Midsummer Night's Zoo

If you've ever wondered what happens to zoo animals once the sun goes down, you can find out in Ueno this month. Japan's oldest zoo usually closes its gates at 5pm, but for a few days each summer it extends its opening hours until 8pm, offering visitors a glimpse of the after-hours animal menagerie. There'll be a series of talks that are probably only accessible to Japanese speakers, but you can also watch critters get their evening meals, find out how the zoo prepares its food for animals, or simply kick back with some Tohoku microbrews in the terrace beer garden (last order 7.30pm).