Mariko Kato - The Japan Times

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Mariko Kato

For Mariko Kato's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

Japan Times

Events / Events Outside Tokyo

Oct 13, 2006

Kita-Kyushu fest takes pop approach

Running over the course of the next three weekends until Nov. 17, the 2006 Kita-Kyushu International Music Festival, inaugurated in 1988 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Kita-Kyushu City, showcases world-class concerts by artists from Japan and abroad.

Events / Events Outside Tokyo

Oct 6, 2006

Comic storyteller hosts 'talk concert'

Tokyo Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra will invite conductor Hideaki Hirai and a host of soloists to perform much-loved Mozart classics in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the composer's birth.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Sep 22, 2006

Asia Orchestra Week 2006

This October, Tokyo and Osaka will host Asia Orchestra Week 2006, an annual festival that celebrates classical music from a distinctly Asian -- and contemporary -- perspective. Over the last four years, AOW has drawn 30,000 people to watch more than 2,000 musicians from 13 Asia-Pacific countries. Programs presented by these orchestras, which this year include Sydney Orchestra and the Korean Symphony Orchestra, combine the traditional classical repertoire with innovative contemporary compositions that often reflect their own national folk music. Each concert is headed by a promising young soloist, who harmonizes this blend of conflict and contrast.

Japan Times

LIFE / Food & Drink

Sep 22, 2006

Vying to be crowned as Kyushu's ramen king

Kyushu is famous for its rich, varied food culture, and particularly for the rivalry between Hakata ramen and Kumamoto ramen. The former uses pork-based soup, thin noodles, ginger and fresh garlic, and is distinguished by a serving of only a small amount of noodles, to which the customer requests seconds. Kumamoto ramen uses a mixture of pork- and chicken-based soups, thicker noodles, and garlic that has either been fried or boiled. Hakata's ramen champion is the legendary restaurant Ichiran, while Kokutei carries the banner for Kumamoto.

Japan Times

Events / Events Outside Tokyo

Sep 22, 2006

Love triangles in Italian greats

From Sept. 23 through Dec. 3, Kiev Opera will perform the Italian operas "Aida" and "Turandot" throughout Japan. With over 130 years of celebrated performances to its name, Kiev Opera is known not only for its interpretation of Russian opera, but also for its dynamic execution of Italian classics.

Events / Events Outside Tokyo

Sep 8, 2006

Chopin and Schumann lead roster of Romantic classics

Tokushima Symphony Orchestra invites pianist Susumu Aoyagi and conductor Hideaki Hirai to perform a program of Romantic classical music at Tokushima Bunka Center in Tokushima City, Shikoku, on Sept. 16.

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

When trying to trace your lineage in Japan, the "koseki" is the most important form of document you'll encounter.

Climbing the branches of a Japanese family tree

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Students ‘study abroad’ on island of Suo Oshima

Students ‘study abroad’ on island of Suo Oshima

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