This Month on Maction Planet – September 2024

It’s finally time to reveal what I’ve been up to this past month while spending time in the UK and beyond! Though it’s been a shift from Japan, my work hasn’t slowed down. In this edition of ‘This Month on Maction Planet’, I’m excited to share some of the unique connections to Japan I’ve come across during my time in the Exeter, London and Amsterdam.

Featured image: The body armour came to the Royal Albert Memorail Musuem in my hometown of Exeter the 1970s, but they know very little about how it came to the UK. It is several pieces of different armours – the bear-fur shoes and the helmet are from a different suit to the body armour. The way it is displayed is very traditional. The museum is an absolute must visit if you ever find yourself in Exeter!

Speaking of Exeter, I spot some Asahi Super Dry on tap at The Bootlegger, an independent cocktail bar and live music venue at the top of Fore Street!

Heading East now… A true staple of Japanese convenience store offerings, this refreshing chu-hai embodies the essence of casual, on-the-go drinks in Japan. Imagine my surprise when I found one in a petrol station store in Bradford On Avon! Crisp, tangy, and packing a 6% punch, it’s the perfect companion for a summer evening. Whether you’re in Tokyo or enjoying it somewhere far from the neon lights, this drink brings a little taste of Japan to wherever you are!

Onto London! Christmas wouldn’t be the same without these Hello Kitty tree ornaments, which I spotted in the historic Liberty’s department store!

John Maeda produced a series of 10 unique Morisawa prints in red hues for the ‘Awaken, Metamagical Hands’ exhibition at Gazelli Art House in London in 2024. Initially rendered in black and released in 1996, these prints were inspired by the techniques of Shikō Munakata, a master of Japanese woodblock printing, and reflect the evolving practices in digital typography. The original series was awarded the Tokyo Type Directors Club Gold Prize and forms part of the permanent collection at MoMA in New York.

160 years ago, five intrepid Japanese noblemen stowed away on a ship bound for London to gain an education at UCL. Their journey changed Japanese society forever and ignited an enduring relationship between UCL and Japan. The Choshu Five were not only the first Japanese students to enrol at UCL but the first Japanese students to travel overseas to pursue an education. Upon their return home, the Chōshū Five went on to form the core of a new Japanese government, leading the nation’s transformation from an isolated state to one of the world’s foremost technological powers.

I haven’t had many Japanese meals in the UK but I did enjoy a lovely selection of authentic and fusion dishes at Tosa on King St in London, which serves Kirin Ichiban (Ichiban Shibori in Japan) on tap! Kanpai!

This is St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. Absolutely stunning, but what is it doing in ‘This Month on Maction Planet’? St George’s Chapel in Windsor is the mother church of the Order of the Garter and the location of special services in relation to the Order. The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain. The Order of the Garter has been awarded to five consecutive Emperors since the Meiji era (1868-1912). Rather unusual for a non-Christian monarch and demonstrates the strong bond between the United Kingdom and Japan.

I also headed to Amsterdam this month to watch the World Series of Darts finals. No Japanese players, but AFAS Live, the venue, will host vocaloid Hatsune Miku on 20 October 2024 for her Miku Expo 2024.

It is always an absolute pleasure to meet former tour guests in my travels around the world… such as Daphne Dekkers, who I hosted in April 2019 for a day in Tokyo!

After lunch with Daphne, I headed into the centre and rolled into Amsterdam. Did you know that the iconic red and white brick design of the original station building was inspired by Amsterdam’s Central Station? It was damaged during World War II but was restored to its former splendor thanks to a major renovation project finished in 2012.

Another Dutch former guest, Maarten, guided me around the Rijksmuseum! It was so good to hang out again. Hope to see you back in Tokyo soon!

Holland held an exclsuive trading contract with Japan from 1637 to 1854, so the connections between these two countries run deep! These were my favourite Japan-related pieces in the museum – two 14th century temple guardians!

Finally… a new Kanpai Planet video! Is Suntory’s 2024 Tsukuriwake Selection, featuring 1 Hakushu and 3 Yamazakis (including an 18-year Mizunara) worth the hype? This is a big one. Watch now!

Also out this month… I had the unbelievable pleasure of not only trying one of the most expensive whiskies I’ve ever encountered but also getting to taste it with ‪Vin from No Nonsense Whisky!

Maction Planet runs bespoke Private Tours and Experiences in Tokyo, and beyond. To book yours, or to purchase a gift card, contact us at info@mactionplanet.com

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