Locals head to temples for late-night bell ringing ceremonies or leave town altogether to visit relatives, making for a mellow season. That doesn't mean the city grows dull. (If you've done your research, you'll know that Tokyo can be anything but.) The city hums with activity, just with a quieter charm. Neighborhoods can feel more local, and it becomes a rare chance to slip into seasonal traditions and see a different side of the city that so many people have come to love.
Visiting Tokyo for the first time can feel like stepping into the future and the past at once. This vast, ever-shifting metropolis is all about contrasts: centuries-old shrines tucked beside glass towers and quiet gardens a few train stops from the neon storm of Shibuya. It is precisely this tension between modern spectacle and quiet tradition that makes Tokyo endlessly captivating.
Few brands can thread together the past and present of global style with the same authenticity as Polo Ralph Lauren. With its latest release, the house turns to Tokyo for its ongoing "Polo Originals & Friends" campaign, bringing forward a vision rooted in craftsmanship, individuality, and cultural connection. The city is not only a backdrop but also a living character, symbolizing how Polo's global heritage continues to evolve while honoring its origins.
The study analyzed cities across 12 different categories (each scored out of 10), awarding the Japanese capital a total score of 91. Pipping Rio de Janeiro, Budapest, Seoul, and Barcelona to the top post, Tokyo ranked highly for its access to Wi-Fi and broadband speed, best-in-class transport network, almost mythical levels of public safety, and storied cultural offerings. This year was the first year Tokyo was included, following the launch of a digital nomad visa targeted at high-earning remote workers from 51 countries,
The new Aoyama flagship by Acne Studios collaborates with Halleroed, blending urban Japanese influences in a space reflecting the city’s layered nature and local spirit.
The train station closest to my house has a split personality. Exit north and you've got an orderly bus lottery, tidy streets of chain stores, and the ever present Starbucks.