Why sit on a tarp when you can zoom through flowers on a 100-meter slide or risk falling into the trees from 370 meters in the air?
illuminations
Celebrate the fleeting cherry blossom season with a plethora of things to do right around the Imperial Palace.
With chairlifts, an illuminated slide, and a dazzling Tamagotchi display, Illumillion is a must-visit spot in Japan this winter.
Thankfully, there’s still no actual nudity attached to these modern-meets-traditional installations to celebrate the spring.
Chōshi Electric Railway gets an A for effort, even if they don’t quite nail the whole Christmas spirit thing…
Tokyo Skytree has a brilliant light display in store for four days only, and it’s designed to represent three of Japan’s signature dishes: tamago kake gohan (egg with rice), o-nabe (Japanese hot pot), and takikomi gohan (seasoned steamed rice).
We appreciate that while many of you are interested in Japan and Japanese culture, not all of you are able to visit the Land of the Rising Sun quite so easily. But Christmas is a great time of year here in Tokyo, what with all the lights, decorations and hand-holding couples, so in order to share the various seasonal sights with you we took the liberty of putting together a little slideshow.
Join us after the jump for a photo tour of Tokyo’s best Christmas illuminations!
Since the opening of the Tokyo Skytree in 2012, Tokyo Tower is no longer the tallest or most fashionable structure in Tokyo. Still, the 56-year-old steel giant has managed to hang onto its reputation as one of the city’s most romantic locales, thanks in part to its location in quiet, sophisticated Shiba-koen as opposed to the boisterous Shitamachi district where the Skytree stands.
This month, Tokyo Tower is doing a little more to set the mood, with a beautiful light display that ties in with Japan’s Tanabata star festival.
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Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
When is miso ramen not miso ramen? When it’s the new ramen at one of Japan’s top beef bowl chains
Japan now has “edible cat fur” for people who really love felines
7-Eleven’s new green tea rice ball and sweets are only available in Japan’s top tea-growing area
Sanrio Hotel Floria isn’t actually a hotel, but it’s still a must visit for fans traveling in Tokyo
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Weekly
- New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
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Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations- Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Shakey’s Japan creates matcha mochi, Kyoto fish, and Kansai Chili Con Carne pizzas
Anne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
Monthly
- New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
Yearly
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
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7-Eleven’s new green tea rice ball and sweets are only available in Japan’s top tea-growing area
Sanrio Hotel Floria isn’t actually a hotel, but it’s still a must visit for fans traveling in Tokyo
300-tonne hose washes up on Japanese shore
7-Eleven Japan has a new Creamy Iced Cafe Latte that’s a hit on social media
Reinvented traditional Japanese hearths may be coming to a restaurant near you
Japanese university welcomes birth of baby deer on campus, president waives entrance exam[Videos]
Japan’s Pokémon Slowpoke Train goes on hiatus, but a mini version could be yours to own
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Japanese Sakuranbo Mochi goes viral online with millions of views, but is it worth the hype?
Mos Burger adds Kandy Tea Milk to the menu and Japanese social media is here for it
Shakey’s Japan creates matcha mochi, Kyoto fish, and Kansai Chili Con Carne pizzas
Super Mario Galaxy Happy Meal toys now available at McDonald’s Japan
Two of Kyoto’s famous temples tackle streetside trash with solar-powered trash cans
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