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Whether you’re obsessed with Japanese cuteness or just looking for a fun Golden Week read, the latest issue of Time Out Japan is finally here. This special edition dives into what kawaii looks and feels like in 2026, complete with two collectible covers featuring a squeezable cedar tree plushie and a cuddly bonsai.

Inside, we spotlight soft toy creator Meriyasu Kataoka and floral print blanket master Makoto Egashira, alongside plushie photography tips, quirky kawaii icons to know, nightlife spots across Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, and a look at the stranger side of Ikebukuro.

Pick up your FREE copy of Time Out Japan magazine in English at Haneda and Narita airports, Time Out Market Osaka, as well as selected hotels, tourist information centres, restaurants, cafés and shops across Japan.

For more info and to read the issue, head to the link in our bio ⬆️ #TimeOutJapan

Cover art direction: Steve Nakamura; Photography: Naohiro Tsukada

Whether you’re obsessed with Japanese cuteness or just looking for a fun Golden Week read, the latest issue of Time Out Japan is finally here. This special edition dives into what kawaii looks and feels like in 2026, complete with two collectible covers featuring a squeezable cedar tree plushie and a cuddly bonsai.

Inside, we spotlight soft toy creator Meriyasu Kataoka and floral print blanket master Makoto Egashira, alongside plushie photography tips, quirky kawaii icons to know, nightlife spots across Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, and a look at the stranger side of Ikebukuro.

Pick up your FREE copy of Time Out Japan magazine in English at Haneda and Narita airports, Time Out Market Osaka, as well as selected hotels, tourist information centres, restaurants, cafés and shops across Japan.

For more info and to read the issue, head to the link in our bio ⬆️ #TimeOutJapan

Cover art direction: Steve Nakamura; Photography: Naohiro Tsukada

Whether you’re obsessed with Japanese cuteness or just looking for a fun Golden Week read, the latest issue of Time Out Japan is finally here. This special edition dives into what kawaii looks and feels like in 2026, complete with two collectible covers featuring a squeezable cedar tree plushie and a cuddly bonsai.

Inside, we spotlight soft toy creator Meriyasu Kataoka and floral print blanket master Makoto Egashira, alongside plushie photography tips, quirky kawaii icons to know, nightlife spots across Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, and a look at the stranger side of Ikebukuro.

Pick up your FREE copy of Time Out Japan magazine in English at Haneda and Narita airports, Time Out Market Osaka, as well as selected hotels, tourist information centres, restaurants, cafés and shops across Japan.

For more info and to read the issue, head to the link in our bio ⬆️ #TimeOutJapan

Cover art direction: Steve Nakamura; Photography: Naohiro Tsukada

Whether you’re obsessed with Japanese cuteness or just looking for a fun Golden Week read, the latest issue of Time Out Japan is finally here. This special edition dives into what kawaii looks and feels like in 2026, complete with two collectible covers featuring a squeezable cedar tree plushie and a cuddly bonsai.

Inside, we spotlight soft toy creator Meriyasu Kataoka and floral print blanket master Makoto Egashira, alongside plushie photography tips, quirky kawaii icons to know, nightlife spots across Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, and a look at the stranger side of Ikebukuro.

Pick up your FREE copy of Time Out Japan magazine in English at Haneda and Narita airports, Time Out Market Osaka, as well as selected hotels, tourist information centres, restaurants, cafés and shops across Japan.

For more info and to read the issue, head to the link in our bio ⬆️ #TimeOutJapan

Cover art direction: Steve Nakamura; Photography: Naohiro Tsukada

Whether you’re obsessed with Japanese cuteness or just looking for a fun Golden Week read, the latest issue of Time Out Japan is finally here. This special edition dives into what kawaii looks and feels like in 2026, complete with two collectible covers featuring a squeezable cedar tree plushie and a cuddly bonsai.

Inside, we spotlight soft toy creator Meriyasu Kataoka and floral print blanket master Makoto Egashira, alongside plushie photography tips, quirky kawaii icons to know, nightlife spots across Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, and a look at the stranger side of Ikebukuro.

Pick up your FREE copy of Time Out Japan magazine in English at Haneda and Narita airports, Time Out Market Osaka, as well as selected hotels, tourist information centres, restaurants, cafés and shops across Japan.

For more info and to read the issue, head to the link in our bio ⬆️ #TimeOutJapan

Cover art direction: Steve Nakamura; Photography: Naohiro Tsukada

Whether you’re obsessed with Japanese cuteness or just looking for a fun Golden Week read, the latest issue of Time Out Japan is finally here. This special edition dives into what kawaii looks and feels like in 2026, complete with two collectible covers featuring a squeezable cedar tree plushie and a cuddly bonsai.

Inside, we spotlight soft toy creator Meriyasu Kataoka and floral print blanket master Makoto Egashira, alongside plushie photography tips, quirky kawaii icons to know, nightlife spots across Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, and a look at the stranger side of Ikebukuro.

Pick up your FREE copy of Time Out Japan magazine in English at Haneda and Narita airports, Time Out Market Osaka, as well as selected hotels, tourist information centres, restaurants, cafés and shops across Japan.

For more info and to read the issue, head to the link in our bio ⬆️ #TimeOutJapan

Cover art direction: Steve Nakamura; Photography: Naohiro Tsukada

Whether you’re obsessed with Japanese cuteness or just looking for a fun Golden Week read, the latest issue of Time Out Japan is finally here. This special edition dives into what kawaii looks and feels like in 2026, complete with two collectible covers featuring a squeezable cedar tree plushie and a cuddly bonsai.

Inside, we spotlight soft toy creator Meriyasu Kataoka and floral print blanket master Makoto Egashira, alongside plushie photography tips, quirky kawaii icons to know, nightlife spots across Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, and a look at the stranger side of Ikebukuro.

Pick up your FREE copy of Time Out Japan magazine in English at Haneda and Narita airports, Time Out Market Osaka, as well as selected hotels, tourist information centres, restaurants, cafés and shops across Japan.

For more info and to read the issue, head to the link in our bio ⬆️ #TimeOutJapan

Cover art direction: Steve Nakamura; Photography: Naohiro Tsukada

When the office nap turns into a full-blown kawaii dreamscape… step into that world with our upcoming issue of Time Out Japan, out April 30. This special edition explores what kawaii looks like in 2026, with two collectible covers featuring a squeezable cedar-tree plushie by soft-toy creator Meriyasu Kataoka and a cuddly bonsai by artist Makoto Egashira. Inside, you’ll also find features on plushie-friendly services, photography tips and quirky kawaii icons to know.

You’ll be able to pick up your FREE copy of Time Out Japan magazine in English at Haneda and Narita airports, Time Out Market Osaka, as well as selected hotels, tourist information centres, restaurants, cafés and shops across Japan. A digital edition will also be made available.
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花柄毛布に包まれた独特の世界観や、絶妙なアンバランスさを持つぬいぐるみ…「奇妙だけどかわいいものたち」の世界へようこそ。

『Time Out Japan Magazine』特別号（言語：英語）が2026年4月30日（木）にリリース！🎉
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今回の特集テーマは「The New Kawaii」。2026年の「かわいい」がどのような姿をしているのかを掘り下げる。表紙ビジュアルは、ぬいぐるみ作家・片岡メリヤスによる屋久杉のぬいぐるみと、アーティスト・江頭誠による盆栽の2種類だ。

誌面では日本発のクセかわキャラ特集、「ぬい活」最前線、池袋の「変かわ」ヴェニューガイドなども紹介している。

『Time Out Japan Magazine』特別号は、羽田空港や成田空港、Time Out Market Osakaのほか、日本各地の一部ホテル、観光案内所、レストラン、カフェ、ショップなどで無料配布される。日本語版はWebサイトで展開されるのでチェックしてほしい。

Tokyo’s Michelin-starred Udatsu Sushi has opened a stylish new sibling restaurant in Omotesando 🍣 Supervised by chef Hisashi Udatsu, the newly opened Hisashi Sushi offers a more casual take on Edomae sushi while still showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship the original is known for.

Expect beautifully prepared sushi made with carefully sourced ingredients, inventive bites like the avocado natto hand roll, and drinks pairings spanning sake, wine and even Clase Azul tequila. The striking lava stone sushi counter and sleek cypress interiors make this one of Omotesando’s hottest new dining spots. Hit the link in our bio for more ⬆️ #TimeOutTokyo

Photo: Hisashi Sushi

Seoul’s favourite record bar just touched down in Tokyo.

@kompaktrecordbar_jp is now open with analogue records, natural wine, craft spirits, tea cocktails and Tokyo-exclusive merch all for just a music charge of ¥500.

Your new regular spot, if you can get a seat. Read more via the link in our bio ⬆️ #TimeOutTokyo

Bid farewell to Tokyo’s iconic life-size Unicorn Gundam this summer. After standing guard outside DiverCity Tokyo Plaza since 2017, the towering 19.7-metre mecha will officially retire this August – but not before receiving a special red unicorn-themed makeover.

The announcement came alongside a teaser for a brand new Gundam attraction in Japan, giving fans hope that the beloved statue may one day return in a new form somewhere else in the country. More info via the link in our bio ⬆️ #TimeOutTokyo

Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa

Fireworks season is returning to Tokyo 🎆 And with Japan’s increasingly intense summer heat, many festivals are now being pushed forward to early summer to lower the risk of heatstroke and extreme temperatures.

That means you can enjoy some of the city’s biggest displays while the weather is still relatively pleasant, including the Adachi Fireworks Festival and the iconic Sumida River Fireworks Festival, along with scenic seaside shows in places like Kamakura and other destinations just outside Tokyo. So grab your yukata, arrive early for the best viewing spots, and settle in for a night of festival food and dazzling fireworks ✨

Photos: Otaku4141, Cyber Chotto (from Photo AC), Adachi City, Kyodo Medias Co., Ltd., Macha, Solid Days (from Pixta), Sumida City

Fireworks season is returning to Tokyo 🎆 And with Japan’s increasingly intense summer heat, many festivals are now being pushed forward to early summer to lower the risk of heatstroke and extreme temperatures.

That means you can enjoy some of the city’s biggest displays while the weather is still relatively pleasant, including the Adachi Fireworks Festival and the iconic Sumida River Fireworks Festival, along with scenic seaside shows in places like Kamakura and other destinations just outside Tokyo. So grab your yukata, arrive early for the best viewing spots, and settle in for a night of festival food and dazzling fireworks ✨

Photos: Otaku4141, Cyber Chotto (from Photo AC), Adachi City, Kyodo Medias Co., Ltd., Macha, Solid Days (from Pixta), Sumida City

Fireworks season is returning to Tokyo 🎆 And with Japan’s increasingly intense summer heat, many festivals are now being pushed forward to early summer to lower the risk of heatstroke and extreme temperatures.

That means you can enjoy some of the city’s biggest displays while the weather is still relatively pleasant, including the Adachi Fireworks Festival and the iconic Sumida River Fireworks Festival, along with scenic seaside shows in places like Kamakura and other destinations just outside Tokyo. So grab your yukata, arrive early for the best viewing spots, and settle in for a night of festival food and dazzling fireworks ✨

Photos: Otaku4141, Cyber Chotto (from Photo AC), Adachi City, Kyodo Medias Co., Ltd., Macha, Solid Days (from Pixta), Sumida City

Fireworks season is returning to Tokyo 🎆 And with Japan’s increasingly intense summer heat, many festivals are now being pushed forward to early summer to lower the risk of heatstroke and extreme temperatures.

That means you can enjoy some of the city’s biggest displays while the weather is still relatively pleasant, including the Adachi Fireworks Festival and the iconic Sumida River Fireworks Festival, along with scenic seaside shows in places like Kamakura and other destinations just outside Tokyo. So grab your yukata, arrive early for the best viewing spots, and settle in for a night of festival food and dazzling fireworks ✨

Photos: Otaku4141, Cyber Chotto (from Photo AC), Adachi City, Kyodo Medias Co., Ltd., Macha, Solid Days (from Pixta), Sumida City

Fireworks season is returning to Tokyo 🎆 And with Japan’s increasingly intense summer heat, many festivals are now being pushed forward to early summer to lower the risk of heatstroke and extreme temperatures.

That means you can enjoy some of the city’s biggest displays while the weather is still relatively pleasant, including the Adachi Fireworks Festival and the iconic Sumida River Fireworks Festival, along with scenic seaside shows in places like Kamakura and other destinations just outside Tokyo. So grab your yukata, arrive early for the best viewing spots, and settle in for a night of festival food and dazzling fireworks ✨

Photos: Otaku4141, Cyber Chotto (from Photo AC), Adachi City, Kyodo Medias Co., Ltd., Macha, Solid Days (from Pixta), Sumida City

Fireworks season is returning to Tokyo 🎆 And with Japan’s increasingly intense summer heat, many festivals are now being pushed forward to early summer to lower the risk of heatstroke and extreme temperatures.

That means you can enjoy some of the city’s biggest displays while the weather is still relatively pleasant, including the Adachi Fireworks Festival and the iconic Sumida River Fireworks Festival, along with scenic seaside shows in places like Kamakura and other destinations just outside Tokyo. So grab your yukata, arrive early for the best viewing spots, and settle in for a night of festival food and dazzling fireworks ✨

Photos: Otaku4141, Cyber Chotto (from Photo AC), Adachi City, Kyodo Medias Co., Ltd., Macha, Solid Days (from Pixta), Sumida City

Fireworks season is returning to Tokyo 🎆 And with Japan’s increasingly intense summer heat, many festivals are now being pushed forward to early summer to lower the risk of heatstroke and extreme temperatures.

That means you can enjoy some of the city’s biggest displays while the weather is still relatively pleasant, including the Adachi Fireworks Festival and the iconic Sumida River Fireworks Festival, along with scenic seaside shows in places like Kamakura and other destinations just outside Tokyo. So grab your yukata, arrive early for the best viewing spots, and settle in for a night of festival food and dazzling fireworks ✨

Photos: Otaku4141, Cyber Chotto (from Photo AC), Adachi City, Kyodo Medias Co., Ltd., Macha, Solid Days (from Pixta), Sumida City

Fireworks season is returning to Tokyo 🎆 And with Japan’s increasingly intense summer heat, many festivals are now being pushed forward to early summer to lower the risk of heatstroke and extreme temperatures.

That means you can enjoy some of the city’s biggest displays while the weather is still relatively pleasant, including the Adachi Fireworks Festival and the iconic Sumida River Fireworks Festival, along with scenic seaside shows in places like Kamakura and other destinations just outside Tokyo. So grab your yukata, arrive early for the best viewing spots, and settle in for a night of festival food and dazzling fireworks ✨

Photos: Otaku4141, Cyber Chotto (from Photo AC), Adachi City, Kyodo Medias Co., Ltd., Macha, Solid Days (from Pixta), Sumida City

NYC cult-favourite @apollobagels is coming to Tokyo for the very first time. The beloved bagel shop will hold a three-day pop-up from May 22 to 24 at Dean & DeLuca Marunouchi.

Known for their naturally fermented sourdough bagels with a crisp crust and airy crumb, Apollo Bagels will be serving classics like sesame and everything bagels, plus sandwiches filled with smoked salmon, whitefish salad and even anko with butter. Expect queues and sell-outs, so get there early. More details via the link in bio 🥯 #TimeOutTokyo

Photo: Supplied

Sunday brunch just got a luxe Italian upgrade ✨ Head up to The Bulgari Bar on the 45th floor of @bvlgarihoteltokyo for a lavish brunch experience overseen by acclaimed Italian chef Niko Romito.

Inspired by the relaxed spirit of Sundays in Italy, the menu features elegant takes on Italian classics alongside a decadent antipasti buffet, freshly made risotto prepared tableside and a dessert finale at the bar. Add sweeping Tokyo skyline views and a sun-soaked terrace into the mix, and you’ve got one of the city’s most glamorous ways to spend a Sunday #TimeOutTokyo

Paris’s famed immersive art experience Atelier des Lumières is opening its first Tokyo outpost this June at the new Tokyo Dream Park in Ariake.

Called Rêve Des Lumières Tokyo, the venue will feature massive projection-mapped galleries, infinity mirror rooms and immersive digital art experiences. Its debut exhibition reimagines Vincent van Gogh’s iconic sunflower paintings through state-of-the-art visuals and sound, powered by 106 projectors and 63 synchronised speakers. Tickets are on sale now ahead of the June 12 opening. More deets via the link in our bio ⬆️ #TimeOutTokyo

Photo: Rêve Des Lumières

It seems summer is arriving earlier and earlier each year, with Tokyo and several other parts of Japan already experiencing warmer-than-usual temperatures in mid-May ☀️

The capital recorded a high of 30.2 degrees Celsius on May 17 – roughly equivalent to Tokyo’s average mid-July temperatures and the city’s earliest 30-degree day in the past five years. Other parts of Japan, including Tohoku and Kyushu, are also experiencing temperatures above 30 degrees due to a high-pressure system covering the country. The heat spell is expected to continue through May 19, so make sure to stay hydrated and take precautions against heatstroke. Link in bio for more ⬆️ #TimeOutTokyo

Photo: Sean Pavone/Dreamstime

Tokyo style can’t be boiled down to one trend or one neighbourhood.

It comes down to instinct, contradiction, attitude, weird references and a whole lot of confidence. For some, an outfit is simply armour. For others, clothes are a personal canvas, shaped by your music taste, your favourite films, your mood and whatever phase you happen to be in that week.

Getting dressed is one of the easiest ways to turn taste into a personal art form. So we asked some of Tokyo’s coolest shop staff and owners to defineTokyo style in one word, or a few. Their answers say a lot.

Read our full guide to 23 stores that will have you looking like a local via the link in our bio ⬆️ #TimeOutTokyo

Featured stores:
@theelephantttt
 @h4lo.jp
 @ccstore_tokyo
 @neova
 @pion_room_
 @chillweeb_harajuku
 @provtokyo
 @pinnap_tokyo_1
 @banny_store
 @domicile.tokyo
 @nubian_tokyo
 @casanova_vintage3
 @cannabis_tokyo
 @pulp.jp
 @nudetrump_shibuya
 @hypnotiquetokyo
 @jkptstore
 @m_i_t_a_m_e
 @bluesistokyo
 @higan_tokyo
 @pat_market_ikebukuro
 @heraldo_tokyo
 @so_nkm
 @lowkey__house

Mt Fuji climbing season is almost here ⛰️ Registration for the 2026 season is now open, with trails welcoming hikers from July through September. While entry fees have increased to ¥4,000 per person, Japan’s most iconic peak remains one of the country’s most popular summer adventures.

The Yoshida and Subashiri trails open July 1, while Fujinomiya and Gotemba open July 10. Yoshida Trail will once again cap climbers at 4,000 people per day to help manage overcrowding, though Shizuoka’s three trails currently have no limits. Be sure to register in advance, follow all safety guidelines and gear up properly before taking on the climb.

Head to the link in our bio for more deets ⬆️ #TimeOutTokyo

Photo: Filiz Elaerts/Unsplash