Christopher House

Summer is here, which means Tokyo's many great (and cheap) public pools are now open. Admission is usually around ¥600 or less, the atmosphere is laidback and everyone's welcome, from old-timers to families with small children. While some public pools can only be used by the residents of that particular ward or city, our picks are all open to the general public, so there's no stopping you from swimming into shape this summer. Unfortunately, tattoos are prohibited at all pools – however, here are some hacks to help you cover up your tattoos. RECOMMENDED: outdoor adventure parks near Tokyo 

Across the street from the Mega Don Quijote near Shibuya Crossing, you’ll find the ‘Amusement Vending Machine Park’ produced by Don Quijote. From instant ramen to Hello Kitty popcorn, this little alcove’s quirky vending machines let you enjoy various bits of Japanese culture all in one location, and then some.The spot is open 24 hours, so feel free to stop by even on those late-night Shibuya adventures. As an added bonus, there’s a sitting area for you to enjoy your purchase right there in the space.Here are a few of the machines that caught our eye.

Although progress has been made in recent years to improve the visibility and acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community in Japan, there is still work to be done to eliminate prejudice and discrimination. Helping to do this is Tokyo Pride (previously Tokyo Rainbow Pride), which since its launch in 2012 has grown to become one of the largest and most inclusive pride celebrations in Japan. Whether you're a queer individual or an ally, Tokyo Pride offers a fantastic opportunity to be a part of Japan's journey towards a more equal future. This multi-event festival is filled with educational seminars, late-night parties, social gatherings and of course, the ever-growing Pride Parade, bringing together people from all walks of life. Here are some of the events happening over Pride Month. But the good work and fun don't stop here, as there will also be a handful of fringe events happening after the main festival ends.

As one of the largest metropolitan cities in the world, Tokyo has so much more to explore beyond the usual tourist spots. With so many events happening every weekend and so many things to discover around each corner, Tokyo still induces a sense of fomo in us who live here – what more for visitors who only have a few days to cram in all the biggest hits the city has to offer. Take this feature as your tried-and-tested itinerary as we reveal to you the Time Out Tokyo editorial team’s personal favourite restaurants, bars and things to do in Tokyo. You’re welcome. Now go out there and explore. RECOMMENDED: Useful apps for travelling in Tokyo and Japan

Springtime cherry blossoms may very well take the prize for most iconic Japanese flower, but early summer belongs to hydrangeas. These multi-coloured beauties were first cultivated in Japan as early as the eighth century, but fossil records show their existence dates back tens of millions of years.Each year during the rainy season in June and July, hydrangeas begin to bloom in shades from cool blue to vivid neon pink. From temples to footbridges, these flowers can be found all over. Here are some fun facts to keep in mind while you’re snapping pics of those pretty flower pom-poms.RECOMMENDED: 12 places to see hydrangeas in and around Tokyo

June brings with it the chance to get out in the fields and watch nature at play. Firefly (or hotaru in Japanese) season is upon us, and while it's true that Tokyo is rather limited in the field department these days, there are still some great spots to see these homegrown fireworks. Check out our top picks of hotaru-watching events in and around Tokyo. RECOMMENDED: 10 best summer destinations in Japan

Origami is the Japanese art of folding paper into intricate shapes: plants, animals, everyday objects, abstract art… the possibilities are virtually endless. The practice evolved over the centuries after the introduction of paper into Japan from China in the seventh century, and now it's a worldwide phenomenon that everyone can enjoy.Whether you're looking to cross origami off your bucket list or wanting to brush up on skills you already have, here are a few great origami classes to try in Tokyo. The best part? You get to take your creations home with you. RECOMMENDED: See the best sides of Tokyo with these guided walking tours

It's no secret that Tokyo is pretty darn big. With so much to see and do – from gardens to jazz bars – there's always something more to experience in the city. So much, in fact, that it can sometimes be hard to figure out what to do. If you want to skip the effort of planning your next outing, these tour companies have got you covered. Whether you're looking to bar crawl and party or get cultured at a museum or two, these are the tours to check out to experience the many sides of Tokyo.RECOMMENDED: Here are some of the best free museums in Tokyo

What a wonderful time to be in Tokyo! After a recent spell of warm weather, Tokyo's cherry blossoms are now fully open with the Japan Meteorological Agency announcing full bloom on Sunday March 30. Although the cherry blossoms are now past their peak, many trees still retain a good number of flowers and continue to offer beautiful views. However, with petals falling more each day, they’re not expected to last much longer — so now is the time to visit if you haven’t already. To keep you up to date on how the blossoms are doing, we've done the legwork, visited different sakura spots in Tokyo, so you can check up on the blooming cycle before heading out. RECOMMENDED: Make this your best sakura season yet with our ultimate guide to cherry blossoms in Tokyo

Sakura season is upon us once again. Japan is home to hundreds of varieties of the fleeting flowers, but do you know your Kanzan from your Ukon? Here’s a quick guide to introduce you to a mere fraction of the many types of sakura you may see during your hanami adventures. Got a good shot to share? Tag us on Insta at @timeouttokyo_ with your best sakura pics. RECOMMENDED: While you're here, check out our ultimate guide to cherry blossoms in Tokyo

Expo 2025 Osaka announced Sunday June 29 on social media that it had reached 10 million visitors (including staff). The Expo's 10 millionth visitor, accountant Kazuhiro Asano from Yamagata prefecture, received official merch and a multi-entry Summer Pass as a thank-you gift, but the celebrations don't stop there. Image: Expo 2025 OsakaCommemorative stamp For a limited time only, the Expo is offering a commemorative stamp to all visitors to celebrate the 10 million milestone. To get yours, head to the Team Expo Pavilion in the Future Life Zone near the West Gate from now until July 15. Just make sure to bring your own paper or stamp book, as these items won't be provided by the venue.The Expo will continue until October 13 – purchase your tickets here. Happy 10 million visitors!More from Time Out OsakaHow to purchase tickets for the 2025 Osaka ExpoOsaka named one of the world's most liveable cities in 20257 reasons to visit Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai at nightThis chain of unmanned 24-hour cafés in Osaka is perfect for remote workOsaka Expo 2025 is hosting a spectacular monthly fireworks showcase

It's almost time to get in the robot again. From November 14 2025 to January 12 2026, Tokyo City View will be hosting 'All of Evangelion', an art exhibition to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the beloved Evangelion franchise. Image:『ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版』シリーズ　©カラーEvangelion Unit-01 As its name suggests, the exhibition will span the entirety of Evangelion’s decades-long history, featuring everything from original cels and drawings from the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime series to never-before-seen digital materials from the Rebuild of Evangelion films. With planning support from big names like Studio Khara, the Anime Tokusatsu Archive Centre and more, the event is bound to offer plenty to enjoy for both casual and die-hard Eva fans alike. Image: ©カラー／Project EvaEvangelion 2.0: You Can (Not) Advance Directed by Hideaki Anno and produced by animation studio Gainax, Neon Genesis Evangelion follows the story of 14-year-old Shinji Ikari, a boy recruited to pilot a giant mech known as an 'Eva' to fight mysterious creatures called Angels. Released in October 1995, the 26-episode animated series has since spawned several films, spin-offs, video games and a vast multitude of merch collabs ranging from Fila to McDonald's. Image: ©カラー／Project EvaEvangelion: 3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time Ticket prices and exhibition hours will be announced at a later date. Keep an eye on the official 'All of Evangelion' website for updates.More from Time Out Tokyo3 Tokyo restaurants named in the World's 50

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has announced plans to temporarily waive base water fees starting in June or July of this year. The waiver is proposed to last four months.The idea behind the initiative is that if you're saving money on your water bill, it may encourage you to spend it on other utilities like AC to keep cool. The unprecedented decision is in response to last year's intense summer heat and aims to reduce the amount of heatstroke-related incidents. Photo: photo-ac, 白鼬舎Dripping water tap Don't let the taps run free though, as the waiver only covers base costs. Those are estimated to be between ¥860 and ¥1,460 per month depending on the size of your water pipes – anything beyond base fees will still be your responsibility to pay.The exact amount to be covered is yet to be announced, but it's estimated that most Tokyoites can save up to ¥5,000 during the four-month period.More from Time Out Tokyo Hello Kitty land in Tokyo will be overrun by zombies this summer Netflix Japan to air ‘Grave of the Fireflies’ from July 15 Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is offering a dreamy dinner buffet accompanied by fireflies The mountaintop Unkai Terrace in Hokkaido opens out to a sea of clouds Tokyo’s latest Godzilla art exhibition is a roaring tribute to the 70-year-old icon 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.

Grab your tissues, folks. Netflix Japan has announced it will stream Grave of the Fireflies starting from July 15. The critically acclaimed tearjerker has been available in 190 other countries and regions since September of last year, though this summer marks the first time it will be streamable specifically on Netflix Japan.  Image: Studio Ghibli, Grave of the FirefliesGrave of the Fireflies Grave of the Fireflies – released in 1988 and directed by the late Isao Takahata – is an animated film based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Akiyuki Nosaka. The emotionally gripping film tells the story of 14-year-old Seita and his little sister Setsuko as they struggle to survive the brutalities of the Second World War. The timing of the streaming is especially poignant, since this year marks the 80th anniversary of the air raid on Kobe, as depicted in the picture. Image: Studio Ghibli, Grave of the FirefliesGrave of the Fireflies Grave of the Fireflies will be available for streaming in Japanese only, with English subtitles. It is the first Studio Ghibli film to be offered on Netflix Japan. More from Time Out Tokyo The mountaintop Unkai Terrace in Hokkaido opens out to a sea of clouds Tokyo's latest Godzilla art exhibition is a roaring tribute to the 70-year-old icon This hidden temple in Gifu is offering a special nighttime photo op this June Tokyo ranked among the most affordable holiday destinations of 2025 Test the latest in accessibility tech at Harajuku

Martial arts equipment manufacturer Mitsuboshi Co, Ltd (est 1953) has recently opened its flagship store Mitsuboshi Global, a budo sports pro shop in Asakusa not far from Sensoji Temple. The venue is your one-stop shop for all things Japanese martial arts from uniforms and gear to apparel and accessories, specialising mainly in judo, aikido and karate.Here are a few reasons to visit the store, even if you don't consider yourself a martial arts enthusiast. (Hint: there's Hello Kitty merch.) Photo: Keisuke TanigawaRacks of gi 1. Get your gi Mitsuboshi Global sells kid-sized and adult gi for karate, judo and aikido. The store offers ready-to-wear uniforms you can get off the rack, but it also does custom fittings – just get measured at the store or send your measurements in and let the store handle the rest. Pre-made gi cost between ¥10,000 and ¥30,000 depending on the size and fabric, while custom-made gi will set you back around ¥50,000. Your order will be ready for pick-up or delivery after about a month (international shipping available).  Photo: Keisuke TanigawaBudo gear 2. Grab some budo gear If you've already got your gi covered, you can pick up other budo gear like shin guards (from ¥3,850) and sparring gloves (¥4,290). Don't see what you're looking for? Check the in-store brochure, which has much more budo equipment – including kendo swords and armour – available for pick-up or delivery. Photo: Mitsuboshi GlobalMitsuboshi Global karate class 3. Learn karate basics

Gotta cuddle 'em all! The Pokémon Center recently announced it's selling Eevee and Eeveelution plushies. The best part? They're life-sized. The Pokémon CenterEevee's eight forms As most Pokémon fans will already know, Eevee's unstable genetic code allows it to transform into eight different 'Eeveelutions', a portmanteau of the fluffy brown creature's name and 'evolution'. Currently, only Eevee and its Gen I variants – that's Water-type Vaporeon, Electric-type Jolteon and Fire-type Flareon – are available to order; the remaining five types will be announced at a later date. The Pokémon CenterEevee's Gen I forms As for exact measurements, Vaporeon is 92cm long and weighs 4.4kg, while Jolteon is 96cm long and also weighs 4.4kg. Flareon is the largest, clocking in at 110cm long and a hefty 5.8kg. Little Eevee is modestly sized, but certainly no less cuddly, at 41cm long and a mere 396g. The Pokémon CenterEevee plushie Eevee is currently available for purchase at ¥3,850, while the three aforementioned Eeveelutions can be pre-ordered from now until May 19 (¥44,000 each) and will be shipped in November. (Note: if you order an Eeveelution, no other items can be placed in the cart.)You can order Eevee here and the Eeveelutions here.More from Time Out Tokyo The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building South Observatory has officially reopenedCatch a glimpse of the Chiikawa trio in 3D on a digital billboard in ShinjukuGrand Hyatt Tokyo is bringing back its Pokémon rooms and meals fo

Mt Fuji’s climbing season (July to September) is edging ever closer. To gear up for the season, ticket prices to climb the mountain have been increased, and on Thursday April 24 Yamanashi prefecture will begin accepting online bookings, reports the Japan Times. Shizuoka prefecture will follow suit and open its reservations from May 9.The price hikes and online registration process are attempts to manage congestion and overcrowding. Yamanashi prefecture will use the system to restrict its number of climbers to 4,000 people per day, though Shizuoka prefecture hasn’t announced a daily limit.You can make your reservation at the official Mt Fuji climbing site here.More from Time Out TokyoJapan now has an official Hello Kitty airportThe popular Zushi Beach Film Festival is back for the Golden Week holidaysHakone Ropeway to open new observation area overlooking a volcanic valleyLoewe’s mega-exhibition has arrived in Tokyo with whimsical Studio Ghibli roomsSurvey: Tokyo has two of the world's top airports for foodWant to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan.

It's that time again — the World Expo is right around the corner. Bringing the world together once every five years, the event is all about showcasing global innovations in technology. This year's Expo, taking place in Osaka from April 13 to October 13, features contributions from 7 international organisations and nearly 160 countries and is estimated to host over 28 million attendees from all over the world. Step 1: Register Images: Christopher House2025 Osaka Expo registration page screenshots Before you can purchase tickets, you must register for an ExpoID on the official Expo 2025 webpage using either an email address or an accepted account like Facebook, Line or Google.  Step 2: Verify your ExpoID account Next, you'll verify the account you just created. There are three options to choose from: email authentication, biometric/passcode or via a third-party authenticator app like Google Authenticator. Follow the Expo 2025 website's instructions for whichever method you select. You'll have to verify your account using your selected verification method every time you log in, but you can change your verification method to one of the other two types in your Settings at any time. Step 3: Book tickets This part's pretty straightforward. Select the date and time you'd like to attend the Expo. After you've selected your preferred date and time, you'll select the type of ticket you want. There are a myriad of options to choose from, starting from ¥4,000 for an adult Opening Tick

If you’re planning to climb Mt Fuji this year, be prepared to pay the price – literally. The Japan Times reports that local officials have announced there will be a fee of ¥4,000 to hike the iconic mountain during this year’s climbing season, scheduled from July to September. This is an increase from last year’s fee of ¥2,000 and applies not only to the Yoshida Trail in Yamanashi prefecture, but also all three of Shizuoka prefecture’s trails, which were previously free. Photo: Chanon Tamtad/DreamstimeHikers climbing Mt Fuji The fee aims in part to manage overcrowding, as Japan has seen a massive increase in tourists in recent years. In addition to the fee, climbers will also be required to make a reservation via the official Mt Fuji climbing site. The number of daily climbers will be restricted to 4,000 people, so make sure to check for availability once the registration system comes online sometime in April. More from Time Out Tokyo Mt Fuji has increased ticket prices for the 2025 climbing season Time Out Market Osaka sneak peek: 17 kitchens and two bars featuring the city’s best chefs and restaurants Here's the official Japan cherry blossom forecast for 2025 See 4,000 cherry blossoms light up at Niigata's Takada Castle this spring Shinjuku’s Mylord department store has closed for good 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.