WAttention Tokyo vol 13 by WAttention

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WAttention Tokyo

In Ha r mony w it h t he Sea sons Hassaku Matsuri and Kaze Matsuri: Early September

こ

text & coordination/ Rieko Ido, photo/ Hajime Watanabe 文とスタイリング＝井戸理恵子、写真＝渡辺肇

よ

The “Tanomi Festival” later became the “Tanomi Festival”—written in a different kanji character to mean festival for ‘pleading’—among merchants and samurai warriors, and evolved as a rite to foresee if riches would be amassed and a clan would be secure in the future.

みを

八朔祭と風祭

楽

９月上旬

しむ

An equinox occurs twice a year, once in spring and again in autumn. The ancient people of Japan believed that at those times when day and night became equal in duration, the world would be linked with the afterlife. People observed the spring equinox and the equinoctial day of autumn and held Buddhist rituals to honor the deceased for about a week on both occasions. Today, these rituals remain a part of Japanese life. Offerings of sweets are made from cooked rice and glutinous

rice, kneaded lightly and wrapped in sweet red bean paste, called anko. The offerings in spring are called botamochi, named after seasonal peony flowers, and in autumn they are known as ohagi, taking the name from the Japanese bush clover. The botamochi is made with koshian, or smooth anko red bean paste, and ohagi is made with whole-bean tsubuan paste. People eat this ohagi together with the spirits of their ancestors and offer their thanks for the harvests of the season.

It has become customary to eat sweets made with koshian in spring, when the red beans are passed through a sieve to achieve a fine texture as their skin becomes hard six months after harvest. In autumn, they are eaten whole, including the skin, to enjoy the flavor of the new crop.

Rieko Ido A graduate of Kokugakuin University, researcher of ancient Japanese customs and knowledge, conducting technical analysis on findings to apply them to modern lifestyles.Currently teaches at Tama Art University.

WAttention Tokyo

※日本文化の魅力を世界に発信する「WAttention Tokyo」事業は東京都中小企業振興公社の推奨事業です。

Why WAttention ? WAttention is named so with the hope that people in the world would pay more Attention to WA （和）; an important term in Japanese culture meaning harmony with nature, peace and even Japanese culture itself!

VOL.13

世界中の人々に「和」（WA）に注目（Attention）してほしいという願いを込めてWA+Attention= WAttentionと名づけました。

F E AT U R E

Publisher Yasuko Suzuki / WATTENTION CO., LTD.

SHINJUKU All About Shinjuku 03

In Harmony with the Seasons

Letter from the Editor

Tokyo Hot News

Download our app WA GUIDE and go out to play at Shinjuku!

Feature 1

Associate Editor Naoko “Umagoe” Ijuuin Editorial Team Ayako Sogo, Charles Chen, Celene Sakurako Miyabe Design Team Graphic Desinger Yasuhisa Tamura, Kay Wu Photographer Kenji Sugasawa, Hajime Watanabe Illustrator Sonoko Azuma, Keiko Tateno, Rena Sato

All About Shinjuku

Photos courtesy of JNTO

Sightseeing: Take a Stroll in Tokyo s Concrete Jungle

Partners Global Daily Co., Ltd.

Dining: Exploring with Your Appetite Dining: Taste the Finest Japanese Cuisine at Kurumaya

Sales & Marketing Masaya Okamoto

Shopping: Department Store Hopping Shopping: Stop, Drop, and Shop!

Special thanks Rieko Ido (adviser), Itsuko Ueda, Richie Hartanto, Kyoko Sugimoto, Hiroyuki Shimazu

Shopping: A Whole Day at Isetan Is Simply Not Enough! Sightseeing: The Night is Forever Young Sightseeing: The Show of a Lifetime at Robot Restaurant

広告・記事に関するお問い合わせは和テンション株式会社〒150-0002 東京都渋谷区渋谷2-3-8 倉島渋谷ビル401号 Phone : 03-6418-5701 / Fax : 03-6418-5704 E-mail : info-tokyo@wattention.com

Sightseeing: Mission Impossible? How NOT to Get Lost in Shinjuku Station

Japanese Tradition: Tea Ceremony

Feature 2

Savor Highest Quality Kobe Beef at the Top Restaurant

Continuing to Bring Enchantment to the World, Noritake – from Ginza to

Tokyo Must Do

Tokyo Half-Day Sanpo

シンガポール事務所 Minook International (S) Pte Ltd 2B Craig Road Singapore 089662 Phone : 65-6324-2127

Your Dinner Table

ロサンゼルス事務所 Team J station, Inc. 2383 Lomita Blvd., Suite 114 Lomita, CA.90717 Phone : 1-310-782-8279

Autumn 2014

Letter from the Editor When tourists visiting Japan were asked which Tokyo s city they would love to visit the most, Shinjuku came up as the winner. Packed with breathtaking skyscrapers and entertainment districts, Shinjuku is the city with the highest population density in Tokyo. Furthermore, the Robot Restaurant, the place that provides entertainment shows and that has become the hot talk both in Japan and internationally, is also located in Shinjuku. We will introduce

Don't miss out!

you to it along with a coupon, how nice! Also, when it comes to Japanese culture, you cannot forget about the Japanese tea ceremony. We will simply introduce you to it in the second feature. Did you just say that you are interested in Japanese culture? What are you waiting for, then? Read now! Publisher Yasuko Suzuki

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TOKYO HOT

EWS

Bringing you the hottest new spots in Tokyo.

It’s Showa time Opened on July 19 on the 7th floor of the Asakusa Don Quijote as the exclusive stage for Asakusa’s acclaimed Showa-themed, 12-member acting troupe. The 75-min. performance will blow your socks off as the servers begin to sing and dance as the lights dim and the stage lights come on. You’ll be sure to be jiving with the troupe as they turn the whole cafe into a stage!

See the Universe from Tokyo Newly opened on July 8 inside Tokyo Dome City, this entertainment museum is both educational and delightful with nine different areas dedicated to space. Leave all your worries at the door and enter into the infinite world of the universe. With numerous attractions such as the Theatre Sora that shows you a view of the Earth through an 11m-wide hole in the floor, just drop by and have some fun.

TenNQ http://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/tenq/

Amuse Cafe & Theatre

Mix and Match Your Own Frozen Yogurt

http://www.amusecafe.tokyo/

Keep calm and carry on, pinkberry has finally arrived in Tokyo. On July 18, the company opened its first store in Japan in Odaiba VenusFort, with a stylish interior, six different types of “light, refreshing and craveable” non-fat selections of frozen yogurt, fresh fruits, and more than 20 toppings you can mix and match to stay refreshed all year long.

pinkberry

For tickets call: 03-5826-0315 (English)

http://pinkberryjapan.com

Beer Garden Season is Not Over! With the International Beer Day on August 1 officially starting Biergarten (beer garden) season, we introduce three of our must-go places open until the end of summer. From scenic spots to creative menus, we have got it all covered. Sip all-you-can-drink frosty pints and fancy cocktails and relense year’s worth of worries! Just take note that these places will be closed on rainy days so make sure to check the weather report.

Starry Sky Beer Terrace Say cheers under the night sky while enjoying the popular iron-plate sizzling beef dish on the rooftop of Seibu Ikebukuro.

2014.4.22 (Tues) – 9.30 (Tues)・17:00-22:00 https://www2.seibu.jp/wsc/010/N000065355/1534/ info_d_pv

“Beautifying Beer Garden” Beer & BBQ & Bar Terrace @888 Reward yourself with drinks and special beatifying dishes on the chic rooftop of Matsuya Ginza.

2014.5.29 (Thurs) – 9.30 (Tues)・16:00-22:00 (from 15:00 on weekends) http://www.matsuya.com/m_ginza/sp/20140529_ beergarden.htmlindex.html

TIC provides free travel information for all of Japan.

“Let’s Look Up” BEER GARDEN Enjoy drinks along with a barbeque set meal at the foot of the 634 meter tall Tokyo Skytree.

2014. 7.12 (Sat) – 9.28 (Sun) ・11:00-22:00 http://www.miageru-beergarden.com/

Access from Tokyo Station▶▶▶

Hours: 10:00-19:00 Address: Marunouchi Trust Tower North 1F 1-8-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Access: 1-min. from Nihonbashi Exit of Tokyo Station. URL: http://www.tictokyo.jp/en/

WAttention Tokyo

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WA GUIDE and go out to play at Shinjuku!

Just by downloading our free a pp you will be surprised by how smooth your travels to Japan will become!

Step . Download

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All About Shinjuku

High on everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s must-visit list, Shinjuku promises many more unusual experiences than you might have expected. Let the WAttention Editorial Team guide you through the entertaining streets of Shinjukuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s splendors.

Sightseeing Skyscrapers offer superb views and are attractions by themselves. You may even get a good view of Mt. Fuji in the distance, if you are lucky.

Dining Be it popular ramen or luxurious confectioneries, Shinjuku offers an endless list of gourmet cuisines to satisfy your palate.

Shopping From trendy items to your exclusive wish list, Shinjuku is amazing and has everything you fancy.

WAttention Tokyo

ncrete Jungle See World-Class Masterpieces

MAP

SOMPO JAPAN NIPPONKOA HEADQUARTERS BUILDING

Sunflowers (1888) by Vincent van Gogh

A Showcase of Metropolitan Art

Located on the 42nd floor of the Sompo Japan Headquarters Building, this museum’s core collection is comprised of the works of noted Japanese artist Seiji Togo. It also houses masterpieces by the famous Vincent van Gogh and many others.

TOKYO OPERA CITY ART GALLERY This gallery was opened within Tokyo Opera City in 1999 and aims to create a “new culture” in the metropolis. Special exhibitions are held about four times a year, during which various forms of unique art are introduced.

Answers to All of an Artist’s Needs 7 MAP

SEKAIDO

The whole building of this specialist shop is filled with art supplies ranging from painting materials to stationery products and picture frames. Truly a playground for all artists, its devoted patrons include professionals like graphic designers and manga artists.

Immerse yourself in the city with the best panoramic view. Take the Tokyo Skyscrapers’ one-hour, non-stop tour ride on Hato Bus’ “O Sola Mio” open-top, double-decker bus.

MAP

Getting around the city can be frustrating, especially when you are “lost in translation” while trying to find your way from one place to another in a limited amount of time. So why not hop on Hato Bus, sit back, and enjoy the best view of the city? The Tokyo Skyscrapers tour offers both history and nature, taking you through the high-rise buildings in Shinjuku, Omotesando, the State Guest Houses, and many more. For those who do not speak Japanese, worry not! With their automated GPS guidance system “TOMODACHI,” which comes in English, Chinese, Korean, and Spanish, you are all set! The tour departs every day depending on weather conditions.

Access Departure Point and Departure Time: Shinjuku West Exit: 9:30 Shinjuku East Exit: 10:00 12:00 14:00 Duration: approximately 60-min. Fare: Adult/1,540 yen Child (4-11years old)/ 770 yen Itinerary: Shinjuku Skyscraper District → Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office → Yoyogi Park → Meiji Shrine → Omotesando → Aoyama → Akasaka Palace State Guest House → Yotsuya-mitsuke For Reservations & Information CALL 03-3435-6081 (English and Chinese)

WAttention Tokyo

MAP

Exploring with Your Appe Walk the streets to the beat of your rumbling stomach and then eat your way into understanding the local culture. Shinjuku—crossroads to the busiest train station in the world—is filled with food establishments left and right. Travel with your appetite and taste the foods that reflect the city’s culture.

The First Authentic Indian Curry in Japan SHINJUKU NAKAMURAYA

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The signature dish at this renowned bakery and restaurant is a purely Indianstyle curry—Nakamuraya Curry—which was created in 1927 from an original recipe by a Bengalese revolutionary leader who was exiled from India and married the heiress of the owner’s family. Since then, the fragrant flavoring of spices, bone-in chicken, and unique combination of rice and sauce have lured customers back again and again. After three years of reconstruction, the new Shinjuku Nakamuraya Building will open on October 29, 2014, and this curry will be available at Restaurant Café Manna located in the basement level 2 of the building.

Welcome to Fruit Paradise 10 MAP

SHINJUKU TAKANO

Established in 1885, Shinjuku Takano sells the finest seasonal fruits, most of which are produced in Japan. The store is popular for its original desserts decorated with various fruits. Don’t forget to check out the limited-time products! There are three fruit parlors (dessert cafes) within the main store building, including a parfait bar and a fruit buffet bar, both surely irresistible for people with a sweet tooth.

Take Home a Piece of Depachika Depachika is the area in the basement floors of Japanese department stores filled with food stalls selling all the dishes you need to complete a full-course meal. Here we introduce you to the most popular depachika sweets from the top three department stores.

10 WAttention Tokyo

MAP

Isetan Department Store Shinjuku B1

Shiseido Parlour Cheesecake SS A brand known as the pioneer of Western food in Japan, their creamy cheesecake with moist cream cheese and sour cream filling is a match made in heaven. 9pieces・2,490 yen

Vol.1

Taste the Finest Japanese Cuisine at Kurumaya MAP

Washoku, or Japanese cuisine, is a culture in itself; having been registered in UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage list, it has been recognized for its precision and excellent attention to detail. Using only the freshest ingredients of the season, each dish is prepared and sophistically flavored to reflect the beauty of nature. Furthermore, Washoku lets you take a glimpse into Japanese culture, as it is a key aspect to many social practices, such as the Japanese New Year. True fine Japanese dining incorporates three important skills: “cutting,” “grilling,” and “simmering,” which can all be found on Kurumaya’s menu of pristine Japanese cuisine.

The brilliant cutting is visible through their thinly sliced Japanese pike conger dish. Thin slice: Years of practice and training are needed to be able to perfect the “thin slice” technique. The mark of a skilled chef is the level of transparency of the patterns of the plate through the sashimi. With a single slice, the taste and texture of the fish differ.

With a history of 85 years, Kurumaya has continued to offer delicious Japanese cuisine. Initially begun as a cafe, it was a place where famous poets, writers, and celebrities gathered to relax. Back in 1936, those who wanted to eat Japanese cuisine, such as tempura and yakitori, had to go to specialized restaurants. Defying the norm, Kurumaya made all of these Japanese cuisines available in one place. As a pioneer of Japanese

restaurants, Kurumaya is particular about using the freshest ingredients of the season and the best techniques to prepare each dish. The “cutting” technique used for dishes, such as the thinly cut Japanese pike conger sashimi dish, is especially remarkable. The Japanese pike conger is best served in the summer, but it has many tiny bones. Prepared by Kurumaya’s highly skilled chef, it is as if there were no bones to begin with.

A Meaty Surprise

Near Shinjuku station, you can enjoy a soft and juicy steak grilled and seasoned on a large 24-seated counter teppan-yaki at Kurumaya Annex. Also served here are grilled treasures of the sea, such as abalone and prawn. 12 WAttention Tokyo

Kurumaya Annex Shinjuku 3-21-1, Shinjuku 2-min. walk from JR Shinjuku Station 1-min. walk from Metro Marunouchi Shinjuku Station http://www.kuruma-ya.co.jp/shop/bekkan/

Grilled: Only those grilled carefully at moderately will withstand the fiery flames of the charcoal. Grilled correctly, the mellow taste of the meat will melt as it enters your mouth.

Course meal: If you want to enjoy a full course of Washoku, the course meal is for you. Using all of the seasonally fresh ingredients, you can enjoy fine Japanese cuisine with your eyes and tongue.

Kurumaya Honten Kabukicho 2-37-1, Shinjuku 7-min. walk from JR Shinjuku Station, 3-min. walk from Seibu Shinjuku Station (Western cuisine can also be enjoyed in the basement) http://www.kuruma-ya.co.jp

Stop, Drop, and Shop! Attention all shoppers! Here’s how to get all your shopping done in one go. Stop, drop, and shop to your heart’s content at these emporiums. Everything you need and more can be found here.

Look No Further, BICQLO is Here BICQLO Shinjuku East Exit Store

MAP

The leading casual fashion brand UNIQLO has joined with electronics retail giant Bic Camera to form BICQLO. From electronics to clothes and drugstore items, get all your shopping done in a single stop at this mall. Find UNIQLO’s original Omiyage T-shirt here, which features cute and stylish illustrations inspired by Japan. This branch, offers a customized embroidery service in which you can put your name in Kanji form and create your own one-of-a-kind shirt!

Tokyo’s Largest Selection of English Books

All electronics purchases are duty-free! Shop with your VISA or UnionPay card and get 5% off and also win a free gift.

MAP

Books Kinokuniya Tokyo

With 90 branches around the world, Kinokuniya is a household name for book lovers. Its newly renovated Books Kinokuniya Tokyo next door to Takashimaya boasts an impressive collection of English, French, Italian, Spanish, and German titles, themed promotions, and free Wi-Fi. Find manga translated into English or the latest Murakami novel to pass the time.

*Limited in number

The Store that Keeps on Giving Tokyu Hands Shinjuku Store

MAP

Occupying 7 floors of the Takashimaya Department Store, this store is like a big treasure box filled with different sorts of items from functional household necessities to convenient travel goods and the latest Japanese stationeries and tools. You can find almost everything and time will fly quickly as you browse through the shelves.

Top 5 Japanese Drugstore Products Loved by Tourists After much research, we introduce the top tourist drugstore finds.

Careleaves Character Band-Aid

Spiral Black Cotton Swab

Japanese characters help Clean your ears thoroughly heal your wounds. with black swabs. Package of 16 Pieces・346 yen Package of 200 Count・151 yen

LION Foot Pad

Hiepita for Adults

Refresh your feet after a long day. Package of 18 Pads・980 yen

Keep your cool with cooling soft gel sheets. Package of 16 Pads・900 yen

AWA Bubble Hair Color Massage your hair into a new color with foam. 718 yen *Price may vary depending on store WAttention Tokyo

Department Store Hopping One of the most vibrant commercial centers in Japan, Shinjuku is a garden of department stores. For first-timers, it may be hard to identify one from the other, so we kindly break it down for you.

50years and Still Going Strong

Shopping Haven by the Station

KEIO DEPARTMENT STORE SHINJUKU

TAKASHIMAYA SHINJUKU STORE

MAP

Founded by a private railway company, Keio Dentetsu, the 11-floor Keio Department Store is easily accessible as it is directly connected to the west side of Shinjuku Station. As the store is located near the limousine bus stop for both Haneda and Narita international airports, it is the perfect stop for some last-minute shopping before your flight back home. On the 7th floor is the Sanrio store, which has a full line-up of beloved Sanrio character goods, such as Hello Kitty and My Melody. There is also a Japanese kimono recycling shop, which offers secondhand kimonos in good condition at reasonable prices.

MAP

Directly connected to the Shin-Minamiguchi Exit of Shinjuku Station, Takashimaya is known for being one of Japanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest department store with 14 floors and 2 underground floors, and the annex building is occupied by Japanese household brand names like Tokyu Hands, UNIQLO, Books Kinokuniya, and Yuzawaya, which sells an array of handicraft materials. At Takashimaya, international fashion brands from luxury brands to contemporary designers are displayed. Restaurant Park is on the top floors of the building; a total of 35 restaurants and cafes in a popular destination spot for dinners among families and friends.

MAP

Trendsetting Department Store ISETAN SHINJUKU STORE As its group company has many outlets overseas, you may have heard of this name. Isetan Shinjuku is the flagship store, which is regarded one of most influential department stores in Japan and as the place that introduces the latest trends and rising brands. Many celebrities and artists in the fashion industry are regulars. Apart from the main building, there is another building with 8 floors and a basement for menswear, the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s building. So gentlemen, come and shop here and transform yourself into a trendsetter. *There is an Isetan Foreign Customer Service and I-Club that gives 5% discount for non-Japanese customers.

A Rainbow of Shops 15 MAP

LUMINE SHINJUKU Lumine is a shopping mall brand operated by the JR (Japan Railway) East Group. In Shinjuku, there are 3 complexes, Lumine 1, 2, and Est having more than 200 shops and restaurants. Built at the terminal station building, its tenants are mainly targeting young women by showcasing the latest popular styles in fashion, accessories, and zakka (household goods) at affordable prices. Wandering around its corridors lined with booths of colorful shops is fun.

Get Lively and Sporty ODAKYU DEPARTMENT STORE SHINJUKU

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Located at the western side of Shinjuku Station, this department store is owned by the Odakyu Electric Railway Group. As the main store of Odakyu, this Shinjuku store is considered trendy, youthful, and lively and is often supported by office workers and families with young children. The 14 floors are mostly filled with merchandise, including international boutiques and restaurants on the 12th, 13th, and 14th floors. The annex of the main building is HALC, which offers electronic home appliances and sporting goods. *There is a Foreign Customer Service Center for foreign customers.

14 WAttention Tokyo

A Whole Day at Isetan Is Simply Not Enough! Isetan is the mall that has it all. Located in the most popular city for visitors, it is where you can catch all of Tokyo’s cutting-edge trends. Overflowing with the latest fashion items, cosmetics, household goods, art supplies, gourmet and confectionary, it is like an amusement park for shoppers.

MAP

Established in 1886, Isetan is a name that is trusted worldwide. Providing customers with the latest items, everything—from high-end brands to traditional Japanese goods—is sold here. The reason behind Isetan’s success is its reliable and genuine merchandise. By coming here you can peek into the current trends not only within Japan, but also all over the world. Particularly popular are the Depachika and Men’s Building. Supplying a cornucopia of pleasures, it is a shopping wonderland.

Main Building 1st Floor: Cosmetics Shops Right: <Shiseido> Maintain a fresh and clear skin with this beauty serum. White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum + helps prevent spots and freckles by suppressing the production of melanin + (over-the-counter drug) 30 mL costs 10,000 yen. (Main Building 1st Floor) Left: <Clé de Peau Beauté> Moisturizes your skin and revitalizes your complexion with its unique formula. Le Sérum 40mL costs 25,000 yen.

Women’s Clothing Section

Win an original chopstick set by purchasing more than 15,000 yen of Shiseido product at the shop. *Limited supply

Three floors designated for the trendiest women’s clothing. You will completely lose track of time just by window shopping. Treat yourself to the perfect clothes you have been looking for.

Supplements Clockwise: Get healthy with the fermenting power of natto. ENZAMIN 600 mL: 5,000 yen. <Enzamin> 60 mg of hyaluronic acid packed in 1 capsule. HEALTHY-One 60 capsules: 5,800 yen. <HEALTHY-One> Ceramide formulated with corn extraction. 90 capsules: 3,800 yen, beauty drink filled with collagen 30 bottles, 20 mL each: 13,000 yen.

Baby goods Comfortable and stylish made-in-Japan baby shoes from MIKI HOUSE come in red and navy blue. 4,800 yen, 12 cm–13.5 cm (Main Building 6F)

Leather sneakers by renowned Japanese brand Onitsuka Tiger: 21,000 yen~. (Men’s Building B1)

Fashion Founded in 2003, Japanese jewelry brand, EYEFUNNY’s charm (8) costs 140,000 yen and Charm (5) costs 121,000 yen. Comes in yellow gold and diamond. Yellow gold chain, 45 cm: 83,000 yen. (Men’s Building B1) Everybox: Japanese-made genuine leather bag by Les sacs Adams: 18,000 yen. (Main Building 1F)

<LUZI> Using over 100 types of beauty ingredients. Urutsuya paste-type Enzyme 180 g (6 g x 30): 12,000 yen <URUTSUYA ENZYME> (Main Building B2)

Men’s Building A building filled with rare men’s items. Floor B1 is especially remarkable, selling shoes and bags handpicked by experienced first-class store buyers.

Gourmet Melon: A sweet delight produced in Shizuoka prefecture. Crown Melon: 8,000 yen~. (Main Building B1) Eat Paradise, on the 7th floor of the Main Building, is a restaurant floor where you can enjoy different tastes from all over the world. Awaiting you are restaurants, such as sushi joints. Sushi Rozan’s Omakase Nigiri Set: 5,000 yen. (Main Building 7F)

Isetan Department Store Shinjuku Address: Shinjuku 3-14-1, Shinjuku Hours: Stores 10:30–20:00 Restaurants 11:00–22:00 (Holiday: irregular) URL: http://isetan.mistore.jp/store/ shinjuku/index.html TEL: 03-3352-1111 There are currency exchange machines at the Foreign Customer Service counter, which is located on the 6th floor of the Main Building. *Exchanges are available in 8 currencies (US Dollar, Chinese Renminbi, Euro, Korean Won, Taiwan Dollar, Singapore Dollar, Thai Bhat, and Hong Kong Dollar) to Japanese Yen (foreign currency to Japanese Yen only). WAttention Tokyo

The Night Is Forever Young When the sun goes down, the “sleepless town” Shinjuku comes alive. Under its neon signs, stride in ecstasy as these dancing fluorescent lights welcome you into the night.

Into the Night

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Conquer the night by knowing the ins and outs of the city that never sleeps and experience the “other” side of Tokyo. A spot for every kind of night crawler imaginable, spending a night out in Shinjuku is an endless night of ebullience. A district reborn after the Tokyo air raids in 1945, the nightlife offers something for everyone: the boisterous Kabukicho for adult entertainment, the tucked-away Omoide-Yokocho (Corner of Memories) for those looking to have a laid back night, and the tattered Golden Gai for booze-hounds. Explore and discover all the hidden gems of Tokyo’s foremost nightlife district.

The notorious red-light district of Kabukicho sprawls with some 3,000 eateries and entertainment establishments. Originally a swamp known as Tsunohazu, the name is derived from the plans of constructing a Kabuki theatre in 1945 that, unfortunately, was never built.

Artist’s Retreat

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An infamous area where artists flock to 200 bars and food joints squeezed into a labyrinth of six tight streets of the Golden Gai.

Walking down Memory Lane

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Small nomiyas (drinking places) hide in the cracks of the buildings in the west side of Shinjuku to form the streets of Omoide-Yokocho.

Drink with the Best Drinking Buddies The adventure never ends when you are in the Land of the Rising Sun. You cannot say that you have been out drinking in Tokyo if you have not gone to an izakaya (Japanese bar) and ordered a beer and otsumami (snacks). Impress your friends and use the phrase toriaezu beer (toh-ree-aheh-zoo-bee-roo), which means “let us begin with beer” and order these otsumamis that are a fixture in Tokyo’s drinking scene.

16 WAttention Tokyo

Sashimi

Hiyayakko

Oden

Edamame

Yakitori

Add a dab of wasabi to the freshest raw fish.

Refreshing chilled tofu with dried bonito flakes on top.

Konyaku, radish, and vegetables stewed in soy-flavored dashi broth.

An inexpensive and tasty boiled soybean delight.

Choose from salt or sauce flavored charcoalroasted chicken skewers.

WON #16 FOR JAPAN'S BEST ATTRACTION ON TRIPADVISOR

The Show of a Lifetime at Robot Restaurant

When in Shinjuku, do as the Tokyoites do and go party with gigantic robots and bikini-clad women in a frenzy of LED laser lights.

Located deep below Shinjuku’s wild Kabukicho district lies a truly “Only in Japan” experience at Robot Restaurant. In the two years since their opening, the restaurant has earned a reputation for being a world-class entertainment show, ranking #16 on TripAdvisor’s “Japan’s Top 30 Most Popular Tourist Destinations for 2014.” After hearing all the buzz, I’ve decided to check out the place and it did not disappoint!

Glamorous Waiting Room

MAP

Starts with a “DON”

Come a little early and wait at their elegant gold and silver waiting room while having a meal or sipping drinks as futuristic gladiator-costumed musicians perform classical music.

The show begins with red- and white-wigged women drumming loudly on flashing Taiko drums to the restaurant’s original theme song. Within seconds, devilmasked, kimono-wearing men and ninjas come dancing in while the stage turns into a neverseen-before Japanese matsuri.

It Just Keeps Getting Better The next performance bigger than the previous, the crowd is left sitting on the edge of its seat during every interval (beer is sold during this time). The restaurant’s enormous new snake robot is especially impressive, spewing out blasts of smoke from its mouth! A place for everyone: families, friends and even by yourself, by the final rave you’ll be out of your seat exhilaratingly waving their special glitter-covered glow sticks!

Fight or Flight A special customer gets to enter the ring and battle with one of the restaurant’s many robots during the “Robot Boxing” bit.

Robot Restaurant

Say Cheese Take a photo with the towering robots, but keep in mind only one shot per group! *Robot Restaurant’s original bento box is available for 1,000 yen (upon reservation only).

Time: 18:00-23:00 (Shows: 17:00 18:40 20:20 22:00) Address: Kabukicho 1-7-1, Shinjuku TEL: 03-3200-5500 Admission: 6,000 yen Access: 5-min. walk from JR and Tokyo Metro Shinjuku Station. URL: http://www.robot-restaurant.com/

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Mission Impossible? How NOT to Get Lost in

Shinjuku Station

A simple guide to help you orient yourself in the sprawling maze. With 5 railway companies, 12 railway lines, 36 platforms, and well over 200 exits, Shinjuku is the world’s busiest railway station. Serving an average of almost four million passengers per day, Shinjuku Station is a sprawling maze composed of countless entrances and exits, escalators, stairways, platforms, retail shops and restaurants, and is connected to many more of them through underground passageways. Even local residents can easily get lost in the station. Here we present a simple guide to Shinjuku Station. Plan your trip and have fun!

West Exit Take the West Exit if you are going to the skyscraper district or the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Several highway bus terminals are also here to serve budget travelers.

East Exit Marunouchi

Line

East Exit

West Exit Toei Oedo Line

This is the closest exit for visiting Kabukicho, the Isetan Shinjuku Store, Books Kinokuniya Tokyo, and BICQLO Shinjuku Store. You will also find numerous drug stores and restaurants in this area.

Shinjuku

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South Exit Exiting from the south, you will find the Takashimaya Shinjuku Store standing right in front of you. The bridge stretching over the train tracks is a nice viewing spot.

▼Tokyo Metro’s Welcome Board

A few tips for a hassle-less trip in Shinjuku Tip 1 Stay simple

Tip 2 Avoid morning rush hour

Tip 3 Get help

If it is your first time visiting Shinjuku, keep it simple by using the Yamanote circle line as your main transportation method. When you arrive at Shinjuku Station, just locate the correct exit for your destination, and then you should be fine.

The corridors of Shinjuku Station become a river of bodies during rush hours. If you accidentally join a crowd going in a direction opposite of yours, chances are you will not be able to turn around until you are pushed right back out of the station.

To help foreign tourists, Tokyo Metro has installed a welcome board near the ticketing gate of Marunouchi subway line’s Shinjuku Station. The welcome board provides travel directions to popular tourist spots and easy-to-understand information on taking the subway.

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Useful tickets and tools for navigating through Shinjuku and Tokyo 1 Public transportation smart cards The Suica and PASMO rechargeable smart cards are alternatives to conventional paper-based tickets. When riding a train, simply touch the card to the ticket gate and the fare is automatically deducted. Moreover, you can use these cards to shop at vending machines and many convenience stores. You can purchase Suica and PASMO from ticket-vending machines and counters in train stations.

2 Money-saving tickets

Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass(Tokunai Pass) Price: Both JR and Tokyo Metro have money- 750 yen (adults), saving day passes allowing unlimited 370 yen (children) train rides. For example, the Tokyo Validity: one day Subway Ticket costs only 800 yen, offers URL: http://www. unlimited rides on all Tokyo Metro and jreast.co.jp/e/pass/ tokunai_pass.html Toei Subway lines, and will get you to

literally every corner of Metropolitan Tokyo.

Tokyo Subway Ticket Price: 800 yen (adults), 400 yen (children) Validity: one day URL: http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ ticket/value/travel/index.html ・ 2-day and 3-days ticket are also available. ・ Sold only at Haneda and Narita Airport.

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Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Golden Gai

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Odakyu Department Store StoreShinjuku Shinjuku Keio Department Store Shinjuku

Hanazono Shrine Kurumaya Honten Shinjuku Takano

Isetan Shinjuku Store Shinjuku Nakamuraya Line injuku Shinjuku Sanchome Toei Sh Hato Bus Stop Shinjuku Sanchome

BICQLO Shinjuku Store Shinjuku

New Line Shinjuku

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Tokyu Hands Shinjuku Store Books Kinokuniya Tokyo Book Kinokuniya

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Sekaido

Shinjuku Sanchome

Lumine Shinjuku New Line Shinjuku

Kurumaya Annex

Seibu Shinjuku

Sompo Japan Shinjuku West Exit Nipponkoa Shinjuku Head Quarters Modo Gakuen Building Cocoon Tower Tochomae

The Narita Express is a direct connection from Narita Airport to major areas in and around Tokyo, including Shinjuku. The N’EX TOKYO Direct Ticket (One-way) is a discount ticket for foreign visitors to ride the Narita Express (N’EX) for only 1,500 yen! That is about a 50% savings! You can buy them at the JR EAST travel service centers in Narita Airport Terminals 1 or 2. N’EX TOKYO Direct Ticket (One-way) Price: 1,500 yen (adults), 750 yen (children) Validity: one day URL: http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/ nex_oneway.html

Seibu Shinjuku Line ▲

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3 From airport to the city

South Shinjuku

Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery

Yoyogi Yoyogi

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Japanese Tradition: WASHOKU

Tea Ceremony To gain an overall grasp of Japanese culture, why not try “tea ceremony?” The tea house or tea room is a miniature museum of wa–all things Japanese. Tea ceremony includes various highlights that symbolize Japan, like the simple tea house made of bamboo, wood, and washi paper, and food dishes to match called kaiseki. Each item is an expression of the essence of traditional Japanese life.

What is the culture of tea ceremony? Tea is said to have been brought to Japan from China during the Nara period. It was gradually accepted after the Zen master Eisai wrote the book “Kissa Yojo-ki”, or “tea drinking cure”, during the Kamakura era, stressing the effectiveness of tea as medicine. The act of drinking tea became a special experience during the Muromachi period, during which time equipment was introduced and the shoin was developed, which evolved as the tea houses that we see today. Procedures for making tea called Temae for tea 20

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ceremony were established, with deep ties to the philosophy of zen, and it was during the Azuchi-Momoyama era in the 1500s that Sen Rikyu refined the philosophy and perfected wabi-cha, an extremely austere and Japanese style, to an art form. What sort of person was Sen Rikyu? Rikyu was a tea master, a professional who served two generals, Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi during a time when tea ceremony had been popular among warriors as a symbol of refined culture. A tea master needs to be able to

properly determine the utensils for tea ceremony. With his discerning eye, Rikyu not only stood out among the tea masters, he also had the ability to create new forms of beauty. Rikyu surprised those around him by introducing innovative ideas for tea ceremony such as the koma, or dark, tiny tea rooms where the ceilings were too low to stand upright, and the use of jet black rakuchawan tea bowls he had made by Japanese craftsmen to use in the place of Chinese imports, which generated a sense of austerity that was similar to a religious aestheticism of sorts, which eventually spread as wabi-cha.

Experiencing Traditional Hospitality in Japanese Tea Ceremony Urasenke “YOUWAKAI” in Tokyo’s Omotesando area offers an experience in Japanese tea ceremony. It includes a lecture on how to view a tea room and the utensils that are used in tea ceremony, and the right way to sample the tea and the sweets. Participants sit in a tea room and watch the host go through the temae procedures for making tea, after which they can sample thin tea and sweets. With services available in both Japanese and English, foreign visitors can relax and enjoy traditional tea ceremony (reservations required).continues to evolve with time.

A smiling welcome from the staff at YOUWAKAI

Recommended reading “Chanoyu English” (English conversation for Chanoyu) offers a basic introduction to tea ceremony in English. It contains illustrations and is reputed to be easy to understand. “Chanoyu Rokkakokugo Kaiwa” (Chanoyu conversation in six languages) offers an introduction to tea ceremony equipment in six languages: Chinese, English, French, Germany, Spanish, and Russian (both books published by TANKOSHA PUBLISHING).

Entering a tea house As the tea house is a special venue that is not a part of everyday life, it contains no furniture. Guests must first wash their hands and rinse their mouths at a basin called tsukubai before continuing on to the tea house or tea room, symbolizing that it is a sacred place. When stepping into a tea house, visitors should try to relax their minds and walk in with a sense of tranquility. It is customary to take a glance inside before entering, and noting the decorations that may be adorned. Once inside, visitors should sit in front of the tokonoma alcove while resting their hands on the tatami mat in front of them, their legs folded underneath their thighs in the proper seiza style of sitting as they proceed to observe the scroll hanging before them. They can also ask about the meaning behind the item at this time.

1 A guest is seated as she touches her hands to the mat, indicating respect.

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2 Once inside the tea house or tea room, a visitor should sit in front of the tokohoma alcove and inspect the flowers and incense container decorations. Take note of the elaborate designs of the containers, which are often works of pottery or made of wood.

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1 A tea house is decorated with Japanese wildflowers from the four seasons. 2 A tea whisk made from bamboo used for making matcha. 3 Japanese sweets created based on the concepts of the four seasons. 4 Matcha is about to be spooned into a tea cup. 5 Matcha is made by pounding new tea leaves in a mortar into a fine powder. 6 An important messages is written on a scroll hanging in a tokonoma, or alcove. 7 A tea kettle and ladle, the latter also made from bamboo. 8 Matcha is served after the sweet confections are served.

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Tips for Seiza, or Sitting Property 2

1 It is only the tips of the toes that should overlap. Common etiquette is to refrain from bringing impurities from the outside world into a tea room, and a new pair of socks is recommended to be worn when entering a tea room. It is also recommended to remove jewelry such as rings, watches, and necklaces before entering a tea room so as to avoid damaging the equipment. 23 YOUWAKAI lends out cushions for sitting in the seiza style, as well as stools.

The traditional style of sitting in a tea house or tea room is seiza, sitting up straight with the legs folded beneath the thighs. But even among the Japanese, who have adopted western lifestyles, there is a decreasing number of people who can sit in the correct seiza style. For this reason, a popular style of tea ceremony is ryurei, where temae procedures take place using a table and chairs. While YOUWAKAI has foreign guests experience the traditional seiza way of sitting, it is no problem for such guests to relax their feet or if they sit cross-legged if seiza is difficult. A tip for sitting in the seiza position for a long time is to change the positions of the left and right toes that overlap one another before they start to feel numb. Give it a try, but be sure not to overdo it.

Trying the Sweets

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1 Hold up the bowl containing the sweets in a show of appreciation. 2 Pick up the chopsticks. 3 Take one of the sweets and move it onto the kaishi paper. 4 Use a corner of the kaishi to wipe the chopsticks, return the chopsticks to their original position, then place the bowl in front of the person seated next to you.

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The temae procedures begin when guests have taken their seats on the tatami mat. The actions for serving tea follow specific protocol, which have become sophisticated over a long period of time spanning more than several centuries. Watching these movements is also an important part of tea ceremony, and guests should refrain from chatting at this time. Sweets are served during this process, and they are to be finished before the tea is served. The Japanese confections for tea ceremony are healthy sweets made of ingredients such as red beans, crafted to enhance the flavor of matcha. Kaishi paper is lent out to guests, which are used for accepting and eating the sweets.

How to Drink Tea When the tea bowl containing tea is brought in front of you, you should place the bowl on the mat between yourself and the person next to you and say, Osaki ni (excuse me for going before you). This is in consideration of others, for prompting smooth relations among the people who are taking part in the tea ceremony. Next, lift the tea bowl and place it on the palm of your hand. Thank the host, turn the tea bowl slightly to the left, then drink all of the tea. The tea bowl will be placed in front of you with the most striking design turned toward you. Turning the bowl to the left means that you are reserved about drinking directly from the front. The tranquil sense of tension is to be savored until the tea is ready, but once you have drunk it you can relax and ask questions.

A host is always concerned about whether their guests have enjoyed the tastes and experiences of a tea ceremony as much effort has been put into considering the equipment and tea room decorations for the occasion. So after drinking your tea, don’t be shy about stating your impressions. Your host will be delighted to hear your comments.

1 Your hands should touch the tatami mat when greeting the person next to you. 2 When lifting your tea bowl, it should come up to about the height of your navel. Tea bowls should not be raised high, since some of these items may be priceless. 3 When drinking tea, the bowl should be held in the left hand, with the right hand supporting it from the side.

Tea Ceremony Experience at Urasenke YOUWAKAI

■Fee: JPY 4000 (excl. tax) per person Duration: approx. 1.5-2 hours Req. per booking : 1 - 10 guests Provides: English speaking attendant

■Location: The Urasenke Chado Tradition YOUWAKAI 2F Kitamura Building 5-1-25 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 107-0062 (1F:Drug store)

■To make a reservation: Please contact us via email (info.youwakai@ gmail.com) at least 1 week in advance and

■Contact: info.youwakai@gmail.com

・Police Box OMOTESANDO Station

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let us know the following items. “name/contact information/number of participants/ prefered dates and times” We will then send you an e-mail to confirm your reservation.

■Details: ―English DVD performance Title “Tea gathering” ―Demonstration of tea ceremony including hands-on lesson

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■Phone: +81 3 3400 4491

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VOL.01

Savor Highest Quality Kobe Beef at the Top Restaurant Kobe beef is the desire of every gourmet in the world. In fact, one has to come to Japan to eat the best Kobe beef, which has been awarded champion status. Please pay a visit to Kawamura and enjoy the supreme flavor of Kobe beef.

Available only in Japan From world-class chefs to celebrities, whoever has tasted Kobe beef will be captivated by its exquisite flavor and tenderness; it literally dissolves in one’s mouth. One may have tasted Kobe beef elsewhere in the world, but few know that the highest quality Kobe beef is only available in Japan. This fact has been confirmed by the Kobe Beef Marketing & Distribution Promotion Association, the official body responsible for the quality control of Kobe beef, which has clearly stated that Kobe beef has never been exported. According to the Association, only certified stores are given the bronze statue engraved with the face of a cow and a Japanese chrysanthemum mark. In other words, these are the only places at which one may savor award winning Kobe beef. Among them is the matchless restaurant, Kawamura.

Only Six in Ten Thousand Cattle Qualifies to be Kobe Beef Kobe beef is characterized by its beautiful marbling. The quality is decided by the Japan Meat Grading Association. First, only Japanese black cattle are eligible and have to score an A or B to be qualified as Tajima-gyu cattle, and then only the chosen few among the Tajima-gyu with a BMS score of 6 or higher qualify as Kobe beef. The criteria are so strict that only 3,000 cattle qualify each year, a mere 0.06% of all cattle in Japan. After passing such strict standards, the beef is pressed with a Japanese chrysanthemum mark before finally arriving at your dining table.

Kawamura’s Insistence on the Best In order to serve customers with the highest quality Kobe beef, Kawamura’s chef insists on visiting the breeders to check the quality and ensure only the best beef is purchased. It is rare for a chef to do that, when most chefs only do the cooking. “I only buy virgin cattle that have a rich flavor,” said Mr. Kawamura, the restaurant’s owner and chef, who operates six locations in Kobe and one in Ginza. One can see Mr. Kawamura’s passion for beef in his earnestness in securing the best portions of the best cattle each and every year. From the chef’s insistence on being personally involved with the purchasing process to the way they take care of the iron grill, every detail is a testimony to Kawamura’s never-ceasing quest to serve the best Kobe beef. The best beef, complemented by insistence on quality, is what you can expect from a visit to Kawamura.

Beef Steak Kawamura Ginza Store •Address: Ginza 6-5-1 Brioni Ginza Building 8F, Chuo •TEL: 03-6252-5011 •URL: http://bifteck.co.jp/en/index.html

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Noritake Special Vol.6

Continuing to Bring Enchantment to the World, Noritake – from Ginza to

Your Dinner Table

It’s the fine chinaware from Noritake that makes your special dinner hour even more of a delight. epitome of elegance, to the Totoro series featuring the popular animation, Noritake will always have available the perfect chinaware to match an array of budgets and purposes. Particularly recommended is the Champagne Pearls set. The elegant design and the warm white colors will enhance the fine taste of any type of cuisine. Another reason for the high acclaim that it enjoys among many women and professional chefs is its wide range of use, a fine match not only for western food but for Japanese cuisine as well. Approved by the professionals, the series is a sure winner that will enhance the fun, lovely dinner scene at your home.

Established in 1904, Noritake’s roots can be traced back to “Morimura Gumi”, set up in New York during the turmoil at the end of the Edo Period when the brothers Ichizaemon and Toyo Morimura decided to start international trading for the sake of their country.

Upon overcoming numerous difficulties, it was 1914, a decade later, that the first dinnerware set was manufactured in Japan. And since then, with its superb technology and the incomparable beauty of its designs, Noritake china has been loved by people the world over.

Ichizaemon and company From the finest quality visited the World Exposition in Paris and were stunned by series such as Maestro, the the intricate European porcelain they came across and eventually decided to start production in Japan. Photo Courtesy of MORIMURA BROS., INC.

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Drop by the Noritake Ginza store for a chance to see these authentic Noritake chinaware. Ginza is where Noritake’s first store had initially opened. While the location of the store may have changed, our desire to bring our customers top of the line products

at a top-class venue remains unchanged. This is a place where you’re bound to find that special item you’ve always wanted.

Introducing a new 20-piece home set for the popular Champagne Pearls series, with trim designs that change depending on the glittering light (scheduled for launch at the end of September). (Four 27.5-cm plates, four deep plates measuring 21.5-cm, four coffee cups and saucers) priced at 70,000 yen.

Noritake GINZA

•Address: Ginza 3-4-12 Bunshodo Building 2F, Chuo •Number of products on exhibit: Approximately 1,000 •Hours: 11:00 – 19:30. Open all year (except for New Year’s holidays) •TEL: 03-3567-6121 •Access: 1-min. walk from A13 Exit, Ginza Station, on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Marunouchi Line, and Hibiya Line •URL: http://www.noritake.co.jp/tableware/shoplist/index.html

T O K Y O M U S T D O Explore Tokyo through the eyes of Tokyoites as they share their personal favorite secret hideaways. Sirjana Kafle Graduated from Tribhuvan University, Nepal, and came to Japan as a research student at the Faculty of Environmental Studies of Nagasaki University. Worked at various INGO/NGOs in Nepal, such as United Nations Development Program before coming to Japan and now works as an interpreter at a law office in Tokyo.

Akasaka TAJ

Keyakizaka Dori in Roppongi Hills

3-min. walk from Tameike-sanno Station on Tokyo Metro Ginza Line / Nanboku Line Akasaka 2-12-33 Akasaka Eiraku Building 1F, Minato

Kagata Jinja and Kujira-zuka 5-min. walk from Kitashinagawa Station on Keiky큰 Main Line Higashishinagawa 1-7-17, Shinagawa

5-min. walk from Samezu Station on Keiky큰 Main Line Higashioi 2-9-3, Shinagawa

1 Kagata Jinja and Kujira-zuka

Shinagawa-ura waters 5-min. walk from Kitashinagawa Station on Keiky큰 Main Line Higashishinagawa 1-7-1, Shinagawa

Kujira-zuka is a monument that was built in memory of a 16-meter-long whale that beached itself into Shinagawa. The monument nowadays is extremely cute. Today, I went there for a stroll and met a group of interesting Japanese people. The abundant orange blossoms in Kagata Shrine look so similar to the trumpet creepers in Nepal that I felt myself at home just looking at them.

2 Shinagawa-ura waters Many fishing boats and yakatabune (houseboats) are moored here. A reservation is usually needed to get on the yakatabune, but there is also a shared boat if you come in a small group. I went to see the place where one boards the boat. Many boats are in operation during summer. I will definitely take my Nepalese friends there and get on the boat together when they visit Japan.

3 Akasaka TAJ One of my friends works at this restaurant so I love to visit. The tastes of Indian curries vary according to the region of origin and the chefs here from one that is famous for their curries. Therefore the tastes are undoubtedly delicious and genuine. The restaurant is open for lunch too, so come over for some tasty curries!

4 Asian Bazaar Speaking of ethnic shops, Shin-Okubo is famous. But did you know that there is also good shopping along the Keikyu Line that is connected to Haneda Airport? Here at Asian Bazaar, I can get my favorite spices! Cooking curry for my breakfast every day shows how much I love cooking, which is why I need to equip myself with a large collection of yummy spices. WAttention Tokyo

A BITE-SIZE BREAK IN TOK YO

VOL.5 YANESEN-THROUGH THE WINDING ALLEYS

T O K Y O H A L F - D AY S A N P O SANPO

さんぽ［散歩］

WAttention’s Tokyo Navigator

Charles Chen Taiwan-born Charles has a yen for all sorts of new and fun stuff made in Japan. Tokyo is his latest stop after several years of adventuring across Europe.

Noun. Sanpo is the act of walking that aims to refresh oneself or simply satisfy one’s curiosity, sometimes without a particular destination in mind.

The three neighborhoods, Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi, are collectively called Ya-Ne-Sen, an area reminiscent of Tokyo from the past decades. AIt is a great place for anyone who wants to escape from the frantic pace of Tokyo.

Stop 4: Restaurant Zakuro

START

Stop 1: Yanaka Cemetery

Yanaka cemetery is the resting place of many famous people, including Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last Shogun of the Edo period. Just like most places in Japan, the cemetery is tidy and well kept. It is also a great place for viewing cherry blossom viewingblossoms.

Stop 2: Kayaba Coffee Finish the day off at this genuine Persian/ Turkish restaurant. Belly dance shows are scheduled at 8pm almost every night. Be prepared to be amazed by the dancer’s energetic moves! The owner is super friendly and surely knows how to bring a party to life!

The cafe is situated in a 100-year-old wooden house, featuring a mix of modern design and retro elements. Simple as it is, the egg sandwich is creamy and fluffy and certainly a great companion to a cup of coffee. It is definitely a great place to wind down in busy metropolitan Tokyo.

Stop 3: Gallery Nekomachi

Ya-Ne-Sen is famous as a cat town for its many cat-themed cafes. Tucked away in an alley is Gallery Nekomachi (cat town), where a variety of art forms such as pottery, paintings, sculptures, and photos are on display. Of course, they are all inspired by cats!

Information

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Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street

http://www.yanakaginza.com/

Yanaka Cemetery

http://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/reien/park/index073.html

Kayaba Coffee

http://kayaba-coffee.com/

Gallery Nekomachi

http://gallery.necomachi.com/

Restaurant Zakuro

http://zakuro.oops.jp/?lang=en

Where The History of Japan s Fine Tableware Began Established in 1904, Noritake was the first company to succeed in making western-style tableware in Japan. Synonymous with supreme craftsmanship and elegant style, Noritake s fine tableware has been loved throughout the world as its beauty has continued to transcend over the ages.

Noritake GINZA

Noritake SAKAE

•Hours: 11:00~19:30, closed during New Year holidays •Address: Bunshodo Building 2F, 3-4-12 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo •TEL: 03-3567-6121 •URL: http://www.noritake.co.jp/ tableware/shoplist/ginza.html

•Hours: 10:00~18:00; closed on the 1st and 3rd Sundays •Address: 2-1 Shin sakaemachi, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi •TEL: 052-951-0561 •URL: http://www.noritake. co.jp/tableware/shoplist/ sakae.html