Metropolis #1026 Nov 22-Dec 5, 2013

Japan’s Nº1 English Magazine www.metropolis.co.jp

MUSIC SEBADOH SAYS DEFEND YOURSELF

#1026 Nov 22~Dec 5, 2013

FREE!

LOCAL FLAVORS SECRETS AND STORIES OF IVAN RAMEN

SPIN CITY REASONS TO RIDE IN TOKYO

SPORTS A CLOSE FINISH FOR J.LEAGUE SOCCER

THE LAST WORD TOKYOITES KEEP COOL AND CARRY ON

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Dermatologist

www.akaiclinic.com

Make your beauty wishes come true with the best in technology and high quality products s Co

SURGICAL TREATMENTS

Akai Clinic Skincare in Yokohama.

The Yokohama clinic offers specialized treatment in the areas of acne, acne scars, and sun damage.Treatments are done after careful counseling, so if you are unsure about treatments, please visit our clinic for a consultation.

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NON-SURGICAL TREATMENTS

• EYELID SURGERY rejuvenation of upper and lower eye lid, tear trough, double eyelid surgery, blepharoptosis, etc.

• NOSE SURGERY tip plasty, hump resection, deviated nose, ala reduction, augmentation or reduction rhinoplasty.

• BREAST SURGERY augmentation, lift, reduction, reconstruction.

• LIPOSUCTION with laser, ultra sonic assisted suction device.

• LASER-LIPO minimal invasive facial and body contouring device with AccuSculpt™ (1444nm laser).

• FACE LIFT forehead, brow, mid-face, neck lift, thread’s lift.

• TISSUE ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES for facial rejuvenation, breast augmentation, AGA (PRFM, fat & stem cell injection, growth factor.

• SKIN TUMORS skin cancer, cyst, mole, wart, scar revision.

• GENITAL REJUVENATION SURGERY: tightening of the vagina, reduction of labia minor and augmentation of the labia major.

• HAIR TRANSPLANTATION SURGERY

New location opening!

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DR. HIDEMI AKAI is a board-certified plastic surgeon and an associate professor of the department of plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery at Tokyo’s Showa University. Dr. Akai trained at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital before amassing over twenty-five years of experience.

DR. KEIKO AKAI is also a board-certified plastic surgeon, and a dermatologist.

The Akai Medical Clinic offers a range of cosmetic-surgery procedures, laser treatments and skin care, using state-of-the-art equipment and the latest techniques.

• LASER & REJUVENATION Lasers, RFs, IPLs, Plasma, Ultra Sound for wrinkle, sagging, drooping, open pores, rosacea, skin complexion, pigmentation, melisma with SOLARI, Aurora-Pro, INFINI, eCO2, Affirm, EndyMed, Portrait Plasma, SPECTRA, AccuSculpt, etc.

• BOTOX & FILLERS: Allergan’s BOTOX, Juvederm, Radiesse etc.

• ACNE & ACNE SCARS Plasma, Fractional lasers (eCO2, Affirm), INFINI (fractional RF), iClear (photo dynamic therapy), Microdermabrasion, Chemical Peeling.

• LASER HAIR REMOVAL All kinds of lasers available: Alex and Long Pulsed YAG, Diode laser, etc.

• TATTOO REMOVAL with Spectra (Q-YAG laser) for any color of tattoo.

• CELLULITE, BODY CONTOURING & STRETCH MARKS cVela Smooth and EndyMed body (FDA Approved).

• LEG VEIN, BROKEN CAPILLARY Long Pulsed YAG or VenoCare.

CAMPAIGN PRICES VALID BY DEC 31 • Fat & stem cell injection for face, breast, buttocks ¥200,000 ~ • Growth factor injection for facial rejuvenation ¥10,000 ~ At Akai clinic, we only use products and technologies • 50% off for hair removal or tattoo removal

Quality of Akai Clinic

approved by the FDA. We are committed to offering the best treatment to our customers, with the latest technology and top class products for patients who want to receive the highest quality treatment.

TESTIMONIALS

I had surgery to remove a large mole on my face. I was nervous until the surgery started, but once it started I felt the experience and skill of Dr. Akai and was able to remain confident about the surgery the entire time. There are many beauty clinics in Tokyo, but I was fortunate to have come to Akai Clinic and receive a great treatment from an experienced doctor with the highest quality skills.

—FEMALE, 33 YEARS, OFFICE WORKER

Omotesando

Yokohama

Tel: 03-5771-4114 Email: amc@akaiclinic.com Clinic hours: 11AM~8PM (Mon~Sun)

Tel: 045-620-5745 Email: amc-skincare@akaiclinic.com Clinic hours: 11AM~7PM (Tue~Fri) & 10AM~5PM (Sat & Hol)

KNK Bldg 3F 3-5-17, Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo.

1-min walk from Omotesando stn, A3 exit.

Quadrifoglio 4F 5-14 Kinkocho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama.

1-min walk from Yokohama stn, North East exit.

Other cosmetic procedures available. For fees and detailed information services, please refer to our homepage.

We welcome email and phone inquiries.

www.akaiclinic.com

INSIDE #1026 NOV 22-DEC 5, 2013

Metropolis Members Club Register for prizes & discounts www.metropolis.co.jp/club

THIS WEEK’S WINNER!

Nov 29, Fri 7-11pm Free entry

Scot Gibson

¥500 drinks available

won a a ¥10,000 gift voucher Courtesy of adidas

Photo of the week

JIVE TURKEY!

Submit your snaps at http://metropolis.co.jp/ photo.

@ Gold Café

06 FEATURE

For more info: metropolis.co.jp/events

ROADS SCHOLAR

Gold Café, EX Keyakizaka Bldg. R 1F, 5-10-25 Roppongi

By Byron Kidd 03 THE SMALL PRINT 05 UPFRONT 10 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 12 AGENDA & LISTINGS 18 MOVIES 20 DINING OUT 23 CLASSIFIEDS & JOBS 29 HOROSCOPE 30 THE LAST WORD

FOLLOW US ON:

metropolismagazine @metropolistokyo Samurai photographer at Osaka Castle, by Charles Levie.

#metropolistokyo

Insta

COVER DESIGN: KOHJI SHIIKI

The Small Print

By Steve Trautlein

THIS BILL REVERSES THE PRINCIPLE THAT “ PUBLIC INFORMATION

BELONGS TO THE PUBLIC. WE CANNOT ACCEPT IT”

—Kenta Yamada, a representative of the Japan P.E.N. Club, on the proposed “secrets protection bill” being debated in the Diet

processed meat injected with fat. ćć Researchers at the World Economic Forum ranked Japan 105th out of 136 countries in terms of gender equality. That’s the worst result among industrialized nations. ćć According to a newspaper survey, 65 percent of Japanese people “have not used a library at all in the past year.” ćć Headline of the Week: “Guppies, Tilapias Cause Headache in Hokkaido” (via The Japan News) CHRISTI ROCHIN

YEAH, GOOD LUCK WITH THAT

LOSERS ćć Officials at upscale department store chain Takashimaya admitted that they sold food made from ingredients other than those listed on the menu, including “steak” that was, in fact,

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328,000

Number of Japanese people who visited New York City in 2012—a record high—according to marketing firm NYC & Co

WALK ON THE MILD SIDE ćć Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata said he was “very glad” that ISS crewmembers took a spacewalk with the Olympic torch ahead of this winter’s Sochi Olympics. ćć Archaeologists in Gunma studying the bones of a man from the Kofun period (ca 3rd-7th century AD) discovered what may be the oldest helmet ever used in Japan. ćć Officials at the justice ministry are mulling a plan to ease the visa rules for foreigners who want “to train at restaurants serving traditional Japanese cuisine.” ćć More than 20,000 technology enthusiasts crowded Tokyo Big Sight to get a glimpse selfdriving cars and other neat stuff at the 2013 ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) World Congress.

AND FINALLY… CHRISTI ROCHIN

ćć Si x housew ives around t he countr y were arrested for posting obscene videos of themselves on a pay-per-view website. One of the gals said she did it to make money “to help cover the costs of living and raising kids.” ćć The education ministry has asked elementary schools to start offering English lessons in the third grade—two years earlier than usual—so that “students [can] enjoy communicating in the language.” ćć A research team led by a professor at the National Institute of Informatics is trying to develop a robot that can pass the entrance exam at Tokyo University. ćć The TMG’s goal of “bringing delicious, mineral water-style water to every household”—their words, not ours—came closer to reality with the opening of a purification plant in Misato, Saitama.

tofu makers in Japan has dropped from 14,016 in 2003 to just 9,059 today.

MOVING ON ćć Japan Coast Guard personnel in Mie replaced the incandescent bulbs in the country’s oldest lighthouse with LEDs and reflectors. ćć Former baseball commissioner Yasuchika Negoro, who is credited with taking steps to minimize the influence of yakuza groups in the game, died in Tokyo at age 81. ćć A sports-promotion NGO led by pro-wrestlerturned-politician Antonio Inoki will open an office in Pyongyang to help develop athletic ties between Japan and North Korea. ćć According to the labor ministry, the number of

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¥1.01 quadrillion

Japanese government debt as of October 1, according to the finance ministry

ćć The Tokyo High Court ruled against a group of ten Koreans who had asked that the names of their deceased relatives be removed from the list of people enshrined at Yasukuni Jinja. ćć Meanwhile, the Osaka District Court ruled in favor of three South Koreans who were seeking compensation for medical expenses related to the Hiroshima atomic bombing—the first time ever that people living outside of Japan have been offered such redress. ćć Noted actor Ken Takakura (The Yellow Handkerchief, Poppoya) was one of five recipients of this year’s Order of Culture award, presented by the Emperor himself. ćć Court officials in Tokyo said they’ll screen 400 potential lay judges for the January trial of a former high-ranking member of the Aum Shinrikyo cult. For normal trials, only about 60 potential jurors are screened.

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¥50 million

Estimated earnings of career burglar Takashi Kido, who was arrested last month for breaking into a home in Kawasaki, according to police

COMPILED FROM REPORTS BY AP, JAPAN TODAY, THE JAPAN TIMES, JIJI, THE TOKYO REPORTER, THE MAINICHI, THE JAPAN NEWS, AFP, REUTERS AND KYODO

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mind your head

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plush travel

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emember the travelling gnome prank from the movie Amelie? Now anyone in the world can send their favorite cuddly toy on a similar adventure around Japan, thanks to Unagi Travel, perhaps the world’s only travel agency for stuffed animals. Sign up for one of the four available tours ($35-95) and wish bon voyage to your little explorer (up to 250 grams) before sending them on by post. The Tokyo Tour ($45) will take your friend to five top sightseeing spots around the capital, all documented on Facebook, before the flight back home (via airmail) with a CD of photos. You can also send your teddy to a hot spring, Kyoto or a mystery tour of surprise location. Tour groups are limited to ten spaces so proper care can be given to each traveller. In addition to being good, silly fun, the tours offer a way to learn about Japan without the cost of actual travel. Such is the case with students from low-income families in New Mexico whose class mascot is getting a sponsored tour this season. http://unagi-travel.net

COURTESY OF TOKYO SUPERSTAR AWARDS

gala

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hot list

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nce autumn officially arrives, some Tokyo commuter trains are heated to sweat-inducing levels. We tracked down aircon policies for the major train lines.

JR: JR has no set guidelines on what date to turn on the heat, so a judgement call is made based on temperature and weather conditions. Cars are heated to 23 C in winter. In summer the mildly cooled cars are set for 27 C and the rest are at 25 C. Odakyu: New carriages have automatic settings to heat cars to 20 C. At suburban stations, only three out of four doors in each car are opened to avoid letting the heat out.

Keikyu: Conductors make the decision to turn on the heat, set for 18 C based on the outdoor temperature and how crowded the train is.

Tokyo Metro: The conductor gets to set the thermostat to maintain good air quality in the train based on crowd conditions and the temperature.

buds

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here is no end to headphone options for audiophiles in Japan and global brand Sol Republic has entered the crowded playing field as part of their boldly stated mission of “ridding the world of hollow sounding headphones.” The high end models were designed with music creators in mind—electronic musician Steve Aoki is a convert—but the technology was then filtered all the way down to entry level options. All models have built-in mics and three-button device control, making them compatible with newer Apple devices as well as Android and Windows phones.

The Tracks (¥9,800) and Tracks HD (¥13,800) on-ear models can be customized with interchangeable headbands and replacement cables so the set does not have to be thrown out should it develop a short over time.

The Amps (¥6,800) and Amps HD (¥9,800) in-ear models bring deep bass and clarity to your smartphone and feature wide, flat cables that resist tangling. Available at Amazon.jp and major electronic retailers.

COURTESY OF SOL REPUBLIC

he Tokyo Superstar Awards were launched in 2010 to “honor those who act as bridges between LGBT society and society at large, embracing their differences.” Recognition is given to individuals, corporations, media and community programs that have had a positive impact on LGBT culture in Japan. Past corporate awards have gone to Google and IBM for supporting diversity and marriage equality and overseas superstars include President Obama and Lady Gaga who sparked dialogue on gay rights in the country. This year’s ceremony will be held December 7 at Billboard Live Tokyo. Pre-sale tickets for the gala have already sold out, but additional fourth floor seats will go on sale for ¥8,000 on November 22. http://www.tokyo superstarawards.com

lthough most will acknowledge that bike helmets can potentially save lives, not everyone wants to look like Steve Carell in The 40-YearOld Virgin. Now it's possible to avoid both major head trauma and looking geeky with stylish helmets available in Japan through Inter Press Inc. (http://ipistyle. com). Brain buckets from Danish brand Yakkay have a hard inner shield that passes US and European safety standards and are covered with an interchangeable fabric outer layer in a number of styles ranging from conservative check to hipster patterns (pictured; ¥12,390-13,440). If a Japanese-made lid doesn’t fit your noggin, medium and large sizes are available. Ladies might prefer the fashionable ones from Sawako Furuno (¥13,440-14,490), a London-based Japanese designer.

The Japan-inspired designs include sakura and hanabi motifs with feminine models in pink and mint green also available. For more on cycling and the city see our feature, pp 06-08.

© JOÃO MASCARENHAS

manga

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omic book writer João Mascarenhas is best known for his Sad Boy character inspired by London punk, which became a hit in his home country of Portugal. He now turns his gaze toward Japan with Butterfly Chronicles, a science fictionmanga dealing with what it means to be a human living among robots. The central character, Hanako, is a researcher who makes a groundbreaking discovery with the potential to change humankind. Mascarenhas plans to release 10 chapters separately as e-books in Portugese, English and Japanese versions. If the series attracts a solid reader base, he will put out a full, 200-page paper edition. To celebrate the launch of the series, the first chapter is being offered for free in all three languages as PDFs and files for Kindle and comic reader apps. www.qualalbatroz.pt/en/hanako

#1026 • WWW.METROPOLIS.CO.JP • 05

Feature

ROADS SCHOLAR Getting the best out of two wheels in Tokyo

By Byron Kidd COURTESY OF HALF FAST CYCLISTS

I

n a recent independent survey Tokyo was ranked as the 10th most cycling friendly city in the world. The only other Asian city to make the list is Nagoya. In fact, urban mobility expert Mikael Colville-Andersen, CEO of Copenhagenize Design Co. the creators of the Copenhagenize Index of Bicycle Friendly Cities, goes even further and ranks Japan as the third great cycling nation behind Denmark and the Netherlands. And rightly so: Tokyo is among the largest and most populated cities in the world, but most residential neighborhoods have their own unique small town feel. In terms of services, Japanese neighborhoods are self contained with residents having to cycle no more than five minutes to reach supermarkets, kindergartens, schools and doctors—in fact most necessities for everyday living are just a short ride away. Without the need to travel excessive distances for the basics of daily life, a bicycle makes perfect sense. So much sense, in fact, that 14 percent of trips made in Tokyo each day are by bicycle, compared to just 2 percent for London and 3 percent for San Francisco.

UP THE GARDEN PATH

Many of Tokyo’s better parks lend cycles

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hen it comes to cyclists numbers and everyday bicycle usage Tokyo is leading the world, but let’s not forget that Tokyo offers some great escapes for the recreational cyclist. The Palace Cycling Course is a 3km, car-free loop on Uchibori-dori open to cyclists 10am-3pm on Sundays (weather permitting). The route is one of the few places in all of the country where it is legal to ride a tandem on the street and is popular with couples and families. Bicycles can be borrowed for free from the reception area near Nijubashimae stn, exit 2. 03-6409-6923 www.jbpi.or.jp/pc1.php Showa Memorial Park in Tachikawa has more than14km of paths winding through its

RIVER RUNS

Largely closed to vehicles—Tokyo river paths are the perfect escape from busy city life

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he Kandagawa R iver ends nea r Inokashira Park, a family-friendly destination for trips starting near Takaido station or, for a longer ride, Nakano-Fujimicho station.

The Zenpukuji River branches off from the Kandagawa near Nakano-Fujimicho station then makes its way up toward Ogikubo station. It is a refreshing route through parklands dotted with

06 • WWW.METROPOLIS.CO.JP

163 hectares. Bicycles can be rented for three hours for ¥400 (¥250 for children). Nearest stn: Tachikawa. www.showakinenpark.go.jp/ english The Sug ina mi Chi ldren’s Tra f f ic Pa rk teaches young riders the rules of the road with a practice course complete with traffic lights, road signs and railway crossings. Bicycles and pedal go karts are provided on site. 1-22-13 NishiNarita, Suginami-ku. 03-3315-4564. Nearest

stn. Hamadayama or Minami-Asagaya. http:// meturl.com/kidstraffic Yoyogi Park Cycling Center in the northwest corner of the park rents bikes for adults (¥200 first hour/¥100 additional hour) and kids (¥100 first hour/¥50 additional hour) and they even have tandems (¥200 for first lap/¥100 for additional laps). The bikes can only be used on the designated cycling path, but that is more than ample.

03-3465-6855.

ponds and playgrounds.

The Arakawa River on the border of between Tokyo and Saitama offers a wide, well maintained, car-free, often windy cycling road starting near Kasairinkaikoen station near Tok yo Bay and ending near Kumagaya station in Saitama. The riverbank is dotted with sports fields which has led to accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians. The planned speed limit has been dropped, but be careful.

The Tamagawa River on the southern border of the city has a path is narrower, less maintained and more crowded than the Arakawa path, making it is less suited to high speeds. Starting near

Haneda Airport and extending to the mountains of western Tokyo, it offers long-distance cycling without ever leaving the city.

The Tamako Cycling Road starting near Tanashi station and heading due west to Tamako and Sayamako on the edge of Saitama makes for a wonderful day ride.

EVERY TIME I SEE AN ADULT ON A BICYCLE, I NO LONGER DESPAIR FOR THE FUTURE OF THE HUMAN RACE.” —H.G. Wells

14

PEDAL POWER Why Tokyo is the perfect city for cycling

km

Distance of average bike ride in the capital, suggesting people pedal to everyday errands

Tokyo’s ranking in the 2013 Copenhagenize Index of Bicycle Friendly Cities.

Percent of everyday trips taken by bicycle in Tokyo.

Source: Tokyo Statistical Yearbook, 2009

23% Walk

12%

Private transport

48% Rail

3%

Bus 1. Amsterdam 2. Copenhagen 3. Utrecht 4. Tie: Seville, Bordeaux 5. Tie: Nantes, Antwerp 6. Eindhoven 7. Malmo 8. Berlin 9. Dublin

10 112

Saitama

Shinjuku Hachioji

#1

Combined length of bike paths in Tokyo (which the government plans to double by 2020).

Chiba

Tokyo

Shinagawa

Machida

#2

km

Shibuya

Kanagawa

#3

Japan’s ranks number 3 after the Netherlands and Denmark on the list of greatest cycling nations, according to urban mobility expert Mikael Colville-Andersen.

BICYCLE BLUES Cycling in Japan isn’t always a downhill glide

9

Tokyo Bay

million

Estimated number of bicycles in Tokyo

72.5 million

Estimated number of bicycles in Japan

740,000

Number of bikes removed in Tokyo for illegal parking in 2009.

310,000 Number of those those that were disposed of.

965

Number of people injured or killed in bicycle accidents around the country.

2002

10

Source: National Police Agency

th

The day each month when police crack down on cycling infractions (moved to the previous Friday if the 10th falls on a weekend).

6,267

Number of bike-related casualties, a 649% increase in 10 years

2012

13.5 Billion Estimated yearly cost of removing and storing illegally parked bikes in Tokyo.

36

Percent of traffic accidents in 2010 that involved bicycles.

4,000

Number of riders issued warnings in the first three months after such crackdowns started in 2010.

30

Percent of bicycle users covered by accident insurance

#1026 • WWW.METROPOLIS.CO.JP • 07

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Ergononomic and postural assessments Gait assessments Rehabilitation programs

Address: B1 CMA3 Bldg, 3-1-35 Moto Azabu, Minato-ku • Nearest stn: Roppongi Hours: Open Mon-Sat 6:30am-9:30pm, closed Sun • Tel: 03-6434-9667

Feature COURTESY OF HALF FAST CYCLISTS

WEEKEND RIDES

Leaving Tokyo opens up unlimited destinations

N

ikko and even the Japanese Alps are destinations far afield of Tokyo that can be reached by express trains with bikes full covered in bags.

Sado Island in the Sea of Japan can easily be reached and circumnavigated in a single weekend.

Izu Oshima island south of Tokyo offers a rather unconventional overnight trip. Take the overnight ferry operated by Tokai Kisen (www.tokaikisen.co.jp) that arrives before dawn. Cycling clockwise from the ferry terminal, it is possible to circle the entire island before lunch. More energetic cyclists can take the steep climb to the crater of the active volcano for wonderful views before a speedy descent to catch the ferry back to Tokyo.

Serious roadies are spoiled for choice

O

gouchi Dam on Lake Okutama is a sharp climb up from Oume station and offers scenic views and casual rides before a pleasant ride back down, enjoyable any time of year.

Uenohara and Otsuki offer mountain paths out of Tokyo into Yamanashi Prefecture, where they can take trains back home. Since the paths leading up Mount Takao are now closed to bicycles, these are choice destinations for cyclists looking for longer, more challenging rides.

A bike bag will allow you to take your wheels on the train for scenic, challenging day trips around the Miura and Izu peninsulas or Hakone, which offers beautiful views of Mt Fuji and is a riot of color in both the autumn and spring. And with a bag getting home is as easy as finding the closest train station at the end of the day.

GROUPS • Half Fast Cycling is an international group organizing rides in and around Tokyo. http://halffastcycling.com • Night Pedal Cruising is a Japanese group that does monthly themed night rides. https://w w w.facebook. com/pedalcruising • Pedal Day Festivities in Tokyo are organized by the same group. http://pedallife.com

IN PRINT • Touring Mapple guides available in bookstores are mainly aimed at motorcyclists but are useful for long distance cyclists. Although printed in Japanese, they have useful maps and terrain information.

• Cycle Press is an English bi-monthly magazine on trends, marketing and new products. They also sell guidebooks to cycle shops across Japan. http://cyclepress.co.jp/en

DO YOU RIDE A BICYCLE? 1. I commute to work/school 2323 responses 2. I used to ride quite often....................................................1749 3. I don’t really ride much recently................................ 1473 4. When I go shopping...............................................................1471 5. I don’t own a bicycle.............................................................1020 6. I never ride bikes........................................................................601 7. I ride to my local train station.......................................... 478 8. I take my kids to and from school................................350 9. I like cycling....................................................................................176 10. If you mean motorbikes, I ride often....................... 131

DO YOU WEAR A HELMET WHEN RIDING? 1. No............................................................................. 7693 responses 2. I did when I was a student . ...........................................2738 3. If I have one with me, I wear it......................................... 180 4. When commuting to school/work.............................. 135 5. If I’m cycling fast........................................................................ 131 6. Every day.........................................................................................127 7. I plan to… later....................................................................................74 8. When touring ................................................................................. 65 9. If I plan on going far away.......................................................19

WHAT DO YOU THINK POLICE ENFORCING THE BAN ON RIDING ON SIDEWALKS? 1.We need bicycle-only lanes................ 4890 responses 2. Accidents with cars might increase.......................3809 3. Cyclist etiquette is bad so it’s necessary.............. 2517 4. It must be done .......................................................................1294 5. Then you would have to watch out for cars.......1114 6. It’s OK if it's not more difficult to ride......................... 733 7. I wonder if it will really be effective............................389 8. I’ve been hit, so I’m for a crackdown......................... 333 9. I don’t really know....................................................................188 10. I’ve bumped into pedestrians..........................................19 Source: http://ranking.goo.ne.jp

BIKE SHARE

ONLINE

• Bicycle Safe offers information on common bicycle accidents and how to avoid them, but readers in Japan will have to adjust for left-hand traffic. www.bicyclesafe.com • Folding Biker Japan offers useful trips, tips, links and resources for folding bike enthusiasts. http://foldingbikerjapan. blogspot.jp • Japan Cycling Navigator is a bilingual online magazine offering adv ice on buy ing and renting bikes, camping and long trips. www.japancycling.org/v2 • Positivo Espresso is a blog with postings on routes around Kanto and other useful resources. http://positivo-espresso.blogspot.jp • Rent a Bike offers extensive English info on rentals throughout Tokyo. http://rentabike.jp • Ride with GPS has over one million user-sourced bike routes around the world, with Tokyo and Japan getting their fair share. http://ridewithgps.com • Tokyo By Bike by Byron Kidd offers articles on trends, laws and bike customization. http://www.tokyobybike. com • Tokyo Cycling Club offers an English-language forum at http://www.tokyocycle.com/bbs/portal

JEFF W. RICHARDS

COURTESY OF HALF FAST CYCLISTS

SPOKES AND FOLKS

Resources for metropolitan cyclists

COURTESY OF HALF FAST CYCLISTS

HEAD TO THE HILLS

JAPANESE CYCLISTS' THOUGHTS

I

f you live in Yokohama, take advantage of bike sharing service Bay Bike, which maintains over 300 red bikes at 15 stations across the city from Yokohama to Ishikawacho stations—which means you can pedal throughout Minato Mirai, Bashamichi, Kannai, Chinatown, Yamashita Koen and Motomachi. Sign up online with a credit card or head to one of their offices where you will be furnished with a Bay Bike touch card. Use it to unlock an available bike at one of the stations and away you go. Drop the cycle off at any other Bay Bike station.

One month subscriptions cost ¥1,050 allowing you to pick up a bike and use it at no extra charge for 60 minutes. Each additional half-hour is ¥105. Day use costs ¥425 and a ¥1,575 premium monthly membership allows you to reserve a bike 30 minutes ahead of time. http://docomo-cycle.jp/yokohama #1026 • WWW.METROPOLIS.CO.JP • 09

Arts & Entertainment ALL THE BEST IN ARTS & CULTURE ACROSS THE METROPOLIS sports

SOCCER ROUNDUP

Japan’s footballers race to the season’s big finish

By Dan Orlowitz

music

W

ith three rounds remaining in the 2013 J.League season, the top five teams in the standings are far too close for comfort.

Ardija sink from new highs to the usual lows At the halfway point of the season it was Omiya Ardija, the tiny club that could, who sat on top of the leaderboard. Why are they now in 13th place? A combination of key injuries and locker room malaise combined to create a perfect storm of failure, resulting in the Saitama side losing 15 out of their last 16 games.

A coaching change and the arrival of Australia captain Lucas Neill did little to stem the bleeding and Ardija look to finish exactly where they have in all of their other J1 seasons.

Who wants to win it?

That’s the question everyone’s asking after 31 rounds, with just six points separating the top five clubs. With a lineup composed of 30-something veterans such as defenders Yuji ‘Bomberhead’ Nakazawa, Dutra and evergreen striker Marquinhos, Yokohama F. Marinos have made a significant push to their first title since 2004.

Despite retaining the lead they stumbled to a loss before the international break without captain Shunsuke Nakamura, who is recovering from a gallbladder infection that could see him miss the rest of the season.

The Marinos’ woes have allowed Urawa Reds and defending champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima to catch up, with Kashima Antlers and Cerezo Osaka not far behind.

In the league’s 20th season it is all too appropriate that one of its founding members will be declared winners more than likely on the final day of the campaign.

The fall and rise of Nelsinho Baptista After a solid unbeaten run in July and August, long-time Kashiwa Reysol manager Nelsinho had a surprising statement for the few press who stuck around after the team’s 3-1 loss at Kashima Antlers: he was resigning, with immediate effect. The unexpected announcement sent shockwaves across the league—until the Brazilian was eventually convinced to return to his post.

Despite the non-resignation story and Reysol’s mediocre league form, it has not been a completely disappointing year for the 2011 champions: the small Chiba outfit reached the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League, a feat not accomplished by a Japanese club since 2009. Though they would fall to eventual 10 • WWW.METROPOLIS.CO.JP

SEBADOH

The indie rock warhorse’s new Defend Yourself

By Dan Grunebaum

W

ith long-serving US indie-rock outfit Sebadoh, what you see— and hear—is what you get.

“I always write from a very direct place,” offers frontman Lou Barlow from his home in Los Angeles, “which is good, but bad in some ways, because classic songwriting is about putting yourself in characters. With Sebadoh I write in a way that literally documents what’s going on in my life.”

Early Sebadoh songs famously took up Barlow’s expulsion by leader J. Mascis from Massachusetts band Dinosaur Jr. On their new album, Defend Yourself, the confessional atmosphere is even more personal and painful. “In the last year I left my wife,” Barlow says simply.

“We’d been married for 17 years and together for 25 years. I left her during the recording of the record. So that informed a few of the songs.”

Where Barlow played the foil to Mascis in Dinosaur Jr., with Sebadoh, it’s all Barlow and co-leader Eric Gaffney. The pair formed the band in 1986, later filling out the lineup with drummer Jason Loewenstein.

Barlow and Gaffney’s songs have a less choked atmosphere than Mascis’s, but they remain quintessentially indie rock in flavor.

Barely tuneful vocals are mumbled under grinding guitars—the ability to emote, rather than play a solo or pen a clever song, is the goal.

After releasing a few of lo-fi indie rock’s more inf luential albums (Weed Forestin’, Bakesale) in the late ’80s and ’90s, Sebadoh (a

champions Guangzhou Evergrande, there was still a trophy in store as Reysol defeated Urawa Reds to capture the Yamazaki Nabisco Cup on November 2.

It was Nelsinho’s fifth domestic title at Reysol in four years following the 2010 J2 title, 2011 J1 championship, 2012 Supercup and 2012 Emperor’s Cup. Next year they’ll have a chance to win their first international trophy when they face the Copa Sudamerica winners in the Suruga Bank Championship.

nonsense word coined by Barlow) went quiescent for a while. Barlow mended fences with Mascis for the 2005 Dinosaur Jr. reunion, and Gaffney had his solo project.

But Barlow and Gaffney went out on tour together again in 2007, even visiting Japan a few years later for a gig at O-West in Shibuya. The groundwork was set for their first recording in 14 years.

“We just finally found some time to do a new album,” Barlow explains. “We’ve had some really great tours, but it wasn’t realistic for the touring band to record for various reasons. Then Bob [current drummer Bob D’Amico] joined Sebadoh in 2010, and that went really well. So we made some definite plans. Jason and Bob flew out to LA and we got together in my practice space and recorded.”

The three tracked Defend Yourself without a producer, and the results are loose and lo-fi—yet surprisingly energetic for a bunch of middle-aged guys. “The last record we did in a studio and there was a lot of pressure and money involved,” Barlow relates. “What we learned was, if we were going to make another record and have a good time doing it, we wouldn’t get involved in any of that.”

At this stage in life, Barlow is unconcerned about staking out any new musical ground. “So much of what is considered modern music is actually regurgitated,” he believes. “I don’t think rock has progressed in any real way for a very long time—I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I’m just saying the most natural thing is to just write some songs and play them, and not make a conscious

Jubilost at sea The relegations of FC Tokyo and Gamba Osaka to the J2 in recent years have shown that nobody is safe in the J.League, and this year that’s true of three-time league winners Jubilo Iwata. The Shizuoka side simply never got it together despite the mid-season hiring of London Olympic coach Takashi Sekizuka and the last-ditch signing of defender Michihiro Yasuda. With Jubilo’s relegation, confirmed in round

art

THE KANO SCHOOL IN EDO

Japan’s first family of art at the Idemitsu

By C.B. Liddell

IDEMITSU MUSEUM OF ART

Papa Birds and Monkeys by Kano Naonobu, 17th century.

COURTESY OF HOSTESS

effort to evolve in any way or make anything timely.”

The name for the album came after the realization that three songs had the word “defend” in them. “A lot of our songwriting has been about understanding other people, but at some point you have to consider your own emotional wellbeing,” Barlow affirms. “Rather than always understand someone else, I had to go, ‘Well this is how I feel.’

There’s a double meaning: literally ‘defend yourself,’ but also to send the message to someone else that I’m not taking care of you any longer. It’s harsh, but it’s my life and I only have one of them.”

Showing archetypal indie rock lack of selfesteem, Barlow is sanguine that few people will actually relate the lyrics to events in his own life.

“I’ve always felt my life doesn’t really matter that much and that no one is listening when I expose something,” he says. “I feel really anonymous when I do it. Even in my personal life, when I write for people, rarely do they see themselves in the songs. I take the view that the more honest I am in writing about myself, people will take that and apply it in their own lives.”

This goes for Barlow’s own experience of music.

“When I hear a classic, great, incredibly personal song, I am not thinking literally about the musician who wrote it—I’m applying it to myself,” he says. “And I write my own songs with the naïve hope that other people are doing the same thing.”

Hostess Weekender@Yebisu Garden Hall, Nov 30-Dec 1 (Sebadoh play Nov 30). See concert listings (popular) for details.

31, there are just four teams left (Marinos, Antlers, Nagoya Grampus and Shimizu S-Pulse) who have never played in the second division.

A southeast move for the J.League While the newly announced two-stage season format that is scheduled to begin in 2015 has few fans, initiatives by the league to introduce Southeast Asian players to Japan have been slightly more successful.

I

n the history of Japanese art, no family plays a bigger role than the Kano family and the school of art that bears their name.

Founded by Masanobu Kano (1434-1530), who became the official painter of the Muromachi feudal government, the school spanned four centuries and monopolized most of the top patronage in Japan during that period. Like any successful family business, they also set up the occasional branch office, most notably in Edo, when it became the capital of the country in the early 17th century.

T h i s med iu m-si z ed ex h ibit ion at t he Idemitsu Museum of Art focuses on the work produced by this Edo branch, with a range of works that include paintings on hanging scrolls and folding screens, as well as sketchbooks, ceramics, and other works.

The Kano School painters were essentially kan-ga (Chinese painting) style painters, who looked to the Chinese ink painters of the Song, Yuan, and Ming periods as their models. This means that many of their early works, like the impressive folding screen Birds and Flowers of the Four Seasons (16th century) by Masanobu Kano are actually monochrome, a fascinating fact when you consider how integral color usually is in the depiction of nature.

The first part of the show focuses on the daring innovations of Kano Tan’yu (1602-1674), who left large empty spaces on his screen paintings, which gave his images a kind of floating quality. One of the attractions of these works would have been the large exposed areas of fresh, clear paper, but now, after several hundreds of years, the paper has discolored and looks rather drab.

Luckily, this was not the direction that the

The arrival of Vietnam captain Le Cong Vinh at second-division Consadole Sapporo has brought a wave of interest from media and advertisers in the region. Successful trials this fall by Indonesia’s Andik Vermansyah at Ventforet Kofu and Thailand’s Chanthip Songkrasin at Shimizu S-Pulse have also turned heads.

A lthough plans have not been finalized , reports have surfaced that in 2014 J.League clubs

Kano School headed in. Keen to maintain their dominance of the art market, and to suit the increasingly garish tastes of the new Edo aristocracy, they went in for more decorative works, most notably applying gold leaf to the folding screens before painting on them.

This created a surface on which the paint— freed from the over-absorbent qualities of the paper—became more dynamic and expressive.

This encouraged artists to make more adventurous brush strokes, such as those depicting the trees in Kano Naonobu’s Papa Birds and Monkeys (17th century).

But gold-leaf covered panels did not just change the feel of the brush and provide a decorative background that aged well. In the hands of a skilful artist it could also be used to create interesting contrast and tonal effects that could shine through the paint.

A perfect example is on display in Kano Tsunenobu’s Waves and Waterfowls (17th-18th century), which shows rocks surrounded by spiraling waves. In some parts of the rock the gold is only thinly painted over, allowing it to partially shine through creating varied light and texture that energizes the rocks.

Exquisite works like this hardly seem the product of mere human labor. Instead they seem to have sprung into being fully formed by some miracle of creation. But another interesting point of the exhibition is that it includes studies, practice sketches and painting plans, revealing just how much homework lay behind some of these images. That may have been the real gold.

Idemitsu Museum of Art, until Dec 15. See exhibition listings for details.

(including those of the newly founded J3) will be allowed one extra roster spot for SEA players from countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia. With J1 broadcasts across the region having begun this year, the league’s strategy to expand into a prime developing market may set the tone for the next 20 years.

J.League soccer, various venues. See sports listings for details. #1026 • WWW.METROPOLIS.CO.JP • 11

Agenda Listings

Submit your event at metropolis.co.jp/listings/submit

CONCERT

fusion. Dec 7, 6pm, ¥3,500 (adv) +1. Club Quattro. Nearest stn: Shibuya. Tel: 03-3477-8750. www.creativeman.co.jp

Artism Festa

Underground and goth-rock.

Dec 7-8, 3:30pm, ¥3,000 (adv)/ ¥3,500 (door) +1d. Live Inn Rosa. Tel: 03-5956-3463. www. artism.jp

Crossfaith

Drums & Voices Pan-Asianism gets a new boost in musical form when masters from six Southeast Asian countries join Japanese maestros in a concert to celebrate ties between ASEAN nations and Japan. A cast of 12 has been touring Asia with a program that grew out of a workshop conducted under the leadership of musical director Michiru Oshima, a composer for Godzilla scores among others. With the goal of forging something new from the musical traditions of each nation, the group includes Vietnamese dulcimer master Mai Lien, Cambodian dancer and drummer Channa and Burmese percussionist Bo Thu Rain along with several other virtuosos of local folk traditions.

Dec 18, 7pm, ¥5,000. Bunkamura Orchard Hall. Nearest stn: Shibuya. Tel: 03-3477-9999. http://drums-and-voices.jp/en

Concerts POPULAR Atoms for Peace

Thom Yorke, Flea and company. Nov 22, 7pm, ¥9,000-10,000 (adv) +1d.

Studio Coast. Nearest stn: Shin-Kiba. Tel: 03-34996669. www.creativeman. co.jp

Loud and Metal Mania

Finnish metal heavyweights Battle Beast and Whispered.

Nov 22, 7pm, ¥5,800 (adv) +1d. Unit. Nearest stn: Daikanyama. www. creativeman.co.jp

Hokuo Music Night

A selection of the best bands from the Nordic countries.

Nov 22, 7:30pm, ¥5,800 (adv) +1d. Duo Music Exchange.

Nearest stn: Shibuya. www. creativeman.co.jp

Sheena and The Rokkets New wave from the late 1970s. Nov 23, 7pm, ¥3,800 (adv)/ ¥4,500 +1d.

SuperDeluxe. Nearest stn: Roppongi. Tel: 03-54120515. www.super-deluxe. com/room/3497

Animax Musix

Two days of anime music.

Nov 23-24, 2pm, ¥8,500 (adv). Yokohama Arena.

Nearest stn: Shin-Yokohama.

Tel: 0570-02-9999. www. red-hot.ne.jp

Charisma.com

Electro-pop female rap duo. Nov 24, 6pm, ¥2,800 (adv) +1d. WWW. Nearest stn: Shibuya. Tel: 050-55330888. official-charisma.com

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Blues, neo-psychedelia and garage rock. Nov 25, 7:30pm, ¥6,300 (adv) +1d.

Liquidroom. Nearest stn: Ebisu. Tel: 03-3499-6669.

Rain

K-pop heartthrob and daring dancer. Nov 25-28, 7pm, ¥9,500 (adv) +1. Zepp Tokyo.

Nearest stn: Aomi. www.udo. co.jp/Artists/Rain

Namie Amuro

Okinawa pop queen. Nov 26-27, 6:30pm; Dec 7, 6pm; Dec 8, 5pm, ¥8,500 (adv). Yoyogi National Gymnasium. Nearest stn: Meiji-Jingumae. http:// kyodotokyo.com

Totalfat

Tokyo punk rock. Nov 27, 7pm, ¥3,500 +1d.

Shibuya-AX. Nearest stn: Harajuku. Tel: 03-3499-6669. www.totalfat.net

12 • WWW.METROPOLIS.CO.JP

Leo Ieiri

Up-and-coming J-pop singersongwriter. Nov 28, 7pm, ¥4,800 (adv). Zepp Diver City.

Nearest stn: Daiba. www. jvcmusic.co.jp/leo-ieiri

The Cardigans

Swedish pop giants. Nov 28, 7pm, ¥7,500-8,500 (adv) +1d.

Shibuya-AX. Nearest stn: Harajuku. Tel: 03-3499-6669. www.creativeman.co.jp

Hennessy Artistry

Bill Laswell, Nils Petter Molvaer and others. Nov 29, 8pm, ¥3,500 (adv)/ ¥4,000 (door).

XEX Nihonbashi. Nearest stn: Mitsukoshi-mae. Tel: 03-35480065. http://hennessy-artistry. jp/upcomingevents

Ryo Carnival

Post-hardcore rockers 9mm Parabellum Bullet and others.

Nov 30, 4:30pm, ¥3,150 (adv) +1d. Shibuya-AX. Nearest stn: Harajuku. Tel: 050-5533-0888. www.shibuya-ax.com

Yokohama Otomatsuri

A wide range of performances of various styles hosted at venues across Yokohama.

Until Nov 30. various times, various prices,Yokohama city. http://yokooto.jp/

Hostess Club Weekender

Sebadoh, Deerhunter, Neutral Milk Hotel and others. Nov 30, 2pm; Dec 1, 1pm, ¥7,000 (1 day, adv)/ ¥13,900 (2 days, adv) +1d.

Yebisu Garden Hall. Nearest stn: Ebisu. portal.tickebo.jp/pc/en

Bon Jovi

Up-and-coming Osakan industrial metallers. Dec 8, 6pm, ¥3,500 (adv) +1d.

O-East. Nearest stn: Shibuya.

Tel: 03-3499-6669. www. creativeman.co.jp

Country Yard

Punk rock band with After Tonight, Northern 19 and others. Dec 8, 1pm, ¥2,800 (adv) +1d. Yokohama Bay Hall. Nearest stn: MotomachiChukagai. Tel: 045-624-3900. www.smash-jpn.com

Elvis Costello & The Imposters

Angry, emotional and energetic ensemble. Dec 11 & 13-14, 7:30pm, ¥8,000 (adv) +1d. Ex Theater Roppongi.

Nearest stn: Roppongi or Nogizaka. Tel: 03-3444-6751. www.ex-theater.com

Arashi

J-pop idol quintet. Dec 12-15, 6pm, ¥8,500 (adv). Tokyo Dome. Nearest stn: Suidobashi.

Tel: 0180-993-773. www. johnnys-net.jp

Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas

Electro-metalcore. Kobe kids tear up the dance floor, eardrums and more. Dec 13, 7pm, ¥3,500 (adv) +1d. Zepp Diver City. Nearest stn: Daiba.

Tel: 03-3499-6669. www. lasvegas-jp.com

The Birthday

Garage and punk rock. Dec 13, 7pm, ¥4,500 (adv) +1d. Club Quattro. Nearest stn: Shibuya.

Tel: 03-3477-8750. www. smash-jpn.com

CSS

New rave rock from Brazil. Dec 14, 7pm, ¥6,000 (adv) +1d. Ex Theater Roppongi. Nearest stn: Roppongi or Nogizaka. www. smash-jpn.com

The Watanabes

Indie pop rockers' video release party and full 2 hour show. Dec 14, 8pm, free. What the Dickens. Nearest stn: Ebisu.

Tel: 03-3780-2099. www. thewatanabes.com

Bradio

Groovy masters of funk. Dec 15, 7pm, ¥2,000 (adv)/ ¥2,500 (door) +1d. ACB Hall. Nearest stn: Shinjuku. Tel: 03-32050901. www.bradio-web.com

'80s rock icon who'll be there for you. Dec 4, 7pm, ¥9,00012,000 (adv). Tokyo Dome.

Nearest stn: Suidobashi. Tel: 03-5800-9999. http//l-tike.com

Organic Groove

Dragon Ash

New Peace

Lagitagida Tutela

Big Bang

Japanese rap-rock. Dec 4, 7:30pm, ¥4,980 (adv) +1d. Ex Theater Roppongi. Nearest stn: Roppongi or Nogizaka. www. ex-theater.com Progressive rock with Mop of Head and others. Dec 4, 7pm, ¥2,800 (adv)/ ¥3,300 (door) +1d. WWW. Nearest stn: Shibuya. http://lagitagida.jp

Zebrahead

Punk pop from the OC. Dec 4, 7pm, ¥6,500 (adv) +1d.

Shibuya-AX. Nearest stn: Harajuku. www.creativeman. co.jp

Roach

Okinawan melodic hardcore band. Dec 5, 7pm, ¥3,000 (adv)/ ¥3,500 (door) +1d. O-West.

Nearest stn: Shibuya. eplus.jp

Geki Rock X The Bonez

Rock, hip-hop and electro-

Antibalas, Albatrus and others.

Dec 15, 5pm, ¥6,500 (adv) +1d.

Unit. Nearest stn: Daikanyama. www.organicgroove.net/party Husking Bee, Asparagus and more. Dec 17, 7:15pm, ¥3,000 (adv) +1d. Fever. Nearest stn: Shindaita. Tel: 03-3444-6751. www.smash-jpn.com K-pop heartthrobs. Dec 19-20, 6pm; Dec 21, 4pm, ¥9,500 (adv). Tokyo Dome. Nearest stn: Suidobashi. Tel: 050-55330888. www.diskgarage.com

Kemuri

Recently reunited funlovin' punkrockers. Dec 20, 7pm, ¥4,000-4,500 (adv) +1d. Zepp Diver City. Nearest stn: Daiba.

Tel: 03-3444-6751. www. smash-jpn.com

Babymetal

Teeny bop trio that fuses idol music with metal. Dec 21, 4pm, ¥5,800 (adv). Makuhari Messe.

Nearest stn: Kaihin-Makuhari.

Tel: 0570-084-003. www. red-hot.ne.jp/sp/babymetal

Shonen Knife

All-female pop-punk veterans.

Dec 21, 6pm, ¥3,000 (adv) +1d.

Fever. Nearest stn: Shindaita.

Tel: 03-3444-6751. www. smash-jpn.com

Harajuku Performance and Dommune 2013

Open Reel Ensemble, The Otogibanashi's and others.

Dec 21, 7pm; Dec 22, 6pm, ¥3,500 (adv)/ ¥4,000 (door).

Laforet Museum. Nearest stn: Meiji-Jingumae. www.dommune.com/ harajuku2013

Hikashu Christmas Daisakusen

GO TO WWW.METURL.COM/LISTINGS GO TO WWW.METURL.COM/L ¥8,400. Blue Note. Nearest stn: Omotesando. www.bluenote. co.jp

Chucho Valdes & The Afro-Cuban Jazz Messengers

Feeling Latin jazz. Nov 27-29, 7 & 9:30pm, ¥8,400. Blue Note.

Nearest stn: Omotesando. www.bluenote.co.jp

Raul Midon & Ricard Bona

Jazz hero. Nov 30-Dec 1, 5 & 8pm; Dec 2, 7 & 9:30pm, ¥8,400. Blue Note. Nearest stn: Omotesando. www.bluenote. co.jp

Avant-pop ensemble and guests. Until-Dec 23. 6pm, ¥4,000 (adv) +1d. Unit.

Nearest stn: Daikanyama.

Tel: 03-3444-6751. www. smash-jpn.com

Juana Molina

The Cherry Cokes

Drunk Irish folk-punk septet.

Dec 23, 5:30pm, ¥2,999 (adv) +1d. Akasaka Blitz. Nearest stn: Akasaka. Tel: 03-34446751. www.smash-jpn.com

Guitarist Kazumi Watanabe with Sadanori Nakamure. Dec 4, 7pm, ¥2,000-7,000. Mori no Hall. Nearest stn: Hashimoto.

Tel: 042-775-3811. www. hall-net.or.jp

Unborde Xmas Party

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Tofubeats and more. Dec 23, 2pm, ¥4,900 (adv) +1d. Ex Theater Roppongi. Nearest stn: Roppongi or Nogizaka.

Tel: 03-3405-9999. www. sogotokyo.com

Perfume

Pop princess trio. Dec 24-25, 6pm, ¥6,500 (adv).

Tokyo Dome. Nearest stn: Suidobashi. Tel: 03-57209999. www.red-hot.ne.jp

Countdown Japan 13/14

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Puffy, MUCC and others. Dec 28-30, 1pm; Dec 31, 3pm, ¥9,50010,500 (1 day)/ ¥18,00019,000 (2 days)/ ¥24,00025,000 (3 days)/ ¥29,500 (4 days). Makuhari Messe.

Nearest stn: Kaihin-Makuhari. http://countdownjapan.jp

Lunkhead

Melodic J-rock quartet from Aichi. Dec 29, 7:30pm, ¥3,500 (adv) +1d. Liquidroom. Nearest stn: Ebisu. Tel: 050-5533-0888. lunkhead.jp

Shikuramen

Funky J-pop trio. Dec 29, 6pm, ¥4,200-4,800 (adv). Zepp Tokyo. Nearest stn: Aomi. http://shikura.jp

Pay Money to My Pain

Jero

Traditional+

Alti Quartet & Paul Meyer

Bamboo wind instrument shakuhachi virtuoso Dozan Fujiwara performs and discusses the history, present and future of this traditional piece. Dec 8, 4pm, ¥500-1,000.

Spiral Hall. Nearest stn: Omotesando. http://meturl. com/shakuhach2013

Roberta Flack

Classy and urbane soul singer from North Carolina. Dec 11, 7 & 9:30pm; Dec 12, 7 & 9:30pm; Dec 14-15, 5 & 8pm, ¥13,000 (adv). Blue Note. Nearest stn: Omotesando. Tel: 03-54850088. www.bluenote.co.jp

Christmas Evening with Till Brönner

Multi-talented jazz musician influenced by modern pop music. Dec 22-23, 5:30 & 8:30pm; Dec 24, 6:30 & 9:30pm, ¥8,400. Blue Note.

Nearest stn: Omotesando. www.bluenote.co.jp

Incognito

Acid jazz unit from the UK. Dec 25, 6:30 & 9:30pm; Dec 26-27, 6 & 9pm, ¥8,400 (adv). Blue Note.

Nearest stn: Omotesando. www.bluenote.co.jp

CLASSICAL Orchestra Nipponica

Beethoven's last three sonatas. Nov 26, 7pm, ¥5,00016,000. Suntory Hall. Nearest stn: Roppongi-itchome.

Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie

Pieces from Beethoven's opera Fidelio. Nov 28, 7pm; Nov 30, 3pm, ¥10,000-28,000.

Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall.

Nearest stn: Minatomirai. Tel: 045-682-2020.

Kazune Shimizu

American enka singer. Nov 23, 4pm, ¥5,500 (adv). Katsushika Symphony Hills. Nearest stn: Aoto. Tel: 03-5670-2233. www.k-mill.gr.jp

Chopin and Liszt. Nov 28, 1:30pm, ¥5,000. Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall. Nearest stn: Shinjuku or Hatsudai.

Tel: 03-5353-9999 www. operacity.jp

Merry Xmas Darling

Requiem

Laura Fygi & Band present a holiday dinner and show to remember. Dress code: something red. Dec 22-26, various times, ¥19,000-21,500 (adv, incl dinner). Cotton Club.

Nearest stn: Tokyo. www. cottonclubjapan.co.jp

Duke Ellington Orchestra One of the best known bands of the 20th century with guest Cecile McLorin Salvant. Nov 23-24, 5 & 8pm,

Celtic Christmas

Requiem

Krystian Zimerman

Film music maestro. Nov 21-22, 7 & 9:30pm, ¥8,400.

Blue Note. Nearest stn: Omotesando. www.bluenote. co.jp

Songs and poems by John Dowland, William Shakespeare and others. Dec 4, 7pm, ¥500 (students)/¥2,500 (gen).

Ishibashi Memorial Hall. Nearest stn: Ueno. tjgharris@gmail.com. www. ishibashimemorial.com

Master × Master

Los Lonely Boys

Michel Legrand

Fine Knacks for Ladies

Irish accordionist. Dec 7, 5:30pm, ¥4,000-6,500. Sumida Triphony Hall. Nearest stn: Kinshicho. www.plankton. co.jp/xmas13

Alternative J-rock. Dec 30, 7pm, ¥3,900 (adv)/ ¥5,000 +1d. Zepp Tokyo. Nearest stn: Aomi. Tel: 03-3499-6669. www.creativeman.co.jp

JAZZ/WORLD

Czech boys choir Boni Pueri.

Dec 4, 7pm, ¥5,000. Tokyo Cathedral. Nearest stn: Gokokuiji. www.arstokyo. co.jp

Argentinian songstress. Dec 3, 7 & 9:30pm, ¥7,350. Blue Note.

Nearest stn: Omotesando. www.bluenote.co.jp

Featuring conductor Ichiro Nodaira. Nov 24, 2:30pm, ¥2,000-3,000. Kioi Hall.

Nearest stn: Yotsuya. Tel: 03-5276-4500. www.kioi-hall. or.jp

American Chicano rock trio.

Dec 30, 7:30pm, ¥6,500 (adv) +1d. Liquidroom. Nearest stn: Ebisu. Tel: 03-3444-6751. www.smash-jpn.com

Tokyo Cathedral Christmas

Italian Orchestra E Coro Del Teatro Regio plays a powerful and emotional collection of works by Verdi. Nov 30, 2pm, ¥8,100-25,000. Suntory Hall. Nearest stn: Roppongiitchome. Tel: 03-5774-3040. www.japanarts.co.jp

Piano Etoile Series vol.23 Recital by Yuma Osaki. Dec 1, 2pm, 1,000-3,500. Saitama Arts Theater. Nearest stn: Yonohonmachi. www.saf. or.jp/en

Performed by Bach Collegium Japan and conducted by Masaaki Suzuki. Dec 7, 4pm, ¥3,000-8,000. Saitama Arts Theater. Nearest stn: Yonohonmachi. www.saf.or.jp Chamber music by Beethoven and Brahms. Dec 8, 3pm, ¥2,000-6,000. Mori no Hall.

Nearest stn: Hashimoto. Tel: 042-775-3811. www.hall-net. or.jp

Alti Quartet & Paul Meyer

Chamber music by Mozart and Brahms. Dec 11, 7pm, ¥4,800.

Bunkyo Civic Hall. Nearest stn: Korakuen. Tel: 03-5803-1100. bunkyocivichall.jp

Tchaikovsky Serenade

Overture in C Minor and other works, with a post-performance champagne reception. Dec 11, 7pm, ¥5,500 (group)/ ¥6,000 (single).

Oji Hall. Nearest stn: Ginza. tickets@tokyosinfonia.com. www.tokyosinfonia.com

Boni Pueri Christmas

"Silent Night," "Hallelujah" etc.

Dec 11, 6:30pm, ¥5,000. Tokyo Bunka Kaikan. Nearest stn: Ueno. www.arstokyo.co.jp

Krystian Zimerman

Beethoven's last three sonatas.

Dec 12, 7pm, ¥6,000-15,000.

Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall.

Nearest stn: Minatomirai. Tel: 045-682-2020.

Kiriku Handbell Ensemble

One of the most well-known contemporary handbell groups in the world. Dec 13, 12:10pm, ¥1,000. Saitama Arts Theater. Nearest stn: Yonohonmachi. www.saf.or.jp

Mariko Senju and Suk Chamber Orchestra Christmas Concert

"Ave Maria," "Joy of Love" and other works. Dec 14, 1:30pm, ¥4,000-7,000. Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall. Nearest stn: Shinjuku or Hatsudai.

For Scotland

Traditional and contemporary ballads, songs and poems. Dec 15, 2pm, ¥2,000 (students)/ ¥4,000 (members)/ ¥5,000 (gen). Sengawa Avenue Hall. Nearest stn: Sengawa. tjgharris@gmail.com. www. japan-scotland,jp

Winter Picture Book

The New Japan Philharmonic plays frost-themed songs.Dec 15, 6pm, ¥5,000-7,500. Sumida Triphony Hall, Sumida-ku.

Nearest stn: Kinshicho. www. triphony.com

Sergey Schepkin

American pianist. Dec 16, 7pm, ¥3,000-5,000. Sumida Triphony Hall. Nearest stn: Kinshicho. www.triphony. com

Rafal Blechacz

Polish classical pianist plays works by Beethoven, Chopin and more. Dec 17, 7pm, ¥2,000-5,000. Saitama

LISTINGS FOR COMPLETE FOR COMPLETE LISTINGS LISTINGS

STAGE

while visiting various public spaces, forming a story in each area. Until Dec 8, Noon-7pm, every hour, ¥1,000-3,500 (adv)/ ¥1,0004,000 (door). various venues around Tokyo. www.festivaltokyo.jp/en/program/13

Don Quichotte du Trocadéro

Urban dance combined with burlesque and slapstick comedy. Dec 13, 7pm; Dec 15, 2pm, ¥1,000-4,500.

Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre.

Nearest stn: Ikebukuro. Tel: 03-5391-2111. www.geigeki. jp/english COURTESY OF TOKYO INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS

Night Must Fall Tokyo's oldest expat theater troupe returns with the classic 1930s thriller Night Must Fall. Directed by Tokyo International Players' Hannah Weakley, the Emlyn Williams murder mystery follows the attempts of young Olivia to trace a killing to a charismatic page boy who charms his way into the household of Olivia's aunt—outside whose house the body is found. Filled with suspense, romance and unexpected humor, Night Must Fall was an instant hit on the West End and Broadway. The play probes the psyche of a killer and asks us to consider why certain people are likely to be forgiven of almost any crime. TIP's production showcases an all-star cast of expat veterans and newcomers.

Dec 5-6, 7pm; Dec 7, 1 & 7pm; Dec 8, 3pm, ¥2,500 (students)/ ¥4,000 (adv)/ ¥4,500 (door). Theater Bonbon, Nakano.

Nearest stn: Nakano. www.tokyoplayers.org

Arts Theater. Nearest stn: Yonohonmachi. Tel: 0570-064-939. www.saf.or.jp

Christmas Gospel

Holiday classics sung by Glory Gospel Singers. Dec 17, 7pm, ¥5,000-6,500. Sumida Triphony Hall. Nearest stn: Kinshicho. www.triphony.com

Vienna Glass Harmonica Duo

Schubert, Mozart and more.

Dec 21, 4pm, ¥2,000-11,000.

Kioi Hall. Nearest stn: Yotsuya.

Tel: 03-5276-4500. www. kioi-hall.or.jp

Twilight Special

Organist Mineko Kojima and lutenist Akiko Sato. Dec 21, 5pm, free. Saitama Arts Theater.

Nearest stn: Yonohonmachi. saf.or.jp

Daimaru Charity Concert

Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra performs works

by Beethoven. Dec 22, 2pm, ¥1,000-6,000. Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre. Nearest stn: Ikebukuro. Tel: 03-53912111. www.geigeki.jp/english

Stage No Time to Wait

A silly comedy about life and penguins, presented by Tokyo International Players Second Stage. Nov 22, 7pm; Nov 23, 1 & 7pm; Nov 24, 1 & 6pm, ¥1,0003,000. Theater Brats. Nearest stn: Shinjuku Sanchome.

Tel: 03-3353-1868. www. notimetowait.org

The Long Field Trip

Timeless observations of man versus nature. Japanese with English subtitles. Until Nov 25, various times, ¥3,500 (adv)/ ¥4,000 (door). Nishi-Sugamo Arts Factory. Nearest stn: Nishi-Sugamo or ShinKoshinzuka. Tel: 03-5961-5200. www.festival-tokyo.jp/en

Les Contes d'Hoffmann

Opera fantastique by Jacques Offenbach. Nov 28 & Dec 4, 6:30pm; Dec 1, 7 & 10, 2pm, ¥1,500-21,000. New National Theatre Tokyo. Nearest stn: Hatsudai. Tel: 03-5352-9999. www.nntt.jac.go.jp/opera

Current Location

Post-Fukushima fable by Toshiki Okada. Japanese with English subtitles. Nov 28-Dec 8, various times, ¥4,000 (adv)/ ¥4,500 (door). Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre. Nearest stn: Ikebukuro. Tel: 03-53912111. www.festival-tokyo.jp/en

Tosca

Teatro Regio Torino performs Puccini's Tosca. Nov 29, & Dec 5, 6:30pm; Dec 2 & 8, 3pm, ¥10,000-41,000. Tokyo Bunka Kaikan. Nearest stn: Ueno. Tel: 03-5774-3040. www.japanarts. co.jp

The Coming Storm

A cross-cut of multiple stories by innovate British company.

English with Japanese subtitles. Nov 29, 7:30pm; Nov 30, noon & 6pm; Dec 1, noon, ¥4,500 (adv)/ ¥5,000 (door).

Nishi-Sugamo Arts Factory.

Nearest stn: Nishi-Sugamo or Shin- Koshinzuka. Tel: 03-5961-5200. www.festivaltokyo.jp/en

The Qlobe of Life II

Performance that links pedigree to humans, not just animals. Japanese with English subtitles. Nov 29, 7:30pm; Nov 30, 2 & 7:30pm; Dec 1, 2pm, ¥2,500 (adv)/ ¥3,000 (door).

Asahi Art Square. Nearest stn: Asakusa. Tel: 090-9118-5171. www.festival-tokyo.jp/en

Gamarjobat

Award-winning comedy performance group. Nov 30, 1pm, ¥4,500. Shibuya Kokaido. Nearest stn: Shibuya.

Tel: 0570-00-3337. www. gamar-jack.com

A Masked Ball

Teatro Regio Torino performs Verdi's operatic tale of murder and deceit. Dec 1, 3pm, ¥3,00043,000. Tokyo Bunka Kaikan.

Nearest stn: Ueno. Tel: 03-57743040. www.japanarts.co.jp

Primitive Opera— Momotaro

Punk opera adaptation of classic Japanese folk tale. Dec 2, 3 & 7:30pm, ¥2,000 (adv)/ ¥2,300 (door). Morishita Studio B. Nearest stn: Morishita.

Tel: kiki.arts.project@gmail. com. http://meturl.com/ primitivemomo

Ganesh Versus the Third Reich

Australian Back to Back Theatre presents a story rich with imagery and mythology.

English with Japanese subtitles. Dec 6, 7pm; Dec 7, 3pm; Dec 8, 2pm, ¥4,500 (adv)/ ¥5,000 (door). Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre. Nearest stn: Ikebukuro. Tel: 03-53912111. www.festival-tokyo.jp/en

Tokyo Heterotopia

"Tour" theater experience where participants become a part of the show. Visitors will follow a recorded narrative

La Bohème

Isango Ensemble's perspective of one of the world's most popular operas.

Dec 19, 6:30pm; Dec 20, 2pm; Dec 21, 2 & 6:30pm; Dec 22, 2pm, ¥1,000-8,400. Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre. Nearest stn: Ikebukuro. Tel: 0570-010296. www.geigeki.jp

Dance Dancing Girl

Fusion of traditional and contemporary Indian dance. Nov 26, 5pm; Nov 27, 2 & 7:30pm, ¥2,000 (adv)/ ¥2,500 (door).

Theater Green. Nearest stn: Ikebukuro. www.festivaltokyo.jp/en

Sacred Monsters

Contemporary and classical dance fusion. Nov 28-29, 7pm; Nov 30-Dec 1, 3pm, ¥4,000-15,000. U-Port Hall.

Nearest stn: Osaki-Hirokoji.

Tel: 03-3791-8888. www. nbs.or.jp/english

Dance to the Future: Second Steps

The NBJ Choreographic Group performs contemporary ballet. Dec 7-8, 2pm, ¥3,150-5,250. New National Theatre Tokyo.

Nearest stn: Hatsudai. Tel: 03-5352-9999. www.nntt. jac.go.jp/english

Rabid Romantic Rhapsody

Troupe of 15 college dancers choreographed by Akiyo Fukami. Dec 12-13, 1 & 7pm, ¥3,000-3,300 (adv)/ ¥3,500-3,800 (door). Asahi Art Square. Nearest stn: Asakusa. Tel: 090-91185171. http://haikara2001. com/akiyogeneration

The Kabuki

The Tokyo Ballet performs the tale of 47 Ronin.

Dec14-15, 3pm, ¥2,00010,000. Tokyo Bunka Kaikan. Nearest stn: Ueno. english@nbs.or.jp. www. nbs.or.jp/english

Traditional Performing Arts × Street Dance

High school street dancers collaborate with tsugaru shamisen artist Hiromitsu Agatsuma and group Dazzle.

Dec 14, 1 & 4pm ¥2,0003,000. Nippori Sunny Hall, 5-50-5 Higashi-nippori, Arakawa-ku. Nearest stn: Nippori. http://meturl.com/ traditionstreet2013

The Nutcracker

Tchaikovsky's classic Christmas ballet. Dec 17-18 & 20, 7pm; Dec 21, 2 & 7pm; Dec 22-23, 2pm, ¥3,150-12,600. New National Theatre Tokyo. Nearest stn: Hatsudai. Tel: 03-5352-9999. www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english

Clubbing FRIDAY 22 Ageha

Fever. Hip-hop DJs Masterkey, Supa Twitch, etc: Live: Zeebra. From 11pm, (m)¥3,500, (f)¥2,000. Nearest stn: Shin-Kiba. www.ageha. com

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Agenda Listings

CLUBBING !!! (pronounced “chk chk chk” or, apparently, any other thrice-repeated monosyllable) have been injecting funk into indie since the late ‘90s and are bringing their self-proclaimed “best live act around” to Japan for Beatink’s annual thumpfest Electraglide.

Affably deranged frontman Nic Offer told Metropolis the American group never had a grand plan to change music, but just keep on doing their thing. Head out to Chiba to see what that thing is and hear tracks from their April release Th!!!ler—they dub it their “one with all the hits on it”—and a brand-new EP, R!M!X!S, available in CD-form only in Japan. The rave boasts current electro-darling James Blake as headliner, but for a seriously upbeat tonic, !!! are the ones to get your hips moving in the cavernous Chiba venue on the night. David Labi Makuhari Messe, Nov 29, 8pm. ¥8,800 (adv)/ ¥9,800 (door).

Nearest stn: Makuhari Messe.www.electraglide.info Courtesy of Beatink

Reboot. Techno: DJs Qhey, Mayuri, etc. From 10pm, ¥3,000. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.air-tokyo.com

Module

Wonder Night. Hip-hop: DJs Full-Rpt, Timer, etc. From 11pm, ¥2,000 w/1d. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.moduletokyo.com

Ruby Room

Neet Spirit. '90s music: DJs Timutaku, Special K, etc.

From 7:30pm, ¥1,000 w/2d.

Nearest stn: Shibuya. www. rubyroomtokyo.com

Sound Museum Vision

Transition. From midnight, ¥3,000 (ladies)/ ¥3,500 (men).

Nearest stn: Shibuya. www. clubberia.com/en/events

The New Matrix Bar

Matrix Friday. Old school hip-hop, west side, south side, all mix DJ Ykk and more. From 6pm, ¥1,000 (after 11:30pm).

Nearest stn: Roppongi. www. matrixbar.jp

The Room

Champ. Funk, jazz: DJs Tominaga, Oibon, etc.

From 10pm, ¥2,500 w/1d.

Nearest stn: Shibuya. www. theroom.jp

Unit

Vortex. Acid sounds: DJs Ray Castle, Masa, etc. From 11pm, ¥3,000. Nearest stn: Daikanyama. www. unit-tokyo.com

Velours

Hide & Seek. DJs Fujiko, Maxwell, etc. From 7pm, ¥3,000 w/1d. Nearest stn: Omotesando. Tel: 03-57784777. www.velours.jp

Womb

Love & House World.

Edm: DJs Dantz, Takuya, etc. From 10pm, ¥3,500.

Love & House World 10th Anniversary X Green Valley.

From 10pm, ¥3,500. Nearest stn: Shibuya. Tel: 03-54590039. loveandhouse.net/ metropolis

Ikura Intersection

Onarimon Station

Sakurada Dori

Tokyo Tower

5 minutes walk

Kamiyacho Station

14 • WWW.METROPOLIS.CO.JP

Tel: 03-3433-6321 Open: Mon-Fri 10am - 5pm / Sat 10 am - 4pm 10-13, 5 chome Toranomon Minato-ku Tokyo

http://artplz-magatani.com

Module

!!!

Air

We feature an extensive and affordable variety of unique and authentic objects d’art to satisfy virtually any taste guaranteeing that your Japanese memento will be distinctive.

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SATURDAY 23 Ageha

The Wonderland. Edm, dub step: DJs Kentaro, Taku, etc.

From 11pm, ¥3,500. Nearest stn: Shin-Kiba. www.ageha. com

Sound Museum Vision

Nylon Japan. House, electro: DJs Delphic, Tanaka, etc.

From 10pm, (m)¥3,500 w/1d, (f)¥2,500 w/1d. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.vision-tokyo. com

The New Matrix Bar

Saturday Night Fever. Hip-hop, R&B, reggae: DJ Ykk and more.

From 6pm, ¥1,000 (after 10pm).

Nearest stn: Roppongi. www. matrixbar.jp

The Room

Jazztronica. House, jazz: DJs Nozaki, Shuya Okino(Kyoto Jazz Massive), etc. From 10pm, ¥2,500 w/1d. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.theroom.jp

Unit

It Girl. All mix: DJ Shimo. From 7pm, ¥2,500 w/1d. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.moduletokyo.com

Ruby Room

Rock House Dance. Rock, house: DJs Various DJs. From 8pm, free. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.rubyroomtokyo.com

Velours

L-op x Wagon. DJs Michi, Hiroyuki, etc. From 11pm, ¥2,000 w/1d. Nearest stn: Omotesando. Tel: 03-57784777. www.velours.jp

Womb

Hedonist’s Sambhala. House, techno: DJs Housecat, Terubi, etc. From 10pm, ¥1,500 w/1d.

Nearest stn: Shibuya. Tel: 03-5459-0039. www.womb. co.jp

TUESDAY 26 Air

Broad. Techno, house: DJs Haruka, Tatsuoki, etc. From 10pm, ¥2,500 w/1d. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.air-tokyo.com

Module

Sub:stance. Techno: DJ Rosso.

From 11pm, ¥1,500 w/1d.

Nearest stn: Shibuya. www. module-tokyo.com

Ruby Room

Open Mic. Open Mic. From 7pm, ¥1,000 w/2d. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.rubyroomtokyo. com

Womb

Tuemix. Edm, house: DJs Alpha One, Zun, etc. From 10pm, (m)¥1,500, (f)free. Nearest stn: Shibuya. Tel: 03-5459-0039. www.womb.co.jp

WEDNESDAY 27

Future Terror. Acid sounds: DJs Metasplice, Diskonnected, etc.

From 11pm, ¥3,000. Nearest stn: Daikanyama. www. unit-tokyo.com

Module

Velours

The Room

Village

Village

Black Room. DJs Hirose, Hirai, etc. From 10pm, ¥3,000 w/1d.

Nearest stn: Omotesando. Tel: 03-5778-4777. www.velours.jp Grand Slam. Hip-hop: DJs Nuckey, Kekke, etc. From 10pm, (m)¥3,000 w/1d, (f)¥2,000 w/2d. Nearest stn: Azabu-Juban or Roppongi.

Tel: 03-6230-0343. www. villagetokyo.com

Womb

Loco Dice. Techno: DJ Loco Dice and more. From 11pm, ¥3,500. Nearest stn: Shibuya.

Tel: 03-5459-0039. www. womb.co.jp

SUNDAY 24 Ruby Room

Cat House. Rock: DJs Take, Ucky, etc. From 7pm, ¥2,000 w/1d. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.rubyroomtokyo.com

The Room

Yuragi. House: DJs Kiichiro, Gara, etc. From midnight, ¥1,500 w/1d. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.theroom.jp

Village

Sunday Tribe. Hip-hop: DJs Kango, Hokuto, etc. From 10pm, (m)¥2,000 w/1d, (f)free.

Nearest stn: Azabu-Juban or Roppongi. Tel: 03-6230-0343. www.villagetokyo.com

Womb

Ura 100bpm. All good music: DJs Julia, Yumiko, etc. From 6pm, free. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.module-tokyo.com Disco Viking. Bar style: DJs 33queen, Kajitsu, etc. From midnight, free. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.theroom.jp Fire Pool. Hip-hop: DJs Ken-Ske, 8man, etc. From 10pm, ¥2,000 w/1d. Nearest stn: Azabu-Juban or Roppongi. Tel: 03-6230-0343. www.villagetokyo.com

Womb

Wedm. Electro, house: DJs Hiroki, Ikezawa, etc. From 10pm, (m)¥1,500, (f) free.

Nearest stn: Shibuya. Tel: 03-5459-0039. www.womb. co.jp

THURSDAY 28 Village

Celebration. Hip-hop: DJs Sah, Yaz, etc. From 11pm, (m)¥2,000 w/1d, (f)¥1,000 w/2d. Nearest stn: Azabu-Juban or Roppongi.

Tel: 03-6230-0343. www. villagetokyo.com

Womb

Sensual. Deep tech house, tech house: DJs Wakasa, Fumi, etc.

From 10pm, ¥1,500. Nearest stn: Shibuya. Tel: 03-5459-0039. www.womb.co.jp

FRIDAY 29 Ageha

Turned On. Edm: DJs Dirty South, Vivid, etc. From 11pm, ¥4,000. Nearest stn: Shin-Kiba. www.ageha.com

Air

Clued Up? Techno DJs Caolu, Tomoki, etc: Live: Keikoto Band.

From midnight, ¥2,500. Nearest stn: Shibuya. Tel: 03-5459-0039. www.womb.co.jp

MONDAY 25

A Night with Horse Meat Disco.

House, disco: DJs Horse Meat Disco, Takimi, etc. From 10pm, ¥3,000 w/1d. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.air-tokyo.com

Module

Air

Module

Mark E. House, techno: DJs Mark E, Ageishi, etc. From 10pm, ¥3,500. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.air-tokyo.com R20. House: DJs Ikeda, Red, etc. From 10pm, ¥3,000 w/1d. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.module-tokyo.com

Funktion. Techno, house: DJs Sunahara, Kyoko, etc. From 10pm, ¥2,500 w/1d. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.air-tokyo.com

Air

Arouse. Techno, house: DJ Junn and more. From 10pm, ¥2,500 w/1d. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.module-tokyo.com

LISTINGS FOR COMPLETE LISTINGS

CHRISTMAS MARKET Swedish Christmas Bazaar

Idemitsu Museum of Arts

Join Swedes and other Nordic folk for a selection of Scandinavian treats, traditional mulled wine and handicrafts at this outdoor charity fair. Saint Lucia, patron saint of the blind, brings light (via a crown adorned with candles) and song to the festivities alongwith a children’s choir of taernor, stjaerngossar and other unpronouncable characters. Organized by SWEA, a Swedish women's group with chapters all over the world, all proceeds from the market will go to the rebuilding of the Tohoku area.

Dec 1, 11am-4pm, ¥500. Embassy Of Sweden, 1-10-3-100 Roppongi. Nearest stn: Roppongi-Itchome or Kamiyacho.

Tel: 03-5562-5050. www.swedenabroad.com/en-GB/ Embassies/Tokyo

The Room

Global Rhythms. Hip-hop: DJs Shark, Sancon, etc. From 10pm, ¥2,000 w/1d. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.theroom.jp

Unit

Artemis. Techno, house DJs Vincent Lemieux, Moodman, etc. From 11pm, ¥3,000. Nearest stn: Daikanyama. www. unit-tokyo.com

Islands and the Akita Region.

Documentation of pre-war rural life. Until Dec 27, free.

Open daily 10am-7pm. 9-7-3 Akasaka, Roppongi. Nearest stn: Roppongi. Tel: 03-62713350. fujifilmsquare.jp/en

Mori Art Museum

Defected. House: DJs Simon Dunmore, Emma, etc. From 11pm, ¥3,500. Nearest stn: Shibuya. Tel: 03-5459-0039. www.womb.co.jp

Out of Doubt: Roppongi Crossing 2013. Contemporary art series held triennially. A fresh look at a familiar intersection to most Tokyoites. Until Jan 13, ¥500-1,500. Open Mon & Wed-Sun 10am-10pm, Tue 10am-5pm. 6-10-1 Roppongi.

Nearest stn: Roppongi. www. mori.art.museum

UPCOMING

Mori Arts Center Gallery

Womb

Air

Eden. Deep house, disco: DJs Force of Nature, Maeda, etc.

Nov 30, from 11pm, ¥3,000.

Nearest stn: Shibuya. www. air-tokyo.com

Module

Relation. Melodic techno: DJs Sola, Kohey, etc. Nov 30, from 10pm, ¥3,000. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.module-tokyo. com

Ruby Room

Echo Patrol. DJs Yanomi, Izpon, etc. Nov 30, from 11pm, ¥1,500 w/1d. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.rubyroomtokyo.com

Sound Museum Vision

Independent. Techno, tech house: DJs Umek, Ken Ishii, etc.

Nov 30, from 10pm, (m)¥3,500 w/1d, (f)¥3,000 w/1d. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.visiontokyo.com

The Room

Jazzbrothers on the Corner.

House, jazz: DJs Yama, Takehana, etc. Nov 30, from 10pm, ¥2,500 w/1d. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.theroom.jp

Womb

The Yes. Techno, house: DJs Boston Bun, Osawa, etc. Nov 30, from 11pm, ¥3,500. Nearest stn: Shibuya. Tel: 03-5459-0039. www.womb.co.jp

Exhibitions AKASAKA/ROPPONGI 21_21 Design Sight

Toward a Design Museum Japan. Mixed media. Until Feb 2, ¥500-1,000. Open Mon & Wed-Sun 11am-8pm, closed Tue. 9-7-6 Akasaka, Minato-ku. Nearest stn: Nogizaka. Tel: 03-3475-2121. www.2121designsight.jp

Fujifilm Square

Ihee Kimura's Travels to Akita and the Ryukyu Islands.

Photographer's documentation of pre- and post-war Japan.

Until Dec 27, free. Life-Capturing Wildlife in Photos. Four photographers capture the majesty of wild animals in their natural habitats. Until Dec 4, free. Two Journeys of Ihei Kimura — The Ryukyu

Bldg, 7-7-2 Ginza. Nearest stn: Ginza. www.tokyo.mae.lu/jp/ node_19876/hana-hito-tokyo

Ever and Never: The Art of Peanuts. Original drawings and sketches of Snoopy & co. Until Jan 5, ¥500-2,000.

52F Roppongi Hills Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi. Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.roppongihills. com/art/macg/

Suntory Museum of Art

Celestial Dance: The Art of Hiten.

Relics and religious artefacts on display in commemoration of the renovations of Byodoin's Phoenix Hall. Nov 23-Jan 13, ¥800-1,300. Open Wed-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun-Mon & hols 10am-6pm, closed Tue. 9-7-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku. Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.suntory. jp/sma

The National Art Center, Tokyo

Divisionism from Van Gogh and Seurat to Mondrian.

Oil paintings. Until Dec 23, ¥800-1,500. The Japan Fine Arts Exhibition. Mixed media. Recent works with traditional themes.

Until Dec 8, ¥500-1,200. Open Wed-Mon 10am-6pm, closed Tue. 7-22-2 Roppongi. Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.nact.jp

GINZA/KYOBASHI/ TOKYO Bridgestone Museum of Art

Gustave Caillebotte. Oil paintings. Until Dec 29, ¥1,0001,500. Gustave Caillbotte— Impressionist in Modern Paris. Works by a leading member and supporter of the Impressionist movement. Until Dec 29, ¥1,000-1,500. Open Tue-Sun & hols 10am-8pm, closed Mon. 1-10-1 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku. Nearest stn: Tokyo.

Tel: 03-5777-8600. www. bridgestone-museum.gr.jp

Craft Gallery, The National Museum of Modern Art Close Up Crafts. Mixed media.

Until Dec 8, ¥300-500.

Open Tue-Thu 10am-5pm, Fri 10am-8pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm. 1-1 Kitanomarukoen Chiyoda-Ku. Nearest stn: Takebashi. Tel: 03-5777-8600. www.momat.go.jp/english

Ginza Graphic Gallery

Jan Tschichold. Typography.

Until Nov 26, free. Open Mon-Fri 11am-7pm, Sat 11am-6pm, closed Sun & hols. 1F Ginza

The Kano School in Edo— Innovation toward Elegance.

Traditional Japanese paintings with an innovative style. Until Dec 15, ¥700-1,000.

Open Tue-Thu 10am-5pm, Fri 10am-7pm, closed Mon. 9F Teigeki Bldg, 3-1-1 Marunouchi. Nearest stn: Tokyo. www.idemitsu.co.jp/ museum

Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum

Masterpieces from the Collection of Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum. Works by Renoir, Vallotton, ToulouseLautrec and more. Until Jan 5, ¥400-1,200. Wed-Fri 10am-8pm, Tue, Sat & Sun/ hols 10am-6pm, closed Mon. 2-6-2 Marunouchi. Nearest stn: Tokyo. Tel: 03-54058686. www.mimt.jp

Mitsui Memorial Museum

Momoyama Ceramic Masterpieces. Exquisite tea bowls, incense cases and more. Until Nov 24, ¥700-1,200. 7F Mitsui Main Bldg, 2-1-1 NihombashiMuromachi, Chuo-ku.

Nearest stn: Mitsukoshimae.

Tel: 03-5777-8600. www. mitsui-museum.jp

Mitsuo Aida Museum

Even Just One Thing. 10th anniversary special display of the calligraphy artist Aida's most important works. Until Dec 15, ¥200-800. Open Tue-Sun 10am-5:30pm, closed Mon. B1 Tokyo International Forum Glass Bldg, 3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku. Tel: 03-62123200. www.mitsuo.co.jp

National Film Center

Japanese Film Heritage.

Permanent collection of works from the National Film Center. Until Apr 3, ¥40-200.

Iconography of Yasujiro Ozu Films. A collection of paintings, design and lettering that sheds light on Mr. Ozu's unique aesthetic sensibility. Dec 12-Mar 30, ¥40-200. Open Tue-Sun 11am-6:30pm, closed Mon. 3-7-6 Kyobashi. Nearest stn: Kyobashi. www.momat.go.jp

National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo

Josef Koudelka Retrospective.

Photography. Artist's first exhibit in Asia displays his entire body of work. Until Jan 13, ¥250-850. Product Design Today: Creating "Made in Japan". Presentation of works by contemporary designers. Until Jan 13, ¥70-420. Open Tue-Thu & Sat-Sun 10am-5pm, Fri 10am-8pm. 3-7-6 Kyobashi.

Nearest stn: Takebashi. www. momat.go.jp

Zeit-Foto Salon

Hong Kong - Shenzen 1998. Rudai Takano's documentation of travels in China. Until Dec 21, free.

Open Tue-Fri 10:30am6:30pm, Sat 10:30am5:30pm, closed Sun-Mon & hols. 4F Matsumoto Bldg, 1-10-5 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku.

Nearest stn: Tokyo. Tel: 03-3535-7188. www.zeit-foto. com

HARAJUKU/ AOYAMA Diesel Art Gallery

Global Photo Collaborations: Vice Japan. Photography.

Nov 22-Feb 14, free. Open daily 11:30am-9pm. 1-23-16 Shibuya. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.diesel.co.jp/art/

Nezu Museum

Ido Tea Bowls: Treasured Possessions of Muromachi Daimyo. Ceramics from the

Korean peninsula adored by Japanese tea masters. Until Dec 15, ¥800-1,200. Tue-Sun, 10am-4:30pm. 6-5-1 MinamiAoyama, Minato-ku. Nearest stn: Omotesando. www. nezu-muse.or.jp/en

Spiral

Tape Tokyo. Numen for Use's tape installation on exhibit at Spiral. Nov 25-Dec 4, free.

Open daily 11am-8pm. 5-6-23 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku.

Nearest stn: Omotesando. Tel: 03-3498-1171. www.spiral.co.jp

Ukiyo-e Ota Memorial Museum of Art

Comical Ukiyo-e: Humorous Pictures and the School of Kuniyoshi. Art with a laugh in old Oedo. Until Nov 26, ¥700-1,000. Open Tue-Sun 10:30am-5:30pm, closed Mon. 1-10-10 Jingumae. Nearest stn: Harajuku. www.ukiyoe-otamuse.jp

SHIBUYA/EBISU Bunkamura Gallery

My Theater 2013. Oil paintings.

Nov 30-Dec 11, free. Bunkamura Winter Craft Collection. Seasonal handicrafts, trinkets and sundries. Dec 14-25, free.

Open daily, 10am-7pm. 2- 24-1 Dogenzaka. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.bunkamura. co.jp/english

Bunkamura: The Museum

Arcadia on the Shore: Puvis de Chavanne's Mythic World.

Mural painter that combined innovation with classical style. Jan 2-Mar 9, ¥700-1,400..

Open Mon-Thu & Sun 10am-7pm, Fri-Sat 10am-8pm.

2- 24-1 Dogenzaka. Nearest stn: Shibuya. Tel: 03-3477-9111. www.bunkamura.co.jp

Meguro Museum of Art

Yukio Tsuchiya. Performance art and design. Until Dec 8, ¥500. Tsuchiya Yukio - Artist, Designer, Educator. Pre and post-war paintings and designs

by Tsuchiya Yukio. Until Dec 8, ¥300-500. Open Tue-Sun 10am-6pm, closed Mon. 2-4-36 Meguro. Nearest stn: Meguro.

Tel: 03-3714-1201. www. mmat.jp

Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography

Nagi no Hira - Fragments of Calm.

A selection of 50 years' worth of photographs by Issei Suda.

Until Dec 1, ¥400-600. Open Tue-Wed & Sat-Sun 10am-6pm, Thu-Fri 10am-8pm, closed Mon. 1-13-3 Mita, Meguro-ku. Nearest stn: Ebisu. syabi.com

SHINJUKU/ IKEBUKURO Hiromart Gallery

Dangerous Whisper: Um. Paintings and collages by Zdravko Toic. Until Dec 1, free. Open Wed-Sun 1-7pm, closed Mon-Tue. 1-30-7 Sekiguchi, Bunkyo-ku. Nearest stn: Edogawabashi. www. hiromartgallery.com

NTT Intercommunication Center

Open Space 2013. A melting pot of artists and media. Until Mar 2, free. 4F Tokyo Opera City Tower, 3-20-2 Nishi-Shinjuku.

Nearest stn: Hatsudai. www. ntticc.or.jp

Sompo Japan Museum of Art

Quintet: Five-Star Artists.

Mixed media by five Japanese artists, based on the theme "landscape". Jan 11-Feb 16, ¥300-500. Tue-Sun, 10am-6pm, closed Mon. 42F Sompo Japan Bldg, 1-26-1 Nishi-Shinjuku.

Nearest stn: Shinjuku.

Tel: 03-5405-8686. www. sompo-japan.co.jp/museum

Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery

150 Years of Modern Japanese Music. Mixed media. Dynamic view of Japan's meeting with the West. Until Dec 23, ¥600-1,000. Project N 54 -

Mihoko Ogaki. Mixed media.

Until Dec 23, ¥600-1,000.

Open Tue-Thu 11am-7pm, Fri-Sat 11am-8pm. 3-20-2 Nishi-Shinjuku. Nearest stn: Hatsudai. www.operacity.jp/ en/ag

UENO

DEC 18, 20-23

National Museum of Nature and Science

Big Dinosaurs: Wonders of the Gobi Desert. Velociraptor and tarbosaurus bones unravel mysteries of Earth's history.

Until Feb 23, ¥600-1,500. Open Tue-Thu & Sat-Sun 9am-5pm, Fri 9am-8pm, closed Mon. 7-20 Ueno Park. Nearest stn: Ueno. Tel: 03-3822-0111. www. kahaku.go.jp

The National Museum of Western Art

Monet, An Eye for Landscapes: Innovation in 19th Century French Landscape. Some of the artist's most famous works, including "Water Lilies". Dec 7-Mar 9, ¥600-1,400. Open daily 9:30am-5:30pm. 7-7 Ueno Park. Nearest stn: Ueno. www. nmwa.go.jp

The University Art Museum

The National Treasure Butto of Yakushi Nyorai and Masterpieces from Kohfukuji.

Wooden sculptures and bronze Buddha heads. Until Nov 24, ¥800-1,500. Open Tue-Sun 10am-5pm, closed Mon. 12-8 Ueno Park. Nearest stn: Ueno. www.geidai.ac.jp/museum

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

Turner from the Tate: the Making of a Master. British romantic landscape paintings. Until Dec 18, ¥600-3,200. Field of Painting. Mixed media. Five artists connect to the outside world. Jan 4-10, free. 8-36 Ueno Park. Nearest stn: Ueno. www. tobikan.jp

Tokyo National Museum

From Kyoto, Inside and Outside: Scenes on Panels and Folding Screens. Depictions of symbolic locations around Kyoto, including Ryoanji temple, the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and Nijo Castle. Until Dec 1, ¥900-1,500.

Calligraphy of the Qing Dynasty: The Stele School. Works by calligraphy masters focusing on the study of epigraphs. Until Dec 1, ¥400-600. Open Tue-Sun 9:30am-5pm. 13-9 Ueno Park.

Nearest stn: Ueno. www.tnm.jp

OTHER AREAS Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo Crystallize. Mixed media

by Tokujin Yoshioka. Until Jan 19, ¥600-1,100. Bunny Smash: Design to Touch the World. Multimedia. Design focused on changing people's perception of society. Until Jan 19, ¥600-1,100. Tue-Sun, 10am-6pm, closed Mon. 4-1-1 Miyoshi, Koto-ku. Nearest stn: Kiyosumi-shirakawa. www. mot-art-museum.jp/eng

National Museum of Japanese History

Documents from Medieval Japan: Functions and Styles. Political power shift from nobles to samurai represented through official correspondence and records.

Until Dec 1, ¥450-830. Japanese Lacquerware Overseas II-Export Lacquer in the Edo Period.

Items shipped from the exotic Orient to the West. Until Dec 1, ¥250-420. A Tradition of Chrysanthemums. A variety of living chrysanthemums. Until Dec 1, ¥100. Open Tue-Sun 9:30am-4:30pm, closed Mon. 117 Jonai-cho, Sakura-shi.

Nearest stn: Keisei-Sakura. www.rekihaku.ac.jp/english

Pola Museum of Art

Walk Home in Delight.

Photography. Images of a Scandinavian white Christmas.

Until Dec 25, free. 9am-4:30pm.

1285 Kozukayama,

Kodo One Earth Tour 2013: Mystery

Taiko performance, the second work directed by artistic director Tamasaburo Bando. Dec 18, KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theatre, Yokohama 6:30pm, Nearest stn: Nihon Odori or Kannai.

Dec 20-23, Bunkyo Civic Hall, Tokyo. S-seats ¥7,000, A-seats ¥5,000, Students ¥3,000. Nearest stn: Korakuen or Kasuga. Tel: 0259-86-3630. http://www. kodo.or.jp Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi.

Nearest stn: Gora. www. polamuseum.or.jp

Saita Museum

Tea Bowls and Calligraphy

by Zen Priests of Daitokuji.

Ceramics from the collections of Aizu Museum, Waseda University. Until Dec 13, ¥500. Mon-Fri 10am-1pm, 2pm-4:30pm, Closed Sat-Sun & hols. 3-23-35 Daita Setagaya-ku, Tokyo. Nearest stn: Setagaya Daita. Tel: 03-3414-1006.

Snow Contemporary XYZ Collective

Awes for the Cosmic. Sculptures and standing pieces by Riyoo Kim. Until Dec 1, 12pm-8pm Mon, Wed-Fri, closed Tue. 1F 2-30-20 Tsurumaki. Nearest stn: Komazawa Daigaku. Tel: 050 1148 7964. www.officekubota. com/snowcontemporary

Taro Okamoto Museum of Art, Kawasaki

Kayo - Illustrations by Taro Okamoto. Lesser known illustration work for a serialized novel in the Tokyo Shinbun. Until Dec 27, ¥300-600. Faces and Masks. Paintings. Until Jan 13, ¥300-900. Open Tue-Sun 9:30am-5pm, closed Mon. 7-1-5 Masukata, Tama-ku, Kawasaki.

Nearest stn: Mukogaoka-Yuen.

Tel: 04-4900-9898. www. taromuseum.jp/english/ index_english.html

The French Institute

Kyoto Notebook. Paintings by virtuoso cartoonist and storyteller of strange stories, Nicolas de Crécy. Until Nov 24, free. 15 Ichigaya Funagawara-cho. Nearest stn: Iidabashi. Tel: 03-5206-2500. www.institutfrancais.jp/tokyo

Tokyo Fuji Art Museum

Impressionists at WatersideDepicting urban resorts: Paris, the Seine and Normandy.

Painting. Portraying the lives of 19th-century french urbanites' pursuit of leisure. Until Jan 5, ¥300-1,200. 10am-5pm Tue-Sun, closed Mon. Yano-machi 492-1 Hachioji.

Nearest stn: Tokyo Fuji Bijitsukan. Tel: 042-691-4511. www.fujibi.or.jp/en

Sports BASEBALL Yokohama DeNA Baystars Fan Festival

Nov 23, 11pm, ¥300. Yokohama Stadium. Nearest stn: Kannai.

Tel: 04-5661-1251.

BASKETBALL Basketball Japan League

Saitama Broncos vs.

Takamatsu Five Arrows.

Dec 21-22, 6pm, ¥900-2,800.

Tokorozawa City Gymnasium.

Nearest stn: Shintokorozawa.

Tel: 04-2991-1181.

More game and ticket info at www.bj-league.com

#1026 • WWW.METROPOLIS.CO.JP • 15

Agenda Listings National Basketball League

Hitachi

Sun Rockers Tokyo vs. Toshiba Brave Thunders. Nov 22, 7:15pm, ¥1,000-2,000. Yoyogi National Gymnasium.

Nearest stn: Meiji-Jingumae.

Hitachi

Sun Rockers Tokyo vs. Hyogo Storks.

Feb 9, 3pm, ¥1,000-2,500.

Sumida City Gymnasium.

Nearest stn: Kinshicho. Tel: 03-3623-7273.

Hitachi

Sun Rockers Tokyo vs. Wakayama Trians.

Feb 8, 6pm, ¥1,000-2,500.

Sumida City Gymnasium.

Nearest stn: Kinshicho. Tel: 03-3623-7273.

Hitachi

Sun Rockers Tokyo vs. Tsukuba Robots.

Jan 25-26, 6pm, ¥1,0002,000. Yoyogi National Gymnasium. Nearest stn: Meiji-Jingumae.

Hitachi

Sun Rockers Tokyo vs. Aisin Seahorses Mikawa. Feb 15-16, 6pm, ¥1,000-2,500. Ota City General Gymnasium.

Nearest stn: Umeyashiki. Tel: 03-5480-6688.

More game and ticket info at www.nbl.or.jp

FIGURE SKATING All Japan Championship

Dec 21-Dec 23, various times, ¥2,000-12,000. Saitama Super Arena. Nearest stn: Saitama-Shintoshin.

All Japan Medalist on ice Dec 24, 5:30pm, ¥5,0009,000. Saitama Super Arena.

Nearest stn: SaitamaShintoshin.

ICE HOCKEY Asia League

H.C.

Tochigi Nikko Icebucks vs. Tohoku Free Blades. Dec 7-8, 4pm, ¥1,0003,600. Nikko Shimofuri Ice Arena. Tel: 0288-53-5881.

H.C.

Tochigi Nikko Icebucks vs. Oji Eagles. Jan 18-21, 4pm, ¥1,000-3,600.

Nikko Shimofuri Ice Arena.

Tel: 0288-53-5881.

H.C.

Tochigi Nikko Icebucks vs. High 1. Feb 8-9, 4pm, ¥1,000-3,600. Nikko Shimofuri Ice Arena. Tel: 0288-53-5881.

More game and ticket info at www.alhockey.com

PRO WRESTLING New Japan: World Tag League

Nov 23, 6:30pm, ¥4,0008,000. Korakuen Hall.

Nearest stn: Suidobashi. Tel: 03-5800-9999.

Big Japan

Nov 22, 7pm, ¥3,150-6,300.

Korakuen Hall. Nearest stn: Suidobashi. Tel: 03-58009999.

RUGBY Top League

NTT Communications Shining Arcs vs. Ricoh Black Rams. Dec 7, 12pm, ¥300-3,500.

Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium. Nearest stn: Gaienmae. Tel: 03-34013881.

SOCCER J. League, Division 1

FC Tokyo vs. Shonan Bellmare. Nov 23, 5pm, ¥500-5,000. Ajinomoto Stadium. Nearest stn: Tobitakyu. Tel: 04-24400555. Kashima Antlers vs.

Sagan Tosu. Nov 23, 2pm, ¥1,400-7,500. Kashima Soccer Stadium. Nearest stn: Kashima Sports Stadium. Urawa Reds vs. Kawasaki Frontale. Nov 23, 2pm, ¥1,000-4,500. Saitama Stadium. Nearest stn: Urawamisono. Tel: 048-8121001.

16 • WWW.METROPOLIS.CO.JP

GO TO WWW.METURL.COM/LISTINGS FOR COMPLETE LISTINGS

Kashiwa Reysol vs. FC Tokyo. Nov 30, 5pm, ¥1,3005,000. Hitachi Stadium.

Nearest stn: Kashiwa. Tel: 047-162-2250. Omiya Ardija vs. Jubilo Iwata. Nov 30, 2pm, ¥1,0005,000. NACK5 Stadium.

Nearest stn: Kitaomiya. Tel: 048-644-7950. Yokohama F. Marinos vs.

Albirex Niigata. Nov 30, 2pm, ¥900-5,000. Nissan Stadium.

Nearest stn: Kozuke. Tel: 04-5477-5000. FC Tokyo vs. Vegalta Sendai.

Dec 7, 3:30pm, ¥500-6,000.

Ajinomoto Stadium. Nearest stn: Tobitakyu. Tel: 04-24400555. Kashima Antlers vs.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Dec 7, 3:30pm, ¥1,400-7,500.

Kashima Soccer Stadium.

Nearest stn: Kashima Sports Stadium. Kawasaki Frontale vs.

Yokohama F. Marinos. Dec 7, 3:30pm, ¥800-4,500. Todoroki Stadium. Nearest stn: Musashikosugi. Tel: 044-7220303. Shonan Bellmare vs.

Omiya Ardija. Dec 7, 3:30pm, ¥600-5,500. Shonan BMW Stadium Hiratsuka. Tel: 0463-33-4455. Urawa Reds vs. Cerezo Osaka. Dec 7, 3:30pm, ¥1,0003,000. Saitama Stadium.

Nearest stn: Urawamisono.

Tel: 048-812-1001.

More game and ticket into at www.j-league.jp/eng

VOLLEYBALL Men's World Grand Champions Cup

Nov 22-Nov 24, various times, ¥500-8,500. Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.

Nearest stn: Sendagaya. Tel: 03-5474-2112. www.jva.or.jp/ world/wgcc2013

Emperor’s Cup/Empress’s Cup

Dec 11-15, various times, ¥800-5,500. Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, Shibuya. Nearest stn: Sendagaya. Tel: 03-5474-2112.

Festivals Water Ravine Festival

Hiking by the Yorou river, rice cake making contest and more. Nov 23, 10am, free.

Otakimachi, Chiba. Nearest stn: Yourou Keikoku. Tel: 0470-80-1146. http:// meturl. com/chibamomiji2013

Harvest Festival

Try out harvesting daikon, negi etc, botanical art lessons and more. Nov 23-24, 9am-4pm, from ¥100. Adachi Nougyou Park. 2-44-1 Shikahama, Adachi-ku.

Nearest stn: Akabane. Tel: 03-3853-4114. www.seibu-la. co.jp/adachi-agri

Narita San Park Koyo Festival

Shakuhachi and koto performances. ; Nov 23-24 & Nov 30, all day, free. Narita San Park. Narita city, Chiba. Nearest stn: Narita. Tel: 0476-22-2102. www.chiba-tour.jp

Bunkyo Kiku Matsuri

Dolls made from chrysanthemum flowers, dome-shaped displays and more. Until Nov 23, 6am-sunset, ¥500. Yushima Tenjin. Nearest stn: Yushima or Ueno Okachimachi.

Tel: 03-3836-0753. www. yushimatenjin.or.jp

Tokyo Metropolitan Tourism Chrysanthemum Exhibition

Masterpieces of horticultural manipulation, including bonsai and other styles. Until Nov 23, 10am-4pm, free. Hibiya Park. Nearest stn: Hibiya. Tel: 03-3930-2828.

Asakusa Tori-no-Ichi

Annual open-air market selling

goods thought to bring good fortune. Nov 27, all day, free.

Chokokuji, Asakusa. Nearest stn: Iriya or Asakusa. www. torinoichi.jp

Mount Takao Momiji Matsuri

Hiking event to view colored leaves. Kokeshi show every weekend. Until Nov 30, all day, free. Takaomachi, Hachioji.

Nearest stn: Takaosanguchi.

Tel: 042-643-3115. http:// meturl.com/takao2013

Meiji Jingu Gaien Gingko Festival

Street perfromances, tea ceremony demonstrations, ikebana exhibition and more.

Until Dec 9, 10am-4:30pm, free.

Meiji Jingu Gaien. Nearest stn: Harajuku. Tel: 03-3401-0312. www.meijijingugaien.jp/event

Forums & Expos Winter Sports Festa

Features over 290 of the coolest brands this season. Nov 22, 2-7pm; Nov 23, 11am-7pm; Nov 24, 11am-6pm, free.

Makuhari Messe. Nearest stn: Kaihin-Makuhari. www. fuyusupo.jp

Gunpla Expo World Tour

Gundam model enthusiast heaven. ; Nov 22, 10am-8pm; Nov 23, 10am-6pm; Nov 24, 10am-5pm, free. Akihabara UDX. Nearest stn: Akihabara.

Tel: 03-5289-0989. http:// bandai-hobby.net/expo2013

Tokyo Motor Show

The future of automobiles.

Conferences, test rides and more. Nov 23-Dec 1, 10am-8pm (Mon-Sat)/ 10am-6pm (Sun), ¥400-1,300 (adv)/ ¥500-1,500 (door). Tokyo Big Sight. Nearest stn: Kokusai-Tenjijo-Seimon. www.tokyo-motorshow. com/en

Odaiba Motor Fes

Italian, Japanese and American car showcase. Until Dec 1, various times, various prices. Mega Web Tokyo City Showcase. Nearest stn: Tokyo Teleport. Tel: 03-3599-0808. www.megaweb.gr.jp

Sportec

A focus on health and fitness. Dec 5-6, 10am-6pm; Dec 7, 10am-5pm, free (pre-registration)/ ¥2,000 (door). Tokyo Big Sight. Nearest stn: Kokusai-Tenjijo-Seimon. www.sports-st.com/en

Eco-Products 2013

Activities, products and proposals for a sustainable world. Dec 12-13, 11am-6pm; Dec 14, 11am-5pm, free (registration required). Tokyo Big Sight. Nearest stn: KokusaiTenjijo-Seimon. eco-pro.com/ eco2013/english

Bazaars & Markets Family Bazaar

Clothes, accessories, food and more. Nov 22-24; Nov 29-Dec 1, 10am-5pm, free. Iwamotocho and Higashi-Kanda areas.

Nearest stn: Iwamotocho. www.family-bazar.com

Shinagawa Intercity Flea Market

More than 120 vendors. Sun & hols. Until Jan 1, 9am-3pm, free. Shinagawa Intercity.

Nearest stn: Shinagawa. meturl.com/shinflea

Iidabashi Ramla Market

Every first and third Sun, 10am-4pm, Iidabashi Ramla.

Nearest stn: Iidabashi.

Umi no Koen Flea Market

Every 3rd Sun, 10am-4pm, Umi no Koen. Nearest stn: Uminokoen-Shibaguchi. rinpodan@umino-kouen.net Tel: 03-3226-6800.

Best Flea Market

Every second Sun, 10am-4pm, Tokyo International Forum

Hall C. Nearest stn: Yurakucho.

Tel: 03-3226-6800.

Hanazono Shrine Market

Every Sun, 8am-4pm, Hanazono Shrine. Nearest stn: Shinjuku-sanchome. Tel: 03-3200-3093.

Ibaraki-ichi

Farm-fresh veg from the north.

Every Sat, 7-9am, Roppongi Hills East Court. Nearest stn: Roppongi. Tel: 03-6406-5285.

Soramachi Christmas Market

Hot win, European nibbles and crafts. Nov 5-Dec 25, daily 11am-10pm, free. Tokyo Soramachi. Nearest stn: Asakusa or Oshiage. www. skytreetownillumination2013. jp

Community

Nogi Shrine Market

Every second Sun, 5:30am3pm, Nogi Shrine. Nearest stn: Nogizaka. Tel: 03-3478-3001.

Oedo Antique Fair

Japan’s largest outdoor antique market. Every first and third Sun, 8am-4:30pm, Tokyo International Forum Hall C. Nearest stn: Yurakucho. Tel: 03-5805-1093.

Aoyama Marché

Organic farmers’ market.

Every weekend, United Nations University. Nearest stn: Omotesando. Tel: 03-34560960.

Yasukuni Shrine Antique Market

Every Sun, sunrise-sunset, Yasukuni Shrine. Nearest stn: Kudanshita. Tel: 03-3261-8326.

Fudaten Jinja Market

Every second Sun, 10am-4pm, Fudaten Jinja. Nearest stn: Chofu. Tel: 04-2489-0022.

Shinjuku Central Park Market

Local produce stalls, workshops and live performances. Every Saturday, 10am-4pm, Shinjuku Central Park. Nearest stn: Tocho-mae.

Tel: 03-2504-2128. meturl. com/shinjukuparkmarket

Yebisu Marché

Organic fruits and vegetables.

Every first and third Sun, 11am-5pm, Ebisu Garden Place. Nearest stn: Ebisu. www. facebook.com/YEBISUMarche

Christmas Markets Christmas Flea City

Nov 22-Dec 22, every Sun 11am-5pm, free. Ark Karajan Place, Ark Hills. Nearest stn: Roppongi Icchome. www. arkhills.com

Tree of Hope

DEC 1 (SUN), 10:30AM-5PM Vedaplus Winter Event

A one-day event to recharge yourself. Practice yoga, learn more about yourself through a plam reading and relax with a refreshing massage. Email: info@ vedaplus-motoazabu.jp.

Tel: 03-6434-5448 Nearest stn: Azabu-Juban. http:// vedaplus-motoazabu.jp/

Roppongi Tenmon Club

See the stars and the city lights with other astronomy enthusiasts.Nov 22 & Dec 27, 7-9pm; ¥500-1,500 (entrance fee) + ¥2,000 (seminar, optional). Tokyo City View. Tel: 03-6406-6652. http://meturl. com/tenmon

Tokyo Spring

Film screening and discussion of Gwangju Rebellion and History of Modern Korea. Korean with Japanese subtitles.

Nov 24, 3pm, free +1d.

Cafe Lavanderia. Nearest stn: Shinjuku Sanchome. sulejmansulejman@yahoo. com. http://tokyospring. blogspot.jp

The Cat's Meow

Modern speakeasy presents a book reading and signing with Japantown author Barry Lancet. Hardcover book, welcome drink and snacks included. Dec 6, 8-10pm, ¥4,000. Biscotti Tapas. Nearest stn: Yoyogi Uehara. http:// kimiecat.wordpress.com

Sale of exquisite Christmas ornaments where a percentage of the proceeds go to charity.

Nov 22-Dec 25, all day, ¥2,500 per ornament. The Peninsula Hotel Lobby. Nearest stn: Hibiya. www.peninsula.com/ Tokyo

Sunday Spin

Roppongi Hills Christmas Market

Pause Talk

German-style market with handmade crafts and imported goods. Nov 30-Dec 25, daily 11am-9pm, free. Roppongi Hills. Nearest stn: Roppongi.

Tel: 03-6406-6000. www. roppongihills.com/events

Christmas Market

Hula-hoop it up in Yoyogi, no need to bring your own. Drop in/out at any time. Every fourth Sun, Yoyogi Park. Nearest stn: Harajuku. Tel: 03-34696081. http://meturl.com/ hoopinginjapan Open forum where creatives can get together and discuss projects, ideas and cultural currents. Every first Mon, Cafe Pause. Nearest stn: Ikebukuro.

Tel: 03-6912-7711. www. pausetalk.org

Party and Purpose

German-style huts line the plaza selling hot wine, stollen and traditional crafts. Nov 30-Dec 25, daily 11am-10pm, free. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. Nearest stn: Minatomirai. Tel: 045-2272002. www.yokohamaakarenga.jp

A casual get-together over dinner with people interested in personal development, organized by Tokyo Positive Thinkers. Every third Wed, 8pm, about ¥2,000, Ikebukuro TGI Friday's. Nearest stn: Ikebukuro. Tel: 090-44406391. http:// meturl.com/ positivethinkerstokyo

Christmas Organic Market

Stitch-n-Bitch

A holiday twist to the regular earth-friendly market. Dec 14, 11am-6pm, free. Park Hyatt Tokyo. Nearest stn: Hatsudai. info@euofa.jp www.facebook. com/organicmarket.tokyo

Marché de Noël

Toys, treats, seasonal cards and more. Until Dec 25, daily 11am-9pm, free.

Tokyo Midtown. Nearest stn: Roppongi. Tel: 03-34753100. http://meturl.com/ midtownmarche2013

Meet fellow knitters, crocheters and sewers to talk, share ideas, eat, drink and create. Every first and third Tue, 7pm, free, Cafe Respekt. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.meetup.com/ TokyoStitchandBitch

Half-Fast Cyclists

Bicyclists of all treads meet for slide shows, lectures, ride-planning, etc. Every second Wed, 7pm, free, The Pink Cow. Nearest stn:

Roppongi. Tel: 03-6434-5773. cowmail@thepinkcow.com

Tokyo Street Hockey Association

Casual street hockey group with regular meet-ups. Every first, second and third Fri, various venues. Check website calendar for details. www. tokyohockey.com

Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School

Burlesque models pose for artstars and sketching newbies alike with food, drinks and arty socializing. Every third Wed, 7pm, ¥2,000, The Pink Cow. Nearest stn: Roppongi.

Tel: 03-6434-5773. cowmail@ thepinkcow.com www. drsketchytokyo.wordpress. com

Learning ICT Workshop: Handmade Christmas Ornaments and Yarn Spinning Learn how to use a spindle and to make Christmas ornaments from your newly spun yarn.

Nov 22, 7:30-10pm, ¥1,500.

Allincco Office, 2-22-14, Shibuya. Nearest stn: Shibuya. info@intlcentertokyo.com. www.intlcentertokyo.com/ workshop/ictworkshop3

Make Your Own Sockshaped Tote Bag

Workshop for kids (below elementary school age) to make an original sock-like bag. Nov 23, 5pm, ¥1,000. Kids no Mori, Omotesando Hills.

Nearest stn: Omotesando or Meijijingumae. www. omotesandohills.com/event/

Bordeaux Wine Seminar

A gourmet dinner with exceptional wines in an international atmosphere. Nov 30, 7pm, ¥9,980 (adv). Legato.

Nearest stn: Shibuya. http:// meturl.com/monthlywine

ICT Workshop: "Deco-ben"

Learn how to make a decorative bento in a friendly and international atmosphere.

Nov 30, 9:30-11:30am, ¥1,500.

Tomato Kitchen Space, 4F Ushigome Tansu Chiiki Center, 15 Tansu-cho. Nearest stn: Ushigome-Kagurazaka. info@intlcentertokyo.com. www.intlcentertokyo.com/ workshop/dekoben

Christmas Deco Brooch Workshop

Design your own felt brooch, just in time for Christmas! For kids of all ages. Dec 7, 4pm, ¥1,000. Omotesando Hills.

Nearest stn: Omotesando or Meiji-jingumae. Tel: laforet1@kiwa-inc.co.jp. www. omotesandohills.com/event

Fish Ornament Workshop

Make your own fish-shaped ornament for this year's Christmas tree. Until Dec 25, daily from 10am, free (materials)/ ¥600-2,000 (entrance fee). Sumida Aquarium. Nearest stn: Oshiage. www.sumida-aquarium.com

TCS Improv Workshop

The weekly Tokyo Comedy Store In the Moment improv workshop, all levels welcome.

Beginner intensives on weekends throughout the year.

See website for more details.

Every Wednesday, 7-9pm, Our Space Studio. Nearest stn: Hatagaya. Tel: 03-5770-7401. www.tokyocomedy.com/ improv_comedy_workshop

Other Events Santa Claus Visit

Santa drops by from Finland to say hello to all the good boys and girls at the Midtown Courtyard. Nov 23-24, 1 & 4pm, free. Tokyo Midtown. Nearest stn: Roppongi. Tel: 03-34753100. http://meturl.com/ midtownsanta2013

Agenda Listings Tama River Basin Folk Performance Festival

Local folk arts by the Group of Tama River Folk Entertainment. Dec 1, 1pm, free. Komae Ecorma Hall. 1-2-1 Motoizumi, Komae. Nearest stn: Komae. http:// meturl.com/ tamariver2013

DEC 10 (TUE), 11:30-3:30PM Ikebana International Fair

Ikebana International Fair 2013 at Tokyo Prince Hotel.

Ikebana (flower arranging) exhibition by iemoto (masters), bazaar and more. ¥2,000 (inc. refreshment).

Mention Metropolis and get free entrance.

Email: info@ikebanatokyo. or.jp. Tel: 03-3295-0720 Nearest stn: Onarimon. www.ikebanatokyo.or.jp/

Christmas Tree and City Skyline Night Cruise

Catch the breathtaking city view at dusk from the waters of Tokyo Bay. Nov 23, Dec 14 & Dec 21-25, 5pm, ¥500-1,000.

Chiba Port Tower. Nearest stn: Chiba Minato. www. chiba-porttower.com

Tape Tokyo

Austrian-Croation art collective is seeking volunteers to help set up tape installation.

Until Nov 24, free. Spiral.

Nearest stn: Omotesando. Tel: 03-3498-1171. www.spiral. co.jp/about/recruit

Writers' Bloc Tokyo 22: November Noise

Enjoy spoken word artistry and share your own creative efforts in a relaxed environment. Nov 24, 7:30pm, free. Jamrock Cafe. Nearest stn: Harajuku. www.facebook. com/writersbloctokyo

Super Oktoberfest

Beer, beer and more beer. Nov 28-Dec 1, 11am-10pm, ¥1,200 (adv)/ ¥1,300 (door). Tokyo Dome. Nearest stn: Suidobashi. info@super-oktoberfest.jp. www.super-oktoberfest.jp

Tokyo Run for the Cure/ Walk for Life

10K/5K run and 5K walk in order to raise awareness about breast cancer in Japan. Nov 30, from 9am, registration fee: free (under 5s)/ ¥2,500 (6-12 yrs)/ ¥5,000 (gen). Hibiya Park and around the Imperial Palace. kiei@runforthecure.org www. runforthecure.org/en/runwalk

Tokyo Media International

Networking event with short film screenings, art exhibits and a Q&A with Hollywood producer Bruce Nachbar. Dec 2, 7pm, ¥2,500 (adv). Grand Hyatt Tokyo. Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.tokyomedia.jp

Feed an Elephant: Christmas Version

Give an early birthday present to one of the zoo's most popular residents. Dec 21-23, 2pm, ¥200-500. Kanazawa Zoo. Nearest stn: Kanazawabunko.

Tel: 045-783-9100. www2. kanazawa-zoo.org

Thank You Candle

Write a message of gratitude on a candle, then line up with others to create a giant heart.

Dec 24, sunset-8pm, ¥1,000 per candle. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. Nearest stn: Minatomirai. Tel: 045-2111515. www.welcome.city. yokohama.jp

Yokohama Christmas: Singing Tree

Until Dec 25, from 5:30pm, free.

Queen's Square. Nearest stn: Minato Mirai. www.qsy-tqc.jp

Whisky Hills 2013

Discounted or free whisky samples abound at participating restaurants.

Until Dec 25. Roppongi Hills.

Nearest stn: Roppongi. www. whiskyhills.jp

Department-H

Underground party hosted by drag queens. Every first Saturday night of every month. BYOB. Until Dec 5, 12am, ¥3,000(dress code)/¥4,500 (w/flyer)/ ¥5,000 (door). Tokyo Kinema Club.

Nearest stn: Uguisudani. Tel: 03-3874-7988. department-h. com

Shibuhouse Party

All-night house party with the Shibuhouse residents on the 22nd of every month, 7pm-7am. ¥1,000 w/ food & drink. Contact shibuhouseinfo@gmail. com for address/directions.

Nearest stn: Shibuya. www. shibuhouse.com.

Film

City View. www.roppongihills. com/events

stn: Minato Mirai. www. mec-markis.jp/mm

Silent Film Renaissance 2013

Roppongi Hills Illumination

Bright Christmas

A selection of Lois Weber films are accompanied by live piano music. Nov 26-Dec 1, various times, ¥100-500. National Film Center. Nearest stn: Takebashi. www.momat.go.jp/english/nfc

ASVOFF 2013

International film festival focused on fashion, curated

by Diane Pernet. Nov 29, 4-11pm; Nov 30, 1-11pm; Dec 1, 11am-7pm, ¥1,000-1,500 (1 day)/ ¥2,500-3,000 (3 days).

Idol Tokyo, Minato-ku. Nearest stb: Omotesando. Tel: 03-64274741. http:// asvoff.jp

Poland Film Festival

A selection of works by Polish filmmakers ranging from the 1950s to as recent as 2011. Nov 30-Dec 13, various times, ¥1,200 (adv)/ ¥1,500 (door)/ ¥8,000 (free pass to all screenings). Image Forum.

Nearest stn: Shibuya. www. polandfilmfes.com

Swedish Film Festival

Classic and new films by Swedish directors. Nov 30-Dec 6, various times, ¥500-1,500.

Eurospace. Nearest stn: Shibuya. meturl.com/ swefilm2013

Holiday Lights Christmas Illumination and Show

Nov 23-Dec 25, daily from 5pm, free. Chiba Port Tower. Nearest stn: Chiba Minato. www. chiba-porttower.com

Caretta Illumination — White Xmas in the Sea

Until Dec 25, daily from 5pm, free. Caretta Shiodome.

Nearest stn: Shiodome. Tel: 03-6218-2100. www.caretta.jp/ illumi2013

Hikari no Saiten

Nov 30-Dec 25, from 4:30pm, free. Motofuchie Park, Adachi-ku. Nearest stn: Takenotsu. http:// meturl.com/ adachihikari20

Tokyo Gate Bridge Illumination

Dec 24, from sunset, free.

Iwakasu Park. Nearest stn: Iwakasu Koen Kanpujo. http:// meturl.com/iwakasupark

Sky Illumination

Until Dec 25, Mon-Thu & Sun from 10am, ¥500-1,500. Tokyo

KANAMACHI Single Male, Female Separate Floors

JPY55,000 /month

Share Male, Female Separate Floors

JPY35,000 /month

Until Dec 25, daily from 5pm, free. Roppongi Hills. Nearest stn: Roppongi. Tel: 03-64066000. www.roppongihills. com/events

Starlight Garden

Until Dec 25, daily from 5pm, free. Tokyo Midtown. Nearest stn: Roppongi. Tel: 03-34753100. www.tokyo-midtown. com/jp/xmas/2013/ illumination

Aqua Marine Magic

Until Dec 25, daily 11am-11pm, free. Aqua City. Nearest stn: Odaiba Kaihin Koen. www. aquacity.jp

Tokyo Tower Christmas Illumination

Until Dec 25, daily from 4pm, free. Tokyo Tower. Nearest stn: Akabanebashi. www. tokyotower.co.jp

Illumination Museum

Until Dec 25, time depends on location, free. Office buildings and hotels around West Shinjuku. Nearest stn: Shinjuku or Nishi-Shinjuku. www.machigurumi.net

Christmas Shining Lights Until Dec 25, daily 11am-11pm, free.

Omotesando Hills. Nearest stn: Omotesando or Meiji-jingumae. Tel: 03-34970310. www.omotesandohills. com/event

Lalaport Yokohama Christmas Illumination Until Dec 25, daily from 4:30pm, free. Lalaport Yokohama. Nearest stn: Kamoi. http:// okohama. lalaport.jp/campaign/ illumination

Yokohama Bay Christmas Illumination Until Dec 25, daily from 4:30pm, free. Yokohama Bay Quarter. Nearest stn: Yokohama. www.yokohamabayquarter.com

Xmas Illumination

Until Dec 25, daily from 4:45pm, free. Lalaport Tokyo Bay. Nearest stn: Minami Funabashi. http:// tokyobay. lalaport.net

Mark IS Minato Mirai Christmas

Until Dec 25, all day, free.

3-5-1 Minato Mirai. Nearest

Marunouchi Illuminations

Until Dec 25, daily from 5pm, free. Yokohama Landmark Tower. Nearest stn: Minato Mirai. www.marunouchi.com/ feature_jp/13xmas

Xmas Wonderland

Until Dec 25, daily from 4pm, free. Shibuya Hikarie. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.hikarie.jp/ special/2013/xmas

Winter Illuminations

Until Dec 31, daily from 5:45pm, free. Tokyo Diver City Plaza. Nearest stn: Daiba. www. divercity-tokyo.com

Romantic Starry Night

Until Jan 5, daily from 3:30pm, free. The Museum of the Little Prince in Hakone.

Nearest stn: Hakone Yumoto.

Tel: 0460-86-3700. www.tbs. co.jp/l-prince/e

Tama Center Illumination Until Jan 7, daily from 4:30pm, free. Tama Center. Nearest stn: Tama Center. www. tamacenter-cm.com/illumi

Shinbashi Christmas Illumination

Until Jan 10, daily from 5pm, free. SL Hiroba. Nearest stn: Shinbashi. http:// meturl.com/ sl2013

Baccarat Eternal Lights

Until Jan 13, daily from 4pm, free. Ebisu Garden Place.

Nearest stn: Ebisu. www. gardenplace.jp

Tiara of Light

Until Jan 13, from 4pm, free.

Ginza and Kasumigaseki area. Nearest stn: Ginza. http:// mi-mo.jp/pc/special/ xmas2013_illumination

Utsunomiya Illumination

Until Feb 16, daily from 5pm, free. Marunouchi area.

Nearest stn: Tokyo. www. marunouchi.com

Jewellumination

Until Feb 16, daily from 4pm, ¥500-1,200. Yomiuriland.

Nearest stn: Yomiurilandmae. www.yomiuriland.com/ jewellumination

Night Venus - Light for Wishing

Until Mar 16, daily from noon, free. VenusFort. Nearest stn: Aoumi. Tel: 03-3599-0700. www.venusfort.co.jp/illumi

Winter Fantasy

Until Apr 9, daily from sunset, free. Cosmo Clock 21, Cosmo World. Nearest stn: Minato Mirai. www.senyo.co.jp/cosmo

Lake Sagami Illumillion

Until Apr 13, daily from 5pm, ¥300-500. Sagamiko Resort Pleasure Forest. Nearest stn: Sagamiko. www.sagamikoresort.jp/illumillion

Tokyo Michi Terrace Starlight Walk

Until Dec 29, daily from 5pm, free. Marunouchi area.

Nearest stn: Tokyo.

Towers Milight: All Office Buildings Light Up Dec 24, from 2pm, free. Minato Mirai area. Nearest stn: Minato Mirai. www.minatomirai21. com

Oto to Hikari no Omotenashi

Until Mar 2, daily from 5pm, free. Akasaka Sacas. Nearest stn: Akasaka. http://sacas.net

Omotesando Illuminations: Let's Give Happiness

Until Jan 14, daily from 5pm, free. various venues. Nearest stn: Utsunomiya. http:// meturl.com/utsu2013

Nov 28-Jan 5, from sunset, free. Omotesando area.

Nearest stn: Omotesando and Meiji Jingumae. www. omotesandohills.com

Tokyo Skytree Town Illumination

Christmas Decorations and Model Christmas Train

Until Jan 31, daily from 5pm, free. Tokyo Soramachi. Nearest stn: Asakusa or Oshiage. www. skytreetownillumination 2013.jp

Blue Lights Symphony

Until Feb 14, daily from 5pm, free. Keyaki Hiroba, Saitama Shintoshin. Nearest stn: Sa itama Shintooshin. www. saitama-arena.co.jp

UntilJan 13, all day, free. Hilton Tokyo Bay Lobby. Nearest stn: Maihama. Tel: 047-355-5000. www.hiltontokyobay.jp

Tokyo Dome City Winter Illumination

Until Feb 16, from 5pm, free.

Tokyo Dome City. Nearest stn: Korakuen or Suidobashi. www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/ illumination/2013

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http://www.airay-apartment.net #1026 • WWW.METROPOLIS.CO.JP • 17

Agenda Movies BY DON MORTON

THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER

W

e all went to high school. Some us were in with the “cool” kids, but most of you perhaps not. Kidding. Anyway, we’ve all seen way too many too-sappy coming-of-age movies about fitting in, being yourself and following your dream, ad nauseam. But somehow this one, scripted and directed by Stephen Chbosky from his own popular YA novel, manages to (see title) take a fresh look at some of the positive aspects of being on the outside looking in. The time is the early ’90s. The central character is Charlie (a career-making turn for Logan Lerman, making up for all that Percy Jackson drivel), a troubled, alienated freshman who is befriended by senior-class stepsiblings and perfectly happy outcasts Ezra Miller (We Need to Talk About Kevin) and Emma Watson (effectively erasing Hermione). Their older and artsier crowd kind of adopts Charlie and helps him face down some dark, guiltdriven demons. This nuanced, unsentimental ode to the power of supportive friends is warm and wise, sad and amusing, sincere and insightful, and not at all unhip. Japanese title: Wallflower. (102 min)

NEW

CAN’T STAND LOSING YOU: SURVIVING THE POLICE

This candid and entertaining look at the rock group’s sevenyear history, interspersed with foota ge f rom their 2007-08 reunion tour, is adapted from Andy Summers’s popular autobiography One Train Later.

What makes it so much more personal than most rock docs is the inclusion of the guitarist’s own, most excellent still photography. Man has a second talent. Few talking heads, not even Sting or Stuart Copeland. Of note to us here in Tokyoland is a scene in which Summers is strolling past a tiny karaoke bar in Shinjuku’s Golden Gai district that’s belting out “Every Breath You Take.” He goes in... (82 min) SHOWING FROM NOV 23

FILTH

I read this accurately titled 1998 Irving Welsh novel because the movie Trainspotting was so good. Then I took a hot shower and threw the book away rather than pass it on. So I’m perhaps not completely impartial on this flick, even though it curbs some of the novel’s excesses (fewer tapeworm monologues and diseased genitals). That said, this breath of rancid air might be tolerated for the image-shattering, balls-to-the-wall performance by James McAvoy as Sgt. Bruce Robinson, an amoral cokehead cop (“filth” in the vernacular) so demented he’d make Harvey Keitel’s bad lieutenant puke. And the great cast. (97 min)

YOU’RE NEXT

While not really a horror fan, I do appreciate the occasional frightener that provides its thrills through cleverness, character a n d c re at iv it y rat h e r t h a n gratuitous gore. This deliciously t w i s te d , d a rk ly h u m o r o u s creeper adeptly crosses the old home-invasion shtick with a dysfunctional family dramedy. You’ll squirm and laugh at the same time. A big reason for its success is Sharni Vinson in the “Last Girl Standing” role, whose character turns out to be less defenseless and way more resourceful than the invaders counted on. Still not for the queasy, but there’s more here than mere splatter. Japanese title: Surprise. (96 min)

18 • WWW.METROPOLIS.CO.JP

NEW

A LIAR’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY: THE UNTRUE STORY OF MONTY PYTHON’S GRAHAM CHAPMAN.

“Cool,” I said, as the lights dimmed.

“A doc about a Monty Python guy. Gotta be funny.” But this tunelessly tedious pseudo-biography about the group’s only openly gay (and long-dead) member is sloppy, often incoherent, aggressively not funny and most decidedly not a Monty Python movie. Cobbled together by 14 different animation studios that apparently communicated infrequently, the film lurches from one wrong-headed, tasteless episode to another. I left the theater spitting. Only 82 minutes but seems interminable! Unwatchable swill. Japanese title: Monty Python Aru Usotsuki no Monogatari: Graham Chapman Jiden. (82 min) SHOWING FROM NOV 23

THE FAMILY

Ever since mob-enforcer dad ( Rober t D e Ni ro; ta l k about inspired casting!) turned rat, the Manzoni family (mom Michelle Pfeiffer, kids Dianna Argon & John D’ Leo) has been living in France under the Witness Protection Program. But sharing as they do certain ingrained attitudes toward conflict resolution, they have proven a handful for their beleaguered FBI handler Tommy Lee Jones.

Luc Besson’s would-be crowd-pleaser is sporadically entertaining but tonally all over the place, gleefully mixing sudden, brutal ultra violence with sitcom gags. Spoof or thriller? Not really good enough for either. Japanese title: Malavita. (111 min)

CARRIE

Brian De Palma’s 1976 adaptation of Stephen King’s first novel, about a bullied, seriously pissedoff prom queen wreaking severe telekinetic/pyrotechnic revenge on her tormenters, set the bar for horror movies. The classic contained wit, campy humor and social commentary as well as plentiful pig blood. This too-slick, anemic remake has neither the wit nor the commentary. Script aside, part of the problem is the casting. The most excellent young Chloe Grace Moretz is just to soft and approachable to make a scary Carrie. Julianne Moore, however, really uncorks it as Carrie’s religious-fanatic mother. (100 min)

STAND UP GUYS

Val (Al Pacino, 72) is picked up

by Doc (Christopher Walken, 69) after a 28-year prison stretch.

The two first break their wheelman (Alan Arkin, 78) out of his nursing home and then set out to satisfy Val’s immediate appetites (Note: Viagra jokes in a movie so titled can be tricky). But Val soon senses, correctly, that Doc must kill him within 24 hours of his release. Ah, but that’s still 24 hours away. The plot’s weak, the direction indifferent, but your enjoyment of this geezer GoodFellas will hinge entirely on how much you like watching these three cinema vets play off each other. It’s an indulgence.

Japanese title: Midnight Guys. (95 min)

THE COUNSELOR

The first original screenplay by Cormac McCarthy; direction

by Ridley Scott; a killer cast comprising Michael Fassbender, Cameron Diaz, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz and even Brad Pitt. How can this be such a misfire? With the exception of Diaz’s overcooked femme fatale, it’s not the actors. Scott’s direction is stylish but unmoving. It’s compliant. The problems are in the script. The pseudo-existential narrative’s thin, the cartoony, unlikable characters talk way too much, and the philosophical dialogue’s pretentious. Maybe McCarthy is better at providing source material. Wait for the book. Japanese title: Aku no Housoku. (117 min)

EVERYDAY

I’ve always been a big fan of M ichael Wi nterb ot tom . H i s movies ( Butterfly Kiss, Jude, Welcome to Sarajevo, I Want You, Wonderland, 24 Hour Party People, others) represent some of the most enjoyable and thoughtprovoking hours I’ve spent at the movies. But this one escapes me.

It’s the story of an incarcerated man (John Simm) and the visits by his wife (a terrific Shirley Henderson) and family. The gimmick is that it was filmed over a period of five years, and so the characters age. That’s it. I get the minimalist, slice-of-life theme, but watching paint dry would be an action flick by comparison. Japanese title: Itoshiki Everyday. (90 min)

THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER: ©2013 SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.; A LIAR’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY: THE UNTRUE STORY OF MONTY PYTHON’S GRAHAM CHAPMAN: © LIAR’S FILMS LTD 2012; CAN’T STAND LOSING YOU--SURVIVING THE POLICE: COPYRIGHT 2012 OTL DISTRIBUTION LLC; YOU’RE NEXT: ©2011 SNOOT ENTERTAINMENT, LLC; THE COUNSELOR: © 2013 TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION; THE FAMILY: ©EUROPACORP- TF1 FILMS PRODUCTION – GRIVE PRODUCTIONS; FILTH: © LITHIUM PICTURE LIMITED.; STAND UP GUYS: © 2012 LAKESHORE ENTERTAINMENT GROUP LLC, KIMMEL DISTRIBUTION, LLC AND LIONS GATE FILMS INC.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; CARRIE: © 2012 METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER PICTURES INC. AND SCREEN GEMS, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; EVERYDAY: © 7 DAYS FILMS LIMITED 2012. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.; THE ICEMAN: © 2012 KILLER PRODUCTIONS, INC.; 2 GUNS: © 2013 COLUMBIA PICTURES INDUSTRIES, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.; SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS: ©2011 BLUEPRINT PICTURES (SEVEN) LIMITED, THE BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE AND FILM4; TWICE BORN: © ALIEN PRODUZIONI / PICOMEDIA /TELECINCO CINEMA/ MOD PRODUCCIONES 2012; BEHIND THE CANDELABRA: © 2013 HOME BOX OFFICE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; MOVIE NEWS: KEVIN MCGUE; CINEMATIC UNDERGROUND: © ARC VISION.; © 2013 映画「四十九日のレシピ」製作委員会

THE ICEMAN

In the ’70s and ’80s, homicidal sociopath Richard Kukinski wisely channeled his unique talents into a highly successful career as a mob hit man, coldly icing more than 100 unfortunate targets. What made him remarkable (and so filmable) was the fact that his adoring wife (a good Winona Ryder) and two daughters never had the slightest inkling of what he really did for a living. That’s some major compartmentalization. What makes this gritty and gripping true-crime biopic worth watching is an intense Michael Shannon in the title role, exuding palpable menace in every scene not involving his family. (106 min)

2 GUNS

T wo law- en forcement a gents ( D e n z e l Wa s h i n g to n & M a rk Wahlberg), one DEA, the other Navy Intelligence, are under deep cover as drug dealers, but neither is aware that his partner in crime is anything but a common crook. Not great cinema. The villains (Bill Paxton & Edward James Olmos) are cartoonish, the plot holes numerous. Take away the two bantering A-listers and it’s a fairly preposterous, mismatchedbuddies bag of surprises and reversals that’s as generic as its title. But Denzel and Mark display some crackling chemistry and offbeat humor, and elevate the material to enjoyable time-waster level. (109 min)

SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS

Tarantino meets Kaufman.

Blocked would-be screenwriter Colin Farrell gets involved with LA’s underworld when his loopy friends, professional dognappers Sam Rockwell and Christopher Walken, swipe the adored Shih Tsu of vicious crime boss Woody Harrelson. There’s a lot going on in this self-aware, enjoyably demented, expectations-defying and occasionally brutal Hollywood spoof from Martin McDonagh (In Bruges). It’s not so much about telling a story as it is about the frustrations of storytelling. Falls apart in the third act, but absurdly entertaining until then. Also Tom Waits and Harry Dean Stanton. (119 min)

TWICE BORN

Love, war, birth, death, motherhood, sensuality, horror, drama.

It’s a lot to pack in to one movie. An Italian woman (a fabulous Penelope Cruz) returns to Sarajevo for a photo exhibition by her deceased former lover (Emile Hirsch). She flashes back to a time when she was diagnosed as infertile, and the two stayed in Sarajevo despite the approaching war to try in vitro fertilization, and, failing that, seeking a surrogate mother.

Since she’s accompanied by her teenage son, she was clearly successful in this, but I absolutely did not see the final, devastatingly effective twist coming. Japanese title: Aru Ai he to Suzuku Tabi. (127 min)

BEHIND THE CANDELABRA

Based on the memoirs of manysplendored pianist and proto-queen Lee Liberace’s (an astounding Michael Douglas) much-younger lover Scott Thorsen (Matt Damon, just as good), Steven Soderbergh’s multi-layered film merrily delves into the creepier side of the man’s predatory sexual practices. But Douglas’s subtle performance stops short of portraying the man as a narcissistic control freak, and Damon plays it naïve rather than as victim or opportunist. The two found something akin to love before fame, drugs and money drove them apart. The film is confident, slyly funny and filled with emotional tension. Japanese title: Ai Suru Liberace. (118 min)

eiga

SHIJUKUNICHI NO RECIPE

Rob Schwartz

D

irector Yuki Tanada has a number of feature films under her belt, but nothing she’s done prepares us for the sensitivity and insight of Shijukunichi No Recipe (Mourning Recipe).

It unfolds much like any typical Japanese family drama, but Tanada takes the style in different directions and touches us in a much more profound way.

Recently widowed Ryohei is now living alone and preparing for the 49th day Buddhist memorial service for his deceased wife when daughter Yuriko (Hiromi Nagasaku) returns home after giving divorce papers to her cheating husband. Yuriko has been caring for her hubby’s ailing mother and feels guilt at abandoning ship despite the unfaithfulness. Add into the mix Imo (Fumi Nikaido), a chirpy teenager who tries to make everything easier for Ryohei, and Haru (Masaki Okada), and the dynamics are set to bring up regret, grief and joy. As with all good films the realizations and touching moments flow from the script and the character development. They seem utterly unforced and this makes Mourning Recipe a joy to consume.

(129 min.)

movie news

S

ome filmmaking duos are just too good to stay apart long.

A full 40 years after their first collaboration with the gangster film Mean Streets in 1973, Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese teamed up again for another mafia film, The Family (released in the Japan as Malavita). “It is always great to work with Marty, and I will always take the opportunity,” the 70-year-old actor said during a visit to Tokyo for the film’s Japan premiere.

French film stalwart Luc Besson penned the script about a New York mafioso who is sent with his wife and kids to France under a witness relocation program and later decided to direct after De Niro was cast. Sensing the film would contain a lot of references to the star’s earlier films with Scorsese, Besson called to get the OK and was thrilled when the Taxi Driver director went one step further and signed on as executive producer in order to work with De Niro again. Besson calls the finished product “a love letter to Scorcese.” De Niro, one of the founders of the Tribeca Film Festival and who headed the jury at Cannes in 2011, was pleasantly surprised by fans he meet while attending the Tokyo International Film Festival with his wife last month. “Everyone is so well behaved,” the Oscar-winner observed. “It is not like festivals in the West where people yell at you and jump all over you.” The Family is now playing. Kevin Mcgue

cinematic underground

T

he edgy film fest Tokyo Filmex runs November 23-December 1 in Yurakucho, giving cinema fans a chance to catch Japanese indie films with English subtitles as well as some of the best of world cinema. This year’s lineup includes Tokyo Bitch, I Love You (pictured), which sets an 18th-century bunraku play in modernday Japan, and the Thai film Karaoke Girl about a girl from the countryside who gets a job in the big city as a nightclub hostess (http://filmex.net/2013/en)… No one does soul-searching family drama like the French, as can be seen with the film A Few Hours of Spring (2012) screening from November 30 at Ginza’s Cine Switch (4-4-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku ; www.cineswitch.com). A truck driver finds he has nowhere to go but his mother’s house after he is released from prison, and their tense relationship takes a turn when he learns she has a terminal brain tumor and is contemplating assisted suicide. With music by Nick Cave…The Poland Film Festival 2013 will run at Shibuya’s Image Forum (2-10-2 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku; www.imageforum.co.jp), November 30-December 13, bringing together works from the country’s cinematic heyday in the 1960s and more recent entries. KM

Unless noted, Japanese films screen without English subtitles. Non-English language films are shown with Japanese subtitles only. #1026 • WWW.METROPOLIS.CO.JP • 19

Dining Out THE LATEST DISH ON FOOD & DRINK IN THE BIG CITY PHOTO BY DANIEL KRIEGER

tastemaker

IVAN ORKIN

The Tokyo “ramentrepreneur” shares recipes and stories in a new book

By Yukari Sakamoto

I

van Orkin, the New Yorker behind two popular ramen shops in Tokyo —Ivan Ramen (3-24-7 Minami-Karasuyama, Setagaya-ku) and Ivan Ramen Plus (Tanbaya Bldg. 2-3-8 Kyodo, Setagayaku)—may be too young (he only turns 50 this year) to be penning an autobiography, but with ramen booming outside of Japan, it's the perfect time to come out with a cookbook. In Ivan Ramen: Love, Obsession, and Recipes from Tokyo’s Most Unlikely Noodle Joint, Orkin unselfishly shares many recipes, including his signature bowls shio (salt) ramen and four-cheese mazemen (noodles with no broth). He talks about how working a part-time job at a Japanese restaurant in high school started him down a path that would lead him to Japan and his moves back and forth between Tokyo and New York City. He also discusses how 3/11 affected his decision to move his family back to America, all in a revealing conversational style.

If you’ve ever wondered why in the world he opened his first restaurant near Rokakoen station on the Keio line in Setagaya, Orkin divulges that his mother-in-law and Chinese feng shui had something to do with it. A big proponent of buying locally, he shares how he works with the other shops in his neighborhood and confirms as true that restaurateurs and chefs do go to Kappabashi to buy pots and pans.

Orkin spoke with Metropolis over the phone from New York City where he is busy opening up two new

restaurants. “It’s exciting to give people recipes to work with, and the ramen recipes work. It’s what we use in the restaurant.”

He says there was a real lack of information on cooking ramen available in English—or even Japanese—when he opened his restaurant. So for those with the gumption to try making a bowl of ramen at home—including the noodles—Orkin provides plenty of instruction. His shio ramen recipe is a whopping 36 pages including photos.

Orkin says he “obsessed over the eggs.” His half-cooked eggs recipe is timed to the second.

Even if you are not ambitious enough to make the whole ramen recipe from scratch, simply adding this to instant ramen at home will be a treat (see Recipe, below).

For those who want to make their own noodles, Orkin says that he bought his kansui (alkaline mineral water) at Tokyu Hands. The rest of the ingredients are all readily available.

recipe

“My food is classical Japanese with a little twist,” he says. His original recipes include a schmaltz-fried chicken katsu and a chashu Cubano sandwich. If you’ve dined at Ivan Ramen and had the slow-roasted tomatoes over rice, you’ll not only be happy to see the recipe in the book, but also thrilled at how easy it is to make.

Ramen aficionados will appreciate his interviews with Shimazaki-san, one of Tokyo’s master ramen chefs, and Ohsaki-san of Ramen Databank, as well as the minute details of making noodles and the myriad components that comprise a perfect bowl.

Ivan Ramen: Love, Obsession, and Recipes from Tokyo’s Most Unlikely Noodle Joint (Ten Speed Press, Oct 2013, 224pp), ¥2,930 available from Amazon.jp. www.ivanramen.com

NORIKO YAMAGUCHI © 2013

HALF-COOKED EGGS

Ivan Ramen’s “eggscellent” signature dish

F

or a long time, eggs weren’t a traditional ramen topping; they were offered hardboiled and unpeeled in a basket for customers to pluck out and eat while they waited or to add to their soup. As ramen became more refined and less junkfoody, cooks started to treat the eggs with more care.

The eggs they sell in Japan are beyond delicious, and to me, they’re an indispensable part of a bowl of ramen.

We serve hanjuku tamago, half-cooked eggs, which have a firm but soft white and a mostly liquid yolk.

My search for perfect eggs took me to innumerable egg farms. After an extensive search, I found one that tasted great, had the most brilliant orange yolks and peeled easily. (Believe me, when you have to peel two hundred eggs a day, that’s an important criterion.) Then I spent almost as much time figuring out how to cook the eggs properly as I did perfecting the noodles. But I’ve got it now: punch a pinhole in the bottom, boil for six minutes and ten seconds, stirring gently for the first two minutes then ice immediately. Once they’re cool, the eggs are peeled and soaked in a light shoyu tare (or, preferably, reserved chashu cooking liquid). Sliced in half and served at room temperature atop the ramen, the eggs are a perfect supporting cast member for the soup and noodles, adding an extra touch of color and unctuousness to the bowl.

20 • WWW.METROPOLIS.CO.JP

HALF-COOKED EGGS Servings: 6 • 50 milliliters sake • 50 milliliters mirin • 200 milliliters soy sauce • 30 grams sugar • 40 grams garlic, chopped coarsely • 75 grams fresh ginger, chopped coarsely • 6 room-temperature fresh, large eggs • 1 liter water Simmer the sake and mirin in a saucepan over medium-high heat for two minutes to cook off a bit of the alcohol. Reduce the heat to low, then add the soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and ginger and simmer and stir for 10 minutes. Let come to room temperature; you can store the mixture in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. You want a big pot so that when the eggs go in, the temperature won’t drop too drastically, and the water will quickly come back to a boil.

Poke a small hole in the bottom (larger end) of each egg with a pushpin.

Gently slide the eggs into the boiling water. Start your timer. Stir for the first two minutes. Prepare a large bowl of ice water to shock the eggs.

The total cooking time for a large egg in Tokyo is six minutes and ten seconds. You might decide to adjust that t i me de p e nd i n g on the size of your eggs, how many you’re cooking, or what the chickens were thinking about when they laid them.

Remove the eggs after six minutes and ten seconds, and immediately place them in the ice bath. Stir until there are no pockets of hot water.

In a large bowl, combine the shoyu tare with the liter of water. When the eggs are cooled completely— after about 15 minutes—peel and soak them in the seasoning liquid for two hours in the refrigerator. The eggs will hold in the soak for three days.

When it comes time to slice the eggs and add them to the ramen, a taut nylon fishing line gets the job done without losing any of the precious yolk.

Reprinted with permission from Ivan Ramen

by Ivan Orkin © 2013. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Random House, Inc.

BITES

THE LATEST DISH ON FOOD & DRINK IN THE BIG CITY

Dining Out

on the half shell

home dining

T

ired of eating at home? How about eating at someone else’s place? World Neighbors Café (4-45-9 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku; worldneighbors.com) looks like one of the coffee and set meal joints that are so plentiful in Tokyo. But this one is on the first floor of a “social apartment,” which mixes furnished private rooms and communal lounge areas. Residents get a ¥15,000 monthly credit at the café, but anyone can drop in for all day breakfast (¥580-¥980) or lunch sets (¥780-¥1,000).

Four dinner choices (¥680-¥980), and draft beers (from ¥500) make it an affordable place to hang out of an evening. The residence bills itself as “absolutely foreigner friendly,” so a visit for a bite to eat just might just lead to a change of address.

brew

COURTESY OF SANKT GALLEN BREWERY

O

yster bars often fall into the trap of taking themselves too seriously. They charge an arm and a leg for molluscs served with far too much flourish in over-lit spaces that resembles jewelry stores more than restaurants. Newly opened, Kaki-Iredoki (5F Takagi Annex, 1-19-7 Kami-Meguro, Meguro-ku; 050-5872-5596) corrects all that with reasonable prices and a comfy setting— there's even a kotatsu out on the balcony overlooking the station. Oysters shipped directly from Hokkaido, Sanriku and Hiroshima start at just ¥190 each for grilled or ¥250 raw. The name of the restaurant is a pun on the Japanese phrase for “peak season” and its prices and late closing time will likely ensure it stays busy year round. The kaki zoni (¥890), an oyster and mochi soup, and the uni (sea urchin) nabe (¥1,280) will warm the cockles during the cold nights of autumn and the shrimp boudin blanc (¥780) is somewhat surprising seafood sausage. The drink list is designed to go along with seafood, including regional nihonshu, Chablis and sparkling wines.

F

orget all the beaujolais nouveau hy pe this November and break open a bottle of Sankt Gallen barley or wheat wine. The Kanagawa-based brewery has released the drinks in limited quantities of 6,000 bottles each on the same day that French red comes out. So why are alcoholic drinks made with grains labeled "wine" and not "beer"? The folks at the brewery say they are aged as long as a wine and at 9.8% have a similar alcohol level. The el Diablo Barley Wine is made with two and a half times the malt and six times the hops as beer and given a second round of fermentations in the bottle just like champagne. The brewery recommends enjoying the drinks in a large wine or brandy glass along with cheese, foie gras, dried fruit or chocolate. Set of two (¥2,730). www.sanktgallenbrewery.com

pit stop lunchbox

I

C

yclist and cafe owner Takayuki Nakamura combined t wo passions for his latest venture. Named after the French word for saddle bags, Cafe Sacoche (2-39-15 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku; www.cafe-sacoche.com) is a mecca for Tokyo cyclists on a Shimokitazawa back street. Riders can stop by to refuel with the shop's signature mushroom and vegetable curry (¥1,000) or restore depleted glycogen supplies after exercise with a café au lait using sakura (¥580) or pistachio mocha (¥680) ice cream. After a long tour de Tokyo, cool down with a glass of Cono Sur wine from Chile (¥500)—complete with bicycle illustration on the label. Also: Tour de France videos and free Wi-Fi. Nakamura likes to snap a photo of customers who arrive by bike and his photo album already has over 1,000 people and 2,000 wheels. MAMIL (middle-aged men in Lycra) and non-cyclist friendly.

f your kids or significant other escape from watchful eyes to open the measly PB&J you pack for their midday repast, you may want to seek the assistance of Tomomi Maruo, a home cook who has elevated the boxed lunch to an artform w ith her charaben (character bento). Maruo has just published an e-book in Japanese, revealing how she transforms a few lumps of rice and cold cuts into adorable teddy bears, bunny rabbits and city buses. Maruo also gives group classes at various locations and can instruct in English. Get a group of four or more together and you can decide which character to create. Lessons are ¥1,500 each and include lunch, a dessert and materials. Of course, learners are welcome to take home what they make. http://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/obento4kids © OBENTO 4 KIDS

fry-up

F

ollowing on the heels of the NYC-born ramen burger, the latest example of the boomera ng food phenomenon is t he okonomiyaki burger. A stone’s throw from the University of London, Yaki revolutionized the Japanese treat by baking it rather than preparing it on a grill. This may seem like a minor adjustment, but it makes the savory pancake more suitable for takeaway on a uni student budget. This time the Osaka food has made the return trip back to Tokyo with a new Yaki location off Cat Street in Harajuku (3-20-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku; www.yaki.co.jp/ jp). The “burgers” are made with two small cakes enclosing fillings such as chicken teriyaki (¥400), bacon mushroom (¥400) or yakisoba (¥350). In keeping with its mission of providing Japanese food for skint students, a soft drink can be added to orders for just ¥100. Diners with deeper pockets will want to order a cocktail or imported beer from Soran, a Japanese bartender who has worked in London and lends the joint more of a pub than shitamachi feel.

#1026 • WWW.METROPOLIS.CO.JP • 21

GORGEOUS BAR &LOUNGE CONVENIENT STANDING CASH-BAR AREA SELECTED ALCOHOL & FOOD FROM ¥500

Enjoy various events on Friday until the year ends!

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Nearest stations: Tokyo or Yurakucho. Open: Lunch 11am-2:30pm, Tea 2:30-5pm, Dinner (Mon-Fri) 5pm-4am LO 3:30am, (Weekends and hols.) 5pm-11pm LO 10pm

☎ 03-5222-1251www.miyoshi-grp.com/cardinal/pcm

Roppongi's famous Chinese eatery

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8 types of draft beer and over 80 types of bottled beer ALL 14:00-19:00 HOUR! ￥500 HAPPY - VEDETT EXTRA WHITE - KRIEK BELLE-VUE - EDELPILS - COCKTAILS - GLASS WINE

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Visit our website for info on other Chinese Cafe Eight locations

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22 • WWW.METROPOLIS.CO.JP

B1F PCP BLDG, 1-11-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku

7min from Tokyo stn. Yaesu Central Exit, 5min from Kyobashi stn (Ginza Line) Exit 5 10min from Yurakucho Stn.

Marunouchi Central Exit

Yaesu Central Exit Kyobashi Stn Exit 5

Tokyo International Forum

uch o St n Soto boridori

Open 24 hours • 180 people max for parties Roppongi: 2F Court Annex Roppongi, 3-2-13 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku.

Open: 11am-11pm (L.O. food 10pm/ drink 10:30pm) Lunch time: Weekdays 11am-2pm, Sat, Sun & Hols 11am-4pm TEL: 03-5220-2272 - Email: repos@eurobeer.net

Yur ak

of the restaurant on Facebook, and get 1 free Tsingtao. (3 people max.)

Tokyo Stn

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The majority of classified ads have moved online!

NOTE: PRINTED CLASSIFIEDS!

CLASSIFIEDS

Metropolis and its subsequent Classifieds section are printed every other week.

The upcoming publication dates and corresponding deadlines for print are as follows. This does not affect the online Classifieds, where ads are visible immediately after they are approved.

1 AT YOUR SERVICE 1.1 HEALTH

KIMISHIMA DENTAL OFFICE, MINAMI-AZABU, MINATO-KU, TOKYO. English-speaking dentist, 3min from Hiroo stn, specializing in both cosmetic a n d g e n e ra l d e n t i s t r y.

State-of-the-art facility and friendly staff. Special offer for Metropolis readers: 30% off dental check-up. 03-6277-4217 http://kimi-dental-office.com/

NIJO-SEITAIIN, JAPANESE CHIROPRACTIC HEALING AND BODY CARE. Our clients are those who have not recovered from hospital or chiropractic care elsewhere.

We treat backache, hernias, shoulder discomfort, etc. Our head office was established in 1970 in Kyoto. Our Tokyo practitioner is a graduate of Fordham University in New York City. ¥9000/70min.

03-3449-1880 http://kazryu. jp kazryukaz@gmail.com 2 - 1 6 - 2 - 5 0 2 Ta k a n a w a , Minato-ku, Tokyo

NAKAMARU D ENTAL , LO C AT E D I N YOKOHAMA , provides g e n e r a l dentistry, esthetic dentistry, dental implants and orthodontics by a UCLA-trained and certified dentist. 30min from Shinagawa and Shibuya. nakamar-@ c a m e o . p l a l a . o r. j p w w w. nakamaru-dental.jp/ english/ 045-681-3359

SPORTS PHYSIOTHERAPY (physical therapy) c a r e i n H i r o o .

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O N LY C U T Z O N E s a l o n provides a hair cut service for only ¥1000. 5min walk from K i t a - S e n j u s t n . Fr i e n d l y English-speaking staf f is av a i l a b l e . C o n t a c t u s a t 03-3882-1550. Open from 10am until 7pm , 7 days a week. http://meturl.com/ onlycutzone

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If you feel like you’re throwing money away on insurance, come on over to HealthOne and start saving today!

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C H E A P E S T, Q U I C K E S T AND SAFEST! Transporter To k y o s u p p o r t s y o u r moving and delivers your stuff. Moving for singles or couples from ¥12 ,000. Delivery (furniture, motorbikes,

1.8 GENERAL SERVICES

LOVI N G BABY MA S SAG E .

Teaching mothers, fathers and other family members professional baby massage and child yoga techniques from internationallyacclaimedPeter Walker’s “Developmental Baby Massage” and “YogaGym”.

E /J . P r i v a t e s e s s i o n s from ¥4000. Small groups from ¥3000. Four-session discount. Call Shino at 080-3362-0429 or email babymassage123@gmail.com.

2 FIND A PLACE 2.1 GUESTHOUSE

THINKING ABOUT ADVERTISING WITH M E T R O P O LI S ? Pl ati n u m ¥ 2 8 , 9 2 8 . G o l d ¥ 2 3 , 9 4 0.

Silver ¥18,953. Bronze ¥2000. Printed photos +¥2000/photo. Prices are fo r o n e p ri n t i s s u e , t wo weeks online. For details, contact commercial@ metropolis.co.jp.

1.7 BUSINESS SERVICES

LAW OFFICE IN KAWASAKI (next to Tokyo), member o f t h e Yo ko h a m a B a r Association. Legal service in English for traffic accidents, divorce, inheritance, bankruptcy, business cases (contracts, establishing a company, trademarks, etc.) and other legal problems.

Email: web@smkw.biz http://www.sumikawa.net/ VISA COUNSELING: female immigration lawyer h a n d l e s yo u r v i s a c a s e .

P e r m a n e n t r e s i d e n c y, naturalization, eligibility (inviting your spouse/ children/workers from your country), extension/change of visa status. Consultation ¥5000. OFFICE LIFE (Miho Fujibayashi).

Te l : 0 9 0 - 8 3 3 0 - 0 6 7 0 Email: mailto@officelife.jp Website: http://officelife. jp/en/

Issue 1028 Issue 1030 FRI, DEC 6

FRI, DEC 20

Deadline:

Deadline:

Nov 28, 3pm

Dec 12, 3pm

SPECIAL CHAUFFEUR SERVICE: HANDICAPPED/ELDERLY/SPECIAL NEEDS. English-speaking, licensed care specialist/driver touring Tokyo and environs offers you door-to-door convenience and comfort. First hour ¥5000. Additional time ¥2500/30min. yoko@tokyosakuratour.com www. tokyosakuratour.com

1.4 TRAVEL

1.2 HAIR & BEAUTY

ENGLISH-SPEAKING HAIR SALON IN YOKOHAMA. Had tra i n i n g i n En g l a n d . C a n suggest the perfect hairstyle for you. Web: www.faceshair.com Email: mail@faceshair.com Tel: 045-662-0722 SHIBAURA DENTAL CLINIC ENGLISH-SPEAKING DENTIST. General and cosmetic dental clinic. Dentist is a graduate of Harvard Dental School, with over 20 years’ experience with dental practices in the USA, Japan. Blue Shield, Japanese National Insurance accepted. 5min walk from J R Ta m a c h i s t n . O p e n M o n - S at . 03 - 5 4 4 2- 8 5 2 5 www.shibaura-dental.com/

etc.) from ¥7000.

English, French and Japanese -speaking staf f available. Inquiries: info@transportertokyo.com www. transporter-tokyo. com/english/contact Te l : 0 3 - 6 7 1 5 - 9 3 9 1 F a x : 03-6715-9392 Address: 3-29-8 Nishi-Rokugo, Otaku, Tokyo

classifieds.metropolis.co.jp

GREAT LOCATION & SUPER CLEAN. Private furnished rooms in Roppongi, Akasaka, Azabu-Juban and Minami-Shinagawa, all 2min from stn, ladies-only floor available, weekly cleaning service, free internet, aircon, fridge. From ¥49,000/m.

No key money/guarantor/ agent fee. 090-2405-0022 mail@bauhousetokyo.com

2.2 RENT UNDER ¥200,000

SAKURA HOUSE. Leading multilingual real estate agency in Tokyo since 1992. Over 1600 furnished apartments and guest/share house rooms, from ¥52,000/m, utilities included.

No key money/guarantor/ agent fee. Contact us: 03-5330-5250 info @ sakura - house .com www.sakura-house.com

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I C H I I C O R P O R AT I O N .

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Call us today! 03-5437-5233 www.japt.co.jp MODERN, BEAUTIFUL A N D F R I E N D LY S H A R E HOUSES IN CENTRAL TOKYO, featuring amenities such as a yoga studio, pool tables and private music rooms.

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P R I VAT E F U R N I S H E D A P A R T M E N T S .

Odakyu line: MukogaokaYuen/Yomiuri-Land-Mae, 20/30min from Shinjuku.

Keikyu line: Hatcho-Nawate, 15min from Shinagawa.

1K~2LDK ¥58,000/ m~¥120,000/m. Tel: 0449 3 3 -7 0 0 0 E m a i l : m h @ minowagroup.jp w w w. minowagroup.jp/ minowahomes TO ADVERTISE IN M E T R O P O LI S , JA PA N ’ S NO.1 ENGLISH MAGAZINE, log on at www.metropolis. co.jp/classifieds or email yo u r c o m m e r c i a l a d s t o commercial@metropolis. co.jp.

SERVICED APARTMENTS in a quiet residential area of Hiroo. Studios and suites.

4min from Hiroo stn. Rates: Daily ¥7800. Weekly ¥6850-/ day. Monthly ¥5900-/day.

Over three months ¥4950-/ day. Tax, utilities included. f r o n t d e s k@ a z a b u c o u r t . com www. azabucour t . com/ 03-3446-8610

EMERGENCY HOUSING. Non-profit Megumi House is available 24/7 to help the emergency housing needs of the international community.

Since 1968. Donation for stay. Email for info. housinginjapan@yahoo. com THREE-STORY, 100SQM FURNISHED HOUSE FOR RENT WITH ROOF BALCO NY. M o de rn am e nitie s : J a c uzzi , t wo wa s h l e t to i l e t s , large kitchen, 10min walk from M in a m i -S e n ju stn (M etro, J R , Tsukuba Express), semi-furnished (y o u c h o o s e ), b r i g h t , a m p l e storage, shops nearby ¥130,000/m. maguroken@mac.com 090-8852-7084

2.3 RENT OVER ¥200,000

TO K YO A PA RTM E NT S .

Corporate housing p rovi d e r of fe ri n g s h o r t and long-term apartments throughout central Tokyo. Fully customizable packages! Serviced, furnished and unfurnished apartments, relocation service, furniture rental, a n d p ro p e r ty s a l e s a n d management. Please call 0120-957-520. www.tokyoapartments.jp

EXPAT HOME , 20MIN TO ASIJ, IN GREEN KICHIJOJI. Beautiful expat-designed home, 158sqm, plus loft, two decks, European and American appliances, 40min to Roppongi, 20min to ASIJ ¥460,000/m. Key money: one month. Deposit: two months. Pets negotiable. chhofamily@gmail.com http://kichijojihome.wordpress. com/

Metropolis reserves the right to refuse, cancel or edit any ad without notice. Metropolis takes no responsibility for the quality of items or services advertised. Please carefully examine vendors or items offered before commitment. Please be careful when contacting and arranging to meet people.

Visit classifieds.metropolis.co.jp for complete listings.

#1026 • WWW.METROPOLIS.CO.JP • 23

2.4 HOUSE SHARE N AT I V E E N G L I S H / B I L I N G U A L HOMESTAY LADY sought. Furnished room, three cooked meals, heating and lightning expenses and more ¥50,000/m. Please teach English to my kids. Tokyo. nuiko4518@mail. goo.ne.jp SUNNY ROOM IN 3DK FLAT IN ASAKUSA, six-mat, w/big balcony, nonsmokers only ¥ 52 ,000/m .

Utilities +¥8000-. Until Jan 10.

Longer stay might be possible. oshima165@gmail.com

2.6 BUY/SELL PREMISES Tired of paying rent?

Minato Asset Management Co., Ltd. can help you find properties, get a mortgage, permanent visa, etc. Diversified income properties also available. m u k a i @ m i n a to - a m . c o m 090-4123-1025 03-557982779 www.realestate minato.com

3 EDUCATION 3.2 JAPANESE TEACHERS WE ARE QUALIFIED TEACHERS offering lessons in your area or online. Prices from ¥1500/h , written in our re sum e s , e m aile d to you. No registration fee! japaneseanywhere@yahoo. co.jp http://www.sunlesson. com 090-2709-3736 JAPANESE LESSONS for all levels fro m exp e ri e n c e d te a c h e r i n Tokyo near the Yamanote line.

First and second lessons free.

Let 's e njoy Ja pan e s e le s son s and culture! Please call Setsuko at 090-1210-9285. Email: nihongo123123@ezweb.ne.jp

3.5 LANGUAGE EXCHANGE Chinese and English. Hi, I'm a Taiwanese girl seeking a Chn/E exchange. roway1011@gmail.com Chinese, English, Spanish. I am a beginner at Chn. I can teach you E basics. I am a native Japanese, but my E is business level. Also, I can speak Sp at an intermediate level. elsalvadorjapan@yahoo.es Danish, German, Japanese. Hej and 'N Tag! JF, 30s, seeks Danes and Germans to help her with languages in Tokyo/Kanagawa through fun conversations over cups of coffee or just hanging out.

Please be nonsmokers, 30s preferred. codename107113@live.com English and Japanese. Nonsmoking JF. I was in Canada for two years, however my English is not great and I keep forgetting it. Prefer female partner. maplebees@gmail.com English and Japanese. American professional, 49, seeking to improve his Japanese skills and help you improve your English. Friendly, interesting, able to communicate casual, business and medical subjects with fun conversation.

Tokyo-Yokohama areas. Any age. minatomi10@gmail.com English and Japanese. I'm a JF, 40s, seeking a language exchange partner. I love music and teach piano to kids and adults. I'd like to improve my English. Prefer Machida area. I'm looking forward to hearing from you! rosellina717@yahoo.co.jp English and Japanese. Seeking a good language exchange partner in the Futako-Tamagawa, Sancha or Tokyo area to help me learn J. I'll help your English. Let's meet soon and also become friends. sali925@yahoo.co.jp 070-5451-1960 English and Japanese. American English teacher seeking a language exchange partner with some good

24 • WWW.METROPOLIS.CO.JP

ideas to help me learn J. I can help with your English. Shibuya/Shinjuku/ Sancha preferred. Please mail me your schedule. mjsenseijp@yahoo.co.jp English and Japanese. American male, been in Japan a while, but I still cannot speak J well. If you can help me out, please drop me a line. I can help you with E. We can also be friends. mostfunparty@yahoo.co.jp English and Japanese. I want to speak and understand J, so could you help? I can teach you E in return. I'm near the Shibuya area. I like friendly people. sv925a@yahoo.com English and Japanese. I'm a Japanese guy living in Tokyo. I use E at work and want to get used to speaking it by having daily conversation. If you are studying J, I could help you! I like walking around, swimming, yoga. qaz123wsx456edc@outlook.com English and Japanese. Japanese seeks friends from foreign countries between Soka and Takenozuka for language exchange, movies. Let's talk over coffee.

Friendship only. No sexual emails, please. language_exchange3@hotmail.com English and Japanese. Hi, JF, 30, seeking J/E exchange partner in Hiroo, Roppongi, Chiyoda/Hibiya line area. I used to live in the UK, love art, design. Contact me if you're interested. sy_30apple@hotmail.com English and Japanese. Japanese male, 41, seeks a native English speaker for E/J exchange. I like music and am interested in vegetarianism and meditation. Let's help each other and have some fun. blackstar777@mail.goo.ne.jp English and Japanese. I would like to improve speaking. I am Japanese and work in Tokyo. I want to study seriously. In return, I can teach you J. chocolate1111london9999@gmail.com French and Japanese. Native Japanese female nonsmoker, into art, cinema, hiking, is seeking a native French speaker for language exchange once/week or more at a cafe. My French level is upperintermediate. Serious only. saya_ch@ live.jp Fre n c h , En g l i s h , J a pa n e s e .

European man seeking a language exchange partner to improve his Japanese. I can teach you Fr or E. Let's enjoy sharing our cultures and interests. Machida area preferred. understanding_life@hotmail.com German and Japanese. JF seeks Ger/J language exchange partner.

Seit Sechs Monaten lerne ich Deutsch aber ich spreche Englisch.

F/M ok. If interested, drop me a line. gardenstate2005@hotmail.com German, Dutch, English, Japanese.

Hi, there! Mature JF fancies learning Ger and Dutch. Absolute beginner at both, so want to study casually over coffee. M/F ok, but must be in the Tokyo/Yokohama area. nmi.skt@ gmail.com German, English, Japanese.

Japanese seeking German speakers.

I'd like to learn Ger for fun. I can teach you J in exchange. I'm studying to be a teacher. I speak E, too. supermiffy. may@gmail.com Portuguese, English, Japanese.

Canadian guy seeking Portuguese speaker who wants help/practice with E or J from a very experienced English teacher. I study alone, so my reading/ grammar is ok, but I lack speaking/ listening experience. dance_to_it@ yahoo.ca Spanish, English, Japanese. Hi, there. I'm a Japanese female, late 20s, seeking someone who can teach me Sp in E. I'd be happy to help your Japanese in return. Looking forward to hearing from you soon. danae1907wien@ gmail.com

3.8 OTHER LANGUAGES Chinese exchange. Well-experienced female Chinese teacher living in central Tokyo, loves to teach Chinese, seeks to exchange Chinese lessons for financial investment or tennis lessons. mitadahong@gmail.com

3.9 TEACH ME! ENGLISH TEACHER IN ICHIKAWA. Seeking a native English speaker for conversation lessons. Can pay ¥3000/h, plus ¥500 for your coffee and transportation. Would like to have lessons at Tully's, near JR Ichikawa stn. mikiguide@gmail.com English teacher sought to help me with my English for ¥2000/h. Shibuya area, female teacher preferred. kokuboshibuya2525@gmail.com English. Need some help with my English. Prefer Shibuya, Shinjuku or Ikebukuro. Experienced American te a c h e r p re fe rre d . ¥ 3 0 0 0/ h . funjamsession@yahoo.co.jp Native English teacher sought, preferably in Ikebukuro. ¥1000/h. If you are interested, please contact me. tokyobunkain@hotmail.com

4 HOUSEHOLD GOODS 4.1 FURNITURE & FITTINGS Bed, queen mattress (190x155cm), orange leather frame (210x160cm), in great condition. Pick up only by end of Nov. Details, photos available. rob_ willson@hotmail.com Desk, from IDC, high-quality wood (W60xH70cm), light color, perfect for notebooks or desktops. Photos available. aleslibri@aol.com Lighting. Ikea ceiling lights (Tidig, Basisk, Fado) ¥1000/each/obo.

Standing lamp (170cm), adjustable, three-light, chrome, w/dimmer, wood trim. Takadanobaba. paulkun@gmail. com Tables, Muji, pine (80x50x35cm), fo l d i n g , t wo ava i l a b l e . N ew ¥5000/each. Sell ¥2000/each. ¥3500/both. Takadanobaba. paulkun@ gmail.com Vanity, built-in chair and mirror (vanity: H72xD42xW100cm; mirror: W86xH78cm) ¥5000. Pick up only by end of Nov. Details, photos available. rob_willson@hotmail.com

4.2 APPLIANCES Appliance sale! Powerful upright vacuum, 750W; white circulating fan; Ikea ceiling lights (Tidig, Basisk, Fado); standing lamp (170cm); humidifier ¥1000/each/obo. Takadanobaba. paulkun@gmail.com Appliance sale! Fridge ¥5500. Washer ¥4000. Pick up only Nishi-Kasai. mrmojo521@gmail.com Freezer, Electrolux, large, from Costco, still in box, w/warranty ¥40,000.

Can deliver. hatoh16@gmail.com 080-6553-6819 Heater, Delonghi, oil ¥13,000. Delivery included. mizi2005@hotmail.com Heater, Delonghi, oil, sealed, two y/o ¥8000. Delivery in Tokyo possible. hatoh16@gmail.com

4.3 SAYONARA SALE Sayonara sale! TV, washer, air purifier, humidifier, guitar, gas stove, kettles, etc., in good condition ¥1000-¥4000.

Pick up Sasazuka stn. sugoigringo1@ yahoo.com http://sugoigringo1.wix. com/sayonara-sales Sayonara sale! Big TV ¥15,000. Small TV ¥1000. Bed and mattress ¥5000.

Barbell ¥500. Fridge ¥2000. Chair ¥500. Vacuum ¥1000. kurt.sackel@ hotmail.com http://imageshack. us/g/1/10353360/ 09099639518 Sayonara sale! Electric appliances, furniture, designer clothes and purses.

Make an offer. Pick up only ShibaKoen, Minato-ku. Photos available. heidi_hideshima@yahoo.com http:// instagram.com/heidi_hideshima 080-3350-4343 Sayonara sale! Sofa, seats three ¥3000. Wooden dining table and chairs ¥3000. Washer ¥3000. Gas clothes dryer ¥3000. Wooden bench seat ¥3000. Hanging candle holders ¥2000. Large wall frame prints ¥2000. danageisel@hotmail.com

4.4 TV & HOME THEATER DVD/CD player, JVC, region-free, hardly used, in good condition ¥1000. Pick up Denenchofu stn. ckm. wittmann@gmail.com Remote, LG Magic AN-MR300, brand new, never used ¥2000. Pick up Denenchofu stn. ckm.wittmann@ gmail.com

PlayStation 3 60GB, black, w/two DualShock controllers, two games (Gran Turismo 5, Power Smash 3), in excellent condition ¥18,000. In-person transaction only. kizuki.buy@gmail. com

6 VEHICLES 6.1 CARS, PARTS, & ACCESSORIES

10 HELP! 10.1 HELP ME Native English check needed.

JM musician needs you to check my English lyrics. I need your help. Let’s hang out! tokyolocalize@hotmail.com

10.2 SUPPORT

4.6 FOR KIDS Infant carrier, Lucky "Buddy Buddy" Kaiteki Kantan, four-way, hardly used ¥1500. Pick up Denenchofu stn. ckm. wittmann@gmail.com Stroller fabric, Bugaboo, fleece, tailored, w/carrycot apron, seat cover, sun canopy. New $165. Sell ¥11,000. Breezy canopy, sand.

New $75. Sell ¥5500. ¥15,000/ both. victoria_prime1@yahoo.com 08096896688 Train set, 70+ piece, w/mountain, three bridges, turntable, Thomas, Percy, Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, Spencer, Hiro, Diesel 10, Troublesome Truck, etc. ¥10,000/ obo. my-mail-michael@ezweb.ne.jp 09058044378 Various items. Doll house, ski set, ski wear, homeschooling LifePac, roller skates. Pick up Hirano area, Koto-ku.

Photos available. zhaoan@yahoo.com

5 HOBBIES&INTERESTS 5.1 CAMERAS Digital camera, Fuji X100s, as new, in original box, w/accessories, six-month warranty ¥90,000. kodachromed@ yahoo.com DSLR, Nikon D7000, w/new 35mm 1.8 lens, no boxes ¥75,000. Pick up Shinjuku-San-Chome. recfreq@yahoo. com SLR, Minolta Dynax 7000i, w/two AF zoom lenses (35-80mm and 70-210mm), camera handle slightly discolored, lenses in good condition ¥2000. Pick up Denenchofu stn. ckm. wittmann@gmail.com

5.2 SPORTS EQUIPMENT Snowshoes, Redfeather Redtail (20x64cm), aluminum V-tail frame, never used ¥9000. Pick up near Yokohama. sayonara_vancouver@ hotmail.com Surfboard, T&C (9'6"x23"x3"), bought at the T&C shop in Wahiwa, Hawaii, in excellent condition, used less than one year, w/Dakine padded bag ¥75,000. gmorsen@gmail.com

5.3 MUSICAL EQUIPMENT Acoustic guitar, Woodland, w/soft case ¥8000. Yamaha electric piano ¥20,000. Delivery possible. Photos available. hatoh16@gmail.com Bass, Warwick Thumb BO 5, Ovangkol neck and body, Wenge fingerboard, active MEC J/J pickups, Warwick Just-A-Nut II, w/Warwick gig bag, in great condition ¥160,000. Pick up Ikebukuro. bloom_marc@hotmail.com Synthesizer sound module, Roland XV-5080, as new ¥39,000. Pick up Senzoku stn, Tokyu Meguro line. deshayes.g@gmail.com

5.5 GAMING

JCE AUTOS - THE A U T O M O B I L E PROFESSIONALS. S p e c ia lizin g in c a r b uybacks, door-to-door s h i p p i n g , l o n g - te rm c a r storage and any other car-related matters. If you need assistance with y o u r c a r, w e a r e h e r e t o h e l p . Te l : 0 3 - 6 8 6 8 3 3 66 or 09 0 - 93 62- 5098 inquiries@jce-autos.jp www.jce-autos.jp

7 GENERAL 7.1 PHONES Smartphone , N e xu s 4 8 G B , Quadcore CPU, 2GB RAM, Gorilla Glass screen, brand new, still in box, w/accessories, SIM-free ¥30,000. kizuki.buy@gmail.com Smartphone, Samsung Galaxy S3 3G 16GB, international version, unlocked, blue, rooted, works on any network, w/wireless QI charging receiver, charger not included ¥25,000. gewatson@gmail.com 08056842220 Smartphone, Google Nexus 4 16GB, black, new, unlocked, works worldwide, used two weeks ¥25,000/ obo. Meet inside Yamanote line. stayca@gmail.com

7.2 FASHION Jeans, G-Star, new, dark gray denim, seven pockets, size W34/L34. New ~¥20,000. Sell ¥9500. turbo32s@ yahoo.fr Raincoat, Cecilene, size M, ivory ¥1000. Pick up or chakubarai. Photos available. housetsu@gmail.com Shoes, women’s, size 39, heels, wedges, Converse, in good condition.

Details available. elyse.singleton@ gmail.com

THE JAPAN HELPLINE, 24 hours a d ay, fro m a ny wh e re , a b out a ny t h i n g . Fro m e m e rg e n c y assistance to simple questions.

Visit www.jhelp.com/ and press “ he lp,” or call 0 570 - 0 0 0 -911.

To volunteer or support, please contact team@jhelp.com. www. jhelp.com/

WEST PAPUA: ONE SOUL , ONE PEOPLE . Fifty years ago, West Papua should have been an independent country. Since 1969, West Papua has been invaded and the people robbed of their rights, culture and country. Help support West Papuans’ desire to be free. http://tapol.gn.apc.org/ davidhalpern@7ymail.com ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS TOKYO. If you have a problem with drinking, we can help.

English-speaking meetings daily.

03-3971-1471 inquiries@aatokyo. org http://aatokyo.org

11 MESSAGES 11.1 PERSONAL MESSAGES

Sunglasses, RB 4171, still in box, never used, brown Havana frame, brown gradient lenses, unisex. New ¥15,000. Sell ¥10,000. turbo32s@ yahoo.fr

7.3 MISCELLANEOUS Christmas tree, 180cm, slim-type, fully decorated, many ornaments, lights, used four times ¥8000. Photos available. my-mail-michael@ezweb. ne.jp 09058044378

8 COMPUTERS 8.2 HARDWARE Laptop, Acer Aspire 753, 11.6", black, 320GB HD, 2GB RAM, webcam, HDMI outlet, Win 7, decent battery life (three hours +), multi-gesture ¥16,000. zito@ inbox.com

Board games, Europeanstyle, as new or un-played: Drakon ¥1500. Attika ¥1000.

Mr. Jack ¥1000. Babel ¥1000.

Settlers of Catan, Japanese ¥1500. Bohnanza ¥500. La Citta ¥4000. ¥7000/all/obo. my-mail-michael@ezweb. ne.jp 090-5804-4378

NEED TO TALK? We’re here to listen.

TELL LIFELINE: free, anonymous English counseling daily from 9am-11pm by trained volunteers: 03-5774-0992. TELL COUNSELING: affordable multilingual p syc hothe rapy by acc re dite d Western-trained professionals, a CIGNA International Provider: 03-4550-1146. TELL website: www. telljp.com. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @TokyoLifeLine.

‘ T WA S ( R O U G H LY ) ONE MONTH BEFORE CHRISTMAS, and all through the land, people were c u r s i n g t h e o u t ra g e o u s co st of Ch ri stm a s c ard s and, Metropolis gave all a reason to hope - post one ad here for all your friends, and avoid going broke. http:// classifieds.metropolis.co.jp/

12 SOCIAL SCENE 12.1 LET’S PARTY

Monitor, ThinkVision L171p, LCD, 17", in great condition, w/manual, DB15, DVI, power cables ¥10,000. nrad_bob@ hotmail.com Tablet, Sony Xperia Z 32GB, Wi-Fi, six m/o, w/original Sony leather cover ¥40,000. mishraearly@gmail.com Time Capsule, Apple, 2TB, less than six m/o, never used, w/original box and accessories ¥15,000. amaliadimangano@ymail.com

I N T E R N AT I O N A L T H A N K S G I V I N G DAY SPECIAL PARTY. Sat, Nov 30, 6-8:30pm, Assembly Room 632-B (Omotesando). Held by

Japan’s biggest international friendship site and English portal site. 2 50 people.

Everybody welcome! Allyou-can-drink and snacks. ¥3000. sip@toeiclesson.com http://www.toeiclesson.com/ sip/ 090-1735-5405

JAPAN I NTE R NATI O NAL PARTY - AUTUMN FESTIVAL. Sat, Nov 23, 6:30-9pm, Devi Fusion (Roppongi). Japan’s biggest international party.

250 people expected. All-youcan-drink and free snacks.

J a p a n e s e m e n : ¥ 4 0 0 0.

Othe rs : ¥3000. M obile : http://getyourfriend.com/ mobile/ jiparty@hotmail.com 090-1735-5405 http://www. getyourfriend.com/

J O I N T H E B I G G E S T, B E S T, M O S T P O P U L A R INTERNATIONAL PARTY! Great people, drinks and food!

Meet new friends and party with nice people in a friendly atmosphere. Events in Tokyo (Ginza, Azabu, Roppongi) and Osaka. ¥1500-¥2000. http://english.gaitomo.com/ info@gaitomo.com TO ADVERTISE IN M ETROPOLI S , Japan’s N o.1 En gli s h m a g azine , log on at www.metropolis. co.jp/classifieds or email your commercial ads to commercial@metropolis.co.jp.

13 CLUBS & INTERESTS 13.1 SPORTS

AMERICAN FOOTBALL .

Nihon Unisys Bulls, X league C e n t ra l D i v i s i o n , s e e k s fit players w/ US college football experience for all positions. Practice every S at /S un from 10a m -3 p m (including meeting) in To k y o / S a i t a m a ( t i m e & venue subject to change).

Attendance at practice must be over 60%. Please contact for tryout info and send your profile to team admin. bullsxleague@gmail.com http://www.unisys .co.jp/ football/

CLUB 360 PERSONAL TRAINING, physical therapy, fitness classes, massage.

Large, modern facility just 3min walk from Roppongi Hills, with experienced t ra i n e r s a n d t h e ra p i s t s .

Fo r a l l y o u r f i t n e s s a n d rehabilitation needs, contact us! info@club360.jp www. club360.jp 03-6434-9667

training midweek? Want to enjoy a few beers after a good run out? If you consider yourself a quality player, please drop us a note. bfcvagabonds@ gmail.com

13.2 LEISURE COME LEARN AUTHENTIC I M I KR AV MAGA wit h qualified Israeli instructor B o a z H a g ay. S i m p l e a n d effective self defense and hand-to-hand combat.

Women and men. Thu, Sat. Dojo Roppongi.

Contact:boaz.ikm@gmail. com 080-4141-1300 www. imi-kravmaga.renmei.org w w w. k r a v m a g a - b u k a n . com/ingl/list.php ALL-NATIONALITY TOUCH FO OTBALL . N o n - co nt a c t tag rugby (OZ tag) and Rugby League players.

We play every Sat from 1 0 a m i n Ta t s u m i . M / F and beginners welcome!

Good exercise and fun!

Many other activities, such as BBQs and drinking parties! Email for details. tokyorugbyleague@ hotmail.com http://ameblo. jp/tokyo13warriors AMATEUR RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYERS . Japan ANZAC S Rugby League team is seeking Rugby League players for Japanese Rugby League official games from Apr to Sep. Everyone welcome.

Contact for more details. japananzacs@gmail.com AIKIDO IN ENGLISH . Seidokan Aikido of Tokyo invites you to practice a modern style of aikido in an international environment.

Sat, 1-3pm, Itabashi-ku, Toei Mita/ Saikyo line. We welcome men and women, foreign and Japanese. dojo@tokyoseidokan.com http://www.tokyoseidokan.com 03-5994-1185 PLAY RUGBY. The Tokyo Crusaders are a friendly but keen international rugby club. Devoted to the game and its social side, the “Cru” welcomes all players and supporters.

Established in 1990, the Cru plays in the Shuto League 1st Division. http://www.facebook.com/tokyo. crusaders www.tokyocrusaders. com TA M B O U R E L L I . U n i q u e n e w s p or t from S cotla n d . U s in g a tambourine-like instrument as a racquet, players hit a shuttlecock.

We play two or three times/month on weekends in Meguro with many socials. Join us! More details: www. tamjapan.org/en/ info@tamjapan. org Basketball in the Yokohama area.

Good intermediate games every Mon and Wed night at a local school's gym.

Feel free to come. It's free. Please contact for further details. satoru. nicolas@gmail.com Cricket. Cricket. Cricket! Play cricket with the Chiba Sharks Cricket Club! Teams in JCA Division 1, Division 2, T20 and monthly indoor training.

Indoor Winter League starting soon!

Men/women, all nationalities, abilities welcome. Never too late to play! chibasharksinfo@gmail.com http:// www.chibasharks.com Futsal team. Interested in futsal on weekends in Tokyo? Please introduce yourself (age, nationality, where you live, whether you belong to another team). umek2002jp@yahoo.co.jp Hiking friends. Japanese-Korean female nonsmoker is seeking a free hiking club and friends. I speak fluent English and good French. saya_ch@ live.jp Quality football. Interested in playing football at the weekend and

MCARTHUR HEIGHTS. Take a break where General Douglas McArthur did! One hour from Tokyo by car or direct train. Beautiful cabins on the ocean, w/onsen, beach, shopping. mcarthurheights@yahoo. com

13.3 ARTS CREATIVE SOLUTIONS. Specialists in branding, web design, photo/ vi d e o p ro d u c ti o n . D rawi n g A Crowd: a new approach in design.

Get in touch. info@drawingacrowd. co American comics. Seeking fans of American comics to meet, chat and share ideas. Maybe we can work on projects to get published or just have a good time talking about comics. analogderez1@yahoo.co.jp Independent filmmaker seeks volunteer production assistants and Japanese/foreign actors for a short mobster film shooting Dec 14-15 near Isogo stn, Yokohama. Film will be submitted to many fests. Students welcome. assassin.wolves.films@ gmail.com

13.4 MUSIC Funk/rock band seeking guitarist.

Bass, drums and vocals seeking an experienced guitarist into funk and rock. We're into RHCP, Rage Against the Machine, Sublime, the Meters, Parliament/Funkadelic, Cypress Hill, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, etc. bloom_marc@hotmail.com Seeking female vocalist.

Established rock band seeking female singer. Attitude essential.

Band performs monthly in Tokyo area. philpost@hotmail.com http:// www.arthurpentameter.net

Strong, beautiful, flexible Transform your body & soul at BASI PILATES! Offering you “Authentic Pilates” Metropolis Campaign

Admission Fee: ¥15,750 ¥0 Trial Machine Private Lesson: ¥10,000 ¥8,400 Package 3 Machine Private Lessons

¥30,000 ¥18,000

Machine Private Lessons available at our Roppongi studio Lessons in English available Studios in Roppongi, Ginza, Nakameguro and more

03-6425-7054 • roppongi@basipilates.jp www.basipilates.jp/english/

Singer wanted. I'm a JM guitarist.

We need a singer to add to our music.

New ideas welcome to make a good concert. Composers, beginners welcome. Tokyo area. I like pop, rock, punk. Let's play music! riku_hiroxx@ hotmail.com Violinist wanted to play northern European/Scandinavian music together. Already have pianist, guitarist, bassist and percussionist. unicornio@nifty.com

13.5 MIND, BODY, SPIRIT Reiki share. Non-profit Reiki share group. We meet twice/month in the Ueno area. Other healing modalities are ok, too. inarichoureiki@gmail.com Zen meditation (Zazen). You’ve always thought it would be interesting to try it - why not now? Join us Fri evenings at Tokuun-in in Ueno.

Make arrangements in advance by email, and check our home page. tokyozazen@jcom.home.ne.jp www. wgthorpe.com

14 PERSONALS 14.1 FRIENDS Around 40! JF, around 40, seeks new female friends for nights out.

All my friends have gotten married, feeling a bit isolated from the dating world. Preferably around my age and not into Sex and the City, please. nmi. skt@gmail.com Dining friends. SJF, early 40s, seeking friends who can go out for dinner on weekdays and weekends.

Minato-ku area preferred. luv. rosewood@gmail.com English guy for friends near Otemachi. English guy seeking lunch/drink friends near Otemachi/ Tokyo stn. I came to Japan last month, but have lived here before.

Japanese or non-Japanese ok. t.all184@googlemail.com #1026 • WWW.METROPOLIS.CO.JP • 25

Many more Classified ads online! Please visit classifieds.metropolis.co.jp Musician? Hello, I'm a SJF. I speak English. Can any guitar players teach me? I'm free after work or on weekends. tokyo_arts@aol.com Seeking illustrators. I'm a Canadian writer (published) seeking Japanese illustrators who are interested in collaborating on children's picture books.

My themes are healing and peace, the kinds of 絵本 that adults can enjoy as well as children. Japanese ok. philcoecc@ gmail.com

14.2 MEN LOOKING FOR WOMEN DIVORCED? Canadian man, late 4 0 s , i n o p e n m a r r i a g e (ve r y special circum stance s) seeks divorced woman for friendship first. I respect people who have the courage to make changes. I'm a kindhearted, caring man, interested in art, film, philosophy, psychology. androgoner@gmail.com HANDSOME JM SEEKS SINCERE WOMAN IN TOKYO. Successful Japanese businessman, early 30s, bilingual, good-looking, caring, seeks something long-term, potentially leading to marriage.

If interested, please feel free to drop me a line. Photo preferred. pirlo_cucchiaio@hotmail.com

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Still seeking batsu-ichi. I'm an African living and working in central Tokyo seeking a serious divorced JF for a serious friendship leading to a relationship. Must be serious. No junk mail, please. strike4me@yahoo.com

Español, English, 日本語. Englishman, 50s, wants to learn basic Sp with a view to living in Spain. Seeking a female teacher. Can teach E to a Japanese lady or J to a Spanish lady. Live in NishiShinjku. countrylove1212@hotmail.com 080-2384-1924

SWM seeks SJF. H a n d s o m e professional, tall, fit and athletic, seeks very slim, attractive JF for romance, travel, fun and building a relationship together. Take this chance; you'll be glad you did! Email, w/photo appreciated. nightwatchblue@gmail.com

Hanging out on evenings/weekends.

Professional, respectful male, new to Tokyo, is seeking a female for evenings/ weekends. I like chatting over coffee, movies, concerts, long walks. We can discuss more later. furugh2002@ yahoo.com I want you. Feeling lonely and wish you had someone to share with and care for? We've got that in common, so look no more and drop me a line. I like movies, travel and drinking. sv925a@ yahoo.com Kind, generous, honest American man, 41, 176cm, 75kg, muscular, brown hair, blue eyes, with a good stable job, seeks a long-term relationship with a fun, down-to-earth, fashionable Japanese woman. pomjontokyo@ hotmail.com

MARRIED MAN SEEKING WOMAN. There is something that I have missed in my life. Seeking a friend to share some good moments (talking, having romantic dinners and more). Please send your photo to pastasjp@yahoo.co.jp.

Lazy weekends together? Seeking attractive and curvy girlfriend, 160cm+, who is fun to be around and seeking intimacy in the Tokyo area. I'm a generous Afro-American male from NY, 35, 183cm, athletic build, intelligent, honest, working in IT. Interested? sbmmodel@yahoo.com

SUBMISIVE SJM, 35, cute, is seriously seeking a woman who is into, or interested in, dominating men. I am so submissive, with seven years’ experience, that I am happy to take whatever and serve you in any way. slaveintokyo@gmail.com

Long-haired Japanese guy. SJM, 40s, cool and honest, seeks nice female friend who is open-minded and likes to communicate. I enjoy movies, rock music, taking pictures, relaxing walks, etc. Let's get to know each other. seventh-heaven999@mail. goo.ne.jp

Are you tall? I'm dying to meet a nice, tall, special woman (165cm and up) here in Tokyo. I'm young, American, very fit. Any race/country ok. I just find tall women gorgeous! shallumain@yahoo. co.jp

Mature lady. Parisian Frenchman, 30s, easygoing, attractive, tall, seeking a charming, well-dressed Japanese lady, 30-55, for a daytime romance in Tokyo. If you contact me, I will reply. brooklyn_71@hotmail.com

Attractive French guy, 26, seeking a woman, 18-34, to hang out, enjoy coffee, have a wonderful time together. I speak Japanese. jeromebrignais@outlook.com

Muslim marriage. Single guy, 30, seriously seeking someone for marriage. I am a moderate Muslim (believer in Islam), and am seeking someone with the same or similar faith.

Introducing a third person is welcome, too. Thank you. akashjp3000@yahoo. com

Bad man seeks good woman! Actually a good guy, but need some TLC from a very slim English-speaking JF, 35+. You'll get lots of attention, romance and some great times! A real relationship that's truly worth it starts here! nightwatchblue@ gmail.com Big black guy for you. I want to give beautiful ladies lots of fun. Satisfaction guaranteed. Skilled, very experienced, well-muscled, no strings attached. Find what you've been missing. tokioitelive@ gmail.com British male, 31, friendly, tall, slim, seeking a nice girl to hang out with.

Nationality/race unimpor tant , but should be 20-35 and have a nice personality. Interested in music and film: you should be, too. shiodomebye@gmail.com

Nice American guy, 34, nonsmoker, doesn’t drink, very healthy, blue eyes, seeking a fun girl to hang out with and laugh. Let's see where that takes us. patrickf291@yahoo.com Older women. I'm an attractive SJM, 26, seeking older foreign women in Tokyo. European or American preferred. Let's get some drinks and see how it goes. benishigurenj@gmail.com One for me. American male seeking long-term relationship, but friends first. I like a girl who smiles a lot and who has a good sense of humor. It's ok if you have a career; I have one, too. mjsenseijp@yahoo.co.jp

British man, 37, active, fair hair, blue eyes, intelligent, 173cm, into music, sports, seeking an open-minded female for a relationship. spk3005@i. softbank.jp

Romance with an older lady. Very nice and sexy gentleman seeks an older, or much older, woman to have nice dates and a romance. feeltokyo@ yahoo.co.uk

California dreaming. Attractive SWM, extremely fit, yoga/surfer body, seeks attractive, open-minded SF, 18-42, for dating, fun and more. I live in Minato-ku and speak conversational Japanese. craigsports@yahoo.com

Saitama woman? White Canadian, 43, in Saitama on the Tobu Tojo line, seeking a woman for a nice relationship. martin_coman@hotmail. com

Calm, gentle JM seeks someone special for a serious relationship leading to marriage. I am 42, nonsmoking, don' t drink. Any nationality ok. Let's start from a cup of coffee. olympia127@yahoo.co.jp Caucasian American seeking Japanese woman, under 27, for a lasting relationship. Serious only. I like nature, movies, Japanese food, quiet evenings.

I’m educated and work in Tokyo. Email, w/photo. sushix10@gmail.com

26 • WWW.METROPOLIS.CO.JP

Deep love. I'm a Japanese, 40s, seeking real love. I have had many relationships, but have never felt "love." Can you help me feel what love is like? We can try everything together. toshinoris1012@yahoo.co.jp

Serious relationship. European man, 30, 180cm, living in Tokyo, loves movies, music, travel, seeks a serious relationship. 日本語大丈夫です. lafranceatokyo2013@gmail.com Serious, long-term. SWM, 34, welleducated and traveled, with a stable job, seeks true love. If you are 20-30s, warm and caring, and seeking a serious long-term relationship, then please drop me an email.

Serious only, no games. No Roppongi girls, please. Lasagna5577@yahoo.com

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SJF, 30s, sweet, fun, sophisticated city girl, but appreciate nature and simple things, love exercise, traveling, etc., seeking an athletic professional guy. tokyoactivegal@gmail.com Hello. I'm a Japanese female seeking someone to meet up with. Let's go out and talk about many things. cr-vuv-rc@i. softbank.jp Interested/interesting. Single Western woman seeks a man who is interested and interesting, for sharing and caring. shojiscreen@yahoo.com International-minded Japanese, early 30s, seeking an independent, internationally minded person.

Let's try and meet up for coffee.

Single nonsmokers only. Thanks. tkybondgirl14@yahoo.com Kundalini yoga. Anyone out there practice this? If you do, I would like to get to know you. Perhaps we might get along and have a fun and loving relationship. I am a SJF, late 40s, fairly good-looking, creative. oriontopleiades@gmail.com

JOBS P O RT R A I T M O D E L WA N T E D. I ’m a Japanese female freelance photographer. Now, I’m seeking portrait models. Everyone is welcome. If you’re interested, please send me your photo and details. asapacchan@gmail.com METROPOLIS is seeking E/J bilingual sales executives. Experience preferred, but not required. Base salary and attractive commissions. Send E/J resume to jobs@metropolis.co.jp. http://metropolis.co.jp/jobs/ INSIDE JAPANESE SALESPEOPLE. Bilingual Japanese salespeople needed to service 3500 clinic customers by phone on a monthly basis, as well as to find new clinics and perform follow-up marketing activities. Salary from ¥250,000. Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm. Contact Jon Knight. jknight@jhewitt.co.jp www.jhewitt.co.jp 03-5486-5791 SALES INTERN. Metropolis is seeking a bilingual (E/J) intern to join its Restaurants & Bars advertising team.

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MODEL WANTED! Photographer is seeking nude art models for art project.

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Marriage partner sought. I'm seeking a European partner, 40-45, tall, wellbuilt, wise, nonsmoker. I'm a single mom with a 13-year-old boy. We want to live in Europe, hopefully in the UK. Start from friends. email@amarrel.com My type of guy. JF, mid-30s, looks young, with long hair and legs, seeks my love: 30s-40s, tall, sporty, intelligent, businessman-type. Don’t worry, I don’t look bad, and usually people say I am attractive, sexy, interesting. pinky_ nails12345@yahoo.co.jp Seeking a great gentleman. Hello, I'm a JF graduate student, 27, honest, polite, friendly, seeking a nice, honest, intelligent gentleman from Europe for a serious relationship.

I l ove c o o k i n g , b a k i n g , t h e outdoors, reading, nature, animals. yuriusui24@hotmail.co.jp Seeking Frenchman for serious relationship. I'm a SJF, 30s, interested in France, seeking a relationship with a sincere and intelligent Frenchman, 25-45. No language exchange or games, please. Serious only. framboisier@inter7.jp Seeking Mr. Right. SJF, 36, with beautiful kids, seeks loyal, hardworking gentleman to spend the future with. If you are in the same situation, please let me know. Serious only. keiko2011tokyo@yahoo.co.jp Seeking SWM friends and more.

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http://metropolis.co.jp/subscription #1026 • WWW.METROPOLIS.CO.JP • 27

Horoscope BY CATHRYN MOE ♥ Love ¥ Money ♣ Luck

ARIES

TAURUS

S ome days you st r u g g le a s t he moments drip slowly by. Other times you’re flying through open portals now appearing around the world. Emotions have a lot to do with your ticket to these dimensions. The testing ground has begun. How you hold to your inner whispers, shouts, and how you act on your truth when it hits lights up the map that no one else has found. You’re the trail blazer. Blaze away.

It’s time to drop the doubts and move ahead. You’ve gone through a crisis in consciousness with the Pluto – Uranus square forcing you to let go of old patterns of interaction. How you treat yourself is the reigning factor at the moment. The universe is reading your list and checking it twice. Have you asked for everything nice? Praying for what’s flawed but tempting just won’t cut it anymore. Patience! Ahh…

March 20, 21 - April 19, 20 ♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣♣♣

GEMINI

Apr 20, 21~May 20, 21 ♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣

June 21, 22~July 22, 23 ♥♥♥ ¥¥¥¥ ♣♣♣

While Gemini does not like to get caught or pinned down in any way, most of you have planets in your chart that are in water or earth signs in addition to your air Sun. If you’ve been uneven with all your latest personal events, it’s worth lending yourself to the feelings that clear away doubt and fear (water) and grounding yourself for the future (earth). Clearly you need a flexible door and a partner who lets you talk!

You can’t get away from the expansion in your life. With Dark Moon Lilith reeling from her latest manifesting abilities, and Jupiter climbing all over the last degrees of the Cancer Moon, you have to do something. Expression is paramount to keep yourself from bursting. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. He is only the final gasp of the subconscious mind you have started to reprogram this week.

LEO

VIRGO

Don’t assume it’s easy come, easy go this week. If something drifts into your sphere, you may well have earned it.

There’s just no accounting for the accumulated interest you may have from all your good deeds.

Leos don’t mind being in charge, because others definitely listen to you. But right now you may feel you have given so much, it’s time to sit back and see who has the courage to approach your throne.

Mars in your sign gives you the courage to go for something you usually shy away from. Not that you don’t want it, you do. But Virgos are notoriously shy and hide their feelings in a myriad of endless details.

The details are scattering out of your grasp with Neptune and Chiron opposite Virgo in your seventh house of commitment. Healing comes from feeling those tendrils of reality that are floating by.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

Balance, balance, slippery balance.

You have Pluto and Venus, your ruler, covering your back in your solar fourth house. Are those shadows real or just in the nether regions of your previous life?

Regardless of how something looks on the surface, Pluto insists you delve deeper. Venus wants you to be with your true love, making a home that reflects the light that you are. What seems elusive may be growing roots just for you.

In between the rainbows, clouds and sunshine you are carving out the place that is really yours. The layers of protection start to drop off this week. The flip side of stinging Scorpio is penetrating compassion. All the water signs are emotional healers.

But if you have met your match it’s time to invest yourself in the dreams you haven’t dared to dive into. Go for what you don’t know and see if you reach the surface in time to catch your breath.

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

Your lucky streak continues to brighten the night sky like the tail of a comet this week. Logic goes out the window as you try to hold onto the last threads of a time continuum known as your schedule. There’s just too much good stuff rolling in around you, and you don’t see why you should have to miss out on any of it. True, you won’t get much sleep, but why let that stop you? You can always take cat naps later…

Capricorns are taking it on the chin as much or more than the rest of the zodiac. So much of what you have been told, believed, and worked for is being dismantled without much chance of it being glued back together. Crazy as it sounds, it’s really time.

That’s because, with all the games and hassles, you’ve arrived in a place where you can have fun being true to yourself. Things come and go only for fine tuning.

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Oct 23, 24~Nov 21, 22 ♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣♣

Dec 22, 23~Jan 19, 20 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥¥ ♣♣

While the bristles and thorns try to catch at your ankles, you’re able to avoid the silly hooks now offered by those who weren’t paying attention. The new muscles you’ve created on the emotional plane mean others aren’t able to reach in and borrow your energy whenever they want to. There’s a stability now available that simply wasn’t before. It’s called being responsible more directly to yourself.

Your strength is your talent for going with the flow. In fact, you may have found it impossible to do otherwise lately. The whole point of the shake up that’s going on is to take you to your vibrational match. There’s no point in scaring yourself silly just to repeat an old pattern that never worked anyway. The hook is trying to ‘prove yourself’’; the release is turning all that love inward to restore, repair, and renew.

ori

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D te ma -Ya

PISCES

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u Ky

AQUARIUS

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CANCER

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July 23, 24~Aug 22, 23 ♥♥♥♥ ¥¥ ♣♣

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ine

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iya

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Address : 3F nakamura building 17-4-3 Minami-Ebisu Shibuya-ku, Tokyo #1026 • WWW.METROPOLIS.CO.JP • 29

The Last Word

Want to have The Last Word? Send your article to: editor@metropolis.co.jp

PLAYING BY THE RULES

Tokyoites do it and still radiate cool

By Annemarie Luck

CHRISTI ROCHIN

Annemarie Luck is a writer and copy editor who followed her heart all the way from Cape Town to Tokyo.

E

very time I stand at a traffic light in Tokyo, waiting to cross the road, I marvel at the patience of pedestrians.

Traffic-jammed highway or car-less obscure side street, nobody walks until the little green man sings.

Coming from South Africa, where jaywalking is as common as lions roaming the streets (okay, they don’t really roam, but you believed me, didn’t you?) and jumping a red light at night to avoid getting carjacked doesn’t raise an eyebrow, you can imagine my awe. As a law-abiding citizen who only really breaks the rules in situations like the above, I find myself relishing this profound respect for the little red man—as if it’s somehow the answer to all lawlessness. If every country could just get their people to remember that red means stop and green means go, we could solve half the world’s problems.

Okay, I’m deliberately exaggerating, but as a model for crowd control, I think I’m on to something. Just how Japanese society manages to instill such a sense of lawfulness in its people fascinates me—especially

considering that the number of people living in Tokyo is near to South Africa’s entire population.

W hen I f irst arrived here si x months ago, I read about the Japanese saying: deru kugi wa utareru (“the nail that sticks out gets hammered down”). Now that I’ve seen this informal yet ingrained rule of conformity in action, I can vouch for its merits. In South Africa, something as simple as renewing your passport could take anywhere from six weeks to three months, depending on whether your documents get “misplaced” along the way or not. So I’m continuously amazed by people, on a mass scale, doing the things they’re meant to do, when they’re meant to do it—like an entire train transport system running on time to the exact minute. (On the flipside, I’m also amazed that we’re still using

faxes here, but that’s another story.)

Of course, I’ve heard alternative opinions on the matter, of the oppression this conformity inevitably leads to. And I’m well aware that Haruki Murakami’s popularity has plenty to do with his rebel streak; his conviction for preserving the individual. But there’s something to be said about order in the city.

I’m all for creativ it y and outof-the-box thinking. In fact, most South Africans like to justif y the volatilit y in our countr y by saying it gives us an edge; a vibrant, innovative culture where anything is possible. But most people who are not emotionally attached to the country still ask, “Is that really worth risking your life for?”

Japan, on the other hand, seems to enjoy the best of both worlds in this regard, at least from where I’m

standing. I don’t have to worry about being pushed off my mamachari by someone wanting to steal my bike out under me in hot daylight. I’m not too concerned about a banged-up, bass-thumping taxi careering into me as I casually cycle through Shibuya without a helmet (a safety prerequisite on Johannesburg’s roads). At the same time, I also know that inspiration is around every corner here, in the form of ever-cool fashion; restaurants where attention to details extends far beyond just the food; and art galleries galore. Somehow Japan has managed to cocktail conformity with edge.

To me, it’s like wearing socks with heels. Something you only see and read about in aspirational fashion magazines, Tokyoites actually manage to get right on an everyday basis.

No fuss. They just carry on with the business of being inherently stylish.

No matter how harsh the humidity (socks at 35 degrees?), no matter what length their skirt (aren’t you always meant to show off ankles when wearing a maxi?), the pretty frilled stocking remains a staple of Japanese wardrobe culture. I don’t know any where else in the world where the woman on the street has adopted this trend so effortlessly.

And with such conformity.

It k ind of brings new, literal meaning to the term “playing by the rules.”

As I continue to connect the dots of Japanese culture and wait for the bigger picture to reveal itself, I’ve started thinking—maybe next time I go home for a visit, I’ll wear socks with heels every day and start a revolution. We each have to do our bit for society, right?

I’M CONTINUOSLY AMAZED BY PEOPLE, ON A MASS SCALE, DOING THE THINGS THEY’RE MEANT TO DO WHEN THEY’RE MEANT TO DO IT.”

The views expressed in "The Last Word" are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of Japan Partnership Co. Ltd. or its partners and sponsors

METROPOLIS is Japan's No.1 English magazine, founded in 1994 and published for Japan’s international community.

It is the only English-language publication in Japan that distributes up to 30,000 copies per printed issue

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Neil Butler EDITORIAL Jeff W. Richards (EDITOR-IN-CHIEF) Kevin Mcgue (EDITOR) Lisa Wallin (EDITORIAL ASSISTANT) Anna Cock Gibson (PROOFREADER) Geoff Day (CONTENT MANAGER) Taiichi Izawa (INTERN) CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Dan Grunebaum (ENTERTAINMENT) Don Morton (MOVIES) C.B Liddell (ARTS) Fred Varcoe (SPORTS) DESIGN Kohji Shiiki (ART DIRECTOR) Davi Azevedo (DESIGNER) PRODUCTION Helen Langford (PRODUCTION ASSISTANT) ADVERTISING Akane Ochi (DIRECTOR OF SALES) Karl Nakashima (SALES MANAGER) Miyuki Miyama, Kanae Mochizuki, Jonathan Grogan, Hinson Leung (SALES EXECUTIVES) Ai Hosokawa, Chie Nakaoka, Jocelyn Khuu, Naomi Niino (INTERNS) ADMINISTRATION/ACCOUNTING Jeanette Komatsu (MANAGER) Michiko Anezaki (ADMINSTRATION/CLASSIFIEDS) IT Guilhem Malfre (IT AND WEB DEVELOPER)

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