ashley brooks 
Hanabi spots in Tokyo are not all created equal, and the one you choose will shape your entire summer night. Tokyo’s fireworks season runs from late May through early September, with the major festivals concentrated in a 6-week window from late July through early August. There are large crowds, so the time and location you … Read more
Art supplies in Tokyo are genuinely affordable when you know which neighborhoods to visit, and these 5 districts give working artists a real advantage over department-store shopping. Jimbocho: the historic heart of Tokyo’s creative scene Jimbocho is famous both in Japan and abroad as Tokyo’s beloved “Book Town.” For artists, this neighborhood offers more than … Read more
Tanabata Tokyo fills the city with bamboo, colored paper, and handwritten wishes every July, and this week is the best time to see it all at once. What Tanabata actually is Tanabata, also known as the Star Festival, is a Japanese celebration traditionally held on the seventh day of the seventh month. According to myth, … Read more
Running club Tokyo options are growing fast, and for a complete beginner, that is very good news. Why a running club suits beginners in Tokyo Tokyo can feel large and unfamiliar when you first arrive. A running club gives you a reason to leave the house, a fixed meeting point, and a group of people … Read more
Hanabi Tokyo is one of the most exciting nights of the Tokyo summer calendar, and the 2026 “JPOP BEST” edition gives it a soundtrack that will feel instantly familiar to anyone who loves Japanese music. What makes this hanabi show different The Tokyo Racecourse Fireworks is a fireworks festival held at the racecourse in Fuchu, … Read more
Japan’s departure tax is tripling tomorrow, and if you call Tokyo home, even temporarily, this one is worth understanding properly before you head to the airport. What the new departure tax actually is The Japan departure tax, officially called the International Tourist Tax, is a government departure fee included in most airfare when leaving Japan. … Read more
A nemophila day trip from Tokyo costs you about 4 hours of travel and rewards you with one of the most photographed landscapes in all of Japan. When the blue flowers actually bloom The bloom window is short and varies each year. The best time to see the nemophila flowers is typically from mid-April to … Read more
Sports bars across Tokyo are filling up fast as the World Cup brings 104 matches to screens across the city, and knowing where to go before kick-off makes all the difference. Understanding the time difference Because of the time difference, Japan Standard Time viewers face a completely unusual schedule. While a few matches land at … Read more
A Tokyo workshop for pottery or indigo dye is one of the most satisfying ways to spend a slow Saturday in this city, and you do not need any experience to enjoy it. Why these 2 crafts are perfect for beginners Tokyo offers a large number of traditional craft experiences. Pottery and indigo dyeing are … Read more
Tokyo hydrangeas are one of the most underrated reasons to love living in this city, and June’s rainy season is exactly when they ask for your full attention. What tsuyu actually means for your plans Japan’s rainy season, known as tsuyu, is the season when hydrangeas thrive. The hydrangea is the flower of the rainy … Read more