Plain Talk
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD SEP 18. 2026Tokyo Crows - a “caw”tionary tale by David Williams
Tokyo is definitely one of the best cities in the world in which to live. However, there is one aspect of Tokyo living that has become a thorn in my side: the crows. More than a mere nuisance, Japanese crows are a force to be reckoned with. They not only wreak havoc with our garbage and wake us at ungodly hours of the morning with their raucous cawing, but they can also be downright dangerous. The following is a cautionary tale for dealing with these pint-sized pterodactyls.
It all started innocently enough one Sunday afternoon. I was curled up on the sofa in my apartment, engrossed in a newly-purchased book on Japanese Zen philosophy, when the incessant cawing of a crow outside my window shattered my tranquility. Having read only the first few chapters of the book, I wasn’t yet Zen enough to let this crow’s antics fly by. After rereading the same paragraph for the umpteenth time, my irritation compelled me to get up, look out the window at the crow, and mimic its annoying call.
Observing my action, my Japanese wife advised me against teasing crows, explaining that they not only remember faces, but also lie in wait to exact revenge. Incredulous, I playfully brushed aside her warning with a shake of the head and a dismissive smile.
A few days later, however, as I was making my way home from a routine grocery run, the smile was well and truly wiped off my face. The crow had indeed waited for me to show my face in the neighbourhood. As I approached my apartment building, it suddenly pounced down from my neighbour’s wall and attacked me. I found myself face-to-face with the vengeful crow, its beady eyes locked onto mine. While I wouldn’t bet my life that it was the exact same crow, I feel pretty confident that it was. I learned two things from this experience: 1) always take your wife’s word as gospel; and 2) have a wary respect for Tokyo's vengeful vultures.
東京は間違いなく、世界で最も住みやすい都市のひとつだ。しかし、東京での生活で私の悩みの種となっていることがある。カラスである。日本のカラスは単なる厄介者ではなく、侮れない存在なのだ。侮れない。カラスはゴミを荒らすだけでなく、朝早くから騒いで私たちを起こす。カラスの鳴き声は単なる迷惑行為にとどまらない。実に危険である。以下は、これらの小柄な翼手類に対処するための教訓である。小柄な翼竜の対処法である。
それはある日曜日の午後、何の罪もなく始まった。私はアパートのソファで丸くなっていた。買ったばかりの日本の禅哲学の本に夢中になっていた。そのとき、窓の外でカラスが鳴き続けた。私の平穏は打ち砕かれた。本の最初の数章を読んだだけで、私はまだ禅の境地に達していなかった。同じ段落を何度も読み直した後 何度も同じ段落を読み直し、苛立った私は立ち上がって窓の外のカラスを見た。カラスの鳴き声を真似るのだ。
私の行動を見た日本人の妻は、カラスは顔を覚えているだけでなく、復讐のために待ち伏せていると説明し、カラスをからかわないよう忠告した。私は驚きながらも、首を横に振って愛想笑いを浮かべ、彼女の忠告を戯れに受け流した。
しかし数日後、日課の食料品買い出しから帰宅する途中、私の顔から笑みが消えた。カラスは私が近所に顔を出すのを待っていたのだ。私が住んでいるアパートに近づくと、カラスは突然隣の家の塀から飛び降り、私に襲いかかってきたのだ。気がつくと、私は復讐に燃えるカラスと対面していた。それがまったく同じカラスであるかどうかはわからないが、間違いないと確信している。私はこの経験から2つのことを学んだ：1）妻の言葉は常に福音として受け止めること、2）東京の復讐に燃えるハゲタカを警戒し尊敬すること。
Plain Talk
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD TNB Throwback APRIL 09. 2021Pet Protocols in Japan by Gene Pelc
Before coming to Japan, I was an active member of the American Human Society and various other animal welfare and rescue groups. Arriving in Tokyo, I noticed a fundamental difference between East and West in regards to the keeping of pets, for example dogs kept outside the house on short leashes for extended periods of time, sometimes for life.
Over time, such things have improved, but there’s still a terrible stray animal problem.Take a look at the large number of dogs and cats euthanized by the government. The stray cat problem is appalling. All over Japan, cats
are suffering, starving, killed by cars and dying slow deaths due to aids and other diseases.
I strongly believe there is not an animal problem…. There is a human problem!
For years I’ve watched ideas, good and bad, take root in Japan.The time is overdue for a basic change in human/
animal relationship.
For example, never buy pets! Adopt them, rescue them, do not patronize pet stores that deal with breeders.
Conditions at breeders' facilities are often horrific and overcrowded. They euthanize or otherwise get rid of old animals that can no longer reproduce or be sold. They only deal in small young animals,taking babies away from mothers too early, disposing of them as they age, and or get sick.
Instead of pet shops, check out shelters and rescue centers that have many types of cats and dogs.They even have purebreds (such as poodles) that some people find to be too expensive or problematic to keep, so they give them up.
After really thinking it through, should you decide to get a pet, consider the following; these are living, breathing creatures, that get sick and need exercise, care, grooming, etc. Are you willing and able to take care of them for a lifetime? Vets are expensive. Are they good with children? Will you need to move in the foreseeable future? Many places do not allow pets.There are many things to consider carefully before you make a longterm commitment.
来日する前、アメリカの愛護協会や他にもあるさまざまな動物保護団体の熱心なメンバーだった。東京にやってきて、僕はペットに対する西洋と東洋の基本的違いに気づかされた。例えば、家の外で長時間、あるいは一生涯、犬が短いリードにつながれた状態でいるといったことだ。
時間と共に、そうした点は改善されてきているが、未だに野生動物のかわいそうな状況は続いている。国によって殺処分させられる野良犬や野良猫がどれ程いるのか考えてみるといい。野良猫の場合は恐ろしいくらい悲惨だ。日本全国にはストレスをかかえお腹をすかせた猫がたくさんいて、車にひかれたり、エイズや他の病気にかかり衰弱して死んでいく。
これは動物の問題でなく、人間の問題であると僕は強く信じる。
長年にわたり、僕は、良いにしろ、悪いにしろ日本に根ざす考え方を見守ってきた。今や、人間と野生動物の関係において、基本的改革の機が熟した。
例をあげると、ペットは買うものではない！ どこかの家庭で生まれたり飼えなくなった動物を引き取ったり、保護動物を飼おう。ブリーダーから仕入れるペットショップを儲けさせてはいけない。ブリーダーの施設は、しばしばぞっとするような環境で過密状態にあり、子供を産まなくなったり、売るには年を取り過ぎた動物は殺処分される。早い時期に母親から離された幼いよちよちした動物のみを売り買いする。成長したり、病気になった動物は処分される。
ペットショップではなく、シェルターや保護施設に出かけよう。そこにはさまざまな種類の犬や猫がいる。プードルといった純血種もいたりする。というのも飼うのにお金がかかったり、世話をするのが重荷になった人が預けるからだ。
よくよく考えて、ペットを飼おうと決めたなら、以下の事を検討してみて。動物は命があり呼吸をする生き物だ。だから病気になったりもするし、運動、食事の世話や毛の手入れも必要だ。動物が生きている間、君はきちんとすべての面で世話ができるだろうか？動物病院にかかる場合は、その費用もかかる。子供達にかみつく犬種もいる。そのうちに引越さなくてはならなくなるかもしれない。ペットお断りの場所は多い。長期的に責任を全うするためには慎重に考えるべき点はたくさんある。
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 SEPTEMBER 18, 2026
Nezu Shrine Grand Festival
Tucked away in the quiet Bunkyo neighborhood, Nezu Shrine is one of Tokyo's oldest and most beautiful Shinto shrines, famous for its vermilion torii gates and lacquered halls dating back to 1706. Each autumn it hosts its Grand Festival, or Reitaisai, and the 2026 edition is especially rare and worth catching.
Said to have been established in 1714, when Nezu was counted among Edo's greatest festivals, the Reitaisai fills the shrine's atmospheric precincts with the sights and sounds of old Japan. Expect lively food stalls, echoing taiko drums, sacred kagura dance, and the graceful ceremonies that have marked this event for over three centuries.
What makes 2026 special is the Jinkosai, a magnificent mikoshi procession held only once every four years. On September 27, a portable shrine is carried in a stately parade through the surrounding streets, accompanied by crowds in traditional dress, a spectacle you cannot see in the years between.
Beyond the festivities, the shrine itself rewards a visit, with its elegant 18th-century architecture and a tunnel of small red torii gates that make for wonderful photographs. Cool early-autumn air and a genuine sense of history make this a rich, rewarding outing for anyone keen to experience authentic Tokyo tradition just a little off the usual tourist trail.
September 26th (Sat) - 27th (Sun) @ Nezu Shrine (Nezu Sta. on Chiyoda Line)
Oedo Antique Market
Bargain hunters and lovers of the old and beautiful, take note: the Oedo Antique Market is the largest outdoor antique market in Japan, and it returns to the plaza in front of the Tokyo International Forum this month. With around 250 dealers spreading their wares beneath the open sky, it is a treasure trove for a leisurely morning of browsing.
The variety on offer is genuinely remarkable. Stalls brim with Edo-era ceramics, vintage kimono and obi sashes, delicate lacquerware, old glassware, retro homeware, and curious trinkets, alongside a healthy and generous sprinkling of Western antiques that draw a wonderfully international crowd. Whether you are a serious collector or simply enjoy a good rummage, there is genuinely something here to catch every eye.
A few practical tips help. The market is busiest around noon, so arrive early for the best pickings, and note that many vendors begin packing up by three. Most stalls accept cash only, though convenience stores nearby can help if you run short. Crucially, the market is cancelled entirely if it rains, so check the weather first.
Free to enter and wonderfully atmospheric, it is a delightful way to spend a morning hunting for one-of-a-kind souvenirs in the heart of the city, right beside Yurakucho.
September 21st (Mon), 2026 9:00am - 4:00pm @ Tokyo International Forum
https://www.antique-market.jp/english/
Have You Been To...
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD SEPTEMBER 18, 2026
Ine no Funaya [Ine, Kyoto]
On the northern coast of Kyoto Prefecture lies Ine, a serene fishing village unlike anywhere else in Japan. Around its calm bay stand some 230 funaya, traditional boat houses built right over the water, with boat garages below and living quarters above. Explore by sightseeing boat or sea taxi, savor incredibly fresh seafood, and soak up this rare, timeless scene.
Gujo Hachiman [Gujo, Gifu]
Tucked into the mountains of Gifu, Gujo Hachiman is an enchanting water town laced with crystal-clear canals and gurgling streams. Above it perches Japan's oldest reconstructed wooden castle, offering sweeping valley views. In summer, the town famously dances through the night at its centuries-old Gujo Odori festival. Add charming old streets and pure spring water, and this alpine gem enchants.
Shodoshima [Shodoshima, Kagawa]
Floating in the Seto Inland Sea, Shodoshima feels almost Mediterranean, thanks to its sunny climate and thriving olive groves. At low tide, the Angel Road sandbar emerges, letting you stroll across to tiny offshore islands. Marvel at the dramatic cliffs of Kankakei Gorge, one of Japan's loveliest ravines, then sample local olive oil and soy sauce. A blissful island escape.
Biei [Biei, Hokkaido]
In the heart of Hokkaido, Biei is a dreamscape of gently rolling, patchwork farmland that shifts color with the seasons. Its famous Blue Pond glows an otherworldly turquoise, dotted with the pale skeletons of larch trees. Cycle or drive the scenic hills between flower fields and lone trees made famous by photographers. Come summer, the whole landscape feels quietly magical.
Tokyo Voice Column
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD TNB Throwback: AUG 25. 2017
What A Load of Rubbish! by Al Mac
I had the misfortune to open my gym bag the other day. I had snaffled on some bananas after a game of football and with no trash cans available, had put the trash in my bag. In summer. In the heat. And forgot about it. Disaster. Question: Where are the bins, trashcans, gomi boxes in Tokyo?
When the G-7 Ise-Shima Summit took place in Mie Prefecture, Tokyo Metro has removed trash cans from 170 subway stations in an bid to strengthen anti-terrorism measures. Although it was just the temporary measure until the summit ended on May 27, it was the final nail in the coffin for many Tokyoites sick of carrying around their trash like a bunch of homeless people. Tokyo is on the verge of becoming a city-nation of bin men, voluntary garbage collectors carrying garbage and trash for miles before it can be discarded responsibly i.e. home. What are we paying our taxes for? It is hard enough to deal with rubbish in Japan given the draconian military-style rules on garbage separation with an army of Sergeant-Major Oba-chan neighbours to (illegally) rummage through your unwanted personal effects..
Speak to any Tokyo residents, foreigner and Japanese, and they have all noticed over the last 25 years is the decline in public trash cans. Many believe the local governments want to shirk the responsibility of garbage collection and pocket the money. The responsibility seems to have been transferred to the local "conbini" convenience stores, which has become so chronic in some areas that people drive up to the "conbini" for the sole purpose of discarding their rubbish. Naturally, the "conbinis" have started fighting back as it must be hurting their financial pockets in local taxes. They have merely started to remove outdoor trash cans, which spells doom unless the Tokyo Government takes some urgent action.
If this continues, the inevitable outcome is that Tokyo will come to emulate New York, but in the worst possible way, a city famed not only for its bright lights and opportunities but as a city of rats. Not the best welcome for the millions expected for 2020.
Let's hope the new Tokyo Governor agrees.
この間、運悪くジムのバッグを開けずにいた。フットボールの試合後、バナナを食べ、ゴミ箱が見当たらなかったので皮をバッグにつっこんだのだった。夏でこの暑さ、そのまま忘れていた。大失敗！さて質問だが、東京にはどこにゴミ箱があるのだろう？
伊勢志摩サミットが三重県で開催された時、テロ対策として東京メトロの地下鉄駅１７０カ所からゴミ箱が撤去された。５月２７日のサミット終了までの一時的な対応だったが、ホームレスのようにゴミをかかえて歩く不便さにより多くの都民は大きな打撃を受けた。東京は都民みんながゴミ収集人、ゴミ収集のボランティアになりつつある。税金は何のために使われているのだろう。日本ではゴミを捨てる事すら大変である。厳格な軍隊スタイルのルールがあり、陸軍曹長のような近所のおばちゃんの指示に従ってゴミをかき回して仕分けしなてはいけない。
東京に住む外国人、日本人に問いかけると、誰もがここ２５年間のうちにゴミ箱の数が減った事に気づいていた。そして大部分の人が、東京都がゴミ収集における責務を減らし、着服していると思っている。ゴミ収集の責務は近所の『コンビニ』に移行されているように思われる。というのも『コンビニ』に個人ゴミを捨てる人が慢性的になりつつあるからだ。自然と『コンビニ』は店の外にあるゴミ箱を撤去し始めた。東京都が緊急な対策をとらなければ、深刻な事態となる。
この事態が続けば、東京はニューヨークに劣らず、華やかでビジネスチャンスの大都市という名誉に加えネズミの都市という避けられない結果を招く。２０２０年を期待する人にとっては歓迎すべき事態ではない。新しい都知事も同意してくれることを願おう、
MUSEUM -What's Going on?-
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD SEPTEMBER 04. 2026
Learning from "Hojoki": Tiny Architecture Reweaves Life
What does it truly mean to live well, and how little space do we really need to do it? That deceptively simple question lies at the heart of Learning from "Hojoki": Tiny Architecture Reweaves Life, a thought-provoking exhibition at 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, the striking Tadao Ando-designed gallery in Tokyo Midtown.
The show takes its inspiration from Hojoki, a beloved 13th-century essay by Kamo no Chomei, known in English as The Ten-Foot Square Hut. Written from the tiny hermitage to which Chomei retreated, it reflects thoughtfully on impermanence and on the freedom of a simple, pared-down life. Eight centuries later, that meditation feels remarkably timely.
*
Under the direction of acclaimed architect Yoshiharu Tsukamoto, a roster of architects, designers, and artists have each created their own interpretation of Chomei's hut. Every structure shares the same minimal nine-square-meter footprint, yet the responses are wildly varied, built from different materials and driven by different ideas about how we might choose to live. Visitors wander among these full-scale huts along connecting pathways, encountering thoughtful research and reflections on dwelling and daily life along the way.
The result is playful, contemplative, and quietly radical, gently challenging our everyday assumptions about space, ownership, and comfort in an age of clutter and excess. Set within Ando's cool concrete architecture, it is a show that lingers in the mind long after you leave.
Thoughtful and beautifully staged, it is a must for anyone interested in design, architecture, or simply rethinking what home really means in the modern world today.
Period: August 28th (Fri), 2026 - January 11th (Mon), 2027
Venue: 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT
Hours: 10:00 - 19:00 (admission 30 minutes before closing)
Closed: Tuesdays (Except 9/22 and 11/3), 11/21-23, 12/27-1/3, 2026
Admission: General ￥1,700 / University students ￥800 / High school students ￥500 / Junior high school students and under may enter for freeTickst prices vary depending on the day of the week.
For more information, please visit
https://dsnl-ticket.com/kan-uchukyodai-ten
A Ceramic Travelogue: China, Japan, and the Korean Peninsula
Tucked into the leafy calm of Minami-Aoyama, the Nezu Museum is one of Tokyo's most serene cultural retreats, and this autumn it turns its attention to one of East Asia's great art forms. A Ceramic Travelogue: China, Japan, and the Korean Peninsula draws around 110 masterpieces from the museum's celebrated collection of some 2,300 ceramic works, inviting visitors on a journey across three neighboring yet distinct traditions.
The exhibition is arranged by region, allowing fascinating comparisons to emerge. Chinese ceramics dazzle with technical brilliance and imperial refinement, from ancient earthenware to lustrous porcelain. Japanese pieces reveal a love of natural, understated beauty, closely tied to the tea ceremony and its quiet aesthetics. Korean works, meanwhile, are prized for their gentle forms, subtle glazes, and understated grace. Seen side by side, the three traditions illuminate one another, revealing shared influences alongside proudly individual sensibilities.
*
Part of the pleasure here is the setting itself. The museum building, designed by architect Kengo Kuma, is a masterclass in modern Japanese design: all bamboo, stone, and soft natural light. Beyond the galleries lies a magnificent landscaped garden, a rare 17,000-square-meter oasis of ponds, paths, and tucked-away teahouses, perfect for an unhurried stroll after viewing.
For anyone drawn to craftsmanship, history, or simply a tranquil afternoon away from the city's rush, this is a rewarding, beautifully presented show. Whether you are a serious enthusiast or a curious newcomer, the artistry on display and the calm in which to enjoy it make for a truly memorable visit.
Period: August 15th (Sat) - October 12th (Mon), 2026
Venue: Nezu Museum
Hours: 10:00 - 17:00 (admission 30 minutes before? closing)
Closed Days: Mondays (except 9/21, 10/12) and September 24
Admission: Timed-entry ticket (online) Adult : 1400 yen / Student* : 600 yen (Same-day tickets: plus 200 yen on the above prices)
For more information, please visit
Strange but True
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD SEPTEMBER 18. 2026
The Cat Who Rode 100 Miles on the Roof
When the Denardo family of Pennsylvania set off on a road trip to New Hampshire and New York, they were certain everyone was accounted for. They were not. One hundred miles later, pulling into a gas station, the husband stepped out and froze: their cat, Ray Ray, was perched calmly on the roof of the van. The adventurous feline had clung on through winding roads, highway winds, and speeds of 70 miles per hour for two hours, entirely unfazed. Too far from home to turn back, the family simply made Ray Ray an honorary road-tripper. After a quick stop for a cat backpack and supplies, he crossed a marathon finish line in his owner's arms and took in the sights of New York. He has since inspired a children's book.
Fifty Sheep Storm a Supermarket
Shoppers at a Penny supermarket in the small Bavarian town of Burgsinn got a woolly surprise one January morning when around 50 sheep came streaming through the automatic doors. The flock had broken away from a much larger group of 500 that shepherd Dieter Michler was guiding to their winter shelter. His best guess? The runaways were lured off course by tasty acorns on the ground, then followed a shopper carrying a bag inside, apparently mistaking it for feed. Chaos ensued. Staff and customers scrambled onto checkout conveyor belts as the sheep knocked over bottles and left droppings across the floor during their twenty-minute spree. Happily, no one was hurt and the flock was safely reunited. Rather than bill the shepherd, the supermarket kindly offered to sponsor a year's feed.
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 SEPTEMBER 18, 2026Nezu Shrine Grand Festival
Tucked away in the quiet Bunkyo neighborhood, Nezu Shrine is one of Tokyo's oldest and most beautiful Shinto shrines, famous for its vermilion torii gates and lacquered halls dating back to 1706. Each autumn it hosts its Grand Festival, or Reitaisai, and the 2026 edition is especially rare and worth catching.
Said to have been established in 1714, when Nezu was counted among Edo's greatest festivals, the Reitaisai fills the shrine's atmospheric precincts with the sights and sounds of old Japan. Expect lively food stalls, echoing taiko drums, sacred kagura dance, and the graceful ceremonies that have marked this event for over three centuries.
What makes 2026 special is the Jinkosai, a magnificent mikoshi procession held only once every four years. On September 27, a portable shrine is carried in a stately parade through the surrounding streets, accompanied by crowds in traditional dress, a spectacle you cannot see in the years between.
Beyond the festivities, the shrine itself rewards a visit, with its elegant 18th-century architecture and a tunnel of small red torii gates that make for wonderful photographs. Cool early-autumn air and a genuine sense of history make this a rich, rewarding outing for anyone keen to experience authentic Tokyo tradition just a little off the usual tourist trail.
September 26th (Sat) - 27th (Sun) @ Nezu Shrine (Nezu Sta. on Chiyoda Line)
Oedo Antique Market
Bargain hunters and lovers of the old and beautiful, take note: the Oedo Antique Market is the largest outdoor antique market in Japan, and it returns to the plaza in front of the Tokyo International Forum this month. With around 250 dealers spreading their wares beneath the open sky, it is a treasure trove for a leisurely morning of browsing.
The variety on offer is genuinely remarkable. Stalls brim with Edo-era ceramics, vintage kimono and obi sashes, delicate lacquerware, old glassware, retro homeware, and curious trinkets, alongside a healthy and generous sprinkling of Western antiques that draw a wonderfully international crowd. Whether you are a serious collector or simply enjoy a good rummage, there is genuinely something here to catch every eye.
A few practical tips help. The market is busiest around noon, so arrive early for the best pickings, and note that many vendors begin packing up by three. Most stalls accept cash only, though convenience stores nearby can help if you run short. Crucially, the market is cancelled entirely if it rains, so check the weather first.
Free to enter and wonderfully atmospheric, it is a delightful way to spend a morning hunting for one-of-a-kind souvenirs in the heart of the city, right beside Yurakucho.
September 21st (Mon), 2026 9:00am - 4:00pm @ Tokyo International Forum
https://www.antique-market.jp/english/
Have You Been To...
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD SEPTEMBER 18, 2026Ine no Funaya [Ine, Kyoto]
On the northern coast of Kyoto Prefecture lies Ine, a serene fishing village unlike anywhere else in Japan. Around its calm bay stand some 230 funaya, traditional boat houses built right over the water, with boat garages below and living quarters above. Explore by sightseeing boat or sea taxi, savor incredibly fresh seafood, and soak up this rare, timeless scene.
Gujo Hachiman [Gujo, Gifu]
Tucked into the mountains of Gifu, Gujo Hachiman is an enchanting water town laced with crystal-clear canals and gurgling streams. Above it perches Japan's oldest reconstructed wooden castle, offering sweeping valley views. In summer, the town famously dances through the night at its centuries-old Gujo Odori festival. Add charming old streets and pure spring water, and this alpine gem enchants.
Shodoshima [Shodoshima, Kagawa]
Floating in the Seto Inland Sea, Shodoshima feels almost Mediterranean, thanks to its sunny climate and thriving olive groves. At low tide, the Angel Road sandbar emerges, letting you stroll across to tiny offshore islands. Marvel at the dramatic cliffs of Kankakei Gorge, one of Japan's loveliest ravines, then sample local olive oil and soy sauce. A blissful island escape.
Biei [Biei, Hokkaido]
In the heart of Hokkaido, Biei is a dreamscape of gently rolling, patchwork farmland that shifts color with the seasons. Its famous Blue Pond glows an otherworldly turquoise, dotted with the pale skeletons of larch trees. Cycle or drive the scenic hills between flower fields and lone trees made famous by photographers. Come summer, the whole landscape feels quietly magical.
Tokyo Voice Column
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD TNB Throwback: AUG 25. 2017What A Load of Rubbish! by Al Mac
I had the misfortune to open my gym bag the other day. I had snaffled on some bananas after a game of football and with no trash cans available, had put the trash in my bag. In summer. In the heat. And forgot about it. Disaster. Question: Where are the bins, trashcans, gomi boxes in Tokyo?
When the G-7 Ise-Shima Summit took place in Mie Prefecture, Tokyo Metro has removed trash cans from 170 subway stations in an bid to strengthen anti-terrorism measures. Although it was just the temporary measure until the summit ended on May 27, it was the final nail in the coffin for many Tokyoites sick of carrying around their trash like a bunch of homeless people. Tokyo is on the verge of becoming a city-nation of bin men, voluntary garbage collectors carrying garbage and trash for miles before it can be discarded responsibly i.e. home. What are we paying our taxes for? It is hard enough to deal with rubbish in Japan given the draconian military-style rules on garbage separation with an army of Sergeant-Major Oba-chan neighbours to (illegally) rummage through your unwanted personal effects..
Speak to any Tokyo residents, foreigner and Japanese, and they have all noticed over the last 25 years is the decline in public trash cans. Many believe the local governments want to shirk the responsibility of garbage collection and pocket the money. The responsibility seems to have been transferred to the local "conbini" convenience stores, which has become so chronic in some areas that people drive up to the "conbini" for the sole purpose of discarding their rubbish. Naturally, the "conbinis" have started fighting back as it must be hurting their financial pockets in local taxes. They have merely started to remove outdoor trash cans, which spells doom unless the Tokyo Government takes some urgent action.
If this continues, the inevitable outcome is that Tokyo will come to emulate New York, but in the worst possible way, a city famed not only for its bright lights and opportunities but as a city of rats. Not the best welcome for the millions expected for 2020.
Let's hope the new Tokyo Governor agrees.
この間、運悪くジムのバッグを開けずにいた。フットボールの試合後、バナナを食べ、ゴミ箱が見当たらなかったので皮をバッグにつっこんだのだった。夏でこの暑さ、そのまま忘れていた。大失敗！さて質問だが、東京にはどこにゴミ箱があるのだろう？
伊勢志摩サミットが三重県で開催された時、テロ対策として東京メトロの地下鉄駅１７０カ所からゴミ箱が撤去された。５月２７日のサミット終了までの一時的な対応だったが、ホームレスのようにゴミをかかえて歩く不便さにより多くの都民は大きな打撃を受けた。東京は都民みんながゴミ収集人、ゴミ収集のボランティアになりつつある。税金は何のために使われているのだろう。日本ではゴミを捨てる事すら大変である。厳格な軍隊スタイルのルールがあり、陸軍曹長のような近所のおばちゃんの指示に従ってゴミをかき回して仕分けしなてはいけない。
東京に住む外国人、日本人に問いかけると、誰もがここ２５年間のうちにゴミ箱の数が減った事に気づいていた。そして大部分の人が、東京都がゴミ収集における責務を減らし、着服していると思っている。ゴミ収集の責務は近所の『コンビニ』に移行されているように思われる。というのも『コンビニ』に個人ゴミを捨てる人が慢性的になりつつあるからだ。自然と『コンビニ』は店の外にあるゴミ箱を撤去し始めた。東京都が緊急な対策をとらなければ、深刻な事態となる。
この事態が続けば、東京はニューヨークに劣らず、華やかでビジネスチャンスの大都市という名誉に加えネズミの都市という避けられない結果を招く。２０２０年を期待する人にとっては歓迎すべき事態ではない。新しい都知事も同意してくれることを願おう、
MUSEUM -What's Going on?-
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD SEPTEMBER 04. 2026Learning from "Hojoki": Tiny Architecture Reweaves Life What does it truly mean to live well, and how little space do we really need to do it? That deceptively simple question lies at the heart of Learning from "Hojoki": Tiny Architecture Reweaves Life, a thought-provoking exhibition at 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, the striking Tadao Ando-designed gallery in Tokyo Midtown. |
* |
Under the direction of acclaimed architect Yoshiharu Tsukamoto, a roster of architects, designers, and artists have each created their own interpretation of Chomei's hut. Every structure shares the same minimal nine-square-meter footprint, yet the responses are wildly varied, built from different materials and driven by different ideas about how we might choose to live. Visitors wander among these full-scale huts along connecting pathways, encountering thoughtful research and reflections on dwelling and daily life along the way. |
Period: August 28th (Fri), 2026 - January 11th (Mon), 2027
Venue: 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT
Hours: 10:00 - 19:00 (admission 30 minutes before closing)
Closed: Tuesdays (Except 9/22 and 11/3), 11/21-23, 12/27-1/3, 2026
Admission: General ￥1,700 / University students ￥800 / High school students ￥500 / Junior high school students and under may enter for freeTickst prices vary depending on the day of the week.
For more information, please visit
https://dsnl-ticket.com/kan-uchukyodai-ten
A Ceramic Travelogue: China, Japan, and the Korean Peninsula Tucked into the leafy calm of Minami-Aoyama, the Nezu Museum is one of Tokyo's most serene cultural retreats, and this autumn it turns its attention to one of East Asia's great art forms. A Ceramic Travelogue: China, Japan, and the Korean Peninsula draws around 110 masterpieces from the museum's celebrated collection of some 2,300 ceramic works, inviting visitors on a journey across three neighboring yet distinct traditions. |
* |
Part of the pleasure here is the setting itself. The museum building, designed by architect Kengo Kuma, is a masterclass in modern Japanese design: all bamboo, stone, and soft natural light. Beyond the galleries lies a magnificent landscaped garden, a rare 17,000-square-meter oasis of ponds, paths, and tucked-away teahouses, perfect for an unhurried stroll after viewing. |
Period: August 15th (Sat) - October 12th (Mon), 2026
Venue: Nezu Museum
Hours: 10:00 - 17:00 (admission 30 minutes before? closing)
Closed Days: Mondays (except 9/21, 10/12) and September 24
Admission: Timed-entry ticket (online) Adult : 1400 yen / Student* : 600 yen (Same-day tickets: plus 200 yen on the above prices)
For more information, please visit
Strange but True
TOKYO NOTICE BOARD SEPTEMBER 18. 2026The Cat Who Rode 100 Miles on the Roof
When the Denardo family of Pennsylvania set off on a road trip to New Hampshire and New York, they were certain everyone was accounted for. They were not. One hundred miles later, pulling into a gas station, the husband stepped out and froze: their cat, Ray Ray, was perched calmly on the roof of the van. The adventurous feline had clung on through winding roads, highway winds, and speeds of 70 miles per hour for two hours, entirely unfazed. Too far from home to turn back, the family simply made Ray Ray an honorary road-tripper. After a quick stop for a cat backpack and supplies, he crossed a marathon finish line in his owner's arms and took in the sights of New York. He has since inspired a children's book.
Fifty Sheep Storm a Supermarket
Shoppers at a Penny supermarket in the small Bavarian town of Burgsinn got a woolly surprise one January morning when around 50 sheep came streaming through the automatic doors. The flock had broken away from a much larger group of 500 that shepherd Dieter Michler was guiding to their winter shelter. His best guess? The runaways were lured off course by tasty acorns on the ground, then followed a shopper carrying a bag inside, apparently mistaking it for feed. Chaos ensued. Staff and customers scrambled onto checkout conveyor belts as the sheep knocked over bottles and left droppings across the floor during their twenty-minute spree. Happily, no one was hurt and the flock was safely reunited. Rather than bill the shepherd, the supermarket kindly offered to sponsor a year's feed.
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. |
|
50 Shades of Yikess
