Benny's Japan Travel Guide Vol. 26 | Ikura Sapporo Pop-up, Fukuoka New Outlet, Tokyo Rooftop Exhibition, and Hida Beef Chips
In this issue of “Japan News You Should Know” Vol. 26, I’ve selected five noteworthy Japanese news stories for you to collect: ikura busking with a guitar on the streets of Sapporo, a preview of Fukuoka Marinoa’s new outlet, the launch of the TOKYO NODE BEYOND EARTH exhibition, free admission to the Hakata Yokai Ningyo Exhibition, and Hida beef chips available at convenience stores. I’ll explain the dates, fees, and important details for each, so you can tell which ones you can enjoy now and which ones to save for your next trip to Japan!
Benny’s Picks | Power for the Streets, Easy Meals at Home
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After checking out Japanese food news, would you like to make a simple Japanese home-cooked meal at home? This device can be used for frying, boiling, and steaming, making it perfect for anyone who wants to simplify meal preparation and cleanup.
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The above are PriseMall product recommendations and are not partner products of the following events; specifications, prices, and availability are subject to the product page.
Compiled on October 30, 2026. All event times below are in Japan Standard Time, and ticket and product prices are in Japanese yen. The information was compiled based on the attached posts and official announcements for this issue; please check for official updates before heading out.
Which of This Issue’s New Japanese Stories Can You See Right Away?
Want me to quickly highlight the key points? ikura’s video has been released and can be rewatched online; the exhibitions in Tokyo and Hakata are currently open; Hida beef chips are already available at convenience stores; and Fukuoka’s new outlet is not scheduled to open until April 2027, so don’t make a special trip for shopping just yet!
1. ikura Busking in Sapporo: “Yoru ni Kakeru” Video Released
The first thing I want to share in this issue is YOASOBI vocalist ikura’s street performance in Sapporo. As the featured guest on Spotted:, she held a guitar in Sotozakawa Park, Sapporo, and performed “Yoru ni Kakeru” and “Sakihokore.” Moving from large stages to the streets, the concept of this project alone is enough to make you want to click and listen.
Make sure to note the dates: The performance was filmed on October 17, 2026, and the video was released on October 28. This was a past performance that you can rewatch, not a preview of an upcoming street event, so there’s no need to make a special trip to see it live.
I recommend finding the video on the Spotted: Official YouTube Channel, or reading the official TBWA HAKUHODO announcement to learn more about the project.
2. When Will Fukuoka Marinoa’s New Outlet Open? Scheduled for April 2027, with Approximately 220 Stores Planned
For those who love shopping in Fukuoka, I recommend bookmarking this news: Marinoa’s new outlet is scheduled to open in April 2027, with approximately 220 stores planned and the first 41 already announced. For those planning a trip to Fukuoka next year, it’s worth adding to your shortlist.
In addition to shopping, another highlight that caught my attention is the life-size statues of fire dragons and sea dragons planned to appear by the waterfront. Imagine seeing Yokai while shopping—it sounds like it would be quite a conversation starter. However, I want to remind you: the image shows concept CG, not the actual completed site, and the final facilities are subject to completion and official announcements.
As of the information in this issue, the exact opening date and bus arrangements have yet to be announced. Don’t treat “scheduled for April 2027” as a confirmed opening date; I’ll arrange a detailed itinerary once transportation and dates are clearer.
Official sources: Mitsui Fudosan and Fukuoka Jisho announcement on October 29, official Fukuoka New Outlet preview website.
3. TOKYO NODE BEYOND EARTH: Tokyo High-Altitude Space Exhibition and Free Evening Garden
If you’re heading to Tokyo soon and want to add an art experience to your shopping and dining plans, keep an eye on YOSHIROTTEN “BEYOND EARTH” at Toranomon TOKYO NODE. The exhibition runs from October 30, 2026, to January 11, 2027, and is accessible from Toranomon Hills Station.
Main exhibition ticket prices for adults: ¥2,200 on weekdays, ¥2,500 on weekends and holidays; according to the ticket information in this issue, tickets are not sold on-site, so remember to check the official online ticketing arrangements in advance.
What I think needs to be made especially clear is: the main exhibition has a fee, and while the evening garden is free, you must obtain separate online tickets for the garden. Don’t just head up because you see the word “free,” and don’t assume that the free garden means the entire exhibition is free.
The evening garden is open from 17:30 to 22:00, with last entry at 21:30. Preschool children are not allowed on the rooftop, and elementary school children must be accompanied by an adult; opening may also be affected by weather. If you want to bring children, I’ll check the age restrictions first before deciding on the itinerary.
Official sources: “BEYOND EARTH” exhibition website, tickets, time slots, and entry restrictions.
4. Free Admission to the Hakata Yokai Ningyo Exhibition: Approximately 80 Works, Extended Opening from October 31
In Fukuoka, I’ll choose a short cultural itinerary that can be easily fit in: the “12th World Hakata Ningyo Yokai Exhibition” at the Hakata Traditional Crafts Museum. It runs from October 29 to November 3, 2026, and you can enjoy approximately 80 works free of charge without a reservation. The Tofu Kosho in the graphic is already quite something!
However, closing times are not the same every day. On October 30, it is open from 10:00 to 18:00, with last entry at 17:30; from October 31 to November 3, it will be extended until 21:00.If you’re heading out after reading this post, remember to check the times for the day of your visit.
The venue is at 1-23-2 Hakata Ekimae, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, about a 6-minute walk from Hakata Station. I think it’s perfect to fit into an itinerary around Hakata Station, allowing you to enjoy craft works for free without having to set aside an entire day. Admission is free, but shopping is extra.
Official sources: Museum exhibition announcement, entry and address information, official Fukuoka City tourism events page.
5. Koikeya Hida Beef Charcoal-Grilled Chips: Available at Convenience Stores Nationwide, Not Limited to Gifu
Finally, back to food. Koikeya’s “Hida Beef Charcoal-Grilled” chips are launching a revised product, available at convenience stores nationwide from October 26, 2026, and expanding to general channels from November 2. So you don’t have to think you need to go to Gifu to buy them, and you shouldn’t write this as the first time this flavor has ever been released.
Each bag is 52g, with an official reference price of ¥170 before tax, and ¥1 is donated to Gifu for every bag sold. Actual store prices and inventory need to be checked separately, and it does not mean every convenience store will have them in stock.
For me, this type of regional snack is perfect for the “take a quick look while stopping by a convenience store” list. I haven’t done a tasting in this post, so I won’t pretend to have eaten it and tell you how it tastes; interested friends can first learn about it from the official product introduction and then check if it’s in stock on-site.
Official sources: Koikeya / Nissin October 26 product announcement, Koikeya official brand page.
Other Points of Interest:
Can You See ikura’s Sapporo Street Performance Live?
The performance introduced in this issue was filmed on October 17, 2026, and the video was released on October 28; it is not a preview of a future event. I recommend rewatching it on the Spotted: Official YouTube Channel.
Has Fukuoka Marinoa’s New Outlet Opened Yet?
According to the information in this issue, it has not yet opened and is scheduled to open in April 2027. Approximately 220 stores are planned, with the first 41 announced; the exact date and bus arrangements are pending official announcement.
Is the TOKYO NODE Evening Garden Free Without a Reservation?
No. The evening garden is free, but you must obtain separate online tickets, and the main exhibition has a separate fee. The garden also has child entry restrictions and may adjust its opening due to weather.
Do You Need Tickets or a Reservation for the Hakata Yokai Ningyo Exhibition?
Admission to the exhibition introduced in this issue is free and does not require a reservation, and it runs from October 29 to November 3, 2026. From October 31, it will be extended until 21:00, and shopping is extra.
Are Hida Beef Chips Limited to Gifu?
No. The revised product is available at convenience stores nationwide first, then expanding to general channels, but whether individual stores have them in stock needs to be checked separately.
The images are the Benny Japan News You Should Know information graphics provided in this issue; the Marinoa image shows completed concept CG, and the sources of other materials in the images are indicated on the images. The graphics and information in this post are current as of October 30, 2026; opening times, ticketing, transportation, and product availability are subject to the latest official announcements.
