Artist: Hiroko Irie I’ve never mourned the demise of any event the way I mourned the Tokyo International Quilt Show that used to surprise and delight every January, but guess what? Yokohama to the rescue! There’s a new quilt show in town, and (how is this even possible?) it’s bigger and better than ever! InternationalContinueContinue reading “Epic Japanese Quilt Show Returns!”
Category Archives: Awesome Stuff To Do
New Japanese art displayed in old Japanese houses? Yes, please!
“Lifelong Chandelier Remaster” by Kosei Komatsu The Biwako Biennale isn’t just an exhibition of the best Japanese art of 2025, it’s a masterpiece of displaying new art in historic settings, with dramatic lighting to die for. Whoever paired the winning pieces with each gorgeously restored merchant house was a genius, and this little detour onContinueContinue reading “New Japanese art displayed in old Japanese houses? Yes, please!”
The most charming demons you’ll ever meet
Traditional Nebuta float from Aomori, representing “the rage that splits the heavens” of historical figure Sugawara no Michizane Demons have taken over the National Cultural Treasure steps at the Hotel Gajoen, where their gallery curators have whipped up a show riffing off the Japanese summertime tradition of telling ghost stories that send a chill upContinueContinue reading “The most charming demons you’ll ever meet”
Stunning woodblock prints capture the joy of Japanese festivals
Special Days in Tokyo: A Decorated City and Its People This special exhibit at the Kokugakuin Museum features rare examples of woodblock prints from the 1800s that are so perfectly preserved, the brilliant colors look like they were printed yesterday! They depict the citizenry having fun, watching impromptu skits at the Niwaka Festival in Yoshiwara…ContinueContinue reading “Stunning woodblock prints capture the joy of Japanese festivals”
Come for the wisteria, stay for the only-in-Japan sights!
Sometimes you just have to take a trip outside Tokyo to see things you can’t see in town, and these four destinations are absolutely worth the travel time during wisteria season. If you’re in Japan in late April to early May, GO! • ASHIKAGA FLOWER PARK This first one is all wisteria all the time,ContinueContinue reading “Come for the wisteria, stay for the only-in-Japan sights!”
The train station with a foot bath!
The minute you get off the train at Kamisuwa Station in Nagano, you know there’s something a little different about it… and then you see the sign! Yes, there’s a free hot spring foot bath for weary travelers, and all you have to do is take off your shoes and wait for a seat! https://youtu.be/tVTKx2GLiPAContinueContinue reading “The train station with a foot bath!”
The Tokyo Kimono Show 2025 delights and amazes
Is this me in my happy place? Why yes, yes it is One again, the Tokyo Kimono Show does not disappoint! This year’s extravaganza of style started off with a contrast between past and future, with a parade of nicely curated Edo Period clothing on the left… and futuristic manga-inspired costumes by a Taiwanese artistContinueContinue reading “The Tokyo Kimono Show 2025 delights and amazes”
The Tokyo Toilets…lit up at night!
If you thought the Tokyo Toilets were beautiful in the daytime, just wait ’til you see them lit up after dark! The public restrooms that were so mindfully cleaned by the main character in Wim Wenders’ film Perfect Days were designed by sixteen famous Japanese architects, and if there’s one thing famous architects know howContinueContinue reading “The Tokyo Toilets…lit up at night!”
Places to go before everyone else discovers them
The Pink Season is coming, hand in hand with crazy crowds and high prices. But just because everyone and their cousin is heading for Japan in the next month doesn’t mean you have to sharpen your elbows to enjoy fabulous Japan goodness! Here are some only-in-Japan spots that I love (and some undiscovered gems inContinueContinue reading “Places to go before everyone else discovers them”
The artist who shows us everyday things in a deeply Japanese way
Miyawaki Ayako Retrospective: I saw, I cut, I applied Quilters and other textile artists were the first to see how arts formerly dismissed as “womanly” or “decorative” could be harnessed to convey powerful insights and messages. Ayako Miyawaki didn’t begin to use appliqué as a medium until she was forty—after raising her three children—but herContinueContinue reading “The artist who shows us everyday things in a deeply Japanese way”
The most outrageous car show in Japan is back!
Tokyo Auto Salon: The latest, greatest car mods for 2025 This year’s show lacked some of my favorite kitchy offerings of years past, but if you’re a dude whose burning desire is to turn his car into a babe-magnet, Tokyo Auto Salon is the show for you. Manly, eye-popping paint job? Check. The latest inContinueContinue reading “The most outrageous car show in Japan is back!”
Nobuyuki Fujiwara’s explosive glass art retrospective
“Shobunma Nature Series 2024” by Nobuyuki Fujiwara Glass artist Nobuyuki Fujiwara’s delightfully organic pieces explode and bloom with energy, and a selection of his recent works is being featured in this lovely retirement retrospective at the University Art Museum’s exhibition hall right now. His willingness to push glass techniques and technology in whole new directionsContinueContinue reading “Nobuyuki Fujiwara’s explosive glass art retrospective”
Roppongi Art Night: Banana peels, bondage & bubbles
Strange sights are a dime a dozen on the streets of Roppongi at night, but this is the first time I’ve encountered a giant inflatable banana skin. “Slapstick” by Shinji Mitsuzuka Welcome to the 2024 version of Roppongi Art Night, which was smaller than in years past, but featured some choice pieces that were worthContinueContinue reading “Roppongi Art Night: Banana peels, bondage & bubbles”
Fabulous folk art cats
If yesterday’s “Fairy Tale” exhibit post wasn’t enough to get you to the current exhibition at the Hotel Gajoen before it closes, I’m here to push you off the edge of the table with THESE. The cat theme runs strong throughout the show, but the ones that really put a smile on my face wereContinueContinue reading “Fabulous folk art cats”
Art X Japanese Folk Tales at this deliciously creepy art exhibit
From magical births to bamboo princesses, this whimsical (and slightly spooky) folk tale exhibit at the Hotel Gajoen is well worth climbing its Hyakudan Kaidan (hundred step staircase) to see! The lavishly decorated rooms (each painted by a different famous master) are the perfect setting for the traditional arts on display, and each room hasContinueContinue reading “Art X Japanese Folk Tales at this deliciously creepy art exhibit”
Making Nuno Textiles: The best Japanese fabric art exhibition EVER
If you have even the slightest interest in all things textile, the first thing you do after you step off the plane in Japan is make a beeline for the Nuno store. It’s a treasure trove of cutting-edge fabrics designed by Reiko Sudo, the creative mastermind (and all-around warm and generous person) who has spentContinueContinue reading “Making Nuno Textiles: The best Japanese fabric art exhibition EVER”
Eye Candy from the Tokyo Kimono Show 2024
If you think that “kimono fashion” is something that went out when samurai stopped roaming the streets, think again! Not only is modern kimono dressing alive and well, the annual Tokyo Kimono Show is where designers showcase their latest innovations. This year’s special exhibit was a rare chance to see Heian period robes (from whenContinueContinue reading “Eye Candy from the Tokyo Kimono Show 2024”
Art with a side of quirk
Tokyo Art Fair checks all the Serious International Art Exhibition boxes, but this year’s artists went above and beyond in displaying that unique Japanese mix of fabulous craftsmanship and quirky worldview. Like Tetsuya Noguchi’s spoof on famous Western general statues and portraits of wealthy worthies… “Ring and Man” and “The Light of 2024” by TetsuyaContinueContinue reading “Art with a side of quirk”
These weeping plums will make you smile
There are other reasons to come to Japan in February, but basking in the goodness of weeping plum trees in full bloom is reason enough to say TAKE MY MONEY. Nowhere are they more glorious than at Soga Bairin, a plum-growing region just a short train ride from Tokyo in Odawara. If you really wantContinueContinue reading “These weeping plums will make you smile”
A flowery splash of an exhibition at Tokyo Node
The new Tokyo Node site is attempting to bring a little life and culture to the stark and soaring new office/mall complex at Toranomon Hills, and this Mika Ninagawa exhibition at first seems hellbent on going just as extreme in the other direction. The poster for her “Eternity in a Moment” exhibition suggests it’s goingContinueContinue reading “A flowery splash of an exhibition at Tokyo Node”
Old skool Japanese illuminations are the most beautiful of all
One of the things I love about the nighttime light displays in Japan is that they’re not “holiday lights” that become obsolete the minute Santa and his reindeer are yesterday’s news, they’re “winter illuminations” that light up the long nights from the beginning of November to the end of February. And even though Japan’s cutting-edgeContinueContinue reading “Old skool Japanese illuminations are the most beautiful of all”
Art brings light into the chilly heart of Toranomon
All the usual glowing things are joined by some unexpected guests! Gazing up at Tokyo Tower from the perpetual construction zone at street level around Toranomon Hills delivers a first glimpse of the art that’s breathing a little life into the stark and chilly office towers of Tokyo’s newest mega-office complex. Seven delightful sculptures areContinueContinue reading “Art brings light into the chilly heart of Toranomon”
In Yokohama, new year’s is lit!
If basking in the glow of a giant multifaceted cube that’s illuminated by an ever-changing light show is on your bingo card for the new year, get thee to Yokohama right now, because you’ll never see a more illuminating sight. The Yorunoyo nighttime light-up extravaganza is all along the waterfront in Yokohama through January 4,ContinueContinue reading “In Yokohama, new year’s is lit!”
Be wowed by all the mega-illumination crowd-pleasers without leaving Tokyo!
Tokyo Mega-Illumi is back! It’s got all the crowd pleasers of more remote illuminations displays but is just a two-minute walk from Ōi-keibajō-mae Tokyo Monorail station. As a veteran of scouting illuminations displays—from the in-town twinklers to the far afield—I can vouch for the fact that the Mega-Illumi designers really did pick the best ofContinueContinue reading “Be wowed by all the mega-illumination crowd-pleasers without leaving Tokyo!”
Where there be dragons
If dragons are on your fantasy bucket list, get thee to Ryōanji temple in Kyoto and feast your eyes on these beauties! From now through March 31, 2023, the legendary lizards take over Ryōanji temple in Kyoto, and they do not disappoint! Imagine having a real live dragon to bork at burglars! Or one thatContinueContinue reading “Where there be dragons”
Jazz Age kimonos to die for
If you’re in Tokyo right now, drop what you’re doing and hightail it to this kimono exhibit at the Yayoi-Yumiji Museum! There are two floors of fabulous 1920s-1950s kimono ensembles on display, each more swoon-worthy than the last. If this museum were a shop, I’d want to buy them ALL! The unifying theme of thisContinueContinue reading “Jazz Age kimonos to die for”
Minoru Nomata: Paintings of an achingly lovely apocalypse
In this fabulous Minoru Nomata restrospective, the paintings in the very first room are already asking the questions that only grow more pointed and subtle over the course of his career… Building or landscape? “Land-Escape 1” 1992 Construction or destruction? “Nowhere-1” 1993 Past or future? “Land-Escape 12” 1992 And then you look closer, and wonderContinueContinue reading “Minoru Nomata: Paintings of an achingly lovely apocalypse”
Roppongi Art Night Returns!
“White Wings” by Close-Act Theater (Netherlands) Originally conceived as art from all over the world that goes on all night long, Roppongi Art Night returned for the first time in four years with a small—but choice!—fanfare of art and performances. The show-stealer was the “White Wings” production by a troupe from the Netherlands, whose divaContinueContinue reading “Roppongi Art Night Returns!”
TeamLab’s magical rainbow acorn forest
The permanent TeamLab installation at Higashi-Tokorozawa’s Musashino Woods Park features the exact same mildly-interesting, mirrored, schmoo-shaped things they have at TeamLab Planets… …but at night they will Cinderella your socks off! These mirrored “acorns” glow from within, but also reflect the colors of the lit-up foliage around them. Here’s the same view a few secondsContinueContinue reading “TeamLab’s magical rainbow acorn forest”
Cats in Ukiyo-e: The best woodblock print show ever
If we were playing my favorite museum game—the one where we admit we’d pass on that famous piece of art if we saw it at a garage sale for $5 and didn’t know who made it—I’d be feeling pretty good about myself at this show. You’d be hearing me say, “TAKE MY MONEY!” for everyContinueContinue reading “Cats in Ukiyo-e: The best woodblock print show ever”
Where to see the best wisteria in Tokyo
You haven’t seen wisteria until you’ve ogled the giant purple vines of Tokyo. Not only is each plant astoundingly huge and lush with garlands of blooms, the streamers of flowers can be nearly a meter long! Here are my favorite places to see them in Tokyo: • NISHIARAI DAISHI TEMPLE This year is the firstContinueContinue reading “Where to see the best wisteria in Tokyo”
Sakura Night Garden
For the entire month of April 2023, the glorious cherry trees of Shinjuku Gyouen National Garden are lit up in ever-changing colors, turning Tokyo’s grandest park into a springtime wonderland. I went early in the month, so the crowd was hanami-huge, but it didn’t feel crowded because the area that’s lit up is so massive.ContinueContinue reading “Sakura Night Garden”
The crazy hair art show
What does a fashion house do when they want to make an upworthy statement that doesn’t stop at the edges of the garment? They hire a hair artist like Katsuya Kamo. Kamo’s creations went so far beyond haircuts… they’re sometimes closer to taxidermy… or sculpture… or masks… or crowns. The “Kamo Head: Katsuya Kamo WorksContinueContinue reading “The crazy hair art show”
Tokyo Kimono Show: Feast your eyes on THESE beauties
The Tokyo Kimono Show returned last weekend, and the fabulous new kimono coordinations have never been more inspiring. Rows upon rows of mannequins displayed the stylish offerings of designers from all over Japan… …and they were skillfully set up so they could be appreciated from front and back Some designers took the opportunity to styleContinueContinue reading “Tokyo Kimono Show: Feast your eyes on THESE beauties”
Cherry Blossom Planets
The fabulous TeamLab Planets site gets a pink makeover for cherry blossom season! Between March 1 and April 31, instead of wading among the fish and flowers like this… …you can submerge your ankles in a sea of koi and petals like this! Like the usual immersive digital pond, the music and animation start withContinueContinue reading “Cherry Blossom Planets”
Luck meets art at the most delightful Girls Day exhibit ever
Cross your fingers and rub your rabbit’s foot, because we are about to venture into an exhibit where luck meets art and, well, THIS is what might result… “Lucky Subjects and Symbols in Japanese Art” is a delightful surprise of an exhibit, not least because it sounds like the driest of academic takes on theContinueContinue reading “Luck meets art at the most delightful Girls Day exhibit ever”
How to grow a Japanese snow monster
Everyone who spends any time on the interwebz has seen the Snow Monsters of Zao—evergreen trees that become so enrobed in snow and ice that they stop looking like trees and start looking like something that goes bump in the night. The ads for the ski resort usually look like this: Thank you Good LuckContinueContinue reading “How to grow a Japanese snow monster”
TeamLab x Galaxy: Catch & release rare sea creatures without getting your toes wet
How do you sell a phone that will set your Japanese customers back over *cough, cough* ¥150,000 (about $1,100 USD)? Well, first, you hire TeamLab to build you a killer undersea digital environment… https://videopress.com/v/Xs0I1Hqg?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true then you hand visitors your want-worthiest model… and set them loose to catch and release all kinds of rare sea creatures.ContinueContinue reading “TeamLab x Galaxy: Catch & release rare sea creatures without getting your toes wet”
Let’s walk out to Miyajima’s famous floating gate!
Before now, you’d have to be able to walk on water to see Miyajima’s famous “floating torii gate” up close and personal, but thanks to a brief window of lingering construction access, the only superpower we mere mortals need is the ability to stand in line! For the past three years, this World Heritage siteContinueContinue reading “Let’s walk out to Miyajima’s famous floating gate!”
Epic Japanese Cake Show: Part 1
No Japanese apartment comes equipped with an oven. That shocked me, until I stopped to think about it, and realized not a single traditional Japanese dish requires baking. Which doesn’t keep them from being some of the most skilled bakers in the world. Like the fiber artists of the Tokyo International Quilt Festival, the pastryContinueContinue reading “Epic Japanese Cake Show: Part 1”
Art Aquarium Lives!
If Japan had a shrine dedicated to goldfish, the new Art Aquarium Museum would be it. It’s fitting that as you enter the new, permanent home of my favorite summer event, you really feel like you’re stepping into another dimension, a world where goldfish are elevated to art… and countless varieties of fancy fish areContinueContinue reading “Art Aquarium Lives!”
Japan’s borders are finally opening! When are YOU going?
After two and a half looong years, the Japanese government finally announced that from October 11, 2022, you don’t have to be on a tour or book your tickets through a Japanese travel agent or get a visa, as long as you can prove you are vaccinated and boosted!* If you’ve been itching to goContinueContinue reading “Japan’s borders are finally opening! When are YOU going?”
Tokyo’s best-dressed nude statue: It’s that Santa time of year
Tokyo’s best-dressed nude statue changes into the jolly old elf for the month of December, but sometimes his costumers get a bit…creative. When they started in the year 2000, the first few years were pretty tame… Then someone gave him a pet reindeer Which ushered in a period of hog-wild experimentation… that provoked some sortContinueContinue reading “Tokyo’s best-dressed nude statue: It’s that Santa time of year”
How lucky is YOUR name?
When your parents agonized over the perfect name for you, I hope they avoided all the usual pitfalls—initials that accidentally spell swear words, traumatizing nicknames, monikers that belong to disgraced celebrities or lame people they knew growing up—but if they aren’t Japanese, I bet they didn’t think about the numbers. Wait, what? Numbers? What numbers?ContinueContinue reading “How lucky is YOUR name?”
Live Your Best Miniature Life for a Year in Tokyo’s Small Worlds Theme Park
If you’ve ever wished you could shrink yourself and live in one of the amazing model worlds Japan is so famous for…now you can! Small Worlds—a vast, animatronic, model-trains-on-steriods theme park that not only reimagines Tokyo, but the Sailor Moon and Evangelion versions of it—offers a one-year “residence permit” that allows a tiny 3D-scanned modelContinueContinue reading “Live Your Best Miniature Life for a Year in Tokyo’s Small Worlds Theme Park”
These lovely Tokyo sites light up at night
One of the most entertaining things you can do in Tokyo is wander around town after the sun goes down! The wizards of stagecraft have worked their magic all over Tokyo, and all kinds of interesting stuff lights up after dark, in dramatic and technologically inventive ways. Everyone can enjoy ogling everything from traditional templesContinueContinue reading “These lovely Tokyo sites light up at night”
Five Japanese flower seasons that will make you happy you missed the cherry blossoms
If you have to postpone your Japan trip and miss the cherry blossoms this spring, don’t despair! There are other flower seasons you can catch after the current contagion dies down that deliver just as much flowers-as-far-as-the-eye-can-see amazement, without the crowds. If eye-popping flowers are what you’re longing to see, here are my five favorites,ContinueContinue reading “Five Japanese flower seasons that will make you happy you missed the cherry blossoms”
Spring Arrives Early: Flowers by Naked 2020
Just when you’re beginning to long for spring but it’s still shivery and damp and gray outside…Flowers By Naked arrives! The projection-mapping environment group Naked is staging its annual flower-themed extravaganza again for the whole month of February, so hop on over there and get a dose of spring fever. This year’s theme is “Sakura”ContinueContinue reading “Spring Arrives Early: Flowers by Naked 2020”
If You Miss The 2020 Tokyo International Quilt Festival You Will Have REGRETS
This one is from last year, but you can be sure there will be equally fantastic offerings in 2020! (“Memories” by Reiko Hatakeyama, 2019) The Tokyo International Quilt Festival that used to happen every January is no more, but Yokohama stepped into the breach with a fabulous new quilt extravaganza that happens every November! Here’sContinueContinue reading “If You Miss The 2020 Tokyo International Quilt Festival You Will Have REGRETS”
It’s Time For The Craziest Car Show In Tokyo
If it’s mid-January, you know where to find me: Tokyo’s biggest eye-candy car event of the year, Tokyo Auto Salon! Unlike the more stuffy Tokyo Auto Show (where big makers debut their new offerings and concept cars), Tokyo Auto Salon is for people who definitely don’t want something off the rack. From samurai rides toContinueContinue reading “It’s Time For The Craziest Car Show In Tokyo”
Only In Japan 