Tokyo Curiologue

  Why Opening Uber in Japan Usually Gets You a Taxi Imagine that you are in Tokyo and decide to call a ride. You open the Uber app, expecting the familiar experience you have had in many other countries. A nearby driver should appear on the screen and soon arrive to pick you up. Instead, what usually arrives is a licensed taxi. For many visitors to Japan, this is one of the country's more surprising little discoveries. In much of the world, Uber means one thing: ride-sharing.  You tap a button, a nearby driver arrives, and you are on your way. In Japan, however, the experience has long been quite different. Ask many Japanese people what Uber is, and they are more likely to think of Uber Eats than ride-sharing. For years, one of the world's most famous mobility brands was known in Japan primarily as a food delivery service. How did that happen? Why Japan Kept Ride-Sharing at a Distance For decades, Japanese law generally prohibited private individuals from transporting passenge...

  Hydrangeas Painting Tokyo's Rainy Season On a misty June 19th, near a quiet temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, clusters of potted hydrangeas burst into full bloom. Under the heavy, overcast skies of the ra iny season (tsuyu), their vibrant blues and deep purples offer a striking contrast to the gray day. In Japan, this is the season when hydrangeas—known in Japanese as ajisai  —quietly reclaim the corners of shrines, temples, streets, and parks, bringing a serene elegance to the early summer landscape. Though the rain falls steadily, it is the perfect backdrop. The hydrangea is a flower born for the rain—a quintessential symbol of the season that brings a sense of calm to all who pass by. A Flower Loved Since the Manyoshu A hydrangea looks like a delicate floral pom-pom, but it is actually a cluster of tiny blossoms. One of its most fascinating traits is how it changes color—shifting between blue, purple, pink, and white depending on the acidity of the soil. Native to East Asia, uniq...

On June 13 and 14, 2026, a grand sumo exhibition is being held at the Accor Arena in Paris. As the wrestlers move around the city, they inevitably attract attention. Photos of the two yokozuna —the sport's highest rank, often translated as "grand champion"—visiting famous Paris landmarks have even made headlines back in Japan. Away from the ring, sumo wrestlers can appear almost whimsical: towering figures in traditional dress strolling through one of the world's most elegant cities. Yet once they step onto the dohyo , the atmosphere changes completely. Massive bodies collide, silence gives way to explosive bursts of energy, and matches are often decided in a matter of seconds. It is a spectacle that is likely to leave a strong impression on French audiences. The basic rules of sumo are surprisingly simple. Two wrestlers face each other on a circular ring about 4.5 meters in diameter. Victory is achieved by forcing an opponent out of the ring or making any part of ...

Tokyo is full of famous attractions and carefully planned sightseeing routes. But some of the city’s most memorable experiences are far more unexpected: forgotten treasures, chance encounters, and stories hidden in plain sight. Welcome to Tokyo’s flea markets. Whether you're searching for vintage fashion, handmade crafts, old cameras, antiques, or simply wandering with curiosity, flea markets reveal a slower and more personal side of Tokyo. It’s not just shopping—it’s treasure hunting, people-watching, and conversation all at once. Here’s a guide to some of Tokyo’s best flea markets held throughout the year. 1. Oi Racecourse Flea Market Location: Oi Keibajo, Shinagawa Schedule: Most Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays One of Tokyo’s largest flea markets, with over 600 stalls spread across the huge parking area beside the racecourse entrance. Vintage clothing is especially popular here, but you’ll also find books, electronics, toys, furniture, and household goods. Food trucks and cas...

What We Mean by “Japanese Design” When people think of “Japanese design,” many images come to mind. Ukiyo-e prints, daruma dolls, maneki-neko, traditional patterns, or the kind of minimalism often associated with Zen. Most of these styles took shape between the medieval and early modern periods, developing into what we now recognize as a distinct Japanese aesthetic. But Japan also has designs that are far older. Some date back to a time before written records even existed—among the oldest forms of design in the country. A small, curved bead. A round shape with a hole, and a tail-like projection. It can look like a comma, or a crescent moon. This is the magatama. Most Japanese people recognize the shape instantly, even if they don’t know the name. It appears in school textbooks and museums, but also as jewelry or decorative motifs—so familiar that it’s hard to remember where you first saw it. As it happens, the day this article is being published—June 9—is sometimes casually called “Mag...