Unveiling Japan’s 2025 Pulse: The Expo Takes Center Stage in TimeTree’s “Schedule of the Year”

Japan’s 2025 Calendar Unveiled: The Expo Reigns Supreme in TimeTree’s Inaugural Trend Report

From Record-Breaking Anime to Emerging Lifestyle Shifts, Discover the Trends Shaping the Nation’s Collective Calendar

The calendar-sharing app TimeTree, a digital canvas for millions of daily plans, has unveiled its “TimeTree Schedule of the Year 2025.” This pioneering award, announced on December 3rd, known as “Calendar Day” in Japan, spotlights the most emblematic events and trends of the upcoming year, as observed through over 300 million user-registered entries. Topping the list as the “Schedule of the Year” is the much-anticipated “Expo,” a monumental event poised to capture the nation’s imagination.

Decoding the Future: How TimeTree Identifies Japan’s Next Big Moments

The insights for the “TimeTree Schedule of the Year 2025” were meticulously gathered by the TimeTree Future Research Institute, the company’s in-house think tank. Analyzing data from January 1st to October 31st, 2025, the institute identified scheduled events where the average daily registration count in 2025 was at least double that of 2024. These anonymized, statistically processed entries provide a unique, real-time pulse on Japan’s collective interests and aspirations.

The awards span six distinct categories: “Outings,” “Movies,” “Artists,” “Food,” “Society,” and “Next Trends,” each nominating five key words. This data offers a fascinating window into the daily lives and future plans of TimeTree’s vast user base.

Outings: The Expo’s Grand Spectacle and Non-Daily Escapes

In the “Outings” category, the “Expo” stands unchallenged, mirroring its triumph as the overall “Schedule of the Year.” Daily registration trends reveal a steady rise in visitor numbers post-opening on April 13th, with significant spikes during major events like music concerts, fireworks displays, and the thrilling Blue Impulse air show. A surge in registrations was also noted in mid-September, hinting at a rush to experience the Expo before its closing.

Beyond the Expo, other popular destinations included the “Nintendo Museum,” riding the wave of anticipation for the Nintendo Switch 2, the newly opened “Chiikawa Park” (a whimsical world dedicated to the beloved character Chiikawa, akin to a Japanese theme park dedicated to a cute, viral mascot), the “Yodogawa Fireworks Festival” held for the first time in autumn, and the “Design Ah! Exhibition” which ran for half a year. These entries highlight a collective yearning for “extraordinary” experiences, whether through global cultures, food, or the immersive worlds of characters, games, and TV shows.

Movies: “Demon Slayer” Dominates the Box Office and Live-Action Adaptations Thrive

The “Movies” category, focusing on films released in 2025, saw “Demon Slayer” claim the top spot, following the July 18th release of the first chapter of its three-part theatrical series. Daily registration data showed an explosive concentration of entries within days of its premiere, with roughly 1 in 90 TimeTree entries on opening day related to “Demon Slayer.” This phenomenal engagement underscores the enduring appeal of the anime phenomenon, where fans eagerly mark their calendars for every cinematic installment.

Other notable films included “Kokuhou,” which became the highest-grossing live-action Japanese film, “Chainsaw Man,” a cinematic sequel to the TV anime series, and live-action adaptations of the game “8-Ban Exit” and Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch.” The trend clearly points towards the strong demand for adaptations of popular existing works.

Artists: Chanmina Leads a New Wave of “Oshi-katsu” Fervor

In the “Artists” category, focusing on schedules related to musical acts, Chanmina, a prominent figure in next-generation girl culture, secured the first position. This surge is largely attributed to the announcement of her “AREA OF DIAMOND 3” national tour, encompassing 14 performances from halls to arenas. Her involvement in projects like the girl group audition “No No Girls” also fueled “Oshi-katsu” (fandom activities, like supporting one’s favorite idol), leading to a rapid increase in registrations for live performances, streaming events, and release dates.

Following Chanmina, HANA, a group born from the “No No Girls” audition, ranked second. ONE OK ROCK, Hirai Dai, and timelesz (formerly Sexy Zone, a rebranding that reflects their commitment to a new era) also featured prominently, with their large-scale tours driving significant registrations for travel plans and multi-show management.

Food: Acai’s Second Coming and Z-Generation Culinary Delights

The “Food” category saw “Acai” make a triumphant return, securing the top spot. After an initial boom about a decade ago, acai is experiencing a second wave of popularity, particularly among Gen Z, thanks to its high nutritional value and beauty benefits. Daily registration trends for “Acai” show a gradual increase from the beginning of the year, with notable spikes when acai-related products were launched by convenience stores like Seven-Eleven and coffee chains like Starbucks.

Other popular food items included “Mala Tang,” “Misokkin,” and “Mocchurin,” all favorites among younger demographics. “Mocchurin” notably ranked fourth despite a brief sales period of just over a month from early June, indicating its immense, albeit fleeting, popularity. The ranking of “Kakigori” (shaved ice) in fifth place is likely a reflection of the intense summer heat experienced in 2025.

Society: My Number Card Dominates Civic Discourse and National Events

“My Number” card, Japan’s national identification system, emerged as the top trend in the “Society” category, which encompasses events and topics with broad societal impact. 2025 marked a crucial year, with cards applied for during the initial rollout in 2016 reaching their expiry dates, sparking discussions around the “My Number Card 2025 Problem.” Furthermore, December saw the unification of health insurance cards with My Number cards and the launch of My Number card usage on smartphones, generating significant public discourse and planned actions.

Daily registration trends for “My Number” showed concentrated spikes just before major holidays like Golden Week (April 28th), Obon (August 12th), and Silver Week (September 22nd), suggesting that many citizens aimed to complete administrative procedures before government offices closed. Other scheduled events in this category included infrequent national events like the “World Athletics Championships,” “House of Councillors Election,” and “National Census,” as well as “Switch 2,” which garnered attention for its pre-release resale prevention measures.

Next Trends: A Glimpse into Tomorrow’s Lifestyle Shifts

The “Next Trends” category, curated by the TimeTree Future Research Institute, offers a fascinating peek into diverse emerging interests:

• Pickleball: This hybrid sport, combining elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, originated in the US and is experiencing rapid growth in Japan. Its domestic player base is projected to reach 50,000 in 2025, a five-fold increase from the previous year, with the launch of Japan’s first professional league and dedicated indoor facilities.

• Ear Acupressure: The popularity of “ear acupressure jewelry,” where titanium balls are attached to ear acupressure points for beauty and health benefits, has driven a rise in scheduled appointments. Its aesthetic appeal has made it particularly popular among younger demographics.

• Nature Community: This term describes a loose network of nature enthusiasts who share their outdoor experiences on social media. While not directly an award recipient, the increase in “Nature Community” related entries coincided with a rise in scheduled visits to scenic spots near urban centers like Kamikochi, Jindaiji, and Akigawa Valley.

• AI Seminars: Reflecting the rapid proliferation of AI technology across society, AI seminar registrations saw a significant increase. This was the only business-related term nominated in an awards dominated by personal plans, highlighting the keen interest among business professionals.

• Community Clubs: This initiative involves local organizations taking over some school club activities, supporting weekend practices and competition management. In 2025, the Japan Sports Agency and Agency for Cultural Affairs outlined a “Community Club Activity Certification System,” formalizing local government support.

Expert Insight: “The Calendar as a Mirror of Society”

“Hosting the ‘Schedule of the Year’ for the first time, we truly re-realized how clearly the atmosphere of the year and the interests of people are etched into the ‘schedules’ our users register daily,” commented Taiju Fukagawa, Director of the TimeTree Future Research Institute. “This year, we could discern diverse trends from schedules, ranging from the excitement of large-scale events like the Expo, lighthearted booms among Gen Z like acai and ear acupressure, to societal themes such as My Number and the House of Councillors election. Furthermore, new values and initiatives like pickleball and community clubs emerged, with schedules clearly indicating ‘signs of what’s next’.”

Looking Ahead: TimeTree’s Vision for a Future Shaped by Shared Experiences

The TimeTree Future Research Institute, leveraging its vast database of over 14 billion scheduled entries from more than 70 million registered users worldwide, continues to analyze societal changes and forecast future trends. By translating this data into actionable insights, TimeTree aims to empower individuals to make informed choices about their future. The trends observed in 2025, from the grand spectacle of the Expo to the subtle shifts in everyday habits, paint a vibrant picture of a dynamic society. As Japan continues to evolve, embracing both global events and local cultural nuances, the “kawaii” aesthetic, often intertwined with character-based attractions and youth trends, will undoubtedly find new expressions within these emerging lifestyles.

For more information on TimeTree’s insights, visit the TimeTree Future Research Institute website.
To learn about TimeTree’s advertising services utilizing schedule data, explore TimeTree Ads.
To understand the company behind these innovative insights, visit the TimeTree, Inc. corporate website.