Last October, Zepp Divercity, Tokyo was filled with excitement and thrill as the Anime Rave Festival Vol.2 took place, which saw the appearance of a brand new DJ at the scene: Arisa Komiya from OMOTENASHI BEATS.

What’s more, it hasn’t even been two months since the DJ released her CD full of non-stop anisongs called SUPER OMOTENASHI BEATS vol.1 × DJ Arisa Komiya on October 2 and she has already leaped across a border for her first ever overseas performance at Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2019,  which flies the flag for Japanese culture and aims to spread the love for Japanese music. The festival was held at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Arisa Komiya took to the stage on the second day of Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2019. The floor shook in beat to the thudding fans and the entire evening was a great success. The DJ’s kicked off her overseas debut at C3AFA AKIBA STAGE, which was met with a swarm of hiphop fans. Next, she performed on the LUMICA stage, which saw a sea of penlights sway in beat, each fan unshakable with admiration. Komiya left the venue being assured of her strong fanbase in Singapore. 

 

DJ Arisa Komiya is sure to continue performing in Japan and overseas. Keep an eye on her and OMOTENASHI BEATS because they are sure to have a lot in store for everyone.

Shin Kabuki-za is an old theatre in Osaka that has been loved by locals since it opened in 1926. The theatre is set to find new life as Hotel Royal Classic Osaka, a new hotel developed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma which is set to open on December 1, 2019. The MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON editorial team received exclusive access to view the hotel before it opens to report on it and showcase how it differs completely from other hotels with its characteristic charms.

 

Its direct connect to Namba Station means super easy access

Hotel Royal Classic Osaka is situated in the central part of Osaka Minami. Direct access to the hotel from the Osaka Metro section of Namba Station will be made available from March 2020, allowing for easy access and the reassurance that you won’t get lost wandering the streets trying to find your accommodation. Its location means easy access for tourists and travellers with a lot of luggage, working professionals who want to shorten the distance between commutes as much as possible, and pretty much any other scenario where accessibility is a priority.

 

An iconic building exterior combining tradition and modern innovation

Shin Kabuki-za is known by the locals who live in the area for its magnificent karahafu roof gables. The hotel will inherit this symbolic part of the theatre’s design and restore the lower part of the building. The upper part makes use of multiple layers of aluminium to create a dynamic and intricate design, resulting in a unique appearance that fuses both the traditional formation of the original theatre with a modern touch. Thanks to Kengo Kuma’s skillful architectural work, the building merges effortlessly with the surrounding buildings while retaining the local culture.

 

It’s as much of an art museum as a hotel

Olympic Girl 100m by Ay-O (Takao Iijima)

The hotel also stands tall and proud as an art museum. As you walk down its corridors, your eyes will meet a plethora of gorgeous pieces of artwork which serve to lay guests into a sense of calmness and tranquility. These works are scattered throughout the hotel, both at the front desk, guest rooms, and elsewhere, making it feel like you have really stepped into a museum of art. High-class pieces also line the walls nonchalantly, so give yourself time to appreciate the many masterpieces you’ll find there.

  

High ceilings create spaceーspace which is nothing less than relaxing

There are 150 guest rooms in total, consisting of Standard Rooms, Premium Rooms, and Suite Rooms. Not only does each and every room boast a beautiful and panoramic window view of Osaka’s nightscape, they also enjoy high ceilings, creating a sense of space and freedom.

Wood is the base of all the rooms, giving them a natural and relaxed feeling. The furniture is simple which gives the rooms a minimalist design, again adding to the space and sense of luxury. We stayed in one of the Standard Rooms. Don’t let going for Standard make you feel inferior, however, as we felt the room was incredibly spacious with plenty of space to store luggage.

Room lighting is controlled with a tablet located next to the bed. The tablets are compatible in four languages. Each icon on them also has universally easy-to-recognise pictures for easy use.

Also, the bathtubs in Standard Rooms have a little window that looks into the main bedroom. If you’re with someone you’re on good terms with, whether friends, family or a loved one, you can communicate back and forth while you take a soak. (There is of course a sliding door so you can close it off too!)

We were also shown around one of the Suite Rooms which are fitted with a living room and spacious washroom. It really is penthouse-level extraordinary.

The bathrooms have a window that looks out across the city nightscape, allowing for an indulging soak with a breathtaking view. It’s not one we could afford every single time we book a hotel, on a special occasion one time it’s an absolute definite.

 

Amenities galore to pamper your hair and body

The rooms come with a long line-up of fantastic amenities, like comfy cotton PJs, fluffy slippers, and our personal favourite: a compressed bag for your clothing. 

The amenities in the washroom were bountiful too, from shampoo to conditioner, shower gel and body gelーall of which, by the way, are by the Thai organic brand Panpuri. They all smelled incredible and filled the bathroom with their gorgeous scent.

They have all your ordinary must-haves too like a hair comb, cotton buds, toothbrush, and so on.

 

KUMO KUMO: The bar and lounge with comfy sofas

The hotel building has a total of twenty floors. After enjoying our time in the hotel portion, we headed up to the bar and lounge KUMO KUMO on the 20th floor. Inside the elevator, piano music plays while you gaze at the several pieces of art fitted inside. There was even a piece by Yayoi Kusama, so be sure to take a look.

When entering KUMO KUMO, there’s not only seats at the counter, but lots of sofas too with a window view.

Jazz music flowed through the bar and lounge, which is best enjoyed with a cup of delicious sake while staring out over nighttime Osaka.

 

HAFU is a restaurant for guests only that serves breakfast.

Their menu consists of lots of healthy options, from fruits to salads.

The chef will also prepare fresh hotel-grade egg and meat dishes too, amongst other delicious delights. There’s also a range of slim-friendly menu items made with foreign guests in mind. The assortment was truly incredible, we can’t recommend this place enough.

Of course, there’s yogurt, mini sweets and other dessert-like morning treats to indulge in too. It was a breakfast for the gods.

 

YURAYURA: A restaurant that combines Japanese and Western cuisine

The team enjoyed lunch at YURAYURA too, a buffet-style restaurant that also seats non-guests. Their menu is an amalgamation of the Japanese and Western palate, serving carefully-selected ingredients from countries around the world.

They had various foods from around Asia too like nasi goreng from Indonesia, as well as Korean japchae, and more.

Other things we spotted were pincho and small-cut sweets too.

For Japanese food there were things like freshly-fried tempura, and large cuts of roast beef which were cut there and then by the chef.

 

What I was personally happy about was their cafe menu, with things like cafe latte and other hot drinks. It was a satisfying 90-minutes spent, wolfing down food and then enjoying some sweets with a cafe latte.

 

5 spaces that can be used for weddings, parties & more

The hotel building even houses two chapels, as well as banquet halls, which can be used for weddings, parties and more. The chapels have large windows that let in plenty of natural sunlight. The use of natural wood also gives the room a warm feeling to it.

Floor 8’s HANAEMI

There are five banquet halls in total each on a different floor and each with their own concept. Those on floors 7, 8 and 9 even have terraces for parties too. Whether you’re having a party, a wedding, or a conference, there is a room for you.

Hotel Royal Classic Osaka’s speciality is its inclusion of leaving a part of traditional Japan in there while still letting you feel the Japan of today. Whether you’re travelling to Osaka for some sightseeing and fun, or you’re in the business scene and need a regular-use hotel, look no further. We felt connected to Osaka in our experience there, so if you’re planning a trip to Osaka, be sure to book with Namba’s newest landmark.

The Harajuku, Yokohama and Umeda branches of the Pompompurin Cafeーthe cafe chain centred on Sanrio’s popular character Pompompurinーis serving up two cute Christmas menu items this year from December 1 to 25.

*Food names below are translated from Japanese

Hurry Up Santa – Pompompurin Cheese Keema Curry – ¥1,290 (Before Tax)

This rich and spicy keema curry is made with Parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, and natural cheese. The colourful stars are made from carrot and paprika, while the spiralled Christmas cheese is a combination of spinach and mashed potato. Purin is made of rice and is waiting in anticipation for Santa to deliver his present. You’ll see he’s holding a stocking which is a made from bread and walleye pollack mayo. A hearty dish that is both delicious and adorable

Snowman Pompompurin – Snow Covered Chocolate Tart ¥1,190 (Before Tax)

Pompompurin has turned into a vanilla ice cream snowman and is standing next to a pistachio cream Christmas tree. They are both atop a rich chocolate tart. This cute dessert is like a Christmas garden straight out of a children’s picture book.

If you decide you want to spend your Christmas with Pompompurin this year, then you’ll receive a free lunch mat when you order food and a free coaster when you get a drink. These are both limited in quantity, so don’t miss out!

 

©1996, 2019 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO.S603310

A new character café themed around the sweet and adorable Sanrio character My Melody will open on the 7th floor of HEP FIVE, which is just a three-minute walk from HANKYU Umeda Station in Osaka. The café is set to open on December 5 and will be Japan’s first permanent My Melody Café.

Once you enter the café, you will be immersed in a world of pink, green and white pastel colours. Take a seat in the pleasant British garden-themed café surrounded by roses. Sanrio friends My Melody, My Sweet Piano and Kuromi are relaxing in the garden, enjoying afternoon tea together in the soothing atmosphere. 

 

Food Menu

My Melody European-Style Curry ¥1,490 ＋ tax

Kuromi’s Green Flower Prawn and Avocado Doria: ¥1,390 ＋ tax 

My Sweet Piano’s Fluffy and Foamy Pollock Roe Pasta ♪ ¥1,390 ＋ tax

 

Dessert Menu

My Melody’s Hide-And-Seek in the Strawberry Mountain Parfait: ¥1,690 ＋ tax 

Kuromi’s Tiramisu Flower Pot: ¥1,490 ＋ tax

Giant Blooming Flower Pancake: ¥1,490 ＋ tax

 

The café’s original menu is bursting with the cuteness of My Melody and her friends. You won’t be able to resist posting your photos of the interior and food on Instagram. 

 

Original Merchandise 

Make sure to take a photo with My Melody and friends at one of the photo spots in the café and check out the large variety of My Melody café-limited goods which cannot be purchased anywhere else. The above photo shows just a small selection of the cute goods that are available. 

Customers who enjoy a meal in the My Melody Café will receive a free placemat and sticker. If you order a drink, you will receive a free drink coaster. These are in limited stock so if you want them, make sure to visit the café as soon as you can.

 

©1976, 2005, 2019 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO.S603311

The new cafe TOKYO BOX CAFE&SPACE will open in Omotesando, Harajuku on November 21, 2019.

The cafe will serve as a space to promote artists, franchises and more by collaborating with them. For the grand opening, the cafe’s first collaboration will be with Japanese idol group Keyakizaka46 which will run for a limited period from November 21, 2019 to January 13, 2020. The collaboration will subsequently move to Osaka and Nagoya where it will open on November 22 and 28 respectively.

 

The names of cafe menu dishes below are translated from Japanese.

 

Cafe Menu

Break the Cheese! – ¥1,690

This cheesy pasta dish is made with crispy cheese, the spaghetti is bathed in a rich cheese sauce, and the plate is finished with delicious seafood. Break the cheese up and tuck in!

Black Vegetable Curry – ¥1,590

The quirk of this veggie-packed meal is the black colour of the curry. Topped with okra, tomatoes, Japanese mustard greens, sunny-side up egg and more, this nutritional dish is sure to fill your belly.

2 People Season Pancakes – ¥1,790

For the sweet-tooths out there, they can look forward to forking into some chocolatey pancakes lathered sweetly in blueberry sauce and blueberry cream. Between the pancakes are fruits and chocolate to create a pancake sandwich, and adorning the plate is more chocolate, fruit, and blue dragées.

Humility! Kindness! Bonds! Shining Brightly, Keyakizaka46 Parfait – ¥1,690

Named after one of the group’s catchphrases, this matcha parfait is green which is a colour that symbolises Keyakizaka46. It’s piled with chocolate, macarons, ice cream, warabimochi and more for a truly hearty and mouth-watering dessert.

Late-Night Herb Tea – ¥890

During those nights when you can’t fall asleep, there’s nothing better than some refreshing herbal tea.

Matcha Milk That Stays Hot Even When It Blows In The Wind – ¥890

Nothing beats a cup of hot matcha milk during the cold weather. Coloured green like the group’s iconic colour, this gorgeous, garden-like beverage is sure to warm up your mind and body.

 

Exclusive Merchandise

T-Shirt (White) – ¥3,100

Acrylic Keyring – ¥900

Tote Bag – ¥1,800

 

Bonus Items

Those who book a table in advance  (¥650 per person, tax excluded) and order something from the menu will randomly receive one of 26 possible trading cards pictured above.

If you order something from the food or dessert menu, you’ll also receive one of 26 possible signed mini cards, chosen randomly.

Finally, if you get a drink, you can get one of these 8 possible coasters, also chosen randomly.

 

This is just a small peek into what’s to come at the cafesーthere are more drinks, dishes and merchandise to get your hands on, so don’t miss out.

 

*All listed menu item prices do not include tax

*All listed merchandise items include tax

*Photos are for illustrative purposes only

©Seed & Flower LLC.

The Akihabara (Tokyo) and Nanbasennichimae (Osaka) branches of the Sega Collabo Cafe are set to collaborate with the TV anime series The New Princess of Tennis from December 6.

Fans can look forward to tucking into food, drinks and desserts inspired by characters in the series. There will also be exclusive Sega Collabo Cafe merchandise on sale in collaboration with the series, as well as other goodies like an original coaster which you get when ordering a drink.

 

The collaboration will run from December 6, 2019 to January 26, 2020. During that time, there will be three different slots, each featuring different menu options.

 

Drinks Menu (All 3 Periods) – ¥600 Each (Before Tax)

・Seigaku

・Hyoutei

・Rikkaidai

・Higa

・Shitenhoji

 

*Photo is for illustrative purposes only. May differ from actual product.

 

Food Menu – ¥1,200 Each (Before Tax)

Slot ①: December 6, 2019 – December 20, 2019

・Taka-san’s Specially-Made Mille-Feuille Sushi

・Higa Soba

 

Slot ②: December 21, 2019 – January 10, 2020

・Invincible Rikkaidai Soy Ramen

・Ryoma’s American SABA Burger

 

Slot ③: January 11, 2020 – January 26, 2020

・Hyoutei Truffle Pasta

・Okonomiyaki

 

Only one of each of these dishes will be sold each day per slot, and it will be determined by whichever is ordered during the first order of that day.

 

Dessert Menu – ¥1,000 Each (Before Tax)

Slot ①: December 6, 2019 – December 20, 2019

・Hyoutei’s Victory Parfait

・Shitenhoji Parfait

 

Slot ②: December 21, 2019 – January 10, 2020

・Higa Parfait
・Karupin Parfait

 

Slot ③: January 11, 2020 – January 26, 2020

・Seigaku Parfait

・Rikkaidai Parfait

 

Food, Drink & Dessert Menu Bonus Items

For every meal, drink or dessert ordered at the cafe, customers will receive an original coaster. Designs are given randomly, and there are 11 different ones for each slot as pictured above in respective order.

 

Sega Collabo Cafe Exclusive Merchandise

Releasing: December 6, 2019

Hologram Pin Badges (11 Designs) – ¥500 Each (Before Tax)

Superdeformed Pin Badges (11 Designs) – ¥400 Each (Before Tax)

 

There is much more merchandise for fans to get their hands on too. Both cafes are reservation-only, so book your table now on the official website below.

 

©Takeshi Konomi / Shueisha・NAS・The New Prince of Tennis Project

©SEGA

If you’ve not yet been to the Pompompurin Cafe, or this is your first time hearing about itーthemed entirely on Sanrio’s popular character Pompompurinーthen their two new menu items, available this autumn for the entire month of November, is sure to pull you in.

 

As the leaves turn red and gold and people order pumpkin spiced lattes for takeout, the Harajuku, Yokohama and Umeda branches of the Pompompurin Cafe want to get in on the autumnal action too. So they have created a special chicken stew and fruit gratin, served as colourful as the season itself is and perfect during any time of the day when your belly is calling for nutrition.

Chicken Brown Stew: Strolling Along While Looking at the Autumn Colours – ¥1,290 (Before Tax)

This chicken stew features Pompompurin and his best friend and hamster Muffin. The dish depicts a scene of both of them strolling and getting along while looking at the autumn leaves. Purin is made from rice and sits inside the rich stew while a mashed potato Muffin perches on top of him wearing his hat.  They are surrounded by carrots and other veggies made to look like the vibrant leaves of Japan’s maple and ginkgo trees.

Fruit Gratin: Hot Spring Warm-Up – ¥1,090 (Before Tax)

If you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth but also want to warm up then look no further than at Pompompurin and Muffin relaxing together in the hot spring that is this fruit gratin dessert. Purin is made from pumpkin flavoured ice cream while Muffin is of the vanilla kind. They are warming themselves up in a fruit-packed custard cream sauce. The fruit is drizzled in sauce and cooked to make the fruit even sweeter and intensify its flavour. Did you see the cute towels on their heads too? Many people do this in Japan when getting into the hot spring (or “onsen”), and you might have seen it if you watch anime too.

 

The fall fun doesn’t stop there however, as all people who dine at the cafe will receive the lunch mat pictured below, and everyone who orders a drink will get a coaster. Available while supplies last.

Lunch Mat (3 Designs)

Coaster (1 Design)

 

Stay warm while its cold at the Pompompurin Cafe this autumn.

 

©1996, 2019 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO.S602780

Worried about what to wear for Halloween this year? No need to panic. If you’re spending your Halloween in Shibuya this year, which is known the world over for its incredible Halloween festivities, then head to Tokyo Culture Culture on October 27 where a very unique event is taking place.

Jimi Halloween is an event that takes out the stress of having to go all out for Halloween as people go dressed as ordinary people. It has been held annually since 2014, with the number of attendees growing each year. Over 800 people took part last year, all clad in their plain clothes.

 

This year’s event will be split into three slots, with a capacity of 200 people per slot. Sign-ups begin on October 15 at 12:00pm (JST).

 

 

Past Examples

①Situational attire

Beauty salon client

Dressing up as someone doing something has been a popular choice at the event recently. You can come up with some creative ideas that’ll make people say, “You came as that?!”

 

②”I’ve seen people like that!” attire

Flea market woman

There’s always certain types of people that everyone sees, and in Japan this is one of them!

 

③”I get it, but I don’t get it” attire

Hawaii vibe  uncle

You’ve heard all about them, but have you seen them?

 

④Work attire

Handing out tissues with pachinko ads on them

Work attire is a go-to at the plain clothes event. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that this is the one that started the entire movement.

 

⑤Miscellaneous attire

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

The final entry is those which are hard to categorise. They serve whatever vibes they are feeling.

 

Attend this year’s event and show off your own unique ideas!

LEGS COMPANY opened two cafes themed on the hit anime film Weathering with You in Tokyo and Osaka on October 8 and October 10 respectively. The cafes will run for a limited time only.

We paid a visit to the Tokyo branch which opened inside OMOTESANDO BOX CAFE & SPACE which is only a 7-minute walk from Omotesando Station.

 

The new blockbuster hit from internationally-acclaimed animator and film director Makoto Shinkai Weathering with You dropped back on July 19 and has since amassed over 13 billion yen (approximately US$131 million) in the box office. It was seen by 7.5 million people in the first 34 days of its release, and over 10 million after 75 days. Its huge success has cemented itself in the Japanese animated film industry as another monumental masterpieces from Shinkai. The film has also been nominated for Best International Feature Film for the upcoming 92nd Academy Awards set to take place on February 9, 2020.

While sat in the cafe you can watch scenes from the film on the giant screens while the main songs performed by RADWIMPS play.

 

The cafe menu features a line-up of drinks, dishes and desserts inspired by the characters and moments in the series, including the chahan set prepared by Hina for Hodaka, the Hodaka Welcome Party Set, and more.

Teru Teru Omurice – ¥1,490

This is the dish I ordered to eat. I couldn’t resist how cute it was. It’s inspired by the teru teru bōzu that Nagi makes, a traditional Japanese doll used to prevent rain and bring good weather. The doll’s head is made of mashed potato. He’s sat on a bed of ketchup rice filled with vegetables and bathed in a delicious sauce. This one’s too cute it almost seems a waste to eat♡

Nagi’s Teru Teru Bōzu À La Mode – ¥1,490

For dessert I ordered another teru teru bōzu treat. This one is made from gyūhi, a type of Japanese confection made from rice flour. Its head is filled with vanilla ice cream, and if you turn it over, you’ll find Japanese pudding underneath, and under that granola. It’s finished with a lining of bright blue lychee jelly around the outside for a hint of freshness.

 

The cafe offers plenty of other dishes that will leave any Weathering with You fans spoiled for choice.

Hina’s Handmade Sesame Oil Infused Pea Sprout Potato Chahan Set – ¥1,490

A chahan set lovingly prepared by Hina for Hodaka. Chop up the spring onions that come on the side and add them to the soup just like Hina does in the film! This is a hearty set sure to fill you up.

Hodaka’s Welcome Party Set – ¥1,590

This one-person set was made lovingly by Natsume when Hodaka comes to work at the same company as her, K&A. If you’re looking for a healthy green meal packed with veggies then you’ll love this one.

Clearing Up Weather Tiramisu – ¥1,490

This refreshing matcha tiramisu is inspired by the scene when Hina and Hodaka reunite, with the sauce representing the sunlight and the cotton candy the rainy clouds. Pour the sauce over the cotton candy and watch the clouds clear up.

Acai Bowl of the World’s Secrets – ¥1,390

Enjoy the main key visual of the film right on top of your plate. The mild flavour of the yogurt coupled with the refreshing kiwi is a mouth-watering combination. The colours are really beautiful, too.

Swirling Snow Whipped Latte – ¥990

Inspired by the immense snow that spirals around Tokyo in the film, a cup of this whipped cream latte is perfect as a post-meal wind-down.

Left: The Fine Weather That Day (Grapefruit) – ¥1,690 / Right: The Sunset That Day (Cranberry) – ¥1,690

These two drinks are for takeout, and are based on iconic scenes in the film, specifically when the turns fine and the sunset. They are served in exclusive cafe-original bottles. Both flavours are sweet, sour and refreshing. Plus, you can reuse the bottles.

If you order one of the many drinks from the menu you’ll receive one of six possible coasters chosen randomly.

The cafe has plenty of exclusive merchandise on their shelves too.

Sparkly Rain Smartphone Case (7/8 Ver. & X Ver.) – ¥3,900 Each

When you shake these iPhone cases, it looks like the rain is falling.

Raindrop Stickers (10 Designs) – ¥400

Don’t you just want to collect all of these cute raindrop stickers?

If you book a seat in advance (¥650 before tax per person) you will receive one of six possible bromide pictures chosen randomly, so don’t forget to reserve in advance.

 

Plunge yourself into the world of Weathering with You at either one of these cafes, now running until November 17.

 

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

©️2019 “Weathering with You” Production Committee

The 25th Kobe Luminarie light festival will take place from December 6 to 15. The theme of this year’s festival is “25 Years, Guided by the Light of Hope” (Original Italian title: Da 25 anni, guidati dalle luci della speranza).

Kobe Luminarie is an illumination festival that has been held annually since 1995 in commemoration of the Great Hanshin earthquake which hit Kobe that year on January 17. The event has continued as a symbol of hope for Kobe and has also become a festival associated with the winter season. Last year’s festival saw around 3.43 million people in attendance.

The “Light Bulbs” make a comeback radiating their warm light

Formerly the doorstep to foreign culture, Nakamachi-dori, lined with countless tasteful stores, will be lined with around 270 meters’ worth of decorations. The entrance decoration, named Frontone, stands almost 22 meters tall with three towering gates each connected to each other. The Sparri Ara is a wide wall of lights which runs 50 meters from Frontone all the way to Kyomachisuji Crossing. And as a special instalment to the 25th run of the festival, the light bulbs used at the first festival will be strung up to create another wall illumination from Itomachi to the East block which will be dubbed the “Memorial Zone.”

The event’s largest light dome

In the eastern amusement park plaza, Cassa Armonica―an illuminated church structure set up every year―will be enveloped in a large 21 meter high dome featuring an arch for the first time standing 4 meters tall in the memorial area

 

Over in the floral clock area, the Sparri Ara wall lights twinkle beside the wisteria trees. The lights will change and transform to the sound of the music. Attendees will also be able to pick up small gifts too as well as take pictures at the various photo spots.

 

Earthquake Talk Booth

Talks will be held discussing the origins of Kobe Luminarie and why it started. Earthquake survivors will also talk about their real experiences.

International Creative Director and Executive Producer Daniel Monteverde, who has been working with Luminaire for 20 years, made the following comment: “The city of Kobe will bustle once again this year, which will mark 25 years. People will fill the streets and look to the sky while they wait for the chime of the bell to signal the illuminations. We hold the memories of the people we lost 25 years ago close to our hearts. I hope we can convey our hopes and dreams and our story to our children and the young people who will bear the next generation. I hope people will be proud of Kobe which has recovered from the earthquake.”

 

He continues: “The Kobe Luminarie lights will shine once more for Hyogo, for Japan, and for the world. These lights are a symbol of each and every person’s devotion, their efforts, and their love. I pray that the Luminarie lights will send a message of hope to the world and continue shining in our hearts for the rest of time.” * Full comment translated from Japanese

fennica is a fashion label associated with BEAMS that combines traditional Japanese handicraft with new and old designs collected from Northern Europe. The label has announced that it will collaborate with the Akan Tourism Association (法人阿寒観光協会まちづくり推進機構) non-profit organisation to release an all-new collection that incorporates traditional Ainu crafts.

Terry Ellisーthe London-based director of fennicaーand Keiko Kitamura observed Ainu culture in the Lake Akan area in Kushiro, Hokkaido, and have used the creative beauty of young craftsmen and craftswomen who are in charge of next-generation Ainu culture. Overtime they have worked together with the artisans to create an original collection entitled “Ainu Crafts from Lake Akan: Tradition and Innovation” which will be sold on the fifth floor of the Shinjuku branch of BEAMS Japan in the fennica studio and B Gallery from October 12.

The collection incorporates silver jewellery with Ainu patterns, wood-carved cutlery, hamper bags made with traditional materials, and many other lifestyle items familiar to Ainu culture. During the showcasing, there will be other exhibitions related to Ainu in the gallery, as well as talks, live performances, and more.

 

A special webpage went live on October 1 talking about this collaboration.

The collection’s director Terry Ellis commented: “When I was walking around Takiguchi’s store Ichigen No Mise, my attention focused on this cutlery. I felt the folklore in its simplicity. Though it’s an item to be used, the craftsmanship is incredible. You can’t just stop at one, you want to collect more and decorate with them.” *Translated from Japanese

 

Keiko Kitamura, also a director for the collection, commented: “Akan is a rare kind of place, with mountains, rivers, lakes and forests. It has its own shapes and colours because of the light, colours and sounds which change intensely with time and soak into your body. And Ainu art is distinct from the traditional craftsmanship of other countries and regions because in almost all categories you can still produce it even today. There are [Ainu] people who are still continuing to make art for their family to this day. Their still being here is something valuable.”

 

She continues: “Japan’s handiwork is in danger of vanishing across all areas of the country. Even if there are no successors, there are people who have been beside them watching, and people who were once involved in the past. So we may barely just make it. Because if this handiwork comes to a stop, it will be no more. We feel a sense of duty to protect this wonderful work.”

It has been seven years since Sarabeth Levine took her New York-based cafe and restaurant Sarabeth’s to Japan back in 2012. To celebrate, the establishment will hold a special one-night event with a commemorative menu.

“Fermented Foods” is the theme of the event, which will see an incredible line-up of premium dishes. There will also be a talk by Sarabeth Levine herself who will be in attendance.

The menu line-up features a range of healthy fermented foods, like pancakes and Eggs Benedict, while drinks options include lemonade with fermented syrup, goishicha tea from Aichi Prefecture, and more. There will also be Sarabeth cookies which you can take home with you.