Travel News

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Offers a Fresh Take on a Tiring Future

29/09/2022samura

It’s 2022 and most humans on the internet would have at least heard of the term ‘cyberpunk.’ Originally, it referred to a 1960s subgenre of science-fiction novels depicting a dystopian near future where cool technology is marred by human suffering and hedonistic pursuits. In Japan, the cyberpunk genre really took off in the 1990s with manga such as Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira and prominent Japanese role-playing games (RPG) such as Final Fantasy VII.

Cyberpunk today seems to diverge in two subgenres: the Instagrammable aesthetic of the backstreets of Shinjuku, graded in dark grittiness juxtaposed against high saturation neon signs; and that

11 Things To Do in Tokyo This Week: September 26–October 2

28/09/2022samura

There’s plenty to keep you occupied in Tokyo this week, including a Czech Festival, Nigo’s Vintage Archive, “The Power of Clothing: History of Cross-Dressing in Japan” exhibition and Oktoberfest. Here’s what to look out for in Japan’s capital over the coming seven days.

1. Czech Festival

The Czech Festival is one of the largest events in Japan that introduces the charms of the Czech Republic. Visitors can purchase accessories, character goods, toys, books and other Czech products. There will be a continuous program of Czech music performances, mini-Czech language classes and talk shows about Czech history, culture and tourism.

when:

VW Gen.Travel Autonomous Concept Is So Ugly It’s Cute

27/09/2022samura

The Volkswagen Gen.Travel concept is a battery-electric autonomous whose goal is to replace of short-haul flights.
This autonomous vehicle’s interior is modular and can be configured like a normal car or a small conference area, or it can have two seats fold flat.
Volkswagen didn’t mention range, but it’s current MEB platform can currently hit around 300 miles on a single charge.

Volkswagen is showing it’s still interested in the autonomous future with the aptly named Gen.Travel concept. This futuristic vehicle eschews the traditional automotive layout and gives hope to people who want to travel in a real autonomous taxi

Kenji Kohashi: Making Miracles in Japan

27/09/2022samura

Kenji Kohashi was struggling to see a light at the end of what had been a dark tunnel. As an actor, he made quite a name for himself appearing in movies such as Azumi and the NHK morning drama Churasan, but at 27, he gave it up to go traveling. Returning to Japan two years later, he was excited about trying something new. Things, however, didn’t work out how he’d hoped. Mostly bedridden at his parents’ house, he was out of work, suffering from depression and all his savings were gone. Then came the diagnosis that his liver was

Artist Luke Jerram Brings the Moon to Shimokitazawa

26/09/2022samura

Tokyo Weekender recently spoke to internationally-renowned artist and moon enthusiast, Luke Jerram, to coincide with his “Museum of the Moon” exhibition showing in Japan for the first time. Visitors to Shimokitazawa this weekend will be greeted by a huge moon hanging over the old Odakyu tracks for a third and final time.

Installation View, Shimokitazawa Moon Art Night Photo: Startbahn

Running until September 25, Moon Art Night Shimokitazawa also includes an exhibition by Australian artist Amanda Parer titled “Intrude” that displays giant glowing rabbits around Kitazawa Hachiman Shrine. In front of the station lies the giant “Museum of the Moon”

Ime Udoka Affair Was with Team Travel Planner, Organized Nia Long’s Travel Too

25/09/2022samura

Ime Udoka Nia Long

The Celtics employee with whom Udoka had an affair helped make all his travel arrangements … and that job sometimes included organizing travel for his fiancee, Nia Long.

Sources connected to the couple and the NBA franchise tell TMZ … one of the staffer’s duties included planning Udoka’s team-related travel, and we’re told she was also involved in booking travel for Nia to come to Boston or to road games.

Ime Udoka Nia Long

Perhaps most upsetting for Nia is that the employee had a hand in Nia’s arrangements to move to Boston permanently, according to our sources.

TMZ broke the story …

All About the Ghibli Park Opening Its Doors This November

25/09/2022samura

With less than two months to go, Ghibli Park is rapidly approaching its long-awaited opening on November 1. The park, located in Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park near Nagoya City, is about a three-hour train ride from Tokyo.

Although there are no rides or attractions, the park brings the dreamy and fantastical atmosphere of its movies to life. The main idea of the park is a peaceful and captivating stroll. It’s a place for people to immerse themselves in the Ghibli world and marvel at the aesthetics. There’s also an abundance of cafés to settle down at and other facilities

Typhoon Nanmadol Causes Further Anxiety About Climate Change

24/09/2022samura

Last Sunday, news sources poured out headlines warning Japanese residents about the super typhoon Nanmadol threatening the country. For some, weekend plans were canceled due to heavy rain and wind, but for a whopping nine million others, it meant potential evacuation of their homes.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) proclaimed in a tweet that it was “one of the strongest typhoons ever seen,” and the amount of damage and displacement indeed supports this statement. The storm killed at least two and injured over 100 others. Two days after the height of the storm, at least 300,000 people were still without