A new line of Minnie Mouse cafes are set to open in Tokyo and Osaka from February 28, 2020 and Nagoya and Fukuoka from February 29, 2020 for a limited time. Named “OH MY! MINNIE MOUSE,” the cafes are an official collaboration between Disney and the Japanese cafe chain OH MY CAFÉ.

The cafe takes on the theme of Minnie Mouse being a living, breathing icon of today with a positive lifestyle. This is represented through the yellow colouring of the cafe, which features her iconic polka dots as well as ribbon taking on a yellow colour. Tuck into a cute menu line-up and get your hands on some cafe-exclusive Minnie Mouse merchandise.

Original Menu

Cheerful Burger – ¥1,990

This healthy burger is packed full of vegetables with a black bun made in the image of Minnie’s silhouette. Feel as energised as Minnie with one bite of this tasty burger.

Beef Hash Ribbon Rice – ¥1,390

Inspired by Minnie Mouse’s iconic ribbon, this hearty dish is a beef stroganoff plated with rice and veg. The ribbon is so cute it almost seems a waste to eat!

Fruit Sandwich – Single ¥990/ With Plate ¥2,790

An absolute must-order if you’re wanting a dessert. This sandwich is piled with fresh fruits creamy yoghurt, sprinkled with poppy seeds, and doused in lemon juice.

Fizzy Lemon Squash – Single ¥690 / With Coaster ¥1,390

Charge yourself up with this fizzy lemonade and its refreshing aftertaste.

Relaxing Chamomile Tea – Single ¥490 / With Mug ¥2,090

Kick back and relax after your meal with a cup of chamomile tea♡

Original Merchandise

Heart Badge (8 Designs/Chosen Randomly) – ¥500

Folder – ¥350

Lunch Mat (6 Designs/Chosen Randomly) – ¥650 (*Table reservation required)

Those who book a table in advance will be given one of six possible lunch mats chosen randomly.

If you’re in Japan for the spring, then why not stop by the OH MY! MINNIE MOUSE cafe for a Disney treat?

©Disney

The Strings Hotel Nagoya has announced a special collaboration with the internationally-celebrated anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion. The hotel will serve up an Evangelion-themed buffet titled “Evangelion Buffet ~The Time Has Come~” which will be served at the hotel from February 15 to March 22 this year.

The Strings Hotel Nagoya sits at the doorstep of Sasashima-Raibu, making it one of the first places you will see upon arriving there. As part of the Evangelion Chukyoen Project, which aims to promote Evangelion to the world from Sasashima-Raibu, the hotel is hosting this very special themed buffet which will consist of an assortment of food, drinks, and dessertsーall serve Strings Hotel-style.

A statue of popular Evangelion character Kaworu Nagisa will be located on the first floor lobby, and there will also be a rally held to decipher a code.

The food menu is made up of 15 unique Evangelion-inspired dishes, such as the Misato Katsuragi Roast Pork, Pen Pen Penne Arrabbiata, Angel Attack, and more. Fans can also tuck into one of the 12 delicious desserts, like the Evangelion mecha coloured desserts, the “Hazelnut & Lemon Opera ~NERV~” based on the Nerv organisation, and more. For beverages, there’s a selection of 9 soft drinks including 6 original non-alcoholic cocktails.

The buffet will take place at the hotel’s Rooftop Garden which will  be decorated in all things Evangelion.

Sanrio has announced that it is opening an official My Melody store to commemorate the popular character’s 45th anniversary this year. It will open for a limited time on the first floor of Takashimaya Shinjuku in Tokyo from February 12 to 25.

The store is a must-visit for fans of Sanrio’s kawaii white rabbit where they can get their hands on a huge assortment of merchandise, including exclusives, so adorable you’ll want to add everything to your collection.

The line-up looks back at My Melody’s 45 years in the business. The first 4,000 people to visit the store will be given a limited-edition shopping back, and the first 1,000 people who spend over ¥2,000 (tax included) will receive a free card.
*One card per person, per transaction

The store will also feature interactive projection mapping showcasing My Melody’s 45-year history which when touched reacts. On February 15, the designer for the store will be drawing illustrations as well as doing signings for people.

As well as Takashimaya Shinjuku, the shop is set to hit Nagoya’s Takashimaya Gate Tower Mall Nagoya and Osaka Takashiyama. Check the dates below, and help My Melody commemorate her 45th anniversary!

©’76, ’20 SANRIO 著作(株)サンリオ

If you haven’t heard of NINJA SKILL BALLERZ yet, you’re in for a treat. They are a crew of five of the world’s top level basketball players spreading a fascination of freestyle basketball to the world.

Their video NINJA x BASKETBALL? garnered over 1 million views on Facebook within just 10 days of its posting. One month after its release, they appeared on the Japanese television show Sukkiri where they held their first ever live television performance. The group are paving the way for the freestyle basketball culture, which in Japan isn’t recognised enough and has few players.

Now, the group have just dropped a new short movie which translates to “Ninja-Style Basketball Squad.”

The video not only shows off the group’s thrilling skills, but their performance also incorporates Japanese elements like the tsugaru shamisen and taiko drums which serve to make the show that much more captivating. Pay particular attention to three of the members: ZiNEZ, the Flow Ninja; ISSEI, the Spin Ninja; and TaMa, the Multi-Ball Ninja.

With The Rise of Skywalker concluding the Skywalker saga of the Star Wars film franchise, fans are left craving more from the galaxy far far away.

If you’re one of those people, and need a fix before season two of The Mandalorian, which is coming in late 2020, then you’ll want to hit up the all-new Star Wars-themed cafes now open for a limited time at branches of OH MY CAFE across Japan in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Hokkaido, and Fukuoka.

We visited the Tokyo branch of the cafe which is located inside Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku. Here’s our report of this must-see cafe for Star Wars fans, a museum-like space chock-full of concept art.

Ready to greet you as you walk into the cafe is none other than Darth Vader. This life-size recreation of the Sith Lord is really striking, but don’t worryーthough he is realistic, he won’t use his Force choke on you, he only wishes for you to have a nice meal.

Plastered across the cafe walls are pieces of concept art used during the production of the Star Wars film series.

Here’s a galactic showcasing of the cafe’s menu. There are 7 food items and 5 drinks to choose from, all inspired by the franchise and its characters.

<STAR WARS> Far Far Away Galaxy Black Curry – ¥1,590

A signature dish of the cafe, this black curry features the Star Wars logo which is actually an edible wafer. The space design is bamboo charcoal-cooked rice which is mixed with spicy sauce and topped with peanuts for stars.

<BB-8> Seafood BB-8 Gratin – ¥1,690

Fans of BB-8 won’t be able to resist this delicious gratin, served with salad and French bread for a full belly.

<Yoda> Root Leaf Stew – ¥1,590

This stew is inspired by Yoda living his final years in his little shack in Dagobah during Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back. It’s packed full of vegetables and will no doubt be enjoyed by both kids and adults alike.

<R2-D2 & C-3PO> Buddy Burger Plate – ¥1,990

This set of two chicken burgers comes with an R2-D2 seasoned with béchamel sauce and a C-3PO burger seasoned with meat sauce. You can take the flags home with you too. We recommend sharing this between two people.

Portion Bread – ¥500

This is the one I was most interested in personally, because I was curious to know from its appearance how it would taste. It’s the portion bread that Rey tries eating in the film. At first glance it looks crunchy, but to my surprise it was soft with a subtle sweet flavour.

Lightsaber Drinks – ¥600 Each (w/ Coaster ¥1,300)

From the left, the flavours are Darth Vader blood orange, Luke Skywalker ramune, and Yoda melon. When you draw your straw from the paper wrapping, it turns into a lightsaber!

<STAR WARS > Jet Black Coffee – ¥600 (w/Bottle ¥1,750)

These limited edition bottles of black coffee feature the famous Star Wars opening crawl credits. Which one you get is randomーa must-have for all fans!

After enjoying some Star Wars food and drink, it’s time to check out the cafe’s exclusive merchandise. There are 13 types of merch in total all bearing artwork from across the film series.

Folder – ¥350

I recommend picking up one of these folders made in collaboration with the cafe. It has illustrations of the food and drinks being sold there.

Tote Bag – ¥3,500

This tote bag has illustrations of characters from Star Wars and how they are all connected.

There’s plenty of other must-grab merch too, from music to stationery and more.

Customers who spend over ¥1,000 (excluding tax) on any of these exclusive items will receive the above-pictured limited edition bag. These are limited in stock so are available while supplies last.

There’s plenty of places inside for fans to take great photos, so make sure you snap lots.

Also, if you book a table in advance and order something from the menu, you’ll receive one of these 25 possible A5 folders, so be sure to book before you go!

© & TM Lucasfilm Ltd.

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

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Japan will release an adorable doughnut just in time to celebrate the Year of the Rat in 2020. The doughnut is limited to Krispy Kreme Doughnuts JR Nagoya Takashimaya branch and will be sold from December 26 for a limited time. 

The Krispy Kreme Premium Mouse doughnut is part of KKD JR Nagoya Takashiyama branch’s Premium series, which creates premium quality doughnuts of cake-like quality that are not sold elsewhere. Each doughnut is decorated carefully instore luxuriously with fluffy whipped cream and other deluxe ingredients.

The Krispy Kreme Premium Mouse is a pudding-flavoured chocolate doughnut covered in yellow butter crunch. A cute mouse made from fluffy whipped cream peaks through the doughnut hole with bitter chocolate for the face and ears. The doughnut hole contains the perfect filling for a whipped cream mouse: cream cheese. Bathing happily in delicious cream cheese, the mouse is seen tucking in to an irresistible cheesy snack made from cheddar cheese. 

This mouse is just too adorable to eat.

Animate Cafe, a chain of cafes that collaborate with popular anime and game franchises, is teaming up with Gintama to open the Gintama Diner for a limited time at the following branches: Ikebukuro 3, Kobe Sannomiya, and Nagoya 2.

The cafe will be inspired by American diners, and will run from December 19 to January 7 next year. Each cafe has its own system for being able to dine there. The Ikebukuro 3 and Kobe Sannomiya branches are all reservation-only, with each daily reservation going through a lottery system for a chance to have a place allocated. The Nagoya 2 branch has the same system for December 19-20 only, otherwise it is first-come, first-served.

Thick-Cut Bacon Burger – ¥850

Yorozuya Gin-chan’s Sakata Parfait – ¥850

Gin’s Strawberry☆Milk – ¥600

The menu features dishes, desserts and drinks inspired by the characters of the series. The bacon burger comes with a side menu item of your choice, with each being based on a specific character’s favourite side menu item. The parfait too is bright and vivid like the Yorozuya members.

When fans order from the themed menu, they’ll receive one of eight possible coasters featuring original designs.

Big Acrylic Stands (Diner ver.)

Squishy Trading Pin Badges

Trading Acrylic Keyrings (Diner ver.)

Fans will also be able to pick up some exclusive cafe merchandise they won’t find anywhere else, including acrylic stands, pin badges, key rings, and moreーall featuring a diner design.

©️Hideaki Sorachi/Shueisha・TV Tokyo・Dentsu Inc.・BNP・Aniplex

*All listed prices include tax

The new cafe TOKYO BOX CAFE&SPACE will open in Omotesando, Harajuku on November 21, 2019.

The cafe will serve as a space to promote artists, franchises and more by collaborating with them. For the grand opening, the cafe’s first collaboration will be with Japanese idol group Keyakizaka46 which will run for a limited period from November 21, 2019 to January 13, 2020. The collaboration will subsequently move to Osaka and Nagoya where it will open on November 22 and 28 respectively.

The names of cafe menu dishes below are translated from Japanese.

Cafe Menu

Break the Cheese! – ¥1,690

This cheesy pasta dish is made with crispy cheese, the spaghetti is bathed in a rich cheese sauce, and the plate is finished with delicious seafood. Break the cheese up and tuck in!

Black Vegetable Curry – ¥1,590

The quirk of this veggie-packed meal is the black colour of the curry. Topped with okra, tomatoes, Japanese mustard greens, sunny-side up egg and more, this nutritional dish is sure to fill your belly.

2 People Season Pancakes – ¥1,790

For the sweet-tooths out there, they can look forward to forking into some chocolatey pancakes lathered sweetly in blueberry sauce and blueberry cream. Between the pancakes are fruits and chocolate to create a pancake sandwich, and adorning the plate is more chocolate, fruit, and blue dragées.

Humility! Kindness! Bonds! Shining Brightly, Keyakizaka46 Parfait – ¥1,690

Named after one of the group’s catchphrases, this matcha parfait is green which is a colour that symbolises Keyakizaka46. It’s piled with chocolate, macarons, ice cream, warabimochi and more for a truly hearty and mouth-watering dessert.

Late-Night Herb Tea – ¥890

During those nights when you can’t fall asleep, there’s nothing better than some refreshing herbal tea.

Matcha Milk That Stays Hot Even When It Blows In The Wind – ¥890

Nothing beats a cup of hot matcha milk during the cold weather. Coloured green like the group’s iconic colour, this gorgeous, garden-like beverage is sure to warm up your mind and body.

Exclusive Merchandise

T-Shirt (White) – ¥3,100

Acrylic Keyring – ¥900

Tote Bag – ¥1,800

Bonus Items

Those who book a table in advance  (¥650 per person, tax excluded) and order something from the menu will randomly receive one of 26 possible trading cards pictured above.

If you order something from the food or dessert menu, you’ll also receive one of 26 possible signed mini cards, chosen randomly.

Finally, if you get a drink, you can get one of these 8 possible coasters, also chosen randomly.

This is just a small peek into what’s to come at the cafesーthere are more drinks, dishes and merchandise to get your hands on, so don’t miss out.

*All listed menu item prices do not include tax

*All listed merchandise items include tax

*Photos are for illustrative purposes only

©Seed & Flower LLC.

Krispy Kreme Japan released two new doughnuts for a limited period only starting from November 1, 2019. The two new doughnuts are part of the Krispy Kreme Premium series and are only available to purchase from the JR Nagoya Takashiyama branch. The two new flavours are the Holiday Gorilla and Brûlée Glazed Fruity Sangria.

The Krispy Kreme Premium series is only available at the Nagoya Takashiyama branch. These doughnuts have a cake-like texture and are filled with a luxurious serving of whipped cream. Each doughnut is carefully made with the utmost care and decorated in the shop. These are sold fresh every day and enjoyed by customers as they are made. 

The Krispy Kreme Premium Holiday Gorilla consists of a yellow purin-flavoured chocolate wreath. A ferocious bear made of fluffy whipped chocolate can be seen peeking through the doughnut hole. After a sprinkling of sparkling silver balls and a strawberry chocolate ribbon, the doughnut is complete. The gorilla’s face is made of caramel chocolate and bitter chocolate. The ears are made of chocolate coffee beans and the doughnut hole is filled with marshmallow cream. The fusion of chocolate and marshmallows makes for the perfect winter treat. 

The Krispy Kreme Premium Brûlée Glazed Fruity Sangria is an enhanced version of KKDJ’s most popular doughnut series: the Original Glazed®. The surface of the doughnut is covered in a crunchy brûlée layer which is full of flavour. Red wine paste is combined with a sweet and tangy marmalade to make the luxurious filling for the doughnut, creating the flavour of sangria which is perfect for adults. 

Don’t miss the opportunity to grab a delicious winter doughnut from Krispy Kreme!

It has been 30 years since Disney’s The Little Mermaid came to theatres. To celebrate, The Little Mermaid cafe has dropped its anchor in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Hokkaido and will be around for a limited time only.  Curious travellers are sure to fall in love with this world filled with Disney magic.

As a big Disney fan, curious model Kanako just could not miss the opportunity to visit, so we headed over to Tokyu Plaza, Omotesando (Tokyo) to create a tongue-tantalizing report just for you. 

The entrance was a treasure trove of exciting 30th anniversary celebratory designs.

Venturing deeper, we came across illustrations of the exciting underwater world. 

Seeing all the images of the characters, memories of the film will come floating into your mind. Just how many wonders can one cafe hold?

There are five delicious meals and five delicious drinks on the menu. Everything was so cute that it was difficult to decide what to order. Time to dive in!

Ariel Vegetable Pasta with Genovese Sauce: ¥1990

This dish particularly caught Kanako’s eye. A graceful print made of powdered spices and sauce depicts Ariel gliding through the sea. It went perfectly with the salad. Feel free to take the beautiful paper mat home with you as a souvenir. 

Cream Beach Risotto: ¥1,990

This creamy risotto depicts a beautiful beach. Look closely and you will spot Ariel’s most prized treasure: a dinglehopper.  Feel free to take the dinglehopper home with you and add it to your collection of treasure. A layer of shrimp sauce lies hidden between the rice and mountain of salad. Can you spot Sebastian keeping a careful eye on Ariel? 

Seven Princesses of Atlantica Colourful Tartine Plate: ¥2,290

 This plate of tasty tartines depicts the seven sisters and will send you on an exciting flavour journey. The fruity tartine will fill your mouth with a fresh fruity burst of blueberries and strawberries. Next on the plate is a luxurious cream cheese tartine, followed by a chunky vegetable tartine and finally, a filling boiled egg and potato salad tartine. The tartines are surrounded by colourful sauces such as blueberry sauce, pumpkin sauce and carrot sauce. 

 Sebastian’s Strawberry Smoothie: ¥890 (with themed drink coaster: ¥1,790)

This yoghurt smoothie is dedicated to King Triton’s royal court composer Sebastian. Mix in the strawberry sauce before tucking in to enhance the flavour. You can also take the decoration on the glass back home with you. 

Upon noticing the coaster that came with her drink, Kanako’s eyes were sparkling with desire. The drink coaster is a sure way to add some magic to all your drinks at home. Unfortunately, they are in limited supply, so make sure to get one before they are all sold out.

Next, the curious Kanako explored the merchandise corner. The illustrations on the merchandise have been specifically designed for this special cafe.

Canvas Art A/B  (two designs): ¥3,500

Now you can decorate your room with your own collection of whose-its, whats-its, and thingamabobs.

Letter Writing Set with Case (1 design): ¥800

BIC Ballpoint Pen (2 designs): ¥500 each (Flounder/Seahorse)

The pink-themed gadgets and gizmos are very cute too.

Spend over ¥1000 (before tax) in the merchandise corner and you will receive a special Little Mermaid 30th anniversary shopping bag. There are a limited number of these and they are available on a first-come-first-serve basis, so we recommend you go to the cafe as soon as possible if you want one.

This cafe is a whole world waiting to be discovered. Reservations cost ¥500 per person (before tax). Just ordering from the menu will grant you the special gift of an A5 clear file and you can even pick your favourite from 30 designs. Make sure to reserve your spot in advance and get ready to plunge straight into the fun!

©️Disney

Tokyo Disney Resort will be telling the guards to open up the gates to an enormous number of brand new attractions, events and much more all at once on April 15, 2020. Over the course of the year, there will be so many exciting events and programs all over the resort that you will be wanting to waltz into Disney Resort® every day. This is the perfect chance to experience your perfect Happily Ever After. 

In short, Alongside the numerous seasonal programs and events, Tokyo Disneyland will be expanding Fantasyland. A new area will be built inside it called New Fantasyland, which is dedicated to the Disney film Beauty and the Beast. There will even be a new attraction called ‘Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast’, an indoor theatre called ‘Fantasyland Forest Theatre’, and much more. Along with the new Fantasyland developments, Tomorrowland will be home to the new ride ‘The Happy Ride with Baymax’ and Toontown is getting an attraction called Minnie’s Style Studio. 

New Disneyland Attractions to Open on April 15, 2020

New Attraction: Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast

There will be a brand new large-scale attraction dedicated to the Disney classic Beauty and the Beast. Enter the picturesque village of medieval France where Belle resides. Embark on a journey through the film in a dancing teacup and become part of famous scenes as the nostalgic movie music embraces you. You will want this beautiful moment to last forever.

 New Indoor Theatre: Fantasyland Forest Theatre

This is the first ever full-scale indoor theatre to ever be built at Disneyland and it will reside in Fantasyland. The theme of the theatre is travelling the wonderful world of music with your favourite Disney characters. The live performances to take place on the stage will be undoubtedly dynamic and intense. 

Minnie Mouse Meet and Greet Facility: Minnie’s Style Studio

For the first time in forever, Tokyo Disneyland is setting up a greeting facility for Minnie Mouse to greet guests. Head to Toontown to meet fashion designer Minnie Mouse in her beautiful costumes. Make sure to get a picture with her! 

*Toontown, where Minnie’s Style Studio is located, will be presented by Kodansha Ltd.

The Happy Ride with Baymax

If you’re a fan of Big Hero 6 then this ride is for you. Your favourite personal medical healthcare companion Baymax will pull you along on a thrilling and rather unpredictable journey. 

* The Happy Ride with Baymax is presented by Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.

Seasonal Events

Tokyo DisneySea ‘Disney Easter’ Special Event

March 27- June 12, 2020

Tokyo DisneySea has some incredibly exciting news: The Usapiyo chicks are due to hatch in time for Easter! These mysterious chicks with bunny ears are sure to have your heart hopping with happiness. They will be taking part in a show held at the Mediterranean Harbor. The Usapiyo will be joining Mickey Mouse and the gang to celebrate spring and fill your heart with excitement and fun. 

Tokyo Disneyland Special Program: ‘Happy Fair with Baymax’

June 4 – November 1, 2020

This program will take place in Tomorrowland and will see the park filled with decorations, photo spots, merchandise and menu items themed on Big Hero 6. Your excitement levels are bound to inflate dramatically!

These are just a few exciting events that 2020 holds in store. Be Prepared for some fun!

*All images in this article are illustrations. 

©Disney

Ariel is swimming to Japan this September as four branches of OH MY CAFE turn into cafes inspired by The Little Mermaid. The Tokyo and Osaka branches will open on September 21, the Hokkaido branch on September 22, and the Nagoya branch on September 27. The collaboration is being carried out by LEGS COMPANY, LTD.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid was released back in 1989 as the 28th Disney animated feature film. It tells the story of the internationally-beloved Disney mermaid princess Ariel and her curiosity about the world above the sea.

The cafe’s concept is “independent girl.” Each cafe will take on a stylish look and be inspired by Ariel’s unwavering heart and her strength to make her dreams come true.

Menu Line-Up

<Ariel> Veggie-Packed Pesto Pasta – ¥1,990

If you’re vegetarian, you won’t be disappointed with this healthy, vegetable-packed pasta dish. The plate it is served on features an illustration of Ariel swimming elegantly in the ocean.

Seaside Cream Risotto – ¥1,990

Based on sandy beaches is this creamy risotto. If you look closely you’ll see one of Ariel’s priceless treasures from her endless collection of whose-its, whats-its, and thingamabobs. Sebastian is hiding on the plate too, can you spot him?

<Kiss The Girl> Romantic Fruit Bowl – ¥2,190<Kiss the girll>

This romantic dish speaks for itself. Inspired by the breathtaking boat date between Ariel and Eric, the bowl includes assorted fruit, a cookie with the two lovers on it, and a side of jelly with Flounder cheering them on.

Drinks Line-Up

<Flounder> Stripey Yogurt Drink – ¥1,090 / With Coaster – ¥1,890

Flounder is Ariel’s closest friend, so he had to be included on the menu. This cute yogurt-flavoured smoothie takes on the same colours as our stripey fish companion.

<Sebastian> Strawberry Smoothie – ¥890 / With Coaster – ¥1,790

Servant of King Triton and music composer, everybody’s favourite Jamaican crab Sebastian gets his very own yogurt smoothie too. Mix the strawberry sauce in well for the best flavour.

Exclusive Original  Merchandise

Acrylic Badge (5 Designs) – ¥800

Lunch Mat (Set of 2) – ¥800

Bag – ¥1,500

Bonus Items

Every person that books a table in advance (¥500) and orders something from the food menu will receive one of 30 possible A5 folders.

Additionally, if they spend over ¥1,000 at the merchandise corner of a cafe, they’ll receive the above-pictured The Little Mermaid 30th shopper bag. These are limited in stock and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

There are lots of other character-themed food and drinks to be enjoyed at the cafes besides these ones too. To see everything, you’ll need to visit yourself! Immerse yourself in the magical world of The Little Mermaid with cafe decorations featuring Instagrammable illustrations drawn exclusively for this collaboration.

*All listed prices are pre-tax.

*Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual products may differ.

©Disney