From restored traditional theatres to neighbourhood museums preserving post-war memory, here's where Tokyoites are reconnecting with their city's layered past.
Beyond the established names of Ginza and Roppongi, a new generation of curators and artists is charting bold directions across Shibuya, Harajuku and beyond.
Over seven decades, the capital's performing arts ecosystem evolved from post-war reconstruction to avant-garde innovation, reshaping how Japan's cities think about cultural space.
A seismic shift in Tokyo's dining culture is rewiring where and how the city eats, with intimate counter experiences and neighbourhood sourcing replacing the izakaya model that dominated for decades.
From intimate venues in Shimokitazawa to packed clubs in Roppongi, a new generation of Japanese musicians is charting its own creative path beyond traditional industry gatekeepers.
From Michelin-starred temples to neighbourhood izakayas, navigating Tokyo's $70 billion food scene requires insider knowledge—here's your essential guide to eating and drinking like a local.
Three decades of transformation in Shibuya, Shinjuku and beyond reveal how Japan's capital learned to survive—and thrive—through seismic shifts in how we consume live entertainment.
From Shimokitazawa's intimate venues to Roppongi's cutting-edge spaces, a new generation of artists, curators and organisers are using summer festivals to challenge convention and redefine what Japanese culture means in 2026.
A new generation of independent collectives and neighbourhood venues are democratising performing arts across the capital, moving beyond Ginza's gilded stages.
From post-war theatre district to today's heritage hotspot, this compact neighbourhood reveals how Tokyo preserves identity while racing toward the future.
A tight-knit community of independent creators in Harajuku and Shimokitazawa is challenging the dominance of established fashion houses, proving that Tokyo's creative future belongs to the collective.
Explore Tokyo's fashion renaissance across Aoyama and Harajuku. Discover flagship stores, Japan Fashion Week venues, and where to see cutting-edge designer ateliers.
Behind Omoide Yokocho's transformation into a three-week cultural landmark lies the quiet determination of local residents who refused to let their neighbourhood fade.
A grassroots movement centred on Shimokitazawa and Harajuku is transforming how Tokyo's younger generation views public art—and reclaiming neighbourhood identity in the process.
From intimate jazz clubs in Ginza to massive arenas in Odaiba, Tokyo's concert ecosystem offers unparalleled diversity—here's what you need to know before booking tickets.
Young producers and neighbourhood collectives are transforming independent venues across Shimokitazawa and Koenji, challenging the city's decades-old cultural gatekeeping.
From sake breweries in Kuramae to samurai temples in Asakusa, understanding Tokyo's layered past transforms a visit from sightseeing into genuine cultural immersion.
Two decades of digital transformation and cultural entrepreneurship have turned Tokyo's seasonal celebrations into a masterclass in urban festival evolution.
From Shibuya's nomiya alleyways to Shimokitazawa's experimental kitchens, Tokyo's food culture has become the primary stage for artistic expression and community identity.
A new generation of independent designers is breaking from tradition in Harajuku and Shibuya, challenging the industry with sustainable practices and genre-defying aesthetics.
A new generation of playwrights, directors and choreographers is challenging convention in venues from Shinjuku to Shimokitazawa, signalling a decisive shift in how Japanese theatre speaks to audiences.
As international touring resumes and domestic talent floods the calendar, Tokyo's concert culture is experiencing an unexpected renaissance that's reshaping how the city spends its summer nights.
From hidden shrine festivals to artisan craft workshops in historic neighbourhoods, here's where to immerse yourself in the city's deepest cultural currents this summer.
A new generation of chefs and bar owners in neighbourhoods from Koenji to Shimokitazawa are challenging conventions and redefining what Tokyo's dining scene means in 2026.
A new generation of curators, artists and independent gallery operators are challenging established hierarchies and redefining what contemporary art means in the capital.
As established designers consolidate their empires, a new generation of creators in Harajuku and Shimokitazawa is building parallel fashion worlds—sustainable, digital-native, and radically inclusive.
A century of reinvention has turned a modest entertainment quarter into the world's most influential youth culture epicentre, yet locals worry about preserving authentic heritage amid relentless modernisation.
A new generation of restaurateurs across Shibuya, Shimokitazawa and beyond are building careers without the weight of family legacy or Michelin obsession.
A decentralised movement of independent promoters and venue operators is transforming how Tokyoites experience live music, moving away from corporate gatekeepers toward intimate, community-driven spaces.
A grassroots movement is transforming overlooked districts into open-air galleries, challenging city planning and sparking debate about who owns Tokyo's urban canvas.
A quiet shift away from formal fine dining toward intimate, chef-driven experiences is reshaping how Tokyo eats—and it's happening in unexpected neighbourhoods.
A grassroots movement of muralists and community organisers is transforming overlooked neighbourhoods into open-air galleries, reshaping how the capital thinks about public space.
From fireworks over the Sumida River to centuries-old shrine celebrations, here's your essential guide to navigating Japan's most vibrant festival months.
A new generation of designers working in Harajuku and Shibuya are challenging convention and proving that Japan's creative industries still have plenty of revolutionary energy left.
From the preservation societies of Yanaka to cutting-edge digital heritage projects, Tokyo's obsession with its own past is fundamentally redefining contemporary artistic practice.
As gentrification threatens historic neighbourhoods, a new generation of artists and entrepreneurs is weaponising Tokyo's cultural memory to define what the metropolis becomes next.
A growing network of artists and community organisers is transforming overlooked neighbourhoods into open-air galleries, challenging decades of sanitised city planning.
From world-class contemporary art in Roppongi to intimate neighbourhood galleries in Harajuku, here's your essential guide to experiencing Tokyo's thriving arts ecosystem.
A decentralised movement of independent promoters and neighbourhood collectives is transforming how Tokyoites experience live music, moving away from corporate-dominated halls toward intimate, artist-first spaces.
From cutting-edge ateliers in Harajuku to established houses in Ginza, Tokyo's creative industries offer an unfiltered glimpse into how Japanese designers are reshaping global fashion.
As the rainy season ends, a surge of outdoor festivals and gallery openings across Shibuya, Shinjuku and Asakusa are giving locals unprecedented access to world-class culture without spending a yen.
