Christopher House

It's time to get spooky, folks. From costume shops to parties, we've got you covered for Halloween night and beyond. Whether you're the adventurous type itching to get out and explore or a homebody looking for goose pimples from the comfort of home, read on for not only some of Tokyo's haunted locations, but a few popular Japanese urban legends as well.Given that Tokyo is a bustling metropolis, the spookiness of several of these allegedly haunted spots is fairly low, meaning even the most skittish of scaredycats has little to fear. But if you prefer to avoid them anyway, no judgment here – feel free to stay in and read up on some urban legends instead. Happy haunting!RECOMMENDED: Check out these creepy day trips from Tokyo

Ah, Tokyo. Practically perfect in every way. The city consistently ranks as one of the best in the world, but let's face it: no place is flawless, and it would be irresponsible to pretend that this marvellous metropolis isn't without its faults.The next time you're strolling through one of Tokyo's many parks or gardens, try taking a closer look. Depending on where you are, you may notice people who have fallen through the cracks of society, struggling for basics like food.Enter Grama Seva Japan, the Tokyo-based group that's feeding the city's unhoused. Read on to learn more about the team's incredible work and how you can get involved.Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official editorial position of Time Out.RECOMMENDED: Meet the drag queens saving the planet, one show at a time

Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc premiered September 19, racking up nearly three billion yen (USD $20 million) in box office receipts in its first 10 days. The film follows the story of teenage devil hunter Denji and his encounter with a mysterious girl named Reze; it serves as a continuation of the Chainsaw Man anime series based on the manga of the same name, which has sold over 100 million copies globally to date.Such a massively popular franchise demands performers equally as influential for its film soundtrack – enter Kenshi Yonezu and Hikaru Utada, easily two of Japan's biggest pop stars. The unexpected duo team up for the first time to perform the film's ending theme, 'Jane Doe'. Photo: Reissue Records The track was written and composed by Yonezu, who's been a veritable force in the music industry for over a decade and boasts numerous accolades. He recently received even more recognition, as his 2022 track 'Kick Back', the opening theme for the Chainsaw Man series, was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) just last month. It's the first Japanese-language song to earn the certification, so it's no surprise that Yonezu was called back to write for the Chainsaw Man film.Yonezu co-produced 'Jane Doe' with previous collaborator Yaffle and tagged the one and only Hikaru Utada as co-vocalist. As one of the most successful music artists in Japan, whose 1999 album First Love remains the best-selling album in Japanese music history to th

We all know that big cities like Tokyo and Osaka are great places to be, but let's face it: Japan is home to plenty of smaller locations that we're sometimes guilty of overlooking. One such place is Hamamatsu.This seaside city lies right in between Tokyo and Osaka, making it the perfect stop along the way to either location. With its many historical sites and its status as a leader in Japanese manufacturing, Hamamatsu offers an exciting mix of tradition and modernity for visitors to experience.Word to the wise: getting around won't be quite as convenient as in Tokyo. Taxis will be your best bet for most places, so we recommend having a taxi app or two in your arsenal while you're there. That said, read on for some of our favourite things to do in Hamamatsu.RECOMMENDED: 15 best day trips for a weekend getaway from Tokyo

If you’ve tried amazake, chances are it was from a paper cup at a winter festival; a warming, comforting and nutritious beverage to keep you going in chilly weather. But this sweet white non-alcoholic drink made from fermented rice is traditionally a summer beverage.Nicknamed ‘drinkable IV’ (as in ‘intravenous drip’), amazake is heralded as a remedy for natsubate (summer heat fatigue), and it’s believed to offer a myriad of health benefits – some even claim it helps with hangovers. Unsurprisingly, given its superfood billing, amazake is now widely available all year round.Read on to learn more about the nutritious beverage, plus how to make it and where to buy it. This article was originally published on July 22 2019, and updated on August 6 2025. RECOMMENDED: 30 best kakigori in Tokyo for a delicious cool down

What Tokyoite doesn’t like to flaunt a little city trivia to impress a visiting friend or family member? But if you really want to appear like a local expert, not just any old fact will do – you need the really important stuff, like how many bars are there in Golden Gai? How did Sangenjaya become so damn hip? Why can’t Tokyo seem to beat Osaka in the highly competitive discipline of mass Bon Odori dancing? We’ve got these and plenty more essential (and essentially useless) Tokyo facts for you right here. Tokyo world records As you might imagine for a city this size, Tokyo holds a worthy amount of world records, some of them more unusual than others. Here are our favourites. 1. World’s most visited one-group museum Ever since digital art impresarios teamLab debuted their dazzling interactive creations around a decade ago, experiencing them has become something of a must for visitors to Tokyo (and plenty of locals, too). The capital boasts two immersive teamLab spaces: Planets and Borderless. Planets, the longer-running of the two, was in 2023 officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the most visited museum in the world exhibiting works by a single art collective. That’s before it expanded with new installations, no less. 2. Most LGBTQ+ venues in a single neighbourhood Shinjuku Nichome is the heart of Tokyo’s LGBTQ+ scene, boasting an estimated 300 queer bars and clubs in just a five-block area – the highest concentration of LGBTQ+ venues in the world. Hit up the righ

This article is part of a two-part series. To learn about a biwa master and her music lessons, see here.Traditional Japanese instruments, also known as wagakki, are an intrinsic part of Japan’s rich cultural heritage. Whether it’s the vibrant, percussive beat of the taiko or the lilting, airy melodies of the shakuhachi, each instrument has enchanted audiences for centuries, and continues to do so to this day.To get better acquainted with just a few wagakki, we sat down with Toshinobu Shishido, who goes by the artist name Kouzan Oyama, a master of the shamisen, koto and sanshin. Read on to learn more about his life, and if you fancy, book a lesson with him to try your hand at one (or all) of these three instruments.

This article is part of a two-part series. To learn about a shamisen, koto and sanshin master and his music lessons, see here.The biwa is one of Japan's many wagakki (traditional musical instruments). A relative of the Chinese pipa, the pear-shaped instrument is often used as an accompaniment for songs about historical tales and epic narratives, which are sung by biwa players like our interviewee, Nobuko Kawashima.Ever since her youth, Nobuko has been the performing arts type, but music wasn't always her passion. The Nakano-born musician worked in theatre and ballet before ultimately making the switch to studying the biwa. Now she's been playing for over 25 years and teaching for over a decade. Read on to learn more about this music master and find out how you can book her class.

Surviving your first Tokyo summer is practically a rite of passage. With temperatures that can reach well into the thirties and humidity levels high enough to have you practically wringing out your shirt, it doesn't hurt to have a few items in your arsenal to help you push through the city's most brutal time of year.While you're on the hunt for sunscreens and things to help you stay cool, keep your eyes peeled for these additional summer essentials, all of which you can find at your local chemist or convenience store.RECOMMENDED: 12 best public swimming pools in Tokyo – from ¥200 per entry

Ah, go-go boys. What’s not to love? These professional dancers elevate the energy of any event where they perform, LGBTQ+-related or otherwise. From freestyle dancing and choreographed routines to the infamous ‘towel show’ – dancing completely in the buff holding nothing but a small towel to cover their bits – go-go boys (almost) bare it all for our entertainment.But who are these Adonises when they aren’t shaking their stuff on stage? Get to know these scientists, mathematicians, dog lovers and mama’s boys as we profile some of the city's best performers. Follow them on social media for more info on where to find their upcoming shows, and remember to bring a tip to show your appreciation. 

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.

The Tokyo area has plenty of super sento and spas for decompressing, but if you're looking to take your relaxation one step further, here's an event to help you unwind. Starting at the end of October, Kenchoji Temple in Kamakura is hosting a unique sound art event meant to soothe the senses.'Zen Night Walk: Kamakura' is an evening affair featuring light shows and neuro music (think binaural beats) playing through the corridors of the temple grounds, all meant to transform the entire place into a single artistic space while evoking a sense of deep relaxation. This year's night walk follows a highly successful 2024 iteration at Kenninji Temple in Kyoto, which welcomed over 30,000 people during its run. Photo: VIE株式会社'Sea of Clouds: Dance of the Wind Dragon' Near the hojo (the abbot's living quarters) you'll find the installation 'Sea of Clouds: Dance of the Wind Dragon', in which a fog machine emulates mist enshrouding the garden, with accompanying lights and sound. Photo: VIE株式会社'Neuro Music Zazen' Next to the hojo lies Ryuoden Hall, which houses the audio-visual experience 'Neuro Music Zazen' (za meaning 'to sit' and zen meaning meditation). Here you can try on an electroencephalogram, a fancy contraption that measures brainwaves, to see yours projected on a screen in real-time as you take in the relaxing music. Photo: VIE株式会社'Akira Wakita: Dragon Rain' Another highlight of the evening is the installation 'Akira Wakita: Dragon Rain', created as an artistic response to t

Weebs and otakus, rejoice. With Halloween just around the corner, there's plenty to check out from theme parks to parties, but this one's for the lovers of all things anime and gaming and such. From Friday October 24 to Sunday 26, the Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival (aka 'Ikehalo') returns for its 12th year.Last year's festival welcomed over 161,000 people during its three-day run, and this year is shaping up to be just as big, with stage performances, a parade, photo ops and more cosplayers than you can shake a magic stick at.Whether you want to get dolled up in cosplay or just want to see the action, read on to see what to expect. Friday: Ikehalo Night   Photo: Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival The whole shebang starts off with a smaller nighttime affair called Ikehalo Night, taking place on the fourth floor of Sunshine City from 4.30pm to 10.30pm. The laid-back event is less of a banging Halloween party and more of an opportunity for cosplayers to socialise through a hodge-podge of quirky goings-on from karaoke to an arm-wrestling competition. Photo: Dwango Co, Ltd Socialising aside, Ikehalo Night also offers a great opportunity to set up an evening photo shoot outside, or opt to use the B3 car park from 5.30pm to 9.30pm – basic photo equipment like tripods and reflectors are available for rent.As a heads-up, cosplayers are requested to show up in daily wear and change into their costumes only after they've arrived at the venue. Ikehalo Night is ¥3,480 per tick

Coming to Japan in 2026? You might want to prep your wallet. Not only is JR East increasing its prices next March, but fees to enter and exit the country are expected to rise sometime next year as well, according to The Nikkei, and significantly so.The international tourist tax – also called the 'departure tax', because you pay it when you leave the country (it's included in the price of your plane ticket) – is currently ¥1,000, but if brought to international standards like, say, the US's rate of $22.20 (¥3,300), the amount could triple. Photo: yotsuba, pixta Meanwhile, prices for single- and multiple-entry visas are expected to rise from the current rates of around ¥3,000 and ¥6,000, respectively. Exact amounts haven't been decided yet, but again, if brought up to international levels, prices could rise steeply – take for example the UK's £127 (around ¥25,700), Canada's $100 CAD (around ¥10,700) or the Schengen countries' fixed rate of €90 (around ¥15,000) for a single-entry visa.The decision is mostly an attempt to manage over-tourism, but given that Japan's entry visa prices haven't been updated since 1978 (yikes!), perhaps a price hike was long overdue. Some odd 74 countries don't require short-term visas to enter Japan anyway, so the increase won't affect tourists from those nations, but everyone is required to pay the departure tax (including Japanese nationals).The government has yet to announce an exact date for the increases. According to foreign minister Takeshi

あらゆるカルチャーを体験できる東京。もちろん映画もその一つだ。今年も「東京国際映画祭」が、2025年10月27日（日）から11月5日（火）まで開催される。 今年はベテランから新進気鋭の監督まで、国内外の作品を多数上映。トークイベントやゲスト登壇付きの上映など、多彩なプログラムも予定されている。ラインアップには国内外の新作から映画史に残る名作のほか、新鋭監督のデビュー作やアカデミー賞受賞監督の話題作、そしてアニメーションまで多様な作品が並ぶ。 ここでは、豊富なプログラムの中から、今年特に注目したい作品を紹介。チケットは10月18日（土）から、部門ごとに順次公式ウェブサイトで販売が開始される。 ©1990 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.『夢』 『夢』　 映画界の世界的巨匠・黒澤明は、『羅生門』（本映画祭でも上映）をはじめ数々の名作で知られるが、1990年の『夢』はその中でもひときわ異彩を放つ作品だ。 このユニークな作品は明確な一つの物語ではなく、監督自身の夢に着想を得た8つの独立したエピソードで構成されている。森の中のキツネの嫁入り、命を吹き込まれたゴッホの絵画、核戦争後の荒廃した世界、水車小屋が並ぶ理想郷の村。どの場面も鮮烈な映像美で観る者を魅了し、忘れがたい体験をもたらす。 © KADOKAWA 1995『Shall we ダンス？』 『Shall we ダンス？』 周防正行による1996年の映画『Shall we ダンス？』は、人生の虚しさを抱えるサラリーマンの物語。役所広司が演じる菊地正平は、会計士として成功して家庭もある、一見全てを手にした男だ。 ある日、社交ダンス教室の窓辺に立つ美しい女性（草刈民代）を見かけたことをきっかけに、周囲に内緒でダンスを始める。「中年男性がダンスを習うなんて」と奇異の目で見られる風潮の中で、菊池は次第に自分自身を取り戻していく。 一人の男が自分自身を見つめ直し、人生に再び喜びを見いだす姿を描いたこの物語は、役所が主演男優賞、草刈が主演女優賞を受賞。そのほか作品賞、撮影賞など実に14部門に輝いた。 2004年にはRichard GereとRichard Gere主演のハリウッド版リメイクも制作されたが、やはりオリジナルこそが心に残る名作だ。 ©1945/2016 松竹株式会社『桃太郎 海の神兵 デジタル修復版』 『桃太郎 海の神兵 デジタル修復版』 戦時中の日本アニメーションに興味がある人には、見逃せない一本だろう。1945年に瀬尾光世が監督を務めた日本初の長編アニメーション映画で、上映時間は74分。第二次世界大戦中に制作された日本海軍のプロパガンダ作品ではあるものの、当時の感性や技術を知る上では貴重な資料ともいえる。 主人公は、昔話「桃太郎」から名を取った指揮官の桃太郎。モノクロで描かれる世界では、クマやサル、キジ、犬といった動物たちが兵士としてともに戦う。物語の途中には、カタカナの読み方を歌で教えるという軽快なミュージカルシーンも登場し、当時のアニメーションの表現力を今に伝えている。 ©此元和津也／ホウセンカ製作委員会『ホウセンカ』 『ホウセンカ』 最新のアニメも、今年の映画祭でしっかりとした存在感を放っている。『ホウセンカ』は、アニメシリーズ『オッドタクシー』で数々の賞を受賞した監督・木下麦と脚本家・此元和津也による最新作だ。 物語は、死刑囚の阿久津実が最期の瞬間を迎えるところから始まる。その時、一輪の花が彼の前に現れ

From art exhibits to live music, Tokyo's got you covered when it comes to experiencing all kinds of culture, and that includes film. This year, the annual Tokyo International Film Festival is taking place from October 27 to November 5, and features over 100 Japanese and international films from veteran directors and newcomers alike, plus a number of talks and Q&A sessions to mix things up.With so many options to choose from, we've narrowed the list down to bring you our picks for this year's festival. Read on to discover incredible films that showcase local and foreign talent, directorial debuts, seasoned Academy Award-winning filmmakers and even animated works.Tickets are available from October 18 – purchase yours here. Recommended Japanese films Akira Kurosawa's Dreams World-renowned director Akira Kurosawa is known for a myriad of films considered classics, including the critically acclaimed Rashomon (which will be played at the festival, by the way), but his 1990 film Dreams is remarkable in a different way.The unique film eschews a singular cohesive plot, opting instead for eight independent vignettes, all inspired by the director's dreams. Whether it's a fox wedding in the forest, Van Gogh paintings brought to life, a post-apocalyptic nuclear wasteland or an idyllic village of watermills, the vivid imagery featured in Dreams makes for an unforgettable viewing experience. Shall We Dance? In this 1996 film by Masayuk

Earlier this year, the world welcomed the first Sega Stores – now it's time for another big-name IP to have its turn: Dragon Ball. Last Friday, the Dragon Ball Store announced on its official website that it's opening an outlet in Tokyo Station on Friday November 14. Photo: Dragon Ball Store Tokyo The announcement mentions themed decor and exclusive merch, but not much else just yet. Keep your eyes peeled for more details, slated to come toward the end of October.Until then, you know what to do: lend Goku your energy!More from Time Out TokyoYokohama Oktoberfest 2025 has started – here's what to expectThe Summer Hikaru Died is getting a stage play in TokyoHave you spotted Tokyo's elusive free-roaming street florists?2 Tokyo pizzerias are in the 50 Top Pizza World list for 2025A stunning new art installation by Julian Opie has taken over the Ginza Six atriumWant to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan.  

Anime anniversaries are having a bit of a moment. Dragon Ball is opening a store for its 40th, Neon Genesis Evangelion is holding an art exhibition for its 30th and now a third animated classic is getting in on the action. This November, Angel's Egg is celebrating its 40th anniversary with two treats for its fans: a 4K theatrical release and an art book. Photo: 押井守・天野喜孝・徳間書店・徳間ジャパンコミュニケーションズ Directed by Mamoru Oshii (Urusei Yatsura, Ghost in the Shell) and co-created with visual artist and illustrator Yoshitaka Amano (Vampire Hunter D, Final Fantasy), the enigmatic Angel's Egg tells the story of an unnamed girl who protects a large egg in a city of ruins and her encounter with a mysterious young man who seeks a bird he saw in his dreams. Heavy on symbolism and cloaked in metaphor, the film was initially met with mixed reviews upon release, but has since become a cult classic. Photo: 押井守・天野喜孝・徳間書店・徳間ジャパンコミュニケーションズ Angel's Egg will get a Dolby Cinema release on November 14 and a general release on November 21 – purchase tickets here (available until November 13 from ¥1,600). In addition to film tickets, you can now pre-order the commemorative art book as well. Photo: 押井守・天野喜孝・徳間書店・徳間ジャパンコミュニケーションズ The 120-page art book, entitled 'Angel's Egg: The Visual Collection' will feature 100 stills from the remastered film, each with an accompanying bilingual epigram from Oshii, plus an interview with the director at the back of the book. The soft cover edition is priced at ¥3,960

O'zapft is! Yokohama Oktoberfest, the largest of its kind in Japan, started last Friday to great aplomb and will continue daily from now until October 13 (12noon-9.30pm on weekdays, 11am-9.30pm on weekends). Held at Yokohama's historic Red Brick Warehouse, the event has been running since 2003 to massive popularity. Last year's iteration saw over 130,000 attendees, and if this year's opening day was any indication, the 2025 edition will be just as big. From a wide variety of beer to live music performances, here's what you can expect. Photo: Christopher House Entry is only ¥500, with both cash and cashless payment options available throughout the venue. The bulk of the action takes place in the aptly named Big Tent, which houses 14 different food and drink stalls serving up a dizzying array of beers, from helles to pilsner to dunkel and everything – and with over 100 varieties of beer, we do mean everything – in between, including even fruit-flavoured beers like snow pear or white peach.If beer somehow isn't your beverage of choice, other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options abound from highballs and wine to fruit juice and milkshakes. Tables can be reserved online here for ¥1,500 per hour per table on weekdays and ¥2,500 on weekends (entry fee not included).Time Out tip: Each stall requires a deposit to use its mugs. After you finish your drink, return your mug to get your deposit back. Even though cashless payment methods are accepted for food and drink orders, deposits ar

HikaNatsu fans, rejoice. A new website appeared earlier this month announcing that a stage play adaptation of the hit manga and anime series The Summer Hikaru Died (Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu) is happening in Tokyo early next year. The production takes place January 9-18 2026 at Kinokuniya Hall in Shinjuku. Photo: Netflix For the uninitiated, The Summer Hikaru Died tells the story of teenage boy Yoshiki Tsujinaka and his white-haired best bud Hikaru, who goes missing in the woods. After Hikaru's sudden return, Yoshiki comes to realise his friend has died and been replaced with… something. The slice of life slash coming-of-age horror slash BL-but-not-BL title is written and illustrated by manga artist Mokumokuren, and has been in publication since 2021. The series has swiftly gained popularity – there are now over 3.5 million copies in circulation – and has been adapted into a Netflix series.  © モクモクれん / Kadokawa ・舞台「光が死んだ夏」製作委員会Junsei Motojima as Yoshiki As for the play, the production stars Junsei Motojima as Yoshiki. The 20-year-old actor is no stranger to the screen – he's got a TV drama or two under his belt – but this will be his first stage role. He's joined by experienced theatre co-star Hikaru Imamaki playing the titular Hikaru. Additional actors include May Tachibana as Asako, Miki Matsuo as Yuta, Rio Sawada as Yuki, Umi Yamano as Rie and Mitsu Murata as the eccentric Tanaka. © モクモクれん / Kadokawa ・舞台「光が死んだ夏」製作委員会Hikaru Imamaki as Hikaru At the current rate of public

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Neon Genesis Evangelion series, and while Tokyo is celebrating with an art exhibit starting in November, the capital isn't the only place getting into the Eva spirit. From now until the end of February 2026, the city of Hamamatsu in Shizuoka prefecture is putting on an Evangelion-themed tourism initiative that includes all manner of fanfare from giant statues to a stamp rally.The themed campaign isn't random. Portions of Hamamatsu were used as a model city for the final Evangelion film, Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time – and the city hopes to capitalise on its connection to the franchise to attract visitors. Photo: Kreab The most noteworthy part of the campaign is the massive Eva statue erected in Hamamatsu's City Hall, on display until January 25 2026 (closed December 29 – January 3). The six-metre-tall humanoid figure is a replica of Eva-01, the mecha piloted by 14-year-old protagonist Shinji Ikari throughout the Evangelion series and films. The statue is open to the public, natch, and can be viewed from 8.30am to 5.15pm on weekdays and from 10am to 4pm on weekends. (If you come on a weekend, grab your free viewing pass from the reception desk at the entrance.)(Time Out tip: Scan the QR code next to the statue and fill out Hamamatsu's quick tourism survey to receive a Hamamatsu x Evangelion sticker.) Photo: Kreab But the giant replica fun doesn't stop there. Head to Tenryu Futamata Station about a half hour's drive from

Looks like the future is inching ever closer. JR East recently announced plans to make its Yamanote line driverless by 2035 as a part of its 'Pride & Integrity 2034' initiative, which will focus on safety and technological advancements in public transport. The railway company had already tested automated trains back in 2022, so the next phase of the operation appears to be right on track (sorry).The decision to automate comes partially in response to an expected driver shortage. By 2035, Japan's workforce is projected to be 20 percent smaller than it is now as the country's population continues to decline, though several other factors also play a role. Energy consumption is one of them, as JR East hopes to reduce energy usage by 40% and CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030. Photo: Liam Burnett Blue/Unsplash The company also aims to reduce railway accidents by 30% by 2031 with the switch, but given that the Japan Transport Safety Board has reported fewer than 500 railway-related incidents like train derailments, red signal violations or collisions over the past 24 years, we'd say the system is already pretty darn safe. Nevertheless, JR East states that it aims to 'keep up with the changes in safety levels expected by society', so kudos.Thankfully, humans won't be done away with entirely. Instead, they'll be delegated tasks that yield 'a higher level of hospitality', such as interacting with passengers and dealing with on-site problems at stations. Overall, JR East estimates its 'Pri

Good news, all you Japan travellers: buying a shinkansen ticket is about to get even more convenient. JR Central, JR West and JR Kyushu have announced that starting October 4, passengers will be able to reserve tickets for the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu shinkansen lines via Line, Japan's most popular messaging service and social networking app. The three shinkansen lines collectively cover most of Japan, starting from Tokyo and extending westward all the way to Kagoshima, passing through major cities like Osaka, Kobe and Hiroshima.Previously, online reservations for the aforementioned lines had to be made with the SmartEx app, but with the upcoming purchasing method on Line, users won't be required to create an account. To reserve a ticket, first add the official 'JR Tokaido, Sanyo, Kyushu shinkansen ticket reservation account' as a friend, then follow the prompts. (Note that the reservation account isn't available yet; it'll go live later this autumn.) Photo: マンハッタン/photo-ac The new method is certainly convenient, but there's one major caveat: a PayPay account will be required to purchase a ticket. The upside is that you'll get a little ¥100 discount when you reserve with Line – try heading to a ¥100 store to see what you can buy with those savings.According to the upcoming service's official website, more info on boarding will be posted 'as soon as it’s ready', so keep your eyes peeled. Until then, you can continue to use SmartEx for online booking.More from Time Out Tokyo