LET’S ODEKAKE

ODEKAKE means not only going out, but also shopping, day trips, sightseeing, excursions, and other activities that are a little more fun and exciting than usual.
Here is a guide to recommended ODEKAKE spots in Tokyo and the suburbs of the Tokyo metropolitan area.

5 of the Best Ski Resorts Near Tokyo
    If you're living in Japan and crave the thrill of winter sports, or simply want to play in the snow, worry not – while Tokyo is not synonymous with snow-capped peaks, venture just a few hours away and there are winter wonderlands galore.

2023.12.26

Winter Ice Skating Rinks in Tokyo
    Whether you are going on a romantic date, or taking the kids out for a fun activity, these rinks are fun for everybody!

2023.12.25

Halloween in Tokyo – Exciting Events in Tokyo this Halloween
    The spooky season is upon us and it is more popular than ever in Japan. Halloween is an event dedicated to dressing up in a creative costume and having fun with friends, so there is no surprise that Japanese people have gotten into Halloween with gusto. Here is what is on in Tokyo for Halloween 2023.

2023.10.23

How to Eat Fish in Japan
    What is the first food that comes to mind when you think about Japan? Chances are, that food is sushi. Indeed, sushi is one of Japan's most internationally renowned dishes. A bowl of freshly caught seafood can be divine, although possibly very different from what we usually eat for breakfast.

2023.09.27

Exploring Japan's Limestone Caves: Escape the Summer Heat Underground
    Nestled beneath the earth's surface, limestone caves stand as silent witnesses to the passage of time, offering a tantalizing escape from the high temperatures above ground and a mesmerizing journey into the heart of the earth's geological history.

2023.08.29

Tokyo Fireworks Festival Guide for 2023
    Fireworks festivals in Japan are synonymous with summer. Sitting on a riverbank, clad in a yukata and kakigori in hand is something everyone should experience during their time in Japan.Tokyo is a world class city, and there are many fireworks festivals held each year in Tokyo. Here is our guide to the 2023 fireworks season.

2023.07.21

10 Things to Do with Kids in Tokyo Area During the Summer Vacation
    Summer in Tokyo, the season of vibrant festivals, frosty kakigori (shaved ice), and sunny blue skies that stretch as far as the eye can see. There's always something exciting to do, whether it's chilling on the beach, learning something new at a museum, or getting your game on at the city's sports and amusement centres. So, buckle up, folks, because we're about to take a wild and fun-filled ride through summer in Tokyo with kids!

2023.06.06

The Best Firefly Festivals Near Tokyo for 2023
    There is a magical quality to the summer nights in Japan that is impossible to ignore. As the sun sets and the sky turns to a deep shade of indigo, the air is filled with a chorus of cicadas and the sound of local matsuri (festivals). In the more natural areas, the flickering light of fireflies transports us back to the long, warm nights of our youth.

2023.05.19

New Harry Potter theme park in Tokyo | Let's enter the magic world!
    Officially known as 'Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo - The Making of Harry Potter', this new Potter-themed attraction is set to open in Tokyo on June 16, 2023.

2023.04.17

Wisteria Wonders: The Best Wisteria Viewing Spots in Japan
    In this article we will introduce some of the most spectacular wisteria flower spots in Japan.

2023.03.30

Hina Matsuri: What is it and how to celebrate it?
    Hina Matsuri, also known as the Doll Festival or Girls' Festival, is a traditional Japanese holiday celebrated on March 3rd every year. It is a time for families to come together to celebrate the happiness and well-being of their daughters. The festival has a long and rich history, dating back to the Edo Period (1603-1868).

2023.02.20

Early Blooming Sakura in February: Where to see the early Kawazu-zakura cherry blossoms near Tokyo?
    Did you know that you can actually see cherry blossoms even earlier than March? The “kawazuzakura” are an early blooming type of sakura which bloom in early February and are one of the first signs of the approaching spring.

2023.01.30

Japanese New Year's Food (Osechi Ryori)
    The New Year is fast approaching, and that means it's time to start thinking about what delicious foods you want to eat to celebrate! If you're not sure where to start, don't worry - we've got you covered. Here are some of the best Japanese dishes to enjoy during the New Year holidays. Itadakimasu!

2022.12.15

Best onsens to visit from Tokyo
    Onsen are Japanese hot springs and are a key part of Japanese culture. Onsen are found all over Japan and are usually located in scenic areas. Soaking in an onsen is said to have many health benefits, such as relieving stress, improving circulation, and helping to relieve muscle pain.

2022.11.29

Best destinations to see autumn colours in a day trip from Tokyo
    Now that the weather has cooled down and the shops are filled with all kinds of autumn delights like persimmon, nashi pears and pumpkins, it is the perfect time to venture out and explore Japan. Here are some day trip from Tokyo ideas to see fall foliage.

2022.10.21

Best Museums in Tokyo to Visit
    While it's nice to get outside and explore, there are some days when you would prefer to be inside. On such a day, a visit to one of Tokyo's many outstanding museums is the perfect plan. Here are some of our picks for the best museums in Tokyo.

2022.09.13

Seasonal Summer Tastes for Japan 2022
    Japan has four distinct seasons, not including the rainy season and the typhoon season, and each season is celebrated in its own distinct way. Religious festivals featuring parades of floats mark the coming of Autumn, while Spring is all things sakura. Summer in Japan features fireworks festivals, sunflowers, bon-odori matsuri and beachgoing. One of the main ways Japanese people celebrate the passing of time is by enjoying various seasonal delicacies. This article will introduce the typical foods eaten in summer in Japan.

2022.08.19

10 Splash Pads to Cool Off in and around Tokyo with Kids
    Tokyo has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world, but it is not the only place in Japan where you can dine out to your heart's content and never try everything. Yokohama is Japan's second biggest city and a dining mecca all of its own. We will introduce six of the best restaurants and cafes in the Yokohama area for you to get started on your culinary explorations with.

2022.07.21

6 of Tthe Best Restaurants and Cafes in Yokohama
    The rainy season of this year was the shortest on record, and temperatures of nearly 40 degrees were recorded, even though June. Brace yourselves as it looks like we are in for a long and hot summer. Going outside proves rather difficult in Tokyo’s scorching daytime heat, so many people prefer to take their kids out in the evenings for a twilight play. If you want to get outdoors during the daytime, we recommend trying out some of Tokyo’s many splash pads, known as “jabu jabu” in Japanese. They are free and found all over the city. Here are 10 splash pads we recommend.

2022.06.20

The Best Hydrangea Flower Spots Near Tokyo
    June in Tokyo is the rainy season. This means that it is cloudy, dreary and going outside is not always pleasant. Luckily, Japan is a country of flowers, and June is no exception. In June the hydrangeas bloom, and there are many places where you can see hundreds of thousands of these colourful plants against the fresh green backdrop of spring. Here are some of the best spots near Tokyo to visit for hydrangeas.

2022.05.20

Sporting Groups to Join in Tokyo
    Looking to get fit and active, or keep in shape in your new life in Japan? Or simply looking for a way to make new friends? Joining a sport is a great way to maintain your fitness and expand your social group. Here are five sporting groups that are expat friendly that you might be interested in joining.

2022.04.20

5 Day Trips from Tokyo to See the Sakura
    March means it's cherry blossom time, so get your picnic baskets and blankets ready for hanami (cherry blossom viewing picnics). This article will list five of the best day trips from Tokyo to see the sakura.

2022.03.20

Five of the Best Parks for Families around Tokyo
    When you are making the move to Tokyo with kids, having a good outdoor space to play in is very important. Most people in central Tokyo don’t have their own big garden, so public parks play a big role in entertaining children. This article will recommend five of the best parks around Tokyo.

2022.02.20

Celebrating Japanese Traditions in Tokyo - Visiting the first Shrine or Temple for the Year
    Wherever you go in Japan, you can almost always find a shrine or temple nearby. Despite this, Japanese people are fairly casual about religion and tend to practice a mix of Buddhism and Shintoism. There is one religious tradition that almost everyone in the country participates in however - "hatsumode".

2022.01.20

Living in Tokyo Guide