What's Trending With Young People in Japan in 2026: Dubai Chocolate Mochi, Puffy Stickers, Heisei Gyaru Makeup and Where to Try Them in Tokyo
Published: 2026-10-15
What are Japanese teens and twentysomethings into in 2026? Based on two large surveys, here's what's hot in food, fashion, music and slang, and where visitors can experience it in Tokyo.
The short answer
| Category | Trending in the first half of 2026 | Where to try it in Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| Food | Dubai chocolate mochi, Korean frozen yogurt YOAJUNG | Shin-Okubo, supermarkets and convenience stores |
| Things | Puffy "Bonbon Drop" stickers | Stationery and variety stores |
| Makeup and fashion | Heisei gyaru makeup, side-slit denim, chrome nails | Harajuku, Shibuya |
| Music and slang | M!LK's "Suki Sugite Metsu!", "___ sugite metsu" | Social media, karaoke |
This article is based on two surveys of people up to their late twenties (see "About the surveys" below). We'll cover trends among other age groups in separate articles.
Food: Korean-born sweets rule
Dubai chocolate mochiA Korean-born sweet wrapping "Dubai chocolate" (crispy shredded pastry and pistachio cream) in chewy mochi. It topped the food category in a survey of young women, and mass-market versions reached supermarkets and convenience stores in summer 2026.Love Korean sweets and cosmetics? Stroll around Shin-Okubo, packed with Korean restaurants and beauty shops.
Things: the sticker craze
Bonbon Drop stickers are thick, puffy stickers. In 2026 they kept selling out the moment they arrived, and some shops even sold them by lottery.
- They're sold at stationery and variety stores. Popular designs are said to be easiest to find early in the morning.
- Fakes are around, so check that genuine ones say "Q-LiA" or "Sun-Star" on the back.
- Squishy toy "Mellojoy" and "mejirushi" accessories for marking your belongings also ranked high.
Makeup and fashion: the Heisei revival
- Heisei gyaru makeup: the bold gyaru makeup of the 2000s feels fresh to a new generation.
- Side-slit denim: jeans with slits at the hem, number one in the fashion category.
- Chrome nails: shiny, metallic nail art.
To see youth fashion, head to Harajuku's Takeshita-dori or around SHIBUYA109 in Shibuya, long seen as the home of gyaru culture. See our Harajuku and Shibuya pages.
Music, slang and characters
- M!LK: a five-member vocal and dance group whose song "Suki Sugite Metsu!" came first in the artist category.
- "___ sugite metsu": a phrase spread by the song, meaning roughly "so ___ I'm done for". It's everywhere on social media.
- Characters: the Korean bunny character Esther Bunny and Puppet Sunsun are popular.
- Photo styles: the "hole-punch" edit that makes photos look punched through, and mini vlogs of everyday life.
Hit songs quickly appear in karaoke rankings. Looking up what young people are singing at a Tokyo karaoke box is fun.
The big moments of early 2026
In a survey of people aged 0 to 29, these ranked among the most talked-about events:
- Arashi's last live performance
- The film "Chō Kaguya-hime!"
- Figure skating pair "Riku-Ryu" winning a gold medal
About the surveys
| Survey | Who | When |
|---|---|---|
| Trepo "2026 First-Half Gen Z Trend Ranking" | 1,000 women in their teens and twenties | April 29 to May 30, 2026 |
| Simeji "2026 First-Half Trend Ranking" | 6,664 people aged 0 to 29 | June 3 to 7, 2026 |
Frequently asked questions
What foods are trending with young people in Japan in 2026?
Surveys ranked Dubai chocolate mochi, the Korean frozen yogurt chain YOAJUNG and 3D fruit ice cream near the top.
Where can I buy Bonbon Drop stickers in Tokyo?
At stationery and variety stores, but they often sell out fast. Genuine ones say "Q-LiA" or "Sun-Star" on the back.
Where can I see Japanese youth fashion in Tokyo?
Harajuku's Takeshita-dori and the area around SHIBUYA109 in Shibuya.
What does "sugite metsu" mean?
It's youth slang meaning roughly "so ___ I'm done for", spread by M!LK's song "Suki Sugite Metsu!".
Official websites
- Trepo: 2026 First-Half Gen Z Trend Ranking (PR TIMES, Japanese)
- Simeji: 2026 First-Half Trend Ranking (PR TIMES, Japanese)
Hours, prices and rules can change. Check the official websites for the latest before you go.
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