Kurashiki City Art Museum is now holding an exhibition dedicated to Japanese manga artist and character designer Akemi Takada. Titled TAKADA Akemi Exhibition: Angel Touch, the exhibition is set to run until November 8, 2020.

Akemi Takada majored in graphic design at Tama Art University. After graduating, she entered the world of animation where she learned character design working for the Japanese animation company Tatsunoko Production. She went on to design characters for a range of popular anime series such as Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel, Kimagure Orange Road, Patlabor, and more. Today, she works as an illustrator as well as a designer for book covers.

Angel Touch　©TAKADA Akemi

Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel　©Pierrot

The exhibition introduces original pictures of famous anime characters and Takada’s illustration work. Though solo exhibitions have been held many times for her in both Japan and abroad, this hails as one of the largest exhibitions ever with 200 drawings. Fans will also get to see new works as well which were drawn for the exhibition.

Kimagure Orange Road　©Izumi Matsumoto / Shueisha・Nippon TV・Toho

Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel 2

UDS HOTELS is set to open YUEN BETTEI DAITA, a new onsen ryokan (hot spring Japanese inn), in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo, on September 28, 2020. The hotel is just a 1-minute walk from Setagaya-Daita Station and an 8-minute walk from Shimokitazawa Station.

YUEN BETTEI DAITA sits in a quiet location surrounded by old, historical Japanese houses and is basked in nature. It houses 300 guest rooms and has open-air baths, a spa, and offers traditional Japanese food the tea ceremony.

The inn is equipped with considerate facilities and has a relaxed atmosphere. It caters to modern day needs while still promising a traditional Japanese inn experience. And it doesn’t have to be just used as a hotel either – guests can just spend the day there in the hot springs if they like, allowing locals to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city and their busy Tokyo lives.

The Design

YUEN BETTEI DAITA bases itself on the appearance of residences seen back in Tokyo back in the day. The hotel has taken in furniture and materials that were inherited in a thatched-roof residence in Setagaya which has over a 100 year history, which gives a nod to the history and culture of traditional Japanese architecture, while still incorporating more modern techniques in the wooden roofing and other areas. All of this combines to create a sophisticated Japanese culture-imbued space.

Guest Rooms

There are 35 guest rooms in total, each coming in one of seven types ranging from 19㎡-32㎡. The rooms open up into a tatami and seating area. Guests are provided with yukata and leather-soled geta shoes, and are treated to Japanese tea and confections from local shops.。

Open-air onsen baths (1st Floor)

The large open-air baths receive water from Odakyu Hotel de Yama’s own water source in Hakone. Guests can enjoy looking at a traditional Japanese garden while they bathe and listen to the sound of the water from Mount Fuji. The female baths also have scented mist saunas while the male baths have dry saunas.

Cooking & Tea Ceremony (1st Floor)

Kappou Tsukikage

Enjoy seasonal vegetables harvested from the local farms in Setagaya as well as Japanese sake and wine chosen to pair perfectly with the dishes.

Saryou Tsukikage

Guests can also experience the Japanese ceremony with local tea. Daita was once rich with tea farms, and so guests can look forward to enjoying delicious and authentic tea.

SOJYU spa

If guests want to relax the hotel’s SOJYU spa offers full body massage, original essential oil treatments, and much more. The spa will also be open to non-guests from spring next year.

The Kirby Café in Tokyo and Fukuoka released three new dishes for autumn last Friday (September 18).

The menu items are made with seasonal flavours like pumpkin, sweet potato, and chestnut.

Filling Autumn Plate – Salmon Cream Pasta & Pumpkin Salad Sandwich | ¥1,480 (Before Tax)

One plate packed with fall flavours including a rich salmon cream pasta and pumpkin salad sandwich. If you look closely, you’ll spot cute pieces of Waddle Dee cheese.

Fallen Leaf Waterfall☆Mont Blanc and Baumkuchen With Friends | ¥1,280 (Before Tax)

Rick, Kine, and Coo feature on this tasty-looking dessert plate which is a baumkuchen piled with a chestnut mont blanc cream.

Kirby’s Hot Sweet Potato Sticks | ¥1,080 (Before Tax)

Crunchy on the outside, hot in the middle, and seasoned with fresh rosemary. Kirby is a pro at inhaling food, but don’t burn yourself with these!

In commemoration of Miffy’s 65th anniversary, the new Miffy Café opened on the first floor of Tokyo Solamachi on September 11, 2020 and will remain open for a limited time. The café is also collaborating with Japanese illustrator Shogo Sekine.

We visited the café to check out the themed menu, merchandise, and other fun things on show to see.

Stepping into the café is like stepping into a picture book world. It’s really colourful in there. My mother read Miffy to me when I was a child, so I was hit with a real sense of nostalgia when I entered the café. No matter your age, you’re sure to enjoy your time there – that’s the kind of fun atmosphere they have created.

Terrine-Style Open Miffy Sandwich | ¥1,499

I ordered the terrine-style open Miffy sandwich and Miffy orange float from the themed menu.

The open sandwich arrives in the shape of Miffy, so it almost seems a waste to eat, but it was really cute and delicious. Simply the best. It’s filled with potato salad, an avocado sauce, and salmon.

Miffy Orange Float | ¥899

The ice cream that tops the orange float is made to look like Miffy too!

Snapping a photo while drinking the float is pretty Instagrammable, so it’s a must when visiting.

All of the items on the menu have Miffy somewhere on them, meaning anything you order is guaranteed to be kawaii. They have takeout too, which is great if you don’t have much time to hang around or just don’t want to dine inside.

Speaking of which, each table in the café is separated with an acrylic board to protect customers during the pandemic, and all of them have super cute designs. Another photo opportunity for sure!

The café sells original merchandise too. The fashion items and illustrations with English on them were designed by popular Japanese illustrator Shogo Sekine. There’s a whole range of different goodies, from plush toys to fashion and more.

Don’t you feel happy just looking at all these colours? You’ll find yourself spoilt for choice on what to buy.

The Miffy Café is open until October 18. You can book a table too, so if you’re in Japan during this time, be sure to visit the café website below.

Illustrations Dick Bruna © copyright Mercis bv, 1953-2020  www.miffy.com

Model & Writer：Eri Tanioku

Photo: Haruka Yamamoto

Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

Japanese company LEGS has announced the opening of the limited-time Ojamajo Doremi Cafe 2020 ~FRUITS PARLOR~. The themed cafes will open in Tokyo on October 29, Osaka on October 30, and Aichi on October 23.

Ojamajo Doremi is an original magical girl created by Toei Animation that ran from February 1999 to January 2003. To celebrate the series’s 20th anniversary last year, LEGS opened a different Ojamajo Doremi limited-time themed cafe in collaboration with Cafe&Kitchen which welcomed lots of magical girl fans.

This year once again welcomes Etoile et Griotte as the art director for the fruit parlor-inspired cafe.

Ojamajo Doremi Cafe 2020 ~FRUITS PARLOR~ celebrates the 20th anniversary of Ojamajo Doremi Sharp is the second series in the Ojamajo Doremi series. Fans will be able to get their hands on a range of exclusive magical merchandise as well as tuck into pastel coloured fruity food.

FOOD

Doremi’s Cheese Steak Doria in Cherry Sauce | ¥1,699

Steak is Doremi-chan’s favourite food, so it was a must-have on the menu. The cream cheese is coloured like Doremi, and there’s a cute musical note topping too. It comes with a cute lunch mat that looks like Doremi’s skirt.

Hazuki’s Omurice in Porcino & Orange Cream Sauce | ¥1,399

The omelette is made to look like Hazuki’s yellow skirt. Enjoy together with the delicious porcino sauce and orange combination.

Onpu’s Waffles With Crepe & Mascarpone | ¥1,299

Blueberry sauce-drizzled and mascarpone-topped waffles served with a mashed potato skirt. The sweet and sour mix is to die for.

DESSERT

Aiko’s Blueberry Float | ¥999

A fresh blueberry float inspired by Ai-chan. Mix everything together to create a different flavour.

Momoko’s Lemon Cheesecake Parfait | ¥1,399

A fresh lemon cheesecake packed parfait with lots of enjoyable flavours and textures.

Rhythm Tap Tart | ¥1,300

Inspired by the Rhythm Taps seen in the series, the tart imagines Doremi’s transformation scene in Ojamajo Doremi Sharp.

DRINK

Onpu Melody Drink (5 Flavours) | ¥1,099

A rainbow line-up of colourful Onpu drinks available for takeout.

Movie Theater Menu

Girls Meet Sushi | ¥1,299

Inspired by the meat sushi that Sora and the gang eat in the animated film Majo Minarai wo Sagashite. Comes with an original postcard.

Exclusive Merchandise

Acrylic Keyrings (6 Designs) – ¥600 Each

Letter Set (1 Design) – ¥1,200 | Folder Set (2 Designs) – ¥700

A selection of super kawaii cafe-original merchandise is available for fans to grab.

Bonus Items

Those who book a table in advance, order a drink, or spend more than ¥2,000 at the cafe will receive one of six possible A5 folders.

Become a magical girl like Doremi at the Ojamajo Doremi Cafe 2020.

©Toei Animation

The Asahi Shimbun and Nippon TV are set to host an exhibition centred on Mickey Mouse at the MORI ARTS CENTER GALLERY in Roppongi, Tokyo, from October 30, 2020 to January 11, 2021, in celebration of 90 years since Mickey Mouse’s screen debut. The exhibition will showcase works shown at the Mickey: The True Original Exhibition held in New York in 2018-2019.

Walt Disney’s concepts and ideas are formed around innovation, creativity, imagination, and storytelling. And one character who walked that journey with him and continues to this day is none other than the iconic Mickey Mouse, who since making his first appearance in Steamboat Willie in 1928, has gone on to be a symbol of the Walt Disney Company loved by people the world over.

Mickey: The True Original Exhibition in New York

The Mickey: The True Original Exhibition held in New York looked at how Mickey Mouse has influenced art and pop culture over the years, covering everything from Steamboat Willie which hailed as Walt Disney’s first black and white sound film to over 100 colour short animations, artwork, and more.

Keiichi Tanaami – “Mickey’s Japan Tourism”

Javier Sanchez Medina – “Studio for Mickey’s hands”

The exhibition was ran from November 2018 to February 2019 and saw installations from over 20 international artists including New York-based artist Daniel Arsham and Los Angeles-based artist and graphic designer Brian Roettinger.

Brian Roettinger – “(L)imitation of Sound”

DRx – “3000% Mickey Be@r”

The Tokyo exhibition will be a travel back through time, looking at Mickey Mouse from the past to the present. It will be split into three zones: “The Origin,” “The True Original,” and “Beyond.”

The Beyond zone will welcome original artwork from five Japanese artists.

Original Merchandise – Pin Badge

Original Merchandise – Ballpoint Pen

The exhibition’s museum shop will have exclusive Mickey Mouse merchandise for sale, as well as pre-sales on other items. See new official goods from works like Steamboat Willie and Fantasia as well as items designed by Japanese artists. It’s a chance to see Mickey in a variety of different ways.

Free eco-bag

Visitors to the exhibition will also receive one of four original eco-bags for free upon arrival.

TOKYO MYSTERY CIRCUS, the world’s first and Japan’s biggest puzzle-themed theme park, has announced a new escape game centred on the Japanese pop group Perfume. Titled “Escape From The Room Next To Perfume,” the game is set to hit the indoor theme park on September 22, 2020.

An escape game is a real-life interactive experience that has players solving puzzles to escape a room. The story of the Perfume game puts players on the same team as Perfume. As players wait in anticipation, an LED display made to look like a window opens to reveal the Perfume members, who greet players and encourage them on their escape. And so begins the game.

There are various items and pieces of information in the room for players to solve the puzzle, including dance poses by Perfume which give hints for the next step. It’s an interactive experience that makes it feel like Perfume are really there with you.

Perfume fans can get their hands on a range of exclusive merchandise too, like a sticker set, folder, and message cards. These items will be sold at the TMC GOODS SHOP at Tokyo Mystery Circus as well as the online stores SCRAP GOODS SHOP and Perfume’s own A!SMART.

The Pokémon Café in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, is adding an apple flavoured Eevee frappe to its ever-growing Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Café menu. The frappe will be available from October 2 to December 4.

Eevee Apple Pie Frappe

The sweet tang of the apple combines with the caramel to create a tasty dessert drink, topped with whipped cream, crunchy piece bits, and a cute Eevee tail cookie.

Buy the separate Eevee sleeve to put on your drink to make a fully complete and adorable Eevee frappe♡

© 2020 Pokémon.©1995-2020 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
Pokémon, ポケットモンスター and ポケモン are registered trademarks of Nintendo, Creatures Inc. and GAME FREAK inc.

KAWAII MONSTER CAFE HARAJUKU is set to collaborate with Tokyo’s three branches of Alice’s Fantasy Restaurant to serve up a Halloween themed menu. It will be served from September 19 to October 31.

The Halloween season is right around the corner, and the KAWAII MONSTER CAFE is once again joining in with the spooky festivities. This year, the cafe has joined hands with Alice’s Fantasy Restaurant to create a collaborative Halloween menu lineup.

Colourful Rainbow Pasta With Halloween Cream | ¥1,400

Colourful pasta served in rich pumpkin sauce and with a variety of different ghost creams.

Singing Alice’s Caesar Salad | ¥1,360

Alice’s Fantasy Restaurant’s popular Caesar salad heads to KAWAII MONSTER CAFE, an assortment of purple carrots, pumpkin, and other tasty delights. Alice is also hidden in the pasta somewhere as a black witch.

Kingpin Choppy & Henchman Humpty Dumpty Curry | ¥1,300

KAWAII MONSTER CAFE’s mascot is served wearing a silk hat and comes with his fellow henchman Humpty Dumpty.

Cheshire Cat Splatter Ice Cream | ¥1,100

Soft serve ice cream topped with crunchy cereal, cotton candy, and chocolate, all drizzled in a splattered sweet strawberry sauce.

Customers who post a photo of their foot onto social media with the hashtag #tokyohalloweencollection can enter for a chance to win some Halloween merchandise.

UNIQLO TOKYO, the global flagship store of UNIQLO, is now holding an exhibition themed on its knitwear at its first floor LifeWear Square area until October 11, 2020. It’s a consolidation of everything that goes into wearing the symbolic style of their LifeWear lineup, covering the art, science, and craftsmanship behind the items.

About UNIQLO TOKYO

UNIQLO TOKYO opened back in June this year in Ginza, Tokyo, as the country’s biggest store and global flagship store. UNIQLO TOKYO is the embodiment of UNIQLO’s “LifeWear,” clothing that the company has created to “improve everyone’s life.”

SCIENCE: 3D knit installations by Rhizomatiks Architecture

Rhizomatiks Architecture have created a range of installations including mannequins centred on knitwear. Customers will be able to see knitwear being made by the machines right before their eyes.

CRAFTSMANSHIP: Tools used in the manufacturing process

See the strict standards and measures taken to carefully craft each and every UNIQLO cashmere sweater, from the processes carried out to the materials and tools used in the manufacturing process, samples, and more.

ART: Styling

See the headpieces created by Shiseido’s top hair and makeup artist Tadashi Harada for displaying the knitwear. Each and every one was made with care and attention for the 20 mannequins.

The Tokyo, Osaka, and Makuhari branches of Hotel New Otani are now serving seasonal autumn versions of their specially made pancakes at their coffee shop and all-dining restaurant SATSUKI until November 30, 2020

Fantastically fluffy pancakes

Hotel New Otani has been serving its special pancakes for the past 10 years which have become a favourite amongst guests.

The hotel’s pastry chefs have whisked up a variety of flavours in line with the changing seasons this past decade using strictly-selected ingredients including strawberry, melon, mango, chestnut, and more.

A marriage of rich chestnut and fluffy pancake

Hotel New Otani Specially Made Chestnut Pancakes 2020 | ¥2,800 (Before Tax/Service Charge)

Chestnuts are the flavourful theme for autumn 2020’s pancakes, made with strictly-selected chestnut astringent skin, sweet bean jelly, and topped with a chestnut macaron.
The pancakes are served with melt-in-the-mouth Italian ricotta. There are two different doughs, one made from coffee flour which has high nutritional value, and the hotel’s original “White Cereal” which is a combination of millets and amaranth.
The pancakes are cooked on a low heat for about 5 minutes on each side so they rise to a fluffy 5cm thickness and become startlingly smooth.

Strawberries for winter

For this year’s winter, the hotel will be serving strawberry pancakes.

Enjoy a selection of seasonal pancakes when staying at Hotel New Otani.

The Tokyo branch of New York-based restaurant chain Sarabeth’s has announced a special autumn event that goes by the name ‘HIGH TEA TERRACE NIGHT.’ Set to run from September 23 to October 31, customers will be able to sit on a rooftop terrace in the evening with Tokyo’s towering cityscape surrounding them while drinking sparkling wine and other all-you-can-drink free-flow alcoholic beverages—high tea style.

High tea refers to post-dinner evening tea time. At Sarabeth’s, customers can look forward to dining on a special set menu for grown-ups with alcohol and other treats.

High Tea Style Set Menu With Free Drink | ¥5,000 (Before Tax)

Served on an afternoon tea stand, tuck into six different appetisers, meatball sliders, and truffle flavoured French fries. For the main dish, there’s steak made in a red wine sauce and boletus mushrooms. Free drinks include sparkling wine, red and white wine, beer, high balls, cocktails, soft drinks, and more.

Feel the evening breeze of autumn while indulging in a special high tea experience in Tokyo.