Tag: japan

Toyota and BIG announce Woven City, the city of the future

Post author By Dan Metz
Post date January 7, 2020

Images by BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group

Today, January 7th, Toyota announced the future of city living at the CES technology conference in Las Vegas. The Woven City will be a technological playground and proving ground for the future of green energy, autonomous transportation, artificial intelligence, biophilic architecture, and more. They have not yet released information regarding a cost or timeframe, but the groundbreaking is scheduled for 2021.

The Woven City, so named because of both the interweaving of technology with urban humanity and because of Toyota’s history as a textile company, will be constructed in Japan at the foot of Mt. Fuji. The 175-acre site is a former Toyota factory. It will be built on a grid that will emphasize different types of transportation: fast-moving autonomous vehicles, alternative transportation methods, and pedestrian traffic, with the latter two placed in more natural settings. “In Higashi-Fuji, Japan, we have decided to build a prototype town of the future where people live, work, play and participate in a living laboratory,” says Toyota Motor Corporation CEO Akio Toyoda, “This is a truly unique opportunity to create an entire community, or ‘city’ from the ground up and allow us to build an infrastructure of the future that is connected, digital and sustainable, powered by Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell technology.”

The city was designed by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, who has also worked on Two World Trade Center and a Mars simulation in Dubai, which began in 2017 and is expected to be completed in the next 3-4 years.

It is always interesting when we get to one of these “sci-fi moments” in technology–the realization of something that writers have imagined for decades or centuries. A “city of the future” with cutting-edge technology has been in the imagination since Chicago’s 1905 White City, Disney’s Tomorrowland, and beyond. In fiction, it is often portrayed as either a utopian society or the epicenter of a corporate dystopia. It has, in fact, crept up in several recent movies. Not to say that Woven City will be one of these or the other–only that the intentional creation of a town interweaving humanity and cutting-edge technology seems to capture our dreams, hopes, and fears simultaneously.

For now, let us watch as this new society at the base of Mt. Fuji is dreamed, built, and lived in. Maybe it will see our way to a brighter future.

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Tags autonomous, BIG, bjarke ingels, business, Dan Metz, dystopia, future, green energy, japan, mt. fuji, Sci-Fi, science fiction, technology, tomorrowland, toyoda, Transportation, utopia, Vehicle, woven city

Featured NYC Sports

SailGP Final Day New York

Post author By Luigi Rosabianca
Post date June 23, 2019

Achieving success in NYC is a challenge in any endeavor, so why should Sailing be any different?

SailGP Final Day New York — *Photo by Grace A. Capobianco*

As smoothly stated by an exuberant Nathan Outteridge, CEO and Helmsman of Team Japan, winner of this weekend’s SailGP: “This race in NY harbor is so much fun precisely because it is so difficult. Our team looked forward to this race all season.”

With strong tidal currents, inconsistent and undulating winds due to our concrete mountains, and similarly caused wind shadows that serve as emergency brakes for these sailboats, NY harbor proved an immense challenge. Even for the best sailors on this planet. Team Japan won this weekend’s trophy because they most effectively adapted to these challenging circumstances.

The beauty of SailGP as a sport is precisely this ability to create conditions wherein the human element and skill are the deciding factor. All boats are analogous. It is not an arms race to surpass competitors through excessive budgets and signing bonuses. Rather, the technology is jointly developed, and the best team wins.

This weekend that team was Team Japan, Nathan Outteridge, Iain Jensen, Tim Morishima, Yugo Yoshida, Yuki Kasatani, Leo Takahash, Luke Parkinson, winning 3 of 5 races as well as the eventual final versus Australia. Skipper Outteridge proved himself the maestro of a well-orchestrated troupe of athletes.

Team USA pleased their local fan base by pulling out a convincing victory in Saturday’s second race, causing an eruption of U.S.A chants by supporters that lined the promenade from Chambers Street to the Battery.

A special mention must be given to the Coast Guard, as well as the NYPD Harbor Unit, for redirecting harbor traffic seamlessly all weekend.

Finally, a warm thank you to the folks at SailGP. Class acts.

We look forward to seeing you next year!

Tags Australia, China, Coast Guard, Great Britain, japan, New York Harbor, newyork, North Cove Marina at Brookfield Place, sail, sail race, SailGP, sailing, United States

Chefs Dining Featured Restaurants

Female Sushi Chef from Japan Prepares Celestial Inspired Meal at Sushi on Jones

Post author By Sarah Strong
Post date May 9, 2019

Who better to be the first guest chef at Sushi on Jones than Chef Yuki Chidui of Japan’s Nadeshico Sushi, the only all-female sushi counter and restaurant in Akihabara, Tokyo. Chef Chidui will be offering a limited time 12-course menu inspired by her favorite subject, outer space, with each course named after a celestial body or theme. Chef Chidui started in the kitchen at a young age and endured common industry hardships as well as sex based discrimination. Instead of giving up, Chef Chidui decided to empower other women and speak out against industry injustice.

Highlights from her pop-up menu include Earth: Botenebi shrimp, yam, uni, and marinated blue seaweed; Jupiter: Hotate, honeycomb, and Daikon radish; and Venus: Toasted Kinmedai skin, cherry salt, and raw yuba fry. On Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18, Chef Chidui will be serving lunch at the Bowery Market location from 12:00–3:30 PM and dinner at the West 10th Street location from 5:00–10:30 PM.

Sushi on Jones
Bowery Market: 348 Bowery Street
W 10th Street: 210 W 10th Street

Tags bowery market, chef yuki chidui, female sushi chef, japan, pop up, sushi, sushi on jones, yuki chidui

Dining Events Featured News

Celebrate the LES Community with Bonsai Kakigōri

Post author By Sarah Strong
Post date April 30, 2019

Beloved Japanese dessert shop Bonsai Kakigōri could formerly only be found at the Canal Street Market and pop-ups like Smorgasburg. They recently opened their first solo brick-and-mortar shop on the Lower East Side with their beloved shaved ice desserts and an expanded menu featuring drinks, toasts, and snacks like katsu sandwiches. The place is already a star on Instagram, and the team is getting involved with the local community.

In the spirit of celebrating and giving back to their community, Bonsai Kakigōri will host a pay-what-you-wish community day on Saturday, May 4th to benefit the Lower Eastside Girls Club of NY, a community center that offers programs in the arts, sciences, leadership, entrepreneurship, and wellness for girls in middle and high school. From 11:00am – 10:00pm, guests can enjoy Bonsai Kakigōri’s new menu items to support the local organization.

They are also kicking off their monthly chef collaborations this week. The first one partners with chef Ivan Orkin of Ivan Ramen and debuts on Thursday, May 2nd and will be available all month. Co-owners of Bonsai, Theo Friedman and Gaston Becherano, teamed up with Ivan Orkin and his team to create Ivan’s Quadruple Coffee Crunch Surprise Kakigōri, made with a cold brew, smoked almonds, salted coffee caramel, coffee jelly, and espresso mousse. Stop by on Bonsai Community Day or any other day to try this coffee filled special!

Bonsai Kakigōri
100 Stanton Street at Ludlow Street

Tags bonsai kakigori, Charity, chef collaboration, community, dessert, Ivan Orkin, Ivan Ramen, japan, Japanese, lower east side, lower eastside girls club, shaved ice

Bars Dining Events Featured

Cocktail Wednesday with Nana Serves Up Mixology Education at Bar Moga

Post author By Sarah Strong
Post date March 13, 2019

Bar Moga, the Japanese inspired cocktail bar and restaurant in Greenwich Village, is launching a new cocktail-inspired series with acclaimed bartender Nana Shimosegawa. Bar Moga takes its name from the figure of the moga or “modern girl” (think the Japanese version of a flapper). The series offers cocktails highlighting Japanese ingredients created by Nana, the first female bartender at the renowned East Village cocktail bar Angel’s Share and a world-class, innovative mixologist. We asked Nana about being a woman in the industry, Japanese ingredients, and cocktail education.

Downtown: What does it mean to be a woman in this field?

Nana Shimosegawa: I’ve been very blessed that of all the bars I’ve worked at, I was rewarded for the effort I put in. As the first female bartender at Angel’s Share, I worked long and hard to prove myself and I believe that’s the reason I was the first ever female manager at Angel’s Share.

Downtown: What makes being a mixologist in the US and in New York special?

NS: I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to move to NYC — I think it’s my destiny! I’ve met talented bartenders, who eventually turned into friends. They taught me the “New York Way” when it comes to hospitality, and I look forward to spreading the New York culture wherever my life takes me.

Downtown: What are three things Americans need to know about sake and shochu?

NS:

It’s very useful for making an umami cocktail
It pairs well with a variety of cuisines
Shochu is very low-calorie (and has low ABV) – it can be your life partner in spirits!

Downtown: Why is cocktail education important?

NS: New York City is the culinary epicenter of the world and is constantly evolving. It’s no surprise that restaurants here are world class! This has been an amazing opportunity for me to create a Moga era cocktail with “yo-shoku” influence. It’s been educational for me in terms of pairing cocktails with food, so I hope this series can be enlightening for other bartenders when they come and experience it firsthand.

Downtown: What are you excited about with this new series?

NS: I’ve never had to consider food pairings when working on cocktails so keeping the theme of the Moga in mind and pairing flavors to match yo-shoku cuisine has been an exciting challenge for me. I hope everyone is just as excited to taste my creations.

Tags angel's share, bar moga, bartender, cocktail education, cocktail wednesday with nana, cocktails with nana, japan, mixologist, Mixology, nana shimosegawa

Featured Living

Your Valentine’s Day Gift Guide is Here

Post author By Sarah Strong
Post date January 31, 2019

Friendly reminder: it’s February, which means Valentine’s Day is the next thing you can’t forget to buy a gift for. But don’t fret, we’ve got you covered with presents for everyone from your best friend to your significant other. Read on for Downtown’s favorite gifts this season!

Lord Jones High CBD Gumdrops

What’s more on trend that CBD gummies? These are the finest you can buy, with 20 mg per gumdrop and no artificial colors or flavors. This limited edition box features passion fruit and raspberry confections and is only available until February 14th. Snatch one up for your friend with pre-date jitters and another for yourself!

Bouquet Bar

Let Bouquet Bar take all the guessing out of gift giving for you this Valentine’s Day. Their boxes include everything from flowers to chocolate to bath bombs, and they have ten holiday options for both the men and women in your life. The signature “Love Box” (pictured above) contains a mini-bouquet of red spray roses, lavender dark chocolate drops, sugar coated gummy hearts, caramel corn, gummy bears and a lavender scented candle. Plus, they’ve got free shipping and next-day delivery for all you procrastinators.

Fine & Raw Chocolate

Keep your box of chocolates local this year with Brooklyn-made truffles from Fine & Raw. They are made with sustainable ingredients from around the world and come in flavors like sea salt, orange and hazelnut. For even more fun you can visit their factory in Bushwick to see how your gift is made!

Couples’ Classes at the Institute for Culinary Education

If you’re looking for something hands on head to ICE, located in Brookfield Place, for some special VDay classes. Learn how to make French macarons or sear the perfect steak. If you don’t want to work so hard for your dinner sign up for the Champagne Gala, where you’ll sip on bubbles while learning about the history of sparkling wine and enjoying classic dish pairings. ICE offers couples classes through their recreational program all year long, so be sure to check out their other classes like homemade pizza and pasta.

Ettitude’s Love Bundles

The quickest way to end up in bed with someone is to gift them sleepwear! Ettitude, the luxury sleepwear and bedding brand that uses 100% organic bamboo lyocell fabric, has two bundles sure to have you jumping for joy. The Eye Love You Bundle includes two adorable, special edition sleep masks for you and your love, and the Big Love Bundle adds two cozy robes to the mix.

Murray’s Cheese

That’s right, we’re giving you permission to gift someone bacon for Valentine’s Day! Murray’s Cheese has tons of great boxes and baskets for everyone in your life, but we can’t get over the Bacon Me Crazy, which features three types of bacon adding up to 2.5 lbs of meat! Other favorites include the luxurious Burrata Lover’s Collection, the Champagne Lover’s Collection, which does almost all the work for you, and the Cheese Tower for Two that encourages you to skip right to the cheese plate.

Bokksu

Book a trip to Japan, for your tastebuds! Bokksu will send you a collection of Japanese snacks along with a tasting and culture guide to introduce you to the culinary delicacies of the Land of the Rising Sun. February’s Love Story Bokksu is filled with red, pink and heart shaped snacks to help you cuddle up and stay warm during the cold month. Bokksu and its CEO Danny Taing promote cultural sustainability by seeking out traditional, artisanal snack makers throughout Japan to use in Bokksu all year round.

Sprinkles Cupcakes

Whether your celebrating Valentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day, everyone in your life deserves something sweet! Head to a Sprinkles location for limited edition flavors such as Raspberry Chocolate Chip and Stuffed French Toast or pick up a BE MINE or mini I <3 U box set.

Moët & Chandon Impérial Rosé Living Ties

This limited edition, non-vintage rosé is what we’ll be sipping on no matter what we’re doing this Valentine’s Day. The beautiful pink bottles can be purchased in a celebratory gift box, in a full sleeved bottle, or as a mini Moët. This bubbly is sure to make your night a memorable one!

Ambrella x Spiritual Gangster UR ALL U NEED Apparel

Philadelphia and LA-based street artist Ambrella and activewear brand Spiritual Gangster have partnered up to remind us all to love ourselves first. The collection includes a muscle tank, t-shirt and hoodie featuring Ambrella’s artwork.

Petrossian x Luke’s Lobster Caviar Lobster Roll Kit

After the success of their in-store caviar lobster rolls, Petrossian and Luke’s Lobster teamed up for this extra special Valentine’s Day kit. Each package includes half a pound of lobster meat (enough for two lobster rolls), 50 grams of classic Baika caviar, 6 pieces of Petrossian fudge, 2 serving spoons, and a gift box. Why go out for this decadent meal when you can enjoy it in your pajamas at home?