Hard Rock Cafe Ueno is celebrating the 4th birthday of Ueno Zoo’s giant panda Xiang Xiang with a collection of birthday pins. The limited-edition line-up was released on Thursday.

4th Birthday Pin | 300 Available | ¥2,200

4th Birthday Pin 2 | 500 Available | ¥2,200

The two pin designs are limited in stock, the first featuring Xiang Xiang with her mother and father has 300 available, and the second one has the cute giant panda on an aeroplane branded with her birthday date with 500 available.

Both pins capture Xiang Xiang’s energetic personality and are cute souvenirs to take home after meeting her at Ueno Zoo.

In celebration of Mr. Fullswing‘s 20th anniversary, Animate are collaborating with the manga series to serve up a themed menu at their own Animate Cafe in Ikebukuro from June 23 to July 26. The entire menu including the meals, drinks, and desserts are all inspired by the series, and fans can get their hands on some exclusive merchandise too.

Mr. Fullswing is a baseball manga series written and illustrated by Shinya Suzuki which was serialised in Weekly Shonen Jump from 2001 to 2006. This year marks 20 years since it was first released.

Menu item names have been translated from Japanese.

A peek at the manga-themed menu

Is That Rice? No, It’s Curry | ¥1,000

Rations From Shiba | ¥1,000

Gou’s Secret Batting Form ~Hachiku~ | ¥800

Sei’s Secret Batting Form ~Utsusemi~ | ¥800

Terrible Tatsuragawa’s Glasses | ¥600

A peek at the merch

CoLotta Acrylic Plate Key Rings | 15 Designs | ¥800 Each 

Acrylic Character Key Rings | 14 Designs | ¥800 Each

Acrylic Uniform Key Rings | 14 Designs | ¥650 Each

Campaign to win a free photo card

24 photo cards based on the manga volume front covers

Win a birthday bromide photo

For every ¥2,000 spent at the cafe on menu items or merchandise, customers will receive one free photo card. There is also a birthday campaign being held from July 19 where you can win a free birthday bromide for every ¥2,000 spent.

(Ｃ)鈴木信也／集英社

BEAMS is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year. At such an important milestone, it’s important to take a look back at where the brand has come from, and so BEAMS is taking part in the Fashion in Japan 1945-2020 exhibition that opened at The National Art Center, Tokyo, last Wednesday. Followers of the Japanese fashion are able to see their early products when they first opened in the late 1970’s to their Shibuya Casual style, known as Shibu-Kaji, from the late 80’s. It’s an historical, nostalgic throwback across their archive. Exclusive merchandise is also being sold featuring the ‘American Life Shop BEAMS’ logo which they branded upon establishing the brand.

A look at just some of the exhibits on display

BEAMS shopping bag from 1977

Shibu-Kaji outfit from late 1980’s

Exhibition-exclusive souvenir merch inspired by vintage BEAMS

This exhibition follows the unique trajectory of Japanese clothing, especially in post-World War Ⅱ Japan, as seen from both sides: that of designers who transmit culture by creating clothes and ideas, and that of users who receive it by wearing the clothes and at times create era-defining grassroots fashion movements. It offers a comprehensive overview that references the predominant media of each era, such as newspapers, magazines, and advertisements.

In the mid to late 1970’s, BEAMS was at the forefront of spreading casual wear to people, stocking some of the country’s most notable brands and designers. BEAMS opened its first store in Harajuku in 1976 where it sold shirts, shoes, and other items. In 1977 they introduced their own shopping bag, and the following year opened up their first BEAMS F selling traditional men’s style clothing. It was around this time that beams released their POPEYE magazine too. All of this and more is explore at the exhibition along with commentary.

A talk event titled “Lifestyle Tips: POPEYE & BEAMS” will also take place on July 3 at the museum.

Sanrio teamed up with the convenience store chain FamilyMart to commemorate the 25th anniversary of their popular character Pompompurin with a special soufflé and macarons that hit shelves up and down Japan on June 8.

Pompompurin Soufflé Pudding | ¥276 (Before Tax)

Pompompurrin & Cinnamoroll Macarons | ¥350 (Before Tax)

Pom’s Kitchen Campaign

The Japanese pudding-style soufflé is made with smooth and velvety custard and caramel. It’s sold in a cup in three different original designs. Also available as part of the celebration is a set of macarons made to look like Pompompurin as well as Cinnamoroll, another one of Sanrio’s most popular characters. They are wearing cute king and queen crowns respectively.

A campaign is also being held where you can win some special Pompompurin merchandise by posting a photo of a rice dish inspired by Pompompurin on social media. More details can be found on the campaign website below.

MINISTOP Japan released three new desserts in collaboration with Morinaga on Tuesday: the Morinaga Milk Caramel Baumkuchen, Morinaga Milk Caramel Pound Cake, and Morinaga Milk Caramel Roll Cake.

Morinaga Milk Caramel Baumkuchen

Morinaga Milk Caramel Pound Cake

Morinaga Milk Caramel Roll Cake

Morinaga’s “Milk Caramel” is a long-selling product that has been sold for over 100 years. The triple dessert release coincides with Milk Caramel Day, a day by Morinaga that falls on June 10 to commemorate the flavour. The tasty caramel delights make as the perfect accompaniment during coffee breaks, when working, when studying, or just as a little treat.

The desserts are now available at all MINISTOP convenience stores in Japan.

HOSHINOYA Tokyo, a ryokan in Tokyo, introduced a new experience for guests last Tuesday which invites them for some early morning kenjutsu sword training atop a 160-meter tall building to refresh the mind and body. This Japanese swordsmanship practice teaches not only the large movements, but the breathing techniques used too. It requires the full use of the entire body coupled with lung-stimulating controlled breathing. Since the practice takes place on a towering site, your vision is unobscured, allowing you to see afar while bathing in the morning rays. You can also spot many famous Tokyo buildings too including Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower.

The area surrounding Otemachi where HOSHINOYA Tokyo is located is mostly made up of office buildings and business skyscrapers in the modern day, but it was formerly home to the daimyo’s main Tokyo mansion where samurais resided during the Edo Period. During the Bakumatsu at the end of the Edo Period, there was an establishment called Edo Sandai Dojo where swordsmen went to train. The town flourished as a site for honing your skills with a sword. HOSHINOYA Tokyo’s sword training experience is a nod back to that time and a chance for people to get their bodies moving in a safe environment during sedentary COVID-19 times.

Early Morning Practice in the Sky

1. An original practice created by HOSHINOYA Tokyo that combines swordsmanship and deep breathing

Participants will be taught by a master of Hokushin Ittō-ryū, a form of ko-ryū old-school sword fighting. They will begin by learning how to hold and operate a bokutō wooden sword as well as foot movements before the proper practice begins. They will learn about being conscious of the tanden, the point below the navel that’s a focus point for internal medatitive techniques, as well as sword techniques such as makkōgiri which is a large slice with the sword from top to bottom, dōgiri which is cutting horizontally, kesagiri which is a diagonal slash, and more. All of this is not only to teach sword fighting, but take relieve tension and stress too by utilising the whole body.

2. Soak up the sights of the cityscape basked in the morning light

The practice takes place on a helicopter landing pad atop an enormous skyscraper. From the building, you can see Akihabra, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and many other areas and districts of modern day Tokyo which serves as an interesting combination while practicing a traditional Japanese art.

Mc Donald’s Japan released its new Sweets Trio Fruchu menu on Friday which features a line-up of three fruit-flavoured Pikachu items: the Yellow Peach McShake, Chocolate Banana McFlurry, and Hot Apple Custard Pie.

The menu items comes in limited-edition cups and packaging featuring the adorable Pikachu.

Yellow Peach McShake | Small ¥120 – Regular ¥200 (Tax Included)

A fruity and refreshing summery McShake made with sweet and sour yellow peach with that satisfying creamy McShake texture. Available in small and medium, both sizes come with three different cup designs each for a total of six.

Chocolate Banana McFlurry | ¥290 (Tax Included)

The Chocolate Banana McFlurry is served in an ice cream cup with a fresh squirt of milky rich soft serve and drizzled with banana and chocolate sauces. The ice cream is finished with a sprinkle of crunchy yellow cornflakes. Another perfect choice for cooling down in the hot summer weather. There are three possible cup designs to receive.

Hot Apple Custard Pie | ¥150 (Tax Included)

The apple custard pie is served hot with a crunchy outside and filled with custard cream made with fresh apple and vanilla beans and seasoned with caramel and cinnamon. There are three possible packaging designs to receive.

McDonald’s Japan is also serving a Pikachu-style Happy Meal as part of the collaboration which come with one of six possible toys.

Two pop-up shops, the SSSS.DYNAZENON @ Dash Store and SSSS.GRIDMAN @ Dash Store, are now open at Animate Akihabara and Animate Osaka Nipponbashi until June 24. The stores are themed on Tsuburaya Productions and Studio Triggers’ anime series SSSS.DYNAZENON, which began airing in April, and SSSS.GRIDMAN.

SSSS.DYNAZENON @ Dash Store

SSSS.GRIDMAN @ Dash Store

Fans of the series can get their hands on a range of pre-sale and exclusive merchandise. For every ¥2,000 spent, they can get their hands on one of five possible bromide illustrations, and if they spend over ¥3,000, they’ll enter for a chance to win a special poster.

Bromides (5 Designs)

Special Poster

The Line-Up

Dash Store Exclusive T-Shirts | 5 Designs | ¥7,150 Each (Tax Included)

Dash Store Exclusive Bottles | 2 Designs | ¥2,200 Each (Tax Included) (All come with one of 3 possible illustrated cards)

Dash Store Exclusive Metal Sticker Sets | 2 Designs | DYNAZENON ¥1,320 – GRIDMAN ¥880 (Tax Included)

Dash Store Exclusive T-Shirt | ¥2,750 (Tax Included)

Dash Store Exclusive Stainless Thermo Tumbler | ¥2,750 (Tax Included)

Pre-Sale Acrylic Stands | 5 Designs | ¥1,980 Each (Tax Included)

Pre-Sale Tapestries | 5 Designs | ¥3,850 Each (Tax Included)

Pre-Sale Pin Set | DYNAZENON ¥1,320 – GRIDMAN ¥880 (Tax Included)

©円谷プロ ©2021 TRIGGER・雨宮哲／「DYNAZENON」製作委員会
©円谷プロ ©2018 TRIGGER・雨宮哲／「GRIDMAN」製作委員会

SHIBUYA109 Entertainment is set to release The Walt Disney Company’s Pride Collection at SHIBUYA109 and MAGNET by SHIBUYA109 as part of Shibuya Pride Month. The collection will be available from June 18 to July 1.

The Walt Disney Company’s Pride Collection

The Walt Disney Company’s Pride Collection/SHIBUYA109

Free multipurpose case for buyers

SHIBUYA109’s ethos is about making today’s dreamers shine. Their collaboration with Shibuya Pride Month is to spread the positive message of creating a society where people can live however they want to live.

The Walt Disney Company’s Pride Collection is a unisex line-up of original items by five popular brands at SHIBUYA109 and MAGNET by SHIBUYA109 with Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars logos and character designs featuring rainbow colours.

A digital catalogue by creative director Wataru LINDA Igarashi was released showcasing each item in the collection. Special online events by SHIBUYA109 will also take place as part of the Pride celebration. Igarashi also created a collection of bucket hats, hoodies, sweaters, bandanas, stickers, and more as part of The Walt Disney Company’s Pride Collection.

The The Quintessential Quintuplets ∬ anime series teamed up with THE CHARA SHOP for a special event inside Ikebukuro Marui in Tokyo which is set to run until June 17.

Merch Line-Up

Pins | 6 Designs (Chosen Randomly) | ¥440 Each (Tax Included)

Micro Fibre Clothes | 5 Designs | ¥660 Each (Tax Included)

Key Rings | 5 Designs | ¥880 Each (Tax Included)

Mug | ¥1,650 (Tax Included)

Large Acrylic Stand | 5 Designs | ¥1,980 Each (Tax Included)

Mini Acrylic Art | 5 Designs | ¥2,200 Each (Tax Included)

B2 Tapestry | 5 Designs | ¥3,300 (Tax Included)

Fans of the anime series can get their hands on presales of a collection of ‘school rock’ themed merchandise. And for every ¥3,000 spent on items, you can enter for the chance to win extra free he Quintessential Quintuplets ∬  goodies too.

Marc Jacobs’ iconic The Snapshot Bag has released in two exclusive colours at Shibuya PARCO in Tokyo as well as their Japanese online store, serving early summertime vibes.

The Snapshot | Shibuya PARCO & Marc Jacobs Japan Online Exclusive

Left Photo: Exclusive Models – Both ¥47,300 | Right Photo: 3D Painted Flowers – ¥71,500, Crystals – ¥62,700 (Tax Included)

Arriving first on the 2016 Spring/Summer runway, the Marc Jacobs Snapshot is a collection of cute and compact bag purses made to wear across the body. Each model is kitted out with audacious colours with oversized double-J hardware. All come with a detachable strap.

The new and exclusive duo of blue coloured bags come with webbed straps showcasing the detail that goes into the brand’s craftsmanship. Both models add a sense of freshness to a look. Additionally, the Marc Jacobs Shibuya PARCO store branch also offering their Customization Capsule collection, allowing customers to freely customise their bags.

Ueno Information Center is celebrating the 4th birthday of Xiang Xiang, the giant panda who was born at Ueno Zoo back in 2017, with the release of a merchandise collection. The line-up arrived on Wednesday and is available both at the information center and via their online store.

Although strict measures are in place at the center to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading, celebrations for Xiang Xiang aren’t completely cancelled, as fans of the adorable panda, who has become something of an idol in Ueno, can get their hands on some fun goodies.

Ueno Panda Family Memorial Pins 2021 | ¥2,530 (Tax Included)

Ueno Panda Family Clear Pouch YE | ¥2,200 (Tax Included)

Ueno Panda Family Cooling Lunch Tote Bag | ¥1,650 (Tax Included)

The collection features motifs of Xiang Xiang, her mother Shin Shin, and her father Ri Ri. The pin collection, which comes in a gold leaf-laced box, includes Shin Shin in a tree peony, Xiang Xiang amongst the cherry blossoms, and Ri Ri with lotus flowers.

The pouch sees Xiang Xiang happy and energetic with her parents. It comes in a summery yellow and is made from semi-transparent matted vinyl. Perfect for storing away makeup, stationery, and any other bits and bobs.

The cooling bag is made from aluminium on the inside for keeping your food fresh. It’s big enough for fitting a bento and 500ml bottle, making it handy for taking your lunch out with you.

Happy 4th Birthday, Xiang Xiang!