Discover insider tips, travel guides, and inspiring stories for your next adventure in Japan
Sengoku strategy game Shishi No Gotoku is celebrating its 7th anniversary on August 27, 2026, with a special anniversary website, 14 in-game events, and campaigns offering real bottles of collaboration sake to lottery winners both in-game and on the official X account.
Shobido has opened pre-orders for the Colorful Toy Series, a new line of pouches, totes, and charms featuring Buzz Lightyear and Alien from Disney and Pixar's Toy Story, with shipping expected in late October 2026.
Generation Pass's simplus brand introduces the SP-BKWMR01, a compact bucket-style washing machine operated entirely by remote control, designed for quick separate loads such as muddy shoes, baby items, or pet gear.
SOZO, an incense brand from 株式会社新香 on Awaji Island, releases "VERMEER × SOZO AROMA INCENSE," incense collaborating with Johannes Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, whose colors and scents shift over about 20 minutes, to coincide with the Girl with a Pearl Earring exhibition opening at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka on August 21, 2026.
From September 21 to 23, 2026, SPICE LAB TOKYO in Ginza welcomes guest chef Yoshiyuki Okuno of Brianza Group for a three-day-only course built around aroma, blending Indian and Italian cuisine, with reservations opening August 20.
St. Regis Hotel Osaka and traditional Japanese confectioner Taneya mark their fourth collaboration with "St. Regis Afternoon Tea with TANEYA," served at St. Regis Bar from September 1 to November 15, 2026, with a menu built around the flavors of autumn.
Sega has released S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope, the large-scale expansion for GSC Game World's S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, alongside a new launch trailer, a major Update 2.0 for the base game, and a limited-time 30% off sale.
DMM GAMES' idol game STELLAR IDOL PROJECT holds a special stage at Tokyo Game Show 2026, with voice actors Yui Sakakibara and Musubi Aono performing live vocals and music creator Hige Driver bringing a DJ set built around the game's soundtrack.
From September 3 to November 30, 2026, China Shadow on the 26th floor of Strings Hotel Tokyo InterContinental adds a limited-time menu featuring seasonal Hokkaido ingredients to its dim sum course, letting guests build a personalized lunch or dinner from steamed and fried dim sum, with prices starting at ¥7,700.
Strings Hotel Nagoya marks its 10th anniversary this year, and its 1st floor teppanyaki restaurant Takumi is serving a Five Senses Autumn Course from September 11 to November 11, 2026, built around Aichi beef, angel shrimp, and a Shine Muscat tart.
Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto will renovate its historic restaurant buildings from December 1, 2026, through February 28, 2027, temporarily closing Saryo Hassui while Kyo Suiran continues to operate as usual.
Sylvanian Families Exciting Adventure Mountain, from Epoch Co., Ltd., has won the Grand Prize in the Basic Division at the Japan Toy Awards 2026. The winning playset will be on display at the Japan Toy Awards 2026 booth during Tokyo Toy Show 2026, scheduled for August 27 to 30 at Tokyo Big Sight.