Sanrio is collaborating with EGG & SPUMA cafe which is located on the 8th floor of the shopping centre Lumine EST Shinjuku. The Sanrio Characters Cafe is set to open on November 15 and will remain open for a limited time only.

This will be the last time that Sanrio will collaborate with EGG & SPUMA and to really make it special, the menu is grander and packed with even more of your favourite Sanrio Characters. If you are a Sanrio fan, you definitely won’t be able to resist the adorable atmosphere.

From dinner to dessert to drinks, the menu will leave you spoilt for choice. If you’re looking for something to fill you up, then the Pompompurin Cheese Burger is for you. Pompompurin sits on the plate in burger form wearing a cute beret. Kiki and Lala’s themed dish is a tower of soufflé pancakes made to resemble a cute tree, and My Melody’s dish is a Melty Strawberry Soufflé Pancake garnished with a pink ribbon. 

Of course, EGG & SPUMA Collaboration Cafe will be whisking up their highly popular Tea Party Set again but this time, the Sanrio presence is very intense.

The special Sanrio-style Tea Party Set is a grand three-tier course full of intricate design. The fun feast on the first tier features a colourful jelly treat which takes on the appearance of a capsule toy machine, and playful pup Pochacco in the form of a panna cotta dessert. The second tier serves up EGG&SPUMA’s popular soufflé pancakes covered in an irresistible berry sauce. The third tier will treat you to a ribbon-shaped strawberry milk crêpe and mini chocolate cakes with My Melody and Kuromi playing on top.

Order from the collaboration menu to receive a cafe-limited drink coaster. 

*There are eight possible designs. Each customer will receive one coaster upon their order and they are unable to choose the design they receive.

Make sure to stop by for a top up on your kawaii levels!

The 2019 National Election for Meiji’s long-selling chocolate brands Kinoko no Yama and Takenoko no Sato is running up until December 2, with Jun Matsumoto and Akihiro Miwa representing each snack respectively, where the people of Japan can vote for their favourite of the two.

The final promotional campaign for the election will take place at Shinjuku Station’s Metro Promenade where there will be digital posters of both candidates and a chance for people to cast their votes. It will run for three days from November 8 to 10.

Visitors at the event are able to become part of the digitised poster to help support their favoured snack alongside the leader of the New Kinoko Party Jun Matsumoto, or Akihiro Miwa, the leader of the New Takenoko Party, as well as cast their votes.

Those who participate in the poster voting will receive a box each of the snacks and stickers of the elected leaders. Only 330 will be given out per day. Those who post a picture of themselves at the event on social media will also receive the first-ever Kinoko no Yama and Takenoko no Sato packaging covers. The Kinoko no Yama cover will feature Shinjuku Alta while the Takenoko no Sato cover will feature Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Takenoko no Sato, the all-new Double Nuts Cake flavour will be available for a limited time.

Worried about what to wear for Halloween this year? No need to panic. If you’re spending your Halloween in Shibuya this year, which is known the world over for its incredible Halloween festivities, then head to Tokyo Culture Culture on October 27 where a very unique event is taking place.

Jimi Halloween is an event that takes out the stress of having to go all out for Halloween as people go dressed as ordinary people. It has been held annually since 2014, with the number of attendees growing each year. Over 800 people took part last year, all clad in their plain clothes.

This year’s event will be split into three slots, with a capacity of 200 people per slot. Sign-ups begin on October 15 at 12:00pm (JST).

Past Examples

①Situational attire

Beauty salon client

Dressing up as someone doing something has been a popular choice at the event recently. You can come up with some creative ideas that’ll make people say, “You came as that?!”

②”I’ve seen people like that!” attire

Flea market woman

There’s always certain types of people that everyone sees, and in Japan this is one of them!

③”I get it, but I don’t get it” attire

Hawaii vibe  uncle

You’ve heard all about them, but have you seen them?

④Work attire

Handing out tissues with pachinko ads on them

Work attire is a go-to at the plain clothes event. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that this is the one that started the entire movement.

⑤Miscellaneous attire

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

The final entry is those which are hard to categorise. They serve whatever vibes they are feeling.

Attend this year’s event and show off your own unique ideas!

The 25th Kobe Luminarie light festival will take place from December 6 to 15. The theme of this year’s festival is “25 Years, Guided by the Light of Hope” (Original Italian title: Da 25 anni, guidati dalle luci della speranza).

Kobe Luminarie is an illumination festival that has been held annually since 1995 in commemoration of the Great Hanshin earthquake which hit Kobe that year on January 17. The event has continued as a symbol of hope for Kobe and has also become a festival associated with the winter season. Last year’s festival saw around 3.43 million people in attendance.

The “Light Bulbs” make a comeback radiating their warm light

Formerly the doorstep to foreign culture, Nakamachi-dori, lined with countless tasteful stores, will be lined with around 270 meters’ worth of decorations. The entrance decoration, named Frontone, stands almost 22 meters tall with three towering gates each connected to each other. The Sparri Ara is a wide wall of lights which runs 50 meters from Frontone all the way to Kyomachisuji Crossing. And as a special instalment to the 25th run of the festival, the light bulbs used at the first festival will be strung up to create another wall illumination from Itomachi to the East block which will be dubbed the “Memorial Zone.”

The event’s largest light dome

In the eastern amusement park plaza, Cassa Armonica―an illuminated church structure set up every year―will be enveloped in a large 21 meter high dome featuring an arch for the first time standing 4 meters tall in the memorial area

Over in the floral clock area, the Sparri Ara wall lights twinkle beside the wisteria trees. The lights will change and transform to the sound of the music. Attendees will also be able to pick up small gifts too as well as take pictures at the various photo spots.

Earthquake Talk Booth

Talks will be held discussing the origins of Kobe Luminarie and why it started. Earthquake survivors will also talk about their real experiences.

International Creative Director and Executive Producer Daniel Monteverde, who has been working with Luminaire for 20 years, made the following comment: “The city of Kobe will bustle once again this year, which will mark 25 years. People will fill the streets and look to the sky while they wait for the chime of the bell to signal the illuminations. We hold the memories of the people we lost 25 years ago close to our hearts. I hope we can convey our hopes and dreams and our story to our children and the young people who will bear the next generation. I hope people will be proud of Kobe which has recovered from the earthquake.”

He continues: “The Kobe Luminarie lights will shine once more for Hyogo, for Japan, and for the world. These lights are a symbol of each and every person’s devotion, their efforts, and their love. I pray that the Luminarie lights will send a message of hope to the world and continue shining in our hearts for the rest of time.” * Full comment translated from Japanese

fennica is a fashion label associated with BEAMS that combines traditional Japanese handicraft with new and old designs collected from Northern Europe. The label has announced that it will collaborate with the Akan Tourism Association (法人阿寒観光協会まちづくり推進機構) non-profit organisation to release an all-new collection that incorporates traditional Ainu crafts.

Terry Ellisーthe London-based director of fennicaーand Keiko Kitamura observed Ainu culture in the Lake Akan area in Kushiro, Hokkaido, and have used the creative beauty of young craftsmen and craftswomen who are in charge of next-generation Ainu culture. Overtime they have worked together with the artisans to create an original collection entitled “Ainu Crafts from Lake Akan: Tradition and Innovation” which will be sold on the fifth floor of the Shinjuku branch of BEAMS Japan in the fennica studio and B Gallery from October 12.

The collection incorporates silver jewellery with Ainu patterns, wood-carved cutlery, hamper bags made with traditional materials, and many other lifestyle items familiar to Ainu culture. During the showcasing, there will be other exhibitions related to Ainu in the gallery, as well as talks, live performances, and more.

A special webpage went live on October 1 talking about this collaboration.

The collection’s director Terry Ellis commented: “When I was walking around Takiguchi’s store Ichigen No Mise, my attention focused on this cutlery. I felt the folklore in its simplicity. Though it’s an item to be used, the craftsmanship is incredible. You can’t just stop at one, you want to collect more and decorate with them.” *Translated from Japanese

Keiko Kitamura, also a director for the collection, commented: “Akan is a rare kind of place, with mountains, rivers, lakes and forests. It has its own shapes and colours because of the light, colours and sounds which change intensely with time and soak into your body. And Ainu art is distinct from the traditional craftsmanship of other countries and regions because in almost all categories you can still produce it even today. There are [Ainu] people who are still continuing to make art for their family to this day. Their still being here is something valuable.”

She continues: “Japan’s handiwork is in danger of vanishing across all areas of the country. Even if there are no successors, there are people who have been beside them watching, and people who were once involved in the past. So we may barely just make it. Because if this handiwork comes to a stop, it will be no more. We feel a sense of duty to protect this wonderful work.”

It has been seven years since Sarabeth Levine took her New York-based cafe and restaurant Sarabeth’s to Japan back in 2012. To celebrate, the establishment will hold a special one-night event with a commemorative menu.

“Fermented Foods” is the theme of the event, which will see an incredible line-up of premium dishes. There will also be a talk by Sarabeth Levine herself who will be in attendance.

The menu line-up features a range of healthy fermented foods, like pancakes and Eggs Benedict, while drinks options include lemonade with fermented syrup, goishicha tea from Aichi Prefecture, and more. There will also be Sarabeth cookies which you can take home with you.

Tobu Zoo is set to collaborate with the upcoming drama anime series Beastars from November 2 to December 29.

Beastars is a manga series written and illustrated by Paru Itagaki. It is serialised in Weekly Shōnen Champion which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Beastars is set in a world of herbivores and carnivores. The story follows Legoshi, a quiet and gentle grey wolf and student at Cherryton Academy. His world is turned upside down when one of his fellow students is brutally murdered.

The collaboration event will see Tobu Zoo decorated with illustrations drawn specifically for the event. There will also be exclusive and original merchandise on sale, as well as themed food and more.

Beastars will premiere in Japan on Fuji TV’s +Ultra programming block on October 9. It will also be streamed exclusively on Netflix.

©板垣巴留(秋田書店)/BEASTARS制作委員会

Roppongi Hills has announced this year’s Halloween festival. Titled “ROPPONGI HILLS HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2019,” it will take place from October 1 to 31, packed full of spooky fun from a Halloween costume parade to a ghoulish gourmet menu line-up, featuring an always-unique array of food and drink.

Halloween Cupcakes – ¥638 Each @ LOLA’S Cupcakes Tokyo (Available from October 5)

LOLA’S Cupcakes has baked up an assortment of cute monster motif cupcakes, with flavours including pumpkin, purple sweet potato and more. Whichever one you pick, it’s sure to give you a smile and delight your taste buds.

Halloween Mixed Berry Cake – ¥530 @ Roasted coffee laboratory

Creepy eyeballs adorn this cake, which is topped with blackberries and blueberries while drizzled in bloody blackcurrant jam. The cake is layered with sponge, fresh cream and a sweet and sour strawberry jelly.

Happy Monster – ¥980 @ Cafe Crepe

Delight in this cute pumpkin and fresh cream crepe, filled with pumpkin ice cream and snug in an orange crepe wrap. Housed inside is an adorable purple sweet potato mont blanc monster wearing a witch’s hat.

A movie-themed parade will take place on Saturday October 26 at the event in line with the 2019 Tokyo International Film Festival. Children and adults can take part in the parade if they dress up. The 1km parade will last 25 minutes.

Gift bags will be given to all kids who get involved!

▼Halloween Parade

Date: October 26, 2019

Time: 10:30-13:30 (subject to change)

Location: Roppongi Hills Arena

Participation Conditions: Anybody who dressed up can join (the theme is “Movies”)

Participation: Free

Enquiries: 03-6406-6000 (Roppongi Hills Information)

Halloween will hit Roppongi Hills for the entire month of October. Be sure to visit if you’re in Japan next month!

Ever dreamt of teaming up with the Mekakushi Dan from the Kagerou Project to complete a mission? Now you can and explore the wonders of Enoshima while you are at it. From September 14 to November 17, Enoshima will hold its biggest ever real life rescue game featuring Japanese mixed-media project The Kagerou Project. The event will be called Mekakucity Quest in Enoshima and will run over approximately two months.

From games and music to novels, anime and manga, The Kagerou Project characters have dominated the scene in a large range of media forms. The Mekakucity Quest in Enoshima was created in collaboration with SCRAP, who are famous countrywide for their real life escape games. 

This game can only be cleared by walking around Enoshima to find hints and answers to the challenges but don’t worryーThe Mekakushi Dan will be in contact with you via the messaging app LINE to help you solve the riddles. 

Upon accepting your mission, you will receive a mission guide full of information on the mouthwatering gourmet food and fascinating history of Enoshima. The guide will take you on a wonderful journey of discovery through locations popular among tourists and even romantic date spots. This is the perfect way to enhance your Enoshima experience. 

Multimedia creator Jin, who is the founder of the Kagerou Project, has teamed up with SCRAP to create this exciting real life game which is full of fun contents that anyone can enjoy. The original storyline takes advantage of the wonders of Enoshima, creating a unique experience that is not available anywhere else. It is a rare opportunity to get close to the Mekakushi Dan and simultaneously enjoy the exciting culture of Enoshima. 

Your journey will start at Subana Kaikan (スバナ会館) which will be selling lots of Kagerou Project collaboration merchandise that cannot be obtained from anywhere else. Make sure to check out the official website for more information. 

There is an exciting bonus in store for those who successfully clear the game: A surprise phone call from Ene and Shintaro! Just hearing the voice message of these two popular characters is enough to send some fans wild. Those who clear the game will also have the opportunity to take part in a special lottery for the chance to win a ticket to watch the debut screening of the anime Kagerou Daze No.9 before anyone else. This series is set to go live next spring. 

*The debut screening is a private event that you can only take part in by clearing the Mekakucity Quest in Enoshima. There is no general screening event for those who do not succeed. 

As the sweltering heat of summer has finally subsided, this is the perfect chance to explore the wonderful tourist spots and indulge in the delicious local food of Enoshima while facing challenges with your pals or even your partner.

Sanrio’s popular character Pompompurin is collaborating with Obaken, a horror experience creative company, to bring the brand new horror event known as Pompompurin Zombieland to Sanrio Puroland on November 16 and 30.

Tickets will go on pre-sale for official Pompompurin ambassadors, or Pombassadors, on September 14 at 10:00am (JST) and general sales will begin on September 28 at 10:00am (JST). To find out more about Pombassadors and how to become one click here.

Pompompurin Zombieland Promo Video

Horror experience planner Obaken is set to shake the cute world of Pompompurin into a terrifying zombie-infested one. In the story, Pompompurin was happily looking for some tasty mushrooms to pick when all of a sudden he eats a poisonous one by mistake. It is your mission to deliver him the antidote to stop him from becoming a zombie. Other unfortunate victims who also ate poisonous mushrooms have died and returned as the living dead and will roam around Puroland. The antidote to save Pompompurin, who is on the brinks of turning into a green zombie, lies in the non-poisonous mushrooms located in 6 areas of the park.

You must survive getting infected by the zombie virus and get your hands on mushrooms. If you succeed you’ll receive an exclusive Pompompurin Zombieland pin badge stating that you have cleared the mission.

You can even pick up an exclusive Zombie Purin t-shirt. These are limited in stock and can’t be bought anywhere else.

Additionally, if you wear a combination of yellow and brown-coloured clothing when attending the event―which are the colours of Pompompurin―you’ll get the above-pictured Zombie Purin sticker.

Full details can be found on the event’s website below. Don’t miss out on this creepy-cute experience this autumn.

©︎’96, ’19 SANRIO

TOKYO MYSTERY CIRCUS’s catalogue of games just keeps on growing. The puzzle and escape game theme park has just announced the return of its escape game Escape From Shin Godzilla which is being held in collaboration with the 2016 film Shin Godzilla.

The event was previously held last April where it ran until October, enjoying huge popularity with over 40,000 escape game-goers. Players took the role of a member of the Kyosaitai―the anti-Godzilla task force―based in Kabukicho, Shinjuku where you will be tasked with solving puzzles to defeat the colossal giant.

The thrilling event returns once more with original visuals created to make it look like Godzilla has really invaded Kabukicho. Tickets are now on sale, and you can pick up exclusive merchandise and themed food at the venue too. Can you defeat Godzilla?

TM&©TOHO CO., LTD.　©SCRAP