Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, is also called the birth place of Japanese culture, with a history spanning 1,200 years. Today, we’re going to take a look at a number of upcoming events and seasonal items on sale in Kyoto for autumn 2020.

Celebrating 300 years of Tango Chirimen

This year marks 300 years since Tango Chirimen was established, a company located in Tango in northern Kyoto that specialises in a Japanese textile of flat woven silk known as ‘chirimen.’ There are many local chirimen brands around Japan, but it is the chirimen from Tango that has stood above the rest these past 300 years. The brand is now looking to the start of a new era for itself during its triple century milestone.

LIFE WITH THE QUALITY

Tango Chirimen is currently displaying a collaborative art exhibit at NEWoMan Shinjuku in Tokyo. This includes the entry display made in collaboration with Japanese artist Saki Tanaka, wall art made from woven fabrics, and more.

Running: Until September 30, 2020

Location: NEWoMan Shinjuku

Lineup: Display in collaboration with Saki Tanaka, wall art, and more

United Arrows x Tango Chirimen

United Arrows is also collaborating with the brand and incorporating their logo mark “TANGO OPEN” on a new men’s t-shirt.

Product Name: BY Tango Broad Wide Form Tapered Shirt
Buy Here: https://store.united-arrows.co.jp/shop/by/goods.html?gid=52838245
Sold at: BEAUTY & YOUTH UNITED ARROWS stores and their official online store

Taste tea from Uji on Japanese Tea Day

It is generally considered that the first tea of the season in Japan is best enjoyed from the end of April and during May, but in fact Japanese tea is the perfect season to enjoy Japanese tea, specially since the country celebrates Japanese Tea Day (Nihoncha no Hi) on October 1 and 31.

Ujicha, or tea from Uji in Kyoto, boasts some of the most famous kinds of teas in Japan. This includes matcha, sencha, and gyokuro, all of which were first grown in southern Kyoto. Because of this, it is said that Ujicha marks the origins of Japanese tea. So when you visit Japan during autumn, why not celebrate Japanese Tea Day with some authentic tea from Uji?

Ujicha Tea Murie Online Course

The Ujicha Tea Murie Course has been held since 2015 in Kyoto, and this year, the course is heading online for the first time as a result of the pandemic. Learn how to make and serve Uji tea from a professional tea instructor as well as its history and more.

Running: Session 1: September 15, 2020 / Session 2: October 2, 2020 / Session 3: October 17, 2020

Book: Online
Requirements: Download and install Zoom
Official Website: https://www.pref.kyoto.jp/yamashiro/ocha/

Certified Ujicha tea cafes for an authentic experience

Tsujiri Rihei Ginza | Tsujiri Rihei Senju

Nakamura Tokichi Ginza

Tsujiri Rihei Ginza, Tsujiri Rihei Senju, and Nakamura Tokichi Ginza are all cafes in Tokyo that are officially recognised for serving authentic Ujicha tea which also includes proper preparation as well as teaching the history and culture behind the tea. These three cafes are also holding an Ujicha tea stamp rally as well as a Twitter hashtag campaign.

MICASADECO&CAFE KYOTO had to shorten its menu due to the effects of COVID-19. Their legendary parfait too was taken off the list, but now has finally returned, and even more delicious looking than ever.

MICASADECO&CAFE KYOTO has tried to make the parfait as breathtaking as possible, and they’ve certainly captured that. It’s vivid like the furisode long-sleeved kimono worn by the maiko of Kyoto, beautiful and dignified.

Uji Matcha Pudding & Raspberry Parfait | ¥1,250 (Tax Included)

This towering parfait is made up of many layers, one of which is a homemade Japanese-style pudding made with high quality matcha from Uji, Kyoto. It has a subtly sweet and deep flavour, and is taken to the next level with the matcha sauce it’s served with.

The homemade raspberry jam brings a delightful sweetness too as well as adds that eye-catching aspect they’re going for. As you spoon your way through, your taste buds are treated to an amalgamation of indulging flavours.

The lid that’s sat on top of the parfait is actually a tuile biscuit. The best way to go about beginning your feast is to break the biscuit and then pour the matcha sauce inside.

Hidden within the parfait are also pieces of homemade matcha brownies made with lots of top grade matcha.

These parfaits will be served from September 14 but are limited in stock, so if you’re in Kyoto this month, make sure you don’t miss out.

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.

McDonald’s Japan is celebrating Japan’s annual Tsukimi (moon-viewing) festival this autumn by releasing a Tsukimi-themed menu line-up of four burgers and McMuffins, two desserts, one side, and two drinks, on September 2, 2020.

The food lineup captures the Japanese custom of moon-viewing during autumn. McDonald’s Japan celebrates the festival every year, and this year is not only bringing back their signature “Tsukimi Burger” and “Cheese Tsukimi,” but the all-new scrambled-egg packed “Fuwatoro Tsukimi” burger and the “Tsukimi McMuffin” which was last seen back in 2017.

McDonald’s will also serve their first ever McFlurry® made using warabimochi, the McFlurry® Tsukimi, drizzled in brown sugar syrup. The Tsukimi Pie from last year is also back on the menu, filled with red bean paste and mochi. Customers can also order tempura flavoured fries, and to wash it all down, the McFizz® or McFloat® Kyoho Grape.

To promote the limited-time menu, McDonald’s Japan released a cute online commercial starring Ken Mitsuishi and Yukino Kishii who play a father and daughter respectively. Check it out below.

UK-based matcha brand Matchaeologist is celebrating its second anniversary of selling products in Japan by collaborating with laboratory glassware brand HARIO Science on a matcha sets that come with a beaker with both company’s names on them. The sets were released on August 20, 2020 and are limited in stock.

About Matchaeologist

Matchaeologist describes themselves as artisanal matcha green tea specialists who have expanded worldwide across Europe, the US, and Japan. Matcha has become a superfood outside of Japan and one of the new standard drinks alongside coffee.

Matchaeologist has a big fan base – with close to 150,000 followers on Instagram. Its matcha is grown in the world-famous Uji in Kyoto and is served in a “minimalist way for an epicurean tasting experience not unlike that of fine wine” in order to bring a modern perspective to the ancient tradition of the Japanese tea ceremony.

Matchaeologist x HARIO

Matchaeologist x HARIO Beaker – Matsu (20g Set) | ¥4,180

HARIO is a hugely popular brand that sells a variety of products from laboratory glassware to coffee making equipment. The collaboration with Matchaeologist introduces a sophisticated and minimalist HARIO beaker as a set with two of the matcha company’s matcha blends: matsu and meiko.

Matchaeologist x HARIO Beaker (Meiko 20g Set) ¥3,180

Experience matcha in a completely unique way by preparing some in one of HARIO’s high quality beakers.

Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo has announced a collaboration with Tsuji Rihei—a tea shop that first opened in 1860 in Uji, Kyoto—to serve up a new “Premium Uji Matcha Afternoon Tea” in its lobby lounge Le Jardin from September 1.

This will be the hotel’s fifth serving of the Premium Uji Matcha Afternoon Tea, which first began in 2016. Last year saw 5,000 customers enjoy experience.

Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo actually began serving the afternoon tea from April 13 this year, but had to stop service in May as a result of COVID-19. September 1 will see its return.

The food and drinks in the afternoon tea are all made with a Japanese green tea known as Kuradashi. The first fresh leaves picked from springtime have been put to one side for the summer serving, so customers can enjoy an enrichened tea-sperience.

Top Tier – Desserts: Sencha Jelly, Genmaicha Egg Tart, Kabusecha Souffle Cake, Kyobancha Tiramisu

Middle Tier – Scones: Plain Scone, Gyokuro Scone, Hojicha Scone

Bottom Tier – Savoury: Tea Leaf & Walleye Pollack Open Sandwich, Lily Bulb Honey Ham Tart, Smoked Salmon & Plum Mayo Sandwich, Smoked Dick & Cheddar Cheese Japanese-Style French Toast

Drinks: Uji Tea (3 Flavours), Hotel Original Blend Tea (15 Flavours)

The afternoon tea set is three tiers of desserts, scones, and savoury snacks, all served with a tea of your choice. Summer ‘falls’ into autumn with this lovely selection of delights.

Last week, McDonald’s Japan revealed Part One of its Doraemon collaboration in celebration of the series’s 50th anniversary which included a collection of Happy Meal toys. They have now revealed Part Two of the McDonald’s Doraemon Festival which will see the arrival of yogurt flavoured McShakes® on August 19 at most McDonald’s restaurants in Japan.

The Doraemon McShake® in Japanese is named “Yogurudo,” a portmanteau of “yogurt” and “Doraemon.” Its refreshing yogurt flavour is perfect for summertime. Small size cups feature original illustrations of characters from the series, such as Doraemon himself and Nobita. These cups are already being served for vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate flavoured McShakes®.

Don’t forget about the science-themed Happy Meal sets either which come with one of nine toys. That includes a secret toy which you have to get in your Happy Meal to find out what it is.

McDonald’s Japan is also holding a Twitter campaign for 100 random people to win a ¥2,000 McCard. All you need to do is be in Japan, follow their official Twitter account, and retweet this Tweet with the hashtag #ヨーグル_ドでドひんやり and comment how you want to cool down this summer. The campaign is running until August 18 at 23:59 (JST).

©Fujiko Pro・Shogakukan・TV Asahi・Shinei・ADK

McDonald’s Japan will begin serving Happy Meals with science-themed Doraemon toys in them starting from August 14 for “Part 1” their McDonald’s Doraemon Festival which is being held to celebrate Doraemon’s 50th anniversary.

There are nine toys in the science series, and that includes a secret toy which you have to get in your Happy Meal to find out what it is.

The toy line-up includes Doraemon with his Take-copter which spins when you press a button, a mysterious torch which shines shapes when you turn it on, an artist tool that lets you draw Doraemon’s face, and many more fun items.

All toys come with a leaflet that explains how to use them. And on August 15 and 16, those who order a Doraemon Happy Meal can sign up to win a special Doraemon DVD.

In “Part 2” of McDonald’s Japan’s Doraemon collaboration, they will serve up some Doraemon-inspired desserts.

McDonald’s Japan will release their new “Mango Creamy Frappe” and “Muscat Creamy Frappe” at McCafé by Barista branches on July 22, 2020.

Mango Creamy Frappe: Regular ¥470 / Large ¥540

The Mango Creamy Frappe is made with Alphonso mangoes, which is considered by some at the king of mangoes. The beverage is a combination of McDonald’s regular “Mango Smoothie” topped with whipped cream for a sweet and tropical flavour explosion.

Muscat Creamy Frappe: Regular ¥470 / Large ¥540

The new whipped cream-topped Muscat Creamy Frappe uses fresh and fruity muscat grapes for a sweet and sour kick.

Just when you thought McDonald’s couldn’t get more yellow, the world-famous fast food restaurant is now teaming up with Illumination Entertainment’s lovable yellow minions, creating a new line of tasty treats,  fun toys and more. The new line includes the Banana McShake®, Waffle Cone Chocolate Banana Ice Cream, a Minions Happy Meal® and much more. The minions will be taking over the menu from July 17, 2020 for a limited time only.
*Unavailable at certain branches

The minions are celebrating their 10th anniversary this year. From the packaging of the food to McShakes and toys, there’s just so much going on this summer.

Banana McShake® Small: ¥120円/ Medium: ¥200
*Image for illustration purposes only

Enjoy the mild flavour of banana embraced in sweet cream. As the flavours melt on your tongue, you will feel refreshed. The small-size cups are decorated with original illustrations of the main minions Bob, Kevin and Stuart and are in limited supply. Enjoy the sight of mischievous minions joke around on your drink as you get refreshed.

Waffle Cone Chocolate Banana Ice Cream: ¥250 (Price may vary)

*Image for illustration purposes only

A crispy waffle cone filled with milky, rich soft serve ice cream and drizzled with a rich chocolate sauce and sweet banana sauce – a minion’s favourite flavour. Your ice cream will be served wrapped in collaboration-limited packaging. During the collaboration period, all waffle ice cream cones (plain, strawberry, chocolate and almond) will be served in special minion-themed wrapping.

Minions Happy Meal®

Selling: July 17, 2020 ( approximately four weeks)
Bonus Toys: A total of 30 minions toys and 30 golden versions.
*All minion toys are in limited supply
*You cannot choose which toy you will get with your meal

The Minions Happy Meal® comes with a toy. There are a total of 30 different minion toys and each one is pulling a hilarious and mischievous pose. Which one will you receive? From dancers and sporty minions to firefighters, the toy collection represents the large variety of minions that we’ve seen over the ten years. There’s even a Bob holding a teddy bear and a King Bob. There are also gold versions of the toys too, however, these are very rare to come across. Each toy will be sealed in an exciting minion capsule, adding to the excitement.

If you purchase the set on July 18 or July 19, 2020, you will be given a holographic minion stickers so you can enjoy the mischievous minions even more. There is also a campaign on twitter where 32 winners will be rewarded with the complete minions set!

Campaign Running: July 13 (13:00) ー July 15, 2020 (23:59)
How To Apply:
1. Follow the official McDonald’s Japan account （＠McDonaldsJapan）
2. Reply to the post with the tweet that contains the hashtag #わたしのミニオン愛はミリオン級 by copy and pasting the hashtag and writing a message to declare that you are a minions fan.
Prizes: 32 winners will be chosen to receive a Complete Minions Happy Meal®

From July 10, 2020, McDonald’s will be sharing eight different minion-themed backgrounds on their website. These collaboration-limited backgrounds are perfect for spicing up your online video calls and web meetings.

McDonald’s Minions Virtual Background Download: https://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/campaign/minions/cmp01/
Accessible From: July 10, 2020 (Available for approximately 5 weeks)

*8 different backgrounds available

Join in the minions fun at McDonald’s this summer!

*Food and item names have been translated from Japanese
© Universal City Studios LLC. All Rights Reserved. 

Kyoto’s famous tea shop Itohkyuemon began serving four new Uji matcha and shaved ice mixed desserts on its menu yesterday (June 29). Itohkyuemon was founded in 1832 in the latter period of Edo. Ujitawara, the place in Kyoto where the shop is located, is famous for the tea served by Itohkyuemon which has been harvested by the Ito family for years.

Uji Matcha Parfait Ice: ¥1,490 (Tax Included) | Serving: Until Late September 2020 | Avaialble: Itohkyuemon JR Uji Station/Itohkyuemon Gionshijo

The Uji Matcha Parfait Ice uses a blend of matcha and milk-infused ice as its base. It’s then topped with sweet treats like rice flour dumplings, red bean paste, ice cream, matcha jelly, and more to turn it into a parfait.

Uji Matcha Daifuku Ice: ¥1,290 (Tax Included) | Serving: Until Late September 2020 | Avaialble: Itohkyuemon JR Uji Station/Itohkyuemon Gionshijo

This Uji Matcha Daifuku Ice is an upgrade of the one Itohkyuemon served last year. It has a creamy custard base with matcha daifuku hidden in the shaved ice.

Fluffy Uji Kindokei Vanilla Ice Cream: ¥990, Matcha Ice Cream ¥1,090 (Tax Included) | Serving: Until Late September 2020 | Avaialble: Itohkyuemon JR Uji Station/Itohkyuemon Gionshijo

Fluffy Uji Kindokei Rice Flour Dumpling: ¥850, Rice Flour Dumpling & Vanilla Ice Cream ¥970, Rice Flour Dumpling Matcha Ice Cream ¥1,090 Serving: Until Late September 2020 | Avaialble: Itohkyuemon Uji Main Branch

These two “Kindokei” (Gold Watch) servings use more ice. At the main branch of Itohkyuemon they’re more crunchy, while at the JR Uji Station and Gionshijo branches they’re more fluffy.

Devoted to selling authentic coffee, McDonald’s Japan’s McCafé by Barista coffee service is all set for the hot summer days ahead with delicious Hokkaido melon drinks. The Hokkaido Melon and Milk Frappé is making a return to the menu along with the brand new Hokkaido Melon Choco Frappé. The drinks will appear on the menu from June 24, 2020 for a limited period.

Enjoy the luscious flavour and fragrance of Hokkaido melons in the form of a refreshing frappé. Although the Hokkaido Melon and Milk Frappé has returned to the McDonald’s menu year after year since 2018, this year marks the debut of the Hokkaido Melon Choco Frappé.

Hokkaido Melon and Milk Frappé M Size: ¥470, L Size: ¥540

Vibrant Hokkaido melon is pureéd into a fruit sauce (2% fruit content). This is mixed with milk to bring out its full-bodied fragrance. The juicy, melt-in-the-mouth sweetness will leave you wanting more. The whipped cream topping is drizzled with more melon sauce. Mix the drink to enjoy the delicious combination of juicy melon and sweet cream.

Hokkaido Melon and Choco Frappé M Size: ¥490, L Size: ¥560

Enjoy a sweet smoothie of rich and juicy melon punctuated with notes of Belgian couverture chocolate sauce (54% Belgian chocolate) and whipped cream. With 2% fruit content Hokkaido melon pureé as the base of the smoothie, milk is added to create a mellow flavour. Crunchy chocolate Oreo® pieces are sprinkled on top along with a drizzle of chocolate sauce, adding a hint of bitter chocolate flavour.

As the weather gets hotter, make sure to cool down with a refreshing cool drink. If you’ve never tried Hokkaido melon, now’s your chance!