Opening in March 2021, Japan’s first luxury lifestyle Hotel W Osaka works with PIERRE HERMÉ PARIS to produce the ‘MIXup’ Art & Pastry Bar, which has unveiled a new Halloween themed dessert course and  à la carte cake, available from September 15.

 

Pumpkin & Choux Cream / Ghost Montblanc / Frankenstein Cheesecake

Rock’n’Roll

 

Osaka is said to be the birthplace of Japanese cuisine, and in a similar vein,  this unique  ‘MIXup’ dessert course serves ‘CHEEKY’ sweets which are finished one-by-one in front of the customer. The counter-style serving has proven popular since it began in May of this year, known for the playful presentation and customer participation.

 

This Autumn, the menu has been transformed into the ‘TRICKY CHEEKY HALLOWEEN’ course, with eight playful new desserts available to try. The desserts feature well-known Halloween monsters, and incorporate the taste of Autumn with pumpkin, chestnut, and pear, among other seasonal flavors.

 

The take-out Halloween sweets lineup includes a matcha and red bean Frankenstein Cheesecake, a spooky Ghost Montblanc, jack-o-lantern shaped Pumpkin Choux Creams, and more. A limited Halloween variation of the bar’s iconic rose and raspberry Rock’n’Roll cake is also available! The recipe and baking techniques are based on the methods of PIERRE HERMÉ PARIS, with arrangements by The W Osaka.

 

Try out some scarily tasty sweets this Halloween with The W Osaka and PIERRE HERMÉ PARIS!

 

A special exhibition titled ‘Japanese Landscapes Discovered: Views from and for the Outside World,’ showcasing a private collection of Meiji era paintings, is now on display at the National Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto until October 31, 2021.

 

Inside the Exhibit

Inside the Exhibit

 

 

This exhibition is designed to take visitors on a journey through the Meiji period (1868-1912), the beginning of Japan’s modern era, through oil and watercolor paintings of the time, and through the landscapes and customs depicted in these pieces of art. During this time, many foreign painters visited Japan, and were inspired to paint the country’s beautiful landscapes and unfamiliar customs, bringing these creations back to their countries of origin. Japanese artists studied these unfamiliar painting techniques, and made their own culturally-inspired paintings, often selling them to foreign visitors as souvenirs.

 

Many works on display in this exhibition have never been shown publicly, with many being brought back to Japan from locations abroad. These include long-lost oil paintings by Kuroda Seiki and a massive newly-discovered work by Tamura Soryu. Other Japanese artists inspired by Western-style on display include Hiroshi Yoshida, Jirokichi Kasagi, Shotaro Koyama, and Ioki Bunsai.

 

Also on display are works by foreign artists who visited Japan during this period, including British news painter Charles Wirgman, French news painter Georges Bigot, and British landscape painters Alfred Parsons, Alfred East, and John Varley Jr. These three men in particular triggered a watercolor boom in Japan during the late Meiji period. Vibrant female painters such as British watercolorist Ella du Cane, a lover of Japanese gardens, also make an appearance.

 

Be sure to see these incredible depictions of Japan before they’re gone.

The Yojiya Café, opened by the Yojiya brand famous for its Aburatorigami, or facial oil blotting paper, will be renewing its menu from September 13. The popular face parfait, which features the logo alongside a Kyoto woman with a mole, comes in three flavors available – Kinako, Matcha, and Milk Tea. Each parfait comes with a sauce, so you can adjust the taste as you eat.

 

Kinako Parfait: ¥1,200 (Tax Incl.)

Matcha Parfait: ¥1,200 (Tax Incl.)

Milk Tea Parfait: ¥1,200 (Tax Incl.)

 

 

The Yojiya Café is currently open in two locations, Gion and Sagano Arashiyama, offering a relaxing space to rest between shopping and sightseeing.

 

The café has renewed their iconic Kinako Parfait, which combines Japanese Kinako and Western Maple Syrup, along with the Matcha Parfait, which is packed full of matcha ice cream, jelly, and cookies. The Milk Tea Parfait is made with a rich Japanese Tea and Earl Gray ice cream.

 

Take a trip to Yojiya and find out which parfait is your favorite!

Neko Neko Cheesecake, a sweets shop specializing in cat-shaped treats, is adding the massively popular Neko Neko Tiramisu back to the menu for a limited time only, from September 10 until September 30, 2021.

※Until supplies last. 

 

Originally sold as a limited-edition release for Father’s Day, 800 of these cat-shaped treats sold out instantly. Brought back as a result of constant consumer requests, the Tiramisu will only be available in very limited quantities.

 

The Neko Neko Tiramisu is filled with soft sponge cake soaked with coffee syrup, with a layer of mascarpone cheese mousse layered on top. Finished with cocoa and coffee powder, it’s the perfect mix of bittersweet and rich flavors.

 

The Tiramisu will also be available at the online store All Hearts Mall, making it easy to send to friends and family. As the pandemic continues to keep people apart, this adorable sweet is a great way to surprise loved ones far away.

 

What do you think about this Neko Neko Tiramisu? It might be too cute to eat.

A selection of healing monotone panda sweets will be available at the Gelato Pique Café between September 6 and September 25. The collection is titled “everyday PANDA! ~Sweets Time with Pandas~.”

 

Menu

 

Panda Crepe

 

Panda Gelato

 

Panda Float

 

 

Goods

Gelato Pique Café Original Panda Glass/Mug
Available from September 6

Gelato Pique Panda Motif Eco Bag / Panda Motif Hand Towel
Online reservations open September 2, available instore from September 8

 

 

In 2021, the Gelato Pique Café announced two rounds of animal themed sweets, proving hugely popular on social media. For Easter they released “Bunny Sweets” with rabbit ears motifs, while a series of “Polar Bear Sweets” was released during the Summer. Now, a selection of “Panda Sweets” is the latest to join the animal collection. 

 

The chocolate and banana Panda Crepe is filled with a healing ganache and banana,  while the Panda Gelato has cocoa biscuits studded around the pandas neck, along with rounded eyes and ears. The “healing monotone” Panda Float combines the Gelato Pique Café’s original Guatemalan coffee blend with Royal Blue Bourbon.

 

Along with this “everyday PANDA!” Fair, we have a large lineup of panda goods that will make you happy just by having them.  Goods that are perfect for presents, souvenirs, and rewards for yourself can be purchased at each gelato pique cafe store and EC site, so please look forward to that too!

There is a huge lineup of panda goods that will brighten your day releasing alongside the “everyday PANDA” fair, which make perfect gifts for friends – or yourself! You can view the goods lineup in store and on the Gelato Pique website.

 

With just a small bit of ingenuity, turn everyday food into something cute using Kaori’s Easy Recipe! With a few simple ideas, an ordinary recipe magically transforms into a cute dish.

 

In this recipe, I’ll show you how to make an adorable Miffy Parfait using tofu shiratama!

 

Tofu shiratama can be frozen without hardening, so it’s great to use for cooking as well as making sweets.

 

 

Ingredients

250g refined rice flour

300g silken tofu

✩ This is about 1 bag of refined rice flour and 1 piece of silken tofu.

Canned fruit or fruit of your choice

 

 

①

Put the refined rice flour and silken tofu into a bowl and mix well.

⚠️ Do not drain the tofu!

Don’t add water, just these two ingredients.

 

✩I knead all ingredients and then freeze it.

Feel free to freeze it as dough, or boil it first.

You can put them in Tupperware and store them in water in the refrigerator for a day or two. Don’t worry, they won’t harden!

 

②

Add the coloring.

Take a little bit of food coloring and add as you like.

Here, I’m adding the yellow that will be the center of the flower.

 

 

③

After mixing the dough, place it on parchment paper and put it in the freezer for about 30 minutes.

You can shape it before placing it in the freezer, but chilling it will make it easier to work with.

 

④

Cut out Miffy and her flowers.

Place the yellow-colored piece into the middle of the flower.

Roll the rest of the shiratama into balls.

 

 

⑤

Boil the shaped shiratama while on the baking sheet.

Boil the round shiratama as well. When they float to the top, place them in cool water.

 

 

⑥

Place the shaped shiratama on parchment paper or plastic wrap and let dry briefly before adding decoration.

 

 

⑦

Mix black cocoa with a little water, and using the mixture, draw Miffy’s face.

 

 

⑧

 

Place the flowers and shiratama balls inside the glass, follow up with your favorite fruits!

(If using canned fruit, feel free to add the syrup as well!)

 

I hope you enjoy decorating this colorful dish!

 

 

GENDA SEGA Entertainment’s SEGA Taiyaki Ikebukuro and Akihabara stores have announced a second Chiikawa collaboration, the ‘ChiiKawayaki’ Taiyaki.  The series will feature a Bunny and ChiiKawa design, in addition to the reversible Tuxedo design from the first collaboration. Customers who purchase any of the ‘ChiiKawayaki’ products will receive a free collaboration badge! (※Random design)

 

ChiiKawayaki

Front: Bunny

Back: ChiiKawa

ChiiKawayaki: Premium Cream or Chocolate:¥600 each (Tax Incl.)

 

※Shown images are samples.

 

 

Novelties

Original Can Badge 2nd Series: 6 Designs (Random)

 

 

※Limited in quantity.

※Shown images are samples and may differ from the final product.

 

 

ChiiKawa is a popular manga that is serialized on Twitter by illustrator NAGANO. The comic depicts the daily life of the ChiiKawa’s and has become known for its soft artwork, heartwarming story, and occasionally, some contrasting darkness.

 

SEGA Taiyaki stocks popular food products from the Taiyaki brand Yokohama Kuriko-An, which has 31 stores throughout the Kanto region. They also collaborate with games and characters to produce Collaboration Taiyaki.

 

The second ChiiKawayaki collaboration will satisfy both your eyes and your stomach!

 

©nagano

On September 1, Baumkuchen specialty shop Katanukia opened its second location on the second floor of Tokyo Solamachi, beneath Tokyo Skytree. These traditionally German cakes are extremely popular in Japan, and using a cookie cutter can transform them into works of art! To commemorate the new shop, the Tokyo Solamachi location will sell a limited-edition Panda Baumkuchen that is almost too cute to eat.

Panda Baumkuchen

Starry Sky Panda Baumkuchen: ¥594 (Tax Included)

 

Starry Sky Panda Baumkuchen & Drawstring Bag Set: ¥1,815 (Tax Included)

 

The special Starry Sky Panda Baumkuchen is made from soft, moist cake, and depicts an adorable panda character ready to gaze at the night sky from Tokyo Skytree, the tallest tower in the world. Children and adults alike will enjoy its gentle milk flavoring.

 

The Starry Sky Panda Baumkuchen & Drawstring Bag Set includes the signature Baumkuchen, the Starry Sky Panda Baumkuchen, Panda shortbread, and an adorable bag. There will only be 100 of these sets available, so grab one before they’re gone!

 

Is Baumkuchen popular in your country? How would you like to try these cute sweets in Tokyo?

 

Three delicious desserts are coming to The Westin Tokyo for a limited time! Beginning October 1, visitors to the hotel can enjoy a collection of premium parfaits filled with seasonal ingredients and western liquors unique to the executive bar, simply named The Bar. These will be available until November 28, on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holiday nights only.

 

Chocolate Parfait with Figs and Red Berries

Chestnut and Apple Parfait

Chestnut and Hazelnut Mont Blanc Parfait

 

The chocolate parfait includes whole figs and bright red berries, and is finished with rich port. Calvados was added to the Chestnut and Apple Parfait, allowing guests to enjoy a refreshing combination of nuts, fruits, and mascarpone. The Mont Blanc Parfait includes a fragrant rum from Martinique, and has a richer dessert flavor.

 

The executive pastry chef carefully layers each parfait by hand, and these unique treats combining flavors of both east and west can only be found at The Westin Tokyo!

The calm Machiya sweet shop eXcafe Gion-Shinbashi will be restarting the popular eXcafe Breakfast (Calico) menu on weekends from September 4 2021. This is the perfect spot to start your Gion adventure, packed full of ancient city charm and history. 

 

 

 

eXcafe currently has three store locations in Kyoto: Kyoto-Arashiyama, Gion-Shinbashi, and the newly opened Gion Yasaka.

eXcafe Gion Shinbashi is located in an area where you can appreciate the beauty of Gion, with the ever changing scenery fully reflecting the four seasons. Even on sunny weekends, the area isn’t overly busy and the sky is beautifully clear, making it the perfect spot for commemorative photos.

 

The returning breakfast menu is the eXcafe Breakfast (Calico), made up of charcoal-grilled toast with a calico cat motif. The fluffy bread is thickly cut and can be completed with your favorite topping: Bean paste, butter, whipped cream, or fruits. The breakfast set also includes a drink and Mitarashi dango dessert, making it the perfect way to spend a relaxing moment at the beginning of your trip, or as a break from your early-morning sightseeing.

 

Morning walks in Gion are particularly refreshing at this time of year, making a perfect break from the intense Summer heat. It is also ideal for visiting the Yasaka Shrine.

You’ll feel even cooler as you listen to the flowing Shira River, the water gently bubbling under the cobblestones of the famous Tatsumi Bridge. Although it is located in a trendy area, the eXcafe Gion-Shinbashi is a welcome break from the bustle of the city, surrounded by cobblestone alleys and wooden townhouses.

 

Halloween is arriving early at Omotesando’s popular Q-pot CAFE. A collection of sweet, scary, grotesquely-adorable sweets are now available for a limited time. Each cake set and macaron set are made to order.

Q-pot CAFE. Three Cake Set: ¥2,030 (Tax Included)

 

This collection of three unique cakes includes the stomach-turning brain cake, and the much more palatable eye-patch ghost cake. Guests can also enjoy the popular cookie tiramisu.

Halloween Limited Edition ~Eye-Patch Ghost Cake~

 

As you dig into this fluffy dessert, enjoy the flavor of chopped almonds and feuillantine, wrapped in gyuhi, a type of Japanese traditional confectionery. The pistachio and berry sauce blends into the vanilla mousse, and is sure to appeal to any fan of sweets.

Halloween Limited Edition ~Brain Cake~

 

This frightening dessert is made with strawberry and other red berry jellies, milk mousse, Genoise, and savory almonds. Dissecting it won’t be easy, but the taste is well worth it.

~Cookie Tiramisu~

 

Mascarpone mousse with chocolate sponge dipped in espresso, topped with bittersweet coffee-flavored ganache cream with caramelized hazelnuts…what more could you want?

Q-pot CAFE. Halloween Macaron Set (3 pumpkin/3 apple cinnamon): ¥2,430 (Tax Included) *Also available at the cafe individually for ¥360 (Tax Included)

 

 

Jack-o-Lantern macaroons and spooky eyeball macaroons are available for takeout for a limited time only! Order at the cafe, the online shop, or through Uber Eats.

~Jack-o-Lantern Macaroon~

 

Full of the rich, sweet taste of pumpkin, these will put you in the mood for the Halloween season.

~Eyeball Macaron~

 

These scary snacks are filled with apple jelly, cinnamon, and spicy ganache cream.

 

 

Do these sweets put you in the Halloween spirit?

Toei Kyoto Studio Park will hold a limited-time collaboration with popular volleyball anime series Haikyu!! starting September 11.

 

 

Haikyu!! x Randen Retro Train

 

Original Towel

Stage Set

Original Fairground Game Merchandise 

Randen Collaboration

 

Limited-edition Collaboration Merchandise

Purchase bonus bookmark (1 of 8 designs: 4 designs from Karasuno High School, 4 designs from Inarizaki High School)

Selected Merchandise

For each menu order, a random coaster will be presented as a gift. *8 original designs available.

 

 

In the newly drawn concept image for the event, the members of the Karasuno High and Inarizaki High volleyball teams are seen during a trip to Kyoto, where they meet at the Toei Kyoto Studio Park. Fans can see their favorite characters dressed in Shinsengumi happi coats, buying souvenirs, eating, drinking, and enjoying their hard-earned day off. There will be a Haikyu!! exhibition at the park, a footbath, special goods and food items, as well as a running collaboration train.

 

Look forward to this very unique event in Kyoto, coming soon!

©古舘春一／集英社・「ハイキュー!!」製作委員会・ＭＢＳ

短縮形　©HF/S,HP,M