TW Digest

October 8, 2026

For 44 years, David Bowie collaborated with the legendary photographer Masayoshi Sukita. For our new issue, we sat down with Sukita to reflect on his career photographing rock’s golden age and learn what it was like casually hanging out with Bowie in Kyoto. (“I may be the only photographer in the world who has used him like a taxi driver,” Sukita says.)

Also in this week’s newsletter: an intimate profile of The Boyfriend star Kazuto (and a look inside his new restaurant); the absolute best art exhibitions in Tokyo this month; they’re closing the smoking areas by Shibuya station for Halloween.

— Callie Beusman, Editorial Director

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

Masayoshi Sukita captured some of the defining images of the 1970s and 1980s. His archive is filled with musicians who would go on to become cultural icons: David Bowie, Iggy Pop, T. Rex, Yellow Magic Orchestra.

Joe Strummer of The Clash once told Sukita he had “the smell of rock,” which is undoubtedly true. His passion for rock music brought him into the orbit of some of the greatest musicians of our time, capturing their swagger, flamboyance and artistry.

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

☆ If you watched The Boyfriend, you probably have incredibly warm feelings for Kazuto Kasahara, the show’s resident chef and heartthrob. We visited him at his newly opened Shinjuku restaurant and had a long-ranging discussion about his culinary vision, what it was like to come out on international TV and what he really thought of Usak’s infamous chicken smoothie.

☆ The murder of Anna Yagi — allegedly at the hands of a US Marine, Devin Ballard — has brought renewed attention to the long, painful history of crimes and deadly accidents involving US military personnel in Okinawa.

☆ The absolute must-see art exhibitions in Tokyo this October. There are a lot of incredible things happening art-wise this month, from the annual Roppongi Art Night to a massive photo festival that spans several neighborhoods.

☆ Shibuya has announced its new Halloween restrictions, and these might be the harshest yet. (Hachiko is going to be blocked off, for one, and the smoking areas by the station will be closed.)

☆ A new way to explore Kamakura: visiting sites related to its rich cinematic history, from the studios that produced Tokyo Story to the graves of legendary directors Yasujiro Ozu and Akira Kurosawa.

What the TW team is checking out this week

As I mentioned before, there are a ton of incredible art exhibitions happening in Tokyo this month. Eugenie recommends two in particular: “the Marimekko exhibition that just opened at the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum in Meguro (the museum and garden are also so beautiful to walk around in!) and the Marie Antoinette Style exhibition in Yokohama. Pieces she wore are on loan from the V&A in London, and you can even see costumes from Sofia Coppola’s 2006 film.” 

In order to achieve my preferred balance of elegance and grunginess, I’m planning to go to NiNi, the very beautifully designed French fusion restaurant in the new-ish 1 Hotel Tokyo, and also to beautifully decrepit Wicca-themed bar in Sangenjaya that serves habushu (Okinawan snake wine).

It’s a long weekend, which is a great excuse to take a day trip. I unfortunately have to work on Monday, but if I didn’t, I’d want to go to the Monet exhibition at the Pola Museum of Art in Hakone. (See our full list of museum day trips here!)

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.