Kaila Imada

If you’re looking for a hotel that’s a little bit more interesting and unconventional, Tokyo is your city. With so many new attractions popping up every year, there’s also been an abundance of ultra-modern, one-of-a-kind places to stay. But unless you're familiar with the city, knowing where to start your search can be tedious work. So we’ve done the leg work for you and compiled a list that caters to every taste and preference, from luxe suites with private saunas to beds in rooms that double as art installations. Book a stay at one of these unique hotels and the only tough decision will be motivating yourself to actually leave the room... RECOMMENDED: hotels and glamping sites in Kawaguchiko with the best Mt Fuji views

When it comes to classic Japanese street snacks, nothing is quite as ubiquitous as taiyaki – the fish-shaped cakes found on many street corners. Fact is, taiyaki is not shaped after just any good old fish; it's a representation of red sea bream or tai, which it’s so cheekily named after. This particular fish is a symbol of good luck in Japan. Taiyaki is best described as a cross between a waffle and a cake stuffed with sweet red bean paste – but you’ll also come across a variety of other fillings including custard, matcha, sweet potato and even ice cream. Some creative vendors have even reimagined this humble treat into a croissant-like hybrid with a flaky, buttery crust in place of the cake-like texture. You should definitely seek out taiyaki when visiting Tokyo. It’s a quick and cheap snack you can easily pick up and enjoy on-the-go. Here are some of the city’s best and most delicious taiyaki.  RECOMMENDED: The best street food and snacks at Tsukiji Market

Hidden in between and behind shiny high-rises, massive station complexes and other architectural monsters, Tokyo's old-school alleyways or yokocho are treasure troves for anyone looking to experience the city's less sterile, more down-to-earth side. Found all over town, Tokyo's yokocho host thousands of tiny eateries, pubs and shops, some of them dating way back to the early postwar years, and provide opportunities for slipping back in time to the smoky, change-filled decades of the Showa era (1926-1989). Recent years have seen some yokocho become trendy locations for opening hip new restaurants, adding another flavour into the diverse mix of tastes, attitudes and customs found on these backstreets. If you don't mind a little neighbourly physical contact (many joints seat less than ten patrons), yokocho eateries and izakayas are cheapo heaven. People's booze, such as highballs, shochu and beer, is often available for ¥500 or so, and the food maintains the same dirt-cheap standard without sacrificing quality. The alleys are also ideal for discovering the less stuffy sides of Japanese culture and making new drinking buddies. Do avoid going in big groups though, as there simply won't be enough space for all of you. Don't know where to start? Here's our top ten list of fascinating yokocho – crawl through them all and you'll have learned more about the city than many people ever will. RECOMMENDED: the coolest streets to explore in Tokyo

If you’re looking for a different autumn experience around Tokyo and Japan, go seek out fields of susuki pampas grass instead of the usual red maple and yellow ginkgo trees. This tall plant is green in summer, but then it turns into shimmering shades of gold and silver when autumn rolls around. Because of this, pampas grass fields have become an Instagram hit of late, especially the one at Sengokuhara in Hakone. Here we’ve rounded up the top spots in Japan where you can frolic through fields of breezy pampas grass. RECOMMENDED: Looking for more things to do this season? Here are the most beautiful autumn destinations across Japan

Mascots and characters are a big deal in Japan, so much so that some become internet sensations with their own Twitter accounts (remember Chiitan?) while others expand into the F&B business. Tokyo, being the country's capital of cute, sure has no shortage of super kawaii character and cartoon cafés. Be it a Sanrio cutie (Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll), an international icon (Snoopy) or Pokémon, you can visit your favourite characters in Tokyo. A lot of these themed cafés are permanent spaces, but you'd want to keep an eye out on the special pop-ups and seasonal menus, often created to commemorate a special occasion, whether it's a new movie release or a milestone anniversary. So let's get started with some of our favourite character cafés in the city. RECOMMENDED: The best bakeries in Tokyo worth your dough

Aside from the ever-popular cherry blossom season, autumn in Japan is easily one of the best times to travel the country. The changing autumn colours, locally known as koyo, is highly anticipated, with annual forecasts predicting when the leaves will change from green to stunning shades of yellow, gold and red.  Thankfully, there is ample time to enjoy this seasonal spectacle as temperatures vary throughout the country. This means you’ll be able to catch the leaves anytime from the end of September through to December. From the temples of Kyoto to the mountains in Hokkaido, keep these gorgeous destinations in your list if you want to see the best of Japanese autumn. RECOMMENDED: The 24 most beautiful places in Japan

In Japan, you’ll find plenty of quality beauty and skincare products that won't break the bank. Even better, most are widely available at any local Japanese drugstore, so you don’t have to hunt through a fancy department store for a product that works. The only hard part about beauty shopping in Japan is figuring out what to buy – products here often have creative names, even for beauty brands, which can be confusing sometimes. From foamy face wash and makeup remover to moisturising hair treatments and sunscreen that’s kinder to your skin, these are some of the best and most affordable Japanese skincare and hair products you need to try out. The prices we've listed here are from online stores, but most Japanese chemists and drugstores carry them, too – just be aware that prices may vary depending on the shop. RECOMMENDED: the best Japanese sunscreens you can get at the drugstore

Japan is known for its kawaii culture, which is often associated with the country's countless cute characters and mascots, most notably Sanrio’s beloved Hello Kitty. Everyone is familiar with this adorable feline, known for her signature red bow on the left ear. You can find shops nationwide selling tote bags, stationery, homeware and cosmetics plastered with illustrations of Kitty. You can even enjoy Hello Kitty-shaped desserts and meals, too. There are also plenty of attractions around Japan where you can revel in all things Hello Kitty, including theme parks, resorts and hotel rooms decorated with colourful Kitty motifs. This year in 2024, as Hello Kitty is celebrating her 50th anniversary, there are a host of events, pop-ups and collaborations going on to commemorate the grand occasion.  Here are some places you can visit around Japan to enjoy a cutesy vacation with Japan’s favourite cat-girl. RECOMMENDED: Are you a Ghibli fan instead? Check out our Ghibli lover’s guide to Tokyo

As you might have heard if you’ve been listening to Tokyo radio, Time Out Tokyo recently teamed up with The Guy Perryman Show on InterFM for a new short segment called 'Transmission Tokyo with Time Out Tokyo’. The mini-segment is broadcast every Friday morning (in the 8 o'clock hour) and highlights interesting news and events from our Time Out Tokyo website as curated by Tokyo-based DJ and radio broadcaster Guy Perryman.  Having moved to Tokyo from the UK in 1990, Perryman is a long-time resident of the capital, and we thought the start of our collaboration would make a great opportunity to pick his brain to discover some of his favourite things to do in the city – and his favourite music to listen to nowadays. We also delved into some of the interesting projects he’s working on and what listeners can look forward to in the near future. For more on our mini segment on The Guy Perryman Show, visit here.

Shopping in Tokyo is an absolute joy. You can find almost every major brand and designer label imaginable, whether it's homegrown or international. Best of all, many of these labels try to outdo each other with jaw-dropping flagship stores boasting huge sales floors inside buildings designed by world-renowned architects – some even include one-of-a-kind in-store restaurants and art galleries. One huge advantage about shopping at flagship stores is that they tend to carry the brand's full breadth of products as well as the latest releases. So whether you're looking to splurge, do a spot of window shopping or you're just a fan of retail design, you'll have a field day at these sumptuous flagship stores in Tokyo.RECOMMENDED: one-of-a-kind concept stores you'll only find in Tokyo

Some of the best souvenirs and gifts you can buy in Tokyo are the amazing Japanese foodstuff. From cookies and confectionery to seasonings and condiments such as miso, ponzu and yuzu kosho, you really can’t go wrong with something delicious to remind you of all the great food you ate in Japan.  Looking for a great gift or something to spice up your home cooking? Check out these specialist stores, gourmet grocers and supermarkets offering quintessential Japanese ingredients sourced from across the country, as well as beautifully packaged sweets and snacks. RECOMMENDED: The best depachika in Tokyo

Thanks to today’s technology, travel has never been easier and information is more accessible than ever. However, there’s a lot to sift through, especially if you’re trying to pull together a list of useful travel tips for visiting Tokyo (or any other cities in Japan for that matter). Aside from having obvious tools like Google Translate on your mobile phone, there’s a wealth of other practical apps out there for every need and any type of tourist. Whether you’re a family travelling with a baby in tow or a smart shopper looking for the coolest items to bring home, there’s an app out there to help you out.  So, to get you started on your Japan trip, we round up a few of our favourite apps we think you should have on your phone before arriving in Japan. RECOMMENDED: Travel tips for a stress-free time in Tokyo and Japan

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 (¥2,180), a fresh take on the classic Old Fashioned. Got a sweet tooth? Order the Hoji Cha cocktail (¥1,870), 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. 

From fields of colourful tulips to a sea of blue nemophila, the sprawling Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki has something to see every season. In summer, the park starts growing kochia, or summer cypress. These fluffy little bushes look like something out of a Dr Seuss book.  Currently, there are approximately 33,000 kochia bushes growing at the park’s Miharashi no Oka Hill area, covering roughly 1.9 hectares. Photo: Fukamiyoga/DreamstimeA stock photo of Hitachi Seaside Park in summer During summer, the bushes are in a fresh, vibrant green colour, but come autumn, they'll turn brilliant red.  Photo: Banky405/Dreamstime These 'fur balls' will start changing colour in the next few days. The best time to see them in their full red glory is in mid-October. Later into the month, they'll start to take on a dusty golden hue. 2024年のコキア紅葉予想についてお知らせします。#みはらしの丘 の #コキア は10月3日頃に「色づき始め」、10月7日頃に「紅葉始め」、10月13日頃に「紅葉見頃」を迎えると予想しています。▼詳細は以下をご覧くださいhttps://t.co/IvJXpfkkXE#hitachiseasidepark #ひたち海浜公園 pic.twitter.com/6IWrFH2dJw — 国営ひたち海浜公園【公式】 (@HitachiKaihin) September 15, 2024 According to this year's forecast, the best time to see them at peak red is between October 13 and October 19. You can keep tabs on this year’s kochia colours via Hitachi Seaside Park’s website. The park is roughly two hours from Tokyo Station. See the park’s website for information on how to get there. This article was published on August 18 2022 and updated on October 7 2024.  More from Time Out Tokyo The best tim

There’s a very long list of reasons why we love Japanese convenience stores. Aside from having incredible food options available 24 hours a day, these lifesavers cater to our every need, offering clothing, ATMs and even services for us to buy event tickets and pay our bills. Furthermore, some konbini even have small eat-in spaces, where we can enjoy our food and drinks right after purchase. Unfortunately, it looks like this convenience will soon become a rarity as FamilyMart, one Japan’s largest konbini chains, is planning to remove eat-in spaces at branches nationwide. Currently, about 7,000 Famima stores have these eat-in corners. However, they've been seeing less and less usage since the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: FamilyMart According to FamilyMart, these spaces will be converted into retail areas to meet customers’ needs. This includes stocking more items from the popular Convenience Wear clothing line as well as other home essentials like washing detergent and toilet paper. While some branches may choose to keep their eat-in space, the push to remodel them into additional shelf space will be encouraged at all stores across Japan. For now, approximately 2,000 eat-in corners will be removed by the end of 2024. More from Time Out Tokyo The best times to see autumn leaves in Japan for 2024, according to official forecast Gakugeidaigaku is one of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods in 2024 Public drinking is now banned in Shibuya every day, all year round These Kyoto attracti

We can't wait to visit some of Japan’s most beautiful autumn destinations this season and Kyoto is always high on our travel list. While the historical city is beautiful at any time of year, some of Kyoto’s temples will be lit up in the evening this autumn to add an extra touch of magic to the scenery. The illuminations take place at different times and dates for each venue. Here are all the participating temples and shrines, along with a rundown on what to expect at each spot. Photo: Narongsak Nagadhana/DreamstimeKyoto's Kiyomizudera temple in autumn Kiyomizu-dera Temple From November 18 to November 30, Kyoto's Kiyomizu-dera Temple will be hosting special nighttime visits, where the temple’s structures and surrounding foliage are illuminated for a mesmerising display. While Kiyomizu-dera usually closes at 6pm, it will extend its hours until 9.30pm (last entry 9pm). General admission is ¥500 for adults and ¥200 for junior high and elementary school students. Photo: Central Japan Railway CompanyToji Temple Toji Temple From October 26 to December 8, you can see the autumn leaves around Toji Temple lit up between 6pm and 9.30pm (last entry 9pm). Entry costs ¥1,000 (¥500 for middle school students and under). Photo: Central Japan Railway Company Byodoin Temple Byodoin Temple in Uji will be lit up from 6pm to 8.30pm for six days only: November 16, 17, 23, 24 and 30 as well as December 1. Entry costs ¥1,500 (high school students and under ¥1,000) and it’s limited to 1,500 peo

Now that it's October and Halloween is fast approaching, there’s no better time to plan a spooky trip. If you’ve ever asked yourself what you would do if you were in the horror film ‘Train to Busan’, well, check out the new Zombie Shinkansen that will take you from Tokyo to Osaka in an infested bullet train car. Photo: Scary Squad Co., Ltd. This spooky ride calls itself ‘the world’s first zombie shinkansen’. For this special event, a train carriage on the Tokaido Nozomi bullet train will be converted into a haunted house filled with more than 20 zombies to bring the ‘nightmare’ to life.  Photo: Scary Squad Co., Ltd. The funny thing is, it’s not all jump scares, though. Aside from trying to spook you out, the zombies will also entertain you with dancing, magic tricks and even a live music orchestra. Photo: Scary Squad Co., Ltd. There will even be a zombie battle, where you can witness a fierce fight or flight scene between humans and the undead inside the train car. Photo: Scary Squad Co., Ltd. The one-off event is scheduled for Saturday October 19. The train departs Tokyo Station at 5.18pm and takes you to Shin-Osaka Station in about two hours and 20 minutes. The Zombie Shinkansen is limited to just 60 participants and costs ¥33,000 for a regular seat and ¥50,000 for a premium seat. Note that the event is just a one-way ride to Osaka and does not include a return trip to Tokyo. For tickets, visit the website. More from Time Out Tokyo Here’s the official 2024 autumn le

Tokyo is home to some incredible bars serving top notch cocktails, beer and craft spirits. However, if you’re on the hunt for a bargain to enjoy a quick drink before dinner, the options are more limited. That’s where Le Pristine Café Tokyo at Hotel Toranomon Hills comes in. Situated at the new Toranomon Hills Station Tower, the all-day eatery on the hotel’s ground floor offers a mix of bar seating, indoor tables and a spacious outdoor terrace.  Photo: Hotel Toranomon Hills With the weather starting to cool, the café recently introduced a happy hour deal known as the Aperitivo Moment, which is available daily from 5pm to 7pm – even on weekends. You can enjoy your drinks and snacks inside the café or out at the terrace while taking in the sunset.  Photo: Hotel Toranomon Hills The best part is, the light bites and drinks on the menu are priced from just ¥600. Food highlights include the homemade grissini breadsticks served with a miso eggplant dip, succulent deep fried mussels with tartar sauce, and crisp arancini (deep-fried risotto balls). You also can’t go wrong with Le Pristine’s signature pizzette – a delectable pizza built on a fluffy focaccia-like bread. The aperitivo menu offers the pizzette in two varieties: octopus with tomato and parmigiano cheese, and guanciale with Hokkaido mozzarella  Photo: Hotel Toranomon Hills As for drinks, you can start off your evening with an ice-cold beer or glass of wine. For something on the sweeter side, try one of the café’s exclu

We’re now in the midst of typhoon season, so it’s not uncommon to see heavy wind, regular rain and sudden storms passing through Japan. Currently, there are two powerful storms heading towards Japan this week, but in different directions.  As reported by The Mainichi, Typhoon Jebi (also known as Typhoon No 17) is expected to affect eastern Japan including Tokyo, while Typhoon Krathon (also known as Typhoon No 18) is expected to hit southern Japan around the Okinawa islands.  According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, Typhoon Jebi will pass by eastern Japan over the next few days from October 1 to 2. Typhoon Krathon, on the other hand, is forecast to hit between October 2 and 3. At the time of writing, domestic flight situations in the Okinawa and Kanto regions appear to be volatile, so do check for updates with the airlines. As for shinkansen in the Kanto region (which includes Tokyo), there’s no alert of major disruptions. However, there might be potential delays. We will keep you posted if anything changes. More from Time Out Tokyo Here’s the official 2024 autumn leaves forecast for Japan Gakugeidaigaku is one of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods in 2024 These Kyoto attractions are hosting Naked digital art experiences in autumn Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo’s Sea of Clouds installation features a magical full moon This is the place in Japan to see sakura and autumn leaves at the same time Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the late

Aside from Tokyo’s teamLab Borderless and teamLab Planets museums, the world-renowned digital art collective has an assortment of exhibitions across Japan, some of which are embedded in lush nature, such as the awe-inspiring A Forest Where Gods Live in Kyushu. Now, teamLab just unveiled yet another immersive digital art exhibition in the great outdoors – and this time, it’s at a picturesque rice terrace in Izura, Ibaraki prefecture. Opened on September 30, the highly-anticipated installation features an old rice field that was transformed into a stunning, large-scale light art installation known as teamLab: Hidden Traces of Rice Terraces.  The new artwork is inspired by the scenic Izura Coast, where renowned scholar and art critic Tenshin Okakura (1863-1913) settled down in his later years. Photo: teamLab This unique landscape was highly regarded by Okakura and is known for its beautiful topography, which includes a secret rice terrace hidden in a forest deep in a valley. As the terrace is no longer used for farming rice, teamLab turned this gorgeous area into an art experience. Photo: teamLab In addition to the rice terrace, the area also features another teamLab project known as Digitized Nature, which showcases how our natural environment can become one with art. The project explores how non-material digital technology can meld together nature and art without harming any of the natural surroundings. Photo: teamLab You'll be able to walk around the forest surrounding

If you’ve never tried kushikatsu, you’re missing out. This classic Japanese dish consists of various skewered ingredients that have been dipped in breadcrumbs and then deep-fried until crisp and golden. Kushikatsu Tanaka, one of Japan’s most popular chain restaurants specialising in kushikatsu, is bringing back one of its quirkies dishes in October.  When ordering kushikatsu, you’ll often only find savoury items like vegetables, seafood and meat. However, Kushikatsu Tanaka is changing things up with a few dessert options featuring deep-fried KitKat bars. Photo: Kushikatsu Tanaka The Kit Kushikatsu (¥180 each) is simply a mini KitKat that's been breaded and deep-fried. You can also opt for the Kit Kushikatsu Banana (¥200 each), which adds on two slices of banana. These two varieties will be available from October 1 2024 to January 31 2025. Photo: Kushikatsu Tanaka This year, the restaurant is also releasing some new varieties including a Kit Kushikatsu made with a matcha KitKat slathered with a layer of anko red bean paste (¥240 each). This special kushikatsu will be available from October 1 to December 8. Photo: Kushikatsu Tanaka Additionally, there will also be a seasonal white strawberry Kit Kushikatsu (¥240 each) made with a white chocolate KitKat paired with a slice of fresh strawberry. This special item will be available from December 9 2024 to January 31 2025. These limited-time dishes are available at all Kushikatsu Tanaka locations nationwide (except the Tokyo D

It’s safe to say that Bruno Mars is a fan of Japan. After playing a historic seven shows at Tokyo Dome earlier this year, the singer-songwriter released a quirky commercial jingle for mega discount store Don Quijote at the end of August. Titled ‘Donki Ikuyo’ or ‘Let’s go to Donki’, the commercial shows the superstar dancing along the aisles of Mega Don Quijote in Shibuya, all while shopping for snacks. Bruno even wrote the jingle and produced the video himself, as he is personally a fan of Donki, calling it his favourite store in Japan. Photo: Lim Chee Wah Following the release of the commercial, Donki has now dropped a collection of limited-edition goods created in collaboration with Bruno Mars. The collection will be available at all Don Quijote stores nationwide, but only for a limited time until Sunday October 20. So make sure you head over to your nearest Donki as soon as possible.  特報！ブルーノ・マーズ 限定コラボグッズ販売決定！9/20(金)～全国のドン・キホーテで発売開始※キャップ、トートバッグは9月末～10月初旬に入荷予定(入荷情報は随時特設サイトをご確認ください)majica会員様限定で オンラインでの購入も✌特設サイトはこちらhttps://t.co/Aplclno485 pic.twitter.com/dZS5pwx2vR — 驚安の殿堂 ドン・キホーテ🐧 (@donki_donki) September 18, 2024 The merch collection includes hoodies and T-shirts, as well as a tote bag and baseball cap. They all feature a cheeky image of Don Quijote's penguin mascot Donpen cosplaying as Bruno Mars. He even has Bruno's signature hairstyle and moustache. The hoodie costs ¥5,489, while the T-shirts, tote bags and baseball cap are ¥3,289 each. For more details, vi

To celebrate the brilliant autumn moon, Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is now showcasing a mesmerising Sea of Clouds installation at its lush garden. Japan’s mountainous regions are renowned for their beautiful cloud formations known as unkai or ‘sea of clouds’. This natural phenomenon often appears in the early morning in spring and autumn.  The good news is, you don’t need to venture out of the city to catch this spectacular sight, as Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is recreating this natural occurrence at its traditional Japanese garden. With the Sea of Clouds installation, which is ongoing until November 11, the garden is looking even more breathtaking, as a full moon is projected onto the mist.  Photo: Fujita Kanko Co., Ltd. Measuring about three metres in diameter, the moon projection is huge, and can be seen every evening at 6.40pm, 7.40pm, 8.40pm and 9.40pm for about seven minutes per session. You can still enjoy the scenic Sea of Clouds between the moon viewings, making for a lovely atmosphere.  Photo: Fujita Kanko Co., Ltd. While you don't have to be staying at the hotel to enjoy the event, the garden is reserved for guests making use of the hotel facilities. This means you can still visit the garden and installation if you are dining at one of the hotel's many restaurants. For more information, visit the hotel website. More from Time Out Tokyo Here’s the official 2024 autumn leaves forecast for Japan 2 Tokyo pizzerias are in the 50 Top Pizza World list for 2024 These Kyoto attrac

From Taylor Swift to Bruno Mars, Tokyo gets its fair share of music legends coming to the city to perform. 2025 is shaping up to be a pretty promising year, as singer and pop icon Kylie Minogue has announced her Tension world tour with a stop in Tokyo. For one night only, the princess of pop will be returning to Tokyo on Wednesday March 12 2025. As of now, no venue has been announced for the concert, but we’re guessing she’ll be taking over one of Tokyo’s larger venues, as she has the star power to draw huge crowds. The Tokyo concert is part of the Asian leg of her Tension Tour, where she'll also be stopping in Bangkok, Kaohsiung and Manila. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Live Nation Asia (@livenationasia) In conjunction with the upcoming tour, Kylie has also announced her new album 'Tension II', which will comprise 13 songs, releasing on October 18. The album will feature nine brand new studio tracks plus the dance hit 'Edge of Saturday Night' with The Blessed Madonna. The album will also include collaborations with other world-renowned artists including Sia, Bebe Rexha, Tove Lo and Orville Peck.  'Lights Camera Action' will be the lead single for the new album and you'll be able to hear it when it's released on September 27. To keep tabs on Tokyo concert updates, visit Live Nation. More from Time Out Tokyo Here’s the official 2024 autumn leaves forecast for Japan Roppongi Art Night 2024 to feature 40 artworks and programmes over three d

©Expo 2025 With the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan now less than 250 days away, we can’t wait to see what the upcoming World Expo has to offer. Recently, it was announced that renowned J-pop singer Ado will be headlining the Expo's special opening concert on Yumeshima island on Sunday April 13 2025. While details are scarce at the time of writing, we’re eagerly looking forward to an exciting performance, as the J-pop superstar has been taking the world by storm with sold out shows on her first world tour earlier this year.  The mysterious singer is known for concealing her identity in public, but has continued to keep her fans intrigued with her catchy hits including 'Usseewa' and 'Chocolat Cadabra', as well as songs from the movie 'One Piece Film Red'. Ado has even dabbled in the K-pop world, collaborating with girl group Le Sserafim for the Japanese version of their single 'Unforgiven'. Photo: Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition Ado Live in Concert on April 13 Opening Day of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan will be taking place at the Expo Arena 'Matsuri’, the largest outdoor event plaza at the Expo grounds, which can accommodate approximately 16,000 people. This special venue was designed by Ichika Satoshi of renowned architectural firm Nikken Sekkei, who worked on other projects such as the Hankyu Department Store in Osaka’s Umeda district.  Tickets for the Expo are already on sale and you can still get discounted advance tickets. For more