Guest performers are joining each city's run this year. Actress Tomomi Nishimura appears in the Tokyo performance, FM FUKUOKA personality Fumi Saito and announcer Nozomi Aichi join the Fukuoka run, and Erika Haneda takes part in the Osaka performance.
Immersive entertainment, built around experiences where the line between reality and fiction blurs, has become one of the most talked-about trends in Japan, and interest in this kind of live, participatory entertainment is arguably at an all-time high.
Mystery Night began back in 1987, well before those terms were in common use. Ahead of its 40th anniversary next year, this year's pre-anniversary edition brings in guest performers for each region and gives fans a slightly different experience at every stop. Produced by E-Pin Kikaku, the series pairs a dense, hands-on mystery format with stagecraft from professional actors, offering a cool, thrilling way to spend an evening indoors during the summer heat.
Mystery Night 2026, themed "The Gates of the Forbidden Realm — the Red Carpet Lures You Into a Case," runs this month in three cities:
- Tokyo (Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa): August 14 (Fri), 15 (Sat), 16 (Sun)
- Fukuoka (Denki Biru Mirai Hall): August 22 (Sat)
- Osaka (Rihga Royal Hotel): August 29 (Sat)
What Is Mystery Night?
Launched in 1987 and sometimes described as a "championship of deduction," Mystery Night combines a hotel stay, a live theatrical performance, and a mystery-solving experience in one package. Guests stay overnight at the hotel, watch an incident unfold on stage in front of them, and then spend the rest of the experience as a "detective" working to solve the case.
2026 Cast
Shinji Hiwatari, Mie Shimizu, Tatsuya Shirato, Kouya Suzuki, Meibi, So Ito, and Naoto Kitanouchi make up this year's regular cast.
Guest performers vary by city:
- Tokyo: Tomomi Nishimura, Babi-ichi Sano
- Fukuoka: Fumi Saito, Nozomi Aichi (FM FUKUOKA)
- Osaka: Erika Haneda
The Story
The case unfolds during the Japan Artist Great Award, known as JAGA, held at a hotel. Almost all of the nominated artists, including actors, singers, and other performers, are abducted from their green rooms in a stunning turn of events.
A handful of artists who escaped the abduction make it to the now-chaotic venue, but their accounts of what happened don't add up. Then an explosion outside seals the venue shut.
With performers and audience members alike caught up in the unfolding incident, what happens next? Who is responsible, and what do they want? What becomes of the people who were abducted, and of those trapped inside the venue?
It's up to each guest's powers of deduction to find out.
Tokyo Performance: Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa
Three overnight sessions are offered:
- August 14 (Fri) – 15 (Sat)
- August 15 (Sat) – 16 (Sun)
- August 16 (Sun) – 17 (Mon)
Each session is a one-night, two-day stay. Check-in is from 4:00 PM. The "incident" chapter runs from 9:00 PM for session 1 and from 8:00 PM for sessions 2 and 3; the "solution" chapter takes place the following day, from 11:00 AM for session 1 and from 10:00 AM for sessions 2 and 3. A dinner plan that includes hints is also available as an add-on.
https://www.princehotels.co.jp/shintakanawa/plan/mysterynight2026/
Fukuoka Performance: Denki Biru Mirai Hall
August 22 (Sat). Doors open at 10:00 AM, with the performance running from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
This is the only full-day, hall-based performance in the lineup, giving guests a chance to spend an entire day immersed in the mystery. An optional lunch or dinner plan with hints is available across the street at Hotel New Otani Hakata.
https://epin.co.jp/mysterynight/2026/fukuoka.html
Osaka Performance: Rihga Royal Hotel
August 29 (Sat) – 30 (Sun), a one-night, two-day stay. Check-in is from 4:00 PM. The "incident" chapter begins at 9:00 PM, with the "solution" chapter the following day from 10:00 AM. A dinner plan that includes hints is also available as an add-on.
