Discover insider tips, travel guides, and inspiring stories for your next adventure in Japan
Matsuzakaya Ueno's "Hoppetown" food floor hosts a series of weekly pop-up events throughout July, bringing together sought-after shops including 船橋屋 (Funabashiya), 舟和 (Funawa), and 亀十 (Kamejuu), alongside special eel bento for Doyo no Ushi Day and seasonal sweets.
Specialty chocolate shop Minimal - Bean to Bar Chocolate is bringing back its signature chocolate shaved ice this summer in a new two-layer design, available at three Tokyo locations from July 1 to September 30, 2026.
Due to overwhelming popularity, Mister Donut's Mocchyurin Kinako and Mocchyurin Mitarashi will sell until ingredients run out starting mid-July, while the planned Phase 2 lineup has been cancelled to prevent further store congestion.
Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum in Tokyo's Marunouchi is holding a limited-time family scavenger hunt for children from July 14 to 20, 2026, alongside café collaborations, a costume event, and evening concerts tied to its ongoing "Artists at the Café" exhibition.
A new wellness-focused hot spring inn, Nishi-Izu Meguri ~MEGURI~, is opening on July 1, 2026 in Doi, Izu City, Shizuoka, offering 100% free-flowing natural hot springs, private saunas, gluten-free dining, and a range of wellness amenities across 39 rooms.
After a devastating fire in January 2026, the beloved Osaka meat wholesaler "Orosha Shibata" is making a grand comeback as "Agiya Orosha Shibata," a specialty fried food shop opening in Shinsekai on July 3, 2026.
THE OSAKA STATION HOTEL, Autograph Collection is bringing back its popular white peach afternoon tea for August 2026, featuring seasonal sweets, a parfait, and savory bites at THE LOBBY LOUNGE on the 29th floor.
Atlus has released the second character spotlight for Persona 4 Revival, introducing idol Rise Kujikawa and her unique support skills. She is also set to perform at X VORDER RUNWAY, a cross-genre fashion show and music live event at Makuhari Messe in September 2026.
Starting July 1, 2026, Ponshukan's 唎酒番所 sake tasting stations at three Niigata stations will update their price from ¥500 to ¥1,000 for five tasting coins, while launching themed courses, a sake concierge service, food pairings, and vessel comparison experiences.
From July 1 to September 30, 2026, the 皇家龍鳳 Chinese restaurant at RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka, Vignette Collection is running a summer-only HOT&COOL Fair, a three-dish lineup that pairs the deep heat of Sichuan cooking with refreshingly cool flavors to help diners beat the summer heat.
Winery Restaurant Saint Cousair in Iizuna Town, Nagano, is running a limited-time prix-fixe dinner service on select dates during the summer and autumn holidays — July 18-19, August 14-15, and September 19-22, 2026.
Five new lambs are joining Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill in July 2026, raising the total sheep count to 23 — the first time it has exceeded 20 since 2015.