Latest Features

Geisha prepares to bloom in Tokyo

TOKYO (TR) – Not far from the banks of Tokyo’s Sumida River, below a towering expressway, is Sumida Ward’s sleepy district of Mukojima, the largest of Tokyo’s six remaining geisha quarters, or hanamachi (literally, “flower towns”).

The area is home to roughly 120 of Japan’s iconic traditional entertainers, who, in the evenings, regale well-heeled guests with performances of classical dance and music, lighthearted games and conversation as they dine at the 16 traditional ryotei restaurants scattered within the packed district’s hodgepodge of aging wooden buildings.

One of the youngest of the local geisha is Manten (her geisha name), 20, who decided to enter the profession after realizing that she was not well versed in Japan’s traditions following two visits overseas as a teenager. Read the story »

Tokyo Sky Tree: Room with a view

TOKYO (TR) – Tall, steel-framed television transmission towers are not generally thought of as being attractive neighbors.

Yet real estate firm Sky Court is hoping that Tokyo Sky Tree, now under construction in the capital’s eastern Sumida Ward, will convey a different image.

The company has taken out newspaper advertising space to promote the units within its Sky Court Oshiage Ichibankan complex as investment properties due to their proximity to the future 634-meter-tall structure, which will make it the world’s tallest free-standing tower when it is completed next year.

“With a location in the center of the city and nearby public transportation, there are positive prospects for further developments in the area targeting single people seeking a lifestyle centered on convenience,” said company representative Tsutomu Sugiura in a dispatch to The Tokyo Reporter. Read the story »

RSS and Twitter Feeds

 The JASPO feed

 The Tokyo Reporter feed

 The Tokyo Reporter on Twitter

TR News Blog

Sports tabloid Daily Sports to offer digital edition

The newspaper industry in Japan appears to be readying itself for the electronic era . Tabloid Daily Sports reported last week that it would begin a special digital newspaper service today.

The sports paper said that most Japanese newspapers rely on advertising for revenue, a contrast to the U.S. model that is based on subscription fees. However, the global wave of readers accessing written publications online is forcing Japanese newspaper companies to make a move before it is too late.

A part of the Kobe Shimbun group, the paper is known for its extensive coverage of the Hanshin Tigers. This new service, in which readers will be charged 1,890 yen per month, coincides with the commencement of spring training activities for all 12 professional ball clubs. The content of the digital edition will duplicate that of the conventional paper.

The paper is offering a one-month trial period that is accessible at this link. Use the following access information. ユーザーID: “dailysports” and パスワード Password – “denshi” (K.N.)

Hanshin Tigers ready to roar in 2010

With the Year of Tiger now underway, the owner of Kansai’s Hanshin ball club, conveniently bearing the same nickname, is already on the prowl for the Central League crown, reports tabloid Daily Sports (Jan. 4).

Shinya Sakai, the 61-year-old president of Hanshin Electric Railway, the team’s parent, said that on his first day of work this year (Jan. 4) that he visited shrines in the Kobe area on January 1, during what is referred to as hatsumode, or first visit, to pray for a Tiger title.

“Nagata, Ikuta, Minatogawa — I took the train to visit all of them, situated along the rail line,” said the club’s “general” in charge. Read the story »

Hideki Matsui museum drawing crowds on heels of World Series MVP

The museum dedicated to former New York Yankees star Hideki Matsui attracted an unprecedented number of visitors over the New Year holiday as a result of the designated hitter winning the Most Valuable Player award during last year’s World Series, reports tabloid Daily Sports (Jan. 4).

The Matsui Hideki Baseball Museum, located in his hometown of Nomi City, Ishikawa Prefecture, welcomed 650 fans on January 3, this year’s first day of operation. That attendance figure is triple the number of an average day.

Heavy snow was not a deterrent. Masai Matsui, the ballplayer’s father, who is the managing director of the museum, was delighted. “I saw cars lined up 20 minutes prior to the opening,” the elder Matsui beamed. “Did the MVP have an effect? I believe so.” Read the story »

Williams’ return to Tigers possible at midseason

Sports tabloid Daily Sports reports that the Hanshin Tigers are investigating the possibility of bringing back left-handed reliever Jeff Williams at mid-season next year.

A fan favorite since joining the Tigers in 2003, Williams, who hails from Australia, had arm surgery after the 2008 campaign and returned this year in a limited role before another operation at midseason. Should the club determine that it will be difficult for him to return as a player, they are also looking at offering him a position as U.S.-based scout.

Williams shared indicated to the tabloid in November that his doctor believed that he should be able to pitch again in May. A senior manager from the Tigers office explains: “We want him to contribute to Hanshin one way or the other. While the language barrier may exist, he has been a role model in our bullpen.” (K.N.)