Emma Steen

With an abundance of art shows happening this season, it'll be hard to catch all of the latest installations before they disappear. Nonetheless, we've got a list of the top art exhibitions taking place in some of Tokyo's most popular galleries to help you figure out where to start. For a full day of art excursions, you should also check out Tokyo's best street art and outdoor sculptures, or fill your Instagram feed at the city's hottest digital art museum: teamLab Planets Tokyo. Note that some museums and galleries require making reservations in advance to prevent overcrowding at the venues.  RECOMMENDED: Escape the city with the best art day trips from Tokyo

タイムアウト東京 > レストラン＆カフェ > 東京、隠れ家バー8選 秘密にしておくということは、他人に共有できないほど素晴らしいものがあるということもある。都内には隠れた穴場のバーがいくつかあるが、ここでは誰もが体験すべきという信念に基づいて、特別に紹介しよう。 路地裏にひっそりとたたずむおしゃれなバーや人づてに聞かないと見つけられないプライベートな店の中から、気になるスポットを訪れてみては。 関連記事『東京、ベストクラフトビールバー23選』『東京、クラフトジンが楽しめるバー8選』

A metropolis that seemingly never sleeps, Tokyo pulses with an energy that few cities can rival. At its heart lies Shibuya, a district renowned for its iconic crossing, neon lights and eclectic rhythm. But as the sun dips below the skyline and casts its golden hues over the Hachiko statue, Shibuya undergoes a transformation. The daytime hustle retreats, replaced by a nocturnal allure that captivates night owls, adventurers and insomniacs alike.  Shibuya's nighttime offerings are both a visual and sensory adventure, from quirky bars nestled in hidden alleyways to panoramic views of the city lights. Whether you're a traveller looking to immerse in Tokyo's nocturnal charm or a local seeking a fresh perspective, join us on a journey through Shibuya after dark, where the night is always young and the city’s soul truly comes alive. RECOMMENDED: Best late-night cafés in Tokyo for after-dinner coffee and dessert

Once written off as mother’s ruin, gin is making an exuberant comeback thanks to cool craft distilleries experimenting with new herbs, fruits and spices alongside the spirit’s signature juniper berries. In Japan, homegrown distillers are also incorporating local botanicals including tea, yuzu, cherry blossoms and sansho pepper into their production. The results are stunning, with Japan taking its place at gin’s top table with some really aromatic tipples that are distinctively different from its counterparts in Europe. Interested? Here’s our list of the best gin bars in Tokyo, where you can enjoy top class G&T and gin cocktails. RECOMMENDED: Most unique bars in Tokyo

Omakase? In this economy? We know it’s hard to believe, but there are plenty of fine dining restaurants in Tokyo where you can treat yourself to a seasonal course dinner for less than ¥10,000. The word ‘omakase’ typically comes up at high-end Japanese restaurants where in lieu of ordering from a menu, diners entrust the chef to serve a selection of recommended dishes and seasonal specials. While it's true that these gastronomic affairs are generally reserved for a special occasion splurge, they don’t have to break the bank. Nor are they strictly limited to Japanese cuisine.  Omakase dining is all about the joy of anticipating what the chef might serve, marvelling at the near-choreographed way they work in the open kitchen, and savouring the best ingredients of the season. It’s a culture that chefs across Tokyo hold dearly, with many incorporating omakase into their restaurants regardless of whether they’re serving Spanish tapas or charcoal-grilled yakitori.  With so many restaurants offering their own interpretation of omakase dining, the line between omakase courses and tasting menus are sometimes blurred. However, it’s the integrity and intimacy of these tailored dining experiences that define them, rather than the terms used to label them. Want to treat yourself on a budget? Here are Tokyo’s best omakase courses and tasting menus for under ¥10,000. RECOMMENDED: Try the best cheap Michelin meals in Tokyo

People often think there are two kinds of sushi: the cheap conveyor belt sort that comes on ¥100 plates and the expensive omakase courses served piece by piece over the counter. The latter is, of course, one of the most coveted Tokyo experiences, but one such meal could easily set you back ¥20,000 to ¥30,000.  Let us reassure you that expertly crafted omakase sushi doesn’t necessarily have to cost upwards of ¥10,000. In fact, there are plenty of restaurants in Tokyo where you can enjoy top-tier sushi featuring the chef’s seasonal recommendations for ¥5,000 or less.  Affordable sushi also doesn’t mean compromising on quality or swapping uni for cucumber rolls. The secret is knowing the right places to go. Here are our top picks for omakase sushi if you want to live a champagne lifestyle on a lemonade budget. RECOMMENDED: Try the best cheap Michelin meals in Tokyo

タイムアウト東京 > レストラン＆カフェ > 5,000円以下で味わうおまかせ寿司6選 寿司は主に2つの種類に分かれていると思われがちだ。100円から楽しめる安価な回転寿司と、カウンター越しに1貫ずつ提供される高価な寿司である。後者は東京で味わいたいグルメだが、2〜3万円ほどの出費は覚悟しなければならない。 しかし、カウンターのみの店でふるまわれる「おまかせ寿司」は、必ずしも数万円以上するものだけとは限らない。5,000円以下で季節のおすすめを盛り込んだ、最高級の品が味わえる寿司屋も存在している。ここでは、リーズナブルな料金で絶品の寿司を堪能できる店を紹介しよう。 関連記事『青山、ベストレストラン』『渋谷スクランブル交差点周辺で行くべきレストラン12選』

The thing about keeping secrets is that some things are too good not to share. So as much as we’d love to keep these fanciful hideouts to ourselves, we’ll spill the beans just this once in the firm belief that these hidden bars and speakeasies are so nifty that everyone ought to experience them. We’re talking cleverly concealed entrances in quiet alleyways and private wine bars that you wouldn’t know unless a well-connected friend brought you there.  Think you know every nondescript nook and clandestine cranny Tokyo has to offer? We reckon this list says otherwise. Looking for a view instead? Here are the best rooftop bars in Tokyo.

Tokyo has its fair share of quality gelato shops, with flavours ranging from classic chocolate to salted caramel, but let’s face it – you can find those flavours in any other city. Trade your run-of-the-mill ice cream and soft-serve for something more exotic and Japan-specific, like sakura, roasted green tea or ume plum. You might even discover a new favourite flavour. RECOMMENDED: The best street food and snacks in Harajuku

Tokyo's vibrant nightlife offers a myriad of clubs for every preference, turning even the most reluctant person into an enthusiatic night owl. Known for its diverse musical landscape, the city hosts a balanced mix of established clubs like Womb and newer gems like Raise, each contributing to the energetic pulse of the after-dark hours.  Spread across exciting districts such as Shibuya, Shinjuku and Ginza, these clubs regularly welcome renowned local and international DJ acts including stars like Steve Aoki, and they cater to a wide spectrum of music enthusiasts. From the techno beats of Warp to the high-ceilinged spaces of Raise, this list introduces some of Tokyo’s hottest nightlife spots, where the variety is as vast as the city itself, promising memorable nights for all.

Si ja és difícil estar al dia de tot el que es pot fer a Barcelona, imagineu estar al dia de tot el cinema que es pot veure a la nostra cartellera! Per això en aquesta llista trobareu les nostres cinc pel·lícules favorites, algunes que s'estan a punt d'estrenar i també aquelles imperdibles que no podeu deixar escapar abans que desapareguin dels cinemes (i no us oblideu de consultar la llista de les estrenes del mes). NO T'HO PERDIS: Les 51 millors pel·lícules per veure en família

Tokyo is chock full of museums, galleries and public art installations, but the sheer mass of the city means it’s hard to cram in new and sizable art attractions – unless you build one underground. If you’re up for a proper cultural excursion to see rare paintings and site-specific installations, it’s worth making a day trip to the nearby prefectures of Chiba, Kanagawa or Saitama for art destinations where you can also stretch your legs in nature. From a farm with two Yayoi Kusama installations to a museum with a natural hot spring foot bath and another with a dedicated Rothko room (like the one in Tate Modern in London), here are the best places to visit on your next day off. RECOMMENDED: Where to see teamLab art for free in Tokyo 

Many of the city’s top seafood restaurants pride themselves on having fresh seafood delivered from Toyosu Market every morning, but Kenichi Nemoto takes things one step further at his French seafood restaurant NéMo in Minami-Aoyama. The head chef and owner was an avid fisherman in his youth, thanks to the influence of his grandfather. Though he later went from working as a fisherman to cooking at three-Michelin-star restaurants, Nemoto still works closely with the fishermen he has known as a teenager, who send their catch of the day fresh from the boat to NéMo’s kitchen. This unique relationship means there's no fixed monthly menu at NéMo. Instead, multi-course lunches and dinners are crafted based on the season's bounty. But while daily surprises can range from a crate of sweetfish to a 6kg yellowtail, knowing the best way to prepare each fish comes naturally to Nemoto, whose previous posts include big names like Narisawa and Quintessence.  This season’s menu begins with charcoal-grilled sweetfish that can be eaten from head to tail, served with a cooling sauce of spring onions, nori seafood and wild greens finished with a touch of olive oil. Later, he serves yellowtail pan-seared medium rare, so that the skin is a crisp golden brown and the centre blushes a delicate pink. This is plated with sauteed chanterelle mushrooms, diced tomatoes and basil puree, which manager and head sommelier Yuito Terashima pairs with a bright Sauvignon Blanc to complement the Mediterranean flavo

When in Tokyo, it may seem counterintuitive to seek out restaurants that don’t serve Japanese food. Sometimes, however, an international restaurant is so sensational that it’s worth diverging from the ever-popular offerings of sushi, ramen and yakitori. Tinc Gana is one such venue.  Opened in autumn 2022, this Ichigaya restaurant is Chef Jérôme Quilbeuf’s most upscale establishment yet, with tasting menus that offer modern takes on Spanish cuisine. Quilbeuf describes Tinc Gana as a ‘Gastrobar de Barcelona’, but unlike his open kitchen Gracia in Hiroo, where diners can order from the a la carte menu on a casual weeknight, Tinc Gana has a formal feel to it that makes you want to pull out your best outfit and celebrate a special occasion.  Lunch courses are priced at ¥6,500, ¥9,000 and ¥15,000, while dinner courses are ¥12,000 and ¥19,000. Like the restaurant's interior, which is accented with an olive green kitchen countertop and tall vases of fresh flowers, the dishes here are elegant, bright and vibrant. A meal usually starts with Quilbeuf’s version of salmorejo, which is a fuller, creamier cousin of gazpacho with roots in Andalusia. Here, a refreshing emulsion of fresh tomatoes, onion and green paprika is served with delicate wheels of cucumber and flash-boiled kuruma ebi prawns.  Depending on the season, a dish that might appear later in the course is a spin on arroz negro, a paella-like dish where rice is cooked in squid ink that turns it black. Quilbeuf takes this classic

One defining aspect of Tokyo’s dining culture is its plethora of intimate, open kitchens that seat less than a dozen guests at a time. That Rama caters to just nine diners at a time for a Japanese-Italian tasting menu is not unusual in the city’s burgeoning modern omakase scene, but this sleek and warmly lit venue along an unassuming street in Shirokane is still a stand-out.  What makes Rama a new favourite among our ever-growing list of Tokyo’s finest restaurants is the way head chef Katsuhiro Aoki manages to deliver food that is playful, elegant, unpretentious and genuinely delicious all at once. An autumn menu might begin with a twist on Caprese salad with sautéed persimmons in lieu of tomatoes, whereas chilled gnocchi with mackerel and tart raspberry vinegar would be served to convey the transition of spring to summer.  The signature dish is a bowl of handmade taglioni crowned with a generous grating of fragrant truffle. Served in a buttery emulsion of homemade chicken stock and 24-month Parmigiano Reggiano, the only thing that changes about this pasta across the seasons is the variety of truffle that is sourced directly from Italy, but every bite is as revelatory as the last.  Somewhere between the courses of handmade pasta, Chef Aoki always includes two classic Japanese dishes with his own spin. The first is a single piece of nigiri sushi, expertly shaped and served to diners one by one like a traditional omakase sushi experience. Rather than seasoning the sushi with so

By now, Makoto Shinkai fans have come to expect a certain formula from the master animator's films: a fated girl-meets-boy scenario and a natural disaster that threatens to wipe out a significant portion of Japan, with a spellbinding backdrop of rural towns and cityscapes. True to form, Shinkai covers all these bases in his latest anime, which follows 17-year-old Suzume (voiced by Nanoka Hara) on her quest to save Japan from calamity.  The story kicks off with Suzume discovering a mystical doorway in some bathhouse ruins near her home. However, before she can uncover the secrets of the portal, she accidentally uproots a kaname-ishi (spirit rock) that turns into a kitten in Suzume’s hands before bolting away. It’s at this moment that a handsome stranger shows up just in time for the magic door to suddenly burst open as a terrifying dark force storms into Suzume’s realm. After his unsuccessful attempt to close the portal of doom, the stranger introduces himself to Suzume as Sota (Hokuto Matsumura) and explains that he's on a mission to locate more doors like the one they just encountered and lock them up. The unfortunate elephant in the room is that this meet-cute involves a man who is ostensibly too old to be a high-school student. Not to worry, though, because the dashing nomad is soon turned into a child-sized chair by the aforementioned spirit-rock-kitten. Knowing that Sota would struggle to survive his mission as a chair, Suzume resolves to accompany him on his journey and

In her feature debut, director AV Rockwell delivers a poignant and stirring portrait of parenthood in a rapidly gentrifying New York City. Set in the mid-’90s, the story casts rising star Teyana Taylor (Coming 2 America) as Inez, who has just been released from Rikers Island. Though she doesn’t have a job or a place of her own, Inez decides to kidnap her six-year-old son Terry from the foster care system, with a firm resolve to give him the best life she can afford.  After securing an apartment and forged identity documents for Terry to ensure he remains undetected by the authorities, Inez is joined by her on-off boyfriend Lucky (William Catlett) and the three of them settle into their new life as a non-traditional family.  The story spans a decade or so, with the passage of time marked by three different actors portraying Terry in different stages of life. Aaron Kingsley Adetola embodies a young and vulnerable six-year-old Terry, while Aven Courtney delivers a compelling performance as a preteen. Eventually, Terry grows into a quiet and academically gifted 17-year-old (Josiah Cross), but by this point, Inez’s carefully crafted facade threatens to unravel when he begins contemplating part-time jobs and university. Throughout it all, however, she never loses focus on her goal of guiding her family through hardships, even as Lucky dips in and out of the picture. Teyana Taylor’s raw, captivating performance showcases her impressive range It’s not a short film and more time could

The combination of camping, rollerskating and Californian sunshine might seem like the promise of a happy, carefree day, but this is far from the case in I’m Fine (Thanks for Asking). Co-directed by Angelique Molina and Kelley Kali, who also plays the film’s protagonist, this soulful pandemic-set drama follows Danny, a recently widowed mum, as she fights to secure housing for herself and her eight-year-old daughter Wes (Wesley Moss).  Though the mother and daughter currently live in a tent, Danny has successfully shielded Wes from the reality of their situation by pretending that they’re only camping for the sake of adventure. Without a car to navigate the LA suburbs, she drops Wes off at a friend’s and scoots between her various gigs with just a pink bum bag to hold her cash and a pair of rollerskates (talk about being a go-getter).  But Danny’s efforts to secure the final $200 she needs to finally afford a flat for her and Wes fall apart when a series of mishaps means she isn’t paid for her scheduled odd jobs. She desperately needs help, but sidesteps her friends’ concerns about her life. This is a refreshingly realistic story about resilience, familial love and adversity  I’m Fine (Thanks for Asking) doesn’t always make it easy to sympathise with Danny’s plight. She sometimes appears to forget the urgency of her situation, like when she abandons her mission to smoke a joint with a pal in a playground. And yet, it’s the way the film presents this dichotomy between languishi

Anyone who caught the film adaptation of Jojo Moyes’s novel ‘Me Before You’ will get a twinge of déjà vu when watching François Ozon’s Everything Went Fine. Like that soapy romantic drama, it deals with the controversial issue of assisted suicide. Rather than a whirlwind romance between a handsome millionaire and a vivacious twentysomething, however, this French drama centres on the rocky relationship between a miserable elderly man and his weary adult daughter.  Everything Went Fine is based on a memoir by Emmanuèle Bernheim, a writer whose collaborations with Ozon have already delivered 2003’s sultry thriller Swimming Pool. Sophie Marceau plays Emmanuèle, who rushes to the hospital at the beginning of the movie upon hearing that her father André (André Dussollier) has suffered a stroke. Shortly after being admitted to hospital, André asks Emmanuèle to arrange for an assisted suicide – a plea André doesn’t back away from even as his physical condition improves. Though André was never a particularly good father, she and her sister find it painful to grapple with their father’s desire to end his life. Eventually, Emmanuèle reluctantly looks into euthanasia at her father’s insistence, thus beginning a months-long application process to move him from his hospital bed in France to an expensive assisted suicide clinic in Switzerland.  You’re left with a nagging feeling that everything could have gone… better Despite impeccable performances from its talented cast, we never get to

Don’t clutch your pearls if you ever catch word of your buttoned-up former RE teacher having a tryst with a sex worker. At least, that’s one of the takeaways to gain from Sophie Hyde’s (Animals) sex comedy. It stars Emma Thompson as widow and retired educator Nancy Stokes, who decides to hire a rent boy in his twenties to try and reclaim a life she’s never lived. When Leo Grande (Daryl McCormack) comes knocking on her hotel room door, however, Nancy’s self-doubt gets the best of her and she questions whether she is prepared for such an encounter. But after a few false starts and countless reassurances from the effortlessly charming Leo, she gradually allows herself to become more vulnerable. Despite its taboo-tackling premise, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande isn’t the raunchy romp that one might expect it to be. Though the clothes come off fairly early on, it focuses on the intimacy that unfolds as the two characters lay bare the innermost parts of themselves, rather than just their bodies. Don’t clutch your pearls if you ever catch word of your old RE teacher having a tryst with a sex worker Like Thompson’s character, the film takes its time to gather momentum, but eventually finds its footing as a progressive conversation-starter about modern attitudes towards sex work, as well as a cheering nudge to drop the useless inhibitions holding you back from leading a fulfilling life. Excellent writing by Katy Brand leaves plenty of room for both light-hearted humour and deeply pers

The posh neighbourhood of Minami Aoyama is often associated with upscale boutiques and bakeries, but the area is also chock full of small museums and galleries, which often get overlooked in favour of larger attractions in the vicinity like Meiji Jingu. Among these hidden gems is the Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum, dedicated to one of Japan’s most prominent masters of contemporary art. Born in 1911, Taro Okamoto was an artist and art theorist famous for his avant-garde paintings and sculptures that have become permanent fixtures in public spaces across Japan. These include ‘Tower of the Sun’, which served as the symbol of Expo '70 held in Osaka, as well the 60m-long mural found in Shibuya Mark City titled ‘Myth of Tomorrow’. The latter carries a poignant message as it depicts the instant of an atomic bomb explosion (you can read more about the piece here).  Opened in 1998, the museum served as Okamoto’s primary studio and residence for the last 44 years of his life. Okamoto, who moved from Japan to Paris at the age of 18, spent the beginning of his career exploring abstraction. He later went on to become the youngest member of the Abstraction-Création group in 1933. Four years later, he left the group and turned his attention to the Surrealism movement and rubbed shoulders with pioneers by the likes of Max Ernst and Man Ray.  Highlights at the museum include the back gallery, where Okamoto conceived his ‘Tower of the Sun’ sculpture and created all of his paintings from 1954. Th

There’s something morbidly fascinating about witnessing a group of people participating in the absurd marathon car-touching contest depicted in German filmmaker Bastian Günther’s sobering true-life drama. It follows 20 or so people in a small southern town in the US who compete in a car dealership contest in a bid to win a brand new pickup truck. The last person to remain standing with their hand on the vehicle gets to take it home.  Questions soon spring to mind: how long can the average person actually go without sleep? Is anyone here desperate enough to publicly wet themselves for this truck? Haven’t people died from doing this? Why would anyone come up with this idea in the first place?But One of These Days is keen to take you from the position of a bemused onlooker to the grim reality of being one of these sleep-deprived contestants still clinging on after 24 hours standing in unbearably hot weather. Among them is fast-food employee Kyle (Joe Cole), who struggles to make ends meet and believes that winning the contest is the key to proving himself as a worthy provider for his partner Marie (Callie Hernandez) and their infant son.  Peaky Blinders’ Joe Cole does an exceptional job as a man striving to keep his head above water  Cole does an exceptional job portraying this desperate man who is striving to keep his head above water in a tight-knit but hard-scrabble Bible Belt town. The film zeroes in, too, on Carrie Preston (True Blood) as the contest’s perky organiser Joan

Everything you need to know about visiting Meiji Shrine and its inner garden (1-1 Yoyogi-Kamizonocho, Shibuya, Tokyo). From its majestic torii gate and the surrounding forest to the iconic wall of sake barrels, Meiji Shrine (or Meiji Jingu) is easily the most iconic shrine in Tokyo and draws millions of visitors every year. Completed in 1920, the shrine is dedicated to Emperor Meiji – whose reign (1868-1912) coincided with Japan’s modernisation – and his consort, Empress Shoken. The original shrine buildings (except for Shukueisha and Minami-Shinmon) were burnt down after an air raid during World War II, so the current main buildings date back to 1958 when they were reconstructed. These structures are an impressive example of the austere style and restrained colours typical of Shinto architecture.  While the shrine is an ever-popular spot for sightseeing, it gets especially busy for Hatsumode (the first Shinto shrine visit of the New Year). Hatsumode occurs over the first three days of the New Year and is an auspicious occasion to worship and wish for good fortune. The shrine also regularly hosts numerous festivals, including two sumo dedicatory ceremonies in early January and at the end of September. You are likely to see couples dressed in wedding attire on your visit, as it is a common venue for Shinto marriage ceremonies.  Know before you go Admission is free, but if you want to experience the shrine at its most tranquil state, you might need to be up by dawn as the landm

毎年恒例の「世界のベストバー50（World's 50 Best Bars）」がこのほど発表された。2023年10月17日、シンガポールでランキングが発表され、バルセロナの老舗「シップス」が1位に輝いた。東京からは、同ランキング常連のバーがベスト50入りした。 東京からランクインしたのは、鹿山博康がオーナーを務める「バー ベンフィディック（Bar Benfiddich）」で、37位に。ミステリアスな気分に浸れる、薬草を使用した酒を多く揃えるバーだ。 Photo: Bar Benfiddich 36位には渋谷の「ザ エスジー クラブ（The SG Club）」がランク入り。昨年は意外にも姿を消していた名店が、2023年に堂々の再登場を果たした。後閑信吾が設立した同バーでは、SG焼酎の麦と水出しコーヒー、黒糖、レモンピールなどを使った「コールドブリューマティーニ」や、ボンベイサファイアとエルダーフラワートニック、どぶろく酢を使った「東北ジントニック」など、日本と世界のエッセンスを融合したカクテルが楽しめる。 正直なところ、東京のバーが2軒しか選ばれなかったことは残念だが、私たちのお気に入りの2軒が、それにふさわしい世界的な賞を受賞したのは喜ばしいことだ。「世界のベスト・バー50」の詳細は公式ウェブサイトから確認してほしい。 関連記事 『2023年版「世界最高の国」ランキングで日本がトップ10入り』 『世界で最も混雑する観光地が明らかに、1位はタイのプーケット』 『富ヶ谷が「世界で最もクールな街」のトップ10に選出』 『「新宿御苑」で紅葉ライトアップ、アートな提灯や秋の味覚が満載』 『秋の夜長にしたい12のこと』 東京の最新情報をタイムアウト東京のメールマガジンでチェックしよう。登録はこちら 

​​Some things never change, and Tokyo's representation on the World's 50 Best Bars list seems to be one of them. Revealed last night in Singapore, the 2023 line-up features two of our familiar favourites holding their own amongst the world's elite. Barcelona cocktail establishment Sips clinched the coveted No. 1 spot, but two Tokyo classics held their ground amongst the world's best. Photo: Bar Benfiddich The first bar to be mentioned on Tokyo's honour roll is Hiroyasu Kayama’s Bar Benfiddich, which was ranked at No. 37. There's no fixed menu here: Kayama revels in the joy of experimentation, often employing tools like a pestle and mortar over the conventional cocktail shaker.  The SG Club Just a notch above, at No. 36, is the ever-eclectic SG Club. After its surprising absence last year, this Shibuya hotspot has made a grand re-entry for 2023. Founded by the legendary bartender Shingo Gokan, this Shibuya cocktail bar merges Japanese flavours with international flair, with drinks like the Cold Crew Martini with SG Shochu, cold brew and lemon peel or the Tohoku Gin and Tonic with elderflower tonic and doburoku vinegar. In all candour, we can't help but feel a pang of disappointment with only two Tokyo bars making the cut this year. The city teems with cocktail joints that, in our eyes, more than merit just two spots in the top 50. Yet, it's heartening to see two of our cherished favourites receiving the global nod they so richly deserve. We're keeping our fingers crossed a

We’re all familiar with that twinge of disappointment you get when you travel the umpteen miles to visit a particular attraction only for it to look nothing like the photos. If you’re planning a trip to Kyoto this autumn, you can save yourself the heartache with this handy website that tracks the condition of the autumn leaves at various temples and shrines around the city.  Photo: Tawatchai Prakobkit/DreamstimeDaigoji Temple, Kyoto The Souda Kyoto Ikou website – run by Central Japan Railway Company – is updated annually with recent photos of roughly 70 shrines and temples taken by staff on-site, giving you an accurate visual of the colours and condition of the autumn leaves at each venue. Full of zen gardens, ancient trees and stunning tea rooms surrounded by lush greenery, these historical sites hinge on their natural surroundings. You can see the date each photograph was taken and get a better idea of when the leaves at the shrines and temples might hit their peak autumn colours.  Photo: Luciano Mortula/DreamstimeKyoto's Kiyomizudera temple in autumn Venues are classified by location as the leaves change colour at different times depending on the area of Kyoto, and photos are updated every few days. This year’s first autumn leaf report on the Souda Kyoto Ikou website was posted on October 16, showcasing photos taken from October 10 to October 14. Although most trees and foliage remain lushly green, a few are beginning to hint at the autumn spectacle ahead. Some, like K

It's been a while since we had any updates from teamLab on the reopening of its world-renowned Borderless digital art museum, which closed its Odaiba location in August 2022. Photo: teamLab Borderless, Toranomon-Azabudai Project, Tokyo ©teamLab Now we have a bit of good news: the attraction is set to reopen in Azabudai Hills in central Tokyo in January 2024. Photo: teamLab, Microcosmoses (tentative title) © teamLab The buzz initially hinted at a 2023 reopening, but the slight delay won’t keep us waiting much longer because January is just around the corner. Photo: teamLab, Microcosmoses (tentative title) © teamLab If we've learned anything from teamLab’s previous offerings, the experience will be worth the wait.  Photo: teamLab, Proliferating Immense Life © teamLab This brand-new location looks to be a promising recreation of the original teamLab Borderless facility, which won a Guinness World Record title in 2021 for being the most visited museum dedicated to a single group or artist in the world.  Photo: teamLab, Birth © teamLab The museum will feature some familiar installations – but reworked, of course – as well as new interactive works that have never been seen in Japan before. Photo: teamLab, Sea of Clouds © teamLab A few notable installations that have been named so far include 'Proliferating Immense Life' plus 'Birth' and 'Sea of Clouds', both from the 'Light Sculpture’ series.  The exact opening date of the all-new Borderless has yet to be

After a period of renovations, the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery in Osaka prefecture is ready to welcome visitors again from November 1 – just in time to celebrate 100 years since Suntory's founder, Shinjiro Torii, began his whisky enterprise in Yamazaki. With the latest revamp, you can now delve into the unique allure of the Yamazaki Distillery through an enriched exhibition and tour experience. Photo: Suntory Holdings The whisky museum and tasting lounge At the historic Yamazaki Whisky Museum, which has stood since the inception of the distillery, you can find exhibits showcasing the meticulous process behind the creation of one of the world’s most coveted Japanese whiskies.  The reinvigorated tasting lounge, on the other hand, is encircled by a vast array of original bottles. This particular spot is a haven for whisky aficionados. Here, you can savour not only the iconic Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki but also other exclusive whiskies available solely at this location. Photo: Suntory Holdings Distillery tours There are two distillery tours to choose from. And since spaces are limited, tickets are available via a lottery system. Photo: Suntory Holdings Yamazaki Distillery Craftsmanship TourDuration: 80 minutesFee: ¥3,000Although this is the shorter of the two options, this tour offers whisky lovers a decent overview of the facility, where you can learn about the meticulous process behind whisky-making, view the casks used for ageing the spirit, and sample whiskies

As we eagerly await the opening of the Osaka World Expo 2025, a standout attraction is already generating significant buzz. One of the Expo exhibitors, Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. has announced the name and unveiled the design of its highly-anticipated contribution: the Gundam Future Next Pavilion. Aligned with the Expo's theme, 'Designing Future Society for Our Lives', the Gundam pavilion aims to explore innovative solutions for the societies of tomorrow. Drawing inspiration from the iconic Mobile Suit Gundam franchise, this endeavour seeks to bridge the real and virtual worlds, emphasising collaboration and the limitless possibilities resulting from human connections. Hence the pavilion will be built to look like a futuristic spaceport to present a vision where living beyond our planet is an everyday reality for humans. Photo: Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. The World Expo has long been a platform for nations to showcase large-scale exhibits – or 'pavilions' – that reflect their culture, innovations and aspirations. However, several private sectors are also set to make their mark alongside country-specific pavilions. Among them, Pasona Group, Mitsubishi and Panasonic are expected to unveil their exhibits. But with giant humanoid robots taking the stage, Bandai Namco's Gundam exhibit will surely be a crowd-puller. It's an exciting time for attendees and enthusiasts alike, as we look forward to discovering the innovations and experiences each exhibitor brings to the table at the

Exciting news for those of you who have tickets to the Ghibli Park in Aichi next month! The park has recently unveiled its film lineup for the latter part of 2023 through early 2024. While it's currently screening the short film ‘Mr. Dough and the Egg Princess’, November will welcome the 14-minute sequel to Hayao Miyazaki’s 1988 classic, ‘My Neighbor Totoro’. Known as ‘Mei and the Baby Cat Bus’, this short anime has delighted visitors at Tokyo’s Ghibli Museum since 2002. Despite its popularity, the film isn't a regular fixture at the museum, making appearances sporadically during selected seasons.  The enchanting story centres on Mei, who stumbles upon a young Cat Bus who’s been separated from its parents. Mei quickly befriends the Kitten Bus and together they embark on a nocturnal adventure in the forest, meeting iconic characters like Totoro, soot sprites and other Cat Buses along the way. This short and sweet story, directed by Miyazaki himself with music by Joe Hisaishi, has never been screened outside Japan. So this is a golden opportunity for Ghibli enthusiasts visiting the park in November to catch another adventure with Totoro and the forest spirits. Following ‘Mei and the Baby Cat Bus’s one-month stint at the Ghibli Warehouse cinema, December will introduce ‘The Day I Bought a Star’, while January will present the whimsical ‘A Sumo Wrestler’s Tail’. The schedule for subsequent months is to be announced in due course. More from Time Out You can now get a Ghibli jigsaw

Tokyo Biennale only comes around once every two years, but in between that time, the organisers and artists are in constant motion with open calls, fringe exhibitions and workshops. That said, the time has come and Tokyo Biennale has officially started, with events and programmes running until November 5 2023. While initially planned for 2020, the Biennale's inaugural event was postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic. Now, for its second edition in 2023, the Biennale continues to uphold its international reputation by inviting an eclectic mix of artists and creators from around the world. Here’s what you can expect from Tokyo Biennale 2023, including participating artists, projects and exhibitions.  Photo: Art Slow Collective Artists we are excited to see  This year’s line-up features both local and international artists across a variety of genres including music, performance art as well as visual art. Photographer Risaku Suzuki, for instance, has his piece 'Mirror Portrait – Lighting up a Corner' installed at the 17th-century Toeizan Kan'ei-ji Temple in Okachimachi. This series's photos used mirror reflections to symbolise connections that transcend time and space. Through these photographs, you can feel the presence of absent figures or distant places. At the same venue, Yusuke Nishimura is showcasing his installation 'Echo Works', which revolves around an ekobashira pagoda sculpted from clay sourced from the temple grounds.  Meanwhile in Nihonbashi, media artist Marco Baro

食べ物、建築、文化、ビーチ、ナイトライフ……。人を旅に駆り立てる要素はさまざまだが、中でも、食べ物が特に大きなウエイトを占めることは間違いない。特に食通の人々は、未知の味との出合いを求めて、常に世界中を旅してい そうした人々にとって、トリップアドバイザーが毎年発表する「ベスト・オブ・ザ・ベスト・レストラン」は有益な情報源だ。ランキングは2022年5月から2023年6月までの1年間に投稿されたユーザーレビューに基づくもので、高級レストラン、ファミリー向けなどの部門ごとに発表される。 2023年、高級レストラン部門で首位に輝いたのは、オランダ・アムステルダムの「レストラン ブーゲンビル（Restaurant Bougainville）」。そのすぐ後を追う形で、2位にランクインしたのが、東京・西麻布の「割烹 伊勢 すえよし」である。 Photo: Ise Sueyoshi 同店で提供される料理は、伝統的な和食に、大将の田中佑樹が世界中を旅して得たインスピレーションが融合されたもの。どの一品も日本特有の旬を感じさせる。世界の食通の間では、すでに知られた存在だ。トリップアドバイザーのランキングでは、2019〜2021年にも上位に選ばれている。 懐石は1人あたり2万2,000円（税・サービス料込み、以下同様）で、日本酒のペアリングを6,000円で追加できる。味覚の素晴らしさもさることながら、多様な選択肢の提供という観点でも、同店は際立つ。東京の懐石料理店ではまだ浸透しているとは言い難い、グルテンフリーやビーガン対応、ベジタリアン対応といった献立が用意されているのだ。 人気店のため予約を取るのは簡単ではないが、1、2カ月前に試みれば不可能ではない。 ランキングの全体は以下の通りだ。詳細はトリップアドバイザーの公式ウェブサイトでチェックしてほしい。 1. レストラン ブーゲンビル（Restaurant Bougainville）／アムステルダム・オランダ 2. 割烹 伊勢 すえよし／東京・日本 3. ジ オールド スタンプ ハウス レストラン（The Old Stamp House Restaurant）／アンブルサイド・イギリス 4. メゾン メダール（Maison Medard）／ブルレ・フランス 5. リストランテ ヴィラ クレスピ（Ristorante Villa Crespi）／オルタ サン ジュリオ・イタリア 6. アヴァルタナ（Avartana）／チェンナイ（マドラス）・インド 7. アキラバック（Akira Back）／バンコク・タイ 8. ポール エインズワース アット ナンバー 6（Paul Ainsworth at No. 6）／パドストウ・イギリス 9. ピック（Pic）／ヴァランス・フランス 10. サチ ヘリオポリス（Sachi Heliopolis）／カイロ・エジプト 11. ザ グローブ（The Grove）／オークランド・ニュージーランド 12. オーロ レスタウレンテ（Oro Restaurante）／リオ デ ジャネイロ・ブラジル 13. ザキッチン（The Kitchin）／エジンバラ・イギリス 14. カゾク（KAŹOKU）／ニュー カイロ シティ・エジプト 15. 天龍軒／香港 16. サマー パビリオン（Summer Pavilion）／シンガポール 17. ラ コロンブ（La Colombe）／コンスタンシア・南アフリカ 18. 文華扒房 酒吧／香港 19. レ ヴィヴィエール レストラン（Le Vivier

Passions often drive our travels, be it food, architecture, culture, idyllic beaches, vibrant nightlife, or more often than not, a blend of these elements. Among them, food is undoubtedly one of the key reasons why we travel. Foodies, especially, are always on the hunt for unique dining experiences across the world. For these taste aficionados, TripAdvisor's annual roundup of the world’s top 25 fine dining restaurants serves as a guide. These results are based on the quality and quality of traveller reviews posted on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period (June 2022 to May 2023). Dubbed the 2023 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Restaurants for Fine Dining, the ranking’s top spot is awarded to Restaurant Bougainville in Amsterdam. Tokyo's Ise Sueyoshi in Nishiazabu wasn't far behind, securing a commendable second position. Photo: Ise Sueyoshi Under the expert guidance of kaiseki chef Yuki Tanaka, Ise Sueyoshi serves up an exquisite fusion of traditional Japanese flavours and global inspirations acquired during Tanaka's extensive travels. Every plate evokes nuances of Japan's vibrant seasons. Ise Sueyoshi's consistent excellence isn't new to the global food community. The restaurant proudly wore the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice badge in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Priced at ¥22,000 per person, the kaiseki course offers an impeccable culinary journey, enhanced by an optional sake pairing for an additional ¥6,000. Beyond its gastronomic brilliance, Ise Sueyoshi's commitment to inclusi

Everyone has something they look forward to in autumn, whether it’s cooler temperatures, onsen getaways, or Halloween events. However, the one universal thing that captivates all our hearts is the radiant display of autumn leaves. If you've been planning an autumnal trip to Japan, you'll be pleased to hear that the Japan Meteorological Corporation, our trusted source for seasonal insights, has recently updated its forecast for this year's fall foliage. The corporation has two specific projections for the season: one focusing on the fiery red momiji (Japanese maple leaves) and the other spotlighting the golden hues of the ginkgo leaves. Photo: Japan Meteorological Corporation Ginkgo leaves forecast Autumnal transformations will first appear in Japan’s northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, where Sapporo will see its ginkgo trees flourish around November 9 – four days later than the average year. Tokyo's ginkgo trees, usually expected to be most vibrant around November 23, are predicted to peak around November 26 instead. Osaka will see its ginkgo transformation around November 24, while Kyoto's leaves will peak on November 27. Photo: Japan Meteorological Corporation Momiji forecast Switching our focus to the momiji, Tokyo is now projected to experience the peak of maple leaves around December 1. Osaka should gear up for an impressive momiji display around December 4, with Kyoto set to flourish on December 12. Meanwhile, Sapporo’s updated forecast predicts the maple leaves to

Mori Building development company has grand ambitions for the business districts of Toranomon and Azabudai. With skyscrapers such as the Kamiyacho Trust Tower – home of the upscale Tokyo Edition hotel – springing up like mushrooms, it's evident that Tokyo's efforts to prepare for the 2021 Olympic Games have left a lasting architectural legacy. Though the Games have come and gone, Tokyo's urban evolution shows no signs of slowing down. Photo: Akira FukazawaMori Building's new skyscrapers in the Toranomon district In the coming weeks, Mori is set to unveil two pivotal hubs as part of its expansive Toranomon-Azabudai redevelopment project. First in line is the Toranomon Hills Station Tower, scheduled to open on October 6. This will be followed closely by the grand opening of the Azabudai Hills complex on November 24 2023. Photo: Mori BuildingAn artist's impression of the eateries inside Toranomon Hills Station Tower Mori's vision with these developments is to blend the essential elements of everyday life – work, leisure, health and creativity– into cohesive spaces. The Toranomon Hills Station Tower, while primarily an office building, will also feature the elegant Hotel Toranomon Hills, catering to both international and domestic travellers. Additionally, its lower levels will house an array of retail establishments. Photo: Kisa Toyoshima'Syn: Unfolded Horizon of Bodily Senses' by Rhizomatiks and Elevenplay Taking luxury to new heights, the tower's upper echelons will intr