Chris Hough

It’s no secret that Japan has one of the best public transport systems in the world, with everything from efficient metro trains to the incredible shinkansen. While riding on these brilliant trains, it’s easy to forget the stations. Yes, some of them are confusing, but many of them are beautiful attractions in their own right. All across Japan, you’ll find amazing architectural structures that look more like museums than train stations. There are historical buildings dating back to the early 1900s and more modern creations that take inspiration from local culture. You certainly won’t mind waiting for your train in these wonderful station buildings. RECOMMENDED: Explore Japan by train using these JR rail passes for foreign tourists

Fireworks are an essential part of the summer festivities in Tokyo. All across the city, you can enjoy spectacular displays that light up Tokyo's warm summer nights, and that's not to mention the fireworks festivals in nearby prefectures. This is set to be a particularly vibrant summer with many popular displays returning for the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic. One of the biggest events making a comeback is the Sumida River Fireworks Festival (July 29), which is taking place for the first time in four years. There are also impressive displays just outside Tokyo in Chiba, Shizuoka and Yamanashi. So dust off your yukata, arrive early to secure the best viewing spot, and enjoy the colourful fireworks while snacking on some tasty festival grub. RECOMMENDED: Best observation decks in Tokyo for incredible views of the city skyline

タイムアウト東京 > トラベル > 日本の美しい駅7選 日本に世界最高の公共交通があることは周知の事実だ。ただ、こうした素晴らしい列車に乗っていると、「駅」のことを忘れがちかもしれない。中には迷路のように分かりにくい駅もあるが、それ自体が目的地になるような美しい駅も多い。 日本全国を見てみると、美術館を思わせる素晴らしいものや、1900年代初頭にさかのぼる歴史的建物を復元したもの、地域文化からインスピレーションを得たモダンなデザインの駅もある。このような駅舎で列車を待つのは、きっと苦にならないだろう。ここではタイムアウト東京英語編集部が選んだ美しい駅を紹介する。 関連記事『東京から日帰りで行くアート旅6選』 『日本で最も美しいホテル＆リゾート施設15選』

Don’t feel bad if you’ve ever lost your way in Tokyo Station – it’s happened to the best of us. The massive transport hub is undoubtedly one of the city’s most confusing train stations, with a bewildering array of shinkansen lines, local trains and Metro services all running through here. Help, though, is at hand. Throughout Tokyo Station, you’ll find various tourist services with English-speaking staff to help you navigate the station like a pro. What’s more, you can even get advice on travelling around Japan, including useful information about itineraries and rail passes. You never need to feel lost in Tokyo Station again. RECOMMENDED: Explore Japan by train with these JR rail passes for foreign tourists

We probably don’t need to tell you this, but things are getting more expensive. Thanks, inflation. On top of that, you’ve most likely heard that Tokyo is a costly city. If you’re visiting from overseas, you might just be in for a surprise. A pleasant one at that. Because the weak yen has turned Japan into a bit of a steal for those travelling here on holiday. And as for Tokyo’s reputation as an expensive city? Well, simply put, it doesn’t have to be. You can find incredible value for money here. Tokyo is full of bargains on everything you need for a fantastic trip. You can find reasonably priced hotels, money-saving transport deals, low-cost (but high quality) souvenirs, and delicious meals that will leave both your stomach and wallet smiling. Here, we’ll help you plan a Tokyo trip that won’t destroy your bank account. RECOMMENDED: Don’t want to spend any money? Here are the 33 best free things to do in Tokyo

Tokyo is a dream destination for shopping. Beyond the glitzy department stores and striking flagships of international brands, there’s a broad retail world to discover. When we say you can buy anything in Tokyo, we really mean it. There’s no better evidence of this than in Tokyo’s speciality shopping districts. These neighbourhoods are dedicated to your (very specific) retail needs, whether that be kitchen goods, sportswear or musical instruments. Dropping by one of these districts can also save you time if you’re looking for something particular. So dust off your credit card and grab your tote bags because we’re off on a tour of Tokyo’s best speciality shopping districts. RECOMMENDED: Love a bargain shopping spree? Check out these outlet malls near Tokyo. This feature was originally written by Kumi Nagano in November 2017 and edited on April 11 2023.

Anticipation is building ahead of the 2022 Fifa World Cup, which promises to be one of the most intriguing editions of the tournament. This year’s competition is taking place in the winter for the first time (in the Northern Hemisphere at least) to avoid the blistering summer heat of host nation Qatar. So from November 20 to December 18 2022, you’ll be able to watch 32 teams compete for one of the biggest prizes in sport. If you find yourself in Tokyo during the World Cup, you’re in luck because the city has some excellent sports bars showing the games. Any match involving the Japan national team, also known as Samurai Blue, is sure to be a lively affair. But whoever you support, you’ll be able to find an indoor or outdoor World Cup 2022 screening where you can celebrate along with fellow fans, or drown your sorrows should things not go exactly to plan. RECOMMENDED: The 10 best urban breweries, wineries and distilleries in Tokyo

Nestled into a corner on the tenth floor of the Marronnier Gate tower in Ginza, this sleek restaurant feels particularly stylish by night with its mood lighting and sweeping views across the affluent neighbourhood. If dinner with central Tokyo vistas is what you want, you’ve got it. After dark, this is certainly a restaurant for special occasions, thanks to those twinkly Ginza lights. But the gentle buzz created by the open kitchen ensures that the vibe is casual enough for a weeknight meal, too. It’s a difficult balance to strike, but one that this restaurant pulls off without a fuss. Arriving swiftly and unobtrusively at your table are classic French dishes steeped in the history and culture of the eponymous Paul Bocuse. Chef Bocuse was influential in the development of nouvelle cuisine, a style of cooking defined by its delicate flavours and picture-perfect presentation. You’ll find that influence strongly here in dishes like fresh salmon marinated with dill and poached cod loin in Chinese leaf. Yet what really stands out on the menu is the local twist featuring seasonal Japanese produce. Nowhere is this better demonstrated than in the PariSteak dinner course (¥13,200), where ingredients like fugu (pufferfish) and wagyu (or Miyazaki beef) become the stars in classic French cooking. The exclusive PariSteak dinner is only available on Friday nights for ten people. But it’s worth making the effort for the light yet punchy pufferfish, karasumi (salted mullet roe pouch) and cav

Ghibli Park in the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park has been open for over six months now and the excitement surrounding the attraction is still sky high. With its faithful recreations of famous Studio Ghibli movie scenes, interactive displays and exclusive merchandise shops, Ghibli Park is an absolute must-visit for fans of the illustrious anime house. But for tourists from overseas wanting to visit the park near Nagoya city in Aichi prefecture, one stumbling block was the tickets. Initially, tickets could only be purchased in Japan through Lawson’s Boo-Woo Tickets service or with a JTB travel agency accommodation package deal. Now, though, Ghibli fans overseas can buy their tickets online through the park’s international ticket site. Photo: Kisa ToyoshimaGhibli's Grand Warehouse Tickets are now on sale through to the end of February 2024 on a first-come, first-served basis. If you're planning to visit later in the year, tickets go on sale from the 10th of every month about three months in advance. For example, tickets for March 2024 will be available from Sunday December 10 at 2pm. Ghibli Park is currently split into four areas. Mononoke Village, which is inspired by 'Princess Mononoke', opened recently on November 1. The final section, the Valley of Witches, is set to open on March 16 2024. The good news is, you can now get tickets to all four areas in the park. Overseas ticket sales were previously limited only to the Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse area. Here are the ticket

Burger King’s Whopper has become a classic at the fast food chain, but this summer it’s getting an upgrade. At Burger King in Japan, you can now get a ‘surf and turf’ burger, which is the famous Whopper with the addition of garlic shrimp. There are three choices for the surf and turf burgers: the standard Shrimp Whopper, a Double Shrimp Whopper with two beef patties, and a smaller Shrimp Whopper Jr. All three come with garlic shrimp between the beef patties and a layer of lettuce, tomato, onion and mayonnaise. Photo: Burger King Japan You can order just the burgers or get them as part of a set with fries and a drink. The Shrimp Whopper is ¥890 (set ¥1,190), the Double Shrimp Whopper is ¥1,240 (set ¥1,540) and the Shrimp Whopper Jr is ¥540 (set ¥840). The Shrimp Whopper is now available in Burger King stores across Japan for a limited time. Visit the Burger King website to find out more. More from Time Out Tokyo Starbucks Japan finally adds iced matcha tea latte to its menu Lawson Japan releases a range of merchandise for your daily life Tokyo is getting a new Edo-themed onsen spa complex in February 2024 Survey cites top 10 inconveniences for tourists visiting Japan This KitKat x Baskin Robbins choco mint ice cream flavour is available only in Japan Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan.

Extreme sports in Japan received a huge boost during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, when Japanese athletes excelled in the skateboarding events. Off the back of that, Japan hosted the X Games for the first time in 2022. Now, fans of extreme sports will be delighted to hear that the international tournament is returning this year. You can see 90 athletes from 18 countries compete in the X Games 2023 from May 12 to 14 at Zozo Marine Stadium in Chiba city, just 30 minutes from Tokyo Station. Ten events are scheduled for the three-day tournament, including men’s and women’s skateboarding, BMX competitions and the Moto X dirt bike event. Photo: X GamesX Games Chiba 2022 The average age of the competitors is just 24 years old, with a quarter of them teenagers, so there’s a high chance you’ll be watching Olympic stars of the present and future. Confirmed entrants include Sakura Yosozumi, who won gold for Japan in the women’s skateboarding park event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and Brazilian skateboarder Rayssa Leal, a silver medalist in the women’s street competition at the same Games. But it's not all about youngsters, as skateboard legend Tony Hawk is also appearing at the X Games in the Men’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick category. You can see the full list of competing athletes on the website. Tickets are now on sale online, with a one-day pass starting at ¥6,500. There are also premium seats that include merchandise like T-shirts and skateboard decks starting at ¥30,000 for one day. C

Travelling to a new city on your own can be a daunting experience. But Tokyo takes away many of the worries with its reliable public transport system and welcoming restaurants for solo diners. If you need another reason to visit, Tokyo is also one of the safest cities in the world for solo travellers. Tokyo is ranked second in the Travel Safety Index for Solo Travellers by the UK’s Post Office, which calculates factors such as crime rate, healthcare standards and food hygiene ratings in its survey. Tokyo is sandwiched between the two US cities of Seattle (No 1) and Portland (No 3) in the top ten. Here’s the full list. 1. Seattle, USA2. Tokyo, Japan3. Portland, USA4. Vancouver, Canada5. Copenhagen, Denmark6. Oslo, Norway7. Cairo, Egypt8. Dublin, Ireland9. Zurich, Switzerland10. Singapore With further confirmation that Tokyo is an incredibly safe destination, now’s the time to start planning your trip to our fantastic city. More from Time Out Tokyo Ashikaga Flower Park’s famous wisteria are blooming early this year Japan Rail Pass prices to increase by more than 65 percent Shibuya Sky is opening its rooftop bar for a limited time Kabukicho is getting a fancy new yokocho food hall with live entertainment Two of Tokyo’s most scenic sky-high outdoor terraces are now open Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan.

There’s never a bad time to visit Tokyo Disney Resort with its two theme parks and array of amazing attractions. But if you’re lucky enough to be heading to the parks from mid-April 2023, then you can celebrate Tokyo Disney Resort’s 40th anniversary. The Dream Go Round event will mark the 40th anniversary of Tokyo Disneyland, which opened in 1983 as the first Disney park outside of America. Both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea – the latter opened in 2001 – are taking part in the year-long festivities from April 15 2023 until March 31 2024. Here's what to expect. Photo: Michael Gordon/DreamstimeTokyo Disneyland's 35th anniversary in 2018 New parades One of the major highlights of the celebration is the new Harmony in Color parade at Disneyland. It includes characters from Disney movies such as ‘Zootopia’, ‘Moana’ and ‘Wreck-it Ralph’, as well as long-time favourites like Mickey Mouse, Tinkerbell and Donald Duck. DisneySea also has a special parade called Let’s Celebrate with Color, which takes place over water with popular Disney characters in new costumes. Anniversary goods No trip to Disney is complete without souvenirs, and during the event you can buy limited-edition anniversary goods. Check out the full range on the website, which includes plushies, clothing, mugs and sweets. The special anniversary goods are available from April 10 at stores in both Disneyland and DisneySea. Special menus You can dine on special food, too. Blue Bayou, which has been open since Dis

Tokyo can be described as many things, but ‘secluded’ isn’t one of them. Try as best you might but you’ll never be far away from another person, whether you’re walking through a park (especially during spring blossom season) or grabbing something to eat. So what better way to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of city life than by retreating to a desert island? Photo: Mujinto ProjectFive of the desert islands available for overnight stays With Mujinto Project you can do just that by arranging overnight stays on some of Japan’s most remote islands. Right now, you can camp out at one of six such locations in Nagasaki, Okayama and Wakayama prefectures. These uninhabited islands are completely devoid of buildings, so you’re guaranteed to be the only ones staying. Photo: Mujinto Project If you’re envisioning a fraught experience akin to something out of 'Robinson Crusoe', rest assured that these desert island trips are far more relaxing – and shorter (one or two night stays are possible). Each plan comes with essentials like tents, sleeping bags, cooking equipment and portable toilets. You can also add on extras like beds and chairs. Just remember to bring food and water (you’ll be too far away from the nearest convenience store). Photo: Mujinto Project Once you’ve reserved your island, you just need to make your way to the designated harbour. The staff will give you a safety briefing, provide you with all the necessary equipment, and then whisk you off to your desert isl

Bandai Namco set a world record in 2021 when it opened the Gashapon Department Store in Ikebukuro’s Sunshine City with a staggering 3,010 capsule toy machines. If you thought that was enough gachapon machines for one building, then you’d be mistaken, as Bandai is adding even more to bring the total up to 3,340. Opening in the same building on Saturday March 18, the new Gashapon Bandai Official Shop will have 300 capsule toy machines. You’ll be able to get the latest items from Bandai and pick up toys that you’ve reserved online. This new shop is part of the Bandai Namco Cross Store Tokyo, which opens on the same day. As well as the aforementioned 300 capsule toy machines, this area will have arcade games and character events. Photo: Kaila ImadaGashapon Department Store The new Gashapon Bandai Official Shop is on the same third floor as the Gashapon Department Store in the World Import Mart Building of Sunshine City. This means there will be a whopping total of 3,340 capsule toy machines on just one floor. So you can expect a huge variety of toys including anime figurines like Pokémon, Gundam, Ultraman and Doraemon. Check the website to see the full range. Both shops are open daily from 10am to 9pm. For even more Bandai Namco fun, check out the company’s massive new six-storey gaming arcade in Akihabara, which opens on Wednesday March 1. More from Time Out Tokyo Starbucks Japan has a second cherry blossom collection for 2023 – and it's all pink 4 new Japanese films and serie

Starbucks Japan is going all out for cherry blossom season this year. It’s already released one set of sakura merch as well as an exclusive collection that’s only available at Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo in Nakameguro. Now, a second round of cherry blossom goods is coming, available online from Wednesday March 1 and in Starbucks stores nationwide from March 3. If you want to get your hands on this highly coveted seasonal collection, we recommend moving fast as these Japan-exclusive Starbucks goods always sell out quickly. This latest set of merch includes tumblers, mugs and glasses as well as a stainless steel tumbler and bottle made in collaboration with American drinkware brand Stanley. Here’s a breakdown of the items and prices. Stainless steel Stanley tumbler (¥4,350) Cold cup tumbler ( ¥2,200) Rice husk tumbler (¥2,300) Floral rim mug (¥2,350) Heat-resistant colour changing glass mug (¥2,800) Stainless steel petal bottle (¥3,900) Stainless steel marble bottle (¥4,000) Stainless steel Stanley bottle (¥5,000) Mini cup gift (¥1,050) Beverage gift card (¥700) View this post on Instagram A post shared by スターバックス公式 (@starbucks_j) You can get a closer look at the cold cup tumbler, floral rim mug and stainless steel marble bottle before they’re released. Visit Starbucks Japan’s special AR site on your smartphone and mascot Bearista will appear on your screen to reveal the new goods. For more information, visit the website. More from Time

鳥でもなく、飛行機でもない。全長17メートルのこの空飛ぶ物体は、ドラえもんの巨大飛行船だ。シリーズ42作目「ドラえもん のび太と空の理想郷（ユートピア）」の公開を記念した企画、「空飛ぶドラえもんプロジェクト」の一環として製作された。 同作の舞台となるのは、空に浮かぶ理想郷。タイムワープ機能付きの飛行船「タイムツェッペリン」に乗って、夢の楽園へと旅するのび太たちの冒険が描かれている。   Photo: 藤子プロ・小学館・テレビ朝日・シンエイ・ADK 2023 現実世界に登場するこの飛行船は、日本最大規模。残念ながらタイムワープ機能は付いてないが、新作映画に登場するドラえもんやのび太、ジャイアン、しずか、スネ夫のイラストが施されている。 飛行船のフライトは大阪と東京で行われ、2023年2月25日（土）には大阪の万博記念公園で飛行船の出発式が開催。出発式への申し込みはすでに終了してしまったが、大阪に住んでいる人は空に浮かぶ飛行船を探してみよう。 一方、東京でのフライトは3月12日（日）を予定しており、飛行船が離陸するのは多摩川河川敷周辺エリアとのこと。飛行船の見学やドラえもんと記念撮影ができるフライトイベントも併せて開催する。こちらのイベントへの参加はまだ受け付けているので、公式ウェブサイトから応募を済ませておこう。締め切りは2月26日（日）で、応募者多数の場合は抽選になる。 飛行船のフライトスケジュールは大阪・東京ともに、11時、13時30分、15時30分を予定している。巨大な飛行船が空に浮かぶ様子は、圧巻そのもの。運良く眺めることができたら、冬の思い出になるはずだ。 関連記事 『ウルトラセブン55周年を記念したイルミネーションが大阪で開催』 『特別な体験が当たる巨大な「サンクスガチャ」が大阪駅に登場』 『2023年度公開、人気漫画の実写映画7選』 『2月から3月に行くべきアニメ展示』 『ロエベが「ハウルの動く城」とのコラボレーションを発表』 東京の最新情報をタイムアウト東京のメールマガジンでチェックしよう。登録はこちら

Tokyo is going to look very different in the near future. Tokyo Dome is getting a revamp, Harajuku a shiny new shopping complex, and Shinjuku Station a huge overhaul. But that’s not all. Meiji Jingu Gaien, a leafy district that’s home to the historic Jingu Stadium, will be redeveloped to make way for a new commercial complex. This means the famous baseball stadium, which was built in 1926 and is home to the Yakult Swallows, will be demolished. The neighbouring Chichibunomyia Rugby Stadium will also be torn down as part of the redevelopment. New covered baseball and rugby stadiums will be built on the site, as well as commercial buildings and hotels. However, the plans haven’t been without controversy. According to The Japan Times, there are concerns that a nearby row of 100-year-old ginkgo trees will be damaged by the construction work. The Mainichi also states that activists have protested the demolition of the two stadiums due to their historic importance. Photo: Meiji Jingu Stadium Jingu Stadium is the second oldest baseball ground in Japan after Koshien Stadium in Hyogo prefecture. It’s one of only four remaining stadiums in the world where American baseball legend Babe Ruth played (in 1934). Furthermore, the landmark facility hosted the baseball games during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Yahoo News reports that the new complex will open in 2036, although no time frame has been given for the demolition of the stadiums. More from Time Out Tokyo The giant Gundam in Yokohama wi

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a giant Doraemon blimp. That’s right, a huge airship inspired by the blue cat-robot is taking to the skies of Tokyo and Osaka to celebrate the release of the latest Doraemon film. In what’s turning out to be a busy year for new movie releases, ‘Doraemon: Nobita’s Sky Utopia’ is hitting cinema screens on March 3 2023. This is Doraemon’s 42nd film adventure. It follows the titular cat robot, Nobita and friends as they journey to find a mysterious land above the clouds, where everything – including Nobita's grades – is perfect. The whirlwind adventure will involve time travel and being airborne, hence the promo blimp.  Photo: 藤子プロ・小学館・テレビ朝日・シンエイ・ADK 2023 The actual unmanned 17-metre-long blimp taking to our skies, sadly, doesn’t have a time warp function. But it will have images of Doraemon and friends Nobita, Gian, Shizuka and Suneo, who all appear in the new movie. Osaka is the first confirmed destination for the blimp on Saturday February 25 at Expo ‘70 Commemorative Park. The ticket application for this event has closed, but you should be able to see the blimp if you’re in the area. It’s appearing at 11am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm. As for fans in Tokyo, you can now apply to view the blimp up close and take a photo with it before it takes off. The blimp will take flight near the Tama Riverbed three times on Sunday March 12 at 11am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm. The deadline closes on Sunday February 26, so get your online application in before then if yo

Some big changes are coming this spring with the reclassification of Covid-19. On May 8, the coronavirus will be downgraded to the same level as the seasonal flu, which means prevention measures such as mask-wearing will be lifted. This hasn’t gone unnoticed by Japanese airlines. According to The Japan Times, wearing a mask will be the personal choice of the passenger on Japanese airlines from May 8. This includes flights operated by All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines. The decision was made by the Scheduled Airlines Association of Japan, which sets safety measures for its 19 member airlines. Its current guideline is that airline passengers should wear masks at all times. But, in line with the reclassification of Covid-19, the association has announced that onboard mask-wearing will be optional from May 8. To find out what else will change when Covid-19 is downgraded in Japan on May 8, check our article here. More from Time Out Tokyo Enjoy 50 percent discount on accommodation at Shirakawa-go until March 31 Extreme sports championship X Games are returning to Chiba in May – tickets out now The flower festival at Huis Ten Bosch in Nagasaki will have 1 million tulips The Serpenti snake at Bulgari Ginza is an interactive teamLab art you can control Chocolate dishes are trending in Tokyo for Valentine's Day 2023 Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan.