Christmastime has fallen on Roppongi Hills as it kicked off Roppongi Hills Christmas 2019 on Monday. The event sees the return of the gorgeous Keyakizaka illuminations from last year.

Keyakizaka-dori Street runs almost 400 meters, along which “Snow & Blue” LED lights glow and glisten like frost-covered trees, turning the street into a winter wonderland. For 2019, a very special photo spot has been designed by Japanese illustrator Yu Nagaba as pictured above amongst the ocean of illuminations. Over on the West Walk, passersby will spot a draped Christmas tree.

 

Starting this Friday (November 15), more illuminations will light up over at Mori Garden, which will reflect enchantingly from the garden lake, and 66 Plaza will be lit up too. All of these illuminations will glow until late in the night, making them a perfect spot for a little evening date.

A Christmas market will take place starting on November 30 which will feature German food and drinks, a shop where you can buy a real fir Christmas tree, and more. And on November 15, restaurants and cafes at Roppongi Hills will adorn their menus with Christmas cakes, sweets, and dinner plans.

 

Christmas Market 2019

2019 marks the 13th year of the Roppongi Hills Christmas Market, and this year, many of Japan’s leading shops are taking part. The market will recreate the atmosphere and decor of a German Christmas market, with gorgeous decorations lining the roof, as well as the 11 stalls which will sell German-made Christmas sundries, German mulled wine, frankfurter sausages, and more. There will be over 2,000 individual items to find.

 

Christmas Cakes & Merry Desserts

Top: Christmas Show Girl ¥3,672 / Bottom: Christmas Tree ¥10,800 @ LOLA’S Cupcakes Tokyo

Cafes and restaurants have cooked up various treats for the Christmas season which will be sold between November 15 to December 25, including Christmas cakes to complete your Christmas dinner, desserts so cute they almost seem a waste to eat, and little items perfect to give as gifts. There’s plenty on the menu to be enjoyed with friends, family and loved ones.

 

Have a very special and merry little Christmas this year at Roppongi Hills.

Halloween is right around the corner, and in Tokyo, the spooky celebrations are beginning early. If you’re in the capital this month, here are 5 places you must check out this Halloween.

 

Plain Clothes Halloween 2019 @ Shibuya

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 (“Plain”) 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-up has already started, so if you’re interested, check the times below and book ASAP.

 

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/263176

 

▶︎Jimi Halloween

Date: October 27, 2019 (3 Slots / 200 People Per Slot)

　Slot ①: 11:00-14:00　

　Slot ②: 15:00-18:00　

　Slot ③: 19:00-22:00　

★Places are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the website below

Venue: Tokyo Culture Culture (cocoti SHIBUYA 4F, 1-23-16 Shibuya, Tokyo)

Entry: Free (Apply at the link below)

Sign-Up: https://dailyportalz.jp/kiji/jimihalloween2019

 

MAX UNKO HALLOWEEN @ Odaiba

Unko Museum Tokyo, a poop-themed (unko in Japanese) museum located on the second floor of DiverCity Tokyo Plaza in Odaiba, opened its Halloween event “MAX UNKO HALLOWEEN ~Unko & Dancing Halloween~” last Friday which will run all the way up to October 31. They are serving “max unko kawaii-ness” in this all-new Halloween event.

At the Unko Museum this Halloween, expect to see nnko idol monsters, unko mummies, and lots of other cute and fashionable unko critters. All of them will be part of a spooky parade together with the museum’s mascot character Umberto. 

 

Also, if you go up to one of the museum staff members and say, “Trick or Unko?” you’ll receive a special Halloween gift. There’s lots of other unko-fying entertainment to be enjoyed, so if you’re looking for a different kind of Halloween experience, be sure to find out more about MAX UNKO HALLOWEEN.

 

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/262397

 

▶︎MAX UNKO HALLOWEEN ~Unko & Dancing Halloween~

Location: Unko Museum Tokyo

Address: DiverCity Tokyo Plaza Floor 2F, 1-1-10 Aomi, Koto Ward, Tokyo

Opening Hours: 10:00-21:00 (Last Entries 20:00)

No Fixed Holidays (Except when DiverCity Tokyo Plaza is closed)

Ticket Reservations: https://reserve.ale-box.com/reserve/169

Official Website: https://unkomuseum.com/tokyo

 

ROPPONGI HILLS HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2019 @ Roppongi

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.

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.

 

There’s plenty of other Halloween-themed menu treats besides these too in addition to numerous spine-chilling events.

 

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/257307

 

▶︎ROPPONGI HILLS HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2019

Running: October 1, 2019 – October 31, 2019

Official Website: https://www.roppongihills.com/en/

 

PURO HALLOWEEN PARTY ~KAWAII MASQUERADE~ @ Tama

Sanrio Puroland is currently holding its “PURO HALLOWEEN PARTY ~KAWAII MASQUERADE~” Halloween festival will until October 31. This is the park’s first mask-themed festival, with each day split into two slots: Day and Night. During the daytime, guests are invited to the park’s “Cute Masked Party” string of events. But when night falls, the monsters creep their way out for the “Beautifully Scary Masquerade Party.”

With the release of IT Chapter Two―the sequel to one of the biggest horror hits in years―Sanrio Puroland is collaborating with the film. This includes Hello Kitty taking Pennywise’s place in the movie poster amongst other special content.

A ball mask parade is taking place on the first floor Puro Bridge. The Sanrio cast is dressed up in ballroom attire with masks and dance elegant dances, pulling onlookers into a frightening yet beautiful world.

 

As part of the Halloween celebrations, if you arrive at the park in full Halloween dress you can get a discount on Passport Tickets. Be sure to go clad in your best outfit to have the most fun!

 

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/249600

 

▶︎PURO HALLOWEEN PARTY　～KAWAII MASQUERADE～

Running: September 13, 2019 – October 31, 2019

DAY: Weekdays – Until 14:30 / Weekends – Until 15:00

NIGHT: Weekdays – From 14:30 Until Closing / Weekends – From 15:00 Until Closing

*Weekday closing hours during the Halloween period is 6:00pm. Times subject to change.

Event Page: https://www.puroland.jp/2019_halloween/

 

VISION HALLOWEEN PARTY 2019 @ Shibuya

VISION HALLOWEEN PARTY 2019 @ Shibuya

The annual Halloween event at SOUND MUSEUM VISION, a club in Dogenzaka, Shibuya, will take place again this year on October 31.

 

Look forward to seeing live DJ performances from Yasutaka Nakata and SHINTARO with special guest acts from Kuro-chan and Ringo-chan of Yasuda Dai Circus as well as live performances from Yayoi Daimon and Rei©hi.

 

Dress up in your fanciest Halloween dress and club all night this Halloween!

 

VISION HALLOWEEN PARTY 2019

Date: October 31, 2019

Time: Open – 21:00

Price: Dress-Up Discount ¥2,500 / Door ¥3,500

Event Page: http://www.vision-tokyo.com/event/vision-halloweenparty-2019

 

 

Which of these events takes your fancy? Let us know on Twitter @moshi_moshi_glb or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/msmsnippon/

Ginza’s luxury ice cream shop has released a new parfait flavour for the Halloween and autumn season.

They have called it the “Akiiro Murasaki coi Parfait” (Autumn Colour Purple coi Parfait). Coloured like the vivid sumire plant―a species of violet―this mouth-watering parfait contains a jam made in-house with whole natsuhaze, a wild type of blueberry that has been used in Japan since ancient times. It’s topped with a dollop of rich and milky ice cream, a puree made from in-season purple sweet potatoes, and assorted nuts for added crunch.

Natsuhaze blueberries contain a lot of polyphenols, giving them an elegant sour flavour which goes unbelievably well with the taste of the milky ice cream and sweet potato. The parfait is served with a liqueur made from sumire extract.

For the Halloween period between October 16 to 31, the parfait can also be topped with various spooky decorations at no extra cost, like chocolate ghosts, spiders and cobwebs.

 

If you’re celebrating Halloween in Japan this year, or want to treat your date to a Halloween treat, then take them to Tokyo’s high-class shopping district Ginza for a luxurious parfait.

Starbucks Coffee Japan has announced a new beverage called the Halloween Dark Night Frappuccino® which will be released at Starbucks branches (*1) across Japan from 17:22 (*2)―the time of sunset when night begins―on October 18, 2019. The coffee chain is also releasing its new “Halloween Masquerade” filter on Instagram (*3).

 

*1. Select branches not participating.
*2. Roll out time may differ at select branches.
*3. Instagram is a service owned by Facebook, Inc. The above-mentioned filter is not backed or managed by Instagram in any way nor is it affiliated with the service.

The Halloween Dark Night Frappuccino® is themed on an evening masquerade party. It will go on sale when the sun sets at 17:22 on October 18. As the name suggests, the drink itself is black and mysterious like the night, blending together black cocoa powder with white chocolate brownie.

 

The jet black beverage also has a red hue to it which comes from a sweet and sour red berry sauce made from raspberries, cranberries and strawberries. It’s topped with a squirt of fluffy whipped cream, sprinkled with black cocoa powder, and drizzled with more of that red berry sauce to create that Halloween aesthetic. The black cocoa adds a delicious bitterness to the sweetness of the brownie and the sweet and sour mixed berries, creating a mouth-watering flavour combination.

 

The Halloween Masquerade filter was developed by Starbucks for people’s Instagram stories this Halloween. There are four masks to choose from which can be changed by just tapping on the screen. There are other cool Halloween effects on the filter to find too. Something might even pop out of your mouth if you open wide…

Starbucks Japan will also sell the above-pictured Halloween cup stands when the drinks go on sale. Limited in stock, the stands come in black and white, titled Halloween Red Night Frappuccino® or the Halloween Dark Night Frappuccino® respectively. You can buy them separately or as a set.

 

Experience a spooky masquerade party at Starbucks this Halloween.

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!

Royal Park Hotel Tokyo in Nihonbashi has begun its Halloween festivities for 2019, including a bone-chilling black and orange food and dessert menu, spooky decorations, a photo spot in the first floor main lobby, and more.

Check out their mouth-watering sweets assortment! Their Halloween Afternoon Tea set is packed full of autumntime flavours, from the glass desserts, to the apple chiboust, chocolate pocket watches with bats on them, adorable monster burgers, and more.

The hotel is also offering a Halloween Dinner Buffet on weekends and holidays decorated in Halloween colours. Pile your tray with figs and blackcurrants, chestnut mousse, pumpkin tarts, and plenty of other tasty treats, all prepared fresh in the kitchen.

This is just a peek into the hair-raising fun happening right now at Royal Park Hotel Tokyo. There’s also the Halloween Cocktail Fair, Halloween Sweets & Bread event, and much more.

 

Spend your Halloween here, or even use it as an opportunity to try wearing your Halloween costume out so you’re ready for October 31!

Unko Museum Tokyo, a poop-themed (unko in Japanese) museum located on the second floor of DiverCity Tokyo Plaza in Odaiba, opened its Halloween event “MAX UNKO HALLOWEEN ~Unko & Dancing Halloween~” last Friday which will run all the way up to October 31. They are serving “max unko kawaii-ness” in this all-new Halloween event.

Unflushed Poop Resurrects For a Poop Monster Parade

At the Unko Museum this Halloween, expect to see nnko idol monsters, unko mummies, and lots of other cute and fashionable unko critters. All of them will be part of a spooky parade together with the museum’s mascot character Umberto. Join in as they show the audience how to do the unko dance which the museum created themselves!

Candy Rains From the Unko Volcano

You’ll find Halloween decorations all around the Unko Museum for the duration of the event. If you’ve visited before, you’ll be familiar with the Unko Volcano which normally spurts out poop. Well, for Halloween, it will instead offer up candy. Its design has also changed so it’s more fitting for the spooky season.

 

By the way, if you go up to one of the museum staff members and say, “Trick or Unko?” you’ll receive a special present. Don’t miss out―pluck up the courage and just say those words!

Exclusive Unko Museum Halloween Merchandise

The museum’s popular “My Unko Maker” feature, where you sit on a toilet and colourful poop appears at the bottom, will also take on a Halloween theme. Halloween items will also be sold including the above-pictured unko headbands.

 

Visit the quirky Unko Museum for a Halloween event like no other.

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

Starbucks Japan is opening the portal to a whole new realm of flavour from October 11, 2019. Premonitions reveal that two devilishly delicious masquerade-themed drinks are to emerge for the Halloween season and infiltrate the menus of Starbucks branches across Japan. The two drinks called Halloween Red Night Frappuccino® and Halloween Masquerade Raspberry Mocha, are sure to give you an out-of-body experience. 

 

Just one sip of the Halloween Red Night Frappuccino® will pull you into a masquerade party world. The mysterious full red appearance of this devilish drink is tinged red with a tangy sauce which is a blend of raspberries, cranberries and strawberries. White chocolate brownies have been blended to make the frappuccino base. This is topped with a ghostly cloud of whipped cream sprinkled with dark cocoa powder. Red sauce can be seen trickling down the sides of the cup, tainting the white whipped cream. You will immediately be tricked into treating yourself to this irresistible drink. 

 

Like a luxury dessert, not only do the colours of the frappuccino contrast, but the sweet fruity tang makes for the perfect contrast with the white chocolate brownie

 

If your regular Starbucks order is the White Mocha, then make way for your new Hallow-queen: The Halloween Masquerade Raspberry Mocha. This is made with a startling shot of espresso which has a sweet yet tangy mixed berry flavour. This is masked with a white mocha flavour. 

 

Starbucks has brewed the perfect potions to steal your heart this Halloween. Dare you try one?

 

* The above image is an illustration.

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.

October is here, meaning Halloween is right around the corner. If you’re not up for dressing up in a costume or going out this year, then you can still get in the Halloween spirit by picking up one of the many Halloween exclusive goodies now being sold at Japanese convenience stores. We’ve picked out our top 5 favourite for you.

 

Starbucks® Sweet Caramel Pudding Latte

Starbucks Japan is now stocking its sweet caramel pudding latte across most convenience stores in Japan. The golden-capped cup features a spooky Halloween design, decorated with ghosts, pumpkins and bats. Enjoy Halloween in a cup with the beverage’s rich and sweet caramel pudding flavour.

 

▼Starbucks® Sweet Caramel Pudding Latte

Price: ¥200
Available: Most convenience stores across Japan. Select branches not stocking.

 

Calbee Jagabee Black Consomme

 

These crunchy potato sticks are a popular savour snack in Japan. This Halloween, Calbee has coloured their sumptuous sticks black, and made them taste like delicious consomme. This is a 7-Eleven and Ai Group-exclusive. Its cute pot design will have you grabbing one off the shelf without even thinking.

 

▼Calbee Jagabee Black Consomme

Price: ¥138 (Before Tax)
Available: 7-Eleven and Ai Group

 

KOIKE-YA Karamucho Hot Chili Flavour

 

The classic thick-cut Karamucho potato chips have been sprinkled with extra spiciness for that heated kick. The packet features all the familiar faces of Halloween, from a witch to a pumpkin, bats, a graveyard and more. If you’re a spice-seeker then this one’s for you. Also a 7-Eleven and Ai Group exclusive product.

 

▼KOIKE-YA Karamucho Hot Chili Flavour

Price: ¥128 (Before Tax)
Available: 7-Eleven and Ai Group

 

 

7-Eleven Marshmallow Chocolate Ganache Daifuku

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7-Eleven is also releasing a range of its own original Halloween treats, including this sweet white daifuku which looks like a marshmallow and is filled with rich chocolate ganache. A Japanese and Western-combined confection you can enjoy with one hand.

 

▼7-Eleven Marshmallow Raw Chocolate Daifuku

Price: ¥118 (Before Tax)
Available: 7-Eleven (Except in Okinawa)

 

7-Eleven Black Cat Sachertorte

Black cats are a popular symbol of Halloween, particularly in Japan. This cake is made with chocolate cream and vanilla cream and is coated in a crunchy chocolate coating for even more tasty texture. This is a seriously cute choice you’re sure to love!

 

▼7-Eleven Black Cat Sachertorte

Price: ¥308 (Before Tax)
Release Date: October 15, 2019
Available: 7-Eleven

 

 

Did you enjoy our picks? There are plenty of Halloween-themed foods, confections and sweets to look forward to this year at convenience stores in Japan. Head to your closest one and see what they have in stock.

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