Ili Saarinen

Over the past half-decade or so, much has changed in the way we live, work and play in our cities. It wasn’t too long ago that lockdowns rendered the city centre all but obsolete and brought to the fore the vital role of our immediate neighbourhoods and communities.  Now, the balance has been restored. Our local neighbourhood remains fundamental: mini-villages where the barista knows your order, where local restaurants, bars and indie businesses thrive, and where communities continue to band together for all sorts of cool stuff, from art walks and day festivals to creating greener streets and pedestrian-friendly spaces. And six years on from the pandemic, the city centre is seeing a renaissance, with brand-new music venues, galleries, coffee shops and more opening up and welcoming a new generation of hybrid workers and the back-to-the-office crowd (and, of course, city-breakers and tourists).  On this year’s list of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods, you’ll see this mix play out. There are downtown hubs and seaside strips, homely enclaves and warehouse districts, all nominated by our global network of on-the-ground experts. This lucky lot spends their time exploring every corner of their hometowns to discover the best places to eat, drink, shop and hang out right now, so you can trust we know what we’re talking about. To decide the final ranking, a panel of Time Out editors vetted each neighbourhood against a range of criteria, including food and drink, nightlife, unique loc

This list is from 2025. Our latest ranking for 2026 is live here. For the past eight years, we’ve made it our mission to scope out the coolest pockets of the world’s greatest cities in order to create our definitive annual ranking. The places where stuff like nightlife, art, culture, and affordable food and drink can be found on every corner and down every backstreet. Where diversity is championed and independent businesses thrive, from old-school boltholes to the newest avant-garde art space. Put simply, the world’s coolest neighbourhoods are places that represent the soul of our cities, while maintaining their own unique local character that draws people in to live, work and play. So, what are the neighbourhoods that fit the bill this year? To find out, we asked our network of writers and editors across a breadth of cities to nominate the vibiest district in their hometown right now. We then ranked every neighbourhood against criteria including culture, community, liveability, nightlife, food and drink, street life and that hard-to-define sense of ‘nowness’.  On our list this year, you’ll find everything from homely, village-like enclaves with tight-knit communities to revitalised city-centre hubs and formerly dormant, industrial areas transformed into creative districts. Many are underrated spots that sit in the shadow of their commercialised counterparts; others have become unexpected culinary hotspots or magnets for the city’s artists, writers and activists. What they al

Art direction by Steve Nakamura. Photography by Yoshiharu Ota. Props styling by Hyota. New magazine alert! The inaugural issue of Time Out Japan, an all-new regular magazine by the team that brought you Time Out Tokyo and Osaka, is out now. Featuring indomitable punk-poppers Atarashii Gakko! on the cover, the issue invites you to eat your way through Japan with what just might be our most delicious guide yet. Photo: Time Out Japan Inside, we asked Takanori Nakamura, Japan academy chair for the World’s 50 Best, to pick his favourite destination restaurants in the country, while chef Yusuke Takada of Osaka’s La Cime offers his take on what makes an unforgettable Japanese gourmet experience. Photo: Time Out Japan In addition to an interview with covergirls Atarashii Gakko! – who look back on a decade in showbiz while revealing what foods they can’t live without on tour – we’ve selected 10 of the hottest things to do across Japan right now. Photo: Time Out Japan Pick up your FREE copy of Time Out Japan magazine in English or Japanese at Haneda and Narita airports, Time Out Market Osaka, as well as selected hotels and tourist information centres in Tokyo.  You can also get the digital edition of the magazine here.

Art direction: Steve Nakamura | Photography: Takeshi Hanzawa | Hair, make-up: Tomoko Okada Following the launch of our new Time Out Japan magazine in October last year, we’re back with an even bigger and better second issue. Available nationwide from January 15, the winter issue is dedicated to Japan’s many offline and analogue delights, from vinyl records to backstreet stand bars. Leading our journey beyond the algorithm is none other than fearless comedian and newly minted film director Yuriyan Retriever, who in our interview shares her cinematic influences and a few juicy details about her upcoming debut flick, Mag Mag. Photo: Time Out Japan Inside, we go deep into Japan’s thriving physical media culture, specifically records, printed material and film photography, plus make a stop at some excellent saunas and neighbourhood eateries. Photo: Time Out Japan In addition to an interview with fashion designer Chisato Tsumori, we’ve selected 10 of the coolest things to do across Japan this winter. Photo: Time Out Japan Pick up your FREE copy of Time Out Japan magazine in English or Japanese at Haneda and Narita airports, Time Out Market Osaka, as well as selected hotels and tourist information centres in Tokyo.  You can also get the digital edition of the magazine here.

Art direction: Steve Nakamura | Photo: Tajima Kazunali (Mild Inc.) Spring is here, and with it the March issue of Time Out Japan magazine. Available nationwide from March 13, just in time for sakura season, our third issue highlights local gems across the country – from the hidden neighbourhood izakaya serving the perfect highball to the countryside supermarket stocking the ultimate travel fuel. We’re getting the show started with pro wrestlers and capital-area heroines Miku Aono and Chika Goto of the up-and-coming Marigold promotion, who provide the lowdown on what’s hot in Japan’s joshi puro (women’s wrestling) scene right now. Photo: Time Out Japan Inside, we invite you to step outside the ring and discover the country on a community level, spotlighting essentials including regional ramen chains, multi-location drinking emporiums and some of Osaka’s hottest streetwear shops. Photo: Time Out Japan In preparation for the spectacle that is cherry blossom season, we’ve lined up seven life-changing sakura spots throughout Japan. Photo: Time Out Japan And that’s just a small sample: the mag also includes 10 unmissable things to do in Japan this spring, an interview with up-and-coming shimauta singer Minami Kizuki, a meditation on Tokyo’s cosmopolitan Hiroo neighbourhood, and much more. Pick up your FREE copy of Time Out Japan magazine in English or Japanese at Haneda and Narita airports, Time Out Market Osaka, as well as selected hotels and tourist information centres i

Art direction: Steve Nakamura | Photography: Takeshi Hanzawa, Kunihiro Fukumori | Model: Kisaku Sugishita | Casting Director: J Ogawa Hiroshi You don’t have to be a building buff to have heard of – or seen the work of – Tadao Ando. The Osaka-born architect’s minimalist aesthetic of exposed concrete, clean lines and play with light and shadows has influenced cityscapes the world over. But it’s in and around his hometown where the self-taught maestro has built most prolifically, shaping Osaka’s skyline along with the city’s urban identity. The summer issue of Time Out Japan magazine is dedicated to Ando and his life’s work of designing for the next generation. Available nationwide from June 30, the mag features an exclusive interview with the boxer-turned-architect himself, along with an in-depth look at his standout buildings across the Kansai region. Image: Time Out Japan Image: Time Out Japan Elsewhere, in keeping with the future-forward theme, we’ve rounded up some of the up-and-coming stars set to shape the conversation across art, culture and crafts in Japan for years to come. Image: Time Out Japan On top of all that, you’ll find our picks of the best things to do throughout the country this summer, a coffee-fuelled stroll through Tokyo’s Aoyama, an interview with one of the main characters of Osaka’s creative scene, and much more. Pick up your FREE copy of Time Out Japan magazine in English at Haneda and Narita airports, Time Out Market Osaka, as well as selected

Whether you have a soft spot for Japanese cuteness or are merely looking for something fun to read over Golden Week, you’ll want to pick up or download the latest issue of Time Out Japan magazine. Art direction: Steve Nakamura | Photography: Naohiro Tsukada On stands across the country from April 30, our special number digs deep into what’s hot right now in kawaii culture, starting with the cover – which is adorned with either an eminently squeezable cedar-tree plushie or an equally cuddly bonsai tree. That’s right – we’ve gone ahead and created two distinct covers for our guide to what kawaii looks and feels like in 2026, a dizzying journey that starts with profiles of our two featured artists: soft-toy creator Meriyasu Kataoka and floral-print blanket master Makoto Egashira. Photo: Time Out Japan Beyond the interviews, you’ll find a roundup of the latest and greatest services catered towards cuddly toys, tips for plushie photography, and an introduction to five quirky kawaii icons you need to know. Photo: Time Out Japan For a little palate cleanser after all that saccharine splendour, we turn the lights down low to bring you half a dozen nightlife spots worth seeking out now in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. Photo: Time Out Japan On top of all that, you’ll find a guide to the stranger sides of Tokyo’s Ikebukuro, a sake-fuelled report from the Hiroshima brewing district of Saijo, tips on how to keep your cool when shopping in Japan, and more. Pick up your FREE copy of Time

The story of Tokyo is composed of countless chapters, rewritten over centuries of destruction and reconstruction, frustration and inspiration, memories and dreams. Its cast of characters runs into the millions, from the samurai, merchants and kabuki actors of bygone eras to the politicians, salarymen and artists of today. And yet, despite all this abundance and variety, it can be difficult to know where to begin. If you really want to get to know Tokyo, its fantastic selection of museums is one of the best ways to get beneath the surface. Some of these institutions focus on history, going beyond explaining the past and truly bringing it to life, while others showcase art that explores the boundless realm of the human imagination across time and space. Still others delve into more niche topics that you might not expect to find in a museum. Many of Tokyo’s museums also feature quiet cafés, beautiful gardens and world-class architecture. While this list includes some of the city’s best-known museums (for good reason), we have gone out of our way to include some that lay slightly off the beaten path. There are larger museums perfect for whiling away a long rainy day, along with smaller ones just right for a quick dose of culture before lunch. And for those looking for unbeatable value, there are several free museums included as well.  Ready to discover the best museums to visit in Tokyo? You have come to the right place.

This autumn, immerse yourself in art from Japan and around the world, all while rediscovering the appeal of local communities in regional cities. Here are some of our top picks for notable art festivals happening across Japan from September to December 2026. Highlights include first-time festivals such as the Maebashi Biennale in the capital of Gunma prefecture, known for its creative scene with numerous art galleries and striking contemporary architecture, as well as Gero Art Discovery, held in the historic Gero Onsen, a popular hot spring destination in Gifu. With mild, pleasant weather in the forecast, why not take an art-focused trip this autumn?

Art direction: Steve Nakamura | Photography: Takeshi Hanzawa | Hair and make-up: TORI | Styling: Yui Sawada (UM) Japan is as much about adventures in the midst of wondrously diverse nature as it is about giant cities. And now you can experience the best of both worlds on the doorstep of Tokyo – by settling in at the new Well-Hub Haneda, a hotel that hands you the keys to Japan’s wild side with a stacked line-up of activities and curated experiences available to all guests. For the fifth issue of Time Out Japan, we’ve collaborated with this just-opened base for adventurous travellers to nudge you towards a new way of experiencing the country. Available nationwide from August 31, the mag offers a full lowdown on why Well-Hub is your ultimate launchpad for diving deep into Japan’s nature and culture. Image: Time Out Japan Inside, you’ll also find an interview with our cover star Aoi Yamada, who over the past few years has captivated us across festival stages, in Netflix’s First Love, Wim Wenders’s Perfect Days and those viral vegetable-dance videos, to name just a few of her creative outlets. We caught up with Yamada in between yoga poses to uncover her wellness secrets – and learned how deep her bond with veggies truly goes. Photo: Keisuke TanigawaAoi Yamada For those looking to get an undiluted taste of local life around Well-Hub, the hotel’s home city of Kawasaki offers a captivating mix of historic sights, down-to-earth eateries and dive bars. The issue features eight o

With its loaded catalogue of sports, fitness and cultural experiences, Hotel Well-Hub Haneda lets you build an entire itinerary without leaving the property. But that’s not to say we don’t recommend exploring the surroundings. On the contrary: for those looking to get an undiluted taste of local life, the hotel’s home city of Kawasaki offers a captivating mix of historic sights, down-to-earth eateries and dive bars. Here are some of our favourites.

Whether you’ve seen her on a festival stage, in Netflix’s First Love, Wim Wenders’s Perfect Days, in the just-released art book Ebizazen or a viral vegetable-dance video, chances are you’ve been captivated by Aoi Yamada’s creative range at some point over the past few years. The Nagano-born multihyphenate appears to be wearing so many hats, we couldn’t help but wonder how she stays on balance. Just fine, she says (and demonstrates as much on our cover). We caught up with Yamada in between yoga poses to uncover her wellness secrets – and learned how deep her bond with veggies truly goes. How do you start your day? I have two indispensable habits: running – usually in my local park – and making my lunch bento. I find running incredibly calming and energising. It helps me stay aware of my body, how it gets warm and tires. When I’m running, I often think like, ‘I want to stop, this is hard’. But I don’t – I push a little further, and that makes me feel like I’m growing, little by little, like a tree or the grass. When do you feel most alive? When I sense the warmth of the sun, hear the sound of the wind, and birds singing. When I’m troubled by something, the world around me gets shut out, but when I’m in a good mood, I can take it all in. I’ve always wanted to become a tree or a flower. A vegetable would be fine too. A living thing that can grow without breaking, swaying with whatever flow nature brings. Just the other day, I harvested some zucchini and eggplant in my garden, and

When you find yourself in need of a bath or sauna session on the west side of Tokyo, make a beeline for Tsurunoyu in Chofu. A traditional bathhouse that had been serving the local community since 1952, it closed down in July 2025, undone by the failing health of both the previous owner and the aging equipment. But unlike so many fellow shuttered sento across the capital, instead of being turned into a parking lot, Tsurunoyu bubbled back to life in April 2026 under new management in the wake of a successful crowdfunding drive. The born-again soak spot is now helmed by the enterprising Masayuki Sagara, a former engineer and bathhouse enthusiast who had helped revive three other endangered sento across Japan before breaking out on his own by assuming ownership of Tsurunoyu. Open from 6am to 1am (with a two-hour cleaning break before noon), six days a week, it stands out with a quirky mix of old-school communal bathing and modern urban wellness. Sagara prides himself on catering equally to all comers – be they tattooed sauna heads, young families or local retirees. Past the bare-bones but comfortable lobby area and changing rooms lie an array of vintage tubs including jet massage baths, an ‘electric’ bath and an ultrasonic bath. The lightly radium-enriched bath, another blast from the past, is gentle in temperature and has the added attraction of hosting hundreds of colourful rubber ducks sure to intrigue young bathers. Body soap, shampoo and conditioner are available for free in

Exploring Tokyo’s liveliest and loudest entertainment district can be draining. Fortunately enough, Kabukicho is home not only to host clubs and ‘happening bars’, but also just the type of hideout we appreciate most when we need a break from the sensory overload. Located only a few steps from the central Toho building and its Godzilla head but down an inconspicuous staircase that effectively separates it from the street-level commotion, Mugi no Oto is a sleek, sparingly lit bar and restaurant focused on vegan grub, natural wine and craft brews. Colourful cans of beer sourced from many of Japan’s leading microbreweries and well-known overseas purveyors – we spotted offerings from Left Hand Brewing, Revision Brewing and G Schneider & Sohn on our most recent visit – decorate the space, along with a lengthy line of wine bottles and some outsized greenery in vases. The rest of the décor is perhaps best described as industrial chic, with worn-metal surfaces, exposed ventilation ducts and bare plaster walls. In contrast, there’s nothing rough about the Italian-inspired food. In addition to ample servings of marinated and grilled greens, you can choose from a brief but thoughtful selection of plant-based eats, including fries and a daily pasta special. Animal-eaters can opt for Kumamoto-made gourmet sausages or fresh rock oysters. On the drinks front, the plentiful line-up of canned beers and bio-wines is complemented by a sake list and a frequently updated assortment of six domestic

While they all try, very few central Osaka hotels below the ultra-luxury range can convincingly present themselves as an oasis of calm in the midst of the ceaseless urban cacophony. Zentis Osaka pulls off said feat effortlessly. Walking past the patch of lush greenery at the entrance and into the compact ground-level lobby with its natural, earthy hues and meditative lighting accomplishes an instant – almost disorienting – separation from the neon-lit, town car-filled streets of buzzy Kita-Shinchi. That feeling of having stepped through a portal is accentuated when you make your way past the lobby’s show-stopping staircase to the adjacent guests-only lounge, complete with a fireplace and decorated with quirky art and crafts inspired by the city. Beyond the wall-size windows lies a small but inviting garden-style terrace, where you can bring a local microbrew or soft drink from the lounge and kick back while admiring plump hydrangeas in June and foliage sparkling in red and orange come autumn. Once you locate the discreetly placed elevator call button and make your way higher up in the skinny 16-storey building, it’s time to see your digs. Zentis Osaka has 212 rooms – including two 57sqm suites – with the 25sqm Studio being the standard offering. Creative layout solutions that minimise storage space, modern-minimalist design, and a calm but playful colour scheme incorporating yellows and blues combine to make the rooms feel airier than the numbers suggest. Still, if you have t

秋が再び訪れ、世界で今最も注目を集める街のエリアをたたえる恒例企画の季節がやってきた。そう、タイムアウトによる「世界で最もクールな街（World’s Coolest Neighbourhoods）」ランキングが発表され、今住んだり訪れたりする価値のある、都心のエリアや海辺の街、親しみやすい地域、倉庫街などを網羅したリストが公開されたのだ。今年も東京はそのランキングに名を連ね、高円寺が8位に選ばれた。 ランキングは例年通り、タイムアウトの世界各地のローカルエキスパートが候補を選出し、飲食・ナイトライフ・ユニークな地元ビジネス・住みやすさ・コミュニティーなどの基準を基に編集部が順位を決定している。高円寺はこれらの項目で高い評価を得たが、とりわけ「ユニークさ」と「コミュニティー」のカテゴリーで際立った。 Photo: Kisa ToyoshimaKoenji’s Junjo Shotengai shopping street それも当然だろう。東京の郊外が急速に再開発され、街の個性が失われつつある中、新宿から数駅西に位置する高円寺は、かつてのパンクシーンの中心地として、その抵抗の旗を掲げている。地域住民は長年、再開発や均質化に反対する声を上げており、エリア内へのスターバックス出店にさえ異を唱えてきた。 全ての取り組みが成功したわけではなく、ある世界的なコーヒーチェーンもついに2025年に出店を果たした。それでも高円寺は、街の個性を大切にしながら、さまざまな文化やスタイルを受け入れている。迷路のように入り組んだ商店街を歩けば、古着店やレコードショップ、小さなバー、ベーカリーなど、個性豊かで常に変化する店が立ち並ぶ。高円寺が自分たちらしさを守ろうとする姿勢を、きっと応援したくなるはずだ。 Photo: Analicia Graca | Creative Direction: Jasmina MitrovicHigan Tokyo 高円寺で特におすすめのスポットには、受賞歴のあるベーカリー「しげくに屋55ベーカリー」や、丁寧に淹れたコーヒーを提供する「Walnuts Coffee」がある。また、日本で唯一、気象の神々を祭る「気象神社」や、古着の世界に深く入り込める「HIGAN」、アジア各地の雑貨が並ぶ「未完成」も見逃せない。 Photo: Eisuke AsaokaHitohi playing at Higashi-Koenji 20000V さらに、「天すけ」で天ぷらランチを味わい、銭湯「小杉湯」で午後をゆっくり過ごすのもいい。夜は、レコードを楽しめるカフェ「SUB store Tokyo」や、パンクやハードコアの拠点「東高円寺二万電圧」、そして「ヘビーメタル食堂」を掲げる「高円寺メタルめし」へ足を運んでみよう。 一方、日本で最も上位にランクインしたのは、6位の大阪・北加賀屋だ。20世紀初頭から1970年代まで造船の拠点として栄えた木津川河口の同エリアは、この十年ほどでクリエーティブな街へと変貌を遂げた。 Photo: Yoshiro Masuda千鳥文化 北加賀屋では、かつての工場や倉庫、空きビルの多くがアートスペースやアーティストのスタジオとして新たな命を吹き込まれている。さらに、壁面を彩るミューラルアートや印象的な彫刻、ひっそりの残されたステンシルグラフィティー、イラスト入りのマンホールなどが、街のカラフルな景観を形作っている。エリアを訪れる際は、タイムアウト大阪の「北加賀屋でしかできない8のこと」も参考にしてほしい。 今年の「世

毎年、タイムアウトが発表している「世界で最もクールな街」ランキング。世界各地のライターや編集者など、街を実際に歩き、その土地の魅力を知り尽くしたローカルエキスパートたちが、文化・コミュニティー・住みやすさ・ナイトライフ・飲食・街のにぎわいなどを基準に各エリアを評価する。2026年版では、大阪・北加賀屋が日本最上位の6位にランクインし、その魅力が世界から注目を集めている。 クリエイティブセンター大阪外観 大阪市西部、木津川の河口に位置する北加賀屋は、20世紀初頭から1970年代まで造船業で栄えた街。かつては大型船が行き交い、工場や倉庫が立ち並んでいたが、造船業の衰退後、使われなくなった建物はアートスペースやアーティストのスタジオとして活用されるようになった。地域住民と産業遺産を管理する人々の協力もあり、いまや大阪を代表するクリエーティブタウンへと姿を変えている。 街を歩けば、壁一面に描かれたミューラルアートや存在感のある彫刻、ひっそりと残されたステンシルグラフィティー、イラストが描かれたマンホールなど、至る所でアートに出合える。通りには個人経営のショップやレストラン、バーも点在。街を歩き、食事を楽しみ、酒を飲みながら、夜までたっぷり満喫できるのが北加賀屋の魅力だ。 Photo: Yoshiro Masuda千鳥文化 北加賀屋を訪れたら、まずは「ふたば茶屋」で昔ながらの喫茶店らしい朝食からスタート。腹ごしらえをしたら、クリエーティブな複合施設「千鳥文化」へ向かおう。アンティークやTシャツ、手ぬぐい、古い雑誌などが並び、じっくり見て回れば数時間過ごせてしまう。 画像提供：千島土地株式会社MASK アートシーンを巡るなら、「MASK（MEGA ART STORAGE KITAKAGAYA）」や「クリエイティブセンター大阪」を訪れ、大阪の次世代を担うアーティストたちの作品をチェック。おなかが空いたら、「俺の名はJ」で濃厚な豚骨つけ麺をすすりたい。 Photo: Kyoko Otsuka (karamomo)大衆酒場 おく 夜になったら、1970年代の雰囲気を残す「大衆酒場 おく」で一杯。その後は鉄板餃子の「豚珍巻（とんちんかん）」で、大阪らしい気取らない食と酒を味わうのもいい。最後はテクノの聖地「Club Daphnia」で朝まで遊ぼう。 Photo: Kyoko Yasui (karamomo)豚珍巻（とんちんかん） 工場や倉庫の面影が残る街で、アートを眺め、ローカルな店で食事をし、夜はクラブで音楽に身を委ねる。そんな一日の過ごし方ができるのは、北加賀屋ならではだ。タイムアウト大阪の「北加賀屋でしかできない8のこと」ガイドも参考にしてほしい。 また、秋になると数多くの注目度の高い展覧会やマーケット、アートフェアが開催される。日本でも特にアートに触れるのに適した季節に、ぜひ訪れてみたい。 「世界で最もクールな街 2026」では日本からもう一つ、東京・高円寺が第8位にランクインした。「ユニークさ」「コミュニティー」のカテゴリーで高く評価されての選出だ。新宿から西へ数駅の場所に位置するこの街には、大小10を超える商店街が駅を中心に伸び、下町情緒とライブハウスや小劇場などのサブカルチャーが共存している。 Photo: Kisa ToyoshimaKoenji’s Junjo Shotengai shopping street かつてパンクシーンの中心地だった高円寺では、地域住民が長年、再開発や均質化に反対する声を上げてきた。今も昔ながら

A celebration of electronic music and digital creativity, the Montreal-born Mutek festival has firmly established itself in Tokyo over the past decade. Mutek.jp, the festival’s Japanese edition, celebrated its tenth anniversary last year, and is now taking on a new neighbourhood for its 11th run. Held over the long Labour Thanksgiving Day weekend on November 20–23, Mutek.jp 2026 will unfold at MoN Takanawa, the experimental museum opened earlier this year within the glistening Takanawa Gateway City mega-complex. This marks a clear break with tradition for Mutek, which had become strongly associated with Shibuya during its decade in that district. Photo: Kisa ToyoshimaMoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives By teaming up with JR East, Takanawa Gateway City’s main operator, the independent festival has secured major backing for its mission of supporting experimental artists and fostering creative communities. Perhaps relatedly, the 2026 edition of Mutek.jp boasts one of the strongest line-ups in recent memory. Among the more than 20 participants are Belfast-bred Max Cooper, who merges electronic music with installations and dazzling visuals to create immersive audiovisual experiences that utilise surround sound. Photo: MUTEK JapanMax Cooper 3D/AV Live In addition to a showcase built around Cooper’s new album, Feeling Is Structure, probable highlights include a show by cult post-rock outfit To Rococo Rot’s frontman Robert Lippok and visual artist Lucas Gutierrez; Neuroscan, a

Autumn is here again, and with it our annual celebration of the most exciting city districts on the planet. That’s right: Time Out’s World’s Coolest Neighbourhoods ranking just dropped, featuring a definitive list of the downtown hubs and seaside strips, homely enclaves and warehouse quarters worth living in and visiting right now. And Tokyo is right in the thick of it once again, with Koenji making it to No 8 on the 2026 edition of the ranking. As always, the list was curated by Time Out’s global network of on-the-ground experts and ranked by a panel of editors who vetted each neighbourhood against a range of criteria, including food and drink, nightlife, unique local businesses, liveability and community. Koenji scored high on all of the above, but performed especially admirably in the uniqueness and community categories. Photo: Kisa ToyoshimaKoenji’s Junjo Shotengai shopping street No surprise there: as the rest of the city’s outskirts are gentrified at an alarming pace, the former punk scene epicentre, just a few stations west of Shinjuku, flies the flag for resistance. Local residents have long been vocal about their opposition to redevelopment, homogenisation and even the opening of a Starbucks in the area. While not all their initiatives have been successful – a certain global coffee chain finally set up shop in 2025 – this is still a district that cherishes its identity while letting all flowers bloom. Spend a day exploring its labyrinthine shopping streets, lined w

近年、東京でますます盛り上がりを見せるメキシコ料理シーン。本格的なタケリアから、昔ながらの家庭料理を提供する店まで、都内各地で多彩なメキシコ料理店が人気を集めている。そんな中、東京の実力派7店舗が、新たな栄誉を手にした。メキシコ政府から正式な認定を受けたのだ。 「Sello M（セジョ・エメ）」認証は、メキシコ外務省がメキシコ料理学会（Academia Mexicana de Gastronomía）と連携して授与するもの。メキシコ国外で、メキシコ料理の伝統を忠実に表現し、その文化的アイデンティティを守っている飲食店などを認定する。 Sello Mの認証を受けるには、レストランやフードトラック、ケータリングサービスなどが、本格的なメキシコ料理を提供していることに加え、伝統的な食材や調理技法を用いていること、メキシコ料理に関する深い知識や経験を持つシェフを擁していること、そして現地の衛生・安全基準を満たしていることなどを示す必要がある。 テピート 日本初となるSello M認定店は、9月10日に在日メキシコ大使館で発表された。東京で選ばれたのは、新小岩の「TAQUITO」、代々木上原の「New Classic Tortilla Club」、沼袋の「OCTA」、四谷の「SALSA CABANA」、代田の「Peltre y Barro」、中野の「HOBO TACOS」、そして下北沢の「テピート」の7店舗だ。 なかでも「テピート」は、筆者が長年通うお気に入りの店の一つだ。フィッシュタコスやミックスエンチラーダ、甘みとほろ苦さが特徴のチキンモレなど、魅力的なメニューが揃う。チキンモレは、夢に見るほど気に入っている。 Photo: Embassy of MexicoThe happy winners with Mexican ambassador Melba Pría さらに、千葉・津田沼の「メキシコ酒場 サンズ ダイナー」もSello Mの認定を受けた。これにより、東京エリアでメキシコ政府から「本格的なメキシコ料理店」として認められた店は、計8店舗となった。 わずか10年ほど前までは「タコス不毛の地」とも言われた東京だが、今では複数の店がメキシコ政府から認定を受けるまでに。東京のメキシコ料理シーンは、着実に広がりを見せている。 関連記事 『『ムーンウォーカー』『ダークナイト』を大音量で体感、真夜中の映画祭が渋谷で開催』 『東京の路地裏で出合う一夜限りの「北欧」、NORDIC NIGHTが開催』 『東京、9月に行くべきマーケットイベント6選』 『「世界のベストホテル2026」51～100位を発表、日本から7軒がランクイン』 『KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS設立10周年記念展、麻布台ヒルズギャラリーで開催』 東京の最新情報をタイムアウト東京のメールマガジンでチェックしよう。登録はこちら

Tokyo sure has been stepping up its Mexican restaurant game recently, with authentic taquerías and traditional family-style eateries alike doing a booming trade all across the capital. Seven local heavy-hitters can now add a serious badge of honour to their resumes: official recognition by the Mexican government. The ‘Sello M’ certification, awarded by Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Academia Mexicana de Gastronomía, spotlights food businesses outside of Mexico that genuinely represent Mexican gastronomy and protect cultural identity. In order to receive the Sello M, a restaurant, food truck or catering service must demonstrate that it serves authentic Mexican recipes, uses traditional ingredients and techniques, employs qualified chefs with deep knowledge or experience in Mexican cuisine and complies with local hygiene and safety standards. Japan’s first-ever batch of Sello M recipients were announced at the Mexican Embassy in Japan on September 10, and the Tokyo eateries to make the cut were Taquito in Shin-Koiwa, New Classic Tortilla Club in Yoyogi-Uehara, Octa in Numabukuro, Yotsuya’s Salsa Cabana, Peltre y Barro in Daita, Nakano’s Hobo Tacos and – our long-time favourite – Tepito in Shimokitazawa, where the many highlights include fish tacos, mixed enchiladas and a bittersweet chicken mole this writer literally dreams about regularly. Photo: Tepito Photo: Embassy of MexicoThe happy winners with Mexican ambassador Melba Pría In addition,

Tokyo has more great music venues than you can shake a drumstick at, with ‘live houses’ of all sizes across the city catering to fans of just about every genre out there. While small, sometimes sticky-floored and always intimate indie joints are our bread and butter, there are times when a proper stadium gig is in order. Good thing, then, that the Tokyo region has one of the planet’s certifiably greatest mega-arenas for music – and no, we aren’t talking about Tokyo Dome or Saitama Super Arena. Photo: Ken CorporationK-Arena Yokohama The venue in question is K-Arena Yokohama, the state-of-the-art 20,000-seater in Minato Mirai, which music business mag IQ earlier this month included on its first ever ‘Arena Stars’ list. Recognising 20 of the world’s best arenas for live music, the honour roll was compiled by a panel of industry professionals based on nominations by IQ readers, and includes venues in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Oceania, as well as Asia. Advertised as one of the largest purpose-built music venues in the world, K-Arena Yokohama opened in September 2023 as part of Yokohama’s growing waterfront Music Terrace complex. In addition to the standing area in front of the stage, the venue has seating across four tiers, extending across a total floor area of over 54,000sqm. Photo: Ken CorporationK-Arena Yokohama The seventh floor is home to a bar and lounge that can seat up to 400 people and looks out to a rather dashing city view. This area is open to conc

Time Out Market Osaka keeps on evolving. Bringing together some of the Kansai region’s most celebrated chefs and restaurateurs in a stylish basement space just steps away from Osaka Station, the food and cultural market unveiled two new kitchens in May, when revolutionary ramen shop Tenmei and fish and chips masters Furai Guys set up shop. And the Market is only picking up the pace in June, with four new eateries set to start serving hungry visitors by the end of the month. Here’s how the restaurant line-up at Time Out Market Osaka will expand over the coming weeks. Photo: Time Out Market OsakaLe Chef du Mois Le Chef du Mois Opened June 11 First up is a new concept from decorated restaurateur Yasushi Karato, a pioneer of vegetable-focused French cuisine. Le Chef du Mois serves as a showcase for some of the city’s most in-demand culinary minds. A different guest chef will be helming the kitchen every month, putting their distinctive spin on the only food menu item available. That offering is a three-course meal (¥2,000) composed of soup, a meaty main dish and a vegetable-forward platter that diners can customise by picking their favourites from the eight kinds of fresh, seasonal produce available at the counter. The kitchen serves only 100 meals per day, so you’d best get there before the greens run out. Psst: Le Chef du Mois also does three kinds of veggie smoothies, which are available in two sizes: 130ml (¥500) and 270ml (¥990). Photo: Time Out Market OsakaK-chicken from

Damp mist hangs over the verdant mountains all around us when we step off the Chuo line at Uenohara, a single-platform station overlooking the Katsura River, just west of the Tokyo-Yamanashi border. Strolling across the rain-drizzled town, we head for the foothills, following a narrow road through a Ghibli-esque tunnel and past unwieldy greenery. Photo: Keisuke TanigawaCineYama After a 20-minute walk, we arrive at our destination: a kindergarten where time appears to have stopped. There’s a reassuringly sturdy-looking yellow gate, trippy vintage playground equipment in the yard, even boxes for students and teachers to put their outdoor shoes in when changing into the uwabaki slippers kids throughout Japan wear every day in school. Photo: Keisuke TanigawaCineYama But only in five-year-olds’ dreams do kindergartens have a neon popcorn sign. And this particular preschool no longer teaches kids how to wash their hands and fold origami. It’s been painstakingly transformed into CineYama – a destination for film fans of all ages, who come to expand their cinematic horizons in a place defined by a love for movies. Out with the bugs, in with the boom The one-screen movie theatre is set in a building that formerly housed the city’s Sawamatsu Kindergarten. The structure had been left to decay after the school’s closure a decade ago and was in rough shape when Matthew Kelson, CineYama’s proprietor, first came across it. ‘It looked pretty from the outside,’ Kelson says, ‘but the inter

Time Out Market Osaka is on a roll. Fresh off announcing two exciting new kitchens just a couple of weeks ago, the foodie and cultural hub bringing together the best of the city under one roof is back with another tasty notification. The latest addition to the Market’s strong restaurant line-up is Furai Guys, a casual spot that serves up time-honoured British pub grub like fish and chips, scotch eggs and fish cakes – all made with high-quality Kansai ingredients including fresh fish, locally grown aonori and Osakan shichimi chilli blends. Opened on May 8, Furai Guys brings some serious culinary pedigree to the table. The kitchen is the brainchild of Philipp Mosimann, son of chef Anton Mosimann, whose namesake private dining club in London’s Belgravia is a favourite among some of the most famous folks on the planet. The Mosimanns and Osaka go way back, with the Swiss-born Anton having served as the head chef of his native country’s pavilion at the Osaka Expo in 1970. Philipp, meanwhile, was involved in the running of several pavilions at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, and Furai Guys is presented as a way for the family to further strengthen and celebrate its bonds to the city. Photo: Time Out Market OsakaOsaka Bay Salad from Furai Guys As for the menu, you’ll want to start with the shop’s elevated take on the classic fish and chips (¥1,800). Other enticing options include a miso-glaced version of that signature dish, as well as an Osaka Bay Salad (¥1,500) combining local eggpla

Fresh off celebrating its first anniversary in March, Time Out Market Osaka has established itself as a foodie and cultural hub of the city. Bringing together some of the Kansai region’s most celebrated chefs and restaurateurs in a stylish basement space just steps away from Osaka Station, the market has also won fans for its diverse programme of music and arts events and family-friendly happenings. The market’s first major move in its second year in business, however, sees the focus placed squarely on food. Two new kitchens will start business in the coming months, and the just-announced entrants sure look enticing. First up is ramen restaurant Tenmei, which will open at the market on May 1. A collaborative effort between venerated Osaka noodle shop Jinrui Mina Menrui (aka ‘Human Beings Everybody Noodles’) and sake sommelier Keita Akaboshi, Tenmei pledges to upend the city’s ramen scene with a subversive soup that contains nothing but pure water and the finest soy sauce. Doing away entirely with dashi broth – an essential Osaka ingredient – while offering sake pairings curated by Akaboshi, the shop looks to treat Time Out Market guests to a next-level ramen experience. And chances are it’ll be successful: after all, Jinrui Mina Menrui’s proprietor Takahiro Matsumura already runs nearly 100 noodle joints across Japan and once sent ramen ingredients into space to test the effects of cosmic rays on them (yes, really). In June, the market’s line-up of kitchens will be further re

The spring holiday season is upon us and Tokyo is gearing up for another glorious Golden Week, packed with food festivals, art exhibitions, floral splendour, outdoor cinemas and so much more. So packed, in fact, that deciding what to do and what to skip can induce some serious FOMO; our full roundup of certifiably great Golden Week events includes a dizzying 44 entries. That’s why we’re also bringing you this best-of-the-best list with Time Out Tokyo editors’ personal favourites – tried and tested happenings extremely unlikely to disappoint. Some of them will leave you with lasting memories, others with a belly full of gyoza and beer. Regardless, they’re all great reasons to get out of the house or hotel room and enjoy the city in what’s usually superb spring weather. 1. Ome Grand Festival, May 2–3 Photo: hamuken/Pixta Picked by: Christopher House, Associate Editor What is it? The Ome Grand Festival is a massive two-day celebration of epic proportions that certainly lives up to its name. Each of Ome's neighbourhoods parades a dashi float through the streets. Musicians sit atop the floats in traditional garb, while costumed dancers move to the beat. Things really heat up when the floats get close to one another and a mini-dance battle ensues. Musical shenanigans aside, you can feast to your heart’s content at the hundreds of food and drink stalls scattered throughout the area serving up local delicacies. Why I recommend it: The festive energy of an entire city celebrating al