What’s trending in Japan · 2026 edition
Know what Japan is into before you arrive.
Characters, collecting and fan culture appear everywhere—from station shops and capsule machines to cafés that sell out before the trip begins. This series explains the signal, then gives you the practical way to experience it.
- 01Pokémon in Japan
- 02Chiikawa in Japan
- 03Sanrio in 2026
- 04Gachapon & Capsule Toys
- 05Oshi-katsu
- 06Japanese Character Cafés
The current issue
Start with the thing you keep noticing.
Each page separates the cultural context from the travel decision: where to go, what needs a reservation, what may sell out and which official page to recheck.
Official stores + reservation-only café
Pokémon in Japan
A practical 2026 guide to official Pokémon Centers, the Tokyo and Osaka Pokémon Cafés, and how to avoid building a day around the wrong type of store.Read the trend guide →New film momentum + dedicated park
Chiikawa in Japan
Meet Chiikawa, Hachiware and Usagi through official shops, Chiikawa Park in Ikebukuro and the practical rules that change a casual visit into a timed plan.Read the trend guide →2026 official ranking results
Sanrio in 2026
Use the official 2026 character ranking as a cultural snapshot, then choose between Sanrio stores, cafés, Puroland and Harmonyland without confusing shopping with park admission.Read the trend guide →Small spend · huge variety
Gachapon & Capsule Toys
Understand the difference between a few machines and a specialist store, how to check official stock, and the etiquette for capsules, change and sold-out items.Read the trend guide →How Japanese fandom becomes an activity
Oshi-katsu
A visitor-friendly explanation of oshi, fan-support goods, ita-bags, themed photos and the store etiquette that keeps collecting respectful and affordable.Read the trend guide →The reservation is part of the trip
Japanese Character Cafés
Compare permanent character cafés with collaboration pop-ups, understand official booking rules and build a fallback that does not waste a Tokyo or Osaka afternoon.Read the trend guide →How this series works
Current does not mean careless.
- 01Find the visible signal
A new venue, current official ranking, campaign or clearly named retail category establishes why the topic belongs now.
- 02Check the responsible source
Operators establish ticket, location, inventory and reservation facts. Old social posts do not override the live page.
- 03Give the traveler a decision
Every guide answers whether to book, where to fit the stop and what fallback protects the rest of the day.