This week’s news roundup is dominated by foreign visitors causing trouble in Japan. A shrine in Tsushima recently put up a sign saying Koreans are banned from entering following a string of complaints. A local priest has defended the controversial move, which has been labeled “discriminatory.” In Tokyo, it was a Chinese visitor making headlines. […] The post Koreans Banned from Entering Tsushima Shrine Due to Ill-Mannered Visitors | News Roundup appeared first on Tokyo Weekender ..read more

Hydrangeas, or ajisai in Japanese, herald the arrival of the rainy season, bringing vibrant hues of blue, purple and sometimes pink to the otherwise dreary period from late May to early July. Celebrated even in the Manyoshu, Japan’s oldest and most esteemed poetry anthology, hydrangeas hold a special place in Japanese culture. Here are our […] The post The 10 Best Places to See Hydrangeas in Tokyo appeared first on Tokyo Weekender ..read more

Japan’s hydrangea season is officially underway. The popular flower, known as ajisai in Japanese, has a rich history in this county and was mentioned in written records here as far back as the eighth century. European varieties were then introduced in the early 20th century. They usually bloom during the rainy season in June or July, though, […] The post Japan’s Hydrangea Forecast 2024 appeared first on Tokyo Weekender ..read more

Summer is so close that we can almost smell it. For anyone hoping to head out and catch some music outdoors, we’ve got you covered. Check out our pick of this season’s best music festivals happening across Japan, from Kyushu to Hokkaido, featuring independent and major artists from Japan and further afield. These events will […] The post The Best Music Festivals in Japan This Summer appeared first on Tokyo Weekender ..read more

Prime Video today announced that it will be premiering Like a Dragon: Yakuza, an original Japanese series this fall. Directed by Masaharu Take (The Naked Director) and starring Ryoma Takeuchi (Kamen Rider Drive) as the iconic character Kazuma Kiryu, it’s a live-action adaptation that’s loosely based on the Sega game franchise of the same name. There will […] The post Ryoma Takeuchi to Play Kazuma Kiryu in ‘Like a Dragon: Yakuza’ appeared first on Tokyo Weekender ..read more

This article appeared in Tokyo Weekender Vol. 2. To read the entire issue, click here.  Leaving a gloomy London morning behind him, Takayuki Suzuki smiles and waves from the entrance of the hotel in Leicester Square where we’re set to meet. We are soon sat down, tea ordered, to discuss his work as an actor and […] The post Takayuki Suzuki: Acting Between Cultures appeared first on Tokyo Weekender ..read more

The “Zombie Train” is back. Following its hugely successful debut run last summer, Watarase Keikoku Railway Co. decided that the haunted house-on-rails, in which passengers are scared out of their wits by actors posing as reanimated corpses, was worth pursuing for another year. The hair-raising characters returned on Sunday, June 2, and will appear eight […] The post Japan’s Wildly Popular ‘Zombie Train’ is Back appeared first on Tokyo Weekender ..read more

Joe Magowan is a photographer from London specializing in music and documentary photography. He shoots predominantly on film, using his trusty Nikon and Hasselblad to find shots of life in the city. In addition to street snaps and musician shots, he has also directed, produced and shot a documentary covering the lives of My Bad […] The post An Inside Look at Takigyo, Japan’s Ancient Art of Waterfall Meditation appeared first on Tokyo Weekender ..read more

Right now, the main topic being discussed around the globe is Donald Trump’s arrest and the impact that it will have on the U.S. presidential election. In our news roundup, though, we’re focusing on a different election: the Tokyo gubernatorial one. Renho has thrown her hat in the ring and is expected to be the […] The post Koike and Renho Set for Gubernatorial Showdown | News Roundup appeared first on Tokyo Weekender ..read more

Some of Asia’s best skincare is hidden in plain sight, in the form of toner lotions. In Japan, toning water, followed by a lightweight “milky lotion,” is the most frequently used type of moisturizer. Don’t let the watery consistency fool you, Japanese toners are hydrating without leaving any sticky residue. The fact that they are […] The post The Best Japanese Toner Lotions appeared first on Tokyo Weekender ..read more