8 best art hotels in Japan
Make your stay in Japan extra special: these unique hotels blur the line between galleries and accommodation
Your ultimate guide to Tokyo
Explore the best of Tokyo and Japanese culture
8 best art hotels in Japan
Make your stay in Japan extra special: these unique hotels blur the line between galleries and accommodation
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Things to do in Tokyo
State of emergency updates
Here are the revised Covid-19 restrictions in Tokyo with the extended state of emergency
Tokyo, Osaka, Hyogo and Kyoto are joined by Fukuoka and Aichi prefectures under the extended emergency until May 31
Tokyo shops and department stores: closures and opening hours during the emergency
Most big stores are closed but smaller shops and chains remain open with shorter business hours during the state of emergency
These venues in Tokyo are closed during the state of emergency
Most museums, art galleries, theme parks and attractions are closed temporarily due to the new Covid-19 emergency
Tokyo parks issue Covid-19 safety advice for visiting during the state of emergency
Popular parks like Yoyogi Park, Kinuta Park and Saigoyama Park have implemented rules to curb the spread of Covid-19
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The latest Tokyo news
Naomi Osaka is getting her own Netflix documentary series
The tennis champion's new series will be available on the platform from July 13 2021
Hilton Tokyo Odaiba now offers in-room camping and seaside barbecues
Partake in all the joys of the great outdoors without leaving the city or sacrificing your creature comforts
Japan declares state of emergency in Hokkaido, Okayama and Hiroshima – effective May 16
The three prefectures will be under the Covid-19 emergency until May 31, while three more will begin quasi-emergency measures
This lamb yakiniku restaurant in Tokyo is offering takeout with disposable grills
Barbecue made easy: Lamb Ne now offers a DIY barbecue takeaway, complete with an all-natural single-use grill
Japan to temporarily ban foreign residents travelling from India, Nepal and Pakistan
The temporary measure will take effect from Friday May 14 to curb the spread of Covid-19
Japan Post is releasing limited-edition Pokémon art stamps in July
These stamps are based on popular Pokémon cards, featuring Charizard, Eevee, Pikachu and more
Here’s how Tokyo’s new large-scale Covid-19 vaccination centre will roll out inoculation
Opening in Otemachi later this month, the large-scale centre will be run by the Japan Self-Defense Forces
FamilyMart’s fried chicken has been given an upgrade with oozing cheese
The popular Cheese In Famichiki has returned to the convenience store chain and is now on sale
Japan travel inspo
Guide to Kawagoe: best things to do, attractions, restaurants, cafés and shops
How to spend a perfect day at Saitama’s Little Edo, just north of Tokyo: visit shrines, shopping streets, tea rooms and more
6 best road trips in Japan
6 best road trips in Japan
Looking for a relaxed yet socially distanced way to travel? Hop in a car and take these scenic road trips through Japan
The best places to go glamping in Japan
The best places to go glamping in Japan
Want to go camping without roughing it? These comfy tents and domes let you enjoy a luxurious time in nature
20 of the most beautiful places in Japan
20 of the most beautiful places in Japan
Venture beyond Tokyo – add these breathtaking temples, landmarks and hiking trails to your Japan bucket list
5 places in Japan that look like scenes from Spirited Away
5 places in Japan that look like scenes from Spirited Away
There’s a seaside train station in Ehime and an old Tokyo shop that may have inspired Studio Ghibli's 'Spirited Away'
Best foodie destinations in Japan
Best foodie destinations in Japan
Japanese cuisine may have conquered the world, but you should experience it at its homeland in these food cities in Japan
Spring in Tokyo
4 most scenic night walks in Tokyo
Avoid the crowds with an evening stroll to see Tokyo Skytree, Nakameguro, the Rainbow Bridge and more when they’re all lit up
The most beautiful spring flowers in Tokyo – and where to see them all
Cherry blossoms aren't the only blooms in season. Here are the most beautiful spring flowers to see in Greater Tokyo
9 best glamping getaways near Tokyo
These luxury campgrounds in neighbouring Chiba and Saitama prove you don’t have to travel far to get back to nature
Best nature escapes in Tokyo
Venture into the great outdoors without leaving Tokyo, from a bamboo forest and nature parks to lush river valleys and more
Content from our partners
Five events to keep an eye on at the Japan Cultural Expo – with Katsumi Tanaka
The Minyo Crusaders frontman selects five outstanding events that offer a fresh perspective on Japanese performing arts
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Unlock the Real Japan: third issue out now
See Japan’s plan to become zero-carbon by 2050 and find out what’s changed ten years after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami
Five events to keep an eye on at the Japan Cultural Expo – with Ryoko Aoki
The Noh singer highlights creativity in selecting her favourite events at this nationwide celebration of art and culture
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The Nobody Knows project is running virtual tours of Japan
Learn about the history and traditions of these carefully protected areas in rural Japan
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Covid-19 updates
Japan may reopen international travel with ‘vaccine passports'
The government is planning to introduce Covid-19 vaccine certification system so that international travel could resume
Tokyo enters a new state of emergency from April 25 – here are the restrictions
The central government has just approved a third Covid-19 state of emergency for Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo
Here’s the tentative timeline of Japan’s Covid-19 vaccination programme
Here’s the tentative timeline of Japan’s Covid-19 vaccination programme
When we can expect the coronavirus vaccines to be approved and how they’ll be distributed
Where to get a Covid-19 PCR test in Tokyo – from ¥1,900
Where to get a Covid-19 PCR test in Tokyo – from ¥1,900
These medical centres in Tokyo (and Osaka) offer affordable testing; some even issue certificates for international travel
Travelling under Covid-19: Getting from Narita and Haneda airports into Tokyo
Travelling under Covid-19: Getting from Narita and Haneda airports into Tokyo
Overseas arrivals are banned from taking public transport – but there are private cars, train packages and special buses
Japan updates its quarantine rules and extends entry restrictions
Japan updates its quarantine rules and extends entry restrictions
Travel restrictions will remain in place until March 7 following Japan’s state of emergency extension
The best of Tokyo, straight to your home
Watch this relaxing 8K aerial video on YouTube if you miss Japan
The amazing hour-long video of Japan takes you from Tokyo to Kyoto, Hakodate and more – and you'll see it all from above
Online courses about Japan you can attend for free
These English-language university-level courses cover everything from Japanese literature and history to architecture and business. Best of all, they’re...
TikTok’s favourite instant ramen hack will upgrade your two-minute noodles
TikTok’s favourite instant ramen hack will upgrade your two-minute noodles
All you need is Sapporo Ichiban ramen, garlic, an egg, Japanese mayonnaise and a willingness to experiment
Watch these performances of the Yamato taiko drummers for free on YouTube
Watch these performances of the Yamato taiko drummers for free on YouTube
Don’t miss these eight stunning taiko drum shows filmed in picturesque locations around Nara
7 Japanese words and concepts anyone can relate to
7 Japanese words and concepts anyone can relate to
Learn these common everyday terms from Japan – they will make your life easier and more fulfilling
You can now ride Japan’s most famous roller coasters online
You can now ride Japan’s most famous roller coasters online
Press play for an adrenaline rush
What to watch next
5 new Japanese films and shows coming to Netflix in May 2021
What you'll be watching this month: expect fantasy, a murder mystery, musings on the mortality of life, and more
Best Japanese movies and series with English subtitles on Netflix
Locally produced, binge-worthy titles to add to your watch list
The best documentaries about Japanese food
Learn about the history, flavours and techniques of Japanese cooking with Anthony Bourdain, David Chang, Niki Nakayama, Jiro Ono and more
7-Eleven Japan has released a new anime miniseries on YouTube
The surprisingly endearing video ads are a collaboration with the studio behind ‘Kimi no Na Wa’ ('Your Name')
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#DreamNowTravelLater: New issue on Japan travel inspiration out now
In this digital-only edition: discover Japan’s most beautiful places, glamping sites, road trips, novelty trains and more
Special issue out now: join the green revolution for a better future
Inside this digital-only edition: Tokyo goes green, Japanese ice cream flavours, botanical gardens, virtual museum tours and food documentaries
Time Out Tokyo magazine
Read the digital edition of Time Out Tokyo magazines for free – or download the PDF version for later
Escape the city
Where to see iconic Japanese scenery without leaving Greater Tokyo
Explore versions of Himeji Castle, Kyoto’s famous torii gate tunnel, a Japanese old town and more in and around Tokyo
Best day trips from Tokyo
Find some of Japan’s most beautiful temples, hiking trails and nature attractions no more than a few hours from Tokyo
JR East now offers half-price shinkansen tickets until September 2021
JR East now offers half-price shinkansen tickets until September 2021
Limited express and bullet train tickets from Tokyo to Akita, Aomori, Sendai and even Hakodate are now 50 percent off
Best nature escapes in Tokyo
Best nature escapes in Tokyo
Venture into the great outdoors without leaving Tokyo, from a bamboo forest and nature parks to lush river valleys and more
Best outdoor adventure parks near Tokyo
Best outdoor adventure parks near Tokyo
Get out and about – escape the city for these family-friendly adventure parks, playgrounds and outdoor attractions
Kanto vs Kansai: the food edition
Kanto vs Kansai: the food edition
The culinary differences between Tokyo and Osaka go beyond okonomiyaki and monjayaki – here are some of the big ones