The cities of Hirosaki and Hakodate in Hokkaido have announced that they will team up with Hatsune Miku’s popular iteration Snow Miku to promote tourism in the area this winter. A number of activities will begin in December 2022.

[Snow Miku x Hirohako] Collaboration Project

■Hirohako Winter Tourism Campaign Poster Featuring Snow Miku

・Period: Mid-November~February 28, 2023

・Locations: Facilities in both cities, tourist facilities, hotels, shopping areas

■Snow Miku Illustration Contest Exhibition Event

Over 50 illustrations have been submitted under the theme of Snow Miku and Hakodate / Snow Miku and Hirosaki. These will be on display through the winter!

・Running: December 1, 2022 – February 28, 2022

・Venues: Hirosaki Municipal Tourist Center (Hirosaki)
                    Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse (Hakodate)

■Snow Miku Photo Spot

Snow Miku panels featuring shamisen and apples from Hirosaki will be on display, while the Hakodate version will include references to squid fishing and footbaths. 

・On Display: December 1, 2022 – February 28, 2022

・Locations: JR Hirosaki Station, Chuohirosaki Station (Hirosaki)
                        JR Hakodate Station, Hakodate Airport (Hakodate)

■Digital Stamp Rally Using the Mikunavi App

A number of panels will be installed at five checkpoints in Hirosaki and Hakodate. A total of 1,000 people–500 in each city–will win original merch including a Snow Miku mask case and decorated masking tape. All you need to do is check in!

・Available: December 1, 2022 – February 28, 2022

・Locations: (Hirosaki) Hirosaki Municipal Tourist Center, Hirosaki City Machinaka  Information Center,

                         Hirosaki Tourist Information Center, Hirosaki Castle Information Center, Tsugaru-han Neputa Village

　　　　　　(Hakodate) Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse, Yunokawa Hot Spring Footbath, Goryōkaku Tower,

Hakodate Green Plaza C Block (Hakodate Lumi-Pop), Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward

■Hirohako Winter Tourism Campaign Theme Song and Music Video 

The tourism theme song will get a new music video that will be broadcast on YouTube, at local tourist facilities, and on TV and radio!

・On Air: December 1, 2022~

・Theme Song: Mahou no Keshiki (Lyrics/Composition: ryuryu)

■Snow Miku Welcome Announcements to be Broadcast at Tourism Facilities, etc. 

A one-minute welcome announcement by Snow Miku will air at tourist facilities!

・Running: December 1, 2022 – February 28, 2022

・Locations: Tourist areas in both cities

■Snow Miku Filters Using AR

When each barcode is scanned with a smartphone, Snow Miku will appear on the screen! Visitors can take pictures with Snow Miku to commemorate their winter trip to Hirosaki and Hakodate.

・Available: December 1, 2022 – February 28, 2022

In Saiki City, located in the southernmost part of Oita Prefecture, visitors will find a unique project. For a limited time, guests can enjoy a sushi-netarium, where sushi–not stars–will be featured in the sky. Saiki City, where the event takes place, is a treasure trove of seafood thanks to the Bungo Channel and boasts the largest catch in Oita Prefecture. It’s also known as Oita’s premier sushi destination, with more than 350 varieties of ocean delicacies to enjoy each year. Saiki Sushi, made from fresh local fish, is known for its firm texture and for having just the right amount of fat. To promote this tasty dish throughout Japan, the interactive sushi-netarium promotion was created!

A Planetarium Experience Featuring Soothing Music and a Sky Filled with Sushi

The sushi-netarium is said to have a relaxing effect comparable to that of Beppu Onsen, the most famous tourist attraction in Oita. Those taking part will be able to see not only a sky filled with sushi, but a sushi meteor shower and the Gari Borealis. As you watch, it might become impossible not to crave sushi! Visitors will be able to take part in this special viewing at certain locations in Beppu City and at Oita Airport from September 22 until November 30. In a public announcement, the city invited guests to eat plenty of tasty local food and soak in the Beppu Onsen before enjoying the sushi-netarium to wrap up a wonderful day. 

The Beautiful ‘Sushi Projector’

Check out these impressive projectors made exclusively for the sushi-netarium! These original sushi projectors in the shape of Saiki sushi are the only five such projectors in the world and come in the shapes of tuna, yellowtail, octopus, egg, and shrimp. 

Come enjoy this strange sushi-centric activity in the south of Japan! Participating facilities are listed on the website below.

The Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort is the flagship hotel of the Phoenix Seagaia Resort. Although Halloween is still two months away, the hotel has already announced that it will be offering a selection of Halloween-themed buffet items, including sweets and cocktails. 

Garden Buffet ‘Pine Terrace’ Halloween Buffet

Running: October 22 – October 31, 2022

Kazamachi Terrace Halloween Sweets

Running: October 1 – October 31, 2022

Kazamachi Terrace Halloween Bread

Running: October 1 – October 31, 2022

KUROBAR Halloween Cocktail

Running: October 22 – October 31, 2022

THE LIVING GARDEN Autumn & Halloween Garden

Running: September 23 – October 31, 2022

In addition, THE LIVING GARDEN, a garden area open exclusively for guests, will be transformed into a space inspired by the autumn harvest festival and Halloween. A photo spot will also be available!

Staff members dressed in Halloween costumes will entertain guests inside the hotel–just say “Trick or Treat” and you’ll be rewarded with candy!

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has made waves around the world since performing at Coachella, one of the world’s largest music festivals, in April. 

Currently embarking on the second half of her 10th anniversary 31-show nationwide tour, the singer is gaining momentum as she aims for her solo concert at Nippon Budokan in October. As part of her tour, the singer has continued to energize Japan through the appeal of regional towns and cities with the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project. At each tour location, the artist collaborates with a local company, creating special collaboration logos and products that have become the talk of social media. Details of Kyary’s collab project in Nagasaki have been revealed after the artist performed in the prefecture on July 18.

In Nagasaki, the artist will collaborate with Hamburger Shop Hikari, a beloved local restaurant that originally opened in 1951. Sasebo burgers are well known in Japan, and all ingredients are sourced from Sasebo City in Nagasaki. These burgers are much larger than the burgers you may be used to and have become a local delicacy throughout the country.

After the war, a U.S. military base was established in Sasebo. The recipe for the Sasebo burger is said to have originated from a recipe found on this base in the 1950s. The collaboration with Hamburger Shop Hikari, known as the origin of these famous burgers, pays tribute to Kyary’s new single Maybe Baby. The adorable visual shows a waitress at the shop delivering tasty burgers in a hurry.

A collaborative T-shirt is also on sale featuring the new logo and the singer’s 10th-anniversary logo. The shirt is available on the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project website for two weeks only starting July 17, so grab one while you can.

Attack on Titan was created by Hajime Isayama, a manga artist born and raised in Hita, Oita Prefecture. Fans of the manga and anime series can experience the world of the famous series in his hometown, and by downloading a specific smartphone app and traveling to a specific location, they can now experience a new 3D-AR experience featuring Captain Levi. The installation will be installed at the camp resort Paradiso Oita in Oita Prefecture.

The AR application uses colored model data of the Captain Levi statue erected in the plaza in front of Hita Station on March 6, 2021. The realistic image of Captain Levi can be viewed from 360 degrees, and visitors can even take commemorative photos with the popular character!

The installation will be located at the Paradiso Oita Front Ridge, which costs nothing to enter. The grand opening will take place on July 22, 2022. With its convenient location just off the Amagase-Takatsuka interchange on the Oita Expressway, many believe that the installation will help to revive tourism in the area. 

Currently on the second half of her 10th anniversary 31-show nationwide tour, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has continued to energize Japan through the appeal of regional towns and cities with the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project. At each tour location, the artist collaborates with a local company, creating special collaboration logos and products that have become the talk of social media. Details of Kyary’s collab project in Miyazaki have been revealed ahead of her July 16th concert. 

In Miyazaki, the artist will collaborate with Aji no Ogura, which opened in 1956 and is known as the birthplace of Chicken Nanban. The dish’s roots stem from an old western restaurant called ‘London’ located in Nobeoka City, where it was often prepared for the staff. The founder of Aji no Ogura, Kai Yoshimitsu, trained at the London restaurant. Chicken Nanban is now very popular in Miyazaki and throughout Japan, featuring deep-fried breast meat marinated in sweet vinegar and topped with tartar sauce.

The collaboration with Aji no Ogura pays tribute to Kyary’s latest album CANDY RACER, which is also the name of her current tour. The shop’s logo has also been transformed into something much more colorful. 

A collaborative T-shirt is also on sale featuring the new logo and the singer’s 10th-anniversary logo. The shirt is available on the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project website for two weeks only starting July 14, so grab one quickly!

Mizu to Takumi, a company associated with the Toyama West Tourism Promotion Association, has teamed up with SKYTREK to offer guests a once-in-a-lifetime chance to visit the area via private jet. Reservations for the incredible experience began on June 17, 2022.

Offering an entirely new tourism experience in Toyama Prefecture, visitors can see the area’s natural wonders from miles above the Earth. The program also aims to share local culture and more about traditional craftsmanship and cuisine.

Toyama Prefecture boasts dramatic topography, from the massive peaks of the Northern Alps and the Tateyama Mountains to the deep waters of Toyama Bay. To better allow visitors to see the sights, these private jet tours will be chartered on special courses different from standard airlines.

After the flights, guests will be welcomed to explore Takaoka’s deep history and culture. Kane no Sanzun, a restored and preserved inn, will welcome visitors, offering a relaxing and rejuvenating time.

Visitors can also book optional excursions to further explore the area, such as a Zen meditation experience at a famous temple in Takaoka, a traditional crafting workshop, and a tour and tasting of the only whiskey distillery in the Hokuriku region.

Come enjoy a trip to Toyama with a whole new perspective!

Airbnb boasts one of the largest travel communities in the world, filled with users offering up lodging and those eager to visit somewhere new. The Japanese subsidiary of the company has revealed the top spots added to Japanese users ‘Favorites (Wish Lists)’ from May 1 to May 17, 2022. Where will travelers in the country be headed this summer?

Golden Week is long gone and users are starting to think about where to visit during the hottest part of the year. This national ‘Wish List’ might make it easier to pick a spot, with many locations highlighting lesser-known areas!

Gujo Hachiman Villa, Limited to 1 Couple Per Day (Gifu)

This completely private rental villa was made for sauna enthusiasts. One lucky pair per day can book this suite along the Yoshida River flowing through Gujo Hachiman, known as the “City of Water and Dance.” Currently booked through the end of August, reservations for September and beyond will be available in early June. Book a stay to enjoy the gorgeous autumn foliage!

A House Surrounded by Lush Greenery in the Countryside (Tottori)

Hosted by a family of musicians and architects, this guesthouse invites guests to enjoy gorgeous Nordic-inspired interiors and the serene quiet of the countryside. For those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, this is the perfect spot.

Hoshina Satomachi, Limited to 1 Couple Per Day (Nagano)

There’s nothing like spending the summer in a traditional Japanese home. Enjoy a barbeque on the terrace and relax on the massive lawn. This is the perfect spot for families with children or pets!

Coastal Cabin (Chiba)

You can’t have summer without a pool. This luxurious coastal retreat boasts a 15-meter pool, outdoor Jacuzzi, bonfire space, and a barbeque. Relax by the pool while listening to your favorite songs or soak in the outdoor bath as you watch the waves crash along the shore.

An Elegant and Peaceful Log Cabin (Nagano)

Located at 1,300 meters above sea level on the Iizuna plateau, this log cabin is situated in the midst of a dense forest. A perfect space for couples, families, or small groups of friends, guests are welcome to enjoy hiking through this gorgeous landscape in the center of Japan!

JR Tokai Tours has released a new travel plan for fans of Laid-Back Camp Season 2, which aired from January to March 2021. The tour will take place in the Izu area, which was heavily featured in episodes 10, 11, and 12. Guests can enjoy a travel plan with single lodging and original goods starting May 23 until June 29, 2022.

Original Stickers

The slice-of-life series Laid-Back Camp is currently serialized in COMIC FUZ.

Set in Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures, Laid-Back Camp is a relaxing series following a group of high school girls going camping and enjoying their daily lives. The series is based on the author Afro’s personal experiences and interviews, and since serialization in 2015, the series has attracted fans from around the world. The original comic has sold over 7 million copies. In 2018, the first anime series premiered, inspiring a spin-off Room Camp in 2020 and a second season in 2021.

Four years after it was announced in 2018, a Laid-Back Camp animated film will arrive in theaters this summer.

The EMOCAL project aims to support small-town areas of Japan. As a new initiative in the project, specific soundscapes only found in certain areas of the country have been combined with music to create some unique tracks. A selection of musical artists have collaborated with the project to bring these songs to life!

EMOCAL was created by ZOWA’s original label, CatchyStuck. The project supports local regions and communities by using ASMR soundscape videos recorded in each region to convey their particular charms to all of Japan. The sounds recorded in each place are considered to be very valuable and are intended to serve two purposes: to bring tourism back after the pandemic and to provide fans of ASMR a way to experience these areas from afar.

Check out each of these unique ambient tracks created by four up-and-coming musicians! Each song is available on viviON’s ASMR platform ZOWA and on Spotify.

Ube, Yamaguchi Prefecture / Ikkyuu x Hige Driver, I Love Ikkyuu

Beard Driver created this ambient track with sounds recorded inside of Ikkyuu, a ramen shop.

ZOWA: https://zowa.app/play/20019
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1RP4RcpJwMrFzoYQbnfDYm?si=f1f1e816adb14db0

Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture / Miyuki no Hama x Powerless, Seiren

Powerless created this track, inspired by the sounds of waves crashing at Miyuki no Hama, a seaside recreation area 20 minutes from Odawara Station.

ZOWA: https://zowa.app/play/20016
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/5DkQ9FeM7jQBacUf7Nbuxc?si=c7d771e73ddd44b6

Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture / Wasabi Field x baker, On the silent hill

Utogi in Shizuoka city is surrounded by incredible nature. Known as the birthplace of wasabi cultivation, baker used sounds recorded in the area to create this ambient track.

ZOWA: https://zowa.app/play/20017
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/0oIU4x7MjVKmpouRwEPaXZ?si=04dcb805cea540b7

Ibusuki, Kagoshima Prefecture / Cape Tara x SeA0, Akushu

Cape Tara is a popular spot featuring an 800-meter-long sandbar at low tide. The sounds captured here were used by artist SeA0, and this track is sure to make you miss the water.

ZOWA: https://zowa.app/play/20018
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1Utz5j0oB4GmSDOMVdUcXU?si=eafa1949b3ea44d0

From July 15 until November 6, 2022, the ‘teamLab: A Forest Where Gods Live’ exhibition at Mifuneyama Rakuen, an ancient forest at the Takeo Hot Springs in Saga Prefecture. The massive event is held each summer and fall and was named CNN World’s ‘Best Outdoor Art Exhibition to Visit’ in 2021 and one of the Top 10 Art Installations in the world by DesignboomMagazine in 2017.

Works on Display

Universe of Water Particles on a Sacred Rock, 2017

Drawing on the Water Surface Created by the Dance of Koi and Boats – Mifuneyama Rakuen Pond, 2015

Ever Blossoming Life Rock, 2017

 Life is Continuous Light – Azalea Valley, 2017

Rock Wall Spatial Calligraphy, Continuous Life – Five Hundred Arhats, 2017

Split Rock and Enso, 2017

Resonating Forest – Cherry Blossoms and Maple, 2017

Megaliths in the Bath House Ruins, 2019

Graffiti Nature – Living in the Ruins of a Bathhouse, Red List, 2017-

Resonating Forest in the Ravine, 2019

Abstract and Concrete – Forest Entrance, 2018

Flowers Bloom in an Infinite Universe inside a Teacup, 2016

Forest and Spiral of Resonating Lamps in the Forest – One Stroke, Summer Forest, 2018

Mifuneyama is said to have risen from the Ariake Sea 3 million years ago. The 500,000 square meter Mifuneyama Rakuen Park was created in 1845, at the end of the Edo period. The park is home to megaliths, caves, and forests that have been slowly shaped over thousands of years. teamLab believes that the shapes and textures of these objects are important, serving as traces of ancient people and natural changes over time.  The concept of the project is that non-material digital technology can turn nature into art without harming it.

The creative team will be holding a number of other high-profile exhibitions this year, including installations in Paris, Tallinn, Shanghai, and Geneva. Their sauna collaboration with TikTok for teamLab Reconnect in Roppongi made huge waves in 2021–guests would take alternating hot and cold baths to experience intense physical sensations while surrounded by digital art.

UniBEARsity, an original series that debuted in Japan, is adding a second series of adorable teddy bears inspired by the Pixar film series Toy Story! These will be available at Disney Flagship Tokyo, Disney Stores, and the official online store shopDisney starting April 21, 2022.

Fans can now grab plush toys inspired by Buzz Lightyear, Emperor Zurg, and the Little Green Men. Previously, the collection introduced items inspired by Woody, Forky, and Bo Peep.

UniBEARsity Stuffed Animals, Small Size (Bravebuddy, Greed): ¥3,850 (Tax Included) / Super Small Size (Many Many Many): ¥3,300 (Tax Included)

Bravebuddy, inspired by Buzz Lightyear, has a distinctive chin and a smirk. Many Many Many, inspired by the Little Green Men, has a bright green fluffy body and big round eyes. Greed, inspired by Buzz’s nemesis the evil Emperor Zurg, has pointy horn-like ears and bright red eyes while still being adorable.

To celebrate the release of these three new characters, Disney is offering special stickers to those purchasing qualifying products! Head to the news page for details.

Disney is also working on special costumes based on Buzz and the Little Green Men, so customers can enjoy dressing up their UniBEARsity plushies themselves.

© Disney/Pixar