Benny's Japan Travel Guide Vol.21 | Kodai-ji Night Maple, mofusand Harajuku, Godzilla Piyorin | 2026.10.25

This issue of "Benny's Japan Insider Tips" Vol.21 takes you from the Hiroshima art exhibition to the golden garden projection at Kyoto's Kodai-ji, then to Harajuku to see mofusand cats dressed as forest animals, and finally to Nagoya Godzilla Piyorin and the tongue-wagging frog gashapon. All five news items are appealing, but the free days, reservation procedures, dessert sales, and display periods each have their own details. I've organized them one by one for you, so be sure to read them carefully before planning your itinerary!

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Information date for this issue: October 25, 2026.Unless otherwise noted, all times are Japan Standard Time, and all prices are in Japanese yen. The following is organized based on the official information provided with this issue; availability, stock, and operating arrangements are subject to change, so please check the respective official links again before heading out.

1. Hiroshima Chieo Senzaki Exhibition: Free Admission to the Entire Museum on November 3, Not Every Day

For those who love exhibitions, you might want to consider this stop at the Hiroshima City Museum of Modern Art. The Chieo Senzaki Exhibition runs from October 24 to December 13, 2026, showcasing approximately 100 works, including 44 pieces in a series combining pine needles and photographs. You can pay attention to how the artist handles objects, forms, and viewing methods.

However, there is one point to clarify about the image: the image shows the 2014 work "Form with a Red Interior," not the pine needle photograph series. Look at the image and then the actual object, and do not confuse the two sets of works.

• Location: Hiroshima City Museum of Modern Art.
• Exhibition Period: October 24 to December 13, 2026.
• General Adult Ticket: ¥1,100; Free Admission to the Entire Museum on November 3.
• Opening Hours: 10:00–17:00, last admission at 16:30.
• Closed: Usually Mondays; open on November 23, closed on November 24.

Benny's Tip: "Free on November 3" does not mean free for the entire exhibition period. If you want to save on admission, you should first confirm whether the free day aligns with your itinerary before arranging transportation, so you don't arrive only to find it coincides with a closing day.

Official Information: Hiroshima City Museum of Modern Art Exhibition Page | Museum Exhibition Press Release | Transportation Information

2. Kyoto Kodai-ji Autumn Night Visit: ¥800 Day and Night Ticket, No Re-entry After Leaving

In autumn, Kyoto offers more than just daytime garden views. I noticed the new Kodai-ji projection "KODAI-JI ~Momoyama Ryoran~" this time. Golden light and shadow fall upon the garden, and the image card already creates a wonderful atmosphere, but remember that this is an official illustration of the effect, and the actual performance may differ. It also does not mean that the same autumn foliage state will be present on the day of your visit.

• Autumn Night Visit: October 23 to December 13, 2026.
• Lights On: Daily from 17:00.
• Last Admission: 21:30; Doors Close at 22:00.
• Adult Admission: ¥800.
• Transportation Tip: Approximately a 7-minute walk from the "Higashiyama-annai" bus stop.

The most practical point is: daytime admission can be kept for the evening lights, and you won't be asked to buy another ticket to stay. However, once you leave, you cannot re-enter with the original ticket; it is not an all-day free-entry pass.

Benny's Tip: If you want to watch the transition from day to night, you should first arrange your break and meal times, rather than thinking you can leave the temple to eat and then come back. If you want to visit designated indoor spaces, you should also check the official opening rules first.

Official Information: Kodai-ji Autumn Events | Projection Performance Announcement | Visiting Rules | Transportation Information

3. mofusand Harajuku WOODLANDS: Forest Animal Figures from ¥2,970, Reservation Required on October 25

mofusand cats are dressed as forest animals this time, and the fox, wolf, squirrel, and rabbit designs are all very cute! The Harajuku store will reopen with a makeover on October 23, 2026, and the new WOODLANDS series figures start from ¥2,970. For me, besides the designs, the most important thing to pay attention to is the store entry arrangement, because you might not be able to line up and enter directly when you arrive.

• Location: mofusand Harajuku Store.
• Opening Hours: 12:00–20:00.
• October 23 to 25: You must first obtain a reservation ticket online according to the official arrangements.
• October 25 Reservation Ticket Availability: From 10:00 Japan Standard Time, which is 09:00 Hong Kong Time.
• Payment: The entire store does not accept cash, so please confirm the available payment methods in advance.

If you are planning to go on the day this article is published, October 25, please check the reservation ticket status first; if you are going later, you should check the arrangements for the day of your visit, and not assume that the rules from the opening days will remain permanent.

Benny's Tip: Having a reservation ticket does not mean that the specific figure you want is in stock. Availability and stock are subject to the official store, so I do not recommend heading there solely based on a single product image.

Official Information: mofusand Harajuku Store, Reservation, and Payment Information | WOODLANDS Series Announcement

4. Nagoya Godzilla Piyorin: Limited from November 3 to 13, Takeout ¥580

The usually soft and fluffy Piyorin chick has turned into a chocolate monster this time! The Godzilla-shaped Piyorin will be available for a limited time from November 3 to 13, 2026, with takeout at ¥580 and dine-in at ¥680. If you are already passing through Nagoya Station, I think this is perfect for your "eat-on-the-day" list, rather than a room-temperature souvenir to take home on a long trip.

• Dessert Sales Period: November 3 to 13, 2026.
• In-store Theme Display: Until November 17, which is different from the dessert sales period.
• Price: Takeout ¥580; Dine-in ¥680.
• Nagoya Station Shop Sales Batches: 9:00, 12:00, 15:00, 18:00.
• Nagoya Station Shop Purchase Limit: Maximum 2 per person, while supplies last.
• village Dine-in: A drink must also be ordered; ¥680 is not the set price including a drink.

What I want to remind everyone most is not to assume that you can still buy the dessert on the 17th just because the display lasts until then. You need to remember the two dates separately, and it also does not mean that you will definitely be able to buy it during every sales batch.

Benny's Tip: Piyorin can easily lose its shape and needs to be refrigerated; carrying it with you all day or on a long trip without proper cold storage is not a very good idea. If you want to try taking it home intact, check the store's storage and carrying reminders first.

Official Information: Piyorin Limited Product Announcement | JR Tokai Food Service Sales Details | Nagoya Station Shop | village Dine-in Information

5. Kitan Club Frog Gashapon Fit V2.0: ¥300 per try, can be hung on an umbrella or water bottle

Finally, this is the one I couldn't help but take another look at: Kitan Club "O-sanpo Kaeru Fit V2.0". The frog's tongue even wiggles, and it can be hung on an umbrella or water bottle as a charm. Taking a little frog with you on the go makes it feel like you have an extra travel companion.

• Release Date: Gradually arriving in late October 2026.
• Price: ¥300 per try.
• Designs: 7 designs plus 1 secret design, 8 in total, randomly selected.
• Official Recommended Age: 15 years and older.

Fukuoka PARCO Main Building 5F "Bokura Link" will have new arrivals introduced on October 23, but this is only news of the arrival and does not mean that items will still be in stock today or on the day of your visit. Arrival times, machine designs, and stock levels may also vary by store.

Benny's Tip: Do not treat it as a toy for young children, and do not expect to definitely get the color you want. If you find stock on your trip, I will first decide on a budget, and then take whichever one I get for a walk.

Official Information: Kitan Club Product Page | Fukuoka PARCO New Arrival Introduction | Fukuoka PARCO Business Hours and Transportation Information

Quick Q&A Before You Go: Tickets, Reservations, and Sales Dates

When is the Hiroshima Chieo Senzaki Exhibition free?

Free Admission to the entire Hiroshima City Museum of Modern Art on November 3, 2026; it is not free for the entire exhibition period. The exhibition runs until December 13, with general adult tickets at ¥1,100. Please check the museum for other dates and closing arrangements.

Can a Kodai-ji daytime ticket be kept for the evening lights?

Yes, daytime and evening tickets are not exchanged, but you cannot re-enter with the original ticket after leaving. Autumn night visits run until December 13, 2026, with lights on at 17:00, last admission at 21:30, and doors closing at 22:00.

Can you line up immediately at the mofusand Harajuku Store?

This issue states that from October 23 to 25, 2026, you must first obtain a reservation ticket online, so do not assume you can line up directly. Please check the official store page for other days and remaining slots, and reservation tickets also do not guarantee product stock.

Is Godzilla Piyorin sold until November 17?

No. The dessert sales period is November 3 to 13, 2026; the theme display lasts until November 17. Takeout is ¥580, dine-in is ¥680, and village requires a drink to be ordered separately.

Is the Frog Fit V2.0 gashapon a toy for children?

It is officially marked for ages 15 and older and should not be treated as a toy for young children. ¥300 per try, 8 designs in total, designs are random, and stock varies by store.

Benny's Itinerary Summary: First Divide by Region, Then Choose the Stop You Want to Visit Most

Hiroshima, Kyoto, Tokyo Harajuku, and Nagoya are in different locations, so I will not cram them into a single-day itinerary just to chase all five news items. If you are already in Kansai, you can consider Kodai-ji; if you are passing through Nagoya, check the Godzilla Piyorin sales period first; if you are going to Tokyo to buy mofusand, handle the reservation and payment preparations first. As for gashapon, treat it as a little surprise you might encounter along the way, and do not take the arrival news as a guarantee.

What I really want to remind everyone this issue is "Check the Date First, Then the Stock, and Finally Head Out". Save this issue of "Benny's Japan Insider Tips" Vol.21 and share it with friends so you can choose together. I'm Benny, and I'll discover more interesting new news from Japan with you next time!

Images: Information cards provided in this issue; attributions for works, characters, and product images are as shown in the cards. The Kodai-ji image is an official illustration of the effect, and the actual performance may differ. Prices, sales, and operating arrangements in the text are subject to the latest announcements of the respective organizers and stores.