More than a guide book: Tokyo Story is also a love story

Tokyo is one of the most fascinating cities on the planet.

Huge, sprawling, intriguing and decidedly different.

Tokyo Story is both a guide book and a homage; full of local wisdom and insider tips.

I wish I had read a copy before a recent visit - here you'll find suggestions on the best hangouts, shops, bars and eateries.

If you want to know about hidden laneways with historic secrets, or tranquil temples to visit, you'll find all the details here. 

Similarly if you want to lowdown on anime and manga collectibles, or want to know the different noodle dishes on offer and where to find the best.  

But you'll also find useful facts on public holidays - there are 16 of them annually - and discover that Christmas Day is a working day like any other in the Japanese capital.

So lots more than the usual hotel recommendations and food markets.

Melbourne-based authors Steve Wide and Michelle Mackintosh say they have been obsessed with Japan since their first visit in the late 1990s.They have written 10 books on the country.

If you want to know about Tokyo's distinctive neighbourhoods - each with their own feel - you've come to the right place. 

Each chapter has nuggets of fascinating info across Tokyo’s rich history, culture and nightlife. 

Think fashion tips, ultra-cool listening bars, crazy moments of pop culture or where you might be able to buy a robot. 

There are also handy tips on navigating both Tokyo and Japanese etiquette. 

A delightful book for paging through if you have Japan on your travel radar. 

TOKYO STORY: A GUIDE. By Steve Wide and Michelle Mackintosh. Published by HARDIE GRANT EXPLORE. RRP $39.99/NZ$45.

Tokyo celebrates art across urban landscapes

Tokyo is one of the most fascinating destinations on the planet and if you are visiting over the next few months you can enjoy an international art festival running from October 17 to December 14. 

The Tokyo Biennale 2025 runs through what is is often celebrated as the “Autumn of Art” or “Autumn of Excursions” and invites visitors to discover the sprawling city's culture, history, and communities through art. 

Now in its third edition, the festival will feature works by 38 artist groups from seven countries, presented across 14 venues under the theme “Wander for Wonder.” 

Unlike traditional art festivals confined to galleries, the Tokyo Biennale is connected to the neighbourhoods where it takes place - and some of the exhibits are very quirky. 

Artists collaborate with local communities, creating site-specific works that reveal new perspectives on Tokyo's urban landscape.

The festival spans six areas in central-northeast Tokyo, including Ueno, Nihonbashi, Yaesu/Kyobashi, and Marunouchi. Each district offers a different way to engage with the city's culture and history. 

Most exhibitions are free to enter, while two main venues, the Toeizan Kan'ei-ji Temple and the Etoile Kaito Living Building, require payment for admission.

Projects are designed to be experienced on foot, so visitors can stroll through Tokyo's neighbourhoods, encountering artworks while uncovering hidden corners of the city. 

The festival encourages participants to “wander” through the layers of history, architecture, and daily life that define one of the world's most walkable capitals. Bring comfortable shoes. 

Full details, including participating artists and program updates, are available on the official Tokyo Biennale website LINK

For visitors looking to continue their artistic journey beyond the Biennale, Tokyo offers countless opportunities to explore galleries, museums, and cultural sites throughout the city. More information can be found on the official Go Tokyo website www.gotokyo.org