Table of contents for Issue 282 in Tokyo Journal

https://amanosato.com/ Relax in Nature for an Extraordinary Experience Sanso Amanosato, standing quietly at the bottom of Mount Koya (Koyasan), a World Heritage Site that was also selected as one of the Top 100 Japanese Villages, is a resort hotel that only accepts eight groups of guests per day, allowing a private, unrestricted time to fully immerse yourself in nature. Surrounding the hotel are villages and mountains flourishing with trees, which show various faces depending on the time and season you visit. Viewing such features of villages and mountains is one of the pleasures guests get to experience during their stay. The interior of the building, which received the 2015 Good Design Award, features furniture made of Japanese cedars and cypresses from Kishu and a fireplace made specially for the hotel,…

https://www.thesharehotels.com/miroku/ Experiencing Nara Through Japanese-Style Features in Stylish, Clean and Simple Spaces MIROKU Nara by THE SHARE HOTELS was opened in 2021. The interior’s simple colors provide a sense of calmness by combining Japanese-style features with a simplistically styled space. A private lounge is decorated with local materials such as yoshino Japanese cedars and asuka rocks to resemble a Japanese rock garden. The guest rooms have views of Kofukuji Temple’s five-story pagoda (Asian tiered tower with multiple eaves), Mount Kasuga’s primeval forest, Mount Wakakusa and Ara Pond, allowing guests to thoroughly enjoy the ambience of Nara. There is also a café-bar supervised by the owners of Kurumi-no-Ki, a popular café in Nara. The café-bar provides selected locally brewed sake, beer and fruit liquors for an acquired taste. The terrace seats…

www.narahotel.co.jp/eng/ Experience Over 100 Years of History Nara Hotel is a classic hotel that opened in 1909. It began as a guest house in the Kansai region, mainly welcoming foreign travelers and has hosted a number of famous figures. Going through the main entrance that is filled with a rich, profound atmosphere, you will find a soaring coffered ceiling over nine meters high. The space resembles an art museum, displaying objects like a torii-gate and mantelpiece that symbolize the blending of Japanese and Western culture, as well as a piano that was used by Albert Einstein. The hotel consists of the main building, which remains as the same wooden architecture since its beginning, as well as the new building, which was built in the 1980’s. The main building is recommended…

https://en.glamping-osaka.com/ Enjoy a Luxurious View and Cuisine in a Cozy Atmosphere At SKY DOME Hannan, you can enjoy glamping (glamorous camping) with the grand view of the Osaka Bay that lies right in front of you. In was built in March 2022 as Osaka’s first large, dome-style glamping site. It is located in the Hannan Sky Town Observation Park area, a spot known for its scenery. You can refresh during the daytime with bouldering facilities and tent saunas. In the evening, as the sun sets, you can enjoy BBQ that uses local ingredients from the Senshu area, a place known as Osaka’s kitchen. A glittering night view will spread in front of you as you enjoy the food in the clear, fresh air. The rooms have a maximum capacity of…

https://zentishotels.com/en/osaka/ Spend a Fine-Quality Stay With Refined Designs and Services Zentis Osaka is located in Dojimahama, close to Osaka’s central district, Umeda. It is the first hotel under Zentis, the new brand established by the Palace Hotel Group, which is popular among the high-class population. The interior design, which incorporates natural materials and colors was designed by the international designer Tara Bernard. The openness and warmth that can be felt in the stylish atmosphere is a charm unique to urban resorts. The design that is used from the first-floor lobby to the second-floor lounge would especially delight the minds of architecture and hotel lovers. UPSTAIRZ, a bar and restaurant that changes its atmosphere during day and night, serves dishes by a chef that’s earned one Michelin Star. The hotel provides…

Dotonbori Imai, opened in 1946, has continued to support Kansai’s Konamon culture as an udon restaurant well-known for their carefully created dashi (Japanese soup stock), attracting tourists as well as many celebrities. The shop’s biggest feature is of course the dashi. In places like Kyoto, while located in the same Kansai region as Osaka, dashi is made from katsuo (skipjack tuna). However, in Osaka dashi is usually made from kombu kelp. At restaurant Imai, dashi is made from combining saba (mackerel) and urume (round herring) from Kyushu region, in addition to kombu kelp. Imai only uses natural kombu kelp from Kurokuchihama, Hokkaido. Imai has its own special methods, such as using an abundance of kombu kelp, much more than the amount udon shops normally use, to make their dashi. Imai…

Established in 1979, Takohachi created a masterpiece using carefully selected ingredients and tools, with its founder’s hope to “make takoyaki that one craves even when feeling tired.” Dipping the fresh, suppin (bare, naked) takoyaki into the shop’s special dashi, one can fully taste the mild, gentle flavor of the combination of shoyu and dashi. The shop uses octopus from South Africa, which is softer than Japanese ones, making it more suited for takoyaki. The shop also uses first-grade wheat flour, which is used for products like high-quality milk bread, and blends different kinds of wheat using their own ratio. Preservatives and additives are kept at the minimum amount to let everyone eat without concerns. In the shop, people can enjoy watching the craftsmanship of making takoyaki on shiny copper griddles.…

In Europe, Japan, and the United States, the most popular kanzume, or canned good, is arguably tuna. But a wealth of unique canned goods can be found in grocery stores around the world that reflect the food culture of each country and its people. Japan is no exception. It has everything from canned goods with the ingredients used in traditional Japanese food to those that contain dishes made from restaurant recipes. In recent years, izakayas (Japanese bars or pubs) have been serving canned food and premium-quality, expensive canned products. The negative perception of canned products as a poor-tasting shelf stocker is certainly waning. We explored more about this new kanzume culture as it surprises even the local Japanese. 欧米圏でも日本でも 、 最もポピュラーな缶詰はツナ缶だろう 。その一方で、 世界各地のスーパーには国や民族の食文化 を反映した珍しい缶詰が並ぶ。 日本でも、 和食ならではの食材やお店の味を再現した料理など、 さまざまな缶詰がライ ンアップされている 。さらに近年では、…

Japan is widely thought of as a country with a strong public health-care system, where residents are less concerned about common illnesses and injuries than in other countries. Japan, however, has long lagged European countries and the United States in its awareness about services for disabilities. This awareness has been slowly improving over the past few years, thanks to the efforts of activists, the accomplishments of the athletes in the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, and popular TV shows that feature characters with disabilities played by well-known actors. Also drawing more attention to disabilities in Japan is adaptive fashion, which is seen more frequently on social media. We interviewed three people who have been studying the relationship between people with disabilities and fashion to find out what they’ve discovered by…

Sashimi-chan, an influencer and a graphic designer, was diagnosed with chondrodysplasia punctata, a congenital condition which has made a deformation in her spine, and she must use a wheelchair outside her house. What lies beneath her lifestyle and her strength to pursue her fashion with unique aesthetics and perspectives? She shares this and how she feels about the way society actually perceives people with disabilities, which has been becoming more visible through the backlash she recently received on online platforms. TJ: Could you share with us how you started calling yourself “Wheelchair-gyaru” (gyaru is a term for Shibuya fashion subculture and those who practice it)? SASHIMI-CHAN: I’ve always loved expressing myself through fashion, so I had always dressed up in flashy clothes. One or two years ago, when I thought…

With its classic elegance, impeccable service and prime location, the Peninsula New York Hotel is a beacon of sophistication in one of the world’s most vibrant cities. The hotel’s design showcases meticulous attention to detail, and skillfully blending classic and contemporary elements to create an atmosphere that exudes elegance. What we love • Prime Location: Situated at the heart of Manhattan, the Peninsula New York Hotel offers convenient access to many attractions, as well as upscale shopping and renowned dining. Guests can explore nearby landmarks like Central Park and Times Square. The vibrant energy of the city is right at the hotel’s doorstep.• Exceptional Service: The hotel is renowned for its superb service.• Luxurious Accommodations: Meticulously designed with tasteful furnishings and modern amenities, The Peninsula New York Hotel has an ambiance…

Boston Old Town Trolley Tours offer a convenient and comprehensive way to explore this historic city. With their hop-on-hop-off trolley system and informative guides, this tour company allows visitors to discover the city’s iconic landmarks and learn about its fascinating history at their own pace. What we love • Convenient Hop-on-Hop-off System: The trolley tours provide a convenient way to explore Boston’s attractions. With multiple stops throughout the city, visitors can hop on and off the trolleys as they please, allowing for flexibility in their itinerary and the ability to spend more time at places of interest.• Knowledgeable Guides: The tour guides are well-informed about Boston’s history. They share interesting anecdotes and facts during the journey. Their commentary enhances the experience, providing valuable insights into the city’s culture, architecture and notable…

Yuya Yagira, the youngest winner of the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for his role in Hirokazu Kore-eda’s drama Nobody Knows, stars in the Disney+ seven-episode original horror series Gannibal in Japan. Released on December 28, 2022, Gannibal follows Yagira’s character, Daigo Agawa, as a police officer who relocates from the big city to the remote village of Kuge after a traumatizing event leaves his daughter mute. The show garnered massive local attention, and became the most locally watched produced original series on Disney+ in Japan, which further established Yagira as one of Japan’s biggest actors. Tokyo Journal Editor-in-Chief Anthony Al-Jamie sat down with Yuya Yagira to discuss his work on Gannibal. TJ: What was your favorite thing about working on the Gannibal series? YAGIRA: The best…

Tokyo Journal sent Japanese singer, TV celebrity and movie actor Diamond Yukai to check out two of Hollywood’s top hotels. Diamond Yukai (Tokyo Pop, Lost in Translation) is top of the charts on Ameblo.jp in the J-pop/rock category. 1 Hotel West Hollywood is a true gem in the heart of Los Angeles, offering a sustainable and luxurious experience that seamlessly blends nature with urban chic. From the moment you enter the eco-friendly lobby with its living green walls and reclaimed wood, you’re transported to a world where environmental consciousness meets modern sophistication. What we love • Sustainability at Its Core: This hotel takes its commitment to the environment seriously. From the rooftop garden that provides fresh produce for the restaurant to the use of reclaimed materials throughout the property, 1…

Bob Gruen is one of the most well-known and respected photographers in the rock and roll industry. By the mid-1970s, he was regarded as one of the most prominent documentarians of the music scene, working with major artists such as John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Tina Turner, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Elton John, KISS, Aerosmith, David Bowie and Alice Cooper. He has also covered new wave and punk bands, including the New York Dolls, Patti Smith, the Clash, the Sex Pistols, the Ramones and Blondie. The Bay City Rollers performed in Japan for the first time in December 1976. This was at the height of their worldwide fame when the Scottish band consisted of Derek Longmuir, Ian Mitchell, Stuart “Woody” Wood, Les McKeown and Eric Faulkner. They were…

Japanese legendary rockstar YOSHIKI joined many of Hollywood’s biggest stars when his handprints and footprints – and a pair of his drumsticks – were set in cement at the TCL Chinese Theatre on September 14, 2023. YOSHIKI holds the distinction of being the first artist from Japan to be immortalized at Hollywood’s most iconic landmark, joining legends like Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Tom Cruise and Robert Downey, Jr. This shouldn’t come as a surprise. YOSHIKI is perhaps Japan’s most internationally successful musician of our era. He is a composer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, classical pianist, heavy metal rock drummer and leader of the bands X JAPAN and THE LAST ROCKSTARS. YOSHIKI has sold over 30 million albums and singles. He has…

Junko Koshino, whose sisters Hiroko and Michiko are also acclaimed fashion designers, recounts that, aside from the influence of their mother, a dressmaker living in Kishiwada, Osaka had a large significance on her and her sisters when growing up. Kishiwada, Osaka is home to the most famous Danjiri Matsuri in Japan. Danjiri Matsuri is a Japanese cart-pulling festival, where large wooden carts (danjiri guruma) are designed to resemble shrines and temples. Various towns pull the carts at different speeds; some slowly, while others like Kishiwada have their participants run as fast as they can. Though exciting, it can also be dangerous. Despite the risks, the 300-year-old festival is still greatly anticipated by locals. In an interview with Tokyo Journal’s Miyuki Kawai and Editor-in-Chief Anthony Al-Jamie, Junko Koshino fondly recalls the…

https://www.asukasou.com/english/ An Unforgettable Experience with Kaiseki Cuisine and a View of a World-Heritage Pagoda Asukasou is in an excellent location. It is just a two-minute walk to the Kofukuji Temple, and a five-minute walk to Nara Park. Since its founding in 1938, the hotel has been serving fine kaiseki cuisine (Japanese course-style meals). Tourists are attracted by the dishes that go well with the locally-made Japanese sake, their hospitality and the meticulous carbonate artificial hot spring, which is rare in the city of Nara. The Kofukuji Temple’s five-story pagoda, which can be viewed from various spots inside the hotel, was built in 1426 after it burned down and was rebuilt five times. This summer, the hotel started extensive conservation and repair work for the first time in 120 years in…

https://www.kotonoyado.com/ Immersed in Tranquility at Nara’s Oldest Inn Koto-no-yado MUSASHINO is an inn located in Nara Park, a renowned tourist destination in Nara. The inn’s most notable feature is its history, which can be traced all the way back to the Edo period. It has been loved by well-known figures since its founding, evolving from a small teahouse into what is now the oldest inn in Nara. In Asunaro, which is the inn’s exclusive room closest to Mount Wakakusa, guests can enjoy beautiful scenery from the bath made of Japanese cypress. This luxurious experience is something you can find only at this lodging. The inn provides a “premium ordinary” experience with a style of simplicity that has been passed down and refined through the generations. It is a perfect place…

https://www.rengejoin.jp/en/ Embracing the Buddhist Worldview Rengejoin was opened over 800 years ago in the early years of the Kamakura period. It is a temple said to be where Yukimura Sanada, the samurai warrior who lost the battle of Sekigahara, took temporary residence. Going through the temple gate, where a lantern with the Sanada clan’s family crest hangs, there appears a mystical karesansui-style garden (dry landscape garden) with raked gravel waves. Kiriku, the Sanskrit word for Amida Buddha, one of the central deities in Buddhism, is written on the gravel. The gravel, together with the dry landscape, represents Buddhist worldviews and cosmology, as well as the state of enlightenment. In the traditional architecture surrounded by nature and the tranquil space of the garden with “Kiriku” marked on the gravel, one can…

https://and-tomimoto.jp/ Feel the History at the Home of a Master Ceramic Artist Ubusuna-no-Sato TOMIMOTO is a lodging site made by renovating the home of Kenkichi Tomimoto, one of Japan’s Living National Treasures. You can spend time in the same space where the master of modern pottery honed his craft, perfecting his artistic skills. The serene time spent here will be an unforgettable experience for visitors. There are two rooms with modern Japanese style. Chikurin-Getsuya is a room that was made by renovating a warehouse from the Taisho period, and it was built to immerse guests in a traditional Japanese atmosphere while being in a Western-style room. The other room, Nisshin, is a luxurious Japanese-style room that was used as a study by Kenkichi Tomimoto. Both rooms effuse the tranquil atmosphere…

Takoyaki Juhachi-ban was opened in 1990, with the founder’s hope to create “takoyaki that women, too, can easily eat.” At the SONS-DOHTONBORI store, the store’s billboard with 3-D takoyaki built to the smallest details welcomes the customers. The shop’s takoyaki, which contains a bunch of tenkasu (tempura crunches) inside, are grilled with devotion and passion on copper griddles instead of iron ones. By using copper griddles, which have high thermal conductivity, the takoyaki can be made in a shorter time. This saves the crunchy texture of tenkasu and creates a crispy outside shell and creamy, melty batter mixed with milk inside. The recommended way of eating the takoyaki is with salt, which allows one to enjoy the texture of tenkasu thoroughly. The seasalt from Muroto’s deep ocean, rich in mineral…

Udonbo Osaka-honten, founded in 2004, is a Sanuki (old name of Kagawa Prefecture)-style udon restaurant placing priority on noodles, in contrast to Osaka-style udon restaurants placing priority on dashi (broth). Every morning at 8 o’clock, they start to knead noodle dough using the local wheat flour “Dream of Wheat Flour” sent from the Kagawa branch of the shop. Some say that Kagawa residents eat Sanuki udon almost everyday, meaning that they never get tired of eating hand-made Sanuki udon because its surface is not too smooth. Even in Osaka, the center of konamon culture, this Sanuki-style udon restaurant is popular because of its pleasant taste. Tempura, which goes well with udon, is cooked using a canola oil produced in Oita Prefecture and served hot from the fryer. This way, you…

Mr. Kanso, a bar and shop that serves canned food, is expanding across Japan. Sakae store, located in the central district of Nagoya, features some 350 kinds of canned food. A popular dish is Dashi Maki, the bar’s original Japanese-style rolled-egg omelet. Another favorite is Takoyaki, a dish perfectly paired with beer with its rich taste. The classics such as Spam, Kani Miso, corned beef and ajillo are also frequently requested. To add a twist to the dishes, Mr. Kanso recommends topping Kani Miso with Korean seaweed and cream cheese or adding mayonnaise and wasabi to corned beef. Optional services are available to warm up your selected can or make hot sandwiches and pastas with kanzume. Some rare dishes include Stellar’s Sea Lion Yamatoni (game meat flavored with a lot…

A “bottom’all” can be easily put on and instantly removed with a fabric fastener around the waist, showing off its stylish design. This highly functional and fashionable skirt-like bottom can be worn regardless of age, disabilities, and gender. It was produced by Kei Hirabayashi, who drew a lot of attention when releasing this product. Last year, he hosted a fashion show in Paris that featured models in wheelchairs. What is Hirabayashi’s vision for the future of adaptive fashion? TJ: What inspired you to showcase the bottom’all at Paris Fashion Week? HIRABAYASHI: In 2019, when I was having a meal with my friend, I was asked, “Did you know that a model in a wheelchair has never walked a Paris Fashion Week runway?” Back then, I was thinking that my mission…

“No matter what, you have to keep moving forward.” Shin Koyamada is an actor, producer, martial artist, philanthropist and entrepreneur. Shortly after moving to Los Angeles from Japan, Koyamada became known for his roles in the Hollywood blockbuster The Last Samurai alongside Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe and Disney Channel’s Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior. The latter scored the highest rating in the history of Disney Channel in Europe and Japan. Since then, Koyamada has gained recognition for his long-running advocacy of global philanthropic causes, supporting many international non-governmental organizations around the world, including his own Koyamada International Foundation. Koyamada holds black belts in Japanese and Korean martial arts. He has also won U.S. national championships in Chinese martial arts. In 2016, Koyamada was appointed the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics Karate…

In the world of martial arts, legends are born, and Fumio Demura was undoubtably one such legend. Demura’s life was a testament to the power of dedication, discipline and the indomitable spirit of a martial artist. Born on September 15, 1938, in Yokohama, Japan, Fumio Demura’s journey through the world of martial arts left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of practitioners around the globe. Demura was drawn to the traditional Japanese martial art of Shitoryu Karate, and it became the foundation upon which he would build his legendary career, achieving the rank of 10th dan in 2022. His determination was evident as he achieved his black belt at the remarkably young age of 12. Under the tutelage of Taira Shinken, Demura developed a particular interest in kobudo and…

Top View Tour in New York is an exceptional sightseeing experience that offers a chance to explore the city’s most prominent landmarks. With their double-decker buses and knowledgeable tour guides, it’s a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Big Apple. What we love • Unlimited chances to hop on and hop off on the downtown and uptown tours.• A free Liberty Cruise (make sure you reserve your spot on the TopView app).• Single rides on the Brooklyn and Night Tours.…

Hotels in and around the city of Kishiwada are very hard to book during the Kishiwada Danjiri Festival. If you are traveling there around that time, it is better to reserve a place on the outskirts and take a car or train to the festival. Resort hotels in the southern and western parts of Kishiwada or nearby hot spring areas are good alternatives. Or you can choose to stay at a shukubo, or temple lodgings, in Nara Prefecture. Shukubos were originally designed for monks visiting temples. Even among Japanese locals, not that many people have stayed at a shukubo. But more shukubos are open to tourists and have become a popular lodging option. In fact, guests at a shukubo can enjoy different experiences than those available at hotels and ryokans…

https://www.ekoin.jp/en/ Escape the Bustle for a Unique Stay at a Shukubo Ekoin is a shukubo (temple lodging) where you can experience Japanese history and traditions through both your body and mind. Guests can participate in Buddhist activities including the morning service, goma kito (Shingon Buddhist ceremony) and the meditation practice called ajikan. The shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian dishes) at Ekoin — a tradition that has been passed down through the generations along with the history of Mount Koya — use plenty of natural ingredients that are healthy and tasty. Guests can discover for themselves the historical significance of the site and experience its beautiful nature. The traditional guest rooms are imbued with Japanese features. The latest technologies are also incorporated in the rooms, making the stay much more comfortable. The…

http://www.e-oyu.com/en/ Finding Peace of Mind in the Harmony of Nature and Japanese Culture Nestled in the countryside of Kawachinagano, Osaka, the Amami Onsen Nanten-en is a traditional Japanese inn built alongside the mountain streams of the Amami River. Crossing a small scarlet-red bridge, you will encounter the inn with its traditional Japanese sukiya-zukuri (traditional Japanese style of residential architecture) architecture. The inn, nationally registered as a tangible cultural property, was designed by Tatsuno Kingo, an architect known for designing Tokyo Station and the head office of the Bank of Japan in Tokyo. The traditional Japanese aesthetics of wabi-sabi (a world view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection) is incorporated into various places, and the Japanese garden that stretches over nearly two-and-a-half acres adds vibrant colors to the beauty…

https://www.chillnn.com/17621afc2da2a7 Travel Through Time in a Private Space by Renting the Whole Facility Hamadera, in Nishi Ward of Sakai, was once a popular oceanside resort spot in the suburbs of Osaka. It was where successful merchants built their vacation homes. On one corner of the land, there is a mansion that was built in the early Showa period by a cast-iron merchant from Osaka. SAKAINOMA HOTEL HAMA FORMER FUKUI MANSION was built by renovating this mansion. After completing the check-in process at the Fukui Kiyoshi Merchant, the fourth-generation cast-iron merchant store that manages the hotel, you will be greeted by a gate. Inside the rooms, where the atmosphere of the era when it was first built remains, you can experience the nostalgic lifestyle. The large cast-iron Goemon bath is something…

https://waqoo-horyuji.com/ Feel the Japanese Culture With All Your Senses, and Cleanse and Purify Your Mind and Body A 30-second walk from Horyuji Temple, Monzenyado WAQOO Horyuji is the world’s oldest wooden architecture registered as an entrance path to the temple. In this modern space that balances Japanese and Western styles, you can heal your exhausted body from touring around on foot. If you want to spend time more actively, you can experience traditional Japanese culture through activities like “copying sutras and pictures” and “scented paper making” that the inn provides. In one of the best locations, the inn also provides tours and talk shows at Horyuji Temple, where you can learn more deeply about the history. The inn is a place that temple and history lovers must visit. At night,…

Ganso Modern Yaki Abeton was opened in 1970. Filled with a nostalgic atmosphere, the shop serves delicious okonomiyaki. The shop’s okonomiyaki made on large iron griddles in front of counter seats, are big in size and include Japanese mountain yams, which have a highly-sticky quality. During lunchtime, the shop has Kansai-style lunch combos, which include dishes like okonomiyaki and yakisoba served with white rice. The wide variety of dishes can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of age and gender, such as Cheese Omu Soba, which is popular among female customers, and Suji Kon Negi-yaki, which are flavored with the shop’s original recipe. Some customers come almost every day, proving that the shop’s dishes are delicious and never get tiring. The tables are also equipped with iron griddles, making it possible…

Okaru is located on a charming, narrow street that diverges from Namba’s busy shopping district. It is a long-established okonomiyaki restaurant that has been running since 1946. Regular customers, as well as tourists from within and outside Japan, come to the shop. Okaru’s key feature is “Mayo Art,” which started with a hope to “create a memorable travel experience.” Mayo Art is drawing various illustrations of famous Osaka sites and products on top of okonomiyaki using mayonnaise. Customers sometimes cheer in excitement watching the performance. The shop also puts careful thought into okonomiyaki itself as well. Seafood from Kagoshima prefecture is blended into the batter, and high-quality aonori (seaweed flakes) from Kuromon Ichiba market in Osaka is used. The way the okonomiyaki is grilled is special as well, pressing the…

CANNATUREL, a brand committed to sustainability, was established to spread the wide variety of delicious Japanese cuisines and the spirit of itadakimasu (gratitude for food) in the country’s food culture. The brand owner, H&W, began promoting Japanese food internationally in 2015. One time a housewife reached out to the company and asked, “Are there Japanese dishes that are easier to prepare? It’s very hard for me to make Japanese food.” In response to this request, the company produced Delicious Kanzume. This series of canned goods uses carefully selected ingredients and recipes produced by professional chefs and culinary experts. By canning top-quality dishes, the product makes it possible to easily enjoy Japanese restaurant dishes anywhere and anytime. Delicious Kanzume is also popular as souvenirs among foreign tourists. The most popular is…

Sae Fukui is a tailor who takes the characteristics of each person’s body into sincere consideration, tailoring one-and-only suits for every customer. How are the strengths of tailor-made suits utilized for tailoring suits for people with disabilities, and what kind of suits have been produced? Learning about her career and her ideals as a tailor, we start to see what she wants to convey and the society she wants to achieve through her work. TJ: Did your prolonged experience with atopic eczema lead you to start your career as a tailor? FUKUI: Yes. I used to feel, “My body is not what I think it is. It’s different from others. Why does she have a beautiful body while mine is so ugly?” I hated my life and my parents who…

In the heart of Washington, D.C., The Watergate Hotel offers a stay that is both culturally enriching and indulgently comfortable. Its central location on the Potomac River provides easy access to Washington, D.C.’s landmarks, ensuring that guests can immerse themselves in the U.S. capital’s rich history. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply seeking a lavish getaway, this hotel seamlessly blends the past and the present. What we love • The Scandal Room: Contact the hotel and make plans to view Room 214, the very room used in the 1972 Watergate break-in. Collaboratively decorated by Lyn Paolo, the renowned costume designer of the television drama Scandal, this room showcases artifacts from the Watergate scandal era, including binoculars, a manual typewriter, a reel-to-reel tape recorder and a thoughtfully curated book collection that…

The Mandarin Oriental, New York redefines luxury with its impeccable service, opulent accommodations and breathtaking views, offering an unparalleled stay in the heart of Manhattan. The hotel’s location is simply unbeatable, perched high above Columbus Circle, affording sweeping views of Central Park and the city skyline. It provides a serene retreat amidst the bustling metropolis, with easy access to iconic attractions and upscale shopping. The rooms at Mandarin Oriental, New York, exude sophistication and comfort, boasting modern design elements, lavish amenities and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the city’s most iconic vistas. What we love • Unparalleled Views: Breathtaking panoramic views of the iconic Manhattan skyline, Central Park and the Hudson River from its elevated location in the Time Warner Center.• Exceptional Service: The staff’s attentiveness and commitment to personalized service…

Since discovering her love for music at the age of eight after singing the American national anthem for the first time at a local sporting event, Ava August has gone on to make her mark on the music industry. Ava auditioned for The Voice, a singing reality television show, when she was 12 years old, and then for American Idol at 15, becoming the youngest to ever compete in both shows. After American Idol, she released critically-acclaimed singles like “Move On,” “Miss You,” and “Beauty Queen.” She has sung at sold-out stadiums for professional sports teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Dodgers and Rams. This successful artist sat down with Tokyo Journal Editor-in-Chief Anthony Al-Jamie to discuss her experience in the music industry from a young age and her time…

Fran Rubel Kuzui is a film director, writer, producer and distributor. For 25 years, she has served as co-president of Kuzui Enterprises alongside her husband, Kaz Kuzui. The company revolutionized the marketing and distribution of independent and art films in Japan. Considered the “grandparents” of hip-hop culture in Japan, they featured hip-hop artists, break-dancers and rappers in their films, which helped bridge the Japanese and American film cultures of the 1980s, while also helping establish hip-hop’s prominence in Japan. Fran entered the spotlight by writing and directing Tokyo Pop, a hit at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival. Tokyo Pop follows bleach-blonde-wannabe-rocker Wendy (the late Carrie Hamilton) as she explores Tokyo’s vibrant pop culture, while dreaming of making it as a singer. The film has been recently restored in 4K by…