Universal Studios Japan is set to spring into Easter starting on March 12 with the announcement of Universal Easter Celebration 2021. This year, which marks the 20th anniversary since USJ opened, will see the park’s cute and iconic characters once again lull guests into an unforgettable Easter dream at Universal Wonderland and Minion Park.

Universal Easter Celebration

USJ will see colourful pastel decorations cover the Universal Wonderland and Minion Park areas, and the characters too will be dressed in their seasonal Easter costumes. A special Easter rendition of the Wonderland Seasons Joy show will also take place to commemorate the park’s 20th anniversary with song and dance.

Wonderland Seasons Joy ~Easter Ver.~

Minion Park Easter

The park will also introduced a special egg hunt after Elmo and the Minions dropped some of their eggs. If you manage to find them all you get a limited-edition gold medal. USJ is also taking the Easter festivities online too with a special celebratory live stream called Let’s Cooking! Kawaii Easter Party

WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s21)
Minions and all related elements and indicia TM & © 2021 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.
TM & © 2021 Sesame Workshop
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC TM & © Universal Studios & Amblin Entertainment
Universal Studios Japan TM & © Universal Studios. All rights reserved.

© Nintendo

Floresta Nature Doughnuts, a doughnut cafe that hand-makes doughnuts using organic ingredients, is baking up two new Gudetama doughnuts with New Year’s messages on them. They will be served from January 9 to 24.

Florest Gudetama Collab Doughnuts | ¥450 (Before Tax)

The doughnuts capture the lazy and lethargic energy of Gudetama. The crowning Gudetama is made from Japanese pumpkin and is sat on a bed of sweet white chocolate. Both doughnuts are also available as a set coming with an extra of any of Floresta’s signature doughnuts.

Relax and take in the new year together with Gudetama.

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) announced last month that its highly-anticipated new Super Nintendo World area will open on February 4, 2021, which also happens to fall on the day of USJ’s 20th anniversary.

Super Nintendo World comes as the world’s first theme park area to be based around Nintendo’s characters and games, combining innovative ideas with cutting-edge technology.

With just one month left until the grand opening, USJ has launched a special website for Super Nintendo World which offers a virtual tour through each part of the new theme park area. Mario fanatics are sure to be delighted by the adornments from Bowser’s Castle to Pipes, Mushrooms, Question blocks, and more, as well as familiar faces like Goombas, Thwomps, Yoshi—the list goes on.

Accessing the site will bring you to an overview of the map. As you scroll down the website takes you on a virtual journey to each of its iconic attractions, all of which are designed to make you feel like you’re really in the world of Super Mario.

BOTANIST’s flagship shop BOTANIST Tokyo is set to begin serving up its spring season menu for the new year at its second floor BOTANIST Cafe from January 8 to March 31.

Quinoa Teapot Salad & Potage (Vegan-Friendly) | ¥1,500 (Tax Included)

A sophisticated salad of quinoa, crunchy carrot and red onion, tomato, and more, all served in a cute teapot.

Salmon Salad & Waffles | ¥1,500 (Tax Included)

Naturally sweet vegan waffles with lime-drizzled vegetables and served with slightly salted salmon and cream cheese. Pour over the maple syrup to make the cream cheese even richer and enjoy a completely different flavour.

Cherry Blossom Jelly & Fromage Mousse (Vegan-Friendly) | ¥50 (Tax Included)

Refreshing cherry blossom flavoured jelly made with rich and velvety soy cream. The cherry blossom petal topping and sparkly appearance of the jelly makes this a luxurious looking dessert.

Cherry Blossom Chiffon Cake | ¥800 (Tax Included)

A fluffy cherry blossom chiffon cake dusted with cherry blossom powder. It’s a sweet and subtly salty mix topped with fresh cream.

Left: Three Berry Smoothie, Right: Strawberry & Raspberry Sweet Sake Smoothie (Vegan-Friendly) | ¥850 Each (Before Tax)

The Three Berry Smoothie incorporates the chunky texture of strawberries, sweetness of blueberries, and tangy taste of raspberries, creating a rich but not overly-sweet beverage. The Strawberry & Raspberry Sweet Sake Smoothie is one to go for if you love amazake.

Strawberry Decoration Hot Chocolate (Collaboration Drink) | ¥800 (Tax Included)

This luxurious strawberry hot chocolate is made in collaboration with Dari K, a craft chocolate maker who uses high quality cacao beans from Indonesia.

Select items on the spring menu are available for takeout as well as via Uber Eats in Japan, perfect for enjoy an indoor hanami this year.

BOTANIST Tokyo’s first floor shop will also release its spring series of products, such as the limited edition Botanical Spring Hair Perfume.

The Kirby Cafe in Tokyo has announced a seasonal dish for the new year as part of the cafe’s “Sweet NEW YEAR 2021” celebration which it will begin serving from January 1, 2021.

Kirby Burger & New Year Dessert | ¥1,980 (Before Tax)

The dish comes with a miniature version of Kirby Cafe’s popular burger on a teeny-tiny plate measured at just 10cm in circumference.

The mini dish looks super cute lined up next to the cafe’s plush toys.

The plate that the food is served on comes as a free souvenir which you can take home with you after eating. These will be limited in stock so will be available while supplies last for the New Year.

Doraemon’s official shop Doraemon Future Department Store, which is located in Odaiba, Tokyo, is celebrating its 1st anniversary of opening this December by opening two limited-time shops in Osaka and Nagoya this month and January respectively. Fans can get their hands on a selection of exclusive merchandise and more.

Customise Service

The pop-up shops will offer a customisation service which lets customers have different embroideries put into the T-shirts, tote bags, and other merch they buy. The work is done on the spot by hand so you can see the result of what will be a very special item of which only one exists in the world. Perfect for Doraemon fans and gifts to friends and family.

Post Office

The shop will offer a postal service for sending off Doraemon letters and postcards with original Doraemon stamps.

Bonus Items

1st Anniversary Postcard

Mini Tote Bag

Those who buy anything from the department stores will receive a free 1st anniversary postcard. And for every ¥5,000 spent (tax included) they’ll get a mini tote bag. These are all limited in stock so you’ll want to get them while they’re hot.

If you’re in Osaka or Nagoya over the New Year be sure to pay a visit to the Doraemon Future Department Store pop-up shops.

©Fujiko-Pro

Hirakata Park in Osaka has announced a special collaborative event with San-X’s popular characters Rilakkuma and Sumikko Gurashi which will begin on March 6, 2021.

Park entrance

Rilakkuma and friends as well as the characters of Sumikko Gurashi will both have their own special pavilions raised at the park entrance. At the Rilakkuma tent, the cute bear and his comrades where will be showcasing their three fundamental elements that go into having a leisurely and relaxing time. Over at the Sumikko Gurashi tent, you’ll get a peek into the lives of these cute characters which are known for their lifestyle of dwelling in the corner.

The event will welcome a range of original Rilakkuma and Sumikko Gurashi themed food and merchandise too.

©2020 San-X Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

The KAWAII MONSTER CAFE in Harajuku is celebrating its 5th anniversary with a special collaboration with the multinational toy company Ty. The collaboration is running from December 18, 2020 to January 17, 2020.

©︎Ty Inc.Oak Brook,IL USA

Photo Spot: “My Ty Room”

©︎Ty Inc.Oak Brook,IL USA ©︎KAWAII MONSTER CAFE

KAWAII MONSTER CAFE’s iconic Mel-Tea-Room has been transformed into the “My Ty Room” with fluffy plush toys adoring a bed and making for a truly kawaii photo spot. There are also panels detailing more about Ty for people to get to know the brand more. If you’re in Japan for the kawaii experience, then look no further than this room for some Instagram-worthy shots.

人気エリアがTyギフトステージに

©︎Ty Inc.Oak Brook,IL USA ©︎KAWAII MONSTER CAFE

All of Ty’s toys have their own birthdays, so to celebrate everyone’s at the same time, KAWAII MONSTER CAFE’s popular “Sweets-Go-Round” area, which features a giant moving cake stage in the middle, has been turned into the “Ty Gift Stage.” Guests will find plush toys inside and dangling out of present boxes. There will also be an appearance of a mascot of a Ty toy that has never been showcased in Japan before.

Beanie Boos Reagan the Kitty (M) / Beanie Boos Enchanted the Owl (L) / Beanie Boos Tasha Leopard (KC)

If there’s a plush toy you’re interested in you can buy it at the cafe, including toys in Christmas colours for the holiday season. The toys come in three sizes, and there’s other merch to pick up too like key rings, pencil cases, and more.

Ty x KAWAII MONSTER CAFE Collab Menu

Six menu items combine Ty’s toys with KAWAII MONSTER CAFE’s kaleidoscopic world. This includes some of Ty’s most popular characters as well as the cafe’s own character Mr Choppy.

Collab Food Menu Excerpt

Colourful Dotty Curry | ¥1,300

A colourful vegetable curry inspired by Dotty the Leopard filled with carrots, daikon radishes, beets, and more.

Colourful Pop Buger – Mr Choppy | ¥1,480

A burger based on KAWAII MONSTER CAFE’s own Mr Choppy. It’s filled with sautéed chicken and covered in a honey mustard sauce.

Gilda the Flamingo Cake | ¥950

A fresh cream-filled cake made with chocolate mousse and sat on a fluffy pancake. It also has a cute rainbow just like the one in the cafe’s Ty room.

Fantasia Cupcake | ¥900

Fantasia the Unicorn has turned into a cute cupcake with an adorable marshmallow nose.

Colourful Christmas Heather Parfait | ¥2,400 (Available until December 25)

The cafe’s popular “Colourful Poison Parfait” has been turned into Heather the Unicorn Cat, topped with strawberry, lemon, and ramune ice cream.

Tower Records is promoting the upcoming release of the anime film Gintama The Final by turning two of its own Tower Records Cafe branches in Sapporo and Shibuya into Gintama-themed spaces serving inspired dishes and selling exclusive merchandise.

Merch Collab

Gintama x  Tower Records Trading Acrylic Key Rings (6 Designs) | ¥800 (Before Tax)

Gintama x  Tower Records Towel | ¥2,500 (Before Tax)

Get your hands on a Gintama x  Tower Records key ring or towel featuring the main cast wearing Tower Records aprons just like the real-life staff at the music store chain. These items are available to pick up at 41 Tower Records stores, three Tower Records Cafes, and their official website.

Cafe Collab

Tower Records Cafe has collaborated with numerous anime series before, but this will be its first with Gintama. Two menus will be rolled out, the first being served from January 1, 2021 to January 14, 2021 and the second from January 15, 2021 to January 24, 2021. The first menu is themed on the series’s six main characters while the second menu will be based around Gintama The Final as well as the two-part anime special Gintama The Semi-Final.

Menu ① (Excerpt)

Kagura’s Tenshidon With Kombu Salad | ¥1,480 (Before Tax)

Inspired by the heroine of Gintama, Kagura, and served with her favourite vinegar kombu salad.

Toshiro Hijikata’s Mayo Chicken Nanban | ¥1,480 (Before Tax)

Hijikata is known for his love of mayo, so it was only right that this mayo chicken nanban be served with three types of mayonnaise.

Gintoki’s Week’s Worth Of Sugar Parfait | ¥1,380 (Before Tax)

A strawberry-loaded parfait with plenty of sugar content, just how Gitoki likes it.

Kotaro Katsura’s Elizabeth Dessert | ¥1,380 (Before Tax)

An Elizabeth crepe with something hidden inside…

Gintoki’s Perm Drink | ¥750 (Before Tax)

A cotton candy dessert drink inspired by Gintoki’s luscious natural perm.

Shinsuke Takasugi’s Blueberry Smoothie | ¥750 (Before Tax)

A cool blueberry smoothie whose delicious flavour comes from it being chilled in the refrigerator.

Menu ② (Excerpt)

Yorozuya’s Special Curry | ¥1,480 (Before Tax)

Inspired by the friendship between the three members of Yorozuya, with the white rice representing Gintoki, the pink (sakura denbu) Kagura, and the blue (powdered cheese) Shinpachi.

Sadaharu’s Pancakes | ¥1,280 (Before Tax)

Inspired by the pet of Yorozuya, served with three sides representing the three members.

Shinpachi’s Ramune | ¥750 (Before Tax)

A ramune based on Shinpachi, topped with a cherry to express his cherry boy-ness!

Takeout-Only Menu

Gintama Quote Omurice | ¥1,280 (Before Tax)

Classic Japanese omurice served with one of six famous quotes in Japanese from the series. Not available at the Nagoya Sakae SKYLE or Umeda NU Chayamachi branches.

Yorozuya Gin-chan’s Takeout Drink | ¥900 (Before Tax)

A takeout drink based on Yorozuya Gin-chan with two different coloured jellies at the bottom to represent Shinpachi and Kagura with the white Calpis drink being Gintoki.

Bonus Items

Coasters (6 Designs)

Those who reserve the bonus item ticket at Ticket Pia machines will receive one of six possible Tower Records x Gintama coasters.

Menu ① Postcards (6 Designs)

Menu ② Postcards (6 Designs)

For every item ordered on the menu, you’ll get a free postcard. This includes takeout items.

Set of 3 Bookmarkers (6 Designs)

Those who order a food item, dessert, and a drink all together will get a set of three bookmarkers.

Lunch Mat (During Menu ② Servings Only)

Those who dine at the cafe during the second menuy serving will receive a free lunch mat featuring the key visual for Gintama The Semi-Final.

©空知英秋／劇場版銀魂製作委員会
©空知英秋／集英社・テレビ東京・電通・BNP・アニプレックス

To promote the release of Sailor Moon Eternal, Japanese company LEGS is opening up six limited-time cafes themed on the film in five cities across Japan, beginning with Tokyo and Nagoya on December 24, 2020.

Sailor Moon Eternal is an upcoming two-part anime film set to release in 2021, with the first part dropping on January 8 and the second on February 11. The cafes, which are inspired by the films, were designed in collaboration with popular art director WATARU LINDA IGARASHI.

“Eternal Memories” is the name of the concept for the cafes which will transport customers into a magical and elegant world.

The Menu

The cafe menu features an enchanting line-up of food, desserts, and drinks based on characters and references in the films.

Food & Dessert

Usagi’s Moon Floating Yogurt Bowl | Ami’s Aqua Sparkling Parfait | Rei’s Vivid Salmon Chirashi Sushi – ¥1,399 Each

Luna’s Black Sesame Paste Doughnut – ¥899 | Moon Crisis Milk Crepe!! – ¥1,599

Drinks

Usagi’s Eternal Soda | Ami’s Eternal Soda | Rei’s Eternal Soda | Makoto’s Eternal Soda | Minako’s Eternal Soda – ¥899 Each

Chibiusa’s Eternal Soda Jelly | Hotaru’s Eternal Soda Jelly – ¥999 Each

Original Merchandise

Merch line-up

The cafes will also sell their own original and exclusive merchandise to get fans excited for Sailor Moon Eternal.

Bonus Items

Customers who book a table in advance (¥650 per person before tax) will receive one of six possible face mask faces, and for every drink ordered, one of 11 original paper coasters.

©Naoko Takeuchi・PNP / Sailor Moon Eternal Production Committee

Japanese company LEGS is opening up ‘BANANA FISH Cafe and Bar – galleries -‘ in Ikebukuro, Tokyo for a limited time from December 17, 2020 to January 24, 2021. The cafe will serve up food, drink, desserts, and merchandise based on New York, which is the setting of the Banana Fish series, and the series characters.

Banana Fish is a manga series written and illustrated by Akimi Yoshida. It was serialised in Bessatsu Shojo Comic from 1985 to 1994. An anime series aired in 2018 on Fuji TV’s Noitamina programming block and other channels which garnered the series many fans of all ages.

The cafe comes as a follow up to the 2018 and 2019 limited-time Banana Fish cafes which were also opened by LEGS. This year takes on an ‘art gallery’ theme, in which diners can immerse themselves in with a line-up of artwork to decorate the cafe.

The Menu (Excerpt/Pre-Tax Prices)

Food

Ohashinokuni Breakfast | ¥1,399

A stylish assortment of individual foods such as natto garnished with olives and salt, zakkoku millet, fried mackerel, and more.

N.Y. HOTDOG STAND | ¥1,499

A hot dog set menu with two different hot dogs to choose from, served with a choice of a side such as fries and a drink. Comes with one of two Banana Fish paper napkins.

Desserts

N.Y. Style Pancakes | ¥1,299

Classic New York-style buttermilk pancakes loaded with ice cream and banana, finished with a squirt of whipped cream, and drizzled in maple syrup.

N.Y. Style Doughnut Set | ¥999

Choose from three different doughnuts topped with pistachios and nuts together with a drink such as coffee for a classic American cafe-stop break. Comes with one of two Banana Fish paper napkins.

nori² Christmas Set ¥1,099 | nori² New Year Set ¥1,099

The nori² Christmas Set is a parfait made like a Christmas cake with sponge and strawberries. Available December 17, 2020-December 25, 2020 only.

The nori² New Year Set is a Japanese-style parfait filled with anko red bean paste, rice flour dumplings, and peach. Drizzling the mitarashi sauce over the parfait is a must! Available January 5, 2021-January 11, 2021 only.

Drinks

From Left: Ash / Eiji / Shorter / Shin / Lee | ¥799 Each

Fruity and colourful drinks inspired by four characters from Banana Fish.

Bonus Items

Customers who book a visit to the cafe in advance (¥650 per person before tax) will receive one of six possible face mask cases. Visitors will also get one of 15 replica tickets.

Additionally, for every drink ordered, they can get a free coaster from 7 possible designs.

Original Merchandise (Pre-Tax Prices)

Character Acrylic Badge (7 Designs) ¥650 Each / Memory Acrylic Badge (10 Designs) ¥650 Each

Clear Multi Case (3 Designs) ¥1,000 Each / Towel Handkerchief Set (Contains 2) ¥1,550 Each

The cafe will sell a range of original and exclusive merchandise both at the cafe and via their online shop too, so don’t miss out.

Availability Period: December 17, 2020 at 10:00 – January 24, 2021 at 23:59
Early Bird Bonus Item: One replica ticket (15 designs) *Available until December 31, 2020

Lose yourself in the world of Banana Fish at this very special limited-time cafe.

©Akimi Yoshida・Shogakukan / Project BANANA FISH

Sarutahiko Coffee released a Christmas-exclusive seasonal flavour of its popular Jellatte dessert drink on Tuesday (December 1) which it’s calling the “Maroron Merry Pudding Jellatte.”

Maroron Merry Pudding Jellatte | ¥750 (Before Tax)

The beverage is the second in this year’s Christmas themed drinks to be released by Sarutahiko Coffee. It uses a coffee jelly base made from Ethiopian coffee beans and contains layers of mascarpone cheese from Italy, a chocolate sauce made from Cacao Hunters chocolate, milk pudding, four kinds of mixed berry jellies, pistachio milk pudding, milk foam, and to top it all off, chocolate pieces and pistachios.

The pistachio and mascarpone bring a richness to the dessert drink which blends deliciously with the freshness of the berries and full-bodied coffee for a combination that’s like a warm and cosy Christmas hug.