Lara Dunston 
My, how the souvenirs for kids sold in Tokyo have changed since my mother returned from Japan when I was a kid in the early ’70s, bringing back suitcases bursting with gifts. Then, my Mum brought me a beautiful white-faced geisha in a fragile glass case with black lacquer trim, dressed in an exquisite kimono … Read more
The best Tokyo take-homes include beautiful notebooks, postcards and note paper. Stationery makes for terrific Tokyo souvenirs, especially for long-term travellers, because it’s not only pretty, but it’s practical, affordable, and weighs nothing at all. Fortunately Tokyo is also home to some of the world’s best stationery shops. As you’d expect, being a writer, I’m … Read more
Demystifying Tokyo’s pop culture was one of my missions after discovering Tokyo’s cuisine beyond sushi and ramen. But I knew we were going to have to recruit some local experts in all things anime, otaku, otome, and yokai to help us make sense of Tokyo pop culture. Evidence of Tokyo’s exuberant pop culture is everywhere … Read more
Tokyo take-homes must be the most covetable in the world for travellers who appreciate beautiful things. I don’t need to give you ideas as to where to find lovely locally made mementoes, although it’s a task I’ve relished, as there’s no shortage of elegant shops selling enchanting souvenirs, or omiyage in Japanese, all over Tokyo. Tokyo Take-Homes: Quintessential Keepsakes What … Read more
The best Tokyo neighbourhoods are the laidback and local areas like Akasaka and the atmospheric Asakusa. While they rarely get a mention in magazines and with no notable sights to speak of, they are as local as ’hoods get with their buzzy izakayas, karaoke spots, pachinko parlours, and children’s parks, and that’s just the way … Read more