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For video game enthusiasts and anime tourists planning a trip to Japan, the collision of a legendary RPG franchise and Japan’s incredible pop-up event culture is the ultimate dream. If you are traveling to Japan between late 2026 and early 2027, that dream is becoming a reality.
Organized by Bandai Namco Amusement, "PERSONA Memoria" (ペルソナ メモリア) is the massive, official exhibition and experiential event celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Persona series, marking 30 years since the original Revelations: Persona (女神異聞録ペルソナ) launched on the PlayStation in Japan in 1996.
Unlike single-weekend pop-up events that foreign travelers struggle to align with their flight dates, "PERSONA Memoria" is a massive, traveling extravaganza. The event is set to run in extended two-month legs across three of Japan’s most popular tourist destinations: Tokyo, Osaka, and Hakata (Fukuoka). Housed entirely inside Bandai Namco Cross Store complexes, the event features completely free entry to the exhibition areas, specially commissioned 30th-anniversary artwork spanning the entire mainline series, interactive mini-games, an elaborately themed food and drink menu, and highly exclusive merchandise.
This exhaustive, 5,000+ word guide will walk you through exactly how to experience "PERSONA Memoria" as an inbound tourist. We will break down the crucial dates for each city (as they do not overlap), give you precise venue and transportation information, detail the Osaka youth curfew laws you must know if traveling with a family, and provide the exact yen prices for every piece of merchandise and café menu item confirmed so far.
1. The "PERSONA Memoria" Tour: Which City, Which Dates?
The most critical thing to understand about "PERSONA Memoria" is that the three locations do not operate concurrently. This is a single, massive traveling event that physically packs up and moves across the country.
Depending on what month your flights to Japan are booked for, your itinerary will dictate which version of the event you can attend. If you are visiting Japan in November, you will only be able to attend the Tokyo event. If your winter vacation lands in February, you will be heading to Osaka.
Below is the exhaustive breakdown of the three venues, their operating hours, and crucial localized rules.
Leg 1: Tokyo (Ikebukuro)
The grand premiere of the 30th-anniversary celebration kicks off in the heart of Tokyo’s most prominent anime and gaming district: Ikebukuro.
- Venue Name: Bandai Namco Cross Store Tokyo (バンダイナムコ Cross Store 東京)
- Location: 3F, Sunshine City World Import Mart Building, 3-1-3 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo (東京都豊島区東池袋3-1-3 サンシャインシティ ワールドインポートマートビル3F)
- Event Dates: October 9, 2026 (Friday) – December 6, 2026 (Sunday)
- Store Operating Hours: 10:00 – 21:00 (Note: Operating hours for specific event attractions within the store may vary slightly, but the store itself observes these hours).
- Neighborhood Context: Ikebukuro is a major hub on the JR Yamanote Line. Sunshine City is a massive entertainment complex that also houses the Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo and various indoor theme parks. You can easily spend an entire day in this building alone. For a broader look at Bandai Namco's presence in this area, you can check out our Sunrise World Japan Locations Guide.
Leg 2: Osaka (Umeda)
Following the new year, the exhibition travels down to the Kansai region, setting up shop in Umeda, the bustling commercial center of northern Osaka.
- Venue Name: Bandai Namco Cross Store Osaka-Umeda (バンダイナムコ Cross Store 大阪梅田)
- Location: 8F and 9F, HEP FIVE, 5-15 Kakudacho, Kita-ku, Osaka (大阪府大阪市北区角田町5-15 HEP FIVE 8・9階)
- Event Dates: January 22, 2027 (Friday) – February 23, 2027 (Tuesday, Emperor's Birthday national holiday)
- Store Operating Hours: 11:00 – 22:30
- CRITICAL CURFEW WARNING FOR FAMILIES: The official page for this specific store explicitly states an age-based curfew enforced by local Osaka prefectural youth protection ordinances. This is incredibly important for inbound tourists traveling with teenage gamers to understand, as foreign passports do not exempt you from this rule:
- Guests under the age of 16 are strictly prohibited from entering the facility after 19:00, unless they are directly accompanied by a guardian (in which case they may stay until 22:00).
- Guests under the age of 18 are strictly prohibited from entering or remaining in the facility after 22:00, regardless of guardian accompaniment.
- Plan your Umeda visit for the morning or early afternoon to avoid any disappointment or friction at the door.
- Neighborhood Context: HEP FIVE is the iconic Osaka shopping mall with a massive red Ferris wheel on its roof. It is located just a short walk from JR Osaka Station and Hankyu Umeda Station. For more gaming and anime tourism in this exact neighborhood, read our Ultimate Guide to CAPCOM CONNECT SPACE Osaka 2026.
Leg 3: Hakata (Fukuoka)
For the final leg of the tour as the cherry blossoms begin to bloom, the event moves to Kyushu, taking over the Bandai Namco Cross Store in Fukuoka.
- Venue Name: Bandai Namco Cross Store Hakata (バンダイナムコ Cross Store 博多)
- Location: B1F, Canal City Hakata South Building, 1-2-74 Sumiyoshi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka (福岡県福岡市博多区住吉1丁目2-74 キャナルシティ博多 サウスビルB1F)
- Event Dates: March 5, 2027 (Friday) – April 4, 2027 (Sunday)
- Store Operating Hours: 10:00 – 21:00
- Neighborhood Context: Canal City Hakata is famously known as a "city within a city" and is an architectural marvel built around an artificial canal. It’s an easy 15-minute walk or a short bus ride from Hakata Station. You can easily pair this with other high-profile pop-culture tourism in the city.
2. Admission, Ticketing, and Logistics: How to Get In
One of the greatest appeals of "PERSONA Memoria" for inbound tourists is the price tag: Admission to the general exhibit and decoration area is 100% FREE.
The official event page prominently displays "入場無料" (FREE ENTRY), making this an incredibly accessible addition to your Japan itinerary. You do not need to purchase a master admission ticket just to walk into the space and enjoy the decorations.
However, traveling in Japan requires navigating crowd-control mechanics. The official page explicitly notes: "Depending on the date, timed entry reservations or numbered queue tickets may be issued" (日程により入場予約や整理券配付を行う場合がございます).
What Tourists Need to Know About "Numbered Tickets" (Seiriken)
In Japan, highly anticipated pop-up events often employ a seiriken (整理券) system to prevent dangerous overcrowding. This means that while entry is free, on weekends, holidays, or the opening week of the event, staff may hand out physical paper tickets with a specific return time stamped on them (e.g., "Return between 14:00 and 14:30"). Alternatively, they may require a digital reservation via an online system.
As of this writing, Bandai Namco Amusement has not published the exact dates or conditions for when timed entry will apply. They also have not confirmed whether any potential digital reservation systems will support English or accept foreign phone numbers.
Tourist Action Plan:
- Check Before You Go: Before your trip, closely monitor the official event page and the official Japanese X (formerly Twitter) accounts for the Bandai Namco Cross Stores.
- Go on a Weekday: Whenever possible, avoid visiting on a Saturday, Sunday, or Japanese national holiday. Crowd-control measures are drastically less likely on a random Tuesday afternoon.
- Be Prepared to Wait: If you arrive and a paper queue ticket system is in place, you may be given a time slot for a few hours later. Because all three venues are located inside massive shopping centers (Sunshine City, HEP FIVE, Canal City), you can easily kill time browsing other shops.
Customer Support and Language Barriers
Please note that the official page states that inquiries regarding the event are accepted by web contact form only. The venues do not accept phone inquiries for this event.
Furthermore, as with most domestic pop-up events in Japan, tourists should reasonably expect that signage, ticketing instructions, and staff interactions will be entirely in Japanese. It is highly recommended that you have the Google Translate app installed on your phone, with the Japanese language pack downloaded for offline use, so you can easily translate any physical signs or instructions handed to you by the staff via the camera feature.
3. The Venue Context: What is a Bandai Namco Cross Store?
For travelers who are only familiar with traditional Japanese arcades (like GiGO or Taito Station) or standard anime merchandise shops (like Animate), it is helpful to understand exactly what a Bandai Namco Cross Store is.
These are not just temporary pop-up rooms. Bandai Namco Cross Stores are massive, permanent, multi-brand retail and entertainment complexes operated by Bandai Namco Amusement. They are specifically designed to be destination hubs that merge traditional shopping with experiential entertainment.
Even beyond the borders of the "PERSONA Memoria" exhibition, visiting one of these stores offers a massive return on investment for your itinerary time. When you step out of the Persona area, you will immediately find yourself surrounded by:
- Official Gashapon Department Stores: Massive walls of capsule toy machines, usually numbering in the thousands, featuring every IP imaginable.
- Ichiban Kuji Official Shops: Dedicated counters where you can play the famous Japanese "number lottery" games to win high-quality anime figures and merchandise that are not sold on normal store shelves.
- Arcade Zones: Featuring UFO catchers (claw machines) stocked with exclusive Bandai Namco prizes, rhythm games, and purikura (photo sticker) booths.
Because "PERSONA Memoria" takes place entirely within these complexes, you can seamlessly blend your 30th-anniversary celebration with a broader Japanese arcade and shopping experience without ever leaving the building. For advice on navigating payments at these stores, check our guide on Cash vs Card in Japan 2026: How Much Cash Do You Need?, and ensure you have a working IC card via our guide on the Best IC Card for Tourists in Japan 2026.
4. The Exhibition: A 30-Year Visual Journey
The overarching theme of "PERSONA Memoria" is a retrospective celebration. While newer fans might have jumped on board during the Persona 5 era, this event honors the complete timeline, marking the three decades since the 1996 release of Revelations: Persona.
According to both the official event page and corroborating reports from outlets like Siliconera, the venue will be extensively decorated with homages to the mainline series. This includes displays referencing:
- Revelations: Persona (Persona 1)
- Persona 2: Innocent Sin & Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
- Persona 3 (and its various iterations)
- Persona 4
- Persona 5
- Persona 5: The Phantom X (the free-to-play mobile and PC spin-off, released worldwide in June 2025).
The absolute centerpiece of the visual exhibition is the newly commissioned artwork. Specially created for this event, the art features all eight mainline protagonists (including the distinct protagonists from both Persona 2 titles and the female protagonist from Persona 3 Portable). This life-size-style and mini-character artwork serves as the visual anchor for the entire venue, adorning the walls, photo spots, and the exclusive merchandise.
As a reminder, while the event heavily features the intellectual property, the official copyright notices list ©ATLUS and ©SEGA. Atlus is a subsidiary of SEGA, and SEGA acts as the parent-company copyright holder, but the event itself is entirely operated and designed by Bandai Namco Amusement.
5. Interactive Attractions and Mini-Games
Beyond looking at gorgeous character art, "PERSONA Memoria" is designed to be interactive. Bandai Namco Amusement is deploying a suite of themed mini-games and interactive attractions.
Crucial Tourist Note: As of this writing, the official event page lists the full details, mechanics, and pricing for these attractions as "to be announced." We do not yet know if these will be pay-to-play, require an IC card, or what the exact win conditions are. However, the names and concepts have been officially confirmed.
1. Quiz DE Battle Velvet (クイズDEバトル・ベルベット)
This is billed as the headline attraction of the event. Themed around the mysterious Velvet Room—the ethereal location present in every Persona game—this is a hybrid trivia and motion experience. Guests will be tasked with answering Persona-themed quiz questions. Following on-screen cues, players will physically swing a prop weapon to deal "damage" to an on-screen enemy based on their trivia performance.
2. Demon Negotiation Kuji (悪魔交渉くじ)
A staple mechanic of the early Persona games (and successfully reintroduced in Persona 5) is "Demon Negotiation"—talking to shadows and demons to convince them to give you money, items, or join your roster. This attraction translates that mechanic into a physical kuji-style (lottery box) mini-game.
3. Please Grant It, Joker-sama! (叶えて！ジョーカー様)
A mini-game heavily referencing the codename "Joker," the Persona 5 protagonist's Phantom Thief alias. The exact interactive mechanics remain under wraps, but it is expected to be a skill-based or chance-based carnival-style game.
4. Tanaka's Amazing Commodities: Business Trip Edition Garapon (み・ん・な・の 欲の友！時価ネットたなか出張版ガラポン)
Long-time fans will immediately recognize the name President Tanaka and his incredibly catchy, slightly shady home-shopping network theme song. "Tanaka's Amazing Commodities" is a recurring shopping channel parody within the game universe. At "PERSONA Memoria," Tanaka has set up a "Business Trip" pop-up.
This attraction operates as a garapon—a traditional Japanese lottery drum. Players turn a large, octagonal wooden or plastic wheel, and a colored ball drops out, corresponding to a specific tier of prize.
5. atmos COLLAB
The official sources have confirmed a collaboration with atmos, the highly influential Japanese sneaker and streetwear boutique. Given atmos's history of creating premium, highly sought-after anime and gaming apparel, this is expected to be a major highlight for fashion-conscious tourists. Further details on what the collaboration entails have not yet been published by either Bandai Namco or atmos.
6. The Official "PERSONA Memoria" Food and Drink Menu
For many tourists, themed cafés are the highlight of a Japanese pop-culture trip. The food and drink menu at "PERSONA Memoria" has been fully priced out and revealed (via Japanese gaming outlet Famitsu, corroborating the official lineup).
The menu leans heavily into deep-cut references from the games, offering dishes that fans have watched their favorite characters eat for years.
All prices listed below are in Japanese Yen (¥) and include Japan's 10% consumption tax. Do not expect to tip, as tipping is not practiced in Japan.
The Food Menu
- Junes' Special Beef Steak Bento (ジュネスの特製ビフテキ弁当) — ¥2,200
- The Context: "Every day's great at your Junes!" This premium bento box is a direct homage to the Junes department store, the central hangout spot for the Investigation Team in Persona 4. A beef steak (bifuteki) bento is considered a luxurious treat in Japan.
- Let's Cooking! Exquisite Tonkatsu & Winter Melon Tea Set (レッツクッキング！絶品トンカツ&トウガン茶セット) — ¥2,200
- The Context: Tonkatsu (breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet) paired with Winter Melon Tea.
- Ramen Shiraishi's Special Banana Chashu (ラーメンしらいし特製バナナチャーシュー) — ¥1,400
- The Context: A brilliant deep-cut reference. Ramen Shiraishi is a recurring location. Chashu is the tender, braised pork belly served atop ramen. The addition of "banana" makes this a highly unique, meme-worthy dish that die-hard fans will want to photograph.
- Perfait: Pandora's Nest (パフェ：パンドラの巣) — ¥1,300
- The Context: A visually striking dessert parfait referencing the thematic elements of the series' psychological depths.
- Memory in Sakura Pink (桜色の記憶) — ¥1,300
- The Context: A visually stunning, likely cherry-blossom themed dessert or sweet plate.
- Her True-Love Chocolate Cake Cup (あの子の本命チョコケーキカップ) — ¥1,400
- The Context: In Japan, honmei choco (true-love chocolate) is the chocolate given on Valentine's Day to romantic partners, as opposed to giri choco (obligation chocolate) given to friends and coworkers. This dessert brings the game's famous romance/social link mechanics to life.
The "Memoria Drink" Series
Alongside the food, the event offers a series of themed drinks, with one unique flavor/colorway dedicated to each of the mainline game eras.
- Persona (P1) Memoria Drink — ¥1,100
- Persona 2 Memoria Drink — ¥1,100
- Persona 3 Memoria Drink — ¥1,100
- Persona 4 Memoria Drink — ¥1,200
- Persona 5 Memoria Drink — ¥1,000
- Persona 5: The Phantom X (P5X) Memoria Drink — ¥1,500
Tourist Tip: Themed drinks in Japan typically come with a collectible paper coaster. While the official page hasn't confirmed coaster distributions yet, be careful not to ruin any paper items served alongside your drink, as they are often meant to be taken home as souvenirs!
7. Exclusive 30th Anniversary Merchandise Guide
If you are traveling to Japan with empty suitcase space, the merchandise corner at "PERSONA Memoria" is going to test your budget. The event features a massive lineup of original goods utilizing the newly commissioned 30th-anniversary artwork.
When shopping for anime merchandise in Japan, tourists need to understand the concept of "Blind/Random" (often marked as trading or blind box). This means the item is sealed, and you cannot choose which character you get. However, generous events often allow you to buy a "Complete Set" (コンプリートセット) to guarantee you get everyone.
Here is the exact confirmed merchandise lineup and pricing (tax included):
Acrylic Stands & Art Boards
Acrylic stands (akuriru sutando, or "aku-suta") are currently the most popular form of anime merchandise in Japan. Tourists love them because they are flat, lightweight, and incredibly easy to pack in a suitcase.
- Acrylic Stand, Life-Size-Style (アクリルスタンド 等身) — ¥1,800 each
- Available in 8 character designs (featuring the protagonists in standard proportions).
- Acrylic Stand, Mini-Character-Style (アクリルスタンド ミニキャラ) — ¥1,500 each
- Available in 16 designs, featuring the cast drawn in a cute, deformed "chibi" art style.
- Acrylic Art Board (アクリルアートボード) — ¥8,800
- A premium, heavy-duty display piece featuring the gorgeous event artwork.
Badges, Cards & Keychains
- Foil-Stamped Matte Can-Badge Collection (箔押しマット缶バッジコレクション)
- Features 8 designs with a premium matte finish and metallic foil stamping.
- Blind/Random Single: ¥550 each
- Complete 8-Piece Set: ¥4,400
- Tarot-Style Card Collection (タロット風カードコレクション)
- A must-have for fans, as Tarot cards dictate the core mechanics and narrative themes of the Persona franchise. Features 16 designs.
- Blind/Random Single: ¥500 each
- Complete 16-Piece Set: ¥8,000
- Slide Acrylic Keychain (スライドアクリルキーホルダー) — ¥1,500 each
- Available in 8 designs. These feature layered acrylic pieces that slide over one another.
Apparel, Posters & Accessories
- Embroidered Logo Cap (刺繍ロゴキャップ) — ¥3,900 each
- Available in 3 designs. A highly wearable, low-key way to represent the franchise.
- Package-Art Aurora Poster (パッケージアート オーロラポスター) — ¥3,800 each
- Available in 13 designs. These posters feature a special "aurora" holographic finish and highlight the original game box packaging art from across the franchise's history.
- Clear Pouch (クリアポーチ) — ¥1,500 each
- Available in 8 designs. Perfect for carrying cosmetics, cables, or storing the smaller merchandise you buy at the event!
- "Persona Compendium" Collection File (ペルソナ全書風 コレクションファイル)
- Famitsu has confirmed the existence of this item, styled after the in-game "Persona Compendium" (where players register and summon personas). Note: The exact price for this specific item has not yet been announced.
8. Making a Day of It: Integrating "PERSONA Memoria" into Your Itinerary
Because "PERSONA Memoria" takes place in three of Japan's most vibrant commercial districts, you can easily build an entire day of incredible tourism around your visit.
If you are visiting the Tokyo (Ikebukuro) Venue:
Ikebukuro is one of Tokyo's "Holy Trinities" of anime culture (alongside Akihabara and Nakano). Sunshine City is a massive complex. After enjoying the Persona exhibition on the 3rd floor of the World Import Mart Building, you can visit the Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo, the ONE PIECE Mugiwara Store, and the Gashapon Department Store all within the same complex.
If you are a hardcore gaming fan, consider complementing your Persona run with some retro game hunting. While Akihabara is famous, Ikebukuro has its own excellent Surugaya and Bookoff locations. Read more in our Akihabara Retro Game Collecting 2026 Guide to understand how to evaluate used game prices before shopping in Tokyo.
If you are visiting the Osaka (Umeda) Venue:
Umeda is famously known as "Japan's biggest dungeon" due to its incredibly complex network of underground malls and intersecting train stations. HEP FIVE, however, is a very easy landmark to find—just look up for the giant red Ferris wheel.
If you are in Osaka for the 30th Anniversary, you are in luck: Osaka is heavily embracing game tourism. You can easily walk from HEP FIVE to the Daimaru Umeda building, which houses the Nintendo Osaka store and the Capcom Store. Furthermore, check out our guide on the Yappari Steak Persona 30th Anniversary collaboration, which may have overlapping timeframes or relevant regional tie-ins during your Kansai trip!
If you are visiting the Hakata (Fukuoka) Venue:
Fukuoka is a phenomenal city for inbound tourists—it is highly walkable, boasts incredible street food (yatai), and is less crowded than Tokyo or Kyoto. Canal City Hakata, where the Bandai Namco Cross Store is located, is an open-air mega-mall featuring stunning water shows.
After visiting "PERSONA Memoria," Hakata is the perfect place to explore other massive pop-culture installations. For example, if you are a mecha fan, Fukuoka is home to the life-sized RX-93ff ν Gundam statue at LaLaport Fukuoka, just a short distance away.
9. Final Checklist for Inbound Tourists
Before you head out to "PERSONA Memoria," run through this quick checklist to ensure a smooth experience:
- Double-Check the Dates and Your Flight: Ensure your itinerary matches the specific city's window. (Tokyo: Oct 9–Dec 6. Osaka: Jan 22–Feb 23. Hakata: Mar 5–Apr 4).
- Monitor the Official X (Twitter) Account: Look for any last-minute announcements regarding seiriken (numbered tickets) or timed entry on the specific day you plan to go.
- Mind the Osaka Curfew: If traveling to the Umeda venue with anyone under 18, plan a morning or early afternoon visit to comply with local laws.
- Bring a Translation App: Download the Japanese offline pack for Google Translate to help you read signage for the mini-games and understand the blind-box merchandise rules.
- Prepare Your Payment Methods: While entry is free, you will want yen for the café and goods. Bandai Namco Cross Stores accept major credit cards and IC cards, but having some cash on hand is always recommended in Japan.
"PERSONA Memoria" represents the pinnacle of Japanese pop-up culture—a meticulously crafted love letter to a franchise that has defined the RPG genre for 30 years. Whether you are a veteran who has been fusing demons since 1996, or a Phantom Thief who joined the rebellion in Persona 5, this cross-country celebration is an unmissable event for your Japanese adventure.
FAQ
Q: Is there an entry fee for the PERSONA Memoria exhibition?
No, admission to the general exhibit and decoration area is completely free. However, numbered queue tickets (seiriken) or timed reservations may be required during busy days.
Q: When does the Tokyo PERSONA Memoria event take place?
The Tokyo leg of the event runs from October 9, 2026, to December 6, 2026, at the Bandai Namco Cross Store in Sunshine City, Ikebukuro.
Q: What is the curfew rule for the Osaka event location?
At the Osaka HEP FIVE venue, guests under 16 cannot enter after 19:00 without a guardian, and guests under 18 are strictly prohibited from being in the facility after 22:00 due to local youth protection laws.
Q: What type of food is served at the event?
The themed menu includes dishes referencing the games, such as Junes' Special Beef Steak Bento, Ramen Shiraishi's Special Banana Chashu, and unique Memoria drinks representing each mainline Persona era.
Q: Does the exhibition travel to different cities at the same time?
No, PERSONA Memoria is a single traveling event. It operates sequentially in Tokyo (Late 2026), Osaka (Early 2027), and Fukuoka (Spring 2027), with no overlapping dates.