Hairbrush brand WetBrush® joined hands with Sanrio to release a new collection of Hello Kitty design brushes at drug stores and variety stores across Japan on Friday (January 15).

Under My Umbrella | ¥1,540 (Before Tax)

Bubble Gum | ¥1,540 (Before Tax)

Original | ¥1,540 (Before Tax)

WetBrush® is a hairbrush brand sold in over 70 countries worldwide that can be used on damaged hair, wavy hair, thin hair, wigs, and more without causing damage to lovely locks, leaving hair detangled and silky smooth.

The Hello Kitty collection features three brushes with different designs – a must have for any fan of Sanrio’s most recognisable face.

If you’re looking to look as cute as Hello Kitty, then you’ll want to pick up the new D-UP Eyelash Fixer EX, a product by D-UP released in collaboration with Sanrio on Friday (January 22) at Don Quijote stores in Japan. The product will also begin rolling out at variety shops and drug stores from March 5.

D-UP Eyelash Fixer EX is a super strong glue for false eyelashes. First released in 2000, it has gone to enjoy huge popularity in Japan where it has sold over 27 million units. It is also popular outside of Japan too.

With face masks now a norm for everyone worldwide, makeup trends are now tending towards the eyes, and so D-UP is launching its 5th collaboration with Hello Kitty, a partnership which first began in 2021.

D-UP Eyelash Fixer EX552 Hello Kitty S | ¥5,990 (Tax Included)

The packaging and product design features a retro style coloured in pastel colours and Hello Kitty.

Café Al Bicerin released a special collection of chocolates in Japan for Valentine’s Day on Wednesday (January 20) in collaboration with Hello Kitty.

Café Al Bicerin is a cafe in Torio, Italy, that first opened back in 1763. It has a long history and is a place that was enjoyed by the likes of Friedrich Nietzsche and Ernest Hemingway.

Bicerin × Hello Kitty Love Assortment | ¥2,160 (Tax Included)

Bicerin × Hello Kitty Love Assortment | ¥2,160 (Tax Included)

Valentine’s Baci di Dama (Includes 5) | ¥1,350 (Tax Included)

© 2021 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO. L617585

Tokyo Neko Neko will open a new branch at ecute Keiyo Street inside Tokyo Station on January 25, 2021.

The launch comes just 6 months after the bakery opened its store in Ginza, attracting customers from all over for its line-up of cat-shaped pastries. Both of these bakeries are the result of yet another branch, Kyoto Neko Neko, which opened in June last year as the first in the line of these cute locations.

Tokyo Station Exclusives: Neko Neko Jam Bread – Marmalade, Caramel, Strawberry, Blueberry

Tokyo Neko Neko Bread – Plain, Chocolate, Caramel Almond, Tsubu-an, Matcha, Soybean

As well as the classic Tokyo Neko Neko Bread—which is like a croissant being loaded with French butter, crunchy on the outside, and moist on the inside—the new Tokyo Station branch is also serving its own exclusive pastry treat: the Neko Neko Jam Bread, made with plenty of milk, and arriving in four irresistible flavours including marmalade, caramel, strawberry, and blueberry. And most important of all: everything is shaped like an adorable kitty.

If you’re travelling through Tokyo Station then don’t miss out on a trip to Tokyo Neko Neko, opening January 25.

This month marks the 25th anniversary of Sanrio’s popular character Pompompurin, and to celebrate, the kawaii character-creation company is honouring the adorable golden retriever both online and offline with a special birthday event, the selling of commemorative merchandise, and more.

Pompompurin 25th Anniversary

Pompompurin first came out of the kennel in 1996. The golden retriever is known for his trademark beret and his iconic colour scheme which is inspired by the Japanese custard pudding dessert known as purin―which is also where he gets his name from! He is a popular face amongst fans of Sanrio’s character cast, and that’s proven in the fact that he has placed top in the annual Sanrio Character Ranking three times. He lost to Cinnamoroll in the 2020 Sanrio Character Ranking, coming in second, but maybe he has a chance this year?

Pompompurin has over 600,000 followers on his official Twitter account, where he posts pictures of his easy-going, everyday life and what he’s up to (probably not much during the day though as he is known for loving afternoon naps). The custard-coloured doggo also has over 20,000 registered members of his Pompompurin Ambassador program which has “Pombassadors” publishing social media posts and blog entries about Pompompurin.

Birthday Event – “Pom Shusokai”

A birthday event titled “Pom Shusokai” (Pom General Meeting) will take place at Sanrio Puroland, a theme park in Tokyo themed completely on Sanrio’s character roster, on March 21, 2021. At the general meeting, Pompompurin will appear “not as a stakeholder, but as the Head Pom” where various exciting things will take place in the run up to his actual birthday which falls on April 16. Tickets go on sale from mid February, but Pombassadors will get early access. Full details on what to expect at the event will be announced in the coming weeks on Sanrio’s homepage.

25th Anniversary Merchandise

A cute, original line-up of three merchandise designs has been created to commemorate Pompompurin’s 25th.

Anniversary Design Items: Celebration, Collection, World Rice

Celebration Designs

Collection Designs

Rice From Around The World Designs

The collection will roll out at select Sanrio stores, variety stores, and pop-up shops in Japan from in early February.

Pompompurin x Pastel Desserts Collab

Pompompurin is also collaborating with the desserts brand Pastel who have baked up a special pudding-flavoured 25th anniversary chiffon cake. It will be sold at Pastel branches in Japan from March 15.

©︎’76, ’90, ’96, ’21 SANRIO 著作（株）サンリオ

TOKYO MYSTERY CIRCUS, Japan’s first and biggest puzzle-themed theme park, has announced the opening of a new escape game based on the popular manga anime series Chihayafuru which will begin at the site on March 4, 2021.

The immersive story-driven escape game has players take on the role of a member of the Fujiyama High School karuta club. While learning the essential points of competitive karuta from Chigaya Ayase and the gang, they must aim for victory to escape. No prior preparations are necessary – players can book their tickets and just turn up on the day.

This unique escape game takes place in a traditional tatami mat room and combines puzzle-solving skills with competitive karuta in which clues are written on the cards. Fans of the manga and anime series are sure to enjoy this immersive game.

Tickets will go on sale on January 23, 2021 at 12:00 (JST).

©末次由紀／講談社

Creative and sustainable concept store Firsthand released a collection of items in collaboration on Wednesday (January 20) with the TV anime series Kingdom, which is set to begin airing its third season this April, and Japanese artist Kosuke Kawamura. The items are available to buy both online in Japan and at a pop-up store at OPEN STUDIO inside FREAK’S STORE Shibuya.

Firsthand is a Japanese brand centred on upcycling and sustainable production. Fans of the ongoing anime series can get their hands on a range of clothing items, phone cases, and more. If they head to OPEN STUDIO they’ll also find an illustration exhibit, a photo spot, and more. The gallery is also selling posters signed by Kosuke Kawamura.

Will you be watching Season 3 of Kingdom this spring?

This month marks the 25th anniversary of fan-favourite Sanrio character Pompompurin, and to celebrate, Sanrio is holding a special 1-year commemoration to the adorable gold retriever which will run throughout 2021 with a host of events and exclusive merchandise at Sanrio Puroland and Sanrio Harmonyland, and more.

Pompompurin 25th Anniversary Key Visual

Sanrio Puroland Pompompurin 25th Anniversary “Niko Niko” Purin Party With Team Purin Key Visual

Niko Niko Purin Room

Pompompurin 25th Anniversary Special Merchandise

Pompompurin 25th Anniversary Food & Desserts

Pompompurin 25th Anniversary Event in Harmonyland New Costume Design

There’s lots to look forward to this year for Pompompurin fans, such as the Pompompurin 25th Anniversary Niko Niko Purin Party With Team Purin event taking place at Sanrio Puroland from March 12 to December 31 where fans can snap a photo in the Niko Niko Purin Room, get their hands on exclusive anniversary merch, tuck into a themed menu, enjoy online content if they can’t get to Puroland, and more. Pompompurin is also debuting a cute new costume and fans will get to meet the cute character too.

Sanrio has begun celebrations for My Melody’s birthday, which falls on January 18, which includes the announcement of the rental My Melody House, exclusive merchandise, the fan-favourite character appearing on a popular Japanese radio show, and more.

House Mate Rental Building – “My Melody House” (Temporary Name)

My Melody Flower Service Original Design

Novelty Calendar – March 2021

Goncharoff Collab Valentine’s Chocolate

MINISTOP Limited-Edition Snowman Cup Dessert | ¥489 (Tax Included)

TOKYO FM Radio Show – “Sky Rocket Company”

My Melody “Itsudemo Issho ni My Melody” app gets memo pad update

My Melody Lottery | ¥700 Per Go (Tax Included)

My Melody Acrylic Clock added to Sanrio’s Point Service “Sanrio+”

This autumn, House Mate is opening My Melody-themed buildings that people can rent. As of now it’s temporarily called the My Melody House. It will first open in Tokyo before rolling out across Japan, featuring wallpaper, kitchens, baths, toilets, doorknobs, all adorned with My Melody decorations.

Sanrio is also launching a flower delivery service this February which will see flowers delivered to homes in Japan twice a month. The first delivery of the month contain not only the flowers wrapped in My Melody paper but a free My Melody mask too. The second delivery of a month will be coupled with a calendar for the following month.

The character creation company is also collaborating with Goncharoff for Valentine’s with cute ribbon-wrapped chocolates. MINISTOP convenience stores in Japan will also begin selling a special cup dessert featuring My Melody as a snowman from January 22.

Sanrio shops and convenience stores in Japan will also roll out a lottery at the end of this month where fans can win a variety of items like cushions, a chocolate fondue maker, coconut plate, and more.

©ʻ76,ʼ21 SANRIO 著作(株)サンリオ

FANCL has brought the hot spring experience to its flagship site FANCL Ginza Square for a limited time with a variety of content that makes visitors feel like they’ve come to a Japanese onsen. The experience, named Tabi Suru Square Yu, is running until February 11, 2021.

Café au Lait / Fruit au Lait / Soy Milk Aojiru – ¥300 Each

Reiwa Honzen (FANCL Ginza Square Floor 9F)

Lunch Sana Winter Seafood Bento | ¥3,500

Winter Dinner Seafood Course | From ¥9,000

FANCL BROWN RICE MEALS (FANCL Ginza Square Floor B1F)

Hiroshima Oyster & Spinach Risotto Parmesan Cheese Galette Lunch Set | ¥1,850

Tomato Cream Pasta Lunch Set ¥1,850

Original Hand Towel

FANCL Ginza Square Onsen Essentials Set | ¥3,668

Breathing exercises at SUU-HAKU

At Tabi Suru Square Yu, visitors can enter a room that fully recreates the experience of being in a hot spring. The room is set at the same temperature, is filled with the same aromas, and is decorated in the same way. Visitors sit on one of the relaxation sheets to soak up the experience – effectively getting into a hot spring without having to change their clothes.

A variety of classic drinks and dishes sold at hot springs in Japan will also be sold, and visitors can get involved in the breathing exercises on offer.

CHAVATY, a cafe in Harajuku that serves tea lattes made with high quality tea leaves, is getting ready for Valentine’s Day early with the release of some tasty new desserts which they began serving up on Thursday (January 14).

Valentine’s Set | ¥1,100 (Before Tax)

Valentine’s Scone Set (6 Included) | ¥2,480 (Tax Included)

Raspberry Chocolate | ¥970 (Tax Included)

The Valentine’s Set comes with a cute scone as well as fondant chocolate made with rich, high-grade chocolate from the French chocolate brand Cacao Barry. It also comes with a tea latte of your choice. There’s also a scone set which comes with two each of three different scones for a total of six including the Berry & Cocoa Pink Chocolate, Orange & Chocolate Chip Double Chocolate, and Dried Fruits & Nuts White Chocolate. CHAVATY has also made their own seasonal homemade spread: the Raspberry Chocolate.

Japan is set to get its first ever permanent city cable car in Yokohama on April 22 called the YOKOHAMA AIR CABIN.

The YOKOHAMA AIR CABIN is a cable car system that will offer locals and tourists a chance to enjoy Yokohama from a new perspective whether during the hot summers or during the cool evenings when the city lights wake up.

The system will be connected directly to Sakuragichō Station and Shinko Pier for easy, quick access to enjoy Yokohama Minato Mirai from up high.

If you’re planning a trip to Yokohama at some point, be sure to take a ride on YOKOHAMA AIR CABIN, officially opening on April 22, 2021.