Marin Minamiya
Ain't No Mountain High Enough for Marin Miyamiya
Japan's Youngest Mountaineer to Conquer Mount Everest and the World's Seven Summits
While most Japanese university students spend their time wondering what part-time job to get or preparing for exams, Marin Minamiya, a political economy student at Tokyo's elite Waseda University, is testing her physical, mental and emotional boundaries while also breaking world records. On October 1, 2015, the 18-year-old became the world's youngest female to successfully ascend the world's eighth highest peak, Mount Manaslu in Nepal. She also became the youngest Japanese person to successfully climb a peak above 8,000 meters. By March 2016, she had already skied to the South Pole, climbed the highest peaks in Antarctica (Vinson Massif ), the Australian continent (Carstensz Pyramid) and Russia (Mount Elbrus). In May 2016, she became Japan's youngest to conquer Mount Everest and since then climbed North America's highest peak, Mt. Denali, becoming Japan's youngest to complete the Seven Summits ー the highest mountains on each of the seven continents. Just prior to her Mount Everest expedition, Tokyo Journal Executive Editor Anthony Al-Jamie talked with Marin Minamiya about the ups and downs of mountaineering and what lies ahead for the young adventurer.
Sumire Matsubara
Sumire Matsubara
Rising Star Returns to Her Japanese Roots
Simply known by her first name, Sumire Matsubara is a Japanese actress, singer, dancer and model. The daughter of entertainers Junichi Ishida and Chiaki Matsubara, Sumire moved to Honolulu, Hawaii at the age of seven after her parents’ divorce, as her mother wanted to shield Sumire from the press and start a new life. After her second year in the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Musical Theatre and Acting program at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Sumire returned to Tokyo to begin her career in the Japanese entertainment industry. Sumire has appeared in stage productions and on television throughout Japan, as well as in commercials, magazines and corporate events/parties. She also has begun appearing in U.S. television and film, including a guest role on the CBS drama Hawaii Five-0 as well as her upcoming Hollywood lm debut in The Shack, in which she will play the “Holy Spirit” alongside Sam Worthington and Oscar-winning actress Octavia Spencer. In 2015, she was the recipient of the Rising Star Award at the Asian World Film Festival. Tokyo Journal Executive Editor Anthony Al-Jamie met with Sumire to talk about her experiences with culture shock and her hopes to break stereotypes.
Charlotte Kate Fox
Charlotte Kate Fox
The American Dream in Japan
New Mexico native Charlotte Kate Fox made waves in Japan as the first non-Japanese heroine of the NHK television broadcaster's asadora [morning drama] series Massan (2014- 2015), taking on a challenging Japanese-language role with no prior Japanese experience. The role in the series, based on the Nikka Whisky Distilling Co.’s founder and his Scottish wife, made Fox a household name across Japan and launched her career in Japanese television, film, music and theater. Fox has also tackled roles back in the U.S., recently starring as Roxie Hart in Chicago on Broadway before touring with the international production to Japan. Tokyo Journal Executive Editor Anthony Al-Jamie sat down with Fox to talk about her experience living and working in Japan as well as her role in Chicago.
Streetstyle Glamour
Tokyo Journal photographer Lola Rose captures the latest in street fashion in her photo column "Streetstyle Glamour."
Harajuku Fashion Walk
HARAJUKU FASHION WALK
Tokyo Journal Street Photographer Malgorzata Dittmar hits the streets with her lens to see what's hot in Harajuku
Tokyo Street Editorial
DRUM TAO
This issue’s cover photo is of DRUM TAO. TAO has taken the art of taiko drumming to a whole new level. Over 7 million people in 500 cities have been blown away by these musicians, who are also highly trained athletes that are dressed to kill. Their spectacular costumes were designed by Tokyo Journal contributor and world-acclaimed fashion designer Junko Koshino.
Junko Koshino
Designs Inspired by Vessels
In Japan, a “vessel” is a metaphorical term referring to the sheer size of a building, or even the heart of a person. Throughout my career, I’ve often created designs inspired by a “vessel.” This picture was taken at the Kyoto National Museum on October 9, 2015 at a Noh performance on the opening night of a fashion exhibition celebrating the 400th anniversary of the Rinpa school of Japanese painting. The costumes I designed were based on the Nishijin brocade, a traditional textile of Kyoto, and they were inspired by the “vessel” of the museum venue.
Tokyo Journal's Top 10 Rankings 2016 Final
Tokyo Journal's 2016 Polling Results
What are your favorite things about Japan and Japanese culture?
You vote. You decide!
In April of 2016 Tokyo Journal announced the first ever Top 10 Ranking for the reader's favorite Japanese entertainment icons, food, pop-culture, and travel locations. Over the course of 2016 we asked Tokyo Journal readers to vote for their favorite things in Japanese entertainment, food, pop-culture, and travel locations. This first year proved to be successful with over 500,000 votes submitted by readers from all over the world. Here are the top 3 winners for each category and stay tuned for the 2017 rankings.
Categories
Japanese Entertainmant / Food in Japan / Japanese Pop Culture / Japan Travel
Japanese TV & Dramas
Best J-Drama Actress
1. Satomi Ishihara
2. Akari Hayami
3. Haruka Ayase
Best J-Drama from 2015-2016
1. Flowers for Algermon
2. Mysterious Thief Yamaneko
3. From Five to Nine
Best J-Drama Actor
1. Tomohisa Yamashita
2. Takuya Kimura
3. Kazuya Kamenashi
Best J-Drama of All Time
1. Nobuta wo Produce (2005)
2. Long Vacation (1996)
3. Hana Yori Dango (2005)
Best Variety Show
1. Smap x Smap
2. Momoclo Chan
3. Shabekuri 007
Japanese Movies
Best Horror Movie
1. Ring
2. Ju-On
3. Sadako 3D
Best Japanese Movie
1. Battle Royale (2000)
2. Seven Samurai (1954)
3. Godzilla (1954)
Best Japanese Movie Actor/Actress Worldwide
1. Ken Watanabe
2. Takuya Kimura
3. Takeshi Kitano
Best Japanese Film Director of All Time
1. Hayao Miyazaki
2. Akira Kurosawa
3. Takeshi Miike
Best Akira Kurosawa Film of All Time
1. Seven Samurai
2. High and Low
3. Hidden Fortress
Japanese Music
Best J-Rock Band
1. X Japan
2. The GazettE
3. Babymetal
Best Japanese Female idol Group
1. Momoiro Clover Z
2. Morning Musume
3. *C-ute
Best Japanese Female Singer
1. Miwa
2. Yui
3. Ayumi Hamasaki
Best Male idol Group
1. SMAP
2. KAT-TUN
3. ARASHI
Best Japanese Male Singer
1. Tomohisa Yamashita
2. Gackt
3. Jin Akanishi
Japanese Sports
Best Favorite Japanese Male Athlete
1. Yuzuru Hanyu (Figure Skater)
2. Kei Nishikori
3. Kohei Uchimura
Best Favorite Japanese Female Athlete
1. Mao Asada (Figure Skater)
2. Ai Fukuhara
3. Saori Yoshida
Japanese Food
Best Street Food
1. Ramen
2. Takoyaki
3. Yakitori
Best Favorite Sushi
1. Salmon
2. Toro (Fatty Tuna)
3. Tuna
Best Japanese Sake
1. Dassai
2. Kubota
3. Hakkaisan
Restaurant in Japan
Best Theme Restaurant
1. Kawaii Monster Cafe
2. Robot restaurant
3. Maidreamin Cafe
Best Japanese Fast Food
1. Mos Burger
2. Yoshinoya
3. Pepper Lunch
Best Kobe Beef Restaurant
1. Ishida
2. Houki
3. Wakkoqu
Best French Restaurant in Tokyo
1. Les Cristallines
2. Troisgros Japon
3. Joel Robuchon
Best Italian Restairant in Tokyo
1. Pizzeria Da Napolistaca
2. Elio Locanada Italiana
3. Bulgari ll Ristorante
Best U.S. Restaurant
1. Outback Steakhouse
2. Hard Rock cafe
3. Denny's
Best Izakaya (Japanese Pub)
1. Hibiki
2. Gonpachi
3. Nihonbashi-tei
Best Mexican Restaurant
1. Fonda de la Madrugada
2. La Jolla
3. El Caliente
Best Curry Rice Restaurant
1. CoCo Ichibanya
2. Manten Curry Rice
3. Curry House TIRI TIRI
Best Tonkatsu Restaurant
1. Wako
2. Maisen
3. Katsuzen
Best Craft Brewery
1. Miyashita Sake Brewery
2. Baird Brewery Company
3. Abashiri Brewery
Best Asian Restaurant in Tokyo
1. Asian Palm
2. Monsoon Cafe
3. Mango Tree
Best Kaiseki Restaurant (Japanese Traditional Multi-Course Dinner)
1. Gion Karyo, Kyoto
2. Nakamura, Kyoto
3. Ogata, Kyoto
Best Tempura Restaurant in Tokyo
1. Tempura Kondo
2. Ten-ichi Ginza Honten
3. Tempura Motoyoshi
Best Sushi Restaurant
1. Sukiyabashi Jiro
2. Sushi no Midori
3. Sushi Dai
Best Tonkotsu Ramen Restaurant in Tokyo
1. Ichiran
2. Shibaraku
3. Botan
Japanese Sweets
Best Sweets
1. Melon Pan
2. Crepes
3. Taiyaki
Best Wagashi Shop
1. Higashiya Ginza
2. Tokyo Mise
3. Toraya Tokyo
Best Bakery & Dessert Shop
1. Sweets Paradise
2. Rose Bakery
3. Ice Monster Omotesando
Best Chocolate Snack
1. Pocky
2. Choco Pie
3. ALMOND
Japanese Anime & Manga
Best Shonen Manga
1. One Piece
2. Fairy Tail
3. Full Metal Alchemist
Best Shojo Manga
1. Akatsuki no Yona
2. Kimi ni Todoke
3. Orange
Best Kawaii Cartoon Character
1. Pika-chu
2. Totoro
3. Rilakkuma
Best Studio Ghibli Movie
1. Howl's Moving Castle
2. Spirited Away
3. My Neighbor Totoro
Best Anime 2012-2016
1. Attack on Titan
2. One-Punch Man
3. Tokyo Ghoul
Best Animated Movie
1. Wolf Children
2. Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
3. The Girl Who Leapt Though Time
Best Anime of All Time
1. Dragon Ball Z
2. One Piece
3. Death Note
Best Gotochi Character (Regional Mascot Character)
1. Kumamon
2. Funassyi
3. Gunma-chan
Cosplay
Best Famous Cosplayer 2016
1. Touga
2. Reika
3. Linda Le(Vampy Bit Me)
Japanese Fashion
Best Harajuku Fashion
1. Galaxxxy
2. Angelic Pretty
3. 6% Doki Doki
Best Women's Fashion Brand
1. Cecil McBee
2. Olive des Olive
3. Freak's Store
Best Japanese Fashion Brand
1. Comme Des Garcons
2. Junko Koshino
3. Kenzo
Best Female Model
1. Kiko Mizuhara
2. Mirei Kiritani
3. Rola
Japanese Video Games
Best J-RPG of All Time
1. Final Fantasy VII
2. Kingdom Hearts 2
3. Persona 4
Japanese Destinations
Best Theme Park
1. Tokyo Disneyland
2. Universal Studios Japan
3. Tokyo Disneysea
Best "Day Trip" from Tokyo
1. Yokohama
2. Kamakura
3. Mt. Fuji
Best Vacation Spot
1. Kyoto
2. Ishigaki Island
3. Nara
Best Famous Landmark in Tokyo
1. Tokyo Tower
2. Shibuya Crossing / Hachiko Statue
3. Tokyo Skytree
Best Distinctive Building
1. Tokyo Station
2. Nakagin Capsule Tower
3. Omotesando Hills
Best Area for Hot Spring
1. Hakone Onsen
2. Kurokawa Onsen
3. Beppu Onsen
Best Ryokan (Traditional Japanese Hotel)
1. Takinoya
2. Shuhokaku Kogetsu
3. Hotel Hanayura
Best Ski Resort
1. Niseko Grand Hirafu
2. Fujiten Snow Resort
3. Hakuba Happo One Ski Resort
Best Japanese Architect
1. Tadao Ando
2. Kenzo Tange
3. Kisho Kurosawa
Best Place to Visit in Tokyo
1. Harajuku
2. Asakusa Temple
3. Odaiba
Best International School
1. Tokyo International School
2. The American School in Japan
3. Yokohama International School
Best Language School
1. Sendagaya Japanese Institute
2. Akamonkai
3. Coto Language Academy
Japanese Hotels
Best Five Ster Hotel in Tokyo
1. Park Hyatt Tokyo
2. Palace Hotel Tokyo
3. Imperial Hotel Tokyo
Best Hotel for Young Travelers
1. Kyoto Guesthouse Roujiya
2. Nui. Hotel & Bar Lounge
3. Hostel Haruya Aqua, Kyoto
Japanese Leisure & Recreation
Best Place to Karaoke
1. Shidax
2. Big Echo
3. Karaoke-kan
Best Game Center
1. Club SEGA
2. SEGA GiGO
3. Shinjuku Playland Carnival
Best Japanese Festival
1. Sapporo Snow Festival
2. Awa Odori Tokushima
3. Gion Matsuri
Best Fireworks Show
1. Tokyo Bay Fireworks
2. Sumidagawa Fireworks
3. Edogawa Fireworks
Best Department Store
1. Mitsukoshi
2. Matsuya Ginza
3. Isetan
Best Shopping Complex/Mall
1. Shibuya 109
2. Roppongi Hills
3. Omotesando Hills
Best Art Museum
1. National Museum Tokyo
2. Japan Ukiyo-e Museum
3. National Art Center
Best History & Science Museum
1. Tokyo National Museum
2. Edo Tokyo Museum
3. Samurai Museum
Best Special Interest Museum
1. Ghibli Museum
2. Cupnoodle Museum
3. Sapporo Beer Museum
Tokyo Journal's Top 10 Rankings 2016
Tokyo Journal's 2016 Polling Results
What are your favorite things about Japan and Japanese culture?
You vote. You decide!
ENTERTAINMENT
POP CULTURE
FOOD
TRAVEL
In April of 2016 Tokyo Journal announced the first ever Top 10 Ranking for the reader's favorite Japanese entertainment icons, food, pop-culture, and travel locations. Over the course of 2016 we have asked Tokyo Journal readers to vote for their favorite Japaneseentertainment icons, food, pop-culture, and travel locations. This first year proved to be successful with over 500,000 votes submitted by readersfrom all over the world. Here are the top 3 winners for each category and stay turned for the 2017 rankings.
Spanning across Japanese entertainment, food, pop-culture, and travel locations.
AkibaFest 2016
AkibaFest 2016
by Tokyo Journal Intern Michael Tang
AkibaFest was filled of fun activates for amine lovers and was held on October 15th and 16th, 2016 in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. The two-day event, created by Aniplex of America, attracted a large crowd of amine fans. It seamlessly filled the event space with attendees, cosplayers, industry professionals and Akihabara-lovers. The event had a Maid Café, video game demonstrations, merchandise, workshops, screenings, cosplay contests, and more.
