This spring, Hilton Nagoya is set to serve up a special afternoon tea set and buffet plan at its first floor all-dining restaurant IN PLACE 3-3. The theme of the afternoon tea line-up, which will be served either as a set-only plan or the set plus a buffet, is ‘Lost in Europe.’ Fans of Lewis Carroll’s beloved novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland can look forward to jumping in the rabbit hole as they indulge in a colourful and delicious line-up that sends them straight to wonderland.

The plans will run for three months during which three different menu line-ups will be served, each with a European feel to them as Alice finds her curiosity tending away from Japanese cuisine to the delectable assortments of overseas.

Spain will serve as the first menu. Travelling to Spain, Alice finds the country one overflowing with creativity in the arts, so says the story of this fun afternoon tea. Dishes will be plated with desserts fusing together Spain’s food culture with that of Wonderland, traditional Spanish desserts, sweet treats inspired by Spanish art, and more. Many of the irresistible items will also be made with almonds – Spain being the second largest producer of almonds in the world.

Inside the restaurant, diners will feel like they have travelled to a Spanish rendition of Wonderland with a mix of styles from both locations, such as Spanish sunflowers, mosaic tiles, stained glass windows, and more.

A little look at the menu (some of it)

1. Afternoon Tea Set Menu: ¥4,600 (Tax Included)

Cubism Cheshire Cat Arroz Con Leche

A coconut-flavoured Spanish rice pudding made with coconut lavender jelly. Its design, from the stripes to the grinning teeth, are references to the Cheshire Cat.

Blue Caterpillar Siesta Cake

A cake covered in striking blue chocolate, made with pistachio mousse, and filled with a mixed berry jelly.

Butterfly Windmills Mousse

An artistic delight made with smooth chestnut mousse and colourful butterfly wings attached.

Plate Menu

Pistachio Crema Catalana in Berry Sauce

A traditional dessert of Catalonia, this crema catalana features a rich pistachio-flavoured custard cream and is served with a berry sauce.

Savoury Items

Salted churros that are crunchy on the outside and fluffy in the inside, and a checked bocadillo filled with Spanish omelette.

Lost in Europe Afternoon Tea Set Summary

10 desserts, two savoury items, and a choice of a soft drink, coffee, or tea.

2. Afternoon Tea Set & Dessert Buffet: Adults ¥5,000 / Children ¥2,500

Mischievous Crazy Clock Cake 

A warped, melted clock made with passion fruit cream and orange and mango mousse.

Mosaic Tile Sangria Jelly (Non-Alcoholic)

A refreshing beverage made with non-alcoholic white wine and grape, strawberry, and grapefruit jelly, all made to look like mosaic tiles.

Savoury Items

Pick from nine different savoury items like paella, sopa de ajo garlic soup, patatas bravas, tapas, and more.

There are also a range of other desserts like a coffee jelly ice cream, a melon cake, and more, as well as fruity iced candies.

Afternoon Takeout Box

Customers can also get their afternoon tea set to go with a mix of desserts and savouries.

Hoshino Resorts OMO7 Asahikawa opened its Penguin Room on April 6, a single new guest room themed around penguins designed in collaboration with Asahikawa Zoo.

Penguin Room Feature ①

Guests are immediately greeted with penguins galore as the enter their room, with penguin plushies by the bedside, on the ceiling, and pretty much everywhere else. It will be like staying with a family of penguins for the duration of their stay.

Penguin Room Feature ②

After a visit to Asahikawa Zoo, guests can head back to their hotel room where a variety of fun penguin-related items are stocked including games, all of which will remind them of their time at the zoo.

Penguin Room Feature ③

The room is also decorated with boards featuring photos and information of animals at Asahikawa Zoo. The boards are handwritten by the zoo staff, something they do every spring season.

Hoshino Resorts OMO7 Asahikawa previously collaborated with Asahikawa Zoo when a polar bear themed room. Now, penguin lovers can have their dream come true as they spend their time surrounded by penguin decorations in their room. The hotel is just a 30-minute car ride from Asahikawa Zoo, so why not make a plan to experience both if you’re visiting Hokkaido this spring?

Japanese rainwear brand Wpc. released a special new commercial featuring actors Hio Miyazawa and Suzu Yamanouchi. The collaborative video is entitled “What’s Changed, What Hasn’t Changed.”

The Rainwear Items

Basic Jump Umbrella – Off Paint

Big Silhouette Rain Poncho – Unisex Caramel

Floral Pink Gradation

Colour Mesh Coat – Beige

Free Lookbook

The message of the commercial is one of positivity: that though somethings might change, others do not. It refers to the state of the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, that despite being unable to see our loved ones, and that we’re unable to lead the lives we once did, our feelings towards those special to us, and those around us, is eternal.

Japanese artist Shun Nakao is set to hold their GENKOUHAN exhibition at SkiiMa Gallery in Shinsaibashi PARCO from April 9.

A look at some of the merchandise to be sold

Lithographs | ¥4,200 Each (Tax Included)

Lithographs | ¥4,200 Each (Tax Included)

T-Shirts | ¥4,200 (Tax Included)

Sodagirl Acrylic Key Ring | ¥1,100 (Tax Included)

Nakao’s colourful and laid-back art is a pleasant sight for the eyes during these dark times. Fans of their work can also get their hands on a range of merch from lithographs to t-shirts, acrylic key rings, and more – all created for this exclusive exhibition.

Nostalgia Syndrome opened pre-orders for its new Lily & Jasmine series of fragrances on March 31. The products will be released on April 22.

Nostalgia Syndrome is a fragrance brand produced by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu which launched last year. The new Lily & Jasmine series will be available to purchase online and will also be sold at two brand pop-up shops in Tokyo and Osaka. Those who spend over ¥10,000 online or at either of the stores (tax included) will receive a free Nostalgia Syndrome novelty – these are available in limited supply.

Online Store Novelty: Original Thermal Bottle

Pop-Up Store Novelty: Original Big Eco-Bag

Lily & Jasmine Series

Eau de Toilette | ¥8,250 (Tax Included)

Room & Fragrance Spray | ¥3,300 (Tax Included)

Aroma Diffuser | ¥7,150 (Tax Included)

Bath Salts | ¥3,410 (Tax Included)

Hand Soap | ¥3,520 (Tax Included)

Scented Candle | ¥8,140 (Tax Included)

Eau de Toilette Two-Set (9mL)

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu | Comment

“This is Nostalgia Syndrome’s second fragrance release. After mixing together various ingredients, I was finally able to catch the right scent. The theme for this one is ‘travel fragrance.’ Because of COVID, our time spent outdoors has gone down dramatically, but smells tied to our memories make up part of us all. And smelling them brings back those memories. This is a blend of sweet, sophisticated lily and refreshing jasmine, so it’s a really easy one to use that can be enjoyed by both guys and girls. We’re also opening our first pop-up shop so please be sure to drop by to try out!”

Lily and jasmine are vibrant fragrances and perfect for the spring season. Order yours today!

After one year since their first collaboration, A BATHING APE® and COMME des GARCONS released their second collection at BAPE STORE® and COMME des GARCONS OSAKA on April 3 featuring a new line-up that emphasises everything quintessential about both brands.

The collection includes full-zip hoodies, sweat shorts, tapered pants, and more, all branded with BAPE and GARCONS’ logos and serving hard, casual vibes. The brands released a look-book as pictured below with a simple yet aesthetic style.

The Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya branches of OH MY CAFE are set to pay host to cafe experiences themed on Disney’s Zootopia in celebration of the movie’s 5th anniversary which hit last month. The cafes will transform into a Zootopia extravaganza from April 23.

Customers who book a table in advance receive one of six possible lunch mats

The Menu

Vegetable Curry ¥1,890 (Before Tax)

Sandwich Plate ¥1,990 (Before Tax)

Corn Cream Pie ¥1,590 (Before Tax)

Salsa Burger ¥2,390 (Before Tax)

Carrot Doria ¥1,490 (Before Tax)

Acrylic Coasters +¥900 (Before Tax)

Iced Milk ¥990 (Before Tax) / With Mug +¥1,600 (Before Tax)

Iced Coffee ¥690 (Before Tax) / With Mug ¥1,600 (Before Tax)

Iced Drink ¥990 (Before Tax)

Exclusive Merchandise

Movie Stills Series

Acrylic Key Rings

Square Magnet ¥550 (Before Tax) / Acryluc Key Ring ¥650 (Before Tax) / A4 Folder ¥350 (Before Tax)

Mask Cases ¥500 (Before Tax) / Masking Tapes ¥800 (Before Tax)

Tiny Animals Series

Acrylic Charms ¥450 (Before Tax) / Mini Notebook Set ¥850 (Before Tax)

A5 Folder Set ¥800 (Before Tax) / Mini Pouch Set ¥1,800 (Before Tax)

Mini Towels ¥1,000 (Before Tax) / Eco Bag ¥1,850 (Before Tax)

Zootopia fans won’t be able to resist the tasty and healthy themed menu featuring Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps, as well as getting their hands on a range of merchandise from stationery to fashion.

©Disney

Sustainable Think. is a concept shop centred around sustainability and SDGs which first opened in Yurakucho Marui in March. The store has now moved to Nagoya PARCO where it opened on April 3.

A look at some of the participating brands

The store hopes to teach people about the importance of sustainability with a collection of products that are socially- and environmentally-friendly. Sustainable materials and methods are used to produce the items sold at the store.

The store is decorated in 17 colours to represent the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a series of global initiatives being taken to create a sustainable future for people around the world. It also features an installation made from hikkake Japanese washi paper with colourful pull-out boxes containing items by participating brands.

Japanese rain wear brand Wpc. is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Doraemon with the release of its I’m Doraemon series of daytime umbrellas. The collection dropped on Thursday at Wpc.’s online shop as well as at Wpc. Shinsaibashi PARCO and LOFT, PLAZA, and Mauri stores in Japan.

Shade Doraemon Galore mini | ¥3,400 (Before Tax)

Shade 4th Dimension mini | ¥3,200 (Before Tax)

Shade I’m Doraemon mini | ¥3,200 (Before Tax)

Shade Pass Loop mini | ¥3,200 (Before Tax)

The cute mini umbrella series cutes 99.99% of UV light and offers the same amount of shade.

Walt Disney Japan will celebrate both the 30th anniversary of its Disney Fan monthly magazine and the 10th anniversary of its Disney Store original character UniBEARsity with a special event titled “Disney FAN 30th anniversary FAN!FAN!FAN!” which will run at the Shibuya Koen-dori branch of the Disney Store from April 2 and the Shinsaibashi branch from May 14.

©Disney

The event will pay homage to the 30-year history of the much-loved Disney Fan magazine as well as feature a special art exhibition of past front covers. This artwork will be included on new and exclusive merchandise sold at the store. UniBEARsity will also see the spotlight as its history is also covered along with a range of 10th anniversary items.

Disney Fan 30th Anniversary Celebrations: Art Exhibition, History, and Merch

©Disney

The Disney Fan exhibit will include a silhouette of Mickey Mouse made from a collage of old-time magazine covers. It will also feature an exhibit of back numbers, statues and papercrafts made from past magazine covers, commentary on certain issues, and more.

Fans can also get their hands on a collection of merchandise made with exclusive artwork from the magazine covers, from folders and face mask cases to magnets, frames and more – check out an excerpt of what’s on offer below.

UniBEARsity: 10th Anniversary Exhibition

©Disney

UniBEARsity is a line-up of Disney teddy bear characters which came to life after Minnie taught Mickey and friends how to sew them. In celebration of its 10th anniversary, a special exhibition will take place including a special feature taken from Disney Fan when it first debuted, as well as a showcase of 89 teddy bears.an original story that bear characters. Check out what merchandise you can get here.

HIRUME, a company in Japan that provides creative idea using Japanese traditional techniques and material, has launched an exclusive collection in collaboration with Osamu Tezuka, a Japanese manga legend, from March 24 to April 13 at HIRUME Hankyu Umeda in Osaka.

Silk Scarf “Phoenix” | ¥42,000 (tax not included)

Modal Cashmere Scarf | ¥52,000 (tax not included)

3 set of Mamezara small plates | ¥3,800 (tax not included) / single Mamezara ¥1,500 (tax not included)

2 set of Mamezara small plates | ¥2,800 (tax not included) / single Mamezara ¥1,500 (tax not included)

Osamu Tezuka changed the concept of Japanese manga and established the ways to express manga with stories that led it into the realm of art. Tezuka’s characters continue influencing all genres, including literature and movies from generations to generations. His eternal theme of life and its preciousness was pierced in all his works which continue sending powerful messages.

The collection has inspired by Tezuka’s manga series Phoenix, his life work that he continued to work passionately until his late years, and Black Jack, which is still popular overwhelmingly among the doctors. The silk scarf embellishes prints of Black Jack. Mamezara the small plates come with 2 designs of Phoenix and Black Jacks gorgeously.

The collection with Osamu Tezuka’s manga that you can enjoy in your daily life is unmissable.

The city of Daito in Osaka teamed up with the Nintendo Switch title Animal Crossing: New Horizons to release the city as an accessible island, Daito Island, on March 10.

Every March, Daito hosts a PR event to promote the city. Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the event has seen strict restrictions that do not allow social gatherings. In order that the event not be cancelled entirely, Daito is collaborating with Animal Crossing: New Horizons to promote the city in-game with stalls, historical content like traditional armour and Iimoriyama Castle, and more.

Visitors to the island will receive three kinds of Miyoshi Nagayoshi armour, a family crest, and a hat and outfit of Daito’s city mascot Daiton. These are available until April 30.

The access code is: DA-1888-0815-5276