Our first issue of the year is out, and it’s absolutely stunning. I get chastised for saying this every time we release a new magazine, but I genuinely think this is the best Tokyo Weekender to date. On the cover is Ryoma Takeuchi, one of Japan’s most compelling leading men; inside, you can find articles on a dazzling array of topics, all accompanied by beautiful original photography. Read on to see more …
— Callie Beusman, editorial director
Tokyo Weekender Vol. 1 is officially out tomorrow, available for free at select stockists throughout Tokyo. You can also read the whole thing online here.
This issue covers a really wonderful breadth of topics, from the sleek, erotic fantasies of artist Hajime Sorayama to the extremely cool bonsai artisans at Tradsman’s. We have an interview with the enigmatic designer behind Proleta Re Art, a denim brand that’s become a worldwide phenomenon, and a lovely profile of Sabor, an extremely eclectic kissaten that’s become an institution in Jimbocho (famously named the coolest neighborhood in the world last year).
Also: ethereal, dreamlike photos from inside Tokyo’s underground car scene; a peek inside the newly reimagined Park Hyatt Tokyo, which you may know as one of the main settings of Lost in Translation; art recommendations; cocktail bar recommendations and more.
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Features & Profiles
In an interview with TW, Ryoma Takeuchi reflects on performance, authenticity and the ever-evolving boundaries of his work.
For decades, Hajime Sorayama has shaped our idea of the 'sexy robot.' Now, he looks back on the allure — and ambiguity — of his creations.
At Tradman’s Bonsai, street culture, fashion and tradition collide to reshape one of Japan’s oldest art forms.
Fashion & Lifestyle
Proleta Re Art’s intricately reworked denim commands well over $10,000 a piece and has become a streetwear phenomenon — but its elusive designer prefers to remain in the shadows.
At Sabor, Masafumi and Chie Ito inherited not just a cafe, but a community — and the delicate task of honoring its past while keeping it alive.
Photographer Jonathan Taylor captures the city’s car scene on film, in a way that’s at once intimate and surreal.
Travel in Japan
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At Gekkoen’s hot spring hotels — Korokan and Yugetsu Sanso — classic Japanese hospitality comes in two distinct but equally satisfying shapes.
Hakuba Valley is one of Japan’s most beloved snow sport areas for a reason. Here’s how to make the most of your time there.
Editor's note: In the article "Rediscovering Nagasaki" (p. 70), an image of Sasebo city was mistakenly used in place of Nagasaki city. The digital version of the magazine has been updated. We regret the error.