Japan

Hotels & Venues

OIMACHI TRACKS, a New Landmark Directly Connected to Oimachi Station, Opens on March 28 — Featuring Station Conference Oimachi Tracks for MICE Events

OIMACHI TRACKS, a large-scale mixed-use development directly connected to JR Oimachi Station, will open on March 28, 2026. Positioned as a core facility driving collaborative urban development within the greater Shinagawa area, the project brings together commercial facilities, a hotel, residences, and business functions within a single complex. This article introduces the overview of OIMACHI...

Hotels & Venues News

South Gate Hotel Okinawa Opens in Naha on May 23 — A New Hub Offering Facilities and Accessibility for Growing MICE Demand

Plan・Do・See Co., Ltd. will open South Gate Hotel Okinawa, an urban resort hotel directly connected to the Tomari Port Passenger Terminal Building in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, on May 23, 2026. Located approximately 11 minutes by car from Naha Airport, the hotel offers excellent accessibility along with banquet facilities accommodating up to 570 guests and...

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Japan Events

June 2026 Trade Shows & Events in Japan: 38 Featured Exhibitions and Conferences Including FOOMA JAPAN, GAME FUTURE SUMMIT, and the Automotive Engineering Exposition

Trade Shows & Events in Hokkaido DXPO Sapporo ’26 (Back Office / Sales & Marketing / IT & Information Systems / E-Commerce) June 30 – July 3 Access SapporoA business exhibition focused on operational efficiency and digital transformation (DX) for corporate management and administrative departments. The event covers areas such as back-office operations, sales and marketing,...

Japan Events

May 2026 Trade Shows & Events in Japan: 41 Featured Exhibitions and Conferences Including Japan Hobby Show, SusHi Tech Tokyo, Automotive Engineering Exposition, and BitSummit

With the busy start of the new fiscal year beginning to settle down, this is also a time when many professionals may have a little more room to focus on new ideas and opportunities. This month as well, we have compiled a selection of trade shows and events that may provide useful business insights and...

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Art & Culture

CUEW Showcase & Conference to Be Held in Shibuya, April 9–12, 2026, Supporting Global Expansion of Artists

CUEW Showcase & Conference, an international event where music, culture, and business intersect, will take place over four days from April 9 to 12, 2026, in Shibuya, Tokyo. The event aims to create new connections between Japan, Asia, and the global market, providing a platform to support artists’ international expansion and to generate new business...

MICE Basics

IZAN Inc. Launches “MICE ZINE,” the Industry’s First Career-Focused ZINE for the MICE SectorAimed at students, the publication seeks to create opportunities to spark interest in the MICE industry

“My First MICE”: Introducing the MICE industry to students for the first time Delivering directly to students before they become familiar with MICE “MICE TIMES ONLINE,” a media platform that provides information on the MICE industry (operated by IZAN Inc.), has published a free paper titled “MICE ZINE” as a new initiative to connect young...

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,...

MICE Basics

What Is an Integrated Resort (IR)? Current Developments in Asia and the Osaka IR’s High-Standard Regulatory Framework and MICE Strategy

An integrated resort (IR) is a large-scale, mixed-use development that combines a range of facilities — including hotels, convention and exhibition venues (MICE), entertainment facilities, and retail — under a unified operational model, with casino revenue forming part of its overall business foundation. IR are not limited to entertainment; they function as economic and cultural...

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

【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...

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...

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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...

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...

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...

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...

Hotels & Venues

Hoshino Resorts’ Series of New Openings Toward 2026:Adaptive Reuse of Historic Buildings and New Travel Bases Rooted in Local Culture, with Potential for MICE Use

Hoshino Resorts is planning the phased opening of eight new properties nationwide by 2026. These developments include consecutive openings in the Yokohama area and Japan’s first luxury hotel created through the adaptive reuse of a former prison designated as an Important Cultural Property. Each facility reflects the unique history and culture of its location and...

MICE Basics

How to Create Memorable Events with Historic and Experiential Event Venues

What Are Unique Venues? Unique venues refer to event locations that offer distinctive experiences beyond conventional meeting rooms or hotel banquet halls. These venues include places that are not typically used for events, such as historic buildings, museums, industrial heritage sites, gardens set in natural surroundings, and even waterfront facilities. By utilizing spaces with cultural,...

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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