Culture
Behind the Myth: The Politics of Japan’s Island Creation Story
The eighth-century tale of the islands' divine birth reveals five pragmatic political motives
Tsukimi: Japan’s “Forgotten” Moon Celebration
From agricultural ritual to Heian court culture to a McDonald’s burger
When Is Tokyo Fashion Week?
What to expect from Japan’s biggest fashion event
Japan Criticizes Trump’s Use of Anime Like Naruto and Pokémon in Political Videos
Foreign Ministry asks Trump administration to stop using Pokémon, Naruto and other anime without permission.
How to Wear and Style a Summer Yukata
Your guide to styling Japan’s most iconic seasonal garment
Meet One of the Few Non-Japanese Licensed Kimono Stylists in Japan
Based in Japan: Kara Harris on the exam that made her cry, opening a shop in Asakusa and her mission to make kimono fit everyone
Night Photography: Capturing Tokyo’s Nocturnal Beauty
Featuring Matthieu Bühler aka @mattdreamsneon
A Guide to Trying Traditional Japanese Crafts in Japan
From kintsugi to knife sharpening, here's where to learn the traditional crafts still shaping Japan today
Tokyo Middle 30: The J-Drama That Feels Like Your Own Tokyo Story
The Japanese remake of a Chinese hit series premieres July 22, and it's already trending
Tokyo Streetwear Roundup: The Drops Everyone’s Watching This July 2026
From A$AP Rocky's Puma Suede '94 to Jordan x Tokyo Giants baseball crossover, here's what's moving in Tokyo right now
G-Shock’s First-Ever Pokémon Watch Hits Japan Shelves July 17
The limited-edition GA-110PKM-7A goes on sale in Japan July 17, priced at ¥33,000 and built around the franchise's original 1996 color scheme
Creative Museum Tokyo: The Creative Origins of Mamoru Hosoda
Original artwork, storyboards, and immersive displays showcase the work of Mamoru Hosoda.
“This Lifestyle Isn’t Healthy”: The Salaryman Who Quit His Job to Become a Street Musician in Japan
The handpan artist who bet on himself
International Artists Coming to Japan in 2026 & 2027
Major global acts to add to your calendar in Japan
The Best Japanese Cookbooks
Metropolis' Editorial Team reviews the best new cookbooks for gourmands and oenophiles
Tokyo’s Top Haunted Spots for Ghost Hunting in Summer 2026
13 of Tokyo’s Most Paranormal Spots
The Asadora Effect
Fifteen minutes to shape a nation
7 Japanese Romance Movies That’ll Break Your Heart (in a Good Way)
So you can sob while practicing your Japanese listening skills
Japanese LGBTQ+ Films To Watch in 2026
Love, heartbreak and the untold tales of Japan’s queer community
Book Review: Strange Pictures by Uketsu
a clever and unsettling puzzle disguised as a novel
Book Review: Tokyo These Days by Taiyo Matsumoto
a quiet meditation on creativity, relevance and persistence
What’s Up With Bad Sex in Murakami?
Pleasure and prose in 'Killing Commendatore' and other novels