Japanese tea shop and cafe Tsuboichi Seicha Honpo has baked up a brand new matcha roll cake made with high quality matcha leaves specially selected by their own tea experts. If indulgence is your calling, then this cake is the perfect accompaniment with a cup of tea whether it be matcha, Japanese tea, black tea – or any other of your favourite kind of tea.

The cake is a striking black colour, one that is featured in traditional Japan. The soft matcha filling provides an eye-catching contrast to the sponge. It’s baked on a high temperature over charcoal and bamboo which serves to deepen the colours even more and elevate the vividness of the green matcha.

 

Cafe time can now be enjoyed at home with this very special treat.

Keifuku Electric Railroad launched an event on Boxing Day last year in Japan in collaboration with the TV anime series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. The event is still taking place and is set to end on April 11.

 

At Arashiyama Station on the Randen Line, there is a temporary area draped with wisteria flowers that commuters are encouraged to participate in as part of the collaboration. Built to ward off demons, fans of the anime series can write their own messages to be strung up on the flowers. They can write their thoughts and feelings on the characters and series as well as wishes and prayers for COVID to soon be over for all. It’s been a popular photo spot amongst passengers. And if you head from this area up to the roof, you can gaze out at the incredible view of Arashiyama.

Kyoto City and Japanese company Shintsu are set to release their Disney/Kyoto Traditional Design Series after previously having to postpone the release due to the pandemic. It will be available from April 27 to May 10 and celebrates the skilled, dexterous hands of Kyoto’s expert craftsman and their industry which has been passed down for thousands of years. They have innovated to create something brand-new that captures both the craft and culture of Kyoto and the contemporary wonder of Disney.

 

Comments from the Creators

©Disney

Okazen | Comment

“We have existed inside our town in Kyoto for 200 years. We make a variety of items from garments for maiko apprentice geisha to our own company-originals products. For this Disney/Kyoto Traditional Design Series, we wondered how we could express the world of Disney using the kyoyuzen Kyoto-style method of dyeing. We made something with detailed consideration, looking at all the intricate things in the dyeing process. Our Fantasia furisode long-sleeved kimono features a truly treasured scene which enabled use to incorporate many different methods in order to capture the expression, clothing, and all the stars as much as possible. We believe this piece will suck everyone into Fantasia’s world.”

 

©Disney

©Disney

Asahido | Comment

“For producing something for the Disney/Kyoto Traditional Design Series, we asked gave one of our craftsmen free rein to put their own individual self into the work. At the time, they were primarily an illustrator, so we were worried if the judges would overlook them, but the end result was something that looks truly complete and finished. The traditional craftwork of Kiyomizu pottery is a process of hand making and hand drawing each and every little thing. I believe it’s this quality that gives the characters warmth and life. I’d love for people to take it in their hands themselves and take their time looking at it in a full 360°.”

 

©Disney

 

Tsujikura | Comment

Tsujikura is Japan’s oldest wagasa Japanese umbrella shop. We’ve been in Kyoto since 1690. In that small space underneath the washi Japanese paper and bamboo, one enters a rich world where they can feel the four seasons of Japan. Our umbrella for the Disney/Kyoto Traditional Design Series uses a very advanced technique known as kiritsugi, a type of cutting and patching. We displayed Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse on handmade washi paper which we dyed. You can feel an affinity with the umbrellas for their simple and minimal designs. Our aim was to incorporate Disney elements into a traditional Japanese umbrella pattern.”

 

Other Featured Works

©Disney

aiba

©DISNEY Based on the”Winnie the Pooh” works by A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepard .

Asahido

©Disney

Kamiya

©Disney

©Disney

EIRAKUYA

©Disney

Okazen

©Disney

Katoriya

©Disney

Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten

©Disney

KYUKYODO

©Disney

Shoyeido

©Disney

Tankosha

©Disney

Tsujikura

©Disney

Nakajima Zougan

©Disney

Nakamura Rosoku

©Disney

Miyawaki Baisen-an

Five new Pokémon manhole covers were laid in Kyoto on Tuesday as part of the Poké Lid  project to place Pokémon-design manhole covers across the country.

 

Kyoto Original Poké Lids

 

The five Poké Lids are located in Arashiyama, Okazaki Park, Maruyama Park, Umekoji Park, and Nishikyogoku Athletic Park.

 

All of the Poké Lids placed across Japan feature completely original Pokémon designs making each individual one the only one in the world. The Pokémon Company is also working to make each one of them PokéStops for Pokémon GO.

 

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

Kyoto Tower is set to be host to the upcoming Godzilla vs. Kyoto event which is running from April 16 to June 30. 

Key visual illustrated by Yusuke Nakamura

Stamp design

Stamp design

Stamp rally postcard

 

Godzilla vs. Kyoto Official Merchandise

 

Novelty illustrated by Yusuke Nakamura – available for the first 50 people each day

Kyoto Tower will hold a stamp rally event as part of Godzilla vs. Kyoto which will have people trying to find stamps in six locations in the tower as well as at Toji Temple and elsewhere. There is also a selection of official merchandise, a Godzilla exhibition, and much more planned.

 

If you’re in Japan this spring, don’t miss Godzilla taking over Kyoto.

 

TM & (C) TOHO CO., LTD.

イラスト/中村 佑介　TM & (C) TOHO CO., LTD.

This spring, Takano Fruits Parlour is serving up a special strawberry-themed course menu at its Shinjuku branch starting on April 5. It comes as part of the restaurant’s monthly fruit theme where they shine a spotlight on a single fruit each month. This month is strawberries which are adorning everything from appetisers to the main and dessert with a collection of succulent delights.

 

Spring Strawberry Course | ¥4,400 (Tax Included)

The course includes an apéritif, strawberry soup, beef cooked in a strawberry and demi-glance sauce, fruit salad, a hot dessert, strawberry chiboust, strawberry art palette assortment, a chilled strawberry dessert, and a choice of coffee, tea, or cafe au lait.

If you didn’t know, Kirby’s birthday falls on April 27. To celebrate, Kirby Café Tokyo and Kirby Café Hakata have announced the Kirby’s Happy Birthday Fair event which will run from April 1 to May 9 where customers can get their fingers on some delicious birthday treats and items.

 

Kirby’s Birthday Line-Up

Happy Birthday☆Kirby | ¥1,518 (Tax Included)

No birthday is complete without a fitting cake. This one is loaded with fruit, strawberry cream, an icing cookie, and other delicious treats. Make sure to get yourself a slice before Kirby inhales it whole!

 

Kirby 29th Birthday Badge | ¥594 (Tax Included)

 

 

Kirby 29th Birthday Candy (Lime Flavoured w/Sticker) | ¥638 (Tax Included)

 

TOKYO BOX Candy (Lemon Flavoured w/Sticker) | ¥638 (Tax Included) | Exclusive to Kirby Café Tokyo

 

Candy (Soda Flavoured w/Sticker) | ¥638 (Tax Included)

 

Candy (Strawberry Flavoured w/Sticker) | ¥638 (Tax Included)

Kyoto makeup brand Yojiya is now selling its own collection of snacks and drinks which it released via its website last week.

Yojiya Matcha Sandwich Cookies | ¥1,400 (Tax Included)

 

Yojiya Cafe Latte Chocolate Cookies | ¥1,350 (Tax Included)

 

Yojiya Matcha Milk | ¥950 (Tax Included)

Yojiya’s snack line-up is made with the idea of being able to enjoy high-quality food products at home. Their collection includes crunchy matcha and cafe latte cookies along with matcha milk, the latter of which is made with famous Uji matcha from Uji, Kyoto. Perfect for a tea/coffee break or as a souvenir.

Strawberry lovers, listen up. If you’re looking to indulge in strawberry-flavoured desserts all day long, then this fruity festival will have your mouth watering. The Gaspard and Lisa themed town at Fuji-Q Highland in Yamanashi is now holding its annual Strawberry Festa event which is running until May 5.

 

There are so many tasty treats to enjoy at this year’s event, from cakes and pastries, desserts and drinks—all made with plump and fresh strawberries—that you can enjoy eating while walking around the themed town. One must-try is the Strawberry Pavlova which is made with a meringue that’s crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle and is adorned with fresh cream and, of course, strawberries. It’s a hearty serving but is actually a light and refreshing eat.

Strawberry Afternoon Tea Set at Les Rêves Salon de thé

Strawberry Festa exclusive face masks

Guests at the park who spend over ¥3,000 in a single transaction at any shop in the town will receive a free original face mask.

Hotel guest rooms

Meet Gaspard and Lisa in-person

Les Rêves Salon de thé

Strawberry Crepe recipe showcase

For those unable to travel due to restrictions, the town has also posted an online video showing how you can makes a strawberry crepe at home.

 

Chocolate bananas at LA BANANE

A variety of new shops have also opened at Fuji-Q Highland, including Strawberry Fetish which is Japan’s first shop specialising in strawberry hard candy, as well as LA BANANE where you can enjoy chocolate bananas and other treats.

Colourful bagels at BONBON BAGLE

Gaspard and Lisa Town original merchandise

Häagen-Dazs Japan released two new ice cream flavours as part of its Decorations mini cup series on March 23: the Matcha Chocolate Cookie and Almond Caramel Cookie.

 

The visually-striking Häagen-Dazs Decorations series is a smooth, rich-flavoured ice cream with delicious toppings to compliment the ice cream.

 

For the third entry to Decorations, Häagen-Dazs welcomes back the Almond Caramel Cookie from 2019 and adds the all-new matcha and chocolate combo Matcha Chocolate Cookie.

Matcha Chocolate Cookie / Almond Caramel Cookie – ¥295 Each (Before Tax)

 

Even more delicious after stirring

The best way to enjoy Decorations is to first spoon the ice cream as it is to taste the flavours. After that, you’ll want to stir it all together to all the flavours and textures fuse, creating a delightful contrast between the soft ice cream and crunchy toppings.

 

Almond Caramel Cookie

Almond Caramel Cookie takes inspiration from the Florentine biscuit which is a sweet pastry topped with nuts and fruits. The cup contains delicious caramel butterscotch ice cream laced with caramel sauce, all of which is topped off with crumbly sliced almonds and crunchy butter cookie pieces.

 

Matcha Chocolate Cookie

The Matcha Chocolate Cookie is exactly what it says on the cup: a fragrant matcha ice cream infused with chocolate sauce and topped with sweet chocolate and matcha cookies.

HOSHINOYA Kyoto has announced that this summer it will hold its Kyo no Ohayashibune boat-riding service which allows one group of guests to rent a boat on which they will ride down the Ōi River and enjoy a traditional musical performance while tucking into some chimaki bamboo-wrapped cake, a confection seen only during the run of Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri festival.

 

Experience 1: Traditional hayashi orchestra aboard a Heian aristocratic boat

One group of guests will board their rented boat at Togetsu Bridge and be taken down the river where they can enjoy the verdant expanse of the valley while listening to a traditional Japanese Gion hayashi musical performance. The Ōi River was formerly a river boated down by Heian nobles who would have waka poetry and orchestral music performed to them on board. HOSHINOYA Kyoto guests will also be able to feel like a Heian aristocrat with this exclusive experience.

 

Experience 2: The sounds of Konchi Kichin

Konchi kichin is another Japanese term to express Gion hayashi musical performance. These performances are composed of Japanese gongs, flutes, and taiko drums, which are played on yamaboko floats by several dozen people during processions at the Gion Festival. The boat ride will recreate this experience so guests can enjoy the performance more up close as well as learn how to play the gong.

 

Experience 3: A taste of chimaki

Guests will be able to feel like they are at the Gion Festival by kicking back and enjoying a cup of green tea together with a chimaki, a traditional bamboo-wrapped cake that’s only served at the festival. These cakes are often used to decorate the entrances of people’s houses in Kyoto to ward off illness and disasters.

 

Gion Matsuri is one of Japan’s three biggest festivals. It has been around for over 1,000 years and last a month. When July hits, the Japanese Gion hayashi orchestras begin popping up around the city signalling the start of the festival. It’s a summer tradition of Kyoto and one which can now be enjoyed on board a special boat experience.

The Kirby Café branches in Tokyo and Hakata rolled out their Spring 2021 menu on Friday which is set to run until June 6. Themed on a springtime picnic, the line-up includes three items: six siz different temari-zushi servings, cherry blossom mochi, and a cherry blossom latte, all inspired by the Kirby video game series.

 

The Menu

Cherry Blossom Temari-zushi: Eat In ¥2,178 / Takeout ¥2,138

A serving of six sushi rolls perfect for a spring picnic. Each roll features designs that will be instantly-recognisable to Kirby fans.

 

Souvenir – Lunchbox (4 Designs)

 

Kirby’s Spring Search | ¥1,078 (Tax Included)

Kirby is playing hide and seek under the cherry blossom tree in this cute dish which is adorned with shiny coloured candy.

 

Cherry Blossom Latte | ¥968 (Tax Included)

A light pink-coloured cherry blossom latte with a touch of salt. Mix everything together for a tasty sipping experience.