Discover insider tips, travel guides, and inspiring stories for your next adventure in Japan
Hello Kitty, My Melody, Cinnamoroll, Kuromi, and more beloved Sanrio Characters come together in a fun educational activity book for children, releasing on July 16, 2026, complete with a special clear ice cream-designed sticker diary supplement.
The second edition of the miniature kids' sandal capsule toy featuring Sanrio Characters designs launches in capsule toy vending machines across Japan from late June 2026, offering five new varieties in pastel colors.
Sarutahiko Coffee introduces three new summer drinks — the Choco Mint Jellatte, the returning Bitter Orange Americano, and the seasonal Himawari Blend — available from June 23, 2026 at locations across Japan.
SEGA is running a limited-time special sale on select PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, and Nintendo Switch titles through the PlayStation Store and Nintendo eShop, with discounts running until July 1, 2026.
Café Tostina at Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel is hosting the "Asian Tropical Sweets & Bakery" event from July 1 to 31, 2026, featuring tropical fruit-inspired sweets, bakery items, a sweets box, and afternoon tea.
From July 1 to September 30, 2026, Shin-Yokohama Prince Hotel is offering special summer deals, including the "Heat Escape Stay" plan with 50% off room rates on days when temperatures hit 35°C or above, plus all-you-can-eat shaved ice at the rooftop BBQ terrace and a visit-count campaign at the Japanese restaurant on the 40th floor.
The Basement Gallery at Shinjuku 北村写真機店 (Kitamura Camera) will host a special Shoji Ueda retrospective from July 1 to 31, 2026, showcasing previously unseen color photographs alongside iconic original prints and personal mementos of the legendary Japanese photographer.
Shiraraso Grand Hotel in Shirahama, Wakayama, is launching new autumn and winter stay plans including a chef's kaiseki course spotlighting carefully selected local ingredients and a kue (longtooth grouper) kaiseki course featuring the prized fish.
From July 18 to August 31, 2026, Shizukuishi Prince Hotel in Iwate Prefecture hosts a starlit summer evening event featuring night garden BBQ, a ropeway ride to the summit, LED golf, special readings, and a Perseid meteor shower observation night.
Shunpanro Honten in Shimonoseki, Japan's first licensed fugu restaurant, launches a new weekday-only "ふぐ食べ比べ清涼会席" (Fugu Tabe-kurabe Seiryo Kaiseki) course featuring a side-by-side comparison of domestically farmed tiger puffer and wild fugu varieties, priced at ¥7,700 including all-you-can-drink.
The evening performance of the stage event SOUND THEATRE x Natsume's Book of Friends, taking place on July 18, 2026 in Tokyo, will be streamed live exclusively on U-NEXT. Additional after-talk performers and new merchandise items have also been revealed.
Sumikkogurashi has been named the official support character for the special exhibition "Nanto Butsuga," a joint project with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, held at the Nara National Museum from July 18 to September 13, 2026. Collaboration merchandise featuring the characters alongside Buddhist masterpieces will be sold at the venue.