Our latest articles

Horoscope Your Weekly Horoscope Aug 28 – Sep 4

Horoscope

See what the stars have in store for you this week. World-renowned astrologer Cathryn Moe discusses love, money, luck and all else in this weekly series.

Event Events In Tokyo This Week

Tokyo Gendai 2026

Tokyo Gendai 2026

Sep 11, 2026 at 11:00am ~ Sep 13, 2026 at 5:00pm

Read The Latest Issue Read The Latest Issue Summer 2026

Summer 2026

Read our latest print magazine online and browse all the locations across Tokyo and the Kanto Region where you can pick up a copy for yourself.

Events

See All Events Events This Week Events Next Week

Culture

Japan Criticizes Trump’s Use of Anime Like Naruto and Pokémon in Political Videos

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 

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

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

Night Photography: Capturing Tokyo’s Nocturnal Beauty

Featuring Matthieu Bühler aka @mattdreamsneon
See more

Living

How to Use a Sento or Onsen in Japan

How to Use a Sento or Onsen in Japan

A beginner’s guide to Japanese bathhouses
The World’s First: Japan’s Viral Cold-Water Instant Noodles

The World’s First: Japan’s Viral Cold-Water Instant Noodles

Inside the Hiyashi cup noodle craze
Guide to HIV Testing, Prevention and Free Clinics in Tokyo and Yokohama

Guide to HIV Testing, Prevention and Free Clinics in Tokyo and Yokohama

What to know about the virus, warning signs, prevention, PrEP and PEP, and where to get tested for free in Japan—a complete guide for international residents and visitors
Things to Do in Tokyo in September

Things to Do in Tokyo in September

The rundown of the best events in Tokyo this September
See more

Community

What Japan’s 4-0 Win Over Tunisia Means for Its World Cup Knockout Path

What Japan’s 4-0 Win Over Tunisia Means for Its World Cup Knockout Path

Ayase Ueda scored twice as Japan dismantled Tunisia in the World Cup’s 1,000th match, leaving the Samurai Blue on the brink of the knockout stage
Yellow Roses and Wagyu: Inside Japan’s Father’s Day

Yellow Roses and Wagyu: Inside Japan’s Father’s Day

Celebrating Chichi no Hi in Japan
Keito Nakamura: The Goalscorer Stepping Up in Mitoma’s Absence

Keito Nakamura: The Goalscorer Stepping Up in Mitoma’s Absence

With Kaoru Mitoma out injured, Keito Nakamura took his chance against the Netherlands, scoring Japan’s first goal of the tournament
The Best Skateparks in Tokyo

The Best Skateparks in Tokyo

A skater’s guide to the best skateparks across Tokyo
Wataru Endo Is Out of the World Cup, and Japan’s Captain Is Walking Away for Good

Wataru Endo Is Out of the World Cup, and Japan’s Captain Is Walking Away for Good

Japan captain Wataru Endo is out of the 2026 World Cup with a Lisfranc injury and has retired from international football. Who replaces him, and can Japan still advance?
Soccer in Japan: A Guide to the J-League for Expats and Visitors

Soccer in Japan: A Guide to the J-League for Expats and Visitors

How to get into the J-League
See more

Travel

Tsushima, the Real Japanese Island Behind Ghost of Tsushima

Tsushima, the Real Japanese Island Behind Ghost of Tsushima

An island where the winds of history still whisper through the mountains, the seas and the swords.
Japan Tourist Rules & Fines 2026: What To Know

Japan Tourist Rules & Fines 2026: What To Know

Japan’s tourism crackdown comes with real fines. Here’s what to know before visiting
Japan’s Weirdest Islands

Japan’s Weirdest Islands

Head out beyond Japan’s big four
to explore the strange, the scary and the sublime.
Sleep Now, Summit Later: The New Overnight Bus From Tokyo to Mt. Fuji

Sleep Now, Summit Later: The New Overnight Bus From Tokyo to Mt. Fuji

How to hack the hike and beat the daily hiker limit
Izu Islands: Tokyo’s Secret Volcanic Archipelago

Izu Islands: Tokyo’s Secret Volcanic Archipelago

The far side of Tokyo: nine inhabited volcanic islands stretch south into the Pacific, and all of them are part of the world’s largest city.
Overgrown and Forgotten: Okinawa’s Battle With Nature

Overgrown and Forgotten: Okinawa’s Battle With Nature

Structure vs. the wild
See more

Dining

The Ultimate Japanese BBQ Guide: Grilling Tips, Recipes and Must-Try Foods

The Ultimate Japanese BBQ Guide: Grilling Tips, Recipes and Must-Try Foods

Crispy on the outside
A Fijian Restaurant in Okinawa

A Fijian Restaurant in Okinawa

Airando Fiji Restaurant & Cafe (Kouri Island, Okinawa)
Knowing Your Sake and Shochu

Knowing Your Sake and Shochu

Become an expert at the Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center
Escape Tokyo with Trader Vic’s Summer Island Lunch

Escape Tokyo with Trader Vic’s Summer Island Lunch

Inside Hotel New Otani, Trader Vic’s brings together globally inspired flavors
Why Are Ramen and Top Tokyo Restaurants Losing Their Michelin Stars?

Why Are Ramen and Top Tokyo Restaurants Losing Their Michelin Stars?

The fallen stars of the Tokyo Michelin Guide
Peter: The Bar

Peter: The Bar

With herbs and flowers sourced from across the country, Peter: The Bar turns its cocktail menu into a sensory tour of Japan
See more

Literature

Book Review: The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami

Book Review: The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami

A quiet return to memory, longing and surreal boundaries
Inside the 2026 Akutagawa & Naoki Prizes

Inside the 2026 Akutagawa & Naoki Prizes

The Most Prestigious Prizes in Japanese Literature
Your Japanese Summer Reading List 2026

Your Japanese Summer Reading List 2026

Our best new recommendations from Tokyo’s literary scene
Why Are There So Many Cats in Japanese Fiction?

Why Are There So Many Cats in Japanese Fiction?

Literary symbol or cultural cliche?

How the English Language Failed Banana Yoshimoto

How the English Language Failed Banana Yoshimoto

Looking back at the Japanese literary icon 30 years after the translation of her debut novel ‘Kitchen’
Why Do So Many Japanese Love Stories End in Double Suicide?

Why Do So Many Japanese Love Stories End in Double Suicide?

How a trope lasted from its birth in theatre to its role in anime
See more

Japanese Movies

Japanese LGBTQ+ Films To Watch in 2026

Japanese LGBTQ+ Films To Watch in 2026

Love, heartbreak and the untold tales of Japan’s queer community
The Top 10 Japanese Movies Of All Time 

The Top 10 Japanese Movies Of All Time 

How would you rank your favorite Japanese cinema?

The Most Handsome Anime Crushes of 2026

The Most Handsome Anime Crushes of 2026

The hottest heartthrobs this year
See more

Western Movies in Japanese Cinemas

See more

Join the Metropolis community

Stay in the loop with Tokyo's international community and beyond. Get weekly Tokyo news, stories and events delivered straight to your inbox each week. Curated by our editors. Never spam. We're here so you can live your life in Tokyo to the fullest.