From November 11 until December 25, 2022, Roppongi Hills Christmas will cover Tokyo in glittering lights once again. The Keyakizaka Lights, one of Tokyo’s most popular winter attractions, will also take place in 2022, with the 400-meter-long Keyakizaka street covered in over 800,000 blue and white LED lights.

For the first time in three years, the Mohri Garden will be covered in lights as well. The annual Christmas market will invite guests to experience an authentic German Christmas, and Christmas cakes and gourmet food unique to Roppongi Hills will be for sale. 

The Roppongi Hills Christmas event utilizes LED lights and has done so since the first event was held in 2003. Clean power will be used again this year, and the lights will be switched on from 5 PM until 11 PM each night. 

From November 11, 2022 until January 9, 2023, Universal Studios will hold its NO LIMIT! Christmas event!

Christmas is associated with romance for many in Japan, but this year, USJ wants to give visitors a new way to celebrate this special winter holiday. Under the theme of a ‘Red Hot Christmas,’ this super-energetic event is sure to be the most exciting Christmas event on the scene this year.

This year, the Crystal Christmas tree will make its return this year after a 3-year hiatus. The tree broke the Guinness World Record for nine consecutive years from 2011 to 2019 for the World’s Most Illuminated Tree. In 2019, the tree had 591,850 lights and also received Guinness certification for the World’s Largest Christmas Snowflake Ornament.

The Super Nintendo World area will be decorated for winter for the first time in 2022, while Minions and other popular characters will appear in special Christmas costumes. Limited-time food and merchandise will be available as well. 

An Exciting Christmas Experience for All Five Senses! The NO LIMIT! Crystal Tree

NO LIMIT! Crystal Tree

This year, the Crystal Christmas tree will make its return after a 3-year hiatus with a totally new look! Guests will be bathed in colorful lights and visitors won’t want to miss taking a photo with this magnificent sight. 

*On October 28, 2019, the tree won the Guinness World Record for Most Lights on an Artificial Christmas Tree with 591,840. 

The Spectacle of Lights, Complete with Heart-Pounding Music

NO LIMIT ! Christmas

During the event period, the Spectacle of Lights will be held in Gramercy Park. 

The entire area around the Crystal Tree will be completely transformed, and the space will feature projection mapping and countless lights. The blend of Christmas music fused with the magical lights will create a moment you’ll never forget.

Super Nintendo World to be Decorated for Winter!

Super Nintendo World’s Winter Decorations

Super Nintendo World, the newest area in the park, will feature winter decorations for the first time in 2022. At the entrance to the area, Super Star Plaza, guests will be greeted with a giant gift box and Mario and Luigi-themed snowmen. 

Guests will find wreaths and garland decorating Peach’s Castle, along with another Christmas tree decorated with iconic Nintendo characters and items. 

Limited Time Greetings and Stage Shows

Limited-Time Special Greeting & Stage Shows

Guests won’t want to miss meeting their favorite characters while they’re dressed in holiday outfits! A special meet and greet will be held for children and adults to join the Minions for a special winter celebration. 

Hello Kitty’s Christmas Happiness with the Happiness Brass Band

Hello Kitty’s Christmas Happiness with the Happiness Brass Band

Hello Kitty and the Happiness Brass Band will perform Christmas music multiple times a day, so families are invited to sing and dance along while getting into the Christmas spirit! You won’t want to miss Hello Kitty in her special winter wardrobe.

The Peacock Theater’s Popular Universal Party–Reimagined for Christmas!

In 2022, Universal Studios Japan will introduce Universal Party ~ The Showtime & Taste of Christmas. This dinner show requires a separate ticket and will offer some incredible entertainment and menu items. The experience will be held at the Peacock Theater on select days during December 2022.

*A Studio Pass or Annual Pass is required to enter the park. 

WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s22)

Minions and all related elements and indicia TM & © 2022 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.

© Nintendo

TM & © 2022 Sesame Workshop

© 2022 Peanuts Worldwide LLC 

© 2022 SANRIO CO., LTD.　APPROVAL NO. EJ2091601

TM & © Universal Studios & Amblin Entertainment

TM & © Universal Studios. All rights reserved.

Bandai’s Candy Division will open preorders for a new collection of Christmas cakes inspired by popular characters at the end of September! The five new cakes, part of the company’s Charadeco line, include Kamen Rider Geats, Precure, Sumikko Gurashi, BT21, and Avataro Sentai Donbrothers. All cakes come with original Christmas exclusive toys and bonuses, so you won’t want to miss out!

Charadeco Christmas Cake – Kamen Rider Geats / Precure Delicious Party / Avataro Sentai Donbrothers / BT21 / Sumikko Gurashi

These beautifully decorated cakes are perfect for celebrating this festive season, and each is packaged in a character-designed cake box and wrapped with a special film. 

*The Sumikko Gurashi cake does not include film. 

Customers can link separately sold toys with the special toy included with these cakes to hear exclusive character voices!

Why not grab one of these fun cakes to enjoy with your family this Christmas?

©2022 石森プロ・テレビ朝日・ADK EM・東映

©ABC-A・東映アニメーション

©テレビ朝日・東映AG・東映

©BT21

©2022 San-X Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

During the month of October, Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa in Tokyo will be offering a special Autumn Afternoon Tea. Inspired by Halloween–and particularly black cats–Lounge Momiji on the first floor will invite guests to devour some tasty treats. 

This year’s Halloween theme is ‘black cats,’ which are said to be the messengers of witches. Guests will be able to enjoy Halloween-specific sweets and afternoon tea to fully enjoy the flavors of autumn.

In addition to sweet and sour macaroons filled with blackcurrant with a black cat motif, visitors can enjoy a bat-themed purple sweet potato Mont Blanc and cream puffs made with pumpkin. The black cat cookies are also perfect for posting to Instagram, so come enjoy lots of sweet and savory goods made with autumn fruits and vegetables such as grapes, persimmons, and figs.

Come enjoy afternoon tea and get into the Halloween spirit this October!

Kiranah Resort Toyosu, an outdoor dining and leisure facility, will open in Koto-ku, Tokyo on August 26, 2022.

Kiranah Resort Toyosu is a complex perfect for families, couples, and children alike, and was inspired by Ibiza in Spain. The attractive location offers a view of Tokyo Bay and a panoramic view of the Rainbow Bridge. The site is the size of a soccer field and includes barbecue facilities with approximately 1,000 seats in three unique areas, as well as a restaurant and bar offering both a la carte and full-course meals. Visitors will also find a DJ booth, dog area, bonfire lounge, event stage, lawn, and much more.

The barbecue area spans three areas, each with a distinct atmosphere. The number of guests, the menu, and the price can be changed according to the guest’s needs.

The cabin area offers an outdoor kitchen with a grill and sofas beneath an air-conditioned pergola perfect for every kind of weather.

At the pool area, guests will find impressive DJ booths and will feel as though they have been transported to a luxury beach resort. At night, the area is lit up to give a more adult atmosphere.

The Pallet area includes activities for children and adults alike, and sports a massive lawn, bonfire area, and food trucks. A huge dog park will also welcome furry friends!

The main dining room is scheduled to open in September and will feature a bar area on the first floor and a restaurant on the second floor. The restaurant will have dishes and drinks to suit every situation, including lunch, a la carte, catering menus, and full-course gastronomic meals in an extraordinary space. Seats on the second floor overlook the Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Tower, and Sky Tree, so be sure to visit on your next trip to Tokyo!

Tokyo City View in Roppongi Hills will hold ‘The Rose of Versailles 50th Anniversary Exhibition –The Rose of Versailles Forever-’ from September 17 until November 20, 2022. The exhibition traces the history of the groundbreaking masterpiece, featuring over 180 original drawings. The entrance makes visitors feel as though they are being welcomed to a palace, and a limited number of tickets being sold will include exclusive goods from handkerchiefs to clear folders.

Ticket with Goods (Includes date and time of visit)

Handkerchief / Clear Folder with Tokyo Exhibition Design

Cafe Key Visual

Collaboration Menu

THE SUN ＆ THE MOON（Cafe）

Marie Antoinette Gugelhupf Cake

Oscar Parfait

Versailles Fruit Rose Tea

Marie’s Strawberry Smoothie

Andre & Oscar’s Tapioca Soda

Collaboration Menu Drink Order Bonus: 1 Standing Coaster

THE SUN & THE MOON（Restaurant）

Rose Afternoon Tea at Versailles

Versailles Gardens

THE SUN & THE MOON is located on the same floor as the exhibition. The special collaboration cafe will allow guests to enjoy original items inspired by the series, so don’t miss the afternoon tea or cocktails!

©池田理代子プロダクション

From September 17 until September 19, the TOKYO LIGHTS 2022 International Projection Mapping Competition will be held at Meiji Jingu! This will be the second such event and will bring together some of the most impressive and technologically advanced light displays from around the world to wow audiences.

The main event will be the 1-minute Projection Mapping Competition, in which competitors from around the world will project their art onto the historic Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery. In the Festival of Light area, a barrage of unique light shows will take visitors on a journey through a wonderful world of light and sound.

Image from Last Year’s Event

The 19 Finalists

Light Shows at TOKYO LIGHTS 2021

The competition portion will feature a collection of short, one-minute projection mapping presentations. The theme chosen for 2022 is LIFE: Existence, living, and humanity.

19 finalists were chosen from 241 entries and 55 countries. Those unable to attend will be able to watch the event streamed on YouTube. The finalists for 2022 include Iran, Croatia, Spain, Poland, Hungary, Germany, Ukraine, two entries from Bulgaria and Thailand, five entries from China, and three entries from Japan. Don’t miss the awards ceremony on the final day!

Tokyo City View in Roppongi Hills will hold ‘The Rose of Versailles 50th Anniversary Exhibition –The Rose of Versailles Forever-’ from September 17 until November 20, 2022. The exhibition will feature original drawings and gorgeous color illustrations from the original creator, as well as new developments and a look back at the anime series and many stage performances by the Takurazuka Revue. The venue will also feature a spectacular production inspired by the real Palace of Versailles. 

<Exhibition Entrance> ©Riyoko Ikeda Production

Entrance

At the back of the elegant entrance corridor, inspired by the Palace of Versailles, are four lifesized panels of Marie Antoinette, Oscar, Andre, and Fersen.

On the windows, portraits of the characters will appear as if they were portraits in a palace. The incredible backdrop of the Tokyo skyline is sure to create a lasting memory.

Riyoko Ikeda debuted as a manga artist at the age of 20 and had a massive interest in history, particularly the life of Marie Antoinette. Publishing The Rose of Versailles was a dream for the artist, though the subject matter was strange for the time.

[Chapter 1] The Rose of Versailles

Approximately 180 original drawings from The Rose of Versailles, including color illustrations and rare original two and four-color drawings from the time of its original serialization, will be on display.

In addition to the charming story, guests can enjoy the incredible art and heart-wrenching dialogue. 

Also on display will be original drawings from The Rose of Versailles: Episodes, which shares many secrets and truths not revealed in the original story. This is the first new book in 40 years. The exhibition will also share Ikeda’s thoughts on her work and behind-the-scenes details, giving fans a deeper understanding of the creator’s process. 

Along with additional artwork, the exhibition will feature a dress that Oscar only wore once in his life. Created by students of the haute couture department of Bunka Fashion College, the dress, made with lustrous silk fabric and thousands of beads, is sure to bring a tear to your eye.

©Riyoko Ikeda Production

[Chapter 2] The Rose of Versailles Musicals by the Takurazuka Revue

The Takurazuka Revue is a Japanese all-female musical theater troupe known for its Broadway-style productions of Western-style musicals and adaptations of films, novels, and manga. The Rose of Versailles was first performed by the group in 1974 at the Takurazuka Grand Theater in Hyogo Prefecture, inspiring a major Versailles boom. 

Since then, it has inspired a number of new musicals, and in 2014, it became one of Takurazuka Revue’s most popular productions, attracting a total audience of 5 million people. The exhibition will feature a part of the set from Oscar’s room, in which Oscar and Andre pledged their love to each other. The costumes and props work and used by Oscar and Marie will also be on display.

<Takurazuka Revue’s Cosmos Troupe performs The Rose of Versailles – Oscar & Andre- in 2014> ©Riyoko Ikeda Production

[Chapter 3] The Rose of Versailles Anime Series

While the series continued to be popular even after its serialization ended, it was adapted into an anime series in 1979. The opening theme song, Roses Scatter Beautifully, became a big hit when the show was first broadcast.

Along with rare cels, the exhibition will discuss the show’s directors Tadao Nagahama and Osamu Dezaki, while also highlighting some of the best parts of the anime series.

[Chapter 4] The Future of The Rose of Versailles

For half a century, The Rose of Versailles has remained in the public consciousness. 

This part of the exhibition highlights the many collaborations, goods, and releases related to The Rose of Versailles, including overseas releases, nostalgic items, spin-off manga, and more. Are you familiar with this impactful shojo manga series?

©Riyoko Ikeda Production / Shueisha

The Hololive Summer event, first held in the summer of 2019, will return this year! 

A ton of new content and special panels will be shown at the 2022 event, so check the official Hololive Production Twitter account often for more information!

Hololive will also have a booth at this year’s Comiket on August 13 and 14! A number of exclusive commemorative Hololive Summer 2022 goods will be on sale.

The back cover of the Comiket 100 catalog, on sale July 16, shows the official Hololive Summer 2022 key visual. Be sure to keep an eye out for more details!

The Toy Story Aliens Cafe will be opening for a limited time in Tokyo starting July 23, in Osaka on July 27, and in Nagoya on August 4. Fans of the film series will remember the adorable Alien characters, originally shown as prizes in a crane game. This pop-up cafe will feature themed dishes and merchandise, and Pixar fans should be sure to attend!

Menu

Food

Space Curry

Green Pasta

Alien Burger A (Teriyaki Soy Meat) / Burger B (Tomato Soy Meat) / Burger C (Chicken & Potato)

Moon Landing?! Potato & Bread

Kids Plate

Fruit Bread

Drinks

Alien Smoothie

Space Soda

Melon Milk

Space Crane Game Cider / Grape Juice

Hot Tea / Hot Milk

Goods

The food menu includes a tasty black curry, a green pasta featuring broccoli, edamame, spinach, and snap peas, and three types of alien burgers featuring either teriyaki soy meat, tomato soy meat, or chicken and potato. Even the drinks stick to the Alien theme, and the menu includes an Alien Smoothie with a tasty banana yogurt flavor. 

Guests will also be able to purchase event-exclusive merchandise from keychains and stickers to tote bags and letter sets. 

©Disney/Pixar

A special event is coming to Tokyo and Osaka this summer to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Kuroko’s Basketball anime series. Fans will want to visit Tokyo in July and Osaka in September.

Kuroko’s Basketball is a manga series by Tadatoshi Fujimaki which was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump until 2014 and tells the story of a high school basketball team trying to make it to the national tournament. The anime adaptation began airing in April 2012.

Kuroko’s Basketball ~A Miracle One Day in the City~

Kuroko’s Basketball ~ Kyoto Exhibition

Gallery Corner

Voice Guide

Admission Bonus – Invitation Card (9 varieties)

Exclusive Goods – F6 Character Board

Goods

Acrylic Stand (9 varieties)

Mini Acrylic Charms 1 (Random)

Mini Acrylic Charms 2 (Random)

Pin (9 varieties, random)

Purchase Bonus – Shopping Bag

The event will feature exhibits highlighting the history of the series and will feature a special voiceover. Exclusive merchandise will be on sale and guests will be welcomed by Kuroko and his friends at the entrance, all wearing special costumes drawn for the event.

Are you a Kuroko’s Basketball fan?

© 藤巻忠俊／集英社・黒子のバスケ製作委員会
© 「黒子のバスケ」アニメ10周年プロジェクト

Aniplex Online Fest 2022 will be available to stream worldwide on September 24, 2022! This is the third such event, with the first streaming in 2020. The large-scale online festival will share the latest information on Aniplex’s anime works and a number of live performances are planned. Participating artists will be announced soon, so keep an eye out for more information. 

Last year’s Aniplex Online Fest featured information on 11 anime series and had a lineup of incredible musical artists, DJs, and live drawing events. The festival was streamed on YouTube worldwide in both English and Japanese for over six hours and recorded a total of 850,000 viewers.

To commemorate the upcoming event, the main visual has been revealed. The illustration was done by Kerorira, the character designer for Bocchi the Rock!

Comment from Kerorira

“It’s not often I get to create an original image from scratch, so I’ve been given a very rare opportunity! Please enjoy it!”

Stay tuned for more Aniplex Online Fest 2022 information!