Japan

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...

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....

Manufacturing & Mobility

One of Japan’s largest machine tool trade fairs, Mechatronics Technology Japan (MECT) 2025 — October 22–25 at Port Messe Nagoya

Held in the manufacturing hub of Nagoya every odd-numbered year in autumn, Mechatronics Technology Japan (MECT) is one of Japan’s largest specialized exhibitions for machine tools and FA technologies. Marking its 20th edition, MECT2025 is slated to host a record 524 exhibitors, making it the largest machine tool trade fair in Japan this year. The...

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

On-site Preview: “teamLab Biovortex Kyoto” Opens October 7 — How long does a visit take? What can you experience? Knowing the works’ background can change the way you see the world

On October 7, 2025, a new permanent art museum by teamLab—“teamLab Biovortex Kyoto”—will open in the Higashikujo area of Minami Ward, a short walk from Kyoto Station. Ahead of the public opening, a media preview held on September 29 offered an early look at the newly completed venue. What is “teamLab Biovortex Kyoto”? “teamLab Biovortex...

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...

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...

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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

[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...

Japan Events

Tourism EXPO Japan 2025 Aichi, Chubu & Hokuriku: Japan’s Largest Travel & Tourism Event—History and the First Aichi Edition at a Glance

Tourism EXPO Japan 2025 Aichi, Chubu & Hokuriku will be held for the first time in Aichi at Aichi Sky Expo from September 25–28, 2025. As Japan’s largest and one of the world’s leading comprehensive tourism events, this year’s edition adopts the theme “Rediscovering the Wisdom of Travel.” Positioned to drive tourism across the wider...

Japan Events

[Japan Mobility Show 2025] Main Visual and Program Outline Announced / Competitive Program with Startups Also Planned — The Show Runs October 30–November 9 at Tokyo Big Sight

Evolving from the approximately 70-year history of the Tokyo Motor Show, the Japan Mobility Show (ジャパンモビリティショー2025) announced its main visual, program outline, and participating companies. This article presents those details and the call for participating companies for the startup-focused program. Concept: “Let’s go explore an exciting future!” Also Expressed in the Main Visual Japan Mobility...

Japan Events

On-site Report: What Is SPORTEC 2025? Japan’s Largest International Sports and Wellness Industry Exhibition at Tokyo Big Sight

This on-site report covers the opening day of SPORTEC 2025—Japan’s largest comprehensive exhibition for the sports and wellness industry—and highlights standout exhibitors across the show floor. What Is SPORTEC? Japan’s Largest Comprehensive Sports and Wellness Exhibition SPORTEC is Japan’s largest comprehensive exhibition for the sports and wellness industry, bringing together companies and organizations from around...

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Hotels & Venues News

Boarding Report: Debuting April 2025 on the Osaka–Busan route — First look aboard PanStar “Miracle” with 6 Key Highlights and a Step-by-Step Boarding Guide

At last, it’s sailing: the brand-new PanStar Cruise ferry “Miracle,” connecting Osaka and Busan. Replacing the long-loved “Dream,” the newbuild launches in April 2025 to deliver a special cross-border ferry experience—seventeen hours from Japan’s Osaka to Korea’s Busan. Editor-in-Chief Fujii boarded for on-site coverage to document the latest facilities and onboard experience. What sets it...

Japan Events

Automotive Engineering Exposition 2025 NAGOYA — Clear Booth Presentations and Attentive Explanations Drive Visitor Satisfaction

Held July 16–18, 2025 at Aichi Sky Expo (Aichi International Exhibition Center), the Automotive Engineering Exposition 2025 NAGOYA is one of Japan’s largest technical trade fairs for automotive engineers. We visited the venue on opening day. The exposition is staged twice a year—first in Yokohama in May, then in Nagoya in July. Event Overview Name:...

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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