Around Aonami! Digital Lottery Rally

From Friday, November 20 to Sunday, November 29, 2026, the Aonami Line hosts a digital lottery rally with a simple premise: scan QR codes at stations and selected spots along the line, collect points, and use them to try a lottery for gift certificates and original Aonami Line goods.

The rally route is built around the line’s range of attractions. Target spots include the nature of Fujimae Tidal Flat and Arako River Park, the leisure facilities at Kinjo-futo, and historical and cultural sites such as Arako Kannon, a temple associated with Lord Maeda Toshiie. The course takes in nature, waterfront leisure, and history in a single sweep, which gives participants a reason to visit parts of the line they might otherwise pass through.

How to participate

The rules are straightforward. Using your smartphone, scan the QR codes installed at each Aonami Line station and at target spots along the line to earn points at random. Every 50 points allows one entry into the digital lottery. Unlike a conventional stamp rally, where completing a route yields a fixed reward, this event makes both point collection and the final draw into elements of chance: the random point allocation and the lottery itself mean every scan carries a degree of uncertainty. Prizes include gift certificates and original Aonami Line goods. For those who do not win, Original Aonami Line Pin Badges will be given to the first 700 people.

A few practical notes:

• A smartphone is required. Data communication charges are borne by the participant.
• QR codes on the Aonami Line are installed inside the ticket gates (a valid passenger ticket or entry ticket is required) and outside the ticket gates at each station, so some codes can be scanned without entering the platform.

Event details

Item	Detail
Dates	Friday, November 20, 2026 – Sunday, November 29, 2026
Closed days	Business days and business hours vary for each facility. When using them, please check the website of each facility or store in advance.
Location	Each station of the Aonami Line and facilities/stores along the Aonami Line
Fee	Participation is free
Prize exchange	Maker’s Pier Welcome Center (nearest station: Aonami Line Kinjo-futo Station)

Contact

Aonami Line Area Revitalization Council
Within the Transport Planning and Mobility City Promotion Division, Urban Planning Department, Housing and Urban Bureau, Nagoya City
TEL: 052-972-2724
Website: https://aonami-rally-lp.dela-kuji.jp/

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The Aonami Line

The Aonami Line is a seaside railway in Nagoya operated by Nagoya Seaside Rapid Railway. It runs from Nagoya Station in the city center to Kinjō-futō Station in the harbor area, providing direct access to the waterfront district and its attractions. The name combines ao (“blue”) and nami (“wave”), a reference to the line’s route toward the bay. The line opened in 2004 as an automated guideway system; trains run at regular intervals on an elevated and underground alignment through the city. Stations along the route include Sasashima Live and Kinjō-futō, with connections to entertainment venues, event halls, and Legoland Japan Resort.

The 2026 Aonami Line Digital Lottery Rally takes place along the line. Participants ride to participating stations and scan digital rally points at each location. Those who collect the required points are entered into a lottery for prizes. The rally is a straightforward way to see the line and the areas around its stations.

Nagoya City Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Garden Autumn Festival

The Nagoya City Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens are preparing for their annual autumn celebration, marking the 76th iteration of the Nagoya City Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens Autumn Festival. This extensive event offers visitors the opportunity to engage with nature through a series of interactive contests, educational walks, and expert-led discussions. Beyond the central festival programming, guests can look forward to the traditional maple leaf hunting and the atmospheric autumn leaf light-up events that continue even after the official festival concludes. Please come and visit the ever-talked-about Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens♪

Zoo Events

The zoo portion of the festival focuses on community participation and behind-the-scenes access to animal care.

27th Popular Animal Best Ten
Visitors are invited to cast their votes to determine which resident is the most beloved at the Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

• Voting Period: October 10 (Sat) – November 3 (Tue/Holiday)
• Results Announcement: November 15 (Sun) starting at 11:00
• Location: Sea Lion Plaza

Baby Koala Naming Ceremony
A special ceremony will be held to announce the winning nickname for the baby koala born in January of this year.

• Naming Ceremony: October 25 (Sun) starting at 11:00
• Voting: For those wishing to participate in the ongoing nickname vote—which runs from September 12 (Sat), Reiwa 8, to October 12 (Mon/Holiday), Reiwa 8—please visit the official website.

Colorful Walk Rally
This daily activity encourages exploration of the park’s diverse species. Rally sheets are distributed at each gate from 9:00 to 15:00. Participants must visit five specific points related to the colors of flora and fauna to answer a series of quizzes.

• Present Exchange: Available at the Main Gate and Botanical Garden Gate until 16:30.

Walk with the Zoo Director
Experience a guided tour of the director’s personally recommended spots within the zoo.

• Dates and Times: ① October 18 (Sun) 10:30– and ② November 15 (Sun) 10:00–
• Meeting Place: In front of the Main Gate fountain.
• Note: These tours are cancelled in case of rain. On November 15, the walk will coincide with the Popular Animal Best Ten announcement, including a retrospective on previous winners while walking to the venue.

Animal Talk
Keepers provide an insider’s perspective on the charms and behaviors of various animals.

• Schedule: Held on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays throughout the Autumn Festival period.
• Note: Events are cancelled in case of rain, unless they are hosted at the Natural History Animal Hall or the World Medaka Pavilion.

Get Closer to the Giraffe’s Perspective
This unique opportunity allows visitors to observe giraffes from a vantage point in an area that is typically inaccessible to the general public.

• Schedule: Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 9:00 to 16:00.
• Location: Reticulated Giraffe House.
• Note: This event is cancelled in case of rain.

Botanical Garden Events

The botanical garden events emphasize the changing seasons and the intricate details of plant biology.

Child Maple Professor
Reserved for junior high school students and younger, this event consists of a stamp rally situated around the vibrant autumn foliage of the Okike pond area.

• Period: November 14 (Sat) – December 6 (Sun) from 9:00 to 15:00.
• Reception: Botanical Garden Gate and Hoshigaoka Gate.
• Present Exchange: Available until 16:30.

Walk with the Botanical Garden Director: Whimsical Stroll
A specialized guided walk focusing on the garden’s eclectic charm.

• Dates: October 10 (Sat) and October 24 (Sat) starting at 13:30.
• Meeting Place: In front of the Botanical Hall.
• Note: Cancelled in case of rain.

Botanical Talk
Plant managers offer detailed, point-by-point explanations of various species—providing insights that are not immediately apparent to the casual observer.

• Schedule: 10/17 (Sat) 13:30–, 10/18 (Sun) 15:00–, 11/3 (Tue/Holiday) 13:30–, 11/8 (Sun) 13:30–, 11/22 (Sun) 15:00–, and 11/23 (Mon/Holiday) 13:30–.
• Note: Themes and locations vary; please consult the official website’s event calendar for specific details. Some events may be cancelled due to rain.

Spot Information: Nagoya City Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens

The facility is renowned for housing the largest number of bred species in Japan, ranging from the tiny medaka fish to the massive Asian elephant. Recent additions, such as the new jaguar house and the Asian Tropical Rainforest area—both opened in 2023—continue to enhance the visitor experience.

Educational exhibits regarding ecology and habitats are integrated into facilities such as the Koala House, the Zoogeum (Asian Elephant House), and the Gorilla and Chimpanzee House—the latter being home to the famously handsome Western lowland gorilla, Shabaniz.

The botanical garden section features approximately 7,000 plant species, utilizing both a large greenhouse and the natural hilly forest. While the cherry blossom corridor is a spring highlight with 1,000 trees of 100 varieties, autumn transforms the Japanese garden and Okike pond area, where 500 trees change color. Visitors can also explore the rose garden, camellia garden, and various seasonal flower beds.

View spot details

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Visitor Information

• Dates: October 10 (Sat), 2026 – November 23 (Mon/Holiday)
• Hours: 9:00–16:50 (Last entry at 16:30)
• Closed: Mondays (If Monday is a national or substitute holiday, the closure shifts to the first non-holiday following), and December 29 – January 1.
• Location: Nagoya City Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens
• Admission Fees:
  • Adults: 800 yen
  • Junior high school students and younger: Free
• Payment Methods:
  • Credit Cards: VISA, MasterCard, JCB, UnionPay, AMERICAN EXPRESS, Diners Club, DISCOVER.
  • Electronic Money: Transportation IC cards (manaca, toica, Kitaca, PASMO, Suica, ICOCA, hayakaken, nimoca, SUGOCA), iD, QUICPay, WAON.
• Contact: Nagoya City Higashiyama General Park Management Division; TEL: 052-782-2111 (English inquiries not available).
• Website: http://www.higashiyama.city.nagoya.jp/
• Access:
  • A 3-minute walk from Exit 3 of “Higashiyama Koen” Station (Subway Higashiyama Line).
  • A 7-minute walk from Exit 6 of “Hoshigaoka” Station (Subway Higashiyama Line), which is the more convenient entrance for those visiting the Botanical Garden.

What is Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens?

Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a public park in the hilly part of Chikusa Ward, Nagoya, run by the city. It opened in 1937 and occupies a large site that combines a zoo, a botanical garden, a greenhouse, and a small amusement section for children.

The zoo keeps more than 500 animal species. The polar bear and koala enclosures tend to draw the largest crowds, and the western lowland gorilla Shabani has been a conspicuous presence since close-up photographs of his face were widely shared online in the 2010s. There is also a contact area where visitors can handle goats and sheep, and a Monkey Valley exhibit with outdoor enclosures that use rocks, trees, and water to approximate natural conditions.

The botanical garden contains about 7,000 trees and other plants. Seasonal changes are visible through the year: cherry blossom in spring, broad-leaved trees in summer, and autumn leaf color that usually peaks in late November or early December. The main greenhouse is an original 1937 structure made of iron and glass. It has been repaired several times and still holds tropical and subtropical plants, including orchids and ferns that are not displayed outdoors.

The park sits on low hills, so the paths slope in places. Benches and rest areas appear along the main routes, and the zoo and garden can be toured separately if a full day is not available. The admission fee is modest for a facility of this size, which is one reason the park has long attracted Nagoya residents as well as visitors from other prefectures.

Winter is Cozy! A Kotatsu Picnic on the Water

A kotatsu on a boat is being offered at β Honmachi Bridge in Osaka this winter, giving visitors a warm place to relax while floating on the river. The event pairs a traditional Japanese kotatsu—a low table with a heater and blanket—with a picnic on the water, making it possible to stay cozy while enjoying the winter scenery from a prime seat on the river.

The experience runs every Saturday from November 21, 2026, to March 20, 2027, with four daily time slots: 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, and 14:00. Each boat is reserved as one group of one to four people. The regular fee is 11,000 yen per group, while an early bird rate of 9,900 yen is available for those who plan ahead.

A cassette stove rental service is also offered, though participants need to bring their own fuel. This makes it easy to bring your favorite ingredients and cooking tools for teppanyaki, takoyaki, or other hot dishes. Beyond an ordinary picnic, the setup works well for family outings, gatherings with friends, year-end parties, New Year’s parties, and surprise parties.

Event Details

• Period: Every Saturday from 2026/11/21 (Sat) to 2027/3/20 (Sat)
• Time: 11:00 / 12:00 / 13:00 / 14:00
• Location: β Honmachi Bridge (4-8 Honmachi-bashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka City)
• Fee: 1 group (1–4 people): Regular 11,000 yen, Early Bird 9,900 yen
• Contact: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.citysup.jp/picnic-win/

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A kotatsu is a low wooden table with a heater underneath and a heavy quilted blanket over the top. It is a winter fixture in Japanese homes: people sit on the floor, put their legs under the blanket, and the small heater warms the space below. Because the upper body stays at room temperature, a kotatsu uses less energy than heating the whole room. It also tends to be comfortable enough to linger at, so in daily use it doubles as a place for meals, tea, and conversation.

The β Honmachi Bridge event has adapted this idea to a boat. A kotatsu is set up on a pontoon deck, and passengers keep their legs warm while the boat moves along Osaka’s canal in the cold air. The contrast between the warm blanket and the winter surroundings is practical rather than scenic. It is a heated seat with a changing view.

Festival for Bountiful Seas

Osaka will host the 45th National Rich Sea Creation Convention, “Uoniwa (Naniwa) no Umi Osaka Convention,” for the first time. As a related event, the Rich Sea Creation Festival—a major public event centered on the protection and cultivation of fishery resources and the conservation of the marine environment—will be held at two venues: Aqua Park in Kishiwada City and Rinku Ice Park in Izumisano City. Admission is free at both venues.

At the venues, visitors will find experiential projects where they can get close to the creatures living in Osaka Bay, participatory workshops that parents and children can enjoy together, and numerous gourmet booths serving fresh seafood caught in Osaka Bay. Both venues will also sell the “Uoniwa (Naniwa) no Umi-dukuri Don” (Rich Sea Creation Bowls) using seasonal fishery products caught in Osaka.

The event also includes talk shows featuring convention ambassador Shingo Murakami of SUPER EIGHT, special supporter Ayami Nakajo, and Sakana-kun. Popular characters, including Myaku-Myaku (the official character of the Osaka-Kansai Expo), Mozuyan, Chikirikun, and Yurunakin, will be present to show their support. This lineup is intended to let visitors experience the full appeal of Osaka’s rich seas.

Event details

• Dates: Saturday, November 14, 2026, and Sunday, November 15, 2026
• Hours: 9:00–16:30 on both days
• Admission: Free
• Contact: 06-6210-9612 (weekdays 9:00–17:00)
• Website: Official event page

Locations

• Kishiwada Old Port District Green Space (Aqua Park): 4 Minatomidori-cho, Kishiwada City, Osaka. A 15-minute walk from Kishiwada Station on the Nankai Main Line.
• Rinku Ice Park: 1-23 Rinku Ourai Kita, Izumisano City, Osaka. A 5-minute walk from Rinku Town Station on the Nankai Airport Line/JR.

Access and safety

• Neither venue has parking. Please use public transportation.
• Route buses within Kishiwada City will be free for visitors heading to the Kishiwada venue.
• Baggage inspections will be conducted upon entry to ensure the safety of visitors.

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What is the “Rich Sea” of Osaka?

The “Rich Sea” of Osaka is the name for a set of efforts to restore Osaka Bay’s marine environment and support sustainable use of its resources. The bay was once one of Japan’s main industrial zones; decades of landfill, shipping traffic, and wastewater discharge left its waters polluted and its ecosystems degraded. Since the 1990s, local governments, residents, and businesses have worked to improve water quality, rebuild tidal flats, and restore seagrass beds. The “Rich Sea” concept brings these measures together with a practical goal: to ensure that the bay can continue to provide seafood, recreation, and habitat without being exhausted. It assumes that conservation and local livelihoods are not opposed, and that residents and visitors have a role in maintaining the water they use. The 2026 festival is an example. Its program includes tastings of fish caught in the bay, classes on how coastal habitats function, and guided cleanup activities. These events are less about promoting an idea than about showing how the bay is being restored and how people can contribute.

The 8th Cheese EXPO at Expo Park

The Cheese EXPO, one of the largest cheese festivals in Western Japan, returns to Expo Memorial Park for its eighth edition. Visitors can enjoy a diverse range of cheese gourmet, including Japanese, Western, and Chinese cheese dishes, direct sales booths from domestic cheese workshops, and the Cheeseburger EXPO, where a lineup of cheeseburgers takes center stage.

Running alongside the Cheese EXPO is the Oimo (Sweet Potato) EXPO, featuring trending sweets that range from roasted sweet potatoes to cheesecakes. Together, the two events offer a chance to enjoy cheese and sweet potato specialties with family and friends over the autumn weekend.

Event highlights

• Japanese, Western, and Chinese cheese dishes
• Direct sales booths from domestic cheese workshops
• Cheeseburger EXPO with a carefully gathered selection of cheeseburgers
• Simultaneous Oimo (Sweet Potato) EXPO with sweet potato sweets

Event details

• Dates: November 14 (Saturday) and November 15 (Sunday), 2026
• Time: 9:30–17:00
• Location: Expo Memorial Park, East Plaza (1-1 Senri Banpaku Koen, Suita City, Osaka Prefecture)
• Fee: 500 yen (event admission); free for junior high school students and younger. Park admission fee is required separately.
• Contact: [email protected]
• Website: https://cheese1expo.com/

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Expo Park is the short name for Expo ’70 Commemorative Park in Suita, Osaka. The park occupies the site of the 1970 Japan World Exposition. After the fair closed, the grounds were converted into a public park, and they now function as one of the Kansai region’s larger green spaces.

The Tower of the Sun, designed by artist Taro Okamoto for the exposition, still stands near the center of the park. The structure was retained after the fair, and it remains the most visible landmark on the grounds. The park also contains lawns, seasonal flower beds, a Japanese landscape garden, the National Museum of Ethnology, and the Expo ’70 Pavilion. Several open-air spaces and plazas are used throughout the year for concerts, food events, and seasonal light displays.

For visitors attending the 8th Cheese EXPO 2026, the park’s layout is a practical advantage. There is enough level ground for vendor booths, food trucks, and tasting areas, while the gardens and museum sections remain separate. Attendees can combine the event with visits to the museum, the Japanese garden, or the Tower of the Sun. The park is directly connected to Osaka Monorail at Expo Commemoration Park Station, and the main event areas are a short walk from the station.

Tokyo Christmas Market 2026 in Shin-Toyosu

Tokyo’s winter moves to the waterfront. For 2026, the Tokyo Christmas Market will be held at two venues: Shiba Park (Onarimon Station Front Plaza), with views of Tokyo Tower, and Shin-Toyosu, which joins the market for the first time.

Christmas markets are a European tradition dating from the Middle Ages, with Germany at the center of that tradition. The Tokyo Christmas Market is a winter mainstay in the city, offering the atmosphere of those authentic markets without leaving Tokyo. In past years, it has recreated those streetscapes with Christmas pyramids and hüttes (wooden huts) imported directly from Germany, set in city-center parks such as Hibiya Park, Meiji Jingu Gaien, and Shiba Park. For the Shin-Toyosu edition, the space is being developed to make use of the waterfront location unique to the bay area.

Food and drink are central to the market experience. The venue will offer a broad range of winter foods and sweets, including face-sized giant pretzels, Glühwein in three colors (red, rosé, and white), Santa Claus-themed churros, and stews and cheese fondue served directly from bread bowls. The lineup also covers the European street food Lángos, German beer from Berlin, and photogenic hot chocolate and one-hand sweets, with options ranging from full meals to desserts. It is a chance to spend time with family, friends, or a partner while enjoying Christmas-themed dishes and drinks with the Shin-Toyosu waterfront as a backdrop.

Basic Information

• Nearest Station: Shin-Toyosu Station / Shijomae Station
• Venue: Toyosu 6-4, Koto-ku, Tokyo
• Event Period: 2026/11/20 (Fri) – 2026/12/25 (Fri)
• Time:
  • Start 11:00 / End 21:30
  • Opening day (November 20): 16:00–21:30
  • Final entry: 20:30 / Last order: 21:00
• Admission Fee:

Dates & times	Adults (junior high school students and older)	Children (elementary school students)	Preschoolers
Nov 20 – Dec 23, weekdays	¥1,000	¥500	Free
Nov 20 – Dec 23, weekends and holidays	¥1,500	¥500	Free
Dec 24 & 25	¥2,000	¥1,000	Free

• Official Website: https://tokyochristmas.net/

Please note that the listed content may be subject to change. For the latest information, please check the official website of the venue or organizer.

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What is Shin-Toyosu?

Shin-Toyosu is a waterfront district in Koto City, Tokyo, on reclaimed land along the northern edge of Tokyo Bay. The name means “New Toyosu,” and the area is newer than its neighbor, with wide streets, high-rise residential towers, office buildings, and public parks arranged around the bay.

Its atmosphere is noticeably quieter than in central Tokyo. The streets are laid out on a larger scale, footpaths are wide, and the waterfront is accessible from several points. The sea is visible from many parts of the district, and the air carries a steady breeze. People use the promenades for walks and runs; the parks have open lawns and places to sit. In the evening, the area is less brightly lit than commercial districts, and the water reflects the surrounding buildings.

The dining and leisure options have grown in recent years and are spread along the waterfront. There are cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating, a few event halls, and open plazas that host seasonal events. The Tokyo Christmas Market, held here, works well in this setting: there is enough space for stalls, the crowd density stays manageable, and the open layout makes it easy to move from one stand to another. The mulled wine and German holiday foods are the main draw, as with any Christmas market, and the location gives visitors room to enjoy them without the squeeze common in other parts of the city.

Shin-Toyosu is a practical place to spend an evening along the bay, especially during the winter market. It is not a historic neighborhood or a particularly lively one, but it offers a clean, open environment and an unobstructed view of Tokyo’s waterfront.