Kaila Imada

タイムアウト東京 > Things to do > 関東近郊、美しい冬桜の名所6選 日本の春の代名詞「桜」。あの華やかな季節が今から待ち遠しい。しかし、ソメイヨシノを待たずして、日本各地では早ければ1〜3月にかけて美しい冬の桜が咲く。ここでは、そんな早咲きの桜の名所を関東近郊に絞って紹介する。 中でも静岡県を中心に自生するカワヅザクラ（河津桜）は、最も一般的な品種の一つ。2月から3月にはピンク色のかわいらしい花が楽しめる。春に咲く桜よりも寿命が長く、通常1カ月ほど咲き続ける。このほか、鮮やかなピンク色のカンヒザクラ（寒緋桜）や、熱海の海岸沿いで見られるあたみ桜なども有名だ。印象的な桜の写真を撮って楽しもう。 関連記事『東京、冬の桜を楽しめる名所9選』

As one of the best Asian cities ever with the second coolest street in the world, Hong Kong plays host to plenty of travellers who all need places to rest their heads. Whether you’re looking for a budget bed or ostentatious, heli-pad bedecked five-star luxury, there’s accommodation to suit every type of guest. From honeymoons to shoe-string gap years to swanky business trips – this is the definitive guide to staying in Hong Kong. RECOMMENDED: Check out the most incredible things to do in Hong Kong, the concerts and music events happening in town, and the best Cantonese restaurants to eat in Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured, we’ve based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

We get it: when winter rolls around, there’s not a lot of motivation to leave the comfort of your cosy indoor space. However, frolicking around in the snow can be a lot of fun when you’re surrounded by a gorgeous winter wonderland. From the snowy streets of Hokkaido to the famous snow corridor in Toyama, here are some of the best ice and snow festivals happening in Japan this 2025 season. RECOMMENDED: The most beautiful winter destinations in Japan

Waiting patiently for this year’s spring cherry blossoms to appear? You can get a glimpse of spring long before the season rolls around. In Japan, you’ll find beautiful varieties of winter sakura trees that bloom from as early as January through to March.  Kawazu-zakura is one of the most common winter cherry blossom varieties, and is a tree native to Shizuoka prefecture. These pretty pink flowers usually bloom between February and March. Plus, they have a longer lifespan than their spring cousins and usually last around a month. Other varieties include the vibrant pink kanhi-zakura trees commonly found in Okinawa, and atami-zakura which are indigineous to the coastal city of Atami. If you’re planning on blossom hopping outside of Tokyo, here are some of the best parks, rivers and scenic spots around Japan to capture these impressive winter blossoms. RECOMMENDED: Where to see winter cherry blossoms in Tokyo 

First we’ll look at Nikko, the picturesque mountain town at the entrance of Nikko National Park. It’s a scenic drive from Tokyo, through beautiful autumn colours (known as ‘koyo’) that line the roadside, and up along the winding roads of Irohazaka. A popular destination during the autumn season, the town is also home to the sacred Shinkyo Bridge, which was off limits to the public until 1973. Walk 20 minutes from the Shinkyo Bridge and you’ll find the historical Nikko Toshogu shrine, standing out with its vivid colours and intricate carvings that date back to the Edo period. Officially designated as a Unesco World Heritage site, the shrine definitely ought to be on your list if you find yourself in the area.All around Nikko, restaurant signs keep repeating the same word: ‘yuba’. Nikko is well known for this protein-rich Japanese delicacy, which is made from skimming the thin layer of film that forms on the surface of fresh, heated soy milk. So we take the hint and settle in for a generous meal at Ebisu-ya (955 Shimohatsu Ishimachi, +81 288-54-0113; nikko-ebisuya.com). You might miss Ebisu-ya if you aren’t looking hard enough, sequestered as it is along one of Nikko’s main streets, but it’s absolutely worth the hunt. The restaurant is beautifully lined with white tatami room doors facing floor-to-ceiling windows, and guests sit on tatami mats while eating some of the best yuba in town. We try the speciality in different forms, from yuba maki rolled with vegetables and crab, to

Sure, Japan is popular for spring cherry blossoms and colourful autumn foliage, but don’t pass up the winter season. Come the cooler months, Japan has many magical spots boasting some of the country’s best scenery. Whether you prefer to spend your time at a sprawling ski resort, a snowy onsen town or to catch a stunning ice festival, there’s so much to see when the weather cools down. And don’t worry about the cold – you can always warm up after an outdoor excursion by dipping into a hot spring or slurping up a hearty bowl of ramen. If you’re looking for a new place to explore this winter, add these gorgeous destinations to your itinerary. RECOMMENDED: The best hot spring getaways in Japan

タイムアウト東京 > Things to Do> ザ ベストオブ東京 2024 どう見ても、2024年は東京にとって大きな年だった。パンデミック後の憂鬱（ゆううつ）な気分から真に脱却した年であり、絶えず変化しているこの大都市にとってさえも注目に値する慌ただしさだったといえるだろう。また東京の人口は過去最多となり、記録的な数の訪日外国人観光客を迎えた。 そのダイナミズムについていくのは、難儀なことだ。そこで、この12カ月の間に東京で起きた出来事をアップデート。記憶を呼び覚ますために今年のハイライトを巻き戻し、「タイムアウト東京」英語版編集部が2024のベストを紹介する。来る年に向けて、もう一度行く年を振り返ってみよう。 関連記事『東京、2024年ニューオープンのベストカフェ10』『東京、ベストラーメン2024』

However you look at it, 2024 was a massive year for Tokyo. This was the year when the city truly broke out of its post-pandemic blues with a flurry of activity remarkable even for a metropolis famed for never staying the same – all while seeing its population grow to an all-time high and welcoming a record number of international visitors. That level of dynamism can be hard to keep up with. So to help you stay updated on the greatest additions to the city over the past 12 months, and to jog your memory by rewinding some of the year’s highlights, here’s our list of the very best that Tokyo conjured up in 2024. Take one more look back before it’s on to 2025… RECOMMENDED: The best New Year's Eve events and countdown parties in Tokyo

If you’re looking for a hotel that’s a little bit more interesting and unconventional, Tokyo is your city. With so many new attractions popping up every year, there’s also been an abundance of ultra-modern, one-of-a-kind places to stay. But unless you're familiar with the city, knowing where to start your search can be tedious work. So we’ve done the leg work for you and compiled a list that caters to every taste and preference, from luxe suites with private saunas to beds in rooms that double as art installations. Book a stay at one of these unique hotels and the only tough decision will be motivating yourself to actually leave the room... RECOMMENDED: hotels and glamping sites in Kawaguchiko with the best Mt Fuji views

With Japan becoming busier and busier these days, a respite from the big cities may just be what you need for your next getaway. And as cities like Tokyo are continuously modernising with the addition of sleek new commercial complexes and towering skyscrapers, it can be hard to get a feel for what Japan was like back in the days of samurai and feudal lords.  Although many of Japan’s historical spots have been lost to natural disasters, fires and redevelopment, there are still a number of areas that have managed to preserve their castle towns and former merchant districts, where you can stroll beautiful streets that look much like they did during the Edo period (1603-1868). Of course, there have been a few modern upgrades to these historical areas, and you’ll often find conveniences such as wonderful shops, restaurants and ryokan (traditional inns) dotted around these traditional towns. Here are some of our favourites to explore. RECOMMENDED: Japan's most underrated destinations – and why you should visit

Looking for a delicious way to ring in the new year? Treat yourself to a well-deserved New Year's Eve or New Year's Day lunch or dinner with your friends and loved ones. Tokyo’s top hotels have outdone themselves with lavish multi-course meals and buffets to mark the changing of the year. Can’t decide? In order of price, here are our top picks for New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day feasts in Tokyo. RECOMMENDED: The best illuminations and light-ups in Tokyo

Whether you’re scrambling with last-minute Christmas shopping, looking to stock up on homewares or just wanting to add something new to your closet, Tokyo’s got a shop for all your needs. One of the great things about shopping in the capital is that there are many dedicated stores and shopping centres offering a selection of specialities to cater to any interest, no matter how specific.  Looking for a store full of food and souvenir snacks? How about a store full of artisanal Japanese tableware? Or a shop with an endless supply of stationery? The list goes on, so keep reading for our top picks covering all these items and more.  RECOMMENDED: The best flagship stores to visit in Tokyo

Terunari puts a creative spin on kaiseki by incorporating French influences that shine through in each and every dish. French- trained chef Kanichi Tokumoto runs the kitchen, working under chef Akihiko Murata of Terunari’s Michelin-starred sister restaurant Suzunari. Chef Tokumoto doesn’t stress over hyper-seasonality and instead works with whatever the kitchen is given, not necessarily just with what’s in season. You can look forward to unique reinterpretations of classic Japanese dishes, such as a crisp monaka (wafer sandwich, usually sweet) filled with chicken liver pâté, and chawanmushi egg custard made more substantial with beef tendon and a hint of wasabi. The more classic kaiseki- style dishes range from sardines simmered with ume plum and ginger to tuna served with red konjac, and aji (mackerel) layered with cucumber and a savoury miso tartar which packs an umami punch. Seasonality is expressed through the details: decorations include seasonal leaves and twigs, while the colours are bright and vibrant, making them not just appetising but photogenic too. The meal ends with a shime (loosely translated as ‘coming to a close’), where you’re served Terunari’s signature rice dish, a combination of sweet pork marinated in shoyu and mirin, and steamed with a perfectly plump tomato and fresh basil inside a Japanese claypot. Once cooked, the rice is mixed up at your table and topped with a good dose of cheese, turning it into a Japanese risotto of sorts. For fans of kaiseki,

Run by a charming husband-and-wife duo for the past eight years, Kudan Otsuka is classic kaiseki at its best. The quaint space is situated across the street from Yasukuni Shrine, whose calm surrounds extend into the restaurant. To keep things fresh, the menu changes monthly, highlighting seasonal ingredients in a traditional yet original way. Expect wow-inducing dishes featuring unique ingredients you may have never seen or tried before. Our meal started with a deceivingly simple soup (or owan, which literally means bowl in Japanese). The clear broth was accented with a tender chunk of winter melon, silky smooth somen noodles, okura and junsai (watershield, whose leaves have a slimy coating). This was followed by a four- appetiser platter served on a beautiful fan-shaped plate: a sunomono salad was given a twist by replacing the conventional cucumber with figs inside a vinegar jelly; a traditional summer kaiseki coupling of daikon and octopus had been simmered in a flavourful soy broth until tender; a selection of summer vegetables fried karaage-style in an unbelievably light batter; and there was an inspired pairing of yuba (tofu skin) and raw shiro ebi (white shrimp) topped with wasabi for a light kick.

Commonly associated with sumo wrestlers looking to get a calorie-packed meal to bulk up for an upcoming match, and hungry diners seeking something warm during the cold months, nabe or Japanese-style hotpot also has a more refined side. Enter Negima, an unassuming restaurant in Kita-Ikebukuro, which specialises in Edo-style maguro (tuna) and negi (Welsh onion) nabe. Contrary to its big servings, the restaurant is tiny and only seats eight. Negima is inspired by nabe from the Edo era prior to the invention of refrigerators, when fresh produce especially fish couldn’t be kept for long. So folks back then had to use up the ingredients by dropping them all into a pot of flavourful dashi broth where everything would be cooked thoroughly. Nabe at Negima is served as a course meal. You start with an Edo-style tamagoyaki, or egg roll, which has been lightly seasoned with katsuo dashi and shoyu. Pair it with sake and you’re off to a good start. Next, you’ll be presented with a beautiful platter of nabe ingredients before they are cooked inside a light dashi broth along with wakame seaweed and fresh greens. You’ll be able to sample various cuts of tuna, including the haramo (belly) and kama toro (gill flesh); they are both equally tender and elevated to another level with just a sprinkle of hand-crushed pepper. The thick slices of negi are cooked until soft and make for a refreshing relief between mouthfuls of tuna. To finish, you get to savour all that flavourful broth that’s been si

When one thinks of Ginza bars, prim and prissy spaces affixed with a pricey drink list often come to mind. You can imagine how glad we were to have found Mixology Salon, which is bucking that stereotype with a relaxed attitude that also extends towards its inspired Japanese-take on cocktails. Easily accessible on the 13th floor of Ginza Six, this unpretentious space is clean and minimal yet welcoming. In fact, it looks more like a modern tea bar than an alcoholic one – and there’s a good reason for that. Specialising in what they call ‘teatails’, Mixology Salon’s signature cocktails are all made with its house blend of tea-infused spirits. You’ll find a wide range here, from hojicha-infused bourbon and soba cha vodka to oolong tea-flavoured rum and sencha gin. For first-timers, we recommend you go for a teatail course, where you can choose between three to five drinks made with a particular tea in mind. Otherwise, you can’t go wrong with the Green Tea Fashioned (¥2,180), a fresh take on the classic Old Fashioned. Got a sweet tooth? Order the Hoji Cha cocktail (¥1,870), which is a mix of buckwheat tea-infused vodka and pineapple and finished with a surprising hint of miso. Note: ¥800 table charge applies per person. Price exclusive of consumption tax.

The popular frames from the leading South Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster have finally opened up shop in Hong Kong with their very first flagship store. Fashionistas in the SAR can now get their hands on the very sunglasses worn by Korean pop stars to sleek frame styles you won't find anywhere else. The new flagship shop in Causeway Bay is themed after a train platform giving visitors a unique shopping experience similar to Seoul's ever-changing 'Quantum Project' concept stores. 

Celebrate more than 40 years of Agnès B as they open their brand new concept store in Causeway Bay's Fashion Walk. The Rue du Jour shop is named after the very first Agnès B Femme shop, which opened in Paris back in 1975. Get your hands on your favourite items from the Sport B, Voyage and Bijoux collections along with a bite to eat at the B Cafe and a colourful bouquet from B Fleuriste. 

Step into the brand new Adidas flagship store for all your go-to sporting needs from clothing and shoes to accessories. The new shop is also home to the all-new Adidas Training Academy where you can kick yourself into gear with your new sportswear while working up a sweat at one of the free training programmes followed by a visit to the Refresh Zone to freshen up in their shower facilities and vanity areas.

Get your daily jolt of caffeine with one of the blends from the experts at % Arabica. This coffee roaster takes pride in using beans from its own coffee farm in Hawaii, as well as sourcing high-grade speciality beans from around the world. The shop is also a global distributor of, and uses, a high-tech Japanese roasting machine – the Tornado King – that prepares the beans to precision at the touch of a button. With a flagship shop in Discovery Bay North Plaza, plus a couple of other outlets in Hong Kong, you can pick up your fresh beans with relative ease.

The folks at Barista HK are true java heads. From the moment the beans start sprouting on the tree to when the time comes to perfect each and every brew in-store, the team at Barista HK are experts in all things coffee and are keen to share its knowledge with other avid drinkers. The staff physically sift through the raw coffee beans by hand before roasting them on-site, so every bean is as perfect as can be. For those interested in learning the basic steps towards creating a great cup of coffee, there are also workshops on how to best discern your morning brew.

Tucked away inside Hong Kong’s trendy PMQ compound, Café Life is continuously bustling with customers looking for a great cup on the go or some of its decadent homemade baked goods. Perfecting the coffee one cup at a time, each batch of beans is made to order and roasted with a compact in-house roasting machine in the corner of the shop. Its coffee beans are picked from the best terroirs around the world, such as Tanzania, Costa Rica and Columbia, giving customers a wide array of premium choices. 

Since we’re only halfway into January, it may be hard to believe that this year’s cherry blossoms are already on the horizon. But there they are, and approaching fast: the Japan Meteorological Corporation recently released its second 2025 sakura forecast, giving us a good picture of when to schedule cherry blossom outings this year. Photo: Japan Meteorological Corporation According to this updated forecast from January 23, it seems that in most places across Japan, the cherry blossoms will bloom generally around the same time as they have in the past few years. But as we’ve mentioned before, it’s still only January, and the weather could have a massive impact on when this year’s blossoms open up. Take last year for example, when cooler temperatures in early spring eventually resulted in the flowers blooming a few weeks later than usual. So far for Tokyo, the cherry blossoms are predicted to start flowering on March 24 and will potentially reach full bloom by March 31.  Photo. Jonaka/Photo ACKyoto In Kyoto, the blossoms are expected to open up on March 27 with full bloom by April 5. Nearby, Osaka is also looking at March 28 for its initial flowering date and full bloom arriving by April 4.  Taking a look further north, Sapporo will be the last to see the cherry blossoms open up, with the expected flowering date on April 28 and full bloom by May 2. We'll continue to keep you posted as the forecast changes. The next update from the JMC is scheduled for February 6. In the mea

Planning a trip to or in Japan? With all the new attractions and stunning heritage sites to add to your travel list, the options can be a bit overwhelming. Your array of choices can become even more mind-boggling if you're looking for places that honour diversity, inclusivity and sustainability while being amazing to visit. To help you narrow things down, look no further than the newly announced winners of the Japan Travel Awards, which highlight exceptional travel destinations and operators around the country. Now announced for the fourth time, the Japan Travel Awards have this year recognised a total of 11 outstanding attractions that promote tourism through diversity, inclusion, sustainability and hospitality. The winners were chosen by a panel of industry experts from a total of 16 finalists that had made the cut from among nearly 200 open-call entries from across Japan. Here's a closer look at this year's award-winning destinations and experiences.  Photo: Shiitake Creative Grand Prix Winner: Kurabito Stay (Saku, Nagano) This remarkable stay in Nagano prefecture is a unique cultural and sustainability-focused experience that lets you become a kurabito or sake brewer for a day in one of Japan’s top sake-brewing regions. The stay promotes slow, immersive cultural exploration and also shines a light on preserving long-standing Japanese businesses like the 300-year-old local Kitsukura Sake Brewery, where the experience takes place. Photo: Shiitake Creative Best Accessibl

While teamLab Borderless at Azabudai Hills has been all the rage since it opened early last year, teamLab Planets in Toyosu is stepping up its game, too. The digital art museum is gearing up for the January 22 opening of a large-scale expansion including 20 new artworks. Wondering what spectacles await inside? We've got a sneak peek for you right here. The new extension at teamLab Planets will enlarge the digital art space by half and introduce artworks that double as educational projects. Additionally, the revamp will include upgrades to the existing Sketch Factory, where guests can take home original products featuring the designs they've created. The outdoor areas of teamLab Planets, including Vegan Ramen Uzu, have also been extensively renovated, offering new experiences for new and returning visitors alike. © teamLabCatching and Collecting Extinct Forest ‘Catching and Collecting Extinct Forest’ immerses visitors in a forest of extinct animals where you can learn about the animals by catching and releasing them. The interactive space allows you to ‘catch’ animals by taking photos of them via teamLab’s Catch and Collection Forest smartphone app. Once you've ‘collected’ an animal, they'll be compiled in the app's collection book where you can study the animals. When you are finished studying an animal, you can swipe it back towards a location, releasing it back into the wild. The animals featured in the space will vary by season, meaning that you'll always find somet

Back in 2023, Japan mulled changing its tax-free shopping rules to help curb abuse by shoppers re-selling items with a markup after leaving the country. Currently, the Japanese tax-free shopping system is one of the most convenient in the world, with the 10 percent consumption tax deducted right at the point of payment after showing your passport. The downside is that this system has been easy to take advantage of, with people purchasing tax-free items in Japan and later selling them at tax-inclusive prices outside the country. To help solve this problem, Japan will be introducing new tax exemption rules as early as fiscal 2026. As reported by The Yomiuri Shimbun, the government is looking to change the tax-free shopping process by having tourists purchase items at prices that include consumption tax and have them apply for refunds when leaving the country. Upon departure, the refunds will be given either in cash or through credit cards registered in advance. This process is hardly unheard of, with countries in regions including Europe using similar systems.  In addition to introducing the new refund process, the government is considering removing the maximum shopping limit on purchases of consumables (items such as cosmetics and food), which is now ¥500,000.  We’ll provide further updates once the new tax-free shopping rules are set in stone. More from Time Out Tokyo Tokyo is ranked as one of the world’s best cities for 2025 Here's the official Japan cherry blossom forecast

With more people visiting Tokyo than ever before, we’re not the only ones that can vouch for the capital being one of the greatest cities in the world. Time Out's annual Best Cities survey offers further proof, as it has just ranked Tokyo as the No 31 city in the world for 2025.  For this worldwide survey, Time Out asked urbanites around the world what it’s like to live, work and play in their respective cities right now. From there, our line-up of global city experts, writers and editors weighed in to compile this annual list of the world’s best cities.  While lifestyle factors like the availability of good food and nightlife are always an important part of the assessment, the survey also delves into the deeper side of city living, asking people if it is easy to make friends, find love and even access nature. Thanks to these in-depth responses, we've been able to gain unique insight on what it's truly like living in the world's greatest cities. While we can’t deny there’s a major difference from last year’s eighth place ranking, Tokyo still offers plenty of excitement, as there are always so many new things popping up across the city. Plus, the cheap yen has made Japan a hotspot for travellers looking to get a bargain on world-class shopping and dining. Photo: Keisuke TanigawaTokyu Plaza Harajuku 'Harakado' In the new hotspots department, Tokyo has recently welcomed a host of new lifestyle complexes including the dazzling Tokyu Plaza Harajuku Harakado with its rooftop gard

Universal Studios Japan in Osaka has been on the top of everyone’s travel list ever since the theme park introduced the Super Nintendo World back in 2021. Last year, USJ teased that the must-visit attraction would be opening a dedicated Donkey Kong section in 2024. Now, we finally have an official confirmation that Donkey Kong Country will finally open on Wednesday December 11. 画像提供：ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパンTM & © Universal Studios. All rights reserved.／© Nintendo So, what can you expect from this new extension? When you first walk through the dedicated tunnel from Super Nintendo World, you'll be welcomed by a distinctive jungle beat as you enter Donkey Kong Country. This new area is filled with lush greenery, plenty of bananas, and some exciting new games and facilities, including a ride that lets you race through the jungle on a minecart. 画像提供：ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパンTM & © Universal Studios. All rights reserved.／© Nintendo Wander through the jungle and you'll discover iconic spots such as Donkey Kong's house, which is filled with bananas (of course), as well as the elusive Golden Temple from the hidden level in the video game ‘Donkey Kong Returns’. Photo: Kisa Toyoshimaライド・アトラクション「ドンキーコングのクレイジー・トロッコ」 The highlight of the new zone is the Donkey Kong's Mine Cart Madness ride, which is essentially a real-life version of the Mine Cart Coaster from the games. On the ride, you'll get to race through the jungle with Donkey and Diddy Kong while shooting barrel cannons, jumping over broken

If you’ve visited Lisbon, Barcelona, New York or Dubai, chances are you’ve come across a Time Out Market. These magnetic spaces are where you can immerse yourself in the best of the city under one roof through a taste of the coolest restaurants, bars, culture and nightlife. More than a decade after the first Time Out Market opened in Lisbon back in 2014, Asia is finally set to join the club with the opening of Time Out Market Osaka next year. Scheduled to start business on March 21 2025, this new market will be part of the Grand Green Osaka development and will showcase a curated mix of the Kansai region’s best culinary talents. The exciting space will feature 17 kitchens and two bars with communal tables for diners to enjoy each other’s company and soak in the local culture. To give you a sneak peek of what you can expect, here are the first seven local chefs and restaurateurs that will be part of Time Out Market Osaka. Kushiage001 produced by Kushiage010 Photo: Time Out Market Osaka Cooking up creative kushiage (deep-fried skewers), Kushiage 001 is the sister restaurant of Kushiage 010, a winner of consecutive Michelin Bib Gourmand awards. The restaurant will showcase the best Japanese seasonal ingredients alongside creative skewers inspired by cuisines from around the world. Koala Shokudo Photo: Time Out Market Osaka You'll be able to enjoy a fresh take on Osaka essentials like okonomiyaki, yakisoba and takoyaki – paired with wine, nonetheless – at the Time Out Market

If you’ve visited Lisbon, Barcelona, New York or Dubai, chances are you’ve come across a Time Out Market. These magnetic spaces are where you can immerse yourself in the best of the city under one roof through a taste of the coolest restaurants, bars, culture and nightlife. More than a decade after the first Time Out Market opened in Lisbon back in 2014, Asia is finally set to join the club with the opening of Time Out Market Osaka next year. Scheduled to start business on March 21 2025, this new market will be part of the Grand Green Osaka development and will showcase a curated mix of the Kansai region’s best culinary talents. The exciting space will feature 17 kitchens and two bars with communal tables for diners to enjoy each other’s company and soak in the local culture. To give you a sneak peek of what you can expect, here are the first seven local chefs and restaurateurs that will be part of Time Out Market Osaka. Kushiage001 produced by Kushiage010 Photo: Time Out Market Osaka Cooking up creative kushiage (deep-fried skewers), Kushiage 001 is the sister restaurant of Kushiage 010, a winner of consecutive Michelin Bib Gourmand awards. The restaurant will showcase the best Japanese seasonal ingredients alongside creative skewers inspired by cuisines from around the world. Koala Shokudo Photo: Time Out Market Osaka You'll be able to enjoy a fresh take on Osaka essentials like okonomiyaki, yakisoba and takoyaki – paired with wine, nonetheless – at the Time Out Market

Every year, Japan outdoes itself with stunning winter illuminations and light displays including the gorgeous frozen waterfalls in Aomori prefecture. If you’re looking for another winter wonderland to explore, don’t miss the annual Chitose Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival up in Hokkaido. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 千歳・支笏湖氷濤まつり (@hyoutou_ice_festival) This year, the festival takes place from February 1 to 24. Now in its 47th year, the festival is open from 10am to 8pm, with a colourful light up between 4.30pm and 8pm. The festival is divided into several zones including the ice shrine, ice kitchen, and the jaw-dropping ice tunnel leading to a gorgeous ice chandelier. Plus, you can also stop by one of the many onsen hot springs around Lake Shikotsu to warm up after enjoying the icy cold festival. Guided tours of the area can be arranged upon request. With a personalised tour, you can learn more about the history of the ice festival as well as details about the work that goes into building these massive sculptures.  Photo: KKDay Entry is ¥1,000 per person (free for junior high school students and younger). Ticketing details have yet to be released, but we will keep you updated once they are available. Held at Lake Shikotsu Onsen, the Chitose Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival is a 40-minute drive from New Chitose Airport or an hour drive from Sapporo. For more details on the festival, visit the website. This artic

Earlier this year, a number of popular attractions around Japan proposed raising prices to counter over-tourism and the weak yen. One of the most prominent destinations to consider charging higher entry fees is Himeji Castle in Hyogo prefecture.  Previously, the Unesco World Heritage Site castle considered implementing a two-tier ticketing system which would see international tourists charged a higher admission fee. However, the local government may be scrapping those plans to instead charge everyone not living in Himeji a higher entrance fee.  As reported by Kyodo News, the Himeji government is now looking to raise the adult ticket price from ¥1,000 to somewhere between ¥2,000 and ¥3,000 for non-residents starting in spring 2026. The new price will be decided this coming March. Meanwhile, young visitors will be paying even less: currently, the entry fee for those who are 18 years old or under is just ¥300, but under the new pricing system they will be able to visit the castle for free. Himeji Castle is not the only attraction implementing higher fees. This year, Mt Fuji started charging visitors a ¥2,000 fee to climb the Yoshida Trail, which starts off in Yamanashi prefecture. Following the price increase, the three other hiking trails to Mt Fuji – all on the Shizuoka prefecture side – may soon be subject to a similar pricing system.  As stated by the Asahi Shimbun, the Yoshida Trail plus the three routes that run out of Shizuoka prefecture are considering standardising admi

This year, two of Tokyo’s most popular nightlife districts – Shibuya and Shinjuku – started cracking down on party gatherings and public drinking over Halloween to tackle rowdy behaviour. Additionally, Shibuya has taken a firmer stance by expanding on existing measures to ban public drinking all year round. With that in mind, Shibuya will not be hosting any celebrations to ring in the 2025 New Year, either. As reported by the Asahi Shimbun, Shibuya ward has stated that it will not be hosting an official New Year's Eve countdown at the Scramble Crossing due to safety concerns. This is not surprising, as Shibuya had previously suspended New Year's Eve festivities in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Ever since then, the ward has not hosted any new year celebrations, claiming that large gatherings in the area could become a safety issue. For this coming New Year's Eve, temporary fencing will be set up around the Hachiko statue from December 31 to 1am on January 1. Additionally, convenience stores and other shops selling alcohol have been asked to temporarily halt sales for the year-end holidays. New Year’s Eve celebrations around Shibuya Crossing started back in 2016. In 2018, a whopping total of 120,000 people were reported to have gathered around the world-famous landmark to ring in the new year. So far, there’s no news whether Shinjuku will be following suit. But if we hear anything, we’ll keep you posted. This article was published on November 14 2024 and updated on Decembe

While winter can be bone-shivering cold, it’s also one of the most beautiful times of year in Japan. And Hokkaido is the place to go for a real winter wonderland experience, with places like Hoshino Resort Tomamu opening dreamy ice hotels that you can actually spend a night in. Photo: Hoshino Resorts Hoshino Resort Tomamu's stunning ice hotel will be open from January 20 to February 28 2025 at Shimukappu Village, where the hotel is part of the area’s winter Ice Village. During the beginning of the year, temperatures in Shimukappu can drop to a freezing -30 degrees Celsius, an ideal climate for a hotel made entirely of ice. The Ice Village consists of 11 special ice domes, but only one is open for overnight stays.  Photo: Hoshino Resorts The room, with space for two people, is constructed inside a dome-shaped ice hut where the ceiling, walls and furniture are all made of ice. To help keep you warm throughout the night, sleeping bags and fuzzy blankets will be provided to keep you nice and cosy until morning comes around. The room also comes with amenities like speakers, candles and books to keep you occupied. Photo: Hoshino Resorts If that wasn't enough, you can also relax in the open-air bath surrounded by ice.   Photo: Hoshino Resorts A new addition this year is the gorgeous ice terrace lit up with lanterns where you can admire the surrounding white birch trees while sipping on mulled wine. Photo: Hoshino Resorts The incredible hotel room also features an ice minib