Emma Steen

With an abundance of art shows happening this season, it'll be hard to catch all of the latest installations before they disappear. Nonetheless, we've got a list of the top art exhibitions taking place in some of Tokyo's most popular galleries to help you figure out where to start – we've also included free exhibitions in this list. For a full day of art excursions, you should also check out Tokyo's best street art and outdoor sculptures, or fill your Instagram feed at the newly reopened teamLab Borderless. Note that some museums and galleries require making reservations in advance to prevent overcrowding at the venues.  RECOMMENDED: Escape the city with the best art day trips from Tokyo

There are endless types of bars to choose from in a city like Tokyo. We've got record store bars, craft beer pubs, rooftop drinking spots and many more besides. Then, there are the places that fit into categories all of their own, inspired by special interests or experiences that offer more than just drinks and a fun atmosphere. As an added bonus, these unique bars are filled with enough conversation starters that you won’t have to worry about running out of things to talk about if you’re trying to impress a date. Ever wanted to drink from a test tube, eat candy floss in a fairy tavern or geek out in a train-themed bar? We’ve got just the places to check out for a memorable late-night adventure. RECOMMENDED: Best secret bars in Tokyo 

There are endless things to do in Shibuya, from the famous Scramble Crossing and shopping, to music gigs and casual drinks. But more often than not, those who wander into this bustling district usually end up at an izakaya one way or another.  The only problem is that Shibuya is crammed with so many pubs and restaurants that it's easy to feel overwhelmed by all the choices. We’ll save you the stress of ambling around aimlessly with this list of our favourite Japanese gastropubs in the area. From quirky underground neo-izakaya to old school sake hubs, here are the spots to bookmark for your next catch-up with friends. RECOMMENDED: 12 best restaurants near Shibuya Crossing

A few decades ago, Japan’s public bathhouses, known as sento, were as integral to a city’s infrastructure as shops or restaurants. Now that the vast majority of homes are fitted with private baths and showers, the humble sento has seen its popularity wane. In Tokyo, however, while many bathhouses have closed due to diminishing demands, a few establishments decided to reinvent themselves to adapt to the changing times. Drawing on the city's rich cultural heritage, these designer sento have collaborated with leading artists and architects to breathe new life into the traditional communal bathing experience. These reinventions are not only visually stunning but also serve as poignant reminders of the deep-seated cultural significance of the sento. Dip into this list to explore five of Tokyo’s most artful and architecturally innovative bathhouses that are leading the resurgence of this timeless Japanese tradition. RECOMMENDED: Best onsen and sento in Tokyo for people with tattoos

Tokyo is chock full of museums, galleries and public art installations, but the sheer mass of the city means it’s hard to cram in new and sizable art attractions – unless you build one underground. If you’re up for a proper cultural excursion to see rare paintings and site-specific installations, it’s worth making a day trip to the nearby prefectures of Chiba or Kanagawa for art destinations where you can also stretch your legs in nature. From a farm with two Yayoi Kusama installations to a museum with a natural hot spring foot bath and another with a dedicated Rothko room (like the one in Tate Modern in London), here are the best places to visit on your next day off. RECOMMENDED: Where to see teamLab art for free in Tokyo 

In the heart of this bustling city lies a world filled with vibrant green hues and irresistible flavours – the world of matcha. Matcha, the finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea, is more than a traditional beverage in Japan; it's a lifestyle, an art, and for many, an obsession. For matcha lovers, there's nothing quite like the rich, velvety taste of matcha desserts that carry a unique balance of sweetness and bitterness. From traditional tea houses to innovative dessert cafés, Tokyo is a veritable paradise for anyone smitten by this fascinating green powder. Here, we'll delve into five of our favourite matcha dessert cafés serving everything from parfaits and pastries to rich, concentrated matcha ice cream.  RECOMMENDED: Best old-school Japanese coffee shops in Tokyo

Tokyo is one of the world's top food cities. Not only do we possess the most number of Michelin stars in the world, we are also home to the best restaurant and pizza in Asia. However, it's not just the international accolades that make Tokyo a beloved foodie destination. This vibrant, cosmopolitan city has a diverse and dynamic restaurant scene, with countless new openings popping up on a daily basis. To help you keep track of all that's new in Tokyo, we've compiled in this list some of Tokyo's most buzz-worthy and high-profile new venues which opened within the last six months or so. Here you'll find a cool, contemporary take on izakaya fare, a surprisingly affordable wagyu beef bowl, modernist cuisines by way of internationally celebrated chefs who run Michelin-starred restaurants in their home countries, and more. RECOMMENDED: 8 best no-reservation restaurants, cafés and bars in Tokyo

Tokyo has its fair share of quality gelato shops, with flavours ranging from classic chocolate to salted caramel, but let’s face it – you can find those flavours in any other city. Trade your run-of-the-mill ice cream and soft-serve for something more exotic and Japan-specific, like sakura, roasted green tea or ume plum. You might even discover a new favourite flavour. RECOMMENDED: The best street food and snacks in Harajuku

The thing about keeping secrets is that some things are too good not to share. So as much as we’d love to keep these fanciful hideouts to ourselves, we’ll spill the beans just this once in the firm belief that these hidden bars and speakeasies are so nifty that everyone ought to experience them. We’re talking cleverly concealed entrances in quiet alleyways and private wine bars that you wouldn’t know unless a well-connected friend brought you there.  Think you know every nondescript nook and clandestine cranny Tokyo has to offer? We reckon this list says otherwise. Looking for a view instead? Here are the best rooftop bars in Tokyo.

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 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 Rainbow Pride offers a fantastic opportunity to be a part of Japan's journey towards a more equal future. Held annually in late April, this multi-event festival is filled with educational seminars, late-night parties, social gatherings and of course, the ever-growing Rainbow Pride Parade, bringing together people from all walks of life. Here are some of the events happening over the 2024 Tokyo Rainbow Pride Weekend (April 19-21). 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.

There are lots of ways to enjoy a hot-spring bath, and they don’t all have to involve a two-hour journey out of the city (although we love those kinds of getaways, too). No, we’re talking about super sento, those sumptuous city-centre baths where you can get all the benefits of a rejuvenating onsen getaway without the added cost of staying in a ryokan. Super sentos are one step above the budget-friendly, communal bathhouses that you see in nearly every Tokyo neighbourhood. They often span multiple storeys, featuring not only multiple baths and saunas but also a host of facilities that make it easy for you to spend an entire day there, like cafés, manga libraries, massage rooms and even cocktail bars. Join us on this soothing journey through Tokyo's top super sento, where convenient relaxation is just a dip away.RECOMMENDED: Best onsen and sento in Tokyo for people with tattoos

People often think there are two kinds of sushi: the cheap conveyor belt sort that comes on ¥100 plates and the expensive omakase courses served piece by piece over the counter. The latter is, of course, one of the most coveted Tokyo experiences, but one such meal could easily set you back ¥20,000 to ¥30,000.  Let us reassure you that expertly crafted omakase sushi doesn’t necessarily have to cost upwards of ¥10,000. In fact, there are plenty of restaurants in Tokyo where you can enjoy top-tier sushi featuring the chef’s seasonal recommendations for ¥5,000 or less.  Affordable sushi also doesn’t mean compromising on quality or swapping uni for cucumber rolls. The secret is knowing the right places to go. Here are our top picks for omakase sushi if you want to live a champagne lifestyle on a lemonade budget. RECOMMENDED: Try the best cheap Michelin meals in Tokyo

Japanese cuisine relies heavily on traditional dashi (soup stock of kelp and dried bonito fish) and soy sauce to flavour its dishes, so vegetarians and gluten-free diners still have a hard time finding 'safe' Japanese food in the city. That’s where Minoya comes in. This small, homey restaurant sits in the ultra-local neighbourhood of Shin-Okachimachi, on a street lined with vending machines and Showa-era street lamps, with nondescript bicycles parked in front of every other two-storey building. Minoya is a one-man show headed by chef Junji Kawahara, a former white-collar worker who gained respect for vegetable farmers when he quit his corporate job and tried starting his own vegetable patch in Koshigaya. After obtaining a professional license at a culinary school and working at a Japanese restaurant in Yanaka, Chef Kawahara decided to open his own restaurant with an emphasis on farm-to-table vegetable dishes. The restaurant can cater to nine diners at a time with five counter seats and a table for four. Because of its limited capacity, Minoya is by-appointment only. The restaurant isn't strictly vegetarian, but Minoya excels in meeting various dietary preferences and restrictions. Gluten allergies are thoughtfully addressed by substituting wheat flour with rice flour and replacing shoyu (regular soy sauce) with tamari (soy sauce made with little to no wheat). Chef Kawahara’s approach to vegetarian and vegan dishes is creative and balanced, avoiding simple substitutions like t

In the summer of 2023, Yoyogi-Uehara unveiled an exciting new complex. Although modest in size with five stories, Cabo boasts a diverse array of facilities, including office spaces, charming mini bookstores and a stunning cocktail bar-café. A highlight of Cabo is the fresh and innovative fine-dining restaurant Ukiyo, led by the dynamic duo of sommelier Naoto Takeuchi and chef Toshi Akama. Their collaboration blossomed from their shared experience at the Nordic-inspired Meguro restaurant Kabi. Chef Akama, who hails from Canada, stands out in Tokyo's culinary landscape as a rare example of a young chef under 30 leading a restaurant. Despite his youth, his culinary journey is impressive, with stints at prestigious establishments including the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Ikoyi in London. At Ukiyo, Akama crafts modern, seasonal tasting menus that fuse Japanese ingredients with exotic spices from across the globe. His plating style is deceptively simple, yet each element on the plate is a product of meticulous preparation, often requiring several days to perfect. A unique feature of the restaurant is its cooking technique, primarily using a low and slow method over a charcoal grill. This approach not only intensifies the flavours of each ingredient through the smokiness of the red-hot embers but also offers greater control over the cooking process, which sometimes yields an ingenious solution. For instance, during our visit, Chef Akama shared a story of turning disaster into de

Many of the city’s top seafood restaurants pride themselves on having fresh seafood delivered from Toyosu Market every morning, but Kenichi Nemoto takes things one step further at his French seafood restaurant NéMo in Minami-Aoyama. The head chef and owner was an avid fisherman in his youth, thanks to the influence of his grandfather. Though he later went from working as a fisherman to cooking at three-Michelin-star restaurants, Nemoto still works closely with the fishermen he has known as a teenager, who send their catch of the day fresh from the boat to NéMo’s kitchen. This unique relationship means there's no fixed monthly menu at NéMo. Instead, multi-course lunches and dinners are crafted based on the season's bounty. But while daily surprises can range from a crate of sweetfish to a 6kg yellowtail, knowing the best way to prepare each fish comes naturally to Nemoto, whose previous posts include big names like Narisawa and Quintessence.  This season’s menu begins with charcoal-grilled sweetfish that can be eaten from head to tail, served with a cooling sauce of spring onions, nori seafood and wild greens finished with a touch of olive oil. Later, he serves yellowtail pan-seared medium rare, so that the skin is a crisp golden brown and the centre blushes a delicate pink. This is plated with sauteed chanterelle mushrooms, diced tomatoes and basil puree, which manager and head sommelier Yuito Terashima pairs with a bright Sauvignon Blanc to complement the Mediterranean flavo

When in Tokyo, it may seem counterintuitive to seek out restaurants that don’t serve Japanese food. Sometimes, however, an international restaurant is so sensational that it’s worth diverging from the ever-popular offerings of sushi, ramen and yakitori. Tinc Gana is one such venue.  Opened in autumn 2022, this Ichigaya restaurant is Chef Jérôme Quilbeuf’s most upscale establishment yet, with tasting menus that offer modern takes on Spanish cuisine. Quilbeuf describes Tinc Gana as a ‘Gastrobar de Barcelona’, but unlike his open kitchen Gracia in Hiroo, where diners can order from the a la carte menu on a casual weeknight, Tinc Gana has a formal feel to it that makes you want to pull out your best outfit and celebrate a special occasion.  Lunch courses are priced at ¥6,500, ¥9,000 and ¥15,000, while dinner courses are ¥12,000 and ¥19,000. Like the restaurant's interior, which is accented with an olive green kitchen countertop and tall vases of fresh flowers, the dishes here are elegant, bright and vibrant. A meal usually starts with Quilbeuf’s version of salmorejo, which is a fuller, creamier cousin of gazpacho with roots in Andalusia. Here, a refreshing emulsion of fresh tomatoes, onion and green paprika is served with delicate wheels of cucumber and flash-boiled kuruma ebi prawns.  Depending on the season, a dish that might appear later in the course is a spin on arroz negro, a paella-like dish where rice is cooked in squid ink that turns it black. Quilbeuf takes this classic

One defining aspect of Tokyo’s dining culture is its plethora of intimate, open kitchens that seat less than a dozen guests at a time. That Rama caters to just nine diners at a time for a Japanese-Italian tasting menu is not unusual in the city’s burgeoning modern omakase scene, but this sleek and warmly lit venue along an unassuming street in Shirokane is still a stand-out.  What makes Rama a new favourite among our ever-growing list of Tokyo’s finest restaurants is the way head chef Katsuhiro Aoki manages to deliver food that is playful, elegant, unpretentious and genuinely delicious all at once. An autumn menu might begin with a twist on Caprese salad with sautéed persimmons in lieu of tomatoes, whereas chilled gnocchi with mackerel and tart raspberry vinegar would be served to convey the transition of spring to summer.  The signature dish is a bowl of handmade taglioni crowned with a generous grating of fragrant truffle. Served in a buttery emulsion of homemade chicken stock and 24-month Parmigiano Reggiano, the only thing that changes about this pasta across the seasons is the variety of truffle that is sourced directly from Italy, but every bite is as revelatory as the last.  Somewhere between the courses of handmade pasta, Chef Aoki always includes two classic Japanese dishes with his own spin. The first is a single piece of nigiri sushi, expertly shaped and served to diners one by one like a traditional omakase sushi experience. Rather than seasoning the sushi with so

By now, Makoto Shinkai fans have come to expect a certain formula from the master animator's films: a fated girl-meets-boy scenario and a natural disaster that threatens to wipe out a significant portion of Japan, with a spellbinding backdrop of rural towns and cityscapes. True to form, Shinkai covers all these bases in his latest anime, which follows 17-year-old Suzume (voiced by Nanoka Hara) on her quest to save Japan from calamity.  The story kicks off with Suzume discovering a mystical doorway in some bathhouse ruins near her home. However, before she can uncover the secrets of the portal, she accidentally uproots a kaname-ishi (spirit rock) that turns into a kitten in Suzume’s hands before bolting away. It’s at this moment that a handsome stranger shows up just in time for the magic door to suddenly burst open as a terrifying dark force storms into Suzume’s realm. After his unsuccessful attempt to close the portal of doom, the stranger introduces himself to Suzume as Sota (Hokuto Matsumura) and explains that he's on a mission to locate more doors like the one they just encountered and lock them up. The unfortunate elephant in the room is that this meet-cute involves a man who is ostensibly too old to be a high-school student. Not to worry, though, because the dashing nomad is soon turned into a child-sized chair by the aforementioned spirit-rock-kitten. Knowing that Sota would struggle to survive his mission as a chair, Suzume resolves to accompany him on his journey and

In her feature debut, director AV Rockwell delivers a poignant and stirring portrait of parenthood in a rapidly gentrifying New York City. Set in the mid-’90s, the story casts rising star Teyana Taylor (Coming 2 America) as Inez, who has just been released from Rikers Island. Though she doesn’t have a job or a place of her own, Inez decides to kidnap her six-year-old son Terry from the foster care system, with a firm resolve to give him the best life she can afford.  After securing an apartment and forged identity documents for Terry to ensure he remains undetected by the authorities, Inez is joined by her on-off boyfriend Lucky (William Catlett) and the three of them settle into their new life as a non-traditional family.  The story spans a decade or so, with the passage of time marked by three different actors portraying Terry in different stages of life. Aaron Kingsley Adetola embodies a young and vulnerable six-year-old Terry, while Aven Courtney delivers a compelling performance as a preteen. Eventually, Terry grows into a quiet and academically gifted 17-year-old (Josiah Cross), but by this point, Inez’s carefully crafted facade threatens to unravel when he begins contemplating part-time jobs and university. Throughout it all, however, she never loses focus on her goal of guiding her family through hardships, even as Lucky dips in and out of the picture. Teyana Taylor’s raw, captivating performance showcases her impressive range It’s not a short film and more time could

The combination of camping, rollerskating and Californian sunshine might seem like the promise of a happy, carefree day, but this is far from the case in I’m Fine (Thanks for Asking). Co-directed by Angelique Molina and Kelley Kali, who also plays the film’s protagonist, this soulful pandemic-set drama follows Danny, a recently widowed mum, as she fights to secure housing for herself and her eight-year-old daughter Wes (Wesley Moss).  Though the mother and daughter currently live in a tent, Danny has successfully shielded Wes from the reality of their situation by pretending that they’re only camping for the sake of adventure. Without a car to navigate the LA suburbs, she drops Wes off at a friend’s and scoots between her various gigs with just a pink bum bag to hold her cash and a pair of rollerskates (talk about being a go-getter).  But Danny’s efforts to secure the final $200 she needs to finally afford a flat for her and Wes fall apart when a series of mishaps means she isn’t paid for her scheduled odd jobs. She desperately needs help, but sidesteps her friends’ concerns about her life. This is a refreshingly realistic story about resilience, familial love and adversity  I’m Fine (Thanks for Asking) doesn’t always make it easy to sympathise with Danny’s plight. She sometimes appears to forget the urgency of her situation, like when she abandons her mission to smoke a joint with a pal in a playground. And yet, it’s the way the film presents this dichotomy between languishi

Anyone who caught the film adaptation of Jojo Moyes’s novel ‘Me Before You’ will get a twinge of déjà vu when watching François Ozon’s Everything Went Fine. Like that soapy romantic drama, it deals with the controversial issue of assisted suicide. Rather than a whirlwind romance between a handsome millionaire and a vivacious twentysomething, however, this French drama centres on the rocky relationship between a miserable elderly man and his weary adult daughter.  Everything Went Fine is based on a memoir by Emmanuèle Bernheim, a writer whose collaborations with Ozon have already delivered 2003’s sultry thriller Swimming Pool. Sophie Marceau plays Emmanuèle, who rushes to the hospital at the beginning of the movie upon hearing that her father André (André Dussollier) has suffered a stroke. Shortly after being admitted to hospital, André asks Emmanuèle to arrange for an assisted suicide – a plea André doesn’t back away from even as his physical condition improves. Though André was never a particularly good father, she and her sister find it painful to grapple with their father’s desire to end his life. Eventually, Emmanuèle reluctantly looks into euthanasia at her father’s insistence, thus beginning a months-long application process to move him from his hospital bed in France to an expensive assisted suicide clinic in Switzerland.  You’re left with a nagging feeling that everything could have gone… better Despite impeccable performances from its talented cast, we never get to

Don’t clutch your pearls if you ever catch word of your buttoned-up former RE teacher having a tryst with a sex worker. At least, that’s one of the takeaways to gain from Sophie Hyde’s (Animals) sex comedy. It stars Emma Thompson as widow and retired educator Nancy Stokes, who decides to hire a rent boy in his twenties to try and reclaim a life she’s never lived. When Leo Grande (Daryl McCormack) comes knocking on her hotel room door, however, Nancy’s self-doubt gets the best of her and she questions whether she is prepared for such an encounter. But after a few false starts and countless reassurances from the effortlessly charming Leo, she gradually allows herself to become more vulnerable. Despite its taboo-tackling premise, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande isn’t the raunchy romp that one might expect it to be. Though the clothes come off fairly early on, it focuses on the intimacy that unfolds as the two characters lay bare the innermost parts of themselves, rather than just their bodies. Don’t clutch your pearls if you ever catch word of your old RE teacher having a tryst with a sex worker Like Thompson’s character, the film takes its time to gather momentum, but eventually finds its footing as a progressive conversation-starter about modern attitudes towards sex work, as well as a cheering nudge to drop the useless inhibitions holding you back from leading a fulfilling life. Excellent writing by Katy Brand leaves plenty of room for both light-hearted humour and deeply pers

The posh neighbourhood of Minami Aoyama is often associated with upscale boutiques and bakeries, but the area is also chock full of small museums and galleries, which often get overlooked in favour of larger attractions in the vicinity like Meiji Jingu. Among these hidden gems is the Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum, dedicated to one of Japan’s most prominent masters of contemporary art. Born in 1911, Taro Okamoto was an artist and art theorist famous for his avant-garde paintings and sculptures that have become permanent fixtures in public spaces across Japan. These include ‘Tower of the Sun’, which served as the symbol of Expo '70 held in Osaka, as well the 60m-long mural found in Shibuya Mark City titled ‘Myth of Tomorrow’. The latter carries a poignant message as it depicts the instant of an atomic bomb explosion (you can read more about the piece here).  Opened in 1998, the museum served as Okamoto’s primary studio and residence for the last 44 years of his life. Okamoto, who moved from Japan to Paris at the age of 18, spent the beginning of his career exploring abstraction. He later went on to become the youngest member of the Abstraction-Création group in 1933. Four years later, he left the group and turned his attention to the Surrealism movement and rubbed shoulders with pioneers by the likes of Max Ernst and Man Ray.  Highlights at the museum include the back gallery, where Okamoto conceived his ‘Tower of the Sun’ sculpture and created all of his paintings from 1954. Th

There’s something morbidly fascinating about witnessing a group of people participating in the absurd marathon car-touching contest depicted in German filmmaker Bastian Günther’s sobering true-life drama. It follows 20 or so people in a small southern town in the US who compete in a car dealership contest in a bid to win a brand new pickup truck. The last person to remain standing with their hand on the vehicle gets to take it home.  Questions soon spring to mind: how long can the average person actually go without sleep? Is anyone here desperate enough to publicly wet themselves for this truck? Haven’t people died from doing this? Why would anyone come up with this idea in the first place?But One of These Days is keen to take you from the position of a bemused onlooker to the grim reality of being one of these sleep-deprived contestants still clinging on after 24 hours standing in unbearably hot weather. Among them is fast-food employee Kyle (Joe Cole), who struggles to make ends meet and believes that winning the contest is the key to proving himself as a worthy provider for his partner Marie (Callie Hernandez) and their infant son.  Peaky Blinders’ Joe Cole does an exceptional job as a man striving to keep his head above water  Cole does an exceptional job portraying this desperate man who is striving to keep his head above water in a tight-knit but hard-scrabble Bible Belt town. The film zeroes in, too, on Carrie Preston (True Blood) as the contest’s perky organiser Joan

This April, Ginza Six shopping centre is celebrating its seventh anniversary with a striking new installation in its atrium. The artwork, titled 'Big Cat Bang’,' features two astronauts – a pair of cats – aboard a vessel reminiscent of Taro Okamoto's iconic 'Tower of the Sun'. Set to be displayed until summer 2025, the installation reflects the signature style of its artist, Kenji Yanobe, exploring dystopian themes with a vibrant palette while paying tribute to Okamoto's legendary piece created for Expo '70 in Osaka. Photo: Kisa ToyoshimaThe artist and his installation, 'Big Cat Bang' ‘Big Cat Bang’ is part of Yanobe’s 'Ship’s Cat' series, which the artist began in 2017. The series draws inspiration from maritime cats that protected sailors by hunting disease-spreading rats during the Age of Exploration.  Photo: Kisa Toyoshima「BIG CAT BANG」ヤノベケンジ The centrepiece is displayed at Ginza Six along with a 1/50 scale model of the 'Tower of the Sun' from the 1970 Osaka Expo, exhibited on the fourth floor alongside three other sculptures from the Ship’s Cat series.  Photo: Kisa ToyoshimaSHIP'S CAT（Flying）Figure mascot（左）とカプセルトイ AIP SHIP'S CAT Ver1.5 Additionally, the rooftop garden at Ginza Six will host an interactive art park by Brooklyn-based artist duo Wade and Leta (Wade Jeffree and Leta Sobierajski), marking their first appearance in Japan. The Kanze Noh Theatre is also scheduled to perform a traditional 'Candle Noh' on May 3, adding to the cultural offerings during this

More often than not, the city you choose to live in will significantly shape the way you view the world. Depending on where you live, a 25-minute walk to a restaurant, for instance, is either an effortless stroll that hardly warrants public transport, or a treacherous journey reminiscent of a JRR Tolkien adventure. Tokyoites identify with the former, thanks to our city’s optimal walkability factor. In fact, Tokyo is regarded as one of the world’s most walkable cities, and now we’ve got more data to prove it.  Insurance company Compare the Market AU recently released a ranking of major cities that are best (and worst) for getting around without a car, and placed Tokyo at No. 6. The capital was also the only non-European city to make the top ten, as listed here: Munich, Germany  Milan, Italy  Warsaw, Poland  Helsinki, Finland  Paris, France  Tokyo, Japan Madrid, Spain Oslo, Norway  Copenhagen, Denmark  Amsterdam, Netherlands  Eight different factors were considered for this ranking, including an overall safety score, average rainfall, car-free places and the cost and quality of public transport. The study also factored in the number of walking trails each city had, the distance of cycling paths and lanes and the percentage of residents who live within 1km of their nearest healthcare or education facility.  The same barometers were used to determine the worst cities for pedestrians, with Johannesburg (South Africa), Patras (Greece), Dallas (Texas, USA), Houston (Texas, USA)

Last year, JR Central announced that it would discontinue its free-seating tickets on Tokaido Shinkansen’s Nozomi trains during peak travel seasons. This policy affects periods including the New Year holidays, Obon (mid-August) and now, the upcoming Golden Week holidays in early May. If you have plans to travel between Tokyo, Nagoya Kyoto and Shin-Osaka in the coming weeks, just bear in mind that the Nozomi shinkansen – the fastest of the three bullet trains linking these cities – will require reserved seating tickets from April 26 through May 6. These tickets come with a surcharge ranging from ¥330 to roughly ¥2,000, depending on the length of the journey, plus an additional peak season surcharge of up to ¥400. Usually, the standard free-seating option allows travellers to occupy any available seat within designated carriages. Each train typically has three of these open-seating carriages. However, this can also lead to overcrowded carriages and long waits on platforms during busy times, as free-seating quickly reaches full capacity. Though this mandatory reservation system will involve a little more planning ahead, it can potentially save you from the stress of standing in crowded areas and waiting extensively for a seat. That said, if you’re still determined to save some extra yen during peak seasons, you’ll be pleased to know that JR Central's Hikari and Kodama trains on the Tokaido line will continue to offer non-reserved seating even during peak seasons.  For more infor

Every spring, one million nemophila come into full bloom at Osaka Maishima Seaside Park, creating a 44,000sqm sea of flowers. This year’s Nemophila Festival is already in full swing and is set to run through Golden Week until May 6. Photo: fb.com/MaishimaSeasidepark The flowers, also known as ‘baby blue eyes’, can be distinguished by their periwinkle blue petals and white centre. To celebrate the remarkable sight, the park hosts a month-long festival with special activities and seasonal merchandise. There's even themed food and drink like blue lemonade, blue soda ice cream floats and pastel blue soft serve for people to snack on as they make their way around the winding flower paths.  Photo: Osaka Maishima Seaside ParkOsaka Maishima Seaside Park during nemophila season Aside from flowers and seasonal sweet treats, the park offers a variety of family-friendly activities. For the duration of the festival, the park is offering discount packages allowing you to save up to ¥600 on park admission and activities. If you want to admire the flowers from above, try the 200-metre-long aerial adventure track 6 metres above ground (weekdays ¥3,400, weekends ¥3,700 per person with park admission). For thrill-seekers who prefer to stay on the ground, there's a go-karting track that you can race on for ¥4,000 per person on weekdays and ¥4,300 per person on weekdays (including park admission). Photo: Kenichi OzakiNemophila Festival at Osaka Maishima Seaside Park The park is open from

春の京都を舞台にした「KYOTOGRAPHIE 京都国際写真祭 2024」が、開催間近だ。伝統とイノベーションが融合したこの祭典は、京都の遺産と国際的な文化発信地としての役割を結びつけることを目的としている。 10カ国から13人のアーティストが集結し、期間中は街の各所で国内外の写真家による新作や撮り下ろしを多数展示。京都の歴史的建造物などの名所を会場とするなど、従来の展示形式を超え、京都が持つ特有の雰囲気や景観との調和を実現しているのも特徴だ。 会期は2024年4月13日（土）〜5月12日（日）。今年は「SOURCE」をテーマに、生命や世界の源を探求するような展覧会を実施する。 ここでは、同写真展の見どころを紹介しよう。 Photo: James MollisonNirto, Dadaab Refugee Camp, Kenya, from the series 'Where Children Sleep' 今年は、それぞれがユニークな視点と語り口で「SOURCE」を探求する写真家たちが勢揃い。ケニア生まれ、イギリス育ちのジェームズ・モリソン（James Mollison）は、世界中の子どもたちの寝室を撮影するプロジェクト「Where Children Sleep（子どもたちが眠る場所）」を発表。子どもたちが置かれた複雑な状況を写真にすることによって、現代社会が抱える問題を提起する。 Photo: Jaisingh Nageswaran'The Fish Tank' ジャイシング・ナゲシュワラン（Jaisingh Nageswaran）は、インドのタミル・ナードゥ州ヴァディパッティ村出身の写真家。独学で写真を学んだナゲシュワラの作品は、ジェンダーアイデンティティやカースト差別、インドの農村の物語に焦点を当てている。彼のプロジェクト「I Feel Like a Fish」は、ダリットのコミュニティーへの献身を示すもので、社会から疎外された人々の生活、闘争と忍耐が描かれている。 Photo: Birdhead'Bigger' photo 上海を拠点とするソン・タオ（宋涛）とジ・ウェイユィ（季炜煜）のアートユニット、バードヘッド（Birdhead）は、伝統的な写真技法やその実践の限界を試すことで、写真の本質に立ち返った。 彼らの初期の作品は、上海の急速な都市化の経過を記録したものが多いが、近年は、光と時間の関係を意識し創作を行い、表現と抽象の微妙なバランスを追求している。 Photo: Claudia Andujar, courtesy of The Instituto Moreira SallesCollective house near the Catholic mission on the Catrimani River, Roraima state (1976). クラウディア・アンドゥハル（Claudia Andujar）は、ブラジルのアマゾンに住むヤノマミ族の暮らしを記録し、その文化と権利の保護に取り組んできた。同展は彼女の作品を展示するだけでなく、ヤノマミ族の声とビジョンを伝え、彼らの世界観や政治観も紹介するプラットフォームとしての役割も果たす。 会場は、建仁寺などの寺院や新聞社ビルの地下室など、京都にあるユニークなヴェニュー全12カ所。有料会場と無料会場があり、有料会場の入場にはパスポート（3,000円〜、税込み）や単館チケット（600〜1200円）が必要になる。プログラムと各会場の詳細は公式ウェブサイトから確認してほし

As spring unfolds in the ancient city of Kyoto, the spotlight once again turns to Kyotographie – Japan's premier international platform for the exchange of culture through the artistic medium of photography. Celebrating its home city’s unique blend of tradition and innovation, this festival intertwines Kyoto's thousand-year legacy with its role as a beacon of international culture. In an elegant fusion of past and present, Kyotographie 2024 exhibits an array of photographic collections that span from the works of time-honoured artisans to avant-garde collaborations harnessing the latest in technology. Each exhibition, set against the backdrop of Kyoto’s historic and contemporary architectural marvels, transcends the conventional gallery format to achieve a mesmerising harmony with its surroundings. Set to run from April 13 to May 12, this year’s edition of Kyotographie is centred around the concept of ‘Source’, delving into the essence of beginnings and the nexus of creation and discovery. It reflects on life’s pivotal moments – be it conflict, liberation, or the inception of new paths – prompting viewers to contemplate a return to primal origins or to embark on fresh endeavours. Photo: James MollisonNirto, Dadaab Refugee Camp, Kenya, from the series 'Where Children Sleep' Participating photographers you should look out for This year’s festival boasts an exceptional lineup of photographers, each bringing a unique perspective and narrative to the festival's exploration of ‘S

A little over three years after its launch, the Yokohama Gundam Factory welcomed visitors one last time before closing on March 31 2024. Though the attraction was initially only set to be open from December 2020 to March 2022, the attraction was extended for two years longer than planned due to its immense popularity.  The site boasted a museum, a shop and a themed café, but the pièce de résistance was, of course, the 18-metre-tall Gundam robot. Equipped with movable limbs, it could step outside its loading dock and strike various poses. This robot, which had been under development since 2015 before being unveiled to the public, attracted over 1.5 million visitors during its stay in Yokohama. View this post on Instagram A post shared by GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA(GFY) 公式 (@gfy.official_) While the engineering marvel stuck around for longer than anticipated, the closing of this exhilarating attraction came far too soon. Still, on its final day of opening, the moving mecha bowed out in style, with a spectacular drone show and fireworks that almost matched the grandeur of the giant robot itself. Roughly 1,500 fans flocked to witness the event, and even Toshiyuki Tomino, creator of the ‘Mobile Suit Gundam’ anime franchise, came to bid the colossal mecha goodbye.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA(GFY) 公式 (@gfy.official_) The moving Gundam is set to be dismantled soon, and while the fate of this meg

Time is ticking for those wishing to see the magnificent 18-metre-tall Gundam at Gundam Factory Yokohama. This monumental engineering marvel with flashing LED lights, moving limbs and the ability to step out from its Gundam Dock, has captivated mecha fans since its unveiling in December 2020. A mindblowing feat of design and mechanical science, the mega robot began development in 2014 and took several years to perfect. Photo: Hidefumi Ohmichi/Unsplash While this Gundam masterpiece has enjoyed an extended stay, delighting fans who were unable to visit due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, all good things must come to an end. Despite a couple of extensions in the past, as of February 2024, there have been no announcements of further prolonging its stay. This means that the Gundam Factory Yokohama is set to close for good on March 31 2024. Photo: ©Sotsu/Sunrise Don't miss your last opportunity to witness this giant Gundam in person and plan your visit now! Tickets for visit between March 1 and March 15 are available now for ¥1,650 per adult and ¥1,100 per child. For those planning to visit between March 16 and March 31, tickets will become available online from 10am JST on March 1. Note that access to the Gundam Dock Tower will require a separate ticket, priced at ¥3,300 per person. As for the Gundam’s fate after March 31, rumours are circulating that the moving mecha may be dismantled and transported to Osaka to be showcased at the Gundam Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka next yea

This is it! The Japan Meteorological Corporation just released its eighth update for the 2024 sakura season, revealing that the cherry blossoms in Tokyo are only a week away from blooming. According to the latest forecasts, Tokyo's cherry blossoms are expected to flower around March 24, with the pink blossoms reaching their peak bloom by March 31. These dates are right on par with what we usually see, so there won’t be any need to rearrange your hanami plans in a panic. Photo: Navapon Plodprong/DreamstimeCherry blossom at Ueno Park Though the warmer weather last autumn pushed back the cherry trees' bud development slightly, warmer temperatures from February to March helped speed things up again. For tips on where to go to see cherry blossoms in the city, we’ve got a round-up of our favourite sakura parks, gardens and streets in Tokyo to point you in the right direction.  If you're curious about when and where else in Japan you can enjoy cherry blossoms, check out our other story on Japan's sakura forecast for the latest updates. With spring just around the corner, all we have left to do is cross our fingers and hope that the rainy season doesn’t wash all the petals away.  More on cherry blossoms in Tokyo 10 spectacular cherry blossom illuminations in Tokyo in 2024 17 cherry blossom desserts and drinks to try in Tokyo8 best cherry blossom day trips from Tokyo Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and J

国際的にも観光産業がコロナ禍以前の水準に回復しつつある昨今。日本でも、観光客が多く訪れる都市のいくつかは、オーバーツーリズムの課題に取り組んでいる。特に、京都の歴史的な花街の一つである祇園地区では、舞妓（まいこ）や芸者を一目見ようと細い路地にも観光客が押し寄せ、地元の企業や住民を苦しめてきた。 近年、芸者や舞妓、個人宅を無断で撮影する観光客の姿が目撃されている。京都府は2019年、住民のプライバシーと安全を守るために特定の場所での写真撮影を禁止し、違反者には1万円の罰金を科すことを決定した。 このような努力にもかかわらず、観光客が住宅街に押し寄せ迷惑行為を引き起こすという問題は後を絶たず、地方自治体は観光客の手に負えない行動への対策を強化する必要に迫られている。2024年4月からは祇園の私道脇に、「不法侵入者には1万円の罰金を科す」と警告する看板を複数の言語で設置する予定だ。 ジャパンタイムズによると、祇園地区の理事である太田磯一は、「規則を強化する決定は困難だが、必要なことだ」と述べているという。報道では、太田の言葉として「4月以降、観光客に狭い私道への立ち入りを控えるよう求める。強制はしたくないが、やむを得ない」とのコメントも引用している。 早ければ来月から実施される罰金令は、京都におけるオーバーツーリズムの影響を緩和するための幅広い取り組みの一環である。そのほか、3月にはバス1日券の販売も廃止されている。 関連記事 『京都がオーバーツーリズム対策でバス1日券の販売廃止へ』 『アンビエントと溶け合う街・京都でしかできない6のこと』 『スペイン政府が国内線の一部短距離フライトの運行を規制へ』 『回転寿司やコーヒーショップ、銀座で外国人に人気の飲食店ランキングが発表』 『関東最大級、100種類70万本が春を彩るチューリップフェスタが千葉で開催』 東京の最新情報をタイムアウト東京のメールマガジンでチェックしよう。登録はこちら

As international tourism bounces back to pre-pandemic levels, some of Japan’s most visited cities are grappling with the challenges of overtourism. In Kyoto's historical Gion district specifically, the influx of tourists vying for a glimpse of the local maiko and geiko (Kyoto's geishas) has overwhelmed the narrow alleyways, much to the distress of local businesses and residents. In recent years, however, locals have observed visitors abusing this privilege by taking photos of geiko and maiko, as well as private residences, without consent. To protect the privacy and safety of its residents, the Kyoto government prohibited photography in certain locales in 2019 and imposed a ¥10,000 fine for those who violated these guidelines.  Despite these efforts, the issue of tourists flooding residential areas and causing disturbances persists, prompting the local government to enhance its strategies against unruly tourist behaviours. Starting April 2024, multilingual signs will be installed beside private roads in Gion to warn trespassers of a ¥10,000 penalty for unauthorised entry. According to Japan Times, Gion official Isokazu Ota expressed that the decision to tighten these rules was difficult but necessary. In the report, Ota was quoted as saying, ‘We will ask tourists to refrain from entering narrow private streets from April onwards. We don't want to enforce this, but we are left with no choice.’ This forthcoming ban, which will come into effect as early as next month, is part of

Tokyo has seen a lot of cold and rainy weather over the last couple of days, so we’re looking at the spring cherry blossom predictions to cheer ourselves up. The Japan Meteorological Corporation recently released its seventh update for the 2024 sakura forecast, giving us a better idea of when to schedule this year’s hanami (blossom viewing) outings. The latest report predicts that in most destinations across Japan, cherry blossoms will bloom generally around the same time as the past few years, although some areas may see blossoms a few days early. Photo: Japan Meteorological Corporation This past autumn's warmer-than-average temperatures caused a delay in the crucial cold period for Japan's cherry blossom trees, pushing bud development back by about a week. However, this delay is anticipated to be offset by the warmer temperatures projected for the rest of March, which will expedite the growth stage.  For Tokyo, the cherry blossoms are predicted to start flowering on March 23 (that’s just two weeks away!), reaching full bloom by March 30. Photo: Sanga Park/DreamstimeRanden Tram in Kyoto during cherry blossom season In Kyoto, the first blossoms are expected on March 23, three days sooner than usual, with peak bloom hitting around April 1. Osaka will likely see its first flowers around March 25, with full bloom predicted for April 2. The northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido will be the last to see cherry blossoms. For Sapporo, the start of the sakura season will begin on Ma