Savvy Tokyo

If you’re new to Japan or have called Tokyo home for years, volunteering is a direct way to connect with the city while supporting local causes. Nonprofits across Tokyo rely on volunteers to help tackle food insecurity, protect local environments, support child...

Whether you prefer your seafood as sashimi or straight off the grill, summer in Japan is a veritable treasure trove of fish. Maybe these seasonal catches just hit differently in the heat, or maybe I’m still chasing that first bite of sushi I had all those years ago—but for me, the summer fish in Japan are some of the best of the year. If you’re living here or just vis...

After teaching English in China, I moved to Japan in 2014. I initially lived in the Kanto area, then spent two years in Kumamoto before returning to the UK. Fast forward to 2026, and my family and I have finally moved back. Although we considered waiting until ...

It all started with a gift. After a routine infant health checkup at home, the nurse from the city health center presented two shiny red board books with a yellow tap on the front. Books for babies? What a brilliant gesture! This literary mama rejoiced! I immediately started reading じゃあじゃあびりびり/Jaa Jaa Biri Biri to my twin boys. At first, they chewed the pages...

While there’s no shortage of sandy shores within easy reach of the city, the most popular beaches near Tokyo can get overwhelmingly crowded, especially in summer. When you’re craving a quieter seaside escape, try one of these less crowded beaches. They’re locally loved but not widely advertised, meaning you’ll likely be sharing the view with neighborhood families rath...