Our latest articles

Horoscope Your Weekly Horoscope Sep 18 – 25

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

Duet: Asian Contemporary

Duet: Asian Contemporary

Sep 30, 2026 at 10:00am ~ Jan 17, 2027 at 6:00pm

Read The Latest Issue Read The Latest Issue Autumn 2026

Autumn 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

All Time Best Japanese Fiction Books

All Time Best Japanese Fiction Books

From untouchable classics to the severely underrated

Behind the Myth: The Politics of Japan’s Island Creation Story

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
When Is Tokyo Fashion Week?

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

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
See more

Living

Free Support for Foreign Residents in Tokyo: Meet the Help Desk Solving Your Biggest Headaches

Free Support for Foreign Residents in Tokyo: Meet the Help Desk Solving Your Biggest Headaches

A government-run service that helps international residents with everything from bank accounts to daycare
Why Won’t Japan Allow This Trans Woman’s Marriage? 

Why Won’t Japan Allow This Trans Woman’s Marriage? 

The case that broke the Japanese legal system
Neo Speed Park: Go-Kart Paradise in Chiba

Neo Speed Park: Go-Kart Paradise in Chiba

Japan’s premier karting experience
English-Speaking Nail Salons in Tokyo

English-Speaking Nail Salons in Tokyo

Where to get gel nails, detailed nail art and manicures in Tokyo with English-speaking service
See more

Community

Metropolis Summer Issue 2026

Metropolis Summer Issue 2026

See what’s inside and where to pick up a copy
Japan vs. Brazil World Cup 2026: Samurai Blue Through to Round of 32 After Sweden Thriller

Japan vs. Brazil World Cup 2026: Samurai Blue Through to Round of 32 After Sweden Thriller

Daizen Maeda’s second-half goal and a string of crucial saves from Zion Suzuki sent Japan through to the knockouts, where a date with Brazil awaits
Japan World Cup 2026 Guide: Schedule, Players & Where to Watch in Tokyo

Japan World Cup 2026 Guide: Schedule, Players & Where to Watch in Tokyo

The Samurai Blue are back for their eighth consecutive World Cup—here’s how to follow every match from Tokyo
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
See more

Travel

Japan’s Autumn Foliage Guide 2026

Japan’s Autumn Foliage Guide 2026

Plus what to wear, when to go, and when to arrive

A Guide to Solo Hiking in Japan

A Guide to Solo Hiking in Japan

Three hiking regions to join Japan’s hiking community
Kyoto’s Hidden Palaces

Kyoto’s Hidden Palaces

Escape the tourist mobs at former imperial villas
The Fukushima Diamond Route

The Fukushima Diamond Route

A cut above the rest
Hiking Mount Fuji

Hiking Mount Fuji

It’s not all about getting to the top
Kanazawa Travel Guide: A Taste of Old Japan

Kanazawa Travel Guide: A Taste of Old Japan

Kyoto’s charms without the hordes of tourists
See more

Dining

Den Kushi Flori

Den Kushi Flori

Den Kushi Flori pairs Zaiyu Hasegawa’s playful precision with Hiroyasu Kawate’s French technique.
Japan’s Top 6 Premium Wagyu Beef

Japan’s Top 6 Premium Wagyu Beef

A guide to wagyu, Japan’s premium beef, from the rarest cuts to everyday luxury
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
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.