Tomoko Otake - The Japan Times

LIFE

Jan 22, 2012

While clearing closets at my parents' house in Nara in December following my mother's death the month before, I came across a large square card in a pile of old documents. A snapshot of a baby looking at a birthday cake was glued in the center of the card, and I recognized that it was me at the time...

Events / Events Outside Tokyo

Jan 20, 2012

Get ready for a sweet race

Calorie watchers and fitness freaks should no longer feel guilty for nibbling at sweets — that is, if they join the upcoming Sweets Marathon.

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHO'S WHO

Jan 17, 2012

Indian doctor finds success in Japan

Ruby Pawankar stumbled across Japan in 1988, when as a young physician in Pune, western India, she accompanied her Indian husband here to curate an exhibition held as part of the Festival of India in Japan.

LIFE / WEEK 3

Jan 15, 2012

Kabuki workout helps students to stand out in a crowd

Looking for an enjoyable way to get back into shape after gaining a few pounds over the festive season? Well, look no further than kabuki — or learning a few moves basic to this traditional Japanese theatrical form, to be precise.

CULTURE / Art

Jan 12, 2012

Artists always find ways to represent themselves

For the countless number of budding visual artists in Japan, 3331 Arts Chiyoda's "Independents" exhibitions, which are held in the event space's main gallery, offer the chance to publicly show works and get feedback from some of the most prominent artists, critics and curators in the country.

CULTURE / Art

Jan 12, 2012

Artists always find ways to represent themselves

For the countless number of budding visual artists in Japan, 3331 Arts Chiyoda's "Independents" exhibitions, which are held in the event space's main gallery, offer the chance to publicly show works and get feedback from some of the most prominent artists, critics and curators in the country.

CULTURE / Art

Dec 15, 2011

'POCORART'

3331 Arts Chiyoda Closes Dec. 25

Events / Events Outside Tokyo

Dec 9, 2011

Miraikan uses anime to teach

The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) in Tokyo's Odaiba waterfront district has unveiled a new anime program that is both fun and educational for families.

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / CLOSE-UP

Dec 4, 2011

Tenten Hosokawa: Drawing the blues away

In the last few decades, clinical depression in Japan has emerged from its longstanding obscurity shrouded in shame and guilt to becoming far more openly recognized as a national disease.

Events / Events Outside Tokyo

Nov 25, 2011

Charity event for Nara to help storm victims

The Nara Mahoroba-kan, the pilot store and tourism information center run by the Nara Prefectural Government in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district, is hosting a series of events to help communities and businesses affected by torrential rain and typhoons that hit the southern parts of prefecture earlier this...

Events / Events Outside Tokyo

Nov 25, 2011

Saitama B-class meals vie for public honor

If you missed the B1 Gold Grand Prix of so-called B-class cuisines in Hyogo this month, The 9th Saitama B-class Local Gourmet King Championship should satisfy your appetite.

LIFE / WEEK 3

Nov 20, 2011

French researchers seek raison d'etre of hikikomori

Is the hikikomori phenomenon unique to Japan — or does it exist in other societies, too?

LIFE / Digital

Nov 2, 2011

Shōgi showdown for supercomputer

Eiki Ito, 49, started programming a shōgi (Japanese chess) computer in 1998, because back then, he says, his job with an IT firm wasn't keeping him busy enough. Thirteen years later, his pet machine boasts a computing ability of 4 million moves per second. And it may well soon beat one of the strongest...

LIFE / Lifestyle

Oct 25, 2011

Feeling your way around the Tokyo National Museum

Next time you have a chance to visit the Tokyo National Museum (TNM) in Tokyo's Ueno district, before walking around that home to a vast and impressive collection of traditional Japanese paintings, sculptures and crafts, remember to make a quick stop in the room on the left of the foyer.

LIFE

Oct 23, 2011

Citizens' forum queries nuclear 'experts'

To whom does scientific debate belong?

Events / Events Outside Tokyo

Oct 21, 2011

Try out some laughter yoga with the sun at your back

An ocean breeze, live music, organic food, ayurvedic massage and yoga with a glorious sunset at your back. You'll have the opportunity to experience all this in Enoshima, Kanagawa Prefecture, this weekend.

LIFE / WEEK 3

Oct 16, 2011

Unseen fight to save Tokyo from floods

At 2 a.m. on Sept. 21, Typhoon Roke, the 15th and biggest tropical storm yet to assault Japan this year, was over the Pacific 200 km south of Shikoku making its way slowly and ominously westward toward the main island of Honshu.

LIFE / Style & Design

Sep 20, 2011

Hold the cesium: Ways to reduce radiation in your diet

Is our food really safe?

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WEEK 3

Sep 18, 2011

Web-slinging professor seeks spider silk secret

Shigeyoshi Osaki can read the minds of spiders. Or so you would think, if you see the way he handles the eight-legged arthropods.

Events / Events Outside Tokyo

Sep 2, 2011

Things get a little fishy in Meguro

Expect long lines and the smoky aroma of grilled fish to fill Tokyo's Meguro district as the Meguro Sanma (Pacific saury) Festival comes back to the streets on Sept. 4.

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