TOKYO HOT CHICKS

Inspired by Foreign Cultures & Spreading Inspiration to the World from Tokyo.

Mayuka Katano（Age: 23）
instagram_＠mayukatano

What do you do?

I am a photographer. I take photos and sometimes use them to make a zine. I also have a part time job at an ice cream shop.

Who are your favorite photographers?

I like Ryan McGinley, Nan Goldin and sandy kim. Because my grandfather-in-law is an American, I’ve had many opportunities to learn about American artists since I was little.

What do you like to do with your friends?

I enjoy Karaoke and Bowling with my friends. We are into doing what we used to do after school these days. Rouge no Dengon by Yumi Matsutouya is the song I always sing at Karaoke. Also, we often go to an amusement arcade in Kakadanobaba because it’s such a retro-inspired cute place.

When do you feel the most excited?

I guess it’s when I have my photos developed. I feel very excited too when I’m taking portrait photos of my good friends.

Who are your favorite Instagrammers?

One of my favorites is ＠kate-nyc. This girl is a freelance model in NY and she’s just so pretty and attractive. I‘m also a fan of @danaboulos who is an art director.

What do you like about Japan? Where do you recommend going?

I like Japan because there are so many places to go and have fun. I like to spend my time at a gallery called “Gallery Target” where many cool foreign artists put up their artworks. I recommend you to go to a cafe “Number A” in Omotesando. Also, I like looking for my favorite bands’ CDs at a record store named “BIG LOVE RECORDS” in Harajuku.

New York, the City that Made Me Grow.

Madonna Sakai（Age: 22）
instagram_@mdkski

What do you do?

Currently, I’m looking for a job. Right after graduation from my university, I moved to New York and came back to Japan last November.

Where did you often hang out in New York?

I often went to Chinatown in Manhattan. In Japan, a party is usually held at a club or a bar, right? In New York, people throw even a brand’s party at a random place like a Chinese restaurant or a ballet school. It was so fresh to me, but I still found it interesting tho.

Who are your favorite music artists?

These days, I’m into female hip hop artists. I like Princess Nokia and joyce wrice from West Coast, and I also love chill music artists like ABRA .

Did anything change after your experience in New York?

I think I’ve learned a lot about understanding each other in NY. My roommates were very nice to me and I couldn't help myself thinking about them all the time after coming back home. To be happy, it’s important to make actions in order to make others happy too. As much as you treat people nice, it’s going to be returned to you somehow. That’s what I learned in NY.

Who are your favorite Instagrammers?

@annabfrr is an Instagrammer from Paris. Her style is minimal but the way she wears accessories is ultra-cool. Also, the professional skater, Sage Elsesser’s, @palomija is on point because she has her own style.

What do you like about Japan? Where do you recommend going?

What I like about Japan is that there are so many places to eat delicious food anytime. Also, Japan is a pretty small country so that you can easily go everywhere by cars or trains. I go to a beach of Hayama in Kanazawa quite often since it’s just so beautiful there.

The Profile Picture says the word “BREAD”. Interview with the Mysterious Art Group!

Team Uncomplited: Shiorin, Yurishii, Pikkapaisen& Micchan-Impossible
instagram_＠mi_kan_sei

What do you do?

We make bread themed zines and original goods. We all sometimes DJ, holding bread on our hands.

How did you make the group?

At first, we (Shiorin and Yurishii) were handing out free bread to people as an event stuff. As we tried to give out more bread, we came to dislike it. haha When we were talking like “let’s do something funny, using this hateful bread”, we met Pikkapaisen who were so good at taking pictures. And then we decided to make a bread themed zine. After that, Micchan-Impossible, who had been always a part-timer, joined us, and we officially became a group in Shibuya.

What kinds of goods have you guys made?

We’ve covered everything in bread. The snap zine that was an homage of the FRUiTS magazine (in our edition, everyone held bread in hands tho) got a favorable reputation. The latest good is the hotel themed brochure; “Hotel Bread”. We were just playing around and began these projects. We are just simply thankful that some people today call us creators or artists.

What are your plans/goals for 2017?

This year, we’d like to create something different, having different themes. Also, we kinda want to get featured on art books published by other countries or join art galleries if we could.

Who are your favorite Instagrammers?

@imiarige is sort of unique and bizarre but interesting. ＠i_am_tofu, an account of a dog in Korea, makes you feel peaceful.

What do you like about Japan? Where do you recommend going?

A great thing about Japan is that even if we lose our wallets, they will usually be returned to us. haha
We’re interested in a zoo in Ebisu getting the media’s so much attention.

Young videographer Keeping Chasing Creativity.

ummmi（Age: 23）
instagram_@_____81

What do you do?

I study intermedia at Tokyo University of the Arts. I make videos and contribute them to STUDIO VOICE, a Japanese magazine about culture. I tried to think what’s love or weakness on my own and put it into words.

o you have favorite music artists?

I like a post-punk band called Psychic TV. A Japanese band named Maher Shalal Hash Baz seems innovative and interesting. And I listen to Elliott Smith quite often.

Who are your favorite movie characters?

My favorite one is Amy Blue from The Doom Generation. Although she is so free and wild that she has a sharp tongue, her fashion style is super duper cute. That’s why she’s been my idol. Besides Amy, I love Bobo from We Are The Best!. Her emotions in the movie are fascinating, and her acting is amazing too.

What do you like to do with your friends?

We just drink literally everywhere: at a club, on the street, or on a rooftop. When it comes to drinking, age doesn't really matter to me. I have so many friends from different generations to drink with.

Who is your favorite Instagrammer?

I like @whatfranwore. This account is all about fashion that Fran Drescher wears for American TV show. The style is so 90s and it’s also so wild and cute.

What do you like about Japan? Where do you recommend going?

I like Japan because of its chaotic nature where so many cultures are mixed together.
Japan has developed its own noise music and video technology, mixing its original culture with inspirations from other countries. Akihabara is a good spot to go because it’s so easy to get something like tech equipment that you can only find online. haha

Girl Inspired by UK Rock a.k.a Vocalist in Girls’ Band.

CONY P（Age: 23）
instagram_@conyplankton

What do you do?

I’m a vocalist. I also have a part time job at a glasses shop.

Why are you so interested by music?

When I was still a high school student, I often listened to UK rock bands such as Oasis, Blur and suede. My band is influenced by overseas post-punk bands and garage rock bands.

Where do you usually go shopping?

I usually go to Shibuya and Shimokitazawa. Since I love vintage clothing, I like to go shopping at birthdeath in Shibuya. This “The Black Eyed Peas” t-shirt I’m wearing today is the one I got at a store named BOY.

What bothers you these days?

First, I don’t have much money. Second, I hate it when my friends ask me if I’m going to get a stable job. Most of Japanese people value job titles, and I just don't get it. I want people to judge me after knowing what’s in my mind and what I’m trying to do with my life.

Who is your favorite Instagrammer?

I like @sokothecat. She is a French singer-songwriter who is multi-skilled enough to make even music videos on her own. She’s such a cute and free-spirited girl and I just cannot get enough of her.

What do you like about Japan?

I like people here. You know, most of people seem very nice but they might actually be dark inside. I also love the fact that Japanese restrooms are usually way cleaner than ones in other countries.

Enjoying Underground Parties while Studying the Art History.

Tanao（Age: 22）
instagram_@tanao0313

What do you do?

I’m researching into Friendship drawing competition of Japan, Germany and Italy, an art contest for children that was held in Japan, Germany and Italy in 1938, at my grad school. Also, I’m an assistant to an art producer as well as a writer for an online magazine.

What do you like to do with your friends?

Recently, I like to walk around Kabukicho with my friends at night. We sometimes go to the live house called Shinjuku LOFT, and join random events that we only watch religious videos forever. We also enjoy observing people walking on the streets and seeing momentary human dramas.

Who are your favorite artists?

DIS, a group of designers based in NY, is so interesting to me. They go to Berlin to join Biennale’s curating, and besides that, they embody anti-social behavior through arts. I just can’t take my eyes off them. Their online magazine, DIS Magazine, that they run is very inspiring too.

What bothers you these days?

First, it’s that I don't have much time. Second, there are recently many uninteresting artworks. Because there are already so many motifs, some people just copy someone’s and they call it art. If people step into the art world, I want them to have passions for arts and to take pride in their works.

Who are your favorite Instagrammers?

My favorite one is @jonrafman who is an artist. In terms of videos, I like @aesplusf, an account of Russian artists. I think both of them have hidden messages to society behind the crazy visual pieces.

What do you like about Japan? Where do you recommend going?

I like that shirodashi (white soy sauce with soup stock) tastes so good. haha I also like the fact that Japanese people are well-educated and polite.
I want to go to a club named DepartmentH where drag queens show up and Fetish people gather. I’ve never been there, but these parties sound so much fun. Also, I recommend you to watch a strip show at Rock-Za in Asakusa.

The Ever-Changing Hyper Girl Who Fascinates Everyone.

June Hata (Age: 20)
instagram_@junenenen

What do you do?

I’m being a funny human-being. What I recently like to do is putting cottons in my ears like a damaged teddy bear. It’s something like an accessory.

What are your favorite cartoon characters?

I like COJI-COJI. All the things that she ever does are just playing, eating and sleeping. It’s so simple, but we cannot really do that in our real life, right? It would be awesome if I could live like her. Besides COJI-COJI, I quite like Ganko-chan. This is because people say I look like her and she’s powerful and cute as a little monster.

When do you feel the most excited?

It’s the best time ever when I’m listening to superb Jamaican songs and dancing in my room. I feel super excited especially at daybreak. I also like Prince Jammy and The Crystalites. I love to listen to black music too.

What bothers you these days?

It bothers me every time my mom gets angry at me. Also, my hair is frizzy and annoying. And I guess I don't like my broad shoulders.

Who are your favorite Instagrammers?

My favorite instagrammer is my friend, @akiocham_com. He’s actually a sticker creator! In his room, he’s quietly making stickers with his passion. He keeps providing the world with cool things! I would say that he’s one of the coolest guys in the universe!

What do you like about Japan? Where do you recommend going?

The first thing I want to say is that the shape of onigiri (rice ball) is hilarious. Oh my gosh, they just are epic. haha Seriously, I think Japanese technology including general electronics and AKAI’s products is just awesome.
The place in Tokyo that I recommend you is a secondhand shop named Tampopo-House in Otsuka. There are many good things that you could find there. And, there is an uninhabited island somewhere in Tokyo. So, guys, give it a shot and try to find one!

More Masculine inside than Guys?
A University Student, also called A Big Fan of Hip-Hop.

Mei Fujita
instagram_@may_7188

What do you do?

I am a university student and I study landscape architecture. I part-timely work for an architecture firm as an assistant.

What kind of music do you listen to?

Lately, I only listen to Hip-Hop. I’m getting more familiar with 90s Hip-Hop artists including Dr.Dre, LL Cool J, and Coolio. I got my passion for m-flo and TERIYAKI BOYZ back again after a decade.

Who is your Hip-Hop music style icon?

My fashion icon is Lauryn Hill, a female singer, since she just looks beyond cool. Her style is boyish yet feminine and sexy, and I find her style fabulous. I also like to pull off typical outfit styles of rappers wearing baggy jeans with dreads.

Who are your favorite artists?

A Japanese rapper, PUNPEE, is a DJ as well as a sound designer. I like his nerdy style influenced by American comics that he’s so passionate about, and I like his chilling live performance. His mix-cloud account opens your eyes to a new kind of music and it’s quite fun and worth it!

Who is your favorite Instagrammer? It’s @mariafalbo__. She’s a professional skater in London as well as a designer of a brand named Copson London. Her genderless/tomboy styling is fascinating me.

It’s @mariafalbo__. She’s a professional skater in London as well as a designer of a brand named Copson London. Her genderless/tomboy styling is fascinating me.

What do you like about Japan? Where do you recommend going?

I like Japan because there are lots of places to drink. I like it when I meet nice people unexpectedly, drinking in Izakaya in Sangen-jaya. My top 3 recommendations are Yushun, Isogen and Kago.

Innocent Teenager with Flowy Pink Hair.

sumica (Age: 19)
instagram_@sumikabp

What do you do?

I’m studying sculpture at an art university. Since my parents had jobs in the fashion industry, I’ve always wanted to have a creative job for myself as well.

Who is your favorite music artist?

I like KID FRESINO, a rapper based on NY and Tokyo. His soul kind of Jazzy Hip-Hop sounds so good. He remains a mystery, not being covered by media much and being inactive on social media.

Where do you usually go shopping?

I only go to thrift shops! My favorite shops around Harajuku are Banny, AWESOME BOY VINTAGE, BerBer Jin and fath. There is a rare case that I go shopping at Koenji tho. For your information, this MOSCHINO’s swimwear that I’m wearing right now is one that my mom gave to me. haha

What bothers you these days?

I don't like my naturally curly hair gives too much volume in my hair.
It’s actually even worse now because I just dyed my bleached hair to pink. lol

Who are your favorite Instagrammers?

@uglyworldwide is one of my favorites. I like her because I see strong girl’s power in herself and she kind of looks like a villain. I also check up on @tommyjenesis, a rapper from LA, since she’s so cute and her music is on point. @nadialeelee, who is a photographer and filmmaker, has good taste. She’s my last but not least favorite.

What do you like about Japan? Where do you recommend us going?

Tokyo is such a small and dirty city, but I can’t dislike it somehow.
In Tokyo, you should go to Nagano Broadway.
Yamagata-ken, where I’m from, is surrounded by beautiful nature and is a good place to chill. It’s different from Tokyo but still great, so I want you to go there!