Plain Talk
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD January 30. 2025Day Care by Higara
My psychiatrist suggested I go to day care to get used to being around others. Day care is what Japanese people call treatment for mental patience to do activities, usually in hospitals or clinics. I was referred to a hospital, and scheduled my visit.
I was excited. I could become the cool, popular girl I never was in high school. I imagined myself working efficiently on an art project, while other patients looked on in awe. “Look at that girl! She’s so smart. And pretty,“ the patients would say amongst each other. Then I would make a lot of friends and a cute boyfriend, whom I would marry two years into our relationship, then get our own apartment. I was very wrong.
In reality, I was more of an outcast. There were group activities for arts and crafts, so I attended one of them. At the beginning of the program, the staff instructed us to “work in pairs or groups of three, and please don’t touch the art materials yet”, to which the rebellion in stirred, so I picked up the paper and scissors and started cutting away. I could feel the daydreams coming back. I was officially becoming the girl who finished her art project faster than anyone else, thus becoming popular.
“Higara san!”
I jumped.
“Don’t touch the scissors yet!” I looked up to see the staff looking at me with a strained smile and all of the patients staring at me.
“Sorry,” I squeaked, and threw the scissors back down on the table.
The staff went back to his instructions, wrapping up with “OK everyone begin, and enjoy talking to each other.”
My right side was vacant, so I expectantly looked to the guy sitting on my left. He hastily avoided my gaze, even training his neck to the other side.
”Maybe he’s shy” I thought, picking up my scissors again. A few minutes into the program, the room began to fill with idle chatter. The guy on my left was having a conversation with another guy. I looked around to see a patient talking, smiling, having fun… except me. No one even looked at me. I held my breath, feeling invisible and concentrated on my work. After thirty minutes, I decided to leave because I couldn’t take the loneliness anymore.
When I came back home, I wrapped myself in my duvet, and vowed to try to make at least one friend at day care.
精神科医が、他人と過ごすことに慣れるためデイケアに行くよう勧めてくれた。デイケアとは、日本人が精神疾患の患者が活動を行う治療を指す言葉で、通常は病院やクリニックで行われる。私は病院を紹介され、通院の予約を入れた。
ワクワクした。高校時代にはなれなかった、クールで人気の女の子になれるかもしれない。他の患者たちが感心した様子で見守る中、私が効率的にアートプロジェクトに取り組む姿を想像した。「あの娘見てよ！頭も良くて、しかも可愛い」と患者たちが囁き合う。そうすれば友達もたくさんできて、可愛い彼氏もできる。付き合って2年で結婚し、二人でアパートを借りるんだ。私の考えは大間違いだった。
現実はむしろ、私は孤立していた。工作などのグループ活動があったので、一つ参加してみた。プログラム開始時、スタッフは「二人組か三人組で作業し、材料にはまだ触れないでください」と指示した。その言葉に反抗心が湧き、私は紙とハサミを手に取り切り始めた。空想が戻ってくるのを感じた。私は正式に、誰よりも早くアートプロジェクトを完成させ、人気者になる少女になりつつあった。
“ヒガラさん!”
私は飛び上がった。
「まだハサミに触らないで！」見上げると、スタッフがぎこちない笑顔で私を見つめ、患者全員が私をじっと見つめていた。
「ごめんなさい」と私は声を震わせて言い、ハサミをテーブルに放り投げた。
スタッフは説明を再開し、最後に「さあ皆さん、始めましょう。お互いに話しながら楽しんでください」と言った。
右隣は空席だったので、左隣の男性に期待を込めて視線を向けた。彼は慌てて私の目を避け、首まで反対側に向け直した。
「恥ずかしがり屋なのかな」と思い、再びハサミを手に取った。プログラムが始まって数分後、部屋には雑談が満ち始めた。左隣の男性は別の男性と会話を交わしている。周りを見渡すと、患者たちは話し、笑い、楽しそうにしていた…私を除いて。誰も私を見ようともしない。私は息を殺し、透明人間になった気分で作業に集中した。30分後、孤独に耐えきれず帰ることに決めた。
家に帰ると、羽毛布団にくるまり、デイケアで少なくとも一人は、友達を作ろうと心に誓った。
Plain Talk
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD TNB Throwback FEBRUARY 24. 2017Lion Dance in Hinohara Village 1 by Hiroko
Hinohara village is the only “village” in mainland Tokyo. Located in western Tokyo and thickly forested, many of its districts face severe depopulation. My husband and I visited one of the districts, Henbori, for a two-day trip over a weekend in September.
We took the bus from JR Musashi-Itsukaichi station all the way to Kazuma, the line’s final stop. After trekking for about five hours, we came out on Kazuma Onsen hot spring. Though there was no view of Mt. Fuji that day, we enjoyed hiking and the refreshing onsen. We took the bus tracing the way back toward the JR station for just about 10 minutes and got off at Nishikawabashi in Henbori district, one of the many non-descript settlements along Hinohara Street. We wouldn’t have thought of staying there if we didn’t stumble on the only guesthouse in Henbori online.
It was an old farmhouse turned into a guesthouse. We were assigned to a tiny space on the second floor. A group of five motorcyclists squeezed in a dormitory. The spacious kitchen and tatami room on the first floor were open to the guests.
At around 7:30 p.m. when we were having tea with some biscuits, the guesthouse keeper came to ask if we’d like to come to see the locals’ practice session of shishimai lion dance for the autumn shishimai dance in two weeks.
Excited, we walked to the community centre nearby, where the dancers were taking turns practicing in the hall, a taiko drum tied around the waist and in plain clothes. Three shishi’s dance together in Henbori shishimai. The older people instructed the young taking them by the hand. Flutists played the tunes repeatedly, and some older men sang along or called out encouragement once in a while. I was fascinated and nailed to the practice.
Seeing my enthusiasm, the guesthouse keeper took me to a room at the back and showed me the feather-decorated, polished red shishi masks with goggling eyes and huge bulbous nose. Back in the hall, he told me who’s who of the dancers and flutists. I thought it was typical of Japanese society when I learned that the son of the Buddhist temple in the district was dancing in the Shinto festival. Shintoism and Buddhism coexist peacefully, or even melt into each other. Also, only the oldest son in a family could dance in the past, but now second and third sons are welcome to dance in the face of the scarcity of the youth. I wondered if girls would start to dance pretty soon.
Witnessing the passing the dance from generation to generation was exciting. The atmosphere was of a close-knit society where everyone knows everyone else. I left at around 10 p.m., but the practice continued into the late night. (To be continued)
Copyright (C) 2016 Hiroko. All rights reserved.
檜原村は島を除く東京都で唯一の「村」。東京西部に位置し森林が豊富な檜原の多くは限界集落だ。夫と私は9月の週末にそのひとつ、人里（へんぼり）に1泊した。
JR武蔵五日市駅からバスで路線の終点の数馬（かずま）に行き、5時間ほどトレッキングして数馬温泉に出た。その日は富士山は見えなかったが、ハイキングを楽しみ温泉でさっぱりした。JRの駅に向かうバスで10分ほど戻り、人里の西川橋というバス停で降りた。人里は檜原街道沿いの何の変哲もない集落のひとつで、インターネットで人里唯一のゲストハウスをたまたま見つけなかったら、ここに1泊しようとは思わなかったはずだ。
ゲストハウスは古い農家を改修したものだった。私たちは2階の小さな部屋に通された。バイク乗りの5人組がドミトリーに泊まっていた。1階の広い台所と畳の部屋は宿泊客が自由に使えた。
夜7時半頃、お茶とビスケットを広げていると、ゲストハウスの管理人が来て、2週間後の秋祭に向けて地元民が獅子舞の練習をしてるのを見に行くかと聞いてきた。
喜んで近所のコミュニティセンターに歩いて行くと、腰に太鼓をつけた私服の舞手たちがホールで代わるがわる練習していた。人里の獅子舞では3匹の獅子が一緒に踊る。年長者が若手を手取り足取り指導していた。横笛奏者たちは曲を繰り返し吹き、数人の年長者は歌ったり時に掛け声をかけたりした。私は練習風景に釘付けだった。
私が熱中しているのを見て、ゲストハウスの管理人は私を奥の部屋に連れて行き、羽で飾り赤く艶のある、ぎょろりとした目玉と巨大な鼻の獅子頭を見せてくれた。ホールに戻って、彼は舞手や横笛奏者の誰それを教えてくれた。集落の寺の息子が神道の祭で獅子を舞っていると聞いて、いかにも日本社会らしいと思った。神道と仏教は和やかに共存あるいは融合しているのだ。また昔は一家の長男だけが獅子を舞うことを許されたが、若者の人手不足で、今では次男、三男も歓迎されているという。そのうち女性も舞うことになるのかもしれないと思った。
次世代へ舞を継承していく様子を見るのは興味深かった。場の雰囲気は、皆が知り合いの密接な社会のそれであった。私は10時頃に帰ったが、練習はその後も夜遅くまで続いていた。（続く）
Unfinished business
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD MAY 17. 2019Farewell to a Japan Jazz Icon by David Gregory
The messages from all over Japan read aloud during the service helped us realize how widely Koyama-san touched lives and how many like us were feeling something newly missing from our worlds. But, although wonderful and sometimes saddening us, they did not trigger crying. That happened next.
Those first few notes of the "'Round About Midnight" Miles Davis version, the cut Koyama-san always used to open Jazz Tonight, performed by a live piano and trumpet duo up front near the coffin, did it: Instant recognition, recollections, sighs around the room, eyes closed, arms crossed, heads dropped back or down, and tears, at least for me. How many times had we heard, after Miles breathed his somber opening, Koyama-san's low, raspy voice welcoming us into the studio with, "Minna-san, gokigen ikaga desho-ka everybody, how are you feeling?"?and never thought that someday we would hear him ask about us no more?
Koyama-san's widow, whom, like him, had never known me, stood alone at the coffin head and bowed in silence to everyone in turn after they placed flowers around his body as the duo continued with another slow number, the trumpet sounding so strong and crisp and unusual in a memorial service hall. After we placed our flowers, she responded to my hand on her shoulder, a touch just meant to console her, by immediately turning and reaching for me?a total stranger?burying her head in my chest, and breaking down. She needed that hug that everybody sometimes needs. She let go after her respite when she was ready to face the coffin and everyone else again, and returned to her position. Going to Kashiwa in a snowstorm was worth it just for those few moments when I could do something for her.
So our Kashiwa day was both sad and good. But, why did I even want to go a funeral for a man whom I only knew by voice, and who, although linked to jazz, was not even a musician?
Koyama-san and his Jazz Tonight program I listened to since at least the early 2000s. For more than sixteen years, while my life in Japan has been filled with huge uncertainties, he has been here Saturday nights on the radio, reliable, keeping me connected to the world's music and opening my ears to music from Japan I would not know without him. Listening to him always made me feel good, no matter what had happened in my life during the week or what was coming up in the weeks ahead. Koyama-san and Jazz Tonight were my respite. How well can I replace that comfort?
Koyama-san, thank you for helping this foreigner feel good in Japan. Please rest well in jazz heaven.
NHK Radio, thank you for giving Koyama-san a way to connect with us. Please encourage other DJs to continue doing what he did so well.
To Koyama-san's surviving family members: Please care well for yourselves now, and thank you for supporting and sharing Kiyoshi with us.
The Smallest Box by David Gregory
She came over to my table and asked if I remembered her.
“That’s my boyfriend over there.”
Their table hugged a pillar blocking the sunny Tokyo Bay view enjoyed by the other customers that afternoon in Chiba’s AquaRink ice skating facility café.
“Maybe we will marry next year.”
On my way out, I stopped to congratulate the potential groom to be. What I later heard happened with Hiromi and Hiroshi that night at another place also close to the bay sounded so too good to be true that I visited that place to confirm it really happened. It did.
Hiroshi had reserved for the course menu that night at OCEAN TABLE, next to Chiba Port, on the second floor, where tables sat by the huge windows facing Chiba Port Tower and Tokyo Bay. No view-blocking pillars there. And they had a wait, even with their reservation, because it was Christmas Eve, which in Japan matters much more than the following day; the Eve is the year’s couples’ night out, and single women without dates that night can feel their whole year was wasted.
Hiroshi had changed into a suit after skating, and had urged Hiromi, against her protests about overdressing, into a plaid one-piece, raising expectations. They had never come to a place this nice, one requiring reservations. Saizeriya was more their speed: fast faux-Italian, cheap, and everywhere.
The unexpected wait made Hiroshi antsy. He relaxed and all was perfect after they were seated.
They talked. They ate the Christmas Dinner courses. They ignored the soft Christmas background music. They admired the gleaming, golden Christmas Tree rising from the first-floor buffet area through the open center space across from their table. They could see outside the sparkling flashes and half the tree in Port Tower’s Christmas Illumination, and beyond, the lights from the ships on and facilities around Tokyo Bay, appearing almost twinkling. Perfect—but not for Hiromi.
She went to the toilet. Still he had not asked. The day was done. The reservation system only allowed them two hours there. They had been together all day. He had remembered her birthday-just by coincidence, also that day-with a necklace at AquaRink. Nice, but was that all? He had pestered her since early December about what Christmas present she wanted until she had finally exploded with, “Nothing! Don’t you know I just want a proposal?!” And had added she wanted it to be a surprise. Here he had the perfect chance, and he was wasting it.
She could try enjoying what was left of the evening. Dessert was next. At least here was better than Saizeriya….She was still stuck when she returned to the table, and had no chance to do or say anything, anyway. It was his toilet turn.
Their desserts came. Hiromi sat and waited and pondered the future. Outside, the tower stood alone against the dark sky and Tokyo Bay’s inky darkness.
Their desserts waited. Maybe his tooth was bothering him again. Maybe he was just tolerating it to make the night go well. Maybe for her. Maybe she should go to check on him. Wait-maybe she just heard his voice across the room.
No, only Santa Claus, posing for photographs with diners at the far table. He then started circling the room, giving a small present from his big sack at each table. She could check after he was done.
Hiroshi still had not returned to his seat when Santa reached their table. He handed Hiromi a big, red stocking, by far the room’s largest gift, accompanied by a squeaky, “Atari! You’re a lucky one!” Yeah. She set it aside and Santa moved on. What was he still doing in the toilet?
Santa finished his round, returned to Hiromi, and pointed at her unopened stocking with squeaky, “Un! Un!” grunts. The other diners had opened their presents. She forced a smile and said she was waiting for her boyfriend to return. “Un! Un!”
When Hiromi still resisted, Santa took the stocking in his white-gloved hands and opened it himself. Out first came a big, pink box, heart shaped. He opened that and pulled out another heart-shaped box, and then, from inside that, another heart-shaped box. Another smaller, heart-shaped box followed. He removed from that an even smaller heart-shaped box, and thrust it to Hiromi with one more squeaky, “Un!”
Still gone. Well, he’d miss it. Hiromi obeyed Santa this time and opened it, the smallest box in the room …and her mind and face went blank.
After that frozen moment passed, Hiromi looked at Santa. The second shock hit, and more followed. Santa Claus had ripped off his gloves, furry hat, sunglasses, and huge, flowing beard. He took the box from her?she was still speechless?dropped onto one knee, held the open box out and up to her in both stretching hands, and said in a voice loud enough for everyone in the room to hear, “Hiromi-san, boku-to kekkon shite kudasai! Hiromi, please marry me!”
Outside, to anybody looking, Port Tower’s Christmas Illumination still flashed, and the lights on and around Tokyo Bay still appeared almost twinkling. Inside OCEAN TABLE, on the second floor, everything was happening so fast that Hiromi just did not know which was more difficult to believe: Hiroshi and the ring he first tried slipping onto the finger on her right hand, the one he had taken in his before she held out her left hand, or the following PAN! and PAN! PAN! PAN! PAN! PAN! and PAN! PAN! and PAN! explosions ripping and ribbons shooting around the room as diners at the floor’s other tables popped the party crackers they had found with the notes in their presents from Santa Claus.
Copyright © 2018 David L. Gregory All rights reserved.
I Did It! by David Gregory
She had been here before. But, those were tour-guided or hand-held visits. After living most of her life in white-bread suburban USA, driving everywhere, shopping in giant malls and supermarkets, and needing only one currency and one language, my mother ventured out on her own, within and beyond Chiba, during one trip to Japan. From her notes, here are Dorothy's...
ADVENTURES IN JAPAN
Grocery Shopping in Neighborhood―Walk five blocks...buy only one bag...walk five blocks back. Survived it!
Shopping in City Center―Walk six blocks to bus stop. Ride bus fifteen minutes. Arrive at stores. Walk around. Look. Decide: cookies.
Buying: “Ikura desu-ka how much?” Hmm. “Kakimasu kudasai write please.”
Paying options: give large bill, let clerk figure change, or open change purse, let clerk take out correct amount. Decide to just give some cash.
Clerk shakes her head (“NO! MORE!”), then counts out correct amount needed from register and shows me. I mimic her action from my change purse. Smiles! Deep bows with many, “Arigato gozaimasu thank you very much!”-es.
(My error: thought there was decimal point in Yen price....)
Open cookies, expecting pirouettes with chocolate centers. Instead, peanut butter waffle rolls, no chocolate. No wonder, now I see peanut sketch on package. “Shoganai can’t be changed,” I did it to myself. It could have been worse!
~~~
Travelling to Visit Friend’s Family on Other Side of Chiba―Walk ten blocks to train. Purchase ticket. Electronic lady on ticket machine screen says, “Arigato gozaimasu” and bows. Ride train twenty minutes, watching for correct stop, get off, walk seven blocks to house. I did it myself!
Visiting Hisae Overnight―My Japanese study partner in USA returned to Japan, now lives on other side of Tokyo Bay.
Take large purse and large tote bag with jacket, nightie, toothbrush, cosmetics. Walk six blocks to bus stop. Ride bus to train station. Ride train eighty minutes to Yokohama. Find correct exit from station. EASY. Did not even look at note in pocket explaining route and Japanese signs. And, look! Hisae and three-year old Kei are waiting! “Hello!” they say! Many hugs!
I did it!
Then, still more travel: train together fifteen minutes, short taxi uphill to lovely apartment, sunny and bright.
Returning to Chiba, just reverse process. Next time, we can meet at a station halfway in between. I can do it.
I can do it!
Copyright (C) 2015 David Gregory. All rights reserved. Chiba, Japan
Book Review
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD MAY 11 2018Cherry Blossoms in the Time of Earthquakes and Tsunami
by Rey Ventura Reviewed by Randy Swank video maker and scriptwriter Rey Ventura won the 2015 National Book Award for his third collection of essays, Cherry Blossoms in the Time of Earthquakes and Tsunami, but for some strange twist of fate you will find very little information on this book. You can’t even buy it on Amazon. This is a shame because Cherry Blossoms... is a beautiful, insightful and thought-provoking book. |
Cherry Blossoms in the Time of Earthquakes and Tsunami |
In "Miniskirts and Stilettos" we meet Ginto, a young lady who comes to Japan dreaming of making it big as a singer and entertainer but has to deal instead with a much darker reality; while "Mr. Suzuki Tries Again" and "Into the Snow Country" are tragicomic tales of arranged marriages where the dreams and expectations of bride-starved farmers from Japan's Deep North clash with those of young Filipino women who want to escape their poverty and go into marriage "as a girl goes into a convent." Ventura tells these stories with a great eye for detail and manages to find a ray of light even in the darkest corners, or poetry in the midst of a nuclear disaster. The book's first essay is called "The Slow Boat to Manila" and indeed, slowness is the first word that comes to mind when considering Ventura's approach to writing. Everything Ventura does is slow. He is no magazine reporter after all, and will spend days or even months getting to know a person he wants to write about. That's the kind of personal commitment and deep connection with his subject that one feels when reading his essays. |
Tokyo Fab
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD JANUARY 30, 2025
Parco Game Center
Parco Game Center is a limited-time interactive experience opening at Shibuya PARCO from February 6 to March 2, 2026, created by PARCO GAMES, the company’s dedicated gaming label. Designed to coincide with Shibuya Games Week 2026, the pop-up offers visitors the chance to “play game culture,” blending gaming, art, and fashion into one immersive space.
Located on the 4th floor of PARCO Museum Tokyo, entry is free, making it accessible to all. The center features retro game machines, playable demos of indie titles, artist collaboration merchandise, and game-inspired apparel. Visitors can compete in card tournaments like TOMASON Monster’s Card, explore curated retro gaming exhibits, and purchase exclusive collectibles.
The space is brought to life with creative design by KID ROSE and Donald Kumayama, turning the museum into a vibrant hub where gaming culture meets contemporary art and fashion.
With interactive installations, playable games, and unique merchandise, Parco Game Center is more than a pop-up―it’s a celebration of gaming as a cultural phenomenon. Whether you’re a retro enthusiast, indie gamer, or curious newcomer, it’s a must-visit destination in the heart of Shibuya.
Feb 6th (Fri) - Mar 2nd (Mon) @ 4F PARCO MUSEUM TOKYO
https://games.parco.jp/page/pgc/
Gal Neko POP-UP
In January 2026, SHIBUYA109 in Tokyo will host the first-ever Gal Neko POP-UP, celebrating the popular cat character “Gal Neko.” Produced by CHOCOLATE Inc., the event runs from January 30 to February 15 at the Shibuya store’s B1 floor, featuring exclusive merchandise, collectibles, and themed novelties.
“Gal Neko” follows Tsuna, a cat who dreams of becoming a trendy gal, and her friends in a series of playful short videos. The character gained massive popularity online, surpassing 600,000 total video views and 200,000 social media followers. The pop-up brings this digital sensation to life, offering fans immersive experiences and the chance to purchase original items like Tsuna plushies, hairbands, T-shirts, and glittery pouches. Visitors are welcomed by Tsuna herself at the entrance, with special novelties available depending on purchase amounts.
A highlight of the pop-up is the February 7 special event, promising one-day-only surprises and activities, with details announced in January. The Gal Neko POP-UP combines kawaii culture, interactive experiences, and exclusive products, making it a must-visit for fans of trendy characters and Shibuya’s vibrant youth culture.
- Feb 15th (Sun) @SHIBUYA109 (Shibuya _Sta.)
https://www.instagram.com/neko_is_gal/
Have You Been To...
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD JANUARY 30, 2025
Tomamu Resort [Tomamu, Hokkaido]
Tomamu, located in Hokkaido, is a year-round resort known for its stunning natural beauty and luxury accommodations. Famous for its powder snow in winter, it offers skiing, snowboarding, and snow activities, while summer features scenic hiking, rivers, and outdoor adventures. The resort also boasts the Ice Village, unique architecture, and family-friendly attractions, making it a popular escape in Japan.
Rusutsu Resort [Rusutsu, Hokkaido]
Rusutsu, in Hokkaido, is a premier resort destination famous for its abundant powder snow and expansive ski slopes in winter. Beyond skiing and snowboarding, it offers amusement parks, golf courses, and scenic outdoor activities during summer. With family-friendly attractions, luxury hotels, and natural beauty, Rusutsu provides a versatile getaway for adventure, relaxation, and year-round entertainment.
Furano Resort [Furano, Hokkaido]
Furano, located in central Hokkaido, is celebrated for its stunning lavender fields, vibrant flower farms, and picturesque landscapes. In winter, it transforms into a top ski destination with powdery slopes. Known for local cheese, wine, and fresh produce, Furano offers a charming blend of outdoor adventure, culinary delights, and scenic beauty, making it a year-round destination for travelers.
Sahoro Resort [Sahoro, Hokkaido]
Sahoro, in Hokkaido’s Tokachi region, is a serene mountain resort known for its powdery ski slopes and family-friendly winter activities. Beyond skiing, visitors can enjoy snowshoeing, hot air balloon rides, and relaxing in natural hot springs. Surrounded by lush forests and scenic landscapes, Sahoro offers a peaceful retreat for outdoor adventure and seasonal recreation throughout the year.
Tokyo Voice Column
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD TNB Throwback: AUGUST 10. 2018
What to do in Mizumoto Park and around it by Olivia
A bird sanctuary, many canals for fishing, a dog run, an area where parents and kids can relax and play, have a picnic or a BBQ, fly kites, a Green Advice Center, and almost a hundred walking trails… You won’t believe how many things can fit into a park that is technically still in Tokyo, but borders and actually shares some space with Saitama Prefecture!
The Mizumoto park was created and opened in 1965 in Katsushika Ward to address the problem of air pollution. Some people say that Mizumoto Park reminds them of Holland. There is water practically everywhere: a river, numerous canals, and a pond. Also, the park is full of foreign tree species like Italian or Lombardy Poplar, Metasequoia, Bald cypress, Sweetgum etc., which makes it stand out among other parks. However, there are also interesting trees native to Japan, one of them having a funny name Nanja Monja (other name - Hitotsubatago).
In summer, you will see a great variety of Japanese irises hana-shobu here, while in sakura season you can enjoy hanami. In winter, when the flowers had already withered and many trees had lost their leaves, you can still en-joy birdwatching at the sanctuary near the pond. There are about 100 types of water-loving wild birds that live or winter in Mizumoto Park. In the fall, Metasequoia trees become orange and red, and their majestic look seems to me even better than the Japanese maples.
In the Green Advice Centre you can imagine that you are in South America or at least in Okinawa, especially when looking at bougainvillea and orchids. Just outside of it there is a beautiful rose garden. Among other outstanding trees is a Port Wine magnolia tree (it is written カラタネオガタマ on the nameplate). Its yellow flowers have a distinct… banana smell!
After (or before) all day out you will need to recharge your batteries, so why not visit one of the famous restaurants next to Mizumoto Park? The budget recommendation is tonkatsu restaurant Hayashiya (林や). The middle-price range recommendation is unagi restaurant Kawauo Nemoto (川魚根元), which literally sits next door.
鳥類保護区で、人工水路には釣り場がたくさんあり、ドッグランに、親子連れがくつろいで遊べて、ピクニックやバーベキューを楽しめ、凧を飛ばしたり、グリーン・アドバイスセンターがあり、さらに遊歩道もいっぱいある。そんなにいろんな事が楽しめる公園があるなんで信じられないでしょう。それも厳密にいえば東京都内にある。でも一部分は埼玉県にまたがる。
水元公園は、1965年に大気汚染問題を扱う葛飾区に開園した。水元公園に来るとオランダを思い出すとよく言われる。川、人工水路、池と水がいたるところで流れている。それに公園にはイタリア／ロンバルディア・ポプラ、メタセコイア、イトスギ、モミジバフウ等、外来樹種の木々が植えられているので、他の公園とは際立っている。しかも日本原産の興味深い木々もある。おかしな名前「ナンジャモンジャ」と呼ばれるヒトツバタゴがそうだ。
夏には、いろんな品種のハナショウブが目を楽しませてくれる。もちろん桜の季節はお花見ができる。冬には花はしぼんでしまうし、木々も葉を落とすので、池の近くにある鳥類保護区でバードウォッチングができる。１００種類もの水辺を好む鳥が園内で冬を過ごす。秋にはメタセコイアの森がオレンジや赤に染まり、その紅葉のすばらしさは日本のもみじよりも勝ると私には思われる。
グリーン・アドバイスセンターにいて、ブーゲンビレアやランを見ていると、南米や沖縄にいるような気分になる。外にでうろ美しいバラ園が広がる。他にも素晴らしい木々があるが、そのなかでも「カラタネオガタマ」の名が記されたワイン・マグノリアは素晴らしい。黄色の花からは、バナナの香りが漂う！
一日をすっかり楽しむと、エネルギーをリチャージしたくなるだろう。それなら、水元公園近くにはおいしいレストランがいくつかある。トンカツ屋の「林や」やうなぎ料理の「川魚根元」はおすすめだ。
MUSEUM -What's Going on?-
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD JANUARY 16. 2026
Sol LeWitt: Open Structure
Sol LeWitt(1928－2007), one of the most influential American artists of the latter half of the twentieth century, is renowned for exploring the possibilities of what art can be through works focused on ideas. This exhibition, the first substantial survey of his art at a public museum in Japan, offers an overview of his expansive practice, encompassing wall drawings, structures, works on paper, and artist's books that radically transformed the terms of artistic production.
This exhibition illuminates the notion of "open structure," which characterizes LeWitt’s art. Many of his cubic works expose the framework that supports their forms by eliminating surfaces and emphasizing side lines. Works such asIncomplete Open Cube(1974), where certain edges are absent, evoke the dynamics of a structure in a state of sequential transformation, much like a single frame in chronophotography, thus dismantling notions of perfection and invariability. It is also notable that his wall drawings can take on different forms depending on the space and conditions in which they are installed, as well as those who execute them.
*
No matter how precisely the artist’s instructions are followed in translating ideas into form, a degree of unpredictability and interpretation by others inevitably intervenes, an aspect the works embrace. His statement, "Ideas cannot be owned. They belong to whoever understands them," reflects his belief in resisting the notion that ideas are the property of a single person and in committing to sharing them with all who might receive them. To make his ideas more accessible, LeWitt produced numerous artist’s books. This led him to co-found Printed Matter in 1976, with art critic Lucy R. Lippard and others, an organization dedicated to distributing artists’ books independent of the established art market.
Period: － April 2, 2026
Venue: Museum of Contemporary Art
Closed: Mondays (except Jan 12, Feb 23) & Feb 24
Hours: 10:00-18:00 (admission 30 minutes before closing)
Admission: Adults － 1,600yen / University & College Students, Over 65 － 1,100yen /
High School & Junior High School Students － 640yen / Elementary School Students & Younger － free
For more information, please visit
https://www.mot-art-museum.jp/
Alfredo Jaar | You and Me and the Others
Born in Santiago, Chile in 1956, Alfredo Jaar studied architecture and filmmaking before moving to the United States in 1982. He has since been based in New York, working as an internationally active artist. He gained attention in the 1980s through his public interventions in New York City (Rushes, 1986, andA Logo for America, 1987). He became the first artist from Latin America invited to both the Venice Biennale in 1986 and Documenta in 1987. He is known for works grounded in a sensitive perspective and earnest investigation into social imbalances and geopolitical events occurring around the world. His work spans diverse media including photography, video, and architectural-scale works, characterised by physically engaging installations.
Rather than condemning others, Jaar creates what he calls poetic models of thinking the world―this underlying attitude in his practice quietly yet powerfully speaks to us as we confront tragedies such as war and inequality, as well as everyday problems. His work reminds us that good and evil are not simply determined, but can sometimes be reversed, and that we may be involved in tragedies even in distant lands. Without denying the existence of others with different values, his work encourages each of us to look closely and reflect in order to find happiness despite these differences.
*
Acts of design that entail thought, creativity and communication are inseparable from life itself. The Jaar's approach and work have been highly acclaimed, earning him numerous significant awards. In 2018, he became the 11th recipient of the Hiroshima Art Prize, which recognises the achievements of artists who have contributed to the peace of humanity through art. A commemorative exhibition was held at the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art in 2023.
Period: Wednesday, 21 January - Sunday, 29 March, 2026
Venue: Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery
Closed: Mondays (except Monday, 23 February) Tuesday, 24 February Sunday, 8 February (maintenance)
Hours: 11:00-19:00 (admission 30 minutes before? closing)
Admission: adults 1,600 yen [1,400 yen] university and high school students 1,000 yen [800 yen] free for junior high and under
Strange but True
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD JANUARY 30. 2025
No Socks Day?
In a quirky celebration of individuality and comfort, a small town in the United States has officially declared January 15 as “No Socks Day.” Residents are encouraged to kick off their shoes and go sock-free for the day, whether at home, work, or local shops. The unusual holiday started as a social media trend among local students and gained traction after the town council voted to make it an official observance. Organizers say the goal is simple: to embrace spontaneity, lighten the mood during winter, and encourage people to enjoy small pleasures. Local businesses have joined in the fun, offering discounts to patrons who participate, while schools host “barefoot parades” and creative sock-free contests. The declaration has attracted attention from across the country, with tourists and social media users flocking to join the annual event. “No Socks Day” is now a quirky highlight on the town’s calendar, celebrating freedom, fun, and a little unconventional joy.
Stolen by Seagull!
In a bizarre twist of events, a pizza delivery drone in the United Kingdom became the victim of an unexpected “heist” ― carried off mid-flight by a daring seagull. The autonomous drone, tasked with delivering a fresh pizza to a local customer, was cruising low over a seaside town when a large seagull swooped in and snatched the meal from its cargo bay. The theft was caught on camera, quickly going viral on social media, as viewers watched the bird fly away with the steaming pizza. Fortunately, the seagull eventually dropped the food, leaving the drone unharmed, and the customer’s order was replaced without delay. Local wildlife experts explained that seagulls are notorious for snatching unattended food, but the incident highlighted the challenges of deploying drones for urban deliveries. Companies are now considering reinforced packaging and drone safeguards to prevent future feathered heists.
Links
Guesthouse Tokyo
10 minutes to Ikebukuro.
Interhouse
safe and accessible solution for your accommodation needs in Tokyo.
Sakura House
1830 monthly furnished rooms at 204 locations in Tokyo.
TOKYO ROOM FINDER
Contact our international team that will assist you in finding housing
and overcoming any communication barriers in Japan!
J&F Plaza
Furnished & unfurnished guesthouses and apartments in Tokyo.
May Flower House
Tokyo furnished apartments. Ginza, Roppongi, Yotsuya and more.
TenTen Guesthouse
33,000yen/30 days for working holiday students.
GOOD ROOM TOKYO
Share room, Private room, under 50,000yen
MOVE JAPAN
Private furnished rooms in Tokyo with free internet. Call us first or call us last!
Tokyomove.com
Hassle free moving starts from 6000yen.
Tokyo Helping Hands
Very flexible working hours to effectly help you with moving, deliveries, disposal, storage and more!
AirNet Travel
We'll cut you the best air ticket deals anywhere.
Fun Travel
Discount air travel & package tours 2min from Roppongi Stn.
No.1 Travel
We go the extra mile for you. International air tickets and hotels.
JR Tokai Tours
Top-value travel to Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya from Tokyo by Shinkansen.
Matsuda Legal Office
All kinds of Visa, Immigration & Naturalization, International Marriage etc.
Futaba Visa Office
Licensed immigration lawyer & certified public tax consultant.
American Pharmacy
English speaking pharmacy since 1950.
Tokyo Skin Clinic
EU-licensed multi lingual doctors.
Tax-free AKKY
Japanese Appliance, Watch, Souvenirs
Tokyo Speed Dating
1st Sat. & 3rd Sun. at Bari n Roppongi ETC.
Tokyo Spontaneous
Picnic, Parties, Language exchange
TMA
Japanese women & Western men.
Tokyo Fab
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD JANUARY 30, 2025Parco Game Center
Parco Game Center is a limited-time interactive experience opening at Shibuya PARCO from February 6 to March 2, 2026, created by PARCO GAMES, the company’s dedicated gaming label. Designed to coincide with Shibuya Games Week 2026, the pop-up offers visitors the chance to “play game culture,” blending gaming, art, and fashion into one immersive space.
Located on the 4th floor of PARCO Museum Tokyo, entry is free, making it accessible to all. The center features retro game machines, playable demos of indie titles, artist collaboration merchandise, and game-inspired apparel. Visitors can compete in card tournaments like TOMASON Monster’s Card, explore curated retro gaming exhibits, and purchase exclusive collectibles.
The space is brought to life with creative design by KID ROSE and Donald Kumayama, turning the museum into a vibrant hub where gaming culture meets contemporary art and fashion.
With interactive installations, playable games, and unique merchandise, Parco Game Center is more than a pop-up―it’s a celebration of gaming as a cultural phenomenon. Whether you’re a retro enthusiast, indie gamer, or curious newcomer, it’s a must-visit destination in the heart of Shibuya.
Feb 6th (Fri) - Mar 2nd (Mon) @ 4F PARCO MUSEUM TOKYO
https://games.parco.jp/page/pgc/
Gal Neko POP-UP
In January 2026, SHIBUYA109 in Tokyo will host the first-ever Gal Neko POP-UP, celebrating the popular cat character “Gal Neko.” Produced by CHOCOLATE Inc., the event runs from January 30 to February 15 at the Shibuya store’s B1 floor, featuring exclusive merchandise, collectibles, and themed novelties.
“Gal Neko” follows Tsuna, a cat who dreams of becoming a trendy gal, and her friends in a series of playful short videos. The character gained massive popularity online, surpassing 600,000 total video views and 200,000 social media followers. The pop-up brings this digital sensation to life, offering fans immersive experiences and the chance to purchase original items like Tsuna plushies, hairbands, T-shirts, and glittery pouches. Visitors are welcomed by Tsuna herself at the entrance, with special novelties available depending on purchase amounts.
A highlight of the pop-up is the February 7 special event, promising one-day-only surprises and activities, with details announced in January. The Gal Neko POP-UP combines kawaii culture, interactive experiences, and exclusive products, making it a must-visit for fans of trendy characters and Shibuya’s vibrant youth culture.
- Feb 15th (Sun) @SHIBUYA109 (Shibuya _Sta.)
https://www.instagram.com/neko_is_gal/
Have You Been To...
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD JANUARY 30, 2025Tomamu Resort [Tomamu, Hokkaido]
Tomamu, located in Hokkaido, is a year-round resort known for its stunning natural beauty and luxury accommodations. Famous for its powder snow in winter, it offers skiing, snowboarding, and snow activities, while summer features scenic hiking, rivers, and outdoor adventures. The resort also boasts the Ice Village, unique architecture, and family-friendly attractions, making it a popular escape in Japan.
Rusutsu Resort [Rusutsu, Hokkaido]
Rusutsu, in Hokkaido, is a premier resort destination famous for its abundant powder snow and expansive ski slopes in winter. Beyond skiing and snowboarding, it offers amusement parks, golf courses, and scenic outdoor activities during summer. With family-friendly attractions, luxury hotels, and natural beauty, Rusutsu provides a versatile getaway for adventure, relaxation, and year-round entertainment.
Furano Resort [Furano, Hokkaido]
Furano, located in central Hokkaido, is celebrated for its stunning lavender fields, vibrant flower farms, and picturesque landscapes. In winter, it transforms into a top ski destination with powdery slopes. Known for local cheese, wine, and fresh produce, Furano offers a charming blend of outdoor adventure, culinary delights, and scenic beauty, making it a year-round destination for travelers.
Sahoro Resort [Sahoro, Hokkaido]
Sahoro, in Hokkaido’s Tokachi region, is a serene mountain resort known for its powdery ski slopes and family-friendly winter activities. Beyond skiing, visitors can enjoy snowshoeing, hot air balloon rides, and relaxing in natural hot springs. Surrounded by lush forests and scenic landscapes, Sahoro offers a peaceful retreat for outdoor adventure and seasonal recreation throughout the year.
Tokyo Voice Column
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD TNB Throwback: AUGUST 10. 2018What to do in Mizumoto Park and around it by Olivia
A bird sanctuary, many canals for fishing, a dog run, an area where parents and kids can relax and play, have a picnic or a BBQ, fly kites, a Green Advice Center, and almost a hundred walking trails… You won’t believe how many things can fit into a park that is technically still in Tokyo, but borders and actually shares some space with Saitama Prefecture!
The Mizumoto park was created and opened in 1965 in Katsushika Ward to address the problem of air pollution. Some people say that Mizumoto Park reminds them of Holland. There is water practically everywhere: a river, numerous canals, and a pond. Also, the park is full of foreign tree species like Italian or Lombardy Poplar, Metasequoia, Bald cypress, Sweetgum etc., which makes it stand out among other parks. However, there are also interesting trees native to Japan, one of them having a funny name Nanja Monja (other name - Hitotsubatago).
In summer, you will see a great variety of Japanese irises hana-shobu here, while in sakura season you can enjoy hanami. In winter, when the flowers had already withered and many trees had lost their leaves, you can still en-joy birdwatching at the sanctuary near the pond. There are about 100 types of water-loving wild birds that live or winter in Mizumoto Park. In the fall, Metasequoia trees become orange and red, and their majestic look seems to me even better than the Japanese maples.
In the Green Advice Centre you can imagine that you are in South America or at least in Okinawa, especially when looking at bougainvillea and orchids. Just outside of it there is a beautiful rose garden. Among other outstanding trees is a Port Wine magnolia tree (it is written カラタネオガタマ on the nameplate). Its yellow flowers have a distinct… banana smell!
After (or before) all day out you will need to recharge your batteries, so why not visit one of the famous restaurants next to Mizumoto Park? The budget recommendation is tonkatsu restaurant Hayashiya (林や). The middle-price range recommendation is unagi restaurant Kawauo Nemoto (川魚根元), which literally sits next door.
鳥類保護区で、人工水路には釣り場がたくさんあり、ドッグランに、親子連れがくつろいで遊べて、ピクニックやバーベキューを楽しめ、凧を飛ばしたり、グリーン・アドバイスセンターがあり、さらに遊歩道もいっぱいある。そんなにいろんな事が楽しめる公園があるなんで信じられないでしょう。それも厳密にいえば東京都内にある。でも一部分は埼玉県にまたがる。
水元公園は、1965年に大気汚染問題を扱う葛飾区に開園した。水元公園に来るとオランダを思い出すとよく言われる。川、人工水路、池と水がいたるところで流れている。それに公園にはイタリア／ロンバルディア・ポプラ、メタセコイア、イトスギ、モミジバフウ等、外来樹種の木々が植えられているので、他の公園とは際立っている。しかも日本原産の興味深い木々もある。おかしな名前「ナンジャモンジャ」と呼ばれるヒトツバタゴがそうだ。
夏には、いろんな品種のハナショウブが目を楽しませてくれる。もちろん桜の季節はお花見ができる。冬には花はしぼんでしまうし、木々も葉を落とすので、池の近くにある鳥類保護区でバードウォッチングができる。１００種類もの水辺を好む鳥が園内で冬を過ごす。秋にはメタセコイアの森がオレンジや赤に染まり、その紅葉のすばらしさは日本のもみじよりも勝ると私には思われる。
グリーン・アドバイスセンターにいて、ブーゲンビレアやランを見ていると、南米や沖縄にいるような気分になる。外にでうろ美しいバラ園が広がる。他にも素晴らしい木々があるが、そのなかでも「カラタネオガタマ」の名が記されたワイン・マグノリアは素晴らしい。黄色の花からは、バナナの香りが漂う！
一日をすっかり楽しむと、エネルギーをリチャージしたくなるだろう。それなら、水元公園近くにはおいしいレストランがいくつかある。トンカツ屋の「林や」やうなぎ料理の「川魚根元」はおすすめだ。
MUSEUM -What's Going on?-
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD JANUARY 16. 2026Sol LeWitt: Open Structure Sol LeWitt(1928－2007), one of the most influential American artists of the latter half of the twentieth century, is renowned for exploring the possibilities of what art can be through works focused on ideas. This exhibition, the first substantial survey of his art at a public museum in Japan, offers an overview of his expansive practice, encompassing wall drawings, structures, works on paper, and artist's books that radically transformed the terms of artistic production. |
* |
No matter how precisely the artist’s instructions are followed in translating ideas into form, a degree of unpredictability and interpretation by others inevitably intervenes, an aspect the works embrace. His statement, "Ideas cannot be owned. They belong to whoever understands them," reflects his belief in resisting the notion that ideas are the property of a single person and in committing to sharing them with all who might receive them. To make his ideas more accessible, LeWitt produced numerous artist’s books. This led him to co-found Printed Matter in 1976, with art critic Lucy R. Lippard and others, an organization dedicated to distributing artists’ books independent of the established art market. |
Period: － April 2, 2026
Venue: Museum of Contemporary Art
Closed: Mondays (except Jan 12, Feb 23) & Feb 24
Hours: 10:00-18:00 (admission 30 minutes before closing)
Admission: Adults － 1,600yen / University & College Students, Over 65 － 1,100yen /
High School & Junior High School Students － 640yen / Elementary School Students & Younger － free
For more information, please visit
https://www.mot-art-museum.jp/
Alfredo Jaar | You and Me and the Others Born in Santiago, Chile in 1956, Alfredo Jaar studied architecture and filmmaking before moving to the United States in 1982. He has since been based in New York, working as an internationally active artist. He gained attention in the 1980s through his public interventions in New York City (Rushes, 1986, andA Logo for America, 1987). He became the first artist from Latin America invited to both the Venice Biennale in 1986 and Documenta in 1987. He is known for works grounded in a sensitive perspective and earnest investigation into social imbalances and geopolitical events occurring around the world. His work spans diverse media including photography, video, and architectural-scale works, characterised by physically engaging installations. |
* |
Acts of design that entail thought, creativity and communication are inseparable from life itself. The Jaar's approach and work have been highly acclaimed, earning him numerous significant awards. In 2018, he became the 11th recipient of the Hiroshima Art Prize, which recognises the achievements of artists who have contributed to the peace of humanity through art. A commemorative exhibition was held at the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art in 2023. |
Period: Wednesday, 21 January - Sunday, 29 March, 2026
Venue: Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery
Closed: Mondays (except Monday, 23 February) Tuesday, 24 February Sunday, 8 February (maintenance)
Hours: 11:00-19:00 (admission 30 minutes before? closing)
Admission: adults 1,600 yen [1,400 yen] university and high school students 1,000 yen [800 yen] free for junior high and under
Strange but True
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD JANUARY 30. 2025No Socks Day?
In a quirky celebration of individuality and comfort, a small town in the United States has officially declared January 15 as “No Socks Day.” Residents are encouraged to kick off their shoes and go sock-free for the day, whether at home, work, or local shops. The unusual holiday started as a social media trend among local students and gained traction after the town council voted to make it an official observance. Organizers say the goal is simple: to embrace spontaneity, lighten the mood during winter, and encourage people to enjoy small pleasures. Local businesses have joined in the fun, offering discounts to patrons who participate, while schools host “barefoot parades” and creative sock-free contests. The declaration has attracted attention from across the country, with tourists and social media users flocking to join the annual event. “No Socks Day” is now a quirky highlight on the town’s calendar, celebrating freedom, fun, and a little unconventional joy.
Stolen by Seagull!
In a bizarre twist of events, a pizza delivery drone in the United Kingdom became the victim of an unexpected “heist” ― carried off mid-flight by a daring seagull. The autonomous drone, tasked with delivering a fresh pizza to a local customer, was cruising low over a seaside town when a large seagull swooped in and snatched the meal from its cargo bay. The theft was caught on camera, quickly going viral on social media, as viewers watched the bird fly away with the steaming pizza. Fortunately, the seagull eventually dropped the food, leaving the drone unharmed, and the customer’s order was replaced without delay. Local wildlife experts explained that seagulls are notorious for snatching unattended food, but the incident highlighted the challenges of deploying drones for urban deliveries. Companies are now considering reinforced packaging and drone safeguards to prevent future feathered heists.
Links
Guesthouse Tokyo10 minutes to Ikebukuro. Interhousesafe and accessible solution for your accommodation needs in Tokyo. Sakura House1830 monthly furnished rooms at 204 locations in Tokyo. TOKYO ROOM FINDERContact our international team that will assist you in finding housing and overcoming any communication barriers in Japan! |
J&F PlazaFurnished & unfurnished guesthouses and apartments in Tokyo. May Flower HouseTokyo furnished apartments. Ginza, Roppongi, Yotsuya and more. TenTen Guesthouse33,000yen/30 days for working holiday students. GOOD ROOM TOKYOShare room, Private room, under 50,000yen |
MOVE JAPANPrivate furnished rooms in Tokyo with free internet. Call us first or call us last! Tokyomove.comHassle free moving starts from 6000yen. |
Tokyo Helping HandsVery flexible working hours to effectly help you with moving, deliveries, disposal, storage and more! |
AirNet TravelWe'll cut you the best air ticket deals anywhere. Fun TravelDiscount air travel & package tours 2min from Roppongi Stn. |
No.1 TravelWe go the extra mile for you. International air tickets and hotels. JR Tokai ToursTop-value travel to Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya from Tokyo by Shinkansen. |
Matsuda Legal OfficeAll kinds of Visa, Immigration & Naturalization, International Marriage etc. |
Futaba Visa OfficeLicensed immigration lawyer & certified public tax consultant. |
|
American PharmacyEnglish speaking pharmacy since 1950. |
Tokyo Skin ClinicEU-licensed multi lingual doctors. |
|
Tax-free AKKYJapanese Appliance, Watch, Souvenirs |
Tokyo Speed Dating1st Sat. & 3rd Sun. at Bari n Roppongi ETC. Tokyo SpontaneousPicnic, Parties, Language exchange |
|
TMAJapanese women & Western men. |
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50 Shades of Yikess
