Our goal is to help you enjoy the high-tech
urban atmosphere of Tokyo
combined with ancient shrines, festivals and
old-fashioned manners.
Prepare to discover Tokyo you have never seen
before!
Don't try to hide from Tokyo's notoriously hot
and humid July - we will help you to make the
most of it! To enjoy Tokyo during the annual
heatwave we have prepared for you the most
exciting spots to explore Tokyo like a pro!
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We have brilliant news for you! Japan will begin
accepting foreign tourists in stages starting
June 10.
This is the first attempt to lift the travel
restrictions imposed in March 2020 due to a
surge in COVID-19 infections. Japan is slowly
reopening to tourists, so we sincerely hope we
can welcome you all very soon!
PEOPLE: The craftswoman of the Edo
hand-drawn lanterns
PEOPLE
The craftswoman of the Edo
hand-drawn lanterns
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The lanterns or ‘chochin’ have been
in great demand since the Edo period
(1603-1867), as electricity was
still not in use, and lanterns were
the only source of light at that
time.
Edo Tegaki Chochin inherits the
traditional methods of drawing
Japanese characters and Ms. Yuko
Sakurai might be the only
craftswoman of the Edo hand-drawn
lanterns in Tokyo.
She belongs to the fourth generation
of 'Hanato' - the family-owned
chochin shop near Hisago-dori in
Asakusa. Her specialty is drawing
lanterns for different events such
as wedding ceremonies, birthday
celebrations, festivals, etc
Out of all the Japanese sweets,
'taiyaki' or fish-shaped cake with
different fillings inside is one of
the most popular.
Taiyaki is commonly sold as street
food almost everywhere in Japan,
especially here in Tokyo. But this
time, let's try making taiyaki by
yourself at Guraku - a small Taiyaki
specialty shop in Asakusa. The whole
experience takes around one hour and
includes a small lecture about the
history of these traditional
Japanese sweets.
The common filling for taiyaki is
red bean paste, in Guraku you can
choose from more than ten different
flavors including matcha,
strawberry, cheese kimchi, or
chocolate.
To create truly extraordinary sweets
you can even bring the ingredients
with you.
PAST: The paper store with over 360
years of tradition
PAST
The paper store with over 360 years
of tradition
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'Ozu Washi' - a wholesale paper
store established in 1653 (the Edo
Period) in Nihombashi.
For more than 300-years shop has
kept alive handmade Japanese paper
(or Washi) at the very center of the
great city of Tokyo. 'Wa' in 'washi'
means Japanese, and 'shi' means
paper.
You can feel how Japanese this art
is from the name of it. Go to 'Ozu
Washi' to learn the history of this
Japanese craft or join the workshop
to create a piece of paper with
pressed flowers, gold/silver leaves
with authentic Japanese tools. Just
make sure you make a reservation in
advance here.
By the way, they also offer
different classes including Shodo
(Calligraphy) and Suiboku-ga (Sumi
art).
AR sports ‘HADO’ was created in
Japan by merging computer games and
physical sports through augmented
reality.
It may sound complicated, though
HADO is suitable for any age or
gender. All you need to enter the
world of magic is to attach a
head-mounted display to your head, a
sensor to your arm - and you are
ready to shoot magical energy balls
and shields.
If you are a first-time player, you
can book a tutor to get started and
understand the fun of AR sports!
In 2022 HADO ARENA Odaiba - a new
global flagship store with four
full-size courts and a premium room
for a group reservation has been
opened in Odaiba Aqua City to spread
this techno sport all around the
globe.
TOKYO DIVERSITY: A bridge to the Islamic
world in Tokyo
TOKYO DIVERSITY
A bridge to the Islamic world in
Tokyo
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The Tokyo Camii & Turkish Cultural
Center was established in 1938 by
Bashkir and Tatar immigrants from
Russia and then rebuilt in 2000 by
Turkish architect Muharrem Hilmi
Senalp.
This beautiful Ottoman-style
building is the biggest mosque in
the country and is easily accessible
on foot from Yoyogiuehara Station or
the Harajuku area. In case it is
praying time, the prayer hall will
be closed for visitors, but any
other time the doors of Tokyo Camii
welcome everyone: they even serve
dates and tea for free and do an
introduction to the Islamic world on
weekends.
The staff speaks Japanese and
English making this mosque a unique
gathering place for Muslims in Tokyo
from different nationalities. Do not
forget to check out a small souvenir
shop and Yunus Emre Café cafe with
halal food on your way back!
If you've had to postpone your next trip to
Tokyo due to the coronavirus pandemic,
we have prepared for you several tools how
you can enjoy this magical country from the
distance.
【Tokyo ASMR】Early morning around
Ueno
【July sound】Sound of Kagurazaka
Festival
(This year it will be
canceled.)
Information (update: 2022 June 22)
In order to offer travelers a safe and fun
experience in Tokyo, do not forget to check
the information on COVID-19 provided by the
Japanese government and the Tokyo
Metropolitan Government here.
Check out these annual festivals and events
held in Tokyo. You can see the list of all
major festivals, fireworks, parades,
religious events, and other events in
Greater Tokyo
Coming up on "TOKYO NOW" newsletter next
month: looking for places to escape the
rainy season in Tokyo we have prepared so
many interesting things for you. Stay tuned!
If you missed last month`s letter, catch up
here. If you have not subscribed to the
newsletter yet, you can do so here.
Good bye for now and see you in July!
Issue by: Tokyo Convention & Visitor
Bureau
Support by: Tourism Division, Bureau of
Industry and Labor Affairs, Tokyo
Metropolitan Government
E-mail: tokyonownewsletter2023@gmail.com