Category Archives: Neighborhoods

This store is sponsored by the government to sell handcrafted stuff from all over Japan, at the same price you’d pay if you went to the artisan’s studio. It’s like getting a primo shopping tour of the country without leaving Tokyo! Even if you’re not in the market for a gorgeous memento of your trip, thinkContinueContinue reading “Japan Traditional Craft Center”

Edogawa Goldfish Festival A grand goldfish festival takes place in Edogawa every July, and it’s an amazing opportunity to experience Japan’s iconic meme for dashed hopes for yourself, as well as marvel at exotic goldfish varieties and pick up some choice swag. Tell me more! Search term: Edogawa goldfish festival, kingyo matsuri Edogawa • FloatingContinueContinue reading “Great things to do in July”

This museum is a hybrid that exhibits several collections in various combinations, revolving around the work of Taisho Period artist Takahisa Yumeji. If you love Jazz Age art and fashion—the period when age-old Japanese traditions were shook up by contact with Western ideas—you’ll love the Yayoi-Yumeji Museum. It’s two museums in one—the Yayoi collection ofContinueContinue reading “Yayoi-Yumeji Museum”

This indoor entertainment park is so much more than just an aquarium. Part immersive digital wonderland, part aqua showcase, part zoo, it offers cute animals, dolphin shows and even an amusement park ride! It’s an especially great place to visit on a hot or rainy day. The first galleries are a collaboration with digital artistsContinueContinue reading “Shinagawa Aqua Park”

More Irises The first week of June is still a fantastic time to gaze at purple seas of iris, including those in a secret garden that’s only open to the public during iris season. Here are the the best iris gardens in Tokyo. Tell me more! • Mt. Takao Beer Garden Not only is aContinueContinue reading “Great things to do in June”

More Wisteria These magnificent beauties continue to bloom into the first week in May. Here’s where to see the best wisteria in Tokyo. • Childrens’ Day Childrens’ Day (used to be called Boys’ Day): Fish flags known as koi nobori traditionally fluttered outside the doors of every family with sons, in the hope their childrenContinueContinue reading “Great things to do in May”

The Nezu Museum’s motto ought to be “small, but choice” because its high-quality exhibitions and the garden that surrounds it aren’t huge, but are always worth seeing. Its permanent collection is famous for its Japanese swords and the Cultural Treasure iris screen painted by Kōrin, which is exhibited every May. Famous Japanese architect Kengo Kuma’sContinueContinue reading “Nezu Museum”

More Cherry Blossoms The classic clouds of pale pink somei yoshino sakura end the first week in April, but the late-blooming varieties burst into bloom the second week, hitting their peak mid-April. Here are the best places to see late-blooming cherries in Tokyo • Tulip Festival at Showa Kinen Park I know. It doesn’t lookContinueContinue reading “Great things to do in April”

There’s a reason that Shinjuku Gyoen is one of the most-visited gardens in Tokyo—there’s something spectacular happening all year long. One of the very best places to see cherry blossoms—from the very earliest bloomers in mid-March to the late-bloomers in mid-April—it’s also especially wonderful in February for plum blossoms and November for the unbelievable chrysanthemumContinueContinue reading “Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden”

Asakusa-bashi is the neighborhood where they sell the incredibly expensive dolls displayed on Girls’ Day, and also the home of quirky souvenir emporium Shimojima and many excellent beading and jewelry-making supply stores. It’s especially great to visit the doll stores in the month before Girls’ Day from mid-February to March 3. First, the doll stores!ContinueContinue reading “Asakusa-bashi Area”