Entertainment

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...

Japan Events

[Report] Inter BEE 2025 — Walking the Final Day at Makuhari Messe: A Look at the Eye-Catching, Hands-On Exhibits

Held at Makuhari Messe from November 19 to 21, 2025, Inter BEE 2025 is one of Japan’s largest events where media and entertainment professionals gather. This year, which the organizer JEITA positioned as “the start of a new phase of evolution,” we visited on the final day, November 21. From doors opening to just before...

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

One of the World’s Largest Game Exhibitions, “gamescom,” Opens August 20–24, 2025 in Cologne, Germany / The Event’s History and What’s Next — Plus Information on Japanese Exhibitors

Held annually in Cologne, Germany, gamescom goes beyond a conventional game exhibition. It has established itself as one of the world’s largest computer and video game events and as Europe’s largest business platform. Operating a unique hybrid model that serves both B2B (business-to-business) for industry professionals and B2C (business-to-consumer) for general game fans, it has...