- Sky Circus Sunshine 60: Exploring Ikebukuro’s Historic Observation Deck
- Tokyo is constantly evolving. Its towering office buildings and mixed-use skyscrapers are embroiled in a constant game of one-upmanship. With each new
- The job of Rickshaw Driver: from Guiding People to Changing People’s Lives
- For a long time, I ignored that the rickshaw was actually a Japanese invention! This old profession still subsists today in a newer form in Japan: the
- Ninja Shinjuku: Lunch in the Depths of a Ninja Hideout
- Deep in Nishi-shinjuku, tucked away among countless restaurants, electronics stores, and neon-signed restaurants, lies a gateway to one of the most se
- Island Burgers in Shinjuku: It all Started with a Palm-Tree Pick
- “Why did you choose the name Island Burgers?” I asked the store manager “When you stick the palm-tree pick on top of the bun, it looks like an island
- Tokyo One Piece Tower: Discover a Pirate’s Life in Central Tokyo
- Pirates have sieged Tokyo Tower! What may sound startling to some is a dream come true for fans of One Piece, the long-running, mega-popular manga and
- The Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park: Nature and Hiking at Tokyo’s Doorstep
- The Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, located just West of Tokyo, is a vast recreational area for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. Although hiking is
- Planning for Cherry Blossoms: Tips for 3 of Tokyo's Hanami Hot Spots
- It's never too early to start planning hanami parties (or planning a trip to Japan to experience them). Cherry blossom forecasts start popping up as e
- Brussels Beer Project Shinjuku: Co-Creating New Styles of Beer
- The craft beer market is booming in Japan right now, and there are a multitude of craft beer bars to choose from in Tokyo, serving both local and over
- The Bunkyo Civic Center Observation Deck: One of Tokyo’s Best-Kept Secrets
- As regular Tadaima Japan readers well know, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building offers free access to two of the best observation decks in Toky
- Kanae, an Arakicho Izakaya where Wishes can Come True
- “So has your wish come true?” I asked Yoko, the owner of Kanae ”Well, partly” she admitted “I had wished to open my own place so that part has come tr
- Mission Shopping: Buying Stuff in Japan for Friends Back Home
- I was talking with a friend visiting Japan about her travel plans, when she said that one day was reserved for “mission shopping”. “Mission shopping?”
- A Quick Guide to One-Stop Shopping in Shinjuku
- Whether you’re a traveler looking for that perfect souvenir or a long-term resident hunting for the latest bargains on electronics or clothing, you’ll
- Visiting Tokyo in 2019? Don't Miss These 5 Shinjuku Attractions
- Since the beginning of 2018, I’ve been exploring Shinjuku to cover everything from bento lunches in famous parks to historic shrines shrouded by skysc
- 3 Mountain Lodges for New Year’s Eve and the First Sunrise of 2019
- Although I prefer to go on day trips, I do enjoy staying the night of December 31st in a mountain hut and taking part in the tradition of “hatsuhinode
- Mugi no Hana (New 2018) Traditional Ramen in Shinjuku
- If you’re exploring Tokyo alone and feeling hungry, a hot bowl of ramen is probably your best choice for a satisfying meal. One of the most highly ran