Discover insider tips, travel guides, and inspiring stories for your next adventure in Japan
The smartphone game based on the hit TV anime series Yowamushi Pedal has crossed 250,000 pre-registrations, with a celebratory follow-and-repost campaign now underway on the official X account offering an original life-size character panel.
NiNi, the 38th-floor all-day dining venue at 1 Hotel Tokyo in Akasaka, is introducing a summer edition of its popular Weekend Brunch from July 25, 2026, with new seasonal dishes and optional courses featuring FOS-certified caviar and free-flow Champagne.
From July 20, 10 Soba is expanding its lineup of cold soba served with a rich dipping broth to four tsukesoba dishes, along with a new summer-only corn kakiage, across its Kyoto and Osaka locations.
The 19th Azumino Fireworks Festival takes place on August 14, 2026, in Azumino City, Nagano, with about 4,000 fireworks including music fireworks and an extra-large starmine finale. Viewing tickets and parking passes are on sale now.
Aburaya Ryokan, the last remaining inn in Itsukaichi, Tokyo after 114 years in business, has renewed its exterior and interior and relaunched its website with an online gallery tracing the town's streetscape from the inn's 1912 founding to today.
Sync Innovation has opened pre-orders for new Ace of the Diamond act II -Second Season- merchandise featuring the "mochocho" illustration series with a monster costume theme, including can badges and stickers, from July 14 through August 4, 2026.
Since March, baby sheep, kangaroos, a Tokara goat, and three species of monkeys have been born in the Animal Forest at Uminonakamichi Seaside Park in Fukuoka — including the first sheep birth in five years and the first Tokara goat birth in seven years.
AEON's exclusive brand "PART2 BY JUNKO SHIMADA" begins selling a new Hello Kitty collaboration collection on July 16, 2026, offering 15 items — including dresses, T-shirts, and tote bags — in a Paris-inspired tricolor design, available at around 300 AEON and AEON Style stores nationwide and on AEON Style Online.
Lifestyle brand Afternoon Tea LIVING has released a new tableware line called HAPPY TEA TIME, featuring hand-drawn floral motifs and playful rounded silhouettes, now available at stores nationwide and the Afternoon Tea official online store.
From July 1 to August 31, 2026, ANA Crowne Plaza Okayama's Casual Dining Urbano serves the seasonal twin parfait "Midsummer," combining Funao's Muscat of Alexandria grapes with Soja's white peaches, with extended hours through July 31.
Aquaworld Oarai in Ibaraki is filling summer 2026 with seasonal programs, including its renewed Dolphins and Sea Lions Ocean Live show, a summer version of the sardine display IWASHI LIFE, the "Matsuri Aquaworld" festival with themed exhibits and food, a Sumikko Gurashi collaboration, and Saturday night openings, running from July 16 through September 23.
Yanoman and Japan Art Media have launched a crowdfunding campaign on CAMPFIRE for the "Aretha Reunion Project," aiming to bring back the beloved Aretha role-playing game series after 35 years of dormancy. Running through August 31, 2026, the campaign covers modern re-releases, official merchandise, and a long-term roadmap that includes a possible new anime and game title.