Get into the Christmas spirit with some retail therapy, elaborate cakes and more
Your ultimate guide to Tokyo
Explore the best of Tokyo and Japanese culture
Get into the Christmas spirit with some retail therapy, elaborate cakes and more
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Things to do in Tokyo
The latest Tokyo news
There are vending machines in Shibuya selling fancy Christmas gifts
Need a last-minute present? Buy canned cakes, fresh flowers and watches from these 24-hour machines in Shibuya Mark City
Two Tokyo bars made the World’s 50 Best Bars 2021 list
Despite alcohol restrictions in Tokyo for much of the year, The SG Club and Bar Benfiddich still found the spotlight
Tokyo plans to recognise same-sex partnerships by 2023
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike announced a plan to implement a partnership system by April 2023 at the latest
teamLab is taking over Kairakuen Garden in Ibaraki from February to March 2022
The Japanese garden in Ibaraki prefecture will host a two-month-long outdoor digital art exhibition by teamLab
Take a free bus tour to the incredible Disaster Prevention Underground Temple in Saitama
Thanks to this temporary shuttle bus, it’s easier than ever to explore the otherworldly public storm drain
How Tokyo triumphed in 2021
The year has been a rough one, but the city came through with brand new openings, a successful Olympic Games and more
Tokyo now has three ramen restaurants with a Michelin star
They are super affordable, too, with a bowl of top-rated noodles costing around ¥1,000
The Ghibli Museum is seeking donations from fans around the world
As a thank you, you’ll receive a special card with an illustration by Studio Ghibli founder Hayao Miyazaki
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Christmas in Tokyo
With KFC fried chicken buckets, strawberry shortcakes and romantic dinner dates – not necessarily in that order
Ditch the department stores and head to these Christmas markets for gift shopping and festive food
18 best Christmas trees in Tokyo
18 best Christmas trees in Tokyo
Tokyo's Christmas trees range from traditional installations to themed displays – here are our top picks
20 magical Christmas events in Tokyo
20 magical Christmas events in Tokyo
Make the most of the Christmas season with these festive markets, light displays, sales and events around Tokyo
Where to have a special Christmas dinner in Tokyo
Where to have a special Christmas dinner in Tokyo
Celebrate Christmas in style with a luxurious dinner at one of these Tokyo hotels and restaurants
17 Christmas cakes in Tokyo to book right now
17 Christmas cakes in Tokyo to book right now
Matcha yule logs, chocolate ganache and other seasonal creations that are perfect for your holiday table
Japan travel inspo
Warm up as well as rejuvenate your body and mind at these scenic hot spring resorts, easily accessible from Tokyo
9 most beautiful winter destinations in Japan
9 most beautiful winter destinations in Japan
From snowy mountains to a white onsen town, there are plenty of places to make the most of the chilly season
Japan's 6 most underrated prefectures – and why you should visit
Japan's 6 most underrated prefectures – and why you should visit
Travel off the beaten track to these storybook villages, Edo-era towns with geisha (not Kyoto!) and seaside retreats
10 stunning places in Japan that don’t look like Japan
10 stunning places in Japan that don’t look like Japan
Forget Zen gardens – these attractions make you feel like you’re in Egypt, Bali, Greece and more, all without leaving Japan
Best things to do at the Hello Kitty island resort
Best things to do at the Hello Kitty island resort
Awaji Island in Hyogo has a resort dedicated to Sanrio’s famous feline, with art exhibits, themed hotel rooms and more
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
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Content from our partners
5 things to do at Yamaha Ginza
Experience the world of music across 14 floors at Yamaha’s flagship store in Ginza
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5 LGBTQ+ friendly hotels and tours for your next trip to Osaka
These unique experiences – from a night river cruise to a hotel designed by Tadao Ando – are the most welcoming in Osaka
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Watch this empowering discussion about women in filmmaking
Discover Beauty Symposium is a conversation about women in film, from Japan to Hollywood – and it’s free to watch
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5 videos to watch on the Theatre for All streaming service
Plays, movies and documentaries on this accessible streaming service are available with subtitles, audio description and more
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Covid-19 updates
Japan may reduce quarantine to three days for vaccinated business travellers
Reduced from the current ten days, the new Covid-19 quarantine rule could go into effect from Monday
Japan’s vaccine passport: what it is, where you can use it, how to apply for one
Everything you need to know about Japan’s Covid-19 vaccine passport – including how to apply for your vaccine passport
How to get your Covid-19 vaccine in Japan
What to do and where to go to receive your free coronavirus vaccine
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
The best of Tokyo, straight to your home
These monthly boxes are delivered direct from Japan, filled with popular Japanese snacks, stationery, makeup and more
The amazing hour-long video of Japan takes you from Tokyo to Kyoto, Hakodate and more – and you'll see it all from above
Learn these 7 useful Japanese slang words for your everyday conversation
Learn these 7 useful Japanese slang words for your everyday conversation
These popular words and phrases will get you through any conversation with the younger crowds
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
Online courses about Japan you can attend for free
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...
6 best manga for learning Japanese
6 best manga for learning Japanese
These comics make for an easy and engaging read to boost your Japanese language skills
What to watch next
5 new Japanese movies and series coming to Netflix in December 2021
New seasons of The Promised Neverland and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, plus film festival favourites
5 best Japanese films and series that are like Squid Game
Some of these Japanese shows about high-stakes survival games inspired the hit Korean Netflix series
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
Best Japanese movies and series with English subtitles on Netflix
Locally produced, binge-worthy titles to add to your watch list
Get our mags and maps for free
Summer 2021 issue: 50 reasons why Tokyo is the greatest city on Earth
Also in this issue of Time Out Tokyo magazine: Olympic venues in Tokyo, public art, top bakeries, and more
Time Out Tokyo magazine
Read the digital edition of Time Out Tokyo magazines for free – or download the PDF version for later
#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
Escape the city
Step away from the concrete jungle this summer to see these exotic islands that are still part of Tokyo
Explore versions of Himeji Castle, Kyoto’s famous torii gate tunnel, a Japanese old town and more in and around Tokyo
JR East now offers half-price shinkansen tickets until December 2021
JR East now offers half-price shinkansen tickets until December 2021
Limited express and bullet train tickets from Tokyo to Akita, Aomori, Sendai and even Hakodate are now 50 percent off
Best day trips from 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
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
9 best glamping getaways near 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
Explore Saitama
See the best of Saitama through these 5 travel videos
Enjoy the prefecture’s famous fireworks, go on a river cruise, visit a 360-year-old festival, and more
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10 things you must do in Saitama
The best experiences Saitama has to offer, including river rafting, a traditional sento bathhouse, an anime hotel and more
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10 places to eat in Saitama
You’ll find izakaya serving pork skewers, an old-fashioned 24-hour coffee shop, a Scottish pub selling local whisky and more
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10 best spots for souvenir shopping in Saitama
These shops, cafés and attractions offer local mementos, gifts and food that you won't find anywhere else
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