One may visit Nihonbashi, a district found in Chuo Ward not far from Tokyo Station, which stretches towards Akihabara as well as alongside the Sumida River, to find many Japanese traditional items like the 'kimono' (Japanese garb) or the 'uchiwa'/'sensu' (fan that uses paper pasted on wooden skeleton, the latter type being foldable and usually made with durable Japanese paper).

The garden is known for its wide array of stones, of all sizes and shapes. It is said the garden dates back to the Edo-period and was a former mansion site of a wealthy man named Kinokuniya Buzaemon in 1716. Then in 1878 Iwasaki Yataro (the founder of Mitsubishi) purchased the land and turned it into a place of recreation for his employees and distinguished guests.

The Reserve is located in a quiet neighbourhood which is probably the reason why it is not as busy as you would imagine the largest Starbucks in the world to be.

One of the rare onsens in Tokyo with natural hot spring water can be found in Musashi Koyama, Shinagawa. Shimizu-yu or Musashi Koyama Onsen not only provides two types of natural hot springs: kuroyu or black spring water and kogane-no-yu or golden spring water, but is also a historical gem that has been running its hot spring baths since 1924.

Located near the JR Shinjuku Southeast Exit, this restaurant rests near a bridge leading into the Takashimaya Department Store. Countless sets of nostalgia grace the walls of the restaurant, all commemorating the illustrious career of pro-wrestler turned politician, Antonio Inoki.

With its signature kappa (a Japanese mythological monster) mascot, Kappunk festival hosts dozens of punk rock bands from all over the world for 3 full days of hardcore rock festivities. It sparked a thought for me, how does Japanese punk culture compare to that of the UK or America?

More and more plant-based restaurants are opening in Tokyo. For those who like to cook at home, finding meat alternatives can be a challenge. Below are some suggestions for finding meat alternatives in Tokyo.

Recently I had the pleasure of once again re-treading the path I took a long time ago when I first arrived in Japan. Here are the reasons I chose to move back.

The name means "doll town," and a long time ago the area was famous for its puppet shows, puppet makers, and puppeteers. Nowadays, the only remaining doll "theaters" are the two signature Ningyocho clocktowers. Shows run hourly from 11 a.m. To 7 p.m. but be sure to have your camera ready, because they last only 2 minutes!

However, you can find that happy medium of both the comforts of fresh, wholesome deliciousness that doesn’t leave you feeling guilty after your last forkful of sustenance. You can find such delicacies within the realm of the macrobiotic diet.

Koenji becomes a huge attraction in the summer when it hosts one of Tokyo’s most popular festivals. The Koenji Awa Odori is a summer dance festival and is held annually during the last weekend in August.

A unique Tanabata festival to commemorate the poignant meeting of the star lovers, and perhaps, one of the biggest festivals of its kind takes place every year in Asagaya, Suginami ward.