Benny's Japan Tips Vol. 10 | Japanese Railway QR Tickets, Ueno Art Tour, YOASOBI Exclusive Concert, Hiroshima New Exhibition, and Murone Shrine Festival

When traveling to Japan, my biggest fear isn't missing a stop on my itinerary, but arriving only to discover that it requires a reservation, hasn't started yet, or isn't open to the public at all. In this issue of "Benny's Japan Insider Vol. 10," I’ve compiled the new QR paper ticket arrangements for 7 Japanese railway companies, the Ueno Station art tour, the YOASOBI Tokyo-exclusive performance, the "Time Bundles" collection exhibition in Hiroshima, and the Murone Shrine Festival in Iwate. From reservations to keep in mind starting tomorrow morning to new procedures not launching until spring 2027, be sure to clarify the dates and eligibility requirements before planning your trip.

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Data Date: October 14, 2026. This article is compiled based on the provided infographics, text, and official sources; it is not a real-time check of ticket availability or participation eligibility. Event times are in Japan Standard Time, which is 1 hour ahead of Hong Kong time; reservation times are listed in Hong Kong Time, and costs are in Japanese Yen. Please verify with official updates before your departure.

1. 7 Japanese Railways to Switch to QR Paper Tickets in Spring 2027: Not Mobile Tickets, Nor New Fares

JR East, Keisei, Keikyu, Tokyo Monorail, Tobu, Hokuso, and Sendai Airport Transit plan to switch to QR paper tickets starting in the spring of 2027. Since this affects routes commonly used by travelers, I want to emphasize: this is a new arrangement for next spring. The official launch date has yet to be announced, so do not assume it is already fully implemented.

How to pass through gates with QR paper tickets?

When entering or exiting, hold the QR code on the paper ticket near the scanner; deposit the ticket into the collection bin after exiting. If there is no corresponding gate, use the staffed window. These remain paper tickets; seeing a QR code does not mean you can use a mobile screenshot instead.

IC card services will continue. The date and 160-yen price on the infographic sample do not represent the official launch date or new fares. When planning your trip, do not assume this arrangement for these 7 companies applies to all railways in Japan simultaneously.

Official References: Joint Announcement from 7 Railways, JR East QR Ticket Demonstration and Explanation.

2. Ueno Station Ikuo Hirayama Stained Glass Tour: Reservations Open Oct 15, 09:00 HK Time

Transfers can also be a time for art. Ueno Station’s 17.7-meter-long Ikuo Hirayama stained glass was relocated and reopened on October 7 inside the Shinkansen gates. The art tour on November 15 will also feature the Shinichiro Inokuma mural, perfect for travelers who want to take their time appreciating public art in stations.

Tour Date: November 15, 2026.
Sessions: 10:00 and 14:00 JST, 90 minutes each.
Capacity and Cost: 10 people per session, 1,000 yen (tax included) per person.

When does the Ueno art tour reservation start in HK time?

Reservations start on JRE MALL at 10:00 JST on October 15, which is 09:00 HK time; they close at 13:00 JST on November 13, which is 12:00 HK time. Since the sale and the event are not on the same day, I’ll add the reservation time to my calendar before planning my November trip; remaining spots are as displayed on the ticket page.

Meeting Point: Arrive 10 minutes early outside the Ueno Station Park Gate (3F). Foreign language services, as well as ticket conditions for viewing the artwork without participating in the tour, are unconfirmed; do not assume you can view it with a standard station admission ticket.

Official References: JRE MALL Tour Reservation, JR East Tour Announcement, Japan Traffic Culture Association Restoration and Relocation Introduction.

3. YOASOBI Tokyo Exclusive Performance: Dec 19, Invitation Only, No Public Tickets

Spotify Japan's 10th-anniversary YOASOBI performance will be held on December 19, 2026, at Tokyo Garden Theater; doors open at 17:00, show starts at 18:00. The most important thing first: there are no public ticket sales.

What are the conditions for Spotify invites and YOA’S lotteries?

Spotify is inviting 5,000 eligible Premium high-streaming fans via lottery. You must apply according to the official email by 23:59 JST on October 19, which is 22:59 HK time. Having a Premium membership does not automatically mean you are invited or eligible.

YOA’S is holding a separate lottery for up to 200 people; applicants must have both Premium and fan club memberships, and both attendees must be at least 18 years old. Eligibility for Hong Kong accounts is unconfirmed; do not assume Hong Kong Premium users can apply.

I recommend confirming eligibility and invitation status before booking your trip. The release date for the global performance video is yet to be announced; do not treat December 19 as the global synchronized release date.

Official References: Spotify Japan Event Announcement, YOA’S Lottery Explanation, Official Press Release.

4. Hiroshima "Time Bundles" Collection Exhibition: Free on Oct 18 (Collection Only)

The "Time Bundles" exhibition in Gallery A at the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art examines how works leave traces of time through collection, conservation, and the perspective of "Hiroshima." I think this fits perfectly in the middle of a trip, allowing for some unhurried time to reflect on the relationship between art and the city.

Exhibition Period: October 10, 2026 – January 24, 2027.
Hours: 10:00–17:00, last admission at 16:30; closed on Mondays.
Free Day: October 18, applies only to the collection exhibition; not all exhibitions or activities are free.

General admission is 350 yen, university students 250 yen, high school students and those over 65 are 150 yen, and junior high students and younger are free. The infographic uses the official key visual featuring Noe Aoki’s "Harutama 1" (2004); the date of the artwork is not the exhibition period.

Transport: Take the No. 5 tram from Hiroshima Station to "Hijiyama-shita," then walk about 500 meters up a slope. When planning my time, I include the slope in my schedule, rather than just the travel time.

Official References: Exhibition and Pricing Info, Museum Access.

5. Iwate Murone Shrine Festival 2026: Morning Mikoshi Race on Oct 25

The Murone Shrine Festival is held in Murone-cho, Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture. The "Mikoshi Race" does not occur every year, but rather every 2 to 4 years. The 2026 dates are October 23 to 25. If you want to see the main event, planning for the early morning is more important than your daytime itinerary.

Departure from Murone Shrine is at 04:00 on October 25, with the race from the Orikabe town area to the Matsuriba around 07:30. Actual times may vary. 07:30 is not a guaranteed start time; please observe according to the official map and on-site instructions.

I will check the 2026 official viewing map and confirm local accommodation and early morning transportation; I won't assume there's suitable public transport just because the distance on a map looks short. Viewing fees are unconfirmed; follow on-site instructions when watching. There are specific clothing rules for carrying the mikoshi, so don't confuse spectators with participants.

The infographic uses reference photos from previous festivals; the years are not marked, and they are not from the 2026 event.

Official References: Festival Dates and Rules, 2026 Viewing Map, Introduction to the Mikoshi Race.

FAQs: Japan Railway QR Tickets, Tour Reservations, and Event Eligibility

Are Japanese railway QR tickets in full use now?

No. This is a plan by 7 companies starting in spring 2027; the exact launch date is pending. It does not mean all railways in Japan have converted now; IC card services will continue.

When can I reserve the Ueno art tour in HK time?

From 09:00 on October 15, 2026, until 12:00 on November 13. The event is on November 15, with 10 people per session; availability depends on what is displayed on JRE MALL.

Can I buy tickets for the YOASOBI Spotify performance in Tokyo?

No public ticket sales; it is by invitation and lottery. Eligibility for Hong Kong accounts is unconfirmed, so it is not advisable to book a trip for this before being invited.

Is everything at the Hiroshima museum free on October 18?

No, only the collection exhibition is free on that day. Check separate pricing conditions for other exhibitions and activities.

When should I watch the Murone Shrine Festival Mikoshi Race?

Around 07:30 on October 25, 2026, racing from the Orikabe town area to the Matsuriba; they depart from Murone Shrine at 04:00. Times may change, so check the official viewing map and latest updates.

Before I go, I’ll double-check the dates and eligibility

For reservation reminders, use absolute dates; don't just note "tomorrow morning." For free arrangements, check the scope; for invitation-only events, verify eligibility first; for early morning festivals, secure transportation and accommodation. Save this, and check the official links again before finalizing your itinerary to reduce the chance of coming up empty-handed and increase the time you get to truly enjoy your trip.

Image source and usage notice: QR paper ticket sample from JR East; Ueno artwork photos from Japan Traffic Culture Association, original painting/supervision: Ikuo Hirayama; YOASOBI key visual from Spotify Japan; Hiroshima key visual from Hiroshima MOCA, artwork: Noe Aoki "Harutama 1" (2004); Murone photos from the Murone Shrine Festival Supporters Association, historical file photos. Authorization for reposting photos is pending; being publicly readable does not imply authorization for reproduction has been granted. Rights to images, works, photography, and attribution requirements must be verified before public publication.