The Japanese-Themed Short Films of New York Japan CineFest

The 11th New York Japan CineFest

In-person Screening on Monday, November 14 at 7:00 p.m.
Scandinavia House – 58 Park Avenue at 38th Street
In-person Tickets: $15 in advance; $18 at the door | Students: $12 in advance; $15 at the door

Online Screening from Tuesday, November 15 through Sunday, November 20
Online Screenings: $15 + suggested donation

New York Japan CineFest, a film festival that introduces Japanese-themed short films, is celebrating its eleventh year. The in-person screening tonight (November 14) at Scandinavia House features nine of the festival’s 21 films. Some guest directors are scheduled to appear on stage. To purchase tickets to the in-person screening, please visit NYJCF’s Eventbrite page.

Online screening will be available from Tuesday, November 15 through November 20 at New York Japan CineFest’s website. With the purchase of a Festival Pass, viewers in the US can watch all 21 short films in seven days. To register for the online screenings, please visit NYJCF’s website.

Mar Creation hosts the festival with partners CYBER New York, Japan Information and Culture Center (Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C.), Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia, Sapporo International Short Film Festival, and Aichi International Women’s Film Festival.

Films

Veils
Dir. Erika Nakayama | 2021 | 17:57 | Drama | Japan
Ayumi Tani, an owner of a small bookstore, and Sayaka Murakami, a call center worker, are a lesbian couple living together. While They feel somewhat stifled by the fact that they are part of LGBTQ community, They are looking forward to having a wedding-style photoshoot to celebrate their anniversary.

Lost in Eden
Dir. Hakim Hayashi | 2021 | 14:31 | Drama | Japan
Rika, a young Japanese girl, lives with her new French husband, Isaac, in Paris. She finally manages to renew her residence permit after a long struggle with the chaotic French administration. Then a man from the Japanese Embassy brings a cruel reality to her: We have to deal with your parents’ situation. She faces a Cornelian dilemma.

Kurosawa’s Grave
Dir. Ben Lopez | 2021 | 13:47 | Documentary | United States
Viewed through the eyes of an expert cinephile, this pilgrimage to Japan and love letter to Akira Kurosawa will transport the audience to a moment where modernity meets nostalgia.

Kurosawa’s Grave
Dir. Ben Lopez | 2021 | 13:47 | Documentary | United States
Viewed through the eyes of an expert cinephile, this pilgrimage to Japan and love letter to Akira Kurosawa will transport the audience to a moment where modernity meets nostalgia.

Bigger Is Better
Dir. Larry Tung | 2021 | 24:57 | Documentary | Taiwan
Bigger Is Better is a documentary about the identity culture and body politics of the bear subculture within a larger gay male community in Asia. It takes the audience to Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China to meet with stakeholders and examines the development of this unique subculture and its meaning and impact.

I Love Today’s Sky
Dir. Kazuma Yano  | 2022 | 6:26 | Drama | Japan
Do you remember yesterday’s sky? The sky always extends beyond your upward gaze. I love today’s sky where clouds scatter leisurely. This film is based on “I Love Today’s Sky,” Shuntaro Tanikawa’s new poem that describes a bright future.

MaTcH
Dir. Masaki Katsuyama | 2022 | 20:00 | Drama | Japan
Haruko, an old Japanese mother, goes to Tokyo from Osaka to see her 30-year-old son, Shuji. The purpose of her visit is to set up matchmaking for him because he is still a single man. However, Shuji already uses a matching app to find his partner.

The Voice Actress

Dir. Anna J. Takayama | 2022 | 15:06 | Drama | Japan
Kingyo, a veteran voice actress working in Tokyo, possesses a unique ability to see the soul in all things, living and inanimate. The voice acting world is changing, and Kingyo must find a way to reconcile her way of living with the modern industry.

CASSETTE TAPE
Dir. Yurugu Matsumoto | 2020 | 23:25 | Drama | Japan
Young office worker Saki is looking forward to a birthday date with her boyfriend, whom she has been dating for three years. He surprises her the next day when he suddenly proposes marriage. However, Saki’s father is anything but enthusiastic and responsive to their wedding plans.

Submittan
Dir. Susumu Kimura | 2021 | 18:14 | Drama, Sci-Fi, Dystopian | United States
In the future city of Submittan, people over 80 years old are forced into “retirement” to a remote mountain area as the city deals with increased population. The burden falls on the shoulders of an immigrant artist, who is tasked with designing a propaganda poster to convince citizens of this new registration.

KAGEBOSHI

Dir. Ken Ochiai | 2020 | 5:02 | Drama, Horror | United States
In the 1930s, a Japanese American father and daughter must play a deadly game of shadow tag to escape from a demon child, Kageboshi.

Never Give Up: Akinori in Mooresville
Dir. Royce Akifumi Wilmot | 2022 | 13:12 | Documentary | United States
Twenty-four years after attending his first NASCAR race, Akinori Ogata chases his dream of one day racing in the Daytona 500. Moving his family halfway across the world in the process, he races locally in the lower series of NASCAR, working for his big break.

Above Water
Dir. Ken Honjo, Kentaro Yoshimura | 2022 | 26:00 | Documentary, Environmental | United States
On the remote island of Sarichef off the Northwest coast of Alaska, 20 miles below the Arctic Circle, there’s a small village called Shishmaref. Every year, it continues to get smaller as rising water levels erode its shores. In the summer of 2021, two artists were invited to the island to paint a mural, and they learned more about the culture and the impact of the melting permafrost.

Final Deathtination (In association with Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia)
Dir. Marika Tamura | 2021 | 2:05 | Animation | United States
A suicidal man encounters “Death,” who is a “travel agent,” to find the best place to die.

Living While Black in Japan (In association with Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia)
Dir. Shiho Fukada & Keith Bedford | 2021 | 15:13 | Documentary | Japan
African Americans in Japan discuss how racial issues in the U.S. affected their decision to live abroad.

MARE (In association with Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia)
Dir. Tamaki Ishida & Akito Kawabe | 2022 | 7:46 | Animation, Sci-Fi | Japan
In a world that became a wasteland of toxic gas, there’s a painter who lives in an isolated shelter. He draws paintings of oceans. Why does he make these paintings? What happened to the world? This is a story about our near future, with environmental pollution and sheltered lives.

Summer Ends (In association with Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia)
Dir. Yuka Doi | 2021 | 23:53 | Drama | Japan
Botan’s father is a sparkler maker. One day, she is frustrated because she is not allowed to make sparklers, and her father, Yanagi, has a falling out with her. Several years later, Botan, now an AD at a video production company, has no choice but to return to her estranged parents’ home for an interview.

just another summer day (In association with Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia)
Dir. Yoshika Matsuoka | 2021 | 25:00 | Drama | Japan
It was “just” a summer day spent with someone she didn’t know. Hizuki was drunk and lost her memory.

Pain of the Anonymous (In association with Sapporo International Short Film Festival)
Dir. Daichi Amano | 2021 | 27:00 | Drama | Japan
Struggling to find work and entrenched in a personal health crisis, a former middle school teacher accepts a position as an online content moderator. She is faced daily with death, violence, and abuse—and reminders of unspeakable past traumas.

Siblings (In association with Aichi International Women’s Film Festival)
Dir. Yoko Sato | 2021 | 39:55 | Drama | Japan
Nozomi has a younger sister, Kie, with mental disability but has yet to tell her boyfriend, Takashi, about her. One day, Nozomi finally informed him about Kie upon their engagement, causing confusion. From there, Nozomi faces a series of problems peculiar to a family with disabilities, and she starts to reconsider her life.

Mi
Dir. Masayoshi Nakamura & Zak Engel | 2022 | 4:23 | Animation | United States
This film is the journey of a father and son. The young son enters into this crazy and unknown world, and the father tries to guide him though as best as a father could. There are some things the father himself doesn’t fully understand, and he lets the son know that’s ok.

Ukujima
Dir. Tekko Nogami | 2021 | 4:02 | Drama, History | Japan
Today’s travelers follow the path of Iemori Taira, which has been passed down to Ukujima, an island in the Goto archipelago off the coast of Kyushu. Their path will eventually synchronize as they come into contact with the life and culture of the people on the island from the past, present, and future. It is a journey story that encounters a miracle that “people return to themselves.”

About New York Japan CineFest 

NYJCF was founded by three Japanese producers based in New York in 2012: Yasu Suzuki (actor, dancer and filmmaker), Kosuke Furukawa (film director), and Hiroshi Kono (CEO of Mar Creation, Inc.)  Since 2015, the film festival has screened its programs and films in multiple cities including Boston, Washington, D.C., Houston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco in the U.S. NYCF has also participated in film festivals in Japan such as the Aichi International Film Festival Sapporo International Short Film Festival and Market, Kadoma International Film Festival, and New Director Film Festival.  

Documentary about Women in Taiko to Screen at DOC NYC

Finding Her Beat

Wednesday, November 16 at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 17 at noon

IFC Center – 323 6th Avenue (at W. 3rd Street)

Tickets: $19 General Admission | $17 Seniors and Children | $16 IFC Center Members
In-person Screenings before 5:00 p.m.: $12 General Admission | $10 IFC Center Members

Online Screenings: Thursday, November 17 through Sunday, November 27
Online Tickets: $12 General Admission | $9 IFC Center Members

DOC NYC, the largest documentary festival in the US, is currently celebrating its 13th anniversary with in-person and online screenings, including the New York premiere of Finding Her Beat.

About Finding Her Beat

A drum master from Japan and a Korean adoptee from Minnesota boldly convene an all-female troupe to perform Taiko, the Japanese drumming art that has been off-limits to women for centuries. As the early menace of Covid rumbles in the background, the group faces down hurdles to prepare for a historic performance in snowy St. Paul. Buoyed by dynamic drum performances and do-or-die spirit, directors Dawn Mikkelson and Keri Pickett create an energizing and uplifting story of music, cultural expression and sisterhood. – Karen McMullen

Check out the film’s trailer.

Q&A

Filmmakers Dawn Mikkelson and Keri Pickett, subjects/producers Jennifer Weir and Megan Chao Smith, and field producer/cinematographer Caroline Stucky will attend the 7pm show on Wednesday, November 16 at the IFC Center for a Q&A after the screening.

Discount for JCNYC Readers

DOC NYC is generously offering our community a discount of $3 off tickets for in-person and online screenings. Enter promo code DOCNYC_PTNR_22 at checkout for the discounted price. To purchase tickets, please visit DOC NYC’s website.

The Joy of Sake Returns to New York

The Joy of Sake New York

Thursday, August 4 from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.

Metropolitan Pavilion – 125 W. 18th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues)

Admission: $120

After a three-year hiatus forced by the pandemic, the Joy of Sake returns to New York for its 17th celebration. There will be an astonishing 576 different labels from throughout Japan and the US available for tasting. Sake-themed appetizers from top New York restaurants add to the enjoyment, making the Joy of Sake the event of the year for the city’s sake enthusiasts.

For a great rundown of what to expect, check out food writer Nancy Matsumoto’s recent sake blog post. The co-author of Exploring the World of Japanese Craft Sake: Rice, Water, Earth, Matsumoto will have a table at the Joy of Sake, selling and signing copies of the gorgeous and informative book.

The admission fee includes unlimited samplings of sake and a dish from all participating restaurants. To purchase tickets, please visit the Joy of Sake’s Eventbrite page.

Participating Restaurants

BondST
En Japanese Brasserie
Insa
Juban
Katsuya
Kimika
Kissaki
Momoya
Rule of Thirds
Sakagura
Sarashina Horii
Sen Sakana
Towa
Yopparai
Zuma

For more details about the event, please visit the Joy of Sake’s website.

The First Annual Japanese Restaurant Cherry Blossom Week 2021 Is in Full Bloom

It’s been one year since the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in New York City, and we are still in the midst of the pandemic. Many Japanese restaurants have suffered due to restrictions and the difficult winter weather. After cold weather and a spike in COVID-19 cases, indoor dining was banned again in December of 2020, leaving restaurants with only outdoor seating options.

Now that indoor dining has been re-opened in time for spring, the New York Japanese Restaurant Association (NYJRA) established its First Annual Japanese Restaurant Cherry Blossom Week 2021. Taking place from March 8 to March 21, the initiative features 92 participating restaurants offering special menu items that focus on a sakura theme.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (emergency support project for the development of overseas sales channels for Japanese agricultural, forestry, and fishery products and foods) is subsidizing this event, and the Japan Food Restaurant Overseas Promotion Organization (JRO) is sponsoring as a collaborative project with the NYJRA.

Organizers and participants hope that Japanese Restaurant Cherry Blossom Week 2021 will provide an opportunity for these struggling restaurants to open their doors to the people of New York City to enjoy Japanese ingredients and cuisine.

Visit NYJRA’s website for details about each restaurant’s special for the First Annual Japanese Restaurant Sakura Week 2021. Contact the restaurants to see if they have indoor and outdoor dining, take reservations, or are take out/delivery only

Participating Restaurants

Manhattan

Aburiya Kinnosuke – 213 E. 45th Street

BAR GOTO – 245 Eldridge St. Ground Floor

Basta Pasta – 37 West 17th Street
and Bar B – 84 7th Avenue

Benemon – 10 E. 4th Street

BentOn – 156 East 45th Street

Blue Ribbon Columbus – 308 W. 58th Street

Blue Ribbon Izakaya – 87 Orchard Street

Blue Ribbon Sushi – 119 Sullivan Street

Blue Ribbon Sushi Brookfield – 225 Liberty Street

Cagen – 414 E. 9th Street

Cha-An BONBON – 238A E. 9th Street

Curry-Ya – 218 E. 10th Street

Decibel – 240 E. 9th Street

DokoDemo – 89 E. 4th Street

Donburiya – 253 W. 55th Street

Douska (formerly Douzo) – 63 Delancey Street

Dr. Clark – 104 Bayard Street

Gari Columbus – 370 Columbus Avenue

Go! Go! Curry! Chelsea – 144 W. 19th Street

Go! Go! Curry! Harlem – 567 W. 125th Street

Go! Go! Curry! Midtown East – 235 E. 53rd Street

Go! Go! Curry! Times Square – 273 W. 38th Street

Go! Go! Curry! Washington Square Park – 231 Thompson Street

Go! Go! Curry! World Trade Center – 12 John Street

Gorin Ramen – 351 E. 14th Street

Hasaki – 210 E. 9th Street

Hi-Collar – 231 E. 9th Street

Hide Chan Ramen Midtown East – 248 E. 52nd Street, 2nd Floor

Hirohisa – 73 Thompson Street

INASE – 1586 1st Avenue

J-Spec – 239 E. 5th Street

Katana Kitten – 531 Hudson Street

MakiMaki Sushi – 1369 6th Avenue

MakiMaki Sushi – 360 Lexington Avenue

Marezzata – 231 E. 50th Street

Marumi Restaurant – 546 LaGuardia Place

Minca – 536 E. 5th Street

Momokawa – 1466 1st Avenue

Ootoya Chelsea – 8 W. 18th Street

Ootoya Greenwich Village – 41 E. 11th Street

Ootoya Times Square – 141 W. 41st Street

Rai Rai Ken – 218 E. 10th Street

Rai Rai Ken Uptown – 1467 Amsterdam Avenue

Ramen Misoya – 129 2nd Avenue

RAMEN-YA – 181 W. 4th Street

Restaurant Nippon – 155 E. 52nd Street

Sakagura – 211 E. 43rd Street

Sake Bar Hagi 46 – 358 W. 46th Street

Sake Bar Shigure – 277 Church Street

Samurice – 261 Canal Street

Shabu Tatsu – 216 E. 10th Street

Soba Noodle Azuma – 251 W. 55th Street

Sobaya – 229 E. 9th Street

Sushi Ann – 38 E. 51st Street

Sushi Ikumi – 135 Sullivan Street

Sushi of Gari 46 – 347 W. 46th Street

Sushi of Gari TriBeCa – 130 West Broadway

Sushi of Gari Upper East Side – 402 E. 78th Street

Sushi Ryusei – 216 E. 39th Street

Sushi Tsushima – 210 E. 44th Street

Takahachi Bakery – 25 Murray Street

Takahachi Tribeca – 145 Duane Street

Tempura Matsui – 222 E. 39th Street

THE IZAKAYA NYC on 6th – 326 E. 6th Street

THE IZAKAYA NYC on 4th – 215 E. 4th Street

Tomi Jazz – 239 E. 53rd Street

Totto Ramen Hell’s Kitchen – 464 W. 51st Street

Totto Ramen Midtown East – 248 E. 52nd Street

Tsurutontan Midtown – 64 W. 48th Street

Tsurutontan Union Square – 21 E. 16th Street

Udon Izakaya West 46 – 150 E. 46th Street

WOKUNI – 327 Lexington Avenue

Yakiniku Futago – 37 W. 17th Street

Yakiniku Tohbay – 235 W. 55th Street, 2nd Floor

Yakiniku West – 218 E. 9th Street

Yakitori Torishin – 362 W. 53rd Street

Yakitori Totto – 251 W. 55th Street, 2nd Floor

Brooklyn

750 Myrtle Diner – 750 Myrtle Avenue

Andante – 255 Berry Street

BAR GOTO NIBAN – 474 Bergen Street

Bozu – 296 Grand Street

Japan Village – 934 3rd Avenue

Karazishi Botan – 255 Smith Street

Momo Sushi Shack – 43 Bogart Street

Samurai Mama – 205 Grand Street

Samurai Papa – 594 Lafayette Avenue

Sunrise Mart Brooklyn – 934 3rd Avenue

Wasan Brooklyn – 440 Bergen Street

Queens

Ariyoshi Japanese Restaurant – 41-13 Queens Boulevard, Sunnyside

BentOn Factory – 3739 Crescent Street, Long Island City

Hartsdale

FUJINOYA – 26 South Central Avenue

Kishuya – 163 South Central Avenue

Sharing is Caring

Spread the word by sharing the details of your meals on social media! Follow @nyjra_nyc on Instagram and use these suggested hashtags:
#NYJRA #NYJapaneseRestaurantCherryBlossomWeek #Cherryblossomfestival #Japanesefood #NYJapaneseRestaurant #sushi #sashimi #wagyu #bento #ramen #yakitori #udon #takoyaki #kaiseki #shabushabu #sukiyaki #onigiri and #tempura.

About the NYJRA

The purpose of the New York Japanese Restaurant Association is to heighten the status of and develop markets for Japanese food in America. NYJRA seeks to revitalize the prevalence of Japanese food and culture through organizational activities such as collaborating with Japanese restaurants to facilitate catering to offices; supporting education for restaurants on topics like the history of Japanese food, human resources tips, and culinary techniques; and assisting Japanese restaurants to address the major challenges they face today.