Tag: Tokyo

‘Emergent Tokyo’: What Makes Japan’s Capital so Alluring?

Twilight was coming on as I walked through the narrow alleyways of Shibuya’s diminutive Nonbei Yokocho neighborhood. Despite over a decade of visiting Shibuya for the usual carousing and shopping, I’d somehow missed the yokocho‘s existence; something that has only become easie...

Tokyo Street Art Kills Me 2022

Introduction For over a decade I have been taking street, candid and other pictures I have stumbled upon during my commute and other adventures and misadventures from my home in West Tokyo to my work in The Big Sushi, as I like to call it. (See link to Tokyo Kills Me Archive, below.) In that t...

Tokyo 2020 Olympics | The Establishment of the Jamaican Queens to Global Olympic Dominance

Historically, Jamaican Athletics’ Teams have been dominated by their boys’ influence more than their female counterparts. Despite the girls also bringing in a number of top medals over the years it is the boys that have always attracted global headlines and attention. You talk of the ico...

Must-Visit Bookstores and Nearby Cafes in Tokyo

This bookstore is an artfully designed complex that also includes cafés, lounges, and a bakery. No need to go on a café hunt. Hooray! The bookstore itself is a beautiful space for both casual readers and serious collectors. I found the English section to be quite impressive and o...

Lonely in Tokyo

In1977, as a bullet train rolled into a Tokyo station, conductors found a 70 year-old man dead in his seat. A post-mortem showed he had been there for some time, unnoticed and undisturbed by passengers and staff. Trapped in a bizarre, worldly purgatory, endlessly ferried from one bland municipal sta...

3 Clubs in TOKYO to pick up girls

If you are single and visiting Tokyo, you are probably hoping to get lucky with a cute girl while you are here. In fact, hitting on Japanese girls can be easy for most foreigners as there is a decent number of Japanese girls that are automatically attracted to foreigners. However, on the other hand,...

Tokyo Travel — dining at Ameyoko’s night izakayas

One of the most authentic experiences of modern Japanese culture is visiting an izakaya! Originally known primarily for their alcohol services (much like a pub), izakayas have since become places where people can hang out and enjoy delicious finger foods and even full-course meals as preferred!...

Uncovering Hidden Gems: Your Ultimate Food Guide to the Best Places to Eat in Tokyo

It’s no secret that Tokyo is one of the best places to eat, especially if you’re a food lover planning an upcoming trip to Japan. In the heart of Tokyo, around Tokyo Station, you’ll find some of the best Tokyo restaurants serving delectable local food that is central to Japanese cu...

Think: Crafting Artisanal Delights in a Timeless Tokyo SettingThink: Crafting Artisanal Delights in a Timeless Tokyo Setting

On April 1, 2023, in the heart of Tokyo’s Taito Ward, a 80-year-old traditional Japanese house was given new life as a multifaceted establishment named “Ueno Sakuragi Area.” Nestled within this revitalized space is “Think,” a bakery and patisserie led by two accomplishe...

Tokyo Gamers’ Gather with Meta Merge

Welcome to Tokyo Gamers’ Gather, an exclusive event that unites Web3 gamers for an immersive exploration of the next gaming frontier. Join us for an intimate gathering where you can connect with like-minded individuals, interact with the team behind the scenes, and engage in face-to-face gamep...

Tokyo Snapshooting Kills Me I

As mentioned in an earlier post, after nearly a year of rising to the Monthly Challenge posted here on Full Frame by  Rodrigo S-C  I’ve decided to take some of the prompts and extend them or, as in this case, extend and combine them in ways in which fit — or challenge &md...

Transforming Tokyo: Pioneering Redevelopment of Azabudai Hills

The Azabudai Hills complex, the latest addition to the illustrious Hills series, is a game-changer for Tokyo. Occupying 81,000 square meters and featuring Japan’s tallest building at 330 meters, it contrasts starkly with the area’s previous landscape of old houses and apartment...

Best days and times to go Clubbing in Tokyo

What days should I go clubbing? The best nights to go out for a party are Friday and Saturday (as well as days before national holidays) .These are the days where you will find the most people going out and you will probably walk into a crowd in most clubs in Tokyo even after midnight. Ho...

Traveler’s Must-Visit: Tokyo Ramen Shops Favored by Locals

If you’re a fan of ramen, then a visit to Tokyo is a must. The city boasts a diverse and rich ramen scene that has drawn the attention of food enthusiasts from around the globe. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, experiencing Tokyo’s best ramen shops is an ...

Tokyo Metro — The Underground Mysteries: Meet the Pass and the Future of the Series

NEWS FLASH: Tokyo Metro–The Underground Mysteries is back! This beloved annual affair which has attracted over 380,000 participants since 2014 was unfortunately forced to a stop in 2020 due to COVID-19. But we bring good news–the wait is finally over. Now, in 2023, when the pandemic ...

The Soul of a City: Inside the Tokyo Marathon

The streets of Tokyo pulsate with restless energy. Neon lights flash, crowds bustle, and bullet trains slice through the cityscape. Yet, within this frenetic metropolis, there is order and ritual. When the starting gun fires for the Tokyo Marathon, the city shifts to spectator mode. Shopkeepers, sal...

4 Best Hidden Bars in Tokyo

The atmosphere is very casual and you can enjoy conversations with your friends. There are 7 tables, making this a great bar to visit for groups of 3 ~4 people. The bar is no-smoking but don’t worry smokers, there is a smoking room adjacent to the bar so you can keep your group of smoking and ...

Returning to Tokyo As a Tourist

When the plane touched down in Tokyo, it was a surreal moment. This wasn’t just any city; it was home for six transformative years of my life. Yet, as I stepped out, I was no longer a resident but a visitor, in the rabble of other visitors and first-time JETs talking about burgers and Roppongi...

Discovering the Charm of Yoyogi Park: A Tokyo Oasis

Tokyo, known for its towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, also harbors serene oases that offer a tranquil escape from urban life. One such gem is Yoyogi Park, a sprawling green haven nestled in the city’s heart. This article delves into the allure of Yoyogi Park, answering key ...

Tokyo subway’s humble duct-tape typographer

Tokyo’s cavernous train stations seem to be permanent construction zones. There is always some part or another shrouded in white sheets and skirted by a maze of endlessly shifting temporary paths. Walk the bowels of these stations long enough and you may come across Shuetsu Sato 佐藤修悦. ...

Visiting TOKYO — If I were You …

If I had one night to enjoy Tokyo, would go for the posh yet cozy Trunk hotel in a happening corner of Shibuya. The fun crowd, especially the Web3 crowd, often congregate in the lobby of it. Trunk Hotel. On the budget end, for a cheap and distinctive place to stay in Tokyo, this place is gre...

The Ultimate Tokyo Adventure: 10 Must-Do Activities

Tokyo, Japan’s vibrant and dynamic capital, is a city that effortlessly blends ancient traditions with futuristic technology. From serene temples to bustling markets and quirky pop culture, Tokyo offers an unparalleled experience. Join us as we uncover the top 10 things to do in this mesmerizi...

Where’s the Best Place to Live in Tokyo? Find the Answers from 300 Tokyo Locals

Dreaming of moving to Tokyo someday? Or are you already living in the big city and thinking about a change of scenery? After being cooped up at home for much of the last year and a half, all of us have had plenty of time to think about where we live and where we wish we were living, making...

Inokashira Park is the hidden paradise of Western Tokyo

Perhaps I was just in the right place at the right time, but Inokashira Park truly displayed a serene vibe like no other. In the autumn months of October and November, the park turns from lush green to golden brown and red, with a cool breeze rustling the trees and blowing the leaves th...

Map of Tokyo Galleries and Museums

Traverse the streets of New York or Paris and you’ll notice galleries appear about as often as dogs — at least a few every blocks—Tokyo, however, hides its art just around the corner. To help future travelers, I put together a list of galleries, museums, and few art-related shops. ...

Tokyo Imperial Palace offers gorgeous gardens for scenic strolls

Located in the heart of Tokyo is the iconic Tokyo Imperial Palace where the current Emperor and royal family of Japan resides. Home to cultural heritage and stunning architecture, it’s also an amazing place for a leisurely walk with friends and family! An Iconic Backdrop One of the m...

20 NPOs/NGOs to volunteer in Tokyo, Japan

Do you find yourself saying “I just can’t afford the time!” or “I don’t know what I can do to help those in need…” whenever the thought of volunteering comes to mind? A common misconception people have is that volunteering takes too much time; they’re...

Tokyo Tech: A City Embracing Change

Japan has long been a leader in technological adoption and innovation. For example, they were the second nation after Canada to adopt a national AI strategy, which was released in March of 2017. And while the country’s record around venture capital investment isn’t as good as others, it ...

Tokyo Kills Me Photos: Street Art I

I want to spend more time exploring ideas that most resonated with me in the past, in the present, and may inspire my future. Rather than stick to the Challenge chronology, I will post these works in progress whenever I feel I have accomplished or discovered something worth showing to others. ...

OMY! TOKYO OMY!

I recently learned more about the Ohtemachi-Marunouchi-Yurakucho area of Tokyo than I’ve learned in my 30+ years of living in Japan, thanks to a tour sponsored by the Destination Marketing Office (DMO) which is located in the Nijubashimae Building in the OMY area. The area wa...

How “Tokyo Story” Challenged the Rules of Hollywood

Celebrated film critic Andrew Sarris, though not the first to conceptualise auteur theory, was certainly a prominent figure in its development. He argued that a director must exhibit technical competence, a distinguishable style and create films with interior meanings to be defined as an auteur. How...

5 Day Trips in the Tokyo Area

The big city of Tokyo is an amazing place to visit or to live in long-term, but it’s busy, crowded, and bustling, and sooner or later, it’s tempting to get out of town for a day and feel the atmosphere of somewhere a little different. Fortunately, the huge metropolitan area of Tokyo is s...

Best Izakayas in Tokyo for Travelers

Izakayas in Tokyo are some of the best places to go to get a real feel for the city. Often overlooked by tourists, during the week you’ll find them filled with groups of co-workers out on a work party or ‘nomikai’, whilst groups of friends will often head to an izakaya over the wee...

Autumn in Tokyo — the best places to visit in 2023

Autumn in Tokyo is a sacred time of year when Mother Nature bursts to life in flying colors. Here are 5 hot spots for viewing autumn leaves. 1. Toyama Park Toyama Park is located in the vibrant town of Shin-Okubo just a stop away from Shinjuku. What I would call a hidden gem, this par...

Best Street Food in Tokyo & Where to Find It

Takeshita Dori — Harajuku Best for dessert foods The Harajuku area is famous for its colorful and kawaii (cute) street food often seen on Instagram and is the perfect place to visit if you love sweet food. The best places to find these foods are on the main Takeshita Street opp...

10 Interesting Facts about Tokyo

The city was formerly known as Edo, which was the seat of power for the Tokugawa shogunate from 1603 until 1868 when the Meiji Restoration* took place. *The Meiji Restoration was a transformative period in Japanese history from 1868 to 1912, during which political power shifted from the Tokugawa ...

Discover the Glitz, Glamor, and Greenery of Tokyo

Say the word Tokyo, and most likely, a flood of contrasting images come to mind. The city means different things to different people. Some think of the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, probably one of the world’s most recognized crossings. Others might think of Asakusa and Sensō-ji ...

Guide to Matcha Desserts in Tokyo

The packaging is very nice, with clear containers for the anko (red bean paste) and heavy whipped cream. The red bean paste is ogura-an (小倉餡). Honestly there’s nothing much to say about presentation, it’s just plastic cups. Although I like their paper bag, the red dots...

A Rainy Night Walk in Tokyo

You step out from under the awning of your hotel building onto the side pavement, and into the rain with your umbrella out. The raindrops hit the plastic of your umbrella with a kind of muted splash, and trail down along the curvature of the umbrella until it reaches the edge and then just drip to t...

10 Places To Explore in Tokyo

One of the city’s most iconic spots, Shibuya Crossing, is a testament to Tokyo’s constant buzz. As the world’s busiest intersection, it offers a mesmerizing spectacle of humanity in motion. The best time to experience this human tide is at dusk, amidst the neon glow of the ...

Gotanda in Tokyo - A Must-Visit Destination for Nightlife

Tokyo, the bustling capital city of Japan, is home to numerous vibrant neighborhoods, each with its own unique charm. Among these, Gotanda stands out as a must-visit destination for tourists looking to explore the city's diverse offerings. Located in the Shinagawa ward, Gotanda seamlessly combin...

Tokyo vintage GIS: zoning and land use

With two maps in tow, I look at Tokyo’s land use and zoning in the late 1950s. Zoning designations largely reflected then-current land uses, except for some visionary (and eventually never realized) ideas about greenbelts and decongestion. I have written on zoning in Tokyo on this blog befo...

4-Day Tokyo Itinerary

My flatmates and I are planning to go to Tokyo and it is so exciting as this will be the first time in Japan as well as the first time I will be so far away from home. We are going to be there for two weeks. I have broken the plan down and this article will focus on the things we would like to do th...

‘Tokyo Pop’ in 1988 was a breakthrough film on an Asian-American relationship…in Tokyo

When I acquired Tokyo Pop for the U.S. market in 1988, none of us had any idea that this largely forgotten gem of ’80s American independent cinema by Fran Rubel Kuzui would bring such success to its director or star. Tokyo Pop’s name star, Carrie Hamilton, the da...

Tokyo Wildlife: Godzilla

Godzilla is a giant, reptilian kaiju* that is native to the Pacific Ocean. She is one of the most powerful creatures on Earth and has been known to cause widespread destruction in her wake. However, Godzilla is also a complex creature with a rich history, and she is often seen as a symbol ...

These photos are why I’m trapped in Tokyo forever now

Tokyo, holy excrements from small undefined creatures! We’re there. First place we had on our list was Nakagin Tower. Spending two whole days there, we finally learned the dread and discomfort of living in a capsule hotel. It was wonderful, apart from the occasional shakeup and earthquake p...

Discovering the best hackathons in Tokyo

The hackathon culture in Tokyo has been developing over the past few years, and entrepreneurs have now various choices every week-end if they want to brainstorm and find their next startup idea or future co-founders. Though most of them are held in Japanese, the growing English-only hackers communit...

What’s Tokyo Skytree in Tokyo? What do you know?

The Tokyo Skytree is actually a broadcasting and observation tower in Tokyo, Japan. The tower serves multiple functions, including being a television and radio broadcast site, a restaurant and shopping complex, and an observation deck that offers panoramic views of Tokyo. D...

You’re Going to Tokyo! Make the Most Out of Your First Trip

Asyou step off the plane and make your way into the energetic streets of Tokyo, you’ll immediately feel a sense of excitement and wonder. The city is a beautiful blend of ancient traditions and modern technology, with endless possibilities for exploration and adventure. First things first, ...

What are some safety concerns for foreigners traveling to Tokyo?

Traveling to Tokyo is generally considered safe, especially when compared to other global cities. However, there are some safety concerns that foreigners should be aware of. Here’s a detailed overview: Natural Disasters: 1. Earthquakes: Japan is earthquake-prone. Famili...

Catch the Sunset over Tokyo from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Unless you intend to stay in Tokyo for a long time, the name of the game is prioritise. Turn any corner in Tokyo and you’re gob-smacked with endless possibilities of foreign amusement. It can get distracting. You’ve got to make choices, and maybe build yourself a loose itinerar...

Being Brown on Tokyo Tinder

Nobody goes to Tokyo without a dream. Tokyo — complex, multifaceted, and unforgiving — is a city of opportunity. A tempestuous, dynamic vessel for the pleasures, pains, and aspirations of increasingly disillusioned generations. An economic hub powered by throbbing, vibrating, neon circui...

If you can visit only one park in Tokyo, why should you choose Ueno Park?

Ueno Park in Tokyo is more than just a place to relax; it’s a living piece of Japan’s history. Once part of a large estate owned by a powerful Japanese family, the park became public in the late 1800s when Japan was becoming more modern and open. Nowadays, the park shows off Japan&r...

What’s Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue? Why it’s so famous in Tokyo?

Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue is a magical street in Tokyo that turns into a golden tunnel every autumn. Lined with century-old ginkgo trees, the avenue offers a peaceful escape in the city’s heart. It’s a must-visit spot for anyone who loves nature photography or wants to see a differe...

Unforgettable Tokyo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide

Tokyo, the bustling capital of Japan, is an incredible city filled with a unique blend of ancient traditions and cutting-edge modernity. In this ultimate travel guide, we’ll provide you with insider tips, popular attractions, and hidden gems, ensuring your Tokyo trip is one for the books. W...

Top Tokyo Destinations for 2023

Sensoji Temple Asakusa’s main temple brings one back to Japan’s history and offers a strong sense of Japanese culture. Passing through the iconic Kaminarimon Gate, one finds the Nakamise Dori souvenir-shopping street, which leads to a complex of fascinating religious structures. Stree...

VTubers appointed Tokyo Tourism Ambassador

In an era where influencers wield increasing influence, the Japanese government has forged a collaboration with VTubers to promote culture and tourism. On February 13, Hololive VTubers Mori Calliope, Gawr Gura, and Sakura Miko were formally appointed as Tokyo Tourism Ambassadors. Their mission...

Case Study: Passenger Experience at Tokyo Airport

Tokyo Haneda Airport is one of the largest and busiest airports in Japan, serving millions of passengers every year. The airport has undergone significant expansion and renovation in recent years, with a focus on improving the passenger experience. In this case study, we will examine the passenger e...

What Salary Will I Get In Tokyo?

I talk about jobs in Tokyo with hundreds of tech professionals from around the world every month. Absolutely, the most difficult discussion is often the salary range. Japan Is Not Expensive The first thing I need to address is the misunderstanding that Japan and Tokyo are expensive. Tokyo fell...

Exploring the Wonders of Tokyo: A Journey Through Japan’s Capital City

Tokyo, the bustling capital city of Japan, is a world-renowned destination that attracts millions of tourists every year. From the towering skyscrapers to the ancient temples, Tokyo is a city that seamlessly blends old traditions with modern innovation. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a...

Beyond Tokyo: Exploring Japan’s Vibrant Cities and Scenic Countryside

Japan, often associated with the bustling metropolis of Tokyo, is a country of incredible diversity and contrast. While Tokyo is undoubtedly a vibrant hub of innovation and culture, there’s a world beyond the capital city that is waiting to be explored. In this blog post, we will take you on a...