Walking the Wakayama Fire Festival, Remembering Flight 123, Weighing the Military Option, Craft Beer in Japan, and Much More
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AUGUST 2015 Japan’s number one English language magazine INSIDE: Walking the Wakayama Fire Festival, Remembering Flight 123, Weighing the Military Option, Craft Beer in Japan,www.tokyoweekender.com and Much More... AUGUST 2015 AUGUST 2015 www.tokyoweekender.com AUGUST 2015 CONTENTS 20 FIRE FESTIVAL Participants in Wakayama’s Nachi no Ogi celebrate the flames 10 14 18 ARTICLE 9 CRAFT BEER AKITA FESTIVALS Listening to two perspectives on Abe’s The artisan suds movement gets brewing Historical floats unite generations and military move in the Land of the Rising Sun neighborhoods alike 6 The Guide 16 Beaches in Hayama 24 People, Parties, Places Classy looks, cool drinks, and a trip to the A laid-back, upscale take on the Shonan Backstage with Bill and Arnold and a tour of right side of the tracks seaside scene the Tokyo’s international galas 8 Art Around Town 17 Akita Dining “Namahage” 28 Previews An explosive artist in Yokohama and a Rustic northern fare in one of Tokyo’s Vicious dinosaurs, foul-mouthed teddy “barefoot” composer in Bunkamura most well-heeled districts bears, and Tom Cruise all get sequels 12 JAL Flight 123 22 Reebok CLASSIC Store 30 Agenda Thirty years after an air disaster, a Harajuku’s Cat Street welcomes a new Fireworks, Festivals, Summer Sonic, and community reflects and remembers home for old-school sneakers the mighty mighty Udon Battle www.tokyoweekender.com AUGUST 2015 THIS MONTH IN THE WEEKENDER movement in Japan may inspire you to AUGUST 2015 refresh yourself the old-fashioned way. AUGUST 2015 August also marks the anniversary Japan’s number one English language magazine of two major events in Japan’s history. Thirty years ago, an air disaster shocked the country, as JAL Flight 123 went down in the mountains of Gunma, taking with it 520 souls during the Publisher BC Media Group Obon season. But as our conversations Chairman Ray Pedersen with a scholar of the crash and the daughter of one of its victims show, Executive Producer Asi Rinestine growth and understanding also rose Editor Alec Jordan from this terrible event. Art Director Liam Ramshaw In 1945, World War II was brought to an end, and a new Japanese Media Director Kotaro Toda Constitution was put in place. A Account Executives Nobu (Nick) Nakazawa standout of this document was Article Media Consultants Mary Rudow 9, which decreed that Japan would wage Sophia Bai INSIDE: Walking the Wakayama Fire Festival, Remembering Flight 123, Weighing the Military Option, Craft Beer in Japan,www.tokyoweekender.com and Much More... AUGUST 2015 no more wars and raise no more armies. Chris Zajko But as the 70-year anniversary of ell, you don’t need us to Japan’s surrender approaches, the Abe Marketing Ingrid Dubreuil tell you: you know it from Yumi Idomoto administration is setting out to increase the mornings that have W the country’s military capability, a move you bathed in sweat before Society Bill Hersey that has raised protests—both inside and you’re dressed, the hot soup that’s outside the walls of the National Diet Lead Writer Matthew Hernon passing for air, and the spring that’s Building. We hope that two perspectives taken right out of your step: these are Editorial Associates Vivian Morelli from either side of the debate will get the dog days of summer. Sarah Custen you thinking about a question that But like our cover picture proves, Kyle Mullin doesn’t have easy answers. sometimes the best way to beat the heat We can’t say we’re fans of the word Intern Yuna Uemaru is to simply embrace it, as participants ganbatte, but sometimes with this heat, in Wakayama Prefecture’s celebrated Film Christopher O’Keeffe that’s the best you can do. Stay cool, and Fire Festival do. At the very least, see you in September. IT Manager Nick Adams seeing the celebrants of the Nachi no Ogi matsuri tote 50-kilogram torches up a mountain path may make you realize that you’re not quite as hot as you think you are. And if that doesn’t EST. Corky Alexander, 1970 help you cool off, then a few draughts of knowledge about the craft beer Editor Published monthly at the Regency Shinsaka Building, 5th floor 8-5-8 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052 (03) 6666-4924 / (03) 6432-9229 (fax) [email protected] To subscribe to the Tokyo Weekender, please call (03) 6666-4924 or email: [email protected] For ad sales inquiries, please call (03) 6666-4924 or email: [email protected] WRITERS WANTED www.tokyoweekender.com Tokyo Weekender is looking for a few good writers. If Opinions expressed by Weekender contributors you’ve got a travel story you want to share, a gift for the are not necessarily those of the publisher written word, or have a unique take on life in Tokyo, we’d like to hear from you. To join our team of freelancers, please send us an email at [email protected] Published by BC Media Group www.bulbouscell.com AUGUST 2015 www.tokyoweekender.com Join the Conversation, Join the Club JOIN TOKYO WEEKENDER’S INSIDERS CLUB TO FIND OUT ABOUT LIMITED OFFERS THROUGHOUT TOKYO, ATTEND EXCLUSIVE EVENTS, GET THE LATEST INFORMATION ABOUT PRODUCTS BEFORE THEY LAUNCH, AND LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD. CHECK OUT WWW.TOKYOWEEKENDER.COM/WEEKENDERINSIDERS FOR MORE DETAILS the guide VALENTINO ROCKSTUD FLATS A lot dressier than a basic summer sandal but just as comfortable, those strappy shoes are all you need this season to look chic and put-together. While it’s tempting in the hot summer months to just slip on a pair of flip-flops, Tokyo doesn’t really do casual anything, so don’t get caught in inappro- priate footwear. These Valentino Rockstud flats are equal parts edgy, sophisticated, and gentle on the feet with a flat sole. Wear them during daytime to dress up shorts and a plain T-shirt, or with a tunic for those warm summer nights. Although they come in an array of colors, this textured bronze version is our top pick. www.shopbop.com ALICE + OLIVIA MINI DRESS DOLCE & GABBANA This embellished mini dress is a BROCADE SHORTS must-have for our August wardrobe: There’s a lot to love about those shorts: first it’s shiny, colorful, and the plunging of all, they could easily pass for a skirt, which neckline reveals just enough. The means you can wear them for a dressy event pattern is made out of sequins and or to sit on the ground for a picnic and still beads and crafted from creme crepe. feel comfortable. Secondly, the material is a Sequins are a bit too heavy for day- combination of silk and cotton, which makes time wear, but this dress is ideal for a them lightweight for those boiling August days. nighttime cocktail party or to attend There’s also the brocade pattern, a tonal blue a summer wedding, The best part print that’s seemingly inspired by traditional is, it doesn’t need many accessories Italian Maiolica pottery—not a surprise consid- since it’s so striking on its own. Wear ering it’s a design from Italian fashion house it with flat sandals and a gold clutch Dolce & Gabbana. Pair them with a simple, to complement the metallic hues… flowy white blouse, rose gold jewelry and sim- and a glass of bubbly in hand. ple flat shoes for a perfect summer look. www.aliceandolivia.com www.dolcegabbana.com LOG ROAD, DAIKANYAMA ver wonder what happened to the old Tokyu line tracks at Daikanyama Sta- Etion? You’ll barely recognize them now, as the rails have been turned into a lush green space complete with lots of fragrant wood, food, beer and high-end clothing. Log Road is quickly turning out to be one of our favorite spots to hit this summer: start off with a craft beer at Kirin’s Spring Valley Brewery, hailing from Kamakura. Then revamp your wardrobe at LA’s Fred Segal, or sit down and indulge on an upscale doughnut from Camden’s Blue Star, with flavors like Mexican Hot Choco- late, Cointreau Creme Brûlée and Blueberry Bourbon Basil. Address: 13 Daikanyama, Shibuya-ku Web: www.logroad-daikanyama.jp AUGUST 2015 www.tokyoweekender.com MISFIT FLASH LINK Wearables are a thing: Just ask anybody who shelled out for an Apple Watch Edition. But, wearables often tend to be terribly complicated, terribly expensive, Something for the weekend...A terribly terrible or a mixture of all three. cocktail guide for the most Misfit’s Flash Link aims to not be any of those three things. It’s essentially a discerning of drinkers plastic, back-to-basics version of their ugust is upon us once more and a quick fancier “Shine.” It’s still a stylish piece check of the thermometer will confirm of kit and using the excellently designed that our fair city has transformed from Misfit apps, you can track activity, sleep a temperate, sophisticated metropolis and calories burned, and control your Ainto a seething mass of sweating unfortunates. For music, camera and presentations with a those not lucky enough to have summer retreats physical button. Dropping in at between in the breezy mountains to escape to, the most ¥4500 and ¥5000, depending on where pressing concern is how to stay cool in this most you look, it’s cheap enough that you’ll inhospitable of climates. actually want to use it when you work However, fear not: help is at hand, for this is out. misfit.com/products/flash the season where the art of cocktail truly comes into its own.