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.

Chun Shui Tang, a chain of Taiwanese bubble tea stores, is adding a new limited-time drink to the menus of all branches in Japan on September 16: the “Tapioca Sweet Potato Milk Tea.”

Tapioca Sweet Potato Milk Tea | ¥650 (Before Tax)

The beverage is made with annouimo sweet potatoes grown on the island of Tanegashima in Kagoshima Prefecture. The potatoes are known for their high sugar content, adding a delicious natural sweetness to the tea. It’s blended with a high grade sugar syrup and topped off with whipped cream and sweet potato chips to create a dessert drink.

Those who order the drink via the Smatapi (スマタピ) app from September 9 can get the drink early before its general release on September 16.

In Japan for the autumn season? Enjoy the tasty autumn flavour of sweet potato with the Tapioca Sweet Potato Milk Tea.

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.

Yoshiki has teamed up with Asahi Soft Drinks once again in their latest commercial for WONDA coffee which sees the musician animated into the world of Attack on Titan. The commercial hit Japanese television on Thursday.

Yoshiki becomes a Survey Corps member in the new commercial

The 3D CG animated commercial sees Yoshiki as a Survey Corps member who bites his hand to turn into a Titan like Eren, but the only thing he is attacking in the video is his drum kit. He treats himself to WONDA’s “Morning Shot” coffee beverage after falling over his drums.

Check out the commercial below.

WONDA x Attack on Yoshiki Coffee Cans

Limited edition cans of the Morning Shot coffee will also be sold, featuring Attack on Titan designs. Each can also has a QR code which when scanned will take you to a website to enter the serial code written on the can to win one of the Yoshiki designs as pictured below.

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.

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.

The autumn leaves are set to fall on Starbucks in Japan again this year as the coffee chain announces the return of the “Artful Autumn @ Starbucks® Promotion” which is set to begin on September 2, 2020.

This year’s drink concept is “Naturally Good Artfully Simple” which hopes to have customers feeling peaceful and enjoying the transition from summer into autumn.

Autumnal beverages made with whole blended chestnuts

Chocolate Chestnut Frappuccino®: ¥590 (Tall Only)
Chocolate Chestnut Latte: Short ¥450 / Tall ¥490 / Grande ¥530 / Venti® ¥570

What makes the Chocolate Chestnut Frappuccino® so special is its use of whole blended Japanese chestnuts—the quintessential autumn flavour of the country. The delicately broken pieces of chestnut add texture to the smooth milk and coffee and invite you into the cosy embrace of the season. Starbucks has chosen chocolate as the perfect partner to the chestnut. To best enjoy the balance of both flavours, the beverage is loaded with a “Chestnut Cacao Sauce” which gives the drink’s appearance a beautiful marble effect. Everything’s topped off with a squirt of whipped cream and a topping of chocolate flakes and candied cacao nibs.

Then there’s the Chocolate Chestnut Latte, a combination of the same tasty Chestnut Cacao Sauce together with steamed milk and espresso carefully prepared by the baristas. The hot drink is completed by a topping of chocolate flakes and candied cacao nibs. The result is a wonderful mix of chestnut, chocolate, and espresso.

Another seasonal Starbucks latte

Autumn Latte: Short ¥340 / Tall ¥380 / Grande ¥420 / Venti® ¥460

The Autumn Latte is made with Starbucks Japan’s “Autumn Blend” coffee beans. It has a smooth and gentle flavour.

Autumn in Japan is a time for seriously tasty drinks and desserts, so if you’re in the country this autumn, be sure to stop on by Starbucks for an autumn coffee.

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.

Starbucks Coffee Japan opened a new branch at CIRCLES Ginza on July 30, 2020 that will serve as a dream location for business people.

The dream coffee shop, split into two floors, offers a unique environment and service created in collaboration with Think Lab. Rather than your regular, more public Starbucks, this branch also lets customers reserve booths and meeting spaces. This includes the SMART LOUNGE™ aimed at business users, as well as solo working spaces by Think Lab.

Starbucks Coffee CIRCLES Ginza caters to both solo workers and co-workers, giving them a space to think and concentrate alone, or come together in groups to exchange ideas. Booths offer a place to host online meetings, the SMART LOUNGE lets groups arrange chairs and tables however they like, and the Think Lab—which you pay an extra fee to use—is the perfect spot for some quiet contemplation.

1st Floor: Quick TOGO experience

The first floor is for people who aren’t looking to stay at the cafe long. They are looking for a quicker experience where they can order their Starbucks drink and food and head on out. The cafe offers cashless payments, which is notable as Japan is still very much a cash-based country, as well as the Starbucks mobile order and pay service where you pick what you want on your phone and then go and pick it up.

2nd Floor: A place where you can focus

Reserve a booth for video calls and more

There are four individual half-booths which can be reserved, each of which have a screen for video calls and online meetings. These can be used for 40 minutes and can be booked in advance. The booking system was co-developed by Starbucks and Vacan.

Tables for in-person group meetings

The window tables offer a place for meetings, discussions, and business negotiations for 2-12 people. It’s a relaxing area where workers and clients can chat freely.

解放される“ひとり”のためのパーソナル空間

For those who want to work along, Starbucks has created a spacious area with individual booths where you don’t have to meet eyes or be bothered by other people.

If you’re working in Tokyo, and need a business-oriented location where you can enjoy a coffee, then look no further than Starbucks Coffee CIRCLES Ginza.

Starbucks Japan is opening a new branch in MIYASHITA PARK on August 4, 2020. Set to be Starbucks Japan’s fifth “park” branch—opening inside a park—the new coffee shop is being produced by Hiroshi Fujiwara’s Fragment brand.

MIYASHITA PARK is a shopping complex filled with shops stocking high quality products, and stands as a new landmark of Shibuya. On the rooftop is the newly-arranged park area which has its own skate park, bouldering wall, and more. It’s home to all-new facilities, and there’s also the actual park where events can take place.

Starbucks Coffee Miyashita Park offers a new style of Starbucks conceived from the mind of Hiroshi Fujiwara. Glass doors are fitted on both the front and back sides of the cafe, allowing for a full-open design. The flooring is coloured green, making it feel as if it has become one with the green outdoors of the park, and the same mesh used inside Miyashita Park is used for the ceiling.

The cafe’s design was conceived to be a unique standout in the park, specifically with the image in mind of countries outside Japan where you walk along a lone road and eventually come to a gas station.

Starbucks Coffee Miyashita Park will also sell a range of merchandise at the back of the shop, as well as Starbucks coffee beans. There’s also a glass table in the middle of the cafe which slots in nicely with the overall aesthetic. The fun design together with the expanse of the park outside adds for an enjoyable combination that makes it a pleasant stay as you sip your beverage.

The regular line-up of merchandise sold at the Miyashita Park branch, such as the tumblers, are all produced by Hiroshi Fujiwara’s Fragment brand. Items are branded with the word “MYST” which lets you know it’s from this particular branch, as well as Fragment’s logo.

Discover a new Starbucks experience at Miyashita Park.

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.

Gong cha’s limited-time “Houjicha Milk Tea” and “Genmaicha Milk Tea” beverages are popular each year, and they returned once again on June 17.

Japanese Tea

Gong cha’s menu item “Japanese Tea” was released in 2018 exclusively for Japan, and is enjoyed every year during its annual limited-time run. Made using tea leaves from Japan, its authentic taste and aroma has people begging for more when the year’s run is up.

2 Flavours This Year

Houjicha Milk Tea (Regular Size: ¥470) / Recommended Topping: Milk Foam (+¥70) | Serving: From June 17, 2020 for a limited time

The Houjicha Milk Tea is the iconic drink of Gong cha’s “Japanese Tea” series. It’s a blend the best high quality houjicha and kukicha tea leaves, both of which are grown in Shizuoka Prefecture. Roasting and using them together gives a sweet and deeply rich aroma. Add milk foam as a topping and you’ve got yourself a rich milk tea.

Genmaicha Milk Tea (Regular Size: ¥470) / Recommended Tapioca (+¥70) | Serving: From June 17, 2020 for a limited time

The Genmaicha Milk Tea is an original blend of Japanese genmai rice and tea leaves from Shizuoka Prefecture. This milk tea keeps the original delicious flavour of the tea and wafts a fragrant rice aroma.