Benny's Japan Travel Guide Vol. 25 | New Pokémon Card Packs, Chiikawa Christmas Ornaments, Free Music in Tokyo, and Yofur Guide
In this issue of Japan Know-How Vol.25, I have selected five noteworthy Japanese news items for you: the new Pokémon card pack "Hadou Shikar," the free INSPIRE TOKYO music stage, the Sanrio limited edition game set, the Chiikawa Christmas Cinnamoroll charm, and the Showa Kinen Park night tour starting tonight. Are you planning to go shopping in Japan, listen to music, or enjoy the night views? I will explain the dates, prices, and restrictions for each item one by one, so you won't have to discover the fine print only after you get there.
Benny's Lifestyle Recommendations | Recharge on the Go, Dine at Home
Sothing Retro Camera Power Bank
Whether you're checking maps, taking photos, or looking up your itinerary, your phone is essential. I recommend this 10,000mAh power bank for those who want to recharge on the go and love retro designs.
View Styles / Purchase →
Japanese Arnest Microwave Cookware
After checking out the Japanese news, do you want to make everyday meals more convenient? If you want to simplify cooking and cleaning for one, check out this versatile microwave cookware.
View Details / Purchase →Compiled on October 29, 2026. All event and sale times below are in Japan Standard Time; Japan is 1 hour ahead of Hong Kong. All prices are in Japanese yen. Product inventory, ticket sales, and event arrangements are subject to the latest official announcements.
1. New Pokémon Card Pack "Hadou Shikar": On Sale November 27, ¥200 per Pack
For Pokémon card collectors, mark your calendars for November 27, 2026! The new "Hadou Shikar" expansion pack costs ¥200 (tax included) per pack and contains 5 random cards. Before you buy, I want to remind you: this is an expansion pack, not a starter set that comes with a complete deck.
The character on the packaging is very appealing, but that doesn't mean you'll get it in every pack. Different stores may have lotteries, pre-orders, or purchase limits, so check your target store before heading out; also, don't assume resale prices are the official retail price.
Benny's Tip: If you're buying for a friend, ask whether they want to collect card packs or find a specific card, as the budgets for these two goals can differ significantly.
Source: Official Pokémon Card New Pack Information.
2. INSPIRE TOKYO 2026 WINTER: Free Music Stage at Yoyogi Park on December 5–6
When visiting Tokyo in December, not every event requires a ticket. I noticed that INSPIRE TOKYO 2026 WINTER will be held from December 4 to 6, but the free stage at Yoyogi Park is only on December 5 and 6, featuring six musical acts. There will also be art displays at Koganeuma Park, so you can plan your itinerary around the daily schedule.
The event hours are 3:00 PM–9:00 PM on December 4, and 11:00 AM–9:00 PM on December 5 and 6; these are the overall event hours, not the performance times for individual artists, and actual performance times are yet to be announced.
Benny's Tip: Be clear about what is "free." The LINE CUBE SHIBUYA performances require a separate ticket, and food and shopping are at your own expense; not everything at the event is free. If you mainly want to see the free stage, I recommend prioritizing December 5 or 6, then checking the official schedule to see what time to arrive.
Sources: J-WAVE / INSPIRE TOKYO Official Event Page, Official Yoyogi Park Access and Park Information.
3. Sanrio Party Land Limited Set: ¥11,000, Different Release Dates for Online and Physical Stores
Sanrio fans should look out for the Sanrio Party Land limited set: priced at ¥11,000, it includes a Nintendo Switch game, five models, and an NFC special card; the standard edition costs ¥6,380. I recommend deciding whether you want to play the game or collect the models as well before choosing a version.
The official online store will generally release it on October 29 at 10:00 AM Japan Standard Time, which is 9:00 AM Hong Kong Time, with a limit of one set per person. The general release date at designated physical stores is October 30; on October 29, physical stores will only sell to lottery winners, so do not confuse the arrangements for the two channels.
Benny's Tip: Puroland does not sell the set, and you will need to check the inventory and purchase limits at designated stores separately. The image shows a game packaging illustration, not all the accessories together; Hong Kong shipping and Traditional Chinese support have not been verified, so please confirm before placing an order—don't rush to buy just because you see the characters.
Sources: Sanrio Official Release Announcement, List of Designated General Retail Stores, Official Game Specifications.
4. Chiikawa Christmas Cinnamoroll Charm: Three Styles at ¥2,420 Each, On Sale November 6
The Christmas spirit is here! This time, there are three styles of Chiikawa Christmas Cinnamoroll charms, priced at ¥2,420 each and on sale November 6, 2026. The official Chiikawa Market online store will go on sale at 11:00 AM Japan Standard Time, which is 10:00 AM Hong Kong Time.
I especially want to remind online shoppers: after the official online store inventory is taken, shipping will resume on November 16, and items will be shipped gradually. The sale date is not the shipping date, and even less so the date you will receive your order; if you plan to give it as a gift, remember to allow enough time.
Designated permanent stores include Umeda, Harajuku, Fukuoka PARCO, Kyoto Shijo-Kawahara-machi, TOKYO Station, Tokyo Skytree Solamachi, Nagoya PARCO, Sendai PARCO, Sapporo PARCO, Yokohama, Hiroshima PARCO, Shinsaibashi PARCO, Shinjuku, Kanazawa Forus, Ikebukuro PARCO, and Tokorozawa LakeTown.
Other designated pop-up locations include AEON Park Place Oita, Ebina Marui, AEON MALL Kasukabe, Kasuragi, and Susaka, as well as LINE FRIENDS SQUARE SHIBUYA. The Makuhari Seaside Park Christmas Market will not go on sale until November 24.
Benny's Tip: Purchase limits and inventory are subject to each store's arrangements; there is no guarantee that every store will have every style in stock, and do not assume it is "Japan Exclusive." Before making a special trip to buy it, check the latest announcements for the specific branch.
Sources: Manufacturer Release Announcement, Official Chiikawa Permanent Store Information, Official Chiikawa Market Online Store.
5. Showa Kinen Park Autumn Night Walk: No Additional Fee for Japanese Garden Night Admission on October 29–31
If you are currently in Tokyo, I recommend checking out the Showa Kinen Park "Autumn Night Walk" in Tachikawa, which will be held from October 29 to November 29, 2026. For the first three days, October 29 to 31, there is no additional viewing fee for the Japanese Garden at night, but adults still need to pay a ¥450 park admission fee, and free admission does not apply to the entire park.
The lights will be on from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM, and the park will close at 9:00 PM; tickets will stop being sold at 8:15 PM, and the last entry will be at 8:30 PM. At night, access is limited to the Nishi-Tachikawa and Tachikawa entrances, so do not choose an entrance randomly as you would during the day. Official transportation information states that the Nishi-Tachikawa entrance is about a 2-minute walk from JR Nishi-Tachikawa Station.
Visitors to the Japanese Garden during the day must leave by 4:00 PM to wait for the night session. The Japanese Garden will charge a separate fee at night starting in November, so do not assume the first three days' discount applies to later dates.
Benny's Tip: The image is an official promotional view and does not represent the autumn foliage status on October 29. I will check the weather, the foliage status for that day, and the entrance announcements before deciding when to leave, so you don't set the wrong expectations based on a single promotional photo.
Sources: Park Foundation Announcement, Official Showa Kinen Park Event Page, Official Transportation Information.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Japanese Products and Tokyo Events
When will the Pokémon Hadou Shikar pack go on sale, and how many cards does each pack contain?
The release date is November 27, 2026, and each pack costs ¥200 including tax, containing 5 random cards. It is an expansion pack, not a complete deck, and does not guarantee that you will get the character on the packaging.
Is everything at INSPIRE TOKYO 2026 WINTER free?
No. The free stage at Yoyogi Park will be held on December 5 and 6; the LINE CUBE SHIBUYA performances, food and beverages, and shopping require a separate fee. The overall event dates are December 4 to 6.
What time will the Chiikawa Christmas charms go on sale in Hong Kong time?
The Chiikawa Market official online store will go on sale at 10:00 AM Hong Kong Time / 11:00 AM Japan Standard Time on November 6, 2026. Shipping will resume on November 16 and items will be shipped gradually, not immediately upon sale.
Is the Showa Kinen Park night tour only ¥450 for the first three days?
From October 29 to 31, 2026, there is no additional viewing fee for the Japanese Garden at night, but adults still need to pay a ¥450 park admission fee. The Japanese Garden will charge a separate fee at night starting in November, and actual ticketing is subject to official announcements.
What does the Sanrio Party Land limited set include?
The ¥11,000 limited set includes a Nintendo Switch game, five models, and an NFC special card. The official online store will generally release it on October 29, and designated physical stores will generally release it on October 30; Hong Kong shipping and Traditional Chinese support have not been verified.
Benny's Final Tip: Save the Dates First, Then Check the Official Arrangements
Don't expect to get a specific character when buying card packs, don't assume Christmas charms will ship the same day you order, and remember to distinguish between the park admission fee and the Japanese Garden surcharge for the night tour. Save this post, and check the official links again before heading out to plan your itinerary even better!
To continue following me for new Japanese products and events, check out my Instagram: @benny.lee.jp. I'm Benny, see you in the next issue of Japan Know-How!
This article was compiled based on the images, posts, and official sources provided in this issue; information is current as of October 29, 2026, and may be subject to change. Product recommendation links in the article are PriseMall purchase links; prices, styles, and availability are subject to the product page. Images retain their original source and copyright notices, and actual products and event arrangements are subject to official announcements.
