Tabea Greuner

Some of the best museums in the city such as Tokyo National Museum, Museum of Western Art and National Museum of Nature and Science charge an admission fee, and they are worth it. But the fact is, visiting all the museums in Tokyo – and there are many, including the weird and the wonderful ones – can get pricey. The good news is, our capital has a large variety of institutions that are completely free to enter. From parasites and origami creations to picture books and chocolate, there are lots to see without paying a single yen. So spend some fun yet educational hours at these free museums, and save your budget for a cheap Michelin-starred meal. RECOMMENDED: Tokyo itself is also a work of art – here's where you can see the city skyline for free

The capital of Japan really has it all, so you don’t have to leave Greater Tokyo to get a glimpse of the country's most iconic scenes. Forget Kyoto – you can find red torii gate tunnels and bamboo forests right here in the metropolis. Even beautiful Western-style architecture is just a short train ride away in the neighbouring city of Yokohama, and a carefully preserved canal city from the Edo period (1603-1868) awaits in nearby Chiba prefecture. Best of all, all the places on this list are far away from Tokyo’s busiest (read: touristy) hotspots, so look forward to some recreational time with lots of space to yourself. RECOMMENDED: Ten stunning places in Japan that don't look like Japan at all

Touring museums can be tiring when you have kids in tow, but Tokyo houses a large variety of family-friendly museums where the little ones will have as much fun as their parents. These museums are good with kids, as they feature lots of hands-on experiences and games, offer easy-to-understand captions under each exhibit and hand out children-friendly pamphlets. As such, a visit to these museums will make for a fun yet educational day out for the young and old alike. From railway heritage and police cars to historic fire trucks, ancient animal skeletons plus a walk-in model of the International Space Station, there is definitely something for everyone to enjoy. RECOMMENDED: Where to see the autumn leaves in Tokyo

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 auctions at Toyosu Market, both Disneyland and DisneySea and the recently-opened Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter. 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

Summer is here. Just as restaurants and cafés are pushing out cooling treats like kakigori and ice cream to help hot and sweaty Tokyoites cope with the heat, Tokyo's many water parks are kicking into high gear. So when the heat gets unbearable, grab your swimsuit and sunblock and go a-splashing at these water parks. They feature jumbo-sized pools, twisting and turning slides, elegant fountains and spectacular manmade waterfalls, providing a fun day out for adults and kids alike. Unfortunately, tattoos, even fake ones, are prohibited at all water parks. RECOMMENDED: Best museums for kids and families in Tokyo

Shibuya is rapidly transforming into a hip shopping paradise – think Shibuya Scramble Square with its Shibuya Sky observation deck, the glitzy Parco department store, and Miyashita Park with its rooftop garden. Sure, those buildings are beautiful, but if you really want to see some cutting-edge design, check out Shibuya's series of designer public toilets. In cooperation with Shibuya’s local government, the Nippon Foundation launched a project called The Tokyo Toilet, which focuses on replacing 17 public toilets in Shibuya with modern, accessible structures. The facilities are designed by 16 of Japan’s foremost creatives and architects including Sou Fujimoto, Shigeru Ban, Tadao Ando and Kengo Kuma. Read on for the city's most fancy loos, and click here for a map showing its exact locations. RECOMMENDED: 50 best things to do in Shibuya

Tokyo is famous for its diverse food culture, being home to Michelin-starred restaurants and plenty of traditional culinary options such as sushi, gyoza, ramen and more. However, if you like your afternoon coffee with a generous serving of local heritage, then drop by one of these cosy cafés. The coffee shops are all set inside old-school buildings across the city, including renovated sento bathhouses, traditional Japanese-style homes and old shops. Some of the buildings are nearly a century old and a few have even been designated tangible cultural properties of Tokyo. The structures have remained largely unchanged to keep the rustic charm of a bygone era. It’s a great way to get up close with traditional Japanese architecture, all while sipping on a hot coffee. Read on for our favourite Tokyo cafés in heritage buildings. RECOMMENDED: These heritage restaurants in Tokyo prove good food never goes out of style

Kamakura, located less than an hour from Tokyo, boasts magnificent temples, fantastic restaurants and a popular beach. Famed for its Great Buddha as well as its seasonally changing landscape, particularly the hydrangeas that appear at the start of summer and the multicoloured splendour of autumn leaves, Japan’s first feudal capital is a big hit among those looking to escape the city for a day.  It can get busy during peak times like cherry blossom season and autumn, so visit off-season if possible to escape the crowds. Here are our best picks for a great day in Kamakura. RECOMMENDED: The best day trips from Tokyo

Fireworks are an essential part of the summer festivities in Tokyo. All across the city, you can enjoy spectacular displays that light up Tokyo's warm summer nights, and that's not to mention the fireworks festivals in nearby prefectures. This is set to be a particularly vibrant summer with many popular displays returning for the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic. One of the biggest events making a comeback is the Sumida River Fireworks Festival (July 29), which is taking place for the first time in four years. There are also impressive displays just outside Tokyo in Chiba, Shizuoka and Yamanashi. So dust off your yukata, arrive early to secure the best viewing spot, and enjoy the colourful fireworks while snacking on some tasty festival grub. RECOMMENDED: Best observation decks in Tokyo for incredible views of the city skyline

If coffee sparks creativity, it certainly explains why bean-obsessed baristas love to turn your cup of joe into a work of art. The latte art masters in Tokyo don’t stop at the common free-pouring tulip, heart and swan, though, so expect 3D creations using milk foam – or you can even have your face ‘printed’ onto your drink. Here's a tip: make sure you have a favourite picture in your phone before you head to the counter. Show it to the barista and watch as they transfer it onto your cup of coffee. If you're looking for a drinkable work of art, here are the best cafés that do amazing latte art in Tokyo. RECOMMENDED: Get a cuppa at one of Tokyo's most beautiful cafés and coffee shops

July doesn’t only mark the beginning of summer, it’s also the kick-off season for adventurous hikers who plan to conquer Mt Fuji (3,776m), the iconic peak that symbolises Japan. This active stratovolcano is also the highest mountain in Japan. Climbing season lasts roughly three months, from July 1 until September 10; any attempt out of this period is prohibited. Before taking on the challenge, there is quite a lot to prepare – so let’s get right to it. RECOMMENDED: The best places to enjoy stunning views of Mt Fuji

Ens agradaria que el 2022 fos l'any de la tornada definitiva a la normalitat i per això hem demanat als nostres editors d'arreu del planeta que ens presentin algunes de les noves meravelles que es podran visitar enguany als seus països i ciutats. Uns quants nous motius per viatjar a destinacions com París, Nova York, Lisboa, els Països Baixos, el Japó, Taiwan i Egipte: nous museus i teatres, una exposició floral que té lloc només un cop cada deu anys, un nou parc temàtic basat en els personatges de Miyazaki i una experiència sísmica a Lisboa. Tremolem d'emoció. NO T'HO PERDIS: Els pobles més bonics de Catalunya

Kinchakuda Manjushage Park in Saitama prefecture’s Hidaka city is one of the best places near Tokyo to see red spider lilies, also known as higanbana or manjushage in Japanese. With about five million of these unique flowers expected to bloom between September 16 and October 1 2023, the sprawling Saitama park will be bringing back its annual autumn flower festival. Photo: Kinchakuda Manjushage Park Aside from fields of beautiful scarlet red spider lilies, you’ll also find booths at the festival selling a variety of local food and drinks as well as souvenirs. Photo: Hidaka city As this is one of Japan's largest concentrations of red spider lilies, the organisers are expecting large crowds, especially on these dates: September 16-18 and September 22-24. As parking is limited, we recommend taking the train instead. It takes about 90 minutes from Ikebukuro Station to Koma Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro line; from there, it’s another 15-minute walk to the park.  Kinchakuda Manjushage Park is open from 9am to 4.30pm. Entry costs ¥500 per person (free for junior high school students and younger children). To all photographers and Instagrammers who’re planning to shoot photos and videos, note that you’re not allowed to set up tripods at the park. Keep an eye on the flowering status of the spider lilies via the event website and Facebook – so you know when’s the best time to visit. This article was originally published on August 25 2022 and updated on August 8 2023. More from Time

Enoshima is one of the most popular island getaways for Tokyoites. It’s easily accessible for a day trip, plus the island offers a good mix of seafood, temples, fresh greenery and sea views. This month, you might want to stay on a little longer after sunset as Enoshima is hosting a free projection mapping event inspired by the little island’s folktale Enoshima Engi. Photo: Velveta Design Called the Enoshima Lanterns, the digital light show starts at the island’s Zuishinmon Gate, where it depicts a scene from Enoshima Engi, which tells the love story between an evil-doing five-headed dragon and a beautiful goddess. Make sure to watch the entire scene until the end as it includes a digital fireworks display. Photo: Velveta Design The staircase leading up to Enoshima Shrine, which is dedicated to the aforementioned goddess, is lit up with blue and yellow lights. Photo: Velveta Design At the shrine grounds, the project mapping show here goes deeper into the love between the dragon and the goddess. Couples can purchase a special ema votive plate and tie it in front of the sacred ginkgo tree to wish for a happy and long-lasting relationship. In addition to the digital light show, the shrine grounds and the upper area surrounding the Samuel Cocking Garden and the Enoshima Sea Candle lighthouse are lit up with 1,000 traditional lanterns illustrating scenes from Enoshima Engi. On August 26 and 27, you can also enjoy a live musical performance at 6pm and a shadow puppet play at

Summer means fireworks in Japan, and there are plenty of spectacular displays to enjoy in and around Tokyo. One of the most impressive fireworks festivals is at Kawaguchiko, the largest of the Fuji Five Lakes, in Yamanashi prefecture. The Kawaguchiko Kojo Matsuri summer festival takes place on Saturday August 5, with fireworks launched from the middle of the lake between the eastern shore and Kawaguchiko Bridge. The gigantic starmines will not only be reflected on the water’s surface but also synchronised to music. The timings for this year's event haven't been announced yet, but the display usually takes place for 75 minutes. For an up-close view, head to Oike Park or either one of these two shores – Funatsuhama and Hirahama. Between Oike Park and the Komagari Tunnel lakeside, dozens of food stalls will line the street, selling typical festival grub. Photo: Fujikawaguchiko Tourist Information Pro tip: if it’s a clear night, make a beeline for the other side of the lake, around Nagasaki Park or Oishi Park. Here you’ll have an uninterrupted view of the fireworks, with the towering silhouette of Mt Fuji in the background. The summer festivities around Lake Kawaguchiko continue on August 15 and 16 with the Fujisan Fukko Noryo Matsuri, which is free to attend. The festival site at Oike Park will be hosting stage performances, festival games and lots of food. You can reach Kawaguchiko in about one hour, 45 minutes by highway bus from Shinjuku Station. Alternatively, take the JR

Featuring an overwhelming selection of 290 shops offering deep discounts, Gotemba Premium Outlets in Shizuoka prefecture offers a spectacular view of Mt Fuji on a clear day. Now that there are direct buses from Shibuya, it’s even easier for you to make this a day trip from Tokyo. And you'll want to do just that on a Saturday between July 29 and August 26 to catch the special fireworks. Photo: Gotemba Premium Outlets Called Gotemba Night 2023, the event’s free ten-minute hanabi (fireworks display) takes place after closing time at 8.10pm on July 29 as well as August 5, 12, 19 and 26. Each show, which is synchronised to music, will launch 500 shells of fireworks.  Photo: Gotemba Premium Outlets You’ll be able to enjoy the hanabi from anywhere within the outlet mall grounds. However, since the fireworks are launched from the valley between Yume no Ohashi and Kibo no Ohashi bridges, we recommend watching the show from the elevated Hill Side area. (In case of rain or strong winds, the fireworks show will be postponed to Sunday.)  Photo: Mitsubishi Estate・Simon Co., Ltd. Come dressed in a yukata or jinbei and you’ll receive a free handkerchief and a discount voucher for the nearby Konohananoyu onsen. You can pick up these freebies at the West Zone information centre or the Hill Side welcome centre between 10am and 8pm. You can also rent a yukata for ¥4,800 at the East Zone Etro booth. Photo: Mitsubishi Estate・Simon Co., Ltd. On days of the fireworks, you’ll find food trucks

Aside from having the longest suspension footbridge in Japan – about 400m – Mishima Skywalk in Shizuoka prefecture is also known for hosting one of the biggest hydrangea festivals near Tokyo, attracting visitors of all ages for the huge number of blue hydrangeas blooming in summer. Photo: Mishima SkywalkNatsuzora hydrangeas This year, the Hydrangea Festival takes place until July 14 and features about 13,000 hydrangeas across 205 varieties, including Natsuzora (Summer Sky), Skywalk and Hao, the venue’s three original hydrangea species. Photo: Mishima Skywalk Photo spots will be set up along the 2km promenade on the north side of the bridge. They offer lovely scenery with the hydrangeas, Suruga Bay and even Mt Fuji. You can also see the hydrangeas lit up after dark on Saturday and Sunday nights from 5pm to 8.30pm (last entry 8pm). If you want to get active and see the hydrangeas from above, this year’s event features Night Adventure, which includes zip lines and climbing nets. It takes place on July 1, 2, 8 and 9, with three start times each night at 6.30pm, 7pm and 7.30pm. Photo: Mishima SkywalkPurple soda float Hydrangea-coloured desserts and drinks are available from Mishima Skywalk's cafés and restaurants during the festival. Picnic Café is serving an ice cream with kudzu root (¥600), Skywalk Coffee has a grape soda ice cream float (¥500) and at Skywalk Softcream you can try the purple soda (¥400) or purple soda float (¥600). Photo: Mishima SkywalkCheese mousse The

Summer is a great time to be in Tokyo, with an array of music festivals and fireworks displays taking place across the city. But there are also more traditional events happening, like the Toro Nagashi (floating lantern) nighttime festival at Chidorigafuchi Moat along the fringe of the Imperial Palace grounds. This popular light-up spectacle will take place on July 26 and 27 after sundown. Photo: Chiyoda City Tourism Association Over the course of two evenings, you can witness 2,000 beautiful paper lanterns floating on the water. The festival was first held in 1958 to comfort people after World War II. Photo: Chiyoda City Tourism Association You can just turn up and enjoy the sight for free. Or you could contribute to the spectacle by releasing your own lantern to the water. You can use the lantern to write down your hopes, dreams or prayers. Photo: Chiyoda City Tourism Association The best way to immerse yourself in the event is to hop on a rowboat and send your lantern out onto the water while being surrounded by thousands of glowing lanterns. This option is limited to only 60 groups (up to three people per group) a day and costs ¥5,000 (including a lantern) per boat. Participation is based on a lottery system and you'll have to register via the website by Friday June 30. Photo: Chiyoda City Tourism Association Even if you can’t secure a boat, you can still design a lantern on the day of the event. Visit Chiyoda ward’s tourist information centre until July 25 (10am-6

Known for its line-up of elaborate and artistic themed apartments, Moshi Moshi Rooms has unveiled its latest live-in masterpiece. The quirky spot – and fully equipped short-term rental apartment – is named Harajuku and it’s pretty much a distillation of all the wildly kawaii elements the Tokyo district is famous for. Appropriately enough, you’ll find it in Harajuku, in the same building as the other three Moshi Moshi Rooms. Photo: Moshi Moshi Rooms Step through the entry archway and you’ll feel like you’ve walked into Alice in Wonderland – the room is filled with colourful animal statues, furniture, plants and more. Photo: Moshi Moshi Rooms Photo: Moshi Moshi Rooms The living room area looks like a small museum, complete with empty picture frames and more quirky objet d'art. Photo: Moshi Moshi Rooms The bedroom is outfitted with a queen-size bed, and together with a sofa bed in the living room and an additional air mattress, the apartment can fit for up to four people. Photo: Moshi Moshi Rooms You’ll also find a fully equipped – and no less colourful – kitchen, featuring a microwave and refrigerator. Photo: Moshi Moshi Rooms Even the tableware matches the room and comes in different pastel colours. Make sure to explore the building’s rooftop terrace as well, which has a great view of Harajuku. Stays start from ¥33,000 per night. Note that the apartment is on the third floor and the building has no elevator. However, you can request assistance with your luggage whe

Sakura Furusato Square in Tokyo’s neighbouring Chiba prefecture is famous year round for its colourful blooms – think tulips in spring and cosmos in autumn. This summer from July 8 to 23, the expansive grounds will transform into a sea of sunflowers centred around a Dutch windmill. Photo: Sakura City The Windmill Sunflower Garden boasts around 15,000 blooms, with the field of bright yellow flowers stretching as far as the eye can see. There are multiple types of sunflower here, the highlight being Vincent’s Choice. This particular variety was named after the late Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, whose sunflower paintings are famous around the world. Photo: Sakura City There’s more to do at Sakura Furusato Square than just looking at sunflowers, and it’s easy to spend an entire day here.  Photo: Sakura City There’s a sightseeing cruise across the adjacent Lake Inbanuma, from where you’ll have a panoramic view of the park and sunflower field. The 40-minute boat ride runs eight times a day on Saturday, Sunday and the national holiday on Monday July 17, departing at 9.30am, 10am, 10.50am, 11.20am, 12.40pm, 1.10pm, 2pm and 2.30pm. A boat ride ticket costs ¥1,000 (children ¥500). To cool down from the midday heat, seek refuge at the souvenir shop Saranka, where you can enjoy kakigori shaved ice dessert as well as soft-serve ice cream made with local milk from Sakura city. You can also shop for mementos and local vegetables. Sakura Furusato Square is around a 30-minute walk fro

Summer is approaching and we can soon look forward to warm nights lit up by spectacular fireworks festivals in and around Tokyo. One of the best displays is in the nearby hot spring town of Atami in Shizuoka prefecture. The coastal resort is widely known for its massive fireworks shows, and there will be six happening over July and August. What’s more, Atami is only a 36-minute shinkansen ride away from Shinagawa Station, making it an ideal weekend getaway. Photo: Atami City Tourism Association Atami’s fireworks festivals are scheduled for July 28 as well as August 5, 8, 18, 22 and 25, from 8.20pm to 8.45pm. The hanabi (fireworks) are launched from Atami Bay, so you’ll get the best views along the coastline between Sun Beach and Atami Port. Photo: Atami City Tourism Association Being partially surrounded by mountains, Atami Bay’s mortar-like terrain helps create an acoustic effect similar to that of a large stadium. The reverberations of the fireworks’ explosion will sound amplified. For that reason, Atami is known as one of the best locations for hanabi in Japan. Photo: Atami City Tourism Association The fireworks’ reflections on the water’s surface also make for a memorable sight. You’ll also want to stay until the end for the grand finale Niagara Falls in the Sky, where a torrent of fireworks are launched simultaneously. Photo: Atami City Tourism Association Atami’s fireworks festival dates back to 1952. It was first held in honour of the reconstruction efforts by

With rainy season just around the corner, be prepared for some wet and gloomy days in Tokyo until around mid-July. But there's also good news: the rainy season will bring on the bloom of colourful hydrangeas (ajisai in Japanese). One of the best places to see these early-summer flowers is the seaside town of Kamakura near Tokyo. To see Kamakura's hydrangeas in their colourful glory, hop on the Shonan-Shinjuku (or Yokosuka) line at Shinjuku Station for a direct, one-hour ride to Kita-Kamakura Station. From there, it’s a short walk to three of the area’s most majestic temples: Tokei-ji, Jochi-ji and Meigetsu-in. All of them feature an abundance of the pretty flowers in various shades of blue, purple and pink. Photo: Tabea Greuner Tokei-ji Temple This tranquil temple is just a four-minute walk from Kita-Kamakura Station. The sacred grounds feature several beautifully landscaped walkways, complete with Japanese elements such as Buddha statues and stone lanterns, all of which provide the perfect background for your ajisai shots. Take in the peaceful surroundings over a cup of green tea at the on-site tea house; it even looks out to the adjoining iris garden. Photo: Tabea Greuner Tokei-ji played a crucial and noble role in the local history. It was founded in 1285 by a nun named Kakusan Shido-ni, and the temple offered asylum to women seeking refuge from their abusive husbands. A woman could not initiate a divorce at that time, but the temple could officially authorise a divorc

2023年は、これまで規模を縮小していた多くの花火大会が完全復活を遂げている。「熱海海上花火大会」は、熱海市の温泉街で一年を通して15回以上行われる大規模な花火大会。春期は2023年5月13日（土）、5月21日（日）、6月4日（日）に開催され、夏期は7月から8月にかけて6回の開催が発表されている。 Photo: Atami City Tourism Association 熱海までのアクセスは品川駅から新幹線で36分。車でも2時間ほどで到着し、山、海、温泉が揃う観光地として人気だ。夏期の花火大会のスケジュールは7月28日（金）、8月5日（土）、8日（火）、18日（金）、22日（火）、25日（金）。打ち上げ時間は、20時20分〜20時45分を予定している。花火は熱海湾から打ち上げられ、サンビーチ海水浴場から熱海港までの海岸一帯が絶好の観覧スポットになる。 Photo: Atami City Tourism Association 山に囲まれ、すり鉢状の地形をした熱海湾。この独特の地形が大型スタジアムのような音響効果を生み、「ドーン」という音がより大きく聞こえるのが特徴だ。海に近づくほど、体にまで音が伝わる迫力が味わえる。 水面に映る花火の輝きは、まさにフォトジェニック。フィナーレを飾る「大空中ナイアガラ」は、心に残るほどの美しさと迫力で毎年大きな感動を巻き起こす。 Photo: Atami City Tourism Association 今年で72年目を迎える熱海海上花火大会。もともとは1949年の「キティ台風」や、1950年の「熱海大火」などによる災害や火災の復興に向け、1952年に初開催されたのが始まりだ。その伝統は今も受け継がれ、熱海を代表するイベントの一つになった。 Photo: Atami City Tourism Association 夏の打ち上げを見逃してしまっても、花火大会は冬まで継続するので安心だ。秋・冬期のスケジュールは9月18日（月・祝）、10月14日（土）、12月3日（日）で、打ち上げ時間は20時20分〜20時40分を予定している。 詳細は、公式ウェブサイトを確認してほしい。 関連記事 『熱海、文豪が愛したスポット5選』 『熱海、レトロなスポット5選』 『熱海、注目ヴェニュー5選』 『軽井沢の人気店が昼飲みできるブルワリー併設型タップルームをオープン』 『東京、美術館カフェ5選』 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

With sun, sea, sand and excellent movies, it’s no wonder that the Zushi Beach Film Festival is a popular fixture on the Golden Week calendar. This open-air cinema in Kanagawa prefecture is organised by Cinema Caravan, a group of artists and creatives who plan community events around the world. Every year it brings this event to Zushi, with movie screenings on the beach plus food stalls, a bazaar and live entertainment. Photo: Zushi Beach Film Festival The ten-day festival is screening a variety of Japanese and international films, with half of them in English with Japanese subtitles. Every day is a different movie and the show starts at 7pm. But note that tickets are no longer available for the screening of 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' on Friday April 28. Here’s the line-up of English films: Sunday April 30: ‘Men in Black 2’ (2002), an American sci-fi film where two agents attempt to stop extraterrestrials from destroying Earth. Tuesday May 2: 'Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World' (2017), a documentary that explores the influence of Indian music on popular music, featuring Link Wray’s song ‘Rumble’. Thursday May 4: ‘The Great Green Wall’ (2019), a documentary that follows Malian musician Inna Moja as she travels to the frontlines of the climate crisis. Saturday May 6: ‘Small Island Big Song’ (2019), a music documentary that records traditional performances across 16 islands from Easter Island in the Pacific Ocean to Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. Photo: Zushi Be