Tea Shop ‘Tsuboichi Seicha Honpo’ to Open at Namba SkyO

14.October.2018 | FOOD / SPOT

Tsuboichi Seicha Honpo was first established 185 years ago as a tea wholesale store in Sakai, the birthplace of Sen no Rikyū, a historical figure considered to have had the most influence on the Japanese ‘Way of Tea.’

The company have several locations dotted around Osaka, and they’re set to add another to the list on October 17 when Saryou Tsuboichi Seicha Honpo opens at Namba SkyO.

The new shop will be split into three spaces: the café space, shop space and takeout space. The café space is based on the ‘house in a mountain town area’ concept advocated by Sen no Rikyū. Tea experts will make delicious cups of tea one by one in a relaxed environment which can be enjoyed with handmade sweets that elevate the flavour of the tea.

 

In the shop space you can get your hands on a range of Japanese teas carefully judged and selected by Tsuboichi’s tea connoisseurs in addition to Japanese sweets made using high quality tea, a range of products perfect as gifts, and more. The takeout area is also the first ever at any of Tsuboichi’s locations.

Shinise Honpo no Ocha Man (Matcha): ¥280 (Pre-Tax)

Matcha Smoothie (Rich): ¥280 (Pre-Tax)

For the takeout menu too, the beverages served are poured fresh after your order so you can get the full taste of Tsuboichi’s tea. Drinks include sencha, matcha, a rich-flavoured matcha latte, houjicha latte and more. The shop’s Ocha Man (Matcha) and the Matcha Smoothie and Houjicha Smoothe―both of which you can choose the richness of―are particular must-tries. All three are available at this new branch only.

 

There’s also a workshop taking place for foreign tourists on the 5th floor of Namba SkyO where people can experience tradition and culture hands on. In line with this, the new Tsuboichi Seicha Honpo shop will sell an original tea and coffee blend for the first time. Around 10 types of single origin tea leaves can be picked from.

 

If you’re looking to test of lots of different Japanese teas then look no further than Saryou Tsuboichi Seicha Honpo in Namba.

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  • 6 Autumn Drinks & Desserts Available in Japan This Year―Matcha, Sweet Potato & More

    14.October.2018 | FEATURES / FOOD

    There is a Japanese phrase that says “fall is the best season for eating” (食欲の秋; shokuyoku no aki). When fall arrives in Japan with all of its beautiful red and yellow colours, so do all of the delicious drinks and desserts. We have compiled a list of 6 that we want to recommend to our readers.

     

    “Tapioca Hōjicha Milk Tea” @ Chun Sui Tang (From September 26)

    Taiwanese cafe Chun Sui Tang released their new original Japanese-style Tapioca Hōjicha Milk Tea on September 26. Hōjicha, a type of Japanese green tea that involves roasting the tea leaves in a specific way, is fused with tapioca milk tea. The new creation introduces a new way to enjoy flavours. As the tea leaves are sourced from Shizuoka, all the raw ingredients are free from additives and are 100% national produce. A master tea specialist carefully roasts the tea leaves using a far infrared roaster and continues the process until the stem is reached. At this point, the tea is turned into a fine powder and a wonderful aroma drifts through the air. The texture of the chewy tapioca combined with the mildly bitter Hōjicha milk and fluffy cream makes for a great combination. Enjoy a wonderful Japanese-style original tapioca drink which makes for a great dessert! Available this Autumn only!

     

    ■Information

    Tapioca Hōjicha Milk Tea (Hot/ Iced)

    Tapioca Adzuki Milk Tea (Hot/Iced)

    Price: ¥600 + tax

    Released: September 26, 2018

    Available at all Chun Sui Tang stores. (Can also order to take away)

     

    Chun Sui Tang (春水堂) Official Website: https://www.chunshuitang.jp/

     

     

    Autumnal Japanese-Style Desserts @ Pie Holic (September 14 – October 31)

    Pie Holic is a Japanese pie shop that specialises in making Californian style pies. They are now selling four new Japanese-style desserts this autumn only at their Roppongi and Yokohama branches. The list includes the crunchy Doraimo Pie on top of which sits a fluffy dorayaki topped with a light whipped cream and rich, naturally sweet purple sweet potato cream. There’s also the Soybean Mochi Pie, a luxurious dessert filled with chewy warabimochi.

     

    ■Information

    Pie Holic Roppongi

    Address: 6-2-31 Roppongi, Minato Ward, Tokyo

    Opening Hours: 11:00am-8:00pm

    No Fixed Holidays.

    TEL: 03-5776-7500

    Official Website: http://www.tgn.co.jp/hall/yokohama/ph/66/

     

    Pie Holic Yokohama

    Address: 1-3-1 Shinko, Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture

    Opening Hours: 11:00am-11:00pm (Last Orders 9:30pm)

    No Fixed Holidays.

    TEL: 045-227-6777

    Official Website: https://www.tgn.co.jp/hall/yokohama/ph/

     

    “Purple Sweet Potato McShake” @ McDonald’s (September 26 – End of October)

    McDonald’s Japan is currently selling its recently-released Purple Sweet Potato McShake for a limited time only. The drink retains the characteristic and familiar creamy texture of the classic McShake but combines it with purple sweet potatoes and regular sweet potatoes to create the perfect beverage for the autumn season.

     

    ◼︎Information

    Autumn Purple Sweet Potato McShake

    Running: September 26, 2018 – End of October 2018 (subject to change)

    Available: Most McDonald’s branches in Japan

    Serving Time: 10:30am – Closing Time (or until 1:00am the next day at 24-hour branches)

    Price: Small ¥120 / Regular ¥200

    McDonald’s Japan Website: http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/

     

    McDonald’s Matcha Drink Series (September 12 – End of November)

    McDonald’s Japan is currently selling four matcha beverages at its McCafé by Barista chain for a limited period. The drinks include the Brown Sugar Syrup & Soybean Flour Matcha Frappe, Matcha Latte Frappe, Iced Matcha Latte and Matcha Latte. This year they have put in even more matcha powder sourced in Uji in each of the drinks to make the matcha flavour even richer!

     

    ■Information

    McCafé by Barista Matcha Series

    Location: All Mcdonald’s chains with a McCafé by Barista (89 branches as of September 2018)

    Available: September 12, 2018 – End of November 2018 (subject to change)

    McDonald’s Japan Official Website: http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/menu/barista/

     

    “Strawberry Matcha Frappe” @ McDonald’s (October 10 – Mid November)

    This beverage is an addition the McDonald’s matcha series above, this time opting for a more western-style flavour by adding strawberries. It’s a luxurious combination of the full-bodied flavour of matcha together with sweet and sour strawberries. It includes both a strawberry paste made from whole strawberries and a strawberry whipped cream at the bottom. Sitting on top of these is a matcha latte frappe which uses slightly bitter Uji matcha from Kyoto and delicious milk farmed in Japan. Crowning the drink is more strawberry whipped cream and sprinkling of matcha powder.

     

    Strawberry Matcha Frappe
    Price: Regular ¥490 / Large ¥530 (Tax Included)
    Running: October 10, 2018 – Mid November (Subject to Change)
    Available: At McDonald’s branches across Japan with a McCafé by Barista (Approx. 89 branches as of October 2018)
    *The branch list can be viewed on the official McDonald’s Japan homepage (Japanese).

    McDonald’s Official Homepage: http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/menu/barista/

     

    “Crème Brûlée Doughnut” @ Mister Donut (September 28 – End of December)

    Mister Donut in Japan is now selling three different types of crème brûlée doughnuts. As the name suggests, it’s the popular crème brûlée turned into a doughnut. The doughnut is made with burnt cream, sprinkled with caramelised sugar and filled with custard cream before being scorched on top with a gas burner.

     

    ■Information

    Crème Brûlée Doughnut (3 Types)

    Running: September 28, 2018 – End of December 2018

    Available: At most Mister Donut branches in Japan

    Website: https://www.misterdonut.jp

     

    Make sure to try all the goodies available in Japan during autumn!

  • Café “Nintama Rantaro Chaya” to open in Tokyo and Osaka

    30.September.2018 | FOOD / SPOT

    Two limited-time-offer collaboration cafés named “Nintama Rantaro Chaya” (cafés using the motif of the popular TV animation with the same name) will be opened in Osaka and Tokyo. The Osaka café will be opened in “contact” located in Shinsaibashi starting from October 12th (Fri.) and the Tokyo café will be opened in “OMOTESANDO BOX CAFÉ & SPACE” located in Omotesando starting from Octorber 25th (Thurs.).

    In the animation story, the principal of the ninja school all of a sudden declares, “To be a full-fledged ninja, you must be able to cook!” So, it is decided that the 3 students, Rintaro, Kirimaru and Shinbei must go to different tea houses for training. Rintaro is to go to a “healthy tea house,” Kirimaru is to go to a “powerful tea house” and Shinbei is to go to a “modern tea house.”

     

    Seniors of these 3 students and some teachers decide that they will lend a helping hand in the training session, so they go along. Furthermore, the principal declares, “If your tea house does a booming business, I will give you a reward!” And so, a heated cooking competition unfolds.

    All menu item prices are the before-tax price.

    Green salad udon \1,590

    Isaku and Kematome’s collaborative “vegetable-rich” healthy salad udon. By pouring a seseme sauce on the udon the taste becomes even better.

    Stamina rich bowl ~hitsumabushi-style~ \1,390

    A high-powered rice bowl made by Choji, Koheita and Monjiro. By scooping a small serving of the rice bowl into a small bowl and pouring the broth over it, you can have a hitsumabushi-style dish.

    Takeya and Kukuchi’s collaborative tofu hamburg doria (casserole) \1,490

    Kukuchi offers you a “modern-tasteing” tofu hamburg doria. The rice placed under the hamburg has a jazzy basil flavor. This comes with Takeya’s fresh salad set.

    Collaborative dish of a star and an idol. Which character is the most popular? \1,590

    A star and an idol dance on the stage! Don’t miss Takiya shamaru and Mikiemon’s collaborative dream collaboration!

    Denko-san’s (Yamada teacher) ohagi parfait \1,090

    Ms. Yamada, you put a whole ohagi on top of the parfait! Denko-san’s powerful parfait.

    Doi teacher’s “paste” item? Mitarashi parfait \1,090

    “Mr. Doi, can you eat paste products?” Actually, this is not a paste product! Here is a Japanese-style parfait with the motif of “oden.”

    Relaxing matcha latte ~with Rantaro’s onigiri-shaped rice cookie   \890

    Have a relaxing matcha latte with Rantaro’s special onigiri-shaped rice cookie.

     

    Enjoy the numerous other Nintama-style menu items of these 3 different tea houses.

    You can also purchase original goods that can only be bought at these cafes. You can also purchase special post cards and egg-shaped key holders. Don’t miss this chance to get your very own Nintama Rantaro goods.

    Reservations are required and all persons who make reservations will receive 1 original sticker (3 types given out at random).

    In addition, special lunch mats (4 types given out at random) will be given to all customers of the café and customers ordering a drink will receive special coasters (22 types given out at random).

     

    All Rintama Rantaro fans, why not come and enjoy these collaborative cafes!

  • “Nanoan” Sake Bar Opens in Old Fashioned House in Tennoji, Osaka

    11.May.2018 | FOOD / SPOT

    A one-hundred year old residence from the Taisho Period in Osaka’s Tennoji ward has been renovated and turned into a Japanese sake bar called Nanoan. This is the second store by Nanakura, which is located in the same area as the bar, Chausuyama.

    大阪・天王寺 「菜乃庵 nanoan」大阪・天王寺 「菜乃庵 nanoan」2

    The quiet residence is located in the middle of Tennoji about 2-minutes from the station. The neighbourhood of Tennoji has been undergoing development, and the house used to build Nanoan is said to be the last remaining residence from the Taisho Period.

    Customers can look forward to enjoying meals made with exquisite ingredients as well as drinks in this historical, antique-looking building. It’s located just 1-minute on foot from the first store, Nanakura. Located right by is Tennoji Park, and from the second floor, you can see Keitakuen Garden.

    大阪・天王寺 「菜乃庵 nanoan」3

    The bar can be used for many situations, like enjoy yourself at a 1-2 person counter while looking out to the garden, or you can rent the bar for an 80-person banquet.

    大阪・天王寺 「菜乃庵 nanoan」ランチ大阪・天王寺 「菜乃庵 nanoan」 ランチ

    For lunch, enjoy a farmer’s meal for ¥1,000. It comes with side dishes stacked with plenty of homegrown vegetables and more.

    大阪・天王寺 「菜乃庵 nanoan」 お酒

    Enjoy a great meal and some sake in a quaint residence of the past!

     

    ■Information

     

    Nanoan – Sake Bar

    Address: 2-23 Chausuyamachō, Tennōji-ku, Osaka

    Opening Hours: Daytime 11:30-15:00 (Last Orders 14:00) / Evening 17:00-23:00 (Last Orders 22:00)

    No Fixed Holidays.

    TEL: 06-6770-5757

    Website: http://www.nanoan.com/

     

    Nanakura – Sake & Sansai

    Address: 4-26 Chausuyamacho, Tennōji-ku, Osaka

    Opening Hours: Evening 17:00-00:00 (Open from 15:00 on Sundays & Holidays)

    No Fixed Holidays.

    TEL: 06-6777-4373

    Website: http://www.nana-kura.com/

     

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    Why not take a break from everyday life to enjoy a magical time with these cute characters?

     

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  • Special ‘Roots of Kawaii’ Exhibition Marking Rune Naito’s 90th Birthday to Open in October

    24.September.2022 | FASHION / SPOT

    A special exhibition commemorating the 90th birthday of Rune Naito will be held at the Hanshin department store in Osaka from October 19 until October 31. Titled ‘Roots of Kawaii,’ the event will look back at the life of the esteemed artist, illustrator, writer, and designer. Known for his illustrations of large-headed baby-faced girls, he first became interested in art after discovering the works of Jun’ichi Nakahara, joining Nakahara’s company after graduating high school. In 1959, Naito got his big break, designing the cover of the girls’ magazine Junior Soleil. Following this, Naito would become active as an illustrator for a number of magazines, and from the 1960s on, he began other activities, even producing a line of commercial goods from glassware to stickers. 

     

    The exhibition’s theme is ‘Life’s fantastic dreams,’ and over 300 items will be on display, including rare original drawings, goods, personal sketches, and more. The event will be held in celebration of Rune Naito’s birthday on November 20, and will also feature a special shop. Admission is ¥1,000 for adults, ¥700 for high school and college students, and free for junior high school students and younger. Discounts are available by preordering tickets. For details and tickets, check out the official website.

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