author

 
 

Meta

Anna-marie Farrier
For Anna-marie Farrier's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / THE KIDS' TABLE
Nov 20, 2015
Holiday dining in Tokyo where the kids can run amuck and eat like kings
With the end of the year approaching, I decided to scout out potential candidates for a holiday meal with my children. My criteria: good food (of course) with something on the menu that would appeal to the under-12 set, great ambience — special enough without being so formal that it would be stressful — and a place where children could wander without bothering other patrons or running out into the street.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / THE KIDS' TABLE
Oct 16, 2015
Lunch on a 'beach' in the center of the city
I wiggle my toes in soft white sand and watch the children play happily a few feet away. Just add the sound of the crashing surf and you might have tricked me into thinking I was on a beach holiday — as one of the little girls exclaims, emerging from her stroller, "Mommy, are we in Guam?"
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / THE KIDS' TABLE
Sep 18, 2015
A child's dream day: lunch, ice-cream and fun at the park
When cooler weather is upon us, my daughter and I like to venture to neighborhood parks to spend some time outdoors. Since I like to eat out and she likes to play, I have found that one of the keys to a peaceful meal with kids in tow is finding a restaurant with somewhere nearby for them to run around first before daring to sit down at a table.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / THE KIDS' TABLE
Aug 14, 2015
Organic meals and fine art are a panacea for parental guilt
In search of respite from the stifling heat and a place to burn off some overabundant preschooler energy, this month we headed to the charming Organic Cafe LuLu in Tokyo's Kiba neighborhood.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / THE KIDS' TABLE
Jul 17, 2015
Tokyo's family restaurant that breaks the dingy stereotype
Family restaurants, or "famiresu," as they are often called in Japan, are a type of restaurant that's ubiquitous throughout the country. Denny's, Royal Host and Jonathan's are examples of famiresu chains.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / THE KIDS' TABLE
Jun 19, 2015
Eat and play the rainy days away at Cafe Annteana
Rain — it's enough to strike fear into the heart of the most seasoned parent, as you madly scramble for ways to entertain a child cooped up indoors. Coming to the rescue this rainy season is Cafe Annteana in Tokyo's Daikanyama neighborhood, an establishment that caters to the 12-and-under crowd in a decidedly fashionable way.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / THE KIDS' TABLE
May 15, 2015
Escape the grime of Shibuya's streets at Daylight Kitchen
With the weather we've been having, I've been looking for any excuse to dine al fresco. If you're in the Shibuya area, look no further than Daylight Kitchen.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / THE KIDS' TABLE
Apr 17, 2015
Lead your little connoisseur to a world beyond French fries
I heard about Ai to Ibukuro — a cozy little Japanese-French restaurant in Tokyo's Sangenjaya district — through a friend who likes to visit it when celebrating birthdays and anniversaries with the entire family. It can be a challenge to find restaurants that don't simply allow but actually welcome children — and that number quickly dwindles when it comes to proper French cuisine.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / THE KIDS' TABLE
Mar 17, 2015
Kid-friendly Meguro cafes put the cherry on hanami season
Spring in Japan is not complete without hanami (cherry blossom viewing), and one of my favorite spots in Tokyo is along the stretch of the Meguro River from Nakameguro Station to Yamate-dori, which is lined on both sides with rows of cherry trees.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / THE KIDS' TABLE
Feb 17, 2015
Kiddie comfort food reigns supreme at Baby King Kitchen
Blink and you might miss it, but tucked away on a side street, off the old-school shōtengai (shopping street) in Tokyo's Koenji neighborhood, is Baby King Kitchen, an establishment where even adults eat off the kid's menu.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Jan 20, 2015
Peace of mind is a sure thing when eating at The Dome
Swaying to the soothing strains of "Mary Had a Little Lamb," a little girl sets the table for her special tea party, with a giant stuffed toy broccoli and Mickey Mouse as her invited guests. I had been in this space years ago, child-free, only then there was Champagne instead of orange juice, and ambient harp music in the background.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Dec 24, 2014
Take the family out for a fancy holiday dinner — without the worry
Picking just the right spot for a holiday meal with children in tow can be a tricky affair; one that requires choosing a destination with good food, ambience and just enough room and background noise for junior to play — and stop you from pulling out your hair.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / THE KIDS' TABLE
Oct 21, 2014
Halloween barbecue site is an inferno for all the family
Looking for a way to indulge in the glorious fall weather and Halloween festivities, my 3-year-old daughter and I ventured out to meet one of her friends at Toyosu on Sunday afternoon.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / THE KIDS' TABLE
Sep 23, 2014
Hotel restaurant chain offers a fun and nutritious menu for kids
On a recent afternoon, my 3-year-old taste tester and I headed off to the ANA InterContinental Tokyo for a taste of its brand new Planet Trekkers children's menu, touted as a healthily balanced selection of dishes for kids.

Longform

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.
The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores