About food in Japan

Two recommendable exhibitions in Tokyo for this summer

For those who consider travel to Tokyo in this summer holiday season, About Food in Japan recommends following two exhibitions to visit. 

 

1. TEMA HIMA: the Art of Living in Tohoku

At: 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, Tokyo Midtown, Roppongi

Date until: 26 August 2012

Official site: http://www.2121designsight.jp/en/program/temahima/

Following the first exhibition program with the theme "Clothing (衣)" last year and produced by the world-renowned fasion designer Issey Miyake, this year the second version focuses on "food and living spaces." The exhibition intoroduces rich life-culture and tradition of Tohoku region through a movie, photos and displays of products, ingredients, parts etc. They are brought to the gallery space in Rippongi through the eyes of designers, food director, journarist, film artists and photographer. The exhibition is not simply a showcase of the Japanese traditional culture and life-style but can be considered as an art program extracting aesthetic of daily life inherited in Tohoku region.

At the entrance, make sure to get a leaflet in English, explaining each of 55 works presented. It's amazing even for Japanese like us to know how many kinds of traditional food culture remain in Tohoku region. You will find how traditional Japanese food are prepared with hands of local people. Take around 2hours for visit in order to watch the whole of program fully including the film.   

 

2. GOSSE DE PEINTRE BEAT TAKESHI KITANO

At: Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery, Shinjuku

Date until: 2 September 2012

Official site: http://www.btk2012.jp/

The exhibition was originally presented in Paris by "Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain" to introduce art works by Takeshi Kitano who is mostly known as comedian in Japan while is recognized rather as film director in other parts of the world. As Mr. Kitano described himself, taste of his painting has underlying influence by his father who had been a house painter. While showing his another aspecct as the most popular comedian in Japan, he also demonstrates his art talent that could be even close to Pablo Picasso or Leonardo da Vinci. At least looking at his works, we will see his versatility from comedian, film director, actor as already known to painter, very unique art producer.

Yes, this blog is about food in Japan. The exhibition seems not to be related to food so much. Actually he produced a food stall and products for it as one of the exhibition works. It is at the last of the exhibition work list, No. 83 "The Keep-Hunger-Away-Buddha." It's a kind of joke (I guess at least) which he often shows on TV programs. On the underground floor of Tokyo Opera City, where the art gallery is situated, a small stall stands facing to the central courtyard. The stall is visible from the gallery window.

Please don't miss to find it

Then what are sold there...

cakes in shape of buddha

It's up to you how much you believe

the story Mr. Kitano telling for the cake.

 

In any case, enjoy your summer holiday in Tokyo

 

Tokyo Skytree view spot - Cielo y rio, Kuramae (蔵前)

Tokyo Skytree, the newest icon of Tokyo, opened last month. Although the 634-meter-high tower's main role is broadcasting transmission, many people are more attracted by the observation deck on 450 meters height from the ground. For the entrance until 10 July 2012, advance reservation is required and is almost sold out. On 11July or after, long queue for getting an entrance ticket is anticipated. Then let's think another way to enjoy the newest tourist spot of Tokyo.

A riverside cafe, Cielo y rio is one of such options, situating a stop away from Asakusa on Oedo and Asakusa subway lines. When the weather is fine, it is a nice stroll of 15 minutes along the Sumida river from Asakusa to the cafe in Kuramae (蔵前) area.

The interior decoration of Cielo y rio is totally different from what you can find in Asakusa, the most popular tourist spot of Tokyo. It is modern and very lovely everywhere.

       

The restaurant faces to Sumida river side widely and Tokyo Skytree on the other side of river is visible from the window side and outside terrace.

The menu is also far from ones in Asakusa. It offers Western style plates that match with the adorable decoration. Lunch set, available until afternoon, includes rice or bread as much as you can at reasonable price less than Yen 1000. The bistro provides wide variety dishes for dinner, from fresh fish carppacio, cheese platter, several kinds of pasta plates, Spanish paella, meat plates as main dish. 

As it opens without a break, it can be used as a cosy cafe on afternoon. In addition, only for weekend, it opens for breakfast from 9 a.m. It's a good idea to leave your hotel or room from early morning on weekend and, after having breakfast at Cielo y rio, to visit Asakusa in the morning, less crowded time. 

 

 

Restaurant name: Riverside Cafe Cielo y Rio

Address: 2-15-5 Kuramae, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Website: http://cieloyrio.com

     

大きな地図で見る