WAttention Singapore vol 10

Singapore Edition - Tokyo - Los Angels - Malaysia

Wonderland Japan

TA K E FREE 2012 Summer issue VOL.10

WAttention Bright Night Summer Dreams

MICA(P)006/12/2011

Watami Singapore brings you

New Special Ramen Dishes

Kara Miso Ramen 12.8

辛味噌ラーメン Spicy Miso Ramen

Watami Tonkotsu Ramen 13.8

和民とんこつラーメン

Marinated Pork Slices and Noodles in Special Pork Broth

Gyukotsu Ramen 12.8

Tokyo Shoyu Ramen 12.8

濃厚牛骨ラーメン

Beef Bone Broth Ramen

東京醤油ラーメン Tokyo Shoyu Ramen

SPECIAL SET (for 2) 59 Rice

90g

ごはん Rice

Half Watami Salad 和民サラダ ( ハーフ ) Special Watami Salad with Tuna Mayo (Half)

Gyukotsu Nabe 牛骨鍋 Beef Bone Broth Nabe

Salmon Sashimi サーモン Salmon Sashimi

Asari Sakemushi

2

Tokyo Shoyu Ramen

あさりの酒蒸し Clams Cooked in Japanese Wine Sauce

Glasses

東京醤油ラーメン Tokyo Shoyu Ramen

Main Dish, Hot Pot, Side Dishes, and Drinks have Other Choices Available

ION ORCHARD BRANCH

CENTRAL BRANCH

RAFFLES CITY BRANCH

JUNCTION 8 BRANCH

J CUBE BRANCH

ION Orchard #B3-23, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801 Tel: (65) 6509 9366 Operating Hours: 11:30am to 10pm

6 Eu Tong Sen Street, The Central #03-82/83/85/102/108/109, Singapore 059817 Tel: (65) 6323 3398 Operating Hours: 11:30am to 11pm

252 North Bridge Road, B1-06/07, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore 179103 Tel: (65) 6336 2425 Operating Hours: 11:30am to 10pm

9 Bishan Place, #01-33, Junction 8 Shopping Centre, Singapore 579837 Tel: (65) 6258 3577 Operating Hours: 11:30am to 10pm

# 01 -17 J Cube, 2 Jurong East Central 1, Singapore 609731 Tel: (65) 6684 5300 Operating Hours: 11:30am to 10pm

We accept reservations at The Central and Raffles City Branches only. ● Prices are in terms of Singapore Dollars. / 表示価格はシンガポールドルになっております。

● The pictures are only for reference. / 写真と異なることがございます。

● All prices shown are subject to 10% service charge and 7% GST. / 当店では、サービス料として別途ご利用金額の 10% と消費稅 7% をいただいております。

02

WAttention Singapore

www.watami.com.sg

© 2012 Watami Food Service Singapore Pte. Ltd. FA12.SG.WTN2.A4-1205

Wonderland Japan

WAttention

Publisher

vol.10

contents

Yasuko Suzuki Minook International (S) Pte Ltd 2B Craig Road Singapore 089662 Tel: (65)6324-2127 E-mail: info@wattention.com

Editor in Chief Naoki Kiyota

Sub Editor in Chief

FEATURES

Ayako F Sogo

04 COOL NIGHTS IN HOT TOKYO

WAttention Co., Ltd faciobb Co.,Ltd Creative Commune LLC

Partners

Tokyo’s rich culture of night festivals and markets

08 TOKYO KEEPS ON GETTING HOTTER IN 2012 With new spots opening up one after another, Tokyo continues to keep us enchanted

How to conquer Tokyo’s train network system

14 MYSTERIOUS JAPAN STORY 6 -TOKYO DAIJINGUGods of Ise Jingu enshrined and crowded with girls in quest for love!?

18 WAGYU, A TASTE OF JAPANESE BEEF WAttention presents best Singapore restaurants offer real wagyu beef

COLUMN

REPORT

16 HOW TO BE A GOOD TRAVELLER

28 JAPANESE HAIR DESIGNERS

37 MR SAMUEL YEONG’S JAPANESE CLASSROOM Let’s learn some basic Japanese words and phrases

Ayako Miyazaki / Shima Kusunoki Miyoko Takeuchi / Kiyomi Fujioka

Design Teppei Nitobe

12 TOKYO TRANSPORTER

You won’t feel embarrassed if you know basic manners and etiquette in Japan

Advertising Sales

Skilled Japanese hair designers will guide clients in Singapore through hair creations REGULARS 31 EVENT & INFORMATION Highlights of Japan-related event & information in Singapore 35 HOME TREATS: Japanese home-cooked recipes

Editorial & Design Department in Japan Michiko Tamaoki Mizuho Ota Sonoko Azuma Yasuhisa Tamura

··· Writer and Editor ··· Writer ··· Illustrator ··· Graphic Designer

Cover photo Nobuyuki Nakajima (Chichibu Night Festival, Saitama)

Special thanks to Tokyo Daijingu JNTO Singapore office 本誌に関する日本国内でのお問い合わせ先 和テンション株式会社 Tel: +81-3-6418-5701 Fax: +81-3-6862-6760 E-mail: infotokyo@wattention.com WATTENTION is a publication of Minook International (S) Pte Ltd. All articles published are in good faith and based on bonafide information available to The Publisher at the time of press. The Publisher accepts no responsibility other than that stipulated by law. The Publisher also accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies or other materials. All rights are reserved and no part of this publication may be reproduced in part or full without the previous written permission of The Publisher. Neither can any part be stored or recorded, by any means. The opinions expressed in The Publication are those of the contributors and not necessarily endorsed by The Publisher.

This publication and the name are owned solely by Minook International (S) Pte Ltd, 2B Craig Rd, Singapore 089662. Email: info@wattention.com.

WATTENTION is published bimonthly and distributed throughout Singapore. Trademarks and copyrights for all other products, logos and depictions contained herein are the properties of their respective trademark and copyright owners.

All colour separation and printing by Print Dynamics (S) Pte Ltd. Licence No. L006/12/2011, 21 Tai Seng Dr. #03-01 (S) 535223 Singapore MICA (P) 006/12/2011.

What’s New in Singapore

Attention All Gourmands WAttention and Mangosteen Club jointly announce the launch of the Singapore Gourmand Club – a society for gourmands, epicureans and anyone who just loves dining.

After signing up, you will receive information on exciting gourmet events and promotions via our e-newsletters. We will also invite you to our special events, such as wine tasting and food pairing. What’s more, there is something unique about our club. Since we are a publisher of magazines focused on Japan, we have built a strong net-

work among Japanese food and beverage businesses in Singapore.

Hence, we will be planning a lot of Japan-related events, such as sake tasting and Japanese regional food sampling.

Membership is free, and registration is as easy as pie. Simply go to the link below, fill in the information, and voila ~ you’re instantly a member of the Singapore Gourmand Club!

So what are you waiting for? Sign up now and open up a whole new world of gastronomic experiences!

Register here:

www.wattention.com Terms and conditions: Aspiring members must be above 20 years old, love dining and be able to handle alcoholic drinks.

WAttention Singapore

03

Tokyo's rich culture of night festivals and markets

C O O L NI G H TS I N HOT Although Tokyo can get very hot during the day, once the sun goes down and the cool breeze begins to stir, the best time to enjoy this metropolis starts...

This is something you won't be able to see in other parts of the world In Japan, there is a very special feeling attached to summer. It s probably because there are long school holidays and kids get to go to lots of festivals and have lots of adventures. Many Tokyoites share childhood memories of visiting their grandparents' house in rural Japan, tasting traditional Japanese dishes and visiting local festivals wearing Yukata (the casual Kimono, that used to be commonly worn as loungewear or pyjamas) .

It s the season when people get to really enjoy the evenings. Although it can get very hot during the day, once

04

WAttention Singapore

the sun goes down, the cool evening breeze begins to stir, cooling the skin and bringing a fresh, soothing sensation.

In recent times, the tendency had been to simply shut the window and switch the air conditioner on, but these days, more and more people have returned to the good old-fashioned style, bringing their benches and chairs outside to enjoy beer and chat while the kids munch on watermelon and play with fireworks in the garden.

The popular "Beer Gardens" are a reminder of this summer pastime and

still hugely popular.

Summer is also a special time in terms of Japanese spiritual culture.

Depending on the region, during either mid July or mid August, there is a period called Obon (or just Bon ).

This is a week dedicated to the memory of the deceased and while being part of the Buddhist calendar, it is strongly influenced by old Japanese pagan customs. That s why there are many festivals held at temples and shrines at this time of the year. Most of those continue till quite late in the evening, with a Bon dance party. In the old days,

Firework Festivals in Tokyo 2012

TOK YO

24th July, Tuesday

Katsushika Noryo Firework Festival NUMBER OF FIREWORKS: 7,000 AT: Shibamata Baseball Ground on Arakawa riverbed STATION: Shibamata Station (Keisei Kanamachi Line) http://www.katsushika-kanko.com/

28th July, Saturday

Sumidagawa Firework Festival NUMBER OF FIREWORKS: 20,000 AT: near Sakurabashi bridge and Komagatabashi bridge over the Sumidagawa river STATION: Asakusa station (Tokyo Metro/ Toei subway/ Keisei Line), Tokyo Skytree station (Keisei Line) http://sumidagawa-hanabi.com/index_eg.html

late July

Tachikawa Matsuri Firework Festival NUMBER OF FIREWORKS: 5,000 AT: Showa Kinen Park STATION: Nishi Tachikawa station or Tachikawa station (JR) http://www.tbt.gr.jp/100sen/event/hanabi.htm

4th August, Saturday

Edogawa-ward Firework Festival NUMBER OF FIREWORKS: 14,000 AT: Edogawa river riverbed, near Shinozaki Park STATION: Shinozaki station (Tokyo Subway), Koiwa station (JR), Keisei Edogawa station (Keisei Line) http://www.city.edogawa.tokyo.jp/hanabi/index. html

4th August, Saturday

Itabashi & Todabashi Bridge Firework Festivals NUMBER OF FIREWORKS: 11,000 AT: Arakawa river riverbed, west side of Todabashi bridge STATION: Ukimafunato station, Todakoen station (JR), Nishidai station (Tokyo Subway) http://itabashihanabi.jp/ http://www.todabashi-hanabi.jp/

early August

Jingu Gaien Firework Festival

these evening festivals were a special chance for the young people to mix and socialize.

One of the highlights of the summer festivals in Japan are the firework displays. There are dozens of firework festivals held in Tokyo throughout the summer, and some of them boast more than ten thousands fireworks, gathering crowds of up to a million on a single night. Japanese fireworks are renowned worldwide for their bright colors and complex designs. If you re in Tokyo during July and August, we highly recommend you try one of the bigger events. This is something you won't be able to see in other parts of the world.

These firework displays also originated in religious culture. One of the first public firework displays was held in

Eighteenth Century Edo, to comfort the souls of people who died in the great cholera pandemic. Toro Nagashi (see p.7) is also used to remember those that have passed away. Viewing the fireflies is an elegant evening pastime, but at the same time, these faint lights are also said to represent the souls of the dead.

If you are lucky enough to be in Tokyo this summer, why not go out in the evening and avoid the heat of the day? As well as all those traditional festivals, there are numerous shopping malls and great restaurants, aquariums and zoos that stay open till late. There are even 24/7 bookstores in central Tokyo. Luckily, Tokyo is generally very safe to roam around, even after the midnight. Enjoy!

NUMBER OF FIREWORKS: 10,000 AT: Meiji Jingu Gaien STATION: Sendagaya station, Shinanomachi station (JR), Gaienmae station, Aoyama 1-Chome station (Tokyo Metro) http://jinguhanabi.nikkansports.com/

mid August

Tokyo Bay Great Firework Festival NUMBER OF FIREWORKS: 12,000 AT: Off Harumifuto Park (can be viewed from various spots surrounding Tokyo Port) STATION: Kachidoki station (Tokyo Metro), Takeshiba station, Hinode station, Odaiba station(Yurikamome Line), etc. http://www.city.chuo.lg.jp/ivent/toukyouwanndaiha nabisaimeinn/

mid August

Tamagawa Firework Festivals NUMBER OF FIREWORKS: 12,000 AT: Tamagawa river riverbed, on the both sides of Futakobashi bridge STATION: Futakotamagawa station, Futakoshinchi station (Tokyu Denentoshi Line) http://www.tamagawa-hanabi.com/ The dates of some of the festivals are yet to be announced. In case of rain or strong wind, the festival may be shifted to the next day or cancelled.

Usually if the festival is going to take place, a blank cartridge will be fired during the day to let people know. Most of the fireworks start for around 19:00, and end at around 20:30.

WAttention Singapore

05

A night out in search of traditional festivals Dance contests, markets, music, street stalls... A funpacked summer festival in the center of Tokyo Kagurazaka Matsuri Kagurazaka is known as the chic town with half a dozen Ryotei (restaurant) where you can request the company of a Geisha. This festival is not huge in size but is packed with an Awa dance (folk dancing) competition, several markets, music... you can even try Houroku-kyu (a therapy that involves heat acupuncture)!

•ADD 1 - 6 chome Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku •TIME (The Ground Cherry Market) 25th ~ 26th July 17:30 ~ 22:00 (Awaodori Festival) 27th ~ 28th July 19:00 ~ 21:00 •ACCESS Approx. 0 mins walk from Iidabashi station (Tokyo Metro), 2 mins walk from Ushigomekagurazaka station (Tokyo Subway), 3 mins walk from Iidabashi station (JR) •WEB http://www. kagurazaka.in/matsuri/ (Japanese only)

Enjoy the fantastic views of Tokyo bay from a traditional restaurant boat Yakatabune Yakatabune literally means houseboat . Inside these boats you ll find a big lounge with tatami mats, where passengers can lounge or have a dining party while enjoying the waterfront scenery of Tokyo.

Nowadays there are shared cruises, so you can book as a small group. The view of the new Tokyo Skytree is astonishing.

•ADD 1-1-17 Higashi Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku •TIME 11:00 ~ 21:30 (Through the year) •TEL 03-3471-4531 (10:00 ~ 19:00) •ACCESS Approx. 2 mins walk from Kita Shinagawa station (Keihin Kyuko Line), 10 mins walk from Shinagawa station (JR) •Price A dinner cruise 10,500 yen per person, A lunch cruise 7,500 yen (all you can drink, major credit cards accepted, reservation required before 16:00 the day before for a lunch cruise, before 17:00 same day for a dinner cruise) •WEB http://r.gnavi. co.jp/b769900/lang/en/

06

WAttention Singapore

From summer festivals and funfairs at shrines and temples to Bon dance parties and big markets hosted by the local councils, there are hundreds of traditional evening events happening in Tokyo. Here are just few of them.

Taito Takigi Noh/ Rosoku Noh

photo: Last year's stage

Sumidagawa Toro Nagashi

Sugamo Noryo Bon Dance Festival

photo: Asakusa Tourism Federation

"Noh" theatre by the candlelight is a highlight of summer

A magical scenery of candle lit lanterns float down the river

Everyone is welcome to jump into the circle of Japanese folk dance

Takigi Noh , or Noh theatre by the bonfire, is regarded as one of the highest art forms in Japan, and is mostly performed during the summer.

This special program is promoted by Taito-ku council to open up this art to a bigger audience. Try the connoisseur taste of Japanese high culture.

A picturesque event started a year after the end of World War Ⅱ. Thousands of candlelit lanterns, with the names of loved ones who died this year, are released to the flow of the river by families and friends. This ceremony started soon after the WWⅡ.

The Bon folk dance is originated from a religious/ pagan dance dedicated to the spirits of ancestors and gods, but nowadays it is for people to have fun. Most of the choreography is very simple, so you can just jump in and copy the others. You will be welcomed!

•ADD Shinsui Terrace at Sumida Park, near Azumabashi bridge •TIME Date TBA (mid August) 18:30 ~ 20:00 •ACCESS Approx. 1 mins walk from Asakusa station (Tokyo Metro), 3 mins walk from Asakusa station (Tokyo Subway) •WEB http://www. e-asakusa.jp/ (Japanese only)

•ADD Koganji Temple 3-35-2 Sugamo, Toshima-ku •TIME Date TBA (end of July or early August) 18:00 ~ 21:00 •ACCESS Approx. 4 mins walk from Sugamo station (Tokyo Metro), 5 mins walk from Sugamo station (JR) •WEB http://www.sugamo.or.jp/event_ detail.php?id=148 (Japanese only)

•ADD Asakusa Kokaido Hall 1-38-6 Asakusa, Taitoku •TIME 7th August 17:45 ~ 20:45 •ACCESS Approx. 5 mins walk from Asakusa station (Tokyo Metro), 7 mins walk from Asakusa station (Tokyo Subway) •TEL 03-3844-7491 (Japanese only) •Ticket Price 3,000 yen ~ 4,500 yen (reservation strongly recommended) •WEB http://asakusakoukaidou.net/ (Japanese only)

Street Stalls - fast food and games Street stalls play a big part of festivals and funfairs. Probably the most popular game amongst kids is catching goldfish. You pay for a scoop made of very thin paper and try catching the fish without breaking it. Popular dishes at the food stalls

are Takoyaki (octopus dumpling) and Yakisoba (fried noodle). They are not particularly good value for money, but hey, it is a festival, why not give it a try? They are good with chilled beer and it s not a problem to drink on the street at festivals.

WAttention Singapore

07

TOKYO KEEPS ON GETTING HOTTER IN 2012!

With new spots opening up one after another, Tokyo keeps us enchanted in 2012! Don t miss out on the exciting spots we have picked out!

Sky walkway at 450 meters above ground.

ASAKUSA

TOKYO SKYTREE http://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/english/

The world s tallest free-standing broadcasting tower, TOKYO SKYTREEÂŽ, opened in Asakusa on May 22nd.

Named after Musashi, the old name of the region across Tokyo, Saitama and Kanagawa, the height of the tower is 634 meters (pun on the pronunciation of the numbers in Japanese). The design symbolizes a celestially extending tree with a unique triangular base combining esthetics of traditional Japanese architectural design with the latest technology. There are observatories at 350 meters and 450 meters above ground, with shops and restaurants on the lower observatory. From the

View over Sumida River 08

WAttention Singapore

ŠTOKYO-SKYTREE

Exciting Events in the Area Sumida River Fireworks Festival Get charmed by Big Tokyo Fish Tank at Sumida Aquarium

The world s tallest tower stands in Tokyo! sky walkway, you can see as far as Mt. Fuji on a clear day. A brand new town central TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN also opened up in the 400-meter stretch between TOKYO SKYTREE station and Oshiage station. The town will be composed of a commercial complex, TOKYO Solamachi , opening right next to TOKYO SKYTREE as well as offices, schools, and aquarium, shops and a theatre complex with a planetarium. The area, providing a great contrast between the world s tallest tower and nearby historical Asakusa, will add yet another exciting spot to the list of areas to visit in Tokyo!

20,000 fireworks will brighten up the sky by Asakusa and Sumida.

Information: Sat July 28th at 19:00 On Sumida River near Asakusa station http://sumidagawa-hanabi.com/index_eg.html

Sumida Street Jazz Festival 250 jazz bands will fill the streets near Kinshicho and Tokyo Skytree stations.

Information: Sat & Sun, Aug 18th-19th http://sumida-jazz.jp/sj/ (Japanese only)

Asakusa Touroue Take a walk through famous Sensouji ambiently illuminated by 300 lanterns.

Information: Sat - Sat, Sept 15th - 29th dusk 21:00 A ro u n d S e n s o u j i n e a r Asakusa station. http://asakusatouroue. com/ (Japanese only)

ŠTOKYO-SKYTREETOWN

Yakatabune Take a cruise on a traditional yakatabune, with great food and view of the city from the water!

Information: Dinner cruise approximately 10500 yen, Lunch cruise approximately 7500 yen. Both comes with all you can drink beverages. Reservation required. h t t p : / / r. g n a v i . c o . j p / b769900/lang/en/

ŠTOKYO-SKYTREE

WAttention Singapore

09

SHIBUYA SHIBUYA HIKARIE 2 Shibuya Shibuya-ku http://www.hikarie.jp/#/top

SHIBUYA HIKARIE has the whole package: food, culture, and fun.

It is directly connected to private railways and the Metro, making it a very conveniently located facility.

TOKYO

A new ray of light shines on the east side of Shibuya station, formerly known as a more low-key area compared to the fashionista-packed west. 34-storied SHIBUYA HIKARIE opened on April 26th to brighten up the world of this energetic city as its name aptly shows: The name HIKARIE literally means towards (e) light (hikari) in Japanese.

With the aim of providing a place for people to interact and to connect to other cities, goods and information, the complex offers, not only shops and restaurants, but also an event hall, a musical theater and an artist gallery. Standing in the middle of three popular areas, Aoyama, Omotesando and Shibuya, it also provides an easier access from one neighborhood to the other. The musical theatre on the 11th floor, Tokyu Theater Orb, is due to open on July 18th, with the original Broadway version of The West Side Story (July 18th to August 4th). Get enlightened in brand new Shibuya!

Tokyu s Theatre Orb s orb is a term used to describe a theatre built towering high over the city.

Taste the tender and juicy tonkatsu at Tonkatsu Maisen on the 6th floor

The best takoyaki in the city is at Gindako, right next to SHIBUYA HIKARIE

What s new, Tokyo Station?

Lights will decorate the building from October so be sure to walk by at nighttime!

The starting point for domestic travel in Japan, Tokyo Station is soon to complete its long-waited make over. The symbolic red bricked building, based on the design of the central station in Amsterdam, has been under reconstruction since 2007 to restore its original form from 1914.

Inside the station, Tokyo Okashi Land opened on April 14th as a part of First Avenue Tokyo Station, a popular section with Tokyo Ramen Street just outside of B1F Yaesu Central Exit.

10

WAttention Singapore

In this candy and sweets ( okashi ) themed corner, you can taste fresh chocolate covered almonds and/or potato chips along with various other snacks. Also new in the station is the JR EAST Travel Service Center due to open on October 1, making travel by rail easier for visitors. For a comfortable and convenient stay, try the refurbished Tokyo Station Hotel, right above the station inside the red brick building, opening on October 3rd this year. Your trip will never be more convenient!

Tokyo Okashi Land in First Avenue Tokyo Station

Tokyo Station Hotel opens on October 3rd

UENO & OKACHIMACHI Reborn as a beautiful cultured area Lights will decorate the building from October so be sure to walk by at nighttime!

Museum Terrace on the second floor of Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

Ueno in Tokyo s east end has always been a cultured area filled with the nation s important museums and art galleries, although its image may have been tarnished when compared to the city s west side, where more fashion and underground culture seems to blossom.

This area, however, together with adjacent Okachimachi, has been going through a grand transformation in recent years.

Take Ueno Park for example. The famous park surrounded by several museums and a concert hall is going through a make over to recreate the landscape from the Edo period in some parts and to make it more welcoming to visitors in the other. The symbolic fountain in the square leading to Tokyo National Museum, for example, underwent reconstruction for the first time in 50 years and celebrated its completion on May 12th.

Proceed a little further, and you ll find renewed Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. Reopened on April 1st this year, the museum hosts a special exhibition Masterpieces from the Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis from June 30th to September 17th, where you can enjoy famous pieces like Vermeer s masterpiece, Girl with a Pearl Earring. Take a little break in its new restaurant Museum Terrace on the second floor with delicious and reasonable dishes and sweets!

Turn around and walk towards Okachimachi until you will find 2k540 AKI-OKA ARTISANﾂｮ under JR s train tracks between Okachimachi and Akihabara stations. This stylish cluster of shops was built to honor the tradition of craftsmanship rooted in the surrounding area and to pass down such tradition from around the country with a modern twist. Here, you can meet artists

Two places in Tokyo to learn all about Japan!

TIC: Shin-Tokyo Building 1F, 3-3-1 Marunouchi Chiyoda-ku窶サEL: 03-3201-3331 http://www.jnto.go.jp/jpn/services/hospitality_for_foreigners/tic.html i-centre: 2-7-2 Marunouchi Chiyoda-ku

Find nice hand-crafted jewelry at 2mOa!

and craftsmen, see them at work and purchase their creations as well as participate in interesting workshops. 2k540? It s the distance from Tokyo station!

Old and new, Tokyo s east side is being reborn with style.

With all the information you can get, tourist information centers are still some of the most reliable sources for the latest and local recommendations. There will be two new tourist information centers for international visitors opening up near Tokyo station.

The first one, TIC, opened up on January 2nd on the first floor of Shin-Tokyo Building, where you can find nation-wide tourist information. Go up to Marunouchi Cafﾃｩ SEEK on the second floor, and you will find seminars for international visitors as well as library space equipped with free computers. In the adjacent JP Tower due to open in 2013, you will find the i-center (tentative name) with information from lodgings to entertainment, as well as a food corner and an event space.

Pencil in these two tourist centers as your first destinations in Tokyo and gear up with the latest information to enjoy your trip in the country!

WAttention Singapore

11

Train Basics: Complexity = Convenience

VOL.

1

I N TRODU CT ION

Tokyo's train network is sometimes referred as a tangled spaghetti. It is complex and if a user is a novice to the system, no one can deduce where one line ends up. But the complexity in here can be interpreted as convenience ̶ a user can pretty much access anywhere, anytime by this so-called tangled network. To add more, an essence of Japan, punctuality, is totally reflected to the system ̶ trains run on time. This punctuality allows travelers to plan their trip in a sophisticated and efficient manner.

In order to conquer the system and move around Tokyo like locals, a "preparation" is the key.

3 points you need to understand before hopping on to the network.

A source of Complexity: Over 10 train operators in the city.

W

ithin Tokyo vicinity, more than 10 different train operators, which span from above ground train, subway, and monorail, are coexisting.

Sometimes, one line connects to other company's line (Subway Namboku Line is directly connected to Tokyu Meguro Line.), adding further confusion.

12

WAttention Singapore

Plus, when a passenger transfers one company's train to another, additional fare incurs ̶ meaning even if you are riding the same train from Namboku Line's station to Meguro Line's station, a passenger needs to pay a fare for Namboku Line (Operator: Tokyo Metro) and Meguro Line (Operator: Tokyu).

Be anywhere, at any time

P

Shopping mall called "station"

20 hours and 15 minutes of operation, 327 trains run ̶ that is the average of 3 minutes 42 seconds per train. (Please note: during the rush hour, 24 trains run in an hour ̶ that's 2 minutes 30 seconds per train.) Just missed a train? No worry, just wait for a couple of minutes ̶ an itinerary for the day will be all set as long as you stick with trains.

unctuality and efficiency, two major Japanese assets also apply to the train system. Train runs from morning until late night, and they are mostly on time. Take a look at East Japan Railway-operated Yamanote Line, a loop line which covers the center Tokyo. At Shibuya Station, the very first train runs from 0438 and the last train departs at 2453. Within this Shibuya Station Yamanote Line Shinjuku – Ikebukuro Bound How Weekday 4

38

5

13

55 27

40

50

55

6

00

04

09

14

19

25

30

35

40

43

45

48

50

53

55

58

7

00

03

05

08

10

13

15

18

20

23

25

28

31

33

36

38

41

43

46

48

51

53

56

58

8

01

03

06

08

11

13

16

18

21

23

26

28

31

33

36

38

41

43

46

48

51

53

56

58

43

47

51

55

59

9

01

03

06

08

11

14

16

19

22

26

29

32

35

39

10

03

07

11

15

19

23

28

32

36

40

44

48

52

56

11

00

04

09

13

17

21

25

29

33

37

41

45

49

53

57

12

01

05

09

13

17

21

25

29

33

37

41

45

49

53

57

13

01

05

09

13

17

21

25

29

33

37

41

45

49

53

57

14

01

05

10

14

18

22

26

30

34

38

42

46

50

54

58

15

02

06

10

14

18

22

26

30

34

38

42

46

50

54

56

59

16

03

06

09

12

15

18

21

24

27

30

33

36

39

42

46

49

52

56

59

17

02

06

09

12

15

18

21

24

27

30

33

36

40

43

46

49

52

55

59

18

02

05

09

12

15

18

20

23

26

29

32

35

38

42

45

48

51

54

57

19

01

04

07

11

14

17

20

23

26

29

32

35

38

41

44

47

50

53

56

59

20

00

03

07

10

14

18

21

25

28

32

35

38

42

45

48

52

55

21

03

06

10

13

17

21

24

28

31

34

37

40

44

47

51

55

58

58

22

02

06

10

14

18

23

27

31

34

38

41

45

50

54

23

02

06

09

13

17

22

26

31

36

40

45

49

53

58

0

03

07

12

18

25

34

53

A

station is originally designed to transport passengers to destinations. In another words, it is merely a passing point. But a station is also referred as a transportation hub, where people congregate to ride a train.

As far as the fundamental of business goes, when there is people, there is always an opportunity for business.

Some of the train operator's solution ̶ create a department store within a station. East Japan Railway, one of the major train operators, is expanding Ec u t e , a b r a n d f o r s t a t i o n - b u i l d department store. Ecute accommodates restaurants, bakeries, stationary shops, and many others. Tokyo Metro, a subway operator, runs the underground version called Echika.

Tools for the ride: Services and items you must master before on board.

Suica / PASMO

S

uica/PASMO is a rechargeable smart card, used as an alternative to a conventional paper-based train ticket. (Similar product: Octopus Hong

Google Map / Jordan Transfer Guide Kong and EZ-Link in Singapore.)

The function of Suica and PASMO are the exactly same and have 100% compatibility within Tokyo ̶ the only difference is their issuers, Suica is issued by East Japan Railway and PASMO is issued by a consortium of other train and transportation-related companies. With Suica/PASMO, all the confusing fare calculations will be done when entering and exiting gates, meaning the card holder does not have to spend time figuring out the total fare when crossing 2 or more separate companies. To add its convenience more, Suica/PASMO can be used at major convenience stores and retail stores.

N

orikae Annai, a Transfer Guide, is a great tool to plan a trainbased trip in Japan. Access the website and type in an origin, destination and time of the departure or arrival ̶ the computer will generate the optimized routes for the shortest time and cheapest fare. It also guides where to transfer.

Google Map's Get Direction function also offers the same function.

WAttention Singapore

13

Mysterious Japan Story 6

Tokyo Daijingu

Gods of Ise Jingu enshrined and crowded with girls in quest for love!?

Finding a perfect partner is a grand task experienced by people around the world, including Japanese, as well as Singaporean people. In search for love and life-time partnership, women from all over Japan crowd one shrine hidden amongst office buildings in Tokyo. Find the wonders of Tokyo Daijingu, which enshrines the most important Shinto Gods that attract girls in their quest for love.

Girls line up to pray to the Gods of Ise Jingu Love between men and women seems to provide a perpetual inspiration for us to do just about anything. In Japan, it even converts barely religious youths into devoted, and often giddy, worshippers.

As shown in the local saying “seek Gods when you’re in trouble (even if you don’t normally show such religious devotion)”, people go on pilgrimage around the country to the shrines and temples that are supposedly good-luck in their quest for love. Tokyo Daijingu is one such destination; Mecca for young women wishing for their prince on a white horse.

Hidden amongst concrete office buildings in Iidabashi and always crowded with young women, it may be hard to imagine that Tokyo Daijingu is a genuine, distinguished shrine, even though it is relatively modern in the country’s history. It was originally built in 1880

14

WAttention Singapore

on Emperor Meiji’s order for people to fulfill their wish to travel to Ise to pray at the grand Ise Jingu, the grandest shrine in the Shinto belief. Taking this pilgrimage was the life-long dream of many people, like haji to Muslim people, although the 500-km trip to the shrine posed great difficulty at the time, with no modern transportation.

To offer a place for people in and around Tokyo to make a prayer to the Gods at Ise Jingu, Tokyo Daijingu, enshrines the six Gods worshipped at Ise Jingu, including the ancestral deity of the Imperial family and the people of Japan, Amaterasu-Sume-Ohmikami (enshrined in the Inner Shrine of Ise Jingu) and the guardian deity of agriculture, industry and food, cloths and housing, Toyouke-no-Ohkami (enshrined in the Outer Shrine of Ise Jingu).

Amongst the varieties of good luck these Gods together b r i ng for t h , f r om traffic safety to business and educational success, are good relationships and production. Together with the fact that it is the first shrine to offer a wedding ceremony to common people in the city, Tokyo Daijingu has gained recognition in recent years among young girls seeking a good marriage as well as being the place to pray for the Gods of Ise Jingu.

東京大神宮

Wedding ceremony in the shrine If you are lucky, you may be able to witness a beautiful wedding procession at Tokyo Daijingu on your visit.

The shrine, as mentioned earlier, is the first shrine in Tokyo to offer wedding ceremonies to common people, which were usually held at a family home up until then. The shrine started the service following, and to pay honor to, the wedding of the future Emperor Taisho (who was a prince at the time) which was held in front of the grand creator God of Shinto at the Imperial Palace.

Today, over 100 years later, this Shintostyle wedding is one of the most popular styles among the marrying couples, sharing its popularity with those held at Christian churches.

At Tok yo Da iji ng u , t he we d d i ng

Tokyo Daijingu

ceremony is hosted by Shinto priests, male and female attendants as well as musicians. In the ceremony, the marrying couple shares sips of sake from the same cup while traditional gagaku music creates celebrative yet solemn mood in the background. The shrine is famous for the special dance, Toyosaka no Mai (dance of richness and prosperity), performed by the female attendants, miko.

While these ceremonies are held inside the shrine, you, as a visitor, may get a glimpse of the wedding procession outside the shrine, led by the priest and the attendants dressed in traditional costumes. Once you see the beautiful bride in her amazing wedding kimono, you might want to get married at a shrine too!

Tokyo Daijingu

Toyosaka no Mai (Dance of richness and prosperity)

Read your fortune!

Paper fortune in English

3 min walk from the west exit of JR Iidabashi station.

2-4-1 Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo http://www.tokyodaijingu.or.jp/english/index.html

Get an amulet for extra luck!

Any shrine in the country has its special fortune-telling, but few of them boast more varieties than Tokyo Daijingu. In the courtyard of the shrine, you will find over 10 boxes of paper fortune, omikuji, each of which specializes in different matters. This corner of the shrine is always crowded with young girls, and even a few groups of young men in business suits, reading off each other’s fortune. There is even one written in English, so make sure to read what awaits you in the coming months when you make a visit! For extra luck, get a cute amulet at the vender located right next to the shrine. The long line of people waiting to purchase an amulet may make you wonder about the power of these amulets, but there is only one way to find out: Try it yourself!

Take a break in peace and serenity Made your prayer for “the one” and read your fortune? Then, take a deep breath and head to Hotel Niwa Tokyo for a moment of peace and serenity. This exceptional hotel with thoroughly designed interiors and top-notch service offers you a nice escape from the concrete jungle surrounding Tokyo Daijingu and the hotel itself.

Their spacious Grill & Bar restaurant with its great views of lush green gardens will help you forget that you are sitting in the middle of the city. All their dishes are prepared with at most care and passion and are ready to please your palate, but if you’re in for a quick stop, why not enjoy the tea time in Japanese style?

Experience the luxury of Japanese tran-

quility with a wonderful bowl of macha and beautiful traditional confectionary!

Hotel Niwa Tokyo

Grill & Bar Lieu : Lunch 11:30-14:00 (L.O.). Tea Time 10:00-11:30, 14:00-17:30.

Dinner Time 17:30-21:30 (L.O.).

Lunch comes with salad bar, soup, bread and coffee or tea, from 1600 yen. Matcha with cofectionary from 1,200 yen.

Dinner courses are from 5,000 yen. A la carte from 1,000 yen. Rooms from 18,900 yen.

Address: 1-1-16 Misaki-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Tel: 03-3293-0028 HP: http://www.hotelniwa.jp/english/index.html

WAttention Singapore

15

16

WAttention Singapore

travel agency listings • Airelated Travel Pte. Ltd. |

www.airelatedtravel.com.sg 6532 5686

101 Upper Cross St. #B1-60/61 People’s Park Centre

• Air Sino-Euro Associates Travel Pte. Ltd. www.asaholiday.com 6303 5303

1 Park Rd. #03-57 People’s Park Complex

• APPLE Vacations Singapore Pte. Ltd. www.applevacations.com.sg

• Jetstar Asia (Singapore) |

6533 5161

2 Havelock Rd. #01-10/11/12/13

• Asia Land Travel Service Pte. Ltd. http://tabirucchi.com/index.html • Asiatravel.com Holdings Ltd. |

www.asiatravel.com

• Chan Brothers Travel Pte. Ltd. |

www.chanbrothers.com

www.airfares.com.sg 6538 0318

www.namho.com.sg

6221 8433

• New Shan Travel Service Pte. Ltd. |

www.newshan.com

New Shan Head Office 20 Maxwell Rd. #01-02, Maxwell House City Plaza Branch Office 810 Geylang Rd. #01-09 City Plaza

Tourism Court, Ground Floor Lobby 1 Orchard Spring Lane

• Commonwealth Travel Service Corporation Pte. Ltd. www.ctc.com.sg Mosque St. People’s Park Complex One Commonwealth HQ

• MISA Travel Pte. Ltd. |

100 Eu Tong St. #01-14/16/18, Pearl’s Centre

www.clubmed.com.sg

Club Med Travel Counter 1800 258 2633

www.jtb.com.sg 2 Orchard Turn, #B4-29 ION Orchard 6595 0600 16 Raffles Quay, #01-01 Hong Leong Building 6222 8465

• Nam Ho Travel Service (S) Pte. Ltd. |

6533-1333

6438 8880

150 South Bridge Rd. #07-01 Fook Hai Building

800 852 9507 (+61 3 9347 0091)

Block 531A Upper Cross St. #03-106 Hong Lim Complex

www.cathaypacific.com

230 Victoria St. #11-01/02 Bugis Junction Towers

• Club Med |

ION Orchard Hong Leong Bldg

6732 6773

615 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, #01- 01

• Cathay Pacific |

• JTB Pte. Ltd. | 6532 4669

531 Upper Cross St. #03-02 Hong Lim complex

www.jetstar.com

Singapore Changi Airport T1, PO Box 323

13 Mosque St. 6532 0532 1 Park Rd. #03-06A People’s Park Complex 6538 8533 1 Commonwealth Lane, #03-10 to 18 6530 0338

• Price Breaker | Chevron House Great World City HarbourFront Centre Marina Square Parkway Parade Plaza Singapura Tampines 1

6481 1181 6745 9333

www.pricebreaker.travel 30 Raffles Place #02-25 Chevron House 6317 2128 1 Kim Seng Promenade #02-09 Great World City 6317 2889 1 Maritime Square #03-16 HarbourFront Centre 6317 2848 6 Raffles Blv. #01-222 Marina Square 6317 2882 80 Marine Parade Rd. #01-68 Parkway Parade 6317 2838 68 Orchard Rd. #04-13A Plaza Singapura 6317 2818 10 Tampines Central 1 #04-31 Tampines 1 6317 2886

• Prime Travel & Tour Pte. Ltd. |

www.primetravel.com.sg 6225 3322

16 Raffles Quay, #B1-14D, Hong Leong Building

• Royal Caribbean International | Asia Pacific (Singapore Office)

• Singapore Airlines |

www.royalcaribbean.com

6305 0033

www.singaporeair.com

Reservation & Ticketing Office

2 Orchard Turn, #04-05 ION Orchard

• Sino-America Tours Corporation Pte. Ltd. | 1 Park Rd. #04-62, People’s Park Complex

• Delta |

www.delta.com

3 Tampines Central 1, #02-03 Abacus Plaza

• Dynasty Travel International Pte. Ltd. www.dynastytravel.com.sg 35 New Bridge Rd. Dynasty Travel Hub

www.satours.com

6535 2611

• Tradewinds Tours & Travel Pte. Ltd. |

6336-3371

6223 8888

www.tradewindstours.com

6438 8822

• UOB Travel Planners Pte. Ltd. http://www2.uobgroup.com/uobtravel/index.html

6338 4455

480 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh , #20-01 HDB Hub East Wing

6252 2322

• Euro-Asia Holidays Pte. Ltd. www.euroasiaholidays.com.sg 1 Sophia Rd. #02-17/21, Peace Centre

• Five Stars Tours Pte. Ltd. |

6339 9133

www.fivestarsonline.com

People’s Park Complex People’s Park Centre Golden Mile Complex Boon Lay Shopping Centre Jurong Point Sentosa Resort World Century Square

1 Park Rd. #02-105 6366 7011 101 Upper Cross St. #B1-70 6533 7011 5001 Beach Rd. #01-27/#02-32 6392 7011 Blk 221, #01-104 6265 7011 1 Jurong West Central 2, #03-25D 6266 7011 26 Sentosa Getaway, #B1-K11 6299 7011 No.2 Tampines Central 5, #03-05 6781 7011

Compass Point

1 Sengkang Square, #B1-06

6386 7011

• Green Holidays Tours & Travel Pte. Ltd. www.greenholidays.com.sg Blk 1 Tanjong Pagar Rd, #02-23 Tanjong Pagar Plaza

6296 1600

• H.I.S. International Travel Pte. Ltd. | 100 Tras St. #17-02 Amara Corporate Tower

www.his.com.sg

6222 1230

• Holiday Tours & Travel Pte. Ltd. | 15 Cairnhill Rd. #06-05 Cairnhill Place

ONLINE STORE

www.holidaytours-sin.com

6238 2899

• Hong Thai Travel Services (S) Pte. Ltd. www.hongthai.com.sg 1 Park Rd. #02-121 People’s Park Complex

6533 1788

• Air Asia |

www.airasia.com

• CheapAir.com | • Expedia | • JAL |

www.expedia.com.sg

www.jal.com

• Trip Advisor | • Rakuten Travel | • ZUJI |

www.cheapair.com

www.tripadvisor.com.sg http://travel.rakuten.com

www.zuji.com.sg WAttention Singapore

17

wa・gyu

What is Wagyu?

With intense marbling that gives it extra tenderness and juiciness, wagyu or Japanese cattle bred with a special method, has been known as the “most sought after beef ” in the world. The history of wagyu breeding began in the late 19th century after the demise of the Tokugawa shogunate which prohibited its nation from eating them for several hundred years. Since then, these Japanese cattle were administered feeding and breeding techniques that differed in each region and they subsequently developed into different breeds, such as the nationwide Japanese Black (Kuroge Washu ), Japanese Brown (Akage Washu in Kumamoto and Kochi, Japanese Polled (Mukaku Washu ) in Yamagchi, and Japanese Shorthorn (Nihon Tankaku Shu ) in Iwate, Aomori, Akita and Hokkaido.

Registered for quality assurance, every wagyu in Japan is required to pass a strict standard set by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries before it goes into the market.

Please enjoy this melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and juiciness that only wagyu can provide at these restaurants that are highly recommended by WAttention editors!

A taste of Japanese beef in

SINGAPORE For several years, Japanese wagyu beef is enjoying increasing popularity. Many Singapore restaurants offer wagyu menu.

【 AKARI Japanese dining & bar 】灯 Located on the ground floor of Marina Bay Financial Centre, Akari is perfect for an evening out with friends and colleagues away from the bustle of the dinner crowd. The recently revamped menu features interesting fusion dishes that use a unique combination of ingredients. For lunch, their new selection of bowl-sets (comes with miso soup and appetizer) are recommended.

8A Marina Blvd. Ground Plaza #01-02 Marina Bay Link Mall Tel. 6334-0100 12:00pm-3:00pm 6:00pm10:00pm Closed on Sundays

a_3-bowl style sushi $38 b_Happy Hour promotion c_Grilled Kagoshima wagyu steak (180g) lunch set $66

c

【 TOMO IZAKAYA 】朋友 Named after the word which means “friend” in Japanese, Tomo is a casual and lively izakaya that offers an extensive spread of about 130 delectable items on its menu, including fresh sashimi & sushi, kushiyaki (skewers) and home-cooked appetizers. While it offers carefully selected ingredients like Kagoshima wagyu, its menu pricing is still considerably reasonable. @ Clarke Quay 3A River Valley Rd. #01-04 Tel. 6333-0100 Sun-Thur 12:00pm-3:00pm 6:00pm -1:00am Fri, Sat & Eve of PH 12:00pm-3:00pm 6:00pm-3:00am

18

WAttention Singapore

@ Esplanade 8 Raffles Ave. #01-09 Esplaa nade Mall Tel. 6333-0012 Sun-Thur 12:00pm-2:30pm a_Wagyu beef cube and 5:00pm-11:00pm Fri, Sat & mushroom salad $30 Eve of PH 12:00pm-2:30pm b_Aspara maki $7 5:00pm-1:00am c_Interior of Esplanade outlet

b c

a b

Enjoy Sapporo beer @ $5++ daily from 5:30pm–7:30pm

wa・gyu

Wagyu Map Yonezawa Gyu ¦ Yamagata 米沢牛 ・ 山形県 Maezawa Gyu ¦ Iwate 前沢牛 ・ 岩手県

Hida Gyu ¦ Gifu 飛騨牛 ・ 岐阜県

Sendai Gyu ¦ Sendai 仙台牛 ・ 宮城県

Saga Gyu ¦ Saga 佐賀牛 ・ 佐賀県

Matsuzaka Gyu ¦ Mie 松坂牛 ・ 三重県 Omi Gyu ¦ Shiga 近江牛 ・ 滋賀県 Tajima Gyu / Kobe Gyu ¦ Hyogo 但馬牛/神戸牛・ 兵庫県 Kumamoto Gyu ¦ Kumamoto 熊本牛 ・ 熊本県 Soho Gyu ¦ Kagoshima 曽於牛 ・ 鹿児島県 農林水産省

【 TAMAYA

DINING 】たまや

Tamaya features an original Japanese 'Izakaya' menu that includes a wide range of food, from charcoal-grilled items and hotpots to various cooked dishes, using seasonal ingredients. It also has a wide range of Japanese sake, shochu and wines to go with its casual but authentic delicacies, including the meltingly tender wagyu sukiyaki.

At the first floor sushi bar, a talented Japanese sushi chef skillfully prepares lunch and dinner with the freshest seafood delivered directly from Japan. There are 4 private rooms and a private function area with traditional horigotatsu-style tables (up to 40 guests) available, as well as a spacious alfresco area suitable for business or private dining.

a c

Oishii logo represents the quality assurance of exported food by Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

b

d

a_Sushi Counter Seat b_Wagyu Sukiyaki $68/person c_Wagyu Steak $34 d_Wagyu Skiyaki Hot Pot

45 Cuppage Terrace Tel. 6835-3539 Mon-Fri 12:00pm-2:00pm(L.O.) (Only Sushi Menu available) / 6:00pm-11:30pm(L.O.) Sat 6:00pm-11:30pm(L.O.) Sun & PH 4:00pm-10:30pm(LO.)

WAttention Singapore

19

【 KUMO Japanese Kaiseki Restaurant 】雲 Labeled as a critic’s choice in many local magazines, Kumo is one of the Singapore’s favorite authentic Japanese restaurants. Chef Nobuaki Hirohashi’s appreciation of wagyu and rice from Saga has led him to create the exclusive Saga Wagyu Kaiseki in which he suggests various ways to enjoy the finely-marbled Saga-gyu. Kumo also offers kaiseki menus starting from $78 as well as omakase (chef’s choice) courses from $168. Chef Nobu’s artistic presentation and Kansai-style cuisine will surely tempt all your senses.

a b

c

d

a_Tempura of Saga-gyu and summer vegetables b_Steamed Saga-gyu shabu shabu style c_Premium wagyu from Saga d_Executive Chef Nobuaki Hirohashi

12 Gopeng St. #01-58 Icon Village Tel. 6225-8433 Mon-Sat 12:00pm-2:30pm 6:00pm-10:30pm

So-Ho wagyu from Kagoshima prefecture

焼肉亭 【Yakinikutei AO-CHAN 】青ちゃん One of the oldest yakiniku – or Japanese table barbecue – restaurants in Singapore founded by a Japanese owner, it proudly offers top quality ingredients, including the highly regarded So-Ho wagyu. They specialize in serving topgrade meats, stocking various cuts, which are sometimes not available at retail shops; and considering the quality, their price is surprisingly affordable. a 100 Orchard Rd. #02-22/26 Concorde Hotel and Shopping Mall Tel. 6735-6457 a_Wagyu Special Karubi $38 Mon-Fri 12:00pm-2:30pm b_Wagyu Assorted $69 c_Wagyudon (Beef bowl) $16.50 6:00pm-11:00pm available at weekday lunch Sat, Sun & PH 3pm-10:30pm

20

WAttention Singapore

b c

Kagoshima is a well-known region for the highest quality and greatest output of black cattle beef in Japan. So-Ho wagyu is produced from cattle that are carefully raised in So-Ho county in Kagoshima, where its clean water, air and moderate climate is most environmentally suitable for cattle ranches. Each cattle is looked after attentively; skilled farmers design special diets and keep their precious cattle stress-free.

This is the reason that So-Ho wagyu has gained a reputation for its meltingly tender “shimofuri” marbled texture and sweet-tasting meat.

So-Ho Wagyu is available at Isetan Supermarket In every month, promotional wagyu events take place at Isetan supermarket.

Fathers Day Fair (June08-17) Free hamburger steak will be offered to customers who spend more than $120 for wagyu steak (While stock last).

Isetan Scotts Supermarket, Basement (350 Orchard Road, Shaw House)

Saga-gyu – Marbling par excellence

Saga-gyu

A new standard for premium wagyu Saga-gyu was unveiled at the 2000 G8 Summit in Fukuoka, teasing the palates of delegates at the official banquet. The Saga breed of premier beef is known for its evenly-distributed fine marbling, or sashi, which gives unique sweetness and tenderness. For this reason, it is given the highest grade, and the prestigious title of Saga-gyu.

There are many fans of Saga-gyu in the culinary business, including French “Iron Chef” Hiroyuki Sakai and Japanese kaiseki Chef Nobuaki Hirohashi. “The distinction of Saga-gyu is in its sweetness,” says Chef Nobu, “as Saga is known for its excellent rice and Saga-gyu is fed with those straws. It is a great gift from Saga’s agricultural region.”

On top of the special breeding technique, what makes it Saga-gyu is the combination of moderate weather, clear water, pure air and excellent grains. Its distinctive fine marbling does not limit it to any cooking style.

Whether in steak, shabu shabu or tempura style, it never fails to impart an excellent flavor.

Treasures

of Saga

Located in the northern part of Kyushu, Saga（佐賀）is a region known for agriculture, fishery and livestock farming.

It is also rich in history dating back 2,000 years ago, and is famous for its ceramic arts as well as tourist spots like hot springs, beaches and mountains.

Saga-produced fruits and vegetables

Ceramic Arts Saga produces one of the most highly acclaimed ceramics in the world, including Arita-yaki (有田焼) and Imari-yaki (伊万里焼) porcelains and Karatsu-yaki (唐津焼) earthware, which are crafted with techniques that originated from Korea and China.

Local Festivals In northern Saga, fourteen large floats are paraded around the old town of Karatsu（唐津）, pulled by locals shouting “enya enya”. The 350-yearold Karatsu Kunchi（唐津くんち）festival is held from the 2nd to 4th of every November.

Onsen (hot springs) Saga is known for its hot springs with various efficacies that have been acknowledged 1,500 years ago. Try Ureshino（嬉野）for smoother skin and Takeo（武雄）for easing stiff muscles.

Seafood If you are craving for fresh seafood, go to Yobuko（呼子）in Karatsu. Stroll around this port town’s seafood market in the early morning until you are ready for a fresh squid lunch.

Distribution inquiries: Distribution Division, Saga Prefectural Government Tel: (+81) 952-25-7252 Fax: (+81) 952-25-7307 Email: ryuutsuu@pref.saga.lg.jp http://www.sagagyu.jp/ Access to Saga From Fukuoka（福岡）to Saga City（佐賀市） approx. 40 min by Express JR Nagasaki Honsen（特急長崎本線） From Fukuoka（福岡）to Karatsu City（唐津市） approx. 1 hr 20 min by JR Chikuhi-sen（筑肥線）

WAttention Singapore

21

佐 賀 県

Kagoshima Wagyu Lava Stone Grilled Set Lunch 鹿児島和牛溶岩焼セットランチ

Kagoshima Wagyu Loin $58

ロースたれ焼

Kagoshima Wagyu Ribeye $68

テンダーロインたれ焼

Served with starter, fresh seafood salad with sesame sauce, Japanese steamed rice and pickles, dark bean miso soup and homemade ice cream

Other Wagyu Menu Kagoshima Wagyu Ribeye Steak Course $136 (100g) / $193 (200g) Served with appetizer, sashimi of the day, plain or garlic rice and dessert

Kagoshima Wagyu Sukiyaki Course $136 (100g) / $193 (200g) Served with appetizer, sashimi of the day, plain rice or udon and dessert

【 CHIKUYOTEI 】竹葉亭 Nestled in the quiet corner of a five-star hotel, Chikuyotei is best known as a traditional fine dining restaurant specializing in Tokyostyle unagi (freshwater eel) and Kaiseki courses. Owned and operated by the world-famous Chikuyotei group, which awarded with multiple culinary prizes including the Michelin star, it offers an authentic Japanese fare. Apart from unagi, their other signature ingredient is the Kagoshima black beef, which is directly imported by the restaurant from Kagoshima prefecture. As the beautifully marbled beef is very tender and melts in the mouth, it’s not only ideal for steak but also amazing in shabu-shabu or sukiyaki.

80 Middle Rd. #01-01 InterContinental Singapore Tel. 6825-1064 12:00pm-2:30pm 6:30pm-10:30pm

22

WAttention Singapore

a b d

c

f

e g

a_Kagoshima Wagyu Lava Stone Grilled Set Lunch b_Kagoshima Wagyu Sukiyaki Course $136 (100g) / $193 (200g) c_sashim d_Mitsuhiro Ayabe Exective Chef e_Unagi Set $55 f_Interior g_Counter Seat

Kagoshima Wagyu Ribeye Steak in Chef Ayabe's Special Sauce $90 (100g) / $175 (200g) Kagoshima Wagyu Shabu-Shabu or Sukiyaki $100 (100g) / $185 (200g) Kagoshima Wagyu Lunch Box Loin $58/ Ribeye $68

wa・gyu

Wattention Original Wagyu Course - 1 June to 31 August only $240.00Wagyu tartar seasoned with salted kelp and fresh sea urchin

Teppanyaki wagyu fillet or sirloin and assorted vegetables

Wagyu grilled shabu shabu

Japanese salad, braised wagyu with rice, miso soup and pickles

和牛塩昆布和え生うに添え

和牛焼きしゃぶしゃぶ

Chawanmushi with white truffle flan and soft boiled abalone 鮑の柔らか煮入り茶碗蒸し白トリュフ風味

和牛フィレまたはサーロイン鉄板焼きと焼き野菜

和風サラダ、和牛しぐれ煮豆ご飯、味

汁、香の物

Dessert (order from a la carte menu) デザート

Taraba crab steamed with Rishiri kelp たらば蟹の利尻産昆布蒸し

【 HIDE YAMAMOTO 】 Located in the alley of celebrity restaurants overlooking the Marina Bay Sands Casino, internationally-acclaimed chef Yamamoto’s establishment offers 5 dining concepts under one roof, which includes separate sections for sushi, teppanyaki, robata and ramen, as well as a sake bar. With 5 very diverse and segregated sections, each is allowed to excel in their own style of cooking. At the sushi bar, fresh seafood is flown in from Tsukiji market to ensure only the top grade ingredients are used, while the specialized teppanyaki chef serves as your personal chef to create a sensational quality of wagyu steak, which is mouth wateringly tender at just the right temperature.

8 Bayfront Ave. #02-05 Marina Bay Sands Tel. 6688-7098 12:00pm-3:00pm 6:00pm-11:00pm (Check each section for opening hours)

a

b c a_Wagyu fillet and sirloin b_WAttention Original Wagyu Course c_Counter Seat

WAttention Singapore

23

滋 賀 県

Omi-gyu – An irresistible taste from feudal days

Omi Beef

Omi-gyu (Omi is the old name for Shiga), one of the oldest wagyu varieties in Japan, was believed to have been eaten by the shogun and a handful of other feudal loads as medicine during the Edo period when eating cattle was prohibited for a religious reason.

There are many such historical incidences, thanks to the irresistible taste of this forbidden meat. When it was shipped via Kobe port during the Meiji period, foreign traders called it Kobe Beef for familiarity. Omi-gyu has enjoyed a high nationwide reputation as one of the top three varieties of wagyu.

Shiga, the birthplace of Omi-gyu, is located in the Kansai region with its mountains, rivers and lakes. Thanks to this ideal environment for cattle-growing, Omi-gyu established a name for itself for its distinctive tenderness and sweetness. The delicate marbled fat of Omi-gyu melts in your mouth, creating an irresistible sweet taste that even the samurais couldn’t resist.

Shiga Prefecture Food Brand Promotion Division Tel: +81-77-528-3892 Fax: +81-77-528-4882 mail:gc01@pref.shiga.lg.jp http://shigaquo.jp

Only the premium ones are given this trademark among Omi-gyu

Shiga - a place of unique nature and bountiful produce

Freshwater Fish Fresh masu from Lake Biwa is one of the local summer delicacies.

Rice Shiga produces high-quality rice such as koshihikari, which is also known as “Omi-mai” (近江米) .

As it is located in inland Japan, Shiga is rich in fresh water. Lake Biwa, which takes up one sixth of the total size of Shiga, produces variety of freshwater fish from Lake Biwa feature prominently in local delicacies, such as biwa-masu (trout) sashimi, ko-ayu (small ayu unique to Lake Biwa) tempura, and funazushi (a cheesy taste fermented fish dish).

Shiga has been a vast fertile farmland ever since the ancient days. During the Heian period from the 9th to 12th century when Kyoto was the capital of Japan, neighboring Shiga produced enough high-quality rice and seasonal vegetables to satisfy the capital’s stomach. This agricultural tradition continues today – nicknamed the “rice storage” of Kansai, Shiga is still known as a food supplier to the “cuisine capitals” of Osaka and Kyoto. Shiga is also recognized as the origin of Japanese tea business, with a history that traces back 1,200 years when a monk planted tea seeds from China here.

Lake Biwa, or Biwako（琵琶湖）, is the largest lake in Japan which is almost the same size as Singapore (670.33 ㎢ ). It is believed to be formed 4 to 6 million years ago and is the third oldest lake in the world.

Lake Biwa is the source for the many rivers that slice through Kyoto and Osaka, and is home to more than 1,000 species of wildlife, including many endemic ones.

Lake Biwa Sightseeing Paddle a canoe for a little adventure or sightseeing cruise.

Biwako Visitor’s Bureau Tel: +81-77-511-1535 Fax: +81-77-526-4393 http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/

History visit in Shiga Being a strategic transportation hub in the centre of Japan, Shiga’s history began in the 3rd century AD and became an arena for many historical events.

Hieizan Enryakuji（ 比叡山延暦寺） -Hiezan Enryakuji is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage

Tea With a high temperature difference between night and day, Shiga produces one of the best teas in Japan. Visit Shiga in May or July for its harvest of tea.

24

WAttention Singapore

Access to Shiga From Kansai International Airport（関西 国際空港）to Otsu（大津）approx. 1hr 30 min by JR train.

From Kyoto （京都）to Otsu（大津）approx. 10 min by JR train.

In ancient Japan, Hieizan was regarded as a sacred mountain. The Enraykuji temple, located just below the mountains, has been the home of Japanese Buddhism ever since it was built by Japanese Buddhist monk Saicho in 788.

Koga No Sato Ninjutsu Mura（甲賀の里忍術村） Shiga was home to one of the two sects of ninja in ancient Japan (the other being Mie). You can relive its illustrious past at this ninjutsu village, which is an entertainment park where you can wear ninja gear and learn some ninjutsu techniques.

wa・gyu

【 Yakiniku TEN 】焼肉 天 Yakiniku Ten, a new addition at premiere golf hub Laguna National Golf & Country Club, presents a live-cooking yakiniku dining experience, featuring great-tasting food in a highly social atmosphere. At the center of every table, a smoke-less electric BBQ grill is set, where diners can grill their choice of meats or seasonal seafood exactly to their liking. The ingredients include a juicy assortment of the highest grade of wagyu from Omi and Satsuma, where good stock cattle are meticulously bred in their natural environment. Diners can also choose from a menu of authentic Japanese delicacies from a sister restaurant next door. Non-club members are also welcome.

11 Laguna Golf Green Laguna National Golf and Country Club Tel. 6248-1722 12:00pm-3:00pm 5:30pm-10:00pm Complimentary Parking is available

b c

a d

a_Assor ted Japanese Wagyu $120.80 b_Omi Wagyu Kalbi $33.80 c_Omi Wagyu Shabu Shabu Set d_BBQ Grill Table

Special Offer

Omi Wagyu Shabu Shabu Set $75.40/person *Minimum order from 2 sets

【 JAPANESE DINING

SUN 】東京和食 さん

Located on the second floor of Chijmes, Japanese Dining Sun gives its guests a unique, contemporary Tokyo-style dining experience. Lead by Executive Chef Toshio Sawai who started his career in the prestigious Kicho restaurant in Kyoto, the menu showcases traditional dishes alongside an array of modern Japanese fare, featuring a selection of the finest sushi, sashimi and high quality wagyu, Omi beef.

30 Victoria St. #02-01 Chijmes Tel. 6336-3166 Mon-Fri 12:00pm-2:30pm(L.O.) 6:30pm-10:30pm(L.O.) Sat 6:30pm-10:30pm(L.O.) Sun&PH 12:00pm-2:30pm(L.O.) 6:30pm-10.00pm(L.O.)

a b

a_Omi wagyu sukiyaki & salmon trio $55 b_Omi wagyu steak $58 c_Interior d_Executive Chef Toshio Sawai

c

d

WAttention Singapore

25

26

WAttention Singapore

TOMI

Special Feature vol.2

SUSHI

Manager : Takayuki Iwasaki

Chef : Tomonori Nishijo

Seasonal and local delicacies straight from Japan Headquartered in Niigata which is located along the Sea of Japan, Tomi Sushi delivers fresh seafood – ranging from the popular maguro (tuna) to local catch – directly from Niigata Airport to Singapore.

An all-time-favorite on Tomi Sushi’s menu is its fresh yet inexpensive maguro sushi. The secret of its reasonable price is that its headquarters purchases a large volume of fresh maguro to distribute among their 17 domestic outlets and 2 Singapore outlets. This “volume discount” enables Tomi Sushi to provide their customers with fresh yet reasonablypriced maguro.

Starting this month, Tomi Sushi will be serving summer delicacies from

Japan, such as aji (horse mackerel) which is often known as tsuyu aji (aji from the rainy season), since the rainy spell in early summer is the best season for aji. Likewise, kisu (sillago) is another delicacy in early summer, along with tobiuo (flying fish) and kochi (flathead).

Tomi Sushi is also the only restaurant in Singapore where you can enjoy Niigata fare. Tochio-age, or deep-fried tofu stuffed with natto (fermented beans), is one of Chef Tomonori Nishijo’s recommendations. “As a Niigata-native myself, I can strongly recommend our local delicacies with pride.”

Their other local Tochioage

Suruten

Maguro Promotion <15-30 June>

Maguro nigiri sushi

50

dishes include gengyo (eelpout), dried squid, and fried megisu (dottyback).

“We use slightly different ingredients at our Novena and Parco branches. This way, our customers can enjoy different dishes with same quality at both outlets,” says Parco branch manager Takayuki Iwasaki.

Their “Natsu no Tomi Kaiseki” (Tomi Sushi-style summer kaiseki) consists of a combination of maguro and other summer delicacies. Visit Tomi Sushi for various fresh ingredients that are sure to please your palate. *Some ingredients may not be available due to market conditions.

www.tomisushi.asia Parco Branch

6333-4633 9 Raffles Boulevard #P3-04 Millenia Walk PARCO Marina Bay Weekdays: 11:30-15:00 18:00-22:30 Weekends/PH: 11:30-15:00 17:30-22:30

Novena Branch 6255-2355 238 Thomson Rd. #02-76/77 Velocity 11:30-15:00 17:30-22:00 (L.O. 21:30)

Summer Special Menu <July 16-August 20>

% off

Akami (lean tuna): $4 (U.P. 8)

Chutoro (medium fatty tuna): $10 (U.P. $20) Otoro (fatty tuna): $15 (U.P. $30)

Tekka maki (tuna roll): $5 (U.P. $7)

Natsu no Tomi Kaiseki : $88

WAttention Singapore

27

JAPANESE Hair

s r e n g i s e D Regularly update with the latest trend and fashion, highly skilled Japanese hair designers will guide clients in Singapore through personalized hair creations to enhance their natural beauties.

Ken

hair cut Ken (salon director)

Aki

Owner and designer Ken has received many accolades, including the ELLE Singapore stylist of the year, and is often praised as one of the top hair designers in the country. His international works often create a sensation in the fashion world.

Evolve

0 f $109 m $8 0 f $70 m $6

Aki After training at the prestigious Toni & Guy USA, Aki went back to her home country Japan, where she cultivated her talent. As a trendy young woman herself, her forte is in creating an individual style to emphasize a person’s inner beauty with a modern feminine touch.

Tel. 6336-1358

WATTENTION PROMOTION

10% off all services

Owned by well-known Malaysian hair designer, Evolve is firmly established as a unique boutique hair salon with an unpretentious, laid-back vibe coupled with friendly staff. It has a diverse clientele which includes models and young fashionistas. The stylish interior, with its dominant white color, reflects its concept of “contemporary urban hideout”.

*First time customers only *Please mention WAttention to staff

Address: 177 River Valley Rd. #02-09 Liang Court 11:00am-7:00pm

Masashi Takao Horii

hair cut

0 f $100 m $8

Y’s Studio

With a career that spans both Japan and Singapore, Takao Horii has worked for many renowned magazines, hair catalogs and fashion events apart from his daily salon duties.

Backed by his long-standing experience and highly skilled techniques, he offers expert tips for keeping both male and female hair looking young, stylish and beautiful.

WATTENTION PROMOTION

As Masahi has worked in Singapore for 10 years, he understands what Singaporeans like. By listening attentively to his clients, he is able to bring their wishes to reality, especially when it comes to long hair, which is his specialty.

hair cut

Masashi Toko

f $75 m $65 f $75 m $65

Belleza de Midori Tel. 6358-2900

Conveniently located in bustling Clake Quay, Y’s Studio offers a truly Japanese way of service based on personalized consultation and professional style recommendation. While the atmosphere in this stylish black-and-white salon is undoubtedly fashionable, the designers offer clients the most up-to-date styles and coloring services at affordable prices.

Supported by both local and Japanese clients, the long-established salon Belleza de Midori offers a casually elegant style with a hint of Japanese trend. Their popular spa perm and spa treatment are highly recommended.

Using a nano-steam-mist machine developed in Japan, it hydrates the inside of each strand of hair, resulting in an amazingly soft and shiny-looking hair.

Address: 2 Havelock Rd. #01-26 2HR Building Tue-Fri 10:00am-8:00pm Sat, Sun & PH 10:00am-7:00pm Closed on Monday

Address: 238 Thomson Rd. #03-43 Velocity Novena Square Mon-Fri 10:00am-8:00pm Sat 10:00am-7:00pm Sun & PH 11:00am-6:00pm

Tel. 6532-1250

28

WAttention Singapore

20% off total bill *First time customers only *Please mention WAttention to staff

Toko After studying at a hairstyling institute in Paris, she worked for renowned salons in Ginza and Aoyama, Tokyo. Fans of the Japanese style will gravitate to Toko, who excels at presenting feminine and girly hairstyles – a Japanese trend that is gaining popularity in Singapore.

Kohji Matsunaga With 15 years of hairdressing experience under his belt, Matsunaga was trained at the renowned Vidal Sassoon academy in London. Combining the best of eastern and western styles, he is a fi rm believer that an excellent haircut is the foundation to good looks. In addition, he specializes in using perms to enhance his hair designs. He likens perms to the icing on top of a cake, as both serve to make each style look even better.

hair cut

Kohji Tsuyoshi Rie

Tsuyoshi Monma

0 f $100 m $8 0 f $100 m $8 0 f $80 m $7

With over 20 years of experience in this industry, Monma has dedicated his life to this one passion – hairdressing and understanding its little nuances. His attention to detail and understanding of individual needs are what keep his customers coming back to him year after year. From the glitz and glamor of fashion runways and magazine shoots to the highly technical standards of training fellow hairstylists, he has done it all.

Rie Kanai

Tel. 6339-9432 / 6836-3391

Hailing from the fashion capital of Asia – Tokyo – where she has spent her entire career honing her skills, Rie brings to the Komachi team an invigorating and contagious energy, encompassing the love of life, the passion for hairdressing and just overall great fun! Friendly and chatty, she puts all her customers at ease. Rie specializes in short haircuts (pixie cuts, bob styles etc). She believes that short hairstyles can not only be cool and funky, they can also be professional and feminine and she looks forward to delivering this promise to her customers.

WATTENTION PROMOTION

Cut and Color $198

Komachi the hair cult

Cut and Air Perm $298

* Valid for first-time customers to Komachi and customers who have yet to check us out at our new premises at International Building * This magazine ad page must be presented upon arrival at salon to enjoy these special rates * Promotion cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts and promotions * Reservations are necessary, please call to make an appointment and quote “WATTENTION PROMOTION” * Valid till 30 June 2012

CLEO Tel. 6338-5250 CLEO is the first hair salon from trendy Aoyama to set up an outlet in Singapore, specializing in creating looks that are straight out of a fashion magazine. But this is not their only strength; CLEO uses cutting-edge “Carbonic Acid Water Spa”, which cleanses and revitalizes hair by spraying carbonated water over the scalp.

Komachi the hair cult is a dynamic hair salon offering the finest hairdressing experience in a friendly and relaxed environment. Comprising a team of professional and passionate hair designers committed to bringing excellent service to customers, Komachi offers exceptional standards of haircuts and hair creations, delivering designs that best suit individual features and lifestyles.

Address: 360 Orchard Rd. #02-03/04 International Building Mon-Fri 10:00am-8:00pm Sat, Sun & PH 10:00am-7:00pm www.komachihair.com

water carbonic acid hair cut with ent spa and treatm

Ryo & Sio $200

Ryo A Tokyo-native, Ryo was a senior hair stylist at one of the internationally-renowned hair salon. Known for his cut technique for both men and women, Ryo creates modern yet easy-to-style looks.

OPENING PROMOTION (until the end of June 2012)

All services 20% off Taxi fare discount

(up to $30 with receipt, one way only)

First visit 20% off *after June 2012

Sio Address: 9 Raffles Boulevard #P02-09/10 PARCO Marina Bay www.cleo-hair.jp 11:00am-9:00pm Open Daily

Sio hails from Nagoya, a trendy city that invented the “Nagoya-maki”, which is a girlish curly hairstyle. Whether curly or straight, Sio’s perming technique always results in a fresh and natural look.

WAttention Singapore

29

shunji matsuo hair studio www.shunjimatsuo.com.sg Shunji Matsuo is a pioneer of what’s now become a big trend in Japaneseinfluenced style in Singapore. Having arrived from New York nearly 13 years ago and already a famous world-class hair designer at the time, he quickly established himself in the top league, importing the best equipments and products from Japan. Since then, he has gone from strength to strength, building upon his success – much of which he attributes to his deep understanding of women’s needs. With decades of experience, he is proud to say that he can do anything with anyone’s hair, having learned to shape hair using different cut techniques and treatments. Unfortunately for fans, he seldom takes on new clients but instead concentrates on fostering his young talents.

Now the Shunji Matsuo Group has expanded to 8 outlets throughout Singapore, with 9 Japanese hair designers available. The main salon at Heeren will close at the end of June, as it will move its operations to Ngee Ann City by July. More details will be announced.

Shunji Matsuo

Chie

Kaoru

Nashiki

Kiko

Shuhei hair cut

Heeren

Chie Kaoru Nashiki Kiko

f $70 f $70 f $70 f $65 Wisma Astria Shuhei f $60 Nao f $60 Yasuyo f $50 Somerset 313 Masa f $60 Holland Village Hiro f $60

Nao

Yasuyo

Masa

m $60 m $60 m $60 m $55 m $55 m $55 m $45 m $55 m $55

Hiro Address: • shunji matsuo hair studio Tel. 6238-1522 260 Orchard Road, #05-01 The Heeren • I*CON by shunji matsuo Tel. 6836-6567 435 Orchard Road, Isetan Wisma Atria Basement 1 • I*CON 2 by shunji matsuo Tel. 6786-8896 2 Tampines Central 5, #03-01 Century Square • I*CON 3 by shunji matsuo (Franchise) Tel. 6337-6558 3 Temasek Boulevard, #03-037 Suntec City Mall Tower 4 • I*CON 4 by shunji matsuo Tel. 6762-6088 245A Holland Avenue • shunji matsuo hair salon @ 313 Tel. 6238-0226 313 Orchard Road, #03-26 313 @ Somerset • I*CON shunji matsuo by Lily Xu Tel. 6737-5211 14 Scotts Road, #01-35 Far East Plaza • BASE STATION by Hisato+Chie Tel. 6782-2493 / 6782-4023 4 Tampines Central 5, #01-21 Tampines Mall

30

WAttention Singapore

* 2012 Summer

event & information

jun ~ aug

Singapore Garden Festival 2012 | 07 – 15 July Spread over 2 hectares, expect a spectacular show of color and creativity as award-winning designers from the world over showcase their stunning garden creations.

At the Singapore Garden Festival 2012, feast your eyes on Asia's finest orchids, shop for your gardening needs, or simply sit back and enjoy a wonderful line-up of activities for the whole family.

Suntec City | Daily 10am–10pm; Adult $10 (weekday) $14 (weekend) & Child, Student, Senior Citizen $5 (weekday) $8 (weekend)

& a gold and silver medal won both Japanese gardeningBasu guru Malliick Koustav Zulfikar 26 May His most recent internaKoji Ninomiya to appear at Ali | 25 &(1995). tional awards include Best in Show SGF 2012 at Melbourne and a gold known 30 est words.

Lorem ipsum dolor (2008) sit in Ellerslie for bringing amet, consectetuermedal adipiscing elit. in 2010.

A pioneer the ‘East Meet West’ nature’s Aenean tranquilcommodo ligula eget of dolor. ity to the massa. hubbubCumgarden Aenean sociis design natoqueconcept, Ninomiya is making his debut appearance ofpenatibus a city, gardenet magnis dis parturient at the biennial ing guru Koji montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Singapore Garden Festival 2012 in July.

Ninomiya’s craft University Cultural Centre Dance of authentic Japanese gardens Studio | Fri 8pm; Sat 1pm & 8pm.

Q. Where do$13 you get the inspiration stems from an ancient Japanese for your gardens? philosophy.

Borrowing ideas from Japanese A. There are two different aptradition and meticulously fusing proaches to creating gardens: the them with modern Western prinJapanese way and the English ciples, his award-winning gardens way. While both gardens are will inspire you to cast away your expressions of the human ideoldaily routines and immerse yourogy of Mother Nature, a Japanese self in soothing contemplation. garden is more symbolic while the A winner of scores of national and English one more intimate. As I international competitions, Ninomiya is the first Japanese to design a am a Japanese raised in Japan, I think that the tradition, culture and garden at coveted shows like the sensitivity of my home country are Chelsea Flower Show, where he

B

unconsciously condensed in my gardens.

Q. Which garden in the world do you consider to be the best?

A. The garden at Katsura Imperial Villa (Katsura Rikyu) in Kyoto, Japan. It is the most typical and perfect Japanese garden, which reflects the universe within it.

UNIQLO Opens Largest Store at Bugis+ UNIQLO, Japan’s biggest casual wear brand, continues to expand its presence in Singapore with the upcoming opening of its largest store to date. UNIQULO Bugis+, the brand’s 7th store, will open its doors to the public on 8 June. This double-story outlet is located in connecting units at levels 1 and 2, and spans an area of approximately 20,000sqf with an in-store escalator.

Bugis+(former illma) L1 & L2 | 201 Victoria St.

TOKYO EROTIKA | 07 – 28 June

Japanese Film Festival 2012 | 01 – 08 July

Francfranc Flagship Store at VivoCity

Tokyo Erotika features the diverse works of three different artists, each from dissimilar cultures and varying perspectives on sexuality in Japan.

Japanese artist, Emi Uchida, reinterprets the ancient art form, in a contemporary theme with alternative mediums such as oil on cotton tapestry and pen & ink on paper. Spanish photographer, Xavier Comas, documents his relationship with a Japanese Jiutamai dancer, capturing her essence in sensual and private moments. French and Australian artist, K-narf uses photography and mixed media, including erotic “Manga” sketches, to portray “honne”, or a person’s true feelings, in contrast to one’s “tatemae”, or façade, in public.

The annual Japanese Film Festival is back. This year, the Japan Creative Centre, Embassy of Japan, Singapore Film Society and National Museum of Singapore (NMS) present films produced by Nikkatsu, which is Japan’s oldest, 100-year-old movie studio. The studio is renowned for its big action movies catered for the youth market back in 1950s and 60s, which was their golden era. Recently, many of these movies have received a cult status.

Following the recent success of their JCube opening, Francfranc, a renowned Japanese retailer of homeware and furnishings, will launch its first flagship store in Southeast Asia at VivoCity in June. It will occupy a retail space of 20,000sqf on the second floor, offering home furnishings, fabrics as well as lighting and appliances.

Xavier Comas, Jiutamai Untitled 2, Photograph, Edition of 7 |

JCube Outlet | 2 Jurong East Central 1 #02-27 VivoCity Outlet | 1 HarbourFront Walk #02-41/42

Vue Privée’s gallery | 63 Spottiswoode Park | Sat – Sun: 12-6pm, Mon – Fri: by appointment

NMS| 93 Stamford Rd. | Free admission

JCube

JCube

Q. Besides designing gardens, what have you been doing recently?

A. I have committed to a volunteer project to plant greens and flowers in a little town in the Tohoku area that suffered terribly from the tsunami last year. As the deserted fields (which used to be very beautiful) are returning to their former glory, so are the smiles on the children’s faces. This makes me very happy too.

WAttention Singapore

31

RESTAURANT • SHOPPING • SCHOOL • HEALTH & BEAUTY • EVENT

JAPAN IN SINGAPORE

MENYA MUSASHI A frontline ramen warrior With a name inspired by the famous samurai warrior, Menya Musashi takes on the battle to be the best ramen in Singapore.

After rising to fame as the most coveted ramen restaurant in Tokyo, its first Singapore outlet offers quality and taste that parallels its headquarters, and uses a meticulous cooking method to create its thick and milky broth.

Besides the popular Black ramen, Musashi tsukemen (dry ramen with a dipping soup) is another must-try dish for hungry ramen lovers, as extra noodles come free of charge!

252 North Bridge Rd. #01-16 Raffles City Shopping Centre Tel. 6336-6500 11:30am-10:00pm Top: Tsuke men $14.90

(same price for 1 to 5 portion of noodle)

Left: Red Chashu Ramen $12.90 Center: White Chashu Ramen $12.90

NAKASEI Authentic sushi bar presented by a veteran chef Tucked away from the busy riverside walk, Nakasei offers classic Edomae (Tokyo-style) sushi created by a Japanese owner/chef who has nearly 40 years experience in Japanese cuisine. Japanese food connoisseurs will appreciate the Omakase (chef’s choice) course, which showcases the chef’s skills in using seasonal fresh ingredients, and is popular for both lunch($80~) and dinner ($98~). The restaurant’s range of seating arrangements – from sushi counter to tables and a private room – caters to any function, whether it’s a ladies’ lunch or a high-end business dinner.

1 Nanson Rd. #02-02A Gallery Hotel Tel. 6836-5325 Mon–Fri 12:00pm-2:00pm 6:00pm–10:30pm Sat, Sun & PH 6:00pm–10:30pm Top: Edomae (Tokyo style) chirashi ($38) Left: Assorted sashimi Center: Fresh sea urchin with green laver 32

WAttention Singapore

RESTAURANT • SHOPPING • SCHOOL • HEALTH & BEAUTY • EVENT

JAPAN IN SINGAPORE PATCH MAGIC Fashion made from retro Japanese kimono Beautiful and intricate kimono materials have been treasured for generations in Japan. They have been recycled and transformed to everyday items like blankets, children’s wear, etc.

Such a magic continues at Patch Magic where kimonos are sewn into fashion wear and home accessories with great care.

Materials are sourced by owner/ designer Akiko Silva and made-toorder service is also available.

She also sources fashion wear created by contemporary Japanese designers

Table runner and silk cushion made from Wedding gown, silk scarf made from Kimono

1 Scotts Road #03-29 Shaw Centre Singapore 228208 Tel. 6235-7710 HP. 9617-1927 Mon-Sat 10:30am-6:30pm Closed on Sun & P.H. Email: akiko.patchmagic@gmail.com

Silk blouses made from Kimono fabric

Japanese wines in Singapore Did you know that Japan is a wine-producing country?

Japan started producing wine since the 18th centur y and is currently home to 170 wineries. Here are some high quality wines that you can get at Three Sixty (as well as Cold Storage and Market Place outlets later this summer).

日 本 ワイン Japan Wine

Japanese wines available in Singapore Takahata Winery

Sparkling Niagara

(White) - semi-sweet - aroma of matured fruits

Sparkling Delaware

(White) - semi-sweet - aroma of ver y sweet fruits

Takahata Blanc Semi Sweet

(White)

- elegant acidic flavor - mature aroma

Types of grapes grown in Japan

Takahata-yoshi-Sparlking Chardonnay - fresh aroma of citrus - elegant acid with beautiful tiny bubbles

White

Koshu, Niagara, Delaware

(White)

Marufuji Winery

Rubaiyat Delaware

Red

Muscat Bailey A, Kyoho, Concord

Yamagata

(White) - semi-sweet - fresh and gorgeous aroma

Haramo Winery

Haramo Wine

(Red) - dr y - fresh citrus flavor

Nagano Yamanashi

Izutsu Wine

Izutsu Wine Niagara - dr y - fruity aroma of muscat

Kumamoto

Izutsu Wine Concord

Miyazaki

Premium wineries in Japan Yamagata

Nagano

- Takahata Winer y

- Izutsu Wine

- light-bodied - juicy and easy to drink

(Red)

Kumamoto Wine

Kumamoto Wine Delaware

Yamanashi

Kumamoto

- dr y - aroma of caramelized honey

- Marufuji Winer y - Haramo Wine

- Kumamoto Wine

Kyoho Desert Wine

Miyazaki

- Tsuno Wine Available at:

(White)

For F&B inquiries: MINATO SINGAPORE Pte Ltd

info@minato.com.sg

(White)

(White) - sweet - aroma of brown cane sugar and caramel

Kumamoto Wine Muscat Bailey A - light-bodied - elegantly well-balanced

(Red)

Tsuno Winery

TSUNO Sparkling Wine Cambell Early - slight sweet taste and good acid - aroma of candies and fresh fruits

(Rose)

WAttention Singapore

33

34

WAttention Singapore

7

vol.

Japanese Recipes for Your Daily Table

HOME TREATS

Do you love Japanese food?

Here are some popular home recipes that will never fail to delight family and friends.

あさりの酒蒸し

Steamed Clams in Sake [Preparation]

1. Prepare the live clams by soaking them in thick salt water for 1 hour to draw out the sand inside, and then wash the shells.

2. Thinly slice the Japanese white leek. Pinch the leaves off the Mitsuba and chop the remaining stems to about 2-3cm long.

[Cooking]

1. Put the Japanese white leek into the bottom of the pot before putting in the clams, and then pour in the Sake.

Clam is a popular ingredient in Japanese home cooking. This recipe is simple and easy, and yet is regarded as the favored way to enjoy the taste of fresh clams. You can also use other shellfish, like local lala, instead of clams.

【Ingredients】for 4 persons

- 500g Clams - 1 Japanese white leek - 1 bunch of Mitsuba (Japanese parsley) - 100ml Japanese Sake Recipe and Photos by

2. Cook over a strong fire, covering the pot with a lid. As soon as the Sake is boiled, turn down the heat a little and continue to cook until all the clam shells are open. It takes about 3 minutes.

3. Add in the Mitsuba stems and stir them in lightly before turning off the heat. Check the taste and add a pinch of salt if you like.

Garnish with a scattering of Mitsuba leaves over the dish.

- www.sirogohan.com -

Tadasuke Tomita His passion for cooking is so great that he quit his job at a big company to study at a culinary school, and became an apprentice at an authentic high end Japanese restaurant. Currently, he is working with a product development department of a Japanese processed food maker, while managing a personal website introducing traditional Japanese home cooking recipes. As his other hobby is photography, all the photos on his website are his own works.

Cooking tips

● Instead of Mitsu

ba, using Mizuna or young cabbage is also recommend ed.

WAttention Singapore

35

No. 45 Minden Road, Dempsey Hill, Singapore 248817 Tel (65) 6475 6088 Fax (65) 6476 5388 www.jimthompsonrestaurant.com 36

WAttention Singapore

楽し い 日本語

Let’s talk in

Lesson

01

Japanese!

J

Yeong’s l e u m a S . r M

Samuel Yeong

om o r s s a l C e s e n Japa

apanese, or Nihongo, is said to be a difficult language to learn, by both non-natives and natives alike.

Francis Xavier, the 16th century Jesuit missionary credited for introducing Christianity to Japan, decried the language as “The Devil’s Tongue”.

He thought it was made fiendishly difficult by none other than the Devil himself to prevent the spread of Christianity. Another example is the Foreign Service Institute—the US government’s training institution for diplomats. It classifies Japanese as being the most difficult language for English speakers to learn—even more so than Chinese!

Such a perception is not without basis. Studies have shown that while a vocabulary of a few thousand words is sufficient for a working proficiency in the major European languages, the learner of Japanese needs to know more than ten thousand words to achieve a similar level of mastery!

It does not help matters that the Japanese themselves have variously labelled their own tongue as “illogical”, “vague” Wattention Facebook_ad.pdf 1 5/16/2012 7:12:55 PM or “cumbersome”. “Illogical” because it

does not have as clearly defined rules as the major European languages; “vague” because it often omits many elements from a sentence and expects the listener to fill in the gaps himself; “cumbersome” because of the intricate system of honorifics and large number of kanji (Chinese characters) to learn.

But despite its daunting appearance, Japanese is really a gracious language.

Everyday speech is suffused with expressions of thoughtfulness and thankfulness.

Even if learning full-blown Japanese is not your cup of tea, it would be useful to know a couple of such phrases. They will most certainly make your vacation in Japan more enjoyable and your interactions with Japanese people more pleasant.

When you go to Japan next time, be sure to arm yourself with these two very useful expressions: arigato gozaimasu and sumimasen, for they encapsulate the very best qualities of Japanese culture—gratitude and consideration for others. Even without any other ability in the Japanese language, you will be surprised by how much you can accomplish with just these two phrases. ikoma.pdf 1 5/17/2012

by Samuel Yeong

After living in Japan for seven years, fluent Japanese speaker Samuel Yeong is now teaching Japanese to young students with great passion.

Must-know Phrases 001 & 002 |

"Arigato gozaimasu" ありがとうございます

The most basic phrase to know is arigato gozaimasu, or “Thank you”, which you can use to express thanks for all forms of kindness, big and small.

In more casual contexts, you can shorten it to simply arigato. The phrase is actually derived from the word arigatai, which literally means “to be hard to come by”. It expresses the feeling that one is not taking another person’s kindness for granted, but treasures it as one would a rare object.

"Sumimasen"

すみません

Sumimasen is another essential phrase to remember. While usually translated as “sorry”, it is used far more frequently than its English counterpart. Basically, sumimasen can be used in any circumstance where one feels he has caused trouble to another person and wants to apologise. You can also use sumimasen to call out to someone in order to get their attention, rather like “Excuse me” in English. But far more interestingly, sumimasen is also very often used in situations where one would normally say “Thank you”.

7:56:52 PM

WAttention Singapore

37

BUSINESS

Corporation vol. 4

Eternal Emotion

Say Yes! The Japanese Way A wedding planning company introduces a new trend of wedding reception

Yuki Ueda

Operating Manager & Wedding Planner

Japanese wedding planning outfit Eternal Emotion designs expertly planned, elegant wedding celebrations at a historic black & white bungalow which has been converted into a gallery and restaurant called 7Adam.

The idea of a “Restaurant Wedding” is a new concept currently favored over stereotypical hotel banquets by brides and grooms-to-be in Japan. It creates a more intimate atmosphere among the attendees, and meets the demands of those preferring a small gathering with personal touch at an affordable price.

Eternal Emotion was founded by two Japanese partner and Yuki Ueda – who has a brilliant career as a wedding planner and the youngest manager at an established wedding company in Tokyo – to introduce this new trend of wedding reception to the Singapore bridal market.

Detailed customized plans for couples and their loved ones to cherish

O

ur aim is simple – to exceed our clients’ expectations and produce a sensational event for them and their loved ones to cherish. As no couples are the same and everybody wants their wedding to be unique, we closely work with our clients to produce an individual wedding celebration. With our Japanese-style step-by-step consultation throughout the planning stage until the ceremony day, we provide absolute attention to detail.

We chose 7Adam, a modern Italian restaurant housed in a beautiful colonial bungalow surrounded by greenery, as the first venue. As we believe that creativity and flexibility is key to our planning, 7Adam is ideal for various styles of receptions thanks to its relaxed homey atmosphere – something big hotels sometime fail to achieve.

NEWS PICK -from Japan <1> Sunday, May 6, 2012

Japanese Thirst For Microbrews Growing TOKYO (Nikkei)--

Microbrews, or craft beers, are gaining popularity in Japan thanks to their unique flavors and increased availability via the Internet, bars and convenience stores.

Beer lovers line up to sample microbrews at the Nippon Craft Beer Festival 2012, held in Tokyo’s Akihabara district in early April.

According to the Japan Craft Beer Association, based in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, shipments of microbrews, called “ji biru” in Japanese, rose by 15-17% on the year in 2011 to about 30,000kl.

Many craft breweries, including joint publicprivate ventures, have made inroads into the beer market since 1994, when regulations on brewing were significantly relaxed. There are signs that the country is in the midst of a second microbrew boom after the first one in the late 1990s.

The Nippon Craft Beer Festival 2012, held in Tokyo’s Akihabara district in early April, drew about 3,500 people, more than the organizer expected. Visitors were able to sample 10 from among about 80 brands of craft beer after paying a 4,000 yen entry fee.

38

WAttention Singapore

For example, we can organize a tie-the-knot ceremony at the alfresco terrace by lawn garden

or a casual and cheerful welcome drinking session at the bar. Of course, seated dinners and buffets are both available.

We also offer a Petit Wedding Package that caters to 2 to 10 people. This would be suitable for any wedding anniversary as well.

What we can offer

-A detailed customized plan organized by Japanese wedding planner -Impressive and memorable stage effects gained popularity in Japan -Planning intimate Japanese style “Restaurant Wedding” at any restaurant in Singapore LINK YOUR HEART

Eternal Emotion

Tel. 6887-3455 150 Orchard Rd. #02-61 Orchard Plaza

www.eternal-emotion.com

Feeding you interesting stories from Nikkei Newspaper, so you can catch up on the latest topics in Japan.

Something for everyone “All craft beers differ in color, aroma and taste. I am always looking for beers that suit my taste by trying out almost all beers available at retail shops and restaurants I visit,” said a 35-year-old self-employed man who attended the festival.

The increased availability of microbrews has also played a role in boosting their sales.

As more and more microbreweries are now selling their brands via the Internet, beer lovers can get their favorite brands much more easily.

YO-HO Brewing Co., a microbrewery based in the resort town of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, is well known for its popular Yona Yona Ale beer. The firm’s sales between February and March soared 70% compared with the same period a year earlier.

“The number of people who order our beer online has grown remarkably,” a company official said.

SanktGallen Brewery Co., a microbrewery based in Atsugi, Kanagawa Prefecture, sells a variety of brews, including those made using apples and oranges. The firm’s online sales surged 60% on the year in 2011.

More and more “izakaya” Japanese-style pubs and convenience stores are also expand-

ing their lineups of craft beer, providing consumers with more opportunities to sample them.

Nihon Shurui Hanbai Co., a Tokyo-based wholesaler of alcoholic beverages, saw sales of microbrews rise 20% on the year by volume in the year ended March.

Paying a premium The hottest-selling microbrews are typically priced 260-360 yen per 350ml. A 350ml can of Yona Yona Ale, for example, sells for around 260 yen, about 40 yen higher than standard beers.

Although craft brews are relatively expensive, “they give consumers many options, stimulating demand for them,” said the president of Sakebunka Institute Inc. - Source : NIKKEI.com

Business News in Japan and Asia

Get Free Trial ID! http://e.nikkei.com/e/freetrial for more information, please check the next page

WAttention Singapore

39