Photo : Asian-Q

1) Recruiting actors/actresses and singers for a new movie “Kamisama-no-musumetach (God’s Daughters)”

Closing date for application: Sun., Mar. 20, 2011
Audition date: Sun., Mar. 27, 2011

2) JMP Audition 2011　Recruiting singers, actors, actresses, dancers and others

Closing date for application: Sun., Feb. 20, 2011
Audition date: Sun., Feb.  27, 2011

For more detail, please see a web-site of Japan Media Production at www.jmp21.com

Japan Media Production Ltd.

• Address：4-43-15-B1, Honcho, Nakano-ku, Tokyo
• Tel：03-6304-8337
• Mail　nov@jmp21.com

The shop highly recommends the Nikon “D3100.” The lightweight, 455 g, compact camera offers superior performance that out shines top-end models. Features include 1.42 million pixels, high sensitivity, full HD Movie recording function and various filters. For the first time in Nikon’s entry models, live-view shooting is available with this product. With the digital single-lens reflex camera, you have the ability to change lenses at will. And the camera’s double zoom set includes a 300 mm telescopic lens at an affordable price. Also the camera communicates in 20 languages, making it popular not only in Japan and English-speaking countries but all over the world.

PENTAX ”K-r” in colorful body attracts people’s attention. In the shop counter, they only offer pink, while and black colors variation, however, a 120 combinations with body 12 colors X glib 10 colors are available for an individual order. It can fully express an owner’s individual character by the looks of camera. This camera is unique not only in looks but features that include high sensitivity shooting up to ISO12800. High shutter speeds that do not require electronic flash are perfect for night time conditions. An optional adapter allows use of a dry-cell battery system as well. As a PENTAX, the company offers a one-year worldwide guarantee, making it the perfect purchase for international buyers.

The “Rice cooker,” is an up-and-coming product among hot-selling electric appliances for foreign people. We can say that “Sushi” is a byword of the Japanese Cuisine, the world’s greatest pride, and “rice” plays an important role in the taste of sushi. 　Every electriconics manufacturer has been working hard to make a fuss-free product which lets people easily cook tasty rice, as if it was cooked by Kamado (a traditional Japanese cooking method using a large earthen oven with a metal pot that was horizontally inserted then heated from the bottom using wood for fuel)
There is a healthy following of high performance, multi-function models that are usable overseas. The made-in-Japan electric rice cooker has superb thermal conduction to the rice kettle; therefore it makes tasty boiled rice. It also has a great thermal insulation feature, so the taste will remain the same, even after hours.

The shop has highly recommend a model that is usable overseas
A new model that is obsessed with the taste of cooked rice
“ZOJIRUSHI NP-HLH10-XA（5.5 cups）”

It is a rice cooker that adapts IH and has a thick kettle that is rare among overseas models. Since it conveys heat all over the inner kettle, it almost boils the rice evenly. You can choose nine rice cooking modes including, white rice, rice with added ingredients, sushi rice, sprouted rice and others.

Other recommended models
A multi-function model that can cook steamed vegetables and cakes
“HITACHI RZ-VM10Y（5.5 cups）”

The model can do steam cooking using accessories. It can also cook various kinds of rice such as sticky rice and jasmine rice.

Sofmap Akihabara head store

Among “Sofmap town,” which consists of12 shops in Akihabara, the Akihabara head store deals with a variety of electric appliances , home electronics is its main product line. They have a varity of watches which are popular among foreign tourists and products that can be used overseas as well as duty free products which are sold on the 2nd floor. English and Chinese-speaking interpreters are also available in the store. The shop accepts the Discover card. It also offers an additional 5% discount when people use the Ginren card.

• Address:　 4-1-1, Soto Kanda, Chiyoda-ku（5 min. walk from JR Akihabara station）
• Tel.:　03-3253-1111
• Opening hours:　10:00-21:00

Photo by : Nozomi Takahashi

*Tokyo Anime Center will be closed from 11th January 2011 due to renovation.

It is the new landmark in Akihabara, a holy site of animation that is also popular among foreign tourists.　It is a place where you can get the latest information on commercial animation. It is included in Akihabaras new discovery tour and/or various sightseeing tours for foreign tourists organized by companies as JTB, Hato Bus and HIS, so many foreign pop-culture lovers, love to visit this place. Among its 34,000 annual visitors, about 10 % are foreign tourists, reflecting the high popularity of Japanese animation abroad. In addition to its regular and special exhibition corner, large size versions of promotion images of works by production companies such as “Toei Animation” and “Studio Pierrot” are shown on the screen in the annex of the center. There is also a variety of character goods, including world popular animations such as “NARUTO” and “BREACH” available. Also, as a unique experience available in this special site, you can try the postrecording of animation work. This experience takes place in a studio which is used by the voice-over actors, producing the Animation Centre’s internet radio.　This postrecording experience completed with the help of several staff, is a valuable attraction that you can not experience in other places. You will do the voice-over while watching the animation on TV. Provided with the script, you may find that it takes a lot of doing. The length of the script is about 90 sec. to 150 sec. but you may need about one hour for a briefing, 2-3 rehearsals and actual postrecording.　Yet, it is said that only a very few people can do well on the first take. There are 5 microphones in the studio; therefore a maximum of 5 people can be dubbed at the same time. However, only one microphone is used for professional jobs. It is surprising that several voice-over actors share the microphone changing their standing positions during the act.

• Address: Akihabara UDX 4F, 4-14-1, Sotokanda, Chiyodaku (2 minutes walk from JR Akihabara station)
• Tel.:　03-5298-1188
• Opening hours:　11:00-19:00
• Closing date: Monday (except Summer holiday season)
• Entrance Fee　Free of charge

Post recording trial experience

Basically available on Sat., Sun., and holidays. Application is accepted at first-come and first-served basis on that day (start at 11:45) Experience only 1000 yen, experience with a commemorative DVD that contains scenes of your postrecording session and the finished animation work with your voice-over, 1800 yen

Photo by : Nozomi Takahashi

The shop has the best range of character goods in Akihabara. While many stores connect to the eaves, it has a cheerful and open atmosphere. Even for Akiba beginners, it is easy and comfortable to enter the shop, thus many foreign tourists and students on school trips visit the shop.

• Address:　Akihabara Radio Kaikan 1F & 2F, 1-15-16,Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo（1 minute walk from Denkigai exit of JR Akihabara station）
• Tel.:　03-5298-6300
• Open hours:　10:00-20:00
• Closing day　None
• http://www.kotobukiya.co.jp/kotobukiya/index.shtml

Ghibli and Shonen Jump-related goods

Variety of Ghibli and Shonen Jump-related goods which are popular among foreign people.

Food

There are foods in “Moekei” packages only available at the store.

Rice

Environment preservation rice of “Sengoku BASARA” produced through collaboration with Miyagi prefecture. This topic was also reported in the news.

USB-related goods

USB joke-goods with no memory function. Unexpectedly popular with many people is a dog which has swaying hips and a chameleon which has spinning eyes.

A shop in 2nd floor

Get fully-fledged authentic figures here, too!

The figures and plastic models, specialized corner is on the 2nd floor and is just like a museum. It exhibits various pre-sale sample products as well as in-line products. It is great for silently and closely looking at the special world of models.

The museum displays interesting exhibits even non-animation fans can enjoy the duplication of work desks of leading Japanese animation creators including Mr. Yoshiyuki Tomino, director of “Mobile Suit Gundam” as well as an explanation of the history and fundamental rules of animation. It also has facilities for post recording and a digital workshop. Its anime library houses a variety of information and materials such as related books, DVD and interviews with creators. Also, in its special exhibition site, which is permanent, the exhibition’s theme related animation and other works are screened in its theatre. No charge is required for either admission or inspection.

• Address:　Suginami Kaikan 3F, 3-29-3, Kamiogi, Suginami-ku, Tokyo (Bus from JR and Tokyo Metro Ogikubo station, or Seibu Shinjuku Line Kami-igusa station)
• Tel.:　03-3396-1510
• Opening hours:　10:00-18:00
• Closing date: Monday, Year-end and new-year holidays
• Admission: Free of Charge
• http://www.sam.or.jp

Japanese figures are considered as something that represents a sub-culture, but when you look into the works, you may be highly impressed by their morbidezza, craftsmanship and artistry. A figure prototype model creator is a person who creates a prototype model of a commercially available completed figure and/or garage kit. Shunji and Kaoru are a married couple, but at the same time, they are rivals and cenacles, both of them are independent figure prototype creators.

We found a figure on Kaoru’s desk that she was working on. When I asked her if she is going to exhibit that work in a large-scale garage kits event which will be held this summer, she answered “I am not going to make it, and I’m not going to push myself to meet the deadline. When you set a deadline, you can only create so-so, but not the best. Sometimes it takes 5 months to develop one prototype. I break my back, trying to meet the quality of what I am aiming at. I want to spend time creating something that I poured my whole energy into. Forget about tactics to create something that can be sold or to make other people happy. I want to create something that makes me want to put it neatly in my room, something that satisfied my particular taste. That is the highest hurdle. Since, I can not compromise myself.”
Looking at girls created by Kaoru, people feel that they have an inner fortitude which never flatters nor is stained by any color. Thus people can’t seem to keep their eyes off the strong presence of the figures. The truly appealing aura that her works have would be an impression of strong peculiarity towards creation.

Many one-off product samples, which must be valuable works, are on a steel shelf arranged chaotically. For Shunji, the most important thing would be the creating process rather than the finished product, the result. Embodying a 2-D character exquisitely is a daunting task that requires patience, but I get the impression that he really enjoys that working process itself.
“In my childhood, we made bows, target and slingshots from whittling wood. Now, people do not have so much experience to “create something you want by yourself”. So I want to create work that makes people, who do not know the pleasure of craft or creation, want to “make it” “
His starting point was the desire to make a palm-sized robot of “EVANGELION” which he was fascinated by. As for Shunji, the job of making prototype figures is the condense joy of modelling.

Shunji and Kaoru work on creation as independent creators. The partnership of two people, who have different personalities and stance toward their work, thus the atmosphere they create is very interesting.

Shunji Hagii: Born in 1971. Actively creates both original works and prototypes for commercial production. He belongs to “Studio Saru Bunshitu Kasetsujo. “ Recent works include “Tengen Toppa Gurren-lagann” Yoko real image ver, (by Max Factory)

Kaoru Hagii: Born in 1973. She has been releasing original works with unique character. Her artist name is “Kaoru,” and dealer name is “Klondike”. Recent works include “egoista（original ）” and others.

photo:Nozomi Takahashi

History, tradition and taste, the world famous five big chateaus and DRC wine selection are provided by bottle, or by a glass in the shop. As for the meal which is essential to enjoy the wine, the shop uses unique foods from Japan and abroad, the shop, besides course meals, offers a casual a la carte menu with a price for each dish starting from 500 yen. Especially, Aomori-made Apios (groundnut) is a new sweet vegetable that has been getting attention recently. It is a nutritious food that contains 30 times more calcium and 4 times more iron compared to potato.

Nishi Azabu EDGE Bldg. 2f, 1-1-1, Nishi Azabu, Minato-ku Tokyo
Tel; 03-6804-1100
Open hours 15:00 – 3:00 (Sunday – 22:00) Closed on Monday
http://e-episode.jp/ (Japanese)

“HAL YAMASHITA TOKYO”

It is a shop located in Tokyo Midtown. It focuses on local food, and local production for local consumption. Using the inheritance of Japanese food culture as its base, it offers a course menu. It incorporates the philosophy of “Zen” into its meals, which are created daily with the best of the days ingredients.

Tokyo Midtown D-0119, 7-4, Akasaka 9 cho-me, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel; 03-5413-0086
Open hour: Lunch 11:00 – 15:00 Dinner: 17:30-24:00
Closed on Monday (When Monday is national holiday, closed on next day)
http://www.hal-yamashita.com/ (Japanese)

Selected by 2500 producers from all over Japan
Japanese cuisine “Yamafuji” using organic foods

It is a direct management store from Daichi-o-mamoru Kai (Earth Protection Association) that runs membership delivery of organic vegetables and other foods containing “ingredients of which the origin can be identified”. It offers meals that make full use of seasonal ingredients such as salad freshly selected that morning from Tokyo Organic Club of Koganei City, Tokyo and shorthorn beef from Yamagata mura village, Kuji City, Iwate Pref. There are 6-seats on a wooden counter and 3 individual cabins with sunken kotatsu in the shop. It provides a highly sophisticated atmosphere and performance with carefully selected dishes and furnishings.

La Nishi Azabu 3F, 4-5-8, Nishi Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel; 03-5467-5622
Open hour: 18:00 – 23:30
(Saturday 17:00- 23:30) Closed on Sunday and holidays
http://www.yamafuji.net (Japanese)

“Roppongi Hills” is a culture and information base. On top of the facility, about 45m high above the ground, there is a 1300 ㎡rooftop garden. This exists so that people can think about nature in the city .And also enjoy the four seasons through this immediate natural environment. It is a place for community activities for its residents and workers, and offers them learning opportunities about Japanese traditional culture, food and environment. It interacts with farmers in various places in Japan, and lets people try vegetable gardening and rice cropping, as well as eating the harvest. The rooftop garden is located in the center of Roppongi.
“When you look at old maps, rice fields existed in this area until the Meiji era. Rice cropping on the rooftop has advantages such as being airy and gets good sunshine and there is less pest damage due to the height. Point is that what part of urban life people is looking for happiness.” Mr. Yamaguchi, person-in-charge of development, said.

• 6-10-1, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
• http://www.roppongihills.com/en/

Automotive technology is used for agricultural machinery！

A power tiller that supports beginners to create good soil and enjoy home gardening easily Honda introduced a mini power tiller “Pianta FV 2000” ( 104790 yen／incl. tax）with easy mobility, storage and operation as its concept. After using the power tiller, the darted machine can be stored into the substance case without raising it. There is a special case for the portable burner to prevent fuel from leaking is also attached.

HONDA　http://www.honda.co.jp/tiller/pianta/
Photo shooting support：membership based rental vegetable garden “Agris Seijo”tel.03-3482-0831

The rat-a-tat sound of knocking on wood, the fluid motion of quickly spreading glue on paper, earnest eyes grinding stones with a chisel, the assured fingertips that fix a thong quietly. Craftsmen in Asakusa succeed the wisdom and skills of their predecessors. Hidden ingenuity and their careful handwork create products that are as accurate as machine-made ones. But have the depth and flavor of a thorough mans hand.

Bunsen Do

“Sensu (folding fan) is made from several dozen bamboo wood ribs and paper. It is used for making a gentle wind by waving it. This is the same function as a (paper fan). It is also used as a room decoration, in Japanese dancing and Noh plays. Bunsendo is a favourite shop among Kabuki actors and choreographers. It handles dancer’s fans, folding fans, fun-throwing game sets, Uchiwa (paper fan) and envelopes for congratulatory gifts of money. The shop owner is Mr. Osamu Arai, the fourth generation of the owner. Photo shown is Mr. Ryota Arai, the fifth generation of the shop.

• Address: 1-30-1, Asakusa, Taito ku, Tokyo(Nakamise shop) / 1-20-2,Asakura, Taito ku , Tokyo(Kaminarimon shop)
• Tel.: 03-3841-0088
• Open hours: 10:30 – 18:00
• Closed day: Mondays after 20th of each month

Kane So

The tastes of dishes will change depending on which Hohcho (food choppers) you use. “Kane So” handles many “Hood choppers,” a cooking utensil which is very popular among professional chefs. The shop was founded in 1873. A popular item among foreigners is the Sashimi knife for home use, with a price range of 7,000 – 17,000 yen. There are some people who are well-versed in Japan, and/or the orthodox school of food choppers. They buy very expensive products with prices from 80,000 – 90,000 yen. The present owner is the 5th generation, and the three brothers of the shop preserve the traditional craft.

• Address: 1-18-12, Asakusa, Taito ku , Tokyo
• Tel.: 03-3844-1379
• Open hours: 11:00-19:00
• Closed day: not regularly fixed.
• http://www.kanesoh.com (Japanese)

Yonoya Kushiho

The shop was founded in 1717. It is the only boxwood comb specialty shop that exists around the Asakusa area. When Karyukai was flourishing women put their hair up using different shaped combs. The combs used were changed depending on the hair quality and the hair style. The number of Geisha has been decreasing, therefore so has the people with a fluent command of such hair fixing equipment. “Wood is in life. The wood graining of a boxwood comb is changed when it is broken, also too much scraping is not good, but it is painful if you do not scrap it. So the adjustment is difficult” said Mr. Yu Saito, the 4th generation of the shop, who is looking for modern style while keeping with tradition.

• Address: 1-37-10 Asakusa, Taito ku, Tokyo
• Tel.: 03-3844-1755
• Open hours: 10：30-18：00
• Closed day: Every Wednesday (also takes an indefinite two-day off on Wednesday and Thursday in a month)

Matsumoto

People associate Asakusa with Matsuri (festival) and also associate Matsuri with Hanten (Japanese short coat in cotton, usually worn in festivals). Bag Matsumoto, a bag specialty shop that was founded in 1948, recycles old Hanten and/or Tenugui (Japanese towel) and makes backpacks and bags from them. When you take in Kimono and Obi or used clothes, the shop will make a bag from them for you.

• Address: Shin Nakamise, 1-21-8, Asakusa, Taito ku, Tokyo
• Tel.: 03-3842-2961
• Open hours: 10:30-20:30
• Closed day: not regularly fixed.

Edo Sashimono Watanabe

Sashimono is the craft of joining boards or a board and a bar without using metal nails. It is a name for furniture and equipment that is made for users and their life style from Edo period. While inheriting traditional skills and techniques, the shop evolutes the products to match modern construction and life style. “Daikoku Bashira (pillar)” (892,500 yen), which is made under the theme of Daikoku Bashira (pillar) which used to be a symbol of a house, and contains 6 tricks. “We are MOMOTOSEYA, we make products that people can use for one hundred years” said Mr. Akira Watanabe, the third generation of the shop.

• Address: : 3-25-4, Ryusen, Taito ku, Tokyo
• Tel.: 03-3873-3050
• Open hours: 10：00-17：00
• http://www.sashimono.net (Japanese)

Tsujiya Honten

“I can immediately understand when I see the client’s bear feet” said the third generation shop owner. His finger tip is so confident when he fixes a thong of Pokkuri (lacquere wooden clogs with rounded soles). It is said to be very difficult to fix, even for people with proficient skills. Pokkuri is named after the sound it makes when people walk wearing them. They are worn by children in holiday outfits at festivals, and children aged seven, five and three. And in recent years an increasing number of people wear Pokkuri when they are in Kimono at a wedding party or coming-of-age ceremony. It is said that in Edo period, little girls in licensed quarters wore them when they participated in Oiran Dochu (parade of extremely high ranked courtesan). And since Meiji period, Maiko (apprentice geisha) and brides have started to wear them. The shop has been popular among people who wear Japanese Kimono since it was established in 1912.

• Address: 1-21-8, Asakusa, Taito ku, Tokyo
• Tel.: 03-3844-1321
• Open hours: 10:00 – 19:00
• Closed day: none
• http://www.getaya.jp/index.html

Hoken Do

Calligraphy came from China. Ink stone, brush, paper and sumi ink are known as the Four Treasures of Writing Material. People also have been enjoying “Bunbo-Seigen (pure appreciation of writing material), of which they decorate and appreciate these four items. “My grandfather passed Chinese ink stone down, my father passed Japanese ink stone down, and I do both” said Mr. Takashi Aoyanagi, the fourth generation of the “Hokendo” shop. He polishes ink stones with commitment to function, durability, and beauty. He also creates custom made ink stones from rude ores. Various calligraphy items and small articles such as paperweights and ink holders. Products for engraving seals are also sold in his store.

• Address: : 4-1-11, Kotobuki, Taito ku, Tokyo
• Tel.: 03-3844-2976
• Open hours: : Weekday　9：00- 18：00, First and Third Sunday 10：00-17：00
• http://www33.ocn.ne.jp/~houkendou/ (Japanese)