Johnson Town in Iruma, Saitama, is a picture-perfect recreation of a small American town straight out of the 1950s. Neatly trimmed lawns separate period-style wooden houses, vintage cars are parked at the most scenic spots, and restaurants sell homemade burgers. 

Although Johnson Town feels American, all the residents and shopkeepers are Japanese. It’s an American dreamland made by Japanese for Japanese, which is further part of the town’s charm. 

Things to see and do

MiMi Mom, a store that sells American sundries, and the American diner East Contents Cafe.

Johnson Town is an easy day trip from Tokyo, offering scenery that feels like walking through the sets of Leave it to Beaver while offering a large variety of contemporary delights. They range from hearty American-style food, closely adhering to original recipes to the latest in western-inspired health food. 

Try the huge burgers at a cafe called Blue Corn, or the rice flour bread (米粉パン) at Koigakubo Bakery. The bakery also sells the famous Johnson Town ice cream, a delicious gelato using locally grown Sayama tea as a key ingredient. 

If you are in a shopping mood, there are plenty of designer stores scattered across Johnson Town, selling locally made fashion. You might also want to check out the vintage clothing stores and the antique shops specializing in vintage Americana. 

Photo by: Johannes Schonherr Shops in Johnson Town sell vintage American wares.

Feel free to take your pets out there. Most shops and restaurants pride themselves as pet-friendly, some going as far as to advertise themselves as “shops for dogs and their owners.” 

Adjacent to Johnson Town is two large parks. They make for a leisurely stroll through the woods with your dog after consuming that large hamburger. 

Johnson Town history

Photo by: Joji Morita (Isono Corporation) A town rich with Japanese and American history.

Johnson Town is rooted in an American Airforce settlement dating from the same period whose image Johnson Town today tries to preserve.  

In 1937, the Irumagawa Airfield was opened and soon became one of Japan’s largest military airfields. The airfield played an important part in World War II, including the deployment of kamikaze missions.

After the war, the American Airforce took over the Japanese airfield and renamed it Johnson Airbase. 

Photo by: Joji Morita (Isono Corporation) You don’t see too many lawns in Japan.

Several residences were built to accommodate the American officers. Those residences offered the latest in American comforts, which the officers were accustomed to back home. Houses were spacious and had what many consider a staple of American life, a lawn. 

Today, Johnson Town sports more than 50 businesses. They range from wellness clinics to cafes, and a great variety of quirky shops. Parts of the town are purely residential. You can walk those streets, but please respect the privacy of the citizens. 

For more information visit the Johnson Town official website.

It’s back back, back, back again. Osaka’s favorite drag group, the Haus of Gaishoku, has moved its base of operation to Tokyo. Gaishoku now hosts its popular Beauty Blenda drag shows in both cities.

Co-hosted by American drag queen Goma Dango and Japanese queen Shigata Ichikuchi, Beauty Blenda is a show that takes bilingual entertainment seriously. Since its inception in 2018, the event has steadily increased its scope and ambition, now featuring over a dozen performers in a single night at its Shinjuku Ni-chome shows.

A wild night at Beauty Blenda serves a full buffet of variety entertainment, from drag kings and queens to contortionists, magicians and pole dancers.

A true variety show

Beauty Blenda co-hosts Goma Dango and Shigata Ichikuchi.

Aside from the main acts, expect a smattering of stand up comedy, audience interviews and brutal lip-sync hoedowns between the queens. One memorable bit Goma Dango often performs is her search for a boyfriend—involving live singing, improv, interviews with potential “boy-toys” and a final, bitter lip-sync as Goma resigns herself to single-hood.

Even among the drag queen lineup, Beauty Blenda incorporates a range of styles, from comedy queens like Goma, to edgy avant-garde queens like Okini and Kosmic Sans, to dancing and contortion queens like Xtra.

Okini at Bar Rosso, in a performance that encourages audience participation.

Join the show

Enjoying the view? It’s better under the spotlight. Performers of all genders and backgrounds are free to join. With its new Ichome Idol segment, Beauty Blenda welcomes baby kings and queens to try their hand and their lip-mashing skills on stage.

Be warned—Ichome Idol is overseen by a panel of senior Haus of Gaishoku members, who take turns offering “helpful advice” (read: savage reads) to the fledgling performer.

Buriko, Kosmic, Xtra mugging it.

There is no such thing as too much drag, and the rapidly growing scene of Tokyo brings joy to the hearts of many. Whether you’re a tourist or a longstanding resident, check out the next date for Beauty Blenda’s lively LGBTQ events. And, of course, stay fab, stay bad.

LGBTQ in Japan? We’ve got the deets on all the hotspots for you to check out. 

Whether you’re there for lunch, dinner or just to meet friends before migrating to the clubs for the night, Donyoku welcomes you with open arms.

Opened in 2018 by three queer women—Kei Izumi, Kaori Ooji and Satoko Nagamura—Cafe & Bar Donyoku is in the heart of Tokyo’s LGBTQ community of Shinjuku Ni-chome. At this inclusive cafe, patrons are encouraged to relax and freely express their identities.

Food and comfort in Ni-chome

Creature comforts for guests, including footbaths and LGBTQ-themed books.

Donyoku is spacious, sunny and colorful, with large windows, rainbow art and hammocks. Its most distinctive feature is its foot baths—warm tubs of water built under the floor tables by the windows. This water is clean and filtered and gives diners a spa experience while they eat and drink.

Adjacent to the floor tables and footbaths, Donyoku has larger western-style seating, suitable for groups of up to six, as well as counter seating with wall outlets for folks who want to work on their laptops.

Drinks include both cafe classics and barroom wines and cocktails, painstakingly garnished to Instagram quality.

Foodwise, Donyoku’s menu consists of four categories: Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches (including a vegan banh mi), roast beef plates (understandably, no vegan options), salads and desserts. Some atypical dishes, like chili con carne, are thrown into the mix, as well as snack dishes served at bar time from 7 p.m. onwards.

• COVID-19 Info: All visitors are asked to wear masks and use the supplied plastic gloves inside the exhibit. For more updates, check the official website https://www.teamlab.art/e/acornforest/

With a gentle nudge or breeze, each ovoid emits a calming sound that permeates throughout the forest.

Though this one doesn’t focus on immersive projection mapping as Borderless does, the interactive installation is where nature makes art come to life. Egg-shaped, silver pods called ovoids are spread throughout a small section within the park and with a gentle nudge or breeze, each ovoid emits a calming sound that permeates throughout the forest.

Photo by: Heidi Sarol Soak it all in.

The interactive installation only takes up a small portion of the expansive park but it is still very much worth going to. Visiting during the day vs. night will yield a completely different experience.

Night and day

During the day, the eggs that are sprawled throughout the hilly landscape reflect the color of the forest floor and surrounding nature. While loosely following the path, move at your own pace in order to truly immerse yourself within the calm, natural atmosphere. Listen closely to how the melody of the ovoid chimes blends seamlessly into the sounds of nature, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

Photo by: mkst_ph We don’t know about you, but our dreams are always filled with multi-colored alien eggs.

To avoid the crowds, go on early weekday afternoons—there’s a high chance you’ll have the exhibit all to yourself.

In the evenings, the forest transforms into a colorful light show. Each tree is individually lit and as the light pulses, it seems as if the forest is coming to life right before your eyes. The ovoids are also set up to emit different lights to match the melody.

Whether you choose to visit during the day or at night, make sure to check out the Tokorozawa Sakura Park located next to it. Owned by the publishing company Kodokawa and Tokorozawa City, this complex houses a modern shrine, cafes, an anime museum, and even an anime hotel.

At the top of Mount Kanzan lies Chuson-ji Temple in northern Japan’s Iwate Prefecture. Housing the “Golden Pavilion” of the north, it’s a scenic spot that lets you experience a beautiful temple without the crowds and a few ancient surprises.

Konjikido Temple

Photo by: Pohan Chen Konjikido in winter.

The highlight of Chuson-ji is Konjikido Hall, founded in 1124. The small building is covered in gold and often compared to Kinkakuji, the world-famous Golden Pavilion in Kyoto. It showcases several forms of art and culture from the period it was constructed, such as lacquer work, metalwork, and pearl inlays.

Konjikido also houses the mummified remains of leaders of the Fujiwara Clan. Lord Kiyohira’s mummified body was placed under the central altar. The remains of his son, Motohira, were discovered below the northwest altar.

Photo by: lin Judy (快樂雲) Konjikido houses the mummified remains of the Fujiwara clan leaders.

Originally built outdoors and exposed to the elements, a second structure was built around Konjikido in 1288 for protection. Today, it is surrounded by glass within a concrete building, and photography of the interior is prohibited.

The Sankozo Museum, also called the Treasure Hall, opened in 2000 to preserve Chuson-ji’s historic treasures. More than 3,000 important cultural properties and national treasures are housed here, such as Buddhist statues, scriptures, and other relics that survived the devastating fire.

Chuson-ji history

Photo by: Yasunari(康就) Nakamura(中村) Every August, there is a performance at the temple’s Noh Theatre

This UNESCO World Heritage Site was founded by a Buddhist monk named Ennin in 850, known for studying Buddhism around Japan and recording a travelogue.

In the 12th century, Lord Kiyohara of the Fujiwara clan undertook a large-scale construction project to expand the temple in memory of the lives lost during previous wars. At its height, Chuson-ji had more than 40 halls and pagodas, and 300 residences for monks. 

Hachimando Hall Shrine on Chuson-ji Temple’s grounds.

The temple complex declined after 100 years during a period of political strife. Only two temple structures survived a massive fire in the 1300s. The same buildings still stand today—the Konjikido Temple and a storehouse for religious sutras.

A few buildings were rebuilt over the following centuries, including the main hall. Many Buddhist rituals associated with the temple still occur. Built in 1909, it houses a historical Buddha, with eternal flames lit on either side.

Visitors can get to Chuson-ji by making their way up the Tsukimi-zaka (moon-viewing hill), lined by trees planted during the Tokugawa period (1603-1868).

Tachiarai City in eastern Fukuoka Prefecture offers two very different museums focusing on the history of kamikaze pilots towards the end of World War II. One of them is the Chikuzen Tachiarai Peace Memorial Museum, the other one the privately run Tachiarai Retro Station Museum. Both are absolutely worth a visit for history buffs.

Both museums are situated on the grounds of the former Tachiarai Airfield, opened in 1919. The airfield quickly grew into the largest military airfield of East Asia. Things turned dark, though, when Japan entered World War II. Tachiarai Air Base became a central transfer point for deadly kamikaze attacks.

Who were the kamikaze pilots?

Photo by: Johannes Schonherr Mitsubishi Zero at the Chikuzenmachi Tachiarai Peace Memorial Museum

The Tokubetsu kogeki tai (Special Attack Units), known in Japanese shorthand as tokkotai or more commonly kamikaze, were special forces deployed for suicide missions towards the end of World War II whose goal was to sink American battleships.

Although often described as volunteers, it’s a questionable description considering the substantial pressure the Japanese military put on their personnel and the traditional glorification of self-sacrifice rooted in samurai culture. Today, the kamikaze pilots are viewed as tragic figures in Japan, their sacrifices serving no other purpose than prolonging the war.

Kamikaze pilots were chiefly deployed from airbases in the far south of Kyushu, such as Chiran, Kanoya, and Ibusuki in Kagoshima Prefecture. However, Tachiarai Airfield played a central role in their deployment. American bombing raids destroyed the Tachiarai airbase in March 1945.

Inside the Tachiarai Peace Memorial Museum

Chikuzen Tachiarai Peace Memorial Museum

The Chikuzenmachi Tachiarai Peace Memorial Museum is a large modern structure housing two original kamikaze airplanes, one of which is the only surviving Nakajima 97 fighter plane in the world. There is also a United States Boeing B-29 Superfortress, shot down in the vicinity sometime during the war, now hanging from the museum’s ceiling.

A message from the museum reminds visitors to “consider the importance of peace by reflecting on the tragedy of war, which should never be forgotten.”

Audiovisual materials detail the horrors of both kamikaze attacks and American bombings.

The museum strives to promote world peace and understanding while documenting the events that took place at Tachiarai Airfield before and during the kamikaze missions. Audiovisual materials detail the horrors of both kamikaze attacks and American bombings. There are lots of artifacts and testimonials on display, including portraits of American airmen who died in the attacks on Tachiarai, donated by the airmen’s families.

Keep in mind photography is mostly prohibited.

Tachiarai Retro Station

Photo by: そらみみ Tachiarai Station.

Located within the still operational Tachiarai Station is a privately-run precursor to the Tachiarai Peace Memorial Museum. When the peace museum opened, many of the exhibits on display at Tachiarai Station transferred there, including the rare Nakajima 97 fighter plane.

Today, the Retro Station feels like an antique shop. It’s full of obscure cultural artifacts from the late Showa era, such as film projectors, radios, cigarette packages, and more. However, the modest train station is hard to miss thanks to the postwar Lockheed T-33 impressively mounted to its roof.

If you express a sincere interest to the elderly couple running the museum, you might be allowed to see some rare artifacts up close and learn more intimate stories about the kamikaze pilots.

Photo by: Johannes Schonherr Items from a bygone past.

One such story involves the Nakajima 97 displayed at the Peace Museum. In early 1945, a young pilot, Toshihiro Watanabe, was ordered to go to Chiran to join the kamikaze squad. His Nakajima 97 had engine failure and crashed into Hakata Bay. Watanabe was rescued, brought to Tachiarai, equipped with another plane, and sent on his way. Days later, he died in the Battle of Okinawa.

In 1996, his Nakajima 97 was salvaged from Hakata Bay and brought to Tachiarai. It’s thought to be the only surviving fighter plane of its type.  You can read Watanabe’s diary and watch videos of the aircraft raised from the sea and restored at the Retro Station.

The elderly couple running Tachiarai Retro Station doesn’t speak any English.  If you feel that your Japanese is not up to the task, you may want to go with someone who speaks Japanese to make the most of your visit.

Hidden in the valleys of landlocked Gifu Prefecture sits what can only be described as a marriage of Alice’s wonderland and modern architecture. It’s the Site of Reversible Destiny, a massive art installation park perfect for the offbeat traveler. The installation is a culmination of 30 years of collaborative work between artist/architect duo Shusaku Arakawa and Madeline Gins. Grab a helmet at the entrance and get lost.

By disturbing the viewer’s understanding of physics and material reality, the artists hope to free people from the inertia of routine

Arakawa and Gins sought to challenge the human body’s “physical and spiritual orientation to the world and instead of being fearful of losing balance, [visitors should] look forward to it.” By disturbing the viewer’s understanding of physics and material reality, the artists hope to free people from the inertia of routine and help them return to the exploratory state of childhood.

Photo by: cobecoberirin Don’t fall in.

Down the rabbit hole

Start your journey at The Reversible Destiny Office, a cotton-candy daydream of a maze where the ceiling mirrors the floor, and the line between up and down is blurred beyond recognition. The floor rises and dips throughout the maze, with some sections engulfing visitors and others barely reaching waist-level. Think that’s intense? That’s only just the beginning.

Clamber up Exactitude Ridge (be careful not to lose your balance) to reach the main pavilion of the park, The Critical Resemblance House. Its roof is shaped like Gifu Prefecture and it houses a winding maze where visitors will encounter furniture jutting out from walls, missing ceilings, dead ends, and precarious climbs.

Photo by: Kuruman A cotton candy daydream of a maze is really the only way to describe it.

A bright yellow doorway signals your arrival at the Geographical Ghost. Squeeze through a pitch-black passage to reach the final room which features a skylight in the shape of Japan. Claustrophobes may want to avoid the Cleaving Hall, which is extremely narrow and challenging to navigate through.

Visitors are encouraged to explore the house more than once. The creators recommend that you “move through the house as though you are presently living in it or you were its next resident.”

Perspective is key

Photo by: Anna Modugno Yep. That roof is shaped like Gifu Prefecture!

Seeing things from multiple perspectives is one of the most important lessons of The Site of Reversible Destiny. For sweeping views of the park, scale the enormous wall that runs its circumference. From this vantage point, the map of Japan embedded within the landscape can be seen. The wall itself is hollow and can be explored as well.

There is no wrong way to experience the art installations, so long as you do it with a sense of curiosity. Does the park truly have the power to reverse destiny? There’s only one way to find out.

• COVID-19 Info: All visitors are asked to wear masks inside the museum. For more updates, check the official website https://borderless.teamlab.art/#information

Immerse yourself in showers of light. It’s exactly as mind-bending as it sounds.

The exhibit, housed at the Mori Building Digital Art Museum in Odaiba, Tokyo, is truly an experience. The art morphs and transforms, encapsulating visitors and tantalizing their senses.

Photo by: Anthony V Moulay A cascade of colors.

Opened in 2018, the museum uses over 400 projectors to fill the 10,000-meter space with free-flowing interactive designs.

Jump into the space-time continuum and experience the evolution of a star from simple stardust to a black hole, or simply immerse yourself in showers of light.

Let the vivid images whisk you away into another dimension.

It’s exactly as mind-bending as it sounds, and that’s only the beginning—teamLab Borderless has much more in store.

An interactive experience

Google teamLab Borderless and the Forest of Resonating Lamps will definitely pop up. The extremely Instagram famous room is filled with countless LED bulbs in an array of color schemes.

Photo by: senngokujidai4434 The Forest of Resonating Lamps.

One visit might take you to any icy blue fantasy, while the next may see the room glowing with different hues of green and purple. No two visits are ever the same.

Mori Art Museum

The mystical background music sets the tone perfectly for this fairytale of lights, colors, and sounds.

Reach out and touch the characters marching along the museum walls to see how they interact with you, but be gentle with the fluttering butterflies—if you touch them, they’ll die.

Photo by: rabbit_akra Which way is up and which way is down?

With countless artworks, a teahouse, and even a kid-friendly area, you can (and will) spend hours here.

While the museum is practically made for Instagram, the best way to enjoy it is distraction-free, letting the vivid images whisk you away into another dimension.

Whether you’re into BDSM, role-playing, or something even kinkier, you’ll likely find it in Tokyo. Here are some of the best adult shops in Japan’s capital.

Many of Japan’s incredible museums and galleries are accessible online thanks to Google Arts & Culture. With Google Street View technology you can “walk” through halls by clicking through the passageways, teleport to different floors, and even zoom in on artifacts for a better look.

Travel Japan from home

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Want to explore more museums in Japan?

Check out some of our favorites

• Teamlab Borderless Digital Art Museum
• Unko Museum Odaiba
• Matsumoto City Museum of Art
• Shin Yokohama Ramen Museum
• Kyoto International Manga Museum