Serge the Concierge

July 2, Anime Expo 09 opens in Los Angeles, Covers all Trends from Shojo to Seinen

Some 40,000 people are expected to attend Anime Expo 2009 which runs from July 2 to July 5 at Los Angeles Convention Center.

In Anime conventions still set trends, Robert Michael Poole (Japan Times, June 26) crowns it as the largest anime, manga and games convention in North America.

The event chairwoman Liyin Liang, he writes credits the success of anime on it's broad appeal.

It runs the gamut as she explains in the article:

"(Anime) covers the full breadth and depth of human emotion, but it is also fearless in the topics that it is willing to tackle such as nuclear fallout, biowarfare or adult topics. Our attendee demographic ranges from 15 to over 50. It is split 45/55 between women and men and we have staffers who are future doctors, lawyers, real-estate agents, nurses, teachers, computer technicians, musicians, engineers, marketers, publicists, magicians and cooks!"

An event organized it seems by the

Beyond the best sellers, Liyin Liang notes that Shojo (aimed at girls aged 10-18) and Seinen (for men aged 18-30) are driving book sales in the US.

As for my kids, they would rather go to BlizzCon 2009 Also in California (Anaheim, August 21-22)

Exploring the US-Japan cultural connections for Tokyo Thursdays # 94

Last week on Tokyo Thursdays: Tokyo Sanpo, Sketches of Tokyo Life through French Eyes

Tokyo Sanpo, Sketches of Tokyo Life through French Eyes

Illustrator Florent Chavouet turned his 6 months in Japan into sketches of Tokyo life as seen through French eyes.

It became a book, Tokyo Sanpo (Editions Philippe Picquier).

Get a feel for Tokyo Sanpo with this 12 Page Sample.

He continues the adventure on his Florent Chavouet blog with a Daily Sushi illustration, the latest being Suchirurgien (June 24, illustration below from his blog). Chirurgien means surgeon in French.

You can find more of his creations on the Florent Chavouet site (in French).

If you are in Paris, his sketches are on display at the travel bookstore Itineraires at 60 rue St-Honoré until June 26.

File under Culture Clash for Tokyo Thursdays # 93

Previously on Tokyo Thursdays: Eatrip, People, Food and Rituals, A Japanese Film by Yuri Nomura

Eatrip, People, Food and Rituals, A Japanese Film by Yuri Nomura

We crave quality time. Sharing a meal and some wine with friends is one of the best ways to do that.

This is a communal experience.

Released in Japan in June 2009, the documentary film Eatrip (Japanese site) by Yuri Nomura looks at the various ways that we relate to food.

Eriko Arita, in her review New film offers food for thought (Japan Times, June 12), notes that the director interviewed people from all walks of life, not just high flyers but also "Naoko Morioka, a housewife living in Yanbaru, on the northern part of Okinawa's main island. Morioka, who doesn't have a refrigerator in her house, lives a self-sufficient life, growing vegetables for her and her family to eat."

Not sure if and when the movie will be available outside Japan.

In the meantime, check the trailer (above) courtesy of Nippon Cinema.

Life and Food for Tokyo Thursdays # 92

Previously: Spring Noodle Slurping in Tokyo, 7 of the Best Soba Restaurants by Yukari Sakamoto

Related: Japanese Foodie Film: Mitsuhiro Mihara's "Shiawase no Kaori (Flavor of Happiness)"

Spring Noodle Slurping in Tokyo, 7 of the Best Soba Restaurants by Yukari Sakamoto

The June 12 Local Flavors column for Metropolis by Yukari Sakamoto, Spring slurping, is all about Soba noodles or rather 7 of the best places to eat them around Tokyo.

The introduction suggests that "Soba is in the midst of a renaissance. The humble buckwheat noodle has been receiving an increasing amount of attention from local TV shows and lifestyle magazines, and a further boost has come from the Slow Food movement, which emphasizes locally procured ingredients and terroir. Here are seven Tokyo restaurants that should be on the itinerary of any noodle fan."

On the Modern Side sits Matsugen Soba in Ebisu.

"The communal tables are set in a dimly lit room—if you’re lucky, you can watch the noodles being rolled out and cut. Matsugen’s full menu includes an unusual bukkake soba that has a full dozen toppings (¥1,200), and an aromatic, toasty shirogoma-dare (sesame dipping sauce) that offers a nice contrast to the flavor of the noodles.

1-3-1 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-3444-8666. Open Mon-Sat 11:30am-3am, Sun & hols 11:30am-midnight. Nearest stn: Ebisu. "

Like to try little undiscovered gems, Hanabusa (pictured above from their site) is an "Off the beaten path in the shitamachi neighborhood of Monzen-Nakacho" describes as follows:

"This simple shop was recommended to me by a soba expert. While many restaurants on this list have a long history, the care and attention to the art of soba is particularly evident at Hanabusa. The shop offers three types of noodles: hearty inaka, classic Edo and the refined sarashina (all ¥700). For dessert, there’s soba ice cream (¥420) or dorayaki with sobako (soba flour), azuki and whipped cream (¥350).

2-2-15 Botan, Koto-ku. Tel: 03-3630-4337. Open Mon-Sat 11am-3:30pm and 5-11pm, closed Sun. Nearest stn: Monzen-Nakacho."

Building an appetite for Tokyo Thursdays # 91

Related: Meet the 'Sobalier', Cooking Classes in Tokyo: Soba Making

From Prada to Zara, Is Japan's Love Affair with Luxury Goods Over?

From high end single malts to fine cuisine and fashion Japan has been gaga over luxury icons for as long as I can remember so are Japanese falling out of love with luxury as Michiyo Nakamoto suggests (Financial Times, June 3, 2009).

The first paragraphs of the piece outline the trend:

"Japan’s trend-chasing office workers and ladies who lunch are giving up Louis Vuitton handbags and Chanel jackets for Zara dresses and Gap jeans, making what was a favourite market for luxury manufacturers into one of their biggest headaches.

The downturn is forcing customers in Japan to scale back purchases of luxury goods, accelerating a long-term shift in consumer attitudes, according to a report by McKinsey, the consultants.

“This is not a blip. This is a long-term shift in the market,” said Brian Salsberg, the author of a McKinsey report on the Japanese luxury goods market, the world’s second largest."

The Economist offered the same diagnostic with Japan’s luxury-goods market, Losing its shine in September 2008.

It's amazing how fast things change.

In its March 2007 newsletter, French luxury group PPR take on The luxury market in Japan: what’s the reality? was that (I quote) "In Tokyo, 92% of young 20-year-old women own a product from the Gucci brand" and "We have always known that the Japanese are passionate about quality and sophistication. The trend is being confirmed in almost every industry, from electronics to cars through cosmetics. It goes without saying that luxury brands, held in adoration, are no exception to this wave."

Recently, some young Japanese seem more attracted by a return to rural (pastoral) life than a trip to the nearest Louis Vuitton shop.

Feel free to share your experience up close and personal of these changes if you live in Japan or visit frequently...

Ever changing moods for Tokyo Thursdays # 90

Last week on Tokyo Thursdays: Tokyo Beer and Blog, A Monthly Get Together: Locals and Expats Alike

Tokyo Beer and Blog, A Monthly Get Together: Locals and Expats Alike

Sounds like I am following a beer thread this week from Lloyd Cole Traveling Musician European Beer Report to Beer Dinners at the Publican in Chicago, yet there was no conscious effort on my part to do so.

Rather than always go back to the same sources, I thought it was time to look for new windows on what's happening in Tokyo and Japan.

Which is how I stumbled upon Tokyo Beer and Blog which brings together once a month Locals and Expats Alike for Beer and Conversation with a touch of geekyness.

Their May get together took place May 28 at The Pink Cow in Shibuya which looks like a funky place (see picture above, from their site).

The event was organized in collaboration with Beer for Books to raise funds for Room to Read to supply books to kids the world over.

The Tokyo Chapter of InterNations, a community for global minds which I joined recently was also part of the mix.

I discovered Tokyo Beer and Blog thanks to Jim Grisanzio's Photo Report on the April event.

Beer, Expats, Books, Good Deeds, Community on the menu of Tokyo Thursdays # 89

Previously: Farming as the New Punk Rock in Japan

Farming as the New Punk Rock in Japan

In a twist on getting down to earth, I have seen story after story highlighting how some Japanese are at least considering going back to the farm in light of the current economic turmoill.

Natsuko Fukue shines a light on a sub trend in Younger farmers blogging their way to success (Japan Times, May 21).

He notes that "a growing number of young, savvy farmers are trying to make the industry more attractive and profitable through the Internet".

Amongst this crew "Shinichi Soga may be one of the most successful farmers so far. His tomatoes are selling like hot cakes thanks partly to his popular Web log, which he started in 2006, initially as a way to connect with customers and other farmers. The blog, titled Furyo Nomin (the Delinquent Farmer), depicts his life in rural Niigata and is viewed more than 10,000 times a month"

The Grow a Farmer 2009 Campaign in the US (pictured below) uses some of the same tools to make farming attractive to younger people.

Will all this go the way of the communes from decades past? Time will tell.

Farm revival for Tokyo Thursdays # 88

Skunk Cabbage Flower Season in Horokanai, Mid-May to Mid-June

In Japan it is not all about cherry blossoms in the Spring.

 Skunk Cabbage Flowers whose prime season is about to kick off in Horokanai are another favorite.

The local Horokonai site (whose picture above I borrowed) describes their arrival :

"Giant skunk cabbages peak out as if it was waiting for the season, when the spring thaw of Horokanai starts. Along the national highway from Soeushinai to Shumarinai, skunk cabbage is dotted with its pretty stock wrapped in the snow-white and big bud."

The season runs from mid May to mid June.

The Chubu area is also rich in  Mizubashou as skunk cabbage flowers are called in Japanese at Toritateyama Mountain.

The Chubu Area Tourism Portal notes that "mizubashou colonies are located on the south-east slope where the snow remains for a long time, and are also on the ridgeline in Toritatedaira (dividing Fukui prefecture and Ishikawa prefecture). There are about 30,000 mizubashou growing in Toritatedaira, which makes impressive scenery.

Enjoying the scenery for Tokyo Thursdays # 87

Previously: Sake, It's all about Koji. Discover Art of Koji Making at Japan Society, May 19

Sake, It's all about Koji. Discover Art of Koji Making at Japan Society, May 19

Let me first pledge near complete ignorance as far as Sake goes.

I have neither read much about it nor tasted it but once.

Fortunately, I found a way to correct that flaw.

The Japan Society in New York offers Without Koji, There is No Sake, an introduction to the art of Koji and Sake making with Sake expert John Gauntner followed by a Sake tasting.

Here is a quick highlight of what the program is about:

"Koji-making is the heart of the sake brewing process. Koji is steamed rice onto which a special mold has been grown with great precision and skill that converts starches to sugars, which in turn are fermented to yield alcohol. Making good koji requires precise regulation of temperature and moisture, and nothing has a greater impact on the final flavors and aromas of sake. Like much of sake brewing, koji-making is more art than science. Sake expert John Gauntner discusses the art and science of making koji, what it is, the myriad ways it can be accomplished, and how tiny changes to koji can result in major differences in sake flavor."

The event takes place at the Japan Society (New York) on Tuesday, May 19 at 6:30 pm.

Tickets are $30 for General Public and $30 for Society Members.

John Gauntner's most recent book is The Sake Companion (Running Press)

For a more scientific look at the process read Studies on Molecular Breeding of Sake Koji Mold by Yamashita Nobuo (Hakutsuru Sake Brewing Co).

A sober look at Sake for Tokyo Thursdays # 87

Last week on Tokyo Thursdays: Pinki, Love Hotel Search Site in Tokyo

Pinki, Love Hotel Search Site in Tokyo

Search sites come in many colors and flavors as I keep finding.

Niche rather than broad is Pinki, a Love Hotel search site in Tokyo.

The curtain was just lifted on the service.

Not much information is there to be found as they are still building.

When I typed one of the search words suggested 'Karaoke', 11 Results came up.

For each Love Hotel, you get the address, a map, a list of amenities, kettle, steam sauna, drum dryer to name a few.

Prices are not indicated yet.

There will be pictures of each location as well as user reviews.

I discovered Pinki and its founder Jawaad Mahmood while reading Tokyo 2.0 a buzzing hub for online communities, entrepreneurs (Japan Times, April 28).

Love in the afternoon for Tokyo Thursdays #86

Last week on Tokyo Thursdays: Sweet Taste of Amaou Strawberries from Fukuoka Province