Tokyo Curiologue

Let’s begin with a cold, hard geographical fact: there are no real “mountains” in central Tokyo. This area spreads across lowlands extending from Tokyo Bay, gradually rising toward the western uplands. While skyscrapers dominate the skyline, there are no mountain ranges here in the geological sense. What Is the “Highest” Mountain in Central Tokyo? That said, it wouldn’t be entirely accurate to say that Tokyo has no mountains. If we broaden our view to the Tokyo Metropolis as a whole, the picture changes completely. For example, Mount Kumotori (2,017 m) is the highest peak in Tokyo, located on the border with Yamanashi Prefecture in a truly mountainous region. Meanwhile, Mount Takao (599 m), in Hachioji, has long been known as a site of Buddhist and ascetic training. Thanks to its easy access from central Tokyo, it is now one of the most visited hiking destinations in the world. —But those are not the mountains we’re looking for today. Our focus is strictly on “mountains” in ce...

In my previous column, I introduced wisteria (fuji) and briefly touched on hanafuda , the traditional Japanese card game that represents each month with seasonal imagery. This time, I’d like to return to hanafuda once again. The deck, which took its current form in the 19th century during the Edo period, beautifully captures the changing seasons. But if you look closely, you may notice a subtle “mismatch” between the flowers depicted on the cards and the seasons as we experience them today. This time, we’ll focus on the peony (botan), now in full bloom, and explore this curious discrepancy. Wisteria in April, Peonies That Come “Too Early” In hanafuda, peonies appear as the card for June. They are depicted together with butterflies—an established motif known as “peony and butterfly.” This pairing originated in Chinese art, where it symbolized beauty, prosperity, and elegance, and was later adopted and widely appreciated in Japan. By the Edo period, it had become a familiar arti...

Ginza is one of Japan’s most luxurious shopping districts, where global flagship stores compete for attention along immaculate boulevards. Apple occupies one corner, Tiffany & Co. another, and nearly every building seems to house a world-famous brand. Luxury is the default atmosphere here. But among them, there is one store drawing an unusually large crowd—and it might not be what you expect. On March 28, 2026, a new store opened in this prime location. Its exterior is sleek, and inside, it’s packed with international visitors. It’s the flagship store of JINS —a Japanese budget eyewear chain. A “Smart” Eyewear Experience Step inside, and you immediately notice that this is not your typical glasses shop. The space is bright, open, and carefully organized. Customers freely pick up frames and try them on, almost like browsing in a fashion store. One feature stands out: an AI-powered measurement device. Stand in front of it, and the system scans your face, measuring...