@BeingTokyo is a rotation curation account on Twitter.
Every week a different Tokyoite shares their experience of life in Tokyo.
About Us
@BeingTokyo is a Rotation Curation account, created to share different perspectives on life in Tokyo. By hearing from a different Tokyoite every week, you have the chance to see more of what this vast, amazing city has to offer
In August 2015, @fernandogros wondered why Tokyo didn’t have a rotation curation account, like most other cities do and soon @tokyorich joined him to create @BeingTokyo. Both have subsequently stepped down and past organisers also include @AtkinsonCraig, @nina_in_Japan, and @scoutie.
BeingTokyo is now run by @JezebelKat, @littlestgator, and @man_japan
What Is Rotation Curation?
Rotation Curation, or RoCur for short, is a Twitter account where every week a different takes a turn at sharing their experiences.
The idea began in December 2011 when @Sweden was launched. @PeopleOfLeeds was the first Rotation Curation account for a city and soon there were RoCur accounts popping up across the world. @WeAreADL in particular was part of the inspiration for @BeingTokyo.
RoCur accounts can be fascinating to follow because even if you’ve lived in a place your whole life, the chances are curators will appear who you haven’t met, and whose experience might be different from your own.
I Want To Join In – What Do I Do?
First, follow @BeingTokyo – join in and get a taste for the kind of sights and experiences people share there
Second, get in touch with us on Twitter via @BeingTokyoAdmin or send us an email.
Third, read the rules for curators.
The Rules
So, you’ve decided to take a turn on @BeingTokyo– great! Curating a RoCur account can and should be a lot of fun. To make this the best experience possible for everyone, here’s the rules you have to follow and a few suggestions to consider, so you can make the most of your week on the account.
The @BeingTokyo Rules
Ad hominem (personal) attacks will be deleted as soon as they are spotted by the organisers of the account. Twitter has strict rules about personal attacks and we have had trouble in the past because of comments by a curator. The attack was not intended to harm, but it led to a suspension of the account and lots of work for the organisers.
The organisers of the account are doing this on a volunteer basis. They have other jobs and busy lives. If you cause work for them, they are doing that instead of earning money. Do not cause work for them.
BeingTokyo defends free speech but again, its organisers do not want to have to do work on the account because of the things being tweeted by its curators.
Twitter has rules, follow them. The organisers have no unified stance on Twitter’s rules, but they believe it is essential they are followed.
If personal accounts feature tweets that violate our rules, and this causes work for the organiser’s during a curator’s week, Being Tokyo may be closed down temporarily.
Do not create work for the organisers.
Try and pass on the account in a healthy state.
Do not unfollow people.
Talk primarily about Tokyo.
Declare your interests. If you are connected to a product or service you are mentioning then let’s hear about it.
Do not create work for the organisers.
Starting Your Week
Log into @BeingTokyo on all your devices and post your tweets from the account. It’s very hard to tweet from multiple accounts during the same week. You’ll be given the password by one of the moderators, the night before you take over the account.
Add your choice of profile pic (preferably a photo of yourself) and header image for your week on @BeingTokyo.
Tell your regular Twitter followers (and those on other social media) that you’re curating @BeingTokyo for the week.
A Few Suggestions
Be yourself. You don’t have to perform, prepare or try to impress anyone. We want to hear about your experience of living in Tokyo, the work you do, the life you lead, the things you enjoy.
Introduce yourself. A few facts about you (as much as you feel comfortable with) is a great way to start your week on @BeingTokyo.
Tweet in Japanese, English or both!
Share photos. OK, so your morning commute might look boring to you. But, chances are, it’s a part of Tokyo others haven’t seen. Same goes for where you shop, your favourite lunch spot, some one-off sign or artwork in your neighbourhood or whatever. Let us see your Tokyo.
Interact with the @BeingTokyo timeline. Chances are @BeingTokyo follows a different set of people to the ones you regularly see on Twitter every week. Say hello, respond to people’s comments and maybe you’ll make some new friends!
Follow Tokyo-related Twitter users. This grows the @BeingTokyo timeline and helps introduce future curators and followers to great Tokyo-related Twitter accounts.
Also, take a look at the list of past curators. Most of these folks are still active on Twitter and regularly sharing interesting stuff about life in Tokyo.
Have fun. Enjoy your week, make the most of it and share the experience.
A Final Thought
Be kind. Life in Tokyo can be tough at times and everyone has their struggles. Try to understand where people are coming from and what they’re trying to say to you. And remember, however, crazy, odd, or different some folks might seem, they are still trying to get through their day and get home to the people they love, as are we all.
BeingTokyo 