Lim Chee Wah

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

Welcome to our critics’ choice of the best bars in Tokyo’s drinking scene. This list features the most refreshing watering holes in the city right now: from craft beer pubs and speciality gin bars to hidden drinking dens and more. When curating this list, we put a lot of emphasis on quality drinks. But aside from the serious Ginza institutions and award-winning bars, we also want to include casual, less expensive venues that make great neighbourhood hangouts. Of course, if you're looking for one of Tokyo's legendary omakase-style bars, where the bartenders serve up seasonal specialities, you'll find plenty of those here, too. Drinking is all about having a good time, so we’re also looking for the fun factor in a bar. It can be an interesting theme, cool interior design, a quirky menu or even a friendly yet relaxed service that makes you feel welcomed. Ultimately, these are the places we keep going back to again and again, and will always recommend to friends. RECOMMENDED: Like craft spirits? Check out these Tokyo urban breweries where you can drink on site.

One of the most iconic summer festivals in Tokyo, Bon Odori is a communal dance performed in public spaces. It's a Buddhist custom that dates back 500 years, held as part of the Obon period, where locals honour the spirits of their ancestors. Bon Odori festivals are always a fun, joyous affair. A makeshift stage known as a yagura will be set up in the middle, acting as the focal point of the event. It houses the lead dancers and musicians who set the pace and choreography for the dance while participants gather around it and dance along in circles. It's a perfect way to spend a summer evening and soak up the good vibes. So put on a yukata and come join us at one of Tokyo's most exciting Bon Odori festivals this summer. RECOMMENDED: 10 best fireworks festivals in and near Tokyo this summer

Considering Tokyo's status as one of the world's largest cities, it's hardly surprising that we have an outsized art scene. With hundreds of museums, galleries and attractions dotted around, there's usually something going on to suit your taste. Some places, however, require a bit of pre-planning to get into, due to a combination of immense popularity and restricted ticket sales. That includes the Yayoi Kusama Museum, the Ghibli Museum, teamLab Planets, the tuna auction at Toyosu Market, both Disneyland and DisneySea, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter, and the newly opened teamLab Borderless. Read on to find out how to get your hands on these hot tickets – and whether you need to set an alarm to do so. RECOMMENDED: Have fun whatever the weather at Tokyo's best indoor theme parks and amusement parks

As one of the top food cities in the world, Tokyo has a diverse array of options for eating out, from high-end Michelin restaurants to hole-in-the-wall cheap eats scattered across the city. So where do you go to find all this great food? Start with a journey through Shinjuku, one of Tokyo’s biggest and most vibrant neighbourhoods: it is a mecca of department stores as well as home to the country's largest gay district (Ni-Chome) and the fascinating maze of tiny bars that is Golden Gai. Let's no forget that Shinjuku is a huge ward, extending out towards Waseda, Kagurazaka and the city's Koreantown Shin-Okubo. So to make it easier for you, we've picked restaurants that are within walking distance from Shinjuku Station, one of Tokyo's main transport hubs. So if you're lost for choice, start with our list of the best Shinjuku restaurants near Shinjuku Station. RECOMMENDED: Check out the best restaurants in Shibuya and Ginza

Omakase? In this economy? We know it’s hard to believe, but there are plenty of fine dining restaurants in Tokyo where you can treat yourself to a seasonal course dinner for less than ¥10,000. The word ‘omakase’ typically comes up at high-end Japanese restaurants where in lieu of ordering from a menu, diners entrust the chef to serve a selection of recommended dishes and seasonal specials. While it's true that these gastronomic affairs are generally reserved for a special occasion splurge, they don’t have to break the bank. Nor are they strictly limited to Japanese cuisine.  Omakase dining is all about the joy of anticipating what the chef might serve, marvelling at the near-choreographed way they work in the open kitchen, and savouring the best ingredients of the season. It’s a culture that chefs across Tokyo hold dearly, with many incorporating omakase into their restaurants regardless of whether they’re serving Spanish tapas or charcoal-grilled yakitori.  With so many restaurants offering their own interpretation of omakase dining, the line between omakase courses and tasting menus are sometimes blurred. However, it’s the integrity and intimacy of these tailored dining experiences that define them, rather than the terms used to label them. Want to treat yourself on a budget? Here are Tokyo’s best omakase courses and tasting menus for under ¥10,000. Looking for something quick and simple but still delicious? Try one of these 22 best ramen in Tokyo

Soba may look simple but it's actually quite complex. On the surface, you have the cold soba, where you dip the chilled noodles in a separate sauce before eating. Then there's the hot soba, which is served in a warm dashi broth along with a variety of toppings. Of all the major noodle types in Japan – especially in comparison to ramen and udon – soba is considered the most artisanal of them all. Each soba master has their own skills and secrets, whether it be the sourcing of their buckwheat, their perfected ratio of buckwheat to wheat flour, or their signature kneading and rolling techniques. Some masters are even known for their purist approach as they make the noodles with 100 percent buckwheat; this takes a lot of skills as this flour is notoriously hard to work with.   Whether you prefer a cheap slurp-and-go meal or a more refined noodle experience at one of the top soba institutions in the city, there's a lot of options out there for every budget. To help you get started with your soba adventure, we've curated a list of our favourite restaurants, featuring both old and new schools of soba. RECOMMENDED: Check out Tokyo's best bowls of modern ramen

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

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: New restaurants, cafés and bars to try in Tokyo

Forget ‘saving money’ in 2024. You know what your New Year’s resolution should be? Get out more. Do more stuff. See more of the world. Life is short, after all – and 2024 promises a tonne of unmissable festivals, art, food and music. There are openings and re-openings. Brand-new train routes criss-crossing countries and continents. Whacky places to party. And even if the cossie livs does have you tightening the purse strings, there are plenty of free and affordable events on this list, too.  So get your booking fingers at the ready: your 2024 bucket list awaits. This is our definitive guide to the coolest new things to do in the world next year. See you out there!  RECOMMENDED:😎 The coolest neighbourhoods in the world🌃 The best European city breaks for 2024🖼️ The world’s best museums and galleries

The longest stretch of public holidays in Japan, the annual Golden Week happens at the end of April through early May. It's made up of four special days: Showa Day (April 29), Constitution Day (May 3), Greenery Day (May 4) and Children’s Day (May 5). Greenery Day was originally gazetted as a celebration of Emperor Showa's (1901 to 1989) birthday. It was later renamed Greenery Day, and as its name suggests, this is a day to appreciate nature and relish in the great outdoors. Better yet, on this day, many of Tokyo's top nature attractions, such as parks and gardens including a zoo and an aquarium, will be offering free entry. So slap on some sunscreen – we're going out to these lush green attractions in Tokyo on Saturday May 4 2024. It's one of the best days of the year to explore Tokyo for free. Recommended: Looking to pack in more over the holidays? Here are the best events in Tokyo during Golden Week 2024.

A ubiquitous Japanese comfort food, ramen is not bound by strict rules like many of Japan’s traditional cuisines. It’s also perhaps one of the most democratised Japanese dishes: it’s cheap, it’s widely available on every street corner at any time of day, and it has many different interpretations. These four styles of ramen are classic and they’re common across Tokyo: shio (salt), shoyu (soy sauce), miso (from Sapporo) and tonkotsu (from Fukuoka). However, we’re seeing more and more chefs looking to reinvent the humble noodle soup with new – and sometimes experimental – flavours. Here we pick just five of Tokyo’s best modern ramen that break the mould – but they’re just as delicious and satisfying as the classics, if not more so. RECOMMENDED: If you’re looking for more traditional bowls, you’ll find Tokyo’s 22 best ramen here.

Hidden in a basement just a minute’s walk from Shibuya Station, Ishinohana is Shibuya’s answer to the high-end, Japanese-style cocktail bars of Ginza, but with a more relaxed vibe and far more inventive drinks. Seasonal cocktails are the speciality here, as owner-bartender Shinobu Ishigaki wields an array of fresh fruit and herbs when creating his distinctive concoctions: a gin and tonic is enlivened with kumquat, a margherita gets an injection of housemade cassis confiture, and a highball features dill and green apple syrup, for example. In fact, Ishinohana is so serious about its fruit that the menu indicates the provenance of its selections. The menu, however, covers more grounds than just fruity concoctions. Aside from providing an enticing list of coffee cocktails and monthly recommendations, Shinobu can shake up many variations of three classic cocktails – old fashioned, negroni and bloody mary – reimagined with local ingredients and creative twists. The Japanese Old Fashioned, for instance, mixes shiitake-infused whisky with maple syrup and umami bitters while the Rose Negroni sings with beautiful floral notes thanks to the use of rosewater and rose petal-infused gin.  If you’re a fan of these Japan-inspired cocktails, you’ll be spoilt for choice. There’s also a sake martini accented with housemade chamomile cordial, an original cocktail called Oribe made with gin, matcha, milk, wasanbon (fine-grained Japanese sugar) and gold powder, and even a pisco sour with hints of

This cosy cocktail den hidden in the Toranomon Hills Business Tower has one of the most interesting bar concepts in Tokyo. The plant-filled, wood-accented interior is reminiscent of a plush safari lodge and hints at the bar’s botanical leanings. While the menu features drinks made with fruit and herbs, the hero here is the cacao. Led by acclaimed bartender Shuzo Nagumo, Memento Mori celebrates cacao in its various forms – not just the final product that we are all too familiar with, ie, chocolate. The best way to savour this concept is with the Bean to Glass signature cocktail course, which comes with the option of having three, four or five items. The course starts with Memento Mori’s house cocktail, the Cacao Pulp Fizz, served in an eye-catching cacao pod no less. As its name suggests, this refreshing, effervescent, vodka-based cocktail is made with cacao fruit, which surprisingly tastes like mangosteen, along with vinegar made from said pulp and some passion fruit for hits of acidity.  The second drink marries the fruit of the season with a cacao nib-infused spirit. On our visit, we had a peach number that used cognac flavoured with cacao nibs and blue cheese. It was a bold combination that mixes sweet and savoury notes, but made for a lip-smacking delight. For the third item on the course, you get to choose between a cacao wine or a tasting flight of three cacao spirits. The former is a luscious Californian merlot steeped with cacao nibs and dried fruit while the latter c

Two of Japan’s most storied traditions – noh theatre and kaiseki cuisine – can be impenetrable and intimidating for the uninitiated. And that’s not just because of the language barrier: the formalities that rule both are laden with unspoken protocols. Suigian, an innovative dinner theatre hidden under the Fukutoku Shrine in Nihonbashi, seeks to make these Japanese performing and culinary art forms more approachable. Granted, dinner theatres, especially of the cultural kind, don’t always enjoy a favourable reputation – they are often associated with subpar food and tacky performances. Suigian, however, feels like a labour of love and there’s a sense of genuinity in everything it does. So much so that you’re advised not to eat during the noh part of the performances as a sign of respect (drinking, however, is fine, as the restaurant claims that it's only here you can enjoy noh over drinks). The evening shows, which start at 7pm, offer a crash course to traditional Japanese theatre. The programme changes monthly, featuring varied snippets of Geisha dance, kyogen (comic theatre), court music, kagura (ritual ceremonial dance) and, of course, noh. Notably, the noh segments are actual 15-to-20-minute acts adapted from renowned noh texts and performed by seasoned noh practitioners. You’ll get an explanation sheet with summaries of the evening’s show in English to help you connect with the craft unfolding on stage. Likewise, Suigian’s beautiful space, though contemporary in design, is

This newly opened Royal Park Hotel has the enviable Ginza address, but without the bank-breaking price tag commonly associated with this ritzy district. For visitors, the hotel is a central and convenient stay; it’s near Higashi-Ginza Station, which offers easy train access to major destinations in Tokyo including Asakusa as well as Narita and Haneda international airports. Moreover, a direct bus from Narita airport stops right across the road from the hotel. The Royal Park Hotel Ginza 6-chome exudes a cheerful and relaxed atmosphere, with a retro aesthetic expressed through vibrant colours – a style the hotel calls ‘Ginza Pop’. The sunny yellow and green shades at the reception and lobby are a nod to the abundance of ginkgo and willow trees surrounding the hotel. The rooms, meanwhile, are bedecked in either a red-orange hue or muted green, colours associated with the Kabukiza theatre just around the corner. Regardless of whether you’re going for a compact unit or a spacious corner suite, the accommodations at the hotel are well-appointed. Thoughtful features include the smart TV, which is connected to the hotel’s public amenities such as coin-operated washing machines and the communal sento bath, offering real-time information on whether they are available or occupied. Better yet, the gender-separated bath in the basement, which is reserved for staying guests, has no restrictions against tattoos. For food and drink, the Ginza Lamp-Tei restaurant on the ground floor serves a

Originating in Mayfair, London, Gentlemen’s Tonic offers traditional barbershop services with a modern styling. This is the award-winning establishment’s first foray into Malaysia (they have outlets in Hong Kong, New Delhi, Dubai and several other locations around the world), and their new space at Publika is handsome, especially with the dark wood interior and chrome gold finishing. Grooming remains the key service offered here and that includes haircuts, razor head shaves, scalp treatments, beard design, wet shaves and more. Granted, the brand targets the middle-to-high end of the market with cuts starting from RM115 and shaves from RM75. But what you’re paying for is the pampering experience and also the attention to detail, from the way your barber styles your hair down to the design of the chairs and mood lighting. What really sets Gentlemen’s Tonic apart from the pack is their wide-ranging menu that also offers facials, manicures and pedicures, and even massages, making this a one-stop centre for all your male grooming and pampering needs. Haircuts from RM115.

One of the most popular ramen restaurants in Ueno, Kamo to Negi specialises in duck noodles. Its simple recipe of just Japanese duck and leek – as its name suggests – simmered over low heat for two days, produces a beautifully clear stock that’s light yet flavourful. Add in a custom blend of three different types of soy sauce and you get a soup that sings with the meaty sweetness of duck without being gamey. Kamo to Negi also takes pride in not using any chemical additives in its ramen, while the excellent house-made noodles are springy and firm to the bite. A regular bowl of ramen here will only set you back ¥980. But we recommend you upgrade to a bowl with extra slices of duck meat (¥1,260), or go the whole hog with the special (¥1,480), which comes with wonton, onsen egg, bamboo shoots and additional slices of duck. On the menu are also duck tsukemen (dipping noodles) and a comforting oyakodon side dish featuring a deliciously runny egg and duck meat mixture served over piping hot rice. This branch in the newly opened Eato Lumine food hall on level B1 of JR Shinjuku Station (inside the ticket gates near the west exit) has 14 counter seats. And yes, it’s just as popular as the Ueno store. So be ready to queue – fortunately the line moves along briskly.

Sushi Azabu is rather uncommon in that this restaurant is a foreign import – from the United States – rather than a domestic outfit with overseas locations, as is the case with many Japanese sushi establishments. Nevertheless, this beautifully designed eatery brings with it an impressive pedigree: its sister restaurants in Manhattan, New York and Miami Beach, Florida were previously proud owners of a Michelin star each. Sushi Azabu has the classic wood-dominated interior of a high-end sushi restaurant. But here the design feels fresh and modern, largely thanks to the bold strokes of contemporary calligraphy artist Rintaro Hashiguchi, whose artwork stretches across the entire wall behind the L-shaped counter. Despite its address in swanky Azabudai Hills, Sushi Azabu’s menu is surprisingly affordable. The restaurant sources its seafood from Toyosu Market, as any reputable food operator would, and turns it into multi-course omakase meals. Lunch offers the best deal: about 14 items including nigiri sushi as well as the restaurant’s signature sesame tofu served on a sizzling hot plate, all for just ¥4,800. Dinner is, of course, more sumptuous. For ¥9,800, you’ll get to enjoy around 17 items featuring premium seasonal fish and seafood, the likes of fatty tuna, uni and more. Online reservation is highly recommended to secure a spot at the 19-seat counter.

In the salaryman enclave of Shinbashi – think cheap and cheerful izakaya sandwiched between ramen joints and casual standing eateries – lies a new sushi restaurant that looks more suited for the glitz of neighbouring Ginza. While Sushi Restaurant Issekisancho may have the polish of a classy, upmarket sushi counter, its prices are friendlier on the wallet. The restaurant is one of a trio of sushi businesses under its namesake Issekisancho group, which established its own wholesale venture to procure most of its seafood directly from fishermen, thus driving down the cost. Plus, Issekisancho’s close connection with Yamayuki, one of Toyosu Market’s biggest tuna brokers, means it has access to some of the best tuna around. At Issekisancho you can enjoy an omakase sushi meal for just ¥9,800, which gets you eight pieces of nigiri as well as eight dishes including a light and jiggly sea cucumber chawanmushi that tastes of the ocean, and a buttery, foie gras-like monkfish liver that’s been stewed in a sweet-savoury mixture of soy sauce, sake and mirin. There’s also the more sumptuous Issekisancho full-course dinner at ¥13,000, where you get five extra pieces of nigiri sushi in addition to the aforementioned dishes. The offerings at Issekisancho are classic Edo-mae, or exemplary of Tokyo-style sushi. The shari (sushi rice) is made up of two strains of Niigata rice: the sushi-grade emi no kizuna is folded with shinnosuke, which brings some stickiness and a hint of sweetness to the mixtu

Chef Masashi Nagasaka who runs Ebimaru does not have any training in ramen. It’s his experience in French cuisine that led to the creation of this luxurious bowl of lobster noodles. The soup, which is the star here, is actually a rich and creamy lobster bisque that wouldn’t look out of place in a French restaurant. It’s made with Canadian lobster, brandy, wine and a plethora of herbs, vegetables and spices on a base of chicken broth. The most popular item on the menu, the whole lobster ramen (¥6,180, or ¥6,280 with cream) is a feast. It comes with a whole lobster (pan-fried and then roasted in the oven), slices of pork and chicken, chopped onions, and strangely, a smear of sour cream on a piece of baguette. The sour cream does help tone down the bold and punchy taste of crustacean, but we much prefer to add in the chilli oil to boost those sweet, roasty, shrimpy flavours instead. While we know it’s hard to resist licking the bowl clean, make sure to save some of the bisque for part two. Order a small serving of rice, a raw egg yolk and shrimp (¥600), pour in the leftover soup, let the waiter grate a heap of cheese over it, stir to mix, and you’ll have an exquisite risotto. Since the ramen here is built around the lip-smacking bisque, you can still enjoy Ebimaru's signature flavour without breaking the bank. The Basic Lobster Broth Ramen will only set you back ¥1,380 and it has everything – minus the whole lobster, of course.

This branch of the Yamawarau shabu shabu restaurant is easily one of the most accommodating restaurants in Ginza. For one, it specialises in solo hot pot, so that even those dining by themselves can partake in this classic Japanese cuisine that’s usually served communal-style. The restaurant is also spacious enough to accommodate groups – although this being Yamawarau, everyone will be getting an individual copper pot to cook their shabu shabu in regardless of party size. An O-shaped island with counter seats dominates the interior, while long tables are set towards the back.  As usual with shabu shabu hot pot, meat is the draw here, and Yamawarau procures some top-shelf selection. There are several types of wagyu beef on the menu, all of them featuring A4 grade marbling and above. However, the Yamagata, Matsusaka and Kobe varieties are the three most premium types of beef here. As for pork, Yamawarau serves the Yonezawa breed which is known for its clean, delicate flavour. Lunch is the most affordable time to be eating here, with beef shabu shabu sets starting from just ¥2,860 and pork from ¥1,760. The meal includes an assorted vegetable platter, rice or noodles, and dessert. Dinner options are more sumptuous, and not just because the portions are bigger. In the evening, the sets come with unlimited vegetables, rice or noodles, and your choice of appetiser and dessert (the matcha affogato is a crowd pleaser). Prices are slightly higher as well – beef shabu shabu will set you

This spacious restaurant, hidden in a multi-storey building near Shinjuku-sanchome Station, is not a Genghis Khan (Mongolian lamb barbecue popular in Hokkaido) restaurant, even though it specialises in lamb. It’s an elegant yakiniku (barbecue) establishment, but instead of beef, as is common for most such eateries, Lambne serves up various cuts of premium lamb sourced from Australia. The dinner menu is an encyclopaedia of edible lamb parts as the restaurant offers 16 different cuts including tongue, heart and liver alongside more common servings of loins, ribs and shanks. Don’t worry if you’re new to yakiniku. The restaurant provides explanation sheets (in Japanese only, though) detailing how to grill, and even instructional YouTube videos that are easy to follow. On the table you’ll also find a handy timer to help with the grilling. Lunch deals are really good here. On weekdays, the ¥1,870 lamb hamburg set offers a satisfying platter of four grill-it-yourself lamb hamburgs served with salad, kimchi, lamb tartare, rice and miso soup, plus a sorbet to finish. You can even order two extra pieces of hamburg at no extra cost. The other three lunch options (from ¥2,860) are more conventional barbecue offerings, with various cuts of lamb paired with rice, miso soup and side dishes. These are available any day of the week. While yakiniku is largely a communal dining experience, you’ll find that the counter seats at Lambne are suitable for solo patrons. There are tables as well, fitt

Sobahouse Konjiki Hototogisu is only the third ramen restaurant in the world to get a Michelin star (awarded in 2019, after Tsuta and Nakiryu). The signature shouyu soba is made from three types of soup stock – pork broth, wa-dashi (Japanese stock) and hamaguri clam dashi – and topped with truffle sauce as well as porcini oil and flakes for that bold umami punch. However, the restaurant recommends the shio soba – and we concur. The elegantly balanced base stock blends two types of salt (Mongolian rock salt and Okinawan sea salt) and it’s the perfect foil for the hamaguri clam and red sea bream soup’s distinctive seafood sweetness. The noodles are then finished with Italian white truffle oil, porcini mushroom sauce, pancetta bacon bits and inca berry sauce. This adds a pesto-like robustness and depth in the overall flavour. It is moreish, and you’ll be compelled to finish the soup till the last drop. There’s tsukemen (dipping noodles) too, along with add-ons such as eggs, chashu pork slices and more. You’ll find an English explanation sheet at the vending machine to help you with the ordering. Do note that there are only seven counter seats plus a couple of small tables for two. So expect to queue – but it’s worth it, especially since a bowl of Michelin-quality ramen here will only set you back ¥1,100. Numbered tickets are required to dine here, which will be distributed from 9.30am for lunch and 5.30pm for dinner.

Late last month, the Japan Meteorological Agency released a weather forecast stating that temperatures in Japan will still run high until October. This means we could also be looking at a delayed autumn. And according to the first autumn leaves forecast just released by the Japan Meteorological Corporation, this looks to be the case.  With higher than normal temperatures, the autumn leaves are predicted to arrive a few days to more than a week later than usual. However, it’s important to note that this could very well change depending on weather conditions. This is just the first forecast. We can expect the next update in early October. Photo: Japan Meteorological CorporationJapan autumn leaves forecast 2024: red momiji leaves Red momiji leaves forecast The leaves in Hokkaido will be the earliest to turn, with Sapporo projected to see red momiji at their most vibrant around November 8. That’s about 11 days later than usual. The best time to see red leaves in Nagano is around November 23 and Kanazawa around November 30. You can expect to see momiji turn full red in Tokyo sometime around December 1, Osaka December 4 and Kyoto December 12. Further south in Kyushu, the momiji leaves are predicted to turn red only around December 10 in Fukuoka and December 14 in Kagoshima. Photo: Japan Meteorological CorporationJapan autumn leaves forecast 2024: yellow ginkgo leaves Yellow ginkgo leaves forecast For yellow ginkgo trees, you might want to be in Sapporo around November 6, Kanaza

While most of Tokyo’s biggest summer festivals have come and gone, that doesn’t mean the city will be quiet until autumn leaves roll around. This is, after all, Tokyo, one of the world’s most vibrant cities.  This September 6-8 weekend, there’s an interesting mix of events happening in Tokyo. Kitazawa Hachiman Shrine is hosting its annual festival and it’s a huge one. For the first time in six years, it’s pulling out all the stops by bringing out its biggest mikoshi (portable shrine) for a parade. If you have yet to see a Bon Odori festival this year, check out the one at Sensoji Temple’s Kaminarimon gate. Or, for something more modern, the students of Tokyo University of the Arts are putting on their annual showcase, the highlight of which is a parade of creative monster floats. Photo: Gengorou/Pixta Kitazawa Hachiman Shrine Festival September 7-8 The annual Kitazawa Hachiman Shrine Festival falls on the first weekend of September. This year, the festival will return to its full glory by bringing out its biggest mikoshi for a grand parade. The last time this happened was six years ago. While the festival is spread out over two days, the main event occurs on Sunday September 8, when around a dozen or so mikoshi are carried through the neighbourhood. The golden honsha mikoshi will leave the shrine at around 7.45am and make its way through each neighbourhood around Shimokitazawa Station before returning to the shrine for the grand finale of the group procession at 1pm. Starti

We’ve passed the peak of summer fireworks season, so this weekend may be your last chance to catch a pyrotechnic show in Tokyo. The good news is that there are three happening in Tokyo this Saturday – well, one of them is actually Tokyo-adjacent, ie, Yokohama. The three fireworks events vary in scale. The Edogawa Fireworks Festival, which is our favourite, is the grandest of them all, featuring 14,000 rockets and lasting around an hour. The Kanazawa Fireworks Festival also runs for an hour and it’s by the sea. The pyrotechnic display at Akishima Citizen Whale Festival, on the other hand, could be the least crowded of the three (relatively speaking), as it’s held on the outskirts of Tokyo. Photo: Mach/PixtaEdogawa Fireworks Festival Edogawa Fireworks Festival August 24 The Edogawa Fireworks Festival deploys over 14,000 rockets, with different themes every few minutes. This is Tokyo’s most eastern hanabi, but don’t be late: the show starts in style with 1,000 sparkling rockets shot up at once within the first five seconds, marking a breathtaking start into a colourful performance. The event takes place from 7.15pm to 8.20pm on the banks of the Edogawa River near Shinozaki Park, a roughly 20-minute walk from Shinozaki Station. Photo: h-munakata/Pixta Kanazawa Fireworks Festival August 24 Yokohama’s southernmost ward of Kanazawa is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its annual fireworks festival this year at the beachfront Marine Park (Yokohama Umi no Koen). A total of 3,500

After a relatively quiet week – due to Obon and typhoon Ampil – Tokyo is gearing up for a big celebration this coming August 23-25 weekend. This is easily the most jam-packed summer weekend in Tokyo, as the city is set to host multiple Bon Odori, Awa Odori and Yosakoi festivals in various districts and neighbourhoods. While these festivals all revolve around street dancing, they each have a unique origin story. Bon Odori was traditionally held to honour ancestor spirits while Yosakoi was created in Kochi prefecture in 1954 to boost the postwar economy. Awa Odori’s origin, however, is less straightforward, but one legend linked the communal dance soiree to the completion of Tokushima Castle in 1587. Nevertheless, in modern times, these festivals have largely lost their religious or traditional significance and are now joyous events held annually to liven up summer evenings. Photo: Koenji Awa OdoriKoenji Awa Odori on the streets Koenji Awa Odori August 24-25 One of the most popular street dance festivals in Tokyo, Koenji's Awa Odori will feature over 150 dance groups parading around Koenji Station’s North-South shotengai shopping arcade and Konan-dori street on Saturday and Sunday.  The tradition of Awa Odori can be traced back to Tokushima in Shikoku. Legend has it that the local daimyo plied his citizens with booze to celebrate the completion of the local castle, leading to a citywide outbreak of dancing in the streets. Whatever the accuracy of that tale, the enthusiasm was

Tokyo may seem a tad quieter than usual this week, as many city folks travel back to their hometowns for Obon. A Buddhist tradition and one of Japan’s major holiday seasons, Obon is observed in mid-August, when families get together to commemorate their ancestors.  However, if you’re in Tokyo this weekend, there’s still plenty to do in the city. Here we have chosen three dance festivals that are tied to Obon customs: two Bon Odori (one in Shinjuku city centre and another in Yokohama by the bay) and an Awa Odori in the hip Shimokitazawa neighbourhood. Photo: Shimokita Ichibangai Shimokitazawa Ichibangai Awa Odori August 17-18 Granted, Shimokitazawa Ichibangai Awa Odori may seem like a minnow compared to Koenji’s version of the festival that takes place a couple of weeks later, but this Shimokitazawa soiree has a unique charm of its own. Now into its 56th year, the Shimokitazawa Awa-Odori sees 21 dance teams passionately romp along the neighbourhood's main shopping streets in the evening from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, and dazzle the crowds with their special routines. Be sure to hang around afterwards, when the area is engulfed in a joyous party mood. Photo: MasaPhoto/iStock Minatomirai Dai Bon Odori August 16-17 (UPDATE, August 15: Due to the approaching typhoon Ampil, the events on Friday August 16 are cancelled. Saturday August 17 is expected to proceed as planned. Check the event website for updates.) Head straight to Rinko Park in Yokohama’s Minatomirai area for this annual Bo

With Monday August 12 being a public holiday in Japan (as a replacement for Mountain Day on Sunday August 11), this upcoming long weekend is a good time to explore areas slightly outside of Tokyo proper. You can go on an art day trip, check out beaches on the fringes of Greater Tokyo, or take advantage of these money-saving train deals. Even if you’re staying put in Tokyo, there are lots to do over this August 9-12 long weekend. Here we have chosen three distinctive Japanese festivals which are worth going to. There’s a unique Tanabata event in Asagaya famous for its larger-than-life papier-mâché decorations. The Kanda Myojin Shrine near Akihabara is hosting its annual anime song Bon Odori while the traditional celebration over at Fukagawa’s Tomioka Hachimangu will resemble a water festival that’s bound to leave you happily refreshed in this summer heat.  Oh, do keep an eye out for Shibuya’s official mascot Hachi on Saturday August 10 as the adorable pup is making appearances around town to meet and greet fans. The annual Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival is happening on the same day, so if you’re in the area that evening, watch out for the fireworks.  Photo: Masa/Pixta Asagaya Tanabata Matsuri August 7–12 Asagaya has been holding its own distinctive Tanabata festival for over 60 years now, but the event has moved with the times. In recent years, the papier-mâché decorations dangling from the ceiling of the Pearl Center shopping arcade have included modern characters like Jack

Another summer weekend, another jam-packed itinerary. We are now firmly in the heat of the summer – both literally and figuratively – and Tokyo is just teeming with events and festivals. If you're keen to go all-out this weekend, start with the Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple Noryo Bon Odori on Friday August 2, then head over to the spectacular Itabashi Fireworks Festival on Saturday August 3. End your weekend at the Nakano Bon Odori Festival on Sunday August 4, where you could be dancing, Bon Odori style, to a Bon Jovi hit song. Photo: Tsukiji HongwanjiTsukiji Hongwanji Bon Odori Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple Noryo Bon Odori Festival  July 31–August 3 This Bon Odori celebration at Tsukiji Hongwanji is one of Tokyo’s most popular summer festivals. So don a yukata and join the dancing crowd in circling the yagura stage from 7pm to 9pm (6pm to 8.30pm on Saturday). Not to worry if you don’t know the steps – just mimic the dance moves of the locals around you. The festival is also famous for its delectable street food selection, many of which are provided by popular restaurants from the nearby Tsukiji outer market. So go early and dance up an appetite for a feast.  Photo: Itabashi Ward Office Itabashi Fireworks Festival August 3 Taking advantage of a serendipitous schedule clash, Itabashi's annual fireworks display takes place at the same time as the one in Toda City (Saitama prefecture), just across the Arakawa River. This year, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the nearby Ar

開始20分前に突然の中止となった「第46回 足立の花火」。楽しみにしていた多くの人にとっては残念だったが、今にも嵐となりそうな空模様の中、雷がとどろき始めていたのだから、仕方ない。 ここからは、気持ちを今週末に切り替えよう。2024年7月27日（土）、東京では3つの花火大会が予定されている。天気が崩れないことを願いつつ、早めに会場に入り場所取りをするのがつらくないほどには暑さが和らいでいることに期待だ。東京の夜空を彩る大迫力の花火を見ずして、夏を越した気になどなれないのだから。 写真提供：墨田区Sumida River Fireworks Festival 隅田川花火大会 開催時間：90分 東京で開催される花火大会の中でも最大の規模を誇る「隅田川花火大会」。記録が残る中では国内最古の花火大会で、その由来は江戸時代の1733年に始まった「両国川開きの花火」だという。その後、1961年からは開催が途絶えたものの、1978年に復活を遂げた。 開始予定時刻は第1会場が19時、第1会場が19時30分。終了時刻はともに20時30分だ。両会場を合わせて2万発近くの花火が打ち上げられる。第1会場の桜橋・言問橋間、第2会場の駒形橋・厩橋間へは浅草駅から行くのが便利だ。詳細は公式ウェブサイトで確認しよう。 立川まつり国営昭和記念公園花火大会 立川まつり 国営昭和記念公園花火大会 開催時間：60分 「立川まつり国営昭和記念公園花火大会」は、東京で開催される花火大会の中で、規模の面では必ずしもトップクラスではないだろう。だが、快適さという意味では上位にランクインするに違いない。会場は広々とした昭和記念公園。多くの人が詰めかけるので、見やすい場所を確保したければ早めに到着するのがおすすめだ。 開催時間は19時15分から20時15分で、約5000発が打ち上げられる。公園への入場は450円、65歳以上210円、中学生以下無料で、18時以降は無料となる。 ゆったり楽しみたい場合、1人用椅子席チケット（8,800円、以下全て税込み）、2人用レジャーシート付きチケット（1万3,200円）などの有料チケットがオンラインで販売（先着順）されている。 Photo: Solid Days/Pixta 八王子花火大会 開催時間：60分 八王子市の富士森公園で開催される「八王子花火大会」。19時から4000発が打ち上げられる予定で、東京のほかの花火大会に比べると小規模だ。 しかし、その内容は、速射連発が特徴のスターマインや、仕掛け花火など、工夫に満ちた演出が楽しめる。 入場は無料で、観覧会場は4つに分かれている。詳細は公式ウェブサイトで確認しよう。 　 関連記事 『東京、7月27・28日に開催される夏祭り3選』 『東京、7月に行くべき盆踊り5選』 『東京、7月に開催される注目のホラーイベント3選』 『東京、7月に開催される注目の「辛グルメ」イベント3選』 『都内の文化施設5館で「サマーナイトミュージアム」が開催』 東京の最新情報をタイムアウト東京のメールマガジンでチェックしよう。登録はこちら

A difficult conundrum for sure, but the hottest time of the year in Tokyo, when you just want to stay indoors under air-conditioning, is also the liveliest time to be out and about in the city. There’s so much happening in Tokyo this July 26-28 weekend that it’s hard not to be swept up by intense fomo. For starters, there are three fireworks festivals happening across the city this Saturday July 27, with the one in Sumida being the biggest and grandest (also the most crowded) of them all. On top of that, you’ll find the classic summer Bon Odori festival taking place outside Ebisu and Tokyo stations. And if you’re in Shinjuku, the Eisa dancers will be parading down the streets from 1pm to 7pm. So stock up on cooling products and slap on some sunblock – because we are definitely going all out this weekend. Photo: Mitsubishi Jisho Property ManagementBon Odori scene from 2019 Marunouchi Summer Festival When: Friday–Saturday, July 26–27Where: Gyoko Street opposite Tokyo Station’s Marunouchi exit This fun-filled event revolves around a Bon Odori yagura stage equipped with a cooling mist fan (thanks goodness!). Everyone is welcome to join the communal Bon Odori dance against the striking backdrop of Tokyo Station, and the best part is, the cold mist will surely feel like a treat. Moreover, on Saturday starting at 6pm, DJ Tomono will be spinning city pop and disco tracks from the yagura, transforming the bustling plaza into a party zone. At the festival site, expect to see food tru

For those of us who went to the Adachi Fireworks last Saturday July 20, it was disappointing that the event was cancelled just 20 minutes before its scheduled start time. But it can’t be helped – there was an impending storm and thunder had started flashing across the sky. So we are hoping that Tokyo can make up for it this Saturday July 27, as there are three fireworks festivals scheduled to take place at three different parts of the city. Fingers crossed the weather holds up this time – and not too hot for us to get there early to secure the best vantage point. Because there are not many things as breathtaking as a grand Tokyo fireworks display in summer.  写真提供：隅田区Sumida River Fireworks Festival Sumida River Fireworks Festival Runtime: 90 minutes, starting at 7pm The Sumida River Fireworks Festival is the largest event of its kind in Tokyo. It’s also Japan's oldest fireworks event, dating back to 1733, when it was held as part of a ceremony to pray for the victims of a severe famine the previous year. The fireworks event turned into an annual affair in 1978, attracting close to a million people every year. This year, the Sumida River Fireworks Festival starts at 7pm and will run for around 90 minutes, with a staggering 20,000 shells of fireworks. The fireworks are launched from two sites on the Sumida River around Asakusa Station: one near Umaya Bridge and the other near Sakurabashi Bridge. You can check out the locations on the festival website. 立川まつり国営昭和記念公園花火大会 Tachi

We have now entered the summer festival season in Tokyo, and this weekend is a good example of how lively the city can be during this time of year. One of the main reasons why we are particularly excited about this weekend is that the festivities are varied, so there’s something for different interests.  For a unique sight, make your way to Adachi for an hour of jaw-dropping fireworks. But if you prefer something more participatory, the Bon Odori festival at Zojoji Temple offers a chance to partake in some communal dancing under the shadow of Tokyo Tower. For those who have yet to witness the quintessential Japanese tradition of a mikoshi (portable shrine) parade, you should make the Fussa Tanabata Festival a priority.  Photo: Nobi/PixtaAdachi Fireworks in 2018 Adachi Fireworks, July 20 This annual fireworks festival happening along the banks of the Arakawa River has a long history dating back to 1924. This year, the organisers are launching 13,000 shells of fireworks for over an hour on Saturday. You can enjoy the fireworks from either the Nishi-Arai or Senju side of the Arakawa River, between Nishi-Arai and Senjushin bridges. There are several parks along the banks, including the Arakawa Nishiarai Bridge Green Space, on which you can set up a picnic to watch the show. While the event offers paid seating, it’s largely free. So just show up early with a picnic mat and claim a good spot at the sites mentioned above.  画像提供：増上寺 Zojoji Bon Odori Festival, July 19-20 The main

This summer, several of Tokyo’s most prestigious museums will be extending their opening hours on Friday. Dubbed the Summer Night Museum 2024, the event sees five art and cultural institutions – Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum, Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo and Tokyo Shibuya Koen-dori Gallery – opening until 8pm or 9pm on Fridays from July 18 to August 30.  That’s not all. You can also expect reduced admission fees after 5pm (or free for students in certain cases), plus a host of evening programmes and activities to help you make the most of the long summer days. The museum shops and restaurants, likewise, will open late on those Fridays. Photo: 東京都美術館東京都美術館 Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum Friday opening hours extended until 8pm Enjoy ¥200 discount to the exhibition ‘The Whispering Land: Artists in Correspondence with Nature’ after 5pm (students get in for free) on July 26 as well as August 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30. There will also be 5 percent discount at the museum restaurants after 5.30pm every Friday during the event period.  Photo: supplied Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum Friday opening hours extended to 9pm from July 19 to August 30 Adults can enter the ‘Takehisa Yumeji: Taisho Romanticism and the New World’ exhibition for ¥1,120 instead of ¥1,400 after 5pm on July 19 and 26 as well as August 2, 9, 16 and 23. It’s free for students, however, and ¥560 for senior citizens 65 years and older. The museum’