As part of the second SCRAP x SNOOPY Puzzle Game Project taking place at TOKYO MYSTERY CIRCUSーthe world’s first puzzle-themed theme parkーthe Shinjuku-based theme indoor theme park has released ten pieces of original and exclusive merchandise.

What is the SCRAP x SNOOPY Puzzle Game Project?

Visitors are joining Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang for a whole bunch of puzzle-solving fun. The project begin in November 2019, and will run through three periods. The first edition has seen over 10,000 people play this first puzzle game, which is titled “Snoopy and the Clue Solving Circus” and has players helping Snoopy to retrieve his Circus Leader badge back. The second game, “Snoopy and the Secret Recipe,” will begin on February 26. In the meantime, a selection of 10 pieces of merchandise have dropped.

Mugs (2 Designs) – ¥1,400 Each

Paper Napkins (Set of 10) – ¥600

Art Card Set w/ Puzzle (Set of 5) – ¥1,000

The two mugs see Snoopy wearing his chef’s hat and ready to cook up some delicious pastries for the new game. There’s also a paper napkin set, items that come with their own unique puzzles, and more. Available at the TOKYO MYSTERY CIRCUS shop, these items can all be purchased by non-participants of the game too.

Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa has announced the holding of a new exhibition entitled “NAKED SAKURA AQUARIUM” which will run at the Tokyo-based aquarium from March 1, 2020 to April 19, 2020.

Offering “cutting-edge Tokyo entertainment,” the exhibition is combined music, lighting, and visuals with living beings. Using the latest in leading edge tech, visitors will be treated to a visual treat of animals living harmoniously with the season. The exhibition promises you will notice something new with each visit. Enter a world of spring like never before as cherry blossoms and the ocean come together through digital art.

Cherry Blossom Tayori

The entrance to the aquarium will be in full bloom with cherry blossoms. The water tanks in the centre will be perfectly pink and house madai snapper, a type of fish also nicknamed “sakura-dai” around this season.

Spilling Cherry Blossoms

This area will be like an atrium, with water tanks and showcases lined up beautifully next to each other and decorated with cherry blossom art flowers. The water tanks, which bring to mind the image of a “banquet,” will house sakura-dai, sea goldie, and other fishes.

Dancing Cherry Blossom Garden

In the immersive Patterns area, you can see the “possibilities” of the four seasons as digital art works to combine a seasonal landscape with the sea creatures on display.

Also in the Dancing Cherry Blossom Garden will be Cape penguins who will put on a performance using their physical abilities. The performance, which is split into two parts, will make use of projection mapping. The first part will see the bloom of yaezakura cherry trees, while the second part will have jacaranda, also called the “purple cherry blossom,” a flower that blooms in South Africa where Cape penguins originate.

Dolphin Performance Day Version – Cherry Blossom Dance

The daytime dolphin performance sees visitors gathering in the amphitheatre. This interactive performance is inspired by springtime banquets and Hanami flower-viewing. Enjoy seeing the dolphins dance high-speed to the rhythm of Japanese rock music.

Dolphin Performance Night Version – Cherry Blossom Story

The nighttime dolphin performance uses the water, lighting, visuals, and music to celebrate cherry blossoms in the evening. Enjoy a more delicate, but powerful performance from the dolphins, and see the flowers in all their beauty.

Jewellery Fish Rumble

The ceiling and walls of the spacious Jewellery Fish Rumble area all have reflective mirror surfaces. Countless pink and blue illuminations light up this evening cherry blossom-themed area, where you can enjoy a digital Hanami experience together with the jellyfish.

Katou Flower Lantern

The NAKED SAKURA AQUARIUM cafe and bar is adorned with a cylindrical water tank with illuminated coral. The cafe/bar is inspired by Katou, which is when the evening light feels like it is being lit up by fully bloomed cherry blossom flowers. The menu includes a selection of cherry blossom and matcha drinks, as well as a selection of sweet treats perfect for the Hanami season.

3 Dango & Mini Taiyaki – ¥500 (Red Bean Paste/Cream)

Sakura Mizu-warabi Rice Cake – ¥500

Enjoy a completely different kind of Hanami experience at Maxwell Aqua Park.

*Photos are for illustrative purposes only

“JAPAN MADE PROJECT” is a project launched by Japanese apparel shop URBAN RESEARCH which aims to revitalise regions around Japan by building local communities with businesses and creators around the country while also looking to take a step back to reconsider what is appealing about each of those regions.

As part of this new project, URBAN RESEARCH has announced its plans to establish “JAPAN MADE PROJECT TOKYO” on March 20, 2020. Focusing on Tokyo, this branch of the project will see the launch of “URBAN SENTO.” This will focus on the potential of sento, or “bath houses,” in the city, which will also include a new line of bath house clothing made in collaboration with Kosugi-yu a sento located in the Tokyo district of Koenji.

Public bath houses play an important part in Japanese culture by contributing to people’s mental health and creating communities. This is especially so in a city as busy as Tokyo. That’s where URBAN SENTO comes in, which will encourage the rediscovery of the city’s appealing culture through sento.

Pre-sales for the new clothing line opened on the URBAN RESEARCH online store on February 14, 2020. It features a collection of must-have items for the bath house, whose message is to spread the bath house lifestyle.

Apparel

To ensure the clothing is comfortable as bath-wear, the collection is made from high quality cotton provided in collaboration with HAAG, a brand managed by Smile Cotton. This cotton is nice and soft and does not rub against the skin. Smile Cotton’s materials are even endorsed by the Japan Atopic Dermatitis Patients Association.

Crew Neck T-Shirt – ¥7,700 (Tax Included) | Sizes: Small/Medium/Large | Colours: White/Light Grey/Black

One Piece – ¥13,200 (Tax Included) | Sizes: Small/Medium | Colours: White/Light Grey/Black

Short Pants – ¥12,100 (Tax Included) | Sizes: Small/Medium/Large | Colours: White/Light Grey/Black

ZIP Parker Hoodie – ¥16,500 (Tax Included) | Sizes: Small/Medium/Large | Colours: White/Light Grey/Black

Pouch (Medium Size) – ¥3,080 (Tax Included) | Colours: White/Navy/Orange

The mesh pouch can be taken into the bath with you. Put your shampoo or other bath products in with you and take a dip.

Miscellaneous Items: IKEUCHI ORGANIC x URBAN SENTO
The bath towels you can use at Kosugi-yu are made by IKEUCHI ORGANIC. They come in two sizes and are incredibly soft on the skin.

Oragnic 120 Bath Towel – ¥5,060 (Tax Included) | Colours: White/Grey

Oragnic 120 Face Towel – ¥1,980 (Tax Included) | Colours: White/Grey

Kimura Soap x URBAN SENTO
The products used for cleaning yourself at Kosugi-yu, as well as what’s used for washing the towels, is soap provided by Kimura Soap. This pure soap, crafted by artisans by cooking in kettles, is friendly to the environment and the skin. It can be used at the bath house, in the bath at home, or even for your laundry.

Body Soap (Hinoki Cypress/Lavender) – ¥1,980 (Tax Included)

This body soap gently lathers your skin in bubbles and leaves your skin filling refreshed. Both the hand soap and body soap feel good to use.

The a video and main visual were released for URBAN SENTO, which feature Japanese music artists Yusuke Emoto and Aoi Nogi as the models.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is set to open at Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in 2020ーthe year of the Tokyo Olympicsーas the world’s first theme park area centred on the world, games and video game characters from Nintendo. A whopping 60 billion yen has been injected to make the park a reality.

In promotion of the park, the “SUPER NINTENDO WORLD CHALLENGE” was held in New York, US on February 19.

Fans dashed to Grand Central Terminalーa tourist hot spotーwhere the event was held to play a game involving the iconic Question Blocks from the Mario video game franchise. The set-up, which brought to mind a Bonus Stage from the game, had people hitting the question blocks just like Marioーsomething which we all must have imagined doing before.

1,000 people participated in the event which they signed up to prior. It was a day of fun for not only players but onlookers too. Grand prize winners won trips to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, which is set to open before the Tokyo Olympic Games start, while all other participants got their hands on some exclusive SUPER NINTENDO WORLD merch early.

One participant said: “I love everything about Mario, so I knew I’d definitely be taking part today! I’ve loved Mario since I was a kid, I even had a plush toy of him. Mario really is exciting. I’ve always wanted to be Mario, so I’m really happy with how today turned out. I want to go to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD with my best friend and try out all the attractions. I’m sure it’s gonna be a lot of fun!” (Male, 20 / Staten Island, New York) *Translated from Japanese

One of the grand prize winners said: “I’ve been a huge fan of Nintendo’s games since I was 3-years-old. I was lucky to get to take part in the SUPER NINTENDO WORLD CHALLENGE today, but to go and win the grand prize is an amazing feeling! I’ll be going to Japan with my girlfriend who I love so much! I’m always paying attention to news about SUPER NINTENDO WORLD. The Mario Kart attraction will definitely be a ride, I’m looking forward to it so much I just can’t wait! I always thought it would be great if they made a Mario theme park, so the fact they’re doing it in both Japan and even the US is amazing!” (Male, 20 / The Bronx, US) *Translated from Japanese

The Question Blocks also made an appearance in Times Square. The event was covered on the morning news in the US with fans visible at the event, Rockefeller Plaza, and elsewhere.

If you’re a Mario and Nintendo fan planning a trip to Japan then be sure you get to experience SUPER NINTENDO WORLD when it opens this year.

The second permanent Kirby Café, themed entirely on Nintendo’s popular video game series Kirby’s Dream Land, is set to open in Canal City Hakata in Fukuoka on March 12, 2020.

Kirby Café HAKATA has its own story that the cafe is based around. One day, Kirby motioned Whispy Woods to help him collect the tools needed to open another Kirby café. Together with Whispy Woodsーwho appears in the cafeーKirby will serve hospitality to his customers.

The food menu includes the same stone oven baked pizzas serve at Kirby Café TOKYO.

Kirby Café Stone Oven Baked Dessert Pizza ~Whispy’s Caramelised Apples~: ¥1,380 (Before Tax)

Kirby Café Stone Oven Baked Dessert Pizza ~Waddle Dee’s Freshly-Picked Chocolate Bananas~: ¥1,280 (Before Tax)

As well as standard savoury pizzas, the café includes a selection of dessert pizzas made with fresh fruit. The flavours of the dessert pizzas here are exclusive to the Hakata branch of Kirby Café.

Kirby’s Home: ¥1,980 (Before Tax)

Kirby’s High-Spirit Helping Parfait: ¥1,580 (Before Tax)

There are lots of cute food dishes and desserts to enjoy at Kirby Café. Kirby’s Dream Land home has also been turned into a dessert, and there’s also a cute parfait which Kirby himself helped make.

Kirby Café Hakata Exclusive T-Shirt – Kirby & Home: ¥3,400 (Before Tax)

Fans can also pick up a selection of new and exclusive Kirby merchandise, and an original Kirby Café soundtrack created by HAL Laboratory will play in the café.

Priorities are given to those who book a table in advance, which can be done on the café’s official website starting on February 25, 2020.

Get sucked into the world of Kirby and inhale your food like he does at the all-new Kirby Café HAKATA.

Q-pot. has revealed its new “SAKURA Romantic Tea Party” line-up which is set to be served at Q-pot CAFE. in Omotesando, Tokyo from March 1, 2020 for a limited time.

The cherry blossom pink coloured and flavoured line-up includes a glamorous afternoon tea set, limited-edition parfaits, plated goodies, drinks, and more. “Romantic” is the key word for this beautiful Japanese springtime assortment.

Romantic SAKURA Parfait w/ Drink – ¥1,850 (Tax Included)

The tall Romantic SAKURA Parfait is layered with a mix of both Japanese and Wesrern flavours, built up delicious with cherry blossom cream cherry blossom petal-laced jelly, houjicha tea sauce and more, all of which is topped off with cherry blossom cookies and meringue.

Romantic SAKURA Mont Blanc Plate w/ Drink – ¥2,060 (Tax Included)

This plate of delight features a soft mont blanc made with cherry blossom bean paste cream, rich matcha chocolate, Japanese waguri chestnut, and chestnut cream. Q-pot. CAFE offers a selection of original macarons too which you can pick from including strawberry, chocolate, lemon, and melon. Feel the call of Japanese spring with this romantic cherry blossom mont blanc.

Romantic SAKURA Afternoon Tea Set w/ Drink – ¥2,400 (Serves 1) (Tax Included) *Photo shows tea set for two

Simply put: a colourful pink and romantic afternoon tea set.

The top tier is decorated with cherry blossom St. Honoré cakes made with gorgeous cherry blossom cream, peach bavarois, strawberry cookies, and rich cream ganache-filled biscuits.

The bottom tier includes fat croissants filled with duck pastrami and cucumber that has been dressed with white wine vinegar. They’re served together with a white asparagus cream potage soup and skewered olives, mini tomatoes and pickles, creating a truly gourmet addition to your afternoon tea experience.

Romantic SAKURA Berry Blossom Tea (Hot/Iced) – ¥750 Each (Tax Included)

There’s also a cute pink cherry blossom tea that can be served hot or iced. It’s made using Q-pot CAFE.’s popular “Flower Garden” flavour which has a refreshing after taste as well as a floral and fruity sweet scent. Added to it is cherry blossom and raspberry flavouring which mixes deliciously with the milk.

Hanami Party Plan – ¥3,000 Per Person (Tax Included) *Reservation-only

You can also book a special hanami party plan which adds a sparkling beverage to the afternoon tea set together with a a cherry blossom card and a crunchy meringue. You must reserve for 2+ people, making it perfect for enjoying together with a friend or special someone.

It’s not long until March now, meaning springtime, cherry blossoms, and Hanami flower-viewing is just around the corner in Japan. Why not celebrate romantically at Q-pot CAFE.?

Hotel Gajoen Tokyoーwhich is both a museum and hotelーhas announced its plans to serve up cherry blossom themed food at its numerous restaurants this spring beginning in March.

Hotel Gajoen Tokyo is situated along Meguro River, which is one of the most famous cherry blossom spots in Tokyo during springtime and Hanami season. To chime in this year’s sakura season, the hotel’s restaurants are preparing a selection of gourmet cherry blossom food and desserts.

Sakura Dining – From ¥7,000 (Before Tax/Service Charge) @ RISTORANTE “CANOVIANO” / Serving: March 20, 2020 – April 5, 2020

Dine in style at RISTORANTE “CANOVIANO” where they’re serving up their ‘Sakura Dining’ course. Based on the idea of a cherry blossom bento meal, the heapfuls of veggies conjure up the image of the budding flowers of springtime.

Sakura Lunch – ¥5,000 (Before Tax/Service Charge) @ RISTORANTE “CANOVIANO” / Serving: March 16, 2020 – April 10, 2020

An assortment of hors d’oeuvres such as the “Cherry Blossom Carpaccio,” “Sakura Ebi Pasta,” and other spring-inspired delights.

Sakura Afternoon Tea – ¥4,000 (Before Tax/Service Charge) @ New American Grill “KANADE TERRACE” / Serving: March 14, 2020 – April 12, 2020

Treat yourself to a luxurious afternoon tea with cherry blossom bon bon chocolates, panna cotta, and moreーand wash it all down with a cup of floral cherry blossom tea. Available this spring only.

SAKURA LADY – ¥1,200/ Shizuku Sakura drops – ¥1,000

KANADE TERRACE also has two cherry blossom cocktails: the “SAKURA LADY” (¥1,200) and “Sakura Drops” (¥1,000). These drinks are inspired by blooming cherry blossoms and dancing cherry blossom petals. The “SAKURA LADY” is a gin-based White Lady cocktail.

Sakura – ¥600 (Tax Included) @ PATISSERIE Lien 1928 / Serving: From March 1, 2020

This luxurious dessert is surrounded by white chocolate and is made up of strawberry biscuit topped with strawberry jam and cherry blossom cream, creating a tempting and extravagant fragrance of strawberries and cherry blossom flowers. It also contains a bit of jelly with Japanese sake in it which adds a full-bodied flavour to the overall dessert.

Experience Japanese spring in luxury this year at Hotel Gajoen Tokyo.

SHARI and SHARI THE TOKYO SUSHI BAR in Ginza, as well as CRAFT in Ariake, are releasing the perfect accompaniment to your hanami flower-viewing experience in Japan this spring: the “Hanami Roll Sushi Bento” lunch box, which consists of 36 bite-size sushi pieces made up of 12 different kinds of sushi. It will be available February 18 to April 30.

Hanami Roll Sushi Bento (36 Pieces/Serves 3-4): ¥4,500 (Tax Included)

As soon as your take the lid off this colourful assortment of rolled sushi, you’ll find yourself reaching for your camera to snap a photo for Instagram. Each piece is 3cm in diameter and so is deliciously bite-sized. The line-up includes four new kinds of sushi rolls conceived for this release which use seasonal spring ingredients, like sakuradai cherry blossom sea bream, sakura ebi, rape blossoms, fuki giant butterbur, green beans, and moreーas well as eight other types of sushi that are popular classics at each of the three restaurants.

Shrimp Roll

From the four new rolls, we have the sakura ebi shrimp roll, which is served with a gorgeous cherry blossom colour. It’s made with shibazuke pickles and vinegared rice, which gives it its colour, and contains, rape blossoms, okra, Chinese yam, and egg. The rape blossoms add a springtime bitterness to the sweetness of the sakura ebi, creating a wonderful combination of flavours.

Beef Butterbur Miso Roll

Then there’s the sakuradai roll is wrapped with vinegared tobiko flying fish roe, okra, and cucumber, which is topped with sashimi-style sakuradai cherry blossom seam bream and salty cherry blossom leaves. The spring vegetable and tempura roll has shrimp and green bean tempura mixed with yuzu kosho paste; and finally, the beef butterbur miso roll, which contains beef rib seasoned in a sukiyaki style, finished with sesame seeds, and seasoned with butterbur miso.

The eight popular classics include the wagyu roll sushi seasoned with luxurious truffle oil, Italian roll, duck roll, salmon roll, spider roll (soft shell crab), and more. All of these varied picks go great with wine or champagne.

Hanami Roll Sushi Bento (9 Pieces): ¥1,200 (Tax Included)

The “Hanami Roll Sushi Bento” comes in various sizes. As well as the 36 pieces of 12 sushi types, there’s also 18 pieces of 9 types (serves 1-2), and the 9 pieces of 9 types (serves 1).

Reservations are available until 15:00 the previous day. Order yours for your Hanami cherry blossom flower-viewing this year in Japan.

A new line of Minnie Mouse cafes are set to open in Tokyo and Osaka from February 28, 2020 and Nagoya and Fukuoka from February 29, 2020 for a limited time. Named “OH MY! MINNIE MOUSE,” the cafes are an official collaboration between Disney and the Japanese cafe chain OH MY CAFÉ.

The cafe takes on the theme of Minnie Mouse being a living, breathing icon of today with a positive lifestyle. This is represented through the yellow colouring of the cafe, which features her iconic polka dots as well as ribbon taking on a yellow colour. Tuck into a cute menu line-up and get your hands on some cafe-exclusive Minnie Mouse merchandise.

Original Menu

Cheerful Burger – ¥1,990

This healthy burger is packed full of vegetables with a black bun made in the image of Minnie’s silhouette. Feel as energised as Minnie with one bite of this tasty burger.

Beef Hash Ribbon Rice – ¥1,390

Inspired by Minnie Mouse’s iconic ribbon, this hearty dish is a beef stroganoff plated with rice and veg. The ribbon is so cute it almost seems a waste to eat!

Fruit Sandwich – Single ¥990/ With Plate ¥2,790

An absolute must-order if you’re wanting a dessert. This sandwich is piled with fresh fruits creamy yoghurt, sprinkled with poppy seeds, and doused in lemon juice.

Fizzy Lemon Squash – Single ¥690 / With Coaster ¥1,390

Charge yourself up with this fizzy lemonade and its refreshing aftertaste.

Relaxing Chamomile Tea – Single ¥490 / With Mug ¥2,090

Kick back and relax after your meal with a cup of chamomile tea♡

Original Merchandise

Heart Badge (8 Designs/Chosen Randomly) – ¥500

Folder – ¥350

Lunch Mat (6 Designs/Chosen Randomly) – ¥650 (*Table reservation required)

Those who book a table in advance will be given one of six possible lunch mats chosen randomly.

If you’re in Japan for the spring, then why not stop by the OH MY! MINNIE MOUSE cafe for a Disney treat?

©Disney

Worldwide famous Japanese pop group Perfume are taking their fashion project “Perfume Closet” to Laforet Harajuku where it will run in a pop-up shop from February 20-26 this year.

Perfume Closet is a fashion project helmed by Perfume which aims to connect with fans through Perfume’s music by making outfits. This is the fourth time Perfume Closet has opened, and will feature a line-up entitled “Perfume Closet 2020SS” which is part of what Perfume are calling “Phase 2,” which started in January this year and centres on clothing. It follows on from “Phase 1” which featured a line-up of miscellaneous items.

SATIN COMBI TRENCH COAT – ¥49,500 (Tax Included) / FLOWER PLEATS DRESS – ¥44,000 (Tax Included)

SHEER COMBI KNIT ¥17,600 (Tax Included) / 2 WAY PLEATS SKIRT ¥35,200 (Tax Included)

RELAX WEAR (LADIES) – ¥16,500 (Tax Included) / PLEATS SLEEVE TEE (WHITE) – ¥9,900 (Tax Included) / SHEER COMBI RELAX PANTS – ¥22,000 (Tax Included)

The pop-up shop will stock a plethora of items made by the Perfume members, who worked on the designs, chose the materials, and crafted the silhouettes. It includes everything from coats to one pieces, blouses, bottoms, as well as unisex items men can wear too like pants, shirts, and more.

Fans of Perfume and fans of Japanese fashion aren’t going to want to miss out on the new Perfume Closet, open for one week only starting next Thursday!

The Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum has announced a new exhibition entitled “Taro Okamoto’s Prints” which will run at the Tokyo-based museum from February 26 to June 28 this year.

Taro Okamoto employed many channels to try and bring art into the lives of the people. His range of expression was diverse, made up of countless genres, including the Tower of the Sun.

One form of media that Taro poured his talents and energy into was prints, ranging from lithography to etching, silkscreen, woodblock, and so on.

For Taro, art was synonymous with life and living, which he expressed over his lifetime, and which will be shown in the first ever print exhibition of his work.

Starbucks Reserve®︎ Roastery Tokyo boasts the most incredible location, sitting by the side of Nakameguro, one of Tokyo’s most famous spots for seeing the cherry blossoms in spring.

This year, the coffee roastery’s “Sakura Season” is set to begin on February 15, when its cherry blossom-inspired merchandise collection is released, along with a line-up of pink beverages and food.

The official Starbucks sakura merchandise ranges from tumblers and mugs to a key ring, handkerchief, and more, for a total of 10 items.

Strawberry Chia Oolong – ¥900

Poppun Sakura Jasmine Tea – ¥950

Floating Blossom – ¥900

Six beautiful beverages from last year’s Sakura Season at Starbucks are also making a return from the Teavana™️ brand, made with delicate and soft cherries, hibiscus, and tea leaves as refreshing as green grass.

Clockwise From Left: Gianchetti & Sakura – ¥880 / Mini Panettone Sakura – ¥680 / Cornetti Sakura – ¥380 / Maritozzo Sakura – ¥540

Italian bakery Princi®︎ is also heading to Japan for the first time to serve up Italian food culture to people at Starbucks Reserve®︎ Roastery Tokyo. Enjoy the floral taste of cherry blossoms done in a Princi®︎ way.

Heading to Tokyo for Hanami and the cherry blossoms? Then make a stop at Starbucks Reserve®︎ Roastery Tokyo for this year’s Sakura Season.