how to make it happen. about what truly motivates and excites you. For example, participating in a marathon involves more than Committing to lose a lot of weight only through a heav- just a lot of running. Talking to seasoned runners can reveal that ily restrictive diet is simply unrealistic, especially if you are while training is important, physiotherapy support is equally passionate about good food. Perhaps changing every third important for adequate body recovery, and better conditioning meal to a delicious low-carb or vegetarian one will keep you on and performance leading up to that marathon day. track—without missing out on a culinary experience. Likewise, promising to run on the treadmill several times a week is not sustainable if you find it boring! Alternatives include social ex- It5. is justNobody’s as important Perfect to be kind to yourself as it is to be account- ercises like CrossFit or Zumba, which offer more variety to keep able. Don’t get discouraged if you miss one yoga session; plan you interested. instead to make it for the next one. Remember: a New Year’s In addition to listing your goals, you may want to include resolution should be a long term goal. You have one year to make what can stand in your way. For example, if you are not an early it and keep it. However, if your research reveals that your goal riser, avoid resolving to run before work. Instead, consider find- might not be achievable within the year, consider making it a ing a running partner in the office, who might like to do it over two-year goal. lunch or at the end of the workday. 6. Reward Yourself 2. Keep That List Short Above all, don’t lose sight of the big picture—resolutions are Instead of an overly ambitious list of 12 resolutions, why not keep about improving your general well-being and savoring what life it to three or even one that you would like to achieve next year? has to offer. While you are making that list, be sure to throw in a Being successful at a few commitments gives you greater confi- commitment to treating yourself from time to time. That may well dence to achieve more, and truly focus on doing them well. After come with trying something new like a Thai massage, disconnect- all, more goals may be added if resources allow! ing yourself electronically from the rest of the world with a spa retreat, or simply rewarding your senses with a luxurious meal. Regardless of your resolutions, enjoy the year ahead! You3. Don’tdon’t have Goto do Itit all onAlone your own to make it happen. Try sharing your New Year’s resolutions with your co-workers or Michael Bobrove is CEO of HealthyTokyo.com, your guide to closest friends. It has been found that people are more account- Japan’s best health and wellness providers. They spend thousands able to their goals when they involve their community. If you’re of hours locating, visiting and screening high-quality, foreigner- looking to get fit next year, a personal trainer can help you get friendly health and wellness facilities. Users get free access to started and stay motivated. their extensive network, useful info for healthy living in Japan, and special offers. JANUARY 2016 www.tokyoweekender.com EXPAT LIFE | WEEKENDER | 19

Disappearance and Recognition ,-Girl-, mixed media , 71×22×15cm

Motoki Tanaka Aoyama Cemetary Nogisaka Station

G Another Surface aien G

The National aien East S Saturday 16th January- Sunday 31st January W

est S Art Center, Tokyo t . Opening Hours: 12:00 - 19:00 | Closed: Mondays Ho kk aien

National Graduate t Institute for Policy Studies . Opening Reception: Friday January 15th from 18:00 onwards To Shibuya Gonpachi Roppongi Dori Roppongi Station

Nishi-Azabu Intersection NANATASU GALLERY Roppongi Hills Mori Art Museum 〒 106-0031 Tokyo, Minato-ku, Nishi-Azabu 2-12-4 Ogura building 3F Hiroo Station Tel: 03-6419-7229 | Web: www.nanatasu.jp

www.tokyoweekender.com JANUARY 2016 Speaking in Tongues by Alec Jordan You may have thought it to yourself each time you were confronted with a menu that you couldn’t make sense of, or every time you tried to read an ad on the subway, or tried to figure out what all of the buttons on your washing machine meant: It’s finally time to improve your Japanese. But where to start? We’ve put together a few ideas to get you started on your quest. Ganbatte kudasai!

THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY Finally, there might be those of you out there who might not want that completely open-ended approach. A classroom environment, or the motivation of a test, could be just the trick. If you’d like to get started in an informal class setting, many of Tokyo’s ward offices and smaller city organizations offer classes taught by volunteer teachers, which are a quick (English language!) Google search away. They’re usually quite affordable, but more advanced students may want to find something more challeng- ing before long. And speaking of challenges, there’s the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Offered twice a year, this five-level exam (1 is the highest READ WHAT YOU LIKE level and 5 is the lowest) has sections on kanji and vocabulary, grammar, reading, and listening. It One fellow who hit upon a solid approach to learn. For reading, read what you like. You’ll may not be the truest indicator of your functional to learning Japanese from an early age is need to read things over and over to fully Japanese, but in preparing for the JLPT, you’ll pick up translator, media personality, and tourism understand them so you might as well go with more than you expected. Added bonus: going to the ambassador for Nakano Ward, Benjamin stuff you won’t mind repeatedly poring your exam offers an experience in diversity rivaled only by Boas. Giving the otaku cred of the ward he eyes over. dropping by the Immigration Office. (www.jlpt.jp) represents, it should come as no surprise that he started off learning Japanese through What approach would you recommend for manga and video games. We asked him for a people who are interested in improving few language-learning pointers. their Japanese? Figure out what you want to do with your Jap- Do you have any particular tips or tricks anese once it gets good. Then try to do that, that proved particularly useful to you as a even though you know you can’t. student of Japanese? To speak, you have to put yourself in situations where you’re forced What do you think are some of the biggest to use Japanese. Group activities can be very barriers that most people have when helpful in doing this. Getting drunk with trying to learn Japanese? strangers even more so. Even one drink can Kanji is a big one that everyone has to get help you relax and make mistakes. Making through. It’s a slog. Start early and chip away mistakes and being corrected is the only way every day. There’s no shortcut.

CLASSROOM IN THE CLOUD So we’ll start with the good news. There are more ways to learn Japanese online than you could possibly imagine. JapanesePod101.com has been providing Japanese podcast and vocabulary lessons for years, and they’re still going strong. While there’s plenty of advanced material for grammar and reading on the site, it’s also a great place for beginners: and naturally, there’s a lot of audio. When it comes to knuckling down and making your way through written Japanese, you could go with the flash card systems at WaniKani or ReadtheKanji.com. The principle behind these apps is called spaced repetition—basically, the better you remember a given electronic “flashcard,” the less often it will be called up. These services are designed specifically for Japanese, but if you are willing to spend some time on similar products of a more general bent—but with plenty of learning options— you can try out Memrise or Anki. So, what’s the bad news? With so many choices, it can be tough to stick with just one method.

JANUARY 2016 www.tokyoweekender.com IN PURSUIT OF BEAUTY Wabist began selling elegant, functional products that epitomize Japanese craftmanship on its online platform. But in 2014, it opened its first brick-and-mortar location in Ebisu. Here are three unique pieces that caught our eyes on a recent visit

FRAMESCAPE DOUBLE SET Japanese people have always believed that gods existed in the natural elements around us—rivers, mountains, trees, and in each single stone. The art form known as bonkei, in which miniature landscapes are depicted with small plants and rocks, originated in ancient times as one way of expressing nature’s divine beauty. Framescape was specifically developed for creating and displaying these bonkei creations at home. Grow small plants in the included miniature clay pots and experiment with the modular design of the wooden frames, steel tray, and ceramic planters. A bit of Zen for your bookshelf or tabletop. Price: ¥5,400 (two wooden frames, two planters, artificial soil, one steel tray)

BAMBOO WINE VESSELS These unique conversation pieces are made by a time- honored technique for processing natural bamboo. Crafted by highly skilled artisans, the wine glasses come in two colors: white, which is the original color of the bamboo, and the brown shade that results after the bamboo is smoked. If you’re worried about putting red wine in these natural containers, fear not: the vessels are made with a special coating that resists staining by dark- colored beverages, but still displays the organic grain of the wood. The rims of the vessels are thin, which allows the natural taste of the wine to come through. Price: Set of two (one white, one brown), ¥7,776

SHUKIDARUMA To understand this product’s name, you’ll need a quick language lesson: yuki daru- ma is Japanese for “snowman,” and shuki is Japanese for “drinking vessel.” Put them together, and you’ll also understand the idea behind the set. The snowman is made from two sake cups and a sake bottle, which you can warm up in hot water to make atsukan—hot sake. The two cups work as a cap for the sake bottle so it heats up more quickly. In summer, when most snowmen would be melting, you can store the Shukidaruma in the refrigerator for cool sake. Comes in two varie- ties: the matte finish “Bisque” and “Glaze,” which has a glossy finish. Price: ¥3,780

Gift Shop Wabist Address: Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, Ebisu 1-16-26 Kyowa Building 1F Open: (Mon-Fri 10:00-19:00 Sat 12:00-18:00) Web: www.wabist.com | Tel: 03-6459-3451 Email: [email protected]

www.tokyoweekender.com JANUARY 2016 by Matthew Hernon From Karne Hesketh’s injury time try in Brighton to Yuzuru Hanyu’s flawless displays on the ice, it’s been a year to remember for fans of Japanese sports. Here’s a look at some of the highlights, lowlights and stand-out performances from the past twelve months.

Male Athlete of the Year 1. KOHEI UCHIMURA (GYMNASTICS) The man known as “Superman” hasn’t lost in the all-around event since 2008, so it came as no surprise to see him win yet another world title in 2015. He also picked up a gold on the parallel bars before leading Japan to victory in the team competition. Widely considered the greatest gymnast of all time. 2. YUZURU HANYU (FIGURE SKATING) On a different planet from the rest, he seems to set a new world record every time he sets skates on the ice. The first skater to break the Team of the Year mythical 300-point barrier. Female Athlete of the Year 1. JAPAN RUGBY UNION SQUAD 3. AYUMU GOROMARU (RUGBY) 1. SAORI YOSHIDA/KAORI ICHO No doubt about this one. The Brave Blossoms He’s become a household name since the (Wrestling) For the past decade these two produced the biggest shock in World Cup World Cup and even boosted tourism in Gifu: ladies have been so dominant in their catego- history, defeating South Africa in the opening the hand gesture of a Buddhist statue there ries it is difficult to split them. In 2015 Yoshi- game of the tournament. After losing to resembles his pre-kick action. da won her 13th world title while Icho won Scotland they then went on to win two more her 10th. At 22 years of age, Eri Tosaka looks against Samoa and the US. Not bad for a side like she’ll become the next big wrestling star who prior to the tournament had only record- from Japan, having claimed her third gold ed one victory in 24 World Cup matches. medal at the Worlds in the 48kg competition. 2. JAPAN MEN’S GYMNASTICS TEAM 2. KANAKO WATANABE (SWIMMING) After a 37-year wait the Japan team finally The teenager produced a late surge in the won a gold at the Gymnastics World Champi- 200m breaststroke final in Russia to win gold onships. at the World Aquatics Championships. 3. JAPAN WOMEN’S FOOTBALL SQUAD 3. AYA MIYAMA (FOOTBALL) Norio Sasaki’s ladies reached the World Cup The captain and heartbeat of the Japan side final for the second time in succession before that reached the World Cup Final. Voted the losing out on the top prize to the US. third-best player of the tournament.

JANUARY 2016 www.tokyoweekender.com Young Athlete of the Year 1. KENZO SHIRAI (GYMNASTICS) He’s only 19, but already has three skills named after him (with a fourth possibly on the way). Known as the “Twist Prince,” he is one of the biggest risk-takers in gymnastics and in October became world floor champion for the second time. He followed that up by helping his country win a gold in the team event. 2. KANAKO WATANABE (SWIMMING) Along with her gold in the 200m breaststroke, she also picked up a Looking ahead to the 2016 silver in the 200m individual-medley. 3. ABDUL HAKIM SANI BROWN (ATHLETICS) Olympics, Weekender previews Broke Usain Bolt’s World Youth Championship record in the 200m and made the semi-finals at the Worlds. Named the IAAF Rising Star some of the Japanese stars we of the Year. expect to shine in Rio. Best Coach 1. EDDIE JONES (RUGBY) GYMNASTICS Speaking to Weekender two years ago, Kohei Uchimura (AA/Parallel bars) and Kenzo Shirai Jones said that he wanted Japan to “be re- (Floor Exercise) will be expected to take home golds, spected, with people saying the team have but the main objective for both is a team victory. Japan enough about them to trouble any side in boasts a strong group of male gymnasts with the likes of Kazuma the world.” It’s fair to say he achieved his Kaya, Ryohei Kato and Yusuke Tanaka all capable of winning goal with his brilliantly prepared squad medals. lighting up the World Cup. In November he agreed to become the coach of England. JUDO 2. HAJIME MORIYASU (FOOTBALL) Japan won just a single judo event in London, Won his third J-League title in four years as coach of Sanfrecce Hiro- but should do much better this time following a shima after a play-off final victory over Gamba Osaka. successful World Championships last year where 3. KIMIYASU KUDO (BASEBALL) they picked up eight golds. Kaori Matsumoto will be attempting Guided the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks to their second successive Pacific to defend her crown from four years ago while younger names League and Japan Series title. Received the Matsutaro Shoriki Award. like Takanori Nagase, Mami Umeki and Ami Kondo are definitely worth looking out for.

Best Moment SWIMMING Japan will go to Brazil with a number of formidable 1. KARNE HESKETH’S TRY (RUGBY) swimmers including 2015 world champions, Kanako The last play of the match and Japan Watanabe, Natsumi Hoshi and Daiya Seto. Kosuke Hagino, who could have kicked for a draw. It would’ve missed out on the worlds due to a broken elbow, is arguably the been an unbelievable result against a strongest of the lot and is expected to compete in a number of formidable South Africa side; however, events. He was named the World Swimmer of the Year in 2014. the players weren’t satisfied with that and decided to go for a scrum. It proved a wise decision. Hesketh’s beautifully orchestrated try gave Japan the most stunning World Cup TABLE TENNIS Players like Kasumi Ishikawa, Ai Fukuhara and Jun victory ever. Mizutani are all ranked highly; however, their best 2. NATSUMI HOSHI WINS GOLD (SWIMMING) chance of a medal could come in the doubles. A few months after having her thyroid gland removed due to Grave’s dis- ease, Hoshi came from behind to win the 200m butterfly event in Russia. 3. NADESHIKO INTO THE FINAL (FOOTBALL) WRESTLING Traditionally one of Japan’s strongest sports. Saori Deep into stoppage time, England defender Laura Bassett put the ball Yoshida and Kaori Icho will both be aiming for a record into her own net to give Japan a dramatic semi-final victory. fourth Olympic title. Eri Tosaka, making her debut at the Games, has dominated her category in recent years. Other female Biggest Disappointment wrestlers who could be in contention for a medal are Risako Kawai and Sara Dosho. 1. NADESHIKO HUMBLED IN THE FINAL (FOOTBALL) Norio Sasaki’s ladies had done brilliantly BEST OF THE REST to get as far as they did, but their 22-year old Mayu Hamada wanted to be a speedboat racer as performance in the final against the US a youngster but is now dreaming of a gold in the Taekwondo was horrendous. Going down 4-0 after featherweight division. Weightlifter Hiromi Miyake is looking to just 16 minutes, their game was effectively over before the crowd had follow in the footsteps of her uncle who won gold at the 1964 and a chance to catch their breath. Despite scoring twice to recover some 1968 Olympics. Fencer Yuki Ota and archer Takaharu Furukawa pride, it was a day to forget for Japan. will be hoping to better the silver medals they received at the 2. NISHIKORI’S INJURY STRUGGLES (TENNIS) London Games. Kento Momota is an exciting prospect in the It was supposed to be the year that Nishikori properly challenged badminton competition. World Record holder Yusuke Suzuki and the game’s elite players. Unfortunately injuries have once again held Takayuki Tanii are likely contenders in the 20km and 50km walks. him back. 3. SEMI-FINAL AGONY (BASEBALL) 3-0 up in front of a packed Tokyo Dome, Japan looked set to reach the final of the WBSC Premier 12. Then Korea scored four in the ninth to stun the home crowd.

www.tokyoweekender.com JANUARY 2016 24 | WEEKENDER | EXPAT LIFE

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 !"#$%&'('')*(+&&'%%%%[email protected] Tel: 03-3327-1003 I Fax: 03-3327-7407 | E: [email protected] ,-.$%&'('))*(*/&* www4.ocn.ne.jp/~adc www.pethoteltokyo.com (Japanese) | http://adc.pipi.cc (English)

JANUARY 2016 www.tokyoweekender.com Taking a look at Japan’s “possible” futures through the speculative lens of fantasy and science fiction By Leslie Lee III

If you know anything about manga, you probably know a lot about VIZ Media. The company is one of the longest-running and most notable international As an editor, what are you looking distributors of anime and manga. Some of their properties include huge from stories or writers when you series like “Naruto,” “Dragon Ball,” and “Bleach.” Last year VIZ Media publish them on Haikasoru? expanded into film production with the Tom Cruise sci-fi action thriller “Edge What I look for is something of Tomorrow/All You Need Is Kill.” roughly analogous to the sort of SF Western readers already know, but VIZ Media’s venture into Hollywood entertaining and thought-provoking that doesn’t slavishly emulate it. was enabled by its decision to collection of tales from both Sometimes we throw caution to the get into the Western dominated Japanese and Western authors. One wind and publish something entirely science business. Since 2009, VIZ sees yakuza use a monster attack as off the wall, like “SELF-REFERENCE Media’s Haikasoru line has brought cover for a bank robbery; another ENGINE” by Toh EnJoe—a risk that led translations of popular Japanese has a sentient atlas that helps its to a reward in the form of a Philip science fiction, fantasy, and horror owner get away with heinous crimes. K. Dick Award Special Citation. to the English-speaking world. Nick talked to Weekender about Award-winning author Nick “Hanzai Japan,” what he looks for The book presents visions for an Mamatas—known for brewing a unique when publishing and a story, and alternative or future Japan; what do mix of science fiction, fantasy, what he thinks the future of Japan you imagine is the future for the and Lovecraftian horror in works looks like. country and culture? like “Love Is The Law” and “The I think that in the same way science Nickronomicon”—is one of the is one What do you think makes Japan so fiction and the pressures of the of the masterminds behind Haikasoru. fascinating to Western SF/F readers Cold War influenced the United States Their latest release on the and writers? Why do you personally to become a contradiction—a giant Haikasoru line is “Hanzai Japan,” a find it interesting? military tied to an individualistic collection of weird crime stories I suspect fundamentally that it’s a ethos—we’ll see a similar thing in from Japan and abroad. It’s the false Japan—a Japan of the spectacle Japan: science fiction and population third in a series of anthologies comprised of ninja and glowing neon pressures will lead to massive that began with the sci-fi focused and tittering geisha—that initially innovations in robotics and portable “Future Japan” and the fantasy- attracts SF/F readers and writers to AI, and increased collectivist leaning “Phantasm Japan.” Japan. Only when they dig a little attitudes among the non-robot Nick and co-editor Masumi deeper to they learn about the population, even as AI serve to Washington have put together an society, which does contain those make people more self-sufficient and bits of spectacle, but which is far isolated from their fellows. more interesting than all of that. I suppose what I find interesting about What crime would you commit in Japan is its ability to navigate the future, or present day, Japan? decades since the end of the Second Present-day: eating a food other World War to become not just an than ice cream, while walking down economic power on the world stage, the street, with my bare hands, but a major exporter of popular though that’s more of a social culture. violation than a crime. Future: Kaiju rustlin’. What’s your favorite story in “Hanzai Japan”? That’s sort of like asking a parent who his or her favorite child is. But I do think there is something Hanzai Japan: special about “Monologue Fantastical, Futuristic of a Universal Transverse Stories of Crime From and Mercator Projection” About Japan is available on Amazon in paperback by Yumeaki Hirayama. I or Kindle format. For would be amazed if it more information about doesn’t get nominated Haikasoru, visit for some sort of award www.haikasoru.com next year. www.tokyoweekender.com JANUARY 2016 Bill with film world’s Kaz Kuzui (left) and Shake Shack Japan CEO Ryota Tsunoda (right) at the Grand Opening for Tokyo’s first Shake Shack

Tokyo’s Longest Running Society Page with Bill Hersey

ecember was back-to-back parties and events, and I a real business tycoon and has many successful businesses as President always like to start out the first column of the new year with of Ceremony, which includes wedding halls, funeral parlors, and movie something very special. This means moving back a bit for production. He’s a Rotary Club member, helps support the Urawa Reds Dewi Sukarno’s glittering Grand Imperial Charity 18th Ban- Soccer team and contributes to many charities. He is also an art collector Dquet. The venue was, as usual, Tokyo Meguro Gajoen’s “Maiougi,” which (he owns a gallery) and dedicated F-1 race fan. Congratulations to Dewi on has been given a facelift and is even more beautiful than before. Dewi her super beautiful event. set up the elegant evening in cooperation with the Earth Aid Society NPO to benefit the Japan Red Cross Society and AAR—The Association for Aid TURKISH NATIONAL DAY RECEPTION – IMPERIAL & Relief, Japan. The popular diplomatic couple, Turkish Ambassador A. Bulent Meric and As it is at all of her events, the huge venue was wall-to-wall people his wife Kumiko chose the Imperial Hotel for their National Day Reception that included top politicians, film stars, celebrities, fashion girls and the in October. The program included the playing of both the Turkish and cream of Japanese society. The variety of really outstanding fashion was Japanese anthems, an informative welcome speech by the Ambassador, a right-out-of-Vogue awesome. congratulatory speech by a Japanese government VIP, and a toast by anoth- My thanks to Dewi for one of the best tables in the house. It was next er dignitary. Japan and Turkey have excellent relations and guests included to her table and people seated there included my ex-business partner high ranking government officials, as well as a full house of business lead- Ceremony President Tsukasa Shiga, Swiss medical student Michel Bie- ers and other VIPs from both countries. lecki, politician Akiko Sano and several top businessmen, including the Turkish food is very special and the Imperial’s Food and Beverage president of Steiff Teddy Bear. The toast was by Peruvian Ambassador Department worked with the embassy staff to prepare a lavish buffet of Elard Escala. Turkish and Japanese favorites as well as many western specialities. It was The seven-course gala dinner as delicious as always. This was fol- a nice evening with many interesting people and good friends—perfect for lowed by entertainment that included a show by veteran popular singer, the occasion. Ikuzo Yoshi and two modern dances by Mai Nakanishi and her partner Tatsuya Kukizawa. Mai, who’s Chinese, has an almost identical twin sis- TOLMAN’S SHINODA EXHIBITION AT CONRAD HILTON ter who lives in New York where she’s a dancer as well. The big surprise As the pop song goes, “Oops I (actually he) did it again.” I’m talking about art at our table was when Shiga bought a painting by Dewi for ¥800,000 in expert/top dealer Norman Tolman. If you were able to see the exhibition by the silent auction. Since he graduated from St. Mary’s, Shiga has become the world famous artist Toko Shinoda at the Conrad Hilton, you know, I and

JANUARY 2016 www.tokyoweekender.com PEOPLE, PARTIES, PLACES | SOCIETY | 27

Azerbaijan Amb. Nursel Ismayilzada and Michel Bielecki, Tsukasa Shiga, Haitian Amb. Judith Exavier Atul Parekh, Chinese Modern Dancer Mai, French artist Marc- Rana Ismayilzada Uruguay Amb. Eduardo Bouzout, his wife Monica Antoine Squarcafichi, Michel

Michel, Kaoru Maki, Shiga Tsukasa

Dewi’s Annual Charity Gala Dinner

Dewi and Tsukasa with Dewi’s painting that he bought at the silent auction

Mori Hotels & Resorts’ Mika Mori, Norman Tolman, Bill, the film world’s Fran and Kaz Kuzui, film director renowned artist Toko Shinoda, Miwako Date Actor/Model Hide Kusakari, Norman, Shinoda-sensei Masahiro Toda

Toko Shinoda Exhibition

Turkish National Day Geraldine Donovon, Qatar Amb. Yousef Bilal, his wife Good friends Toko (103) and Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara (104) Jamilah, Conrad Hilton’s GM Heinrich Grafe exchange years of memories

The hosting couple, Turkish Amb. A. Bulent Meric, Seiko Ishikawa (Venezuela), Samir Arrour (Morocco), Khalid Al- Kuwait Amb., Maria Teresa and Manuel Lopez, Fashion his wife, Aichi Prefecture official Tadahiko Ito Muslahi (Oman), Kazuyuki Hamada, Manilo Cadelo (San Marino) Designer Yamamoto Kansai

www.tokyoweekender.com JANUARY 2016 28 | SOCIETY | PEOPLE, PARTIES, PLACES

Saudi Military attaché Abdul Rahman al-Harbi, Politician Palestinian Rep. Waleed Siam, Jordanian Amb. Demiye Yuriko Koike, Saudi Amb. Ahmed Younos S. Al Barrak Haddad, Qatar Amb. Yousef Bilal

Top video cameraman Richard Colombo and his wife

Saudi National Day

Tongan Amb. Tania Tupou, Sumo champ Konishiki, his lovely wife Chie

Actor and model Hide, Dominican pop star Kat Film producer Georgina Pope, DJ Guy Perryman Bill rocks the mic at his yearly Orphans’ Charity party

In & Around

Kenichi Yamamoto and Tomoya Nakamura of National Azabu at one of their super BBQs

The Iretons—Charo William and Bill—with National Azabu’s Robert Zemeckis, director of “The Walk,” which opened Sarah Muir, her mom Yuko, Carol Yoshida, Pamela Mori owner Tetsu Uemura at the Tokyo International Film Festival

JANUARYNOVEMBER 2016 2016 www.tokyoweekender.com www.tokyoweekender.com PEOPLE, PARTIES, PLACES | SOCIETY | 29

many other art lovers know. SPECIAL PEOPLE Norman and the Tolman Collection’s staff always come up with special So lucky to meet so many great people through the column and plan on exhibitions and interesting ideas to promote their special collection of writing more about them this year. My sincerest thanks to Director/Pro- paintings and prints by many of Japan’s best known artists. ducer Karen Severns of Kismet Productions and her husband Koichi Mori Toko will turn 103 next year, and I’m happy to see she’s still painting. for their help in helping me set up a screening of Tsukasa Shiga’s feature To celebrate, Norman was able to get 102 paintings and prints of her work film “Boku ha Bousan” (“I Am a Monk”) at the Foreign Correspondents’ over the years and that, plus her huge famous mural that permanently Club. The film produced by Tsukasa Shiga was one of the many projects hangs in the lobby of the Conrad Hilton, added up to 103. I had the priv- he did to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of his company, Ceremony. There ilege of attending the opening reception which was wall-to-wall interna- are plans to show it with English subtitles. I’ll let you know when I know. tional VIPs. Long time friends I hadn’t seen for a long time who were there Thanks as well to Gene Pele who once again donated all kinds of fun included the film world’s Kaz and Fran Kuzui and Gabriel from event T-shirts for my annual boxes to unfortunate people in the Philippines planners Black List. at Christmas time. Thanks to so many of you who let me bring Swiss People I met for the first time, and really enjoyed talking to, included medical student Michel Bielecki to many of the events I was invited to. the famous doctor (at St. Luke’s Hospital) and author (of many medical Michel, whose father is a famous doctor in Zurich, loves Japan and thanks and health books), Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara—he’s 104 and still very cool. to several friends in high places here I was able to get him into a special Father Grimm of the Franciscan Chapel told me Japan has 60,000 people program at Keio for several months. He made a lot of friends, and worked who are over 100 years old. Other VIPs at the opening included Mika Mori hard while he was here. He also taught me quite a bit about operating my of Mori Trust Hotels and Resorts and her daughter Miwako Date who iPad, including setting up my blog. He returned to Europe mid-December, is President of Conrad Hilton. I stayed in their beautiful Westin Hotel in will complete his studies there, and hopes to come back here several times Sendai a week after the terrible Tohoku earthquake and tsunami when a year to work on a project on traditional Japanese handicrafts he’s set up. I was helping Bill and Matthew Ireton distribute baseball uniforms and Another great happening because he was here was meeting and getting other supplies to several schools that really suffered during that natural to know his super mom who was a top model in Europe at one time, and disaster. Back to the reception, I really enjoyed meeting the Conrad Hilton is still the epitome of chic, as well as being super cool. I’m so lucky with GM Heinrich Grafe and his super staff. Congratulations to all concerned people. Thanks to Michel, I also met American photographer Anthony on the tremendous success of the exhibition. Wood, his wife Junko and son Kenji, who came to my house with lots of equipment and took some interesting photos. Anthony’s really good—I SAUDI ARABIA RECEPTION – PALACE HOTEL loved the photos and if you need any special pics, I strongly recommend It was Saudi Ambassador Ahmed Yonos S. Al Barrak’s first time to host you contact him. Tel: 080-2107-8690 or [email protected]. a big National Day celebration. The occasion was his country’s 85th I really enjoyed a lunch at the Grand Hyatt’s Oakwood restaurant with National Day and he chose the palatial, completely renovated Palace Hotel two of my talented friends: the movie business’s Georgina Pope (she’s for the well attended, first class midday reception. The ambassador, his from Australia) and top British DJ Guy Perryman. They are both inter- staff and many Saudi students there wore national costumes which really esting and fun people who are both super busy, so I really enjoyed our were perfect for the kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s special day. time, and the delicious crab cake and New York cheesecake at the popular Guests included former sumo champ and great philanthropist restaurant. Georgina had one of her films in the Venice Film Festival and Konishiki and his wonderful wife Chie. In just a few years she learned to has just finished shooting a short film with Elizabeth Moss from the TV speak, sing and dance Hawaiian, and the busy couple often do musical series “Mad Men”—the popular actress was here last summer shooting shows together. If you ever have the opportunity to see them perform, a segment of TV’s highly rated “Girls.” Watch for Georgina’s specials on don’t miss it. They’re really good. It was also nice seeing popular Japanese films on NHK. She gave me some interesting news about the politician Yukiko Koike there that day. She attended university in Cairo, entertainment industry and the NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) that speaks fluent Arabic, and is a real expert on Arab affairs. actors, actresses, and others in the film business have to sign when they go I was really surprised (and of course, happy) when two Saudi to work on a new project. students I’ve known for a long time came over and gave me a set of CDs. In addition to all his regular DJ gigs, Guy is very busy on a big project They knew I had been a guest of the Shoboshi family when Ambassador for Refugees International. The event will be held on the night of February Fawzi was posted here, and I was invited to the five-day culture festival 5, on the 27th floor of the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel. This is the second in Jinadriyah near Riyadh several years ago. The festival was truly year Guy’s done this. At last year’s “Night on Broadway,” we had a huge fantastic and the Saudi National Guard’s hospitality marvelous. My new success and I’m sure this year’s “Night in Hollywood” will be as well. CDs are a collection of the music of the festival over the years, and I Delta Airlines is a big supporter of this worthwhile project. For listen to them almost every day. Talk about great memories of information, call 03-3407-1145. A few months back, it was a a travel experience I’ll never forget. The festival will be in busy night at National Azabu, where guests enjoyed the best February this year. in barbecued lamb, delicious hamburgers, great ham, and Bonito’s paella. There was a fine selection of wines for the adults and special desserts for the kids. Staff members of the popular store provided the great live jazz music.

Big Pictures President Mark Fuoti and the US Em- Boris and fashion guru John Bosworth French wine dealer Philippe Sauzedde and friend bassy’s Lt. Col. Joe Sweeney at Hiroo Segafredo at Hiroo Segafredo at Hiroo Segafredo

www.tokyoweekender.com JANUARY 2016 COMING TO A CINEMA NEAR YOU IN JANUARY

JAN 8 BRIDGE OF SPIES here was a time when it wouldn’t have been possible for a new Tfilm from industry titans Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks to slip under the radar, but in a way it’s fitting that Cold War–era historical drama “Bridge of Spies” has done just that. This film may not have got the press but it has certainly earned the plaudits. The director and star, who collaborated in the past on “Saving Private Ryan,” “Catch Me If You Can” and The Terminal, return to tell a true story of espionage and heated negotiation in the 60s. Hanks plays lawyer James B. Donovan, a man tasked with representing Rudolph Abel, a possible KGB spy. Representing the enemy, and doing a better job at it than his superiors or the public would have liked, puts Donovan and his family under intense pressure. Later, when an American U-2 spy plane is shot down over the Soviet Union and its pilot is taken captive it’s up to Donovan to negotiate the exchange. Based on real events and from a script co-written by the Coen brothers, “Bridge of Spies” is a smart throwback to the tense, political Cold War movies of old.

JAN 23 CRIMSON PEAK JAN 8 uillermo del Toro has carved out a niche of his own as a master of Gdeliciously dark fantasy. “Crimson Peak” is the director’s take on the gothic horror films of old; a deliciously macabre ghost story with the sumptuous visuals of a period drama. Mia Wasikowska stars as a young American author, Edith Cushing, who falls for a dashing and mysterious stranger, THE WALK Tom Hiddleston’s Sir Thomas Sharpe. After IT FOLLOWS marriage the pair move from the New rench high-wire artist Philippe Petit’s ne of the most talked-about horror World to the Old as they set off for Sharpe’s staggering walk between the Twin movies of recent years and destined ancient family estate of Crimson Peak in a Towers of the World Trade Center in for cult-classic status, “It Follows” F desolate corner of England. Thomas’s sister O 1974 has already been chronicled in award- was one of 2015’s indie success stories. The Lady Lucille Sharpe (Jessica Chastain) is not winning 2008 documentary “Man on Wire.” film takes that old familiar horror cliché, sex the only sinister presence young Edith has is sinful, and gives it a post-modern twist to Robert Zemeckis has now given the story to deal with inside the crumbling walls of create a terrifyingly relatable tale for our the drama treatment, capturing Petit’s feat the mansion; the estate is populated with time. College student Jay (Maika Monroe) has in heart-stopping 3D. Joseph Gordon-Levitt gruesome apparitions and terrible secrets. been dating Hugh, which inevitably leads to plays the diminutive Frenchman as he a fumble in the back seat of his car. After the arrives in New York and assembles a team event, Jay awakens to find she’s been tied to in order to accomplish his dream. The film JAN 8 a chair as her lover proceeds to explain that has fun with the crime caper–like drama that he was being stalked by a demonic entity that precedes the main event but the film really is passed from person to person via sexual soars once “The Walk” begins. Petit’s suicidal intercourse. Now the supernatural force is mission is staggeringly realized as the camera following Jay and there’s only one known way swoops and soars to capture the tiny walker to get rid of it. “It Follows” is a slick and stylish trembling above the great city. Not one for affair that takes the best of classic horror and sufferers of vertigo, this is a film where a 3D gives it a modern overhaul with an awesome screening is highly recommended. 80s synth-inspired score.

JANUARY 2016 www.tokyoweekender.com PREVIEWS | MOVIES | 31

JAN 30

> 10BEST OF OFTHE THE BEST: REST THE This MUST Month’s SEE Releases MOVIES OF 2013

PADDINGTON BLACK MASS JANUARY 15 Charming family comedy with Johnny Depp, whose late stage career seems almost entirely Ben Whishaw (“Q” in the Bond comprised of playing over-the-top characters while disguising films) voicing Paddington, the himself under buckets of makeup, tones it down and gets serious little bear from deepest, darkest for his latest role. Ditching the colorful costumes for a bald head, Peru who is found by the Brown Depp has taken up the mantle of notorious Irish-American gangster family at a London train station. James “Whitey” Bulger. As crime boss of South Boston’s Winter Hill Gang, Bulger was unchallenged in the area until Italian mobsters the Angiulo Brothers arrived on the scene. Bulger is given the THE INERASABLE chance to gain an upper hand over his competitors when the FBI JANUARY 30 ask him to turn informant—an alliance that will quickly spiral out Ai Hashimoto and Yuko of control. “Black Mass” charts the rise and fall of this infamous Takeuchi play a student/author murderer and mobster. Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, team investigating the series Kevin Bacon, Dakota Johnson and Corey Stoll join Depp in the of unpleasant events that led stellar cast in a film from “Crazy Heart” director Scott Cooper. to a curse hanging over an apartment building in this J-horror throwback.

JAN 16 THE HALLOW JANUARY 5 Dark fairytale in which a family move to the Irish countryside only to be tormented by an ancient presence lurking in the woods.

MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT JANUARY 9 Sequel to 2010 indie hit “Monsters” that increases the action quota to the detriment of IN THE HEART OF THE SEA the film’s drama.

Award-winning “Apollo 13” director Ron Howard returns to tell the true-life tale that inspired Herman Melville’s classic novel NINA FOREVER “Moby-Dick.” Setting sail in the year 1820, the New England ship JANUARY 19 Essex undertakes a voyage “In the Heart of the Sea” to catch Ben’s ex-girlfriend Nina, who whales and harvest them for oil. Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin died in a car crash months Walker, Cillian Murphy, Tom Holland and Ben Whishaw form earlier, returns from the dead the ship’s crew as they bond and bicker before an event which to sarcastically torment her will alter the course of their lives forever. At the height of the former lover and his new expedition a whale of staggering size appears and destroys the girlfriend every time they have ship, and after a mammoth battle against the planet’s mightiest sex in this jet-black romantic mammal the survivors find that the fight for survival has only comedy from the UK. just begun. This period adventure pits man against an opponent of righteous size with a fearsome hunger for revenge that would This month’s movie previews were written by Christopher eventually be turned into a story for the ages. O’Keeffe. For more movie news and reviews visit www.tokyoweekender.com

www.tokyoweekender.com JANUARY 2016 AGENDA JANUARY 1

2 3

4 6 7 8

5 AGENDA: THE WEEKENDER ROUNDUP OF WHAT’S HAPPENING IN JANUARY

1 JAN 26 2 JAN 29-31 3 JAN 29-31 4 JAN 8- FEB 11 Grimes Darumaya CD & Vinyl Yokohama Brewer’s Cup Flowers by NAKED Her Ac!d Rain Tour has Fair Keep warm with a beer, From the masterminds taken the world by storm. Browse 70,000 used, or several, if you opt to of illumination at Tokyo Catch one of the year’s rising and most new, and (almost) forgotten albums at enter the drinking contest. Enjoy good Dome City comes a new 3D, immersive, highly rated Canadian artists at her one of the world’s largest record fairs. food and lively crowds, and be sure to gallery of projections and explosive art concert honoring her new album “Art Peruse old favorites and discover secure a ride home. in a walk-through experience. Angles.” new artists. Where: Osanbashi Hall, Yokohama How Where: Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall, Where: Akasaka Blitz, Akasaka Where: Darumaya Record Shop, Ikebukuro Much: ¥500 to enter How Much: ¥1,300 How Much: ¥6,500 How much: Free More info: www.tokyoweekender.com More info: www.flowersbynaked.com More info: www.tokyoweekender.com More info: www.darumaya.to 5 JAN 10-24 6 JAN 11 7 JAN 21 8 JAN 8-17 Sumo New Year Basho Coming of Age Day Rakugo in English Furusato Matsuri Get your year off to a This pivotal festival in Japan Prolific Japanese comedian This annual festival rumbling start with the is a fundamental event in the Shinoharu Tatekawa is per- celebrates all prefectures all-day sumo tournaments. Fun for year, especially for youth celebrating forming his entire routine in English of Japan by showcasing their local cui- the whole family, it’s sure to be an adulthood. Don a kimono and visit a for a special event. Join in the fun sines, dance, costumes, music, and art. exciting way to ring in 2016. temple—or Disneyland. and share a laugh! Experience all of Japan in one week. Where: Ryogoku Kokugikan Stadium Where: Temples around Tokyo; Where: Fukagawa Edo Shiryokan, Where: Tokyo Dome City, Bunkyo-ku How Much: ¥2,200- ¥14,800 How Much: Free How much: ¥2,300 How Much: Free More info: www.sumo.or.jp/en More info: www.tokyoweekender.com More info: www.tokyoweekender.com More info: www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/furusato

JANUARY 2016 www.tokyoweekender.com JANUARY | AGENDA | 33 JANUARY

9 JAN 16 - FEB 11 10 JAN 15-16 Kon Ichikawa Cinema Setagaya Boroichi One of Japan’s best direc- Market The second part of tors is being celebrated the market is back, if you for 100 years of masterpieces. His 27 missed the first. Steaming food, ec- works are being shown to commemo- lectic home-made goods, and vintage rate his vision and Japanese history. collectables are available. Where: Kadokawa Shinjuku Cinema Where: Near Kamimachi Station, Setagaya How Much: ¥1,600 How Much: Free More info: www.cinemakadokawa.jp More info: www.tokyoweekender.com

11 JAN 9 12 JAN 23-24 Ageha New Year’s Party Earth Garden Winter Already scoping out the A festival that is serious first party of 2016? Look about advocating for to Ageha, starting off the year with the environment, where you’ll find a bang, featuring 30 DJs, artists, and eco-friendly booths, products, food, performers on all stages. workshops, and performances. Where: Studio Coast, Shinkiba Where: Yoyogi Park, Shibuya-ku How Much: Free (¥1,000 drink) How Much: Free More info: www.ageha.com More info: www.earth-garden.jp

www.tokyoweekender.com JANUARY 2016 BACK IN THE DAY: JANUARY 1982 Check out the scene in Tokyo from 1982! You can read the rest of this issue (No.2 1982) and view Weekender’s 45-year archive online. www.tokyoweekender.com/ weekender-archives/ PHOTO BY FORWARD STROKE

Opening in January 2016 A sanctuary in a pulsating city

Oakwood Asia Pacific will be opening its th9 property—Oakwood Premier Tokyo in Japan. Located near the Marunouchi district, the property is a 2-minute walk from Tokyo Station—the gateway to the whole of Japan.

Oakwood Premier Tokyo boasts 123 fully furnished apartments and is housed from the 6th to the 19th floor of a 19-storey multi-serviced complex. Complete with shopping and dining options to complement your stay, Oakwood Premier Tokyo is designed to offer an unbeatable combination of exclusivity, convenience and luxury.

Oakwood is celebrating 15 years in Japan

For details and reservations, please visit http://www.oakwoodasia.com/tokyo/oakwood-tokyo-marunouchi.php

BANGALORE BANGKOK BEIJING CHENGDU GUANGZHOU HANGZHOU HONG KONG HYDERABAD INCHEON JAKARTA MANILA MUMBAI PUNE SEOUL SHANGHAI TOKYO

OakwoodPremierAd_v5.indd 1 17/12/2015 18:41