“Spicy but Super Delicious” Gourmet Festival

August 26-October 2, Okubo park in Shinjuku

It has been three long years since the last “Spicy but super delicious” gourmet festival had been held. If you like spicy food and if you are brave enough to try some try hot dishes, head to Okubo park in Shinjuku. Here you will find anything from spicy kebab and curry to Korean topokki and Chinese dumplings.

Yokai Bon Odori

October 1-2, GREEN SPRINGS 2nd floor plaza

Yokai Bon Odori is a fusion of “Yokai” (spirits) and “Bon Odori”. It is an event where you can enjoy Bon Odori dances in Yokai costumes, live music, DJ performances, Yokai costume contests, food stalls, and more. The event should be very interesting, especially for kids, so definitely check it out.

SCAJ 2022

October 12-14, Tokyo Big Sight

If you love coffee, this event is for you! SCAJ is the largest coffee trade fair in Asia. Here you will be able to taste a wide variety of high-quality coffee beans that cannot be found anywhere else. You will be able to see and touch the newest coffee machines and other coffee-related products. Seminars and classes by the baristas from Japan and all over the world will be held during this 3-day event. Be noted that if you buy a ticket in advance, it will cost only 1,200 as opposed to 2,000 at the door.

Sumida Street Jazz Festival

October 15-16, Sumida Triphony Hall Large Hall, Sumida Park Theater Kura, Oyokogawa Shinsui Park Event Square

If you like music in general and jazz in particular, do not miss this community festival in Sumida. The entrance is free and the schedule of performances you can find here. At the same time and in the same place, there will be also Octoberfest. Here you will find all kinds of beer, even beer for kids, and of course food stalls.

35th Tokyo International Film Festival

October 24-November 2, Hibiya-Yurakucho-Marunouchi-Ginza area

This year Tokyo International Film Festival will be open with the world premiere of a new Japanese movie “Fragment of the last will” directed by Zeze Takahisa. The closing film will be “Living” by Oliver Hermanus from the UK. More information about the venues and tickets will be posted on the official website, so do not forget to check it.

Yumetsu Halloween Party

September 21-November 6, Yumenoshima Tropical Botanical Garden

For only 250 yen (adult fare) you can visit Yumenoshima botanical garden in Shinkiba and enjoy a view of the whole lawn decorated with more than 100 giant ghost pumpkins weighing 50 to 100 kg from Hitachiomiya City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Dedicated photo spots and other exhibitions will be also available at the venue.

Fiesta de Espana 2022

November 26-27, Yoyogi Park

This is the biggest Spanish festival in Japan. It attracts over 100,000 visitors each time. At the festival, you will find stalls with Spanish food, such as paella, al ajillo, and also Spanish wine. A cultural program includes flamenco dances, playing guitar, and other activities.

More posts by Tokyo Furnished:

Tokyo Neighborhoods by Category

Starting from September 7 even independent tourists can visit Japan. In order to do that, you will need to get a proper visa and a certificate for completion of registration to the Entrants, Returnees Follow-up System (ERFS). You need this document for a visa itself, for booking your tickets, your accommodation, etc in Japan.

A travel company in Japan is the one that can apply for this certificate for you. Once you applied, it takes about one week to process your request. When ERFS is issued, the travel company will send it to you. And when you receive it, you can send all the documents to the embassy.

When all your documents are approved, you will get your visa and you can come to Japan. You should know that this visa is valid only for 1 entry to Japan. Meaning once you left Japan, you will not be able to enter again even if your visa hasn’t expired yet.

Tokyo Furnished has collaborated with one of the travel agencies in Japan. If you have any questions or requests in regards ERFS certificate, you can send us an email with your specific needs. We will gladly help you connect with a trusted travel agency for better and quicker help.

Tokyo has a large number of dining options, from cheap fast-food chains to Michelin-starred restaurants, from traditional Japanese-style restaurants to stylish international cafes. And yet many people still struggle to find nice places. In this post, we will be talking about ways of finding cafes and restaurants in Tokyo. Nothing crazy or too innovative but many people are not aware of them. Let’s go!

Instagram Hashtags

One of the easiest ways to find a new restaurant or cafe is by using Instagram hashtags. You can type the area name and the word “cafe” and see what you get. This hack should work both in English and Japanese, but obviously, there will be many more options in Japanese. For example, try typing “Akasakacafe” or 赤坂カフェ and see what you get. This works not only for cafes, using this tip you can also search for lunch options (area name in Japanese + the word ランチ) or for dinners (area name + the word グルメ). Even if you are looking for a specific type of food, you still can search it by area, for example, 六本木ハンバーガー (Roppongihamburger), 渋谷コーヒー (shibuyacoffee) or more general 東京スイーツ (tokyosweets).

Reviews

Instagram is a great tool for finding dining spots that look interesting and photogenic. However, many times the post will not include information about the quality of the food. Hence, it is not recommended to make your choice based only on the photos. Try to see the Google or Tabelog (Japanese restaurant information and review website) reviews, and then decide if you really want to visit the place that caught your eye.

Google Maps

Instagram was created as a photo platform. Therefore even today a nice photo is one of the most important aspects when posting there. Many people will go to instaworthy cafes, while many older, less photogenic places might remain undiscovered. If you are looking for hidden spots, open Google Maps on your phone, choose an area, and focus on it. Then in the search line write “coffee”, “pizza”, “udon”, “sandwich”, etc, and see what you get. You will get pretty much an infinite number of restaurants and cafes. Now you can organize by distance, rating, open/closed right now, and more. If you are not going right now or found too many places you like, we recommend pinning and saving some of them for future opportunities. You can save the places directly in the Google Maps app, and even write a memo, explaining why you saved this location.

New Openings

If you are looking for information about the newest spots in Tokyo, you can search on Google for the following 新規オープン + area name in Japanese. The first website in the results will be Tabelog, open it and see the upcoming openings by date. By going to new cafes and restaurants, you yourself later can introduce these places to others on IG or Google Maps. By the way, just like with IG hashtags, also on the Tabelog website you can look for the restaurants by typing the area and what you want to eat (渋谷ラーメン (Shibuya ramen)).

These are the simplest ways to find eateries in Tokyo. We hope it helps!

Best Nomad Cafes in Tokyo

Best International Cafes and Restaurants in Tokyo

Guten-Free Cafes and Restaurants You Need to Know

Tokyo has plenty of sightseeing spots, attractions, parks, etc. Here are some of the top Tokyo neighborhoods by category.

Fashion and Style

For shopping of some of the world’s most known brands head to fashionable Omotesando or luxurious Ginza. Daikanyama is another stylish area with more unique and sophisticated shops, restaurants, and galleries.

History

If you like history and want to experience an atmosphere that will remind you how Tokyo used to be a few decades or centuries ago, you can visit these places. Asakusa is famous for its temples and shrines, and traditional cafes. Here you can rent a kimono or a yukata and take many stunning photos. The next area is Yanaka and Nezu, which were not very much known among foreigners until recently. That is a pity because it is absolutely treasured district, which will give you the vibe of old shopping streets. At Kagurazaka you can see and feel how Tokyo looked in Edo and Showa eras. Enjoy exploring Japanese cafes and home decor shops.

Young Towns

There are several areas where the young people of Tokyo like to go. Shimokitazawa is famous for thrift shopping, many small unique shops, workshops, and hipster and vegan cafes. Koenji is similar to Shimokitazawa but much less crowded. Harajuku and especially Takeshita Street used to be for decades the hottest spot for young people’s gatherings. These days many people still come here for Lolita shops, cafes, Instagram-able sweets, etc. Last but not least is Jiyugaoka, which is popular among people, mainly girls, who like sweets. Many cool cafes, and fantastic desserts, that you can try only here.

Areas for Family

if you are looking for a place to hang out with your kids, you can go to Odaiba or Kichijoji. Odaiba is an island which easily accessible from Tokyo. For a panoramic view, you can take a Yurakamome line or simply walk through the Rainbow Bridge. In Odaiba, you will find many attractions. Most of them are really great if you are visiting the island with kids. For example, you can find here a miniature-themed park “Small Worlds”, Legoland, or Kidzania. You can also take the kids and yourself for a walk on the shore or for a ride on a Ferriss Wheel.

Kichijoji is another popular area just outside of the Tokyo buzz. Almost always this place is ranked as one of the most desirable places for families to live in. That’s because it has everything you need for a comfortable life, easy access to central Tokyo, and also green spaces and parks. Inokashira Park is one of the most popular places all around the year but especially during the cherry blossom in spring. One zone of the park is actually a zoo and if you walk towards the Mitaka area, there is a Chibli museum too.

Nature

Many see Tokyo as a concrete jungle but this could not be any further from the truth. Even in central Tokyo, there are many green spaces, such s Shinjuku Gyoen, Yoyogi Park, Hamarikyu Gardens, and more. But if you get out just a bit, you can reach areas such as Todoroki Valley or Okutama. Todoroki Valley is located in Setagaya, you can get there easily by train from Shibuya. The place is green, quiet, and peaceful. It is especially beautiful in mid-late November when the leaves turn red.

Okutama is about 1.5 hours from Shinjuku station. Here you will feel even closer to nature. You can hike here, fish, visit Nippara Limestone Cave, or just get lunch at one of many cafes with offer stunning peaceful views.

Of course, it is very difficult to include all the amazing neighborhoods, attractions, and things to do Tokyo has to offer. But if you have to start somewhere, start with one of the areas mentioned above.

Our other posts about popular Tokyo neighborhoods:

A Guide to Azabujuban

Your Guide to Akasaka Area

Life in Tokyo can be overwhelming or very easy and enjoyable. Here is some information that we hope will help you to get used to the big city life in no time.

Places to Study Japanese

If you are in Japan and you want to study Japanese, there are several options. You can search for private online or offline classes. Or you can sign up for a Japanese language school. There are many schools all over the city for any budget. Alternatively, you can check if your local municipal office provides free Japanese classes. Though it is the cheapest option, the quality of classes might be a bit lower as well, as the classes are thought by volunteers and not professional teachers.

Libraries

There are many free libraries in Tokyo that everyone can use. They have books in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, and sometimes in other languages too. If you can’t find a book that you need, you need to fill in a special form, and the library will order it for you. Anyone can use a library but if you want to borrow books, you need to make a card. It is also free, all you need is to bring an identification card with you.

Garbage Rules

Garbage separation in Japan is very detailed and very strict. There are several categories of garbage and every municipality has its own rules. You can check the rules online or request a pamphlet.

Shopping

There are several main kinds of shops in Tokyo. Supermarkets sell food items and groceries. Usually, in the evenings, there are some sales on the products that the expiration date is close. Convenience stores are usually open 24/7 and sell food and daily necessities. Individual shops are private shops, usually producing and selling one thing. Remember that many of these shops won’t accept credit cards. Shopping malls are large shopping centers with various shops. Department stores are similar to shopping malls but usually will offer higher quality and higher prices.

National Holidays

Japan has many national holidays. There is at least one holiday every month. On these days most companies will have a day off. All the governmental institutions, banks, etc will be closed.

More about life in Tokyo:

What to Do When You Arrive in Japan

Finding Home

Public Transit

Finances and Communications

Tokyo has various transit options. This post is going to talk about the basics of public transit in the city.

First, get yourself a Suica or a Pasmo card. With these cards, you will be able to pay the transit fares and even use them in some shops. The main difference between the cards is that Suica gives you a small discount on your commute fares. You can get these cards at the train stations from the ticket machines. The machines have an English menu, so the operation should not be a problem. These days, you can also download a Suica/Pasmo app and use it from your phone.

Trains

Plenty of train and metro lines are operated by various companies in Tokyo. However, it only seems to be complicated. In reality, the train system is pretty easy to use. In order to check what line you should take, use Google Maps. It is the easiest and very reliable navigator, especially in Tokyo.

The most popular lines within Tokyo such as the Yamanote line, Oedo line, and some others run pretty frequently. This means you do not really have to check the timetables. If one train had left, another one will come shortly. However, if you go outside the city, the trains arrive with longer gaps between them. In this case, you should check the times and arrive at the station on time.

One important rule to know and keep, you are not allowed to speak on the phone on the train. Please keep your manners.

Buses

It might take you by surprise but using a bus in Tokyo might be trickier than a train. That’s because where you enter the bus, depends on the bus. Where you pay the fare depends on the bus. Some fares a fixed, and some buses will charge you based on the distance between the boarding stop and the final destination. So watch others around you, what they do, and do the same. When you want to get off the bus, please press the buzzer. Usually, it is placed near the window or the handrails.

The bus fee you can also pay with your Suica card.

Taxi

You can download one of the taxi apps (for example, DiDi) or go outside and try to catch one. If you are in central Tokyo, it should not be a problem. Once you are in, tell a driver your destination address. The fee will depend on the distance. Also at night time, the fare might go up by about 20%. That is due to a higher demand because at night there are no trains or buses available.

Also at the taxi, you can use your Suica card, a credit card, or cash. Please be noted that the passenger’s door opens and closes automatically, you do not need to touch it.

Bicycles

If you want to know where to buy or rent a bicycle and also the basic rules of riding a bicycle in Tokyo, read this post.

Cars

If you want to learn about which driving license can be used in Japan, please refer to this post.

Probably everyone who arrives in Japan is worried about managing finances and communications. In this post, we will explain the first steps you should take.

Opening Bank Account

If you are planning to stay in Japan for the long term, you should open a local bank account. In order to open a bank account, you need to bring with you an ID card and inkan (hanko – personal seal which can be purchased in different stores or online). Depending on the bank, you might need some additional documentation. At least for the first time, we recommend going with someone who speaks Japanese well. Also, remember that banks are open only on the weekdays between 9 AM and 3 PM.

Applying for a Credit Card

Some credit cards issued abroad can be used in Japan. However, additional fees might apply. Therefore, it is better to have a local card too. A card can be issued from one of the banks, from major department stores, or from flying companies, etc. You can apply for a credit card via the Internet, by mail, or by coming to the credit card application counter. You will need your ID card, bank account number, and inkan. Some credit companies will ask for additional documents, such as your yearly income and proof of employment.

Mobile Phone, Internet, TV

if you want to buy a phone in Japan, you can buy it from one of the big telecommunication companies, such as Au or Docomo. Usually, a contract will be for two years. Every month you will pay for the device itself and for your plan. Or you can buy a sim-free phone, which doesn’t have to be from Japan, and then buy a sim card. Usually, these plans are much cheaper. If you purchase your phone at one of the big stores such as Bic Camera or Yodobashi, you will also get points, that later can be used in the store for buying other products.

As for the Internet, the process is very similar. Head to Bic Camera, talk to different providers, chose your plan, and sign a contract. Be noted, that the installation time will be about 2-3 weeks, so be ready for it. Meanwhile, you can use the mobile internet. Also, in the past few years, many WiFi spots were added across the city, at convenience stores, in the metro, etc. Hence, finding an Internet connection is not a huge hassle.

If you decide to buy a TV, you will have to pay a monthly fee to Japan’s telecommunication company NHK. You will have to pay for it, even if you do not watch the NHK channel at all.

Starting life in Japan – Part 1, Part 2.

At last, after two long years, Tokyo is getting back to life. Still not full power. Many of the annual festivals will be canceled this summer as well, but many will be held. Here is a list of some of the hottest Tokyo Summer Events 2022.

Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival

Many of the fireworks festivals won’t happen this year. However, luckily for us, one of the most impressive and easily accessible festivals will! The festival is scheduled for August 8th. It can be watched from the Olympic stadium area for free. Or you can purchase tickets for the event and get comfortably seated and also enjoy a concert before the fireworks.

Website

Mitama Festival at Yasukuni Shrine

Another happy news is that a very popular festival at Yasukuni shrine will be held on July 13-16, starting at 6 pm every night. It is popular for featuring 30,000 lanterns on the grounds of the shrine.

Website

Shinjuku Eisa Festival

Eisa is a traditional dance that originated in Okinawa. The dance and costumes at this festival are quite different from other festivals. To see it yourself head to the Shinjuku East exit on July 30. The event will be held between 1 pm and 4 pm.

Website

Midtown Summer 2022

Like every year, Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi will be holding a summer festival. This year the festival will be featuring CHANDON SECRET GARDEN MIDPARK LOUNGE and ASHIMIZU (bath for feet).

Tokyo Kaikan Ginza Sky Beer Terrace

One of the nicest beer gardens this year will be held at one of the most beautiful locations in Ginza from June 20th until September 9th. Here you can enjoy your drinks and the beautiful city view from 40 meters above. Different drinking menus are available. And not just beer, but also many cocktails, different kinds of wines, and highballs will be served.

Website

Finally, for more summer ideas check out these posts:

Best Beaches Around Tokyo Area

Tokyo Camping Getaway Ideas for You

Finding a home in a new country might be a bit overwhelming and stressful. In this post, we will explain some initial things you should keep in mind when you are looking to rent an apartment in Japan.

Starting the Process

In Japan, finding an apartment usually happens through a real-estate agency. If you are looking for an apartment in Japan, you can go to one of the real estate agencies in the area that you are interested in. If you are applying from abroad, you can start checking international and foreign-friendly services such as Tokyo Furnished.

Initial Payments

Once you found a place you like, but before signing a contract, make sure you are familiar with all the additional fees above the basic monthly rate. These include utilities and home management fees.

Please remember that in Japan when moving into an apartment, above the monthly fee, you have some initial costs. Firstly, you will have to pay a security deposit. The security deposit is used for the unpaid rent or for the damages caused by you to the apartment. Normally, this deposit will be refundable, sometimes it is not. The second payment is key money (usually equal to 1-2 monthly rent). This money you pay to a landlord for letting you live in his/her apartment. The third and last payment is an agency fee, which is also about 1 month’s rent.

You might be happy to know that here at Tokyo Furnished, we do not charge key money or agency fees, and the deposit is always refundable.

Utilities

Most times the tenants need to pay their utilities by themselves. The most common utilities are gas, electricity, water, and the Internet. You can apply for it by phone or Internet and arrange monthly (water bill is bi-monthly) payments either in cash or by credit card. Electricity and water will be connected automatically, while for connecting you to gas, someone from the gas company will come to your place.

Resident Registration

When you move into a new apartment, you need to change your resident registration at the city hall. More about it please read our previous post.

Once, all these are set, you are ready to start living your life and making the new apartment your home away from home.

It has been 2 very long years, but finally, Japan started to reopen its borders. This article is not for tourists, but for those who come here for the long term. Moving to a new country can be stressful and overwhelming. Here we will try to put things in order, so you know what to do when you arrive in Japan.

Residence Card

First thing first, you need to get a status of residence, which will determine the activities you are allowed to perform in Japan. Then you need to obtain a residence card. This card will be your ID for Japan. You must carry it with you at all times.

Another thing to do and remember every time you are moving into a new place is a resident registration. If you are staying in Japan for longer than 3 months, within 14 days of moving into a new apartment, you need to inform your municipality about it. If this is not your first place in Japan, and you are moving between places, always remember to let both your new and old municipal offices about the change of your residence and address. Actually, even if you move within the same ward, you still need to go there and update the address.

Health Insurance and Pension

The next thing you should do is enroll in the Japanese health insurance system. This insurance is not optional and every long-term resident must obtain it. Additionally to health insurance, you should also pay pension money. If you work a full-time job for a company, the company should take care of it. However, if you are a part-timer, self-employed, or unemployed, please contact your municipality, and they will make the calculations, so you know, how much you have to pay. Don’t worry, if you leave Japan before the age of retirement, you will get your money back. for that 2 conditions should be fulfilled: 1. you have been paying pension for more than 6 months; 2. you requested this money within 2 years after leaving Japan.

Taxes

As a long-term resident, you will also have to pay the taxes. There are 2 main types: resident’s tax and income tax. Again, if you work full-time for a company, they will automatically withdraw it from your paycheck. Freelancers, part-timers, etc should take care of it on their own. Also, remember to prepare an annual tax report in April.

This is the first article in the series of posts, in which we help newbies to start their lives in Japan.