Culture
Romantic Horror in Japanese Folklore and Literature
Japanese stories of love and ghosts that offer something both delicate and terrifying
Japanese Halloween Costume Ideas for 2025
Draw inspiration from Japanese horror folktales
The Ultimate Koi Appreciation Guide
Where and how to admire Tokyo's prettiest swimming art
Tsukimi: Japan’s “Forgotten” Moon Celebration
From agricultural ritual to Heian court culture to a McDonald’s burger
Gorpcore: History of “Outdoor Fashion” and the Japanese Brands To Know
Why outdoor clothing is popular in Japan
Hungary Pavilion: A Calming Forest in the Middle of Expo 2025
Hungary’s pavilion stood out with folk music, food and craft at Expo 2025
Japanese Onomatopoeia
Everyday sounds and oddly specific quirky expressions
David Bowie Through the Eyes of a Japanese Photographer
Masayoshi Sukita reflects on collaborations with the icon
Traditional Japanese Tea Guide: Beyond Matcha
21 types of Japanese tea you should know
Why Was Tokyo Dubbed “Venice of the East”?
The forgotten city of water
Japanese Cookbooks
Metropolis' Editorial Team reviews the best new cookbooks for gourmands and oenophiles
Yurei: Japanese Spirits of Summer?
The real and imagined ghosts of Japan
Katsu Kaishu: The Man Who Saved Edo from the Flames
The samurai who saved Edo from war
Yakatabune in Tokyo
Cruising through Tokyo in style
Water Spirits in Japanese Folklore
From the cheeky to the horrific
Japanese Creation Myths Born from Water
Japan’s oldest stories are told in water
Ukai: The Ancient Japanese Art of Cormorant Fishing
Witness Japan’s 1,300-year-old spectacle of cormorant fishing in Gifu
A Bold Shunga Exhibition Brings Edo-Era Erotic Art to Kabukicho
See Japan’s sex-positive past through 100 rare erotic woodblock prints, on view at a Tokyo Noh theater this summer.
Why Wooden Architecture Is Making a Comeback in Japan
The “woodification” of Japanese skyscrapers is a testament to innovation and offers hope for a greener construction industry
Pop Art Meets Architecture in the Nakamura Keith Haring Collection
A pop culture icon on the slopes of Mount Yatsugatake
Tokyo Streets Photography Exhibition Honors the Everyday
Finding the beauty in every corner of Tokyo, from gritty alleyways to sunlit parks.
11 Influential Japanese LGBTQ+ Novels to Read
Love, identity, and the untold tales of Japan’s queer community
Best 80s Japanese Anime Movies You’ll Adore
Rev up those space rockets—we're going way beyond Akira or Ghibli
Nikka Whisky: Japan and Scotland’s Love Story
Masataka and Rita Taketsuru
“Magical Girl” Fashion Trend in Japan
How Japan’s Kawaii Anime Aesthetic Sparked 2025’s Latest Microtrend
Book Review: The Summer House by Masashi Matsuie
A quietly compelling meditation on architecture and desire
Do Japanese People Understand Sarcasm?
Can humor cross cultural boundaries?
How to Body&SOUL: A Festival Guide
Your Timeless Companion to One of Japan’s Most Iconic Musical Celebrations
“Ruby-chan! Hai! Nani ga suki?” Trend Explained: What It Means and Where It’s From
The sugary Japanese idol song that's got everyone asking, “Ruby-chan, what do you like?”
Discover Top Fashion Brands in Tokyo: From Streetwear to Whimsical Styles
Explore the best local brands shaping Tokyo's fashion scene
IKO Art Discoveries Launches with MASAMI: A New Chapter in Contemporary Art Exhibitions in Tokyo
An immersive new exhibition invites Tokyo-ites to explore art, nature and connection through the eyes of Japanese artist MASAMI
Book Review: Vanishing World by Sayaka Murata
A chillingly plausible future
Book Review: The Curious Kitten at the Chibineko Kitchen by Yuta Takahashi
Your table awaits at the Chibineko Kitchen...
Book Review: The Place of Shells by Mai Ishizawa (translated by Polly Barton)
A quietly devastating and masterfully surreal debut