Things to do in Tokyo today

For over a decade, My Hero Academia has captivated fans worldwide with its gripping narrative, compelling characters and high-octane battles. Created by Kohei Horikoshi, the manga debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2014 and quickly became a cornerstone of modern shonen storytelling. Its success spawned a multimedia empire, including an anime adaptation by Studio Bones, multiple animated films, spin-off manga and an upcoming live-action adaptation. With the anime’s grand finale set to air in late 2025, Kohei Horikoshi’s ‘My Hero Academia Original Art Exhibition’ serves as both a celebration of and farewell to a franchise that has left an indelible mark on the world of anime and manga. The expansive exhibition, set to run from June 21 to August 31 at Creative Museum Tokyo, promises an in-depth look at the creative process behind the beloved series. Visitors will have access to original manga pages, concept art and exclusive materials from Horikoshi himself.

Studio Ghibli’s immersive sculpture exhibition is returning to Tokyo to captivate a new generation of fans. Featuring 3D recreations of iconic scenes from hit animated films such as Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle and Porco Rosso, the show is a new and improved version of Studio Ghibli’s first ever art exhibition, held in Tokyo back in 2003.  Running from May 27 to September 23 at Warehouse Terrada’s B&C and E halls in Tennozu, the exhibition will feature mock-ups of scenes such as Chihiro’s first crossing over the bridge into the bathhouse in Spirited Away, and the thrilling scene from Ponyo where the titular character rides the waves to catch up to Sosuke in the storm. The main highlight, however, is arguably the true-to-size mock up of Porco’s Savoia S-21 seaplane from Porco Rosso. When hunger strikes, head over to T-Lotus M, a waterfront event space adjacent to the exhibition venue, for some ham ramen inspired by a similar dish in Ponyo. Tickets can be purchased in combination with the Ghibli Museum or in conjunction with hotel accommodation plans. For more details and ticketing information, check the event website. (Japanese only)

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government No. 1 Building in Shinjuku serves as the backdrop for a jaw-dropping and record-breaking projection mapping show. Covering an area of a whopping 13,905sqm, the after-dark spectacle has been certified by Guinness World Records as the largest permanent display of its kind in the world. The nightly showcase features a range of visual wonders created by a mix of local and international artists. Some shows are inspired by Tokyo’s rich history, while others draw on themes like the lunar cycle.  Currently, on weeknights, you can catch striking visuals synchronised to ‘Idol’ and 'Butai ni tatte' by hit Japanese pop duo Yoasobi as well as ‘Pac-Man eats Tokyo’, ‘Lunar Cycle’, ‘Synergy’, ‘Poetic Structures’ and ‘Golden Fortune’. On weekends, you can look forward to a showcase featuring 'Godzilla: Attack on Tokyo!', the aforementioned ‘Butai ni tatte (Yoasobi)’ as well as ‘Tokyo Concerto’ and ‘TYO337’, a display featuring motifs of traditional Japanese performing arts such as Kabuki paired with electronic beats.  From April 26, ‘Tokyo Gundam in the Future’, a brand new projection mapping show featuring a Gundam with a newly reimagined Mobile Suit colour scheme, will begin on weekends and holidays every hour from 7pm (7.30pm from May 10). Be sure to check the event website for more details. Shows take place every night at half-hour intervals from 6.30pm (Apr from 7pm, May-Aug from 7.30pm) to 9.45pm. For more details and to check the full programme of...

If you’re curious about why city living looks like it does today, you’ll want to stop by the National Art Center by June 30. The Roppongi institution is hosting a landmark exhibition tracing the evolution of modern residential architecture and the visionary ideals that shaped the way we live in the 21st century.  Spanning over half a century of innovation, ‘Living Modernity’ presents 14 iconic homes from around the world, designed by luminaries such as Le Corbusier, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Alvar Aalto and Frank Gehry, each revealing aspects of how architects in the 1900s radically reimagined domestic life through form, function and comfort. Organised around seven themes, the show explores how modern housing responded to both global challenges and intimate, everyday needs. Visitors will encounter a rich assemblage of original drawings, models, photographs, furniture and household items. A highlight is the full-scale reconstruction of Mies van der Rohe’s unbuilt ‘Row House’ (1931), which offers an immersive experience into the German-born architect’s minimalist vision. Interactive displays and VR installations further deepen the engagement. ‘Living Modernity’ is a reflection on how architectural experimentation from a century ago continues to inform contemporary life. Through the groundbreaking homes on display, the exhibition invites us to reconsider what it really means to live well.

Step into the masterful world of Japan’s most celebrated woodblock print artist this spring at ‘Hokusai: Another Story’, held at Shibuya’s Tokyu Plaza. Utilising the latest in high-definition imaging, spatial audio and Sony’s state-of-the-art sensory technology, the exhibition promises to bring Hokusai’s iconic works to life. The main highlight of the exhibition is the vivid scenery of Hokusai's ‘Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji’, with ultra-high-definition visuals and Sony's Crystal LED displays recreating the intricate details of the work. Visualise, hear and feel the sensation of jumping on puddles or walking on dry sand, thanks in part to haptic floor technology developed by Sony PCL. Then, follow a path illuminated by bamboo lights to reach a room where you can browse master replicas of iconic ukiyo-e prints. Each replica is crafted using DTIP (3D Texture Image Processing) technology that scans every fibre of the traditional washi-paper originals to preserve the works digitally. This multisensory experience allows visitors to not only see, but truly feel, the world Hokusai depicted. Tickets must be purchased in advance through the event website.

One of Japan’s most influential and iconoclastic artists, Tadanori Yokoo has spent over six decades reshaping the boundaries of contemporary art. From his bold graphic designs in the 1960s to his later exploration of painting, photography and installation, the Hyogo native’s oeuvre makes for a kaleidoscopic journey across time, culture and personal mythology. His ever-evolving practice is marked by a restless spirit of experimentation and a refusal to settle on a single, ‘complete’ form of expression. This ongoing journey informs ‘Mikan: Myself, Incomplete’, on display at the Gucci Ginza Gallery until August 24. Offering a glimpse into Yokoo’s inner world, the show brings together around 20 works, including six previously unexhibited new pieces. Ranging from self-portraits to depictions of family, they’re all centred on the theme of incompleteness and the ongoing journey of artistic creation. Don’t miss the rooftop installation, a vivid reconstruction of Yokoo’s striking red scaffolding piece from Expo 1970, which sparked conversation for its bold representation of the unfinished. This collaboration with Gucci underscores the shared values of transformation, evolution and co-creation, inviting viewers to reflect on the beauty of the incomplete in both art and life.

Enjoy a late night stroll under an artificial Milky Way at Tokyo Tower’s main deck. As an alternative experience for astronomy enthusiasts, Tokyo Tower has recreated the Milky Way using 29,000 LED lights, so you can gaze up at the (artificial) stars in the middle of the city. Every 15 minutes, the blue LED lights that represent the starry sky turn pink and gold, while the Milky Way changes from white to a rainbow of seven colours. This special effect makes the Tokyo skyline look even more mesmerising, as if our beloved city is under a magical starry night. The event takes place from 9.00am until 11pm.

Looking for a weekend getaway to see hydrangeas in nature without leaving Tokyo proper? Check out the hydrangea festival at Wonderful Nature Village next to Tokyo Summerland, taking place from June 7 to July 6. Here you’ll find a sea of white hydrangeas blooming on the slopes of a hill. This section of the sprawling park alone features over 15,000 hydrangeas and they are expected to hit peak bloom around late June. Aside from the white Anabelle hydrangea, the park also cultivates beautiful blue hydrangeas Kurohime and Ezohoshino that are indigenous to Japan. These varieties will likely reach peak bloom between mid- and late June. While you’re there for these summer blooms, why not beat the heat with a refreshing splash at the nearby Tokyo Summerland? This super popular water park on the fringes of Tokyo boasts a large indoor pool for all weather conditions as well as a 650m-long outdoor pool with flowing water. (Note: advance tickets are required for Tokyo Summerland.) To get there, take the Keio line from Shinjuku to Keio Hachioji Station. From there, hop on a local bus and you'll reach Wonderful Nature Village in about 35 minutes. For more details, including other bus connections from Keio Hachioji and Akigawa stations, see the venue website (in Japanese only). The hydrangea festival takes place daily from 9am to 5pm.

Since its debut in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2001, Tite Kubo’s Bleach has conquered the hearts of manga fans the world over with its epic battles, intricate lore and unforgettable characters. Spanning a whopping 74 volumes and selling over 130 million copies globally, the series is a cultural powerhouse, further amplified by its long-running anime adaptation (2004–2012), four feature films and, now, the climactic Thousand-Year Blood War arc, which began airing in 2022.  This summer, fans can immerse themselves in the world of Bleach at Tembo Park Sunshine 60 Observatory in Ikebukuro: ‘Bleach: The Locus of the Brave II’ showcases Tite Kubo’s latest artwork, rare production materials from the anime, and behind-the-scenes insights into visuals such as the ‘Bleach 20th’ promotional video and the special ‘Oldrose’ music video.  You’ll get to explore interactive zones, including an installation highlighting the names of ‘soul-cutting’ swords (zanpakuto), a ‘black coffin’ incantation experience, and themed photo spots. Exclusive merchandise and a themed café menu featuring characters such as Ichigo, Rukia and Byakuya complete what looks like a must-visit show for Bleach enthusiasts.

A veritable who’s who of ukiyo-e, the Ueno Royal Museum’s early-summer showcase shines the spotlight on the form’s most celebrated artists. Running until July 6, the exhibition features approximately 140 works, offering an extraordinary opportunity to explore the golden age of Japanese woodblock printing through its most iconic figures. The show presents a rare assembly of masterworks from five legendary artists who shaped the ukiyo-e tradition across diverse genres. Kitagawa Utamaro’s graceful and sensual portraits of women from the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters evoke the refined elegance of Edo’s vibrant nightlife, while Toshusai Sharaku’s dynamic and enigmatic actor portraits, produced over a brief yet prolific period, remain some of the most striking works in Japanese art. Meanwhile, Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji master Katsushika Hokusai reveals the boundless imagination that eventually earned him global fame. Utagawa Hiroshige’s poetic landscapes, with their rain-soaked streets and moonlit scenes, transport viewers through Edo’s seasons, while Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s bold, humorous warrior prints showcase his innovative spirit and visual wit.