Japan

Review: Shangri-La Hotel – Supreme Comfort in the Heart of Tokyo

As forward-thinking Tokyo is, the idea of classicism still very much permeates many of the city’s institutions. Elegance and efficiency is a pathological expectation, and more often than not, those expectations are met tenfold. This is a large reason why, despite an overwhelming language barrier and high degree of cultural shock (for first-timers anyway), Tokyo…

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Review: MOXY Tokyo Kinshicho – a creative, colourful and playful hotel in Sumida Ward

Tokyo’s iteration of Marriott International’s energetic and youthful Moxy brand has done well to distinguish itself among the many traditional hotels that lie across the sprawling city. Located in the Sumida Ward, just five minutes on foot from JR Kinshicho Station, the property is a creative and playful entry to a neighbourhood most tourists wouldn’t…

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Pablo, Japan’s famous baked cheese tart shop, has opened in Chinatown (Sydney)

Anyone who has been to Japan probably knows just how ridiculously popular Pablo is. The Osaka-born business founded by Masamitsu Sakimoto has grown over the years to include 44 stores across the country as well as 13 internationally, success which has been based on superior, consistent and addictive cheese tarts. Sydney has been picking up…

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Review: Motif Restaurant highlights exceptional produce from Hokkaido (Tokyo, Japan)

Very few words can describe just how exciting the dining scene in Japan really is. It’s almost dizzying to think just what kind of journey your palate will be taken through on a trip to the famously unique country, presenting you with everything from the standards like ramen, sushi and yakiniku through to the likes…

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Review: ANA InterContinental Tokyo’s sense of scale, luxury and location is hard to beat (Japan)

Last year respected website Haute Grandeur named ANA InterContinental Tokyo “Best Business Hotel” in the continent and “Best Lifestyle Hotel” in Japan; in addition, the property was also named “Japan’s Leading Business Hotel” by the prestigious World Travel Awards that same year. It’s certainly hard to argue with those accolades after witnessing first hand just…

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Hotel Review: The Strings by Intercontinental Tokyo (Japan) tames the business district with dulcet tones

With three properties across Tokyo it’s safe to say that, as far as high-end accommodation goes, the InterContinental brand is a dominant force in one of the world’s most famously vibrant cities. All three have had their fair share of awards and nominations, no less The Strings by InterContinental Tokyo which is positioned a stone’s…

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Review: Four Seasons Kyoto is a masterpiece framed by an 800-year-old pond garden

Not every property can claim a setting which features a genuinely breathtaking 800-year-old ikeniwa (a pond garden), but Four Seasons Kyoto is far from your typical luxury hotel. Fairly fresh-faced in one of Japan’s most historical cities, having opened in October of last year, this property stands perfectly located in Higashiyama-ku, near plenty of temples…

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Bangkok’s Gaggan tops Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2017

Just a few weeks ago the annual Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants were announced, heralding culinary perfection throughout some of the most famous foodie destinations in the world. Millions of restaurants were up for considerations as always, and while only one could top the entire list, it’s obviously an enormous deal to be recognised as one…

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Film Review: Your Name (Kimi no Na wa) (Japan, 2016) will leave you spellbound

The Japanese Anime genre has a long history of producing masterpieces. Makoto Shinkai‘s Your Name is no exception. Ahead of its release in Australia, the film has enjoyed rave reviews around the world – and deservedly so. The film centres on Mitsuha (Mone Kamishiraishi) and Taki (Ryunosuke Kamiki), two people with nothing in common except…

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Photo Gallery: Bo Ningen – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (23.01.15)

Bo Ningen, one of Japan’s finest exports, played a special Sugar Mountain Festival sideshow at Oxford Art Factory on Friday night. Pete Dovgan was there and brings you the photos:

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Sydney Film Festival Review: The Day She Commits Suicide (Japan, 2013)

“Today is gonna be a good day. Because, today is ideal day to commit suicide.” The tagline for Yuichi Suita’s short film is both poignant and funny in an absolutely guilt-inducing way. It’s also telling of how viewers are likely to feel throughout the seven-minute film. We watch the un-named and silent protagonist as she…

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Hello Asia! Film Review: The Wind Rises (Japan, 2013)

The Wind Rises (Kaze Tachinu) is the much heralded and final offering from legendary Japanese animated feature film director of Studio Ghibli fame – Hayao Miyazaki. In true Miyazaki style, it is loosely based on historical events steeped deeply in fantasy and adventure. Although this film is a highly fictionalised biography, it pays tribute to…

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New Trailer: The Wind Rises (Kaze Tachinu – Japan, 2013)

The grandmaster of animation, Hayao Miyazaki, made the somewhat unexpected announcement of his retirement from filmmaking a few months back when his film The Wind Rises played at the Venice Film Festival. The film’s trailer has arrived, and after great reviews from the festival circuit I’m hoping it’s a great watch. The film tells the…

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Hello Asia! Japanese Film Festival 2013 Review: The Complex (クロユリ団地) (Japan, 2013)

The Complex is the latest horror offering from Director Hideo Nakata, who’s credited with directing the original versions of the Ring 1 & 2. To complement the release, a 12 episode drama titled Kuroyuri Danchi was aired prior, which follows events leading up to those that take place in the film. Although the film debuted…

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