Tokyo.us – Page 2 – A definitive guide

We are passionate about promoting and celebrating Tokyo the world over.

September 22, 2023

Looking Forward — teamLab Borderless Returns in 2024

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In order to understand the world around them, people separate it into independent entities with perceived boundaries between them. teamLab seeks to transcend these boundaries in our perceptions of the world, of the relationship between the self and the world, and of the continuity of time. Everything exists in a long, fragile yet miraculous, borderless continuity.

Since closing the Borderless digital art museum in Odaiba back in August of 2022, we’ve been patiently awaiting on update on the international art collective’s next plans.

Now, it’s confirmed that the exhibition will re-open in January 2024 in Central Tokyo’s Azabudai Hills.

September 19, 2023

Tokyo’s ‘Jazz Kissa’ Cafe Culture

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Jazz Kissas in Tokyo, also known as jazz cafes or jazz bars, are unique and cozy establishments that cater to jazz enthusiasts and music lovers.

These intimate venues offer a relaxed and intimate atmosphere where patrons can enjoy listening to jazz music on high-quality audio systems while sipping drinks and subtly interacting with the cafe’s proprietor and other patrons.

Jazz Kissas are an integral part of Tokyo’s vibrant jazz scene and have a rich history dating back to the pre-WWII era, rising to prominence in the 1960s and 70s in Japan, as music connoisseurs huddled in comfortable settings to listen to the latest Miles Davis or John Coltrane records in high-fidelity.

September 15, 2023

Emergent Tokyo — Designing the Spontaneous City

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Tokyo is one of the most vibrant and livable cities on the planet, a megacity that somehow remains intimate and adaptive. Compared to Western metropolises like New York or Paris, however, few outsiders understand Tokyo’s inner workings.

September 12, 2023

Considering Tokyo? Start Here. [2023]

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Japan’s capital city is massive, with over 14 million people, but that doesn’t create an overpowering atmosphere. Instead, Tokyo is one of the world’s friendliest, most welcoming capitals, with a vast array of neighborhoods just waiting for visitors to explore.

For close to three years, pandemic border controls halted foreign travel to Tokyo, leaving its cityscape, sights and scenes exclusively to locals.

Now, with international tourists welcomed back in full, those willing to explore beyond the busier districts of Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku and wander down mazes of side streets in Sangenjaya or Shimokitazawa will find their own version of happiness sipping coffee in a charming kissaten, shopping the racks of a specialty boutique or taking refuge in many of Tokyo’s natural sanctuaries.

We like to think of Tokyo as “the capital of concealed treasures”, where you can imbibe at an intimate bar tucked up in a small office building or enjoy ultra-premium sushi hidden in plain sight.

February 1, 2021

Kisara Okada — ©TOKYO Please close softly and gently

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Despite public sentiment showing disapproval of the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics taking place as planned this July, Japan has held its position of ruling out further delay.

In the wake of this reality, photographer Kisara Okada’s ©TOKYO Please close softly and gently may render as a crucial pre-pandemic artifact that takes on a tremendously new meaning with the stakes of Tokyo’s post-Olympics well-being remarkably higher than ever.

January 20, 2020

A Conversation with Keisuke Shoda

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The creative community in Tokyo is a diverse and dynamic force to be reckoned with on both a local and global scale.

As is the case with many professions in Japan, the discipline and raw pursuit of perfection in craft are ever-present, though one tends to find that there is little drudgery or conservative regard when it comes to creative expression.

In fact, long-held societal beliefs and popular perceptions of artistic beauty and form tend to inspire even more contrarian creative output. This is not an exclusively “Japanese” phenomenon, but registers at a higher volume here.

Case in point, Mr. Keisuke Shoda — a pop musician turned designer and art director (and now, rug maker), but also a cosmopolitan connector, instigator and deeply entrenched Tokyoite.
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January 1, 2020

MUSTARD HOTEL — SHIBUYA

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Truly effective design bridges the gap between needs and requirements.

In this case, the needs are neighborhood access, convenience and practicality. The requirements are thoughtful, understated design, fair pricing and cohesiveness in experience.

Simple yet striking, MUSTARD HOTEL delivers a pronounced “secret ingredient” to Shibuya and its newly adorned Shibuya Bridge complex, as well as parallel properties in Asakusa — 1 & 2.

November 18, 2019

Robert Götzfried — TOKYO SLEEPS TONIGHT

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“Tokyo is the biggest city in the world and counts around 37 million people. I wanted to picture the city away from the famous hot spots like Shibuya or the Tokyo Sky Tree.”

April 15, 2019

Finding “Wa” in Tokyo

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Much of Tokyo’s allure comes from its abundance of its beautiful, engaging and tangible qualities. However, visitors are often struck by something much deeper when trying to express and appreciate the “feeling” of Tokyo and immersion in the Japanese way of life.

March 15, 2019

Liam Wong — TO:KY:OO

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Liam Wong‘s visions have earned him global attention from international news outlets, and legions of fans across social media, the videogame world, photographers and designers alike.

His first formal book project, TO:KY:OO, encompasses his three years as a photographer and ultimately the completion of his debut photo series.