Eager to find out what's trending in Tokyo right now? Checking out our monthly roundups of hot new openings will point you in the right direction, but every now and then it's also worth taking a step back and poring over some cold hard data.
We've crunched the numbers once again and now bring you a handy ranking of the 20 most viewed venue entries on our site in August. From restaurants and bars to local shops, parks and pools, they might help give you an idea of what both Tokyoites and tourists are buzzing about right now.
Let's look at rankings 20-11 first:
Charging up to number 14 from 31 last month is Harajuku spectacles shop Solakzade, a boutique home to a distinctive range of unused vintage and antique frames sourced from Japan and around the globe. The shop has a particularly broad selection of styles in its 10,000-frame trove, including a few shades that date back all the way to the 1800s. Not a cheap spot, but great fun to look around whenever you're in the area.
Another noteworthy top 20 entrant is Shin-Yoshiwara, the unique souvenir shop run by designer Yayoi Okano. Inspired by the impact Edo-Tokyo's legendary red-light district, its residents and regulars have had on modern Japanese culture, her sexy wares have earned Okano both a loyal local following and plenty of international attention.
As for the top 10:
Of the two newcomers to break into the top 10 this month, Shinjuku fish-it-yourself restaurant Zauo is perhaps the more surprising one: after all, this gimmicky but fun spot has been around – and in the headlines – for years. Apparently catching your own dinner and having it prepared right away is still a winning concept. Try it for yourself next time, but steer clear of the lobster – it doesn't quite merit its hefty price tag.
The biggest exclamation mark to come out of August's numbers was of course that we have a new number one. All hail Akihabara 'sex department store' M's, which, uh, knocked off undefeated champion Robot Restaurant to claim the top spot. If you're looking for a deep dive into Japan's ever-creative porn industry, you know where to go. Will M's manage to stay strong beyond the hot season? Look out for our next roundup in early October.