Shota Nagao

The winter-blooming plum – or ume – flowers may not be as spectacular as cherry blossoms, which bloom about a month later and are the symbol of spring in Japan. But the white and pink ume blossoms are still a sight to behold. And they are beloved for their pleasant fragrance that fills the air from early February to mid-March. Plum trees can, of course, be found all over the city, but the parks, shrines, temples and gardens listed here rank among the top ume-viewing spots, many of which have been popular since the 1600s. Some of these Tokyo attractions are even celebrating the occasion with dedicated plum blossom festivals filled with street food stalls and Japanese cultural performances.  RECOMMENDED: Winter cherry blossoms are also blooming around the same time in Tokyo and you can catch them here.

Following his 2022 album Untidy Soul, Samm Henshaw has enjoyed a steady rise to the summit of the contemporary soul scene. The South London native’s long-awaited new record It Could Be Worse – featuring the already much-praised singles ‘Get Back’ and ‘Float’ – arrived as a vinyl exclusive in December 2025, and now Henshaw is gearing up for a world tour that kicks off right here in Tokyo on January 27. The authentic, timeless soul sound of It Could Be Worse brings Henshaw’s artistry to new heights. ‘I feel like I’ve been living to arrive at this work,’ he told us recently. He also spoke about the album’s striking cover and the meaning behind its title, the documentary that influenced him during production, and the one song he kept listening to while making the record. Photo courtesy of Origami PRODUCTIONSThe cover of ‘It Could Be Worse’ The cover photo of you bleeding from the head, along with the title It Could Be Worse, produces a pretty unsettling effect. What inspired the cover and the title? I wanted the album title and the artwork to work together. When listeners hear the title and see the cover, I want them to feel like detectives. Almost like stepping into a crime scene and trying to deduce what happened – listening to the album as they unravel it. With the title It Could Be Worse and the single cover, along with the songs included, I hope listeners will imagine their own stories. The lead single ‘Float’ reminded me of the first time I heard Marvin Gaye’s ‘Mercy Merc

Want to feast in one of the world’s best food cities without breaking the bank? No worries – Tokyo’s got you covered. While life in the capital may not be getting any cheaper, the city hasn't lost the appetite for quality food at a great prices. Tokyoites love to eat out – a lot – and this makes Tokyo one of the best cities in the world for a great meal at a low price. Whether you’re feeling like a comforting bowl of ramen, soba, some sushi or even a fresh pizza, we’ve scoured Tokyo to pick out the top restaurants where you can get your fix, whatever you might be craving. Plus, many of these meals can easily cost you less than ¥1,200 (including tax), so you can eat a big meal and save some cash. RECOMMENDED: the best Tokyo ramen of 2025

In collaboration with Ginza Information Management (GIM), we released a brand new edition of our ‘31 Things To Do in Ginza’ guide map at the end of 2025. The eighth edition highlights 31 brilliant venues, ranging from long-established restaurants and shops to art galleries and fancy bars. You’ll also find information on free outdoor resting spots and temporary emergency accommodation in the event of a natural disaster, along with accessibility information for those in need of wheelchair-accessible toilets and lifts. Here’s a small sample of the spots we feature in Tokyo’s ritziest district.

We know Tokyo has some of the most spectacular illuminations,from the ever-popular Keyakizaka Illumination to the OTT display at Yomiuri Land. But the rest of Japan is full of similarly bright ideas worth catching the shinkansen for. Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi displays five million lights shaped like flowers, while Mie prefecture boasts one of the largest illuminations in Japan. Read on for a list of the best illuminations in Japan. RECOMMENDED: Prefer to stay in the city? Explore these illuminations and light displays in Tokyo

The new year is here! If, like us, you're feeling very done with 2025, then kickstart 2026 with some of the best events happening in Tokyo. If you feel like doing something energetic, head to one of Tokyo's many ice-skating rinks, and then take in the twinkly festive illuminations around town. Whatever you do, don't let the Tokyo winter beat you.

The days may be getting shorter and colder, but even so, Tokyo doesn't turn into a dark and desolate place at this time of year. In fact, from autumn to winter in the city, millions of colourful LED lights are wrapped around trees and buildings, turning Tokyo into a sparkling wonderland. Illuminations, as they’re usually known here, are big in Japan, but Tokyo’s are some of the biggest and the best. We've listed our top picks of where to admire these light displays, which are, of course, best enjoyed in good company. So layer up, grab your scarf, and head out to see Tokyo at its brightest and festive best. It’s gonna be lit. RECOMMENDED: the most beautiful winter destinations across Japan

タイムアウト東京 > Things To Do > 千代田区長が神保町で一番クールだと思うこと 東京の神保町が「タイムアウト」が毎年選ぶ「世界で最もクールな街」の2025年度版で1位に選ばれてから、2カ月が経過した。この一報は、静かに進化を続ける書物愛好家の楽園で歓喜とともに迎えられた。「タイムアウト東京」が取材した書店やバー、カレー店など100人を超える地元の人々は、一様に誇りと喜びの声を上げていた。 一方で、多くの人はこの街の未来に対して懸念を口にしている。「神保町が観光客であふれかえったら、再開発によって破壊されてしまうのか」「約130軒もの古書店が集まる独特の街並みは、デジタル時代において存続できるのか」「この地区が漂わせる文化的な雰囲気と創造的な実験精神をどうすれば守り、促進できるのだろうか」 こうした問いに答えるのに、神保町がある千代田区の区長である樋口高顕（43歳）ほど適切な人物はいない。 カレー好きの樋口は熱心な読書家でもあり、「本の街」としての神保町の本質を熟知している。インタビューではその魅力を熱く語る一方で、神保町が今後も活気を保つためには「変化」を迎え入れる必要があるとも話す。 本記事は、樋口高顕千代田区長へのインタビュー前編。後編を読む。 ー神保町が世界で最もクールな街に選ばれたことについて、どう思いましたか？ 樋口高顕（以下、樋口）： 本当にうれしかったですね！世界で最もクールな街ということですし、日本の街が初めて1位に選ばれたとも聞きまして、大変光栄に思います。 私自身、本が大好きで、特に紙の本には特別な思いがあります。現在43歳ですが、小学生の頃、父に神保町の書店に連れて行ってもらった記憶が今も鮮明に残っています。古本屋ではなく新刊書店でしたが、父に買ってもらった本の内容や、色合い、手触りまで覚えています。それ以来、神保町は私にとって特別な場所です。 そして今、千代田区長としてこの街の支援を担う立場になり、神保町が世界から注目されていることを心から誇りに思います。古書店や書店だけでなく、飲食店、劇場、楽器店、スポーツ用品店など、さまざまな文化が混在しており、そこが高く評価されたのではないでしょうか。 ー神保町で一番クールだと思うことは何ですか？ やはり、約130軒もの古書店が並んでいて、それぞれが専門店だということです。浮世絵や江戸時代の和本を専門とするお店もあれば、仏教や神道を扱うお店、洋書や中国専門、アート系のお店もあります。さらに、野球やサッカー、漫画、ロック、映画、鉄道、アイドルまで！歩いているだけで発見があり、本当に楽しいのです。 食の楽しみも負けていません。レトロな喫茶店、老舗の中華料理店はもちろん、神保町は都内随一のカレー店の集積地でもあります。「神田カレーグランプリ」では毎年スタンプラリーを実施していますが、実は私、2022年には全124店舗を制覇して「グランドマイスター」の称号をいただきました（笑） Photo: Kisa Toyoshima ーそれはすごいですね。どれくらいの期間で回ったんですか？ 4カ月ほどでしょうか。今年も、数十軒の店を訪れたいと思っています（注：2025年版のスタンプラリーは8月1日から12月20日まで）。 古書店の話に戻りましょう。神保町がユニークなのは個性豊かな古書店が並んでいるだけではありません。古書取引が行われる「東京古書会館」とその市場の存在にあります。ここは神保町の「中央卸売市場」ともいえる場所で、全国から集まる最高品質の商品を、各分野の専門家が評価する場で

タイムアウト東京 > Things To Do > 東京中心部に緑豊かな明日を、千代田区長が語る「緑と水」のある景観保護 皇居を含む東京の中心に位置する千代田区は、日本の政治・経済の中心地であり、「昼間人口」は約90万人に達する。一方で、東京23区の中で最も「夜間人口」が少なく、住民は7万人未満であるが、数多くの特有の課題を内包している。 また、この地域には1600年代初頭に江戸が日本の事実上の首都として台頭した時代から続く長く複雑な歴史、広大な緑地、世界最先端の都市インフラが共存する独特の環境があり、さらに秋葉原・神保町・丸の内といった対照的な街並みが存在する。 この全てを理解し、管理する任務を負う人物が、43歳の千代田区長・樋口高顕だ。2025年2月に任期4年で再選を果たしたばかりである。区が未来をどう見据えているか、そして観光客の急増にどう対応しているか――区長に話を聞いた。 本記事は、樋口高顕千代田区長へのインタビューの後編。前編を読む。 ー千代田区には東京で最も有名な観光地がいくつかあります。観光客の急増にどう対応していますか？ 樋口高顕（以下、樋口）： 多くの人々に訪れていただいていることを大変嬉しく思っていますが、幾つかの問題も生じています。千代田区の人口は比較的少ないものの、住宅や学校、高齢者施設といった生活に密着した施設が点在しています。そのため、国内外の来訪者の増加に伴い、地域の安全性や快適性を維持することが喫緊の課題となっています。 特に神保町、秋葉原といった観光や商業の拠点では、ポイ捨てや路上喫煙が目立ち、地域環境への影響が懸念されています。 こうした状況を踏まえ、ごみのポイ捨てや路上喫煙などのルールやマナーについて、生活環境施策、まちづくりなど、様々な観点から解決に向けて取り組んでいます。 観光による負の側面は、住民の間に不安を広げています。問題が顕在化、深刻化してからでは対応が遅れますから、地域の活力や魅力を損なわない形で、積極的に対応を講じることが求められています。 Photo: Kisa Toyoshima ー千代田区の魅力を維持するために、どのような長期的な取り組みを進めていますか？ 千代田区は日本で最初に急速な都市化が進んだ地域の一つであり、多くの通りは狭く、築年数が古く老朽化が進む建物があります。一方で、広大な緑地である皇居や、旧江戸城のお濠に由来する水路があるのも特徴です。こうした「緑と水」の資源を活かし、再生することが千代田区にとって極めて重要だと考えます。 その一環として、水生生物や野鳥などの生息環境を確保し、生物多様性を向上させる「ネイチャーポジティブ」に取り組んでいます。また、ごみの分別・リサイクルを徹底し、焼却ごみの量を大幅に削減することで、都市部の自治体の中でいち早く、2050年までに「ゼロ・ウェイスト」実現を目指しています。 住宅政策では、価格が高騰するマンションへの対策に力を入れています。また、都市の既存建物ストックの活用を積極的に推進し、過去の「スクラップ・アンド・ビルド」一辺倒の政策からの脱却を図るため、具体策を検討しています。 さらに、文化の振興も重要です。ポップカルチャーの街・秋葉原や、文字活字文化の街・神保町、江戸由来の神田祭、山王祭をはじめとする祭礼文化など、文化芸術の振興と育成は、千代田区が独自性を大切にしながら持続可能に発展する自治体となるために不可欠と考えています。 ー最後に、千代田区のどのような魅力を世界にアピールしたいですか？ まずは400年以上の豊潤な歴史ですね。

Getting home on New Year's Eve in Tokyo could be tricky. The good news is, some train lines in Greater Tokyo usually add extra late-night services to their timetables in order to accommodate the hordes of revellers out in the metropolis. The bad news is, you'll have to be prepared to wait longer and to squeeze into over-crowded carriages. Now that you know, it's time to plan your 2025-26 New Year's Eve. Whether you're looking to visit shrines for the traditional new year prayers or take part in a spiritual bell-ringing ritual at a temple, here's how to get home safely.

Christmas in Tokyo is a mind-boggling mashup of traditions, with fancy cakes, KFC chicken buckets (yes, really) and romantic dinners on Christmas Eve. Continental-style markets, however, still play a prominent role in the lead-up to the big day. The German influence is the most pronounced, probably due to the year-round popularity of beer, which often appears to be the main attraction. If you find shopping for Christmas presents stressful, having a hot cup of mulled wine in hand should take the edge off things as you peruse the festive stalls. Just be careful with that stuff – one too many ladles of glühwein and you'll be buying more gifts for your relatives than you bargained for. RECOMMENDED: Prefer to look at pretty lights? Here are the best illuminations in Tokyo

Winter's no excuse to stay inside. In fact, when the cold starts to creep through the wafer-thin walls and shoddy window frames of Tokyo houses and apartments, rather than trying to hide under a mountain of blankets, you might actually be better off engaging in some outdoor activities. Ice skating is obviously something best experienced out in the open, and quality rinks are popping up all around the city. Here's our quick guide to the best skating spots out there, including both winter-only rinks and year-round, indoor facilities that are also great places for serious figure skating or ice hockey training. First-timer or seasoned veteran – everyone's welcome, and gear rental is available at most of these places as well. RECOMMENDED: The best winter illuminations in Tokyo

Ota ward’s Ikegami Baien (plum garden) makes the most of the hilly landscape surrounding Ikegami Honmonji temple, flourishing like a curtain of fragrant red and white blossoms every February. The garden of 370 plum trees in 30 varieties can be admired from a hillside observation deck or from the garden’s three traditional tea rooms. Special evening illuminations take place in the plum garden from mid-February to early March. Keep your eyes peeled for the official 2026 schedule, which should be released shortly.

This hidden gem, located in the maze of little alleys that make up Sangenjaya’s Sankaku Chitai, offers handmade hot dogs at a surprisingly affordable price point. Opened in 2014, the eatery makes its sausages in-house, which is why it’s able to keep costs low. While there are ten hot dogs and eight sauces to choose from, their most popular offering is the original Plain Hot Dog (¥910) filled with their homemade sauerkraut and topped with generous amounts of ketchup and mustard. If you’re looking to spice things up, order the Chilli Dog (¥950) or Chilli Cheese Dog (¥980) topped with their homemade chilli con carne sauce. A separate drink order is required when dining in.

Otaguro Park in Suginami's residential district of Minami-Ogikubo is a popular spot for admiring colourful autumn leaves, especially after sunset. At night, the main path leading to the Japanese garden – lined with century-old ginkgo trees – glows in vibrant yellow, while the garden’s fiery red maples are illuminated and mirrored on the still pond, creating picture-perfect photo ops.

Sagamiko Resort Mori Mori has gone all out for its winter illuminations, featuring over six million dazzling LEDs. This year, there's an entire area dedicated to Tamagotchi – Japan's beloved digital pets from outer space. Expect to see Mametchi, along with his sidekick Kuchipatchi and other pocketable pets such as Memechi. You can hop on the park’s Mametchi and Kuchipatchi themed Rainbow Chairlift and sail over colourful stripes before reaching the top of a hill, where you'll find a series of illumination art walls showcasing the whole Tamagotchi family. Keep wandering and you might stumble upon a mysterious UFO beaming with colour – maybe a hint at where these pocketable pets really came from. To wrap up the night, take in the dazzling lights and sweeping mountaintop views from the Ferris wheel or hop on the Tamagotchi Starry Sky Pedal for stunning panoramas and a light leg workout. While you’re there, indulge in Tamagotchi-themed meals and snacks. Enjoy a hearty Tamagotchi Poka Poka Star Ramen or the voluminous Mametchi's Omurice Curry Doria Plate. Prefer something sweet? Then check out Furawatchi's flower crepe or the Memechi mango sundae.

The annual Tokyo Art Book Fair (TABF) at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo in Kiyosumi returns this December at a larger scale than ever before, taking place over two weekends for the first time: December 11 to 14 and December 19 to 21. In this fifteenth instalment, expect a total of 560-odd publishers, galleries and artists from Japan and abroad taking part, with each weekend featuring a different line-up of exhibitors. At TABF, you’ll be able to flip through zines, chat with artists and browse quirky goods made for bibliophiles with an eye for design. The Guest Country programme, which has become a regular element of the book fair, is putting the spotlight on Italian publishers this year, with three exhibitions: YES YES YES: Revolutionary Press in Italy 1966-1977, showcasing underground newspapers and magazines, and Out of the Grid: Italian Zines 1978-2006, highlighting the evolution of zine culture. The programme also includes Marchette, exploring ties between corporations and publishing in Italian design, along with a showcase by Corraini, the publisher behind picture books by Bruno Munari, Enzo Mari and Ettore Sottsass. Aside from the pop-up booths where publishers, galleries and independent creatives will be showcasing their latest projects, the programme also includes a series of workshops and open-panel discussions to look forward to. General admission is ¥1,200 per person and advance tickets (¥1,000 plus a ¥165 booking fee) will be available online from November 2

Make the trek to Musashi-Kyuryo National Government Park – also known as Shrinrin Park – in Saitama this October for a Halloween-themed illumination, held on weekends and public holidays until October 26. Over half a million lights will glow in spooky purples, while Halloween decorations and artworks like Jack-o’-Lanterns and ghosts add to the eerie atmosphere. Dress up in your favourite costume and enjoy a child-friendly castle-themed illumination show, or munch on Jack-o’-Lantern meat pizza at the central restaurant. The botanical garden is also hosting the ‘Momiji Magic de Show’, a dazzling display of cascading LEDs featuring a talking maple tree. Although it’s a bit of a trek from central Tokyo, you can reach Shinrinkoen Station in about an hour via the Tobu Tojo Line from Ikebukuro. On event days, a special night shuttle bus runs between the station and the park from 5pm to 8.30pm. The event will be cancelled in the event of rain. Be sure to check the park's announcement page for the latest updates before heading out.

The Sawara Grand Festival is held twice a year – in July and October – in the picturesque canal city of Sawara in northern Chiba. Regarded as one of the three largest float festivals in the Kanto region, the festival was recognised by UNESCO as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 2016. The autumn version of the Sawara Grand Festival takes place from October 10 to 12, centred around Suwa Shrine and the town's carefully preserved historical district. Expect to see fourteen magnificent floats adorned with meticulously crafted ornaments and likenesses of ancient warriors on top during the three-day fest. For fans of traditional festivals, this is a truly immersive experience – complete with dancers in period costume, the rhythmic sounds of Sawara bayashi festival music, and a cityscape that feels like it’s been frozen in time for the 300 years the festival has been held for. While Sawara is located a stone’s throw away from Narita, getting to the city from central Tokyo by train is a bit more difficult. The journey takes approximately two hours, involving a transfer from the Sobu Line Rapid Service at Narita to the Narita Line to Sawara Station. However, easier and faster direct-route bus options are available from Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu, stop no. 14 (Choshi Sawara Route). Tip: While you're there, check the Sawara Festival Digital Map for real-time mikoshi float locations.

Everyone loves Chiikawa right now. Get your fill of the mischievous characters created by Japanese illustrator Nagano in Shibuya, where the franchise’s official ramen shop returns for a limited time. Located on the basement floor of Shibuya Parco, it deals in ramen of the pork variety, hence the buta (pig) in the name. The ramen is served in three sizes: Chiikawa (mini), Hachiware (small) and Usagi (large). Each bowl will come with a novelty sticker, featuring either Chiikawa, Hachiware or Usagi depending on the bowl you ordered. As for drinks, the Shisa Mandarin Soda is a must-try, named after the hard-working lion dog and ramen shop assistant in the Chiikawa universe. Each drink comes with a novelty character card, which you can draw at random from a selection of 10 characters. Visitors who grab a bite of the ramen are also allowed exclusive access to the adjacent merch shop, complete with limited-edition goods – think T-shirts, ramen bowls, beer jugs and towels featuring the adorable Chiikawa.

Positioned right in between Jimbocho, Kudanshita and Suidobashi, Echo Records is a niche second-hand record store with a psychedelic edge. The store specialises in used vinyl ranging from American pre-war blues and jazz to psychedelic rock of the ’60s and ’70s. Owner Takeshi Dooka runs the shop from behind a bar counter, serving cheap pints and homemade coffee – the perfect companions whether you’re sinking into the sofa to listen to your latest find on the shop’s custom speakers or taking a break from digging through stacks of records. Dooka, who still plays in a band from time to time, first opened the shop in western Tokyo in 2020, when live gigs were scarce during the height of the pandemic. Seeing musicians rally together to support each other inspired him to pursue his longstanding interest in records and collecting. On a trip to London, Birmingham and other English cities, he hauled back a beefy stash of vinyl in tote bags and carry-ons. Since then, Echo Records has built a loyal following thanks to its distinctive curation, encouraging shoppers to dig with purpose and discover the right record, rather than simply browse through an A-to-Z index. The amicable owner is always on hand to share stories about his finds, recommend hidden gems, or pour you a beer while the turntable spins. You'll also find a small vintage clothing shop on the first floor.

A Japan-first exhibition celebrating the visionary artistry of cinema legend Jean-Luc Godard has taken over the iconic Ohjo Building in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho. Until August 31, the castle-shaped landmark in the heart of Kabukicho is hosting an immersive multi-screen installation that reinterprets The Image Book, the final feature-length work by the late French master. Structured into five chapters, the film took four years to create and reflects on more than a century of history, war, religion and art, weaving together quotes from classic films, literature and artworks. The exhibition deconstructs and reassembles this complex work, freeing it from the linear constraints of the cinema screen. Curated by Fabrice Aragno, filmmaker and longtime collaborator of Godard, the critically acclaimed show offers a rare window into the director’s creative world, inviting visitors to wander through fragments of image and sound and step inside the mind of one of cinema’s most influential figures. Tickets are available for purchase on-site or through the official website.

Held in the Tokyo Node creative complex on the upper floors of the Toranomon Station Tower, the Design Ah! exhibition by national broadcaster NHK transforms its acclaimed educational TV programme (of the same name) into a vivid hands-on experience. Suitable for visitors of all ages, the exhibition reimagines everyday actions like walking or eating through a design lens, fostering curiosity, creative thinking, and a sharper awareness of the world around us. While you’re there, don’t miss the chance to try out the interactive gesture screen, where visitors are invited to use gestures to interact with subjects in a video in an immersive and responsive way. With immersive 360-degree audiovisual installations, visual puzzles and interactive zones, the show offers a playful yet thought-provoking way to explore how design influences daily life.

The sleek designer toilets that took Tokyo by storm in 2018 – and later even inspired the film Perfect Days – will host a unique photography exhibit this summer, showcasing works by world-famous B&W photographer Daido Moriyama from July 19 to September 23. The main exhibition space, where Moriyama’s photographs of the designer toilets are displayed, will be the Hatagaya Public Toilet. Miles Pennington/UTokyo DLX Design Lab designed this toilet specifically with multifunctionality in mind. Envisioned to be used as an exhibition space or a pop-up kiosk – in addition to its primary function, of course – the toilet will now play the role of a photo gallery. Moreover, don’t miss this opportunity to check out the 10 other designer toilets in Shibuya ward, which for the duration of the event will all feature toilet paper adorned with imprints of Daido Moriyama’s photographs. Participating public toilets include: Sasazuka Greenway, Hatagaya Toilet, Nanago Dori Park, Nishihara Itchome Park, Haru-no-Ogawa Community Park, Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park, Jingu-Dori Park, Nabeshima Shoto Park, Ebisu Park, Ebisu East Park and Hiroo Higashi Park. 

The Takanawa Gateway City complex is gearing up to celebrate its grand opening on March 28, and all sorts of exciting events are taking place to hype up the completion of this long-awaited city within the city. Along with an immersive, experimental projection mapping event, the celebrations include a mini-series of DJ gigs within JR Takanawa Gateway Station for seven consecutive days from February 5. 画像提供：東日本旅客鉄道株式会社「TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY」PR事務局 Titled Ekinaka DJ Winter ’26, the programme is a sequel to last year’s Ekinaka Friday series, which ran every Friday in spring and summer for a total of ten days. For the 2026 edition, expect to see performances by eight high-flying artists including house music collective CYK, leading DJs Shinichi Osawa and DJ Kaori, as well as the internationally recognised Shingo Nakamura, who’s made his mark on labels like Anjunadeep and Monstercat Silk. EKINAKA FRIDAYScene from a previously held event in 2025 Beyond the impressive line-up, the draw here is the unique location, which allows you to enjoy live spins with a drink in hand while watching the trains pass directly below. The station – designed by starchitect Kengo Kuma – exudes a futuristic vibe with an airy interior that has no equal among other Yamanote line stations. Just be sure to arrive early, as admission may be restricted depending on how crowded it gets. Note that the gig venue is located outside the ticket gates, on the third-floor terrace area, right by the South ticket gat

In Ueno, pandas have long been more than an insanely popular zoo attraction – they’re practically the neighbourhood’s unofficial mascots. From souvenir shops selling panda plushies and post boxes featuring panda faces to life-size statues scattered around Ueno and nearby Okachimachi, everything seems to revolve around these clumsy and lovable bamboo-eating furballs. Photo: Teerawat Winyarat/DreamstimeMini pandas at Okachimachi Panda Square Unfortunately, the neighbourhood, Tokyo – and Japan as a whole – will soon be hit with a significant loss. The Asahi Shimbun reports that the two pandas at Ueno Zoo, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, are set to be returned to China later this month with no replacement in sight. Born at the zoo in 2021, the duo are the last remaining pandas in Japan; their parents, Li Li and Xin Xin, were returned to China in 2024. Originally set for February 2026, the return date for Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei has been brought forward by a month. The move comes against the backdrop of diplomatic tensions between Japan and China, which were heightened following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent remarks on Taiwan. The PM said that a Chinese naval blockade of Taiwan would threaten Japan’s ‘survival’ – suggesting that Japan could become involved in a potential China-Taiwan conflict. Given the strained relations, the chances of new panda loans appear slim. Once Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei depart, Japan will be without pandas for the first time since 1972, when China gifted Uen

For emerging songwriters in Japan, navigating international waters can be a difficult task. The domestic music market differs in significant ways from the global, while language barriers can also make going big outside Japan feel hopeless. Launching this year, the Tokyo Sound Continuum programme aims to bridge this gap. Funded by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs through the Japan Creator Support Fund, the initiative is designed to foster a ‘Japan-based international creative ecosystem’. The programme functions as an audition of sorts for Japanese songwriters and track makers, offering selected participants the opportunity to create music together with world-class producers such as Mark Pitts, Jason ‘J.LBS’ Pounds and Akil ‘WorldwideFresh’ King, among others. All are active at the forefront of the global music market, particularly within hip-hop, R&B and pop. 画像提供：TOKYO SOUND CONTINUUMJason “J.LBS” Pounds Tokyo Sound Continuum goes beyond one-off songwriting camps, offering sustained support across the entire production process, from initial creation and contract signing to global outreach. The programme is structured in stages over three years, beginning with an international co-writing camp in Tokyo this March, followed by two more planned in either North or South America. The initiative targets artists with the ambition to test their music on the global stage, engage in serious collaborative projects with top-tier overseas creators, and kickstart a sustainable music ca

As the autumn leaves turn burning red and yellow across the city, hordes of Tokyoites flock to quintessential must-see spots like the Ginkgo Avenue at Meiji Jingu Gaien or Mt Takao. But equally Instagram-worthy seasonal photo ops can be had on the usually closed-off Imperial Palace grounds, where the 750-metre-long tree-lined Inui Street is now open to the public.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by 宮内庁/ Imperial Household Agency (@kunaicho_jp) Stretching from the Sakashitamon Gate near Marunouchi to the Inuimon Gate near Kitanomaru Park, the picturesque path can be accessed until December 7, which coincides with peak autumn leaves season in Tokyo. Visitors can enter the pathway for free and without prior reservations between 9am and 3pm. Note that entrance to Inui Street is only through the Sakashitamon Gate. The article was published on December 6 2024 and updated on December 1 2025. More from Time Out Tokyo Classic action manga City Hunter celebrates 40 years of cool in Ueno Hokkaido has a gorgeous hotel made entirely of ice in winter The 1,400-year-old Sensoji Temple is hosting a projection mapping show for the very first time The 2026 Pokémon theme park ticket lottery is now open There's a frozen icicle forest just outside of Tokyo – and it's lit up at night Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan.

Continuing Tokyo’s trend of dazzling nighttime events, digital creative company Hitohata – the force behind the ‘Ukiyo-e Immersive Art’ exhibit and large-scale projections on the Edo Castle moat – is bringing its Asakusa Culture & Lights show to Sensoji Temple. This projection mapping showcase celebrates the history and culture of the iconic temple in the heart of Asakusa. The nightly shows feature high-resolution digital animations created using cutting-edge technology and displayed at three locations within the temple grounds: the south side of Hozomon Gate facing Kaminarimon Gate, Sensoji’s signature five-storey pagoda, and the smaller Nitenmon Gate by the temple’s east entrance. These light-ups are free to view, happening daily from December 3 to December 7 between 5.30pm and 9.30pm. Photo: Hitohata Inc.Nighttime illuminations at Denboin Garden While you’re there, don’t miss the special nighttime viewing of Denboin Garden, a Japanese garden usually closed off to the public but now brilliantly and colourfully illuminated. The viewings happen daily and require a ¥3,000 (free for children under 6) ticket that has to be booked in advance. Photo: Hitohata Inc.Votive plaques in Ema Hall In addition to the projection mapping shows at night, Asakusa Culture & Lights will include special daytime paid viewings of the temple’s Ema Hall, home to a valuable collection of votive plaques by renowned Edo-period (1603–1868) artists such as Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Hasegawa Settan and Kano K

There are plenty of incredible illuminations and light displays in Tokyo during winter, a time of year when the city shines much brighter to compensate for the cold, short days and long nights. This year, Shibuya Sky is joining in the year-end trend with its own Christmas illuminations until December 25. Photo: Shibuya Scramble Square Co., Ltd. The Shibuya Sky observatory deck at Shibuya Scramble Square is celebrating the holiday season with its Sparkling View event. One of the most eye-catching elements is the Sparkling Balloon Corridor. An entire walkway at the Sky Gallery on the 46th floor is decked out with ‘mirror balloons’ of all sizes. New for 2025, several Christmas trees made entirely of these mirror balloons will also be on display, adding even more sparkle to the already spectacular city views. Photo: Shibuya Scramble Square Go up to the rooftop Sky Stage and you’ll find a unique and rather surreal Christmas tree. Shibuya Sky’s 'holographic' tree is made up of light beams shining brightly into the night sky. Stick around for the special light and sound performance with bubbles. It comes on every 30 minutes from 7pm to 10pm. Photo: Shibuya Scramble Square Make sure you drop by the Paradise Lounge on the 46th floor for some festive drinks and desserts, available until Christmas Day. There’s the crimson-hued Sparkling Rouge made with peaches (¥1,300), a festive Merry Pop Parfait (¥1,500), and a gingerbread latte—served hot or iced (¥1,000). Photo: Shibuya Sc

If you want to witness the breathtaking moment when the sun sets perfectly atop Mt Fuji – a phenomenon popularly known as ‘Diamond Fuji’ – without leaving Tokyo, your best bet is to head to one of the city’s observatories (or invest in a high-rise apartment). For most of us, that means jostling for space at a packed viewing deck. This November, however, Sunshine 60 in Ikebukuro is offering a rare chance to experience Diamond Fuji from the skyscraper’s 61st-storey rooftop, which will be open to a lucky few visitors from November 13 to 17. These special rooftop sessions are not to be missed – especially since the city has been suffering from a serious dearth of elevated open-air lookouts since the indefinite 2024 closure of Roppongi Hills’ beloved outdoor sky deck. Photo: Sunshine City Co., Ltd. Tickets go on sale at 12 noon on October 31 via the Sunshine 60 Observatory’s official website and cost ¥6,000 per person (plus a separate observatory admission fee). Limited to just 12 guests per day, each two-hour session (3.15pm–5.15pm) offers panoramic 360-degree city views and the chance to see the sun align with Mt Fuji’s peak around 4.20pm, causing it to gleam brilliantly like a diamond. Visit the Sunshine City complex’s official website for more details. Update: Non-Japanese speakers must attend with a ticketed companion who can communicate in Japanese. More news The amazing illuminations at Ashikaga Flower Park are here until February 2026 Winter music festival Snow Machine t

Imagine a future where a trip to Japan takes two hours round-trip – just enough time to work up an appetite for a FamilyMart egg sandwich or famichiki upon landing. The only catch? It’ll cost you an arm and a leg. If the good folks at Nippon Travel Agency are to be believed, this could soon be a reality. The Japanese travel bureau is hoping to launch a direct service between Tokyo and major US cities like New York with travel times of 60 minutes or less. The vehicle making that trip would be a reusable spacecraft being developed by the matter-of-factly named rocket development start-up Innovative Space Carrier.  According to The Mainichi, the trip aboard the rocket would cost the traveller a cool ¥100 million ($657,000) for a round trip. Launched from an offshore location, the spacecraft used is supposed to be able to connect any two points on Earth within an hour.  Applications for these rather optimistic-sounding space hops are expected to open in fiscal 2026, with the project rolling out in stages. Before the lofty flights take off sometime in the 2030s, offerings for those who sign up will include space food tastings, educational programmes and tours of related facilities on the ground. Full-fledged orbital stays are planned for the 2040s. More from Time Out Tokyo  Catch sight of ‘Diamond Fuji’ from the roof of Sunshine 60 this November The amazing illuminations at Ashikaga Flower Park are here until February 2026 Winter is coming: Mt Fuji sees its first snowfall of the s

While major Tokyo-area music festivals like Ultra Japan and Summer Sonic take place in the sweltering summer months, one festival is all about bringing the party to the snow. The winter music event Snow Machine will make a return to Nagano’s Hakuba in March 2026, combining mountain sports and live performances in one alpine celebration. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Snow Machine (@snowmachinefest) The multi-day music event, which made an impressive debut in 2020, is set to return in 2026 for a five-day celebration from March 3 to 8. It’s taking place at the ski resorts of Hakuba, famed for its powder snow and consistent snowfall. Festivalgoers can carve through fresh powder and catch live sets at on-mountain stages by day, then head to the main arena at night for high-energy performances and après-ski parties. Hakuba is about three hours from Tokyo: take the Hokuriku shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano (host city of the 1998 Winter Olympics), followed by a one-hour bus ride to the resort area. Expect a wave of talented artists on the line-up, including several prominent DJs from Australia’s music scene, who’ll be bringing a mix of genres from EDM to hip-hop. The list of performers currently includes Hannah Laing, Cyril, Gorgon City, Bag Raiders, Steve Aoki, Hiroko Yamamura and CYK Tokyo – just to name a few. There are two ways to experience Snow Machine, depending on how far you want to dive into the slopes, the beats, or your

Come autumn and through winter, one of the highlights of visiting Japan is seeing all the mesmerising illuminations lighting up the country’s parks and city streets. While most flowers are dormant during these cold months – and not to mention, the naked branches – many parks tend to go all out with their light displays, turning their somewhat barren gardens into magical fairytale lands to make up for the lack of flora. One of the most stunning park illuminations near Tokyo has to be the Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi prefecture. Known for its colourful wisteria in spring, the park transforms into a dazzling wonderland of illuminations in October. Photo: Ashikaga Flower Resort Co., Ltd. Now in its 24th year, the Flower Garden of Lights: Flower Fantasy 2025 event sees the park decked out in over five million LED bulbs, draped into show-stopping formations on cherry blossom trees, rose bushes and even the park's famous ofuji, or great wisteria tree. Photo: Ashikaga Flower Resort Co., Ltd. The park also features an illuminated rose garden called the Rose Garden of Light. On the observation deck, the experience is enhanced with the scent of roses, allowing visitors to enjoy a truly immersive combination of light and fragrance. Photo: Ashikaga Flower Resort Co., Ltd. Making a comeback this year is the park's popular Flower Castle. This jaw-dropping installation features a colourful mix of flowers, lights and rainbow LED fireworks bursting behind a gl

Japan sees plenty of music festivals in the summertime. From Fuji Rock to Ultra, the hotter months always equate to moshing in scantily-clad crowds, with partygoers trying to cram as many music events as possible before the end of the season. While outdoor concerts usually seem like a faraway dream during the freezing winter, it's not hard to distract yourself with the fresh powder on the slopes of northern Japan. In Nagano, however, it looks as though you won’t have to swap out one seasonal pursuit for the other.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Snow Machine (@snowmachinefest) Snow Machine, the winter music festival that made an impressive debut in 2019, is set to return in 2026 for a five-day celebration from March 3 to 8 at the ski resorts of Hakuba. Festivalgoers can carve through fresh powder by day and catch live sets at on-mountain stages with breathtaking alpine views, then head to the main arena at night for high-energy performances and après-ski parties. Swap your neon tank tops for equally bold snowsuits and ride the ski lift to stages perched high in the mountains. Hakuba is about three hours from Tokyo — take the shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano (host city of the 1998 Winter Olympics), followed by a one-hour bus ride to the resort area. Many of the acts will be coming from Australia to perform a variety of genres ranging from indie pop to EDM, and will be joined by a handful of local up-and-coming artists. The lineup of

Three-day weekends are lovely on their own, but the next national holiday falling on Monday November 3 comes with one extra perk. Established in 1945, this day is earmarked as Japan’s Culture Day to celebrate and appreciate the arts. It's a time when events, exhibitions and museum visits become a communal affair, with friends and families spending quality time together, revelling in the rich cultural tapestry of the nation. As such, in the spirit of this holiday, many museums and local galleries in Tokyo – and across Japan – have graciously waived their entry fees on this day. In this guide, we highlight the most prominent institutions participating in this complimentary admission day, along with the exhibitions you won’t want to miss.  Photo: The National Museum of Western Art The National Museum of Western Art Established in 1959, Japan's National Museum of Western Art has a vast permanent collection spanning pre-18th-century works to early 20th-century French paintings. There are works by the great masters, including Monet, Van Gogh and Picasso, tracing Western art's evolution from the Renaissance to modern expression. On November 3, two special exhibitions will be on view: Two Flemish Paintings from Tokyo and Bruges Reunited and Black Lines Speak: Dürer’s “Three Great Books” Woodcuts. Note that only the latter exhibition offers free admission. Entry to the permanent collection is free on Culture Day. Tokyo National Museum  Japan’s oldest and largest museum houses over