Discover insider tips, travel guides, and inspiring stories for your next adventure in Japan
Square Enix has kicked off Square Enix Summer Sale Part 2, offering discounts on titles marking anniversaries such as the 30th year of the Star Ocean series and the 35th anniversary of FINAL FANTASY IV, alongside the first-ever sale of Life is Strange: Reunion.
Starting July 9, Starward revives its collaboration with Kotobukiya's anime Frame Arms Girl alongside Version 3.1, bringing a new summer event, swimsuit skins, and three new original Star Operators available through limited-time gacha.
THE HAIR BAR TOKYO's Summer POP-UP runs at NEWoMan Yokohama from July 23 to August 12, 2026, spotlighting three brands over three weeks — TURTLE STORY, Colette Malouf, and THBT — with limited and early-release hair accessories plus up-style demonstrations.
Tokyo Bay Ariake Washington Hotel unveils its newly renovated lobby on July 15, 2026, themed as an "extraordinary oasis enveloped by shimmering water and light," complete with a Packing & Dressing Room for guests attending nearby conventions. A members-only renewal plan and a second Yurikamome collaboration room, themed as a mini train museum, are also introduced.
Tokyo Islands Explorer, a new booking system for package tours to Tokyo's Izu Islands, officially launches on July 9, 2026, letting inbound travelers book accommodation, transportation, and island activities together in one place.
To mark its 100th anniversary, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum presents the fourth edition of its Art Communication Programs showcase from July 31 to August 10, with a video installation, works by Tokyo University of the Arts graduates, and free admission.
Tomimatsu Shrine in Omura, Nagasaki, has opened "Circulating Bamboo Wind Chimes," a bamboo installation created with architecture firm Schemata Architects, turning the shrine's sacred sumo ring into an everyday gathering place for the local community.
A pop-up shop celebrating the 20th anniversary of Dengeki Bunko's Toradora! light novel series opens at Yurakucho Marui from August 1 to 16, 2026, offering newly illustrated acrylic figures, trading goods, and other original merchandise.
To mark the 20th anniversary of Toradora!, arma bianca and Animate's joint brand "arti-mate" is releasing Animate-exclusive original apparel and goods featuring new artwork by YASU, with in-store sales starting September 26, 2026, and online pre-orders opening July 13, 2026.
EXNOA has opened pre-registration for Touken Ranbu Pazugiri, a new puzzle RPG featuring sword warriors from Touken Ranbu ONLINE, with reward tiers that grow alongside the number of sign-ups. A repost campaign celebrating the release of the official PV also guarantees every winner one of several prizes, including Eraberu Pay and original smartphone wallpapers.
Towada Prince Hotel on the west shore of Lake Towada has begun offering a stay plan that includes a gasoline ticket, helping guests offset fuel costs while touring the fresh greenery of Lake Towada and the Oirase Stream by car this summer.
Toyosu Parlor, the original dessert brand of the e-commerce site Toyosu Ichiba.com, has released a chilled summer verrine layered with compote made from Yamagata's prized "Sato Nishiki" cherries, raspberry-scented jelly, and rare cheese made with Hokkaido cream cheese.