ENTERTAINMENT
BUSINESS
No plans for the weekend? Try our recommendations
Fear is the greatest obstacle to success
TRAVEL Step back in time to Edo Japan, right in the centre of modern day Tokyo FAMILY & EDUCATION What to do when your child is ill in Japan and getting medical attention
RESTAURANTS & DINING Les Saisons at Imperial Hotel Tokyo. A Legend in the Making.
ON THE COVER
Thierry Voisin, Chef
INSIGHT
Editor in Chief Chris Betros Art Direction/Design Thong Van Guest Contributors Maki Yasuda
Select Asset Management Account Managers Kieron Cashell Peter Lackner
Sales inquiries insight.sales@japantoday.com General inquiries insight@japantoday.com Publisher GPlusMedia Co., Ltd.
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INSIGHT: TRAVEL
MATSUDO. AN OLD POST TOWN WITH PLENTY OF HISTORY Historically a post town on the Mito Kaido, one of the major roads northbound out of Edo, Matsudo is now a bustling suburb of Tokyo. But its history remains, making it a fun place to spend a little time exploring any time of year. Particularly noteworthy are the Tojogaoka History Park and Matsudo Shrine, but if you’re visiting in August, time your visit to see the floating lanterns on the Sakagawa River.
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INSIGHT: TRAVEL
Tojogaoka History Park Situated on a hill overlooking the Edogawa River, this park is the site of the Tojo
House, the family home of Tokugawa Akitake, younger brother of the last
of the Tokugawa shoguns. The house was built as a country home and was
named for the local area. Akitake built this well-preserved home in 1884 in
traditional Japanese style. This in itself
is interesting, as many historic homes of
this period were built in the Western style. On week-ends, volunteer guides are
often available, some of whom speak
English. They are friendly, helpful and
very informative. The home features a
fire-proof storeroom, formal and informal receiving rooms and several sleeping
rooms. Which receiving room was used reflected the relative rank of the person being received. The formal receiving
rooms contain more opulent decorations and overlook an expansive western-
style lawn as well as the Edogawa. In the distance, on a clear day, Mt. Fuji
can also be seen. Regrettably, a highrise apartment building now under
construction on the Tokyo side of the river will soon block half of that view.
The bath room, with its Taisho-era tub on a stone floor, accessed by stepping down from a wooden-floored changing area, is a particularly interesting glimpse of what
it must have been like to live in the house.
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INSIGHT: TRAVEL Nestled in the woods at the back of
the house is a suite of rooms built for
Akitake’s mother in her dotage. While
many rooms of the house feature carved wooden transoms, the transoms in the “granny flat” boast butterflies and old
lady’s favorite flowers. Dominating the
carving and other decorations of the rest of the house are the hollyhock leaves of the Tokugawa family crest.
Although the kitchen and servants’
quarters are not open to the public, that section of the house is visible across an atrium from the passageway conncting
the genkan to the formal reception room. The servants’ quarters is the only part
of the house with two stories but, when
Matsudo Shrine On the other side of the train tracks from the foot of Tojogaoka Hill, and fronting on the Sakagawa River, is Matsudo Shrine, the
largest Shinto shrine in the Matsudo area. The shrine was built in 1626, deifying a third century Imperial prince who was believed to have once camped on this site. The main shrine building is about 150 years old and houses certain important historical relics.
Also on the shrine grounds are Akiba Shrine, several minor
shrine structures and the storehouses of the o-mikoshi portable shrines. The Akiba Shrine has its own festival on June 30 every year, while Matsudo Shrine itself celebrates its annual grand
festival (“reitaisai”) on October 18. Sitting between the Akiba
Shrine and the Matsudo Shrine is a massive tree encircled by a frame strung with wires. Used white paper fortunes are tied to these wires, and ema votive plaques are also hung from them.
the master was in residence, the servants
Every Shinto shrine has a temizusha water trough where one
the atrium, lest they inadvertently look
temizusha at Matsudo Shrine is regarded as particularly pure.
were required to close the shutters facing down on their superiors.
The house is open Tuesday through
Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and
may purify before worshipping. The water which flows into the The spigot is a stone dragon’s head, reflecting the tradition of
depicting the god of water as a dragon or snake. Drinking the
water, and even filling a few bottles to take away, is permitted.
admission is JPY150. When Monday is
Another feature of Matsudo Shrine is its position next to the
Monday and closed the following day.
approach the shrine from the Mito Kaido. A row of cherry trees
a public holiday, the house is open on Also in the park is the Tojo History Museum, a small museum with
displays about the Tokugawa family.
Unfortunately, there is little information available in English in the museum,
although some of the portraits, maps and old photographs are interesting
even without detailed explanations. The
museum is open on the same days as the house, although it does not open until
9:30 am. Admission to the museum is also JPY150; a combination admission ticket is available at a 20% discount.
Sakagawa River, which must be crossed by bridge in order to sits between the shrine and the river, affording fine cherry
blossom viewing in season. More importantly in the summer
months, however, is the river’s use for floating lanterns. This
centuries-old tradition of sending wishes to ancestors by floating lanterns down a river is still practiced here every summer. In
2012, the ceremony will take place from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm on the evenings of August 9 and 10. Additionally, white “chochin”
lanterns light up the river from near Matsudo Station to just past Matsudo Shrine from July 14 to August 10.
Getting there Matsudo is served by the JR Joban Line and the Shin-Keisei Line. If you’re travelling to Matsudo from Tokyo it is easiest to catch the Joban Line from Ueno or Nippori stations of the Yamanote Line or to connect from the Hibiya or Chiyoda subway lines at Kita-Senju station.
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INSIGHT: BUSINESS
FEAR IS THE GREATEST OBSTACLE TO SUCCESS
AUTHOR: SELECT ASSET MANAGEMENT
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In economic times such as these, some investors may be tempted to take the money and run or to make drastic changes to their portfolios. Since the year 2000, we’ve been experiencing a secular or long term, bear market, delivering low returns on investments. With the stock market seemingly dropping almost every day, it’s easy to allow fear to cloud the vision of our long term goals. Add that to the challenges facing our global economy, and some have almost reached panic level. So could there possibly be any reasons to stay in the market? Well, yes, in fact there are.
The stock market is not static. It does not continue on an eternal upswing and it will not plummet into oblivion. It is cyclical,
and has natural ebb and flow or in other words, constant fluctuations. The short
term fluctuations within long term trends
are called cyclical trends. Panicking when the market is down often leads investors to get out, and sometimes unwisely so.
Even now, at the tail end of this secular
bear market, a market trend characterized by a general decline in returns over a
period of up to 25 years, investors fail to remember what history has shown. This current cyclical bear market began in
2008, but before that we experienced a
near 7 year bull run following the 2 year down market in the wake of September,
11, 2001. Prior to that, we experienced
Risk and reward…
It’s not a loss…
Do a quick Google search of low risk, high
Watching the market prices drop can be
there aren’t many out there. Sure, other
portfolios and experience that sinking
return investments, and you’ll find that
than stocks, there are some investments
that can produce a decent rate of return. It is common knowledge, however,
that the higher returns are acquired by
increasing your risk. Why? Simply put,
if a low risk investment produced a high
return, everyone would want to invest in
it, right? This would, in turn, drive down the rate of return, just as a high risk,
low return investment would have the
opposite effect thus increasing returns.
Both have the effect of balancing out to
a level of return that the market feels is
1987. So, for investors with a medium to
Throughout history, there have been
remember, then, that the bull will return.
People were fearful. But history has
Long terms returns…
took a logical view toward these threats
Speaking of the long term, history
has also shown that there is no better
investment than one related to equities to produce the highest returns over
the long term. Sure, there are “safer” or less volatile investments. None of
them, however, have produced a 11%
rate of return, which has been the long term average for equities. Simply put, if you plan to use the money
invested in the near future then you
should use lower volatility solutions. However, if you are planning to use
feeling of defeat. But remember, it’s not a loss until you sell. When your
investments are down, you only realize
the loss if you actually sell. If you stay the course, you haven’t really lost anything,
and you still have the chance to recover. The bottom line is that there are
opportunities for solid returns in a bear market, it just takes a little more work, patience, diversification and proper management. Throwing in the towel
just might cost you a ride on the bull.
risk, low return. High risk, high return.
Economic threats are not a new phenomena…
long term time horizon, it’s important to
hard. Many of us frantically check our
comparable to the level of risk taken. Low
a cyclical bull market spanning nearly
the entire 1990’s following the crash of
INSIGHT: BUSINESS
Ebb and flow…
many threats to the global economy. also repeatedly proven that those who and stayed the course have been the ones to come out ahead. The Great
Depression, the Korean War, the OPEC
crisis, the dot com crisis, the Iraq War, the War on Terror, natural disasters,
political instability, you name it. Each has dealt a blow the world financial market, of course. But the market has always bounced back. Often
times, stronger than ever. Remember, the world has always had major
challenges and economic problems. Always. Past, present and future.
the money for long term goals/needs shouldn’t the “volatile assets classes” be considered as most appropriate?
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INSIGHT: FAMILIES AND EDUCATION
HIGH TEMPERATURES IN CHILDREN AND WHAT TO DO You are just about to go to bed and you notice your child is flushed in the face. You put your hand on their forehead and realize they have a high temperature. You check again with a thermometer which reveals a 38°+ temperature. Panic immediately begins to set in: What to do? We don’t speak Japanese? Should I take the child to the A+E? Should I give them medicine? Is Japanese medicine suitable for foreign kids? If this has not already happened to you
Fever occurs when the body’s internal
the body’s way of fighting the germs that
happen at some stage. The purpose of
above its normal level. This thermostat is
less comfortable place for them.
and your kids in Japan, the odds are it will this article is to shed a bit of light on why kids get high temperatures, what to do
when that happens and when and where to take them to the doctor in Japan.
As a general rule, a temperature of over 37.5 (99.5F) is a fever. Most people’s
found in the part of the brain called the
hypothalamus. The hypothalamus knows what temperature your body should be (usually less than 37°C) and will send
messages to your body to keep it that way.
body temperatures even change a little bit
Sometimes, though, the hypothalamus
a little lower in the morning and a little
temperature in response to an infection,
during the course of the day: It’s usually
higher in the evening and can fluctuate as kids run around, play and exercise.
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“thermostat” raises the body temperature
will “reset” the body to a higher
illness, or some other cause. Why?
Researchers believe turning up the heat is
cause infections and making the body a When your child shows signs of fever, here are a few things you should do.
1. Check the exact temperature with a thermometer. If it’s over 38°C, you should seek medical
advice. Call your GP first; if it’s after clinic hours, call the A+E. Most hospitals in
Japan have basic English speakers, but please speak slowly and clearly.
INSIGHT: FAMILIES AND EDUCATION
2. Check the body for any abnormal rashes or spots. If you find your child has a non-
blanching rash (a rash that doesn’t fade
when a glass is pressed firmly against the skin), this is a sign that your child has a
more serious illness and it is time to call an ambulance.
3. Make sure they are hydrated Perhaps they were sweating a lot and did not replenish their water supply. Make
You should also call your doctor if: • You have a young child, less than three months old, who runs any fever
• Your child cries and cries, without you being able to comfort them, and doesn’t wake up easily
• Your child has a temperature over 38ºC (101.3ºF) for more than three days
• Your child has just had an operation
• Your child doesn’t seem to be getting better
sure your kids are drinking fluids. If they
If your child experiences any of the
in the throat and swelling.
doctor.
are not drinking, check for sore redness
4. Make your child comfortable Your child only needs to wear underwear or a nappy, which will help the heat
escape from the body. Make sure their room is ventilated and cool, but not
draughty. Make sure they have plenty of rest and sleep.
When to call the doctor Look at your child and use common
sense. Do they look exhausted or ill? Are
they behaving differently? If the answer is yes, call the doctor.
following symptoms with a fever, call your • Stiff neck
• Affected by bright light • Hallucinations
• Red rash or blue or purple dots or patches
• Trouble breathing
• Cramps or leg pains
• Continued vomiting or diarrhoea • Continued tonsillitis
• Pain when urinating, or urinating more than usual
Japanese A+E I have had many experiences with
in the middle of the night. Most likely
you will see an intern at first and if they discover a more serious symptom, they will consult or bring a doctor to check
the child. Generally they will give you two medications: Some sort of Paracetamol
in either powder or liquid form, as well
as medicine to bring down a temperature exceeding 38.5.
Although it’s usually nearly almost the same experience and not a necessity for not-so-high temperatures, I find
particularly for first time or new parents’
peace of mind that having a professional look at their child is worth a few hours lack of sleep.
English is not necessarily spoken but all doctors have to study the names of diseases, viruses, symptoms and
medications in English, so if you can drop a lot of medical vernacular, the doctor should be able to understand. Some
hospitals such as Sanno, Jikei, Arisugawa
and the Red Cross have English-speaking staff available to help out also.
It is always a good idea to call the hospital before going.
Japanese A+E with our son, particularly 11
INSIGHT: RESTAURANT & DINING
Les Saisons at Imperial Hotel Tokyo. A Legend in the Making. AUTHOR: MAKI YASUDA
Les Saisons is the flagship French restaurant of the Imperial Hotel Tokyo, arguably the most prestigious hotel in Japan, founded in 1890 at the direction of the imperial palace. Brilliant chef Thierry Voisin took the helm of its kitchen in 2005, and has truly done the hotel proud. Having come to Les Saisons straight from
enjoyment of the dinner that I didn’t
starred mecca for gourmands in Reims, he
outstanding food that I can vividly recall
Boyer Les Crayeres, the multi-Michelin-
has brought with him the best of Europe and merged it with the dining culture of
Japan with finesse, earning him a place in the Michelin Tokyo book as well.
The same year that Voisin arrived, Les
Saisons underwent major refurbishment to assume its current lavish form.
Elegant and warm but noble and stately, it is a comfortable setting for groups of business executives, but works equally well for couples celebrating special occasions, or those just seeking to
splurge on fine dining. The service is
friendly and personal, as is the charming Voisin himself, who I had the pleasure of being greeted by.
Voisin’s cuisine occupies a magical space between classic and contemporary,
and every garnish and touch of sauce has a reason to be there. There is a
masterful continuity running through
the course, each course like a movement of a symphony that comes together as one great performance. I admit that I
so thoroughly immersed myself in the 12
take much notes, but such is the trait of each and every dish.
Starting off with an ample glass of
champagne, we were served a dainty
amuse-bouche consisting of a single mini ball of a croquette atop a silver spoon.
“Be careful of the filling of liquid cheese,” the server told us. Indeed, it was not just
some stretchy mozzarella he was referring to, but cheese with the consistency of
THIERRY VOISIN Chef, Les Saisons
soup that bursts in your mouth from the
Next came a welcoming simple grilled
The cold hors-d’ œuvre of asparagus
sauce that called for full use of the sauce
scrumptious morsel, like a xiaolongbao. mousse was refreshing with a glass of
beautiful crisp Sancerre. The following salad of queen crab with beets was
sophisticatedly arranged on a jet-black
plate - a genial nod to Japanese cuisine - and lovely with a glass of exemplary
Meursault. The pan-seared foie-gras was
Japanese sea perch with a light foam spoon. The meat main was chicken
stuffed with morels, a recipe that Voisin
inherited from Les Crayeres, paired with a Marsannay that was a prime example of a Bourgogne red that is young but delicious.
cooked to perfection, a good reminder
The climax of the dinner was the black
this stuff. The foie-gras was impressively
specialité from Les Crayeres, and one of
from France every week to ensure optimal
invented. This is usually not part of the
for me of why people insist on eating
truffle pie (see photo below), also a
fresh, and no wonder, as it is flown in
the most remarkable pastry creations ever
freshness.
course, but it is on Les Saisons’ à la carte
INSIGHT: RESTAURANT & DINING
as their “must have� dish. It consists of a
in caring for guests, that they do not want
that is encased in pie pastry, sitting on
whole black truffle topped with fois-gras the plate in a pool of dark truffle sauce.
It is an absolute joy to cut open the puffy
golden ball to reveal the dark inner riches and release its earthy aroma, and each bite is truly one to savor. (And savor it
one should, at a price of 24,000 yen. It is also possible to order a smaller version). Dessert was a treat for the eyes as well
as palate: perfectly resembling a pop-art
cherry, a delicate bright red candy bauble packed with light fluffy mousse studded
with liqueur-steeped cherries. The crunch of the outer shell with the cold cream was perfectly balanced.
Over petit-fours and tea at the end of the dinner, I chatted with executive
sommelier Minoru Wakui, who has been with the Imperial for close to 40 years. He showed me the wine list, which is
very thorough, and also unique in having selections from every part of the world.
He explained that such is the Imperial way
to offend anyone by not having a wine
Les Saisons
from their country.
Imperial Hotel Tokyo, Main Bldg
Wakui said that one of the best times
Address
season from late September to February,
ku, Tokyo 100-8558
to come to Les Saisons is during truffle when they have a special all-truffle
menu. The truffle pie during that time becomes an even more spectacular
experience, releasing a wonderful intense fragrance that fills the whole room. He
also recommended the salad with truffles, for which the truffles are hand-torn, not wimpy shavings. Truffle lovers, book
early, as many Tokyo gourmets already
have the Imperial truffles marked in their calendar.
1-1, Uchisaiwaicho 1-chome, ChiyodaTel +81 3 3539 8087 Hours Breakfast: 7am-10am
Lunch: 11:30am-2:30pm Dinner: 5:30pm-10pm Lunch: 6,800 yen ~
Dinner: 16,800 yen ~ (Tax inclusive)
*A 10% service charge will be added to your bill. Seats 94 (plus four private dining salons) URL www.imperialhotel.co.jp/e/tokyo/ restaurant/38
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INSIGHT: ENTERTAINMENT
ENTERTAINMENT HIGHLIGHTS
BEACH BOYS
Celebrating their 50th anniversary, the
iconic American legends play the Nippon Gaitsu Hall in Nagoya on the 19th. OPEN 16:00 / START 17:00 ¥9,000 (Seats S)
¥8,000 (Seats A) (Tax included)
‘ARAB EXPRESS’ THE LATEST ART FROM THE ARAB WORLD
Mori Art Museum, Roppongi hills, Tokyo Introducing the artworks by 34 artists from the Arabian Peninsula and
surrounding Arab countries, it is the first exhibition of its kind ever to be held in Japan. Runs until Oct 28th. Adult: ¥1,500
Students: ¥1,000
Child (4 years to junior highschool): ¥500 Abdulnasser Gharem “Siraat (The Path)” 2009 Mori Art Museum Photo: Kioku Keizo
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“TUTANKHAMUN AND THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE PHARAOHS” The exhibition houses 122 artifacts from Egyptian Museum of Cairo including
over 50 dazzling array of possessions
unearthed from Tutankhamun’s tomb. Runs from now until Dec 9th.
Adults: ¥2,700 (3,000 for weekend)
Students: ¥1,800 (3,100 on weekends) Child: ¥1,400 (1,700 weekends)
INSIGHT: ENTERTAINMENT
HARAIZAWA WATERFALL FIREWORKS DISPLAY (払沢の滝ふるさと夏まつり) August 18th (Fireworks start at 7:30) One of the smaller Tokyo fireworks festivals, faed for it’s local flavor
including Perfomances, food stalls and of
course firwroks- take place at the base of the picturesque Haraizawa waterfalls and mountains.
25 minutes by bus from JR Itsukaichi Musashi station
Official site (Japanese Only)
http://hinohara-kankou.jp/
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