2026 Andong International Mask Dance Festival: Experience UNESCO Heritage and Global Culture in Korea

Andong International Mask Dance Festival

🗓️ 2026.09.24 ~ 2026.10.04

The Andong International Mask Dance Festival is a global festival that brings mask dance traditions from Korea and around the world into one festival site. Korean mask dance, listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is presented alongside mask dance performances by overseas troupes. The 2026 festival is designed to connect the time preserved in masks with present-day life, and to make those traditions accessible to everyone—from local residents to international visitors.

Rather than being purely stage-based, the festival turns the grounds into a participatory space. Visitors can watch a wide range of performances, take part in parades and the Daedong Nanjang (grand feast), follow the World Maskdance Competition, or try hands-on activities like mask making and learning a mask dance. The program includes performances, competitions, and food, making it possible for families, first-time visitors, and longtime enthusiasts to find their own way into the festival.

From children to the elderly, and from local residents to visitors from around the world, the moments when everyone laughs, claps, and shares rhythms in the same space turn the memories carried by masks into living culture. The festival is, in that sense, a “dance for everyone”—made complete by the people who gather, share the same rhythm, and turn a performance into a communal experience.

Program highlights

Domestic and international maskdance performances — Including domestic mask dance groups listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (“Korean Mask Dance”) and overseas mask dance performance groups.
Madang-geuk (traditional outdoor play) & creative plays, mask dance troupe performances
Competition events — Including the World Maskdance Competition, Mask Talent, World Creative Mask Contest, and Mask Dance Drawing Contest.
Citizen participation events — Including Daedong Nanjang and street parades.
Experiential programs — Including mask making and learning mask dance.
Festival food — A chance to experience both the mask dance festival and Andong through its cuisine.

Visitor information

📍 Address: 239 Yuksa-ro, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (Unheung-dong)

🛏️ Accommodations near the event

💰 Fee: Free (Some experiential programs and performances at the mask dance performance hall have a fee)

📞 Inquiry: 054-840-3400

🖥️ Website: www.maskdance.com

The Andong Mask Dance, formally known as Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori, is a Korean mask dance drama from Hahoe Village in Andong. It developed over centuries as part of village rituals intended to appease gods and ancestral spirits, pray for good harvests, and strengthen community ties. It also served as social commentary. Through humor, satire, and dialogue, performers used stock characters to parody the aristocracy and clergy, and to represent ordinary people’s lives. The wooden masks, traditionally carved from alder, distinguish each character by expression and shape; they include the nobleman, the monk, the bride, and the servant.

UNESCO inscribed Talchum, the broader Korean mask dance tradition, on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022. The Andong Mask Dance is one of the tradition’s most historically significant and well-documented forms. Its inscription recognizes the practice’s cultural role rather than only its artistic value. The dance is still performed by community members, taught across generations, and adapted over time. UNESCO’s criteria emphasize dialogue, social cohesion, and mutual respect—qualities the performance has carried since its origins. The Andong International Mask Dance Festival, scheduled for 2026, will present the dance as part of this continuing tradition, along with related performances and programs.

September 21, 2026

2026 Inje Autumn Flower Festival: Experience Romantic Gardens and Literary Healing in Gangwon-do

Inje Autumn Flower Festival

🗓️ 2026.09.24 ~ 2026.10.11

The 2026 Inje Autumn Flower Festival adds a touch of specialty by presenting a differentiated garden where literary sensibility and splendid autumn flowers harmonize to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of poet Park In-hwan, a leading figure of Korean modernist poetry. The most significant feature of this festival is that visitors can feel the literary lingering emotions while admiring colorful autumn flowers in a space that modernly reinterprets the poet’s romance.

The festival grounds are diversely composed of themed paths, each carrying a different “wish.” It is ideal for enjoying a leisurely autumn stroll, with sections devoted to happiness, love, communication, and healing, plus a well-being market and a lineup of events that make it a complete autumn outing.

Main Programs

Wish for Happiness

This section features the Park In-hwan Romantic Garden, flower shelters, and the Fortune Observatory.

Wish for Love

Here you will find the wildflower garden, a chrysanthemum bonsai exhibition, and food trucks.

Wish for Communication

A cozy waterfront promenade and a slow mailbox create a calm, reflective atmosphere.

Wish for Healing

Visitors can stroll through the forest cafe and author/community gardens, and enjoy nature experience programs such as tree climbing, treehouses, children’s forests, and bookmark making.

Well-being Market

The market offers local agricultural products, chrysanthemum sales, food trucks, craft experiences, and lively performances.

Events

Alongside the main programs, the festival features a flower path stamp tour, rock-paper-scissors tournament, visit review event, survey event, and sketching contest. These activities, combined with the themed gardens and market, provide a perfect autumn day out.

Visitor Information

📍 Address: Yongdae-ri, Buk-myeon, Inje-gun, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province

🛏️ Accommodation near the event

💰 Fee: Free (Some programs require a fee)

📞 Inquiry: 033-460-8900

🖥️ Website: https://www.injefestival.com/flower/

Inje, Gangwon-do

Inje is a county in Gangwon-do, South Korea, located in the Baekdu-daegan mountain range. The county includes part of Seoraksan, whose highest point, Daecheongbong, is a notable summit in the area. It also has deep valleys, clear streams, and large stretches of forest. The landscape changes with the seasons: snow lingers on the ridges in winter, the slopes turn green in spring and summer, and the hillsides turn red and yellow in autumn.

The county is primarily known for outdoor recreation. Hiking and mountain biking are popular on the surrounding ridges; paragliding is available from some launch sites; and the Soyang River supports fishing and other water-based activities. In autumn, Inje also draws visitors to its gardens and lower slopes, where chrysanthemums and other late-blooming flowers bloom. These places offer a less strenuous alternative to mountain activities. The combination of rugged terrain and cultivated gardens gives the area a varied character, and tourism here includes both active and easygoing recreation.

September 21, 2026

Night Banquet at Changgyeong Palace 2026: Experience a Royal Joseon Dynasty Feast with Your Family in Seoul

Night Banquet at Changgyeong Palace

Changgyeonggung Yayeon—”Night Banquet at Changgyeong Palace”—is a family-friendly nighttime royal banquet program that reinterprets the feast Crown Prince Hyomyeong prepared for his father, King Sunjo. The original banquet reflected profound filial piety, and this modern adaptation lets participants enter that world as civil and military officials or as ladies of the outer court of the Joseon dynasty. Dressed in royal attire, guests enjoy royal confections with accompanying family members, watch traditional performances, and take part in traditional experience programs.

🗓️ 2026 schedule

The 2026 program runs for a total of 20 days across two periods:

First half: May 7 (Thu) – May 17 (Sun)
Second half: September 24 (Thu) – October 4 (Sun)

The event is not held on September 28 (Mon), when Changgyeonggung is closed. The dates include Parents’ Day and the Chuseok holiday, offering a fitting occasion for a family stroll through the palace at night.

📍 Location: 185 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Waryong-dong)

Participation options

1. Paid participants

Paid participants attend the royal nightly banquet as officials or ladies of the outer court. The program includes:

Watching royal banquet performances
Wearing royal attire and receiving makeup
Royal confection experience
Filial piety (孝) experience
Individual and family photography

2. Accompanying family

Accompanying family members join the banquet and experience programs with paid participants. This includes:

Watching royal banquet performances
Royal confection experience
Writing letters to parents
Filial piety (孝) experience
Family photo and video filming

3. On-site visitors (free)

On-site visitors can watch a modern reenactment of the Joseon dynasty royal banquet and join side events. This includes:

Watching royal banquet performances (first-come, first-served; limited seating)
Using select filial piety (孝) experiences and photo zones

💰 Fee: Paid / Free (some experiences and performance viewing)

🛏️ Accommodation near the event

Contact and information

📞 Inquiry: 1522-2295
⭐️ Instagram: Instagram
🖥️ Homepage: Homepage

Changgyeong Palace is one of the Five Grand Palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910) in Seoul. It was constructed in 1483 by King Seongjong as a residence for royal women—queens, dowagers, concubines, and princesses—who lived within the complex. The palace shares a boundary wall with Changdeokgung, but it has a different function and feel. It is smaller, more garden-oriented, and designed around the daily life of the court rather than public ceremony.

The palace has been damaged and rebuilt several times. It was burned during the Japanese invasions of Korea in the 1590s and rebuilt in the early seventeenth century. During the Japanese colonial period (1910–1945), large parts of the grounds were converted into a zoo, botanical garden, and museum. These facilities were later removed, and restoration efforts have since returned the compound to its Joseon layout. Today it is a protected historic site and one of the less crowded royal palaces in Seoul.

Visitors enter through Honghwa Gate, the palace’s main gate, and cross Okcheongyo Bridge, a stone bridge over a narrow waterway. The main throne hall, Myeongjeongjeon, is among the oldest surviving palace buildings in Seoul, and its raised stone platform and double-eaved roof are good examples of early Joseon architecture. The grounds also include a greenhouse, a lotus pond, and shaded paths through the rear garden.

Evening visits are available during certain seasons. The palace is lit after dark, with fixtures positioned along the pavilion eaves and beside the water. The effect is clear and restrained: the buildings remain visible, the paths are walkable, and the site is quiet. It is also a practical place for families, since the grounds are open and the main paths are flat. For visitors who want a Joseon palace without the crowds of Gyeongbokgung, Changgyeong Palace offers a direct and manageable alternative.

September 20, 2026

“2026 Hadong Bukcheon Cosmos and Buckwheat Flower Festival: 20th Anniversary Dates, Events, and Visitor Guide”

Hadong Bukcheon Cosmos and Buckwheat Flower Festival

🗓️ 2026.09.22 ~ 2026.10.05

When late summer transitions into early autumn, the fields of Hadong Bukcheon take on their most striking appearance. Pink cosmos blossoms sway above the paths in soft waves, and white buckwheat flowers spread across the ground in dense, snow-like layers. This is the scene at the heart of the ’20th Hadong Bukcheon Cosmos and Buckwheat Flower Festival,’ which opens its gates for two weeks of flowers, performances, and rural experiences.

Since the festival’s first edition in 2007, the Bukcheon Flower Complex has welcomed countless visitors over the past two decades. Its walking paths wind through waves of flowers in full bloom and past cozy rural scenery, offering an unhurried way to experience the countryside. This year’s event is planned to be more colorful and abundant, with performances and hands-on activities added to the natural attractions.

The 20th-anniversary program includes events for both observers and participants. Visitors can stroll through the flower fields at their own pace, then join one of the following activities:

20th Anniversary Celebration: Find the Golden Lucky Pouch – A special search event tied to the 20th anniversary, adding a playful element to a walk around the festival grounds.
Challenge 100-Point Karaoke (Tourist Singing Contest) – An open singing contest where tourists can take the stage and aim for a perfect 100-point score.
Harmony Bukcheon Residents’ Singing Contest for Chuseok – A Chuseok-season contest featuring Bukcheon residents, blending holiday tradition with local participation.
Special rural experience booths for seeing flowers, making, and tasting – Hands-on booths where visitors can observe the flowers up close, make flower-related items, and sample local food.

Visitor Information

📍 Address: 2253-9 Gyeongseo-daero, Bukcheon-myeon, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

🛏️ Accommodation near the event

💰 Fee: Festival admission 2,000 won (Parking free)

📞 Inquiry: 055-884-7416

🖥️ Homepage: www.hadong.go.kr

What is Hadong?

Hadong (하동) is a county in South Gyeongsang Province, on the southeastern side of the Korean Peninsula. It lies between the western slopes of Jirisan Mountain and the lower reaches of the Seomjin River. The land is made up of ridges, foothills, and floodplains, and farming still drives both the local economy and the seasonal routine.

The county is known for clean water and air and for an agricultural economy that still dominates the area. Hwagae-myeon has terraced tea fields, some of the oldest and most respected in Korea. The same area is known for persimmons, wild herbs, and the alluvial soil along the Seomjin. In Bukcheon-myeon, where the autumn festival is held, broad floodplains and cooler air from Jirisan suit buckwheat and cosmos. Buckwheat flowers are small and pale; cosmos flowers are taller and come in pink, white, and magenta. When both are in bloom in late September and early October, the fields turn white and pink. There are food stalls, farm goods, and walking paths that follow the field borders and old village lanes.

Hadong also contains Ssanggyesa Temple, a Buddhist temple on Jirisan with a long history, and Hwagae Market, where vendors sell wild vegetables, freshwater fish, and local snacks. The county has been used as a filming location for dramas and movies. What draws production crews is that the area looks like a working countryside, not a reconstructed backdrop.

For a first-time visitor, the main thing to understand is that Hadong is an agricultural county. The Bukcheon festival is a seasonal event, not a constructed attraction. It is centered on buckwheat and cosmos, both of which are planted in the fields around the village, and the venue is the village itself. Visitors who want a quiet walk through farmland will find that here.

September 20, 2026

Pet Expo 2026 Osaka: Enjoy Dog Shows, Cat Grooming Tips, and Exclusive Pet Shopping at Intex Osaka

Pet Expo 2026 Osaka

Pet Expo 2026 Osaka is a large-scale participatory event where pets are very welcome, held over three days during the latter half of Silver Week at Intex Osaka Halls 1 and 2. From a sports day and 30m sprints that you can challenge together with your dog, to the “Interaction Farm” where you can experience interacting with and feeding small animals such as goats and rabbits as well as reptiles, along with powerful shows, shopping, and kitchen car gourmet, the expo is an experiential event that anyone—whether bringing a pet or simply an animal lover—can enjoy all day long.

Participatory Events to Challenge with Your Dog & Powerful Dog Shows

The event offers plenty of physical activities that are easy to join with your dog, including a sports day and 30m sprints. For those who prefer watching, the “Guenta☆Show” features trained dogs performing “Quadrille,” a team performance showcasing synchronized formations, as well as powerful obstacle jumps.

Recommended for Cat Lovers! Cat Shows and Grooming Competitions

Cat lovers will find plenty to see. The TICA-certified Cat Show, held on September 21 and 22 only, brings beautiful cats to the stage one after another. On September 23 only, the Kitten Grooming Competition—greatly acclaimed last year—will demonstrate grooming techniques that keep cats both beautiful and healthy. This is a must-see section for anyone interested in cat care.

Great Deals on Latest Goods and Apparel! Kitchen Cars Also Appear

Many shops will open inside the venue, offering pet apparel at bargain prices, specially selected food and treats, and the latest convenient goods. Because re-entry is permitted, you can take your time shopping with your pet or enjoy gourmet food from kitchen cars located both indoors and outdoors.

Event Overview

Dates: September 21 (Mon/Holiday) – 23 (Wed/Holiday), 2026
Hours: 10:00–17:00 (last entry at 16:30)
Location: Intex Osaka Hall 1 & Hall 2, 1-5-102 Nanko Kita, Suminoe-ku, Osaka City
Fees: Adults (junior high school students and above): 1,500 yen (advance: 1,300 yen); Children (4 years old to elementary school students): 800 yen (advance: 700 yen); Children 3 years old and under: free. Some corners require separate participation fees or feed costs.
Inquiries: 06-6947-1912 (within TV Osaka Business Bureau)
Website: pethaku.com/osaka

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What is Intex Osaka?

Intex Osaka is an international exhibition and convention center on reclaimed land in Osaka Bay, adjacent to the Asia and Pacific Trade Center (ATC). It has been in operation since 1985 and is used for trade fairs, public exhibitions, corporate events, and cultural programs. Exhibitors and visitors come from within Japan and from other countries.

The facility contains multiple exhibition halls, along with the usual support spaces for large events: conference rooms, catering areas, registration spaces, and service docks. The separation of public access from logistical operations is a practical advantage, since it lets organizers move materials and equipment in and out without interfering with visitors. Access from central Osaka is straightforward: the nearest station, Trade Center-mae, is on the Nanko Port Town Line, which connects to the Osaka Metro Chuo Line at Nakafuto. There is also on-site parking for those driving. The site is a short walk from the waterfront, which is a minor but welcome detail between sessions.

For Pet Expo, the venue’s strengths are functional rather than decorative. The halls are large enough to run dog show rings, grooming demonstration stages, and exhibitor booths in parallel, while the aisle widths and entrance points help manage visitor flow around animals and queues. The transport options are relevant for an event where attendees bring pets, carry purchases, or need to move heavy equipment. This combination of space and access is what makes Intex Osaka suited to Pet Expo.

September 20, 2026

PEACH-PIT 25th Anniversary Special Exhibition in Nagoya: See Rare Original Art and Exclusive Limited-Edition Goods

PEACH-PIT 25th Anniversary Special Exhibition

Since PEACH-PIT began their first original full-length serialization, DearS, in 2001, the manga creator has released numerous notable works, including ZOMBIE-LOAN, Rozen Maiden, and Shugo Chara!. Their delicate, beautiful art, paired with a serious dramatic depth beneath the cute surface, has earned them support from fans in Japan and overseas. This exhibition traces PEACH-PIT’s 25-year career across the boundaries of publishers and magazines, bringing together works from many series in one place.

The exhibition features a wide range of original materials, including displays that chart the artists’ creative journey and 3D exhibits and photo spots that faithfully recreate the worlds of their manga. Visitors can also watch footage that captures PEACH-PIT’s manga production process, offering a close look at how the pages come together. For longtime readers, the exhibition is a rare chance to see original artwork from multiple series side by side; for newer readers, it works as a broad introduction to PEACH-PIT’s body of work.

The Nagoya venue adds two exclusive elements: rough original drawings being revealed for the first time, and limited-edition goods that can only be purchased at this venue.

Event details

Schedule: 10:00–17:00 (last admission 30 minutes before closing)
Fridays during the event period: 10:00–18:30 (last admission 30 minutes before closing)
Location: F-Lead Building 2nd Floor, 2-11-6 Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture 〒460-0003
Advance ticket with goods: 18,700 yen (tax included)
Same-day ticket, adult (junior high school students and above): 2,310 yen (tax included)
Same-day ticket, child (elementary school students): 1,210 yen (tax included)

Access: 7-minute walk from Exit 1 of Fushimi Station on the Subway Higashiyama and Tsurumai Lines; 5-minute walk from Exit 5 of Marunouchi Station on the Subway Higashiyama and Tsurumai Lines.

Inquiries: Nagoya Venue Secretariat email form

Official website: PEACH-PIT 25th Anniversary Special Exhibition

Official X: Official X

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Who are PEACH-PIT?

PEACH-PIT is a Japanese manga artist duo made up of Banri Sendo and Shibuko Ebara. They began publishing in the late 1990s and are known for detailed artwork, precise costumes, and stories that use supernatural or fantasy premises to examine friendship, identity, and personal conflict.

Their most well-known series are Rozen Maiden, a story about anthropomorphic dolls and the contests they are drawn into; Zombie-Loan, which follows characters who can see marks left by the dead; and Shugo Chara!, a children’s series about guardian characters tied to the protagonist’s unrealized self. Several of their works have been serialized in different manga magazines and adapted into television anime.

Over the course of more than twenty years, PEACH-PIT have maintained a consistent style—fluid linework, ornate clothing, and emotionally contained dialogue—while moving between stories aimed at different age groups. They are less notable for genre innovation than for sustaining reader interest through careful pacing and visually distinctive pages.

September 19, 2026

Super Taiwan Food Stall Festival in Okachimachi 2026: Savor Authentic Taiwanese Night Market Flavors in Tokyo

Super Taiwan Food Stall Festival in Okachimachi

Enjoy Taiwan in Okachimachi!

For five days, from Saturday, September 19 to Wednesday, September 23, 2026, the “Super Taiwan Street Food Festival in Okachimachi” will take place at Okachimachi Panda Square. This event—which serves as the third installment of a relay series of events—aims to bring the distinct charm of Taiwanese gourmet food and the vibrant energy of night markets to the heart of Japan.

The venue is situated at Okachimachi Panda Square, a prime location just a short distance from Okachimachi Station. Due to this excellent accessibility, the festival is designed to welcome a diverse crowd, including local residents, tourists, families, couples, and friends.

Having previously gained attention across various media platforms, including terrestrial broadcasting, the “Taiwan Street Food Festival” returns on an even larger scale. The organizers have produced the entire venue to mirror the aesthetic of a traditional Taiwanese night market, offering visitors a sense of escapism and presence that mimics a trip to authentic Taiwan while remaining within Tokyo. The primary appeal of the event lies in the ability to experience not only the cuisine but also the specific food and night market cultures through the atmosphere unique to street stalls.

Why not visit the “Super Taiwan Street Food Festival in Okachimachi” and experience the vibrancy of an authentic night market?

Store List

Ayasume Shoten

Carbon Grilled (Taiwanese Skewers): 800 yen
Tankaao features ingredients grilled fragrantly with a touch of authentic Taiwanese flavor, resulting in a juicy umami-rich dish that captures the essence of street food.

rico cafe

QQ Balls: 700 yen~
These popular night market sweets are freshly fried Taiwanese treats made with sweet potatoes, offering a contrast between a crispy exterior and a chewy interior.

Peccary Beer

Green Sansho and Lemon Ale: 800 yen~
This beer emphasizes the nature and flavors of Nagano Prefecture. The Green Sansho provides a fresh fragrance reminiscent of freshly picked citrus, combining a sharp lime or green lemon feel with woodiness, spiciness, and a “green” scent of forest herbs and young leaves.

Ginza Tairaku Tangao

Premium Plain: 1,600 yen
A plain castella cake that is slowly baked in an oven to achieve a light, airy, and clean taste.

Official Bar Taiwan Gold Medal Beer

Taiwan Gold Medal Beer: 700 yen
This award-winning lager is the most beloved beer in Taiwan. Utilizing Taiwanese Hourai rice as a secondary ingredient, it is characterized by a subtle sweetness and a refreshing, low-bitterness finish.

pie monster

Fragrant Osmanthus Tangyuan Shaved Ice: 1,000 yen
A Taiwanese shaved ice dessert that combines almond syrup and fragrant osmanthus syrup with black sesame tangyuan, blending a rich aroma with a chewy texture.

*Please check the official website for detailed contents.

Basic Information

Venue / Nearest Station: Okachimachi South Exit Station Square (Okachimachi Panda Square)
- Okachimachi Station (1 min walk)
- Ueno-Okachimachi Station (1 min walk)
Address: 〒110-0005 3-26 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo MAP
Event Period: 2026/09/19 (Sat) ～ 2026/09/23 (Wed/Holiday)
Hours: 11:00 – 21:00
Fee/Cost: Free admission
Official SNS: X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/taiwan_yatai

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

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What is a Taiwanese night market?

A Taiwanese night market is an outdoor market that operates in the evening and sells primarily food. Night markets are found in most Taiwanese cities and towns, and they have been a consistent part of urban food culture for decades. Vendors set up stalls along streets or in open plazas in the late afternoon and generally stay open until late at night.

The food is cooked to order in small stalls or carts, and most of it is designed to be eaten immediately. Some dishes are eaten while walking; others are consumed at shared plastic tables and stools set up near the stalls. The menu at a typical night market includes oyster omelets, grilled chicken skewers, stinky tofu, dumplings, scallion pancakes, sweet-potato balls, and various fried snacks. There are also drinks: bubble tea, shaved ice, fresh fruit juices, and beer. Prices are usually low, and portions are small enough that a meal can consist of several different items bought from different vendors.

Not all night markets are the same. Some have developed into major tourist attractions, with long queues for famous stalls and more merchandise vendors selling clothes, accessories, and phone cases. Others cater mainly to local residents and have a narrower range of food and goods. The layout varies as well: some markets occupy a single narrow lane, while others spill into several blocks or a public square.

The social pattern is consistent. Customers include nearby residents, office workers, students, and tourists. Service is fast, seating is basic, and the atmosphere is crowded and noisy. There is little ceremony around ordering; customers point at what they want, pay, and wait a few minutes. The appeal of a night market is not that it offers an unusual kind of cooking, but that it combines inexpensive, freshly made food with a casual setting in which people can eat alone or in groups without much planning.

The Super Taiwan Food Stall Festival in Okachimachi is modeled on this format. It brings together Taiwanese-style food stalls in a Tokyo venue and follows the same basic principle: order at the counter, eat quickly, and move on.

September 19, 2026

Nagoya Welcome Festival 2026: Free Sports, Culture, and Nagoya-meshi Events at Nagoya Station, City Museum, and Kinjo Futo

NAGOYA WELCOME FESTIVAL

As the eyes of the world turn toward the city this summer, Nagoya is launching a series of coordinated events designed to capitalize on this global attention. These festivities offer a multifaceted experience, blending the high-energy excitement of international sports with curated exhibitions that showcase the city’s charms from a fresh perspective. Whether you are a lifelong local resident or a visitor arriving for the first time, the festival provides an opportunity to engage with the unique energy currently permeating the region.

MEIEKI ASIA GATEWAY

Located at the heart of the city’s transit hub, this venue serves as a gateway to the region’s heritage and industrial prowess. Visitors can expect a diverse range of content—including interactive workshops, stage events, and curated exhibitions—that highlight the intersection of Nagoya’s traditional culture and its modern industrial achievements.

Venue: Special Venue at Nagoya Station West Side Station Plaza
Period: Saturday, September 5, 2026 – Saturday, October 24, 2026

Monument Exhibition
A specialized monument exhibition focusing on traditional industry will be on display, allowing guests to appreciate the intricate craftsmanship and cultural depth that define Nagoya.

Exhibition Period: Saturday, September 12, 2026 – Saturday, October 24, 2026

Float Exhibition
The event will feature two distinct floats from Nakamura Ward, exhibited sequentially.

Karako-sha: Saturday, September 5, 2026
Koyo-gari-sha: Sunday, September 6, 2026

MEIEKI SPORTS GATE
This segment offers a “Digital × Sports Experience,” merging athletic engagement with modern technology.

Experience Period: Saturday, September 19, 2026 – Sunday, October 4, 2026, and Sunday, October 18 – Saturday, October 24, 2026
Time: 10:00 – 21:00 (Note: On Sunday, October 11, hours are limited to 12:00 – 15:00)

For comprehensive details regarding the specific workshops and scheduled stage events, please visit the Official Website (External Link).

THE SPORTS LAB

For those interested in the mechanics and prestige of the Games, THE SPORTS LAB provides an educational environment where the highlights of the tournament are introduced through guided experiences. To commemorate the visit, a photo spot modeled after an official podium has been installed, where guests can take photographs utilizing special medals.

Venue: Special Venue inside the Nagoya City Museum
Period: Saturday, September 5, 2026 – Saturday, October 24, 2026

Sports Experience
These sessions allow participants to move their bodies and experience the physical appeal of the featured sports firsthand.

Time: 9:30 – 17:00 (Please note that event suspension days will align with the museum’s scheduled closing days)

Further information can be found on the Official Website (External Link).

ASIA MEETS NAGOYA

Spanning three days, this event is designed as a full-day destination for all ages, combining athletic activity with the city’s famous culinary scene.

Venue: Special Venue at Kinjo Futo Central Green Space
Period: Monday (Holiday), September 21, 2026 – Wednesday (Holiday), September 23, 2026

Sports Experience Classes
These classes provide a hands-on way to experience the specific events of the Games. Participation is open to parents and children; while pre-registration is encouraged, same-day slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Featured Sports: Basketball, Climbing, and Squash
Time: 30-minute sessions held between 11:00 – 18:00

Stage Events
The atmosphere will be driven by a variety of programmed activities, ranging from citizen-led stages to talk shows featuring luxury guests.

Nagoya-meshi Expo
This culinary gathering brings together the representative gourmet foods of the city. This food and drink booth is the primary destination for those wishing to sample flavors unique to Nagoya.

Workshops & Fair
A dedicated fair corner for families will be operational, featuring various craft experiences and workshops♪

Detailed programming is available on the Official Website (External Link).

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Event Summary

Dates:
- MEIEKI ASIA GATEWAY: Saturday, September 5, 2026 – Saturday, October 24, 2026
- THE SPORTS LAB: Saturday, September 5, 2026 – Saturday, October 24, 2026
- ASIA MEETS NAGOYA: Monday (Holiday), September 21, 2026 – Wednesday (Holiday), September 23, 2026
Time: Varies by venue
Locations: Special venues at Nagoya Station West Side Station Plaza, inside Nagoya City Museum, and Kinjo Futo Central Green Space (Note: The access map specifically points to the Nagoya Station West Side Station Plaza)
Price: Free admission
Contact: Nagoya City General Affairs Bureau, Asia/Asian Para Games Promotion Division
Telephone: 052-972-4620
Website: https://nagoya-awp.jp/

What is Nagoya-meshi?

Nagoya-meshi is the collective name for local dishes that developed in Nagoya and the surrounding area. The term comes from meshi, meaning “meal” or “rice,” and is used for a range of foods that originated in the city and later became common across Japan. Nagoya’s food culture differs from Kyoto’s lighter, subtler cooking and Tokyo’s brothy styles in that it relies on stronger flavors, with red miso, soy sauce, and dried seafood as recurring ingredients.

The most important of these is hatcho miso, a dark, reddish-brown soybean paste with a concentrated, slightly bitter taste. It is the base of miso katsu, a breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet served with a thick miso sauce, and miso nikomi udon, a pot of firm noodles simmered in a dark, salty broth. Hitsumabushi is grilled eel served over rice; it is eaten first on its own, then with condiments such as spring onion and wasabi, and finally with green tea or broth poured over it as chazuke. Tebasaki are chicken wings coated in a sweet, spicy, soy-based glaze, while kishimen are flat, wide wheat noodles served in a light soy broth.

Nagoya-meshi also includes parts of the city’s café culture. Ogura toast is a thick slice of bread topped with butter and sweet red bean paste, a standard breakfast item in local coffee shops. Ankake spaghetti is thick spaghetti covered in a glossy, black-pepper-heavy sauce, another dish created in Nagoya.

The common thread is not refinement but directness. The food is filling, heavily seasoned, and served in generous portions. At the Nagoya Welcome Festival 2026, food stalls and tasting events will give visitors an introduction to these dishes and the cooking traditions behind them.

September 19, 2026

ULeno Zoku Summer Festival 2026: Experience the Ultimate Horror Event at Ueno Onshi Park for Free

Ueno Zoku Summer Festival

A large-scale horror festival fully produced by “Takku,” who enjoys immense support from ghost story and urban legend fans, will be held!

Takku, a creator who has earned immense support from ghost story and urban legend fans through his unique perspective and overwhelming talking ability, is bringing his distinctive worldview to Ueno Onshi Park this Silver Week. The result is an unprecedented outdoor horror festival — a large-scale event where the eerie universe of “Takku TV Radio” can be experienced realistically, rather than merely listened to from a speaker or screen.

The venue will feature a wide range of projects, including experiential horror content, stage productions, and talk events with a luxurious guest lineup. Limited-edition goods that can only be obtained at the festival, along with food booths and kitchen cars, round out the summer festival atmosphere and give attendees plenty of reasons to linger from the 11:00 start.

Best of all, admission is free. The event is designed for a broad audience — horror fans, of course, but also families looking for a destination during the consecutive holidays, and even foreign visitors to Japan. This Silver Week, a trip to Ueno Onshi Park offers a “chilling” summer festival that can only be tasted there.

Part of the project lineup revealed!

Ghost story storytelling (Yose) by luxurious ghost story tellers, etc.
Horror movie screenings
Horror DJ, Horror BON Dance
Sale of horror food and goods

Horror-loving guests from various genres will also gather in large numbers. Details, including additional performers and stage programming, are scheduled to be released sequentially on the official website and SNS, so it is worth checking back before the event.

*Please check the official website for detailed content.

Basic Info

Venue / Nearest Station: Ueno Onshi Park (Ueno Park) / Ueno Station / Keisei Ueno Station
Address: 〒110-0007, Ueno Koen, Ikenohata 3-chome, Taito-ku, Tokyo — MAP
Event Area: Ueno Onshi Park, Fountain Square
Period: 2026/09/19 (Sat) ～ 2026/09/23 (Wed, Public Holiday)
Time: Starts 11:00
Fee/Cost: Admission: Free (*Some paid content and stages available)
Official Website: https://zokunatsu.com/
Official SNS: X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/zokunatsu / Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zokunatsu/
Rain Policy: Will be held in rain / Cancelled in severe weather

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

🛏️ View hotels near Tokyo

Ueno Onshi Park is a public park in the Ueno district of Tokyo. It occupies the former grounds of Kaneiji Temple, a large Buddhist temple that was mostly destroyed during the Boshin War in 1868. The park was opened in 1873 as one of the first public parks in Japan. The name Onshi means “imperial gift”: in 1924, the Imperial Household transferred the land to Tokyo City, and the park was renamed accordingly.

The park now contains a cluster of cultural institutions, including the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Nature and Science, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, and Ueno Zoo. Its grounds also include Shinobazu Pond and several surviving temple buildings. The main avenue is lined with cherry trees, making the park one of Tokyo’s standard hanami spots in spring. In summer, the plazas and paved walks are used for open-air events.

The Ueno Zoku Summer Festival is an after-dark horror event that makes use of the park’s layout and structures. It is staged along paths and around buildings, with the existing foliage and lighting serving as the backdrop. Entry to the park itself is free; festival tickets are sold separately. Visitors attending the event do not need to pay an admission fee for the park.

September 18, 2026

Gyeongju National Heritage Night 2026: Explore Silla’s History with a Complete Guide to Nightly Programs and Events

Gyeongju National Heritage Night Walk

🗓️ 2026.09.18 ~ 2026.09.20

From September 18 to 20, 2026, Gyeongju will hold its annual National Heritage Night, an event built around the city’s history and cultural sites after dark. The official subtitle, “Fragments – Preserved, and To Be Preserved,” describes an occasion that draws on the many national heritages and historical resources still found across Gyeongju. The main venues are the areas around Woljeonggyo Bridge, Gyerim Forest, Gyochon Village, and Gyeongju Eupseong Fortress.

Because these locations date from the Silla Dynasty and remain among Gyeongju’s most representative cultural heritage sites, using them as event spaces gives the festival a distinct identity. Visitors can view nighttime scenery against historic backdrops, take part in history and traditional culture programs, and explore heritage sites in an atmosphere unlike a daytime visit. Altogether, the event runs 45 programs across eight themed categories.

Night View (4 programs)

Programs centered on illuminated scenery and visual spectacles:

Woljeonggyo Bridge shining on Muncheon Stream
LED Drone Light Show
Forest of Myths
Gyeongju Eupseong where Moonlight Stays

Night Path (10 programs)

Walking, parade, and outdoor activity programs:

Stepping Stones of Love
National Heritage Night Walking with Pets
Nongak (Farmers’ Music) Street Parade
National Heritage Outing
National Heritage Commentary for Children
Gyeongju Exploration for Little People
Hide-and-Seek with Donggyeong-i and Cheomseong-i
Clearing the Night Path and Connecting History (National Heritage Plogging)
Secret Royal Inspector Inspecting the Fortress
Lantern Making Experience

Night Story (4 programs)

Performance and storytelling programs:

Busking in Every Corner
Silla Story Sand Art
Mysterious Encounter of Time Travel – Goblin Guarding the Egg (Storytelling)
Sungmundae Media Art

Night Flower (9 programs)

Hands-on activities and art experiences:

Art Gallery
Ice Kingdom
Celestial Observation Constellation Stories
Gyeongju Night Trip Four-Cut (Paid program)
Colorful Coloring
Traditional Culture Experience Playground
Bojagi Knot Experience (Partially paid)
Traditional Kite Flying Demonstration and Experience
DOODLE GYEONGJU (Mr. Doodle Live Drawing)

Night History (12 programs)

Historical learning and traditional craft programs:

Understanding the Gyeongju Choi Rich Family 100 Times More
Twelve Zodiacs Grant My Wish
Silla Jewel Beetle Story
Gyeongju Humanities Talk Talk
4D Real National Heritage Experience (XR Bus)
Drone Experience
Silk Weaving (Silk Road History Experience)
Stamp Tour
Proving Myself (Hopae/Identification Tag Making)
Here Comes the Secret Royal Inspector
Night of Competing Wisdom Byeolsi
Police and Thief

Night Food (3 programs)

Food and refreshment programs:

Gyochon Night Snack
King’s Refreshment Table
Food Truck (Yongginae/Container Challenge)

Night Market (2 programs)

Craft Market
Gyeongju Eupseong Marketplace (Free Market)

Night Stay (1 program)

Program linked with local accommodation businesses

Most of the event is free to enter, with some programs requiring payment, such as the Gyeongju Night Trip Four-Cut and the Bojagi Knot Experience. Visitors who want to extend their time in the city can use the Night Stay program, which connects them with local accommodation options.

📍 Address: 839-1 Inwang-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

🛏️ Accommodation near the event

💰 Fee: Free (Some programs are paid)

📞 Inquiry: 054-743-7182

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

🖥️ Homepage: http://www.경주문화유산야행.kr/

The Silla Kingdom was one of the three major polities of ancient Korea, alongside Goguryeo and Baekje. Its traditional founding date is 57 BCE, and it survived for roughly a millennium, making it one of the longest-lived dynasties in world history. In 676 CE, after a series of conflicts with the other Korean kingdoms and with Tang China, Silla unified most of the Korean Peninsula under its rule. The following centuries saw the consolidation of a centralized government, the development of Buddhist institutions, and a substantial body of artistic and architectural work.

The capital was Seorabeol, the city now known as Gyeongju. At the height of Silla’s power, it was a large urban center with palaces, temples, observatories, and royal tombs spread across the landscape. Many of these structures and burial mounds remain, which is why Gyeongju is sometimes called “the museum without walls.” The site known as the Gyeongju Historic Areas is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage property.

Silla’s cultural legacy is visible in the objects and monuments that have survived. Cheomseongdae, built in the seventh century, is one of East Asia’s oldest surviving astronomical observatories. The gold crowns and other regalia found in the royal tombs show the craftsmanship and trade connections of the Silla elite. Buddhism, adopted by the court and supported by the state, had a lasting influence on Korean thought, art, and ritual life.

The Gyeongju National Heritage Night program opens access to these places after dark, lighting the palace grounds, temples, and royal burial mounds. The lighting serves a practical purpose: it makes the monuments visible in the evening and allows visitors to see them in a different context. For anyone interested in the history of Korea, the event is a useful way to explore the physical remains of Silla’s capital and the civilization that built it.