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In this week’s report we take a look at what the dating scene is like here in Tokyo and some places and ways to meet new people around town. We’ll also explore some Japanese dating traditions you may be interested in trying, and give advice for those serious about meeting the one.

Tokyo is a city that never sleeps and you’ll find there’s something on every night. If you want to meet new people head to places where you have to stand up and mingle. Some popular choices in Roppongi include Feria in the Grace building, 57, Geronimo Shot Bar, and Heartland.

Stacy Powell, Freelance Actress in Tokyo

For nightlife, here are few places I recommend. If you are a jazz fan, The New York Grill at the Park Hyatt in Shinjuku. It’s a little high-priced but worth it if you are looking for good music. The Roppongi Grand Hyatt is also nice, and is a little bit more mellow (compared to the Park Hyatt). We are at Roppongi Midtown’s A971, which has become a hot spot for meeting new people in the last year. I also recommend Fujimamas in Omotesando/Harajuku for something more low-key. They do every kind of event, from wine parties to beer tastings and Hawaiian Luaus. This is a great way to meet new people and network in Tokyo.

Speed dating is another option, if you’re after more than just a friend. The benefit of these mini dates is that each is only 5 minutes long. If the person is not your type you won’t have to worry about awkward lulls in conversation and can move on with your evening.

The Tokyo Speed Dating group run speed dating events on the first and third Saturday of the month at the Quest in Roppongi (at the time of writing, check website for up-to-date information). Over the course of the evening each person gets 15 or more 5-minute mini dates for the price of ¥3,500.

Every two months, the foreign social group Tokyo Gaijins runs a casual single event at Propaganda. Each event is capped off at 40 guys and 40 girls.

Ricky, Owner/Event Organizer, Tokyo Gaijins

We don’t want to have only Japanese (and no foreign) girls joining the Tokyo Gaijins singles party. I try to have at least 10 foreign women attending. We don’t want the typical Japanese-women-and-white-foreign-men-only singles party. We charge ¥3000, which includes 2 drinks, unlimited tequita shots and pizza.

If you prefer to specify your taste in a mate, try taking out a classified ad online or in your local magazine. The classified section of Metropolis, a free weekly English magazine, offers free ad space for singletons of all persuations.

If you want to try something different, take out a podcast personals. Call the Tokyo Metpod at 050-5532-5874 (in Japan), leave a message about yourself, what kind of person you’re looking for and your contact information, and when they on-air your ad, listeners who like what they hear can contact you.

Internet dating site Match.com is a way to find that special someone within the privacy of your own home. Late on love? Don’t fret–over half of the 840,000 Match.com Japan members are aged between 30-39 years old.

Japan also has its own methods of bringing potential couples together, for example through a gokon or an omiai kekkon (arranged marriage) party.

A gokon, which is a kind of group date, is a casual night out where an equal number of guys and girls get together to drink, eat and socialize in a relaxed environment. The organisers, who are often colleagues or friends, invite suitable people to join. The night often begins with casual dining and if things go well, things may proceed to round two – the nijikai – and involve a few tunes at karaoke or dancing. The idea is for the sparks to fly between at least some of the members of the small group.

Arranged marriage may be a bit too traditional for many, but it is still practiced in some circles in Japan. If you’re in the city and serious about getting hitched, there’s always the option of an omiai kekkon party – an arranged marriage party.

Similar to speed dating, an omiai party is for serious marriage contenders.

Japanese women can join a “celebrity omiai party,” where men from well-paid professions, such as doctors, lawyers, or pilots, attend. The Japanese Nakodo Association offers “high class” parties, where your income determines whether you can join or not. In addition, if you are a man, the older you are, the more you have to pay to join. Women don’t get off easy either and need a college education to take part.

People can shop around for which omiai party style suits them, whether by age, income or profession. Attendees are typically Japanese but some parties introduce foreigners, of both genders, to those looking for an international spouse. There are also a number of websites offering marriage introductions, such as Meet Japan Lady and Transpacific Marriage Agency both of which are focused on matching foreign men with Japanese women who are looking for long-term commitment.

Whether you are looking to have fun, make new friends or find a life-long partner, remember not get too caught up in common misconceptions about dating in Japan.

It’s been said that if you are a foreigner in Tokyo, it’s the best place to be a single male and one of the worst places to be a single female. All in all I think people who come here come back several times in their life because they fall in love with the city.

It’s been said that if you’re a foreigner here in Tokyo…probably the best place if you’re a guy…worst place for women…exceptions to the rule… come back because they fall in love with the city.”

To learn more about these events and more, check out our events page.

Quotes may have been slightly altered for print. For the accurate quotations, please refer to the video.

Story by Karryn Cartelle
All Rights Reserved, Spinshell Inc.
Spinshell Reports are three minute episodes of useful information about visiting and living in Japan.

Related posts:

1. Settling in to the City
2. The Most Delicious City in the World?!
3. Bright Lights, Big City

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In 2006, Japan reached an all time HIV and AIDS high with 952 cases of HIV being reported and 406 AIDS cases. Since 1996 cases have continued to rise here and the increase in newly reported AIDS cases is a phenomenon that is not seen in any other first world country. The general public has long thought of AIDS as an overseas problem, not a domestic one, but the statistics can no longer be ignored.

Medicine that slows the progression from HIV to AIDS has enabled other developed countries to decrease the AIDS number. But over the past few years in Japan about 30% of people with AIDS were discovered without prior diagnosis of HIV. This rise is thought to be the result of lacking early detection.

Most infections were through sexual contact. Although the rate of condom use in Japan is high, awareness of the risks when you don’t use one remains low, especially among youth.

Campus AIDS Interface is a group of volunteers who provide free take-home STD test kits for people under 25. They have a small orange van they often park around Tokyo at parks, at major markets – such as the Earth Day Markets – and at music festivals. Test kits can be picked up from the van and your results are anonymously sent in. A few weeks later you can check the outcome online through a number system.

In 2007, on the streets of Shibuya, a group trying to raise STD awareness “Stop! STD o Kangaeru Kai” conducted a revealing STD survey. Of the 466 Japanese high school students and teenage high school graduates surveyed one out of 17 had contracted an STD. 80% knew what an STD was, but only 20% knew correct information about them. Only half of the participants were aware that AIDS was spreading among young people.

To help the public grasp the situation, and deal with it once diagnosed, the government and local NPOs have undertaken a number of measures.

The Japanese Foundation for AIDS Prevention has a 24 hour pre-recorded support line, which provides general information about AIDS, counseling, and information about services such as testing and treatment. All information is available in Japanese, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Thai, Chinese, Korean, and Tagalog.

Free anonymous testing has been made available at the public health center of each ward. You will need to call in advance as test dates and times are limited.

NPOs, like Oxfam Japan, Africa Japan Forum, and Share, have been drawing attention to the issue of AIDS in Japan and abroad. The G8 summit, held in July 2008, was the perfect opportunity to raise issues of global health with both members of the Japanese public and the World leaders who took part in the meeting.

NPOS, like the ones mentioned, hold a number of events throughout the year to increase knowledge of the situation and generate funds for their efforts.

One of the most well known is World AIDS Day, held on December 1st each year. Around the world, the theme of the day is leadership and the event aims to create global consciousness of the situation. Volunteers from the Japanese group, World AIDS Day Series (WADS), will be handing out leaflets about HIV/AIDS near busy stations and also giving lectures at High Schools about the epidemic. In 2008, they also plan to focus on letting more people know about the free HIV/AIDS testing available at public health centers. Check out their official website, closer to the day, to see what other events they have going on.

If you want information in English try popular blogs like that of Tokyo-based nonprofit NGO consultant, Sarajean for up-to-date English information about events like World AIDS Day.

Japan’s statistics clearly show the situation here is worsening and this dilemma is one that can no longer be dismissed as another country’s problem.

Story by Karryn Cartelle
All Rights Reserved, Spinshell Inc.
Spinshell Reports are three minute episodes of useful information about visiting and living in Japan.

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3. Hold the Dashi! Going Veggie in Japan

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The Tokyo Comedy Store is at the core of the foreign humor scene here. They have two different English shows each month and one show a month where they perform western style humor in Japanese.

The Comedy Store’s Tokyo Cynics group puts on an hour of stand-up comedy at The Baron in Nishi Azabu one Friday a month. Entrance is free and you get a good taste of different jokes from well-established comedians and budding newbies.

The Tokyo Cynics group is always open to new acts and if you’re interested at trying your luck at stand-up, contact comedian Dave Gutteridge:
(dave[at]tokyocomedy[dot]com)

“If you want to do stand up in Tokyo, get in touch with me, ask if you can do 5 minutes. I say “sure”. Come up here and do 5 minutes and see if you’ve got what it takes to make people laugh.”
Dave Gutteridge

If you’re interested in being a comedian or just want to try something new, try Chris Well’s weekly improv comedy workshops. Classes are held each Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. at Realdear in Azabu Juban and each class costs 2,100 yen. The workshops attract a mix of everyone from professional actors to accountants and the class size averages at about 10 people. Unlike improv workshops abroad, Well’s fosters a non-competitive environment allowing people to give it a try and gain useful feedback in a low pressure situation.

As you gain experience you may be asked to perform with the official improv group at the Tokyo Comedy Store’s show often held at the live house, The Crocodile in Shibuya. Alternatively, you can get some more practice at the Improv-a-go-go night at The Pink Cow in Shibuya. The informal Pink Cow event is held every third Wednesday and is open to anyone who would like to try this comedy art form. And the show is free for those who just want to watch.

For those of us who like to leave it up to the professionals check out Tokyo Comedy Store’s monthly Crocodile show, also at The Crocodile in Shibuya. The show mixes improv performances from the group Spontaneous Confusion with some stand up comedy from regular comedians, including Dave Gutteridge, Kevin Cooney, Spring Day, Ken Suzuki, and more. At only 2,000 yen for two and a half hours of humor, the show makes for a great night out.

Another favorite among expats is The Punchline Comedy Club. Less frequent than Tokyo Comedy Store, the comedy trio only visits Japan about four times a year. Their shows fill up fast so if you’re after a bit of British and American comedy, with both cultures battling it out, join their mailing list to stay up-to-date with the tour schedule. Tickets are 6,500 yen for just the show and 8,500 yen for a pizza and pasta buffet dinner, two drinks, and the performance at Pizza Express in Harajuku.

If you want to learn more about Tokyo’s comedy scene take a look at Brian Anderson’s documentary Tokyo Comedy Store. Anderson takes a look at Western comedy in Japan as viewed by the foreign comedians who perform here. The film provides insight into the industry and gives a little taster of what you can expect at one of Tokyo’s English comedy shows. You can view a trailer for the documentary on YouTube.

If you’re looking for things to do, take a peek at our events page to stay updated with what’s happening in and around Tokyo.

Story by Karryn Cartelle
All Rights Reserved, Spinshell Inc.
Spinshell Reports are three minute episodes of useful information about visiting and living in Japan.

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International-moving companies, like Crown Relocations and Allied Pickfords, can take the hassle out of a move when shipping your belongings from abroad.

If you’re already here and are planning a local move, try Sekine or XPS Tokyo. Expect to pay around 10,000-20,000 yen per half or full day for a move. And if you want to further reduce the trouble, both companies can pack your place up… for an extra fee.

Once you’ve settled in to your new place there’s a bit of paperwork you must remember to do. First of all you need to register your move with the foreign registration section of your local city office. This should be done within 90 days if you’re new to Japan or within 14 days if you are new to the area.

When moving places within Japan the post office will forward all your mail addressed to your old address to your new address for up to one year after the move. All you need to do is visit your nearest post office and complete the relevant paperwork.

If you’re looking for some items to furnish your home Tokyo has a selection of markets and private leaving sales to help you out. People selling or giving away goods list them in free magazines like Tokyo Noticeboard and Metropolis and online at sites like GaijinPot.

Looking for a Japanese touch to your place? Then visit the Oedo Antique Fair at the Tokyo International Forum. The fair is on every first and third Sunday of the month and runs from 9am to 4pm. Here you’ll find a selection of antiques including Japanese artwork, Japanese and European ceramics, and kimono and obi.

Now, with a roof over your head and goods to decorate it with it’s time to get your feet wet in the big sea of Tokyo.

Learning Japanese will help make life easier and more enjoyable. Japanese lessons typically cost between 4,000 and 6,000 yen for a private class and 1,000 to 2,000 yen for a group lesson. Among the schools in Tokyo, The Kai Japanese language school in Shin-Okubo is one well-priced option and has a very international, young vibe. UNITAS language school, in the same area, also has competitive fees.

If you’re after something closer to home there are a number of online databases listing language schools in Japan. Try the AIK group’s webpage to browse over 145 schools based in Tokyo.

Japanese apartments may be small but as your schedule starts to fill up you may want some help to keep things clean and organized. Whether you need a housekeeper, cook, babysitter, helper, or even a handyman, Chez Vous, a Tokyo-based domestic services company has all these services.

“One of the aims of our company is to make domestic services and staff accessible and available to the foreign community”

Lyndsey Hughes
Chez Vous Foreign Clients Coordinator

Another helpful service you may wish to call upon is The Tokyo English Life Line, known as TELL. They offer free anonymous phone counseling from 9am to 11pm every day as well as providing face-to-face counseling, and hosting workshops to help people settle in and feel at ease in the big city.

Making Tokyo feel like home may take a while. But taking advantage of the services mentioned above as well as trying to source all you need locally, rather than getting things sent from or done overseas, will help you settle into the city faster.

Story by Karryn Cartelle
All Rights Reserved, Spinshell Inc.
Spinshell Reports are three minute episodes of useful information about visiting and living in Japan.

Related posts:

1. The Most Delicious City in the World?!
2. Are You Single in the City?
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For those planning a night on the town they need to start with the right look. Inject some style into a dreary wardrobe with a shopping trip to Shibuya. This is where you will find well-known brands like Paul Smith and the unique to Japan Burberry Black Label store. A few stops further on the Yamanote line you’ll also find Shinjuku’s Isetan shopping mall for men, which offers a range of menswear to suit all levels of sophistication.

With collar and cuffs to match it’s time for the perfect shave at The Refinery, Tokyo’s men only spa. Their 45-minute shaving experience, will give you your closest shave yet. Being located in Tokyo Midtown, those looking for a big night are already at the heart of the action. As only moments away you’ll find some of Tokyo’s more notorious gentlemen’s clubs.

One popular establishment is Seventh Heaven. Entrance here is 7,000 yen after 9pm and includes two drinks. Between 7 to 9pm it’s all you can drink for only 5,500 yen. A mainstay in the exotic dancing scene, this is a great spot for bachelor parties. The upscale Tantra men’s club, further down the road, is similarly priced. Tantra however also serves an array of Italian dishes for those who want to wine and dine while they watch.

The upscale man needs an upscale drink. One popular alcohol making it’s way into the city’s best bars is the flavor-infused 42 Below vodka. Drinking-enthusiasts can try one of 42’s signature cocktails, the dirty martini, while overlooking the city at the sleek Legato bar in Shibuya. The crushed olives, premium vodka, and splash of dry vermouth, strained into a martini glass and served with a skewer of olives and a twist of lemon, all give this drink a real bite.

For a man who expects nothing but the best when it comes to a blended drink, Ishi no Hana, down the road from Legato, is one drinking spot not to be missed. With original cocktail mixes like a pomegranate mojito or martini pleasure even the most discerning chap will be able to find a suitable tipple.

After a night of indulgence there are a number of ways to bring your body back into balance. Yu, the premier spa at The Four Seasons, is one place to truly relax and de-stress. The tranquil setting, top-class service, and collection of packages specifically for men, set this spa apart from the rest. Among their extensive selection is the Yu Alpha Male Bliss package, which involves a fusion of Asian and Balinese massage techniques administered by two massage therapists at the same time.

However you like to spend your private time you’re sure to find satisfaction in Tokyo—whether it is from world-class cocktails and top fashion, or bachelor parties and blissful massages.

Story by Karryn Cartelle
All Rights Reserved, Spinshell Inc.

Spinshell Reports are three minute episodes of useful information about visiting and living in Japan.

Related posts:

1. Finding Funnies in Tokyo
2. Tokyo Design Scene
3. Expecting in Tokyo Part 1

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The current statistics reflect this immigration trend. Over 1.5 million foreigners live in Japan, 16% of which reside in Tokyo. Between the year 2000 and 2005 the country’s foreign population increased by 18.7% and this population movement looks set to continue.

But it’s not just as easy as hoping on a plane and finding a job upon arrival. First off you’ll have to look at your visa options.

Japan offers a number of visas, which fall under seven different categories. But only four of these categories – special, diplomatic, official, and work visa – actually allow you to work while here. The work visa is a common option and there are 14 different types available ranging from options for professors through to entertainers.

These visas can be applied for at the Japan Embassy in a person’s home country or upon arrival here. If you have employment lined up your employer should do this on your behalf before you get here.

To apply you will need to fill out a Certificate of Eligibility form, which can be downloaded from Japan’s Ministry of Justice website (www.immi-moj.go.jp).

With your application you’ll need to supply a CV, original college diploma, employment agreement, and a passport photo. The company will also have to include their official registration form, a recent profit and loss statement and some company literature, as well as an envelope addressed to your new employer with stamp affixed. The documents can vary a little with each visa and the immigration website has a comprehensive breakdown of what is needed for each visa type.

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Original college diploma,
• Employment agreement (with specific details including salary, contract length)
• Passport photo.
• The company’s official registration form (Tokibo Tohon)
• The company’s profit and loss statement (Son-eki Keisansho)

If you’re in Japan applications are filed at The Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau, a short bus ride from Shinagawa station. Be early if you want to avoid the queues here. The action starts at 9:00am and if you arrive just after you may already have a hundred people ahead of you. Also bring something to read as most people typically wait a few hours here.

After the application is filed you’ll have to play the waiting game for the next one to three months as there is no way you can speed the visa application up. There are, however, services that help make the whole process a lot easier.

Bernhard Michio Flasar, Account Manager at Nakai Immigration Services:

“We give advice what type of visa they should apply for…they don’t have to go to immigration at anytime…save a lot of time and hassle.”

“We file visa applications…all types of visa categories.”

“We not only file applications in Tokyo…Osaka, Nagoya…relocating from overseas to Osaka we can file this application.”

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When watching the cute puppies lining the windows of Tokyo’s pet shops it’s tempting to want to walk inside and pay the overpriced fee for a new pet. But if you knew what goes on behind the scenes to get that puppy there you may just end up turning away in disgust.

As Japan’s breeders try to keep up with animal trends and cut costs, many dogs here face a life of problems. Briar from the ARK animal shelter explains:

Briar Simpson, Tokyo ARK Representative

Because of unethical breeding dogs in Japan are four times as likely to have a genetic defect. Depends on the breed but, certainly Labradors 4 times likely to have a genetic defect then in America or in Europe.

Due to breeders imbreeding dogs and overbreeding them the brothers and sisters of the one cute puppy in the shop may have been born without some of their paws, missing an eye, or with another birth defect. Some may have hidden diseases that don’t show up until later.

One of our staff, a young Japanese woman, she didn’t know that you could adopt from a shelter. She didn’t even know that shelters existed. She thought if you want a pet, you have to go to a pet shop. She adopted two Miniature Pintchers. In the first year they both had two major operations…One of them jumped off a cushion that was on to the floor and broke his front leg.

Puppies that make it to the shop are sold for around 150,000 yen upwards. When they become too big the price goes down. But if a sale isn’t made…

More often that not they are sold back to the breeder and used as a breeding dog.

Ark, is one organization actively addressing the welfare of animals through their rescue work, animal shelter, and animal adoption and fostering programs.

Part of our work in Tokyo is to let people…400 dogs and 650 cats a day are being killed by animal control…by going to a shelter to adopt.

Ark’s adoption fee is 15,000 yen for each animal, regardless of the breed. They have a number of purebred dogs as well as puppies, more mature well-trained dogs, and cats. For the fee every pet comes neutered, fully vaccinated, and micro-chipped. If you want to adopt Ark has a shelter in Osaka as well as monthly adoption events in Tokyo. During the event visitors can meet and play with the animals and even take one home on the same day. If you want to learn more visit Ark’s website or Spinshell’s event listing page.

Being a pet owner in Tokyo requires a high level of commitment and a lot of time and love. If you’re not sure you can be there for an animal, long term, you may consider fostering an animal.

If you’re in Japan…(explanation of fostering program)…. It can be a lot of fun for you, a lot of fun for your children.

Having a pet is fun for everyone but people must remember they have to be there for their pets just like they would be there for a child. As author Benjamin Hoff said, “Lots of people talk to animals but not very many listen though…. That’s the problem.” It’s time for us to listen more carefully to the problems animals in Tokyo endure and take action to protect them.

Special Thanks to ARK http://www.arkbark.net

Quotes have been slightly altered for print. For the accurate quotations, please refer to the video.

Story by Karryn Cartelle
All Rights Reserved, Spinshell Inc.

Spinshell Reports are three minute episodes of useful information about visiting and living in Japan.

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According to statistics from the annual wedding trend survey by Recruit Co., 12.4% of Japanese weddings are the traditional Shinto style wedding.

These ceremonies embrace traditional kimono, formal processions at a shrine, sake drinking and often are followed by receptions consisting of numerous formal speeches. It is also customary for the couple to ask close friends to help out by performing at the reception, for example as an emcee, by performing a song or by doing a comedy routine. Close friends also act as receptionists on behalf of the families and collect gifts from the guests when the arrive. The Japanese usually give cash as a wedding gift, known as goshuugi (ご祝儀）, which is presented in a special envelope called a shuugi-bukuro　（祝儀袋）.

Due to the influence of foreign media and film, 69.8% of Japanese couples now opt for Western style weddings. These ceremonies take place in chapels, complete with cake-cutting, honeymoons and a white wedding gown.

The other 15% choose quiet civil ceremonies. In metropolitan areas, the most popular venues are hotels, restaurants and special wedding halls.

How you throw a wedding ceremony is completely up to you, however this will not be recognised as a legal marriage, as religion in Japan has no civil legal power. At the end of World War II, the Emperor Hirohito and his embodiment of Shinto were constitutionally separated from the state.

In order to be legally married in Japan, as well as the country you’re from, you must be registered here in Japan at your local ward office, all of which involves lots of paperwork.

First you must apply to your local embassy for a certificate of competency, which will state that you are eligible to marry. If you are marrying a Japanese national, he or she must complete a Japanese municipal government form called the kon-in todoke (婚姻届）. Once you have your certificates, these must then be translated into Japanese and handed over to your ward office, along with your passport, two witness signatures and in some cases your birth certificate. Once this has been successfully processed you will be issued with a Certificate of Acceptance of Notification of Marriage. This is your proof of marriage and will cost you around ¥1,500.

Once you are married, it’s onto the ceremony. For the Japanese, nuptials are simply a ritual but the upside is that it can be any style you like: Western, Shinto or even nothing at all.

The Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills offers a range of packages to cater to any taste for an unforgettable wedding.

The hotel boasts its own Grand Chapel for those that wish to rejoice White wedding style, complete with an organ and a balcony for your choir, as well as a beautifully spacious private garden for wedding snaps. For those that prefer a more traditional Japanese experience, the contemporary yet traditional Shinto Shrine will meet your needs. In the foyer, Japanese artist Hiroshi Senju has created original waterfall paintings on each wall… a perfect calming ambiance for just before you walk down the aisle. Both venues seat up to 100 guests.

We caught up with a wedding planner to see what they have on offer.

Representative, Wedding Planner, Grand Hyatt Roppongi Hills

The average wedding cost for 80-100 people is usually around 4 million yen. Packages include the chapel, Shinto shrine for the wedding ceremonies, as well as function rooms, photography studio and hair dresser. For both Shinto and Christian weddings, most of the time the guests prefer to have a full course French meal. Both ceremonies usually last about 20 minutes, while the receptions last about two and a half hours afterwards. As you know we have four seasons in Japan. Spring and the fall are very popular seasons to get married in, with the sakura and the autumn leaves. The hotel environment is very set. Regardless of the season we will be able to manage any wedding at any time. We also have very reasonable and attractive packages for people who don’t mind getting married on days which are traditionally seen as unlucky on the Japanese calendar.

According to the Japanese Buddhist calendar there are several days deemed as inauspicious for holding weddings and funerals. But if you are not superstitious it is worth looking into as it could be a deal.

A list of ward offices in Tokyo www.tokyo-icc.jp/guide_eng/gov/02.html

Grandy Hyatt http://tokyo.grand.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

Story by Laura Buckwell
All Rights Reserved, Spinshell Inc.

Spinshell Reports are three minute episodes of useful information about visiting and living in Japan.

Related posts:

1. Are You Single in the City?
2. Hold the Dashi! Going Veggie in Japan
3. The Most Delicious City in the World?!

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The Capsule Inn Osaka was the first capsule hotel which opened in 1977 and was designed by the late, legendary Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa known for his contribution to Japanese architecture as well as one of the founders of the Metabolist movement. His design has been an inspiration for budget accommodation abroad, aspects of The 5th Element film sets and has sheltered thousands of Japanese businessmen over the years who have missed trains home after work.

The majority of Capsule hotels in Japan today are still men only but more and more are expanding to cater for women due to an increase in working women as well as the economic slump in the ’80s when business was at a low, resulting in many hotels introducing women as a part of their clientele to boost sales.

Capsule hotels are primarily for business men who work late or wish to enjoy a few drinks after work and miss their train ride home. Instead of paying high prices for a cab home or for other star rated hotels in the area, more and more people are checking into these convenient, cheap, accommodating capsule hotels.

The Green Plaza in Shinjuku Tokyo boasts a huge 630 capsules within a seven floor building which includes, capsules, saunas, spas, a variety of massage treatments, a restaurant and a rest area during the day. Welcome to the largest Capsule hotel in Japan. Two floors are dedicated to corridors of double-decked coffin like compartments throughout. What may look at first glance as a claustrophobic breeding pod from The Matrix, once inside each pod is actually a rather spacious compartment equipped with a TV, radio, alarm, shelf and blind for a great night’s sleep. You can even charge your mobile phone in one of the phone charging booths. When checking in you will receive a wrist band with a number on it which is also the number of your locker and capsule. Within the locker you will find a robe and towels. You can opt for standard capsule at ¥4,300 per night or go for an upgrade which includes an air purifier at ¥4,800. Either way the price per night includes the use of all the facilities within the building. Although the Green Plaza doesn’t have capsules for women, there are three floors of pampering for women to enjoy during the day.

In Akihabara, the Capsule Inn along with few others, has changed their traditional views and now caters for women. Two floors are dedicated to women and the other 5 are solely for men. As women today are still rather apprehensive about safety, the Capsule Inn has a lock on the entrance to the women’s capsule hall, a gesture that is not seen on the men’s floors. Room rates are around ¥4,000 per night with amenities are included in the rate.

If you’re with a group, why not stay in a dorm style capsule room to spend with friends on a night out or just for the experience? Here too you can get your phone charged and even buy clean undies or a shirt and tie for the next day at work.

Kisho Kurokawa Official Website: www.kisho.co.jp

Capsule Hotel Inn Osaka (Japanese site): www.capsulehotel-inn-osaka.com/

Capsule Inn Akihabara: www.capsuleinn.com
(03) 3251-0841

Green Plaza Shinjuku (Japanese site) www.hgpshinjuku.jp
Movie of the interior: www.hgpshinjuku.jp/movie/index.html
Green Plaza Shinjuku info (PDF link): www.hgpshinjuku.jp/info/english.pdf
(03) 3207-4923

Story by Laura Buckwell
All Rights Reserved, Spinshell Inc.

Spinshell Reports are three minute episodes of useful information about visiting and living in Japan.

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For those that really want to see some doggy style, Omotosando Hills and Roppongi Hills are the places to hit. From mudpacks to massage from restaurants to doggy cakes, the Japanese have taken the phrase “man’s best friend” to a whole new level.

For the newest lines in Canine couture, grooming and treats, Dogs Care Joker in Roppongi Hills will meet your needs, with a parlor full of swanky collars, bags and the latest fashion for your beloved pooch. You will definitely find the latest accessories for tail waggers here. Along with a whole load of accessories, pooches can also be treated with mud packs, Chinese aromatherapy oils and hair cuts. Customers here usually treat their dogs to a treatment from 4 times a month. You can get even your own pooch here from a list of different varieties. But these thoroughbreds don’t come cheap, with chihuahuas setting you back around Y800,000 – quite lot for such a small ball of fluff.

Dogs Care Joker also caters for tail waggers tums where canines can indulge on canine cookies, pies and a variety of pick and mix treats.

To really spoil your pooch, F by Design another grooming parlor in Naka-Meguro offers lots of pup goodies as well as haircuts and massage, clay packs and steam baths. Pampering will burn a serious hole in your pocket though with prices reaching ¥6,500 for a shampoo and Y10,000 for a cut and blow-dry. For extra treatments a mud pack will set you back ¥4,500 and it’s ¥3,000 for a Chinese herb bath and massage.

Special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries require special treatment—and Spot is no exception. Here at the Three Dog Bakery you can get custom made cakes, cookies and much more for that special day, with ingredients that owners can also enjoy. It seems pups in Japan can have their cake and eat it too.

As for everyday pampering, owners can now even get groomed alongside their pets. In this trendy salon, Galleria Artesta, in the heart of Daikanyama, Fidos can get their hair done at the same time as their owners get ready to hit the town. A cut and blow dry for a person will cost ¥6,000 and ¥8,000 for a poodle, depending on it’s size. Coloring here for both owner and pup are also specialty. For Fido it’s ¥2000 and for owners ¥8,400.

Remember a dog is for life.

Links:
Dogs Care Joker: http://www.joker.co.jp/
F By Design: http://www.designf.co.jp/
Gallery Artesta: http://www.g-artesta.com/
Three Dog Bakery: https://www.threedog.com/

Story by Laura Buckwell
All Rights Reserved, Spinshell Inc.

Spinshell Reports are three minute episodes of useful information about visiting and living in Japan.

Related posts:

1. Pet Industry Exposed
2. Shaken or Stirred: Tokyo Gentlemen’s Guide
3. Hold the Dashi! Going Veggie in Japan