FUJIFILM SQUARE in Minato, Tokyo, has announced the HAKU graphy Hommage to Hokusai exhibition by Mineko Orisaku which will run from July 21 to August 19 this year.

Hommage to Hokusai ©Mineko Orisaku

Following sunset (Tanuki-ko Lake) ©Mineko Orisaku

Pine and Mt.Fuji (Kawaguchi-ko Lake) ©Mineko Orisaku

Since announcing her “HAKU graphy” project in 2017, Mineko Orisaku has been experimenting with combining gold leaf and photography. This is different from the usual method of printing photos onto printing paper or washi paper, instead using FUJIFILM’s Acuity UV inkjet printer to print delicate gold leaf. This technology allows a wider use of printing materials and colours.

Mineko Orisaku’s exhibition is an homage to Hokusai, one of Japan’s most celebrated ukiyo-e painters and artists. She has used FUJIFILM’s large-format GFX digital camera for her works on Hokusai’s Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji to create something unique to her vision. Her work can be enjoyed alongside another Hokusai exhibition taking place at FUJIFILM Photo Salon Tokyo’s Space 1 and 2.

As part of Disney’s Ultimate Princess Celebration, a worldwide festival themed on courage and kindness that began in April, an event titled “What is Love? ~The Secret to Shining Bright Lies in the Princess World~” will take place at Shibuya Marui in Tokyo from June 23 to July 29 this year. It will subsequently move to JR Nagoya Takashimaya from August 4 to 23 and finally conclude next year in Shizuoka where it will run from January to March.

This event tries to answer the question “What is Love?” through a range of content that encourages the use of all five senses: visually, digitally, musically, through scent, and more.

What is Love? ~The Secret to Shining Bright Lies in the Princess World~

Visitors are guided by 12 Disney princesses who will take them on a journey of their ‘love’ in six different areas.

A Look at the Event

1. Introduction: 12 Shining Princesses

At the event, you will meet the 12 princesses and learn their story, what their personality is like, and more.

2. Opening Theater: Discover the Secrets to Shining Bright

Attend the theatre and watch the stories of the princesses with your own eyes.

3. 7 Keywords Unravelled From Their Stories

Seven keywords that appear in the princesses’ stories will be explored, each of which are tied back to love. This will include exhibits of scenes from the Disney animated movies, an AR experience using smartphones, and more.

From Beauty and the Beast

Using their smartphones, visitors can hold up their phones and utilise AR technology to see various scenes from Beauty and the Beast in an area inspired by the library that Beast bestowed upon Belle.

From Tangled

In Tangled, the King and Queen release lots of sky lanterns on Rapunzel’s birthday each year in hopes that she will see them and return. Let your own lanterns fly like in the movie and witness a beautiful spectacle.

4. Music and Fragrance: Clad in Radiance Unseen to the Eye

A unique experience combining music and fragrances inspired by the princesses, who radiate from love, will let visitors feel closer to them.

5. Glowing Lines: Words That Make the World Shine

At the Closing Theater, words and lines said by the princesses will be displayed, offering another way of enjoying their world that radiates from love.

6. Prologue: Your Own Unique Story Begins

Pick up a range of merchandise featuring designs of the exhibition’s main visual, the seven key words, and more.

Services and Content Offered by Disney at the Exhibition

Disney+

Disney+ is a streaming service that brings together all Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic content in one place, as well as exclusives. Those at the exhibition can watch the content offered by Disney+ at the Opening Theater.

Disney DX App

The Disney DX is an app exclusive to Japan that comes as a set with Disney+. It offers the chance to see cut scenes from movies, behind-the-scenes content, and more. The exhibition utilises this app through AR experiences, so if downloaded, you’re sure to have an even more fun time.

A curated list of Disney Princess music is played at the exhibition. If you head to the shop, you can pick up movie soundtracks and other albums. Disney even created a playlist themed on the princesses that’s now available on music streaming services.

The Sento no Susume 2021 event being held by BEAMS JAPAN and Cow Brand Soap has now headed to BEAMS JAPAN Shinjuku. As part of the event, Mizuno has held designed a ‘running course’ is collaboration with sento bath house owners who have listed their recommended spots for running.

From Left: Hiroshi Fukui (Managing Director at Cow Brand Soap), Aya Terakawa (Sports Caster), Mari Yamazaki (Manga Author), Ryozo Naganuma (Kotobukiyu’s 3rd Generation Owner), Hikaru Ikeuchi (Chairman of Board of Directors)

BEAMS JAPAN Shinjuku Floor 1F – Sento no Susume 2021 Pop-Up

BEAMS JAPAN Shinjuku Floor 1F – Sento no Susume 2021 Pop-Up

BEAMS JAPAN Sento no Susume 2021 Virtual Venue

For many years, sento public bath houses have been big part of Japanese culture and are located up and down the country. They are places people go to unwind, relax, and destress. However, with times changing, they are because less part of people’s lives, and the facilities themselves are seeing significant wear and tear as well as not having successors to take over the businesses. Sento no Susume aims to revitalise sento and raise their cultural value once again by showing how they can be enjoyed. The first event was held in January and February in 2019.

The event arrived at BEAMS JAPAN Shinjuku on April 26 and  invites manga artist Mari Yamazaki on board who has given the store a makeover with her iconic artwork themed on exercise and bathing. This event combines sento bath houses with sports, and so as well as discovering bath houses to visit, you can learn find out about great running courses at the Sento Run no Susume corner. There’s also a virtual venue accessible on the official website that creates the store in 4K 3D so everyone around the world can get involved regardless of their location.

This year’s Hibiya Festival will take place around Tokyo Midtown Hibiya from April 29 to May 16. Visitors can enjoy free musicals, Japanese dance, opera, and more, all in an open space.

Hibiya Festival main visual

Peter Pan Broadway Musical – Mini Concert & Talk | Thursday April 29, 2021

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – Japan’s First Rendition | Sunday May 9, 2021

Hibiya Festival x Hibiya Music Festival Collaboration Stage | Saturday May 8, 2021

Hibiya Outdoor Noh Performance | Thursday April 29, 2021

NBA Ballet | Saturday May 1, 2021

CAT-A-TAC SHOW (CAT-A-TAC) | Sunday May 2, 2021

“Hibiya Ongaku Daigaku” – Shibuya Ongaku Daigaku Open Campas

Hibiya Festival Program

This year marks 40 years since the Peter Pan Broadway musical first hit Japan, and so it will be performed at Hibiya Festival 2021. The hit British musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie will also be performed in Japan for the first time with a full Japanese cast. On the music side of things, music producer Seiji Kameda is spearheading the Hibiya Musical Festival. There are around 20 different slots to enjoy at the festival, all of which are free to watch and many which don’t need to be booked in advance. The festival is also producing video content this year for those unable to attend so they can still be part of the fun online.

Golden Week is almost here in Japan, and so Laforet Harajuku is readying itself for its special LAFORET GOLDEN WEEK event which will run from April 24 to May 9.

Around 60 stores inside the Harajuku-based shopping centre are participating in this event where shoppers can get their hands on a new wardrobe full of outfits, a stock of items and accessories, and more. There is also a special item available at Charles Chaton on Floor 4F of Laforet that is made as part of a triple collaboration between the store, DJ and music producer Night Tempo, and Rie Kanou, the author of the manga series Slow Motion wo Mou Ichido. At FRAPBOIS on Floor 1.5F, there’s a selection of t-shirts, shirts, one pieces and other must-grabs created in collaboration with Osamu Goods. And that’s just a taste of the many exclusives to be sold and doesn’t take into account all the other events that will take place at this year’s LAFORET GOLDEN WEEK. Let’s dive deeper.

The Little Cat Shop by MILKBOY | April 30 – May 9 | Floor 1F Entrance Space

The Little Cat Shop by MILKBOY is a cat-themed shop by three brands: MILK, MILKBOY, and LAND. It will incorporate hit motifs from the brands’ past line-ups as well as introduce all-new trends. As well as clothes, there are accessories, sofvi toys, and other items, each woven with each of the brand’s touch. There will also be a raffle to win exclusive sofvi toys made by notable sofvi artists like IZUMONSTER and Konatsuya. Plus, all customers who spend over ¥10,000 will get an original sticker.

Cat eyes dress ¥32,450 / CAT EYES SHIRTS ¥19,250 / CAT TOWER TEE ¥8,800 / MISCHIEF cat Frill TEE ¥13,200 / Ribbon CAT TEE ¥7,920 (Tax Included)

Kuttsuketemiyou Picture Book Pop-Up Shop | May 1 – May 16 | Floor 2F POP UP SHOP SPACE

Kuttsuketemiyou is a picture book by contemporary artist Ken Kagami and it’s getting its first pop-up shop at Lofret Harajuku. The humorous book sees Kagami seeing what would happen if he tried attaching certain things to animals. It’s a work of artistic nonsense enjoyed by children and adults alike, and fans of the quirky story can get their hands on a range of merchandise featuring the cute creatures. Kagami will also be doing signings.

Kuttsuketemiyou Book ¥1,650 / Mug ¥2,750 / Tote Bag ¥4,180 / T-Shirt ¥4,950 (Tax Included)

ABEMA 5th Anniversary Laforet Harajuku Campaign

In celebration of ABEMA’s 5th anniversary, it is holding a limited-time campaign in collaboration with several popular Japanese TV shows such as Koi to Ookami ni wa Damasarenai and Black Cinerella. ABEMA is a Japanese video streaming website. During the campaign, customers who spend over ¥2,000 at select stores will receive a limited-edition Black Cinderella sticker and a ticket to an online event centred on Koi to Ookami ni wa Damasarenai. They can also enter a raffle to win signed merchandise from the shows if they show their receipt and have spend over ¥2,000.

Harajuku Shopping Week 2021 | April 28 – May 7

Shoppers who spend over ¥1,000 at select stores will receive a scratch card that may net them a ¥1,000 coupon.

UNDER GROUND SNAP Photoshoot | April 29 – May 8 @ 12:00-16:00

A photoshoot will take place down on Floor B1.5F. Those who sign up can have their photo taken professionally by Gothic and Lolita Market which will be featured in the early June 2021 edition of Laforet Harajuku’s tabloid as well as on HARAJUKU POP WEB. Info on how to apply can be found on LAFORET GOLDEN WEEK’s official website.

Tennozu Canal Fes 2021 Spring ~WORLD TRAVEL – ASIA~ is set to take place online via CANAL’s official YouTube channel on April 24. The event comes in response to the cancellation of the in-person event due to fears of COVID-19 transmission.

“World Travel” is the theme of Tennozu Canal Fes 2021 with a different region to be chosen each season, allowing for music lovers and concertgoers to enjoy a little bit of something from abroad. The theme for spring is Asian music which focuses on music from around Asia – except Japan. Viewers can tune in to see everything from Indian dancing to classical Chinese opera, Chinese erhu performance, and more. Performances will still take place at Tennozu Canal in Tokyo but will be live streamed.

Schedule

14:00～14:30 coco ayumi & Ethno-Exotica Vaudeville (Indian dance)

15:00～15:30 Kanae Nozawa (Erhu)

16:00～16:30 Shinchou Gekiin (Classical Chinese opera)

17:00～17:30 HamojiN (Acapella)

18:00～18:30 Tsukiko Nakamura (Piano and hand mic)

18:40～19:10 Tsuzu King (Solo singing)

GENDA SEGA Entertainment is set to open a themed cafe in collaboration with Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club on April 29, 2021.

A completely original menu themed on the characters

Fans can tuck into a very special menu inspired by the members of the Nijigasaki High School Idol Club with drinks, desserts, and food. The cafe will run over the course of three periods each of which will also include their own unique menu items.

Drinks | ¥660 Each (Tax Included)

Period ①: Hamburger Plate / Yaki Udon | ¥1,320 Each (Tax Included)

Nikujaga Plate / Clam Chowder | ¥1,320 Each (Tax Included)

Period ②: 1st Year Banana Parfait / 2nd Year Strawberry Parfait / 3rd Year Grape Parfait | ¥1,100 Each (Tax Included)

Period ③ menu exclusives to be revealed

Get some freebies simply by ordering

Period ①: Drinks Coaster / Food Coaster / Parfait Costers

Period ②: Drinks Coaster / Food Coaster / Parfait Costers

Period ③ exclusive freebies to be revealed

Character birthday cards

Kanon Shibuya – May 1, 2021 / Sarah Kazuno – May 4, 2021

Ai Miyashita – May 30, 2021 / Nozomi Tojo – June 9, 2021

Mari Ohara – June 13, 2021

Merchandise to add to your collection

Releasing: April 29, 2021

Acrylic Stands | ¥1,320 Each (Tax Included)

Art Panels | ¥660 Each (Tax Included)

Releasing: May 15, 2021

Chibi Key Rings | ¥770 Each (Tax Included)

Bonus merch for every ¥2,000 spent

Bromides | Available April 29, 2021 – May 14, 2021

Bromides | Available May 15, 2021 – May 28, 2021

©2013 プロジェクトラブライブ！ ©2017 プロジェクトラブライブ！サンシャイン!!
©2020 プロジェクトラブライブ！虹ヶ咲学園スクールアイドル同好会　
©2021 プロジェクトラブライブ！スーパースター!!
©GENDA SEGA Entertainment Inc.

Anime, manga, and tokusatsu event organiser CRAZY BUMP has announced the opening of a pop-up store centred on Tsukasa Hojo’s manga series City Hunter which will run from May 12 to 25.

The pop-up shop first ran in Nagano in Tokyo last month and is now heading to Osaka. It’s themed on Ryo Saeba versus Umibozu.

©北条司/コアミックス 1985,版権許諾証AG-301

CHOCOLATE Inc. is set to open the BLUE HAMHAM POP UP STORE at Shibuya PARCO in Tokyo on May 14 May 28 and Shinsaibashi PARCO in Osaka on June 4  July 2. The pop-up shops are centred on Arimura Taishi’s characters BLUE HAMHAM.

BLUE HAMHAM are four music-eating space hamster brothers from a planet called ‘Proxima b.’ Their animations on Twitter, TikTok, and other social media platforms have garnered over 300 million views worldwide. In 2020, they began collaborating with overseas artists. Their musical animations have garnered popularity across the globe.

At the pop-up shop, fans can get their hands on over 30 new BLUE HAMHAM items. This also marks the brothers’ first pop-up shop in Osaka. From exclusives to free novelties, there’s plenty to enjoy.

At the store, fans will also be greeted by four 1-meter tall BLUE HAMHAM statues, the only ones in the world. There will be a display showing their animations, a chance to learn about the characters, and more.

©CHOCOLATE Inc.

KADOKAWA has announced that it’s taking the Mr. Osomatsu themed hotel room from EJ Anime Hotel at Tokorozawa Sakura Town in Saitama, which ran from December 3, 2020 to March 31, 2021, to six hotels in Sapporo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Hakata starting on April 28.

Mr. Osomatsu anime freebies for guests

Design of the free mask case

Free coaster

The ‘EJ’ of EJ Anime Hotel stands for ‘Entertainment Japan.’ The hotel aims to have guests living inside the stories they love from a wide range of Japanese media from anime to manga, movies, tokusatsu SFX movies, idol culture, and more. As well as room decorations and the exclusive merch that will be on sale, the hotel is also offering a new kind of accommodation experience by incorporating videos, sounds, lighting, and more. Its restaurant will also offer a selection of food and drink in collaboration with various series including all-out full course dinners.

Due to its popularity with guests, the Mr. Osomatsu themed anime room is heading to six locations across Japan which are listed below.

©赤塚不二夫／おそ松さん製作委員会

The Gintama @ Dash Store pop-up shop is returning to Ikebukuro P’PARCO and Animate Osaka Nipponbashi where fans can get their hands on lots of merchandise of Hideaki Sorachi’s manga series Gintama.

Gintama’s characters wear blue for the store

Dash Store will sell a range of exclusive items as well as offer pre-sales on upcoming merchandise. The illustration pictured above of the characters in blue hoodies was also drawn exclusively for the store and will feature on a range of items.

For every ¥2,000 (tax included) spent by fans at the store they will receive one of nine possible bromide pictures. And for an extra ¥500, those who buy one or more items can get a special tote bag too.

A look at some of the merch line-up

Acrylic Stands | ¥1,650 Each (Tax Included)

Folders | ¥440 Each (Tax Included)

Acrylic Key Rings | ¥715 Each (Tax Included)

Hoodies | ¥5,500 Each (Tax Included)

©空知英秋／集英社・テレビ東京・電通・BNP・アニプレックス

This year’s Earth Day Tokyo will take place at Yoyogi Park from April 17-18 where messages of eco-friendliness, organic products, sustainability, ethics, and inclusiveness will be at the core of various events held as part of the festival.

This year marks Earth Day Tokyo’s 20th run as part of the global Earth Day initiative and brings together environmental NPOs, charities, and locals. Due to COVID-19, in-person events will only take place on April 17 and 18 but the festival will run online from April 17 to 25.

Earth Day Tokyo 2021 Concert

Concerts will take place across the two-day Yoyogi Park festival. Many musicians and guests have committed themselves to the future of the planet at the Earth Day Tokyo’s concerts, with past line-ups including Japan’s King of Rock Kiyoshiro Imawano, UA, BONNIE PINK, and more.

This year will see performances from Itou Seikou ITP, Kenichi Nagira, yae, scoobie do, Taiji Sato, Nozomi Nobody, hachi_Aigoz, tico moon, Rokuta Yanagiya, and Ichido Ryutei.

Market area

Every single product at the market booths has a story, and visitors will be able to hear about them from the makers in-person as they shop. And the items sold at the market will be different each day, stocking something to add a little environmental consideration into our lives.

C. W. Nicol’s “Nicol’s Forest Kitchen” sausages help plant forests

The late Welsh-born Japanese writer, actor, and singer-songwriter C. W. Nicol was the Executive Committee Chairman for Earth Day Tokyo from 2000 until his passing last year. He also launched Nicol’s Forest Kitchen in 2011 which has been a regular at Earth Day Tokyo to help protect Japan’s forests. The food stall will make an appearance this year too.

C. W. Nicol began to wonder how he could help raise people’s interest in forests as well as help revitalise forests that had been destroyed. Nicol’s Forest Kitchen project was his answer: to spread awareness through food, and in doing so, the project could help build up forests.

Visitors separate garbage themselves with the help of volunteers

At the Eco Station, volunteer staff will help direct visitors in separating garbage properly, raising awareness on the proper procedures which they can take away home with them.