DOJI JOURNAL
News, culture, food and travel for everyone interested in Japan, written in English.
FOOD · NOV 3, 2026
Osechi for New Year 2027: What the Boxes Cost in Japan and When to Order
Pre-orders for Japan's 2027 New Year osechi boxes are open. Here is what one-person boxes cost, when the early-bird and delivery deadlines close, and what travellers from Canada can do instead.
FOOD · NOV 3, 2026
Ramen Danbo's parent company plans a new restaurant, Kinboshi Tei, in Vancouver's Olympic Village
A business licence ties Kinboshi Tei, a new restaurant going into 109 W 2nd Ave in Vancouver's Olympic Village, to the company behind Ramen Danbo.
FOOD · NOV 2, 2026
Japan's November food price hikes: 1,477 items, from Kewpie mayo to Ito En barley tea
A Teikoku Databank survey says 1,477 food and drink items in Japan will cost more in November, about 10 times as many as a year earlier. Seasonings and beverages lead the list, and 2026's total is now over 20,000.
POP CULTURE · NOV 2, 2026
Bocchi the Rock! gets a 2027 prequel film about Nijika's older sister Seika
A teaser released Nov. 1 confirmed Bocchi the Rock! Hoshi no Ashiato, a 2027 prequel film about Seika and Nijika Ijichi. Here's what was announced and what fans in Canada still don't know.
TRAVEL · NOV 2, 2026
Huis Ten Bosch's New Winter Lights, The Starlight Million (Nov 6, 2026 to Feb 25, 2027): After 3 Passport From ¥5,900, Hours and the Dates That Cost More
Huis Ten Bosch in Nagasaki replaces its winter illumination for the first time in 16 years. The Starlight Million runs Nov 6, 2026 to Feb 25, 2027, with Christmas until Dec 25. Official ticket prices (1DAY from ¥7,600, After 3 from ¥5,900), busy dates, hours, special nights and what we could not confirm.
TRAVEL · NOV 1, 2026
Universal Studios Japan Countdown 2027: The ¥16,900 Party Pass, the Nov 4 General Sale (7 a.m. Eastern) and the Dec 31 Hours Day Visitors Miss
USJ's NO LIMIT! Countdown 2027 runs from 7 p.m. on Dec 31, 2026 to 9 p.m. on Jan 1, 2027. The Party Pass costs ¥16,900 and the general sale opens around 9 p.m. JST on Nov 4 (7 a.m. Eastern), only if tickets remain. Sellers, bundle prices, the Dec 31 5–7 p.m. closure, Eastern-time table and a checklist.
TRAVEL · NOV 1, 2026
Shuri Castle's Rebuilt Main Hall Opens Nov 23, 2026: Timed Seiden Tickets, the New 1,000 Yen Fee and When January Slots Go on Sale
The rebuilt Seiden at Shuri Castle in Naha opens to the public at noon on November 23, 2026. Seeing the inside needs a free 30-minute timed reservation, adult admission rises from 400 to 1,000 yen, and slots go on sale on the 1st of the month two months ahead. Dates, fees, Eastern-time sale times and a checklist.
FOOD · NOV 1, 2026
Bushidō at Casa Loma: a 16-seat kaiseki dinner opens in Toronto's castle
Liberty Entertainment Group's Bushidō reportedly opened inside Casa Loma in late October. Diners move through four heritage rooms for a 10-course kaiseki dinner. Here's what reports confirm and what is still unclear.
TRAVEL · OCT 31, 2026
PokéPark KANTO Passport Check From Nov 1, 2026: Overseas Ticket Holders Must Bring the Original Passport They Registered
From November 2026 admissions, PokéPark KANTO in Tokyo checks every guest's ID at its entrance. Overseas ticket holders scan the original passport registered in their application; copies are not accepted, the number cannot be changed, and a mismatch can mean denied entry with no refund. What to check before you apply and on the day.
FOOD · OCT 31, 2026
Japan's autumn foods, from yakiimo to shinmai, and why sanma costs so much in 2026
Japan has a saying that autumn is the season for eating. Here is a guide to the classic fall foods, and to the record-poor catch that has turned sanma, once a cheap fish, into a costly one in 2026.
TRAVEL · OCT 31, 2026
Universal Studios Japan Christmas 2026 (Nov 13–Jan 17): Light Up the Night, Joy of Lights Returns, and the Kids Free Pass Overseas Visitors Can't Buy
USJ's Universal Holiday Wonders runs Nov 13, 2026 to Jan 17, 2027. The night shows Light Up the Night and Joy of Lights (back after nine years) run Nov 25 to Jan 11, except Dec 31. Official dates, the ¥1,700 viewing-area ticket, why the Holiday Kids Free Pass is for Japan residents only, and 1-Day Studio Pass prices by date.
TRAVEL · OCT 31, 2026
Kyoto autumn 2026: two temples need bookings, extra buses run and Arashiyama limits traffic
If you're going to Kyoto for the autumn leaves, two famous temples need bookings during the peak weeks, Kyoto City is adding weekend buses, and Arashiyama's main street limits traffic on five busy days.
TRAVEL · OCT 31, 2026
Japan Tax-Free Day One (Nov 1, 2026): Instant Cash Refund Kiosks at Haneda, Narita and Naha
From Nov 1, 2026, Self Tax Refund machines at Haneda T2 and T3, Narita T1 and T2, and Naha pay your consumption-tax refund in cash yen after the Customs check. Where they are, opening hours, the six supported refund operators, and what the terms say about fees.
TRAVEL · OCT 31, 2026
Kanazawa in November 2026: Kenrokuen's Yukitsuri Ropes Go Up Nov 1, Plus 7 Free Night Light-Ups
Kenrokuen's yukitsuri snow ropes go up from Nov 1, 2026, starting with the Karasaki pine at 9 a.m. JST, and the garden opens free for seven light-up evenings in November (6–9 p.m.). Official dates, hours and fees.
TRAVEL · OCT 31, 2026
Kyoto Touristship: The 17 Etiquette Rules Kyoto Wants Visitors to Know Before Peak Autumn Leaves
Kyoto launched KYOTO TOURISTSHIP on Oct 1, 2026: 17 official etiquette points for visitors, from geiko and maiko photos to maple branches and unlicensed taxis. Here they are in plain English, with the nine the official site says can carry penalties.
TRAVEL · OCT 30, 2026
Tokyo Disney Christmas 2026 (Nov 11–Dec 25): Ticket Prices by Date, the 2-Month Sales Window and No New Year's Eve Event
Christmas at Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea runs Nov 11–Dec 25, 2026. Adult 1-Day Passports cost ¥10,900–¥12,400 by date, tickets go on sale daily at 2 p.m. JST two months ahead, and there is no New Year's Eve event on Dec 31.
POP CULTURE · OCT 30, 2026
Godzilla Minus Zero opens in Canada Nov. 6: where to watch, IMAX and subtitles
Takashi Yamazaki's follow-up to Godzilla Minus One opens across Canada on Friday, Nov. 6. Here's what's confirmed about chains, IMAX screenings, early showings and the Japanese-language version.
FOOD · OCT 30, 2026
Japan's 2026 new-crop rice is cheaper than last year's, a rare reversal after the rice crisis
Wholesale prices for Japan's 2026 rice crop are down 42% from a year earlier. Japan still has a lot of rice left from the 2025 harvest, and reports say some new rice now sells for less than older stock.
FOOD · OCT 30, 2026
Bento Cafe YVR plans a second shop in Kerrisdale, bringing teishoku to West 41st
Bento Cafe, the Kitsilano café known for its Japanese teishoku sets, has announced a second location at 2156 West 41st Ave. in Kerrisdale. There's no opening date yet.
TRAVEL · OCT 30, 2026
Booking an Airbnb in Tokyo for 2027? What the New Ward Rules Mean for Visitors
Tokyo wards are tightening minpaku (short-term rental) rules. Taito bars new rentals in some zones from Jan 2027, Toshima limits all rentals to holiday seasons from Dec 16, 2026, Nakano follows in April 2027, and Shinjuku is still a proposal.
FOOD · OCT 30, 2026
Bentendo opens in Tokyo Joe's old Helmcken Street spot with made-to-order jyu boxes
Tokyo Joe's ran for more than 30 years at 955 Helmcken Street. Its owner retired, and the space is now Bentendo, which cooks jyu rice boxes to order. Here are the menu, prices and hours.
CANADA–JAPAN · OCT 30, 2026
Japan raises permanent residency fee to ¥200,000 and tightens screening
Japan's permanent residency fee went from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000 on October 1, 2026. Visa renewals cost more, and tighter screening is being phased in. Short-term tourists are not affected.
TRAVEL · OCT 29, 2026
Daitokuji's 700th-Anniversary Treasures in Tokyo (to Dec 6): Dates, Tickets and ZEN NIGHT TOKYO After Dark
Kyoto's Daitokuji shows its treasures at the Tokyo National Museum to Dec 6, 2026. Same-day ¥2,300, no reservation, works rotate Nov 10, open to 8 p.m. Fri/Sat. ZEN NIGHT TOKYO garden set ticket ¥4,200; monk-led zazen sold out.
TRAVEL · OCT 29, 2026
Hokkaido Winter Trains 2026/27: SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen, Ryuhyo Monogatari and the New 'Red Star' Limited Express
JR Hokkaido's winter 2026/27 sightseeing trains: SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen (Kushiro–Shibecha, Jan 16–Feb 28 designated days), Ryuhyo Monogatari (Abashiri–Shiretoko-Shari, Jan 30–Feb 28) and the new all-Green-Car Red Star from February. March is planned, not yet dated.
TRAVEL · OCT 29, 2026
Ghibli Museum December 2026 Tickets: When They Go on Sale (Nov 10) and the New ¥110 Fee
December 2026 Ghibli Museum tickets go on sale Nov 10 at 10:00 JST (Nov 9, 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT). From November-entry tickets: a ¥110 fee per ticket and MOALA Ticket e-tickets. Name-registered, max 6, no refunds.
TRAVEL · OCT 29, 2026
Japan Ski Season 2026/27: When Niseko, Hakuba and Nozawa Actually Open
Official 2026/27 opening dates: Karuizawa Prince Oct 31, Sapporo Kokusai Nov 20, Teine and Hakuba Goryu Nov 21, Niseko, Rusutsu, Kiroro, Furano and Nozawa Onsen Nov 28, Happo-one Dec 1. All subject to snow.
TRAVEL · OCT 28, 2026
New nonstops to Hokkaido this winter: Air Canada Vancouver–Sapporo from Dec 17, United SFO–Sapporo from Dec 11
MLIT approved 2026 winter schedules on Oct 23. Air Canada adds YVR–New Chitose from Dec 17 (3× weekly); United adds SFO–New Chitose from Dec 11 (3× weekly). Access notes for North American travellers — no fares.
TRAVEL · OCT 28, 2026
Japan's Shinkansen holiday crunch: Nozomi goes all-reserved Dec 25–Jan 5 — when to book
On several 2026–27 holiday windows, every Nozomi seat is reserved. Dates, booking windows at 10:00 JST one month ahead, and what JR Pass holders need — rules only.
TRAVEL · OCT 28, 2026
Japan over New Year 2026/27: what's closed, when trains pack, and how to plan
Japan's biggest holiday is New Year, not Christmas. Closures, packed trains, and hatsumode crowds — a planning guide for Dec 2026–Jan 2027 school-break trips.
TRAVEL · OCT 28, 2026
Japan's tax-free shopping changes Nov 1, 2026: the airport refund checklist
From November 1, 2026, eligible tax-free purchases in Japan are paid tax-inclusive and refunded after an airport customs check. Here is the departure checklist.
TRAVEL · OCT 26, 2026
Tokyo's Sushi Bus: a 70-minute city tour with all-you-can-eat sushi
Since October 10, 2026, a double-decker bus with conveyor-belt sushi has been touring central Tokyo. Price, booking rules, and what to check before you pay — with affiliate disclosure.
TRAVEL · OCT 26, 2026
Tokyo Guided Tours: Which Type Is Worth Booking for First-Timers?
A first-timer decision framework for Tokyo guided tours — orientation walks, food experiences, day trips, and when to skip booking entirely.
COMMUNITY · OCT 26, 2026
Japan Foundation Toronto closes its library and gallery: what's gone and what's left
The Japan Foundation, Toronto is moving to a new office and has closed its public library, gallery and event spaces. Here's what has ended, what continues, and what we still don't know.
FOOD · OCT 26, 2026
Hakkoku's Hiroyuki Sato returns to Toronto for a $1,400-a-seat sushi pop-up
Sushi Yūgen is marking its third anniversary with a three-day November pop-up led by Ginza sushi chef Hiroyuki Sato. There are only 36 seats, at $1,400 for dinner or $695 for lunch.
FOOD · OCT 26, 2026
Montreal's Green Drip Cafe, known for matcha and Vietnamese coffee, plans Toronto opening
Green Drip Cafe from Montreal pairs ceremonial-grade Japanese matcha with Vietnamese Robusta coffee. It plans to open at 283 College St. in Toronto in November, but hasn't named a date yet.
TRAVEL · OCT 24, 2026
Japan's foreign arrivals fell 5% in September, but visitor spending still rose
Japan had 3,103,700 foreign arrivals in September 2026, 5% fewer than a year earlier. JNTO pointed to higher airfares, flight cuts and typhoons. Visitor spending still rose in July–September.
TRADITIONS & HISTORY · OCT 24, 2026
Victoria's Japanese Canadian Monument: nearly 25,000 names, and how to find one
A new monument near the B.C. Legislature carries the names of about 22,000 Japanese Canadians uprooted in wartime, plus about 3,000 children born later. It opened October 3, but the site is closed again for construction.