Plain Talk

TOKYO NOTICE BOARD AUG 07. 2026

Eating well, cooking hard by Mardo

So I have been back in Australia all of a week and decided to make the traditional Japanese breakfast I was eating almost every day for the last two weeks. I am sure you know what I mean, a bowl of rice, miso soup, a salad and then a main like grilled fish. After eating this way for the last month I felt fantastic. I wasn’t snacking between meals.

Now this kind of breakfast is available at every restaurant, hotel etc in Japan. It was a lot healthier than my usual breakfast at home here… A bowl of cereal, or anything I would have as a quick breakfast in Australia… which would usually be a McDonalds meal. And actually usually cheaper.

There is a problem though, when you are cooking this at home. I was surprising my wife with the breakfast, it took to make: A rice cooker, a frying pan, a bowl to mix the eggs in, a bowl for the rice, a bowl for the kimchi, a plate for the omelette( I don’t have all the nice little plate) a bowl for the miso… Now you may see this is a long list of things to wash. If I am making my wife scrambled eggs on toast, I would use half of this. If I was making myself cereal, all I need is a bowl.

Now I LOVE traditional Japanese breakfasts… and food in general. But until the local 7/11 starts doing full Japanese Bento instead of just Onigiri and Norimaki. I don’t think I can justify the time or expense that eating like a Japanese person takes!

I was NEVER healthier than when I lived in Japan, eating Japanese school lunches. Given how long it all takes, I think I never will be again. Oh for the ability to teleport to any train station exit in Japan for breakfast.

オーストラリアに戻って1週間ほど、日本滞在の残り2週間、ほぼ毎日食べていた伝統的和朝食を作ってみることにした。皆さんご存知の通り、ご飯、味噌汁、サラダに、メイン料理の焼き魚のセットメニューだ。この1ヶ月間、この食べ合わせにより体調はすこぶる良かった。食事の合間に間食することもなかった。

この和朝食は、日本のレストランやホテルならどこでも食べられる。オーストラリアの我が家での普段の朝食…シリアル一皿、あるいは手っ取り早く済ませる朝食(大抵はマクドナルドのモーニングセット)に比べれば、ずっと健康的だ。それに実際、安上がりでもある。

ただ、自宅でこれを調理するとなると問題がある。妻を驚かせようとこの朝食を作ったが、必要な道具は以下の通り:炊飯器、フライパン、卵を溶くボウル、ご飯用のボウル、キムチ用のボウル、オムレツ用の皿(素敵な小皿は持っていないので)、味噌汁用のボウル……。洗い物が山積みになるのがお分かりいただけるだろう。もし妻にトーストにスクランブルエッグを乗せてあげるだけなら、この半分で済む。自分用にシリアルを作るなら、必要なのはボウル一つだけだ。

伝統的な日本の朝食が大好きで……食べ物全般も大好きだ。でも、近所のセブン-イレブンがおにぎりや海苔巻きだけでなく、本格的な日本の弁当を売り始めるまでは、日本人みたいに食事をするのにかかる時間や費用を正当化することはできないと思う!

日本に住んで、日本の学校給食を食べていた頃ほど、健康だったことは一度もない。あれだけの時間がかかることを考えると、もう二度とあんな健康状態には戻れないだろう。ああ、朝食を食べるために日本のどこかの駅の出口へ瞬間移動できたらいいのに。


Plain Talk

TOKYO NOTICE BOARD TNB Throwback OCTOBER 31. 2025

Calling All Food Lovers: Hokkaido Awaits by Keito Ando

You've been to Tokyo. You've experienced Kyoto. But have you savored the unique taste only Hokkaido and its delicacies are able to provide? Treat yourself to the catch of the day at Sapporo’s Nijo Market or indulge yourself with a LeTao cheesecake. Maybe even sit down for a quick bite at the legendary Lucky Pierrot. Hokkaido is a gold mine for the gourmet globetrotters of the world, just waiting to captivate epicures and their still dormant taste buds.

Hokkaido is the most northern of the 4 islands of Japan. It displays the 4 seasons in such a distinctive and majestic manner that it gathers tourists every year from all over the world. You’ll be mesmerized by the hills filed with beautiful flora in the spring, breezing through acres of farmland on your bicycle in the summer, gazing at the mountains dyed with autumn colors, and enveloped in a world of snow in the winter. All of this is complimented with a delightful dish of Hokkaido cuisine.

The Nijo Market is one of the many street markets that can be found throughout Hokkaido. They offer not only fresh fish and other ocean delicacies, but fresh vegetables, fruit, and liquor as well. Shops are equipped with an eat-in space, so people can choose to either ship something for the family or snack on the spot. Tourists of different nationalities all come together, mouths full with freshly caught seafood, to experience the vibrant liveliness of the market. Located in downtown Sapporo, the Nijo Market bustles with tourists and vendors and has since the Meiji period. For a historical dive into Hokkaido culture and a fabulous lunch, the market is a great stop to make.

Ready for dessert? LeTao has been making their legendarily acclaimed

cheesecakes since day 1 back in 1998. Named the Double Fromage, LeTao’s famous cheesecake is a double-layered cake with baked cream cheese and no bake mascarpone. The contrast between the two layers succeeds in forging a world of creamy goodness. The cheese is like snow, creating a winter wonderland inside your mouth that slowly melts away, leaving you with nothing but a craving for more. The confectionary only has shops in Hokkaido, mainly located on Sakaimachi Street. The main shop has an observatory on the 3rd floor that towers above the city of Otaru. The beloved tower of Otaru in French is La Tour Amitie Otaru, which is where the name LeTao came from. Visit the beloved tower and stimulate your sweet tooth with a real cheesecake.

Who would have thought that a trip to the outskirts of Asia would include burgers? Instead of Ronald McDonald and his golden arches, the people of Hokkaido have Lucky Pierrot. The fast food burger chain, Lucky Pierrot, dominates Hokkaido and with good reason. They offer a diverse  menu ranging from your regular cheese burger to Chinese noodles and curry, but what really turns heads are the dishes that incorporate the theme of Hokkaido culture. The dancing squid burger, the Hijikata Toshizo scallop burger, and the Hakodate snow burger are three of the several that continue to successfully merge western culture and Hokkaido and tuck it in between two buns. The Hakodate snow burger is a juicy beef burger topped with a creamy white sauce. When you order the dish, out comes the mountainous burger with snowy sauce flowing out and covering the plate below as if it were an avalanche.

For the food lovers out there still looking for the perfect eating experience, travel to the northern land of Hokkaido and you won't be disappointed. It is time to wake up and smell the white sauce. Hokkaido awaits

あなたは東京を訪れたことがある。京都の魅力を体験したこともある。しかし北海道とそこの名物がもつ独特の味わいを堪能したことはあるだろうか? 札幌の二条市場でその日の新鮮な魚介類を堪能したり、LeTaoのチーズケーキで贅沢な時間を過ごしたり。 伝説のラッキーピエロで軽食を楽しむのも良いだろう。北海道は世界中のグルメ旅行者にとっての宝の山であり、まだ眠っている美食家の味覚を魅了するのを待っている。

北海道は日本の4つの島のうち最も北に位置する島だ。四季を特徴的で壮大な形で表現するため、毎年世界中から観光客が集まる。春は美しい花で埋め尽くされた丘陵に魅了され、夏は自転車で広大な農地を駆け抜け、秋は山々が秋の色に染まる景色を望み、冬は雪に包まれた世界を楽しむことができます。 これら美しい風景と、絶品の料理を肴に楽しめる。

二条市場は、北海道各地に点在する多くのストリートマーケットのひとつだ。 新鮮な魚介類や海の幸だけでなく、新鮮な野菜、果物、お酒なども販売されている。 店舗には飲食スペースが備わっており、家族用に持ち帰るか、その場で軽食を楽しむか、どちらかを選ぶことができる。 異なる国籍の観光客が、新鮮な海鮮を口にしながら、市場の活気ある賑わいを体験するために集まる。札幌の繁華街に位置する二条市場は、明治時代から観光客と出店者で賑わっている。 北海道の文化の歴史を深く知り、素晴らしいランチを楽しむためには、この市場は訪れる価値のある場所と言える。

それではデザートはいかが? LeTaoは1998年の創業以来、伝説的に評価されるチーズケーキを作り続けています。 「ダブルフロマージュ」と名付けられたLeTaoの有名なチーズケーキは、焼いたクリームチーズと焼かないマスカルポーネの二重層ケーキだ。 二つの層の対比が、クリーミーな美味しさの世界を創造している。 チーズは雪のように軽く、口の中でゆっくりと溶けていき、そして最後にもっと食べたいという欲求だけが残る。 この菓子店は北海道にのみ店舗を構え、主に坂町通りに位置している。 メイン店舗の3階には、小樽の街を見下ろす展望台がある。 小樽の愛される塔はフランス語で「ラ・トゥール・アミティ・オタル」と呼ばれ、これがLeTaoの名称の由来だ。 愛される塔を訪れ、本物のチーズケーキで甘党の心を刺激してはどうだろうか。

アジアの辺境への旅に、ハンバーガーが含まれるなんて誰が想像するだろう? ロナルド・マクドナルドと彼の黄金のアーチではなく、北海道の人々にはラッキー・ピエロがある。 ファストフードハンバーガーチェーンのラッキー・ピエロは北海道で圧倒的な人気を誇り、その理由は明白だ。 彼らはチーズバーガーから中華麺やカレーまで多様なメニューを提供するが、心の底から目を引くのは北海道の文化をテーマにした料理だ。 ダンスするイカバーガー、ヒジカタ・トシゾウのホタテバーガー、函館雪バーガーは、西洋文化と北海道文化を融合させ、2枚のバンズの間にはさむことに成功した数多くのメニューのうちの3つだ。函館雪バーガーは、クリーミーな白いソースがのったジューシーなビーフバーガーだ。 この料理を注文すると、雪のようなソースが流れ出し、皿の下を覆うように広がる山のようなバーガーが現れる。

完璧な食事体験を求めている食通の皆さん、北の地、北海道への旅で失望することはない。白ソースの香りに目覚める時だ。北海道が待っている。

 

Unfinished business

TOKYO NOTICE BOARD MAY 17. 2019

Farewell 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 2018

Cherry Blossoms in the Time of Earthquakes and Tsunami by Rey Ventura
Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2014,
291 pp, USD34.00 www.ateneo.edu/ateneopress

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.

These 11 essays, some of them autobiographical, see Ventura travelling back and forth between the Philippines and Japan, his adopted country, often portraying the many ways Filipino lives have been shaped and affected by their rich quasi-neighbor. Like in "A Suitable Donor," where the young men who live in the Manila slum of Banseco tell of how they came to "donate" a kidney or another organ to help a rich person in need − often from Japan.

Cherry Blossoms in the Time of Earthquakes and Tsunami
by Rey Ventura
Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2014, 291 pp, USD34.00 www.ateneo.edu/ateneopress

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 AUGUST 07, 2026

Summer Sonic

Summer Sonic is one of Japan's premier music festivals, held annually in Tokyo and Osaka since its launch in 2000. Renowned for its diverse programming, the festival brings together internationally acclaimed artists and leading Japanese performers across a wide range of genres, including rock, pop, hip-hop, electronic, indie, and alternative music. A distinctive feature of Summer Sonic is its dual-city format, with artists performing in both Tokyo and Osaka over the festival weekend, allowing audiences in each city to experience an equally impressive lineup.
The festival is celebrated for its energetic atmosphere and world-class production. In Tokyo, events take place at ZOZO Marine Stadium and Makuhari Messe, while the Osaka edition is hosted at Expo '70 Commemorative Park. In addition to live performances, attendees can enjoy DJ sets, food vendors, official merchandise, art installations, and interactive activities, creating a vibrant cultural experience beyond the music itself.
Over the years, Summer Sonic has welcomed internationally renowned artists such as Green Day, Radiohead, Metallica, Beyonce´, Coldplay, Kendrick Lamar, and Guns N' Roses. Its ability to combine global headliners with emerging talent has earned it a reputation as one of Asia's leading music festivals. Today, Summer Sonic continues to attract music fans from around the world, offering an exciting celebration of live performance, creativity, and cultural exchange.

August 14 (Fri) − 16 (Sun), 2026 @ ZOZO Marine Stadium & Makuhari Messe

https://www.summersonic.com/

Kawaii Night Market vol.1 Harajuku Kawaii Night Market

Internationally celebrated kawaii culture, the event reinvents the traditional Japanese summer festival and night market by blending nostalgic customs with contemporary pop culture. The result is an immersive experience that celebrates creativity, entertainment, and the vibrant spirit of Harajuku.
Designed to enhance Japan's nighttime tourism, the event offers a lively destination for both local residents and international visitors. The venue will feature the KAWAII FRIENDS character brand alongside colorful illuminations, interactive festival games, themed food and beverages, exclusive merchandise, and photo opportunities. Guests are encouraged to explore, play, dine, and shop while experiencing a modern interpretation of classic Japanese festival traditions in a uniquely kawaii setting.
More than a seasonal attraction, the project reflects Asobi JTB's vision of promoting Japanese culture through original intellectual property and innovative tourism experiences. By combining traditional festivities with modern design and entertainment, the event aims to strengthen Harajuku's appeal as a cultural destination. Following its debut, Asobi JTB plans to expand the KAWAII Night Market concept to other locations across Japan and internationally, sharing Japan's distinctive blend of tradition, creativity, and pop culture with audiences around the world.

Aug 20th (Thu) - 30th (Sun) @ 6th &7th, Tokyu Plaza Harajuku "Harakado"

https://kawaii-yoichi.com/

 


Have You Been To...

TOKYO NOTICE BOARD AUGUST 07, 2026

Kameiwa Cave [Kimitsu, Chiba]

Tucked away in Chiba Prefecture, Kameiwa Cave is famous for its magical heart-shaped reflection, created when morning sunlight shines through the cave. Surrounded by peaceful woodland, it attracts photographers, hikers and nature lovers alike. Visit at dawn for the best views and enjoy one of Japan's most enchanting hidden natural wonders, perfect for peaceful walks, stunning scenery, unforgettable moments, and quiet reflection.

Oya History Museum [Utsunomiya, Tochigi]

Hidden beneath Utsunomiya, Oya History Museum is an enormous underground stone quarry that feels like an ancient cathedral. Dramatic lighting, vast chambers and cool temperatures create an unforgettable atmosphere. Once a source of Oya stone used throughout Japan, today it offers visitors a fascinating blend of history, architecture and adventure unlike anywhere else in Japan today you'll never forget it.

 

Soni Highlands [Uda, Nara]

Discover the natural beauty of Soni Highlands, where rolling hills stretch across the landscape. In autumn, silver pampas grass transforms the highlands into a shimmering sea beneath the blue sky. Popular with hikers and photographers, this peaceful destination offers spectacular seasonal scenery and a refreshing escape from nearby city life throughout every season, inviting visitors to slow down and unwind.

 

Inujima [Seto, Okayama]

Small in size but rich in creativity, Inujima combines contemporary art with industrial heritage. Wander through restored buildings, discover thought-provoking installations and visit the unique Seirensho Art Museum. With its tranquil island atmosphere and innovative exhibitions, Inujima offers a memorable cultural escape, inviting visitors to experience art in new ways.

 

Tokyo Voice Column

TOKYO NOTICE BOARD TNB Throwback: FEB 16. 2026

Tasty Japanese food: Will want to avoid? by Olga Kaneda

Before coming to Japan I was a vegetarian. A vegan, to be precise; and now here I am, stuffing my face with nama choko crepe, cheesecake and a brownie, washing them down with ice matcha latte from Lawson. I keep telling myself that they are all tiny and therefore count as a one full-fledged dessert, but deep in my mind I know that this is very, very bad and I don’t know how to put an end to this. I really don’t.

Of course I stopped being vegan before I actually came to Japan, not just because I encountered delicious foods like yakiniku, okonomiyaki, takoyaki and karaage. Anyway, about two years ago I was happy that I started eating meat, eggs and fish again. It had broadened my horizons and now I know fancy fish names like splendid alfonsino (kinmedai) and how yummy squid ink fried rice (ikasumi chahan) is.

But the real problem is not the carbs, and not even the sodium, which is found in enormous quantities in such supposedly healthy foods as miso, umeboshi and noodles. It is the flavor and taste enhancer MSG, which stands for monosodium glutamate. I was taught by my mom that it is a vile substance and we should avoid it at all costs. On the contrary, Japanese people admire it tremendously and add practically everywhere. Imagine my shock when I found out that glutamate is the reason why umami (one of the basic tastes in Japan) came into existence? My Japanese husband firmly believes that there is nothing bad about consuming MSG every day and that it has nothing to do with his blood test results. Ignorance is bliss, indeed.

Please don’t bring the umami culture to Europe! I am aware that glutamate is already used there, but still… I don’t want my family back there to stop loving simple foods and become gourmets like me. It goes without saying that Japanese people will never become fat even if they consume all that sugar, carbs, meat, sodium etc. But take a look at Japanese kids and you won’t be that optimistic any longer.

For the record: I want to scream every time someone exclaims: 《Japanese diet is the healthiest in the world! How on Earth did you manage to get fat?》

日本に来る前、私はベジタリアンだった。正確に言うとヴィーガン(完全ベジタリアン)。でも日本にいる私はナマチョコクレープ、チーズケーキ、ブラウニーを口一杯ほうばり、ローソンのアイスマッチャラテで流し込む。全部ちっちゃいけれど、動物性食品デザート一皿とカウントしようと自分にいいきかせながら、これは絶対、絶対いけない行為だと心の底で知りながら、やめられるだろうか。やめられない。

もちろん、来日前に私はヴィーガンでいることをやめた。やきにく、おこのみやき、たこやき、からあげといったおいしい食べ物に出会ったからというだけではない。とにかく、2年ほど前からまた、肉、卵、魚を食べ始めた。こうして食の幅が広がり、うまい『きんめだい』やおいしい『いかすみちゃーはん』の味を知る事となった。

しかし健康食品と思われているみそ、うめぼし、そば/うどんに大量に含まれる炭水化物でなく、ナトリウムでもでもなければ、化学調味料であるグルタミン酸ソーダこそが本当の問題だ。母から有害物質だから絶対口にするなと言われてきた。反対に日本人には欠かせず、何にでも使われている。うまみ成分がグルタミンだと知った時の私の驚きがおわかりになるだろうか。日本人の夫は、頑にグルタミン酸ソーダを毎日口にしてもなんら問題ないし、彼の血液検査の結果と何ら関係がないと考えている。知らない事はいいことだ。

ヨーロッパにうまみ文化を持ち込まないでほしい! グルタミン酸ソーダがすでに使用されているのを知っているが、ヨーロッパの家族が私のようにグルメにならず、簡素な食事で満足したままでいて欲しい。日本人はこんなにも砂糖、炭水化物、肉、ナトリウム等を口にするのに太らないと言われているが、日本人の子供を注意してみると将来について楽観的ではいられない。

念のために記しておくと、誰かが「日本人の食事は世界中でもとってもヘルシーなのに、一体全体どうしてあなたはそんなに太ったの?」と声高に非難しようもんなら悲鳴をあげたい。


MUSEUM -What's Going on?-

TOKYO NOTICE BOARD AUGUST 07. 2026

Kan: Space Brothers Exhibition (完・宇宙兄弟展)

Kan: Space Brothers Exhibition (完・宇宙兄弟展) is a special exhibition celebrating the conclusion of Space Brothers (Uch? Ky?dai), the acclaimed manga by Ch?ya Koyama that has inspired readers for nearly two decades. Held at the Seibu Shibuya Store A Building, 7th Floor Event Hall from 31 July to 23 August 2026, the exhibition commemorates the series' completion by inviting visitors to relive its memorable journey of dreams, perseverance, and space exploration.
The exhibition showcases original manga artwork, production materials, and carefully curated displays that trace the development of the story and its beloved characters, Mutta and Hibito Nanba. Visitors can explore immersive themed zones that recreate iconic scenes from the series, offering fans the opportunity to experience pivotal moments from the manga in a new way. The exhibition is designed to appeal not only to long-time readers but also to newcomers interested in discovering the inspirational world of Space Brothers.

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In addition to the exhibition, visitors can purchase exclusive merchandise available only at the venue and enjoy a limited-time collaboration cafe´ featuring themed food, drinks, and special visitor gifts. A collaboration with Wakasa Space Mackerel Canned Food and other exclusive products further enhances the experience. Timed-entry tickets are available, with options that include limited-edition goods and special admission benefits. Together, these attractions create a comprehensive celebration of one of Japan's most beloved manga series, honouring its legacy and its enduring message of pursuing one's dreams, no matter how distant they may seem.

Period:- Aug 23rd (Sun) Venue: Seibu Shibuya Department Store 7F Hours: 10:00 - 20:00 (admission 30 minutes before? closing)
Admission: Adults − 2,300yen / College Students − 1,300yen / General: From 3,700 (advance ticket) / Under High Scholl Students: From 1,700 (advance ticket) Tickst prices vary depending on the day of the week.

For more information, please visit

https://dsnl-ticket.com/kan-uchukyodai-ten

Eiichiro Oda’s ONE PIECE / The Scroll ll (Tokyo)

Eiichiro Oda’s “ONE PIECE / The Scroll II” is a special exhibition presented by Shueisha Manga-Art Heritage, showcasing a large-scale art print based on the world-famous manga ONE PIECE. Held at the Shueisha Manga-Art Heritage Tokyo Gallery in Azabudai Hills, Tokyo, from 8 July to 29 November 2026, the exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to experience manga as fine art through advanced printing techniques and traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
The centerpiece of the exhibition, “ONE PIECE / The Scroll II,” transforms Eiichiro Oda’s iconic “Great Pirate Centennial” (Dai Kaizoku Hyakkei) illustration into a monumental horizontal scroll-style artwork. The piece is reproduced on Japanese washi paper using the traditional collotype printing process, a highly detailed technique known for preserving the richness of original artwork. The production uses multiple printing plates to accurately capture the vivid colors and intricate details of the pirate characters.

Eiichiro Oda, ONE PIECE / The Scroll II
(2025, collotype print on Japanese washi paper),
edition of 55. Detail photograph (partial view).

Alongside the main artwork, the exhibition also presents the “ONE PIECE / Covers” series, featuring comic cover illustrations printed on B4-sized washi paper. These works highlight the artistic value of manga illustrations and explore the connection between contemporary pop culture and traditional Japanese techniques.
Through this exhibition, Shueisha Manga-Art Heritage celebrates ONE PIECE as a cultural artwork, offering fans and collectors a unique opportunity to appreciate Eiichiro Oda’s creations beyond the printed page.

 

Period: 2026.11.29 (Sun) 20266 Venue: Shueisha Manga-Art Heritage Tokyo Gallery (Azabudai Hills)
Hours: Tue, Wed, Thu 11:00−18:00 Fri, Sat, Sun, Japanese Holidays 11:00−19:00 Closed Days: Please check the website Admission Fee: Free

For more information, please visit

https://mangaart.jp/


Strange but True

TOKYO NOTICE BOARD JULY 10. 2026

Mysterious "Potato-Shaped" UFO

The latest batch of U.S. military UFO reports has sparked fresh curiosity after one witness described an unidentified flying object as looking like a shimmering potato. While the unusual description quickly grabbed headlines, officials emphasise that "unidentified" does not necessarily mean extraterrestrial. Many unexplained sightings eventually turn out to be weather phenomena, experimental aircraft or optical illusions. However, some remain unresolved simply because there is not enough evidence to identify them with certainty. Interest in UFOs has surged in recent years, leading governments to investigate sightings more seriously than ever before. Whether the mysterious object has an ordinary explanation or remains an unsolved puzzle, it reminds us that there are still plenty of mysteries in the skies―and people are always eager to discover what they might be.

Can Fake Pills Really Make You Feel Better?

Imagine taking a pill that you know contains no medicine―and still feeling better. Recent research suggests that so-called "open-label placebos" can improve symptoms even when people are fully aware they are taking a fake treatment.
Scientists believe the brain's expectations, daily routines and natural chemistry all play a role. Although placebo pills cannot cure serious illnesses, they may help reduce pain, stress or fatigue in some cases.
The findings highlight the remarkable connection between mind and body. Researchers hope this growing understanding could complement conventional medicine in the future. It is another reminder that our brains can influence our wellbeing in ways we are only beginning to understand.

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