Metropolis Magazine

27/08/2024

A Fantastical Adventure from Medieval Japan – Takaoka’s Travels

Takaoka's Travels – a young Japanese prince traveling west to see the origins of Buddhism, being confronted with his worldly and sexual lust.

27/08/2024

Step back in time with a leisurely hike【Kiso Valley】
https://metropolisjapan.com/kiso-valley/

15/08/2024

This Kyoto Bar is a “Sound Forest” Filled with Ambient Music and Exotic Plants🌴
https://metropolisjapan.com/ful-kyoto-bar/

08/08/2024

For relaxing times…🥃🎌

【The 9 Best Japanese Whiskies for Gifting】

Whisky makes for an elegant gift to be given anytime. Although devout collectors, scarcity and high demand have driven prices up and out of reach — 100 million Yen for a bottle of 55-year-old Yamazaki. I’d like to propose a list I curated for the everyday person, with many categories to select from for the best Japanese whiskies.

Some things to remember. Whisky starts at 40% alcohol by volume (ABV) and only goes up from there. Don’t attempt to purchase and mail it to anyone in your country of origin. It’s not possible to post alcohol above 20% ABV in the mail. For international residents in Japan, the only way to get it back legally is in your checked baggage if you plan to visit home. For procuring, many of these can be found in your local supermarket or liquor shop. If not there, they are also available by online order from Amazon Japan and Rakuten.

By Marc Antomattei
https://metropolisjapan.com/the-9-best-japanese-whiskies/

07/08/2024

【Aesthetic Coffee Shops for Every Area in Tokyo☕ 】

Editor's picks for coffee shops in all 23 of Tokyo's Wards

With our guide to every ward in Tokyo’s most aesthetic coffee shops, you'll never have to rely on a Starbucks or Dotour again.

01/08/2024

🎆🌻
[What’s Happening in Tokyo in August?]

Festivals, summer flowers and more to fill your calendar this summer!

・Irumagawa Tanabata Matsuri
・Asagaya Tanabata Matsuri
・Asakusa Toro Nagashi
・Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival
・Tokyo Koenji Awa Odori
・Zama City 2024 Sunflower Festival
・Edogawa Fireworks Festival

… and more. Read the full article at the link🎐

By Nick Gericke

https://metropolisjapan.com/whats-happening-in-tokyo-in-august/

31/07/2024

Swirling in the Naruto Strait, these
vortexes have gained incredible popularity for their
beauty and cultural influence.

You're probably wondering if the whirlpools are related
to the famous anime “Naruto.” The Japanese word
naruto, meaning whirlpool in Japanese, served as an
inspiration for the main character Naruto Uzumaki.

The Naruto Whirlpools are caused by strong tidal
currents rushing through the narrow passage
connecting the Seto Island Sea with the Pacific Ocean.
Smaller water currents encounter the main current
creating the iconic “swirl” that surfaces in sizes of up
to 20 meters in diameter.

Find out how to visit these amazing natural phenomena at the link!

The Naruto Whirlpools are gaining popularity for their beauty and cultural influence. They are very accessible from Tokyo Station.

30/07/2024

This summer in Japan, top J.League teams play in the highly anticipated MEIJI YASUDA J.LEAGUE WORLD CHALLENGE 2024 and J.LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL SERIES 2024, both powered by docomo. Until August 3, Japanese stadiums will host five friendly matches, showcasing a blend of local and international talent.

Top Japanese teams play against international guests showcasing a blend of local and international talent at the J.League World Challenge.

23/07/2024

Voyager Seaside Lounge in Kamakura🌴

Yuigahama Beach in Kamakura offers two luxurious facilities: Seaside Lounge and Kaito. Both of these waterfront venues are operated by Voyager, which run popular clubs in Tokyo’s Shibuya district and Okinawa. Wooden decks, sun umbrellas and comfortable lounge chairs and sofas, Seaside Lounge and Kaito are the perfect hangout spots on a summer day.
https://metropolisjapan.com/voyager-beach-house/

19/07/2024

As the summer sun climbs high, Tokyo overflows with summer events. We invite you to step into the future and embrace the cutting-edge creativity sprawling across the city.

1. Summer Beer Garden at the Hilton Tokyo

Eat and drink the night away in the open evening air, tasting the flavors of Spain while looking over the Japanese city lights.

Image courtesy of Hilton Tokyo, Photo by Sam Maddicott

2. Performances at the New LaLa Arena Tokyo Bay

After opening in April this year, the new LaLa Arena is welcoming various performing artists to its spacious halls throughout the summer. It is around 40 minutes by train from Tokyo Station and will hold music, entertainment and sports events alike.

Image courtesy of Mitsui Fudosan

3. Trio: Modern Art Collections from Paris, Tokyo and Osaka

The three cities of Paris, Tokyo and Osaka, each with unique cultures and creativity, have come together for a summer exhibition in the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo. Each city will display works from their respective modern art museums in a new experimental collection made up of 34 trios of artwork from each museum. The trios are selected from each museum based on a common thread, whether that is the subject matter, motif, color palette, or something else entirely.

Image Courtesy of Sodeisha Group, Artwork by André Bauchant, The Fruit Stall, 1950, Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka （from Trio, theme “The Imaginary Garden”）

18/07/2024

As the summer sun climbs high, Tokyo overflows with summer events. We invite you to step into the future and embrace the cutting-edge creativity sprawling across the city.

1.TREE by NAKED

The newly reopened restaurant spans three floors and serves a taberu ato taiken (edible art experience). The entire space, including the tables, is engulfed in digital artwork featuring VR technology, projection mapping, lighting, and music.

Image Courtesy of TREE by NAKED

2. Calder: Un effet du Japonais

The Azabudai Hills Gallery has made its debut with an exhibition of the modern art of Alexander Calder, an American creative known for his innovative mobiles and sculptures such as the 14-foot wide Black Beast.

Image Courtesy of The Calder Foundation

3. Intelligent Cocktails at M Bar

Test your Japanese skills in a new type of drinking game at the Sheraton Miyako Hotel’s M Bar. While sipping on your welcome drink, solve the bartender’s riddles to receive the “intelligent cocktail,” rumored to be a different concoction depending on how your intelligence is perceived.

Image Courtesy of The Sheraton Miyako Hotel

4. The Sodeisha Group: An Era Born Out of Avant-garde Ceramics

the Kikuchi Kanjitsu Memorial Tomo Museum is showcasing the unique ceramic stylings of the Sodeisha Group. This exhibition focuses on the Sodeisha Group’s later work centered around figurative expression such as in Yasuo Hayashi’s “Hotcake” and Osamu Suzuki’s “Horse.”

Image courtesy of The Sodeisha Group, Artwork by YAGI Kazuo, “White Box, OPEN OPEN” 1971, The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, w23.0ｘd23.0ｘh29.0cm

Stay Tuned for Part 2!

18/07/2024

Tokyo Neighborhood Guide: Shibamata

Shibamata is a neighborhood in Katsushika district in eastern Tokyo, known for its retro vibes. The district bordering Tokyo and Chiba prefectures holds some of the most cherished memories from the nation’s post-war period. You can feel the love for all things Showa through the area’s museums, stores and shopping precincts—the fragrance of nostalgia wafting through the air here is a reminder that Shibamata really is the home of the good old days.

https://metropolisjapan.com/tokyo-neighborhood-guide-shibamata/

17/07/2024

Kimono Mom: From Geisha to Global YouTube Sensation

Metropolis talks tradition, responsibility and gender roles in Japan with YouTube’s favorite geisha.

This geisha–turned–social media sensation captivates audiences with a blend of traditional elegance and contemporary motherhood. With nearly six million followers across Instagram and YouTube, Moe’s journey from a young maiko (geisha trainee) in Kyoto to an influential content creator in Tokyo is a testament to her resilience and adaptability.

Read the full article here:
https://metropolisjapan.com/kimono-mom/

Written by Arden Kreuzer
Green Kimono photos by Mike Smith
Location: Azabudai Hills

Talking tradition, responsibility and gender roles in Japan in an exclusive interview with YouTube’s favorite geisha: Kimono Mom.

17/07/2024

Connect with people of various cultures and industries at this international social networking event. Located on the terrace of Asian Bistro Dai Nihonbashi, get ready for a fun night of drinks and mingling. Don't forget to wear white!

Check out this exciting one-of-a-kind event in Tokyo. Come in all white as the party has a strict white dress code.

10/07/2024

✏️翠雨 [Sui-u]
Literally “jade rain” — light rain falling on green leaves.

09/07/2024

Join us on August 4th from 12pm to 4pm at the vibrant Voyager Beach House, Kaito Yuigahama, for a memorable celebration of Metropolis’ 30th anniversary.

Located on the scenic shores of Yuigahama Beach in Kamakura, this event promises a perfect blend of fun, relaxation and celebration.

For just ¥5,000, enjoy a BBQ and all-you-can-drink package. Dance to the music of live DJs, make new friends and meet the Metropolis team. Sip on ice-cold drinks on the deck with you soak up the sun, or take a dip in the ocean. As the day winds down, grab a cocktail and watch the sun setting over the horizon.

See you there!

Get your tickets for the Metropolis party here⛱
https://peatix.com/event/4045673/view
https://peatix.com/event/4045673/view

04/07/2024

✏️半夏生 [hangeshō]
A period that begins on the 11th day after the summer solstice and lasts until the Tanabata festival. It marks the completion of rice planting and a time of transition in the natural world.

03/07/2024

🎋🍧🎌

The end of the rainy season is coming. It’s time to enjoy some of the best things Japanese summer has to offer: a good festival, food stalls, and fireworks. Grab some kakigori or a bottle of Pocari Sweat, and lean back as we present the hottest Tokyo events for this month, featuring an exciting array of Japanese festivals.

By Nick Gericke, Rochel Czerwinski and Laurence Woeste

Read the full article in the link in bio🏮👘🌻

27/06/2024

New restaurant alert🌮🏙️

FONDA MEXICANA New York’s Tokyo branch oepned its doors on June 14th.

The trendy Ginza location marks its first expansion into Japan, promising the same level of excellence as its American counterparts.

Read the full article here🍸🍽️
https://metropolisjapan.com/fonda-mexicana-ginza/

26/06/2024

This slice of paradise is located in Southern Chiba, just 70 minutes outside of Tokyo. BOTANICAL POOL CLUB is a luxury hotel with beautiful pools, saunas, restaurants and 21 exclusive rooms nestled in the lush nature of the Boso peninsula.

The hotel offers a tropical resort experience all year round thanks to heated pools and gardens carefully designed by the plant hunter Seijun Nishihata.

The infinity pool stretches an impressive 40 meters, providing a breathtaking view of the Iwai Coast and Mount Fuji on clear days.

Embarking on a bus journey from Tokyo Station to the hotel is an adventure in itself; driving on the Trans-Tokyo Bay Expressway, a combination of an underwater tunnel, bridge and artificial island with a rest stop.

Good news! From this June, guests can enjoy the facilities including pools and saunas with a day-pass.

Read the full article here⬇️
https://metropolisjapan.com/botanical-pool-club/

25/06/2024

Journey through time and Tokyo with our Summer Issue.

Past and future collide as we meet visionaries transforming akiya houses, YouTubers embracing kimono tradition and culinary guides spanning retro flavors to cutting-edge cuisine.

Dive into exclusive interviews and a season of stories that transcend time, filling your summer in Japan with things to do, new places to explore and all that’s happening in our incredible city.

Click the link to read the magazine online or find out where to pick one up!

Our Metropolis Summer Issue 2024 is out now! Find a copy around Tokyo (locations below) or read it online.

20/06/2024

✨There is no boss-gyal like N²✨

From being a fairy-like techno DJ that you can’t keep your eyes off, to organizing hardcore kawaii parties, N² is one of a kind.

She has transformed the Tokyo kawaii scene by spreading the message of love and full inclusion.

When she doesn’t spin hyperpop, kawaii techno, and nightcore-style sets, she hosts her own queer-friendly party series called “Kyundesu”, which is uniquely Japanese bringing anime dreams to life.

Mixing Y2K, fairycore and cyber aesthetics with ballroom eccentricity she has been playing all over the world including Amsterdam, Budapest, Taiwan, Vietnam, Shanghai and Korea.
__
Written by Tokyo Love Hotels
In collaboration with Metropolis, Tokyo Love Hotels cherry-picks 3 talents each month to be featured as LOVEHO SELECTS, showcasing artists and small businesses to readers and culture enthusiasts alike.

20/06/2024

☀️ The Metropolis Summer Issue is here! We celebrate the city and beyond through our theme of "Time Travel."

Here's where to find a copy, and how to read it online:

Our Metropolis Summer Issue 2024 is out now! Find a copy around Tokyo (locations below) or read it online.

30/05/2024

LAVISH Bar offers an unrivaled VIP experience in the heart of Shibuya’s Dogenzaka district. After opening in 2023, the bar has become well-known as a favorite hangout for the city’s public figures and trendsetters.

DJs and music artists who have performed at LAVISH include musician Jayden Panesso, DJ Bohnes and DJ Hellogoodbye. The club is VIP only, starting from ¥150,000 (excluding tax) per table. This includes the choice of one bottle of Dom Pérignon or three bottles of Moët & Chandon.

Located in: Premier Dogenzaka Bldg
1-18-3 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku
Weekends only


https://bit.ly/3VibfXo

22/05/2024

Tattoos hold a complicated place in Japanese society. While Japan famously has a longstanding taboo against tattoos, Japanese-style wabori tattoos are popular worldwide.

However, wabori isn’t the only tattoo style originating from the Japanese archipelago. The recent revival of Jomon and Ainu tattoos spreads awareness of Japan’s indigenous peoples.

Read the full article here:

An unlikely revival of Japanese tribal tattoos has begun. Taku Oshima has become especially popular for his Jomon-inspired pieces and is spreading awareness of plight of Japan's indigenous people.

16/05/2024

Conveyor-belt sushi chain Kura Sushi opened a brand new location in the heart of the luxurious Ginza District. The new global flagship store features refined wooden interiors inspired by traditional Japanese architecture as well as Edo-themed food stalls like those in ukiyo-e woodblock prints by Hiroshige Utagawa.

Japan-favorite and big-time sushi chain, Kura Sushi, has opened a new branch with special features in the heart of the Ginza District.

14/05/2024

Earn ￥310,000 and contribute to medical science through this 9-night clinical study. Screening sessions will begin in mid-May. You'll receive ￥5,000 and free health check for attending an information session. Work visa not required.

09/05/2024

Looking for fun things to do this month? Here are our top recommendations for things to do this May, including outdoor dining to enjoy the warmth of the season and watching a Japanese sport that dates back over 2,000 years. Read the full article here:

Check out what's going on this May in Tokyo with our hand-picked list of special events, festivals and more!

02/05/2024

Just in time for the long weekend, Metropolis is back with another playlist spotlighting Japan’s vibrant music scene. With long-anticipated albums from hip-hop up-and-comers MFS and Valknee, a new sonic direction from experimental trio Dos Monos and a hint of more to look forward to from Metropolis favorite ん(n)oon. It wasn’t just Swifties that had a lot to celebrate last month.

Keep up with the Tokyo music scene with our Spotify playlist at the link
https://spoti.fi/3UFknFo