Discover insider tips, travel guides, and inspiring stories for your next adventure in Japan
An event celebrating a major update for the arcade game THE iDOLM@STER TOURS will be held at Ikebukuro Sunshine City's Fountain Square on July 27, 2026, featuring cast members from THE IDOLM@STER series and a public live stream.
Ishii Sports Yodobashi Ikebukuro, a newly opened large-format outdoor and sporting goods store in Tokyo's Ikebukuro area, now features a finetrack corner showcasing the brand's 2026 spring/summer wear and 5-layering system, along with a limited-time opening campaign.
From July 6 to August 31, 2026, seafood izakaya chain Isomaru Suisan is holding a Korean Fair with spicy tteokbokki, gejang-style shrimp, bingsu, and Chamisul soju at most locations nationwide, alongside a July campaign offering app members a free chuhai coupon.
On August 29, 2026, JAF Mie Branch will rent out Toba Aquarium for two hours after closing, giving members a rare look at how the facility's marine life behaves after dark, plus original goods for participants.
Calbee is adding a new flavor to its Jagarico L Size lineup — a rich, basil-scented Genovese pizza taste — launching at convenience stores nationwide from July 13, 2026, for a limited time.
Kawasaki Racecourse in Kawasaki Ward, Kanagawa Prefecture, hosts its annual "Summer Night Festival 2026" on August 3–4, featuring bon-odori dancing, a nostalgic candy-shop stage show, a karaoke contest, festival stalls, and hand-held fireworks, plus a free outdoor screening kicking off this year's "Green Carpet Theater" movie series.
From July 10, 2026, Kobe Portopia Hotel's outdoor Roof Garden Pool and Night Pool are serving a summer poolside food and drink menu, along with a new Poolside Food & Beer Plan that pairs pool admission with a dining voucher.
To coincide with "Shigeru Mizuki's Yokai Summer Festival ~88 Mysterious Constellations~," running July 17 to August 31, 2026, Konica Minolta Planetaria Tokyo in Yurakucho is releasing limited-edition event goods and a yokai-themed cafe menu.
On August 7, 2026, United Cinemas Kishiwada in Osaka will be renamed Lawson-United Cinemas Kishiwada and will introduce a 4DX theater, bringing the chain's 4DX theater count to 23 nationwide. Ahead of feature screenings in the new 4DX theater, a specially produced short film capturing the Kishiwada Danjiri Festival with 4D motion, water, and wind effects will play, a first for a Japanese movie theater.
Mexican goods brand Letra is releasing a new black colorway of its handwoven mercado bags in three sizes, available exclusively through its WEB SHOP from July 3, 2026, alongside pop-up shops touring department stores in Kobe, Nagoya, Sapporo, Tokyo, and Fukuoka.
A limited-time pop-up store featuring newly drawn swimsuit-style illustrations of Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club members opens at Tokyo Anime Center in DNP PLAZA SHIBUYA from July 17 to August 2, 2026, offering original merchandise and a purchase lottery.
On July 11, 2026, guests staying the night before at Fairfield by Marriott Mie Kumano-Kodo Mihama can join a scarecrow-making workshop at Maruyama Senmaida, one of Japan's finest rice terraces in Kumano City, Mie Prefecture, hosted by the Kumano City Furusato Promotion Corporation.