Early November marks the opening of the autumn cherry blossoms in Obaracho, Toyota. By the time mid-November rolls around, close to 10,000 shikizakura cherry blossoms bloom a pale pink until the end of the month.

The Yoshino cherry bears its pink petals in springtime, but the shikizakura blossoms twice a year: first in spring, then in autumn. They are considered one of the most beautiful flowers of autumn, especially when they bloom against the gorgeous and vibrant red maple leaves. The Obara Shikizakura Matsuri began on November 1, and right now, you can witness this spectacle for yourself.

The shikizakura trees planted in Obara have been there since Kansei era (1789-1801). With the helping hand of locals, the trees have become one of Japan’s most famous shikizakura spots. They were designated as Chiku (District) Trees in 1978 and can be seen throughout the entire district. Some of the trees are over 100 years old and as such registered as Natural Monuments of Aichi prefecture.

This is a spot we highly recommend visiting when travelling to Aichi.

▼Obara Shikizakura Cherry Blossoms

Peak Blossom Time: From Mid-November

Locations:

441-1 Johei, Obaracho, Toyota, Aichi (Obara Fureai Park)

Senmichi, Toyota, Aichi (Senmi Shikizakura no Sato)

Access: Take the Toyota Oiden Bus bound for Kaminigi (上仁木行き) and get off at Obaraokusa (小原大草) or Kaminigi (上仁木)

Details:  http://www.kankou-obara.toyota.aichi.jp/

▼Obara Shikizakura Matsuri

Running: November 1, 2019 – November 30, 2019

Locations: Senmi Shikizakura no Sato, Obara Fureai Park, and elsewhere in the region

Notes: The Kururin Bus can be boarded for free on weekends and public holidays while the festival is on

Official Website: https://www.aichi-now.jp/spots/detail/132/

The Korankei Maple Festival is also taking place this month where you can witness around 40,000 maple trees bearing their gorgeous autumn foliage.

The trees are being lit up every night for the month of November. Watch the sun set before the illuminations are turned on, creating an enchanting atmosphere with the warm, radiating lights against the night sky.

▼Maple Trees

Peak Blossom Time: From Mid-November

Location:  Iimori Asukecho, Toyota, Aichi

Access: Ride the Meitetsu Mikawa Line to Toyotashi Station, change onto Meitetsu Bus, and alight at Korankei (香嵐渓)

Official Website:  http://asuke.info/korankei/

▼64th Korankei Maple Festival

Running: November 1, 2019 – November 30, 2019

Location: Around Iimori Asukecho, Toyota, Aichi

Light-Up: Sunset to 21:00

Access: 20 minutes from Sarugata Green Road Interchange / 20 minutes from Toyota-Kanpachi Interchange

Official Website: http://asuke.info/event/nov/entry-705.html

Witness two of Japan’s most celebrates treesーthe cherry blossom and the mapleーflower together in one place in Aichi.

LEGS COMPANY, LTD. has announced that it will open six Sailor Moon cafes for its Sailor Moon Cafe 2019 event across Japan this year. The opening dates differ from branch to branch, but the first two will open in Tokyo and Osaka on October 3. See all the opening dates in the Information section below.

LEGS held the Sailor Moon Cafe 2017 event back in September 2017 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Sailor Moon. The event’s theme focused around adulthood imbued with a hint of cuteness. The cafes were so popular that they had a second “encore” run in December of the same year.

This year, LEGS has created an entirely new concept.

The theme this year is “Girls Night Out,” and the menu line-up stays true to it, featuring food and drinks all ladies are sure to enjoy on a night out.

5 Sailor Tortilla Wrap Sandwiches – ¥1,590 (Not available at the Saitama cafe)

Pretty Girl’s Brunch Pancakes – ¥1,590 (Available at lunchtime only)

Girls Night Out (Chicken Steak Plate) – ¥1,990 (Available at dinnertime only)

Cosmic Heart Berry Sandwich – ¥1,690

Moon Night Parfait – ¥1,490 (Available at dinnertime only)

Girls Night Out Drinks (10 Flavours) – ¥890 Each (Usagi Tsukino/Ami Mizuno/Rei Hono/Makoto Kino/Minako Aino/Chibiusa/Haruka Tennou/Michiru Kaiou/Setsuna Meiou/Hotaru Tomoe)

This is just a select look at what’s on the menu―there are many other themed foods and desserts too!

Acrylic Key Ring (12 Designs Chosen Randomly) – ¥650

Clear Bag (1 Design) – ¥1,800

Plate (1 Design) – ¥2,200

The artwork for select cafe-exclusive merchandise was done by popular creator Etoile et Griotte who makes items for girls who love cute things, and Japanese illustrator Jenny Kaori, who creates cute, fashionable and alternative works.

Every person who books a seat in advance (¥650 before tax) at the cafe will receive one of the 5 above-pictured ticket holders chosen randomly.

If you dine at the cafe, you’ll get one of the 4 above-pictured lunch mats chosen randomly.

And if you order a drink, you’ll get one of the 10 above-pictured coasters chosen randomly.

*All prices are pre-tax prices. Photos are for illustrative purposes only.

©Naoko Takeuchi・PNP・Toei Animation

The town of Kisogawa in Nagoya, Aichi is just 30-minutes by car from Nagoya Station, which is set to welcome the 36^th annual Kazutoyo Festival on September 15.

The city of Ichinomiya was the birthplace of Yamauchi Kazutoyo, a famous military commander during the Azuchi–Momoyama period (1568-1600). Every year, the bustling Kazutoyo Festival recalls the Sengoku Period, a time of war and upheaval in Japan which lasted over a thousand years, as well as the helmet and armor-clad commander.

The festival also has mini live performances, as well as an anime show which can be enjoyed by children. There’s also food, horse riding, and other fun activities.

Experience a unique cultural autumntime festival this year at the Kazutoyo Festival in Kisogawa.

Japan is a haven for bubble tea and tapioca-based beverages. Here on MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON we have covered many stores selling these tasty drinks in Harajuku―the town which started the tapioca boom in Japan―but today we will be heading southwest of Tokyo to Aichi Prefecture, located in central Honshu Island, to look at 4 must-drink tapioca drinks.

We are joined by meme whose Instagram page is packed full of drinks and desserts from cafes across Japan.

The Flower Table in Sakae

Located inside the MITSUKOSHI shopping complex in Nagoya’s retail and entertainment district Sakae is The Flower Table. I absolutely recommend this store for those who aren’t good with sweet drinks as you can choose between having sugar or no sugar.

Your taste buds are hit by the flavour of the milk tea on the first sip which has a bite to it. The tea leaves used by the shop in this drink are from Kusumi Tea, a Paris-based premium tea brand.

If you’re someone who likes chai then this taste is sure to tempt your palate. Not only does the milk tea taste exquisite, the tapioca pearls are sweet and satisfyingly chewy too. And let’s not forget to mention their adorable takeout cup designs!

▼The Flower Table

Address: MITSUKOSHI Nagoya Sakae Store Floor 3F, 3-5-1 Sakae, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture

Opening Hours: 10:00-19:30 (Food Last Orders 19:30)
*Food not served until 11am, only drinks between 10-11am
*Afternoon tea sets, parfaits and other teatime menu options served from 2pm

Official Website: https://theflowertable.owst.jp/en/

BON CAFÉ in Sakae

BON CAFÉ can also be found in Sakae. I had heard lots of praise about this place before my first visit so I was eager to get in there. I ordered two drinks: the mango cream cheese tea (with cream and tapioca pearls) and the brown sugar milk tea (with tapioca pearls). It’s hard to tell by the photos but both drinks are packed with tapioca pearls aplenty.

I’d heard before that the mango cream cheese tea was like a “dessert that you can drink,” and I can confirm that it’s true. It’s topped with fresh cream and pearls so it’s just as satisfying as a mango parfait.

▼BON CAFÉ

Address: Apa Hotel Nagoya Nishiki Floor 2F, Nishiki 3-15-30, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture

Opening Hours: 11:00-23:00 (Last Orders 22:00)

No Fixed Holidays

Official Website: https://bon-cafe.jp/tapioca/

Peripatos in Kita-Okazaki

Drinks at Peripatos are takeout-only. Their bottle designs are cute and simple with just a kitty illustration on them. The three drinks in the photo are Very Berry, Tropical, and Hazelnut & Caramel Sauce with coffee jelly.

The tropical drink has pieces of fresh mango in it while the Very Berry has fresh strawberry and chewy strawberry flavoured tapioca pearls in it. My friend ordered the Hazelnut & Caramel one which has coffee flavoured jelly in it instead of tapioca pearls. You sip it while crushing the jelly.

The shop interior is really cute too!

▼Peripatos

Address: 4-4 Ida Nishimachi, Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture

Opening Hours: [Mon-Tues & Fri-Sat] 11:00-21:30 / [Thurs & Sun] 11:00-18:00

Closed: Wednesdays

Official Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/c.peripatos/

Watashi to Cafe in Kariya

At Watashi to Cafe I ordered the strawberry milk tapioca drink. The pearls in this drink are strawberry flavoured too, and there’s a lot of them making is super tasty. The glasses they come in are cute too.

They also sell beautiful herbarium-like drinks. These don’t have tapioca pearls in them but I recommend these too!

▼Watashi to Cafe

Address: 2-20 Minamisakuramachi, Kariya, Aichi Prefecture

Opening Hours: Lunch 11:00-15:00 / Dinner 15:00-Midnight

Closed: Tuesdays

Official Website: https://watashitocafe.gorp.jp/

Did you enjoy this list? meme has lots of other tempting recommendations of drinks and desserts on their Instagram page too, so if you’re looking for something to try while in the Tokai region of Japan be sure to give them a follow.

Text & Photos: @ meme_mi_

Translation: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

Aichi Prefecture is located in the centre of Japan’s Honshu island. It is home to countless shops, astounding castles, and many sightseeing spots. Mother nature is a huge part of Aichi’s beauty where she has provided plenty of places for enjoying the outdoors.

Instagrammer NAMIKO, who travels all over Japan to visit tourist and sightseeing spots, is here today to showcase three unmissable places to visit when travelling to Aichi using photos she has posted.

Aichi Farm (Aichi Bokujo)

Running just a 10-minute stroll from Kurozasa Station is Aichi Farm which is home to various farm animals, a place where you can enjoy BBQ food, and more, making it a very popular spot for friends and families looking for a day out.

But the absolute must-see part of your trip here during summer are the sunflower beds which bloom from early July right up to early September. The best times to see them in full bloom are posted on the farm’s official website so be sure to check before packing your outdoor gear and heading out.

▼Aichi Farm (Aichi Bokujo)

Address: Minamiyama-977 Komenokichō, Nisshin, Aichi

Opening Hours: Dependent on the season, check the official website for details

No Fixed Holidays (Except New Year’s and Tuesdays when the horse riding club is running)

Official Website: http://www.aiboku.com/

Noma Lighthouse

Nomazaki Lighthouse, or Noma Lighthouse for short, can be found along the coast of a town called Mihama in Chita District. This town bears many sightseeing spots including the aquarium and art museum. The lighthouse can be reached by riding the Meitetsu Chita New Line to Noma Station. You then change onto the Mini Seibu Bus and get off at Noma Lighthouse (野間灯台).

It is the oldest lighthouse in all of Aichi Prefecture and is popular for its “kawaii” appearance. Wanderlust travellers will love basking in the radiant summer sun by the sea and sandy beach when they go to visit Noma Lighthouse.

▼Noma Lighthouse

Address: Iwanari-20-1 Onoura, Mihama, Chita District, Aichi

No Fixed Holidays

Official Website: https://www.aichi-now.jp/spots/detail/115/

Himakajima

Himakajima is an island in Mikawa Bay which can be reached in just an hour from Nagoya, the capital of Aichi Prefecture. Not only do you have sunny beaches, there’s also a temple, a park for children to play in, the island’s famous giant swing, and lots of other fun places to explore. It’s also known for its octopus and blowfish catches which can be eaten there.

There are plenty of spots for taking great photos too. Since it’s an island located off the coast, any photo you take will look picturesque.

▼Himakajima

Official Website: https://www.himaka.net/

If you’re seeking out even more travel recommendations and sightseeing spots around Japan for your bucket list then we highly encourage you to follow NAMIKO on Instagram.

Photos: NAMIKO

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy Japanese peaches, which are particularly juicy and sweet around this time. Peaches go well with red bean paste, cream and a variety of other flavours, which is why you will be seeing a lot of peachy desserts this summer. You just have to try them!

Today, Instagrammer meme, who is a big fan of cute and stylish cafés, will be introducing you to peach parfaits that you absolutely must try in Aichi prefecture.

BLUE STAR CAFE（ブルースターカフェ）／Nagakute

BLUE STAR CAFE has started selling a peach parfait. The peaches are so sweet and juicy that I was moved to tears. The parfait is made up of fresh cream, vanilla ice cream, peach sherbet and frozen peach. It is simple, delicious and very satisfying. 

▼BLUE STAR CAFE

Address: 504 Tsukada, Nagakute, Aichi

TEL：0561 42 6878

Official Website: https://bluestar-cafe.com/

Halleloo Garden（ハレルゥ ガーデン）

I was just waiting and waiting for Halleloo Garden to release their peach parfait and I was far from disappointed. Just looking at the pretty pink peaches is enough to get your mouth watering. When you cut into the peach, it will explode with colourful popping boba. What a fun parfait.♡

The parfait is made up of a variety of fruits including melon, blueberries, grapefruit and apple. It also contains vanilla ice cream, custard, fresh cream, and dried fruit too. Be aware that the contents of this parfait will change according to the season. 

This peach parfait also comes with peach-flavoured black tea with boba. Add this to your parfait and notice the change in flavour as your parfait becomes a milk bubble tea! This was my first experience of popping boba. It was such a fun experience to bite into the boba and feel them explode, flooding my tastebuds with a delicious juicy flavour. Whether Halleloo Garden can serve this parfait seems to be dependent on whether they can receive peaches from their supplier, so I recommend phoning up the café before you turn up to if you want to try this. 

▼Halleloo Garden

Address: Kami-222-1 Miyoshicho, Miyoshi, Aichi

TEL: 0561 56 1080

Official Website: http://www.halleloo.jp/

merry café（メリーカフェ）／Toyoake

merry café serves a beautiful peach parfait that looks just like a bouquet of flowers.

The simple peach compote allows you to enjoy the natural deliciousness of the peaches. During this season, finding peaches that are highly sweet can be a bit of a hit or miss, however there is no doubt that they will be sweet when made into a compote. It was a delicious peach parfait. ♡

▼merry café

Address: 7-18 Komochimatsu Shindencho, Toyoake,

TEL：0562-91-3230

Opening Hours: 11:00 ー 15:00, 17:30 ー 22:00

Official Facebook Page: https://ja-jp.facebook.com/merrycafe1218/

All these pink peach treats look so beautiful. This peachy season is the perfect time to wrap yourself in the wonderful fragrance of sweet peach. Please check out meme‘s Instagram which is full of information on cute cafés you can visit for delicious desserts. 

Author/ Photographer: meme

Morinaga Sweet Sake will release their new TV commercial for their chilled sweet sake “Hiyashi Amazake” on July 5th.

Hiyashi Amazake is made using a blend of carefully selected sake lees produced when making sake, malted rice, and Hakata salt. This drink will provide you with a refreshing aftertaste to keep you cool during the hot summer. To share the news of this wonderful drink with the rest of Japan, Ryuhei Maruyama and You Yokoyama from Japanese boyband Kanjani Eight will feature in the brand’s new advert as promotional characters. Watch the two idols as they muster up all their passion to sing a song about their undying love for Hiyashi Amazake whilst dressed in Hiyashi Amazake-themed Yutaka, leaning against the trees.  

You just have to hear the intense rap, too. The boys manage to sing it all the way through to the end without breaking their serious face into fits of laughter.

Please check out the incredibly entertaining Hiyashi Amazake advert!

LEGOLAND JAPAN is no doubt the perfect day trip for families with kids (and adults who still haven’t grown up). 13:00 on Monday 1st July will be a very special moment for the park… as it will be celebrating the grand opening of LEGO NINJAGO World! This will be the first time the park has ever been extended since opening!

Except Dubai, all countries/states in the world that are home to a LEGOLAND own a NINJAGO World too ー and they are so popular! Now, it’s about time that the country of ninja actually gets a LEGO NINJAGO World! It will be the eighth area of the park. From the moment you enter, you will be immersed in a ninja world! Rise up to the challenges set by the activities and plunge into all the attractions to better your ninja skills!

Flying Ninjago

The new area is home to three new attractions.  The Flying Ninjago will be the first to catch your eye. This is a gigantic ride that adults and kids are bound to get a thrill out of! Two brand new rides called Lloyd’s Spinjitzu Spinners and Kai Sky Master will have their world debut at LEGOLAND JAPAN!

Apart from the attractions, there’s so much more fun stuff to do to immerse fully in the NINJAGO experience.

Jay’s Lightning Drill

Cole’s Rock Climb

Polish your fundamental ninja skills with Jay’s Lightning Drill and Cole’s Rock Climb. NINJAGO World also contains many new lego models. The largest in the area is the 4-metre tall Samurai robot lego model!

Spin Tower Burger Set【Brick House Burger】¥2,000 (price after tax)

Shuriken Pancake【Naruto Table】¥450 (price after tax)

To commemorate the birth of NINJAGO World, there are so many ninja-themed meals, treats and desserts being sold all over the new attraction area and throughout the theme park!

Challenge your ninja skills, enjoy the thrilling rides and indulge in the delicious ninja food at LEGO NINJAGO World!

A regional KitKat Pairing Bar called “Gotouchi no KitKat Pairing Bar” is currently running in Roppongi Hills, Tokyo. The pop-up bar features an AI’s recommendations of regional KitKats with Japanese sake from among 1,650 combinations of pairings.

You can also witness the event vehicle covered in 15 varieties of Gotouchi KitKat prints at the event in Roppongi Hills.

The sake brands featured at the event are brands carefully selected by famous Japanese former football player Hidetoshi Nakata, who has been promoting sake to the world. He has built his expertise by visiting more than 350 breweries nationwide. Nakata was also present to kick off the event! Nestlé’s managing executive officer Cedric Lacroix also makes an appearance.

Cedric Lacroix commented that the products created with the help of Nakata have a favourable reputation in Japan. He stated that he is incredibly pleased to be working with Nakata for the pairing bar, as he is full of knowledge in the field of sake.

Nakata stated:

“We don’t have the mindset of creating a new product, but we intend to focus on the act of celebrating with people from the region by creating something new.

Besides the KitKat Nihonshu Masuizumi and Umeshu Tsuru-ume, there is now a third collaboration KitKat flavour being released!

You can experience 150 different pairings of KitKats and sake that have been carefully chosen by Nakata before they are on sale anywhere else! The AI will be introducing regional (Gotouchi) KitKats such as Kyushu Amaou strawberry and Gunma Asian skunk cabbage KitKat!

“The sweetness of the chocolate combined with the sharp aftertaste of the dry alcohol is very interesting. The taste differs from person to person so I would like everyone to try it for themselves”, continued Nakata.

“Having chocolate with alcohol is quite a normal thing to do, however, both chocolate and Japanese sake have a long, deep-rooted culture in Japan. There’s the impression that Japanese sake only goes well with traditional Japanese food (Washoku). Hopefully, this event helps people to discover this new combination of chocolate and Japanese sake”, he continued passionately. 

The Gotouchi KitKat Pairing Bar will be running until national holiday Monday 29th April. Come try this brand new experience involving regional KitKat flavours and their matching Japanese sake!

The Gotochi KITKAT Pairing Bar will be open at Roppongi Hills from April 19 to 29 serving KitKat and sake pairings chosen from 1,650 combinations by AI.

Japan is known for its KitKat flavours, with a total of 350 having been created to date, 40 of which are always available. Many of those flavours are made using ingredients from local regions across the country where they sold at those places’ souvenir shops. Their unique flavour combinations and colours have tickled the fancy of Japanese people and foreigners alike.

The KITKAT Pairing Bar offers a new way for both locals and overseas visitors to enjoy eating KitKats by picking which flavour will go best for them when paired with sake.

You must answer 5 questions at the bar from which the AI will filter your tastes from 150 combinations chosen that day. There will be a total of 1,650 combinations available across the 11 day period.

Of course, you can purchase your local flavour KitKat there and then. The sake combinations were carefully selected and curated by Hidetoshi Nakata, a former soccer player and experienced sake expert who has tried well over 350 brands of sake all over Japan. The sake pairings are supervised by CRAFT SAKE WEEK.

Have the AI find your flavours!

Sake brands from all across Japan are set to gather at Roppongi Hills in Tokyo for “CRAFT SAKE WEEK at ROPPONGI HILLS 2019”; an eleven-day event celebrating top-class Japanese sake that will run from April 19 to 29. The venue will be decorated with the Japanese essence of traditional handicrafts. During these 11 days, Roppongi will be transformed into a magical artistic space.

CRAFT SAKE WEEK is where you can enjoy an atmosphere of a total of 110 carefully chosen Japanese breweries and numerous top-class restaurants. The venue was designed with this intention and has been designed with meticulous attention to detail. There will be a special guest attending the event; Yuko Nagayama! Nagayama designed the Japan Pavilion for Expo 2020 which is a worldwide innovation exhibition that will be held in Dubai.

Hidetoshi Nakata worked alongside Nagayama to create the concept for the design of the venue and after much debate, they decided to base the design on something that represents the origin of the essence of Japanese culture: rope. Hemp rope is featured in the design as it has a variety of applications in Japan from festivals to everyday purposes and has been used since ancient times. The hemp rope used for this venue design is flexible and has excellent durability. Hemp rope has a sense of volume and is also light and weightless. No matter what perspective you view it from, its appearance has a dynamic impact.

A Statement by Hidetoshi Nakata

This event space created by Nagayama is not just high quality, but creates an atmosphere of the warmth of everyday life in Japan. You can feel this unique world she has created. This is a unique world that only Nagayama is capable of creating as a female architect. It is stylish and you can feel the comfort. I requested that she creates something that depicts and allows you to physically experience the wondrous essence of Japanese culture.  

A statement by Yuko Nagayama

I created this environment out of sustainable materials that have been used by Japan for many, many years. This environment is a place intended to lightly embrace those who love Japanese sake. I took advantage of the height of Roppongi Hills Arena. It’s 16 km tall and 570 hemp trees were used to make the three large canopies that cover the event space. The canopies naturally curve due to gravity. This natural curvy shape can be seen from afar and has become the symbol to represent the event.

One by one, experience a range of Japanese breweries, and discover the depths of the flavours of Japanese sake. Not only is the alcohol the attraction, but the venue design is entirely new and magical. People from Japan and around the world will be gathering at this event so please come take your fill!

YUMMY SAKE COLLECTIVE is a new sake bar in Daikanyama that held its grand opening on January 25, 2019.

It is both a bar and a shop that serves delicious Japanese sake casually without customers needing to be sake connoisseurs. You don’t need to rely on background knowledge or visual information. It is a ‘blind tasting’ service in which you enter your intuitive thoughts which the AI responds to, choosing a sake to match your tastes.

When going for drinks in Japan beginners to sake can find it difficult what beverage to go for, but this new AI service solves that problem. It enables anyone to easily pick the right drink for them.

The refrigerator show case in the bar houses around 90 brands of sake including rare selections not often seen served. Drinks are divided by onomatopoeia for customers to easily pick what sounds nicest to them. Drinks can be ordered from ¥700 and you can also buy bottles to keep and take away with you.

YUMMY SAKE – ¥2,000 (Before Tax)

Ordering the YUMMY SAKE service lets you try a blind taste test to compare 10 types of Japanese sake. You evaluate which you like and don’t like based on 5 different ratings and the AI will pick your taste type. There are 12 categories you can be placed into all based on onomatopoeia. This means you will be prepared for when you go out to a bar, shop or event in Japan and can intuitively pick what sake you want without needing to know difficult sake slang or tehchnical rules.

Snack Pairings – ¥500 Each (Before Tax)

Snacks will also be prepared to go with your drinks based on what taste type you are.

If you’re looking to get into Japanese sake then look no further – start at YUMMY SAKE COLLECTIVE.