Discover insider tips, travel guides, and inspiring stories for your next adventure in Japan
JUNGLIA OKINAWA introduces a cooling ice poncho rental service in partnership with STEAD Technology, offering visitors a comfortable way to enjoy the outdoor theme park during Okinawa's hot summer.
Junji Ito's annual summer pop-up store returns to Nakano Broadway's Hakaba no Garou from July 2 to August 17, 2026, this time themed around "Zankyou" (lingering screams), with exclusive merchandise including a special key visual drawn by Junji Ito himself.
The "Shiragiku" memorial firework, launched annually since 2020 to honor victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake, will be fired from Nehama Beach in Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture on July 11, 2026.
Lincoln Hyokaten, a specialty kakigori shop from the restaurant group that started with shaved ice, opens in Machida, Tokyo on June 22, 2026, offering four signature shaved ice creations crafted by a Japanese cuisine artisan.
Tokyo Metro and Kyujitsu Hack are hosting a new spinoff installment of their immersive experience game Metro Time Gate: Guardian Archivist at the Tokyo Subway Museum in Edogawa, Tokyo, starting June 26, 2026.
Mother Farm in Futtsu, Chiba, is currently home to approximately 2,000 hydrangea plants in peak bloom, with two varieties on display across the park's garden and walking trail. A limited-edition color-changing lemonade drink is also available through late June.
On July 7, 2026, the anime park Nijigennomori on Awaji Island will host a special one-night event at NARUTO & BORUTO Shinobi-Zato as part of the Tanabata Festival. After sunset, Naruto Uzumaki appears for a group greeting and a commemorative photo session with visitors under the starry sky.
Original merchandise based on TV anime Nippon Sangoku: The Three Nations of the Crimson Sun — including trading can badges, acrylic keychains, acrylic stands, and more — is now available for pre-order, with shipping expected in September 2026.
Niseko Grand Hirafu, the all-season nature resort in Hokkaido, kicks off its 2026 summer season on July 4, offering gondola rides with panoramic mountain views, scenic dining at NEST813, new pickleball courts, and expanded water activities including rafting and river SUP in partnership with NAC.
Palm-sized cases shaped like real macarons featuring Hello Kitty, Pompompurin, Kuromi, My Melody, and Tuxedosam are rolling out from late June 2026 at capsule toy vending machines across Japan.
Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store's basement food hall is spotlighting minazuki (水無月), a traditional Japanese wagashi tied to the Nagoshi no Harae midsummer purification ritual held on June 30, with offerings from nine specialty confectionery shops available for a limited time.
Brasserie RÉGINE at the St. Regis Hotel Osaka is offering a summer menu for its "Appetizer Marché" from July 1 to September 30, 2026, inspired by the Mediterranean and the flavors of southern France.