Features

We’re delivering dreams and excitement to the world—not just selling hot dogs

日本語 Interview by Isao Tokuhashi and Jennifer A. Hoff Edited by Jennifer A. Hoff info@myeyestokyo.com   Noriki Tamura Entrepreneur When we at My Eyes Tokyo (MET) planned to travel to Canada this year (2023), Jennifer, MET’s English editor-in-chief who is a native Vancouverite, told us about a hot dog chain that she had been familiar with for many years — “JAPADOG“, a Japanese-style hotdog restaurant that operates both in Vancouver and in the United States. It has been featured in numerous media outlets for its uniqueness and has become so integrated into the everyday lives of the locals that all

INTERVIEWS

I have made all my own decisions so far. I have no regrets in my life.

日本語 Interview by Isao Tokuhashi info@myeyestokyo.com   Kelly Sun (Canada) Educator This summer, My Eyes Tokyo team is going to Canada, a country known for its multicultural communities. To commemorate this trip, we would like to introduce a Canadian woman who has been a friend of ours for many years. Kelly Sun, an educator and a school owner from Vancouver. She used to help us with some interviews. You can see her in the following articles: –I want to make Japan a better place with my idol group. –What does “MARU” mean? – Tell me, Japanese people! Vol.16 We had not

Happy Birthday to the countries!

Happy Birthday to Dominican Republic!

Dominican kids taking classes. *Photo from Wikipedia February 27 is Independence Day, celebrates the first independence of Dominican Republic from Haiti in 1844. Christopher Columbus landed on the Western part of Hispaniola, in what is now Haiti, on December 6, 1492. The island became the first seat of the Spanish colonial rule in the New World. The Dominican people declared independence in November 1821 but were forcefully annexed by their more powerful neighbor Haiti in February 1822. In 1844, Dominican independence was proclaimed and the republic, which was often known as Santo Domingo until the early 20th century, maintained its

Happy Birthday to the countries!

Happy Birthday to Haiti!

A market in Cap Haitien, a commune (the third-level divisions of Haiti) on the north coast of Haiti. *Photo from Wikipedia January 1 is Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Haiti from France in 1804. Originally inhabited by the indigenous Taíno people, Europeans first became aware of the island on December 5, 1492 during the first voyage of Christopher Columbus across the Atlantic. When Columbus first landed in Haiti, he had thought he had found India or Asia. The island was named Hispaniola and claimed by Spain, which ruled until the early 17th century. Competing claims and settlements by the

Happy Birthday to the countries!

Happy Birthday to Mexico!

A Mariachi group. Mariachi is a musical expression that dates back to at least 18th century in Western Mexico and inscribed in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2011. *Photo from Wikipedia September 16 is The Cry of Dolores, celebrates the declaration of independence of Mexico from Spain in 1810. Roman Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang the bell of his church and gave the pronunciamiento (call to arms) that triggered the Mexican War of Independence. This happened in the state of Guanajuato within the small town of Dolores (now Dolores Hidalgo). From 1521, the Spanish conquest of

INTERVIEWS

I want to make Japan a better place with my idol group.

Interviewed by Kelly Sun Written by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   James Collins (United States) Producer There are many idol groups in Japan. Male groups belonging to Johnny & Associates are popular, not only within Japan but also abroad, with other Asian countries making up the lion’s share of the market. Female groups too, such as AKB48 and their peers, receive widespread support across all age groups. Idol members are typically Japanese citizens. While there are some who have roots in foreign countries, they remain minorities. However, an American man is causing quite a stir in the supposedly “homogenous”

Happy Birthday to the countries!

Happy Birthday to Cuba!

Students of the Escuela Lenin. *Photo from Wikipedia May 20 is Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Cuba from the United States in 1902. The island of Cuba was inhabited by various Mesoamerican cultures prior to the arrival of the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus in 1492. After Columbus’ arrival, Cuba became a Spanish colony, ruled by a Spanish governor in Havana. In 1762, Havana was briefly occupied by Great Britain, before being returned to Spain in exchange for Florida. A series of rebellions during the 19th century failed to end Spanish rule. However, the Spanish-American War resulted in a Spanish

INTERVIEWS

This Japanese improv group is fast becoming recognized around the world as Japan’s top group.

Edited by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: itokuhashi@myeyestokyo.com   Mike Staffa (USA) Improv comedy group founder The Pirates of Tokyo Bay (POTB), Tokyo’s only bilingual improv comedy group, which we’ve featured twice before, will mark their 6th anniversary with a special show on December 4th at SuperDeluxe in Roppongi. Mike Staffa, the founder of POTB, tells you about their vast range of activities in Japan and abroad that they’ve done this year. Also he shares what you can see and experience at the upcoming Anniversary show. *Past interviews with Mike; 1st (January 18, 2014) 2nd (November 10, 2015)   日本語   Becoming world-famous

INTERVIEWS

Wanting the world to experience the “Real Japan”

Interviewed & written by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Alisa Sanada Chief Operating Officer of Nagomi Visit We interviewed a Japanese-American who runs Nagomi Visit, a nonprofit organization based in Tokyo. People all across the globe from around 60 countries use the program to visit local homes all across Japan. These “home visits” allow a traveler to visit a local home for two to three hours and experience the everyday life of locals in Japan by engaging with them over a meal. In comparison to a homestay where you stay overnight, there is less pressure on both sides. It