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What is WAttention? WAttention is a name created by combining “ 和 ” (WA) - meaning all things Japanese - with “attention”, referring to our mission to bring attention to the best of Japan. “Wa” also bears the connotation of “linking”, which is what WAttention aims to do as a bridge linking Japan and the world. We are the largest-circulating free magazine to introduce Japan’s unique culture as it is and tourism sights as they are to readers all over the world, in either English or the local language.
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Time Tra
Sh i n
Where the future… Shinjuku literally means “New Lodge”, when the area became a new rest m o d e r n - d a y To k y o t o t h e n e x t to be synonymous with everything new streaming through the world’s busiest as a place for rest and quiet. Yet, shiny aside, Shinjuku also has a timeless side
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v el Ci t y
juku
meets the past.
and got that naming in the Edo period stop along a major route joining prefecture. Today, Shinjuku continues and edgy. But with crowds constantly station here, it wouldn’t come to mind glass and steel and gaudy neon lights to it where history and culture thrive.
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Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower:
Time Travel City Shinjuku:
Hosting Japan’s largest specialized training college offering courses in design, fashion, business and graphics, this is the 2nd-tallest educational building in the world; 25th-tallest building in Japan.
Future Forward A mosaic of modernity featuring glitz, glamour, gizmos and Godzilla. 1991 243m
2000 240m 1996 222m
1994 235m
Sompo Japan Building: 1979 223m 2008 203m
1973 1974 210m 210m 1978 209m
Still eye-catching with its unique curved design despite being built 40 years ago.
1 The skyline’s the limit Shinjuku skyscrapers
One of Tokyo’s first skyscrapers, the 178m-high Keio Plaza Inter-Continental, was built in the business district of West Shinjuku in the '70s. Now, Shinjuku’s ever-changing skyline has a range of buildings that easily exceed 200m.
2 Electronics and Fashion Collaboration Store BICQLO
Fast fashion meets the newest gadgets, glasses, medicines and more at this revolutionary collaboration between Uniqlo and Bic Camera. Accessorize with the latest electronic goods here.
3 Oh my Godzilla!
Address: Shinjuku 3-29-1, Shinjuku Hours: 10am – 10pm URL: http://www.biccamera.co.jp.e.lj.hp.transer.com/ shoplist/shop-116.html
Hotel Gracery
Catch the King of the Monsters up at Hotel Gracery’s 8th floor terrace, where guests of the hotel and its Café Terrace Bonjour can sneak a peek. Address: Kabukicho 1-19-1, Shinjuku Café Terrace Bonjour Hours: 10:30am – 8:30pm (Weekends & Holidays require a limited-entrance ticket, distributed from 10am at the 1st floor entrance.) URL (Hotel Reservations): http://shinjuku.gracery.com
4 Flour power Cafe comme ca Shinjuku
Savor these gorgeous fruit tarts in the shape of a flower bouquet. Made from fresh seasonal fruits, they taste as exquisite as they look! Address: Shinjuku 3-26-6 Comme Ca Store 5F, Shinjuku Hours: 11am – 11pm (11am – 8pm on Sundays, special hours for holidays) URL: http://www.cafe-commeca.co.jp/index.html (Japanese)
5 Inspect the gadgets Shinjuku Camera City A short walking distance from Shinjuku Station’s west exit, you’ll find a maze of electronic stores such as Yodobashi Camera and Bic Camera, each packed with the latest gizmos.
6 Bright lights, big city Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
HealSlo Ochapresso Enjoy the fragrance and health benefits of freshly-milled green tea with this automated tea mill.
Don’t miss out on Shinjuku’s best night viewing spot from the district’s tallest skyscraper at 243m which also happens to be free! For this evening cityscape pictured here, head to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (Tocho)’s Northern Observation Deck (45F), facing northeast towards the station. Arrive an hour before or after sunset to avoid elevator lines that spill out to the courtyard.
Robophone This little robot smartphone is so cute you’d be at its beck and call. (Scheduled for an early-2016 release)
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Tocho, viewed from the courtyard
Address: Nishi-shinjuku 2-8-1, Shinjuku Northern Observation Deck Hours: 9:30am – 11pm, closed the 2nd & 4th Mondays each month (or Tuesdays when a national holiday), New Years holidays Dec. 29-31, Jan. 2-3 URL: http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/ENGLISH/ABOUT/APPENDIX/ appendix06.htm
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Robot Restaurant
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Entertainment of the future While 3-D cinema and VR gaming are today’s modern entertainment, Robot Restaurant presents you entertainment from another dimension. Metallic robots and gaudy girls parading, dancing and battling in front of you while you reach your chopsticks to a sushi bento, is something you simply won’t find in any other part of the world just yet. Esra Krabbe reports funky robots play the guitar and Japanese bamboo flute before a talented female singer appears on stage to steal the show, and the show has not even begun yet!
Robots as friends Some people fear that robots – our own creations – might someday become too powerful and stand above us, but not the Japanese. Here, people grow up with cute robots from manga and anime as Doraemon and Astro Boy and see robots as their close friends. And so, Robot Restaurant’s show girls are not at all afraid to have a dance with the robots, or even mount on them to go and make mincemeat of the enemy.
Not restaurant but show With flashy neon-lights that make even Las Vegas’ casino spotlights seem dim, Robot Restaurant’s façade already shouts future, but just wait until you arrive at the golden-gilded waiting lounge. Here,
Despite its name, Robot Restaurant is a show and not a restaurant. While a sushi bento can be ordered in advance and snacks and drinks are sold during the breaks, these are of no more importance than popcorn at a cinema. However, we do recommend a few beers so that you are all loosened up and ready for the madness of this crazy robot house.
Join the robots What I liked about Robot Restaurant most, is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. While the acts do have storylines, they are very flexible and exist for the mere purpose of creating an exciting over-the-top show. As a result, the imagination of the show’s creators is not held back, and the performers can fully immerse in their own show with joy. Even the robots seem to be having a blast, so let’s swing that light stick as the robots and girls make their final appearance during a grand parade!
Robot Restaurant Address: Kabukicho 1-7-1, Shinjuku Time: 4pm-11pm (Shows: 4pm, 5:55pm, 7:50pm, 9:45pm) 1 show approx. 90 minutes Admission: 7,000 yen Access: 5-min walk from JR and Tokyo Metro Shinjuku Station URL: http://www.shinjuku-robot.com/pc/?lng=en
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Time Travel City Shinjuku:
Past Perfect
See the same sights that armor that they wore. Here are get a taste of the past that lives
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2. The secret
garden shrine Hanazono-jinja Shrine
l. Be Shinjuku’s last samurai Samurai Museum
Located in the middle of Tokyo’s wildest entertainment district, Kabukicho, this museum of samurai armors and swords presents you a slice of Japanese history. Put on armor and grab a sword for a picture in your own history book!
Hidden amidst the concrete jungle of Eastern Shinjuku, Hanazono (“Flower Garden”)-jinja Shrine has been the spiritual protectorate of the district for over 400 years. Delight in this brilliant vermillion treasure, and the sacred ginkgo trees that date back centuries. Address: Shinjuku 5-17-3, Shinjuku Hours: 9am – 6pm URL: http://www.hanazono-jinja.or.jp/ (Japanese)
Address: Kabukicho 2-25-6, Shinjuku Hours: 12am – 10pm URL: http://www.samuraimuseum.jp/en/index.html
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4. A spicy love story
Shinjuku Nakamuraya Restaurant & Cafe Manna This is the first restaurant to introduce authentic Indian curry to Japan. It was introduced by an Indian political refugee Rash Behari Bose who married the daughter of Nakamuraya’s founder. While his wife passed away early on, he decided to stay and introduce Indian curry to the Japanese as a new menu for Nakamuraya. This same curry can still be savored at "Manna" today. Address: Shinjuku 3-26-13 Nakamuraya Bldg. B2F, Shinjuku Hours:11am – 10pm (11am – 10:30pm on Fridays, Saturdays and days before holidays) URL: https://www.nakamuraya.co.jp/manna/ (Japanese)
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samurai saw or try on the some spots where one can on in the present. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
3. An image of Meiji
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
This sprawling public park used to be the Imperial Family’s garden in the Meiji era, and in the Edo era the grounds belonged to the local lord Naito. This is the largest urban oasis in the area, containing distinct English, French and Japanese landscaped gardens. Address: 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku Hours: 9am – 4pm, closed on Mondays (or Tuesdays when Monday is a national holiday), New Years holidays Dec. 29 – Jan. 3 URL: https://www.env.go.jp/garden/shinjukugyoen/english/index.html
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6. Test the waters of
Japanese tradition Termae Yu
The age-old Japanese practice of public bathing can be experienced at Termae-yu, Shinjuku’s only natural hot spring located in the middle of Kabukicho! With baths of authentic Japanese interior and design, this is Shinjuku’s best pick for a relaxing soak back in time.
5. On retro-spect Coffee Seibu
Address: Kabukicho 1-1-2, Shinjuku Hours: 11am – 9am URL: http://thermae-yu.jp/index.html (Japanese)
For the feel and flavor of one of Tokyo’s last-standing classic cafés, retreat to the retro atmosphere of this 51-year-old landmark. Their extravagant chocolate parfait and famed omurice (omelet rice) are just two of the traditional favorites, and make the perfect pair! Address: Shinjuku 3-34-9 Metro Kaikan 2F, Shinjuku Hours: 7am – 11:30pm URL: http://www.shinjuku-chuo.com/shop/seibu/seibu.htm (Japanese)
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GO! TEAM
JAPAN From the physical to the mental and spiritual, here are some of Japan’s most famous and popular sports and how you can enjoy them. Thought the Japanese are all quiet and tame? The next time you visit, make your way down to a live sports venue or try out a traditional martial arts and you’ll get to see another face of Japan. With the upcoming 2020 Olympic Games, sporting excellence is in the limelight and Japanese teams are aiming to claim top spot in fields that they are already worldlevel in, such as baseball, soccer and table-tennis — just to name a few. Here is a run through of some of the sports closest to the hearts of the Japanese.
(C)J.LEAGUE PHOTOS
Soccer Japan’s male soccer team, also known as the Samurai Blue, have been regular fixtures at the World Cup stage since 1998. Women’s soccer is also enjoying a boom following the women’s national soccer team’s 2011 World Cup victory – where they beat soccer superpower USA to clinch the trophy. Soccer fans in Singapore will be familiar with Albirex Niigata, which belongs to Division One of the professional J-League. Catch a J-League match from March to early December. Tickets range from ¥2,000 to ¥7,000 and can be bought on the match day itself. Venue and schedules vary according to team, for more details visit www.jleague.jp/ (Japanese)
Baseball Along with soccer, this is one of the most popular sports in Japan – in fact, it is so deeply rooted in the local sporting culture that, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization, many baseball fans in Japan are surprised that the Americans also consider it their national sport! Baseball was first introduced in 1872 by an American professor who taught English in Tokyo. Now, there are – broadly speaking – two types of baseball in Japan: high school baseball and professional league baseball. The highest playing field for the former is the Hanshin Koshien Stadium, located in Hyogo Prefecture in West Japan. The “Summer Koshien” is one of the most eagerly anticipated matches for baseball fans throughout the nation as they root for their local school teams. The professional league is known as Nippon Professional Baseball, and the season lasts eight months starting from April and leading up to a championship held in October, the Nippon Series. On the world stage, Japan’s national team won the World Baseball Classic twice.
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High School Baseball
Professional Baseball
For information on the tournament and Hanshin Koshien Stadium visit www.nhk.or.jp/koushien/ (Japanese)
Venue and schedules vary according to team, for more details visit npb.jp/eng/
Go Team! JAPAN 日本人の誇り
Sumo Wrestling Harking back 1,500 years ago, sumo first began as part of a religious ritual performed at Shinto shrines. It was then introduced into the ceremonies of the Imperial Court during the Nara Period (8 th century) and developed from a no-holdsbarred mix of boxing and wrestling to a more technique-based form with rules. Now, there are 70 winning techniques, or kimarite, that a rikishi (力士, sumo wrestler) can use to force his opponent out of the wrestling ring or off balance. There are six Grand Tournaments held a year, each lasting 15 days: three in Tokyo, and one each in Osaka, Nagoya and Kyushu Prefectures. Venue and schedules vary according to tournament, for more details visit www.sumo.or.jp/en/
Rugby Japan is currently undergoing a rugby craze, with children suddenly taking up interest in the sport after the national team, the Brave Blossoms, pulled off a spectacular victory against rugby superpower South Africa in what is University rugby superpowers Waseda University going down in Rugby World Cup history and Keio University in their annual face-off. as the “biggest shock win”. That said, Japan has always been a formidable rugby force in Asia and has participated in every Rugby World Cup since it began in 1987. With Japan slated to host the global competition in 2019, this is definitely one hot sport to watch out for. Rugby was first introduced to Keio University students in 1899 by an English professor. Catch the professional league teams and university teams face off in the All-Japan Rugby Football Championship that takes place at the end of the rugby season around February. Venue and schedules vary according to tournament, for more details visit jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php
Kendo Kendo, or the Way of the Sword, evolved from samurai swordsmanship and developed into its current form during the long period of peace during the Edo era when real swords were replaced by wooden ones for practice, and subsequently shinai (竹刀, bamboo swords) and bogu (防具, protective armour) were developed to allow for safe sparring. After the Second World War in 1946, the practice of kendo was suspended by the occupying Allied Forces, but this ban was lifted in 1952 and the All Japan Kendo Federation was established. There is a special police kendo division for officers whose job is to practice competitive kendo and win kendo tournaments, such as the All Japan Kendo Championship. All Japan Kendo Championship | 3 Nov ‘16 Nippon Budokan www.kendo-fik.org/english-page/ english-top-page.html
Kyudo
The Way of the Bow is a modern Japanese martial art that evolved from kyūjutsu (弓術, Art of Archery) used by the samurai class in feudal Japan. Its roots lie in a Shinto religious ritual from over 2,000 years ago. Unlike western archery, the movements are slow, graceful and deliberate – and in fact, quite ritualistic. Most people who practice kyūdo see it as an art and not a sport, where the form and spiritual state is more important than the actual hitting of the target. In competitions, scores are based on how many arrows hit the target, not on their proximity to the target center. All Japan Kyudo Championships | 2-3 May ‘16 | Miyakomesse, Kyoto kyudo.jp/contents/code/english
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Go Team! JAPAN 日本人の誇り
Karate This developed in Okinawa Prefecture from the indigenous martial arts of the Ryukyu Islands (the prefecture’s former name) and has its roots in Chinese martial arts. It was introduced to mainland Japan in the early 20 th century. Techniques consist mainly of strikes using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes and open hand techniques. Karate was considered for the 2020 Olympics but did not gather sufficient votes. National Championship Tournament (Individual) | 25 Sep ’16 | Makuhari Messe jka.or.jp/en/news/calendar.html
Aikido This modern Japanese martial art was developed by martial arts practitioner Ueshiba Morihei in 1922 as a way to allow practitioners to defend themselves while – unlike other forms of self-defense – causing no harm to their attacker. The literal translation of the name is the Way of Combining Spirit, and refers to the technique of deflecting and redirecting an attacker’s movements with minimal effort. Now, several schools of aikido have developed and some are competitive – while the traditional school believes that the philosophy of aikido does not lend itself to competitions. In the words of the founding father Ueshiba, “Aikido is not about defeating one’s enemy. It is the way to unite human beings and guide the world towards harmony.” Experience Aikido at Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, where Ueshiba Morihei was born www.tb-kumano.jp/en/aikido/experience/ Image credit: Ignat Gorazd, Flickr
Fun Sports Bars To Check Out Round 1 With branches all over Japan, this is a popular hangout for groups of friends and families, offering a wide variety of sports and activities. Pick from table tennis or golf, depending on the branch, and enjoy a few rounds till late without worrying about closing time at this integrated sports entertainment zone. www.round1.co.jp/
GOLF ‘n’ BAR GRIP
Shibuya EST This is another integrated sports complex for night owls. Offering indoor entertainment such as bowling, darts and table tennis, exchange shots with your friends before downing a few drinks at the table tennis café. www.shibuyaest.co.jp/
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So you’ve heard of integrated resorts, now check out these integrated sports entertainment complexes where you can try your hand at table tennis, bowling or baseball batting – pretty much round the clock!
The first golf bar of its kind, here you can practice your golf swing at simulation golf booths. Buy a drink and book a booth equipment is provided for free. Who says one can’t drink and drive? www.golfbar.jp/
Go Team! JAPAN 日本人の誇り
Table Tennis Japan is undoubtedly a table tennis powerhouse and proving to be a growing threat to world champion China. The women’s team clinched silver in the 2012 Olympics, and the men’s and women’s team met China in the 2016 World Team Table Tennis Championships held in Kuala Lumpur in March. The Japanese introduced the foam rubber paddle which made the game faster and upped the ante in terms of spinning the ball as a technique. While Japan won the world competition in the 1960s, China took the lead and never gave it back. On a more social level, table tennis is a common recreation at hot spring hotels, so that’s one venue to try this sport with the locals! Japan Open Super Series | 15-19 Jun ’16 | Kobe Sports Park www.jtta.or.jp/taikai_nittei.html (Japanese)
Starting at the turn of the 20th century, people living in the mountainous regions of Japan have been using skis to move around. Eventually Japan would become famous for her beautiful mountain peaks covered in soft powder snow, especially in Niseko, Hokkaido. A popular spot for skiing and snowboarding amongst locals and tourists, there over 500 ski resorts around the country. Winter Asian Games 2017 | Feb ’17 sapporo2017.org/en/
Judo Image credit: Tony Tseng, Flickr
This is the first Japanese martial art to become an Olympic sport. Meaning “the gentle way”, it was founded by Japanese educator and sportsman Kano Jigoro in 1882, who based it on the art of jujutsu. He started his school, Kodokan, at a small temple in Tokyo, which has since grown into the headquarters of the worldwide Judo community. Basic techniques used in Judo are throwing, grappling, striking, and the art of breaking one’s fall. The school co-sponsors the All Japan Judo Championships held every April.
Ski
MIND SPORTS
Kodokan Judo Institute kodokanjudoinstitute.org/en/
Shogi Known as Japanese chess, shogi literally means “general’s board game” and developed to its present form around the 16th century. It is similar to chess but slightly more complete because captured pieces can be returned to the board as one’s own. Every year, the Japanese national broadcasting station, NHK, sponsors and airs the NHK Cup TV Shogi Tournament which runs for a year from April to March the following year.
Igo Referred to as “go” internationally, this two-player board game originated in China over 2,500 years ago and took the current form in Japan in the 15th century. The aim is to surround more territory than the opponent and involves significant strategizing despite the simple rules of the game. Territory on the board is gained by surrounding an opposing stone or a group of stones. The game is played until neither player wishes to make another move.
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FIELDS Research Institute
Let’s Talk Subculture Explore the fascinating world of Japan’s subcultures with insights from the inside.
Takadanobaba Game Center Mikado: Tokyo’s Empire of Retro Video Games Insert coin to relive childhood Due to its unassuming façade, Mikado could easily go unnoticed by even a seasoned gamer. This video game arcade, or ge-sen (an abbreviation of game center) in Japanese, is located not in the otaku heaven of Akihabara, but tucked away on a small street in Takadanobaba, a student quarter in Shinjuku Ward along the Yamanote Line. Tourists are unlikely to visit the area without a special reason, but for gamers there is plenty of reason as Mikado will be like a tour through their childhood. It is not just the nostalgia that brings gamers to Mikado. For many now-forgotten games, Mikado is the only place where competitive players can still find a good opponent, which is why so many players from all over the world make their pilgrimage to this holy ground of vintage video games. The special events and tournaments held on a daily basis keep things active, and make this recreation of an old-style video game arcade one that not only has the games of the good old days, but also captures the lively energy and tension that was present in video game arcades back then. “My next dream is to develop an original game for Mikado. By making it only playable here, it could become a new reason for people to visit.” During the eighties and nineties, video game arcades were stuff of the future, but with the advent of advanced home consoles they have become a phenomenon of the past. Outside of Japan, they are pretty much extinct and even the ge-sen here are becoming an endangered species. The few major ones that are left owe their existence not to fighting and shooting games, but to the UFO catchers and purikura booths that attract families and couples. “When I was young, video game arcades were dark, smoky halls where young guys would hang out after school to play the newest video games. Now, games are played on smartphone devices and arcades have become family entertainment” says Mikado owner
Minoru Ikeda with a sad smile on his face. A quick look around at the two-story Mikado, which probably has the most CRT screens put together in one space in Tokyo, makes it easy to understand that it is a recreation of the video game arcades Ikeda remembers from his childhood. From SEGA’s 1985 classic shooting game Space Harrier to Capcom’s legendary Street Fighter II that still has a following more than 20 years after its release, Mikado is like a museum that showcases the golden days of Japanese video games. With a total of more than 200 machines, even games that were quickly forgotten after their original release finally get their well-deserved lot here at Mikado.
Ikeda’s plan would indeed make for an interesting type of exclusivity. Ideas like this add a layer of personality to Mikado that make it a very special place. A visit will make you recall the fun and adrenaline rush of jostling elbows with your opponent seated next to you, rather than some faceless online game user on some other part of the planet.
Find out other fascinating aspects of subculture in this special “Let’s Talk Subculture” series online at www.wattention.com.
Game Center Takadanobaba Mikado
This article was written with the assistance of Fields Research Institute, which conducts research in entertainment.
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Address: Takadanobaba 4-5-10, Shinjuku, Tokyo Access: 1-min walk from Takadanobaba Station (JR Yamanote Line, Tozai Line, Seibu Shinjuku Line Hours: 10am – 12am URL: http://mi-ka-do.net/baba/ (Japanese)
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