What?

Shiba zakura flowering on the slopes of Mt. Fuji

Where?

Fuji Motosuko Resort

When?

Apr 21-May 20

How much?

¥500

See listing for details.

Apr 12, 2012 | No Comments | 247 views

Interes… TED?

To hit up the theme of “The Young. The Wise. The Undiscovered,” TED is hosting a 14-city global audition series. And guess which city is included?

From your online audition application—which includes video upload possibilities—TED will invite 30 of the best to the audition, where speakers will have 3-6 minutes to deliver a proposed talk in English.

These talks will be posted on TED.com, and the public invited to vote. Many of the 50 most popular selections will speak or perform at TED2013, with TED picking up your travel to, and accommodation in, Long Beach, California.

“Every TED conference weaves together a surprising mix of voices,” says TED director and talent search judge Kelly Stoetzel.

Does yours deserve to be in there?

Apply until Apr 10 here
More info here

Apr 5, 2012 | No Comments | 995 views

Hanami Happenings

A Moving Sight

Ambulant alternatives to the hanami party

Boat

Courtesy of Fukagawa Kanko Kyokai

Take to the water during the Edo Fukagawa Sakura Matsuri in a variety of different boating experiences offered by the local tourist board. The night cruise among the illuminated trees has to be a winner.

Foyboat: ¥500. From 9:30am, Mar 31, Apr 1, 7-8 & 14-15. Kurofunebashi. Nearest stn: Monzennakacho.
Motorboat (day): ¥600. 9am-2:30pm, Mar 31, Apr 1, 7-8. Nihonbashi. Nearest stn: Nihonbashi.
Motorboat for up to 30 people: ¥1,500 per person (inc. tea/sweets and guide). 9:30am-5:20pm. Kurofunebashi. Nearest stn: Monsennakacho.
Night cruise: ¥1,200 (tea & sweets). 4:30-8pm (every 30 min), Mar 31, Apr 1 & 14-15. Kurofunebashi. Nearest stn: Monzennakacho.

Koto-ku no Mizube ni Shitashimu Kai. Tel: 03-5639-2818. www.mon-naka.com/sakura

Horse

Get equine with the Japan Racing Association Sakura Festival where you can grab a free ride on their horses around the sakura-filled Baji Koen, JRA’s 180,000m2 equestrian park. First-come, Mar 30 & Apr 1, 2-1-1 Kamiyoga, Setagaya-ku. Nearest stn: Sakura Shinmachi. Tel: 03-3429-5101. www.jra.go.jp/bajikouen

Rickshaw

Courtesy of Kamakura Jinrikisha Yufutei

Sit back while someone else gets really good exercise. A man-powered rickshaw will take you on a tour of the most popular hanami spots in Kamakura. Grab 13 minutes for ¥2,000, half an hour for ¥5,000 and a full hour for ¥9,000, for you and a partner. Available 9am-5pm while the flowers last. Kamakura Jinrikisha Yufutei. Tel: 090-3137-6384. Nearest station: Kamakura.

Courtesy of Chichibu-Railway

Train

Board the 1944 retro steam locomotive Paleo Express for an adventure across the Arakawa River, and gaze on the blushing blossoms from Kumagaya station all the way to Mitsumineguchi station. Unreserved seating is ¥500, but reserving is recommended for just ¥200 more. Chichibu-Railway. Tel: 048-523-3317. www.chichibu-railway.co.jp

Rides

To soar over the cherry blossoms like a drunk pigeon, Yomiuri Land offers a variety of options. The Sky Shuttle (¥300 one way/¥500 return) and ferris wheel afford you a bird’s eye glimpse of their 270-meter-long colonnade of 1,000 trees. If that ain’t enough, rush through the trees on a 110km/h rollercoaster ride. ¥1,200 (adults)/¥600 (children and seniors). 4051-1 Yanoguchi, Inagi-shi. Tel: 044-966-1111. www.yomiuriland.co.jp.

Strange Artifact www.strangeartifact.jp

punk

Join international and Japanese fans of everyone’s favorite Victorian sci-fi fashion mode for a trendy moshpit amongst the cherry blossoms, aka Sakura Steampunk. Bring food, musical instruments and yourself—dressing up not mandatory, but you might feel dumb if you’re the only one not wearing a steel girdle. Apr 1, free. Yoyogi Park. Nearest stn: Harajuku. Tel: 03-3469-6081. http://meturl.com/21

tidbits

Topped with delicate cherry blossoms, the Sakura Mont Blanc Roll Cake (¥1,900, http://meturl.com/sakcake) is the perfect dessert to round off your hanami party and make you the envy of all the expat wives. Match your booze to the views with Sakura Wine (¥1,200/500ml bottle, http://meturl.com/sakwine) a light rosé with floating blossoms making for a delicate, fruity flavor.

app

If your phone is smarter than the average bear, grab the free app Yahoo O-hanami Navi 2012 (http://sakura.yahoo.co.jp/app). Contains all the best hanami spots countrywide, an up-to-the-minute blooming schedule/calendar, as well as recipes and a photo gallery. Set the tarp on fire with Joysound Karaoke (http://meturl.com/appkaraoke). Free to download, ¥250 per month for unlimited song downloads. (Both apps in Japanese).

By: Metropolis Editors | Mar 16, 2012 | No Comments | 687 views

Metro Daily

I AM HAPPY

Screening

Open a window to life in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro this weekend, with this inspiring documentary by Japanese-Lebanese independent filmmaker Soraya Umewaka.

Events feature live samba music and capoeira performances (performances vary based on date).

Feb 25-26, Mar 18 & 24, 4 & 7pm
¥1,500 (adv)/¥2,000 (door)
1F Uplink Factory Totsune Bldg, Udagawa-cho, 37-18 Shibuya-ku
Tel: 03-6825-5502
Map
http://streetwitnessproductions.com

Feb 22, 2012 | No Comments | 673 views

Scene Around Town

Tsunami, by Robin Heather Campbell. Courtesy of Embassy of Canada

What?

Multimedia exhibition responding to the earthquake and tsunami

Where?

Embassy of Canada Prince Takamado Gallery

When?

Until Mar 16 (open Mon-Fri)

How much?

Free

See listing for details.

Feb 2, 2012 | No Comments | 933 views

Cat Scratch Fever

If you thought that everyone and their dog was a DJ these days, you were almost right. This novel scratching post makes your cat scratch the hell out of some beats rather than out of your new furniture. Unsurprisingly, the Cat Scratch Turntable sold out rapidly after its release in November, so Suck UK has got right back into it and made some more. Now you can say, in all honesty, that your feline is house-trained.