InterContinental Tokyo Bay is set to serve up a special afternoon tea by French pastry chef Pierre Hermé at five of its restaurants including New York Lounge from June 1 to August 31.

A colourful, fruit-filled line-up

From the left: Mosaic Cheesecake, Macarons, Ispahan, Emotion Satine

From the left: Jardin de Misole, Jardin de L’atlas, Infiniment Cassis

Chocolate gateaux line-up

Two jam scones, one with raspberry and one with lemon

The savoury items are made by the French restaurant next door

The full afternoon tea at New York Lounge

The full afternoon tea at Hudson Lounge

The full afternoon tea at Manhattan

The full afternoon tea at La Provence

The full afternoon tea at Italian Dining Zillion

The afternoon tea line-ups are a collaboration between French pastry chef Pierre Hermé, who has been called the pastry industry’s Picasso, and award-winning executive chef Junji Tokunaga. Their first time working together, the duo have created an afternoon tea service packed with fruits like passion fruit, raspberry, orange, lychee, lemon, and more. Tokunaga also baked up chocolate gateaux as an homage to Hermé.

Items on the menu include Pierre Hermé’s signature Ispahan which is a rose-flavoured macaron stuffed with rose cream, fresh lychee, and raspberry; Mosaic Cheesecake which harmoniously combines griotte cherries and pistachio; the refreshing Emotion Satine in all its passion fruit, orange, cream cheese, and mascarpone richness; four original gateaux chocolate oranges by Tokunaga; scones, and more.

The afternoon tea served at French Dining Manhattan, a restaurant which has a terrace overlooking Tokyo Bay, also comes with its own original savoury line-up, while Fine Dining La Provence and Italian Dining Zillion serve up lunch plates with theirs.

FUJIFILM SQUARE in Minato, Tokyo, has announced the HAKU graphy Hommage to Hokusai exhibition by Mineko Orisaku which will run from July 21 to August 19 this year.

Hommage to Hokusai ©Mineko Orisaku

Following sunset (Tanuki-ko Lake) ©Mineko Orisaku

Pine and Mt.Fuji (Kawaguchi-ko Lake) ©Mineko Orisaku

Since announcing her “HAKU graphy” project in 2017, Mineko Orisaku has been experimenting with combining gold leaf and photography. This is different from the usual method of printing photos onto printing paper or washi paper, instead using FUJIFILM’s Acuity UV inkjet printer to print delicate gold leaf. This technology allows a wider use of printing materials and colours.

Mineko Orisaku’s exhibition is an homage to Hokusai, one of Japan’s most celebrated ukiyo-e painters and artists. She has used FUJIFILM’s large-format GFX digital camera for her works on Hokusai’s Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji to create something unique to her vision. Her work can be enjoyed alongside another Hokusai exhibition taking place at FUJIFILM Photo Salon Tokyo’s Space 1 and 2.

Virtual Shibuya has announced that its new Harajuku area will open on May 25, 2021. The virtual experience is hosted on Cluster, a virtual social media platform.

Shibuya 5G Entertainment Project launched the “Virtual Shibuya” back in May of last year in collaboration with KDDI, Shibuya Future Design, and the Shibuya Tourism Association. Officially recognised by Shibuya City, Virtual Shibuya comes in response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic which has brought tight restrictions to the economy and people’s way of life. It enables people to continue enjoying entertainment from the comfort of their homes by participating in a whole host of virtual events and activities. The project aims to deliver content from Shibuya with live performances from artists, art exhibitions, talks, and more. The use of 5G and the latest cutting edge technology connects the real Shibuya to a virtual space, combining the realms of the digital and real world.

Virtual Harajuku is the second area to open in the service and brings together the iconic locations surrounding Jingumae Crossing such as Laforet Harajuku and Tokyu Plaza. As part of the new area’s launch, Japanese pop icon Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has been announced as a Special Supporter of the service. The singer and model made her debut on the streets of Harajuku with her unique fashion. Ten years since her debut, she will continue promoting Harajuku from the service.

Japanese sock company Tabio is set to release a cute sock collection in collaboration with Miffy on May 17.

The Line-Up

Miffy Short Socks | 3 Colours | ¥1,430 (Tax Included)

Miffy Embroidered Socks | (2 Colours) | Women’s ¥1,430, Children’s ¥1,210 (Tax Included)

Miffy Short Socks | 3 Colours | ¥1,430 (Tax Included)

Miffy Embroidered Socks | (2 Colours) | Women’s ¥1,430, Children’s ¥1,210 (Tax Included)

Limited-Edition Novelty

The sock collection arrives with four different sock models featuring adorable Miffy designs. Those who spend over ¥3,300 on the collection will also receive a free Miffy memo pad.

In promotion of their upcoming album 2nd STEP, which will hit shelves on May 26, Japanese idol group Tsubaki Factory was featured in Vol.242 of Tower Record Shinjuku’s idol project NO MUSIC, NO IDOL?.

Tsubaki Factory in NO MUSIC, NO IDOL Vol.242

Tsubaki Factory formed in 2015 as members of Hello Project, an all-female idol group project managed by UP-FRONT AGENCY. The eight-member group made their debut with the release of their first single Hatsukoi Sunrise/Just Try!/Uruwashi no Camellia in 2017. In the same year, they receive the Newcomer Award from the 50th Japan Cable Awards.

Their forthcoming 15-track album 2nd STEP will include six singles from their fifth to their current as well as three additional tracks and six brand new ones. Tower Records is handing out posters and postcards to fans who pre-order or buy the record at select stores.

Receive a free NO MUSIC, NO IDOL? poster and postcard

Posters and postcards will be given to fans who purchase any of the three editions of 2nd STEP at the select Tower Records branches below. Available in limited stock on a first-come, first-served basis, those who pre-order the album will be given priority of posters and postcards over those who purchase it after its release.

Participating Branches: Sapporo PIVOT/Sendai PARCO/Shinjuku/Yokohama Vivre/Niigata/Shizuoka/Nagoya PARCO/Umeda NU Chayamachi/Hiroshima/Takamatsu Marugamemachi/Fukuoka PARCO/Naha

2nd STEP will be released in 3 editions

First Press Limited-Edition A (CD+Blu-ray+48 Page Booklet) | ¥8,800 (Tax Included)

First Press Limited-Edition A includes the album, all versions of the music videos from the group’s 5th single to their current release, a Blu-ray featuring a behind-the-scenes shoot of the album cover photos, and an 48-page A4-size photo book.

First Press Limited-Edition B (CD+DVD) | ¥5,500 (Tax Included)

First Press Limited-Edition B  includes a DVD featuring the footage taken from a drama event hosted by the group.

Regular Edition (CD) | ¥3,300 (Tax Included)

Get a freebie with your purchase at Tower Records 

Purchasing the new album at Tower Records, TOWERmini, or the Tower Records online store will earn fans the below-pictured A4 folder. Available in limited stock on a first-come, first-served basis, those who pre-order the album will be given priority of folders over those who purchase it after its release.

TIROL-CHOCO is collaborating with the Shaman King anime series this spring with a special bag of chocolates releasing in Japan on May 17.

Shaman King (Fukuro) | ¥130

The Shaman King manga series written and illustrated by Hiroyuki Takei has over 38 million copies in circulation. This marks TIROL-CHOCO’s second collaboration with its anime adaptation.

Inside each bag are individually wrapped chocolates each with a different character on the packets. There are eight designs in total, but one bag contains just seven. The chocolates are stuffed with adzuki bean paste, adzuki bean chocolate, and marshmallows.

©武井宏之・講談社／SHAMAN KING Project.・テレビ東京

ARMA BIANCA released a new collection of SIGG travel bottles and food jars in collaboration with the TV anime series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba on April 30, 2021.

SIGG Travel Bottle | ¥4,980 (Before Tax)

Take your drink with you wherever you go with one of these travel bottles featuring designs inspired by the clothes of the series main characters Tanjiro Kamado, Nezuko Kamado, Zenitsu Agatsuma, Inosuke Hashibira, Giyu Tomioka, and Kyojuro Rengoku. The bottles are made from high quality aluminium, are lightweight, and the inside is coated with a special material so that it doesn’t take on bad odours easily.

SIGG Food Jar | ¥6,980 (Before Tax)

The food jar line-up comes with the same character designs and are made of stainless steel, making them perfect for taking food around from rice to liquids like miso soup. They can keep food hot for up to 7 hours or cold for up to 18 hours.

©吾峠呼世晴／集英社・アニプレックス・ufotable

MUFG has announced that decided its Tokyo-based Musashino Sports Ground will is transforming into the new MUFG Park (tentative name) as part of its efforts toward the realisation of a sustainable environment and society. Set to open in 2023, MUFG Park will consist of three concept areas: a precious green environment in the city center (nature); environments for sports and to promote health (sports); and an environment for social exchange and activities (communication).

Tennis courts and grounds for soccer, rugby, and other sports

A community library stocked with reading material catering to cultural needs

Hosting lots of programs together with users of MUFG Park

“Committed to empowering a brighter future” is MUFG’s slogan which it is branding to help achieve a more sustainable environment and society. MUFG Park aims to resolve a wide variety of local and social issues that must be faced now and in the future, such as the conservation and passing-down of values related to precious natural spaces in urban areas, support for community-building in response to the post-COVID-19 era, and the creation of a resilient society. It also hopes to help empower a brighter future by communicating the various experiences and values cultivated there to society.

Fashion variety store IT’SDEMO released a new collection of Hamtaro merchandise online and in-store on May 11.

Original artwork features on the items

The line-up

The new and original artworks include Hamtaro and friends holding colourful balloons and flying as well as the adorable hamsters adorably enjoying strawberries. The collection includes towels, stationery, pouches, and more, all perfect for those who adore all things kawaii from Japan.

©河井リツ子／小学館

Japanese online retailer ARMA BIANCA is now taking orders for an all-new Gozilla and Ed Hardy collaborative collection. ARMA BIANCA’s concept is to create merchandise that brings about new value by way of collaboration.

T-Shirt | ¥4,500 (Before Tax)

The collection includes a t-shirt fusing together the worlds of Godzilla and Ed Hardy. It features standard styling and a silhouette adaptable in many situations.

Hoodie | ¥6,980 (Before Tax)

A simple pullover hoodie that can be worn as loungewear or outdoors.

Tote Bag | ¥3,000 (Before Tax)

A handy large-sized tote bag with a versatile design.

Sticker | ¥600 (Before Tax)

The sticker is made from synthetic paper making it water and weather resistant.

TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku, Tokyo, is welcoming Häagen-Dazs through its doors who have prepared a very special dessert buffet for the hotel’s “Summer Trip with Häagen-Dazs” service. The sweet treat line-up will be served from June 1 to September 30 along with a range of savoury foods from around the world – an inviting prospect to those unable to travel during the pandemic.

Sweets Collection with Häagen-Dazs ~Ice Cream Holic~ | General ¥4,800, Children (Aged 4-12)

The first entry to the Summer Trip with Häagen-Dazs is the “Sweets Collection with Häagen-Dazs ~Ice Cream Holic~” dessert buffet. To protect customers, all desserts are ordered and served like a course rather than going to pick up the food yourself. This marks the third year of the dessert buffet, and this time it’s inspired by ice cream shops in New York, the home of Häagen-Dazs. Ice cream will be served in a cool and refreshing variety of ways.

Experience that feeling of picking out a flavour from the ice cream store with a line-up of eight flavours including classics such as vanilla and strawberry as well as the new rich royal milk tea. Each serving is customisable with numerous toppings.

Other menu items include mini ice cream croissants, ice cream sodas, ice cream cake, and more. There’s also a line-up of savoury food too if you want to line your belly before dessert: fried chicken, burgers, hot dogs, fries, and so on.

While the buffet is on, the hotel restaurant itself will be transformed into an ice cream theme park with summery tropical fruit colouring as well as designs and decor inspired by ice creams and cones.

This summer, Southern Tower Dining and Lounge South Court—both of which are located inside Odakyu Hotel Century Southern Tower—are serving up a fluffy matcha shaved ice dessert called Wa -Nagomi- from June 1 to September 30.

Southern Tower’s Famous Fluffy Light Snowfall Wa -Nagomi- Shaved Ice | Eat In ¥1,470, Takeout ¥700

The matcha-flavoured shaved ice has a texture as light and fluffy as snow. As you spoon through the dessert your taste buds are met with a range of delicious tastes and textures like the Japanese rice flour confection known as gyuhi, winter melon syrup, black soybean flour ice cream, and cream.

The dessert can also be ordered for takeout. The black soy bean flour ice cream adds a crunchy cereal-like texture to the soft shaved ice, and with the takeout option, there’s also chocolate-coated wheat bran and brown sugar syrup.