On July 8, JR Central held a press preview of its “Supreme Class Cabin,” the top-tier seating class set to be introduced on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines starting in October. The Supreme Class Cabin features two completely private compartments per train set, each equipped with a lockable door (electronic lock). One compartment is…
JR Central and Detective Conan Team Up for a Mystery-Solving Campaign on the Tokaido Shinkansen. Get all the answers right to receive a limited-edition keychain.
JR Central is launching a collaboration campaign with the TV anime “Detective Conan” as new content for “Oshi-Tabi,” a series of trips designed to let fans enjoy their favorite idols on the Tokaido Shinkansen. The campaign will run from August 10 to September 18 for the first half and from September 19 to November 9…
Nippon Rent-a-Car has switched to a “smartphone touch ticketing” system. The system is being rolled out first at 65 locations nationwide and will be expanded gradually.
On July 8, Nippon Rent-a-Car Service launched a new smartphone-based check-in and queue management system on a trial basis at 65 locations nationwide. The company plans to gradually expand the system to additional locations in the future. The system allows users to complete check-in simply by holding their smartphones up to a ticket-issuing panel installed…
Bruno × Suica Penguin: The second installment goes on sale July 14. Hot plate / toaster / hand blender
JR East Cross Station Development Company will release the second series of collaborative products between the lifestyle brand “BRUNO” and the “Suica Penguin” on July 14 at 10:00 a.m. The second installment features a lineup of three kitchen appliances: a “Compact Hot Plate,” a “Steam & Bake Toaster,” and a “Multi-Stick Blender.” Each model will…
“Nikko Kirifuri VIVA! Hawaiian,” a large indoor heated pool, opens on July 18. It features a lazy river, water slides, and saunas.
Featuring a lazy river, a bubble pool, and a kids’ pool—as well as the Big Air Slider, which is a huge hit every year—the facility also offers massage baths and saunas for adults to relax in, ensuring a comfortable experience regardless of the weather. In addition to day-use options, guests staying at the adjacent hot…
The 2026 Edition of the “Hayatabi: Welcome to Kaga no Kuni Drive Plan”—Featuring Unlimited Hokuriku Expressway Access and 3,000 Yen in Regional Gift Certificates—Is Now Available
The Kaga Regional Collaboration Promotion Council—comprising NEXCO Central Japan and the six cities and towns of Minami-Kaga in Ishikawa Prefecture—began selling “Hayatabi: ‘Welcome to the Land of Kaga Drive Plan,’” a travel package exclusively for ETC-equipped vehicles, on July 8. The usage period for fiscal year 2026 has been extended to July 15 through December…
The 55th Anniversary “Mini Sanrio Series,” which captures the world of Sanrio shops in miniature, goes on sale July 15
Sanrio will release all 25 items in the “Mini Sanrio Series,” commemorating the 55th anniversary of Sanrio Shops, on July 15. The items will be available at Sanrio-operated stores nationwide, Sanrio corners in department stores, and the Sanrio Online Shop. Since opening its first store, “Shinjuku Gift Gate,” in Shinjuku, Tokyo, in 1971, the brand…
JAL Launches “Happy Dream Campaign 2026,” Inviting Passengers Who Fly on Two Domestic Flights to Tokyo DisneySea for Its 25th Anniversary
JAL will launch the “JAL Happy Dream Campaign 2026.” The campaign runs from July 17 to September 30. If you fly on JAL Group domestic flights twice during the campaign period, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win tickets to an exclusive private party at Tokyo DisneySea (2,500 pairs, 5,000 people) or round-trip JAL…
Nippon Yusen Announces New Restaurant Ship “AMANE (Sea Sound).” Featuring private rooms at the bow and a three-deck layout with seating for 90, President Soga said, “It will be set against the backdrop of Tokyo Bay, one of the world’s most spectacular views.”
A key feature is the adoption of a hybrid propulsion system that utilizes a hydrogen fuel cell system in addition to a diesel engine, significantly reducing vibration, noise, and exhaust fumes compared to conventional ships, thereby creating a comfortable onboard environment. This system was designed by Yanmar Power Solutions. It uses hydrogen supplied from hydrogen…
UNIQLO’s new “Pokémon” UT collection goes on sale July 24. Eight designs featuring nostalgic pixel art.
UNIQLO will release the second installment of its “Pokémon” 30th Anniversary collaboration UT collection on July 24. The lineup features four men’s T-shirts (1,990 yen each) that incorporate the “monochrome pixel art”—often considered the origin of the Pokémon series—into their designs, allowing fans to enjoy the game’s world, as well as four kids’ T-shirts (990…