Discover insider tips, travel guides, and inspiring stories for your next adventure in Japan
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.
Tachibana E-Shuhan's new "Mugen no Goun Mikuji Vol. 1" whisky lottery goes on sale July 30, 2026, limited to 466 entries at 4,980 yen each. Every draw delivers a bottle, with prizes ranging from Taketsuru 21 Years Old Pure Malt to Hakushu 12 and Hibiki Japanese Harmony.
![woofie Launches New Sand Cookie [Caramel & White Chocolate] and 10-Piece Assort at Shinjuku from August 1](https://assets.hldycdn.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=webp,quality=75,width=400/1c482b7b-06d4-4dc4-9dc4-f9968602b5f9.jpeg)
A new Sand Cookie [Caramel & White Chocolate] and a Sand Cookie Assort 10-Piece box join woofie's lineup on August 1, 2026, available exclusively at Iito Lumine Shinjuku for a limited time.
From August 5 to 26, 2026, Yokohama Grand Intercontinental Hotel will fill its lobby and entrance with sunflowers for "HIMAWARI Week," including a special ice sculpture display on August 20 to mark the hotel's 35th opening anniversary, plus a limited-edition lemon cake sold for five days only.
Phoenixx Inc. will publish Zashikiwarashi Kareshi I LOVE Ramen, a yokai romantic comedy novel game by creator Arabana Nunu, with the Steam store page now live and a demo launching on August 20, 2026.
Bushiroad has released the first episode of "Chobitto Zero Rise," a comical new voice drama series following the daily lives of characters from the cross-media project ZERO RISE.