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Tokyo is a tempting playground for the sophisticated man. Whether he is after a chance to unwind in a luxurious spa, get some Tokyo style, or to party the night away with his friends, the city serves up all options … shaken and stirred.
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With its high standard of living, unique job opportunities, and fascinating culture, Japan has a strong appeal for those wanting to live overseas.
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By Bryan Harrell
Beer Gardens have been a summer tradition in Tokyo, where large groups of people sit at long tables outdoors, hoisting mugs of yellow suds and picking on green soybeans and fried chicken nuggets.
In recent years, though, beer gardens have declined in popularity for a number of reasons. Rooftops of large buildings have now been largely taken over by all manner of equipment, from huge air conditioning units to scaffolding for large signs. Keeping a roof free and clear just for the operation of a beer garden for a few months in the summer is not economical these days. Also, escalating land prices during the bubble years wiped out a lot of great classic places, most notably the 2005 closing of Hanezawa Garden in Hiroo, a sprawling estate of greenery that once offered Tokyo’s best outdoor beer experience.
Perhaps the most significant reason is that beer gardens are, well, just plain old fashioned these days. Back when air conditioning was a luxury, spending a summer evening atop a building, bathed in breeze, was actually more refreshing than huddling in a stifling six mat room with the fan going full blast. For most Japanese, beer gardens recall the Showa Era, which ended almost 20 years ago.
In another 20 years, beer gardens are likely to become extinct. So while there is still time, pack yourself off to a beer garden some evening for a real retro-Japan experience. From the classic 1930s Kudan Kaikan, to the sleek and modern TY Harbor Brewery, you’re bound to find a beer place that fits the bill.
Here are a few suggestions…
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” Anatole France, French Author (1844-1924).
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By Nina Kahori Fallenbaum
If you’ve ever been trampled by a bag-toting obaachan in Shinjuku station as she runs for the last train (why she’s out shopping at 12:30 a.m., I have never understood), the concept of “slow life” in frenetic Tokyo probably is borderline comical. But LOHAS (“Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability”) has taken hold of Japan like the plague, and its now teetering between a serious subculture and just another boomu, or trend.
The term was first introduced to Japan in 2002 when sociologist Paul Ray, Ph.D. was invited to introduced his concept of “the Cultural Creatives” at a Tokyo symposium. In his book of the same title, he describes a growing sector of society that is interested in health, the environment, and spirituality, against wanton consumerism and waste, but willing to spend top dollar (or yen) on products that are high-quality and not harmful to the Earth. Co-written with his wife Sherry Ruth Anderson, Ph.D., the book was the first to explain why natural-food and cosmetics companies were posting record profits all over the U.S. and Europe, and how companies could better court these “green consumers.”
It’s the big day that every girl dreams about: Her wedding day. Here in Japan there is no expense spared. The Japanese wedding business is booming, with an industry estimated at a whopping 2 trillion yen in revenue a year. There are a variety of ways in which the Japanese like to celebrate that special day and you can too.
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Photo by: pimkie fotos
Since I bought a Wii Fit a month back, I’ve fallen in love with the music, especially the one that comes right after balance games like hula. At least if you win – if you don’t get good enough points, the music is different. Now some kind soul has taken the time to record all the songs, loop them and make them available for download
http://www.videogamescrapbook.com/wii_fit/?music=1
I’m not sure how long it will last, or if Nintendo care that much about it being given away.
I was a little disappointed that they don’t have the funky hula-hoop music, and there’s another really nice intro tune that’s missing, but I found them on YouTube.. Click through for some nutty videos and more music.
OMG OMG OMG! The iPhone is finally hitting Japan on July 11th. Just 1 month to wait. The US price is $200 so I guess it’ll be about ¥22,000 or so. I wonder how much the Softbank plans are going to be though…
They have been the inspiration for budget style accommodation in London, NY, Amsterdam and Malaysia but no-one has quite managed to grasp the unique design of the ‘Capsule hotel’ phenomenon in Japan.
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From the Lawson combini near the office, Naruto Ham and Egg Sandwich!
