Christopher House

Boasting an estimated one vending machine per 23 people, Japan is in a league of its own when it comes to automatic dispensers. That makes Tokyo the undisputed vending machine capital of the world. While drinks are the most common item you can purchase at the press of a button, Tokyo's vending machines have gone above and beyond to offer everything from cut fresh fruit and cooking condiments to anime and manga merch.Time to get that loose change ready – here are some of the most outlandish vending machines Tokyo has to offer.RECOMMENDED: Looking to explore more of the city? Here's 88 things to do in Tokyo

If you're the type to reach for vitamin drinks for their purported health benefits, this one might be for you. When it comes to gut healthy probiotic foods, you might already know about kimchi or kefir, but do you know your natto from your narezushi? Your koji from your katsuobushi?Pretty much all of these items can be found in your local grocery store, or in some cases the nearest convenience store or even vending machine. Hunt around and see which ones you like – your gut just might thank you.Note: the information in this article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as medical advice.RECOMMENDED: Got a sweet tooth? Try these dessert omakase

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

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.

Seems like there are new fines and fees everywhere these days: new littering fines, new traffic violation fines and, if you're planning to send a package to the United States, potentially new fees to pay. Japan Post has announced that as of April 14, the postal service will once again accept US-bound parcels valued at over 100USD, but at a cost – literally.Japan Post had ceased shipping packages worth over 100USD in August of last year in response to a Trump-administration executive order that ended tax exemptions for items valued at 100USD or higher, but the company has now resumed shipments with new rules.For personal gifts or merchandise valued between 100USD and 800USD, customs fees must be paid in advance through an authorised app. The app Japan Post currently supports is Zonos Prepay – a step-by-step guide for how to use the app can be found on the Japan Post website here (in Japanese).Letters, postcards, other printed materials and personal gifts or merchandise under 100USD aren't subject to the aforementioned customs fees. As for packages over 800USD, consult with your local Japan Post branch regarding any necessary fees and how to pay them.More from Time Out TokyoMissing Punch the monkey? Ichikawa Zoo is still taking donations for him10 art exhibitions to check out in and around Tokyo this springGrand Hyatt Tokyo celebrates Pokémon’s 30th anniversary with themed rooms this summerTokyo could be getting its own version of the Las Vegas SphereUeno Zoo is set to open a '

In this fast-paced world, viral characters come and go (remember Moo Deng?), but there's a little monkey out there who's still in our hearts: Punch. The baby Japanese macaque made massive waves worldwide earlier this year, with images of him and his orangutan plushie racking up millions of views across social media. (If you somehow missed the whole spectacle, read our recap of the Punch the monkey saga to get up to speed.)The popular primate garnered so much attention online that the zoo where he's located, Ichikawa Zoo just over an hour from Tokyo, began to see a massive spike in real-world attendance. The zoo subsequently started a fundraising campaign in mid-March, receiving over ¥19 million from gracious donors worldwide by the end of the month.If you care to donate, you still can – Ichikawa Zoo is accepting donations until May 31. The funds raised aren't exclusively for Punch, of course, but go toward the upkeep of the zoo's facilities in general, including the enclosure where Punch resides.The bilingual guide on how to donate can be found on the official Ichikawa Zoo website here. By the way, we hear that Punch is doing much better, and though he doesn't depend on his iconic plushie anymore, he just might appreciate it if you pay him a visit anyway. Long live Punch!More from Time Out TokyoCatch a traditional Japanese flute performance at this outdoor market near TokyoSee the world's most famous work of Japanese erotic art now in Kabukicho10 art exhibitions to check out

Searching for authentic experiences away from the hustle and bustle of the inner city? Look no further than Machida, about an hour from the city centre. Here you can try spinning wool on a sheep farm, for example, and later this month the city is holding a shinobue (bamboo flute) concert in a bamboo grove.The 40-minute concert is brought to you by musicians Sachiko Yamaguchi and Yuko Kumagaya, who have been performing as the duo Yamakumaya since 2019. Their shinobue performances combine traditional Japanese folk songs and Western melodies, made all the more ethereal among the breathtaking bamboo.After the show, stick around for a brief lesson to practise the basics of the shinobue (in Japanese only). Bring your own shinobue if you happen to have one lying around the house, or use one of the instruments provided at the event. Photo: Shima Takenouchi The concert is the highlight of the day, but it's not the only thing going on. Next to the performance venue you'll find an outdoor market, where you can try local foods and support local artisans by purchasing their handmade crafts. As the market takes place near the aforementioned bamboo grove, the items on sale include bamboo-related products ranging from artisanal soap to home decor. Photo: Shima Takenouchi The whole shebang takes place on April 25 at the Yoridoko Community Center from 11am to 3.30pm, with the concert happening at 1pm. To get to the community centre, take the Odakyu line to Tsurukawa Station or Tama Center

Ah, Hatsune Miku. It's not exactly difficult to find merch of Japan's most famous virtual superstar – in vending machines or at the country's only Sega Store, for instance – but it's about to get even easier. Later this month, a store dedicated to the turquoise-haired talent is opening in Harajuku.Officially named 'The Hatsune Miku Store in Harajuku', the shop is set to feature exclusive merch of Miku-chan and the other Piapro characters. Not much else has been announced yet, but the good news is that this isn't a pop-up shop: fans will soon have a permanent store dedicated to their idol. Photo: ⓒ COVER If Miku and her Piapro pals aren't enough digital delight, you're in luck. VTuber agency 'hololive production' is also in the virtual idol business and is opening its own official store on the same day as the Hatsune Miku store, and in the same building to boot. Themed decor, exclusive merch… you know the drill.The Hatsune Miku store and 'hololive production' store both open on the fourth floor of Tokyu Plaza Omotesando on April 24. The hololive store requires a ticket lottery for the first two days of its opening – enter the lottery here.More from Time Out TokyoFeed sheep and spin wool on this farm tour near TokyoThis Tokyo exhibition explores the process of curating art for an entire nation10 art exhibitions to check out in and around Tokyo this springThe largest Doraemon exhibition in history just made its Tokyo debutDive into Sebastian Masuda's immersive kawaii world at

Tokyo and its surrounding areas may seem like a concrete jungle to the unfamiliar, but there's plenty for nature lovers to experience if you know where to look (vegetable picking, anyone?). This farm tour located in Machida about an hour from the city centre lets you feed sheep, spin wool, hike through a bamboo grove and try your hand at bamboo weaving, all in one. Photo: Christopher House You'll start the day by meeting your bilingual tour guide – at 8.40am at a designated meeting point in Shinjuku Station – who will then accompany you to Tama-Center Station. (Alternatively, if you're already familiar with the Tokyo metro system, you can choose to meet your guide directly at Tama-Center Station.)From there, you'll be transported to your first stop, about 10 minutes' drive from the station: the Yoridoko Community Center. Just beyond this building lies the bamboo grove where you'll visit the sheep farm, but for now you'll meet your bilingual bamboo workshop instructor, Yukino. Photo: Christopher House Yukino Enjoji is a skilled craftsperson with several years of experience working with bamboo. She's been running workshops for locals and international guests alike since 2023, teaching them how to work the versatile material into useful household items. 'It's nice to make something with your hands,' she says. 'You don't have to buy everything.'For this tour, you have the option of creating a basket, a lantern or a pair of knitting needles. Photo: Christopher House Yukino's

From traditional ukiyo-e prints to futuristic sexy robots, Tokyo has no shortage of fascinating exhibitions to offer. Get ready for a whole lot more, as the beloved Edo-Tokyo Museum reopened on March 31. The massive 9,000sqm venue had been closed since April 2022 for renovations, but its collection of over 350,000 items is now available for public viewing once again.The upgrades include not only updated familiar spaces, but also brand-new permanent exhibitions. Read on for a preview of what to expect from the new-and-improved museum on your next visit. Photo: Christopher House Near the main entrance you're immediately greeted by a creative work that exemplifies what the museum is all about: merging the old and the new. The remarkable piece is the work of Tokyo artisan Naoki Kusumi, a third-generation master of traditional plaster techniques. His hand-crafted work pairs seamlessly with the contemporary design of the museum – the synthesis is a perfect introduction for what's in store.The first floor is also where special exhibitions are held throughout the year. Check the museum's website for updates, but in the meantime, catch the lift to the fifth and sixth floor to see the permanent exhibitions. Photo: Christopher House For the uninitiated, you can't enter the fifth floor directly: you have to start on the sixth floor and work your way down. The sixth floor features a recreation of Nihonbashi Bridge, which passes over the fifth floor's Tokyo Zone to the right (pictured

The Edo-Tokyo Museum’s reopening is happening soon after four long years, but until that fateful day, here’s another exhibition to check out. Earlier today, March 27, saw the debut of ‘100% Doraemon & Friends’ at the newly opened Tokyo Dream Park in Ariake.The expansive exhibition is the largest in the franchise’s 56-year history, bringing together manga panels, animation, sculptures, limited-edition merch and a themed food menu all starring the world’s favourite blue robot cat. Photo: Kisa Toyoshimaオープニングセレモニー The exhibition launched in Hong Kong in July 2024, attracting over five million visitors during its month-long run. Since then, it has continued to captivate fans across Asia, making its way through several cities including Shanghai, Guangzhou, Bangkok, and Kaohsiung in Taiwan. Photo: Genya Aokiオリジナルアニメーションの1シーン※メディア内覧につき撮影、通常撮影禁止 In addition to showcasing the content from the previous cities, the Tokyo exhibition also features Japan-exclusive works. Here you can see Doraemon transformed into a shiba inu, a sumo wrestler and a few other forms inspired by Japanese culture, as well as view two original animations not seen elsewhere. Photo: Kisa Toyoshima Photo: Kisa Toyoshima「ウソ800」の名場面を再現した展示 Photo: Kisa Toyoshima Fans of the manga won’t be disappointed, as the venue is decked out with wall panels, 3D projectors and life-size models displaying iconic scenes from all 45 volumes. Plus, get a glimpse of the cool cat’s humble beginnings with a recreation of Doraem

Tired of carrying your rubbish around all day? We've explained before why there are hardly any rubbish bins in Tokyo, but fortunately change is starting now – in Shibuya at least.The bustling district has announced that as of today, food and beverage retailers in the area are required to install rubbish bins, particularly in the areas around Shibuya Station, Harajuku Station and Ebisu Station. Businesses that violate the new ordinance could be fined ¥50,000.Life isn't all butterflies and bins, though. Along with the push for more waste receptacles comes a crackdown on littering. Multilingual patrol staff are planned to be on the lookout, and those caught littering will face a ¥2,000 fine, to be collected on the spot.Though restaurants, supermarkets and the like are already required to begin installing bins as of today, fines for littering won't go into effect until June 1. Regardless, littering is a big no-no, so if you've got rubbish that needs tossing, chuck it in a nearby bin or hold onto it until you get home.More from Time Out TokyoCyclists in Japan can now be fined for minor traffic violationsThe largest Doraemon exhibition in history just made its Tokyo debutThe Edo-Tokyo Museum is reopening March 31 – here's what's inside nowJapan moves to implement new pre-travel 'JESTA' authorisation system from 2028Dive into Sebastian Masuda's immersive kawaii world at Hyper Museum HannoWant to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest upda

Planning to cycle around the city to take in those lovely cherry blossom views? Better think twice about breaking the rules of the road. As of today (April 1), cyclists aged 16 and over who engage in risky behaviours while riding could be fined thousands of yen by the police.The move is part of Japan's new 'blue ticket' system. Up until now, cyclists could be punished for major infractions like riding while heavily intoxicated or causing a traffic accident, but the law has been expanded to include fines for lesser offenses that previously warranted only a warning.Here are just a few of the several dozen violations added to list of finable offenses: Failure to use bike lanes (¥3,000) Failure to slow down in a slow-down zone (¥5,000) Obstructing pedestrians at a zebra crossing (¥6,000) Entering a closed railroad crossing (¥7,000) Use of a mobile phone while riding (¥12,000) Blue tickets can be paid at a bank or post office within seven days of receipt. Failure to pay could result in criminal proceedings, and repeated violations of certain offenses could land you in traffic school. For a little more info, check the National Police Agency's website (Japanese only) or this quick English guide.Friendly reminder that this blue ticket system is being incorporated into the red ticket system that's already in effect, whereby serious traffic violations can lead to fines up to ¥500,000 or even imprisonment. In other words, it's time to get serious about obeying traffic laws the next ti

It's no secret that Tokyo is a great place for film – three of the world's greatest movie theatres are located here, after all. Filmmakers and enthusiasts now have something else to be excited about: the dates for the 2026 Tokyo International Film Festival have been released.Now in its 39th iteration, the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) is one of Asia's largest. Last year's festival welcomed over 160,000 attendees and featured an impressive 184 films over a 10-day period. This year's event is another 10-day affair, with calls for film entries set to start April 7. Given that last year's selections were whittled down from an eye-watering 69,000 entries, this year will undoubtedly be just as prolific. (Here were our top picks last year.)TIFF will once again be taking place in the Hibiya-Yurakucho-Marunouchi area, while TIFFCOM, the festival's affiliate audiovisual content event for producers, advertisers and other industry professionals, returns to the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center Hamamatsucho-Kan in Minato.The 39th Tokyo International Film Festival is happening from October 26 to November 4, and TIFFCOM from October 28 to 30. We'll keep you posted on ticket sales, so stay tuned. In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for this year's cherry blossom season, which is just around the corner.More from Time Out TokyoTokyo ranks among the world's 10 best cities for 2026Tokyo lands seven spots on the 50 Top Pizza Asia-Pacific 2026 list5 city-run museums in Tokyo

Sky-high hotels in Tokyo have been having a bit of a moment as of late. The Park Hyatt recently re-opened after undergoing nearly two years of renovations, and soon the Four Seasons in Marunouchi will be following suit. Starting this April, the guest rooms and suites at the luxury boutique hotel will once again be open to the public.Renovations on the hotel's accommodations and ground floor lobby area began back in July 2025, courtesy of award-winning Hong Kong-based design firm André Fu Studio, whose extensive portfolio includes the likes of Waldorf Astoria Osaka and Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto. The prolific agency is known for its dedication to quiet luxury, and in the case of Four Seasons, the company blends contemporary Western design with Japanese motifs and aesthetics to create a sense of modern-day international elegance. Photo: Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi Located in the heart of the city right next to Tokyo Station and offering only 57 rooms and suites, the stately hotel manages to create a calming, intimate living experience despite its central location. The venue boasts world-class amenities, including three-Michelin-starred French restaurant Sézanne (ranked the best restaurant in Asia in 2024), which has remained open while room renovations are underway. Photo: Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi Four Seasons Marunouchi will once again be welcoming guests starting April 29. Reservations are already open – place yours on the hotel's official website.Mor

Last year’s opening of the world’s second Sega Store was great news for Yakuza fans looking for official merch, but now there’s something new to look forward to. To celebrate the game’s recent 20th anniversary, Sega has announced it will be putting on a live concert featuring music from the wildly popular franchise.Released in December 2005, the acclaimed action-adventure game Yakuza – and its many sequels and spin-offs – follows the lives of reformed yakuza Kazuma Kiryu and other colourful characters of the Japanese underground. (Technically, the series is officially only called Like a Dragon now, based on its original Japanese title Ryu ga Gotoku, but old habits die hard.)The franchise has garnered worldwide popularity not only for its character-driven storylines and eccentric minigames and side quests, but also for its iconic soundtrack, which features a staggering number of karaoke hits. These songs will be the main focus of the concert, with the voice actors of Kazuma Kiryu, Goro Majima and Ichiban Kasuga slated to perform during the event, along with a few surprise guests. Photo: Kanadevia Hall The concert, titled ‘Ryu ga Gotoku The Live Ikizama’, takes place May 16-17 at the expansive 3,000-seater Kanadevia Hall at Tokyo Dome City. Tickets come in three types: standard ‘A’ seating for ¥9,800, premium ‘S’ seating for ¥13,800 and front-row ‘Extreme S’ seating for ¥19,800, which includes an exclusive Like a Dragon T-shirt.A ticket lottery for seating is already underway