From October 13 to October 27, artists are flocking to BONUS TRACK Gallery in Shimokitazawa to display some incredible works based on daruma, a type of lucky Japanese traditional doll. These works will also be up for sale in an online auction happening during the event period!

October 2020 Exhibition

October 2020 Exhibition

The motif of BONUS TRACK is the daruma, which are seen as symbols of perseverance and good luck in Japanese culture. This marks the third time that artists have been invited to create and sell their daruma-inspired works.

 

20% of the final bid price for each piece will be donated to various organizations. 30% will be given to the venue, while 50% will be given to the artists themselves. 

 

During the first event, donations went towards the Nippon Foundation’s Emergency Relief Fund for Coronavirus. Other organizations supported include the Kitazawa Osekkai Club, a group involved in PTA and youth committee activities in the area, and Peace Wanko Japan, a dog protection organization in Hiroshima. 

 

‘Ways of Telling’ Venue  Photographer: Kioku Keizo

 

The Ways of Telling Exhibition is now open at the Shibuya Koen-dori Gallery in Tokyo. The focus of the gallery is to closely inspect how people ‘tell,’ or communicate with others. Human beings often depend on hearing or seeing as ways to get information, but there are many other ways to express thoughts and emotions, from paintings and photography to video creation. The exhibition highlights different attempts to receive and express invisible ‘narratives,’ and visitors will have to rely on their imagination to understand each piece.

 

‘Ways of Telling’ Venue  Photographer: Kioku Keizo

‘Ways of Telling’ Venue  Photographer: Kioku Keizo

‘Ways of Telling’ Venue  Photographer: Kioku Keizo

Exhibition Space Design – Hideyuki Nakayama Architecture / Photo: Takashi Kato

 

Eight artists have contributed to the exhibition, each utilizing a wide variety of mediums. Hideyuki Nakayama, the architect behind the exhibition space, wanted to encourage visitors to use their imagination. “A building is a place that has been given a name and a fixed purpose, but I tried not to see it that way. I wanted it to feel like a different place for each guest. I hope that the space will overlap with the underlying purpose of the exhibition, in a way,” he explains. 

 

Bringing together both the seeing and the blind, a special book club was established as a place to discuss each person’s ‘way of seeing’ when it comes to art. In the exhibition space, Rinko Kawauchi’s book Hajimari no Hi, containing images and thoughts captured by blind individuals during the book club, will be displayed in both words and other mediums. 

2021 marks the fourth year that the Oi Racecourse, also called Tokyo City Keiba, will be bathed in a sea of over eight million colorful lights! The Tokyo Mega Illumination is back from October 16, 2021, until April 10, 2022, and features a water fountain show synchronized to music, a 100-meter tunnel covered in twinkling lights, and more. This year, in the Twinkle area of the event, guests can enjoy various AR illuminations created as a collaboration with NAKED, a creative production company headquartered in Shibuya. The NAKED BIG BOOK interactive experience will also welcome visitors to enjoy a projection mapping experience like no other.

 

NAKED BIG BOOK

Pergola (Interactive)

Illuminated Logo

AR Horse Camera Filter

AR Lights
Limited-Time Area: Tree Playing with Lights (Lawn Area)

 

NAKED’s most popular work, NAKED BIG BOOK, utilizes projection mapping to allow guests to turn the pages of a giant book and experience a unique world separate from their own. Using web filters and AR, guests can also see the object as a pop-up picture book! 

 

During this special collaboration held on a horse racing track, visitors can also see a giant white horse in AR as they explore the grounds. Colorful horseshoes and stars will pop up from people’s footprints, and the sound of visitors’ steps will take on the sound of a horse’s hooves instead. Be sure to make some memories by snapping commemorative photos with themed filters during the event!

 

The Machida City Museum of Graphic Arts in Machida, Tokyo, is currently holding the Looking at Prints: Techniques, Expressions, and History exhibition until December 5, 2021. Featuring over 130 prints created with a large variety of techniques, guests can take a deep dive into how each piece of art was made. 

 

An Up-to-Date Parody of the Four Classes – Utagawa Kunisada. 1857. Letterpress, wood, multi-color printing. 

 

Artists featured in the exhibition have used many different techniques to create their masterpieces, including woodblocks, copper plates, lithographs, and stencils. The main exhibit introduces famous printmakers such as Albrecht Durer, Pablo Picasso, and Shiko Munakata, but also a number of lesser-known artists who utilized less traditional techniques. All explanations are in an easy-to-understand manner, so why not come learn about art in Tokyo? 

 

To commemorate the release of the their second movie, ‘Sumikko Gurashi: Aoi Tsukiyo no Mahou no Ko,’ Sumikko Gurashi will be opening the limited-time ‘Night Party with Sumikko’ cafe in Osaka on October 20, Tokyo on October 21, and Aichi on November 11.

 

(Advance Reservation Benefit Only) Original Invitation with Postcard (Five types)

 

 

 

Menu

Tokage’s Night Party Curry: ¥1,430 (Tax Incl.)

 

Shirokuma’s Warming Hot Rice Casserole: ¥1,430 (Tax Incl.)

 

Five’s Recommended Children’s Lunch: ¥1,650 (Tax Incl.)

 

Magician’s Party ~Açai Bowl~: ¥1,430 (Tax Incl)

 

Aoi Tsukiyo’s Fruit Punch: ¥1,100 (Tax Incl.) + ¥220 for one mini ice cream

 

Sumikko’s Pudding Ice Cream: ¥880 each (Tax Incl.)

 

Starry Drink: ¥990 each (Tax Incl)

 

Dolomite Coaster

 

Hot Café Au Lait: ¥880 (Tax Incl.)

 

 

Original Goods

 

Acrylic Keyholder (Random out of five): ¥770 (Tax Incl.)

 

Phosphorescent Sticker (Random out of eight): ¥605 (Tax Incl.)

 

Acrylic Stand (Random out of five): ¥880 (Tax Incl.)

Muddler (Three types): ¥1,100 each (Tax Incl.)

 

Mug Cup: ¥1,980 (Tax Incl)

 

Purse: ¥1,100 (Tax Incl.)

 

Fluorescent Pen Set: ¥1,100 (Tax Incl.)

 

A5 Clear File Duo: ¥605 (Tax Incl.)

 

Bandanna: ¥1,870 (Tax Incl.)

 

The Sumikko Gurashi characters are beloved by both adults and children for their gentle touch and tone. Their first movie, ‘Sumikko Gurashi Tobidasu Ehon to Himitsu no Ko’ was released in November 2019 and received great popularity. The sweet story of the Sumikko’s adventures through a story-book world attracted over 1.2 million viewers across Japan.

 

The heartwarming cafe menu includes “Tokage’s Night Party Curry,” “Shirokuma’s Warming Hot Rice Casserole,” Five’s Recommended Children’s Lunch,””Magician’s Party ~Açai Bowl~,” “Aoi Tsukiyo’s Fruit Punch,” “Starry Drink,” and more. The cute, Instagrammable dishes feature the characters who feature in the movie, which tells a mysterious story that begins under a blue moon in the Sumikko’s hometown. A lineup of limited edition goods and perks will also be available, adding to the movie excitement.

 

 

Enjoy a cute, social-media friendly meal and original merchandise at the exciting Sumikko Gurashi cafe!

 

©2021 Japanese Sumikko Gurashi Association Film Club

As part of the Tokyo Art & Live City project, the OMNIBUS music festival will take place on November 6 and 7 in Japan’s capital. Rather than being held at Shinjuku Central Park, the November 7 concert will now take place at Hulic Hall Tokyo. Originally, this concert was named The Park #Assembly, though this has now been changed to The Hall #Space. For those holding tickets with the original name, don’t worry–your ticket will still be valid at the new venue. 

 

Those who want a refund due to the venue change should head to the official website by October 9. The November 6 concert titled The Circuit #Excursion will be held as scheduled. 

 

Additional tickets for the festival went on sale on October 2, 2021. Schedules for the events will be released soon, so stay tuned for more details!

 

To celebrate the brand’s 100th anniversary, Gucci will be hosting the ‘Gucci Garden Archetypes’ exhibition in Tennozu, Tokyo, between September 23 and October 31. The exhibition reflects the vision, aesthetics, and inclusive philosophies of creative director Alessandro Michele, as shown through advertising campaigns throughout his years in the position.

  

An Archetype refers to something that many things have been based on, and Gucci’s advertisement campaigns are exactly that – the Archetype to Gucci’s world.

The exhibition features astronauts, aliens, horses, angels, and more motifs that were featured in venues throughout the world, from Tokyo to Los Angeles, and even Paris’ May Revolution in 1968. Visitors are whisked away on a spectacular journey through Alessandro Michele’s kaleidoscopic vision. You will also discover the music, art, journeys, and pop culture that inspired Gucci’s campaigns.

 

Exhibition director Alessandro Michele spoke, saying “I thought it would be interesting to invite people to join me on this six year journey, experiencing a dazzling world of fantasy and surprises. From there, I decided to create an immersive world that people could jump into through the advertisement campaigns. After all, it is the campaigns that best represent my vision.” 

 

The exhibition is made up of multiple spaces built using cutting-edge technology, sophisticated craftsmen, and innovative interior design. The studio was designed by Archivio Personale, who has transformed Alessandro Michele’s vision into a narrative space. 

As you enter the venue, you’ll discover a control room, seemingly behind the scenes of the first exhibition as photos of Michele’s campaigns are projected onto screens. Each room is based on a different theme, connected by aisle to recreate the diverse and wonderful world of Gucci’s campaigns.

 

The Gucci Beauty room is full of screens at different angles, each showing footage from a lipstick collection campaign with the phrase “for the bold, the bright, and the beautiful.” The room dazzles those entering with the smile of punk singer Dani Miller, which is said to have overturned beautify standards in the cosmetics industry.

 

 The Gucci Bloom room is a floral paradise with its rich, floral scent. This campaign featured actress Dakota Johnson, feminist artist and photographer Petra Collins, and Hari Nef, a transgender actress and model, as the protagonists, each hiding away in an imaginary hidden garden. The three charismatic and unconventional women perfectly reflect Michele’s vision of modern femininity.

 

The 2018 pre-fall collection campaign paid homage to the young people who participated in Paris’ May 68 movement to mark the 50th anniversary of the event, using graffiti to add depth to the atmosphere. 

The room featuring the 2018 Spring/Summer campaign features visuals by Ignashi Monreal, who is known for his elaborate and expressive artwork, covering the walls and ceiling with a giant mural.

 

 

The room for the 2016 Fall/Winter collection takes you to Tokyo, using thousands of sequins across the walls to recreate Tokyo, a city that shines even at night. Meanwhile, the 2017 Fall/Winter room will take you all the way to space, with otherworldly creatures, aliens, and astronauts, all introduced in a Natural History Museum inspired diorama style.

The 2018 Fall/Winter room reflects the world of an eccentric collector, with shelves covering the walls from floor to ceiling. There are countless collectors items, with cases of butterflies, cuckoo clocks, colorful plushies, and even a number of Gucci GG Marmont bags. There are even set spaces, such as the  2016 Spring/Summer campaign which was set in the toilets of a 1980’s club in Berlin and the luxurious modern villa from the “Party of a Lifetime” cruise collection campaign in 2020. Head behind the scenes and traverse deeper into this maze-like space, riding the Los Angeles subway to return to Alessandro Michele’s very first campaign in 2015 Fall/Winter.

 

 

Lose yourself in the world of Gucci’s advertising campaigns with this immersive space!

 

Images Courtesy of Gucci

 

Did you know that ‘Cheese Day’ takes place every year on November 11? To commemorate this tasty holiday, the second Tom & Jerry cafe will open for a limited time in Tokyo and Osaka, selling a variety of themed goods and original merchandise. 

Original Postcards (4 varieties), given to guests who purchase advance tickets

 

 

Menu

Jerry Cheese Omurice

BOOM! Macaroni & Cheese Burger

Rolling Meatball Pasta

Jerry and Tuffy Tiramisu

CHASE! Cheese Set　

BE HAPPY Cheesecake Parfait

Tom’s Little Cake Plate

Jerry’s Little Cake Plate

Tom’s Cream Soda　

Jerry’s Cream Soda　

Cheese Cream Tea

Tom and Jerry Cafe Latte　　

 

Original Merchandise

Sticker (6 varieties, random)

Acrylic Charm (6 varieties, random)

Acrylic Magnet (5 varieties, random)

Acrylic Pin (5 varieties, random) / Clear Folder

Memo Pad with Case / Tote Bag 

Handkerchief / Mug

 

The animated Warner Bros. series Tom & Jerry celebrated 80 years in 2020 and became a fast favorite with kids. Tom the Cat and Jerry the Mouse are the perfect slapstick duo, and even after so many decades, the two characters still have plenty of fans. 

 

The first Tom & Jerry cafe was open from March until May 2021 to celebrate the release of the Tom & Jerry film. Due to an overwhelmingly positive response, the cafe is back with an updated menu and new goods!

 

The new menu includes a Macaroni and Cheese Burger inspired by the bulldog Spike, Meatball Pasta inspired by the diaper-wearing Toffee, a gorgeous cheese set, and character-inspired drinks. Popular at the previous cafe, the Omurice and Tiramisu are making a comeback. The space will be decorated with tons of cute and colorful character art, so don’t miss out!

 

TOM AND JERRY and all related characters and elements © & ™ Turner Entertainment Co. (s21)

An exhibition between the art initiative DANDELION PROJECT, formed by the creative company NAKED, and the TBS drama series Japan Sinks: People of Hope, will be held during the month of October on the first floor of Akasaka Biz Tower in Tokyo. 

 

The DANDELION PROJECT is inspired by the idea of world peace and hopes to help transcend barriers and connect people in an increasingly divided world. This networked initiative wants to bring this change about by planting (or installing) dandelion-inspired art around the world, while it invites people visiting these dandelion exhibits to send their prayers for peace as a digital flower in real-time. The theme of ‘hope’ found in the new Japan Sinks drama fits perfectly into this exhibition. 

 

When you see the petals of the dandelion flow through the air after being hit with a gust of wind, that means that someone from around the world caused that to happen. Due to the recent pandemic, rather than blow on cotton wool as is usually done at these exhibits, guests can hold up their smartphones to cause the same thing to happen. The DANDELION PROJECT will also be making an appearance at Tokyo Tower, Saga Prefectural Hall, and other places, so be sure to participate in this unique exhibit!

 

DANDELION PROJECT Installations Currently Open Around Japan

Saga Prefectural Exhibition Hall

Tokyo Tower Main Deck

The pastry shop at Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel will start selling an absolutely gorgeous selection of Halloween sweets starting October 1, 2021. 

Purple Sweet Potato Mont-Blanc (S, pictured left and right): ¥630 (Tax Included) / (M, pictured center): ¥2,700 (Tax Included)

Chatnoir: ¥745 (Tax Included) 

Pumpkin Pudding: ¥626 (Tax Included) 

The sweets included in this year’s lineup are meant to bring some joy to those who have struggled during the past year of lockdown, and those who might not be able to attend their favorite seasonal events this year. In this lineup of three beautifully decorated treats, guests can bring the spirit of Halloween home. Which of these would you want to add some spooky flair to your kitchen?

Mahou no Kohakutou, a shop specializing in sweets that look exactly like sparkling jewels, will be open for a limited time from October 1 to October 10, 2021, inside the Shinjuku Marui Main Building. These unique treats are actual amber candy, but it’s hard to want to eat something that looks so expensive. 

 

 

Each piece is cut by hand

Pieces from the Magical Vial Series

Finished amber candy

Amber candy before the drying process

 

 

Amber sugar is often appropriately called rock candy due to its mineral-like appearance. Despite their hard appearance, these treats have a much more complex texture than you’d think, crunchy on the outside but chewy on the inside. It takes about one week to crystallize each piece to get the right texture, and chefs must constantly keep an eye on the process by turning the sweets when needed and adjusting the humidity. 

 

Rather than using a machine or mold, each of these jewels is formed by hand, one by one. This means each one is completely different!

 

All coloring is accomplished with natural food-derived dye, and the sweets contain no synthetic coloring or flavoring. All it takes is a few simple ingredients to create something scrumptious! 

 

Everyone’s favorite chipmunk brothers Chip & Dale will be in the spotlight at a new limited-time cafe coming to Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya! The theme of the cafe is ‘always together,’ and fans of Disney duo can look forward to a healthy menu filled with fruits and nuts, along with some original goods!

 

Those who make a reservation in advance will receive one random original lunch mat (4 varieties)

 

Food

Best Friends Hide & Seek Plate

Chip’s Mushroom Gratin Plate

Everyone’s Favorite Acorn Stew

 

Drinks

 

Peanut Milk

Chip’s Chocolate Smoothie (right) / Dale’s Caramel Smoothie (left)

Those who order from the drink menu will receive one random acrylic stand coaster (4 varieties)

 

Original Merchandise

 

Acrylic Keychain (8 varieties, random)

Acrylic Magnet (4 varieties, random)

Mask Case (5 varieties, random) / Sticker (4 varieties, random)

Mug

Reuseable Shopping Bag

Pouch *On sale starting October 22

Mini Towel / Cushion

Masking Tape

 

Though Chip and Dale may disagree sometimes, the two are always together. This cafe invites those who love these two characters to enjoy some healthy dishes, all meeting Disney’s guidelines for nutritional content and low salt and sugar. Be sure to grab some cute goods only available at the cafe!

 

 

©Disney