Hotel Metropolitan Edmont, a hotel situated in Chiyoda, Tokyo, will celebrate Valentine’s Day with an angelic line-up of sweet treats that will be sold from February 1 to 14.

The Chocolates

Truffle au Chocolat – Box of 4: ¥1,200 (Before Tax) / Box of 6: ¥1,800 (Before Tax) / Box of 10: ¥3,000 (Before Tax)​

Indulge in a luscious assortment of four chocolates: the citrus-filled ‘Grand Marnier,’ the slightly bitter ‘Rum,’ the full-bodied and tangy ‘Raspberry,’ and the Uji-matcha packed ‘Matcha.’

Orangette (Contains 15) | ¥2,000 (Before Tax)

If you love chocolate combined with fruit, then the Orangette will be your poison, filled with fresh and bitter orange peel and coated in chocolate. It has a distinct refreshing fragrance to it which expands across the taste buds with every bite.

Raisin Chocolat | ¥1,200 (Before Tax)

Love rich, full-bodied flavour? These raisins are soaked in French Sauternes wine and covered in dark chocolate. Their fruity flavour makes them a perfect accompaniment to a glass of whisky or bourbon.

The Cakes & Pastries

Eme | ¥600​

A perfect pick for Valentine’s Day: a heart-shaped mousse containing rich, velvety chocolate that’s jam-packed with fresh raspberry jelly.

Brioche Chocolat | ¥260

Enjoy taking a bite out of this brioche made from butter and egg that’s laced with custard cream and chocolate.

Japanese fashion brand Melody BasKet has teamed up with the visual novel video game developer nitro+ to release a new clothing collection inspired by the popular game Touken Ranbu. The collaborative line-up dropped via the brand’s online shop and select shops in Japan on Friday (January 22).

The line-up is based on the Touken Ranbu characters Higekiri, Hizamaru, and Tsurumaru Kuninaga.

The Line-Up

Touken Ranbu Higekiri One Piece

Price: ¥27,800 (Before Tax)

Colour: Ivory

Sizes: 105 / 120 / 135 / M / L

Description: A sailor-style one piece inspired by Higekiri. Comes with a detachable embroidered brooch. Made in Japan using Japanese materials.

Touken Ranbu Hizamaru One Piece

Price: ¥27,800 (Before Tax)

Colour: Black

Sizes: 105 / 120 / 135 / M / L

Description: A sailor-style one piece inspired by Hizamaru. Comes with a detachable embroidered brooch. Made in Japan using Japanese materials.

Touken Ranbu Tsurumaru Kuninaga One Piece

Price: ¥24,800 (Before Tax)

Colour: White

Sizes: 105 / 120 / 135 / M / L

Description: A sailor-style one piece inspired by Tsurumaru Kuninaga. Comes with a detachable embroidered brooch. Made in Japan using Japanese materials.

©2015 EXNOA LLC/Nitroplus

Peninsula Merchandising Limited is set to capture hearts this Valentine’s Day with the announcement of a desiring new collection of chocolates which will be served at two branches of The Peninsula Boutique & Café in Shin-Marunouchi Building and Isetan Shinjuku from February 1.

Sweetheart | ¥3,400 (Before Tax)

Macarons (6 Included) | ¥2,860 (Before Tax)

Truffle Truffle | ¥1,500 (Before Tax)

Strawberry Bear Ruby Chocolate Bar | ¥1,750 (Before Tax)

Eponge | ¥560 (Before Tax)

Croquembouche | ¥720 (Before Tax)

Rose Rouge | ¥1,500 (Before Tax)

Love Lock Key Ring | ¥5,000 (Before Tax)

The romantic line-up features an assortment of lovingly-crafted confections, from ruby chocolate to colourful macarons, a rose-topped chocolate, and more—all available for the season of love. The boutique cafes will also sell a special heart-shaped key ring for lovers to express to their special someone that they complete them.

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.

Japanese 3-member pop rock band Ikimonogakari is set to release a clothing collection in collaboration with apparel brand SPINNS. The collection features a hoodie and sweater and will drop at the SPINNS Harajuku store and SPINNS official website on January 23.

Black Ikki Cafe! Sweater: ¥4,500 (Before Tax/One Size Fits All) | Grey Cute Space Ikki! Hoodie: ¥5,000 (Before Tax/One Size Fits All)

Both oversized items feature Ikimonogakari’s own original character Ikki Monkey and were drawn by popular illustrator Shirokuma Nanamin who added their signature colourful pop style to the garments.

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.

The “Sonny Angel Artist Collection -Angel In The Bird Garden-” is set to release in Japan on January 22, 2021 which will see a collaboration with ANNA SUI ACTIVE, a luxury brand hugely popular in China. It combines the brand’s iconic and unique vision with the cute character Sonny Angel, the little angel boy who enjoys nothing more than wearing different kinds of headgear.

This marks Sonny Angel Artist Collection’s first collaboration with a brand and it takes on ANNA SUI ACTIVE’s “Bird Garden” theme, wrapping Sonny Angel up in floral designs.

The result is a cute and gorgeous new collection of Sonny Angel figurines. ANNA SUI ACTIVE’s logo is also printed on Sonny’s leg.

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?

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.