Metropolis Magazine

13/11/2025

🐧🚃
JR East has confirmed that the beloved Suica penguin will “graduate (sotsugyo)” from its role by the end of the 2026 fiscal year.

Suica Penguin is an Adélie penguin who traveled to Tokyo from Antarctica and loves fish sausage. The penguin is said to be a “double” for each cardholder’s Suica card.

Since its introduction in 2001, the penguin has appeared in exhibitions, merchandise, apparel, confectionery, themed hotel rooms and many collaborations, becoming one of the most recognizable symbols of Japan’s public transport system.

Suica has been one of Japan’s most widely used IC cards since 2001. It runs on Sony’s FeliCa technology and is accepted on trains, buses, convenience stores, station shops, and many other cashless points across the country. The upcoming changes will introduce new payment options and raise the maximum charge limit.

JR East says a new character will accompany these updates, and more information about how the public can take part in the selection process will be shared in the future.

04/11/2025

【Tokyo Illumination Guide for Winter 2025 – 2026】

❄️Where to catch the best illuminations in the capital this winter❄️

As the nights grow longer and the chill sets in, elegant champagne-gold avenues and blue-hued tunnels illuminate the sky. Whether you’re planning a romantic evening stroll, a cozy outing with friends or a family weekend adventure, this year’s displays promise to make the city sparkle brighter than ever.

30/10/2025

【TOMORROW】
🎃Metropolis Halloween Party is Tomorrow!👻

With Shibuya’s outdoor drinking now restricted and growing concerns about respect for public spaces, we’re taking the celebration indoors to one of Tokyo’s largest concert halls.

Join us for a massive night of music, costumes, and community at Zepp Haneda, where you can party safely and in style.

【Tokyo Halloween Festival 2025】
When: Friday, October 31, 2025, 6–10 pm
Where: Zepp Haneda (Haneda Innovation City), 1-1-4 Haneda Airport, Ota-ku

https://metropolisjapan.com/halloween-festival-2025/

27/10/2025

5 DAY COUNTDOWN TO TOKYO HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL 2025

https://metropolisjapan.com/halloween-festival-2025/

【首都圏最大級ハロウィンフェス】TOKYO HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL【ガチ仮装推奨】 DJ SODA、CYBERJAPAN DANCERS、深田えいみ、西山ダディダディ、ユリエ・コリンズら, DJ SENNA出演🎃10月31日（金）

25/09/2025

🔬🧂
【Is MSG Bad For You?】

Monosodium glutamate—better known as MSG—might be the most misunderstood ingredient in modern cooking. For decades, in the West, it’s been blamed for everything from headaches to heart palpitations. Some menus even proudly declare “No MSG” like it’s a badge of health.

But here’s the truth: MSG is not bad for you. Never was. In fact, it’s found naturally in many of your favorite foods. So, how did a humble flavor enhancer go from culinary staple to public enemy number one?

MSG was first isolated and patented in 1908 by Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda, who wanted to recreate the deep, meaty flavor of kombu (kelp) broth. His discovery revolutionized Japanese cuisine and quickly spread throughout Asia as a culinary miracle. Ajinomoto, the company he co-founded, still produces MSG today.

By the mid-20th century, MSG was a common household seasoning in the U.S., often referred to as “Accent” and sprinkled liberally on meat, soups and snacks.

Academics such as Herbert Schaumburg and Robert Olney lent credibility to the panic with studies that were exaggerated, distorted, and riddled with bias.

In the end, MSG was condemned not because of science, but because of fear, prejudice and a desire for a simple explanation.

—

In fact:

・The FDA considers MSG “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS)

・A 2019 Food and Chemical Toxicology review found no causal link between MSG and headaches or allergic reactions

・MSG may even help reduce overall sodium intake, as it allows food to taste better with less salt

So next time you see a restaurant proudly advertising “No MSG,” maybe ask yourself: “Why not?”

🗼Read the full article on metropolisjapan.com🗼

24/09/2025

Are you ready to win ¥1M at Tokyo Halloween Festival 2025?!

Don't miss DJ SODA, Sac MJJ, JASMINE, CAIKI, DJ CELLY, NISHIYAMA DADDY DADDY, DJ SENNA + CYBERJAPAN DANCERS.

Costume contest: grand prize ¥1,000,000
Oct 31, 6pm | Zepp Haneda
Costumes encouraged. VIP limited.

Get your tickets now at the link!

https://metropolisjapan.com/?fluentcrm=1&route=smart_url&slug=c356ga3

Join Halloween Festival Tokyo 2025 at Zepp Haneda on Oct 31! Enjoy top artists, DJs, and a ¥1,000,000 costume contest. Get your tickets now.

19/09/2025

🍂✨ The Autumn 2025 issue of Metropolis is here! ✨🍂

This season, we’re taking it outdoors—think epic hikes under fiery autumn leaves, an inspiring chat with & his Shiba Inu redefining animal welfare, plus camping recipes, outdoor fashion and the best fall events in Tokyo.

Lace up your boots and let’s explore everything this vibrant season has to offer. 🌾🍁

Find out where to pick up a copy or read it online at the link in bio!

16/09/2025

🍁🍂
【Places To See Autumn Leaves in Tokyo 2025】

As the air cools and the green leaves of summer fade, fall foliage (koyo) spreads across the country.

The Japan Meteorological Corporation has released its first 2025 Autumn Foliage Forecast, indicating when we will see the peak of the autumn leaves from which part of November until mid-December.

This might be slightly later than usual due to warmer temperatures.

While popular spots like Rikugien Garden and Shinjuku Gyoen are known for their picturesque scenes, they can become quite crowded in autumn. That’s why we’ve gathered all the information you need in this guide to, lesser-known spots in Tokyo to admire trees such as Japanese maple and ginkgo, in peace (relatively).

In the full article, you’ll also find our Google Map guide with every place marked for easy exploring.

(Cover: Meiji Jingu Gaien)

06/09/2025

【Why Wooden Architecture Is Making a Comeback in Japan】

Wooden architecture in Japan is reaching for the skies. Often reserved for low-rise buildings, timber is finding its way into taller and larger structures. As the country aims to cut carbon emissions by 60% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050, wood is re-emerging as a green alternative to steel and concrete.

Japan’s forestry policy promotes responsible harvesting and replanting to balance timber production and ecosystem health. With forests covering 67% of the country, harvesting mature trees and replanting younger ones boosts carbon absorption and biodiversity. As trees age, they absorb less CO2, so harvesting them could actually boost climate change efforts.

Timber certification programs, such as those under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Sustainable Green Ecosystem Council (SGEC), ensure that construction timber comes from well-managed forests. This creates a closed-loop system where forest resources are renewed and preserved for future generations. Japan’s locally produced timber reduces its carbon footprint associated with importing materials.

Timber has shaped traditional Japanese architecture for centuries, but postwar reconstruction favored cement and metal, especially for earthquake-resistant skyscrapers. Today, technological advancements and the push for sustainability are making high-rise wooden buildings an appealing option.

By Gendel Gento

Editor’s note:
The W350 Plan is a technology research and development project, not a finalized construction plan. It represents an architectural concept and vision for building a 350-meter wooden super high-rise.

(W350 Plan SUMITOMO FORESTRY & NIKKEN SEKKEI. Concept and Timber Engineering: Sumitomo Forestry Co., Ltd. Architectural and Structural Design: Nikken Sekkei Ltd)

Cover: Grand Ring, Expo 2025

12/08/2025

From cucumber-loving tricksters to storm-summoning giants, Japan’s water spirits are as varied as the rivers and seas they inhabit. Some guard crops, grant safe passage or bless the arts. Others sink ships, cause storms or play deadly pranks. Respect them, appease them… or risk becoming part of their legend.

Which one are you praying to? 💧🌊🐉

Learn more at the link in bio.



By
Cover image by charinporn thayot

06/08/2025

Meet Japan’s legendary sea women.

In Mie’s Ise-Shima region, ama divers—many now in their 70s and 80s—continue a 1,000-year-old tradition of free-diving for pearls and seafood. As climate change, modernization and an aging society reshape the coast, these women are finding new ways to preserve their culture, one dive at a time. 🌊🤿

Click the link in bio to read more about our conversation with divers Hayashi Kimiyo and Nakamura Chizuko.

Written by Gendel Gento
Cover photo by Christopher Douglas

04/08/2025

Summer escapes near Tokyo 🌊

Find out where to swim, surf and lounge in the sun near Tokyo and make the most of the brutal summer heat of Japan.