Discover insider tips, travel guides, and inspiring stories for your next adventure in Japan
Saitama Children's Zoo is welcoming two new koalas, Arnold and Bubbles, from Queensland, Australia, marking 40 years since koalas first arrived at the park. A ceremony and public unveiling take place on August 22, 2026, followed by commemorative merchandise and events through Koala Day on October 25.
Starting July 16, 2026, SAKAI COFFEE is rolling out three summer-only dishes, a refreshing lemon pancake, a mango passion soda, and a chilled seafood pasta with salt malt and lemon.
Samantha Thavasa Japan Limited is releasing a new "Toy Story" collection inspired by Disney and Pixar's latest film Toy Story 5, featuring four bag and pouch items designed with colors and motifs themed around Woody and Buzz Lightyear, with pre-orders opening July 13 and nationwide sales starting July 21.
SAMANTHAVEGA is releasing its first collaboration collection with Sanrio's Sugarbunnies characters, featuring handbags, wallets, and bag charms available for advance order from July 10 and in stores nationwide from July 18, 2026.
A new capsule toy series turns five popular Sanrio Characters into acrylic pen lights that glow at the flip of a switch. The collection rolls out nationwide from late July 2026, priced at 500 yen per play.
IP Four Inc. is releasing "Sanrio Characters Cute! Softly Glowing Mascot Light," a six-piece capsule toy series featuring My Melody, Kuromi, and My Sweet Piano as gently glowing mascot lights, rolling out gradually from mid-July 2026 at capsule toy corners nationwide.
IP4 Co., Ltd. is releasing the "Sanrio Characters Spring-Top Mini Pouch Keychain" in capsule toy corners nationwide from late July 2026, with five easy-open designs featuring Hello Kitty, My Melody, Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin, and Kuromi.
IP Four Co., Ltd. will release the "Sanrio Characters Swim Ring Keychain" series (¥400 per capsule, tax included; 7 varieties total), featuring squishy, realistic swim ring charms, available at capsule toy corners nationwide from late July 2026.
Munyugurumi Patio is opening pre-orders for a new Sanrio Characters "Heart Measure" plush line, featuring 10 character designs, through its official EC site from July 17, with in-store sales following from July 21, 2026.
Sekigahara Warland's annual Wish-Making Wind Chime Festival returns with about 6,000 wind chimes strung along a 200-meter tunnel, joined this year by a new Shofu Uchiwa Matsuri displaying roughly 1,000 fans indoors, both running through September 30, 2026. Every visitor receives a free original uchiwa starting July 13, and an indoor Sennari Hyotan Matsuri gourd display continues into early December.
From July 18 to August 23, 2026, SENDAI UMINOMORI AQUARIUM presents "Umino-mori Summer Research," a program of keeper Q&A sessions, marine-life encounters, and lecture events that make for a great summer break independent-study project.
Shibuya Real Squid Game, the immersive event built around the Netflix series, has extended its run to August 31, 2026, with a 4.9-star Google rating, a collab cafe, and new student, family, and pair ticket discounts.