PARCO has teamed up with Kaji Kaji H, Koichi Igarashi—who is known for his work with BEAMS JAPAN’s brand projects—and a certain chief editor at a popular Kansai fashion magazine to open Zi-tempo, a limited-time food spot aimed at foodies that will run for 20-days at PARCO Shinaibashi in Osaka.

Zi-tempo brings together designers from popular fashion brands working in Kansai, editors from fashion magazines, stylists, writers, more to serve up a creative menu by a line-up of individuals not involved in anyway in the food industry. As well as food, visitors can get their hands of a selection of related merchandise, clothing, and more.

The First Serving

Running: January 13, 2021 – January 19, 2021
Curry Mala: Enjoy the unique spices of both curry and mala

Spicy curry has recently become something of a soul food in Osaka. For the first serving, foodies can enjoy discovering a wonderful combination of spices in a selection of curries, as well as a numbing line-up of mala made with mapo tofu. This menu is the creation of ‘R,’ a designer at a fashion brand, and ‘T,’ a former chief editor of a Japanese fashion magazine. R is actually the owner of a popular curry house called COBACHI CURRY in Nakazakicho, while T has tasted countless mapo tofu dishes. This makes them the perfect curry-mala combo for this experiment.

Menu

・Curry Mala Shokuhako – ¥1,200 (Before Tax)
・Curry Mala 1 (Spice Chai) – ¥500 (Before Tax)
・Curry Mala 2 (Spice Highball) – ¥500 (Before Tax)
・Curry Mala Hoodie – ¥7,800 (Before Tax)
・Curry Mala Long T-Shirt – ¥5,800 (Before Tax)

The Second Serving

Running: January 20, 2021 – January 26, 2021
Tacos Variar x Berbers Ya!: Traditional Mexian and Moroccan dishes

The second serving sees a coming-together of tacos and couscous by two creators working in Kansai: nahonic who works at Tacos Variar at an underground spot in Kansai selling tacos, and stylist Sunny, both of whom enjoy homecooked couscous from their Moroccan mothers growing up. Foodies will get to enjoy both Mexican and Moroccan food at the same time, a perfect opportunity during the current climate when travelling is difficult. There will also be a variety of apparel and goods from creators like the mystery creative group “the golden dawn.”

Menu
・1P ¥350 (Before Tax)
・2P ¥700(Before Tax)
・3P~ ¥300 / 1P(Before Tax)

The Third Serving

Running: January 27, 2021 – February 1, 2021
Natouya: Taste and compare an array of natto rice bowls

Eateries serving gyudon, or beef rice bowls, never fail to bring in repeat customers for their cheap prices, quick service, and delicious taste. But our heal is the most important thing, so why not change it up once in a while with a natto rice bowl? At the event, foodies get to tuck into a selection of dishes using 5 different kinds of natto beans that vary in size and colour, served sticky, yummy, and in generous portions. These natto rice bowls were conceived by Murakami, a researcher of natto and editor of a certain fashion magazine. There will also be goods from natto apparel brand NNBean, natto crockery, and plenty of other things for lovers of natto to enjoy.
 

Menu

・Five Bean Natto Rice Bowl – ¥900 (Before Tax)
・NNBean Sweater – ¥7,100 (Before Tax)
・NNBean Long T-Shirt – ¥5,800 (Before Tax)
・Natto Plate – ¥4,200 (Before Tax)

If you’re in Osaka throughout January, and love food, don’t miss out on a unique eating experience over at Zi-tempo.

Universal Studios Japan is set to spring into Easter starting on March 12 with the announcement of Universal Easter Celebration 2021. This year, which marks the 20th anniversary since USJ opened, will see the park’s cute and iconic characters once again lull guests into an unforgettable Easter dream at Universal Wonderland and Minion Park.

Universal Easter Celebration

USJ will see colourful pastel decorations cover the Universal Wonderland and Minion Park areas, and the characters too will be dressed in their seasonal Easter costumes. A special Easter rendition of the Wonderland Seasons Joy show will also take place to commemorate the park’s 20th anniversary with song and dance.

Wonderland Seasons Joy ~Easter Ver.~

Minion Park Easter

The park will also introduced a special egg hunt after Elmo and the Minions dropped some of their eggs. If you manage to find them all you get a limited-edition gold medal. USJ is also taking the Easter festivities online too with a special celebratory live stream called Let’s Cooking! Kawaii Easter Party

WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s21)
Minions and all related elements and indicia TM & © 2021 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.
TM & © 2021 Sesame Workshop
© 2021 Peanuts Worldwide LLC TM & © Universal Studios & Amblin Entertainment
Universal Studios Japan TM & © Universal Studios. All rights reserved.

© Nintendo

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) announced last month that its highly-anticipated new Super Nintendo World area will open on February 4, 2021, which also happens to fall on the day of USJ’s 20th anniversary.

Super Nintendo World comes as the world’s first theme park area to be based around Nintendo’s characters and games, combining innovative ideas with cutting-edge technology.

With just one month left until the grand opening, USJ has launched a special website for Super Nintendo World which offers a virtual tour through each part of the new theme park area. Mario fanatics are sure to be delighted by the adornments from Bowser’s Castle to Pipes, Mushrooms, Question blocks, and more, as well as familiar faces like Goombas, Thwomps, Yoshi—the list goes on.

Accessing the site will bring you to an overview of the map. As you scroll down the website takes you on a virtual journey to each of its iconic attractions, all of which are designed to make you feel like you’re really in the world of Super Mario.

Doraemon’s official shop Doraemon Future Department Store, which is located in Odaiba, Tokyo, is celebrating its 1st anniversary of opening this December by opening two limited-time shops in Osaka and Nagoya this month and January respectively. Fans can get their hands on a selection of exclusive merchandise and more.

Customise Service

The pop-up shops will offer a customisation service which lets customers have different embroideries put into the T-shirts, tote bags, and other merch they buy. The work is done on the spot by hand so you can see the result of what will be a very special item of which only one exists in the world. Perfect for Doraemon fans and gifts to friends and family.

Post Office

The shop will offer a postal service for sending off Doraemon letters and postcards with original Doraemon stamps.

Bonus Items

1st Anniversary Postcard

Mini Tote Bag

Those who buy anything from the department stores will receive a free 1st anniversary postcard. And for every ¥5,000 spent (tax included) they’ll get a mini tote bag. These are all limited in stock so you’ll want to get them while they’re hot.

If you’re in Osaka or Nagoya over the New Year be sure to pay a visit to the Doraemon Future Department Store pop-up shops.

©Fujiko-Pro

Hirakata Park in Osaka has announced a special collaborative event with San-X’s popular characters Rilakkuma and Sumikko Gurashi which will begin on March 6, 2021.

Park entrance

Rilakkuma and friends as well as the characters of Sumikko Gurashi will both have their own special pavilions raised at the park entrance. At the Rilakkuma tent, the cute bear and his comrades where will be showcasing their three fundamental elements that go into having a leisurely and relaxing time. Over at the Sumikko Gurashi tent, you’ll get a peek into the lives of these cute characters which are known for their lifestyle of dwelling in the corner.

The event will welcome a range of original Rilakkuma and Sumikko Gurashi themed food and merchandise too.

©2020 San-X Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Japanese company LEGS has announced the opening of two limited-time cafes themed on the video game KINGDOM HEARTS Melody of Memory which will run from December 11, 2020 to January 31, 2021.

KINGDOM HEARTS Melody of Memory is a rhythm action game developed by Square Enix. Released on November 11 in Japan and November 13 everyone else, it is the latest instalment to Square Enix and Disney’s video game series Kingdom Hearts.

The cafe menu features a line-up of dishes, drinks, and desserts inspired by characters and worlds found throughout the internationally-beloved video game series. The items all adhere to Disney’s nutrient guidelines and so are low in salt and sugar, offering fans a healthier option. The cafe will also sell a range of original merchandise.

The Menu

Food (Excerpt)

<Sora> Power of Waking Tomato Pasta | ¥1,599

A red tomato pasta inspired by Sora that comes with a potato salad shaped like King Mickey.

<Riku> Daybreak Chicken Burger | ¥1,599

A black chicken burger based on Riku becoming enveloped by the Power of Darkness. This dish also comes with a potato salad shaped like King Mickey.

<King Mickey> King’s Tuna Sandwich | ¥1,399, with plate +¥2,000

A tuna sandwich branded with a King Mickey symbol that comes with a side of fruit.

<Neverland> Island Seafood Curry | ¥1,699

A squid and shrimp seafood curry inspired by Peter Pan’s Neverland which you can travel to in Kingdom Hearts.

Drinks (Excerpt)

<Sora, Riku & Kairi> Fate’s Pineapple Herb Soda | ¥899, with acrylic coaster +¥1,000

A pineapple herb soda based on the Paopu Fruit from the series.

<Roxas, Xion, Axel> Sea Salt Ice Cream & Milk | ¥1,199, with acrylic coaster +¥1,000

Based on the sea salt ice cream that Roxas, Xion, and Axel all eat together. It’s served with hot milk that can be poured over the ice cream for a tasty treat.

<Hundred Acre Wood> Honey Latte | ¥799, with mug +¥1,650

A latte sweetened with Winnie the Pooh’s favourite thing in the world: honey.

Merchandise (Excerpt)

Folder ¥500 / Acrylic Magnet ¥700

Tote Bags (3 Designs) | ¥3,500 Each (Timeless River/Keyblade A/Keyblade B)

Bonus Items

Customers who book a table in advance (¥650 before tax) and order from the menu will receive one of two folders, and if they order a drink, one of four coasters. Available while supplies last.

© Disney. © Disney/Pixar.

*All prices listed are pre-tax

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) has announced that its highly-anticipated new Super Nintendo World area will open on February 4, 2021, which also happens to fall on the day of USJ’s 20th anniversary.

Super Nintendo World comes as the world’s first theme park area to be based around Nintendo’s characters and games, combining innovative ideas with cutting-edge technology.

While the grand opening is still a couple of months away, USJ is teasing fans by unveiling a portion of the park’s Mario Kart-themed ride which takes place inside of a reconstructed Bowser’s Castle.

Bowser’s Castle

Bowser’s Castle stands as one of the main symbols of Super Nintendo World. It’s a faithful recreation with towering stone walls, thick and heavy steel doors, pointed iron fencing, and more, not to mention the enormous stone Bowser statue that adorns the middle of the winding staircase ready to greet guests. There are plenty of thrills and chills to look forward to inside the castle of the King Koopa himself.

Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge will open as the world’s first theme park ride centred on the popular video game series Mario Kart.

Thomas Garrity (Universal Creative, Executive Producer) | Comment

“Deep inside Bowser’s Castle lies Mario Kart: Bowser’s Castle, a collaborative effort between Nintendo and Universal Studio’s Creative Team to recreate the world of the hugely popular Mario Kart series which has sold over 150 million copies. Guests will put on their headsets and experience limitless excitement and thrills as they speed around courses.” (Translated from Japanese by MMN)

Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge

Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge is an XR ride that lets people feel like they are inside the world of Mario Kart while in the real world. The ride will feature all the details fans of the video game series are familiar with as they drift and spin around exciting courses alongside the game’s characters while collecting items from boxes to use on their opponents.

The attraction makes use of AR and projection mapping technology to make the game as immersive as possible. Fans are sure to love driving through their favourite courses and scenes recreated using leading-edge technology. The attraction is six years in the making and the results of efforts between Nintendo’s Creative Team, USJ, and the legendary Shigeru Miyamoto himself.

Endless fun for fans of Mario

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will be the first-ever multilevel Nintendo-themed area at USJ, and the first of its kind in the world. Fans of the internationally beloved games can expected to see a whole host of rides and attractions dedicated to their favourite characters, from Mario Kart to Yoshi and beyond, as well as a themed cafe, merchandise shops—the list goes on. There is endless amount of fun for fans to feel a part of the Nintendo world as they take up the role of Mario and hit blocks to receive coins, collect items, and much more.

Guests will be able to purchase the Power Up Band, a wristband that works together with a smartphone app that allows you to collect virtual coins by punching Questions Blocks like Mario which are scattered around the park. Scores can be seen on the leaderboard so you can see how you stack up against other players.

Sanrio’s popular characters Kiki & Lala, also known as the Little Twin Stars, are getting their own themed cafe which will open for a limited time at the Fruits Parlor & Bakery Season & Co. in LINKS UMEDA in Osaka From December 3, 2020 to January 24, 2021.

The cafe will serve up a variety of menu items inspired by the Little Twin Stars as well as sell related merchandise. There will also be a photo spot for taking cute pictures, and a special dessert assortment made in collaboration with the popular artist Dream Ami which includes a parfait made up of their favourite sweet treats.

Cafe Menu (Prices Listed Before Tax)

Menu ①: December 3, 2020 – December 25, 2020

Little Twin Stars Shortcake (X’mas Ver.) | ¥1,900

Kiki’s Shooting Star Sweets Parfait | ¥1,600

Menu ②: December 26, 2020 – January 24, 2021

Little Twin Stars Tart | ¥1,700

Lala’s Shooting Stat Sweets Parfait | ¥1,700

Drinks Menu (Excerpt) (Available Throughout Collaboration)

Little Twin Stars Strawberry Tea Latte | ¥1,000

Dream Ami’s Special Collaborative Menu (Available Throughout Collaboration)

Dream Ami×Little Twin Stars Star Sweets 2020 2,100円

Customers who spend more than ¥1,000 (before tax) on merchandise at the cafe will also receive a free A4 folder. These are available while supplies last.

Dream Ami’s collaborative dessert looks both cute and delicious and definitely worthy of being on a Little Twin Stars menu!

To celebrate the 5th anniversary of Hatsune Miku Symphony, three concerts are being held in Japan. The first took place at Suntory Hall for the first time on September 21, the second in Yokohama on October 17, and the third is scheduled to take place tomorrow (November 27) at Festival Hall in Osaka.

Fans unable to attend the final show will be pleased to know that part of the set list from Hatsune Miku Symphony 2019 is also being released tomorrow on Amazon Music HD in Dolby Atmos® format.

Dolby Atmos is a surround sound format that breaks the wall on the limits of mono and stereo sound and allows sounds to be interpreted in 3D, creating an entirely new immersive experience. This will make listening to a show like Hatsune Miku Symphony a true delight to Vocaloid lovers.

Those attending the Osaka concert will be able to listen to Miku Symphony in one of the Amazon Echo Studio booths that will be available at the venue. These booths will also be equipped with Dolby Atmos through Amazon Music HD.

The Yokohama performance that took place on October 17, 2020 is scheduled to be released on Blu-ray on February 3, 2021. It will be available to pre-order at the Osaka show.

Embroidery Art – ¥16,500 (Tax Included) | Acrylic Key Rings (7 Designs) – ¥800 (Tax Included)

A selection of merchandise will be available to buy at the Osaka show including an all-new piece of embroidery art, acrylic key rings, and more. These items will also be available to pick up at Magical Mirai 2020 in OSAKA taking place this weekend (November 28 and 29).

© Crypton Future Media, INC. www.piapro.net

Marriott International has announced that W Osaka will have its grand opening on March 16, 2021. Room bookings opened via the hotel&#39;s official website on Wednesday (November 18).

W Osaka is a luxury lifestyle hotel that will open along Midosuji, the primary main street in central Osaka, positioning it within walking distance of Shinsaibashi which is home to world-leading luxury brand stores, Dotonbori which hails as one of the main tourist spots in Osaka where one can find an unending selection of restaurants and places for a great night out, and Minamisenba where you can find Osaka-based designer stores, coffee shops, and more. It&#39;s also conveniently situated near the business district of Honmachi.

The Hotel’s Theme: A fun place for Osaka’s merchants

The hotel’s design was overseen by Osaka-born international architect Tadao Ando. The 32- storey building is coloured a simple yet stylish black and is based around crystals.

The interior design was carried out by Concrete Architectural Associates from the Netherlands who have recreated the image of Osaka’s city lights with dazzling neon lights. Under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period, extravagance was banned, but that was well over a century ago, so it is of course permitted now. But while W Osaka incorporates flashy design, its interior isn’t overly-sophisticated and maintains an air of light-hearted fun to it.

A single button caters to whatever, whenever when it comes to guests

The 337 guest rooms boast beautiful vivid colours and contemporary designs that are sure to leave an impression. Washrooms are spacious and are equipped with rainfall showers. The rooms’; windows also stand from the floor to the ceiling, allowing for a perfect view of Osaka’s beautiful streets. Best of all, all room telephones are fitted with a “Whatever/Whenever” button on them which enables hotel staff to cater to guests’ needs and wishes at all times no matter what it is.

A Michelin-star chef’s menu

In the lobby, guests will see a mic on a mic stand which is a nod to Osaka’s famous manzai culture of comedy duos. The hotel also plans to open a bar area. For now, however, guests can enjoy the all-dining restaurant which boasts a menu supervised by a Michelin-star-winning chef who has also ranked in Asia’s Best Restaurants 50. In the future, W Osaka plans to be host to unique wedding ceremonies too.

If you’e planning a trip to Osaka next year, be sure to check out W Osaka, opening March 16, 2021.

Nippon Animation and Crypton Future Media are set to collaborated for the 4th time by bringing together the popular character Rascal from the Japanese animated series Rascal the Raccoon and VOCALOID. The two companies will release pre-sales of collaborative merch at Magical Mirai 2020 in Osaka from November 27 to 29.

Rascal celebrate hits 40th anniversary back in 2017, the same year his collaboration with VOCALOID began. “Japanese Festival” is the theme for the merchandise line-up which sees the adorable raccoon come together with familiar faces from the VOCALOID roster including Miku, Rin, Len, Luka, KAITO, and MEIKO, all of whom are donning their appropriate festive garbs. There’s also a “Firework Festival” collection of merchandise too which was designed in collaboration with Japanese illustrator Omutatsu.

The merchandise will also be released at the official Nippon Animation shop ANi★CUTE in Ikebukuro, Tokyo on December 18, 2020.

Artwork sample

Merchandise sample

A Kirby pop-up shop opened up inside the EKI MARCHÉ OSAKA shopping mall in Osaka on Friday (November 6) where it is set to stay until December 10.

Kirby fans can expect to get their hands on a whole range of merchandise from stationery and plush toys to key rings and more.

Original Postcard

Customers who spend over ¥2,200 at the pop-up shop will receive an original postcard too. These are limited in stock.

If you’re in Japan this autumn and winter then be sure to grab some of these wintery Kirby goods.