10 things to do in Japan this November

Incorporating an upcycled Thunderbird train carriage perched on top of an abandoned elevated railway line, Future Train is part mind-bending art space, part eatery dedicated to Kyoto-inspired dishes.

The largest arts festival in Japan is underway in Nagoya and Seto, turning the cities into an arena for discoveries in cutting-edge contemporary art and performing arts. The Aichi Triennale features contributions from a globe-spanning cast of 62 artists and collectives.

Kazutaka Saka’s dizzying and bizarre collection of paraphernalia from decades past – think everything from cameras and vintage mags to syringes and booze – fills the entirety of this biscuit factory turned private museum in Sapporo.

A Zen sanctuary dating back to around 1450, Hotokuji in Gunma prefecture is now most famed for its ‘floor maples’ – the reflection of brilliant red momiji leaves on the temple’s polished floors at the end of autumn. Go at night for the spectacular light-up.

This Shinjuku club is open nightly and is the place to go for genres such as reggae and dub. Open provides an electric atmosphere and has a huge sound system that’s more than capable of kicking out a good level of bass.

Two-Michelin-starred restaurant Florilège makes its first foray into the capital’s bar scene with Sodden Frog, where house-made ingredients from fresh herbs and veggies to fruit-infused spirits meet ultra-elevated bar bites.

One of international art collective teamLab’s largest permanent museums in Japan opened in Kyoto on October 7. It features more than 50 artworks, including ‘Massless Amorphous Sculpture’, a piece that’s never been exhibited in Japan before.

The world’s first permanent store dedicated to JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is much more than a gift shop, with the only-here merch complemented by a themed café and quirky interactive experiences.

Fashion house CFCL, ‘select shop’ granddaddy Beams’s Cultuart and a plethora of other on-trend shops, eateries and cultural spaces occupy Tokyo’s premier yen-spending destination of 2025, which is set to get even bigger in spring 2026.

Osaka’s latest luxury hotel occupies the upper levels of the glistening Grand Green Osaka multipurpose complex. Art Deco opulence and Japanese touches combine tastefully in the contemporary interiors.