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November is when holiday beauty sets arrive in Japan. Here are three new releases worth knowing about: Lancôme's holiday Beauty Box, Japanese brand Attenir's new “serum-like” cleansing oil, and skim's high-coverage cushion foundation.
Japanese air gets dry in winter, and new skincare lands in stores right on time. Two November releases are easy to pick up during a trip: HACCO, a fermented skincare line sold only at Hands, and a limited 20%-larger Aqualabel gel cream from Shiseido at drugstores.
Shopping for makeup in Japan this winter? Here are three new releases you can find at Japanese drugstores and variety shops in November 2026 — a jam-textured lip balm from hince, new Laka tints (including a Japan-only mini) and a limited-edition CEZANNE palette for under ¥1,000.
Fireworks in Japan aren't only a summer thing. The hot spring town of Atami holds its sea fireworks show over Atami Bay in autumn and winter too — free to watch, with no paid seats this year. Here are the 2026–2027 dates and tips from the Atami City Tourism Association.
Every winter, Osaka's Hankyu Umeda department store turns into one of the city's most festive Christmas spots. The 9th-floor Christmas Market opens on November 18, 2026, and the famous street-level Christmas windows light up from November 12. Here are the dates, show times and the new scent effect, based on Hankyu's official announcements.
Mulled wine, twinkling stalls, nutcrackers and a Christmas pyramid — Tokyo Christmas Market brings a German-style holiday market to the city. In 2026 it's held at two venues: a brand-new site in Shin-Toyosu and a second site in Shiba Park. Here are the dates, ticket prices and how to get there.
Christmas in Japan looks familiar at first — trees, lights and holiday songs everywhere — but it's celebrated quite differently. Here's what Christmas means in Japan, the traditions you'll notice, and what to keep in mind if you're visiting over the holidays.
Winter in Japan means streets, gardens and theme parks covered in lights. Here are four winter illuminations for the 2026–2027 season — from snowy Sapporo to Tokyo and Mie — with their dates, so you can fit one into your trip.
From November 1, 2026, tax-free shopping in Japan works differently. Instead of buying without tax at the register, you pay the full price first and get the tax back after customs confirms you are taking the items out of Japan. Here is what changes and how to make sure you get your refund.
Starbucks Japan's holiday 2026 menu is all about tea. From November 2, you can try three seasonal tea drinks that are only sold in Japan. Here are the drinks, their prices in yen, and a few tips for ordering them on your trip.