The Naruto and Boruto Ninja Village located at the Nijigen no Mori anime theme park in Hyogo is celebrating its third anniversary! A new event has begun celebrating Sakura’s birthday, and fans of the characters will be able to grab some neat merch.

Those who purchase tickets to this special event will receive a Mission Accomplished Sticker featuring an original, newly-drawn design. The celebration is running until June 30!

The escape game will have park guests running around the park looking for panels with hints on how to progress. For this event, the panels contain keywords and illustrations related to Sakura. Visitors will really have to use their brains to figure out the solution!

Guests will also be able to write congratulatory messages on cherry blossom petal stickers associated with Sakura and stick them to life-size character panels. Original goods featuring characters in original event costumes will be on sale.

© 岸本斉史 スコット／集英社・テレビ東京・ぴえろ

Flower Miffy Juice Garden, a drink stand featuring Dick Bruna’s popular character Miffy, is now offering a limited-time cherry blossom beverage at its Asakusa location!

Strawberry

Green Apple

Cherry Blossom Season with Miffy

The Slightly Sakura Drink is inspired by springtime and features a sweet whipped topping with cherry blossom-colored copeau de chocolat. The base of the drink is sakura-colored milk available in green apple and strawberry flavors. Each beverage comes with a Miffy cookie for added cuteness!

A Cherry Blossom flower arrangement is also available for purchase at the Flower Miffy online store. 

Illustrations Dick Bruna Ⓒ copyright Mercis bv,1953-2022　www.miffy.com

Accommodation and restaurant company Saika opened ICHIJO, a luxury inn with six rooms, on September 22 2021.

Restaurant Monomi Yuyama

ICHIJO Jigokumushi

ICHIJO Jigokumushi Matsuba Crab

Guest Room ‘Miyabi (elegant)’

Guest Room ‘Soso (graceful)’

Private Bath ‘SANKEI (mountain view)’

Private Bath ‘KAI (sea)’

Open Lounge ‘ISARIBI’

Meditation Room ‘MU’

Smoothie & Soup Shop ‘mellow’

A buffet is available offering wonderfully fresh and seasonal seafood, Tajima beef, Yaka pork, and a selection of local vegetables. Saika have made the most of the inn’s location in a town known for its fish, offering a delicious all-you-can-eat menu. In addition, local brand crabs such as Kasumi and Matsuba will be added to the butter throughout the autumn and winter seasons. You can also enjoy a bowl of Takikomi rice with seasonal soup stock, fresh sashimi, and even charcoal-grilled dried fish.

The ICHIJO Jigokumushi is a fascinating area where a large amount of steam can be seen rising from the ground. The area can be used as a lounge, workspace, and reading area outside of meal times. The hall is all-inclusive, meaning you can make the most of the variety of local sake, draft beer, soft drinks, and snacks at no additional charge. 

You can relax in the two private baths, which both boast water from the Kasumi hot springs. The ‘KAI’ bath has an infrared sauna installed, while the SANKEI features a mist sauna, allowing you to chill out while enjoying the fresh hot springs. 

The inn also provides a large communal bath with open air facilities through the Sadasuke sister inn, which is adjacent to ICHIJO.

If you’re looking to heal both body and heart, why not try the meditation room?

Smoothie and soup shop ‘mellow’ will be opening at the same time as ICHIJO. Guests staying at the inn will be able to purchase food and drink from inside the store, while general customers can use the takeout window. The delicious fruit and vegetables used in the food were grown in the San’in region by Saika, who are experienced in agriculture production.

Relax your body and soul with the new ICHIJO inn!

A celebration of light, sound, and food, the biennial Noseden Artline 2021 Festival will take place from October 30 until November 23, 2021. Set in one city and three towns along the Nose Electric Railway, the regional art event began in 2013 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the rail line, and brings local artists and residents together. 

The festival will be in Kawanishi and Inagawa in Hyogo Prefecture, as well as in Toyono and Nose in Osaka Prefecture, with Mt. Myoken marking the center point. Each part of the event will connect the history, industry, and tradition of the area with new and engaging creations. 

The theme of the 2021 Noseden Artline Festival is ‘Enlarged Mentality.’ By taking things that are subjective, like an artist’s thoughts and senses, and applying them to the objective world that can be shared, it creates a one-of-a-kind way to connect fully with others. The event will feature local cuisine and music, as well as art focused on light, inspired by the North Star. After a year of solitude due to the pandemic, the festival hopes to remind people to cultivate, nourish, and preserve local relationships. 

Art can make life more enjoyable, so why not come and see what the area has to offer?

 (C)Kousei Ikeda(SPEKTRA)

Miss Dior, the fragrance and maison first started in 1947, is being reborn thanks to Dior perfume creator Francois Demachy.

A new MISS DIOR art event will be held to commemorate the new fragrance, inheriting the art and passion for women that inspired Monsieur Dior himself. Reservations are now open for the AS SEEN BY exhibition, held alongside the MISS DOOR MILLEFIORI GARDEN pop up store between September 1 and 12, 2021, at THE MASS/BA-TSU ART GALLERY/STANDBY in Omotesando, Tokyo.

Kojin Haruka: Reflectwo for Miss Dior 2021

Pop Up Store MISS DIOR MILLEFIORI GARDEN

The AS SEEN BY exhibition, held in Tokyo and several cities around the world, will feature MISS DIOR inspired artwork and creations from 10 female artists, including visual artist Kojin Haruka, sculptor Donna Ingrid, and designer Sabine Marcelis.

Experience the renewed MISS DIOR at the MISS DIOR MILLEFIORI GARDEN pop up store, where you can try the new Au De Perfume and it’s personalization service, alongside limited cosmetics that were inspired by the new fragrance.

Those who attend the MISS DIOR event will also be able to enjoy the guest-only cafe, which features Laudrée collaboration macaroons, with the original flavors each lined up in a package reminiscent of the colorful flowers at the MISS DIOR art event. Plus, a limited takeaway drink will be available at the exhibition cafe, allowing you to bask in the afterglow of the event even after exiting the venue. In addition, customers who connect their reservation to the official MISS DIOR Beauty LINE account will receive a free original tote bag.

A special film that delves into the history and charm of MSS DIOR will be screened at the exhibition, narrated by DIOR beauty ambassador Yoshizawa Ryo, who will guide you through the glamorous world of MISS DIOR.

You mustn’t miss the livestream with DIOR ambassador Araki Yuko, who will be attending the event via livestream to introduce the wonders of the new MISS DIOR. The stream will start on August 31 at 20:30.

Why not check out this flower-filled event where you can immerse yourself in the world of MISS DIOR for yourself?

A special event is coming to the Naruto-themed area of Nijigen no Mori, an anime theme park located on Awaji Island in Hyogo prefecture! The Naruto Shippuden x Escape Game: #009 Kakashi & Obito event is taking place from August 21 to October 10!

A look at NARUTO & BORUTO Shinobizato

A look at the game

Participation bonus: 4 special wooden phone straps with new illustrations

The first escape game in the series was held in 2020 to positive feedback. It was first held to celebrate Kakashi’s birthday, which is September 15, and all visuals of both him and Obito are completely new and made for the event. 

Guests can also write their celebratory messages on special ‘petal stickers’ and place them on the character panel of their choice!

Would you like to come celebrate Kakashi’s birthday? 

©Masashi Kishimoto ／Shueisha・TV Tokyo・Pierrot

Three new Pokémon manhole covers were unveiled in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture on August 11, as part of the Poké Lid project. The new designs depict the legendary Pokémon Lugia, Bayleef, Aromatisse, and Cloyster. These are the first Poké Lids to be placed in Hyogo. 

Including these new additions, the total number of Pokémon-themed manhole covers across Japan is now 201. The project began with the installation of a Eevee manhole cover in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture in December 2018. 

Each one features completely original Pokémon art, and going on a pilgrimage to visit each of them has become a popular new fad. The project aims to promote local tourism by using these internationally-loved characters. 

There are also plans to turn each cover into Pokéstops, used in the popular location-based Pokemon GO smartphone game. 

Which Poké Lid would you like to find first? 

©2021 Pokémon. ©1995-2021 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.

Pokemon, Pokémon and Pokémon are registered trademarks of Nintendo, Creatures and Game Freak.

Nijigen no Mori, an amusement park located on Awaji Island in Hyogo, began a summer event at its Naruto and Boruto-themed zone on July 22 which is set to run until September 30.

Event-exclusive stickers

The event includes a huge water gun event where 25 litres of water will be sprayed to cool down guests during the hot summer event. With themed character panels displayed around the park, join Naruto and the gang, including Zabuza and Haku, for some summer fun. All guests receive a free original sticker too.

© 岸本斉史 スコット／集英社・テレビ東京・ぴえろ

The new Motosue Hanare has opened next to Motosue Kurakuen in Hyogo where they are selling a range of desserts including the Milkshake Shaved Ice and Milk Frozen.

Milkshake Shaved Ice Pudding | ¥1,290 (Tax Included)

Milkshake Shaved Ice Sweet Potato | ¥1,350 (Tax Included)

Milkshake Shaved Ice Matcha Adzuki | ¥1,200 (Tax Included)

Milk Frozen Chocolate Banana | ¥650 (Tax Included)

Milk Frozen Strawberry | ¥720 (Tax Included)

Eggy Bread | ¥750 (Tax Included)

Using milkshake as the base ingredients, the shave ice line-up gets its super fluffy texture from free range eggs. There are three flavours to enjoy, such as the pudding one which is topped with a whole Japanese pudding, adding a smooth and velvety texture to the fluffy shaved ice. Each is a perfect pick for cooling down during the summer season.

The ‘Milk Frozen’ desserts use frozen milk for the base and are topped with fruit. Each is made carefully handmade one by one, and they are even more refreshing than the shave ices. The eggy breads also come in a range of flavours including plain and custard.

The Hello Kitty media art facility and restaurant HELLO KITTY SMILE on Awaji Island kicked off a summer event on July 1. Titled “HELLO KITTY SMILE Oto-hime Ryugu-jo Beach Summer Festival,” the event is set to run until the end of August.

Digital fireworks set the summer vibe

Catch your own Sanrio figure

Decorate your own Sanrio character ceramic

Children’s meal at the Party Terrace

Hello Kitty afternoon tea at the Party Balcony

Spicy tortilla at the Garden Terrace

The event is themed on Oto-hime, the princess of the underwater palace Ryugu-jo which features in the Japanese folktake of Urashima Taro. It focuses on Hello Kitty and is a celebration of Bon odori, a type of dance that takes place during the Japanese summertime Bon Festival. Hello Kitty performs the dance on stage, and the audience can join in with handclapping, dancing, and waving the free fan they receive upon entering the venue. Visitors can also buy a ticket to meet Hello Kitty, and those who do receive a free plush toy along with a photo with the Sanrio queen herself.

At the event, visitors can enjoy Sanrio versions of all the fun things Japanese summer festivals, or natsumarui, have to offer like catching a Sanrio figure instead of a goldfish, painting ceramics, making vinyl prints, squirting water pistols, jumping on a giant trampoline, and so much more.

Other things to look out for include special screenings at the HELLO KITTY SMILE theatre and the firework projection mapping show. The event also has four different restaurants which are serving limited-time, seasonal summer treats: the Party Terrace, Party Balcony, Restaurant Tamatebako, and Garden Terrace.

Ⓒ2021 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO. L627610

Nippon Animation has announced the Maruko & Coji-Coji Fest, two pop-up shops that will open at Kita-Senju Marui in Tokyo and Kobe Harborland umie in Hyogo on April 20 and 29 respectively.

Inside the Kita-Senju Marui store

New merchandise

Acrylic Key Rings | ¥880 Each (Tax Included)

Sticker | ¥385 (Tax Included)

Postcard | ¥275 (Tax Included)

Mugs | ¥2,200 Each (Tax Included)

Bonus Item: Wrapping paper bag

The Maruko & Coji-Coji Happy Fest welcomes an all new series of original artwork themed around snacks and sweets. Fans will be able to enjoy pre-sales of new merchandise, and all who spend over ¥2,000 (tax included) will be given a free wrapping paper bag.

The Hello Kitty-themed media art venue and restaurant HELLO KITTY SMILE is celebrating 3 years since its opening on Awaji Island back in April 2018 with a special anniversary event that’s running from March 20 to May 31.

Challenge yourself to puzzles in the Princess’s Palace of the Dragon King

Enjoy a musical performance with the Smile Parade

Win Hello Kitty freebies

Tuck into the anniversary menu

Hello Kitty Afternoon Tea | ¥3,500 (Tax Included)

Acrylic photo frame with every menu order

Acrylic photo frame with every menu order

HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX

There are many exciting things happening to celebrate the 3rd anniversary of HELLO KITTY SMILE, from performances and events to exclusive merchandise, a themed menu, and more. But that’s not all, as visitors have the chance to win tickets to the HELLO KITTY SHOW BOX theatre restaurant. Only ten groups can win per day for the duration of the celebrations.

Ⓒ2021 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO. L617982