I admit it: last week I suggested you go see the bunraku puppets at PUK, a theatre that's been going in Shinjuku since 1929. And since I don't send you to things that I don't personally like the sound of, of course I went too. Alas I misunderstood the level of comprehensibility... the puppets chat away in complicated Japanese as befits a Moliere adaptation... so I never exactly knew what was happening. But in many other ways it was delightful. The puppet theatre was lovely and quaint. The puppets were brilliantly designed. The performers were passionate. The audience was enthusiastic - indeed, it was sold out. And they have a wee cafe where I had a delicious passionfruit soda. Also, they theatre had written an English summary of one of the two acts so it did help a bit. It was all the epitome of charm, if not of comprehensibility for this Japanesely-challenged Brit About Town... (Note the rest of their upcoming shows this year are pitched for kids.)
One of the puppets with his puppetmaster
Much more comprehensible was the rather lovely Universe and Art exhibition at the Mori Art Museum. I was deeply impressed to realise this museum is open every day til 10:30pm except Tuesdays. I went on Friday night and it made for a really lovely, unusual evening. Parts of the exhibition are a little dry, parts are entirely quirky (like the Japanese legend of a woman emerging from a UFO - though in this case the F stands for Floating... and the very close up film of insects encased in amber that look like aliens), parts are beautiful (sculptures that move, a 3D Mars landscape) and then there's a hypnotic and rather glorious little piece by team:lab that is a must-experience. Look no further: Universe and Art is your date night plan. Note that next week it's open til 1am on Friday night and all through the night next Saturday til Sunday morning. That team:lab exhibit would be all the more hypnotising in the middle of the night...
In a museum state of mind, we also went to Miraikan last weekend. It's in Odaiba, and I was interested to see if it was worth the trek. Miraikan is the national museum of emerging science and innovation and to be honest, I found it a little dry. There was a lot of useful and technical information, and there were plenty of interesting exhibits but somehow it is a bit lacking in fun. There's less interactive stuff than I'd have expected, and on Saturday most of it had massive lines. But it was completely fun and impressive to see the famous robot Asimo in person for ten minutes - worth the entry fee for that alone, I thought. I've been to Odaiba several times, but had never taken the Yurikamome line. This elevated railway provides some of the most spectacular views I've enjoyed in Tokyo so far - with the added fun of being able to ride right at the front and feel like the driver (or being on a non-scary rollercoaster).
I also went up Tokyo Tower for the first time this week. Not only did it have a beautiful nighttime view, but there's something charming and ye-olde-world about this experience. All my future guests should prepare to be taken there. Though I'll have to make sure my bank account is ready to combine it with the excellent Ukai tofu restaurant right below the tower as often as possible. The kaiseki food was excellent, and can be made vegetarian - but the biggest draw here is the beautiful setting with private rooms and Japanese gardens. This is an occasion restaurant and I loved it.
Still reeling from a fabulous Perfect Liars Club Tokyo launch, we were really excited to read this lovely review by Tokyo Cheapo. The next show's on 3rd Nov - reserve your tickets now!
In a museum state of mind, we also went to Miraikan last weekend. It's in Odaiba, and I was interested to see if it was worth the trek. Miraikan is the national museum of emerging science and innovation and to be honest, I found it a little dry. There was a lot of useful and technical information, and there were plenty of interesting exhibits but somehow it is a bit lacking in fun. There's less interactive stuff than I'd have expected, and on Saturday most of it had massive lines. But it was completely fun and impressive to see the famous robot Asimo in person for ten minutes - worth the entry fee for that alone, I thought. I've been to Odaiba several times, but had never taken the Yurikamome line. This elevated railway provides some of the most spectacular views I've enjoyed in Tokyo so far - with the added fun of being able to ride right at the front and feel like the driver (or being on a non-scary rollercoaster).
I also went up Tokyo Tower for the first time this week. Not only did it have a beautiful nighttime view, but there's something charming and ye-olde-world about this experience. All my future guests should prepare to be taken there. Though I'll have to make sure my bank account is ready to combine it with the excellent Ukai tofu restaurant right below the tower as often as possible. The kaiseki food was excellent, and can be made vegetarian - but the biggest draw here is the beautiful setting with private rooms and Japanese gardens. This is an occasion restaurant and I loved it.
Still reeling from a fabulous Perfect Liars Club Tokyo launch, we were really excited to read this lovely review by Tokyo Cheapo. The next show's on 3rd Nov - reserve your tickets now!
Our pick of the best things happening in Tokyo this week
Fri 14 Oct - My lovely wife says no to a silent Swedish film from the 1920s with live piano accompaniment about women's empowerment. I say... we'll see. Or head to Tokyo Tower at 5:30 for a free open air screening of Be Kind Rewind courtesy of Tokyo International Film Fesival. Also today a cool interactive Design Touch installation opens at Tokyo Midtown. Or head to Sangenjaya for a French juggling show at Setagaya Public Theatre.
Sat 15 Oct - Festival/Tokyo kicks off today. Here's their guide to what's accessible in English. Also, tickets go on sale today for the Tokyo International Film Festival. They told me that all their films that aren't in English have English subtitles! Get booking. And are you into juggling? At 3pm the French juggling show is on again at Setagaya Public Theatre.
Sun 16 Oct - My favourite drawing event PauseDraw is on today at 4pm. Hooray. This is such a friendly, interesting and stimulating event. Or this is the final 3pm French juggling show performance at Setagaya Public Theatre.
Mon 17 Oct - We loved the Shortshorts film festival in the summer so we are excited that they are doing a mini-festival this autumn. Their tickets for today look sold out already but don't worry - my experience from the summer is that since they're free, lots of people don't turn up so you'll probably get in anyway!
Tue 18 Oct - I've been telling you about my favourite rakugo (Japanese storytelling) performer, Tatekawa Shinoharu. Tonight he's performing in English at the Edo Museum Fukugawa. Don't miss it. Also, more Shortshort films.
Wed 19 Oct - I'm going to the Innovative City Forum today and tomorrow. In the evening it's everyone's favourite standup comedy night, the Good Heavens Comedy Club. And more Shortshort films.
Thu 20 Oct - Stand up comedy at the Hobgoblin, Shibuya tonight. And more Shortshort films - I'm probably going to this screening alone so do come and keep me company.
Fri 21 Oct - Nerd Nite has got so successful that it's moving to Perfect Liars Club venue Good Heavens in Shimokitazawa. Next Friday, prepare for talks on game art, robots, and learning.
Have a great week! And don't forget to reserve your Perfect Liars Club tickets for the 3rd November.
Sat 15 Oct - Festival/Tokyo kicks off today. Here's their guide to what's accessible in English. Also, tickets go on sale today for the Tokyo International Film Festival. They told me that all their films that aren't in English have English subtitles! Get booking. And are you into juggling? At 3pm the French juggling show is on again at Setagaya Public Theatre.
Sun 16 Oct - My favourite drawing event PauseDraw is on today at 4pm. Hooray. This is such a friendly, interesting and stimulating event. Or this is the final 3pm French juggling show performance at Setagaya Public Theatre.
Mon 17 Oct - We loved the Shortshorts film festival in the summer so we are excited that they are doing a mini-festival this autumn. Their tickets for today look sold out already but don't worry - my experience from the summer is that since they're free, lots of people don't turn up so you'll probably get in anyway!
Tue 18 Oct - I've been telling you about my favourite rakugo (Japanese storytelling) performer, Tatekawa Shinoharu. Tonight he's performing in English at the Edo Museum Fukugawa. Don't miss it. Also, more Shortshort films.
Wed 19 Oct - I'm going to the Innovative City Forum today and tomorrow. In the evening it's everyone's favourite standup comedy night, the Good Heavens Comedy Club. And more Shortshort films.
Thu 20 Oct - Stand up comedy at the Hobgoblin, Shibuya tonight. And more Shortshort films - I'm probably going to this screening alone so do come and keep me company.
Fri 21 Oct - Nerd Nite has got so successful that it's moving to Perfect Liars Club venue Good Heavens in Shimokitazawa. Next Friday, prepare for talks on game art, robots, and learning.
Have a great week! And don't forget to reserve your Perfect Liars Club tickets for the 3rd November.
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