Tokyo’s Best Ice Cream Shops
Apr 27, 2023 By Michael Stigall
Spring is upon us. It is one of the best times of the year since it is neither too hot nor too cold, but it often leaves me feeling uneasy as it means we are only a short time away from the usually hot and humid Japanese summer. There are...[ Click to read more ]
A Guide to Tokyo’s Many Baseball Teams
Mar 28, 2023 By Michael Stigall
It is hard to describe how popular baseball is in Japan. With the recent win at the World Baseball Classic over the USA, nobody can deny that Japanese baseball is the real deal anymore. And while every major city and region has a team, no place in Japan, or Earth...[ Click to read more ]
Tokyo’s Food and Delivery Apps
By Michael Stigall
We've all noticed that Tokyo has a surplus of delivery persons riding around the metropolis on bicycles, but have you ever wondered what they were delivering? Being Japan, it's most often food in those carry cases. With all the dining options from fine dining to alleyway ramen, you may be...[ Click to read more ]
Top Hanami Sites Around Tokyo
Feb 27, 2023 By Michael Stigall
Rejoice for the end of winter is nearly here, and one of the best times to be in Japan is almost upon us. I am speaking, of course, of cherry blossom viewing or hanami. Just picture it! The weather will soon be warmer, the days longer, and it'll be time...[ Click to read more ]
Tokyo’s Best Burgers
By Michael Stigall
Burgers have been having a moment, haven't they? I've been all over the world, and even outside of the US of A, burgers seem to be having a sort of renaissance. What was once a staple of the value menu has suddenly become upscale and gourmet. Tokyo is no exception...[ Click to read more ]
An Art Museum for the Digital Age: teamLab Planets
By Michael Stigall
Tokyo has many wonderful art museums. You can find them in almost every corner of the city. They have excellent independent exhibitions as well. Perhaps none of them achieved the level of global fame though as the now-closed teamLab Borderless in Odaiba. This article is about the follow-up to that...[ Click to read more ]
Tokyo’s Romantic Valentine Spots
Jan 30, 2023 By Michael Stigall
Valentine’s Day always sneaks up on me. Between recovering from Christmas and New Year's and dealing with some seriously cold Tokyo weather, it’s easy to forget that Valentine’s Day is mere weeks away. So assuming you’ve picked up your best chocolate from the nearest Department Store, the next step is...[ Click to read more ]
Tokyo’s Japanese Gardens
By Michael Stigall
Let's be honest for a moment: Tokyo is an amazing place, but sometimes all that concrete and urban bustle can get to even the best of us. What does a person do on those kinds of days? Well, there is always a train out of town somewhere quieter, or maybe...[ Click to read more ]
Ferris Wheels of the Tokyo Area
By Michael Stigall
Ferris wheels aren't the first thing that comes to someone's mind about Japan unless you visit here and notice how many of them seem to exist. Almost every large city here seems to boast one Ferris wheel attraction somewhere nearby. While most Ferris wheels here don't rise to the level...[ Click to read more ]
Hatsumode in Tokyo – Making Your First Shrine Visit of 2023
Dec 26, 2022 By Michael Stigall
New Years in Japan is laser-focused on firsts. You have your first sunrise of the year, which is very important, and other firsts like the Shinenkai parties to bring in the New Year. Easily the most important of these New Year’s rituals is hatsumode. Hatsumode is the first visit of...[ Click to read more ]
