2026 Gwangju Seochang Silver Grass Festival: Experience Nature Healing and Autumn Beauty in the Heart of the City

Gwangju Seochang Silver Grass Festival

🗓️ 2026.10.15 ~ 2026.10.18

The Gwangju Seochang Silver Grass Festival is a representative nature healing festival of the Namdo region, set in the Yeongsan River area. It combines cultural art performances, experiential events, sunset runs, and unique photo zones with the area’s natural silver grass. Visitors can walk through the Seochang fields’ sunset and silver grass paths—one of the eight scenic views of Seo-gu—and experience the only nature festival held in a city center in the Namdo region.

This year’s edition runs for four days, from October 15th to 18th, under the theme “A Walk into Autumn Delivered by Silver Silver Grass.” The program turns walking and sound into content, with offerings such as the Silver Grass Path Where Melodies Flow, the SG Silver Grass Field Lounge with LP music, soundscape sessions, and a sound walking map-making activity. It also includes festival-exclusive events such as “Find the Rest King!” and the “Wal-Wal Run.”

The festival is organized into the following program categories:

1. Representative Programs

Silver Grass Path Where Melodies Flow
Step-by-Step Silver Grass Expedition
SG Silver Grass Field Lounge
Find the Rest King
Sunset 530

2. Theme Programs

Silver Grass Soundscape
Wal-Wal Run!
Making a Sound Walking Map
Emotional Trolley Bus Trip
Silver Grass Photo Zone

3. Performance Programs

Silver Grass Busking
Sunset Live
Family Healing Performance
Resident Participation Festa

4. Experiential Programs

Silver Grass Field Experience Playground
Visiting Social Economy Connection Market
Seochang Village Tour

5. Linked Events

2026 Gwangju Seochang Silver Grass Sunset Marathon
16th Bitgoeul Literary Contest
Korea Racing Authority Horse Riding Experience

6. Visitor Convenience

Information: General Information Center, Gwangju Tourism Information Center, Seo-gu Tourism Information Center
Food: Seochang Tavern, 1,000-won Guksu (Noodles), Senior Cafe, F&B Flea Market
Convenience: Shared Bicycle Rental Station

📍 Address: 377 Seochangduk-gil, Seo-gu, Gwangju Integrated Special City, Jeonnam (Byeokjin-dong)

🛏️ Accommodations near the event

💰 Fee: Free admission (Some paid experiences – food, certain activities)

📞 Inquiry: 062-350-4792

⭐️ Instagram: instagram.com/sg.festival

🖥️ Website: www.seogu.gwangju.kr

What is silver grass?

Silver grass—eoksae in Korean—is a tall perennial bunchgrass native to East Asia. It grows in dense clumps, with slender leaves that arch outward and, from late September through November, feathery flower heads rising above the foliage. The plumes are pale beige to silver, and in low autumn light they stand out clearly against hillsides and fields. The plant is common along roadsides, riverbanks, and abandoned farmland, where it establishes quickly and requires little care.

In Korea, silver grass has long been part of the seasonal landscape. Its flowering coincides with harvest time, and the dried stems have traditionally been used for thatching and weaving. The sound of wind moving through a stand—a continuous, dry rustle—is also a familiar autumn sound in rural areas. None of this requires treating the grass as a symbol. It is simply a plant that is easy to see and easy to hear, and it happens to be at its best when the weather cools.

At the Gwangju Seochang Silver Grass Festival, the grass is the main attraction. The festival site consists of open fields and mowed pathways through large stands of silver grass, allowing visitors to walk among the plumes rather than only view them from a distance. Typical festival offerings include photo spots, evening lighting, and local food stalls, but the central experience is straightforward: walking a path lined with silver grass and looking at it. Because the plant is tall—often over a meter and a half—it can enclose a walkway and change the scale of the surrounding landscape. That alone is a good reason to visit in late autumn. The festival runs for a limited period, and the grass fades quickly after the first strong winds or frost, so timing matters.

October 15, 2026

2026 Gochang Moyang Fortress Festival: Experience Traditional Korean Culture and the Healing Power of Dap Seong Nori

Gochang Moyang Fortress Festival

🗓️ 2026.10.15 ~ 2026.10.19

The Gochang Moyangseong Festival is a historical and cultural event built around Moyangseong Fortress, widely regarded as the best-preserved original fortress in Korea. Held in Gochang-eup, Jeonbuk State, the five-day festival centers on Dap Seong Nori, an experiential walk along the fortress walls. The program is based on the local legend that one circuit cures leg ailments, two circuits bring a long and healthy life, and three circuits lead to ascension to paradise.

The festival’s main lineup includes Dap Seong Nori, Night Dap Seong Nori, Ganggangsullae DalBAM, a street parade, and Returns 1453. In Night Dap Seong Ganggangsullae Moonlight, residents and visitors come together for a nighttime combination of Dap Seong Nori and the traditional Korean circle dance Ganggangsullae. The street parade involves roughly 1,000 residents and expresses the past, present, and future of the region. Returns 1453 shifts the focus to Gochang Eupseong, allowing visitors to explore the interior of the old walled town under the theme of a journey to the past. Food stalls featuring local specialties of the Gochang region and direct sales markets round out the main offerings.

Main Programs

Dap Seong Nori, Night Dap Seong Nori, Ganggangsullae DalBAM, Street Parade, Returns 1453

Side Programs

Flea Market, Drone Show, Family Zone, Food Booths, Direct Sales Market, Tavern (Jumak)

Consumer Participation Programs

Children’s Carrot Market, Traditional Game Experiences, Experiential Programs

📍 Address: 11 Moyangseong-ro, Gochang-eup, Gochang-gun, Jeonbuk State

🛏️ Accommodations near the event

💰 Fee: Free

📞 Inquiry: 063-560-2949

🖥️ Website: https://www.모양성제.com/

What is Dap Seong Nori?

Dap Seong Nori is a traditional Korean folk play associated with the Gochang Moyang Fortress Festival. Its name means “stepping on the fortress” or “treading the castle wall.” The practice is a walk along the stone ramparts of Gochangeupseong, a historic walled fortress in Gochang County. The fortress, also called Moyangseong, was built in the mid-fifteenth century as an administrative and defensive town wall. Its perimeter still encircles the older part of Gochang.

The custom grew from a local belief about the walls. A full circuit of the ramparts was thought to transfer worry, illness, and bad luck to the stones underfoot. The higher the wall, the stronger the effect, and completing the route was said to crush sickness with each step. For this reason, Dap Seong Nori was especially common on the first full moon of the lunar year. Families and neighbors climbed the walls in groups, singing and talking as they walked. It was a holiday outing that combined sociability with a shared purpose.

At the festival today, Dap Seong Nori is presented without turning it into a staged performance. There is no script, and no one is only a spectator. Participants, many in simple hanbok or comfortable walking clothes, form a line along the wall. The route follows the fortress perimeter and opens onto views of the surrounding fields and the old town below. Local performers lead the group, and traditional music accompanies the walk. The mood is relaxed and sociable, more like a communal stroll than a ceremony.

The activity works on two levels. It offers a physical walk with a clear view of the area, and it connects those who take part to a practice continued on the same walls for centuries. The older belief in transferred misfortune is not required for the experience to make sense. The walk itself is the event: a shared route through a historic place, taken in company and at a steady pace.

October 15, 2026

NHK Sunday Museum of Art 50th Anniversary Exhibition at Osaka Nakanoshima Museum of Art: Guide to Masterpieces, Tickets, and Special Events (2026)

Osaka Nakanoshima Museum of Art: NHK Sunday Museum 50th Anniversary Exhibition

Since its inaugural broadcast in 1976, NHK’s “Sunday Museum of Art” has served as a gateway to the world of fine arts for millions of viewers. To commemorate its 50th anniversary, the program has transitioned from the screen to the gallery, creating a one-of-a-kind exhibition space where authentic artworks and original program footage are presented simultaneously.

This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience art through a dual lens—viewing the physical masterpiece while engaging with the high-definition video and curated commentary that defined its televised presentation. Visitors will find over 140 works by approximately 60 artists, all carefully selected from the program’s extensive history of broadcasts.

As the final stop in a tour that previously visited Tokyo and Shizuoka, the Osaka exhibition features several exclusive highlights. Attendees can view Tomoko Kono’s 《Kihidanchou》, the Important Cultural Property 《Oiran》 by Yoshi-ichi Takahashi, Alberto Giacometti’s 《Slender Woman without Arms》, and Jakuchu Ito’s 《Screen Painting of Stone Lanterns》.

Related Events

To further enrich the visitor experience, the Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka, will host two special commemorative events in the 1st Floor Hall.

Commemorative Talk Show ” ‘My’ Sunday Museum of Art”

This session provides an insider’s look at the program, featuring perspectives from both the front of the house and the production team.

Date and Time: 11/23 (Mon/Holiday) 14:30–15:30
Speakers: Miu Sakamoto (Program Host) and Program Production Staff
Capacity: 180 people (Selection via lottery)
Participation Fee: Free (An admission ticket for this exhibition—including used stubs—is required)
Application Period: 10/12 (Mon/Holiday) 10:00–10/23 (Fri) 23:59
Application Method: Apply via the event page on the official Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka website.
Results: Lottery results will be sent via email on 11/2 (Mon) at 10:00.

Ryo Inoue Song & Talk Show with NHK Sunday Museum of Art 50th Anniversary

Designed to be accessible to all ages—from children to adults—this event uses music and video to explore the joy of artistic discovery.

Date and Time: 12/5 (Sat) Session ① 11:00–12:00 / Session ② 14:00–15:00
Speakers: Ryo Inoue (Artist) and others
Capacity: 180 people per session (Selection via lottery)
Participation Fee: Free (An admission ticket for this exhibition—including used stubs—is required)
Application Period: 10/26 (Mon) 10:00–11/6 (Fri) 23:59
Application Method: Apply via the event page on the official Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka website.
Results: Lottery results will be sent via email on 11/13 (Fri) at 10:00.
Note: One preschool child may accompany a guardian on their lap; however, elementary school students and older must apply for a seat.

Visitor Information

Period: 2026/10/10 (Sat) – 12/20 (Sun)
Closed: Mondays, 10/13 (Tue), 11/24 (Tue). The museum remains open on 10/12 (Mon/Holiday) and 11/23 (Mon/Holiday).
Hours: 10:00–17:00 (Final admission at 16:30)
Location: Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka, 5th Floor Exhibition Room (4-3-1 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka City)
Notes: Some works will be replaced during the exhibition period.

Admission Fees

General: 2,000 yen (1,800 yen)
High School/College students: 1,200 yen (1,000 yen)
Elementary/Junior High students: 500 yen (300 yen)
Pair Ticket (General): 3,500 yen

Note: Rates in parentheses denote advance sale and group rates for parties of 20 or more. Advance and pair tickets are available until 10/9 (Fri) 23:59.

Special Provisions:

Individuals holding a disability handbook (Physical Disability, Rehabilitation, or Mental Disability Health and Welfare), including one caregiver, are eligible for half the daily fee. Proof is required; please purchase these tickets at the 2nd floor ticket counter on the day of your visit.
Anyone utilizing a non-general rate must present valid proof on the day of admission.
General admission fees apply to all visitors, including those 65 years or older residing in Osaka City.

Inquiries: 06-4301-7285 (Osaka City General Call Center / 8:00–21:00, open year-round)
Official Website: https://nichibiten50.jp/

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What is “NHK Sunday Museum of Art”?

“NHK Sunday Museum of Art” is a Japanese television program broadcast on NHK Educational TV (E-TV). It began in 1976 and has been on the air continually since then, making it one of the longest-running regular programs in its field. The name refers to the program’s format: it is not a physical museum but a weekly television program that presents art to a home audience. It occupies a regular Sunday morning slot and takes a single artist, period, movement, or exhibition as its subject each week.

The program’s method is built on visual access. It uses footage of actual artworks, including close-ups that show brushwork, texture, and detail, and combines that footage with commentary from art historians, curators, and critics. The commentary is informative rather than intrusive. Episodes may also include location filming at museums, galleries, artists’ studios, and historical sites, which places the works in their original or current contexts. The goal is to give viewers a more concrete sense of scale, material, and atmosphere than a printed reproduction can offer.

The program treats art as something that can be discussed clearly without being flattened into easy conclusions. It does not rely on personality-driven presenting or staged emotional reactions. Instead, it allows the works to be the main subject. A European oil painting, a piece of Japanese calligraphy, a contemporary installation, and a traditional craft are each given the same kind of attention: where they came from, how they were made, and why they are significant. The tone is calm, and the explanations are grounded in specific observations rather than general praise.

Over the decades, the program has had a succession of narrators and commentators. For many viewers, those voices became a familiar part of Sunday mornings. The program has also expanded beyond broadcasting by organizing public lectures, symposia, and exhibitions related to the artists and themes it covers. These events extend the program’s work into spaces where audiences can spend more time with the material.

In 2026, the program reaches its fiftieth anniversary. An exhibition at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka is being held to mark the occasion. It brings together works associated with the program’s history and offers visitors the chance to encounter, in person, objects that are normally seen on a screen. For longtime viewers, it will be an opportunity to connect the program’s accumulated coverage of art history with the physical presence of the works themselves.

October 14, 2026

2026 Ganggyeong Salted Seafood Festival in Nonsan: Enjoy Traditional Korean Gourmet, Cultural Performances, and Local Specialties

Ganggyeong Jeotgal Festival

🗓️ 2026.10.15 ~ 2026.10.18

The 2026 30th Ganggyeong Salted Seafood Festival is a representative regional festival held with themes of Ganggyeong’s history, culture, and local specialties, including salted seafood. The event takes place over four days, from October 15 to October 18, 2026, around the Geumgang Riverbank in Ganggyeong-eup, Nonsan-si. This year’s theme is “Ganggyeong Salted Seafood · Sangwol Sweet Potato, Finally Becoming the Best!”, pairing two of the region’s best-known products in a program built around gourmet food, culture, and hands-on experiences.

Ganggyeong was once a busy river port where salted seafood moved along the Geumgang waterway, and that history gives the festival its character. Jeotgal — fermented, salted seafood — remains a staple of Korean cooking and an essential ingredient in kimchi, and this year’s 30th edition leans into that heritage while also spotlighting Sangwol sweet potatoes, another local specialty. The result is a broad program that draws on historical resources and local produce to give visitors plenty to taste, watch, make, and explore.

Main programs

Global Ganggyeong Salted Seafood Kimchi Making Festa 2026 — Ganggyeong salted seafood kimchi making experience, with the finished kimchi available for purchase.
Ganggyeong Port Market Hanmadang — Ganggyeong Port Market opening ceremony and pungmul street parade, market experience yard, peddler play, tightrope walking, and more.
Ganggyeong Salted Seafood Sangwol Sweet Potato Promotion and Sales Center — alongside the Ganggyeong Salted Seafood Sangwol Sweet Potato BBQ Camp and the Ganggyeong Salted Seafood Sangwol Sweet Potato Bibimbap Experience.
Opening and closing ceremonies — the opening ceremony features a fireworks show, and both days include celebration performances.
Music and performances — Riverside Concert, Companion Concert, Nonsan Artists’ Masil Festa, Ganggyeong Sunset Music Festival, Nonsan-si Residents’ Council Harmony Hanmadang, Ganggyeong Port Market Pungmul Hanmadang, Ganggyeong Sunset EDM Party, and the Ganggyeong Sunset Magic Balloon Show.
Hands-on experiences — Sangwol Sweet Potato Pizza Making Experience Class, Ganggyeong Salted Seafood Fusion Cooking Experience, and seasoned salted seafood (young oyster) matkkal-jeot making experience.
Ganggyeong Salted Seafood Bio LAP — a specialized salted seafood program.
Tours and sights — Ganggyeong Geumgang Waterway History and Culture Tour, Ganggyeong Sunset Chrysanthemum Exhibition, and the Ganggyeong Sunset Train with its fantasy playground and memory play yard.
Food and shopping — Nonsan 5-pum (5 Specialties) Dessert Cafe, Ganggyeong Salted Seafood Sangwol Sweet Potato Goods Shop, Nonsan-si Agricultural and Special Products Promotion and Sales Center, Global Food Corner, Local Food Corner, Ganggyeong Sunset Market, and Industry-Academic Exchange Promotion Hall.

📍 Address: 198 Hwangsan-ri, Ganggyeong-eup, Nonsan-si, Chungcheongnam-do

🛏️ Accommodation near the event

💰 Fee: Free admission (Some experiences, promotion/sales food trucks, etc., are paid)

📞 Inquiry: 041-730-2971, 2973

⭐️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gss_festival/

🖥️ Website: https://www.nonsan.go.kr/ggfestival/

What is Ganggyeong?

Ganggyeong is a port town in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province, on the Geumgang River. During the Joseon period, it functioned as a transfer point between coastal shipping and inland routes to the capital. Goods such as grain, salt, and fish moved through its warehouses, and salted seafood—jeotgal—became the town’s main commodity. The Geumgang estuary’s tidal flats supplied the raw material, while Ganggyeong’s position on the river made it possible to distribute salted goods to inland markets.

That trade is the basis for the Ganggyeong Salted Seafood Festival, held every autumn. The festival is organised around the town’s history: visitors can sample different types of jeotgal, watch demonstrations of salting and fermentation, and take part in small workshops. It is a local event rather than a large commercial fair, and most activities take place within walking distance of the river.

Apart from the festival, Ganggyeong remains a quiet town. The old commercial district has narrow lanes and a number of early-twentieth-century buildings, including former warehouses and shops that once served the river trade. The riverside embankment offers a view of the Geumgang and the surrounding floodplain. There is little direct evidence of the port’s former scale on the streets today, but the layout of the town, and the continued presence of jeotgal shops, show where its economy once stood.

October 14, 2026

2026 Heosimcheong Brau Oktoberfest in Busan: Enjoy Unlimited Craft Beer and Live Performances at the 20th Anniversary Celebration

Heosimcheong Brau Oktoberfest

The 2026 Heosimcheong Brau Oktoberfest celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The three-day festival runs from October 23rd to 25th in the outdoor courtyard of Hotel Nongshim in Busan, under the slogan ‘HAPPY ANNI-BEER-SARY.’ The anniversary edition is designed to mark two decades of the event while keeping the atmosphere that has made it last. It also plans to offer diverse content for longtime attendees and those joining for the first time, so the programme is not only about nostalgia.

Beer remains the centerpiece. Visitors get unlimited pours of authentic German-style craft beers—Pilsner and Dunkel—brewed by the Heosimcheong brewmaster. That unlimited format is supported by abundant food prepared by hotel chefs, which makes the festival feel more like a full meal and less like a standard beer booth. Live performances, unique performance acts, and audience participation programmes complete the weekend and turn the courtyard into an autumn-night venue for the 20th anniversary.

Main programs

Unlimited beer
Live performances
Trot
Dance performances
Other acts

Side programs

Food sales booths
Nongshim new product promotion booths

Consumer participation programs

Beer drinking contest

The beer drinking contest is the most visible participatory event, while the stage acts—including live music and trot—carry the entertainment between pours.

Event information

🗓️ 2026.10.23 ~ 2026.10.25

📍 Address: Hotel Nongshim, 23 Geumganggongwon-ro 20beon-gil, Dongrae-gu, Busan

🛏️ Accommodation near the event

💰 Fee: Paid entry 34,000 KRW (Early bird special: 31,000 KRW)

📞 Inquiry: 051-550-2511

🖥️ Website: https://litt.ly/hscoktober

Heosimcheong Brau is a German-style brewery in Busan, South Korea. It opened in 2006 as a small local brewhouse and has since become a recognized name in the country’s beer market. The name combines Heosimcheong, the hot spring landmark in Busan’s Dongnae district, with Brau, the German word for brewing house. The hot spring has been a public gathering place for centuries, and the brewery uses that association deliberately: the beer is tied to the idea of unhurried, shared leisure rather than quick consumption.

The core range has stayed consistent throughout most of the brewery’s history. It consists of a Pilsner, a Hefeweizen, and a Dunkel. The Pilsner is crisp and dry, the Hefeweizen is cloudy and mildly spiced, and the Dunkel is dark and malt-forward. All three are brewed from barley, hops, yeast, and purified water, and the brewery follows German brewing methods, including a cold fermentation and conditioning period. It has not built its name on novelty ingredients or frequent limited releases. Its reputation rests on making these three styles reliably.

In Busan, Heosimcheong Brau is a familiar presence in restaurants and bars. Its beers are routinely paired with grilled pork and fresh seafood, two staples of the region. For local drinkers, the brewery’s name functions as shorthand for a dependable, traditional German-style beer. As it reaches its 20th year in 2026, the brewery has not announced any major change in direction. The lineup is still the one it started with, and the label still carries the Dongnae name. That consistency is the clearest expression of what the brewery set out to do.

October 14, 2026

PERSONA Memoria 2026 in Tokyo: Experience the 30th Anniversary with Interactive Games, Rare Merch, and Themed Dining

PERSONA Memoria

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the storied “Persona” series, PERSONA Memoria serves as an immersive event designed for fans to step directly into the world of these iconic titles. Rather than a simple exhibition, this event offers a tactile experience where attendees can engage with the series’ lore and aesthetics through a curated series of interactive attractions, limited-edition merchandise, and themed gastronomy.

The event is distinguished by its deep integration of series-specific mechanics, translating gameplay elements—such as demon negotiation and urban legends—into physical mini-games. Furthermore, the event unveils newly drawn illustrations featuring the eight protagonists from across the series’ history, providing a fresh visual celebration of the franchise’s evolution.

Interactive Attractions and Mini-Games

The centerpiece of the event is “Quiz DE Battle Velvet,” an experiential quiz attraction that blends intellectual challenge with physical movement. Participants find themselves transported to the “Persona Quiz Arena,” where they must cooperate with familiar allies and utilize their comprehensive knowledge of the “Persona” series to defeat Personas unleashed by the Attendants.

The attraction is available in two tiers: the Normal Course for 1,200 yen and the Wild Course for 1,300 yen. Upon completion, participants receive a prize based on their results. Participation bonuses include random clear illustration sheets based on the chosen mode:

P3R Mode: 9 types available
P4G Mode: 8 types available
P5R Mode: 10 types available
Wild Course: 7 types available

Those who successfully complete the Wild Course are eligible for a specific Wild Course Complete Bonus clear illustration sheet.

In addition to the main attraction, three specialized mini-games are available for 700 yen per play, each drawing inspiration from different eras of the series:

Demon Negotiation Lottery
Based on the negotiation mechanics from Shin Megami Tensei: Persona, this game requires players to select contact commands to negotiate with demons in pursuit of a Spell Card.

A Prize: Acrylic Board (8 types)
B Prize: A3 Poster (8 types)
C Prize: Illustration Sheet (12 types, random distribution)

Grant My Wish! Joker-sama
Drawing from Persona 2: Innocent Sin, this attraction allows fans to test the urban legend regarding Joker-sama’s ability to grant wishes via a themed phone call.

A Prize: Acrylic Board (8 types)
B Prize: Metallic Acrylic Keychain (7 types)
C Prize: Visual Sticker (16 types, random distribution)

Everyone’s Friend of Desire! Market Price Net Tanaka Visiting Edition Garapon
This event features the appearance of Market Price Net Tanaka, who is visiting to express gratitude for the ongoing patronage of the community. Players can turn the Garapon for a chance to win:

A Prize: Acrylic Board (8 types)
B Prize: Connecting Acrylic Charm (72 types)
C Prize: Sticker (16 types, random distribution)

Original Merchandise

A wide array of original goods featuring newly drawn illustrations and mini-character art of the protagonists and Velvet Room residents will be available for purchase.

Acrylic Stand (Full size): 1,800 yen each (8 types total)
Foil-stamped Matte Can Badge Collection: 550 yen per piece (randomly enclosed, 8 types total) or a complete set for 4,400 yen
Tarot-style Card Collection: 500 yen per piece (randomly enclosed, 16 types total) or a complete set for 8,000 yen
Slide Acrylic Keychain: 1,500 yen each (8 types total)
Acrylic Art Board: 8,800 yen
Acrylic Stand (Mini character): 1,500 yen each (16 types total)
Clear Pouch: 1,500 yen each (8 types total)
Package Art Aurora Poster: 3,800 yen each (13 types total)
Embroidered Logo Cap: 3,900 yen each (3 types total)

As a store purchase bonus, customers will receive one random illustration sheet for every 3,000 yen spent on Persona-related goods per transaction, available until supplies are exhausted.

Collaboration Food and Beverages

The event features a themed menu of food and desserts designed to evoke the atmosphere of the series. Each eligible food item purchase includes an “Illustration Sheet A” (8 types total), while each eligible drink includes an “Illustration Sheet B” (8 types total).

Selected Menu Items:

Parfait: Pandora’s Nest — 1,300 yen
Ramen Shiraishi Special Banana Chashu — 1,400 yen
Cherry Blossom Memories — 1,300 yen
Junes’ Special Beef Steak Bento — 2,200 yen
That Girl’s True Feeling Chocolate Cake Cup — 1,400 yen
Let’s Cooking! Exquisite Tonkatsu & Winter Melon Tea Set — 2,200 yen
Memoria Drink: Persona — 1,100 yen
Memoria Drink: Persona 2 — 1,100 yen
Memoria Drink: Persona 3 — 1,100 yen
Memoria Drink: Persona 4 — 1,200 yen
Memoria Drink: Persona 5 — 1,000 yen
Memoria Drink: Persona 5X — 1,500 yen

Please note that menu availability may vary by venue; refer to the official website for current details.

Visitor Information

To manage crowd density, entry may be restricted to advance reservations only on specific dates. All prices listed include tax. Please be aware that products, bonuses, and prizes are available in limited quantities.

Basic Event Details

Venue: Bandai Namco Cross Store Tokyo
Nearest Station: Higashi-Ikebukuro Station
Location: 〒170-0013 Tokyo-to, Toshima-ku, Higashi-Ikebukuro 3-1-3 Sunshine City World Import Mart Building 3F MAP
Event Period: 2026/10/09 (Fri) ～ 2026/12/06 (Sun)
Official Website: https://event.bandainamco-am.co.jp/cx/PERSONA%5FMemoria/

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(C)ATLUS. (C)SEGA.
(C)Bandai Namco Experience Inc.

Persona is a series of Japanese role-playing games developed by Atlus. It began in 1996 as a spin-off of Shin Megami Tensei and has since centered on a recurring premise: high school students gain the ability to summon Personas, manifestations of their psyche, and use them to fight creatures called Shadows in supernatural spaces. The day-to-day setting remains ordinary; the threats come from outside it.

The series’ defining feature is its split structure. During the day, players attend class, take on part-time jobs, and build relationships with classmates and other residents. These relationships are governed by a social-link system: as you spend time with a person, their bond grows, and that growth is rewarded with combat bonuses. At night, you lead the same characters through dungeons, where battles unfold in a turn-based format and collected Personas can be combined into stronger ones. The two halves feed each other, and progression in one is tied to progress in the other.

The main modern entries are Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5. Each places its cast in a different setting and gives the story a different focal point, but all three share the same basic loop: investigate a mystery, form alliances, and manage time. Their art and music are distinctive, and the characters are written as individuals whose personalities shape the story.

Atlus has announced a 30th anniversary celebration in Tokyo. It will cover the series’ history and give fans an opportunity to engage with the games in person. For longtime players, it is a chance to return to familiar material; for newcomers, it is a way to see what the series has done across three decades.

October 13, 2026

Hibiya Cinema Festival 2026: Enjoy Free Open-Air Movie Screenings Across Tokyo Midtown Hibiya, Hibiya Park, and Hibiya OKUROJI

HIBIYA CINEMA FESTIVAL 2026

Enjoy movies across the entire town!

HIBIYA CINEMA FESTIVAL 2026, a cinema festival in the “Town of Cinema,” Hibiya, will be held from October 9 (Fri) to October 25 (Sun), 2026. True to its name, the festival extends across the district rather than confining itself to a single theater, with screens appearing in three public spaces of distinctly different character. Visitors can come and go freely throughout the period — admission is free — and move between open-air screenings under a large LED vision, a lawn in the park, and an atmospheric indoor space beneath the elevated tracks.

Key Highlights of HIBIYA CINEMA FESTIVAL 2026

Screens will appear in three public spaces: Tokyo Midtown Hibiya / Hibiya Park / Hibiya OKUROJI
The theme is “Immerse Yourself” Cinema — select movies based on emotions and share impressions on SNS
Photo spots to enjoy the world of cinema are also available

Enjoy the different faces of Hibiya! Screens will appear in three public spaces

Tokyo Midtown Hibiya, Hibiya Step Plaza (Main Venue)

At the main venue, movies are screened on a large LED vision at Hibiya Step Plaza. In addition to the screenings, talk sessions featuring directors and cast members will be held, offering visitors a chance to experience the world of cinema more deeply.

Period: October 9 (Fri) – October 25 (Sun)

Hibiya Park (Satellite Venue)

Held jointly with the Hibiya Park-hosted event “HIBIYA PARK TERRACE,” the satellite venue in Hibiya Park screens movies in the lush green Shibaniwa Plaza. The lineup focuses on works that children can also enjoy, making it a relaxed open-air experience on the lawn.

Dates: October 10 (Sat) – October 12 (Mon/Holiday)

Hibiya OKUROJI (Satellite Venue)

Set in Hibiya OKUROJI, which spreads beneath the elevated tracks, this satellite venue offers an atmospheric and calm indoor space with a mature atmosphere. It invites visitors to settle in and immerse themselves leisurely in the world of cinema.

Dates: October 10 (Sat), 11 (Sun), October 15 (Thu) – 17 (Sat) from 19:00 (Scheduled)

The theme is “Immerse Yourself” Cinema

The festival’s organizing concept is “Immerse Yourself” Cinema, built around the idea of matching a film to the mood of the moment. Visitors can choose from themed selections depending on whether they feel like immersing themselves in tears, in a romantic mood, or in something else entirely. To this end, “〇〇 Movie Days” — themed around emotions such as “Smile,” “Tears,” and “Romance” — are deployed on a daily basis. The festival proposes a new way of enjoying movies: selecting a film by emotion and sharing impressions afterward on SNS.

To bring the world of cinema even closer, a giant “clapperboard” object will appear on-site as a photo spot. Designed to make visitors want to take a picture, it enriches the time before and after watching a film.

With screenings and photo experiences combined, the festival offers a movie experience unique to Tokyo Midtown Hibiya — one where visitors can immerse themselves in the works and preserve memories in photos. Why not visit to find a movie that perfectly matches your mood for the day?

Screening Schedule

Hibiya Step Plaza — 12 “Immerse Yourself” selections based on the mood of the day (Day Screen)

At the Hibiya Step Plaza Day Screen, screenings are held daily, built around 12 emotional themes such as “Excitement,” “Fluttering and Sadness,” and “Exaltation.”

Excitement Day — Let’s immerse ourselves in a world beyond imagination — October 11 (Sun)

“Jurassic World: Rebirth” 13:00–
“Big Fish” 15:30–

Love Day — Let’s immerse ourselves in fluttering and sadness — October 18 (Sun)

“Notting Hill” 13:00–
“We Made a Beautiful Bouquet” 15:30–

Thrill Day — Let’s immerse ourselves in an unpredictable day — October 19 (Mon)

“Happy Death Day 2U” 15:00–

Soul-Stirring Day — Let’s immerse ourselves in an overwhelming singing voice — October 22 (Thu)

“Les Misérables” 15:00–

Hibiya Park

Held jointly with the Hibiya Park-hosted event “HIBIYA PARK TERRACE,” the screenings here feature works that can be enjoyed together by everyone, from children to adults, in the lush green Shibaniwa Plaza.

October 10 (Sat) 13:00– “Paddington”
October 12 (Mon/Holiday) 13:00– “E.T.”

Hibiya OKUROJI

At Hibiya OKUROJI, masterpieces supported across generations are screened in an atmospheric space unique to the area beneath the elevated tracks.

October 10 (Sat) 19:00– “Léon: The Professional”
October 16 (Fri) 19:00– “The Dark Knight”

For other details such as the full screening schedule, please check the official website.

Basic Info

Location / Nearest Station: Tokyo Midtown Hibiya — Hibiya Station / Yurakucho Station
Address: 〒100-0006, 1-1-2 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo — MAP
Venue: Tokyo Midtown Hibiya Hibiya Step Plaza, Hibiya Park, Hibiya OKUROJI
Period: 2026/10/09 (Fri) ～ 2026/10/25 (Sun)
Application: Some areas of the Night Screen are by prior reservation. Please check the official website for details.
Fee/Cost: Admission free, free entry and exit
Official Website: https://www.hibiya.tokyo-midtown.com/hibiya-cinema-festival/
Rainy Day Information: Cancelled in case of severe weather

The posted content may be subject to change. Please check the official website of the venue or organizer for the latest information.

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Hibiya

Hibiya is a district in central Tokyo, a short walk from the Imperial Palace and adjacent to Ginza and Yurakucho. It is part of Chiyoda Ward. For more than a century it has functioned as a civic and cultural area, with office buildings, government facilities, theaters, and public open space all within a compact radius.

The main draw is Hibiya Park, opened in 1903 as Tokyo’s first public park in the Western style. Its central fountain, rose garden, and lawns were designed for strolling rather than for formal garden viewing, which was common at the time. The park has since served a wide range of uses: lunch breaks, flower exhibitions, concerts, political rallies, and weekend events. It is not a large park, but it sits at the center of a dense office district, and the change in noise and temperature once you enter it is immediate.

The area around the park has changed in stages. For much of the twentieth century, it was mainly a business district. Tokyo Midtown Hibiya, completed in 2018, brought a mix of shops, restaurants, offices, and a cinema into one large complex. Its lower floors open onto plazas and planted terraces, so the building does not stand apart from the street. A short walk away, Hibiya OKUROJI occupies a row of brick arches under the elevated railway lines. The space is narrow, covered, and lined with specialty shops, cafés, and food stalls. It is the kind of place that works better as a detour than as a destination in itself.

The district has a long association with film and theater. Several of the theaters that opened here in the mid-twentieth century are still in use. The wide pavements around the park and the arrangement of open space make outdoor events easy to hold, and in summer they host open-air screenings and night markets. Because the Imperial Palace grounds sit to the north, they remove a large area of traffic from the district, and the public spaces feel less crowded than those in neighboring Ginza.

Hibiya is not a dramatic part of Tokyo, but it is a practical and social one. It has a rare mix of greenery, transit access, and generous paved public spaces. The combination works best at street level, where a park bench, a cinema queue, and a restaurant entrance are usually within sight of one another.

October 13, 2026

VIVANT Immersive Mission 2026 in Tokyo: Step Into the Drama with Secret Missions and Authentic Sets

TBS Drama Experience Event: VIVANT IMMERSIVE MISSION — From Here, Your Adventure Begins —

For fans of the Sunday Theater “VIVANT,” the wait for the story’s continuation can be grueling—particularly following the temporary hiatus that began after the broadcast on Sunday, September 13. To bridge this gap, TBS Television is offering an unprecedented opportunity to step beyond the screen and enter the narrative directly. From Wednesday, September 16, 2026, to Friday, November 27, 2026, the “VIVANT IMMERSIVE MISSION” will take place at CREATIVE MUSEUM TOKYO in Kyobashi, Tokyo, allowing participants to engage with the series’ complex world through a series of high-stakes, top-secret missions.

Step Into the World of VIVANT

Unlike a standard exhibition, this event is designed as an immersive operation. Visitors do not simply observe; they assume roles—such as “Beppan,” “Public Security,” or “Tent”—and navigate the event using the dedicated “Auris” smartphone app. By choosing one of four distinct courses—”Beppan,” “Public Security,” “Tent,” or “Searching for Drum’s comrades”—participants engage with the plot from different operational perspectives.

The experience is anchored by the use of authentic sets from the drama, providing a level of detail that separates this event from typical promotional pop-ups. Visitors can explore the “Operations Room” of the 303rd room of the bouquiniste bookstore in Azerbaijan visited by Nogi in Episode 18, the “MPD Public Security Bureau Foreign Affairs Division 4” (the site of numerous pivotal investigation meetings), and the “Tent Underground Prison” where Nogi and Kurosu were held during the first season.

The mission is guided by the voices of a luxurious cast of 12 members. Familiar characters—including Yusuke Nogi (Masato Sakai), Mamoru Nozaki (Hiroshi Abe), Nokoru (Kazunari Ninomiya), Shun Kurosu (Tori Matsuzaka), Kotaro Shinjo (Ryosei Shiranai), Ari (Takashi Yamanaka), Drum (Drum Tomoe / CV: Megumi Hayashibara), Yutaro Sano (Yajuro Bando), Shota Tojo (Gaku Hamada), Satomi Sakurai (Midoriko Kimura), and Toshihiko Nagano (Fumiyo Kohinata)—will provide navigation via audio. Once all tests are completed, AI Hayato (CV: Minami Takayama) will calculate the participant’s aptitude value, concluding a tension-filled experience where the story advances based on the user’s specific choices.

The VIVANT EXTRA MISSION CAFE

To further immerse the senses, the venue hosts the “VIVANT EXTRA MISSION CAFE.” This collaboration cafe offers a menu supervised by the drama’s production team—who conducted repeated tastings to ensure authenticity—that recreates famous scenes and the grand atmosphere of the series.

One of the most anticipated items is the “Nozaki and Drum’s sincy Prison Meal Set,” which recreates the fried rice (the “Drum’s Fried Rice” that became a hot topic in Episode 17) and steamed meat buns consumed in the cell where Nozaki and Drum were captured. For dessert, the “Beginning Desert Tiramisu ~Feel the Wind of Balca~” evokes the vast, symbolic deserts that define the start of the journey. With meticulous attention to plating and naming, the cafe serves as a space to soak in the lingering emotions of the story after the mission concludes.

Event-Limited Merchandise

A wide array of original goods, available exclusively at the “VIVANT IMMERSIVE MISSION,” are available for purchase. These range from character-themed accessories to items incorporating the aesthetics of the opposing factions.

Face Pouch (2 types: Vivant-chan / Drum): 1,650 yen (tax included)
Diatomaceous Earth Coaster (3 types: Logo / Beppan / Tent): 1,870 yen (tax included)
Banshu-ori Tenugui Hand Towel (2 types: Red-Black / Black): 3,300 yen (tax included)
Kawara Senbei (printed with AI Hayato and the logo): 1,620 yen (tax included)

Visitor Information and Logistics

Basic Info

Venue / Nearest Station: CREATIVE MUSEUM TOKYO / Kyobashi (Tokyo) Station
Location: 〒104-0031 Tokyo-to Chuo-ku Kyobashi 1-7-1 TODA BUILDING 6F MAP
Period: 2026/09/16 (Wed) ～ 2026/11/27 (Fri)
Hours:
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun: 10:00–18:00 (Last entry 17:00)
- Fri, Sat, Hol: 10:00–20:00 (Last entry 19:00)
- Special Hours (11/27 only): 10:00–18:00 (Last entry 17:00)
Fees/Costs:
- Weekdays: General/University Students: 2,500 yen / High School Students: 1,700 yen / Middle/Elementary School Students: 900 yen
- Sat, Sun, Hol: General/University Students: 2,800 yen / High School Students: 2,000 yen / Middle/Elementary School Students: 1,200 yen
Inquiries: 050-5541-8600
Official Website: https://www.tbs.co.jp/VIVANT-immersive-mission/
Official SNS: X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/VIVANT_MISSION
Ticketing: eplus | TBS Tickets

Important Notes for Visitors

The event operates by prior reservation for specified dates and times. While entry is free for those bringing a disability certificate (including one accompanying person), a prior reservation via the eplus ticket sales page is still required.

Because the experience relies on the free “Auris” app, visitors must install it prior to arrival. Please ensure your device is supported:

iPhone: iOS 15.6 or later (models released from November 2017 onwards, including iPhone X and SE 2nd generation).
Android: Android 12 or higher (ARCore compatible models).

Visitors are required to bring their own earphones or headphones. Please be aware that photography is prohibited within the venue, except in designated areas.

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What is VIVANT?

VIVANT is a Japanese television drama series that started on TBS in July 2023. It follows a Japanese business executive whose ordinary work assignment in another country turns into a larger confrontation involving espionage, local politics, and personal survival. The story moves between Tokyo boardrooms, the Mongolian desert, and the fictional nation of Barka, and its principal characters are repeatedly forced to choose between duty, self-interest, and outside loyalties.

The series was widely discussed in Japan for its production values, its layered plot, and its ensemble cast, led by Masato Sakai. The title is the Esperanto word for “alive,” a reference to the show’s interest in how people respond when their usual social rules disappear. TBS revealed little about the plot in advance, so audience discussion during the original broadcast became part of the series’s reception. That combination of large-scale location work, long-form storytelling, and information control is the basis for VIVANT Immersive Mission 2026, a Tokyo event designed around the show’s settings and narrative world.

October 13, 2026

ZEN NIGHT TOKYO 2026: Experience Immersive Sound Art and Zen Spirituality at the Tokyo National Museum

ZEN NIGHT TOKYO

Experience a profound convergence of traditional spirituality and modern technology at ZEN NIGHT TOKYO, a curated evening event set within the gardens of the Tokyo National Museum. This immersive experience is held concurrently with the 700th Anniversary Special Exhibition, “Daitoku-ji: The Peerless Zen Gardens of Japan,” allowing visitors to explore the philosophy of Zen through both art and atmosphere amidst the vibrant colors of autumn foliage.

While the gardens of the Tokyo National Museum typically close at 17:00, they will be specially open at night for this event. ZEN NIGHT TOKYO represents the fourth installment of the ZEN NIGHT series—which previously visited Kennin-ji (Kyoto), Kencho-ji (Kamakura), and Tofuku-ji (Kyoto)—marking the first time this specific sound art experience has been brought to Tokyo.

This is not a traditional garden stroll, but an immersive sound art night where tradition fuses with the latest technology. Visitors can participate in “Walking Zen,” a journey through a curated environment of autumn foliage illuminations, large-scale sea of clouds effects, and “Neuromusic™.” The latter utilizes VIE’s unique patented technology to tune the brain, creating a sensory experience designed to lead the participant toward a state of mindfulness.

The 700th Anniversary Special Exhibition: Daitoku-ji

The event serves as a celebratory companion to the “Daitoku-ji: The Peerless Zen Gardens of Japan” exhibition held at the Heiseikan of the Tokyo National Museum from October 14 to December 6, 2026. Organized by the Tokyo National Museum, Daitoku-ji Head Temple, NHK, NHK Promotions, and Nikkei Inc., this is the first Daitoku-ji exhibition in 41 years and the inaugural exhibition of its kind in Tokyo.

The exhibition brings together legendary Zen treasures, including the National Treasure “Kannon, Monkey and Crane” by Muqi and the National Treasure “Yohen Tenmoku” (both on display October 14 – November 8). In a rare display, the exhibition features a reproduced interior of the Sanmon gate—an area usually closed to the public—showcasing the vivid ceiling and pillar paintings by Hasegawa Tohaku, alongside the first-ever public revealing of the principal image and the statue of Sen no Rikyu.

Event Highlights

The evening is structured around several key installations designed to evoke stillness and reflection:

Suigetsu Pond: Located in the garden of the former Kan’ei-ji Temple, this area allows visitors to observe the autumn moon and foliage reflected on the water’s surface. This “water mirror” is intended to envelop the guest in a stillness that reflects one’s own mental landscape.
Momiji Tea House: To complement the cool autumn air, an outdoor tea house will be established by the pond, serving warm matcha and matcha lattes.
Tenmoku Garden: Situated in front of the “Kujokan” tea room (which was relocated from the Duke Kujo residence), this dry landscape garden is designed to represent the Milky Way floating in the darkness.
Hyakki Yagyo (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons): Along the path behind the pond near the “Tengou-an” tea room—associated with Kobori Enshu—3,000 spider lilies will bloom, evoking the presence of ancient Japanese spirits (mononoke) during the long autumn nights.

Special Programming (Reservation Only)

Beyond the general walk, several high-engagement sessions are available via reservation:

Brainwave Zazen: A fusion of science and spirituality where participants wear VIE’s earphone-type brainwave meter. The “tuning” of the brain state is visualized in real-time through sound and imagery, allowing participants to face their own hearts in a digital silence. Sessions take approximately 30 minutes and are scheduled 2–4 times per day.
Special Zazen Session by Daitoku-ji Monk: Led by Reverend Yoshiaki Yamato, the chief priest of Daisen-in (a sub-temple of Daitoku-ji famous for its dry landscape garden and ties to Sen no Rikyu). This session takes place on Thursday, November 5, 2026, from 17:45 to 18:45.
Special Zazen Session with Shojin Ryori: Led by Reverend So-sho Yamada, chief priest of Shinju-an (founded by Ikkyu Sojun). Following an hour of Zazen, guests may enjoy traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine (Shojin Ryori) at the “TOHAKU Tea House” restaurant in the “Okyo-kan.” This occurs on Friday, November 13, 2026, with two slots: ①17:45–20:15 and ②19:00–21:30.
“Hyakki Yagyo” Halloween Event: A special event planned for October, inspired by the Important Cultural Property “Hyakki Yagyo Emaki” (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons Scroll) featured in the Daitoku-ji exhibition. Details will be released on the official website.

Basic Information

Location / Nearest Station
Tokyo National Museum

Ueno Station (10 min walk)
Uguisudani Station (10 min walk)
Nezu Station (15 min walk)
Keisei-Ueno Station (15 min walk)

Address
〒110-8712
13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
MAP

Period
Wednesday, 2026/10/14 ～ Sunday, 2026/12/06
Closed every Monday (except Nov 2, 23, and 30) and Nov 24.

Time

Standard: 17:30 – 19:30
Extended (until 21:00): Every Friday and Saturday, as well as Nov 1, Nov 2, and Nov 22.
Extended (until 21:30): Nov 13.
Admission is permitted until 30 minutes before closing.

Fees/Costs

Advance Tickets: General 3,600 yen / University Students 2,600 yen / High School Students 2,200 yen
Same-day Tickets: General 4,200 yen / University Students 3,200 yen / High School Students 2,800 yen
Note: Ticket prices include admission to the special exhibition “Daitoku-ji: The Peerless Zen Gardens of Japan.”

Official Website
https://zen.vie.style/tokyo2026

The posted content may have changed. Please check the official website of the venue or organizer for the latest information.

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What is the Tokyo National Museum?

The Tokyo National Museum is Japan’s oldest and largest museum, located in Ueno Park, Tokyo. It was founded in 1872. Its holdings span Japanese and other Asian art, including ancient ceramics, samurai armor, ukiyo-e woodblock prints, Buddhist sculpture, and cultural artifacts. A number of these items are designated National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties.

The museum is made up of several buildings. The Honkan houses the Japanese Gallery, the Toyokan the Asian Gallery, the Hyokeikan is used for special exhibitions, the Horyuji Homotsukan displays treasures from Horyuji Temple, and the Kuroda Memorial Hall shows works by Kuroda Seiki. The grounds include gardens, ponds, and mature trees.

These surroundings are well suited to an outdoor sound art event such as ZEN NIGHT TOKYO 2026. The combination of open space and relative quiet makes it possible to present work that depends on careful listening, without competing with the noise of the surrounding city. The museum’s collection and architecture also give visitors reason to arrive early and spend time there before the program begins.

October 12, 2026

4th Hanshin Donburi Fest 2026 in Osaka: Experience Premium Wagyu and Seafood Feasts at Hanshin Umeda Main Store

Don Ito’s! 4th Hanshin Donburi Fest

Donburi is one of Japan’s quickest meals: a single bowl of rice, a topping, no need for multiple dishes. But the 4th Hanshin Donburi Fest is built around the idea that the right toppings can turn that simple bowl into something closer to an elegant feast. It takes place at Shokusai Terrace on the first floor of Hanshin Umeda Main Store from 2026/10/14 (Wed) through 10/19 (Mon).

The menu spans meat and seafood with a strong tilt toward indulgence. Highlights include A5-rank Japanese Black Wagyu and Yonezawa beef steak & sukiyaki bowls, fragrant thick-cut skirt steak bowls, and Nagoya Cochin chicken and egg bowls. For seafood lovers, there are white shrimp tempura bowls and seafood bowls piled high with a variety of fish and shellfish. It is a lineup that makes a convincing case for eating lunch out of a single bowl.

The festival also puts a special focus on “donburi no atama”—the toppings themselves. In Japanese, “atama” means “head,” and in donburi it refers to the topping placed on top of the rice. These toppings are often the most flavorful part of the dish, and they also happen to pair exceptionally well with alcohol. Refreshing drinks such as homemade lemonade will be available to cleanse the palate between rich bites.

On 10/17 (Sat), there will also be a talk show by Don Ito, director of the National Donburi Federation. The federation was established to revitalize local regions through donburi and to promote “DONBURI” culture to the world. Ito’s talk show will be held twice, at ①13:00 and ②15:00, with each session lasting approximately 30 minutes. No reservation is required, and admission to the talk show is free of charge.

Event details

Period: 2026/10/14 (Wed) – 10/19 (Mon)
Time: 10:00 – 20:00
Location: Hanshin Umeda Main Store, 1st Floor, Shokusai Terrace (1-13-13 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka City)
Fee: Free admission
Website: Hanshin Umeda Main Store event page

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What is a donburi?

A donburi is a Japanese rice bowl meal. The word means “bowl,” and in a restaurant context it refers to a complete dish served in one: steamed rice, a topping of meat, seafood, or vegetables, and often a sauce or broth that seasons the rice as it mixes with the other ingredients.

The format has many versions. Gyudon consists of beef and onion simmered in a sweetened soy-based sauce. Tendon is battered and fried seafood or vegetables placed over rice, with a dipping sauce poured on top. Kaisendon is a bowl of sashimi or other raw seafood. The toppings differ, but the structure is consistent: the topping is cooked or prepared separately, the rice is steamed, and the two are combined at serving time.

At the Hanshin Donburi Fest, this basic structure is used as the framework for a range of dishes. The event includes wagyu beef, seafood, and other preparations arranged over warm rice. The focus is on how each component is seasoned and how it interacts with the rice. Because donburi is not a single recipe but a category, it accommodates both everyday cooking and higher-end ingredients without changing the essential format.