The fourth-term members of “TOKYO Besties” – a project that showcases the best parts of Tokyo to the world – have been selected and the program has officially started.
From late June 2026 to the end of March 2027, the members will share their favorite parts of Tokyo, targeting young people around the world via social media.
A variety of content is already available across our social media platforms, featuring Tokyo’s unique sightseeing spots, food, culture, and ways to enjoy exploring the city from a young person’s perspective.
Make sure to follow the official accounts and stay up to date with the activities of TOKYO Besties!
What is “TOKYO Besties”?
Now in its fourth year, “TOKYO Besties” is a team of young Tokyo-based students who promote the charm of Tokyo and its must-visit spots from their own perspectives.
Through their eyes, global audiences will discover new sides of Tokyo they may have never seen before.
About the “TOKYO Besties” Team Members
The members of “TOKYO Besties” were selected from a large number of applicants based on their passion and desire to share the charms of Tokyo with the world. The fourth-term members range from middle school students to university students, and their motivations are diverse, too. Some spoke of the joy they felt when people overseas showed an interest in Japan during their own time studying abroad; others wanted a platform to work toward their future goals or hoped to show that Tokyo has more to offer than its urban image, including the rich nature. Each member will carry out the project with their own individual perspectives, personalities, and deep love for Tokyo!
Skill-Building Through Workshops
All fourth-term members gathered for the first time to participate in an orientation and workshop.
At the orientation, each member received a “TOKYO Besties” certificate of appointment. After everyone introduced themselves, they listened to an explanation of the activities planned for the year ahead and how to share content on social media.
Following that, a workshop was held to learn the skills needed for content creation, including how to plan content and how to present it.
For the first half of the workshop, an instructor specializing in PR was invited to help the members explore the value of locations and experiences, and how to create content that makes viewers want to visit Tokyo.
During group-work activities, each member created and shared an original post from two perspectives: Tokyo through the eyes of international visitors, and Tokyo from their own eyes.
For the second half of the workshop, members learned how to create photo and video posts that show the charms of Tokyo in a clear and memorable way. Everyone also had a chance to create content using editing tools during the hands-on session.
Networking Event & Activities to Experience the Charms of Tokyo
In late July, a networking event was held as the first activity, bringing together this year’s “TOKYO Besties” members and last year’s “TOKYO Besties” members.
Last year’s members talked not only about their activities and tips for content creation, but also about how they stayed in touch even after the program ended. There was also a Q&A session where the fourth-term members had the opportunity to gain many insights into their upcoming activities.
After the event, the members visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and tried out the capsule toy machines located on the first floor of the building, near the Tokyo Tourist Information Center, which are very popular among international travelers. Furthermore, the team also participated in the “How to ‘Hello Tokyo’ CAPSULE” event – a capsule toy event, which was held for a limited time, at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building’s South Observation Deck. The event was designed to help visitors enjoy sightseeing while learning the local etiquette and other cultural norms. (The event has since concluded.)
Each member enjoyed taking photos from the observation deck and capturing moments of each other having fun with the capsule toys, deepening their connections with one another. The experience as a whole became a great starting point for understanding Tokyo’s charms from an international traveler’s perspective.
Follow “TOKYO Besties” on Social Media
Through the end of March 2027, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s official PR team “TOKYO Besties” will actively share the various charms of Tokyo from unique perspectives on Instagram and YouTube.
New content will continue to be released, featuring local food, hidden gems, and more selected from the unique perspectives of young people who spend their everyday lives in Tokyo.
Please make sure to check out the latest updates from our official social media accounts!