TOKYO City Information

This page shows material that was broadcast on Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s “TOKYO City Information” radio program.
(Inter FM 76.1 MHz)
Saturday 10:56-10:59 a.m., (Rebroadcast) Sunday 10:56-10:59 a.m.

March 20 Broadcast

Get ready for the Tokyo International Anime Fair 2010, coming later this month! This is the ninth year for the event, one of the largest anime fairs in the world, and this one will be bigger and getter than ever. Exhibitors and rights-buyers come together to discuss global distribution of anime works in the marketplace, and anime creators come from across Japan and around the world to enter their works in the competitions. Other events include symposiums covering the latest industry news and appearances by voice actors and theme-song singers. Last March around 130,000 attended the fair to take part in the excitement. Why not check out what it has to offer this year? The Tokyo International Anime Fair 2010 runs from March 25th through 28th. The first two days are “business days” for industry representatives only; March 27th and 28th are “public days” open to all from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.Admission is ¥1,000, with half-price tickets for middle and high school students. Kids in elementary school and under and senior citizens get in for free. You can pick up discounted advance tickets at convenience stores or Ticket PIA outlets. For more information, see the official website at <http://www.tokyoanime.jp/en/>.

Last year Roppongi Art Night was a huge success. It’s coming back this year for a second time, with the theme of “the dreams of the city.” On March 27th and 28th, the entire Roppongi area will be the stage for artworks, of course, but also for design, music, video programs, performances, and dance. Don’t miss this chance to experience the town in a way you’ve never seen it before.The museums and art galleries in the area will also be extending their hours and holding a variety of events to mark this special night. Roppongi Art Night runs from 10:00 a.m. on Saturday the 27th to 6:00 p.m. the following day. The most exciting hours are from sunset on Saturday, at 5:58 p.m., to sunrise on Sunday at 5:34 a.m., when most of the art installations and events will be in full swing. It all takes place at Roppongi Hills, Tokyo Midtown, the National Art Center, Tokyo, the Suntory Museum of Art, and many public spaces around the Roppongi area. There’s no charge for any of this. The Toei O-Edo Line will run special late-night trains for people coming to Roppongi Art Night by subway, and there will be free shuttle buses to take you to and from Roppongi. Get more information at the official website, <http://www.bh-project.jp/festival/eng/event/data/roppongi_art_night2010>.

March 13 Broadcast

The Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation has updated its website for foreign-language users. Now more content is available in both simplified and traditional Chinese, as well as Korean. There’s also a new feature: “Service Updates” in all languages to let you know whether the Toei subways and other transport lines are running smoothly. The entire website is now easier than ever before to use, and there’s plenty of new functionality to make it more convenient for travelers and commuters using Tokyo’s Toei subways and bus lines. Head to www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp and click the “Global” link at the top of the page for the other languages.

As the spring weather gets warmer, more people take part in hanami gatherings and office parties. When drinking is involved, this unfortunately means a rise in the number of alcohol poisoning cases in Tokyo, too. If drinking is a part of your social activities, please keep the following points in mind.

• Know your limits, and pay close attention to your physical condition.
• If you can’t drink alcohol for any reason, make sure the people you’re with know about it in advance.
• Don’t drink on an empty stomach, and avoid drinking too much in a short period of time. “Chugging” alcohol is dangerous.
• Don’t ever force alcoholic drinks on someone else.
• Don’t leave a person alone if he or she has had too much to drink.
• If a person vomits, make sure his or her throat is clear for breathing.

Each year people in their twenties and thirties make up most of the patients brought to the hospital for excessive drinking. If you’re in this age group, take special care and enjoy your drinking safely.

March 6 Broadcast

Do you need advice from a legal expert? Then, this is your chance to get some of your questions answered in your native language! The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will offer free Professional Consultation services for Foreign Residents on Saturday, March 13th. Professionals in various fields have volunteered to answer your questions on legal problems including visa and residence problems, international marriage and divorce, labor related issues, education, pension plan, insurance and tax. Interpreters speaking 20 languages including English, Chinese, and Korean will be present. Confidentiality will be strictly observed. The consultation services will be available on the afternoon of Saturday, March 13th, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on the basement floor of Shinjuku Bunka Center. To get there, take the Toei Oedo Line or the Fukutoshin Line and get off at Higashi Shinjuku station. For more information, call Kyojukon at 03-3364-4324.

*Website:Free Consultation for Foreign Residents

The Asian Network of Major Cities 21 is hosting a show of pictures created by the children of Asia. This year the theme of the exhibit is “Wonderful Places in Our Towns.” You can see around 40 works of art on this theme from young artists in Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore, Jakarta, Delhi, and Taipei. The children put their playful use of color and lively eye on display as they depict landmark sites and famous festivals in their cities.The pictures will be on display through Monday, March 8th at the central “art walk” on the first floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Main Building No. 1. Hours are from 8:00 in the morning until 6:45 in the evening. You can get there from the west exit of JR Shinjuku Station or from Tochomae Station on the Toei O-Edo Line.

February 27 Broadcast

This week’s Tokyo City Information brings you details on two fun garden events to celebrate spring in Japan. The Jindai Botanical Gardens are an oasis of greenery and flowers in western Tokyo. Here you’ll find more than 100,000 plants from around 4,800 species, making it a park to enjoy year-round. In early March, the gardens will host concerts by a marimba trio to mark the opening of the plum blossoms. The trio will perform twice a day on both Saturday and Sunday, March 6th and 7th. The shows start at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and last for around a half hour. Come enjoy classics, pops, and Japanese tunes made famous by musicians like Sakamoto Kyu. The concerts take place on the second floor of the Botanical Hall near the main entrance. Concert admission is free, but you’ll need to pay the park entrance fee: 500 yen for adults, half-price for seniors. The Jindai Botanical Gardens are open from 9:30 to 4:00 each day except Mondays. Access the park by bus from JR Mitaka or Kichijoji Station, or from Chofu Station on the Keio Line. Get off at Jindaiji Shokubutsu Koen Mae bus stop.

*Website:Jindai Botanical Gardens(PDF:5.3MB)

The Mukojima-Hyakkaen gardens is holding its annual plum-blossom festival through Sunday, March 7th. This park is famous as a traditional Japanese garden with high artistic value. It's a nationally designated place of merit and historical site, and is well worth a visit. Toward the end of the Edo Period, in the mid-1800s, these gardens were already popular as a prime spot for enjoying the early spring plum blossoms. To this day, you can enjoy the vivid colors of the pink flowers and the sweet scent of the white ones. Why not come down to the park to enjoy the beautiful trees and a taste of old Edo culture? On Saturday, March 6th, there will be performances by traditional Tokyo street artists at noon, 1:30, and 3:00. (These shows will be cancelled in case of rain.) Mukojima-Hyakkaen charges 150 yen for admission, and just 70 yen for seniors. Access the park from Higashi Mukojima on the Tobu Isesaki Line.

*Website:Mukojima-Hyakkaen Gardens