Sanma Magazine Issue 38: Taiwanese Residents in Japan – Tokyo Staples: Tokyo 99

Qi Kan Magazine Issue 38: "Taiwanese Residents in Japan – Tokyo Staples: Tokyo 99" Tokyo, We Meet Again. Finally, we can travel again. Finally, we’ve unearthed our long-unseen passports. Finally, the dreams of the past three years have materialized into flight tickets in our hands. Looking back at the more than a thousand days we couldn't visit Japan, Qi Kan navigated the rise of cross-border online shopping with its feature on "New Generation Lifestyle Essentials." We also welcomed the Reiwa era alongside small masks sent by Japanese friends, documenting "Visit! 108 Things of Japan's Reiwa Era." These themes, written in response to the times, continually prompt us to ponder how we will embrace each other once more when the doors finally open. With a mix of anticipation and trepidation, we revisit Japan. Before our departure, we had crafted numerous scenarios: changes in Tokyo's cityscape due to large-scale developments, people on the streets dressing down, famous establishments closing their doors. Yet, within an hour of the train carrying us into the heart of Tokyo, we knew: "Tokyo is still the city I remember." There wasn't a dramatic upheaval. Perhaps some familiar small shops had vanished, perhaps the flow of people had altered consumption patterns, but the true pulse of Tokyo's city center lies in how its residents continue to live life to the fullest. Thus, in early 2023, the feature "TOKYO 99 – Taiwanese Residents in Japan, Tokyo Staples" was born. It's not only for our readers who, post-resumption of travel, are overwhelmingly choosing Tokyo for their first destination. More importantly, it aims to guide the unconventional traveler through Tokyo from the perspective of Taiwanese individuals residing in Japan. Whether they are newcomers with fresh eyes from studying abroad, creative professionals who've launched side businesses after years of work, or cultural figures who've opened shops to embrace a new chapter, they may not be celebrities, but they certainly have compelling reasons to recommend their adopted home. Moving beyond typical tourist itineraries, our focus is: "Why do you love this place?" Therefore, while visiting bookstores, we also wanted to explore vintage toy shops. When checking out curated select shops, we also went to stores where locals buy their daily groceries. We sought not only Tokyo's classic eateries but also cherished kissaten (traditional Japanese coffee shops). Of course, during our short trip, we visited plant shops where you can find inspiration for your home but can't bring the plants back to Taiwan, and we also set aside an entire afternoon to simply wander in a neighborhood park. Perhaps the pandemic has prompted us to re-evaluate the importance of "Where should we travel next?" moving beyond mere sightseeing to truly experiencing life, a little slower, making each trip feel like living, and bringing memories home. Extending from location recommendations, we also delve into Tokyo's familiar yet subtly changed transformations. This issue exclusively features an interview with Shintaro Uchinuma, the driving force behind the much-anticipated new facility in Shimokitazawa, "BONUS TRACK," where he analyzes how to build a new neighborhood and redefine the pulse of Japanese subcultures. We also host a virtual conversation between Jun Hirayama, editor-in-chief of the Japanese online media "NEUT," and Ruohan Wen, editor-in-chief of the Taiwanese online media "BIOS monthly." Observing both Tokyo and Taipei, they discuss how the new generation confronts a restless yet explosive future, documenting Tokyo's metamorphosis in the Reiwa era and honestly embracing a more flexible lifestyle of migration and return. The 99 recommendations from Tokyo are not definitive answers, but they are heartfelt suggestions. We've opened up our contacts of Taiwanese residents in Tokyo and curated the selections for you. Now, it's your turn to commemorate the restart of travel between Taiwan and Japan with your own actions!