Now it’s December, we can unleash our festive spirits without anyone telling us “it’s too early”. The streets are glistening with Christmas decor and Christmas dinners, drinks and desserts are around every corner. Every year, Starbucks never fails to hype us up with their Christmas drinks and so without a moment to waste, I headed over to check them out. 

For many, the excitement of Christmas starts to unfold at one moment: opening the stocking. Starbucks has hit home once again with the Santa Boots Chocolate Frappuccino®, which not only takes on the appearance of a stocking stuffed with treats, but tastes as jolly as one too. The Frappuccino® was released on December 4, 2019 and is enough to leave you with a very merry belly. 

Once you place your order, you will be handed a sealed straw transformed with Christmas magic to become an edible cookie straw. This drink is the first of its kind for Starbucks and is on a whole new level of excitement. Just holding the straw in your hand waiting for your drink will have your heart racing in anticipation.

Here it is:

The small, bright red baubles of chocolate will immediately catch your attention. The Christmassy cup is literally a stocking packed with a range of delicious flavours and textures.

Now it’s time to insert the straw. You will be surprised at just how strong and sturdy it is. Alternating between a few refreshing gulps and an odd chomp on the crispy straw creates a new kind of flavour experience. Rest assured that you are also provided with a regular straw so no need to worry about devouring the straw before finishing the drink.

The frappuccino® base contains a rich chocolate sauce and is sprinkled with crispy potato chips. There are also some potato chips on top of the drink to moderate sweetness and add texture. 

Not only will this fill your stomach, but just seeing the jolly drink will leave you fully topped up with the festive spirit. Sales will end once stock is depleted so make sure to try it asap if you are interested. 

Have a jolly Christmas filled with excitement and love. 

If you’re a Peanuts fan, you can’t miss out on the gorgeous Christmas menu which will served up at the PEANUTS Cafe Nakameguro, PEANUTS DINER Yokohama and PEANUTS DINER Kobe from December 2 – 25. 

Order the Christmas Dinner course for a large angus beef steak drizzled with a sweet and tangy sauce made of berries and raspberry vinegar.

After your dinner enjoy the luxurious Christmas desserts plate of bite-sized treats such as a soft and tender canelé and sweet madeleine. The plate is decorated with a Christmas Snoopy pick where Snoopy’s face can be seen peeking through a wreath. 

You don’t have to book in advance but we recommend you do. This can be done via the links in the information section below.

Order the Salmon Cheese Gratin Christmas Plate for a luxurious course of mains, salad and dessert all on one tray. The sautéd salmon is the steal of the show as it sits in a bath of creamy stew and is topped with a generous layer of cheese. This is served alongside fluffy bread branded with Christmas designs that will definitely put you in the Christmas spirit. A Snoopy pick replaces the traditional cherry on the sundae that will leave you with a sweet aftertaste after your meal.

The White Hot Chocolate is the perfect way to ward off the cold of winter. Like a white blanket of snow, white chocolate milk fills the cup and is topped with the traditional colours of Christmas. Allow yourself to be soothed by the drink’s mild sweetness.

Make the most of your Christmas with Snoopy and friends. 

© 2019 Peanuts Worldwide LLC

ROLL ICE CREAM FACTORYーan ice cream chain in Japan specialising in ‘rolled’ ice creamーreleased its Christmas menu today.

From Left: Reindeer’s Christmas / Pink Pink Christmas / Blue White Christmas / Royal Pink Christmas

This will be ROLL ICE CREAM FACTORY’s third-ever Christmas menu, which they have made even more fun. There are three festive ice creams to choose from, including two featuring Santa Claus and a reindeer. The ice creams can be served in either their regular cups, or the store’s new “Fuwamoko” snowstorm cups, which looks like snow blowing in the wind. Check out the video below.

Until now, people would take photos of the ice cream being made, but these new cups make for an even more Instagrammable post. Edit in a Christmas song or your favourite music to make your own cute video for your Instagram Stories. The Christmas menu is available until December 25, but these cups will be served until late February 2020. You’ll find the Christmas menu at the select branches and pop-up stores listed below.

Looking for Instagram-worthy ice cream in Japan? You definitely need to check out Asakusa Tsuno Koi. Soon after opening in Tokyo’s traditional Asakusa on July 5, 2019, their soft serve unicorn ice cream instantly earned its fame on social media. From November 28 to December 24, the ice cream shop will be releasing a series of Christmas-limited ice creams that are sure to become a hit sensation.

This shop is famous for being the only ice cream shop in the world to make unicorn-shaped cones out of financier cake dough and filling them with a sweet spiral of soft serve ice cream for the unicorn’s horn. This Christmas, the shop is introducing Christmas-limited toppings, flowers and wreaths to the decorations menu, making customising your ice cream more fun than ever before. 

* According to research conducted by Asakusa Tsuno Koi. Protected status has been received for America, Korea and Japan. Applications are still being processed in the EU, Singapore and Mongolia.  

For the Reindeer Soft Serve Ice Cream (￥780), each and every single financier cone is baked carefully, but this time in the shape of a reindeer – and it’s chocolate flavoured. Filled with soft serve ice cream, this reindeer is too cute to eat. 

The Christmas Tree (￥830) is a soft serve pistachio ice cream made using high-grade pistachos: the reigning queen when it comes to nut varieties. The ice cream is finished with one of Asakusa Tsuno Koi‘s original Christmas trees. 

The Santa Claus Soft Serve (￥500) is made using Asakusa Tsuno Koi’s rich-flavoured vanilla ice cream. Young or old, the moment you set eyes on Santa Claus’ face, a smile will automatically appear on yours! 

The Christmas-limited toppings include stars, candy, and gingerbread men (￥100 each). Can’t choose? There is set including all three which costs ￥250.

The shop interior is also looking more Christmassy. The interior is a fusion of Asakusa’s traditional heritage and the unicorn motif, which is popular in western countries. A colourful flowery background and Asakusa’s traditional folding fans and umbrellas perfectly finish the western-Japanese fusion scene, which is currently soaking in fame on Instagram.

Asakusa Tsuno Koi is serving up a totally unique kind of ice cream that has not been spotted anywhere else in the world. The Christmas-limited ice creams are definitely worth the hype. 

* Prices Before Tax

Starbucks Japan has revealed its drink in its line of holiday season beverages for 2019. The Santa Boots Chocolate Frappuccino® will be released at Starbucks branches across Japan on December 4, but will receive an early release at four branches in Shibuya on December 3.

The best moment during Christmastime is when you open a present. This drink is inspired by the candy and gift-stuffed stockings from childhood.

The drink contains everybody’s favourite indulging ingredients: chocolate, cookies, and potato chips. The base of the drink is filled with dipping chocolate sauce and crunchy chocolate chips. The potato chips on top add a delicious salty flavour to the sweetness.

The drink is closed off with a squirt of snow-white whipped cream covered in red chocolate balls and an edible cookie straw. Suck up all of those delicious flavours through the straw and then enjoy munching on it afterwards, ensuring nothing goes to waste. A perfect beverage to enjoy this holiday season!

Christmas is almost here, and at Q-pot CAFE. in Omotesando, the festivities have already begun as they begin serving a selection of special Christmas-exclusive menu items. These will be available until December 25.

Q-pot. is known for its accessory brand, which features jewellery made to look like sweets and desserts. It is also known for the Q-pot CAFE. which flips that concept, instead making sweets and desserts that look just like real accessories.

I visited Q-pot CAFE. to treat myself to their exciting Christmas afternoon tea.

Q-pot. Omotesando is a 7-minute walk from Omotesando Station’s A2 exit. You’ll spot the entrance by its sparkly illuminations as pictured above.

The cafe is split into seven concept rooms, such as Melt, Chocolate, BisQuit, SAKURA, and so onーso you can pick which sounds good to you and sit there. It also gives a reason to go back more than once!

The Story of Sweet Kingdom Afternoon Tea Set ¥2,400 (Tax Included/Drink Included)

The afternoon tea set: an indulgence any cafe-lover craves for at least once. And since Christmastime is coming, you want to enjoy a little treat too, right? Well, this two-tiered set comes with desserts, sweets, and some light food too.

The top plate includes gingerbread man pops, cupcakes, vanilla panna cotta, and macarons.

The gingerbread man pops are filled with caramel ganache, while the red velvet cupcakes topped with pistachio cream and made to look like a Christmas tree. The panna cotta is also sprinkled with dragees to look like stardust.

The macarons are strawberry and melon flavoured. The melon one has a particularly rich flavour and contains red melon pieces. This macaron is so popular that there are people who go to Q-pot CAFE. just to sink their teeth into one of them.

The bottom plate contains some hearty and crunchy  croissants filled with roast beef, mini tomatoes, and broccoli. It also comes with a side of rich cheese soup with onions and potatoes inside.  It’s a great palate cleanser after the desserts.

Pistachio Cream Tea Latte ¥750 (Tax Included) *Also sold separately

The drink that’s served with the afternoon tea set is a Christmas-only pistachio cream tea latte.  It’s a latte made with one of the cafe’s original flavoured tea brews called “Flower Garden.” The tea ensures the drink isn’t overly-sweet and leaves it with a mild flavour. It also comes with a holly-shaped cookie. This drink is also available to order separately from the drinks menu.

The set comes with a special fairy tale-like Christmas lunch mat.

CHRISTMAS CAKE ~The Story of Sweet Kingdom~ ¥3,800 (Tax Included)

The cafe is also selling a cake that looks like something out of a children’s picture book. It’s topped with a coconut meringue snowman, gingerbread man, and strawberry Santa. This would make a great addition to a home party.

Saku Saku Meringue ¥600 (Tax Included)

Take away some crunchy snow-white meringues too, so addictive you won’t be able to stop after just one!

The cafe is also selling a Christmas collection of their dessert-like accessories too.

Christmas Tree Cupcake: Necklace ¥10,000/Bag Charm ¥8,000 (Before Tax)

The Christmas tree cupcake features a chocolate cookie-like base topped with a realistic pistachio cream adorned with pearls.

Strawberry Santa Claus: Necklace ¥10,000/Bag Charm ¥8,000 (Before Tax)

Check out these adorable bright-red strawberry Santas too!

Q-pot CAFE. has lots of other Christmas food and accessories in addition to these too, so if you’re in Tokyo anytime from now up to Christmas Day, then be sure to visit.

Writer: Ellie (MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON)

Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

Disney magic flows through the veins of Disney Resort throughout the year. However, when the clock strikes Christmas time, the entire resort transforms for Disney Christmas: the annual event where the streets sparkle the most compared to any other yearly event.

With Christmas just over the horizon, the Fairy Godmother waved her magic wand over all areas of the park ー including the hotels. This year, a whole load of delicious Christmassy afternoon tea dishes have poofed onto the menu at Disney Ambassador Hotel’s Hyperion Lounge. Today, we’ll be looking at a few.

Disney Christmas Cake Set: ¥1,800

The Hyperion Lounge’s Disney Christmas Cake Set is shaped like a wreath and is garnished with your favourite Disney characters. 

The wreath, which is sat on a bed of chocolate mousse, is woven from pistachio dough that is full of flavour and soft mousse. The sweet tanginess of the raspberry and cherries mixes with the sweet chocolate for a refreshing flavour that will fill your mouth. It is just too cute to eat. 

Disney Christmas Special Drink: ¥1,300 *with Drink Coaster

The Christmas Special Drink is an iced tea coloured with a raspberry and strawberry syrup. Above the syrup is a mixture of milk tea and peach juice which will send a fruity scent floating to your nose. Mix the syrup with the milk tea thoroughly for a magical flavour adventure. Mixing the drink will turn it a cute light pink colour, too.

Two yellow chocolate stars shine in the middle of the drink. Can you spot them?

This drink was created to look just like Santa Claus and the two stars represent the buttons on his clothes.

This drink comes with a free original coaster, however, the coasters are in limited supply. Many restaurants around the resort are serving up special drinks which come with a free Disney Christmas coaster. The design available at Hyperion Lounge is Mini Mouse. Try collecting them for an extra special Disney Christmas. 

Collect all the drink coasters and put them together for a Disney Christmas masterpiece!

Whether inside the park or not, Tokyo Disney Resort never fails to make our hearts race with excitement. If you’re staying at the resort, don’t miss out on the restaurant’s irresistible Christmas drinks and desserts.

Original Text Author: Sayuri Mizuno (MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON)

An exhibition centred around Andy Warhol, the American artist who was at the forefront of the pop art movement, is set to roll up to the Kyocera Museum of Art in Kyoto from September 19, 2020. Around 200 pieces of art will be showcasedーover 100 of which have never been displayed in Japan beforeーas well as 15 video art pieces.

Three Marilyns (1962), Andy Warhol. The Andy Warhol Museum. *First showcasing in Japan

All of the pieces to be shown at the exhibition are the property of The Andy Warhol Museum, which is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the US, where Warhol was born.

The Last Supper (1986), Andy Warhol. *First showcasing in Japan

Tunafish Disaster (1963), Andy Warhol. *First showcasing in Japan

Peacock (1957), Andy Warhol. *First showcasing in Japan

The line-up displays Warhol’s diverse works, including his highly treasured Three Marilyns, as well as Tunafish Disaster from his Death and Disaster series, the enormous The Last Supper piece, Peacock which makes use of the Japanese style of gold leaf art, and more.

Kyoto (Kiyomizu-dera) (1956), Andy Warhol.

The exhibition will also turn its attention to Warhol’s connections to Kyoto which haven’t been discussed before. It will feature Warhol’s sketch of Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto which he drew during his trip around the world.

*All pieces are property of The Andy Warhol Museum

© The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Christmas is about to fall upon VenusFort in Odaiba, Tokyo, with a snow-pile of Christmas content set to take place at the mall from November 30 onward. This will include the exhibiting of teamLab’s hugely popular “The Trees of Resonating Colors of Life” installation.

teamLab, The Tree of Resonating Colors of Life, 2018, Interactive Installation, Endless, H: 8000 mm W: 6000 mm D: 6000 mm Sound: Hideaki Takahashi© teamLab

Located in the Olive Plaza, this interactive art piece is a three-dimensional tree made up of many light spheres which change colour as people touch them.

The popular annual “SNOW WISH” event will also take place again this year, where delicate snow falls gracefully from the ceiling. This year the event is collaborating with “VenusFort Illumination 2019-2020 -Grateful Harmony-” to create a heart-warming and enchanting Christmas display that’s sure to put you in the Christmas mood.

There will also be a Christmas raffle where you can win prizes, a special VenusFort Christmas party menu, as well as a Black Friday Market where you can grab some serious bargains.

Be sure to add Odaiba on your list of places to visit if you’re celebrating Christmas and the holiday season in Tokyo this year.

Tokyo Disney Resort’s most sparkly event of the year, Disney Christmas, is currently taking place at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea until December 25.

Today, I’ll be showcasing the must-buy Christmas food at drink at Tokyo DisneySea this Disney Christmas.

Desserts with souvenirs make the perfect take-home gift

Chocolate & Milk Mousse w/ Souvenir Mug – ¥800 @ Mamma Biscotti’s Bakery

This cute chocolate and milk mousse is sure to soothe you, topped with star-shaped chocolate, crunchy nuts, and moist mousse. This sweet treat comes with a mug inspired by the calm night of Christmas which you can take home with you.

Coffee Cream Tart w/ Souvenir Plate – ¥800 @ Mamma Biscotti’s Bakery

This one’s for the adults: a coffee cream tart with a delightfully subtle bitterness to it. It’s not overly sweet, and so can be lapped up without leaving you with that sickly aftertaste. It also comes with a souvenir plate which has the same design as the mug.

Christmas feasts to get you in the holiday season mood

“Select Five” Set – ¥2,080 @ Horizon Bay Restaurant

With this set, you get to pick five items: two from soups, salads and desserts, one entree, rice or bread, and a soft drink. The hamburger is super juicy and delicious with the tomato BBQ sauce!

Enjoy a soy flavoured potato salad, cute Mickey onion soup, reindeer dessert, and more♡

Christmas Cake – ¥1,480 @ Horizon Bay Restaurant

And if we’re talking Christmas, we can’t forget about the cake! This cake is topped with a Mickey and Minnie cookie, holly shaped chocolate, candy cane-coloured biscuit, and other little Christmas vibe goodies. Perfect for sharing with multiple people.

“Taste of Christmas” Food Programme: Pair drinks with food

In the New York area of American Waterfront they’re holding a food programme called “Taste of Christmas” where they pair food with alcoholic and hot alcoholic drinks.

Okonomiyaki Roll – ¥500 / Kirin Beer – ¥620 @ Restaurant Sakura

This rolled okonomiyaki goes amazingly with beer. Its thin chewy wrap is filled with yakisoba noodles and ebi shrimp.

It’s finished with a sprinkling of sesame seeds for added accent. A great option if you need something light to eat.

Drinks and snacks to enjoy while waiting in line for attractions

Popcorn w/ Basket – ¥2,400 @ The Gazebo (Popcorn Wagon)

k up some popcorn served in a Christmas present basket decorated with cute illustrations of Mickey and company celebrating Christmas. This is also available at Tokyo Disneyland!

Hot Matcha Milk (Tapioca & Strawberry) – ¥450 @ Hudson River Harvest

Roll up to Hudson River Harvest in Tokyo DisneySea for a cup of this Hot Matcha Milk which has been filled with chewy matcha flavoured tapioca pearls, a texture that’s deliciously enjoyable when fused with the faint fragrance of the strawberry. A hot drink is the perfect thing to pass the time waiting in line.

There’s lots of other limited-time food and drink to be enjoyed at Tokyo Disney Resort this Christmas besides our picks too. Treat your taste buds to some Disney delights this Christmas season.

Writer: Ellie (MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON)

Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

©️Disney

This year heralds another heart-warming Christmas celebration at Tokyo Disney Resort® with the official Disney Christmas event, which kicked off at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea on November 8 and will run up to Christmas Day.

Today, we’re reporting on Tokyo DisneySea’s entertainment programme “It’s Christmas Time!” as well as the park’s photo spots which can be enjoyed in the evenings.

It’s Christmas Time!

Returning again to Mediterranean Harbor this year is It’s Christmas Time!, a show which brings together the Disney character cast for a performance of Christmas song and dance.

The show begins with the performers stepping out in their bright-red Christmas outfits and singing with beautiful voices.

Lots of Disney friends were gathered together, including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, Goofy, and Chip & Dale.

“Let’s have all have a wonderful Christmas together,” announced Mickey, who danced the waltz with everyone.

That’s when the snow began to fall, and the colourfully-clad performers began the real dance show, consisting of tap dancing, line dancing, and more. They played lots of classic Christmas songs, and we found ourselves naturally singing along too.

Duffy the Disney Bear, ShellieMay, Santa Claus and many more made an appearance too to join in the festivities.

Speaking of which, Pluto was there too, but he seemed kind of lonely… I wonder what happened?

When visiting Tokyo DisneySea this year, be sure to go all-out when celebrating with the Disney characters and performers too!

Romantic Photo Spots♡

If you head down to American Waterfront, you’ll see a 15 meter high Christmas tree in front of the S.S. Columbia. And if you continue from there towards Cape Cod Cook-Off, you can get a really beautiful photo from the bridge.

Reds, yellows, greens and other colours decorate the surrounding area of Cape Cod Cook-Off, where Duffy & Friends are celebrating their Christmas.

There’s also photo spots where you can take some cute photos in front of the Christmas tree.

Be sure to find the characters dressed in their winter clothes riding a sled too, you can snap a picture with them as well.

At each themed port in the park they have spectacular illuminations at night too, which are sure to warm you with that Christmas spirit.

Writer: Ellie（MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON）

Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

©️Disney

Jolly faces are all around at Tokyo Disney Resort right now as Disney Christmas kicked off last Friday. It’s set to sleigh its way up to Christmas Day this year.

The editorial team at MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON jumped ahead and got to experience all of the festive fun taking place at Tokyo Disneyland parks, so we’re going to showcase some of the magical events taking place this year.

Disney characters dress up for the amazing Christmas parade

If you’re visiting Tokyo Disneyland this year, the one event you absolutely have to check out the Disney Christmas Stories parade, where Mickey and company, as well as characters from various Disney Pixar films like Frozen and Toy Story, all arrive on Christmas floats.

All of the floats and themed on the films they appear in. For example, Lilo and Stitch ride a Hawaii Christmas boat, while Donald and Daisy have their own boat decked out with Christmas decorations.

The floats will stop before the crowd, and that’s when the dancing begins! Mickey, Minnie, Chip and Dale begin the dancing in front of Cinderella’s castle. All of the Christmas-clad characters and dancers invite guests to join in with dancing.

Once the dancing stops, the floats begin to move again, and snow falls all around the guests, plunging them into a White Christmas. The parade is truly magical at this point as the snow dances through the air. What could be better than celebrating Christmas than with your favourite Disney character at Tokyo Disneyland?

Gaze up at the 15-meter tall Christmas tree

The first thing to catch your eye if you walk towards the World Bazaar from the entrance is the towering Christmas tree which stands 15 meters high. At night, they turn the Christmas lights on, glow beautifully with the other visuals shining in the area. Here you’ll truly feel like you’ve been transported to a Christmas land as you’re wrapped in the warm lights of the illuminations and lulled by the music.

Photo opportunities with your favourite characters

In front of the Cinderella castle you’ll find multiple photo spots with statues of Disney characters. There are photographers there ready to take guests’ photos for them, so be sure to dress in your Christmas best to snap a memorable picture with the Disney cast. If you buy the photo, you’ll also receive a Christmas illustration and other goodies.

You can really feel the Christmas spirit at Tokyo Disneyland simply by walking through the park. Don’t miss this year’s Disney Christmas, and be sure to invite friends, family and loved ones along for the ride.

Writer: Sayuri Mizuno (MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON)

Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga