Yoko Noro, a married couple, runs ``Ginza Yanagi Gallery'' in Ginza 5-chome, right near the Sukiyabashi intersection, and serves as vice president. We asked her about her days as an art dealer in Ginza, a city filled with famous art galleries, her life as a woman, and her outlook.
Gaze out at the street from the cafe and man-watch
Time to feel the atmosphere of the times
"I sit here and watch people go by and feel the atmosphere of the city. It's the perfect place for man-watching. It's my favorite store." For Mr. Noro, ``Obakanal Ginza'' is a place of relaxation in the immediate vicinity.
This is a French-style cafe and brasserie where you can enjoy lunch and dinner, from a cup of espresso to a glass of wine. There is terrace seating, and the large open glass doors allow the breeze to flow into the restaurant, giving it a sense of openness. Many of the people passing by are acquaintances from the neighborhood, and they greet each other with smiles. My favorites here are the authentic choucrout, and the pâté and baguette, which can also be used as snacks.
Mr. Noro's connection to Ginza dates back to when he opened an art gallery in this city. 25 years have passed since then. Observing people at cafes is also used to gauge economic trends, which are directly linked to the sale of art works. It's a relaxing style that only a brilliant super career woman can do.
``Obakanal Ginza'' facing Miyuki Street. If something happens, you can come back quickly, so this is also a great place to have lunch and chat with artists you know. When I was sitting by the window, people I knew from the neighborhood were constantly passing by and calling out to me.
I eat here for lunch or dinner, but if I'm alone, I order the pâté de campagne.
Although he views life strategically, he is also innocent.
“Ginza Gallery Tour” is in its 10th year.
Mr. Noro was brilliant since childhood and had big visions for his life, but he was also proactive about getting married and starting a family. ``It's natural for women to work, so I studied science and engineering at university and studied abroad in the United States to study languages.I made many connections with the premise of starting an IT-related business, but when I got married and had children... This was in my life plan first. She thought that instead of starting a business, she should marry someone who had a family business, so she married a prestigious art dealer from Kansai in her late 20s. Her gallery is named after Ginza's symbol ``willow'' and focuses on artists from the École de Paris. The gallery gets back on track, but the Lehman Shock puts it in a critical situation. Around that time, she started ``visiting galleries in Ginza'' in an attempt to do something about it. Twice a month, this is a three-hour program in which a group of people visit several galleries in Ginza, followed by a free discussion over lunch. This project, which allows visitors to enjoy art by getting familiar with galleries that are often thought to be expensive for a reasonable price of 3,000 yen, has been featured in newspapers and on TV, and has been well-received and is now in its 10th year.
Staying healthy is the best.
Because I want to make the people around me happy.
He also volunteers to teach art to third graders at Chuo Ward Taimei Elementary School, which is located right next to Ginza Yanagi Gallery. Lately, I've been thinking about the re-employment of female managers in their 50s and 60s around them after they retire. She is also passionate about activities that connect girls with abilities and skills to new fields. Noro believes it is natural for her to make generous use of her personal connections, her talent, and her energy to contribute to society. Moreover, while maintaining a balance with business, I also do my best. "In the end, the most important thing for a human being is to be healthy. I want to be healthy, do something useful in the world, and have no regrets when I die. That's the way I want to live."
``Au Bacanal Ginza'' is also one of the restaurants where you can enjoy lunch while visiting art galleries. Mr. Noro likes to casually gather and talk with people here day and night. It's like my own second office.
Ginza is a city that values connections with people. He participates in the ``Ginza Kurama-kai Karasu-gumi'', a social gathering made up of young masters and young ladies in Ginza, and performs small songs at the Shinbashi Enbujo once a year. Neighborhood association luncheons are held at familiar restaurants in Ginza. That's the daily life of Ginza people. ``When I was a student at Keio, during the Keio-Hayasa game of the Tokyo Six Universities Baseball, I would wear a Keio hat and go out to Ginza and have a good time, and before I knew it, someone I didn't know was paying for my drink.In Ginza. This is probably because many of the owners and customers are from Keio. Ginza is like that."
There is something more appealing about Noro than just his brilliant career and accomplishments. His bright and lively personality, which tries to support the weak, further enhances his charm and makes Noro shine.
Yoko Noro
Representative Director and Vice President of Ginza Yanagi Gallery Co., Ltd.
Born in Tokyo. He was a member of the handball club in middle school and high school. After graduating from Keio University's Faculty of Science and Engineering, he joined IBM Japan and worked on many projects as a system engineer. After getting married, he left the company and founded Ginza Yanagi Gallery with Yoshihiko Noro. He is the member organization chairperson of Rotary International and a cheerleader for the Japan Handball Association. He hosts the ``Society for Thinking about Art and Education''. "Ginza Yanagi Gallery"http://www.yanagi.com/
"AUX BACCHANALES GINZA"
From the storefront and interior to the cutlery and garcon service, ``Au Bacalar Ginza'' feels like a Parisian cafe that has appeared in Tokyo. From lunch to cafes to dinner, the place is busy all day long, giving it a Parisian feel. A cafe and brasserie where you can have a tea time alone or enjoy lunch or dinner with friends in a pleasant hustle and bustle.
Gallery Center Building 6F, 3-2-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
03-3569-0202
Café
Monday to Thursday: 11:00 to 23:00 (LO22:00)
Friday: 11:00-23:30 (LO23:00)
Saturday: 9:00-23:30 (LO23:00)
Sundays and holidays: 9:00-23:00 (LO22:00)
lingerie
9:00~21:00
Open all year round (excluding year-end and New Year holidays)
Photography by Ahlum Kim
Lounge
Premium Salon
Tokyo, 7pm
Premium Salon