Celebrating the 10th anniversary of her major label debut, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is back in the news. The artist will perform at this year’s Coachella, one of the largest music festivals in the United States, and recently released her first full-length album in three years ‘Candy Racer’ in October 2021.  On January 16, Kyary embarked on the largest tour of her career, ‘Kyary Pamyu Pamyu 10th ANNIVERSARY JAPAN TOUR 2022 CANDY WAVE,’ which will see the singer performing 30 shows across Japan.

In conjunction with the nationwide tour, the “LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project” was launched to energize Japan through the appeal of regional towns and cities.  The 30 stops on the new tour include many that Kyary has not visited before, and were chosen based on the singer’s desire to perform for fans who may not typically be able to attend one of her shows. 

This initiative aims to bring attention and support to local industries and to inspire more tourism to rural areas.

This project is a new attempt to enliven local communities by collaborating with companies that have roots in the rural locations where these concerts will be held. These company’s logos have been reimagined, paying homage to the artwork associated with Kyary’s previous song releases. T-shirts designed with each of these collaborative logos will be on sale for a limited time, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the local community for development and social contributions.

For the encore of the first live show, Kyary wore a collaboration logo T-shirt inspired by Suzuhiro Kamaboko, a company in Kanagawa Prefecture. The artist also introduced the project and its aim to the excited audience. More collaborations will be announced through July 2021.

Check out the ‘LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project’ website for more details!

Comment from Kyary Pamyu Pamyu

“This tour is to commemorate my tenth anniversary, and as I travel all over Japan to express my gratitude to those who have supported me over the past decade, I also want to do something for everyone else. I’m happy to support these local companies and I’d like to work with them to revitalize the entire country. We’ll be engaging in all sorts of collaborations around Japan, so look forward to it!”

January 16, Kanagawa Performance: Suzuhiro Kamaboko

Suzuhiro Kamaboko, a long-established fish paste store in Odawara that has been in business for 156 years, has agreed to take part in the project. Their normally navy blue brand logo has received a major makeover in colorful pink, green, and purple hues. 

The T-shirts featuring the new collaboration logo on the front and the Kyary Pamyu Pamyu 10th anniversary logo and ‘LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project’ logo on the back are now available for purchase!

*Otono Kuni (From 4th Album ‘Japamyu,’ 2018)
Streaming Links: https://lnk.to/otonokuni

January 29, Gunma Performance: Oginoya Kamameshi

Oginoya, the largest Ekiben shop in Japan, was established 136 years ago in Yokokawa, Gunma Prefecture. 

Their main dish, Touge no Kamameshi,’ has been sold for over 60 years and often makes appearances at events all over Japan. The company’s logo has been reborn through the lens of Kyary’s popular song Tsukematsukeru. A special kamameshi dish will also be prepared for the project, and will be sold in limited quantities at the Gunma concert venue on January 29, Kyary’s birthday!

*Tsukematsukeru (1st Single, 2012)
Streaming Links: https://lnk.to/tsukematsukeru

May 20, Fukushima Performance: Kourakuen

Kyary will appear in commercials for Kourakuen as part of the project. The company started as a small diner in Aizuwakamatsu and is now is a national chain of ramen restaurants serving over 54 million people a year! The new logo and collaboration details will be revealed at a later date, so keep an eye out!

The Noraneko Gundan exhibition, which saw great success in 2021, is now open in Osaka until January 31, 2022! The popular character is making the rounds to celebrate Noriko Kudo’s 20th anniversary as a children’s author. In addition to over 250 illustrations and videos on display from the Noraneko Gundan picture books, guests can enjoy a photo spot and other activities.

Osaka Exclusive Merchandise

IC Card Case with Octopus: ¥1,430 (Tax Included)

Cookie & Tin with Octopus: ¥1,400 (Tax Included)

Clear Folder with Octopus: ¥418 (Tax Included)

Sticker with Octopus: ¥385 (Tax Included)

Acrylic Keychain (Noraneko & Octopus / Mami & Octopus): ¥660 each (Tax Included)

Noraneko, Mami, and Octopus Acrylic Stand: ¥1,430 (Tax Included)

Baby Wipes & Can (Noraneko & Octopus / Mami and Octopus): ¥550 each (Tax Included)

New Products at Osaka Venue

Moisture Absorbing Coaster: ¥880 each (Tax Included)

Pin: ¥440 each (Tax Included)

Special Purchase Bonus for guests spending over ¥3,000 (Tax Included)

The first 100 guests to arrive each day will receive a special clear folder.

The exhibition will also include over 350 pieces of merchandise, including limited-edition goods for the Osaka exhibition, books, plush toys, figures, and more.

©工藤ノリコ／白泉社

The St. Regis Osaka Hotel is offering a special strawberry-themed afternoon tea set until May 2022. 

Strawberry Afternoon Tea ‘5th Avenue Collection’

Strawberry  Parfait ‘The New York Gallery’ 

Strawberry Afternoon Tea ‘5th Avenue Collection’ to GO!

The St. Regis New York Hotel was founded in 1904, and is located on 5th Avenue, one of the most famous shopping streets in the world. This new afternoon tea set features a gorgeous three-tiered array of colorful savory and sweet dishes inspired by the many fashion items that line the shop windows of the NYC street. 

The Strawberry Heel Panna Cotta shows a woman’s leg peeking out from the dessert clad in a fancy high heel, while the Berry Opera is made to look like a designer bag. Many of the available dishes are made using seasonal strawberries sourced from around Japan.

The French Bistro Ruedor on the first floor is also offering ‘The New York Gallery,’ a strawberry parfait set of three inspired by the art of New York City. This set also comes with an assorted plate of six savory and sweet items.

The WOW Strawberry, with its pop-art motif, will surprise guests with its massive strawberries and variety of different textures from mousse to jelly. The LOVE Strawberry mixes juicy, sweet, and sour strawberries with pistachio mousse and was inspired by Banksy’s ‘Balloon and Girl’ painting. The Banana & Chocolate parfait pulls from the colorful wall art seen all around the famous city streets.

For those wanting something less sweet, hamburgers, hot dogs, and bagels, all popular on the streets of Manhattan, will be served alongside these strawberry delights. For those wary about the current pandemic conditions, the Fifth Avenue Collection can also be taken home!

Strings Hotel Nagoya will open a new concept room from January 15 until April 14, 2022. Those who love the color red won’t want to miss it!

‘It’s My Color’ is a room completely dedicated to a person’s favorite shade. Imagine dressing up in red and spending time taking photographs in this completely red room. It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day!

While the room may be red for now, the color may change in the future. Guests can also enjoy a special strawberry afternoon tea set in their room during this event period.

The Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka will hold a ‘Strawberry Fair’ at four of its restaurants starting on January 1, 2022!

Little Red Riding Hood (Mascarpone and Berry Mousse)

Forest Friend (Cream Puff), Friendly Bear Macaroons

Forest Tree Stump (Nuts & Pistachio Cake)

Menu featuring Strawberry Items

Cafe & Gourmet Shop ‘Cafe Bell’ 

Running: January 15 – February 28, 2022

Sweets

Strawberry Brioche Sandwich / Strawberry Pudding / Strawberry Pistachio / Strawberry Tart / Strawberry Shortcake

Bread

Strawberry Cannelé de Bordeaux / Strawberry & Almond Chocolate Danish / Strawberry and Cream Cheese Flute　

Chinese Restaurant ‘Shisen’ 

Running: January 6 – February 28, 2022

Strawberry Apricot Tofu / Strawberry Pudding

‘Bar eu’

Running: January 1 – February 28, 2022

Strawberry Grasshopper / Strawberry Milk for Adults / Strawberry Mojito

※Menu items subject to change depending on availability.
※Please inform the staff of any food allergies in advance.

To commemorate the start of Attack on Titan The Final Season Part 2 on January 9, 2022, some powerful new wall art filled with storyboards and other imagery from the series has appeared in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya train stations for a limited time!

These incredible images will only be available to see until January 9, so if you’re near any of these stations, be sure to check them out! Starting on January 4, a countdown video of ‘favorite scenes’ as chosen by six popular creators will be posted to the official anime Twitter account (@anime_shingeki).

Storyboards featured in this wall art comes from episodes 76 to 80 of the anime series. The largest board is 22.5 meters in length.

©諫山創・講談社／「進撃の巨人」The Final Season製作委員会

Creative company NAKED has teamed up with students from Osaka University of Arts and Kintetsu Real Estate for a new projection mapping show at the Abeno Harukas Observatory, Harukas 300. The work is available now through February 27, 2022. 

The artwork is found on the 58th floor ‘Twin Tower,’ and serves as a hands-on presentation to foster students’ creativity. The theme for the project is ‘Towards the Future, a Journey of Hope,’ and it is intended to send a ray of hope from one of Japan’s tallest buildings to the whole country. Hope is sorely needed after two long years of the pandemic.

Those participating in this years class, which started in 2021, learned about the impact creativity can have on the world, as they also created plans, concepts, and storyboards for a projection mapping project. Now, their work has come to fruition.

In the hopes that more people will be able to see the new artwork, the projection mapping piece will be left up during another event being held at Harukas 300 focusing on the theme of ‘connection.’ Hopefully, this art will positively impact those who have had a difficult time over the past few years. 

A collaborative pop-up shop between the character Chiikawa and the Hanshin Tigers baseball team will open at Shinsaibashi PARCO for a limited time, from December 23, 2021 until January 5, 2022.

Goods

A5-size Sticker Sheet

Face Towel

Tote Bag

Pin & Acrylic Stand in Capsules (6 varieties)

Pin & Acrylic Stand in Capsules (6 varieties)

Baseball Cap

T-shirt

T-shirt

PARCO Online Store Limited Edition T-shirt

PARCO Online Store Limited Edition T-shirt

Restaurant Bonus Campaign

Holographic Sticker

Holographic Sticker

Holographic Sticker

Instagram Present Campaign: B2 Poster (Not for Sale)

Limited-Time Items

Happy Chiikawa Bag 2022 (Year of the Tiger)

Purchase Bonus: A5-size Clear Folder (Soba)

Illustrations featured in this collection were drawn by original Chiikawa creator nagano, and these items will only be available at the pop-up store and the PARCO Online Store.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is introducing potential travelers to the charms of Tomakomai, Hokkaido in a new two-part tourism video on her YouTube channel. 

In the new videos, fans can see Kyary in a new light very unlike her onstage persona. Along with her tour guides, she travels for two days around this gorgeous city on Japan’s northernmost island.
The first video begins with her visit to a Red Eagles Hokkaido hockey game, quickly followed by tons of outdoor activities like canoeing and horseback riding. The singer enjoys plenty of local dishes and captures some spectacular views of Lake Utonai. 

Who is the one who invited Kyary to Tomakomai anyway? Fans will have to watch to find out. Whether living in Japan or dreaming about visiting someday, these videos are sure to inspire a future trip.

Nagoya Tokyu Hotel has launched its second plan in collaboration with the Sylvanian Families.

This plan allows you to enjoy the world of the Sylvanian Families, a series of dollhouse toys that have been loved by many fans since their launch in 1985. Following on from the first plan, which was very popular, the new plan allows guests to enjoy the hotel’s original fruit sandwiches with Sylvanian Families characters imprinted on them at breakfast, as well as the opportunity to dress the dolls in a custom dress that can be freely decorated with lace and accessories to create your own Sylvanian Families.

In this plan, the space with sofas and tables in the room has been converted into a kids’ space with play mats so that even small children can play safely. The kids’ space is filled with houses and buildings from the “Sylvanian Families” series that kids can actually touch and play with, such as the “Big House with a Red Roof (Classic Color),” the “Doki Doki Tree House in the Forest”, and the “Dreamy Amusement Park in the Castle”, as well as the chocolate-covered rabbit girl “Flare” and many other friends. There will also be a red and white polka-dot dress (size 110 only) that kids can try on to match with “Flare”.

The number of adult fans who enjoy taking pictures of cute Sylvanian Families scenes and posting them on social media is also increasing very quickly. Let’s enjoy the world of “Sylvanian Families” to the fullest!

© EPOCH

Matsuzakaya Nagoya is holding an exhibition to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the birth of Miffy, created by Dutch illustrator Dick Bruna, until January 16, 2022. The theme of the exhibition is “with”. It introduces the story of Miffy and her friends, with more than 300 precious original drawings, sketches, and creative notes.

Miffy the Ghost, 2001. (Manuscript)

Miffy the Ghost, 2001. (Manuscript)

Queen Miffy, 2007. (Manuscript)

Miffy and Poppy Pig, 2011. (Manuscript)

Miffy in the snow, 1963. (Manuscript)

Original Goods

UFD Miffy Set of 4  ￥4,400（Tax Included）

Rollbahn M 　￥638（Tax Included）

Pounch M ￥1,760（Tax Included）

Half Zip ￥1,650（Tax Included）

Floating Pen ￥1,320（Tax Included）

This exhibition marks the first visit to Japan of the original drawings including “Usako-chan: Obake ni naru” (2001) and “Usako-chan wa Jyoou-sama” (2007), as well as reference materials. Also, the original drawings of “Usako-chan on Snow Day” (1963), one of Miffy’s first four works that has only visited Japan once before, and which features a winter outfit, is exhibited together for the first time. In addition, the exhibition reveals the memories and creative fascination of Bruna, who developed close friendships with Japanese picture book authors and children’s literature writers and had a significant influence on the picture book culture in Japan.

The original drawings for “Usako-chan: Obake ni naru” (2001), “Usako-chan wa Jyo-oh-sama” (2007), and “Usako-chan to Fugako-chan” (2011), which was the last work to feature Miffy, are all in Japan for the first time. These drawings tell the story of Miffy playing ghosts, flying airplanes, and spending time with her family and friends.

It is also an opportunity for visitors to trace the creative process of Bruna with notes that show how he repeatedly tweaked his words and cuts that were not selected for the books.

Digital communication company Hitohata will be holding a special Flower and Digital Art Festival at the Ito Family Historic Residence in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture from December 16 to December 19, 2021. T

he location is a recognized cultural property, and the event will feature projection mapping and flower arrangements. The location is usually closed to the public, so this is an amazing opportunity to see a piece of Japanese history up close!

The Ito family was a part of the Kawai Ito family, a merchant family during the Edo Period. The house consists of the main house, tatami rooms, and storehouses. This gives a glimpse into how people lived hundreds of years ago. The main house was completed around 1722.