Going around Tokyo

Recommended places to visit for foreign residents in Tokyo

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, a city full of skyscrapers, nature, and steeped in history. The first time you come to Tokyo you may visit Tokyo Tower, Sky Tree, and the Imperial Palace. While that may make for an event-filled weekend on your first visit to Japan, this barely scratches the surface of things to do in Tokyo. Tokyo has many things to offer for people of all ages and you'll find that being bored in Tokyo is a difficult task.

Below are guides with recommended places to visit during your stay in Japan. The guides include Art and Science museums, places for families with children, old shopping streets, Japanese gardens, destinations to visit during the summer, and more.

Tokyo Flea Market Guide: 10 Bastions of Bargain-Hunting

There are many different ways to experience the culture of a foreign place, but nothing gives quite the same insight into local pop culture, history and everyday life as a flea market. Tokyo has plenty such gatherings (known as "furima" in Japanese) on offer, so whether it’s antiques, local fashio…

Tokyo’s Depachika Are Basement-Level Havens of Top-Shelf Food

When shopping for fresh produce and handmade meals, South-East Asia has its colorful, raucous outdoor markets, and the West its artisanal weekend farmers markets. Japan offers its own unique alternative to both of these, with its depachika. In the basement level of department stores (“depa”—a conj…

Tokyo Spas with Expat-Friendly Services

Tokyo is a bustling hub full of extraordinary places and things. For tourists, it may be fascinating; but for the people who live and work here, it can sometimes be exhausting. A bit of self-love in the form of a spa day can help you unwind from the everyday stresses. There’s no shortage of high-en…

Beat the Summer Heat at One of Tokyo’s Water Parks

If you're looking for some places to go to escape Tokyo’s oppressive summer heat, we've got a few recommendations that'll do the trick. From the luxury high-rise apartments of Roppongi to the quite backstreets of Oji to the north, there are plenty of water parks and pools in the Tokyo metro area th…

Tokyo Station Guide: Japan’s Landmark Transit Hub Explained

Tokyo station has been restored to the former red bricked glory of the Meiji Era, this rail gateway to the capital city of Japan is the largest station in Tokyo. In 2003, it was recognized by the government as an Important Cultural Property. Elegant architectural details aside, there are so many si…

Yoyogi Park, Tokyo Then and Now

Located in the Yoyogi area, Yoyogi Park is a very large green tract of land in the center of Tokyo and it provides Tokyo residents with a place of relief by acting as an urban oasis. Yoyogi Park is the 4th largest park within the 23 wards of Tokyo. It’s size is roughly the equivalent to the space o…

Arisugawa Park (Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park) in Hiroo

Arisugawa Park is appreciated by many foreign expats and locals alike as an oasis in central Tokyo. During the Edo era, this area was part of the residence of a local samurai. In 1896, this area became designated as part of the Imperial Families’ land. In 1934, it was turned into a public park and…

Hamarikyu Gardens (Hamarikyu Onshi Teien)

"Hamarikyu Gardens" is a large Japanese garden that located in the eastern part of Minato-ku and lies halfway between Hamatsucho Station and Shinbashi Station on the JR Yamanote Line. It is also near Shiodome Station on the Ooedo Line facing Tokyo Bay. History of Hamarikyu Gardens This garden was i…

Koyo: Autumn Leaf Viewing in Tokyo

Koyo is the Japanese word for autumn leaves changing colors, and like Hanami in the spring, it offers a great opportunity to get out and enjoy a picnic on a fall afternoon in Tokyo. For those of you living in the Hiroo, Azabu, or Roppongi areas, there are some great options nearby where you can do j…

What Makes Hiroo a Great Neighborhood for Tokyo Expats?

Hiroo has maintained its place as one of Tokyo’s most upscale neighborhoods for many years. Home to several of the capital’s embassies, Hiroo is a place where Japan’s international communities have carved out a comfortable expat-friendly lifestyle. The neighborhood offers a wide variety of Western…