World tea brand LUPICIA launched its 7th collaboration with Sanrio on Thursday (February 25) featuring a range of tea gift sets. Every year, LUPICIA releases a wide variety of rea-related gift sets for White Day, the spring season, Mother’s Day, and more.

Four Fruit Fruity Tea With Lidded Mug

Hello Kitty LUPICIA Mug & Flavoured Tea | ¥3,300 (Tax Included)

My Melody LUPICIA Mug & Flavoured Tea | ¥3,300 (Tax Included)

Cinnamoroll LUPICIA Mug & Flavoured Tea | ¥3,300 (Tax Included)

Kuromi LUPICIA Mug & Flavoured Tea | ¥3,300 (Tax Included)

This year adds the dearly beloved Kuromi to the new collaboration which features a variety of fresh and fruity teas together with a mug that comes with a lid to keep your tea hot.

Will you be having tea with Hello Kitty, My Melody, Cinnamoroll, or Kuromi?

（c）’21 SANRIO 著作（株）サンリオ

If you visit Mifuneyama Rakuen Hotel in Saga Prefecture, you’ll discover teamLab’s permanent exhibition teamLab Ruins and Heritage: Rinkan Spa & Tea Ceremony. On Friday (February 19), the exhibition began serving EN TEA, a new brand of tea grown in Hizen.

The exhibition is an art and sauna experience by teamLab and the Mifuneyama Rakuen Hotel Rakan Bath, the winner of SAUNACHELIN in 2019 and 2020. There, visitors can clear their minds, feel the ever-expanding space through their bodies, and immerse themselves in the art and the forest dotted with ruins. After their sauna experience, they can enjoy a cup of EN TEA to wind down.

EN TEA is a brand of tea made in collaboration with tea master Shunichi Matsuo and Maruwakaya, a brand that focuses on Japanese traditional culture and brings together artisans. It’s brewed at a low temperature for 15 minutes which lowers the amount of caffeine inside. After enjoying the sauna, visitors can visit the EN TEA HOUSE at Mifuneyama Rakuen Hotel for their cup.

The fruit sandwich eatery Maruichi Seika has opened a pop-up shop on the second floor of Kita-Senju Marui in Adachi, Tokyo. The shop is a collaboration between the popular local restaurant Ippo Ippo and Maruichi, a long-standing and much-loved fruit shop.

Fruit is the key ingredient at Maruichi Seika where they want customers stuffing their cheeks with strawberries, oranges, pineapple, and more. Fruit is packed into fat sandwiches and combined with mascarpone cheese for a filling treat. The bread is provided by Furansuya, a local bakery in Kita-Senju that has been running for over 10 years.

A Select Look at the Line-Up

Sky Berry | ¥740 (Tax Included)

This sandwich is named after a particular variety of strawberry is known as the Sky Berry. It’s sourced from Tochigi Prefecture and is known for its superior sweetness, juiciness, and the fact that it’s low in acidity. Ordering this lets you enjoy three different kinds of well-known strawberry: the titular Sky Berry, the Tochiotome which is also from Tochigi, and the classic Amaou from Fukuoka.

Setoka | ¥840 (Tax Included)

The Setoka is a rare and super sweet, full-bodied citrus fruit that’s normally given as a gift in Japan. In sandwich form, it enjoys a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess.

Pineapple | ¥630 (Tax Included)

The Golden Pineapple from the Philippines is the variety used in this sandwich, packed with mouth-watering sweetness and offering a rich fruity fragrance.

Maruichi Mix | ¥740 (Tax Included)

This sandwich is a combination of fruits including the Amaou strawberry from Fukuoka, the Kanjuku Kiwi from Ehime, and the Premium Banana from the Philippines. It also contains the best picked mikan which are bought fresh from the market every day.

If you’ve never tried a fruit sandwich in Japan and are in Tokyo this winter, then don’t miss out on Maruichi Seika’s limited-time line-up.

Tastea Trustea Japan released two new beverages on Friday (February 5) for Valentine’s Day at CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice in Japan: the CoCo Dinosaur and Tapioca CoCo Dinosaur.

CoCo Dinosaur ¥520 / Tapioca CoCo Dinosaur ¥580

The two teach beverages are made with a rich chocolate sauce and fresh milk. They are topped with chocolate and brown sugar syrup for a sweet combination of flavours and textures. An enjoyable beverage that is both refreshing and Instagram-worthy for Valentine’s Day.

&EARL GREY, the first shop in Japan to sell exclusively earl grey products, is appearing at the Chocolate Mode 2021 event at Isetan Urawa in Saitama which is taking place until February 14. Visitors can look forward to tucking into a sweet selection of delicious earl grey flavoured ice creams.

Double Chocolate Gelato & Macaron: Chocolate & Continental Earl Grey / Chocolate & Sunshine Earl Grey / Chocolate & Exotic Earl Grey – ¥605 Each (Tax Included)

Earl Grey Rich Milk Tea Gelato: Butterfly Pea & Earl Grey / Pistachio & Matcha / Mango Passion & Jasmine / Mixed Berries & Rooibos / Peche de Vigne & Honeybush Lavender – Single ¥495, Double ¥550, Triple ¥605 (Before Tax)

&EARL GREY has prepared a sweet line-up of rich ice creams made using high quality tea leaves from Japan, China, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and elsewhere. And for Valentine’s Day, some of the ice cream options have been topped with cute macarons.

Tokyo Tower is set to host a special morning tea gathering on its 150-meter-high main deck, which overlooks central Tokyo, from November 21, 2020.

A peaceful morning cup of tea above Tokyo

Tokyo is a communications tower in the middle of Tokyo which has its own observation deck open to the public which offers an incredible view of the capital. During the day, the tower is very busy with visitors, and so this morning tea gathering aims to offer people a chance to enjoy the tower and its view in peace and quiet, before opening hours, with a cup of Japanese tea.

An open display showcasing Japanese crafts

The event is cooperating with the Japan-France Tea Ceremony Association who is providing specially-selected traditional Japanese tea-making and serving equipment, all of which were made by traditional Japanese artisans and have been passed down since the Edo Period for an authentic.

Open to foreigners even if you don’t know Japanese or the etiquette of the Japanese tea ceremony

Don’t worry if you can’t speak Japanese or don’t know the manners or proper etiquette when it comes to the Japanese tea ceremony – the event is open to all, and you can participate without sitting in the traditional seiza positioning. The staff can speak English, French, and Spanish, so foreign tourists won’t miss out on anything.

Q-pot CAFE. in Omotesando, Tokyo, has revealed its upcoming Q-pot CAFE. “KUMA”STMAS MENU which is set to be served from November 1 to December 25.

Happy Merry “KUMA”STMAS！

“KUMA”STMAS is a portmanteau of the Japanese word for bear (kuma) and Christmas. The cafe’s cute menu is here to bring warmth and cosiness this holiday season.

Merry “KUMA”STMAS Plate w/ Drink – ¥2,060 (Tax Included)

A sweet assortment cute enough to tug your heartstrings.

Q-pot CAFE.’s pastry chefs take their time to delicately handmake the adorable bear’s baby face oat milk cookie. The cookie is sat on top of a fluffy duvet of whipped cream, berry jam with fresh berries, and a chocolate génoise cake. It’s a sweet and tangy combination of raspberry and strawberry.

The cookie-topped cake is also served with a rich pistachio cream Christmas tree.

Merry “KUMA”STMAS Bitter Caramel Milk Tea – ¥750 (Tax Included)

A warm and cosy beverage to heal your heart, mind, and soul. This baby bear looks sweet but has delightfully rich notes thanks to the caramel. The tea is one of the cafe’s originals, the “Sweet Weekend,” which has a refreshing after taste and goes perfectly with the caramel cream.

Merry “KUMA”STMAS Afternoon Tea Set | ¥2,400 per person (Tax Included)　*Photo shows a set for two

If you love teddy bears, then this afternoon tea set is a dream come true.

Top Plate

The top plate is a delicate assortment of sweet and crunchy oat milk cookies, a glass dessert of fromage blanc and fresh orange jelly, velvet cupcakes topped with pistachio cream made to look like a Christmas tree, and creamy macarons.

Bottom Plate

The bottom plate is the savoury selection and comes with croissants stuffed with roast beef topped with honey mustard sauce, a rich potato potage, and skewers piercing olives, mini tomatoes, and pickles.

Special Novelty <Teddy Bear Message Card>

Customers who book a table in advance to the cafe will receive a free teddy bear message card. These are limited in stock, so if you’re in Tokyo don’t miss out.

Pokémon Cafe and Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe are releasing a new teatime menu at their respective branches on October 24, 2020.

Pokémon Cafe

Polteageist & Sinistea Tea Party! Fruit Tea Set ~Apple Flavoured~ | ¥1,188 (Tax Included)

Polteageist & Sinistea Tea Party! Fruit Tea Set ~Strawberry Flavoured~ | ¥1,188 (Tax Included)

Pokémon Cafe is serving up two different fruit tea sets based on the Ghost-type Pokémon Polteageist and Sinistea. Customers are free to pour in their desired amount of fruit syrup which changes the colour of the tea. The sets come with a cute cookie too.

Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe

Left: Polteageist’s Tea Party! Fruit Tea ~Mixed Berry Flavour~ / Right: Polteageist’s Tea Party! Fruit Tea ~Peach Orange Flavour~ | ¥700 Each (Before Tax)

Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe is also going to serve up some Polteageist themed fruit teas as well as a selection of desserts like macarons and financier almond cakes which have Pokémon tail and ear designs.

After ordering one of the Polteageist fruit teas, customers can place their cups under the Polteageist tea pot as pictured above and activate the pot to dispense their drink, so it’s like Polteageist  really pouring tea for you.

Left: Swirlix Strawberry Macaron | Middle: Pikachu Vanilla Macaron | Right: Galarian Ponyta Pistachio Macaron – ¥500 Each (Before Tax)

Treat yourself to one of the super cute Swirlix, Pikachu, or Ponyta macarons each with designs that tell you instantly which Pokémon they’re inspired by.

Polteageist Fruit Tea and & Pikachu Macaron Set

Customers can order a tea and macaron combination set too.

Pikachu Parfaits

Pikachu Glass Parfait Set | ¥1,500 (Before Tax)

An adorable set of Pikachu parfaits, one being caramel banana flavoured and the other chocolate.

Pikachu Tea Party Assortment – Pika Pika Pikavee Set | ¥2,800 (Before Tax)

Another set to share between friends and family, this time with two Pikachu glass desserts as well as Pikachu and Eevee cupcakes.

Pikachu Tea Party Assortment – Ghost Type Set | ¥2,800 (Before Tax)

This set comes with the Pikachu glass desserts as well as Ghost-type Gengar and Litwick mousse cakes.

The Polteageist teapot and Sinistea teacup used at the Pokémon Cafe and Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe will also be released at Pokémon Center Online in Japan on December 5, 2020.

© 2020 Pokémon.©1995-2020 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
Pokémon, ポケットモンスター, and ポケモン are registered trademarks of Nintendo, Creatures Inc., and GAME FREAK inc..

McDonald’s Japan has announced the release of four limited-time drinks which will be sold at McCafé by Barista branches of McDonald’s from September 2. The line-up includes the ‘Houjicha Frappe Shiratama Kuromitsu Kinako,’ ‘Houjicha Frappe,’ Matcha Frappe Shiratama Kuromitsu Kinako,’ and ‘Matcha Frappe.’

The beverage lineup is the perfect pink for an autumn-time dessert drink, each made with authentic flavours from Japan.

Houjicha Frappe Shiratama Kuromitsu Kinako | Regular ¥490, Large ¥530 (Tax Included)

Made using 100% Japanese houjicha powder and delicious milk, this houjicha frappe is topped with soy flour, sweet brown sugar syrup from Okinawa, chewy rice flour dumplings, and a squirt of whipped cream. This is the ultimate McDonald’s Japanese dessert drink, laced with fragrant houjicha tea with a creamy texture.

Houjicha Frappe | Regular ¥450, Large ¥490 (Tax Included)

Houjicha frappe is used as the base for this one, and if inished with whipped cream and a dusting of houjicha powder. The subtly sweet houjicha and creaminess of the whipped cream is a deliciously perfect match.

Matcha Frappe Shiratama Kuromitsu Kinako | Regular ¥490, Large ¥530 (Tax Included)

Just like the houjicha variant, except this time it’s a latte made with matcha and matcha powder from Uji, Kyoto. A truly all-star Japanese dessert drink.

Matcha Frappe | Regular ¥450, Large ¥490 (Tax Included)

The matcha frappe too is sprinkled with matcha powder from Uji, combined with full-bodied milk, and topped with whipped cream.

HARIO has created a completely new way of serving tea with its new clear lidless teapot.

The teapot substitutes a lid for a filter, allowing for you to place your tea leaves directly into the pot and not have to worry about any pieces falling into your cup. The spout is made from PCT resin which caters to high temperatures and gives it impact strength, heat resistance, and makes it transparent.

Clear Lidless Teapot: ¥2,000 (450ml) / ¥2,500 (700ml) (Before Tax)

As you pour the pot, the scent of the tea rises together with the steam. The pot is made from heat-resistant glass which means you can see the tea leaves as well as watch the colour of the water change. It’s made so you can enjoy every sip of your tea’s delicious flavour, right down to the last golden drop. Not only that, it’s also smart and stylish, so is sure to elicit a comment or two when you’re pouring tea for people.

Since you don’t have to worry about any leaves pouring out, you can try out all kinds of different teas, whether it be Japanese tea, herb tea, and so on. It’s great for iced tea too, especially with the weather warming up.

The teapot benefits from not being made up of many parts, so it’s super easy to clean—you can get right down into the corners.

Make teatime even more fun while you’re at home with this clever new invention!

Modern tea hosue nana’s green tea has 81 branches across Japan. Alongside café-style food, their specialty is traditional desserts and drinks made from traditional teas such as matcha and hojicha. They are now selling a new parfait and chilled drink made from fresh gyokuro green tea for a limited time.

As the days grow gradually closer to summer, the menu blooms to life with the season’s fresh green colours. The desserts at nana’s green tea never fail to boast their own unique and unbeatable flavours. The new parfait and drink are made with a generous serving of  gyokuro, which is a fine and luxurious type of green tea recognised by its signature bright green appearance. The rich green tea is sourced from the long-established Kyoto tea-producer YAMAMASA KOYAMAEN.

YAMAMASA KOYAMAEN: Kyoto’s Long-Established Uji Matcha Tea Producers

YAMAMASA KOYAMAEN are the owners of a tea plantation in Kyoto’s renowned matcha region called Uji. With their passion for selling only the best flavour of tea above all else, they have contributed to the growth of Uji-grown tea since the end of the Edo period.

Gyokuro tea is produced with the same careful attention and care as matcha but with a different procedure. nana’s green tea grind the leaves to a fine powder to fully extract its refined essence. From the flavour to the aroma, gyokuro tea provides a completely different experience to matcha. If you love Japanese tea, this is the perfect opportunity for you to explore the wonderful flavours of Uji tea.

Gyokuro Warabimochi Parfait

Gyokuro jelly made from 100% gyokuro Uji tea and white bean paste dusted in gyokuro powder dress this parfait in rich flavours. The warabimochi is also dusted in gyokuro powder to balance its sweetness. The sweetness of the warabimochi and the gentle and refined flavour of gyokuro tea will spread through your mouth. Finally, the parfait is laced in black sugar syrup for a refined accent. 

Gyokuro Jelly Frozen

Gyokuro tea and milk are mixed together to create an aromatic and vivid drink mixture. Chunks of soft gyokuro jelly can be seen at the bottom of the drink. Suck them up through your straw for a refreshing and fun texture. As the process of roasting gyokuro leaves is very difficult, it is a flavour that can be difficult to come across. This is the perfect way to enjoy a refined flavour in a casual way.

You can also order the parfait and drink to take out, making it the perfect luxurious treat to enjoy at home. If you love exploring tea, this is an unmissable opportunity.

“hotel koe tokyo” isn’t your everyday normal hotel. Developed and produced by “koe,” the hotel brings together fashion, music, cuisine, and a luxury accommodation experience. In line with DESIGNART TOKYO 2019, the hotel has announced it will hold a reservation-only event entitled “DESIGNART TOKYO 2019: Tea ceremony by artless＋asahiyaki” at its third-floor private lounge on October 19 and 20.

Asahi ware is a type of Japanese pottery originating in Uji, Kyoto almost 400 years ago. Hosai Matsubayashi is the 16th generation master of this long-running workshop, known as Asahiyaki, and he’s set to collaborate with Shun Kawakami, an artist and art director of global branding agency artless Inc. The collaboration is being held to promote Japanese culture not only to the people of Japan but those overseas too, and “hotel koe tokyo” is the perfect place to do it due to the huge number of foreign visitors that stay at the hotel.

The two of them have taken the traditional Japanese tearoom and have put a modern spin on it. Normally, this private lounge of the hotel is only usable by guests staying there, but this reservation-only event will grant exclusive access to all. It brings together Japanese tea and art in the form of a special tea-making course. Attendees will follow Hosai Matsubayashi’s instructions and prepare their own tea. During the session, both Matsubayashi and Kawakami will give talks on their work while you enjoy your tea.

Take advantage of this special occasion to learn about the beauty of Japanese tea.