Artist Maki Ohkojima is inspired by life and the environment. UpcycleLino is creating completely recyclable products that produce zero waste. It makes sense that these two would collaborate, and their new items ask people to think more about their relationship with nature. With a theme of ‘circulation,’ these items will be on sale at participating shops around Japan and online. 

UpcycleLino × MANDALĀJU Big Band Collared Shirt

UpcycleLino × MANDALĀJU Sketched Tote Bag

UpcycleLino × MANDALĀJU Scarf

The ‘Tree of Life’ project is inspired by the theme of coexistence between the environment and all living things. It is important to protect limited resources for future generations. UpcycleLino is a completely sustainable company, using fabric scraps from other projects to create brand new clothes. 

People, animals, insects, plants, and all other living things exist in the circle of life, and this is the message conveyed through Maki Ohkojima’s art. What can we do to better coexist with the planet? 

©角川武蔵野ミュージアム

Everyone’s favorite robot cat is making a peculiar appearance inside a piece of famous Japanese art! Using traditional Ukiyo-e crafting techniques, the Hanzou company has successfully inserted Doraemon into the painting Fujimigahara in Owari Province by Hokusai, originally created between 1830 and 1832. The painting will be available to preorder online starting October 8, 2021, with only 300 copies available!

Ukiyo-e Woodblock Print Production Process

Engraving by Craftsman

Rubbing by Craftsman

First, a sketch is made, and a monochrome version of the print is carved. After carving a number of woodblocks for each color and using them to rub the painting tirelessly to bring it to life, one single woodblock print is completed. The extremely delicate and advanced techniques these craftsmen utilize have been passed down from the Edo period. 

The original painting was created after Hokusai turned 70, and took two years to complete. The painting is said to portray the view of Mount Fuji from Fujimi-cho, Naka-ku, Nagoya City. An eccentric piece for the time, looking closely shows that each and every line and dot was meticulously calculated. Note the vivid indigo sky and the abundance of blue shades that Hokusai loved to use. Doraemon and Nobita are shown having fun as they make barrels, a welcome departure from the more stoic figure in the original painting. 

The Nihonbashi ART AQUARIUM will be closed on September 26 2021 to make way for new exhibits and works. The museum is scheduled to be relocated in the first half of 2022.

The ART AQUARIUM Museum opened in Nihonbashi, Tokyo on August 28 202 with the concept of “a museum where life dwells.” This will be the largest renewal in the history of the museum Museum, opened by writer and general producer Hidetomo Kimura, with the addition of more exhibits and new and improved interactive areas.

The Nihonbashi Art AQUARIUM Museum opened alongside the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic, with the expectations that visitors would come from both within Japan and overseas, thanks to the exhibitions which easily explain and represent Japan’s proud traditional culture and performing arts, but due to Covid restrictions, foreign tourists are still unable to enter the country. Despite this, the Museum saw many customers and with the closing of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the museum will be closed in preparation to relocate to the new ART AQUARIUM. If you want to see the Nihonbashi location for yourself then this is your last chance!

In addition, the “ART AQUARIUM” digital tour is being held from September 12, allowing you to appreciate the Museum in a digital format until the reopening.

Make sure to check out the Nihonbashi ART AQUARIUM while you have the chance!

UCC Ueshima Coffee is currently developing the Food with Coffee themed ‘UCC CAFE@HOME’ selection, pairing snacks with a perfectly matching coffee. Doraemon is the latest to appear in the CAFE@HOME series in the new collaboration, designed by Sanrio. The new series features coffee and gifts based on the Doraemon characters’ favorite snacks and was released on September 3, Doraemon’s birthday.

CAFE@HOME Doraemon Series

UCC CAFE@HOME DORAEMON Dorayaki Suited Coffee VP10g: ¥281 (Tax Incl.)

UCC CAFE@HOME DORAMI Melon Pan Suited Coffee VP10g: ¥281 (Tax Incl.)

UCC CAFE@HOME NOBITA Caffeine-free Coffee VP10g: ¥281 (Tax Incl.)

Gifts

UCC CAFE@HOME Doraemon Secret Gadget Print 6-piece Set: ¥1,901 (Tax Incl.)

UCC CAFE@HOME Doraemon Open Lot Printed 6-piece Set: ¥1,685 (Tax Incl.)

Goods

Doraemon Mug (Dorayaki): ¥1,540 (Tax Incl.)

Doraemon Cotton Handkerchief (Yellow) ¥990 (Tax Incl.)

Present Campaign Freebie: Original Coaster

CAFE@HOME, main product and cafe brand of UCC Group’s COFFEE STYLE UCC, are releasing a lineup of Doraemon themed coffees, each to be drank with the characters’ favorite snacks: One to go with Doraemons beloved Dorayaki, one for Dorami’s preferred Melon Pan, and a caffeine-free blend for the sleep-loving Nobita.

UCC has been researching coffee and food combinations for many years, using taste sensors to analyze both the coffee and food before diagnosing the comparability rating between each product. The company has patented their ‘Food Matching System’ technology, which has now been used to find out which coffee would be best suited to Doraemon’s Dorayaki.

An in store campaign has been announced to celebrate the release of CAFE@HOME’s Doraemon series, starting on September 3. During the campaign, customers who spend over ¥3,000 on CAFE@HOME’s Doraemon series will receive a free coaster. The coasters are only available in store and are limited in quantity.

Taste the world of Doraemon for yourself with UCC CAFE@HOME’s special coffee technology!

Tokyo Banana World has started selling 8-packs of the new Doraemon Tokyo Banana by mail for a limited time. The treats will be available on the Tokyo Banana Official Online Shop until September 14. (Once they’re gone, they’re gone.) 

In the first week of release, the Doraemon Tokyo Banana sold over 150,000 units. 

Doraemon Tokyo Banana ‘Found it!’ (8-pack): ¥1,188 (Tax Included)

The Doraemon Tokyo Banana is a fluffy, gluten-free sponge cake baked in a Doraemon pattern with rich banana custard cream in the center. The treats come in a cute gift box adorned with Doraemon’s smiling face. 

The sponge cakes come in 6 different designs, with the Takecopter design being the rarest. If you snag one, consider it good luck!

©Fujiko-Pro,Shogakukan,TV-Asahi,Shin-ei,and ADK

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Kawasaki-based Fujiko F. Fujio museum on September 3, a book fair lottery event featuring a variety of the manga artist’s works is coming to bookstores nationwide starting August 13. For each specially-marked manga or book purchased, participants can grab a special sticker as a prize. These stickers are new versions of those from last spring’s ‘Not-only-Doraemon Sticker Lottery.’ 

10th Anniversary Pin (©Fujiko-Pro/Shogakukan)

10th Anniversary Denim Doraemon Plushie (©Fujiko-Pro/Shogakukan)

*Images submitted from social media.

The prize stickers for the campaign don’t only feature beloved characters from Fujio’s beloved Doraemon series, but also familiar faces from Perman and Kiteretsu Daihyakka. These are perfect for decorating smartphone cases, notebooks, or anywhere that needs a manga makeover! 

There are also two secret stickers, along with two special rewards for lottery winners. You’ll have to win to find out which characters are featured!

As part of this event, a special photo campaign using these stickers will be held from August 13 to September 30. Just follow the official Doraemon Channel Instagram and Twitter and post a photo featuring a prize sticker of your choice with the hashtag #NotOnlyDoraemonStickerLottery (＃ドラえもんだけじゃないシール) to enter. 10 people will be randomly selected to receive both the 10th Anniversary Pin and Denim Doraemon Plushie!

Which sticker set would you choose? Who is your favorite Fujiko F. Fujio character? 

©Fujiko-Pro/Shogakukan

Popular souvenir brand Tokyo Banana is celebrating 30 years! These tasty treats are a must-buy for those visiting Japan, and now, a familiar face will be popping up at a special area in the JR Tokyo Station Tokyo Banana shop: Doraemon Tokyo Banana Tokyo Station opens on August 6, 2021. Our favorite blue robot-cat just turned 50 in 2020, and this is the perfect way to celebrate!

Doraemon Tokyo Banana ‘Found it!’ 

Shop Image

Package Design

The Doraemon Tokyo Banana is a fluffy, gluten-free sponge cake. Created to celebrate the original creation of these dreamy sweets, the special Doraemon Tokyo Banana Tokyo Station area is now open at JR Tokyo Station. Adorned with various super cute designs, you’ll also be able to find these treats at convenience stores across Japan!

Visitors will also be able to purchase a special gift box, complete with a gently smiling Doraemon design. The box contains eight Tokyo Banana sweets, and is perfect as a souvenir for family and friends–or even for yourself! The sweets within are decorated with random Doraemon designs, so you’ll have to open the box to find out which ones you got! This item is sure to bring joy to all Doraemon fans both young and old.

A two-pack Doraemon Tokyo Banana will also be available. Three different Take-copter varieties and three different Anywhere Door varieties will be on sale, each with uniquely adorable designs to make you want to collect them all. Be sure to check out this special area, and pick up some memorable gifts!

(Please note that the shop has certain quantities of each package, and not all packages may be available depending on the date.

This product is manufactured in the same facility as products containing wheat flour.)

©Fujiko-Pro,Shogakukan,TV-Asahi,Shin-ei,and ADK

The Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo is set to host the Moshimo Tokyo Exhibition as part of Tokyo Tokyo FESTIVAL’s 13 special exhibits from August 4 to September 5. The event is free to enter but tickets, which are now available, must be ordered in advance.

Japan’s top manga artists drew exclusive pieces for the exhibition

©Inio Asano – taken from TP

©Shinichi Ishizuka – taken from Tokyo Sound

©Taiyō Matsumoto

©Sumito Oowara – taken from East East

The theme of Moshimo Tokyo is “Tokyo” and will exhibit works from 20 big Japanese manga artists, such as Taiyō Matsumoto (Ping Pong; Tekkonkinkreet; Sunny), Inio Asano (Goodnight Punpun; Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction), and Shinichi Ishizuka (Blue Giant). Each artist has illustrated special pieces in line with the exhibition’s theme which will be shown at the in and around museum.

Japanese clothing retailer BLACK OJICO released two new eco bags as part of Sanrio’s “I’m Doraemon” series on July 2.

Eco Bag・I’m Doraemon Small Light

Eco Bag・I’m Doraemon Time Cloth

The designs are inspired by two of Doraemon’s Secret Gadgets: the Small Light which can turn other objects smaller, and the Time Cloth, which can advance or regress an object.

Roppongi Museum is set to open its The Promised Neverland exhibition on July 17 where it will run until December 30. The exhibition covers the Grace Field House Jailbreak Arc, where guests can feel like they’re really walking through the house.

Cafe Logo

As part of the exhibition, a themed cafe called the Minerva Cafe will open inside the museum serving food and drink inspired by the anime series.

BLT Sandwich & Salmon Cream Cheese | ¥1,740 (Tax Included)

Minerva & Phil’s Chocolate Banana Pancakes | ¥1,600 (Tax Included)

The Minerva Cafe menu includes the mysterious William Minerva who Emma, Norman, and Ray are pursuing, chocolate banana pancakes with Minerva and Phil designs, and more, including a range drinks.

Latte Art | ¥770 (Tax Included)

Isabella’s Brown Sugar Milk Tea | ¥540 (Tax Included)

The Emma, Norman, and Ray lattes also come with a coaster you can take home, and there’s a special Isabella milk tea you can buy at THE ALLEY, a food truck at Roppongi Musuem that’s popular for its Taiwanese milk teas.

©白井カイウ・出水ぽすか／集英社・約束のネバーランド製作委員会

The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto has announced a new exhibition. A Chronicle of Modern Crafts: Works from the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto Collection will run from July 9 to August 22.

Crafts are one of the pillars of the activities at the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, a facility that opened in 1963. This emphasis has helped form one of Japan’s premiere collections of crafts. Moreover, they have on occasion presented exhibitions such as the International Exhibition of Contemporary Ceramic Art, Contemporary Ceramic Art: Canada, U.S.A., Mexico and Japan, Fiber Works: Europe and Japan, and Contemporary Glass: Europe and Japan, which introduced and compared crafts from other countries with Japanese works, and exerted a strong influence on the Japanese art and crafts scene.

In this exhibition, the museum takes a look back at some of these events from the past based on works from the museum collection while retracing the development of modern crafts. This includes the exhibiting of 305 pieces, 231 from Japanese craftsmen and 74 from those overseas.

Roppongi Museum is set to open its The Promised Neverland exhibition on July 17 where it will run until December 30. The exhibition covers the Grace Field House Jailbreak Arc, where guests can feel like they’re really walking through the house.

Newly illustrated artwork to be used on exclusive merchandise

Limited-edition museum exclusive merch line-up

Hangers | 3 Designs: Emma, Norman, Ray | ¥1,430 Each (Tax Included)

Pins | 10 Designs | ¥440 Each (Tax Included)

Acrylic Figures With Stills | 3 Designs: Emma, Norman, Ray | ¥1,430 Each (Tax Included)

Croquis Notebook | ¥990 (Tax Included)

Folder | ¥440 (Tax Included)

3D Postcard Set | ¥990 (Tax Included)

Stainless Steel Bottles | 3 Designs: Emma, Norman, Ray | ¥1,870 Each (Tax Included)

Key Keyring | ¥990 (Tax Included)

4C Ballpoint Pens | 4 Designs: Emma, Norman, Ray, Little Bunny | ¥880 Each (Tax Included)

Flat Pouches | 3 Designs: Emma, Norman, Ray | ¥1,760 Each (Tax Included)

Compact Mirror | ¥2,200 (Tax Included)

Little Bunny Pouch | ¥3,080 (Tax Included)

The exhibition artwork and 136 pieces of merchandise focus on the strong bond between Emma, Norman, and Ray. Dive into the world of The Promised Neverland at the special exhibition arriving this summer.