From cutting-edge architecture to immersive theme parks and ambitious museum renovations, 2026 is shaping up to be a big year for new attractions in Japan. Across the country, visitors can experience everything from the world’s first permanent Pokémon park to a luxury hotel inside a former prison.
Tokyo alone will see a wave of new openings—featuring cultural museums, creative cafés, and large-scale entertainment venues—while cities like Kyoto, Fukuoka, and Nara unveil architectural projects that blend history and nature with modern design.
Whether you’re planning a trip to Japan or simply curious about what’s coming up this year, here are some of the biggest new attractions and events happening across Japan in 2026.
1. PokéPark Kanto
Opening date: February 5, 2026
Location: Yomiuriland, Tokyo
Website: https://ticket-en.pokepark-kanto.co.jp/
Pokémon fans now have a permanent destination to explore the world of pocket monsters, ever since PokéPark Kanto opened inside Yomiuriland Amusement Park in Tokyo.
Set among the forested Tama Hills, this 26,000-square-meter outdoor attraction invites visitors to step into an immersive Pokémon adventure featuring more than 600 Pokémon spread across two themed zones.
The Pokémon Forest recreates a natural habitat where Pokémon appear to live in the wild, while Sedge Town is a lively meeting point where Trainers and Pokémon from around the world gather.
Designed as the first permanent outdoor Pokémon attraction, PokéPark Kanto offers an interactive environment where visitors can explore, take photos, and experience the Pokémon universe in real life.
Plan ahead: Just like getting tickets for the Studio Ghibli Museum, going to PokéPark Kanto requires forward planning. Try to get your PokéPark tickets at least a month (if not more!) in advance.
2. Imperial Hotel Kyoto
Opening date: March 5, 2026
Location: Kyoto
Website: https://www.imperialhotel.co.jp/en/kyoto
Kyoto welcomed a major luxury hospitality landmark in 2026 with the opening of the Imperial Hotel Kyoto, created through a ¥12.4 billion ($78.4 million) restoration of the historic Yasaka Kaikan building.
Originally built in 1936 and located near the iconic Gion district, Yasaka Kaikan has long been an architectural symbol of Kyoto. The extensive renovation preserves the building’s historic facade while transforming the interior into a modern luxury hotel.
Operated by the prestigious Imperial Hotel brand, the property combines heritage architecture, refined hospitality, and contemporary design, offering travelers a unique chance to stay in one of Kyoto’s most culturally significant buildings.
3. Tokyo Dream Park
Opening date: March 26, 2026
Location: Tokyo
Website: https://tdp.tv-asahi.co.jp/
Tokyo Dream Park is a new multi-purpose entertainment complex designed to host live events, performances, and cultural experiences.
The facility features nine floors above ground and one basement level, with a flexible layout that allows it to host concerts, theatrical productions, exhibitions, and large-scale events.
Key highlights include:
- A multi-purpose concert hall on the first floor
- A theater space on the third floor
- A 200-seat restaurant and rooftop plaza on the sixth floor
- Dedicated event and exhibition spaces on the seventh and eighth floors
With its mix of performance venues and gathering spaces, Tokyo Dream Park aims to become a major entertainment hub in the capital.
4. Museum of Narratives Takanawa
Opening date: March 28, 2026
Location: Minato, Tokyo
Website: https://montakanawa.jp/
The Museum of Narratives Takanawa (MoN Takanawa) is an ambitious new cultural institution focused on storytelling, creativity, and the evolution of Japanese culture.
Its mission—“Transporting Culture for the Next 100 Years”—reflects the museum’s focus on collaboration with artists, creators, and cultural organizations. Rather than presenting static exhibitions, MoN Takanawa emphasizes immersive and narrative-driven experiences, using technology and multimedia installations to explore how stories shape culture.
The museum hopes to become a global platform for sharing contemporary Japanese culture with the world.
5. Starbucks Café & Art Gallery Yanaka Gotenzaka
Opening date: March 28, 2026
Location: Yanaka, Tokyo
Website: https://stories.starbucks.co.jp/press/2025/pr2026-5704/
Tokyo’s historic Yanaka neighborhood will welcome a unique concept café when Starbucks Café & Art Gallery Yanaka Gotenzaka opens its doors.
Designed by the local architecture group HAGISO, the two-story wooden building blends seamlessly into Yanaka’s traditional streetscape. The concept is “the intersection of art and coffee.”
Inside, visitors will find a gallery showcasing works by emerging artists, integrated throughout the café space. Guests can wander through the gallery while enjoying coffee, creating an experience that feels like exploring Yanaka’s art-filled streets.
The café reflects the neighborhood’s identity as one of Tokyo’s most culturally vibrant districts.
6. Oimachi Tracks & Hotel Metropolitan
Opening date: March 28, 2026
Location: Tokyo
Website: https://oimachi-tracks.hotel-metropolitan.com/
Oimachi Tracks is a large-scale redevelopment project centered around the new Hotel Metropolitan Oimachi Tracks, a four-star hotel located in Tokyo’s Shinagawa area.
The hotel offers modern accommodations with city views, restaurants, and bar facilities, along with convenient access to nearby landmarks and transportation hubs.
Part of a broader urban redevelopment initiative, the project aims to transform Oimachi into a new lifestyle and hospitality destination.
7. Edo-Tokyo Museum (Reopening)
Re-opening date: March 31, 2026
Location: Ryogoku, Tokyo
Website: https://www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp/en/
After four years of closure, the Edo-Tokyo Museum will reopen following its first major renovation since 1993. Located in the Ryogoku district near Kokugikan Sumo Hall, the museum explores the transformation of Tokyo from the Edo period to the present day.
The renovation includes:
- Interactive exhibits and updated displays
- Improved insulation and LED lighting
- Enhanced barrier-free accessibility
- A redesigned third-floor plaza
One of the new highlights will be a full-scale recreation of the historic Hattori Watch Shop from the Meiji era, offering visitors an immersive glimpse into Tokyo’s past.
Find out more: Guide to Sumo at the Kokugikan
8. 1 Hotel Tokyo
Opening date: March 2026 (now open!)
Location: Akasaka, Tokyo
Website: https://www.1hotels.com/tokyo
Nature-inspired luxury brand 1 Hotels made its Japan debut with 1 Hotel Tokyo, bringing its eco-conscious philosophy to the capital.
The hotel blends natural materials, greenery, and sustainable design to create a calm retreat within the busy city. Inspired by Japan’s deep respect for nature, the property aims to connect guests with Tokyo’s surrounding gardens, parks, and cultural landmarks.
9. The Gateway Park: Hakata Meiji
Opening date: Spring 2026
Location: Fukuoka, Kyushu
Designed by renowned Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, The Gateway Park Hakata Meiji will transform the area in front of Hakata Station into a dramatic new urban park.
The project features a network of floating walkways, terraces, and rooftop gardens, creating a three-dimensional landscape that merges architecture with nature.
A four-story building adjacent to the park will house restaurants, wellness spaces, and retail tenants, making the development a lively social hub at the gateway to Kyushu.
10. HOSHINOYA Nara Prison Hotel
Opening date: June 25, 2026
Location: Nara, Kansai
Website: https://hoshinoresorts.com/en/hotels/hoshinoyanarakangoku/
Perhaps the most unusual opening of the year is HOSHINOYA Nara Prison, a luxury hotel created inside the historic former Nara Prison.
Originally built in 1908 and designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan, the red-brick prison complex has been carefully restored by Hoshino Resorts.
Rather than erasing its past, the project preserves much of the building’s original architecture—including the iconic radial cell block layout—while transforming the interior into a high-end hospitality experience.
It will be Japan’s first luxury hotel developed inside a former prison. Who wants a cell for the night?
11. Yurakucho Park
Opening date: Q3 2026
Location: Yurakucho, Tokyo
Yurakucho Park will emerge on the site of the former Yurakucho Building, creating a new public space dedicated to Japanese culture and creativity.
The park is part of a broader redevelopment of the district, which will eventually include JAPA VALLEY TOKYO, a cultural project produced by fashion designer NIGO and musician Pharrell Williams scheduled for 2027.
Once completed, the area is expected to become a major creative hub near Tokyo Station and Ginza.
12. TOFROM Yaesu
Opening date: Q3 2026
Location: Tokyo Station Yaesu Exit
TOFROM YAESU is a 51-story skyscraper being developed directly in front of Tokyo Station’s Yaesu exit. The project includes:
- Around 70 shops and restaurants
- An 800-seat theater and conference hall
- Grade A office space
- Medical facilities and residential units
- Phase two of the Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu, improving transport links to airports and destinations across Japan
Connected directly to Tokyo Station underground, the development will become one of the city’s most important transportation and commercial hubs.
Coming to Japan in 2026?
From immersive theme parks and experimental museums to innovative architecture and luxury hotels, 2026 will bring a wave of new experiences to Japan. For travelers, it’s an exciting moment to visit—offering fresh attractions alongside Japan’s timeless traditions.
All that’s left… is you!
Major events in Japan 2026: FAQs
What events are happening in Japan in 2026?
Japan in 2026 will host major events, including the Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya (September–October), the Tokyo Marathon, seasonal festivals like cherry blossom and summer festivals, and global music events like Ultra Japan.
The year also features major openings including PokéPark Kanto, the reopening of the Edo-Tokyo Museum, and the HOSHINOYA Nara Prison Hotel.
What is PokéPark Kanto?
PokéPark Kanto is the world’s first permanent outdoor Pokémon park, opened on February 5, 2026, inside Yomiuriland in Tokyo. The 26,000 m² park features immersive zones like Pokémon Forest and Sedge Town, with more than 600 Pokémon characters throughout the attraction.
What new museums are opening in Japan in 2026?
Several major museums and cultural spaces are opening or reopening in 2026, including:
- Museum of Narratives Takanawa in Tokyo
- Edo-Tokyo Museum, reopening after a major renovation
- Various new gallery spaces and cultural venues across Tokyo
What unusual hotels are opening in Japan?
One of the most unique openings is HOSHINOYA Nara Prison, a luxury hotel created inside a historic prison built in 1908. The property preserves the original architecture while transforming the site into a high-end hospitality destination.
Is 2026 a good year to visit Japan?
Yes! With new attractions, major sporting events, and cultural festivals, 2026 will be an exciting year to visit Japan. Travelers will find a mix of brand-new destinations and newly renovated landmarks, especially in cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, and Fukuoka.
