Discover insider tips, travel guides, and inspiring stories for your next adventure in Japan
Since launching on May 20, 2026, ZEN Co., Ltd.'s DALULU character keychains, which blend Japan's daruma lucky charm with the twelve zodiac animals, have proven a hit with buyers. The mascots are now available at ZEN's online store, several Don Quijote locations, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building's north observation deck.
Monzen-Nakacho's dorayaki specialty shop Dorayama adds "Kurikuri Waguri Dora" to its monthly-changing Shun Dora lineup, a chestnut-packed dorayaki available for August only.
The immersive event Ehtel -"Release" Party- is underway at Shibuya Stream Hall through August 28, 2026, and newly released photos reveal the sensory experience content across its three floors, from a product pop-up store to large-scale interactive installations.
DeAGOSTINI Japan has opened pre-orders for Neon Genesis Evangelion Osechi 2027, a New Year osechi set with an originally designed tiered box, mech- and character-themed dishes, and exclusive bonus items including a water-repellent furoshiki and celebratory chopsticks.
EYEUP is releasing four new Ghost-type Pokémon goods items — an Acrylic Marker Charm Set, a Domiteria Key Chain, and two sizes of Honeycomb Acrylic Magnet — arriving at retailers nationwide from September 2026, with pre-orders open now at the EYEUP Official Online Store.
From September 1 to November 30, 2026, FOREST KITCHEN with Outdoor Living inside Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East offers a limited-time autumn afternoon tea featuring seasonal chestnut and pumpkin accented with caramel, including eight sweets, four savories, and a seasonal parfait.
A pop-up shop celebrating GC Novels' 12th anniversary is set to open at Gran Entus in Akihabara from August 7 to August 23, 2026, offering new merchandise and a limited-edition coaster as a purchase bonus.
Oshu City in Iwate Prefecture is testing WANDERIDE, glafit's e-bike micro-sharing service, with free trial rides around Oshu Lake throughout August 2026. Riders aged 16 and up can explore lakeside routes on an electric cycle that requires no driver's license.
GRAND MONday Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi, hotel MONday Group's 40th property and the first Kansai location for its top-tier "GRAND MONday" brand, opens near Shijo Kawaramachi on September 18, 2026, with 32 all-suite rooms featuring full kitchens, washer-dryers, and a rooftop terrace overlooking the Higashiyama hills.
To celebrate its 4th anniversary, Kinnotake Saryo — a Hakone ryokan that grew out of a hot spring inn founded in 1947 — is giving every guest who visits between August 15 and August 31, 2026, a specially made biscotti from the nearby sister cafe LuDERA.
Hakone Retreat före & villa 1/f in Sengokuhara is introducing a one-night, two-day wellness retreat created with yoga and Ayurveda instructor AZUSA, featuring yoga, Ayurveda workshops, and a special seasonal dinner, available October 24 to 25, 2026.
Hankyu Umeda Main Store is holding an Instagram giveaway campaign for madeleines from matcha sweets brand MAMIDORI from August 4 to 25, 2026, followed by the "MATCHA LOVERS MARKET" pop-up event from August 16 to 25.