Tokyo and Surroundings

Search Through Our Articles

Must-See
The Latest
LIVE Report
Hot Deals
In-depth
How to

15 Must-Try Restaurants in Ikebukuro: From Aged Yakiniku to All-You-Can-Eat Sushi, Plus Adorable Animal Cafés

Ikebukuro Yakiniku

Located along the bustling JR Yamanote Line and connected to various subway routes, Ikebukuro is a vibrant Tokyo district renowned for its shopping malls and diverse stores. But it's not just about shopping – Ikebukuro offers a rich culinary scene too, with a variety of restaurants to explore. In this guide, we'll highlight 15 must-try restaurants in Ikebukuro, ranging from yakiniku shops to cozy cafés, ensuring you find the perfect spot for any occasion. Main image: LIVE JAPAN articles, kkday, Gurunavi (Top left: Yakiniku TORAJI, Bottom left: Tora Fugu Tei, Top right: Kushikamishu MONOGATARI, Bottom right: Happiness Pancake)

Where to Eat in Yokohama: 10 Must-Try Restaurants for Yakiniku, Izakayas, Unique Dining & More

Yokohama Yakiniku
6 Recommended Tokyo Hotels for Cherry Blossom Season in 2024

Ueno Hotels
Sakura Dreams: 5 Hotels Around Tokyo for an Unforgettable Cherry Blossom Season

Tokyo Station Hotels
Where to Eat in Shibuya: 14 Must-Try Restaurants for Yakiniku, Sushi, Izakayas, Cafes and More

Shibuya Yakiniku
Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival: Enjoy Early-Blooming Sakura in February Near Tokyo

Shizuoka Suburbs Spring
From Lakes to Hot Springs! 5 Must-Try Activities at Mount Fuji

Mt. Fuji Outdoor Activities

Best Things to Do in Tokyo in April 2024: Events, Festivals & More

Ryogoku / TOKYO SKYTREE(R) Spring

Spring brings a fresh start in Japan as April marks the beginning of the new academic and fiscal year. Packed with events, including cherry blossom festivals and traditional ceremonies, April culminates in the Golden Week holiday from April 27 to May 6. Enjoy indoor events celebrating sakura and gourmet fairs, alongside vibrant spring flowers like azaleas and tulips. Use this curated guide to fun events in Tokyo and its surroundings for April.

Step Into the Story: Inside Immersive Fort Tokyo

Odaiba Shows
Best Things to Do in Tokyo in January 2024: Events and Festivals – Kickstart the Year with Festive Fun!

Harajuku Winter
Azabudai Hills: Go Inside Japan's Tallest New Attraction - Blending Serenity with Cutting-Edge Trends

Roppongi Shopping Malls
Best Fukubukuro Lucky Bags to Buy in Japan in 2024! From Popular Chains to Luxury Department Stores

Shinjuku Department Stores
Best Things to Do in Tokyo in December 2023: Christmas Markets, Countdown Events, and More

Tokyo Station Winter
15 Fun Mount Fuji Tours to Enjoy Next Visit to Japan

Mt. Fuji Outdoor Activities

Learn the Art of Flower Arrangement at Ohara School of Ikebana

Harajuku Other Traditional Arts

Ikebana, flower arrangement, is one of Japan’s most treasured art forms, a time-honored tradition that continues to be relevant even in today’s modern society. Beautifully arranged flowers and plants have permeated Japanese culture in a way that is seldom found in others. The Ohara School of Ikebana has played a major part in keeping the tradition alive, through its many schools in Japan, as well as its 59 chapters abroad, with over 300,000 members worldwide. The beauty of the Ohara School is not only in its floral arrangements, but its ability to share the culture of ikebana with the world. I visited the Ohara Center of Tokyo to try an ikebana class to learn more about this traditional art form.

[MOVIE] DRUM TAO’S MANGEKYO – a Kaleidoscope of Taiko Drums

Shinagawa Shows
[MOVIE] Achieve Your Cosplay Dreams at Cosplay Studio Crown!

Akihabara Culture Experience
Stringraphy at Studio EVE: A Striking and Unique Musical Experience

Shibuya Other Contemporary Arts
[MOVIE] A Japanese Drum Experience at TAIKO-LAB

Shibuya Other Sightseeing
[MOVIE] Navigating Virtual Airspace with Skyart JAPAN

Shinagawa Adventure Activities

Top 15 Hakone Onsen Accommodations for a Comfortable and Blissful Stay

Hakone / Odawara Ryokan

Hakone Onsen is one of Japan's most well-known hot spring destinations, and it's just a short 80-minute ride from Shinjuku on the Odakyu Romancecar express train, making it easily accessible. Hakone has long been a favorite spot for travelers in Japan, offering not only the unique Hakone Ju-nana-yu (Hakone's Seventeen Hot Spring Sources) but also the changing beauty of each season, including cherry blossoms in spring, hydrangeas in summer, vibrant autumn foliage, and pristine winter snowscapes. LIVE JAPAN has handpicked 15 hot spring facilities in Hakone to enhance your journey, creating unique memories filled with soaking in hot springs, admiring picturesque landscapes, and savoring delicious cuisine! Image sources: Original and Booking.com (Hakone Lake Ashinoko Hanaori Ryokan / Hotel Green Plaza Hakone / Hakone Tent Onsen Ryokan / Rakuten STAY VILLA Hakone Sengokuhara)

4 Ryokan And Hotels In Asakusa Where You Can Enjoy A Japanese Atmosphere

Asakusa Hotels
Ryuuu TV's Unseen Adventure: Tokyo Skytree®'s Hidden Gems & Latest Foodie Finds in Asakusa & Oshiage!

Ryogoku / TOKYO SKYTREE(R) Downtown
Autumn Colors at Their Finest! 3 Select Hotels & Ryokan Near Tokyo With Stunning Fall Foliage Views

Hakone / Odawara Ryokan
5 Hotels Near Yokohama Stadium: Complete With Fun Party Plans & More

Minato Mirai 21 / China Town Hotels
Shinagawa Aquarium: All You Need to Know for a Fun Tokyo Trip (Recommendations & Photo Spots)

Shinagawa Other Sightseeing
Stay in Luxury Right by Tokyo - 4 All-Inclusive Hotel Plans in the Kanto Region!

Hakone / Odawara Hotels

Hakone Kinnotake Tonosawa: One of the Top Ryokan in Japan!

Hakone / Odawara Ryokan

Hakone stands out as a cherished getaway, showcasing the essence of Japan's natural beauty, ambiance, cultural richness, and culinary delights. Its fame, especially for the hot spring resorts, resonates with both locals and visitors, attributed to its convenient proximity to the urban core. A standout place to stay in Hakone is Kinnotake Tonosawa, nestled in the Tonosawa region close to Hakone-Yumoto Station. This tranquil inn offers a serene haven for those in search of a tranquil escape. In this piece, two experienced guides relay their personal reflections and insights from their stay at this hotel. The contributors are Chia-chi, a team member of Live Japan from Taiwan, who cherishes serene getaways from everyday hustle, and Miyu Shimada, a native of Japan, committed to exploring the globe throughout her life.

Matsuzakaya Honten: Inside the Gorgeous 360-Year-Old Hakone Ryokan Inn

Hakone / Odawara Ryokan
The 15 Best Luxury Hotels in Tokyo: Opulent Stays With Stunning Views

Tokyo Station Hotels
The Shizuoka Tea-Picking Experience: Learn All About Japan's Tea Culture

Shizuoka Suburbs Outdoor Activities
Experiencing ‘Kintsugi’: The Japanese Art of Mending Cracked Ceramics with Gold

Harajuku
7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson: An Insider’s Guide to Japan’s Three Giant Convenience Stores!

Asakusa
Kamakura Day Trip Ideas: Trainspotting and traveling along the quaint Enoden Railway!

Kamakura Other Townscapes

Enjoying Tokyo in Summer (June/July/August): Weather, Clothing for Adults & Kids, and Best Attractions

Tokyo Station Summer

After the cherry blossom-filled spring season ends, summer in Japan arrives with its blazing sun. Summer in Tokyo is not only intensely hot but also comes with the rainy season, typhoons, and frequent afternoon thunderstorms, making it a challenge for locals to decide what to wear. This time, we've invited Ms. Mentaiko, a Taiwanese resident in Tokyo for over ten years, to share insights on the weather in Tokyo during June, July, and August, along with tips on clothing and essentials to prepare. She'll also share her personal favorite spots, festival activities, and other tourist recommendations to answer all your major and minor queries about enjoying Tokyo during the summer holidays! ※首圖取自《明太子小姐生活旅遊日記》Facebook、IG