The slow, steady beats of the taiko drum hang in the air as a lone actor poses midstage. He is clad in an elaborate, kimono-like outfit with long hair flowing over his... Read more »
What Are Fukubukuro? The countdown to the new year is almost upon us, and with it — lucky bag shopping season. Fukubukuro are a yearly retail tradition. Combining the kanji for fuku... Read more »
If you’re planning to travel between Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kanazawa, you have the option of both the JR Pass and the Hokuriku Arch Pass. Both passes offer unlimited travel, but their... Read more »
Let’s face it. Gift Giving is hard. In a city as sprawling as Tokyo, it’s hard to know which area to start in to find the perfect Christmas gift. If you’re tasked... Read more »
Photo Credit: SuikaArt Late nights scrolling through Mercari, I prayed for the off chance I had missed a listing or two. I spent hours methodically thumbing through racks of badges and buttons... Read more »
As much as Tokyoites love dressing up and sparkly in-store decorations, December 25th is far from the festive norm that many international residents might have been used to. 2016 was the first time... Read more »
Planning a trip around Tohoku, Kanto, and Hokkaido? The region includes many of the country’s top destinations, including Tokyo, Nikko, and Fukushima, which are easily accessible by train. To get the most... Read more »
When winter arrives in Tokyo and the night air grows cold enough to see our breaths, there’s something special about warming up next to a real fireplace. While the city is packed... Read more »
This is a sponsored story, created and edited exclusively by Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Tokyo Updates website. Tatsumasa Murasame grew up in a small town in Sweden, where his fascination with Japan and... Read more »
As newest Metroid game hits store shelves, Nintendo celebrates with cool and clever merch line. December 4 was a happy day for Metroid fans, and in more ways than one. Not only... Read more »