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What’s It Like To Have A Japanese Spitz?

What’s It Like To Have A Japanese Spitz?

Japan’s native comedian
Japan Drugstore Guide: Best Japanese Sunscreen

Japan Drugstore Guide: Best Japanese Sunscreen

 From sunscreen to aftercare, here are the best products for summer in Japan 
English-Speaking Dog Groomers in Tokyo

English-Speaking Dog Groomers in Tokyo

A guide to English-speaking dog grooming services in Tokyo
Book Review: Hunchback by Saou Ichikawa

Book Review: Hunchback by Saou Ichikawa

a sharp and uncompromising voice in modern Japanese fiction
The Japanese Aesthetic of Transparency: From Hokusai to Pocari Sweat

The Japanese Aesthetic of Transparency: From Hokusai to Pocari Sweat

“Toumeikan” is symbolized by water and made visible by the color blue
What is Zakka Style?

What is Zakka Style?

A kind of curated coziness

Artist Tomei: Curating Transparent Life (+Aesthetic Jelly Recipe)

Artist Tomei: Curating Transparent Life (+Aesthetic Jelly Recipe)

Interview with mysterious artist Tomei on the beauty of clear things.

Horoscope Your Weekly Horoscope May 1 – 8

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

Japanese Sake Fair

Japanese Sake Fair

Jun 19, 2026 at 6:00pm ~ Jun 20, 2026 at 5:00pm

Read The Latest Issue Read The Latest Issue Spring 2026

Spring 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.

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Events

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Culture

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’
Based in Japan: Inside Rakugo With Katsura Sunshine

Based in Japan: Inside Rakugo With Katsura Sunshine

Translating Japan’s Traditional Comedic Storytelling
8 Art Events in Tokyo To Visit This Spring

8 Art Events in Tokyo To Visit This Spring

Fill your calendar with these must-see art exhibitions

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
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Living

Why So Many Japanese Married Couples Sleep in Separate Beds

Why So Many Japanese Married Couples Sleep in Separate Beds

Exploring sleep culture, relationship dynamics and how space shapes intimacy in Japan
What’s It Like To Have A Japanese Spitz?

What’s It Like To Have A Japanese Spitz?

Japan’s native comedian
Japan Drugstore Guide: Best Japanese Sunscreen

Japan Drugstore Guide: Best Japanese Sunscreen

 From sunscreen to aftercare, here are the best products for summer in Japan 
English-Speaking Dog Groomers in Tokyo

English-Speaking Dog Groomers in Tokyo

A guide to English-speaking dog grooming services in Tokyo
See more

Community

Tokyo Stands in Solidarity to Support Palestine

Tokyo Stands in Solidarity to Support Palestine

How Tokyo Activists Unite for Palestinian Rights
Tokyo Parasports Forward 2024

Tokyo Parasports Forward 2024

Celebrating Inclusion and Sportsmanship
Metropolis Autumn Issue 2024

Metropolis Autumn Issue 2024

See what’s inside and where to pick up a copy

EXPAT EXPO TOKYO 2024

EXPAT EXPO TOKYO 2024

Connect with Tokyo’s international community, businesses and services

Alternative Medicine in Japan

Alternative Medicine in Japan

Visit these traditional alternative medicine clinics and salons in Tokyo
Metropolis 30th Anniversary Beach Party Recap

Metropolis 30th Anniversary Beach Party Recap

The Metropolis team thanks you for 30 years of unwavering support

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Travel

Mountain Day Magic at Mount Gassan

Mountain Day Magic at Mount Gassan

Sometimes ski lifts make for better trips during the off season
Recipes for Camping in Japan

Recipes for Camping in Japan

Easy to cook, full-of-flavor recipes for camping in Japan
A Guide to the Best Spots to Surf in Japan

A Guide to the Best Spots to Surf in Japan

Kyushu: Japan’s Surfing Island
Noku Kyoto: A Central Hotel for Exploring Kyoto’s History and Culture

Noku Kyoto: A Central Hotel for Exploring Kyoto’s History and Culture

Enjoy 40% off stays in one of Kyoto’s most culturally rich neighborhoods
Escape to Zaltana Cabin in the Mountains of Nagano

Escape to Zaltana Cabin in the Mountains of Nagano

A log cabin retreat where city life feels a world away
Discover Japan’s Autumn Colors at Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort

Discover Japan’s Autumn Colors at Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort

Explore Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort this autumn with foliage, hikes, alpine views and activities
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Dining

Best Date Spots in Tokyo 2026

Best Date Spots in Tokyo 2026

Surprise your partner and discover all the city has to offer
Where To Find The Best Brown Bread in Tokyo

Where To Find The Best Brown Bread in Tokyo

Shokupan, move aside

Where To Find The Best Bagel in Tokyo

Where To Find The Best Bagel in Tokyo

Where to find some of the best bagels in Japan

Movie-inspired Custom Cocktails in Shibuya: The Whales of August 

Movie-inspired Custom Cocktails in Shibuya: The Whales of August 

Choose from either the menu items, or challenge the bartenders to whip up whatever movie comes to your head

Aesthetic Coffee Shops for Every Area in Tokyo

Aesthetic Coffee Shops for Every Area in Tokyo

Editor’s picks for coffee shops in all 23 of Tokyo’s Wards

The Origins of Japanese Curry 

The Origins of Japanese Curry 

The surprising international history of one of Japan’s most beloved comfort foods
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Literature

Fresh ink: Kitagawa Chiyo Conclusion

Fresh ink: Kitagawa Chiyo Conclusion

Read the moving end of the working-class fable “The Silk Sandals”
Fresh Ink: Kitagawa Chiyo

Fresh Ink: Kitagawa Chiyo

Proletariat Girls’ Literature
Book Launch: Thomas Lockley’s Gentleman from Japan

Book Launch: Thomas Lockley’s Gentleman from Japan

Thomas Lockley follows the life of a slave-turned-elite in his latest book
Fresh Ink: Musashi Miyamoto 

Fresh Ink: Musashi Miyamoto 

Miyamoto’s life by the blade
Fresh Ink: Two Shorts By Osamu Dazai

Fresh Ink: Two Shorts By Osamu Dazai

The English-language debut of “The Ocean” and “Sweltering Heat Tale”
Fresh Ink: When You Want to but Can’t

Fresh Ink: When You Want to but Can’t

The English-language debut of Kyohei Sakaguchi’s self-help nonfiction writing
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Japanese Movies

The Most Highly Anticipated Anime of 2023

The Most Highly Anticipated Anime of 2023

Our handpicked list of top anime to watch out for in 2023

Three New Japanese Films From The Tokyo International Film Festival To Watch 

Three New Japanese Films From The Tokyo International Film Festival To Watch 

New movies to add to your watchlist

Based in Japan: John Daschbach on finding a filmmaking niche

Based in Japan: John Daschbach on finding a filmmaking niche

“Every creative person’s path is unique…”
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Western Movies in Japanese Cinemas

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