Columns [Column] Where Does Innovation Emerge—If Not on the Stage? Designing Spaces That Blend Diverse Perspectives [TechGALA Japan 2026]

Columns

Japan Events 【IVS 2026】July 1–3 at Miyakomesse in Kyoto; Theme “Japan is Back,” Invitation-Only Area at Hotel Okura Kyoto

Japan Events

Japan Events 【April 2026】38 Must-Attend Trade Shows and Events: SEA JAPAN, SusHi Tech Tokyo, TEAMZ WEB3/AI SUMMIT and More

Japan Events

Exhibitions & Events SIMTOS 2026, One of Korea’s Largest Manufacturing Technology Trade Shows, to Be Held April 13–17 at KINTEX: Key Highlights and Updated Access Information

Exhibitions & Events

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Art & Culture Creators Caravan Utsunomiya, One of the Largest Entertainment Networking Festivals in Northern Kanto, to Be Held July 31–August 1, 2026 / Banpō Tsūshō Named Title Sponsor

Art & Culture

Columns

[Column] Where Does Innovation Emerge—If Not on the Stage? Designing Spaces That Blend Diverse Perspectives [TechGALA Japan 2026]

In January 2026, “TechGALA Japan 2026” was held in Nagoya.One particular session raised a central question: how should environments that foster innovation be designed? Do the events or communities you organize tend to bring together similar participants? Do they risk becoming spaces where attendees only listen to speakers? The structure of a setting can influence...

Japan Events

【IVS 2026】July 1–3 at Miyakomesse in Kyoto; Theme “Japan is Back,” Invitation-Only Area at Hotel Okura Kyoto

Japan’s largest startup conference, IVS 2026, will take place in Kyoto over three days from July 1 to July 3, 2026. This year’s theme is “Japan is Back.” In addition to the main venue, Kyoto International Exhibition Hall Miyakomesse, the event will introduce a new area called IVS CORE. This invitation-only space for decision-makers will...

Japan Events

【April 2026】38 Must-Attend Trade Shows and Events: SEA JAPAN, SusHi Tech Tokyo, TEAMZ WEB3/AI SUMMIT and More

With the start of a new fiscal year, many professionals find themselves meeting new colleagues, joining new teams, and engaging with new business partners. This is also a season when opportunities to exchange business cards increase. At trade shows and events, conversations often begin with a simple introduction, and in some cases lead to unexpected...

Exhibitions & Events

SIMTOS 2026, One of Korea’s Largest Manufacturing Technology Trade Shows, to Be Held April 13–17 at KINTEX: Key Highlights and Updated Access Information

SIMTOS, one of Asia’s largest manufacturing technology trade shows, will return in April 2026 at the KINTEX exhibition center in Goyang, South Korea. The event will bring together more than 1,300 companies from 35 countries, showcasing the latest machine tools and advanced manufacturing technologies incorporating AI. As a major international gathering for the manufacturing industry,...

Art & Culture

Creators Caravan Utsunomiya, One of the Largest Entertainment Networking Festivals in Northern Kanto, to Be Held July 31–August 1, 2026 / Banpō Tsūshō Named Title Sponsor

Creators Caravan Utsunomiya, one of the largest entertainment networking events in the Northern Kanto region, will be held over two days on July 31 and August 1, 2026, in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture. The event is organized by Trident Works Co., Ltd., with Banpō Tsūshō Co., Ltd. serving as the title sponsor. The initiative aims...

Art & Culture

Salone del Mobile.Milano 2026: One of the World’s Largest Furniture and Interior Design Fairs — Its History and Outlook for 2026 (April 21–26)

Salone del Mobile.Milano, held in Milan, Italy, is one of the world’s largest international trade fairs dedicated to furniture and interior design. The event not only showcases the latest trends in the industry but has also developed into a large-scale, multifaceted MICE event that extends across the entire city. As such, it attracts significant attention...

Hotels & Venues

INSPIRE Entertainment Resort in Incheon Is More Than a Casino — Exploring the Strength of “Integrated Operations” That Support MICE [Korea 2025 Autumn Feature 4]

Osaka’s Integrated Resort (IR), scheduled to open in 2030, has attracted significant attention in Japan. In seeking insight into how such a development may function in practice, we conducted on-site coverage of INSPIRE Entertainment Resort in Incheon, South Korea, which has emerged as a leading case study in the region. What does “integrated operations,” a...

Exhibitions & Events

KINTEX, Korea’s Largest Exhibition Venue—Within 30 Minutes of Seoul by High-Speed Rail: KINTEX and Goyang City’s MICE Strategy, with Reports from Exhibitions Held on Site [Korea 2025 Autumn Feature 2]

KINTEX (Korea International Exhibition Center), the largest exhibition and convention center in South Korea, is positioned as one of Asia’s leading MICE innovation platforms. Established on April 29, 2005, as a joint investment project between the national government and local authorities, KINTEX was developed with the dual objective of internationalizing Korea’s exhibition industry and addressing...

Hotels & Venues

Why Companies and Sports Teams Are Choosing Obihiro, Hokkaido for Corporate Retreats and Training Camps — Facilities, Local Support, and Regional Strengths Examined On Site

Vast open plains stretching toward the distant Hidaka Mountains. Hot air balloons floating in the sky, a rich culinary scene, and beautifully maintained gardens. These may be the images that come to mind when thinking of the Tokachi region in Hokkaido, a destination well known for tourism. However, when Obihiro—the central city of Tokachi—is viewed...

Japanese Pop Culture

MICE to Appear? Yokohama City Announces Collaboration with Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway — A Look at MICE Settings in Past Conan Films

The latest installment in the long-running franchise, Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway, is scheduled for nationwide release on April 10, 2026. The film has already attracted attention for its subtitle, read directly as “Daten-shi” (Fallen Angel). For professionals in the MICE sector, however, a different aspect may warrant closer examination: the possibility that...

aonia-utsunomiya
Hotels & Venues

Singapore and Tochigi Connected Through Sake: Exploring the Potential of MICE in Regional Revitalization Through a Trade Mission

History, culture, nature, and people. How are the elements that feel familiar to us perceived from overseas? In November 2025, the “Discover Tochigi” tour was held in Utsunomiya City. The program was structured as a trade mission visiting sake breweries across Tochigi Prefecture. Participants noted that behind the craftsmanship refined over multiple generations, they sensed...

busan-25
Hotels & Venues

PR/Is Busan, South Korea the Ideal Destination for a First Overseas Workation?A One-Week Business Stay Report Covering Work, Sightseeing, and Daily Life — From Taxis and Hotels to Convenience Stores and Local Cuisine

Among overseas destinations close to Japan, South Korea stands out for its accessibility. Within the country, Busan is the nearest major metropolitan city. With no time difference, convenient access, a mild and comfortable climate, reasonably priced hotels, and a wide range of affordable dining options, the city offers a familiar yet international environment. Traditional markets...

Japan Events

Advance Ticket Sales for GREEN×EXPO 2027 to Begin on March 19

The Japan Association for the 2027 International Horticultural Expo (official name: Public Interest Incorporated Association for the 2027 International Horticultural Expo) has announced that advance sales of admission tickets for GREEN×EXPO 2027 will begin on March 19, 2026, one year prior to the opening of the Expo. Advance Sales Begin March 19: Early-Bird One-Day Ticket...

sxsw
Global Events

SXSW 2026 Approaches: The 40th Anniversary of the “World’s Largest Convergence Festival” and Why It Matters for Japan — March 12–18 in Austin, Texas

In March 2026, South by Southwest (SXSW) will take place in Austin, Texas, entering what may be one of the most transformative moments in its 40-year history. With the closure of the Austin Convention Center, venues will be further decentralized across the city, and for the first time, the music, film, and interactive tracks will...

Global Events

HANNOVER MESSE 2026: Event Overview and Highlights — One of the World’s Largest Industrial Trade Fairs for Manufacturing, Held April 20–24 in Germany

HANNOVER MESSE is one of the world’s largest trade fairs dedicated to industrial technology. It is held at the Hannover Exhibition Grounds in Germany and typically brings together around 4,000 exhibiting companies and approximately 123,000 visitors over five days. The 2025 edition concluded under the theme “Tailwind for Industry,” emphasizing momentum and resilience within the...

Hotels & Venues

Redevelopment Project “KAMIHACHI X” Announced to Strengthen MICE and Accommodation Functions in Central Hiroshima — First “Andaz” by Hyatt in the Chugoku Region

The name of the high-rise tower and the hotel brand to be introduced on its upper floors have been announced for the Motomachi Aioi-dori District Type I Urban Redevelopment Project currently underway in central Hiroshima City. The high-rise tower will be named “KAMIHACHI X.” The hotel brand selected for the upper floors is Hyatt Hotels...

MICE Basics

Gala Dinners and MICE: How to Leverage Gala Dinners to Elevate MICE Events — Historical Background and Practical Considerations

The MICE (Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions/Conferences, and Exhibitions/Events) industry plays a central role in facilitating international business and academic exchange, connecting companies, organizations, and academic institutions across borders. For event organizers, however, success is defined not only by the functional aspects of conferences or exhibitions, but also by the ability to maximize opportunities for interaction...

Games & Pop Culture

Tokyo Game Show 2026 Announced Celebrating 30th Anniversary with Record 5 Day Event

The Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA), in co-organization with Nikkei Business Publications and Sony Music Solutions, has officially announced the event outline for Tokyo Game Show 2026 (TGS2026). Celebrating its momentous 30th anniversary, the event will be held for a record-breaking five days. We provide the details on this world-class gaming festival, which will be...

MICE TIMES ONLINE is a Kyoto-based web media platform dedicated to MICE, conventions, and events. We deliver news and insights from Japan and across Asia, with the concept of “Capturing the Now of MICE” — staying on top of the latest trends and developments in the industry. We welcome contributions of information as well as inquiries regarding potential business partnerships.

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