Kaila Imada

タイムアウト大阪 > Things to Do >タイムアウトマーケットについて知るべき5のこと 2025年に開催される「大阪・関西万博」に先駆けて、タイムアウトマーケット大阪（Time Out Market Osaka）が「グラングリーン大阪（GRAND GREEN OSAKA）」南館に、3月21日（金）、アジア初進出を果たす。 「タイムアウトマーケット」とは、編集者がキュレーションした食と文化を体験できる世界初のスペースで、その都市の最も優れたシェフやレストラン、ユニークな文化体験が集結するフードマーケットだ。 タイムアウトマーケット大阪では、総面積約3000平方メートルを超える広大な空間に、厳選された17のキッチンと2つのバーが登場。来場者は、多様なコンセプトを通じて街の最高の料理を楽しみながら、大阪の文化をはじめ関西地方の魅力が体験できる。 ここでは、マーケットとは何か？ということを紹介しよう。 関連記事『アジア初進出、世界で話題のタイムアウトマーケットが大阪に上陸』

Visiting a mega metropolis like Tokyo can be draining with so much walking, navigating and exploring to be done. Thankfully the city is full of unique treatments to put the spring back in your step. From satisfying head spas to skin-nourishing Japanese facials, here are some of the most relaxing and beneficial treatmentse to help you unwind while you're on vacation. So go on, treat yourself. RECOMMENDED: 12 best Japanese skincare products you can buy from a drugstore

Long before popular third-wave coffee shops and cafés started taking over the city, Tokyoites got their coffee fix at traditional kissaten tea rooms and coffee shops. Even though many of them also serve light refreshments and simple meals, these Tokyo institutions were more than just a caffeine stop in the good old days. They were the social centres for the community. While not as common today, these cherished Showa-era (1926-1989) establishments are now experiencing a resurgence as people are drawn to the nostalgic charm of kissaten and the refuge they provide from the fast-paced world. When you step into one of these enduring Tokyo institutions, it's like stepping back in time, surrounded by the soothing ritual of meticulously hand-poured coffee and the slower, more thoughtful pace of days gone by. RECOMMENDED: 7 best cafés for latte art in Tokyo

If you're looking to experience a major concert in Tokyo, you're in luck. We've got shows lined-up for the rest of 2025 (and there's more to come) from some of the biggest names in rock, K-pop, hip hop and more. Here are the best concerts to look forward to in Tokyo over the next few months. RECOMMENDED: The best jazz bars in Tokyo with live music

With its glittering skyscrapers and love of cutting-edge technology, Tokyo is undoubtedly a twenty-first century metropolis. But behind all the modernity, there are parts of the capital that have retained the vintage charm and distinctive culture that helped make the city what it is today. Old Tokyo is sometimes referred to as shitamachi, a term that translates to ‘lower city’, and is typically associated with areas around Tokyo that thrived before World War II. Unlike other cities that may have a single old town area, Tokyo’s shitamachi neighbourhoods are scattered throughout the city. They are usually identified by their architectural makeup, consisting of small winding alleyways and traditional Showa- style buildings. If you want to get a feel for the Japanese capital before it powered the post-war economic miracle, here are some of the most popular spots where you can immerse yourself in Tokyo’s nostalgic atmosphere. RECOMMENDED: The coolest streets to explore in Tokyo

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』

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. 

Now that we're at the end of February, this year’s cherry blossom season is about a month away. And it's approaching fast: the Japan Meteorological Corporation recently released its fifth 2025 sakura forecast update, giving us a good picture of when to schedule cherry blossom outings this year.  Photo: Japan Meteorological Corporation According to this updated forecast from February 20, 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, with fluctuations only by a couple of days. Although it’s only February, the weather could still 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 25 and will potentially reach full bloom by April 2.  Photo: Adria Gomez/DreamstimeCherry blossoms at Expo ’70 Commemorative Park in Osaka In Kyoto, the blossoms are expected to open up on March 30 with full bloom by April 8. Nearby, Osaka is also looking at March 30 for its initial flowering date and full bloom arriving by April 7.  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 i

After a hiatus of nearly two years, the providers of Tokyo’s two main IC transport cards – Pasmo and Suica – will finally resume sales of unregistered prepaid cards. Registered cards were made available again last September, but the more convenient unregistered cards have remained unavailable for purchase.  Thankfully, they’re coming back soon. NHK News reports that unregistered Suica and Pasmo cards will be available once again from March 1. Sales of both IC cards were suspended indefinitely in 2023 due to a global semiconductor shortage – with the exception of some special cards available only to tourists.  'Unregistered' cards are prepaid transport cards which can be purchased directly from station ticketing machines and can be reloaded with funds when necessary. These are the easiest type of card to get your hands on and require no registration of personal details such as your name, gender and phone number. They’re especially helpful for short-term visitors who wish to have a physical IC card, as recently tourists have only been able to purchase the 28-day limited Welcome Suica at airports and select stations.  In addition to Pasmo and Suica, unregistered Rinkai Suica cards will also be made available again. This card is sold by Tokyo's waterfront area rapid transit (Rinkai Line) and features a blue dolphin instead of the Suica penguin. More from Time Out Tokyo Here's the official Japan cherry blossom forecast for 2025 teamLab Planets has expanded with new artworks These

We hope you’re hungry, because this upcoming long weekend in Tokyo is all about food and drink festivals. Sound like your idea of a good time? Here are four food and drink events for you to check out over the next few days. One of the biggest is the annual seafood festival happening at Yoyogi Park and featuring around 80 food stalls. One stop on the express train from Shibuya, you’ll reach Shimokitazawa which is hosting its own food affair – this one revolving around spice and cheese. Winter in Japan is all about sweet potatoes, and you can enjoy them in many forms at the annual Sweet Potato Expo in Saitama. Lastly, the Tokyo Edition, Toranomon hotel is bringing back its all-you-can-drink cocktail extravaganza for one day only. So kanpai to a fun-filled weekend of eating and drinking! Photo: Sakana & Japan Project Sakana & Japan Festival Succulent crab legs, salmon roe rice bowls and uni (sea urchin) croquettes are just some of the mouthwatering bites you’ll find at the Sakana & Japan Festival. Happening from February 21 to 24, this four-day event at Yoyogi Park Events Square is one of Tokyo’s largest seafood festivals, where you can feast on fish, crustaceans and the like to your heart’s content. There’s going to be around 80 stalls offering hot dishes like oyster ajillo, clam and shirasu (whitebait) yakisoba and niboshi (seafood broth) ramen to keep you going on a cold winter day. You’ll also find interesting dishes such as grilled steak topped with uni and black truffle

With cherry blossom season just around the corner, Starbucks Japan is getting ready to roll out its highly coveted annual sakura-themed merchandise. The new collection will officially be available in stores as well as online from Saturday February 15. If you’re planning to snatch up some merch in stores, we recommend getting to Starbucks early, as people often line up well before opening time to snag these sought-after items. Photo: Starbucks Japan This year’s Japan-exclusive collection includes your usual mugs and tumblers as well as notebooks, gift cards and tote bags. Here’s the full list of merchandise – with prices. 3 Way Stainless Steel Tumbler Stanley Pale Pink Gradient (414ml, ¥5,300) Heat-Resistant Glass Mug Spring Season Blend (414ml, ¥3,100) Bearista Message Gift (¥1,650) Stainless Steel Bottle Pale Blue Gradient (591ml, ¥5,700) Handy Stainless Steel Bottle Pale Pink (500ml, ¥5,600) Starbucks Mini Cup Gift Beige (¥1,150) Mug Medal Marble (355ml, ¥2,850) Stainless Steel Bottle S'well Marble (473ml, ¥6,800) Stainless Steel Bottle Pale Blue (355ml, ¥4,800) Beverage Card Pale Pink (¥750) Bottle Shoulder Bag (¥2,500) Cooling Tote Bag (¥3,400) Starbucks Campus Ring Notebook Beige/Gradient (¥650 each) Reusable Cup (473ml, ¥600), Reusable Cup with Drink Cap Bearista (¥1,250) Silicone Strap Bottle Pale Blue (532ml, ¥2,700) Color Changing Tumbler (473ml, ¥2,900) Glass Tumbler (473ml, ¥3,500) Stainless Steel Bottle Pale Pink Gradient (355ml, ¥4,500) Double Wall Heat Resist

Japan sure loves a winter celebration. From the gorgeous frozen waterfalls in Aomori to the beautiful illuminations at Ashikaga Flower Park, there’s no doubt that winter is one of the most beautiful times of year. If you’d rather stay close to Tokyo this coming winter, Saitama’s got a winter wonderland you need to check out.  Photo: Saitama Prefecture Products and Tourism Association While it doesn't snow or get very icy in Tokyo, you can catch both at the annual Ashigakubo Icicles event in Chichibu, just an hour and a half from central Tokyo. The stunning area is filled with massive displays of artificial icicles created by spraying water from a nearby stream into the cold winter air.  Photo: tgmkzk/Photo AC The Insta-worthy spot features icicle displays that cover the entire landscape of the area, turning it into a frosty forest. Photo: Chichibu Railway Co., Ltd. The area is also open in the evenings for a special illumination that’s truly stunning. The frozen formations are lit up with colourful lights, giving the entire area a whimsical feel as if you’re walking through a scene from the movie ‘Frozen’. Photo: naleapt/Photo AC The frozen forest is now set to open from January 9 to February 24 2025 and it's open from 9am to 4pm. Evening illuminations are held from Thursday to Sunday including holidays from 5pm to 8pm. To help keep you warm, daytime tickets also come with a free cup of tea or non-alcoholic amazake (sweet fermented rice drink). Photo: chichibu417/Pho

Finding a great brunch spot in Tokyo can be more challenging than you might expect. However, we recently discovered one of the most intriguing brunch menus we’ve seen in a while at Le Pristine Tokyo. Located inside Hotel Toranomon Hills, this casual fine dining restaurant now offers a luxurious brunch limited to weekends and public holidays.  Photo: Hotel Toranomon Hills The exquisite four-course brunch is the creation of Michelin-starred chef Sergio Herman, who has crafted a menu of reimagined Italian dishes inspired by his culinary roots in Zeeland, Netherlands.  Photo: Hotel Toranomon Hills The brunch starts off with a vibrant appetiser platter highlighting the bountiful seafood of the Zeeland region. Highlights include the mussel ‘escabeche’ served with verbena, anchovies and olives, and the botan shrimp layered with crème cru, avocado, lime and caviar.  Photo: Hotel Toranomon Hills Following the appetisers is a hearty fish soup made with carnaroli rice, spark squid, saffron and fennel aioli. This heartwarming soup, a treasured recipe passed down from chef Herman’s father, captures the essence of the sea with its rich, concentrated seafood flavours. Photo: Hotel Toranomon Hills You’ll then be treated to your choice of main, where you can pick from Le Pristine’s signature seafood orecchiette pasta, the monkfish ‘saltimbocca’, or Japanese Akaushi beef ‘rossini’.  Concluding the brunch is a selection of desserts inspired by Japan’s seasonal ingredients. Currently, yo

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 som

In Japan, winter is more of an experience than a season. There’s always something exciting happening somewhere in the country, whether that be amazing illuminations or frozen icicle displays. If you prefer to base your trips around eating, you won’t want to miss out on Restaurant Kamakura Village, a magical restaurant made up of more than 20 pop-up igloos. You’ll find the restaurant nestled in the snowy Japanese Alps in the small town of Iiyama in Nagano prefecture. The winter restaurant is set up annually, and is open for around a month. For 2025, the restaurant will be running from January 24 to February 25.  【レストランかまくら村2025⛄】＠長野県飯山市◆開催日：2025/1/24～2/28◆予約受付日（各日10:00開始）・飯山旅々。宿泊プラン　2024/11/1（詳細は順次掲載）・日帰り各種プラン　Web先行申込 2024/12/20　電話受付　2025/1/16詳しくはHPへ☟https://t.co/46sXqsobAx pic.twitter.com/kFIpe9tNes — 信州いいやま観光局【公式】 (@iiyama_kanko) October 8, 2024 Each igloo fits up to four people and you'll be treated to a hearty meal featuring the local delicacy noroshi nabe, a hot pot made with miso, pork and local veggies. You can choose to dine for lunch or dinner, or opt for a shorter snack plan where you can enjoy a warm cup of amazake (sweet sake) or soup inside the cosy little igloos. Be sure to visit the igloo behind a small red torii gate – inside you’ll find a frosty Shinto shrine. The grounds around the restaurant are also great for sledding, or you could pop in for a visit during a ski trip to one of the surrounding snow resorts.  Lunch at Kamakura Village costs ¥6,000 pe

Ahead of Time Out Market Osaka’s grand opening on March 21, the exciting food and cultural hub just announced more additions to its already impressive roster of chefs, restaurateurs and local favourites. The new market will be a part of the Grand Green Osaka development and will showcase a unique mix of the Kansai region's best culinary gems through its 17 kitchens and two bars.  In addition to Osaka-centred Japanese delicacies, the market will be offering culinary variety in forms including modern Mexican and Korean-inspired dishes, as well as more casual options like burgers. Whether you’re visiting for breakfast, lunch or dinner, Time Out Market Osaka is designed to encourage interaction, with communal tables set up for diners to enjoy each other's company all while soaking up the local culture and atmosphere. If the first seven restaurants and eateries introduced earlier got your mouth watering in anticipation, you might want to take a deep breath before checking out the additional six venues below.  Ayamuya Photo: Time Out Market Ayamuya is the first restaurant in Osaka to receive a Michelin star for its yakitori, or grilled chicken skewers. Now you'll be able to get a taste of this Michelin-worthy chicken at Time Out Market, where the restaurant will be serving up familiar favourites such as fried chicken and chicken cutlet sandwiches. Pizza Timewarp ∈Lacerba Photo: Time Out Market This pizza joint is run by chef Masaaki Fujita of Osaka's renowned restaurant Lacerba

Ahead of Time Out Market Osaka’s grand opening on March 21, the exciting food and cultural hub just announced more additions to its already impressive roster of chefs, restaurateurs and local favourites. The new market will be a part of the Grand Green Osaka development and will showcase a unique mix of the Kansai region's best culinary gems through its 17 kitchens and two bars.  In addition to Osaka-centred Japanese delicacies, the market will be offering culinary variety in forms including modern Mexican and Korean-inspired dishes, as well as more casual options like burgers. Whether you’re visiting for breakfast, lunch or dinner, Time Out Market Osaka is designed to encourage interaction, with communal tables set up for diners to enjoy each other's company all while soaking up the local culture and atmosphere. If the first seven restaurants and eateries introduced earlier got your mouth watering in anticipation, you might want to take a deep breath before checking out the additional six venues below.  Ayamuya Photo: Time Out Market Ayamuya is the first restaurant in Osaka to receive a Michelin star for its yakitori, or grilled chicken skewers. Now you'll be able to get a taste of this Michelin-worthy chicken at Time Out Market, where the restaurant will be serving up familiar favourites such as fried chicken and chicken cutlet sandwiches. Pizza Timewarp ∈Lacerba Photo: Time Out Market This pizza joint is run by chef Masaaki Fujita of Osaka's renowned restaurant Lacerba

Japan has a reputation for its punctual, high-speed bullet trains, which are also highly-rated for being among the safest forms of transport anywhere in the world. For example, since its launch in 1964, the Tokaido Shinkansen rail line between Tokyo and Osaka has maintained a record of zero passenger fatalities while being able to reach a maximum speed of 285km per hour. These impressive numbers are the result of umpteen tests, inspections and safety protocols, including the operation of high-speed test trains that are used to monitor cross-prefectural train tracks and overhead wires. One such train is JR Central’s cheery, bright-yellow seven-car shinkansen fondly known as Doctor Yellow.  Photo: Knotmirai/DreamstimeAn undated stock photo of Dr Yellow shinkansen pulling into Tokyo Station Fitted with special equipment for inspecting the Tokaido Shinkansen tracks, Doctor Yellow doesn’t carry passengers. It also lacks the typical seating of regular shinkansen trains. Because it’s not available for public use, this yellow bullet train's schedule has always been kept under wraps, though it's known to run between Tokyo and Hakata roughly every ten days. Perhaps due to its rarity, Doctor Yellow has become a symbol of good luck for frequent travellers and avid trainspotters. According to urban legend, spotting Doctor Yellow is an omen of future happiness. 【幸せの黄色い新幹線】ドクターイエロー “ラストラン”2001年に運行を開始した車両が29日にラストランを迎えた1964年に開業した東海道新幹線。これまで、列車の脱線や衝突による乗客の死亡事故は0件→安全運行を支えているのが「ドクターイエロー」▼正式名

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