Ichihara Elephant Kingdom is the home to the largest number of elephants in Japan. The zoo has announced major renovations set for completion next spring which will allow for the elephants to live an even more enjoyable life.

Ichihara Elephant Kingdom is located in central Chiba and is home to 12 elephants. It’s also home to around 80 other species of animals like red pandas, beavers, capybaras, hippos, and more. The zoo also has a variety of attractions, like the Elephant Ride which sits behinds where the elephants live, and the Elephant Lift where you can ride up and down an elephant trunk. The Head of  Ichihara Elephant Kingdom, Sayuri Sakamoto, served as the writer for the 2005 Japanese drama film Shining Boy & Little Randy. One of the zoo’s Asian elephants, Randy, was also a model for the film.

The renovations will introduce a new home for the elephants as the current one is seeing wear over time, as well as a new large-scale pond for the elephants to play in, a playground, and more. The zoo has always ensured a safe distance between visitors and the elephants so people can enjoy watching them will making sure the elephants stay happy. It is now creating new spaces to continue that service.

The water pond the zoo is building for the elephants is called Elephant Splash, and they are launching a crowdfunder on October 27, 2020 to ask for people’s help with funding the project. It will allow a new space for the elephants to play which visitors are sure to enjoy too, like seeing the 1- and 2-year-old Ramu and Momoka splashing around.

The crowdfunding project has nine different tiers including tickets to an evening cherry blossom party at the park, a chance to ride the elephants, and more. The campaign will end on January 15, 2021, the same date as Ramu’s birthday.

Tokyo Disneyland® is set to open its all-new Beauty and the Beast area of the park tomorrow on September 28, 2020. It’s opening in line with the new Big Hero 6 attraction, Minnie Mouse area where guests can meet Minnie, and the park’s new popcorn shop.

MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON was granted early access to the news areas, so here’s our review!

Check out our review of the new Beauty and the Beast area too here: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/362152

The Happy Ride with Baymax: The world’s first Big Hero 6 attraction

The Happy Ride with Baymax ride has guests joining one of the personal healthcare companion robots on an exciting cart ride.

The park is limiting the number of people allowed on the attraction at once due to the pandemic. To board the attraction, guests need to download the app after entering the park.

Big Pop: Tokyo Disneyland’s first popcorn shop

Tokyo Disneyland’s first permanent popcorn shop opens in Tomorrowland.

This space-themed shop serves up a whole range of flavours like cookie cream, caramel and cheese, and strawberry milk. There’s also four different popcorn baskets to choose form, including Big Hero 6 and Beauty and the Beast designs.

Minnie’s Style Studio: Meet Minnie Mouse

This studio imagines Minnie Mouse as an international fashion designer who designs outfits, shoots photos, and more. Guests can meet Minnie Mouse at her studio if they book in advance.

©Disney

Tokyo Disneyland® is set to open its all-new Beauty and the Beast area of the park tomorrow on September 28, 2020. It’s opening in line with the new Big Hero 6 attraction, Minnie Mouse area where guests can meet Minnie, and the park’s new popcorn shop.

MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON was granted early access to the Beauty and the Beast area – here’s our review!

Check out our review of the new Big Hero 6 attraction and Minnie’s Style Studio too here: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/362221

The world of Beauty and the Beast brought to life

The area connects Belle’s village to Beast’s castle by way of the forest. At the entrance to the village, guests will immediately spot the cottage of Maurine, Belle’s father and the vilage inventor. Beyond that is Gaston’s water fountain as well as a restaurant inspired by Gaston’s bar. There are also other shops that Belle visits in the film, such as the bookshop. It’s like stepping into the magical world itself.

When you leave the village and head through the forest, you are met by the spectacle that is Beast’s castle, coloured in a cute pink. There’s a large-scale attraction inside called “Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast.”

The Tokyo Disneyland-original attraction “Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast”

The attraction, located inside the towering 30m-tall castle, features magical cups that guests board. The cups dance in rhythm to music from the film as they take guests through iconic moments seen in the Disney classic.

There are many surprises and discoveries to be found inside the castle.

The park is limiting the number of people allowed on the attraction at once due to the pandemic. To board the attraction, guests need to download the app after entering the park.

Village shops based on the movie

The Village Shops area features a line of shops inspired by those seen in Belle’s town, each of which sells various items from clothing to accessories and souvenirs.

There are around 100 pieces of merchandise for fans to sift through.

The shops are also carrying out measures against COVID-19, showcasing the items in a display only so they cannot be touched when entering the store. Guests must use the sign-up system on the app beforehand if they want to enter the shop.

La Taverne de Gaston

All the little details have been captured to recreate Gaston’s bar, making it like a snippet right out of the film.

Big Bite Croissant

Very Cheers

Sweet Gaston

The menu features a line-up dishes, drinks, and desserts, like sausage croissants with, French toasted cheese sandwiches, soft drinks made to look like beer, and more. The bar also requires booking on the app prior to visiting.

Le Fou’s Churros (Apple Caramel)

Le Fou’s is located next to La Taverne de Gaston where you can get your fingers on snacks like apple caramel churros.

And don’t miss up on visiting the new popcorn wagon either which serves popcorn in a Beauty and the Beast bucket.

The new Beauty and the Beast area is a must-visit for any fan of the film, or for people who want to feel like a Disney princess.

©Disney

Two Creamy Mami themed pop-up shops are set to open in Ikebukuro Marui on September 5 and in Shizuoka Marui on September 19. Fans can expect to get their hands on a range of exclusive and new merchandise themed on the popular anime series Creamy Mami, the Magical Angel, from pin badges and a parker hoodie to tote bags and more.

Pre-Sale Merchandise (Excerpt)

Trading Ani-Art Pin Badge (9 Designs) | Single: ¥430, Box: ¥3,870 (Before Tax)

Trading Ani-Art Acrylic Stands (9 Designs) | Single: ¥800, Box: ¥7,200 (Before Tax)

Back Print Zipper Parker (1 Design) | ¥5,980 (Before Tax)

Clear Pouch (1 Design) | ¥1,980 (Before Tax)

Fans who spend over ¥3,000 (tax included) on related merchandise and display their Epos cards will have the chance to enter a lottery to win a prize.

The pop-up shop is also currently holding a Twitter campaign in Japan until October 5, 2020. One lucky fan can receive a complete set of bromide photos by following AMNIBUS on Twitter and retweeting this tweet.

The pop-up shop is a chance for fans and newcomers to jump into the magical world of Creamy Mami.

©Pierrot

Greenport Agency, a group managed by Narita International Airport Corporation (NAA), opened a new online service titled “Narita Airport Kengaku Tour” on August 5 which offers a range of digital content to users, including a detailed tour of the airport with commentary by members of the Museum of Aeronautical Sciences, and more.

Limited spaces are available for the online tour. To apply, users need to apply through Ouchi Soku Tabi, an online travel service operated by Orange Inc. The service was made in tandem with NAA, the Museum of Aeronautical Sciences, and areas surrounding the airport. It was launched to give people a chance to feel like they’re on holiday abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic in a time when remote work and working from home is the new norm.

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) reopened on June 19, 2020 after temporary closure as a result of COVID-19. The park is now running with strict measures in place to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, including practicing the 2m social distancing rule, making it mandatory to wear face masks, and so on. The park has posted a full video demonstration of the rules on their official website.

That means summertime is set to shine on USJ once again this year. The new ‘Universal Summer Parade: We are One’ event will begin on July 23 as the first parade held by the park since its reopening. Guests will be able to enjoy a fun and exciting summer at USJ with all the necessary precautions in place to ensure their safety.

Many familiar faces will gather at USJ to celebrate summer with guests, including the Minions, Elmo, Snoopy, Hello Kitty, and more. Each of them will board colourful floats for the parade during the parade, which will open with the fittingly-titled “Opening Float” followed by a flurry of unique floats like the flashy “Latin Float,” cute European-inspired “Europe Float,” the mysterious “Indian Float,” and the finale “America Float,” amongst many others. There will be music to entertain guests for laughs, smiles, and fun energy while characters and entertainers ride the floats and serve summertime vibes.

The peak moment of the parade will be when confetti rains down on guests in huge quantities. Flags can also be bought for the parade for the first time in this year. Performers and the park characters will be able to entertain guests at a distance while still connecting with them through the fun performances. A special “social distance” performance created in cooperation with the Osaka Prefectural Board of Education will also be part of the parade. This year’s parade plans to have guests dancing and smiling even more than previous years to lift some of that stress away and give them the fight and energy to continue into tomorrow.

Universal Summer Parade: We Are One

Put your hands into the air as the sun beats down and the floats arrive to a lively rhythm. ‘We are One’ is the catchphrase, so get your boogie on and explode with excitement together with the entertainers and park characters for a heated summer parade!

Running: July 23, 2020 – August 27, 2020

Location: Parade Route

Time: One per day from 11:00am (approx 40 mins) 

Buy yourself a parade flag for ¥500 and wave it around to the beat of the festival!

Cool yourself off with some summer merch

Get your hands on some merch for cooling off, including the must-have summer “Handy Fan,” a “UV Poncho” which keeps you cool in the heat of the sun, a classic “Sensu” folding fan, and more.

Feel the Japanese festivities with the Universal Market

The Universal Market will give that Japanese ‘matsuri’ festival vibe. Enjoy some cool desserts, spicy food, and more.

Left: Super Hot! Turkey Leg ¥1,000 / Centre: Peach Jelly Soda: ¥650 / Right: Frappe Sundae ~Strawberry & Blue Hawaii~ ¥750

Since guest safety is the number one priority this summer, the park will not be holding its famous splash performance where guests are soaked with water by water shooters.

Additionally, the parade will also not stop in any of the usual designated places and will instead keep on moving, meaning the parade can be enjoyed from anywhere along the parade route. Guests will be able to keep plenty of distance from others as they watch the parade.

The park also released a statement on its ‘enhanced sanitation in park operations’ on its official website so you can find out more about what USJ is doing to tackle the COVID-19 spread.

If you’re in Osaka this year, you can still enjoy summer at Universal Studios Japan with all the necessary precautions in place.

KADOKAWA is set to open a Hello Kitty themed cafe on the Narita Anime Deck—which is located on the Main Building second floor of Narita International Airport Terminal 2—for a limited time from July 3, 2020 to October 2, 2020.

The Narita Anime Deck

The Narita Anime Deck opened inside Narita International Airport Terminal 2 in November 2019. It’s an entertainment facility where travellers from around the world can experience and enjoy Japanese anime culture in various forms such as with character merchandise, food, events, and a variety of photo spots.

Hello Kitty Cafe

The facility has collaborated with numerous anime series to open up limited-time cafes since it opened. This time around it is joining paws with Hello Kitty, a face known to all across the globe. As well as themed food, drinks and merchandise, customers can take a Hello Kitty quiz, learn the history behind Hello Kitty, and more.

An Original Food Menu

Hello Kitty’s Lovely♡ Pink Curry: ¥1,500

Hello Kitty’s Gurakoro Burger: ¥1,500

Hello Kitty’s Strawberry Pancake: ¥1,400

Hello Kitty’s Strawberry Parfait: ¥1,200

An Original Drinks Menu

The incredible drinks menu is diverse, including lattes where you can get 46 different latte art designs of Hello Kitty from 1974-2019. It could be fun to pick your birth year, or a year where you have fond memories.

Hello Kitty’s Colourful Tapioca Drinks (Matcha Milk/Strawberry Milk/Milk Tea): ¥720 Each

 
Hello Kitty’s Marshmallow Coffee: ¥800

Hello Kitty’s Latte (46 Designs): ¥720 Each

Novelties

For every item you order from the collaboration menu, you can also receive one of 46 possible original coasters once again featuring a different design of Hello Kitty between the years 1974-2019.

1st Line-Up: July 3, 2020 – August 2, 2020

2nd Line-Up: August 3, 2020 – September 2, 2020

3rd Line-Up: September 3, 2020 – October 2, 2020

If you’re travelling through Narita Airport anytime this year up to October, then be sure to head on up to the Narita Anime Deck to dine at the Hello Kitty Cafe.

© 1976, 2020 SANRIO CO., LTD.　APPROVAL NO. L611439

New Greenpia Tsunan, a resort facility in Tsunan, Niigata, is holding an exciting sky lantern event every day until March 31, 2020.

The sky lantern event is held every winter at New Greenpia Tsunan, and has returned again for 2020. It began in 2012 as a means of showing respect for and praying for the revival of disaster-stricken areas, such as the areas affected by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, the Nagano and Niigata earthquake, and so on. Every year, couples and families come together to put their prayers and wishes into the lanterns before letting them go into the night sky. The countless lanterns raised at once soar up high and light up the black cloak of the night like burning stars.

For 2020, the event will also sell lantern t-shirts, handkerchiefs, hand towels, cookies, and other themed items.

If you’re travelling in or around Niigata in Japan this year, then don’t miss New Greenpia Tsunan’s very special winter event.

Chiba Prefecture is one of the leading places in Japan for growing strawberries. Thanks to its warm climate, the prefecture enjoys hearty a strawberry harvest, which it celebrates with strawberry-picking events and markets across the prefecture. The true fun in strawberry picking in Chiba is that you get to taste a variety of different types, all ripe, there and then, so you can compare flavours.

To further promote the wonderful world of its succulent strawberries, Chiba Prefecture has set up a special website, and is also hosting a photo campaign entitled “Chiba Strawberry Fair 2020.” This is also the season to try an original type of strawberry grown in Chiba Prefecture called the “Chi-Ba Berry.”

Check out Strawberry Fields Chiba’s special website

The Strawberry Fields Chiba website has a wealth of information on strawberry varietiesーincluding the “Chi-Ba Berry”ーas well as places to pick strawberries in the prefecture, places selling strawberries, and more. If you’re interested in finding out more about strawberries in Chiba, then check out their website below.

Strawberry Fields Chiba Official Website: https://chiba-ichigo.jp

Chiba Strawberry Fair 2020

People who post a photo on Instagram of their time in Chiba enjoying the strawberries with the hashtag #ちばいちごフェア2020 (“Chiba Strawberry Fair 2020”) have the chance to win the above-pictured Chi-Ba Berry-kun plush toy. The campaign is running until February 29, 2020.

Strawberry picking season in Chiba runs until May, so if you’re planning a trip there this year, make sure you don’t leave without trying the prefecture’s famous strawberries.

The season for Japan’s enchanting and romantic lantern events has finally arrived, and the line-up this year is diverse, from events where lanterns are the main attraction to lantern-lined festivals and Japanese matsuri festivals.

Hankyu Travel International compiled a list of these events , and we’ve pulled out some of the best ones for you.

Hanamaki Hoshi Meguri no Yoru | Iwate Prefecture

This year marks the third run of “Hanamaki Hoshi Meguri no Yoru,” an event held during winter for guests staying at Hanamaki Onsen. The event is comprised of many elements, including fireworks, folk entertainment, and more. People will also write wishes and messages or draw pictures on their lanterns before sending them up into the winter night sky. Afterwards, they can enjoy a dip in the hot springs at Hanamaki Onsen to warm themselves up and unwind from the day.

Running: January 26, 2020/February 22, 2020/February 11, 2020/February 16, 2020/February 24, 2020

Location: Namari Ski Center
Address: Nakadaira-36-1 Namari, Hanamaki, Iwate

▼Hanamaki Hoshi Meguri no Yoru Tour
https://www.hankyu-travel.com/kokunai/keyword/%E3%81%AF%E3%81%AA%E3%81%BE%E3%81%8D%E6%98%9F%E3%82%81%E3%81%90%E3%82%8A%E3%81%AE%E5%A4%9C/?p_baitai=9599

China Lantern Festival | Chiba Prefecture

Tokyo German Village is hosting its second China Lantern Festival, inspired by the typical traditional festivals held in China during spring. A selection of 30 lantern installations of varying sizes made by the world’s biggest lantern maker Lantern Group have been set up in the 50,000 square meter area. Pieces include lanterns over 10 meters long and high, lanterns floating on the water, moving lanterns, and more.

Running: November 23, 2019 – April 5, 2020

Location: Tokyo German Village

Address: 419 Nagayoshi, Sodegaura, Chiba

▼Tokyo German Village Tour
https://www.hankyu-travel.com/kokunai/keyword/%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E3%83%89%E3%82%A4%E3%83%84%E6%9D%91/?p_baitai=9599

Tsunan Yuki Matsuri | Niigata Prefecture

Since 2012, the people of Tsunan in Niigata have raised sky lanterns into the sky to pray for the revival from the disaster that the Tohoku earthquake brought in 2011. It is a two-day festival, with the first day of the event taking place at night, and the second being the main day of the festival. The festival is so popular that tickets never fail to sell out quickly every year. It brings with it a host of events, from the lanterns to the snowboard straight jumping tournament, the hanging of snow lanterns, snowmobile rides, and more.

Running: March 14, 2020 (There will also be a lantern event the night before on March 13, 2020)

Location: New Greenpia Tsunan

Address: 12300 Akinari, Tsunan, Nakauonuma-gun, Niigata

▼Niigata Tsunan Sky Lantern Festival Tour
https://www.hankyu-travel.com/chubu-hokuriku/niigata/lantern/?p_baitai=9599

Nagasaki Lantern Festival | Nagasaki Prefecture

This festival was originally held during the Chinese New year by the people of Nagasaki Chinatown, but in 1994 it was given the name “Nagasaki Lantern Festival.” To date, it has been attended by over 1 million people. This year, around 15,000 lanterns of varying sizes are set to light the streets. Taking place across several areas, some standout pieces include the peach-coloured lanterns at Nagasaki Chinatown, the ceiling lanterns at Hamanomachi Arcade, the water lanterns at Nagashimagawa Park, and more. On weekends, there are also parades, traditional Chinese performance, and other exciting events. And if you head to Nagasaki Confucian Shrine (also known as Koshi-byo), you can offer a love lantern to pray for happiness in your relationship.

Running: January 24, 2020 – February 9, 2020
Locations: Nagasaki Chinatown/Central Park/Tojin Yashiki/and elsewhere
Address: Various places throughout the city of Nagasaki

▼Nagasaki Lantern Festival

Hankyu Travel International Tour: Hankyu Travel International

Nagasaki Tourism Page: https://travel.at-nagasaki.jp/en/what-to-see/62/

Ryukyu Lantern Festival 2019-2020 | Okinawa Prefecture

Murasaki Mura Ryukyu Kingdom Theme Park is known for having originally been used as the set for several historical drama series, and was subsequently turned into a theme park after filming was finished. The Ryukyu Lantern Festival welcomes a variety of different lanterns, including Chinese lanterns, paper lanterns, various Asian lanterns, and more, each of which bring a completely different atmosphere depending on the area you are in. This year sees the welcome return of the annual lantern contest where 45 individual lantern pieces are exhibited. There are also different street performances every day on the Night Lantern Stage, as well as projection mapping displays, the Night Lantern Cafe, and more.

Running: December 1, 2019 – March 31, 2020

Location: Murasaki Mura Ryukyu Kingdom Theme Park

Address: 1020-1 Takashiho, Yomitan, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa

Murasaki Mura Official Website: https://murasakimura.com/

Be part of one of Japan’s many beautiful lantern festivals this year and witness some seriously breathtaking night scenes.

MIDTOWN BLOSSOM 2020 is set to take place in Tokyo Midtown from March 20 to April 19 to celebrate and welcome the spring and the cherry blossoms.

This marks the 13th year of the event, which will take place both in Tokyo Midtown’s garden area which is home to rows of gorgeous cherry trees, as well as around the building where they have sparkling wine, sweets, flower displays, and many other exciting things planned.

CHANDON Blossom Lounge

Enjoy a luxurious cherry blossom experience this year with a glass of premium Chandon sparkling wine available at the outdoor limited-time CHANDON Blossom Lounge. This vibrant sparkling rosé wine is the perfect accompaniment to your springtime banquet and to say “Cheers!” to this year’s hanami flower-viewing in Japan.

There will also be food prepared by Nagase Mitsunao, head banquet chef at the 5-star Ritz-Carlton Tokyo Hotel, as well as incredibly decorative-looking sweets to adorn the able. There are two new types of seats available this year with Japanese twists to them, including seats in the roofed lounge where you can enjoy the cool spring weather in the evening.

Running: March 20, 2020 – April 19, 2020 (Closed in the case of stormy weather)

Time: 12:00-20:00 (Last Orders 19:30) *Extended to 21:00 (Last Orders 20:30) on Fridays, Saturdays and during cherry blossom full bloom

Location: Midtown Garden, Sakura-dori area

*Select seats require a reservation – full details to be released in mid-February

Spring Flower Display ~Flower Art Award pre~

Za Sogetsu is a performance unit specialising in ikebana, or flower arrangement. One of the most recognised groups in the industry, their work will displayed around various locations at Tokyo Midtown, including large-scale pieces as well as never-before-scene ones. One look at this breathtaking flower art will be enough to fill you with spring vibes.

Running: March 20, 2020 – April 19, 2020

Time: 9:30-24:00 (Galleria Floor 1F) / 11:00-21:00 (Galleria Floors 2F-3F)

Location: Galleria 1F’s Tree Shower & various locations at Galleria 2F-3F

Nighttime Cherry Blossom Light-Up

The entire 200-meter length of cherry trees in Tokyo Midtown’s garden area will be lit up with beautiful illuminations at night－a sight that never fails to drawn in countless people. Before the flowers are in full bloom, pink lights will be used to get people ready for the main show. When the cherry blossoms are at their height, white lights will be used every night.

Running: March 20, 2020 – April 19, 2020

Time: 17:00-23:00

Location: Midtown Garden, Sakura-dori area/In front of Garden Terrace

Tokyo Midtown has many other events planned for spring 2020, so don’t miss out this year.

FLOWERS BY NAKED is an annual flower-themed art event held by NAKED Inc., and the company has announced its next run: FLOWERS BY NAKED 2020 – Sakura – will take place from January 30 to March 1 next year at Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall in Tokyo, where visitors can enjoy flowers an a wholly new kind of interactive experience. Tickets went on sale on December 17, 2019, and this event will mark its 5th anniversary of taking place in Nihonbashi.

To date, FLOWERS BY NAKED has seen over 500,000 people attend the events, which have become a place for Instagrammable photos with over 660,000 posts made with the hashtag #flowersbynaked.

2020’s theme is cherry blossoms, so to celebrate, NAKED has unveiled four key visuals for four gardens set for the event along descriptions. As visitors journey through the gardens, they will experience an immersive story melding the worlds of flowers and art.

■Prologue

“When a butterfly telling the spring dances in the snowy winter world, the page is turned and the world changes from winter to spring.”

This is where the story begins: where winter flowers bloom. But as the pages of the big book are turned, the space is transformed into springtime as the snow melts.

■Dandelion Hill

“When you blow dandelion as if you were playing as a child, the fluff soars up to the sky with your old memories.”

Watch as the scenery changes when you blow on the towering dandelions in this incredible interactive experience that combines real life with digital technology.

■Glowing Garden

“In a shimmering space that seems to be lost in a kaleidoscope by a mirror, the sun shines even more.”

When you step into this radiant garden which is lit by the pouring sunlight, it will seem as if the entire world around you glows with the fiery light of our burning star.

■OUSAI Garden

“The fastest cherry blossom viewing space in Japan where you can enjoy the five senses, such as the blossoming cherry blossoms and the scent of spring.”

The river seen at the beginning of the story leads to here, a holy cherry blossom garden watched over by an enormous pink cherry tree. There is plenty to interact with in this area for visitors to experience cherry blossoms with all five of their senses.

Advance tickets for this event are now on sale, so don’t miss out.