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Often beautiful and delicate, always delectable, Japanese confectionery, called wagashi, have a knack for lifting your spirits as well as satisfying your sweet tooth — and they’re perfect paired with a day…
By Helen A. Langford-Matsui
The world’s second tallest man-made structure, Tokyo Skytree, dominates the Oshiage neighborhood. But take the time to wander around and you’ll be rewarded with some lovely hidden gems and beautiful hanami season…
By Stephan Jarvis
Architecture in Japan, and Tokyo architecture in particular, has always been shaped by an intersection of constraints. Earthquakes, typhoons, floods, lack of space, and potential longevity, are all major concerns that must be…
By Cole Lubchenko
Danish-French Impressionist Camille Pissarro once wrote, “Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.” I often think of this when I meet up with Vaughan…
By Paul McInnes
As we enter the second month of 2021, Japan’s second largest city is having second thoughts about all the things it had planned for February. Due to the ongoing state of emergency,…
By Cezary Jan Strusiewicz
The Tokyo Metropolitan area’s state of emergency may have affected day to day proceedings in the capital. In Ginza, however, some upcoming events are slated to run through the emergency’s current end…
By David McElhinney
While another state of emergency means that many large events are canceled or postponed, Odaiba still has quite a bit going on in the next few months. From giant glowing digital trees…
2020 should have been a celebratory year for Ariake, one of the islands of reclaimed land that lay within Tokyo Bay. Alas, the global Covid-19 situation and subsequent cancelation-postponement of the Olympics and…
The name Ikebukuro no doubt conjures up many images in the mind of Tokyoites. The big and brash area at the northern tip of the Yamanote loop line has a reputation as a…
By James Krick
This is a two-part article covering Kamata’s shitamachi roots and recent evolution into a multi-ethnic haven. Part II will be published on November 19. Tokyo’s shitamachi neighborhoods are fun, lively places to visit.…
By Vicki L. Beyer
Developed along the outer moat of Edo Castle, Kagurazaka has a long history as an Edo Period geisha district and a popular entertainment hub. These days, the neighborhood is an exquisite blend…
Slotting in between Tamachi and Shinagawa, the Takanawa area is set to see a lot of development in the coming years as plans for its transformation into a hub for global business…
Never settle for mediocre coffee. It may be harder to get that perfectly crafted caffeine hug in a mug when you’re traveling to new places, but life’s too short to drink bad…
By Zoria Petkoska
Joining the city makeover with giants like Shibuya Stream and Scramble Square, the new-and-improved Miyashita Park is not just your average shopping mall – it’s a dazzling, architectural masterpiece that harmoniously blends…
By Candice Buckle
Bordered by the Arakawa and Sumida rivers, Kita-Senju has long been a popular stepping off point from which to view the spectacular Adachi Fireworks Festival. Despite the cancellation of the 2020 and…
Located only a short train ride away from Tokyo-Haneda airport, the residential and commercial area of Kawasaki is a local favorite for anybody that lives along the JR Keihin-Tohoku and Tokaido lines…
By Lisandra Moor
Look through city guide books, TV shows and even friends’ lists of recommendations, and you’ll notice: eastern Tokyo’s Koto City – particularly the neighborhood of Kiyosumi – never seems to get the…
By Dan Buyanovsky
Unlike the 100 Soundscapes of Japan, or The 100 Famous Japanese Mountains, visiting each of The 100 Views of Setagaya can be achieved relatively easily. It is a rather eclectic list that…
