The Ultimate Guide To Tokyo
** Permanently closed ** Capsule hotels are one of the most unique aspects of Japan. You hear whispers of them from foreigners at the airport; you sometimes see these capsule hotels in downtown Tokyo. The Capsule Hotel Riverside has a […]
Make the most of the pleasant weather in Tokyo this March and April with our guide to the best festivals and flowers. This is the first instalment of a new bi-monthly events wrap where we’ll be giving you the lowdown […]
As Tokyo shifts into early summer and rainy season mode, there’s an explosion of events. The next two months offer a chance to see two famous and historical festivals – so get your camera ready. This is the second instalment […]
So you’ve finally summoned up all your courage and asked out that cute coworker, you know, the shy one that is always smiling. And for some reason, they actually said “yes!” Now what? It’s time to plan your first date(s) together. […]
Fireworks festivals in Tokyo are definitely an experience no one should miss, but they can be frustrating. Every year, hundreds of thousands of Tokyoites congregate at the hottest spots to watch the fireworks and celebrate summer— and they string along […]
There are so many fantastic free events happening in Tokyo in November and December that it was tough choosing just five for this bimonthly events wrap. But we had to (because the editor said so). After much discount coffee fuelled […]
It may be the global capital of modern cool these days, but even back in the Edo period, Tokyo was home to some of the most fascinating culture in the world. Forget samurai and their stylized and ritualistic life you […]
With the dollar stronger than ever (at time of writing, 90 USD will buy you 10,700 yen), now is a great time to visit Japan and get a big bang for your buck. We’ve done three days in Tokyo on […]
Tokyo may seem shiny-shiny and new – and parts of it are. It can feel like everyone has new stuff all the time and you certainly wouldn’t be the first one to look, agape, at what people are putting on […]
Although the Chinese are one of Japan’s largest minority groups and there are Chinese restaurants aplenty, most Chinese food in Japan has been adjusted to suit local palates. These dishes are called chūka ryouri (which literally means “Chinese cuisine”), but if you’re […]
If, like us, you’re a fan of all things green tea, your time in Japan won’t be complete without a glimpse into the ancient art of tea ceremony. Here is what you can expect, and where to enjoy it. A little […]
Quick! Name an amusement park in Japan. Tokyo Disney Resort and Universal Studios Japan (USJ) will probably come to mind. But what about we focus on a homegrown Japanese theme park for a change? It’s time to get acquainted with […]
Sadly, Jakotsuyu is permanently closed. I admit it: (a) I’m biased towards the Jakotsuyu Sento because it’s the closest public bath to my home and (b) it’s not really a “cheapo” choice since the prices are fixed by the Tokyo Sento […]
Everyone’s heard about Tokyo’s big gardens—the Kiyosumi Teien in Fukagawa, the Hamarikyu near Sumida River in Chuo Ward, the Rikugien near Komagome or those around the Imperial Palace and in the Meiji Jingu park. But if you happen to be […]
For most visitors to Japan the word “ryokan” (or traditional Japanese inn) evokes images of really old, really expensive lodgings in idyllic rural settings with kimono-clad staff, classic kaiseki meals and prices that can be easily compared to some of […]
With spring giving way to summer, expect hotter, more humid weather. Summer in Japan also usually begins with tsuyu, or the rainy season, so prepare for some wet (but still hot and humid) days in June. But neither hot weather […]
Like the event roundup for Japan Cheapo, deciding what events to feature was a hard one, what with the many events to be held in Tokyo. Despite the heat, summer is a great time to be in Tokyo, because there’s […]
The dog days of summer are upon us, and what better way to escape the heat than in a cool, dark, air-conditioned theater with a frosty drink in hand and some boom bang on the big screen? But movie ticket […]
A little while back I said that for some things it’s better to avoid konbini (aka convenience stores). As I had predicted, this statement raised some eyebrows, but I stand firmly behind it and use Kagetsudo‘s melon pan to support it: […]
It’s nearly two weeks into 2016. Did you welcome the New Year the Japanese way—hatsumode (a temple or shrine visit) and all? If it still hasn’t sunk in that it’s already 2016, perhaps you can kick the year off by going […]
With winter giving way to spring, it’s time to welcome the new season with another roundup of events worth attending. This article doesn’t cover cherry blossom viewing, as it’s such serious business that there are several other articles to cover […]
After being in Japan for a couple years I realized there is such a thing as too much Tokyo. Shinjuku simply becomes too loud, Akihabara game centers all start to look alike, and Shibuya just becomes a mass of people and buildings. Sometimes you […]
Who doesn’t know what a geisha is? Apparently most people: they aren’t prostitutes, they aren’t exclusive to Kyoto and they do exist, even today. Obviously, though, in smaller numbers and for the most part they’re linked to very rich businessmen who […]
For a martial art, yabusame (horseback archery) isn’t very popular, not even in Japan. This comes as little surprise considering there are only a couple of schools/traditions that teach it, plus you need an actual horse (and the space for […]