Tokyo as an international city. This section covers life for foreign residents, such as Obon in Tokyo and community events, the festivals and exhibitions that draw visitors from abroad and why companies choose Tokyo for their headquarters.
Obon season arrives quietly, but if you know where to look, it opens a door into Japanese community life that most expats never find. What Obon season actually is Obon is a Buddhist festival that celebrates the time when the spirits of ancestors are believed to return to Earth and be with their families. Originally … Read more
Obon Tokyo quietly transforms every neighbourhood in mid-August, and foreign residents are not just welcome to join, they are expected to. What Obon actually is and why it matters to you Obon is Japan’s midsummer homecoming: a period when families gather in the belief that their ancestors’ spirits return. Lanterns are lit to guide those … Read more
Tokyo headquarters are not a consolation prize. More multinationals are choosing this city first, and the reasons are more practical than you might expect. What the numbers actually say Tokyo is home to over 2,300 foreign-affiliated companies, which is 76 percent of all such companies in Japan. The city also ranks at the top globally … Read more
Tokyo Idol Festival is more than a summer concert in Odaiba. It is 3 days of live performances, fan events, and crowd energy that remind you exactly why Japanese pop culture travels so far beyond Japan’s borders. What Tokyo Idol Festival actually is Tokyo Idol Festival is the world’s largest celebration of idol culture. Fuji … Read more
Shitamachi is the honest side of Tokyo, the part that survived wars and earthquakes and still smells like grilled food on a Sunday morning. Start the morning in Nezu before the heat arrives Nezu is part of the Yanesen area, which includes Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi. It is one of the few pre-war shitamachi districts … Read more
Hanabi Tokyo is one of the most exciting nights of the Tokyo summer calendar, and the 2026 “JPOP BEST” edition gives it a soundtrack that will feel instantly familiar to anyone who loves Japanese music. What makes this hanabi show different The Tokyo Racecourse Fireworks is a fireworks festival held at the racecourse in Fuchu, … Read more
Food festivals are one of the best reasons to leave your apartment in June, when Tokyo’s parks turn into a rotating world map of cuisine, music and genuine cultural exchange. Africa Heritage Festival at Yoyogi Park The Africa Heritage Festival returns to Yoyogi Park this June, bringing Jamaican energy, African cuisine and a full weekend … Read more
A Picasso exhibition in Tokyo is always a good reason to head to Roppongi on a weekday morning, and this one has a twist worth knowing about before you go. What this show actually is The exhibition reimagines masterpieces from the “Musée National Picasso Paris” through the creative lens of British designer Paul Smith, who … Read more
