Where does fashion fit into the art spectrum? I suppose that the answer can at least be partially gleaned from the fact that people such as Hussein Chalayan, Issey Miyake and Patrick Mohr are labeled fashion “designers,” putting it in much the same uncomfortable grey zone as design in general. It is a practical art,...

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by Owen Schaefer If you’ve ever been to a Japanese festival, you’ve likely heard it: the “clap-clap-clap clap-clap-clap clap-clap-clap…clap” rhythm used to celebrate, open or close events. It is called the ippon tejime, and the number in the name 3331 Arts Chiyoda is a reference to that. It’s difficult to know what to make of such...

Outdoor equipment specialists, The North Face have transformed their Tokyo STANDARD store into an exhibition celebrating climbing history. The ‘Big Wall’ exhibition will combine modern outdoor apparel and equipment next to stunning mountain photography, including a special screening of the now legendary climbing movie, El Capitan. Filmed during the 1960’s the movie was finally released in 1977,...

by Aimee Weinstein Across the globe, parents go to great lengths to make sure that their children are safe and protected from harm. Daily, children are exposed to sounds and images from the media, some of which are appropriate and some of which are not. Movies in the cinema are no exception. Parents face tough choices...

by Sid Lloyd Footy Japan’s second Kids World Cup proved to be another monumental success, with hoards of enthusiastic youngsters from every corner of the globe converging on the hallowed turf at the Yokohama Country & Athletic Club (YC&AC) on June 5. Just days before the official FIFA World Cup was due to kick off, 30...

by Deborah Im True to its name, Le Petit Restaurant Epi is a tiny shoebox of a restaurant with just six tables which spill out into the sidewalk on a quiet street between Ebisu and Daikanyama stations. In a cozy, laid back setting, Epi serves up classic French bistro fare such as ratatouille, escargot a la...

by Deborah Im Anyone in need of an exquisite, pampered dining experience should immediately book a table at Piacere in the Shangri-La Hotel, where no detail is spared in providing guests with a truly memorable meal. With the backdrop of sweeping views of the Imperial Garden and Marunouchi, diners can choose between the elegant main dining...

by Kelly Wetherille By its very definition, the kimono evokes ideas of tradition. Steeped in history and culture, this type of garment has been worn by men, women and children in Japan since roughly the eighth century. But since the late 19th to early 20th century, the popularity of kimonos as everyday wear has been steadily...

by Kelly Wetherille When Ayumi Sufu’s line of quirky women’s fashion debuted at the spring/summer 2010 Japan Fashion Week last fall, it garnered much attention in the press, creating a fair amount of buzz. It was a breath of fresh air at a time in which Japanese fashion, once closely associated with avant-garde and humor, is...

By Ian de Stains OBE I recently attended an event at which a Japanese cabinet minister spoke of the importance the government attaches to attracting increased tourism to this country. He added that another goal was to attract people from the Southeast Asian region who wanted to learn Japanese. Not a mention, of course, of the...

Elite Corporation (www.elitejapan.co.jp) Since 2007 Paul Goldsmith has been organizing various events, including his own classic car competition, Tokyo Concours d’Elegance. Before venturing into a world that for many is purely a hobby, he founded and ran his own IT recruiting, web and outsourcing company for 13 years. In the past four years, in between car...