Monthly Archive July 2015

ByBert Wishart
Jul 15, 2015

Music Lessons in English in Tokyo

5336825716_98f66aa0e2_zLearning a musical instrument can be difficult enough – something to which the out of tune guitar that sits in the corner of my living room can attest. However, it is made infinitely more difficult to do so in a language in which you aren’t fluent. But just because you are in Japan you shouldn’t let the language barrier stop you or your family from picking up an instrument and making beautiful music. Whether it be for first time learners or accomplished musicians wanting to brush up after a temporary absence, this list of some of the English language instructors around Tokyo should be able to help.

As always, this list is for information only, and Japan Info Swap does not endorse any of the schools included.

Reiko Tamura’s Music School

Tamura sensei graduated from Florida State University with a bachelors degree in Music theory and has been teaching the piano and violin for more than 30 years, including twelve years in San Francisco. Lessons can be for both children, as young as five, and adults.

JiLL Music School

JiLL Music School offers courses in guitar, ukelele, violin and flute, spread across two studios in Shibuya and Ikebukuro. There are two choices of course with your convenience in mind; a regular course and a morning course. 30 minute free trial lessons are available.

1140 Music Adademy

Most instructors at 1140MA have studied at Boston’s Berklee College of Music, and are currently active on the Tokyo music scene. As well as one-on-one lessons you can also arrange jam sessions with other students aimed at both improving your ability and making new friends. For those interested in the production side of music they can help you record your own demos. Lessons available include guitar, bass guitar, drums, violin, piano and vocals.

  • Where: Lessons are at instructors homes. For an additional travel fee of 1,000 JPY they can be held in the home of the student.
  • How much: 5,000 JPY for a 60 minute lesson.
  • Websitewww.1140ma.com

Tokyo American Club

There are two sound-proofed music rooms at the Tokyo American Club in which you can practice, one of which houses a stand up piano. Lessons are available in piano, guitar, violin, viola and vocals, all from well established and highly accredited musicians. Some instructors offer group lessons.

Kensuke Hirako

Kensuke Hirako teaches saxophone and jazz improvisation for all chromatic instruments, as well as offering assistance in reading musical scores. Having collected his Bachelors degree in Jazz musical performance from California State University, Hirako has worked as a session artist in both Japan and the US. All ability levels are catered for.

Mark Guthrie

Photo: flickr.com "08:365 The Learner" by Camera Eye Photography (CC BY-SA 2.0) -Modified
ByBert Wishart
Jul 15, 2015

BBQ Beer Gardens in Tokyo

2998240589_af478d405f_zIn summer, is there anything better than sipping on an ice cold beer as the city temperature rises? Well yes, actually there is. And that is digging into a freshly grilled piece of meat that perfectly accompanies your frosty glass. There are of course many beer gardens across the city right now, but why not check out some of the BBQ beer gardens that compliment the summer so well?

BBQ Beer Gardens in Tokyo

The list below typically offer course meals, all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink menus for around 120 minutes.

BBQ And Beer Terrace 130 Days

As well as an extensive drinks selection (a choice of up to 35) and plenty of meat and vegetables, BBQ and Beer Terrace 130 Days also has live singing and dancing performances should you feel insufficiently entertained.

  • Where: 3 Chome-38-1 Shinjuku
  • When: Until September 30, 2015
  • Price: 4,000 JPY
  • Website

Aloha Natural Hawaiian Beer Garden Kichioji

If you want to take your beer garden experience to the tropics, why not head to this Hawaiian themed venue. With plenty of grilled meat and fruity cocktails you’ll feel you are on a Pacific rather than the big city. Of a Pacific island…

  • Where: Kichijoji Parco 9F Rooftop, 1-5-1 Kichijoji-Honcho, Musashino-shi
  • When: Until September 30, 2015
  • Price: 2 hours nomihoudai is 1,900 JPY. Various food courses can be ordered.
  • Website

Asukasa Hanayashiki BBQ Beer Garden

If you tire of 20mm thick meaty steaks, fresh seafood and foamy beer, well this beer garden is held inside Japan’s oldest amusement park so there is plenty to enjoy. Lunchtime courses are also available.

  • Where: 2-28-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku
  • When: Until September 30, 2015
  • Price: 4,000 JPY
  • Website

The Rooftop BBQ Beer Garden

We aren’t sure whether Mexico is particularly well known for BBQ, but this year’s theme at The Rooftop BBQ Beer Garden is Mexican Resort Barbecue. So if you like grilled prawns, taco burgers and tequila cocktails, this may be just up your alley.

  • Where: Lumine Ikebukuro 8-9F, 1-11-1 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku
  • When: Until October 12, 2015
  • Price: From 4,000 JPY 120 minutes
  • Website

Takanawa Forest Garden

The price of the BBQ set at Grand Prince Hotel’s Takanawa Forest Garden may put many people off, but perhaps that’s the point. Exuding exclusivity, you can enjoy all-you-can-eat domestic beef and sparkling wine next to the beautifully lit up pool.

Beer Gardens with a twist

Maybe you want something a little bit out of the ordinary. These summer gardens are a break from the norm.

Champagne Garden

Fed up with the bloatedness of beer, or perhaps you are after something a little more refined. Well, if this is the case you could try out the Champagne garden atop Hotel Chinzanso in Mejiro. Here you can sip for two hours on unlimited glasses of Möet & Chandon, Mumm Laurent-Perrier and  Nicolas Feuillatte.

  • WhereHotel Chinzanso Tokyo 5F Serenity Garden, 2-10-8 Sekiguchi, Bunkyo-ku
  • When: Until August 31, 2015
  • Price: 7,800 JPY
  • Website

Tokyo Tower Highball Garden

If you have tired of the beer garden, but are not keen on the perceived pretension (or very real cost) of french bubbly, maybe the Tokyo Tower Highball Garden is more for you. At the foot of the Tokyo landmark you can find whiskey highballs aplenty. And yes, there is beer too.

  • WhereTokyo Tower 4-2-8 Shiba-Koen, Minato-ku
  • When: Until September 27, 2015
  • Price: 4,500 JPY for men and 4,000 JPY for women. 120 minutes
  • Website

Matcha Beer Garden

Yes, you read that correctly. This beer garden serves three types of green tea beer as well as the more regular stuff. The food is not included in the nomihoudai price, but it is tempting to shell out extra for the matcha flavoured french fries and tea soba.

  • WhereGreen Tea Restaurant 1899 Ochanomizu, 3-4 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku
  • When: Until September 30, 2015
  • Price: 3,780 JPY (a set menu course is a further 1,500 JPY)
  • Website

 

Mark Guthrie

Photo: flickr.com "drunk elation" by Jerich Abon (CC BY-SA 2.0) -Modified