Kaila Imada

タイムアウト東京 > Things To Do >東京近郊の美しいひまわりスポット、ベスト7 夏の花といえば、何といってもヒマワリだろう。東京近郊には広大なヒマワリ畑がいくつもある。一面に咲き誇る花の中を散策したり、モチーフにした料理を堪能したり、ヒマワリをテーマにした迷路で遊んだりできる。 ベストシーズンは7月から8月末までだが、遅咲きの品種なら9月になっても鑑賞できる。この記事では、タイムアウト東京編集部が選んだ、この夏訪れたいベストヒマワリスポットを紹介する。 関連記事『東京、花火大会2023』

Japan is home to some incredible snow destinations, making it a top choice for skiing and snowboarding. You might not think to visit these places once the snow melts, but the green season at Japan's snow resorts can be just as rewarding. One of the most enjoyable destinations to visit is Hakuba Valley in Nagano prefecture, known for its stunning scenery, hot springs and accessibility from Tokyo. Looking to escape the city for a spot of nature? Read on for the coolest things to check out around Hakuba during green season, including some of the best accommodation options through Hakuba Hotel Group.RECOMMENDED: The best day trips from Tokyo

It's no question that Tokyo has an amazing coffee scene – and it's growing rapidly. Local cafés and traditional kissaten are now joined by independent and small-batch roasters who source, roast and blend their own beans, and we Tokyoites are better for it. For your daily dose of caffeine, a visit to one of these local roasters is more rewarding than ever as many of them roast their beans right on site – you can pick up a bag of freshly roasted coffee to go after enjoying an energising shot on the spot. So upgrade your next coffee run by heading to some of our favourite roasters in the city, and don't forget to try out their signature roast/blend.  RECOMMENDED: Switch up your coffee routine at Tokyo's top tea rooms

Travel to any major city in Japan and you’re bound to end up on a subway or two, but we just can’t get enough of the country’s trams. Known as romendensha in Japanese, some of these streetcars have been around since the 19th century and are a great way to get around without missing the sights and sounds of a city.  There are still a handful of classic tram lines remaining across the country – you'll find them in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, as well as Enoshima and Sapporo. And let’s not forget Hiroshima, which has turned its streetcars into moving museums. Here are some of our favourite trams in Japan.RECOMMENDED: Love slow travel? Try these novelty trains in Japan

The go-to meal for many a Tokyoite on a limited budget, udon may not have the historical prestige of soba or ramen in the capital, but this thick and chewy noodle has carved out an unshakeable niche for itself. Although varieties abound, the most popular type of udon is the thick, flat 'sanuki' from Kagawa prefecture in Shikoku, which is widely known as Japan's 'udon prefecture'.  We've scoured the city for the best udon joints; all these shops uphold the basic tenets of sanuki udon, although many of them have developed their own recipes on the side, expanding their range of noodle dishes to fit the wide variety of tastes in Tokyo. Eat your way through the entire list and find the bowl right for you. RECOMMENDED: The best ramen in Tokyo that will change your life

タイムアウト東京>ホテル>東京、2万円前後で泊まれるホテル15選 東京のような大都市で、ホテルを決めるのは大変な作業だ。リーズナブルなホステルからユニークなホテルまで、価格帯や宿泊スタイルも考えなければならない。 ここでは、タイムアウト東京英語チームがおすすめする1人1泊2万円以下の中級ホテルに加え、ユニークなものをいくつか追加して紹介。銀座、渋谷、下北沢など、特に東京で人気のあるエリアからピックアップした。 ※料金は、2023年7月末頃の宿泊を想定し、5月末に実施した検索に基づくものとなる。料金および空室状況は変更される可能性がある 関連記事『美しい富士山が眺められるホテル・グランピング施設6選』『東京、今泊まりたいホテル2022』

With Tokyo’s sheer number of vintage and consignment stores, second-hand shopping has become an essential part of the city’s retail scene. Tokyo is especially great if you’re on the hunt for designer labels as you’ll find a lot of luxury branded goods marked at decent prices and in pristine condition. Whether you’re looking for a coveted Hermès handbag or some timeless Chanel jewellery, there are a number of stores that are worth a browse. If you need more convincing, many of these stores are even frequented by celebrities and fashion influencers (psst… Kim Kardashian and Blackpink’s Jennie), so you know these are truly shopping hotspots.RECOMMENDED: Continue your shopping at the best department stores in Tokyo

Japan's traditional summer treat, kakigori (shaved ice with syrup), has been making a strong comeback over the last few years: specialist shops have been popping up all over town, regularly attracting queues that border on the ridiculous.  The trend shows absolutely no signs of slowing down, and this once summer-only dessert is now served year-round. These shops and cafés are also constantly churning out new and creative flavours to keep the hype going – think tiramisu, avocado and even tomatoes.  This guide points the way to Tokyo's very best shaved ice shops and cafés, many of them open throughout the year. RECOMMENDED: Cool down with Tokyo's best ice cream

As of June 21, we’ve officially entered the summer season and are bracing ourselves for Tokyo's impending hot, humid weather. While quick fixes like ice cream or kakigori are nice, it’s also great to have longer-lasting options that won’t melt into a puddle in our hands.  Leave it to Japan to come up with some wacky and wild inventions to help keep you cool and presentable throughout the unbearably hot and humid season. From icy-cool shirt sprays to tingly face and hair wipes, these handy products will help you survive the scorching summer heat. Plus, you can easily pick them up at your local drugstore, konbini or even at popular shops like Don Quijote. RECOMMENDED: These fun indoor activities are inside air-conditioned spaces

Kyoto’s well-preserved historical architecture is what makes it such a rewarding city to visit. Take a stroll in any neighbourhood and you’re bound to pass by many Kyo-machiya or traditional townhouses. Prevalent during the Meiji era (1868-1912), these traditional homes encapsulate Kyoto’s unique atmosphere and charm. They are also easy to identify as machiya have specific details such as earthen walls, tiled roofs, wooden lattice work and sliding doors.  Today, many Kyo-machiya have been restored and renovated into businesses such as restaurants, stores, guest houses and boutique hotels. Staying overnight at a machiya is a quintessential Kyoto experience. Unlike a regular hotel, machiya are smaller, making it a more intimate experience. So bookmark this list of machiya-turned-hotels for your next Kyoto trip.  RECOMMENDED: The best art hotels in Japan

Long before popular third-wave coffee shops and cafés started taking over the city, Tokyoites got their coffee fix at traditional kissaten tea rooms and coffee shops. Even though many of them also serve light refreshments and simple meals, these Tokyo institutions were more than just a caffeine stop in the good old days. They were the social centres for the community. Sadly, kissaten are not as prevalent today, but these establishments in Tokyo are still going strong. They offer a quintessential coffee experience in the city. What's more, you'll immediately notice the notalgic vibe here as most of the shops look as if they're stuck in time.  RECOMMENDED: 50 best cafés in Tokyo

If you're looking for the heart of Tokyo's distinctive kawaii fashion culture, Harajuku is the place to go. Harajuku is the district that gave us Lolita girls, decora, the pancake boom and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. This Shibuya neighbourhood has been the captial of Tokyo teen fashion (and vintage stores) for decades, and it's still nurturing unorthodox, garish styles even as big-name international retailers like Zara, Nike and Adidas rush into the area. Join us on a trip around Harajuku's best restaurants, cafés, gift shops and fashion boutiques – lots of fashion boutiques. And if these 50 things to do in Harajuku aren't enough for you, make sure to check out our guide to Tokyo's best flagship stores and sneaker specialists. RECOMMENDED: The best free things to do in Tokyo // window._pt_lt = new Date().getTime(); window._pt_sp_2 = []; _pt_sp_2.push(“setAccount,41659789"); var _protocol =((“https:” == document.location.protocol) ? ” https://” : ” http://“); (function() { var atag = document.createElement(“script”); atag.type = “text/javascript”; atag.async = true; atag.src = _protocol + “js.ptengine.jp/41659789.js”; var s = document.getElementsByTagName(“script”)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(atag, s); })(); //

フレンチの要素を懐石に取り入れたてるなりの料理は、一品一品が際立っている。キッチンに立つ徳本寛一は、名店鈴なりの村田明彦の下で働いた経歴の持ち主だ。 必要以上に季節に固執することはなく、毎日その日に届いたもので丁寧に料理するのが特徴で、鶏レバーのパテが入ったモナカや、ワサビがアクセントになった牛スジの茶わん蒸しなど、和食をユニークに表現した料理が楽しめる。 ウメとショウガがきいたイワシの煮物、漬けマグロと赤こんにゃく、キュウリに添えられたうま味たっぷりのなめろうなど、さまざまな本格懐石料理も絶品だ。器の周りに添えられた季節の植物も、料理を彩る。 コースの最後は、てるなりの代表料理でもある釜炊きご飯の締め。しょうゆとみりんで甘辛く味付けされた豚肉、トマトとフレッシュバジルが入っており、かき混ぜてチーズをかければ和風リゾットに早変わりする。懐石の概念を覆してくれる、ファン必見の店だろう。

Terunari puts a creative spin on kaiseki by incorporating French influences that shine through in each and every dish. French- trained chef Kanichi Tokumoto runs the kitchen, working under chef Akihiko Murata of Terunari’s Michelin-starred sister restaurant Suzunari. Chef Tokumoto doesn’t stress over hyper-seasonality and instead works with whatever the kitchen is given, not necessarily just with what’s in season. You can look forward to unique reinterpretations of classic Japanese dishes, such as a crisp monaka (wafer sandwich, usually sweet) filled with chicken liver pâté, and chawanmushi egg custard made more substantial with beef tendon and a hint of wasabi. The more classic kaiseki- style dishes range from sardines simmered with ume plum and ginger to tuna served with red konjac, and aji (mackerel) layered with cucumber and a savoury miso tartar which packs an umami punch. Seasonality is expressed through the details: decorations include seasonal leaves and twigs, while the colours are bright and vibrant, making them not just appetising but photogenic too. The meal ends with a shime (loosely translated as ‘coming to a close’), where you’re served Terunari’s signature rice dish, a combination of sweet pork marinated in shoyu and mirin, and steamed with a perfectly plump tomato and fresh basil inside a Japanese claypot. Once cooked, the rice is mixed up at your table and topped with a good dose of cheese, turning it into a Japanese risotto of sorts. For fans of kaiseki,

銀座のバーといえば、値段が高く上品で堅苦しい場所を想像してしまうかもしれない。ミクソロジーサロンはそんなステレオタイプのイメージを覆す店で、リラックスした雰囲気と、日本のテイストを取り入れたカクテルが特徴だ。 場所はギンザシックスの13階。クリーンでミニマルなたたずまいだが、温かい雰囲気もある。実際、酒を飲む場所というよりモダンなカフェのように見えるが、それには理由がある。 「Teatail（お茶のカクテル）」を専門とするミクソロジーサロンのオリジナルカクテルは全て、茶葉を漬け込んで蒸留した自家製スピリッツを使っているのだ。ほうじ茶風味のバーボンやそば茶風味のウオッカ、烏龍茶風味のラム、煎茶風味のジンなど幅広い品ぞろえを楽しんでほしい。

Run by a charming husband-and-wife duo for the past eight years, Kudan Otsuka is classic kaiseki at its best. The quaint space is situated across the street from Yasukuni Shrine, whose calm surrounds extend into the restaurant. To keep things fresh, the menu changes monthly, highlighting seasonal ingredients in a traditional yet original way. Expect wow-inducing dishes featuring unique ingredients you may have never seen or tried before. Our meal started with a deceivingly simple soup (or owan, which literally means bowl in Japanese). The clear broth was accented with a tender chunk of winter melon, silky smooth somen noodles, okura and junsai (watershield, whose leaves have a slimy coating). This was followed by a four- appetiser platter served on a beautiful fan-shaped plate: a sunomono salad was given a twist by replacing the conventional cucumber with figs inside a vinegar jelly; a traditional summer kaiseki coupling of daikon and octopus had been simmered in a flavourful soy broth until tender; a selection of summer vegetables fried karaage-style in an unbelievably light batter; and there was an inspired pairing of yuba (tofu skin) and raw shiro ebi (white shrimp) topped with wasabi for a light kick.

Commonly associated with sumo wrestlers looking to get a calorie-packed meal to bulk up for an upcoming match, and hungry diners seeking something warm during the cold months, nabe or Japanese-style hotpot also has a more refined side. Enter Negima, an unassuming restaurant in Kita-Ikebukuro, which specialises in Edo-style maguro (tuna) and negi (Welsh onion) nabe. Contrary to its big servings, the restaurant is tiny and only seats eight. Negima is inspired by nabe from the Edo era prior to the invention of refrigerators, when fresh produce especially fish couldn’t be kept for long. So folks back then had to use up the ingredients by dropping them all into a pot of flavourful dashi broth where everything would be cooked thoroughly. Nabe at Negima is served as a course meal. You start with an Edo-style tamagoyaki, or egg roll, which has been lightly seasoned with katsuo dashi and shoyu. Pair it with sake and you’re off to a good start. Next, you’ll be presented with a beautiful platter of nabe ingredients before they are cooked inside a light dashi broth along with wakame seaweed and fresh greens. You’ll be able to sample various cuts of tuna, including the haramo (belly) and kama toro (gill flesh); they are both equally tender and elevated to another level with just a sprinkle of hand-crushed pepper. The thick slices of negi are cooked until soft and make for a refreshing relief between mouthfuls of tuna. To finish, you get to savour all that flavourful broth that’s been si

開業から8年を迎えた九段 おおつかは、夫婦で切り盛りしてきた本格懐石料理店だ。靖国神社から通りを隔てた場所に位置し、静かで趣あふれる空間となっている。新鮮さを保つため、メニューは月変わりで提供している。伝統的だが独創的な方法で、季節の食材を主役にした料理が提供される。ユニークな食材を使った驚嘆の料理を期待してもらいたい。 お椀から始まる食事は、柔らかいトウガンの厚切りと絹のように滑らかな素麺が透明なだし汁に浮かび、オクラとジュンサイがアクセントとなっている。その後、美しい扇形の皿に盛り付けられた4種の前菜が続く。酢仕立てのゼリーで和えられたイチジクには驚きだ。ダイコンとタコの煮付けは風味豊かな醤油だしで、柔らかくなるまで煮込んである。選り抜きの夏野菜が信じがたいほど軽い衣で揚げてあり、ワサビでアクセントをつけた、湯葉と生シロエビの料理は見事だ。 おそらく唯一の懐石料理店だろうと思うが、新潟米、鳥取の鶏肉、滑らかな卵といった、最高の食材で作った看板料理の親子丼が1,080円という驚きの価格で楽しめる『親子丼ランチ』を提供している。味噌汁と自家製の漬物と一緒に出される。同店をディナーで利用する前に、ランチで気軽に足を運べるのが嬉しい。

寒くなってくると食べたくなる鍋。自宅でも手軽にできるが、ちゃんこや水炊きなど、鍋と言っても種類は多い。中でもシンプルかつ上品な鍋は、ねぎま鍋ではないだろうか。北池袋で、カウンター8席のみの小さく気取らない店を構えるねぎまは、本格江戸前料理のねぎまの店だ。 ねぎまとは、その名の通り、ねぎとまぐろが主役の鍋「ねぎま鍋」の略称。食品の冷蔵技術が低かった江戸時代、魚のような生鮮食品はすぐ傷んでしまうこともあり、脂肪分の多いトロの部分は捨てられていた。それを人々が工夫して、味わうようになったのが始まりと言われている。 ねぎまの鍋はコース料理の中の一品だ。かつおだし醤油で軽く味付けした江戸前卵焼きからコースは始まる。酒と一緒に頬張れば、いいスタートが切れること間違いなし。鍋料理に使う食材が乗った、美しい大皿が運ばれてきたら、店主の長橋公代がワカメや新鮮生野菜と一緒に薄味の出汁の中で煮込んでくれる。 取材時には、ハラモ（腹部）やカマトロ（えら肉）という、マグロの部位をいただいた。どちらも同じくらい食感が柔らかく、手で砕いたコショウ一振りで、味が際立つ。柔らかくなるまで出汁で煮込まれた、厚切りのネギも、今までのネギの概念が変わるほどの絶品。まぐろを味わう合間に口の中をさっぱりとさせてくれる。締めには土鍋で炊いた白米に煮汁をかける、出汁茶漬け。 ほかでは味わえない、本格江戸前料理に興味があれば、ぜひ足を運んでほしい。

When one thinks of Ginza bars, prim and prissy spaces affixed with a pricey drink list often come to mind. You can imagine how glad we were to have found Mixology Salon, which is bucking that stereotype with a relaxed attitude that also extends towards its inspired Japanese-take on cocktails. Easily accessible on the 13th floor of Ginza Six, this unpretentious space is clean and minimal yet welcoming. In fact, it looks more like a modern tea bar than an alcoholic one – and there’s a good reason for that. Specialising in what they call ‘teatails’, Mixology Salon’s signature cocktails are all made with its house blend of tea-infused spirits. You’ll find a wide range here, from hojicha-infused bourbon and soba cha vodka to oolong tea-flavoured rum and sencha gin. For first-timers, we recommend you go for a teatail course, where you can choose between three to five drinks made with a particular tea in mind. Otherwise, you can’t go wrong with the Green Tea Fashioned (¥1,700), a fresh take on the classic Old Fashioned. Got a sweet tooth? Order the Soba Cha cocktail (¥1,600), which is a mix of buckwheat tea-infused vodka and pineapple and finished with a surprising hint of miso. Note: ¥800 table charge applies per person. Price exclusive of consumption tax.

The popular frames from the leading South Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster have finally opened up shop in Hong Kong with their very first flagship store. Fashionistas in the SAR can now get their hands on the very sunglasses worn by Korean pop stars to sleek frame styles you won't find anywhere else. The new flagship shop in Causeway Bay is themed after a train platform giving visitors a unique shopping experience similar to Seoul's ever-changing 'Quantum Project' concept stores. 

Celebrate more than 40 years of Agnès B as they open their brand new concept store in Causeway Bay's Fashion Walk. The Rue du Jour shop is named after the very first Agnès B Femme shop, which opened in Paris back in 1975. Get your hands on your favourite items from the Sport B, Voyage and Bijoux collections along with a bite to eat at the B Cafe and a colourful bouquet from B Fleuriste. 

Step into the brand new Adidas flagship store for all your go-to sporting needs from clothing and shoes to accessories. The new shop is also home to the all-new Adidas Training Academy where you can kick yourself into gear with your new sportswear while working up a sweat at one of the free training programmes followed by a visit to the Refresh Zone to freshen up in their shower facilities and vanity areas.

KFC in Japan isn’t just about grabbing a quick meal or takeaway. The chain also has a full-on restaurant in Tokyo with an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring at least 50 items. This special KFC Restaurant is at Minami-Machida Grandberry Park, a large shopping centre in Machida, close to Tokyo’s Snoopy Museum.  In the buffet spread, you’ll get KFC's signature fried chicken, biscuits, pasta, french fries, curry, soup, salad and dessert. The buffet is limited to 80 minutes and costs ¥2,480 per person (¥1,080 for children, ¥540 for elementary school students) for lunch, ¥2,880 for dinner (¥1,380 for children and ¥540 for elementary school students). It also includes bottomless soft drinks, but you can add an all-you-can-drink alcohol package for an additional ¥1,500.  You'll find the KFC Restaurant at 3-4-1 Tsuruma, Machida, and it’s open from 11am to 10pm daily. For more information, visit the website. More from Time Out Tokyo 3 Tokyo restaurants are in the World's 50 Best Restaurants 2023 list Taylor Swift is bringing The Eras Tour to Tokyo in February 2024 Travel in luxury from Asakusa to Nikko on the new Spacia X trains Two Japanese airlines make the 2023 world’s top ten airlines list Starbucks Japan is serving clear coffee drinks this summer Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan.

春は桜やチューリップ、藤の花などが楽しめるが、夏は何といってもヒマワリの季節だろう。東京近郊には広大なヒマワリ畑がいくつもある。一面に咲き誇る花の中を散策したり、モチーフにした料理を堪能したり、ヒマワリをテーマにした迷路で遊んだりできる。 ベストシーズンは7月から8月末までだが、遅咲きの品種なら9月になっても鑑賞できる。この記事では、この夏訪れたいヒマワリスポットを紹介する。  国営昭和記念公園（東京） 立川にあるこの巨大な公園では、ヒマワリのユニークな交配種が楽しめる。現在は、そうした品種の一つである「サンフィニティ」およそ2000本が、「ハーブの丘」では咲き始めている。現在の開花状況はこちらから確認してほしい。 Photo: Seibu Landscape Co., Ltd. 長井海の手公園 ソレイユの丘（神奈川） 三浦半島の先端、横須賀に位置するこの公園で毎年開催される「ひまわりフェスタ」は、圧巻の一言。7月中旬から9月にかけて、海辺の公園に20万本のヒマワリが咲いており、天気が良ければ相模湾の向こうに富士山を望めるかもしれない。 2022年の「ひまわりフェスタ」は9月19日（月・祝）までで、園内ではヒマワリでできた迷路や特別飲食メニューも提供。現在の開花状況はこちらから確認してほしい。 Photo: Seibu Landscape Co., Ltd. あけぼの山農業公園（千葉） 柏市にあり、7月中旬から下旬にかけて約8万本のヒマワリが開花する。ヒマワリの見ごろに合わせて、2023年7月22日から8月31日（木）までは「サマーウィーク」を開催。入場料、駐車場ともに無料で、期間中はオリジナルスイーツも味わえる。現在の開花状況はこちらから確認してほしい。 Photo: Sakura City 佐倉ふるさと広場（千葉） 「佐倉ふるさと広場」では、広大なヒマワリ畑とオランダ風車が見どころだ。7月23日（日）までは、入園無料で約1万5000本のヒマワリが咲き誇る「風車のひまわりガーデン」を開催。ヒマワリを描いた作品で世界的に著名な画家フィンセント・ファン・ゴッホにちなんだ「ビンセント」など、さまざまな種類が見られる。最新の開花状況はこちらから確認してほしい。 成田ゆめ牧場（千葉） 約9万本のヒマワリが咲く、この成田市の牧場では、7月上旬から9月中旬にかけて「ゆめこ×ひまわり」（ヒマワリ畑への入場料は300円）を開催。「ハイブリッドサンフラワー」と「サンフィニティ」の2種類が楽しめる。 今年は「ゆめ牧場のゆめちゃん」をテーマにしており、SNS映えするフォトスポットや、季節のメニューも味わえる。最新の開花状況はこちらから確認してほしい。 利根川の恵 遠藤ファーム（埼玉）  「利根川の恵み 遠藤ファーム」の特徴は、鮮やかなヒマワリ畑と、ヒマワリから蜂蜜を作る養蜂場。開花のピーク時には約100万本が咲き乱れ、ヒマワリでできた迷路も設置される。入場は無料で、蜂蜜の採取も体験できる。最新の開花状況はこちらから確認してほしい。 あけのひまわりフェスティバル（茨城）  茨城県にある「明野ひまわりフェスティバル」は、4ヘクタールもの敷地に広がる約100万本のヒマワリと、背景に見える筑波山の絶景が見どころだ。開催は、8月26日（土）から9月3日（日）までで、開花時期は少し遅め。入場は無料だが、駐車料金は1台当たり500円必要なので注意が必要だ。最新の開花状況はこちらから確認してほしい。 関連記事 『7 best places to see gl

Starbucks Japan is adding a lot of refreshing drinks to its menu this summer, including iced matcha lattes. But that's not all, as you can also pick up a clear coffee drink known as the Coffee Aid Cool Lime from June 28 to August 31 at Starbucks stores across Japan.  6/28(水)、『 #コーヒーエイドクールライム』が新登場✨ライム果汁などを使用したフルーティーなビバレッジベースを使って、特別な方法を用いながらコーヒーの風味を抽出した、新感覚のリフレッシュメントビバレッジです🥤どうぞお楽しみに😉 pic.twitter.com/opExuVUZ5Q — スターバックス コーヒー (@Starbucks_J) June 22, 2023 While the concept of clear coffee can be baffling, it’s actually quite simple. Starbucks uses a special brewing method to extract coffee flavour without the colour. The resulting clarified coffee is then mixed with refreshing lime to create a lemonade-like drink. The Coffee Aid Cool Lime Aid will be available nationwide from ¥510 for a short size (¥501 for takeaway).  This is not the first time Starbucks has introduced clear coffee to its menu. Last year, Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo in Nakameguro offered similar coffee aid drinks, and they were popular.  In addition to the lime flavour at regular Starbucks locations, two other flavours will be available exclusively at Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo: Coffee Aid Orange Delight (from ¥1,031) and Coffee Aid Lime Mint (from ¥1,080). The Reserve Roastery flavours will also be available from June 28 to August 31. Love Starbucks? Check out the most beautiful Starbucks stores across Japan. More from Time Out Tokyo Survey cites top 10 inconveniences for tourists v

As Japan is home to some of the world’s best airports, it only makes sense that Japanese airlines uphold similar standards of quality in the travel industry. In the latest Skytrax rankings for its annual World Airline Awards, two Japanese carriers have made the top ten. To create the ranking, Skytrax compiled data from its annual airline passenger satisfaction survey between September 2022 and May 2023. This year, both All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines have made the top ten list out of more than 325 airlines in the survey results. ANA came in third place this year, behind only Singapore Airlines (No 1) and Qatar Airways (No 2). Japan Airlines, meanwhile, was ranked fifth behind Emirates (No 4).  Compared to last year's ranking, ANA was bumped up one spot from fourth place, plus it received awards this year for the World's Best Airport Services and the World's Cleanest Airline. On the other hand, Japan Airlines was ranked first for the World's Best Economy Class and the World's Best Economy Class Seat.  To see this year’s full ranking, visit the website. More from Time Out Tokyo Survey cites top 10 inconveniences for tourists visiting Japan 3 Tokyo restaurants are in the World's 50 Best Restaurants 2023 list Taylor Swift is bringing The Eras Tour to Tokyo in February 2024 A new teamLab exhibition is coming to Kanazawa Castle in autumn 2023 Travel in luxury from Asakusa to Nikko on the new Spacia X trains Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to o

スタジオジブリの作品を語る上で欠かせないのが、物語の世界観を彩る音楽。作曲家の久石譲は、「千と千尋の神隠し」や「ハウルの動く城」「天空の城ラピュタ」「風の谷のナウシカ」など、ジブリの主題歌や挿入歌の多くを担当してきた人物だ。 久石が作曲した数々の名曲や、ジブリのタイムレスな音楽の魅力が詰まったサウンドトラックが、カラー盤レコードで数量限定発売されている。レコードは12種類で、ジャケットには映画のワンシーンや作品のイメージスケッチを使用。音だけでなく、視覚的にも楽しめるのが特徴だ。「崖の上のポニョ」や「ハウルの動く城」のレコードには、曲が入っていない面にイラストが刻印されている。 Photo: HMVrs_online 発売されるタイトルは、「風の谷のナウシカ」「天空の城ラピュタ」「となりのトトロ」「火垂るの墓」「魔女の宅急便」「紅の豚」「もののけ姫」「千と千尋の神隠し」「ハウルの動く城」「崖の上のポニョ」「風立ちぬ」「かぐや姫の物語」。レコードは、HMVの公式ウェブサイトから購入できる。 完全限定生産なので、気になった人は早めに注文を済ませよう。 関連記事 『6月から7月に行くべきアニメ展示』 『金曜ロードショーの歴史を辿り、ジブリの魅力を紹介する展覧会が開催』 『舞台版がロンドンで大ヒット、劇作家が語る「トトロ」やジブリの魅力』 『ジブリパークを訪れるなら知っておきたい11のこと』 『三鷹でしかできない5のこと』 東京の最新情報をタイムアウト東京のメールマガジンでチェックしよう。登録はこちら  

日本は世界中の人が「旅行で行きたい国」として注目する、トップクラスの観光地。その安全性や食文化、公共交通機関の利便性などが評価され、常に多くの海外旅行客であふれている。しかし海外旅行をする人にとって、旅行先でのトラブルはつきものだ。 訪日旅行情報サイト「Good Luck Trip」は、旅行者が「日本で不便に思うこと」を調査するため、同サイトの海外在住ユーザー891人を対象にアンケートを実施。その結果、31.5％のユーザーが日本で体験した問題として「Wi-Fi環境」を挙げていることが分かった。 Photo: Yura Fresh/Unsplash 日本でも、公共の場で使えるWi-Fi環境は用意されている。しかし、接続不良や英語に対応していないことを不便と感じる人が多いことがわかった。訪日旅行者にとって現状、Wi-Fi環境のあるカフェを探すのが一番無難かもしれない。 次いで、20.2％の人が「施設等のスタッフとのコミュニケーションがとれない」と回答し、17.5％が「多言語の看板がない」ことを指摘。日本での言語の壁による不便さが明らかになった。  Photo: Pema Lama/UnsplashShinjuku Station 日本が誇る公共交通機関についても、約16％の人が「利用しづらい」と回答している。詳細は不明だが言語の問題だけでなく、東京の迷路のような鉄道網などが旅行者に混乱を招いているようだ。そのほか、約16％が「ゴミ箱の少なさ」を指摘している。 Photo: David Dvořáček/UnsplashA stock photo of a cashless transaction 決済手段に関して困ったと感じる旅行者が多いことも判明した。約15％が、モバイル決済の利用が困難と回答。同じく約15％が、「クレジットやデビットカードが使えない」と答えている。 また、約14％が「喫煙できる場所が少ない、わかりにくい」ことを指摘。日本での法律やマナーに不慣れな喫煙者が、戸惑いを感じているという。 Photo: Hirorina/Photo-AC そのほか、日本での両替（14％）や、鉄道の割引きっぷ（約9％)に関する問題も挙げられている。 インバウンドの受け入れ再開が急激に進む中、Wi-Fi環境などのインフラの整備や、多言語に対応する情報発信の見直しが問われている。訪日観光客が困惑することなく日本旅行を楽しめるよう、柔軟に対応していく必要があるといえるだろう。 関連記事 『ナイトアウトを思いきり楽しむ方法』 『ペナン島、地元政府が民泊の規制を強化』 『一生に一度は宿泊したい、日本のユニークなAirbnb7選』 『2023年、世界で一番優れたパスポートが明らかに』 『世界で最も裕福な都市が選出、東京は2位』 東京の最新情報をタイムアウト東京のメールマガジンでチェックしよう。登録はこちら 

With spring comes the time to spend some quality time outdoors again. Japan is home to some amazing outdoor art museums where you can take in some fresh air while strolling around the beautifully landscaped grounds dotted with art. If this sounds like a fun day out, here’s a ranking of the top ten open-air museums across Japan as released by Japanese lifestyle website Seikatsu Guide. These attractions, as ranked by votes collected from members of the website, include some surprising, off-the-beaten track venues as well. Since the ranking is in Japanese, we’ve reproduced the list here in English.  Photo: Wave Dash Co., Ltd.Gassho-zukuri Minkaen, Shirakawa-go 1. Gassho-zukuri Minkaen, Shirakawa-go This outdoor museum in Gifu prefecture is well-loved for its fairytale-like gassho-zukuri-style farmhouses, whose steep thatched-roofs are iconic to Shirakawa-go. The expansive grounds cover 25 buildings, nine of which are designated as important cultural properties, and all are open to the public. The well-preserved heritage village, complete with a temple and watermill, offers an insight into the unique culture and lifestyle that once thrived in the region. Photo: Wave Dash Co., Ltd. 2. Little World, Inuyama Little World in Aichi prefecture is a museum and theme park showcasing different cultures from around the world. There are 23 countries represented in the open-air museum, including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Germany and France. Spend a day here browsing through roughly 6,0

Tokyo is renowned for its sushi, ramen and street food, but it’s also home to some of the best pizzerias in the world. Japan’s knack for perfection has seen chefs dedicate themselves to creating the perfect pizza that rivals what you’d find in Italy.  If you need more convincing, ten Tokyo pizzerias have just made this year’s 50 Top Pizza Asia-Pacific ranking. The top 50 list is curated by a group of inspectors with restaurants being judged on food quality, service, wine, décor and ambience. Photo: Mandarin Oriental TokyoThe Pizza Bar on 38th In this year’s ranking, the top spot has gone to The Pizza Bar on 38th at the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo, which also made last year’s ranking. Following The Pizza Bar on 38th is Bottega in Beijing (No 2) and Tokyo’s Pizzeria Peppe – Napoli sta’ ca” (No 3). Photo: Pizza StradaPizza Strada The other Tokyo pizzerias to make this year’s list are Pizza Strada (No 12), Pizza Studio Tamaki Roppongi (No 13), Pizzeria e trattoria da Isa (No 22), Pizzeria e Braceria L’Insieme (No 23), Seirinkan (No 25), La Tripletta (No 26), Massimottavio (No 30) and Tarantella da Luigi (No 50).  In addition to Tokyo, four other pizzerias in Japan made the top 50: Pizzeria Braceria Cesari in Nagoya (No 16), Pizzeria da Tigre in Osaka (No 27), Pizzeria da Ciro in Kyoto (No 31) and A16 in Yokohama (No 49). It’s worth noting that the best 15 pizzerias in the 50 Top Pizza Asia-Pacific list are guaranteed a spot in the 50 Top Pizza World ranking, due to be announced o

Studio Ghibli films are extremely enchanting thanks to the whimsical soundtracks that accompany each and every movie. Renowned Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi is one of the main people behind the magical music, composing scores for most of Hayao Miyazaki’s blockbuster films including 'Spirited Away', 'Howl's Moving Castle', 'Castle in the Sky' and 'Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind'. As an homage to Ghibli’s timeless music, the studio is re-releasing the soundtracks for some of its most iconic films on beautiful rainbow-coloured vinyl. There are 12 records in 12 different colours in the Studio Ghibli Analog Edition Series, which are now available in limited numbers from HMV. 【本日発売！】スタジオジブリの名作のサウンドトラックがカラー盤でリリース。カラーは12タイトル12色。完全限定生産となりますのでご注文はお早めに。※一部タイトルは完売となっております。予めご了承ください。https://t.co/QPTBuZa5qV#スタジオジブリ pic.twitter.com/CMeLywOtGR — HMVレコード (@HMVrs_online) June 14, 2023 Each LP comes in a record cover featuring artwork from the anime, plus there’s additional artwork on some of the discs along with the list of songs. A select few records even have characters laser-etched onto the vinyl, including the LPs for 'Ponyo', ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ and 'Spirited Away'. Records in the re-release are available for the following titles: ‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind’ (¥4,840), 'Castle in the Sky' (¥5,500), 'My Neighbor Totoro' (¥4,180), 'Kiki's Delivery Service' (¥4,180), 'Porco Rosso' (¥4,180), 'Princess Mononoke' (¥5,280), 'Spirited Away' (¥5,280), 'Howl's Mo

From dreamy cherry blossom getaways to incredible Unesco World Heritage Sites, there are endless travel experiences in Japan. If you need some help curating your itinerary, the Japan Travel Awards has just announced the winners of its annual competition.  Now in its second year, the Japan Travel Awards acknowledges outstanding attractions that promote tourism through diversity, inclusion, sustainability and hospitality. The winners were chosen by a panel of judges including tourism professionals, designers and entrepreneurs. Coming to Japan? Add these award-winning destinations and experiences to your travel itinerary.  Photo: Shiitake Creative Grand Prix Winner, Best Accessible Travel: Hakone Maruyama Bussan This workshop and Japanese marquetry store in Hakone makes traditional karakuri puzzle boxes and yosegi-zaiku mosaic marquetry. To become more accessible to travellers, the shop has installed barrier-free facilities and also hosts workshops with staff who’ve received inclusivity and diversity training. The company hopes to further improve its accessibility through sign language tutorials and barrier-free paths. Photo: Shiitake Creative Best Sustainable Travel: Kumano Kodo A Unesco World Heritage Site, this ancient Buddhist pilgrimage network in the Kansai region's Kii Peninsula has been in use for over 1,000 years. Today, visitors can still trek along these ancient routes while exploring the small local villages. Wakayama prefecture's Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Burea

Sure, we've seen cute Hello Kitty-themed hotel rooms, and we've got a Snoopy Museum right here in Tokyo, but this hotel in Kobe is Peanuts-themed through and through, and we can't get enough of it.  Photo: Potomac Co., Ltd. Inspired by Charles M Schulz's famous comic strips, you'll find Japan's one and only Peanuts Hotel in Kobe. It is located near Sannomiya Station in the city’s entertainment area, and features a design that is more stylish than cute, and would appeal even to the adults. View this post on Instagram A post shared by PEANUTS HOTEL / ピーナッツ ホテル (@peanutshotel) Each floor has a theme and the rooms are fun, colourful and come adorned with your favourite Peanuts characters. No two rooms are alike, and you can actually pick your favourite from the 18 available rooms via their website before booking. View this post on Instagram A post shared by PEANUTS HOTEL / ピーナッツ ホテル (@peanutshotel) Rooms start at ¥30,000 per night. There's even a Peanuts Diner on site so that you can eat, sleep and dream in the company of Snoopy and friends.  Photo: Potomac Co., Ltd. For more information on the Peanuts Hotel, visit here.  Can't make it to Kobe? Check out these other Snoopy attractions around Japan. This article was published on August 23 2018 and updated on June 15 2023. More from Time Out Tokyo Warner Bros Studio Tour Tokyo will offer Tokyo-exclusive Harry Potter merchandise This KitKat x Baskin Robbins choco mint ice cream flavour

From offering cheap and tasty sandwiches to instant ramen from famous restaurants, there are countless reasons why we love our local konbini. If you particularly like Lawson, one of Japan’s most popular convenience store chains, you’ll want to check out this new collection of merchandise that’s now available in stores and online.  The fun collection includes a tote bag, pouch and room light, all featuring Lawson's iconic blue and white logo. Each item is available separately and comes with a magazine.  Photo: Takarajimasha Co., Ltd. The zipper pouch (¥2,189) is the perfect size for storing stationery, small electronics and cosmetics. Photo: Takarajimasha Co., Ltd. As for the tote bag (¥2,299), it has an embroidered Lawson logo, plus a blue and white striped interior with pockets. Photo: Takarajimasha Co., Ltd. Perhaps the most intriguing item in the collection is the room light (¥3,289), which has four different settings including a daylight mode and a warm light option for the evening. It’s also the perfect size for your desk or side table. The Lawson merchandise collection is now available at Lawson stores nationwide (from June 16 in Okinawa) as well as at HMV stores and online. For more information, visit the website. More from Time Out Tokyo Warner Bros Studio Tour Tokyo will offer Tokyo-exclusive Harry Potter merchandise This KitKat x Baskin Robbins choco mint ice cream flavour is available only in Japan Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea are bringing back Priority Pas