Tokyo and Surroundings

Cooperation in efforts against COVID-19 (Transportation Operators)
Understanding Japan's Go To Travel Campaign in English: How to Save Up to 50% OFF!
Go To Eat Campaign in English: A Complete Guide for Foreign Residents in Japan
What's Shibuya in Tokyo like? Best spots for sights, sounds, and shopping!
Top 30 Spots in Tokyo's Ikebukuro: From Dining to Sightseeing, Introducing the Place That Has it All
32 Things to Do in Ueno Tokyo: Must-see Spots for Sightseeing, Shopping, and Fun!

Business hours for facilities may be affected by COVID-19. Shop websites may not be updated with the latest information, so please use caution when visiting.

'The Way They Cook Octopus Balls...' Things That Shocked Tourists About Japanese Festivals

Tokyo Station

A special feature of summer in Japan are festivals (omatsuri). In recent years you can find more foreigners visiting large scale festivals held around the country and local festivals held at temples and shrines. It is a perfect place to feel and experience Japanese culture. We asked foreigners living in Japan what surprised them in Japanese summer festivals. Growing up in Japan, summer festivals are the norm, but to tourists, they're full of surprises. (The following are personal opinions of people who reviewed our interview.)

Dream Guide to Tokyo’s Top 10 Super Fluffy Pancake Shops

Harajuku Other Cafes and Sweets
'Soak' in 1.2 Million Sakura Petals?! Top 3 Gourmet Events to Enjoy During Tokyo 2020 Cherry Blossom Season

Shibuya
Ask A Mt. Fuji Guide: Things Travelers Often Forget When Climbing Mt. Fuji

Mt. Fuji
Tokyo Events in February & March 2019: Can't-Miss Events, Expos and More!

Asakusa Winter
Daiso 100 Yen Haul: Top 5 Crazy Quality Japanese Stationery on a Budget!

Tokyo's Surrounding Areas 100 Yen Shops
Japanese Souvenir Jackets: Where To Buy Classy Sukajan Jackets in Tokyo!

Ueno Clothing Stores

Daiso, Japan’s Famous 100-Yen Store: Top 7 Fancy Souvenirs on a Budget!

Tokyo Station 100 Yen Shops

Whether it’s for souvenirs or gifts, you’ll definitely be going shopping in Japan. However, you might be worried about overspending, but still want to get some really nice things. That’s where Daiso comes in. Daiso is one of Japan’s most successful and popular hundred-yen stores – the equivalent of a dollar store, but better! Founded in 1977, the company has since grown to 3,376 stores nationwide, as well as a number of branches around the world, bringing the total to 5,542 worldwide. Now, although 100-yen items take the spotlight, Daiso has increased its product line to include a range of products at slightly increased prices in multiples of one hundred. Daiso is incredibly popular among tourists, thanks in part to their attractive prices and large variety of products, which includes kitchenware, snacks, calligraphy sets, and more. It’s almost too easy to swing by and grab a bunch of fantastic souvenirs and gifts for just a few coins, making it one of the best places to do cheap shopping in Japan. What might surprise you, however, is that they offer a large number of elegant, quality items that nobody would guess only cost a hundred or so yen. We went hunting for the fanciest items, and were surprised by what we found! We’ve started at the usual 100 yen, but to get really fancy you’ll have to loosen the purse strings a little and part ways with as much as 500 yen (gasp!)

Inside 'Nazuki' - Tokyo Tsukiji's Newest Seafood Restaurant! Traditional Cuisine Meets Cutting-Edge Technology

Tsukiji Other Japanese Food
Can You Still Call This A Pancake?! Top 3 Thick and Fluffy Pancake Spots in Tokyo

Ginza Other Cafes and Sweets
Cool Japan Souvenirs: 10 Reasons You’ll Want a Japanese Furoshiki Wrap!

Tokyo Station Other Shopping
Japanese Housewife Shares Her 9 Favorite Cooking Shortcuts

Harajuku Other Restaurants
These Are Japan’s Top 30 Best-Selling Beauty Products (And Where to Find Them!)

Shibuya
What Japanese Really Get At The Supermarket: Japan’s Top 10 Quirky Local Drinks!

Shibuya Grocery Stores

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] Navigating Virtual Airspace with Skyart JAPAN

Shinagawa Adventure Activities
[MOVIE] A Japanese Drum Experience at TAIKO-LAB

Shibuya Other Sightseeing
[MOVIE] Achieve Your Cosplay Dreams at Cosplay Studio Crown!

Akihabara Culture Experience
Say Hello to Kitty and Friends at Tokyo’s Cutest Train Station!

Tokyo's Surrounding Areas Pop Culture
Stringraphy at Studio EVE: A Striking and Unique Musical Experience

Shibuya Other Contemporary Arts
[MOVIE] DRUM TAO’S MANGEKYO – a Kaleidoscope of Taiko Drums

Shinagawa Shows

Shibamata: Snacking and Sightseeing in Tokyo’s Old Edo Neighborhood

Shibamata / Kita-Senju / Kameari Old Towns (Shitamachi)

Among Tokyoites, Shibamata is known as the city’s most nostalgic neighborhood, a place with a warm atmosphere that lets you forget the hustle and bustle of the metropolis for a while. It’s a “shitamachi,” one of Tokyo’s old towns that still bear a close resemblance to Edo, one that has a special place in the heart of many a Japanese person. The long-running TV film series “Otoko wa Tsurai Yo,” or it’s tough being a man, was filmed here as the main protagonist’s much-beloved home. The center of the neighborhood is dominated by the magnificent Shibamata Taishakuten, a Buddhist temple founded in 1629. Beautiful sculptures and a calm Japanese garden invite to a leisurely sightseeing stroll. The approach to the temple is a scenic street – a lot livelier than the tranquil temple - dotted with numerous shops, stalls, and restaurants, selling delicacies typical for the area such as una-ju (eel on rice in a lacquered box), kusa dango (mugwort dumplings), and senbei (rice crackers). Located in Tokyo’s northeast, Shibamata is a mere 30-minute train ride away from popular Asakusa, offering an entirely different taste of Tokyo’s old days.

Hugely Popular with Foreign Tourists in Tokyo! Check Out These 9 Popular Japanese Souvenirs for Summer 2018

Tokyo Station Other Shopping
How to Choose Your 2020 Tokyo Hotel: Top 5 Neighborhoods Recommended by International Residents

Shimokitazawa Other Townscapes
Your Japan Adventure Continues At The Airport: The Ultimate Guide to Shopping and Dining at Haneda Airport!

Haneda Other Restaurants
Japanese Coins - Making the Most of Your Trip Without Wasting Any Yen

Tokyo Station
Solo Traveling: Enjoying a Tasty Night Out in Tokyo!

Shinjuku Other Japanese Food
Tokyo's Top 5 Popular Shopping Spots - Plus Why Foreign Tourists Flock to Shibuya, Japan's Fashion Capital!

Shibuya Department Stores

Beyond the Guidebook - 5 Expats Share Their Favorite Secret Spots in Tokyo!

Tokyo Station Other Townscapes

Tokyo endlessly remains a mysterious city even for those who have lived here their entire lives. Every crevice seems to hold a hidden treasure, some that aren’t marked by a sign or even show up on Google Maps. From timeless local bars to hip new hangout spots, eateries, and nightlife, we asked five Tokyo expats to share their favorite places around Tokyo that are often missed in guidebooks and visitor recommendations!

Tokyo Trouble: What to Do When You Miss the Last Train

Shibuya
30 Cool & Quirky Things to Do in Shibuya, Tokyo’s Iconic Area!

Shibuya Downtown
Tokyo Outdoors: Relax at Todoroki Keikoku Ravine, a Nature-Lover's Paradise

Jiyugaoka Rivers, Lakes & Canyons
Even Japanese People Don’t Know That?! 11 Secrets About Mt. Fuji, the Symbol of Japan

Mt. Fuji Forests & Mountains
Asakusa Dining Guide: 3 must-try soba shops in Asakusa!

Asakusa Udon & Soba
Welcome to Tokyo's Trendiest Street! Top 6 Recommendations in Shimokitazawa for 2020

Tokyo's Surrounding Areas Other Townscapes

Instagram Evergreen: Japan’s Top 10 World Heritage Sites and National Treasures!

Shinjuku Cultural Heritage Sites

Japan is an increasingly popular tourist destination for visitors from all over the world. In fact, by 2020, the country is aiming for 40 million tourists! The country offers more beautiful landmarks than one could visit in a lifetime, as well as culture, tradition, innovation, great food, and entertainment. Japan is also home to a number of National Treasures and globally recognized UNESCO World Heritage Sites scattered all over its territory. These locations are gorgeous, and are all worth visiting. But time is always running against you when you're visiting Japan, and it can be tough to choose what to add to your itinerary. So to help you make your choice, we compiled a list of the most popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan, according to number of photos on Instagram, as well as the top 10 National Treasures!