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The mountainous town of Hakone lies about an hour and a half by train from Tokyo, making it a popular day trip or weekend getaway from the capital. It has had a long and illustrious tradition as a hot spring town â its name even appears in Edo-era (1603-1868) rankings of Japanâs best onsen.
But Hakone is about much more than just bathing. Itâs got everything from superb art museums to an active volcano, as well as a jaw-dropping view of Mt Fuji on clear days. These are our top picks of things to do and see around the area, from central Hakone-Yumoto and beautiful Lake Ashi to posh but relaxed Gora, which is still one of the most in-demand neighbourhoods for moneyed Tokyo folks looking for a second home.
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There are endless things to do in Shibuya, from the famous Scramble Crossing and shopping, to music gigs and casual drinks. But more often than not, those who wander into this bustling district usually end up at an izakaya one way or another.Â
The only problem is that Shibuya is crammed with so many pubs and restaurants that it's easy to feel overwhelmed by all the choices. Weâll save you the stress of ambling around aimlessly with this list of our favourite Japanese gastropubs in the area. From quirky underground neo-izakaya to old school sake hubs, here are the spots to bookmark for your next catch-up with friends.
RECOMMENDED: 12 best restaurants near Shibuya Crossing
Once written off as motherâs ruin, gin is making an exuberant comeback thanks to cool craft distilleries experimenting with new herbs, fruits and spices alongside the spiritâs signature juniper berries. In Japan, homegrown distillers are also incorporating local botanicals including tea, yuzu, cherry blossoms and sansho pepper into their production.
The results are stunning, with Japan taking its place at ginâs top table with some really aromatic tipples that are distinctively different from its counterparts in Europe. Interested? Hereâs our list of the best gin bars in Tokyo, where you can enjoy top class G&T and gin cocktails.
RECOMMENDED: Most unique bars in Tokyo
Known for their obsessively curated playlists and impeccably tuned sound systems, listening bars are a Tokyo institution. The city now has yet another of these audio temples, but not in a form youâd expect. Since January 2025, a mobile listening bar â composed of a classic British Mini and a towed âlistening roomâ campervan â has been popping up across some of the cityâs trendier neighbourhoods. Often spotted near Ebisu, Sakurashinmachi and Jinbocho stations, the moving sound sanctuary has already delighted many a Tokyo audiophile and night owl.
Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa
The mobile listening bar wasnât initially conceived as one at all. The twin brains behind the project, automotive guru Jinbo from Drivethru Magazine and Kiyota of the co-working space Village out in Hinohara, were developing a âmobile sustainable stationâ â a campervan equipped with solar panels and batteries â at Village when they discovered their rideâs exceptional acoustic properties.Â
Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa
Enter sound engineer Komatsu of Komatsu Sound Lab, who transformed the van into an audiophile's dream, complete with vacuum tube amplifiers and pristine speakers. Better yet, the system is powered completely by electricity generated with solar panels.
Photo: Keisuke TanigawaããããŒãããªã®ã·ãªãª
The final piece of the puzzle came through a partnership with Shiori, the creative force behind minibar Midori, the bar component of the listening bar experience. On offer are quirky drinks like the Engine, an Itali