Metropolis Japan

Our latest articles

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

Why It Always Comes Back to Being an Island

From gara-kei to J-pop: unpacking Japan’s “Galápagos syndrome,” exceptionalism, and the truth behind the isolated-nation cliché.

Creative Museum Tokyo: The Creative Origins of Mamoru Hosoda

Original artwork, storyboards, and immersive displays showcase the work of Mamoru Hosoda.

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

How to hack the hike and beat the daily hiker limit

“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

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.

Your Weekly Horoscope July 17 – 24

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.

Events In Tokyo This Week

HANDS ON TOKYO: LIVES TOKYO 2026

Sep 12, 2026 at 3:00pm ~ Sep 12, 2026 at 7:00pm

Read The Latest Issue 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

Your Everyday Brunch at Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo

Jan 09, 2026 at 11:30am

Dec 31, 2026 at 5:00pm

Full Metal Japan 2026 Is Bringing Wacken’s Spirit to Yokohama This October

Oct 24, 2026 at 12:00pm

Oct 25, 2026 at 9:00pm

Gerhard Oppitz Tokyo Piano Recital 2026

Nov 25, 2026 at 7:00pm

Nov 25, 2026 at 9:00pm

Toyokawa Inari Ooka-Echizen Festival

Sep 22, 2026 at 11:00am

Sep 22, 2026 at 5:00pm

Pirates of Tokyo Bay: English & Japanese Improv Comedy

Sep 27, 2026 at 7:30pm

Sep 27, 2026 at 9:30pm

Tokyo’s International Conference on Open Access to Culture Returns With “Moving Together: A Culture of Mutuality”

Oct 28, 2026 at 10:00am

Nov 01, 2026 at 7:00pm

Post Malone Live in Japan

Oct 06, 2026 at 7:00pm

Oct 06, 2026 at 10:00pm

BBQ, Sauna, Swim: Summer Daytrip at BOTANICAL POOL CLUB

Jun 08, 2026 at 1:30pm

Oct 31, 2026 at 4:30pm

See All Events Events This Week Events Next Week

Culture

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

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

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

A quiet return to memory, longing and surreal boundaries

The Best Anime Songs of All Time

Certified bangers, no skips

The Most Handsome Anime Crushes of 2026

The hottest heartthrobs this year

Living

Summer in Japan: 12 Things to Spot This Season

Traditions, sights and local experiences you can spot during summer in Japan.

Why It Always Comes Back to Being an Island

From gara-kei to J-pop: unpacking Japan’s “Galápagos syndrome,” exceptionalism, and the truth behind the isolated-nation cliché.

Giving Birth in Tokyo: A Suburban Family’s Emergency Ride to the City

A thank you letter to the city’s commuters

Japan Drugstore Guide: Best Medicine for Constipation in Japan

The best options in Japan for gentle, effective relief

Community

Metropolis Halloween Party 2024 (Note: Date and Location Has Changed!!)

Don’t miss out on Metropolis’ iconic Halloween soiree

Tokyo Stands in Solidarity to Support Palestine

How Tokyo Activists Unite for Palestinian Rights

Tokyo Parasports Forward 2024

Celebrating Inclusion and Sportsmanship

Metropolis Autumn Issue 2024

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

EXPAT EXPO TOKYO 2024

Connect with Tokyo’s international community, businesses and services

Alternative Medicine in Japan

Visit these traditional alternative medicine clinics and salons in Tokyo

Travel

Visit Yamanouchi Town

Enjoy skiing, onsens, and visiting cheeky snow monkeys in Nagano

What’s Waterfall Tourism?

Soaking in Japan’s waterfalls

Mountain Day Magic at Mount Gassan

Sometimes ski lifts make for better trips during the off season

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

Kyushu: Japan’s Surfing Island

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

Dining

How To Do a Hanami Picnic

A modern checklist for ancient celebrations

Best Brazilian Restaurants in Tokyo

Enjoy all the Brazilian restaurants around Tokyo with our thoughtfully comprised list of suggestions

The Best Burritos in Tokyo

For the most delicious burritos, only in Tokyo

Peruvian Restaurants in Tokyo

The best locations to enjoy Peruvian cuisine in the capital

Where to Eat Japanese-Style Curry in Tokyo

Warm, comforting platefuls of curry only in Tokyo

The Best Donuts in Tokyo 2026

Our guide to the city’s best edible halos

Literature

Fresh Ink: When You Want to but Can’t

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

Cirrocumulus Clouds

The English-language debut of Kenji Miyazawa’s story

Fresh Ink: Debut English Translations of Chuya Nakahara’s Japanese Literature

The English-language debut of a Japanese modernist master

Traditional Japanese Yokai and Modern-Day Pokemon

Beyond the monsters with Adam Kabat’s The River Imp and the Stinky Jewel and Other Tales

Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s Kappa

Enter the absurdity of Kappa Land in this new English translation

Fresh Ink: Love

The English-language debut of Kanoko Okamoto’s piece, Love

Japanese Movies

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

“Every creative person’s path is unique…”

World Cinema at Tokyo International Film Festival 2019

TIFF 2019 celebrates classics and award-winning foreign films

Western Movies in Japanese Cinemas

Our latest articles

Tokyo Streetwear Roundup: The Drops Everyone’s Watching This July 2026

G-Shock’s First-Ever Pokémon Watch Hits Japan Shelves July 17

Why It Always Comes Back to Being an Island

Creative Museum Tokyo: The Creative Origins of Mamoru Hosoda

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

“This Lifestyle Isn’t Healthy”: The Salaryman Who Quit His Job to Become a Street Musician in Japan

Izu Islands: Tokyo’s Secret Volcanic Archipelago

Your Weekly Horoscope July 17 – 24

Events In Tokyo This Week

HANDS ON TOKYO: LIVES TOKYO 2026

Read The Latest Issue Summer 2026

Your Everyday Brunch at Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo

Full Metal Japan 2026 Is Bringing Wacken’s Spirit to Yokohama This October

Gerhard Oppitz Tokyo Piano Recital 2026

Toyokawa Inari Ooka-Echizen Festival

Pirates of Tokyo Bay: English & Japanese Improv Comedy

Tokyo’s International Conference on Open Access to Culture Returns With “Moving Together: A Culture of Mutuality”

Post Malone Live in Japan

BBQ, Sauna, Swim: Summer Daytrip at BOTANICAL POOL CLUB

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

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

The Best Anime Songs of All Time

The Most Handsome Anime Crushes of 2026

Summer in Japan: 12 Things to Spot This Season

Why It Always Comes Back to Being an Island

Giving Birth in Tokyo: A Suburban Family’s Emergency Ride to the City

Japan Drugstore Guide: Best Medicine for Constipation in Japan

Metropolis Halloween Party 2024 (Note: Date and Location Has Changed!!)

Tokyo Stands in Solidarity to Support Palestine

Tokyo Parasports Forward 2024

Metropolis Autumn Issue 2024

EXPAT EXPO TOKYO 2024

Alternative Medicine in Japan

Visit Yamanouchi Town

What’s Waterfall Tourism?

Mountain Day Magic at Mount Gassan

Recipes for Camping in Japan

A Guide to the Best Spots to Surf in Japan

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

How To Do a Hanami Picnic

Best Brazilian Restaurants in Tokyo

The Best Burritos in Tokyo

Peruvian Restaurants in Tokyo

Where to Eat Japanese-Style Curry in Tokyo

The Best Donuts in Tokyo 2026

Fresh Ink: When You Want to but Can’t

Cirrocumulus Clouds

Fresh Ink: Debut English Translations of Chuya Nakahara’s Japanese Literature

Traditional Japanese Yokai and Modern-Day Pokemon

Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s Kappa

Fresh Ink: Love

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

Based in Japan: John Daschbach on finding a filmmaking niche

World Cinema at Tokyo International Film Festival 2019

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