As a critic for The Japan Times, a role I?filled for 3 1/2 years, naturally I got a lot of requests for recommendations for art and books. In general, I find these tough to give to people whose tastes I don*t know, because without any input an algorithm*s output is bland and generic. But art is especially hard 〞 tastes vary so widely and noninsiders aren*t used to articulating what kinds they like, or why.?

A common case is the brother-in-law of someone I haven*t seen for five years is passing through Tokyo with one free afternoon, and they would like to know, What*s the one museum or artwork they have to see while in Japan?

I usually sidestep the question, suggesting ※the Nezu Museum for old Asian stuff with a nice garden and pleasant vibe§ or ※Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery depending on what*s showing.§ When people ask me if teamLab is worth seeing, I say noncommittally, ※It*s pretty fun the first time.§