Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Since 1970Japan’s premier free English language magazine
Vol. 42, No. 8May 20th - June 9th 2011
free
Also: Trends to make you look good, Off piste art, Bill Hersey’s Parties People and Places, Bin Laden’s death foretold and much more!
tokyo
weekender
The Weekender’s guide toGetting fit for the summer
On your bike!Family friendly Great Tokyo
bicycle tour shows a hidden
side of the city
TechnogymThe most expensive
gym equipment
you will ever buy
Garlic Injections Next big thing?
Roppongi Doc jabs hundreds of
people with garlic—for money!
The HealthIssue
Tokyo’s bestspas, bikes & veggie restaurants
Personal trainer’sTop tips to get fit
CONTENTS
WEEKENDER 5
MAY 20 ~JUNE 9, 2011 CONTeNTS
Next big thing?Tokyo Doctor injects people with super
strong liquid garlic, for money!
Tokyo’s Best BikesKinfolk, the Nakameguro bar
leading a bicycle revolution
Best Spa’s in the cityFeeling stressed? Relax in style in some of
the finest gyms and spa’s in Tokyo
15 20 31
10 Bin Laden is deadBut is this the end?
12 AgendaOff Piste art, punk rock and heavy metal
14 TrendsHealthy iPhone Apps, Issey Miyake’s new spring scent and neon cakes
16 Get fit for summer!Tokyo based personal trainer gives his top-tips to get fit and health
18 Tokyo Great Bicycle TourGet on your bike and see a hidden side of the city on a family friendly bike tour
24 Kids fold one million cranes for Japan!International volunteers raise a fortune for Japan’s tsunami relief fund
26 People, Parties, PlacesTokyo legend Bill Hersey gives his view on recent events in the city
32 AnnouncementsThe city’s page devoted to weddings, birthdays and bar mitzvahs!
34 Footy JapanCharity soccer tournament is massive success
Tweet as you goTechnogym, the 1.5 million Yen high-tech
exercise machine comes to Japan
8
PublisherEditor-in-Chief
EditorArt Director
Media ManagerMedia Consultants
Editorial AssociateArchivist
ResearcherAdvisor to the CEO
Ray PedersenPia von WaldauStephen ParkerLiam RamshawTomas CastroMary Rudow, Nick Nakazawa & Emilie AninatNisha SoniVika MaslyukRene Angelo PascuaHiro M. IshibashiHMI & Associates Inc
IT ManagerWeb Developer
Business Manager
Nick AdamsAli AhmadScotty Oshiro
Bill HerseyIan de Stains OBE
SocietyOpinion
May 20 ~ June 9, 2011Volume 42 Number 8
Contributing Editors
6 WEEKENDER
EST. Corky Alexander and Susan Scully, 1970
Published by Bulbous Cell Media Groupwww.bulbouscell.com
Published bimonthly at the Regency Shinsaka Building, 5th floor8-5-8 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052
(03) 6846-5615 / (03) 6846-5616 (fax)[email protected]
For subscription inquiries, please call(03) 6846-5615 or email:
For ad sales inquiries, please call(03) 6846-5615 or email:
www.tokyoweekender.com
Opinions expressed by Weekender contributors are notnecessarily those of the publisher
Contributors
LG WilliamsAimee Weinstein
J.K. Whelehan
tokyo
weekender
Technogym Kinesis Personal, is a work-out wall station that lets you perform over 200 exercises to improve strength, flexibility and balance. Designed in collaboration with Antion Citterio, the Kinesis personal is described as the “perfect designer furnishing centerpiece”. This ¥2,247,000 piece of kit allows users to discover the “four fundamental physical abilities; endurance, balance, strength and flexibility”. Luxury versions include “Vision” with reflective panels that enable you to “check and modify your posture” whilst exercising and the more classy “Heritage” model with integrated wall bars and front panels in black, cream and brown leather. If that is not fancy enough for you, a limited edition featuring gold leaf will add some extra glamour to your workout.
www.technogym.co.jp
TECHNOGYM
8 WEEKENDER
by The Weekender
Let’s face it, constantly checking your email, watching Youtube, or updating your Facebook status—is the antithesis of a healthy lifestyle. Modern technology
has undoubtedly improved the lives of many people through ease of use and pure convenience but it could also be responsible for rising levels of diabetes, obesity and cancer. For many city dwellers, modern life presents a stark choice; hit the gym, or switch on the iPad—until now.
Technogym’s “Run Personal”, is a new creation by Milan based furniture designer, Antonio Citterio, and has just been released in Japan. The jaw dropping treadmill combines cutting edge, multi-media technology with professional gym equipment. The result looks so good, it would be a shame to let overweight Twitter nerds near it.
For busy professionals this may be the most useful (and the most expensive) piece of kit you buy this year. From fun games, iPhone docking, TV and web access—to truly useful fitness programs, the technogym feels like the future of exercise has finally arrived.
Best feature? Train correctly and effectively with video-training support and save both your workout program and results onto a memory device.
Run Personal costs ¥1,470,000 fromTechnogym Japan.www.technogym.co.jp0120-576-876
TechnogymThe future of exercise?
The ¥2 Million workout
WEEKENDER 9
Update Twitter, check Facebook, watch the latest news, check your stock prices, or play a game.Technogym does it all.
OPINION
10 WEEKENDER
Imag
es b
y Cr
eati
ve C
omm
ons
by Ian de Stains OBE
After one of the longest, most extensive and surely most expensive manhunts in history, the West’s public enemy number one is dead. Or is he?
Osama bin Laden, hated and reviled on the one hand, worshiped and revered on the other was reportedly the victim of a highly secret, carefully planned and tremendously brave operation by a crack team of US navy SEALs. Reports of his death, said to have been witnessed in real time by President Obama and close colleagues in the White House situation room, gave rise to jubilation in Washington and at Ground Zero in New York where thousands gathered to celebrate the death of the man who claimed to have masterminded the atrocities on 9/11 and much else besides.
Yet almost before the echoes of jubilation had waned, the conspiracy theories began. How do we know it was really Bin Laden? Why was his body so hastily buried, and at sea at that? And why will the White House not allow us to see the photographic evidence?
Useless to offer up the obvious answers—and they are obvious: conspiracy theorists always have a counter-argument because,
like the religious fanatics they most often resemble, they so desperately need to believe. And so the websites will proliferate, the blogs will burgeon, the theories will take root until, for some at least, they will become commonplace truths, up for question no longer. But there are other, more serious questions that do need to be asked, and we must be prepared for some uncomfortable answers.
It beggars belief that one of the world’s most vilified men could have lived in the highly visible compound he inhabited for as many as five years, within walking distance of Pakistan’s most distinguished military academy without the knowledge of someone in authority, whether that authority was
local or national. If indeed that was the case, what does it tell us about Pakistan’s claim to take security seriously? If it was not, it speaks volumes about that country’s claim to be a partner in the fight to defeat al-Qaeda. Either way, the world has a right to know whether indeed—as British Prime Minister David Cameron recently claimed—the nuclear-capable Pakistan faces both ways on terrorism. For one thing is sure: just because Bin Laden has finally met what many will see as his rightful end, we cannot assume that his particular brand of evil has been neutralized. Far from it: the chances of revenge attacks on major cities, in our skies and at sea seem more likely than ever before. Remember, Bin Laden himself had not been “operational” for some considerable time but his poisonous rhetoric continued to inspire many recent attacks—both successful and less so—and in death his hold over the hearts and minds of those who would be his followers is likely to be that much stronger; we have precedent enough to understand how that works.
A Death Foretold
Ian de Stains is a writer and life strategies coach. His “Business Traveller’s Handbook to Japan” is published by Stacey International in the UK and is also available at Amazon.
“...we cannot assume that his particular
brand of evil has been neutralized.”
WEEKENDER 11
AGENDA
12 WEEKENDER
agenda
Taking place over the weekend of May 28th to 29th, the finest basketball players of Tokyo will grace the courts at Yoyogi Park, all to compete in the Jordan Tokyo23 Tournament. Hosted by Japanese hip-hop group Nitro Microphone, this competition will see the winning team, compete against a team of professional athletes for the final. This event will be sponsored by Nike brand Jordan, in lieu of their new Air Jordan V Retro collection, which is set to hit the Nike Flagship store in Harajuku later this month. Available exclusively in Japan, of course.
The Canadian rock band Sum 41 are back in Tokyo! After releasing their greatest hits compilation- 8 years of Blood, Sake and Tears, 2011 marks their return, with Screaming Bloody Murder. Expect to hear new hits Baby You Don’t Wanna Know & Screaming Bloody Murder.
Venue: Yoyogi ParkStation: Harajuku (JR Yamanote line)Info: www.nike.com
Dates: 28th- 29th MayWhere: Studio Coast/Zepp TokyoInfo: www.creativeman.co.jp
Dates: 4th-12th JuneWhere: Various location around tokyoInfo: www.horspistestokyo.com/ja/program/
Jordon Tokyo 23
Sum 41
5/28
6/3
5/28
May 28-29, Yoyogi Park, Harajuku
28th/29th May, Studio Coast
Another motion of Images / Art and Images Festival. Hors Pistes (Off Tracks) is an art and images Festival promoting experimentation of new forms of short and mid-length fictions, organized by the Centre Pompidou since 2006. Well known for introducing international new talents, HORS PISTES showcases a selection of works, a mirror ofthe uniqueness of the Cinemas of Centre Pompidou, focusing on diversity (dance movies, art movies, documentaries, fiction, experimental movies, etc…). Created to explore the most innovative and avant-garde trends of today’s interdisciplinary creation, HORS PISTES brings together art and moving images through screenings, live performances, installations and eventful workshops.Every year HORS PISTES gives to diverse audiences the opportunity to be immersed in the off-beat universe of multidisciplinary art and media, to explore the breaks and shifts which emerge in contemporary forms of films and narrative and triggers new boundaries.This year, HORS PISTES will launch its first new collaborative edition in TOKYO. Blending films and creations from Japan with a selection of the Paris original program, it will also create new bridges between France, Japan and the world.
Hors Pistes 2011June 4th-12th , Various locations around Tokyo
Imag
e co
urt
esy
of H
ors
Pist
esIm
age
cou
rtes
y of
Nik
e
Imag
es c
ourt
esy
of C
reat
ivem
an
4/6
AGENDA
WEEKENDER 13
This Swedish band, take their inspiration from Ironmaiden, fusing sleaze rock with thrash metal. Regular visitors of Japan, they last made an appearance at the Loud Park Festival, and after supporting the huge Aerosmith at the Swedish Rock Festival they have decided to visit us once again. For a real chance to feel a hard metal unique sound and to party hardcore, please leave your manners at the door.
Hardcore SuperstarFriday June 3rd, Studio Coast
What better way to begin the summer than hitting the waves! Greenrooms Festival is supporting the preservation of the beach culture. From 21st to 22nd Yokohama will showcase music from bands and DJs, with different kinds of art and film. Not only is this festival being held to “Save the Beach”, but also a market will be held and the proceeds will go to the “Love for Nippon” foundation.
Green Rooms FestivalSaturday 21-22nd May, Yokohama
Imag
e co
urt
esy
of C
reat
ivem
an
6/3
Where: Studio Coast TokyoPrice: ¥6,900Info: www.creativeman.co.jp
Dates: 21st - 22nd MayWhere: Yokohama red brick warehouseInfo: www.greenroom.jp
5/21
Get fit/look good
Neroli Sunshine is Issey Miyake’s latest limited edition creation, the company describes the perfume as a “fresh, floral and solar Eau de Toilette, ideal for spring” the floral scent is created around the signature smell of the Neroli blossom that is held to be a “flower magnified by the rays of the sun”. Miyake make some of the most popular scents in the world, but with Japanese prices at an all time high, you may want to ask a friend to pick up a bottle in duty-free.
www.isseymiyakeparfums.comAvailable from all good department stores.
Henriette Melchiorsen Graduated from the Danish Design school in 1994 specializing in product and furniture design. Menu’s mat polished, intertwined dumbbells—each weighing one kilo—are as beautiful as a sculpture, yet pick them up and they immediately become a fitness aid and a natural element in your training programme. Perfect for posing in the home gym.
www.menu.as
The white iPhone 4 has (finally) been released in Japan, now you can look cooler than a Shibuya girl—but why not put all that tech to use and get healthy?! There are thousands of Apps available out there, some are terrible, but this fun selection is pretty good:
You Booze You Lose—Shows how many calories in bar drinks, etc saves you money and lbs.Pump 10—Access to several workout videos.Yogi Says—Quotes to inspire well being and fitness from the Amrit Yoga Institute.Bio Dictionary—Quick way to look things up and stay on top of any health issues.Restaurant Nutrition—Shows the nutritional facts for the most popular chain restaurants, Burger King etc.
All Apps are available from the iTunes store, iPhone 4 is available in Japan from Softbank. www.softbank.jp/en
A scent of spring
Designer Dumbbells
Get fit Apps
“Balitz” is what happens when trendy French designers market a rustic Indonesian beach trend, the neon colored scarfs are “light and fluid—for both women and men, on the sand or on your shoulders” the indispensable accessory for this summer, all the rage at the moment and will be seen on every beach around Asia this summer www.balitz.fr.
With all this keep-fit, you need to take some time out to relax with a summery snack, Fauchon’s new “Éclair Rainbow” will be available until August 31st, the vivid colors match the vanilla and violet cream inside.Fauchon Boutique in Takashimaya stores. (Nihonbashi, Shinjyuku, Yokohama) www. fauchon.com (¥525)
Nike’s Free Run+ 2 running shoes are ipod enabled, allowing wearers to track distance, pace, time and calories burned in real time. The teal/orange design owes its intricate design makeup to the complex anatomy of the human foot. All of the material choices and pattern overlays are based on those found within the structure of the human foot, serving as a “barebones exoskeleton” for runners. www.nike.com
This season’s color? - Neon!
TRENDS
Imag
es c
ourt
esy
of N
ike,
Fau
chon
, Bal
itz
Imag
e co
urt
esy
of Is
sey
Miy
ake
Imag
e co
urt
esy
of A
pple
Imag
e co
urt
esy
of H
enri
ette
Mel
chio
rsen
TRENDS
WEEKENDER 15
Garlic has been used by physicians for thousands of years—but never like this: Dr Takahisa Hiraishi injects patients with super strength,
liquid garlic in exchange for cold, hard cash and they keep coming back for more.
The doctor’s immaculate 6th floor clinic in Roppongi’s Mid Town tower is one in a portfolio around East-Asia offering the incredibly popular injection. For 20 years he has been the garlic shot leader, jabbing thousands of arms with his specially concocted, if rather smelly potion.
For the Weekender’s health and fitness special, I decided to ‘take one for the team’ and test out this scientists creation.
Dr Hiraishi’s waiting was room full of Tokyo’s most stylish office ladies—now I was getting nervous, they couldn’t all be getting garlic shots—could they?
In the corridor I bumped into Yohsuke Itoh, president of Tokyo’s Blue Note club, clutching a plaster on his arm,“all the celebrities have it done”, he murmured.I wasn’t convinced.
Mens Health claims “Just a couple of cloves of garlic, mixed into food, will jump-start your immune system and improve your chances of fighting off an illness”. Food I understand, but straight into the blood stream seems crazy.
“It improves your liver function, 100% pure, so perfect for absorption by the body”, Dr Hiraishi explains. Patients can choose, 50 cloves of garlic, or double the dose at 100 cloves. If you are a heavy drinker Dr Hiraishi recommends a visit once per week, with most customers dropping by “2-3 times per month”.
Dr Hiraishi first started this unique method of intravenous garlic delivery 20 years ago—at first, exclusively for athletes “It was for conditioning, to ensure victory” he says. “I did the 2002 Korean World Cup soccer
team—they made top four! Japan only came 16th”,
Five years later the all sports injections were banned to clamp down on illegal doping, Dr Hiraishi’s business was affected, but he is clear to point put “this definitely isn’t doping”. Now garlic shots are heading abroad, Hong Kong and Moscow already offer the injections, L.A and London must be next.
“It will give you an energy boost. You can visibly see the results in 20 minutes, perfect for if you are tired, hung-over, jet lagged or sick”. The injection Includes vitamin B1, 2, 3, 6, 12 and C, “with added placenta” he says. “It’s perfectly safe—many singers come and have a jab, it helps their throats”.
Still unsure of the benefits and not to happy about 50 cloves of garlic and placenta pumping around my blood, I hesitated.
“Old women get it done; it’s very popular. Sumo champ Asashoryu had a shot yesterday” he added with force.
Elderly ladies I can handle, but I can’t have a yokozuna outdoing me—now the good Doctor had laid down his garlic-gauntlet, I had to pick it up: ‘If it’s good enough for a champion wrestler, it’s good enough for me. Hit me up Doctor!’
Fifty (50!) cloves of liquid garlic directly into the blood.Garlic Shots: the next big health trend?
Smelly potion works miracles, says top Tokyo Doctor 5:16pm Jacket off, Sleeves rolled up, wow this room is really nice!5:18pm Smells like garlic, that is a HUGE needle.5:20pm Mild pain, but feeling calm, reminds me of the school nurse.5:23pm I can taste garlic in my mouth! It’s ok, all in the name of science.5:25m Finished. Heart pounding, smells very garlicky.5:27pm Checked mirror, no visible change – Ah! I didn’t wait for 20 minutes as instructed.5:30pm In the elevator down to Midtown mall. Feel normal.5:33pm Walking aroung, feeling pretty genki!5:36 Check my face in the bathroom mirror, maybe it’s all in my head – do I look younger?5:45pm Check out the price of garlic in the supermarket ¥290 per bulb, feels like I swallowed several.6:30pm An hour later, I can still taste garlic.6:40pm On the subway from Roppongi, feel fine—where is my superpower?!6:42pm A women next to me is staring, can she smell garlic? Doesn’t she know about the celebrities and sumo wrestlers?8:22pm Need a strong drink. Coffee didn’t work, still very garlicky.9:45pm Two beers later. Still thinking about garlic, paranoid—Can everyone smell me?10:10pm I’m a walking bulb of garlic.11:58pm Going to sleep. Showered twice and can still smell garlic. I will probably dream about garlic.
07:01am Next morning: feeling good! But totally normal. Garlic taste has gone and no hangover—maybe it worked!
The Doctor is onto something lucrative. If you can still taste garlic after the shot, have several strong drinks to take the taste away. If you drink too many, have another garlic shot to relieve the hangover—It’s Genius!
Garlic shots start from ¥3,000.www.tokyomidtown-mc.jp
The Garlic Diaries
“Sumo champ Asashoryu had a shot yesterday, he added
with force”
Story and Images by Stephen Parker
TIPS
16 WEEKENDER
Top tips to get fit for the summerTokyo based personal trainer says exercise should be fun for all.
“A good rule of thumb is to think of your plate in thirds” that means “protein, carbohydrates and vegetables”.
“Most people skip breakfast or grab a bagle and coffee on the way to work and eat a big lunch to keep going then a huge dinner in the evening, this is the wrong thing to do”.
“Flip it upside down and start with a big breakfast and drink plenty of water throughout the day. The body is like an engine, it needs fuel to keep going or you will have no energy”. Dinner should be the smallest meal in terms of calories, Remember: “You don’t need calories to fall asleep, your body will just convert them into fat”.
Top tip: Plan your meals and eat a balanced diet.
If you are planning on training, visit yourDoctor and get a full medical checkup.
“It actually doesn’t matter, again the key thing is consistency. Find a balance in life; everyone has a different schedule, with work or looking after the kids. Try to do activites you enjoy and incorporate them into our daily routine. Power walk, play with your kids, take the dog for a walk every day or go swimming. The important thing is to have fun! If people have more specific goals and want to lose weight etc, it is always best to seek advice and get help. Some people go on a spartan regime and go the gym five times a week, once they get injured they revert back to the unhealthy state. People need to roll into it gradually and safely. Biggest problem is starting too fast, or going to hard, people inevitably get injured then create a negative association with exercise”.
Top tip: Exercise should be enjoyable, but don’t overdo it.
1. Basic diet 3. What exercise is best?
final tip
“The biggest misconception is that if you eat less you will lose weight. This is false, if an engine doesn’t have food it slows down. When you are young you can eat anything and burn it off, you look great but as you age your metabolism slows down, so you need to be careful what you eat”.
“Your diet actually helps speed up your metabolism, choose your food wisely and you will naturally burn fat. Coupled with a consistant exercise program, burn unwanted calories and you have everything you need to stay healthy”.
Top tip: Consistency is the most important thing.
2. Losing weight
Clint Spence is an Australian fitness instructor based in Tokyo. He started a career in fitness training after a stint in the Australian military. For more information visit: www.superfit.jp
CULTURE
FEATURE
18 WEEKENDER
street level and really experience a new side of Tokyo, you are much closer to the people”. “This is our third or fourth time in Tokyo—it’s the best time yet”. Tourism is one of the main industries to be most visibly hit by the recent earthquake and tsunami, but the Kiger family were not deterred, “We wanted to come to
Japan. Now is the time to visit, tourism can help the country recover” says Andres.
After being measured up for a bike we headed to Tsukuda island, home to the
On your bike!
If you are a health nut or haven’t exercised in years, the relaxed pace of the Tokyo Great Cycling Tour (TGCT) is a great way to have a work out and see a hidden side of the city at the same
time. Led by English speaking tour guides, you will discover new sites, new muscles in your legs and you could learn a thing or two about this fascinating town.
On a recent Saturday trip TGCT tour leader Kosuke Moriwaki took us on the popular “Tokyo bayside ride”. The six hour excursion crisscrosses often overlooked parts of the city—and though perfectly designed for tourists, offers a new perspective for long-time Tokyoites too.
“It is absolutely the best way to see Tokyo” says Andres Kiger who was visiting the city on a family trip from Shanghai “You are at
Sumiyoshi shrine, the tiny fishing island was founded by 30 fishermen from Osaka who came Edo for work. Next we crossed town, taking in bridges and water side footpaths before reaching Tsukiji fish market for a brief tour, a sample of sashimi and a chat with some of Japan’s busiest fishmongers. The tour took us across road bridges to the artificial island Odaiba for lunch, then a water taxi took us smoothly back to the mainland. After a fun day of cruising the streets, hills and bridges of downtown Tokyo—ending in the impressive grounds of the Imperial Palace.
Tour leader Kosuke Moriwaki says “All guides speak English and one even speaks Portuguese. Most guides are students and some have regular jobs in local businesses” the local knowledge is something no guidebook can provide and the enthusiam
“It is absolutely the best way to see Tokyo”
(03)(04)
(05)(06)
(01)(02)
01
02
03
04TGCT tour leader points out the sights The tour is ideal for families The famous Tsukiji fish marketThe tour takes about six hours TGCT have been in business since 2006 Helmets are optional for riders
Family friendly bicycle tour offers great way to see hidden Tokyo
FEATURE
WEEKENDER 19
Imag
es b
y W
eeke
nde
r
Moriwaki admits that the past few months have taken their toll on tourism across the city but an increase in bookings point to recovery for the summer.
“We run tours in every season, but May and June are the best times to go as it’s not
too hot” Even in mid-winter tour guides don multiple layers of clothes if tourists request a tour. “We run tours in summer, we have to stop at every combini we see for bottles of water, but it is still very fun!”
“This is our third or fourth time in Tokyo, it’s the best time yet”
Imag
e by
iSto
ck
shows—historical facts taught along the way are a fun way to punctuate the day and great for learning about the landmarks of Tokyo.
Ayumi Higuchi, who studies at Tokyo University was on the tour for the first time, she told the Weekender that even residents of the city can find something new “The tour is very nice experience, I like the chance to speak English with foreigners. I recommend it for people who have lived in Japan for a while—you could learn something” she says.
TGCT was founded in 2006 and has been growing in popularity every since “Our tour has grown by mouth to mouth reputation” says Moriwaki “It’s not like work, more like fun. The two best aspects are we get to meet guests from all over the world and the city itself, as through the seasons Tokyo is constantly changing”.
“Sometimes we run into festivals and change the course on the fly, we are very flexible and like to alter the course to surprise visitors”.
The tour starts at 9am and finishes around 3pm, including a bento lunch box and drinks. Both courses are family friendly and rated “easy” but riders will have to cross many bridges around the city.
Prices ¥10,000 for adults, ¥7,000 for children. (including tax,rental bike, box lunch, insurance, guide. And 1% of the fare will be donated to ‘One percent for the planet’ project.
Course A:Tokyo Bay Ride (pictured)Tokyo bay, seaside, Tsukiji fish market, Odaiba, Water cruise, numerous shrines and temples and the Imperial Palace.(Available on Tuesday and Saturday)
Course B:Sumo Wrestler’s RideAsakusa, Ryugoku, Ueno, Hongo and the Imperial Palace.(Available on Tuesday and Saturday)
To book and for more information visit: www.tokyocycling.jp or call (03) 4590-2995.1-3-2, Shinkawa, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0033
(09)(10)
(11)(12)
(07)(08)
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12The bay tour offered amazing views Kosuke Moriwaki says all guides speak English Tokyo bayside
A water taxi takes riders across the bay Shrines and temples on route The tour is a great way to discover Tokyo
FEATURE
20 WEEKENDER
The narrow streets of Naka-Meguro are at the center of a bicycle revolution. On the second floor, of a wooden shack is Kinfolk, a tiny lounge dedicated to the purest
form two wheeled transport. Kinfolk are Akira, John, Maceo, Ryan
and, Salah a group of international friends obsessed with the geometry and build of classic Japanese bike frames. Winners of Wallpaper* magazine’s “Best ride” award in 2010 and star of Nike’s “tied together” campaign, the tiny company assemble exclusive, bespoke bicycles, that are hand crafted to the highest standards here in Japan. While bicycles are everywhere in Tokyo, the mass produced cheap and cheerful mamachari are slowly being replaced by expensive, custom frames with one of a kind paint jobs and decals—once obscure vehicles that are now taking the world by storm. This revolution is not about money, it is all about the love of craftsmanship—and the freedom of the road.
Shuichi Kusaka “sensei” is Kinfolk’s 72 year old master frame builder, based in Akashi, a small industrial seaside town near Kobe, Kusaka has been crafting steel bicycle frames for over 30 years, his workshop is staffed by a small team consisting of a painter, a polisher and one young apprentice.
“We are very honored to have him build
frames at the end of his career—he hasn’t changed at all despite the fame (caused by a recent surge in popularity worldwide), he works on bikes monday to friday—and the goes fishing at the weekends”, says John.
Kinfolk gained mainstream coverage when the brand starred in Wallpaper* magazine’s ‘Hand Made’ edition, and a special exhibition at Salone del Mobile in Milan, the UK design bible called the brand “the rising stars of bespoke bike building”.
Kinfolk created a special ‘international bike’ that could break into two pieces “It can be out in a leather suitcase instead of a bulky bike bag or box”. The company actually produced two bikes that were sent to a specialist powder coater in Portland, Oregon for the finest finish, a bespoke leather bag, was made to carry the bikes, and a leather
engraver was hired to make custom designed saddles—emblazoned with the Wallpaper* logo. The bike just made it to Milan just in time for the show, after a long journey from Japan via the USA. After the show, the bikes finally reached the UK, were they were photographed for the magazine.
Another media coup came from Nike, the sportswear giant approached Kinfolk in the run up to the 2010 South Africa world cup, the “Tied together” campaign was a charity street sports event bringing together a cyclist, jogger, skater and photographer (to document the event) raising money for the (RED) AIDS foundation, the event took place in Tokyo and made its way around the world to finish in Johannesburg, South Africa. The guidelines for constructing the bike were simple: Use the colors of the Japanese flag and fit it to Tokyo’s most famous bike messenger, Shino. The whole process was filmed by Nike and the bike featured in a special window display at Nike stadium in Tokyo. More recently, trendsetters Hypebeast.com visited the bar and offered to collaborate on a blog, adding even more to the buzz.
In the first year of business orders came mainly America, then the exchange rate between U.S. dollar and Yen slowed trade down, the second year orders poured in from Europe and South East Asia—and in the winter from Australia. “We just sent one to
“No serious business meetings here, lots of beer and fresh fruit
cocktails and the world’s best hand
made bikes”
Kinfolk - Nakameguro
Building Tokyo’s best bikes
FEATURE
WEEKENDER 21
Imag
es c
ourt
esy
of K
info
lk
Germany, so we are growing internationally”, the rising popularity abroad, particularly in the U.S. is one reason the brand is going global, by the end of summer the new Kinfolk store will open in Brooklyn, New York with an upstairs office taking care of the business and creative sides and a downstairs cafe and bar so refresh all those tired cyclists. “It took a lot to set a bar up in New York, it was surprisingly easier here in Tokyo”,
To begin with Ryan would visit bike shops around rural Japan, buy up vintage frames and take them back to the US to sell for a profit, a hobby that paid for the airline ticket and more. Three years ago prices increased due to a surge in popularity and suddenly fewer frames were on offer, the Kinfolk team still wanted to be involved in the industry and spent a lot of time at shops talking to bike dealers.
“We had ideas of approaching builders to collaborate on a brand, but they were very humble. We aimed at audiences outside Japan, no-one was doing the same thing, basically the frame builders are very traditional, they use a telephone and maybe a fax, no computers or email”, if a foreigner wanted to buy a Japanese frame they would have to physically fly to Japan and order one—in Japanese.
“The frame builders don’t care about an audience overseas, or fame or fortune”, unless you could speak Japanese you simply couldn’t order one, “enthusiasts would have
to hope to find one on eBay and hope the color, and price was reasonable and it was a decent fit”.
This scarcity encouraged the group of bike nuts to create a brand that bridged the gap between the traditional craftsmen of Japan and bicycle purists abroad. Strangely, as Kinfolk frames became popular in New York, Japanese kids were eager to buy them back home, closing the loop back with Japan.
“The lounge by day is an office, and bike checking place, orders get send here before being forwarded on, people come to hang out or if they have any problems, to get a service”.
The friends are now spread all over the world, each with well defined roles within the company. “Salah does the website, Maceo is very creative, Ryan handles accounts” and John does marketing and facetime with Japanese customers and magazines.
While white-wheeled “fixies” abound in Tokyo, John stresses Kinfolk is “not just for trendy people, as these bikes will last a lifetime, hipster bikes look good on the street are are easy to purchase—but also easy to throw away”.
Kinfolk claim their bikes will last decades years, by using high-end materials, a quality steel frame over weaker aluminum or more fragile carbon types and real leather for the saddle and handlebar tape—every component is of the highest quality. A kinfolk bike is not cheap, a basic frame costs ¥142,500 and a complete package including all parts can cost
over ¥275,000—but that’s the point, “these bikes are an investment that can last 20 -30 years—so long as you don’t leave it on the balcony in the rain”.
Each bike frame is numbered, and every detail is fully bespoke. Kinfolk are able to produce up to 10 custom bicycle frames per month, meaning they are still very exclusive.
“Some bicycle riders are weekend warriors or simply posers, but we build solid functional bikes to last. Hopefully in 20-30 years, they will be worth even more money”.
“We are not your typical business—it all kind of happened by accident, no serious business meetings here, lots of beer and fresh fruit cocktails”.
Looking for a name for the bikes and the shop at the same time, came together, more like a family than a serious company.
Kinfolk’s badge features a double headed rabbit symbolizing speed and an anvil for strength, it was sketched by a tattoo artist and scanned into the computer before being cast in brass. A very apt symbol for this year; 2011 is the year of the rabbit, it may bring double the luck to the company.
For more details visit: www.wegotways.com/kinfolkbicycles1-11-1 Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan 153-0053
(01)(02)
(03)(04)
(05)
01
02
03
04
05
Kusaka Sensei: Master Frame Builder at work
Kinfolk and Nike’s Tied together campaign Inside the Kinfolk Lounge, handmade by Mako from HatosJohn Beullens, Kinfolks man in Tokyo
All frames are fully bespoke
Your Move. Our World.
Full Relocation Services anywhere in the world.
Asian Tigers Mobility provides a comprehensive end-to-end mobility
service tailored to your needs.
Asian Tigers goes to great lengths to ensure the highest quality service.
To us, every move is unique.
Please visit www.asiantigers-japan.com or
contact us at [email protected]
Customer Hotline: 03-6402-2371
Move Management – office, households, pets, vehiclesOrientation and Cross-cultural programsVisa and ImmigrationTemporary accommodationHome and School search
Tenancy ManagementFamily programsDeparture servicesStorage services
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
Looking for a place to dine no matter what the occasion? Look no further. At Restaurant MOSAIQUE we serve: Real food, wine,
cocktails, service and a friendly atmosphere. Come enjoy the fun.Tel: 03-6419-3711 / Website: restaurant-mosaique.com
Minami-Aoyama 5-3-2 Minato-ku, Tokyo Everyday: Lunch, Brunch, Dinner Closed: Sunday evenings
5-16-3 KOYASU BLDG2F HIRO-O SHIBUYA-KU TOKYO
TEL / FAX 03-3442-1865 http://www.la-jolla.co.jp
Since 1987
Mexican RestaurantMexican RestaurantSince 1987
In the expat haven of Azabu-juban, Eat more greens is doing a roaring trade. The New York style cafe, sells “no meat, egg or dairy products”. The interesting thing is that many diners are attracted because of the health focussed menu—not the lack of meat. This is good news for vegans and vegetarians and great for health conscious Tokyoites looking for more healthy options when eating out. Finding a vegetarian option on a Japanese menu used to be an impossible task—let alone trying to find an entire vegetarian or vegan restaurant. In the past few years though, a veggie friendly movement has started in Tokyo, now all over the city small organic eateries are opening to serve a growing demand for healthy (and meat free) food.
lotus-one.jpTel: 03-6304-9441Higashi Koenji(Marunouchi line) Higashi-Koenji Station
Tel: 03-6416-8396Shinsen (Keio Inokashira line)Shibuya Station
ls-adventure.comTel: 03-3791-5470Nakameguro(Tokyu Toyoko Line)Nakameguro Station
js-kitchen.comTel: 03-5475-2727Hiroo(Hibiya line)Hiroo Station
rainbowrawfood.comTel: 03-6809-6848Hamamatsucho (JR Lines)Hamamatsucho Station
Tel: 03-3464-0100Daikanyama(Tokyu Toyoko Line)Daikanyama Station
Vegetarianism goes Mainstream
www.eatmoregreens.jpAzabu Juban 2-2-5, Minato-ku, 1F Furenshia106-0045, Tel: (03) 3798-3191
Growing number of healthy restaurantsappeal to veggies and meat eaters alike
Eat more greens’ daily lunch sets start at ¥950, Taco-Rice of Black Rice & Black Soybean (pictured above) comes with fresh organic coffee and a dessert for ¥1200.
Lotus & Flower’s One Kuumba du Falafel Rainbow Bird Rendezvous J’s Kitchen Rainbow raw food Merleau Pannonica
MY JAPAN
24 WEEKENDER
Imag
e co
urt
esy
of D
o So
met
hin
g
International kids fold one million paper cranes for Japan!
For more information:www.habitat.org www.dosomething.org
For the past two month kids around the world were challenged to create 100,000 Paper Cranes for Japan. Last week the hard-working volunteers at Students
Rebuild counted the one millionth crane, dramatically exceeding the goal and inspiring a US$400,000 donation to rebuild schools from the Bezos Family Foundation and US$100,000 from an anonymous donor (Over ¥40,000,000).
The effort, a collaboration between DoSomething.org’s Paper Cranes for Japan campaign and Students Rebuild, was launched in response to the devastating earthquake and resulting tsunami in Japan on March 11th to inspire young people worldwide to support their Japanese peers.
From Armenia to New Zealand, from rural Kansas to urban Philadelphia, from elementary school classrooms to church basements and community cherry blossom festivals, young people came together to fold paper cranes-and mailed them by the boxful. Eight provinces in Canada and every state in the U.S. participated. Children responded worldwide from 36 countries, including students in Haiti, who folded hundreds of cranes for Japan during the groundbreaking of a newly reconstructed school in Port au Prince.
“The students in our school and the community center are very excited to help
out, as they understand what it means to be struck by devastation,” says Courtney McCurdy, education programs officer at J/P Haitian Relief Organization. “This project is also a great learning tool for the kids in Haiti to teach them that they too, can help those in need.”
DoSomething.org and Students Rebuild’s Paper Cranes for Japan campaign issued a simple challenge to young people online:
make and mail in an origami crane, and each crane received will be matched with $2 to rebuild in Japan by the Bezos Family Foundation. The goal: 100,000 cranes, which would trigger $200,000 from the foundation to fund Architecture for Humanity’s Sendai reconstruction efforts in partnership with Japanese designers and builders. The
thousands of cranes are planned to live on as a permanent art installation in a youth facility rebuilt by Architecture for Humanity in Japan. After 29 days, when the crane count exceeded 500,000, the Bezos Family Foundation decided to double its gift to reflect and further support the outpouring of generosity from young people across the world to help their peers in Japan and to make a difference.
“Clearly, the support for this project has exceeded our wildest expectations,” says Jackie Bezos, president of the Bezos Family Foundation, which founded Students Rebuild. “If there’s any doubt that young people want to contribute, here is the overwhelming evidence.”
Inspired by the commitment of the Bezos Family Foundation and outpouring of support from children worldwide, an anonymous donor has contributed an additional $100,000. However, the boxes kept coming-another 500,000 cranes worth!
“I know it sounds corny, but it has been emotionally uplifting,” says John Moquin, an employee at the downtown Seattle UPS Store who helps field the hundreds of boxes of cranes a day pouring in for Students Rebuild. “I’m a cynic at heart but the response has been unbelievable.”
Over ¥40,000,000 raised for charity
Hiroo station (Metro Hibya Line) Exit 1 or 23 minutes walk across the street from Arisugawa park
www.national-azabu.com
One of the largest selections of English greeting cards in Japan,International foods and all you favorite brands from home.
26 WEEKENDER
PPP
So far, 2011 is really turning out to be a strange year. There have been some terrible natural disasters, the earthquake in New Zealand, floods in Australia and Colombia the
unbelievably devastating quake and tsunamis here in Japan and the worst ever tornados across seven states in the U.S.
Man has certainly done his part to add to all this, there’s the nuclear plant problems in Fukushima, the huge fire in Makati Manila, and fighting, killing and misery in several African countries and throughout the Middle East.
I’m sure most of you will agree Tokyo’s not the same since 3/11. There are power shortages so our city’s darker at night we’re lucky as many places have only periodically scheduled power cuts now.
Traffic’s down, making driving a bit easier but also gives taxi drivers the idea they
can break even more laws then they usually do—and get away with it. Please be careful, a law enforcement friend of mine told me
the taxi business has been down and there are more and more cases of taxis stopping suddenly (so the car behind them bumps them). As a result they can take a break and collect more insurance then they would make if they were working. Tokyo streets even in
Roppongi at night have been relatively quiet but do seem to be getting busier—we and businesses need that. I recently read that the restaurant business is down 10 percent but I’m sure it’s more. Hotel business is also down, room occupancy in most is very low but happy to hear a 30 percent increase in the wedding business is really helping. You may not believe this, but working on this column at an outdoor table at Starbucks in Midtown, an attractive office girl wearing a black t-shirt with huge white letters on the front saying “why” walked by—talk about timing! That, my dear, I thought, is what we’re all wondering...
Like just about everyone I ask, I’m a bit apprehensive about the aftershocks but sort of getting used to them. I did have a very realistic dream that I was laying in bed and there was a quake. When I woke up, I got up and checked the house, but everything was OK. A doctor friend of mine told me many of
people, parties, places
01
Hideya Sadayasu, general manager of the Imperial Hotel, with Mrs. Masako Konno, wife of the owner of Vitek electronics.
Imperial Hotel president Tetsuya Kobayashi, with Keidanren chairman Hiromasa Yonekura.
Journalist Mark Schreiber and Le Monde correspondent Philippe Mesmer.
Peter Mesmer, actress Fumi Dan and P.R. guru Nacio ‘Skip’ Cronin.
U.S. ambassador John Roos, his wife Susan and Tetsuya Kobayashi.
Keio University president Tetsuya Kobayashi and Tetsuya Kobayashi enjoying the celebrations.
Japanese media personality Hiroshi Ikushima with journalists Kaori and Saeko.
Imperial Hotel 120th Anniversary(01)(02)(03)(04)
(05)(06)(07)
“I’m sure most of you will agree Tokyo’s not the same since 3/11”
With Bill Hersey, Tokyo’s Longest Running Society Page
02 03 04
06 0705
PPP
WEEKENDER
Soness Stevens, Riho Sakai and Aya.
Producer Miki Asai, Universal channel manager Scott Mackenzie and Senior marketing manager Akiko Takemura
Fox programming manager Yuki Ito, programmer Chihiro Imai, producer Yuji Ueda, Madoka Koike and programming director Hiro Daigoh
Director of programming Yasunori Fukai, Senior V.P. content David Shin and TV talent Kris Imai.
Outgoing Fox talent Kris Imai and film producer Travis Close
Singer Rinko, Executive producer Dan Smith, TV talent Soness Stevens, Fox diva Aya and Fox international president Yoshitsugu, Koizumi.
01 02 03
060504
his patients had similar dreams.I am lucky to have run into a lot of friends
as well as meeting a lot of interesting people for the first time lately and want to pass on some good news as well as bad news about the current situation I heard from them. On the good side just about everyone I saw wearing a mask told me it was for pollen allergies and had nothing to do with fear of radiation.
Really happy to see Yoyogi park has stayed busy. Lots of people ignored governor Ishihara’s rather thoughtless advise not to have cherry blossom viewing parties. This was at a time people really needed a to get back to business. Yoyogi has offered an escape and haven with an outdoors living festival, a festival for pets and the super earth day celebration… all with live music, ethnic food outlets and bazaars.
Still on the good side Martin Webb of Marc Jacobs fashion told me they have two boutiques up in Sendai. The quake, of course really affected their business in the beginning, but sales have picked up and the shops in Sendai as well as Tokyo are doing well. Also
happy to hear Martin’s father in law who’s a well known architect already has a contract for a big project in Fukushima.Pulling together to rebuild is the Japanese spirit at its best.
Easter was a great time, I started out
at the Franciscan chapel where it was standing room only for the twelve noon mass. After that joined friends at the French kitchen in the Grand Hyatt for a bountiful brunch. People there included Bill and Charo Ireton, Father Bill Grimm, Matthew Ireton, his grandmother Kiko and Koichi
and Daniele Yoshikoshi. The two of them had just returned from their annual two weeks in Hawaii. When I was leaving, I ran into ex German restaurant owner Horst Pijan and three of his friends at the hotel’s outdoor cafe. All very interesting people. When it comes to bad things, anxiety, stress and uncertainty much caused by unreliable sources and sensationalist media are the major contributing factors. Other less important things include the price of gasoline, which is up to almost six dollars a gallon in some parts of the U.S. now—and almost the same here. Prices of gas are about the same in most of the stations in Japan but when it comes to repairs, maintenance, car washes, etc they can really differ. Much of this I discovered depends on the area where the station is located. “Our rent is higher so we have to charge more”, one service station attendant told me. It’s a good idea to check around when you need work on your car. I’m sure you’ll end up saving money.
We all know there were countless cancelations of all kinds of events here in Tokyo on and after 3/11. These included
Sayonara Party at FOX TV Studios(01)
(02)
(03)
(04)(05)(06)
“Everyone I saw wearing a mask told me it was for pollen
allergies and had nothing to do with fear
of radiation”
PPP
28 WEEKENDER
national day receptions, sayonara parties, concerts, baseball, and other sports games, movie premieres, etc. It’s still pretty quiet on the social and entertainment scene. My mailbox has been pretty empty (except for phone bills, gas bills, electric bills, etc). For some reason it’s seems like there’s more of that kind of mail then before and it’s on or ahead of time. Two friends have told me they feel they were overcharged on their phone bills and are going to check it out. There were a couple of ¥4000 calls I made from Manila to Tokyo on my Docomo, as well—all were just for a few minutes and I plan on checking this out myself. I got screwed last year when I canceled my Wilcom service, half the time it didn’t work and no one had explained to me that I would have to pay a pretty big cancelation fee, I live and learn.
I have been talking with all kinds of friends and as before most hope their leaders will take more responsibility, not only to rebuild Japan but also let them know what the truth, good or bad really is. I also find many people are really unhappy about the way much of the media have been handling things. People really want to know the truth about
things and don’t need all the sensationalism. The facts are what are important. Will close this part of the column with things as they are and will continue to get better, please support Japan!
Legendary Imperial hotel celebrates 120th anniversaryThe prestigious Imperial hotel recently held their annual spring party for the media and it was a very special evening in ever way. The hosts included all of the hotel’s top executives as well as several from their partners from the stunning Halekulani hotel in Hawaii. Guests were mostly from the media and there were a few well known entertainment personalities as well. Several party crashers, who were certainly not dressed for the elegant evening somehow got in and spent their time loading up their plates at the beautiful buffet. I find it difficult understanding how people can do this, but come on Bill, nobody was hurt, so chill out.
Sayonara at Fox studiosIt was wall to wall people at FOX studios over on Meiji dori when staff members held a
sayonara for several of their co-workers that included Kris Imai, who has transferred to Hong Kong and Yuji Ueda who’s off to Dubai. It was sort of like Old Home Week laying back with all those good people from FOX. I’ve had the privilege of getting to know the last year or so. I will really miss the very talented Kris who did some pretty clever skits on FOX. The food, a mountain of McDonald’s hamburgers, french fries and apple pie was fun and filling. I wish Kris and Yuji all the best, they’ll sure be missed here.
So long and God blessSo long to one of the most beautiful and talented women in the world, Elizabeth Taylor who passed away recently. I got to know this fantastic lady through the late and great couple, U.S. ambassador Mike and Maureen Mansfield believe me, she really was very special.
I lost a good friend and the world lost a good man when Sony’s honorary chairman Norio Ohga passed away on April 23.
I first became friends with Norio through his wife Midori’s best friend Chichan Plessner. Over the years I went to many of his concerts
In and Around Town(01)(02)(03)
(04)(05)(06)
01 02 03
04 0605Spice & Herbs execs Kazuhisa Takeda, Kazumi Yamada, James Yellowleese and Anri Schroff at her charity cooking workshop in the Grand Hyatt’s French Kitchen.
Easter Sunday get together at the Grand Hyatt, Jan Voortman, Thomas Paehne, Peter Naef and Horst Pijan.
Koichi Yoshikoshi, Bill Ireton, Daniele Yoshikoshi, Charo, Matthew and Kiko Ireton celebrate Easter Sunday at the French Kitchen.
Tabasco’s Mark Gleason, Peninsula Hotel G.M. Malcolm Thompson and Dr Eugene Aksenoff at “24” for Eugene’s birthday.
Yes band guitarist Billy Sherwood was in town with bandmate.Tony Kay to do a series of charity shows, he dropped by his old Roppongi hangout, the new Lex and joined manager Taka Masuda and chef Higa-san to help out.
Bill and the late great Elisabeth Taylor at a dinner party hosted by the late diplomatic couple U.S. Ambassador Mike and Maureen Mansfield.
PPP
Sue, Jon, Natalie and Poppy Band relax at Segafredo
and had the opportunity to get to know him at small intimate dinner parties. I also had the great privilege of being his guest at the four day opening parties and events for the opening of the Sony center in Berlin. The highlight of the fabulous event was when Norio conducted the Berlin philharmonic. I’ll never forget the pride and joy this justifiably gave him. The man accomplished so much in his life and will really be missed by all who knew him.
No one really seems to know her name so we called her ‘Hana chan’. I’m talking about the little lady probably in her 80’s that owned and ran the San Francisco flower shop across the street from National Azabu, she was quite a character with her blonde ponytail, mini
skirts and wedges. Hana-san spent much of her spare time in Hiroo’s Segafredo coffee shop. During the holiday season she not only colorfully decorated her flower shop, but Segafredo as well. She went all the way and wore a Santa design top and miniskirt in December and January! Heard she had a bad fall and died a few weeks later. She was a real individual who will be sadly missed.
Bosnian ambassador Pero Matic and Greek ambassador Tsamados Nikolaos battle it out at Hiroo’s Segafredo.
(07)(08)(09)
(10)(11)
11
07 08 09
10
National Azabu supermarket’s Tomoya Nakamura and Dale Toriumi help load donations the store collected for Sumo star Konishiki to take to disaster areas of Sendai and Fukushima.
Hawaiian brothers Paul and Aaron hang out after trying a serving of Segafredo’s new Italian gelato.
Italian brothers Aldo and Fabio la Cavera of Mirari (Rayban and other top brands of sunglasses) at the prestigious company’s recent ‘family sale’.
‘Country Western Enka’ singer Miyamoto celebrated his CD launch with entertainer Steven Haynes at Roppongi’s New Lex.
Actress Miki Maya with Sony entertainment’s Masao Morita at a Sony press event at the Ritz Carlton.
WEEKENDER 29
Discover Tokyo’s Best SpasRelax in style and discover a new you
PROMOTION
WEEKENDER 31
Ever wanted to swim 47 floors high? At the Club On The Park Spa at the Park Hyatt you can, with the sun light flooding in for added effect. The 45th floor is host to seven private treatment rooms, wet and dry saunas, 360° Body Showers just to name a few. This spa also includes the unique Vichy hydrotherapy experience- not to be missed.
Address: 3-7-1-2 Nishi Shinjuku, Tokyo, 163-1055Telephone: +81-3-5322-1234Website: www.tokyo.park.hyatt.com/
Spa Treatments
Park Hyatt HotelClub On The Park Spa
Le Spa Parisien is a truly unique experience, designed by French architect Albert Abut, the soothing decor will help take your relaxation to another level. This spa holds Tokyo’s first copper bath, 11 treatment rooms and boasts traditional European techniques.
Address: 1-4-1 Mita, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8580Telephone: +81-3-5423-7000Website: www.westin-tokyo.co.jp/spa
The Westin HotelLe Spa Parisien
Panoramic views of the Tokyo Tower and Roppongi Hills, a rain shower and a spa suite for two. For ultimate tranquility visit The Ritz Carlton Spa by ESPA where you can indulge in the tailored Day Spa Rituals, treatments suitable for pregnant women and even a Jet Lag revival.
Address: Tokyo Midtown, 9-7-1, Akasaka, Tokyo 107-6245Telephone: + 81-3-3423-8000Website: www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Tokyo/Spa
The Ritz Carlton HotelThe Ritz Carlton Spa by ESPA
Located just around the corner from the Imperial Palace, this globally known spa promises to revitalise your mind, body and spirit. Including the famous combination of Oriental, Ayurvedic and European approaches, you are spoilt for choice. If that is not enough, you can have a highly trained therapist develop a customized spa treatment to meet your every need.
Address: 1-8-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda, Tokyo, 100-0006Telephone: + 81-3-6270-2888Website: www.peninsula.com/Tokyo
The PeninsulaThe Peninsula Spa by ESPA
Congratulations to Megumi and Toshiaki on their 10 year wedding anniversary on the 13th May. Also Happy Birthday to Megumi for the 5th May. Lots of love from all the family.
Congratulations to Issei & Mai-Chan on the birth of their daughter, Sumiha.
Happy Birthday Emi. Lots of love from all the Sakura Girls xxx.
Happy Birthday Tomomi. Lots of love from Rina & Liam.
Happy Wedding Anniversary. Lots of love from Rina, Aya & Tama Chan.
Congratulations Megumi & Toshiaki
Hello Baby Sumiha
Happy Birthday Emi-Chan
Happy Birthday Tomomi
Kazuko & Takeshi
Wishing a very Happy Birthday to Hannah. With lots of love from Alister
Happy Birthday “Mr Handsome” from all the guys at TGRFC.
Happy Birthday Hannah Happy Birthday Alaister
Congratulations to Warren on his marriage to Haruka. Hope the leg gets better soon mate, All the best from everyone at TGRFC!
Congratulations Warrenshare the loveIf you know of anybody who is celebrating a birthday, a marriage, a wedding anniversary or has an annoucement to make, then we would love to hear about it. You can email in a picture and a short messsage to [email protected]
ANNOUNCEMENTS
32 WEEKENDER
annoucements
WEEKENDER 33
Charities are real winners with YC&AC a close 2nd
Imag
e co
urt
esy
of F
ooty
Japa
n
Glorious sunshine greeted the 16 teams who competed in this years Charity Soccer 7’s, when they arrived at Yokohama Country & Athletic Club (YC&AC)
a full seven weeks after the original scheduled date, the Tohoku earthquake and subsequent nuclear panic having wreaked havoc on numerous lives and planned events during the aftermath. This event has been one of the biggest on the international amateur football calendar in recent years, attracting a large crowd of spectators as well as the 160 or more players to this prestigious ex-pat sports club. This year it was YC&AC’s own team, who’d been runners up in 3 of the last 4 Charity 7’s, who finally took the winners trophy coming from behind to beat NSP 3-1 in the final.
It was the Charities themselves who were the true champions though, earning a whopping ¥1,055,756 from the efforts of the Centre Circle and Footy Japan team who organized this event and the kind Sponsors (Robert Walters, Amway, Dunhill & Virgin Atlantic to name but a few) who supported it. The funds raised will once again, concurrent to last year, be donated to Refugees International Japan and Jeannie and Billy’s Children’s Foundation in Cambodia.
The tournament, involving many teams/players from the Wahl & Case Tokyo League, kicked off in the usual fast paced fashion, players seemingly oblivious to the rising temperatures. YC&AC took their first big scalp of the afternoon beating ex-champions Azule FC 3-0 in the opening match on pitch A, while newcomers Nepal FC were narrowly defeated 2-1 by the ever improving Bloomberg on pitch B. Far East Utd, one of the tournament debutants, found it a gruelling task being drawn in one of the hardest groups in the competition—facing NSP, Geckoes and last years champions YCFC, they were unable to secure a point and hit a low by suffering a 9 – 1 defeat to Geckoes. However, the students from Tsukuba University (where Japan ex-captain Iihara played) made a impressive start to the campaign, teaching the Astavita crew a lesson with a 2 – 0 win, then making Swiss pay with some after school detention whipping them 5 – 0. Fellow group compatriots Panthers held their own and with a superior goal difference finished the group on top with YC&AC, British FC and NSP all winning their respective groups.
After a lunch break where players gulped down vast amounts of BBQ burgers & hotdogs laid on by YC&AC, the teams came out to do
battle in the knock-out rounds of the cup & plate dependant on where they finished in their groups. With an early bath at stake, the pressure was now on to step up a gear and go for broke.
In the plate competition, Swiss Kickers had obviously learned their lesson from earlier in the day, seeing off Nepal 1-0 then Geckoes 3-2 to reach the final against Bloomberg, who themselves had beaten Astavita 5-0 and un-Real Celts 4-1 to get there. It was the Swiss Kickers who took the plate with a solid display in the final winning 3-1.
In the cup competition, YC&AC’s experience told against Tsukuba University with a 3 – 2 victory whilst British FC suffered at the hands of last year’s champions YCFC. Panthers continued their fine form beating Azule 4 – 2 and NSP saw off Robert Half with a comfortable 2 – 0 win.
The semi-finals were a bit of a strange affair, with a repeat of last years final in one, YC&AC vs YCFC, but with a totally different outcome. It seemed that YCFC succumbed to the heat of the day(or wanted to get to the bar earlier) and were rather unceremoniously dumped out 8-0. They didn’t seem too perturbed though, as they are actually all YC&AC members & teammates. Panthers also faltered and ran out of steam, losing to the young NSP lads 3-0
So it was hosts YC&AC and the NSP boys – New Year 7′s winners 2009 – who were to meet in the final. Heat fatigue and extended match time would be an important factor in the outcome of this result especially since NSP had been playing all day with no substitutes. It was the young lads who struck first though, taking a 1-0 lead for about 10 minutes until YC&AC struck 3 times in succession to take the match 3-1. A valiant effort by NSP but ultimately outclassed by moments of brilliance within the YC&AC ranks – their names now etched in Charity 7′s history as cup winners 2011.
For more stories & photos please visit: www.footyjapancompetitions.com www.facebook.com/footyjapancompetitions
Footy Japan & NPO Centre Circle wish to thank all the sponsors of this event: Amway, Dunhill, Robert Walters, Virgin Atlantic, Slate Executive Search, Crown relocations, Specialized Group, Asian Tigers. and raffle sponsors: Hobgoblin, Okinawa harbor view Crowne Plaza, bc-services KK, Wall Street Associates, kiwi Kitchen, Fifty Seven, Boyd & Moore, Biervana and Robert Half.(Sid Lloyd, Director of Footy Japan KK)
Yokohama Country & Athletic Club, Sunday 8th May 2011
Soccer 7’s in Yokohama
EXPAT LIFE
34 WEEKENDER
Footy Japan charity 7’s A wonderful day of football in Yokohama. All in the name of charity
faces & places
read the full story on page 33!Want to be featured in Tokyo’s premier English magazine? We would love to hear from you. Drop us a line. [email protected]
