tokyo MARCH 2012

weekenderJapan’s premier English language magazine Since 1970

BASEBALL 2012 JAPAN’S BEST STATE OF THE LEAGUE MASANORI MURAKAMI INTERVIEW EXPORT KAGOSHIMA SPECIAL HOTEL DISCOUNTS GUIDE TO KAGOSHIMA CITY STYLE TOKYO’S SECRET GARDENS

AGENDA INTERVIEW PLUS! All the biggest Weekender Q&A with One year on: live shows this month President of ANZCO Foods Japan Remembering 3/11

IN THIS ISSUE: The Latest APAC news from the Asia Daily Wire, People Parties & Places, Q&A with Eddie Bauer’s Matthias Engel and much more...

MARCH, 2012 CONTENTS 28

THE NAPLES OF JAPAN Weekender explores the wonders of

Kagoshima in Kyushu.

14 21 48

STATE OF THE LEAGUE The Meat Game A PUNK START TO SPRING Weekender gets ready for the start ANZCO’s Makoto Kinjo says the Japanese The Agenda previews the best live shows

of baseball season in Japan. have had their fill of wagyu. coming up in Tokyo this month.

11 Asia Daily Wire 18 Eddie Bauer Japan Interview 36 Sata Souji Shoten A roundup of all the top APAC news of the Matthias Engel talks about business in We visit Satsuma’s premier shochu maker past month. Japan and raising money for charity. as they celebrate WTO brand status.

12 One Year On 22 Secret Gardens 40 Bill Hersey On the anniversary of 3/11 Weekender Expat garden designer shares his tips on Tokyo’s Longest Running Society Column looks at the current situation in Tohoku. making a ‘lifestyle garden’ in time for spring. Printed in Weekender For 42 Years! 16 Trail Blazer 30 Ten of The Best 47 Screen Q&A with Masanori Murakami, the first Our guide to Kagoshima plus exclusive Spielberg’s ‘War Horse’ and Sherlock Japanese baseballer in post-war America. hotel discounts for Weekender readers. Holmes: A Game of Shadows. weekendertokyo MARCH 2012

Publisher Bulbous Cell Media Group Chairman Ray Pedersen General Manager Asi Rinestine

Media Director Tomas Castro Editor Stephen Parker Sales Executive Nobu (Nick) Nakazawa Business Development Director Kotaro Toda Art Director Liam Ramshaw Media Consultants Mary Rudow Matthew Hernon

Contributing Editor Bill Hersey

Editorial Associates Annamarie Sasagawa, Vivian Morelli, Ayako Fujiwara, Christopher Pellegrini, Christopher O’Keeffe, Tim McGregor

IT Manager Nick Adams Development Manager Stephane Boudoux Finance & Admin Vika Maslyuk Web Development Amit Raj Baral DBA Iryna Sundutova

EST. Corky Alexander and Susan Scully, 1970

Published by Bulbous Cell Media Group www.bulbouscell.com

Published monthly at the Regency Shinsaka Building, 5th floor 8-5-8 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052 (03) 6846-5615 / (03) 6846-5616 (fax) [email protected]

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

tokyo MARCH 2012

weekenderJapan’s premier English language magazine Since 1970 On the cover:

BASEBALL 2012 Yu Darvish will pitch for JAPAN’S BEST STATE OF THE LEAGUE MASANORI MURAKAMI INTERVIEW EXPORT KAGOSHIMA SPECIAL the Texas Rangers this year. HOTEL DISCOUNTS GUIDE TO KAGOSHIMA CITY STYLE TOKYO’S SECRET GARDENS Follow Tokyo Weekender on Twitter: @weekenderjapan

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AGENDA INTERVIEW PLUS! www.facebook.com/tokyo.weekender All the biggest Weekender Q&A with One year on: live shows this month President of ANZCO Foods Japan Remembering 3/11

IN THIS ISSUE: The Latest APAC news from the Asia Daily Wire, People Parties & Places, Q&A with Eddie Bauer’s Matthias Engel and much more...

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WEEKENDER NEWS 11 ASIA DAILY WIRE Your go-to place for APAC news

sia Daily Wire is your go-to place for all the latest news from across the Asia Pacific the Japanese intensity scale in the capital, region. Covering business, culture, entertainment, sports and breaking news, Asia stronger than the previously assumed Daily Wire is updated round the clock in real time and picks and chooses the best upper 6, a recent study by an education A ministry project team showed. headlines from sources across Asia—doing all the hard work for you. Here is a roundup of Don’t panic but be prepared folks. some of the most interesting headlines of the past month... Only two reactors operating in Japan The last nuclear reactor in western Looking Up! New car sales rise 40.7% In Jan Japan operated by Kansai Electric Power Domestic sales of new cars rose 40.7 percent Company has shut down for a regular Nikkei closes at half-year high on on the year in January to 263,267 vehicles, checkup. yen’s fall after yen’s longest slide marking the fifth straight month of growth, No nuclear, no Iranian oil. We’re glad against dollar since 1980 the Japan Automobile Dealers Association Shibuya is still lit up like a Xmas tree. The Japanese currency traded at a new low reported. Imported vehicles see 29 percent against the greenback, marking its longest rise over year ago (10,160 units). Tsunami exceeded 21 meters near losing streak since 1980. Tokyo stocks Looks like consumers are buying big-ticket Fukushima plant, say researchers continued to rise for the rest of the month. items before the tax hike. The tsunami unleashed by the Great East Japan Earthquake exceeded 21 meters at No one yen coins produced for Sales of Nintendo 3DS Sprint one point on the coast between the stricken circulation in 2011 to record Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant and For the first time in 43 years, the Japan Nintendo announced that domestic sales of its the Fukushima No. 2 plant, according to Mint did not produce any one yen coins for 3DS handheld game device exceeded 5 million a survey of physical evidence left by the circulation, the Finance Ministry said. units in the 52 weeks since its debut, reaching deluge. Is this just a token gesture? that milestone faster than any other game Maybe it’s easier to build a nuclear system sold in Japan. plant 1km inland than a 22 meter wall... Japanese Emperor’s heart surgery Never underestimate the value of the successful ‘Otaku dollar’. Huge losses put Japan’s top Japanese Emperor Akihito’s heart bypass brokerage in survival mode surgery operated on Saturday was Gap to open first Old Navy store The once-mighty House of Nomura, shaken successful, according to the Imperial in Japan to its very foundation by a massive loss Household Agency. Gap Japan KK said Wednesday it will open mainly from its European operations, may Get well soon! (Lay off the cheeseburgers) its first Old Navy store in Japan in Tokyo’s come under the control of a megabank as it Odaiba waterfront district. seeks a way to survive. Haier sets up Asia HQ in Japan Taking the fight to Uniqlo on their home How the mighty fall. Haier, China’s biggest home appliance territory. company announced on Wednesday the establishment of its Asia headquarters in Could be better! Japan, as well as research and development centers in Tokyo and Osaka. Greater jolts may hit capital in future Looking forward to seeing ‘Made in Tokyo Bay quake For all the big news of 2012 updated live, Japan’ stamped on Haier products. A future earthquake in the northern part of visit: www.asiadailywire.com Tokyo Bay could register the maximum 7 on www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2012 12 FEATURE 3/11 OLOOKINGne BACK: THE GreatY Eastear Japan Earthquake On At 2:46 p.m. on 11 March 2011 a magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck 70 kilometres east of the Oshika Peninsula in Tohoku. The temblor and subsequent tsunami claimed the lives of 15,850 people. The rebuilding efforts are still underway, one year on.

By Annamarie Sasagawa Power shortages: Power is still in short supply in Japan. Most of Japan’s nuclear power plants were shut down for safety checks or maintenance after the s the one-year anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami 3/11 disaster. As of this week, only two of Japan’s 54 nuclear reactors that devastated northern Japan approaches, the nation were online. Ais looking back and thinking ahead. How has Tohoku recovered since the disaster, and what can we expect in the year Before 3/11, Japan relied on nuclear power for 30 percent of its to come? electricity needs, so the post-disaster reduction in nuclear power is straining Japan’s energy grid. However, trade minister Yukio Situation in Tohoku: Edano promised last month that Japan will be able to get through Up north, much of the tsunami debris had been cleared away and the summer without the rolling blackouts or mandatory power many roads have been rebuilt. However, tens of thousands of cuts it imposed last year. Although there will be no scheduled or survivors who lost their homes in the disaster are still living in mandatory power cuts, expect to see ‘setsuden’ power conservation temporary housing. efforts continue through 2012: dim lights, weak air conditioning and posters everywhere reminding you to save power. Although basic infrastructure has been restored in Tohoku, communities are still struggling. Many who lost their jobs when the Food safety: disaster destroyed businesses, agriculture and fisheries industries, When the Fukushima Daiichi reactors melted down, they released have not yet found new employment. Communities are surviving radioactive iodine and cesium isotopes into the atmosphere. on aid and government assistance and struggling to rebuild both Although iodine isotopes with their eight-day half-lives are no longer economically and socially. a concern, radioactive cesium still poses a food contamination risk.

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor achieved cold shutdown The Japanese government is testing food produced in affected areas in December of last year. Now that there is no more new radiation for radioactive contamination, and the Health Ministry has just set spewing into the atmosphere, efforts are focused on cleaning up the new, extremely strict limits on cesium in food, especially baby food. radioactive contamination that occurred over the last ten months. The new restrictions take effect in April. However, since food safety

MARCH 2012 www.tokyoweekender.com 3/11 FEATURE 13 Photos courtesy of Japan Red Cross Red Japan of courtesy Photos

inspectors can’t test every vegetable or grain of rice coming out of Tokyo. Uncertainty about radiation, food shortages and rolling blackouts Fukushima, there is still a very small risk that food from the region drove many out of the Kanto region or out of Japan altogether. may contain radioactive cesium. The exact number of foreigners who left Japan because of safety Volunteering in Tohoku: concerns after the quake is hard to determine. Chiba prefecture just Even though the rubble is cleared and basic infrastructure restored reported its first population decline this month, citing an exodus of in Tohoku, volunteers are always welcome. For those foreigners who about 5,000 foreigners post-disaster as a major cause. are not specialized in construction there are still ways to contribute. Tohoku disaster relief agencies are looking for volunteers who The disaster hit Japan’s tourism industry hard. The number of foreign can offer social support to disaster survivors. Elderly residents in tourists coming to Japan last year dropped by 28 percent. Things are off temporary housing need people to talk to, displaced children need to a better start this year with a boom in Chinese tourists coming over tutoring help to keep up with their schoolwork, and many survivors Lunar New Year. just need to see a friendly face as they rebuild their lives. Most relief efforts are now being coordinated by prefectural disaster recovery When is next one coming? centers, so if you are interested in helping out, contact prefectural Earthquake scientists recently announced their prediction of a 70 offices. Some agencies such as ‘Team Nadia’ are looking for percent chance that a major quake will strike Tokyo in the next four volunteers to help clean damaged houses over weekends, a popular years. Strangely little panic followed the announcement. So is the next activity amongst busy Tokyoites and especially recommended if you big one something to worry about? have not been up there and can spare a weekend. Finally, if you are too busy to physically be in Tohoku there is always the convenient Japan is not exactly a seismically stable country. People here expect the option of donating directly to Tohoku residents through the Japan Red earth to shake—there is, on average, one earthquake a day somewhere Cross. (See: www.jrc.or.jp/english/ • www.team-nadia.org) in the country. Have emergency supplies in place and make a disaster plan with your families, but remember this Japanese proverb: “Natural Exodus and return of foreigners: disasters happen as soon as we forget about natural disasters”. [天災は忘 Immediately after the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown, れた頃にやって来る] If you needed one more reason to keep Tohoku in your there was an exodus of businesses, embassies and residents from thoughts this month, there it is.

www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2012 14 FEATURE BASEBALL SPECIAL

FEATURE: NIPPON Professional Baseball State of the League

By Christopher Pellegrini everyone else. You’ve had a boss like this before. The future As much as many true baseball fans here in he saddest folks in Japan are the non- is bleak so long as he’s allowed to be a part Japan hate to admit it, Watanabe (call him Japanese that have elected to become of it. Nabetsune, he likes it) and Yomiuri are not TYomiuri Giants fans. At the risk of brow- solely to blame. The owners of other Central beating the choir, let us briefly review how But there’s a lot of ignorance out there, so League teams are comparably stodgy and backwards the pro league is here. you’re in good company if you choose to change-averse. bypass reality and voice approval of the Yomiuri Shimbun editor-in-chief and only team that has been televised regularly They may have little influence over the chairman, Tsuneo Watanabe, divides his time in Japan for the past fistful of decades. upcoming MLB visit to Japan, but moves to between meddling in politics and making sure The masses have been brainwashed, and increase parity in NPB have been routinely that other NPB teams don’t get in the Giants’ Watanabe continues to operate as NPB’s stonewalled by a plurality of the companies way. shadow commissioner. that own CL teams, and initiatives to improve the league’s international competitiveness are He has been called the George Steinbrenner of Not coincidentally, the home of the Yomiuri an afterthought at best. Japanese baseball, but that analogy doesn’t do Giants, Tokyo Dome, is set to host some Watanabe’s power justice. He’s more like the MLB-NPB games in March that culminate in How little do the gatekeepers of NPB care owners of the New York Yankees, Real Madrid the start of the MLB season for the Oakland about the future health of the league? FC, and Manchester United all wrapped in one. Athletics and Seattle Mariners. Exhibit A: there’s a four-person limit on non- He’s the Cartman of Japanese baseball, and It’ll be cold, so the only dome in Tokyo is a Japanese additions to the active roster. This accordingly he wastes no opportunity to air his logical venue. But annoyingly, the two visiting is indicative of an unwillingness to embrace myopic views and belittle those who disagree MLB teams will take on the Central League’s the international competition inherent in top- with him. An enjoyable metaphor, except that Yomiuri and Hanshin as an opening act. flight baseball despite the ongoing exodus of this is reality and not a cartoon. the league’s top talent. This happens every year, but why are two Robert Whiting, venerated author of the obscenely well-funded but consistently Exhibit B: the majority of teams only have one irreplaceable “You Gotta Have Wa”, described underachieving teams representing Japan? minor league team, if you can believe that. Watanabe as “a blustering alpha male who did Why not the Fukuoka Hawks and Chunichi Parent companies clearly have no genuine everything but urinate on the floor to make his Dragons, last year’s pennant winners? Tsuneo interest in providing for the future of the mark.” He gets what he wants, and to hell with Watanabe, of course! Well…partly anyway. team. When you’re finished snickering, please continue reading.

2012 PREDICTIONS:

Central League: American League: NPB Yomiuri Giants MLB Texas Rangers

Pacific League: National League: Orix Buffaloes Philadelphia Phillies

Japan Series Winner: World Series Winner: Yomiuri Giants Philadelphia Phillies

MARCH 2012 www.tokyoweekender.com BASEBALL SPECIAL FEATURE 15

Shoving against the grain, cash-strapped teammate in Washington, Peña is another Hiroshima has an academy in the Dominican player with the potential to have a multi- Republic. If NPB’s non-Japanese roster limit year impact. were lifted, Hiroshima would likely be immediate Central League favorites. They’d Other players to keep an eye on: have two extra power bats in the lineup and at least four more serviceable arms in the Toshiya Sugiuchi (LHP – Yomiuri) bullpen. Yomiuri’s biggest off-season free agent acquisition is also half of the However, altering the non-Japanese player aforementioned raid of Fukuoka’s starting Brad Penny limit would not immediately benefit Yomiuri. rotation. Sugiuchi has recorded at least Concurrently, most parent companies are not 15 wins four times in his NPB career, and prepared to shell out for a second farm team to is coming off a season in which he went accommodate increased competition, so we’re 8-7 but had an impressive 1.94 ERA over basically just talking crazy now. 171.1 innings of work. He’ll compete with Tetsuya Utsumi for the title of ‘staff ace’ But more competition is decidedly what and should help the Giants reach the Japanese baseball needs. Just look at all the postseason with ease if he stays healthy. talent that left town last off-season in search of it: Darvish is now in Arlington. Chen and Wada Masahiro Tanaka (RHP – Tohoku) are in Baltimore. Iwakuma and Kawasaki are Now that the Pacific League has been Lastings Milledge in Seattle, and Aoki is in Milwaukee. But NPB gutted of most of its best starting pitching teams have been busy. talent, Tanaka is the frontrunner to lead the league in several key pitching The following is a list of the more notable categories. He won the Sawamura Award imports that should fill the gaps: last season with Darvish, Iwakuma, Sugiuchi, and Wada keeping him on his Brad Penny (RHP – Fukuoka) toes, so the hard-throwing 24-year-old will Desperate to recoup the 43 wins gutted have some unfamiliar breathing room through free agency, Fukuoka snagged 12- and extra time to recover from a season year MLB veteran pitcher, Brad Penny. He’s in which he pitched a career high 226.1 got the stuff to succeed, but does he have the innings. motivation and patience? Wily Mo Peña Dae-ho Lee (INF – Orix) Lastings Milledge (OF – Tokyo) Playing his first year in Japan, Orix is Speed, defense, pop, and arm, the guy can do a hoping that Lee is the missing offensive bit of everything. Tokyo’s quest to make up for piece that will help the team make a deep Aoki’s departure resulted in signing still-young run into the playoffs. In 2010 he made former New York Mets golden boy, Milledge, in headlines by homering in nine consecutive the hope that he can help terrorize Yomiuri’s games for the Lotte Giants of the Korean newly-juiced pitching corps. Baseball Organization. He was named league MVP that year, and is coming off of Wily Mo Peña (OF – Fukuoka) a 2011 campaign in which he posted a slash Another nice snag by the defending champs, line of .357/.433/.578 in 133 games. If he Toshiya Sugiuchi Peña can contribute and should have an transitions smoothly and stays motivated, immediate impact so long as he can adjust to look for him to hit 20+ homers, OPS over the way that things are done here. Milledge’s eight hundred, and notch at least 80 RBI.

Masahiro Tanaka

The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of the Publisher.

Dae-ho Lee

www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2012 16 INTERVIEW BASEBALL SPECIAL

MARCH 2012 www.tokyoweekender.com BASEBALL SPECIAL INTERVIEW 17

Did you find it difficult to adjust when INTERVIEW: Masanori Murakami you came back to Japan? Yes I did and there was a lot of pressure on me having played in the Major League. My pitching style was criticized by a Japanese journalist, so I tried to change my game and I struggled in the first couple of years. I was actually disappointed to leave America but TRAIL BLAZER I’d made a promise to the Nankai Hawks.

magine being the first Japanese Despite the difficulties you had some Who was the best player you ever pitcher to play in the Major wonderful times there. How did it feel played with? League in post-war America. making your debut in the Major League? Willy Mays. He’s an amazing all-round Masanori Murakami fought One day I was playing in front of 400 player. One time Roberto Clemente came up prejudice from day one at the people, the next 40,000 but I just tried to to me and asked who I thought was better ISan Francisco Giants and helped pave treat it as another game. I walked on to out of himself and Mays. I said ‘Mays,’ the way for the likes of Ichiro and pitch humming the Sukiyaki song and with a smile of course! I think he was a bit Darvish today. Weekender caught up pitched a scoreless eight innings. I was a annoyed, but Clemente was another player with the man affectionately known as little emotional after the game and it was I had huge respect for. He sadly died on a ‘Mashi’, to hear about his time in the only after I read the newspapers that I plane while delivering aid to earthquake United States. thought ‘I’m a Major League player’. victims in Nicaragua. This inspired me to do as much as I can for charities like UNHCR. What was it like being the first Japanese player in the Major League? “My teammates made Do you envy modern day players like It was tough at the beginning, the young Darvish and Ichiro? players were often immature and me realize that it wasn’t I envy their money!! The difference is huge. would make jokes about me. I couldn’t I also think it is much easier for players understand what they were saying but the American flag or today. Back then it was normal for a starting I used to get angry. One time I turned pitcher to pitch 300 innings in a season, away from the American flag during the the country I should now it is only around 220. national anthem. My team-mates made me realize though, that it wasn’t the flag be annoyed with, just Finally Mashi, any predictions for the or the country I should be annoyed with, certain individuals” coming season? just certain individuals. Once, we were just I think the Yankees will do well. Kuroda is a very good pitcher. In Japan I have to say the ahead of the Mets in the League and the Giants. They have a lot of money and many FBI intercepted a letter from one of their good players. fans, threatening to kill our coach Herman What were the big differences between Franks and myself. I didn’t find out about Japanese and American baseball? it until a month later. If I’d known, I would In Japan we thought one game at a time, in A CAREER IN NUMBERS: have been too scared to pitch. American they planned for games well in advance. Also, physical strength was much more important in America.

Murakami Masanori (center), the first Japanese baseball player in post-war America.

Murakami Masanori, born May 6, 1944 in Ōtsuki, Yamanashi, Japan.

He started his career with the Nankai Hawks, in September 1962, while still attending high school.

In 1964, his team sent him to the San Francisco Giants single-A team Fresno, as a baseball “exchange student”.

On September 1, 1964, he became the first Japanese player ever to play in the Major Leagues.

In 1965, he struck out over one batter per inning pitched, posted an ERA under 4.00 and earned eight saves.

www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2012 18 INTERVIEW EDDIE BAUER JAPAN

You launched ‘Eddies Project in May last year, what exactly was that? Eddie’s Project was born after the 3/11 disaster in order to give help to the victims. Everybody around the world was thinking about what they could do. Our German colleagues created a special ‘Aid Japan’ t-shirt and in Japan we created a special bandana. It is being sold only in Japan with all proceeds going to the victims of the disaster.

Has it sold well? We have sold about 20,000 pieces, so people have been very keen to buy it. It is not so expensive, but it is a good chance to raise some money for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami.

Has Eddie Bauer done anything else to aid the victims of the disaster? First, we donated ¥10 million directly to the Japanese Red Cross. We also donated apparel, especially outerwear.

Where were you when the Earthquake hit? I was sitting with three other guys in my Tokyo office. Earthquakes have shaken the office a number of times before, but after a few seconds everyone realized it was not normal—it was very big. Then there was a strange alarm sound, it was an unbelievable day.

Did you leave Japan after the Earthquake? Yes, I left on March 16. I went to our INTERVIEW: EDDIE BAUER’S MATTHIAS ENGEL headquarters in Hamburg to organize our international crisis management team. Two weeks after that I came back and visited the Sendai area, that was also an unbelievable experience.

What’s in store for Eddie Bauer Japan READY EDDIE in 2012? We are a multichannel company, but our Japan has been a very important market for outdoor apparel brand Eddie Bauer since biggest pillar is retail. That will continue to the company opened their first shop here back in 1994. There are now over 50 stores grow. Right now we have around 55 stores, throughout the country and this year the company are looking to expand even more. by 2020 we want to double our portfolio. Weekender caught up with the President and CEO of Eddie Bauer Japan, Matthias Engel to At the same time we plan to strongly hear about his work in Japan and his efforts to raise money for victims of 3/11. develop our e-commerce business because the paper based business (catalogs) is You became CEO at Eddie Bauer Japan in started to get some good results here since shrinking. That said, it is not going to die 2009, where were you before that? 2009, because we introduced the spirit of because you always need a catalog to be a I was the CEO of Eddie Bauer Germany for flexibility and speed to our business. trigger for e-commerce. eight years. Has the European financial crisis had any Any personal goals over the next twelve How different is it doing business in Japan effect on your business? months? as opposed to your own country? No. Here in Japan we are not related to We are quite busy and time is flying by so It is quite different. It is very interesting European business. If something happens it quickly. I don’t have any special goals, just though and the learning curve is quite steep is a problem for our mother company (Eddie to survive! in Japan. In Germany speed and flexibility Bauer Japan is a fully owned subsidiary are very important, in Japan people don’t of the German Otto group). We are quite For more info on Eddie Bauer in Japan, react too fast, they like to wait. We have independent and earn our own money here. visit: www.eddiebauer.jp

MARCH 2012 www.tokyoweekender.com

ANZCO JAPAN INTERVIEW 21

of lamb from ‘smelly meat’ to ‘healthy meat’ through our PR campaign, which we started in 2003. We may have an advantage because we are a ‘foreign company’ so we can get away with upsetting the industry norm. People in the industry say wagyu (Japanese beef) consumption is depressed because of the economic condition but I think many Japanese are eating less wagyu because they no longer want to eat high-fat meat. At least 90 percent of Japanese people, that I have met in the last few years say they can no longer eat wagyu because of its richness but would love to eat our beef because it tastes better. Our mission is to deliver safe and healthy meat to Japanese consumers and to assist improving their diet.

Have you seen any change in orders since the Fukushima scare? Immediately after 3/11 we launched our beef in Miyagi prefecture, and sales have been extremely good. However, in other parts we saw a dip in sales but these are due to a number of factors, not just the Fukushima scare.

What are your most popular products in Japan? We have Ocean Beef, which is beef raised 18 months on highly nutritious pasture and INTERVIEW: Makoto Kinjo - President of Anzco Foods Japan finished with grain feed. This is what we offer at our restaurant, WAKANUI. We also market premium grass-fed beef. Both of these beef products have loyal following by certain regional supermarket chains and are performing very strongly. Our lamb, although still small in volume compared to beef, is THE MEAT GAME popular among supermarkets in Tokyo. Can you tell us a little about WAKANUI and NZCO started business in means our products are fully traceable and we the relations with ANZCO? Japan 27 years ago as the are highly responsive to customer requests. We opened WAKANUI as a way of promoting lamb and mutton importing Not many meat companies in the world can our beef and lamb in Tokyo. It is owned and and distribution arm of the offer this—certainly not to the extent of our operated by ANZCO. Food service is not our New Zealand Meat Producers global operation. business and we started the restaurant not as Board.A Today, ANZCO Foods Limited, whose a profit-making proposition but to showcase corporate office is located in Christchurch, What challenges do you face importing our products and expose them to a wider is one of the top four major meat meat to Japan? audience. So far, it has served its original companies in New Zealand and operates Japan’s shrinking and aging population is purposes. A number of new businesses have businesses including beef and lamb a problem. Although we believe our lamb been generated as a result of executives, processing, farming and processed meat and beef products are a healthy source of buyers and chefs visiting the restaurant and production. ANZCO Foods Japan operates protein that is essential for aged people these being impressed with our beef and lamb. The as one of five global sales and marketing meats are often perceived as being high in significance of WAKANUI is that it enables us operations, along with the US, Europe, UK fat. I also see this as an opportunity for us to present our products in the best possible and Taiwan. Weekender sat with Makoto to develop a new market for our lean and form for consumption. Kinjo, President of ANZCO Foods Japan to healthy meat options. However, our biggest discuss the all things meat. challenge lies in very low awareness of New Are you planning to open more restaurants Zealand as a supplier of high quality beef. As here? Tell us a little about ANZCO and your we are a small player our ability to invest in Short answer is ‘No’. Our attention is now operations here? brand promotion is limited compared to our on selling more beef and lamb. Outside Our customers range from meat and food counterparts from Australia and the US. Japan, I would like to replicate the formula of wholesalers, retailers and restaurant chains establishing WAKANUI and introducing our to major food manufacturers spread across What is it like to run a foreign company beef and lamb into the market. the country from Hokkaido to Okinawa. in Japan, especially in such a conservative Our company has an annual turnover of industry as the meat/agriculture products What do you have planned for 2012? approximately ¥15 billion and employs industry? Leverage the success of WAKANUI; sell 40 staff in our Tokyo, Osaka and Sapporo The meat industry is conservative anywhere more beef and lamb in Japan whilst further offices. Our strongest selling point is our in the world. The fun is in bringing innovation developing the market in Asia. fully integrated operation that encompasses into the business and creating something new farming, processing, manufacturing, to capture new audiences. We have changed importation and delivery to customers. This average Japanese consumers’ perceptions To sample New Zealand meat, check out: www.wakanui.jp or www.anzcofoods.com www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2012 22 FEATURE SECRET GARDENS

garden owner. Whether you create a balcony garden yourself or hire a professional, it should have your ‘mark’ on it. It should be customized for you and be creatively designed to fully maximize the space, regardless of your balcony’s size.

Will my balcony garden be safe in high-winds and typhoon weather? The impact of stormy weather takes its toll even on the best planned gardens, however, taking simple safety measures like closing parasols, lying down tall objects such as trees, or turning furniture upside down are a few examples of the things you can do to minimize garden damage.

I’m not good with plants. I’m afraid I might kill my garden! If you don’t have a ‘green thumb’, no worries! There are tons of beautiful ‘tough skin’ plants like strong evergreen conifers, cacti, or succulent plants that require less hand-holding.

CREATIVE: REVAMP YOUR BALCONY GARDEN FOR SPRING What are the eco-benefits of an urban garden? Concrete balcony temperatures can more than double the summer’s heat and go up to 70 degrees Celsius. A well-constructed garden prevents balcony floor temperatures SECRET GARDENS from rising, placing less strain on your air conditioners, which cuts energy bills.

When is the best time to start thinking Vacation Veranda’s Theodore Jennings, Any recommended shops to buy gardening about your garden? winner of the 2011 Silver Medal at the gear in Tokyo? It depends. For traditional vegetable gardens, Hibiya Garden Show. If you’re going to start a small garden, I’m late February or early March is a good time, definitely a supporter of using your local flower after the winter’s frost. However, most busy shops to support the local economy! For pots, urban dwellers don’t have vegetable growing tools and fittings, stores like Tokyu Hands have time, so I suggest creating a ‘lifestyle garden’, a good selection of the basics you need to get or an additional living space outdoors on your started. balcony with sturdy, manageable plants that can be started anytime. What is your price range for a customized veranda garden? I rent my place. Can I decorate my balcony I have a ‘luxury for everyone’ mentality when too? I design a garden, so I really try to give each Building rules vary but in most cases, you can client my best. To date, I’ve never turned down decorate as long as you don’t block emergency a client based on budgets and I’ve done work as exits nor construct permanent objects that low as ¥100,000. prevent returning the space to original form after you move out. For more info about your balcony garden design visit: How do I make my balcony garden unique? www.vacationveranda.com or contact The uniqueness of any garden lies with the Theodore Jennings on 090-5211-0053.

t may be hard to believe but despite the freezing temperatures outside Spring is already on its way. There is no better time than now to start planning your dream garden for Ithe season to come. But where do you begin? Weekender sat with award winning Outdoor Lifestyle Designer Theodore Jennings of Vacation Veranda, to hear his tips on how busy Tokyoites can create a spring ‘getaway garden’ in the privacy of their own homes.

MARCH 2012 www.tokyoweekender.com Looking for a place to dine no matter what the occasion? Look no further. At Restaurant MOSAIQUE we serve: Real food, wine, cocktails, service and a friendly atmosphere. Come enjoy the fun. Tel: 03-6419-3711 / Website: restaurant-mosaique.com Minami-Aoyama 5-3-2 Minato-ku, Tokyo Everyday: Lunch, Brunch, Dinner Closed: Sunday evenings

THE TOLMAN COLLECTION AND TOKO SHINODA As Japanese art lovers will see from the information below, The Tolman Collection has devoted major effort in the promulgation of Toko Shinoda’s work, not only in Japan, but throughout the world. Pre- ferring to deal with this joyous task from an international point of view, rather than just a Japanese one, has not always been a simple matter since Japan is rather far removed from world art centers. We have persevered and take great pleasure in being the gallery which has first shown this outstanding work in such far-flung places as Finland, Cairo, Singapore, and Australia where her work might never have been known unless we tackled this assignment ourselves. Nor can it be said that we have not offered her exhibitions at special venues here in Japan’s capital for very elite international audiences many of whom are other than Japanese.

This time, for Art Fair Tokyo - 2012, at their 7th annual exhibition, we have decided to show, to a mostly Japanese audience, different from our usual international one, the level of accomplishment that the amazing Toko Shinoda (b. 1913, Manchuria) is still capable of bringing forth for her ever-increasing number of international collectors and other art lov- ers. The works shown here are of a size and style that may not have ever been available heretofore for Japanese viewers. We hope that even those who have seen her art before will be impressed by the size and the man- ner of presentation of her fabulous original work that we are showing here in this exhibition.

Friends and clients of all four of The Tolman Collections are well aware of our star artist, Toko Shinoda. The Tolman Collection, to our credit, is responsible for publishing well over 300 editions of her lithographs start- ing in 1978. Our very first show, in 1976, was even before we graduated to handling only exclusive editions of her work and we have enjoyed a warm, personal working-relationship with this talented lady which has endured for 35 years. In addition to lithographs we have also placed some 1,000 of her original paintings all over the world. Our achievement presenting her works in large, impressive solo exhibitions include the following:

1980 - Zojoji Temple, Tokyo, in the presence of her largest painting, a 28 meter mural, “Past, Present and Future”. 1990 - Four Solo Shows, The Tolman Collection editions: Tokyo, Honolulu, Singapore, Hong Kong. 1993 - Ginza Mitsukoshi, Tokyo, the publication of “Toko Shinoda, A New Appreciation” exhibition of prints and paintings. 1994 - Sogetsu Kaikan, Tokyo, “Poetry in Motion” New Paintings. 1996 - Singapore Art Museum (National), “Toko Shinoda - Visual. Poetry” lithographs and paintings (first Japanese ever shown there). 2001 - Sogetsu Kaikan, Tokyo, A 25 year retrospective - prints of The Tolman Collection’s exclusive editions. 2003 - Hara Museum, Tokyo, “Variations of Vermillion” honoring the artist’s 90th birthday and including her painting borrowed from the Imperial Palace. 2005 - Shinsei Bank, Tokyo, “A Lifetime of Continuing Accomplishment” 2009 - Lan Club, Beijing, “Introducing Abstract Expressionism to China with Toko Shinoda sumi paintings”. 2011 - Hong Kong, Exchange Square, the Rotunda, in joint celebration of the 25th anniversary of business in Hong Kong of the Liechten- stein Global Trust (LGT Bank), and the 25th anniversary of Inter- national Flight by ANA, The Tolman Collection of Tokyo together with the The Tolman Collection of Hong Kong presented 25 25- year old lithographs from our archives along with 25 recent sumi paintings for Shinoda’s first major exhibition in Hong Kong. The Tolman Collection, Tokyo is participating in 2012 - Solo exhibition at Art Fair Tokyo-2012 ART FAIR TOKYO 2012 at booth A09 Friday, March 30th 11.00 - 21.00 Sunday, April 1st 10:30 - 17.00 Tokyo International Forum 3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo The Tolman Collection, Tokyo www.tolmantokyo.com www.tolmantokyo.com 2-2-18 Shiba Daimon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 03-3434-1300 TOKYO New York Singapore Hong Kong HOPE-希望 Aspiration in the Abstract

Nagai Kenji Tsubota Masahiko Tsubota Masahiko

Hasegawa Yuichi Tamekane Yoshikatsu Nakazawa Shinichi Goto Hidehiko

Imamura Yoshio Zhou Hao

A Portfolio of the work of eight artists published by The Tolman Collection Limited edition of 70 Sheet size 60 x 45 cm

orking in our gallery we are surrounded by beauty of every sort. Even given the “eye of the beholder” escape clause, we still count ourselves lucky to be where we are. As artworks are sold, and are taken away by their new owners, we always have oth- ers to replace them and never fail to appreciate how wonderful it is to have an unending supply to lift our spirits and give us the strength to carry on. Last year was one of the worst for everyone in Japan. Having been almost flattened by the miserable year that 2011 was, with disaster of every kind, I tried to think up something special to help encourage my discouraged artists and at Wthe same time re-interest our clients in the art with which we ourselves are constantly surrounded. Many caring clients had written asking what could they do to help the artists.

The answer was obvious, but I went back and forth trying to find just the right formula to fit this double edged bill - how to help the artists recover and how to allow my clients to be involved in this process, with both sides feeling good about themselves. This portfolio is the result of my travails. To eight of my popular and successful, well-known and widely-collected artists I proposed simply this: “Make an abstract work depicting ‘Hope for the Future’, design it in a 60 x 45 cm format, pull it in an edition of 70 copies, by the start of February.” The only other information that I offered to these eight talented artists - highly professional and therefore slightly competitive - was that there would be eight of them.

This portfolio is the result of that request. The artists’ responses were immediate, positive, and full of praise for my idea of taking a stand against the miserable and trying times. They got busily to work and after my initial contact no one troubled me with questions, or problems of any sort. Of course no one contacted anyone else for advice or assistance either. On February 1st all prints were delivered; woodblocks, silkscreens, etch- ings and lithographs - each has its place. Since everyone had done his best, my first reaction was of the way that the nine prints make a set - it is absolutely unbelievable, and yet each of the prints speaks clearly for itself as well. The conundrum in explaining all this is part of the mystique of Japan. Being asked which is my favorite, I can honestly state that each one is! Those who come to acquire this portfolio of nine masterpieces will spend countless hours surrounded by the unique beauty that these special artists have provided. In many years to come they may never be able to tell which is their favorite, either.

The portfolio will be shown at ART FAIR TOKYO 2012 The Tolman Collection The Tolman Collection’s booth A09 2-2-18 Shiba Daimon Friday, March 30th 11.00 - 21.00 Minato-ku, Tokyo Sunday, April 1st 10:30 - 17.00 11.00 - 19.00 Tokyo International Forum Closed on Monday and Tuesday 3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Tel: 03-3434-1300 www.artfairtokyo.com www.tolmantokyo.com TOKYO New York Singapore Hong Kong

28 TRAVEL KAGOSHIMA KAGOSHIMA EXPLORING THE NAPLES OF JAPAN

ocated on the southern tip of Kyushu, Kagoshima has a territory extending about 600km from the prefectural border in the north to the boundary in the south bordering Okinawa. Kagoshima is endowed with the some of the most spectacular scenery in Japan that includes beautiful seas, mountains, rivers, numerous hot springs and a wide variety of flora and fauna. There are also many cultural sites and places of historical interest. There are about 30 islands out at sea far beyond to the south, including Yakushima Island, which was registered as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, the Tokara Islands, a chain of twelve isles of different sizes stretching over a distanceL of about 162km, and Amamioshima, the second largest isolated island in Japan. Taking a closer look at the prefecture, it comprises volcanic areas such as the Kirishima mountain range and Mt. Sakurajima (pictured), the Kirishima-Yaku National Park which encompasses Yakushima Island and Kuchinoerabujima Islands, and the Nichinan Kaigan Quasi-National Park, which is known for its abundance of subtropical plants. There is a large number of natural parks and abundant nature in Kagoshima extending from the temperate to the subtropical zones. The Koshikijima Islands, located about 30km away from the western shore of the Satsuma peninsula, are famous for the natural growth of Japanese lilies, covering the islands in pink during full bloom after the rainy season.

Other attractions include Tanegashima Island and Uchinoura Bay, known for their rocket-launching bases, which are one of the most technologically advanced gateways to space. The whole of Kagoshima is steeped in history; it was here centuries ago, brave Spanish preacher Saint Francis Xavier first introduced the gospel of Christ in Japan. Kagoshima is still home to one of Japan’s oldest Catholic communities, who were driven under ground after the local Shogun banned foreign religion.

It was here that Shogun Saigo Takamori, (AKA the last Samurai) witnessed the brunt of modern industrial technology first hand. Kagoshima felt the wrath of the then technically superior West when it was shelled by the British Royal Navy during the short Anglo-Satsuma war. It was this encounter that inspired Japan’s favorite son, Sakamoto Ryoma to began his revolutionary quest to drag the country into the modern world, culminating in the Meiji restoration and Japan’s rebirth as a modern industrial power.

Aside the wealth of history, this charming region is home to scores of natural hot-springs, palm trees, picture-perfect beaches and gorgeous local cuisine. Fast forward to 2012 and Kagoshima is booming tourist destination. Dubbed the ‘Naples of Japan’, due to its bayside location and towering stratovolcano Mt. Sakurajima.

Although a short flight from Tokyo, you have never felt so far away from the rat race.

Welcome to Kagoshima!

Text courtesy of JNTO

MARCH 2012 www.tokyoweekender.com KAGOSHIMA TRAVEL 29

Kagoshima’s mighty Mt. Sakurajima erupts almost every day leaving the area covered in a gentle layer of fine ash. Kagoshima is often called the ‘Naples of Japan’ and has had trade links to Europe for centuries.

Tokyo

Kagoshima

www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2012 30 TRAVEL KAGOSHIMA

TRAVEL: THE WEEKENDER GUIDE TO KAGOSHIMA

Kagoshima is one of the most beautiful parts of Japan, the area’s long history and diverse landscape make for an incredible holiday location. Check out Weekender’s top-ten list TEN OF THE BEST of things to do in the ‘Naples of Japan’.

1. Ride the new Shinkansen 4. Take a hot-sand bath If flying down south is too eco-unfriendly for you, you’ll be please to Asides abundant onsens, Kagoshima is home to naturally warm hear that the latest stretch of the Shinkansen now reaches as far as beaches, one way to make the most of it is by relaxing in a local Kagoshima. The bullet train extension takes just one hour 20 minutes favorite a hot ‘sand-bath’. Most major hotels offer the unusual from Fukuoka and connects to all major cities in Japan. service, you just need to lie back and let the staff gently cover your body in the black volcanic sand. The heating effect is akin to taking 2. Explore a live volcano a sauna and if you believe the local legends this simple relaxation Mount Sakurajima is dubbed the Vesuvius of Japan. The impressive method can cure almost any disease. stratovolcano is constantly erupting in the background of the city and coats the area in a gentle layer of ash. Look out for the sweeper trucks 5. Experience classical music in a national park that roam the streets making sure everything stays sparkling clean Forget Big Beach Festival, Summer Sonic and Fuji Rock. Kagoshima (this is still Japan after all). Take the ferry from the ferry terminal for does live music in its own unique Kyushu style with the annual just ¥150. Kirishima International Music Festival in August. More classical music than punk-rock, but the talented performers are nevertheless 3. Honeymoon like a Samurai world-class. The bizarre Miyama Concert Hall looks very science Japan’s favorite son, Ryoma Sakamoto brought his new bride Oryō fiction perched on a mountain top in a national park but if you to Kagoshima in what has been since called ‘the first honeymoon in are lucky enough to get a ticket, the week-long series of concerts Japan’, constant reminders of the area’s association with the couple promises live music from more than 50 distinguished classical may be down to Japan’s hugely profitable wedding industry, but it is musicians from across the world. still a nice story. For more info: www.kirishima-imf.jp

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Kagoshima has countless festivals and attractions throughout the year, for more information visit: www.city.kagoshima.lg.jp

MARCH 2012 www.tokyoweekender.com KAGOSHIMA TRAVEL 31

6. Drink some local ‘London Ale’ that will pay you back dividends in the future. The wonderfully Kagoshima’s long links to Europe can be traced back to the first intricate glass and pottery ware caused a stir at the International Portuguese sailers and Christian preachers who dared to enter the Exhibition in Paris in 1867, after that wealthy Europeans and closed nation of Satsuma. Thankfully the residents of Kagoshima have Americans started buying up the produce, leading to a boom in forgiven Britain’s naval bombardment of the city in 1863 and have sales. Though inspired by early Chinese and Korean glass and actually embraced British style beer. The London ale and Belgian pottery, Satsuma, in the typical Japanese way, developed its own white beer from Kagoshima brewery is as good as anything exported unique style which was later refined to become world class and and if you hunger for some European cuisine, the Naples of Japan has worth a fortune. several great Italian restaurants and pizzerias in the city center. 9. Catch a glimpse of a Kagoshima dolphin 7. Visit the shochu capital of Japan Local news reports say two schools of up to 50 Indo-Pacific The name Satsuma shochu will instantly ring bells with fans of Japan’s bottlenose dolphins now call Kagoshima home. If you are lucky, national alcohol. For centuries the brew has been carefully produced you may catch a glimpse of them swimming through the bay, if not, here and exported first to the cities of Japan, then to the world. Even you could always visit Kagoshima Aquarium, which is the largest in teetotal St Francis Xavier remarked on the drink during his stay here Kyushu’s with over 30,000 sea creatures. back in 1549. Remember to leave plenty of space in your suitcase to bring a few bottles back. 10. Do it all again ANA flys daily from newly expanded Haneda airport to Kagoshima 8. Invest in some Satsuma ware airport, the brief flight takes under two hours and on arrival you Splash out on some genuine Satsuma ware and make an investment can even soak your feet at the airports inhouse hot-spring.

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1. Taniyama Furusato Matsuri in Kagoshima City. 2. Kagoshima bay. 3. Experience the famous Satsuma shochu. 4. The ‘last Samurai’ Saigo Takamori. 5. World famous Satsuma pottery. 6. Sakurajima volcano. 7. Local woman take a hot-sand bath. www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2012 32 PROMOTION KAGOSHIMA

Ibusuki Hakusuikan is one of Kagoshima’s top hotels. Prime Ministers, movie stars and royalty have all stayed here during the hotel’s illustrious history.

pproaching Ibusuki Hakusuikan Hotel is like arriving on a movie set from a Samurai film. The sweeping roof of the ‘Satsuma Denshokan’ art museum is the Ibusuki Afirst thing you notice, then the winding road through the trees, followed by the hotel itself set in a garden overlooking the ocean and the blue mountains beyond.

Located in Ibusuki City, south of Kagoshima, Hakusuikan the hotel is positioned with a splendid view of the East China sea. The hotel is built around a large stone courtyard and set in manicured gardens of pine, plum and cherry trees. A number of covered walkways link the hotel to HOTEL & SPA the spa house, restaurants and neighboring accommodation, making sure that a stay here is comfortable, no matter which season you book.

Ibusuki Hakusuikan is more than a hotel, the large complex houses a museum, a huge spa, a famed Japanese restaurant, as well as what

MARCH 2012 www.tokyoweekender.com KAGOSHIMA PROMOTION 33

Adjacent to the hotel is the ‘Satsuma Denshokan’ art museum, with artifacts telling the incredible story of the Satsuma region.

Italian restaurant, Fenice di Acqua Pazza.

Japanese service at its best. Satsuma Denshokan art museum.

is probably the finest Italian restaurant in As Kagoshima’s famed volcano, Sakurajima authentic restaurant. Imagine a maze of Kyushu; Fenice di Acqua Pazza. proves, this area is incredibly volcanically paper screens, kimono-clad waitresses and active and has provided the lucky locals the finest local produce expertly prepared, Hakusuikan’s rooms combine Japanese with fertile soil and abundant hot springs morning, noon and night. For those with elegance and modern Western comforts. for centuries. Hakusuikan’s owners have cravings for Western food, you are in luck. This translates to large family friendly developed nature’s gifts into a complex of The hotel’s Italian restaurant, located in areas covered in tatami mats alongside indoor and outdoor baths, saunas, steam the striking art museum building next door flat-panel televisions, electric sliding doors rooms and natural ‘hot-sand’ baths, which are serves Italian cuisine with such care and and automatic lights. Each room is also something of a local attraction. attention you could almost be in Naples. equipped with a Washlet toilet, mini-bar and Internet access. Guests can opt for either The beaches in this part of Kyushu are always Hakusuikan also houses a French restaurant Western beds, or authentic Japanese futons. warm to touch and legend has it, that the local and large lobby coffee bar and like all large Throughout the hotel’s illustrious history, sand can relieve the sick of their ailments. hotels in Japan, a fully stocked gift shop, Prime Ministers, international movie stars To feel the full effect, just lie back and let so you don’t need to worry about buying and royalty have all stayed here, so you can the expert staff gently cover your legs and omiyage for all your colleagues and friends expect only the highest levels of comfort and body in the dark colored sand. After just 15 back in Tokyo. For a memorable trip to service. minutes you will feel as relaxed as if you Kagoshima, Ibusuki Hakusuikan Hotel is highly have been in a sauna. After a quick shower recommended. What are you waiting for? Like all hotels in this area, Hakusuikan makes to clean off the sand, why not pop into the the most of Kagoshima’s geography and neighboring spa and emerge totally refreshed Web: www.hakusuikan.co.jp/en/ abundant nature. All of the hotel rooms have and rejuvenated. Tel: 0993-22-3131 great views of the ocean or the mountains Location: Ibusuki Hakusuikan - 12126-12, but it is what lies beneath the hotel that really After bathing until sparkling clean, why Higashikata, Ibusuki-City, Kagoshima pref., makes this retreat worth a visit; the hot springs. not try the Japanese cuisine in the hotel’s 891-0404

www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2012 34 PROMOTION KAGOSHIMA

The magnificent Mt. Sakurajima seen from Shiroyama Kanko Hotel.

o trip to Kagoshima is complete without a visit to the landmark Shiroyama Kanko Hotel. Perched on a hill overlooking Kagoshima city and the mighty KAGOSHIMA NMt. Sakurajima, this hotel should be at the top of your list when considering places to stay in Kyushu.

When the striking hotel opened its doors five decades ago Japan was a very different SHIROYAMA country, yet the trademark hospitality and tradition of high-quality service Shiroyama is famed for still remain today. From April this year the hotel will reopen its Este-spa, and indoor and outdoor onsen, bringing the KANKO popular facilities right up to date. Standing 108 meters above sea level, Shiroyama Kanko Hotel, offers some of the finest views of the internationally renowned Kinko bay and its famous towering volcano, HOTEL and has become the benchmark by which all of Kagoshima’s hotels are measured.

MARCH 2012 www.tokyoweekender.com KAGOSHIMA PROMOTION 35

Large Western-style room. The 50 year old hotel has 11 restaurants.

The hotel has both indoor Local produce and seafood, and outdoor onsen. expertly prepared.

The plateau Shiroyama Kanko Hotel is cuisine to scores of hungry diners each day. The hotel’s microbrewery produces a great constructed on is the highest point in the city During lunch, the restaurant offers dishes selection of European-style beers including and is the same area of ground that was once from Korea, Thailand, Italy, India and tens Belgian white beers and a London ale, called home by the legendary ‘Last Samurai’ of other counties along side locally produced inspired in part by the areas long links to Takamori Saigo. Surrounded by woodlands Japanese dishes, fresh salads and fruit. For Britain. Next to the lobby a casual coffee and complete with fountains, gardens and dinner, Holt’s chefs go all out, with a total of lounge offers American style sandwiches and natural springs, a visit here is truly relaxing 80 dishes and unlimited drinks available for Japanese favorites, the perfect place to plan and conjures up visions of long gone Shogun- patrons. your day out in Kagoshima. era Japan. “Kagoshima’s 50 year For a business meeting, a family holiday or Shiroyama Kanko Hotel can cater for a romantic break, the scale and variety of everything from a family break to a high-end old landmark hotel Shiroyama Kanko Hotel offers something for wedding service, with 365 rooms to choose almost any budget. from there is something for every budget. is one of the most The most expensive rooms face the bay Traveling to Shiroyama Kanko Hotel is easy and volcano and can cost a premium but luxurious places to thanks to close proximity to Kagoshima for a memorable stay, the views are utterly airport and direct trains to Osaka and beyond spectacular and worth every penny. stay in Kyushu” via the recently completed high-speed Kyushu Shinkansen. Eleven restaurants are available in the hotel including the vast breakfast hall, which Exploring the hotel further and you will For more information please visit offers a huge selection of both Western and discover a dedicated sushi bar serving delicate Web: www.shiroyama-g.co.jp Japanese food, Weekender recommends the locally caught seafood, a Cantonese restaurant Call: 099-224-2211 European inspired Holt garden restaurant. serves gorgeous Chinese food and a Japanese Location: Shiroyama Kanko Hotel, Known locally for its extensive buffet ‘viking’, wa-shoku restaurant set in the handsome Kagoshima-ken, Kagoshima-shi, Shinshōin-chō Holt serves 50 kinds of globally inspired surroundings of a traditional garden. 890-8586.

www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2012 36 PROMOTION SHOCHU

into a product worthy of adoration. The century-old recipes are followed with the care and attention of a master craftsman and if you ever venture to the Kagoshima factory you may even catch a glimpse of the alcohol being stirred or the washi (Japanese paper) labels being applied by hand. It is this painstaking attention to detail that makes Sata Souji Shoten the leading producer of shochu in Japan.

Passengers of All Nippon Airways international flights may already be familiar with the company’s ‘Katana’ brand shochu (samurai sword), but the company’s mainstay brands; Kakutama, Seikoudoku and Bunise (pictured left) are also well worth investigating, with each having a distinct flavor and aroma, delicious on the rocks or with a mixer.

As well as shochu, the firstumeshu ‘plum sake’ to be exported from Japan came from Sata Souji Shoten, when two hundred cases Kakutama, Seikoudoku and Bunise. Three premium types of Satsuma shochu. were ordered from Los Angeles in 1958. If you have ever tasted shochu or umeshu outside of Japan, there is a good chance it can be traced back here.

Today, the company has branched out and produces plum and apricot wines, as well as newly added European style brandies and liqueurs made in stills imported from France, Germany and Italy. From a locally produced drink, to a globally exported brand, the brewers and distillers of Kagoshima can be proud in the knowledge that their handiwork is available to sip in bars and restaurants across the globe.

Sata Souji Shoten shochu is available from all quality liquor stores and fine hotels. For inquiries please contact: Sata Souji Shoten factory, 4910, Beppu Eicho, Minami Kyushu-shi, Kagoshima-ken, 891-0704. Tel: 0993-38-1121. http://www.satasouji-shouten.co.jp PROMOTION: SATSUMA’S PREMIer SHOCHU What is shochu? SATA SOUJI SHOTEN

he name Satsuma shochu is The traditional production methods of renowned across the world but the country’s favorite alcohol can be seen one distillery in the region can firsthand at the brewery’s flagship production claim a longer heritage than facility in Kagoshima. Here, lucky shochu all others; Sata Souji Shoten. enthusiasts can even take a factory tour and Shochu is Japan’s favorite alcoholic drink. ThisT shochu maker was crowned winner taste their favorite brew as they learn about Usually distilled from rice, sweet potatoes of the Kagoshima-ken, wine and shochu its creation. or barley. Shochu has an alcohol volume association award and is now a specially of around 25 percent, making it weaker than the likes of vodka and whiskey but protected brand by the WTO. The process for creating Kagoshima’s most stronger than grape-based wines and the famous export is a long laborious one, other Japanese favorite; nihon-shu (sake). This artisanal product has a heritage involving numerous painstaking steps along The most popular ways to drink shochu stretching back to Meiji-era Japan and is the way. The scientific process transforms are on the rocks, mixed with oolong tea enjoyed by millions of drinkers each year. local raw materials, (water, rice and potatoes), for ‘oolong-hi’ or fruit juice for a ‘sour’.

MARCH 2012 www.tokyoweekender.com KAGOSHIMA SPECIAL TRAVEL 37

One of Kagoshima’s most loved hotels; enjoy great food, hotsprings and even a hot-sand bath.

Enjoy large Western-style rooms.

IBUSUKI SEASIDE HOTEL SPECIAL ROOM RATES ON NEWLY REFURBISHED HOTEL busuki Seaside Hotel has been known cuisine. Special rates are available from for its hospitality and service since March 2012 for Tokyo Weekender readers: Many balconies feature outdoor baths. it opened in Kagoshima in 1960. The Rooms from ¥20,000 - ¥30,000 per person newly refurbished rooms have been including breakfast and dinner. Icompleted to the highest modern standards Quote ‘Weekender’ when you book. featuring large lounge areas and Western or Japanese type beds. Some suite rooms even To book please visit feature baths on the balcony, with views Web: www.ibusuki-seaside.co.jp/foreign/ across the enchanting ocean. The natural english.html volcanic sands of the area are put to good Call: 0993-23-3111 use in the form of the hotel’s hot-sand baths. Location: Ibusuki Seaside Hotel, Hamahata Ibusuki Seaside Hotel also features outdoor Ju-cho, Ibusuki-city Kagoshima, 891-0402 1912. onsen and a large Japanese restaurant serving only the finest locally-sourced

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www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2012 38 TRAVEL PROMOTION Tokyu Hotel: modern design, central location, impeccable service.

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deally located on the waters edge, this either a spectacular view of the mountains features only the finest seasonal ingredients bayside hotel offers spectacular views or the twinkling lights of the city and each for authentic Sushi, Tempura and traditional of the active volcano Mt. Sakurajima. is equipped with the latest modern comforts course (Kaiseki) meals. Yamabuki offers Facilities include a stunning wedding such as large beds with Tempur pillows, lovingly prepared Japanese cuisine at its tastiest Ichapel overlooking the ocean, European LCD TV, a work-desk and complimentary and guests can even request a private Japanese- style Hibiscus restaurant and Azalea lounge, high-speed Internet access. The hotel’s style dining room to make things extra-special. swimming pool and naturally fed external modern style restaurants also affords a great hot water baths. The Prefectural Office and view of the dramatic scenery. Guests are For more info popular Kamoike Port are just a five-minute recommended to try the seasonal breakfast Web: www.ishinhotels.com/kagoshima-tokyu/jp/ walk from the hotel, making this the ideal buffet, à la carte lunch and dinner menu, Call: 099-257-2411 base to explore Kagoshima. All rooms have or Japanese restaurant Yamabuki, which Location: 22-1, Kamoikeshinmachi, Kagoshima, 890-0064, Japan.

Kagoshima’s Favorite Candy Sometimes and Forever

SPECIAL plan from12,600 yen per person (including tax) 1 night with 2 meals

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MARCH 2012 www.tokyoweekender.com KAGOSHIMA SPECIAL TRAVEL 39

Kaiseki cuisine, ocean views and relaxing hot springs: heaven in Kagoshima.

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www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2012 40 FACES & PLACES PEOPLE, PARTIES, PLACES

From left to right: Entrepreneur Ernest M. Higa and his wife Aya, U.S. Ambassador John V. Roos, his wife Susan, Wendy’s Intl. President Darrell Van Ligten and his wife celebrate the relaunch of Wendy’s in Japan after a two year break. PEOPLE, PARTIES, PLACES Tokyo’s Longest Running Society Page, with Bill Hersey

s I mentioned in a recent column, some friends of mine who Media reports like the recent scare story of the ‘70 percent chance do a lot of walking convinced me that I should do the same. Tokyo will have a major earthquake in the next four years’ are really Well, they were right-on when they said I’d enjoy Tokyo hurting many businesses and I even know people who are so scared more if I did. In the last few months of short walks around they are leaving this great country. I’ve been hearing about ‘the big Aour city, I’ve discovered so many fun and funky fashion shops, some one’ since I first came to Japan over 40 years ago, so let’s be realistic, good inexpensive restaurants, interesting coffee shops and I’ve also there are natural and manmade disasters somewhere every day of met a lot of nice people I wouldn’t have had I been driving or on the the year. We haven’t got much control over this and it’s pretty much train. ‘whatever will be, will be’. We should, of course, be careful and be prepared but it’s important to do your thing, help others when you can, Tokyo, with its many parks, museums and variety of people is certainly and enjoy life! one of the most exciting and safest cities in the world to walk around and we really are lucky to live here. December, January and even February have all been super busy months for me and consequently I’m further behind on my column I recently strolled from Fox Studios above the big Quicksilver store on than I’d like to be, so gomen nasai, I will cover all I can in this issue, Meiji Dori to Omotesando to check out the many bargain sales going on include several recent events and, hopefully, will catch up soon. there but was surprised to see signs in a considerable number of big fashion stores announcing that once the sales were over they would be So many of our Arab friends celebrate their national days in November closing. I also noticed several restaurants I like and a few clubs I visit and December. I am sorry about this but I have had to bunch up a few from time to time have also closed down recently. highlights from each of their wonderful receptions.

Well, as the band Queen sings in one of their big hits, ‘another one Oman held their colorful well-attended celebration at the New Otani bites the dust’. All those empty buildings and for rent or sale signs one and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar held their huge, sees everywhere are proof the economy is not as good as we would joyful events at the Imperial Hotel. All featured amazing Arab- like it to be, yet even so, there’s construction going on across the city inspired decor with colorful tents, carpets and awesome ice carvings. and new malls, stores, restaurants and clubs are opening almost every The lavish bountiful buffets at each event featured a wide variety of day. I’m particularly looking forward to the grand opening of Shibuya’s Arab, Western and Japanese food favorites. I really enjoyed the 40th new Hikarie tower in April, it looks stunning! anniversary of the founding of the UAE and that special evening sure brought back wonderful memories of my visits there for both their One thing that never ends is the 24/7 road maintenance work. Not only 20th and 25th national day celebrations. Also at the 40th party was a does it help make Tokyo safe, it provides jobs for so many people. I’m huge replica of a fishery the UAE had kindly donated to the people of an optimist and a strong believer that Japan is a survivor and things Tohoku after the 3/11 disaster last year. will get better; watch this space.

MARCH 2012 www.tokyoweekender.com BILL HERSEY FACES & PLACES 41

The Higa’s three children Johnathan, Higa Industries Chairman/CEO Ernest M. Higa, Shun and Haruko Tokura. Christina and Jennifer. former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Wendy’s Intl. President Darrell Van Ligten. Wendy’s Returns to Japan

Hilton Tokyo GM Jamie Mead and Grace Saito. Mori bldg’s. Yoshio Karita, Mrs. and Mrs, Tomohiko Asaka, Mary Katayama and Monia Kasri (Tunisia). Grace Saito Fundraiser

Egyptian Doctor Nadia El Borai and Itsumi Sano (Sony pictures) and Grace. businesswoman Ann Sado. Guardian Angel Girls, Diane and Coco. Red Carpet Tokyo

A Game of Shadows star, Jude Law in Tokyo with Sony Pictures Exec’s Dick Sano and Masao Morita with director David Fincher Warner Brothers exec’ Bill Ireton and his wife Charo. and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo star, Rooney Mara. www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2012 42 FACES & PLACES PEOPLE, PARTIES, PLACES

Yutaka Banno, Member of the House of Representatives, Qatar Amb. Yousef Mohamed Bilal and Yukio Edano. Artist Takashi Murakami, Yukio Edano, Minister of Economy, Trade and Dewi Sukarno and Industry and Qatar Amb. Yousef Mohamed Bilal. actress Hattori Mako. Qatar National Day

Oman Ambassador Khalil Al-Muslahi and Qatar Amb. Yousef Mohamed Bilal meets Shinji political secretary Isao Iijima. Tarutoko, Acting Secretary-General of DPJ. Qatar Airways sales manager Eastern Oman National Day Japan, Ryosuke Takahashi and his crew.

Abeer Al-Mulshai and her children Aiham and Areej. Pakistan Ambassador Noor Jadmani, his wife Amnat, his daughter Nashreen, Jennie and Argentine minister Luis Arregui. UAE National Day

Ethihad Airways Juan Torres, UAE Amb. Saeed Al-Nowais and Tsukasa Shiga, Hisanaga and Takako Shimazu. Emirates Airlines Richard Engelmann.

Former P.M. Shinzo Abe and UAE embassy staff, El Fatih Mergane. UAE Amb. Saeed Al-Nowais and former P.M. Yasuo Fukuda. MARCH 2012 www.tokyoweekender.com BILL HERSEY FACES & PLACES 43

“We should of course be careful and be prepared, but it’s important to do your thing, help others, when you can and enjoy life!”

I was also very impressed with the country’s new emblem: seven men Wendy’s reopening by Higa Industries. in traditional dress all standing around a high-flying UAE flag, with I don’t know any family that knows more about the fast food business the new slogan ‘spirit of the union’ underneath. The huge ice carving than Ernie Higa and his sister Merle and I was really happy when I of this at the entrance to the party venue was a real work of art and heard they were bringing one of my favorite hamburger restaurants, I appreciated Ambassador Al Nowais giving me a beautiful scarf Wendy’s, back to Japan. The new restaurant (and I’m sure first of emblazoned with the logo and slogan, what a great souvenir! many) is now open in Omotesando, if you get a chance check out the filled baked potatoes. There was a large group of beautiful Japanese children (mostly girls) in traditional makeup and all wearing colorful kimono at the Bahrain Catching up with old friends 08 evening “We all belong to a dancing group,” as one outgoing ten year With so many things happening in Tokyo, breakfast meetings are the old, Yuko, told me. newest way to catch up with old friends and at one such meeting at the Hotel Seiyo I recently did just that with art dealer Norman Tolman The live music was provided by an Arab-Latino group called ‘Mi Tierra’ of the Tolman Collections. and an ensemble led by Yuji Tsunemi played traditional Arab music. There was a photo exhibition showing the resilience of the Japanese It seems that in order to see to the orderly running of his galleries in people after 3/11 and guests also had the opportunity to write a short Hong Kong, Singapore and New York, Norman, with his hardworking message and sign three big flags that were later sent to Tohoku along P.A. Shin Mochizuki seeing to all the details, has spent about half of with a gift of 100 soccer balls from the Bahrain embassy. his time “someplace else”. He said that he has spent so much time out of Japan that there are those who think he has left, though really he’s Qatari ambassador Yousef Bilal’s reception for the anniversary of full of plans and schedules beyond belief. the accession of the Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohamed Bin Thani, founder of the state of Qatar. Number one on his list is the publication and of a portfolio of prints The dancers at the Qatar event, decked out in national costumes and by eight artists offering one print each on the theme of ‘hope for the carrying swords were truly exciting. At the UAE event, students living future’. After last year’s many disasters this portfolio is to be released in Japan had also put on a lively show for their reception. All these at Art Fair Tokyo 2012, held at Yurakucho’s International Forum, (see parties were a kaleidoscope of color with the women wearing super Agenda at the back of this issue). chic, heavily embroidered, beaded and sequined long dresses. Door prizes included tickets to exotic destinations on Etihad, Emirates and At this major exhibition of Japanese art (with 160 exhibitors!!) Qatar airlines. the Tolman Collection will be at booth A09 and will feature the large, original paintings of Toko Shinoda, their star artist. Before Grace Saito’s 20th anniversary charity concert at Hilton Tokyo. that Norman will be off to see to the 2012 schedule of the Tolman Our sincerest congratulations to Grace Saito on the 20th anniversary Collection of Hong Kong and be back in time for the big Art Fair of her charity classic concerts. Grace, who does so much to help Tokyo. so many, works closely with the Rotary Club on many worthwhile projects. Proceeds of this concert went to helping the victims of 3/11 Outside of Japan, all the Tolman Collections are involved with the and to eradicate polio. The afternoon concert which was sold out, prospects for museums and university exhibitions trying to stem featured many highly acclaimed award winning tenors, the tide of only Chinese art representing Asia and putting mezzo-sopranos, guitarists, violinists and pianists and Japanese prints back on the map. It seems as if Norman was wonderful to experience. and his staff have as much to do out of Japan as they do here in Tokyo but he tells me that the Shiba Daimon gallery is still a popular place for art lovers. SPONSORED CONTENT

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ADVERTISE WITH WEEKENDER To reach Tokyo’s international community call: 03-6846-5615 SHOWING THIS MONTH SCREEN 47 War Horse is the third war-themed film by Steven Spielberg to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

MOVIE REVIEW: Spielberg’s latest is no ‘schindler’s list’ The film is based on a children’s book, written by Michael Morpurgo and a later stage version of the same name, which may explain the linear nature of the plot but this makes it a very different film from Spielberg’s two previous award-winning efforts, having none of the weight of those WAR HORSE earlier films. By Christopher O’Keeffe All does not go to plan however and the Scenes involving a horse-led charge on a ar Horse is Steven father is forced to sell the horse to the army German position and of British troops going Spielberg’s third as war is declared. ‘Joey’ then travels across over the trenches into machine-gun fire look major war film to be France, serving the British, French and good but they have none of the impact of, nominated for Best German armies along the way. say, Saving Private Ryan’s famous Normandy Picture at the Academy beach landing scene. WAwards, after ‘Saving Private Ryan’ (1999) The film opens in pre-war England with and ‘Schindler’s List’ (1994), but this time pictures of rolling countryside and quaint This film is ultimately the story of a boy and the setting has shifted from the World War rural life. These scenes, reminiscent of the his horse, not an insight into the men fighting II to World War I. Hobbit village in The Lord of the Rings, in the Great War. Seen on these terms, it is may look pretty but comes across as too successful, if overly sentimental, as the horse The two stars of the film are young farmer’s glossy and ends up being unbelievable. This is increasingly made to suffer before the boy Albert Narracott—played by Jeremy superficiality runs through the characters final and predictably emotional climax in Irvine—and his horse, which he names of the film too; people tend to be good no-man’s land. ‘Joey’. or bad, kind or cruel, demanding of our sympathy or our scorn. If you can suspend your belief in the The boy and his horse are introduced early implausible story and swallow the on and as Albert watches the animal grow, It’s this simplicity that undermines the film, relationship between the boy and his horse he tries his best to befriend it. Albert’s as the audience always know what they are this film is enjoyable, but it’s not up there drunken father, Ted (Peter Mullan) buys the supposed to feel in each scene, making it with Spielberg’s best. horse against the advice of his despairing too hard to truly believe in the characters mother (Emily Watson), and plunges the or situations. John Williams score also War Horse will be released nationwide on family into debt, unless the boy can train feels heavy-handed in its demand for the March 2. To see a trailer of this movie and Joey and plough the family farm. viewer’s emotions. many more check out tokyoweekender.com

ALSO SHOWING: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

ashing detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal side-kick Dr. Watson (Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law) return to the big screen, this time to face Professor Moriarty, an evil genius Dwho has hatched a diabolical plan to start a World War. Like the 2009 original, this movie is directed by Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels director Guy Ritchie, so expect lots of fast-paced action and snappy dialogue. A Game of Shadows seems clunkier than the original Sherlock Holmes movie and suffers from an overuse of slow-motion fighting, explosions and an overcomplicated plot, but it is still an enjoyable film, worth a watch if only for a night of escapism over a bucket of popcorn.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows will be released nationwide on March 10. To watch the trailer online visit: tokyoweekender.com www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2012 48 AGENDA MARCH 3/9 3/16

THE WOMBATS LIVE British ‘alt.pop’ band the Wombats met marilyn manson whilst studying at Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA). The If you need an introduction, Marilyn by, he hasn’t lost any of his dark, twisted Liverpudlian lads, Matthew Murphy, Dan Manson (Brian Hugh Warner) was once humor. His latest ‘Hey Cruel World’ tour Haggis and Norwegian-born Tord Øverland- the world’s most controversial musical act. has seen him play concerts in Australia Knudsen have come along way in the past He formed his stage name by combining and after Japan, Manson will play gigs in few years from playing the tiny basements the names of two 1960s American cultural Taiwan, the US, Russia and across Europe. of Northern England to touring the world. If icons (Marilyn Monroe and Charles This is an unmissable chance to see an icon the video for ‘Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves)’ is Manson) and has released nine albums and of popular culture and talented musician anything to go by, expect a crazy debauched starred in several films including David live in Japan. It goes without saying that his night when the band plays Shibuya’s Quattro Lynch’s brilliantly weird Lost Highway. shows probably won’t be suitable for children. later this month. His seemingly outrageous style and the controversy surrounding his lyrics have Tickets: ¥8,500 Open: 18:00 / Start 19:00 • Tickets: ¥5,000 only led to an increase in popularity. If his More info: www.marilynmanson.com More info: www.thewombats.co.uk latest album ‘Born Villain’ is anything to go Location: Studio Coast, Shin Kiba. Venue: Club Quattro, Shibuya. THE WEEKENDER’S GUIDE TO 3/24 AGENDA ESSENTIAL EVENTS THIS MONTH 3/30 3/31

art fair tokyo returns A punk START TO spring International AnimE FAIR Despite being delayed due to last year’s Join Sum 41, the Offspring and New Found Love or loathe anime, it means big business earthquake, Art Fair Tokyo was a huge success Glory at Chiba’s Makuhari Messe and Kobe’s in Japan and a huge pull for tourists. The in 2011, attracting record numbers of visitors. World Memorial Hall for the annual noise-fest 2012 International Anime Fair, held in the For 2012 expect artworks from a range of that is Punk Spring. What better way to say cavernous halls of Tokyo Big Sight is worth a genres and periods, including antiques, crafts, sayonara to the horribly cold winter months visit just to experience otaku in their native nihonga, modern art and the latest from the than with a beer in hand and some eardrum- habitat. Tickets are only ¥1,000 per day and contemporary art scene. Art Fair Tokyo has bursting punk rock! Tickets for Punk Spring be sure to take a camera as the hundreds of expanded for 2012 and will feature more than are always popular, so book your early if you cosplay enthusiasts will impress even long 160 participating galleries and cooperating want to see your favorite bands live in the time expats with their sheer dedication to partners from Japan and overseas. flesh. comic book and game characters.

Tickets: 1 day pass ¥2,000, 3 day pass ¥3,500 Tickets: ¥7,800 / ¥8,900 Tickets: ¥1,000 More info: www.artfairtokyo.com More info: www.punkspring.com/12 More info: www.tokyoanime.jp Venue: Tokyo International Forum, Yurakucho. Venue: Makuhari Messe, Chiba. Venue: Tokyo Big Sight, Odaiba.

MARCH 2012 www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH AGENDA 49 3/16 3/18 3/16 THROUGH THE EYES OF MAO-NEKO Mao Yamaguchi’s woodblock etchings have won numerous awards over the years in Europe, the US and Japan. In this, his first solo exhibition Mao will express his point view of Tokyo through the surreal ‘Mao-neko’—a cat that walks on two legs. “Mao-neko is not to be underestimated,” he says. “It expresses those feelings we all used to have, such as warmth, honesty, loneliness and madness through his wicked eyes.” Expect bright and colorful images, injected with a cynical, humorous twist in this quirky exhibition.

Entry: Free More info: www.hiromartgallery.com Venue: Hiromart, Waseda, Tokyo. St PATRICKS DAY PARADE 3/31 Omotesando will host the annual Saint Rugby Sevens tokyo DEBUT Patrick’s Parade on Saturday March 18 welcoming hundreds of Irish expats and Rugby Sevens have now been included in the Japanese as they march down Tokyo’s most Rio 2016 Olympic Games, learn more about famous shopping street. Afterwards enjoy the sport at its Tokyo Debut. “This tournament a drink at one of the numerous St Paddy’s is designed to serve as a core driver to themed parties taking place at pubs and promote and develop Rugby in Japan,” Said bars across the city. The event is always JRFU, President Yoshiro Mori “The JRFU is bright, colorful and family friendly, although determined to make the Tokyo Sevens a it is unclear how many locals are aware great success. I am sure that for all the rugby that Patrick was canonized for introducing fans of the world the Tokyo Sevens will be Christianity to Ireland—and not for promoting an exciting and spectacular event [with] the a certain black-colored beer. leading sevens teams of the world.”

Entry: Free Dates: March 31 - 12 April More info: www.irish-network-japan.com More info: www.jrfu.org Location: Omotesando. Location: Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo / TV Asahi. 3/24

www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2012 BACK IN THE DAY: MARCH 1982 Check out the night scene in Tokyo from 1982! View Weekender’s 42 year archive online. www.tokyoweekender.com/weekender-archives/