Hirakata Park has announced the horror-themed event “Yamibiraki no Yoru” which will be held at the Osaka amusement park during the night from August 26 to September 13.

Two Japanese horror entertainment companies are coming together to set up spooky spots around the park for the event. For the event, visitors will need to clear a mission to reach the goal which will involve the use of a smartphone or tablet.

Yamibiraki no Yoru – Synopsis

“There is a rumour that once a year, Hirakata Park opens up during the middle of the night. And though it’s open in the middle of the night, the only staff that can be spotted around are those with vacant looks in their eyes. What’s more is that there aren’t any visitors around. At some point, this rumour came to be called Yamibiraki no Yoru, ‘Open in Darkness.’ And this summer, an event is being held, on the same day that rumour was named, and with the same name…”

Scary School Stories VR x Real Scary Experience

Hirakata Park is also holding a haunted house event during the daytime from July 17, 2020. Themed on Kokkuri-san, a Japanese supernatural game, the event will combine the use of VR technology and real interactive scares.

Japanese black tea brand Lipton is opening two pop-up tea stands this summer called “Lipton TEA STAND Fruits in Tea.” They will open in Daikanyama and Osaka from July 10 and Kichijoji from July 22.

Lipton opened its two permanent tea stands “Lipton TEA STAND” in Nagoya and Hakata in winter 2018 in an effort to make black tea more accessible to people. The drinks menus at these stands are diverse, ranging from simple black tea to their “Fruits in Tea” range which are teas filled with fresh fruits, royal milk tea, desserts, and more.

Iced Parfaits

Passion Fruits: ¥1,200 (Tax Included) (+¥150 for honey milk) / Strawberry: ¥1,200 (Tax Included) (+¥150 for condensed milk)

Lipton’s “Fruits in Tea” opened as a new way for people to enjoy black tea in summertime. With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lipton has decided to whip up some refreshing “Happy!” new iced parfaits for beating the hot weather. Their popular custom menu lets you a variety of vitamin-packed fruits, herbs, and more to your iced tea.

Frozen tea is the base of the iced parfait and retains the original flavour of the black tea. Added to that is ice and fruits inside a tumbler, all of which is layered to look like a parfait with a shaved iced quality to it. The “Passion Fruits” flavour is topped with passion fruit syrup and frozen lemon, orange, and kiwi, while the sweet and sour “Strawberry” is a mix of strawberry syrup and frozen strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Both options are sure to keep you cool during the hot Japanese summer.

Original Iced Tea “Fruits in Tea”: Tumbler ¥1,000 (Tax Included) / Cup ¥600 (Tax Included)

Lipton’s popular custom menu lets you choose from four tea bases, like Earl Grey and green tea. You can then pick your base fruits, like pineapple or strawberry, topping fruits such  as kiwi and mango, and then a special flavour like mint. Finally, choose your syrup, such as lemon, and you’v got your own custom beverage for the summertime.

LEGS COMPANY has announced that it will open three cafes based on the popular Japanese character Hamtaro in Tokyo and Saitama on July 30 and Osaka on July 31.

Hamtaro is a manga and storybook series created and illustrated by Ritsuko Kawai. The series began serialisation in 1997 and an anime adaptation first broadcast back in 2000. More than 20 years later, Hamtaro continues to enjoy much popularity in Japan.

Hamtaro Cafe 2020 will be themed around sunflowers and the sea, and will serve up a fun experience perfect for the hot summer. The Ham-Hams have come out of their Clubhouse to pay a visit to the seaside and enjoy the sun. There will be sunflower and ocean themed food, drinks, and desserts for everyone to munch on.

Yakisoba On Beach Hut Sunflower Bread: ¥1,499

A plate of yakisoba and egg arranged to look like a sunflower, with Hamtaro sat right in the middle.

Cone Cappy Hide and Seek Ice Cream Parfait: ¥1,399

Cappy is wearing a cone on his head and is hiding amongst the ice cream, chocolate banana, and fresh mint.

Ham Ham Glass Drinks: Drink Only – ¥789 Each / With Glass – ¥1,789 Each

There are two drinks to choose from: the orange flavoured Hamtaro and the yogurt flavoured Bijou.

Vinyl Pouch: ¥1,300

Mascot Keyring Hamtaro: ¥1,550

The cafe will also sell a range of exclusive merchandise too, which is scheduled to be available for online purchase as well in Japan.

Ham-Ham Fans (14 Designs)

Original Coasters (15 Designs)

Those who dine at the cafe will receive a free Ham-Ham fan, and if you order a drink you’ll get a coaster too.

©Ritsuko Kawai / Shogakukan

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) reopened on June 19, 2020 after temporary closure as a result of COVID-19. The park is now running with strict measures in place to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, including practicing the 2m social distancing rule, making it mandatory to wear face masks, and so on. The park has posted a full video demonstration of the rules on their official website.

That means summertime is set to shine on USJ once again this year. The new ‘Universal Summer Parade: We are One’ event will begin on July 23 as the first parade held by the park since its reopening. Guests will be able to enjoy a fun and exciting summer at USJ with all the necessary precautions in place to ensure their safety.

Many familiar faces will gather at USJ to celebrate summer with guests, including the Minions, Elmo, Snoopy, Hello Kitty, and more. Each of them will board colourful floats for the parade during the parade, which will open with the fittingly-titled “Opening Float” followed by a flurry of unique floats like the flashy “Latin Float,” cute European-inspired “Europe Float,” the mysterious “Indian Float,” and the finale “America Float,” amongst many others. There will be music to entertain guests for laughs, smiles, and fun energy while characters and entertainers ride the floats and serve summertime vibes.

The peak moment of the parade will be when confetti rains down on guests in huge quantities. Flags can also be bought for the parade for the first time in this year. Performers and the park characters will be able to entertain guests at a distance while still connecting with them through the fun performances. A special “social distance” performance created in cooperation with the Osaka Prefectural Board of Education will also be part of the parade. This year’s parade plans to have guests dancing and smiling even more than previous years to lift some of that stress away and give them the fight and energy to continue into tomorrow.

Universal Summer Parade: We Are One

Put your hands into the air as the sun beats down and the floats arrive to a lively rhythm. ‘We are One’ is the catchphrase, so get your boogie on and explode with excitement together with the entertainers and park characters for a heated summer parade!

Running: July 23, 2020 – August 27, 2020

Location: Parade Route

Time: One per day from 11:00am (approx 40 mins) 

Buy yourself a parade flag for ¥500 and wave it around to the beat of the festival!

Cool yourself off with some summer merch

Get your hands on some merch for cooling off, including the must-have summer “Handy Fan,” a “UV Poncho” which keeps you cool in the heat of the sun, a classic “Sensu” folding fan, and more.

Feel the Japanese festivities with the Universal Market

The Universal Market will give that Japanese ‘matsuri’ festival vibe. Enjoy some cool desserts, spicy food, and more.

Left: Super Hot! Turkey Leg ¥1,000 / Centre: Peach Jelly Soda: ¥650 / Right: Frappe Sundae ~Strawberry & Blue Hawaii~ ¥750

Since guest safety is the number one priority this summer, the park will not be holding its famous splash performance where guests are soaked with water by water shooters.

Additionally, the parade will also not stop in any of the usual designated places and will instead keep on moving, meaning the parade can be enjoyed from anywhere along the parade route. Guests will be able to keep plenty of distance from others as they watch the parade.

The park also released a statement on its ‘enhanced sanitation in park operations’ on its official website so you can find out more about what USJ is doing to tackle the COVID-19 spread.

If you’re in Osaka this year, you can still enjoy summer at Universal Studios Japan with all the necessary precautions in place.

LEGS COMPANY is opening three cafes in Tokyo (Ikebukuro), Osaka (Umeda), and Aichi (Nagoya) based on the popular mobile game Game BanG Dream! Girls Band Party for a limited time from July 31, 2020.

Game BanG Dream! Girls Band Party is a rhythm and adventure mobile game that was released in Japan in 2017. It is part of Bushiroad’s “BanG Dream!” music media franchise which is centred on all-female bands.

Since summer 2017, LEGS COMPANY has opened themed cafes based around the game every year. 2017 saw the cafes focus on the vocalists of the bands in the game. In 2018, it was the keyboardists and DJs, and last year the drummers. Each theme brought with it illustrations and decorations created specifically for the cafes, as well as a food menu inspired by the characters, original merchandise, and more.

This year marks the 4th run of the annual summer cafe which will hit Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. The theme this time around focuses on the seven main bands from the game. Seven characters from the bands, including one from a new band, will welcome fans in the form of kawaii-packed dishes, drinks, and desserts.

Yamabuki Bakery’s Mini Croissant Plate (Poppin’party): ¥1,590 (Before Tax)

Kitazawa Butcher’s Stamina Croquette Curry (Hello, happy world!): ¥1,490 (Before Tax)

All of the main dishes on the menu are colourful and vivid, plated with hearty portions of delicious and nutritional goodies.

Strawberry Rock Parfait (Afterglow): ¥1,290 (Before Tax)

Colourful Doughnut Sandwich (Pastel＊Palettes): ¥1,290 (Before Tax)

This gourmet dessert is topped with fruit, so gorgeous it seems a waste to eat.

Grape: ¥890

Ramune: ¥890

There are colourful drinks too with each colour representing a different band. Support your favourite band by getting a glass!

Pin Set 2020 ver. (7 Designs): ¥3,100

Canvas Art (7 Designs): ¥3,500 Each

Birthday Pins (4 Designs): ¥650 Each

Fans can get their hands on plenty of exclusive merchandise too, and there’s even birthday items and food available too.

Online Birthday Cake (4 Designs): ¥3,850 Each (+¥950 shipping fee)

Cushions (22 Designs): ¥3,800 Each

You can even order your own special birthday cake in Japan from the cafe, and they’re not short on exclusive merchandise.

©BanGDream! Project ©Craft Egg Inc. ©bushiroad All Rights Reserved.

Yukai Resort, a company in Japan which manages lots of famous hot spring resorts across the country, opened Yukai Resort Premium Toba Saichoraku in Toba, Mie on June 5, 2020.

Yukai Resort manages 29 well-established hot spring resort hotels and ryokan throughout Japan, including hotels where you can get one night with dinner and breakfast from just ¥7,500 (before tax) to ryokan where you can enjoy kaiseki meal courses, and more. All their luxury establishments feature hot springs surrounded in lush environments.

Yukai Resort Premium Toba Saichoraku opened on June 5, 2020 and is taking all of the necessary precautions against COVID-19 to protect guests and so that guests can enjoy a comfortable stay.

Yukai Resort Premium Toba Saichoraku is 10 minutes by car from Toba Aquarium and 30 minutes from Ise Grand Shrine, making it a great location to enjoy the sightseeing spots of Ise and Shima. The hotel’s concept is centred on being an “active resort” where you can get the full Toba experience with history, the sea, and activities.

The large open-air communal baths look out onto Toba Bay. The baths are designed like infinity pools, giving the effect that they are connected to the sea. Guests can enjoy a dip in the day or evening so they can enjoy both a blue sky or starry sky. There are also saunas.

There is also an indoor swimming pool with warm water, as well as foot baths, a kids play park, karaoke room, and many more fun features.

Yukai Resort Premium Toba Saichoraku also houses Yukai Resort’s first ever indoor glamping guest rooms with large tents decked with beds, sofa, carpet, cushions, and other amenities for a glamorous camping experience. There are glamping rooms with their own open-air baths that look out onto Toba Bay too, as well as both Japanese-style and Western-style rooms.

As a precaution against COVID-19, the restaurant is serving its food for takeout only until August 31, 2020. Guests can enjoy their meal in their rooms or in one of the many communal spaces. There’s plenty of health Japanese food to enjoy including sushi, Matsuzaka roast beef, eel, tuna, and more.

Set to be the largest recreational facility in the Kansai region of Japan, SENNAN LONG PARK is set to open on July 3, 2020. The facility, which is being opened by DAIWA LEASE in Rinkuminamihama, was originally scheduled to open earlier but this was postponed due to effects of COVID-19.

What is SENNAN LONG PARK?

SENNAN LONG PARK is located nearby Kansai International Airport—the doorstep of Kansai. Its concept as the region’s largest recreational facility is to combine create a space for people to enjoy the sea, sky, and nature.

Pre-Opening

Inside people will find four separate zones: the Activity Area, Community Area, Market Area, and Glamping Area, where they can enjoy sports, food, and leisure. And in the run up to the grand opening, several places inside will open early from June 20 to 30 (10:00am-5:00pm). This includes THE BBQ BEACH in Marble Beach, the athletic spot HEARTTHROB, and RECAMP Rinku.

Japanese snack company Oyatsu Town is opening a new “town-style” theme park inside the Namba Parks shopping complex in Osaka on October 2, 2020 called “Little Oyatsu Town Namba” which will be themed around Oyatsu Town’s timeless Japanese dried noodle snack “Baby Star Ramen.”

When the theme park opens, it will be taking all necessary precautions against COVID-19 to ensure guests have a safe experience.

Hoshio-kun Kitchen: Make your own Baby Star Ramen

In the Hoshio-kun Kitchen area, you will be able to choose favourite seasonings to create your very own personal Baby Star Ramen snack. Guests will also be able to make steamed bread to season too.

Hoshio-kun Fantasy Park: The amusement area

At Hoshio-kun Fantasy Park, kids and adults alike can enjoy Baby Star in a variety of interactive digital content, from music to videos, controlling your own avatar, and more.

Baby Star Dining: Enjoy lunch and dinner in the food area

Baby Star Dining features a menu arranged by pro chefs. Enjoy lunch, dinner, or cafe time. At dinner, alcohol is served too.

Oyatsu Deli: The takeout corner

Here, you can order curry bread, steamed buns, and other freshly-made tasty takeout food made using Baby Star.

Oyatsu Marche: The marketplace

At the Oyatsu Marche market, guests can get their hands on exclusive Baby Star Ramen flavours, merchandise, stationery, and more.

Bookings will open in September before the grand opening of Little Oyatsu Town Namba on October 2, 2020.

The Osaka branch of @home cafe—a chain of maid cafes that originated in Akihabara—is collaborating with Sanrio to serve up a Hello Kitty experience from July 1 for a limited time, with special decorations, food, and exclusive merchandise.

@home cafe Akihaabra collaborates with Sanrio characters every year. In 2018, it joined hands with My Melody and Cinnamoroll, and in 2019 with Pompompurin. In January this year, it teamed up with Hello Kitty, who is now heading to the Osaka cafe.

The cafe will be decorated with cute pictures of Hello Kitty and her twin sister Mimmy, as well as pink and yellow gingham designs for each character.

The maids at @home cafe Osaka will also wear special Hello Kitty and Mimmy maid outfits for the duration of the collaboration.

Food Menu

Hello Kitty’s KAWAII♡ Pink Curry: ¥1,400 (Before Tax) *Comes with a free certificate-style card

Hello Kitty & Mimmy’s Moe Moe Ribbon Pasta Plate: ¥1,300 (Before Tax)

Hello Kitty’s Lovely Sweet Sandwich: ¥1,300 (Before Tax)

Dessert Menu

Hello Kitty’s Moe Moe Parfait / Mimmy’s Kyun Myun Parfait: ¥1,000 Each (Before Tax)

Okyumuka Cake Topped With a Bright-Red Apple: ¥1,000 (Before Tax)

All customers who dine at the cafe will receive one of two possible lunch mats for free. You get one of three free coasters too when you order a drink.

Hello Kitty x @home cafe Merchandise

Acrylic Key Rings (3 Designs): ¥600 Each (Before Tax)

Mirror: ¥800 (Before Tax)

See Hello Kitty and Mimmy transform into maids at @home cafe Osaka.

©1976,2020 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO.S603899

The Folk Kitchen on the 2nd floor of Hilton Osaka is set to serve up the “Summer Sweets Buffet Festival ~Hello Kitty & My Melody Collaboration Tea Party~” from June 19, 2020 to September 13, 2020. The menu is made up of 25 colourful and summery desserts, as well as 7 vegan desserts made without any eggs, milk or animal products.

The buffet is a step up from last year’s “Fashionable Hello Kitty Dessert Buffet” which we covered.

This year’s summer buffet tea party combo is a sweet amalgamation of finger licking and lip smacking flavours. In the middle of the “Ice Cream Cup Cheesecake” is a moist baked cheesecake topped with cream cheese—and all of this hugged by a crunchy cone.

Then there’s the “Lollipop Mousse Green Apple,” a vivid green iced candy with a fresh apple mousse filled with apple jam for a mix of sweet and sour flavours. The “Vegan Melon Cream Soda Jelly” is a melon flavoured jelly topped with a cream made from fizzy lime foam. If you’re wanting cake, then there’s the fluffy “Pineapple Chiffon Cake” topped with lots of cream.

The “Pudding à la Mode” is topped with a chocolate My Melody picture, of which there are several designs.

The vegans too have their fair share of refreshing summertime bites to enjoy too, like the “Vegan Peach Bellini” which uses agar-agar instead of gelatin. It’s a delightful combination of muscat grape jelly and peach jam. The “Vegan Chocolate Chip Cupcakes” have a fresh kick to them thanks to the fruity pineapple and soy milk combo. Other delights include the “Soy Milk Cream Fruit Bun,” “Vegan Piña Colada Panna Cotta,” and more.

The buffet also includes 5 savoury food dishes too like cold corn soup, curry, salad, and more.

On the 1st floor cafe and bar MYPLACE of Hilton Osaka, customers can order the above-pictured Hello Kitty & My Melody afternoon tea which is served in a jewellery box-like set.

OH MY CAFE is set to take a Beauty and the Beast theme at three of its branches in Tokyo and Osaka from June 19, and subsequently Nagoya from June 26, for a limited time.

The concept of the cafe is based on the Beast gifting Belle a library. The main visual for the collaboration sees Belle wearing a green dress which she only wears during the library scene. The cafe too will fittingly take on a library look.

<Beauty and the Beast> Night Sky Cream Curry Rice: ¥1,890

A mild curry themed on Beast and Belle’s romantic ball.

<Something There> Snow Thawed Love Cream Pasta: ¥1,990

Inspired by the scene in which Belle and Beast come closer together. Mushroom cream penne served with truffle meringue.

<The Mod Song> Chip’s Assistance Afternoon Tea: ¥1,090 / With Spoon: ¥1,690

A tea set with the cute chipped cup Chip, a scone, and tea jelly. The perfect after-meal conclusion.

<Enchanted Rose> Rose Water: ¥890 / With Coaster: ¥1,590

A refreshing rose water mixed with lemon. Maybe you too will be able to find true love with a sip.

Message Cards (9 Designs): ¥450

Tinned Tea (Red/Blue): ¥1,600 Each

The cafe will also sell lots of special, exclusive merchandise.

Additionally, those who book a table in advance and order from the menu will receive one of 4 possible lunch mats chosen randomly. And if you spend over ¥2,000 (tax included) on merchandise at the cafe you’ll get one of 9 possible bookmarks.

CookpadTV is set to collaborate with the third series of the popular TV anime series Ojamajo Doremi, entitled Motto! Ojamajo Doremi, at the live cooking studio “cookpad studio” in Osaka from June 11, 2020 with an event called “cookpad studio Mahosai” (cookpad studio Magic Festival).

cookpad studio has collaborated with many different anime series up to now and receives much praise from customers.

“cookpad studio Mahou Matsuri” brings Motto! Ojamajo Doremi to life on your plate, making it both visually appealing and delicious. Except for desserts, food and drink can be ordered for takeout so customers can enjoy their treats at home.

All food and drink comes with an original novelty. Exclusive merchandise will also be sold for the event.

When you order food or dessert, you’ll get one of the above-pictured stickers, and if you order a drink one of the postcards. There are five designs for each, and the one you get is random so you can look forward to seeing which you get on the day.

cookpad studio will also have three large 65-inch displays which will show cooking videos of the food served during the event being made.

©Toei Animation