Kaila Imada

As one of the best Asian cities ever with the second coolest street in the world, Hong Kong plays host to plenty of travellers who all need places to rest their heads. Whether you’re looking for a budget bed or ostentatious, heli-pad bedecked five-star luxury, there’s accommodation to suit every type of guest. From honeymoons to shoe-string gap years to swanky business trips – this is the definitive guide to staying in Hong Kong. RECOMMENDED: Check out the most incredible things to do in Hong Kong, the concerts and music events happening in town, and the best Cantonese restaurants to eat in Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured, we’ve based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Tokyo takes its desserts seriously, especially in summer when all we think about is where to cool down with the best ice cream, kakigori and other frozen treats. From coffee soft-serve and cereal-infused ice cream to guilt-free goodness and intense matcha delights, there's really something for everyone in our super-cool list of the best ice cold treats in Tokyo. RECOMMENDED: Japanese ice cream flavours you need to try

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

When it comes to convenience, Japan is king. Whether it be genius packaging designs or novel products, Japan has a knack for inventing useful items that will help save you time and hassle. You don’t have to break the bank to purchase some of these ingenious products either, as many of them can be found at your local hyakuen, or ¥100, store.  Hyakuen shops are an indispensable part of Japan’s retail scene and make your shopping experience all the more fun. Most often, you’ll find big name stores like Daiso, Seria and Can Do. Then there are the slightly fancier versions of these shops called three coin stores, as they offer items for ¥300. While browsing a ¥100 store can be overwhelming, we recommend starting with the kitchen and cooking zone. You’ll find a plethora of useful items that you can use every day. You can even save yourself from buying expensive appliances with some of these ¥100 hacks available. To get you closer to dinner, we’ve picked out some of our favourite items you need to have in your kitchen.RECOMMENDED: 10 things you didn’t know were invented in Japan

Long before popular third-wave coffee shops and cafés started taking over the city, Tokyoites got their coffee fix at traditional kissaten tea rooms and coffee shops. Even though many of them also serve light refreshments and simple meals, these Tokyo institutions were more than just a caffeine stop in the good old days. They were the social centres for the community. While not as common today, these cherished Showa-era (1926-1989) establishments are now experiencing a resurgence as people are drawn to the nostalgic charm of kissaten and the refuge they provide from the fast-paced world. When you step into one of these enduring Tokyo institutions, it's like stepping back in time, surrounded by the soothing ritual of meticulously hand-poured coffee and the slower, more thoughtful pace of days gone by. RECOMMENDED: 7 best cafés for latte art in Tokyo

Many neighbourhoods in Tokyo have established a reputation of their own based on a speciality or interest. Shimokitazawa, for instance, is known for vintage shopping, Tsukiji for street food, and Roppongi for its collection of art galleries (as well as nightlife). When it comes to coffee though, you’ll want to visit Kiyosumi-Shirakawa.  Tokyo’s self-proclaimed coffee town is a laid back, lesser known neighbourhood just east of the Sumida River. Home to the fantastic Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, it’s considered part of Tokyo’s Shitamachi, or historic old-town areas that were once hubs for art and literature.  Today, Kiyosumi-Shirakawa is still mostly residential, but with a high concentration of cafés and coffee shops. From small, independent roasters to big international names, the coffee scene here can easily fuel and occupy a day out. Here are our favourites to get your started on a cafe-hopping tour of Kiyosumi-Shirakawa. RECOMMENDED: The most beautiful cafés and coffee shops in Tokyo

As you can buy almost anything your heart desires online these days, shoppers often need an extra incentive to seek out a brick and mortar store to satisfy their shopping needs. That’s where concept stores come into play.  In a basic sense, these shops enhance the retail experience by adding a dash of culture, making them comprehensive spaces with their own flair and personality. Showcasing fascinating interiors and special features like in-house cafés, they’re a joy to browse and make your shopping experience all the more fun. Here we’ve rounded up some of the most distinctive conceptual stores in Tokyo offering special themes or lifestyles and a curated selection of products all entwined with the store’s core approach. RECOMMENDED: 20 stunning flagship stores in Tokyo

Sometimes dubbed ‘Western Tokyo’s Akihabara’, Nakano deserves its 'otaku (geek) heaven' moniker. But beyond the anime and manga paradise that is Nakano Broadway, you'll find plenty to keep you entertained here. Just hop on the train for one stop from Shinjuku and you'll find that Nakano is one of Tokyo's most authentic neighbourhoods. The area has more or less survived Tokyo’s incessant modernisation drive. Head slightly northeast from the station and you’ll find an old-school, partially pre-war block chock-full of izakaya, bars and more, while Edo-era (1603-1867) temples and serene parks can be found further north still. It’s a bustling mix of office workers, university students and families, and the locals are generally very friendly, laid-back and up for a chat. Ready to explore? Here are some of our favourite eateries, shops and hangout spots in this bustling 'hood.   RECOMMENDED: The coolest neighbourhoods in Tokyo

Published in collaboration with Ginza Information Management (GIM), the latest Time Out Tokyo '31 Things to Do in Ginza' guide map is out now. The 2024 edition narrows in on 31 of the most exciting venues in Tokyo's glitziest district, with selection ranging from long-established restaurants and cool bars to amazing shops and kid-friendly activities. Additionally, the guide map also offers information on the best free resting spots in Ginza, temporary emergency shelters (in case of a natural disaster), and accessible facilities around Ginza Station. Here are three venues featured in the guide map. Photo: Kisa Toyoshima Toraya Ginza recently reopened in a stunning new space dedicated to the beautiful world of Japanese tea-time sweets known as wagashi. The highlight here is the special counter, where you can order tea and wagashi made-to-order right in front of you.  Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa Opened just this spring, Ginza Kuroda Touen carries innovative crafts by Japanese artisans and ceramicists. The shop, which also functions as a gallery, features a gorgeous interior designed by acclaimed architect Hiroshi Naito. Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa Bring your little ones to Hakuhinkan Toy Park, Ginza's multi-storey toy emporium. As one of Tokyo's biggest toy stores, it offers everything from Shiba inu plushies to anime and manga figurines. Don’t miss the toy car race track – a five-minute playtime costs just ¥200. Pick up a FREE copy of the Time Out Tokyo Ginza guide map now. You’l

Japan's traditional summer treat, kakigori (shaved ice with syrup), has been making a strong comeback over the last few years: specialist shops have been popping up all over town, regularly attracting queues that border on the ridiculous.  The trend shows absolutely no signs of slowing down, and this once summer-only dessert is now served year-round. These shops and cafés are also constantly churning out new and creative flavours to keep the hype going – think tiramisu, avocado and even corn and tomatoes.  This guide points the way to Tokyo's very best shaved ice shops and cafés, many of them open throughout the year. RECOMMENDED: Cool down with Tokyo's best ice cream

The go-to meal for many a Tokyoite on a limited budget, udon may not have the historical prestige of soba or ramen, but this thick and chewy noodle has carved out an unshakeable niche for itself. Although varieties abound, the most popular type of udon is the thick, flat 'sanuki' from Kagawa prefecture in Shikoku, which is widely known as Japan's 'udon prefecture'.  We've scoured the city for the best udon joints; all these shops uphold the basic tenets of sanuki udon, although many of them have developed their own recipes on the side, expanding their range of noodle dishes to fit the wide variety of tastes in Tokyo. Eat your way through the entire list and find the bowl right for you. RECOMMENDED: The best ramen in Tokyo that will change your life

From soba to sushi, Tokyo's got you covered, but what about bread? A bakery might not be the first place that comes to mind when planning your Tokyo food itinerary, but there’s several compelling reasons for (at least) one making the cut. You can marvel at the extraordinary range of Japanese baking mastery, like impeccably leavened sourdough, light and flaky croissants, flawlessly dainty pastries and baguettes that match anything you’ll find on the streets of Paris. What’s more, you’ll get an insight into local flavours and unique concoctions – try a yuzu custard tart, a mentaiko furansu-pan (a bread stick filled with cod roe and mayo), an anzu (Japanese apricot) danish, a kare pan (curry-filled doughnut), and loaves woven with ingredients like edamame, shiso, black sesame and aonori. After all, bread is one of those foreign imports that Japan has not only adopted but also adapted, adding their own unique spin on all things baked. Here are some of our favourite homegrown Tokyo bakeries. RECOMMENDED: 10 Japanese breads you must try in Tokyo

Terunari puts a creative spin on kaiseki by incorporating French influences that shine through in each and every dish. French- trained chef Kanichi Tokumoto runs the kitchen, working under chef Akihiko Murata of Terunari’s Michelin-starred sister restaurant Suzunari. Chef Tokumoto doesn’t stress over hyper-seasonality and instead works with whatever the kitchen is given, not necessarily just with what’s in season. You can look forward to unique reinterpretations of classic Japanese dishes, such as a crisp monaka (wafer sandwich, usually sweet) filled with chicken liver pâté, and chawanmushi egg custard made more substantial with beef tendon and a hint of wasabi. The more classic kaiseki- style dishes range from sardines simmered with ume plum and ginger to tuna served with red konjac, and aji (mackerel) layered with cucumber and a savoury miso tartar which packs an umami punch. Seasonality is expressed through the details: decorations include seasonal leaves and twigs, while the colours are bright and vibrant, making them not just appetising but photogenic too. The meal ends with a shime (loosely translated as ‘coming to a close’), where you’re served Terunari’s signature rice dish, a combination of sweet pork marinated in shoyu and mirin, and steamed with a perfectly plump tomato and fresh basil inside a Japanese claypot. Once cooked, the rice is mixed up at your table and topped with a good dose of cheese, turning it into a Japanese risotto of sorts. For fans of kaiseki,

Run by a charming husband-and-wife duo for the past eight years, Kudan Otsuka is classic kaiseki at its best. The quaint space is situated across the street from Yasukuni Shrine, whose calm surrounds extend into the restaurant. To keep things fresh, the menu changes monthly, highlighting seasonal ingredients in a traditional yet original way. Expect wow-inducing dishes featuring unique ingredients you may have never seen or tried before. Our meal started with a deceivingly simple soup (or owan, which literally means bowl in Japanese). The clear broth was accented with a tender chunk of winter melon, silky smooth somen noodles, okura and junsai (watershield, whose leaves have a slimy coating). This was followed by a four- appetiser platter served on a beautiful fan-shaped plate: a sunomono salad was given a twist by replacing the conventional cucumber with figs inside a vinegar jelly; a traditional summer kaiseki coupling of daikon and octopus had been simmered in a flavourful soy broth until tender; a selection of summer vegetables fried karaage-style in an unbelievably light batter; and there was an inspired pairing of yuba (tofu skin) and raw shiro ebi (white shrimp) topped with wasabi for a light kick.

Commonly associated with sumo wrestlers looking to get a calorie-packed meal to bulk up for an upcoming match, and hungry diners seeking something warm during the cold months, nabe or Japanese-style hotpot also has a more refined side. Enter Negima, an unassuming restaurant in Kita-Ikebukuro, which specialises in Edo-style maguro (tuna) and negi (Welsh onion) nabe. Contrary to its big servings, the restaurant is tiny and only seats eight. Negima is inspired by nabe from the Edo era prior to the invention of refrigerators, when fresh produce especially fish couldn’t be kept for long. So folks back then had to use up the ingredients by dropping them all into a pot of flavourful dashi broth where everything would be cooked thoroughly. Nabe at Negima is served as a course meal. You start with an Edo-style tamagoyaki, or egg roll, which has been lightly seasoned with katsuo dashi and shoyu. Pair it with sake and you’re off to a good start. Next, you’ll be presented with a beautiful platter of nabe ingredients before they are cooked inside a light dashi broth along with wakame seaweed and fresh greens. You’ll be able to sample various cuts of tuna, including the haramo (belly) and kama toro (gill flesh); they are both equally tender and elevated to another level with just a sprinkle of hand-crushed pepper. The thick slices of negi are cooked until soft and make for a refreshing relief between mouthfuls of tuna. To finish, you get to savour all that flavourful broth that’s been si

When one thinks of Ginza bars, prim and prissy spaces affixed with a pricey drink list often come to mind. You can imagine how glad we were to have found Mixology Salon, which is bucking that stereotype with a relaxed attitude that also extends towards its inspired Japanese-take on cocktails. Easily accessible on the 13th floor of Ginza Six, this unpretentious space is clean and minimal yet welcoming. In fact, it looks more like a modern tea bar than an alcoholic one – and there’s a good reason for that. Specialising in what they call ‘teatails’, Mixology Salon’s signature cocktails are all made with its house blend of tea-infused spirits. You’ll find a wide range here, from hojicha-infused bourbon and soba cha vodka to oolong tea-flavoured rum and sencha gin. For first-timers, we recommend you go for a teatail course, where you can choose between three to five drinks made with a particular tea in mind. Otherwise, you can’t go wrong with the Green Tea Fashioned (¥1,700), a fresh take on the classic Old Fashioned. Got a sweet tooth? Order the Soba Cha cocktail (¥1,600), which is a mix of buckwheat tea-infused vodka and pineapple and finished with a surprising hint of miso. Note: ¥800 table charge applies per person. Price exclusive of consumption tax.

The popular frames from the leading South Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster have finally opened up shop in Hong Kong with their very first flagship store. Fashionistas in the SAR can now get their hands on the very sunglasses worn by Korean pop stars to sleek frame styles you won't find anywhere else. The new flagship shop in Causeway Bay is themed after a train platform giving visitors a unique shopping experience similar to Seoul's ever-changing 'Quantum Project' concept stores. 

Celebrate more than 40 years of Agnès B as they open their brand new concept store in Causeway Bay's Fashion Walk. The Rue du Jour shop is named after the very first Agnès B Femme shop, which opened in Paris back in 1975. Get your hands on your favourite items from the Sport B, Voyage and Bijoux collections along with a bite to eat at the B Cafe and a colourful bouquet from B Fleuriste. 

Step into the brand new Adidas flagship store for all your go-to sporting needs from clothing and shoes to accessories. The new shop is also home to the all-new Adidas Training Academy where you can kick yourself into gear with your new sportswear while working up a sweat at one of the free training programmes followed by a visit to the Refresh Zone to freshen up in their shower facilities and vanity areas.

Get your daily jolt of caffeine with one of the blends from the experts at % Arabica. This coffee roaster takes pride in using beans from its own coffee farm in Hawaii, as well as sourcing high-grade speciality beans from around the world. The shop is also a global distributor of, and uses, a high-tech Japanese roasting machine – the Tornado King – that prepares the beans to precision at the touch of a button. With a flagship shop in Discovery Bay North Plaza, plus a couple of other outlets in Hong Kong, you can pick up your fresh beans with relative ease.

The folks at Barista HK are true java heads. From the moment the beans start sprouting on the tree to when the time comes to perfect each and every brew in-store, the team at Barista HK are experts in all things coffee and are keen to share its knowledge with other avid drinkers. The staff physically sift through the raw coffee beans by hand before roasting them on-site, so every bean is as perfect as can be. For those interested in learning the basic steps towards creating a great cup of coffee, there are also workshops on how to best discern your morning brew.

Tucked away inside Hong Kong’s trendy PMQ compound, Café Life is continuously bustling with customers looking for a great cup on the go or some of its decadent homemade baked goods. Perfecting the coffee one cup at a time, each batch of beans is made to order and roasted with a compact in-house roasting machine in the corner of the shop. Its coffee beans are picked from the best terroirs around the world, such as Tanzania, Costa Rica and Columbia, giving customers a wide array of premium choices. 

When you’re in Tokyo, you have to see the iconic Tokyo Tower. Built in 1958 as a symbol of Japan’s post-war recovery, the steel structure, painted in international orange, looks especially breathtaking in the evening when it’s all lit up. While going up the tower can be nice if you want to look out at the sprawling metropolis, sometimes Tokyo Tower is best enjoyed from a distance, where you can appreciate its spectacular form.  Photo: Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide Inc. One of the best vantage points to admire the tower this summer is from the Suzumushi Café, a pop-up space at The Prince Park Tower Tokyo hotel, which is only open for the summer from Saturday July 27 to Sunday September 1 (excluding August 17). Photo: Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide Inc. The bar is set in the hotel's outdoor garden, which has an unobstructed view of Tokyo Tower. You can enjoy the garden space from 6pm to 9.30pm with no reservation required. However, if you wish to use the veranda or indoor seating plans, you must make an advanced reservation online. If you want to dress up in a summer yukata (summer kimono), you can also rent one at the hotel for ¥2,300. Photo: Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide Inc. The Engawa (vernada) seating plan (from ¥6,500 per person) includes a drink and a colourful food plate with small bites like pumpkin salad and refreshing red pepper gazpacho. You can also enjoy a foot bath and sparkler experience. Photo: Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide Inc. The indoor seating plan (

Nakano may be the first neighbourhood to come to mind when you’re on the hunt for Japanese manga and anime merchandise, but Akihabara is a great place for that, too. Tokyo’s Electric Town recently welcomed a massive new otaku hub known as Amiami Akihabara Figure Tower, which opened just last Friday July 19.  The eight-storey shop specialises in all sorts of figurines, ranging from collectables like Be@rbrick to those from popular franchises such as Gundam, Godzilla and Nintendo. To give you an idea of what you can expect from Amiami Akihabara Figure Tower, here’s a breakdown of the store floor by floor. Floor 1: Collectible figurines (Be@rbrick, Lookup series, miniatures)Floor 2: Popular franchise scale figures (Evangelion, Godzilla, Nintendo Square Enix, Shonen Manga)Floor 3: Action figures (Nendoroid, SH Figuarts, Figma)Floor 4: American comic movie characters, tokusatsu robots (Kamden Rider, Ultraman, Gundam robots, collection cases, etc)Floor 5: General and Bishojo anime (including games popular with women)Floor 6: Bishojo games, VTuber (Love Live!, The Idolmaster, Virtual YouTuber, Azur Lane, Fate)Floor 7: Bishojo figurinesFloor 8: Event space Photo: Oami Co., Ltd. Amiami Akihabara Figure Tower is a short two minutes’ walk from JR Akihabara Station. It’s open daily from 10am-9pm. For more information, visit the website. More from Time Out Tokyo 4 Tokyo bars stand firm on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list for 2024 A 5-metre-tall Studio Ghibli tapestry from France is now on show

As Japan was ranked one of the most peaceful countries in the world last year, we’re not surprised to see Tokyo listed as one of the world’s safest cities to travel to in 2024. Hot off the heels of being regarded as one of the year’s most affordable destinations, our wonderful city is now featured highly in the annual Safest Cities to Travel list by Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP). The list is part of BHTP’s annual State of Travel Insurance Safest Destinations report. The survey first compiled a list of holiday destinations popular among US travellers. Respondents who had been to these destinations were asked to rank them based on first-hand knowledge. This initial ranking is then weighted against the findings by other reputable city and lifestyle indexes. Safety, in this case, is evaluated based on crucial factors such as weather emergencies, threat of terrorism, health measures and the safety of underrepresented groups. In this Safest Cities shortlist for 2024, Tokyo came in at No. 11, a few steps down from last year’s seventh place. Tokyo received high scores for overall safety, transport safety and low violent crimes, but received low marks in terms of LGBTQ+ safety. The report also states that travellers should keep an eye out for typhoon season (June to November), as this can be a turbulent time, with potential mudslides and flooding. In the report, Tokyo is also listed as one of the safest cities for millennial travellers (9th place), mature travellers (5th

Roppongi Hills is set to go into complete Doraemon mode again for its Summer Station 2024 festival. You’ll soon find plenty of photo opportunities featuring the beloved blue cat-robot around the shopping centre – mainly around the Roppongi Hills Roku Roku Plaza and at the adjacent TV Asahi building. This year, the Summer Station festival runs from Saturday July 20 to Sunday August 25. Photo: Lim Chee Wah You can’t miss the massive squad of Doraemon that's set to occupy Roppongi Hills Roku Roku Plaza. There will be many Doraemon in all sorts of poses. Take a walk around Roppongi Hills and you’ll find even more Doraemon statues scattered about. There’s more to do than just posing for selfies with Doraemon. TV Asahi is offering a number of Doraemon-related activities for kids, including a Doraemon stamp rally and a free water play area called Doraemon Splash Square on the rooftop of the TV Asahi building. For more information, visit the website. This article was published on August 9 2022 and updated on July 19 2024. More from Time Out Tokyo 8 best places to see glorious sunflowers in and near Tokyo teamLab is bringing back its amazing digital art forest in Kyushu for the summer What you need to know about Japan’s new yen notes 3 best Japanese festivals happening in Tokyo this July 19-21 weekend The life-size Gundam from Yokohama is moving to Osaka Expo 2025 Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japa

Tokyo is a shopping paradise, especially if you’re looking for some adorable merchandise from your favourite cartoons and manga. Aside from the city’s many dedicated character shops, keep your eyes peeled for special pop-ups like the new Doraemon Future Department Store at Tokyo Station, which is now open for a limited time until Sunday September 29. Similar to Tokyo’s permanent Doraemon Future Department Store in Odaiba, this pop-up shop offers a selection of Doraemon products exclusive to the store as well as several advance sale items. Photo: Benelic Co., Ltd. One of the special advance sale items is this tote bag (¥3,630) with a fun print on the inside. Eagle-eyed fans will recognise the comic panels, as they are taken from 'The Human Locomotive’ storyline featured in volume 8 of the Doraemon manga.  Photo: Benelic Co., Ltd. Another pre-sale exclusive is this postcard and sticker set (¥1,540). The images were taken from 'The Human Engine' story.  Photo: Benelic Co., Ltd. Other cute items include these colourful Doraemon pins, which come in 25 designs (¥880 each). They are the perfect little decorations to add to your bag, hat or clothing. Photo: Benelic Co., Ltd. Additionally, there are new hair ties that come in two designs (¥715 each), shoulder bags (¥4,950 each), small pouches (¥3,190 each), drawstring bags (¥1,210 each), and handkerchiefs (¥770 each). Photo: Benelic Co., Ltd. You’ll find this Doraemon pop-up in Tokyo Station’s Character Street section in the

Whether you’re visiting the new Ghibli Park or stopping by the Ghibli Park & Ghibli Exhibition in Tokyo, there’s a lot to enjoy for fans of the world-famous Studio Ghibli. If you happen to be in Hiroshima, there’s another Ghibli attraction you should put on your radar. At the beginning of July, a stunning Aubusson tapestry inspired by ‘Howl's Moving Castle’ was unveiled in Japan for the very first time at the Hiroshima Prefectural Museum of Art.  Aubusson tapestry is a traditional craft native to the Creuse region of France. It involves weaving images using 600-year-old techniques to create immaculate rugs and wall hangings. This unique craft is recognised by Unesco as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. This new tapestry is not the first Studio Ghibli piece to see the light of day, though. To date, the Aubusson Cité Internationale de la Tapisserie museum has created five works based on Hayao Miyazaki's most popular films.  The first tapestry was a gorgeous scene from 'Princess Mononoke', unveiled in France in 2022. This is followed by a 'Spirited Away' piece in January 2023, and the current one featuring ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’. Two more designs featuring images from 'Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind' and 'My Neighbour Totoro' have yet to be unveiled. © 2004 Diana Wynne Jones/Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NDDMT The five-metre-tall square tapestry of ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ was brought over from France and is now on display at the lobby of the Hiroshima Prefectural M

Want to experience Dragon Quest IRL? Well, you’ll soon have the chance as Yokohama will be hosting the Dragon Quest Carnival in Minato Mirai from July 20 to August 18. The festivities will be spread out across two venues in the neighbourhood, including Landmark Plaza and Mark Is. Photo: Mitsubishi Jisho Property Management Co., Ltd. Both of those venues will feature massive public art displays. Of special interest is a towering 5-metre-tall Slime suspended from the central atrium of Landmark Plaza and a colourful Slime Shower over at Mark Is. Photo: Mitsubishi Jisho Property Management Co., Ltd. That’s not all. The carnival programme will also feature activities such as Slime painting, which entails purchasing a ceramic Slime and colouring it to your heart's content.  Photo: Mitsubishi Jisho Property Management Co., Ltd. Additionally, the 69th-floor observation lounge at Landmark Plaza will be hosting an exhibition to commemorate the upcoming 2D-HD remake of Dragon Quest III, featuring photo spots with Slimes and other monsters from the video games. Cafe Fan Base at Landmark Plaza, meanwhile, has created a special Dragon Quest-themed menu full of fun monster-inspired food and drinks. Finally, there’s a stamp rally happening between both Landmark Plaza and Mark Is, where you can win exclusive stickers of Slimes hanging around famous Yokohama landmarks. For more details, check out the websites for Landmark Plaza and Mark Is.  More from Time Out Tokyo What you need to know

While spring brings an array of colourful blooms including cherry blossoms, tulips and wisteria, summer is the time for hydrangeas and bright yellow sunflowers. To welcome this season’s flowers, Yokosuka Soleil Hill at Nagai Seaside Park is hosting a Sunflower Festival boasting approximately 100,000 sunflowers from mid-July to the end of August. Photo: Seibu Landscape Co. The sprawling yellow sunflower field stretches over 5,000sqm and has sweeping views of the blue sea. On clear days, you might even spot Mt Fuji in the distance over Sagami Bay.  Photo: Seibu Landscape Co. The sunflowers are best enjoyed from mid-July to mid-August. At first glance, the sunflowers may all look the same, but you’ll be able to spot four varieties growing here: Sunrich, Sunfinity, Sensation and SunBelievable. Aside from strolling the flower fields, there will also be a special food menu available from July 20 to August 25. The sunflower-inspired treats on offer include doughnuts shaped as the bright yellow flower, a sunflower parfait, sunflower lemon squash float and more.  Photo: Seibu Landscape Co. Entry is free, but if you’re driving there, parking is ¥1,700 per vehicle. Yokosuka Soleil Hill is located roughly two hours from central Tokyo by train and bus. For more information, visit the festival website. This article was originally published on July 1 2021 and updated on July 3 2024. More from Time Out Tokyo 3 Tanabata festivals to check out in Tokyo this July 5-7 weekend What you ne

While spring may be the best time to see cherry blossoms, tulips and wisteria, summer is when himawari (sunflowers) get their time to shine. You’ll find a number of sprawling fields in and around Greater Tokyo, where you can stroll through rows and rows of yellow sunflowers, eat sunflower-themed food, and even enjoy a sunflower maze.  The best time to see the flowers is from July through to the end of August, but some late blooming varieties will still be around in September. Here are our top sunflower spots to check out this summer.  大ケヤキに向かってお辞儀をしているように見えますよね！暑い日が続いた1週間、きれいに咲き揃い楽しませてくれた‘ハイブリッドサンフラワー’もいよいよ終わりが近づいてきました。場所によっては顔をあげている花も残っています◎ pic.twitter.com/BiD5zdrQxE — 国営昭和記念公園 (@showakinenpark) August 8, 2023 Showa Kinen Park, Tokyo This massive park in Tachikawa is where you can enjoy a unique hybrid species of sunflowers known as ​​Asteraceae. The park also has a flourishing section of Sunfinity sunflowers. Currently, the flowers have yet to bloom, but you can keep up with the flowering status here.  Photo: Kiyose Sunflower Festival Ishii Farm Kiyose, Tokyo Featuring 100,000 bright yellow himawari, the Kiyose Sunflower Festival takes place from August 6 to 13 on the outskirts of Tokyo. This expansive sunflower field, roughly 24,000 square meters in size, is used every summer by local farmers to grow sunflowers as a natural fertiliser for agricultural produce. Take in the spectacular scenery of towering sunflowers while supporting local farmers by

Travelling around Tokyo – or anywhere in Japan for that matter – requires a bit of extra effort if you have little ones in tow. And especially so if you don’t know where to find nursing rooms and diaper-changing facilities when you're out a about.  Thankfully, there’s an app for that. The free Mama Papa Map can be downloaded onto your phone and is available for both iOS and Android. Run by volunteer moms and dads all over Japan, the app offers an easy way for you to search for nursing rooms and diaper-changing stations around the country.  Phoo: Kodomoto Co., Ltd. The facilities that are available largely depends on your area, current location and station. The suggested spots are recommended by other parents, so you know which places are clean and what services they offer. There is also a rating system for each venue, so you can see how many people have evaluated the facilities as well as read comments and check photos. When searching via the map, venues will pop up with a bottle and/or diaper icon to give you an idea of what the facility offers before you click through for more information. Additionally, you can search for services like hot water availability for preparing baby milk formula, rental strollers, baby chairs, play areas for children, microwaves for warming up food, sinks/washbasins, trash cans for diapers, and more. While the app was developed in Japan, it's also available in English and Chinese. For more information on Mama Papa Map, visit the website. More

Along with having the world’s cleanest airport, Japan continues to maintain its high standards in the airline industry with two of the country’s major carriers ranked as some of the best internationally. This year’s World Airline Awards by Skytrax just named two Japanese carriers in the world’s top ten airlines list: All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL). Regarded as the Oscars of the aviation industry, the latest World Airline Awards based its ranking on data compiled from Skytrax's annual airline passenger satisfaction survey between September 2023 and May 2024. All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines have once again made the top ten out of more than 350 airlines included in this year's survey. ANA came in fourth place this year, trailing behind Qatar Airways (No 1), Singapore Airlines (No 2) and Emirates (No 3). Japan Airlines was ranked in sixth place behind Cathay Pacific at No 5. Comparing this year’s results with that of last year, ANA has moved down one spot from its third place ranking in 2023. Japan Airlines also took a slide by one spot as it was in fifth place last year.  Aside from the overall ranking, ANA was awarded for having the World's Best Airport Services, Best Airline Staff in Asia and Best Cabin Crew in Japan. On the other hand, Japan Airlines was ranked first for having the world's Best Premium Economy Class and Best Premium Economy Class Airline Seat. To see this year’s full ranking, visit the website. More from Time Out Tokyo The life-size

Ever since the Line Friends store in Harajuku closed in 2022, we’ve been wondering when the adorable store would return to Tokyo. Well, the wait is finally over as the brand new Line Friends Square Shibuya store opens today, and it’s bigger and better than its predecessor.  Photo: Kisa Toyoshima To officiate the grand opening of the new store in Shibuya, renowned Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami and Min Hee-jin, CEO of NewJeans’ label Ador, made an appearance together before the doors opened to the public.  Photo: Shota Nagao For this momentous occasion, the store is hosting a special NewJeans Supernatural Pop-up until July 15, where you can pick up fun merchandise created in collaboration with the superstar K-pop group. Along with the official NewJeans Line merchandise, there's also a special collaboration with Takashi Murakami, whose art is featured in the music video for the group's hit single, ‘Right Now’. The art collab includes plush dolls and collectibles featuring the five NewJeans girls stylised by Murakami. Here you'll even find products inspired by the artist’s iconic smiley flower. Photo: Kisa Toyoshima There’s more. The pop-up also carries the NewJeans apparel collection designed by streetwear guru Hiroshi Fujiwara. This series of T-shirts, baseball caps and bandanas can only be purchased in Japan.  Photo: Kisa Toyoshima The massive Line Friends Square Shibuya store comprises three floors. Upon entry you’ll see the Line Friends permanent coll