Japan Events

Games & Pop Culture

【Report】Board Game Business Expo Japan 2026 (BGBE): Western Japan’s Largest Board Game Festival — A Report on the Event That Doubled Attendance to 20,000

In recent years, board games have increasingly been used in business settings, including workshops and team-building programs. Alongside this trend, a growing number of events related to board games have emerged. Among them, Board Game Business Expo Japan 2026, commonly known as BGBE, stands out as a particularly noteworthy event. Now in its third edition,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Japan Events

【February 2026】Notable Trade Shows and Events in Japan

As the year gets underway, February is already approaching. This time of year often brings a noticeable shift in pace, with calendars filling up and seasonal events beginning to line up one after another. Below is a curated overview of notable exhibitions and events scheduled for February 2026. Of particular interest are opportunities that serve...

Art & Culture

【January 2026】Notable Trade Shows and Events in Japan

For some, this season brings thoughts of hot springs. As for me, I enjoy creating a hot-spring atmosphere at home with bath additives. As the year draws to a close, we have compiled a list of notable trade shows and events scheduled to take place in January 2026. Three major events related to mobility will...

Japan Events

The World’s Premier Esports Tournament ALGS to Be Held in Sapporo in 2026, Alongside a Career Information Session for Game Industry Jobs Aimed at Gaming Fans

In January 2026, the ALGS Year 5 Championship, the world championship of the globally popular game Apex Legends, will be held in Sapporo, Hokkaido. On the following day, a career information session focused on employment opportunities in the game industry and aimed at gaming fans is also scheduled to take place. The World’s Highest-Level Competition:...

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...

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...

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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