Ili Saarinen

Right now, it feels like a great time to celebrate our cities. What cities do best is bring people together – everything we love about urban life, from the galleries and bars to the neighbourhood parks, exists thanks to the communities that make it all happen.  That’s why, every year, we raise a toast to the city with our definitive annual ranking, created on the back of a comprehensive survey of city-dwellers worldwide. Our survey asks not only what people love about their cities – the food scene and nightlife, the shops and museums, the parks and people – but also how it feels to live there. We asked you about happiness, affordability and quality of life, among a variety of other criteria. And, in order to dig deeper into the everyday lives of locals, this year we expanded our survey to cover aspects like love, romance and community feel. Time Out’s Best Cities with Intrepid Travel spotlights the destinations that offer the best of both worlds: an endlessly exciting catalogue of reasons to visit, as well as all the good stuff that makes a place feel like home. The 50 cities that made the list this year did so thanks to the insights of more than 24,000 people across 150 cities worldwide. To determine the final Best Cities ranking for 2026, we combined their thousands of responses with the votes of more than 100 Time Out city experts. Then we tapped up our network of local writers to tell us exactly what makes their city worth a visit right now. The result? A rundown of the m

Japan’s culinary capital welcomed an international cast of movers and shakers from throughout the food world on September 22 and 23 2025, when Osaka Culinary Immersion took place in the city. Organised by Osaka Prefecture, the event aimed to celebrate and stimulate Osaka’s rich culinary scene in all its diversity. While Osaka is widely recognised as one of the world’s great food cities, it’s still often considered synonymous with street eats and budget dining. With the eyes of the world on Osaka in 2025, this culinary gathering sought to nudge the narrative around the city’s food scene towards Osaka’s abundance of high-quality ingredients, imaginative chefs and world-class restaurants. On September 22, the programme commenced with a two-way excursion attended by the symposium’s key participants. This experiential journey took one group into the northern Hokusetsu area, while the other visited southern Osaka. The excursion concluded in the morning of September 23, and later in the day the Osaka Culinary Immersion roundtables and symposium took place under the chandeliers of the luxurious Waldorf Astoria Osaka. Here’s our recap of the full programme. Excursion: Heirloom greens and artisanal brews on a journey up north Photo: Time Out JapanFrom left: Pete Teo, Lisa Ngan, Dylan Watson Brawn Bright and early on the first day of the event, chef Dylan Watson Brawn of the award-winning Berlin restaurant Ernst; Malaysian musician and actor Pete Teo, whose many talents also include r

Art direction: Steve Nakamura | Photo: Tajima Kazunali (Mild Inc.) Spring is here, and with it the March issue of Time Out Japan magazine. Available nationwide from March 13, just in time for sakura season, our third issue highlights local gems across the country – from the hidden neighbourhood izakaya serving the perfect highball to the countryside supermarket stocking the ultimate travel fuel. We’re getting the show started with pro wrestlers and capital-area heroines Miku Aono and Chika Goto of the up-and-coming Marigold promotion, who provide the lowdown on what’s hot in Japan’s joshi puro (women’s wrestling) scene right now. Photo: Time Out Japan Inside, we invite you to step outside the ring and discover the country on a community level, spotlighting essentials including regional ramen chains, multi-location drinking emporiums and some of Osaka’s hottest streetwear shops. Photo: Time Out Japan In preparation for the spectacle that is cherry blossom season, we’ve lined up seven life-changing sakura spots throughout Japan. Photo: Time Out Japan And that’s just a small sample: the mag also includes 10 unmissable things to do in Japan this spring, an interview with up-and-coming shimauta singer Minami Kizuki, a meditation on Tokyo’s cosmopolitan Hiroo neighbourhood, and much more. Pick up your FREE copy of Time Out Japan magazine in English or Japanese at Haneda and Narita airports, Time Out Market Osaka, as well as selected hotels and tourist information centres in

Specialising in tori paitan – cloudy, white chicken-based ramen – Torisoba Zagin counts among Osaka’s most universally praised noodle joints. Since opening its first outlet in Higobashi back in 2014, the shop has taken the Kansai ramen scene by storm, and now has a multi-brand presence across the region as well as in Tokyo. The establishment of Time Out Market Osaka in March 2025 marked a new chapter in Zagin’s history, as chef Kazumasa Takeda took our invitation to be part of the new food and cultural market as an opportunity to try something out of the ordinary. For his new shop, Zagin Diversity, Takeda decided to flip the script. The soups are still as moreishly creamy and the noodles as lovingly crafted as at Torisoba Zagin, but Zagin Diversity does away with staple ramen ingredients like pork in the interest of whipping up bowls that can be savoured by noodle fiends from all over the world. Photo: Kisa ToyoshimaThe beef hakubutsu ramen from Zagin Diversity On a quick break from crafting his acclaimed vegan shoyu ramen, Takeda answered our questions on where he likes to eat, drink and shop in Osaka. Here are the noodle master’s picks, from his favourite breakfast spot and go-to takoyaki stall to the ingredients he makes sure to keep a stock of at home. Where do you go for breakfast on your day off? I love Cocorono Bakery in Nishi-Nakajima. Their tamago sando (egg sandwich) is unbelievable. And where do you drink your morning coffee? At home. Mandheling from Kaldi is my

The Year of the Horse is here, and as suckers for all manner of new and shiny stuff, we’re neighing with excitement at the many announcements of complexes, centres and crowd-pleasing entertainment hubs set to open across Tokyo and surroundings over the next 12 months. One of the most eagerly awaited attractions appears as soon as February, when PokéPark Kanto is set to start welcoming visitors at the Yomiuriland amusement park. That Snorlax-sized newcomer will be followed by everything from a hyper-kawaii Harajuku ‘monster land’ to a Sailor Moon theatre and a beefy brewpub by one of Japan’s top craft beer brands. Here are 11 spots opening in 2026 that are worth putting on your radar well ahead of time. RECOMMENDED: Rediscover the delights of analogue life in the winter issue of Time Out Japan

Tokyo has long been one of the world’s great culinary destinations, blending traditional cuisine with modern innovations and international influences. The city is home to 160 Michelin-starred restaurants, which specialise in everything from French, Chinese and Italian cuisine to classic Japanese dishes such as sushi, tempura and yakitori. This spirit of innovation dates back to the beginning of the 17th century, when the city that would later become Tokyo was founded as the shogun’s capital of Edo. As people from all walks of life and all parts of Japan flooded into the great city, its food culture was energised by many enterprising merchants, artisans and restaurateurs. Far from being static or traditional, Edo’s culinary scene was an ever-evolving world of new ingredients, new products and new recipes. Here, we share four places in Tokyo where you can enjoy gastronomy tourism in the capital by getting a sense of the creative inspiration that fuelled Edo’s dynamic food culture and continues to influence culinary innovation here to this day.

There's no way to travel all of Asia in one lifetime, but you can damn well bet that we're going to try. From bustling city destinations to wild island paradises, there's so much on the regional travel menu that we'd gladly spend our annual leave on in 2026 – and if you're having a hard time choosing, then you're in the right place. We talked to our Time Out editors and travel contributors in Asia to suss out what's on their radar for the coming year. These destinations are emerging hotspots: long overlooked or previously hard to reach, but now on the map for travellers seeking alternatives to well-trodden destinations like Bali, Tokyo, and Bangkok. Many on the list have become better-connected, too – all the more reason to buy that plane ticket in 2026. And it goes without saying: they all have spectacular natural attractions, rich culture, and fantastic dining scenes to satisfy the pickiest of travellers. Here's Time Out's list of the best places to visit in Asia in 2026.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Asia newsletter for the best travel inspiration straight to your inbox. READ MORE: The most spectacular places to visit in Asia and The most gorgeous islands in Asia 

Hikes along picturesque mountain trails, super-fresh seafood grilled over charcoal, underwater adventures in the company of traditional Ama free-divers; you’ll find all that and so much more in the city of Toba on Japan’s central Pacific coast, a laid-back destination that makes the perfect seaside getaway for weekend travellers and vacationeers alike. This port town on the mouth of Ise Bay is easy to reach by train from Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, but still feels distant enough to offer a proper change of pace from city life. Its relaxed rhythm and inviting atmosphere makes all who visit feel at ease. To discover the full range of experiences available in the area and make the most of your time there, be sure to check out ‘25 things to do in Toba’, the latest addition to our ever-expanding series of guide maps. Available from January 20, the guide highlights all our favourite things to do, see, eat and drink across Toba, from taking in king-of-the-world views from high above the azure ocean to digging into the city’s signature fish burger and singing the night away at a local karaoke bar. Here’s a small sample of what to expect: Photo: Supplied Board the Ryugujo Boat Ride and set off into fantasy. With mermaids, Dragon Palace motifs, nods to traditional tales, and wide decks that open straight into the island-spotted horizon, these cruises offer a cinematic ride that feels half legend, half lazy afternoon – and entirely worth drifting along for. It’s charming in a Disney way,

Cold and dreary? No way – as long as you’re dressed for the weather, winter in Japan is a magical time of snow-covered landscapes, quirky festivals and ice skating under the starry sky. Here we’ve picked out some of the most amazing experiences across the country you can enjoy this season, from inspiring art exhibitions, edgy streetwear stores and tranquil traditional inns to a luxe rooftop lounge, a new hub for experimental music and the world’s first permanent Pokémon theme park. So whether you’re heading to Tokyo, Osaka or somewhere else, this list should have a few spots well worth adding to your winter itinerary.

Art direction: Steve Nakamura | Photography: Takeshi Hanzawa | Hair, make-up: Tomoko Okada Following the launch of our new Time Out Japan magazine in October last year, we’re back with an even bigger and better second issue. Available nationwide from January 15, the winter issue is dedicated to Japan’s many offline and analogue delights, from vinyl records to backstreet stand bars. Leading our journey beyond the algorithm is none other than fearless comedian and newly minted film director Yuriyan Retriever, who in our interview shares her cinematic influences and a few juicy details about her upcoming debut flick, Mag Mag. Photo: Time Out Japan Inside, we go deep into Japan’s thriving physical media culture, specifically records, printed material and film photography, plus make a stop at some excellent saunas and neighbourhood eateries. Photo: Time Out Japan In addition to an interview with fashion designer Chisato Tsumori, we’ve selected 10 of the coolest things to do across Japan this winter. Photo: Time Out Japan Pick up your FREE copy of Time Out Japan magazine in English or Japanese at Haneda and Narita airports, Time Out Market Osaka, as well as selected hotels and tourist information centres in Tokyo.  You can also check out the digital edition below, or read the magazine here.

Another ramen year is in the books, and what a trip around the sun it was. Plenty of big-name shops had a successful year, as did super-specialised joints pioneering new trends. Above all, there were so many exciting new openings that just keeping track of them all felt daunting – not to mention finding the time to actually try their enticing offerings. As we scoured the streets of the capital doing just that, telling ourselves that the constant movement ought to cancel out the damage from all the cholesterol bombs we were ingesting, we noticed a few clear trends. Spices are on the upswing, as are all manner of fancy toppings. On the other hand, classics like the Yokohama ie-kei style and seafood-based tsukemen soups are going perhaps stronger than ever before, as are elevated takes on orthodox chuka soba. But enough with the big picture – we know you’re really only here for the recs, so here they are: 20 shops that made a difference in Tokyo’s ramen scene in 2025. Reviews by Menchuck RECOMMENDED: The best of Tokyo in 2025

Even among seasoned Japan travellers, the name Naru Island is unlikely to ring any bells. An enclave of less than 2,000 residents right in the middle of the Goto island chain at the southwestern end of the Japanese archipelago, Naru is a gem so hidden that Google stubbornly tries to redirect anyone searching for the place in English to Nauru Island in the southwestern Pacific. But this diminutive, roughly star-shaped islet is well worth putting on your radar, especially if you’re into slow travel, breath-taking ocean views and the dramatic history of Japan’s Hidden Christians. The island can be reached by high-speed boat in about 30 minutes from the nearby Fukue Island, the hub for most visitors to the Gotos. Here are five of our favourite things to do on Naru – all possible to fit into a few days of exploring the chill destination, where you can spend the night in a cosy guesthouse or a traditional ryokan inn.

Exploring Tokyo’s liveliest and loudest entertainment district can be draining. Fortunately enough, Kabukicho is home not only to host clubs and ‘happening bars’, but also just the type of hideout we appreciate most when we need a break from the sensory overload. Located only a few steps from the central Toho building and its Godzilla head but down an inconspicuous staircase that effectively separates it from the street-level commotion, Mugi no Oto is a sleek, sparingly lit bar and restaurant focused on vegan grub, natural wine and craft brews. Colourful cans of beer sourced from many of Japan’s leading microbreweries and well-known overseas purveyors – we spotted offerings from Left Hand Brewing, Revision Brewing and G Schneider & Sohn on our most recent visit – decorate the space, along with a lengthy line of wine bottles and some outsized greenery in vases. The rest of the décor is perhaps best described as industrial chic, with worn-metal surfaces, exposed ventilation ducts and bare plaster walls. In contrast, there’s nothing rough about the Italian-inspired food. In addition to ample servings of marinated and grilled greens, you can choose from a brief but thoughtful selection of plant-based eats, including fries and a daily pasta special. Animal-eaters can opt for Kumamoto-made gourmet sausages or fresh rock oysters. On the drinks front, the plentiful line-up of canned beers and bio-wines is complemented by a sake list and a frequently updated assortment of six domestic

While they all try, very few central Osaka hotels below the ultra-luxury range can convincingly present themselves as an oasis of calm in the midst of the ceaseless urban cacophony. Zentis Osaka pulls off said feat effortlessly. Walking past the patch of lush greenery at the entrance and into the compact ground-level lobby with its natural, earthy hues and meditative lighting accomplishes an instant – almost disorienting – separation from the neon-lit, town car-filled streets of buzzy Kita-Shinchi. That feeling of having stepped through a portal is accentuated when you make your way past the lobby’s show-stopping staircase to the adjacent guests-only lounge, complete with a fireplace and decorated with quirky art and crafts inspired by the city. Beyond the wall-size windows lies a small but inviting garden-style terrace, where you can bring a local microbrew or soft drink from the lounge and kick back while admiring plump hydrangeas in June and foliage sparkling in red and orange come autumn. Once you locate the discreetly placed elevator call button and make your way higher up in the skinny 16-storey building, it’s time to see your digs. Zentis Osaka has 212 rooms – including two 57sqm suites – with the 25sqm Studio being the standard offering. Creative layout solutions that minimise storage space, modern-minimalist design, and a calm but playful colour scheme incorporating yellows and blues combine to make the rooms feel airier than the numbers suggest. Still, if you have t

Netflixを消してソファから立ち上がり、映画館へ足を運ぶには、今や何か特別な理由が必要になっている。それを容易にしてくれるのが、特徴のある優れた映画館だ。 しかし、「新宿シネマカリテ」や池袋の「シネ リーブル池袋」といった、映画ファンに人気の映画館が最近閉館したことからも分かるように状況は厳しい。東京ですら、独立系映画館が絶滅危惧種のような存在になりつつあるが、それでもこの首都には、世界でも指折りの素晴らしい映画館が存在している。 その事実は、Time Out World Wideが発表した「世界の最高の映画館100選」にも表れており、東京エリアからは3館がランクインした。 中でも、池袋が存在感を際立たせている。IMAXの殿堂ともいえる「グランドシネマサンシャイン 池袋」が33位、その近くにある「新文芸坐」は52位にランクイン。さらに横浜の「シネマ ジャック＆ベティ」も世界ランキング90位と、トップ100入りを果たした。 Photo: Grand Cinema Sunshine Ikebukuroグランドシネマサンシャイン 池袋 グランドシネマサンシャイン 池袋 は、「大きいほど良い」を体現している映画館だ。2019年にオープンした池袋の巨大複合映画館で、パンデミックが世界中の映画館に壊滅的な打撃を与える直前にオープンした。10階にわたって12のスクリーンを擁し、約2500人を収容できる豪華な座席を備えている。 上層階へ向かう途中は、まるで映画史をたどるような「ギャラリー」。『メトロポリス』や『東京物語』から『ジョーズ』『万引き家族』まで、140枚の映画ポスターが並んでいる。 アメリカンスタイルのダイナーや、壮観な街の眺めが楽しめるスカイラウンジを通り過ぎてさらに上へ進むと、日本最大のIMAXスクリーンが現れる。スクリーンは2フロア分の高さがあり、幅25.8メートル、高さ18.9メートルという巨大サイズだ。 Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa新文芸坐 一方、新文芸坐は、多くの映画ファンが通った「文芸坐」を引き継ぐ名画座として知られている。2本立て上映や土曜のオールナイト上映が有名で、テーマはゴジラからゲイリー・オールドマン（Gary Oldman）、さらにはソビエト連邦時代のSFまで幅広い。 客席は266と、東京の独立系映画館の中では最大級の規模を誇る。洋画から邦画までを含む、愛情を込めてキュレーションされたプログラムは常に入れ替わるため、いつ訪れても新しい作品に出合えるだろう。 ラウンジエリアには、映画関連書籍のライブラリーも併設されている。 画像提供：シネマ ジャック＆ベティシネマ ジャック＆ベティ 最後に、横浜のシネマ ジャック＆ベティは、かつて映画館に囲まれた通りに面している。1991年、当時1スクリーンだった「横浜名画座」が2つに分割され、一つは時代劇、もう一つは恋愛映画を上映するようになった際、日本の英語教科書の登場人物に由来する「ジャック＆ベティ」と改名された。 現在、同館は新しいインディーズ映画の才能を応援している。『ドライブ・マイ・カー』（2021年）で「第94回米アカデミー賞」で「国際長編映画賞」を受賞した濱口竜介は、早くも2010年には知られた存在だった。 同ランキングには選ばれなかったが、都内にはほかにも究極の映画体験ができる劇場がある。気になる人は、『東京、最高の設備を備える映画館』をチェックしてほしい。 関連記事 『90年代英国カルチャーをスクリーンで体感、109シネマズプレミアム新宿で特集

A shared obsession with tentacles is no longer the only thing tying together cult horror writer HP Lovecraft’s Cthulhu mythos and the artistic universe of ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai. In the work of Japanese graphic designer and illustrator Goki Yamada, Cthulhu, Nyarlathotep, Shoggoths and many other unspellable regulars of Lovecraftian demonology take over some of Hokusai’s most recognisable woodblock prints, emerging from the waves off Kanagawa and peeking out from behind Mt Fuji. © Goki Yamada | Photo: Two Virgins PR The Kanagawa-based Yamada, aka Goking, has been dropping his collages of cosmic horror online and in self-published tomes for years, but now his works are finally set to be available in a medium suited to their majesty. Dropping on March 24, the 128-page, B5-sized Jashin sanju-rokkei (‘Thirty-six Views of the Old Gods’) art book contains monstrous versions of all 46 prints in Hokusai’s iconic ‘Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji’ series, including nine all-new artworks as well as in-depth commentary by Yamada. In addition to the book, priced at ¥3,080, Tokyo-based publisher Two Virgins has announced a line of exclusive merchandise adorned with Yamada’s artwork, including three T-shirt designs (¥6,050 each), a 35x60cm desk mat (¥3,850) and the obligatory clear file (¥660). Photo via Otonari © Goki Yamada | Photo: Two Virgins PRClear file True connoisseurs can opt for vibrant fine-art prints of five works: B2-size reproductions (¥55,000 each) are availabl

If you thought Osaka’s time in the global spotlight ended with the conclusion of last year’s World Expo, think again. The city is thriving right now, with a constant stream of exciting openings and events, not to mention Time Out Market Osaka’s anniversary celebrations, setting the stage for what’s sure to be a historic sakura season. The Expo’s considerable momentum is being kept alive too, with beloved mascot Myaku-Myaku embarking on a prefecture-wide tour and the grand Expo fireworks set to be restaged in April. Selected installations from the Expo site will also be showcased at venues across the region. The buzz is reflected in Time Out’s annual Best Cities survey, which has just ranked Osaka as the No 39 city in the world for 2026, ahead of the likes of Chicago, Vienna and Lisbon. It’s an achievement worth highlighting, as Osaka has never made the top 50 before. Now in its tenth anniversary year, the worldwide Best Cities list is compiled based on the insights of more than 24,000 people across 150 cities around the globe, combined with the votes of more than 100 Time Out city experts. The survey it’s based on asks not only what people love about their cities – the food scene and nightlife, the shops and museums, the parks and people – but also how it feels to live there, with questions touching on everything from happiness and quality of life to romance and community feel. The result is a comprehensive rundown of the most exciting places to live in and to explore in 2026

Connoisseurs of traditional erotica, attention – there’s another Shunga show happening in Kabukicho. A sequel to last year’s wildly successful Kabukicho Shunga Exhibition, this display at the Shinjuku Kabukicho Noh Stage and the disused Bond host club nearby zooms in on mameban shunga – miniature, trading card-sized prints depicting the hedonistic ‘floating world’ of geisha, kabuki, sumo and sex during the Edo period (1603–1867). Entitled ‘A Small Love Story: The World of Mameban Shunga’, the exhibition is on until March 15 and features some 300 mameban shunga curated by Yasutaka Hayashi of artist collective Chim↑Pom from Smappa!Group. The works on display come from the collection of Mitsuru Uragami, one of Japan’s foremost Shunga authorities, and is the largest show ever in Tokyo to spotlight only mameban shunga. A popular Edo pastime   Photo: Kisa Toyoshima   Shunga flourished during the Edo period along with the rise of ukiyo-e woodblock printing, with key works in the genre produced by some of the greatest artists of the time, including Utagawa Kunisada and Katsushika Hokusai. Shunga was in great demand and widely available throughout society, despite an official ban, and developed in numerous distinctive directions – among them small mameban prints, which were particularly popular between 1818 and 1830.   Photo: Kisa Toyoshima   Powering the trend was the rise of multicoloured nishiki-e prints and the mass production of durable hosho paper that was ideal for printing

Tokyo’s bus network rarely gets the love it deserves, despite being an essential cog in the awe-inspiring machine that is the greatest urban transport system on the planet. But while the capital’s trains keep chugging along, albeit with soon-to-be higher ride fares, things are looking bleak for buses. Operators have eliminated dozens of routes across the city and reduced service on many more over the past few years due to a chronic lack of drivers. The latest in a long line of gloomy announcements comes from none other than the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation, which on March 2 proclaimed the end of late-night service across the Toei Bus network on March 31. Late-night service – as in buses departing at 11pm or later and charging ¥420 instead of the usual ¥210 – will cease on all six Toei routes where it’s still offered. Those are: 02 from Oji Station for Toshima Gochome Danchi 03 from Nishi-Kasai Station towards Minami-Kasai 07 between Shinagawa Station’s Konan Exit and Yashio Park Town 11 from Oji Station for Shinden Nichome 12 between Funabori Station and Shin-Koiwa Station 13 from Tokyo Station’s Marunouchi South exit for Ariake Itchome The elimination of these buses is of course especially painful for people who work late and live far from a train or subway station. If you’re one of those unfortunate commuters, perhaps it’s time to read up on how to cycle like a Tokyoite. More from Time Out Tokyo 3 of the world’s 100 greatest movie theatres are in the Tokyo r

Now that turning off Netflix and rising from the couch to actually go to the movies takes something special, a great cinema can be that difference-maker. And despite independent movie houses being something of an endangered species in Tokyo, as the recent closures of beloved venues like Shinjuku’s Cinema Qualité and Cine Libre in Ikebukuro attest, the capital is still blessed with some of the most extraordinary cinemas anywhere. That fact is reflected on Time Out’s recently published celebration of the 100 greatest cinemas in the world right now, with the Tokyo area claiming three spots on the list. Ikebukuro is deservedly well-represented: IMAX temple Grand Cinema Sunshine leads the pack at No. 33, while the nearby Shin-Bungeiza comes in at No. 52. Cinema Jack & Betty down in Yokohama also made the top 100, ranking 90th on the global roll of honour. Photo: Grand Cinema Sunshine Ikebukuro Bigger means better at Grand Cinema Sunshine, the Ikebukuro mega-multiplex that opened in 2019, just before the pandemic devastated cinemas worldwide. It spans ten floors and a whopping 12 screens, with enough luxury seating to accommodate nearly 2,500 people. To get to the upper floors, you’ll pass 140 posters detailing the story of cinema itself, with everything from Metropolis and Tokyo Story to Jaws and Shoplifters supplying the ‘Time Gallery’ that lines the escalators. Go on past the American-style diner and the sky lounge, with its terrific city views, and you’ll find the largest IMA

From leafy avenues like Midosuji to numerous bustling arcades and countless tiny alleys you practically have to squeeze through, Osaka has an abundance of vibey streets where locals go out, hang out and have fun. But what’s the one street in the city worth a stroll right now? One answer comes courtesy of Time Out’s annual World’s Coolest Streets list – a definitive ranking of the best avenues, thoroughfares, backstreets and boulevards on the planet – whose 2025 edition just dropped. The list is chosen with the help of our global network of experts and contributors, who each made a case for their city’s most happening street. And in Osaka’s case, that’s Orange Street just off the buzz of Shinsaibashi, which surged to second place in the worldwide ranking. Orange Street (aka Tachibana-dori) was originally an antiques hub but spent the 2010s as a destination for international hype culture with global streetwear brands setting up shop. In 2025, it has come full circle – reclaimed by Japanese labels and with vintage furniture and clothes shops still a big part of the mix, walking its length feels like flipping through different chapters of Osaka’s history. You’ll pass old shops converted into boutiques like Noah, retro kissaten like Oh! Oui Oui where you can choose from Hermes or Gucci mugs, Osakan street food at Tarvo Takoyaki, and forward-looking brands beside carefully curated vintage.  When hunger strikes, hit up Bo-no Bakery for bagel doughnuts made in small batches throughou

秋の心地よい気候に澄んだ空気、紅葉の美しい景色に合わせて、東京都内の美術館やギャラリーでは魅力的な展覧会がめじろ押しだ。しかし、芸術の秋に心を動かすインスピレーションを求めるなら、大都市を離れてみるのもいい。 この秋、島根県益田市の「島根県芸術文化センター」内にある「島根県立石見美術館」で「生誕100年 森英恵 ヴァイタル・タイプ」展が開催されている。同展は、島根県出身で世界的に活躍したファッションデザイナー・森英恵の人生とキャリアを追う大規模回顧展で、これまでにない包括的な視点から彼女の軌跡を紹介するものだ。 Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa 展示は、故郷の風景からスタートし、やがてパリのオートクチュールの殿堂に至るまでの道のりをたどる。東西の美を融合させた森独自のスタイルや、日本の素材や技法へのこだわりが随所から伝わってくる。 Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa 2025年に開館20周年を迎えた島根県芸術文化センターが総力を挙げた同展。会場には50点を超えるイブニングドレスをはじめ、写真やポスター、愛用品など約400点が一堂に会し、森がいかに西洋ファッションの言語を用いて日本的な感性や風景を表現したかをを浮かび上がらせている。 Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa さらに「COMME des GARÇONS」の川久保玲や、「KENZO」の高田賢三といった次世代デザイナーへ影響を与えたことに加えて、従来のジェンダー観に一石を投じた側面が見られる点でも興味深い。 森が描く理想の女性像 展覧会の冒頭では、彼女の出発点について紹介。島根の小さな町・六日市町で裕福な家庭に生まれた森は、小学4年生の頃に母と兄弟とともに上京し、東京で教育を受けた。 大学在学中、第二次世界大戦下では政府の工場で働き、卒業後すぐに結婚したが、専業主婦としての生活に満足することはなかった。吉祥寺の洋裁学校に通った後、1951年には新宿駅東口近くに自らのアトリエを構える。 Photo: Keisuke TanigawaHanae Mori at her first studio in Shinjuku ある日、夫の喫茶店でファッションショーを開催したところ、鮮やかな衣装の数々が地元映画業界の関係者の目に留まった。これが森英恵にとって大きな転機となる。やがて彼女は休む間もなく、荒廃しながらも活気にあふれる戦後の東京で、映画スターたちの衣装をスタイリング・デザインする日々を送った。 Photo: Keisuke TanigawaA selection of Mori’s film costumes 映画衣装を手がける中で技術を磨いた森は、パリやニューヨークへの旅を経て、彼女自身のスタイルや哲学を確立。1961年の雑誌記事で「Vital Type（生き生きとした女性像）」を提示した。それは、機知に富み魅力的で、自分の考えを恐れず表現し、仕事でも私生活でも自分らしさを貫く、そんな理想の女性像で、まさに森自身の姿を映し出していた。 原風景が表れたデザイン 展示の後半では、森が世界的デザイナーへと上り詰める過程が紹介されつつ、随所に故郷・島根とのつながりが感じられる構成になっている。幼少期から親しんだ藍染めへの関心や、郷里の山や花、チョウをモチーフにしたドレスはまさにそれを示す。六日市町の田んぼに舞うチョウは森にとって永遠のインスピレーションであり、春や喜びの象徴であると同時に、移ろいやすいファッションの象徴でもあった。 Photo:

毎年、タイムアウトで発表している「世界で最もクールな街」ランキング。世界中のライターや編集者により推薦されたエリアは、文化・コミュニティー・住みやすさ・ナイトライフ・飲食・街のにぎわいなどの基準で評価される。2025年度版では、東京・神保町が堂々の第1位に輝き大きな話題となったが、大阪・中津も世界ランキングで8位に躍進し、その魅力が世界に認められた。 梅田のきらめく高層ビル群や高級ホテルから徒歩わずか10分。大阪のビジネスとショッピングの中心地に隣接する中津は、まるで別時代の名残のように見える。レトロな商店街が入り組んだ一角には、小さな木造住宅や家族経営の店、古い神社が雑多に並ぶ。狭く雑然とした路地には植木鉢がところ狭しと置かれ、無秩序に集まった鉢植えたちが街を彩っている。  しかし、その「時が止まった」ような街並みの裏側では、創造的な活気が渦巻く。大阪でも有数の多文化コミュニティーである中津には、ユニークなセレクトショップや小さな新進の飲食店、立ち飲みバーやカフェが次々と誕生。さらに高架下のスペース「OSAKA FOOD LAB」では、新進気鋭の地元シェフたちが実験的な料理に挑戦している。 Photo: Keisuke TanigawaOsaka Food Lab この街を訪れるなら今が絶好のタイミングだ。都心の富裕層エリアに近いという立地が、時間とともに魅力でなくなる前に――。まずは「42195COFFEE」で喫茶店の朝食を楽しみ、その後ゆったりと中津商店街を歩いて、昔ながらの看板や魅力的な建築の入り混じりを堪能しよう。昼下がりには、「富島神社」で穏やかな時間を過ごした後、老舗の人気店「カンテグランデ中津本店」でスリランカカレーを味わってほしい。 午後は「喫茶 あんこの日」でコーヒーと小ぶりで上品なあんこ入りの和スイーツでひと息つく。「IMA:ZINE」で大阪発の最新ファッションを眺め、クリエーティブ拠点「キタの北ナガヤ」で開催されているイベントをのぞいてもいい。 画像提供：INSECTS 空腹を感じたら、地元のスーパー「goody」を訪れてみては。好きな食材を選び、その場で調理してくれる。自分だけのディナーが楽しめる贅沢な場所だ。夜は「Japoni」で立ち飲みを楽しみ、大阪らしい大衆居酒屋「いこい」で腰を落ち着け、長い夜を締めくくろう。 なお、詳しく知りたいなら、2025年版「世界で最もクールな街（原文）」ランキングの完全リストを確認してほしい。 関連記事 『The 39 coolest neighbourhoods in the world in 2025（原文）』 『神保町が2025年「世界で最もクールな街」ランキング第1位に選出』 『タイムアウトが発表、Z世代にとって住みやすい世界のベストシティランキング』 『ワーケーションに最適な都市ランキング、東京がトップに』 『世界で最も食事がおいしい都市ランキング トップ20』 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  

It’s that time of year again when Time Out reveals the most vibrant and exciting places on the planet by way of the World’s Coolest Neighbourhoods ranking. And we couldn’t be prouder to report that Tokyo’s Jimbocho is ranked No. 1 (!) on the 2025 edition of the list. Based on local insights and insider expertise gleaned through Time Out’s comprehensive network of on-the-ground writers and editors, the survey examined city neighbourhoods across the planet based on livability metrics including culture, community, liveability, nightlife, food and drink, street life and that hard-to-define sense of ‘nowness’. This year, Jimbocho emerged not only as the capital’s coolest neighbourhood, but as the vibiest district in the world. Photo: Kisa ToyoshimaYaguchi, one of Jimbocho’s around 130 secondhand bookstores The hangout of choice for generations of Tokyo intellectuals, the historic university enclave and book-lover’s paradise enjoys a charmed existence just a quick stroll away from the city’s most high-powered business districts. It’s best known for its around 130 second-hand bookstores, including the venerable Komiyama Shoten and Kitazawa Bookstore. Most of these are housed in low, slightly antiquated mixed-use buildings they share with old-school coffeeshops and curry houses. While this is a neighbourhood where the past vividly informs the present, the steady influx of new student cohorts lends Jimbocho an energetic undercurrent – one that’s now surging. In the backstreets, a ne

Time Out has once again revealed the most vibrant and exciting places on the planet by way of the World’s Coolest Neighbourhoods ranking. And while Tokyo’s Jimbocho scoring the No. 1 spot may grab most of the headlines in Japan, we’re also thrilled to report that Osaka’s Nakatsu cracks the top 10 on the 2025 list. Each year in our annual Time Out Index, we ask our network of writers and editors across a breadth of cities to nominate the most happening district in their hometown right now. We then rank every spot against criteria including culture, community, liveability, nightlife, food and drink and street life to get a definitive list of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods. This year, Nakatsu stormed up to No. 8 in the worldwide rankings, and we think the credit’s well-deserved. A mere 10-minute walk from the glistening glass-and-steel towers and luxury hotels of Umeda, Osaka’s business and shopping hub (and the home of Time Out Market), Nakatsu looks like a remnant of a different era. A retro shopping street winds its way through a compact district made up of an incongruous variety of small wooden houses, mom-and-pop shops and ancient shrines set along narrow, cluttered alleys enlivened by often chaotic clusters of potted plants. Photo: Keisuke TanigawaOsaka Food Lab That frozen-in-time look, however, belies a beehive of creative activity. One of the city’s most ethnically diverse communities, Nakatsu boasts a fast-growing crop of quirky boutiques, tiny upstart eateries,

今年も、タイムアウトが世界各地の活気に満ちた魅力的な街を選出する恒例企画「世界で最もクールな街」ランキングの発表シーズンがやってきた。そして2025年版のランキングでは、東京の神保町が堂々の第1位に輝いた。 この調査は、タイムアウトの現地ライターや編集者による広範なネットワークを通じて得られた地域の知見と内側からの専門的視点に基づき、世界各都市の街を評価したもの。基準となったのは、文化・コミュニティー・住みやすさ・ナイトライフ・飲食店・街のにぎわい、そして「今らしさ」といった要素である。その結果、神保町は「世界で最もクールな街」という枠を超え、「世界で最も活気にあふれた街」として頭角を現した。 Photo: Kisa ToyoshimaYaguchi, one of Jimbocho’s around 130 secondhand bookstores 東京の知識人たちに何世代にもわたり愛されてきた神保町は、歴史ある大学街であり、書店好きにとっての楽園だ。東京のビジネス街からほど近い距離にありながら、独特の雰囲気を保っている。最大の魅力は約130軒に及ぶ古書店で、「小宮山書店」や「北沢書店」といった老舗もその中に含まれる。これらの店の多くは、昔ながらの喫茶店やカレー店と同じ建物に入った、やや古めかしい低層の雑居ビルに軒を連ねている。 Photo: Shota Nagao 過去が現在を鮮やかに映し出すこの街には、学生たちが次々と流れ込んでエネルギッシュな空気を生み出し、その勢いは今大きく高まっている。近年では、音楽クラブや本格的なインドカレー店、個性的なカフェや「stacks bookstore」のようなインディー系書店が裏路地に登場し、デジタル時代の不安や慌ただしさに疲れた人々にとって最適な「処方箋」となっているのだ。 神保町の人気スポットの一つが「さぼうる」。1955年創業の老舗カフェで、ピザトーストとレトロな雰囲気が人気を集めている。近くの「ウォークアバウト（Walkabout）」では、オーストラリアのスペシャルティコーヒー文化にインスパイアされた、現代的で個性的なカフェドリンクが楽しめる。 Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa 地元のカレー文化を味わうなら、「ボンディ 神保町本店」のスパイスとフルーツが豊かに香るカレーや、2024年の地元カレーコンテスト優勝店「CURRY BAR CAFE 三月の水」も訪れてみたい。 また、「カクテルワークス（COCKTAIL WORKS）神保町」でクラフトジンカクテルを楽しむのもおすすめだし、アートギャラリー・バー・リスニングルームを兼ねた「肆-YON-」で趣ある夜を締めくくるのもいいだろう。 Photo: Kisa ToyoshimaCocktail Works Jinbocho 世界にはまだ、神保町ほどクールではないものの魅力的な街が数多く存在する。今回のランキングでは、ベルギー・アントワープのボルゲルハウトが第2位、ブラジル・サンパウロのバラ・フンダが第3位、イギリス・ロンドンのキャンバーウェルが第4位に選ばれている。神保町の称号を祝いながら、我々はそっとスパークリング日本酒のボトルを開ける。街歩きの余韻とともに、乾杯。 さらに詳しく知りたいなら、2025年版「世界で最もクールな街」ランキングの完全リストを確認してほしい。 関連記事 『The 39 coolest neighbourhoods in the world in 2025（原文）』 『タイムアウトが発表、