MICE News

Hotels & Venues

Hilton Tokyo Completes Renovation of All Banquet Halls becoming Next Generation MICE Facility with Largest LED Wall in Japan

Hilton Tokyo, located in Shinjuku, has completed a large-scale renovation of its entire banquet floors on the 3rd and 4th levels. This renovation was conducted with a multimillion-dollar investment to meet the growing demand for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) from both domestic and international markets. With themes of flexibility, audiovisual integration, and experience-driven...

Hotels & Venues News

Japan’s MICE Venues See a Wave of Environmental Certifications: TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO and Sapporo Convention Center Earn LEED Gold

Japan’s events and MICE sector is accelerating efforts to benchmark venue sustainability against international standards. In December 2025, major facilities in Tokyo and Sapporo announced they had attained Gold-level certification under the globally recognized LEED rating system. This milestone—achieved by a newly built arena and an existing convention center with distinct characteristics—highlights significant progress on...

Hotels & Venues News

Sanrio, known for Hello Kitty and Cinnamoroll, unveils a basic plan to turn Oita’s Harmonyland into an “entertainment resort,” reimagined as a “Sky Park”

Sanrio Co., Ltd. and Sanrio Entertainment Co., Ltd. have announced a basic development concept to transform Harmonyland, a theme park in Oita Prefecture, into a resort. Under the “Sky Park” concept, the project will embark on large-scale upgrades, including an all-weather grand roof and the potential construction of a new hotel. In collaboration with Oita...

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Japan Events

[Coverage] Japan MICE EXPO 2025 — Nov 27–28 at INTEX Osaka — Two Days to Explore the “Now” and “Next” of MICE — Exhibitor Booth Highlights

On Thursday, November 27, 2025, Japan MICE EXPO 2025 opened at INTEX Osaka. Under the theme of connecting business events with new stages for regions, tourism, and exchange, the show returns to Osaka, where MICE activities continue to accelerate in the run-up to the Expo. The MICE TIMES ONLINE editorial team also exhibited. Nationwide MICE...

Hotels & Venues News

Toei Uzumasa Eigamura rebrands as “Uzumasa Kyoto Village”; Phase 1 opens March 28, 2026 — a full renewal into an immersive park for adults

Toei Uzumasa Eigamura Co., Ltd. has announced a full renewal of the entire “Toei Uzumasa Eigamura” facility as it marks its 50th anniversary this year. Phase 1 is set to open on Saturday, March 28, 2026, and the facility will be renamed “Uzumasa Kyoto Village (UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE)” in conjunction with this launch. Under the...

Exhibitions & Events

[On-site Report from Korea] KOREA MICE EXPO 2025 Held at COEX, Seoul, November 3–5 — The Power of Korea’s United MICE Industry and a Look at the Event as a Whole

KOREA MICE EXPO 2025 (KME2025) concluded successfully after three vibrant days from Monday, November 3 to Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at COEX in Seoul. Organized by the Korea MICE Association and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization, KME2025 stands as Korea’s leading international certified exhibition in the...

Art & Culture

Japan Hobby Show to celebrate its 50th anniversary at Tokyo Big Sight, May 8–10, 2026 — In collaboration with The Asahi Shimbun Company, attendance is expected to reach 120,000 at one of Japan’s largest handmade festivals

The Japan Hobby Association has announced that “The 50th Japan Hobby Show 2026,” one of the largest festivals for the hobby and handmade market, will be held over three days from May 8, 2026, at Tokyo Big Sight. Since its first edition in 1976, the event has been supported as a place for makers to...

Games & Pop Culture

Tokyo Comic Con 2025: December 5–7 at Makuhari Messe — Johnny Depp, Norman Reedus, Sean P. Flanery, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Antony Starr, Karl Urban, and more; “Back to the Future” 40th-anniversary cast, including Christopher Lloyd and three others, also...

With excitement from Osaka Comic Con during Golden Week still fresh, Tokyo Comic Con 2025 has been announced for three days from Friday, December 5 to Sunday, December 7, 2025 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba. The 2024 edition drew a total of 74,290 visitors, and this major pop-culture event—closely watched by MICE professionals worldwide—returns this...

Art & Culture

“KYOTO NIPPON FESTIVAL 2026” to be held February 1–May 24, 2026 at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Kyoto — 10th-anniversary edition featuring Mika Ninagawa with EiM and DAZZLE

Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026, “KYOTO NIPPON FESTIVAL,” which has shared the beauty and culture of Japan with the world, will present “KYOTO NIPPON FESTIVAL 2026 – Beyond time, the garden blooms –” at the historic Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto) from February 1 to May 24, 2026. Artist Mika Ninagawa, the creative team...

Art & Culture

Design Festa vol.62 — One of Asia’s largest international art events — November 15–16 at Tokyo Big Sight; experience “freedom of expression” across 6,500+ booths

Design Festa vol.62, one of Asia’s largest international art events, will be held over two days on Saturday–Sunday, November 15–16, 2025, across all West & South Halls of Tokyo Big Sight. Under its principle that “anyone can participate without screening as long as the work is original,” the event brings together the diverse expressions of...

Hotels & Venues News

Imperial Hotel Kyoto Opens March 5, 2026 — A small luxury hotel in harmony with history debuts in Kyoto’s Gion

Imperial Hotel, Ltd. will begin accepting reservations for “Imperial Hotel Kyoto,” which opens on Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 17, 2025. Carrying forward the architectural design of Yasaka Kaikan, a Registered Tangible Cultural Property, the property draws attention as a new-era small luxury hotel that harmonizes with Gion’s historic streetscape....

Japan Events

Japan’s largest startup conference “IVS2026” to be held in Kyoto for the fourth consecutive year, July 1–3, 2026; venues include Kyoto International Exhibition Hall “Miyako Messe” and other city locations

The startup conference IVS2026 has been confirmed. The three-day event will run from Wednesday, July 1 to Friday, July 3, 2026, with venues including the Kyoto International Exhibition Hall “Miyako Messe” and additional locations across Kyoto City. The IVS KYOTO Executive Committee (Headline Japan Inc., Kyoto Prefecture, and the City of Kyoto) announced the decision,...

Japan Events

October 30–November 9: Japan Mobility Show 2025 — Event Overview and Highlighted Exhibitors at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan’s Largest Mobility Festival

Carrying forward the excitement and passion of the Tokyo Motor Show cherished for roughly 70 years, the Japan Mobility Show—nicknamed “MobiShow” since its 2023 relaunch—returns this year. Organized by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), the event will run for 11 days from Thursday, October 30 to Sunday, November 9, 2025, at Tokyo Big Sight....

Art & Culture

Waves of art in motion across the lake country — “International Art Festival BIWAKO BIENNALE 2025” opens September 20 through November 16 in Omihachiman, Shiga

Set against the living history and nature of Omihachiman, Shiga Prefecture, the International Art Festival BIWAKO BIENNALE 2025 will run from Saturday, September 20 to Sunday, November 16, 2025. Now in its 11th edition and curated by General Director Yoko Nakata, the festival will invite around 70 artists from Japan and overseas under the theme...

Art & Culture

MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 confirmed — the stage moves to Tokyo. From the new home, TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO, Japanese music goes global

Japan’s largest international music awards, MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN (MAJ), has officially announced its 2026 edition. Established under the concept “Connecting with the world and lighting the future of music,” the award is organized in collaboration by five leading organizations representing Japan’s music industry: Nihon Record Kyokai, Nihon Ongaku Jigyosha Kyokai, Nihon Ongaku Seisakusha Renmei, Nihon...

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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