author

 
 

Meta

Mayumi Koyama
For Mayumi Koyama's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
JAPAN / DAVOS SPECIAL 2015
Jan 21, 2015
Spreading culture through cuisine
"One of the easiest and most effective ways to understand a culture is through its food," said Yoshiko Nishihama, owner of Zurich's Nishi Shop, a store specializing in Japanese imports and an affiliated company of Japan Restaurant Bimi in Zurich. "That's why, as representatives of Japan, we take our responsibilities seriously. At the same time, we are really excited and honored for the opportunity to cater 'Japan Night 2015,'" said Nishihama in an interview with The Japan Times at the Palace Hotel Tokyo on Dec. 29.
Japan Times
CULTURE
Jan 1, 2015
Activities to ring in year of the sheep
Usually, the New Year holiday season in Japan is a time to spend with family and many people go back to their hometowns, while others stay indoors for television-watching marathons. Therefore, with the exception of some shopping areas, Tokyo is relatively quiet compared with the usual hustle and bustle. If you're staying in the capital and are looking for something to do, there are plenty of vibrant events taking place at the beginning of the year.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Sep 13, 2014
Piet Boon: 'Never lose your sense of curiosity in the world'
Q: What motivates you to design something? A: Design should, in our opinion, enhance the quality of daily life.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 18, 2014
Fukui sake brand certified as kosher
More than a dozen sake products from Katoukichibee Shoten have been certified as kosher, adhering to the strict food standards tailored for Jewish people.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 17, 2014
Westin feels it's perfectly positioned to pamper, keep ahead of rivals
The Westin Tokyo is currently enjoying brisk sales and expects business to continue to thrive as consumers presently have a propensity to spend money on luxurious food and accommodations, the hotel's general manager said recently.
Japan Times
Events / Events In Tokyo
Jan 1, 2014
Blending old and new for New Year's
Thanks to the calendar this year, many people can have a long holiday, so many will be heading out of Tokyo on vacation. But if you're staying in the capital, there will be enough events at the beginning of the year to get you out of the house, and to help you taste the traditional and unique aspects of Japan.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Feb 25, 2011
Craft exhibition thinks pink
Love, work, leisure, study, giving birth and raising kids. These days a lot of responsibilities are heaped on women. It's enough to make even the mightiest of super-women tired.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Feb 4, 2011
Symposiums hope culture can remedy conflict in Asia
When someone first arrives in Japan, how do they respond to the nation's code of etiquette? Strictly adhering to traffic lights, humbly declining compliments and thanking people twice, learning the manners of a country is key to understanding its culture and getting along with others.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Jan 21, 2011
Takashimaya branch to celebrate girls day with doll display
The hina matsuri (doll festival) on March 3 is still a while off. However, displays commemorating Japan's young daughters will end promptly on that day, because, according to tradition, if they stay up — those daughters might lose their chance at marriage.
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Jan 7, 2011
Photojournalist group show off their best
All across Japan people are ringing in the new year with visits to hometowns, prayers at temples and bowls of soba. It's a good time to look ahead, but also a good time for looking back — that's where the Tokyo Press Photographers Association comes in.
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Dec 17, 2010
Zoo holds yearend events for the family
The story goes that a long time ago, Buddha ordered some animals to come see him on New Year's Day. It was at that point he told the group that he would nominate 12 animals to be the leaders of all the animals, and that they would take turns each year. This is how the Chinese zodiac came to be.
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Nov 26, 2010
Cinema celebrates famed French film director Godard
Toho Cimena Chanter celebrates famed film director Jean-Luc Godard during a three-week-long film festival starting Nov. 27.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Oct 8, 2010
Family-friendly exhibit hopes to shed light on plight of extinct, endangered species
Everyone should know dinosaurs went extinct millions of years ago, but do they know how many species have gone extinct since?
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Sep 24, 2010
Asia Orchestra Week presents symphonic sounds of the continent
A nation or territory can often be defined by its musical tradition. From Hawaii to Scotland to Africa, the sounds people produce allow them to express their cultural identity.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Sep 10, 2010
Cameroon brings energy to ballet stage
This summer, the world was swept up in a wave of enthusiasm over the FIFA World Cup. Japan played Cameroon in the first round and scored a victory, but fans here were quick to acknowledge Cameroon's sharp attacks and fighting spirit. Fortunately, that spirit isn't limited to soccer.

Longform

Historically, kabuki was considered the entertainment of the merchant and peasant classes, a far cry from how it is regarded today.
For Japan's oldest kabuki theater, the show must go on