FINDING NEO EDO HOLIDAY KITCHEN CHEER Unique Dining Our Guides for in Ginza Making Spirits Bright MUSIC MAINSTAY What the Dickens! Turns 20 SAEKO OPENS UP The Fashion Figure Talks About Fame, Motherhood, and Criticism ALSO: Japan’s Stance on the Syrian Refugee Crisis, Movies, Agenda, People, Parties, and Places,www.tokyoweekender.com and Much More... DECEMBER 2015 DECEMBER 2015 www.tokyoweekender.com DECEMBER 2015 CONTENTS 12 SAEKO The actress, model, and cover girl talks about life in—and out—of the limelight ©Samantha Tiara 10 19 photo by Kyoko Obayashi 20 SYRIAN REFUGEES WHAT THE DICKENS! NEO EDO KITCHEN Does Japan need to open its borders as The Ebisu hub of the expat music scene Three of Japan’s most celebrated tastes, all well as its coffers in response to this crisis? celebrates being old enough to drink in one unique new venue 6 The Guide 16 Seasonal Gift Guide 26 People, Parties, Places Sharp looks for the holiday season and the No need to be tense about presents: we’ve Check out the new look of Tokyo’s longest- keys to a sushi kingdom in Nishi-Azabu got a few ideas wrapped up for you running society column 8 Gallery Guide 18 Akita Arteform 30 Movies Yoko Ono returns for a retrospective and Artisan woodworking that brings a natural Only a few more weeks before we can an avant-garde jeweler shows his wares touch to your daily life return to that galaxy far, far away... 14 Holiday Activities 22 Raul 32 Agenda A few routes for you to follow on your way This multilevel entertainment space has a New Year’s parties, Japanese traditional through Tokyo’s winter wonderland little something for everyone celebrations, and Major Lazer’s big guns www.tokyoweekender.com DECEMBER 2015 THIS MONTH IN THE WEEKENDER the any of the grimness that December’s chill sometimes brings in tow. DECEMBER 2015 We’re not necessarily one to advocate retail therapy wholesale, but since this is the season of giving, it’s FINDING perfectly justifiable to splurge a bit on NEO EDO HOLIDAY the special people in your life. Have a Publisher BC Media Group KITCHEN CHEER look at our holiday gift guide and see Unique Dining Our Guides for in Ginza if it doesn’t give you a few bright ideas Making Spirits Bright Executive Producer Asi Rinestine for presents to put under the tree, in those stockings, or wherever you Editor Alec Jordan MUSIC Art Director Liam Ramshaw MAINSTAY might have space in your Tokyo-sized What the Dickens! Designer Tohko Kanzaki Turns 20 living spaces. Who knows: you might find something for yourself as you’re Account Executives Nobu (Nick) Nakazawa SAEKO checking your naughty-or-nice list. As well as thinking of those closest Media Consultants Mary Rudow OPENS UP Sophia Bai The Fashion Figure Talks About to our hearts, this is also a time to keep Fame, Motherhood, and Criticism Chris Zajko the less fortunate in mind, and in taking ALSO: Japan’s Stance on the Syrian Refugee Crisis, Movies, Agenda, People, Parties, and Places, and Much More... www.tokyoweekender.com DECEMBER 2015 a look at Japan’s current policy towards Marketing Yumi Idomoto the refugees fleeing the war-torn o that’s it: another year Society Bill Hersey nation of Syria, we’d like yourselves to (almost) done and dusted. ask the question: how much does our Seems almost yesterday Lead Writer Matthew Hernon S responsibility to our fellow humans that we were welcoming in compel us to act, and how best can we Editorial Associates Vivian Morelli a sprightly little lamb of 2015, who—in take up that responsibility? Luca Eandi a matter of mere months—has turned Kyle Mullin We hope that 2015 has brought into a grizzled, world-weary ram. Natalie Jacobsen you more good tidings than ill, and Despite the dropping temperatures on behalf of all of us here at the Film Christopher O’Keeffe and longer nights, Tokyo keeps us all Weekender, we wish you a very happy bustling enough to stay warm. We’ve IT Manager Nick Adams holiday season and a pleasant start to put together a collection of activities the new year. See you in 2016. that the city has on offer, both for folks in a Yuletide frame of mind and those who just might not be ready EST. Corky Alexander, 1970 to hear Wham’s “Last Christmas” for the umpteenth time. Between the Published monthly at the Regency Shinsaka illuminated parks and streets and Building, 5th floor tables set with hearty winter fare, there 8-5-8 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052 (03) 6666-4924 / (03) 6432-9229 (fax) should be something to help you dispel Editor [email protected] To subscribe to the Tokyo Weekender, please call (03) 6666-4924 or email: [email protected] For ad sales inquiries, please call (03) 6666-4924 or email: [email protected] 広告に関するお問い合わせ先 電話：(03)6666-4924 メール：[email protected] 担当：井戸本 WRITERS WANTED www.tokyoweekender.com Tokyo Weekender is looking for a few good writers. If Opinions expressed by Weekender contributors you’ve got a travel story you want to share, a gift for the are not necessarily those of the publisher written word, or have a unique take on life in Tokyo, we’d like to hear from you. To join our team of freelancers, please send us an email at [email protected] Published by BC Media Group www.bulbouscell.com December 2015 www.tokyoweekender.com the guide DOLCE & GABBANA SEQUINED MARY JANES Bring out the bling this holiday season—it may be the only time of the year when it’s accept- able to wear shoes entirely covered in sequins. They are obviously a creation of Italian duo Dolce & Gabbana, and the floral crystal embellishment on the toe takes it to the next level. The block heel is sturdy and the elastic strap is comfortable, making them the perfect pair of shoes to dance the night away. We recommend pairing them with an all-black outfit to keep things chic and glamorous. dolcegabbana.com CHLOÉ SHOULDER BAG MARCHESA NOTTE Bigger isn’t always better, as this piece goes to show. The shoulder TULLE DRESS bag is a mini version of Chloé’s December tends to bring a packed social popular Drew bag, and was freshly calendar, with end-of-the-year work celebra- released this season. It’s just big tions, holiday parties and last hurrahs of the enough for your lipstick, mobile year. If you like the idea of splurging on one phone and keys, and makes the ideal quality item you can wear to all those differ- holiday party companion. We love ent events, this dress is it. The layered balle- the gold clasp and chain, and you rina skirt is crafted with midnight blue tulle, can just throw it over your shoulder and the top is adorned with clear sequins or wear it cross-body style when and gold threads. We love the cinched waist, you’re busy mixing and mingling at knee-grazing length and cap sleeves—and your next event. While it comes in a the fact that it doesn’t require any additional handful of shades, this blush version accessories. is the most elegant and versatile. net-a-porter.com chloe.com KASUMICHO YANAGIZUSHI ree branches shield the quiet, clean white front of Yanagi- zushi, with no notable clues from the outside that hints at Tthe sushi kingdom inside. As you stooping low to enter the restaurant, you walk into a warm interior that welcomes all. The restaurant was transformed from an authentic Japanese residence, and preserves the atmosphere of traditional living today. Top chefs who have trained for 20 years at Edomae sushi restau- rants prepare dishes with fish delivered fresh from Tsukiji market daily, promptly slicing up delicacies. The classics, served along with unique seasonal flavors, might surprise even the most frequent sushi diners. A fairly priced 15-nigiri set is an ideal dish for starters at ¥7,500 Address: 2-24-8 Nishiazabu, Minato 106-0031, Tokyo Tel: 03-6712-5533 DECEMBER 2015 www.tokyoweekender.com ALEXANDER MCQUEEN POCKET SQUARE The late, iconic designer’s signa- Something for the weekend...A ture skulls will never go out of cocktail guide for the most style, and neither will his pocket squares. If you’re new to this discerning of drinkers whole look, this McQueen silk easons greetings one and all, and wel- square is the perfect piece to start come to the final instalment of the Mix- with: it’s stylish, slick, and under- ologist Guide for 2015. It seems like just stated, and discreetly punk rock. yesterday we were eagerly busting out It’s patterned with pin dots and Sour shakers and mixing our first cocktails of the mini skulls, and subtly combines Spring. Since then it’s all been a bit of a blur of black and grey. Add this accessory shakers, strainers, and hard liquor mixed to per- to a well-cut suit for after work fection. It’s hard to believe that we’re drawing cocktails, or give one as a gift to a into the end of another year. fashionable man in your life. This month we shall be seeing out the year alexandermcqueen.com in style and wetting our whistles with a seasonal classic, the Brandy Alexander. The Alexander is my personal “go-to” cocktail for the Christmas/ New Year party season, mainly because it com- bines many of the very best festive flavours, and secondly the generous serving of dairy is great for lining the stomach and protecting you from the excesses of the party season.