Discover insider tips, travel guides, and inspiring stories for your next adventure in Japan
SMILE SMART INN OKINAWA CHURAUMI, a new smart hotel in Motobu, Okinawa, opens on July 1, 2026 — just 4 minutes by car from Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, offering 25 fully-equipped rooms with contactless check-in.
The rain-themed limited-time doll "Raindrop" has returned to the dress-up and raising game Sugar Doll, along with a seasonal event and background packs running through summer 2026.
Suntory's long-selling -196 brand is adding Ruby Grapefruit as a permanent lineup item. The new canned chuhai hits shelves nationwide on July 28, 2026, in both 350ml and 500ml sizes.
The 130th edition of Tachibana E-Shuhan's "Goka Whisky Mikuji" whisky lottery went on sale June 1, 2026, with The Yamazaki 18 Years Old Single Malt Whisky as the top prize. The limited run is capped at 466 tickets priced at 3,980 yen (plus shipping).
A walk-around stamp rally celebrating the arrival of a Malaysian Elephant at Tennoji Zoo for the first time in about eight years kicks off on June 10, 2026, spanning seven locations across the Tennoji-Abeno area.
Starting June 2026, THE KOBE DINING CRUISE Concerto at Kobe Port is running two summer-limited events — a casual weekday Ship Beer Garden with all-you-can-eat-and-drink beer fare, and a new weekend Summer Buffet with stunning sea views. Both events include a yukata discount.
The interior goods maker's Hakata location transforms from a hamburger café into a full-scale casual Italian dining venue, with a soft open on June 9 and grand opening on June 19, 2026.
A limited-edition "Croissant Taiyaki Purin" — filled with vanilla bean custard cream and caramel sauce inside a crispy croissant shell — will go on sale at Tsukiji Gindaco taiyaki-handling stores nationwide starting June 8, 2026.
Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama is launching the "38°C MIRACLE Project" and inviting guests to submit names for all 19 Emperor Penguins living at the park, starting June 1, 2026.
The women-only climbing event ARC'TERYX WOMEN'S CLIMBING NIGHT will be held for the first time in Kansai on June 27, 2026, at D Bouldering Plus Lead Namba in Osaka. Free to attend, the event is open to women of junior high school age and above.
A crossover event between the mobile strategy RPG Ash Arms: The Last War and AI-deal-Rays began on May 28, 2026, featuring new story content, collaboration DOLLS, limited skins, and special shop items.
Card Connect, an arcade card printing machine found at amusement facilities across Japan, is running a Sanrio Characters collaboration event through Sunday, August 2.