TW Digest

October 1, 2026

Hello everyone,

The fall edition of Tokyo Weekender’s print magazine is out this week, and our cover star is one of Japan’s most iconic living actors: Ken Watanabe. We sat down for an wide-ranging interview with him, where he candidly discussed his career, his experiences surviving cancer and his views on life and mortality. Read it here.

Also in this week’s newsletter: Volleyball star Rui Takahashi has come out as gay; Netflix Japan’s new number-one show Plastic Beauty tackles the toxic world of cosmetic surgery, not always adeptly; Japan’s animal cafes are finally coming under government scrutiny.

— Callie Beusman, Editorial Director

The story we can’t stop talking about this week:

Today, Ken Watanabe is one of the industry’s most recognizable Japanese stars. But his path to international stardom was far from inevitable; in his youth, he struggled to find his footing as an actor and came close to walking away from the profession altogether. And at age 29 — just as his career was first gaining momentum — he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.

“I learned early on that life is finite,” he reflects. “Since then, I’ve thought of my life as a bonus given to me by God. But this ‘bonus’ has ended up lasting longer than expected.”

The stories, trends, events, etc. on our minds

☆ Professional volleyball player Rui Takahashi has come out as gay. “For those who are struggling because they cannot accept themselves, I would be happy if this can become even a small trigger for something,” he wrote.

☆ Netflix Japan’s new hit show, Plastic Beauty, is centered on a salacious and gory subject: plastic surgery. For all its shortcomings, beneath the sensationalized script lies a pretty realistic depiction of Japan’s cosmetic surgery boom.

☆ The Japanese government has finally launched a survey into the conditions at the country’s (in)famous animal cafes, in response to longstanding concerns over animal welfare, hygiene and public health risks.

☆ The 10 best art museums outside of Tokyo to visit on a day or weekend trip — from forest-surrounded galleries close to the capital to world-renowned contemporary art destinations.

What the TW team is checking out this week

There are quite a few good antique markets this Saturday — Nezu Shrine, “The Best Flea Market” in Yurakucho, the Tokyo City Flea Market, which has over 700 stalls and bills itself as Japan’s largest flea market.

Wakaba, one of our most well-rounded staff members, mentions “a cute little trash pickup event in Hatsudai on Sunday that I’m planning to attend (if I’m not hungover). You can meet lots of cool creatives, and there’s a fun artsy event afterwards.” Also, her favorite vintage store in Koenij, Mr. Chubby, is hosting a mini-party on Sunday called “Are You Chubby?” for those who fancy shopping, DJs and food.

I have friends visiting Tokyo for the first time; I usually take first-time visitors for a drink at Bellovisto in Shibuya. I think it’s the bar with the best view of the skyline, and the cocktails are really nice. It also happens to be my birthday this weekend, so the rest of my plans are redacted… I will be running amok.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here for culture, lifestyle and travel, delivered to your inbox weekly — plus access to exclusive giveaways and event invites.