Looking to stay on the cutting edge of food, drink and shopping trends in Tokyo? Sure, keeping track of all the new restaurants, bars, shops and stands opening across the city every month can feel exhausting and almost hopeless – but that's where we come in. Sparing you the trouble of wading through long lists of shiny promotional pics and hollow praise, we've again compiled a handy list of the top five spots to start business this month. Check out our editorial team's picks below, and make sure to leave a comment if you think we missed something.
1) Edit Tokyo
The Shimokita-based B&B (that's book and beer; not bed & breakfast) bookshop is branching out to Ginza for five months, with temporary store Edit Tokyo taking over the sixth floor of Ginza's Sony Building until late March 2017. You'll find a corner with selected books on the theme of Tokyo, plus items you simply need for daily life in Tokyo on display and for sale.
Spending a day in Ryogoku is set to become even more of a necessity for tourists, as the neighbourhood that already houses the Edo-Tokyo Museum and the Kokugikan will see the opening of a museum dedicated entirely to Edo-era Sumida's most famous son – ukiyo-e superstar Katsushika Hokusai. In addition to viewing displays of the woodblock print wizard's countless masterpieces, you'll get to learn about Hokusai the man, his life in Sumida and what the city looked like between 1760, when Hokusai was born in Katsushika, and 1849, when he died and was buried at Seikyoji Temple in Asakusa.
3) Panda Express Lazona Kawasaki
Americans can rejoice: yet another nostalgic chain has managed to cram itself onto Japan's shores. This time it's Panda Express, the Chinese-American behemoth that's been going strong for nearly three and a half decades and currently operates over 1,900 outposts across the world. For this Japan invasion, they're setting up shop in Kawasaki's Lazona shopping complex – the relative proximity to the American military bases probably has something to do with the choice.
A curious combo that pairs a newly constructed, massive glass-and-steel skyscraper with the carefully renovated, historical Meidi-ya Kyobashi building, Edogrand is supposed to feature plenty of open spaces both indoors and outdoors, giving this soon-to-be Kyobashi landmark a vaguely futuristic feel. Directly connected to the Ginza line station underneath and just a quick stroll from Tokyo Station, the complex will host pâtissier Toshi Yoroizuka's new flagship store, along with dozens of other retail and restaurant outlets.
5) Pavilion
One of the many restaurants and shops set to open under the railway tracks at Nakameguro Station, the much-hyped Pavilion will occupy a flashy space designed by dynamic contemporary artist duo Kohei Nawa and Tatzu Nishi. During lunchtime, the takeout-only offerings are set to range from Indian curry to sandwiches, while the dinner menu will centre on oven-baked meat, artistic salads and creative desserts.
Catching up? Check out the hottest openings in October here