Hotel New Otani Tokyo is launching its “Night Pool & Stay” hotel plan on July 1, 2020 which gives guests exclusive access to the night pool during their stay.

Hotel New Otani Tokyo’s night pool was first opened in 1998 with the concept of building a luxury pool that you won’t get sunburned in. Over 20 years on, the pool continues to beckon people during summertime for its unique pool experience under the moonlight and hotel lights and music produced by Japanese DJs who are popular in the country’s club scene. This year’s “Night Pool & Stay” plan will open with all of the necessary measures in place against COVID-19, with thorough cleaning and bacteria elimination at the top of the hotel’s list to ensure safety for its guests.

Check-in to the hotel’s “Night Pool & Stay” plan opens at 17:00. Guests don’t have to worry about using the locker room – they can get ready in their rooms before heading to the Garden Pool. After a luxurious dip in the pool, guests can retire to their sophisticated rooms, whether standard or suite, for some relaxation time. Check-out is 10:00, so they can enjoy their rooms throughout the early morning.

Located next to the Garden Pool is OUTRIGGER, a poolside restaurant open during the summer only that you can enter in your swimsuit. The restaurant serves popular dishes served at Hotel New Otani as well as Garden Pool exclusives. Tuck into a soybean hamburger, fresh green salad, nutritional smoothies, and more.

MAISON ABLE Cafe Ron Ron is a popular conveyor-belt dessert cafe in Harajuku. We visited the cafe last year when it had just dropped, so be sure to check out our cover story if you want more information.

The cafe has just announced a night party that is exclusive to those in their 20’s. Titled “Cafe Ron Ron 20ty’s Night Party -PINK FRIDAY- supported by MAISON ABLE,” the event began yesterday and will run every night up to September 27.

Customers can enjoy all-you-can-eat unlimited snacks for just ¥500 with no time restrictions. For an additional fee, you can also pick from the food menu which features 5 dishes and order from the drinks menu which includes alcohol.

Everything on the food and drinks menu is ¥500 too, making it a delicious bargain!

Desserts are served at varying time slots from 19:00. Depending on what time you arrive or decide to start eating the menu will change which is all part of the fun!

The cafe has also teamed up with the fashion rental shop airCloset next door so customers can enjoy dining at Cafe Ron Ron while wearing a yukata.

You can even continue wearing the kimono after you’ve eaten so you can stroll the streets of Harajuku, go to nearby festivals and more for an exciting day out in Japan’s youth and culture hub. The yukata can be rented by people of all ages – full details on the websites below.

Spending a cool night overlooking the beautiful calm water at Odaiba and relaxing in the gorgeous pool sounds like an excellent way to spend summer nights in Tokyo. Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba is launching their summer-limited plan called Tokyo Twilight Pool Plan 2019 to allow you to do just that. 

The Tokyo Twilight Pool Plan 2019 comes with a delicious food menu that serves a variety of luxurious, mouthwatering dishes that look just as luxurious as they taste. Some examples include; mini hotdogs with chicken and vegetable sauce aurore, barbeque sauce spare ribs, and much more. They even serve all-you-can-drink top quality Jacquart champagne, which is a global top class wine chosen by many airlines and hotels. 

This hotel offers a unique view of the night sky and night waters of Tokyo from an open terrace. Guests can gaze at the relaxing view whilst enjoying delicious food and luxurious champagne. The Tokyo Twilight Pool Plan offers the perfect getaway for friends and couples. 

DINING & BAR TABLE 9 TOKYO is a fabulous dining and bar venue located on the top floor of Shinagawa Prince Hotel. The establishment is known for its “DJ TIME” where a DJ plays music, and it has just been announced that the experience is set to be revamped on May 29 where the theme will change each day.

Ever since its grand opening, the bars of TABLE 9 TOKYO have been leaders of today’s Tokyo with its night scene as its opening hours roll out until 4:00am. It is home to 3 different bars, NINE BAR being one of them, and each enjoys a huge attendance rate including many non-Japanese guests.

The bar and lounge is a place for adults to sit down, enjoy a drink and listen to music. The idea to have a theme change each day is a way for the bar to expand its services by having more options to choose from when it comes to the music.

The first week will begin with jazzy music, and there will be disco music on Wednesday and Thursday for which a new standing area has been set up in front of the DJ booth. On Friday night guests can enjoy getting down to some energetic dance music while on the weekends the playlist will span a wide variety of genres.

Enjoy a sophisticated night out in Tokyo at NINE BAR.

The Shibamasa World amusement park in Fukui Prefecture is bringing in some new pool fun on June 30 where guests can look forward to a wet experience swimming and riding the rubber rings next to the wide open Sea of Japan and green laws. They’re describing it as like a ‘resort’ experience.

The Monster Wing is a new giant slide arriving this year. There are sudden drops, as well as a wall you’ll slide up at 68° and more. They’re calling it the “world’s first giant combination slide.”

You’ll begin the fun in a 6-person rubber boat at 25m high and speed around the curves before hitting a sudden drop. And just when you think you’ll get a breather, you’ll be hit again, feeling a sense of weightlessness. The end of the slide connects back to the pools.

This is the sequel to The Monster Slider, another slide that appeared in 2016 and was a huge success.

They’re also teaming up with the internationally beloved Hello Kitty to bring guests something called Hello Kitty Pool Land.

The park will also be lit up when the sun goes down this summer with the Summer Night Illuminations. There’ll be fireworks too, meaning you can enjoy being at the park all day long.

Hotel Nampuro is located in Shimabara Onsen in Nagasaki Prefecture and has been around for 110 years. The hotel recently held the grand opening two infinity pools. One gives an unbroken view of the Ariake Sea and the other a lush garden.

The concept behind the pools is to get people closer to Shimabara’s natural environment. Guests can enjoy feeling the sea breeze from ideal locations close amongst Shimabara’s abundance of lush greenery and the Ariake Sea while offering an exquisite resort experience you can’t get in the city.

The unique design of the open-air infinity pool makes it seem as if it flows into the sea itself. There’s also an observation deck next to the pool too where people can gaze across the gorgeous waters.

The location also makes for a great power and energy spot as one can see the morning sun rise from Kumamoto across the shore. Guests can enjoy the sight in the morning, daytime and nighttime.

The other infinity pool is built by the garden restaurant deck terrace and blends in with the surrounding nature. Beyond the horizon lies Shimabara’s waters, sky and nature which becomes one with the edge of the pool. The sky and trees also reflect on the surface of the water, making it feel like you’re floating on top of a cloud in the sky.

The pool is around 50cm deep so children can enjoy themselves too. There are also jets fitted on the sides of the pool.

The poolside wooden deck is fitted with tables and sofas to enhance that resort feel. They also serve breakfast and there’s a BBQ too.

Guests can look forward to the 300+ trees in the garden being lit up in a magical and mystical performance, giving the air a touch of romance. It offers an experience like no other as you’re wrapped in a forest of lights under a starry sky.

Consider Hotel Nampuro if your trip to Japan is taking you to Nagasaki Prefecture.

It’s been 15 years since Roppongi Hills first opened, which is set to welcome summer again this year with exciting events running from July 14 to August 26. It will be packed with events including the 5th run of TV Asahi’s collaborative Natsumatsuri Summer Station event, the annual Bon Odori dance and more. There will even be events up Tokyo City View, one of Tokyo’s best observation decks with a panoramic view of the city.

TV Asahi & Roppongi Hills Natsumatsuri Summer Station 2018

One of summer’s biggest events in Tokyo, Summer Station began in 2014 and has been held every year since. Last year, it saw a record 5.8 million people turn up. The theme this year is ‘summer magic’ for which the event will collaborate with the whole town. Look forward to live music performances, shows, food, VR sessions, photo spots, exhibitions and more. The popular life-sized Doraemon will make a return at 66 Plaza where there’ll also be artists performing as well as anime inspired food. A new booth will also make an appearance at Keyakizaki this year. There’s plenty for both adults and children to enjoy!

Roppongi Hills Bon Odori 2018

This will be the 16th year of the Roppongi Hills bon odori where people come together and dance around the central yagura. The event will offer the real Japanese ‘matsuri’ festival experience, with food stands serving up original menus from restaurants in Roppongi Hills, and more.

Feel the Summer Sky Atop Tokyo City View

A summer event will be held at Tokyo City View, the observation deck of Roppongi Hills, where you can learn about the ocean and environment. There will be a digital globe you can touch which will introduce the mysteries of the world with a focus on the sea. It’s a popular project that was set up by the UN and museums around the world. Also, people who head up to the roof sky deck dressed in yukata or other traditional summer clothes will receive a special bonus. The opening hours will also be extended so people can fully enjoy watching neighbouring firework events, the starry night sky and the city nightscape. If you’re looking to experience Japanese summer to the max then this one’s a must!

Enjoy an exciting Japanese summer from all angles in Roppongi!

TOWER DISCO is a night party coming to Kyoto Tower where you can enjoy music and a nighttime view up 100m high.

The event will take place in three places in Kyoto Tower: the Sando B1 Food Hall, KUU Sky Lounge, and Observation Deck. Expect DJ booths manned by some of the industry’s leading DJs as well as Kyoto-bred DJs.

Continuing the trend of Kyoto Tower’s transformation from the opening of Kyoto Tower Sando in 2017, TOWER DISCO is a stylish and modern event that serves to symbolise its change!

TECHNO INVADERS is an experimental club event that slices up everything to do with Japan’s techno scene and puts it back together to create an all-new techno experience. The event is set to return on March 23 at Shibuya VISION.

Taking to the stage this time around is Takkyu Ishino, a composer and music producer who continues to dominate the Japanese techno scene and who released an eight-disc collection of his work titled Takkyu Ishino Works 1983～2017 in January this year. Joining him is Yoshinori Sunahara, a producer and DJ and a current member of METAFIVE. Licaxxx will also be performing, a multi-talented individual who’s active as a DJ, beatmaker, editor, writer, radio personality and more. This edition of TECHNO INVADERS truly offers an indispensable line-up.

In addition, internationally recognised artist GONNO will play at the event, whose single Acdise #2 was released from International Feel Recordings and has been played by French electronic music producer Laurent Garnier, British electronic artist James Holden, and others. Sapphire Slows will also make her first appearance at VISION. Her overseas activity has proven remarkable, having performed at the worldwide music festival Sonar in Barcelona in 2016.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic line-up of artists who continue to delve deeper and deeper into the unending hole of the techno genre.

MUSIC NIGHT SPOT is a new series that introduces the hottest spots to experience music in Tokyo at night. In this debut installment we will take a look at SOUND MUSEUM VISION, the city’s biggest underground club and live music venue located in the center of Dogenzaka, Shibuya. Spanning a floor space that covers almost 1000m² and housing a capacity of 1,500, VISION first opened on October 28, 2011 as Daikanyama AIR’s sister location. The music site consists of four unique floors – “GAIA,” “DEEP,” “D LOUNGE” and “WHITE” – as well as six bar counters and a connecting corridor to a gallery. Night after night VISION hosts genre-less and globalized parties making it a truly diverse location that almost every lover of club music has visited. VISION operations manager Kohei Norita spoke to me about the history and management of the venue.

Interview & Text: Mami Naruta

Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

■During the year the earthquake struck, I thought to transmit a new culture from Tokyo and uplift Japan as a whole

――VISION was refurbished in autumn 2011 from a 991.7m² underground space in Dogenzaka that used to house restaurants and a car park, correct?

That’s right. It was the year right when the earthquake had struck. The whole of Japan was still in low spirits, it was a lonely period. The owner chose to let me open the place during such a time to uplift Japan and transmit a new culture from this Tokyo – to do something big and overturn the mood. That’s what led to the opening of the venue. Did you know, the clock on the wall backstage here is stopped on the date October 28, 2011?

――Wow, you’re right! I’ve been here so many times and never noticed before.

Over there is a “SLOW” sign, a remnant of the car park that has been left as it is. We’ve been able to treasure a little of the original location in the interior design.

――Could you tell me about how you came to be part of the management team at VISION?

I used to be a bartender at Daikanyama AIR, VISION’s predecessor, and when the chance for this place became possible I moved here to work as opening staff. From there I became the bar manager, shop manager, and now I’m the director. From the get go I endorsed the owner’s sentiment. We spoke about what would be interesting to do, and we came up with the idea of creating a place smack in the middle of Shibuya with 4 floors where we could host different genres of things. I also took over AIR and thought to put in something else completely new… It is Shibuya anyway, a place where different cultures are mixed together, so I thought I could definitely create something interesting. VISION is, how do I put it, a place where you can do anything. We can have bands, techno, hip-hop, idol performances. I think that’s what’s great about it.

――It’s one of Tokyo’s most popular clubs that can hold 1,500 people. How are the staff broken up?

We generally have 3-4 people working on planning and booking. I’m one of them. When we’re open, there are 16-17 people bartending, 16-17 floor staff, 5 people on reception and tills, about 6 people for lighting and PA. So, there are around 40 staff working in a day.

――What is the process of booking like?

We first of all look at it on a monthly basis and consider how we should create a balance and what kind of genres to have at the parties. For example, if we have hip-hop here, then we’ll have EDM here and bass here. We’re also constantly listing what overseas artists we want to perform here, so while keeping in contact with them we decide where to prioritize for our artist schedule. But whatever we do, we consider it case by case as this venue is in Shibuya and we have four floors to play with. Even in hip-hop there’s a lot of different elements, from the hard stuff to the stuff more centered around culture. When it’s like that we’ve sometimes picked what we’re crazy on.

――Do you have any criteria when selecting a line-up?

We take on every kind here, so we don’t really have one. My roots stem from techno, house and electro, but that has no influence on our choices. We look at the scene in Japan as a whole and say, “we should do this” or “it might be a little early but let’s go with this”. But we also have a selection of parties that we cherish and hold on a regular basis, like “EMMA HOUSE” which is a house music party we’ve always done, and “WARP!!!” that we co-host with ASOBISYSTEM on the first Monday of every month.

■A place where you can enjoy one whole festival

――VISION is a driving force behind Shibuya right now. What do you think is interesting about Shibuya?

Whether it’s music or fashion, I believe Shibuya to be the center of culture. It’s a place where people of a high sensitivity gather, and it’s precisely because of that fact that we’re always on the lookout and must absorb and take on board a variety of things. VISION being in Shibuya doesn’t mean that we cater to our own personal tastes, it means that we listen to lots of other people’s stories and learn form them. That’s what I believe we are. In order for us to embrace different perspectives, we keep our eyes open so that people view us positively, whatever their background.

――VISION doesn’t fit into one box and can’t be labelled as “this” kind of place or “that” kind of place because it’s genre-less, correct? From a management perspective, what is VISION’s strength?

At other venues, the same kind of music is always playing when you go there, and there are people looking for that kind of thing. But we’re the opposite. When you come here the music is always different, and the direction is completely different depending on the day. That’s VISION’s selling point. We’re looking for people to say “VISION’s merit is that it’s different each day”.

――VISION also has four floors. The atmosphere must be different on each one, right?

That’s right. On GAIA we do really hardcore stuff, in the DEEP LONGUE we have days where we play chill music. And the people are completely different on each floor. You could say that VISION is to be enjoyed as one big festival where we create a solid time on each floor and where our customers can enjoy moving around each one. We bear that in mind when organizing events.

――When did you realize you were glad to be doing this job?

It’s cliché, but seeing everybody enjoying themselves here makes me really happy. I read people’s responses to an event on Twitter, and while there are sometimes some pretty brutal things said (laughs), it’s fun to hear people’s real voices, whatever it may be. It was out of this world when the guests accepted my intentions. I feel this was truly worth doing. And that’s not just me talking. Everyone at the bar, on the floor and at the cashier feel the same. They are kind enough to say how much fun it is and how much it’s worth doing when they see all the customers happy.

■Derrick May and Jeff Mills performed at our countdown event and it was so full-on I have no recollection of it

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In this announcement, MMN will introduce to you the recommended club event “TECHNO INVADERS.”

“TECHNO INVADERS” is an event where top techno underground artists from home and abroad perform together.

This time, “TOWA TEI” who is known as an originator who introduced Japanese dance music to the world and who is also a member of the unit “METAFIVE” will perform.

The legend of the techno scene Yoshinori Sunahara (ex-Denki Groove) who is a member of METAFIVE, “Seiho” who is famous all around the world with his superb and unique sound and the number one female techno DJ “Licaxxx” who is actively working in many kinds of fields will perform in the event.

Of course, everybody can enjoy the party, not just techno fans. The character and creativity of each artist will mix together vividly and thus the voltage of the floor will keep elevating for sure.

A new luxury lounge and bar managed by RUBY will be opening in Roppongi on July 29^th.

“MEZZO” was created with the intention of people going there to relax after dinner. It is also a place to head to before going out again to play – what they call a “warming up bar”. It’s easily accessed and can be found just 1-minutes’ walk from Roppongi Station crossing.

The first floor is the standing bar, a casual environment with wooden and golden décor. The second floor is home to a luxury lounge with marble and black furnishing which can house up to 100 people.

 “MEZZO” also has a front terrace for people who prefer to chill outdoors at nighttime which can be used as a waiting area before you head on your night out. You can make VIP table reservations for the surrounding nightclubs in the area, book limousines, and get information about priority entries.

MEZZO is the kind of place you would only expect to see in Roppongi, where you can enjoy an international atmosphere, and receive the kind of hospitality that guests deserve.

Indulge in a variety of fresh fruit sours

just looking at them will quench your thirst!

MEZZO stocks a delicious fruit showcase that can be seen from the main street of Roppongi. Even just looking at the photogenic display will leave you feeling refreshed.

The sours sold at MEZZO use tropical fruits. Part of the menu changes with the season, which offers drinks that you can’t get anywhere else.

The 1F bar’s concept is “Woody & Gold

The first floor is decorated in wood and gold with spacious terrace seats and a standing style counter. The ceiling has LED lights fitted that change illuminations depending on the time. The interior also has the aforementioned refreshing showcase with all kinds of fruits lined up, all of which are mostly used to create luxurious sours (¥700). The bar also offers beers, wines, and cocktails.

The 2F boasts a secret VIP lounge

Different from the first floor, the second floor’s décor is marble and black, and has a top rank secret VIP lounge called “NO ENTRY”. This floor has sofa seats as well as luxury private rooms. When you enter one of the rooms at your reserved time you will enter a PIN number which will open the door.

The menu has a list of champagnes such as Dom Perignon and great food that uses carefully selected ingredients. (2F will open at the start of August).

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