“Korilakkuma Cafe: another me in the mirror” is set to open in Japan’s hub of kawaii culture Harajuku on December 21 where it will run until March 22 next year.

MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON received early access to the cafe, so we went together with Ruki from Spain.

The cafe incorporates “interactive tabletop projection mapping” technology developed by Sony, which allows customers to enjoy their meals while playing together with the characters as they walk around their plates and tables.

So what exactly does this look like…?

Korilakkuma Cafe: another me in the mirror is located along Takeshita Street in Harajuku. Enter Takeshita Street and walk just a little bit to find HARAJUKU AR BOX. The entrance is pictured above.

The cafe operates on a “pair seating” system, making it the perfect spot to go with your best friend or special someone♡

The theme of the cafe is “another me in the mirror,” which sees Korilakkuma meeting another Korilakkuma inside of a mirror. When seated at your pair table, you’ll notice all of the Korilakkuma artwork adorning the cafe.

When we sat down, the staff came and gave us a dolomite coasterーa gift for all customers who visit the cafe.

When you place the coasters down on the table, that’s when the fun begins. Trace your finger around the table to play with Korilakkuma and company.

Here is Ruki having Korilakkuma move around.

When we had finished playing, the appetisers from our course menu arrived. It costs ¥2,500 per person, and you both have to order when ordering this course menu. You can pick from clam chowder or minestrone.

If you thought that was it for the projection mapping, think again! The fun was only just beginning, as a new display came on the table when the plates went down.

Ruki was completely enchanted by the sparkling food. It makes you feel like you’re inside of a picture book♡

The salad was Caesar, and the minestrone was packed full of veg and ingredients, making it nice and filling.

The next dish that was brought was the main. You pick one each of a main dish and dessert and share between two people.

We ordered the “Omurice – Let’s Draw Together” (in Japanese: 一緒におえかきオムライス). Korilakkuma was wrapped up completely in an omelette blanket. The projection mapping comes on when you set this plate down too.

Korilakkuma draws around the plate, and we got to join in too by decorating Korilakkuma’s blanket with drawings of Rilakkuma and Kiiroitori in ketchup.

The mapping helps you with drawing by projecting an outline you can trace. Ruki did hers really well!

As we forked into the omurice we found a cheeseburger underneath! The combination of the juicy cheese hamburger with the soft egg was to die for, and it becomes even more delicious and smooth when you pour over the cream sauce.

Last up was dessert. We got the “Spell-Cast Pancakes” (in Japanese: パンケーキに魔法をかけて). The projection mapping cast a mirror onto the pancakes. Even more animations happen when you wave the brush you’re given on the table.

The fluffy pancakes are topped with a hearty serving of cream. You can enjoy them as they are, but they’re delicious if you top them with the fruits, iced cream and nuts scattered around the plate too!

Twin Korilakkuma Strawberry Milk – ¥990

Korilakkuma Cafe au Lait – ¥890 (Served Hot Only)

As well as the course menu, there are also special drinks you can order separately which come with another free and exclusive coaster.

Sliding Mirror (Pink or Purple) – ¥1,200 Each

Acrylic Key Ring (4 Designs/Chosen Randomly) – ¥500 Each

Korilakkuma fans can expect to sift through a whole range of cafe-exclusive merchandise too, so be sure to check out what they’ve got in stock when you visit.

Korilakkuma Cafe: another me in the mirror is Harajuku’s hottest new spot where you can enter the kawaii world of Korilakkuma. Pull up a seat and enjoy and interactive meal experience.

©2019 San-X Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Kiyomizu Cheese Kobo opened in Kiyomizu Gojozaka, Kyoto in July this year as the first place in Kyoto to specialise in “bottled cheesecakes.” This month, they are releasing four new products to continue the cheese craze right to the end of 2019.

The first is a revamp of their number one most popular soft serve cheese ice cream: the “Chocolate Mont Blanc Cheese Soft.” The soft serve ice cream is a mix of refreshingly sweet milk and rich cheese topped with a full-bodied mont blanc-style chocolate—a welcome addition during the winter months when you want to stay in and indulge in some chocolate. The ice cream is finished with crushed chocolate pieces and a crowning raspberry to create a chocolate cake in a cone. You’re sure to become a frequent customer after a bite of this.

And for the Christmas season only, between December 18th-25th the shop is also selling another special soft serve that’s made to look like a Christmas tree. The cheese soft serve is covered with a sprinkling of Uji matcha powder and adorned with chocolate pearls and stars.

Kiyomizu Cheese Kobo is also releasing hot versions of its “Kiyomizu Cheese Drink” and “Matcha Cheese Tea,” the iced versions of which were greatly enjoyed in summer. The Matcha Cheese Tea can also now be ordered with tapioca topping, creating a delicious combination between the expertly crafted rich matcha cheese tea and the chewy and sugary tapioca pearls.

Also released this month is the “Homemade Matcha Tiramisu” when is served in a traditional masu box and served only on the second floor eat-in section. This irresistible delight is made with flavourful mascarpone cheese and bitter Uji matcha from Kyoto to create a dessert that’s perfect during a trip or day out in Kyoto. Because of the hard labour that goes into creating this dessert, only 5-10 are served per day, so be sure to arrive early to not miss the opportunity.

Laforet Harajuku has finally dropped details on its 2020 fukubukuro. Fukubukuro is a New Year custom in Japan where stores make up grab bags full of random items for people to purchase at a discounted price. Around 50 stores in Laforet are set to participate, with pre-orders now running until December 31, 2019.

As always, the line-up this year is diverse, from the unique fukubukuro you can actually look inside to see what they have—which is a popular one every year—to the Laforet Gentei Fukubukuro which contains items exclusive to Laforet Harajuku, and more.

Those who pre-order a lucky bag will receive one of two things: either a coupon to get a random free item at one of the eateries at the GOOD MEAL MARKET on the second floor, or a ¥200 discount voucher to spend at Laforet Harajuku.

On New Year’s Day and January 2, a taiko performance by Yushima Tenjin Shiraume Taiko will take place at the first floor entrance to drum in the New Year.

Around 70 stores in the shopping complex will also sell items at a special price between January 1 and 7 to celebrate 2020. Select stores will be handing out bag hooks in collaboration with the popular South Korean boy band SEVENTEEN.

The “Look and Choose” Fukubukuro

OLIVE des OLIVE (Floor 5F) – Set of up to 6 items priced at ¥7,700 (Tax Included) (Original Price: ¥25,000)

Cosme Kitchen (Floor 1.5F) – Set of 7 items priced at ¥5,500 (Tax Included) (Original Price: ¥14,000)

Laforet Harajuku Exclusives-Filled Fukubukuro

POU DOU DOU (Floor 4F) – Set of 7 items priced at ¥13,200 (Tax Included) (Original Price: ¥56,000)

la belle Etude (Floor B0.5F) – Set of 6 items priced at ¥11,000 (Tax Included) (Original Price: ¥70,000~¥80,000)

Other Fukubukuro

Ank Rouge (Floor 4F) – Set of 6 items priced at ¥16,500 (Tax Included) (Original Price: ¥50,000)

jouetie (Floor 4F) – Set of 5 items priced at ¥11,000 (Tax Included) (Original Price: ¥39,600)

This is just a small look at just some of the fukubukuro set to be sold, there are so many more to get your hands on. Start your 2020 year with some delicious discounts from Laforet Harajuku.

*Contents subject to change without notice

*Listed photos are select look only – more fukubukuro to be sold

adidas Japan is collaborating with atmos—Tokyo’s streetwear and sneaker focused boutique—to open a new shop called A.T.A.D in Harajuku on December 20, 2019.

adidas Japan has collaborated with countless artists to date, and this will be its first with atmos, together with whom it will showcase streetwear sneakers the likes of which people have never seen.

A carefully selected line-up of adidas’ newest shoes will be displayed at the counter where customers order their shoes like they would a drink at a bar. They can pick the model, colour, and size, and can try them on before making a purchase. The current designs, logos and other items in the store were created by YAR, a creative studio spearheaded by Japanese graphic artist YOSHIROTTEN.

The store also plans to sell items exclusive to A.T.A.D in collaboration with Japanese artists. More information will be posted on the store’s official Instagram page.

Fans of Kirby who are in Japan for the holiday season will be delighted to hear that the Kirby-themed pop-up shop “PLAYFUL KIRBY” finally opened at Laforet Harajuku today and will run until Boxing Day.

When playing Super Smash Bros. there’s no other character I’ll pick but Kirby. If you love Kirby as much as I do, then you’ll be waiting no time at all to head to PLAYFUL KIRBY like I did after hearing that they’re selling a whole range of original and exclusive merchandise the likes of which Nintendo players have never seen before.

The store itself is located on the second floor of Laforet Harajuku in Harajuku, Tokyo. You’ll spot it instantly with the Kirby-pink text wrapped around the walls of the entrance.

Kirby’s pink colour fills the entire shop floor. Upon entering you’ll spot all the different items on offer, including fashion items, as well as various photo spots featuring Kirby’s cute face.

There’s even a tiny Kirby door so that he can get into the shop! Be sure to find it if you visit.

The original version of this pop-up shop first appeared two years ago, and enjoyed visits not only from game fans, both kids and adults who had never heard of Kirby before, or who had heard of him but never played the games. The fashion line-up was a result of fan demand to enjoy Kirby in a variety of different ways. A visit to PLAYFUL KIRBY is like being inhaled into his Dream Land.

PLAYFUL KIRBY is centred on two collaborations. This includes a teaming-up with popular illustrator Shogo Sekine. When this pop-up shop was conceived, Shogo Sekine was at the top of the list for collaborations with the staff in charge. The staff agreed that mixing the worlds of Kirby and Sekine together would give rise to some seriously wonderful results. After much internal discussion and talks with Sekine, a whole line of merchandise was created.

The items feature Sekine’s stylised typography, symbols, shapes and so on. Their subtle design means they can be used as both everyday items and nerdy fan items. They’re stylish while retaining the cute aspects of Kirby.

The following items are the number one most recommended pieces of merchandise to pick up as chosen by the PLAYFUL KIRBY staff.

Tote Bags Ver. 2 PINK STRIPE – ¥2,800

These tote bags feature gradations of Kirby pinks. This design is also featured on a t-shirt you can pick up too. They’re both made with high quality fabrics.

Sacoche Pouches (2 Designs) – ¥2,300 Each

The “Copy” written on the sacoche pouches refers to Kirby’s ability to copy his opponents’ abilities and appearance. This design is also included on a variety of other merchandise pieces like a smartphone case and more.

Blanket – ¥3,800

At first glance, this blanket just looks like a stylish blanket with a floral print, but if you look closely you’ll spot Kirby blended in with the design. A perfect choice for the coming winter season.

Plush Toy – ¥2,300

Kirby had intended to put on his stylish t-shirt ready to go out, but he ended up looking just adorable.

The store’s second collaboration is with Converse Stars, also showcasing an assortment of cute and fun items.

Cap – ¥5,800 / Long T-Shirt (Medium/Large) – ¥7,800 Each

Show off your love of Kirby with some simple but stylish unisex Kirby attire.

Hand Towel – ¥1,200

Another must-get item is this hand towel which keeps the roundness of Kirby’s head. Use at home or take it out with you!

Stickers (3 Designs) – ¥500 Each

Get your hands on these Laforet Harajuku-exclusive stickers with designs so cute you’ll want to collect them all!

I spoke with the person in charge of the pop-up shop about the future of Kirby outside of the video game, and they told me that they plan to have more pop-up shops like this and open the opportunity for people to enjoy Kirby in a range of different ways while playing his games. For someone like me, who likes Kirby more than anything, I can’t wait to enjoy even more Kirby in the future.

PLAYFUL KIRBY is open until December 26, 2019, so if you’re in Tokyo until then, make sure to pop on over to Laforet Harajuku.

▶︎Win Limited Edition Stickers

MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON is holding a competition on our official Instagram, Twitter and Weibo pages for a chance to win limited edition stickers from PLAYFUL KIRBY.

How to Apply: Follow us on social media and share/retweet our post about the competition for a chance to win 1 special sticker from PLAYFUL KIRBY. (Designs are chosen randomly.)

These are limited edition stickers exclusive to PLAYFUL KIRBY, so don’t miss your chance to get one!

© Nintendo / HAL Laboratory, Inc.

Laforet Harajuku has announced that its next “Kimono IN LAFORET” kimono and furisode pop-up shop will run from January 4 to 22 next year.

Iroca Kimono “Leopard Gecko” – ¥63,800 (Tax Included) / Half-Width Obi – ¥26,400 (Tax Included)

Pure Silk Butterfly Black Cloth Furisode – ¥132,000 (Tax Included)

Light Blue Dove Print Polyester Furisode – ¥128,150 (Tax Included)

Eight brands will line the shelves of the annual pop-up shop, with kimono, furisode, accessories and more available for purchase, including new items.

Model and actress Shen Tanaka features as the star of the main visual for Kimono IN LAFORET 2020, mixing colourful kimono with western clothing to create a unique look. Marie Higuchi, who was the stylist for the visual, has also released some dress advice for those who love kimono or those who are beginners and newcomers to the scene.

Mixing kimono with the kind of regular clothing that screams you

Marie Higuchi is a stylist who also writes columns in Nylon Japan and Sozen. Her advice can be used by both beginners and experts alike: by mixing kimono with some of your own clothing, you can simply and easily create a stylish look that’s you. This makes for a perfect outfit for a special occasion.

Styling Point

This outfit combines fishnet tights with sandals that have thick metallic soles to create an edgy kimono style. Using thick sandals makes them really stand out when wearing kimono, so you can easily incorporate them with any kimono you wear.

Items Used

Kimono/Obi/Other: iroca

Haneri: C.H.O.K.O

Obi Clip: conoco

Styling Point

The gorgeous flower head dress brings a strikingly elegant touch to the overall look of this outfit. Whether used with kimono or in your regular day-to-day outfits, it’s sure to bloom beauty with whatever style you go with.

Items Used

Kimono: MIKI SAKURA

Head Dress: Atelier Senka

One Piece Shirt: Ank Rouge (Laforet Harajuku Floor 4F)

Styling Point

Coloured turtlenecks are in right now for the current season in Japan, and this kimono look incorporates one underneath the kimono. The mix of loose socks and thick-sole sneakers really adds to the flavour of this style, even more so with the addition of personal items like the vinyl record headband and lip clutch bag which make it unique.

Items Used

Kimono/Obi: Tamao Shigemune

Headband/Clutch Bag: SINZ (Laforet Harajuku Floor B0.5F)

Other: Personal items

If you’re looking for kimono and furisode when visiting Japan in January, be sure to hit up Kimono IN LAFORET at Laforet Harajuku, located in Tokyo’s fashion central: Harajuku.

Shiseido has announced that it will open three new facilities in WITH HARAJUKU—a shopping complex currently in development by NTT URBAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION in front of Harajuku Stationーin April 2020. This includes the new beauty parlour Beauty Square, the hair & makeup academy and studio SABFA*, and the restaurant and lounge SHISEIDO PARLOUR THE HARAJUKU managed by Shiseido Parlour.

*SABFA is a school managed by Shiseido for training professional hair and makeup artists

Beauty Square will be located in the first floor as a place to discover beauty, have fun, and share experiences. As well as selling cosmetics, the facility will offer various beauty experiences using digital technology, and there will be a hair and makeup salon where customers can receive high quality service for a short period of time. By combining real experience with digital tech, Beauty Square hopes to bring in people of all ages and backgrounds from inside and outside Japan so that they can discover the fun of beauty and unlock their inner charm.

SABFA on the second floor will be home to an all-new lecture and training facility as well as a photo studio. It will train educate and support the next generation of hair and makeup artists who will challenge the ideas of beauty and revolutionise the industry.

SHISEIDO PARLOUR THE HARAJUKU is on the eighth floor where customers will be able to dine on French cuisine and indulge in line-up of wines carefully chosen by sommeliers. The restaurant overlooks Meiji Jingu, and its interior was designed by Kazuya Ura who designed the Twilight Express Mizukaze, a multiple unit sleeping-car excursion train operated by West Japan Railway Company.

Be sure to visit WITH HARAJUKU when it opens in April next year.

Häagen-Dazs Japan released two new mini cup flavours of ice cream on December 10 which will be available for a limited time only: the “Strawberry Brownie Parfait” and “Fondant au Chocolate.”

The strawberry and brownie parfait ice cream is a mix of rich vanilla custard ice cream and chocolate brownie finished with a glaze of sweet and sour strawberry sauce. Enjoy a combination of three different flavours and textures.「

The “Fondant au chocolat” is a crispy sandwich filled with rich dark chocolate ice cream and chocolate sauce. It’s sold in packaging that looks like a high-quality gift box.

If you’re in Japan for the winter then be sure to pick up these two holiday season delights!

The all-new “HARAJUKU AR BOX -table projection mapping cafe-” will open in Harajuku, Tokyo on December 21, 2019. This permanent cafe incorporates “interactive tabletop projection mapping” technology developed by Sony. The cafe runs in a “pair seating” system and so tables must be occupied by two people. 

The first collaboration to hit the cafe for its grand opening is with Korilakkuma. The collaboration is titled “Korilakkuma Cafe: another me in the mirror.” Customers will be able to enjoy their meals while playing together with the characters as they walk around their plates and tables through projection mapping technology.

The theme of the cafe is “Korilakkuma inside a mirror,” which sees Korilakkuma meeting another Korilakkuma inside the mirror in a world of cats and cosmetics.

Customers will be able to get their hands on a range of exclusive merchandise with original art illustrated for the cafe, as well as enjoy themed meals which come in the form of courses made to share between two people. They are free to choose an appetizer, main dish and dessert. *Course menu only – items not available to order separately

Menu item names are translated from Japanese.

Appetizers: Soup and Salad

Welcome to the World Inside the Mirror! Soup & Salad

There are two soups to choose from: clam chowder and minestrone. As a pair you can also order one of each.

Main Dishes

Omurice – Let’s Draw Together

Chicken and Mushroom Cream Pasta Made Delicious With Magic!

Friendly Twin Korilakkuma Burger (Available December 21 – January 19 only)

There are five main dishes in total to choose from including those above.

Desserts

Spell-Cast Pancakes

Crème Brûlée & Magic Mirror (Available December 21 – January 19 only)

Heart-Filled Fondant Chocolate (Available January 20 to February 16 only)

There are five desserts in total to choose from including those above.

Drinks

Korilakkuma Cafe au Lait – ¥890 (Served Hot Only)

Korilakkuma Cocoa – ¥890 (Served Hot Only)

Twin Korilakkuma Strawberry Milk – ¥990

When you order a drink, you’ll get an original coaster too.

Merchandise

Pin Badge (6 Designs) – ¥400

Folder Set – ¥500

Sliding Mirror (Pink or Purple) – ¥1,200 Each

There are lots of other exclusive pieces of merchandise to get your hands on too. Every customer will also receive one of two dolomite crystals.

*All listed prices include tax. Photos are for illustrative purposes only.

©2019 San-X Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

LEGS is opening a Kirby-themed pop-up shop named ‘PLAYFUL KIRBY’ for a limited time in Laforet Harajuku, a landmark of Tokyo’s fashion hub Harajuku.

The shop has invited popular Japanese illustrator Shogo Sekine on board, who is known for its distinct typography work which mixes fashion with messages written in English, to create an original line of Kirby apparel and miscellaneous fashion items.

PLAYFUL KIRBY is also teaming up with Converse. Kirby has inhaled a few too many Converse Stars and has turned into a truly fashionable pink blob. The line-up is unisex so can be enjoyed by anyone and everyone. It will include items also available to purchase at Converse Stars branches as well as Laforet Harajuku exclusives.

Witness Nintendo’s Dream Land hero in an all-new light as he becomes a fashion icon at Laforet Harajuku this month from December 16 to 26.

©Nintendo / HAL Laboratory, Inc.

*Photos are for illustrative purposes only

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.

The Harajuku, Yokohama and Umeda branches of the Pompompurin Cafeーthe cafe chain centred on Sanrio’s popular character Pompompurinーis serving up two cute Christmas menu items this year from December 1 to 25.

*Food names below are translated from Japanese

Hurry Up Santa – Pompompurin Cheese Keema Curry – ¥1,290 (Before Tax)

This rich and spicy keema curry is made with Parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, and natural cheese. The colourful stars are made from carrot and paprika, while the spiralled Christmas cheese is a combination of spinach and mashed potato. Purin is made of rice and is waiting in anticipation for Santa to deliver his present. You’ll see he’s holding a stocking which is a made from bread and walleye pollack mayo. A hearty dish that is both delicious and adorable

Snowman Pompompurin – Snow Covered Chocolate Tart ¥1,190 (Before Tax)

Pompompurin has turned into a vanilla ice cream snowman and is standing next to a pistachio cream Christmas tree. They are both atop a rich chocolate tart. This cute dessert is like a Christmas garden straight out of a children’s picture book.

If you decide you want to spend your Christmas with Pompompurin this year, then you’ll receive a free lunch mat when you order food and a free coaster when you get a drink. These are both limited in quantity, so don’t miss out!

©1996, 2019 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO.S603310