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Welcome to Tokyo Calling
Tokyo Calling is a newsletter about Japanese culture, society, and travel, and Tokyo in particular. It’s where I share my passion for walking, urban exploration, and the joys of slow life.
Here you will find interviews, original articles and essays by me, Gianni Simone.
I am a Japan-based writer from Italy who regularly contributes to many English, Italian and French publications including The Japan Times, Zoom Japon, Vogue Italia and Playboy Italia.
Tokyo Calling content
From politics to sports, travels and culture in all its forms, I regularly cover every aspect of Japanese society. Once in a while, I also blog about otaku culture at Otaku Tokyo.
So far, Tokyo Calling has featured, among other things, stories and interviews about my river walks
A river strolls through it (1)
Dear readers, what makes rivers so fascinating? And why do I like walking along rivers so much? Whatever it is, the Tokyo-Yokohama area has plenty of water streams, so here’s the report of a recent walk I took.
Immigration and refugees
Keep Out
On March 2, Nikkei Asia reported that Japan would take in “people fleeing Ukraine amid Russia's invasion and consider options to work around stringent coronavirus-related entry curbs.” By mid-April, Japan had accepted more than 500 evacuees fleeing the war.
Godzilla and Japan in 1954
1954: The year of the beast
Dear readers, a while ago I promised a story about monsters, and here it is. No, actually this is the first in a series of articles and interviews because this year we celebrate Godzilla’s 70th anniversary and we should do it properly, going beyond simple entertainment to talk about politics, social issues, pop culture and the nuclear bomb.
Interesting Tokyo neighborhoods
Geisha eating croissants
On a sunny morning in May I visited Kagurazaka, one of the many Tokyo slopes and arguably one of the most stylish districts in central Tokyo.
The sex industry
Dirty talk
Dear readers, after walking along rivers and chasing Tokyo streetcars, today we will have a change of scenery with an interview I did with actress Hasegawa Chisa on a little-known but interesting aspect of Japanese pop culture. I hope you’ll find it educational.
and interviews with architect Kuma Kengo
Naturally yours
Hello there! As during my Kagurazaka walk I mentioned architect Kuma Kengo twice, I thought you might be interested in reading my interview with him. This article originally appeared in French in Zoom Japon magazine.
and author Murata Sayaka.
Murata Sayaka, the quiet rebel
Dear readers, the latest Miki \ Notes from Japan’s post reminded me of the interview I did back in 2018 with Murata Sayaka, the author of the acclaimed novel Convenience Store Woman. So here it is.
Also,
Greetings from the suburbs (check the right-hand sidebar) is a series of dispatches from my home and surroundings in the deep Yokohama suburbs, with plenty of photos, diary entries, quotes, excerpts, and social commentary. It’s a unique chance to learn about Japan not from academic essays but “frontline” posts that show you what it’s like to live here.
Yamanote Line is my newest series, devoted to Tokyo’s most popular railway line. In 2025 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its completion, I follow the circular line on foot, exploring the districts on both sides of the tracks and highlighting Tokyo’s lesser-known spots and hidden stories.
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Apart from earning bonus Karma points and my everlasting gratitude, you can get free PDFs of books related to the subjects I cover in Tokyo Calling.
PDFs
My works:
On Japan:
Otaku Special:
Tokyo Geek’s Guide (by Gianni Simone)
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🌟 WAIT! I’m not finished 🌟
Not only you can choose three (3) free book PDFs, but you will also receive a PDF of my brand-new 250-page book on walking the Yamanote Line.
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in addition to all of the above,
will get a Yamanote Line photo booklet (24 pages, full-color, postcard size) and
can also arrange a three-hour guided tour of Tokyo with me. 1
◎ Please note that discounted subscriptions do not include any gifts.
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Until next time,
Gianni
Please understand that I’m not available every day and all the time. Please get in touch with me to make sure that we can find a mutually satisfying date to schedule the tour.