The men’s side of the popular Gelato Pique loungewear brand, Gelato Pique Homme, will open a pop-up shop at the Matsuzakaya Nagoya location from December 1 until December 26, 2021. 

Lineup

Striped Sweaters in 2 Limited Christmas Colors

Powder Big Logo Series

Gelato Pique Homme Cosme

The lineup includes new items made from the brand’s signature material ‘Gelato,’ which offers luxurious and high-quality comfort and a light and fluffy feel. Be sure to grab something to wear by the fire this holiday season!

The animated character Rascal the Raccoon is a beloved figure in Japan. Based on the 1963 novel Rascal, A Memoir of a Better Era by Sterling North, Nippon Animation created the adorable character that fans know today. Now, a Rascal pop-up store will be open at Abeno Q’s Mall in Osaka from December 1 until December 14, 2021. 

Merchandise

Bonuses

Paper Bag for those who spend ¥2,000 or more (Including Tax)

Take-Out Tumblers for those who spend ¥6,000 or more (Including Tax)

More than ten new products featuring Rascal will be available at the pop-up store, as well as the above bonus gifts for those spending certain amounts. 

The popular character Rilakkuma was recently appointed as the tourism ambassador for Chiyoda City in Tokyo. To commemorate this lofty position, Tokyo Daijingu Shrine will begin offering Ema decorated with Rilakkuma starting December 1, 2021. Ema are small wooden plaques found at shrines, and visitors can write their wishes or prayers on them before hanging them up for the Gods to receive them. 

Tokyo Daijingu was built in the early Meiji period so that residents of Tokyo could worship the many deities enshrined at the Grand Shrine of Ise from afar. Originally built in Hibiya, the shrine was moved to Iidabashi in 1928 after the Kanto Earthquake. 

Rilakkuma became the tourism ambassador for Chiyoda in August and aims to convey the many charms of the area to as many people as possible. These Ema feature an original Rilakkuma design along with the crest of Tokyo Daijingu.

Legendary shojo manga artist Macoto Takahashi is collaborating with Tsudanuma PARCO in Funabashi, Chiba, for the 2021 Christmas event from November 19 until December 25, 2021. The creator recently released an art book featuring many of his works titled ‘Macoto Takahashi’s Jewelry Box.’ An exhibition featuring mini-prints and mini-panels of works featured in the book will also be held, and merchandise will be on sale both on-site and online. 

Main Visual

Window

After his debut in 1953, Takahashi published the manga series Arashi wo Koete and Princess Anne. His signature style of depicting glittering stars in the eyes of his protagonists would have a lasting influence on other manga artists. In the 1960s and 1970s, he was at the helm of many magazine covers and illustrations for popular girls’ manga magazines like Nakayoshi, Shojo Friend, and Margaret. Despite his classic style, his works are still largely popular today. The main visual for the event ‘Lucky Star’ features a girl in a red Christmas-themed costume surrounded by animals, blue snowflakes, and delicate lace.

As a part of the brand’s 9BOX series, New Balance has released a new graphic T-shirt collection in collaboration with Ghost in the Shell SAC_2045. The items went on sale November 12, and to commemorate the release, a Tachikoma from the series has arrived at New Balance Harajuku! For those who may not have seen the series, a Tachikoma is an AI tank prominently featured in the Ghost in the Shell universe.

T-Shirt

Long Sleeve T-Shirt

Collaboration Sticker

Picture Frame

Motoko Kusanagi, the main character of the series, perfectly exemplifies the New Balance brand, which promotes ‘fearless independence.’ Five new t-shirt designs are now available, all drawn by Ilya Kuvshinov, the character designer for Ghost in the Shell SAC-2045. The collection is available at official New Balance stores nationwide, as well as the online store and participating ABC Marts. Those who purchase items from the collection will receive a collaboration sticker, and a special picture frame will be available on the New Balance official store app NB Shop. 

New Balance’s flagship store in Harajuku is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year and was the backdrop for the cover of Rolling Stone Japan to promote the collaboration. Fans of the anime series shouldn’t miss out on these stylish threads!

Known for his work on the Final Fantasy series, Yoshitaka Amano is one of the most beloved artists in Japanese popular culture. From November 5 until November 30, an exhibition displaying many of his works is open at the Kikka Gallery in Omotesando, Tokyo. Online lottery sales of many Amano works shown in the exhibition began on November 20. 

While overseas fans know him best for Final Fantasy, Amano is also the creator of many iconic characters such as Gatchaman, Tekkaman, and Casshan. 

The PREMONITION OF HAPPINESS exhibition boasts 111 paintings and 3D works on display, all of which are one-of-a-kind. A number of colorful works drawn on traditional Japanese paper and bamboo plates are also attracting guests, based on his fine artwork CANDY GIRL, which he has been working on since 2015. 

The globally popular manga series Tokyo Revengers has been serialized in Weekly Shonen Magazine since 2017 and has sold over 40 million copies. An anime series began in April 2021, and a live-action film made its way to theaters in July. In 2022, a Tokyo Revengers art exhibition will be coming to Tokyo and Osaka for a limited time. The event will be coming to Tokyo in January and to Osaka in March.

Ticket + Merch Bonus: T-Shirt

Stickers for Visitors (6 varieties)

*One sticker will be given to visitors at random. Guests cannot choose the pattern. 

*Stickers cannot be exchanged unless they are defective. 

*Stickers will be available while supplies last. 

*Admission privileges will be distributed only to those with paid admission. 

Teaser images for the event have already been unveiled, and the first ticket lottery is now underway. 

(C)和久井健／講談社

Not a fan of Valentine’s Day? Want to get away from all the in-your-face romance and just have a good time with your gal pals? OMO7 Asahikawa by Hoshino Resort in Hokkaido is offering a limited-time polar bear-themed Valentine’s Day Girls’ Party package for all of February 2022. The single polar bear room, opened in November 2020, will be transformed into its Valentine’s Day version. 

Valentine’s Day has been popular in Japan for many years and is a day when women give gifts to men to express their feelings. However, in recent years, it has also become a less romantic event for some–people are buying chocolate for themselves, or giving candies to friends. The polar bear room is perfect for girlfriends who just want to relax and have a good time. Why a polar bear? The Asahikawa Zoo is nearby and is an incredibly popular attraction.

The Polar Bear Valentine Room, Only Available for One Party per Day

Decorated from top to bottom in cute bears, guests can also wear matching polar bear loungewear, perfect for those Instagram shots. This will be a girls’ gathering you’ll never forget!

Polar Bear-inspired Snacks for the Perfect Girls’ Night

When girls get together, they just love to chat. But talking so much can make you hungry, so plenty of snacks will be waiting in the guest room! If you’re not in the snacking mood, they also make wonderful souvenirs. 

Polar Bear Desserts, A Must-Have in Asahikawa

The area around OMO7 Asahikawa is lined with stylish cafes where you can take a break from your daily life. After enjoying the Valentine’s Room, head out into the nearby neighborhood to Fukuyoshi Cafe for some polar bear sweets. The treats are included with the price of the room, so there’s no reason to miss it!

Tokyo’s favorite Christmas event has begun! Roppongi Hills is a popular destination for shopping, eating, and having a good time, and the Roppongi Hills Christmas 2021 celebration brings the complex to life with plenty of holiday spirit. The Keyakizaka Lights signal the beginning of the Christmas season in the area, and this winter tradition is not to be missed! 

Keyakizaka Lights

The 400-meter-long Keyakizaka street is covered in over 700,000 blue and white LED lights, and the scene has become a popular representation of what Christmas looks like in Tokyo. This year’s West Walk shopping arcade will also feature the special Bon-Bon Blossom installation, a Christmas tree made to look like bonbon chocolates.

Does this look like your ideal Christmas scene?

Sebastian Masuda, the Godfather of Kawaii, is bringing his ‘Yes, Kawaii is Art’ exhibition to Tokyo. If that isn’t cool enough, the event will be held from December 4 until December 12, 2021, at the 1,300-year-old Kanda Myojin Shrine, known as one of the most important shrines during the Edo period. 

Kanda Myojin, the Tokyo Venue

Work at ‘Yes, Kawaii is Art’ Venue in Osaka

Related Event, 6%DOKIDOKI Fashion Show

Originally scheduled to arrive in Tokyo in September, the exhibition was postponed due to the state of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kanda Myojin is known as the site of the Kanda Festival, one of the three major Shinto festivals in Tokyo started by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1600. The shrine is very close to Akihabara, and has become a place for technophiles to pray for their electronics!

Sebastian Masuda is known as the Godfather of Kawaii, and his colorful and crazy art is known around the world. In 2020, Masuda asked a number of questions to fans of Japanese pop culture around the world–what is Kawaii? Why does Kawaii cross borders, generations, and gender? This new exhibition tries to find an answer to those questions while bringing some joy and excitement to the local community. 

Osaka’s City of Art Kitakagaya has hosted Masuda’s exhibition since October 30, with his works spread out across three different venues. These will be open until November 30, 2021. 

Additionally, on November 13, a street fashion show by Masuda’s popular Harajuku fashion brand 6%DOKIDOKI will be held at the third venue. The brand turns 26 this year. 

Anime series Code Geass is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2021. To celebrate, a winter-themed Code Geass Cafe will open in Shinjuku for a limited time, from December 2, 2021, until January 23, 2022. The cafe will feature a lineup of luxurious and stylish food and drink items to celebrate Lelouch’s birthday. 

Bonuses

Menu

Food

[Lelouch] Chicken Steak

[Suzaku] Demi-glace Steak

Cream Pasta with Shrimp and Mushrooms

Dessert

Happy Birthday Plate

Student Council’s Afternoon Tea Set

[Nunnally] Black Tea Whipped Cream Millefeuille

Christmas Glass Parfait

New Year Glass Parfait

Drink

Lelouch, Suzaku, Nunnally

Student Council’s Tea Party (Black Tea, Coffee)

Original Goods

Pin (9 varieties, random)

Acrylic Keychain (9 varieties, random) 

Acrylic Stand (9 varieties, random) 

Clear Folder Set (2 included) 

Acrylic Stand (Lelouch, Suzaku, Nunnally) 

Acrylic Board

Muddler Spoon Set

Satin Pouch

Code Geass debuted in October 2006, and the series was recently re-aired in Japan with a new opening and ending theme. A new series, Code Geass: Z of the Recapture, is coming in the future. 

Lelouch’s birthday is on December 5, so there will be plenty of treats to celebrate. Be sure to come give your well wishes!

©SUNRISE／PROJECT L-GEASS　Character Design ©2006-2017 CLAMP・ST

Street culture is ever-evolving, and sneakers play a big part in street fashion. Combining sneakers and art, the artrA project is about to wrap up its first successful season. SNKRDUNK, Japan’s premier sneaker selling app and popular shoe shop atmos have teamed up for this exhibition, which will feature the famous AIR JORDAN 1. These exhibitions have taken place in seven cities across Japan since July. The final exhibitions will be held in Osaka in November and in Tokyo in December. 

A total of 26 up-and-coming illustrators, graphic designers, and even ukiyo-e artists have come together for this unique event. The artwork in this exhibition will incorporate the AIR JORDAN 1 brand, and merchandise featuring this street-styled artwork will be available at the venue.

Those who purchase a T-Shirt on-site will be entered into a raffle to win a pair of AIR JORDAN 1 sneakers. In addition, a special lottery will allow winners to purchase a pair of sneakers to take home. 

Be sure to keep an eye out for the second season of the artrA project brought to you by ASOBISYSTEM!