To-may-to, to-mah-to, however you pronounce it, the humble tomato’s contribution to the culinary world is indisputable.  Pablo Neruda was inspired enough by the tomato to pen an “Ode to Tomatoes,” a loving homage to the simple yet versatile fruit, calling it “star of the earth, recurrent and fertile star.”  But a restaurant dedicated to all...

I am learning about and experiencing some wonderful ayurveda treatments in Kerala. The climate and abundance of medicinal herbs has seen ayurveda, the sister science to yoga, flourish in this part of India. Ayurveda means life (ayur) knowledge (veda) and is believed to be over 5,000 years old. Ayurveda teaches that all living and non-living beings...

An MBA Program for the ‘Globally-Minded’ Dean Yash P. Gupta of the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School sat down with the Weekender to talk about the school’s new MBA program. Here is the video interview with him, by Kelly Wetherille: -video editing by Kevin Jungnitsch ...

by Ian de Stains OBE The cover date of this issue suggests we are approaching the ides of March. I wonder how many readers these days would know the actual numerical date? Yet, not all that long ago, anyone marking out their days according to the Roman calendar would have been as familiar with the ides of any...

A student at an international school in Tokyo shows that one person, no matter how young, really can make a difference. Carmina Mancenon is no ordinary high school student. At the tender age of 16, she has already established her own nonprofit organization, and in January she attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where she presented her...

For families living in or relocating to Japan, one of the biggest decisions is where to send their children to school. Particularly for those that are here only temporarily, Japanese schools present a huge barrier, both in terms of language and culture, as well as in terms of transferring the curriculum to a school abroad...

by J.K. Whelehan A small child was being admonished by his piano teacher, who asked, “Why is it you always forget your homework? I never forget to correct it and bring it to class.” The boy looked the teacher straight in the eye and with a certain amount of awe in his voice replied,”You must have a...

by  Deborah Im Hidden away on the fifth floor of a small nondescript building a block from Akasaka Sacas is a tiny gem of a restaurant that serves up smoky, tender Hawaiian kalua pork and award-winning tuna poke, among other Hawaiian classics. A popular meeting place for Hawaiian expats, not only does Ogo serve authentic-tasting...

by Kelly Wetherille For Britta von Lewinski, hats are in her blood. “As a baby, my father would put his hat on my head, so in every photo I’m wearing a hat. My family is a hat-wearing family; and [my mother] seems to have given me a hat face,” she said. But in her young life...

by Kelly Wetherille Italian fashion brand Diesel is blurring the lines between fashion and art with concept stores in Tokyo and New York called Diesel Denim Gallery. In addition to stocking the brand’s most prestigious collection of the same name, the store also includes a gallery space where it hosts exhibitions by artists from around...

by Stephen Parker one: Banish those boring bowls! Even the simplest miso soup or white rice zings in these ceramic dishes in six fun colors. Why not celebrate the end of winter by adding a little vibrancy to your spring table? Cibone (www.cibone.com), ¥8,190 for a set of six. two: Acclaimed British designer Oliver Hemming combines form and...

by Stephen Parker one: ‘Speed Up’ is the message of these special Post-It notes, great for office use and highlighting key pages in magazines and books. Also available in other bright, garish colors. 3M’s signature brand is also bizarrely sponsoring a booth the huge Tokyo Girls Collection event on March 6. Select stationery and office supply stores, ¥263. two:...