Michelin’s star: Tokyo

by Martha Edwards on

Yet another reason why I must plan a trip to Japan soon:

Michelin Stars are scattered throughout the world, but they tend to be concentrated in the Western world. So it’s interesting that this time around, the place with the most stars is Tokyo. A number of Tokyo eateries have snagged the top Michelin rating — three stars. And while a number of the restaurants that made the list serve French food, the majority serve traditional Japanese dishes–Sushi, sashimi, tempura and such.

No doubt this will make it even harder to get reservations at some of these top-rated restaurants, most of which were already difficult to score a spot at before. But don’t worry — Tokyo boasts 160,000 restaurants, so you’re sure to find a table somewhere.

Big in Japan: Cruise over Tokyo in a Zeppelin

by Matthew Firestone on

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word Zeppelin?

a) That killer guitar solo from Stairway to Heaven
b) An image of the Hindenburg in flames
c) A delicious fried donut (you’re actually thinking of a zeppole)
d) A first-class way to travel the skies

Although you’d be forgiven for thinking of any of the above, the correct answer (at least for the purposes of this blog post) is in fact d.

(Then again, I could really use a zeppole right about now, and I do loves me some Led Zeppelin.)

In a recent press release, the Nippon Airship Corporation announced that they will begin offering cruises over Tokyo in their fleet of German-manufactured Zeppelin NT (Neue Technologie, German for new technology) airships.

A 90-minute cruise over the world’s largest megalopolis will set you back the bargain price of US$1,500 or approximately 173,000 yen (give or take a few thousand).

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, the Zeppelin NT is filled with helium, not hydrogen. And besides, safety is of paramount concern in Japan, so you can erase any images of the Hindenburg in flames from your twisted little mind.

For all of you aviation fans out there who want the nitty-gritty details on the Zeppelin NT, keep on reading.

The Zeppelin NT has been manufactured since the 1990s by the German company Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH (ZLT) in Friedrichshafen. However, ZLT is in fact the direct successor of the companies founded by Ferdinand von Zeppelin, which constructed and operated the Zeppelin airships of the early 20th century.

Unlike the behemoth Zeppelins that once took to the skies, modern Zeppelin NT airships are only 75 m long, and have a total volume of 8,225 m³. They are also exclusively inflated with helium, which is a non-reactive noble gas.

Unlike hydrogen, which is needless to say extremely flammable, the only danger in using helium is the possibility of a squeaky voice, and perhaps a mild head rush.

The Zeppelin NT is also classified as a semi-rigid airship, which is completely different in design from the original Zeppelins.

Instead of employing a rigid skeleton and a non-rigid blimp, the Zeppelin NT uses an internal triangular truss of graphite-reinforced plastic as well as three longitudinal aluminum girders and aramid cords.

Although the Zeppelin NT only weighs about 2,200 pounds (1,000 kg), it can transport a payload that is double its weight, and carry up to twelve passengers and two crew members.

The Zeppelin NT has a maximum range of approximately 560 miles (900 kilometers). It can also rise to an altitude of 8,500 ft (2,600m) and reach speeds of 78 mph (135 km/h).

Although I don’t think I have the cash to take an aerial tour of Tokyo, I think you’ll agree with me in saying that the Zeppelin NT is definitely a first-class way to travel the skies, especially if you cue up some Houses of the Holy on your IPod.

** Special thanks to Justin Glow, the main man behind scenes here at Gadling, who tipped me off to this random bit of news. If I ever hit it big in the writing world, I’ll spot you the US$1,500 so we can cruise over Tokyo in style **

Big in Japan: The Suzuki Pixy will help us survive the apocalypse

by Matthew Firestone on

This week (and last), Big in Japan will be bringing you scenes from the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show (???????????????????????) at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City.

For an overview of this biennial event, check out Scenes from the Tokyo Motor Show. For all of you road warriors out there, don’t miss A look at the future of motorcycles. For anyone who loves crazy concept cars, check out The Nissan Pivo2 can pivot on a dime.

Do you ever worry about surviving the apocalypse?

Be it Armageddon, environmental degradation, nuclear war or pandemic disease, it’s becoming increasingly more likely that our days on this planet are numbered.

Fortunately, the good folks at Suzuki have a solution to our problems, namely the Pixy and the SSC (Suzuki Sharing Coach).

Together, this Segway-inspired personal mobility unit and accompanying transportation accessories will make it a cinch for humans to survive the apocalypse, be it a world of religious fury, saturated pollution, nuclear winter or seething illness.

Are you depressed yet? If not, keep reading for more information on the dark future to come.

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In a world compromised by religious fires, noxious chemicals, nuclear fallout or airborne viruses, maintaining your own personal breathing space outside the comfort of your underground dwelling is of the utmost importance. That is why the Suzuki Pixi is the perfect answer to your individual transportation needs.

As demonstrated at the Tokyo Motor Show, the Pixi is something akin to a Segway on steroids, allowing for personalized mobility and complete control. Powered by a tweaked-up mouse, the user can spin the vehicle 360 degrees, and move either forwards or backwards using just one hand.

Depending on the harshness of the outside world, the Pixi can completely seal in the user in order to create a protected environment, or go ‘convertible’ allowing the user to take in the scenic views of the scorched, exhausted, contaminated or plagued world that we once called Earth.

Of course, mobility in a post-apocalyptic world shouldn’t just be confined to travelling from your cave to the hermetically sealed grocery store, which is why Suzuki had the good insight to imagine the SSC or Suzuki Sharing Coach.

Basically, the SSC is an acronym to describe one of several vehicles that will interface with the Pixy.

For instance, imagine if you and your family want to pack your pods into the SSC and have a picnic in the haunted, cut-down, incinerated or festering landscape once known as a park. With the land cruiser SSC unit, you can experience the perils of a post-apocalyptic world together as a family.

Or, what if you need to travel across the evaporated, oily, boiling or infectious body of water once known as the ocean. With the motor boat SSC unit, you can hit the high seas and reminisce about a day when people once ate a delicious and prolific creature known as fish.

Sure, sometimes when you turn on the news in this modern era, it’s easy to get down on the state of reality. But, don’t worry – thanks to good folks at Suzuki, clearly we should have no problem surviving the apocalypse!

For more scenes from the Tokyo Motor Show, tune in tomorrow for another installment of Big in Japan.

For photos of the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, check out the gallery below:

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Big in Japan: Scenes from the Tokyo Motor Show

by Matthew Firestone on

What’s better than beautiful women and exotic cars?

How about beautiful women standing next to exotic cars!

For the past few weeks, the biennial Tokyo Motor Show (???????????????????????) was in full effect at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City, which is a quick one-hour train ride from central Tokyo.

Hosted by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), and recognized by the International Organization of Automobile Constructors (IOAC), the Tokyo Motor Show is regarded as one of the world’s big five auto shows along with Detroit, Geneva, Frankfurt and Paris.

Since one of my earliest father-son bonding memories was a trip to the New York Auto Show (thanks Dad!), I’ve always had a love for cars – and the women standing next to them!

With that said, this week and next, Big in Japan will be bringing you exclusive coverage of the latest, greatest and craziest automobiles (and the most beautiful models) from the land of the Rising Sun.

For starters, let’s talk a little bit about the history of one’s of the world’s greatest automobile exhibitions.

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In 1954, the first ever ‘All Japan Motor Show’ was held in an outdoor venue in Tokyo’s Hibiya Park, and attracted over half a million visitors in ten days. Owing to its commercial success, the event was held in successive years, though it changed locations to the larger Harumi Showplace venue following the construction of Tokyo’s subway system.

Following the fuel shortage in 1973, the event was postponed, which marked the start of the motor show as a biennial event. Due to increasing public demand, in 1989 the event moved to its current location at Makuhari Messe, which hosts one of Japan’s largest exhibition centers.

For the past two decades, the Tokyo Motor Show has emphasized concept cars, which is the main reason behind its incredible mass appeal. Although the vast majority of concept cars never reach the public market, their design elements tend to appear in commercially-released products a few years after being unveiled.

This year, the theme of the Tokyo Motor Show was environmental conservation, with an emphasis on hybrids, plug-in hybrids, electric vehicles, mopeds, hydrogen cars and personal transport devices (think Segway on steroids). In response to rising oil prices and changing attitudes about the role of an automobile, this year’s concept cars are proof that you don’t have to sacrifice performance for the sake of efficiency.

For the next several days, I will be blogging about the coolest concept cars and the most innovative automotive designs. Whether you’re a raging gear head or just interested in seeing some beautiful Japanese models, tune in to Big in Japan for the coverage of the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.

** This post is dedicated to my Dad, who was the architect behind our annual pilgrimage to the New York Auto Show. Although he has yet to get on a plane and come visit me here in Japan, perhaps the 2009 Auto Show will be the incentive he needs to take the trip! **

For photos of the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, check out the gallery below:

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UFO art-exhibition to travel the world

by Abha Malpani on


When I lived in Dubai I worked in PR so I have been witness to many a crazy publicity stunts — but this one takes the cake.

Designer brand Chanel will put a huge gleaming white “Mobile Art Container” in the sky to fly the world from 2008-2010, displaying work of 20 international artists. Brainchild of Chanel’s creative head Karl Lagerfeld, the container has been designed by Iraq-born artist Zaha Hadid and will be made of collapsible fiber glass.

The artists were given a brief to create art in connection to Chanel’s handbags and curious participants include Lennon’s wife Yoko Ono, celebrity yoga guru Subodh Gupta, and offbeat modern artist Arakinbuyoshi.

They’ve tagged the mad idea a “noble research investment”. Urrrm — no I don’t understand either, but I’d go check it out just to walk into an absurd container like that.

Not sure how it’s going to fly — but over a two year period the thing will travel form Hong Kong to Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles, London, Moscow and Paris.

[Via Wallpaper]