Christmas is fast approaching, which in Japan means that lots of festive cakes, drinks and other delectables are starting to pop up for the holiday season.
Here’s our 7 recommendations to check out for Christmas 2018.
Christmas Fair 2018 Tokyo Xmastation
Christmas has arrived early at Tokyo Station’s Gransta and Gransta Marunouchi malls with Christmas Fair 2018 Tokyo Xmastation which is running until December 25. They are selling a range of delicious Christmas cakes including one made in the image of the Tokyo Station building, another inspired by the Suica IC card penguin and much more. They are all a must-see♡
Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/141020
■Information
Christmas Fair 2018 Tokyo Xmastation
Location: Gransta (inside ticket gates) and Gransta Marunouchi (outside ticket gates)
Running: November 12, 2018 – December 25, 2018
Website: http://www.net-ekinaka.com/shop/r/r101003/
©Chiharu Sakazaki/ East Japan Railway Company /DENTSU Suica by East Japan Railway Company
*Suica is a registered trademark of East Japan Railway Company.
Afternoon Tea – “Strawberry Christmas Cake Parfait”
Afternoon Tea is set to release a string of new desserts for Christmas, beginning with the two apple desserts based on the apple Christmas tree ornaments which were released on November 6. This will be followed by a Strawberry flavoured “Christmas cake parfait” that is layered strawberries, pistachio cream, strawberry jam, chocolate sponge and berries. It’s also mixed with a cream cheese gelato and elderflower jelly and is said to go perfectly with black tea!
■Information
Afternoon Tea
・Apple Sweet Potato Pudding a la Mode
Available: November 6, 2018 – December 25, 2018
・Afternoon Tea Apple Pie Parfait
Available: November 6, 2018 – November 28, 2018
・Strawberry Christmas Cake Parfait
Available: November 29, 2018 – December 25, 2018
Available at most Afternoon Tea TEAROOM branches. Prices vary at each branch. Limited quantity available of each so will discontinue once all have sold.
Afternoon Tea Official Website: https://www.afternoon-tea.net/tearoom
Grand Hyatt Tokyo – 2018 Christmas Cakes
The luxury Grand Hyatt Tokyo hotel is now selling a line-up of exquisite Christmas cakes for a limited period. The menu features 9 cakes including 4 new entries to this year’s range. The ‘Sparkle’ cake features an extravagantly adorned cake with a scrumptious row of eclairs on top that have been sprinkled with sparkly decorations. The ‘Crystal Fruits Shortcake’ has a beautifully and intricately crafted dome inside which sit jewels of colourful fruits. There’s plenty more mouth-watering delectables where that came from too, so check the link below.
Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/139223
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Sparkle with Joy
Reservation Windows
In-Store/Telephone: November 1, 2018 – December 16, 2018
Online: November 1, 2018 – December 17, 2018 at 11:00am
How to Order
Reservation Number: 0570-012-025 (9:00am-10:00pm)
Fiorentina Pastry Boutique: 03-4333-8713 (9:00am-10:00pm)
Online: www.tokyo.grand.hyatt.co.jp/christmascake-JP
Pick-Up Window: December 20, 2018 – December 25, 2018 (11:00am-9:00pm)
Fiorentina Pastry Boutique
Address: Grand Hyatt Tokyo (1st Floor Lobby), 6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato Ward, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 9:00am-10:00pm (Cakes & Tarts available 10:00am-10:00pm)
TEL: 03-4333-8713
Grand Hyatt Tokyo Website: https://www.hyatt.com/ja-JP/hotel/japan/grand-hyatt-tokyo/tyogh
Harajuku & Umeda Pompompurin Café Christmas Menu
The Harajuku and Umeda branches of the Pompompurin Café are celebrating Christmas with a Pompompurin and Muffin character themed menu that is being served all the way up to Christmas Day. The menu items featured extravagant names such as “I’ll Give You a Present ♪ Fluffy Snow Cream Stew,” a cream strew topped with potato potage and fresh whipped cream that’s uneven to make it look like white snow with Purin Claus and his little reindeer helper Muffin are handing out presents atop their Christmas sleigh. There’s exclusive merchandise to get your hands on too.
Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/137629
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Pompompurin Cafe Harajuku
Address: CUTE CUBE HARAJUKU 3F, 1-7-1 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 11:00-21:00 (Food Last Orders 20:00 / Drinks Last Orders 20:30)
Access: 3-minutes on foot from the Takeshita Exit at Harajuku Station
TEL: 03-5786-0770
Pompompurin Cafe Umeda
Address: Hankyu Sanbangai South Wing B2F, 1-1-3 Shibata, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi
Opening Hours: Weekdays 11:00-22:00 (Last Orders 21:30) / Weekends & Holidays 10:00-22:00 (Last Orders 21:30)
Access: 3-minutes from Osaka Station via JR
TEL: 06-6292-7140
Pompompurin Cafe Official Website: http://pompom.createrestaurants.com
(c)1996, 2018 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO.S592650
Starbucks Christmas Beverages
The Starbucks holiday season began on November 1. The first line of Christmas drinks hitting the coffee chain this year are the Christmas Strawberry Cake Frappuccino® and Christmas Strawberry Cake Milk. To ensure you get that full strawberry texture, both delicious drinks are made with a sweet ‘n sour strawberry sauce that leaves in plenty of the strawberry pieces. The standout feature of both is their gentle flavour which has that feeling of comfort milk has. They are also made to look like sponge cake. An enjoyable texture is also made by adding well-baked biscuits.
Be sure to check out the other Christmas treats you can enjoy at Starbucks this year too.
Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/137601
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STARBUCKS® THE Blend IS THE MAGIC
Running: November 1, 2018 – December 25, 2018
*First line of drinks available until December 4, 2018.
Available: At most Starbucks branches across Japan
Starbucks Japan Official Website: www.starbucks.co.jp
Krispy Kreme Christmas Doughnuts
Krispy Kreme released five Christmas themed doughnuts in Japan on November 14: Santa, Reindeer, Snowman, Milk Tea Box and Sprinkle Wreath. The Santa and Reindeer doughnuts take on a cute square shape as does the Milk Tea Box which is made to look like a Christmas present. These make for a perfect gift to hand out♡
Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/135400
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Holly Jolly Holiday
Release Date: November 14, 2018
Website: http://krispykreme.jp/app/
Hilton Tokyo Odaiba – “Girls’ Sweets Coffret Christmas Buffet”
Hilton Tokyo Odaiba brings a Christmas buffet this year called the “Girls’ Sweets Coffret.” It’s inspired by the “Christmas Coffret” cosmetic sets that are sold during the Christmas season only which tickle the hearts of girls across Japan. The buffet is overlooked by a bright pink Christmas tree under which are all presents a girl could hope for including a dress, jewel box, flowers and more―all edible. A cute Santa Claus, reindeer and snowmen also decorate the table in all their delicious dessert glory. The colour palette is girly but stylish, with pink as the main colour and blacks and whites everywhere else. An absolute must-post on Instagram!
Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/134994
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Girls’ Sweets Coffret Christmas Dessert Buffet
Address: Hilton Tokyo Odaiba, 1-9-1 Daiba, Minato Ward, Tokyo
Location: Seascape Terrace・Dining (Floor 2F)
Running: November 1, 2018 – December 28, 2018
Time: Slot 1 – 15:00-16:30 (90 minutes) / Slot 2 – 16:45-17:30 (Express Buffet – 45 minutes)
Price
Slot 1 – Weekdays: General ¥3,500, Children ¥2,100 / Weekends: General ¥3,900, Children ¥2,340
Slot 2 – Weekdays: General ¥2,400, Children ¥1,440 / Weekends: General ¥2,800, Children ¥1,680
*Listed prices do not include tax or service charge.
*Children prices are for those aged between 6-11 years.
Did you enjoy this list? If you’re in Japan this year be sure to eat all of the Christmas goodies you can find.
RECOMMENDED ENTRIES
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Milk Cream Craft is known as Japan's first cafe specialising in fresh cream products. The chain is set to open its 7th branch on the first floor of Hankyu Sanbangai in the district of Umeda in Osaka on November 8. Customers will be able to both dine in or order for takeout.
The milk cafe will serve its classic fresh cream desserts as well as new products released at the Harajuku branch. They will also sell their 'Ultimate Fresh Cream' which is an original blend of fresh cream produced in the city of Kushiro, Hokkaido. Check out the menu here. Information
Milk Cream Craft Umeda
Address: Hankyu Sanbangai South Building 1F, 1-1-3 Shibata, Kita Ward, Osaka
TEL: 06-6486-2777
Opening Hours: 11: 00-22:00
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Chun Shui Tang, the Taiwanese tea shop credited with inventing tapioca milk tea, is releasing two new drinks at all their Japanese branches this winter. The Tapioca White Chocolate Milk Tea and Tapioca Matcha White Chocolate will be released on November 12.
Tapioca White Chocolate Milk Tea: ¥600
The Tapioca White Chocolate Milk Tea takes Chun Shui Tang's traditional tapioca milk tea and adds white chocolate to it to make an even richer, milkier and subtly sweet beverage.Tapioca Matcha White Chocolate: ¥650
Tapioca Matcha White Chocolate is a harmonious mix of bitter matcha and creamy white chocolate topped with whipped cream that elevates the flavour of the chocolate.The shop are also bringing back the Tapioca Ginger Milk Tea (¥550) for winter. Customers can also order an affordable Taiwanese noodle set meaning you can enjoy both lunchtime and teatime! Warm yourself up from the coming cold with a cosy, creamy and sweet beverage. Information
Tapioca White Chocolate Milk Tea
Tapioca Matcha White Chocolate
Available: Chun Shui Tang branches in Japan (takeout option available)
Release Date: November 12, 2018
Chun Shui Tang Official Website: https://www.chunshuitang.jp/
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Mister Donuts joined hands with the upcoming video games Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! on October 12 for an ongoing 5-month collaboration where they are released a range of products and merchandise. Two new Pokémon themed doughnuts are hitting the popular doughnut chain on November 16.
Pikachu Doughnuts: ¥216 (Tax Included)
These cute Pikachu doughnuts have a fluffy dough texture and are coated in banana flavoured chocolate. The black ears, red cheeks and black and white eyes are also made of chocolate.Poké Ball Doughnuts: ¥216 (Tax Included)
The top half of these fluffy-textured doughnuts are coated with a strawberry glaze while the bottom half is made from white chocolate. It looks just like a Poké Ball! Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! will be released worldwide on November 16, so be sure to pick up some Pokémon themed treats to enjoy while you play!Information
Pikachu Doughnuts
Poké Ball Doughnuts
Running: November 16, 2018 to Late December 2018販
Available: At most Mister Donut branches across JapanWebsite: https://www.misterdonut.jp
©2018 Pokémon. ©1995-2018 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
RELATED ENTRIES
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The Mine City Tourism Association has announced a Christmas & Valentine’s Day event at Akiyoshido Cave, one of the largest limestone caves in Japan. The event will see the natural wonder illuminated by a number of colorful lights. The Christmas event will run from December 21 to 25, 2022, while the Valentine’s Day event will run from February 10 to 14, 2023. Akiyoshido Cave is one of Yamaguchi Prefecture’s most popular tourist attractions. The interior will be decorated with colorful lights and unique soundscapes, creating a once-in-a-lifetime setting for visitors. These illuminations and sounds were directed by world-renowned lighting designer Motoko Ishii, known for her work on Tokyo Tower and the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge.
Information
Christmas & Valentine Theater ~ Akiyoshido Cave ‘Fantasy of Light and Echoes’
Dates:
Christmas Theater: December 21 – December 25, 2022
Valentine Theater: February 10 – February 14, 2023
Times: (1) 10:00-11:00 (2) 12:00-13:00 (3) 14:00-15:00
3 events per dayVenue:
Akiyoshido Cave, Shuhocho Akiyoshi, Mine, YamaguchiTickets/Details: https://karusuto.com/event/christmas-valentine-theater-2022/
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Eve has announced a special YouTube LIVE scheduled to take place on December 24 at 19:00. The stream will take place on the artist’s official YouTube channel and those with YouTube Premium memberships will be able to take place in an Afterparty starting at 19:30. Starting at 19:00 on Christmas Eve, fans can enjoy a rare live studio performance complete with a full band. The Afterparty will include a special chat with Eve in which the artist reflects on the past year and gives hints on what’s to come. Fans won’t want to miss this exclusive opportunity!
Information
Christmas EVE Live on YouTube
Supported by YouTube | SoftBank
Streaming December 24 at 19:00~
Streaming URL: https://youtube.com/live/SX34pDlkGrQ
Christmas EVE YouTube Premium Afterparty
Supported by YouTube | SoftBank
Streaming December 24 at 19:30~
Streaming URL: https://youtube.com/live/xnpUGzqKjU4
*YouTube Premium Required to Join the Afterparty
https://www.youtube.com/premium
Official Site: https://eveofficial.com/
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Kobe is filled with famous sightseeing spots like the nostalgic Ijinkan neighborhood and port. The city is packed with fashionable shops and restaurants and is highly regarded for its selection of tasty sweets!The port city, with over 150 years of history, has fostered a unique and diverse culinary culture. Recently, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu began starring in a series of promotional videos for the Gastropolis Kobe project. The artist traveled to the city to partake in plenty of delicious treats, and MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON went along for the ride! Here are some of the singer's favorite spots around town.
Kobe, known as a city where East meets West, is lined with sweets shops that are unique to the area. The tea salon TOOTH TOOTH Dekoboko Sabo opened in 2019 in the Kobe City Museum and offers a menu that mixes Western food and sweets with tea and ingredients from traditional Japanese cuisine. Kyary ordered the Dekoboko Sabo Afternoon Tea Set, a collection of western sweets blended with the essence of traditional Japanese flavors. Guests are invited to enjoy their tea and sweets in a one-of-a-kind space filled with Meiji period flare and retro Western furniture. Those interested will need to make a reservation, so be sure to remember the next time you’re in Kobe. TOOTH TOOTH Decoboco SaboAddress: 24 Kyomachi, Chuo Ward, Kobe (Inside the Kobe City Museum)Hours: 9:30-17:30 (Last Order at 16:30) Closed MondaysOfficial Site: https://toothtooth.com/restaurant/decoboco-sabo The next stop was Kobe Nankin-machi, one of the three major Chinatowns in Japan. Kobe MILK is known nationwide for its Apricot Pudding, which is made with local ingredients. The raw apricot pudding is mixed with milk brought from the foot of Mt. Rokko and other ingredients from Hyogo Prefecture. Of course, Kyary ordered some, and was amazed by its fluffy texture. You can only enjoy it in Kobe–also, the shop sells other puddings mixed with seasonal fruits, so don’t miss those either! Kobe MILKAddress: Shin-Motomachi Building 1F (1 Motomachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe)Hours: Weekdays 9:30-19:00 / Weekends 9:30-19:30Official Site: https://kobe-milk.com For Kyary’s final stop, the singer visited the Moore House, a cafe located in a building with over 100 years of history. Guests are surrounded by greenery, and the Western-style building is incredibly elegant. The Strawberry Mille-feuille Kyary ordered was created by an expert patissier and based on the strawberry mille-feuille recipe from the legendary French restaurant Maxim’s de Paris in Ginza. A generous amount of custard cream complements the crispy pie crust and enhances the sweetness of the fresh strawberries. We’d recommend it with a glass of champagne–if you’re of age. Kitano Ijin-kan Moore HouseAddress: 2-9-3 Kitanocho, Chuo-ku, KobeHours: 11:00-17:00Closed TuesdaysOfficial Site: https://www.kitanomoore.com/cafe/ The streets of Kobe are packed with sweets that you can only enjoy if you visit. Why not come experience these incredible spots like Kyary did? Kobe Sweets Trailer: https://youtu.be/Sx9B1ZdAvlI -
There are plenty of events going on in Tokyo to celebrate the holiday season, but this one might be the most peculiar. Elemis, a skincare brand from England, has teamed up with bus operator Upstar for Japan’s first bus tour featuring afternoon tea! This extremely limited event will drive guests around the city to see some of the most impressive Christmas lights in Shibuya, Roppongi, Omotesando, and other spots. Only 60 seats are available each day and the bus will run from December 1 until December 25, 2022.
5 Unique Features of the Elemis Special Christmas Afternoon Tea Bus Tour
① Enjoy a Special Christmas Afternoon Tea Menu by ElemisA special Christmas menu will be available on board, including a Santa Claus shortcake and a party popper-inspired sandwich.② Travel on a Bus Filled with Elemis Christmas DecorationsInside the bus, guests can enjoy fir trees and original decorations inspired by the Elemis holiday collection! ③ Best-Selling Elemis Goods will be Gifted to Guests!Guests will receive a trial size of Elemis’ best-selling Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm as a Christmas present! ④ A Special Gift Campaign will run from November 15 until December 25Prior to the start of the bus tour, a campaign will be held on Instagram and Twitter. Winners will snag tickets for the bus tour and an Elemis makeup set worth over $12,000! ⑤ Travel on a Special Route to Enjoy Tokyo’s Christmas Lights!The bus tour will take visitors to some of Tokyo’s best Christmas locales, from Shibuya and Omotesando to Keyakizaka and Roppongi. The 90-minute journey starts and ends in Omotesando. How would you like to enjoy Tokyo’s Christmas lights on a British bus enjoying some of the best beauty products on Earth? Get into the holiday spirit with this unusual and unique tour! Information
Elemis Christmas Afternoon Tea
Running: December 1 – December 25, 2022 *Not running December 12, 13
Times:
1st Service / 15:00~16:30
2nd Service / 17:00-18:30
3rd Service / 19:00-20:30Length: 90 minutes
Departure Point: In front of the Shioda Building (5-10 Minamiaoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Price: ¥6,800 (Adults, Tax Included) / ¥3,000 (Children, Tax Included)
Reservations: https://www.upstar-londonbus-travellingnewtokyo.com/booking
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Popular singer Eve will sing the theme song for the film Black Night Parade, coming to theaters nationwide on December 23, 2022. A new trailer featuring the track has also been released alongside the announcement. Eve’s YouTube channel has over 4.2 million subscribers with video views of over 1.9 billion. The new song, Shirayuki, was written by the singer himself, who has become incredibly popular with overseas music fans as well. The track manages to be both gentle and powerful in equal measure, combining an orchestra with Eve’s unique vocals. In conjunction with the release of the trailer, an exclusive pre-release version of the song has been posted to TikTok. Black Night Parade Trailer: https://youtu.be/57CkdVMky4o Black Night Parade was originally manga series by Hikaru Nakamura, the creator of Arakawa Under the Bridge and Saint Young Men. The live-action film will be directed by Yuichi Fukuda, who has worked on a number of live-action film adaptations of manga series including Gintama and Kyo Kara Ore Wa! Fukuda also wrote the screenplay along with Tetsuo Kamata. The protagonist Miharu Hino will be played by Ryo Yoshizawa, while Shino Hojo will be played by Kanna Hashimoto. Taishi Nakagawa will play Kaizer Tanaka and Keisuke Watanabe will play Teppei Kohira. The story follows Miharu Hino, a man who is completely hopeless at everything he does. He failed his entrance exam, failed at job hunting, and has no love life to speak of. After working at a convenience store for three years, he meets a man in a black Santa suit who kidnaps him, offering him a job. Miharu then begins working at Santa Claus House, a mysterious company at the North Pole that delivers gifts to children around the world.
Comment from Eve
"I’m incredibly honored because I loved both the original manga and Fukuda's past works. I wrote this song Shirayuki with the hope that Christmas could be an important day for everyone. I would be so glad if this song makes you nostalgic for winter, making you imagine the cold air that stings your nose and the stars in the clear night sky. I love Kunehito, so I am looking forward to seeing him in the film."©︎2022「ブラックナイトパレード」製作委員会 ©︎中村光／集英社 Information
Black Night Parade
Release Date: December 23, 2022
Official Site: https://bnp-movie.jpEve
Official Site: https://eveofficial.com/ -
The Sailor Moon franchise’s 30th-anniversary museum is open from July 1 to December 30 at Tokyo’s Roppongi Museum. The series became a global phenomenon in the 1990s and remains incredibly popular with audiences around the world to this day. The museum itself is located near Azabu-Juban, where Sailor Moon took place. Volume 3 of the museum, the final installment, will take place from November 12 until the museum closes on December 30. During this period, fans can see over 100 pieces of rare Sailor Moon goods from its run in Nakayoshi magazine. All of the original color drawings currently on display will be replaced, with over 60 new pieces being added including previously unreleased works. Fans will also get a glimpse of the original drawing that appeared on the cover of Nakayoshi when the final chapter of Sailor Moon was published!
Christmas Menu
Sailor Moon Museum Christmas Pancake
Sailor Moon Museum Cheese Melt Muffin
Latte Art featuring Famous Quotes
THE ALLEY Collaboration Drinks
Christmas Tapioca Banana Pumpkin
Princess Serenity Cream Cheese Yogurt
New Christmas menu items will also be available during Vol.3. Guests can enjoy the cafe’s original Christmas tree-inspired pancakes and collaboration drinks with THE ALLEY. The main menu has also been overhauled and now includes plenty of dishes perfect for the cold winter months. The drink menu will also feature original coasters and straw tags only available at the museum. Will you be visiting the museum during its last few weeks? (c) Naoko TakeuchiInformation
Sailor Moon Museum
Running: July 1 – December 30, 2022
Vol. 3: November 12 – December 30, 2022
Hours:
Weekdays: 10:00-18:00 (Last entry at 17:30)
Weekends/Holidays: 10:00-20:00 (Last entry at 19:30)
*Open from 10:00-20:00 from December 26 – December 30
Venue: Roppongi Museum (5-6-20 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Official Site: www.sailormoon-museum.com