Kaila Imada

Shimokitazawa’s relaxed bohemian vibe is a welcome respite from Tokyo’s fast-paced, frenetic energy – and yet it’s located surprisingly close to the city centre, just three minutes away from Shibuya Station on the Keio-Inokashira express line. The neighbourhood, affectionately known as Shimokita by the locals, is an incubator for small, independent businesses. And it's known for two things: its treasure trove of vintage fashion and its love of vinyl records. In between stores selling one or the other – sometimes both – is a vibrant community of quaint cafés and cool restaurants scattered throughout Shimokitazawa's small streets and alleys. If that wasn't enough, the hip hub has seen a recent influx of new shopping and dining complexes, which has helped solidify its place as one of Tokyo's coolest neighbourhoods. So start your visit with a stroll down Ichibangai for some thrift shopping, then make a pit stop at one of the many soup curry restaurants Shimokita is famous for, and end your day at Bonus Track or Reload for a drink or two. A chill day out in Tokyo, sorted. RECOMMENDED: Explore the coolest streets in Tokyo

While Tokyo is home to many outstanding and unique bars, sometimes the evening calls for a calm and sober atmosphere, where you can relax over coffee, tea and even some dessert. Unfortunately in Tokyo, most cafés tend to close early between 5pm and 7pm. However, that doesn’t mean the only iced tea you can get after dinner is of the long island variety. There are a handful of cafés that stay open late into the night, making them the perfect spot for one last latte, nightcap or even a quiet place to tuck into a slice of cake.  For late-night hangouts that don’t involve alcohol, check out these cafés which are open until at least 10pm. RECOMMENDED: The most beautiful cafés in Tokyo

Travel down to the Kanagawa coast and you’ll run into the small but beautiful Enoshima. The hilly island lies off the Shonan coast in western Kanagawa, and it’s connected to the mainland by a bridge open to both vehicles and pedestrians. Enoshima is one of the most popular islands nearest to Tokyo. Here you’ll find a number of cultural monuments, quaint cafés and sightseeing attractions – more than enough to fuel a day trip. When the weather’s clear, you can even see Mt Fuji in the distance. Getting here: The Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass includes a round-trip ticket on the Odakyu line from Shinjuku to Katase-Enoshima Station, which takes about 80 minutes one way. You also get unlimited rides on the Enoden line between Fujisawa and Kamakura stations for a bit of extended sightseeing in the area. The pass costs ¥1,640 for adults and ¥430 for children. It's a 12-minute walk from Katase-Enoshima Station to the island.RECOMMENDED: Explore Kawagoe, Saitama’s Little Edo

Sure, Tokyo may be known for its urban sprawl, but that doesn’t mean the capital is devoid of nature. Aside from the lush forests of Okutama and nature escapes such as Mt Takao and Todoroki Valley, Tokyo is also home to a number of subtropical islands.  The Izu Islands are a string of nine tiny islands which are popular for their volcanic landscapes and stunning beaches. If the 24-hour boat ride to Ogasawara is too far for you, check out our pick of the best islands in the Izu archipelago, which you can easily reach in just a few hours by ferry or plane. RECOMMENDED: Check out the best day trips from Tokyo

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

Nowhere does bread quite like Japan. While rice and noodles are staples, bread is also very much an important part of the Japanese diet. Plus, it’s hard to ignore the smell of freshly baked bread as you pass by one of the city’s wonderful bakeries, many of which specialise in Japanese-style baked goods like loaves of shokupan or buns filled with different sweet and savoury fillings. You might find some of them sold as sozaipan, a mash-up of the Japanese words for side dish (sozai) and bread (pan). While you can find classics like croissants and baguettes at many Japanese bakeries, it’s worth expanding your horizons and trying out these uniquely Japanese breads that you won’t find anywhere else. Here are some of our favourites. RECOMMENDED: Eat your way through Tokyo’s best bakeries

What a wonderful time to be in Tokyo! After a short delay, Tokyo's cherry blossoms are now blooming and they have hit full bloom as of Friday April 5 2024. To keep you up to date on how the blossoms are doing, we've done the legwork, visited different sakura spots in Tokyo, so you can check up on the blooming cycle before heading out. RECOMMENDED: Make this your best sakura season yet with our ultimate guide to cherry blossoms in Tokyo

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.

The enduring icon of spring in Japan, cherry blossoms are practically synonymous with the country itself, attracting hordes of admirers from across the world every season. While cherry blossoms generally flower in late March, they usually last no longer than a couple of weeks. So if you missed the cherry trees at peak bloom, fret not – there are lots of other spring flowers you can find that are just as beautiful in their own way. And the best part is, there’s always something putting out its petals in Tokyo during spring, from late March right through to May. RECOMMENDED: How to enjoy Tokyo's biggest attractions in one day

Tokyo is a shopper's paradise, where you can get everything from stationery and trendy homewares to designer vintage and discount goods. But why not take your retail therapy one step further by making something yourself? After all, nothing makes a better souvenir than something you've crafted with your hands under the guidance of the city's finest artisans. For a more interactive Tokyo experience, sign up for these fun workshops – from making washi paper and origami to kintsugi ceramics and fake food samples – at these speciality workshops and stores across Tokyo. RECOMMENDED: Your ultimate guide to Tokyo's best department stores

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

With sakura season just around the corner, we've rounded up some of the best seasonal cherry blossom treats to indulge in while you head out to see the gorgeous pink blooms across Tokyo. These pastel pink cherry blossom-flavoured desserts and drinks also make for the perfect Instagram fodder this spring.  RECOMMENDED: 14 best places to see cherry blossoms in Japan – with dates

フレンチの要素を懐石に取り入れたてるなりの料理は、一品一品が際立っている。キッチンに立つ徳本寛一は、名店鈴なりの村田明彦の下で働いた経歴の持ち主だ。 必要以上に季節に固執することはなく、毎日その日に届いたもので丁寧に料理するのが特徴で、鶏レバーのパテが入ったモナカや、ワサビがアクセントになった牛スジの茶わん蒸しなど、和食をユニークに表現した料理が楽しめる。 ウメとショウガがきいたイワシの煮物、漬けマグロと赤こんにゃく、キュウリに添えられたうま味たっぷりのなめろうなど、さまざまな本格懐石料理も絶品だ。器の周りに添えられた季節の植物も、料理を彩る。 コースの最後は、てるなりの代表料理でもある釜炊きご飯の締め。しょうゆとみりんで甘辛く味付けされた豚肉、トマトとフレッシュバジルが入っており、かき混ぜてチーズをかければ和風リゾットに早変わりする。懐石の概念を覆してくれる、ファン必見の店だろう。

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,

銀座のバーといえば、値段が高く上品で堅苦しい場所を想像してしまうかもしれない。ミクソロジーサロンはそんなステレオタイプのイメージを覆す店で、リラックスした雰囲気と、日本のテイストを取り入れたカクテルが特徴だ。 場所はギンザシックスの13階。クリーンでミニマルなたたずまいだが、温かい雰囲気もある。実際、酒を飲む場所というよりモダンなカフェのように見えるが、それには理由がある。 「Teatail（お茶のカクテル）」を専門とするミクソロジーサロンのオリジナルカクテルは全て、茶葉を漬け込んで蒸留した自家製スピリッツを使っているのだ。ほうじ茶風味のバーボンやそば茶風味のウオッカ、烏龍茶風味のラム、煎茶風味のジンなど幅広い品ぞろえを楽しんでほしい。

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

開業から8年を迎えた九段 おおつかは、夫婦で切り盛りしてきた本格懐石料理店だ。靖国神社から通りを隔てた場所に位置し、静かで趣あふれる空間となっている。新鮮さを保つため、メニューは月変わりで提供している。伝統的だが独創的な方法で、季節の食材を主役にした料理が提供される。ユニークな食材を使った驚嘆の料理を期待してもらいたい。 お椀から始まる食事は、柔らかいトウガンの厚切りと絹のように滑らかな素麺が透明なだし汁に浮かび、オクラとジュンサイがアクセントとなっている。その後、美しい扇形の皿に盛り付けられた4種の前菜が続く。酢仕立てのゼリーで和えられたイチジクには驚きだ。ダイコンとタコの煮付けは風味豊かな醤油だしで、柔らかくなるまで煮込んである。選り抜きの夏野菜が信じがたいほど軽い衣で揚げてあり、ワサビでアクセントをつけた、湯葉と生シロエビの料理は見事だ。 おそらく唯一の懐石料理店だろうと思うが、新潟米、鳥取の鶏肉、滑らかな卵といった、最高の食材で作った看板料理の親子丼が1,080円という驚きの価格で楽しめる『親子丼ランチ』を提供している。味噌汁と自家製の漬物と一緒に出される。同店をディナーで利用する前に、ランチで気軽に足を運べるのが嬉しい。

寒くなってくると食べたくなる鍋。自宅でも手軽にできるが、ちゃんこや水炊きなど、鍋と言っても種類は多い。中でもシンプルかつ上品な鍋は、ねぎま鍋ではないだろうか。北池袋で、カウンター8席のみの小さく気取らない店を構えるねぎまは、本格江戸前料理のねぎまの店だ。 ねぎまとは、その名の通り、ねぎとまぐろが主役の鍋「ねぎま鍋」の略称。食品の冷蔵技術が低かった江戸時代、魚のような生鮮食品はすぐ傷んでしまうこともあり、脂肪分の多いトロの部分は捨てられていた。それを人々が工夫して、味わうようになったのが始まりと言われている。 ねぎまの鍋はコース料理の中の一品だ。かつおだし醤油で軽く味付けした江戸前卵焼きからコースは始まる。酒と一緒に頬張れば、いいスタートが切れること間違いなし。鍋料理に使う食材が乗った、美しい大皿が運ばれてきたら、店主の長橋公代がワカメや新鮮生野菜と一緒に薄味の出汁の中で煮込んでくれる。 取材時には、ハラモ（腹部）やカマトロ（えら肉）という、マグロの部位をいただいた。どちらも同じくらい食感が柔らかく、手で砕いたコショウ一振りで、味が際立つ。柔らかくなるまで出汁で煮込まれた、厚切りのネギも、今までのネギの概念が変わるほどの絶品。まぐろを味わう合間に口の中をさっぱりとさせてくれる。締めには土鍋で炊いた白米に煮汁をかける、出汁茶漬け。 ほかでは味わえない、本格江戸前料理に興味があれば、ぜひ足を運んでほしい。

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.

After a much-needed refresh and revamp, the iconic Tsutaya store in Shibuya finally reopened on Thursday April 25. Along with the newly renovated retail space, Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks has also resumed business on the same date.  Before it closed for remodelling, this particular Starbucks was immensely popular, as it offered a great view overlooking Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Thankfully, the café has reopened in the exact same location as before, but with a fun new design concept.  Photo: Starbucks Japan Starbucks occupies the first and second floors, with the first floor offering only takeaway drinks from a barista counter at the entrance facing Koen-dori street.  The second floor features a café based on the 'Starbucks green ribbon' concept, with seats designed onto massive green ribbons snaking through the space. Photo: Kisa Toyoshima｜2階「スターバックス コーヒー SHIBUYA TSUTAYA 2F店」 One of the ribbons measures 71 metres and it curves around the floor, leading to the window where you can catch a view of the iconic Shibuya Crossing. The second green ribbon is a digital art piece that follows the curves of the store walls and displays images of coffee, Shibuya themes, and items of Japanese culture created by various artisans. Photo: Kisa ToyoshimaView of Shibuya Crossing from the Starbucks This renovated Starbucks café on the second floor has seating for 100 people and it opens from 7am to 10.30pm daily. The takeaway counter on the first floor operates from 8am to 10.30pm. Ph

Shopping sustainably in Tokyo has never been easier with so many great vintage and consignment shops scattered across the city. Even fast fashion retailer Uniqlo is these days doing its part to help upcycle clothes by setting up used clothing pop-up shops as part of its Furugi Project.  Uniqlo's first Furugi Project pop-up shop in Tokyo is at the brand's Setagaya Chitosedai store. It will be around until Saturday August 31. There's another pop-up at the Tenjin Uniqlo store in Fukuoka, which will also be open until August 31. Photo: Kaila Imada The Furugi Project pop-up offers a selection of secondhand Uniqlo clothing that's still in good condition, as well as items that have been upcycled into new pieces. Notably, the remade clothing items have been specially dyed and washed to give them a worn-in vintage feel.   Photo: Kaila Imada You can get the secondhand pieces at great bargains, with prices between ¥1,000 and ¥3,000. The items that have been reworked cost a bit more, with T-shirts retailing for ¥2,000 and sweatshirts for ¥3,000. Photo: Kaila Imada For those who want to customise or upgrade their existing Uniqlo items, the shop offers additional services to repair and remake your clothing, as well as embroidery that allows you to add personal touches and even sashiko stitching (traditional Japanese hand embroidery) to your items. Repair services start at ¥500 for fixing rips and holes, while sashiko stitching starts at ¥1,000 for a 20cm-long stitch. Photo: Kaila Im

Ever wonder what would happen if you were to combine iconic Disney characters with Japan’s love for manga? This new café opening in Tokyo has your answer. Known as the Manga Princess Cafe, the pop-up at Shibuya 109 features all your favourite Disney princesses but in a playful manga style.  Photo: LTC Co., Ltd. The princesses you’ll encounter at the café include Snow White, Cinderella, Belle from ‘Beauty and the Beast’, Ariel from ‘The Little Mermaid’ and Tiana from ‘The Princess and the Frog’.  The pop-up is taking over Shibuya 109's Oh My Cafe space and offers a lineup of colourful dishes and drinks including pasta, curry and fun beverages inspired by all the princesses. Photo: LTC Co., Ltd. Menu highlights include this colourful pasta (¥2,090) made with ham and veggies and your choice of ‘princess sauce’. Photo: LTC Co., Ltd. Prefer something sweet? Opt for the fruit toast (¥1,590) made with fruit and vibrant sauces inspired by the colours of the princesses. Photo: LTC Co., Ltd. As for drinks, you can't go wrong with one of the milk- or yoghurt-based beverages or the bottled iced tea (¥790) served in an exclusive bottle with a fun princess design.  Photo: LTC Co., Ltd. While the café food is fun, you can also just pop in for the merchandise on sale featuring the manga-styled princesses. There are cute keychains, compact mirrors, handkerchiefs and drawstring pouches, plus special commuter pass cases and stationery like memo pads and ‘clear files’ (plastic folders)

The Shibuya Sky observation deck has become one of the hottest attractions in Tokyo since it opened on the rooftop of Shibuya Scramble Square. This open-air observation deck boasts 360-degree views of the city from a jaw-dropping 230 metres above ground, and you can see all of Tokyo’s major landmarks including Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree and even Mt Fuji on a clear day. What's more, the observation deck boasts a stunning rooftop bar that's set to open for the 2024 season on Sunday April 28. 画像提供：渋谷スクランブルスクエア株式会社バーカウンター The rooftop bar and lounge, known simply as The Roof, will be open for a limited time until December 25 2024. You can order snacks and drinks such as beer, wine, cocktails and mocktails. The bar will be open from 4pm until 10pm every evening (from 5pm in August), giving you a chance to catch the sunset as well as Tokyo’s stunning skyline at night.  Photo: Shibuya Scramble Square Co., Ltd. It’s a good idea to purchase tickets in advance to secure one of the cosy couches overlooking the city. You'll be limited to a 50-minute time slot for each couch reservation, which is available as part of a champagne or drink package (from ¥5,500 per person). Do note that a minimum of two guests must be present to secure a couch seat. In case of bad weather, The Roof will be closed. Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa For more details and to book a reservation at The Roof, visit the website.  This article was originally published on July 9 2020 and updated on April 16 2024.More from

Japan has a knack for turning the most mundane things into works of art. This is evident in the country’s manhole covers, which often feature unique designs or iconic characters. Take for example, the highly-popular Pokémon Poké Lids. Now, Tokyo is expanding its cool drain cover collection with five new Sailor Moon lids, which have been installed in Minato ward. Why Minato ward? Well, this district – and especially the Azabu-Juban neighbourhood – holds special significance in the Sailor Moon story. When our beloved heroine is not fighting evil by moonlight, she goes by the name 'Usagi Tsukino', a regular school girl who lives and goes to school in Azabu-Juban. Plus, many scenes and battles in the story take place here. Photo: Kisa Toyoshima This manhole cover features both Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask. You'll find it near the entrance to Azabu-Juban's shotengai (main shopping street).  Photo: Kisa Toyoshima All the main Sailor Guardians are featured on this colourful manhole cover in front of the Minato Library near Shiba Park. A small detail to note here: the backdrop is the same colour as Sailor Mercury. Photo: Kisa Toyoshima This cover design of the Sailor Guardians in kimono can be found near Toyo Eiwa Jogakuin elementary school. This school is said to be the inspiration for the fictional T.A. Girls' Academy, where Sailor Mars attends. As a tribute to this, the background of this manhole cover is bright red. Photo: Kisa Toyoshima The main Sailor Moon cast is featur

Spring is one of the most beautiful times of year in Japan with colourful flowers blooming everywhere you look. Even in Greater Tokyo, you can find some of the season's most stunning showstoppers such as pretty wisteria, colourful tulips and a sea of nemophila. For one of the best shows of wisteria in this region, you'll have a make a day trip to Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi prefecture. The annual, ever popular Fujinohana Monogatari Ofuji Festival runs from April 13 to May 15, with the evening light-up set for April 18 to May 15. Photo: Ashikaga Flower Park The park is one of Japan’s top destinations for wisteria, boasting 350 trees that bloom from mid-April to mid-May. The stunning flowers, which dangle from wooden trellises, come in a riot of colours including violet, blue, pink, white and yellow blossoms. Each colour tends to bloom at different times: pink first, followed by purple, white and then yellow wisteria. Photo: Ashikaga Flower Park A must-see is the park’s magnificent 150-year-old wisteria tree, which is lit up in the evenings and surrounded by still water that reflects the colourful flowers. This ofuji, or Great Wisteria Tree, has a canopy covering about 1,000sqm and features a jaw-dropping 80,000 individual purple blossoms. Photo: Ashikaga Flower Park The park is also home to a dreamy 80m-long wisteria walk, featuring white blooms drooping over you from the trellis above. Photo: Ashikaga Flower Park If white’s

Japan’s ever-growing coffee scene is going strong, especially with cool concept cafés like the Blue Bottle Studio Kyoto. Operating under the direction of Blue Bottle's founder, James Freeman, this unique space allows you to sample a selection of coffees made using rare single origin beans from around the world, and paired with sweets.  Photo: Blue Bottle Coffee The studio takes over the second floor of Blue Bottle Coffee Kyoto's front building, which is a renovated 100-year-old machiya townhouse. There are just five seats, allowing you to enjoy your coffee in a relaxing and intimate setting.   Photo: Blue Bottle Coffee The Blue Bottle Studio Kyoto Coffee Course (¥8,910 per person) is only available seasonally and by reservations only. It offers five different coffees plus two desserts, the latter supervised by Yuichi Goto and Kazuhiro Nakamura from food consultancy firm Tangentes. Photo: Blue Bottle Coffee With this coffee flight, you get to sample extremely rare single-origin beans from around the world. The course also includes an alcoholic drink, but you can swap that out for a non-alcoholic beverage upon request.   Photo: Blue Bottle Coffee Reservations are now open for the spring season until May 6. You can make your reservation here. For more information, visit the website. This article was published on March 30 2023 and updated on April 15 2024. More from Time Out Tokyo International photography festival Kyotographie returns to Kyoto this month Osaka has a new

Samurai and ninja experiences are starting to become popular activities for visitors to Japan, with places like Tokyo’s immersive samurai museum opening doors to this enticing world of ancient warriors. Photo: Toei Kyoto Studio Co., Ltd. But if just wearing some armour and swinging a sword indoors isn’t enough to satisfy, you can take things one step further at Toei Kyoto Studio Park. This theme park and film set is where you can enjoy a sword-fighting experience in a traditional Edo-period (1603-1867) setting all while being filmed like an action movie star.   Photo: Toei Kyoto Studio Co., Ltd. In the park’s katana sword-fighting experience, you'll get to battle it out on a set designed like an ancient Japanese town and learn moves from professional sword-fighting instructors. Some of the moves you'll learn include bowing properly, drawing and sheathing the sword, and making horizontal cuts and bamboo strikes. Photo: Toei Kyoto Studio Co., Ltd. To make the experience all the more authentic, you'll also get to dress up in appropriate costumes to get into the Edo-era mood. There's a total of five outfits to pick from: samurai, ninja, Ryoma Sakamoto (a famous Japanese samurai), guardsman and furisode wakashu (long-sleeved kimono usually worn by young men). Photo: Toei Kyoto Studio Co., Ltd. Once you’ve got the moves down and are dressed up, the battle will take place and be filmed, so you can watch it after and save it as a fun memento of your experience. Additionally,

Tokyo has one of the world’s best public transport systems, with well-maintained and easy-to-use trains and buses. There are also plenty of useful rail passes and IC transport cards that make getting around the city a breeze. These IC transport cards are especially convenient as you can use them to travel on trains and buses, and to pay at stores and restaurants. A particularly useful – not to mention, cute – one is the Pasmo Passport. Unlike the regular Pasmo card, the Pasmo Passport is exclusively available to overseas tourists and gets you discounts at attractions across Tokyo. It's also adorned with some adorable Sanrio characters including Hello Kitty and Pompompurin. The Pasmo Passport can be used for transport on trains and buses in the Kanto region as well as other areas around Japan where IC cards are accepted. You can also use the Pasmo Passport to receive discounts at venues like Sanrio Puroland, Heiwajima Natural Hot Springs and Daikichi Asakusa Kimono Rental. To see the full list of participating outlets, visit here. Photo: ©1976, 1966, 2001, 2019 Sanrio Co., Ltd. At this time, the ¥500 issuing fee for the card has been waived, so you can buy the Pasmo Passport for ¥1,500 (the full ¥1,500 can be used as fare). The card expires after 28 days, but you can take it home with you as a nice souvenir of your trip. The card is available at Narita and Haneda airports, plus major Tokyo stations like Ueno, Ikebukuro and Shinjuku. For a full list of where to buy the Pasmo

Over the past few years, as Japan works towards a more welcoming and inclusive future, we’ve seen some pretty distinctive spaces open up around the country. Tokyo’s noteworthy Dawn Avatar Robot Café features robot waiters controlled remotely by disabled or homebound workers, while another café with an equally interesting concept has just opened up in Osaka. Photo: General Incorporated Association Possible Known as Shojo Cafe, this new space invites customers to enjoy some peace and quiet, as no talking or music is allowed. But the mandatory silence is not just intended to soothe the nerves of the café’s clientele: many of the employees here are deaf or hard-of-hearing, so the silence is also a way for customers to experience things from their perspective.  Photo: General Incorporated Association Possible Shojo Cafe is run by AB Possible, a company that works to create inclusive environments accommodating of disabilities. Guests are asked to refrain from talking, but you can choose to communicate with written notes, by pointing at the menu, or using sign language. Google Translate is encouraged if you aren’t proficient in Japanese. Photo: General Incorporated Association Possible Due to the lack of noise, other sounds and senses will become heightened. This makes for a great opportunity to try out matcha, one of the café’s specialities. You can even try brewing the tea yourself, and once complete, you’ll be able to enjoy your cup with special wagashi (traditional Japanes

Hurray, after a bit of delay, spring is finally here – this year’s cherry blossom season is well and truly underway. If you prefer a leisurely cherry blossom experience with more elbow room, this list is for you. We’ve rounded up a few of the more spacious and less crowded (only relatively, to be honest) cherry blossom sites around Tokyo for you to enjoy. Photo: Picture Cells/PixtaKanda River cherry blossoms Kanda River The Kanda River is one of the lesser-known sakura spots in Tokyo. It has similar views to the Meguro River in Nakameguro, but minus the crowds. While several stations are within walking distance from the river, a good access point is Edogawabashi Station, whose Exit 1A leads you directly to the start of the sakura stretch. Double your blossom viewing with a stop by the pristine and scenic Higo-Hosokawa Garden, which is also along the Kanda River.  Photo: Lim Chee Wah Aoyama Cemetery Located in the upscale neighbourhood of Aoyama, this cemetery has been around since 1874. It’s where many of Tokyo’s most significant personalities were laid to rest. The site also has a lot of sakura trees, and it’s especially beautiful in spring. Since this is a cemetery, it sees less crowds and has a more quiet and subdued atmosphere.  Photo: Lim Chee WahKoishikawa Botanical Gardens Koishikawa Botanical Garden Run by the University of Tokyo, this botanical garden is out of the way and hence sees less tourist traffic. However, it has a huge sakura section, with some of the

Tokyo is home to some pretty incredible observation decks, where you can get a sky-high view of the city. However, many of these require advance reservations, plus they can set you back a pretty penny to enjoy the scenery. So if you’re looking for a free place to get a grand view of Tokyo's sprawling cityscape, we recommend heading to Mori JP Tower, one of the brand-new buildings that make up the Azabudai Hills development.  Photo: Kaila Imada Aside from being home to the all-new teamLab Borderless art museum, Azabudai Hills offers several other must-visit spots including the stunning Sky Lobby. This free viewing area is located on the 33rd floor of the Mori JP Tower and it offers panoramic vistas of the city skyline as well as an unobstructed look at Tokyo Tower. Photo: Kaila Imada You can take in the cityscape from the floor-to-ceiling windows or enjoy the views from the Grand Staircase, a massive stairway that features plenty of seating as well as power outlets for you to charge up your devices. If you want to spend more time here, head on up to the very top of the staircase where you’ll find Hills House Sky Room Cafe & Bar, a small café selling drinks and baked goods. While the Sky Lobby is currently open to the public, starting Thursday April 18, access will be limited to just Dining 33, Dining 33 Pâtisserie à la Maison and Sky Room Cafe & Bar customers, as well as Hills House Azabudai club lounge members. So make sure you visit quick within these two weeks – because