Tokyo Disney Resort has announced this year’s Disney Christmas which will take place at Tokyo Disneyland® and Tokyo DisneySea® from November 8 to December 25. This is the Tokyo DisneySea® event line-up. For the Tokyo Disneyland® schedule, click here.

‘Tis the season to be jolly this year at Tokyo DisneySea, where the Christmas spirit is set to fall and settle like December snow across the park with a fantastic line-up of festive entertainment programs, magical decorations and more. Guests are invited to join the Disney cast in welcoming a very merry Christmas at this year for Disney Christmas 2019.

It’s Christmas Time!

The “It’s Christmas Time!” show returns again this year to Mediterranean Harbor to wrap guests in the Christmas spirit, featuring Mickey Mouse and friends along with singers and dancers who will perform to classic Christmas tunes.

Colour Of Christmas

This magical performance takes place at nighttime on the water at Mediterranean Harbor, featuring a huge 15-meter tall shimmering Christmas tree. Held annually, this will mark the show’s eighth and final run. Disney characters including Mickey will also be present for the performance.

The whole of Mediterranean Harbor will be wrapped in the Christmas spirit, with the huge tree in the centre and little trees all around, and onlookers all with their own wishes for the holiday season. Snow will also fall during the performance to create a romantic atmosphere.

Special Christmas Merchandise

Pouch – ¥2,000 (Tax Included)

Around 65 very special pieces of merchandise will be available for guests to pick up, many themed on the It’s Christmas Time! show. The pouch features the cute scene of Mickey and Minnie line dancing which you will see in the show. The available plush toys also have a Christmas-y gold bell on them. All of these items will be available from November 1.

There will also be adorable Duffy and Friends merchandise to pick up. Some of these items are themed on Cape Cod Village in winter, an area in the park which serves as a greeting spot for Duffy and his friends. These Christmas items will be available from November 6.

Christmas Food & Drink

A festive feast of 15 drinks and dishes will be served for Disney Christmas, from seafood pasta to roast beef sandwiches and more. There will also be a reindeer-inspired dessert as well as alcoholic cocktails and much, much more.

Enjoy a very merry Christmas this year at Tokyo DisneySea.♡

In this edition of The Café That You Want to Visit to See Someone, I visited Hatoya which is located in Asakusa Shin-Nakamise Arcade.

The streets of Tokyo’s historical district of Asakusa are packed to end with cafés. You can be spoiled for choice, but Hatoya stood out to me in particular as it’s an especially old café. Business there began back in 1927 but the actual building was built back in the Taisho period, meaning its history spans more than 90 years ago!

The outside appearance of the shop is smart and chic so it’s very easy to spot. I couldn’t tell by looking from the outside, but the inside is full of old decorations and odds and ends which make you feel the history of the café.

One reason why I wanted to visit this place so much is because I was drawn to their logo. It’s really retro-kawaii so I just couldn’t resist!

You should take some photos too if you visit.

It was time to head inside. It’s really comfy and cozy in there; the atmosphere was nice and relaxed.

Framed on the wall is a map of the Asakusa area during the Taisho era. Hatoya became famous back then because people could buy coffee for a mere 5 sen (a single sen is one-hundredth of a yen).

When business first began at Hatoya, because the café was opposite the stage door of a theatre, all of the famous actors and actresses would pop in. Some include famous Japanese comedian Roppa Furukawa and film actor Kiyoshi Atsumi who played Tora-san in the film series Otoko wa Tsurai yo.

I ordered the café’s popular hotcakes which cost ¥600. They have been making these same hotcakes since before the war.

They were nice and fluffy and had a deliciously gorgeous brown colour. The flavour was out of this world when the butter melted from the heat of the hotcakes and mixed together with the syrup.

The portion might look like a lot but they are fluffy and have a light flavour so can be finished with no problem.

And is the café’s signature milkshake (¥500).

It’s so refreshing that you can knock it back all in one go. It has a simple flavour but it tasted so good!

I also ordered the ¥600 cream soda, my favourite beverage.

I’ve been to many cafés, and have covered many in this series, but this is the first I have dined at with such a deep history. I found myself enthralled by the stories of the owner who has continued to treasure the café and maintained it all the same since it opened. I feel like I have learned about a world I never knew about. The next time I go to Hatoya with a friend I’ll be sure to let them in on its history. I encourage you to visit too!

Writer/Model: Ema Tanioku
Photographer: Haruka Yamamoto
Design: Yuko Abe (ASOBISYSTEM)

To celebrate 40 years of Yuji Kaida’s illustration artwork for the Gundam series, an exhibition entitled Yuji Kaida Gundam Gallery will take place on the fifth floor LOFT Forum of Umeda LOFT in Osaka from August 23 to September 8.

Yuji Kaida is known for his longtime work on box art for Gunpla model kits. The exhibition will feature a gorgeous collection of his iconic Gundam artwork, covering traditional art from Mobile Suit Gundam to Mobile Suit Gundam Wing to digital art in Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans.

Over 70 pieces illustrated by Kaida will be displayed, each categorised into one of four themes. Many of these will include artworks being shown to the public for the first time such as the Gwazine-class battleship.

There will also be enormous towers of piled-up Gunpla boxes, a showcasing titled “Maiking of Hi-νGUNDAM” the process of digital art, and more.

The exhibition is an absolute must-visit for all fans of the Gundam franchise.

©Sotsu Co., Ltd.・Sunrise Inc.

Tokyo Disney Resort has announced this year’s Disney Christmas which will take place at Tokyo Disneyland® and Tokyo DisneySea® from November 8 to December 25. This is the Tokyo Disneyland® event line-up. For the Tokyo DisneySea® schedule, click here.

Disney Christmas Stories

Disney Christmas Stories celebrates the holiday season with a magical parade which will bring together the Disney cast members with their loved ones. The characters will dress in festive outfits and deliver to guests their own Christmas stories. Seven joyous Christmas stories will unfold before guests’ eyes, from a merry family outing with Donald Duck, his beloved Daisy Duck and his three nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie, to the star couple Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

The parade will seemingly stop all of a sudden which will be followed by ringing bells, signalling the start of a Christmas party. Snow will fall along the parade route, and the cast members will invite guests to join them in celebrating a heart-warming Christmas.

Christmas Decorations

An enormous 15-meter tall Christmas tree will tower over World Bazaar and illuminate the streets with its brilliant lights together with dazzling projections, combining with the festive music to create a romantic atmosphere.

The plaza in front of Cinderella’s Castle will glimmer with Christmas adornments as well as Christmas presents, Winnie the Pooh decorations, and more. Each themed land across the park will also be embellished in Christmas colours, bringing a merry little Christmas to the park.

Special Christmas Merchandise

Glass Set – ¥2,200 (Tax Included)

Around 65 special Disney Christmas themed items are set to go on sale from November 1, from glasses to cushions and more, all of which can be used for Christmastime at home. Featuring designs of the Disney characters, each item is sure to bring an air of that nostalgia we all feel at Christmas.

Christmas Food & Drink

Also available from November 1 is a very special Christmas menu made up of 15 dishes and drinks. There’s the seafood cream bread packed with melted cheese, a hot dog dressed in the colours of Christmas with its eye-catching red bun and white cheese, and more. There’s also a dish inspired by the Disney film Beauty and the Beast who are set to appear in the parade.

Enjoy a very merry Christmas this year at Tokyo Disneyland.

Lovers of Sanrio and all things Hello Kitty won’t want to miss the 45th Anniversary Hello Kitty Collection Exhibition currently being held at Sogo Chiba until August 15.

The event look backs at the kawaii history of Hello Kitty with a huge range of old and new merchandise. There’s also photo spots for taking cute photos, a wall of Hello Kitty plush toys, touch interactive digital videos, and much more.

If you’re looking to stock up on your collection of Hello Kitty merch then you have around 850 items to choose from including goodies exclusive to the event, pre-sales of items to be released at a later date, and more. There’s even a pottery workshop as well as a chance to take your photo with the real Hello Kitty.

Kawaii Chronicles: Hello Kitty Design Museum

Get ready to witness a wide selection of Hello Kitty goods from across generations, including rare and vintage items no longer manufactured. Witness the history of Hello Kitty’s kawaii world and how things changed through the years to fit each generation.

Digital Content & Plush Toy Wall

Get interactive with Hello Kitty with the wall mapping – touch the wall and see the visuals change. There’s also another wall completely full of Hello Kitty toys which makes for a really cute photo opportunity.

Photo With Hello Kitty

Hello Kitty will be present on August 12 in a beautiful kimono ready to have her picture taken with you! Tickets will be handed out 30 minutes before each session. Spaces are limited so make sure you’re on time!

Date: August 12, 2019 at 11:00/13:00/15:00

Location: Floor 6F Event Hall

No. of People: 20 per shoot

Workshop

Paint your very own ceramic Hello Kitty ornament. You colouring it means that yours will be unique and the only one in the world♡

Running: August 7, 2019 – August 15, 2019

Time: 11:00-16:00

No. of People: 30 per day

Price: ¥1,296

Hello Kitty Kawaii Market
Get your hands one one of 850 pieces of Hello Kitty merchandise from plush toys to stationery, interior items and more. Many of these items are exclusive to the exhibition.

Mascot Holder – ¥1,728 (400 Available – 1 Per Person) / Acrylic Key Ring – ¥648 / Mug – ¥1,080 / Hand Towel – ¥756

Replica Classical doll – ¥17,280 / Mini Mascot Brooch (20 Designs) – ¥1,080 Each (1 Per Person) / A4 Folders (Includes 2) – ¥486

Enter the adorable world of Hello Kitty this summer and help her celebrate her 45th anniversary.

The Toei Kyoto Studio Park―a theme park in Kyoto modelled after the Edo period of Japan―is set to hold an exhibition from next month titled “A Bizarrely Great Adventure Through the Body” in which you can travel through a giant model of a body to learn all about faeces.

The event is themed on the best-selling children’s book series Grossology by Sylvia Branzei which gives humorous but straightforward descriptions of bodily functions and various medical conditions.

Stinky Poop (Unchi Kusai), the ninja mascot of the event, will join visitors on their adventure as they experience the gross potential of the human body: burps, farts, bodily odours, and more.

A total of fifteen attractions will make up the event where kids and adults can discover the “secrets” of the human body.

Sneeze Shutter

At the Sneeze Shutter you will learn why we sneeze by firing balls―the “foreign substance” entering the nose―into the giant nostrils which will cause it to become itchy. If you can get five balls into the nose it will let out a sneeze and blown out the balls.

The Kidney Game

At the Kidney Game you will help deliver urea, sugar, and other materials necessary for the kidney to the blood vessels to understand how the kidney functions.

Poop Fortune Telling

Sit on a real toilet and a poo character will appear on the monitor to tell you your fortune that day.

Poo Exhibition

Learn all about poo at the display board which features lots of interesting information.

Burp Kid

Why do we burp when we drink fizzy beverages? Burp Kid will explain it to you.

Take a photo with the giant poo

At the end of your trip to the event, take a commemorative photo next to the giant poo pile and butthole.

This is just a snippet of what there is to see at Kyoto’s bizarre poo exhibition. Visit to learn all about something we all do but don’t talk about!

On July 16 this year, a new branch of Moomin Stand―a drinks shop inspired by the Finnish children’s books The Moomins―opened in Asakusa, one of the most popular tourist spots in Tokyo.

Moomin Stand serves original fruity beverages, drinks with rich milk bases and more, all with chewy tapioca-like pearls.

Moonmin Stand is produced by Moomin Café. The first branch opened in Kichijoji and proved popular with women in their 20s and 30s, high school and university students, and families with children. It continues to enjoy flurries of customers; you’re guaranteed to be lining up on weekends.

Strawberry Daifuku Milk – ¥700 (Before Tax)

The newly-released Strawberry Daifuku Milk drink is exclusive to the Asakusa branch. Its mix of sweet and sour strawberry flavour with the chewy pearls gives a texture reminiscent to daifuku, a traditional Japanese confection which takes mochi and stuffs it with a sweet filling. The drink has a delicious white bean paste base and is topped off with fresh pieces of strawberry.

The café interior is decorated with beautiful illustrations from The Moomins making for plenty of great photo opportunities. There is also a bar to lean on as well as spaces on the wall to rest your back on to relax with your drink after walking around.

All drinks also come with a cute Hattifattener straw toy that bites onto straws and pens which you can take home with you.

After you’ve taken a stroll around Asakusa and seen the Kaminari gate, Nakamise Shopping Street and Sensō-ji temple, why not stop off at Moonmin Stand for refreshments?

28 artist groups and individuals have created artistic pieces to represent Japan’s favourite animated character Doraemon. From July 12 to September 23, 2019, you can see these magnificent creations at the Doraemon Exhibition Osaka 2019 which will take place at Osaka Culturarium at Tempozan.

The Doraemon Exhibition Osaka 2019 features a range of artists who exhibit their works in Japan and even in foreign countries. This is a fantastic chance to meet a range of new Doraemon that the world has never seen. This event covers a range of genres through modern art that is overflowing with creativity and dedication for the anime character that has grasped the nation. 

On July 11, the day before the opening of the exhibition, there was a special opening ceremony and private viewing event held exclusively for staff and the press, which was a massive success. 

Press releases of the event reveal that artists Yasumasa Morimura and Sebastian Masuda were present at the ceremony for photos and greetings. 

Yasumasa Morimura commented with deep emotion: “I am so happy to have finally taken part in the Doraemon Exhibition. For this creation, I used lots of paper to make the costumes. I collaborated with Junko Koike, collecting lots of Doraemon manga as raw materials for the dress. As Doraemon has the power to manipulate time and space, and has the ability to create a door that leads to anywhere he desires, I thought a grey dress would be appropriate. In fact, the entire exhibition venue is just like the inside of Doraemon’s pocket ー it is packed with the work of 28 solo artists and groups. What a fun experience it is. I hope that many people in the Kansai region come see this,” he explained.

Sebastian Masuda commented: “I’m actually the same age as Doraemon and I share the same birthday as Noby; the main character from the series. I was born with a love for Doraemon.”

He then commented on his art piece: “I actually wanted to make it as big as the Budha statue at Todaiji Temple in Nara, but we wouldn’t be able to fit it in the venue so I made it two metres tall instead”, he laughed. “I collected materials from markets from all around the world, so the final piece is literally made up of the colours of the world,” he continued. 

His message to the people of Osaka is: “I would love it if lots of children came to see this. It would really make my day to hear reactions from them like “whoa, it’s huge” or “that’s so cool!””

Please come stop by to visit your favourite Doraemon!

Have you heard of Osamu Watanabe? You won’t forget his name by the end of this article. He is an installation and contemporary artist that draws his inspiration from the world of sweets and confections. He has drawn much attention not just in Japan but overseas too in countries like the US, Italy, Turkey, Indonesia and China with his various exhibitions.

Watanabe is set to take his “Museum of Sweets” exhibition to Shinjuku where it will open at the Odakyu Department Store on July 31.

The candy creations will be split throughout 9 different areas such as the titular room Museum of Sweets as well as the Forest of Sweets, Banquet of Sweets, Sweets Aquarium and more, all of which are sure to tickle the taste buds of sweet tooth visitors.

What’s more is that you are permitted to take photos, opening the door for countless photo opportunities for Instagram.

Osamu Watanabe will also be present to host a workshop on 4 separate days so you can craft your own cookie charm using materials Watanabe actually uses in his creations.

Enter a fantastic candy land cooked up by the one and only Osamu Watanabe.

The second run of the Toshio Suzuki & Studio Ghibli Exhibition is set to take place at Huis Ten Bosch in Nagasaki from July 13 to September 23. The event is focused on longtime Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki and centres on specific “words” he wishes to convey through this work.

The exhibition had its first run in Tokyo back in April this year. We covered that event in detail so be sure to give it a read.

The enormous 3-meter tall Yubaba & Zeniba centrepiece will return at the Nagasaki exhibition. Visitors can draw omikuji fortunes from the display which have Suzuki’s keywords written on them along with his explanation of them. You can take these home with you―a perfect addition for your Studio Ghibli collection!

An extremely special merchandise shop will also open at the site with exclusive items and products on sale and decor and decorations that will have you feeling you have stepped right into an enchanting world woven by Studio Ghibli.

Fan: ¥702 (Tax Included)

Get your hands on an official Spirited Away fan to cool yourself down at the event this summer. On one side is an illustration of Yubaba and on the other some powerful words from Suzuki.

Tote Bag: ¥1,620 (Tax Included)

Express your love for Studio Ghibli everyday with this tote bag featuring the same illustration of Yubaba―which is the main visual for the exhibition―on the side. It’s big enough to be worn on your shoulder making it a convenient day-to-day item.

Tea-Towel: ¥1,296 (Tax Included)

This beautiful tea towel is made in collaboration with dyed goods company Chikusen who have been around since the Edo period. It has a traditional indigo blue colour and is made from high quality material. A perfect gift and souvenir for any fan of Studio Ghibli.

We can’t forget the themed food menu either. You’ll find it on the first floor of Huis Ten Bosch at the Tea Salon.

Bath House Dessert: ¥850 (Tax Included)

A fitting dessert for any guest of the Spirited Away bath house, look forward to a bamboo charcoal-black chocolate-sprayed vanilla ice cream, colourful sugar candy and a cookie. It’s also served with iced corn tea.

Toast For Adventure Lovers: ¥650 (Tax Included)

Served with a glass of iced corn tea is a delicious egg-topped slice of toasted baked in the hotel bakery. Like you see in anime series, it makes you want to grab it, shove it between your teeth and run outside on an adventure.

Any fans of Studio Ghibli’s work aren’t going to want to miss out on this very special event. If you’re in Japan this summer be sure you get to go.

©️TS ©️Studio Ghibli

Since Kenshi Yonezu released his single Lemon in March last year, it has gone on to enjoy huge success, reaching numerous milestones.

The song was written as the main theme for the TBS drama Unnatural which aired in January 2018. Its music video was released the following month and garnered huge views in an instant, and after just 475 days it had reached over 400 million. It was also the first Japanese music video to gain 300 million. Lemon has also sold over 300 million copies. It is the first song to rank three times in a row on Billboard JAPAN Hot 100: for both halves of 2018 and the first half of 2019.

Photo by Tomokazu Yamada

Speaking of its continued success, Yonezu comments: “I am thankful. It exceeded my expectations a long time ago, but I’ve been very interested to see just how far it will go. I’m mostly unaware of my own songs. I’d like it to continue to be loved by people.”

As a show of gratitude to how much Lemon has resonated with people, the CD cover art will be displayed permanently at the Otsuka Museum of Art in Tokushima in the form of a ceramic tile from July 30.

Touban, or “ceramic tiles,” don’t lose their colour or deteriorate and so can keep their colour and shape for up to 2,000 years.

Manga Dororo by Osamu Tezuka was made into an anime 50 years ago. This continual sensation is getting an official soundtrack which will be released on August 14. The CD will be titled TV Anime Dororo Music Collection Tamashi no Kodou. Hiroyuki Asada, who creates the original character design drafts, designed the illustration for the CD jacket, which has just been unveiled to the public. 

First-Press Limited Edition Version

The whimsical illustration shows Dororo and Hyakkimaru snuggling together, alone in a vast barren desert. The first-press limited edition soundtrack version comes in a luxurious tall-size DigiPak sleeve and consists of three CDs. The regular edition contains a two-disk dual case. 

Regular Version

The booklet will contain statements by illustrator Hiroyuki Asada and Yoshihiro Ike, who was in charge of the music. As a bonus, the CD jacket illustration has been adopted for use on an A2 poster, which will be sold at Animate stores countrywide. The design will also feature on clear files which will be sold on Amazon. Please check them out.

You can also view this illustration in advance at the TV Anime Dororo Original Art Exhibition Tamashi no Kodou, which is currently taking place. Please stop by to admire the illustration with your very own eyes. 

Dororo © Tezuka Productions Co., Ltd.／TWIN ENGINE Inc.