First of all, as Brit About Town, I must say an official happy birthday to the Queen, who turns 90 today. We celebrated the occasion in grand style on the lawn at the British Embassy on Tuesday, with champagne and canapes and queen-embossed chocolates and even a bagpiper! Happy Birthday, Your Majesty! Thanks for the lovely birthday party.
So what other delightful events have we been up to this week? Well, for the first time ever, Tokyo had an event for Obscura Day, when people all over the world explore obscure parts of their cities. Last year we found hidden old pillars from Washington DC's Capitol building in the undergrowth of a woodland area... This year the Tokyo event took us to Yanaka cemetery where we visited the tomb of the government's last Shougun by moonlight. Not sure how obscure it technically is since it's in my Tokyo guidebook... but we had a fun time exploring the cemetery after dark, and getting a glimpse of many charming cat-themed bars and cafes in Yanaka and surrounds, visiting Nezu shrine, and meeting cool people. We also ventured to our first comedy night, courtesy of the Tokyo Comedy Store at the Hobgoblin in Shibuya. It was impressively good, and funnier than the last several comedy nights I've been to elsewhere (though I just can't get used to smoking in bars... my European eyes have grown too acclimatised to not stinging on a night out). I can't wait to explore more comedy in Tokyo - which are your favourite nights? Oh and we sampled our first meetup.com book club this week, discussing Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter with smart, friendly people in Ebisu. Much fun.
Speaking of fun, we had our fanciest meal in Tokyo this week, and best of all: it was free! I was lucky enough to win a competition in Tokyo Weekender that invited me and my lovely wife to join five other couples for an amazing meal at new Greek restaurant The Apollo in Ginza. The restaurant was beautiful with lovely views, the cocktails were delicious, and the food was amazing. In particular I have to mention the grilled Greek cheese with honey whose importing apparently caused all kinds of drama. It was worth it. It was spectacular. I am still dreaming of that cheese... And the potatoes... gosh, don't get me started. I'm hoping to return soon - though sadly I'll probably have to pay for it next time... Anyway, thanks, Tokyo Weekender! Such a lovely treat.
Since it's been our first full week in our new Daikanyama apartment, lots of this week was about exploring the lovely area. Though when I say lovely, I raise an arch eyebrow at the hills - and look forward to becoming extra-fit when I get used to them... Key highlights of the area so far: strolling in pretty little Saigoyama Park (with ice cream), strolling along by the river in Naka-meguro, up into the Meguro Sky Garden at nearby Ohashi, and finding an amazing walking/biking path which starts from there and seems to go on for miles of pretty streams and flowers in a north westerly direction. Oh, and enjoying the extremely fancy FamilyMart in the T-Site bookshop (not to mention the very pleasant cocktail bar on top). Delightful. What a fun week.
Brit About Town Picks of the Week - 22nd-28th April
Tokyo events that sound fun
All week - Starting tonight and running all week, you can watch the UK's National Theatre Live production of Skylight starring Bill Nighy and Carrie Mulligan at Kichioji Odeon - I've seen it and it's very good.
Fri 22 April - Dr Sketchy is a global phenomenon, a quirky regular life drawing class/event using burlesque models. Apparently this is the Tokyo branch's 10th anniversary and they have all sorts of celebrations, including seeing their art, painting a mural, and drawing in the park. More info here.
Sat 23 April - I'm sad to be busy at a dinner part on Saturday because the sumo comedy slam at Two Dogs Taproom in Roppongi sounds hilarious. And if you can't get enough of comedy, there's a craft beer and comedy event in the same place right after.
Sun 24 April - As Perfect Liars Club is a storytelling event, we LOVE other storytelling events, so we were excited to meet Apocrypha, the only Tokyo storytelling night we've encountered so far (do you know others?) They're holding a free storytelling afternoon workshop/get together in Yoyogi Park this afternoon. If you want to be in the park but draw instead of tell stories, try Dr Sketchy's free drawing session which is happening at the same time.Then in the evening there is a bilingual improv show courtesy of The Pirates of Tokyo Bay.
Tue 26 April - You could try the stand up comedy new material night at Double Tall Cafe in Shibuya.
Wed 27 April - I'm really excited about Pecha Kucha night at SuperDeluxe in Roppongi. Ten people will present on creative, exciting ideas with an architect-ish slant. It's Y1000 on the door.
Have you got any suggestions for events we should attend? Comment below or email us!
So what other delightful events have we been up to this week? Well, for the first time ever, Tokyo had an event for Obscura Day, when people all over the world explore obscure parts of their cities. Last year we found hidden old pillars from Washington DC's Capitol building in the undergrowth of a woodland area... This year the Tokyo event took us to Yanaka cemetery where we visited the tomb of the government's last Shougun by moonlight. Not sure how obscure it technically is since it's in my Tokyo guidebook... but we had a fun time exploring the cemetery after dark, and getting a glimpse of many charming cat-themed bars and cafes in Yanaka and surrounds, visiting Nezu shrine, and meeting cool people. We also ventured to our first comedy night, courtesy of the Tokyo Comedy Store at the Hobgoblin in Shibuya. It was impressively good, and funnier than the last several comedy nights I've been to elsewhere (though I just can't get used to smoking in bars... my European eyes have grown too acclimatised to not stinging on a night out). I can't wait to explore more comedy in Tokyo - which are your favourite nights? Oh and we sampled our first meetup.com book club this week, discussing Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter with smart, friendly people in Ebisu. Much fun.
Speaking of fun, we had our fanciest meal in Tokyo this week, and best of all: it was free! I was lucky enough to win a competition in Tokyo Weekender that invited me and my lovely wife to join five other couples for an amazing meal at new Greek restaurant The Apollo in Ginza. The restaurant was beautiful with lovely views, the cocktails were delicious, and the food was amazing. In particular I have to mention the grilled Greek cheese with honey whose importing apparently caused all kinds of drama. It was worth it. It was spectacular. I am still dreaming of that cheese... And the potatoes... gosh, don't get me started. I'm hoping to return soon - though sadly I'll probably have to pay for it next time... Anyway, thanks, Tokyo Weekender! Such a lovely treat.
Since it's been our first full week in our new Daikanyama apartment, lots of this week was about exploring the lovely area. Though when I say lovely, I raise an arch eyebrow at the hills - and look forward to becoming extra-fit when I get used to them... Key highlights of the area so far: strolling in pretty little Saigoyama Park (with ice cream), strolling along by the river in Naka-meguro, up into the Meguro Sky Garden at nearby Ohashi, and finding an amazing walking/biking path which starts from there and seems to go on for miles of pretty streams and flowers in a north westerly direction. Oh, and enjoying the extremely fancy FamilyMart in the T-Site bookshop (not to mention the very pleasant cocktail bar on top). Delightful. What a fun week.
Brit About Town Picks of the Week - 22nd-28th April
Tokyo events that sound fun
All week - Starting tonight and running all week, you can watch the UK's National Theatre Live production of Skylight starring Bill Nighy and Carrie Mulligan at Kichioji Odeon - I've seen it and it's very good.
Fri 22 April - Dr Sketchy is a global phenomenon, a quirky regular life drawing class/event using burlesque models. Apparently this is the Tokyo branch's 10th anniversary and they have all sorts of celebrations, including seeing their art, painting a mural, and drawing in the park. More info here.
Sat 23 April - I'm sad to be busy at a dinner part on Saturday because the sumo comedy slam at Two Dogs Taproom in Roppongi sounds hilarious. And if you can't get enough of comedy, there's a craft beer and comedy event in the same place right after.
Sun 24 April - As Perfect Liars Club is a storytelling event, we LOVE other storytelling events, so we were excited to meet Apocrypha, the only Tokyo storytelling night we've encountered so far (do you know others?) They're holding a free storytelling afternoon workshop/get together in Yoyogi Park this afternoon. If you want to be in the park but draw instead of tell stories, try Dr Sketchy's free drawing session which is happening at the same time.Then in the evening there is a bilingual improv show courtesy of The Pirates of Tokyo Bay.
Tue 26 April - You could try the stand up comedy new material night at Double Tall Cafe in Shibuya.
Wed 27 April - I'm really excited about Pecha Kucha night at SuperDeluxe in Roppongi. Ten people will present on creative, exciting ideas with an architect-ish slant. It's Y1000 on the door.
Have you got any suggestions for events we should attend? Comment below or email us!
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