Since 1970 FREE Vol.41 No.10 June 4th–June 17th, 2010 www.weekenderjapan.com Including Japan’s largest online classifieds Japan Aims for the Top Four World Cup 2010 French Fashion Made in Japan Rainy Day Fun with Kids Limited Edition World Cup Gear CONTENTS Volume 41 Number 10 June 4th–June 17th, 2010 4 Up My Street 9 6-9 Arts & Entertainment 10-11 Tokyo Tables 12-13 Fashion 14-15 Business 16-19 Feature: World Cup 2010 20-21 Weekender Bulletin Board 16 22-23 Real Estate 24-27 Parties, People & Places 28-29 Families 30-31 Products 32-33 Healthy & Responsible Living 32 34 Back in the Day PUBLISHER Ray Pedersen CONTRIBUTORS Kevin Jungnitsch, Deborah Im, J.K. Whelehan, EDITOR Kelly Wetherille Ian de Stains OBE, Sean Carroll, Katherine Whatley DESIGNER R. Paul Seymour WEB DEVELOPER Ricardo Costa EST. Corky Alexander and Susan Scully, 1970 MEDIA CONSULTANTS Alex Brooke, Mary Rudow, Pia von Waldau, Damiano Cannarile, Maria Arteaga OFFICE Weekender Magazine, 5th floor, Regency Shinsaka Building, RESEARCHERS Rene Angelo Pascua 8-5-8 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052 DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Stephen Young Tel. 03-6846-5615 Fax: 03-6846-5616 Email: [email protected] CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Owen Schaefer (Arts), Bill Hersey (Society), Stephen Parker (Products), Elisabeth Lambert (Health & Eco), Darrell Nelson (Sustainable Business) Opinions expressed by Weekender contributors are not necessarily www.weekenderjapan.com those of the publisher. 3 WEEKENDER Up My Street Situated in the area between Daimon, Shiba Koen, Onarimon, and Up My Street visits Akabanebashi stations, the neighborhood of Shiba Koen is an eclectic mix of offices, residential areas, and leisure space. Home to the municipal office of Minato-ku, the area is just a few blocks from the business district of Hamamatsucho, but has so much more than that to offer. The large park from which the neighborhood takes its name, as well as public sports fields, tennis courts and a swimming pool, make this a great destination for those looking by Kelly Wetherille for some outdoor action during the summer months. And wherever you go, you’re never too far from a fantastic view of Tokyo Tower. Tokyo Shiba Tofu-ya Ukai Shiba Park and Garb Pintino Zojoji Temple 4-4-13 Shiba Koen, Minato-ku 4-10-17 Shiba Koen, Minato-ku 3-5-4 Shiba Koen, Minato-ku Tel: 03-3436-1028 Tel: 03-3431-4359 Tel: 03-5472-1057 www.ukai.co.jp/shiba www.garb94.com/pintino Located at the foot of Tokyo Tower is this First opened in 1873, this is one of Japan’s Diners who sit in the glassed off terrace area traditional Japanese tofu restaurant. A oldest parks, and is one of central Tokyo’s of this café are treated to a view of Tokyo modest exterior gives way to a beautifully most peaceful. Much of what used to be Tower literally looming above them. Located simple and surprisingly spacious interior, the park is now technically included in the just across the street from the main entrance with various sizes of dining rooms that look grounds of Zojoji temple, but there are still of the tower, the restaurant is a big step up out upon impeccably manicured Japanese- plenty of shaded walkways and quiet benches from the fast food outlets that lure tourists style gardens. The homemade tofu dishes that are perfect for a solitary afternoon or a from within the tower’s base. The menu con- are obviously the speciality of Ukai, but the picnic lunch with colleagues. Located just sists of European fare made with fresh, qual- menu also includes other local dishes, such next to Tokyo Tower is a small section of the ity ingredients, and the staff are friendly (plus, as sashimi and charcoal-grilled beef. Lunch park that is home to tall maple trees and a some even speak English). Lunch starts at courses consisting of eight or more dishes trickling waterfall that are so soothing they’ll only ¥900 for a salad with roast chicken, soup are available for ¥5,500 to ¥6,500, and dinner make visitors nearly forget that they’re in the and bread, and main dinner dishes are avail- courses run from ¥8,400 to ¥12,600. center of one of the world’s largest cities. able from about ¥1,500. A ll p ho If you’re a soccer to s b fan, which team will y 2 & 3 K e you be supporting in l l y the World Cup? 1. Stephen, an IT specialist W e t from the UK: “I’m a bit of a soccer fan, h e r i l l and I’ll be supporting England, of course!” e 2. Elena, a tourist from Italy: “I’m not very Word interested in it, but if I were I would support Italy.” 1 on the 3. Ieva, a tourist from Australia: “If I were a soccer fan I would root for Australia, but my Street... husband will be supporting New Zealand.” / For more write-ups on Tokyo neighborhoods, go to 4 WEEKENDER www.weekenderjapan.com and click on Lifestyle, then Up My Street :// Slate Consulting K.K. specializes in the recruitment and placement of executives across a wide range of industries and regions. While our scope is broad, our application is detailed and personalized. We are meticulous in our efforts to ensure that clients and candidates receive the attention, care and professionalism they expect from a leader in the human capital field. Because of our reputation, we are able to recruit the best people to help your business grow. Minami Aoyama Office, 03-5785-4613 • Akasaka Office, 03-5414-2505 [email protected] / www.slateglobal.com Arts & Entertainment » Tokyo Happenings ©Disney Photo by Kevin Jungnitsch Photo by rhondaparman Photo Train Tokyo DisneySea Spring Carnival After a three-year hiatus, San Francisco’s Train has reunited and is Tokyo DisneySea theme park is currently holding its annual Spring returning to Japan. The Grammy award-winning rock band, known Carnival for the last time. This lively event is bound to make for an originally for their hit Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me) gained acclaim again enjoyable day outing for visitors of all ages, although it is ideally suited this year with the catchy top-ten hit Hey Soul-Sister, which has now for families with young children. Tinkerbell and her fairy friends become Train’s most successful single to date. Proving that they are perform their ‘primavera’ fairy dance twice a day, and guests to the still able to deliver great songs, band members are in the middle of park can participate by waving colorful handkerchiefs, creating what a world tour to promote their latest album, Save Me, San Francisco. looks like a sea of flowers. The park’s other attractions, rides, per- They’ll be in Tokyo for just one night before heading on to the Philip- formances, shops and restaurants are popular among not only fami- pines, so fans should be sure to book their tickets now. lies and children, but adults as well. June 16, 7pm Tickets: ¥6,000 Through June 30 Admission: ¥3,900–¥5,800 Nearest station: Shibuya Tel: 03-3462-6969 Nearest station: Maihama www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp Photo by ratamahatta Photo Photo by Lori Stoll Photo Yokohama Central Town Festival David Benoit Just days after Tokyo’s neighboring city celebrates the anniversary This renowned American Jazz pianist will be giving a performance at of its port with a large-scale fireworks presentation, Yokohama has the end of this month at the popular Cotton Club in Marunouchi. A tal- another set of big events in store. The city that offers a balance of ented musician and composer, his jazz fusion and contemporary jazz both new and old has a variety of promotional happenings during the shows never fail to amaze. Benoit boasts over three decades of experi- first weekend of June. These include an international flea market, ence recording and performing, and yet the freshness and creativity of shishimai (the Japanese version of a lion dance), other Chinese acts, his works make it seem as if he just started yesterday. Special guest Jeff plus much more. The events take place at various times and locations Kashiwa, a renowned saxophonist from Seattle, will accompany Benoit throughout the city, and are all free of charge. for this special concert. June 4–6, various times Admission: Free June 27–30, various times Tickets: ¥7,500–¥9,500 Nearest station: www.y151-200.com Nearest station: Tokyo www.cottonclubjapan.co.jp Motomachi-Chukagai 6 WEEKENDER Arts & Entertainment Image courtesy of the Hafu Project Image courtesy Hafu Project Fundraiser The filmmakers of an upcoming documentary on people of half Japanese ethnicity are getting together to celebrate Loving Day, the day interra- cial marriage was legalized in the U.S. At this fundraiser attendees will have the opportunity to meet the filmmakers, enjoy live performances by comedic duo Love Drive and belly dancer Nazihah, and most importantly, catch a sneak preview of the forthcoming feature-length documentary film Hafu. The film follows the lives of five people indulging on journeys of discovery into the intricacies of being mixed-race Japanese and their multicultural experience in modern day Japan. June 12, 6–9pm Admission: ¥3,000–¥4,000 Nearest station: Omotesando www.hafujapanese.org Photo by Michael Muñoz, courtesy of London Calling by Michael Muñoz, courtesy Photo London Calling Tokyo’s leading U.K. club event turns three years old this month. From La Fabrique to Warehouse 702 and now located at Trump Room in the heart of Shibuya, the club night has continued to bring cutting edge artists from Europe to mix it up with some of the hottest local talent that Tokyo has to offer.