Metropolis

Courtesy of Panasonic Corporation

On May 21 the sun will be blotted out the sky, rivers of blood will flow in Japan’s streets, and devils will walk the earth. Ok… It’s just the first one—but for the first time in 25 years. What’s more, ol’ Fuji-san, always the center of attention, lies in the eclipse path. Panasonic will be going up 3,776m to the summit and filming the eclipse for live broadcast, using equipment purely run by solar energy. That’s the closest they could get to sponsoring the sun.

http://panasonic.net/eclipselive

May 14, 2012 | One Comment | 335 views

Kanji Korner

May 8, 2012 | No Comments | 164 views

Hotel

In the tradition of grand station hotel restorations pioneered by the stunning St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel in the UK, the Tokyo Station Hotel is set to open, after a six-year restoration, on October 3. If you fancy getting in within the millennium, best make a reservation as soon as they start taking ’em, on May 8. The hotel takes up floors 2-4 of the Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building, and features 150 rooms designed by UK company Richmond International to blend European classicism and modernism, which basically means high ceilings, big windows and an inexplicable urge to drink gin and tonic. www.tokyostationhotel.jp

May 1, 2012 | No Comments | 375 views

Kanji Korner

海千山千

umisen yamasen = a sly old person
It’s said in Japanese folklore that a snake will turn into a dragon after having lived in the sea and the mountains for a thousand years apiece. This phrase, which literally translates as “sea thousand mountain thousand,” adapts the saying for humans; it denotes someone whose worldly experience has rendered him or her devious and cunning.

明鏡止水

meikyo shisui = clear and serene
This phrase will please anyone who still thinks of Japanese culture as the exclusive domain of refined Zen aesthetic. Literally meaning “clear mirror, still water,” it refers to a state of mind blissfully uncluttered by thoughts and worries. No wonder it’s rarely heard in contemporary Japan.

一石二鳥

isseki nicho = two birds, one stone
Identical in both literal meaning and application to the English proverb, this phrase is in fact one of very few four-character compounds to be derived from our language. For those with a lot of tasks on their hands, or just an unusual aversion to birds, the Japanese have coined isseki sancho and isseki yoncho respectively meaning “three” and “four birds, one stone.”

唯我独尊

yuiga dokuson = a holier-than-thou attitude
Buddhist mythology has it that when the Buddha was born (emerging fully formed from the right side of Queen Maya’s torso), he took seven steps, pointed to the heavens and declared, “Yuiga dokuson,” which can be translated as “Only I am holy!” Bold words for a newborn baby, the phrase is now used to describe those with a self-righteous, conceited attitude.

By: Alex Dudok de Wit | Apr 27, 2012 | No Comments | 592 views

Green Escapes

Hitsujiyama Park

Kawaguchi Lake

Herb Hall greenhouse

Of Fuji’s five lakes, Kawaguchiko is the largest and offers the most leisure activities. It’s famous for those amazing shots you may have seen of a snow-capped Mount Fuji framed by cherry blossoms. Though Golden Week may be a bit late for the sakura, there are plenty of other flowers, including lavender fields in June and July at Oishi Park, to be taken in. To take a tour of the sights you can hop on an old school bus for ¥1,000 per day.

Swing by Herb Hall to taste the delectable lavender ice cream and check out their lovely greenhouse with lots of reasonably priced plants, a wall stocked with seed packets to grow your own, and plenty of herbal bath and cooking goodies. Don’t miss the Perfume House with over 500 miniature fragrances and essential oils.

Altogether, there are about seven museums around Kawaguchiko, ranging from art museums with kimono tapestry to one displaying antique music boxes. There’s also an intriguing monkey performance theater where for ¥1,500 you can watch a 40-minute monkey circus. The show is called Happy Monkey, though to be honest, with six shows a day, these monkeys looked anything but happy. The burdens of showbiz.

Transport: Take the Chuo Highway Bus from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko (¥1,700, reservation recommended).

Mount Takao Monkey Forest and Wild Plant Garden

For just ¥400 you can see around 60 monkeys in this somewhat wild habitat, and they look much happier and healthier than any of the creatures you’ll find at the sad zoos around town. The trainers in this monkey park believe monkeys are similar to humans in their communication of emotions. Sure, the monkeys perform tricks and sing for their supper (a simple cracker will do), but you can see how much care is taken to construct monkey communities.

Within the park is a 2,800m2 wild plant garden, which offers a nice view and a welcome respite from the hike up to Takaosan’s summit. Golden Week is usually a good time to visit Mount Takao, as you can be sure to avoid school field trips.

Unfortunately, the Beer Garden doesn’t open until July, but you can try Ukai Toriyama for a special dining experience in a natural garden setting. They offer a kaiseki lunch menu for ¥4,730 and will even provide transport to and from the station.

Transport: Take the Chuo line to Takao, and then transfer to the Keio line for Takaosanguchi. www.takaotozan.co.jp

Chichibu-tama-kai National Park

This region has a reputation for high-quality water, and there are plenty of ways to enjoy it. Start with a rafting trip down the Arakawa river in an old-fashioned Japanese boat (40 mins, ¥1,550). Adventurous spirits can opt for kayaks or whitewater rafting courtesy of MontBell Outdoor Challenge’s Nagatoro office.

Next, take the train down to Chichibu. Golden Week is blooming season for shiba zakura (pictured top), a violet moss that covers Hitsujiyama Park with 400,000 plants in geometric, undulating patterns. This breathtaking colored carpet will provoke a sakura-like communing with natural beauty. After a morning spent rambling outdoors, head to Soba Musashiya to sample some noodles or soba dumplings.

What better way to finish off your lunch than with some liquid of the gods—sake? Buko Brewery is as much a museum as a drinking depot. The Edo building dates back to 1753 and offers tours in Japanese.
Finally, conclude a water-inspired day with a soak in the Yumoto Buko onsen. It’s open until 10pm and will set you back ¥800.

Transport: Take the Red Arrow Limited Express from Ikebukuro to Seibu-Chichibu and connect to the Chichibu railway for Nagatoro or Chichibu.

By: Brandi Goode | Apr 24, 2012 | No Comments | 749 views

Metro Daily

For those of you who only know Uruguay from their good football team, here is a chance to find out what else the cozy South American state has to offer.

Not only are the Uruguayans universally nice people (c.f. the Metropolis art director), but they also do damn good wine. Try it for yourself, for FREE, with the visit to Japan of vintner Pisano, and get down with some lubricated cultural exchange.

Get your nose in on selected Pisano wines—including Torrontés, Tannat, and Pinot Noir—which are yet to hit the Japanese booze outlets.