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The weather has been unpredictable lately, so much so that it's affecting the blooming timeline of the cherry blossoms in Tokyo. Initially, the warmer temperatures at the start of March indicated that the sakura in Tokyo would be blooming around the same time as last year, give or take a couple of days' difference. Then, when we got closer to mid March, reports from weather experts forecast that blooming would start around the March 23-24 weekend. As most of us found out in the last few days, the sakura trees in the city still looked barren and lifeless. Tokyo's weather took an unexpected chilly turn last week, with a sudden cold wave sweeping city, along with regular bouts of rain. According to several weather forecast services, this has caused a delay in the flowers, as the temperates are just not warm enough for the buds to unveil their pretty pink petals. For many of us who were expecting to see the blooms already, this is certainly disappointing news. However, several weather reports are now predicting that cherry blossoms will bloom within the next few days. Weather News now puts the latest blooming date as Friday March 29 while Weather Map predicts that sakura will arrive on Wednesday March 27. If this is the case, then next weekend (April 5-7) could be the best time to see the gorgeous cherry blossoms at their peak bloom. Photo: K@zuTa/PixtaCherry blossoms at peak bloom at Sumida Park In the mean time, start planning your sakura outings with our ultimate cherry blos

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Tokyo has seen a lot of cold and rainy weather over the last couple of days, so we’re looking at the spring cherry blossom predictions to cheer ourselves up. The Japan Meteorological Corporation recently released its seventh update for the 2024 sakura forecast, giving us a better idea of when to schedule this year’s hanami (blossom viewing) outings. The latest report predicts that in most destinations across Japan, cherry blossoms will bloom generally around the same time as the past few years, although some areas may see blossoms a few days early. Photo: Japan Meteorological Corporation This past autumn's warmer-than-average temperatures caused a delay in the crucial cold period for Japan's cherry blossom trees, pushing bud development back by about a week. However, this delay is anticipated to be offset by the warmer temperatures projected for the rest of March, which will expedite the growth stage.  For Tokyo, the cherry blossoms are predicted to start flowering on March 23 (that’s just two weeks away!), reaching full bloom by March 30. Photo: Sanga Park/DreamstimeRanden Tram in Kyoto during cherry blossom season In Kyoto, the first blossoms are expected on March 23, three days sooner than usual, with peak bloom hitting around April 1. Osaka will likely see its first flowers around March 25, with full bloom predicted for April 2. The northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido will be the last to see cherry blossoms. For Sapporo, the start of the sakura season will begin on Ma

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Held in Tokyo back in 2022, the touring Toshio Suzuki and Ghibli Exhibition is one of the best ways to get an inside look at the Ghibli universe – outside of Tokyo’s Ghibli Museum and the newly opened Ghibli Park, of course. The exhibition reexamines beloved Ghibli films through the eyes of Toshio Suzuki, the producer of some of the anime studio’s greatest hits including ‘Spirited Away’ and ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’. Aside from Tokyo, the exhibition has made stops in other prefectures around Japan, including Kyoto, Fukuoka, Ehime and Iwate. It’s now been set up at its next location, in Kanagawa at the Yokosuka Museum of Art, and will be there until June 18. © TS © Studio GhibliToshio Suzuki and Ghibli Exhibition previously held in Tokyo Just like at the Tokyo version of the exhibition, you can enjoy a wide variety of interactive and immersive exhibits, including browsing thousands of Toshio Suzuki's favourite books, snapping photos with iconic characters including Totoro and Yubaba, and receiving a lucky fortune slip from Yubaba's sister, Zeniba. There will also be a dedicated area where you can shop for exclusive Ghibli souvenirs. © TS © Studio GhibliToshio Suzuki and Ghibli Exhibition previously held in Tokyo If you missed your chance to catch the exhibition in Tokyo, you'll be glad to know that the Kanagawa venue is well accessible from the city. You can reach the Yokosuka Museum of Art in about 90 minutes from Shinagawa Station. General admission is ¥2,000 per person. Ad

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With winter now behind us, our great city is finally starting to transition into spring. In other words, the 2024 Tokyo sakura season will soon be upon us. According to this year's forecast, cherry blossoms are expected to start blooming on March 24 and reach full bloom by March 31.  You can find cherry blossoms in many places across Tokyo, from the city's best parks including Shinjuku Gyoen and Ueno Park, to pretty suburban streets in Nakameguro, Shibuya and Kunitachi. So with cameras at the ready, save these top places in Tokyo for the most beautiful spring blooms. RECOMMENDED: Looking to go further? Check out these amazing cherry blossom destinations across Japan

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Akihabara is widely known as Tokyo's 'electric town'; it's also the hub of the city's otaku (geek) culture. Many visit this vibrant, energetic neighbourhood to shop at one of its highly specialised, multi-level shopping complexes, whether it's for high-tech electronics and gaming gadgets, or manga and anime merchandise. There are huge arcade centres where you could lose the whole day just playing games and winning prizes from the claw machines.  However, there's much more to Akihabara than electronics stores and pop culture. You'll find beautiful shrines, excellent restaurants and stylish bars that make this neighbourhood worth exploring deeper. Here are the places we recommend for a perfect day out in Akihabara. RECOMMENDED: 101 best things to do in Tokyo

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We get it: Tokyo can be overwhelming. If you've been up to one of Tokyo's observatories, you'll know the city seems to go on forever, and to make things more confusing, there isn't a discernible centre for Tokyo. So where do one even start exploring? We say, start with this ultimate checklist, where we have compiled the best things to see, do and eat in one of the world's greatest cities. Whether you're into Tokyo's traditional Japanese gardens, sensational art scene or world-famous restaurants that would make any chef weak in the knees, there's always something going on in the city. So get out there and enjoy them. RECOMMENDED: The best free things to do in Tokyo // window._pt_lt = new Date().getTime(); window._pt_sp_2 = []; _pt_sp_2.push(“setAccount,41659789"); var _protocol =((“https:” == document.location.protocol) ? ” https://” : ” http://“); (function() { var atag = document.createElement(“script”); atag.type = “text/javascript”; atag.async = true; atag.src = _protocol + “js.ptengine.jp/41659789.js”; var s = document.getElementsByTagName(“script”)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(atag, s); })(); //

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This is it! The Japan Meteorological Corporation just released its eighth update for the 2024 sakura season, revealing that the cherry blossoms in Tokyo are only a week away from blooming. According to the latest forecasts, Tokyo's cherry blossoms are expected to flower around March 24, with the pink blossoms reaching their peak bloom by March 31. These dates are right on par with what we usually see, so there won’t be any need to rearrange your hanami plans in a panic. Photo: Navapon Plodprong/DreamstimeCherry blossom at Ueno Park Though the warmer weather last autumn pushed back the cherry trees' bud development slightly, warmer temperatures from February to March helped speed things up again. For tips on where to go to see cherry blossoms in the city, we’ve got a round-up of our favourite sakura parks, gardens and streets in Tokyo to point you in the right direction.  If you're curious about when and where else in Japan you can enjoy cherry blossoms, check out our other story on Japan's sakura forecast for the latest updates. With spring just around the corner, all we have left to do is cross our fingers and hope that the rainy season doesn’t wash all the petals away.  More on cherry blossoms in Tokyo 10 spectacular cherry blossom illuminations in Tokyo in 2024 17 cherry blossom desserts and drinks to try in Tokyo8 best cherry blossom day trips from Tokyo Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and J

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It’s no secret that Japan has a stunning amount of beauty. From the lavender fields of Furano in Hokkaido down to the crystal clear beaches of Okinawa, this small country is filled with gorgeous nature, contemporary museums, mountainside temples and of course, those pretty springtime cherry blossoms and colourful autumn leaves. With so much to see, it's impossible to do Japan justice with just one visit. This explains why people miss Japan more than any other country in the world. So this extraordinary island archipelago definitely calls for repeats visits – how else are you going to see all these 24 beautiful sight in Japan? Recommended: The most beautiful festivals in Japan 

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Hot off the tails of Tokyo’s 2024 Michelin Guide is another highly anticipated list ranking the best restaurants in Asia. Unveiled on March 26 at a ceremony in Seoul, South Korea was the 2024 edition of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants. This year, nine restaurants in Japan made the list, with five of those being in Tokyo. Photo: 50 Best RestaurantsSezanne took the top spot on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2024 list Taking the top spot on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024 list is Tokyo’s very own Sézanne, the dynamic French restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi, helmed by chef Daniel Calvert. Last year, the restaurant came in second place, but it has now clinched the coveted number one title. Photo: Keisuke TanigawaFlorilège Following Sézanne in second place is another Tokyo institution, Florilège. The restaurant recently relocated to a new home in Azabudai Hills, and continues to evolve its menu with a focus on plant-based sustainability. The other Tokyo restaurants that made this year’s list include Den (No. 8), which took the top spot back in 2022, as well as stalwart Narisawa (No. 14) that’s been a regular feature on this prestigious ranking since 2013. One of Tokyo’s top Chinese restaurants, Sazenka, is at No. 39. Here’s a breakdown of all the restaurants in Japan that are ranked in the 2024 list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants: No 1 Sézanne, Tokyo  No 2 Florilège, Tokyo No 8 Den, Tokyo No 9 La Cime, Osaka No 14 Narisawa, Tokyo  No 35 Villa Aida, Wakayama No

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If you're looking for the heart of Tokyo's distinctive kawaii fashion culture, Harajuku is the place to go. Harajuku is the district that gave us Lolita girls, decora, the pancake boom and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. This Shibuya neighbourhood has been the captial of Tokyo teen fashion (and vintage stores) for decades, and it's still nurturing unorthodox, garish styles even as big-name international retailers like Nike and Adidas rush into the area. Join us on a trip around Harajuku's best restaurants, cafés, gift shops and fashion boutiques – lots of fashion boutiques. And if these 50 things to do in Harajuku aren't enough for you, make sure to check out our guide to Tokyo's best flagship stores and sneaker specialists. RECOMMENDED: The coolest streets to explore in Tokyo // window._pt_lt = new Date().getTime(); window._pt_sp_2 = []; _pt_sp_2.push(“setAccount,41659789"); var _protocol =((“https:” == document.location.protocol) ? ” https://” : ” http://“); (function() { var atag = document.createElement(“script”); atag.type = “text/javascript”; atag.async = true; atag.src = _protocol + “js.ptengine.jp/41659789.js”; var s = document.getElementsByTagName(“script”)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(atag, s); })(); //