Tabea Greuner

Nothing elicits more excitement in Japan than cherry blossom season. These delicate pink flowers bloom for just two weeks annually, so everyone clears their schedule for hanami picnics and long strolls in the parks. A single cherry tree along an otherwise drab, unremarkable road is enough to transform the street and stop pedestrians in their tracks for photos. Still, it’s worth going the extra mile to seek stunning settings that enhance the blossoms’ beauty. We’ve already got a list of the best places in Tokyo for sakura spotting, but there are just as many trees to see in other prefectures, too. Here are the top sites and festivals to check out in Japan, even after Tokyo’s blooms fade. Note: the dates in this feature may change depending on weather conditions. See the latest flowering forecast here. RECOMMENDED: The greatest cherry blossom trees of Japan

Kamakura, located less than an hour from Tokyo, boasts magnificent temples, fantastic restaurants and a popular beach. Famed for its Great Buddha as well as its seasonally changing landscape, particularly the hydrangeas that appear at the start of summer and the multicoloured splendour of autumn leaves, Japan’s first feudal capital is a big hit among those looking to escape the city for a day.  It can get busy during peak times like cherry blossom season and autumn, so visit off-season if possible to escape the crowds. Here are our best picks for a great day in Kamakura. RECOMMENDED: The best day trips from Tokyo

タイムアウト東京 > Things to Do> 東京、2025年1〜5日に開催される正月イベント 新年がやってくる！初日の出から始まり、獅子舞、書き初め、鷹狩、だるま市と行った伝統行事が体験でkるイベントから、渋谷のDJたちが結集し、新春を祝うパーティーまで、1月1日から5日までに東京で開催されるイベントを紹介。年初にとっておきの時間を過ごし、2025年をスタートしよう。 関連記事『年末年始にしかできないこと』

The new year is here! If, like us, you're feeling very done with 2024, then kickstart 2025 with some of the best events happening in Tokyo. If you feel like doing something energetic, head to one of Tokyo's many ice-skating rinks, and then take in the twinkly festive illuminations around town. Whatever you do, don't let the Tokyo winter beat you.

Getting home on New Year's Eve in Tokyo could be tricky. The good news is, some train lines in Greater Tokyo usually add extra late-night services to their timetables in order to accommodate the hordes of revellers out in the metropolis. The bad news is, you'll have to be prepared to wait longer and to squeeze into over-crowded carriages. Now that you know, it's time to plan your 2024-25 New Year's Eve. Whether you're looking to visit shrines for the traditional new year prayers or take part in a spiritual bell-ringing ritual at a temple, here's how to get home safely.

To realise how massive Tokyo is, it's best to head up to one of the many observation decks in the city, where you can look out at our megalopolis, with views that stretch out to as far as the iconic Mt Fuji, Yokohama or Chichibu on a clear day.  The landmark Tokyo Tower is a popular option, especially since the opening of its 250m-high Top Deck in 2018. Tokyo Skytree attracts a fair share of visitors too. Its Tembo Galleria, at a height of 450m, makes the concrete jungle below look like a miniature world − definitely not for those who are afraid of heights. While a visit to some of these observation decks often comes with prices as lofty as the view, we have also included free options on our list. Here's our guide to the best vantage points in Tokyo, where you can be dazzled by the sprawling cityspace and beautiful architecture. RECOMMENDED: Best places to watch the sunset in Tokyo

Every year from October to December, hordes of Tokyoites make the exodus out of town to classic autumn-leaf destinations like Kamakura, Nikko, Hakone and even Kyoto. However, if you prefer not to travel, there are still plenty of gardens and parks right here in the city to catch the brilliant autumn colours from mid-to-late November. Here are our top picks of historic retreats, lush parks and lesser-known viewing locations, all in or close to Tokyo. BEFORE YOU GO: The 2024 autumn leaves forecast for Tokyo and Japan

The highest peak in Japan standing at 3,776m, Mt Fuji is beloved for its elegant, perfectly symmetrical shape. It's the icon of Japan, and whether you're in Tokyo for a short time or you've lived here for decades, a clear view of the mountain never gets old. While it’s possible to get a glimpse of the mountain in the capital when the weather is clear, you're better off travelling out of the city to get the perfect view. Admire Mt Fuji's beauty from these nine scenic spots in Yamanashi, Kanagawa and Shizuoka, all of which are easily reachable from Tokyo as a day trip. Just try to get there early in the morning or in the late afternoon as the midday clouds tend to block the view. RECOMMENDED: Best day trips from Tokyo

Tea is an art form in Japan. There’s often a formality associated with the serving and savouring of tea, whether it’s during sado (a traditional tea ceremony), at a tea salon or simply at home. Tea is more than just a beverage; it is a mindful experience. There are three broad categories of green tea: matcha, sencha and gyokuro. Matcha, a vivid green powder that boasts a rich flavour and an umami-sweet aftertaste when whisked with water, is made from tea buds grown entirely in the shade. After harvest, the leaves are steamed and dried before being ground into powder. Sencha, on the other hand, is the most conventional green tea in Japan. Its shrubs are exposed to direct sunlight and its leaves are steamed, pressed and rolled after picking. The green tea of the highest quality, gyokuro is made from sprouts that have been covered for about 20 days pre-harvest. To enhance their flavour, the leaves are steamed before being dried and rolled. To enjoy all the distinctive types of Japanese green tea, or even some cool new creations, head to these tea salons in Tokyo. RECOMMENDED: Japanese ice cream flavours you need to try

International coffee chain Starbucks may be big around the globe, but in Japan, it has developed a cult-like following. Since opening its first outlet in Ginza more than two decades ago in 1996, the Seattle-born brand now has a whopping 1,917 stores (and counting) across the country. For the past few years, its fandom has reached a fever pitch. In 2015, the opening of Starbucks’ first outpost in Tottori, Japan’s least populated prefecture, attracted a thousand fans to line up from the early morning hours so that they could be the first to enter the new store. Prior to the opening of the world’s largest Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Meguro in 2019, the coffee giant came up with a lottery system to give winners access tickets based on specific time slots to visit the outlet. Starbucks’ skyrocketing popularity in Japan is partly fueled by its continuous offering of seasonal, limited-time beverages and merchandise, most of which are exclusive to the country. Moreover, the coffee chain has found a way to adapt to local culture, creating Insta-worthy, one-of-a-kind spaces at inspiring locations while featuring cutting-edge architecture and design. In fact, these outlets are so innovative that you wouldn’t have thought it was a Starbucks until you notice the familiar green mermaid logo. So here are the most stunning Starbucks in the country, from one that’s set in a heritage house in Kyoto to the Kawagoe outlet that features a Zen garden. RECOMMENDED: Prefer a gorgeous coffee shop

Only a 30-minute train ride from Ikebukuro Station, Kawagoe in Tokyo’s neighbouring Saitama prefecture is a popular weekend destination. The highlight of Kawagoe is its well-preserved Koedo area, also known as Little Edo. In this small town, you’ll find plenty of souvenir shops, eateries and cafés, all inside kurazukuri, traditional warehouse-style buildings. Explore the historical streets in a kimono or yukata while enjoying local treats made from sweet potato, Kawagoe’s speciality. Look out for sweet potato ice cream, or imo kenpi (sweetened sweet potato fries), sold along the cosy Kashiya Yokocho – that’s Penny Candy Alley in English. But there’s much more to Kawagoe than just food. The city is a great destination year round: the little stream behind Hikawa Shrine is lined by cherry blossoms in spring and large koinobori (carp streamers) decorate the Taisho Roman Yume Street around Children’s Day in May. To make the most of your visit, check our list below with everything you need for a great day trip to  Kawagoe. RECOMMENDED: Head to the seaside for a perfect day in Kamakura

Japan on the whole may be pretty safe in terms of crime, but unfortunately when it comes to natural disasters, it's not a case of if but when. Even a temporary visitor may have experienced a small earthquake or two, while long-term residents certainly will have had their fair share of ground-shaking episodes, not to mention the typhoons. Luckily, Tokyo often avoids most of the severe trembles, but it pays to be vigilant and prepared, considering many scientists predict a rather high change of the big one hitting our megalopolis in the next few decades. Here are some of the basics you need to know, including essential places for English-language emergency information. RECOMMENDED: Read our typhoon preparation guide here.

Spring will soon be here, bringing with it Tokyo’s cherry blossom season. However, sakura are not the only spring flowers that turn people on the streets into Instagram-photographers. Another floral highlight at this time of year are tulips, with the Kanto region’s largest fields found in Tokyo’s neighbouring Chiba prefecture. Photo: Sakura city The annual Sakura Tulip Festa at Sakura City’s Sakura Furusato Square takes place from April 1 to April 20 (9am-4pm daily). You can look forward to around 600,000 flowers of 100 different tulip varieties, complete with a Dutch-style windmill for that perfect photo.  Photo: Sakura city If you’d like to grow your own tulips at home, make a beeline for the designated field to pick your favourite flowers. You’ll have to dig out the entire plant with its bulb, so make sure to wear some sturdy shoes that can handle getting muddy. Ten tulip plants cost just ¥600 (or 13 plants for the same price on weekdays). Photo: Sakura city It’s easy to spend an entire day here as the festival features food trucks and stalls run by local restaurants. Plus, you can go on a sightseeing cruise across the adjacent Lake Inbanuma, from where you can enjoy panoramic views of the festival grounds. The boat ride takes about 40 minutes and runs only on Saturdays and Sundays. A ticket will set you back ¥1,000 (children ¥500). Sakura is just under an hour from Keisei-Ueno Station on the Keisei Main line. From Keisei-Sakura Station's north exit, you can take the

While spring will soon be blooming in Tokyo, other parts of Japan are still covered in snow. One of the country's snowiest places is the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, which connects Toyama and Nagano prefectures. It's so wintry here that the area's annual Yuki no Otani Festival (or Snow Corridor Festival) is taking place from April 15 to June 25. Photo: Tateyama Kurobe Kanko Co.,Ltd.The snow corridor During the festivities, you can see the best of the area's beautiful winter scenery, including the striking snow corridor. The snow corridor is a 500-metre-long path along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route near the Murodo Plateau. The trail is flanked by towering snow walls up to 20 metres tall. With a maximum altitude of 2,450 metres, the area sees heavy snowfall throughout winter. In spring, the road finally opens up when snowploughs clear away the snow, resulting in these massive walls. One part of the road is open for pedestrians to wander through this icy wonderland. Photo: Tateyama Kurobe Kanko Co.,Ltd.The Panorama Road Running parallel to the snow corridor is the Panorama Road, which offers a different snow experience. Open daily between April 15 and May 6 from 10am to 3pm, the promenade provides great views of the Tateyama mountain range. 見つけられた？秘密は…「手で何代目かを表している」です☝️ pic.twitter.com/TRPI6zSvtM— 【公式】立山黒部アルペンルート (@tateyamakurobe_) February 8, 2024 Before venturing through the snow corridor or the Panorama Road, make sure to check out the large snow plough that’s used t

Now that the 2024 autumn leaves forecast is out, we can start planning our travels around Japan's most beautiful autumn destinations. In a couple of months, scenic parks, temples and nature attractions across the country will turn red and yellow – it's going to be one of the best times to visit Japan. Photo: Reikanji Temple One of the top go-to spots for koyo (autumn colours) this year is Reikanji Temple in Kyoto. Usually closed off to the public, the temple is opening its gates for a limited time from November 20 until December 1 for visitors to enjoy its garden’s beautiful autumn foliage.  Photo: Reikanji Temple Founded in 1654 by Tari-no-Miya, the daughter of Emperor Go-Mizunoo, Reikanji was a temple where successive imperial princesses served as chief priests. Also known as the Palace of the Valley, it still retains its prestigious reputation and elegant appearance. Photo: Reikanji Temple After admiring the stunning autumn foliage, you can join the guided tour that takes you inside the Shoin (drawing room), which was relocated here from Kyoto’s former Imperial Palace. Photo: Reikanji Temple Inside, you will see beautiful fusuma sliding doors painted by members of the former Kano school, one of the most prestigious institutions of Japanese painting. In focus are the four seasons as well as flower and bird motifs. You can also peek inside the Hondo main hall, which was donated by Tokugawa Ienari, the 11th shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate. However, you’re not allowed

Tokyo’s cherry blossoms aren't expected to bloom before mid-March, but you can get a taste of the pink blooms from early February on the southernmost tip of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka prefecture. The town of Minami Izu has a sakura and rapeseed blossom festival that runs from February 1 until March 10. Photo: Minamiizu Town Tourism AssociationShimogamo Onsen, Shizuoka The pink spectacle takes place along the Aono River in the Shimogamo Onsen area and at the nearby Shimogamo Onsen Yu no Hana rest stop. About 800 Kawazu cherry blossom trees and plenty of yellow rape blossoms line the 4.2-km-long stretch along the Aono River. Kawazu cherry blossoms were first discovered in 1972 in Kawazu, a little town further north on the Izu Peninsula. Thanks to Izu’s warm climate, these cherry blossoms bloom earlier than any other sakura type around Japan. Photo: Minamiizu Town Tourism Association Between February 5 and 28, you can hop of a rickshaw which will take you on a 20-minute cherry blossom viewing course around the area (¥3,000 per person). During the festival there'll also be an Ise shrimp miso soup service (February 16 to 23) where you can pick up a free cup of soup at the Shimogamo Shopping Street Miro parking lot. The soup will be served twice a day at 11am and again at 1pm. Photo: Minamiizu Town Tourism Association Make sure to stay until the evening, when the sakura between Kujobashi Bridge and Maeharabashi Bridge are beautifully lit up. Close to the roadside station S

Kinchakuda Manjushage Park in Saitama prefecture’s Hidaka city is one of the best places near Tokyo to see red spider lilies, also known as higanbana or manjushage in Japanese. With about five million of these unique flowers expected to bloom around this time of year, the sprawling Saitama park will be bringing back its annual autumn flower festival from September 18. However, the warmer-than-usual weather this year delayed the growth and the blooming of the flowers, as such the festival has been extended until October 9. And that's perfect because the red spider lilies are now approaching full bloom and this weekend's the best time to go see them. Photo: Kinchakuda Manjushage Park Aside from fields of beautiful scarlet red spider lilies, you’ll also find booths at the festival selling a variety of local food and drinks as well as souvenirs. Photo: Hidaka city As this is one of Japan's largest concentrations of red spider lilies, the organisers are expecting large crowds, especially on these dates: September 28-29 and October 5-6. As parking is limited, we recommend taking the train instead. It takes about 90 minutes from Ikebukuro Station to Koma Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro line; from there, it’s a 15-minute walk to the park.  Kinchakuda Manjushage Park is open from 9am to 4.30pm. Entry costs ¥500 per person (free for junior high school students and younger children). To all photographers and Instagrammers who’re planning to shoot photos and videos, note that you’re n

Featuring an overwhelming selection of 290 shops offering deep discounts, Gotemba Premium Outlets in Shizuoka prefecture offers a spectacular view of Mt Fuji on a clear day. Now that there are direct buses from Shibuya, it’s even easier for you to make this a day trip from Tokyo. And you'll want to do just that on a Saturday between July 27 and August 31 to catch the special fireworks. Photo: Mitsubishi Estate・Simon Co., Ltd. Called Gotemba Night 2024, the event’s free five-minute hanabi (fireworks display) takes place after closing time at 8.10pm on July 27 as well as August 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31. Each show, which is synchronised to music, will launch 500 shells of fireworks.  Photo: Gotemba Premium Outlets You’ll be able to enjoy the hanabi from anywhere within the outlet mall grounds. However, since the fireworks are launched from the valley between Yume no Ohashi and Kibo no Ohashi bridges, we recommend watching the show from the elevated Hill Side area. (In case of rain or strong winds, the fireworks show will be postponed to Sunday.)  Photo: Mitsubishi Estate・Simon Co., Ltd. Fitting with the summer matsuri theme, you can rent a yukata for ¥5,000 at the Hill Side Welcome Centre. Yukata dressing services are also available if you bring your own for ¥2,500. Rentals and dressing services are available from 10am to 8.30pm on days when fireworks are held. Photo: Mitsubishi Estate・Simon Co., Ltd. On days of the fireworks, you’ll find food trucks at the East Zone Food Ba

Summer is a great time to be in Tokyo, with an array of festivals and fireworks displays taking place across the city. But there are also more traditional events happening, like the Toro Nagashi (floating lantern) nighttime festival at Chidorigafuchi Moat along the fringe of the Imperial Palace grounds. This popular light-up spectacle will take place again in 2024 on July 24 and 25 after sundown. Photo: Chiyoda City Tourism Association Over the course of two evenings, you can witness 2,000 beautiful paper lanterns floating on the water. The festival was first held in 1958 to comfort people after World War II. Photo: Chiyoda City Tourism Association You can just turn up and enjoy the sight for free. Or you could contribute to the spectacle by releasing your own lantern to the water. You can use the lantern to write down your hopes, dreams or prayers.  Photo: Chiyoda City Tourism Association One way to immerse yourself in the event is to hop on a rowboat and send your lantern out onto the water while being surrounded by thousands of glowing lanterns. However, participation is based on a lottery system and the registration is now closed. Photo: Chiyoda City Tourism Association On the bright side, you can still design a lantern on the day of the event even without a boat. As lantern supplies are limited, be sure to make a reservation for a lantern in advance online, which costs ¥2,000. You can pick up the lantern on the day, by showing the staff a QR code at the lantern p

Enoshima is one of the most popular island getaways for Tokyoites. It’s easily accessible for a day trip, plus the island offers a good mix of seafood, temples, fresh greenery and sea views. From end-July through August 2024, you might want to stay on a little longer after sunset, as Enoshima is hosting a free projection mapping event inspired by the little island’s folktale Enoshima Engi. Photo: SuppliedEnoshima Lanterns in 2023 Called the Enoshima Lanterns, this annual digital light show starts at the island’s Zuishinmon Gate, where it depicts a scene from Enoshima Engi, illustrating a mythical love story between an evil five-headed dragon and a beautiful goddess. Make sure to watch the entire scene until the end as it includes digital fireworks. Photo: Velveta Design The staircase leading up to Enoshima Shrine, which is dedicated to the aforementioned goddess, is lit up with blue and yellow lights. Photo: Velveta Design At the shrine grounds, the project mapping show here goes deeper into the legendary love story. Furthermore, the shrine grounds as well as the upper area surrounding the Samuel Cocking Garden and the Enoshima Sea Candle lighthouse are decked out with 1,000 traditional lanterns depicting scenes from Enoshima Engi. This year, in addition to these regular features, Enoshima Hetsunomiya is introducing a new element inspired by the refreshing ocean breeze. The shrine will be bathed in a blue light, and you can catch this from July 30 onwards. Photo: Velv

For a few days now, Tokyo has been hit by a heatwave, with daily temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. To help you avoid heatstroke, NHK World Japan provides this English website with information on the most recent heat stress index, also known as the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index. It calculates the temperature as well as the humidity and radiation levels, and assess their negative impact on our human body’s heat balance. Thanks to the easy-to-understand graph, you can see the index at different times of the day, so you know when to stay in and when it’s okay to go out. There’s also a forecast for the next day to help you plan accordingly. To find out if a heatstroke warning has been issued for your area, you can also check this website by the Ministry of Environment, which is updated hourly. Photo: Ministry of Environment – screenshot of the heat stress index As seen in the image above, the heat stress index indicates the heatstroke alerts that have been issued and in which region. There are also recommendations on the kinds of activities that should be avoided at certain WBGT levels. While Japan is known for its extremely hot and humid summer, the effects of climate change have brought forth a massive heatwave. On Sunday July 7, Shizuoka city hit an alarming 40 degrees Celsius while large swathe of the country recorded crippling heat exceeding 35 degrees Celsius, including Tokyo. To put it into perspective, any temperature above 35 degrees Celsius is consid

The awe-inspiring Lake Ashi Summer Festival Week in the mountain onsen town of Hakone is happening this year from July 31 to August 5. As it’s held in conjunction with Hakone Shrine’s annual Reitaisai festival, you can expect a series of events as well as some jaw-dropping fireworks. This year's fireworks will be bigger than those in 2023, so be sure to mark these dates in your calendar. Kosui Matsuri Fireworks Festival, July 31 About 5,000 shells of fireworks will be launched at 8pm from Moto-Hakone Bay. The festival is held to worship Kutouryu Myojin, the guardian deity of the lake. 1267 Taisai Hoshuku Fireworks Festival, August 1 This fireworks display is held to commemorate the 1,267th anniversary of Hakone Shrine. Around 2,500 shells of fireworks will be set off from Moto-Hakone Bay at 8pm. Photo: Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide Inc Hakone-en Summer Night Festival, August 2 & 3 The Hakone-en Resort Complex – a 30-minute walk from Moto-Hakone area – is celebrating summer with fireworks at 8pm. About 2,500 shells will be launched from Hakone-en Bay, with star mines and Niagara sparklers synchronised to music. Visitors can submit well-wishes and messages, which will be read out during the fireworks show. You’ll also find food stalls selling street eats.            Kojiri Ryujin Festival Fireworks, August 4 About 2,500 shells of fireworks will be launched at 8pm from Kojiri Bay on the northern shore of Lake Ashi. Photo: Hakone Tourist Association Torii-yaki Festival F

Sakura Furusato Square in Tokyo’s neighbouring Chiba prefecture is famous year round for its colourful blooms – think tulips in spring and cosmos in autumn. This summer from July 6 to 21 2024, the expansive grounds will transform into a sea of sunflowers centred around a Dutch windmill. Photo: Sakura City The Windmill Sunflower Garden is expected to feature around 15,000 blooms, with the field of bright yellow flowers stretching as far as the eye can see. There are multiple types of sunflower here, the highlight being Vincent’s Choice. This particular variety was named after the late Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, whose sunflower paintings are famous around the world. Photo: Sakura City There’s more to do at Sakura Furusato Square than just looking at sunflowers, and it’s easy to spend an entire day here.  Photo: Sakura City There’s a sightseeing cruise across the adjacent Lake Inbanuma, from where you’ll have a panoramic view of the park and sunflower field. The 40-minute boat ride runs eight times a day on Saturdays and Sundays (as well as on Monday July 15, which is a public holiday in Japan), departing at 9.30am, 10am, 10.50am, 11.20am, 12.40pm, 1.10pm, 2pm and 2.30pm. A boat ride ticket costs ¥1,000 (children ¥500). To cool down from the midday heat, seek refuge at the souvenir shop Saranka, where you can enjoy kakigori shaved ice dessert as well as soft-serve ice cream made with local milk from Sakura city. You can also shop for mementos and local vegetables. Sak

Summer means fireworks in Japan, and there are plenty of spectacular displays to enjoy in and around Tokyo. One of the most impressive fireworks festivals is at Kawaguchiko, the largest of the Fuji Five Lakes, in Yamanashi prefecture. The Kawaguchiko Kojo Matsuri summer festival takes place on Monday August 5 from 7.45pm, with fireworks launched from the middle of the lake between the eastern shore and Kawaguchiko Bridge. Gigantic starmines and musical starmines will not only be reflected on the water’s surface but also synchronised to music. The whole show will be 55 minutes long.  Photo: G photo/Photo-AC For an up-close view, head to Oike Park or either one of these two shores – Funatsuhama and Hirahama. Between Oike Park and the Komagari Tunnel lakeside, dozens of food stalls will line the street, selling typical festival grub. Pro tip: if it’s a clear night, make a beeline for the other side of the lake, around Nagasaki Park or Oishi Park. Here you’ll have an uninterrupted view of the fireworks, with the towering silhouette of Mt Fuji in the background. The summer festivals around Lake Kawaguchiko continue on August 15 and 16 with the Okukawaguchiko Furusato Matsuri and Fujikawaguchiko Lantern Matsuri, which are free to attend. The festival site at Oike Park will be hosting stage performances, festival games and lots of food. Photo: Fujikawaguchiko Tourist Information You can reach Kawaguchiko in about one hour and 45 minutes by highway bus from Shinjuku Station. Alte