June is your last chance to catch the Conan-themed event at Universal Studios Japan (USJ), hosted coincide with the Detective Conan movie that came out in April, Fallen Angel of the Highway. Visitors are invited into Conan’s world by taking part in an exclusive, high-stakes escape room game.

The Detective Conan: The Escape - Prologue to the Highway game is joined by a special restaurant experience, where guests must solve a mystery while dining. This event is part of USJ Cool Japan 2026 line-up, which highlights popular Japanese franchises, such as Jujutsu Kaisen and Monster Hunter.

HARRY POTTER and all related characters and elements (C) & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights (C) J.K. Rowling. / MINIONS TM & (C) 2025 Universal Studios. / (C) Nintendo / TM & © Universal Studios & Amblin Entertainment / 書・紫舟 / 原作／青山剛昌｢名探偵コナン｣(小学館｢週刊少年サンデー｣連載中) / (C) 2026 青山剛昌／名探偵コナン製作委員会 / (C) SCRAP All Rights Reserved. / Universal elements and all related indicia TM & (C) 2025 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.

Keen adventurers visiting Nijigen no Mori’s Godzilla adventure park will be spoiled for choice thanks to a range of exclusive, new attractions.

The Godzilla theater shows its namesake alongside an original storyline, viewable only at Nijigen no Mori. Elsewhere, thrillseekers can zoom down the zipline courses, including one that takes high-fliers right into the beast’s mouth.

Target-hitters and target non-hitters(!) alike shoot towards a Godzilla-themed target at its newly revamped shooting range, while general-knowledge buffs will enjoy the Godzilla Museum and studio tour, alongside a mystery-solving game. For those whom one day just isn’t enough, treat yourself and the family to a stay at the Godzilla-themed room at GRAND CHARIOT Hokutoshichisei 135°.

To celebrate its 50th Anniversary, the Toei Kyoto Studio Park changed its name to Uzumasa Kyoto Village and has completely renewed the entire site. It reopened in March 2026, with revamped experiences, performances and food.

It is embracing its ‘theme park for adults’ positioning, although there are plenty of activities for kids too. Each day, for approximately 30 minutes each time, guests will be treated to a ninja show, performed by famed Japanese actors.

Where else will you see both a fire-breathing dragon and a mikoshi parade? At Kifune Shrine, one of Kyoto’s most famous (some feat!), visitors are treated to a wealth of Japanese culture for its annual rei-sai. To the shrine, this is the most important festival of its yearly calendar.

It begins with dancing and music at the main shrine, before the mikoshi parades through the streets of Kifune. It ends up back where it started, with dancing and a special performance.

In a tradition stretching back to the year 947, Kitano Tenmangu holds its Kaminari-yoke-taisai at 4:30 AM every year on June 1. The purification and protection ceremony is intended to ward off disasters, epidemics, and lightning strikes. Priests light sacred fire and prayer for the community.

The event, probably due to its timing, is far less crowded than other major festivals, making it a special way to experience authentic shinto rituals in an intimate setting.

Osaka’s Sumiyoshi Taisha is the grand shrine of all the other Sumiyoshi shrines in the country. Its rice planting festival — a common festival among shrines outside of the city — is, unsurprisingly, one of the biggest.

The ceremony begins at the shrine, before participants wearing traditional dress lead ox into the designated rice fields. Once here, Rice planters sow seeds to great show, accompanied with music, dance and folk songs, replicating ancient agricultural customs.

Japan’s famed interleague baseball season arrives at Hanshin Koshien Stadium as the hometown Hanshin Tigers face the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in a three-game series. Fans of the game — or even those just curious — can enjoy the spectacle, which includes a Lucky Seven Jet Balloon Performance.

Held at the legendary Koshien Stadium, in Kansai which is known for the warmth and humor of its residents, the matches are well worth attending to experience warm, rowdy Japanese spirits.

Watch future stars race around Suzuka Circuit for its annual Champion Cup Race. Stretching back to 1968, the race has wheeled through a host of different names, but the concept has remained the same: everyone is welcome.

Due to the amount of racers and riders allowed to compete, this allows up-and-coming drivers to get a taste of the action, before they move to professional, super-star levels. This year sees the introduction of a brand new category, Super F-J.

June 1 is your final chance to enjoy Art Osaka, Osaka’s most prominent contemporary arts festival. With galleries from across Kansai, Japan and Asia showing their top artists, it’s set to be a telling prediction of where the Asian art world is at.

It takes place around the Umekita area of Osaka, across two venues. There are over 60 galleries confirmed to be exhibiting, including Maki Gallery from Tokyo and Gallerie Stephanie from the Philippines.

Creative studio Naked Inc., presents Naked Meets Gaudi to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the legendary Spanish artist’s death. The exhibition combines rare archival materials such as Gaudí’s handwritten notes, letters and tools with immersive art technology, introducing his works and thinking in a whole new light.

Visitors can enjoy interactive installations that go beyond traditional museum viewing, transforming Gaudí’s creative philosophy into a hands-on experience. In an upgrade from the popular Tokyo edition of the exhibition, the Osaka edition features an upgraded area themed around the Sagrada Família.

Yanagidani Kannon’s Youkoku-ji Temple is renowned country-wide for its glorious hydrangea displays in June. Visitors are invited to stroll around its award-winning gardens, up and down its stairs, admiring the flowers in bloom alongside the temple’s Edo Period architecture.

Onsite is a willowy bamboo grove, based on Japanese fairy tale called, in English, The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, and make the perfect accompaniment to hydrangea viewing. The temple also dressed up for the occasion with decorated umbrellas and flowery wash basins.

The small town of Rinku close to Kansai Airport, began its firework festival 15 years ago, with the aim of inspiring its local children. Since then, the festival has gone from strength to strength, with 2026 set to showcase over 7,000 fireworks alongside synchronised music.

Soak up the Japanese festival spirit with food stalls, drinks and games for children. It’s a great way to experience the vibe of a traditional Japanese festival, which are usually held in the summer, without the stifling heat.

Don your yukata (Japanese light cotton kimono) and strut the streets of Himeji with your nearest and dearest. The yukata festival sees locals and tourists alike dressing up and getting into the festive spirit.

Take pictures with the UNESCO-registered Himeji Castle in the background — it’s visible from the streets of Himeji, making this yukata event particularly picturesque. Food stalls and souvenir stands line the streets, to help you get into the festive spirit.

Kyoto's historic Tofukuji Temple is hosting Zen Night to welcome in your summer season. The experience uses ancient Zen philosophy with modern neuroscience to help visitors calm and cool down.

Guests can explore the temple grounds enhanced by shifting mists, intricate lighting, and scientifically crafted "neuro music,” designed for laser-sharp concentration. Highlights include taking in the vibrant green maples from Tsutenkyo Bridge, viewing a mist-filled sea of clouds in the Hojo Garden, and admiring the breathtaking Azure Dragon ceiling inside the Hatto Hall.