JUNE 2016

Japan’s number one English language magazine

Plus Nine Other Top Festival Acts to Watch This Summer

CHINATOWN Explore ’s More Colorful Side

“I OPENED FOR THE BEATLES” Remembering That Budokan Show, 50 Years Back

ALSO: Where to Go Hang Gliding, How to Plan a Wedding in , and Meet “King Kohei” – ’s Champion Gymnast 2 | JUNE 2016 | TOKYO WEEKENDER 19 7 28 32 JUNE 2016JUNE radar guide 24 “I OPENED FOR THE BEATLES” THIS MONTH’S HEAD TURNERS CULTURE ROUNDUP Fifty years after the Fab Four’s landmark 7 AREA GUIDE: CHINATOWN Tokyo show, we chat to two of the warm- 41 THE ART WORLD Experience the flavors of Yokohama’s more up acts who were there to see it all Must-see exhibitions including Renoir’s decorative neighborhood masterpieces and Joshua Nathanson’s 28 SO YOU WANT TO GET MARRIED magical depictions of daily life 12 STYLE IN TOKYO? A new Guess store in Shibuya brings floral Here’s everything you need to know about 43 BOOKS prints to the fore, just in time for summer planning the big day in Japan On our bookshelf this month: day walks, tattoos, and a different way to connect 14 TRENDS 30 SECRET JAPANESE INGREDIENTS with Tokyo What to do in the rainy season? Eat cake, From konnyaku to azuki beans, these are drink coffee... your keys to a more beautiful summer 44 AGENDA Dress up for Cosplay Festa TDC 2016, 32 FLY AWAY WITH ME splash your way down the world’s longest in-depth Did you know there’s a thriving hang gliding slide, and switch off your phone for Candle COFFEE-BREAK READS community in Japan? Night at Zozoji

19 WHO TO WATCH THIS SUMMER 34 MONSTER PERFORMER 46 PEOPLE, PARTIES, PLACES Start planning your music festival calendar Meet Kohei Uchimura, possibly the best Celebrating St Patrick’s Day, and remember- now with our guide to the top acts playing gymnast the sport has ever seen ing VIP days spent with Prince

TOKYO WEEKENDER | JUNE 2016 | 3 JUNE 2016

Publisher ENGAWA Co., Ltd.

President Takanobu Ushiyama

Executive Producer Asi Rinestine

Editors Annemarie Luck Alec Jordan

Art Director Liam Ramshaw

Sales Director Hirofumi Ohuchi Sales Executive Kahori Terakawa

Media Relations Chief Junko ShiJunea Producers Yumi Idomoto Claudia Sun

Account Executives Nobu (Nick) Nakazawa Media Consultant Mary Rudow

Society Bill Hersey

Lead Writer Matthew Hernon

Editorial Associates Natalie Jacobsen Vivian Morelli Luca Eandi

EST. Corky Alexander, 1970

Published monthly at JPR Sendagaya Building 8F 4-23-5 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0051 (03) 6863-3096 / (03) 5413-3050 (fax) [email protected]

To subscribe to the Tokyo Weekender, please call (03) 6863-3096 or email: [email protected]

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広告に関するお問い合わせ先 電話：(03)6863-3096 メール：[email protected]

Opinions expressed by Weekender contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher

Cover photo courtesy of Fuji Rock

Published by ENGAWA Co., Ltd.

4 | JUNE 2016 | TOKYO WEEKENDER @mizrama: So Alec, you wrote about Beck for this issue. @mizrama: No, never seen Radiohead, but they’re a You’re a fan? favorite, so I will be at Summer Sonic for sure. I’ll also be at Fuji Rock to see Beck, of course. Will I see you there? @bapawn: I am. He’s an LA guy, and I’m an LA guy too, more or less, so there’s a bit of hometown pride. @bapawn: I think camping with my two-year-old would be a bit much, unfortunately. I’ll have to get by on vicar- @mizrama: Is there a six-degrees-of-separation story in ious thrills. there? @mizrama: I’ll be sure to post plenty of Instagram pics @bapawn: Well, it is LA ... as close as I’ve come was be- for your benefit  ing cornered at a party by a guy who told me that Thom Speaking of your family, you got married a little while Yorke ended up being stuck in a studio with Beck over a back. Did you enjoy wearing the kimono? [Readers, flip weekend. Apparently, Beck spent the whole time trying to page 29 for our wedding feature and to see Alec posing to get Yorke to embrace Scientology... in traditional wear.]

@mizrama: Haha! I read recently that when Yorke sees @bapawn: I did. It’s certainly not the easiest thing to Beck enter a room, he puts up his hands and says, “Oh put on, but being able to have photos of the two of us in no, not Mr. Scientology.” kimono is priceless. I remember being surprised at the difference between the civil paperwork and our actual @bapawn: Poor guy ... apparently he got on the bad side wedding celebration. As you can see from our guide, of Wayne Coyne from The Flaming Lips, too. Hopefully there are a lot of ways to celebrate the day. being on our cover makes up for it a bit. @mizrama: It’s a little expensive in Japan, though. @mizrama: I think probably the way he handled Kanye Maybe tandem hang gliding weddings could take off. West’s stage storm last year makes up for anything and Pardon the pun. [And see page 32 for places to hang glide everything. in Japan.]

@bapawn: Radiohead are coming to town too, right? @bapawn: I’m practically salivating at the thought of Have you ever seen them before? writing the headline for that story...

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TOKYO WEEKENDER | JUNE 2016 | 5 Products for your little princes and princesses

Rompbaby products are meant to be used throughout the year while looking their very best, day and in day out.

Rompbaby’s Safe Dishware This five-piece set includes cups, dishes, and bowls that can be used for all kinds of food, and are perfect for use at the dining Ultimate Waterproof Diaper Multi-Function Tote table or for eating on the go. Thanks to a patented manufactur- Diaper Pouch Changing Sheet ing technique, the dishes are infused with gold, which makes them easier to wash, and safe to use in the , microwave, or freezer. Allergen free and bacteria resistant, they’re tough enough to stand up to daily use but will always look like they’re ready to serve royalty. Accessories for Every Parent’s Needs In addition to dishware, Rompbaby offers a number of patent- ed accessories that make daily activities all the simpler. Our Ultimate Diaper Pouch gives parents easy access to the items that baby needs, from diapers to cleaning wipes. Our Waterproof Diaper Changing Sheet is chic, functional, and durable, and our Rompbaby Multipurpose Tote can store everything you need, and comes in a variety of charming colors.

Address: 1-5-4 Shinyamashita Nakaku, Yokohama, Kanagawa

www.rompbaby.co.uk Designed in Yokohama and made in Japan

6 | JUNE 2016 | TOKYO WEEKENDER WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR THIS MONTH... We take a stroll around Yokohama’s historic, colorful Chinatown to bring you a roundup of what to see, where to shop, what to eat, and even how to escape reality for a couple of arty hours.

8 AREA GUIDE 12 STYLE 14 TRENDS

TOKYOWEEKENDER.COM TOKYO WEEKENDER | JUNE 2016 | 7 AREA GUIDE

[ PROMOTION ]

YOKOHAMA’S CHINATOWN IS THE LARGEST IN JAPAN – AND ASIA FOR THAT MATTER. IT’S A PLACE TO SAMPLE CUISINE, BUY UNIQUE ITEMS, AND BE DAZZLED BY THE SIGHTS

BITE-SIZED BLISS You’re probably already familiar with gyoza and , but there are plenty of pleasant tastes beyond that to be found in Chinatown. The shoronpo, and its pan-fried cousin the THE WEEKENDER yaki shoronpo, are tasty but require a bit of caution: before digging in, you should poke a hole in the top and use that to pour off the (often scalding) juice. Once it’s cooled off you’re good to go. Some sweet treats to keep an eye out for are dou jiang (sesame balls, stuffed with a variety of fillings) and AREA GUIDE dan ta (). Qing man yong! WHERE TO SHOP, EAT, AND PLAY IN CHINATOWN

STORIED STREETS Shortly after the opening of trade relations between Japan and the West in 1853, Yo- kohama built its own port by 1859, and Chinese traders flocked to the area. Although the neighborhood’s Chinese population has dwindled over the years, Yokohama’s Chinatown is the largest in Japan, and Asia for that matter. Along with the hundreds of shops selling tasty food are eyefuls of colorful and decorative Chinese architec- ture. Ten ornate gates stand over Chukagai’s main street, including the Goodwill Gate, which was built in 1955 as a symbol of the desire for peace between and Japan after World War II, and the East Gate. The area is also home to the Kwan Tai Temple, a religious building dedicated to the legendary Chinese general who lived during the 2nd and 3rd centuries, and the Mazu Miao Temple, which was built to honor the goddess who watches over sailors and fishermen.

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ROUROU UTOPIA DISCOVER THE STYLISH WORLD CREATED BY DESIGNER MAKI HAYAZONO

GET THE NEO-ASIA LOOK HIDE AWAY WITH MUST-BUYS Having grown up in a family of craftsmen A PANDA LATTE Scarves from Yokohama who make silk-screen patterns for the have become globally As an extension to her clothing brand – and popular Yokohama scarf – which is famed renowned for their thin perhaps a physical representation of the Ro- for using unique printing techniques – Maki silk fabric. At Rourou urou utopia – Hayazono opened Rourou Café Hayazono was seemingly fated to work in you’ll find the Yokohama in 2014. It’s tucked away behind the clothing fashion. Fulfilling this destiny, she built a Multi-Way Scarf, which store, boasting two floors connected by a flight name (and a huge fan following) for herself as as the name implies, can of stairs adorned with pink walls and floral- a model before founding the clothing brand be worn in a variety of print stairs. The magical space feels at once ways. In fact, there are Rourou in 2000. The concept is “Neo-Asia calm and quirky. Thin wooden beams criss- more than 20 different style from Japan” and the label is created cross the ceiling, framing colorful bird cages ways to tie this scarf, around an imaginary utopian country in Asia and bright chandeliers. As with the clothing transforming it into dif- called Rourou: “advanced, unknown, and full label, the café combines Asian and European ferent types of clothing of culture and fine arts.” Setting up shop in influences, so you can look forward to modern including a blouse, a Yokohama’s Chinatown, she weaves in both Western décor and menu goodies such as Chi- bolero jacket, or even Chinese and European influences into her nese geppei (a round cake that resembles a full a dress. The trick is in Japanese sensibility. As for the clothes, they’re moon), Chinese pies stuffed with red bean or its rectangular shape bright, feminine, and pay close attention to coconut, and an incredibly cute “Panda Latte.” and strategically placed traditional techniques employed by craftsmen From 6pm on Fridays and Saturdays, the café buttons. It’s also wrinkle also offers a bar service. in Japan and the rest of Asia. resistant, making it ideal as vacation wear. Also be sure to pick up one of the store’s signature purses (pictured far left), fea- turing traditional prints and available as either a wallet or money purse.

ROUROU 130-12 Yamashitacho, Naka-ku, Yokohama | Hours: 11am-6pm (shop), 12pm-11pm (café) | Phone: 045 650 5466 Web: rourou.com

TOKYOTOKYO WEEKENDER WEEKENDER | JUNE| JUNE 2016 2016 | 9| 9 AREA GUIDE

BEND YOUR MIND Taking up floors three to eight of this large “entertainment theme park,” the Artrick Museum is undoubtedly the star of the show. With 150 works intended to amaze, confuse, and surprise you, this is one of those attractions that can turn an ordinary afternoon into something a little more, well, illusory. They encourage photo- taking, so the images you find online when you Google “Yokohama Trick Art Museum” will give you an excellent – and amusing – idea of poses to prepare before you go. We love the “Reverse Room”, which lets you rotate wall paintings to make it look like you’re standing on the ceiling. Feeling dizzy? Head down to the third ’s Artrick Museum Café. Amongst other treats, they serve Cremia ice cream, which is made with premium quality Hokkaido milk and 25 percent full cream. Artrick Museum tickets: Adults ¥1,300, students ¥1,000, children ¥600, three years TRICK OR TREAT and under free. Hours: 10am-8pm. STANDING OPPOSITE CHINATOWN’S TENCHOMON GATE, YOKOHAMA DAISEKAI OFFERS EIGHT STORIES OF FUN, FOOD, SHOPPING, AND MORE

DRESS UP IF YOU DARE While Yokohama Daisekai models itself on the exotic world of 20s and 30s Shanghai, you can model yourself on the city’s glamorous residents by dressing up in rental Chinese costumes. Should the cosplay mood take you, CHINESE TAKEAWAYS head to the center’s second floor and look for the Egao Henshin Shashinkan shop. Here, If you’re looking for goods and gifts, look no further. On the first floor of Yokoha- you can choose your costume and then strike ma Daisekai you’ll find Yokohama Daisekai Market, the largest souvenir shop a pose while a professional photographer in Chinatown. It’s packed with Chinese teas, sweets, and ingredients, along with a captures the moment. For those who really selection of quality and, unsurprisingly, a panda-themed section – in fact, even love a bit of cosplay, you are welcome to the entrance is shaped like a huge panda face. According to the staff, the best-sell- bring along your own costumes. ing item at the market are the Panda Manju (traditional Japanese sweets filled with azuki beans). Had enough of pandas? On the same floor, you can buy delicious takeout from the Fuki Paozurou stall. Renowned for serving a variety of dumplings, this spot is one of the best places to sample gyoza as well as delicious YOKOHAMA DAISEKAI steamed buns filled with sweet pork. Order a selection on your way out and 97 Yamashitacho, Naka-ku, Yokohama while you complete your Chinatown stroll. Hours: 9:30am-9:30pm. Web: www.daska.jp

10 | JUNE 2016 | TOKYO WEEKENDER [ PROMOTION ]

I-ZA KAMAKURA Bringing together shopping, art, food, and events Just steps away from JR Kamakura Station, the i-ZA Kamakura shopping center offers an ideal resting point – either after your train trip to this seaside getaway or before you A ROOFTOP ESCAPE make your way back home. Sample a variety WORK YOUR WAY UPWARDS AT YOKOHAMA HAKURANKAN of local food products at Kamakuraya, browse a selection of household goods, or try on some items for your wardrobe. The lthough smaller than Yokohama Daise- restaurants and cafés on the three floors of kai, this shopping center offers similar the shopping center offer everything from entertainment in the way of shopping Japanese favorites to light refreshments, A and dim sum tasting. The first floor desserts, and coffee beverages. Throughout features Yokohama Hakurankan Market, which the year, i-ZA Kamakura hosts open-air is brimming with curated souvenir-style goods farmers’ markets and exhibitions by local made in Yokohama. Browse the shelves and work artists, making the destination a new your way around to Kaikarou, the dim sum stall surprise each time. offering delicious handmade steamed meat buns, and shumai (pork dumplings). Next, head to Baby-Star Land on the second floor for an experience that you’ll probably only ever have in Japan: watching how the country’s beloved Baby-Star gets made. The official English name for this product is Baby-Star Crispy Noodle Snack, which gives you a better idea of what it is – essentially, fried ramen noodles turned into a potato crisp-style snack. At Baby-Star Land, however, you get to slurp them while still hot and fresh. One floor up and you’ve reached the rooftop Garden Terrace Café, the perfect place to wind down while sipping on some quality homemade Black Pearl Milk Tea. Be sure to spend a few min- utes soaking your feet in the Ashi-yu (footbath), and let that zen feeling wash over you.

I-ZA KAMAKURA: 1-6-15 Komachi, Kamakura YOKOHAMA HAKURANKAN FROM TOP Phone: 0467 22 2380 | Hours: 9:30am- 145 Yamashitacho, Naka-ku, Yokohama | Phone: 045 640 0081 Yokohama Hakurankan features three 10:00pm | Web: i-za-kamakura.com Hours: 9:30am-9:30pm | Web: hakurankan.jp floors including the rooftop terrace, Baby Star Ramen, Black Pearl Milk Tea, shumai (pork dumplings)

TOKYO WEEKENDER | JUNE 2016 | 11 GUESS BAG There’s nothing like a pretty, elegant handbag to cheer things up. This limited-edition floral-print range, featuring the iconic Guess monogram, was designed especially for the new Guess Japan store, which opened in Shibuya at the end of April and is the brand’s first standalone shop in the Tokyo area. And there’s plenty more where these bags came from – the three-story shop is currently packed LANVIN SKIRT with pops of orange, pink and yellow, Fresh off the Spring/Sum- just in time for summer. 26-1 Udagawa- mer 2016 runway, this skirt cho, Shibuya-ku. www.guess.com was designed by Alber Elbaz in his last collection for the French couture house. This theater costume-inspired skirt, patterned with Lanvin handbag motifs, is chic enough to be worn on a night out, and casual CHARLOTTE enough for a daytime stroll. While the skirt is OLYMPIA FLATS actually pricier than some After wearing rain boots for of Lanvin’s handbags, we most of June’s rainy season, think it’s a pretty fantastic treat yourself to some pretty and splurge and a unique piece. playful footwear that you won’t lanvin.com want to take off until summer is over. We love these not-so-flat flats, handcrafted in Italy from lightweight canvas and trimmed with glossy gold. While most clothing items featuring cats or other animals might look childish or cutesy, we prefer to qualify these simply as “fun.” Pair them with a mini dress or ankle-length jeans for a look that will really be the cat’s meow. charlotteolympia.com

COME RAIN OR SHINE HOW DO YOU GET DRESSED UP FOR A MONTH THAT’S OFTEN RAINY AND OCCASIONALLY FAR TOO HOT? GLAD YOU ASKED…

Compiled by Vivian Morelli and Annemarie Luck

12 | JUNE 2016 | TOKYO WEEKENDER MISSONI T-SHIRT This vibrant sunset-hued tee from Italian luxury label Mis- soni embodies summer. And when the sunny season does kick in (usually unannounced and taking us by surprise), ALEXANDER keep it light and simple with this soft cotton T-shirt. The MCQUEEN festive mix of orange, red, and UMBRELLA purple is best paired with a pair of dark denim or black In Japan, June is synonymous trousers, but it also looks great with the dreaded rainy with white. Add a linen scarf season. While it only lasts to dress it up, and try not to for a few weeks, it can get addicted to Italian luxury make sunny days seem brands. missoni.com like a distant memory. Get through this drizzly time of the year with a stylish umbrella from none other than Alexander McQueen. The all-black brolly opens to a generous size and will keep you dry in sudden downpours. Our only tip: don’t leave this baby with the silver-skull handle unattended in the communal umbrella rack! alexander- mcqueen.com

ACNE SUNGLASSES A good pair of sunglasses can make a simple jeans-and-T-shirt combo look suddenly stylish – not to mention protect your eyes from UV rays. These specs from Swedish label Acne (don’t mind the unfortunate name) are the ideal accessory to add to your collection this season. We’re completely sold on the thick frame, the light brown, almost tortoiseshell hue, and the angular shape. Wear them at the beach, on your way to work, or simply to hide those sleep- deprived eyes. acnestudios.com

TOKYO WEEKENDER | JUNE 2016 | 13 Because these two things go together like, well, cake and coffee

VEGEDECO AT GINZA MAXIM CHOTTO GRAND HOTEL ZEITAKUNA KOHITEN

BEST FOR addicts who are trying to BEST FOR Die-hard Beatles fans. give up sugar. WHAT’S THE DEAL? 2016 marks 50 years WHAT’S THE DEAL? Okay, these are since the Beatles’ 1966 show in Japan, and not actually cakes; they’re salads that look Maxim coffee has just opened a pop-up café in like cakes. But you were fooled, right? We Omotesando with hand-drip brews and cakes discovered -based food stylist Mitsuki dedicated to the band and their concert at the Moriyasu’s beautiful low-carb, gluten-free Budokan. It also happens to be Maxim’s 10th salad cakes last month, and were delighted to anniversary. The popular coffee brand is all hear they’re on offer in Tokyo in June as part about leisure time, so it’s fitting they’ve chosen of a lunch special at Ginza Grand Hotel. to combine music and coffee for the ultimate WHAT’S IT MADE FROM? The cakes afternoon break. are packed with seasonal vegetables that are BUT THERE’S MORE You can also browse arranged in colorful layers and surrounded a mini exhibition of photographs taken by Robert by sponge cake made with natural ingredients Whitaker, who was renowned for his photos of the such as soybean . The icing is made from band in the mid-60s. (Also read our feature on p.24.) or cream cheese, blended with vegetables WHAT TO TRY Choose between three main to create their pretty hues. They admittedly types of coffee: “Yesterday” (a little bitter, taste more savory than sweet, but somehow inspired by “nostalgia”); “I Feel Fine” (fresh and still satisfy a cake craving. Talk about a trick light, inspired by “first love”); and “Something” of the senses. (mild and sour, made to feel “sexy”). Opt for a WHAT TO TRY The Vegedeco Salad Lunch cake set and you get one of their aptly named at Ginza Grand Hotel (Mon-Fri 11:30am- desserts, “Yellow Submarine” and “Strawberry 2:30pm, Sat, Sun & hols 11:30am-3pm). FROM TOP Maxim Chotto Zeitakuna Fields Forever.” 8-6-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku. ginzagrand.com. Kohiten, healthy and pretty 6-9-11 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Open from Vegedeco salad cakes at Available until the end of June. Ginza Grand Hotel 11:30am-11pm until July 1.

14 | JUNE 2016 | TOKYO WEEKENDER VERVE COFFEE ROASTERS THUMBS- UP-GIVING STAFF MAKE YOU WANT TO STAY A WHILE

THE WORKERS COFFEE

BEST FOR Nakameguro neighborhood strollers who are seeking a spot in the sun.

WHAT’S THE DEAL? Perched on a BEST FOR corner overlooking Meguro River, this trendy Smart shoppers looking for a “coastal vibe.” but laidback spot offers morning sun and a little solitude. There’s a restaurant at the back, WHAT’S THE DEAL? but we prefer to sip on our latte while seated Founded in 2007 by Californians Ryan O’Donovan on the benches outside. and Colby Barr, the brand has up until now always IT’S FOR ART LOVERS TOO One wall been about a “go west” mentality. So opening of the shop is lined with interesting books, and a branch slap bang in the middle of Tokyo is a they occasionally host art exhibitions. Check surprise decision. However, chief operations their website for upcoming events. officer Mike Eyre explains that when they thought WHAT TO TRY They have a range of about the prospect of opening in Tokyo, their miniature desserts and super-sized cookies, first location outside of California, “we realized all of which complement the basic but quality that going to Japan was actually how a west coast coffee menu which includes Caffe Latte, FROM TOP company goes west – you cross the Pacific.” The A treat at The Workers Coffee Americano, Dripped Coffee and Espresso. (interior pictured below), welcome to Verve Coffee Roasters team is renowned for 3-18-3 Aobadai, Meguro-ku. theworks.tokyo Verve Coffee Roasters (above right) being involved with every aspect of their coffee production from farm level (buying it) to street level (serving it). They work hard to establish relationships with farms across the world, ensuring they’re sourcing and serving the best quality brews.

WHAT’S THE TOKYO BRANCH LIKE? Their philosophy holds strong at their new Shinjuku branch, which you can find on the second floor of the recently opened Newoman shopping complex. Even though it’s attached to Shinjuku Station – which we all know is madness at the best of times – they’ve managed to capture at least a hint of their signature coastal outpost atmosphere. Hanging plants, warm tones of wood, and thumbs- up-giving staff all make you want to take a seat and stay a while.

WHAT TO TRY When we visited, we tried a cup of their Ethiopia Layo Teraga blend, which comes from Uraga, Guji and is described with the words “boysenberry, citric, punch.” It was fresh and delicate yet fruity and rich at the same time. Need a sweet snack too? Pair your cuppa with one of their very delicious doughnuts.

5-24-55 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku. vervecoffee.jp

TOKYO WEEKENDER | June 2016 | 15 [ PROMOTION ]

1 BLOSSOMING HOT CHOCOLATE This ingenious drink launched in spring, taking social media by storm and making us want to order it again and again just to watch as the flower-shaped marshmal- low is delicately placed on the surface of the hot chocolate and slowly unfolds, revealing a tiny ball of cocoa in the middle. THE TOP 10 AT DOMINIQUE ANSEL BAKERY JAPAN

Weekender rounds up the innovative treats that make waiting in line at the busy Omotesando store completely worth it

on’t let the creation kill which means most of the desserts the creativity,” writes on offer here – and featured on Dominique Ansel on his these pages – are only available in Dwebsite. It’s the perfect Japan. Still, Ansel never resorts to sentiment for a chef who consist- a cliché. You’ll find on the ently pushes to stay ahead of the menu, but it’ll be in the form of a curve, inventing new and exciting green frog, for example. And he’ll hybrid desserts on a monthly basis. take inspiration from Okinawa’s As a result, there is always a fresh seasonal passion fruit, but you’ll surprise waiting at his bakeries; even find it transformed into a jam and

the famed Cronut gets a new recipe ABOVE used as a filling in June’s delicious Dominique Ansel at work every month. Cronut. Join the line that forms every We went along to taste the CONTACT afternoon outside his Tokyo store 5-7-14 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo | Hours: Cronut for ourselves, along with a and the excitement is palpable. Each Mon-Sun 10am-7pm | Phone: 03 3486 1329 host of other mouthwatering des- Web: dominiqueanseljapan.com/en branch around the world boasts Note: 1F menu is only sweets; 2F menu offers serts on offer. Here are our top 10 its own unique menu of treats, both savory and sweets. favorite items on the menu…

16 | JUNE 2016 | TOKYO WEEKENDER 2 4 3

CROAK CROAK FROG CRONUT® Released in mid-May, this religieuse The bakery’s signature dessert gets a fresh (a traditional French pastry made spin on the recipe every month, with June with a double-decker cream puff) is as giving us a version filled with passion fruit adorable as it is delicious. It’s filled with jam, lavender garnish, and sugar sprinkles matcha cream and fresh white peach on the outside. Incredibly, it takes three FROZEN S’MORE jam. An ideal treat for rainy season days to make each batch, which is why The Dominique Ansel team sources real afternoons. they only sell 200 to 250 per day. wooden branches from Chiba for this one! Calling to mind nights spent around a campfire, it’s an indulgent combination of vanilla ice cream covered with chocolate flakes and then enrobed in honey marsh- 5 mallow, which is torched to order. 7 6 PARIS TOKYO HOT CHOC MESSAGE BOTTLE As one of the Japan-only menu items, this is a must-try. It puts a twist on Ideal for a gift or just a takeaway treat the French Paris Brest dessert, which for yourself, this glass bottle is filled is usually made of choux pastry and with chocolate chunks and chocolate -flavored cream. This version shells (because if this were a real mes- consists of matcha ganache and soft sage in a bottle, you’d be throwing it in COOKIE SHOT™ passion fruit curd. the ocean, right?). All you have to do is Reminisce about childhood days spent add hot milk and stir. snacking on milk and cookies with this innovative take on the traditional com- bo. A soft cookie is shaped to look like a shot glass and served with fresh vanilla milk, so you can sip, bite and chew all at 8 the same time. 10 9

JASMINE FLOWER CENTRAL PARK BASKET Enjoy lobster rolls, watermelon gazpa- Look closely and you’ll notice tiny cho, fudge brownies, and apple cider droplets of “morning dew” on the white doughnuts served on a red-and-white- chocolate petals. It’s this kind of atten- checked tablecloth. They even let you tion to detail that separates Dominique borrow a pair of cute sunglasses to com- Ansel from the rest. This beautiful Jas- MR ROBOTO plete the look. The name is, of course, mine Flower is made of mango, jasmine Melonpan is a type of sweet bun popular a nod to New York’s famous park. and lychee mousse, and . in Japan, and Mr Roboto is Dominique Ansel’s very own version of the dessert. Only available in Tokyo, this quirky treat is filled with hojicha, which is sweet, roasted brown tea cream.

TOKYO WEEKENDER | JUNE 2016 | 17 [ PROMOTION ]

A New

FROM TOP Mixologist Ryuichi Saito at Rooftop Bar, enjoy premium steaks at Andaz Tavern Season SUMMER As Andaz Tokyo celebrates its second anniversary, the hotel SPECIALS TO TRY welcomes a new Director of Food & Beverage, and unveils a host of sumptuous summer specials Mojito Summer Nights at Rooftop Bar listair Minty has For two months, Andaz Tokyo’s in what they do, and Japan offers come a long way mixologists improvise on the the height of luxury in terms of since he first start- classic minty Cuban drink with food and beverage. As a hotelier, ed working in the rums from oak barrels and fresh it’s a main aim to work at this food and beverage fruits including Okinawan pine- level. I really didn’t think twice Aindustry at age 14. Those early about taking this offer. apple, muskmelon, watermelon, days spent serving at a local res- peach, and fig. ¥1,800 per drink taurant in the small town of Bed- COULD YOU SHARE YOUR July 1-August 31, 5pm-12am ford, UK, sparked a passion that PLANS FOR ANDAZ TOKYO? (1am on Fri & Sat). would turn into a career that has We have two wonderful executive Steaks: From Kagoshima to taken him from England to Dubai sous chefs – one Japanese, one Shiraoi at Andaz Tavern to Korea and, now, to Japan. We European – and we work together Japan is renowned for its exqui- met up with him only two weeks as a team to create stories and site beef quality, and this special into his stint as Andaz Tokyo’s new experiences for our guests. Our offer gives you the opportuni- Director of Food & Beverage to aim is to get people emotionally ty to taste the most premium chat more about his journey so far involved in our food. We change meats from Miyazaki to Niigata and his plans for the hotel. the menu seasonally, and we are where the beef is aged in a planning a host of wonderful mountain cellar and chilled by WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST summer specials for guests. One natural snowfall. June 1-July 15, ABOUT THIS JOB? new offering I’d recommend is 6pm-10pm, from ¥3,800-¥14,500. I’ve always been a big talker and the seared beef carpaccio paired my character is very curious, so I with a unique red wine from Aus- “Andaz Passion” love that I get to meet so many fas- tralia that’s chilled and sparkling Fruits at Pastry Shop cinating people. I’ve also always – very unique. It will be available Okinawa’s edible jewel, passion been a big eater – my mum will from July 16 to August 31. fruit, takes center stage at tell you that – and I love to under- Pastry Shop this summer. Try stand how flavors work together. FROM TOP YOUR FAVORITE DISH AND it in various desserts including Andaz Tavern, Alistair Minty, the One of my favorite things is to DRINK AT THE HOTEL? the Passion Fruit Trifle (¥550), chicken claypot, award-winning experience the marriage of food Personal Collins cocktail The chicken claypot, which comes the Okinawa Passion Fruit Tart and wine. in a beautiful pot, is packed with (¥480), and the Whole Candied MAKE A veggies, and is slow-cooked in Passion Fruit (¥780). WHY DID YOU MAKE THE MOVE RESERVATION sherry. Also, we’re very proud Prices exclude consumption tax. FROM SEOUL TO TOKYO? Andaz Tokyo Toranomon of the award-winning Personal Hills, 1-23-4 Minato-ku, Tokyo A 15% service charge also It has long been a professional Collins cocktail created by our Phone: 03 6830 7739 dream of mine to work in Tokyo. mixologist Ryuichi Saito and applies at Rooftop Bar and andaztokyodining.com/en Andaz Tavern. Japanese people are very refined served at our rooftop bar.

18 | JUNE 2016 | TOKYO WEEKENDER PLUG IN TO SUMMER

We know you still have to get through the rainy season, but all the more reason to give you something to look forward to. Turn the page for our pick of the top music acts playing this season’s festival circuit. Besides recommending big names like Beck, Radiohead, and Deadmau5 (pictured here), we asked Johnnie Fingers of the Fuji Rock team (and Boomtown Rats fame) to suggest upcoming acts to watch at Fuji’s 20th anniversary. He said: “Mura Masa, Oliver Heldens, The Internet, Leon Bridge, and Jack Garratt.” (Full interview at www.tokyoweekender.com.)

TOKYOWEEKENDER.COM TOKYO WEEKENDER | JUNE 2016 | 19 BECK AT FUJI ROCK One of the headliners at Fuji Rock this year is the LA-raised, hipster-before-hipsters-were- cool troubadour, Beck. With a style that runs from folk and hip hop to R&B and psyche- delia, he’s been catching the ears of music fans and critics since 1993, when his first big single – “Loser” – hit the airwaves. Here’s a handful of things you might not know about the musical maverick.

A SHADY APARTMENT OWNER MAY HAVE SET HIM ON THE ROAD TO FAME In 1989, Beck was in New York City, where he was playing the city’s bohemian districts. After more than a year without a steady address, he was on the verge of getting his own place in 1990. The “owner” of the place persuaded him pay up front, with the key to follow in a couple of days. He never saw the woman – or his money – again, and rather than face another vagabond stretch in the © Steve Keros Big Apple, he headed home…

DON’T CALL HIM A “LOSER” …and eventually recorded a blockbuster. Dubbed a “slacker anthem” and a musical follow up to Radiohead’s “Creep,” “Loser” turned the Angeleno into the object of a bidding war after its release. He has mixed feelings about the song that put him on the map, though: he thought it was something he’d tossed off but didn’t want to be associated with. As he said in an interview with the music site Pitchfork, “It’s like if a friend took a stupid picture of you at a party on their phone, and the next thing you knew, it was on every billboard.”

HE CAN MAKE ROBOTS DANCE For his video “Hell Yes,” Beck was granted access to four prototypes of Sony’s QRIO robot, who do their animatronic shimmy to the singer’s surrealistic flow. Beck and video director Garth Jennings set up the choreogra- phy for the troupe, and programmers spent three weeks to get the moves coded into the ’bots. Not bad for a guy who says he didn’t swap over from a typewriter to a computer until 2002.

HE’S WRITTEN AN “” OF SHEET MUSIC Titled “Song Reader,” the project features 20 different tunes and 100 pages of photographs. Originally published in book form, it has taken on new life in social media.

HE’S BEEN HONORED BY THE GREAT PURPLE ONE HIMSELF Kanye West did threaten to take the stage, but that didn’t stop Beck from receiving his 2015 Best Album Grammy for “Morning Phase” from none other than Prince. (Is that a touch of purple that we see on the front cover?)

Fuji Rock: July 24-26 at Naeba Ski Resort, Yuzawa-cho, Niigata. fujirock-eng.com

20 | JUNE 2016 | TOKYO WEEKENDER Compiled by Annemarie Luck, Alec Jordan, and Laurier Tiernan

BECK AT FUJI ROCK One of the headliners at Fuji Rock this year is the LA-raised, hipster-before-hipsters-were- cool troubadour, Beck. With a style that runs from folk and hip hop to R&B and psyche- WHO TO WATCH delia, he’s been catching the ears of music fans and critics since 1993, when his first big single – “Loser” – hit the airwaves. Here’s a handful of things you might not know about the musical maverick. A SHADY APARTMENT OWNER MAY THIS SUMMER HAVE SET HIM ON THE ROAD TO FAME In 1989, Beck was in New York City, where OUR PICK OF THE TOP ACTS PLAYING TOKYO AND he was playing the city’s bohemian districts. After more than a year without a steady SURROUNDS THIS COMING FESTIVAL SEASON address, he was on the verge of getting his own place in 1990. The “owner” of the place persuaded him pay up front, with the key to follow in a couple of days. He never saw the RADIOHEAD AT SUMMER SONIC YKIKI BEAT AT WORLD woman – or his money – again, and rather If you’ve Googled Radiohead lately, you would have come across two in- HAPPINESS than face another vagabond stretch in the © Steve Keros teresting phenomena. First, the phrase “digital crumbs,” which is being Chances are you’ve heard their catchy Big Apple, he headed home… used to describe the kind of clever marketing campaigns employed 2015-released song “Forever” on local by artists looking for groundbreaking ways to release their music radio stations. Chances are also you DON’T CALL HIM A “LOSER” to the online world – in Radiohead’s case, they deleted their social presumed you were listening to a …and eventually recorded a blockbuster. media presence, amongst other things, causing massive hype be- British band. But all five members Dubbed a “slacker anthem” and a musical fore releasing their ninth album, “A Moon Shaped Pool.” Sec- of this indie act are Japanese; it’s just follow up to Radiohead’s “Creep,” “Loser” ond, the fact that Thom Yorke is being compared to Beyoncé. their inspirations that have molded turned the Angeleno into the object of a The link? The aforementioned digital crumbs. (In case you their sound. We asked lead vocalist record label bidding war after its release. hadn’t heard, Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” caused just as much Nobuki Akiyama a few questions ahead He has mixed feelings about the song that put hype as that little animated tweeting bird Radiohead gave of the band’s appearance at World him on the map, though: he thought it was us in May.) Fortunately, unlike The Radiohead Concert Happiness festival. something he’d tossed off but didn’t want to That Never Happened (Shibuya, 2011), these crumbs be associated with. As he said in an interview are actually leading us somewhere… WHAT CAN YOUR FANS LOOK with the music site Pitchfork, “It’s like if a Summer Sonic: August 20-21 at , 2-1 FORWARD TO? friend took a stupid picture of you at a party Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba. www.summersonic.com I guess we’ll be able to do some new on their phone, and the next thing you knew, songs, so we hope everyone will enjoy it was on every billboard.” our new thoughts. It’s not common for us to play at a huge festival like this HE CAN MAKE ROBOTS DANCE one. We’re so stoked to play it. For his video “Hell Yes,” Beck was granted AT ROCK IN JAPAN HOW DOES PERFORMING access to four prototypes of Sony’s QRIO This teen trio needs no introduction; they’re probably the most talked-about band to come out of Japan IN AMERICA COMPARE TO robot, who do their animatronic shimmy to in recent years. In April, their album “” cracked the Billboard 200’s Top 40, debuting PLAYING IN JAPAN? the singer’s surrealistic flow. Beck and video at number 39. They’ve been named the highest-charting Japanese band to be listed on the UK’s Official Even in America there’s a huge differ- director Garth Jennings set up the choreogra- Chart, where they landed at number 15. They also kicked off their 2016 world tour in April ence between each city so it’s not easy phy for the troupe, and programmers spent with a show at the UK’s Wembley Arena, making history as the first Japanese band to headline the to define, but playing in America is three weeks to get the moves coded into the prestigious venue. Still can’t quite believe how these “” pop stars have managed to make really cool for us. There’s an amaz- ’bots. Not bad for a guy who says he didn’t it so big? Now’s your chance to see them for yourself… ingly creative atmosphere. We feel swap over from a typewriter to a computer Rock in Japan: August 6, 7, 13, 14 at Hitachi Seaside Park, 605-4 Mawatari, Hitachinaka, Ibaraki. rijfes.jp until 2002. people are really enjoying indie music over there. In Japan people are more HE’S WRITTEN AN “ALBUM” OF focused on listening to the music itself, SHEET MUSIC instead of shouting and dancing. It’s Titled “Song Reader,” the project features 20 more calm maybe? I love the American different tunes and 100 pages of photographs. way of enjoying music, but some- Originally published in book form, it has times they don’t care about the music taken on new life in social media. so much, so I also understand why many foreign bands love a Japanese HE’S BEEN HONORED BY THE audience. GREAT PURPLE ONE HIMSELF Kanye West did threaten to take the stage, but WHO ARE YOU EXCITED that didn’t stop Beck from receiving his 2015 ABOUT PLAYING WITH AT Best Album Grammy for “Morning Phase” THIS FESTIVAL? from none other than Prince. (Is that a touch If we can play with Happy End or of purple that we see on the front cover?) Miyuki Nakajima that would be great!

Fuji Rock: July 24-26 at Naeba Ski Resort, World Happiness: August 28 at Yuzawa-cho, Niigata. fujirock-eng.com 3-2 Yumenoshima, Koto-ku, Tokyo. www.world-happiness.com

TOKYO WEEKENDER | JUNE 2016 | 21 CULTURE CLUB AT ZEPP TOKYO Having sold more than 10 million albums worldwide, Culture Club remain one of the most well-loved hit makers of the 80s, but internal tensions, and the success of Boy George’s DJ career, kept its members going their separate ways for decades after their heyday. Despite ongoing strug- gles to complete their first album since 1999, last year Culture Club launched its first all-member tour in 13 years. This highly anticipated return to form hits Zepp Tokyo for two nights only. Especial- ly considering the rate at which legends are passing away this year, this show is a must-see. Culture Club: June 21-22 at Zepp Tokyo, 1-3-11 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo. hall.zepp.co.jp/tokyo

NARIMICHI KAWABATA AT YOKOHAMA OTOMATSURI Held over 67 days, the triennial Yokohama Otomatsuri runs the gamut of musical styles and tastes, with a total of 300 different performances in CARLY RAE JEPSEN AT ROCKCORPS JAPAN 2016 classical, jazz, pop, and traditional Japanese music all on the program for With most music festivals, getting your hands on a ticket is a matter the event. Last time around, in 2013, the event drew close to four million of staying up until midnight and then rapidly refreshing a browser, attendees, and this year promises to keep Kanto’s music festival atmos- or if you’re old school, waiting in a very long queue to buy your phere going well into fall. One of the more unique musical offerings ticket. That’s not the way it works with a RockCorps show. To get at the festival will be a concert by Narimichi Kawabata. Left severely your hands on a ticket, you have to put those hands to work for four visually impaired by a childhood accident, Kawabata is not just a hours, taking part in one of dozens of volunteer activities that the musician by trade: “What I do goes beyond that,” he tells Weekend- organization sets up. Started in the US 11 years ago, the movement er. “For a very long time, there hasn’t been a day when I didn’t has spread to 10 countries, and is celebrating its third anniversary play the violin, and now it’s like the instrument [a Guadagnini in Japan. Headlining this year’s show in Fukushima is Canadian that was made the same year that Beethoven was born] has singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen, who RockCorps founder and become a part of my body.” His performance at the Otomatsuri CEO Stephen Greene describes as a performer who is “born for the will be remarkable for a particular reason: the concert will stage; when you see her live it’s clear that she’s having the time take place in darkness, a first even for Narimichi – who is of her life, and she was meant to do this.” Former AKB48 member known for his skill in creating engaging programs. “I’ve Minami Takahashi will also take the stage, and other artists will be never tried anything like this before. There are a lot of announced in the months to come. Greene makes it clear that each things we hope the audience will be able to experience artist who takes the stage share the feeling that “the stars that night by listening to music in this kind of a situation.” are the audience of volunteers, not them.” Yokohama Otomatsuri: September 22-November 27 RockCorps Japan 2016: September 3 at Azuma Center, at various venues in Yokohama (Narimichi will be 1 Sabara Kamikotoba, Fukushima City, Fukushima (free buses and playing at Philia Hall, Aoba Kumin Bunka Center). discounted rental cars available). rockcorps.yahoo.co.jp/2016 yokooto.jp/en

22 | JUNE 2016 | TOKYO WEEKENDER MINMI AT FREEDOM AOZORA In these troublesome times of teen-pop- ensemble-group overload, Minmi stands out for a number of reasons. She start- ed her career back in 1996, performing hip hop and reggae at clubs in . She is considered to be the first soca musician to come out of Japan. She not only sings, but also writes and arrang- es songs, and produces for other bands, including her husband Wakadanna’s popular reggae outfit Shonan no Kaze. If this unique performer alone is not enough motivation to trek all the way to Hyogo Prefecture for the Freedom Aozo- ra music festival, the chance to explore Awaji Island should change your mind. It’s blessed with abundant beautiful na- ture, fine beaches, and some interesting sightseeing. Freedom Aozora: July 30 at Awajishi Yumebutai, 8-10 Yumebutai, Hyogo (two more festival dates are scheduled at dif- ferent locations in Japan in August and September). freedom-aozora.com

DEADMAU5 AT ULTRA JAPAN Pretty much anything you want to know about Deadmau5 (real name Joel Zimmerman) can be found out just by scrolling through his Twitter feed (@deadmau5). In May alone, we learnt, through his tweets, about his Soundcloud account getting hacked; his online criticism of working with Justin Bieber (to which Skrillex hit back via “Rolling Stone”: “I like working with Justin Bieber”); and his plans to revive his iconic cube stage – after which he plans to “tour like a madman.” Wheth- er the stage is ready or not, the next few months see the progressive house producer touring like a madman anyway, from America to Spain, to Korea, and to Japan, amongst other countries.

Ultra Japan: September 17-19 at Tokyo Odaiba Ultra Park. ultrajapan.jp

TOKYO WEEKENDER | JUNE 2016 | 23 By Matthew Hernon

IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A SACRED PLACE KEPT FOR JAPANESE MARTIAL ARTS LIKE JUDO, KENDO AND KARATE. THEN FOUR MUSICIANS FROM LIVERPOOL TURNED UP AND TRANSFORMED EVERYTHING. FIFTY YEARS AFTER THE FAB FOUR’S CONTROVERSIAL SHOW AT THE NIPPON BUDOKAN, WEEKENDER CHATS TO TWO ARTISTS WHO SUPPORTED THE BAND DURING THE TOUR

n June 30, 1966, the Beatles Frank Sinatra and Eric Clapton, recording live played their first ever live show albums there. Without the Beatles, though, in Japan. The band’s only ever that may not have been possible. Back in 1966 tour of the country included five many people were vehemently opposed to the 30-minute sets over three days, idea of Western musicians performing at such Oall of which took place at the Nippon Budokan. an esteemed venue. Fearing a violent backlash Located between Yasukuni Shrine and the the government deployed 35,000 police officers Imperial Palace, it had been built two years to patrol the streets. Eccentric rock star Yuya earlier in time to host the judo competition at Uchida – one of the warm-up acts during the the Tokyo Olympics and was deemed the only tour – recalls the atmosphere leading up to the indoor venue large enough to accommodate the first show. world’s most famous pop group. “It was crazy,” he tells us. “You had all these In the 50 years since it has established itself right-wing people protesting and yelling as the premier concert hall in the country with from their cars. Personally I thought it was many artists, including the likes of Bob Dylan, exciting. I mean it’s better than everyone Anita Ponne / Shutterstock.com

24 | JUNE 2016 | TOKYO WEEKENDER being calm and boring. At that time you had great jazz artists such as because they were so far away,” he says. “The arena seats were cut off Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra, but rock was completely new. The so everyone was either on the second or third floor and there were existence of the Beatles was both revolutionary and shocking.” cops everywhere. It was quite a strange situation – like something out It was all too much for Prime Minister Eisaku Sato and Budokan of ‘A Clockwork Orange.’ After doing my bit [a cover of the Animals President Matsutaro Shoriki who felt the shows would be “inappro- track “We Gotta Get Out of This Place”] I was then allowed to sit right priate” and led calls for them to be cancelled. However, as the con- in front of the stage to watch them. It felt like a private performance.” tract had already been signed it was too late; the Fab Four would be The 11-song set list by the Beatles was the same for all five shows, coming regardless. They arrived at Haneda airport at 3:40am on the featuring classics like “Yesterday” and “Day Tripper.” Sat alongside 30th after a typhoon delayed them by more than 10 hours. Despite Uchida for each one was Isao Bito, an emerging singer in Japan who the time, around 1,500 people were said to be waiting in the arrivals was also chosen as a support act for the tour. lounge hoping to get a glimpse of their idols. “I was shivering heavily before playing,” Bito tells Weekender. A peek was all the fans were afforded, though. After exiting the “I’d never performed in front of more than 3,000 people before, so plane wearing JAL-sponsored happi coats (that flight attendant Satoko it was a real privilege to be a part of it all. Watching the Beatles up Kawasaki suggested they put on), John, Paul, George and Ringo were so close made it even more special. Being an Elvis Presley fan, I saw diverted to the VIP area where they were informed about threats them as a bit soft, like a group of honor students. That was until I saw that had been made against them by student groups. They were them live; they looked like monsters up on that stage.” then quickly whisked away in run-down limousines to the Tokyo Bito tried to pass the band a present after one of the shows, but Hilton hotel. was quickly thwarted by security. Getting close to the Beatles was This was effectively their “luxurious prison” for the next few an almost impossible task; however, Uchida did manage to strike days. All the rooms nearby were occupied by up a friendship with John Lennon seven years later. police officers and the four Liverpudlians were “I got chatting to Yoko Ono in Dakota and then under strict instructions not to leave their he just appeared wearing a dirty T-shirt and those presidential suite unless instructed to do so. Paul hippy glasses,” says the 76-year-old. “After that we McCartney managed to persuade a plainclothes YOU HAD ALL often went out for dinner together. I’d usually get police officer to escort him to Meiji Shrine and the drunk, but he wouldn’t drink much. He was always Imperial Palace, but was soon spotted and quickly THESE RIGHT- very kind, calm and cool.” escorted into the car back to the hotel. John Len- WING PEOPLE Of course by that stage the Beatles had already non allegedly swapped ID badges with a photogra- disbanded. After the Tokyo shows they went to pher and headed to Omotesando where he bought PROTESTING AND the Philippines where the group unintentionally some gifts at the renowned Oriental Bazaar shop. snubbed a breakfast invitation from the nation’s With manager Brian Epstein forced to apolo- YELLING FROM First Lady, Imelda Marcos, and were subsequently gize and promise that they wouldn’t do it again, attacked by angry mobs. They then received death the Beatles had little choice: they’d have to stay in THEIR CARS. I threats in America from religious groups who their rooms. Several merchants dropped by to sell THOUGHT IT WAS were infuriated by John Lennon’s claim earlier them expensive goods, but apart from that there in the year that the Beatles were “more popular was little else to do so they spent much of the time EXCITING than Jesus.” painting. The canvas they created, which became Growing increasingly frustrated with life on the known as “Images of a Woman”, is the only known road they decided the world tour of 1966 was to be artwork signed by all four members and sold for their last. Despite producing a number of success- $155,250 at an auction in 2012. ful albums after that, it was effectively the begin- Photographer Robert Whitaker, who chronicled the tour, said he’d ning of the end for the band. Their official breakup was announced “never seen them calmer, more contented than at this time. They’d on April 10, 1970. stop, go and do a concert, and then it was ‘Let’s go back to the picture!’” As for Isao Bito, he switched his focus towards acting from Epstein’s personal assistant Peter Brown remembered things a little the Seventies onwards. His most recent movie, “Something Like, differently. Quoted in Bob Spitz’s book “The Beatles: The Biography” Something Like It,” is a sequel to the 1981 comedy “Something Like,” he said, “It was their first time in the Far East and they were looking which he starred in. Yuya Uchida has also appeared in a number of forward to going out. They resented being cooped up like caged ani- films, most notably Ridley Scott’s “Black Rain” and “Merry Christmas, mals. It was more difficult than usual.” Mr Lawrence,” alongside David Bowie. His greatest achievement in At the Budokan the security was even tighter. For every 10 specta- music is surely the World Rock Festival that he’s been producing for tors there were around three police officers. Fans were warned not to more than 40 years. His finest moment, however, arguably came half shout or scream. It was so quiet the Beatles could even hear themselves a century ago at the Nippon Budokan. play (they apparently didn’t like what they heard). According to Yuya “When I say I supported the Beatles people still get so excited,” Uchida it wasn’t the audience’s lack of enthusiasm that drowned out he says. “That’s the impact they continue to have on the public. I the atmosphere, but the distance between the crowd and the stage. remember as I watched them in 1966 I thought to myself, ‘These four “There were cheers, but the band probably couldn’t hear them guys are going to change the world,’ and in many ways they have.”

TOKYO WEEKENDER | JUNE 2016 | 25 [ PROMOTION ] LOVE IN MOTION

A STAR FROM ONE OF THE US’ MOST CELEBRATED REALITY PROGRAMS IS DEBUTING A STAGE SHOW THAT TELLS THE STORY OF LOVE THROUGH DANCE

he stages of love are recog- nizable to even the hardest hearts among us: they start with those first flirtations, which are followed by the Theady sensations that accompany a newly kindled passion. Then, as quickly as those early flights of romantic fancy can send you soaring, along come the shadow sides of love – pangs of jealousy, and the fear of having your heart broken. But if the relationship is strong enough, then a real bond can survive, one forged in the fire of that initial attraction but unbroken by love’s inevitable tests. If you think about it, love’s some- thing of a dance, really, so it’s fitting that this many splendored thing is the theme of Cheryl Burke’s “Love on the Floor,” a dance revue that will be staged at the Orb Theatre at Shibuya’s Hikarie from the end of the month. Fans of the TV show “Danc- ing with the Stars” (DWTS) will remember Burke as one of the stars of the show for 18 seasons, a professional dancer who was responsible for preparing celebrities – some with very little dance experience – to perform in a variety of styles, from ballroom to tango.

© Hidemi Seto 26 | JUNE 2016 | TOKYO WEEKENDER LOVE ON THE FLOOR

Dates: June 30-July 9 | Venue: Tokyu Theatre but only one or two dancers that I selected have Orb, 11F Shibuya Hikarie, 2–21–1 Shibuya, a bit of ballroom dance experience. The dancers Shibuya-ku are experts at what they do. One might be great Tel: 03 3477 9999 | Web: theatre-orb.com in contemporary, another is ballet trained but For detailed show times, visit loveonthefloor. still has that edge. Another dancer is trained in com/en | Tickets: ¥15,000 (SS), ¥13,000 (S), hip hop. I made sure that everyone was great CHERYL BURKE ¥11,000 (A), ¥9,000 (B) | To purchase tickets at what they did but still versatile, so that when for “Love on the Floor,” visit www.e-tix.jp/tbs/ we do partner dance, everybody looks like an tbsonline/en/tbsonline_en.html individual.” Along with the cast of eight supporting dancers, Burke has gone with a daring choice Burke, the creative director of “Love on for her principals, none of whom are profes- the Floor,” is busy with rehearsals and costume sionals in the art form. Dancing lead roles along design sessions in the lead up to the show, but with Burke are figure skating great Kristi Yama- she found time to speak to us from her home guchi, the ice dancers Meryl Davis and Charlie in LA about the origins of her show and her White from the US, and Daisuke Takahashi, the choice to cast non-professional dancers in the renowned Japanese figure skater. lead roles. It’s only natural, she explains, that As Burke explains, casting these athletes she would choose to explore this most human as principals may seem like an odd choice, but of experiences with an activity that was closest three of the athletes are very comfortable on Born in San Francisco, Burke was to her heart. “Dancing has been the dance floor, while the other has already one of DWTS’ most recognizable a part of my life since I was been making great strides. The dancers during her 18 seasons four years old, and it has former Olympian Yamaguchi on the show. Over the course of always been a way for me to won on DWTS on the show’s the series, she has danced with express myself. For the last six I WANTED 6th season. Charlie White and everyone from American football years, the idea of bringing the Meryl Davis, who have won doz- player Emmitt Smith to politician story of how love develops to TO HIRE THE ens of titles on the ice as a duo Tom DeLay. An expert dancer life with dance has been my DANCERS – including Olympic gold and in ballroom, Argentinian tango, passion project.” silver – competed separately on and Latin styles, Burke says she is As she explains, she was WHO GAVE ME the show in its 18th season, with exhilarated about the show’s debut looking for the same kind of Davis winning the show. Burke in Tokyo: “I know that people in passion – rather than just tech- CHILLS WHEN didn’t work directly with them, Japan love the arts, and I think this nical skill – in the dancers she I WATCHED but she admired their skill is the perfect place to premiere was auditioning in Los Ange- when they were on the show, ‘Love on the Floor.’” les for the show: “I had some THEM DANCE and feels that athletes in gener- of the top dancers technically al were her favorite celebrities among the 500 people who to dance with: “I was always showed up [only eight were hoping to get an athlete because DAISUKE selected for the show]. But I didn’t necessarily they are so great to work with. They’re disci- want to hire the best technical dancers, I want- plined and always on time, and do their job, but TAKAHASHI ed to hire the dancers who gave me chills when they’re also very emotional; they express their I watched them dance.” bodies in an entirely different way – they taught The California native was also looking for me a few things!” a variety of styles that go beyond the ballroom She has the greatest praise for Takahashi, © Seitaro Tanaka genre that she was best known for on TV. the cast member who has no dance experience, “Everyone relates to me as a ballroom dancer, and has always been a soloist on the ice. “When I heard that Daisuke would love to be a part of ‘Love on the Floor,’ I was just so blown away Meryl Davis with her DWTS partner Maks Chmerkovskiy (© Brittany Evans) that he would even want to do something like this … [and] the fact that he is able to take on such an amazing challenge, and be so ready and willing to do it. I’ve seen him dance and grow as an artist – he is already such an amazing dancer. I have a lot of experience working with Born in the Okayama Prefecture celebrities with no dance experience, and I tell city of Kurashiki, Takahashi is one you – if he were ever to do ‘Dancing with the of Japan’s greatest male figure Stars’ here in America, he would win hands skaters, and a pioneer in the sport. down.” He was the first Japanese man The show will be divided into four acts, to medal, and win, at the Figure with each principal representing a stage in the Skating Grand Prix Final, the first story of a relationship: “Romance” (Yamaguchi), to medal in Olympic singles com- “Passion” (Davis), “Hurt” (White), and “Power” petition with a bronze at the 2010 (Burke). Takahashi will dance in the role of Vancouver Olympics, and the first “narrator” in a show that will feature innova- to win the World Championships. tive staging, dazzling costumes, and, of course, We’re eager to see what the elite brilliant dancing. athlete will achieve on the stage.

TOKYO WEEKENDER | JUNE 2016 | 27 SO YOU WANT TO GET MARRIED IN TOKYO? Words by Natalie Jacobsen Then you’re most likely feeling overwhelmed. Since June is wedding season, we thought it a fitting month to answer all those frequently asked questions about planning your big day in Japan

28 | JUNE 2016 | TOKYO WEEKENDER WHERE TO START? WHAT TO WEAR? First things first: if either you or your partner You’ve likely seen them – the huge, pink, fluffy, is a foreign, non-citizen of Japan, then, by Quinceanera-looking ball gowns and Cinder- Japanese law, that individual (or both of you!) ella-esque pink frills. Yes, these are “new age” needs to receive “permission” from your local wedding dresses that Japanese women clamor to embassy or consulate before you can proceed. get their hands on. Arguably, it may be a route Normally, this process is painless and will in- for you, as not only will you feel like a Disney volve obtaining a notarized affidavit stating you princess, but they will be markedly cheaper to can legally be married. Once you’ve obtained rent than a traditional kimono. On the flipside, the document, march your way to your local red kimonos are considered all the rage this year. city ward office with two witnesses. Fill out the Traditional white kimonos are layered heavily, konin todoke form (literally, a “change family and require almost two hours to put on (“I felt registration” request), and get the seal of ap- like fainting!” claims one bride). Menswear is proval just a few moments later, thus marrying easier to deal with: suit rentals or formal kimo- you! It’s sans all of the glitz and glam, but the nos are darker, plainer, and easier to find. office is accommodating: many marriage offices Be careful of package deals with temples or will be open on the weekend, or until almost hotels – they often have their own rental service, midnight. The marriage license is in Japanese and charge a fee of up to ¥50,000 if you want to and can only be officially translated and nota- choose your own rental studio. Dresses to rent rized by your consulate. range from ¥10,000 to ¥100,000 for a brand name, There, the hard work is all done! Now, and traditional kimonos typically start at around it’s time for the ceremony and wedding party ¥90,000, and we won’t even bother telling you the planning. Many couples, especially if both are price of the all-gold ones available to rent. working and lead busy Tokyoite lives, hire a wedding planner to sort out all of the details WEEKENDER WEDDINGS and bring samples to choose from. Although Our art director Liam Ramshaw pricier than a DIY-style wedding, Japanese (top), and editor Alec Jordan (above) with their lovely brides wedding planning companies are proficient, RED KIMONOS ARE making sure each second of your day is accounted for. Most planners will be happy WEDDING WEAR RENTAL CONSIDERED ALL THE to assist couples in a modern-style wedding, or arrange a more traditional ceremony. Kimono wedding rentals, including RAGE THIS YEAR Also, many venues, planners, and florists are make-up, styling, and photoshoot: connected to each other, making the planning kr-aki.co.jp/english/rental_plan.html a whole lot easier (if a tad more expensive). Comparable studio for services, markedly more high-end, and WHERE TO HOLD YOUR WEDDING? includes a team: THE MAIN DIFFERENCES FROM Most Japanese couples, keen on abandoning ark-rent.co.jp/english A WESTERN WEDDING? the temple or shrine weddings of the past, are Mainly, the hike in prices. Many couples in Western-style wedding wear: booking wedding parties at restaurants, hotels, Japan comfortably pay around three or five www.anniebridal.com and chapels. Many Tokyo locations like these million yen for their wedding. But the guests are well-equipped with sound systems, catering, are all “expected” to pay a tidy sum (you’ll see photographers, and decorations. Again, keep in odd numbers, like ¥30,000, ¥50,000, or ¥90,000, WEDDING PLANNERS FOR mind the packages’ rules, including, for example, as even numbers are too easily divided and an additional cost if you want to bring in a friend thus bad luck for a new couple) as their gift. FOREIGNERS to take photos. Temples are difficult to book No registries here! At least you’ll get a nice Help with booking a local temple directly and most will require a wedding return for all of the expenses. or shrine: suncolle.co.jp planner. However, temples in often see Unless you want to replicate a Western foreigners marrying onsite, so this is a good place Options for gardens, hotels, wedding at a chapel (or cathedral at St. Mary’s to start: tinyurl.com/TWkyoto-temples. Shun- temples; both traditional and in Chiyoda), there won’t be any vows or “I dos.” koin Temple in Kyoto will perform an entirely modernized ceremonies available: One sixth of all weddings today in Japan still www.princehotels.co.jp/ traditional Japanese wedding in English (www. follow traditional Shinto or Buddhist customs. parktower/wedding shunkoin.com). They are considerably smaller than Western Boutique-centric areas, such as Harajuku weddings as couples only invite immediate fam- From flowers to photos, they cover and Omotesando, have several European-themed ily and a best friend to witness the ceremony. everything: or “tea house”-type venues to rent, along with During the ritual, all parties will kneel in the serendipity-flower.com references to foreign ministers and officiates (try main hall of the temple, and a priest will give Jardin de Luseine in Harajuku: www.luseine.com). their version of a sermon. Then, the bride and Alternatively, if you want to get into the Japanese groom take three sips of sake to receive bless- MARRIAGE FORM kawaii spirit, for a cool ¥7 million the creative ings from the kami (gods), and leave symbolic DOWNLOAD minds at Tokyo Disneyland/Sea will plan your offerings for them. Afterwards, there is a short wedding, and lend you the gown, the Cinderella procession around the temple grounds. The US Embassy site provides a dining hall, and the Cinderella Castle for the cere- The ceremony is commonly followed by tea, run-down of the steps, and an mony (www.disneyweddings.jp). affidavit: a few photos, and freedom to walk the temple tinyurl.com/TWembassy-marriage gardens. After this, the couple is escorted to HOW TO SAVE MONEY? the reception, normally held at their favorite This is a Japanese-only site, but it Skip all of the fanfare we listed above, get your restaurant or garden café, and with around provides steps for filling out the paperwork squared away, pick up a pair of sum- 200 guests (mainly co-workers) present. This konin todoke (婚姻届) form at city mer yukata, invite friends for a potluck, then hit part usually includes speeches, cake cutting, hall, and includes sample forms: the beaches or parks and keep a party going well and an (always lengthy) slideshow. konin-todoke.com past sunset.

TOKYO WEEKENDER | JUNE 2016 | 29 beauty

GREEN TEA THE BEAUTY BENEFITS We all know that drinking has excellent health benefits. So it makes sense that the antioxidant-rich leaves can do wonders for our skin too. All those enzymes, amino acids, and phytochemicals help to improve skin complexion, heal blemishes and scars, reduce inflammation, and slow ageing. TRY IT The newly launched Fuji Green Tea range by The Body Shop gives us fresh and sophisticated bodycare products to re- awaken our senses and replenish skin. The products are infused with whole green tea leaves sourced from Mt. Fuji. Our favorite item in the range is the Fuji Green Tea Bath Tea (¥3,780), which you can pair with the handy Tea Bath Infuser (free with the bath tea at Japan stores). thebodyshop.com

SECRET (JAPANESE) INGREDIENTS FOR A MORE BEAUTIFUL SUMMER And five ways to include them in your beauty routine for healthier, smoother, more glowing skin

Compiled by Annemarie Luck

CAMELLIA OIL THE BEAUTY BENEFITS Known as tsubaki in Japanese, this oil comes from nut of the camellia flower, which grows abundantly on Oshima island. The women who harvest – and use – the oil are renowned for having luscious hair and radiant skin. The oil is rich in oleic acid, vitamins, as well as nourishing omegas. It’s also packed with antioxidants. TRY IT Tatcha’s luxurious Gold Camellia Beauty Oil for face, body and hair contains camellia, rice and macadamia nut oils. Infused licorice extract calms the skin, while young bamboo and green tea fragrances conjure up a feeling of being in the Kyoto countryside. Exquisite 24-karat gold flecks add a subtle touch of sensuality. ¥10,400 at tatcha.com

30 | JUNE 2016 | TOKYO WEEKENDER THE BEAUTY BENEFITS Known as the Japanese grapefruit, yuzu is a citrus fruit containing high levels of vitamin C, which can help replenish dead skin cells. It is said that if you regularly use yuzu-based products, your skin will turn smooth, silky and possibly even more fragrant. TRY IT These Geroko Monogatari Nagomi Sheets are a modern version of traditional Japanese medicinal compress sheets from the Gero Hot Springs. Their delicate fragrances are created using essential oils from local trees, and a blend of scents including lavender, chamomile, rose and – you guessed it – yuzu. When the summer heat starts to get you down, these pretty aroma sheets are bound to perk you back up again. ¥270 for a pack of four (two sheets each) at www.geroko.co.jp

KONNYAKU THE BEAUTY BENEFITS Sourced from the konnyaku vegetable and made into a firm jelly, this Japanese wonder food is high in fiber, calcium, and minerals. But it’s the ceramides that make it ideal for skincare. If your skin has depleted ceramide levels, it’ll struggle to retain moisture, leaving you with a dry, sensitive surface. Ceramide also prevents the production of melanin. TRY IT Combining traditional wisdom and local ingredients, this innovative Konnyaku Face Sponge is made from konnyaku sourced from the Gunma region. While Edoites once used frozen konnyaku as a sponge, this version has been updated to suit a modern lifestyle. It’s used to cleanse your face without needing soap, and is suitable for sensitive skin. ¥756 at e-makanai.com

AZUKI BEANS THE BEAUTY BENEFITS Known as the “king of beans,” azuki have long been used by Japanese women in the form of an exfoliating powder to remove dead skin cells. The beans polish the skin, leaving it looking healthier and refreshed, and stimulating circulation. TRY IT Here’s how to make your own azuki bean face scrub: • Measure out 1 cup of dry organic azuki beans (available from Amazon.jp), and grind them in a blender until they resemble course flour. • Sift the flour, and pour into an airtight glass container. • Take 1T of the flour and add it to a small bowl of water; use just enough water to make a thick paste. • Apply the paste to your face and massage it into your skin. • Leave it on for at least 5 minutes, then rinse well and dab on your Tatcha Gold Camellia Beauty Oil for the perfect finish.

TOKYO WEEKENDER | JUNE 2016 | 31 Fly Away with Me

Words by Erika Klein

See Japan from a new angle, hundreds of feet in the air, and experience being part of the unique hang gliding community

he bus pulled away from the curb hobby while teaching English on the JET just as I stepped out of Kumatori Program. Initially unfamiliar with the sport’s Station. I stood and watched as it presence in Japan, I discovered that the disappeared down the road. Scan- first hang gliding school opened in Japan ning the infrequent bus schedule, in 1975, around the same time the sport TI resigned myself to arriving late at Tono Air was enjoying its peak popularity in America. Hang Gliding School for my first hang gliding A few years later, in 1981, Japan hosted the flight in Japan. As I considered my limited world championships in Beppu. Japan now options, I was surprised to see a young man has approximately 25 hang gliding schools waving at me from the bus stop bench. “Tono across the country, including local clubs. The Air?” he inquired. At my nod, he identified Japan Hang & Paragliding Federation (JHF), himself as a hang glider pilot. He had heard originally founded as the Japan Hang Gliding that a foreign pilot would be coming today, Committee in 1978, manages the sport in making it easy for him to guess who I was. Japan much as the United States Hang Gliding He then offered me a ride to the school, which and Paragliding Association (USHPA) does in I gratefully accepted, reflecting not only on the US. The JHF’s role includes issuing pilot my luck but on how very much at home I felt. certifications, regulating instructor training, I had experienced American pilots’ generosity conducting safety investigations, and organiz- in offering any peer a ride to flying sites; now ing competitions. I knew that pilots in Japan were no different. In spite of my interest in hang gliding in As a hang glider pilot for over five years Japan, anxiety held me back. Besides finding in the US, I hoped to continue my favorite a nearby school, I wondered, would they

32 | JUNE 2016 | TOKYO WEEKENDER relaxed attitude among US pilots. With the aid of diagrams drawn in the dirt, I also confirmed that hang gliders in Japan do indeed pass on the right. One detail in particular, however, reminded me that I was in Japan – while US pilots typically focus on unloading their own gliders from the truck, the Japanese pilots worked together to unload every glider, stack- ing them on the ground for individual retrieval. Our tandem went well, clearing me to rent a glider and enjoy another flight that same afternoon. Having successfully entered the world of hang gliding in Japan, I ended up returning once a month on average, adding to the wonderful memories of my remaining time have equipment that I could rent, suitable for in . Soon, I became part of the online chat my skill level and weight? Would my limited group for the flight park, and “my” harness was Japanese combined with gestures be sufficient tagged with my name. Pilots frequently offered to comprehend the technical language of flying me rides back to Kumatori Station, Osaka, or once and weather? (How does one say “turbulence” all the way home to Kobe, enhancing my sense in Japanese, anyway? Taabyurensu? ...No?) of belonging to the community. Was passing another glider My most memorable flight on the right internationally happened one Sunday standardized, or did the morning in 2015. The day’s Japanese pass on the left favorable weather conditions as when driving, potentially THERE I HOVERED, granted me my longest putting me at risk of a FLOATING BACK and highest flight in Japan. collision? Finally giving in Soaring for over an hour, to my desire to fly, I emailed AND FORTH, I climbed more than 180 m Tono Air, which is located ENJOYING VIEWS (600 ft) above the launch in Wakayama Prefecture. point, carefully avoiding the WHERE TO GO I decided to book a tandem FROM ABOVE tree tops as I thermaled to HANG GLIDING IN flight, both to give me an JAPAN’S FOREST- the top of the ridge. JAPAN understanding of flying There I hovered, floating in Japan and to allow COVERED SLOPES back and forth, enjoying Oshino Sky Sports Club, located in the instructor to assess views from above Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture at the base my skills. forest-covered slopes, farm- of Mt. Fuji, is less than two hours Following my altered and greenhouse-spotted from Tokyo by car and offers transportation plans, the valley, and curved metal hang gliding tandem flights. Other rest of that first day went well. I met the school’s bridges spanning the river. Eventually, gliding schools in Tokyo’s vicinity include owner, Yoshikatsu Tonomura (known as Tonoy- down over the orchards and tractors, I caught Sky Trial in Tochigi Prefecture, an), along with his wife, Michiyo, and several sight of the large kanji characters painted on and Birdnest.Tokyo in Ibaraki other pilots. After selecting a harness and hel- the side of a building serving as a landmark Prefecture, which offers hang met and loading the gliders onto the car’s cus- for the landing area, and joined my fellow gliding tandems and instruction tom hang gliding rack, we drove up an especial- pilots on the ground. in Japanese, Spanish, and English. ly steep, winding mountain road. Hang gliding is fun, relatively The thick mat of leaves covering simple, generally safe, and, con- the pavement gave an impression trary to popular perception, very of slipperiness just waiting to send calm and relaxing. With the hang our top-heavy van skating into the gliding season starting in spring trees. Michiyo sang the “Indiana and running through the fall for Jones” theme song while Tonoy- most sites, it’s the perfect time to an nonchalantly informed me of experience a unique yet interna- several cars that had slid off the tionally connected community, icy road in previous winters. As while seeing Japan from an with many flying sites, enduring entirely new angle. the drive up meant overcoming the most nerve-wracking part of For more info, visit The Japan the day. Hang & Paragliding Federation’s Arriving at a cleared area website, which lists sites and 600 m (1,970 ft) up Mt. Ryumon, I schools by region in both Japanese once again felt at home. The pilots and English: jhf.hangpara.or.jp/ were all easygoing, similar to the area/index_eng.html

TOKYO WEEKENDER | JUNE 2016 | 33 By Matthew Hernon WHAT WERE THE EARLIEST INFLUENCES ON KOHEI UCHIMURA, PERHAPS THE BEST GYMNAST THE SPORT HAS EVER SEEN?

he last time Kohei Uchimura lost an all- A notebook and a Pink Panther toy were used as tools to around gymnastics competition, George W. help him come up with new moves. Bush was the American president and the “I made line drawings of gymnastic elements I wanted global economic crisis triggered by the Leh- to perform,” he says. “I would then adjust those images man Shock was still months away. A sporting with the toy. Imagining the movements of the doll I was Tphenomenon who’s widely considered the greatest gym- able to produce a variety of routines naturally.” nast of all time, Uchimura does more than just beat his “He got that from an older friend at the gym,” contin- opponents: he tends to wipe the floor with them. ues Shuko. “He used to take it everywhere, which meant it So what is it that makes the man known as “King got really dirty. A while ago I noticed it on his bed and it’d Kohei” tick? And what was he like as a child? Wanting been washed. It’s one of his most treasured items.” to find out, Weekender recently spoke to the 27 year Speaking a mix of Japanese and English, Shuko comes old along with the woman who knows him best: his across as a bubbly, slightly eccentric character. She goes mother Shuko. around the world to watch her son and can often be heard “He was a shy, serious kid who hardly ate anything,” screaming from the stands. “That embarrassed me back she tells us. “Gymnastics has always been his life. Even when I was a student, but now I’m a father I can appreci- as a baby in the cot he’d be swinging from the bars. As ate it,” Kohei tells us. he got older I asked if he wanted to go swimming or play “As a coach she’s always been very energetic and baseball, but he had no interest whatsoever. Gymnastics lively,” he says. “She thought out nutritious meals for me – was all he cared about.” even though I was a picky eater – and she was never strict. Kohei was influenced by his parents who were both She realized it was important to develop my personality competitive gymnasts during their youth. He joined the and give me freedom. Her teaching style wasn’t methodi- sports club they ran in Nagasaki at the age of three and cal and I think that’s reflected in the way I practice now.” spent much of his free time practicing on the trampoline. It was at his parents’ gym where Kohei first nurtured his gymnastic skills, but at 15 he decided it was time to leave his home in Nagasaki and move to the capital where he could train with idol . The youngster spent hours during his childhood studying videos of the man who helped Japan win a team gold at the 2004 Olympics. “I really didn’t want my boy to leave, but Naoya was his hero so I was fighting a losing battle,” Shuko says. “On reflection it was a good decision because he made a lot of progress during that time. I remember watching him in his third year at high school and for the first time I

Photos by Hiromi Ave

34 | MAY 2016 | TOKYO WEEKENDER or the pointed-toe finish of the 5’4” (162.6 cm) superstar. It’s why so many regard “King Kohei” as the best of all time. The man himself, RESTARTING A however, believes that title belongs to , the Belarusian GYMNASTICS gymnast who won an unprecedented six gold medals at the 1992 POWERHOUSE Barcelona Olympics. “For me there’s no doubt that his perfor- apan has won 95 gymnastic medals thought to myself, ‘He’s actually pretty good.’ mances were the greatest ever,” Kohei at the Olympics, including 29 golds, After that things started to accelerate.” says. “They were elegant, perfect and got placing the country third in the The Kitakyushu-born star made his in- great scores. I want to make my routines all-time list behind the Soviet Union ternational debut at 18 and then a year later ‘impressive’ like his, but he is Scherbo, and America. Twenty-four of those qualified for the 2008 Olympics. He helped and I’m Uchimura. I can’t surpass him. J29 golds came between 1960 and 1976. Sawao his country win a team silver in I can only be the best I can be.” Kato led the way, picking up eight golds, three before becoming the first Japanese man Scherbo’s feat in Barcelona is unlikely silvers and a bronze, making him the ninth in 24 years to finish on the podium in the to ever be beaten or repeated. It’s un- most successful Olympian of all time. Four all-around (AA) competition, finishing as the doubtedly the most impressive perfor- other male Japanese gymnasts from that peri- runner-up behind despite twice mance by a male gymnast in Olympic od are in the top 100. falling off the . He hasn’t lost history, yet in terms of longevity Kohei It was a golden era for the men’s team in the event since. Uchimura is the man who who won five consecutive Olympic titles. In the past eight years stands head and shoul- The most memorable triumph came at the Kohei has won five Olympic ders above everyone. Montreal Games in 1976 when Shun Fujimoto medals – including one To remain unbeaten for continued competing despite breaking his gold – and 10 world titles, HE FINISHES so long in such a physi- kneecap on the floor routine and remarka- six of which have come in cally demanding sport is bly went on to score 9.5 on the horse and a the AA event. He usually SO FAR OUT testament to his character personal record 9.7 on the to help Japan finishes so far out in front IN FRONT and ability. retain the title. that the rest of the field are Opponents in Rio In the 40 years that have passed, Japanese effectively competing for THAT THE know they’ll have to pro- male gymnasts have added just four Olympic second place. duce something special to golds; however, there’s a strong feeling that Rivals have labeled him REST OF THE beat him. He’s the red hot the current crop could produce the country’s a “machine” and a “mon- FIELD ARE favorite in the AA compe- best results since Montreal. Kohei Uchimura ster.” After winning a silver tition and also fancies his and Ryohei Kato have already booked their in the AA competition at COMPETING chances of winning in at places in the squad for Rio and are expected to last year’s World Champi- least one other discipline. be joined by the likes of Yusuke Tanaka, Kenzo onships, Cuba’s Manrique FOR SECOND Individual success Shirai and Kazuma Kaya, all of whom are Larduet spoke about his won’t be enough, though. capable of challenging for medals. “pride” at being able to PLACE It’s a team gold he truly As for the women, Asuka Teramoto, Mai compete with the Japanese craves. In the last two Murakami and Aiko Sugihara have looked gymnast, while 2014 run- Olympics, Japan has strong during qualification. Japan is still ner-up Max Whitlock said finished second behind waiting for its first female gymnastics Olympic it was “very special” to be rivals China, but are going champion. standing alongside him on the podium. to Rio full of confidence after winning According to his mother, it’s Kohei’s in- their first team world title for 37 years in satiable desire for perfection that gives him last October. the edge. “He simply doesn’t stop,” she says. “Four years ago the judges initially So has he become so dominant that she’s had us down at fourth and my head just now able to relax when watching him? went blank,” he says. “I was stunned and “No way,” she responds immediately. my feelings didn’t change even when we “I still get so nervous. The competition’s moved up to second. I was angry with the always getting stronger. The other athletes performance.” are copying what Kohei does and as a result “Looking back I’m glad to have been their scores are much closer.” on the podium with my teammates, but in While recent World Championships back Rio I hope it’ll be as champions. I want a up her point (the margin of victory in the team gold more than anything. In Japan last two tournaments has been 1.492 and everyone remembers (Hiroyuki) Tomita’s 1.634 points compared with 2.575 in 2009 spectacular landing from the horizontal and 3.101 in 2011), there is still a significant bars at the Games to clinch the gap between him and the rest. victory. It was a legendary team perfor- Opponents are coming up with routines mance and that’s what we must strive for to match him, but they don’t have the grace in Brazil.” We Build Dream Homes Door to Door Pickup Service 24 Hour Staff Supervision One daycare visit available Open 365 Days No Cages

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TOKYO WEEKENDER | JUNE 2016 | 37 Learning in Play

We speak with Nicole Yamada, co-founder of Gymboree Japan, about the brand’s 10-year milestone in Japan and a curriculum that is centered on child-parent activities that are both fun and educational.

What is it that makes Gymboree’s provide the classes and activities that our customers are educational method so special? looking for. At Gymboree Play & Music, we follow the lead of the child. We Do you make any changes to the US Gymboree curric- provide a safe, fun environment ulum for Japanese students? that encourages them to explore Our US programming team has 40 years of experience de- and learn at their own pace. veloping the lesson plans for our classes, so as a rule we do not change the curriculum. However, we do use additional When you’re hiring new Japanese explanations for some cultural themes which our teachers, what are you looking Japanese customers may not have been exposed to yet. We for most? also offer an English class and after school program for Japa- We want bilingual teachers who are good nese students who want to be in an all English environment. voice performers who can sing and dance with the children. Having experienced teachers is also extremely important. Where do you see Gymboree in Japan going in the It’s not always easy to find this mix of skills, personality, next 10 years? and experience! We spend a month and a half training our Within the next 10 years, we hope to expand throughout teachers, and we hope that they will stay with us for at least Japan with locations in Kansai, Tohoku and Kyushu. a year. We’ve heard that the home office is celebrating the How do you feel about Gymboree Japan reaching its 40th anniversary with some new branding. Can you 10-year milestone? give us any hints about what’s on the way? Thanks to our years of experience in the Japanese market, The US headquarters has kept the 40th anniversary rebrand- we are getting an even better sense of the needs of Japanese ing changes a secret to us as well. We’re eager to see what and expat customers living in Japan. This will help us better changes will be on the way, and customers old and new will be able to see more later this year and in the year to come!

Gymboree is celebrating its worldwide 40th anniversary

Ages newborn to 5 years Classes that give kids the best start.

Play & Learn Art

Visit us at Music School Skills Motoazabu (Hiroo) site 03-5449-2311 Try a Free Class! Jiyugaoka site 03-3723-0651 LaLaport Yokohama site 045-414-2719 Learn more at www.gymboree.jp/en Sapporo Site 011-212-1156 education SERVICE IN DAILY LIFE Seisen International School students celebrate a sense of connection on campus and in their communities, both global and local

have already been changes in the way that the day runs. Students have always had the IT WAS freedom to choose their THROUGH projects for the day, but Rogers says that SERVICE THAT now, more and more ideas are coming from SEISEN WAS the students rather FOUNDED than their teachers. In particular, the 11th and 12th graders, who are focusing on social justice in their religion classes, do research on NPOs in Japan and overseas. As Rogers points out, this makes the culture of service on the campus both in- clusive and engaging: “The girls are learning a love of or most of Seisen International School’s service, they’re problem solving, they’re being creative history, the campus community would thinkers, and they’re taking leadership in it as well.” recognize their school Saint’s Day with a The smiles on the students’ faces that we saw mass and a concert. But as Colette Rogers, were a clear sign that the idea of service wasn’t just FHead of School at Seisen explains, over time, something to be doing because they had to. And be- WHO WAS ST. people didn’t see this as the best way to honor St. cause many of the students were involved in projects Raphaela, the founder of the Order of the Hand- that were taking place right on campus, the idea that RAPHAELA? maids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Members of service can be something that happens close to home the Order first arrived in Japan in 1934, and they is reinforced in a rewarding way: “We want the girls Born in the Spanish town of started the school that would eventually become to understand that service isn’t on the outside, it’s also Pedro Abad in 1850, Raphaela Seisen in 1949. “It was through service that we working within their communities and the school Mary Porras y Ayllón entered the got the school to begin with; it’s what we were community, and the communities around them.” novitiate of the Sisters of Mary founded on,” Rogers says. www.seisen.com Reparatrix, along with her sister With this in mind, a couple of teachers pre- Maria Dolores, when she was 25 sented the Sisters with the idea of doing years old. Only two years after a Day of Service a few years before, and joining the novitiate, Raphaela the first St. Raphaela Day of Service was left it to found her own order, the held in 2014. Three years later, on a Handmaids of the Sacred Heart cool Friday, students were engaged in a of Jesus. After leading the group variety of service projects: the youngest to great popularity in her native children were preparing lunch for Spain, Raphaela moved to Rome school staff, while groups of students in 1893, staying there until she from the elementary, junior high, and passed away in 1925. high school were doing everything from The order that she founded is painting murals around the school known for providing support and giving musical performances at for poor communities around neighboring senior homes to making the world, and has founded sev- origami cranes for local hospitals and eral schools in several different getting involved with cleanup efforts countries. Raphaela herself was on and off campus. canonized by Pope Paul VI as Even within three years, there Saint Raphaela Mary in 1977.

TOKYO WEEKENDER | JUNE 2016 | 39 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

Hammered Damascus Steel—Set of 2 or 3 Damascus steel knives have a unique appearance that is immediately recogniz- Carbon Steel— able. Available in a set of two or three, Set of 2 these knives come with a hard case for easy storage or transportation. This pair of expertly crafted (set of 2: ¥17,400, set of 3: ¥27,800) carbon steel blades provides you with the perfect kitchen combination: an all-purpose knife for meat and fish, and a small vegetable knife. (¥23,300)

Carbon Steel wa- With edges sharp and delicate enough to shave wafer-thin slices from a piece of meat or fish, Kamata Hakensha’s carbon steel knives are a perfect example of Japa- nese style and craftsmanship. (¥8,800)

Damascus Steel with Flower Pattern The stainless, cobalt-alloy Damascus steel blade is easy to maintain and keep sharp, while the floral motif etched onto the side and the wooden, Japanese-style handle transform this practical meat and fish knife into a work of art. (¥26,800–35,800)

40 | JUNE 2016 | TOKYO WEEKENDER is it the goat’s rue powder or eleutherococcus senticosus rub that helps with the never ending sense of impending doom?, 2016. Acrylic on Canvas. 2100 x 1525 38 mm. Courtesy of Various Small Fires, Los Angeles

BE INSPIRED From Joshua Nathanson’s magical spin on everyday experiences to a unique guide book that might just help you find that emotional connection with Tokyo you’ve been looking for, our June Guide is packed with plenty of art, literature, film, and even a little cosplay.

TOKYO WEEKENDER | JUNE 2016 | 41 we need more words for things, 2016. Acrylic on Canvas. 2413 x 1753 x 38 mm. Courtesy of Various Small Fires, Los Angeles ART & BOOKS

MAKE MEMORIES WITH THE BUNNY: JOSHUA NATHANSON

Takashi Murakami describes Joshua Nathan- son’s artwork as “unfolding with a nonchalant scenery that reminds me of the folk songs I used to listen to in high school, the kind that unaffectedly depicts the details of daily life.” It’s a wonderful description for the contemporary artist’s style, which puts a kind of magical spin on everyday experiences. This exhibition focuses on the experience of shopping, with each work having started as a sketch made at Los Angeles malls.

Kaikai Kiki Gallery Until June 23, en.gallery-kaikaikiki.com THE ART WORLD OUR PICK OF THE CITY’S BEST EXHIBITIONS

RENOIR: MASTERPIECES FROM THE MUSÉE D’ORSAY AND THE MUSÉE DE L’ORANGERIE

Two esteemed French collections of Renoir masterpieces come together for this exhi- bition, including the painting “Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette,” a true highlight mak- ing its Japanese premiere. From Renoir’s early realism to the stunning nudes of his twilight years, the evolution of his artistry is delineated through 10 chapters. More than 100 works, including sculptures, drawings, pastels, and rare contextual material will be presented in the exhibition.

The National Art Center, Tokyo Until August 22, www.nact.jp/english/exhibitions

Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette 1876 / Oil on canvas / Musée d’Orsay ©Musée d’Orsay, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Patrice Schmidt / distributed by AMF

42 | JUNE 2016 | TOKYO WEEKENDER INTO THE SUN: CLEON PETERSON BOOKS Cleon Peterson is a Los Angeles–based artist whose violent paintings show clashing figures, symbolizing the struggle between power and submission in contempo- Three good reads to keep you rary society. In his dystopian visions, violence and deviance are the status quo. walking, connecting, and debating Peterson describes it as “a grey world where law breakers and law enforcers are the art of tattoos in Japan one in the same; a world where ethics have been abandoned in favor of personal entitlement.” In this exhibition, more than 10 of his new monochromatic paintings, including a large format work, are going on display.

Diesel Art Gallery Until August 12, www.diesel.co.jp/art

TOKYO TOTEM

If you’re aching for a more personal connec- tion with Tokyo, then this unique guide book is a good place to start. Through stories told by flaneurs, artists, anthropologists, architects, and other urban explorers, it helps you to un- derstand the city in an entirely different way. Balance of Power, 2015 ©Cleon Peterson www.tokyototem.jp

SHINRO OHTAKE SOLO EXHIBITION: TIME MEMORY Known for his fascinating collages, scrapbooks, and installations made from found objects, Japanese artist Shinro Ohtake uses the world, his journeys, and his dreams as inspiration. “Time Memory” is a series that began in 2011, and explores the artist’s ideas about how time is inextricably linked with memory: “I view the ‘fragments of time’ of the paper scraps as the ‘layers of memory,’ and the drawn-in lines as the ‘flow of time.’”

Take Ninagawa Until June 30, www.takeninagawa.com JAPANESE TATTOOS Time Memory / NairobiTime Memory 2014-2016, Mixed media, 176 x 158.8 4.5 cm Penned by Kotaku’s Brian Ashcraft and tattoo artist Hori Benny, this guide to the history, culture, and design that goes into irezumi (traditional Japanese tattooing) and contempo- rary Japanese tattoos is enlightening – and just might leave you craving a bit of ink yourself. tinyurl.com/japanesetattoos

DAY WALKS NEAR TOKYO

Don’t expect a flashy book here – this slim paperback was first published in 1988 – but what it lacks in style, it makes up for in detailed descriptions of walks (read: hikes) that will have you exploring the natural beauty of greater Tokyo, and the prefectures next door. tinyurl.com/tokyodaywalks

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

1 JUN 4-5 2 JUN 24-27 3 JUN 7-17 4 JUN 2-26 COSPLAY FESTA FRENCH FILM SANNO MATSURI SHORT SHORTS TDC 2016 FESTIVAL One of the “big three” FILM FESTIVAL & The oldest established UniFrance is organizing festivals of the Edo ASIA cosplay convention in the world, this a mini film festival, bringing a taste period, this traditional celebration The continent’s biggest international year’s party welcomes all – whether of Cannes to Asia. Catch a few sees floats and processions making short film festival is returning to Japan beginner or veteran – to come “play” unknown and short flicks, or see their way through central Tokyo. this year. Check our web listing for full for a weekend. larger summer blockbusters. Where: Chiyoda and Kanda film listings and locations. Where: Tokyo Dome Where: Yurakucho Asahi Hall How much: Free Where: Omotesando Hills, around How much: ¥2,300 per day How much: Prices TBA More info: tokyoweekender.com Tokyo/Yokohama | How much: Varies More info: cosplayfesta.com More info: tokyoweekender.com More info: tokyoweekender.com

5 MID TO LATE JUNE 6 JUN 16-17 7 JUN 10-12 8 JUN 19 HOTARU NO YUBE SLIDE THE CITY TSUKIJI SHISHI CANDLE NIGHT At designated parks inside Get an early jump on MATSURI AT ZOJOJI Tokyo, greenhouses, summer fun in Odaiba, Dressed head-to-toe in de- Tokyo Tower’s neighbor select hotels, and marshy regions and splash your way down the monic or traditional garb, monks and will be softly lit with thousands of surrounding the city, visitors can world’s longest slide. Bring participants pray and sing to ward candles, so switch off your phones, catch a glimpse of fireflies at twilight. sunscreen for the lines. off evil or natural disasters. Not your take it slow, and savor the downtime. Where: Various locations Where: Odaiba Aomi Fun everyday festival. Where: Zojoji, Shiba-koen How much: Varies & Free Zone Where: Namiyoke Inari Jinja, Tsukiji How much: Free More info: tokyoweekender.com How much: Starts at ¥2,000 How much: Free More info: tokyoweekender.com More info: tokyoweekender.com More info: namiyoke.or.jp

44 | JUNE 2016 | TOKYO WEEKENDER TOKYO WEEKENDER | JUNE 2016 | 45 American-born Irish dancer Courtney and Irish Ambassador Anne Barrington at the Ireland National Day Party at the Okura

Tokyo’s Longest Running Society Page with Bill Hersey

tarting this column out at Hiro Segafredo. It’s a beautiful day your friends are looking for a well connected, well-liked and honest talent and the popular coffee shop is full of friends and other inter- agent, Steve’s the man to contact. Email him at [email protected]. esting people. It’s also May 5: Children’s Day, the last holiday in Looking ahead at the schedule of Broadway shows, sports, and events Golden Week, as well as the colorful holiday of Cinco de Mayo. in June made me realize how busy a city Tokyo is. (Check our Agenda on SThis weekend, Yoyogi is having what’s sure to be a crowded, noisy and 44 page for event listings, dates, venues, and more.) I was sorry to have colorful Samba festival. Our Latin friends really know how to dance. If missed Tokyo International Players’ production of the Tony Award-winning you like Tex-Mex food, try some of the tacos, burritos, quesadillas and musical “Big River.” I saw the original show on Broadway and became more at 440 Broadway, the small van by Baskin Robbins at the National friends with the Afro-American star Ron Richardson (God bless his soul). Azabu supermarket. It’s open Monday through Thursday and Kensuke, After a long Broadway run, Ron learned Japanese, and came to Japan where the guy who runs the place, really knows how to cook, and prices are he costarred with Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada who played Huckleberry very reasonable. I’d also like to mention my Sri Lankan friend Ravi has Finn in the show. Heard Hanna H Grace, who directed the May 19 – May 22 a van nearby on Sundays only where he sells his award-winning curry. show here, and the international cast were really good. For your information the Segafredo just across the street from National When it comes to just about anything technical, I have to be one of the Azabu may close for a week or so in June for a renovation. world’s worst. I don’t often check my e-mail and consequently missed pick- National Azabu celebrated their 54th anniversary on April 24 with ing up two premiere tickets for Cirque du Soleil’s fantastic show “Totem” a busy food festival. Famous clown Rene Boseman entertained the kids that Cirque’s cofounder Guy Laliberte had sent me. I called Guy, he came and everyone enjoyed Benito’s paella and the many other food favorites to the rescue, and if all goes as planned I have two great seats for the May available that day. Our sincerest congratulations to Banjiro Uemura, who 27 show. Guy, who owned 90 percent of Cirque, sold 60 percent to US-based among other things started the popular store, and his family and staff TPG Capital, 20 percent to China’s Fosun Group, 10 percent to Caisse de who work hard to make it a favorite for foreigners as well as Japanese. dépôt et placement du Québec, and retained 10 percent himself. Reports On Friday the 6th I drove to Sonic City Omiya Hall where I joined the say the sale was valued at $1.5 billion. Once again – there’s no business four other judges for the multi-talented Steven Haynes and Dermozone’s like show business, and it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. Guy’s involved in Miss Supranational Beauty Pageant 2016. Steve has got to be one of all kinds of worthwhile charity projects. “Totem” runs through June 26 at the best and most-liked foreign entertainers living here. In addition to Odaiba Big Top. modeling, , dancing, writing books on beauty, and producing Had yet another great experience a few nights ago when I took a taxi fashion shows and DVDs, he’s involved in many charity events and is from the Grand Hyatt to the Italian Embassy for the Italian Cinema Festival always there to help wherever and whenever he can. Photos and copy opening. It was raining, I was a bit late, and once I was inside the embassy, on his new venture – the pageant – later. Meanwhile if you or any of I realized I had forgotten my sunglasses in the taxi. They weren’t expensive

46 | JUNE 2016 | TOKYO WEEKENDER Achim Hake, GM, The Sherwood Taipei, Imperial’s PR guru “Skip” Cronin, Patricia Tam of Halekulani Hotels & Resorts, the host, Imperial Hotel’s Pres./GM Hideya Sadayasu Travel writer Sandra Mori, her son Danny

The Imperial Hotel’s Fabulous Media Party

Writer/photographer/critic Kit Pancoast Nagamura, the Imperial’s Jun Kazama

Japan Today’s Jeff Richards, popular DJ Kamisami Kong, “Skip” Cronin, food writer Yukari Sakamoto, freelance writer Tim The Imperial’s Jun Kazama, journalists Miranda Kenrick BCCJ Acumen’s Kathryn Wortley, journalist Mark Schreiber Hornyak, author and journalist Lucy Birmingham and Sandra Mori

Tabasco’s Mark Gleason, his wife Josephine, his daughter National Azabu staff – Fukushi Otake, Hiroyuki Kashina, Cameron, their friend J.B. Yasuyuki Kuboya, and Love Dog Chiba

National Azabu’s 54th Anniversary

The Hansson family

Trevor, Nina, and Aamalia Webster, National Azabu manager Dale Toriumi National Azabu’s Tomoya Nakamura and singer Hayami Yu Rene Boseman made a new friend

TOKYO WEEKENDER | JUNE 2016 | 47 James and Hiroko Moynihan with US Embassy’s Jim O’Leary Gaimusho’s Daisuke Kido, Sophia University’s Donal Doyle, Shinto priest Taisuke Kadosaki

Ireland’s National Day Celebration – Okura

Min-On President Hiroyasu Kobayashi, Irish dancer Courtney, Bill

Diet Member Yasuko Komiyama, Irish Amb. Anne Ikon Europubs Trevor Allen, guests from Tohoku High Schools, Barrington, Marubeni Chairman Teruo Asada Yuki Murakami and Risa Kumagai, and Kyoko Allen PR whiz Ann Sado, her husband Makoto Honjo

Dewi Sukarno, Park Hyatt’s new GM Herve Mazella, the hotel’s outgoing GM Philippe Roux Dessarps, his wife Sachiko Georgina Pope, Dewi, model/actor Hide Kusakari

Sayonara Philippe, Hello Herve

Herve with Park Hyatt’s events service manager Jiro

Oakwood’s Martin Fluck, Hyatt Hotels senior advisor Mitsuba Pres. Masumi Kawahara, Grand Hyatt GM Steve Chikama Kogg, Ohta Publication Pres. Sam Ohta Duwire, Sony Pictures Director/SVP Dick Sano Shangri-La Hotels’ Marcus and Mrs. Bauder

48 | JUNE 2016 | TOKYO WEEKENDER but I really liked them, so I asked a lady working at the embassy if she wall people with most of the Irish I know and many of their Japanese could call the taxi company and see if the driver might have found them. friends. The Japanese, especially the younger ones, have really become I went back to the party and 15 minutes later she came in and handed infatuated with Ireland and I saw many mostly wearing green at all the me the glasses. Found out the driver Enomoto-san of the Nihon Kotsu St. Pat’s events I was able to get to. taxi company (#5406), who gave me a four leaf clover in a plastic see- Anne’s welcome speech was really informative and meaningful. I through envelope when I paid my ¥1,000 fare, had brought them back learned Ireland has had the fastest growing economy in the European from Shibuya and wouldn’t even let me pay his fare back. It really made Union for the past two years. It also has the youngest population in the me think about how honest, and what good people many Japanese are. I EU and has a high ranking in the world for education systems. I’ve had often hear stories like this, and realize how lucky we are living in Japan. the privilege of visiting there and believe me it’s got all she said – beauti- On the sad side, I really felt down over the loss of super star Prince. ful green wide open spaces, friendly people, great fresh food and a safe I had the pleasure and privilege of meeting him every time Udo Artists environment. I really liked her opening in Irish – céad míle fáilte (a hun- brought him here for concerts and hosted parties for him in Roppongi dred thousand welcomes) – and closing go raibh míle maith agat (thanks as well as one birthday blast at Hilton Tokyo in his honor. He was always a million). Two of the highlights of the evening for me were meeting nice, and as I was in the fashion business back then, I really enjoyed see- the really cool Teruo Asada, chairman of Marubeni, and the beautiful ing his original fashions, which I heard he designed himself. They really Irish dancer Courtney. She’ll be dancing with the group “Trinity” from were cool. Chicago at Bunkamura on July 8 and 9. I hear it’s a great show. Got to know him better when Udo called me once and ask if I could help them out with something. Seems Prince, who had just arrived in PARK HYATT, SAYONARA PHILIPPE, WELCOME HERVE Japan and had concerts in Osaka over the next few days, was held up Still on the hotel scene, I picked up Dewi Sukarno, who lives near me, in customs. It was a Friday, he and the band had arrived on time, but and we joined the many VIPs in the ballroom at the beautiful Park Hyatt customs said they couldn’t clear all his instruments and sound equip- Hotel in Shinjuku. The occasion was a Sayonara for Philippe Roux, ment. Udo-san and his staff have always been good friends, and really who’s been GM there for seven-and-a-half years, and a welcome for supported me, so said I’d do my best to try and help. his replacement, Herve Mazella. My sincerest thanks to Philippe for Timing was right as the good old USA had what everyone thought his friendship and support while he was in Japan. He, his lovely wife was their best diplomatic couple – Ambassador Mike Mansfield and his Sachiko, and family are now settling in Chicago where he has an execu- wife Maureen – posted here at the time. I’ve always been quite lucky with tive position at Hyatt’s headquarters. Prior to his new job as the luxury people and was able to get Mike on the phone and explain the situation. hotel’s GM, Herve was the GM at the Grand Hyatt . It was a new experience for him, but he was so liked and respected, he was able to get his staff to talk to convince customs the sold-out concerts MEDIA PARTY AT THE IMPERIAL were a Japan-US cultural exchange, and they agreed to work late and get I’m not a member of the foreign press club, so I really don’t have the it done. opportunity to see a lot of friends working in the media here all that I never found out who told Prince I was involved, but he and some of much. That’s one of the main reasons I always enjoy the annual media his band members thanked me and he started to invite me to sit with him party at the legendary Imperial. The evening event was hosted by the and some of the models in VIP whenever he came into my club. Believe hotel’s international, personable, and very outgoing President/GM it or not, I’m not a groupie but I did appreciate the thanks and always Hideya Sadayasu. enjoyed talking with him for 10 minutes or so before leaving to him The party was held in the hotel’s popular Hikari room, and the hotel relax with his friends and fans. He usually relaxed and people watched staff really went all out to make the room beautiful and the variety of and sometimes danced. Over the years I got to know some of his favorite Japanese and international food in the buffet delicious. Talk about class: ladies at that time. These included Apollonia who was in the film “Purple several young ladies in balconies around the room played relaxing harp Rain” and Sheena Easton. We’ve lost quite a few entertainment super music for most of the evening. stars the last year or so. Prince may be gone, but memories of the man The party, as always, gives me the opportunity to see many friends and his music will live long with his millions of fans all over the world. in the media whom I don’t often see, and meet some interesting people for the first time as well. I also enjoyed meeting several people from IRISH NATIONAL DAY – HOTEL OKURA other groups that work with the Imperial, from Sherwood in Taiwan Going through all the flyers I collected about the many events that hap- to Halekulani Group in Hawaii. pened to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year. Believe me, I really learned Going back a bit – quite a bit – I have great memories of a couple of how busy Irish Ambassador Anne Barrington and her staff must have coffee breaks I had at the Imperial with the controversial author Yukio been to make it all happen – which they really did. Mishima. I’m going to name-drop now, but that’s what this column’s One of the highlights of the celebrations was the great about. I first got to meet Mishima-san through an introduction party Anne and her husband, artist Ed Miliano, hosted at note that author Tennessee Williams gave me at a lunch Okura’s Ascot Room to celebrate March 17. Anne and her hosted by Andy Warhol at his New York factory. It really is husband are a popular couple and the venue was wall-to- a small world.

Daniel Yoshikoshi, Chilean Amb. Patricio Turkish consultant Atkan Kara with London Time’s Asia editor Richard Lloyd Heather McLeish, a consultant Torres and his wife Cecelia his 15-year-old son, Kenta Parry with his lively son Kit from Boston

TOKYO WEEKENDER | JUNE 2016 | 49 BACK IN THE DAY: 1975 Check out the scene in Tokyo from 1975! You can read the rest of this issue (No.18 1975) and view Weekender’s 45-year archive online. www.tokyoweekender.com/weekender-archives/ Northward Bound

Starting next month, join us in Akita, where we will take a tour that includes the prefecture’s traditional beauties, a garment with roots in the region’s agricultural past, and a symbol of animal loyalty that is beloved across Japan.

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