Christopher House

Here at Time Out we generally like to provide you with off-the-beaten-path adventures, like unconventional day trips or treks to lesser-known cities. But let’s face it: sometimes you just want to see the touristy stuff. Hey, no judgment here, and no worries – we’ve still got you covered.While we wouldn’t call the following 11 locations tourist ‘traps’ per se, they’re certainly incredibly popular among visitors and locals alike. Read on for some of the city’s most popular attractions, plus our recommended alternatives for each one.RECOMMENDED: 7 guided walking tours to see the best sides of Tokyo

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

From gogo performances to drag shows, queer creativity comes in all forms. Live entertainment from queer talent is great of course, but if you're looking for something tangible to take home with you, these artsy LGBTQ+ folks have got you covered.Whether you're looking for a gift for a loved one or a little something for yourself, consider supporting these queer creatives with your next purchase.RECOMMENDED: Check out the best souvenir shops in Tokyo

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

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. 

Though JR East is raising its ticket prices next month, there's some good news regarding shinkansen tickets. Kagoshima prefecture, located in Japan's southernmost island Kyushu, recently announced a 3.5-billion-yen budget proposal dedicated to promoting regional tourism for 2026 – and part of that plan includes free one-way shinkansen tickets from Hakata Station in Fukuoka to Kagoshima Chuo Station in Kagoshima City for select foreign tourists.While popular cities like Kyoto and Osaka are grappling with over-tourism, Kagoshima has been dealing with the opposite problem. The region's number of foreign overnight tourists dropped significantly during the pandemic and have yet to bounce back to pre-Covid levels. What's more, direct flights from China have been reduced, likely due to recently strained Japan-China ties. Photo: Dreamstime, Hiroshi TanakaKagoshima With these subsidised one-way tickets, the hope is to circumvent the need for direct flights altogether and draw people in from Fukuoka's Hakata Station, about 90 minutes' ride away from Kagoshima City via the Kyushu Shinkansen. Currently, the plan is meant to target only visitors from South Korea, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, as these four locations have direct flights to Kagoshima, but the US, Thailand and other countries are being considered as potential candidates in the future.As for the details on how the free shinkansen ticket system will work and which countries will be eligible, that info will be announced at a l

Seems like when one door opens, another one closes. Though the long-awaited PokéPark Kanto is now open, Tokyo’s only Pokémon Cafe recently announced its upcoming closure.The Pokémon-themed eatery was the world’s first, opening its doors on the fifth floor of the Takashimaya East building in Nihonbashi back in 2018. The place serves up food and drinks featuring Pikachu, Eevee and several other popular Poképals.Fortunately, the closure is short-lived, as it’s only for renovations. The revamping is set to begin on March 23 and is expected to last until around late-June, though the exact dates are subject to change.In the meantime, the café is still open – but not surprisingly, all remaining reservations leading up to the closing date are currently full. If you’re the hopeful type and want to keep checking back for an opening, you can do so here.On the upside, there has been no such closure announcement for the café’s bakery, Pikachu Sweets in Ikebukuro, so feel free to stop by and pick up a sweet treat while the café’s renovations are underway.More from Time Out TokyoThe stunning Dior Bamboo Pavilion in Daikayama is now openDiscovering 3 of Jimbocho’s best stationery shops with HobonichiGo inside the world of Ghost in the Shell in TokyoPokéPark Kanto is officially open, but is it worth the hype? Here’s what we thinkThe stylish Koganeyu bathhouse is set to open its second branch in ShinjukuWant to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest

2026年で「ポケットモンスター」（以下、ポケモン）シリーズの発売から30周年を迎える株式会社ポケモンは、新型「ピカチュウ」の発表や「イーブイ」の進化形の新グッズ展開など、全力で盛り上げているが、それだけではない。2026年2月5日（木）、都心から電車で約30分で行ける「よみうりランド」内に、待ちに待った「ポケパーク カントー」がついにオープンする。 約2万6000平方メートルもの広大な敷地を誇るポケパーク カントーは、「カヤツリタウン」と「ポケモンフォレスト」の2つの主要エリアに分かれている。園内には、テーマに沿ったフードやドリンク、ライド系アトラクションをはじめ、ここでしか手に入らない限定グッズ、そして数百匹もの等身大ポケモンたちが出迎えてくれる。 ここからは、パークの詳細に加え、チケットの購入方法、そしてプロジェクト全体に対するタイムアウト東京英語編集部の率直な感想をレポートする。　 Photo: 前川貴行（ポケパーク カントー提供） 「ポケパークエントランス広場」 メインエントランスを通り抜けると、左右に通路が分かれた「セッコク博士研究所」に到着する。右側の入り口はショップやアトラクションがひしめく「カヤツリタウン」へと続き、左側は等身大のポケモンたちが自然の中でありのままに暮らす「ポケモンフォレスト」へとつながっている。 だが、エリアに足を踏み入れるより先に、あなたを待ち構えているものがある。そう、グッズだ。 Photo: Kisa Toyoshima 研究所の真向かいには、親しみやすい「ポケモンだいすきショップ」が構えている。店内には、ぬいぐるみ、レインコートから、テーマに合わせたビスケットやスープミックスまで、驚くほど幅広いポケモングッズが並んでいる。 ラインアップは初代ポケモンにかなり偏っており、それ以外の800種類を超える仲間たちの影が薄く感じられるかもしれない。しかし、第1世代だけで151匹以上のキャラクターから選べるのだから、贅沢な悩みといったところだろう。  Photo: Christopher House Photo: Christopher House Photo: Kisa Toyoshima ポケモンだいすきショップの入店には、ポケパーク カントーの公式アプリから取得できる先着順の整理券が必要だ。もし手に入らなかったとしても、カヤツリタウンの中にはほかにも買い物ができるスポットがたっぷり用意されているので、安心して先へ進んでほしい。 Photo: Kisa Toyoshima 「カヤツリタウン」 ここからが、誰もが魔法にかけられるメインエリアだ。「トレーナーズマーケット」や「ポケモンセンター」「フレンドリィショップ」「カヤツリジム」に加え、数々のアトラクションが待ち受けている。 Photo: Kisa Toyoshima Photo: Kisa Toyoshima  また、無料で遊べる輪投げの屋台や、無料ステッカーをプリントできるスポットもある。とはいえ、それらを除けば、このエリアは基本的に買い物を楽しむための場所といえるだろう。 Photo: Kisa Toyoshima タイムアウト東京からのアドバイス： モンスターボールが山積みになったワゴンを探してみてほしい。1,200円（以下全て税込み）で、ランダムでピンバッジがゲットできる。 ボールの中から目当てとは違うポケモンが出てきても、諦めるのはまだ早い。ピンバッジを身に着けているスタッフを探してみよう。自分が探しているバ

White Whistles, rejoice. Looks like Madoka Magica isn't the only series coming back with a film this year. On February 8, hit anime series Made in Abyss released a new trailer for its upcoming film Made in Abyss: Awakening Mystery, slated for release in autumn of this year.The film is the first of a trilogy, and picks up where the second season of the TV series, The Golden City of the Scorching Sun, left off in 2022. The trailer doesn't give too much away, though it does introduce two new characters toward the end: Delver Cravagli and his companion Tepaste, who were previously shown in a teaser visual last year. View the trailer below: Kinema Citrus will continue operating as the series' animation studio, with Masayuki Kojima also returning as director. Legendary British-Australian composer Kevin Penkin reprises his role as well, contributing his exceptional talents to the franchise's otherworldly soundtrack. All in all, it's looking like a solid line-up.Made in Abyss follows the story of young Riko, an orphaned girl who explores a seemingly bottomless chasm known as the Abyss in search of her missing mother. The anime series aired in July 2017 with a 13-episode first season, adapted from the 2012 manga of the same name. The award-winning series has since seen massive international success, with over 22 million copies of the manga sold to date.More from Time Out TokyoHere's the official Japan cherry blossom forecast for 2026 – updated Feb 5PokéPark Kanto is official

The Pokémon Company has been pulling out all the stops for its 30th anniversary this year, including introducing a new Pikachu variant and a new line of Eeveelution merch, but that’s not all. As of February 5, the long-anticipated PokéPark Kanto, located about half an hour from the city centre inside amusement park Yomiuriland, is finally open.The sizable 26,000sqm PokéPark Kanto is split into two main sections – Sedge Town and the Pokémon Forest – and features themed food and drinks, rides and attractions, exclusive merch and hundreds of life-sized Pokémon. Read on for a more detailed rundown on what to expect once you’re inside, plus how to get tickets and our thoughts on the whole shebang. Photo by 前川貴行（ポケパークカントー提供） PokéPark Entrance Plaza After passing by the main entrance, you’ll come to the Pokémon Research Lab, a building with passageways on either side. The entrance on the right leads to Sedge Town, full of shops and attractions, while the left side leads to the Pokémon Forest, home to life-sized Pokémon statues interacting with their native habitat.But before even entering the venue proper, you’ll find something waiting for you: merch. Photo: Kisa Toyoshima Right across from the lab lies the cosy Daisuki Shop. Here you’ll find a staggeringly wide selection of Poké-merch ranging from plushies and raincoats to themed biscuits and soup mix. The shop features a heavy leaning towards OG Mons and not much representation for the other 800-plus pocket pals, but with just

When it comes to themed merch, Disney and cherry blossoms are a fairly tame pairing, but this new collab by clothing brand Lowrys Farm is a little more unconventional. The Shibuya-based women's wear company has just released a few items featuring Hello Kitty and the immensely popular anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion, and you can (not) resist this kawaii crossover. Photo: ©2026 Sanrio Co, Ltd. Approval No L664592 Evangelion ©khara The small line-up features pullovers priced at ¥7,700 for adults, ¥4,400 for children. The comfy sweats feature Hello Kitty styled as best girls Rei and Asuka, plus a re-imagining of Sachiel. It's worth noting that the characters are on the back of the pullover, with the Nerv logo displayed on the front. Photo: ©2026 Sanrio Co, Ltd. Approval No L664592 Evangelion ©khara For more Eva items, these key chains have the same character designs as the pullovers, plus one more design of Kitty as Unit-01 wielding the Spear of Longinus. ¥3,990 each Photo: ©2026 Sanrio Co, Ltd. Approval No L664592 Evangelion ©khara Finally, pick up a mobile grip of Rei or Asuka for your phone. As a bonus, the characters have got a nifty little mirror hidden behind them. ¥2,200 eachThe 'Evangelion x Hello Kitty' collab is a small but adorable collection that you can now purchase online on the Lowrys Farm website, or at select 'and ST' stores throughout Japan. Congratulations!More from Time Out TokyoGo inside the world of Ghost in the Shell in TokyoThe stylish Koganeyu

Time to whip out your favourite vitamin drinks to boost your immunity, folks. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government just announced a new influenza warning as of January 29. A previous warning had been issued in November, but was subsequently lifted as cases dropped. Now the warning is back again, making this the first time in 17 years that cases have risen past warning levels twice in a single season.Between January 19 and 25, cases reached 13.83 per medical facility, or a little above the recommended 10, prompting this week's warning. The government speculates the high number of cases – over 6,000 among schools and other facilities from September to now – is due to schools reopening, plus increased movement during the New Year holiday.It's hard to say when cases will drop again, so until then, you know the drill: wash your hands frequently with soap and water, disinfect surfaces, stay in well-ventilated areas, and if you're headed to one of next week's many Setsubun festival celebrations, you're likely gonna want to mask up.More from Time Out TokyoThese are Japan's 11 award-winning travel experiences for 2026Aoyama's beloved Apéro wine bar is backHere's the official Japan cherry blossom forecast for 2026 – updated Jan 22Japan's favourite puffed corn snack was just sold at auction for ¥1.15 millionIkea is closing its Harajuku and Shinjuku locations in February 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.

If you're the type to care about saving the environment or feeding the homeless, this photo exhibition may just pique your interest. For a limited time only, you can catch the collection 'Shinjuku Cardboard Village: The Photographs of Naoko Sakokawa 1996-1998', a poignant look into an essential part of Tokyo history and its relationship to homelessness. Photo: Christopher House Photo: Christopher House‘Shinjuku Cardboard Village: The Photographs of Naoko Sakokawa 1996-1998’ This hidden gem takes place on the fourth floor of espace Á L. L., an intimate, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it space in Kichijoji. As the exhibition's name suggests, the photos were taken by Naoko Sakokawa during the existence of 'Shinjuku Cardboard Village', a 470sqm enclave of cardboard living quarters that housed upwards of 200 individuals in the West Exit of Shinjuku Station from January 1996 to February 1998. Photo: Christopher House‘Shinjuku Cardboard Village: The Photographs of Naoko Sakokawa 1996-1998’ Photo: Christopher House‘Shinjuku Cardboard Village: The Photographs of Naoko Sakokawa 1996-1998’ The bursting of Japan's economic bubble in the early '90s led to mass unemployment, ultimately leading to a community of homeless individuals occupying the station. Sakokawa, assistant manager at nearby café Berg at the time, visited the site daily, becoming friends with the locals and documenting their experiences through her poignant photographs. In addition to her works, the exhibition also features

There's no question that Tokyo is the place for anime. From the upcoming Pokémon theme park in Yomiuriland to the Madoka Magica pop-up at Tokyo Skytree, there's something for everyone out there. Here's another event to look forward to, and it's a big one.In March, Tokyo Big Sight is hosting AnimeJapan 2026, an annual anime convention that's been going since 2014. It's one of the world's largest and only continues to grow in popularity. Last year's iteration welcomed more than 100 exhibitors and over 150,000 guests. Photo: AnimeJapan This year is shaping up to be just as big, with some 120 booths from a veritable who's who of animation. You can look forward to exhibitions, branded goods and character merch for hundreds of series from the likes of Aniplex, Bandai and Toei, plus Western companies like Hulu and Netflix. Photo: AnimeJapan Dozens of events will take place across four stages: red, green, blue and white. Whether it's classics like Magic Knight Rayearth, modern hits like Mushoku Tensei or upcoming projects like Steel Ball Run, each event allows you the chance to view trailers, check out show footage or sit in on panel discussions with cast members (in Japanese, natch).If your nihongo is far from jozu, feel free to simply walk around and take in the sights, including the heaps of cosplayers. Photo: AnimeJapan If you want to get in on the cosplay action yourself, you must register either in advance or on-site and pay a small registration fee of ¥1,000. You can reg

It's almost that time of year again: cherry blossom season is fast approaching. With all those pretty pink blossoms comes pretty pink merch, and Disney Japan is already getting in on the action – the company has announced that its aptly named 'Disney Sakura Collection 2026' is now available. Photo: © Disney. Based on the “Winnie the Pooh” works by A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepard.   Photo: © Disney The line-up includes classic Disney favourites like Winnie the Pooh and Donald Duck, plus more modern characters. For cuteness you can cuddle, go for these adorable plushies of Pooh Bear (¥3,800), Baymax and Mochi (1,800) or Urupocha-chan (¥1,800). Photo: © Disney. Based on the “Winnie the Pooh” works by A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepard. Photo: © Disney. Based on the “Winnie the Pooh” works by A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepard. Items for everyday use abound as well. Carry Winnie and Piglet around with you as you travel with this neck pillow (¥5,300) or zip pouch (¥2,400), both adorned with sakura petals. Photo: © Disney Photo: © Disney The collection even includes skincare items. Keep your hands and face supple and soft with scented lotions (¥650) and face masks (¥350). Photo: © Disney. Based on the “Winnie the Pooh” works by A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepard. The collection features dozens of items beyond those listed above, all of which are now available at Disney Japan's online store. Brick-and-mortar Disney stores nationwide begin selling the sakura-themed items from January 16.More fr

Calling all magical girls. Tokyo Skytree is now hosting a Madoka Magica-themed event entitled ‘Moonlit Waltz’. The pop-up collab is the first of its kind and celebrates the upcoming February release of Walpurgisnacht Rising, the long-awaited sequel to the 2013 film Rebellion, which itself is a continuation of the popular animated series Puella Magi Madoka Magica. Photo: Christopher House Photo: Christopher House Photo: Christopher House The magic starts at Tembo Galleria (Floors 445 and 450). Here the entire place has been decked out in décor featuring scenes from the series and films. Songs from the Madoka soundtrack play over the loudspeakers, adding to the magical girl goodness. Photo: ©Magica Quartet/Aniplex, Madoka Project ©TOKYO-SKYTREE On Floor 445, you can have a cute little photo op with one of nine Madoka characters. The photographer takes your photo, then edits in the character of your choosing for ¥1,700 per pic.Time Out tip: They use a greenscreen to insert the character, so you might want to avoid green clothing if you’re planning on getting a pic here. Photo: Christopher House If a free souvenir is more your style, head to Floor 350, where Tokyo Skytree’s mascot Sorakara-chan makes sporadic appearances throughout the day, cosplaying as Madoka for the occasion.Time Out tip: You only have a few minutes to queue up, and the queue gets long fast. Get there a few minutes before Sorakara-chan’s scheduled appearance to secure your spot. Photo: Christopher H

If the Duolingo pop-up store and Pokémon Christmas pop-up village announced earlier this month weren't enough pop-up goodness, here's one more for you. Sanrio has opened a pop-up exhibition called 'Miniature Wonderland', located at the Tokyo Anime Center on the second floor of Shibuya Modi. Photo: Christopher House Photo: Christopher House The exhibition is in honour of the stop-motion Netflix series My Melody & Kuromi released earlier this year, starring the titular My Melody and her frenemy Kuromi as they team up to save their town. For a limited time only, you can see the actual dioramas and models used during the filming of the show, plus other production materials like concept art and behind-the-scenes footage. Photo: Christopher House Photo: Christopher House Photo: Christopher House The exhibition features original merch as well, natch, from super kawaii plushies and stickers to socks and even boxer trunks. For every ¥4,400 you spend from now until January 12, you can be entered into a lottery for a photo op with mascots Kuromi or My Melody on January 17 or January 18, respectively (up to five lottery entries allowed). Photo: Christopher House The 'Miniature Wonderland' pop-up exhibition and store is open from now until February 8 2026 (closed December 31 through January 3), with entry from 11am to 7pm (last entry 6.30pm). Tickets are ¥1,500 at the door or ¥1,300 in advance (purchase tickets here). More from Time Out Tokyo   Here's the first official Japan