Discover insider tips, travel guides, and inspiring stories for your next adventure in Japan
On Saturday, August 15, 2026, the Asakusa Tourism Federation and Sumida City once again float roughly 5,000 paper lanterns along both banks of the Sumida River, with more launch points added this year to shorten the wait for visitors hoping to send one downstream.
Merchandise from the Sword Art Online POP UP SHOP, previously held at DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, is now available for post-event online order via the THEキャラ shopping site through August 17, 2026.
A bistro-style izakaya called "Taishu Sakaba Frenchman," known as a midday-drinking destination that started in Osaka, opens its first Kyushu location inside Fukuoka's Tenjin Business Center II on August 4, 2026, serving French bistro dishes from 198 yen.
Tateshina Tokyu Hotel in Chino City, Nagano, has completed the first phase of a renovation to its cottage building, introducing a "Pet Welcome Cottage" that begins welcoming guests together with their dogs on August 20, 2026.
On Saturday, August 1, 2026, THE NIIGATA is opening a booth at Ginza's Yukata de Gin-bura 2026, selling Niigata's summer specialties such as edamame, sake, and cider, with appearances by local mascots Reruhi-san and Unajiro-kun.
From August 1 to 15, 2026, The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike will set up a reception space in its lobby where guests can offer gomagi votive sticks for "Matsugasaki Myoho," one of the bonfires of the Kyoto Gozan Okuribi lit near the hotel, alongside video screenings introducing the traditional Matsugasaki Daimoku Odori and Sashi Odori dances.
From September 1 to November 30, 2026, Tea Salon Pikake at Tokyo Prince Hotel is serving a limited-time "Shine Muscat Afternoon Tea," a three-tiered menu built around the jewel-like sweetness and aroma of Shine Muscat grapes, paired with a savory course featuring lobster royale.
From August 5, Tully's Coffee is bringing its frozen drink lineup together under the name SHAQOOL and launching two new summer drinks, including a vanilla affogato flavor timed to its 29th anniversary.
UNI COFFEE ROASTERY, UNI DONUTS, and UNI COFFEE ROASTERY BON BON are adding five mango-based sweets and drinks, including a frappe, tart, shaved ice, donut, and panna cotta, for a limited time starting August 1, 2026.
Starting July 30, 2026, exclusive Village Vanguard collaboration merchandise for the countryside life simulation game Village in the Shade goes on sale at the Village Vanguard Online Store, timed to the game's release.
To mark manga artist Kazuo Umezz's 90th birthday, Village Vanguard is releasing limited apparel and goods featuring art from "Makoto-chan," "Senrei," and "Orochi" at 72 stores nationwide from August 7, with online pre-orders opening July 30 at 6:00 PM.
FAIRYTAIL is releasing a perfume collection inspired by the five members of Quintet from the TV anime "There's No Freaking Way I'll Be Your Lover! Unless...", with pre-orders opening July 30 at the DREAMING PRINCESS online store, Amazon, and Rakuten Ichiba.