MICE News

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...

Japan Events

October at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai: event highlights at a glance — When are the fireworks? Wakayama Day, Poland National Day, Kids’ Expo, technology showcases for the future society, and the Final Event

Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai is entering its final stretch, with festivities running through October 13. How many times have you visited the venue so far? Attendance continues to rise, and with the summer heat behind us, October should offer relatively mild weather to enjoy the Expo. This article rounds up the month’s standout events and...

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Games & Pop Culture

Osaka Hobby Fes 2025, one of Kansai’s largest model & hobby events, to be held at INTEX Osaka on November 1–2

The 2025 Osaka Hobby Fes, one of Kansai’s largest model and hobby events, will be held over two days on Saturday–Sunday, November 1–2, 2025, at INTEX Osaka, Hall 3. Designed for everyone—from dedicated enthusiasts to first-timers and families with children—the event offers hands-on experiences that showcase the fun of hobbies, a cornerstone of Japan’s craftsmanship...

Games & Pop Culture

TOKYO GAME SHOW 2025: September 25–28 at Makuhari Messe — Exhibitor highlights updated as announced

Under the theme “Unlimited, Neverending Playground,” TOKYO GAME SHOW 2025 will take place from Thursday–Sunday, September 25–28, 2025, at Makuhari Messe. From hands-on demos of new titles to e-sports and AR/VR showcases, Japan’s leading game show brings together a wide range of gaming experiences. This article provides an overview of the event and will be...

Japan Events

CEATEC 2025 to be held October 14–17 at Makuhari Messe — “Innovation for All” in action; overview and exhibitor information

CEATEC 2025 will take place over four days from Tuesday, October 14 to Friday, October 17, 2025, at Makuhari Messe. This year’s theme is “Innovation for All.” This article introduces the event overview and will be updated with exhibitor information as it becomes available. CEATEC 2025: Event overview and organizing structure Dates, venue, and theme...

Japan Events

Cruise EXPO 2025 Tokyo to be held on December 5–6 at Tokyo International Cruise Terminal; Japan’s largest cruise event expects 5,000–10,000 attendees

One of Japan’s largest cruise-focused events, Cruise EXPO 2025 Tokyo, will take place on Friday–Saturday, December 5–6, 2025, at Tokyo International Cruise Terminal. According to the organizer, expected attendance is between 5,000 and 10,000. While detailed programming has yet to be fully announced, here is what has been shared so far. Cruise EXPO 2025 Tokyo...

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Global Events

KOREA MICE EXPO (KME), Celebrating 25 Years: One of Asia’s Largest MICE-Dedicated Trade Shows to Move to Seoul in 2025

KOREA MICE EXPO (KME) is South Korea’s flagship trade show covering the full spectrum of MICE—an essential platform for industry stakeholders. This article traces its 25-year history, highlights the latest developments, and looks ahead to what’s next as the event relocates to Seoul in 2025. Event Overview: KOREA MICE EXPO (KME) KOREA MICE EXPO (KME)...

Columns

[On-Site Report] Hakodate, Hokkaido Is One of Japan’s Top Cities for Workations: An In-Depth, Hands-On Look at Workation and Coworking Options

Hakodate, one of Hokkaido’s premier travel destinations, is also well suited to business travel and events such as MICE and workations. Our editorial team carried out an on-site workation and, from that perspective, reports on Hakodate’s appeal and practical information.All photos in this article were taken by our editorial team. 160 Years Since Opening to...

Japan Events

[On-site Report] The Near-Future Face of MICE and Events Found On-Site at IVS2025 / Introducing What Was Actually Used at IVS and the MICE- and Event-Oriented Services Showcased by Exhibiting Startups

Held at Miyakomesse in Kyoto, IVS2025 is one of Japan’s largest startup conferences. This year it drew about 13,000 attendees, recorded 3,900 matches made via the official system, hosted 500 side events, and welcomed over 2,000 participants from 70 countries. We focused on services that could be applied to MICE. Would we find them…? IVS2025...

Hotels & Venues

Opening Event Report: STATION Ai, Aichi–Nagoya’s Startup Support Facility, Opens — Seven Standout Features We Found On Site

I’m Fujii, Editor-in-Chief of MICE TIMES ONLINE. Are you familiar with STATION Ai (ステーション エーアイ), the startup support hub that opened on October 1, 2024 in Tsuruma Park, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture? To commemorate the opening, an inaugural event was held from November 1 to 2, 2024. Along with coverage of that event, this article introduces...

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